February 2017
Messy Stables Thank You
Lenham Parish Council Update
The History of St Valentine’s Day
Page 24
Page 45
Page 54
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FEBRUARY
Editorial It seems to be a quiet month this
please get in touch as we are usually
month. We don’t seem to have a lot
happy to include you in the ‘Clubs’
to put in the ‘Dates for Your Diary’,
section.
remember if you have any local community events plans please let us
Finally if you have any ideas or
know and we will be happy to include
suggestions to help make the Focus
them in the magazine.
better please get in touch.
The local clubs also seem to be taking a break and again if you to run a local club and want to publicise your meetings or look for new members
By James Collett
4
Editorial: James Collett 07927 308740 | editorialslf@gmail.com
Proofing: Jayne Hewish, Katy B
Advertising: Katy B, Jim Myers 07593 340744 | advertslf@gmail.com
Interviews: Jim Myers
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Social Media: Georgia Hewish Printed by: Mike Kingsman, Gemini Print
Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200
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Dates for your Diary 17 March St Patrick’s Night Ceilidh To help raise funds for the Guides to attend the international camp – Community Centre 7:30pm.
Don’t forget to let us know if you have an event coming up that you would like us to include.
8
Dog Waste Bins
I
be sufficient? (They were hardly sufficient now!)
am dismayed at Maidstone
I wonder if Maidstone Borough
Borough Council’s decision to
Council would consider reintroducing
remove all the dog waste bins
a Dog Licence system, obviously on
in Lenham. Is this a common policy
a local basis. The income generated
throughout the borough? When other
could be spent on waste disposal, as
councils are making life easier and
well as going a long way to ensuring
better for their residents, MBC seem
that all dog lovers (I don’t like the
intent on upsetting theirs!
term “dog owners” – we don’t own kids
I can recall from the early 1970s the
or friends, do we?!) take responsibility
most unpleasant task of removing
for their beloved pets.
dog poo from my shoes on a regular basis, as I am sure there were no bins
I urge all Lenham residents – whether
in Lenham then, and dog mess on
dog lovers or not – to write to or
the pavements was commonplace. I
email Maidstone Borough Council to
don’t remember when the bins were
insist that the bins are reinstated or
introduced, and I wonder what the
replaced as soon as possible, as the
reaction from the local residents was
general litter bins in the village will
to them.
soon become extremely unpleasant to be near!
What is the reason for this decision? Could it be that nobody at MBC is
And to all dog lovers – please continue
willing to undertake the (admittedly
to clear up after your pet, and take
unpleasant) task of emptying the bins?
your bags home with you; surely it’s
Could it be a cost cutting exercise?
not too much to ask?
Or could it be that with an extra 1,500 homes in the village it would
Gez Clark
soon become more than obvious that the 7 bins in Lenham would not
9
Forthcoming Events
28 Jan
Quiz with Chinese Bingo
18 Feb
Rod Stewart Tribute 9pm to late.
Starts 7.30pm
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Members and Guests Only. All eventsand start at 8pm. Private Hire. very Tuesday Sunday Night Private Hire. veryTuesday Tuesday and Sunday Night
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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
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Clubs & Societies
to Nepal and in February, we have a talk
Royal British Legion Women’s Section
Christmas meal at the Dog and Bear on
from local artist, Alan Colledge, on his life as an artist. Our members enjoyed our usual postJanuary 16th, and we are looking forward to another year of interesting and
We meet this month on the 23rd at
inspiring speakers
2:30pm in the Community Centre.
Gill Simes
This month is Jan’s Quiz, so get the grey matter in working order.
Young At Heart 60+
There will be the usual raffle and tea and biscuits. See you there.
The first meeting is February 16th at the
Enid LaPlain
Community centre 2.00-4.00pm. We look forward to seeing you all again. Thank you to the many helpers. Without
Lenham WI
them we would not be able to hold these We rounded off 2016 with a thoroughly
meetings.
enjoyable visit from Marian Martin
Olive, Sue, Kath, Jackie, Ann, Jacky,
who had us in tears of laughter with
Martin, Fred, Jenny and Nina
her stories, jokes and anecdotes! We finished the meeting with mulled wine
Len Valley Community Hub Club
and assorted seasonal food. For several years now, we have asked members to bring along a gift of food for Maidstone Christian Care, thanks to all of you for
Our first meeting of the year is February
your donations. Some of our members
2nd at the Social club 2.00-4.00pm. We
enjoyed a Federation trip to Amiens
hope to see you all then.
for the Christmas Market after our
A big thank you to all the people that help.
December meeting.
Martin, Fred, Jenny and Nina
In January, our President, Barbara Kyprianou gave a talk on her recent trip
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Winter is ending
F
and nutritious vegetable in your diet. Cauliflower can be used as a substitute for carbs, try Cauliflower pizzas or pilaf, it’s
ebruary, the last month of
the “superfood” for 2017!
winter, a time when we all need to wage war on the cold with
Purple sprouting broccoli
tasty tagines, hearty stews and comfort
Full of antioxidants & vitamin C. It’s only
food. We are very lucky to still have a
38 calories in 90g portion. Some believe
choice of fresh produce to help us keep fit
that it can help combat cancer, high blood
& healthy! Cauliflower, purple sprouting
pressure, cardiovascular disease and
broccoli, leek, rhubarb, Guinea Fowl and
diabetes. Simply boil for 5-7 minutes, fry
Goose are all in season this month.
for 6 minutes or roast for 10-15minutes with a light coating of olive oil. We like
Cauliflower
it with garlic and sesame, sautéed with
Cauliflower will provide you with
mushrooms and stilton.
plenty of Vitamin B6 & over 70% of the recommended adult intake of Vitamin C.
