Charing April 2016 by The Village Directory

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The

April 2016

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Welcome Hi everyone and welcome to the April Issue. Spring is here (at least it is today!) and I’m looking forward to getting out into the garden, which is a bit of a mess following the flooding we had a few months back. As I write I can hear my husband’s voice questioning exactly what I do in the garden, other than relax. He does tend to do it all, I have to admit, but I am good at jet washing the patio and I’m not averse to a bit of re-pointing where needed! Largely it’s a therapeutic exercise to bring me out into the real world for a while, rather than the digital world I spend so much of my time in . We have a new contributer this month, Rachel Heather is involved with the Ashford Farmer’s Market as well as running her own food based business. She will be writing a series of food related articles entitled Foodi Dudi. We hope you enjoy it. As of this month the magazine deadline changes to the 10th of the month and all the

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magazines will be delivered at the same time i.e. the first week of each month, so please make a note and don’t miss out. Until next time, have a great time!

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Go On, Grow Your Own! by Pippa Greenwood

Enjoying a delicious meal which includes some home grown ingredients is a wonderful feeling – it fills you full of just the right sort of pride (and maybe even a little bit of smugness!). That meal might be a dinner party, a family supper or even a quick sandwich grabbed whilst you go about your daily work; it makes no difference, it simply feels good to indulge in a bit of Grow Your Own and then reap the rewards. If you’re a hardened vegetable grower you may well have been sowing and potting on for a while now, but if you’re a bit behind schedule or if you’ve simply not dared to venture into vegetable production to any extent before, don’t panic – there’s still time to grow just about any crop in your plot this year. If you want to raise some plants from seed yourself then most could be sown now, but there are a few that are likely to produce a much better yield if given an earlier start. I’d give seeds of crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, chilli peppers, melons and aubergines a miss now, but buy in a few plants

over the next month or so and you’ll be going great guns in no time at all. Some vegetables can be directly sown now (i.e. just sow the seed into a well-prepared area of garden soil in a suitable spot) in all but the coolest gardens – beetroot, lettuce, beans, peas, carrots, rocket, spinach to name but a few. Other slightly more tender crops such as sweetcorn, squash and courgettes would fare better if given a bit of extra heat when you are germinating the seeds. That’s where an electrically heated propagator comes into its own, and you will also find it really useful if you are trying to make up for lost time as it will speed up germination of many seeds by several days. The seedlings may then need pricking out and potting on until they are sturdy enough to live in the great outdoors. With these more tender crops, try to ‘harden off’ the young plants before you put them into their final positions: having been raised and grown on inside (either in a greenhouse or on a warm, sunny windowsill) they will be a little ‘soft’ and tender, and easily damaged by cold,

wind or rain. Hardening off isn’t difficult, just put the trays or pots of young plants outside on warm days once the weather has stabilised, and bring them back under cover at night. Do this for a week or so and then leave them outside, covering them with some fleece at night. The resulting plants will now have had the chance to acclimatise to ‘real’ conditions and will grow far better, whilst also being much less likely to suffer from weather damage. If you find seed sowing and the subsequent pricking out and potting on too much when juggling with a job or other commitments, then buying in some small plants is a great plan as it gets you past the highinput bit at the beginning and allows you to just get on with the growing on, maintaining… and eating! You will get a good range from seed merchants or garden centres, but if you like the idea a bit of at-your-elbowadvice from me to ensure great results, don’t forget that you can still order garden-ready plants, accompanied by weekly advice and tips emails specific to the vegetables you’ve chosen to

grow. There are more details at www.pippagreenwood.com/ grow-your-own and if you use the code 12419-E7SPS at the checkout, you’ll also get £4.00 discount, whichever pack size you choose. Gardenready plants can be planted out as soon as you get them and, provided you follow the instructions, keep them wellwatered during drier weather and apply feed at regular intervals, it won’t be long until you will be harvesting crops such as climbing French and runner beans, tomatoes, sweetcorn, sugar-snap peas, peppers, chillies, onions, melons, butternut squash, beetroot and courgettes. Most vegetables need a good fertile soil and a sunny or only partly shaded spot if they are

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to perform well, so choose your or with company. So go on, get growing area with care. If space growing! is short or your garden is limited Visit Pippa’s website www. to a paved back-yard, patio or pippagreenwood.com for balcony, there is no need to go ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa without the delights of Grow Greenwood’ - fantastic UK Your Own – most vegetables grown vegetable plants of will do well in good sized your choice plus weekly containers (minimum 30cm advice and tips emails from x 30cm x 30cm) with goodPippa (don’t forget your quality compost. If you can offer code 12419-E7SPS for manage even bigger pots, then a £4 discount), Nemaslug, maintenance will be easier as biological controls, pop-up they will need watering slightly crop covers, signed books less frequently. But, whether and lots more besides. you plant and sow vegetables in pots, tubs, greenhouses or open ground, the end result will be gorgeous t a s t i n g, super-fresh Over 20 years experience vegetables to All aspects of garden care undertaken be enjoyed Fully insured on your own T: 01233 665322 M: 07941 205 374

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Located in Kennington, Leigh Mower Services offer competitive rates for the repair of all leading makes of petrol garden machinery.

07514 720526 Leigh Mower Services We also offer: Servicing Sales

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Open Weekend Dates for 2016 PLUCKLEY ROAD BETHERSDEN KENT

www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk Wholesale Nursery Open to the Public

15th, 16th, 17th & 29th, 30th April We grow our vast range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets. We have a truly exquisite range to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual. You will be making your selection direct from our growing beds! You can’t buy fresher. Fantastic range and fair prices. Should you need help with your selection we also have knowledgeable staff to help answer your questions.

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Tenterden Brewery Receives Prestigious Beer Award Old Dairy Brewery in Tenterden has received a prestigious award at the Winter Beer of Britain competition organised by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The brewery’s Snow Top beer was awarded gold in the Old Ale and Strong Mild category at the awards ceremony which took place in Derby on 17th February. The competition aims to encourage more support of local brewers and encourages high standards throughout the beer and pub industry. Cllr Clair Bell, portfolio holder for public interaction and borough presentation, said: “We are delighted to see one of our local breweries receiving national recognition and a prestigious award for their locally brewed Snow Top beer. “This is an excellent achievement for Old Dairy Brewery and a wonderful example of the high quality local beverages that are produced right here in the borough.”

Visitors are welcome to visit the brewery’s shop and bar which is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm, and on Saturdays between 10am and 2pm. Tours are also available and take approximately 1.5 hours, plus there’s a chance to sample some of the ales. Old Dairy Brewery is nestled in the heart of Tenterden and looks over the picturesque Kentish countryside. The business is housed in two old World War II Nissen buildings next to the Kent & East Sussex Railway and is just a short walk from the main High Street. It is one of many local breweries and vineyards featured in the council’s Tenterden area Wine Trail which was launched by Cllr Clair Bell at the 2015 National Tourism Symposium. The trail highlights Tenterden’s award-winning vineyards and allows people to explore and learn more about this beautiful part of the borough. For more information or to book a tour around Old Dairy Brewery, visit their website at http://olddairybrewery.com/ To view and download a copy of the Tenterden Wine Trail, go to the Visit Ashford and Tenterden website at www.visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk

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Home & Interiors Planning A Master Bedroom

Your bedroom is a highly personal space, but if you are considering selling, or simply want to enhance your property’s value in the long term, you’ll also need to design it so it has general appeal, says Katherine Sorrell. Your first consideration when planning a master bedroom, large or small, should always be comfort. Zone the space according to how you use it – sleeping, dressing, exercising, checking your laptop, reading – and, if it helps, draw a scaled plan of the room so you can play around with the layout. It’s nice to have your bedhead opposite the window, for example, with

a bedside table each side; remember to allow enough space (experts recommend at least 450mm) around the bed to give you room to change the sheets. To create calm and order while minimising clutter, try to include as much storage as you can squeeze in. A whole wall of fitted wardrobes, with well thoughtout internal drawers and divisions, is a great option, and you can add free-standing pieces such as chests of drawers and blanket boxes for character and flexibility. Given enough floor space, it may also be possible to create a separate dressing area, using a tall bedhead, a bookcase or wide wardrobe as a partition. We can’t escape technology

