Lenham Focus | March ’16

MARCH 2016 IN THIS EDITION

Format Change What do you think?

Swimming Pool Can you help?

Wrinkly Road Show See what’s on offer

Girl Guides Get Involved

SEE PAGE 4

SEE PAGE 10

SEE PAGE 23

SEE PAGE 30

PAGE 2 MAR 2016

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PAGE 4 MAR 2016

Welcome to the March edition of the Lenham Focus.

Hopefully everyone received the February edition but if you are still experiencing problems please contact me using the editorial email address or contact number.

James Collett Editor

Welcome

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

07927 308740 editorialslf@gmail. com

Following the questionnaires filled out by our readers and discussions with our advertisers we are considering returning to the old A5 format. Although there was general praise for the A4 format including it being easier to read, the number of negative comments we have received including it being harder to find advertisers and it not being as handy to carry around has led to these considerations.

If we do change, we hope to be able to carry across some of the positive things we have learnt from the A4 format and hope all our readers and advertisers

We also welcome feedback any other items and we are always willing to listen to suggestions and will try to implement them when we can.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our advertisers, readers and helpers who all make the magazine what it is and hope we can continue it for a long time to come.

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: Mike Kingsman, Gemini Print

Finance: Mark Dunbar 07808863227 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com

Interviews: Jim Myers

Platts Heath, Sandway, West Street, Woodside Green and Warren Street.

Volume 18 Edition 3 (March 2016) Circulation 2000 Copy Deadline: 5pm 7th of the preceding month.

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

Focus is Distributed by Volunteers to: Lenham Village, Lenham Heath,

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understand the decisions once made. It is our intention to make any changes in the May editions and to help in making our final decision we would welcome comments from both our readers and advertisers.

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 us.

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.

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

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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

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

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adverts and be listed on the site.

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Borough Council Corner

by Tom & Janetta Sams PAGE 6 MAR 2016

M

aidstone Borough Council’s Local Plan regulation 19 consultation is now taking place. The consultation closes at 5pm on 18th March 2016.

This is a very important time for residents to have their say on what will be one of the last opportunities to make comment.

On this occasion all comments that are sent to MBC will go directly to the inspector who will make the final decision.

Council Corner

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The borough council is carrying

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out a consultation, part of which refers to Lenham, on page 168 of the Local Plan Document, policy H2 (3). It is to be a broad location for housing growth for up to 1500 dwellings towards the end of the local plan period, after 2026, if the “borough council’s land supply position requires” housing.

It will be provided in the areas within Lenham, to the east and west of the village.

This will have a severe and permanent impact upon the village and the surrounding area, and affect the way of life for all of us. We urge you all to write in to the borough council and put forward your views. Please make your voice count and write soon. A copy of the document is at the library. We have placed an additional copy at the Community

One Hundred Years Ago...

citizens. The USA was not yet in the war, despite the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915.

by Amy Myers

Deep snow early in the month brought pleasure to tobogganers but trouble for Lenham as the Maidstone bus couldn’t get through because of deep drifts near Dickley Wood. The sudden thaw then brought floods to Ashford and to the Medway. To relieve the general gloom the local picture houses

T

ribunals were busy hearing cases for whole or partial exemption from conscription, and amongst them was that of Mr T R Todd, owner of Court Lodge Farm (of 255 acres and five carthorses, as he described it). He was pleading to keep his workers as his three sons were already away ‘doing their bit’. Across the Channel Anglo-French plans to end the war with a massive joint breakthrough in the summer looked doomed as the French valiantly defended Verdun against the German offensive.

Verdun would be the key to taking Paris. At sea submarine warfare recommenced and the cross-Channel steamer Sussex was torpedoed on its way from Folkestone to Dieppe. The Kaiser had banned the sinking of ships with civilian passengers and this tragedy could have had unforeseen consequences as some of the victims were US

Centre. Alternatively, it can be found on the Maidstone Borough Council website.

You can make comments online at www.maidstone.gov.uk/ consultations, by email ldf@maidstone.gov.uk or by letter to Spatial Policy Team, Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ. Support the Lenham Neighbourhood Plan (out for consultation 8th Feb -24th March) as an alternative to the local Plan.

If we can be of any assistance on borough matters please contact us on 01622 859412 or email tomsamscllr7@gmail.com or janettasamscllr@gmail.com

were booming. The Popular Picture Pavilion in Pudding Lane was showing amongst other delights the ‘beautiful exclusive masterpiece The Honour of the Ormsbys which, the Pavilion excitedly exclaimed, was a ‘most sensational drama of absorbing interest full of the right stuff all the way through’.

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

4 March HOKH Fire Walk You can join in the first Heart of Kent Hospice Fire Walk at Jubilee Square, Maidstone at 7pm. To book your place call 01622 790195.

4 March Women’s World Day of Prayer An international prayer movement that invites women to prepare a service, everyone is welcome to attend. St Mary’s Church, Lenham 10:30am and All Saints Church, Ulcombe at 7:00pm.

Forthcoming Events 16 Apr

UB40 Tribute + Reggae & Ska 9pm Ticket Only. Members £6. Guests £8.

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

5 March The Boughton Malherbe Hoard 45 minute talk on the hoard followed by an hour to study the objects up close and ask questions.

2pm at Grafty Green Hall.

20 March Maidstone Road Run Starting and finishing at Cornwallis Academy, Maidstone.

31 March Lenham Family Festival Meeting Come along if you are able to help, particularly on the day. Lenham Community Centre 7:15pm 22 April Favourite football and rugby songs Performed by The Holigans at St Mary’s Church from 7:30pm

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)

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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 MAR 2016

O

ur meeting on Jan 27th was a talk by Jim Preston on malthouses and brewing in Kent during the last century. We had hoped he would have had more information about the Tanyards and bone mill industries but he had no pictures to show us.

But nevertheless his talk was very interesting.

The March 30th meeting is a talk on the sea forts of the Thames Estuary by Frank Turner and the one in April is hopefully on the railways in Kent in the 19th C. Do come along to our talks if you are interested.

Clubs & Soc.

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STOP PRESS information!

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6.2.2016 ….the day after I wrote the above brief Lenham Heritage article, the March copy of the British Archaeology journal came through my door . Featured on the inside in a whole page frontispiece is a photograph of a heraldic harness hook (12501400 AD) found in Lenham and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme. I have painted my interpretation of the enamelled design as accurately as possible.

I cannot print the photo (copyright of PAS) obviously without asking them. It has a wise white owl with red legs and green oak leaves! The hook has been returned to the finder and it does

Lenham Gardening Society

by Keith Varney

Well, spring is almost here, we hope; after so much rain and cold winds it can’t come soon enough. No doubt we will have a drought this summer and a hosepipe ban!!

