Lenham Focus | June '16

June 2016

Family Festival Weekend

Saturday 11th June Community Centre

View events on p60

1

Sunday 12th June Square + St Marys

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JUNE

Editorial I hope everyone is ready for this

Finally, I would like to plead for

year’s Family Festival. There is a

additional help and support with the

whole programme of events from

magazine. We always welcome help

Thursday and over the weekend

across the whole magazine including

so I am sure there is something for

the following:

everyone. This event is put on by a dedicated team of volunteers who

Advertising – A volunteer to deal

usually start planning just after the

with new and existing advertising

last one is finished so let’s all show

and to look for new advertisers for

our support and attend.

the magazine and help develop the

I think the reversion to the old A5

website content.

format has been generally welcomed.

We have tried to keep the layout of

Editorial – A volunteer to work on

the text as it was in the A4 format.

editorial including finding new and

This does mean we now have less

interesting articles and to help devel-

space for all the articles so if you are

op website content.

sending something in please can you try to keep it below 300 words as this

This would help and support the

will ensure everyone gets a chance to

existing volunteers and help us move

get into the magazine.

the magazine forward.

By James Collett

4

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

Proofing: Jayne Hewish, Katy B

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

Interviews: Jim Myers

Finance: Mark Dunbar 07808863227 | lenhamfocusinvoices@ gmail.com

Social: Georgia Hewish Printed by: Mike Kingsman, Gemini Print

Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200

Advertising Rates (September 2012)

Advert Sizes (HxW)

1/8 Page 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page Inside Cover 1/2 Page Inside Cover Full Page Outside Back Cover

£13 £21 £38 £69 £58 £79 £88

Front Cover (available once a year per advertiser)

£120

45x61mm 92x61mm 92x123mm 185x123mm

Advert Formats We require adverts to be submitted in high resolution (300dpi) PDF format in the appropriate size. If artwork is not supplied as a PDF we cannot guarantee the correct reproduction.

Print & Deliver Single Sided A5 Insert Double Sided A5 Insert

£250 £275

Photography: Andy Flood

Design: FALCON

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.

Falcon is an award winning design and digital agency based in Kent. They build websites and brands for companies big and small.

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

Check out their website! www.madebyfalcon.co.uk

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Dates for your Diary 3 June

2 July

Brands Hatch 10K and Fun Run

Lenham Primary School Summer Garden

An event to raise money and awareness

Party

for Heart of Kent Hospice

Lenham Primary School form 12pm

9 to 12 June

3 July

Lenham Family Festival

Charity Concert Songs from the Shows

Come and enjoy some of the events being

Hungarian soprano Andrea Turner and

organised over the weekend.

Pianist Jon Summerfield return for their yearly concert in the Community Centre

11 June

7pm.

Lenham Wanderers Football Club

10 July

Presentation Day

Wild Flower and Cherries Celebration

13 June

Come and enjoy the fun at Cherry Downs 1pm to 5pm

Lenham Wanderers FC - AGM on Monday 13th June at Lenham Social club starting at 8pm

24 June New Craft Class Taster Session Come and see what we do, Lenham Community Centre 9:30 to 12.

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One Hundred Years Ago...

loss when the war minister, Lord

By Amy Myers

establishment, Kitchener’s loss was

J

Kitchener, went down with HMS Hampshire, lost to a mine near Scapa Flow. Not that popular with the mourned by the whole country with

une 1916 opened with action

flags at half mast.

both at sea and on the Western

Many of Lenham’s men were now on

Front. On the first day of

the Western Front preparing for the

the month the naval war reached its

great offensive they knew must be

armageddon at the Battle of Jutland.

coming. And on 24th June a massive

With enormous losses on both sides,

bombardment began along a twelve

there was no outright victory, but

mile front. Originally planned to

never again did the German fleet

begin on 29th June, the offensive was

threaten the British command of the

postponed for two days. Waiting for

seas. Not on the surface at any rate.

what they knew must surely come were

From now on the submarine menace

men from Lenham, including young

intensified. On the second day of

Reginald Obbard, Albert Wiffen,

the month on the Western Front

George Bugden and the popular

the German army attacked in force

Thomas Gilbert who after the war

on the Ypres salient, and three days

became Lenham’s well known carrier.

later Britain suffered an enormous

Thorneloe & Co. Solicitors have moved

Lenham ME17 2PH (old National Westminster Bank building).

Contact details are otherwise unchanged, apart from the facsimile number which is yet to be allocated.

By Thorneloe Solicitors

Tel: 01622 859 416

To St. Mary’s House, The Square,

Email: thorneloe@thorneloe.co.uk

9

Forthcoming Events 4 June 20 June 26 June 2 July

Pool and darts Competition Darts Competition Charity Bike Ride Dean Martin tribute

Ticket Only. Members £6. Guests £8. T&Cs apply

Bingo: every Tuesday and Sunday Night 8pm Quiz Night: first Tuesday of every month Whist Drive: every Friday 7.30pm Summer Beer Garden, Monthly Sea Angling Club Outside Bar, Marque, BBQ & Bouncy Castle for Hire

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

Private Hire. very Tuesday Sunday Night Private Hire. veryTuesday Tuesday and Sunday Night

10

BALLROOM & LATIN CLASSES 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

11

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Bathroom Installations Drains & toilets serviced General domestic plumbing Leaking pipes Replacement taps Kitchen installations Repairs and installation Power Flushing

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12

Clubs & Societies

will talk about ‘Growing for Showing’

Lenham Gardening Society

Roses and/or A Wildlife Photo (Max 10”

which is very appropriate with the Lenham Garden Show coming up in August. The competition will be 5 Mixed x 10”) so please come along and support

Our April speaker gave a very

your society. For more info on the

informative, if somewhat technical,

LGShow please see sepa

talk on ‘What will grow in my garden?’

Reminder that our July 21st meeting

talking about types of soil and other

will be the Pimm’s & Strawberry night

related issues. There was a lot of useful

with all the usual activities, quiz, raffle,

information which members could take

tombola etc. Tickets will be available at

on board to improve their gardens.

the June meeting or from Pat on 859084.

Tuesday 26th saw a full coachload of

Also tickets will be available for our

members and friends head off to Sussex

outing to Batemans on Tuesday 12th July.

to visit Petworth House & Grounds and

Batemans is a NT property so if you are

what a great day it was. The grounds

both a member of NT & LGS it will only

are extensive and there are plenty of

cost you £10, non-members of either will

good walks to be had. The House was

pay a little bit more to cover the entry

fantastic with hundreds of great paintings

cost but a cream tea will be included in

and sculptures for us to wonder at. In

the price.

fact, there are so many that you would

That’s it for now

require at least two visit to appreciate

Happy Gardening

the collection. We ended the visit with

Keith

a cream tea which went down well. The

Chair LGS

weather was a bit cold and windy but at

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

least it was dry, we have been so luckily over the years. However, on the way home we had some sleet, thunder and lightning - ah well what a way to end the

Hopefully summer has arrived which

day.

means our strawberry tea. This will be on Friday 24th June in the Community Centre at 3pm for 3:30pm start. Tickets

Our June speaker will be Mr Francis who

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14

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Village & Country Homes Specialists Residential Sales & Lettings

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T: 01622 858241 E: homes@philipjarvis.co.uk A: 1 The Square, Lenham, Kent ME17 2PH W: philipjarvis.co.uk

15

will be ÂŁ6 and available from Eve on

Please note we will be meeting 1 week

01622 858478

later than normal. Swadelands School

Enid La Plain

starts the Lenham Festival off with making music and songs. So our date for

Young At Heart 60+

June is Thursday 09/06/16 2.00-4.00pm at the Social Club. Looking forward to an

Hi everyone hope you are all pleased with

afternoon of great entertainment.

your shopping from Bon Marche. I know

Our thanks to all who help.

