Wye August 2016

The

village directory

111

August 2016

Delivered FREE to 4,000 homes in TN25 by Royal Mail

for the

Wye Area

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Ashford Kent 9AFaccept NHS Patients are Ashford Kentwhich TN24TN24 9AF Our other practices also Canterbury (01227) 453416637018 Sittingbourne (01795) 477224 Tel: (01233) Tel: (01233) 637018 and Swanscombe (01322) 386688

Our other practices which also accept NHS Patients are: Our other practices which accept NHS Patients other practices which also also accept NHS Patients are are(01322) 386688 Canterbury (01227)Our 453416 Sittingbourne (01795) 477334 and Swanscombe Canterbury (01227) 453416 Sittingbourne (01795) 477224

CanterburyRoad (01227)Kennington 453416 Sittingbourne (01795) 477224 225 Faversham www.chopradental.com info@chopradental.com and Swanscombe (01322) 386688 www.chopradental.com info@chopradental.com and Swanscombe (01322) 386688

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Our other practices which also accept NHS Patients are Canterbury (01227) 453416 Sittingbourne (01795) 477224 and Swanscombe (01322) 386688

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2

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Welcome It’s August, and as I write the sky is blue and the warm summer sun is pouring in through the window – wonderful!

School children everywhere are now enjoying the freedom of their summer holidays, hopefully they’re making the most of the great outdoors, but I suspect many will be absorbed in their virtual worlds provided by various games consoles and technology. When my son was young it was a real challenge to sell him the virtues of the outside world when all he wanted was to race cars on his Playstation.

These days he’s hardly ever in the house but the Playstation is still an important part of his social life. Maybe that’s a good thing, in September it will be his companion in the early days of his new University life, and may help him to make friends.

If only school holidays were more like one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five novels, full of adventure and exploration and void of the serious threats present in this modern age. It was heart-warming earlier in the year to follow the news story of the group of Surrey children that formed a human arrow in a field to help police find a couple of burglary suspects. How proud must their parents be!

Anyway treasure these precious summer days, before we know it Autumn will be knocking on our doors.

See you next time

N & E Window Cleaning Services Water-fed Pole / Traditional Window Cleaning Fascia / Gutter / Patio Cleaning / Solar Panels Please contact Nathan Turner for a free quote

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Wye Hair Salon Open 6 days a week - Late nights available L’Oréal Professionnel Salon

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Church Street, Wye - Behind Wye News

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~ Debbie

T: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk September Issue Deadline 12th August

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Plan Your Planting

by Pippa Greenwood

Many gardens are now looking a little tired, as summer flowers try hard to put on a reasonable show despite the tougher conditions and the fact that their season is drawing to a close. It is not a good time for planting shrubs or trees, as the soil tends to be fairly dry, so you can’t even make things look better with a shrub or two.

So, do what you can to perk up flower beds and borders and then start to plan ahead for spring - right now garden centres are starting to take delivery of huge quantities of fabulous bulbs, just ready for planting, and a sure fire way to get your garden looking fabulous in those first few months of next year, and indeed for years to come. Get down to the garden centre sooner rather than later, so that you can have the pick of the bunch.

Many bulbs will actually start to put down roots at the back end of summer and into autumn, giving them a head start and ensuring a fabulous display in spring, so prompt planting is

Ashwoods • Tree Surgery • Stump Removal

advisable. The only thing you need to delay is the planting of tulips; these are best planted in October to help them avoid a nasty infection called tulip fire.

Don’t forget that many mail order catalogues are available and these have an even bigger array of bulbs, often including many of the more unusual varieties, so send off for a few of these to ensure you have something particularly special to enjoy - and to show off to your friends and neighbours!

If ordering from catalogues you will need to get a move on, however, so send off for a few as soon as possible.

Then enjoy putting your feet up with a cuppa and a pile of catalogues, ready to choose some delightful bulbs ready for planting in the next month or so.

Before you set off to the garden centre, take a look at your borders - and indeed anywhere else in the garden - and decide where you can cram in a few bulbs. Remember, the great thing is they are often in flower before the rest of the garden

gets going, and so they can be used to under-plant existing trees, shrubs and herbaceous flowers. Bulbs are an excellent way to make the most of every square metre of garden soil, and to ensure that your garden looks lovely as early as possible in the year.

Many bulbs do really well in containers, so if you have a permanently planted up container this too can be under-planted with several layers of spring flowering bulbs. Use a transplanting trowel to plant in these tight spaces and that way you’ll minimise damage to the existing plants’ roots.

If you are new to using bulbs and feel unsure of what goes together, don’t feel frightened to experiment. Alternatively, many catalogues and even some garden centres offer mixed selections of bulbs for specific purposes and there are also some lovely packs of bulbs following colour themes. These usually represent good value for money too.

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The Garden Have you got a dull patch of lawn? Brighten it up in the early months by planting some small bulbs. Things like crocus or miniature narcissus are particularly useful, as once the flowers have faded you don’t have too much deteriorating foliage to cope with.

In larger areas, consider planting up drifts of full-sized daffodils, but make sure that the grass beneath these trees or shrubs is not something you want to keep regularly mown, as you will have to wait for at least six weeks after flowering before you can safely remove the leaves of the daffodils.

When choosing bulbs, always make sure they are in good condition before you buy.

With a quick look through the packaging (bulbs are often hidden by large quantities of

sawdust or wood shavings) you should be able to find the bulbs itself. Avoid any which are showing even the slightest signs of deterioration such as sunken brown spots, excessive softness or the presence of patches of bluish mould on their surface. Larger bulbs generally seem to do better than smaller versions of the same variety so, if possible, choose really good sized plump ones.

as this is essential to reduce the risk of them deteriorating.

Next month I’ll be looking at novel ways to make the best use of the gorgeous array of available bulbs, so plant some now and then treat yourself to a few more for September planting!

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for Pippa’s ‘Winter thru’ Spring’ collection of vegetables for planting next month, a really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items including Nemaslug to control slugs, pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, ladybirds to control greenfly, pull-out mini tunnels, signed books and lots more besides.

If you want to buy large quantities of the same variety, then it may be possible to buy a net of bulbs from your garden centre or direct from a mail order specialist nursery.

Ideally bulbs should be planted promptly, but if this isn’t possible make sure that you keep them in a cool and well ventilated spot before planting,

PLUCKLEY ROAD BETHERSDEN KENT

Open Weekend Dates for 2016

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26th to the 29th August 9.00-5.00 daily 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!

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Should you need help with your selection we also have knowledgeable staff to help answer your questions.

