Wye May 2017

119

The

village directory

May 2017

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

for the

Wye Area

“Dr Shah clearly enjoys and takes pride in his profession, and makes dentistry seem like an art-form.

It puts into context how our teeth are to be treasured, and saved before its too late.�

Mrs L H

est. 1996

Wye Dental Surgery

01233 812 281 info@wyedental.co.uk or search Wye Dental Surgery online

01233 668 731

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Welcome Hi everyone welcome to the May edition, and what a great time of year it is! We have long weekends in abundance, and a good sprinkling of fine weather to match. Hopefully you all enjoyed the Easter break, although not quite as warm as I’d hoped. This month we have two more opportunities to chill out over a long weekend, if you’re lucky enough to have the time off that is.

With Spring in the air I find myself torn between what to do first, the garden or the Spring cleaning. Neither are much fun but they are a welcome change to sitting at a computer for hours on end. As wonderful as it may be out in the fresh air, I can’t ignore the fact that I need to do some decorating. I’ve tried leaving it to December, when I have time off, but the low light has led to some pretty dodgy looking walls in my house. Maybe I’ll do a little of both and then chill out with a nice glass of wine as a reward - they don’t call me the Merlot Kid for nothing! Cleaning the barbeque and helping my husband with the garden should hopefully lead to more alfresco dining opportunities this summer, so there is a big incentive.

If you’re looking for something to break up your Spring chores we’ve had lots of local events sent in this month. We attempt to promote all of them in all of the magazines but this month it was not always possible. So if you’re interested in venturing further afield do check out the other magazines, they are all available on our website www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk Until next time, whatever you’re up to have a great month.

Debbie T: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk June Issue Deadline 10th May 2017

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

07764 193492 n_eturnercleaning@yahoo.com

Oshens HairBoutique

For An Appointment Please Call

01233 811981 Closed Wednesday

100 Bridge Street, Wye TN25 5EA

Wye Hair Salon

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Please Call 01233 812862

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3

Slug Survival

by Pippa Greenwood

Slugs may be small, but as we all know, they have the potential to drive you crazy! Whether you have a massive garden, a tiny plot or even if your gardening is restricted to a few planters in a back yard or on a balcony, the chances are that slugs will cause you grief. There are about thirty species of slug in the UK and most feed throughout the year, especially after dark and when the soil is wet or moist… and that seems to mean most evenings in my garden!

Now that spring is here and the weather has really warmed up, they’re out in force, using their tongue-like ‘radula’ (armed with approximately 27,000 toothlike spikes) to rasp away at our precious plants.

But before launching an attack, there is something you should bear in mind – most slugs actually do little damage to living plants, instead preferring to feast on dead and dying material including flopped foliage and organic mulches.

On the whole, the larger slugs tend to do the least damage to plants as they eat almost exclusively decaying and dead material. It is their smaller

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cousins like the greyish-black keeled slug and the pinkishbeige-grey field slug which are more likely to wreak havoc in your vegetable plot or flower border - they may be small but they are far from innocent.

With estimates of about 200 slugs per average cubic metre of average garden soil, the situation can soon get out of hand.

Keeled slugs in particular love to feast below ground, as well as on plants above the soil surface. This means serious trouble, especially at this time of year when many of us are planting out young plants and seeds are starting to germinate.

In no time at all slugs can eat through the base of a young stem, killing the plant in the process. As seeds germinate in the soil, these little horrors often eat the seedling even before it has had a chance to emerge above the soil surface!

Later in the year, as potato tubers swell beneath the soil and carrots start to fatten they will begin to tunnel into these too.

To make matters worse, they breed quickly and very

efficiently – each slug has both male and female organs and in extreme situations can even fertilise itself. Take a look on the soil surface, beneath drooping foliage and in amongst moist organic matter, and you’re likely to spot the clumps of eggs. Each egg is about 1-2mm in diameter and a clear, milky or off-white coloured sphere.

So what can you do with these squidgy little menaces?

• Go on an evening slug hunt.

In particular, slugs are out in vast numbers after it has rained or you have done some watering, so you can collect up as many as you can.

• Choosing resistant varieties of vegetable is worthwhile too. Check seed catalogues and websites for varieties which are marked up as having useful resistance to slugs. With potatoes, main crop varieties usually suffer most, so try to grow mainly earlies. Some varieties are slug disaster zones e.g. Cara, Maris Peer, Kondor and Pentland Crown, but if you choose Charlotte, Kestrel, Sante or Wilja you are in with a much better chance.

The Garden • Try to encourage natural slug predators such as hedgehogs, frogs, toads, slow worms and ground beetles. If you keep hens consider letting them clear the ground for you – but obviously only before you start planting and sowing!

• Use the Nemaslug nematode control – just dilute as described on the pack and water on to moist soil which is at 5˚C or above. It is a treatment I really like because it is harmless to everything except slugs, so pets, wildlife or humans will be safe from any adverse effects.

