Wye October 2018

The

Village Directory October 2018 Edition • Issue 63 • Royal Mail

FOR OPEN EVENT INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

T: 01233 739 030 REGISTRAR@ASHFORDSCHOOL.CO.UK

ASHFORDSCHOOL.CO.UK

Wye Area

WHERE HAPPINESS BREEDS SUCCESS

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Welcome Hi everyone, welcome to the October edition, a month that signals the onset of winter and bids a fond farewell to British Summer Time, it will soon be time to set those clocks BACK again! The dark evenings are already beginning to creep back in and the problem is, as soon as it starts to get dark my brain tells me it’s time to close up the office and cosy up by the fire, even though I’ve got a good couple of hours work left to do. But with just two more editions to complete for 2018 I’ll soon be able to do just that, forgive me for saying it but it will be Christmas before we know it!

In our house it’s time for our routine annual tasks, for instance ordering fire wood, emptying the septic tank and topping up the gas tank for the central heating, typical tasks that go hand in hand with living in a rural location. There are also the more common tasks to consider too, like checking that your boiler is up to the task of keeping your hot water and central heating running through the winter, there’s nothing worse than experiencing problems when it’s particularly cold. For all these things and more you’ll find a man that can, or a woman in fact, within these pages, so don’t put off until tomorrow those things that can be done today.

There are still a good number of local events coming in for the coming months, it’s so good to know we have such an active and sociable community. Do keep them coming, they are also posted on our website at www. t h e v i l l a g e d i r e c t o r y. co.uk. Until next time, have a great month, I’ll see you next time.

Debbie T: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk November Edition Deadline 10th Oct

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Home & Interiors Are You Thinking About a New Kitchen But Don’t Know Where to Start?

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At Alon I have a very experienced design team who will listen to your requirements and work alongside you to achieve your dream project. They will also liaise with your builder, if you are already working with one, to meet their schedules too. Designs can be produced from either Architect’s plan or from a home visit, to obtain your measurements and to get a feel from your home. From here we can start work on your designs and produce photorealistic images to give you a true feel for how your room will look.

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Downsizing - Moving Down The Property Ladder?

Since the 1970s the UK property market has been all about getting onto and moving up the property ladder, aiming for that dream country pile or city pad.

Eventually though, we get to the stage in life when the kids have left home, or need some of your equity, the pension fund isn’t performing well, or we are affected by illness or bereavement and that dream country pile is feeling like you’re “rattling around”. This brings us to thinking about that word that fills some with the excitement of a new chapter in their life, others, sheer dread! That word; DOWNSIZING. Many will want to downsize financially, but downsizing spatially is tough. Being positive helps, as buying something smaller and less expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be a hovel!

The other part of the downsizing process is having the professional support of an experienced, qualified estate agency. The moving process has changed, so if you are someone who hasn’t moved for the last 3040 years, the mere thought of a move can be daunting.

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Saddlers Estate Agents has been helping clients downsize for the past eleven years. From an initial confidential discussion about your plans, to appraising your current property, finding you your next downsized home through our 221 associate estate agency offices across the UK via The London Office, to advice and contacts in conveyancing, removals, renovations, trades and interior design.

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Mowgli

by Montgomery Vets

H W

ello everyone, Mowgli here. I can’t believe that the summer is pretty much over!

e have been having quite a bit of fun in our house with a family of wood mice. We seem to have had a litter of them born in a wall near the kitchen and once a week for the last 3 weeks a single baby mouse has come out to play in the night. Ebony and I have always had an agreement to do mouse watch in shifts. The plan is that Ebony always takes the first shift (ladies first…..) and I then get up and take over. Is it my fault if I sleep so deeply on the bed that I fail to wake up? Even when she chirrups at me and licks me? I am sure any highly bred cat will agree that a feather duvet covered with a soft fluffy blanket will induce very deep sleep. Anyway, Ebony has been cross with me because I have slept through all my shifts. What has happened is that Ebony has identified all three mice. Mouse one was in Joshua’s bedroom. Jane woke up and heard what sounded like Ebony playing with Joshua’s wooden trains that are always all over the floor.

Clive got up to investigate (you see the pattern here- us boys get a tough deal…..) and found her tapping the trains to try and corner the mouse for us. I didn’t even wake up to catch that one but Clive soon had it in a box and out he went and took it to the bottom of the garden.

