Lenham Focus | August ’15

AUGUST 2015 IN THIS EDITION

Farming News Summer 2015

Dates for your Diary Find out what’s on

Lenham Wanderers Round Up

Family Festival What a success

SEE PAGE 6

SEE PAGE 7

SEE PAGE 22

SEE PAGE 28

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Relax this summer & let us take care of your home move.

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Village & Country Homes Sales & Lettings

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Welcome to the August edition of the Lenham Focus.

Thanks to everyone who filled out our feedback form in the last edition of the Focus.

James Collett Editor

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

07927 308740 editorialslf@gmail. com

We will be reading all of these and collating the responses and will give some feedback in the next few months.

Lenham Primary School are looking for people to help them to work with children who are struggling with their reading. If you can spare at least half an hour twice a week to support these young readers please contact Lorraine on 07813 583855.

We have another interesting article on farming in the local area written by Catherine Barr at East Lenham Farm, along with our regular contributions from Jim and Amy Myers and Derek Budge.

If anyone would like to make a regular or one-off contribution to the Focus we are always open to receiving these.

Please ensure these are emailed through to the editorial email address before the 7th of the month.

We are always looking for new editorial and ideally someone who can report on the key events in the village. Please get in contact if you think you would like to volunteer to become the first ever Focus reporter. You could do a regular feature or just cover the one off events such as the Family Festival or the Parish Plan presentation.

Alternatively if you just want to provide one off or regular articles on a subject that interests you. Like the great Focus on Nature articles we get from Derek Budge then please get in contact.

Editorial: James Collett 07927 308740 | editorialslf@gmail.com

Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200

Social: Jemma Cockell, Liz Webb

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Proofing: Jayne Hewish, Katy Bennett

Overviewer: Margo McFarlane

Finance: Mark Dunbar 07808863227 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com

Interviews: Jim Myers

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Welcome

Focus is Distributed by Volunteers to: Lenham Village, Lenham Heath, Platts Heath, Sandway, West Street, Woodside Green and Warren Street.

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Volume 17 Edition 8 (August 2015) Circulation 2000 Copy Deadline: 5pm 7th of the preceding month.

Please leave copy at 24 Maidstone Road, or contact us.

For ‘Out of Town’ Readers Distribution: Lenham Community Centre, Chequers Fish Bar, Lenham Post Office, Len Valley Newsagents and Harrietsham Post Office.

Published by Lenham Focus Lenham Focus is published by the Lenham Focus Team. Any

opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not the publishers.

Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine to ensure that they are correct and accurate at the time of printing and the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The publication of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the publishers.

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Heart of Kent Hospice

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Design: FALCON We design brands and digital experiences that strategically connect people and companies for clients across the world from our studio in the heart of Kent. If you’d like to get in touch, give us a bell on 01233 624664 or send us a message at hey@madebyfalcon.co.uk Alternatively visit our hip and happenin’ website at: madebyfalcon.co.uk Article Filler Photos: PicJumbo / Unsplash www.picjumbo.com / www.unsplash.com

Rainbow 5k Fun Run

Farming News Summer 2015 PAGE 6

Farming

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AUG 2015

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ome of you have been asking about the strip of light mauve flowers that flowered earlier in the summer along the margin of the field north of the A20 and east of Hubbard’s Hill. This was a special mix of wild flowers that are attractive to bees as they provide a good source of food. The mauve flowers were phacelia and the mix also included crimson clover, cornflower and fodder radish. The number of bees has been monitored over the spring and summer and the results are encouraging.

There are a number of fields growing beans in the centre of the farm. These beans are harvested when they are dried out and sent to North Africa where they are used for human consumption. They provide a useful break crop in the rotation with the wheat and oil-seed rape as the roots fix nitrogen in the soil for the next crop to utilise.

The mauve and white flowers are another excellent source of nectar for the bees, and when they have finished flowering the pods secrete a substance to repel aphids which the bees can also feed on, so they provide a good source of food over a long period of the summer. Our local beekeeper, who has his hives on the farm, reported a good year last year for honey which is also a good sign.

Andrew has now started keeping bees in a very small way and has already extracted 6 jars of honey earlier in the year. The honey, which has mainly come from the oilseed rape pollen, hardens if left in the hive for the summer so has to be taken out early.

Weather permitting the winter barley and oil-seed rape will have been harvested by the time you read this article with the wheat and the spring

barley to follow.

Could we please remind you again that it is the law to keep dogs on leads when in fields of live-stock, and also to clear up and remove anything your dog may leave behind as worms present in dog faeces can cause miscarriage in sheep, and disease in cattle which affected some of our purebred Sussex last year.

Also please check very carefully that your dog is secure when left outside. This year we lost 5 well grown lambs on Runham Farms at Platts Heath which had been attacked and mauled to death

by a dog over a number of days.

This is very distressing for the ewes, and also for my son and his shepherd who discover the remains of the lambs and have to deal with the situation. This is apart from the cost of disposing of the dead animals which must all be collected and taken away for disposal.

On a brighter note we are having some very welcome rain this morning which will help the crops and gardens.

Catherine Barr East Lenham Farm

Dates for your Diary Keep up-to-date with the latest goings on in and around Lenham.

29 August Lenham Garden Show Lenham Community Centre, 10am for exhibitors and 2pm for visitors.

29 - 31 August

Forthcoming Events 04 August Quiz Night 17 August Mixed Darts Competition 30 August Family Fun Day (BBQ, Karaoke, Bouncy Castle) Outside Bar & Marque for Outside Events and Private Hire Private very Tuesday Sunday Night Bingo:Hire. every Tuesday andand Sunday Night Quiz Night: first Tuesday of every month New members always welcome, apply to club

Heart of Kent Challenge Tandem sky dive to raise money for Heart of Kent Hospice at Headcorn Parachute Club.

Members and Guests Only. All events start at 8pm.

13 September A Unique-a-Fayre This year it will be held in the historic Allington Castle in support of Heart of Kent Hospice.

26 September Village Barn Dance In the Tithe Barn at 7:30 in support of Friends of St Mary’s Church 27 September Rainbow 5K Fun Run Mote Park, Maidstone at 9:00am in support of Heart of Kent Hospice

BALLROOM & LATIN CLASSES Have we missed an event, or do you know about something coming up?

Let us know by emailing editorialslf@gmail.com and we’ll include it in the next edition, or on our social media.

WEEKLY GROUP CLASSES £5/person

Monday 5.45 - 6.45 : Children’s Ballroom & Latin (8-16yrs) 7.30 - 8.15 : Adult’s Ballroom & Latin (Beginners)

GDC School of Dancing Lenham Dance Studios 8 Faversham Road Lenham Kent ME17 2PN Tel: 01622 850 800 Mob: 07831 718 628 Follow us: Twitter@GDCdancing Facebook/GDCSchoolofDancing www.gdcschoolofdancing.co.uk

8.15 - 9.00 : Adult’s Ballroom & Latin (Intermediate) Wednesday 4.30 - 5.15 : Under 8’s Ballroom & Latin (4-8yrs)

PLUS Wednesday Zumba Classes £5/person 8.15 - 9.00 : Zumba Fitness (12yrs+ only) Private lessons also available for individuals and couples, please contact the Studio for more information

Borough Council Corner

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his month we have been working with many residents on the impact of proposed planning applications, notably the motocross track in Sandway.

Residents wishing to write can do it formally by writing to Andrew Jolly or visiting the council website http://www. maidstone.gov.uk Housing has again been an issue for many with the lack of available, affordable, rentable properties in the area. There is unfortunately little that we are able to do however it is important that where appropriate residents reg-

ister with the borough council.

We are also continuing to assist residents who request help to complete some of the benefit forms that they receive. Usually when people are at their most vulnerable they have to complete forms that are often inexplicable at times of stress. If we can, we will guide residents through the forms or find someone from other agencies to assist.

We have made good use of the Borough website, residents can use http://www.maidstone.gov. uk/residents/report to report fly tipping or ring 01622 602000 and the KCC website, http:// www.kent.gov.uk/roads-andtravel/report-a-problem to report potholes and other road issues or ring 03000 418181.

Please use the tools or contact us with these concerns. We understand that sometimes it’s best just to ring, and appreciate that if we do not know, or if it’s not reported it won’t be fixed.

The Parish clerk is also a useful contact and we often ring Margo to check if we are also unsure on 01622 859862

Again it has been great to be involved in some of the local community events, and see the great efforts volunteers make to ensure the events are a success.

Kind Regards Janetta & Tom 01622 859412 tomsamscllr7@gmail. com or janettasamscllr@gmail. com

@lenhamfocus

Do you like the new design? Let us know your comments by emailing editorialslf@gmail.com

One Hundred Years Ago…

Council Corner

lenhamfocus.co.uk

by Amy Myers

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he First World War had begun one year earlier and there was no sign yet of an end to it. Far from it. Italy had joined the war on the Allied side, but Germany had now taken Warsaw and the Russian armies were forced to retreat on the eastern front.

