September 2020 Many thanks to Valerie Pressley from U3A for permission to use this stunning photo!

CONTENTS A Letter From Alyson (Click below for your article) What Next? A Letter from Alyson After almost five months since the was placed into Update from the Chestnuts lockdown, we are now experiencing a very changeable experience Parish Officers within our daily lives. Calendar Church Re-Opening Regional limited lockdowns are part of the picture, the four nations ■ ADVERTISING INDEX that make up the UK are making their own decisions about opening up and locking down and sometimes it is difficult to understand what ■ News from St John’s Thursday Fellowship - My Final Account of we can do, whether we should do what is now permitted and above the Blitz, World War 2 – by Ada Taylor all else how we keep ourselves and our family and friends safe. Ride and Stride for Friends of Churches 2020 is On! “What happens next?” is a question on many lips. Currently the Final Call! - Deputy Editor/ Proof-Reader for Meopham news is full of what happens next for schools in and Review needed now the question on many of our minds is what happens next for Community Cafe Re-Opens worship in our church buildings? St John’s with St Mildred’s are From the Registers open for individual prayer, we are about to open for public worship

■ TALES FROM THE BIBLE but how will it be and what next?

■ MEOPHAM NEWS To put it simply, I don’t know, and with the ever-changing Meopham Parish Council government and church guidance and regulations, it is probable the South Street Baptist Church government and church authorities also don’t know what next? In Ist South Street Boys Brigade & Girls Association Company our world where emphasis is placed upon knowledge and control, not knowing what happens next causes panic and confusion. ■ AROUND THE VILLAGES Meopham Medical Centre September Flu Clinic 2020 So how do we manage this? A quick look at the teaching of the Meopham Lawn Tennis Club Apostle Paul can give us some pointers. Paul, as we see from a Meopham Alzheimer & large section of the New Testament, spent much of his time as an Dementia Carer’s Group apostle declaring his faith in Jesus as the Saviour of the world and Meopham Ladies Luncheon Club Meopham Library Writing Group helping people make that a reality in their own lives. He taught that ARAMAD (Active Retirement Association through Jesus’ death on the cross, his resurrection and ascension, Meopham & District) the grace of God is revealed to the world and grace, often explained as God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense, is ours for the asking. cont’d. overleaf. cont’d. overleaf. A Letter from Alyson cont’d. CONTENTS cont’d. The church then and now, through the work of the Holy Spirit in us ■ A QUESTION OF FAITH and through us, is empowered to be a witness to God’s grace and What Is the Christian Hope? despite the worst that the world throws at us- trials, tribulations, ■ F ROM THE ASSOCIATION pandemics, suffering, persecution, death - the church (the people of OF CHURCH EDITORS Christians in the World God) continues to survive and grow. The Work of Peace According to Paul, the church, those people of God, have survived ■ PARIS H PUMP through all things because of faith in God - God who does know the Getting Back to Work? plans he has for each and every one of us. Tearfund in Yemen Music and Memory So in a time of not knowing, instead of worrying about when or how Pandemic and Millions Louis Pasteur – 'Father' of Microbiology the Covid-19 pandemic will end, what the final death toll might be Now Even More Plastic and how severe the financial crisis we face will be, let us consciously choose to rejoice and give thanks in the knowledge and love of God. ■  ADVERTISING RATES The God who is steadfast, never changes, and is the same, yesterday, ■ REVIE W TEAM today and forever. (Hebrews 13 v 8) Alyson Davie Return to top Î We have been hard at work putting in place arrangements for safely opening our two church buildings of St John’s and St Mildred’s for Sunday worship. We will begin worship in the buildings again on Sunday 13 September at 945am (St John’s) and 1130am (St Mildred’s).

Because we need to maintain social distancing at 2 metres in both churches, numbers will be restricted and therefore a booking system will be in place. Details of what to expect and how to book a place in church can be found on the St John’s Meopham website - www.stjohnsmeopham.co.uk and also on ‘a church near you’ website and our social media pages. Thank you.

Update From the Chestnuts I have very kindly been asked to put pen to paper again to provide an update on where The Chestnuts Care Home is now since my last article in May. I finished the last article by saying that no one knows how long this new way of life within the care home will continue, well I think I can now simply say a long time!

