Charing December 2017 by The Village Directory

The

Village Directory December/January Edition • Issue 102 • Royal Mail

Charing Area

Gareth Cox and his wife Liza welcome you to their gastro pub in the heart of Brook

The Honest Miller Wednesday Car ver y

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Seasons Greetings

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Welcome Hi everyone, welcome to the last edition of 2017. Christmas is coming and a new year is on the way, I do hope you are all organised. Christmas is a time of joy and celebration – I love it and always have done. When it comes to Christmas I have never grown up. When I was young I would ask for a board game each year, it was part of my master plan to draw everyone away from the TV, to interact and have fun instead. My most memorable game was ‘Dare’ because it was the least competitive and most silly, it forced very sensible family members to do ridiculous things. I have fond memories of my dad impersonating a chicken until his turn came around again! This was often followed by the traditional family sing song, with family friend Fred on the accordion accompanied by dad on the drums. These days my son is the occasional drummer but we have ALL attempted that Phil Collins drum roll - there was something in the air that night – I’m not sure you’d call it music! Christmas is also a time for putting our differences aside and extending the hand of human kindness. No-one should be alone at Christmas, if you know someone that is, why not invite them in and make them an honorary member of the family for the day, who knows, it could be the start of a wonderful friendship to carry through into 2018 and beyond! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of this magazine and of all of our advertisers. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and happy new year.

Debbie T: 01233 720488 e: info@

thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@ thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk

February Issue Deadline 10th Jan 2018

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Get Real This Christmas by Pippa Greenwood

Christmas is well and truly just around the corner and whilst your thoughts may be on gifts, meals, crackers and cards, don’t forget the tree. And I mean a REAL Christmas tree not a tinsel one; a real tree complete with needles and, if you go down the really traditional route, that wonderful aroma that only a proper freshly-potted or freshly-cut Christmas tree can bring. I’ve heard people say that a ‘real’ tree is bad for the planet; after all we’re meant to be planting trees, not felling them! But don’t forget, British-grown trees are most definitely not an ecological disaster zone think of them as a crop plant rather like a field of cabbages, except that on the whole a field of Christmas trees will be given less fertiliser and fewer chemicals than many classic crop plants. So go on, make sure you get one this Christmas! There are a few things you ought to think about before you buy your tree - it can be really daunting when faced with rows of different types at very varying prices, so what would suit you best?

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the traditional tree, definitely my favourite but perhaps not ideal if you are more houseproud. It has gorgeous, short dark green pointed needles and that unmistakable Christmassy aroma, but sadly it is the most likely to drop its needles. Having said that, if you treat it well it won’t perform badly and you can enjoy the lowest-priced of the real trees complete with the traditional look. The Serbian Spruce (Picea omorica) is quite similar to the Norway spruce and has long been the favourite festive tree in central Europe, with a distinct blueish tint to the underside of the needles. As it is fairly slender it is a good choice for smaller sitting rooms, and is goodlooking with decent needle retention…but of course no Christmas-tree smell! The Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now the biggestselling Christmas tree in the UK. As its shiny green broad needles are quite soft (making it a good choice if there are small children around) and are

almost impossible to shift, it is certainly a good choice for those who hate any mess! The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is less widely available, but the combination of its good looks and needle-holding ability makes it well worth considering. It has a narrower base than the Norway spruce so is also useful in smaller houses. So, with all these tempting choices, hopefully you’ve been persuaded to take the plunge? But how do you make sure you buy the best tree of the type you’ve decided on? And how do you make it keep its needles and its appearance for as long as possible? • It is important not to buy a real tree too early, as the longer they hang around after they’ve been cut the more likely they are to go downhill. • I always try to buy a tree produced by a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association – the BCTGA logo should be on the tree or clearly displayed nearby. • Take time to choose the tree

The Garden – check that it has a good, full shape and that it is not too gappy or lopsided (or if it does lean, make sure that this will be hidden when the tree is in your house). Check the needles - they should be glossy (for those varieties where this is a characteristic) and the correct colour for the type of tree you’ve chosen. They also need to be free from pests and diseases basically anything yellowed or inclined to shed, or with white fluffy bits should be avoided at all costs. Never buy a tree that has already been netted as this makes it a real lucky dip situation since you can’t see what you’re getting! • If you do buy one quite early then the most important