When the liner Arabic was sunk however, the USA growled (it was still neutral) and the Kaiser

Lenham Primary School Bookworms

D

o you love reading?

Could you use your passion to inspire children? Do you have time to spare? If your answers

hastily suspended the submarine campaign.

From Lenham, Charles Ottaway in the Royal West Kent Regiment was with the British landings in Gallipoli at Suvla where fighting immediately broke out. Another Royal West Kent private was Lenham labourer Percy Merton who was killed on 25th August on the Western Front, only a month after his arrival in France.

(See Lenham and the Great War, available from Lenham shops, published by the Hatch Charity.)

At home, a Maidstone insurance company seized the opportunity to offer insurance against

Zeppelin raids, and in Lenham another potentially lethal enemy was insidiously at work. There was an outbreak of scarlet fever amongst the children of Lenham and the schools, including Sunday Schools, were closed until mid September to prevent its spreading. In the Bearsted police court a Lenham resident was found guilty of ill-treating a horse when the RSPCA brought a case against him. A stark contrast to the ongoing requisition of horses for the Western Front for use in battle – no protection for horses or men there.

are yes, yes and yes - then Lenham Primary School needs you!

Our new project is designed to help children who are struggling with reading to gain confidence and self esteem and to discover for themselves the magic of books. Volunteers will be working with a child on a 1:1 basis, using a variety of fun methods

(not just reading). All we ask is for a commitment of 30 minutes, twice a week. Full training will be given. For further information, please contact Lorraine on 07813583855.

Please note, this role is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced check from the Disclosure & Barring Service.

A Unique-AFayre

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UNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2015. With the kind permission of Sir Robert and Lady Worcester this year’s Unique-A-Fayre in support of Heart of Kent Hospice will be held in the beautiful surroundings of the privately owned and historically important Allington Castle which is rarely open to the public.

Combining a love of bespoke interiors, homewares and lifestyle products with the dedication and craftsmanship of many local businesses, the event will showcase the products of 33 handpicked exhibitors whilst raising money for the Heart of Kent Hospice.

Tickets are £15.00 each and include tea and cake in the Great Hall.

Numbers are limited and tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting fundraising@hokh.co.uk or by phoning us on 01622 790195.

Tickets can also be purchased on our website www.hokh.org. You may choose between morning

Music – We Loved It

by John Philpott

L

enham Hub Club was looking forward to a musical afternoon given by Swadelands School students.

Now there’s a good afternoon we thought. Could it be their choir?

As the students came in we saw they were carrying guitar cases.

This had to be something special!

We were not disappointed, from the opening solo accompanied by guitars we were entertained by solo and duet singers accompanied

tickets (starting at 10.00am) or afternoon tickets (starting at 1.00 pm).

Please note that this event is not recommended for children under the age of 12 but any child attending

must have a valid full price ticket and that wheelchair access is limited.

Thanks and kind regards, Dorothy Heart of Kent Hospice

by guitars and even a piano. The students were between 13 and 16 years’ old but all performed with an adult attitude. I could imagine they were overwhelmed by their ‘mature’ audience but very soon showed how competent they were and obviously enjoyed entertaining us as much as we enjoyed listening to them.

Miss Dunmall, who is in her 7th year as Head of Music at Swadelands, tells me that some pupils have gone on to study music at Canterbury College and other local establishments. One ex-student has just been awarded a scholarship at the London Collage of Music.

Thank you so much Alexandria Allen, Oliver Beer, Amelia Carey, Nina Devine, Cameron Faithfull, Shani Ford, Madelaine McPherson, Leonie Price, Pru Tautz, Leah White and Ross Wickison who were our entertainers for the afternoon.

The Music Department is in need of a new stage piano and PA system and they intend to hold a series of concerts next year to raise money for these items. Look out for their posters and also on the school website this coming year.

Lenham Surgery Tel: 858341 Mondays to Fridays 8:30am6:30pm. Closed 1-2pm Dispensary 8:30am-6:30pm Closed 12:30-2pm Urgent matters out of hours telephone. 0845 1450121 (6-6.30pm only) IC24. 111 (from 6.30pm)

Lenham Cricket Club

by Mat Revitt PAGE 10

Clubs & Soc.

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

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t’s been a fun packed month with plenty of cricket to report on. The wicket at Lenham has been playing very well and lots of runs and wickets have been seen by both Lenham and our worthy opponents. There have been some very close matches and some fabulous weather which has been a bonus for both our players and the loyal (and growing) crowd of supporters.

Saturday League 13th June (a) Hunton 2nds 1.30pm (Win by 7 wickets) Hunton batted first and made 204 for the loss of 5 wickets with D Nibleti making 81 runs before being trapped in front of the stumps for LBD by Stuart Russell. The other batsmen all contributed with the next highest score being A Burnham with 31.

Lenham chased down the score with just 2 overs remaining for the loss of 3 wickets. Dave Bunch led the score chase with a very impressive 93 runs and including a partnership of 145 with Nick Rutledge (42 not out). Other scores included Adrian Longley 34 and Pete Humphries 14.

20th June (h) Rumwood 1sts 1.30pm (Lost by 3 wickets) A very close game however saw Lenham suffer their first league loss of the season.

Lenham batted first and got off to a superb start with openers Adrian Longley (71) and Pete Humpries (73) seeing a partnership of 154. S Horton, D Seales and Mike Rickner added to this with another 57 runs between them setting Rumwood a not so easy target of 220 runs. Dave Seales took the first wicket in the second over bowling B Austin for 2 runs. Rumwood however kept pace with the required run rate with contributions from R Bailey (40), J Millen (83) and P Kenward (35). Lenham’s Mike Rickner wobbled the Rumwood batting order taking 4 for 23 off 5 overs however

Rumwood managed to make 221 with 2 overs remaining.

27th June (h) Headcorn 2nds 1.30pm (Points to Lenham due to cancellation at last minute by Headcorn) 4th July (a) Bobbing Court 2nds 1.30pm (Win by 69 runs) Lenham batted first setting 220 for 5 off the 40 overs. Leading the scores was Nick Rutledge making 57 and Pete Humphries making 51. All our batsmen contributed showing good depth within our order. Lenham’s bowling was very tight not allowing Bobbing Court to settle and the fielding lived up to the saying “catches win matches” with 5 catches being taken by 4 different fielders. First change bowler James Nurden had the best figures of the day with 4 for 34, closely followed by opening bowler Mike Rickner 3 for 38 off 8, Dave Gardner 2 for 12 and the other opening bowler Tom Curtis 1 for 29 off 8.

8 games into the league season Lenham are at the top of the table with 5 wins, 1 loss and two sets of points of allocated to us through last minute cancellations. Well done lads and keep the good work going.

Friendly Fixtures 7th June (h) Boughton & Eastwell 2pm (Win by 28 runs)

The game saw Lenham continue their good performances when batting first putting on 211 for 2. Adrian Longley top scoring with a deserved 84 backed up by 37

by Nick Rutledge, 17 by Mat Revitt and a very quick 58 from Tom Curtis (52 in boundaries).

Boughton & Eastwell started quite slow but a couple of good partnerships in the middle order between M Kamran (85), L Fletcher (22) and R Snelson (23) did make the game very close. Tom bowled well taking 4 wickets for 14 runs with other wickets being taken by Jack Gracie (1), Stuart Russell (2) and Chris Smith (1).

14th June (h) Priory 2pm (Win by 33 runs) Lenham haven’t broken a trend here and batted first setting a score of 186 all out off 39.3 overs, against some very familiar faces. Not the most impressive batting performance of the season however the runs were spread out across the squad with a superb final fling by numbers 10 &11 Jacko Ambrose and Dave Seaman scoring 62 between them. Mid order was bolstered by the skipper Dan Russell (28) and Dave Seales (24). Priory’s bowling was opened by Matt Shrimpton who only went for 12 runs off 8 overs and took 1 wicket for his efforts. The other wickets were taken by Robins (3) T Horton (2) and D Bunch

(2) and in all 8 bowlers were used.

Priory got off to a slowish start with good bowling from Lenham and Priory were 3 wickets down by 15 overs before Dave Bunch and Dave Horton settled in making 78 runs between them before the openers, Chris Smith and Stuart Russell, came back on and worked their magic. With 4 overs remaining Priory needed 50 runs to win and the chase was still on, a few quick wickets in succession left Lenham with the win in what was a superb game with a great atmosphere. Lenham also used 8 bowlers too with the pick of the figures being Mike Ricknor with 2 for 2 off 3!