I am; they are great.

If anyone is in need of a lift please contact Jenny Lloyd 01622859208.

Our next meeting is Thursday 16/06/16

Martin, Fred, John, Jenny and Nina

2.00-4.00pm at the Community Centre.

We are keeping it secret so you will all

ZUMBA GOLD ZUMBA FOR THE OVER 50s

have to wait until the day!!

We look forward to seeing you all.

A big thank you to all from the ladies who

These sessions have been running now

make the sandwiches, who do the raffle

for nearly four months and have proved

and those who give lifts to and from the

to be very popular, numbers have been

venue.

increasing each session, but there is still room for more.

Olive, Sue, Jacky, Kathy, Jackie, Fred,

The sessions are held every Wednesday

Martin, Jenny and Nina

at 9.30pm at the Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way. Please come a few

Len Valley Community Hub Club

minutes early to sign in. The cost is only ÂŁ3 per person, per session which is great value for money! The sessions are open to

Dobbies did us proud in May. A lovely

all who live in the Lenham area.

meal and time to wander round the shop

Zumba Gold is a great way of getting fit at

afterwards. I am sure we all enjoyed our

the same time as enjoying the music and

day out.

company so why not give it a go?

LENARA/DANCE VISION of ASHFORD

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Focus on Nature Birds of the Night

That wonderful sound induced in me very positive feelings of pleasure, partly exhilaration and partly a comforting sensation to realise that unlike my own sleepy state, there was a creature nearby in a state of total

By Derek Budge

I

alertness and on the look-out for its

t must have been at a very

next meal.

early hour, perhaps some time after midnight, that I awoke

The light-collecting capacity of an

recently and lay still for some time,

owl’s eye is remarkably high and when

just listening. Soon I was drifting

this quality is supported by an acute

off to sleep again when I heard the

sense of hearing, the result is an

unmistakable call of the Tawny Owl,

incredibly efficient detecting system

popularly described as “to-whit to-

which then can be put to effective use

woo”, but in reality there is no trace

as the owl silently flies towards its

of sharp consonants and it is a much

prey.

softer “hoo-hoo hooo”, the final not being prolonged in a somewhat

I have a very vivid memory of a holiday

quavering fashion.

in Northern Ireland many years ago when our two sons were quite young.

17

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18

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01622 298129

We had rented a bungalow on the

which go back to the earliest recorded

coast of Donegal which was situated

historical times. One of the most

in almost total isolation apart from a

ancient references in the form of a

nearby lighthouse. One early morning

prayer or supplication in the words of

I was sitting near the water’s edge

the Sublime Indian Rig Veda.

when there was no wind, the sea was flat calm and even the sea-birds

‘Be propitious to us when the owl

seemed to have stopped their usual

emits that painful cry’.

chorus of sounds.

The Romans seemed to hate and I must have been in a deep reverie

despise the owl, and the symbolism

because I remember suddenly being

of owls in English literature followed

started by a noise, and that noise

by traditions of the Latin classics.

came from the wings of a herring gull

Shakespeare echoes Plutarch when

as it flew past above my head. Never

Casca speaks.

had I been conscious of such a sound because it would always have been

‘And yesterday the bird of night did sit

masked by so many other noises, I was

Even at noonday, upon the market-

so surprised and amazed by the quality

place,

of that silence.

Hooting and shrieking ’

Now if that bird had been an owl, I

(Julius Caesar)

would have remained without any sensation of disturbance, because

and again, with the chilling words of

the design of the owl’s wings and

Lady Macbeth,

feathers is one which achieves an aerodynamically brilliant capacity to

‘Hark!-Peace!

fly in total silence, undetected by prey

It was the owl that shriekd’d, the fatal

which themselves have acute hearing.

bellman Which gives the stern’st good night’.

Along with most other night birds, owls have traditionally been

In virtually all countries where

associated with superstitious fears

owls are found, there is this same

20

association with death and disasters.

time kept some tame ones to give their

Country people throughout Britain

troops a psychological boost when

believed that these birds nested in

most needed.

ruined buildings not for shelter, but

I shall ignore all the sombre

because such places were likely to

associations however, when next I

be haunted. To come across one in

wake up during the hours of darkness

daylight was thought to be particularly

to hear that most evocative and

unlucky, and in Cheshire, a man who

beautiful sound, and I will reflect on

looked into an owl’s nest would be

the owl’s wisdom.

likely to remain melancholy for the rest of his life.

‘A wise old owl sat on an oak,

The witches in Macbeth incorporated

The more he saw, the less he spoke;

an owlet’s wing as a ‘charm of trouble’,

The less he spoke, the more he heard,

and right back at the time of Horace,

Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?’

we can read of owls’ feathers being used in witches’ brews.

(E. H. Richards)

All is not doom and gloom however, as other early records from ancient Greece described how an owl’s egg given to a child ensured that it would never become a drunkard, and this belief was evident in this country as late as the 17th Century, when such drunkards were fed a broth of the same eggs to break the habit. Various owl preparations were also used medicinally for treating gout and the bites of mad dogs!

The Greeks regarded owls as birds of the Goddess Athene, and if one flew over the soldiers in times of war, they could be assured of victory over their enemies; perhaps the leaders of the

21

22

Family Breakfast Service

Events at The Habit Friday 27th May Pub crawl and Live Music from 7.30pm

SHORT INFORMAL SERVICE SUNDAYS AT 9.30am

With Nashville Exile

St Mary’s Church, Lenham

Hollingbourne fete Saturday 11th June

Come & see us at the bar, open from 11am, street food and evening live music from 6pm, with the Screaming Blue Scoundrels

FOR EVERYONE! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

Father’s Day Sunday 19th June

Book early to avoid disappointment!

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

23

Lenham Cricket Club

T

June 18th Sherwood 2XI Home 1.30pm June 25th Stonehouse Away 1.30pm July 2nd Lordswood 3rd XI Home

he season is due to start any

1.30pm

day now (as of May) so a

July 9th Bapchild 3rd XI Home

report on how our first few

1.30pm

games have gone will be in the next

Sundays (Friendly Games)

edition, along with the usual high

June 5th B & Eastwell Away 2PM

notes from each game.