M

ouse 2 was under the wood-burner in the snug the following week. Ebony was heard tapping the logs that time. Clive again put the mouse in a box and they went to the bottom of the garden.

M

ouse 3 was where I showed how fantastic I am at mouse catching when I actually get the chance to wake up! This time Ebony was heard tapping the cups and toy food in Joshua’s toy kitchen. This mouse was hard to catch so Jane and I got up as reinforcements. Jane carefully pulled the toy kitchen away from the wall and Clive was about to scoop the mouse into a box when I saw my chance- I leapt between the

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kitchen and the wall and scooped the mouse carefully in my mouth. I was of course planning on gently putting the mouse in the box but it made a series or rather indignant squeaks that put me off so I decided that for its own safety I should put it down. Clive is very unkindly saying that I got the fright of my life when I actually caught the mouse and dropped it in horror when it started protesting. Anyway, the mouse was soon scooped up and joined its friends at the bottom of the garden. I went back to bed but kept waking up the humans so I could be praised again for catching the mouse. Praise should always be given where it is due!

H

ope you all have a good month and I will report any more mouse heroics next month!

Mowgli

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Gardening Beautiful Bulbs

by Pippa Greenwood compost, but performs better in bulb bowls or other containers without drainage.

Ornaments on your windowsills and shelves are pretty enough, but why not make your house all the more special this winter with some bowls of bulbs that are really brimful of colour, perhaps with gorgeous perfume too? You can buy ready-planted bowls of bulbs later in the year, but act now and you could soon have a stunning display at a fraction of the price.

The best bulbs are those described as ‘prepared’, which basically means they have been put through a carefully planned sequence of conditions to ensure that they flower well, reliably and uniformly indoors. Prepared bulbs are often a bit pricier but are still great value. You can also use standard bulbs but the results may be unpredictable.

I like to use some prepared hyacinths, but just cannot help 10

creating more bowls of nonprepared bulbs too.

Visit your local garden centre now and you should see a good array of bulbs for sale, plus all the other things you need. Special bulb bowls are a good buy, and are available in just about every colour imaginable. They’re rather like huge soup bowls, but in plastic or china. Unlike standard pots they have no drainage holes, which is better for your furniture! You can use normal flower pots, but do make sure you put a fully waterproof container or saucer beneath each pot – or watering will prove messy later on.

You can use standard multipurpose compost for indoor bulb displays, but better still buy yourself some bulb fibre or special compost formulated for indoor bulb planting. It’s more expensive than multi-purpose

Hyacinths for forcing are available in just about every shade imaginable – red, pink, white, cream, yellow and blue. It is best to use a single colour in any one container as there is often some variation in flowering times between the colours, and ideally you want all the flowers out simultaneously.

Specially prepared crocus, paperwhite narcissus and some other daffodil types are also available. If you want to make some seriously low-cost bowls, then do as I do and buy a large bag of inexpensive dwarf narcissus, such as the cheerful, often multi-headed ‘Tete-a-Tete’. They work very well, as do crocuses.

Fill your bowl about one third full of compost for larger bulbs to one half full for smaller bulbs. Firm the compost gently, but don’t compact it or the roots of the bulbs will not penetrate it well and you’ll end up with bulbs popping out of the top of the bowl.

Position the bulbs pointed end uppermost – you can put them quite close to each other but not so close that they are touching their neighbours, and make sure they are not in contact with the sides of

The Garden the bowl either. Nestle the bulbs gently into the compost and then top up with compost so that just the noses (the pointed end from which the shoots will appear) are poking out. Water the compost lightly, making sure it is moist but not waterlogged. Then cover the bowls loosely with a black bin liner and put them in a cool, dark place – a cool shed, garage or cupboard under the stairs is ideal. It needs to be both dark and cool or the bulbs will not form good root systems.

Check the bowls every week or so and apply a little more water if necessary. It is time to bring the bowls out into the daylight once the shoots are about 2-3cm tall, which usually takes 3-5 weeks.

Put them in a cool spot with plenty of natural daylight – a cool but frost-free greenhouse or a spare room window sill for instance. The shoots will continue to grow and develop a healthy green colour; they will now need a little more water.