thing is to keep it outside - just recut the end of the trunk and put the tree in a bucket of water in a sheltered spot outside. If it was in a net when you bought it, remove this as it is important to get air circulating around the needles. • When you bring the tree inside, try to avoid putting it anywhere too warm or close to a heat source , and make sure that you use a stand with a water reservoir and that you keep the water levels topped up - if kept supplied with water then even the notorious Norway spruce Christmas tree should hold its needles well. When Christmas is over and it is time for the tree to come down, complete the green loop

and make sure you recycle it they’re not the easiest thing to recycle or compost at home, but many councils and garden centres now offer a re-cycling and Christmas tree chipping service. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for great gardening gifts: a stylish ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ gift card (a perfect Christmas present, where the recipient receives their chosen garden ready vegetable plants in the spring and every week Pippa emails with topical hints, tips and advice), gardening tools, raised bed kits, GrowerFrames, signed books and more!

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Pets Corner

Take Extra Care of Your Pets this Christmas

Seasons Greetings

All the trimmings and paraphernalia of Christmas are wonderful for us, but they can represent a danger to your pet. So with this in mind, what in particular do you need to watch out for at this time of year? Christmas decorations If your pet has a tendency to chew, be wary of your Christmas tree lights as they may cause electrocution. Glass baubles also break very easily and it’s difficult to spot the smaller shards of glass, which can easily lodge in a pet’s paws or mouth – a particular problem if your cat is prone to climbing the tree. Chocolate Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate has the highest amount, although milk chocolate also causes potentially life-threatening symptoms if consumed. It’s a serious issue at any time of the year, but at Christmas the fact that you’re likely to have more chocolate in the house increases the risk. Rich foods Turkey meat is too rich for many dogs – they struggle to digest this fatty food which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. High fat foods in general tend to irritate your pet’s stomach and intestines, so it’s a good idea to stick to their usual diet as much as possible during the festive season.

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Finance

By Ann Haldon

How to Plan for the Boxing Day Sales shopping on the high street you need to keep all your receipts, and the store’s returns policy should be printed on the back.

Boxing Day is generally regarded as the biggest sales day of the year in the retail industry, so if you’re heading to the shops it’s worthwhile taking time to plan well in advance. One of the major problems of sales shopping is the sheer number of offers available, and it’s very easy to be distracted once you start. So what steps can you take in advance to help you get the most out of your day, and also protect your finances for the year ahead? Before you start high street or online shopping • Find out the store opening times before you go - they vary on Boxing Day, with some shops remaining closed. You can find this information from a store’s website and social media pages, along with details of the items that might be included in the sale. • If you’re shopping online, save the home page of each store into your computer, along with the product codes of any items you’re interested in. • Check out the returns policy for each store as you may have to pay for the returns postage and packing yourself. If you’re

Planning your spending According to the Centre for Retail Research¹, the total Christmas spend per household in 2016 was £809.97. Even if you don’t spend this much on Christmas, it’s an expensive time of year when you also factor in credit card bills for the sales. If you are not able to repay the balance at the end of the month, you may find the savings you’ve made are suddenly reduced. So what can you do to alleviate the strain on your finances and make sure you don’t find yourself in unmanageable debt in the New Year? • Stay within your budget Calculate how much you can afford to spend on Boxing Day, and stick to it. By focusing only on the items you want, you won’t overstretch yourself financially. • Use comparison websites to find the best price Compare prices online before you head out to the shops if there’s something in particular you’re looking for – this can save a lot of time and money. Are 0% interest credit cards a good idea? Balance transfer cards offering 0% interest for a fixed period of time are a good way to deal with large purchases. If you buy the goods on your ‘standard’ credit card and then transfer the balance over you can save a significant amount

in interest, but there are also potential drawbacks: • If you miss a single payment on a 0% credit card, the provider will withdraw their offer and you are likely to be charged an extremely high rate of interest in its place. • Fees are charged when you originally transfer a balance – usually a percentage of the amount transferred. • Credit card providers are often owned by larger banking institutions, and it is unlikely you’ll be accepted for a balance transfer offer if you already hold a card connected to the group. Whether you are purchasing a specific item or buying birthday presents for the year ahead, the Boxing Day sales represent a great way to save money. Planning ahead helps you stay in control of your spending in the face of temptation, and manage your finances without entering serious debt. ¹www.retailresearch.org/ shoppingforxmas.php www.moneysavingexpert.com/ credit-cards/balance-transfer-creditcards www.express.co.uk/finance/ personalfinance/747790/Chrsitmassales-UK-Boxing-Day-sales-Januarydeals-discounts www.yourmoney.com/credit-cardsloans/blog-are-boxing-day-salesreally-worth-it/