The staff at The Chestnuts have continued to work hard and abide by the new ways of working. They now wear their PPE without even thinking about it, they change their clothes on arriving at work and before leaving work, they socially distance at break times and they wash and sanitise their hands constantly. None of them have complained, they have just got on with it, even whilst currently working in 34 degrees and wearing PPE! cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ PARISH OFFICERS

PARISH OFFICERS FOR ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH, MEOPHAM AND ST MILDRED’S PARISH CHURCH, NURSTEAD

Rector: The Revd Canon Alyson Davie, The Rectory, Shipley Hills Road, Meopham, (812068) Email: [email protected] Lay Ministers (Readers): Clive Adams: (812566); Robert Bareham (812877) Pastoral Assistant: Jennifer Giles: (812706) Evangelist: Veronica Rees: (812952 Email: [email protected]) Parish Administrator: Allison Merry: St. John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA. (01474) 813106 Email: [email protected] Open: Monday & Thursday: 10am-1pm, plus Saturday morning: 9am-11.30am

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH, MEOPHAM www.stjohnsmeopham.co.uk

Church Warden:

Parochial Church Council: Secretary: Peter Kettle Treasurer: Jackie Hunter Members: Elaine Bush, Roger Wisdom, Ailsa Rees, Jeff Richards, Sarah Richards, Linda Sims, Muriel Thorogood, Jenny Wood. Deanery Synod Jill Kettle and Veronica Rees Representatives: Stewardship Secretary: Anne Nicholson: (812321) Safeguarding Officer: Pat Shelbrooke: (01732 823335) Building Blocks: Ann Mellor: (813960) Bell Ringers Captain: John Gander Church Flowers: Judith Bagshaw: (814410) Thursday Fellowship: Jennifer Giles: (812706)

ST MILDRED’ S PARISH CHURCH, NURSTEAD

Church Wardens:

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Secretary: Mary Boxall, “Archirondelle”, Wrotham Road, Meopham (813170) Treasurer: Hales Vaughan, Woodside, Wrotham Road, Meopham (816602) Members: Brenda Beetham, Ann Ellson, Mark Ellson, Sylvia Moore, Geoff Simmons Deanery Synod Hales Vaughan Representative: Organists: Mick Norman. BA (Hons) Dip. Mus. (Open) (813787) Many thanks to R Lingham Margaret Day. (813554), John Rowland from Meopham U3A for permission Church Flowers: Su Rowe (814560) to use this stunning photo! Return to contents pageÎ Update from the Chestnuts cont’d. residents only having telephone calls, facetime calls or window visits, it became Their dedication has so far paid off and we apparent that some of them were really have remained free from Covid. We are all beginning to suffer emotionally from the however very aware that this can so easily lack of face to face contact with their loved change. For us, the government opening ones. The Government kept promising us the country up was frightening, as we had a guidance document on visiting in care managed to stay in our bubble and we felt homes, but it was nowhere in sight and relatively safe. Now we live with the constant we felt forgotten again. Something needed fear that this could all change overnight. to be done, so we began allowing socially distanced garden visits to take place. This A few weeks ago, the government decided was obviously a huge relief and joy for the that all care homes must carry out weekly residents and their relatives or loved ones. staff testing along with resident testing The garden visits have worked well and we every 28 days. This did not get off to have been blessed with good weather for the best start. Although we ordered the most of the time. tests immediately as required, they didn’t actually arrive for a couple of weeks! Unfortunately, approximately two weeks However, we are one of the luckier homes ago, the government finally published as some homes have still not received the long-awaited document laying out them. This new mandate is to allow any their recommendations for visiting in care asymptomatic staff to be diagnosed quickly homes. This then changed things for the and appropriately isolated to prevent an residents again as the government laid outbreak in the home. At the time of writing down that each resident can only have the this, we have so far carried out two rounds same one constant visitor. This may not of testing on the staff and we have tested sound a problem, but for those residents all the residents. I am pleased and relieved with more than one son or daughter, to say we are all negative so far. having to choose just one of them to visit has been difficult.

Moving forward and taking into account the weather changing and garden visits no longer being possible, we are now in the process of building a garden room which will be able to accommodate visits. This will not be completed until mid-September based on current supply dates. The reason behind the build is that it will be a long time before it is safe to let visitors back into the main home and although we considered screening off one end of our dining room, this had logistical problems.

We are now open to admissions again, When I made the decision to lockdown but this can present problems for new the home way back in March, this meant residents. In order to keep the current we closed to new admissions as well as visitors. After many difficult weeks of cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Update from the Chestnuts cont’d. residents and staff safe, all new people have to isolate in their room for 14 days. This is obviously difficult for them as they cannot become involved with the other residents or see their family for this time. The staff do their best to keep them happy and help them settle, but it’s not how we like new people to come and stay with us. I would like to think this will change in the near future but realistically I don’t think it will.