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Once the flower buds just start to colour up you Gardening services to suite all garden types, NPTC Qualified can put your bulb bowl in a warmer room, where • One-off or Regular Maintenance • Grass Cutting • Hedge Cutting you will soon be able to enjoy its perfume and • Tree Work • Weed Spraying • Fencing / Decking & Landscaping • good looks. If you want to give the bowl a really Garden Design & Build, 20+ Years experience smart look, cover the compost with some moss or T: 0800 0386215 / 07595 485 096 e: msymons29@btinternet.com tie a seasonal ribbon around the bowl.

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L i v e Ja z z 2018

T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b At T h e To we r To B o o k C a l l : 0 1 3 0 3 2 7 7 1 7 5 All gigs start at 8pm ~ All gigs £12 admission Seat Bookings: 01303 277175 Email: twinklewood49@gmail.com Website: www.towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk

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October October 1st Woodchurch Local History Society meets on the first Monday of the month at the village Memorial Hall at 7:30pm. This meeting sees the Woodchurch Ancestry Group provide three speakers who will each deliver a short talk on the following subjects. Jon Chaplin explains why William the Conqueror came close to visiting the village in 1066, Josie Mackie will recall a 19th century riot in Woodchurch during a time of severe hardship and, finally, Gary Samson tells us how the parish housed a number POW camps in WW2. The society welcomes new members as well as visitors (£2 at the door). For information ring Geoff Turner, 01233 860393.

October 4th St Margarets Church Bethersden are holding a free Antiques Valuation day with Clive Attrell in the church on Thursday 4th October 1pm4pm.Come along with your antiques and collectables and Clive will value them for you. Tea and cake will be available while you wait. Contact no 01233 820 728 October 6th The Return of Canterbury Cathedral Choristers with Director of Music Dr David Flood at Charing Church. Admission at the door is £8 and the evening will commence at 7pm. They were so brilliant we just had to invite them back October 12th Woodchurch Film Society will be showing ‘Murder on The Orient Express’. Doors will be open 7pm for 7.30pm screening Tickets: £4 (members), £5 (non-members). All available at the door. Venue: The Memorial Hall, The Green, Woodchurch TN26 3PF. Hot & cold drinks plus our usual delicious home-made cakes will be for sale during the interval.

October 13th Sewing Room Sale and Craftroom Clearance at the Victory Hall, Hamstreet 10am -12noon. Lots of bargains and refreshments will be supplied. Raising funds for the Canterbury Oast Trust.

October 13/14th Art Exhibition & Sale of Work to be held in Heysham Hall, Lydd on Sea, TN29 9PA.10am 4pm both days. Come and meet some of the Artists at work. Paintings framed and unframed, wood carvings, ceramics, cards and other sundry items on sale at reasonable prices. Free entry with easy wheelchair access. For further information contact Anita Waden 01797 367734.

October 16th Ashford Flower Club’s October Meeting will be a floral art demonstration entitled ‘Solo Plastic,’ by Jean Plaskett from Sussex. It will take place at Furley Hall, Maidstone Road, Ashford TN24 8TX, starting at 7.30pm. All demonstrated arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening.

You could be one of the winners, so come along and meet us- visitors £4.00 at the door.

October 17th The Weald of Kent Computer Club will meet on in Biddenden New Village Hall at 7.30 pm. This evening the subject will be “Using online banking and its security”. Annual membership is £10.00. Non-members are welcome at £2 a visit.

Full details: http://www.wealdofkentcomputerclub. co.uk/ Enquiries: secretarywkcc@yahoo.co.uk October 20th/21st Exhibition & Sale of Work at Stubbs Cross Mission Hall, Shadoxhurst TN26 1HE. Artists Peggy Curzons, Liz Jemmett, Jane Ohay, Janet East and David East are taking part. Free Entry 10am – 5pm, refreshments available.