Rhubarb
At a tiny 31 calories per 100g serving you
Like cranberries most people do find
know it makes sense to include this tasty
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rhubarb needs sweetness to make it more
older birds are good to casserole as
palatable. In some recipes honey, orange
this helps keep the flesh moist – try
or apple juice can be used to sweeten as
casseroling in red wine with chestnuts.
an alternative to sugar, as can adding a
One bird will serve two people. Flavours
sweeter fruit such as strawberries. At
such as chestnuts, apples, herbs, bacon,
only 21 calories per 100g you gain a
cider or brandy pair well.
decent amount of Vitamins A & C. Why not try making a quick chutney, or
Goose
Persian-style lamb & rhubarb stew.
Goose meat is darker (including the breast), fuller bodied, and more intensely
Leek
flavoured than turkey. It is fatter and
Containing anti-oxidants, vitamins
gamier than duck.
and minerals, leeks are not just to add a
You can stuff geese with dried fruits
pleasant, delicate, sweet flavour. Boiling
(raisins, figs, or prunes, marinated in
turns them soft and mild in taste; frying
Armagnac, Cognac or rum) - the stuffing
leaves it crunchier and preserves the
can be cooked separately and passed
taste. Alternatively, try raw leeks in
around. Rye or black bread is more
salads.
suitable than regular white bread. The bird would smell more appealing if
In Turkish cuisine, leeks are chopped into
stuffed with apples, onion, celery, orange
thick slices then boiled and separated
or lemon.
into leaves, finally filled with a filling
Roast and serve with apples or cider, or
usually containing rice, herbs (generally
make a simple casserole. Goose meat can
parsley and dill), onion and black pepper.
be served without sauce but a chutney is
We like all-in-one leek & pork pot roast or
great!
cheese, leek and potato tortilla. Have you tried our online shop?
Guinea Fowl
Traditional, local, fresh meat at your
Offering vitamin B6, E and potassium,
convenience!
low in calories and rich in essential fatty acids, guinea fowl has a flavour
All the recipes mentioned in this article
somewhere between chicken and
can be found in our online cook book,
pheasant. A young bird has tasty flesh;
www.lenham-butchers.co.uk
15
Lenham Family Festival
School has been busy working with the
he Lenham Family Festival
ideas were put forward by the pupils. It
Committee did not meet in
was a difficult decision to make but the
December so it was a quiet
idea that has been decided upon is the
T
school council to come up with ideas for spending their half of the monies raised. The school reports that some amazing
month in terms of news. One piece
development of a quiet area on the school
of news received in early December
field. They would like to purchase some
however was very welcome and the
picnic benches for one corner of the field
committee would like to extend their
and maybe some parasols too so the area
thanks to the Hatch Charity for the
could also be used for outdoor learning.
generous donation they have made to the Festival funds this year.
If you would like to help us raise funds for these two deserving causes, you are
Just to remind you that the main day of
very welcome to come along to one of our
the 2017 festival is Saturday 10 June 2017
Festival Committee meetings which take
with all the usual stalls, refreshments,
place on the last Monday of each month
music and dance. Other events taking
at 7.15pm in the Appleton Room at the
place over the weekend have yet to be
Community Centre.
confirmed but The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra will be holding a
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
concert in the Tithe Barn the following weekend on Saturday 17 June 2017. This
If you are not able to join the Committee
will also be in support of the Festival.
but would like to be involved in a smaller way, we always need volunteers to help
As reported previously, the monies raised
out on the main day of the Festival with
from the 2017 Festival will be split equally
a variety of tasks, none of which are
between The Katie Piper Foundation,
particularly onerous. Even if you can only
which helps people with burns and scars
volunteer an hour of your time, it will be
to reconnect with their lives and their
much appreciated and it is always great
communities, and Lenham Primary
fun and very rewarding being part of a
School. Mrs Martin of Lenham Primary
community event such as this. You will
16
probably find you get much more out of it than you need to put in! If you would like to be involved in this way, please contact Gail on 01622 850126. She will be compiling a list of names and contact details of willing helpers to be contacted nearer the time. Look out for further news from the Lenham Family Festival Committee in each month’s edition of the Lenham Focus.
l
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01622 763269
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22
Family Breakfast Service
Upcoming Events Valentine’s Dinner Menu Tuesday 14th February 2017
SHORT INFORMAL SERVICE SUNDAYS AT 9.30am
Sumptuous 4 courses meal served all day from noon till 9.30pm including a rose. £40 per person or £100 per couple including a bottle of Prosecco Brut.
St Mary’s Church, Lenham
St Patrick’s Day
Friday 17th March 2017
Live music with “Gentlemen of few” & plenty of Guinness
Mother’s Day
FOR EVERYONE! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
Sunday 26th March 2017 Served from noon till 9.00pm
3 course menu packed with seasonal delights, including a present for Mum. Sunday roast set lunch menu for £29pp; children up to 12 years pay £14. Booking & pre order essential THE
D I R T Y H A B I T
Upper Street, Hollingbourne, Kent ME17 1UW 01622 880 880 www.thedirtyhabit.net
23
Messy Stables Thank Yous
T
and ready stable.
hanks to all who helped our Messy Stable event
Christ coming to earth wasn’t tidy
on the 17th December at
Harrietsham Church. Some have asked
- it was fraught with issues, stress,
‘ why is it called Messy? ‘ Surely that
family breakdown, financial worries,
goes against our respectable, tidy,
tiredness, and more. The tidy images
village church image?
we see on Christmas cards are often misleading.