Sadly, many care homes have been very badly affected by the pandemic and have had to close down as a result. We have been lucky so far and I hope that we can continue to keep our residents and staff safe. We are therefore asking for everyone in our local community to help us to do this by abiding by the rules of social distancing and to wear masks. Hopefully, if we all do this, we will all remain well and this will help us to keep our extremely vulnerable elderly residents safe and the care home open.

Lesley Plumb, Manager

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 13 9:45am Morning Worship (St John’s) 11:30am Morning Worship (St Mildred’s)

20 8:00am Morning Worship (St Mildred’s) 9:45am Morning Worship (St John’s)

27 9:45am Harvest Thanksgiving (St John’s) 11:30am Harvest Thanksgiving (St Mildred’s)

OCTOBER 4 9:45am Morning Worship (St John’s) 11:30am Morning Worship (St Mildred’s)

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ ADVERTISING INDEX (Click to view advert)

Please support the local businesses that support the Review! Let them know where you found their advertisement.

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Return to contents pageÎ St John’s Centre Rooms of various sizes available for hire Fully carpeted rooms Excellent kitchen facilities Suitable for meetings, courses and children’s parties

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Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Our one-stop-shop includes all aspects of: • 3D CAD design & planning • Building works • Plumbing • Electrics • Tiling • Wood/granite/laminate worktops • All major brands of appliances and sanitary ware FREE Design Consultation 01474 556202

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Return to contents pageÎ IT’S TIME TO ADVERTISE!

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Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ ST JOHN’S & St Mildred’s NEWS

Thursday Fellowship My Final Account of the Blitz, World War 2 – by Trip Taylor ‘So this is the end of my experience. When it ended, I was 22 years old and married to my Bertie, who went to Burma on the great push. One of the last veterans to remember the hell we went through. The food was still on ration for years after, the stocks had been running out when the war ended but we all had splendid figures!

Some of my strongest memories are of seeing the first Doodle Bug, which we thought was a plane that had been hit, children of 14 years kicking butterfly bombs in the gutter, and then one day seeing hundreds of bombers flying over London. I could not forget what had been done to the Jews. I knew it was true, as I knew a soldier who was in the regiment that went into one of the concentration camps to free the people in this camp.

There are lots more incidents I could write about but I have included those that stuck in my mind. There were thousands like me in London. My own cousin was buried under the rubble for hours and in later life had lung cancer, which was put down to the dust she breathed in at that time.

The Hydrogen Bomb which was dropped by the Americans in Japan stopped the war on that side of the world. It was a race on for who would drop it first. If Germany had it first we would have been finished. If the Japanese had it, the Americans would have suffered. There would not have been any mercy but thank goodness it ended the war and probably stopped another. It was a dreadful bomb and the pilot who dropped it had a mental breakdown afterwards.’

We are very grateful to Trip for writing this article in such a vivid way. People have already said how it brings back many memories and they have expressed their appreciation of her time, thought and humour. Thank you ‘Trip’ from many of our readers. Jennifer Giles. Ride and Stride for Friends of Kent Churches 2020 is On! Saturday 12th September sees the holding of this year’s Ride and Stride event where cyclists and walkers are sponsored to visit some of our many beautiful churches and chapels across the county of Kent. Monies raised will be split equally between the Friends of Kent Churches and the participant’s chosen church. cont’d. overleaf. Return to contents pageÎ Ride and Stride for Friends of Kent Churches other sources and also check proof copies 2020 is On! cont’d. of the whole magazine before it is printed. No great IT skills are required, but use of e-mail Everyone taking part can choose their own and experience using Word and Adobe Acrobat route and visit as few or as many churches is necessary. The time involved is about half as they wish by bike or on foot. Even a day per month. If you are interested please though it may feel a bit different this year, contact me to find out more. with possibly less churches actually open and able to offer refreshments, it has still Peter Kettle - Email: petergkettle@gmail. been decided to organise the event and it com, Tel: 01474 813632. will of course be adapting, as necessary, for whatever Covid-19 guidelines apply on Community Cafe Re-Opens the day. The Friday afternoon Community Cafe at the St John’s Centre re-opened on 21 With many more people having taken up August. This was the first time the Centre cycling or walking since the lockdown, this had been open to the public since lockdown event is the ideal opportunity to make a day of it and raise some money for charity. Entry is free and we just ask that you get sponsored by your friends and family.