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Home & Interiors Christmas Elegance

By Katherine Sorrell

It’s all too easy to go overboard at Christmas. This year, why not decorate your home with subtle glamour, creating a sophisticated seasonal backdrop to festive times with friends and family. This living room is welcoming and cosy, but also cool, calm and collected, thanks to a subtle colour scheme of greys and whites, together with touches of texture in the form of wicker, wool and wood. Traditional Nordmann Fir, from £29.99; LED warm white string lights, from £9.99; wool throw, £59.99; Firwood star decoration (set of three), £44.99; Magical Hare cushion, £39.99; tree decorations, from £1.49; all Dobbies.

A glimmer of metal is all the rage, and these minimal, slightly rusted zinc garlands satisfy the trend without adding any bling. Use along the mantelpiece, twined along the Christmas table or hung on the wall. £29.95, Decorator’s Notebook.

An intriguing and subtle way to display the twinkle of fairy lights. Bo 80 LED glass-domed cylinder, £13, B&Q.

A simple white backdrop with natural, twining leaves is perfect for offsetting the glow of candles. Large silverdipped candle holder, £29.99; LED glitter twig wreath, £39.99; medium silverdipped candle holder, £9.99; reindeer bell ornament, £4.99; decorated glass bauble, £3.99; garland (price and details on application); all Dobbies.

IDEAS FOR ELEGANT FESTIVE DÉCOR • Too many colours together tend to look garish. Choose one main colour theme for each room and stick to it. This season, dark backdrops are very on trend, with accents of gold or brass, while white, beige or grey are classics that always look great, with dashes of red or green for that seasonal feel. • With limited colours, textures come into their own. Think linen, wool, fur (faux if you prefer), wicker and – this year’s must-haves – concrete and velvet. • For this look, avoid twee animals, anything knitted or made from felt, and all-out glitter (a little sparkle goes a long way). • Christmas ornaments tend to be collected over the years, and so can look rather haphazard if all displayed in one go. Carefully choose a selection that co-ordinates and – stay strong – put the rest back in the loft for next year.

Beautiful baubles will add class to your Christmas tree. Walther & Co bronze acorn and leaf decoration, £9.99, Cotswold Trading.

Set a Christmas table with gorgeous linens and decorate each plate with a simple bauble, pine cone and sprig of eucalyptus. A ribbon finishes it all off. Perth fabric, £49.50 per metre, Ian Mankin.

Instead of a knitted or hessian sack, how about a pretty, printed fabric design? Night Owl Christmas sack, £5.50, Sophie Allport. A wreath and tea light holder in one, this unique accessory in matt brushed brass is the subtlest of Christmas decorations for minimal, modern homes. Opt for white rather than multi-coloured lights and, if you are planning to use them on a pale background, make sure you find a set with a clear cable. 120 LED lights, £9, B&Q.

The Home

Who can resist a delightful Christmas display? This magical woodland scene is dusted with snow, featuring two wooden reindeer silhouettes and warm white backlighting. Aspen forest Christmas scene window light, £14.99, Lights4fun. Photograph: Oliver Perrott

Flooring Worth Talking About Heritage Upholstery RE-UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS

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Smarden Christmas Tree Festival The Church of St Michael the Archangel, Smarden, TN27 8QD, is holding the Biennial Christmas Tree Festival on 8th, 9th and 10th December 2017 from 11am until 6pm each day. Village Clubs, Societies, Businesses and Families will have decorated over 30 trees inside the Church – from the beautifully tasteful to the downright whacky! • Come along and admire their efforts. • Vote for your favourite tree – the much coveted ‘best in show’ will be announced after the Carol Service on Sunday 10 December. • Place a star on the Memory Tree. Your donation of £1 will go to ’PORCHLIGHT’, the Charity for homeless people. • Listen to live music throughout each day. • Join us for a Saturday Evening Concert. • Buy Christmas gifts and decorations from the Crafts Stall. • Purchase Christmas Foods from the Produce Stall. • And … after all that, there are delicious Refreshments and Mulled Wine available. For more information, call Eleanor on 01233 770082 JMP Electrical are a friendly and reliable family run business offering All Domestic & Commercial Electrical Works Whether you need a light replacing or a complete rewire, we are here to help. All work undertaken. Please call James for a FREE quotation

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The Home

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Christmas Advent Angel Bells Bread Cards Carols Chimney Crib Dasher Elves Fairy Fir Frosty Gift Gold Happy Holly Inn Jingle

