Charing December 2018

VOTED BEST IN

The

Village Directory

Charing Area

Dec/Jan 2019 Edition • Issue 112 • Royal Mail

CINNAMON

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F R I DAY N I G H T L I V E & L O C A L F O RT N I G H T LY F R I DAY S F RO M 8 P M

F R I DAY 3 1 A U G U S T / E R I S O N AV I F R I DAY 1 4 S E P T E M B E R / J U N C T I O N S T R E E T F R I DAY 2 8 S E P T E M B E R / K E L LY S TA N L E Y F R I DAY 1 2 O C TO B E R / N I C K E V E F R I DAY 2 6 O C TO B E R / M A RT I N L E D N E R F R I DAY 9 N O V E M B E R / M AT T B RO O K S F R I DAY 2 3 N O V E M B E R / F R E D C L A R K F R I DAY 7 D E C E M B E R / K A R L S C H I L G

K I C K S TA RT YO U R W E E K E N D W I T H B E AT S , B I T E S A N D B E E R S !

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Welcome Hi everyone, welcome to the last edition of 2018. Christmas is coming and a new year is on the horizon, I hope you’re all organised.

For me Christmas is not just about spending time with family, but also having a wellearned break away from the pressures of print deadlines and staring at computer screens for hours on end. These days a large part of my Christmas shopping is done online, but that means even more hours of screen time spent!

We live in an age where very few of us can get away from staring at screens, I may soon have to put corrective eye surgery on my Christmas list as I’m now shuffling glasses like a pack of cards!

I still love going to the high street for some of my Christmas shopping, taking in the atmosphere, stopping for lunch somewhere, and then struggling home at the end of the day with bags containing something for everyone (wishful thinking!). These days the high street is suffering as result of internet shopping, but it’s all about the physical experience, maybe it just needs to change a little.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of this magazine and of all our advertisers. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. I’m now off to watch a good old fashioned musical on TV (more screen time!), by the fire with a nice glass of red wine, Cheers!

See you in 2019.

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Feb / Mar Edition Deadline 10th Jan 2019 3

Clubs & Societies Bethersden Art Group Are you looking for a new hobby? Would you like to develop your artistic skills, or try a different medium? Then why not come along and join a cheerful and friendly group who enjoy the art challenges set by a visiting tutor.

We meet on Thursday evenings in Bethersden Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm, for ten weeks each term.

For further info contact Sue - 01233 820585.

Charing & District Local History Society: meetings held at Parish Hall, TN27 0JA, on second Thursday of the month September-April. Doors open at 7.30pm, free tea/coffee available. Talk begins at 8pm until approx 9.15pm. Annual subscription £9, visitors welcome at £3 per meeting. For further information contact Secretary Valerie Yeeles, 01233 713749 secretary@charinghistory.co.uk: www.charinghistory.co.uk Egerton Decorative & Fine Arts Society aims to inform, educate and entertain people with enquiring minds about all manner of topics around the arts. It does so principally through its programme of meetings where world class speakers give illustrated lectures about art, architecture, theatre, sculpture and literature.

Special interest days, visits and tours are also arranged. Full information is on www.egertondfas. org.uk. Why not come along and find out what we have to offer? We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at Egerton Millenium Hall at 2.30pm and we look forward to welcoming you Yoga at Smarden Charter Hall. Every Tues 7.00 – 8.30pm.Contact Caelia on 07933030071 for details.

Afternoon Club, Smarden Charter Hall: we are a friendly club open to anyone aged 50 and over.

We meet on the first Friday of the month at 2:00 p.m. Each month we have a speaker or other entertainment followed by tea and chat. We sometimes go on outings. Membership is just £10 per year but you can come along as a guest first time to see how you like us before deciding whether to join. Contact 770854 for further details.

The Gardening Group At Charing Surgery. Get fresh air, exercise, meet other people, have fun and enjoy being part of the community. Open to all patients, age 16+. Green Fingers not essential.

Tuesdays 9am-12pm. Call Joanne Munro on 01233 713582.

Biddenden Junior Football Club - Always looking for new players 7 -18, for fun and enjoyable football.

Contact Steve on 07958 447948.

Biddenden Squash Club 01580 291130 Gordon Jones Playing Field, Biddenden. Friendly club with 2 courts and a bar. email: info@biddendensquash. co.uk www.biddendensquash.co.uk Biddenden Horticultural Society Annual membership £5.

New members welcome.

Contact Irene Orsborne on 01580 291777 or Lesley Lidgett on 01580 291931. W: www. biddendenhorticulturalsociety.co.uk Egerton Over 60’s For friendship, fun & food, join the Egerton over 60’s Club, you will be most welcome. We meet in the Millennium Hall at 2pm on the 2nd Monday of each month. We have interesting speakers, the minimum business, and one of the best afternoon teas of any senior’s Club!!

In 2018 outings include; Winter Warmer Lunch, fish & chips lunch in Di Paolo’s in Bexhill, cream tea on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, Mystery Tour and Xmas lunch. Stimulating speakers include Geoff Hutchinson on Grey Owl, Helen Allinson on Edwardian Life through postcards, Paul Holt on The making of Samphire Hoe, Melanie GibsonBarton on Wandering in Flanders Fields and more.

Meetings are open to non-members, just come along. Membership annual fee is £5 and £2 per meeting. Phone Gerry on 01233 712 282 or Jenny on 01233 756 452.

Headcorn Modern Sequence Dance Club, meet 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.

Kennington Badminton Club, play at the Norton Knatchbull School on a Wed evening from 7.30 p.m.-10.00 p.m. Contact Mark Feeney on 01233 663030 or Shirley Mountford on 01233 610134.