Information and sponsorship forms are available from Hales Vaughan 01474- 816602, or go directly on line to www. kentrideandstride.co.uk and download a form from there. Further information about The Friends of Kent Churches and the work that they do is available at www. friendsofkentchurches.co.uk began at the end of March. All steps necessary to keep guests and volunteer Final Call! Deputy Editor / staff safe were taken, with face coverings, sanitiser and information notices widely Proof-Reader For Meopham used and social distancing maintained. Review Needed It was good to welcome back old guests It is disappointing that there has been no and meet newcomers for the first time response to this advertisement over the and everyone enjoyed chatting, tea and last few months, but I hope that perhaps homemade cakes and cookies. The cafe will someone will see it for the first time and continue to open every Friday afternoon respond now! from 2 - 4 pm and everyone is welcome.

We need someone to join the Review editorial team to fulfil this role. The basics From the Registers of the job are to proof-read and edit text Burials (St. John’s) contributed by village organisations and 15 July Yonnie Heddenwick (83)

Return to contents pageÎ

PARISHES OF MEOPHAM WITH NURSTEAD

REVISION OF CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL Notice is hereby given that the Church Electoral s Roll of the above parishes will be revised by the Parochial Church s Council , beginning on Sunday Sixteenth day of August 20 20, and ending on Sunday the Sixth day of September 2020.

After the revision, a copy of the Roll will be published by the Parochial Church Councils in the two church buildings for at least 14 days and a copy of the Roll will be available for inspection on a reasonable request being made to the Council.

Under the Church Representation Rules any lay persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll if the person is— (a) is baptised, (b) is aged 16 or over, and (c) has made one of the following three declarations and duly applied for enrolment.

The first declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or a Church in communion with it and is resident in the parish.

The second declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it, is not resident in the parish, but has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.

The third declaration is that the person is a member in good standing of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and is also a member of the Church England and has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.

Application Forms for enrolment can be obtained from the Church Office at St John’s Centre. In order for a person to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, an Application Form for enrolment must be returned by the date shown above for the ending of the revision of the Church Electoral Roll by the Parochial Church Council.

Any error discovered either in Roll should at once be reported to the relevant Church Electoral Roll Officer.

Dated this Twenty Seventh day of July 2020

Signed

Return to contents pageÎ

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Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ MEOPHAM PARISH COUNCIL

New Defibrillator in the village By the time you read this our new defibrillator will have been installed in the telephone box at the railway station. BT decided to de-commission the box as they said it was under used, so the Parish Council thought it was an ideal opportunity to adopt the box and install a defibrillator in an area of the village which has a high level of footfall.

We have worked with the Community Heartbeat Trust on this project and they will also be undertaking training for up to 50 people. When people suffer a cardiac arrest, it has been shown that they have a much better chance of survival if a defibrillator is used as quickly as possible after the arrest has taken place. Every minute is vital.

Speedwatch We have been unable to set up the Speedwatch initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic but we are holding a briefing scheme for volunteers at Meopham Village Hall on Tuesday 1st September from 2pm to 3.30pm. We now have enough volunteers to go ahead with the scheme but more would be welcome, so if you are interested and wish to attend the briefing session please contact the Clerk at [email protected] or leave a message on the office answerphone 01474 813779. The session will be led by the Police Officer who manages the scheme in Kent.

