Lenham Focus | January ’16

JANUARY 2016 IN THIS EDITION

Lenham Family Festival Read all the latest

ImmyBlingy Jim Myers’ latest article

A Big Thank You from The Lighting Committee

Juicing Recipes GB Lister’s tips!

SEE PAGE 10

SEE PAGE 11

SEE PAGE 22

SEE PAGE 24

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Helping you on your way to somewhere new‌

Village & Country Homes Residential Sales & Lettings

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lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

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PAGE 4 JAN 2016

Welcome to the January edition of the Lenham Focus.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year and have now suitably recovered and returned to normality.

James Collett Editor

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

07927 308740 editorialslf@gmail. com

I hope you enjoyed the Lights Switch on in the Square at the beginning of December, I certainly did. A big thank you to all those involved in putting it on including all those people who gave up numerous Sundays to put the lights up and will be giving up numerous more to take them down. Don’t forget if you want to keep the great event going please get involved in helping to put up and take down the lights next year.

This year the Focus team are looking to increase the amount of articles we run so if there is anyone out there who

has a good idea for an article, or even better a series of articles, then please get in contact. The magazine is only as interesting as the articles that go into it so if you think there is nothing in here to grab your attention do something about it and get writing.

We are looking to launch our website early in the new year and would be keen to hear from people who would be interested in providing articles for the website that could also be used in the monthly magazine.

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

Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200

Social: Jemma Cockell, Liz Webb

Advertising: Annie Drylie 07593 340744 | advertslf@gmail.com

Proofing: Jayne Hewish, Katy Bennett

Printed by: Gemini Print

Finance: Mark Dunbar 07808863227 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com

Interviews: Jim Myers

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 18 Edition 1 (January 2016) 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.

Authors of articles and advertisements in Focus take full responsibility to ensure they obtain any prior permission for use of copyright materials.

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Online Advertising The Lenham Focus will soon be be launching a new website.

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adverts and be listed on the site.

Contact us for more details.

Creative Team

Photography: Andy Flood Andy has been providing photography to the focus since the launch of the new design.

Consistently he has provided amazing shots, especially the front covers.

Check out his website! www.andyfloodphotography.co.uk

Concert of Favourite Music 2 In aid of

Heart of Kent Hospice Simon Proctor Piano

The Heart of Kent Orchestra Conducted By

Thomas Shelbourn with

Phil Humphries Serpent

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 website at: madebyfalcon.co.uk Article Filler Photos: PicJumbo / Unsplash www.picjumbo.com / www.unsplash.com

JAMES BOND PIANO CONCERTO FRANK SINATRA PIANO CONCERTO SERPENT CONCERTO all by Simon Proctor, plus The Entertainer, Für Elise, Sabre Dance, Nocturne in E flat (Chopin), The Phantom of The Opera, Liebestraum No. 3, In The Hall of The Mountain King

7.30pm on Saturday February 27th 2016 Invicta Grammar School Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS

Tickets £12 Adults, £8 Children To book visit www.hokh.org Tel: 01622 790195 Email: fundraising@hokh.co.uk RCN 298164

Borough Council Corner

by Tom & Janetta Sams PAGE 6 JAN 2016

H

appy New Year everyone. Again it has been a busy month around Lenham.

We have been active in filling in forms for residents.

We have been working alongside the parish council on issues such

One Hundered Years Ago...

Council Corner

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

by Amy Myers

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I

t was now recognised that the war was going to be a long one. Serbia and Monastir fell and the forces intended to relieve Kut met such stiff opposition that they were unable to fulfil their mission. Lewis Hodgson from Sandway was one of the many still suffering the appalling conditions there.

There were hopeful signs for the war though. There was a new Commander in Chief on the Western Front, Sir Douglas Haig.

A battalion commander by name of Winston Churchill had just arrived for active service, and the invention he had encouraged had its first trial: the tank.

At home the parish of Lenham was becoming a thorn in the flesh of Hollingbourne Rural Council.

First, it had to set up a special committee because the announcement of the end of the scarlet fever and diphtheria outbreaks had proved premature. Then the Lenham drains began playing up again, this time behind the Dog and Bear where the drainage to the Maidstone Road and to the Square was

as fly tipping, signs, broken lights and of course planning.

We are very impressed with the work of the Neighbourhood Plan group and attended the technical briefing which was very well run and very informative

Finally can we focus on the winter weather; the salt bins around the village are full. Please can we urge residents to help those more vulnerable and pass details of concern where necessary to Martin, the Community Warden on 07977 981993.

Unfortunately the Motocross issue is still not resolved and we are working with residents, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and Maidstone Borough Council

We do our best to be available for residents and can be contacted by email on janettasamscllr@ gmail.com or tomsamscllr7@ gmail.com or by phone on 01622 859412.

inadequate. This time the problem proved too much for the poor council to deal with and it passed the buck to its sanitary inspector Henry Apps to sort out ‘on the spot’ with the various owners.

of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Tragically he died in an air accident in 1931.

Luckily this was no hardship for Henry Apps. He knew Lenham well, having lived here with his family for some years before moving to Sutton Valence some years before the war. His son Gordon was educated at Lenham School until the family moved and Gordon was to have a distinguished career in aviation.

He joined the RFC and was sent to Italy with 66 Squadron where he won the DFC and after the war, he emigrated to Canada where he was a founder member

A sad event for the parish this month was the death of 73-yearold Henry Chapman of Norham Farm in Lenham Heath and, as were his wishes, the coffin was followed by his pony and trap. There were many other Chapmans living in the parish, some of whom were already in the forces, others would be following them: the first bill of conscription was going through Parliament.

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

16 January Lenham Nursery Indoor Boot Fair Raising money for toys and equipment for Lenham Nursery School Charity, come along and grab a bargain, enjoy a cuppa and a cake. To be held in the Primary School main hall from 9am to 12 noon. Donations welcome on the door and sellers pay £10 per table. Enquiries and table bookings lenhamnursery@btinternet.com or Katherine 07944 244308.

Forthcoming Events 30 Jan

Open Pool & Darts Competition Open to all members

Bingo: every Tuesday and Sunday Night 8pm Quiz Night: first Tuesday of every month Whist Drive: every Friday 7.30pm Monthly Sea Angling Club Outside Bar,Hire.