By Katherine Sorrell

anywhere, and although watching TV is not necessarily conducive to a good night’s sleep it is still a lovely idea to include a TV in the bedroom – ideal for a languorous Sunday morning lie-in with croissants, coffee and a newspaper. If you don’t want to look at a blank screen the rest of the time, fitted furniture manufacturers can provide cupboards from which TVs pop up or slide out, while music specialists offer all sorts of sleek and good-looking speakers and sound systems. You will probably also want a place to connect and site a landline phone, a small desk on which to pop your computer, e-reader or tablet, and somewhere to plug in a charger for your mobile. Even in a bedroom, you can’t have too many plug sockets. Luxurious, wall-to-wall carpet is always a good idea for a master bedroom, and pure new wool has just the right warm, soft, snuggly-toe feel. Choose a high quality underlay for extra bounce and softness. That said, you could combine underfloor heating with engineered wooden boards and beautiful rugs for a more traditional look with plenty of character – and still enjoy warmth underfoot. The latter option, though only possible if you are undertaking major renovations, will also save the space that would have been otherwise taken up with a radiator. Well-designed lighting is an asset in any room, and the master bedroom is no different. A central pendant is fine for general, overhead light, but you

can be more creative elsewhere by adding wall-mounted reading lights beside the bed, a bright, adjustable light above your dressing table and perhaps a table lamp or two to create a gentle glow. Such layers of light will provide a pleasing ambience and give you great flexibility. Conversely, for restful darkness while you are sleeping, ensure your curtains have a good blackout lining, or else choose well-fitting shutters – which will help block out noise, too. The days of carefully matched bed linen and window treatments are long gone, yet it is still important to get this combination right. When the bed is plain, some pattern at the window is lovely, and vice versa – simply avoid two patterns that clash. Plain curtains can look absolutely beautiful if The Flooring Specialists made from a generous amount of fabric, hung from a pole with

pretty finials at the ends, and finished with an edging of ruffles or a contrast border. If privacy is a problem, it may be necessary to add sheer or lace curtains, either full-length or covering the bottom half of the window only. Considering adding an en-suite? Once a luxury, these days they are virtually a necessity, and will certainly make your home more saleable – and may even add value, too. If you have enough room for a walk-in wardrobe, there’s probably enough space to convert to an en-suite, though if you want a proper bath you’ll need to allow a little more room. Alternatively, you could knock through and steal a little space from an adjacent room. When space is tight, compact fittings can be effective, but do make sure they are practical for regular use. While any arrangement is possible in theory, the least expensive place to install an

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en-suite bathroom is close to other plumbing, particularly the soil pipe. And, because the room leads directly off the bedroom, install low-noise sanitaryware and lights on dimmers, with a high-powered extractor fan that’s controlled separately from the light. IMAGE - Soft carpet, sumptuous curtains and a deeply buttoned headboard all add up to a sense of luxury. Huntington bed, £1,175, Sweetpea & Willow, tel 0345 257 2627; www.sweetpeaandwillow.com.

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Older, But Not Always Wiser The main characters of these books may be in their twilight years, but they certainly aren’t content to sit back and spend their pensions on Werther’s Originals and bingo nights. With amateur sleuths, explosive experts and adventurers amongst them, they’ll keep you reading well past a sensible bedtime. Elizabeth is Missing – Emma Healey

82-year old Maud is determined to solve the mystery of where her best friend Elizabeth has disappeared to. While she’s at it, she’d also like to figure out what happened to her sister, who went missing more than 60 years ago. The problem is that Elizabeth has been getting a bit forgetful lately, and the clues keep getting muddled in her head. With twists and turns aplenty, you’ll be left guessing until the end. Definitely a ‘just one more chapter and then I’ll go to sleep’ kind of book. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper – Phaedra Patrick Arthur Pepper likes the quiet life, but that all changes when he discovers a charm bracelet hidden away in his late wife’s things. Arthur’s cross-country quest to discover the meaning of each of the charms sees him uncovering a side to his wife he never knew existed. But will his new found knowledge help him come to terms with her death, or forever

taint his memories of her? A thoroughly enjoyable read, with great characters and a page-turning storyline, this is Phaedra Patrick’s debut novel, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see her on the bestseller lists very soon. The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 – J.B. Morrison Being run over by a milk float wasn’t on Frank’s to-do list for the day, and he sure as heck isn’t going to let some interfering home-help try to baby him. Nope, he’s quite content on his own, with his cat Bill, his DVDs and a series of cold callers trying to sell him things he doesn’t need. But home-help Kelly Christmas proves rather more likeable than he expected, and he starts to realise that life can indeed begin again at 81. With his biting sense of humour, Frank will keep you laughing all the way through this immensely entertaining book. George’s Grand Caroline Vermalle

Tour

–

When George tells people he’s going to do the Tour de France, some are rather concerned. He is, after all, 83. However, George has a slightly less taxing plan in mind; he’s going to do the Tour by car, with a friend. Agreeing to check in with his granddaughter, Adele, by text along the route, he sets off across the country. In the end, the journey may prove as life-changing for Adele as it is for George, as she starts to really appreciate the man who, until now, has just been a name on her birthday cards. The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce Staid, reliable Harold lives with his wife Maureen in Devon. When Harold receives a letter from an old friend, Queenie, telling him she’s terminally ill, he pens a short reply and sets off to the post box. But his walk to the end of the road turns into a somewhat longer trip, as he decides to deliver the letter in person, and on foot. As he travels the long road north, both Harold and Maureen are given the time to look back on

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their long marriage, and figure out whether it can be saved. Beautifully written, and at times extremely poignant, this book is highly recommended. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson

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Allan has just about had enough of his care home, with its condescending manager, rubbish food and endless rules. So on his 100th birthday he makes his escape, in his slippers. After stealing a suitcase full of money, Allan begins a dash across country, picking up new friends as he goes (including an elephant called Sonya). As we learn of his extraordinary life, it becomes clear that there’s rather more to this centenarian than meets the eye, including a passion for explosives…

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Home & Interiors Make the Most of Outdoor Living What are the different styles of shutters? There are three types of shutters: plantation, solid and cafĂŠ style. Most people go for the plantation style, which have slats (also known as louvers) that rotate open and closed to control light levels. Solid shutters are ideal for those wanting to create a more traditional look, and are designed to be folded back during the day and closed at night. CafĂŠ style shutters are popular in restaurants and cafes, hence the name. With this style, the shutters normally cover just the bottom half of the window.

Shutters provide a chic and stylish alternative to blinds and curtains and are a cost-effective way to completely update the look and feel of a room. They are more hygienic too as they simply wipe clean and don't absorb the dust, unlike curtains or blinds. Shutters offer you a great deal of flexibility, for instance you can have different slat sizes, different colours and different panel designs. You also have more control over how much light enters the room. With blinds, there's relatively little light control flexibility. Shutters can also save you valuable pennies as they provide further insulation, which is particularly appealing in these cash strapped times. And finally, shutters last longer and are more durable.

With tier-on-tier shutters, there are two sets of shutters, one above the other. You can open each set individually, which gives you more flexibility and more light control. These are ideal if you have larger bay windows.

Which styles would suit which types of windows? Solid shutters are mainly used in Victorian and older style properties. They keep out more light and offer the ultimate privacy. This type of shutter is perfect in a room with a simple and minimal dĂŠcor, and works particularly well in country cottages where they look quaint folded back during the day. Solid shutters with a solid lower half but with movable slats on top work fabulously on French doors, giving a lovely Continental feel that will certainly remind you of your summer holiday.

