TRIO

November 2018 Contributions welcomed

Lest we forget The unveiling of West Malling’ War Memorial, 22nd May 1921 The United Benefice of West Malling with Offham Vicar and Rector Rev David Green 01732 842245 The Vicarage, 138 High Street, West Malling ME19 6NE [email protected] / [email protected] Associate Priest Rev Mark Montgomery 01732 844194 The Vicarage, 19 Worcester Avenue, Kings Hill, ME19 4FL [email protected] Lay Reader Margaret Moore 01732 841238 Lay Minister Becky Clifford 01732 845634

St Mary-the-Virgin, West Malling (stmaryswestmalling.org.uk) Churchwardens John Musker 01732 849109 Clare Innes 01732 843160 Sunday School Kerry Green 01732 842245 Tower Captain Nick Crutchfield 01732 845187 Mothers’ Union Gail Crutchfield 01732 845187

St Michael and All Angels, Offham (stmichaelsoffham.org.uk) Churchwardens Stephen Betts 01732 843412

St Gabriel’s, Kings Hill (stgabrielskingshill.org.uk) Priest Missioner Revd Mark Montgomery 01732 844198 Church mobile 07421 264898 Girls Brigade Karen Webber 01732 875091 Pilsdon at Malling Community Guardian Revd Viv Ashworth 01732 870279 Pilsdon at Malling, 27 Water Lane, West Malling ME19 6HH [email protected] Parish Magazine Advertising Phil Coupland [email protected] Distribution: Terry Hill 01732 848100

This magazine is available for email distribution as a PDF. If you would prefer to receive it in this format, please email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list. We NEVER supply your details to third parties. We offer free publicity for any community events or charitable concerns. The Editor reserves the right to modify any material submitted for publication. The views expressed by contributors are those of the authors; copyright for articles rests with contributors. If you would like to use any of the material, please contact the Editor for permission. Inclusion of advertisements does not constitute endorsement in any way. From David

I am privileged to steward a set of Parish school next to our church, and with whom Magazines for St Mary's, West Malling that they had grown up. date back to 1889. In June 1921, the In this centenary year for the end of the following description can be found for the First World War, I have tried to make sure I establishing of West Malling's War focus on both Offham and West Malling as Memorial: my two parishes. Each one is doing things "Trinity Sunday, May 22nd, will be long differently and you’ll be able to read about remembered as the day when our War Memorial the events that are planned in the pages of was unveiled and dedicated. A large crowd of this magazine. people assembled in the High Street and the But, when I look back, I think one of the Churchyard at 3.30 to witness the ceremony, and things that will bring me particular to take part in the solemn and touching service, satisfaction is the work we have done this in memory of the 47 Malling men who, in the year to see West Malling’s war memorial words of the inscription on the bronze shield "died restored to its former glory. for right and freedom,' and who by their heroic With the help of the Parish Council, death made the great sacrifice to shield our various local organisations, our local shops, homes from a ruthless foe, and who died that our friends at the Baptist Church, my own England might live." congregation at St Mary’s and many, many The Anglican Vicar and Baptist Pastor led people who live and make their home in the service together, Rev Lawson spoke to this town, we have raised £8,500 and the vast crowd of people, and he dedicated delivered a most fitting tribute to all those the memorial. Rev Prideaux read the names local people who have, either in the two of the men and led prayers. World Wars or conflicts since, served this Amongst the many, many people who filled nation. the entire High Street that day (shown in War is a horrible business. If I think on the photo on Trio’s front cover this month) those men, not as soldiers, but as brothers, there were the wives and children of men fathers, and sons, I’m reminded of war’s who had died, brothers and sisters, mothers truly awful cost. But I also think it is so and fathers too. important that we do remember them, as The men who had been fortunate enough the Children of Israel did in the time of to return home were also there. Because of Joshua. We set up stones to remember. So the way they organised regiments in that when our children ask their parents in time war with local people often grouped to come, 'what do these stones mean?' then together, many of them had fought side-by- we can pass on what we know, and the side with their neighbours and friends and horrors and lessons of war are not forgotten seen them die. Young men, friends, with (Joshua 4.21b-22). whom they had gone to school in the old