This month’s speaker is Mrs. Buckingham who will talk about

not say exactly where the item was found but as Lenham was farmed from a very early date and /or had people travelling across the parish simply everywhere…..it could have been from anywhere.

This item is so unusual it stirs my pie-in-the–sky ideas of a local museum.

People at present are discussing the housing proposed for Forty Acres, the field beneath the cross but this side of the A20 (next to the Community Centre.) Did you know that there are thousands and thousands of interesting items found in Kent on the Channel Tunnel excavations that are languishing unseen in storage because there is no museum to display them? I had envisioned a modern state of the art museum here at Lenham. That field could have its whole space with an underground car park, hidden from view. Above ground a low parabolic roof of a beautifully designed museum. Interfering with the ANOB of the Downs????

Hey, wait a minute, what about

all the proposed houses? Would they not ruin the landscape?

What an accolade that would be for Lenham. County organisations have already realised Lenham is completely central. That is why our new hall gets booked so much for meetings. A state of the art museum would draw people in and be so good for our village businesses and the village in general.

There are plenty of other places to build those houses … however it would need several million to build my fabled museum. As I said a pie –in –the –sky! or rather an owl in the sky!

Twit twoo-oo.

the wild flowers in the UK which I’m sure will be of great interest to many of our members. The competition is a Bowl of Hyacinths and/or A Jar of Homemade Marmalade. Please come along and support your society.

Why not bring a friend?

The April meeting on the 21st will have as its speaker Mrs Marsden who will talk about ‘What will grow in my garden?’ - something that all of us are keen to find out. The competition will be 3 Mixed Tulips and/or 3 Homemade Hot Cross Buns.

For those who have yet to pay their subs please bring your money to the March meeting.

Thank you.

At the March meeting we will announce the details for our first outing of the year which will be to Sheffield Park, which is a NT property, which means that for those NT members you will only need to pay for the coach. We are hoping to lay on a cream tea for everybody.

See you later - happy gardening.

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

by Enid La Plain

We hope you enjoyed Melanie Gibson Barton’s talk on Bruges and enjoyed stretching your grey matter with Jan’s quiz.

March which is our spring tea at the Community centre at 3pm for a 3:30pm start. Tickets are £6 and available from Eve on 858478.

We meet this month on the 24th

Thursday 21/04/16 2.00-4.00pm at the Community Centre. We have Bon Marche with us again. There will be a fashion show and plenty of time to choose something new.

If you would like a lift please contact Jenny on 01622859208.

Thank you to all who help make

these events such a success. If anyone has a few hours free please come and join us.

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

Len Valley Community Hub Club

Our next meeting is on Thursday 07/04/16 at the Social Club. We are having a quiz so that will get the little grey cells working.

A big thank you to all who help us.

Without them, there would be no club.

John, Martin, Fred, Jenny and Nina.

Lenham W.I.

on March 5th, when members have an opportunity to try their hand at ‘Felting’ in the morning and in the afternoon have a talk from Chris McCooey.

Our April speaker is Antonia Gallup on a ‘Trip Across India on a Motorbike’. May brings our A.G.M. and a Competition Evening. Ian Porter will be talking about ‘Job Opportunities for Women’ at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries at our June meeting, while in July, we will be learning about the production and uses of,’Lanolin’. We have no meeting in August, and return in September to a talk by Susan Shaw on ‘The Chelsea Flower Show’.

October brings ‘Made in Maidstone’

by Peter Batty. A must for all those interested in local history. In November we will be finding out how to make ‘Silver Jewellery’ and the year finishes with Marian Martin showing us ‘It’s Good To Laugh’.

This year marks the 80th birthday of Lenham W.I. and at some time during the year we will be celebrating this milestone!

As you can see, we try to give something for everyone during the course of the year, so, if any ladies see any subject that interests them they are welcome to come along as a visitor and see what the W.I. has to offer.

Young At Heart 60+ Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping well.

Our next meeting will be on

by Gill Simes

Our January Social Evening provided a gentle start to the New Year, and in February we had a talk from Marine Biologist Mr. Willoughby.

In March we are having a talk on Medical Detection Dogs, given by Sharon Lynn.

We had an enjoyable post-Christmas meal at the Dog and Bear in January and our annual quiz took place on February 20th.Thank you to all those involved in the organisation of this event, and those who supported us. We are having a ‘Dabble Day’

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)

The Royal British Legion

PAGE 10 MAR 2016

O

n behalf of the Lenham and Harrietsham Branch of the RBL, I would like to thank all who continue to give such generous support to the Poppy Appeal. To date you have donated £3,500 for this year’s appeal.

On what was probably the only sunny day in January, 34 members and friends visited The

Dear Lenham

RBL

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

G

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ez, Jan and Danielle would like to thank you all for the kind messages and thoughts we have received from you all over the last few weeks. We have been amazed and touched by the response to our tragic ordeal.

The depth of feeling in this community has brought us much comfort and has made us realise even more what a special place Lenham is.

The Lenham Swimming Club

I

am sure that the last thing you are likely to be contemplating at this time of year is swimming in an outdoor pool but, at Lenham Swimming Club, we are already turning our thoughts to the pool in order to prepare for opening again this summer.

Some of the volunteers who joined us in 2014 & 2015 have committed to helping at the pool again this year. However, we have inevitably lost some of our ‘crew’ as circumstances and commitments change. The pool cannot open without help and

Royal Chelsea Hospital before lunching at various venues adjacent to the London Eye. This was followed by a boat trip to Greenwich, at which point we nearly lost those taking a ‘comfort break’ before the coach ride home.

On the 10, 11 and 12 May we hope to arrange a trip to Cambridge. We plan to depart from Lenham at 09.30, stop for a lunch break before visiting the American Air Force Cemetery at Maddingly. The next day will be spent at the Imperial

To bring you up to date, Gez and Jan are now home in Lenham, and very grateful for that even though the treatment we received in the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead was superb - it’s far more pleasant to be bored at home than in hospital! We are trying to get back to normal (if normal is the right word for us!?) and are getting around the village again, may see you soon. Gez is hoping to have enough energy and voice to do some town crying

many of our volunteers do far more than they signed up for.

Are you able to help us continue to provide this community facility? We are hoping to encourage some more volunteers. Would you be willing and able to undertake the Royal Life Saving Society Emergency Response qualification and commit to a voluntary session one evening or a Saturday/ Sunday per week during June, July and August? Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age but there is no upper age limit.

The qualification is a two-day course which will be held at the pool once it is ready for use (likely to be mid to late May).

This would be fully funded.