With the plantation shutters, you can really get creative with the design, the colour and the rods, and as such these types of shutters suit most spaces. Can shutters still be fitted in awkward spaces? Shutters are perfect for awkward places! There are very few spaces that can't accommodate shutters Shutters can help retain heat, a bonus for household bills.>> For further information advice on awnings and accessories please contact JLS Blinds & Shutters on 01233 226570

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Fear less, live more Yvonne Fernando, NLP Master Practitioner & Life Coach let’s us know... Spring is in the air, summer is on the horizon, the holiday season is in sight. While many look forward to this joyful time, others are beset by fears - of flying, travel and swimming in the sea or snakes, bats, mice and other creepy crawlies. However, fears and phobias can be easily overcome with NLP - in fact, it’s one of the things that NLP is best known for. Most of us can relate to being a little scared of the odd thing, but when fears become severe enough to cause significant anxiety and interfere with normal life, they’re called phobias - an intense fear of something, which in reality, poses little or no real danger. Fears and phobias are a reaction to a physical or emotional threat or trauma that happened at some point in time, sometimes way back in our past. It’s usually the body’s

way of keeping us safe, but the unconscious mind can hold on to this response, long after it serves us. Working with a NLP practitioner and using proven NLP techniques can enable you to overcome fears and phobias, quickly and easily. The process allows you to identify triggers, recode the negative experience and extract any relevant learning that might be helpful. After that it is possible to lay it to rest and move forward. Are you ready to overcome your fears?

Yvonne works with adults and children to make positive life changes. T : 01233 878474 M: 07968 785714 E : yvonne@yvonnefernandonlp.co.uk www.yvonnefernandonlp.co.uk References available. NLP is safe for children.

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Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oak

Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey

Canterbury Dining Solid Oak available in standard and mini sizes Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey Lacquer, Wax or rustic finish

Canterbury Bedroom solid oak available in standard or mini sizes Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oak

Ev e rything In Stoc k or rustic finish Lacquer, Wax

Canterbury Dining Solid Oak available in standard and mini sizes Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey N E W N Lacquer, Wax or rustic finish E IN Now available in painted or ice white W with rustic oak tops N IN Now available in painted or ice white Lacquer, Wax finish E or rustic Nfinish W Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue French Grey Lacquer, Wax or rustic with and rustic oak tops E IN W Now available in painted or ice white Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom IDuck N Cromer Painted Oak in Egg Blue available and Grey or ice white Now in painted Lacquer, Wax or rustic finish with rustic oakFrench tops rustic oak tops Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey Ripon Painted Oakwith Bedroom N E in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey Cromer Painted Oak W Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom RiponIN Painted Bedroom Lacquer, Wax or rustic finish Oak Now available in painted or ice white with rustic oak tops

Canterbury Bedroom solid oak available in standard or mini sizes Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oak N E W Lacquer, N Wax or I rustic finish E W N Now available in painted French Grey or Ice White N INrustic finish Lacquer, Wax or E N Lacquer, Wax or rustic finish Danube Rustic solidavailable reclaimed oak French Grey or Ice White in painted E W Dining, all Now W I N Distressed Pine Cotswold INrustic Danube Dining, allfinish solid reclaimed Lacquer,Rustic Wax or Now availableoak in painted French Grey or Ice White Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oakFrench Grey or Ice White Now available in painted Cotswold Distressed Pine N E Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oak W CotswoldDistressed Distressed Pine Cotswold Pine Price Promise Guarantee INrustic finish Lacquer, Wax or Now available in painted French Grey or Ice White Danube Rustic Dining, all solid reclaimed oak

Cromer Painted Oak in Duck Egg Blue and French Grey

N N Cotswold Distressed Pine Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom E E W W N N N N E INNEW E IN E Now NW available in painted or ice white W W E Irustic oak tops E with in painted French GreyFrench or IceGrey White N N WN available in painted or ice white W IN Now available IN Available in Rustic, Cream, and IN Now E N EW IN Now available Duck Egg Available in Cream or French Grey Available inBlue Rustic, Cream, and W NE N with Irustic oak tops in painted French GreyFrench or IceGrey White E N N Duck Egg Blue Available in Cream or French Grey W I N IN W E E N Now available N Distressed in painted or ice white W W Cotswold Pine Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom IN E I E N Now available in painted or ice Available white in assorted fabrics with rustic oak tops Now available in in painted French Grey Grey or Ice White WGenuine W IN Irustic Available Rustic, Cream, and NLeather with oak tops available in painted French GreyFrench or Ice White &Available leather Full Recliningfabrics in assorted Cotswold Distressed Pine Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom Genuine Leather IN IN Now Available in Rustic, Cream, French Grey and Duck Egg Blue Available Cream or French Grey & leatherin Full Reclining N N Duck Egg Blue Available in Cream or French Grey E E N N W W Cotswold Pine Ripon Painted Oak Bedroom EDistressed E Bedroom Available in assorted fabrics Cotswold Pine RiponIN Painted Oak Genuine Leather IN Distressed W W available Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses Now in painted or ice white & leather Full Reclining Irustic withLeather oak tops Genuine N

Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses IN Now Available Rustic, Cream, French and available in French Grey or IceGrey White allpainted in in stock all Egg in stock Duck Blue

Available in assorted fabrics & leather Full Reclining

Available in Cream or French Grey

Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses

Cotswold Distressed Pine Ripon Painted OakGenuine Bedroom Available in assorted fabrics Leather all in stock & leather Full Reclining Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses Black, Cream, Red, N N Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 Black, Cream, Red, Mocca Manhattan 3+2 E E Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 all in stock NW N W Mocca Manhattan 3+2 EI E ‘A V AILABLE FOR IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ WN W IN AvailableDELIVERY’ in Rustic, Cream, French Grey and ‘AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIA TE Pocket sprung, foam, coil sprung mattresses IN IN Black, Cream, Red, Duck memory Egg Available in Cream or Bellisimo French3+2, Grey Available inBlue Rustic, Cream, French Grey and Novella 3+1+1 ASHFORD CHATHAM MARITIME MAIDSTONE all in stock N NCHATHAM Mocca Manhattan 3+2 Blue Available in Cream or French Grey ASHFORD CHATHAM MARITIME MAIDSTONE E E . Chatham . ME4 4NX Duck Egg N NCHATHAM Beaver Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre The Brook Home Plus Furniture W W E E. Chatham . ME4 4NX TEHome Black, Cream, Red, ‘A VAILABLE FOR DELIVERY’ Beaver Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre TheIMMEDIA Brook Plus Furniture Available in assorted fabrics Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 WGenuine W TN23 7RR Chatham . ME4 3ED In the big blue building on French Grey and IMocca IN Manhattan 3+2 Available Cream, NLeather TN23 7RR Chatham ME4 3ED In the in bigRustic, blue building on &Available leather Full Reclining.fabrics in assorted 01634 880699 St Peters Street . ME16Cream, 0ST Genuine Leather IN IN 01634 880699 Available in Rustic, French Grey and St Peters Street . ME16 0ST Duck Egg Blue Available in Cream orMARITIME French Grey ASHFORD CHATHAM CHATHAM MAIDSTONE & leather Full Reclining 01233 633928 01634 891306 ‘A V AILABLE FOR (on IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ system opposite 01233 633928 01634 891306 (on the the one one.way way system. opposite Black, Cream, Red, Duck Egg Blue Available in Cream or French Grey Beaver Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre The Brook Chatham ME4 4NX Home Plus Furniture 01622609519 609519 Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 (next to The Range) Bingo) (next to to Ashford International) 01622 N N Gala (next to The Range) Mocca Manhattan 3+2 (next Ashford International) TN23 7RR .fabrics ME4 3ED In the big blue building on E E Gala Bingo) Available in Chatham assorted ASHFORD CHATHAM MARITIME CHATHAM MAIDSTONE Genuine Leather 01634 880699 W W Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses St Peters Street . ME16 0ST & leather Full Reclining ‘A VAILABLE FOR IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ Available in assorted fabrics 633928 01634 891306 Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses IN Beaver01233 INsystem the one way Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre The(on Brook . Chatham . opposite ME4 4NX Plus Furniture Available in Rustic, Cream, French Grey and Genuine Leather all inHome stock 01622 609519

www.homeplusfurniture.com www.homeplusfurniture.com all inMAIDSTONE stock CHATHAM 01634 880699 01634 891306 Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses 01622 609519 www.homeplusfurniture.com all in stock 01634 880699 Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses 01233 633928 01634 891306

& leather Full Reclining (next.to TheFrench Range) (next to Ashford International) TN23 7RR Chatham ME4 3ED Available in Cream or Grey ASHFORD CHATHAM MARITIME