3 From Mark

If, like me, you have lost a loved one; a people who are ‘there but not there’, child, a parent, a relative, you will know marking in memory those who left a gap that, although they may not be with us when they did not come home; a poignant anymore, you never forget them. representation of those who gave their lives As the pain of grief eases slightly over the so we can live the life we have. years, still your thoughts about that loved Perhaps less well-known, at the beginning of one never leave you. Thoughts come the month of November, we also pause to unbidden: “Wouldn’t it be great if they were remember those who have died who are here to experience this?” or “What would known and special to us with our local All they have said to me now?” or even a wistful Saints’ service. Annually, an opportunity to “What would life be like now with them?” remember their names aloud with others, or more simply “Do you remember when…?” light a candle in their memory, celebrate Those loving memories and what ifs of our their life and bring our prayers and grief to thoughts are part of the grieving process, God. but also a sign of love and a way we When you see a ‘there but not there’ remember all that person meant to us. silhouette take a moment to pause, and Every November we spend time think of the son, daughter, father or mother remembering. The obvious one is that we they represent. Think about what they remember those who have given their life in would have meant to their family. war and conflict, and remembering the If you have a chance look at the war terrors of wars past and those raging now. memorials in Kings Hill, West Malling or For some of us, the war and conflict may Mereworth, read a name, look at an age and not seem real. In our current culture, wars think about who they were and what they and conflicts happen a long way away; items gave. Think about how their relatives missed on the news or on our social media streams. them and would have still talked about them and asked those questions we all ask But for some of us, war was a very real when we miss someone we love. experience from your youth. Living under rationing, walking with gas masks, waiting Think and remember with fondness those to hear the air-raid sirens, being called up. you have lost, giving thanks for their lives and talk about them to someone. And Many local people lost their lives in the two finally as you think, and as you pray for the world wars, and others have done so while lives departed, pray for those who grieve serving their country in conflicts across the them, remembering that God is in that globe since. grief, and also in that happiness of loving This year, around Kings Hill, we will mark memories. Whatever situation you are in, 100 years since the end of World War I. In God is with you. We will remember them. Offham and other places nationally, you Mark can see perspex silhouettes, shapes of 4 Established IT Company Offering: PC Repairs, Upgrades, Servicing Network/Internet Support Virus Removals Data Recovery Small Business Support Contact James now for all your IT needs Tel: 01622 663435 Mob: 07738 422438 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.maidstonepcrepairs.co.uk

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If you contact one of these businesses, please tell them you saw their advert in Trio! News around the Cluster

Bishop Simon’s first Confirmation In Offham, the Harvest Festival fell on All- This year’s Age Sunday for the month of October. The Confirmation church had been beautifully prepared by the Service took Festival Team for the big day with an place for our incredible Deanery takes at display of St Lawrence’s flowers Mereworth on and Sunday the 7th harvest of October with produce. Rt Revd Simon After the Burton-Jones, the church Bishop Simon with service, new Bishop of Offham Harvest Flowers Tonbridge Tabitha Rathbone. Offham leading and Methodist preaching. and St Michael’s joined forces for a bring The service got off to a wobbly start when and share one of the candidates fainted just as the Harvest Lunch Bishop was welcoming everyone at the in the Village start of the service! However, thankfully, Hall with a big the young man was able to make a turnout from recovery and be confirmed later in the around the service alongside others, young and old, village. from around the Deanery who were In West Offham Harvest Lunch taking this important step of faith. Malling, the From our Cluster, Ben Innes from St church was Michael’s, Offham and Noah Agble and similarly festooned with wonderful Harvest Tabitha Rathbone from St Mary’s, West decorations. The Harvest services at 8 a.m. Malling were all confirmed, with proud and 10 a.m. were joined together by a lovely parents, godparents and family members Harvest Brunch. The Mothers’ Union accompanying. served up bacon rolls, tea and coffee for the 8 o’clockers who stayed behind and the 10 Harvest Festivals yield bumper crop o’clockers who came early to mark the for local charities occasion and share friendship and In early October, all our local churches community together. celebrated Harvest Festival with a variety of All the donations from both churches have events and services of thanksgiving and been given to the Pilsdon Community in worship. 6 Water Lane, West Malling, and to the Kenward Trust in Yalding. Ladies’ Meal and Men’s Meal The next Ladies Meal will be at 7.30pm at the Vicarage in West Malling on Thursday 29th November. We have decided to make this a 'Faith Tom Tugendhat MP writes for Trio Supper', so if everyone brings a dish to share, we will have faith that there is On 1 October, the enough for everyone and it will be a varied most important local meal! There is a sign up sheet in church at consultation in years St Mary’s so please indicate if you would opened for like to come, or you can contact Jill Rutland comments. Tonbridge 01732 843248 for more details or to book! and Malling Local Plan will decide where Advance date for your diary is Thursday our future houses will 20th December @7.30pm which will be our go. It will shape our special joint ladies and gents Christmas communities for drinks at the Kings Arms in Offham. generations and identify the Cluster Service, 25th November infrastructure that needs upgrading and at St Mary’s with our Youth Group! improving so that we can get to work, school and the doctor when we want. The final Cluster Service of the year takes place on Sunday 25th November at 6.00 Whether you agree or not with the p.m. at St Mary’s, in West Malling. proposals, now is your chance to comment on them. All the responses are On this occasion, we are pleased to sent to a Planning Inspector, who will welcome the Cluster Youth Group who assess the quality of the arguments. So, have been working hard to plan and deliver it’s crucial that as many people as possible the entire service of worship themselves! have their say before 4pm on Monday 19 Please do come and support the young November. people, engage in the worship and At the end, I’ll present to the Planning encourage them in their efforts to bless us. Inspector my thoughts based on what you It’s also a great opportunity to mix with our want. The Planning Inspector is an arm friends in the other four churches and build of Government, and as your our local community and fellowship as representative in Westminster it’s crucial churches in mission together. I represent your views properly. Please Advent Carol Service in Mereworth send me your thoughts. I can only do my An Advent Carols service takes place at St job for you if I know what you think. Lawrence’s, Mereworth at 5.00 p.m. on The best way to get hold of me is by Sunday the 2nd of December. You are sending me an email: warmly invited to mark the start of Advent [email protected] or by attending with our friends at St write to me at 130 Vale Road, Tonbridge, Lawrence’s. Kent, TN9 1SP.