There may be the opportunity to

War Museum at Duxford. The Parachute Regimental Museum has been recently located there.

Day 3, after breakfast, we load the coach with our luggage before having the morning to explore Cambridge and have lunch. We will depart early afternoon in order to be ahead of the rush hour.

The hotel is on half-board basis and the cost of the trip will be £215, which includes entry to Duxford. To book a place please contact either Bill Peter, 850520 or Barry Wood, 850702.

at the February market on St. Valentine’s Day. Poor Danielle is not so lucky.

She is still in the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and will remain there for some time. We are hopeful that she will make a full recovery with the help and expertise of the medical staff and the strength that she will get from the messages from this marvellous community.

Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated by us all and we thank you for them.

undertake the full pool lifeguard qualification (6 day course).

This could potentially create an ideal career opportunity. NPLQ courses take place at a local Leisure Centre during May, June and July 2016. We also need helpers for the front desk to take payments for swims and run the tuck shop.

If you would be interested in finding out more about how you can help please contact me on 01622 859174 / 07981125593 or email me on chills99@btinternet. com for more information.

Thank you.

Chris Hills Chairman

Lenham Festival 2016

by Lenham Festival Committee

T

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

This fun event, that brings the whole community together and is affordable for families, will raise funds for Lenham Nursery School and The Heart of Kent Hospice and is not to be missed.

We are excited to announce the City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra will perform on the evening of Friday June 10th at the historic and beautiful Tithe Barn. Tickets will be available for this event and we will inform you of where you can obtain these nearer the time.

We have some fantastic stalls booked for the main community event on Saturday June 11th in the Community Centre car park. There will be something for everyone. If you love to shop, there will be stalls selling greetings cards, fancy cake products, art, soaps, aromatherapy products, candles, alpaca products, hand crafted jewellery, bags, wedding accessories, and many other lovely items. The local clubs, societies and other organisations are entering into the spirit of the event too. The Guides will be running a tombola stall. Sixty Plus, Age Concern Hub and the Patients Forum will also have stalls and more are expected to follow. There will also be plenty of activities and amusements for children of all ages to enjoy. For those feeling hungry and thirsty, there will be an ice cream van, a tea bar, a cupcake stall, a doughnut bar, a candy floss stall, and the very popular burger bar will also be back this year. Tuck in whilst enjoying music from local bands on the main stage throughout the day and evening. At the same time, there will be plenty going on in the

Community Centre, including dance and theatrical performances by various local groups (watch out for further details in a later edition).

The next meeting of the Festival Committee will take place on March 31st at 7.15pm in the Appleton Room at the Community Centre. As mentioned in previous months, we are particularly looking for helpers on the main 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.

Health Walks

PAGE 12 MAR 2016

W

elcome to our 2016 year of walking. A new development this year is the Saturday walk! This will be a walk of about three miles and will have a trained Leader and a backmarker. It will commence in April and the starting point will be at Lenham at 10.00am.

Our established walks on Thurs-

The Focus Website

L @lenhamfocus

ook up our website for all the latest news, back editions and pricing information.

This gives you the reader the opportunity of reading our edition whilst on the go and advertisers the chance to advertise online as well as within our printed edition.

The website is new so we welcome any constructive feedback you have.

Health Walks

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Visit www.lenhamfocus.co.uk

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days continue. The walks are of two lengths and take place within about ninety minutes with the longer walk of three miles plus and the medium one of something over two. We have a Leader and back marker on each walk and aim to make the walks sociable and friendly. Additionally there is a very short walk which is variable and is designed to meet the needs of the new walkers.

Did you know that walking can help you to:

• • • • •

Keep your heart, lungs, bones and muscles strong Keep to a healthy weight Feel more energetic Reduce stress and depression Feel better and sleep better

Again if you think any of the walks may be of interest to you then please call me for information and to register an interest.

Marjorie Darby 01622 850657 or mldd@talktalk.net

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PAGE 14 MAR 2016

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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!

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

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Application forms are available by writing to the Secretary at the address below. Completed forms should reach her by no later than 25th March, 2016.

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

Lenara Zumba Gold Lenara have organised Zumba Gold classes in conjunction with ‘Dance Visions’ at Ash-ford. Zumba Gold is especially designed for the over 50s i.e. less energetic, and it will be open to anybody who lives in the Len Valley area, male & female.

The classes will be held at the Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way each Wednes-day morning at 9.30am sharp.

Classes last approx one hour and should leave you feel-ing a lot fitter!! The cost during the trial period will be £2 per person which is payable on the door.

Please come a few minutes early so you can register. Remember to bring plenty of water as it’s hot work.

This is a new venture for LENARA so please come along and support us, have a great time and feel fitter!

See you there.

cold buffets and afternoon tea.

No function too large or too small

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

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

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Christian Message

PAGE 16

Church

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MAR 2016

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H

appiness is what we all aim for, isn’t it?

Work hard and you’ll succeed. When you succeed, you’ll be happy. That’s the message we get. The trouble is, we know that that’s not quite the way it works. If we’re in work, each time we succeed and achieve our goals, we’re given tougher targets to reach.

Each year there’s constant “improvement” – so no matter how hard we’ve worked, what goals we’ve achieved, next year we’ll have to “do better.” The whole system is a burden. It’s just tiring. And it happens not just at work but at everywhere.

Our brains don’t work so well this way and apparently we can be much more creative and successful if we re-programme ourselves a little bit. At our most recent men’s breakfast*, our speaker Brian Draper (drawing on the work of Shawn Achor) gave us an outline of the problem and made some suggestions as to how this negative process can be reversed so that we work from a positive start-point rather than a stressed, negative one.

“Ha!!” – I can hear the disbelief.

But it works! Every day for a period of 21 days, try these five simple things and see if you don’t find yourself happier and more able to cope with the pressures…

1. find three new things each day to be grateful for. Write them down. It might be a warm home, a friend, a letter, a sunset, or any one of a million things 2. write down (in a book or diary or journal) a positive experience from the day. Writing it down helps us experience it again and remember it 3. do some exercise.

That helps us learn that what we do with our bodies has consequences 4. meditate. Find time to cut off all distractions, the phone, radio or TV, the tablet or PC, and concentrate on ….

nothing except your breathing.

Perhaps use a simple repeated prayer to help – such as “here I am, in your presence, listening and waiting” 5. do an act of kindness.

Pay for someone’s bus fare or shopping. Pick up all the litter in the street. Give a neighbour a lift to the station – or any deliberate kindness.

After 21 days, our brains begin to work differently and we find we start from a positive rather than negative position and we will find that we are happier and more content.

Jesus said that we shouldn’t worry about money, clothes, food, but should look for God’s kingdom. Then we’ll be happy.