Beaver Road . Ashford 01233 633928

TN23 7RR Genuine (next Leather to Ashford International)

Dockside Outlet Centre

.fabrics ME4 3ED Available (next in Chatham assorted to The Range) & leather Full Reclining Black, Cream, Red, Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 Black, Cream, Red, Mocca Manhattan 3+2 Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 (next to The Range) Mocca Manhattan 3+2to Ashford International) (next

Gala Bingo)

The Brook . Chatham . ME4 4NX

(on the one way system opposite Gala Bingo)

In the big blue building on Duck Egg Blue St Peters Street . ME16 0ST Home Plus Furniture In the big blue building on St Peters Street . ME16 0ST

01622 609519 www.homeplusfurniture.com (on the one way system opposite Gala Bingo)

all in stock

CHATHAM MAIDSTONE all in stock www.homeplusfurniture.com CHATHAM MAIDSTONE

‘AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY’ ‘AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ Pocket sprung, memory foam, coil sprung mattresses

Black, Cream, Red, Mocca Manhattan 3+2

ASHFORD ASHFORD

CHATHAM CHATHAMMARITIME MARITIME

Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1

Beaver Red, Road .‘A Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre TheIMMEDIA Brook . Chatham . ME4 4NX Home Plus Furniture Black, Cream, VAILABLE FOR DELIVERY’ Beaver Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre The Brook . Chatham . ME4 4NX TEHome Plus Furniture Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 TN23 3+2 7RR Chatham . ME4 3ED In the big blue building on Mocca Manhattan TN23 7RR Chatham . ME4 3ED In the big blue building on St Peters Street . ME16 0ST 01634 880699 St Peters Street . ME16 0ST ASHFORD CHATHAM MARITIME CHATHAM MAIDSTONE ‘AV AILABLE FOR (on IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ system opposite 01233 633928 01634 891306 (on the the one one.way way system. opposite Black, Cream, Red, Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre Chatham ME4 4NX Home Plus Furniture Price Promise Guarantee Novella Bellisimo 3+2, 3+1+1 The Brook Gala (next to The Range) (next toBeaver Ashford International) 01622 609519 (next to The Range) Gala Bingo) Bingo) Mocca Manhattan 3+2 (next to Ashford International) TN23 7RR Chatham . ME4 3ED In the big blue building on 01634 880699 St Peters Street . ME16 0ST ‘A VAILABLE FOR IMMEDIA TE DELIVERY’ 01233 633928 01634 891306 the one way system. opposite Beaver Road . Ashford Dockside Outlet Centre The(on Brook . Chatham ME4 4NX Home Plus Furniture 01622 (next.to The Range) Gala Bingo) (next to Ashford International) TN23 7RR Chatham ME4 3ED In the big609519 blue building on

01233 633928

01634 891306

01634 880699

01622 609519

www.homeplusfurniture.com www.homeplusfurniture.com CHATHAM MARITIME CHATHAM MAIDSTONE 01634 880699 01233 633928 01634 891306 01622 609519 www.homeplusfurniture.com 01634 880699 01233 633928 01634 891306 ASHFORD

CHATHAM MARITIME

CHATHAM

ASHFORD

Sept15 Working File.indd 11 Dockside Outlet Centre

Beaver Road . Ashford TN23 7RR

(next to Ashford International)

Chatham . ME4 3ED (next to The Range)

The Brook . Chatham . ME4 4NX

(on the one way system opposite Gala Bingo)

MAIDSTONE

St Peters Street . ME16 0ST

Home Plus Furniture In the big blue building on St Peters Street . ME16 0ST

01622 609519 www.homeplusfurniture.com

(next to Ashford International)

(next to The Range)

(on the one way system opposite Gala Bingo)

www.homeplusfurniture.com

Please Mention The

village directory When Responding to Adverts

08/08/2015 09:44:43

Being lucky enough to be born and bred in the heart of the Kent Countryside I have childhood memories of great locally grown tasty fresh produce, in the days where Supermarkets were not in abundance and Food Markets and Village stores were a popular and regular place that we bought a lot of our foods.

tales finding the beauty of searching out more local fresh and interesting products, cooking has become more and more popular over the years with celebrity chefs showing us that it is not difficult to produce tasty economical meals even in 15 minutes and dining with others is a very entertaining pastime.

A once a week visit to the local Market and in my case it was Ashford was all most families needed to top up their weekly pantry. Most families were also growing lots of staples in their gardens too because life was different we had the time and skills to produce our own. Sadly things have changed over the years and Supermarkets have got a foothold on most of our lives for almost every product you need in the home, I have heard them described as large car parks with shops attached! Convenience for the faster paced life we lead has been a benefit on our time and perhaps pocket but not on our environment and local farming economy let alone to mention our health, several studies have proven that.

Through Food Fairs, Farmers Markets and Country Markets which are on the increase every month we can re-discover the beauty of REAL food, where it comes from, how it is produced, and what it looks and tastes like in its natural glory.

Food we need it, we love it but do we all really understand the importance of supporting our heritage and the providence of the foods we put on our plate? The Garden of England where we all live has local food and producers in abundance, they are just not widely known as much as they should be, but this is changing. The way in which most of us use and celebrate food is slowly turning around, we are looking back on our childhood memories and Grandparents

Each producer has a great story to tell of their forefathers and of how they may have adapted their farming methods over the years to exist or how just ordinary people with a passion and an idea have started producing products that only our older generations remember creating or buying in their local area. Local food has less far to travel so can be delivered and sold soon after it is picked. The food should be fresh and at its best. Producers also can select varieties for flavour rather than those that travel well or have a long shelf life. These might be heritage varieties or unusual. In each edition of the Village Directory I will endeavour to introduce you to some of the wonderful products and producers right here on your doorstep. Tell you their stories, introduce you to their products and tell you where you can buy them in your local area.

Local Markets

Rhubarb

April/May crop season can go right through to June. Best way to keep for longer is to freeze it. It is the first Fruit of Spring but really is a vegetable. Great for all sorts of pies, deserts and preserves.

Recorded in the 17th century as being used

Ashford Farmer’s Market First Sunday of every month from 10am to 2pm in the lower High Street. Charing Farmer’s Market Charing Church Barn 9 -11.30 every Thursday morning. Contact 01233 740176 Egerton Every Friday 2 - 4.30pm Millennium Hall

in cooking even before sugar was available! it’s usage peaked through 2 World wars.

Hamstreet Victory Hall every third Sunday 10-12pm Contact 01797 344437

In Chinese medicine it has been used as a laxative

Rolvenden - 01580 240763 Every Thursday 10am -12 noon St Mary’s Church and the Village Hall Rye Farmers Market Every Wednesday at Strand Quay 10am - 1 pm (From Midday Oct - April)

In Season:

Rye Market Every Thursday at the Cattle Market Car Park. Early till around 3pm (depending on the

April

weather)

Fruit

Salad

Apples Pears Rhubarb

Lettuce

Vegetables Asparagus Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Chicory Greens Kale Rocket Swede Sorrel Turnips Winter Greens

Fish Cockles Cod Crab Halibut Herring John Dory Mackerel Plaice Salmon Sea Bass Sea Trout

Meat & Game Beef Guinea fowl Hare Lamb Mutton Pork Rabbit Veal Venison Wood Pigeon

Rye Country Market Formerly WI Market Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill. Every Friday 10am -11.30am Tenterden Country Market Every Friday 9.30am -11.00am St Mildred’s Church Hall, Church road. Tenterden High Street Market Friday’s – 0830 – 1400 Wittersham Market Every Tuesday Village Hall 9am. - 11am Tel: 01797 270757 Wye First and third Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Wye. Tel: 07804 652156 www.wyefarmersmarket.co.uk

Cake and Bake Rhubarb & Coconut Meringue Cake There’s plenty of field grown rhubarb about this time of year and it’s perfect for pies, puddings and cakes. When buying choose firm plump stalks of rhubarb – avoid any that are floppy or bruised.

Ingredients:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C, Gas 4. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Grease a 20cm round springform cake tin and line the base with baking paper.