Marque, BBQ & Bouncy CastleNight for Hire Private very Tuesday Sunday Members and Guests Only. All eventsand start at 8pm.

Private Hire. veryTuesday Tuesday and Sunday Night

Maidstone Friends of Music Outing Join the Maidstone Friends of Music and go along to their next outing to see Le Corsaire at the London Coliseum. See the article for more information.

28 January Lenham Family Festival Meeting Come along and get involved in this year’s festival, particularly if you can help on the day. Lenham Community Centre, Appleton Room 7:15pm

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

Lenham Heritage

by Lesley Feakes PAGE 8 JAN 2016

S

o we start a New Year…..

HAPPY New year to everyone! Jan 27th 2016 - Talk by Jim Preston on “Tanyards and Bone Mills” Jim is a local Industrial Archaeologist (from Medway) and is

Lenham Gardening Society

by Keith Varney

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

A

happy new year to all our members and friends - somewhat strange as its Dec 1st as I write this but never mind I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas.

Our Cheese and wine party was a great success and enjoyed by everybody. A big vote of thanks to Pat and her team for all their

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

by Enid La Plain

Clubs & Soc.

Young At Heart 60+

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A very happy New Year to one and all. We hope you had a good Christmas.

We have no meeting in January.

familiar with the past industries in Lenham so many people in Lenham should find his talk very interesting.

Feb 24th is a talk by Rod Le Gear on Chislehurst Caves Rod has spoken to our group before and is a very good speaker.

He is a member of “Underground Kent” so come along if you find caves interesting!

It was decided for this next year that we would not have a spe-

cific Chairman of the Heritage Group but would take turns in chairing meetings.

Please come along to any meetings that you might find interesting. Membership for the whole year is just £10 and £2 for visitors at meetings. Always meetings are the last Wed of the month in the Osborne Room of the Community Centre 7.30 pm Lesley Feakes 8502745

hard work, without which the event would not have happened.

I would like to welcome Sue Gooda, Mhairi Waimsley, Tony Fenwick and Alf Smith who have joined our Committee and we look forward to working with you all.

you have to put up with me for another year!!

Due to medical problems Lesley Feakes has stood down from the Committee. It’s mainly due to her that we got the Lenham Garden Show off the ground and running, and made it the success that it is.

Having more help will ease the pressure for the rest of the committee but it also means that

W

At the AGM we circulated some suggestions for 2016 outings. We hope to report back on these at the next meeting January 21st.

The competition for January will be a bunch of snowdrops and/or a jar of homemade pickled onions. The overall winner of the 2015 competitions was Pat Hollis - well done Pat. February 18th will be our Winter Social, more details later but tickets will be on sale at the January meeting.

Just a reminder that Subs (£7) will be payable in January.

Happy Gardening

e wish you all a very happy New Year. We meet on the 28th January in the Community Centre at 2:30pm. Our speaker this month

is Melanie Gibson Barton and her subject is Bruges, More than Chocolate. The usual raffle and tea and biscuits.

Our next meeting will be Thursday February 18/02/16 at the Community Centre 2.004.00pm. Tom and Janetta Sams group Sixpenny Piece will be playing.

As always a big thank you to all who help make these afternoons a success.

If you would like a lift please contact Jenny 01622859208.

Do come along and join us.

Olive, Sue, Jacky, Kath, Jackie, Fred, Martin, Jenny and Nina

Len Valley Community Hub Club We hope everyone had a good

Lenham W.I.

by Gill Simes

M

Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all.

We don’t have a meeting in January so our next meeting will be Thursday February 04/02/16 at the Social Club 2.00-4.00pm. We have a lady

you Maureen, Christmas would not be the same without your delicious cake!!

coming and her guide dog that is still a puppy. I am looking forward to that and seeing you all after our break.

Thank you to all who help.

Martin, Fred, John, Jenny and Nina

next year (including me! I’m learning how to make ‘Silver Clay Jewellery’).

We have a varied selection of speakers for 2016 including one talking about Marine Biology, to one on Medical Detection Dogs. I will give you more details next month.

ay I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2016. We ended 2015 with a talk from Barbara Stevenson, followed by sausage rolls, mince pies and mulled wine plus Christmas cake provided once again by Maureen Heathfield. Thank

We will be having our post-Christmas meal at the Dog and Bear on 27th January.

Our annual Quiz night will be taking place on February 20th.Details from Carole Toner: 01622 850048. Several members will be going to Denman

Don’t forget, we are always delighted to welcome new members!

Crowded places, people and dogs

at them when they disturbed (or fell over) the two giant poodles laying on the pavement virtually hidden on the edge of the group. As the dogs were black and less than 18 inches high (laying down) it was impossible to see them. One or two people, as dog lovers themselves, thought that this was no way to be treating pets and that they could not be owned by real dog lovers.

also not appreciated by responsible parents of passing children.

by Christmas Switch On Committee

T

he Lenham Christmas Lights switch on event is usually considerably fuller than it was this year, mainly due to the weather conditions, both windy and raining, there were less attendees. Lenham families don’t like the rain. Despite the lights being on around the eaves of the buildings on the square, at pavement level it was still quite dark. Five feet from one of the two doors into and out of the Dog & Bear Hotel a group of about 20 people were standing on the pavement drinking. Several people going along that stretch of the public pavement had abuse hurled

Please try to respect other members of the public at all times and be considerate to your dogs and others, thank you.

Dog lovers have asked that we point out that dark, crowded pavements where dogs are made to lay for some considerable time and where public crowds (including both disabled and children) are continually trying to move from one place to another, should be avoided. This is especially relevant when it seems to result in such foul language from the group. This was

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 Festival 2016

by Lenham Festival Committee PAGE 10

Festival 2016

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

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he 2016 Lenham Family Festival takes place from the 9th to 12th June 2016.

This month the Festival Committee are pleased to announce that all funds raised by the 2016 Festival will be divided equally between Lenham Nursery School and The Heart of Kent Hospice. These are both local charities and very deserving causes so we hope you will support the event wholeheartedly in whatever ways you can.