It works swiftly and silently too - you’ll soon see fewer holes appearing in foliage and, if you’re a potato grower and you drench the soil around the potato plants about six weeks before anticipated harvest, the nematodes soon get to work and your potatoes should be virtually slug-damage free. It is also a brilliant way to clear a slug-infested raised bed or planter; once applied, place self-adhesive copper tape around the rim of the container to keep the contents slug free. The copper tape is really long-lasting, working for years in my experience. You can find out more about Nemaslug and copper tape on my website at www.pippagreenwood.com/ products/protect-your-crops.

• Barriers such as crushed shells, wool pellets, soot, pine needles or copper-impregnated fabric can also work well, but some of these may need replacing regularly and results seem to vary from garden to garden and gardener to gardener.

• Traps filled with beer can also be a fantastic way to reduce slug numbers in your garden dramatically and, apart from the somewhat messy (and grim) business of emptying them out, they are simple too. You can buy readymade traps or make your own using inexpensive plastic beakers plunged into the soil, the rim protruding 1-2cm above the soil surface and filled with a well-flavoured beer. I did a mini ‘trial’ on Gardeners’ Question Time once and found that Guinness worked best - and interestingly alcohol free lager proved least effective!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com to buy gorgeous UK grown vegetable plants accompanied by weekly advice emails from Pippa, or to peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items including SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug and copper tape, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books and lots more besides.

T: 01233 428096 M: 07941 830035 “We never make a mountain out of a molehill”

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GENESIS LANDSCAPING & gARDEN SERVICES Based in Wye - Established in 1985

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6

The Garden Tree Surgery & Freelance Climbing

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7

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Mowgli

by Montgomery Vets

H

ello everyone, Mowgli here. Hope you are all well. I received a letter this month from a family who have lost their beloved tabby cat William. His humans and his brother Harvey are missing him very much. Clive has of course put up a poster at the clinic and Ebony and I are firmly crossing our paws that William comes home soon. It made me think how lucky Ebony and I are to be in our nice comfy house and not to be either lost or looking for a home. Although I often moan about how daft my humans are they don’t look after us too badly!

I

think it is quite unjust how I am always blamed for disasters and breakages (not sure if I have ever mentioned that before…?). The humans just don’t understand. Do any of you cats out there have habits your owners just don’t understand? I mainly get into trouble for misbehaving in front of guests. I think my most unpopular phase was quite a while ago when I was a baby and used to help with the washing. I don’t know about other cats out there but our humans are always faffing about with clothes- in the washing machine then on the clothes horse, then seeing if they are dry and then ironing them. I went through a phase of checking when clothes were dry and dragging them downstairs to let the humans know. It isn’t my fault that I could only drag the small clothes and that I only seemed to do this when we had guests. It was when the humans were most distracted and didn’t notice what was dry on the clothes horse or not. It seemed to cause a bit of a rumpus each time I proudly came down the stairs dragging pants or knickers or a bra, miaowing through my mouthful of fabric to let everyone know the offending item was dry. Some humans just don’t appreciate the help! I stopped this after a few months as it seemed so universally unpopular and started to pretend to fall of the dresser and yell instead so that Clive had to leap up to catch me in mid air. This was a

10

good trick that I performed until we moved house a few years ago.

N

ow I have an even better one- there is a very high plate shelf around most of the rooms in the house and also a lot of exposed beams to climb on. One room that Clive and Jane sit in in the evenings and also take guests to is now the room I do my best tricks in. I climb up our very high scratching tree to get to the plate shelf, and I then parade around the shelf, yowling. The shelf is full of books right the way round the room so I have to balance on the books as I go. When I have everyone’s attention I walk along the very thin beams that go across the middle of the room. I always nearly fall off these and there are usually a few gasps and people rushing towards me with a blanket. I am always fine

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Pets though and I am happy to parade around on top of the books for just as long as people will watch. When I get fed up I jump to the top of the dresser (the same dresser I had such fun with in the old house……) and yell for Clive to get me down. If he tries to lift me I run away and purr at him- the only way I will get down is if he lifts a stool for me to jump onto. Then I do a beautiful leap onto the stool and let him lower it to the ground. The humans don’t know how lucky they are- most cats would charge a large fee for such a wonderful circus act. I’d love to hear about all the habits your owners don’t like!

PETS

Four Strange Cat Behaviours Explained Cats are amusing and fun to be around, but sometimes their behaviour just seems downright bizarre. If you’ve ever wondered why your cat behaves in a certain way, from kneading its paws to eating plastic bags, we might be able to offer a little insight.

Head butts - When your cat bumps its head against you, it means they’re trying to bond and is an expression of affection. They’re also demonstrating trust in you and marking you out as a ‘member of their club’.

Mowgli

Montgomery Veterinary Clinic

Pride & Groom All Breeds of Dogs Groomed Includes: 66 Bath 66 Cut 66 Hand Strip 66 Glands & Nails

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07985 933647 / 01233 714188 Located in Charing

Staring - Staring is a common trait in cats, if a little unnerving when you’re on the receiving end. They generally stare at their prey before pouncing, but in your case it could be a determined request for food or entertainment.