Little Chart Bridge Club Friendly duplicate bridge every Tuesday afternoon at Little Chart Village Hall. For more information please contact Carmen Gunther on 01233 840 395.

Community Events, Clubs & Societies are free to list, send to events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk 4

Smarden Heritage Centre Smarden Charter Hall, Smarden. Open every Friday morning from 9.30 – 11.30. visit: www.smardenheritagecentre. synthasite.com Smarden Short Mat Bowls Club We welcome new novice or experienced bowlers of all ages. We meet every Thurs. morning at 9.45am and occasionally on a weekday evening, in the Charter Hall Smarden.

Contact Malcolm 01233 770572.

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 Weald of Kent Computer Club meets in the New Biddenden Village Hall. Annual membership costs £10 and covers free admission to all 10 meetings.

Non members are £2 per visit.New members welcome. Enquiries to, secretarywkcc@yahoo. co.uk. Visit: www.wealdofkentcomputerclub.co.uk East Kent Morris Men and Women: Do you like dancing, drinking, socialising, music, having fun?

We are recruiting now for new members. This is a mixed side of women and men dancing together.

Weekly Wednesday practices at Mountbatten Hall, Mersham from 8pm to 10pm; afterwards we practise drinking in the pub opposite, the Farrier’s Arms! We dance Cotswold style Morris; this is the handkerchief waving and stick clashing variety. No experience required. Why not give it a try? Find us on Facebook or call John on 01233 625 362 Weald U3A is a society for the dynamic over 50s with a thirst for knowledge, social activities and new experiences. We have a large number of interest groups including Bridge, Films, Italian, jazz, Stargazers, Lunches and Theatre Visits. Please see our website www.u3asites.org.uk/weald or contact Richard Sargent, tel: 01580764239, email: r.sargent@btinternet.com Tai Chi for Health & Harmony, Smarden Charter Hall, welcomes newcomers, all ages & fitness levels. Fridays 10.30-11.45am. 1st class just £5 to try. Relaxing, friendly group. Info 01233 770423 Tenterden Camera Club - A chance for members and guests to meet socially and discuss photography, exchange ideas, tips and problems. We have an informal “Snap Chat” meeting at 7.30pm in the

William Caxton on Tenterden High St on the first Monday of each month to discuss photographic issues. There is no charge and all are welcome just buy yourself a drink. We also meet fortnightly (2nd Thurs & 4th Wed) in the upstairs meeting room at the Zion Baptist Church Tenterden. Every month we have a project or theme for members to capture, complimented by the occasional local outings.

Most months we have a speaker & at the end of the month (4th Wed) we have a social club evening.

New members and guests welcome. Full details on our website: www.TenterdenCameraClub.co.uk

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Each year thousands of children experience the separation of their parents. Divorce and separation generates a large level of stress in a person’s life and it is likely that children will have feelings about divorce and separation which will be very different to your own.

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Whilst there may be acrimony between you, do not try to turn your children against your ex-partner. UK family Courts do not take kindly to reports of parental alienation or manipulation of the children.

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Parents need to be able to communicate about the children for many years and should be flexible about child arrangements so that the children maintain a healthy, loving relationship and spend as much time as possible with both parents.

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Home & Interiors Create a comfortable guest room

Spare room mattress, £345, Loaf: 020 3141 8300; www.loaf.com.

Is your spare room ready for Christmas? Our guide to setting up a cosy and welcoming space will help you ensure your guests feel completely at home.

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Hosting family or friends during the festive season can be as stressful as it is heart-warming.

The best way to make sure everyone is relaxed is to start preparations well in advance.

Your first task is to check the spare bedroom. Is it full of the clutter that inevitably accumulates over time? This is a good opportunity to have a clear-out and to sell, give or tidy away as much as possible. Create enough space in wardrobes and drawers for guests to unpack their clothes – or at least store your stuff neatly and leave them

a few hangers on a hook on the back of the door. In general, is the room too hot or too cold?

Address issues such as windows that are stuck or radiators that don’t work – if necessary, plug in a small standalone heater, which may be a welcome boost during a cold December evening.

Another task, while checking out the room, is to draw the curtains during daylight hours to check whether they will adequately block early-morning light. Given enough planning time, you may even wish to upgrade your spare room window treatments by adding blackout lining for curtains or fitted blackout blinds.

While it goes without saying that the room should be sparklingly

By Katherine Sorrell

clean and as clutter-free as possible, there are some key elements that will really enhance your guests’ comfort. First, test out the bed. How is the mattress? If it has seen better days, a topper or enhancer will probably help, at least in the short term. Now is also the time to have duvets and pillows dry cleaned, and to check that you have the necessary bed linen at the ready. Small tables either side of the bed are incredibly useful for guests to store a book, a glass of water, a phone and a pair of glasses. They need not be expensive – a folding tray table, a small chair, a stool or just an upturned wooden crate will all be fine (since this is not a full-time bedroom, a great deal of bedside storage space is not necessary). Though not essential, soft rugs beside the bed and some pretty prints on the walls are a lovely enhancement if you can manage it.

Some additional pillows and a snuggly blanket or two will always be welcome, as will a hair dryer, a full-length mirror and a waste paper basket. You could hang a spare dressing gown on the back of the door, too – especially useful if the room doesn’t have an en suite bathroom. Older bedrooms are often lacking in plug sockets, so add an extension lead or an adaptor, just in case. After all, everyone needs to charge their phone regularly, and some

guests might also bring a tablet, laptop or other device. Speaking of which, another thoughtful touch would be to write out your router’s name and password on a small card and leave it somewhere obvious.