20 • 100g butter, softened

• 100g light soft brown sugar • 2 medium eggs, beaten • 50g self-raising flour • 50g ground hazelnuts • Zest of 1 orange • 300g rhubarb, trimmed and chopped • 2 tbsp caster sugar

2. To make the base, place the butter and brown sugar in a bowl and beat together until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs then sift over the flour and fold in. Gently fold in the ground hazelnuts. Spread the mixture in an even layer in the base of the prepared tin. Arrange the rhubarb over the top and sprinkle over the 2 tbsp caster sugar and orange zest.

3. To make the topping place the egg whites in a clean grease-free bowl and, using an electric hand held mixer, whisk until stiffly peaking. Whisk in the caster sugar until glossy then fold in the coconut.

FOR THE TOPPING • 2 medium egg whites • 50g caster sugar • 75g desiccated coconut • Whipped cream or Greek yoghurt, to serve

Serves 6 Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes

4. Spread the coconut meringue over the top of the rhubarb. Place the tin on the hot baking sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the topping is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or Greek yoghurt.

TIP

Placing the cake tin on a hot baking sheet will help to ensure that the hazelnut sponge base is cooked through.

Derek Hales

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What’s On Woodchurch Film Society Friday 18th April Suffragette 2015, 106 mins, 12A

L i v e Ja z z April /May 16

Time: doors open 7pm for 7.30pm screening Tickets: £4 (members), £5 (non-members). All available at the door. Venue: The Memorial Hall, The Green, Woodchurch TN26 3PF Refreshments: hot & cold drinks plus home-made cakes for sale.

T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b At T h e To we r To B o o k C a l l : 0 1 3 0 3 2 7 7 1 7 5

Ashford Decorative & Fine Art Society Tues 12th April, a visit to The Towner Art Gallery in

April 7th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE CLARK TRACEY QUINTET £10

Eastbourne, for a private tour of their storeroom, then entry to the exhibition “Recording Britain”. Onto the surrealist Farley Farm House for a guided tour. Includes coffee, lunch & coach from Ashford. Call Ruth on 01233 720718. Tues 19th April, Aldington Village Hall, 10.30 coffee, 11.00 lecture on “Bringing back the needle, the story of an Obelisk”. The story of the extraordinary journey of Cleopatra’s Needle from the Nile to the Thames. Tues 17 May, Aldington Village Hall, 10.30 coffee, 11.00 lecture on “Great Tarts in Art: high culture and the oldest profession”. A combination of arthistorical analysis and scandalous anecdote, this lecture looks at attitudes to sexual morality down the ages, as reflected in artistic portrayals. Call Christine on 01233 720241.

Lambing Live 2016 Saturday 9 April, Agricultural

Museum, Brook, 1pm. See the newborn lambs and calves from Wye Community Farm. BBQ, Beer Tent, Food stalls Museum open, Country crafts, Welly wanging, nail banging, and other country sports. Adults £5, under 16’s free of charge. All proceeds towards WCF’s educational work.

Thursday 14th April - Tenterden and District National Trust Association. Tenterden Junior

School, Recreation Ground Road. 7.30 pm “Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle” James Taylor Visitors welcome. Further information 01580 764791

Ashford Loving Hands. The Cosy Kettle, Hamstreet. April14th and 28th 9.30-11.45. Come

along for as long as you want to knit or crochet for charities. Enjoy good coffee and company. Wool, needles, patterns provided. Feel free to come and see what we’re about. New members welcome. For more information contact Helen 01233 733408 or visit Ashford Loving Hands on facebook.

The Biddenden Horticultural Society meets on Wednesday 27th April in the Village Hall (7:15pm

April 14th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE MICK FOSTER SEXTET £12 April 21st Bernie Stringle & The FJC Present JAZZIN’ JOLSON £12 April 28th Modern Jazz at it’s Best PETER KING & MORNINGTON LOCKETT WITH THE DAVE BARRY TRIO £12 May 3rd BIG BAND JAZZ AT THE FJC The Christ Church University 16pc Big Band Directed by Steve Waterman £12 May 12th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ GEORGINA JACKSON & KAREN SHARP with THE CHRIS INGHAM TRIO £12 May 19th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ LOUISE MARSHALL WITH THE DEREK NASH BAND £12 May 24th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE ALAN BARNES - - BRUCE ADAMS QUINTET £10

for 7:30pm start). This month’s talk will by given by Mr. Hilary Newman on ‘Climbing and Wall Shrubs (Vertical Gardening)’. Contact Irene on 01580291777 or Lesley on 01580291931. Members £1.50, Non Members £2.50. Annual membership £5.New members always welcome.

The Weald of Kent Computer Club meets on Wednesday 20th April at 7.30pm in the New

Village Hall Biddenden. This month will be a talk and demonstration on ‘How to create Posters and leaflets on our computers’. Membership is £10 per year for 10 meetings but visitors are most welcome (£2 per meeting). Enquiries to secretarywkcc@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday May 14th - Brabourne Area Sponsored made cakes and refreshments. Comr along and join Walk or Cycle. A chance to explore the countryside in the celebrations. Everyone welcome, Free Entry. and villages surrounding Brabourne and Smeeth with a choice of a 7 mile or 10 mile walk or a 17 mile cycle. Pick up a route map and checkpoint card from the Oak Room near Smeeth church between 9 and 10am and follow the route at your leisure, including a lunch at The Black Horse, Monks Horton for added energy. Entry free with sponsorship (form available from Hesterfenwick@Hotmail.com) or £5 for adults/£3 for children on the day. All proceeds to Brabourne CEP School and The Friends of Brabourne Church. For further information, call 01303 814432

Saturday 28th May, Sunday 29th May, Monday 30th May 10am-5pm. Biddenden Flower Festival “An English Country Garden”, at All Saints Church Biddenden TN27 8AH. Free admission. Refreshments, music, plant stall and Church tower open. Contact 01580 291463

‘Celebration of Weddings Through The Years’ Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th May at St

Margaret’s Church, Hothfield. TN26 1EL 10.30 am - 5.00 pm on both days. Come and view original Brabourne Sponsored Walk May 14th 2016. Start wedding dresses from the last six decades and floral from Smeeth church between 9am and 10am for a displays. Visit our Pop Up Cafe for delicious home beautiful 10 mile circuit through the villages around made refreshments Admission Free Brabourne. Proceeds go to Brabourne School and The 1066 Archery Club of Tenterden will hold Church. Either mail hesterfenwick@hotmail.com for an Open Day at the archery range at Pickhill Farm, more details and a sponsorship form or turn up and Pickhill Business Centre, Smallhythe Road, Tenterden pay to join (£5 for adults, £3 for children). TN30 7LZ on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Cost: £2.00 per adult; £1.00 per 27th, 28th & 29th May Woodchurch Art Society will be holding their very popular Annual Art junior (11-18 years). Refreshments will be provided Exhibition at the Woodchurch Memorial hall. 27th as will all equipment.There will be the opportunity 7-9pm, 28th & 29th 10am-4pm. This will be a very to meet the archers, try different bow styles, shoot special exhibition with extra surprises, as it is the indoors and outdoors and to sign up for a four-week Art Society’s 25th Anniversary. Over 200 paintings beginners’ coaching course to run from Saturday, 7th on display, artist in residance. have a go Joe’ for the May to Saturday, 28th May at a cost of £50.00 per children, raffle, cards & tombola. Delicious home adult and £35.00 per junior (11-18 years). After this, those who complete the course successfully may join the Club and take part in Club competitions or just come along to shoot. For more information, go to www.1066archery.co.uk or phone (email) Craigan on 07866 755300 (barnett@fsmail.net) or Roger on 07729 374605 (rmh_thomas@hotmail.com).

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    

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           

Clubs & Societies Every Monday - Have fun and get fit with a mixed Headcorn Modern Sequence Dance Club, meet group of friendly joggers with a sense of humour. The Friends of the Mole Hash House Harriers meet at 7.30pm every Monday at various pubs across the East Kent area. All ages and levels of fitness and even dogs are welcome. Find out where we are running this week at:fotmh3.com; find us on Facebook: Fun Running Club East Kent or email: hash.running@ gmail.com for more.

every Monday 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm in the Andred Hall in Headcorn Village Hall. If you enjoy Ballroom dancing, bring your partner or friend along and learn more. We are a friendly little club, nice music- social evening- tea and biscuits - all for £3.00 per person. Call Rita on 01580 852289.