October 24th The Biddenden Horticultural Society meets in the New Village Hall (7:15pm for 7:30pm start) Melvin Smith’s talk is entitled “Yesterdays Gardener” and there will be a display of old gardening tools as well. Members fees are £2, Non Members £3. Annual membership £5. New members always welcome. Contact Irene on 01580 291777 or Lesley on 01580 291931 October 25th The Annual Elham Christmas Market is being held 6.00pm – 9.00pm (Special preview for disabled visitors from 5.30pm-6.00pm) at the Elham Village Hall. Festive atmosphere, Lovely Christmas Gifts, Quality market stalls including: Jewellery, Chocolates, Teddy Bears, Garden Crafts, Christmas Gifts and decorations, arts and crafts, candles, ceramics, knitted and crocheted items, homeware and much more. Refreshments will be available on the night including delicious homemade mince pies and festive mulled wine.

Fabulous raffle prizes! Entry: £1.00 (Children under 12 free) Please park in field opposite down Park Lane (bring a torch!) or in the village itself. Any enquiries to Carol on 01303 840430 It’s a festive, fun evening out for all the family. We hope to see you there!

October 26th Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society will hold their AGM in the village hall commencing 7.15 for 7.30 pm followed by a glass of wine and nibbles. For further enquiries please contact Wendy Sanders on 01303 813 451 or email brabournewendy@gmail.com. Visitors will always be made welcome.

October 27th Smarden Christmas Fair 10:00 a.m.

– 2:30 p.m. Smarden Charter Hall, Chessenden Lane TN27 8NF. Lots of charities plus craft , jams, jellies and chutneys and delicious refreshments made by the ladies of Smarden W.I. Start your Christmas shopping and nab some bargains in a lovely village setting. Gill Bromley gillbrom57@btinternet.com 01233 770451

What’s On

Art in Bridge 2018 Exhibition Bridge Village Hall, High Street, Bridge

Saturday 6th October 11am – 5pm

Sunday 7th October 11am – 4pm

Hostas and Bergenia - Barry Kirk (2018)

Entrance FREE Refreshments available Exhibitor entry form from the web site, The Bourne Gallery, Bekesbourne and in September from Colebrook Sturrock & Co, Estate Agents, High Street, Bridge Exhibits to the Hall 5.00 – 6.00 pm Friday 5th October For further information please go to www.artinbridge.org.uk or telephone John Corfield on 01227 830976

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October 27th Fun Race Night with Hot & Hearty Supper at Hothfield Village Hall 7pm for 7.30 start.

Tickets cost £6, available from Hothfield Post Office. Please purchase tickets by October 20th for catering purposes. Supper will comprise a choice of homemade tasty dishes including a vegetarian option. Please bring your own drinks and glasses.

You or your business can also sponsor a race for £20, and your name will appear as a sponsor in the programme, you will also be able to name the race. Proceeds shared between Hothfield Village Hall and Hothfield History Society. If you would like to sponsor a race, reserve tickets or make an enquiry, please call 01233 625 942 or visit www. hothfieldmemories.org.uk November 3rd Hamstreet & District Branch of The Royal British Legion Annual Coffee Morning from 10am - 12pm in the Victory Hall, Hamstreet. Please come along to support this noble cause, to enjoy a cup of tea/coffee, a cake, a chat and to buy your poppies & Royal British Legion promotional items.

There will be a small raffle. Any donations of raffle prizes and/or cakes would be most welcome. We look forward to seeing you. Peter Gostling 01233 732318 November 3rd Hamstreet Bowling Club Craft Fair at Bilsington Village Hall 12.00 to 16.00.

Refreshments and Raffle, Crafts including cards, coasters, cushions, furniture, jewellery, knitted/ crocheted items, needlecraft, paintings, pottery, stained glass, wooden plaques. To book a table/stall call Gwen 01303 872603 or Denise 01233 733340 November 5th Woodchurch Local History Society meets at the Memorial Hall, Woodchurch at 7:30pm.

Emma Hanna will give a presentation entitled ‘Great Chart Soldiers’ Letters of WW!’. This is the story of how a group of Great Chart women got together under the leadership of Elizabeth Strout to write letters and send parcels to soldiers serving in the trenches. These letters served to keep the soldiers in contact with village news and to assure them that they were not forgotten. Many letters survive to make a very moving story, especially on the 100th year after the 1914-18 war. We welcome new members and visitors pay £2 at the door. For information, ring Geoff Turner 01233 860393.

