Aldington May 2014

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May 2014

Ashford Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6LT

YEAR 5 OPEN DAY Saturday 7th June 2014

10am-1pm

Principal’s talks in the Sinden Theatre at 10.30am & 11.30am

Come along and join us for a morning exploring the vibrant world class learning experience that is Homewood

For further information please contact Lynn Castle, Admissions Officer on 01580 764222 ext 201 or email l.castle@homewood.kent.sch.uk

INTERIORS M J Fine hand crafted kitchens and bespoke furniture

01580 291221 jmi-kitchens.co.uk Biddenden Showroom

Welcome

June Issue Deadline 9th May

Hi everyone, way and therefore provide both viewpoints.

Some readers will support this venture, some will not. My own personal circumstances are that my home is one of those most affected by the potential effects of this project, but I have set my own concerns aside in the interest of providing a balanced debate on this subject.

It is for everyone to make up their own minds Last month I ran an editorial on behalf of once presented with the facts, both positive the Aldington and Mersham communities and negative. regarding concerns over the proposed solar Have a great month, see farm project at Bank Farm. In the interest of you next time. being fair and enabling a balanced debate on the subject, this month Doug Wanstall of ~ Debbie Bank Farm has responded with an article that he hopes will correct some inaccuracies and T: 01233 720488 present the opposing viewpoint. email: info@ For the first time in the nine years of running this thevillagedirectory.co.uk magazine I have found myself with a confilict events: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk of interest. The ethos of the magazine is to w:www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk support the community in a fair and balanced Welcome to the May Issue, which I’m afraid, is a little later than usual, but next month we will be back to normal with our end of the month deliveries. As a result I’ve extended the deadline for bookings and events, but timing is very tight so be sure not to miss out if you have plans for the June Issue.

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The

the garden

Garden Shed

Water, Water, Everywhere

by Pippa Greenwood point nearby – something often overlooked. Do you want an eyecatching centrepiece for a formal garden, or just the music of running water as the soundtrack to your alfresco Sunday lunch? In either case, you need to consider carefully the appropriate position.

A water-feature adds magic to any garden. The sound of tinkling water and the movement of light on its surface can be just the finishing touch you need either for a patio or for a much larger garden. There’s a plentiful choice

of water-features of all shapes, styles, and sizes; but before you commit yourself, what are the main points to bear in mind?

Water-features can turn bright green in summer due to the build-up of algae. You can go a long way towards preventing this by positioning them away from direct sunlight. Make sure they’re well away from deciduous trees, too, as falling leaves will clog everything up.

First, position. For moving water, your feature will use an electric pump, so there has to be a power-

For smaller spaces you’re best off with a self-contained feature.

There are lots of lovely ones

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available such as terracotta or glazed pot stacks with the water continuously pumped from one container to another, so you’ll only need to top it up in the hottest weather.

Spouts and fountains are great fun. A spitting fish, frog, or gargoyle adds a touch of art – or humour – while oxygenating a pool, reducing algae and keeping the pond-life happy. If you want moving water but perhaps have toddlers, a millstone with a low, centrally-positioned jet is both beautiful and safe.

Plants are integral to any pond. Surface-floating plants such as waterlilies not only look gorgeous but their leaves also shade the water – again, reducing algae. Waterlilies need still water, so are best avoided if you have a fountain; but a single spitting feature at one end of the pool shouldn’t create too much turbulence.

Plants around the edges of a pools and ponds are called marginals and do best in shallower water or boggy ground. Use plenty: they look gorgeous, they hide the liner and they’re a haven for wildlife.

Marginals to consider include yellow-flowered marsh marigold (caltha palustris); white-flowered bog arum (calla palustris); miniature reed-mace (typha minima); pale blue water forgetme-not (myosotis scorpioides); and purple-bloomed water and bog iris (eg iris laevigata). You’ll need about two plants per metre.

For a more formal look choose shapely rushes or ferns.

Water-features attract wildlife, and in summer you might be visited by dragonflies or mayflies.

Birds may also come to drink and bathe. And even a small pond needs a safe exit-route in case hedgehogs pop by for a drink and tumbles in. A shallow beach of pebbles should do the trick.

the garden

If your feature has a sizeable surface, net it in the autumn to catch falling leaves. Garden netting stretched taut is ideal.

Remove it as necessary to tip off the leaves. Left in the water they’ll both clog the pumps and produce methane, which is toxic.

In winter, don’t let the waterfeature freeze up. If extreme cold is forecast smaller features are best emptied, and the pump cleaned and stored in the shed.

Fish need an ice-free area on the surface or they’ll be killed by methane building up under the ice. Floating a football on the surface helps.

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ for the AskPippa Q&A service, Nemaslug, natural pest controls and lots more besides!

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Mowgli

H

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e l l o Everyone, Mowgli here! First of all I think I should fill you in on Spike the new goat. As I told you last month Merlin was very very upset when Dennis died. He stopped coming into the shed and was barely eating. So Spike had to arrive as soon as possible. He was collected from the sanctuary with the help of one of the keepers and we watched as he was lead across the grass to the goat paddock. He was introduced to Merlin straight away and no-one knew what they would do. It turned out to be quite simple- they sniffed each other, obviously had a bit of a goat chat and decided to be friends. Within a few minutes they were sharing a bowl of bananas (a great goat treat) and prancing around the paddock together. Clive was very surprised when Merlin actually led Spike into the shed that night and ate a whole bowl of food. They have settled in well together and Spike has hardly caused any trouble. Being a goat though he has of course caused some trouble. Goats are just so stupid! He has turned out to be a bit of an escape artist- pushing past Jane and out of the gate, doing a few laps around the garden and then heading straight back into his paddock. Still, at least Ebony and I can keep a good eye on him!

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In other news I have decided to become a bit of a climber and have started climbing onto Clive’s back and shoulder at every opportunity. This is great fun for me, and causes him no end of problems- Josh and I both enjoy it when Josh is in the bath, Clive is leaning over the bath and I then jump onto his back.