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We accept most major credit/debit cards For detailed directions please see our website Follow day-glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden

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The Garden

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The Garden

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Climate Change Is Happening Pat Crawford provides The Hadlow College Comment and Advice Column Food matters – we cannot live without it! Concerns about providing adequate food for a growing global population continue to concern governments around the world. The Extreme Weather Events that have occurred this year have taken a toll on food production and this is a further cause for worry.

Focus on the fact that we import more food than we produce has been heightened by Brexit in relation to both availability and potential price hikes.

The NFU is acting by launching its biggest farming consultation for a generation. At an Extraordinary Council meeting on 1st July, Meurig Raymond, NFU President, said the Government must not ignore the economic importance of the farming sector, the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing industry - food and drink, which is worth £108billion and employs 3.9million people.

Enlarging, Meurig Raymond said ‘NFU Council has today agreed the principles of a domestic farming policy which will now form the basis of the biggest farming consultation in England and Wales for a generation.

“Currently there are lots of uncertainties for farming – trade agreements, labour, financial support, legislation are all up in the air – but the NFU is committed to providing this industry with leadership. The NFU will consult its members, in every sector, in every county, to ensure that its members have a say in shaping the future of farming for them, their children and their grandchildren and for Britain’s children and grandchildren. I urge all NFU members to get involved in this consultation over the coming months and that non-members should join the NFU to ensure their voice is heard.

With this consultation, we can be sure that the policy we push for will have the backing of the farming sector at large.

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“The contribution of this country’s farming and food industry to the economy and to food security should be taken extremely seriously by the UK government. We need a policy that ensures a profitable, productive and sustainable future for British farming. The NFU’s influence, with the backing of its membership, is paramount in this.”

The agreed principles from NFU Council are: • We must get the best possible access to markets in the rest of Europe. Although we will not be a member of the EU, it will still be our major trading partner for the foreseeable future.

• Currently we benefit from more than 50 trade agreements with countries in the rest of the world.

We will continue to need these kind of arrangements in future, whether this means negotiating new deals or not.

• A key question we had to the Leave camp, and on which we never received a clear answer, was what kind of access would an independent UK give to imports from the rest of the world? Our requirement is that we are not open to imports which are produced to lower standards.

• During the referendum we have repeatedly drawn attention to our sector’s need for access to migrant labour, both seasonal and full-time.

Outside the EU we will need some kind of student agricultural workers scheme, which is open to students from around the world.

• Leaving the EU gives us the opportunity to build a new domestic agricultural policy which is adapted to our needs, easy to understand and simple to administer. We will be looking for guarantees that the support given to our farmers is on a par with that given to farmers in the EU, who will still be our principal competitors.

• We will want to see a rural development policy which focuses on enhancing our competitiveness.

Britain has been a pioneer in agri-environmental schemes, but these are currently running out of steam- in part because of over prescriptive EU rules. We must take this opportunity to devise better schemes.

• If there was one message which came over loud and clear in all our farmer meetings it was frustration with European regulation and its handling of product approvals, due to an over-politicised approach and excessive use of the precautionary principle. We now have a golden opportunity to ensure our arrangements are in future proportionate and based on sound science.

It is apparent that the Consultation agreed by the NFU will matter to everyone.

The Garden

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11

Mowgli

by Montgomery Vets

H

ello everyone, Mowgli here. Hope you are all enjoying the summer.... if it isn’t still raining! I am writing this from a rather lonely house- Ebony is off having the treatment for her thyroid that I mentioned last month. She has been gone a week and will be back in 10 days. It has been a long week.... First of all I keep forgetting that she isn’t here! I wander all over the house, miaow to have various doors opened and only when I can’t find her do I remember that she is at the hospital. There has been a bit of human eye rolling about this.

Now, I like to think that I am a very independent cat but I have to admit that I am finding things a bit lonely without her. She is normally always around to curl up next to and I hadn’t really realised (nor had the humans) that she does all my washing for me. Jane has had to remove various sticky bits from my fur and I have had to have a few brushes to sort out my normally immaculate coat. It is hard work without her.

By the next time I write this she will be safely back home! I’m not going to let her out of my sight.

I

t is of course the way that things go that Ebony is away just when there is more work to do. The humans are having the outside of the house painted. So as well as having to occasionally try and wash myself I have to keep track of progress out of the windows.

Everything has come off the walls, plants have been trimmed back and now the paint is going on. It is almost a full time job to keep track of things and make sure Trevor doesn’t miss a bit.

I did hear Clive mumbling something about poor Trevor not expecting to be tracked by a cat and miaowed at through the windows all the time but I am sure he knows I am helping really.....

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T

he owls I mentioned last month are doing well and the clinic has had all other sorts of wildlife. I was amazed to see a pink fluffy baby bird in our garden this morning. It was sitting outside the window yelling for its parents. Apparently it’s a Jay. It looks rather fun to play with. I might just go and look out of the window again and see if it is still there......

~Mowgli

AT THE EVEGATE CENTRE SMEETH, ASHFORD ‘We treat your pet as if it was our own’ Specialising in all pet animals including exotics & avian. Calm and friendly family run clinic.

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Pets

Will your dog take the plunge?

Although swimming is one of the best exercises for your dog, as well as being a fun activity, not all dogs take well to swimming, and some are literally unable to swim due to their physiology.

The short muzzle on bulldogs and pugs, for example, makes it very difficult to keep their nose and mouth above water and they are forced to take on an almost vertical position in order to stay afloat.

Other breeds such as Labradors take to the water with a little too much enthusiasm at times, and it can seem impossible to get them out.

Encouraging your dog to swim But if you have a reluctant swimmer on your hands, how can you persuade them to take the plunge?

• Choose a warm day, and calm water with no waves or currents.

• Take some new or favourite floating toys, plus treats for when they come out.

If you can paddle alongside your dog, they’ll find it comforting at first, and of course plenty of treats will help. Although good exercise for your dog, swimming is also meant to be fun, so if they don’t take to it quite as enthusiastically as you’d hoped, it might be advisable to stay in the shallows and just let them paddle. http://talentedanimals.com/blog/helping-yourdog-learn-to-love-to-swim/

By Ann Haldon

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• Try to find a gentle slope down into the water, so your dog doesn’t fall in unexpectedly.

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13

Home & Interiors Come Back To Carpet

By Katherine Sorrell

although carpet won’t scratch, scuff or splinter, it may stain and wear. Regular vacuuming is the only maintenance it needs, but accidental spills can be a nightmare to deal with, and it’s unlikely to last longer than stone, tiles or wood.

No longer a dull or dated option, modern carpet can be both practical and fashionable, offering an almost unlimited choice of colour and pattern and, perhaps surprisingly, an enormous range of textures, too.

WHY CHOOSE CARPET? Wood floors are timeless and durable, tiles practical and laminates and vinyls inexpensive.