All of our lives are touched by mess whether it’s the messy state of our
The sometimes messy truth of real life
world, or more personal mess.
shouldn’t be swept under the carpet
Let’s have a look at the event itself.
but in humility brought to God who is
Mary mingled with the crowds there
more than ready to rescue, heal, and
holding a newborn baby that wasn’t
give us a new start.
her husband’s. Joseph sat by the fire wondering whether he could trust God
Thanks to the team on the Messy
with the new responsibilities dumped
Cafe, to Denwood Fencing for building
on him.
the stable, for Gemma bringing the beautiful pony, for the kindness of
Children built a cardboard manger
the church members at St Johns
and filled it with messy straw because
for supporting us prayerfully and
there was only a shed to shelter the
practically.
young family. Liz, Gill, Mair, Katherine and Kay Heather from Maidstone Winter Shelter told us about the homeless mess on the streets of the town, Children listened to the retelling of the Nativity whist sitting inside the rough
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Would you like to be a member of Maidstone Friends of Music? You could travel by coach from Maidstone (Grove Green or Castle Road Allington) to venues in London & the Southeast for Orchestral Concerts, Ballet, Opera & Theatres. Recent outings have included: Royal Festival Hall, London Coliseum & the Barbican. Forthcoming outings: Thursday 16th March Philharmonia Orchestra, Conductor Ashkenazy Schubert, Mozart & Elgar. Royal Festival Hall, 7.30 pm Tuesday 18th April: Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment, Director Matthew Truscott: .Hayden Mozart, CPE Bach. Royal Festival Hall 7.00 pm Annual membership for 2017 - ÂŁ10 Members are sent a newsletter giving details of the outings with an invitation to apply for tickets. The outing cost includes tickets and coach travel. Application forms available from: The Secretary: Jean Talboys Tel: 01622 880349, email jtalboys@btinternet.com
25
Fire & Ice Walk
F
requirement of £80.00. Enter both for a fee of £35.00 with a minimum sponsorship requirement of £150.00 You must register in advance for this
riday 3rd March from 6pm
event and be over 18 years of age.
Jubilee Square, High Street,
For full details please visit www.hokh.
Maidstone Town Centre
org or contact fundraising on 01622
ME14 1SA. Walk 15ft over smouldering
790195.
hot coals or razor sharp broken glass – you can walk as many times as you like
Heart of Kent Hospice
and full training is given to ensure that
www.hokh.org
you safely complete these once- in- a -lifetime challenges.
Heart of Kent Hospice. We are an independent charity providing
Entry is £25.00 for the Fire Walk with
specialist end of life care for people
a minimum sponsorship requirement
facing the challenge of a terminal
of £100 and £20.00 for the Ice
illness.
Walk with a minimum sponsorship
Focus Distribution
Sandway area (around 40 copies),
Help! Again!
can help please email me – gez.clark@
We are in need of distributors to keep
hotmail.com – also if you live in an
Focus available to all in Lenham.
area which does not get Focus through
We need one or two people to take
your door please let me know.
delivery of around 2,000 copies and
Thanks, Gez
West Street (c20 copies), Warren Street, and more. If you live in one of these areas and
deliver them (100 here, 50 there etc.) to the foot distributors for final delivery through the doors. We also need volunteers to take on the
26
“Save the Date” – Friday 17th March In July 2017 a group of Harrietsham Guides & Leaders, together with Guides and a Leader from Bearsted and Maidstone, are going to an International camp in Southern Ireland. To help raise funds towards our trip costs we are holding a
St Patrick’s Night Ceilidh at Lenham Community Centre on Friday 17th March starting at 7.30pm. Tickets – Adults £15, Under 18’s £12.50
Dancing to a Live Band Hot Supper – Raffle
Bring your own drinks and glasses For more Information or to buy your tickets please text or ring Sue 07740 822244 Kate 01622 850563 Andrea 07901 667018
We look forward to seeing you then
27
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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Advertise to 2000 people from ÂŁ13pm.
Contact: advertslf@gmail.com
29
Visit Our Showroom 4 Ashmill Business Park, Ashford Road (A20), Lenham ME17 2GQ
Bi-folds Doors Roof Lanterns Composite Doors
Established 25 Years, Family Business.
01622 851400 | 07973 669590
KSEHomeImprovementsWT175.indd 1
30
09/08/2016 14:34
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 Cubs 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 Lenham Primary School 6:30-8:00pm Harrietsham Scout Hut 5:45-7:15pm 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 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
Stonebridge Associates Cybereye Security Kent Design Studio Sweeney Todd Andy and Paul Apollo Elwood (Painter/decorators) KRS Building/decorating KSE Home Improvements 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 Kristina Smith A W Court Gowers Garage
32
851542 858612 01580 230413 07734950329 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 851400 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 07882 170231 850840 858210
Grocers Hairdressers Hall Hire Locksmiths Logs Nail Technician Osteopathy Parish Council Pest Control Photographer Plumbers Pool Services Pubs Restaurant Riding School Schools Solar Panel Installation Solicitors Takeaway Taxi TV Aerials Veterinary Surgery Will Services Window Cleaning
Lenham Village Store Phase Hairdressing Smarty’s Lenham Comm Centre Charing Heath Hall A Short Seasoned Logs Beauty Nails 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 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
858255 850001 851150 853800 01233 713317 07738658751 07733328715 07460 393777 07749 980096 01622 859682 842481 07443 633385 851186 210298 769722 851713 880880 858890 858531 767777 01233 712289 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 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 Russell Young Club Events Duncan Keenan Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mark Horlock Mr W Peter Mrs C Toner Karen Yardley Rosemary Waldron Alan Reading Tom Sams Janetta Sams (Roads, Pavements) Lost and Found FREE CALL Ruth Lovering 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 07594 206818 01622 858890 07768 926654 01622 859789 01622 859829 01622 859009 01622 853887 07789 226516 01622 850520 01622 850048 01622 858208 01233 622271 01622 820841 01622 859412 07891901831 / 859412 03000 418181 01622 602117 01732 847572 0800 776600 01622 842257 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)
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Lenham Community Centre Card Craft Class Every Friday fortnight from 14th October. The class is £10 which includes all materials etc., plus tea/coffee and biscuits, sometimes cake! For more information call Irene on 07341 343518 or Pauline on 07766 768180 or just pop in for a chat Everyone welcome.
36
Success comes from working together.