Josh giggles, I miaow and Clive starts muttering about cats and babies conspiring together to cause a lot of problems. I think the world looks quite interesting from Clive’s shoulder. I can learn quite a lot from watching what he does- not that I would let on of course that I know how to do things such as make a cup of tea or empty the dishwasher. I think all cats would agree that we are here to be looked after and pampered!

The big news is that hopefully by the time you read this the clinic will have moved (hoping to move at Easter but not quite sure if it will be ready!). Not far- just across the car park at Evegate (you can see the new building from the old one!) Clive says it will be much better for all the animals coming in as it is bigger so there is more space in the waiting room.

It has also been designed from scratch so it will be much more suitable. Everything else is the same- the staff, the phone number, the address and of course the pictures of Ebony and I still have pride of place on the walls of Clive’s consulting room. Our pictures were the first thing he decided where to put in the new place! We are both working on him to have some more pictures of us in the waiting room...... Anyway, pop in and have a look if you are passing!

~ Mowgli Montgomery Vets

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9

Life Begins Confessions of an armchair archaelogist

by Kate McLelland For many years, archaeology has been a passion of mine.

Not actually doing it, you understand, but viewing endless TV documentaries on ancient Egypt and Rome and obsessively following various series of “Time Team”.

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Last year I moved to the countryside and decided to turn my interest into a hobby.

I fantasised about standing in the middle of a field, with muddy knees and earth-caked hands, having just discovered a stunning mosaic floor.

Without doubt I had the enthusiasm to be an amateur archaeologist, but how could I get involved?

When I discovered that our local archaeological group was about to meet, I was determined to go. Unfortunately the day of the meeting was damp, cold and windy: as I trudged along I found myself looking forward to taking my seat in a warm, dry church hall. This reaction to a bit of rain made me wonder if I would be feeling so enthusiastic if, instead of a aiming for a brightly lit hall, I was heading off to spend long hours in a muddy field?

Once inside the hall, I sat and listened to a members of the group speak eloquently about their particular archaeological

passions. Each talk was accompanied by a carefully prepared laptop presentation, with photographs, maps and information. There was even a quiz on local historical sites: my dismal score reminded me why I had come to the meeting in the first place.

When the presentations ended I was eager to find out more about the society. I was told that sessions mostly comprised of talks by interesting guest speakers, but for more active members there would be a chance to go on field walks, which take place in the winter when vegetation has died back.

With farmers’ permission, walkers examine the earth for signs of pottery, flints and other finds. Apparently there is quite a good success rate for these random discoveries, provided the group knows where to look.

By law all finds belong to the owner of the land on which the field walk takes place and an official agreement between landowner and searcher is often put in place to determine who keeps the items that are found. It is recommended that all finds be recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (www.finds.org.uk). The scheme encourages finders to record their discoveries with a local

Finds Liaison Officer, who will enter the items onto a database for researchers to study and the public to view.

Unfortunately, opportunities to get involved with digs taking place on established archaeological sites are extremely limited, although some of the larger societies do manage to get some handson experience. Sites must be overseen by qualified, professional archaeologists to ensure that all finds are properly investigated, recorded and preserved, so the chances for enthusiastic amateurs like me to get involved will always be limited.

As I sat in the hall at the end of the meeting, finishing a cup of tea and chatting to a large group of enthusiastic, knowledgeable people, I felt that was among old friends. It occurred to me that there was enjoyment to be had in simply listening to people who are passionate about their subject.

Call me an armchair archaeologist, but there’s a lot to be said for hearing about other people’s discoveries, particularly when it’s cold and rainy outside!

the home

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business of a family lawyer, who

Getting Married? Living Together? should be approachable and sympathetic when helping clients through difficult Re-marrying? Did you know… …Currently many unmarried couples living together, wrongly believe that as “common law” spouses, they have rights similar to those of married couples. However, this is not the case. A period of cohabitation, however lengthy, does not put a cohabiting couple in the same position as a married person. The law relating to unmarried couples is extensive and complicated.

To avoid costly court battles, legal advice at the outset should be a priority for a couple planning to move in together. Professional advice and the consideration of a Declaration of Trust stating, for example, who owns what percentage of the property may not seem a romantic suggestion but it is an inherently sensible one.

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Whilst prenuptial agreements do receive a lot of publicity, as the law currently stands, such an agreement is not strictly enforceable. That said an agreement can, however, be taken into consideration by a court when determining financial settlement and in some cases the terms of settlement have mirrored the provisions in the prenuptial agreement. More and more now we see the courts attaching great importance to prenuptial agreements and family solicitors draft these on a frequent basis for clients, particularly those entering into a second marriage.

In a case where a couple are planning to marry or live together, professional advice is advisable, particularly where there are children from a former relationship or assets have been built up prior to the new relationship.

Anyone who is not sure where they stand regarding legal matters should seek specialist advice – sooner rather than later – if they wish to protect their assets, minimise conflict and ensure a fair settlement in the event of family breakdown.

Seeking legal advice at an early stage following the breakdown of a relationship does not have to mean instructing a lawyer to start writing antagonistic, threatening letters. At Girlings Solicitors the whole family team are members of ‘Resolution’, which means the concentration is on a constructive approach to resolve family issues. We understand the delicate balance

times, but also ensure that advice and minds remain focused. The priority is to negotiate an amicable realistic settlement without running up unnecessary legal costs and provide advice in language that clients can understand.

Whether at the start of a new relationship or if, sadly, thinking about separation the key message is to seek legal advice from a specialist family lawyer at an early stage – Written by Sarah Finnis. Sarah Specialises in Family Law and is based in the Girlings Solicitors Canterbury Office. Tel 01227 768374.

Sarahfinnis@girlings.com www.girlings.com Girlings also have offices in Ashford, Herne Bay and Margate. They are a leading Kent Law Firm offering expert legal advice to Individuals and Business. They specialise in Family Law (Getting married, seperation and Divorce), Wills & Probate, buying and selling your home and Business Law.