So why opt for carpet? Well, carpet is, indisputably, soft and comfortable underfoot – especially in a bedroom or if there are small children crawling around. It absorbs sound – which helps if you have teenagers who are prone to clattering up and down the stairs. And it is non-slip and forgiving if you have a fall, and it is insulating against heat loss and draughts. On the downside,

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CHOOSING A CARPET Deciding which carpet to buy can be a complex and confusing business. As a general rule, the deeper the pile and the more luxurious the finish, the greater care the carpet will need. The shorter and denser the pile, the better it is likely to wear – if you fold the carpet back and part the pile, you should not be able to see the backing. So your final choice will probably involve trading off softness and comfort against durability and resilience.

Standard carpet descriptions are for light, moderate, general, heavy and extra heavy domestic use, which will give you a good indication of how suitable a carpet will be for each room.

Obviously, a carpet in a hallway will need to be very tough – perhaps a high-end 80:20 twist classified for heavy domestic use, while in a living room (general domestic) you’ll probably require a combination of a luxury look with a robust performance, such as a loop or velvet, and a spare bedroom could be much more delicate – a velvet or Saxony classified for light domestic, for example. If you choose a carpet that is suitable for general use, you can lay it throughout to create a seamless look that pulls a decorating scheme together.

Carpets are inadvisable in kitchens, and best avoided in bathrooms, though if you insist, there are splash-proof types available.

When it comes to choosing a carpet style, ask your retailer for samples and take them home where you can see them in your own environment and your own light. If you are redecorating from floor to ceiling, it’s a good idea to choose the carpet first and ensure that the rest of the scheme co-ordinates with its colour and pattern – remember, the floor is the largest area you will see in a room, so it’s important to get it right. When you are doing building work, however, always install the carpet last, to protect it from splashes and spills. Last, but by no means least, when you work out your budget don’t forget the cost of underlay and fitting.

Get your room professionally measured to ensure that you don’t over- or under-order and when replacing a carpet, always buy new underlay. Not only will it ensure that your new carpet sits properly and wears evenly, but it could prolong its life by up to 40 per cent.

IMAGE - Padstow candy spot carpet, £69.99 per square metre, Brintons, tel 0800 505055, www. brintons.co.uk.

The Home

CARPET FIBRES

CARPET PILE

Wool: Naturally flame-retardant and resilient to compression, wool is warm, soft, durable and does not soil easily. 100% wool is a sumptuous choice. The best wools come from Britain and New Zealand.

Loop: Pile tufts are left uncut and can either feel smooth or are like natural flooring such as sisal and Loop: The pile tufts are left uncut and can either feel smooth or may replicate the appearance of natural flooring such as sisal and coir. Not a good idea if you have pets, as animal claws and loop piles do not mix.

Nylon: Extremely hard-wearing, nylon has the greatest abrasion resistance of all fibres. It takes dye and stainresistance treatments well.

Polypropylene: Inherently resistant to stains and abrasions, polypropylene wears well and is value-formoney. It is used mainly in plain twists, loop patterns and saxonies.

Polyester: Stain-resistant, light and bulky, polyester has a lustrous appearance and is mainly used in plain, thick saxonies.

Mixes: In order to enhance performance, give a particular feel or reduce price, the four fibres may be blended together. Pure wool, for example, is very expensive, so cheaper options mix a synthetic fibre with wool. The most common blends are 80% wool with 20% nylon (often recommended as the ideal combination of softness and strength); 80% wool with 10% nylon and 10% polyester; and 50% wool with 50% polypropylene.

Cord: The loops are pulled tight against the backing, giving a very low pile.

Saxony: A deeper pile with a soft, sensuous feel and appearance. Very popular in bedrooms.

Shag: Extra-long pile – watch out for high heels.

Twist: A loop pile that uses yarn with a higher twist than usual to give a coarse, rugged surface. The best types twist two yarn ends tightly together for a very hard-wearing carpet.

Velvet: A sheared, short pile with a smooth, luxurious finish.

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already growing veg in the garden, seeking out Farm Shops as they popped up and buying her meats from the local butchers so that she could provide the best for her growing family. But she always had a desire to do more.

Disillusioned with town living, in 2005 Trudie decided to seek a piece of land in order to move her passion along. Researching land and prices she soon learnt that taking a larger piece of land and diversifying was more economical and viable longer term. Over time, as she continued her search, the children grew more self-sufficient so she began to take up as many agricultural courses as she could, in order to extend her knowledge and experience. From pig keeping, sheep breeding animal handling, beekeeping and even alpacas, you name it she tried it!

This month’s article takes me across the beautiful Kent countryside to Smarden, a small village and civil parish full of charm and history.

I have followed this small farm for several years now and have been so impressed with their dedication and determination to supply top quality rare breed meats, I could not wait to feature them.

I first met Trudie many years ago when I used her services as an accountant! Who knew that our paths would cross again, but this time in a very different and lovely way, with both of us pursuing our long time passions in artisan food.

Not coming from a farming family at all, being born and bred in Gravesend in a house full of book keepers and accountants, there was no connection to farming or animals whatsoever.

This is another story of significant life change, born out of a personal passion.

In the early 90’s Trudie was watching television when a program called “Escape to River Cottage” came on. The wonderfully quirky, creative and wholesome Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall showed that by going back to basics, coupled with time, research and dedication we can provide wholesome, cheap and nutritious food for our families and friends. This program struck a chord with Trudie, being a mother and a lady that cares about where her foods come from. She was

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One day, whilst sitting in the Office adding up some figures, a piece of land in Smarden popped up in her Inbox. It was the perfect size and distance so she stepped on it and placed a sealed bid! Sadly someone beat her to it so the search continued!

By chance, about 6 months later, the same piece of land appeared again for sale and her offer was accepted. It seemed that it was meant to be, it would be theirs after all. Once signed, sealed and under their ownership the labour of love began!

Driving back and forth between Smarden and Gravesend whenever they could and staying in a tent on site at every spare moment was their alternative lifestyle for about a year, until the tent literally disintegrated! A caravan was brought on site to provide a little extra luxury, whilst plans and preparations continued for their long term dream of creating a small farm. At this point Trudie’s eldest daughter and son-in-law also decided to move to Smarden and get involved.

They chose to go down the rare breed route with their lamb and pork and, after Trudie attended a smallholding course, she was introduced for the first time to Boer goats and she was smitten.

Her idea to breed with them and sell goat meat opened up quite a gap in the market, goat meat is fast becoming a popular option in this country.

With the additional support of their local vet and various other family and friends Ritoweg Farm began to take great shape.