November 20th Ashford Flower Club will be hosting a Christmas flower demonstration by Annette Urquhart entitled ‘pickle My Walnuts’. It will take place at Hothfield Village Hall, Park Drive, Hothfield TN26 1EQ. Really open at 6.30 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Sales table, flower raffle, and Christmas charity raffle in aid of the Ashford branch of the International Glaucoma Association.Tickets £.8.00, in advance 20 contact 01233 628278 or 01233 820585.

October 8th Smeeth W.I. will meet at Brabourne and Smeeth Village Hall at 7.30pm and their Speaker Paul Butt will enlighten them on the extensive work of the Air Ambulance for Kent, Surrey and Sussex and the lives this service saves. Any lady visitor is most welcome and should you need further information please do contact Joy Taylor 01303 812165 or Margaret Garrett 01303 813932.

November 12th Smeeth W.I. will meet at Brabourne and Smeeth Village Hall at 7.30pm for their Annual Meeting. Following completion of the business we look forward to a jolly Social Time when we shall all be able to enjoy genial company and catch up with one another. A warm welcome awaits any lady visitor and should you need any further information please do contact Joy Taylor 01303 812165 or Margaret Garrett 01303 813932.

Bilsington Art Group annual Art Exhibition held in the Bilsington Village Hall for the weekend of October 20th and 21st - 10a.m to 4p.m. It is free and everyone is welcome.

High Halden Horticultural Society (Growers, bakers and makers!) We will be holding our AGM in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 13 th October at 7 pm for 7.30 pm start. The evening will include a Speaker and presentation of awards for the year. Entry is £5 which includes a buffet supper” Not to be missed! The internationally renowned and totally fabulous

BAND OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS is generously offering a concert – complete with dancers

at All Saints Church, Boughton Aluph (TN25 4EU) Wednesday October 24th at 19.00 Free entry – retiring collection towards the cost of the newly created village war memorial which will be on view

Interval with complementary refreshments. Ample parking www.allsaintsba.org.uk

What’s On Sewing Room Sale …

Craft Room Clearance Saturday 27th October 10am – 12 noon Victory Hall, Hamstreet We’ve been clearing out our cupboards

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21

CINNAMON

Receive Prestigious Prestigious Award and Launch Awards Launch Vegan Menu Menu New Vegan Cinnamon Spice in Ashford, has been awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the fifth consecutive year. “I am truly honored and delighted to achieve such tremendous recognition from Trip Advisor.

This is a clear indication of our mission to providing a world class dining experience to whoever walks through our doors.” – Ash Miah, General Manager of Cinnamon Spice.

Not only did they receive the Certificate of Excellence this year, but they have also been awarded with the exclusive Hall of Fame Certificate for their success over the past five years. The Hall of Fame Award is a prestigious award that is

22

awarded only to restaurants that have earned a 4.5 star and above average for five years in a row. The team believes this to be ‘A true reflection of a business that does not compromise its ethos and values and ensures that every single customer leaves our restaurant feeling genuinely satisfied every time they visit.’

The mayor visited the restaurant and congratulated the Cinnamon Spice team for their excellent achievement.

She was extremely impressed with the high standards of food and service delivered by the restaurant.

“We are all immensely proud to have received both of these awards. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our staff and all our loyal customers who have supported us,” – Ash Miah.

At the same event Cinnamon Spice also launched their new Vegan menu, why not check out their website for further details w w w.cinnamonspicekent. co.uk. In celebration of this momentous occasion they are offering readers a £20 Gift Voucher (conditions apply) when dining in the restaurant this month. Enjoy!

Leisure

01233 668 731

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Unit 4 Eureka Place, Trinity Road,Ashford, Kent TN25 4BY

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Exludes Drinks, Lamb and Seafoood dishes. Not in conjunction with any other offer

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ONE PAN LEMON AND HERB CHICKEN ROAST A quick and easy roast for midweek or Sunday lunch with hardly any washing up!

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ gas mark 6. Place the butter in a bowl and beat in the garlic, mixed herbs and the zest and 1 tbsp juice from one of the lemons. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes • 50g butter, softened • 2 garlic cloves,

crushed • 3 tbsp fresh chopped

mixed herbs (see Tip) • 2 lemons • Salt and freshly

ground black pepper • 8 chicken thigh

portions • 500g baby potatoes,

halved • 2 tbsp virgin olive oil • 4 sprigs fresh

rosemary, broken into small sprigs 24

Ease the skin away from the chicken thigh portions and gently push about 1 tsp of the herb and garlic butter under the skin of each portion then smooth the skin back down. Place all the chicken portions in a large roasting tin.