June 12th TOUR June 19th Willesborough Away 2PM

The ground is looking wonderful

June 26th Newington Home 2PM

following lots of hard work from the

July 3rd. PIXIES FUN DAY

dedicated members who have put

July 10th. Sissinghurst Away 2PM

hours of work in. Thank you also to our official sponsors for 2016/17

This season Lenham Cricket Club

season – The Dog & Bear Hotel for

have a new LCC notice board on the

supporting our open age teams and

roadside edge of the pitch which will

Philip Jarvis for supporting our

be updated each week with the fixtures

development colts section.

to come. Fixture cards can also be picked up from our very supportive

The fixtures to come in the next few

local public houses – The Dog &

weeks are:-

Bear Hotel (post-match drinks on

Saturday (League Games) June 4th

Saturdays) & the Red Lion (post-

Higham &

match drinks on Sundays).

Mockbegger Away 1.30pm June 11th TOUR

24

Just Like Alice in Wonderland

when my mum shouts for me “Basia

By Maria Hayman

other for a long time and both were

I

come quickly, someone wants to see you”. It was a friend of my mum’s from her youth times. They didn’t see each very happy to meet again. My mother’s

n one day my life turned upside

friend has offered helping me finding

down. It was early June and

a job. I was over the moon with her

the garden was full of blooming

proposition and could not believe how

flowers. In Poland lilac is growing

lucky I am.

everywhere, white or purple and

“Basia wait I want to tell you that

smells wonderful. Although the day

this is work in England” -she added

was sunny and beautiful but I sat

quickly- “You get a job and you will

on the bench depressed. Until that

live with us, but you have make your

day I lived in a hope that there was

decision now, because we’re going

an opportunity to get a job, but then

back to England....now”

I heard “ I’m sorry but there is no

It was a hard choice to make, but

chance” - my world collapsed. I didn’t

it was a chance. We all were crying.

have a job, the allowance from the

I packed up myself with the most

government I was receiving over six

necessary things, with a twig of a lilac

months has ended two months ago.

in my hand I drove away to an un-

The lady at the office said: “I know you

known world.

don’t have a job, but we cannot give

The journey was long and tiring but

you any more jobless allowance, as we

I was so interested in the new world.

do not have enough money”.

So after a little rest, I went to see the

I was living with my parents and they

town.

were supporting me with the finances.

Suddenly I found myself in another

We lived quite frugally. It was only

world... different everything!

my father who was working and there

I was thinking I knew English because

were still three of my siblings.

I studied this language in Poland

I was thinking about a lack of a

for three years... and now I don’t

perspective in my life. Making a self-

understand nothing!

pity for my twenty four years old life,

I was walking down the street and I

25

felt transferred just like Alice to the

were walking barefooted. Nobody was

Wonderland.

surprised, nobody seems to notice

When my first impression shock

those differences. So I guess it’s all

was gone and I came down, I started

normal in here. When walking away

looking all around. I saw people who

I saw people, families sitting on the

smile to each other. They were smiling

lawns! It was a wonderful view. All

to me too... and nobody knows me here

were so happy... laughing.

yet!

Some people were talking something

What a friendly world... I thought...

to me, and I felt their kindness... I saw

mine could be one like that.

people of different nationalities and different dresses... even some people

26

Local, Traditional, Fresh

environments!

Traceability. We are very proud that all our beef comes from Round Oak, in Sutton Valence. Our beef comes from the farms Highland Cattle fold, a fold of 80 cows and calves. Mainly grassland, the

By GB Lister

T

farm is 180 acres at Sutton Valence and

raceability; the ability to

a further 70 acres in Ulcombe. The farm

verify the history, location, or

helps to graze a further 800 acres thought

application of an item by means

out Kent. At Round Oak, conservation

of documented recorded identification.

grazing remains a high priority and the

Environmental costs; the costs connected

farm grazes:

with the actual or potential deterioration

-

of natural assets due to economic

County Council

activities.

-

Our key business goals are to be Local,

Valley Amenity Trust

Traditional & Fresh!! To achieve our

-

goals, we feel that it is very important

Valley Conservation Trust

for us that we know where our produce

-

comes from. How the animals are raised.

West Farleigh

And how our business impacts the

The beef that we sell is hung for at least

27

Teston Country Park for Kent Loose Valley for the Loose Yalding Fens for the Medway Private land at East Malling and

21 days. Why is this so important? Meat

grown. The grassland captures and stores

hanging is a culinary process, commonly

the carbon created, helping to keep our

used in beef aging, that improves the

air clean. Also the environmental impact

flavour of meats by allowing the natural

of transportation is greatly reduced as

enzymes in the meat to break down the

smaller, less gas-thirsty, vehicles can be

tissue through dry aging. The process also

used to deliver the beef.

allows the water in the meat to evaporate,

It is not just our beef that we can be so

thus concentrating the flavour. The

knowledgeable about! Our lamb is from

hanging also allows the muscles to stretch

Pevensey Marshes, and our pork is from

and become tender.

Suffolk, succulent & free-range.

Environmentally. As the cattle mainly graze on conservation grassland, we are not stopping food crops from being

Hungarian soprano Andrea Turner and pianist John Summerfield will be RETURNING TO GIVE THEIR YEARLY charity concert ‘songs from the shows’ as part of the Lenham festival on SUNday, 3RD JuLY 2016 at 7pm START IN st. Mary’s church, Lenham. THE PROGRAM WILL CONTAIN MANY WELL-KNOWN MUSICAL SONGS FROM THE WEST END shows AND SOME LOVELY HUNGARIAN MUSICAL PIECES. WE ARE WISHING YOU ALL A GREAT NIGHT OF MUSIC!

collected funds will be DIVIDED BETWEEN THE HEART OF KENT HOSPICE AND LENHAM NURSERY SCHOOL. Entry IS by donations on the day.

28

The lost W.W.W

panic where had I parked the car I did

By Ivor W W W Kimmesley

to help, which should have made me

not have! Despite my hysteria and daft questions, I was shown amazing kindness and every effort was made realise I was still in LENHAM. You

Recently, a most respected lady in

will not be surprised to learn that Luke

our community greeted me cordially

Chapter 15 is a favourite – a chapter

and then amazingly announced that

full of lost things e.g. the inanimate

she suffered from most unpleasant

coin, it did not care it was lost. Then

nightmares. I was somewhat taken

that sheep, it knew it was lost but had

aback and wondered whether meeting

no idea of the way home (certainly

me reminded her of them. Quickly

not our very bright Shawn the Sheep).