Food & Domestic Services One learning curve after another, and with their dreams of living on the farm in sight, pigs, lambs and goats began to arrive in stages. The farm was soon a real working farm, enabling them to take their products to the local community. Trudie’s business and finance background enabled her to set to work on planning what it would take to make a living wage, so they could build a log cabin and make it more comfortable for the humans!. They took up opportunities at Farmers Markets wherever they could and now attend seven across the local area. They have repeat custom and have built up a great reputation, especially for their sausages.

Their story shows once again that commitment, vision, hard work and dedication pays off, and that a huge leap of faith can propel you into a life change that can enrich every part of your life.

Supporting these great people in their journey to change the face of how we source our food, by buying their goods is simply our part in their journey, so let’s empower more diversity and traceability and buy local wherever we can.

To find out where you can buy Ritoweg Farm meats and sausages visit their Facebook page, website www.ritowegfarm.co.uk or you can find them on the Kent Farmers Market Association website www. kfma.org.uk for a full listing.

Local Markets 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 Hamstreet Victory Hall every third Saturday 10-12pm Contact 01797 344437 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) Rye Market Every Thursday at the Cattle Market Car Park. Early till around 3pm (depending on the weather)

¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

Unique professional intensive valet process Range & AGA specialist All ovens, hobs, extractor fans & microwaves Environmentally friendly, no toxic chemicals, no fumes Contact Richard at Ovenu Ashford 01233 380023 or 0800 1409800 See www.ovenu.co.uk for a video and more info Have you been cooking? Treat yourself to a clean oven!

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 19

Cake and Bake Tropical Fruit Roulade A lovely light and fruity dessert that’s ideal for summer entertaining. You can vary the fruit filling, try fresh chopped peaches and raspberries or strawberries and blueberries if preferred.

Ingredients: • 5 large eggs • 165g caster sugar • 4 tbsp plain flour • 300ml double cream • 2 passion fruit • 1 small ripe mango

Serves 8

Swiss roll tin and line the base and sides with lightly greased baking paper.

2. Place the eggs and 150g of the caster sugar in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water and whisk with an electric whisk until the mixture is very pale and thick (see tip). Remove from the heat and continue whisking until the mixture leaves a trail when the whisk is lifted.

3. Sift the flour over the mixture and fold in gently with a metal spoon. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and tilt the tin to level the surface. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and just firm to the touch.

Ready in 1hour, plus cooling

4. Invert the roulade out onto a sheet of baking paper dusted with

TIP

5. Whip the cream in a large bowl until softly peaking. Scoop

The trick to a really light and fluffy fatless sponge is to whisk the mixture over the simmering water for at least 7-8 minutes to incorporate as much air as possible, and to fold in the flour very gently to avoid knocking out too much air.

20

1. Preheat the oven to 180/fan 160C/Gas 4. Grease a 33cm x 23cm

the rest of the sugar. Cover with a clean damp tea towel and leave to cool completely. the seeds and flesh from the passion fruit and fold into the cream. Peel the mango and cut a few thin slices to decorate the roulade; finely chop the rest. Remove the paper lining from the roulade and trim the edges. Spread the passion fruit cream over the sponge and top with the chopped mango.

6. Using the sugared paper as a guide, roll up the roulade from one short end. Transfer to a serving platter and decorate with the reserved mango slices just before serving.

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L i v e Ja z z 2016

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 Aug 4th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE SIMON SPILLETT QUARTET £10 Aug 11th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL OF JAZZ SINGING TINA MAY & HER ALL STAR TRIO £10 Aug 18th THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL JAZZ KEN PEPLOWSKI & JULIAN MARC STRINGLE £12 Plus THE CRAIG MILVERTON TRIO Aug 25th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE MARC CECIL ALL STAR QUINTET £12 Sep 1st THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ DEREK NASH’S PICANTE’ LATIN BAND £12 Sep 8th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ SARAH MOULE & HER ALL STAR TRIO £10 Sep 15th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE SOUND OF J & K £12 Sep 20th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ KAREN SHARP & MICK FOSTER QUINTET £10 Sep 29th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE PAUL LACEY “SWEETS” SEXTET £12 Oct 6th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE NIGEL PRICE QUARTET £10 Oct 13th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE MATT WATES SEXTET £12 Oct 20th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ ELAINE DELMAR with THE BRIAN £10 DEE TRIO T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b i s a n o n p r o f i t m a k i n g j a z z c l u b. R u n b y & fo r p e o p l e w i t h a l i k e m i n d e d i n t e re s t i n OUR KIND OF MUSIC D e r i c k Wo o d l a n d 0 1 3 0 3 2 6 0 3 3 0

22

W h a t’s O n 30th July - 13th August Romney Marsh Art Society, The Marsh Academy main reception, Station Road, New Romney. Free admission.

Cream Teas at All Saints Woodchurch 2.304.30pm Sundays 7/21 August. To be held in the

church grounds, weather permitting, otherwise in the church.

The Sellinge Gardeners’ Asoociation annual Summer Show Sellinge Village Hall (on the A20) Sunday 14th August. Plants Sale, Cakes, Raffle, Refreshments, etc. doors open at 2.30 pm.

Entrance FREE

Ashford Flower Club - On Tuesday, 16th August,

a demonstration entitled ‘Greenfingers’ by Jane Haas will take place at Furley Hall, Maidstone Road, Ashford. The evening starts at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome - £3.00 at the door.

Smeeth W.I. will not meet at the Village Hall in

August but will hold a Celebratory Sandwich Lunch at “Sirocco”, Canterbury Road, Brabourne Lees on Tuesday 16th August 12 noon to 2.30pm cost £4.00 There will be a raffle. Visitors are welcome but please do contact Joy Taylor on 01303 812165 or Margaret Garrett on 01303 813932 to assist catering.

Friday 26th August Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society’s next meeting will be at the village hall 7.15 for 7.30 pm when Mike Copland (of Wyebugs who specialise in providing insect diagnostic and support services to the horticultural and agricultural industry, as well as solving problems associated with insects in the domestic environment) will give a presentation on “How Plants Talk to Insects”. Visitors will be made most welcome. For further information contact Wendy on 01303 813 451 or email brabournewendy@gmail.com.

The Biddenden Horticultural Society meets on Wednesday 24th August in the Village Hall (7:15pm for 7:30pm start) for our Autumn Show.

An opportunity for members to show what has been grown. We will also have a quiz followed by tea and cakes. The Society will also have a stand at the Biddenden Tractorfest and Country Fair on the weekend of 20th and 21st August. A visit to ‘Godinton House’, Ashford has been arranged for Wednesday 10th August. The cost for this is £6 and we will meet in the Biddenden Post Office car park

at 1:30pm for our usual ‘car share’. For further information please contact Irene on 01580291777 or Lesley on 01580291931. Our fees for Village Hall meetings are Members £1.50, Non Members £2.50. Annual membership £5. New members always welcome.