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Brabourne Lees - £425,000

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Unlisted four bed detached period village property full of character, two receptions, kitchen, utility room, conservatory & garage. Totally secluded & within a short walk of local amenities.

Five bed detached property with extensive accommodation. Extremely generous lounge and dining area. Three en suites & family bathroom. Double garage. Driveway parking for 4/5 cars.

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Executive detached property situated in sought after development on corner plot.

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Detached bungalow with 0.9 acre of land and two pairs of stables. Set in rural location offering good bridle paths.

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Contacting Kent Police Following a reader’s query regarding the “101” contact number for The Police Neighbourhood Team, I have contacted Kent Police and they have kindly provided the following response - Debbie Our Force Control Room, which is situated in Maidstone and operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week, handles all calls coming into the police for the entire county. This has been the case for many years now. Even before 101 was launched nationally, all calls to police stations were handled centrally by each force’s respective Control Room.

It was over a decade ago that calls to the police were handled at local police stations – the idea of calling your local station is often perpetuated in police TV programmes. However, this scenario has not existed for a very long time.

One of the reasons all calls come into a central Control Room is due to the complexity of modern policing combined with needing a 24/7 facility.

Control Rooms are best placed to deal with the wide variety of issues the public call about and 14 have all the technology and support in place.

They can also ensure that when a member of the public is trying to get hold of a specific officer for example and they aren’t available, they can track a call to make sure it reaches the right person and doesn’t get lost in the system.

Additionally as 101 is an easier number to remember, the police are now more accessible for non-urgent enquiries (which was why 101 was introduced in the first place).

Our Control Room has mapping facilities that will be able to find a specific location, however, call takers may not always know ‘local names’ that are well known to some in a village for example. But they will work with a caller to ensure the correct information is obtained.

We would be grateful if your readers/contacts could delete any local numbers and just publicise:

Contacting Kent Police • Dial 999 for emergencies • Dial 101 for non-emergencies If you need to speak to your neighbourhood officer, dial 101 and our Control Room will connect you with the officer best able to respond to your call.

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

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Reclaimed

Local Markets

Mrs Ascott’s Secret to a Gleaming Oven….

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1st & 3rd Friday of each month 1pm to 4pm Contact Pauline Hickson 01233 740979 “My friend Jean has just called round for coffee. As we stood chatting in the kitchen, The Barn Shop Traditional Market she exclaimed: “My goodness, your oven is Challock - 2nd & 4th Saturday of each sparkling!” month I smiled to myself, about to take credit for the 10am – 2pm Contact 01233 740237 sparkle coming from my gleaming cooker – but honesty got the better of me. “I had Oven Charing Farmer’s Market Wizards round yesterday to clean it for me” I told Charing Church Barn her. “I’ve heard of them” Jean replied “Were they 9 -11.30 every Thurs morning any good?”

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

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Rye Farmers Market Every Wednesday at Strand Quay 10am - 1 pm (12pm Oct - April) 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 Tenterden Country Market Every Friday 9.30am -11.30am St Mildred’s Church Hall, Church road.

Tenterden High Street Market Friday’s – 0830 – 1400 Wittersham Market Every Tuesday Village Hall 9am. - 11am Tel: 01797 270757 Wye First and third Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Wye. Tel: 07804 652156 www.wyefarmersmarket.co.uk

Well, I was only too happy to tell! The service was fantastic from start to finish. My oven was looking shameful, so I emailed Oven Wizards to make enquiries and received a reply almost straightaway. The price was competitive and the process well explained. 3 days later, the chap arrived bang on time as agreed. He looked over the oven, explained what was going to be done and set about work. He removed his shoes, covered where he was working and gave my oven the deepest clean it had ever received.

He removed the doors, separated the glass, cleaned the door seals, the light cover and put all the shelves in a tank in his van.

2 hours later – it was as if a new oven had been placed in my kitchen! There was virtually no smell to the process, he was so tidy you’d never know he’d been and my oven gleamed inside and out! The shelves were sparkling silver, the glass crystal clear and the inside silky clean.

It was money exceptionally well spent and I will certainly be having them back on a regular basis to keep my oven gleaming (and to keep my friends commenting on what a clean house I keep!)”

Many thanks to Mrs Ascott from Ashford, for this wonderful testimonial. If you’d like to book Oven Wizards to make your oven sparkle – please give us a call on 01233 210662 or email Maidstone@ ovenwizards.com. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

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Cake and Bake Ginger and Rhubarb Muffins Quick and easy to make these fruity muffins are ideal for a mid-morning treat. They are best eaten on the day of making but can be frozen for up to 2 months – just thaw and pop in a hot oven for a few minutes for that just baked taste!

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Ingredients:

1.

Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas mark 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with 12 paper muffin cases. Cut the rhubarb stems in half lengthways then chop into 1cm pieces.

2.

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl and stir in the sugar and orange zest. Make a well in the centre.

3.

Whisk together the butter, milk and eggs and pour into the well. Stir until just combined but don’t over-mix. Gently fold in the rhubarb and stem ginger.

4.

Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cases. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until risen, golden and just firm to the touch. Sprinkle with the crystallized orange peel, if liked.

Serve warm or cold.

• 175g thin rhubarb stalks, trimmed • 275 g plain flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 125g caster sugar • 1-2 tsp finely grated orange zest • 150g butter, melted and cooled for 5 minutes • 100ml milk • 2 medium eggs, beaten • 1 large piece stem ginger, finely chopped • Chopped crystallized orange peel to decorate (optional)

Makes 12 Ready in 40 minutes

In Season: Fruit Apples Pears Rhubarb

Vegetables Asparagus Artichoke (Jerusalem) Beetroot Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Carrots Cabbage Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Chard Chicory Greens

Kale Leeks Onions Potatoes Squash Swede Salsify Turnips Winter Greens

Salad Endive Lettuce Sorrel

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

Fish Cockles Cod Crab Halibut John Dory

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19

Solar Farm Threat or Opportunity?