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If you contact one of these businesses, please tell them you saw their advert in Trio! News from St Mary’s West Malling

Plans for Remembrance Week enjoy the efforts of many people and to and Remembrance Sunday reflect, with thanksgiving, on our freedom With this year marking one hundred years so hard won. since the end of the First World War, this The Remembrance Sunday services on the year’s season of Remembrance has taken on 11th of November are as follows: extra layers of importance and 8.00 a.m. BCP Holy Communion remembering. 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion We are pleased to report that the War including two minute silence Memorial is now fully restored. The at 11.00 a.m. stonework repairs are completed, the gate 2.30 p.m. Service of Remembrance and gateposts have been rehung, painted with uniformed organisations, laying of and restored and, most important, the wreaths and a re-dedication of the restored bronze plaque has been renovated and the War Memorial. names of each falling West Malling man re- enamelled. Poppy thank You! Special opportunities to remember this year A very big thank you to everyone who has include two installations from the There but helped to decorate the Pulpit this year with not there project. A silhouette of a Tommy knitted poppies for Remembrance Sunday. stands alongside the war memorial next to Thank you to everyone who made poppies the church noticeboard. Furthermore, and to the team who set them up. Special inside the church during Remembrance thanks to Issy Macdonald for organising week, you will find a handful of transparent everyone, and to Cherry Plummer who had silhouettes sitting in the pews. Each one is the initial idea and vision for the intended to symbolise the gap that the decorations. We hope you will agree it looks many fallen men of West Malling left in amazing. their families, their community and, of course, our Aumbry candle holder update church. The plot thickens at St Mary’s. The aumbry Inside the sanctuary lamp and candle holder has been church, there is found! It had been tucked in a corner of the also a hand- vestry for safe keeping and had not been crafted tribute of stolen as we thought. However, that makes knitted poppies the disappearance of the sanctuary lamp’s surrounding the iron strut even more mysterious! pulpit. Do make That strut was ripped from the wall and time to come removed from the church, presumably to be and sit in church sold for scrap. this week to The pulpit at St Mary’s 9 the headstones can be properly set, they need to be left flat for safety's sake. St Mary’s PCC will be discussing the It may be worth reminding all churchyard incident and what to do next when they users that our available parking is very meet in November. limited and once those spaces are occupied, it isn't acceptable to park on the grass or Mothers’ Union 'improvise' in any way. In such for Mothers and Others. circumstances, drivers should return to the A big thank you to all who High Street to park there or use one of helped and all who came West Malling's car parks. to the Harvest Brunch in Our church has a 900 year history and in all October. A total of £193 probability there isn't a scrap of land that was given in donations hasn't been someone's grave at some point which has gone to the or another. Just because it looks empty, it church. doesn't mean it is. We ask that everyone Next month we will be meeting in church at respect the dead and respect their families’ 2.00 pm on November 12th when we have a grief. speaker from the Women’s Refuge in Maidstone. This is the refuge we have supported for some years with dry goods and toiletries. If possible could you bring a contribution as it would be good to send them back with a top-up of items. Everyone is welcome to attend to hear about the work of the refuge. Gail Crutchfield Accident in the Churchyard and reminder about car parking Just before half-term, there was an unfortunate accident in which a car hit two headstones whilst trying to park beneath a tree when our limited parking spaces at St Mary’s were already occupied. The incident was witnessed, the witnesses came to find our Vicar and he rushed out and was able to speak with the driver and take his details with a view to an insurance claim. Rev David is liaising with the families, who are (understandably) upset, with the driver, and with suitable stonemasons to rectify the damage. Until

