Hythe life magazine issue 7

Pensions & Retirement Wealth Management Tax Affairs Protection Business Advice Divorce Planning Trustee Investments Long Term Care

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My Hythe Life...

How did you get into growing Christmas trees?

We started in the 70s; the theory then was that if you had a bit of rough ground on the farm, it would be a good idea to put in some Christmas trees. Actually, they do require quite good ground and we do a lot of work on them as well; we now prune them all, which we didn't use to, which is why, nowadays, you do tend to get nice-shaped trees.

How long do they take to grow?

A six-foot tree takes at least six years. You have to be in it for the long-haul, but that's the thing about farming: it's not a quick fix!

Are they hard to grow?

You've got to prepare land each year and keep planting because people have trees from 3ft up to 10ft, and then you also have to try to work out what people will want in five or six years time, so we have to keep abreast of new varieties. At the moment, Nordmann is very popular as it is a non-drop variety; we grow a lot of Fraser now, as well, which is another non-drop type of conifer and then, of course, there's the Norway Spruce, the traditional Christmas tree.

For the first of our new series of profiles on Hythe residents, we met up with Saltwood-based fruit and Christmas tree farmer, Nigel Harland, to find out more about his life in agriculture.

Could you briefly describe your farm?

We're principally a fruit farm but also grow Christmas trees. The fruit farm was started by my father in 1948 when he planted his first orchard. I've been here since 1969; before that, I'd travelled around the world for a couple of years, working all over the place: mining in Nigeria, growing apples on a farm near Cape Town in South Africa, and things like that. Our objective is to grow really good quality apples for our main customer, Marks and Spencer, although we supply all the major supermarkets. Unfortunately, in the 1990s, the apple prices worldwide tumbled owing to over-production, so we went over more to the Christmas tree side of the business then. That takes up about ten acres of our land. We've got just under eighty acres in total.

Is it a family business?

My daughter is also a partner; she tends to do the social media side of things for me.

Is it good to be a farmer in this neck of the woods?

Yes, it is good, particularly for a fruit farmer. We benefit from the maritime climate and don't tend to suffer too much from the spring frosts. The Christmas trees seem to like the sandy loam we have as well.

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How does a year unfold on the farm?

Well, at this time of year, we're gearing up for the Christmas tree trade; over 90% of them are sold directly from the farm, so it's about working out how we're going to keep on top of the numbers.

For the first weekend in December, we have to have around 400 trees ready, so that people have a good selection. It takes a lot of planning.

Then once we're through the Christmas period,

What variety of Christmas tree do you have at home?

I suppose I tend to have the Fraser now; I prefer it to Nordmann because Nordmanns don’t really have much scent, and I like the scent you get from the Fraser fir in the house at Christmas.

What is the best thing about being a farmer?

For me, it's living with nature and the environment, and working outside.

And the worst?

Foul weather in the winter!

For the first weekend in December, we have to have around 400 trees ready, so that people have a good selection. It takes a lot of planning. Then once we're through the Christmas period, we're into pruning the apples. we're into pruning the apples. That takes several months really, followed by a certain amount of planting of trees, both Christmas trees and apples. In spring, we start spraying the trees to keep them healthy and clean and in the summer, we open the garden to the public every weekend in May – that's eight acres of rhododendrons and azaleas – so we have to get that all in order. Pick your own starts late on in June and then it's the apples, and the big decision about whether to thin them or not, and finally, we get into the harvest. People have, in the past, asked what we do for the rest of the year, and probably thought that we go off to the Caribbean after the apple harvest or something like that, but it's a year round job!

What are your favourite things about living and working in Hythe?

The best thing about Hythe is its location, being near the sea, but I also enjoy just walking around the town. I go shopping there quite regularly and I like walking along the High Street and appreciating the canal. I think it's been done up beautifully and it's really tranquil.

If you could recommend one place for a visitor to Hythe to go, where would it be?

I would say, go and see St Leonard's Church.

The whole situation of it, perched on the hillside there, is lovely; it's got such history.

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The Secrets of Plant Power

by Emma Whyte

By the time you read this, Shepway may have been lucky enough to have been visited by a flock or two of beautiful waxwings.

Their nesting grounds are coniferous forests in Northern Europe and developed different survival methods to others: each has fought to America, but waxwings are migratory visitors to the UK, sometimes find its niche in order to survive so that it can disperse the next appearing in large 'irruptions' (where the population grows too big generation successfully. for the available breeding grounds, so they spread out).

Some plants, such as brambles, produce thorns to protect themselves They're taking advantage of the abundance of fruiting trees at this from hungry predators and grow at a much faster rate than the plants time of year. Between October and March large flocks can be spotted around them to ensure that they are the first species the sunlight for a few days at a time in the trees of the Park Farm Industrial Estate hits. As an added bonus, this also means that the other species around in Folkestone, so keep your eyes and ears peeled! them can become easily overwhelmed, leaving more nutrients and Many plants have evolved to develop their fruits at this time of year space for the invader. so that they can take advantage of the migrating birds filling up in Because nettles use the wind to distribute their pollen, they don't preparation for their upcoming long journeys, as well as our hardy have to be brightly coloured to attract insects. They also have small native birds and mammals who are stocking up for the cold winter petals because insects don't use them as landing platforms, unlike months ahead. From the plant's point of view, the more mammals other plants that rely on flying insects for pollination. and birds that eat their seeds and berries, the further they can disperse them, so autumn and Many plants have evolved to develop their fruits at this time of year so that winter is the ideal time of year to produce berries. they can take advantage of the migrating birds filling up in preparation for Earlier in the year, it would be a waste of energy their upcoming long journeys, as well as our hardy native birds and mammals and resources to develop berries because birds and who are stocking up for the cold winter months ahead. mammals have an abundance of other types of food to eat, like insects and caterpillars. Moreover, the The nettle is designed to repel grazing animals by delivering a summer and spring months are the best times to attract pollinating painful sting which comes from the thousands of fine hairs on its leaves insects. It all works beautifully. and stems. When broken down, these release formic acid and, PLANT EVOLUTION hopefully, deter any would-be predators.

It's incredible to think about how plants have evolved. As they are However, many insects have evolved in response to take advantage of generally non-moving objects and not particularly interactive, it's easy this. They can move freely around the plant without breaking the fine hairs to admire them without really considering their complexities. It might and are protected from ending up inside a hungry animal’s stomach. For sound boring, but when you start to think about it, it's fascinating stuff. this reason, many insects lay their eggs in nettle patches. In fact, the nettle Plants have evolved together, but separately, in that they have supports 40 different species so it's vital for our native insects and animals.

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Another amazing aspect of plant evolution relates to their petals.

Why and how do flowers close their petals at night and some, when the sun goes in during the daytime? Well, scientists are not in full agreement, but it's likely to be a combination of reasons. When the light fades, it often means cloudy weather, dew and sometimes rain – and water on pollen is not a good thing. Insects transfer dry pollen much more successfully than wet pollen, so protecting its precious treasure is important to a plant. Closing itself up at night also means it can conserve energy - and insect attracting odour – for the next day when day-flying insects are active.

But how does it do it? Well, amazingly enough, these plants have developed a mechanism known as nyctinasty. When the air is cool and the sky is dark, the bottom-most petals of some flowers grow at a faster rate than the upper-most petals, forcing the flowers shut. Isn't that incredible?

Of course, some plants have evolved to give off great scent at night.

Night-flowering plants are usually white. White is a good colour for night time as it can be more easily spotted when the sky is dark, and its scent is strong so as to attract night-flying insects, who have also evolved to take advantage of the plant’s shape and form! It's endlessly complex and incredible.

Survival and successful reproduction is at the top of any plant, animal or insect's to do list. In most cases, there's not much else on the list! But this is what makes our biodiversity so complex and fascinating.

It's a delicate balance, but incredibly successful when it's left to its own devices.

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p~äíïççÇÛë dêáëäó m~ëí The dramatic death of Thomas Becket – the humble priest slain at prayer by the patrician henchmen of the king – is surely one of the most famous historical stories associated with East Kent.

Most local residents will no doubt be acquainted with the medieval clergyman's biography: a close friend of Henry II, the king appointed Thomas Becket to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 (the day after he was ordained as a priest), hoping that this would secure him a staunch ally of the Crown at the apex of the Church. Becket was, in fact, reluctant to take up the post, writing in a prophetic letter to the king that he feared that it would cause, 'our friendship to turn to hate'. His time in office as Archbishop did, indeed, create a sharp divide between the king and his erstwhile friend, as Becket showed in his actions that his first loyalty was to the Church. This culminated in the Archbishop fleeing to France, where he remained in exile from 1164-1170.

On his return to England at the start of December 1170, Becket continued to clash with the royal court by excommunicating a number of bishops loyal to the king, which Henry took as an act of betrayal. The result was Henry's infamous outburst -“will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?” (although the exact words are heavily disputed) - which four of his knights, Reginald fitz Urse, Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy and Richard le Breton took as a royal command. The men ventured from France to Kent to assassinate the Archbishop in a bloody and gruesome attack inside Canterbury Cathedral on 29th December 1170, some 845 years ago this winter.