I assured her that we had a mutual

Then in that chapter we meet that

problem. I know not why nightmares

Wilful Wasteful Wiring who had the

are my lot; “somewhere in my youth

impudence to go to his father, he knew

or childhood there must have been

to be a softie, and said “Dad, you are

something bad”. It is not as if I stay

soon to shuffle out of your sandals – I

up late watching “Friday The 13th”

want my share of the loot now!” He

films while devouring a large bag of

grabbed the sack full of shekels and

CHEQUERES’ moreish chips. Yet I

hurried off to the Palestinian Las

suffer them and in them I am always

Vegas. Living riotously, soon the

lost. This may be due to my appalling

money disappeared and so did all

sense of direction – a family joke. In

friends. At this point Jesus really rubs

one of them, I was driving a car I do

it in – there’s a famine – WWW is

not have – to an unknown direction,

forced to work on a stinking pig farm.

clueless as to why – parked in a dark

Just imagine; it a Jew with smelly pigs.

street ( bad move) then wandered

Suddenly WWW has an “overpowering

around asking many people why I

affection” for his father; he must see

had come to this place and for what

“his dear father again!!!” Unlike the

purpose – and could they tell me

sheep, he knew the way so smelling to

where I had come from – and how I

high heaven he set out.

could find my way back – and then in

29

The implication is that his heartbroken

his finger then cried out with a sob in

father looked every day hoping to see

his voice “This my son was dead and

his son return and it happened. We

is alive again – he was LOST and is

are told he RAN to meet him – imagine

found. Then threw the biggest disco in

that an old man who had been forced

Palestine.

to give up ‘walking football’ ran. The translation from the Hellenistic

Epilogue

Greek is absolutely correct, check any

totally rebuked and revolted by this

modern translation i.e. NEB NIV etc.

character maybe we should pause and

He ran – he threw away his walking

examine our own INITIALS!

sticks – he forgot about his arthritis, lumbago, sciatica and anachronistic pace-maker and ran puffing, wheezing and panting until he reached the horrible odour zone despite this he threw his arms around him and then understandably called for new clothes – had a full status restored ring put on

30

If we find ourselves

Regular Daily & Weekly Events Daily

Activate Fitness Facilites

Monday

Badminton (Feathers) Bell Ring Monday Music Mayhem Parent & Toddlers Group Len ARA Short Mat Bowls Harr & Lenham Cubs Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Youth Club H/sham&Lenham Beavers Lenham Youth Club Pilates classes

Activate Sports Swadelands

Sunday

Messy Mums Babies + Toddlers Line Dancing LenARA Bridge Club Brownies 2nd Lenham Pilates classes Line Dancing Redbacks Explorer Scouts Guides 1st Lenham H/sham&Lenham Scouts Judo Club Lenham Youth Club Activate Fitness Facilites French Books for Children Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday Schools

7am-8.30am & 5pm-9pm Community Centre 8-10.00pm St Mary’s Church 7:30pm Community Centre 10-11am Community Centre 9.30-11.30am Community Centre 1.45pm-4.30pm (8-11 years) 6.30-8pm Community Centre 8pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Harrietsham Scout Hut 5.45-7.15.pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Community Centre 7.00pm-8.00pm 8.30-9.30pm St Mary’s Church 10.30-12 Term Community Centre 7.30-9.00pm Community Centre 1.30-4.30pm Lenham Primary Sch 6.15-7.45pm Community Centre 11.30-12.30pm St Edmunds Platts Hth 8pm Kingswood Scout Hut 7.15-9.15pm Community Centre 7.00-9.00pm Harrietsham Scout Hut 7.30-9.30pm Community Centre 5.30-8.30pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.30-10.00pm Activate Sports Hall Swadelands 8am-5pm Harrietsham Primary School 9.30-11.30am St Mary’s Church 10.00-12.00 see separate church services page

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

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

31

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

Advertiser Numbers Accounting & Business Services Alarm Systems Alterations Architectural Services Barbers Builders/decorators

Butchers/Meat Carpentry Carpets/Flooring Caterers Catteries Chartered Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Coal Merchant Computer Services Dance Dog Grooming Dressmaking & Alterations Electricians/Gas fitters Estate Agents Fitness Foot Practitioner Funeral Directors Garages Grocers

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 Carpentry and General Building P Humpries Carpets direct Beaubray Caterers Little Dene Boarding Cattery Inkstand cattery James Collett Debbie Brett Invicta Chimney Sweep Heather’s Chiropody Surgery Amy McLaughlin Phynix Domestic cleaning Edmed Coal Harrietsham Computers Lynn MS Computer services Lenham Ballet School GDC School of Dancing Cuts for Mutts Pam Barrie Weston Contractor MGI Electrical Philip Jarvis Activate Body and Soul Mrs Afsaneh Smith A W Court Gowers Garage Lenham Village Store

32

851542 858612 07541 000969 01580 230413 07734950329 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 01233 840004 858220 850364 858719 01233714999 763269 858510 859469 850608 01233714247 01622 632641 850376 07813030527 880028 260515 859442 745654 859969 850329 850800 07738 088169 858827 01233712663 850055 01622 858241 853750 01622 853640 850840 858210 858255

Hairdressers Hall Hire Handbags and Jewellery Locksmiths Logs Nail Technician Newsagents Osteopathy Parish Council Pest Control Photographer Plumbers Pool Services Pubs Restaurant Riding School Roofing Schools Solar Panel Installation Solicitors Takeaway Taxi TV Aerials Veterinary Surgery Will Services Window Cleaning

Phase Hairdressing Smarty’s Lenham Comm Centre Charing Heath Hall Immyblingy A Short Seasoned Logs Beauty Nails Len Valley news Chris Tempest D.O. M.Ost GOsc Reg Lenham Parish Council Pest Purge Andy Flood Photography All Fix Plumbing Epic Plumbimg Pure Plumbing J W Engineering Services Dirty Habit Lenham Social Club Red Lion Leeds Castle Uplands Riding School Paul Grant Roofing Lorenden Greenman Solar Setfords Solicitors Thorneloe & Co. Chequers Fish Bar Arshed Mahmood Gez Clark R & P TV Aerial services Harrietsham Vets Maidstone Wills and trusts Sparkles

33

850001 851150 853800 01233 713317 298129 07738658751 07733328715 07460 393777 858262 07749 980096 01622 859682 842481 07443 633385 851186 210298 769722 851713 880880 858890 858531 767777 01233 712289 850855 01795590030 01233 612082 01622 231784 859416 859878 07770725129 07784447200 631717 858666 01580 292320 07856 110682

General / Social Numbers Badminton Badminton Club Feathers Bowling Club Bridge Club Brownies (2nd Lenham) Drama Gardening Society Guides (1st Lenham) LenARA 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 Mothers’ Union Pilates Classes Redback Explorer Scouts Royal British Legion Women’s Institute St Edmunds Platts Heath Country Ways Quilters Lenham Valley Business Association Borough Councillors: Kent Highway Services Dog Warden Cat Protection Drugs Helpline Heaths Countryside Corridor Lenham Enhancement Ass. Lenham Country Market Lenham Community Centre Lenham Heath Parish Hall LenValley Practice Non-Emergency NHS Care Member of Parliament Parish Council Clerk Parish Police PCSO Rural Community Warden Vicar

Linda Bird Neil Rouse Lyn Fuller Keith Rylands Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Christine Godden 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 C Toner Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading Tom Sams Janetta Sams (Roads, Pavements) Lost and Found FREE CALL Ruth Lovering Brian Llong Kevin Fitzsimons Margaret Mitchell Sharon Reed Doctors Surgery NHS Helen Whately MP Margo McFarlane John Boyd Martin Sherwood Rev Millie Hart Church Office