21st June (h) Willesborough 2pm (Win by 5 wickets) A break in tradition now with Willesborough opening the afternoon batting. The opener M Statham was the stronghold of the Willesborough order making 44 runs off 20 overs with J Brignall scoring 26 and Z Budde Scoring 20. Unfortunately for Willesborough no real partnerships were established and the Lenham bowling was on top form with Dave Seales heading the honours up with 4 for 7 off 4.2 overs closely followed by Tom Curtis and Jack Ambrose with 2 wickets a piece. Lenham went out to bat after tea chasing 124 runs. The opening bowler for Willesborough, Z Budde, bowled very tight and took a prize wicket of Adrian Longley early on. However the other Lenham bats-

Lenham Gardening Society

by Keith Varney

F

or our June meeting we welcomed back Steve Bradley from BBC Kent Garden Show, as usual his talk was interesting, informative and humorous, the 60+ members present greatly enjoyed the talk.

Len Valley Community Hub Club Hello everyone I do hope you are all

men made steady progress to reach the total in 27 overs. Tom Curtis high scored with 48 runs with Mat Revitt on 24 and Nick Rutledge on 17.

28th June (h) Newington 2pm (Win by 91 runs) Back to batting first, always nice at home as we know the wicket is true and if you get settled in runs will follow. A few early wickets fell but Tom Curtis settled in and contributed a useful 62 with help from J Baratt (21) and D Seales (26) to reach a total of 185 for 9. From a Newington perspective the wickets were spread across the 7 bowlers. It was one of those teams this week with plenty of batting and plenty of bowling. Chris Smith was on form and took 4 for 17 off 8 with the other wickets being spread across the other 5 bowlers with Tom Curtis, our normal opening bowler not being given the ball. The opening bat from Newington got off to a good start however Chris Smith and Stuart Russell had taken 5 wickets between them by the 16th over had finished. The game was by no means over and Newington dug in with a Newington top joint score of 22 however a series of run outs and a duck saw the end of their attempts in the 31st over.

Look ahead to Next Month Saturday League Fixtures Upcoming • 1st Aug PRESIDENTS DAY, TIME TBC – turn up and have

• • • • •

a picnic and watch the fun 8th Aug (a) Milstead 2nds 1.30pm 15th Aug (h) Hunton 2nds 1.30pm 22nd Aug (a) Rumwood 1st 1pm 29th Aug (a) Headcorn 2nds 1pm 5th Sept (h) Bobbing Court 2nds 1pm (Last League Fixture)

Sunday Friendlies Upcoming • 2nd Aug (h) Murston 2pm • 9th Aug (h) Priory 2pm • 16th Aug (a) Newington 2pm • 23rd Aug (h) Bluebell Hill 2nds 1.30pm • 30th Aug (h) Detling 1.30pm Last but not least we need to thank the people who don’t always get a mention: Dave Humphrey (Dave the Score) our scorer who has all the stats at his fingertips throughout the game and whose scorebook is not only a work of art but a ledger of information enabling me to report on the games as accurately as possible; our umpires Dave Oversby, George Gray and Debbie Whitehead who give up their time at the weekends to become the voice of reason and authority on the field; and those players and members who keep our ground in tip top condition, coach the juniors and make the teas which set the standards for all other teams to live up to. Many thanks Mat.

Just to remind people of our outing to Penshurst on 18th August leaving the square at 10.00am sharp.

Tickets cost £18 (including a cream tea) and are available from Pat on 859084.

Although it’s still a few months away, November 19th is our AGM and it’s time to think about the future of your society. It’s an opportunity for members to join the committee and bring new blood and fresh ideas. As Chairman, I think it’s time

to move on, so please give some consideration to a new chair person.

If you are interested why not join now and see what we are about?

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 20th August at which Janine Doulton will talk about daffodils, which is appropriate as autumn will soon be upon us. Please come along and support us, new members always welcome.

drinking plenty of water, putting on sun screen and wearing a hat! Please take care in this hot weather.

We have a real treat for August.

Sixpenny Piece are playing for us.

This is on Thursday 06/08/15 2.004.00pm

This is at the Social Club. Janetta and Tom Sams plus the rest of the group are great! We will see you there.

Thanks to all our helpers.

Fred, Martin, John, Jenny and Nina

Lenham Heritage

by Lesley Feakes PAGE 12

Clubs & Soc.

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

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n midsummer’s day (as it used to be called) we set off on a walk from the square and followed the footpaths that link the sources of the Stour. We stopped by the small pond that juts out into Court Meadow and contemplated the marshy land north of there where new housing is proposed.

Bore holes and more investigation is being required (as I write) on the land around that site. Standing there we could see all the rushes at the eastern end of Court Meadow that indicates as to how wet the meadow is.

Then walking across the Stour footbridge lands one beside the Tanyard hide washing shed that has a stream divert through its foundation. How that unique building is going to be “converted” into a dwelling we pondered in disbelief. The footpath south of Tanyard’s House would appear to follow the track of the underground leat that feeds through that building for the other side of the hedge, in Stumbles upper field, is a swampy area of spring where it comes from.

Then stepping across yet another feeder stream of the Stour we were in Stumbles main field.

After viewing the moat at east Lenham (another spring of the Stour) we went SW along the footpath to the Bone Mill.

The lost Bone Mill always intrigues people, I think because its name reminds one of the “dark Satanic Mills” mentioned

by William Blake in his famous poem. Nothing much left of its structure and many of its stones were transported to build the

wall of St Mary’s churchyard (near the mounting block) in the 20th C. But Catherine Barr won the prize for the best observation … stretching westwards near the missing building was a distinct line of parched grass.

there was a structure standing either side of a straight mill race something like this :-

Sutton Field Mill ---guess it was like this

Maurice standing at the western end of the parch mark. The original Bone Mill was behind the shrubs to his left, the wheel would have been in a deep slot immediately behind him. Stones of this parched out wall showed their grey grin through the dried turf. Why it is in that position we do not know as matching with the 1841 tithe map that is not part of the Bone Mill but more likely the edge of a small dwelling that used to stand there.

By the way, in 1841 it had not progressed into grinding bones but was still known as a Seed Mill. From a “Time Team” film I have just been watching on Buck Mill, Somerset, it is possible that the Bone Mill had a revamped over shot wheel to give it more power and the mill pond extended to give it more water volume.

In the “T.T” programme they deduced an older Doom’s Day mill was 300m away. Lenham has the same I am sure. In Sutton Field we had resistivity result that

The field south of the Bone Mill is known still as Mill Meadow and in 2003 we found dozens of old 19th -20th C horseshoes. Suggestions were they might have been from the dead, ground up horses.

BUT horseshoes were usually recycled and it is more likely that the draught horses, pulling the carts of bones, were tethered in the field whilst they waited for a return cart load of bone meal.

Not uncommon to throw a shoe in a field whilst grazing. I had a whole bag of those horseshoes cluttering my conservatory for 10 years and I have to admit, I have recently recycled them to a scrap merchant who called appropriately with a horse and cart!

In archaeology one is supposed to store everything …but it gets a little ridiculous!

Ten people came on our walk and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our next one will already have taken place when you read this but Aug 26th might be a short visit to a local interesting area (light fades too quickly for a long walk ). Please phone nearer the date if you are interested.

850275 or email 606@feakes. com

Do you have an article or story that you would like published?

Let us know by emailing editorialslf@gmail.com and we’ll try and include it in the next edition!

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Young At Heart 60+

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trawberry tea 20/08/15 It is a members’ only party as we cater for a certain number.

Please feel free to join us in

SPARKLES Domestic & Commercial Window Cleaning

September and we look forward to meeting you then.

It is on Thursday 20/08/15 2.004.00pm at the Community Centre.

We hope everyone has a good time.

Please take care in the hot weather. Make sure you drink plenty

Pure Hot Water Fed Pole Technology

of water, have a hat and sun screen on.

If you require a lift please contact Jenny on 01622 859208.

Sue, Olive, Jacky, Fred, Martin, Jenny and Nina.

Ofsted Registered Childminder based in Honywood Road, Lenham PACEY member.

Very flexible hours.

Conservatory Cleaning - Fascia/Cladding Cleaning Solar Panels • Gutter Cleaning System

Free for 3 and 4 year old funding now available

Tel: 07856 110682 Web: www.sparkles-kent.co.uk www.facebook.com/sparkleskent

Please contact Beth on 07809 249176 / 01622 297499 bethpierson-smith@hotmail.co.uk

Heather’s for men & women

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Lenham W.I Report

by Gill Simes

T

PAGE 14 AUG 2015

@lenhamfocus

S WE ENE Y TOD D B ARB ER S HOP OAPS BOYS TO 16 MEN

£6 £7 £8

MON-FRI WEDNESDAY SATURDAY

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NOW WITH 3 BARBERS

he National Centenary celebrations continue! West Kent Federation held a special day at Lullingstone Castle. Many Institutes made scarecrows which were spread around the gardens, many shapes, sizes and types, all displaying great examples of the creativity, which seems to be prevalent throughout the W.I. These are going to remain on display to the general public for the next month, so if you get a chance now is the time to visit Lullingstone!! It was a great day, and several of our members went along. It was very hot, so the tea and cake included was very welcome (as was the ice cream van on site).