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have a spare bedroom, but no problem – a sofa bed, day bed, futon, bed-ina-box or good quality airbed in the living room will all be fine, provided there is enough space to set them up without colliding with other items of furniture. If your living room is acting as a temporary bedroom, clear away as much as possible so your guests have room to put down their luggage, and place a small lamp near the head of their ‘bed’ and a spare throw or blanket nearby. A box, bag or basket into

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With such care and forethought, your guests are sure to be

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

Don’t let Christmas costs ruin your New Year: 3 ways to stay in control of spending this December

If you’re wondering how to manage your Christmas spending more effectively, saving, budgeting, and making a list is just the start. Here are three other ways you might not have considered to start the New Year with a healthy bank balance and reduced financial stress.

Pre-arranged overdraft facility Intended to be a temporary and controlled use of credit in line with your Christmas budget, an arranged overdraft facility that’s repaid over a few months helps gets you back on track financially.

How do overdrafts work?

An overdraft that’s prearranged with your bank means you can withdraw more money than is in your current account, up to an agreed limit. There is generally a set period of time that the facility is available, and typically a charge for each day you’re overdrawn.

Overdraft fees vary between banks, but generally include

a charge for setting up the facility, a fee for each day it’s used and a renewal fee if you need to extend it.

Some providers offer fee-free amounts, whilst others base their daily charge on the level of your overdrawn balance.

Daily deals websites Take advantage of the growing number of daily deals websites and you can save a significant amount at Christmas. Wowcher, Groupon, and Living Social are just a few of the sites where you’ll find great deals on gifts, experiences, fitness products and lots more.

It’s straightforward to sign up, and you can receive emails with the latest deals. It’s easy to get carried away when you have access to so many discounts, but if you do your research and stick to your list, it should save you money overall.

How do deals websites work?

You simply sign up with your email address and you can get targeted gift ideas, often with a significant discount. Key in the home town of people you’re buying for and you’ll receive ideas that are local to them – meals out, afternoon teas or experience days, tailored to your family and friends.

Prepaid debit cards Prepaid debit cards are an alternative to bank debit cards and credit cards. You don’t have access to your entire bank balance, or the credit limit on your credit card – it’s preloaded with a specific sum of cash, and you can only spend up to this amount.

How do prepaid debit cards work?

You won’t be credit-checked when you apply for a prepaid card, but a number of different fees may apply, including application and transaction fees. Some providers charge monthly fees and top-up fees, whilst a renewal charge may apply as these types of card expire after three years.

It’s easy to be swept up in the spirit of giving at Christmas, but it can take months to recover from overspending.

Whether arranging an overdraft with your bank, applying for a prepaid card, or taking advantage of a few daily deals works for you, they could all help you take control of your Christmas spending and enjoy a peaceful and financially harmonious New Year.

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KEEP CARM and Help Us To Make a Difference!

Loneliness can be a taboo subject affecting all of us; not just the elderly. Relocating to a new area, losing a loved one, children leaving the family home to pursue careers further afield, are all key times when people feel lonely. Can you believe that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Some 3.6 million older people in the UK, of whom 2 million are aged 75+ live alone.

The effects of loneliness on mental, emotional health and general wellbeing are quite staggering (Age UK report, 2017).

In recent times, because of the way we live and work, more and more people are experiencing loneliness, especially at Christmas time. For those of us without friends and family nearby, Christmas can be a difficult time and perhaps a painful reminder of past Christmas celebrations with families and friends.

We at Caring All together on Romney Marsh (CARM), together with our wonderful volunteers work hard to reduce loneliness and isolation, all year round offering a cuppa, outings and friendships at Meeting Points and face-to-face friendships at home and also by phone. Through reminiscing in care settings, people share memories however big or small, instantly feeling uplifted.

Our services promote social interaction; older people connect with one another, forming long lasting friendships and this in turn helps them to connect with their community, giving them a sense of belonging.

community and the need for new volunteers to help us do more. Befriending visits of just one hour a week are hugely valued by our housebound clients and their volunteers too who also enjoy good company! Last year’s annual survey revealed that 95% of volunteer befrienders scored 8 or more out of 10 as enjoying their volunteer experience. Clients like Alan can’t wait for his weekly visit. Alan said, ‘since losing my wife to cancer, I look forward to the weekly visits; sitting in the garden and sharing a cup of tea makes my week easier’.

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If you think you or someone you know could benefit from our services or if you would like to know more about volunteering for CARM then please contact us.

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All CARM’s services are delivered free at the point of delivery thanks to funding received from statutory and grant making trusts, together with donations from individuals.

If in the spirit of this festive season you would like to give CARM a Christmas gift or consider a regular donation by direct debit then please contact us for our bank details or alternatively send a cheque to: Caring All Together on Romney Marsh, Appledore Christian Centre, Appledore, Kent. TN26 2AE. You can also call us on 01233 758122 office@carmromneymarsh.org.uk or on-line www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk or via Facebook or Twitter.