We would like to say a big thank you to LenARA who donated £100 towards our Christmas Raffle, with which a prize of vouchers for Chilston Park Hotel were purchased. Thank you also to Chilston Park Hotel who donated a savoury tea as a prize, to the Chequers Fish Bar and Immyblingy who also donated raffle prizes, and to everyone who purchased tickets at the Christmas Lights Switch On. The following winners have not yet claimed their prize: First Prize – blue number 108 Fourth Prize – white number 98 Sixth Prize – yellow number 89 Eighth Prize – blue number 66 Ninth Prize – pink number 189 If you have one of these winning tickets, please call 01622 859412 to claim your prize.

This month we are also excited to announce that The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra will be performing in the Tithe Barn on Friday 10th June. Watch this space for further details of what is sure to be a very special evening. Details of other events to be held over the four days will be announced in future issues of The Lenham Focus.

As usual, the main community event will be on Saturday June 11th, (please make a note in your organisation’s diary if you haven’t done so already). There will be a large variety of stalls in the Community Centre car park, refreshments for sale, and music from local bands on the main stage throughout the day and evening. There will also be performances from various local groups, including dance and theatricals, in the Community Centre.

Remember, the main aim of the Festival is to provide a fun event that brings the whole community together, is affordable for families, and will raise funds for our charities so be sure to keep these dates free so you don’t miss out on all the fun events that will be taking place over the Festival weekend.

The next meeting of the Festival Committee will take place on January 28th at 7.15pm in the Appleton Room at the Community Centre. As mentioned last month, we are particularly looking for helpers on the day to assist the event’s success. Even if you can only give an hour of your time it will be very helpful and much appreciated. If you are interested in joining the committee or volunteering at any of the festival events, you will be given a very warm welcome. If you would like to book a pitch for a stall, or enquire about volunteering, email lenhamfestival@gmail.com or ring 01622 859412.

Look out for further details in each month’s edition of the Lenham Focus.

‘That Shop on the Corner’ Text by Jim Myers

I

mmyblingy? Isn’t that the corner shop on Lenham Square?

Answer: yes it is. Most Lenham residents will have seen its excellent window display, most will have popped in to browse, buy or just chat and most will have wondered how Immyblingy got its name and why. How? A contraction of Imogen (who runs Immyblingy) and bling. Why? ‘It would be unique and memorable,’ she told me.

Those adjectives apply to Imogen too. There are not many 18-yearolds who leave school with a firm plan of what they want to do and carry it out. Imogen left Invicta Grammar School with the fixed aim of balancing full time study with full time self-employment – ‘mixing theory with experience’ as she puts it. For the theory, she enrolled in the Open University full-time programme and aims to graduate in Business Studies this coming summer. As for the experience, she opened Immyblingy in February 2012 shortly after leaving school, entirely from her own resources and taking over from the previous shop there, Bowjangles.

Imogen had attended Lenham nursery as a child and tells me that the village was very welcoming to her when she returned to open Immyblingy. Now there is a big demand for her well chosen jewellery, handbags, ladies’ accessories, cards and gifts, helped by the economic recovery.

Lenham Guides Need your Help!

We are looking for adult volunteers to help with our Guide unit here in

The skills she has acquired there are not those that are easily obtainable through her degree work. Immyblingy has given her, she explains, ‘a good understanding and knowledge of customers’, both men and women. ‘Men,’ she says, ‘either know what gifts their partner would like or I can give them excellent advice, as shopping can be offputting.’ She’s learned that customers’ needs change, that trends and business cycles affect trade; she can take calculated risks but not allow risk to hinder progress.

Most importantly, Imogen doesn’t

believe in hard sales tactics. The products should sell themselves, she says, and the shopping experience should be enjoyable, helped by her providing a friendly ear where needed. She feels that a loyal customer base is very important for her continued success; putting her customers first is at the heart of her work.

Lenham. We don’t want the unit to close and disappoint 14 girls who regularly come and enjoy their Guiding time here in Lenham.

01622 859009 or E mail J.thomsett@ btinternet.com

For more information please contact Guide Leader Julia Thomsett on

Lord Sugar: forget The Apprentice.

Send the young entrepreneurs down to Immyblingy for an insight into how to run a business.

If you can help in some small way or know of someone who might be interested to ‘lend a hand’ that would be good news. Thankyou.

PAGE 12 JAN 2016

Bill’s Safari Supper raises £300 for the Samaritans

chosen charity. The Samaritans of Maidstone and Weald, nominated by Pamela Cuerden, attracted the most votes, ahead of Friends of St. John, the Village Hall Trust, Beanstalk and Heart of Kent Hospice.

by Roger Bevan

If anyone needs reminding of the fantastic service offered by the Samaritans, a few minutes spent on their website brings out how many people, faced with a whole range of difficult life issues, are helped by the organisation’s volunteers.

T

he most recent Bill’s Safari Supper was held on 21 November 2015 with 30 people taking part, including five who were new to Harrietsham and who were warmly welcomed.

@lenhamfocus

Five charities had been nominated as candidates for benefiting from the sum raised and each nominee gave reasons for supporting their

Maidstone District Health Walks Why Walk?

• • •

Bill’s Safari

lenhamfocus.co.uk

• •

Almost everyone can do it You can do it anywhere and at any time It’s a chance to make new friends It’s free and you don’t need special equipment You can start slowly and build up gently

Walking Can: • Make you feel good • Give you more energy

The Honywood & Douglas Charity Lennham (Registered Charity No.211272) The trustees hereby give notice that the following almshouse accommodation is available:-

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£300 was raised including additional amounts from Dave Verga’s heads and tails, and some generous extra contributions.

The finale was hosted by Jackie and Roger Bevan; the lively

• • •

Reduce stress and help you sleep better Keep your heart strong and reduce blood pressure Help you manage your weight

atmosphere reflecting the happy evening that everyone had enjoyed.

This was the tenth event since the safari suppers were restarted in 2011 and over £3,000 has been raised to date for a range of local charities or good causes.

The next Bill’s Safari Supper will be held around the middle of 2016 with the date to be announced early in the new year.