34

01233 756762 01622 840207 01622 851538 01622 891964 01622 851646 01622 850671 01622 850228 01622 859009 01622 858658 01622 858561 01622 850275 07967 128056 01622 850747 01622 851022 01622 858890 07768 926654 01622 859789 01622 859829 01622 859009 01622 853887 07789 226516 01622 850520 01622 850048 01622 858208 01233 714699 01622 820841 01622 859412 07891901831 / 859412 03000 418181 01622 602117 01732 847572 0800 776600 01622 842257 01622 859733 01622 679709 01622 853800 (am) 01622 858581 (pm) 01233 713317 01622 858341/859204 111 helenwhately.co.uk 01622 859682 07870 252421 07977 981993 297296 850604

Lenham Ballet School

LENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

R.A.D. Ballet I.S.T.D. Tap & Modern 3 years to senior level

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

Planning Committee first Monday of the month (except bank holiday)

Adult Tap & Street Dance

01622 850329

more than a ballet school

www.lenhamballetschool.co.uk

Parish Council first Wednesday of the month (except September) Finance & General Purposes Committee third Wednesday of the month followed by the Planning Committee.

LenhamBalletSchoolWT168.indd 1

20/01/2016 09:32

For more details contact the Parish Clerk 01622 859682 (between 9am and 1pm)

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

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Tuesday afternoons at Downswood Community Hall (1 pm start)

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.

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Duplicate, ladder pairs and handicap competitions.

The standard of play is varied, but some experience is desirable, even though we only play for fun. Unfortunately we can't generally provide partners, so newcomers would need to come as a pair. Also, we don't offer tuition, despite our name. The explanation for this, and other useful information, can be found on our website http://www.bridgewebs.com/kentschool/.

We come to you. Low cost efficient service. Fully insured. All work underwritten by our legal dept.

Friday evenings at Bearsted W.I. Hall (7.30 pm).

Maidstone Wills & Trusts Ltd

www.maidstonewills.com

Thursday afternoons at Lenham Community Hall (1.30

For more information, telephone the club secretary Keith Rylands on 01622 891964 or e-mail him at k.rylands@btinternet.com, or just turn up at a session (and ask to speak to the director) to see what goes on.

email: services@maidstonewills.com

1 on 1 dog walks / care of pets in your own home Contact 07518146919 | popinspcs.len@gmail.com

36

Success comes from working together.

Open & free to the public too . . .

We realised from the beginning that most of our speakers had a lot to offer the public as well as just the business community, so following attendance at the Lenham Parish Council meeting in late April, we reinforced the point to the whole audience. It’s free, it’s interesting and it is informative. So, in an attempt to help you get organised for the rest of the year, here is a list of dates, venues and speakers. All you have to do NOW is put them in your diary and turn up. Try it for free but please register. Register online or by phoning 01622 820841 Tuesday 5 July Matthew Wilkes, Wealth Management, specialist support to manage your finances.

Tuesday 2 August at The Dog & Bear Hotel. You will recognise actress Constance Lamb. Dynamic Speaking.

You will not get that second chance to make a first impression. So it’s vital to be ready to give your best.

Tuesday 6 September Steve Elliot, ACAS. Presentation by Steve Elliott, Senior Adviser/ Trainer at ACAS. How the advisory conciliation arbitration service assists businesses big and small to resolve and prevent disputes with timely intervention, information and advice.

Tuesday 4 October: The Harrow Inn. Annie Drylie is a Will Writer and Estate Planner for Evolution for Women – Presents The Go-Giver Way: Influence, Success & Profit How a subtle shift in focus helps you provide exceptional value, expand your influence and increase your income.

Tuesday 1 November at Holiday Inn, Hothfield. Carrina Jane has been a Professional Make Up Artist, Beauty Therapist and Wellness Consultant for 17 years she will briefly introduce you to the ground floor income opportunity attached to her brand. An opportunity open to anyone interested to learn more.

Tuesday 6 December combined with SMBA at Chilston Park.

Sunil Rupasinha of Kent Traffic Law ‘Why I defend the ‘Guilty’’, he will explain the ethical and moral dimensions by reference to a series of ‘loophole’ cases.

Try it - you’ll like it!

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

Events are organised by Alan Reading, Custom Marketing Resources.

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

37

Brands Hatch 10K and Fun Run(2K)

Bring the family to experience running on the world famous track with a single 2K lap of the Indie Circuit. Why not get sponsored to complete the lap in fancy

Friday 3rd June

dress? Pushchairs and runners of all ages

From 6 p.m.

are welcome!

Take to the tarmac for this unforgettable

Entry is £20.00 per person for the 10K

run around one of the world’s most

and £5.00 per person for the fun run.

famous race circuits situated in the Garden of England, and help raise vital

It is possible to enter on the day of the

funds for Heart of Kent Hospice. To

event but there will be an additional

celebrate the 25th anniversary of the

charge of £2.50 per person in all

Hospice, why not set a target of raising at

categories.

least £25.00 in sponsorship?

For full details or to book your place The exciting 10K course offers a challenge

please visit www.hokh.org or contact

to both experienced and new 10K runners

fundraising on 01622 790195 /

and is chip-timed. If you have competed

fundraising@hokh.co.uk.

before why not aim for a personal best?

Imagine

Imagine.

Unimaginable?

No not really. It’s exactly how some

Imagine you have visitors in your garden.

people behave when they walk through

They leave the path and trample through

a field.

your flower borders. Their dog sniffs around your spinach, then he poos on it

They don’t stick to the footpaths, they

and, when these visitors leave, you find

trample through the crops ( whether

their crisp packets and plastic bottles

grass, cereals, rape or something else),

lying everywhere.

they allow their dogs to foul what is

38

intended to end up on a plate and, when they leave, they leave their rubbish behind.

Visitors you hope never to see again....

Please stick to the countryside code: Respect. Protect. Enjoy Henny Shotter

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) 39

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Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm Classes starting in Lenham Formore moreinformation information visit For

Find us on Facebook

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Kent Orchards for Everyone at Cherry Downs

What a wonderful morning it was when some Lenham residents joined me and Simon Ginnaw, a local naturalist on a Dawn Chorus walk from Cherry Downs via Warren street and Lenham chalk cliffs. We were so privilege to hear or see 23 different birds, a whitethroat sang its heart out to us at Warren Street, yellow hammers welcomed us and linnets gave us a wonderful flying display. To end, a Mistle thrush landed on Cherry Downs picnic site as most people had left, it looked quite at home.

The sky that morning was stunning and the scent from the bluebells were so intoxicating as we passed the wood above Lenham Chalk Cliffs. A botanical specialist working with Plantlife has suggested that if we bottled the complex scent of the native bluebell each of these fruity notes of lemon, cooking apple, mango and lychee, spiced up with dashes of ginger, eucalyptus and lemongrass, and then given a very earthy tone with a dose of fresh mown grass lends a different fragrance ‘note’ to the scent. What a lovely link to our orchards; bluebells and fruit.