SALTWOOD AND THE CHURCH So far, so familiar... But might it be the case that the dastardly plot to murder the Archbishop was hatched rather close to home, in Saltwood? Saltwood Castle had a long

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association with the Church: originally built as a in 1026, Earl Haldane, in the presence of King Canute, granted the manor of ‘Saltwuude’ to the monks of Christ Church, Canterbury and, following the Norman Conquest, William I bestowed Saltwood upon Archbishop Lanfranc, whereupon it was kept as a fief of the See of Canterbury, to be let as an honour to loyal knights by the Archbishop.

Saltwood Castle came into the hands of one of these noblemen, Henry d'Essex, during the reign of Henry II, but was seized by the king after d'Essex was accused of cowardice and treason in the Welsh wars. Becket had sought to restore the castle as an ecclesiastical palace, but Henry instead granted the castle to one of his loyal barons, Ranulf de Broc, who held the nearby Brockhill Estate, in return for stewardship of the See of Canterbury's land whilst Becket was in exile.

SALTWOOD'S PART IN THE MURDER Ranulf de Broc was no fan of Thomas Becket – and the feeling was mutual. Henry's decision gave de Broc licence to run roughshod over the Archbishop's estates: Becket accused him of plundering his land, hunting his deer, and drinking his wine. After an uneasy peace with the King, Becket returned from exile in December 1170 and promptly excommunicated de Broc and his brother, Robert, on Christmas Day 1170, alongside a number of bishops. When the King voiced his frustration at Becket's insolence in his feverish outburst- apparently imploring his loyal knights to silence the Archbishop for good – it was to Saltwood Castle, and the de Broc's, that four knights – intent on obeying the king's

‘order’ – rushed from France on 28th December 1170.

We can only speculate about what happened that winter’s evening in Saltwood; was Becket’s fate sealed whilst the men rested for the night? Did they plot their deadly mission whilst cloistered within the castle's silent walls?

Many historians think this to be a highly plausible explanation. Whether Ranulf de Broc was complicit in the knights’ action is unknown, but his guilt is certainly implied by association.

The following morning, 29th December 1170, Fitz Urse, de Morville, de Tracey and le Breton set out with a kinsman of de Broc, along Stone Street and into Canterbury. They made their way into the cathedral, and it is believed that they initially hoped to force Becket to rescind his excommunications, but the Archbishop remained unmoved. The group then briefly left the cathedral, which Becket had refused to secure, only to return with their weapons declaring their intention to find the Archbishop, upon which Becket calmly presented himself to the four knights. FitzUrse and de Tracy struck him glancing blows which laid him prostrate, before le Breton completed the deed by administering a fatal strike to Becket’s head. An eyewitness to the attack, monk Edward Grim, gorily described the final assault as causing the crown of Becket’s head to cleave from the rest of his head, the resultant heavy blood loss staining the floor of the cathedral.

BECKET'S LEGACY Becket became an instant martyr, but the brutality of the attack, his venerable status and courage in the face of mortal danger also served to cement his murder in English consciousness right up until the present day, weaving his legend into the fabric of our history. de Broc forbade the monks to bury the Archbishop alongside his predecessors, and so the monks interred him in the Crypt of the cathedral. Almost immediately, miracles were reported at Becket's tomb and in 1173, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. The assassination provoked widespread condemnation, at home and abroad, of King Henry and his knights; the Pope swiftly excommunicated and exiled Becket's murderers whilst the bloody incident irreparably harmed the King's reputation, despite numerous acts of penance and formal absolution in 1172.

Meanwhile, Saltwood Castle was restored to control of the See of Canterbury by King John, and remained under the archbishops' command until the reign of Henry VIII. It has belonged to the Clark family since 1953, and was the beloved home of the Rt. Hon. Alan Clark MP until his death in 1999, upon which his wife, Jane, inherited the castle and with it, took up the mantle to preserve and conserve the rich history embedded within its medieval stone walls.

The story of the murder of Thomas Becket is entrenched as a central part of Canterbury's history but, it seems, we should remember that it is part of Saltwood's as well.

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Hythe hits the top of property hotspot list

What does Hythe have in common with the urban metropolises of Manchester, Birmingham and Leicester, the coal mining towns of Rotherham and Bradford and the commuter-belt favourites of Woking and Hove? If you are trying to think of a random connection that joins the areas together – a historical link, perhaps, or shared architectural feature – then the answer might surprise you, for what joins together our Kentish coastal town with the likes of these big cities and surburban centres is that they have all been named on a list of the top ten up-andcoming UK property hotspots by online estate agent, HouseSimple. The locations, which also included Ipswich, Norwich and Hove, were chosen for the features that HouseSimple believes make an area desirable, including low crime rates, good transport links and a rich array of local amenities such as shops and schools.

What's more, Hythe topped the list as the area with highest market demand. So what is going on in the property market at the moment and what makes Hythe such a desirable place to live?

Hythe Life decided to explore further...

Those of us whose hearts have already been won over by Hythe's charms will not find it difficult to understand its appeal. The town has the '4 A's' of access, amenities, ambience and affordability in spades. Transport links to London are excellent, with the journey to Stratford International (on the outskirts of the City of

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London and a direct DLR ride away from London City airport) taking just 56 minutes from Sandling and St Pancras, 54 minutes at peak time. Hythe also boasts a number of primary schools rated good or outstanding by OFSTED, and is within close proximity to a variety of equally high-performing secondary schools within the district.

Leisure activities in this former Cinque Port cater for both old and young, and include all those associated with a thriving seaside town:

panoply of independent shops, restaurants and cafes, and the town's three supermarkets cover the high-end, mid and budget range. In short, Hythe gives its residents the quality of life afforded by coastal and canal-side living, alongside the advantages of easy access to the big smoke.

Mandy Jones, who moved to Hythe two months ago with her husband, Maurice, agrees.

She spent 18 months scouring properties around the East coast of England for a location that was picturesque, but also stacked with amenities.

“Hythe came up trumps and love it: we can walk to restaurants and shops, yet still be within walking distance of the canal and the sea as well.

It's all on our doorstep. We no longer have to drive anywhere. Having lived in many different places, including various places in London, this is it for us. We love it!”.

House prices, whilst still far more affordable than central London and its outskirts, have steadily risen over the past few years, so those looking to Hythe as the next boom town would do well to put down roots now. Figures from online estate agent, Rightmove, reveal that average house prices in 2015 have increased 15% on 2010, with an average price of £287,077. This is still considerably lower than commuter-belt Kent, where average prices in mid- and north-west areas such as Sevenoaks and Chislehurst can be upwards of £500,000.

Demand in Hythe is currently vastly outstripping supply, as Jackie Davies, of Champion and Co estate agency, explains. “The number of houses for sale is at an all time low, and Hythe is particularly short of good stock in the mid market. Hence, month on month, we are

Those of us whose hearts have already been won over by Hythe's charms will not find it difficult to understand its appeal. sailing, windsurfing, bowls, tennis, golf, freshwater and sea-angling, cricket, boating and swimming are all readily available, whilst the Victorian promenade, Royal Military canal and surrounding countryside provide superb cycling and walking routes. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is enduringly popular with visitors from new and far who wish to ride on the world's smallest public railway, whilst history buffs can while away an hour or two in the St Leonard's Church crypt, which houses one of only two ossuaries in England (a collection of human bones, for the uninitiated). Meanwhile, the High Street offers the perfect mix of quirkiness and convenience in its bustling

seeing higher prices being achieved, and with a large proportion of 'out of area' buyers who have realised higher sale prices closer to London, Hythe continues to represent very good value for money, with its infrastructure now reaching both London and the continent with ease. ” Hythe, it seems, is no longer a hidden gem, and whilst that is good news for homeowners wsitting on properties that are steadily increasing in value, those who are looking to buy would be well advised to act now before it is too late!

With thanks to: Jackie Davies of Champion and Co (www.championandco.com) and Adrian Thompson of Skyhunter (www.skyhunter.co.uk)

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Hythe Watch News from Hythe Town Council Third Edition

Speaker’s Day

The day began with a Church Service in St Leonard’s Church at 11.00 am conducted by the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Reverend Trevor Willmott and the Reverend Andrew Sweeney. Following the service, the guests who comprised The Lord Warden, the Admiralty Judge, the Deputy Constable of Dover Castle, the 14 Cinque Ports mayors with their macebearers, town clerks and town and district councillors, processed down Hythe High Street, fronted by the Folkestone and Hythe Sea and Royal Marine Cadets. Businesses in the High Street saw increased business from shoppers and tourists who stopped to watch the spectacular display. As a Head Cinque Port, the Speakership is transferred to Hythe every seven years and is considered to be a great honour.

The Confederation of the Cinque Ports is made up of seven ‘Head Ports’ – Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, Sandwich; the ‘Two Ancient Towns’ of Rye and Winchelsea; and seven ‘limbs’ – Deal, Ramsgate, Faversham, Folkestone, Margate, Lydd and Tenterden.

Hythe Town Council opening hours Although we have not increased staff or working hours, we’ve managed to re-organise so that we can now provide telephone cover throughout every working day, including lunchtime. We’ve also put an answering machine into operation during out of office hours 24/7. The new arrangements are bound to hit a few snags on the way, so please be patient with us if we don’t get it right first time.