A number of new faces joined in during 2015 and we are keen to attract a lot more. If you might be interested, whether you are a couple or an individual, please e-mail me at roger.bevan@ btinternet.com or phone me or Jackie on 01622-859310.

Kent Health Walks?

The project, run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, is currently looking for local, knowledgeable volunteers to lead the walk each week.

What next?

Head to your nearest Health Walk and give it a go! You too can walk your way to health!

Going that extra step: Volunteer to be a Walk Leader If you enjoy walking around our beautiful district and you have a few hours to spare each week to help others, why not become a volunteer Health Walk Leader for

A ground floor bedsitting room with kitchen and bathroom at Honywood Almshouses, High Street, Lenham.

Applicants must be 60 years of age or more, able to look after themselves and have lived in the Parishes of Lenham or Boughton Malherbe for at least two years.

No experience is needed as you will receive full training, commencing 15 January 2016. – see attached poster For full information and to apply please contact Julia Wells on 01304 828713 or email: julia. wells@kentcht.nhs.uk

Application forms are available by writing to the Secretary at the address below. Completed forms should reach her by no later than 22nd January, 2016.

Mrs. Pat Sutton, 18 Headcorn Road, Platts Heath, Lenham, Kent. ME17 2NH

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PAGE 14 JAN 2016

@lenhamfocus

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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!

Would you like to be a member of Maidstone Friends of Music?

You could travel by coach from Maidstone (Grove Green or Castle Road Allington) to venues in London & the Southeast for Orchestral Concerts, Ballet, Opera & Theatres.

Recent outings have included: Royal Festival Hall, Brighton Dome, London Coliseum, The Barbican, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, The Hawth, Crawley And Great Comp Music Festival,

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

Annual membership for 2016 - £10 Members are sent a newsletter giving details of the outings and an invitation to apply for tickets.

The outing cost includes tickets and coach travel.

Application forms available from: The Secretary: Jean Talboys Tel: 01622 880349, email jtalboys@ btinternet.com Our next outing will be to the London Coliseum for a performance of Le Corsaire by the English National Ballet at 2.30 pm on January 16th 2016

The Same Sky Over the Lenham starry sky I see a shooting star so hurriedly make a wish wish comes true, so be it.

The star Sirius, Ursa Major or Archer the same sky is everywhere I will be always delighted with it wherever I will be Moonlight flows down to the ground here and beyond the sea, where is Poland A country that loves storks of each year they return to the slots There is also my piece place on earth a memory of this always in my heart Maria Hayman (translated from Polish by the author)

Scarves • Silver Jewellery • Purses • Hair Accessories • Fashion Bags • Costume Jewellery • Occasion Bags • Fascinators

Immyblingy bringing glamour to Lenham

MON-SAT 9:30-5 Open Market Sundays

01622 298129

Christian Message

by Pamela Cuerden PAGE 16

Church

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

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xtensive roadworks on the Ashford Road in Bearsted necessitated a complicated set of temporary traffic lights. In the midst of the area were two road junctions and so the lights, once turned red, seemed to stay that way for far too long. So long, in fact, that having studied the parade of shops to my right, the garage to my left and the boot of the car in front, I started to look in my rear view mirror.

To my horror, an angry mother in the car behind seemed to be repeatedly striking a child next to her, slapping her hands down onto the child’s legs in frustration and rage. My face reddened with shock and alarm, and I winced each time her arm lowered, but the lights turned to red and amber, and then to green, and we all continued on our way.

I felt sickened by what I thought I had seen and more than a little cross with myself for having done nothing to help calm the mother and save the child from further pain. Maybe the child had been very naughty. Maybe the mother’s hands stopped short of the child’s body and her movements were nothing more than a gesture in order to restore normality. Should I have got out of my car and reasoned with her? So many questions. So many excuses.

As I continued towards Mote Park, a discussion programme about ethics was being broadcast on Radio 4. Immanuel Kant believed in right and wrong: everything in life being black and white. Existentialists Jean-Paul Sartre and his partner Simone de Beauvoir, however, believed that ethics are situational. There are times, for instance, when telling the truth will cause more people problems than lying so, on these occasions, they would argue that lie, one must. If the consequence

of punishing one person might cause a mob reaction, then, according to them, it would be better not to punish the person.

My mind wandered to Pontius Pilot and the impossible decision he had to make when the crowd begged him to save Barabbas.

His decision to forfeit Jesus’ life was swayed by mob rule (Matthew 27:21-26). Beauvoir, however, believed that violence is always an ethical failure. My gut reaction to this pearl of wisdom was that she was right.

As I turned down Square Hill, my thoughts returned to the lady in the car behind me. I racked my brain for Bible quotations on the subject. Of course Jesus said “Suffer the little children” (Matthew 19:14) but that was too easy. It didn’t take into account whatever the mother was going through. Was she not just as much one of God’s children as the naughty child?

“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1-2). Ah yes, this seemed much more like it.

I was right not to over-react, I reasoned. The consequences of getting involved could have been to be pulled up sharply the next time I was off guard and did something wrong. I couldn’t be sure anything wrong had taken place. I never actually saw a child. Maybe it was just a driver and her dog? I was right to live and let live… ..wasn’t I? As time has passed I have argued with myself about the situation from every angle. By doing nothing to help the helpless one (human or animal), was I guilty by association? With the explosion of visual stimulus on television and the internet, have we become complacent voyeurs, unable to connect with or react to, extreme situations. Surely violence is never right, be it on man or beast. By getting out of my car and interfering maybe I would have made things worse but by getting out of my car and giving the woman time to talk and calm down, maybe I could have helped.

The thing that still nags is that it

really might have been a child: A small, helpless, person with no ability to defend themselves.

We all love to remember Jesus overturning the tables in the temple.(Matthew 21:12). Why? Probably because it illustrates his inner strength and ability to get cross, when it was necessary to defend what was right. Maybe that’s the answer.

I certainly wouldn’t have won any popularity prizes with the mother.

I might even have been faced with a violent reaction. But some still, small, voice from deep within, tells me I should have got out of my car and done something on behalf of the child.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 24:45).

Perhaps that should be my New Year’s resolution: to be more proactive in my faith.

Who said being a Christian was easy?