10 St Michael’s Offham News and Muse

A Time to Remember Following the Service of Remembrance Our Remembrance Sunday service will take there will be an exhibition in the Village place on Sunday 11th November. Together, Hall, giving details of the 41 brave men we will lay wreaths, remembering those who from Offham Parish who went off to fight have fought in defence of our country and in the Great War, and there will be given their lives in service, and particularly refreshments available. Also new this year - this year we will mark the centenary of the the details of the men have been gathered end of the First World War together in a splendid commemorative booklet, which will be available for purchase The service will start slightly later at 10.00 (price £5) at the exhibition, researched and a.m. in order to enable us to link-up with produced by Suzanne Young. the rest of the nation at 11.00 a.m. for the the two minute silence. Offham Methodist Church Our “Tea & Chat” continues on the first Tuesday of the month; 6th November this month and 4th December next month. We meet in our hall from 2.00 til 4.00 p.m. You are invited to come and join us to meet old friends and maybe some new ones over a cup of tea. To represent the 16 brave men from Date for your Diary: Christmas Service at Offham who gave their lives for their Offham Methodist Church on Friday, 21st country in the 1914–18 war, there will be 16 December with Carols round the Tree in silhouettes (pictured above) in the pews in the Hall at 7.30 p.m. the week leading up the service and on the Offham Lunch Club Sunday. ‘There But Not There’ encourages Offham Lunch Club meets every Thursday those who visit the church in their own 12.30 – 2.00 at the Village Hall in Offham. time or on the Sunday to consider the ‘gap’ The Lunch Club provides an opportunity that these men left in Offham families, our for pensioners to meet and share a lunch village and also our church. with other local people at very modest cost. There will also be a circle of 16 We are a small friendly group, who, with commemorative poppies surrounding the the help of volunteers, can arrange a pick- millennium oak tree on the village green, up from your home if mobility is a problem. complete with information plaques for each Occasionally where funds allow, we might of the brave men who died. visit a local pub.

11 We always encourage Christmas dates for the diary new members and you (at St Michael’s unless otherwise stated) do not even have to live Sun 2 Dec, Lighting the Tree, 6.30 for 7 p.m. in Offham. But if you are interested, or you on the Village Green may know of somebody who might wish to join us one Thursday for lunch and a Sun 16 Dec. Christingle at 4.00 p.m. friendly chat, please give Phyllis Jones a call Tue 18 Dec. Candle-lit Carols at 8.00 p.m. on 01732 843946. Thu 20 Dec. Carols in the Pub, 7.00 p.m. Offham Society at the Kings Arms, Offham mulled wine and mince pies will be served! The Annual Trivial Sun 23 Dec, Holy Communion, 9.15 a.m. Pursuits evening will be held in the Village Tue 25 Dec. Christmas Day, 9.15 a.m. Hall on Saturday, 17th Travelling Nativity in December November at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall (doors open 7.45 p.m.). During Advent this year we will again have This perennial favourite returns, playing for figures of Mary, Joseph and their trusty the Mike Rowe Challenge Cup. It was all donkey making their way around the local sold-out again last year and there is only one area, representing the journey that Mary and spare table left at the time of writing. Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, all those years ago. Please apply to Mike Rowe on 01732 849616 to reserve your table for six (£48), or eight – If you would like to offer shelter to our the maximum permitted (£64); the ticket Traveling Nativity this advent please contact price includes a ploughman’s supper and a Jane Jordan Tel 01732 848709 or email glass of wine; glasses provided. Please bring [email protected] along your own drink and nibbles. It is Offham Open House regretted that payment for tables cannot be Open House meets at accepted on the evening. 10.00 a.m. on 1st The Committee is currently drawing up the November 2018 when programme for next year and any suggestions there will be a Pop-up will be very welcome. Shop by Diane Varco Women’s Refuge of Flamingo Paperie; Greeting cards for every occasion produced in the UK using UK- Marion Evenden has sourced environmentally accredited been in charge of the materials. The meeting will take place in the collecting box in hall at the back of the Methodist Church on Offham Church for the Teston Road. Women’s Refuge. We collect dry goods and Open House plans to lay a wreath at the War toiletries for them. Next month we have a Memorial during the Remembrance Sunday speaker coming to tell us about their work. Service at St Michael’s on 11th November. Please see the M.U. notice under St Mary’s The meeting the following month will be a West Malling on page 10 for details. Christmas Lunch on Sunday, 9th December at the George and Dragon at Ightham.