Appledore Flower Festival “90 Years Ago” Bank Holiday Weekend 27th, 28th & 29st August Sat. & Mon. 10.00 – 5.30 Sun. Noon – 5.30.

Over 30 floral arrangements representing births, events, inventions, achievements etc. of 1926.

Free admission and parking Stalls with books, cakes, local produce, plants, “ancient and modern”, preserves, handicrafts etc. Delicious refreshments and music all day every day. Preview Friday 26th at 7.00 p.m. Appledore Parish Church TN26 2DB Details 01233 758256

Art in Bridge 2016 Exhibition

Bridge Village Hall, High Street, Bridge

Saturday 8th October 11am – 6pm

music from 5pm th

Sunday 9 October 11am – 4pm

August Bank Holiday Sat 27th, Sun 28th and

Mon 29th The Great British Seaside Challock Flower Festival Saints Cosmas and Damian

Church, Church Lane, Challock Bric a brac, books, raffle, tombola, plant stall etc. Refreshments, teas, famous for delicious homemade cakes and ploughmans 10am to 4.30pm Free parking. There is no fixed charge but your kind donations will be much appreciated

Smarden Garage Sale Saturday 3rd September 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. Many garages around the

End of the Row – Heather Defferary 2015

Entrance FREE Refreshments available Exhibitor theweb website, site,The The Bourne Gallery, Bekesbourne Exhibitorentry entry form form from from the Bourne Gallery, Bekesbourne and in September from Colebrook & Co, Estate Agents, High Street, Bridge and in September fromSturrock Colebrook Sturrock & Co, Estate Agents, th Exhibits to the Hall 4.30 – 6.30 pm Friday 7 October High Street, Bridge. Exhibits to the Hall 4.30 – 6.30 pm Friday 7th October For further information please go to www.artinbridge.org.uk

For further information please go to www.artinbridge.org.uk

parish selling an amazing range of goods. There will also be stalls at Smarden Charter Hall, Chessenden Lane, Smarden TN27 8NF where maps, toilets and refreshments will also be available.

A Four Week Introduction to Mindfulness Course Starting September 17th - October 8th 2016 at The Hamstreet Pavilion Saturdays 10.30-12.30pm Cost £65, Concessions available at £45. Please contact Donna Randall for further information at mindfulnessashford@gmail.com or telephone 079405 15916

The Weald of Kent Computer Club will next meet on Wednesday 21st September 2016 in

Biddenden New Village Hall at 7.30 pm. as there is no meeting in August. Annual membership is £10.00. Non-members are welcome at £2 a visit. Full details: http://www.wealdofkentcomputerclub. co.uk/ Enquiries: secretarywkcc@yahoo.co.uk On Behalf of The R.A.F. Association, The Railway Swing Band will be in Concert at The Tower Theatre, Shorncliffe on Wednesday 28th September 2016 At 7:30. Tickets are £12 each, £11 for concessions. Early booking is recommended as it is a well supported concert.

Box Office 01303 223925.

23

Hobbies ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’? Become A Wildlife Recorder!

By Kate McLelland According to Dr John Blewitt, a specialist in Social Responsibility at Aston University in Birmingham, many of us are suffering from a new condition known as “nature deficit disorder”. Before you rush to google the symptoms, it may help to know that this isn’t a real medical condition, but a term coined to describe people who are cut off from the natural world.

Research carried out by the charity Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) has revealed that a significant percentage of young adults aged between 16 and 23 are so divorced from nature they believe that eggs are made from wheat and don’t know that milk comes from a cow.

In a timely intervention, Bristol Natural History Consortium, together with 14 partner organisations, has come up with a national initiative that promises to put us back in touch with the natural world. BioBlitz is a research programme that encourages ordinary people to become wildlife explorers for a day. Events are scheduled to take place throughout the country until October.

BioBlitz’s team of experienced

24

naturalists and wildlife watchers are hoping to link up with an army of volunteers to help them track down as many different species of insects, plants, wild birds and mammals as they can within a 24 hour timeframe. The research will be carried out in exactly the same way as a formal scientific expedition: everything that is discovered will be carefully documented then passed on to local and national databases that monitor the UK’s wildlife. BioBlitz promises there will be something for all ages at their events, with interactive activities suitable for beginners and experts alike (find out more at www.bnhc.org.uk).

If 24 hours isn’t long enough to satisfy your curiosity about the natural world, never fear: you can go on to take part in a wide range of wildlife initiatives that keep going all year round.

LOVE OUR LADYBIRDS Go to www.ladybird-survey. org to find information about this much-loved insect, which belongs to the scientific family Coccinellidae. These attractive creatures come in a range of different colours and sizes, from the tiny, yellow 22-spot Ladybird to the pea-sized Eyed Ladybird.

In the UK, around 46 species

actually belong to this family, although only 26 of these are recognisable as ladybirds.

Ladybird research is important because of the recent invasion by the Harlequin Ladybird, which now threatens to overwhelm our native populations. On the Ladybird Survey website you’ll find links to a website where you can record sightings of the Harlequin.

BUY A MAMMAL TUNNEL Even wondered which small mammals pass through your garden at night, searching for food? Nottingham Trent University has come up with an ingenious way to detect the presence of hedgehogs, mice, shrews and other small creatures that would otherwise be hard to observe with the naked eye.

The Footprint Tunnel is a noninvasive tool designed to help researchers identify the presence of animals by identifying their paw-prints. The idea is very simple: your garden visitors enter a small, triangular tunnel set with bait, leaving their prints on special inked paper as they search for the food. This is an intriguing survey that can involve the whole family – with the added satisfaction that you are

Leisure contributing to national research on small mammal populations.

A Footprint Tunnel kit is available from The Mammal Society at www.mammal.org.uk at a cost of £15.54 (including VAT). You can download a free, printable guide from the same site to help you identify different species from their paw-prints.

ADD VALUE TO YOUR BIRDWATCHING HOBBY BirdTrack is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the RSPB, Birdwatch Ireland, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and the Welsh Ornithological Society. It is a national research programme that uses people power to supply information on birds where there are currently gaps in our knowledge (for example, very little is known about the timing of arrivals and

departures of migrating species).

The information you supply to BirdTrack could eventually be used to protect our birds, particularly rare species.

It is easy to take part in a BirdTrack survey. Just register on the site www.bto.org as a recorder and the next time you go birdwatching, enter the location you’ve visited plus the date and time of your visit, then check off the birds you spotted on the list provided.

Information is updated every night, so you can go online the following day to see how the information uploaded by you and other birdwatchers across the UK is contributing to ongoing research.

these ideas will hopefully inspire you to take on a more active role.