Toss the potatoes in half the olive oil and season. Scatter around the chicken along with the rosemary sprigs. Cut the second lemon into thin wedges and nestle them in between then chicken and potatoes.

Drizzle over the rest of the olive oil.

Roast in the pre-heated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked though and the potatoes are crisp and tender, turning the potatoes and basting the chicken with the pan juices once or twice.

Serve from the roasting tin with steamed green vegetables, if liked.

You can use any combination of mixed TIP herbs for the garlic and herb butter – thyme, parsley and oregano all go particularly well with chicken. Or just choose one strongly flavoured herb such as tarragon.

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Kid’s Corner

28

Kid’s Corner

Becoming a Foster Carer

by Kate Duggan kateduggan.co.uk

Tens of thousands of children enter the care system in the UK every year. If you think you could help, read on to find out more about fostering, including how to go about it and how much you could earn.

WHO CAN FOSTER? Foster carers come from a range of backgrounds. You’ll need to: • Be at least 21.

• Have the right to live in the UK permanently.

• Have a spare bedroom.

• Have enough time to look after a child.

You don’t need to be in a relationship or own your own home, and you can have a job.

You don’t need any qualifications, but previous experience with children is beneficial.

WHAT TYPES OF FOSTERING ARE THERE? There are lots of different types of foster care. Some children only need a short-term placement.

Others need a long-term home.

You could even just offer emergency, overnight, weekend or respite care if you prefer. You could also choose to foster a young parent and their child.

Both would live with you and you’d help the parent to develop their skills until they were able to care for the child independently.

WHAT KIND OF CHILDREN

NEED FOSTERING? Children from all backgrounds, and of all abilities and ages, find themselves in foster care.

Many end up returning to their birth families or going on to be adopted. Some children have complex emotional or physical needs.

Sometimes, foster carers specialise in a particular age group, whether it’s babies and toddlers, primary school children or teenagers. Some people focus on caring for disabled children or children seeking asylum. Your case worker will talk to you about what type of placement would be best for you.

HOW MUCH COULD I EARN? The minimum weekly allowance per foster child starts from £127.

Older children have greater allowances, as do children with special needs. So, for example, if you fostered a nine year old and a 15 year old, you’d receive at least £302 for each week you looked after them. That money would need to cover the child’s food, clothes, toys and other expenses.

Foster carers are sometimes paid a fee on top of the allowance.

The amount you’ll receive will depend on the foster service you go through, and the needs of the child you foster. Many foster carers earn more than £500 a week for each child they foster.

Foster carers get considerable tax relief on the money they earn from fostering. Foster payments also don’t usually have an effect on welfare benefits.

WHAT SUPPORT WOULD I GET? You’d attend training programmes and be matched with your own social worker, who would be there to support you. Some services also have additional support available, such as a 24-hour helpline.

HOW DO I APPLY? You can foster through your local council, or through an independent fostering service.

The application and assessment process usually takes around six to eight months.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE? For more information about fostering, contact your local council or visit: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk www.gov.uk/foster-carers

29

Beauty Beauty Bargains

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Everyone loves a bargain.

Check out our top finds, from supermarket own-brands to discounted goodies…

Beauty Pie’s products are made by the same laboratories that supply lots of highend brands, but they’re a whopping 85% cheaper. Bestsellers include the Wide Eyes Mascara (members’ price £3.92), Futurelipstick Luxe Shine (members’ price £3.50) and Plantastic Micropeeling Super Drops (members’ price £6.80). There is a £10 monthly membership fee, but you’ll easily save that with just one or two products. Why not club together with friends and split the fee and postage costs?

See www.beautypie.com.

Your kitchen cupboard could be a treasure trove of DIY beauty ingredients, such as olive oil, brown sugar and coconut oil.

For softer skin, cut the foot out of an old pair of tights, pop a handful of porridge oats into it and tie a knot to secure them in place. Add the oat bundle to the bath as it’s running 30

and enjoy a long, relaxing soak. Oats are a real multi-tasker – they cleanse, moisturise, exfoliate and soothe irritation. They can even help to treat eczema and other itchy skin conditions. And, as a bag of organic porridge oats costs less than £2 in Tesco, each oat bundle will cost you just a few pence.