Reader Ministry Anyone interested in exploring Reader ministry in the Church of England with a possibility of starting training in September 2016 should consider discussing this with the Deanery Reader Advisor and their Priest. The selection panel for Reader candidates will be held on June 18th. The closing date for applications in April 30th.

Joan Drury Deanery Reader Advisor 01622 853766 jdrury23@btinternet.com Messy Church A big thank you to everyone who supported our November Love in a Box party with gifts or contributions towards the transport. We sent off 54 boxes with our prayers for children who wouldn’t otherwise receive any Christmas presents.

Saturday January 16th is our party when Josh from Joshing Around comes to lead the mayhem! Join us at Harrietsham school at 4.00pm.

Len Valley Churches Service Times

Domestic Cleaning

Sunday 3rd January 9.30 am Lenham: Breakfast service 9.30 am Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 10.30 am Ulcombe: Family Worship 11.00 am Lenham: Holy Communion 3.30 pm Harrietsham: GIFT family worship

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Saturday 16th January 4.00pm Harrietsham School: Messy Church Sunday 17th January 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 Wednesday 20th January 10.30am Holy Communion: Chippendayle Lodge

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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 24th January 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 Saturday 30th January 8.00am Dog & Bear, Lenham: Men’s breakfast 5.00pm Harrietsham: Prayer and Praise Sunday 31st January 10.00 am at Harrietsham: Joint Len Valley Churches Service: Holy Communion St Mary’s Church Flowers and Brass cleaning

January 16th and 23rd

Mrs La Plain/Mrs Perks

January 30th and Feb 6

Mrs Humphrey Mrs Porter/Mrs Barr

A peaceful and happy new year to all who keep the Church looking so good with their polishing and flowers, and very many thanks.

Sue Greenwood

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

hello@lenhamparish.org.uk

JANUARY 2016 January 2nd and 9th

Lenham Parish Council

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 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

PAGE 18 Tuesday JAN 2016

Wednesday

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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) Travis Perkins G B Lister Carpentry and General Building P Humpries Carpets direct Beaubray Caterers Little Dene Boarding Cattery

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

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Mrs Manley Linda Bird Neil Rouse Lyn Fuller Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Mrs Pat Abson Lesley Feakes Sarah Siddons 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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PAGE 22

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

Lenham Christmas lights 2015 - well done everyone!

by Alan Reading

I

nevitably the weather holds the key to the number of attendees to all outside events, especially in Lenham!

Despite that the Lenham lights switch on this year was well supported and a good time was had by all, as usual. Father Christmas was safely hidden away in his grotto (photo souvenirs thanks to iWill Photo) with a queue of enthusiastic young visitors from 1.30 until after 5.30, keeping his elves busy. The elves also managed to tour the crowds and sell a chance to win Afternoon Tea at Chilston Park Hotel, won by Clive, Red Lion (if you know him please let him know we need the winning ticket). Another prize was won too, an invitation to The Dog & Bear Hotel for Sunday lunch. Thank you to both hotels for their prizes. Winner of the Christmas Window competition was Barbara Richards Accountants – the cup is being engraved, so picture soon. Well done Barbara and team.

We nearly lost the beautiful six foot dogs from Hospital Radio

Everyone at Philip Jarvis Estate Agents help provide the atmosphere in Santa’s Grotto.

Maidstone through mistreatment by youngsters (whose parents couldn’t keep them under control) who thought it was funny to kick and mistreat these amazingly cute creatures. Be good guys or we might lose them for good. But thank you for your donations to a great cause. Cllr Toms Sams and his team were there this year to hold a fund raising raffle (with 15 prizes!) giving some funding

EDMED LTD WARMING HOMES THROUGHOUT KENT SINCE 1917

Xmas Lights

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

to The Lenham Family Festival later in the year. Balloons and then fabulous hand held lights brought even more fascinating sights for young eyes as the evening approached.

The Dog & Bear Hotel, Lenham General Store and The Red Lion all added to the event with pergolas outside their premises. Bouncy Castles were a casualty of the morning winds unfortunately, we’ve ordered better weather next year. To help that, the event will be the last Sunday of November rather than the first Sunday of December. That’ll be in response to recent requests from you, the public.

From the stage came three sessions from Rochester Singers who added a lively and a more Christmassy feel to the show. Carys Alyse despite suffering from a sore throat performed with her usual power and energy. Daniel VXC performed the tracks from his new EP. Thank you to both of them for braving the audience

Daniel VXC singing the tracks from his new EP release.

of Lenham!

The church had nearly 300 people visit during the day and announcements from Vicar Dick Venn from Len Valley Benefice with a countdown to the lights switch on, meant that the church bells came in on cue - even more Christmassy!!!

Thank you to Rev Richard Venn.

Several people reported a man going round telling everyone that Alan Reading was retiring. It is thought he misunderstood our article last month about the lighting team of electricians stepping down after 10 years; they put the lights up over the course of three months every year and ensure everything works like clockwork on the day. It seems complaining about many things in the village is his speciality and one or two establishments recognised him too. We are sure he means well. Alan Reading said “Yes I did meet him but since the switch on day I understand he is well known for pulling these kind of stunts. I don’t see him up a ladder.” No harm done.

Whatever happens everyone always has a good time - it’s the English way - we just don’t let any problems

The winning entry to the Christmas Window competition.

get us down. See you on Sunday 27 November same place! Watch out for updates during 2016. If you want to be involved with a performance or

entertainment at the Lenham Lights switch on you need to let Alan know before 1 August 2016 - yes that is the deadline for the start of promotions!

Juicing, an introduction by GB Lister PAGE 24

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

by GB Lister

J

uicing first became popular in the early 1990’s. The overriding selling point of juices is that they taste sensational and are extremely good for you.

Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables.

Raw fruit and vegetables are laden with vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help boast energy, ward off illness and cleanse our bodies so that they work well. A glass of juice counts as one of your five a day.

What is the difference between a juice and a smoothie? A juice is a drink made by using a special juice extractor or citrus press.

A smoothie is a drink made by mixing whole ingredients into a pulp in a blender.