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Find the words associated with Christmas in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

The Home

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On

Leisure

Food & Domestic Services

Repairs to... Washing Machines Cookers (Electric) Tumble Driers Dyson Vacuum Specialist Call Garry on 07958 640152 01233 632329

Solid Style

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

Joinery Manufacturer • Listed Building &

Rolvenden - 01580 240763 Every Thursday 10am -12 noon St Mary’s Church and the Village Hall

• Doors & Windows • Mouldings & Repair Sections • Replacement Sashes

Rye Farmers Market Every Wednesday at Strand Quay 10am - 1 pm (From Midday Oct - April)

Conservation Work

& Casements

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

Rye Country Market Formerly WI Market Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill. Every Friday 10am -11.30am

¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

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!

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: 01580 753062 Wye First and third Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Wye. Tel: 07804 652156 www.wyefarmersmarket.co.uk

Clubs & Societies

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. Our next lectures will include topics such as London’s finest buildings, Great Dixter – past, present and future, and 20th century art featuring Picasso, Man Ray and Max Ernst. We shall also be visiting Bletchley Park. 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 Considered Yoga for 2018 but thought you are not flexible enough? Good news! You are exactly who our classes are aimed at! Every Tuesday 6.308pm at Charter Hall, Smarden, Yoga & Relaxation Classes. Seated options are given for all poses, we use blocks & straps to ensure all poses are adapted to your own ability! Physically, we work on strength & flexibility. Mentally, we will work on stress & anxiety reduction using breathing techniques & meditation. £10 drop in or 6 weeks blocks at £8 per class. Feel free to come along or contact 07933 030071 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 Egerton Over 60s for friendship, fun and food: we meet in the Millennium Hall at 2pm on the second Monday of the month when we have an interesting speaker, the minimum of business, and one of the best afternoon teas of

any seniors’ club! In addition, we have up to six coach outings per year, three of which have the coach costs for members met by the Club. There are often spaces on the trips for non-member friends and family, at a modest additional fare. Venues include Bexhill - for Fish and Chips, a posh hotel in Cliftonville - for a Cream Tea, and Polhill Garden Centre - for early Christmas shopping. There’s always a Mystery Tour, and a train or boat ride. The August meeting changes to 12 noon when we have a Club Lunch. Christmas and February’s Winter Warmer also see Lunch at a nearby venue. All levels of mobility catered for. Call Gerry on 01233 712282 or Jenny on 01233 756452 for more information. 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. 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 or visit:- www.wealdofkentcomputerclub. co.uk

THE

Mains

Leisure

Starters ChristmasFayre Mains GEORGE Starters

Roast turkey with pork and sage stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and vegetables. Roast turkey with pork and sage stuffing, pigs in blankets, Slow cooked venison casserole served with roast potatoes and vegetables. mashed potatoes and in vegetables. Roast turkey with pork and sage stuffing, pigs Slow cooked venison casserole served withblankets, Roast turkey with pork and sage stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and vegetables. Pan fried salmon fillet with new mashed potatoes and vegetables. potatoes, vegetables roast potatoes andcream vegetables. and a white wine and sauce. Slowsalmon cookedfillet venison served with Pan fried withcasserole new potatoes, vegetables Slow cooked venison casserole served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. and leek tart with crushed new potatoes, and aChestnut white wine and cream sauce. mashedand potatoes and vegetables. vegetables a balsamic dressing. (v) Pan fried salmon potatoes, vegetables Chestnut and leekfillet tartwith withnew crushed new potatoes, fried fillet with new and aPan white wine and cream sauce. vegetables and a salmon balsamic dressing. (v) potatoes, vegetables and a white wine and cream sauce. Chestnut and leek tart with crushed new potatoes, Chestnut and leek tart with crushed new potatoes, vegetables and a balsamic dressing. (v) vegetables and a balsamic dressing. (v) Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce.