There are many other ways for you to get involved with monitoring wildlife, including a butterfly survey, a national reptile and amphibian recording scheme, a flying ant survey and a shark egg case hunt! These innovative wildlife recording projects are not only a fantastic way to learn about the great outdoors, they also make a real contribution to the nation’s knowledge, so get out there and start recording today.

If you and your family have never previously thought about how you could protect and conserve our natural environment, then

25

To Dye Or Not To Dye?

by Kate McLelland

It’s a dilemma faced by most

people of ‘a certain age’: let your hair go grey, or reach for the dye bottle? Grey hair is one of the strongest visual indicators of age and even if you’ve managed to avoid some of the other obvious signs, such as wrinkles and a sagging waistline, your hair colour will give you away every time.

If you’re uneasy about the prospect of growing older, then the chances are that you will do whatever it takes to retain your youthful hair colour, even if it means regular trips to the hairdressers or struggling to make sense of an off-the-shelf dye kit:“part hair into strands and, wearing the gloves provided, tip bottle A into container B and shake well before applying”.

WHY WE GO GREY Our natural hair colour comes from a pigment known as melanin, produced by the hair follicles. As we age our follicles produce less melanin, resulting in grey and silver tones. The age at which you turn grey and the amount 26

of hair affected depends largely upon your genes, but the average person will spot their first grey hair in their 30s and most people will have noticeable grey strands by their 40s. By the age of fifty, fifty per cent of people will have gone grey.

The aging process also makes your hair follicles and the oil glands in your scalp shrink, resulting in hair that is thinner, dryer and more brittle. People of both sexes may also lose some hair as they grow older.

Although we tend to think of hair loss as an exclusively male preserve, women can also lose volume as a result of hormonal changes during the menopause.

GREY IS THE NEW BLACK Women may also feel under greater pressure to keep up a youthful appearance.

While an older woman who refuses to colour her hair may be described as ‘brave’, a grey haired man enjoys the much more flattering label of ‘silver fox’. But a new fashion promises to make grey hair shades chic for both

sexes, whatever their ages: young, hip celebrities such as Rihanna, Zayn Malik and Nicole Ritchie have recently hit the headlines for adopting silver grey hair shades and the trend for grey colourants is growing.

WHY MORE OF US ARE REFUSING TO DYE It’s ironic that while younger people are now choosing to colour their hair in grey and silver shades, many older people are turning away from hair dyes. While there is no single cause for this change of attitude, there are several reasons why the number of cheerleaders for being ‘grey and proud’ may be on the rise.

Is hair dye harmful?

Scare stories about the dangers posed by certain chemicals have continued to surface, in spite of a major re-think by manufacturers in the 1980s, when research revealed that substances used in hair dye at that time caused cancer in mice. While modern studies have shown that prolonged exposure to hair dye chemicals may give

Health & Lifestyle professional hairdressers an increased chance of contracting cancer, no concrete evidence has yet been found to suggest that hair dyes are unsafe for regular personal use. The jury is still out on the risks faced by today’s consumers but even a tiny seed of doubt may be enough to persuade some people to stop colouring their hair.

We can’t turn back the clock As we age, our skin colour alters, picking up more yellow tones. This means that a mature skin tone may no longer look as good against a vibrant, youthful hair shade (although if you do decide to colour your hair a professional hairdresser will be able to advise on the best shades to

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use). Because aging hair is dryer and more brittle, the chemicals in permanent dyes can leave the hair looking dull and lifeless, so a desire for healthier looking hair – whatever its colour - may ultimately persuade us to let nature take its course.

Role models lead the way Back in the day it was an unspoken rule that any celebrity over 40 should automatically dye their hair. These days, however, we’re surrounded by high profile figures sporting grey hairstyles – think of male celebritiess such as Gary Lineker, José Mourinho and George Clooney and female high rollers like Vogue’s Anna Wintour, actress Meryl Streep and IMF leader Christine

Lagarde. Far from hinting at age and infirmity, their grey hairstyles exude power and charisma.

These days we are all living longer, in better health, and it may simply be that the trend towards accepting grey hair shows we are more relaxed about the aging process, living life to the full instead of hiding away. To quote celebrity hairstylist and founder of Twitter’s @ thegreyglammovement, Cynthia Alvarez: “Grey is the new black. The colour has taken on an entirely new life and meaning – today grey is beautiful, sexy, chic, fabulous!”

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Kid’s Corner

28

Clubs & Societies Aldington & Bonnington Gardening Society We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the

month in the Aldington Village Hall at 7.45 pm for 8.00. We have a varied programme of talks, shows and social events. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For further details please contact Jean Evans on 01233 720618 or colin.e123@ btinternet.com Aldington Corner Quilters is a long established group of friendly ladies meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Aldington Village Hall, 7.00pm - 9.00pm. We have a mix of beginners and experienced ladies who share their latest projects and ideas. We always welcome new members so if you are interested come along one evening and meet us. For more information contact Julie Coney - quirkyjules@gmail.com or call 01303 813944 (eve).

Aldington WI on 3rd Mon every month. All ladies welcome, 7 for 7.30 at The Walnut Tree, Aldington.

Ashford Model Railway Club - We meet on Wednesday evenings at the barn café at Willesborough Windmill. between 7.00pm and 9.00pm, and the club would welcome new members. Club members are currently building a model of Rye in 00 gauge in the SR period.

Contact John White on 01233 733416 for more information Ashford Radio Aeromodellers, we have a field at Sellindge for flying seven days a week, and fly indoors in Ashford Market on various Thursday evenings during the Autumn, Winter, & Spring, please visit www.araclub.co.uk for more details, or phone Iain on 07956501510, or myself (Roger) 01233 627694.

Ashford Soroptimists Second Tues of the month, 7.15pm, except August, in Tesco Crooksfoot Community Room. We are part of a global organisation whose aims are to improve the lives and status of women and girls through education.

In addition we also have fun, with a programme of social activities. If you think you may be interested in joining us do please give us a call. Contact Sue Wood 01233 623902 Bilsington Ladies meet in Bilsington Village Hall 2nd Thursday of the month at 2.15pm. Interesting speakers and a warm welcome awaits. Call Jan on 01233 641820.

Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society

We meet on the last Friday of the month at Brabourne & Smeeth Village Hall, 7.15 for 7.30pm.

New members and visitors will be made very welcome. For further info call Wendy Sanders 01303 813451 or email brabournewendy@gmail.com.