We are all familiar with the idea of a cool glass of orange or apple juice, but what about vegetable juices? Here are some interesting recipes you may like to try:

Juicing

lenhamfocus.co.uk

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Basic with a boost 3 apples, 2 carrots, ½ inch/1cm ginger root Sweet ‘n’ Savoury 3 apples, 2 sticks celery Apple Cleanser 2 apples, 2 kale leaves, 1 stick of celery, 1/3 long cucumber,

Royal National Lifeboat Institution A very big thankyou to all

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

½ beetroot Parsnapple 3 apples, 2 parsnips, sprinkling of grated nutmeg Muddy Puddle 3 oranges, 1 handful spinach, 1 handful watercress, 2 broccoli florets Orange Pepper 3 oranges, ½ red or yellow bell pepper, 1 kale leaf, 1 handful watercress Carrot Cleanser 3 carrots, ½ apple, ½ orange, ¼ beetroot, 1 stick celery, 2 large kale leaves Sweet Pepper 3 carrots, 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper Green hit 3 carrots, 2 sticks celery, 1 bunch watercress, 1 large handful spinach Veggie Cocktail 3 sticks celery, 3 tomatoes, 2 carrots, ½ lemon

who supported the Lifeboats Coffee Morning in November at Barnside Cottage.

Thanks to you we raised £584 on Christmas cards and gifts with a further £200 from the raffle and donations.

If you find your vegetable juice a little strong-tasting, dilute with a little water. Always dilute vegetable juices for children.

It is important to note that juicing is not a complete meal. Juices contain very little protein and virtually no fat. Make a juice an addition to your regular meals, not in place of it.

Juicing is a time-consuming process, but also vegetable juicing is highly perishable.

Drinking straight away is best but if needed, store in an airtight, glass jar, filled to the very top.

Store in a fridge and consume within 24 hours.

For more recipes, check out our Pinterest Page https://www. pinterest.com/gblisterbutcher/ juices/

A record amount this year ... very much appreciated.

Sue Greenwood Maidstone Villages Lifeboats Branch

Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney & Prepaid Funeral Plans Wills: Everyone needs a Will. Without one the Law determines what happens and that won’t be

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Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs): Over 2 million people of all ages have lost capacity. If that happens spouse/partner CAN’T just take over. They must apply to the Court but it can take ages and cost thousands. An LPA can avoid all this. Once you’ve lost capacity it’s too late to get one. Act Now. Prepaid Funeral Plans: funeral costs have risen massively and will continue to do so. These plans “lock in” at today’s prices & will cover the cost whenever it’s needed. Guaranteed acceptance regardless of age or health. Make things so much easier for your family with no funeral expenses or difficult decisions to make at the worst possible time.

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Success comes from working together.

LVBA Networking is about a

Happy & Prosperous New Y ear.

There’s not many business network associations that are, conventiently, on the way home from work, in places nearby, at a convenient time 5:45 until 8pm, full of bright, happy networkers all ready to meet and greet you. Like you they are small businesses and looking for help, for more business and even for more friends. Where’s that? Well, if you don’t know and you are already in business - you really have been missing out. The Lenham Valley Business Association of course!

Relaxed, friendly, beneficial and fun. If you haven’t yet tried it you are missing out on a good opportunity for your business. Try it for free but please register. Register online or by phoning 01622 820841.

R.O.A.R. Tuesday 5 January 2016. Town Planner Peter Court will tell us about some of the pitfalls of running a business from home. The Dog & Bear Hotel.

Independently run - not a franchise.

New members and one off visitors welcome, you can try it out for FREE - we are sure you’ll like networking with LVBA. Launched in 2009.

Events start at 17:45. Register on our website, on registration page.

Events are organised by Alan Reading, Custom Marketing Resources, design and marketing, online and printed. One Call does it All! Keep up to date (& to join) www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841

Palaces in the Pond

by Leslie Feakes PAGE 26

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

T

he Council are allowing the planning to go ahead for “developing” and are going to drain the pond.

Against Laws made about, wetlands, wildlife, river sources, flood plains, village amenities, the lot! Even against EU guidelines.

So why do they think it can be done. With these amazing palaces planned by the pond?

Houses planned have a footprint twice the size of those monsters at Groom Way! “Affordable housing” ….ha ha!

One palace = 4 two- bedroom houses.

Who cares about “affordable” if they are already millionaires?

So ………pile driving through the swamp to build the houses!

That destroys things very conveniently with minimal chance of sorting out the history.

The Groom Square excavation LAS did was nearly blocked by the Council too. Someone in Lenham told the developers there was “no archaeology present”.

KCC archaeologists were dismayed, “Watching Brief was essential” they said.

Presence of the Roman ditch was already known. Only because the Coombs’ Manager was so obliging and so cooperative did he let LAS have a look and rescue the 50 different kinds of Roman sherds, window glass and bone sewing needle!

KCC care about history, MBC apparently do not!

Oh, they drove piles through it obliterating Christ!

Why no archaeological dig first?

Oh… need to save money!

Pond

Imagined conversation of the future: -

How rare was the building?

Unique, one of the only ones in Britain, I have always wanted to find one.

So they never did build their palaces?

Why was it there?

Oh no, they realised the risk of homes flooding.

Oh, springs are sacred to all religions especially Christianity … look at all the fish!

But that was obvious before surely?

Why sticklebacks?

Oh, because there were thousands in the Stour stream, now killed by draining the pond.

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Oh, hundreds of newt efts, they need damp undergrowth for four years before they become adult.

Strikes me Lenham planners need to grow up also.

What’s that a photo of then?

Oh, a damaged floor of a Roman -Christian temple.

Why so damaged when 3 metres down?

What happened to the pond?

Oh, total deluge that scoured out all the soil. That’s how they found this mosaic.

What else did they kill?

A reconstruction of what might be found under the pond area later in 2016 shown above.

Oh yes, they carted this mosaic away, piece by piece and re-built it in the British Museum.

Oh yes, say that again! But who cares?

But all the missed kudos and visitors to the village?

Oh yes , but you have already said, the planners only have a childish view of things.

Money £ £ £.

Like the money lenders in the Temple?

Oh that’s a very good analogy!

Well done!

Lenham Parish Council: Thank you for the opportunity to respond, we appreciate the offer and will give a considered response if felt necessary, once further consideration has been given to the subject, we are awaiting updated plans from developers to confirm the situation.