The Weald of Kent Computer Club meets in the

New Biddenden Village Hall. Annual membership

The Biddenden Horticultural Society Annual costs £10 and covers free admission to all 10 meetings. membership £5. New members welcome. Contact Irene Orsborne on 01580 291777 or Lesley Lidgett on 01580 291931.

Non members are £2 per visit. New members welcome. Enquiries to:secretarywkcc@yahoo. co.uk or visit:- www.wealdofkentcomputerclub.co.uk Little Chart Bridge Club Friendly duplicate bridge Egerton Over 60’s. Are you alone, lonely or shy? every Tuesday afternoon at Little Chart Village You don’t need to be any longer. Why not come Hall. For more information please contact Carmen along to our friendly Club, bring a friend if that would help.We meet on the 2nd Monday of each Gunther on 01233 840 395. month and we enjoy stimulating speakers, delicious Kennington Badminton Club, play at the Norton teas in a relaxing atmosphere and meet new friends Knatchbull School on a Wed evening from 7.30 p.m.- ,often having been in the same situation as yourself. 10.00 p.m. Contact Mark Feeney on 01233 663030 or Example of speakers for 2016---Ashford Camcorder Shirley Mountford on 01233 610134. Club, Geoff Hutchinson on “Love poems “,-Anne Carter” on An Audience with Queen Victoria, and Biddenden Squash Club 01580 291130 Gordon many more. Outings during the summer months Jones Playing Field, Biddenden. Friendly club with include --A 3 course meal at the Grand Burstin Hotel 2 courts and a bar. email: info@biddendensquash. [ £5]!!,--Spa Valley Railway,--Bexhill with booked co.uk www.biddendensquash.co.uk lunch at Di Paolo’s Restaurant,--Xmas lunch at Lathe Smarden Heritage Centre - Smarden Charter Hall, Barn,--and more. Come and try us--just turn up at 25 Smarden. Open every Friday 9:30am to 1:30pm visit: the Egerton Millennium Hall by 2pm, we’d love to see you.Bring your Zimmer frame, scooter or www.smardenheritagecentre.synthasite.com crutches you’ll receive help. Want to know more ? Biddenden Junior Football Club - Always contact 01233 712 282 or 756 294. looking for new players 7 -18, for fun and enjoyable football. Contact Steve on 07958 447948. Ashford Flower Club - Our monthly Smarden Short Mat Bowls Club We welcome meeting will take place Tuesday, 19th new novice or experienced bowlers of all ages. April at Furley Hall, Quantock Drive, with a We meet every Thurs. morning at 9.45am and demonstration entitled ‘Bursting Full of Colour’ occasionally on a weekday evening, in the Charter by Graham King. Programme starts at 7.30pm. Hall Smarden. Contact Malcolm 01233 770572. Visitors welcome - entrance £3.00. Enquiries: 01233 628278.

The Roots Project Conservation Volunteers

What we do: Regular practical conservation tasks and woodland craft workshops based in Longbeech Wood, Charing. Contact: Carrie Eeles (Activities Officer)

Tel: 07920404546 Email: info@therootsproject.co.uk www.therootsprojectconservationvolunteers.org.uk

Pilates Classes. Westwell Village Hall. Thursdays 915am. £36 per 6 week block. Contact Victoria 07543543373/vsaker@hotmail.co.uk

PILATES Smarden Wednesday 6.00 p.m.; Biddenden

Mon 7.15 p.m. and Tues 9.30 a.m. and 11.15 a.m. Also at Tenterden. Body Control Qualified Instructor: contact Liz on 07958 708874 or e-mail lizsims. pilates@gmail.com

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Hobbies Hallelujah! Why Joining A Choir Is Something To Celebrate By Kate McLelland “Circle your shoulders … shake out your whole body … move your mouth as if you’re chewing a toffee …”

It’s my first session with my local community choir but we’ve spent the past five minutes doing physical exercises. “He always does this,” whispers a fellow choir member at my side, referring to Graham, the Choir Director. “He says it’s important to get rid of tension.” The activity changes to breathing exercises and tongue twisters and I’m wondering when I will actually get the chance to sing. As if he could read my mind, Graham launches into an explanation of why it’s so important to spend time warming up both our bodies and our voices. “You are your instrument,” he tells us. “Preparation is everything if you really want to sing well.” As the session progresses I learn how to breathe from deep down in my ribcage rather than taking shallow breaths that use only a third of my lungs’ capacity. I also find out how to control my breathing, counting in-breaths and out-breaths and releasing air in a steady stream rather than letting it all go at once.

Finally we get to sing, and by this time my head is buzzing with all the extra oxygen I’ve taken on board. The real bonus is that my singing voice suddenly seems louder and more tuneful than usual simply because I’ve been using my lungs to their full capacity. At the end of a two-hour session, during which we tackle songs ranging from “All That Jazz” from the musical Chicago to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, my new choir buddies and I are all excited and elated. The sound we created together was impressive and we are already discussing the possibility of taking part in a local festival. Back at home, reflecting on my first ever choral session, it occurred to me there’s a lot more to joining a choir than just enjoying a good singalong, and this view is backed up by a number of high profile experts in the world of the arts, education and medical science. Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at the Institute of Education, University of London has extensively studied the developmental and medical aspects of singing. He claims that the health benefits are both physical and

psychological. “Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting.” He believes that singing is also important for mental health: “Singing has psychological benefits because of its normally positive effect in reducing stress levels through the action of the endocrine system, which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being. Psychological benefits are also evident when people sing together as well as alone, because of the increased sense of community, belonging and shared endeavour.” No wonder, then, that joining a choir has become such a popular hobby. Gareth Malone, who has started a number of choirs on TV, encourages singers to “Get out there and find what’s right for you”. On his website www.garethmalone.com he advises applicants to have an initial chat with the Choir Director to ask if they will need to read music and whether they will have to audition, adding the following reassurance: “What usually happens is that you take a piece which you know to sing to the choir director. It is

nothing like the X-Factor!” Choirs come in all shapes and sizes so it’s important to find one that suits you: CLASSICAL CONCERT CHOIRS OR CHORAL SOCIETIES Large choirs that stage several concerts throughout the year, sometimes with an orchestra. They may perform concert works such as Mozart’s Requiem or Handel’s Messiah. CHURCH CHOIRS Depending on the type of worship practised by the congregation, you could find yourself singing traditional sacred music, gospel songs or modern hymns that sound more like pop hits. COMMUNITY CHOIRS AND OTHER SINGING GROUPS Depending on what’s available in your local area you might

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find choirs that sing rock and pop, songs from the shows, folk songs or even beatbox and rap. Generally speaking any choir that describes itself as a ‘Community choir’ is less likely to require you to audition or read music. When looking for a choir to join you can either do some research on the internet (try www.choirs. org.uk) or ask around locally. Look at the arts page in your local newspaper to find out which choirs are performing in your area or visit your local library for a list of community groups.

It may not offer instant fame like X-Factor or The Voice, but being in a choir provides an opportunity to sing songs you love with like-minded people, and to share your love of music with others through performance. If that doesn’t persuade you to join, then the health and wellbeing aspects of choral singing certainly should.

Many choirs offer a ‘taster’ session where you can sing with the group, chat to current members and also find out the costs involved (which can vary enormously, from £5 per session to £100 per term, depending on the size and profile of the choir).

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health & Lifestyle

Beauty Spring Is In The Air by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Spring is a great time to clear out the makeup bag (or overflowing cupboard in my case) and treat yourself to a few new goodies.