That’s success – and the five practices above can be a help on the journey.

Just time to fit it in before Easter!

Rev Dick Venn *Once a month a group of men get together at The Dog & Bear in Lenham for a full English breakfast and to listen to a speaker. Why not give it a try? Our next Breakfast is April 30th with Major Robin Alexander (retd) speaking on “Called to Serve.” Contact Dick Venn on 858195, vicar@lvb.org.uk or see our website www.lvb.org.uk/ mensbreakfasts.htm Soup Lunches St Mary’s are holding three soup lunches in March. Come along for a warming bowl of homemade soup on Thursday lunchtime and make a donation to our Connected Church link in Zambia where we are helping install bore holes and providing hygiene education in 4 rural villages in southern Zambia.

3rd, 10th 17th March from 12.30 to 1.30.

St. Mary’s, Lenham 10.30am All Saints Church, Ulcombe 7pm RECEIVE CHILDREN. RECEIVE ME Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical, prayer movement that invites women, from different parts of the world each year, to prepare a worship service through which their hopes and fears for their country may be brought before the whole world in prayer.

On Friday 4th March an estimated 3 million people in over 170 countries, will gather to observe the day of prayer, using an order of service written

by Christian women from Cuba and translated into over 1000 different languages and dialects.

In the British Isles alone over 6000 services will be held.

The theme ‘Receive children.

Receive me’ reflects St. Mark’s Gospel, chapter 10 verses 13-16, which is the focus of the service and a reminder that everyone is a child of God and equally worthy of our love and respect.

The Republic of Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, located at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico and called the ‘Key to the Gulf’. Politically at odds with the USA, Cuba suffered greatly due to the economic embargo imposed upon it in 1960 but has found strength within itself to move on and overcome many of its problems.

Everyone is welcome to attend the service, men, women – people of all ages. We look forward to welcoming you on Friday, 4th March, 10.30am at St Mary’s Church, Lenham and 7pm at All Saints Church, Ulcombe.

St Mary’s Church Flowers and brass cleaning March 2016

Women’s World Day of Prayer (International and Interdenominational) Friday, March 4th 2016

No flowers during Lent Easter Flowers to be done on Saturday 24th March 2016 Sue Greenwood

Len Valley Churches Service Times Wednesday 2nd March 9.30 am Lenham: Communion Friday 4th March 10.30 am Lenham: Women’s World Day of Prayer Service 7.00 pm Ulcombe: Women’s World Day of Prayer Service Sunday 6th March – Mothering Sunday - Special Services with gifts for Mums 9.30 am Lenham: Breakfast service 9.30 am Boughton Malherbe 10.30 am Ulcombe 11.00 am Lenham 3.30 pm Harrietsham Sunday 13th March 8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service 9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham: Morning Worship 3.30pm Boughton Malherbe: Evensong Wednesday 16th March 10.30am Holy Communion: Chippendayle Lodge Sunday 20th March – Palm Sunday with Palm Crosses for all 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

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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!

Thursday 24th March 7.30pm Lenham – Maundy Thursday Service Friday 25th March – Good Friday 10.30am Lenham: Messy Church 2.00pm Services in all four churches ‘An hour at The Cross’ Sunday 27th March – Easter Sunday 9.30am Harrietsham: Easter Celebration with Communion 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Easter Celebration with Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Easter Celebration with Communion 11.00am Lenham: Easter Celebration with Communion

Who’s planting the seeds for a new beginning in Langley?

Watch this space

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 MAR 2016

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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BuildersMerchants Butchers/Meat Carpentry Carpets/Flooring Caterers Catteries

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

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

851542 858612 07541 000969 01580 230413 07734950329 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 01233 840004 01622 688809 858220 850364 858719 01233714999 763269 858510

Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Coal Merchant Computer Services Dance Dog Grooming Dressmaking & Alterations Electricians/Gas fitters Estate Agents Fencing 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 TV Aerials Veterinary Surgery Will Services Window Cleaning

Inkstand cattery James Collett Debbie Brett Invicta Chimney Sweep Heathers 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 AD Pink Electrics Barrie Weston Contractor MGI Electrical Philip Jarvis Kingswood Fencing Activate Body and Soul Mrs Afsaneh Smith A W Court Mower Repairs Gowers Garage Lenham Village Store Phase Hairdressing Smarty’s Lenham Comm Centre Charing Heath Hall Immyblingy Will & Rose Ironing Services 4 U Ireland Landscapes Maidstone Landscapes and Paving Mowtastic A Short Seasoned Logs Martial Arts Boot Camp Beauty Nails Len Valley news Pennies Nurseries Chris Tempest D.O. M.Ost GOsc Reg Lenham Parish Council Pest Purge Saxon Warrior 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 Soicitors Thornloe and Co. Chequers Fish Bar The Cardamom Pod Arshed Mahmood Gez Clark R & P TV Aerial services Harrietsham Vets Maidstone Wills and trusts Sparkles

859469 850608 01233714247 01622 632641 850376 07813030527 880028 260515 859442 745654 859969 850329 850800 07738 088169 858827 884774 01233712663 850055 01622 858241 01622 842857 853750 01622 853640 850840 07989333145 858210 858255 850001 851150 853800 01233 713317 298129 01732 845852 07956 629772 844605 851222 07989 333145 07738658751 07733328715 07502564478 07460 393777 858262 01622 737733 07749 980096 01622 859682 842481 858287 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

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MAR 2016

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

Mrs Manley Linda Bird 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

01622 842603 01233 756762 01622 840207 01622 851538 01622 851646 01622 850671 01622 850228 01622 859009 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 205452 01622 850048 01622 858208 01233 714699 01622 820841

Borough Councillors:

Tom Sams Janetta Sams (Roads, Pavements)

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 858195 297296 850604

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

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 Dr Dick Venn Rev Millie Hart Church Office

Curtains to Corsets Curtains to corsets and almost anything else in between!

Whether it's general alterations,soft furnishings, a sturdy shopping bag, saucy apron or even a coat for your discerning pooch.

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Residential Extensions Loft & Garage Conversions Self Build Projects Residential Housing Developments Building Refurbishment CAD Drafting

+ Code for Sustainable Homes + SAP Assessments + CALL OR EMAIL FOR A QUOTE OR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION + TEL: 01580 230 413 + EMAIL: info@kentdesignstudio.co.uk

Call Samantha on 07541 000969 for a chat or email sam.j.hayes@btinternet.com

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

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

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

13/03/16 & 10/04/16

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

All this from one plumber!