Parking This continues to be an ongoing and serious problem in the Parish. We would urge all motorists to THINK BEFORE YOU PARK and be considerate to other motorists and pedestrians especially at Camer Parade and outside our schools. Parking Enforcement Officers from Borough Council (GBC) are continuing to patrol in Meopham on a regular basis. In future we will be publishing the number of tickets that they issue in Meopham every quarter. In the first quarter of the year 85 tickets were issued and 49 were for offences in Wrotham Road. From 20 March to 01 June, GBC ceased enforcement due to COVID 19 unless the vehicles were causing an obstruction or safety concern, so figures for this quarter are not available. Many thanks to Sandy Austin cont’d. overleaf. from Meopham U3A for permission to use this stunning photo! Return to contents pageÎ Meopham Parish Council cont’d. Parish Council website (www.meopham.org), or obtained from the Parish Council Office by SUPPORTING MEOPHAM emailing the Clerk at [email protected] or superneighbours by talking to one of your existing Councillors, Many of our volunteers are continuing to via contact with the Clerk, who would be support their neighbours, especially the most happy to explain the role. elderly and vulnerable who are still anxious about going out, and we are sure that they Judson’s Recreation Ground – will continue to do this for as long as is additional parking necessary. Our prescription collection service The Pavilion has now been handed over to will cease at the end of August but we will Meopham Colts Football Club. The new car ensure that alternative arrangements are park area is open for users of the recreation made for those residents who are still unable ground however, priority is given to the to collect their own prescriptions. Colts on practice and match days. Please ensure the gate in the new car park area is Our project co-ordinator Martine Morris and kept clear for emergencies and access for assistant co-ordinator Karen Kitchen will contractors for grass cutting etc. be standing down at the end of the month. They have been amazing and we are Camer Park – additional parking indebted to them for the time and energy area now available they have put into the project over the last Gravesham Borough Council responded few months. The service would not have to our request that the overflow car park been as successful as it has been without at Camer Park should be opened up to them. We are also indebted to all our allow additional vehicles to park here to wonderful volunteers. Without you many of prevent dangerous parking on the road. our residents would not have received the Work was carried out to bring the area up support they needed during the lockdown. to a fit state for current use. The situation A huge thank you to every single one of you. will be then reviewed over the winter to see what options are available to make A reminder that the project e-mail and phone improvements here for the future. will not be monitored after the 31st August but if anyone needs any help or support Future Meetings Dates: - All meetings will please leave a message on the Parish Council be virtual until further notice answerphone 01474 813779 and we will find a volunteer to assist you. 1st September 2020 Environment and Amenities Committee Meopham Parish Council Needs You! 15th September 2020 Are you interested in joining the Parish Administration and Resources Committee Council as a Councillor? There is still 22nd September 2020 time to submit an application for the Planning Applications Committee Parish Councillor vacancy in the Camer and Meopham Green ward. Closing date 6th October 2020 for applications is noon on Friday 11th Planning and Projects Committee September 2020. Interviews will take place 20th October 2020 – Full Council on the morning of Friday 18th September 27th October 2020 2020 virtually via Zoom. Further information Planning Applications Committee on the responsibilities of being a councillor and eligibility criteria can be found on the cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Meopham Parish Council cont’d. The Baptist Union of Great Britain website has more details about virtual Church Meetings will start at 7.30pm, unless services and prayer meetings. Please visit: otherwise stated. Members of the public www.baptist.org.uk are very welcome to join the meetings. If you wish to join a virtual meeting please email Song Time has been closed during the [email protected] before midday on the Covid 19 Pandemic, but may be able to day of the meeting for the ‘Zoom’ link details start again, later in the year, for families or obtain the link from the published agenda with babies and children under five. Please on our website or village noticeboards. visit the Church website page for more information and contact details. Parish Office The Parish Office remains closed until Ist South Street Boys further notice and staff are continuing to Brigade & Girls work from home. You can contact the Clerk by email or alternatively, you can leave a Association Company message on the office answerphone as this We normally meets every Friday evening is checked remotely on a daily basis during from 6pm until 7.30pm during term times. office hours. For more information about the Company, visit the South Street Baptist Church You can contact us in the following ways: website at: www.southstreetbaptist.org.uk • Telephone - 01474 813779 (Parish office answerphone checked Company meetings have been suspended Mon to Thurs between 9am-12 noon) during the Coronavirus lockdown, but • E-mail at [email protected] there is a newsletter and Facebook Page, • Through our website: www.meopham.org so everyone can keep in touch. Children • Twitter - @meophamPC and facebook - and teenagers, aged between four and “Meopham Parish Council” sixteen years old, can also join in the fun at home, by visiting the Boys Brigade at South Street Baptist Church Home website: https://boys-brigade.org. uk/bbathome/ Our building has been closed during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Church members and These activities are freely available for friends have been keeping in contact with parents to download every week for their each other by telephone, email and Sunday children, even if they are not members of services on Zoom. The South Street Baptist Boys Brigade. The activities are suitable for Church website and Facebook pages have both girls and boys and are available in three details of previously recorded sermons at different age groups: 4-8 years, 8-11 years South Street and on-line live-streamed and 11-16 years. Everything needed for the services at other Baptist Churches. activities is likely to be easily found at home. To find out more about the Boys Brigade, For more information please visit the Church please visit the Boys Brigade national website at: www.southstreetbaptist.org.uk. website at: www.BOYS-BRIGADE.ORG.UK

Return to contents pageÎ IT’S TIME TO ADVERTISE! If you would like to advertise in the Meopham Review, please go to the back page for details about our advertising rates.

Helen Wood S.A.C. Dip. MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER Treatments include: Trimming • Filing and Reduction of Nails • Ingrowing Toe Nails Corns & Callouses • Verrucae etc • Call me on: 07956 911268

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Meopham Medical Centre September Flu Clinic 2020 Our first flu clinic for the over 65’s will be held on Saturday 26th September from 9am-12 noon. You do not need an appointment but please remember to wear a mask or face covering. More clinics will be announced soon

Meopham Lawn Tennis Club Pay and play social tennis sessions are held every Thursday morning at Meopham Tennis Club (behind the Village Hall) from 10am onwards. Whether you want to try a new activity or haven’t picked up a racket in some time, come and join us, we would be delighted to see some new faces on the court.