How pretty is this new palette from Paul & Joe? Teaming an eye shadow duo with a powder blush, the palette is available in two shades: Papillons de Printemps and Floral Nectar (pictured). Retailing at £28 each, they’re not cheap, but the colours are easy to apply and you’ll be the envy of the other bathroom mirror hoggers on a night out. If you really want to splash out, Paul & Joe have also released some new lipsticks, in three vibrant spring shades. Many people find that they need to buy a new foundation for spring/ summer, as their skin loses its winter hibernation paleness. (Or that’s my excuse anyway.) The new Aqua Glow Serum Foundation by Stila combines foundation with a treatment serum. It gives great, natural looking coverage, while hydrating and softening skin. 94% of testers reported dramatically improved skin tone. If you can’t wait to take your makeup off at the end of the day because your face feels dry and uncomfortable, you need to try this foundation. It contains hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that help to keep skin hydrated for up to 12 hours after applying it. Available in 10 shades, the Aqua Glow Serum Foundation retails at £34.50.

If your hair is looking a little ‘meh’, but there’s still weeks to go until your next trip to the salon, try a KC Color Mask. Available in 14 shades, including platinum, golden copper, plum and coffee, these masks revitalise coloured hair. A small amount helps to maintain the hair colour and add brightness, while a larger amount can deepen the colour intensity. Just apply to freshly washed hair, comb through, leave for up to ten minutes and wash out. They’re particularly useful for toning down brassy tones in blonde hair, and giving depth to darker shades. The masks also contain ProVitamin B5 and keratin derivative, to help repair the cuticle. Prices start from under £5. Spring demands a lighter, fresher fragrance, and Yardley London has just released the perfect one. English Daisy is reminiscent of a wildflower meadow – floral, but not too sweet. It’s unashamedly girly, with notes including hyacinth and white rose, warmed with sandalwood and musk. And, at just £19.99 for 50ml, it’s a bit of a bargain. Team it with the English Daisy body lotion, £6.50 and embrace the warmer weather. I’m finding that the sun’s reappearance means it’s a lot easier to drag the kids out for a walk (although it’ll be a while before we’re out of our wellies I reckon). Along with wet wipes and plasters, the one thing I always take with me is Pure & Light Organic’s Essential Family on-the-Go Cream. It’s packed with plant-derived vitamins, and helps to treat everything from insect bites and bruises to eczema. The 18 natural active ingredients include soothing calendula, hydrating shea butter and nourishing avocado. Priced at £15, it’s available from www.pureandlightorganic.eu and www. lovelula.co.uk.

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Puzzle Time

Word Ladder

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repetition! That’s all there is to it, you solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic there’s no maths involved and no adding up. It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s addictive!

C O O L

Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

W A R M

Crossword Across 7. Sight (6) 8. Female relative (6) 9. Largest continent (4) 10. Fit and healthy (8) 11. Beetles, ants etc (7) 13. Animal furs (5) 15. Invoices (5) 17. Considers (7) 20. Taking small bites (8) 21. Solely (4) 23. Distributed (6) 24. A capital city (6) Down 1. Fasteners (4) 2. Buccaneer (6) 3. Young children (7) 4. Sailing boat (5) 5. Involuntary action (6) 6. Menacing (8) 12. Loudest (8) 14. Harshly (7)

13 14

19 21

16. Hard work (6) 18. Drenches (6)

19. Feathered friends? (5) 22. Stolen goods (4)

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All Aboard! Learn to Sail at Conningbrook Lakes With the warm spring weather fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to learn how to sail with the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club's Sailing School (RCPYC Limited) at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park. Starting this month RCPYC Sailing School is offering Stage 1 and 2 courses in dinghy sailing for youngsters aged 8 to 18. A two-day course costs £45 per day and participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon passing. All workshops are led by qualified Royal Yachting Association instructors with safety boat on hand. After passing Stage 1 and 2 youngsters have acquired the skills to sail in most weather conditions safely and can take part in open events.

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Adults looking to learn how to sail can sign up to a Level 1 Dinghy Sailing course this spring. The course of six afternoon sessions cost £35 per session and participants must attend at least four to pass. Adults and children who have attended a beginner’s course, or who have sailed before, are welcome to join weekly Sunday sailing afternoons. The sessions run every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm and start on 13th March. A boat and sailing kit is provided, subject to availability, or participants are welcome to bring their own kit. East Kent Yachting Association Chairman, Helen Hofmann, said: “Conningbrook Lakes Country Park provides the perfect setting to learn how to sail. We aim to make sailing both safe and fun, enabling people of all ages to develop an enjoyment for the sport.” Conningbrook Lakes Sailing is run by the Sailing School of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, and is supported by Ashford Borough Council. If you would like more information about the sailing training courses, please call 079101 23259, or email sailingschool.rcpyc@gmail.com For further details on the country park and current opening times visit the website at www.ashford.gov.uk/conningbrook-lakes Conningbrook Lakes is sited next to the Julie Rose Stadium on Willesborough Road, Ashford.

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Statutory Requirements for Property Alterations Malcolm Bassett, Senior Commercial Solicitor at Pengelly & Rylands, looks at the importance of compliance with statutory requirements when making alterations to your property.

regulations in force at the time of the change and the regulations are updated from time to time. Sometimes indemnity insurance is requested, preferably at the cost of the Seller, but the type of insurance commonly available is against the risk of enforcement action being taken by the local authority and in most cases that is unlikely. Engaging a properly qualified person to inspect the change is the only sure way of satisfying the concern, but not all changes are readily accessible.

An increasing amount of time is being spent by conveyancers ensuring that any alterations, additions or other works carried out at a property being sold, comply with statutory requirements, particularly with regard to planning permission and Building Regulations, and trying to resolve the problems that arise when evidence of compliance is not produced by the Seller. Essentially, the onus is on the Seller to ensure Examples of changes are extensions, that, at the time of making the change, it conservatories, removal of load bearing walls, complies with the statutory requirements and electrical work, the installation of double that evidence of compliance is made available glazing, boilers, wood burning stoves and cavity when selling. wall insulation. If you’re looking for a conveyancer, we would be Anyone intending to make any such changes delighted to help. Please should establish what statutory requirements feel free to call us on: need to be complied with. A reputable 01580 762248 contractor should deal with this, but there is a useful government website “Planning Portal” which gives comprehensive guidance on this and an owner contemplating changes would do well to visit this website before embarking on the changes. A Seller is obliged to disclose all changes made and supply evidence of compliance with the statutory requirements, but this is frequently not the case. It is important for the Buyer to establish what changes have been made and, unfortunately, the Seller cannot always be relied upon to be open and honest about this. It is not part of a conveyancer’s duty to inspect the property, except in exceptional circumstances, so a suitably qualified surveyor should inspect the property and report on the items he considers require evidence of compliance. It is then down to the Buyer’s conveyancer to obtain that evidence. The Buyer will wish to know that the changes have been properly made but this is not always straight forward when the appropriate paperwork is not produced. One problem is that the change only needs to comply with the

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FAMILY SOLICITORS For friendly advice in times of need • Family, Children & Divorce (Fixed Fee appointments available) • Elderly Client Care • House Sales & Purchases • Equity Release • Wills & Probate • Commercial

Please call us on 01580 762248 39/41 High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BJ www.pengelly-rylands.co.uk

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

Don’t be Taken In By The Pension Scammers

Since new pension regulations were introduced in 2015, conmen have been using the new freedoms to target people approaching retirement. One of the scams involves telling those under the age of 55 that a ‘legal loophole’ allows them access to their full pension, with no requirement to pay tax on the money withdrawn (in reality, a rate of up to 55%). Pension monies are then moved into an alternative scheme run by the fraudsters, with savings either being stolen or severely diminished after extortionate charges are made for the ‘service’. To make matters worse, HM Revenue and Customs has been sending out bills to reclaim tax on the amounts withdrawn, leaving victims of the scam with no pension savings and in large-scale debt in some cases. HOW CAN THE CONMEN OPERATE SO EFFECTIVELY? Although younger people are a clear target for pension scammers, those aged 55 and over are also under threat. With no restrictions on how pension savings can be used, unscrupulous individuals and criminal groups are taking advantage of a lack of regulation within the industry, plus an uncertainty about how best to invest such a large amount of money.