Have a walk down the beauty aisle when you’re doing the weekly shop. Take George at Asda’s Long Lasting Nail Polish in Rich List. It’s a delicious nude metallic and costs just £2 – see www.asda.com.

Discount stores are handy for essentials such as shower gel and nail files, as well as budget makeup brands and fragrances. I found Dolce & Gabbana’s The One Essence in Home Bargains for £24.99 (RRP £68.50), www. homebargains.co.uk.

High-street clothes stores often sell reasonably priced own-brand cosmetics. Sets tend to offer the best value (as long as you’re likely to use all the products). Next’s All In One Makeup Palette is a great buy. It’s available in two colourways – Natural and Glamour.

For £12 you get a bronzer, highlighter, two blushers and three eyeshadows.

They’re housed in an expensivelooking gold compact, complete with mirror. See www.next.co.uk.

There’s often very little difference between baby wipes and makeup wipes, aside from the cost. Look for natural, biodegradable, unperfumed baby wipes, such as Earth Friendly Baby Gentle Aloe Vera Wipes. You get 72 wipes for £3.20, compared to 50 Clinique Take the Day Off Wipes for £13.40.

Luxury aspirations but budget bank balance?

Try TK Maxx. You never know what brands are going to be in stock, but when I browsed I found a fair few bargains. Particular

Open

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

Health & Beauty

highlights were an Aromatherapy Associates Moisturiser for £16.99 (RRP £50), a Bellapierre Extreme Concealing Kit for £14.99 (RRP £65) and a L’Oreal Lumino Contrast Mask for £16.99 (RRP £54).

Other brands on sale included Crabtree & Evelyn, Rodial, Guerlain and Miller Harris. If you get a kick from saving big, try searching the beauty category on the www.tkmaxx.com website and sort by ‘RRP saving’.

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Health

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

Achieving A Better Work-Life Balance

1st – 5th October is National Work Life Week, an event run by the Working Families charity and focusing on how employees and employers can improve work-life balance.

The charity wants to create a society in which everyone can fully meet their work and caring responsibilities and has “real choice in balancing the interdependent demands of family, work and community at different life stages.”

However, this vision seems a long way from being realised. In research undertaken by Working Families, half of parents said their work-life balance was a source of stress and one in ten said they were ready to resign without another job to go to. It also revealed that seven out of ten parents worked at home in the evenings and at weekends, due to increasing workloads, lack of time for planning, organisational culture, and manager attitudes.

But working long hours is bad for our health. Research published in 2015 by Public Health expert

32

Prof Mika Kivimäki showed that people working 55 hours or more per week have a 33% higher risk of stroke and a 13% higher risk of coronary heart disease than those who work a 35 to 40-hour week. While his study didn’t look at the potential reasons behind this link, experts have suggested that these increased risks are probably due to prolonged sitting, stress, less time for exercise and less time for relaxation and healthy eating.

Working long hours can mean not enough time looking after your health and wellbeing.

fully or partially from home.

So, what can employees do to achieve a better work-life balance, and what can employers do to help their staff achieve it?

• Whether you’re employed or self-employed, know when to say no and when to down tools.

• Leave work behind when your hours are finished and don’t be tempted to open those workrelated emails.

• Get enough sleep. Working into the night is ultimately counter-productive as your memory, response time and concentration will all suffer.

You’re also putting yourself at great risk of mental and physical health issues.

• Prioritise tasks and break them down into smaller steps so that you stay on track, avoid being overwhelmed and have a feeling of achievement.

Employees: Think Flexibility The Working Families study showed that half of people in the UK want to work flexibly but currently, fewer than one in ten jobs advertised offer flexible working (even though it may be available in the role).

Flexible working can become particularly important if you’re a parent or carer, but before you go looking for more flexible employment, be brave: approach your current employer. Discuss your requirements and possible solutions, such as more flexible working, changing work times, reducing your hours or working

You could also consider selfemployment but be warned: this comes with its own downsides and doesn’t suit everyone.

Finding and retaining work, selling your skills, doing your own book-keeping and admin, taking sole responsibility for the quality and completion of projects and having nobody else to motivate you can be overwhelming and stressful – not to mention lonely.