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Message from the Mayor Since May this year, Hythe Town Council has seen many changes. Seven new councillors started their term of office, with nine re-elected councillors. There has also been a change in Mayor and Town Clerk.

This Year, Hythe took over the Speakership of the Cinque Ports from New Romney Town Council and ‘Speakers Day’ took place on the 3rd October 2015. The day started with a magnificent ceremony in St Leonard’s Church, followed by a parade along the High Street. The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce, was accompanied by Lady Boyce and led the parade. He was followed by the mayors, mayoresses, escorts and town clerks of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports and Hythe town councillors.

The exact origins of the Cinque Ports (pronounced ‘sink’ not ‘sank’, following Norman French pronunciation) are misted in time, but it is thought that Edward the Confessor created a Confederation of the five Head Ports in the early 11th century to defend the south coast of England against Viking attacks. From the 11th to the 16th century, the Cinque Ports provided ‘Ship Service’ to the Crown. The towns of Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich were required to supply a number of ships and men, each crewed with 21 adults and one boy, for 15 days a year free of charge. If the ships were required for longer, payment would have to be made. Henry III issued a dictate in 1229 that Hythe had to build five ships, whereas Dover had to provide 21.

The Confederation helped deal with the increasing raids on the towns and villages along the Kent and Sussex coastline by the Vikings and the French. The Confederation and the ships it supplied were the foundation of a naval power base which eventually lead to the creation of the Royal Navy during the reign of Henry VIII. The appointment of the first ‘Speaker’ dates back to the Plantagenet kings in the 12th century. Interestingly, the title ‘Speaker of the Cinque Ports’ is senior to the Speaker of the House of Commons where the first identified presiding officer styled Speaker did not emerge until the 14th century.

The Mayor's theme for this municipal year is ‘Community and Enterprise’. We hope that a lot will be achieved during this time. Meetings with business leaders and other organisations, such as charities and sports clubs, are ongoing. We will give you an update of how we are progressing in future editions of this magazine and on the Hythe Town Council website.

Remembrance Sunday The Remembrance Sunday parade and service was held at the War Memorial in The Grove, Hythe and was attended by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Hythe and Speaker of the Cinque Ports, councillor Michael Lyons, accompanied by civic and military dignitaries that included Damian Collins MP, Major Dennis Bradley BEM DL, Honorary Freemen, past mayors and town & district councillors. Following the service the parade marched down the High Street where the Town Mayor took the salute at the Town Hall. The service and parade was attended by the military and many local organisations which included the scouts, brownies and local schoolchildren, together with hundreds of members of the public who witnessed this very moving and poignant day.

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Pressure can be as gentle or as firm as required.

Massage is exceptionally beneficial for: • Increasing the level of oxygen in the blood • Decreasing muscle toxins

Reflexology works on the concept that our feet and hands have “maps” which relate to our organs, nerves, glands and other parts of the body. On these “maps” are reflex points and by applying gentle pressure (it doesn’t tickle!) on these points, a deep sense of relaxation can occur and in turn these actions stimulate our body to heal itself.

Even a light reflexology treatment can balance our body.

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Waste materials including uric acid and calcium crystals can build up in the feet because gravity pulls these toxins downwards, so reflexology can disperse these crystals boosting the circulation in the body.

• Improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension Sessions may last up to an hour if the whole body is massaged although should you have a particular issue a session can be worked around these specific areas. For people who have a physical job, could be training for a sport event or hobby, a regular massage can keep the muscles from tightening.

Just relaxing for half or a whole hour whilst your body is being pampered can be enough for many people to give them the spring in their step they need.

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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Hythe Watch News from Hythe Town Council Third Edition

Councillor’s Corner – Dudley Shipton It is just six months since I was elected to the Hythe Town Council. Many thanks to all those who kindly voted for me. I am one of the new faces on the council so I have much to learn, although I have been living in Hythe for almost twenty five years.

Coming out of the council offices the other day I stood at the top of the steps and, whilst viewing the beautifully tended Oaklands Park, I noticed young children supervised by their parents playing on the newly refurbished playground and groups of people sitting outside Age UK enjoying their morning coffee on the patio benches. Entering Age UK via the ramp and the newly constructed door in the wall, it was possible to pass through this great community asset with all its care facilities available. Visiting there every Friday morning and conducting a monthly Communion Service has brought me into closer contact with all who attend and I have been able to familiarise myself with the wealth of provision. We are grateful for the paid staff and volunteers who serve the people of Hythe.

As a new Councillor I have much to learn about the proceedings of meetings and the process of improving facilities in Hythe. It is pleasing to welcome the new Town Clerk, Nick Hilditch. Everyone is looking forward to working with him and his team to maintain and improve all that we can so easily take for granted in Hythe.

We may wish things to remain the same in our town but as councillors, we have a duty to look to the future and, together with our constituents, work to plan how to move the town forward for the next ten years. There may be those of us who are averse to change but we owe the citizens of Hythe the opportunity to share and prepare for the future.

Councillor Dudley Shipton

New Town Clerk named Hythe Town Council has appointed Nick Hilditch as its Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. Nick lives locally, and brings many years of management experience to the role. With a background in marketing, he has already started a research programme to identify the most urgent needs of Hythe’s residents, businesses and other organisations, and is keen to work with local people. Commenting on his new appointment, Nick stated, ‘Opportunities to work for one of Kent's loveliest, best known and most dynamic towns don't come along very often, so I'm delighted to be leading Hythe’s team of council officers. With its mix of historic sites, its unique shopping centre and its status as a head Cinque Port, there can be few more exciting places to be. I look forward to playing a part in Hythe's future continued success.’

What happens in council meetings?

All meetings of the council are held at the Town Hall and are open to members of the public.

We encourage you to attend and participate. Agendas are posted on our website and notice boards the week before meetings, with minutes available soon afterward. It’s a great way to find out how councillors make decisions that affect all Hythe residents. Why not come along to the town hall for a council meeting one evening and see?

How planning and building regulations work Shepway District Council is responsible for most planning matters, and Hythe Town Council plays an important role in commenting on planning applications that affect our specific area. Government policy is for there to be a presumption in favour of sustainable development, so any objections need to be well researched. Most planning applications run to timetables so it is important to make your views - sometimes called 'representations' - known in good time. If you’d like to know what plans are under consideration, then you can attend a meeting of the Plans and Works committee. They are open to the public and normally held at our offices in Oaklands on Stade Street.

YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR IS EAST WARD Reg Belcourt reg@belcourt.co Denise Maskell dealan.maskell@ntlworld.com Shirley Moberly shirleymoberly29@gmail.com David Owen davidlgowen@aol.com

SOUTH WARD Ann Mayne alec@mayne73.freeserve.co.uk Dudley Shipton dbshipton@tiscali.co.uk Alan Smith alansmith1953@hotmail.co.uk Laura Sullivan laurelt141@gmail.com

Visit our website: www.hythetc.kentparishes.gov.uk

NORTH WARD Malcolm Dearden emdearden@btinternet.com Alan Ewart-James alancouncil@aol.com Michael Lyons michael.lyons@shepway.gov.uk Wendy Peacock waymaker@ntlworld.com

WEST WARD John Gabris john@hythe.eu Keith Miles majorkam7@gmail.com Paul O’Connor poc12@btinternet.com Paul Peacock paul.ap@ntlworld.com

Hythe Town Council’s Newsletter has been written by Hythe Town Council Hythe Town Council Offices, Oaklands, 1 Stade Street, HYTHE, Kent CT21 6BG for more information call: 01303 266152 or email: admin@hythe-kent.com

22 | www.hythelife.org.uk

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Instep Dance Company planning ahead

by India Pearson

Instep Dance Company in Hythe is back for another year and has plenty of exciting projects to look forward.

Instep started back at partner school, Brockhill Performing Arts College, in the first week of October following a fun but intense couple of auditions in the previous weeks. Auditions are held for company places only, and it was great to see so much exceptional talent and driven dancers. Thursday classes started back in early

have a project to focus on. The Mayakaras (our elite group of dancers ) will work under the direction of professional dance Company Lila Dance and the IIsanmaayas – our mixed age company – will work with Jackie Mortimer and Michelle Hayter on a new piece. These flagship companies are expected to work as young professionals during a five-day intensive course over the Easter holidays. Dancers will take class in the morning and then work to create an extended new piece, which will premiere as part of our summer season.

The coming together of dancers from

The teaching team at Instep has grown to 14 qualified teachers and practitioners who have had experience in professional work.

October too: the youngest this year is under 2 and our oldest is 80! The community classes will continue throughout the 6 terms culmination in a summer season of shows in July.

The teaching team at Instep has grown to 14 qualified teachers and practitioners who have had experience in professional work. All of them are graduates in dance and four of the team also have achieved their MA in dance studies and performance.

This year, the flagship companies will each

24 | www.hythelife.org.uk

different ages and with varying experiences is what makes these companies unique. "Instep believes that professionalism and excellence are to be strived for, as is the time spent working, as this allows dancers to develop creativity and performance. The work in the inter-generational groups last year confirmed that striving in this way reaps rewards and develops artistry at a young age.

The ViveKamays (company of elders) will work with Joe Darby (teacher at Instep and

dancer for Lila Dance) and Abi Mortimer of Lila Dance to create a new film. This will reach its conclusion in April.