Forthcoming Events:

Wild Flowers and Cherries Celebration at Cherry Downs Sunday 10th July, 2016 at 1.00pm – 5.00pm event free ‘Kent Orchards for Everyone’ and ‘Save our Magnificent Meadows’ at Cherry Downs will be celebrating the wonderful wildflower meadow and legacy of Grants Morella Cherry Brandy, with the Steam Punk Morris dancers. There will be many activities and walks for everybody on the day and maybe tastings of that tipple which was once crafted in Lenham. Come and enjoy.

Have you Gone Batty or Enjoy a Flutter?

Wednesday 24th august, 2016 at 8.00pm – 10.00pm event free Discover what bats are flying at Cherry Downs whilst their food source is being trapped. Do we have the privet hawk moth flying on Rayners Hill? Join us to discover what is living in your orchard.

To find out more check out our website www.kentorchards.org.uk or go on to our Facebook page Kent Orchards for Everyone.

41

Christian Message

‘all in authority’ were more needed?

By Joan Drury

MP (Helen Whateley) and our County,

Inevitably our private prayers tend to be focused on families, friends and local matters but may I suggest that our Borough and Parish Councillors should

God Save the Queen!

be included.

HM the Queen has expressed her

Since 1662 Her Majesty’s predecessors

appreciation of the many prayers said

and their families have been prayed

for her. She has also, on many occasions,

for in Morning and Evening services in

spoken explicitly about her faith in God.

parish churches. The Prayer Book is still

Prayers for her are not the result of an

used for some services and regularly in

occasional whim on the part of a local

St Nicholas church, Boughton Malherbe

priest. Since 1662 when the Book of

at 6.30pm on the second Sunday of each

Common Prayer came into being the

month. Why not come along, enjoy the

monarch has been prayed for regularly in

service and pray for the Queen? You will

Church of England worship. Why? Was it

be given a warm welcome.

because the compliers of the Prayer Book

Joan Drury

were fervent monarchists?

150 Years

The answer to the question is to be found in the Bible. In a letter of guidance to

On Ascension Day 1886 Church of

Timothy, a young church leader, the

England bishops met at Lambeth Palace

apostle Paul wrote this, ‘I urge, then, first

and decided to create a body of lay

of all, that requests, prayers, intercession

ministers to be used in English parishes.

and thanksgiving be made for everyone

They were to be called Lay Readers.

– for kings and all in authority , that

Initially only men were licensed but in

we may live peaceful and quiet lives in

1970 women were allowed to become

all godliness and holiness.’ (1 Timothy

Readers and the first in the Canterbury

2:verses 1 and 2).

Diocese was Flora Laundon.

Was there ever a time when prayers for

The ministry which began in 1886

42

continues. Readers are trained to a high

Lenham Family Festival Songs of Praise

standard of theology and the needs of contemporary society. Indeed, Bishop Robert of Sodor and Man, who is Chair

St Mary’s Church on Sunday June

of the Central Readers Council prefers

12th at 5pm with cream teas from 4pm

to describe Readers as Lay Theologians.

celebrating the Queen’s official 90th

Currently there are 10,000 Readers

birthday

in England and Wales. This is the largest body of trained, commissioned and accountable lay ministers in our

Messy Church

churches.

Saturday 18th June at Ulcombe Church Over the years the Len Valley churches

4-6pm

have benefitted from the ministry of Readers. Many will remember the late

St Mary’s Church Flowers and Brass cleaning

Robert Hilton and David Essex who has retired. Prior to ordination Marian Bond and Millie Hart were Readers. Pamela

Flowers for June

Cuerden was licensed last year and I continue to serve.

June 4/11

Mrs Nahab The Maidstone Archdeaconry celebration

June 18/25

of the 150th anniversary will be held in

Mrs Greenwood

St Mary’s church Lenham on Sunday 26 June at 3pm. Our Archdeacon Stephen

Brasscleaning

will lead the worship.

Mrs Hopkins

Do come and join the celebration. Cream

Sue Greenwood

teas will be available after the service.

43

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Lenham Wanderers Junior Teams

from his marker and found the back of

By Mike Kingsman

the equalizer. Manager – Mike Kingsman

the Lenham net. Lenham heads didn’t drop and they showed a lot of character as they had a number of shots on goal and even hit the crossbar as to try and find said “although we are all disappointed,

Lenham Wanderers Football Club had

I am very proud of the lads who given

two junior teams in the Cup finals which

everything on the day and to win their

was held at the Cobdown Sports Club. On

League and be in the Cup Final showed

the beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon

how well the U11s have played this

the boys turned up in a coach where

season”. The U10s had only 4 defeats all

they were greeted by dozen of parents,

season and to add their terrific season

friends and club officials which was great

they went on to win the Invicta Primary

encouragement for the lads. Both games

Challenge Cup by beating Sittingbourne

kicked off at 12 noon which was a shame

Lions 4-0 in the final. The goals were

as it would have been great to see both

scored by Tommy Hewitt and Cameron

sets of parents cheering on each of the

Saunders plus two goals from Freddie

Lenham sides. The U11s were playing

Fairman who also won Man of the Match.

Rochester in their final which was going

A special mention to Brendan Weeks who

to be a tough game as they were a division

made two amazing saves in the final and

above and had lost to them last season.

kept a clean sheet throughout the match.

Lenham U11s started very cautious and

Manager – Rich Percy said he would like

played only one up front with Cody Lass

thank all the parents for their support

as the main striker. Ellis Beaumont had

throughout the year. The team has been

the job of man marking the excellent

fantastic and shown lots of progression

Rochester striker who was voted by the

and individual improvement and they

officials as Man of the Match. For an hour

are all looking forward to 9 a side next

there was very little between the two

season. The Junior Presentation Day is

sides; as the whistle blew for full time the

on 11th June at William Pitt Field starting

score was still 0-0. As the game moved

at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome for fun

into extra time for the first time in the

and games plus food will be available on

match the Rochester striker got away

the day.

46

Old Lenham

including Honywood House, the War Memorial, Chilston Park and Royton Manor. Local industries and charities are

By Gez Clark

I

also mentioned.

have recently discovered some old

The map is of the area south and east of

guides to Lenham, the earliest of

Sevenoaks, extending to Canterbury in

which dates from 1925. There are a

the top right corner. Hastings appears

few photographs and a map of Kent along

bottom centre and the furthest east

with numerous advertisements for local

coastal town is Folkestone.

businesses and some text of local interest.