You don’t have to be a member of the Club to join in, just bring along £5 to take part and tennis rackets can be provided if you don’t have one. We are a friendly, well-managed club in an idyllic setting and host a number of social events - both on and off the court - throughout the year such as quiz nights, comedy nights, snooker tournaments and a Christmas party.

If interested ring Trixie: 01732 884439 or 07970791450

Alzheimer & Dementia Carer’s Group – St John’s Centre Everyone in the Country have been experiencing various difficulties during this Pandemic and we will continue do so for some time to come. By keeping in touch by whichever means, old style or new style it has helped keep communities together and that has been the case of the Alzheimer & Dementia Carer’s Group. It has been a very good summer so far and our group were able to take advantage one Tuesday morning and meet up in Camer Park. It was pleasing to see our members and their loved ones come together, although we had to observe the social distancing and other guidelines/regulations set out by the Government, together with our own risk assessment. One of our volunteers made arrangements with the Camer Cafe to give warning of numbers so that they were not overwhelmed, as we found out many other groups and families all had the same idea and we discovered the car park couldn’t cope with numbers of visitors including some of our members who had to return home. Cont’d. Overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Alzheimer & Dementia Carer’s Group - St A brief history of the club was read out to John’s Centre cont’d. members followed by a few other facts from the floor as members relived their It was very obvious our members had been own experiences of why they joined or just experiencing a very difficult time during the a memory of a particular speaker. last 5 months with lockdown and shielding as their usual routine was disrupted and Meopham Library their support network was not there to relieve and give some respite from caring Writing Group for their loved ones 24/7 even for 1 hour so Meopham Library Writing Group members this event was very welcomed by all. have been keeping in touch with each other by email and telephone during lock down. It is hoped that we may be able to resume Some people have shared their writing our regular meetings on a Tuesday morning online, while others are waiting until the very soon. Our volunteers will ensure group can safely meet again at Meopham that the social distancing, hand washing, Library, on the first Thursday morning in sanitising and cleaning of furniture etc the month. Anyone who enjoys writing, will be carried out as per regulations not either as a beginner or a more experienced only from Government but by the St John’s writer, is very welcome to join us. Centre, as the Community Cafe has now reopened in the Centre. Each month there is a different writing theme, which can be interpreted as a Further information regarding the poem, an article or a short story of up to Alzheimer & Dementia Meopham Carer’s 1000 words. Recent writing themes have Group can be obtained via the Alzheimer included “Cold Comfort”, “Deep Water” and & Dementia Support Services, Safehabour, using a line of poetry as a starting point. Coldharbour Road, , Kent - There is also a writing challenge, when up 01474 533990 or for any other advice or to a dozen words, chosen by writing group help regarding this awful disease. members, are used to make several short, sensible sentences. Meopham Ladies For more information about the writing Luncheon Club group, please ring 01474 813379. 2020 is our 50th year of the club, we should have been celebrating this event ARAMAD (Active in May, but as we all know life came to a halt for any social activities due to this Retirement Association Pandemic sweeping across the World. Meopham & District) However, as the regulations were relaxed Greetings to all our members and readers, allowing for restaurants etc to open, we we hope you are keeping well. Sadly we eventually were able to arrange with cannot yet resume our meetings in the Bartella’s to have a special lunch on Village Hall due to the pandemic but we the 19th August, although our planned are endeavouring to keep in touch with as entertainment had to be cancelled, it was a many of you as possible. Hopefully, you very happy and enjoyable occasion. One of have received our first official Newsletter our members Mrs Sheila Aitkin was one of the original ladies who joined in May 1970. cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ (via email) following our unexpected closure in March. If not, please send your email address to [email protected]. If you know of anyone who does not have email please be kind enough to print a copy and pass to them.

What about another stroll down memory lane? We have now reached 2014 and our love of the Brick Lane Music Hall continues with a visit to the pantomime. During the year we went on the Bateaux cruise along the Thames through the centre of London while enjoying a sumptuous lunch. Who can recall the holiday to the beautiful Loire Valley with Greatdays? For the more discerning members The John Rutter Concert at the Royal Albert Hall was on offer. For the less conservative members a visit to Crayford Dogs and the Criterion Music Hall on the Isle of Sheppey was included.