Instep’s graduate company, ‘Boomerang’, have had a busy start to the term. Having spent most of last year developing material and experimenting with ideas under the direction of Becky Butler, the company were given the opportunity to create a dance for film. This is a new venture for Instep and an exciting one at that. On a sunny day at the end of September, the Boomerang dancers were joined by Wiggly Line Production company and headed to Folkestone to film ‘In her bag she carries’. After the premiere the film will be sent out to film and dance festivals around the country. The film will premiere at the autumn showcase in November.

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Here at Mulberry Flooring we can entice you with luscious deep pile heaven; with soft dense wilton weaves; beautifully patterned wool Kelims and Tribal Persian Rugs in fabulously rich colours. We can tempt you with the latest ‘on trend’ colours and styles. Rugs that make a bold statement or rugs that subtly bring a room together. We have creams, beiges, soft aqua, many shades of grey - although we can’t promise fifty!

Do come and see us, let us help you warm up those wood floors and chilly ceramic tiles this winter and make your toes happy.

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Art-Write (Hythe) Ltd

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Janome Sewing Machines • Beautiful Fabrics in Lovely Bundles • Inspirational & Informative Books • Useful & Satisfying Merchant & Mills Notions • Gift Vouchers for workshops or merchandise Don't forget Late Night Shopping on Friday Dec. 4th

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90A High Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 5AJ 01303 261925 Open Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm Email: artwrite@fsmail.net Facebook@Artwrite Hythe Ltd www.artwritehythe.co.uk For all your art materials, stationery, computer consumables, craft and more.

Extraordinary stationery delivered to us by 9.00am next day. In house printing service: Colour up to A3, Black/white up to A0. Other services include scanning, laminating, binding, faxing. We can turn your artwork into greetings cards.

Amazing Glaze 11 Marine Walk Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 5NW 01303261925 Open Tuesday –Saturday 10.00am –5.00pm (plus Mondays in school holidays) Facebook@Amazing Glaze Pottery Painting Just off the High Street come pottery painting with friends, family or on your own. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Wide range of bisque and colours plus a wealth of experience in our studio.

Help given at all times. Great for birthdays, teambuilding, clubs and more. There are toddler sessions, an After School Club and a monthly adult only party night.

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www.hythelife.org.uk | 33

Winter Motoring Whilst it is difficult to predict whether we will see any of the white stuff this winter, it is still sensible to prepare for the challenges that driving in snow and ice present to the average motorist. It is an accepted fact that you are more likely to break down in bad weather and your chances of having an accident unfortunately increase tenfold.

At the start of the winter period it is worthwhile carrying out the following checks before the weather turns nasty: • Antifreeze – You should check your coolant regularly and if required, top up with a mixture of the correct type of antifreeze. Your local garage will be happy to check this for you and recommend a suitable product.

• Battery – The AA report that this is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Older batteries may struggle in the cold. Get it checked by your local garage and if necessary replaced to avoid any problems.

• Fuel – It is advisable to keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in case of any unexpected weather-related delays.

• Lights – Check them regularly and keep them clean. It is also advisable to carry spare bulbs.

• Tyres – At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring. It might also be worth considering switching to winter tyres. Tyre pressure should be checked every two weeks.

• Windscreen – Keep the back and front screens clean inside and out to combat being dazzled by the low winter sun. Wiper blades should also be checked and replaced if necessary.

• Screen wash – Use a 50% mix of screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty conditions.

• Locks and door seals – To stop doors becoming frozen shut, apply a thin coat of polish or Vaseline to the rubber door seals. A quick squirt of WD-40 in the locks will also stop them freezing.

34 | www.hythelife.org.uk

Winter Emergency Bad Weather Kit It is a good idea to prepare an emergency kit to keep in the car for use in bad weather or if bad weather is forecast. The safest thing to do is not to travel, however, if the journey is absolutely necessary, you should ensure you are fully prepared in case any problems occur. The following items are recommended: • Fully charged mobile and an in-car charger • Blanket, rug or sleeping bag • Shovel • Bits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under the driving wheels to help regain traction on snow or ice • High visibility jacket • Torch and spare batteries • Ice scraper and de-icer • Salt, sand or cat litter to help clear snow and ice • Tow rope • Snow chains, if you live in a remote or rural area • Battery jump leads • Bottled water and snacks • Extra screen wash • Warm winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves and warm clothes • Waterproofs • Sturdy boots • Flask of hot drink

Tips for driving in snow and ice With stopping distances increased by ten times in snow and ice, gentle manoeuvres are the order of the day. If you do find yourself driving in difficult conditions, the following tips will help you reach your destination safely: • Wear comfortable, dry shoes for driving.

Snow covered boots will slip on the pedals.

• Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel spins.

• When driving uphill, avoid having to stop part way up by waiting until the hill is clear of other traffic, or by leaving plenty of room to the car in front. Keep a constant speed, select a suitable gear to avoid having to change gear whilst ascending.

• When driving downhill, reduce your speed before the hill starts and put the car into a low gear to avoid using the brakes as much as possible. Leave as much room as you can between yourself and the car in front.

• When using your brakes, apply them gently.

• If you get stuck in the snow, straighten the steering wheel and clear all snow from the wheels. Put the old carpet or cardboard from your winter emergency kit in front of the driving wheels to help give the tyres some traction.

Stay safe and happy motoring!

The safest thing to do is not to travel, however, if the journey is absolutely necessary, you should ensure you are fully prepared in case any problems occur.

MOT’s WHILE YOU WAIT TYRES

EXHAUSTS BRAKES SERVICING CLUTCHES MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL WELDING

ALL MAKES OF VEHICLES & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tel: 01303 264283 Dymchurch Road, Hythe CT21 4ND www.palmarshgarage.co.uk

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36 | www.hythelife.org.uk

SMILES ON EVERY VISIT From a perky espresso in the morning to a cheeky cocktail in the afternoon.

Or from a lovely lunch to a delicious dinner, you will always find the warmest, smiliest welcome at Saltwood On The Green.

SALTWOOD ON THE GREEN

BREAKFAST | BRUNCH | LUNCH | COCKTAILS | DINNER | FUN & LAUGHTER THE GREEN, SALTWOOD, HYTHE CT21 4PS | BOOK ONLINE AT SALTWOODRESTAURANT.CO.UK OR CALL 01303 237 800

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We clean your oven…

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01303 488237

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We pride ourselves in high quality food and service; our ingredients are locally sourced, yet infused with that special Italian style.

TERRACOTTA Rest. ITALIANO 22 High Street Hythe, Kent CT21 5AT Email: info@cardinirestaurant.com

Tel: 01303 264888 www.cardinirestaurant.com

www.hythelife.org.uk | 39

Hythe Kids

Jokes What's brown and creeps around the house?

A Mince Spy!

Find the identical socks Where does Father Christmas go to recover after Christmas?

An elf farm!

Which athlete is warmest in winter?

A long jumper!

What do you get when you eat Christmas decorations?

Tinsilitis!

Find local kids clubs and activities – visit our website: www.hythelife.org.uk

What do angry mice send each other at Christmas time?

Cross mouse cards!

What's furry and minty?

A polo bear!

How many Santas can you count?

40 | www.hythelife.org.uk

There are only two identical socks.

Can you find them?

STONE FARMS LTD

Anthhhea Barnes Schooll of Dancing

FENCING : • Approved installer for Jacksons Fencing using materials with a 25 year guarantee.

• All types of fencing and gates installed.

• Free quotations.

LOGS: • Seasoned and dry hardwood logs cut to size and delivered.

• Loose loads/ bulk bags/ net bags.

Matthew Whitehead Stone Farms LTD Saltwood • Hythe CT21 4EL stone.farm@tiscali.co.uk

P: 01303 264833 M: 07976 290538

Principal Anthea G.Barnes FISTD., T CB B., CDET., T Laura Newman IDI.N NAT, CDE TAP, LIC. RO OD.

Ballet (Cecchetti), Tap, Jazz, Classes From 3 yearrs to Adults For details please conntact Mrs Barnes at: 18 Old Saltw wood Lane Saltwood, Hythe, Kent CT21 4AL Phone: 013303 237337

The Venture Works, Pennypot Industrial Estate, Pennypot, Hythe, Kent CT21 6PE

Tel: 01303 263734 Free places for eligible children from 2 – 4 years of age, up to 15 hours free per week. Spaces available for ages 0 – 5. Open 50 weeks of the year from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Multiple child discounts available

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Please contact us for more information: 01303 263734 Ofsted registration number: EY 379943

www.hythelife.org.uk | 41

42 | www.hythelife.org.uk

Here at Hythe Vet Centre we want to deliver the very best in professional veterinary care whilst maintaining a loving, caring and family ethos. After a long search for the right place for our passion, we believe that we have found it, here in Hythe.

Call:

01303 260003 www.hythevetcentre.co.uk At Hythe Vet Centre we have invested in various new facilities and equipment that will allow us to provide excellent diagnostic and treatment options for your animals, with 24 hour emergency care on site.

These include: • Dedicated parking.

• Purpose built surgical theatre, imaging suite and kennels.

• Spacious waiting area and large consulting rooms.

• X-ray machine with digital processor allowing faster developing times.

• An ultrasound scanner similar to those used in human hospitals.