Every gift of money and time however small is invaluable to us. Thank You and wishing a very Merry Christmas on behalf of the CARM Team!

charity provid older, lonely charity provip older, lonely ww in this area wh older, lonely in this area w www.carmromneymar www.carmromneym CONSERVATORY REPAIRS for in upthis to area an h for up to an h RESOLVING LEAKS, REPAIRS, CLEANING & MAINTAINING for up to an company th M & C Conservatory Maintenance company t ‘Restoring Perfection to Your Conservatory’ company training is prov training is pro www.mcconservatories.co.uk For a Free Quote Please Call training is pr 012 3 3 50 0719 / 07 8 3 0 0 6 9 9 91 Mary Stredwick

CARM Manager

I am however all too aware at Christmas time of the acute need for CARM’s services in our local

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15

Gardening Get Fit And Garden!

by Pippa Greenwood

blood moving around your body and wear off a bit of the seasonal excesses. Fresh, cool air will wake you up and get you thinking positively, and your garden will appreciate what you do – plus you may also manage to escape from anyone who’s driving you round the bend. So jump to it and get out in the garden or down to the allotment.

It’s been great to have a bit of a slow-down , but if, like me, you’ve done a bit too much slowing down, have been lazing about and perhaps eaten a little more than you should, then now’s the time to jump into action! There’s nothing like some time in the garden to clear your head, get the

A rake over with a spring-tined rake will be just what the lawn needs to remove damp, cloggedup leaves that, if left in place, will cause patches of faded, miserable grass. It’ll be good for the upper arm muscles too! Make sure that you collect and bag up all the leaves, and allow them to rot down and make leaf mould, a brilliant and free soil conditioner.

If the soil in cleared areas is sufficiently dry, take the opportunity to fork it over – this will help the frosts to break up

heavier clay soils. It will also expose lurking grubs and other soil pests, giving the birds a useful snack and helping you to minimise pest problems next year.

If the soil is not too wet, you can get some digging done too, but make sure you limber up well before you start. Keeping your back straight and your knees bent helps to reduce the risk of back injury and strains – but take it gently!

Winter is a good time to carry out pruning of apple and pear trees.

Make sure your secateurs are good and sharp and start by removing dead, dying and diseased branches, as well as those that are causing the crown of the tree to be too congested.

While the garden is not being used that much, take the opportunity to re-set any loose brick or similar edging around paths, beds and steps, replacing any stones, pavers

LIMBER UP! After a bit too much time inside, and especially when the weather is cold, it’s easy to do yourself a bit of damage when you suddenly spring into action. Make sure you: • Wear plenty of clothing when you go outside – have lots of layers and remove them gradually as you warm up.

• Do a few gentle limbering-up exercises before you start work to slowly loosen up your arms, legs and especially your back.

• Don’t do any single task for too long – instead rotate the jobs, perhaps spending ten minutes on one thing, ten minutes on another, then ten on a third, and then go back to the first. This way you won’t put any one area of your body under too much strain.

• Give yourself regular, short breaks and don’t forget to drink enough, especially once you start warming up!

• Don’t forget to bend your knees when lifting and if in doubt call on a friend, relative or neighbour to give you a hand. You can always return the favour another time.

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The Garden or bricks that have broken or cracked.

All Seasons Garden Services

Carefully clear debris, dead foliage and stems from flower beds. Some plants that were still living when you did an autumn tidy may now have died back, so a simple clear up will make the bed look so much better.

Remember not to go too far, and do leave some dry foliage and stems over the bases or crowns of plants, especially those of the more tender perennials such as penstemons.

Over 20 years experience All aspects of garden care undertaken Fully insured

Smooth, hard surfaces in the garden such as patios, paths and steps can become really dangerous if algae and debris are allowed to build up on them over the winter. This layer may look insignificant but can become seriously slippery, especially when wet. A stiff brush or yard broom and plenty of elbow grease is the best solution I know.

• One-off or Regular Maintenance • Grass Cutting • Hedge Cutting • Tree Work • Weed Spraying • Fencing / Decking & Landscaping •

The combination of wet weather and extreme winds can cause a lot of shrubs and trees to become loosened in the soil. Use the heel of your foot to re-firm the soil around the root area, checking that the plant is still in the soil at the right level, adjusting if necessary.

You’re bound to feel better after all that air and exercise in your plot, but do take time to wrap up warm again and reward yourself with a nice cuppa while you sit and admire your handiwork – before heading inside for a nice hot bath!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items and perfect Christmas gifts for gardeners: a ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ gift card (great vegetable plants and weekly advice from Pippa), stylish cloches, the fantastic SpeedHoe, raised bed kits, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club?

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What’s On

L i v e Ja z z 2018/19

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 All gigs start at 8pm ~ All gigs £12 admission Seat Bookings: 01303 277175 Email: twinklewood49@gmail.com Website: www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk Dec 6th

It’s almost Christmas, This is an early treat!!! The Matt Wates

Quintet

Dec 13th The Famed FJC Christmas Party with Kents own Number One

Party Band The Colrose 7 Jan 3rd

Derek Nash “ PICANTE’ “ Latin Jazz

Jan 10th Scott Hamilton Quartet..

Jan 17th Liane Carrol Trio Jan 24th Jo Fooks / Al Nichols Quintet Jan 31st Pete Caters Ministry of Jazz Feb 7th

Alan Barnes Quartet

Feb 14th Julian Marc Stringle / Steve Waterman Sextet ..

Feb 21st Rob Barron Quintet..

Feb28th PEGGY ~ DUKE & BENNY with Pete Long & Georgina Jackson

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

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December December 5th Shadoxhurst Flower Club will be holding a demonstration at 7.30pm led by Helen Hare – “Colour My World”. The completion is “Holly & The Ivy”. All welcome, flowers raffled off at the end of the evening.

Contact Mrs Simm 01233 732212.