12 Churchyard wall, end-of year-update Stewart and Sally have been working steadily to re-point and rebuild the churchyard boundary wall (see photo to right) making excellent progress over the summer, reaching the Jabez Barn. They are very grateful for everyone who has helped during the last six months. They were due to finish at the end of October but have used up all the sand that had been delivered and consider that ordering more at this late stage would not be wise. Some preparation for next year's work has already been THE OFFHAM undertaken. Rebuilding will begin again in PICTURE HOUSE May 2019 (weather permitting). We are very grateful for their dedication Saturday, 1 December and commitment to this vital task, which adds to the beauty of our church building, DOORS OPEN AT 6.00 PM particularly for the passer-by and is an act of FOR THE 7.00 PM SCREENING worship in itself. OF Malling Art Club THE GREATEST Malling Art Club was SHOWMAN formed in 1978 to promote an interest in FREE ENTRY. art, particularly painting and drawing by Donations very much appreciated. means of tuition, art demonstrations, All monies raised workshops and exhibitions. The Club has go to support our Village Hall 65 members and monthly meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at THERE WILL BE AN INTERVAL Offham Village Hall from 7.45 pm until during which movie meals and 10.00 pm - demonstrations start at 8.00 pm refreshments will be served sharp and cover a wide range of subjects. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, choc. ices for If you wish to come along and sample a sale. Also a Raffle. meeting, there is a charge of £4 per visitor or if you wish to join the Club please collect If you would like any further details, one of the subscription notices. The Club order your movie meal or wish to join very much look forward to welcoming new our mailing list then please contact members. [email protected] The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 29th November. Seats are provided but patrons are welcome to bring their own cushions The first meeting for 2019 will be on for extra comfort! Thursday, 31st January.

13 News from St Gabriel’s, Kings Hill

The Hub! On Thursday 4th October, a new community café launched on Kings Hill. The Hub is a simple Community Cafe aimed at bringing the Kings Hill Community together. Hosted twice a month at the Cricket Club Pavilion, from 9.00 a.m. till noon, it’s run by volunteers.

Guests at the Hub!

There is a Kings Hill Community book swap, toys for little ones to play with, the opportunity to get out of the house for a few hours, spend time catching up with friends, or make some new ones. The Hub is a community space and café to be used to meet, gather and coordinate. The first two Hubs have gathered together around 30-50 people each time over the morning, from babes in arms to retired people and everyone in between. You can drop in at any time and you will be made to feel very welcome. Bring a book, bring a game, bring your knitting or stones to paint, or just turn up by yourself and say hello.

14 1st Kings Hill Girls Brigade Mondays 6:30 – 7:30 pm Acvies, fun and games for girls from 4 – 18 Discovery School, Kings Hill Come and join us!

15 16 A Christmas Tree festival for West Malling

To coincide with the turning on of the Christmas Lights, St Mary’s Church will be opening its doors to an amazing Christmas Tree Festival for the start of Advent. Charities, businesses, or community groups are invited to join us in this exciting event by contributing and decorating a tree for the weekend. It is not a competition! You don’t have to pay (beyond the cost of your decorations and tree) and it is simply a What our Christmas Tree Festival time to show your skills and might look like! Photo from Beverley Minster. imagination, be an integral part of our local community, and celebrate Christmas. Why not take part and share this invitation All ideas are welcome! Those who take on a with colleagues and friends who may also tree are welcome to use this festival as an like to display a tree? If you know of a opportunity to advertise a particular charity, particular group of people who would organization or business, their activities or a welcome the chance to enjoy the whole forthcoming event with literature and/or experience of the Festival, why not invite related decorations on your tree. them to take part or come along and enjoy walking amongst the trees? We look forward The organisers will decide on the most to receiving your registration and your appropriate position for your tree. Several contribution to the Festival. options are available including making use of the windows, on table-tops or on the If you have any queries please do not floor of the church. If you wish to use lights hesitate to contact us: then your own battery-powered lights will be Gail Crutchfield required. There will be no electric cables or [email protected], 01732 845187 sockets available. Sue Chapple The Church will be open during these two [email protected], 01732 845634 days for the community to see all the tree Denise Cook creations and find out more about the work [email protected], 01732 848986 being promoted. Refreshments will be available and any donations received will be used for church funds.