• Heated theatre table – to keep your loved ones cosy warm!

• Air driven dental machine, not unlike what you would find at your own dentist!

• The latest veterinary practice computer system – this will increase the efficiency of the mundane administration side of things.

• An oxygen concentrator - this will provide the oxygen that we will use during anaesthetics.

Its biggest bonus is that it means that we will not need regular oxygen bottle deliveries, reducing our environmental impact.

Combining 25 years of experience in small animal veterinary practice, Colin, Helen and their team aim to provide a first class service to both you and your beloved pets.

We have been awarded Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons General Practice recognition. This is a sought after accreditation that gives you peace of mind that our practice adheres to strict professional standards.

Hythe Vet Centre Osborne House, Portland Road, Hythe CT21 6EG

E: hello@hythevetcentre.co.uk

Events Page WHAT’S ON IN:

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 1st - Hythe Community Cinema screening of “Bombon El perro”, 7:30pm @ The Tin Tabernacle, Portland Road, Hythe, CT21 6FL. Free membership available on the door. Tickets £5 or £3 for Hythe Cinema Card holders. For further details see www.hythecommunitycinema.co.uk 1st – Royal Marines Band Xmas Charity Concert, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 3rd – Bingo @ Age UK Hythe, Sandford House, Stade Street – 7pm start.

3rd – Chris Ramsey: All Growed Up, stand up comedy @ 8pm, The Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Folkestone. For tickets see www.quarterhouse.co.uk 4th-13th – hART Christmas exhibition @ The Tin Tabernacle, Portland Road, Hythe, CT21 6FL. hARTists will be showing cutting edge affordable art – paintings, drawings, handmade and digital prints and illustrations, photographs, ceramics and cards. Free entry, wheelchair access. Opens 2pm on 4th with hot punch and mince pies from 5pm until 9pm. Then 10am5pm daily. See www.hARTists.co.uk for further details.

4th – Hythe Late Shopping, Hythe High Street.

Start time 6pm. Reindeers, dancers, music, best dressed window competition and much more.

4th – “Lone Star Comedy Club” Comedy Night @ The Saltwood Club, School Road, Saltwood.

Doors open 7pm show starts 8pm. Tickets £12 in advance or £15 on the door. Adults only.

Non-members welcome. See www.saltwoodclub.wix.com/saltwood-club for further details or call 01303 266487.

4th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Matt Waites Sextet. 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

4th – Frank v Buble. Start Christmas with a Swing! 7pm @ Saltwood Village Hall. Tickets £10 in advance, £15 on the door. Amerincan supper – bring your own food. To reserve a ticket call 07792 677953 5th-6th – Santa Specials, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. See www.rhdr.org.uk for further details and booking (tickets must be purchased in advance).

5th – Transition Hythe Litter pick. Meet by the car at the end of Twiss Road from 10am for a couple of hours picking. Bags and sticks are

44 | www.hythelife.org.uk

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

provided but please bring gloves. For further details see www.transition-hythe.com 5th – Saltwood School Christmas Bazaar, School Road, Saltwood, 2pm-4pm. Santa’s Grotto, Toy Stall, Face Painting , Mulled Wine, Raffle, Home Produce, Cakes and Crafts and much, much more!

5th – The Big Chris Barber Band 2015, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/

12th – Cabaret Tribute to Celebrate Sinatra’s 100th Birthday, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 12th – 24th – Dick Whittington @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone.

See www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk 14th – The Kooks, 7:00pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/

6th – Ellen Kent’s Carmen, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/

15th – Christmas Memories, 2:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leascliff-hall/

7th – Carols with the Animals @ Brockhill Park Performing Arts College Farm, Sandling Road, Saltwood, 7pm. Join the animals around the Christmas tree down on the farm. Sing to the beautiful sound of Hythe Town Band, Complimentary Refreshments, Christmas Cake Competition, Christmas Decorations made by Great Outdoors Students for sale and a special evening Farm Shop opening.

17th – Christmas Bingo, 7:30pm @ The Saltwood Club, School Road, Saltwood. Enjoy a traditional game of bingo to start the Christmas celebrations. Mince pies and mulled wine available. Cash prizes to be won and plenty of raffle prizes. Children and non-members welcome. See www.saltwoodclub.wix.com/saltwood-club for further details or call 01303 266487.

8th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Colrose 7.

Christmas event with bumper raffle with mega prizes. &pm start with concert at 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

19th – Calico Cat Craft Fair, 10:30am-3:30pm @ St Michaels Hall, Rampart Road, Hythe.

Admission free. For further details email calicocatcraft@sky.com or call 01303 267162

8th – Hythe Civic Society , Open Evening, 7pm @ Hythe Bay School, Cinque Ports Avenue.

Coffee and mince pies. Bring potential new members. No charge. For full details see www.hythecivicsociety.org 10th – Glitz Blitz 70’s Hitz, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leascliff-hall/ 11th – Beyond the Barricade, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leascliff-hall/ 11th-13th – Santa Specials, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. See www.rhdr.org.uk for further details and booking (tickets must be purchased in advance).

12th – Hythe Farmers Market, Methodist Church Hall, Hythe. 10am-12pm.

12th – Race Night, 7:30pm @ The Saltwood Club, School Road, Saltwood. Horse, pig and dog races! Cash prizes to be won and plenty of raffle prizes. See www.saltwoodclub.wix.com/saltwood-club for further details or call 01303 266487.

19th-24th – Santa Specials, Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. See www.rhdr.org.uk for further details and booking (tickets must be purchased in advance).

19th -24th – Santa’s Little Trolls @ The Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Folkestone. For times and tickets see www.quarterhouse.co.uk 19th – So this is Christmas, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leascliff-hall/ 19th – Carols for all @ St Leonards Church @ 7:30pm. Retiring collection.

20th – Children’s Christmas Party, 2pm-4pm @ The Saltwood Club, School Road, Saltwood.

Traditional children’s party. Buffet, plenty of games including musical statues, pass the parcel, musical bumps, disco and much more.

See www.saltwoodclub.wix.com/saltwood-club for further details or call 01303 266487.

20th – Christmas Carol Concert, 6pm @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone. Admission by free ticket. See www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk

Continued on page 46…

Events Page WHAT’S ON IN:

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

21st -23rd – Visit Father Christmas @ The Hythe Imperial Hotel. 10am-4pm each day. A gift for every child. To book go to www.hytheimperial.co.uk/events-calendar/

23rd – The Glenn Miller Story – The True Story, 2:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/

22nd-9th Jan – Aladdin @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/

26th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Marc Parnell Trio and Steve Waterman. 8:30pm Tickets £10.

For further details call 01303 277175.

26th – The Saltwood Boxing Day Charity Fun Run, The Green, Saltwood. Starts at Midday. A challenging off road course on the footpaths, fields and trails in and around Saltwood.

Suitable for both experienced runners and beginners alike. See www.nice-work.org.uk for further details

JANUARY 5th – Hythe Community Cinema screening of “The Lunchbox”, 7:30pm @ The Tin Tabernacle, Portland Road, Hythe, CT21 6FL. Free membership available on the door. Tickets £5 or £3 for Hythe Cinema Card holders. For further details see www.hythecommunitycinema.co.uk 7th – Bingo @ Age UK Hythe, Sandford House, Stade Street, Hythe -7pm start.

7th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – Paul Lacey’s “Basie Express”. 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

9th – Transition Hythe Litter pick. Meet by the car park at the sea end of Twiss Road from 10am for a couple of hours picking. Bags and sticks provided, please bring gloves. For further details see www.transition-hythe.com 9th – Hythe Farmers Market, Methodist Church Hall, Hythe. 10am-12pm 12th – Hythe Civic Society Talk, Anne Petrie, “In Loving Memory.” Some stories from St Leonard’s churchyard. 7:30pm @ Hythe Bay School, Cinque Ports Avenue. Members £1, Non-members £1.50. See www.hythecivicsociety.org for further details 14th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Scott Hamilton Quartet. 8:30pm Tickets £10. For further details call 01303 277175.

21st – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – Derek Nash with his 8 piece Sax Appeal. 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

23rd – Hythe Farmers Market, Methodist Church Hall, Hythe. 10am-12pm.

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26th – Hythe Civic Society Talk, Lt. Col. Dick Bolton, “Sir Edwin Lutyens.” The Architect with a twinkle in his eye. 7:30pm @ Hythe Bay School, Cinque Ports Avenue. Members £1, Non-members £1.50. See www.hythecivicsociety.org for further details.

FEBRUARY 1st – The Classic Rock Show 2016, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 2nd – Hythe Community Cinema screening of “Hope and Glory”, 7:30pm @ The Tin Tabernacle, Portland Road, Hythe, CT21 6FL. Free membership available on the door. Tickets £5 or £3 for Hythe Cinema Card holders. For further details see www.hythecommunitycinema.co.uk 4th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – Digby Fairweather Half Dozen (a 7 piece!). 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

4th – Bingo @ Age UK Hythe, Sandford House, Stade Street, Hythe -7pm start.

5th – Jay Rayner – My Dining Hell, 7:30pm @ The Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Folkestone.