Roasted butternut B E squash TH E Rand S Dcumin E N soup served with crusty bread and butter. Roasted butternut squash and cumin soup deep fried Brie served with served withBreaded crusty bread and butter. a cranberry sauce and soup salad garnish. Roasted butternut squash and cumin Breaded deep fried Brie served with Roasted butternut squash andParma cuminHam soup served with crusty andslices butter. Cantaloupe melon and a cranberry saucebread and salad garnish. servedwith witha crusty bread and butter. port reduction. Breaded deep fried Brieand served with Cantaloupe melon slices Parma Ham Breaded deep fried Brieonion served with a cranberry sauce and salad garnish. with a port reduction. Chicken liver pate with red chutney, a cranberry sauce and salad garnish. toastred andonion a salad garnish. Cantaloupe melon and Parma Ham Chicken liver pateslices with chutney, melon slices and Parma Ham withCantaloupe aand port reduction. toast a salad garnish. with a port reduction. Chicken liver pate with red onion chutney, Chicken liver pate with red onion chutney, toast and a salad garnish. toast and a salad garnish.

StartersStarters

   Christmas  TwoFAYRE Two courses2017 £16.95  courses £16.95 Three courses £21.95 Three courses£16.95 £21.95 Two courses ®  Two courses £16.95    Three courses £21.95 £21.95 Three courses    Christmas menu served between 1st - 24th December

Mains Mains

Desserts Desserts

Sticky toffee puddingbrownie with toffee Chocolate withsauce. vanilla ice cream.

DessertsDesserts

Chocolate brownie withpudding vanilla ice cream. Christmas with brandy sauce. Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce. Christmas puddingIce with brandy sauce. creams and sorbets. Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce. ChocolateIce brownie vanilla ice cream. creamswith and sorbets. Chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream. Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Ice creams and sorbets. Ice creams and sorbets.

Coffee or tea with mince pies. Coffee or tea with mince pies.

for Reservations 820235 Coffee or teaCall with01233 mince pies.

East Kent Morris Men and Women: Do you like dancing, drinking, socialising, music, having fun? Then why not try Morris Dancing? We are Christmas now menufor served 1st-- 24th December. recruiting newbetween members. This is a mixed For reservations ring 01233 820 235. Weekly side of women and men dancing together. Wednesday dance 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 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

Coffee or tea with mince pies.

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, Bridewell Lane in Tenterden. Every month we have a fun project or theme for members to capture, complimented by the occasional local outings. Most months we have a speaker and at the end of the month (4th Wed) we have a social club evening. New members and guests very welcome. Full details on our web site: www.TenterdenCameraClub.co.uk

• • • • •

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(min 1 hour)

Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner

Helping Your Child To Become Money Savvy by Kate Duggan kateduggan.co.uk Purses: £3.95 each from www.dotcomgiftshop.com It’s never too early to get into the habit of saving up for what you want. Good habits learnt in childhood can last a lifetime.

penalty to take the money out and the account can be in your child’s name if they’re aged seven or older.

If it feels as though your children are constantly asking for new toys, sweets and gadgets, you might want to consider giving them weekly pocket money, with the proviso that once it’s gone, it’s gone. If they want to save up for something big, like a scooter, help them to focus by sticking a photo of it by their money box. You can also remind them about their goal when they’re tempted to spend their money on ‘tat’. Do they really want that Shopkins blind bag now, or would they rather buy a scooter in a few months’ time?

Fixed-rate accounts Fixed-rate accounts often earn a higher rate of interest than easy-access accounts, but your child will be tied in to a set period before they can withdraw any money without a penalty.

You can buy money boxes that have separate sections, such as short-term savings, long-term savings and quick spends. Or just make your own, with different labelled jam jars. Children’s savings accounts It can be difficult to resist dipping into a money box, so you might want to think about opening a savings account for your child, particularly if they want to save up for something big, or you want to start putting some money away to help with university fees or a house deposit. Easy access accounts Easy access accounts are handy for short-term savings. There’s no

Regular savings accounts If you or your child can commit to saving at least £5 each month, a regular savings account often pays a higher rate of interest than the accounts previously mentioned. However, the rate usually drops considerably if you make any withdrawals within a set period, and it often drops anyway after the initial bonus period ends. Junior ISAs If your child is saving for a longterm goal, such as university, a junior ISA is a good way of locking the money away from temptation. As with adult ISAs, you can choose between a cash ISA and a stocks and shares one. There is a greater risk with a stocks and shares ISA, but there’s also the possibility of higher returns. Do compare rates, as some savings accounts actually offer a better rate than a cash ISA, and are easier to access.