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

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

Tiling Painting Decorating Odd jobs No job too small Fully insured FREE quotes No call out cost

and friendly professional advice

Currently we are very busy and need more volunteer drivers.

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

Please contact Bob on 07542 625277 for more details

T: 01622 851186 M: 0791 438 0521 info@allfixplumbing.co.uk www.allfixplumbing.co.uk

PAGE 22

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

MAR 2016

Lenham Community Centre Trust Deed

by Nick Osborne

I

n 1950 the Parish Council acquired the Old Village Hall which was situated in Lenham Square. In 1955 a un-incorporated charity was set up to manage the Village Hall on behalf of the inhabitants of the parish of Lenham.

In 1960 a “trust deed” was executed to transfer the ownership of the land and the building to the Lenham Parish Hall Trustees. As this was an unincorporated charity the trustees were unable to legally hold the deeds of the property. Therefore the Parish Council agreed to become “Custodian Trustees” and held the deeds on behalf of the Parish Hall Charity.

In 2003 the Old Village Hall trust deed was transferred to the new Lenham Community Centre and this deed is still the governing document. Under this arrangement the trustees could in certain circumstances have a personal liability for any claim made against the Community Centre.

In 2012 the government introduced a new type of Trust Deed which is called a “Charitable Incorporated Organisation” (C.I.O) which restricts the liability of the trustees to £1.00 it also gives further safeguards for the beneficiaries and makes it easier to attract trustees, at this present time we have 12 active trustees with a further 3 vacancies.

Early last year the trustees were advised by Rural Kent to consider changing our charitable status from an “un-Incorporated” trust to the new “incorporated” trust deed.

The Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and myself attended meetings arranged by Rural Kent with legal advice from Monkton & Whitehead and in March last year the trustees agreed to progress this change, the trustees signed an agreement with Mr Jonathon Dawson to act on our behalf.

It has now been discovered that in 2003 the land and the building was not transferred to the charity Therefore these are under the ownership of the Parish Council, and the building and the land enjoys no charitable protection.

To become a C.I.O all the assets should be transferred to the Charity before this can be registered, and once the C.I.O is registered there is no need for the Parish Council to be

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

“Custodian Trustees”.

Mr Dawson has now proposed how this change should be progressed, therefore subject to an agreement being reached with the Parish Council the trustees have agreed to hold a public meeting to gain the permission of the inhabitants of the Parish to close the present un-incorporated charity and to register a new C.I.O. This meeting will be held on: April 7th 2016 at 7.30pm at Lenham Community Centre For this change to take place a vote will take place and a majority of 50% of all attendees must vote in favour for this change to take effect.

The new proposed trust deed will be available for public view at Lenham Community Centre from the 22nd February 2016 or on our website www. lenhamcommunitycentre.org.uk To secure the future of our Lenham Community Centre it is vital we get a large turnout for this public meeting. We are available to answer any questions at the Community Centre.

Public Invitation to the Wrinkly Roadshow Who said getting old is no fun! At the Wrinkly Roadshow we don’t believe that AT ALL! Retirement is the time to make up for all those hours spent working at a desk wishing for 5pm to hurry up. It is time to dispel the myth of ageing.

Just because you may have a few wrinkles it doesn’t mean that you are not up to mischief!

Do you have ageing parents that need information but don’t want to consider the future? Why not pop along and find out for yourself what they need to know.

Do you know what is happening on your doorstep? The Wrinkly

Roadshow wants to let you know about the local village clubs and organisations which are available for you right now.

The Wrinkly Roadshow wants to know about things you want to do in your village community so we can set up new interest groups and activities. Do you want to build a walking football village league, have a regular jive party or cinema night in your village? Let us know.

We want to keep you as informed and as independent as possible to allow you to enjoy your retirement without worry or concern for the future. Knowledge is power.

Planning for the future is key.

Come and speak to our top team of lawyers, independent financial advisers, care home finders, home care providers, equipment providers, sports and entertainment teams, healthcare teams, community safety groups, benefit and utility bill advisers to make sure you have all the facts before you need them.

We know our exhibitors, how they work and how they think. Like all of us at the Roadshow they care about people’s futures and want them to be the best they can. We all work together to ensure this is possible.

Isn’t it about time information, support and advice was joined up and brought to you!

Visit our website at www. wrinklyroadshow.com. Follow us on twitter @WrinklyR. Like us on Facebook. Pay us a visit on-line to see where we are and what we do.

We promise that you will not be bored. You will laugh and joke and have a fun afternoon at the Roadshow.

Let us help you enjoy retirement and leave the worry to someone else!

Come and find us between 12 and 7pm on 11 March at the Lenham Community Centre. We make a fabulous cup of tea and have amazing cakes!

Lenham Toddlers The end of 2015 saw some exciting changes at Lenham Toddlers. The year’s fundrais-ing efforts were generously boosted by donations from Lenham Parish Council and the Hatch Charity, enabling a major new piece of play equipment to be unveiled at the Christmas party, with a little help from the man in red!

Our new play equipment proved very popular, incorporating a shop, post office, cafe and petrol station amongst other things, and will be a regular toddler group fixture in 2016!

With some funds left over it is hoped that we can add a new trike and expand our play kitchen in the coming months. If you haven’t been before or haven’t visited for a while please come and have a go on the new equipment. Prices remain fixed at £2 per child and £1 for each additional child over 6 months - first session free! We work on a pay as you play basis so feel free to drop in whenever it suits. Tea and coffee for the parents and a varied snack for the children is included in the price, as are all activities. We run

on Tuesdays from 9.30 to 11.30 in the main hall at the community centre. We have a growing number of babies and tiny toddlers and a wide variety of baby play equipment; something for everyone!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the parish council and the Hatch Charity for helping us continue to provide new

and improved equipment. Also, to our wonder-ful kitchen ladies who turn up week in, week out to prepare our drinks and snacks - we couldn’t manage it without you. And finally, we look forward to more fun with the little ones, and meeting some new playmates, in 2016.

Teresa Denbow, Mary Pheby, Karen Gambrell

2016 Food Trends

by GB Lister PAGE 24 MAR 2016

W

hat will be the trends in 2016?

Will we get back to traditional, less processed food and forget about counting calories? Here are some of the trends that we have been reading about:

GB Lister

lenhamfocus.co.uk

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Ingredient Revolution Away from artificial flavours and colourings, going natural.

Kraft Dinner, soon to be known as KD, won’t contain artificial preservatives or synthetic colourings by the end of 2016.

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Value overtaking value Consumers are considering where their food is coming from, environmental impact, animal welfare, nature versus artificial, supply chain transparency are influencing our buying decisions, often making values matter more than the value to the customer.