Talk followed by a book signing. For tickets see www.quarterhouse.co.uk 6th – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 2016, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 9th – Hythe Civic Society Talk, Georgia Reed, “Lighthouse Ahoy!” 7:30pm @ Hythe Bay School, Cinque Ports Avenue. 45 minutes to be followed by Society forum. Members £1, Nonmembers £1.50. See www.hythecivicsociety.org for further details

11th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – Pete Cates “Ministry of Jazz”. 8:30pm Tickets £12. For further details call 01303 277175.

12th – Saltwood Village Society meeting, 7:30pm @ Saltwood School, Grange Road, Saltwood. A talk on Samphire Hoe by Bryn Green. Members £2, guests £4. Free tea and coffee, all welcome.

13th – Hythe Farmers Market, Methodist Church Hall, Hythe. 10am-12pm 16th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Modern Jazz Quartet Celebration. 8:30pm Tickets £10. For further details call 01303 277175.

16th – Joe Brown in Concert, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leascliff-hall/ 19th – Stewart Francis – Pun Gent. Stand up Comedy 8:00pm @ The Quarterhouse, Tontine Street, Folkestone. For tickets see www.quarterhouse.co.uk 19th – The Simon and Garfunkel story, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 20th – Waterloo – The Best of ABBA Tribute Show, 7:30pm @ The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. For full details and tickets see www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall/ 23rd – Hythe Civic Society Talk, Sue Scrivens, “Saltwood Summer.” 7:30pm @ Hythe Bay School, Cinque Ports Avenue. Members £1, Non-members £1.50. See www.hythecivicsociety.org for further details.

25th – Folkestone Jazz Club present the Best of British Jazz @ The Tower Theatre, North Road, Shorncliffe, Folkestone – The Anita Wardell Quartet. 8:30pm Tickets £10. For further details call 01303 277175.

27th – Hythe Farmers Market, Methodist Church Hall, Hythe. 10am-12pm

LISTING For new and updated events please see the Hythe life online events calendar by visiting www.hythelife.org.uk To have your event listed on the Hythe Life website, Facebook page and/or in the next edition of the Magazine, please email editor@hythelife.org.uk

www.hythelife.org.uk | 47

th

December 25 ?

Just another working day...

For most of us, Christmas represents a well-earned break from the daily grind: the main event, a festive feast with loved ones, punctuated, perhaps, by a bracing winter walk or heated parlour game, before an evening hunkered down in front of the big Christmas specials on television.

For some, however, 25th December is just another working day. Doctors, nurses, police and fire officers, paramedics, midwives and carers (not forgetting all the support staff who keep frontline services such as these running) will be getting up as usual, putting on their uniforms and heading out to work.

HYTHE LIFE TALKED TO THREE LOCALS ON SHIFT AT CHRISTMAS

Sinead Dibble

Dave White

Mel Cridland

Senior carers at Cedar House Residential Care Home in Seabrook

Watch manager at Hythe fire station

Aspire home carer

“Christmas for us starts with the Santa Run on Christmas Eve around 4pm, just as it starts to get dark. One of the firefighters dresses up as Santa and we deliver around 60 presents to local children (and a few adults!) from the truck. The rest of the crew have collection boxes and the money goes to the firefighters' charity. When the truck pulls up and the kids see Santa Claus getting out, that's priceless. It's the best thing about working at Christmas; that, and knowing we're there for the community. Last year, I was on shift 7am-4pm on Christmas Day. We operate an alert system, so we have to stay within five minutes of the station. I had put the dinner on and the family were round, and then we got our first call, which took me out for an hour. I got home and was dishing up when we got another shout for an oven fire – a lot of Christmas incidents are oven fires - which took about an hour and a half, as we always have to make sure the scene is safe. My family just carried on and kept some food in the oven for me!”

“I start my round of house calls at 8am, getting people bathed and dressed. Sometimes, you might be the only person a client sees on Christmas Day, so you do try to jolly them up a bit if you can, and to allow a bit more time with them. About twenty years ago, I had seven calls on Christmas Day, and when I went round them, I realised they were all on their own, so I got them all in my car and took them back to my house for the day. They all gelled and we had a wonderful day, although I did get into a bit of trouble afterwards, and I haven't done it since. I don't regret it though! I always buy my clients a little present; one lady loves hankies, so I get her one to put in her handbag. I fit my own celebrations in as and when. I have five grown-up children of my own, so I try to visit them in-between calls.

It was harder when they were younger, but it's easier now they have their own families. I've been doing this job for over 25 years and get a huge amount of satisfaction knowing I've made a difference to someone's day.”

“Usually I work the 8am-2pm shift on Christmas Day. I open my presents quickly in the morning with my partner, then I go to work. But Christmas is still fun-filled: all the residents are encouraged to come down, open their presents and have lunch together. We do a nice display of the dining table and the meal is the full works: Christmas dinner, wine and crackers. Then we put a film on in the afternoon. It's the same kind of thing as you'd do at home, really. The difference for us is that we don't do any paperwork on Christmas Day: we sit and chat to the residents. When my shift has finished, I go home and have my own dinner. You don't get to spend the whole day with your family but you have to expect it with this job: it is a 24/7 job, every day of the year. There's so much more to it than basic, personal care: you're in the residents' home, you're their family, and it's important to make them happy and comfortable. Celebrating Christmas Day is a real part of that.”

So when the rest of us are sitting down to turkey and all the trimmings on 25th December, let's raise a glass to those who put their own festivities on hold in order to give all the members of our community a safe and special Christmas.

48 | www.hythelife.org.uk

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A Helping Hand for the Elderly in Hythe this Winter make a big difference. If this sounds like something you might want to do but you do not know offhand of anyone who would benefit from your culinary skills, a nationwide community project called Casserole Club (www.casseroleclub.com) puts 'casserole cooks' in touch with an older person in their neighbourhood who would benefit from a home-cooked, hot meal and a friendly chat.

Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk/hytheandlyminge) also has a very active Hythe & Lyminge branch offering a wide variety of services, information and advice for elderly residents, both in their two centres and in the comfort of older people's homes. These include gardening, hairdressing, social opportunities (such as quizzes and singing) and shopping. Alerting an elderly neighbour to local services, such as these, may enable them to find welcome respite from the long winter months in a new activity or friendship. and who knows? If we all do our bit, we might even save a life.

Here are some further tips from NHS England to keep those around us warm and well in extremely cold weather: A nip in the air and frost on the ground, shorter days and longer nights: for most of us, the arrival of the winter months provides no more than a minor inconvenience. A woolly hat and scarf, warm coat, sturdy boots and a good pair of gloves are all we need to face the elements.

For the elderly and vulnerable in our community, however, colder conditions and higher heating bills – combined, more often than not, with less efficient circulation, a depleted immune system, a lower income and

the worst of the ravages of winter.

One of the most effective ways to make a difference is surprisingly simple: try to be mindful of the general habits of those friends, relatives and neighbours who are vulnerable to cold weather and check up on them if you notice a change. If you haven't seen a neighbour for a day or two or notice that their curtains remain drawn or their lighting off, for instance, it is always sensible to knock on the door to check that nothing is amiss.

a survey in 2014 by Age UK showed that an older person died every seven minutes in the winter of 2013/14 from the cold. smaller social circle – can have very serious consequences. A fear (real or imagined) of icy pavements and roads can also mean that vulnerable residents become trapped within the four walls of their homes, and the lack of engagement with the outside world can make them feel isolated, alone and depressed. But it is the winter temperature itself which represents the most severe danger: a survey in 2014 by Age UK showed that an older person died every seven minutes in the winter of 2013/14 from the cold. Whilst this is a shocking statistic, all is not lost: we can all do our bit to keep an eye on more vulnerable members of our community, and with a concerted effort from Hythe residents, to ensure that they are protected from

50 | www.hythelife.org.uk

Pets are often a lifeline for those who live alone, but it can cause real anxiety if their owners feel unable to exercise them or buy their food in poor weather conditions. When snow and ice descend, an offer to walk a dog – either with its owner or in their stead – or do a supplies' run (either in person or online) is another practical way to help.

Public Health England also recommends that those most likely to suffer from the cold should have at least one hot meal a day: for those who find it more difficult to cook for themselves due to mobility or other issues, stirring up a batch of soup to pop in the freezer, or cooking an extra portion of your evening meal, are small actions that could

• Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day, if possible. Eating regularly helps to keep energy levels up, and hot food and drinks will keep you warm.

• Stock up on tinned and frozen foods, in case you cannot get out in icy or snowy conditions.

• Wear several layers of light clothing: this helps to retain body heat more effectively than one, chunky layer.

• Wear a hat and scarf indoors as well as outside: a lot of heat is lost from the head.

• Keep as active as possible: move around the house at least once an hour if you cannot get out to keep circulation moving and joints from seizing up.

• Wear shoes with a good grip when going out.

• The elderly and vulnerable should have their home heated to 18C (65F), and it is a good idea to keep their bedroom at this temperature overnight. If you can't heat all rooms, prioritise the heating of the living room and bedroom.

• Remember to close curtains and keep doors and windows shut to avoid draughts in rooms you heat the most.

• Draught-proofing gaps around windows and doors can also make a real difference to room temperatures.

• Remember to get your heating system and appliances checked regularly, and keep your home well ventilated.

Your first choice care home At Pelham House in Folkestone we work hard to make a care home a home.