The W.I. decorated a pew for St. Mary’s Church Open Day, and enjoyed a talk by Antonia Gallup in July.

We will be having our annual break in August, and resume meetings in September when we will be entertained by guitarist Jeff Smith. In October we have a return visit from Lesley Gould who will be telling us about Japanese Festivals.

Ladies of any age are welcome to come along to meetings for a small charge to see if they enjoy our company!!

Lenham Garden Show

by Keith Varney

O

nly a few weeks to go!

August 29th at the Lenham Community Centre, the Lenham Garden Show.

This is our third annual show and we are hoping that it will be bigger and better than last year. The show is open to anybody who lives in the Len Valley area, you don’t have to be members of the LGS, just keen gardeners even it is just potting around, and all are welcome.

The programmes and entry forms are available from the Library, General Store, Community Centre and other shops in the Square, so please pick one up and see the many classes that are available for you to enter.

And don’t forget that the show is not limited to fruit, veg. and flowers, there are classes for baking, jam making and flower arranging so there’s plenty for everyone.

If you intend to exhibit please come along to the Centre between 10am and noon to stage your exhibits. Judging takes place at noon and then the show will be open to the public at 2pm.

Presentation of cups will be at approx.

4pm.

We hope to see as many of you as possible during the afternoon, why not have a cup of tea and some homemade cake which will be on sale.

Entry charge will be 50p per person, children free.

Heart of Kent Event Children’s Supper Club Every Friday 16.00 – 18.00, Heart of Flavour Café Bar, 13 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BA Why not treat the kids to a three course meal and receive a free glass of wine for mum or dad because you deserve it! The cost with wine (or any alternative drink) is £6.50 or £5.50 without free drink.

All proceeds to Heart of Kent Hospice.

FOOT CLINIC Mrs. Afstaneh Smith Foot Health Professional MCFHP MAFHP Flexible surgery hours Home visits undertaken Hubbards Farm, Lenham Heath, ME17 2BX Tel: 01622 853640 Mob: 07506376264

Lenham is for Transport (LIFT) Volunteers Needed LIFT is a service taking less able villagers to the GP surgery & Hospitals for their appointments.

Currently we are very busy and need more volunteer drivers.

If you are able to spare an hour or two either weekly/monthly/ or on an occasional basis for either of the above, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Bob on 07542 625277 for more details

Christian Message June

by Molly Poulter PAGE 16

Church

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

V17 E8

Loneliness

T

he sun is shining, the sky is a cloudless blue, the countryside has a luxuriant growth of fresh green leaves, the gardens are ablaze with the colour of roses, and the birds are singing so exuberantly it’s difficult to hear oneself speak. And yet I feel constrained to write about loneliness!

Why is this, I ask myself? Perhaps it’s because I’ve attended rather a number of funerals in the last few weeks and it has been brought home to me how many people around are lonely.

The latest census revealed that some 34% of the population live alone. There are various reasons – bereavement, marriage break down and divorce, loss of jobs, and homelessness.

Some people, of course, live alone from choice and enjoy their own company and don’t ever feel lonely.

There is a big difference between being alone and loneliness.

People can be in a crowd and feel lonely, or in an unhappy marriage and be lonely. If we look around there are many in our midst who live alone and suffer from loneliness.

The people who cope best are those who get involved in their communities, take up new hobbies and occupations, make new friends or take on charitable work – but however active they are, the feeling of loneliness at the end of the day is never entirely diminished.

How many people, enjoying the companionship of home life, stop and wonder what it might be like to live alone?

For the bereaved, particularly those who have lost husband or wife, they are suddenly hit with the knowledge that they are now alone. All the things they did together, all the household jobs they apportioned out, all the joys and pleasures of the life

they shared, have been taken away, and suddenly they find themselves alone, living in an empty house with no one to talk to. The grief is huge to begin with and though it lessens a little as time goes by – the loneliness comes back at the most unexpected times – sometimes when illness or depression looms or when some incident in daily life causes difficulties.

As time goes by you go on holiday, spend a happy weekend away or go out for an enjoyable evening with friends – and then come back to an empty house with no one to talk to. Does this ring a bell?

You feel unwell and wish there was someone around to look after you, or you hurt yourself and wish there was someone to give you a comforting hug.

You have problems with your children and wish you had a spouse with you to share the problem.

You go to church and have a happy morning worshipping God and sharing your faith with fellow Christians – and then go home alone for lunch knowing that most of the congregation are going back to family and friends.

I could go on and on. I am sure what I have said resonates with many.

There are so many people around us living lonely

lives and yet we don’t always notice. In the Bible, in Proverbs, we find this verse: ‘An anxious heart weighs a man down but a kind word cheers him up.’ Simple acts of kindness can bring good cheer - a phone call, a knock on the door to say hello, or a smile as we pass in the street. And we can always say a prayer asking God to be with them as they return to their empty house, For remember, there is someone we can always call on – Jesus Christ. His final words before His ascension were, ‘I will be with you always to the end of time.’

St Mary’s Church Flowers and Brass cleaning August 1 Mrs Porter/Mrs Barr August 8/15 Mrs La Plain/Mrs Perks August 22/29 Mrs Jones Brass cleaning Mrs Congdon

Len Valley Churches Service Times

Domestic Cleaning

Sunday 2nd August 9.30am Lenham: Breakfast service 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 10.45am Ulcombe: Family Worship 11.00am Lenham: Holy Communion 3.30pm Harrietsham: Growing in Faith Together (GIFT Family Worship) With a special welcome to those with Learning Disabilities and their carers

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Sunday 9th August 8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service 9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham: Morning Worship 6.30pm Boughton Malherbe: Evensong Sunday 16th August 9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service 9.30am Harrietsham: Morning Worship 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Morning Worship 11.00am Lenham: Holy Communion Sunday 23rd August 8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Family Worship 10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham: Family Worship

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Family Breakfast Service SHORT INFORMAL SERVICE SUNDAYS AT 9.30am St Mary’s Church, Lenham

FOR EVERYONE! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

Sunday 30th August 10.00am Combined Len Valley Churches Service at St Nicholas Church, Boughton Malherbe

Paul Grant Roofing Contractors All aspects of roofing work undertaken.

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Lenham Parish Council Clerk: Margo McFarlane 13 Mercer Drive Harrietsham ME17 1AY Telephone 01622 859682

hello@lenhamparish.org.uk

Vacancies on Parish Council (North Ward)

Following the uncontested Parish Council elections there are four vacancies on the North Ward.

Which must be filled by co-option.

Anyone wishing their name to be put forward for co-option should contact the Clerk details as above

Weekly & Regular Events

PAGE 18 AUG 2015

Daily

Activate Fitness Facilites

Activate Sports Swadelands

Monday

St Johns Ambulance

St Johns Hall, Ham Lane

Badminton (Feathers) Bell Ring Monday Music Mayhem Parent & Toddlers Group Harr & Lenham Cubs Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Youth Club H/sham&Lenham Beavers St Johns Ambulance Lenham Youth Club Pilates classes

Community Centre St Mary’s Church Community Centre Community Centre (8-11 years) Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane Harrietsham Scout Hut Cadets (10-18) Swadelands Ham Lane Community Centre

Messy Mums Babies + Toddlers Line Dancing LenARA Brownies 2nd Lenham Pilates classes Line Dancing Redbacks Explorer Scouts Guides 1st Lenham H/sham&Lenham Scouts Judo Club Lenham Youth Club

St Mary’s Church Community Centre Lenham Primary Sch Community Centre St Edmunds Platts Hth Kingswood Scout Hut Community Centre Harrietsham Scout Hut Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane Activate Sports Hall Swadelands Harrietsham Primary School St Mary’s Church see separate church services page

8am-5pm 9.30-11.30am 10.00-12.00

Sunday

Activate Fitness Facilites French Books for Children Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday Schools

2nd Tuesday 1st Tuesday 1st Wednesday 4th Wednesday Last Wednesday 1st Thursday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday 2nd Sunday

Royal British Legion Lenham Valley Parish Council Meeting LenARA (active retired) Archaeology Club Reading Group Women’s Institute Lenham Gardening Soc. Lenham Country Market

Lenham Social Club Business Association Community Centre Community Centre Community Centre Lenham Library Community Centre Community Centre The Village Square

8pm 6-8pm 7.30pm 2pm 7.30pm 4.45-5.45pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 9-1.00pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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7am-8.30am & 5pm-9pm 4.30-6.00pm 7.00-9.15pm 8-10.00pm 7:30pm 10-11am 9.30-11.30am 6.30-8pm 8pm 7.00-9.30pm 5.45-7.15.pm 6.00-8.00pm 7.00-9.30pm 7.00pm-8.00pm 8.30-9.30pm 10.30-12 Term 7.30-9.00pm 6.15-7.45pm 11.30-12.30pm 8pm 7.15-9.15pm 7.00-9.00pm 7.30-9.30pm 5.30-8.30pm 7.30-10.00pm