Pulses The United Nations have declared 2016 International Year of the Pulse! Pulses work well with high-protein, high-fibre, and gluten-free diets: three major areas the food industry is trying to cash in on. They are low in calories, low in fat and full of fibre!

Soaking Soaking seeds, nuts & pulses kick starts the germination process which in turn increases the nutrient content and makes them easier to digest. Soak them in lightly salted water for at least 4 hours then dry well before eating.

Seaweed We are saying good bye to Kale and hello to Seaweed!

They are low in calories, rich in minerals, enzymes, vitamins and chlorophyll.

Oatmeal Oatmeal has received a sexy makeover! Oats are a great

source of both soluble and insoluble fibre, which is great for blood sugar and cholesterol.

Bowl foods This year will see “smoothie bowls” and “power bowls” making their way onto menus.

Simple to make, you add a grain, a mixture of vegetables and some protein to a bowl. Finished off with a homemade dressing of health oils and spices or herbs.

The suggestion is that “the bowl” helps monitor our portion size!!

Nut Milk Turmeric, brazil nuts and pistachios are thought to be the new flavours with new health benefits.

Fresh nut milks are highly nutritious and are rich in protein, fibre, B vitamins, magnesium and iron.

Sri Lankan, these pancakes are made from fermented rice and coconut. The perfect edible bowl for your curry!

Broccoli Noodles. As its sounds.

You make spaghetti from the stem of the broccoli!!

Congee. An Asian Savoury Rice porridge, will join bircher muesli and quinoa pudding as the new bowl food.

Over the next few weeks, we will look at some of these trends in more details and post some recipes onto our Pinterest page!

INVOLVE

Fashionable Fats This year will see unprocessed, traditional fats with loads of flavour such as beef dripping.

Look out for Sweet Sesame is the new salted caramel.

It is the new sweet ‘n’ savoury flavour combination.

Hoppers!

Originating from

VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY

FREE EVENT SEEK ADVICE

Speak directly to an advisor about the volunteering you’d like to do

LEARN ABOUT VOLUNTEERING Find out about projects

WHEN

Tuesday 1st March, 2016 11:00-14:00 WHERE

Involve Volunteer Centre

Maidstone Town Hall, Jubilee Square, Maidstone

WWW.INVOLVEKENT.ORG.UK CALL 01622 674252 FOR MORE INFO

and organisations in your local area

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER

Sign up with the Volunteer Centre to apply for volunteer roles

100’S OF ROLES Take a look through our directory of hundreds of volunteer roles in Maidstone and Malling

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

what you want. Trusts can protect your assets for your family and save many £’000s - ask us how.

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.

Maidstone Wills & Trusts Ltd Freephone 0800 612 7459 We come to you. Low cost efficient service. Fully insured. All work underwritten by our legal dept. www.maidstonewills.com

email: services@maidstonewills.com

Success comes from working together.

LVBA Networking is about meeting people that want to do business.

Lenham Valley Business Association covers your area and is Independently run - not a franchise. We choose local venues around your area and have interesting speakers with useful help and guidance relevant to your business. Our joining fees for a sole trader are just £75 for the year. For that you can attend all our monthly meetings, get 4 mentions on our website and in our directory - one planned for this year. Here’s the 2016 dates for your diary (put them in now before you forget: Tuesday 5 April; Tuesday 3 May; Wednesday 25 May combined with SMBA: Tuesday 5 July: Tuesday 2 August: Tuesday 6 September; Tuesday 4 October; Tuesday 1 November; Tuesday 6 December combined with SMBA. 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. 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

All go at the Lenham Nursery School Boot Fair!

PAGE 26 MAR 2016

by Jim Myers

S

aturday, 16 January dawned cold and sunny, as we made our way to the Lenham Nursery School to set up its morning boot fair. By 9:00am all was in place. Coffee, tea and cakes were in serious demand as a steady stream of parents, children and other local people arrived to see the attractive range of goodies on offer.

Boot Fair

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Fundraising for the Lenham Nursery School was a core element in this event, part of a new programme to raise funds for various improvements and additions to its operations.

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Among familiar faces at the morning were Liz Porter (a LNS trustee), stallholder and Focus committee member Jayne Hewish, and Alan Reading, chairman of the Len Valley Business Association, who designed and contributed the attractive banners.

The Parents’ Group members in attendance included Teresa Denbow, Annie Drylie, Gemma Shorters, Beth Pierson-Smith and Katherine Costain. Stallholder support came from Phoenix Trading, Puddleducks East Kent Swimming Team, Micaela Swallow and Sue Heslop, among others.

Volunteers over and above the call of duty included Tom, Janetta Sams and their children (who were out in the cold most of the morning), Beth PiersonSmith’s two children who helped the kitchen staff with those delicious cakes, and Lenham United Reformed Church members Gail, Erwin, Johnny,

Estelle, Holly and Jenny Needham for braving the chilly weather outside all morning directing people into the boot fair. Brian Siddons and Neil Denbow come in for thanks here, too, for their help on the door and tidying away.

As for that allimportant kitchen staff, thanks also go to ‘Slimming World’ Sammy who did a long stint in the kitchen (in her heels!), Lynn and her daughter Millie who also did a long kitchen shift, and Kerry Elliott, and her sister, who did fantastically well on the nursery table.

Also, thanks go to the Lenham Primary School’s overall support.

Some serious browsing

Teresa Denbow, Sarah Siddons, Annie Drylie and Gemma Shorters.

Finally, the Lenham Nursery School would like to thank the following organisations for their advertising support: KMFM Radio, Lenham Service Station Garage and local area publications including Lenham Focus, Harrietsham Fish and Downsmail.

And what did all this effort do for the Alan Reading, Len Valley Business fundraising aspect Association Chairman and Sarah Siddons, Lenham Nursery School Manager of the morning?

Sarah Siddons, the Nursery School manager, reports that the total raised was nearly £500!

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Focus on Nature

by Derek Budge PAGE 28

Nature

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

MAR 2016

“Vagabond’s Friend”

I

t needs persistence and a degree of good luck (or a little local knowledge!) to track down one of this county’s rarer wild plants, SOLOMON’S SEAL ….

Polygonatum multiflorum (Lilaceae). It occurs in the open areas of a few old mixed woodland sites, where it may possibly be native, and is also naturalised along shady hedgerows. A few years ago, a small patch grew in our garden providing so much pleasure with its gracefully arching stems, each bearing alternately arranged elliptical leaves which curve downwards. At close intervals are hung the small stalked inflorescences, each with two to five creamy white flowers which are beautifully tipped with green, described by some writers as resembling an old-fashioned seal. There are also seal-like markings on the roots which may have contributed to the common name.