Which financial provider to go for? www.moneysavingexpert.com helps you to easily compare the rates of children’s savings accounts and junior ISAs. While the AER (annual equivalent rate) is important, you’ll also want to consider other aspects when choosing a provider, such as: • How easy is it to deposit money? • How often can you withdraw money without paying a penalty? • Does the provider align with your values? For example, do they have an ethical policy that says they won’t invest your child’s money in companies that use child labour or test on animals? • How easy is it to manage the account? Depending on your child’s age, they might also benefit from an account that comes with an app for their smartphone and a cash card. Family budgeting The Money Advice Service is a useful resource if you need to improve your own finances. It offers free advice on everything from budgeting to pensions. Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or call 0800 138 7777.

Beauty Tis The Season To Party by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Handbag essentials to transform you from frazzled office worker to fabulous partygoer in minutes. Work deadlines plus shopping, wrapping, cooking and dealing with family life can leave you feeling rather frazzled. Try a spritz of Tisserand De-Stress Mist to keep the tension down. The blend of calming essential oils, including geranium, orange, nutmeg, rose and jasmine smells lovely and really does seem to help soothe the senses. Not keen on sprays? The blend is also available as a roller-ball. The DeStress Mist is priced at £8.95 and the De-Stress Rollerball at £5.95, from www.tisserand.com. Dry, chapped lips are not a good look and matte lipsticks often highlight the problem. Clarins’ Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector is a great alternative. It’s available in several shades and leaves lips feeling soft, hydrated and plumped, while adding a touch of colour and shine. It is more of a gloss than a lipstick, so the colour and shine won’t last for hours, but it’s well worth the extra applications. A full-sized Lip Perfector is £18, but if you’re quick you may be able to snap up a mini one for a bargain price with one of Clarins’ Christmas giftsets, see www.clarins.co.uk. You can’t have failed to notice that brows are having their moment in the spotlight.

Whether you prefer a bold bushy arch à la Lily Collins or something a bit more streamlined, a good brow pencil is invaluable. High Definition’s Browtec Pencil is a great choice. It has a fine, retractable tip so you can achieve precise strokes; it’s topped with a brush; and the colour stays put all day. £16 from www.beautyinhighdefinition.com. High Definition has also released a Limited Edition Copper Eyeshadow Palette that’s definitely deserving of a place in your arsenal. The rose gold, copper and bronze shades work beautifully together to create a look that’s perfect for parties. The three shades come with a mirror and double-headed brush, all housed in a very compact case. £23.50, www.beautyinhighdefinition.com. Don’t fancy carrying your makeup loose in your handbag? Christmas is the perfect time to treat yourself to a new cosmetics bag. On a bit of a tight budget? Lots of gift sets have a case included for free, or check out TK Maxx for luxury options at a fraction of the price. Pencil cases also do the job just as well, with the added advantage of often being waterproof. The Paperchase Glamingo Pencil Case is just £7. The extra pocket at the front is perfect for makeup brushes and other extras. See www.paperchase.co.uk.

Health & Beauty

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Health

By John Fletcher, Public Governor for Ashford

Is the NHS heading for major change? of call to see family doctors, community nurses, social and mental health services and access to treatments nearer to home is also included. In addition, all the out of hours services are being rationalised in order to be more effective.

There has been little restructuring of the NHS since it was set-up and the system has operated well for many years. It is characterised by division of services into primary care (contracted doctors in surgeries) community services (offered by the NHS throughout the country) and hospital care (the major hospitals).

During 2015 the NHS introduced plans to tackle these problems. They were aimed at developing and introducing a sustainable and effective service. STPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (sustainable and transformation plans) have evolved into a sustainable and transformation partnerships now operating in Kent and It seems that the future for healthcare locally lies in the Medway. direction of new specialised How will we be affected by centres (hubs) staffed and these changes? equipped to treat patients who might otherwise have gone to The first sign of change is the hospital. Doctors will be left identification of a number of with more time to deal with areas in England selected to more complex problems and test a new integration system. hospitals will not be inundated In East Kent, Encompass, with those who can be treated which includes 13 surgeries easily at local clinics or at in the Whitstable Faversham, home. Canterbury Ash and Sandwich areas is one of the new Vanguards.

This traditional division is now being questioned because it is seen as an ever increasing barrier to the type of care needed. The increasing population (1.8million in Kent and Medway and with estimates of a 23% increase in this by 2031), an increasing life expectancy (people aged over 70 are expected to increase by 20% in the next 5 years), more and more people with long term conditions (diabetes, This system of delivering care, lung and heart diseases) all it is claimed, will mean fewer add pressures. trips to hospital with locally held clinics for cancer and dementia patients. One point 40

Likewise South Kent Coastal CCG is developing an initiative which becomes operative in January 2018. In this scheme patients will be able to attend one of 5 hubs in the area for consultation and treatment. They may be referred to their own GP for further much more detailed consultation or they may receive treatment at the hub.