East Kent Morris Men Do you like dancing, beer,

socialising, music, having fun? Why not try Morris Dancing? We are recruiting for new members. Weekly Wednesday dance practices start on September 9th at Mersham Village Hall, 8pm to 10pm; afterwards we practise drinking in the pub opposite! No experience required. Why not give it a try? Details from www. ekmm.org.uk or 01795 536 262 Enjoy Learning offers enjoyable adult classes in NEW ROMNEY, DYMCHURCH and HYTHE. We teach ART APPRECIATION & SPANISH CLASSES. The Spanish Classes are not for complete beginners, but if you have done a bit of Spanish in the past and would like to brush up your skills, the classes might be suitable. Cost £5 per week. For further details contact ANDREW and DEBBY on 01303 875542

Every Monday - Have fun and get fit with a mixed

group of friendly joggers with a sense of humour.

Quilting Group held in the Oak Room, Smeeth TN25 6SA. If you are interested in quilting or patchwork why not come along and learn new skills and share your expertise with like minded people. Beginners and advanced levels are welcome. Bi-monthly meetings, for further information contact Marion on 01233 750319 Sellindge Gardening Association meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Durling Hall Sellindge (next to the main hall) at 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Our programme includes speakers, a summer show, social events, day trips and an annual holiday.

For further details contact Linda on 01303 813288.

Sellindge Table Top Sale the 1st Saturday of each month in the village hall Sellindge. Tables booked in advance are £5. 00 Each and on the day (If available) £8. 00. Telephone for more information 01303 813475. Refreshments are available and home made cakes.

Smeeth W.I. We meet on the second Monday of the Month at 7.30 pm in the Brabourne & Smeeth village hall for further information do contact Joy Taylor 01303 812165” Stanford & Postling WI meet in the comittee room at the rear of Lympne Village Hall on the 3rd monday of every month. we are a small but friendly group who would love to wlecome new members. Our speakers at the next few meetings are: March 21st Porchlight, Kate Lumley, April 18th Agatha Christie, Rosemary Piddock. for any futher information please contact Elaine on 01303 863096 or Iona on 01303 238390.

The Get Together Club meet second Wednesday of the month in the Durling Hall, Sellindge from 2pm to 4pm. new members welcome.

29 29

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!

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.

K I S S

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

Across 7. Not moving (6) 8. Conflict (6) 9. Horrible (4) 10. Wrapper for letter (8) 11. Thrift (7) 13. Loosen (5) 15. Type of snake (5) 17. Country dwelling (7) 20. Against the current (8) 21. Certain (4) 23. Cruel (6) 24. Necessary (6) Down 1. Celestial body (4) 2. Part of a flower (6) 3. Shrieks (7) 4. Higher up (5) 5. Pinched (6) 6. Tossing (8) 12. Hacking (8) 14. Order (7) 30

T E L L

Crossword

16. Keep (6) 18. Examined (6)

19. Fixes (5) 22. Regrets (4)

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Bathroom Suites • Taps • Ball Valves Hot & Cold Tanks • Blockages & Burst Pipes

Heating Installations • Repairs • Pumps & Radiators Specialist Powerflushing and De-Scaling Service

Telephone: 01303 812148 Mobile: 07738907717 www.plumbing-masters.co.uk

Plumbing & Heating Services

All plumbing work undertaken no job too small!

Burst pipes, Blockages, Taps, Pumps, Radiators & Drainage work. Bathroom & Shower Installation

Call: Michael on 01233 733779 or 07515 651 717 No Call Out Charge. 24hr Service

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES BATHROOM SUITES BLOCKAGES & BURST PIPES TAPS BALL VALVES HOT & COLD TANKS INSTALLATIONS

REPAIRS PUMPS & RADIATORS SPECIALIST POWER FLUSHING & DE-SCALING SERVICE NO CALL OUT CHARGE FREE ESTIMATES OAP DISCOUNT ALL WORK GUARANTEED

NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Noel @ Dial-a-Plumber 32

01233 642233

The Home

Derek Hales MASTER TILER SPECIALIST IN ALL FORMS OF WALL AND FLOOR TILING CLEAN, FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE

For your free quotation

Call Derek on 07905 700 142 Jakeman & Jakeman Homecare Steve Jakeman

Handyman Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior Decoration and Maintenance

01233 625442 07910591393

219 Canterbury Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9QH

Jakeman-homecare@ntlworld.com

GP

Electrical & Plastering 07803 417098

www.gpelectricalandplastering.co.uk Friendly, Professional Service - Free Estimates, Fully Insured Plastering Artex Covering Walls and Ceilings Renovations & more...

Electrical Work Consumer Unit Changes Full Rewires Outhouses / Exterior & more...

• • • • •

Industrial • Commercial • Domestic New Installations • General Electrical Repairs Showers / Extractor Fans • Energy Saving Advice Emergency Lighting • Solar Panels Garden Electrics • Inspection & PAT Testing Full and Part Rewires • Central Vacuum System • Under Floor Heating

Call: 01233 665107

E: laureng@tbelectrical.org.uk

FREE Quotations!

STANFORD ROOFING

99 99 99 99 99

New Roofs & Repairs Slates, Tiles, Kent Pegs Period Buildings Leadwork Guttering, Fascias

e: info@stanfordroofing.co.uk

99 Repointing 99 Flat Roofs 99 Public Liability Insurance

FREE ESTIMATES Over 25 yrs Experience

Tel: 01303 814860 m: 07725 124891

www.stanfordroofing.co.uk Pound Lane, Smeeth TN25 6RJ 33

Holiday Reads For many of us, the best thing about a holiday is the opportunity to get lost in a book, without feeling guilty about unread emails, dirty dishes or the other 1001 daily chores that rudely interrupt our reading. If you’re looking for a novel to get lost in, we have plenty to recommend.

Magruder’s Curiosity Cabinet – H.P. Wood In 1904, the tavern beneath Magruder’s Curiosity Cabinet has become a haven for the many ‘unusuals’ who call Coney Island their home. There’s Rosalind, who’s as likely to wear a suit as a dress, Zeph, who lost both his legs in a childhood accident, eight year old P-Ray, who never speaks and collects fleas, and any other number of characters.

After finding herself alone and penniless, Kitty Hayward finds solace at Magruder’s, but her peace may well be short-lived.

Anarchy is in the air, and the plague is sweeping through the streets. These characters will stay with you long after your holiday is over.

The Last of Us – Rob Ewing On a remote Scottish island, a pandemic has killed most of the population. There are no adults left. Just five children, trying to survive on the tinned food they find in neighbouring houses.

There’s Rona, the narrator, along with little Alex and their leader, Elizabeth, who makes sure they brush their teeth and carry on with their school lessons. And then there’s Calum Ian and Duncan, who are starting to resent Elizabeth’s authority. A beautiful, heart-wrenching story.

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Dear Amy – Helen Callaghan When a newspaper agony aunt receives a letter claiming to be from a kidnapped girl, she assumes at first it’s a hoax. After all, Bethany Avery has been missing for years. But then more letters arrive, seemingly with information only the girl could know. Throw into the mix another recent abduction, and you have an enjoyable psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, a great storyline and appealing characters.