I am writing in response to the piece written by Elaine Rose in the April edition of the Village Director y and I am grateful to the editor for this oppor tunity to reply.

When we decided to look at the possibility to host a solar farm on our land, we knew that the process would cause objections from local people, that was the overriding reason we decided to conduct a full consultation to allow all to give their views and for us to respond and adapt the scheme.

20

Firstly I must dismiss some myths that have developed.

• Goodwin Lane will not be blocked, this would be illegal, walkers and horse riders rights will not be affected, to the contrar y additional walkways will be put into place.

• There is not a footpath across the land in question; the line that people often mistake for a footpath is actually the parish boundar y, marked by us by a line of trees.

• There will be no new sub stations nor high tension cables, the connection to the grid will be underground, running to the substation at Evegate.

The electricity will then feed directly into the cables that feed Aldington.

There will be a small number of garden shed sized inver ters.

• The woodland and ponds within the scheme area will not be removed; in fact they will be improved.

• Most of the land in question is of poor quality and does not regularly give rise to bumper crops.

• The land will still be farmed, just planted with wildflower rich grassland that will be grazed by sheep rather than cropped with single species arable crops. This land will become a species rich environment and a haven for birds, bees and other insects.

• The project is not in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and if it were we would not even consider a proposal here. The argument about the view is a tricky one as ever yone (rightly so) feels they have a stake in the countr yside; remember though that farmers need to make a living from the land and returns from producing food from the land have diminished hugely over the 4 generations that my family have owned Bank Farm.

The project if successful would be screened from view for local families, there are already a number of high established hedges and some newly planted hedges and trees. There will of course be a few places where it will be visible.

• The solar farm will not give anyone cancer or any other illness, it is easy to find anything on the internet but the over whelming scientific consensus, backed by the World Health Organisation states that electromagnetism from electrical installations does not affect people’s health. Research has shown that if more than 3 metres away from an installation then the exposure to electromagnetism is no greater than that in our atmosphere, closer than

3 metres and it is the same exposure as can be expected from a household microwave oven. • Albeit that the scheme is expected to last 25 years this is a temporar y structure and if solar farms are no longer viable then the land can be returned to agriculture and there is provision in the agreement to have the panels removed.

The 3-4 month construction phase will of course mean that lorries will be delivering to the site but there will be less daily deliveries for this project than up until October 2013 used to move in and out of Bank Farm before we moved our food business off site, due to local concerns about traffic levels.

During the construction process there will be a mess if we encounter the same wet conditions that they have on the Romney Marsh site but this will be temporar y.

The vast majority of scientific opinion agrees that global warming is being exacerbated by human activity and that it is going to lead to wetter winters and hotter summers. Only ver y recently the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that climate inaction would be catastrophic. Our solar park will, when grassed down absorb more water than it does at present and help alleviate local flooding, once paid for the scheme will produce cheap, carbon free energy for years to come in a species rich environment that is still being utilized for food production. These are the reasons that renewable energy is being subsidized and why there is a move by many farmers to get involved.

One accusation I have had thrown at me is that my grandfather would be turning in his grave, but business changes, back only 75 years ago farmers used to produce all of the energy for transpor tation by growing oats for horses, his business changed when tractors came in and rural

jobs were replaced by the fossil fuel burning monsters, I wonder how many people said to him, your grandfather would be turning in his grave, I suspect quite a few. We are now simply looking to produce energy from the same land and keep ahead of modern society ’s insatiable requirement for energy.

Technology will undoubtedly, one day into the future come up with different solutions to the need for energy, but this is one of the options we have now and should be par t of the energy mix, along with wind, nuclear, wave and gas.

Finally, please remember we are in a consultation process and we are inviting people to talk to us about the scheme and voice their concerns. The planning ruling will be won or lost based on sound planning arguments from us or the objectors and it is far better to work from a position of fact and law than hearsay and scaremongering. Maybe we should set up a working group to discuss and find a solution, I await patiently for people to contact me.

Doug Wanstall doug@bankfarm.co.uk 07976427946

21

L i v e Ja z z What’s On Ma y T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b A t T h e To w e r To B o o k C a l l : 0 1 3 0 3 2 7 7 1 7 5 A l l g i g s s t a r t a t 8 3 0 p m , Ad m £ 1 0

3 May to 1 June 2014 - La Mer - An Exhibition of Photography by Liz Garnett The Art Shack, Kent Wildlife Trust, Dymchurch Road, New Romney, Kent TN28 8AY. Open hours are 9am to 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Further information about Liz can be found at www.lizgarnett.com.

Thursday 8th May 7.45pm for 8.00 - at Aldington This outfit is sponsored & supported By Jazz Village Hall, Aldington & Bonnington Gardening Services ( Jazz UK ) For This UK Tour/ Playing Society, illustrated talk by Mr Hilary Newman “Herbaceous Plants for Impact”. Visitors and new a book of rearranged charts of Big Band Jazz members are always welcome. For full details of our The Fantastic Swinging Quintet lead by programme contact Jean Evans 01233 720618.

The Charismatic Greek Tenor Man VASILIS XENOPOULOS STEVE FISHWICK - Trumpet - Saturday 10th May - Brabourne & Smeeth Previous rising star & now established top man Gardeners’ Society are holding their Annual Plant Sale in the Village Hall from 11 am to 1 pm. This NIGEL PRICE Guitar - One of The UKs Finest BILL MUDGE Organ -Swinging Like a is a great opportunity to buy plants for the vegetable Pendulum PETE CATER Drums The UKs Buddy and flower garden at very reasonable prices. The next meeting is on Friday 30 May at 7.15 for7.30 pm in Rich - His Kind of Music the village hall when Milena Moore will be giving a May 8th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ

THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ KAREN SHARP & MICK FOSTER THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF THE BARITONES PLUS THIS AMAZING RHYTHM SECTION ( This outfit could drive a 40ton truck ) TED BEAMENT Piano The ex Humph man returns for another fab session PAUL MORGAN Double Bass Quality always comes to the top. This is it !!