Inefficient systems also form part of the problem, enabling conmen to set up these rogue pension schemes. HM Revenue and Customs are not pension regulators, but having introduced a ‘fit and proper person’ test in 2014, they have at least attempted to control the potential for fraudulent activity. HMRC has the power to deregister or refuse to register a new pension scheme, but some have said they should take more responsibility for what is happening to victims, rather than chasing them for tax payments. PROJECT BLOOM TASKFORCE A new taskforce has been set up by the government and the National Crime Agency to combat the problem of pension fraud. A ‘perfect storm’ of new pension regulations, lack of awareness about where to reinvest, and the fact that large sums of money are involved, has enabled scammers to get away with too many sophisticated cons. It’s hoped that Project Bloom will bring awareness to the issue, however, and specific advice is offered to anyone concerned about their pension. You need to be wary of: • Anyone offering a ‘free pension review’ or access to your pension pot if you’re under the age of fifty-five • Offers of help to obtain a pension statement, or to provide a tracing service for lost pensions The Pensions Advisory Service provides free advice if you’re worried about potential scams, or to discuss your pension options in general. A SOPHISTICATED APPROACH One of the problems is that

scammers set up sophisticated systems and procedures that include glossy brochures and polished, well-rehearsed speeches. This makes the entire con appear legitimate unless you’re aware that this type of fraud is taking place. Bringing awareness of what’s happening is key to combating crimes like this, and hopefully Project Bloom will help to prevent more people suffering the devastating loss of their retirement income. WATCH OUT FOR FAKE WEBSITES Fraudsters are even setting up fake websites with names very similar to legitimate bodies offering free advice. They may be able to gain access to your personal information in this way, and then contact you directly via phone or email. It pays to check the web address you’re typing in very carefully, to ensure that the site is legitimate and not part of the fraudsters’ arsenal of tricks. http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/ money/investing-pensions/pensionliberation-scam-victims-facinghuge-tax-bills-11364036908047 http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/pensions/article-3419232/ Should-pension-scam-victims-lettax-bills.html http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/pensions/article-3397828/ Three-tell-tale-signs-dupedpension-fraudsters.html

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PUZZLE ANSWERS Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner: There are 11 shiny coins on the page.

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www.stanfordconservatories.co.uk All Work Fully Insured Start & Completion Times Guaranteed

• Conservatories - Advice, design & CAD • General building & renovations • General Maintenance & Repairs • Paths, patios, driveways, block or paving • Decking and Car Ports

01303 812889 • 07710 077711

In In South South East East Kent Kent there there is is only only one one company company to to turn turn to to for for your your double double glazing glazing and and conservatory conservatory requirements requirements “ ” • • Windows A Rated Windows • Windows • • Conservatories Conservatories Conservatories • ••Doors Doors Doors & Facia • ••Soffits Sofﬁ & Sofﬁts ts & Facias Facias • •Door Canopies WEATHERMAN HOME WEATHERMANWINDOWS HOME IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS WEATHERMAN LIMITED

15 Bank Street, Ashford, Kent TN23 1DE 15 & Bank Street, Ashford, Kent Kent TN23TN23 1DE 1DE 13 15 Bank Street, Ashford,

Established 1985

TEL: TEL:01233 01233643242 643242 www.weathermanhome.co.uk www.weathermanwindows.co.uk www.weathermanhome.co.uk

useful information Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden 101 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Out of Hours Doctor William Harvey Hospital

0845 4349655 01233 633331

Samaritans www.samaritans.org

08457 90 90 90

Electricity: Southern Electric EDF Energy Gas: Natural LPG

0845 770 8090 0800 783 8866 0800 111 999 Details on tank

Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UK, Ashford Branch Contact Mike Wharrad 01233 623520 Royal British Legion 01233 620 167 St. John Ambulance Brigade 01233 611 414 East Kent Strokes 01233 840448 www.eastkentstrokes.org SE Kent Multiple Sclerosis Soc. 07767326138 email: mssoutheast@gmail.com NSPCC: Tenterden & District Mrs J Coombs 01580 763733 Pregnancy Sickness Support Kent and Sussex www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/ Contact: Denise Clifford deniseclifford@ btinternet.com Royal Mail Residential Customer Services 08457 740740 Bus Enquiries Arriva Bus Enquiries 0871 200 22 33 (Timetable) 08456 00 22 99 (Customer Services) National Train Enquiries: www.nationalrail. co.uk Wealden Wheels: 01233 840000

Doctors Surgery The Charing Surgery 01233 714 490 Headcorn Surgery 01622 890294 Parish Councils: Biddenden: 01580 890750 Charing: 01233 713599 Egerton: 01622 853558 Headcorn: 01622 892496 Pluckley: 01622 890596 Smarden: 07752 395412 Village Halls: Ashford Borough Council 01233 331111 Biddenden 01580 291320 www.ashford.gov.uk Charing 01233 713599 Ashford Gateway 0845 8 247 247 Charing Heath 01233 713317 info:ashfordgateway.co.uk Egerton 01233 756416 www.ashfordgateway.co.uk Headcorn 01622 890708 Citizens Advice Bureau 01233 626185 Little Chart 01233 840 590 or CPRE Kent 01233 714540 01233 840 395 Veterinary Surgeons Pluckley 01622 890596 Barrow Hill Vets 01233 624687 Smarden Charter Hall 01233 771947 Pierson Stewart & Partners 01580 713381 Charing Business Association www.charingkent.co.uk Volunteer Centre 01233 665 535 Age UK Ashford 01233 668 765 www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com High Pressure Jetting CARM Service & Repair to E: Carmromneymarsh@supanet.com Sewage treatment plants www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk Soakaway Testing Macmillan Cancer Support Cesspool Emptying www.forget-me-nots.co.uk 01233 840624 Service

Disclaimer: Every care is taken to ensure this directory is as accurate as possible but the publishers do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

Safe & Reliable Car, Minibus and Coach Hire Since 1980

www.amb-travel.co.uk

Day Trips & Excursions

We operate our own brochure with pick-ups (via two small feeder routes) including Ashford, Charing, Dover, Folkestone, Hamstreet, Hothfield, Hythe, Lydd, Maidstone, New Romney, Sellinge to some of the best destinations in South East England, in London and local Europe. Historic houses, museums, gardens, battlefield tours, exhibitions, theatres and shows - you'll be spoilt for choice and there's something for everyone!

EARLY BIRD OFFER SAVE UP TO £5 Get £5 off per person, per excursion when you book online (or £3 off when you book with our office). Offer ends 30th April 2016 T&C’s apply see brochure for details.

Our NEW 2016 BROCHURE is out NOW!

Request a copy via our website or call our office ADULT SNR CHILD APRIL 2016 Sat 9th Kennet and Avon Cruise with Cream Tea £43 £42 £38 Wed 13th Boulogne or Le Touquet £30 £29 £25 Sat 16th Brighton Free Time £21 £20 £15 Sat 16th Brighton Pavilion £35 £33 £30 Wed 20th Afternoon Drive with Cream Tea £20 £19 £15 Wed 27th Sissinghurst Castle via Tunbridge Wells £27 £26 £22

May 2016 Sat 7th Ostende and PJ’s with Tram Ride Tue 10th Hastings or Eastbourne Thur 19th Bletchley Park Thur 19th Milton Keynes Sat 21st Royal Windsor and River Cruise Sat 21st Royal Windsor Free Time Sat 28th IWM Duxford Sat 28th Cambridge Tue 31st Brick Lane Music Hall 60’s Show

£37 £35 £32 £21 £20 £15 £39 £38 £28 £25 £24 £20 £28 £27 £23 £21 £20 £16 £38 £37 £26 £25 £24 £20 £64 £63

Our new brochure details excursions right through until March 2017

View our excursions via our website and book securely online, you can even choose your seats, or for more information call our team

www.amb-travel.co.uk

01233 626 952

Private Escort Care Service

Our Private Care Service carers can come to your house; help assist you with an outing in either your car or theirs. This help can form part of a tailored package of care that could help you stay in your own home for longer, rather than going into a care home before its really needed. We can assist those who need help due to frailty, disability or illness to live as independently as possible, with comfort and dignity, in their own home.

Domestic Care

7 ÂŁ9.7 hour per

For a free assessment of your care needs or to receive your brochure Call us on 01580 762244

Town & Country Homecare Limited, 102a High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HT www.townandcoutryhomecare.co.uk