The generic name is from the Greek POLYS, meaning ‘many’ and GONU, a ‘small joint’, referring to the curiously jointed underground stem, but how did the name of Solomon become associated with this strange and secretive plant I am still searching for the answer, but it is evident that in the Middle Ages, there was a lively debate regarding the merits of various names, which included the Seal of St. John, the Seal of the Virgin and Solomon’s Seal.

The latter seems to have been preferred, probably because of its associations with magic, which was a preoccupation of those times.

The writings of Josephus describe Solomon as a philosopher, conjuror and

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enchanter, his seal being the magic pentacle or the Star of David, comprising two interlinked triangles, claimed to possess the power “fuga daemenorum”, i.e. the ability to ward off evil spirits. The true 5-pointed pentacle was said to touch and point to the five wounds of Christ, all of which persuaded mediaeval botanists to assume that Solomon had approved of this plant.

It may all be fanciful imagination, but it offers an incentive to search the Old Testament for possible clues. There is certainly a most interesting passage in the Book of Kings:“And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt For he was wiser than all men … and he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall. He spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes”.

Kings: 30-33 K.J. Authorised Version So, at the very least, Solomon appears to have been a knowledgeable naturalist’.

An old apothecary’s name

for this plant is ‘Ladder of Heaven’, but objections were voiced by the early Protestant reformer Turner, who detested any such names with religious connotations. However, no-one took much notice of him, and Solomon’s Seal has survived as a name, to the present day.

As expected, the Elizabethan herbalist Gerard writes of its various virtues, but in so doing he reveals new insights to his own character, the following passage suggesting that either he was a tongue-in-cheek humourist, or a blatant male chauvinist:“An application of the fresh root taketh away in one night or two, any bruise, black or blue spots gotten by falls, or women’s wilfulness in stumbling on their hasty husband’s fists or such like!”

Early herbals emphasised the plant’s healing powers for broken bones, a decoction of the root being prepared with ale, either to be drunk, or used externally as a poultice. In the Lake District, it was used in early times, to repair broken noses and to soothe black eyes, thus giving rise to the local name which is my favourite of all … VAGABOND’S FRIEND

Planet alignments and Lines in Nature… look to the east before dawn!

I

wish that I had thought to write this article last month then you would be reading this at the beginning of Feb when the planets’ spectacular alignment was in full view. But even now if you get up early before dawn and look in the eastern sky you should be able to see some of them.

For most of February these five of our sister planets have been in a line (as we see them from here on Earth.)

This is because their positions on their orbits on the “disc”-like plane of their journey around the sun have (for a short time) “lined up”, even though they move around the sun at different speeds.

With binoculars you should also be able to see some of the moons of Jupiter, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. You may query the apparent reversal of positions of Saturn, Mars and Jupiter …difficult to explain ….but that’s how we see them here on Earth at the moment (Saturn is being viewed from further across the orbital plane ).

If you have missed this spectacular pre -dawn display do not worry, the astronomers tell us it repeats (at a rather more convenient time) just after sunset in August.

“When the moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars Then Peace will guide the planets And Love will steer the stars….. “ You will no doubt remember the

song lyrics from the musical “HAIR”.

It is perhaps wishful thinking to imagine we are actually on the brink of a new golden age …but as all the major religions say that we are …let’s hope it happens, and happens soon!

The information for all things about our solar system is on a very interesting web site: SpaceWeather. com I recommend it as it is updated every day and has photos of unusual atmospheric events sent in from all around the world. Marvellous photos of the Aurora and also stratosphere nacreous clouds that are now visible from UK. Some people believe there are no straight lines in Nature, but that false quote was invented by the Spaniard, Antoni Gaudi….. he was far from correct. He said “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in Nature therefore buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners”.

As if he felt he needed to justify his architecture; but it needed no validation as it stands in its own right as a whimsical but very attractive form. One can immediately refute his quote when one realises that all that we see is brought to us by straight lines = LIGHT! Gravity is also a “straight line” force, so how

would Newton have explained it if the apple had not fallen straight down!

Any holiday maker would shout at the agony if you tried to tell them sea urchins do not have straight spines with acutely pointed tips that can inflict severe pain if one treads on one with bare feet!

How about hedgehog quills, they too would not be effective if they were not straight and defensively pointed.

Have you ever tried picking one up?

I rescued a balled hedgehog from the High Street not so long ago but had to find a towel from indoors before doing so!

In Botany the Monkey Puzzle tree I think is one that has the straightest trunk of all and its water carrying xylem vessels are equally straight sided.

Transporting water 50 ft upwards against gravity is solved by capillarity plus root pressure and crooked xylem just would not work!

Talking of quotes, I noticed a marvellous one spoken by Dr William Harvey and recorded on the wall of the Ashford Hospital named after him: “All that we know is infinitely less than all that still remains unknown.”

So keep thinking and discovering things!

Lesley Feakes

1st Lenham Guide Unit ‘Grand Reunion’ PAGE 30 MAR 2016

Friday 29th April 2016 7pm ‘til 9pm Lenham Community Centre If you were a Lenham Girl Guide

Advanced Notice Of a night to remember

Brownies

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

Fancy Being A Record Maker?

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‘Mummy there’s a snake! ‘our children were shouting excitedly.

The memory makes me smile.

The ‘snake’ was the first slow worm they had seen, and I remember that, as a fugitive townie, I viewed the snake-like creature with some scepticism.

Many years on, I am still amazed at the variety of wildlife there is around us. Whole clans of long-tailed tits foraging the trees, yellowhammers darting into the hedgerows and then the colourful goldfinches. Masses of wonderful birds.

One summer evening, some three years ago, there were at least 30 bats soaring skywards from an ash tree near our garden and we had a bedraggled tawny owl sitting on our lawn around the same time (she needed some TLC from the local Owl Rescue Centre). Little owls are regularly heard screeching during the night in our garden and there were several occasions when a ghostly barn owl swooped ahead of me when I came up Hubbards Hill.

You can often spot a buzzard riding the thermals on the edge of the North Downs. There are orchids growing on the slope of the North Downs; great crested newts have made their home

(whatever age) you are warmly invited to come along to our ‘Grand Guide Reunion’. Meet ‘old’ friends, re-kindle memories and join in the fun for an evening. Be young again!

We would also welcome anyone who would like to know more about Guiding as we are in need of extra help and adult leadership

for the future.