You should also rule out any potential medical reasons if their pupils are constantly dilated - it could be the result of an eye or other health issue.

Eating plastic - Eating non-food items such as plastic, paper, wool or even electrical cords may be a sign of ‘pica’. This is an eating disorder that can be caused by dietary deficiency, stress, boredom or in some cases an underlying health problem.

Kneading - When your cat sits on your knee and starts to knead, it’s a sign of contentment and is usually accompanied by a loud purring. They also have scent glands on the bottom of their paw pads, and may be kneading to leave their scent behind – effectively claiming you as their own. http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/ cat-behavior/6-strange-cat-behaviors-finallyexplained http://www.vetstreet.com/ our-pet-experts/10-strange-catbehaviors-explained http://www.sheknows.com/ pets-and-animals/ articles/994845/25random-catbehaviors-finallyexplained/page:2

By Ann Haldon

11

Home & Interiors A Home With Character

By Katherine Sorrell

digging a little deeper and considering some more architectural alterations – though they don’t necessarily have to cost a fortune.

Here are a few suggestions.

There’s more to interior style than eye-catching accessories. Consider introducing an appealing sense of charm and character with these interesting ideas.

Is your home lacking in an indefinable something? Has it lost its period features? Would it benefit from a dash of gravitas, some appealing detailing or maybe a larger intervention that restores authenticity or aids functionality? While wallpaper, paint, furniture and window treatments can go a long way towards creating a beautiful interior, they can’t solve every problem. Sometimes it is worth

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Improve your floors If you have original timber boards beneath your floor coverings, you are very lucky.

And if they are in good condition, luckier still. Sanding them back, then staining and/or oiling them, is a relatively straightforward procedure for a competent DIYer who is willing to hire the right equipment (don’t forget lots of sandpaper and a face mask) and spend the time – or you can employ a professional. If the boards are in poor condition, renovation is possible to an extent, or you might consider replacing them with reclaimed boards that match the style of your home.

Homes built between the late 19th century and the middle of the 20th often feature colourful, patterned geometric or encaustic tiles, generally along the hallway and garden path. Even if they are

discoloured or damaged, chances are the tiles are repairable. Find the right specialist to sort them out, and the results will be dramatic.

Think about mouldings From skirting to ceiling roses, door surrounds to dados, mouldings are the building blocks of a home, contributing enormously to its overall look.

Getting them right is not always straightforward; it is worth researching carefully, as they should correspond in scale and design to the age and style of your architecture. Modern replicas are often available, but sometimes it is necessary to go to a specialist, and this is not cheap. How easy they are to alter will depend very much on your individual circumstances – but this is definitely a project to bear in mind if you are considering renovation work.

What about woodwork?

In many a living room that lacks storage, the answer is easy: build across the recesses either side of the fireplace, with cupboards below and display shelving above. Functional and good looking – and the same goes for alcove shelving elsewhere, window seats, wardrobes and other forms of built-in joinery (even kitchen and bathroom units). As with mouldings, however, do take the time to consider how these additions work with your home overall, so that they complement it in terms of both scale and detailing.

And, naturally enough, if you are

The Home the proud owner of completely inappropriate built-in storage or seating, you might want to plan for removing and replacing them when possible.

Another element of a home that can easily be overlooked is your doors. You might never think about them from one year to the next but, in fact, replacing poor quality or badly designed interior doors with beautiful ones is a major enhancement. In a period home you might seek out reclaimed examples or find wellmade reproductions; you could also decide whether it would be a good idea to paint them or, conversely, strip them (the same goes for wooden shutters, if you possess them).

While on the subject of woodwork, might panelling of some form enhance a room or hallway? It comes in a wide variety of styles, from Jacobean

to contemporary, and is relatively easy to fit – especially if your walls are straight, smooth and dry.

Get the lighting right There are two reasons for improving your built-in lighting – either the illumination within the rooms is inadequate or imbalanced, or the look of the fittings themselves could be improved. You might decide to be discreet and opt for minimal downlighters in the ceiling, choose simple wall lights or versatile LED strips, or go for full-on drama with huge, eyecatching chandeliers; either way, plan this well and you will love your new look.

All in the details Cupboard knobs, door and window furniture, light switches, plug sockets, even the humble pull cord – such small details build up into a big picture of your

home which make an enormous difference to your perception of it. If you have cheap plastic light switches, for example, you can have them swapped quite easily (and at relatively little expense) for swish, upmarket ones which are not only lovely to look at but also pleasant to touch every time you use them. The same goes for door and window furniture: think, for example, how different your front door would look with a gorgeous, matching set of letterbox, bell and numbers.

Main Image: You can buy panelling off the peg or, as here, made bespoke to suit your room. Price varies, Titchmarsh & Goodwin: 01473 252158; www. titchmarsh-goodwin.co.uk.

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Designer kitchens without the designer price tags!