PETE CATER Drums - Buddy Rich ??? We are so lucky to have him back.

May 15th

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May 22nd THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE SPIKE HEATLEY TRIO WITH ART THEMEN The legendry Double Bassist SPIKE HEATLEY makes his annual visit to our shores from his home in France, to play the top UK jazz clubs .

As on his previous & very successful visit to The FJC he brings with him his regular drummer from his Barney Kessel Trio days - MALCOLM MORTIMER & the very accomplished Guitarist ANDREW WILLIAMS- All of this Plus the former top orthopaedic surgeon - now a most brilliant tenor saxophonist ART THEMEN

presentation about “Medicinal Herbs - growing in the garden and their uses”. All are welcome. For further info contact Wendy Sanders on 01303 813451 or emailbrabournewendy@gmail.com.

St Martin’s Church Aldington Coffee Morning & Table Top Sale Aldington Village Hall Saturday 10th May 2014 10am—1pm Tables £5 available to sell unwanted gifts, craft, books, whatever Bacon Baps, Cakes, Cake stall

May 29th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ

Prayer Room

THE MATT WATES SEXTET Yes folks this year by audience request & at great expense its the Sextet

Call Sue on 01233 720652 or Patricia 01233 720410 to book a table Profit to be divided between the church and local charity

Monday 12th May Smeeth W.I. will meet at the Brabourne and Smeeth Village Hall at the earlier time of 7.00 pm for their Resolutions Meeting. This meeting gives the Members the opportunity to discuss National Resolutions of interest to a wider society. This part of the meeting will be followed by a presentation by Julie Guthrie who will take Members on a Ruby Anniversary Cruise. We extend a warm welcome to any lady visitor and should any further information be required please contact Joy Taylor on 01303 812165 or Margaret Garrett on 01303 813932”

Saturday 17th May 10.00am to 12.00 - Aldington & Bonnington Gardening Society Plant Sale & Coffee Morning in Aldington Village Hall. Locally grown plants at modest prices.

Saturday 17th May , 7.30pm Kent Branch of The Society of Recorder Players in concert at All Saints Church , Boughton Aluph , TN25 4EU The programme includes a wide variety of music from early to modern with interlude performances by recorder players from Lady Joanna Thornhill primary school and other guest soloists Free entry – Retiring collection Proceeds to be divided between SRP and All Saints

Saturday May 17th – Sunday June 8th. An exhibition entitled “Images of Old Warehorne” will take place in St. Matthew’s Church, Warehorne TN26 2LJ, opening hours 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 50 images, mostly A4 size, will be on display. Dating from the 1870’s, this is a rare chance to see a fascinating selection of photographs of this village. Donations welcome – to be shared between St. Matthew’s Church, Warehorne Village Hall and Help for Heroes. h.m.beau1@btinternet.com Sunday 25th May - Classic bike jumble. Marsh Road, Hamstreet This will take place in the field opposite Mountain Farm in Marsh Road from 10am.

Continued....

SELLINDGE STEAM and COUNTRY SHOW 2014 TN25 6HH

Spring Bank Holiday Saturday 24 – Monday 26 May

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24

The Great St Rumwold’s Raft Race Sunday 15th June 2014 Competition Rules: 1. The race will take place on the Royal Military Canal at Bonnington. Gates open at 12pm. First race starts 1pm. Rafts and crews may arrive from 11am.

2. There will be 4 classes or rafts: 1-2 person, 3-4 person, an open class, and a pub challenge. Children over 10 may enter any of the classes above.

3. Raft Construction: all rafts must be home-made. NO PART of the raft may be constructed out of any pre-made boat, canoe or inflatable dinghy. All rafts must be man powered. No oars are allowed, but paddles are permissible, as are sails. Oil drums and other equipment used in the construction must be thoroughly cleaned prior to the race to prevent polluting the canal.

4. Fancy dress is optional, but attracts a special prize.

5. All crews must wear life jackets and be able to swim. No person will be allowed to enter without a lifejacket. A limited number of lifejackets may be borrowed on the day from the Raft Race committee.

6. Children must be supervised at all times. Please be aware that there is a deep, water filled ditch between the canal and the church.

7. All dogs must be kept on a lead. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

8. All competitors are bound to abide by the rules, and the organisers will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to crew or spectators.

9. Please take great care when entering and exiting the site with your raft and vehicle. ` 10. Entry fee is £5 per raft.

Please return your entry form to Tina Metcalfe. The Old Oak, Bonnington, Ashford TN25 7BT 01303872453 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Entry form for the Great St Rumwold’s Raft Race 2014 In aid of St Rumwold’s Church and the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund Name of Craft_________________________________Captain____________________________ Category_______________________Please return early to be featured in race card and programme.

All competitors are bound to abide by the rules, and the organisers will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to crew or spectators. Entry fee of £5 to be attached. One entry form per craft. Crafts may enter a number of times with different crews at £5 each. Sponsorship for St Rumwold’s greatly appreciated!

Cheques payable to St Rumwold’s Church PCC Name, address and phone number (without which entries cannot be accepted)__________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________Email__________________________________

25

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Events continued...

Includes undercover stalls and an indoor seating area in a large marquee. New and used spares, bikes, clothing and accessories for sale. Parking is free, refreshments are available and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. For information visit www.elkpromotions.co.uk

Sunday 8th June - Hamstreet Festival of Transport 10am-5.30pm Weekends 7/14th & 8/15th June - Chris & Judy Older welcome you to their garden opening in aid of the :- National Gardens Scheme and St Rumwolds Church, Bonnington. The 16C cottage nestles in romantic seclusion at the end of a drive.