Health & Fitness

Time to

Relax

Yvonne Fernando, NLP Master Practitioner & Life Coach lets us know... Stress comes in many forms, from tense, tricky relationships at home to pressured interactions at work. Financial pressures, conflicting priorities, unresolved issues, digital frustrations and travelling on congested roads can all add to the stress burden. Often we just brush off or deal with stressful situations with no adverse effects. However, when stress becomes negative (we feel we can’t handle it), problems can arise. It can affect health, wellbeing, relationships, sleep patterns, weight gain/loss, digestive problems, heart, capacity for memory and many other disorders. Anxiety, stress and depression are closely related and if left unchecked can develop into physical depression. While there’s no doubt that modern living can produce some unwanted side-effects, the good news is there’s a lot we can do to prevent and manage anxiety, stress and depression. NLP can help to identify the root cause of anxiety and stress and pinpoint changes that might need to be made. Relaxation is one of the best antidotes to stress. Learning how to relax can clear the mind, calm the emotions and result in a healthier body. In a relaxed state people are more creative, can solve problems more easily and see things from a different perspective. Try some of these tips to keep stress in check and bring balance to your life: • Physical Activity • Mindfulness • Yoga • Meditation • Regular Sleeping Pattern • Relaxation • Journaling Yvonne works with adults and children to make positive life changes. T : 01233 878474 M: 07968 785714 E : yvonne@yvonnefernandonlp.co.uk www.yvonnefernandonlp.co.uk References available. NLP is safe for children.

Amanda Banham BSc. MSHAA INDEPENDENT HEARING AID CONSULTANT

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NutritionWise NutritionWise

Elaine Povey - Nutritionist

____________________________________________________________________________________________ Nutrition Consultancy

BSc (Hons) R Nutr MCIEH Keynton, Chery Garden Lane, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AR

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Puzzle Time

Word Ladder

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

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.

R O C K

H I L L

Crossword Across 7. Light wind (6) 8. Add up (6) 9. Not pretty (4) 10. Take away (8) 11. Tenth month (7) 13. Deprived (5) 15. Two times (5) 17. Remaining (7) 20. Booklet (8) 21. Assists (4) 22. Floats (6) 23. Unlocked (6)

Down 1. Horrendous (6) 2. Refute (4) 3. Childhood illness (7) 4. Investigate (5) 5. Barely (8) 6. Coerced (6) 12. Engaged (8) 14. Stopping place (7)

16. Gun or knife (6) 18. Bowed (6)

19. Nearby (5) 21. Pinnacle (4)

The Home

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...

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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Call Tony 07738 g 907 717 bin lumon

D. KENWARD & SONS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

DOMESTIC - INDUSTRIAL - COMMERCIAL - AGRICULTURAL Free Estimates - Established Tenterden 1970 - Family Run Business Rewires • Fault Finding • Test & Inspection Extra Sockets/Lights • Maintenance • Extensions DBS enhanced certificate for schools Approved Electrical Contractor for over 25years Call Andrew: 07786 342454 or Dave: 07880 680046 e: dkenward@btconnect.com

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PLUMBING & HEATING Heating SERVICES

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How Do I Tell If My Elderly Neighbour Needs Help? by Kate McLelland

According to Age UK’s report “Later Life in the United Kingdom”, published this year, 3.64 million people in the UK aged 65+ live alone. With so many older individuals living independent lives, it often falls to neighbours to sound the alarm if the behaviour of an elderly person gives cause for concern. So what are the signals that show something may be wrong? WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR? Signs such as curtains remaining permanently open or closed, or newspapers left sticking out of the letterbox, can indicate that there may be a problem. The first step should be to knock on your neighbour’s door. If they answer, try to engage them in conversation, and if you are invited in, use your visit as an opportunity to check how they are living. Does the house look clean and tidy? Is it warm? Are pets being cared for properly or are there signs of neglect, such as overflowing litter trays?

If you’ve made several attempts to knock on the door but there’s no answer, you could ask people in neighbouring properties if they have seen or heard anything. Finally, ring round the local hospitals to see if your neighbour has been admitted. If you

continue to draw a blank, it may be time to call the police.

regular check that they are safe and well.”