17 Civic news from around the local area

The West Malling Surgery a group of local surgeries. So Thornhill’s Flu Clinics were held at the Kings Hill and West Malling practices are working surgery on 20th and 27th October. On the together to deliver this target. Between the 20th, 1,200 patients attended during the practices, you should be able to access day; a new record number! On the 27th, appointments every night of the week till which was a morning-only clinic, 300 8.00 p.m. and every Saturday. patients came. Appointments will be bookable from both surgeries. There will also be facilities for you Due to a national shortage of vaccine, there to access appointments on a Sunday in were some who will have to come back for Central Maidstone. the appropriate vaccine, and suitable appointments were booked. Many thanks Public meetings on Local Building Plans to all from PPMG and from KINARA Two public meetings have been arranged for (Kings Hill Active Retirement Association) you to find out the current position on local who helped – and of course the nurses and building plans. staff who worked so hard actually giving the 1st November at The Malling School, Beech jabs. Thanks also to patients that gave us Road East Malling, at 7.30pm A joint such good feedback. Parish Council and East Malling Breast Cancer Awareness Conservation Group Public Meeting. The PPG is working with one of the David Thornewell, Chairman of East partners of the Practice to set up an evening Malling & Larkfield Parish Council, will talk by a breast cancer specialist to inform explain the current position and how us all (men and women), and to show us residents can make their views count. how to self-examine. We will be announcing Monday 5th November between 4pm and the date, time and place soon – so check the 8pm at Church Farm, New Hythe Lane, a website, Facebook page or with the surgery. drop in session for Larkfield residents. Barry Evans There will be an exhibition of Local Plans Committee Member and local Councillors will be available to West Malling Patient Participation Group help advise on how to respond to the Plan to help inform the Inspector. Out of Hours Surgery Appointments The Government has set GPs a target of Good news for rail travellers, increasing the hours during which you can though not without a wait! get a doctor's appointment. They are The Government has at last has confirmed insisting that such appointments must cover that Thameslink rail services will be 19 hours a week, or they must be offered to extended to Maidstone by December 2019. a private company instead. They also insist From December 2019, new Thameslink the appointments must be organised across services between Maidstone East and

18 From the Parish Registers

St Mary’s, West Malling St Michael’s, Offham Confirmations Confirmations 7th Oct Noah Agble 7th Oct Benjamin Innes 7th Oct Tabitha Rathbone Funerals St Gabriel’s, Kings Hill 3rd Oct Phillip Granger Baptisms 16th Oct Sylvia Botton 21 Oct Carlos Knapp

continued from page 18 the scam. Very often, the criminals will Cambridge will also provide an extra two target lone pensioners so please warn any trains per hour in each direction all day. elderly friends or relatives. This means that there will be daily extra Spend a penny or save it? regular services from Maidstone and West The Borough Council is considering the Malling to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, future of public toilets as a way of saving Farringdon and St Pancras, and on to money. They are proposing toilets such as Cambridge, cutting out the need to use the those at West Malling and Martin Square higher cost High Speed trains from should be offered to parish councils to take Snodland, Strood or Ebbsfleet. over the running costs. Take care...keep safe! In Tonbridge, where there is no Town We've received reports of criminals phoning Council, some are proposed to be kept. If residents claiming there is an issue with parish councils have to take the local ones the drains outside their property and they over in the Malling area to keep them open, say the drainage company will fix it for free. then we feel the cost of those kept in Tonbridge should be paid for by Tonbridge When the criminal arrives, they claim the tax payers only. Let us know how important road behind them had the blockage which public toilets are for you. was connected to their property. They say they can fix it for £1,500 to be paid in cash Trudy Dean and they claim Kent County Council These two articles are largely based on Trudy’s (KCC) wants the work completed. This is a regular emails - the West Malling, East Malling scam. KCC will never approach you in this & Larkfield bulletin. Email [email protected] if way or promote a private company. If you you would like to subscribe for this and other are called, put down the phone and ring local news. 999 if you feel threatened or 101 to report

19 If you contact one of these businesses, please tell them you saw their advert in Trio!

20 21 Sermon of the month Rev David Green, Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity St Mary’s, 23rd September 2018 Readings: Jeremiah 11.18-20 and Mark 9.30-37

The eagle-eyed amongst us will be aware before: “I was like a gentle lamb led to the that we have been slowly making our way slaughter.” through Mark’s Gospel in recent weeks. Evil plotting against him: Today we hear the second of three “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut predictions in Mark where Jesus continues him off from the land of the living, so that his to try to teach and explainto his disciples name will no longer be remembered!” that he will shortly be arrested and killed. But as they did before, when Simon-Peter “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human made his declaration of faith in Jesus, the hands, and they will kill him, and three days disciples completely get it wrong. after being killed, he will rise again.” They arrive in Capernaum. We know from This is not something for the crowds. The elsewhere in Mark chapter 1 (in a story also time for his public ministry in Galilee repeated in Matthew 8 and Luke 4) that seems to be over now. Jesus is focussed on Simon-Peter’s wife’s mother - his mother-in- heading to Jerusalem and to the showdown law lived in Capernaum, Jesus and his that he knows awaits him. His task, as he followers had stayed there before. In that sets his face towards Jerusalem is to teach previous story, Jesus heals this woman of a and prepare his disciples privately but, as fever. So perhaps it was in that ‘house’ that they have done before, and as they will do Mark talks of, when they are in private and again, the disciples simply don’t alone once again… and Jesus asks them understand. what they had been discussing after he had Jesus calls himself “The Son of Man”, a title been teaching them about his forthcoming from the Old Testament, used in various arrest, death, resurrection and the most places but perhaps most notably in the monumental events of human history that Book of Daniel, chapter 7 where ironically lay just around the corner. it is the Son of Man who has authority and “Given all we’ve talked about, lads… what power as the Messiah, and is not the one was on your mind?” who lays down such power and is betrayed. “Err… we were talking about the who is the It’s a deliberate title and one with big greatest out of us twelve”. *cough* meaning for his hearers but Jesus inverts and subverts all their expectations of what it “Great… thanks for listening carefully, will mean for him. chaps. You’ve really understood my message there, haven’t you? Who is the greatest Our reading from Jeremiah, (like Isaiah last indeed?” week), adds colour and theme music to the scene in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus is talking When they ask ‘who is the greatest’ and betrayal, arrest, death… he’s talking sacrifice compete and flex muscles and jostle for and redemption and healing. As Jeremiah position, in an attempt to reorient their prophesies of the Messiah many years hearts and minds, Jesus takes one of the