Template.qxd 07/12/2009 Template.qxd 07/12/2009 11:42 11:42 Email: info@aloninteriors.co.uk

Page Page 11

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15

When Those ‘Golden Years’ Are Tarnished

By Stress

by Kate McLelland The expression ‘golden years’ refers to that period in our lives in between retirement and agerelated physical decline: a time when we are supposed to enjoy the greatest quality of life.

There’s a general assumption that life is easier and sweeter for the older generation, and this has been supported by a survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics, in which 300,000 adults agreed that life satisfaction peaks between the ages of 65 and 79.

However, while life is golden for some, others may find themselves facing unexpected responsibility and stress.

In these insecure economic times, many grown-up children are forced to return to the family home for economic reasons, often with the expectation that their aging parents will provide childcare. And it’s not just the younger generation who may need help. As people are living longer, it’s not uncommon to find individuals in their 60s and 70s supporting their elderly parents, sometimes with fulltime care.

While it’s natural to want to help, it’s unwise to ignore the fact that age is creeping up on us. Unfortunately, as we age we become more vulnerable to the effects of stress: a recent study

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by Harvard Medical School has reported that when we are stressed, the part of the brain that processes emotions such as fear and anger triggers the release of white blood cells.

These cells, used by the body to fight disease and injury, can cause inflammation that can eventually leads to angina, heart attacks and strokes if the stress is allowed to continue. Other potentially harmful hormones, equally damaging in the long term, are also released during stressful episodes.

Signs of stress can include feeling overwhelmed, guilty, lonely or constantly anxious, as well as lacking interest in activities you have previously enjoyed.

You may also feel constantly fatigued, or become easily irritated. Physical symptoms can include significant changes in weight, headaches and neck or lower back pain.

If family members are dependent upon you, you may not be able to change your situation, but following the steps below may help: • Ask for help from friends and family – don’t wait for it to be offered.

• Do your best to get enough sleep and exercise.

• Set realistic goals, by breaking large tasks up into small ones.

• If you’re worried about your finances, ask family members to contribute, or check your eligibility to receive state benefits.

• If you are caring for someone who is ill or disabled, research what help is available on a local level.

• Keep in touch with friends and relatives.

• Use meditation or mindfulness exercises to aid relaxation.

If none of this helps, the next step should be to visit your doctor to explain how you feel.

Don’t be afraid to use all the medical and practical resources that are available to you.

Fortunately, even in these days of austerity and local service cuts, there are organisations you can turn to for help. Try Independent Age (www. independentage.org) or Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk) to pick up some valuable information and advice.

Sharing your feelings and concerns with others is an important first step. Hopefully it won’t be long before you find the support you need, making your life less stressful and bringing you a little closer to those golden years you so richly deserve.

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Camembert & Red Pepper Tarts Makes 4

Ready in 45 minutes

A really quick and easy snack, starter or light supper dish made with just five ingredients.

Ingredients: • 2 large red peppers, deseeded and cut into strips • 1 tbsp olive oil • 250g puff pastry • 150g Camembert cheese, thinly sliced • 150g bag rocket and watercress salad

TIP

Add extra flavour by spreading a thin layer of pesto sauce or tomato chutney in the pastry square before topping with the pepper and cheese.

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Preheat the oven to 220C, 200C Fan, Gas Mark 7. Place the pepper strips in a shallow roasting tin. Drizzle over the olive oil and roast for 15 minutes until just tender. Leave to cool.

Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to a rough square shape the thickness of a pound coin. Trim with a sharp knife to make a 26cm square. Cut into 4 x 13cm squares. Place the squares of pastry on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. With the tip of the knife, score a border in each pastry square about 1cm in from the outer edge.

Top each pastry square with some of the roasted pepper strips and cheese slices.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is risen and golden and the cheese has melted. Serve warm with the salad leaves.

Food & Domestic Services

Local Markets loveithere.co.uk

Ashford Farmer’s Market First Sunday of every month from 10am to 2pm in the lower High Street.

sue@loveithere.co.uk

Charing Farmer’s Market Charing Church Barn 9 -11.30 every Thursday morning. Contact 01233 740176 Egerton Every Friday 2 - 4.30pm Millennium Hall Rolvenden - 01580 240763 Every Thursday 10am -12 noon St Mary’s Church and the Village Hall

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Rye Farmers Market Every Wednesday at Strand Quay 10am - 1 pm (From Midday Oct - April) Rye Market Every Thursday at the Cattle Market Car Park. Early till around 3pm (depending on the weather)

Rye Country Market Formerly WI Market Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill.

Every Friday 10am -11.30am Tenterden Country Market Every Friday 9.30am -11.00am St Mildred’s Church Hall, Church road.

Tenterden High Street Market Friday’s – 0830 – 1400

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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

Call Garry on 07958 640152 01233 632329 19

Cake and Bake Rhubarb and Almond Tart A delicious tart with a layer of tangy roasted rhubarb topped with a sweet almond frangipane. Serve warm or cold with crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas Mark 6. Lightly dust a

work surface with flour and roll out the pastry to about 3mm thickness. Use to line a 23cm loose-based fluted flan tin. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

• Flour, for dusting • 300g ready-made shortcrust pastry

2. Meanwhile, place the rhubarb, 25g of the caster sugar and the

orange juice in a shallow roasting tin. Roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until just tender, turning once. Leave to cool.