Advertisements include the Dog and

Published by Vickery Kyrle & Co Ltd.,

Bear Hotel “Noted House for Mason’s

of Regent St., London W1, the foreword

(Maidstone) Prize Ales and Stout”, H.

describes Lenham as “......a small town

Honess and Sons Family Grocers and

on the London – Ashford road almost

Provision Merchants – “Quality is the

midway between Maidstone and Ashford

test of cheapness!”, Frank Couchman

with a station on the Southern Railway

Motor and Aero Engineer, W. R. Boorman

whence London is easily reached”. It

(my great uncle!) Grocer and Provision

goes on to state that before the days of

Merchant – phone Lenham 40! And on

the railway Lenham was an important

the rear cover – O. Aisher, Builder, Marley

coaching centre, with a dozen or so

Road, Harrietsham – the man who built

horses always at the ready for changing

the Marley empire!

at the “old Dog and Bear. The coming of

If anyone is interested in these, let me

the railway meant that Lenham lost a

know and I’ll bring and some more

great deal of its importance as a coaching

interesting stuff them to the Community

centre, but soon after that, “cycles and

Centre or the pub, whichever suits better.

motors” gave Lenham a new lease of life

01622 859595 or 07784 447200, or email

– “It has deservedly been rediscovered as

gez.clark@hotmail.com

there are here many things to interest the visitor.”. It goes on to describe a few of the “things of interest” such as the Church and its amazing and beautiful pulpit, the “primitive Methodist Chapel” at Lenham Heath, the outlying hamlets and others,

47

Paul Grant Roofing Contractors All aspects of roofing work undertaken.

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

OSTEOPATH

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07749 980096 www.chris-tempest.com

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Girl Guiding Lenham Community Reunites

O

in semaphore by the Lenham Guides and the enrolments into the unit of two new Guides, Charlotte Legg and Sophie Collett. Woman and girls with ages ranging from 10ys to 80yrs joined together for the evening to talk fondly about their experiences in Guiding. There

ver 50 women and girls joined

were activities to have a go at including,

together to remember their

making apple crumble, quizzes and the

time at Lenham Guides who

more traditional tying of knots. Displays

have been running for over …80…….years.

of photos were around the room, showing

The reunion held to celebrate the time

how the unit had changed over the years,

the unit which has been run for the past

with many reminiscing about their time

25yrs by the leaders, Julia Thomsett and

with the group.

Mary Terry, was a huge success.

The evening was finished off with an

The event held in the Lenham

indoor camp fire with a range of both new

Community Centre was a time for friends

and traditional songs. Sarah, who was a

old and new, to get together and talk

Guide in the 80s said that it wasn’t until

about their time at Lenham Guides.

the reunion that she realised how much

The evening started with a welcome

she missed being a Guide. She fondly

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remembered her time in guiding when the group used to go camping at the coast and had campfires in the sand dunes.

Julia Thomsett who currently runs Lenham Guides said “It was lovely to catch up with previous Guides and have the opportunity to remind people why they loved being part of Girlguiding. We are looking for more volunteers to help us and join the adventures we have as adults.”

Lenham Guides enjoy a hugely varied, girl-led programme of activities, incorporating everything from world issues and science to adventure sports,

volunteers can support girls in guiding,

social action and the opportunity for international travel.

from training as a Leader to smaller

Marnie, aged ten, a current member of

driving and event helpers.

supporting roles including accounting,

Lenham Guides said “My favourite part

Julia Thomsett said: “It’s incredibly

of being a Guide is making new friends

rewarding volunteering with Girlguiding.

and meeting up with old ones. We get to

I get so much out of seeing girls develop

do amazing things and we have so much fun.”

their confidence in a safe, girl-only space.

Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all

many new skills – I would recommend

I’ve made brilliant friends and learnt so guiding to everyone!”

backgrounds, abilities and faiths. From running a group to giving just one or

For more information about assisting

two hours a month, volunteering is very

with local Guides, visit www.girlguiding.

flexible and can fit around a busy lifestyle.

org.uk

There are a huge number of ways

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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

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The Lenham Swimming Club

B&C SCAFFOLDING Craig: 07739124749 Ben: 07730450602

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

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Saturday & 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 Saturday 28th May until end of August All sessions run subject to availability of volunteers Membership Fee Adult - £6.00 Child - £4.00

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

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Church Services Wednesday 1st June

Saturday 18th June

9.30 am Lenham: Holy Communion

4.00pm Ulcombe Church: Messy Church

Sunday 5th June

Sunday 19th June

9.30 am Lenham: Breakfast service

10.00am Harrietsham: Deanery

9.30 am Boughton Malherbe: Holy

Confirmation Service with Bishop Trevor

Communion (Prayer Book)

(There will be no services at Ulcombe,

10.30 am Ulcombe: Family Worship

Boughton Malherbe or Lenham)

11.00 am Lenham: Holy Communion

Saturday 25th June

3.30 pm Harrietsham: GIFT family

8.00am Dog & Bear, Lenham: Men’s

worship

breakfast

Sunday 12th June Sunday 26th June

8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion

8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion

(Prayer Book)

(Prayer Book)

9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service

9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion

9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion

9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Family

10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion

Worship

11.00am Lenham: Morning Worship

10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion

5.00pm Lenham: Lenham Family

11.00am Lenham: Family Worship

Festival Songs of Praise

3.00pm Lenham: Service for the 150th

6.30pm Boughton Malherbe: Evensong

Anniversary of Reader Ministry

Wednesday 15th June 10.30am Holy Communion: Chippendayle Lodge

54

The Door is open!

A

fter many months of preparation, Pathways church officially launched on 1st

May at Lenham Community Centre.

There were balloons, T-shirts, food (lots of it), and of course many people

for the Lenham family festival, and we are

who came to celebrate with us. We felt

always looking for opportunities to help

very well supported by our friends from

out in the community.

the community, and also by those from

We are also busy building good

Jubilee church. Thank you to everyone

friendships in our small groups (or cell

who came.

groups) which meet in homes in Lenham and Harrietsham, and encouraging each

Pathways church represents a new

other to grow in our faith in Jesus Christ.

beginning, but also the fulfilment of a

Cell groups are the best place to get to

long journey. Some of you may have felt

know people, and we always give visitors

sad when the Lenham United Reformed

a warm welcome.

Church closed its doors, but Pathways

From now onwards we will also be having

celebrates the coming together of former

regular celebration services on the 1st

URC members with some new people

and 3rd Sundays of each month at 10am

who have joined us from Jubilee Church.

in Lenham Community Centre.

It is like two different colours mixing

Do get in touch at info@pathwayschurch.

together to make a brand new colour for

org.uk or visit www.pathwayschurch.org.

our generation.

uk

Now that the launch celebration is

Johnny and Estelle McCabe - church

over, we know that it will seem quiet

leaders

in comparison, but we also have many

Dave and Jenny Needham - leadership

exciting things to look forward to. We are

team

busy right now helping with preparations

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Bouncy Castle Raffle Burgers & Hot Dogs All available at the Lenham Social Club when you finish your ride.

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57

The Lenham Country Market

been in retail all his life, and Lenham

By Jim Myers

closely involved throughout.

has been lucky to have his expertise together with that of committee member and treasurer Ian George who has been

Interview with Kevin Fitzsimons, Market Manager

T

he current Lenham Country Market has been running for sixteen years, thanks to the

hard work put in over the years by a team including Mike Cockett and Ian George.