This enchanting garden (1 acre) is a mixture of small herbaceous borders, roses & unusual topiary. There is plenty of seating to enjoy the garden & extensive views across Romney Marsh to the sea. Some gentle slopes, limited access for wheel chairs. (Also private visits in June by appointment only.) Admission £4, children free. Ample off road parking. Plants for Sale.

Homemade cakes & teas available. WYCKHURST GARDEN Mill Road, Aldington, Ashford, Kent. TN25 7AJ. (4m SE of Ashford off A20) 01233 720395.

Saturday 21st June - Brabourne and Smeeth Village Fete and Craft Fair will be held at Smeeth School from 2-5pm instead of on the Playing Field.

As well as mega choir, Ashford Sings, Corrine Wilson’s Performing Arts Club will be appearing, and the puppets will be back! There will be some new games and competitions and some new wicked raffle prizes too! Crockery is needed for the Smashing Crockery Stall as well as volunteers to run it. Please contact Allison if you can help.

If your dog’s got a waggy tail, can or can’t resist a tasty treat, or likes to race on an agility course then bring him or her down to Paws on the Playground!

If you would like to hold an event or run a stall, please contact Alison Godfrey 01303 814639 (chairman) to book your place.

HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER Try Bowling - free trial, come along and have a go, you will not regret it. Our friendly bowls club is in Swan Lane, Sellindge, part of the Sports and Social Club. Our members will be happy to show you the rudiments of the game with no pressure to join at all. Do come along any Sunday morning during the month of May, from 10am until noon... we will have refreshments at the ready and a friendly face waiting to meet you. If you need more information ring Malcolm Cage on 07966 709783 or just turn up

11th May - Carly Bryant Concert 8.00pm, Sinden Theatre, Homewood School, Tenterden. Sinden Theatre Box Office 01580 763826.

Photoshop Tuition If you’ve ever wanted to know how to use Photoshop to improve your digital images, we can show you!

Local singer/songwriter and musician Carly Bryant will be in concert at the Sinden Theartre this month.

Ex Homewood student Carly has enjoyed great success on the continent and now returns to perform her own brand of Rock/Folk in her home town of Tenterden.

Tuesday, 20th May 2014 7.30pm (Doors open 6.30pm)

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27

health & beauty

Beauty Age-Proof Your Hair

By Helen Taylor that you might need to age-proof your hair as well?

Hair, like skin, suffers two types of ageing: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic ageing is the effect of everything that your locks are exposed to, like heat-styling, sun damage, and colouring. Intrinsic ageing comes from below the scalp and reveals the signs that your hair is past its prime: reduction in melanin, decline in sebum production, and a change in hair diameter. What that means is that greys start to appear, the shine starts to disappear, and your hair loses its bounce.

Hair growth also begins to slow over the years, so it’s harder to achieve the length you loved when you were younger.

Ageing a natural process, but there’s plenty you can do to slow it down.

Always Be Aware of Your Hair Try to limit extrinsic damage. Lay off the heated styling tools; prevent your hair from being frazzled by the sun by applying a deep conditioner to the lengths and ends

You’re probably all too aware that you need to look after your skin if you want to stay looking younger for longer – but have you ever thought

28

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health & beauty when you’re on the beach; and cut right back on products that can dry your hair, like hairsprays.

Reconsider Your Colour Although you might colour your hair to hide greys, choosing the wrong hue can be very ageing.

An all-over colour can be hard to wear as you get older. Instead of opting for a block shade, choose a base colour that’s no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural hue, and add highlights. Not only will your hair look younger, your face will too.

Condition, Condition, Condition Smother the lengths and ends of your hair with a rich deepconditioning treatment once or twice a week. Try hair oils and products that are specially formulated for ageing, thinning, or dried-out hair.

Try a New Hairstyle It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, but out-of-date, unflattering styles

really do make you look a lot older than you are. That’s why it’s important to take a fresh look at yourself every so often. Talk to your stylist, or try a new salon.

The opinion of someone who doesn’t already know you and your hair can result in a fantastic new look.

Any hairdresser worth their salt can advise on what styles work best for thinning or ageing hair, but generally it’s worth considering the following: Length – Long locks look lovely if they’re bouncy, thick, and full of life, but if that’s not the case then they really aren’t worth holding on to. Chopping long hair into a flattering, blunt, midicut is a quick way to create more youthful-looking hair. Ridding your tresses of dead split-ends improves condition, and a blunt cutting technique will create the look of fullness.

Frame Your Face – Try a fringe, or have some soft layers added to the styling around your face. This lifts your features and makes you look younger.

A Professional Opinion is Best Although it’s normal for your hair to show signs of change such as thinning over the years, it’s worth seeing your GP if you notice any sudden changes. Hair loss can be caused by hormone deficiencies – low thyroid levels, for example – a deficiency in nutrients, stress, and the sideeffects of various medications.

So if you’re in doubt, ask your doctor’s advice.

29

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Dolly Doodles has hidden 8 candycanes around the land of iDoo-B-Doo, can you find them?

I?: W h a t a m ne of our poem

h li from eac to the clue in r e t t le e swer Find on er the an lines. v o c is d d an wo the last t e ot in pan n t u b w in windo ot in lane n t u b My first is d a nd d’s in ro not in rou nd t My secon u b l a v sou is in o ut not in My third b g in r a e e is in h n of peac ig s a s a My fourth is known k release My whole ah’s ark won quic No I? And from What Am

Can you fit these iDoo-B-Doo words into the grid?

TINKABOO DOLLY DOODLES MUDDLEPUDDLE WILLAMINA IDOOBDOO PUPPY FRIEND CREW

Answers: What Am I? A Dove

Introducing My name is Dolly Doodles and I live in Doo-B-Doodle Town with my BFF (Best Furry Friend!), Tinkaboo and our very clever teddy airbat, Willamina-the-Wise-Wordsmith.