December 7th High Halden Horticultural Society will be holding a hands-on Craft Demonstration ‘How To Make Christmas Decorations With Items From Your Garden’ at 2pm in the village Memorial Hall. £3 per person. Tea and cake provided. For further information contact Shirley at richardson7@btinternet.com December 8th Spiritualist Meetings held every Saturday evening at Highbury Hall, Highbury Lane, Tenterden, TN30 6LE. Doors open at 6pm, ready for 6.30pm start, refreshments afterwards. Dec 8th Evening of Clairvoyance with Sally Kingwell. Dec 15th Maggie Carrington candle light service. This is the last one for this year, we open again on the 12th January 2019, we have a facebook page - Tenterden Spiritualist Centre.

December 12th The Arts Society, Egerton meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in Egerton’s Millennium Hall at 2:30pm. This month we have ‘Sing We Yule’ which is a musical portrait of a Medieval Christmas with illustrations, readings and music for harps and other medieval instruments. Sarah Deere-Jones, an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music performs, writes and lectures about the harp. Visitors pay £5 at the door, which opens at 2pm. New members are also very welcome. For more information ring Geoff on 01233 860393.

December 30th Betherdsen WI Pantomime Group Presents Alice in Wonderland at Bethersden Village Hall at 7.30 pm and Saturday 1st December 3pm and 8pm.

Tickets £4.00 each available from the Bethersden post office or by calling 01233 820650.

January 16th The Weald of Kent Computer Club does not meet in December. It normally meets on the third Wednesday of the month. It will start again on 16th January 2019 at 7.30pm in the New Village Hall, Biddenden. Annual membership is £10.00. Nonmembers are welcome at £2 a visit. Full details: http:// www.wealdofkentcomputerclub.co.uk/ Enquiries: secretarywkcc@yahoo.co.uk The Elysian Centre, 18 Cinque Ports Street, Rye, TN31 7AD. 01797 224855 www.elysiancentre.co.uk January 11th, 11am – 1pm. Drop-In Homeopathy Clinic at The Elysian Centre, 18 Cinque Ports Street, Rye TN31 7AD All welcome. Information on www.elysiancentre. co.uk or call Maxine Witham 01797 224855.

Pop In, Coffee morning, 11 am until 1-30 pm, Monday 10th December, 7th & 21st January. Phone 01797 280467 WI, 7-30 pm, 2nd Tuesday in every month, 8th January & 12th February. Phone 01797 280 464.

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Wednesday 20th February Talk by Pippa Greenwood GROWING GREAT VEG AND HAVING FUN 2019 7.00pm for 7.30pm Egerton Millenium Hall, Egerton. Tickets £7.50 available from Pluckley Butchers, Pluckley Farm Shop, Sue 01233 840320 and Mary 01233 755588. Everyone Welcome, Pluckley with Egerton Gardening Society. www. pegsoc.org

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What’s On

Served from 1st - 24th December

Homemade Soup of the Day with crusty bread

Halloumi and Bacon Salad with a balsamic dressing Medley of Prawns - torpedo breaded, butterfly breaded and filo with salad and a sweet chilli sauce Duck and Orange Pate with a red onion chutney and toast

Roasted Breast of Turkey with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, fresh vegetables and gravy

Beef Bourguignon with fresh vegetables and new potatoes

Fritlay 7th Decem"Ber 2.30pm St. Mary's Church, The Churchyard, Ashford TN23 lQG

In Support of Crossroads Care East Kent Tickets £6 on the door New players welcome - please contact:

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Smoked Haddock Fillet with a poached egg and a tomato and herb sauce with fresh vegetables and Christmas menu served between 1st-- 24th December. new potatoes For reservations ring 01233 820 235.

Goats Cheese Tart served with salad and a pesto drizzle

Desserts

Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce Homemade Cheesecake of the day served with ice cream Apple and Cinnamon Crumble served with custard Trio of Ice Cream

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What’s On

24

What’s On

The Power of Positive Thinking

ALDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL ALDINGTONAND ANDBONNINGTON BONNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL AND CHURCH ANDST ST MARTIN’S MARTIN’S CHURCH

Yvonne Fernando, NLP Master Practitioner & Life Coach lets us know...

CHRISTMAS CAROL CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT! CONCERT!

Positive Thinking can often be used as a ‘cure all’ for someone who is feeling down.

And rightly so, because this powerful state of mind can really make the difference to the way you feel and the results you get.

Positive thoughts can manifest in lots of ways, from the language you use, the beliefs you hold, your body language and posture, your internal dialogue and the way you express yourself. The power of this positivity can affect all areas of your life and wellbeing as you re-wire the way you think, move and communicate. Not only can it impact the actions you take and the results you get, but it can also influence others.

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Saturday 15th December

Saturday 15th December

With music from the Isle of Sheppey St John Ambulance Band

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Sweet Recipe Christmas Mincemeat Slice This delicious festive slice can be served warm as a pud with custard, thick cream or brandy butter or simply cool completely and serve instead of mince pies.

Ingredients:

1. Sift the flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your

fingertips until the mixture resembles very fine breadcrumbs (alternatively pulse in a food processor until fine breadcrumbs).

• 225g plain flour • 165g unsalted butter, chilled and diced • 1 egg yolk blended with 1 tbsp cold water

2. Remove 100g of the breadcrumb mixture and cover and chill in the fridge. Stir 25g of the sugar into the remaining mixture, then stir in the egg and water and mix to a firm dough (adding a little more water if needed). Knead lightly then wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. Roll out the dough

on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 23cm square tart tin. Prick the pastry all over with a fork. Line the pastry case with baking paper and baking beans and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the lining paper and beans and bake for a further 5-7 minutes until the pastry is crisp and pale golden. Cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4.