Some great success stories. Why not make business networking a success for you? “I joined LVBA to advertise my local self-storage business and horse liveries, but as I am a farmer and own other properties it soon became clear that other LVBA members would be very useful to my business as well. Look at this list of tradesmen/businesses I have used, all from LVBA, since I joined:plumbers (2), electricians (2), solicitor, hostelries (4), estate agent, boilerman, shops (3), archaeologist, chartered surveyor, ecology expert, taxi, ironmongers, restaurants (2), accountant, tree surgeon, chiropodist. Oh, and not forgetting ‘A Short Locksmith‘! Over the years I have met all these local people at our meetings and make a point of using them. It is very useful to know these people and have them ‘under your belt’. It is also very interesting to hear what everybody is doing, and you pick some useful tips from the speakers we have. Lastly, I love ‘going local’ and helping local business.” Andrew Barr, A&A Barr Farms, Lenham
easier le tt li a s s e in s u b g in Mak R.O.A.R. Right of admission reserved.
Keep up to date & to join www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841
37
Friends of St Mary’s, Lenham The Friends of St Mary’s, Lenham is now nearly four years old and during this time it has carried out vital restoration projects for the beautiful listed building that is St Mary’s Church (the Friends is a separate Registered Charity No 1160993).
Thanks to the local support received so far, major projects completed include refurbishment and cleaning of the clock (£5700), major repair and restoration of several stained-glass windows (£26,000), stonework repairs (£5800), tablet cleaning (£400) and installation of information paddles (£300).
The East Window As for events, the Friends have in recent months presented a military wives' choir concert, an autumn barn dance and social coffee mornings at Grovelands and Atwater Court. In the coming months, the Friends will be helping with further restoration projects ranging from comprehensive roof repairs and the renewal of the lighting system to wall repairs and decoration. They will also be holding social events including a Garden Party in June and other events currently in the planning stages." Why not come along and get to know this active local group? The Friends are working hard to increase membership to 100! Do you care about our heritage and the preservation of an ancient and beautiful building? By joining The Friends of St Mary’s Church, Lenham you can make a difference by helping the Trustees to maintain our heritage for future generations. Please contact our Membership Secretary: John Arthur Boyd Court Lodge Farm High Street Lenham ME17 2QD Phone: 01622 858403
Email: jarthurboyd@aol.com
Text by Jim Myers
38
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 (66.30pm only) IC24. 111 (from 6.30pm)
39
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41
Christian Message
I
real relationship with God and my life was changed. Dreams are often described as ‘night
was interested to see an article last
parables’, and are a bit like the stories
year about dreams and what they
Jesus told to help us understand things.
might mean. I have always been an
As that well known dreamer, Joseph, of
avid dreamer, and in my childhood days
‘technicolour dreamcoat’ fame, once said,
I used to sleep-walk occasionally. One
“Do not interpretations belong to God?”
time when I was a student I dreamt that
(Genesis 40:8). So often a dream carries
I climbed out of the window to the room
the hope that something can be changed
above me. Although I did not really do
in order for us to live a more fulfilled
this, it was so vivid that I actually ran
life. For example, a dream of being lost
downstairs to the room below thinking I
could be an invitation from our Heavenly
was going back to my room, whereupon
Father to seek His help to find our way
I surprised a male student who was
forward.
working late at night! Needless to say I quickly left and had a difficult task
As I write, it is the start of 2017; a time
explaining it the next day.
when many of us reflect and set goals for the new year. I have found that thinking
Ten years ago I had the privilege of
and praying about my dreams helps me
hearing the late John Paul Jackson
get to know my Creator better, discover
speak at Detling. He was a humble man
His purposes and priorities for my life,
with an internationally respected gift
and find true direction.
of interpreting dreams from a Christian perspective. Realising that God might
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
be speaking to me, I undertook some
lean not on your own understanding; In
training. Once I was open to the
all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
possibility that dreams might be coming
shall direct your paths.’ Proverbs 3:5-6
from God and not just my own mind, I discovered that He was continuously
Jenny Needham
communicating with me through them. For the first time ever I felt that I had a
42
Church Services Sunday 19th February
Wednesday 1st February
9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service
9.30 am Lenham: Holy Communion
9.30am Harrietsham: Morning Worship
Sunday 5th February
9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Holy
9.30 am Lenham: Breakfast service
Communion
9.30 am Boughton Malherbe: Holy
11.00am Ulcombe: Morning Worship
Communion (Prayer Book)
11.00am Lenham: Holy Communion
11.00 am Ulcombe: Family Worship
Saturday 25th February
11.00 am Lenham: Holy Communion
8.00am Dog & Bear, Lenham: Men’s
3.30 pm Harrietsham: GIFT family
breakfast
worship
Sunday 26th February
Saturday 11th February
8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion
4.00pm Ulcombe Church: Messy Church
(Prayer Book)
Sunday 12th February
9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion
8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion
9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Family
(Prayer Book)
Worship
9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service
10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion
9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion
11.00am Lenham: Family Worship
11.00am Ulcombe: Holy Communion
Pathways Church
11.00am Lenham: Morning Worship
Service Times February 2017
3.30pm Boughton Malherbe: Choral Evensong
1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at
Wednesday 15th February
10h30 in Lenham Community Centre
10.30am Holy Communion:
Wednesdays and Thursdays in homes in
Chippendayle Lodge
Harrietsham and Lenham. http://www.pathwayschurch.org.uk/
43
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44
Lenham Parish Council
railway) would mean allocating sites
LENHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN UPDATE
ten-year period at a rate of 100 per
for a further 1,350 dwellings. The Inspector recommends the allocation be reduced to 1,000 dwellings over a annum between 2021 and 2031.