Stonebridge Associates Cybereye Security Curtains to Corsets Kent Design Studio Sweeney Todd Andy and Paul Apollo Elwood (Painter/decorators) KRS Building/decorating Stuttle Dyer (painters/decorators) G B Lister Lilypie Café Carpentry and General Building P Humpries Carpets direct Beaubray Caterers Little Dene Boarding Cattery

851542 858612 07541 000969 01580 230413 07734950329 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 01233 840004 858220 01622 844590 850364 858719 01233714999 763269 858510

Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chip Shop Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Coal Merchant Commuter Service Computer Services Dance Dressmaking & Alterations Electricians/Gas fitters Fitness Foot Practitioner Funeral Directors Gardeners Garages Grocers Hairdressers Hall Hire Handbags and Jewellery Landscaping Lawnmower Repairs Locksmiths Logs Martial Arts Nail Technician Newsagents Osteopathy Parish Council Pest Control Pharmacy Photographer Plumbers Pool Services Psychoanalyst Pubs Restaurant Riding School Roofing Schools Solar Panel Installation Solicitors Taxi Tree Surgeons TV Aerials Veterinary Surgery Will Services Window Cleaning

Inkstand cattery James Collett Debbie Brett Beth Pierson-Smith Invicta Chimney Sweep Chequers Fish Bar Heathers Chiropody Surgery Amy McLaughlin Phynix Domestic cleaning Edmed Coal Buzzlines Harrietsham Computers Lynn MS Computer services Lenham Ballet School GDC School of Dancing Pam AD Pink Electrics Barrie Weston Contractor MGI Electrical Activate Body and Soul Mrs Afsaneh Smith Kristina Smith A W Court Mower Repairs Gowers Garage Lenham Village Store Phase Hairdressing Smarty’s Lenham Comm Centre Charing Heath Hall Immyblingy Ireland Landscapes Maidstone Landscapes and Paving Mowtastic A Short Seasoned Logs Tai Chi Martial Arts Boot Camp Beauty Nails Len Valley news Graham Yates Bsc Ost (Hons) Chris Tempest D.O. M.Ost GOsc Reg Lenham Parish Council A D Pink Pest Purge Saxon Warrior Andy Flood Photography All Fix Plumbing Epic Plumbimg Pure Plumbing J W Engineering Services Koula Slevin Dirty Habit Lenham Social Club Red Lion Leeds Castle Uplands Riding School R and D Roofing Paul Grant Roofing Lorenden Greenman Solar Thornloe and Co. Arshed Mahmood Gez Clark Ambilly Tree Surgeons R & P TV Aerial services Harrietsham Vets Maidstone Wills and trusts Sparkles

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General/Social Numbers

PAGE 20

Primrose

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AUG 2015

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Badgers (St Johns Ambulance) Badminton Bowling Club Brownies (2nd Lenham) Drama Gardening Society Guides (1st Lenham) Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Heritage Lenham Nursery School Lenham Players Lenham Wanderers Lenham Social Club Harrietsham & Lenham Beavers Harrietsham and Lenham Scouts Harrietsham and Lenham Cubs Mother’s Union Pilates Classes Redback Explorer Scouts Royal British Legion St John Ambulance Women’s Institute St Edmunds Platts Heath Country Ways Quilters and stitchers Lenham Valley Business Association

Mrs Manley Linda Bird Lyn Fuller Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Mrs Pat Abson Lesley Feakes Ami Rathmill Janet Moll Steve Campbell Club Events Duncan Keenan Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mark Horlock Mr W Peter Mrs Bond Mrs C Toner Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading

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Borough Councillors:

Tom Sams Janetta Sams (Roads, Pavements)

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Lenham Wanderers

by Mike Kingsman PAGE 22

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

A

s the football season comes to an end for all the Lenham Wanderers Junior sides they can all be proud of what they have achieved this year.

The Youth Development Squad has rapidly grown this year and now has over 30 kids from 5 – 7 year olds playing every Sunday morning. Philip Jarvis who runs this squad is keen to attract as many kids as possible from the village and all boys and girls are welcome.

The U9s made the final of the Consolation Cup but sadly conceded the game without playing due to the Lenham Primary School tournament. A difficult situation as the boys want to play for their schools, but at the same time they have worked hard all season to get to the Maidstone League Cup Final.

I had the same situation last year and I hope that the Maidstone Invicta League and Lenham Primary School come to some agreement next year. We want all the kids available for both events.

The U10s had a reasonable season but lost several players halfway through which proved to be very costly. However they did finish in style, by winning

the Kings Hill Tournament Consolation Cup by beating Ebbsfleet in the final.

It was always going to be hard for the U12s this year as they lost Paul Hewish at the end of last season. Craig Smith took over the squad and has now built a good strong team ready for the 2015-16 seasons It was a great season for the U13s who came third in their league and made it to the Cup Final against Barming Youth.

They narrowly lost but full credit to how well Simon Lewer has brought on his squad. The highlight of the final is when the Lenham Team Bus turned up and couldn’t get through the gates as it was too tall – someone needs to do their homework!

The U15s had a steady season in the First Division and made it to the semi-finals of the Consolation Cup. I have had 8 good years coaching this side and working with Benjy Mace for the last 2, he has really bought on some terrific players. I hope it won’t be long before some of these players push on and make it into the Lenham men’s teams.

Mark Homes and Paul Hewish have taken over the squad for next season and should inject some new life into this very good team.

Lenham Wanderers Presentation Day – 13th June

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V17 E8

Visit our showroom Newington Ind Est, Newington, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7NU

This annual event is where all the teams from Youth Development Squad to the Under 10s are awarded their trophies for all their hard work throughout the season. With excellent weather and over 100 people attending, fun was had by all with a mixture of games including a Cross Bar Challenge and Beat the Goalie.

The mums decided to take part by playing a match against the Youth Development Squad in their flip flops and high heels only to lose very badly. The dads did better by narrowly beating the U10s with just a little more skill than the mums.

On the day burgers and sausages were served thanks to the hard work of Craig Smith and Jason Squire on the BBQ. The good news is they didn’t manage to burn too much of the food and sold everything on the day.

The event ended with a raffle and there were some excellent prizes donated by our local businesses – Philip Jarvis Estate Agents, The Fig Tree Spa, The Dog & Bear Pub, Leeds Castle and The Wildwood Discovery Park. Lenham Wanderers would like to thank them for their support which helped raise money to fund the Youth Development Squad.

www.lenhamwanderersfc.co.uk

Lenham Neighbourhood Plan It has been some time now since the last communication so we thought it appropriate to write an update on the Lenham Neighbourhood Plan as at July 2015.

The draft plan which is available throughout the parish at various establishments and on the LPC web-site was formally submitted to Maidstone

Borough Council on Thursday 2nd April.

A response from the MBC was finally received late June, from which a proposal to meet was organised. Representatives from the Neighbourhood team, along with Kingsley Hughes from Designscape Consultancy, will meet with Rachel Elliot and other MBC officers on the 7th August; this meeting will be the first opportunity to receive feedback on the draft plan submission.

We hope the four months since submission has allowed thorough scrutiny of the plan and will allow appropriate feedback. Once we have thoroughly appraised the Borough Council comments we will advise you all. It is anticipated we will also hold a formal feedback session in early September following the holiday period.

Security and Electrical Services l Alarm systems l CCTV l PAT testing l Fire alarms l Automated gates l Video/audio entry systems l Existing systems maintained & repaired l All electrical work undertaken l Domestic & Commercial installations

When the leadership of Maidstone Borough Council changed in May we took the opportunity to meet with the new leader Fran Wilson and were advised that the challenges facing Lenham need to be evidenced. The NHP group has since worked on the task of collecting more evidence.

A further meeting is scheduled for 31st July where we will have the opportunity to present the challenges facing Lenham, discuss our concerns and share ideas for moving the plan forward.

EY

LE N H

LL on

es

ti

in

s

The NHP team has continued meeting regularly in addition to Parish Council meetings, the work has continued whilst awaiting meetings with outside bodies to be arranged.

The NHP team.

V AM A

MEMBER

Bu

We are optimistic that the meeting, which will be attended by our MP Helen Whately, County Councillor Jenny Whittle, MBC Leader Cllr. Fran Wilson, along with our Borough Councillors Janetta and Tom Sams, as well as LPC and NHP representatives, will help to focus the way forward with a proactive approach. We appreciate the input from Parliamentary, County, and Borough members and will take the opportunity to listen intently to any suggestions, recommendations and general advice given.

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COMPUTING FOR BEGINNERS One to One Computer and iPad Training in your own home.