22 children in his arms, perhaps one of the The first is the obvious one - one like the babies in Simon-Peter and his wife’s brood one you are listening to now; a minister living in that house in Capernaum and this standing to speak and expound God’s word. is where I’d like to focus my sermon today, But there’s another sermon going on he says: regularly here. On a Sunday when there are “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all toddlers and pre-schoolers with us, take a and servant of all. Whoever welcomes one such moment to see the worship through their child [as this] in my name welcomes me, and eyes… the way they explore, the way they whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the wander, when they listen to the organ or one who sent me.” stand in front of the music group. If you want to be great, learn to serve and Theirs is a journey of awe and wonder and start to think like children… be like learning in worship, and that’s a sermon children…. if you welcome one such child as that we would all do well to heed. this, even a baby, you will be welcoming And sometimes we get a third sermon from me… and in welcoming me, you welcome babies. In 1924 a priest called Father the Father who sent me. Conroy wrote a book called “The Mill I know that, historically, churches were seen Town Pastor”. In it, he recounts an as places where kids were to keep still and experience when he preached one day and a be quiet, perhaps some of you grew up in baby was crying. that kind of world, and you sort of expect it He interrupted what he planned to say and to be the case today. told the congregation “there are two of us If I disappoint you, I’m sorry, but I do not preaching in church at once today and I don’t share that perspective on children in know which of us is giving the better sermon.” church. He went on. “When a baby cries in church, he The world we live in is one where children is telling us two things. First, that there are don’t sit still or be quiet anywhere. It’s not babies in our church family and that is a how our school system works in the 21st beautiful thing. century, it’s not the world they see on TV Second, that his mother has come to the Mass or the Internet and it’s not realistic to with her baby with all that says about her desire expect that church is the one place where it for God, about her desire to raise her child in the applies. I’m not even sure we should expect community of our faith, and the sense of safety it. the rest of us give to them both.” As our Baptism Order of Service puts it in “on the whole” he said “I think the baby is its advice to parents “God put the wiggle in preaching the better sermon and so if he needs to your children and he gave them the ability to cry and preach his address to us all, I would communicate and the curiosity to explore. Don’t rather we let him get on with it.” feel you have to suppress any of those things in The latest statistics from the Church of God’s house.” England released in October 2017 last year I think, if you watch and listen closely, on showed that there are no children at all any given Sunday, you can sometimes hear in the smallest 25% of the Church of at least three sermons in church! England’s congregations. It’s probably one of the very biggest reasons why those churches are the smallest 25%.

23 Of the 1.1 million in a Church of England offline is never too far away. They are church each week only one fifth are under dealing with stuff that I never had to deal 18. one third are over 70. with as a kid. There are many reasons for that, of course. There’s a great sermon quote that you may Our population is aging for one and so have heard: sometimes natural demographics make “The world is passing through troublous times. things look worse than they are. But as I’ve The young people of today think of nothing but said before and it is a famous quote, the themselves. They have no reverence for parents or church is always one generation away from old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They extinction. It always has been and it always talk as if they knew everything, and what passes will be. for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As It is so, so important that we provide space for the girls, they are forward, immodest and for children to learn and grow in faith and unladylike in speech, behaviour and dress." be encouraged and inspired to explore God It’s from a sermon preached by Peter the for themselves. Hermit in 1274 A.D! It’s why our link with our local Primary Despite our assurances to the contrary that Schools, is so vital and important and so children and young people used to be better worth the time of our Governors and behaved, and less troublesome, the world parents and those who help out there to keeps turning and it’s always been the same. support and encourage the school. Children are children, teenagers are And, of course, it’s why it’s so important teenagers. So has it ever been. that we do what we can to provide for them The context changes, the pressures change, here in this building. but the call on the church actually is always I know we have some way to go. But, I do the same. find it a real sadness and frustration that we The question, as always, is how we choose to can’t muster enough helpers and leaders respond. between us to ensure Sunday School happens every week. Jesus said “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a I’m very conscious of several children with little child and put it among them; and taking it additional needs but I can’t offer very much in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes for them in particular, because at present, I one such child in my name welcomes me, and can’t even manage to resource fully the whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the Sunday School for those without needs. one who sent me.” I don’t know how to sugar coat that for Let us pray: you… I’m not even sure that I should. Lord Jesus, Jesus called his followers to be as children May we value and appreciate and to welcome them as if they were and serve our children, preparing a welcome for Jesus himself. There welcoming them are always challenges when it comes to kids. as if we were welcoming you in person. Of course, they can be noisy. Of course, they can be disruptive. We live in difficult times Help us to be like children, where kids and parents are trying to navigate for the sake of your Kingdom. a pressured world, where threat online and In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