The independent examination of
The protection of the Kent Downs
the Maidstone Local Plan interim
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
findings has now been made public and
(AONB) which borders the north
formally published by Robert Mellor
side of the village is an important
the Inspector appointed by the
consideration when investigating
Secretary of State for Communities
site options. The NHP team have an
and Local Government. The report is
opportunity to determine what sites
available on both the Lenham Parish
should be allocated. Areas south
Council web-site lenhamparish.org.
of the railway, previously opposed
uk and maidstone.gov.uk. The full
by MBC can now be included in the
document can be found as a pdf.
scope. It is vital the NHP team work
ED110 20161222 Interim Findings
to identify the allocation of suitable
on Maidstone Borough Council Local
sites, if not, it would fall to a review
Plan. The report pages specific to
of the Local Plan to do so. The
Lenham are 21 to 24. The submitted
NHP team will use the findings of
Local Plan proposed Lenham as
the report as a template to align the
a Broad Location to deliver 1,500
Lenham Neighbourhood Plan with the
dwellings between 2026 and the end
MBC Local Plan and the Inspector’s
of the plan period in 2031 at a rate
recommendations.
of 300 per annum. Such a rate of construction is improbable; therefore,
Moving forward, with a proactive
the delivery date will be from 2021.
approach and a coordinated relationship, meetings will be
Deducting the existing permissions
organised by NHP team members with
at Ham Lane and the Old Goods Yard
MBC Planning officers. Changes will
(south of the
need to be made to the plan and public
45
consultations will offer an opportunity
A joint initiative to fund the
for parishioners to study the reasons
installation costs between the LPC, A
for the changes and make their views
& A Barr Farms, and the Community
known.
Centre trustees, ensured the project was completed. An agreement was
We will endeavour to keep residents
entered that the amount received
informed of progress. The parish
from the feed in tariff would be
council have agreed to continue
divided equally between the Lenham
funding this initiative and working
Community Centre, St Edmunds Hall
with the team to finalise the plan in a
at Platts Heath and the Memorial Hall
timely manner. Cllr. Cockett applied
at Lenham Heath. We are pleased to
and successfully received a grant of
report that the amount received from
ÂŁ9000 towards the cost of engaging a
1st January 2016 to 31st December
consultant to take the plan forward.
2016 exceeded three thousand pounds,
We would like to take this opportunity
the Community Centre was
to thank the NHP team who have
repaid two thousand pounds (their
worked extremely hard to produce
initial investment) the remainder
a professional draft plan which is
being divided equally between the
a strong building block to the final
three halls. The agreement is for
edi-tion. Thank you also to the
twenty years, (the expected life span
parishioners who have supported us in
of the panels) so the halls can rely on
the past, we may be call-ing for your
payments being made quarterly to help
help and continued support soon!
with the running costs of providing vital community social assets. Thank
SOLAR PANELS
you to the Community Centre trustees who have taken the
A unilateral undertaking between
responsibility of the daily running and
the Lenham Parish Council and
maintenance of the
Lightsource, (the company responsible
installation.
for the installation of the Sandway
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENTS
solar farm) provided the panels at no cost to the parish, which were installed at the Community Centre.
The ongoing projects to enhance the
46
facilities in and around the square
PARISH COUNCIL LOGO
are gaining pace. The new finger posts was installed mid-January and
Cllr. Smith-Essex provided several
the site in the High Street for a new
choices of logo, the chosen design will
large litter bin agreed. Thank you to
be used as a letter heading and on the
County Councillor Jenny Whittle
web site. The new public signage in
who organised the funding from her
the car park and play parks will al-so
Members Grant allocation for the
use the logo. Other designs submitted
post and bin and to Cllr. Scrivens for
by parishioners will be used on the
overseeing the project.
Lenham tour-ism web-site currently being progressed by Cllr. Nye.
The village handyman will be refurbishing the bus stop opposite
VICE CHAIRMAN
the church. The roof will need minor repair, so if any local roof tilers could
Cllr. Walmsley was nominated at
sponsor the work, it would be much
the January parish council meeting
appreciated. The varnishing of the
to become the Vice Chairman, he
benches in the square and at the
will serve on both the Planning
Glebe pond along with the small fence
and Finance and General Purposes
at the pond will be repaired and the
Commit-tee. The Chairman Cllr.
information map replaced. A local tree
Greenwood is grateful for the support
surgeon will pollard the Lime trees in
a Vice Chairman can offer the council,
early February.
at what is a very busy time for members.
The village sign at the Maidstone Road triangle and the sign at the Old
WELCOME BACK
Ashford Road triangle, will be removed for repainting. The sign posts will be
We are pleased to welcome back to the
treated along with the raised flower
parish PCSO Dave Rowley who with
bed units. It is hoped the repainting of
Community Warden Martin Sherwood
the sign can be undertaken by a local
will be our local point of contact.
artist.
Thank you to PCSO John Boyd who previously supported the parish
47
council.
Maidstone Borough Council. The parish council will take responsibility
MISSING ARTIST
for the bins throughout the parish. Seven bins were removed and only one
The tea towel depicting the favourite
comingled bin installed at Ham Lane
places in Lenham designed from
by the borough council. The Clerk
drawings produced by local children,
negotiated ten bins for the parish at no
who attended the Neighbourhood Plan
cost, we will reinstall the bins and the
public consultation day in October
extra bins will be placed in Sandway,
2015, has proved extremely popular
Platts Heath and Lenham Heath,
and can be purchased from the Village
subject to finding suitable positions.
Store or Len
Thank you to the parishioner who
Valley Newsagents. All the children
kindly collected the bins from
were thanked for their excellent work
Maidstone. The bins will be emptied
and presented with a tea towel; only
weekly, some dog owners have offered
one child could not be contacted,
to make a small donation to the
Mathew, when aged six, drew a picture
initial expense of providing posts and
of the play park and we used his
installation costs. If you would like to
drawing of the slide, on the tea towel.
contribute towards these unexpected
If you know who Mathew is or how
costs we would appreciate your
we can contact him to make sure he
donation. Please contact the Clerk.
receives his tea towel, please let the Clerk know.