2015 and once again Brick Lane won the panto choice. This year included a visit to Broadcasting House which houses BBC radio and BBC news channels and other political programmes such as the Andrew Marr show etc. Walmer Castle was another day trip in 2015 and another outing to the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy John Rutter again. The big event of the year was a holiday to Enniscorthy in Ireland’s Co Wexford appropriately entitled Irish House Party (see photo). Enniscorthy was later used in the film ‘Brooklyn’.

2016 was the year of the musical including The Kinks’ Sunny Afternoon, Motown and Carmen at the Churchill Theatre (OK not quite in the musical category). The holiday this year was to Weymouth and for culture we added the Planets Suite again at the Royal Albert Hall. For balance another trip to Crayford Dogs. Hope you can join me next month to continue down memory lane!

Return to contents pageÎ IT’S TIME TO ADVERTISE! Why advertise? If you would like to advertise in the Meopham Review, please go to the back page for details about our advertising rates.

Return to contents pageÎ Question: What Is the Christian Hope? Answer: Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” This is not what the Bible means by hope. The biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7). Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous (Proverbs 23:18). Without hope, life loses its meaning (Lamentations 3:18; Job 7:6) and in death there is no hope (Isaiah 38:18; Job 17:15). The righteous who trust or put their hope in God will be helped (Psalm 28:7), and they will not be confounded, put to shame, or disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). The righteous, who have this trustful hope in God, have a general confidence in God’s protection and help (Jeremiah 29:11) and are free from fear and anxiety (Psalm 46:2-3).

The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3). Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5). Hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-25). It is the future hope of the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6), the promises given to Israel (Acts 26:6-7), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25), eternal glory (Colossians 1:27), eternal life and the inheritance of the saints (Titus 3:5-7), the return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14), transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3), the salvation of God (1 Timothy 4:10) or simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1).

The certainty of this blessed future is guaranteed through the indwelling of the Spirit (Romans 8:23-25), Christ in us (Colossians 1:27), and the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:26). Hope is produced by endurance through suffering (Romans 5:2-5) and is the inspiration behind endurance (1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:11). Those who hope in Christ will see Christ exalted in life and in death (Philippians 1:20). Trustworthy promises from God give us hope (Hebrews 6:18-19), and we may boast in this hope (Hebrews 3:6) and exhibit great boldness in our faith (2 Corinthians 3:12). By contrast, those who do not place their trust in God are said to be without hope (Ephesians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

con’td. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ A Question of Faith cont’d.

Along with faith and love, hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13), and love springs from hope (Colossians 1:4-5). Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power of the Spirit (Romans 12:12; 15:13). Paul attributes his apostolic calling to the hope of eternal glory (Titus 1:1-2). Hope in the return of Christ is the basis for believers to purify themselves in this life (Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 3:3).

Recommended Resource: Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado

(This article is the sole property of Got Questions Ministries and can be found on: www.gotquestions.org)

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH EDITORS

Christians in the World The unknown author of the Letter to Diognetus (probably 2nd or 3rd century) wrote to explain the Christian faith to a serious enquirer. Its recipient was probably a pagan of high rank, possibly the emperor himself. A modern language version of the letter reads like this:

You can’t tell a Christian from a non-Christian by where he lives or the way he speaks or how he dresses. There are no ‘Christian towns’, there is no ‘Christian language’, and they eat drink and sleep just like everybody else. Christians aren’t particularly clever or ingenious and they haven’t mastered some complicated formula, like the followers of some religions.

But while it’s true that they live in cities next to other people, and follow the same pattern of life as they do, in fact they have a unique citizenship of their own. They are, of course, citizens of their own lands - loyal ones too. But yet they feel like visitors. Every foreign country is their homeland, and their homeland is like a foreign country to them...They are nationals of various states, but citizens of heaven.

To put it simply - the soul is to the body as Christians are to the world. The soul is spread to all parts of the body and Christians through all parts of the world. The soul is in the body but is not of the body; Christians are in the world but not of the world.

The Work of Peace Give us courage, Lord, to stand up and be counted, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, to stand up for ourselves when it is needful for us to do so. Let us fear nothing more than we fear you. Let us love nothing more than we love you, for thus we shall fear nothing also. Let us have no other God before you, whether nation or party or state or church. Let us seek no other peace but the peace which is yours, and make us its instruments, opening our eyes and our ears and our hearts so that we should know always what work of peace we may do for you.

Return to contents pageÎ FROM THE PARISH PUMP

Getting Back to Work? When he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:2

For many of us it is time to get back to the workplace, as restrictions are easing. But can we be forced to go back to the workplace if we are concerned about how safe it is?

Many employment contracts include a requirement for the employee to work at a specific place and during a certain time. Most people are entitled to written terms of employment and this would include information on where to work. Refusing to turn up for work could lead to disciplinary action. The coronavirus epidemic has changed things, so that now an employee is entitled to ask questions about how safe the workplace is.