24 Cartoon Church

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25 In the Garden with Adam’s Gardens

November may not be the sunniest month near a entrance but it's a great burglar in the calendar but it makes up for it in deterrent if left to grow! fireworks, and i don't mean the ones you I know that many of you work in London buy at the local newsagent! Trees and and at this time of year you will be going to shrubs that you've barely noticed work and coming home in the dark. So I throughout the past sux months are urge you with what precious daylight you do suddenly blasting out vibrant colour. There have make to sure you look up in your is much beauty in the last rites of the lunch hour, rather than looking at your humble tree or shrub. smart phone or magazine. London has all The Acer is probably the most prevalent this colour and looks stunning against the with its serrated leaves but there are many modern and old architecture that our stars of this show. It may not be a tree for capital city can boast. most gardens as it get to 12 metres in height Enjoy this time as sometime soon a frost but Liquidambar styraciflua has even more will come, the winds will blow and the dramatic leaf, looking like a raptor’s whole lot will sadly take their final bow and footprint with its veins sticking out! fall to the ground. Monty (my dog) will have Then there's the Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum great fun rolling through the piles that japonica) which, along with the fact the leaf collect in the corners of the garden. goes a buttery yellow, it radiates a smell that Pretty soon we will scraping the frost from reminds me of toffee apples! I kid you not! our car windscreens but as soon as I do that My favourite though has to be Euonymus for the first time, my mind jumps forward alatus 'compactus', it can be pruned into a to April and May when the vast array of tree (one stem) or left to grow into a large colour and varieties of Tulips will appear shrub (three metres high). At this time of after the fresh warm yellow daffodils. the year it's cerise pink leaves really stand Why? Well because tulips respond and keep out but that's not all. It has the most better in the ground after a good hard frost. amazing orange berry that wildlife with Tulip fire is reduced significantly (this is snack on during the winter months. when they come up blind; without flower). There are many other trees and shrubs that There is a lot of science behind this fact display eye-catching berries in our gardens. but, I reckon it's mainly because the frost The most popular being Pyracantha and kills off harmful bacteria in the soil. Mountain Ash or Rowan (Sorbus). So November means less light and less Pyracantha is a cracking plant for birds as warmth but it can give the most dramatic the vicious spikes protect them. I'm sure colours in and around our gardens. Enjoy it you might have snagged a jumper on one in while it lasts! the past? Adam McKay I always wonder why people plant them

26 TRIO Advertising Rates for 2018 6.5 cm x 4.5 cm £10.00 / edition (1/8 page) 6.5 cm x 9.25 cm £15.00 / edition (1/4 page) 13.25 cm x 9.5 cm £30.00 / edition (1/2 page) Full page £50.00 / edition Reduced rates for 10 editions. Limited space available. First come first served. Deadline 25th of every month. For further details, contact the Couplands. ✉ [email protected] Calendar for Sundays in November

St Gabriel’s Church, Discovery School, Kings Hill 1st Sunday 10.00 am Worship and the Word 2nd 10.00 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) 3rd 10.00 am Parade and All-Age worship 4th 10.00 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) St Michael’s Church, Offham 1st Sunday 9.15 am All-Age Service 2nd 9.15 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) 3rd 9.15 am Morning Prayer (Common Worship) 4th 9.15 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) St Mary’s Church, West Malling Sundays 8:00 am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) 1st Sunday 10.00 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) 2nd 10.00 am All-Age Service 3rd 10.00 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) 4th 10.00 am Morning Prayer (Common Worship) Mondays 7.45 pm Bell Ringing practice Tuesdays 10.00 am Morning Prayer Barn Chapel, Pilsdon at Malling Community, Water Lane, West Malling Sundays 4.00 pm Open House Tea 6.00 pm Holy Communion Wednesdays 12 noon Holy Communion Offham Methodist Church, Teston Road, Offham Sundays 11.00 am Worship