I say current market because Lenham was granted its original market charter way back in the 11th century. By the 16th century it was still going strong every Tuesday. It seems to have had a lull at some point but popped up again in 1757 and only disappeared towards the end of the 19th century with the coming of the railway. Twice-yearly stock markets were then held in a field near the railway

There is currently an explosion

bridge.

of farmers’ markets sprouting up everywhere but Lenham is one of the

It leapt into life again in Millennium

longest established. It’s an ongoing

Year and has been going strong ever

challenge, says Kevin and only possible

since under its committee, on which

with the much appreciated support we

Mike Cockett served for many years,

get from the village. Today there are

and its successive managers from Linda

around 30 stallholders at the market held

Louisous to John Sutton and the current

on the second Sunday of each month.

manager, Kevin Fitzsimons. Kevin has

Others are on the waiting list.

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In 2000 Lenham was the first of the

meet your friends, have snack and a drink

local markets. Now there are others and

and buy the excellent and varied produce

Lenham is a member of the Kent Farmers

on sale. After all, as the nursery rhyme

Market group. Kevin is an enthusiastic

says, ‘This little piggy went to market, this

supporter of other local markets and

little piggy stayed at home.’ You don’t

frequently visits them. He is constantly

want to be a stay-at-home, do you? Come

aiming, he says, at ‘balance and variety to

along and meet Kevin!

keep the quality up’.

What does Kevin enjoy most about his job? He likes it most when ‘I see little groups of people chatting. It’s a Sunday morning meeting place’. So, come along,

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Lenham Family Festival 9t

OUR FESTIVAL is a weekend of music, drama, dance and entertainment in and around Lenham with the main event day on Saturday 11th June at Lenham Community Centre. The event promotes a family ethos in which you have the opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy the events; therefore prices throughout the event will also have this in mind.

Below is our current programme -

Thursday 9th June

Social Club 2pm to 4pm -Swadelands Secondary School performing for the UK Hub Club and the local community ‘A musical extravaganza’

Friday 10th June

City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra performing in the beautiful Tithe Barn 7pm to 9pm (doors open at 6.30pm) - ‘A Taste of Classics’ Works by Pachelbel, Vivaldi, Finzi, Rutter - Conductor Ben Knowles and special guest singers ‘Platts Heath Primary School Choir’. As part of the family theme the Orchestra will present a mixture of short works featuring a variety of solo instruments. Tickets: Adults £15, Concessions £13, Children up to 18 free. Nibbles included in ticket price. Tickets available from: Lenham Village Store and Len Valley News, Telephone: 07568 476573, Email: lenhamfestival@gmail.com, Web:lenhamfamilyfestival.co.uk and crso.org.uk Champagne, wine and soft drinks available to buy on the night from Lenham wine merchant ‘The Vinorium’

Social Club 8pm - ‘Music’ Quiz Night

Saturday 11th June - Main Festival Day at Lenham Community Centre 12 noon to 9pm Acts and performances in no particular order ON THE OUTSIDE STAGES

Andy Wilkinson - Bringing us his rendition of classic tunes Brainstorm - A lively trio bringing you a mix of popular rock Creative Arts Academy - Popular classics

Dan Smith - Local vocals Ellie Saunders - Come and relax to these acoustic sounds

Jamie Middleton - Guitars Kentishsax, Dirk Wickende neighbourhood saxplayer

King Street Band - Blues a

Morris Dancers - English f

Our headline act ‘Renegad anthems

Raffle - Drawn at 4pm Zumba with Rosa - Join in everyone

INSIDE THE MAIN HALL w delicious cakes, tea and co enjoy the performances

Fred Turnham - Light Orga

Charlie Hewish - Up and co GDC School of Dancing - B Display

John Nye’s Band - Easy Lis

Lindy Hoppers - American Music Mayhem - Sing, danc mayhem way. A fun friendly Vivienne Lawrence’s Ballet range of dance styles taugh Modern, Ballet & Character

th-12th June Programme

& vocals en - Your friendly

and more

folk dancing

de’ - Rock and pop

n a Zumba session, fun for

where The WI will provide offee whilst you relax and

an Music

oming talented magician Ballroom & Latin American

stening

Jazz dancing ce and play the music y pre-school group School - Demonstrate a ht within the school: Tap, r

OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Social Club will provide a beer tent throughout the day and evening and we have lots of delicious hot and cold food on offer - BBQ, Cakes, Candy Floss, Crepes, Ice Cream, Indian, Sandwiches with different food options available during the day and evening.

We also have various arts, craft, clothing stalls, face painting, glitter tattoos, jewellery, nail manicures and lots of fairground games and competitions for all ages.

Sunday 12th June

In the Square during Lenham Market 9am to 1pm - Sixpenny Piece and Daniel on Harmonica. An acoustic mix of diverse styles with a rocky, folky heart

St Mary’s Church at 3pm - ‘Pulling Strings’, a selection of solo and ensemble music by The Lenham Harpists

St Mary’s Church at 5pm - Celebrating the Queen’s official 90th Birthday which falls on the same weekend, come and enjoy a festival in the church with a special ‘Songs of Praise’ IN ADDITION ON

Saturday 3rd July

St Mary’s Church at 7pm - Hungarian Soprano Andrea Turner and Pianist John Summerfield will be perfoming ‘Songs from the Shows’ including some lovely Hungarian pieces

Prize Crossword

Across clues

Down clues

1. ‘….. cocktail’ A starter dish made with a type of shellfish. (5) 5. Sufficient or enough. (5) 7. It is used to smooth things or rub down paintwork.

(9) 8. 50 per cent. (4) 10. Short term for a type of boot. (6) 12. It is used to coat fish before deep-frying. (6) 13. Source of fibre often eaten at breakfast. (4) 16. Made the same. (9) 18. An absolute fear. (5) 19. To go in to a building. (5)

1. Some sorts of birds sit on it. (5) 2. Old name for a donkey. A stupid person. (3) 3. 3X3. (4) 4. These fruits are supposed to keep the doctor away.

(6) 5. Much liked. (7) 6. Strange and ghostly. (5) 9. One of the ingredients in a BLT sandwich. (7) 11. Shouted loudly. (6) 12. One of the ingredients in a BLT sandwich. (5) 14. Not even once. (5) 15. The …. of Man. 17. A full stop is one.

62

Last month’s winner!

Previous winner: Andrew and Katrina Barr, of Lenham Please leave your completed crossword entry at Lenham Library on or before the 15th of the month.

and be listed on the site.

Visit www.lenhamfocus.co.uk.

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Contact us for more details.

Volume 18 Edition 6 (June 2016) Circulation 2000

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.

Copy Deadline:

5pm 7th of the preceding month. Please leave copy at 24 Maidstone Road, or contact us.

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 us.

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

For ‘Out of Town’ Readers Distribution:

The Focus can forward any complaint directly to an author of any article which a reader finds displeasing in order for them to respond directly. Every reader has the opportunity to a ‘right of reply’ to publish their view in the Focus as long as a name, committee group or organisation is named.

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

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