Margo McFarlane 01622 859682 (Mon – Friday 9am to 1pm) hello@
DOG BINS
lenhamparish.org.uk
We are pleased to be able to replace the dog bins recently removed by
48
THE TITHE BARN AT LENHAM
EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY 2017 FRIDAY, 19TH TO MONDAY, 29TH MAY ART EXHIBITION PILGRIMS WAY ARTISTS SATURDAY, 17TH JUNE CITY OF ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PART OF LENHAM FAMILY FESTIVAL SATURDAY, 24TH JUNE CHARITY MASKED BALL IN AID OF THE KATIE PIPER FOUNDATION SUNDAY, 9TH JULY (5PM) HAMLET THE CHANGELING THEATRE (OPEN AIR) SATURDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER ANNUAL BARN DANCE FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S 49
50
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51
30th February
believed it stole 11 days of their lives.
T
The Soviet Revolutionary Calendar oday, the month of February
February 30 existed from 1930–1931
has 28 days in common years
after the Soviet Union introduced a
and 29 days in leap years. But
revolutionary calendar in 1929. This
February 30 has been a real date at
calendar featured five-day weeks, 30-
least twice in history.
day months for every working month,
February 30 happened in Sweden in
and the remaining five or six days were
1712.
“monthless” holidays. The abolition of the seven-day week in favour of a
In 1700, Sweden, which included
five-day week was intended to improve
Finland at the time, planned to convert
industrial efficiency by avoiding the
from the Julian calendar to the
regular interruption of a non-working
Gregorian calendar. Therefore 1700,
day.
which should have been a leap year in the Julian calendar, was not a leap
However, the Gregorian calendar
year in Sweden. However, 1704 and
continued to be used in the Soviet
1708 became leap years by error. This
Union during this period. This is
left Sweden out of synchronisation
confirmed by successive dates found
with both the Julian and the Gregorian
in daily issues of Pravda, the official
calendars, so the country reverted
newspaper of the Communist Party,
back to the Julian calendar.
in which February had 28 days in
February 30, 1712, came into
1930 and 1931, in accordance with
existence in Sweden when the Julian
the Gregorian calendar. The Soviet
calendar was restored and 2 leap
revolutionary calendar was discarded
days were added that year. Sweden’s
as it was difficult to eliminate the
final conversion to the Gregorian
Sunday rest tradition. The original
calendar occurred in 1753, when an
seven-day week was restored in 1940.
11-day correction was applied so that
St Valentine
February 17 was succeeded by March 1 that year. Not everyone was pleased
Flowers, candy, red hearts and
with the calendar reform. Some people
52
romance. That’s what Valentine’s
about this. The idea of encouraging
day is all about, right? Well, maybe
them to marry within the Christian
not. The origin of this day for the
church was what Valentine was about.
expression of love really isn’t romantic
And he secretly married them because
at all -- at least not in the traditional
of the edict.”
sense. Father Frank O’Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin,
Valentine was eventually caught,
Ireland, tells the real story of the man
imprisoned and tortured for
behind the holiday -- St. Valentine.
performing marriage ceremonies
“He was a Roman Priest at a time
against command of Emperor Claudius
when there was an emperor called
the second. There are legends
Claudias who persecuted the church,”
surrounding Valentine’s actions while
Father O’Gara explains. “ He also had
in prison.
an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on
“One of the men who was to judge
the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers
him in line with the Roman law at the
fought better than married soldiers
time was a man called Asterius, whose
because married soldiers might be
daughter was blind. He was supposed
afraid of what might happen to them
to have prayed with and healed the
or their wives or families if they died
young girl with such astonishing
I think we must bear in mind that it
effect that Asterius himself became
was a very permissive society in which
Christian as a result.”
Valentine lived. Polygamy would have been much more popular than just one
In the year 269 AD, Valentine was
woman and one man living together.
sentenced to a three part execution
And yet some of them seemed to
of a beating, stoning, and finally
be attracted to Christian faith. But
decapitation all because of his stand
obviously the church thought that
for Christian marriage. The story goes
marriage was sacred between one
that the last words he wrote were in a
man and one woman for their life and
note to Asterius’ daughter. He inspired
that it was to be encouraged. And so
today’s romantic missives by signing it,
it immediately presented the problem
“from your Valentine.”
to the Christian church of what to do
53
The History of Saint Valentine’s Day
V
Lupercalia’. The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated to honor the Gods Lupercus and Faunus - the Roman God of Agriculture besides the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
alentine’s Day - the popular
An interesting custom was followed
festival of love and romances
in the Feast of Lupercalia to bring
traces its origin to ancient
together young boys and girls who
Roman festival and has not been
otherwise were strictly separated. On
created by card companies as some
the eve of the festival names of young
people believe it to be. There are
Roman girls were written on a slip of
various legends associated with the
paper and placed into jars. Each young
festival along with the belief that
man drew out a girl’s name from the
birds began to mate from this day.
jar and was paired with the girl for
Popularity of the Valentine’s Day
the duration of Lupercalia. Sometime
festival stems from the combined
pairing lasted for a year until next
effects of all these legends, beliefs
year’s celebration. Quite often, the
and of course the wish to glorify the
couple would fall in love with each
unparalleled feeling of love.
other and later marry. The custom lasted for a long time until people felt
Feast of Lupercalia
that the custom was un-Christian and Historians trace the origin of
that mates should be chosen by sight,
Valentine’s Day to ancient Roman
not luck.
Empire. It is said that in the Rome
Defiance by Saint Valentine
of ancient times people observed a holiday on February 14th to honor
The pairing of young boys and girls
Juno - the Queen of Roman Gods
did set the mood of the Valentine’s
and Goddesses. The Romans also
Day Festival as we know today. But
regarded Juno as the Goddess
it was actually due to the efforts and
of Women and Marriage. On the
daring of a priest St Valentine that
following day, February 15th began
the festival got its name and clearer
the fertility festival called ‘Feast of
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meaning. The story goes that during
By the Middle Ages, Valentine
the reign of Emperor Claudius II
assumed the image of heroic and
Rome was involved in several bloody
romantic figure amongst the masses
and unpopular campaigns. Claudius
in England and France. Later, when
found it tough to get soldiers and felt
Christianity spread through Rome,
the reason was men did not join army
the priests moved Lupercalia from
because they did not wish to leave
February 15 to February 14. Around
their wives and families. As a result
498 AD, Pope Gelasius declared
Claudius cancelled all marriages and
February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to
engagements in Rome. A romantic at
honor the martyr Valentinus and to
heart priest of Rome Saint Valentine
end the pagan celebration.
defied Claudius’s unjustified order.