Tinkaboo and I love making beautiful things out of paper and card. We’ve even started our very own crafting club called The Doo-B-Doo Crew. In our spare time we like to travel and collect new materials for our paper crafts. In fact, we’ve only just got back from Muddle-Puddle, which was a really funny place. You’ll never believe it but everything was either upside-down, insideout or back-to-front… even the houses!

You can read all about it in our first book. It’s called::

Dolly Doodles and her Adventures in Muddle-Puddle.

Here is the first little bit of the story for grown ups to read…

Dolly Doodles stood in front of the large sign and read out loud, “eldduP-eldduM” She turned to her puppy. “That’s a funny name for a town, Tinkaboo.” Then she broke into a grin. “Oh I see! It says ‘Muddle-Puddle’ backwards!”

Dolly’s eyes shone as she patted her wooden case.

“I doo-b-doo think we’re going to like it here!”

“Me too!” barked Tinkaboo, racing off down the road.

And here is a sentence from Willamina-the-Wise-Wordsmith for children to read… d…

The pup has fun in the mud!

If you’d like to read more of the story please visit the land of iDoo-B-Doo at www.idoobdoo.com, where you can visit our shop and view a demo. The book is available in print and also as an e-book.

If you like making things too, then join our club The Doo-B-Doo Crew and with this FREE voucher download lots of beautiful things to make.

Village Directory readers please email info@idoobdoo.com for your promotional code.

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The Countryside is Calling When Shakespeare wrote, ‘Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,’ it’s highly unlikely he was picturing Ma and Pop Larkin and a ‘perfick’ lifestyle in the rural southern counties of England. Comparing your love with a summer’s day though goes hand in hand with ripening apples in the orchard, meadows of wild flowers blossoming and our love affair with the lush, green pastures of early summer.

Here are a handful of novels to spark the romance of this often tempestuous relationship with our landscape.

The Darling Buds of May H.E. Bates Get yourself some scones, clotted cream and jam and settle down with a nice cuppa. This is the story of the infectiously joyful and downright gorgeous Larkin family. If ever there was a couple with a lust for life, it’s Ma and Pa, who are just brimming over with unbridled enthusiasm for each other, their growing and extended family, and the idyllic rural setting they inhabit. It’s all apple and strawberry picking combined with family life and love. H.E. Bates’ love of the English

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countryside just exudes from the pages, bringing sunshine, even in the pouring rain.

Far From the Madding Crowd Thomas Hardy To Wessex first where young shepherd Gabriel Oak has put all his money into sheep. He falls for the younger and fiercely independent Bathsheba Everdene, who has come to live with her Aunt. Oak’s rejected marriage proposal is the least of his worries when tragedy strikes in the most dramatic and memorable

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the home way, ruining his livelihood. This was Hardy’s fourth novel, but his first real literary success, and his descriptions of a pastoral Dorset are just beautiful. It’s more English than Churchill drinking a pint of stout, sat astride a bull-dog, and is wonderful escapism.

A Kestrel for a Knave Barry Hines To Yorkshire now, and a coming of age tale of love and respect between a boy and his bird of prey. Billy Casper’s life is far from the rural idyll of the Larkin family.

It’s a tough existence in the mining town of Barnsley and he struggles to find any joy in his world at all.

His life is transformed when he takes Kes under his wing, so to speak. Billy learns how to train and care for his bird in this gritty and poignant novel that’s been a classroom favourite for years.

Escaping to the surrounding rolling hills enables both bird and boy to soar. It’s a fantastic novel and one that will stay with you for a long time.

Swallows and Amazons Arthur Ransome Life is going swimmingly for the Walker children, aka the ‘Swallows’, until they come across the ‘Amazons’: the fearsome Blackett sisters. John, Susan, Titty and Roger must stand their ground on Wild Cat Island as adventures abound in this classic tale. Set in the Norfolk Broads across a glorious summer holiday, it’s a story about growing up, and life on the ‘high seas’. This is what the six week break was created for; it’s time to escape and live out an alternative life where the children rule the waves and the grown-ups are nowhere to be seen.

Cold Comfort Farm Stella Gibbons Newly-orphaned Flora Poste uproots and moves to rural Sussex to live with her relatives. And what a bunch of oddballs they are! The Starkadders are a family in crisis and Flora’s arrival at Cold Comfort Farm couldn’t have been timed better. She wastes no time

in whipping them into shape with her own brand of common sense, resourcefulness and her willingness to boss other people around. This is a brilliant comic novel that will make even your family seem normal.

Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte Set against a backdrop of the wild Yorkshire Moors, Wuthering Heights is Bronte’s masterpiece of jealousy and revenge, deep passion, and a love so intense that it’s destructive. Heathcliff is adopted by Catherine Earnshaw’s father and falls in love with his guardian’s daughter. When Mr Earnshaw dies, Catherine’s brother convinces Heathcliff that she doesn’t feel the same way and he leaves, returning some years later as a wealthy man, hell-bent on getting revenge. And so begins his unravelling, with the chaotic and tempestuous moorland helping to make this a violent and brutal novel.

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Sudoku

Hidato

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!

Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go.

Some numbers are already given.

18 19

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the home

• • • • •

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

Plumbing Masters De 9Wbbekj 9^Wh][ <h[[ ;ij_cWj[i (* ^ekh ;c[h][dYo I[hl_Y[ 7bb Meha =kWhWdj[[Z De @eX Jee IcWbb

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E: jacqueline@tbelectrical.org.uk FREE Quotations!

TINA FRANCIS DOMESTIC ELECTRICIAN

New Installations Re-wires Additional or replacement Lights, sockets etc Mobile 07761 695101 Email – tinafrancis1@aol.com Newchurch, Romney Marsh, TN29 0DH

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STANFORD ROOFING       

New Roofs & Repairs Slates, Tiles, Kent Pegs Leadwork Repointing Guttering, Fascias Flat Roofs Public Liability Insurance

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e: info@stanfordroofing.co.uk w: www.stanfordroofing.co.uk Please Mention The

village directory When Responding to Adverts

BRABOURNE BAPTIST CHURCH

Puzzle Solutions

Plain Road, Brabourne Lees, Kent TN25 6QN Pastor Tim Simpson Tel:01303 813257

April Issue

Café Wednesday! The Café is open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am. Drop in for coffee, biscuits, company and a warm friendly atmosphere. Choice of books available. Everyone is invited; just turn up!