CALLING SOCIAL SERVICES If there’s no emergency but you suspect that your elderly neighbour may have developed a mental or physical health issue that puts them at risk, check if they have a relative or close friend that you can phone. If the answer is ‘no’, you could call the Age UK helpline on Freephone 0800 009 966 or contact the social services department at your local council.

Between 6th and 10th November the National Association for Care Catering (NACC) celebrates Meals on Wheels Week. This is an initiative created to raise awareness and demonstrate how vital the service is. Meals on Wheels is currently a discretionary service, not supported by all local councils, and NACC is campaigning for the government to make it a statutory, protected service for those considered most at risk in the community.

When a local authority is told that someone may be in need of care and support they are obliged to carry out a needs assessment, even if the individual in question has not requested one. MEALS ON WHEELS There is usually a clear course of action when an older person is found to be at risk or in distress. However it’s not always so straightforward when someone simply appears to be lonely or not eating properly. One solution may be to help them set up a ‘Meals on Wheels’ delivery. The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), the original provider of the Meals on Wheels service, says: “Our home-delivered meals service provides friendly social contact for those who may be confined to the house, and a

As a concerned neighbour, you could make a real difference with a simple intervention, whether that’s starting a friendly chat or taking positive action to support the elderly person in question. If you’d like to hear more about the Royal Voluntary Service Meals on Wheels service, telephone 0845 608 0122 or visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

The Home

Plumbing & Heating Services

All plumbing work undertaken no job too small! Burst pipes, Blockages, Taps, Pumps, Radiators & Drainage work. Bathroom & Shower Installation

All Aspects of Plastering

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

01233 714 772 or 07707 029 609

Specialist in all Forms of Wall and Floor Tiling

Clean, friendly and reliable For your free quotation call Derek

07905 700 142

Call Brett on

Charing Based

www.obsplumbing.co.uk

Derek Hales

MASTER TILER

Clean, Reliable Service

OBS Plumbing & Maintenance Boilers, Bathrooms, Heating and Repairs

PLUMBING

Robert Lawrence

Charing, Ashford, Kent

07921 717 241

otmoorbuildingservices@hotmail.co.uk

Easy Access Bathrooms Safe, sound and stylish

Walk-in showers • Walk-in baths • Wetrooms Beautiful bathroom & shower conversions

Family run business with over 15 years of Knowledge & experience Zero VAT on Mobility bathrooms

To find out how we can help you call:

01233 720488

w w w . b a t h e i n s a f e t y . c o . u k

Important 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 116123 www.samaritans.org Electricity: Southern Electric EDF Energy Gas: Natural LPG

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

Doctors Surgery The Charing Surgery 01233 714 490 Headcorn Surgery 01622 890294 Parish Councils: Biddenden: 01580 890750 Charing: 01233 713599 Egerton: 01622 853558 Headcorn: 01622 892496 Pluckley: 01233 770739 Smarden: 07752 395412 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 01233 714540 Veterinary Surgeons Barrow Hill Vets 01233 624687 Pierson Stewart & Partners 01580 713381 Charing Business Association www.charingkent.co.uk Volunteer Centre 01233 665 535 Age UK Ashford 01233 668 765 www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com CARM E: Carmromneymarsh@supanet.com www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk

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

Biddenden Charing Charing Heath Egerton - Millenium Hall Headcorn Little Chart or Pluckley Smarden Charter Hall

01580 291320 01233 713599 01622 858296 01233 840479 01622 890708 07753 802814 01233 840395 01233 840280 01233 771947

High Pressure Jetting Service & Repair to Sewage treatment plants Soakaway Testing 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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PUZZLE ANSWERS Kid’s Corner: Henry collects ‘7 mince pies’ on the way down the chimney. The word ‘elf’ can be found 6 times.

Word Ladder: ROCK rick rice rile rill HILL

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Private Care Service at Mealtimes Private Care Service

Our Private Care Service carers can come Our Private Care Service offers totailored your house and help to prepare fresh, packages of personal care ready made or light meals. This help can that can help people stay in their form part of a tailored package of care own home for as long as possible, that could help you stay in your own rather than going into a care home home for longer, rather than going into before it’s really needed. We assist a care home before its really needed. those who need help due to We can assist those who need help due fraility, disability or illness to live to frailty, disability or illness to live as as independently as possible, with independently as possible, with comfort comfort in their and dignity,&indignity, their own home.own home.

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9.7 77 £.7 £9 hour per hour per

For Foraafree freeassessment assessment of your care to to of your careneeds needsoror receive your brochure receive your brochure Call Callus usonon01580 01580762244 762244

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