Woman on the Edge of Time – Marge Piercy It’s been four decades since the release of this classic feminist dystopian novel, yet the writing still feels just as original and relevant. Wife and mother Connie Ramos has been branded as mentally unstable and now lives alone, ostracised by most of society. She starts escaping to a future, happier time – where equality is accepted as the norm.

But Connie is also shown an alternative future, where women are little more than commodities.

Which one becomes reality may be down to Connie herself. If you’ve never read it, or worse, were made to analyse it for an English Literature class, now is the time to pick up the 40th anniversary edition.

Fishbowl – Bradley Somer All of life’s highs and lows are played out in one apartment block by its many inhabitants.

There’s ‘the Villain Connor Radley’, ‘the Evil Seductress Faye’, ‘Stoic Jimenez’ and agoraphobic ‘Clare the Shut-in’, amongst others.

And then there’s Ian – a humble goldfish, who’s about to take a plunge from the twenty-seventh floor. In the four seconds it takes him to fall, he’ll discover more about the apartment’s inhabitants than perhaps they even know about themselves. Insightful, original and entertaining.

Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All – Jonas Jonasson After three stints in prison for murder, Hitman Anders decides to go straight. Well, less crooked anyway. An unlikely alliance between the hitman, a lapsed priest and a hotel receptionist see the trio embark on a trek across Sweden, lying, cheating and swindling as they go. A great novel to escape into for fans of dark humour, it’s possibly best suited to villa holidays, or other locations where holidaymakers won’t get annoyed at your snorts of laughter.

The Home ARCHITECTURAL + INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANTS Designing the future Building our Heritage

t: 01233 639822 f: 01233 639825

e: thestudio@jpdarch.co.uk w: www.jpdarchitectureuk.com The Studio, Tower Farm House, Faversham Road, Boughton Aluph, Ashford, Kent TN25 4HT

J.A.G.E.R



Electrical Contractors

 

Unit 1, Mill Farm Business Untis, Bethersden TN26 3DB Professional, reliable service you can trust!

           

  

All Electrical Works Undertaken

• Domestic • Commercial • Industrial

Design & Installation / Housing New Builds Residential Rewiring / Test & Inspection Data & Communication Cabling CCTV Cable Installation / Lighting Alarm Systems / Intercom Systems Electric Gate Systems

www.jagerelectricalltd.co.uk

Office: 01233 820400 

James: 07912 030 574 Elliott: 07891 175 422

info@jagerelectricalltd.co.uk

Oil Heating & Oil Cookers R-OAK Services M. Oakley & O.Stanley - Oil-fired Specialists Breakdowns & Servicing • Boiler Installation • Power Flushing AGA, Rayburn, Alpha, Stanley, Worcester, Tel: 01233 770138 www.ohoc.co.uk Grant, Boulter, Potterton, Trianco and more...

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Probus?

What is Probus?

That was the question that went through my mind when I was asked to join eight years ago.

Not ever having heard the name, I thought perhaps it was a club for people who liked travelling on buses.

A committee formed from the Rotary Club of Ashford chaired by Geoffrey Redfern had an inaugural Probus Club meeting on Thursday 1st December 1977. The Probus Club of Ashford had their first meeting on Friday 14th April 1978.

The idea was to form a social and companionship club for retired and semi-retired professionals and businessmen. Also there are Ladies Probus Clubs and one or two with mixed members.

There are now 600 Probus clubs in Great Britain and Ireland and many more worldwide. The Ashford club is now in its 39th year and has 66 members with ages ranging from 66 to 93. We are based at Sandyacres in Sandyhurst Lane, Kennington. The club meets twice a month, on the second Friday we have a coffee morning with interesting speakers with wives and partners also invited, these are usually very well attended. The fourth Friday is reserved for a member’s lunch. To ensure that members mix together (no cliques allowed) a system of draw a number from a bag to determine which table you sit at has proved to be a good system to get to know each other.

The club also has a well attended bowls section and all bowlers are members of the Ashford Indoor Bowls Club in Victoria Park and play each Monday morning on reserved rinks. We also play matches against other Probus Clubs.

36

Every year we organise a holiday of five days duration where we go abroad one year and in England the next. We have days out to interesting places and trips to London theatres.

All these activities are organised by a committee of elected club members, all members are expected to help and in time be on the committee.

We do pride ourselves that we look to the welfare of those members that need and seek help and widows of past members are invited to coffee mornings and the Christmas Lunch.

So why explain Probus? Like all clubs we do look for new members and we now have vacancies for a few. The subscription is only ÂŁ12 a year.

After eight years of being a member my wife and I have had some very enjoyable times with very nice people, and this year I have the honour of being President.

If you would like to join us please contact our club Secretary Eric Hay on 01233 513011 and join us for a coffee morning and/or lunch.

The Home

Highclere Construction The Ashford Building Contractors All Types of Building, Restoration & Maintenance Work Undertaken

Brickwork Carpentry Plastering

Roofing Drainage Qualified Tradesmen at Sensible Prices All quotations will of course be free of charge!

Call John Cameron on

07740 150 274 or 01233 624093

Why not follow us on Facebook

37

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

Doctors Surgery Willesborough 01233 621626 Wye 01233 884585 Veterinary Surgeons Barrow Hill Vets 01233 624687 Montgomery Vets 01303 813756 Parish Councils: Brabourne & Smeeth 01233 623902 Boughton Aluph & Eastwell 01233 720392 Brook 01233 750415 Challock 01233 740351 Hastingleigh 01233 750415 Wye & Hinxhill 01233 812459 Westwell 01233 623902 Ashford Borough Council 01233 331111 www.ashford.gov.uk Ashford Gateway 0845 8 247 247 info:ashfordgateway.co.uk www.ashfordgateway.co.uk Citizens Advice Bureau 01233 626185 CPRE Kent Volunteer Centre

Age UK Ashford

Macmillan Cancer Support www.forget-me-nots.co.uk

Parkinson’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 0844 800 44 11 Stage Coach East Kent:

0871 200 22 33 (Timetable)

08456 00 22 99 (Customer Services) National Train Enquiries: www.nationalrail.co.uk Wealden Wheels: 01233 840000 Village Halls: Boughton Lees Brook Challock Westwell Wye

01233 714540 01233 665 535

High Pressure Jetting Service & Repair to Sewage treatment plants Soakaway Testing

01233 668 765

www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com

CARM E: Carmromneymarsh@supanet.com www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk

01233 623639 01233 812803 01233 740504 01233 712107 07504 839 858

Cesspool Emptying Service

01233 840624

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