• 75g caster sugar • 300g good quality mincemeat • 50g ground almonds • 2 tbsp flaked almonds

Makes 12-14 slices Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes, plus chilling and cooling

4. Spread the mincemeat in the pastry case. Mix the rest of the sugar and the ground almonds into the reserved pastry crumb mixture and scatter over the mincemeat to cover completely.

5. Return the tin to the oven and bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until the crumble topping is pale golden. Scatter over the flaked almonds and leave to cool before removing from the tin and cutting into 12-14 thin slices.

TIP

26

Add some finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra nutty flavour.

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December Apples Nuts Pears

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Marrow Onions Parsnips Potatoes Shallots Swede Turnips

Salad Endive

Fish Clams Grey Mullet Haddock Hake John Dory Lemon Sole Monkfish Mussels Oysters Plaice

Charing Farmer’s Market Charing Church Barn 9 -11.30 every Thursday morning. Contact 01233 740176 Egerton Every Friday 2 - 4.30pm Millennium Hall 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)

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Sea Bass Scallops Turbot

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Tenterden High Street Market Friday’s – 0830 – 1400 Wittersham Market Every Tuesday Village Hall 9am. - 11am Tel: 01580 753062 Wye First and third Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Wye. Tel: 07804 652156 www.wyefarmersmarket.co.uk

27

Potted Smoked Salmon Serves 6

Ready in 30 minutes, plus chilling time

This is the perfect starter for the lunch on the big day – you can make it the night before and the recipe will easily double up if you are feeding a crowd at Christmas!

• 275g honey roast salmon

flakes • 250g smoked salmon

slices, chopped • 100g unsalted butter,

softened • 125g full-fat soft cheese • 2 tsp creamed horseradish • 1 tbsp lemon juice • Salt and freshly ground

black pepper • Fresh dill sprigs and green

peppercorns, to garnish • Slices of toasted brown or

granary bread, to serve

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Reserve about 25g of the salmon flakes for garnish (cover and chill in the fridge until required).

Place the rest of the salmon flakes in a food processor with the smoked salmon, butter, soft cheese, horseradish and lemon juice. Process until smooth and creamy.

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and process for a further few seconds.

Divide the mixture between 6 small ramekin dishes and level the surface.

Cover and chill in the fridge until required.

Garnish with the rest of the salmon flakes, dill sprigs and green peppercorns. Serve with toasted brown or granary bread.

Most supermarkets sell packs of readyTIP flaked honey roast salmon but if unavailable just buy ready-cooked smoked salmon fillets and roughly flake the fish, discarding any skin and fine bones.

Charing

1st Floor · 6-7 Cecil

Food & Domestic Services Magazine

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Industrial • • • • • •

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SIZE

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29

DAT

M T

N

I

T I

A

E P

TARGET Excellent 55 or more words Good: 46 words Fair: 40 words

U LD I E T You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.

3 letters: 9 4 letters: 13 5 letters: 2 6 letters: 1

6 Letters DILUTE

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

LIEU LITE LUTE TIDE TIED TILE 5 Letters TILDE TILED

WORD WHEEL

TWO MINUTE TRIAL

TIE 4 Letters DELI DIET DUEL DUET EDIT IDLE LIED

L E A F

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.

3 Letters DIE DUE LED LEI LET LID LIE LIT

WORD LADDER

T R E E

SUDOKU

Puzzle Page

Christmas Postal Dates LAST RECOMMENDED SERVICE POSTING DATES International Standard & International Tracking & Signature Services Tuesday 4th December Friday 7th December Saturday 8th December Monday 10th December Friday 14th December Saturday 15th December Monday 17th December Tuesday 18th December

Africa, Middle East Cyprus, Malta, Asia, Far East, Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic & Slovakia) Caribbean, Central & South America Australia, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, USA Finland, Sweden Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

Across 1. Connect to another (6) 4. Yarn, twine (6) 9. Mature (7) 10. Problem, concern (5) 11. Bend (5) 12. Places of work (7) 13. Differentiate (11) 18. Identical (7) 20. Fang (5) 22. Having had water removed (5) 23. Hammering (7) 24. Leaders, monarchs (6) 25. Business, company (6)

LAST RECOMMENDED SERVICE POSTING DATES

UK Inland Services Tuesday 18th December

2nd Class & Royal Mail Signed For® 2nd Class

Thursday 20th December

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Saturday 22nd December

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CROSSWORD

Down 1. Diminish (6) 2. Sweetheart, paramour (5) 3. Most statuesque (7) 5. Robber (5) 6. Bugs (7) 7. 1978 musical set in 50s (6) 8. Meeting with doctor (11) 14. First letter (7) 15. Unfastening, removing knots (7) 17. Long-haired, unkempt (6) 16. Kill (6) 19. More advanced in age (5)

31

Kid’s Corner

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Kent Fostering Service Kent Carers for Kent children There are over 1000 children living in foster care with our 700 Kent County Council fostering families.

Our fostering families come from a wide variety of backgrounds which is needed because our children come from a range of backgrounds too Foster carers can be single, in a relationship, married, gay or straight, 18 years and over. Carers do not need to be home owners, but our carers do need a spare bedroom, have good physical and emotional health, energy, commitment, time, the motivation to make a real difference to a child’s life and previous experience of caring for or working with children and young people.

The Kent Fostering Service particularly need homes for older children, brothers and sisters who need to stay together and disabled children (both long term and short breaks carers).

Short breaks carers provide short term care for disabled children- training is provided to meet a child’s specific health and developmental needs.

Some children and young people just need a short-term foster home whilst others need longer term homes and care until they are ready to live independently. Our young people deserve a sense of belonging to a family whilst also maintaining links with their birth family.