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Contact Lynn for more details

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PAGE 24 AUG 2015

The Lenham School Music Makers at The Tithe Barn

by Valerie Woollven, Martin Porter

O

n the 20th June 2015 we were delighted to welcome Miss Yuki Negishi to the Tithe Barn. She is an international pianist of great skill and sensitivity, who has performed around the world and has played two recitals with us before.

@lenhamfocus

On this occasion she delighted us by agreeing to be accompanied by The Lenham School Music Makers. Under the tuition of their teachers, Sam Diplock and Vicky Travis, the children had rehearsed for many weeks. They gave us a rousing performance of ‘Consider

What’s the difference between ‘organic’ and ‘local’ produce?

Music Makers

lenhamfocus.co.uk

by GB Listers

V17 E8

O

rganic and locallyproduced food has become more and more popular in recent years but have you ever wondered what’s healthier; organic or local? Does organic also mean local? How do you make the decision about which to buy?

Organic food has been produced in accordance with strict EU regulations using environmentally and animal friendly methods without the use of any artificial chemical fertilizers, and reduced use of pesticides. Farmers growing organic food rely more on the nutrient rich soil and nature

yourself at home’, from ‘Oliver’, and ‘When I grow up’, from ‘Matilda’. The performance was thoroughly enjoyed, and preceded the full recital by Miss Negishi.

We are hoping to continue our recitals on an annual basis, and many of our guests asked that

fertilizers such as manure or compost. Any food labelled as “organic” must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients. Organic food, however, does not necessarily mean that it’s locally produced.

Local food, on the other hand, is not necessarily produced organically but focuses more on the geographical aspect of where the food is produced. Although there are no legal requirements as to how far food can travel to still be classed as ‘local’, it is generally considered that up to 50 miles is an acceptable distance.

As soon as food is picked it starts to lose some of its nutrients therefore the sooner it arrives on your plate the fresher it will be, and the more vitamins and minerals (and also taste!) it will contain. Local food has also not had to travel so far so is more environmentally friendly with a reduced carbon footprint; and because the food hasn’t had to come from far away there are reduced transport costs involved

Miss Negishi would return to play for us again.

We are very grateful to all who helped us both with the setting up and at the champagne and canapé reception before the recital.

which can be passed on to the consumer. Obviously, eating locally produced food means there is a limited variety of produce available at one time so it’s useful to know what food’s in season at any given time so you can adjust your meals accordingly, and this reinforces the recommendation that we all eat a varied diet.

So what’s better for you? Is it organic or local produce? The bottom line is that they’re both great, healthy choices. Eating food in season may be the cheapest option, but many people choose to combine the two, ie eating fruit and veg in season and supplementing with organic food that is out of season from further afield.

At GB Listers we have a wide variety of delicious local fresh fruit and vegetables and, if you’d like to try some organically grown produce please speak to us in our Lenham shop as we’re also able to source this for our customers too.

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Success comes from working together.

Business Networking is about . . . getting the information!

Tuesday 1 September MBC Economic & Commercial Development. The team will provide an update on the Council’s Economic Development Strategy designed to support the county town’s growth and prosperity between now and 2031. Introducing plans for a new generation of work space for Maidstone: The Business Terrace. The Business Terrace will provide a dynamic, affordable business workspace designed to grow and sustain new start-ups and existing micro businesses across Maidstone, underpinned by high quality bespoke mentoring, events, seminars and workshops. There will also be information about grants and other funding available to support businesses grow. Venue: Lenham Social Club at 17:45 for 18:00 ‘til 20.00.

Another big get together coming up soon at Chilston Park Hotel on Tuesday 1 December. Our speaker will be Hiliary Steel (inset), Editor of Kent Women in Business Magazine. “The power of predicting personality” An interactive look in to understanding what makes people respond and behave in the way they do in the world of business.

e it! ik l t h ig m t s u j u o y Try it New members and one off visitors welcome, you can try it out for free - we are sure you’ll like networking with LVBA. Register on our website, on the registration page.

Events are organised and presented by Alan Reading who has been networking from before it was even called networking!

Keep up to date (& to join) www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841

Focus on Nature

by Derek Budge PAGE 26

Nature

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

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Solomons’s Seal

I

t needs a degree of persistence plus some luck, in order to track down what seems to be one of Kent’s rarer wild plants, i.e. Solomon’s seal…. Polygonum multiflorum (Liliacea). It can occur in the open areas of some old mixed woodlands and is sometimes naturalised along shady hedgerows, where it may have become naturalised.

We had some blooming in our previous house garden in Shropshire and it was always such a pleasure to observe its graceful arching stems, each bearing alternately arranged elliptical leaves which curved downwards. At close intervals are hung the small storked inflorescences, each bearing some two to five creamy white flowers which are beautifully tipped with soft green coloration.

Along with seal like markings on the roots, a number of early writers began using the common name Solomon’s seal.

The generic name comes from Greek ‘Polys’, meaning ‘many’, and ‘Gonu’ meaning ‘small joint’, referring to the jointed underground stems, but it is a puzzle how the name Solomon began to be associated with this somewhat secretive plant. I am still searching for an answer but in the Middle Ages there was a lively debate regarding the merit of various names which included the ‘Seal of St. John’, the ‘Seal of the Virgin’ and the ‘Solomon’s Seal’. The latter became preferred, probably due to its association with magic, which was a preoccupation in those times.

The early writer Josephus described Solomon as a philosopher, a conjuror and enchanter, his seal being the magic pentangle, or the Star of David, comprising two

interlinked triangles, claimed to possess the power of ‘fuga daemenorum’, i.e. the ability to protect from evil spirits. The true 5-pointed pentangle was said to refer to the five wounds of Christ, all of which persuaded mediaeval botanists to assume that Solomon had approved of this plant.

who detested any such names bearing religious connotations.

However, no-one seems to have taken much notice and Solomon’s seal has survived to this day.

As expected, the Elizabethan herbalist Gerard describes its many virtues, but in so doing, he reveals insights into his own character, the following passage suggesting he was either a tongue-in-cheek humourist, or a blatant male chauvinist :‘An application of the fresh root taketh away in one night or two any bruise, black or blue spots gotten by falls, or women’s wilfulness in stumbling on their hasty husband’s fists or suchlike’.

It may be fanciful imagination, but it offers an incentive to search for possible references in the Bible, and sure enough there are:‘and Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

For he was wiser then all men….. and he spake to trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon, Having sustained some painful even unto the hyssop that fractured ribs as a result of a fall springeth out of the wall. He some weeks ago, I was tempted spake also of beasts, and of to prepare a recommended creeping things, and of fishes’. decoction for both internal and

external use, for hastening the (King James Bible Kings 30-33) healing process, but nowhere near were enough plants So at least, Solomon seems to available! have been a keen naturalist!

An old apothecary’s name for I’ll content myself with using my this plant is ‘Ladder of Heaven’, favourite local name for the plant but objections soon came ‘Vagabond’s Friend’. from the Protestant reformers

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED Lenham Primary School are looking to recruit volunteer mini-bus drivers to help out on school trips. Training will be provided by KCC. This is an ideal position for a retired bus/coach driver, or someone with lots of driving experience who would like to help out in the community. If you are over 25, with a full driving licence then please contact the school office on 01622 858260 for further details .

We take safeguarding children very seriously and a full DBS police check will be undertaken before appointment.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), Wills, prepaid funeral plans We come to you – ask for a free no obligation quote LPAs: These are essential – everyone should have one. If someone loses capacity the partner has to apply to the Court to manage things but it can take ages and cost £’000s. All this could be avoided with a LPA. Wills: Everyone needs one. It’ll take just 40 minutes of your time and we do the rest – why not include a Property Trust to help protect the value of your home?

Prepaid funeral plans: “lock in” at today’s prices & will cover the funeral cost whenever it’s needed. Guaranteed acceptance. The most competitively priced plan available and the only one endorsed by the National Federation of Funeral Directors

Maidstone Wills & Trusts Freephone 0800 612 7459 Low cost. Fully insured. Work underwritten by our legal team. www.maidstonewills.com

Email: services@maidstonewills.com

Award winning member of the Magic Circle Youth Initiative As seen at the Lenham Festival

Available for parties and corporate events

Lenham Family Festival Success

by Lenham Family Festival Committee PAGE 28

Festival

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

V17 E8

T

he third successful Lenham Family Festival took place from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th June, with big crowds attending on the family fun day. The chosen charities were Cancer Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and Demelza Hospice Care for Children and we have so far raised £2934!

What a stunning amount. Well done everyone!

The festival kicked off with Swadelands school students entertaining the Age Concern community hub group with singing accompanied by their guitars and keyboards. Friday night saw Lenham Social Club host a musical quiz event.