If you work by yourself from home, you also need to think about where you will work and how you will avoid distractions, including family and friends.

Some are inclined to see working from home as not quite real work, failing to appreciate that you still have deadlines to meet.

Employers: Listen to Your Employees

Charing

1st Floor · 6-7 Cecil

Magazine

Some employers panic when employees ask for more flexibility, changes to working times, reduced hours or to work from home, but there’s no need to.

It could be a positive change.

To become a more flexible employer:

Health & Lifestyle

Research shows that happier, healthier employees are more productive and likely to stick around and that millennials are increasingly looking for more flexible employers, so practising flexibility and caring about employee wellbeing is not just altruistic – it makes good business sense as well.

ema

COPY FOR YOUR APPROVAL

• Investigate how technology could help your employees work from home or while travelling for work. Cloud-based apps and services can allow workers to access real-time financial data, message colleagues and collaborate on projects online.

To find out more, visit www.workingfamilies.org.uk.

• If an employee requests a change to their working practice, listen to what they want with an open

mind, but also express any concerns you have so that they have the chance to address them. Offer a trial period so that both of you can see how this new way of working performs in practice before making any commitment.

CARE AND SUPPORT IN YOUR OWN HOME

• Consider job-share options for both existing and new roles.

You should also consider the well-being of your employees and ensure you’re meeting your legal obligations to them.

• Do your employees get the breaks they’re entitled to in a place away from their workstation – and your queries?

• Do you signpost or offer mental and physical health services, such as counselling or lunchtime exercise activities?

• Do you ensure that the equipment they use is positioned correctly to avoid physical strain and fatigue?

• Are employees encouraged to speak up if they feel the demands placed on them are too great?

• Do you encourage working smart, not working long?

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Clubs & Societies

The Royal Air Forces Association meet on the 2nd Thursday each month at 7.30pm in Wye Village Hall.

After a short business meeting we usually have a speaker followed by refreshments. Connection to the RAF is not necessary. We would be pleased to meet new members. Parking is not a problem. Contact: rita.elgar05@gmail.com

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

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 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

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

Quilting Group held in the Oak Room, Smeeth TN25

Ashford Radio Aeromodellers, we have a field at

Sellindge Gardening Association meet on the 3rd

Ashford Soroptimists First Tues of the month, 7.15pm,

Sellindge Table Top Sale the 1st Saturday of each

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.

except August, in the Dog House Evegate. 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

34

Sanders 01303 813451 or email brabournewendy@ gmail.com.

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 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.

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.

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

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37

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

0800 555 111 Out of Hours Doctor William Harvey Hospital

0845 4349655 01233 633331

Samaritans www.samaritans.org

116 123

Electricity: Southern Electric EDF Energy Gas: Natural

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

Doctors Surgery Willesborough 01233 621626 Wye 01233 884585 Veterinary Surgeons Barrow Hill Vets 01233 624687 Montgomery Vets 01303 813756 Cinque Ports Vets 01233 885145 Milbourne Equine Vets 01233 885145 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 01233 714540 Volunteer Centre 01233 665 535 Age UK Ashford 01233 668 765 www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com Ashford Counselling Service 01233 610083 info@ashfordcounselling.org.uk www.kentcounselling.co.uk

CARM E: office@carmromneymarsh.org.uk www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support www.forget-me-nots.co.uk Parkinson’s UK, Ashford Branch Contact Mike Wharrad 01233 623520 Royal British Legion 01233 620 167 St. John Ambulance Brigade 01233 611 414 East Kent Strokes 01233 840448 www.eastkentstrokes.org SE Kent Multiple Sclerosis Soc. 07767326138 email: mssoutheast@gmail.com NSPCC: Tenterden & District Mrs J Coombs 01580 763733 Pregnancy Sickness Support Kent and Sussex www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/ Contact: Denise Clifford deniseclifford@btinternet.com Royal Mail Residential Customer Services

08457 740740 Transport www.arrivabus.co.uk www.stagecoachbus.com www.nationalrail.co.uk Wealden Wheels: 01233 840000 Village Halls: Boughton Lees Brook Challock Westwell Wye

01233 623639 01233 812803 01233 740504 01233 712107 07504 839 858

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

01233 840624

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