Light refreshments will be provided Please come along - all are welcome Contact Julia Thomsett on 01622 859009 or 07803937345 j.thomsett@btinternet.com

All your favourite football and rugby songs Performed by ‘The Holigans’ Friday 22nd April 2016 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm

St Mary’s Church, Lenham For more information please contact – Dave Flisher 07941324286 – Jan Smith 01622 851707 – Matt Revitt 01622 296018

(to the annoyance of developers) in many ponds around the village; the field margins, which are left for wildlife, are a haven for butterflies and bees; and bats swoop through the early evening sky on those balmy summer evenings when we can sit outside without a coat!

Did I ever think of sending a record of any of these encounters to an official record centre? No, I didn’t. Spotting wildlife is a joy in itself. That’s what it’s all about, I thought.

Now I know that I was wrong. In order to protect such a special place we have to make it widely known that it is special. We have to put it on the official record.

This is the only way to protect it.

I became aware of this when I read through an ecology report for Lenham which the Parish Council had commissioned in conjunction with the Neighbourhood Plan. This report contains lists of protected animals and wild flowers which have been found and recorded in Lenham.

Knowing how much wildlife, including rare wildlife, there is in our parish, I was utterly amazed that there is not more ‘on the record’. In future, I will certainly record whenever I see something remarkable.

With spring just round the corner, perhaps you will come across the beautiful and rare and not so rare. It is down to you to decide whether what you find is worthwhile recording. It can be a sparrow or a sparrow hawk: and if you don’t know what you have seen, a description should be good enough for experts to identify the unknown resident of Lenham.

If you want to find out more about recording or want to submit just a record, please visit the website of the Kent and Medway Biological Centre. http://www.kmbrc.org.uk/ recording/sendrecords/index. php or write to:

These records are used to identify sites which enjoy, due to the wildlife there, some form of protection against development or, at least, help to rescue those creatures before their habitat is destroyed. We can also form a picture about the state of our environment and nature in general.

Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre (KMBRC) Brogdale Farm Office Brogdale Farm Brogdale Road Faversham Kent ME13 8XZ Henny Shotter

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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.

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Prize Crossword for Younger People PAGE 32 MAR 2016

ACROSS 1. Desert animal with a hump. (5) 4. You wear them on your feet. (5) 7. A type of pub lunch or someone who tills the fields. (9) 8. The head of the Roman Catholic church. (4) 10. Fruit with a yellow skin. (6) 12. It is made from milk and spread on bread. (6) 13. Write something using a keyboard.

(4) 16. Technical name for beekeepers. (9) 18. Type of Malaysian meat served on a skewer. (5) 19. Begin. (5)

Crossword

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

DOWN

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1. Thin piece of potato served in a bag.

(5) 2. It is used to wash the floor. (3) 3. A wild animal which forms part of a ‘pride’. (4 ) 4. A set of lights used to control traffic or trains. (6) 5. A large business is called this. (7) 6. Another name for Father Christmas.

(5) 9. Someone who supports his or her country. (7) 11. Almost. (6) 12. ‘Runner’ and ‘Broad’ are types of these vegetables. (5) 14. Volcanoes do this. (5) 15. Puts a question to someone. (4) 17. A large area of salt water.

(3)

Last months solution.

Previous Winner: Mike Holmes of Bearsted.

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

Beauty Nails

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Lenham Family Festival 9th-12th June

LENHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REGULATION 14 FORMAL CONSULTATION COMMENCING MONDAY 8TH FEBRUARY TO THURSDAY 24TH MARCH 2016 PLEASE DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE PLAN AS THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE THE PLAN IS SUBMITTED TO MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL (ALL PREVIOUS COMMENTS HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE CURRENT DOCUMENT)

DIGITAL COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN MAY BE ACCESSED VIA

http://lenhamparish.org.uk and http://savelenham.org

PRINT COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL

Family day on Saturday 11th June

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

nhp@lenhamparish.org.uk

or telephone Margo McFarlane - Parish Clerk 01622 859682 during office hours YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL OR WEBSITE AND BY POST TO 13 MERCER DRIVE, HARRIETSHAM ME17 1AY BOXES TO POST YOUR COMMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT: THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE SURGERY AND THE LIBRARY PROVISIONAL PLAN TIMETABLE 2016 ◆ MARCH/APRIL

ASSESSING COMMENTS FROM REG. 14 CONSULTATION

◆ APRIL/MAY

SUBMITTING PLAN DOCUMENTS TO MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

◆ MAY/JUNE

REGULATION 16 MBC ORGANISE STATUTORY SIX WEEK CONSULTATION

◆ JULY/AUGUST

PLAN SUBMITTED TO GOVERNMENT EXAMINER

◆ SEPTEMBER

PARISH REFERENDUM VOTE Produced by Lenham Parish Council

Registered Charity Number 298164

Recent Scams

PAGE 34 MAR 2016

GP Scam Police forces have become aware of a fraud targeting elderly and vulnerable members of the community. Some older people have received telephone calls from a caller who purports to be from the GP surgery and is asking for an appointment to discuss the person’s mobility needs. During the appointment, the resident is persuaded to buy mo-bility aids which are either unnecessary or inappropriate and always expensive.

If you receive a call like this, please check with your GP surgery first before agreeing to a visit.

Scams

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

Fraudsters pretend to work for BT

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We have received reports of scam phone calls and letters from people claiming to work for the telecommunication service, BT. The caller asks for an upfront fee of £300 to opt-out of scam telephone calls and tries to gain the resident’s confidence by quoting the last four digits of their credit card. The caller then

asks for the beginning of their credit card number to complete the transac-tion. They may also send a letter as shown here.

We believe this person may be using the identity of an existing company to scam residents.

The Telephone Preference Service is a free service that helps to reduce unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls.

Blue Badge scam We have received reports of bogus Blue Badge websites charging £49 for a badge.

The websites will ask for your personal information and will not have the authority to issue you a Blue Badge.

The official Blue Badge costs £10, you can find more information and apply or renew your Blue Badge by visiting the Kent County Council website.

You can contact Kent County Council’s Blue Badge Team on 03000 416262 or bluebadgeteam@kent.gov.uk Useful Information Non-urgent Police calls Dial 101 Maidstone Borough Council 01622 602 000 Consumer Advice Line 0345 04 05 06

Kent County Council General enquiries Call: 03000 41 41 41 Text relay: 18001 03000 41 41 41 Hours Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm or visit www.kent.gov.uk or write to County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ Blue Badge Team Call on 03000 416262 Or email bluebadgeteam@kent. gov.uk.

Or write to The Blue Badge Service, Kent County Council Contact Centre, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX

Telephone Preference Service Registration line on 0845 070 0707 or by visiting www.tpsonline.org. uk or by writing to Telephone Preference Service, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS Martin Sherwood Community Warden - Lenham and Harrietsham

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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Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2QT

12noon to 7pm

Friday 11th March 2016

Our next tour date is

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