Beginning of Birds Mating Season
Along with Saint Marius, St Valentine secretly married couples. When his
During the Middle Ages, people in
defiance was discovered, Valentine
England and France held a belief that
was brutally beaten and put to death
birds started to look for their mate
on February 14, about 270 AD. After
from February 14. This popular notion
his death Valentine was named a Saint.
further helped to link Valentine’s
According to another version of
Day - celebrated in the middle of the
legend Valentine was killed because
February, with love and romance.
he attempted to help Christians
Over the period of time, St Valentine
escape from the Roman prison as
became the patron saint of lovers and
they were being tortured and beaten
they began to celebrate Valentine’s
there. Yet another popular version of
Day as a day of romance by exchanging
the legend states that while in prison
love notes and simple gifts such as
Valentine or Valentinus fell in love
flower.
with jailer’s daughter who visited him during confinement. Before his death
Popularity of St Valentines Day
Valentine wrote a farewell letter to his sweetheart from the jail and signed
Valentine’s Day festival gradually grew
‘From your Valentine’. The expression
in popularity amongst the masses due
became quite popular amongst love
to the combined effect of all the above
struck and is still very much in vogue.
said reasons. To mark the day lovers
55
began to exchange love notes called
For you have touched my heart
‘Valentines’ with their sweethearts. In the beginning the trend was to send handmade cards but this was changed
Taken from http://www.
in the beginning of 19th century and
stvalentinesday.org/
mass-produced greeting cards caught the fancy of the people. In the course
Whose fault is it, anyway?
of time, Valentine’s day came to be
In a small town a businessman put
regarded as the festival that celebrates
in planning permission to build a
love and not just romantic love. Today,
nightclub complete with dancing girls.
Valentine’s Day cards are gifted to
The local church started a vigorous
teachers, parents, friends, siblings and
campaign to block it from opening.
sweethearts. Popularity of Valentine’s
The church launched a petition
Day has spread in countries across the
and held prayers in public. Work
seven continents and is still increasing
progressed, however, right up until
by the year.
the week before opening. Then one night a bolt of lightning strike hit the nightclub and it burned to the ground.
You’ve Touched My Heart
The church members were rather
You’ve given me a reason
smug after that, until the nightclub
For smiling once again,
owner sued them all -on the grounds
You’ve filled my life with peaceful
that they were responsible for the fire.
dreams
Loudly protesting their total non-
and you’ve become my closest friend.
involvement and innocence, the church members were all taken to court.
You’ve shared your heartfelt secrets
As the case began, the judge looked
And your trust you’ve given me,
over the paperwork and observed: “I
You showed me how to feel again
don’t know how I’m going to decide
To laugh, and love, and see.
this. It appears that we have a nightclub owner who believes in the
If life should end tomorrow
power of prayer, and an entire church
And from this world I should part,
congregation that doesn’t!”
I shall be forever young
56
Petrol
Let’s face it - English is a crazy language
An AA man answered the distress call
There is no egg in plant, nor ham in
of a motorist whose car had stopped.
hamburger; neither apple nor pine in
He made an examination and informed
pineapple. English muffins weren’t
him he was out of petrol. “Well, will it
invented in England or French fries in
hurt”, he asked, “if I drive it home with
France . Sweetmeats are candies while
the petrol tank empty?”
sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.
How to get children to eat more vegetables
We take English for granted but if we
Children and vegetables don’t
quicksand can work slowly, boxing
explore its paradoxes, we find that
always seem to get along. But if you
rings are square and a guinea pig is
encourage them to grow their own
neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
fruit and veg, you will have much
If teachers taught, why didn’t
better success.
preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats
The Natianal Trust poll of 1,000
vegetables, what does a humanitarian
children found that 42 percent of 8 to
eat? In what language do people
12 year-olds try to hide the vegetables
recite at a play and play at a recital or
under other food on their plates.
ship by truck and send cargo by ship
Almost a third throw them in the bin
or have noses that run and feet that
when their parents are not looking. A
smell? How can a slim chance and a
fifth feed greens to the family dog.
fat chance be the same, while a wise
But it seems that more than half of
man and a wise guy are opposites?
children would indeed risk actually
You have to marvel at the unique
eating a vegetable – if they had grown
lunacy of a language in which your
it themselves. And nearly three
house can burn up as it burns down, in
quarters of youngster would like to have their own growing space.
which you fill in a form by filling it out
So,
and in which an alarm goes off after
think about it this month. Spring is at
it’s been switched on. English was
hand!
invented by people, not computers and it reflects the creativity of the human
57
race, which, of course, is not a race at
flip their pancakes into the air before
all. That is why, when the stars are out,
crossing the finish line. Points are
they are visible, but when the lights
awarded for time, for number and
are out, they are invisible.
height of flips, and number of times the pancake turns over.
History of Pancake Day
It is believed that the tradition of pancake races was born out of women
Shrove Tuesday is part of the Christian
rushing to church to confess their sins
calendar which commemorates the eve
before the noon cut off time, clutching
of Lent (40 days and nights of fasting
their half finished pancakes.
and prayers before Easter).
Today, people tend to give up less vital
It is also known as Mardi Gras
dietary ingredients such as chocolate.
(literally “fat Tuesday” in French),
From bbc.co.uk
Carnival (from the Latin for “farewell to the flesh”), and Fasnacht (the
Dinner
Germanic “night of the fast”). The word Shrove comes from the Old
Interviewer: “If you could have dinner
English word, Shrive - to confess one’s
with any person, living or dead, who
sins. Shrove Tuesday is a day where
would it be?”
one confesses their sins and asks God
Applicant: “The living one.”
for absolution.