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Focus on Nature

by Derek Budge PAGE 28 JAN 2016

Horse Chestnuts The trees their mournful branches lift aloft; The oak with knotty twigs is full of trust, With bud-thronged bough the cherry in the croft; The chestnut holds her gluey knops upthrust.

Robert Bridges

Nature

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

I

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love that word … knops, but I cannot support the use of the adjective … mournful. At this time of year in the plant kingdom, it is a period of rest, of suspended animation, then minimal energy requirements come from hidden reserves, stored in bulbs, corms or chizomes. Edmund Blunden described it much more eloquently, as a time of ‘drowsy wakeful-ness’ and, walking through our local woods in late December, I become acutely aware of life and vigour lying dormant beneath the surface appearances.

For me, this feeling is generated most powerfully by the Horse Chestnut tree Aesculus Hippocastanum which is a native of the Balkans but was collected and brought to this country in the 16th century. The common name derives from the very distinctive, horse-shoe shaped scars which remain when the leaf stalks have fallen. The species name, Aesculus (from ESCA … food), was originally ascribed

by Pliny to a variety of the oak, richly prized for its acorns, but how it came to be applied to a Horse Chestnut, my researches have drawn a blank, so far.

In winter, each twig terminates with a prominent bud, which is well protected by large, boatshaped scales, coloured a rich reddish brown and coated with a protective sticky substance. As

the year moves towards Spring, the length of daylight and the average temperature steadily increase, sending signals for the gummy covering to soften and become more tenuous, slowly yielding to the inexorability of the expanding pressure within.

The delicate leaves then unfold like a giant butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, at first presenting a strange appearance, with leaf tips drooping towards the ground like the wing of an injured bird, but soon they are fully extended, often reaching a length of 18 inches. By this time, the large clusters of flower buds are expanding to form a truly glorious mass of blossom, all snowy white, but flushed with deep pink, a triumphantly uninhibited celebration of Spring.

As the year dips into autumn, the tree sheds its rich treasure of shining polished conkers, the rich brown colours echoing the tints of those winter sticky buds.

The urge to touch and handle them is irresistible and memories come flooding back of exciting contests and secret methods of preparing them for battle.

Although too bitter for human consumption, they are a favoured food of deer, and the Gardener’s Chronicle of

1849, mentions them as a source of nourishment for sheep. Apparently they were cut up using special machines and divided into batches, each weighing 2lb for subsequent feeding to the sheep on a twice daily basis. It was said that such meat developed a very rich flavour. The nuts also contain a saponaceous principle which led to the practice of allowing them to decay into a jelly-like mass for use as a soap substitute.

I have such a vivid memory of a group of very ancient and magnificent specimens growing within the church yard of Eaton-under Heywood, a small village nestling peacefully under Wenlock Edge in Shropshire. I believe that location must have been important to the local people long before the Christian church was built. Standing silently beneath those trees on a chilly, grey winter morning, I could sense the dark, sticky buds throbbing with barely concealed energy, waiting as they have always waited at this time of year, for the first subtle signals which will trigger such an outpouring of life with the promise of a new Spring, followed by bounteous summer blossom.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Lenham Family Festival 9th-12th June

Family day on Saturday 11th June

12 noon - 9pm at Lenham Community Centre For details contact Janetta 01622 859412 www.lenhamfamilyfestival.co.uk

Registered Charity Number 298164

The Secret List

by Ivor Kinnerslay PAGE 30

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

R

ecently an old codger stopped to talk to another wobbly old boy and they began talking about their families. Both of them were obviously very fond of them. One of the two began telling the other about his ‘secret’. ‘He’ had a list he said ‘and on that list he had the names of all his nearest and dearest – quite a long list’. The other man wanted to know why he had such a list, ‘was it because he was apt to forget their names due to his obvious Alzheimers?’

‘Well partly’, he replied ‘but the real reason is that every morning and evening I go through the list pronouncing each name and thinking about them – I don’t want to miss any of them’. ‘But why?’ said the other. ‘Well’ he

replied ‘it’s a secret and you are pushing me and making me feel a bit awkward because if I tell you, you will think I’m a sanctimonious old prat!’ ‘Well’ the other said ‘I already think that, so you may as well come clean!’. ‘OK’ said the old codger ‘it’s a – it’s well you know a’ (and he lowered his voice) ‘it’s a prayer list – there you inquisitive old nosey parker- you have forced it out of me, I think I had better add your name to it you are obviously in need of help!’ There was silence for a minute then the other wobbly one pontificated ‘I don’t think I believe all that stuff – you know God, Jesus and prayer’. ‘Well I do’ was the reply and ‘I’ll tell you why – can you tell me how we all got here – why we exist?

You have to put it down to pure chance or purpose! Take that big word ‘anthropic’ I read about it in a paper recently – you know this is the only planet in the universe where we can live

and thrive and another thing everyone has a conscience, even you, you old rogue – who put it here? Why are there good things and bad things? Most people owe an allegiance to football teams and swear by their chosen one, go quite nuts about them. But in the universe there’s only two teams - one on the side of decency and fairness and the captain of that team is not Messie but the Messiah. You know who the captain of the other team is and evil is opposing all that is good and decent and loves chaos and destruction. We all need to back Captain Messiah but most people are just floating along in indifference. You ought to have a list you know’. ‘I don’t need one I have a good memory for names thank you’. ‘Hey where’s your dog gone to – last I saw of him he was examining all the lamp posts for the Council!!’.

‘Right I must go and look for him – by the way tell me your name again, I keep forg----!’.

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

Secret List

lenhamfocus.co.uk

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

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What Can I Do With Unwanted Toys?

Firstly you need to consider which toys should really go in the rubbish and which can safely be given away. You should not donate: • Toys which are at the end of their useful life • Unwanted soft toys, unless they are new or in as-new

condition • Toys which have suffered significant damage.

In other words only donate toys in a condition that you yourself would buy. If you have the original packing or manufacturer’s instructions give them away with the toy.

Secondly you need to decide whether you want to donate used toys or make a bit of spare change from selling them.