• 250g rhubarb, trimmed and chopped • 175g caster sugar

3. Trim off the excess pastry from around the edge of the chilled

pastry case and prick the base all over with a fork. Line the case with baking paper and baking beans and bake blind for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and lining and bake for a further 5 minutes until pale golden.

• 3 tbsp orange juice • 150g unsalted butter, melted • 125g ground almonds

4. Strain the rhubarb from the roasting juices and spoon into the

pastry case. Beat together the melted butter, remaining caster sugar, ground almonds, vanilla extract and eggs in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Gently spread over the rhubarb.

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 medium eggs, beaten • Icing sugar, for dusting

Serves 8 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes, plus chilling time 20

5. Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and just set. Serve warm or cold dusted with icing sugar. See tip for serving suggestion.

TIP

For a stylish way to serve the tart, pipe swirls of fruit puree or sieved jam onto individual serving plates before gently placing the slices on top. Decorate with tiny fresh mint or basil sprigs.

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21

L i v e Ja z z 2017

T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b At T h e To we r To B o o k C a l l : 0 1 3 0 3 2 7 7 1 7 5 All gigs start at 8pm ~ All gigs £12 admission Seat Bookings 01303 277175 Email twinklewood@btinternet.com Info on website www.towertheatrefolkestone. co.uk THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ May 2nd / £12

Big Band in The Jazz Club

THE CHRISTCHURCH UNIVERSITY BIG BAND Directed by Steve Waterman May 11th / £12 THE CLARK TRACEY QUINTET

The Brit Jazz Award Winning drummer with his amazing Young Guns May 16th / £12 THE XENOPOULOS / PRICE

QUARTET International Jazz at it’s Best

May 25th / £12 THE MICK FOSTER SEXTET

( Play the authentic Gerry Mulligan ) June 1st / £12 JEFF HOOPER Quartet

The UK’s Number One big band singer June 8th / £12 ALAN BARNES - BRUCE ADAMS

ALL STAR SEXTET Play the music of Ellington & Hodges

June 15th / £12 LOUISE MARSHALL with THE

DEREK NASH BAND From The Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b i s a n o n p r o f i t m a k i n g j a z z c l u b. R u n b y & fo r p e o p l e w i t h a l i k e m i n d e d i n t e re s t i n OUR KIND OF MUSIC D e r i c k Wo o d l a n d 0 1 3 0 3 2 6 0 3 3 0

22

W h a t’s O n Boldshaves Gardens, Woodchurch - open for the 2017 season every weekday Monday Friday, 2-6pm, until Friday 13th October. See www.boldshaves.co.uk for further information.’

The Brabourne and Smeeth Branch of the Royal British Legion will meet at the Brabourne Baptist Church on Tuesday 2nd May for Fish and Chip Supper at 7.30 pm. We would welcome new Members and anyone interested in the work and aims of the RBL should contact George Taylor on 01303 812165 or Ron Cooper on 01303 813330 Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society will be holding their Annual Plant Sale Saturday 13th May from 11 am to 1 pm in the Village Hall.

Bargains galore - an event not to be missed!!

Friday 26th May our meeting will be in the Village Hall 7.15 for 7.30 pm when Roger Cooper will be enlightening us all about keeping bees.

Come and join a lively discussion. Visitors will be made most welcome. For further enquiries please contact Wendy Sanders on 01303 813451 or email brabournewendy@gmail.com.

Ashford Flower Club is hosting a floral art demonstration Tuesday 16th May by National demonstrator Tricia Bashford entitled ‘Floral Fantasia’ at Furley Hall, Maidstone Road, Ashford TN24 8TX. Demonstration starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5.00, and can be purchased in advance by contacting 01233 628278 or 01303 269422.

Sellindge and District Bowls Club will be holding open days if you would like to try bowling. Every Sunday in May at 10am just for a couple of hours, we can be found behind the tennis courts at the Sport and Social Club, Swan Lane. Bowling at Sellindge is for any one over the age of 13 (but anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult) and free coaching will be available, equipment will be provided but all we ask is that you wear flat smooth soled shoes. If you would like any more information please call 01303 230983 or 01303 268889 or just turn up, we look forward to welcoming you.

Royal Air Forces Association meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month in Wye Village Hall at 7.30pm. After a short business meeting we have a speaker followed by refreshments. Thursday 11th May Guest Speaker The Red Arrows Guy Bartlett.