Emergency bed carers and assessment bed carers are needed for children and young people with complex presenting behaviours for a time limited period whilst plans are made for the young person’s ongoing care.

Kent need foster carers for parent and child placements, which requires a particular skill set where additional training can be provided to build upon existing skills.

Our children and young people Our Children and young people need caring families to meet their health, emotional, social and educational needs and to support them to develop a sense of identity and confidence in their own abilities. Many children are successfully returned home with their birth families whilst some children with more complex needs remain living with their foster family.

Fostering with Kent County Council provides a paid career offering the choice to complete a variety of training courses up to diploma level.

Kent foster carers are self-employed and earn from £264 to £446 per week (including a maintenance and reward element) with enhanced fees paid for children with higher level disabilities and additional needs and combined rates for parent and child placements. Foster carers receive generous tax relief (see HMRC) Kent Foster carers have their own fostering social worker, support groups, access to out of hours support , membership to Fostertalk, Kent Foster Carers Association, access to specialist services such as Kent’s Sense of belonging service (psychological outreach support and activity days for children ),Kent virtual schools, the Children and young people’s council and participation and appreciation events and all new carers have a foster carer buddy to offer guidance and support.

The fostering assessment process takes 6-8 months. Kent information events provide an opportunity to learn more about fostering and meet our foster carers.

For information please contact Kent’s initial enquiry team on 03000 420002 and visit our website www.kentfostering.co.uk or follow Kent fostering on Facebook .We can answer all questions and you can ask to speak with one of our foster carer ambassadors 33

Beauty Gifted Inspiration

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk FOR FRAGRANCE FANS If you’re looking to surprise someone with a new fragrance, Angel Muse could be a good choice. It might be Angel’s little sister, but it’s lighter, warmer and a bit more grown-up. The freshness of grapefruit and pink berries is combined with the warmth of hazelnut and the earthiness of patchouli and vetiver. The giftset is priced at £65, which gets you the full 50ml eau de parfum plus a handbag-friendly 9ml bottle.

FOR TEACHERS Teachers often need to wash their hands several times a day, so a soothing hand cream is likely to be gratefully received. Dr. Organic’s Shea Butter Hand & Nail Cream is full of natural ingredients, including shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil and rose oil.

It provides instant relief for sore hands and feels lovely and rich. £7.99 from Holland and Barratt.

FOR CRACKERS Planning to swap the plastic fish and silver keyrings for luxe cracker gifts?

Bobbi Brown’s Lip Crush Kit (£39.50) might be the answer. There are five mini lipsticks in a range of wearable shades. They’re pretty generously sized so are 34

good value if you consider that one full-size lippy is £24.50.

FOR CHOCOHOLICS Chocolate lovers will adore Akamuti’s Chocolate Marshmallow Face Mask.

Organic cacao, crushed rose petals, gentle marshmallow, warming vanilla and detoxifying pink clay combine to make this mask a real treat for skin and senses. Add a bar of Green & Blacks to the gift and you’ll really make their day. £7.96 from www.akamuti. co.uk.

FOR A SECRET SANTA GIFT Clarins Festive Treats crackers are just £10 each. The Eyes & Lips one is particularly good value for money as its contents (a mini Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector and Supra Volume Mascara) are worth a total of £17.33.

FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND Origins’ Best of the Best collection is a celebration of their most popular products.

There’s the Mega-Mushroom™ Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion, Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream, Ginzing EnergyBoosting Gel Moisturizer, Modern Friction™ Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion, Clear Improvement™ Active Charcoal Mask, Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash and Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel. Most are

travel-sized. You’re getting over £58 worth of products for £32 so it’s fantastic value for money.

Health & Beauty

FOR YOU! Green People’s Green Regime Beauty Box contains £125 worth of full-sized and mini goodies for £75. There are two exfoliators, three moisturisers, a lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow duo, shampoo, shower gel, night cream, cleanser, facial oil, reusable cleansing pad and organic cotton bandeau. All products are organic and cruelty-free. Treat yourself or add it to your Christmas wish list.

FOR STOCKINGS Some giftsets are just made for splitting up and adding to stockings. Korres’ The Greatest Mini Shower Collection is a case in point.

Six gorgeous smelling 40ml shower gels are just waiting to be popped into individual stockings. Add Kneipp’s Herbal Bath Collection (£9.95) to your basket for another six stocking fillers. Both sets are available from www.biggreensmile.com.

Open

Tuesday to Friday 9-30 to 5-30pm Saturday 9-00 to 5-00pm

Late Night Appointments Available

01233 714030

Refexology Plus At

Hot Stone & Swedish Holistic Massage

VISION Hair & Beauty ~ Charing

Every Friday

t: 01233 714030

VISION HAIR & BEAUTY

Barbering Service Now Available Walk-Ins welcome, prices start from £10

10% OFF

Your First Visit

www.visionhairkent.co.uk Unit 2, Brenchley Mews, School Road, Charing TN27 0JW

35

The Gift of a Great Read Stuck for the perfect present this Christmas? Or need some inspiration for your own wish list? Read on…

36

FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FANS Washington Black – Esi Edugyan 11-year-old slave Washington Black is taken from the sugar fields and lent to his tyrannical master’s brother, Titch, to work on a ‘cloudcutter’ hot air balloon. The duo form an unlikely friendship that, coupled with Washington’s artistic talent, could provide a way out of slavery.

photographs make every dish look mouth-wateringly tempting.