Graham Kingston, our Community Warden, will try to be there on the first Wednesday of the month, should anyone need to see him.

Sudoku

Please note that Café Wednesday Extra has stopped for now and will restart in September.

Art Club The next meeting is on Tuesday May 13 from 10am -12md when Nicki Barratt, a local artist, will be doing a demonstration. For more details please phone Mike on 01303 812484 Art Exhibition Members of the Art Club will be holding an exhibition of their work on Friday May 30 from 5-8pm and Saturday May 31 from 10am–5pm at the church. Everybody is welcome to come and have a look! For more details, please phone Mike 01303 812484

Hidato

Men’s Breakfast All men are invited (church goers or not) to a delicious cooked breakfast on Saturday May 17. Details from Mike Crisp on 01303 812484.

Meeting Point Come along to Brabourne Baptist Church on Thursday May 30 at 12md for lunch and a quiz. You are welcome to join us for good food and good company! For further details please call Tim 01303 813257 or Cathy 01303 814132

38

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MP’S Surgery: Our MP Damian Collins, will be holding his monthly surgery at Brabourne Baptist Church from 3.45pm to 4.30pm on Friday May 16.

If you have any questions, complaints or comments, please book an appointment by e-mailing your name, post code, subject and message to: shepwayconservatives@btconnect.com or telephone 01303 253 524.

Church Bookings If you wish to book the church hall for a meeting or function, please phone Geoff Thorpe 01303 813152 Sunday Services: There is a regular service at 10.30am every week. Morning Worship is followed by refreshments in the side hall.

The Ark: Fridays from 10am to 12noon: for babies and children under school-age with their parents/ carers.

Lively Discussions! Home Groups meet on Wednesday evenings. Everyone is welcome to come and join us! We are very informal and friendly. Please phone Tim 01303 813257 or David 01303 814437

motoring Tel:

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Email: info@gda-kent.co.uk Web: www.gda-kent.co.uk

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Telephone 01233 720525 M o n k s way, Pr i o r y R o a d, B i l s i n g to n You may be surprised what a small country garage can offer today’s motorist!

A personal friendly service on your door step at affordable prices.

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for good honest advice, information and a solution to most mobility problems

www.forrmobility.co.uk New ,Used & Hire Equipment from Aids for Daily Living to Wheelchairs.

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village directory When Responding to Adverts

useful information East Kent Strokes

Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden

Crimestoppers

www.eastkentstrokes.org

101 0800 555 111

Out of Hours Doctor 0845 4349655 William Harvey Hospital 01233 633331

Samaritans

08457 90 90 90

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

01233 840448

SE Kent Multiple Sclerosis Soc. 07767326138 email: mssoutheast@gmail.com

Royal British Legion CPRE Kent

01233 620 167 01233 714540

National Train Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk 0845 770 8090 0800 783 8866 0800 111 999 Details on tank

Bus Enquiries Arriva Bus Enquiries Stage Coach East Kent (Timetable) (Customer Services)

0844 800 44 11 0871 200 22 33 08456 00 22 99

Doctors Surgery Hamstreet Surgery Sellindge Surgery

01233 730190 01303 812180

Parish Councils:

40

Brabourne & Smeeth Mersham & Sevington

01233 623902 01233 720816

Ashford Borough Council

01233 637311

W: www.ashford.gov.uk

Ashford Gateway 0845 8 247 247 Citizens Advice Bureau 01233 626185 Brabourne and Smeeth Community Warden: Graham Kingston 07813 712805

Village Halls Aldington Brabourne & Smeeth Bilsington Hamstreet Mersham Smeeth Stowting Sellindge Sellindge Spts & Soc. Club

01233 720213 01303 813234 01233 720818 01233 732568 01233 503192 01303 814977 01303 863520 01303 813250 01303 812437

Veterinary Surgeons Montgomery Vets

01303 813756

Ashford Volunteer Centre Age Concern

01233 665 535 01233 620 635

www.ageconcern.org.uk

CARM E: Carmromneymarsh@supanet.com W: Www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk

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

Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UK, Ashford Branch Contact Mike Wharrad

01233 330022

St. John Ambulance Brigade 01233 611 414

Sucklifts Cesspool Emptying Service ~ Est 1986 ~ Accredited Engineer British Water

High Pressure Jetting Service and Repair to Sewage Treatment Plants

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 home Eight Local Editions Delivered by Royal Mail to 60,000 Homes & Businesses Ashford: 20,000 homes in and around TN24 & TN23 Kennington, Willesborough, Park Farm, Kingsnorth & Great Chart

Charing Area: Charing, Pluckley, Biddenden, Smarden & Egerton.

Wye Area: Wye, Brook, Bodsham, Brabourne,Westwell, Hastingleigh, Boughton Lees, Eastwell.

Aldington Area: Aldington, Mersham, Bilsington, Bonnington, Brabourne Lees, Smeeth, Sellindge, Stanford & Stowting.

TN26 Area: Appledore, Hamstreet, High Halden, Bethersden, Hothfield, Shadoxhurst,Woodchurch, Warehorne.

41

Tenterden & Rye: Tenterden, St Michaels, Wittersham, Rye, Pladen.

The Marsh: Romney Marsh from Dymchurch to Dunguness.

Stour Valley: Chilham, Chartham, Godmersham, Petham, Bekesbourne Patrixbourne, Bridge., Molash.

Please note this is a summary of the towns and villages covered, we reach EVERY home and business within each postcode area.

Call 01233 720488 or email info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk

Reaching the homess others donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reach!

Please Mention The

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