Saturday the family fun day bought crowds to Lenham Community Centre - inside and out. The whole event was opened by Gez Clark, Lenham local town crier, entertainment inside was provided by Vivienne Lawrence’s Ballet School, GDC School of Dancing, Charlie Hewish, Lenham’s young magician, Lenham Players, Music Mayhem and Fred Turnham MC and pianist extraordinaire.

Outside there were musical sets for all ages; performances from the Invicta Ukulele band to headliners such as Blackshot 21, Fred Clark, and Paul Kloppers band. Other performers included Kentish Sax, Renegade, Jamie Middleton, For the Kicks and the Creative Arts Academy. We also saw a range of inside and outside stalls and activities for children and adults alike. Sunday at Lenham Market, crowds were entertained by the band Sixpenny Piece. The final act for the festival was on 20th of June, at St Mary’s Church with songs from the shows sung by Andrea Turner, accompanied by pianist John Summerfield.

As a follow on to last month’s article we would like to thank the

following for all their hard work • All bands (played free of charge) • All stall holders • All performers within the community centre • All volunteers • Anonymous sponsor of UKSAS • Arts and crafts event by local baby and toddler group with special thanks to Teresa Denbow.

• Bearsted and Thurnham Fayre committee for lending us 2 truckloads of equipment (huts, chairs, tables etc.)

• Brian and Jo Llong • Bruce Hamilton Argue (thank you for your ideas, they were appreciated!)

• Charlie Hewish amazed us all - a star in the making (and Jayne Hewish for distributing festival leaflets to the primary school) • Community Centre trustees and staff • Creative Arts Academy (set up and ran the BBQ, sang, danced, built & dismantled the huts, and also made the backdrop for the truck) • Falcon (for updating our festival website) • Festival Committee members, David Needham, Martin Sherwood, Jenny Lloyd, Sue Gooda, Jill Hatcher, Annie Drylie and special thanks to Janetta and Tom Sams • Fred Clark • Gez Clark

• • •

Groom Way residents Harrietsham school Jordan Turnbull photographer • Kevin, market manager • Lenham Focus distributors (for delivering the festival leaflets) • Lenham Ladies • Lenham Storage for providing the truck and trailer (a shiny new one too!)

• Lenham Social Club for providing and running the bar • Lotus Print (thank you John & Joan for all your help) • Margo & Bill McFarlane • Martin, Ryan from the police • Maz for the electric on Sunday • Nick Osbourn • Our chosen charities for attending the Saturday fun day • Parking stewards and Tanyard Farm • Phil Jarvis • Raffle prize donors • Special thanks to the Guides who gave half their takings!

• Sponsors (Lenham Parish Council, Hatch Charity & Lenham Focus) • Sound team (esp. Joe Barker and Mark Williams) Thank you if you helped or contributed and we haven’t mentioned you, thank you also to all those who came and supported the festival events, we hope you had a good time!

Continued overleaf...

OSTEOPATH

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Same Day Service Contact A. Pink 01622 884774 07761559744

MR C. R. TEMPEST D.O. M.Ost. GOsC Registered Osteopath Late appointments available & Free parking

No.8 The Square,Lenham, ME17 2PQ

07749 980096 www.chris-tempest.co.uk

LENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

The Lenham Swimming Club

Meetings are held at the Lenham Community Centre at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Parish Council first Wednesday of the month (except September) Planning Committee first Monday of the month (except Bank Holiday) Planning Committee third Wednesday of the month followed by Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting.

For more details contact the Parish Clerk 01622 859682 (during office hours)

hello@lenhamparish.org.uk lenhamparish.org.uk

The Village Pool is Back!

Family-friendly Heated Outdoor Pool 20m x 8m Lifeguards on duty Run by volunteers Family Sessions

GB LISTER Produce you can trust Lenham’s Traditional Family Butcher & Greengrocer

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Saturday and Sunday

6.00 – 7.30pm 2.30 – 4.00pm

Tuesday Friday

7.45 – 8.30pm 7.00 – 8.30pm

Adult Only Lane/Fitness Sessions

Open now until end of August Membership Fee

Locally sourced meat which hasn’t had to travel thousands of miles before it reaches you.

10% DISCOUNT and FREE DELIVERY for senior citizens on Tuesdays.

Tel: 01622 858220 Email: gblister@live.com 13 The Square, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2PQ

www.lenham-butchers.co.uk

Adult - £5.00 Child - £3.00

Charge per Swimming Session Members Non-Members £2.50 £3.50 £1.50 £2.50

Come and find us at Swadelands School, Ham Lane, Lenham For further information contact Chris Hills on 859174 / chills99@btinternet.com Like us (Lenham Swimming Club) on facebook

We look forward to welcoming you to the Club

Continued...

PAGE 30 AUG 2015

We have celebrated our success but we have also taken on board feedback on how we can improve in future years to make the festival bigger and better.

We always welcome volunteers who would like to be involved in any capacity.

We look forward to seeing you at our 2016 event.

Lenham Family Festival Committee.

Lenham Family Festival 2016

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

We have tentatively booked next year’s festival from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th June 2016 with the family fun day on Saturday 11th June 2016.

We noticed throughout the spring and summer, many local associations, clubs, church and school events clashed on the same day or weekend.

The intention of Lenham Festival is for all associations, clubs, church and educational establishments to celebrate together so we would urge those involved in any of the above to join us in a larger community event for 2016. We are open to suggestions on all fronts and would love for you to get involved, celebrate your team, class, club, society or school successes.

If you wish to get involved in our 2016 event please email sams_uplands@yahoo.co.uk or lenhamfestival@gmail.com . We will begin planning from September onwards.

Festival

Lenham Family Festival Committee.

V17 E8

PP

Friends of St Mary’s Lenham presents

The Annual

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Confidential treatment for depression, stress, anger, low self-esteem, anxiety, relationship difficulties, sexual trauma, loss & psychosomatic conditions.

Village Barn Dance Dancing to

‘Whistling

In the

Skirmish’

Tithe Barn, Lenham

Koula Mary Slevin

Courtesy of Val and John Arthur

Saturday 26 September Dancing starts @ 7.30pm

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist MSc. UKCP Reg. No.8 The Square, Lenham, ME17 2PQ ☎ 07443509772 enquiries@kmspsychotherapy.org.uk

Tickets: £8.00 per person

(children under 16yrs £4.00)

Bring your own drinks and nibbles or order food from Chequers Fish Bar, Lenham Square Tickets can be purchased from either:  Len Valley Newsagent, High St, Lenham  St Mary’s Church’s coffee morning 10.00am every Saturday  Or, Contact Lyn Fuller on 01622 851538

Summer Martial Arts Bootcamps for 4—11 year old girls and boys.

Little Soldiers: 4-7 Cadets: 8-11 Come and have fun with us learning Martial Arts. Earn your yellow belt on our 1 hour a day, 5 day course.

Build confidence, improve balance, coordination, focus, discipline, memory and control.

Courses running in July & August

Just £25!!

Prize Crossword ACROSS PAGE 32 AUG 2015

1. Wolsey, for example includes 26. (8) 5. Wine container includes 26. (6) 8. King of France. (3) 9. Welsh town includes 26. (10) 10. Famous traitor includes 26. (8) 11. Agreed at length. (6) 12. Place in Kent sounds useful to a seaman. (4) 14. Locum is changing guide pins with terror to start with. (10) 17. To do this in disbelief would leave you uncovered! (3,4,3) 20. Avid sort of singer. (4) 23. Concerned includes 26. (6) 24. A well-known pony includes 26. (8) 25. Part of a group dine for a change outside and end up inside. (10) 26. This is all over the place here. (3) 27. No longer frozen but probably not warm. (6) 28. What 26 may finish up at. (1,4,3)

Crossword

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

DOWN

V17 E8

1. Not a vegetarian but includes 26. (9) 2. U.S. form of transport includes 26. (7) 3. Digitised information includes 26.

(1,1,4) 4. They are potentially aggressive when flying. (3,6) 5. Garage includes 26. (7) 6. Prepared and listens again to journalist. (9) 7. Criminal at home? Keep him there!

(5,2) 13. Being selfish he got his tick inside with no initial harm. (9) 15. International group changed yet was the same. (9) 16. It’s a moving thing when a mountain is this. (9) 18. Honey bee disease includes 26. (7) 19. One can’t get through being due to marry. (7) 21. How a good actor comes to the stage. (2,2,3) 22. Girl who darns a spread?

(6)

Please leave your completed crossword entry at Lenham Library on or before the 15th of the month.

Last months Crossword solution.

Last months winner: Arun Sharma of Lenham.

Lenham Guides Growing up Wild in the Weald of Kent

S

ix Lenham girls recently experienced a day of outdoor fun combining nature with adventurous activities at the Swattenden Centre in Cranbrook.

This was part of the latest initiative

by Girlguiding London and South East region for young Guiding members to engage with the natural environment. It is hoped that Growing up Wild will inspire young people to get outdoors, have fun and explore. Girls can discover a huge range of activities from beach combing to woodland discovery walks.