We provide personal care and accommodation for people who need day care, respite, short stay, rehabilitation and long stay. Pelham House aims to provide residents with a secure, relaxed, and homely environment in which their wellbeing, independence and comfort are of prime importance

5/6 Pelham Gardens, Folkestone, CT20 2LF

Email: info@pelhamhousecarehome.co.uk | Tel: 01303 252145

SALTWOOD CHORAL SOCIETY

Life’s be er at home with Aspire Home Carers We are a small, privately run service providing personalised, professional care in the comfort of your own home. We never compromise on giving excellent care, putting our clients first.

Contact us to find out how we can help you.

Hythe Office: 01303 258348 info@aspirehomecarers.co.uk www.aspirehomecarers.co.uk

ST. CECILIA MASS Composer: Charles Gounod

Christmas Carols WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16TH 2015 SALTWOOD PARISH CHURCH 7:30pm Tickets £8.00 from Hythe Music Shop.

Also sold at the door or from choir members.

www.hythelife.org.uk | 51

Focus on Rotary

by John Chapman

Last Night of the Proms evening

Worldwide, there are 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,000 clubs doing good work; this network of clubs makes up Rotary International.

WHAT IS ROTARY? Rotary International is an international service organisation whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. It is a secular organisation open to all people regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender or political leaning. Members, known as “rotarians”, usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, which is a social event as well as an opportunity to organise projects. Rotary’s primary motto is “Service Above Self”.

The 4-Way Test considers the following questions in respect to thinking, saying or doing: • Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

NATIONAL Across Great Britain and Ireland, clubs often come together to support collectively our national initiatives such as Know Your Blood Pressure Day and Community Emergency Support, which provides assistance to

Clubs support a range of national charities and often collectively support other national initiatives such as Children in Need and the MacMillan nurses charity.

As a club member you help to elect your own leaders each year, and your president works with the presidentelect, officers, board members and committee chairs to manage the club and to implement the president’s plans and ideas.

PHILOSOPHY The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.

This objective is set against the "Rotary 4way Test", used to see if a planned action is compatible with the Rotary spirit. The test was developed by Rotarian and entrepreneur Herbert J. Taylor during the Great Depression as a set of guidelines for restoring faltering businesses and was adopted as the standard of ethics by Rotary in 1942. It is still seen as a standard for ethics in business management.

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communities following major emergencies or disasters. Clubs support a range of national charities and often collectively support other national initiatives such as Children in Need and the MacMillan nurses’ charity. We also pull together to help communities elsewhere in Great Britain and Ireland who find themselves in need.

INTERNATIONAL Our members carry out a wealth of international programmes and activities all over the world, reaching out to people in need. In many countries, millions die of starvation and from diseases that could be quite easily prevented by the provision of clean water, proper sanitation or medicines. Rotary members in Great Britain and Ireland use their skills and links to clubs in other countries to alleviate some of the causes of poverty. Other projects include eradication of

hunger and malnutrition; reduction of child mortality; disease prevention and education for all. When natural disasters strike anywhere in the world, Rotarians are frequently the first people to take action, organising collections and raising money for the various charities that are best equipped to provide relief for those in need.

The international Rotary movement has a long and proud record of achievement. Recently, it was announced that the disease of Polio has been virtually eradicated worldwide; this fantastic achievement was funded by Rotary in a joint venture with Bill Gates of Microsoft. Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland have so far donated over £20 million (€24 million) to the End Polio Now campaign and efforts to eliminate the disease worldwide continue in order to take steps to ensure that it will never return.

HYTHE ROTARY CLUB At a more local level, the Rotary Club of Hythe was founded in 1949 and continues to thrive with around 50 members at the present time.

In common with all Rotary Clubs, the emphasis is on service to the community; members are active or retired business people who can use their skills, experience and expertise to help others. We have a full programme of activities designed to raise funds for local and other charities and wherever possible, to have fun at the same time. In addition to fundraising, members give their time to provide a variety of services for the community and to organise events.

The club meets every week – on the first and third Tuesday of each month in Etchinghill Golf Club at 7.30 pm for dinner and on the second and fourth Tuesday in the Stade Court Hotel at 1 pm for lunch. If there is a fifth Tuesday in the month, a special event is organised.

A brief summary of some of our activities: • Christmas collection – in the High Street during the run up to Christmas, we collect in excess of £2,000 for local causes. The club also helps with other charitable collections during the year.

• Late night shopping – we help with the organisation of the annual Christmas late night shopping event and provide stewards to help with traffic and crowd control.

• Boot fairs – the club holds its annual boot fair on Hythe Green and also provides assistance for other organisations’ fairs.

• ‘Round the Houses’ – the club organises this very popular and successful annual event which is held on the South Road sports’ field

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in May. More than 500 youngsters and adults take part in a programme of running races and around £2,000 is raised for charity. This year saw our 25th such event being held.

‘Youth Speaks’ – thousands of youngsters take part every year in this national youth competition which encourages the development of speaking and presentation skills. Together with other local clubs, we organise the regional heat which is held in January.

Barn dance – we hold a barn dance in July which is open to members of the public and is always great fun.

‘Rotary Challenge’ – an annual event, held in the summer, where teams from local clubs, societies and organisations compete in a wide range of sports including clay pigeon shooting.

Barbecue – an annual summer event with a tasty meal and games.

Minibus driving – members of the club act as volunteer drivers to convey children from local schools to and from various events.

Annual golf tournament – this sponsored event is held at Etchinghill Golf club in the late summer.

Giving this Christmas The Salvation Army on Portland Road, Hythe hosts a Christmas meal for anyone who would appreciate celebrating Christmas Day in the company of others.

The days festivities start at 11am and include a full four course Christmas lunch and entertainment.

Transport is available on a limited basis for those who would otherwise struggle to get there. The day, which is run by local volunteers, is hugely popular in the local area and is open to absolutely anyone at all! To book a space contact Callum or Berri at Hythe Salvation Army on 01303 268 792 or hythe@salvationarmy.org.uk Hythe Life Magazine are pleased to be able make a donation towards this day.

In addition to these local activities, we run a project in Nepal that has provided IT equipment for schools and we have a major, ongoing venture in Uganda where we have provided a range of facilities for children. This involves both fund-raising and the active involvement, in Uganda, of club members.

Many other Hythe residents will also be working to help others over the Festive period. We meet up with one such resident, Peggy Vallintine-Carr

Bonhomie and Father Christmas provided by Hythe Rotary along with marshals for traffic and crowd control

CONTACT We shall publicise events in ‘Hythe Life’ and if you are interested in getting involved please contact the Membership Secretary, John Chapman on 01303 269526; by email at john.chapman@the-sidings.fsnet.co.uk or visit our websitewww.rotaryribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID+722 (or type “Hythe Rotary Club” into your search engine).

“One of the nicest things I’ll be doing over Christmas, along with other volunteers, is serving a huge Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings, to 30 to 40 homeless people. This has been a regular event since 1998, organised by the Rainbow Centre, and Foodstop, who help homeless people, and those in great need, every day of the year. The hall is always decorated, warm and welcoming. There are crackers, hats and beautifully laid tables. There’s turkey, plum pudding, mince pies Christmas cake and chocolates, and lots of cups of tea.

It’s a great atmosphere, and everyone eats their fill – and then some more, like we all do. It's also a very poignant time, as when they leave us they may well be going back out on to the streets.”

RAINBOW CENTRE 01303 850733 "Christmas is a time for getting together and having fun, but for some it will be a time of sadness and loss, and in my capacity as lead of a peer support group for those who have been bereaved by suicide, I will have my phone with me, to answer any calls from those who have lost someone who has taken their own life" SURVIVORS OF BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE 07913 999 560

www.hythelife.org.uk | 53

Hythe Life Puzzles Hythe Crossword 1

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Catchphrase

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Hydrogen Helium Lithium Beryllium Boron

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DOWN 1 Sparkling or shining brightly 2 System of ideas and ideals 3 Feeling sick 4 Body Ink 5 Flourishing or spreading unchecked 6 Deep blue 7 Not praiseworthy 8 A diplomat's official residence 16 A kiln for drying hops 17 Secretly listen to a conversation 20 A connection based on kinship, marriage or common interest 21 A line drawn on a weather map that connects points at which the barometric pressure is the same.

25 A simple calculator using sliding beads 26 An Asian river between China and Russia 27 The head of a branch of an organized crime syndicate 29 Awarded annually to an outstanding television programme or performer 30 Vegetable related to onions with white cylindrical bulb and flat green leaves

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ACROSS 1 Renamed Ho Chi Minh City 4 A greenish-blue colour 9 Frozen water 10 Entice 11 A substance to reduce friction 12 A shag rug made in Sweden 13 A southern Texas city on the Rio Grande 14 The fabled king of Phrygia who had the power of turning to gold all that he touched.

15 Child's plastic construction set 17 The highest volcano in Europe 18 Sweet potato 19 Red-coloured gemstone 22 An action or strategy planned to achieve a goal 23 The first biblical garden 24 A British peer ranking below a Marquess and above a Viscount 28 Make a mess of, destroy or ruin 30 A domesticated pack animal of the camel family 31 Third letter of the Greek alphabet 32 Coastal city in northwest Portugal famous for its fortified wine.