Connection to the RAF is not necessary. We would

be delighted to meet new members. Parking is not a problem. Contact: rita.elgar05@gmail.com

  

                                        

Woodchurch Art Society will be holding their popular annual Art Exhibition at the Woodchurch Memorial Hall Friday 26th May 7 - 9pm, Saturday 27th May 10am -4pm and Sunday 28th 10am - 4pm. Over 200 paintings on display, artist in residence. Have a go Joe’ for the children, raffle, cards and tombola. Delicious home made cakes and refreshments. Everyone welcome, FREE ENTRY John Harvey Art Exhibition at Challock Church Thursday 27th, Friday 28th, & Saturday 29th May, Spring Bank Holiday 10 – 5pm. Free entrance, Teas & Refreshments available. In aid of Challock Church. Enjoy the gentle art of John Harvey’s traditional Kent landscapes. Original watercolours, many never been seen before. www.john harveyartist.com 01233 740555.

Send Your Events to events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk

HAMSTREET BOOT FAIR

First Sunday in the month April - December 9am - 12 noon Victory Hall/Field Food, Bargains, Toilets

Canterbury Road, Ashford, Kent TN25 4EN

2nd June Ladies Night

A fun evening for ladies, with music, food and bar. Great for hen nights.

Tickets on sale from 13th March!

Get your friends together and enjoy a fab night!

3rd June Club Tropicana Dinner Dance

An evening of fun, Dinner and dancing in aid of The Kent MS therapy Centre. Further details to follow. Tickets on sale from 3rd April £65 including a sumptuous 3 course meal by the amazing Chives caterers. Further details to follow! Cocktails, Cocktails and Cocktails!

www.kennington-hall.co.uk

Contact kenningtonhall@outlook.com or

07795 361431 23

Beauty Here Comes The Sun

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

A coconut hair treatment, homemade body scrub and the perfect day-tonight palette…meet your new summer beauty kit.

Lighter evenings are a great excuse for after-work drinks.

Bobbi Brown’s new Sultry Nude Eye and Cheek Palette, £48, is perfect for popping in your handbag ready for cocktail hour.

The four eyeshadows have a slight metallic shimmer and the blush suits most skin tones.

Easy to apply, with great staying power, the powders are housed in a very lust-worthy gold case. The only downside is the lack of brushes.

See www.bobbibrown.co.uk.

If your lips are feeling a bit dry and flaky, Clarins’ Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, £19, could be the answer. It’s packed with nourishing oils, including hazelnut and jojoba, so helps to soothe and moisturise lips. Less sticky than lipgloss, it hides dry patches and adds a touch of colour. The Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil is available in four 24

shades, including a lip plumping Mint. My favourite is Honey Glam, which gives you a shimmery golden pout. See www. clarins.co.uk.

A sugar scrub is ideal for exfoliating legs that have been hidden away for months on end. And it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make one at home. Just add around two tablespoons of olive oil to four tablespoons of sugar. You’re aiming for a mixture that’s easy to massage into your skin, but not so liquid that it’ll drip all over your bath mat. The sugar acts as a natural exfoliator, and the olive oil is very moisturising, so it’ll leave your skin feeling much smoother. You can also add extra ingredients to the basic scrub. Honey helps your skin to repair itself and retain water, so try adding a tablespoon to the mix. If you’re not keen on the smell of olive oil, fragrance the scrub with a couple of drops of essential oil.

There are four core products in Primavera’s new Harmonising Rose and Osmanthus body care range – a body cream, bath oil, body wash and body oil. Designed to nourish skin and provide a real treat for the senses, the products are organic and full of natural ingredients.

The bath oil (£22.50) is perfect for a pampering soak after a long day. It smells amazing, and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. See www.pravera.co.uk.

For hair in need of some TLC, try Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Rosemary & Cedarwood Hair Treatment.

Organic coconut oil is blended with essential

oils of organic rosemary, cedarwood, and lavender. You only need a small amount, less than a teaspoon. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but dissolves into a liquid when heated, so just warm it between your hands, then massage it through your hair.

You can leave it on for 30 minutes, but I like to use it as an overnight treatment. (As an added bonus, the lavender scent helps me to sleep.) It leaves hair feeling soft, sleek and much more manageable. £6.50 from www. nealsyardremedies.com.

live happy! live

happy! with

Slimming World with

Slimming World Wye Group Meetings 5.30pm & 7.30pm

at Spring Grove School, Harville Rd TN25 5EZ

Call Karen 07894 669242 for this delicious burger recipe visit

slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000

for this delicious burger recipe visit

slimmingworld.co.uk /EuthaliaBeauty 0344 897 8000

www.euthalia-beauty.co.uk

At Euthalia Beauty we provide a range of treatments for men and women, designed to relax and invigorate.

Our luxury products are accompanied by the utmost professionalism and careful attention to customer care.

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Swedish Massage Hot Stone Therapy Manicures & Pedicures Spray Tan Waxing Facial Treatments Tinting Makeup Weddings

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HAIR & BEAUTY

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BE CONFIDENT

BE YOU

Natural Looking Award Winning Sunless Tan

25

Health

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

These Boots (and Bodies) Are Made for Walking OTHER BENEFITS OF WALKING Accessibility: Walking can be done anytime, anywhere; as part of an everyday journey to school, work or activities, or a special trip.