‘We left at 9.00am to go to Growing up Wild 2015. When we arrived at the centre we were put into groups to start our activities. My first activity was wall climbing. We each put on our safety helmets and with our partner we had a go. The next activity was the assault course which was really fun. We raced our partners around the course getting dirty and dusty on the ground. The low ropes were more challenging. We had to walk along a wobbly rope bridge, two types of ropes and to finish we walked along a wobbly wooden plank. My favourite activity was raft making. We had to make the shape of a raft with barrels and tie it all together. We learnt two knots, the truckers hitch and another (I can’t remember the name) we then had to sail on it!’

The 6 Guides who took part in the Kent Weald Day were Louise Price, Rhiannon Saunders, Sequoyah Hills, Sophie and Hollie Keene and Marnie Robinson.

Louise says ‘ Guides is all good fun so came on girls join us, make new friends and have a good laugh’

Louise writes……………

‘The trip was great fun. The obstacle

The Royal British Legion

activities supporting ex-service members and their dependants in time of need.

The Branch Committee has suggested that members (both men and women) might wish to meet informally at lunchtime for a bar-snack, initially at the Dog and Bear, on the last Wednesday of the month. The first meeting will be on 26 August at 12:00. Finally, an early reminder that the annual Service of Remembrance, held at St Mary’s Church, Lenham, will start at 10:15 on 8 November.

by Jim Myers

A

t the Strawberry Tea, held on 25 June and run by the Women’s Section, Lenham Branch of the Royal British Legion, the President, Mr Bill Peter presented new equipment for the Standard bearer to Mrs Eve Gurr, chairman of the Women’s Section.

This was in recognition of the tremendously hard work the ladies do in fund raising for the welfare

Rhiannon adds……….

Beauty

Nails Acrylic Tips

Contact Ping 07460 393777 Cash only

This outdoor activity day, organised

by Guiding Kent Weald, has been just the start of the Growing Wild initiative for the Guides (and Brownies) in Lenham. It will be ongoing with more outdoor activities planned for and by the girls.

If you would like to know more about Guiding (for girls aged 10yrs to 14yrs) in Lenham please contact Julia Thomsett on 01622 859009 or visit Girlguiding.org.uk/interested.

We meet weekly in term time at the community centre, Fridays 7pm – 9pm.

Text and Photo by Jim Myers Picture caption: L to R – Bill Peter, President, Janet Humphrey, Standard Bearer, and Eve Gurr, Chairman

Beauty

Nails

by Appointment Parties welcome

course was really funny through small hoops.

The rafting was good. We made a Lenham Guide raft and then a Harrietsham raft and we sailed them. One of the barrels fell off our raft and Marnie accidently fell in!!’

Lenham, Maidstone, Kent

Full Set In-fill French Manicure Single Nail Tip Take off & Full Set Take off Acrylic

£23 £15 £13 £3 £28 £10

Pedicures will take off all hard skin on your heels and help to fix ingrowing toe nails.

Overlay Full Set Manicure Pedicure Manicure & Pedicure Polish Change Nail Repairs

£23 £10 £20 £30 £6 £2 each

Shellac File & Paints File & Paint White Tips Manicure & Shellac Pedicure & Shellac Acrylic Fullset Acrylic Infuse Take off Fullset Take off

£20 £20 £25 £32 £33 £25 £40 £5 each

Lucy and Connie – New Beginnings PAGE 34

Lucy & Connie

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

AUG 2015

V17 E8

Lucy & Connie at Fairbourne Manor Stables ->

W

e all have concerns about abandoned ponies left to their own devices with little or no food – no meaningful contact with humans and invariably neglected and sometimes left to die – it really is a shocking state of affairs.

So, instead of saying how terrible it is, we thought we’d do something about it. Leonie Hunter, owner of Fairbourne Manor Stables in Harrietsham, Kent decided to foster two ponies, Lucy and Connie from Happy Endings Charity. Although it is only two out of the 27 which were found and are being cared for by the charity, taking any is of enormous help to the charity. But, without further training, what is the future for these ponies?

They say, to do a little, is better than doing nothing at all.

Therefore, we are all going to crack on. Can these ponies be trained? And how are we going to finance it – horses and ponies are very expensive to keep. So, with a little help from her friends, Lee has asked Sara De Vries for professional help and June, Mel, Rosemary and Holly to try to follow instructions!

It has been a voyage of discovery and not to say a little dangerous at times! But the rewards are worth every minute spent with them. We have seen them fill out, their coats have become gleaming and we have been able to cut out knots from their manes and even groomed them.

That in itself has been a reward.

Sara de Vries is pictured here de-sensitising Lucy who is the braver of the two using Parelli, Natural Horsemanship. Connie will need more time to get to this stage, but it is encouraging to see how far Lucy has come in

such a small length of time.

We are also very grateful to HORSLYX horse licks who have supplied us with different flavoured licks, which have been invaluable!

From being malnourished nervous ponies, we have discovered what lovely personalities they have. This spurred Lee on to try and get support and funding to try and move them onto new caring homes and be riding ponies.

on Sunday, 21st June 2015. All proceeds from the day will go to Lucy and Connie and their journey to a new life of new beginnings from Happy Endings - trained and loved by their new owners.

Our journey is just beginning – if we can help these two, then we can carry on helping more ponies in the future.

Please look at our website for the date of our next coffee morning and updates on Lucy and Connie. We also have a pony Facebook page called Lucy and Connie – New Beginnings and we’ll be updating this with every milestone gained. And we just love it when we get a ‘like! and a comment.

Sara de Vries de-sensitising Lucy.

We held the first of what we hope is many coffee mornings to spread the word on how to bring on a horse or pony which has had little human contact.

It’s all about gaining trust – after all horses are prey animals and we are predators. Put like that, its small wonder, we manage to do anything at all.

So, thank you to everyone who came and joined us at www. fairbournemanorstables.co.uk

Amelia making friends with Lucy, Connie and Phoebe

The Red Lion - Lenham 01622 858531 www.redlionlenham.co.uk

A Traditional 14th Century Inn located in the Medieval Village of Lenham Home Cooked food served daily.

Mon-Fri 12-2:30pm & 6-9pm Sat & Sun 12-9pm including bank holidays Senior Citizens Specials Hot Stone Dining Experience Traditional Log Fires Cask Marque Awarded Real Ales Function Room Available Monthly Quiz & Theme Nights Mobile Bars & Catering service available for hire

Lenham Parish Council Clerk: Margo McFarlane 13 Mercer Drive Harrietsham ME17 1AY Telephone 01622 859682

hello@lenhamparish.org.uk

Vacancies on Parish Council (South Ward)

Following the uncontested Parish Council elections there are three vacancies on the South Ward.

Which must be filled by co-option.

Anyone wishing their name to be put forward for co-option should contact the Clerk details as above

CALLING ALL COMMUTERS

This year, Buzzlines has introduced a new commuter coach service to connect the A20 corridor between Hothfield and Hollingbourne with the Jubilee Line at North Greenwich.

By using North Greenwich, we avoid the Blackwall Tunnel and connect to the Jubilee Line for onward travel to Canary Wharf and the City and Westminster. Commuters headed for Canary Wharf and the City should find their journey times substantially reduced.

Even allowing to London Travelcard costs, commuters using these services will expect to save well over £1,000 annually against the costs of a rail commute. Commuters able to save car and parkings costs will find their savings climbing even higher. Bikes are accommodated at no charge and there is atseat power and wifi.

Free trial seats are available for new passangers, capacity permitting.

ANNUAL SEASON TICKET MONTHLY SEASON TICKET

£2,550 £255

PICK UP

MORNING EVENING

HOTHFIELD A20

06.35

19.29

CHARING A20

06.39

19.25

LENHAM SQUARE

06.46

19.18

CARNET OF 10 SINGLES (ONE WAY)

£90

HARRIETSHAM

06.50

19.14

DAY TICKET (SINGLE OR RETURN)

£20

HOLLINGBOURNE A20

06.53

19.10

BUZZLINES’ NEW LONDON COMMUTER SERVICE FOR THE A20 CORRIDOR BETWEEN J9 AND J8 OF THE M20 COULD SAVE YOU £1,000-£2,000 vs RAIL COSTS Prices will be reviewed annually and any inflationary increases will not exceed those applied to the equivalent rail journeys.

The single-journey carnets are designed to help those working part-time or who split their weeks between working in London or at home.The validity of single journey carnets is open-ended so this provides an especially economical alternative for occasional travels to pre-10am Travelcards.There are heavily-discounted season ticket opportunities for one or two regular travellers who are happy to act as our on-board ticket managers and to help with marketing the service locally.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BUZZLINES ON 01303 261870 OR EMAIL COMMUTER@BUZZLINES.CO.UK.VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT BUZZLINES.CO.UK/COMMUTER