Whose fault is it, anyway?
Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in many different ways around the world; the
In a small town a businessman put
Brazilians samba in Rio and the people
in planning permission to build a
of New Orleans throw their most
nightclub complete with dancing girls.
famous party of the year - Mardi Gras.
The local church started a vigorous
In England the day is also called
campaign to block it from opening.
Pancake Tuesday.
The church launched a petition
Eggs and butter were among food that
and held prayers in public. Work
used to be forbidden during Lent, so
progressed, however, right up until
they were often used up in pancakes.
the week before opening. Then one
Pancake races are also held where
night a bolt of lightning strike hit the
people must successfully toss and
58
nightclub and it burned to the ground.
arresting them.
The church members were rather
Then the local Vicar had an idea. With
smug after that, until the nightclub
the help of some take-away pizzas he
owner sued them all -on the grounds
lured the gang into his church one
that they were responsible for the fire.
Saturday evening and shut the door
Loudly protesting their total non-
on them. Early next morning he and
involvement and innocence, the church
the bishop went in, and together
members were all taken to court.
they baptised and confirmed the lot. Several of the more difficult ones were
As the case began, the judge looked
even made to sign the electoral roll.
over the paperwork and observed: “I don’t know how I’m going to decide
The youths were then let out of the
this. It appears that we have a
church, and quickly departed. Now
nightclub owner who believes in the
full-fledged members of the Church
power of prayer, and an entire church
of England, they were only ever seen
congregation that doesn’t!”
again at Christmas and at Easter.
How to get rid of ... well, most people A few years ago a small village in the Cotswolds was plagued by a gang of youths. They came in on their motorbikes every weekend, and were everywhere, causing trouble. A village meeting was held about how to get rid of them. The folk who used to go fox hunting were for luring them into a field and then chasing them off on horseback. The town’s solicitor was for beginning a legal action against them. The town’s policeman was for
59
Tanyards Farm by Peter Bailey
(Planning application for 155 houses on farmland East of Lenham village?) Tanyards Farm O’ Tanyards Farm! Loss of your fields does Lenham harm. Aspects from the North Down Cross, When once defiled; A total loss. East of village, special land, Too sensitive to ‘out of hand’ Build houses for a ‘Local Plan’, Rejected by each Lenham man. This planning application means Old Lenham’s left in smithereens! Do WE now ‘give up the plot’ And hand ‘developers’ the lot? Communities can stand so much!! ‘Localism’ views, as such, Can be ignored as planners push To meet the Country’s housing rush. Fight this injustice as a team. Demonstrate, petitions too, MP’s support, ‘objection’ stream, Rejecting this obnoxious brew!
60
Virgin Media
D
postcode.
o you have BT, SKY or Talk Talk for your broadband?
Select your address from the drop down menu and then, if you want to,
Do you have SKY TV or BT TV?
click on Register and fill in the online Have you thought about Virgin Media?
form.
Recently Virgin Media announced
The more people who register, the
that by 2019 they are planning to
more chance there is of Virgin Media
connect over 4 million homes and
including Lenham in their network
businesses. With the recent news of
expansion plans.
more properties being developed in the Lenham area it makes sense to
If you want to see what services Virgin
look at other providers for Broadband,
Media offer then go to:
Phone and TV. This could help the
http://www.virginmedia.com/shop/
current infrastructure (telegraph poles
bundles.html
and underground cabling) provided by BT by helping to reduce the amount
Hope this has been helpful and at the
of usage and could possibly speed up
very least given you food for thought
internet speeds. Dave Clark So how can you find out if Virgin Media are planning to connect to Lenham? Virgin Media do not publish a rollout schedule as such but you can register your interest on their website. Simply go to https://www.virginmedia. com/cablemystreet and put in your
61
Prize Crossword
Across clues
Down clues
1. Feelings may be big news. (10) 6. Short moment could be dubious. (4) 9. Damn and blast these posers! (10) 10. Weapons returned to a room in the pub. (4) 12. Soldiers disease? Could be but often not. (12) 15. One in a high social position seen back in the outskirts of Crawley. How weird! (6) 16. Spanish girl tries on a change. (8) 18. Where an unbalanced squirrel might store food? I don’t think so. (8) 19. Say hello to the campers! (2,2,2) 21. 24 hours for a tree at the start of Lent. (3,9) 24. The reason Lyon keeps just. (4) 25. Exaggeration of tapestry work. (10) 26. A certain sounding author. (4) 27. Ron’s atomic explosion is vast. (10)
1. Put your foot in it. (4) 2. It is midday which way you look at it. (4) 3. Recorders do what switch board people do. (12) 4. Popular image I cherish initially. (6) 5. Agree then annoy. It is safe. (2,6) 7. Troubled RAF is under financial strain. Needs the help of this person. (4,6) 8. In addition chap goes head over heels through this one time country. (10) 11. It is a steamy process. (12) 13. Shoe covering corn to start with. Ours? Not right. It is shocking. (10) 14. By the sound of it America and allies did not succeed here in Germany. (10) 17. Big waves, but not of the farewell type. (8) 20. Greedy money lender certainly in the outskirts of Ulster. (6) 22. Word for part of the school year. (4) 23. Harmonise briefly. (4)
62
Last month’s winner! Previous winner: Roger Evans 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 19 Edition 02 (February 2017) 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:
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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
63
London Marathon 2017 ‘Step Out For Sight Loss’ Please spare a few pounds to sponsor me for my first marathon, in aid of a worthwhile local charity. All donations will be gratefully recieved.
KAB supports sight impaired people to live independent lives.
Small local organisations are the ones that now need our support more than ever. This is to assist all of the many and varied people in Kent who’s lives are made so much more challenging due to partial or total sight loss. KAB provides a huge range of help and support for people of all ages whose sight loss affects their daily lives.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Richie-Collett Text RCOL76 plus the amount (eg RCOL76£5) to 70070 Thank you - Richard Collett
kab.org.uk
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