FOR HISTORY BUFFS Bloody Brilliant Women – Cathy Newman This book uncovers the ‘pioneers, revolutionaries and geniuses your history teacher forgot to mention’. Read about women such as engineer Beatrice Shilling, whose work played a role in helping RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain, and developmental biologist Anne McLaren, whose work paved the way for IVF.

FOR PARENTS Parent Alert, How To Keep Your Kids Safe Online – Nadia Sawalha, Kaye Adams and Will Geddes Thousands of kids will be receiving new smartphones or tablets this Christmas. But how do you make sure they’re not being bullied, giving too much information away to strangers or being targeted by predators?

This book gives parents lots of actionable advice on how to keep kids safe online.

FOR FOODIES Tasty Ultimate From quick and easy midweek dinners, to showstopping dinner party favourites, Tasty has them all. Recipes include Nashville Hot Turkey Tenders, Roast Pork Tex Mex Burritos, The Best Crispy Chicken Parmesan, Slow-Cooked Honey and Spice Lamb Shank, and Latte Coffee Cake. Recipes are simple to follow and bright

FOR ROMANTIC FICTION FANS A Miracle on Hope Street – Emma Heatherington When she learns that one act of kindness has transformed a man’s life, Ruth decides to put her own loneliness aside and create a Christmas to remember for people in need. A heart-warming tale that’s perfect for fans of JoJo Moyes and Marian Keyes.

FOR HARRY POTTER FANS The Crimes of Grindelwald – The Original Screenplay Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt Scamander to recapture Gellert Grindelwald, who’s recently escaped and is gathering followers. This is the second in the Fantastic Beasts series. It’s a screenplay of the recently

released film, rather than a traditional novel, so it’s quicker to read but no less enjoyable.

FOR YOUNG CHILDREN The Jolly Christmas Postman – Janet and Allan Ahlberg This is an all-year-round favourite in our house. The Jolly Postman sets off to deliver letters and parcels to fairy-tale characters.

Kids aged three and up will love opening each envelope to reveal the surprise inside – whether it’s a Christmas card for Baby Bear, a jigsaw for Humpty Dumpty or a game for Red Riding Hood.

FOR OLDER CHILDREN A boxset Head to www.thebookpeople. co.uk to pick up a boxset. When I checked there were lots to choose from, including twelve Diary of a Wimpy Kid books for £14.99, ten How to Train Your Dragon books for £17.99, fifteen Roald Dahl favourites for £21.99, and six David Walliams books for £23.99. Bargains galore.

Plumbing Masters No Callout Charge Free Esitmates

No Callout Charge • Free Estimates 24 hour Emergency Service 24 hour Emergency Service All Work Guaranteed No Job Too Small

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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

OilHeaHeating & Oil Cookers ting

Installations • Repairs • Pumps & Radiators R-OAK Services Specialist Powerflushing and M. Oakley & O.Stanley - Oil-fired De-Scaling Service

Specialists

Breakdowns & Servicing • Boiler Installation • Power Flushing Telephone: 01303 812148

AGA, Rayburn, Alpha, Stanley, Worcester, Tel: 01233 770138 Mobile: 07738907717 www.ohoc.co.uk Grant, Boulter, Potterton, Trianco and more... www.plumbing-masters.co.uk

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Important Information Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden

Crimestoppers

101 0800 555 111

Out of Hours Doctor William Harvey Hospital

0845 4349655 01233 633331

Samaritans

116 123

www.samaritans.org

Electricity: Call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area. 105 is a free service visit www.powercut105.com Gas:

Natural LPG

Doctors Surgery The Charing Surgery Headcorn Surgery Veterinary Surgeons Barrow Hill Vets Pierson Stewart & Partners Cinque Ports Vets Milbourne Equine Vets Parish Councils: Biddenden: Charing: Egerton: Headcorn: Pluckley: Smarden: Ashford Borough Council www.ashford.gov.uk Ashford Gateway info:ashfordgateway.co.uk www.ashfordgateway.co.uk Citizens Advice Bureau CPRE Kent Charing Business Association www.charingkent.co.uk Volunteer Centre Age UK Ashford www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com

0800 111 999 Details on tank

01233 714 490 01622 890294 01233 624687 01580 713381 01233 885145 01233 885145 01580 890750 01233 713599 01622 853558 01622 892496 01233 770739 07752 395412 01233 331111 0845 8 247 247 01233 626185

Ashford Counselling Service 01233 610083 info@ashfordcounselling.org.uk www.kentcounselling.co.uk CARM E: office@carmromneymarsh.org.uk www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk 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 Travel www.arrivabus.co.uk www.stagecoachbus.com www.nationalrail.co.uk Wealden Wheels: 01233 840000 Village Halls: Biddenden Charing Charing Heath Egerton - Millenium Hall Headcorn Little Chart or Pluckley Smarden Charter Hall

01580 291320 01233 713599 01622 858296 01233 756630 01622 890708 07753 802814 01233 840395 01233 840280 01233 771947

01233 714540

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

01233 665 535 01233 668 765

Cesspool Emptying Service

01233 840624

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.

The Village Directory Coverage

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Call: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk PUZZLE ANSWERS Kid’s Corner You must collect 10 mince pies on the way down the icicle.

Word Ladder TREE thee them teem team teak leak LEAF

Sudoku

Crossword

The Old School House Restaurant Indian Cuisine

The Finest Indian Cuisine in the Area!

Now Taking Online Orders for Takeaway www.tosindianrestaurant.co.uk Open 7 Days a week

5.30pm - 11.00pm Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 2.00pm & 5.30pm - 11.00pm including Bank Holidays

01233 733350

10% Discount on Takeaways (Cash Only) Last orders 10.30pm

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The Street, Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent TN26 2HG