You’re not obviously ‘exercising’, which may reduce any selfconsciousness.

May is National Walking Month.

Yes; sadly, simple old walking needs promoting. Many of us walk far less than previous generations did, yet walking is great for our health and brings other benefits, too.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS Walking as exercise shouldn’t be underrated. Regular walking is proven to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity and some cancers, and helps maintain musculoskeletal health. On average, walking 10,000 steps burns 400kcal a day. Walking can also lift your mood and reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Countryside walks also offer nature, tranquillity and fresh air.

While our skin and eyes do need protection from unhealthy UV exposure, some UV light is essential for good health. The UV light we absorb while walking can alleviate depression, help to regulate our body clock and stimulate Vitamin D production.

Vitamin D boosts immunity, aids blood cell formation and helps us absorb calcium and phosphorous, necessary for healthy bones and teeth. The World Health Organisation says 5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure of hands, face and arms 2 to 3 times a week during summer is enough to keep vitamin D levels high.

26

Social: You can walk with a family member or friend, allowing you quality time together. You may meet other people while walking or choose to join a walking group or health walk (see links below).

Environmental: Every time we walk to work, school, shops or activities instead of using transport, we reduce pollution and congestion, helping the environment and improving everyone’s health and safety both now and in the future.

Financial: Simple, level walks require no special clothes or equipment. It’s free exercise that can reduce travel costs, too.

WALKING DOS AND DON’TS DO wear comfortable, weatherappropriate clothes and footwear.

Any comfy footwear and your usual clothes are fine for walking around streets or parks, but you’ll need proper walking boots if walking in rural or hilly areas and waterproofs for bad weather. In warmer weather, remember a sun hat and sunglasses (your eyes can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays just as your skin can). Apply sun cream before and during your walk.

DO be prepared and safe. Ensure you take a drink and a snack, especially on hot days and long or more rural walks. Know where you’re going and how long it will take (and consider telling

someone). Know what weather to expect and don’t play music too loudly - be aware of what’s happening around you.

DON’T ignore pain from footwear.

Head back. Blisters can quickly become agonising.

DON’T ignore weather warnings or advice from walking guides, whether written or human, and leave long or challenging hikes until you’re fitter and more experienced.

WALKING ROUTES AND GROUPS

www.livingstreets.org.uk – a charity site with a wealth of useful links and information. www.walkinginengland.co.uk thousands of free downloadable walks. www.walk4life.info - find routes, organised walks and walking groups. www.walkingforhealth.org.uk a popular scheme offering 1,800+ free, short walks every week.

Search for those near you. www.nationaltrail.co.uk helping you find great walks in England and Wales, whether you want a day out, a good icecream, a short walk or a 630-mile adventure. www.ramblers.org.uk - a charity protecting footpaths, promoting walking and organising walking groups.

For more information please visit

www.ultrashape3d.com or call 01233 224987 e: ultrashape3d@gmail.com

Evegate Business Park, Park Grange, Smeeth, Ashford TN25 6SX Ample FREE Parking

27

Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner

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Leisure Clubs & Societies Wye Historical Society – meets monthly from

October to April in the Lady Joanna Thornhill School at 7.30pm. Subscriptions £10 per year; visitors welcome at £2 per meeting - no need to book. For more information see www.wyehistoricalsociety. org.uk.

Aldington Corner Quilters is a long established group of friendly ladies meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Aldington Village Hall, 7.00pm - 9.00pm. We have a mix of beginners and experienced ladies who share their latest projects and ideas. We always welcome new members so if you are interested come along one evening and meet us. For more information contact Julie Coney - quirkyjules@gmail.com or call 01303 813944 (eve).

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

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

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

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

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

Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society

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

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

The Brabourne and Smeeth Branch of the Royal British Legion meet every Second

Tuesday in the month at the Brabourne Baptist Church at 7.30 pm. New Members area always welcome, please contact George Taylor 01303 812165 or Ron Cooper 01303 813330 East Kent Morris Men Do you like dancing, beer, socialising, music, having fun? Why not try Morris Dancing? We are recruiting for new members. Weekly Wednesday dance practices start on September 9th at Mersham Village Hall, 8pm to 10pm; afterwards we practise drinking in the pub opposite! No experience required. Why not give it a try? Details from www. ekmm.org.uk or 01795 536 262 Enjoy Learning offers enjoyable adult classes in NEW ROMNEY, DYMCHURCH and HYTHE. We teach ART APPRECIATION & SPANISH CLASSES. The Spanish Classes are not for complete beginners, but if you have done a bit of Spanish in the past and would like to brush up your skills, the classes might be suitable. Cost £5 per week. For further details contact ANDREW and DEBBY on 01303 875542

Every Monday - Have fun and get fit with a mixed

group of friendly joggers with a sense of humour.

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

For further details contact Linda on 01303 813288.