33 Large Australian bird 34 Goods carried by a large vehicle 35 An uninvited or presumptuous inquiry

Brain Teaser The following words are unusual; can you guess why? Assess, potato revive, banana, grammar, voodoo, dresser, uneven 54 | www.hythelife.org.uk

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Puzzle solutions can be found on our website, www.hythelife.org.uk, or on our facebook page,www.facebook.com/hythelifemagazine.

Sudoku Challenge EASY

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HARD

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Winter Wordsearch

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SCARF ARCTIC MELTING PRESENTS FAMILY HAT BITING SNIFFLE TOBOGGAN www.hythelife.org.uk | 55

Hythe Sports Welcome to the winter edition of Hythe Life Sports. It’s been a busy few months in the world of Hythe sport, especially in the case of our local football team. In this edition we have our usual update on what is proving to be a very eventful season for the Cannons – and there is certainly a lot to talk about with managers and players coming and going at a terrific rate! Following what turned out to be a disappointing Rugby World Cup for the home nations, we also have an article on how the rugby stars of the future could be found right here in our home town. We have the final (slightly unseasonal) cricket update of the year and also details of how you can run off your Christmas dinner this Boxing Day.

It has been an eventful few months for the Cannons. After only getting four points from their first ten league games, the Hythe Town board felt they had to act and parted ways with Manager Tim Dixon, Assistant Manager Darren Beale and first team coach Kevin Beale. The poor start was also compounded by the loss of Shaun Welford, who was snapped up by local rivals Ashford. Football is very much a results business and Dixon himself was the first to admit that the Cannon’s start to the season was simply not good enough.

Hythe again found themselves having to undertake an extensive rebuilding exercise, very much like the one Dixon undertook at the start of last season. The first part of this process was the unusual step of appointing joint managers, Clive Cook and Tony Beckingham. The dynamic duo immediately started overhauling the squad and a raft of departures was followed by a bumper crop of new signings and returning favourites. At last count, 10 players departed the club and 18 were brought in. In terms of returning favourites, Cook’s son Dave is

joined by Craig Thompson, Tasar Hassan, Michael Yianni, Nick Reeves, Jamie Collado, Louis Sprosen and Craig Cloke. Of the new signings, the pick so far have been the talented strike pairing of Alfie May and Frankie Sawyer and the safe hands of goalkeeper Joe Mant. With May and Sawyer regularly finding the net and Mant protecting his at the other end, things are very much on the up for the Cannons.

Despite the successful start to the new era, Tony Beckingham has now resigned from his position as joint manager, leaving Clive Cook in sole charge. Cook, who for many years was Assistant Manager at Hythe, moved fast to put his team in place, appointing Will Graham as First Team Coach (following the departure of Darren Anslow) with Mark Lane remaining as Assistant Manager, following his step up earlier in the season. This further departure has seemingly not had any effect on the new squad, with Hythe (at the time of writing) being the Ryman South League’s form team, with four wins in their past five games. With a succession of clean sheets and a bounty of goals the Cannons are really firing. They have taken 19 out of a possible 24 points since Tim Dixon was sacked so it has proved to be a remarkable turnaround.

Hythe FC Results August, September, October 2015 08/08/15 Ryman South

South Park

A

Lost 0-1

22/09/15 Ryman South

11/08/15 Ryman South

Herne Bay

H

Lost 0-2

26/09/15

15/08/15 Ryman South

Corinthian-Casuals

H

Drew 1-1

18/08/15 League Cup

Hastings United

A

Lost 2-3

22/08/15 Ryman South

Hastings United

A

Lost 1-3

25/08/15 Ryman South

Guernsey

H

Drew 1-1

Chessington & Hook Utd

H

Lost 0-2

31/08/15 Ryman South

Folkestone Invicta

A

Lost 0-3

05/09/15 Ryman South

Whyteleafe

H

Drew 0-0

09/09/15 Ryman South

Guernsey

A

15/09/15 Ryman South

Molesey

19/09/15 Ryman South

Walton Casuals

29/08/15

FA Cup

H

Won 2-1

Greenwich Borough

H

Lost 1-2

29/09/15 Ryman South Tooting & Mitcham United A

Won 1-0

03/10/15

Friendly

Aylesbury

A

Lost 0-3

Charlton Athletic

H

Lost 0-1

H

Lost 0-1

13/10/15 Ryman South Tooting & Mitcham United H

Won 2-1

17/10/15 Ryman South

East Grinstead Town

A

Drew 2-2

Lost 1-3

20/10/15 Ryman South

Whitstable Town

A

Won 3-0

H

Drew 0-0

24/10/15 Ryman South

Carshalton Athletic

H

Won 3-0

A

Lost 1-2

27/10/15 Ryman South

Herne Bay

A

Won 2-0

A real test will come on 27th December when the Cannons face their fiercest local rivals, Folkestone Invicta. How Hythe do in this fixture will be a strong indicator of how well they will do for the rest of the season, and will be a good measure of the progress made since the dramatic first few months of the season. With early exits from the majority of the cup competitions, the Cannons can concentrate on continuing their

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Whitstable Town

FA Trophy

06/10/15 Kent Senior Cup

10/10/15 Ryman South Peacehaven & Telscombe

march up the table towards the play-off spots. These are truly exciting times for the Cannons and, with your support, they can turn around a disastrous start to the season and push on towards the play-offs and that dream of promotion.

Continued on page 58...

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Hythe Sports Hythe FC Fixtures November, December, January, February 21/11/15 Ryman South

Chatham Town

A

3pm

09/01/16 Ryman South

Walton Casuals

H

3pm

28/11/15 Ryman South

Sittingbourne

H

3pm

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3pm

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H

3pm

23/01/16 Ryman South

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H

3pm

08/12/15 Ryman South

South Park

H

7.45pm

30/01/16 Ryman South Peacehaven & Telscombe

A

3pm

12/12/15 Ryman South

Chipstead

A

3pm

15/12/15 Ryman South

Worthing

A

7.45pm

06/02/16 Ryman South

Worthing

H

3pm

19/12/15 Ryman South

Three Bridges

A

3pm

13/02/16 Ryman South

Carshalton Athletic

A

3pm

27/12/15 Ryman South

Folkestone Invicta

H

3pm

20/02/16 Ryman South

East Grinstead Town

H

3pm

02/01/16 Ryman South

Ramsgate

A

3pm

27/02/16 Ryman South

Walton & Hersham

A

3pm

Final Cricket Update of the 2015 Season At the time of going to press for our autumn edition, our local teams were in the final throes of their league campaigns. So how did they get on?

Saltwood CC finished as champions in Division 1B East of the Kent Regional League with a clear 17 points over closest rivals East Langdon. The Wood will therefore be in Division 1A East next season which, will prove challenging but something they will relish. The Sunday side finished a respectable mid-table in Division 3 of the Kent Village League.

Hythe Green CC were unable to match their landlord’s success and finished mid-table in Division 1B East of the Kent Regional League.

Hythe CC had a very solid season. The First XI finished mid-table in Kent League Division 2 in their first season back following promotion last season. The Second XI finished second in Kent League Second XI Division 4, winning promotion to Division 3. Finally, the Sunday XI finished first in Division 2 of the East Kent League, winning promotion back to Division 1.

All of our clubs are currently taking part in the Folkestone Indoor Cricket League and we wish them well for the season.

Saltwood Annual Boxing Day Charity Fun Run Now in its 41st year, the Annual Boxing Day Run sets off at midday for a muddy romp around the footpaths fields and trails in and around Saltwood. Billed as the perfect hangover cure, the run has always proved popular with seasoned runners and beginners alike, especially the celebratory pint or two in the Castle Hotel after the race! Go to www.nice-work.org.uk for details on how to enter the race or pick up an entry form from the Castle Hotel.

Continued on page 60‌

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As the church bells ring out in Saltwood and Hythe on a sunny Sunday morning, a different kind of pilgrim makes its way to pastures green. Whilst mums and dads grab bacon rolls and steaming cups of coffee, Folkestone Rugby Club’s grounds become alive with the children of rugby.

The Club’s Mini and Junior Sections welcome children from 6 – 12 years old for the Mini’s and 13 -16 for our Junior section embracing boys and girls from all abilities and walks of life. Through rugby, our children develop better concentration, self-discipline, resilience and understanding. They learn to work as part of a team and they are taught to respect coaches, referees and other team members.

Rugby helps them to build a healthy body and healthy mind, building confidence and self-esteem through problem-solving, learning to make tricky decisions and managing emotions. Lasting friendships grow here as players throw themselves in with both passion and determination.

The children of all age groups take part in festivals and tournaments throughout the season (September to April). This year, the Club is pleased to announce that its Under 10 and Under 12 teams will travel to Etaples, Folkestone’s twin town in France, for what will become an annual exchange tournament, sponsored by Folkestone Town Council and The British Legion, in honour of all those who fell during the two World Wars.

Folkestone Rugby Club is home to a thriving community that opens its doors to everyone who has an interest in playing or supporting the game. So, if you have a passion for rugby or just want to come and soak up some of the atmosphere and fun – why not come and join us for breakfast one Sunday?

60 | www.hythelife.org.uk

CONTACT Would you like to promote and write about your sports club? Please email: sports@hythelife.org.uk

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