The following 10 ideas cover unwanted toy donation to worthy causes:

1. Donate Toys to Charity Shops Pop into your local charity shops and ask if they accept second hand toys. Don’t be offended if they don’t because due to health & safety regulations it often costs the charity more money (in terms of staff time having to check for loose threads/parts/batteries etc) than actually buying them brand new. If they will accept your donations do not forget to sign the Gift Aid declaration form, to boost the value of your donation by 28%.

THE DIRTY HABIT AFTERNOON TEA £13.50 per person Selection of open sandwiches: San Daniele ham & artichokes, watercress & free range egg mayonnaise, Scottish smoked salmon & capers crème fraiche Freshly baked buttermilk scones, local jam, Blackmore d clotted cream, Lemon drizzle cake, Pavlova, chocolate éclair

raspberry

Selection of Teapigs or Dammann teas, Illy coffees T H E

D I R T Y H A B I T

Upper Street, Hollingbourne, Kent ME17 1UW 01622 880 880 www.thedirtyhabit.net

Security and Electrical Services

Local Ironing Service Lenham & Surrounding Areas

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Paul Grant Roofing Contractors All aspects of roofing work undertaken.

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Office: 01622 296843 Mobile: 07850740637 paulgrant747@gmail.com www.paulgrantroofingcontractors.co.uk Card payments accepted

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Lottery • Tobacco • Off-Licence • Groceries

For a warm welcome come and see us at the square!

Mon - Thurs 8am - 6 pm Fri & Sat 8am - 9pm Sunday 10am - 6pm lenhamvillagestore.co.uk

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

Also Computer, iPad and Printer Setup

Contact Lynn for more details

01622 745654

www.computingforbeginners.co.uk

Prize Crossword

PAGE 32

Crossword

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

JAN 2016

V18 E01

ACROSS 1. Rowan …….., the last Archbishop of Canterbury. (8) 5. Country that produces champagne.

(6) 8. Examples of this are Darjeeling and Assam. (3) 9. Plants that do not have a woody stem are often referred to as this. (10) 10. Type of German wine mostly grown in the Mosel. (8) 11. Winston Churchill was a famous one of these. (6) 12. Another name for rock salmon. (4) 14. They contain tales for children. (5,5) 17. In politics, people who make a claim to the throne. (10) 20. What tops do. (4) 23. An illicit relationship is called this. (6) 24. French word for ‘many’. (8) 25. Enormous African herbivore with a large, much sort after horn. (10) 26. Another word for a snake. (3) 27. Andy Murray’s sport. (6) 28. A small mainly ground dwelling migrant bird. (8) DOWN 1. ‘……… Down’. Richard Adams novel.

(9) 2. Footwear variety. (7) 3. What smokers do to cigarette smoke.

(6) 4. Soaked in flavouring for some time. (9) 5. Where things are made. (7) 6. Deviating from the normal.

(9) 7. Item of Christian clerical clothing. (7) 13. The condition in which you find yourself. (9) 15. There are seventeen such metals in the periodic table.

(4,5) 16. A DIY abrasive. (4,5) 18. A football official. (7) 19. Apprehensive. (7) 21. To turn the hand so that it faces downwards. (7) 22. Where Rudolf Nureyev defected from. (6)

Last months solution.

December winner to be announced in February issue.

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

Beauty Nails

Contact Ping 07460 393777

by Appointment Parties welcome

Cash only

Lenham, Maidstone, Kent

Beauty Nails

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

Overlay

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

£23 £15 £13 £3 £28 £10

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

DO YOU NEED A FAMILY LAWYER? If you would like to raise any policing issues, or want to find out more about crime prevention, come along and meet a local Police Community Support Officer

Join us between 4:30pm-5:30pm on: 5th, 19th January

*kentpolicemaid*

At The Square, Lenham, ME17 2PG

Fixed fee appointment available at times and venues convenient to you.

• Collaboratively trained practitioner • Divorce & separation • Pre nuptial agreements • Financial settlements • Children • Cohabitation Please contact our local specialist Rebecca Bell on 01622 231 784 or email rbell@setfords.co.uk

Friends of St Mary’s Church, Lenham –

Do you care about our heritage and the preservation of an ancient and beautiful building?

PAGE 34 JAN 2016

We wish you a very happy new year from the Friends of St Mary’s committee. It is an exciting start to 2016 as scaffolding will soon be erected to begin the three window repairs to the front of the church and then the stain glassed east window. The repair to the glass and the surrounding masonry work is urgently needed and the Friends of St Mary’s are very pleased to be able to spend £13,850 to complete the works.

We are currently looking at our next spend which is likely to be new guttering, internal painting and pew repairs. Without membership fees, some very generous donations and our fund raising events we would not be able to undertake any of this necessary work.

Our next fund raising event is scheduled for the spring; more details to follow in the forthcoming Focus magazines. The quinquennial report states that the total repairs will cost £150,000. If you would like help by joining us; all you need to do is complete and return the form below.

Thank You.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I would like to join the Friends of St Mary’s Lenham.

Name……………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………............................................

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..

@lenhamfocus

Post Code…………………….Email (best way to communicate with our members)…………………………….…………………………………………….

I enclose £15.00 for annual membership



I enclose £25.00 for family membership



Please make cheques payable to The Friends of St Mary’s Lenham If you want to make a one-off gift that would be wonderful too.

Please treat as Gift Aid donations all qualifying gifts of money made today 

in the past 4 year’s

lenhamfocus.co.uk

Please tick all boxes you wish to apply.



in the future



I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand that the Friends of St Mary’s, Lenham will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that I gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008.

Please notify the ‘Friends of St Mary’s, Lenham’ if you: • • •

Want to cancel this declaration Change your name of home address No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

Date………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

Thank You

FOSM

Please send your completed form and cheque to the Chairman: Andrew Barr, The Oast House, East Lenham Farm, Lenham ME17 2DP

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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

Lenham Nursery School Saturday 16th January 9am to 12 noon Donations welcome on the door.

Sellers book ASAP—£10 per table in Primary main hall.

Cakes & Refreshments Available.

Raising Money for LNS. Registered Charity: 104166.

More details on Facebook.

Enquiries & table bookings lenhamnursery@btinternet.com or Katherine 07944 244308.