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

Smeeth W.I. We meet on the second Monday of the Month at 7.30 pm in the Brabourne & Smeeth village hall for further information do contact Joy Taylor 01303 812165” Stanford & Postling WI meet in the comittee room at the rear of Lympne Village Hall on the 3rd monday of every month. we are a small but friendly group who would love to wlecome new members. for any futher information please contact Elaine on 01303 863096 or Iona on 01303 238390.

29

Hobbies A Micro-Brew Hobby With Macro Potential

By Kate McLelland Late last year a study carried out by a London estate agent showed that microbreweries now outperform the so-called ‘Cappucino Index’ (which measures how many new coffee shops have opened) as an indicator that a neighbourhood is “on the up”.

The popularity of microbreweries – small factories set up to produce craft beers, ciders and lagers – is undeniable, but they are simply doing what home brewers have done for years, on a larger scale.

Their products capitalise on our love of hand-crafted brews, created for their unique flavour and complex notes, as opposed to the generic and often quite bland styles of the famous brands.

SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, started in 1980 with 20 members but it now boasts 850 members in the UK, many of whom started out as home brewers. Rob Witt, who runs a multi award-winning Nottingham microbrewery, acknowledges that brewing at home is the best way to learn.

He says: “I have a lot of people coming to the brewery asking about setting up themselves, but they have never even home brewed. It takes time to understand the finer points of

30

the process and how the many ingredients taste and can work together.”

Home brew is not just easy on the taste buds: it’s also easy on the wallet. Wherever you travel in the UK, you are likely to pay over £3 for a pint of beer, and in London this rises to almost £4 per pint. Compare this with well under £1 a pint for home brew and you’ll start to realise why this hobby has become so popular.

Starting out The simplest way to try your hand at home brewing is to buy a kit. You’ll also need a fermenting bin, some water and a warm place to leave your brew.

You can buy kits to match virtually any style of beer, cider or lager. They generally consist of a sachet of dried yeast and one or two cans of concentrated malt extract. The amount of malt extract not only determines the flavour and body of the finished beer, it also provides the fermentable sugars that produce the alcohol, therefore the more malt you add, the stronger the brew.

The ‘fermenting bin’ is a big bucket large enough to contain all the water required in the recipe. A standard 25ltr/40 pint

fermenter should easily cope with all your brewing needs, as most beer, cider and lager kits make 36-40 pints.

Beer is mostly made of water and different regional styles are the direct result of the water available in the areas in which they are brewed. For example, the soft water found in the Alps is perfect for brewing lagers, while the limescale-rich waters found in Dublin and south-east England are most suitable for porters and stouts.

When you are making your own beer, you can either experiment with your local water supply or buy in bottled water (low cost, own-brand supermarket water is fine). Once the beer kit contents have been combined with water, the mixture is known as ‘wort’.

Yeast is the seemingly magical ingredient that transforms the ingredients in your kit into the final product, but it can be temperamental. Many home brewing experiments fail because the temperature is allowed to rise above or fall below the level required. The ‘wort’ blend should reach a temperature of between 18 and 24ºC before the yeast is added and while this probably won’t be hard to achieve during the summer, you may need

Leisure to wrap your fermentation bin in an insulated jacket or use a thermostatic heater to maintain the right temperature in winter.

The fermentation process can take between 4-8 days, depending on the temperature achieved, and is complete when the yeast has converted as much of the sugar as it can to alcohol. Some people choose to ferment under an airlock until the correct ‘gravity’ is reached, while others ferment in a closed container with a loose fitting lid, using a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the brew.

This is known as the ‘primary stage’ of brewing and there is a further process to come, in which the beer in transferred into bottles, barrels or a secondary container and allowed to settle for a few days, so the sediment can

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drop, producing a clearer beer. of seasoned brewers’ advice.

More sugar (known as ‘priming When the moment to drink sugar’) is added to the beer at your freshly brewed beer, lager the bottling stage to improve or cider arrives, you’ll have a the brew’s foam, aroma and real sense of achievement. taste. The priming process – You may not feel ready to which ultimately produces the run a micro-brewery just yet, carbonated beer drink we’re but you’ll certainly be more all familiar with – typically popular with your friends and takes around two weeks and at neighbours! this stage you’ll need all your reserves of patience to wait until your home brew is ready to drink!

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Puzzle Time

Word Ladder

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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 A I N

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F I N E

Crossword Across 7. Scratch (6) 8. Lower spine (6) 9. Settee (4) 10. Very young frogs (8) 11. Normally (7) 13. Closes (5) 15. Not heavy (5) 17. Moves up (7) 20. Keeps you dry (8) 21. Coffee shop (4) 23. Aggravates (6) 24. End (6) Down 1. Repeat (4) 2. Yellow fruit (6) 3. E.g. snake (7) 4. Scottish river (5) 5. Level (6) 6. Skilled (8) 12. Dieting (8) 14. Mortified (7) 32

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Useful Information Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden 101 Crimestoppers

0800 555 111 Out of Hours Doctor William Harvey Hospital

0845 4349655 01233 633331

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

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

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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

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

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