If you have concerns about going back to work, you should speak to your employer about them. These issues might include worries about using public transport, worries with childcare or other caring responsibilities and how safe the work place is.

Employers have a duty of care towards employees, to look after both their physical and mental health, to comply with equalities legislation and not discriminate against those who have protected characteristics, such as a disability. Under the government’s COVID-19 return to the office guidance, all businesses have a duty to conduct a COVID-19 risk assessment. You can ask what has been considered to make the workplace a safe place.

Some employees have a right to ask about flexible working hours, such as coming in before or after the rush hour or working some days at home. You must give reasons and you should consider any compromise if it is refused. The employer is entitled to say no if there is a good business reason.

The key point is what is ‘reasonable’. Your employer will want to get back to normal business and it is in everyone’s interest to have a productive successful business.

As always this is a light-hearted guide to a complex subject and always get professional advice.

Return to contents pageÎ Tearfund in Yemen Pandemic and Millions Yemen faces the world’s biggest of Locusts humanitarian crisis. More than 24 million The six African countries where Send a people need urgent aid, safe water, food and Cow works face devastation, not only by sanitation. The country is on the brink of the pandemic, but also the huge swarms of famine and facing complete meltdown. locusts which have destroyed thousands of acres of crops. In response, Send a Cow staff Through its partners in Yemen, Tearfund have supported struggling communities by has been responding with medical help teaching them how to prevent the spread of and providing safe water, food, seeds and the virus, as well as good hygiene. farming tools. Send a Cow is also providing radio broadcasts Just one example of the thousands of people with information, and emergency food whom Tearfund has helped is Samed, a supplies and seeds, so that the farmers do father of four who suffers from severe not miss the next critical planting window. scoliosis (curvature of the spine). He and his wife were forced to send their children out Now Send a Cow is asking supporters in begging, just in order to stay alive. the UK if they could commit to a personal challenge like a run, cycle or climb, to raise Then the local Tearfund partner began bringing funds, or maybe even simply donating on Samed’s family regular supplies of flour, behalf of their business or family. One beans, sugar and salt. Samed says: “I thank couple ran and cycled for 260 miles, raising God that our children no longer have to beg.” If £2,000. “Whatever we can each do is greatly you can help, visit https://www.tearfund.org appreciated,” says Send a Cow. If you can help, go to: https://sendacow.org Music and Memory Have you ever heard a certain song or tune Louis Pasteur – Father that immediately takes you back to your of Microbiology youth? It can be a very poignant moment. A tiny invisible thing that brings disease and death …. where have we heard that before?! When researchers at the University of But Louis Pasteur, who died 125 years ago Westminster examined the choices of 80 this month, on 28th September 1895, was different guests on the BBC radio show not interested in a virus from China, but in Desert Island Discs, they found that most tiny living organisms that brought disease guests had chosen music which dated back and death in other ways. to when they had been between 10 to 30 years old. This time span was identified as a Pasteur made some outstanding ‘self-defining period’ in their lives. breakthroughs. He discovered the principles of vaccination, and then created the first The research concluded: “The music we vaccines for anthrax and rabies. His medical know and love between the ages of 10 to discoveries provided support for the germ 30 will play a significant role throughout theory of disease and nullified the theory of our lives, connecting us as individuals to spontaneous generation. other people, places and times that become central to our identity.” What songs trigger Cont’d. Overleaf. the big memories for you?

Return to contents pageÎ Louis Pasteur –’Father’ of Microbiology cont’d.

But Louis Pasteur is best known for his invention of the technique of treating milk and wine to stop bacterial contamination, a process that was named after him: pasteurisation. In doing so, he saved the French beer, wine and silk industries.

All in all, this gifted French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist well deserves his title as the ‘father of microbiology,’ and to be seen as one of the three main founders of bacteriology.rg

Now Even More Plastic There is growing concern in the Government, among campaigners, and among scientists over how coronavirus has sparked an increase in single-use plastics.

Not only are millions of disposable masks and gloves now ‘out there’, but there has been also a huge increase in disposable cutlery, sachets and containers.

One study by UCL estimates that in the UK alone, if every person used a single-use face mask every day for a year, it would create an additional 66,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, and 57,000 tonnes of plastic packaging.

Two environment ministers, Lord Goldsmith and Rebecca Pow, have said: “We are actively thinking across the Government and NHS whether we can safely reuse PPE and we are aware of other countries who have begun looking at the potential to decontaminate and reuse it.”

Scientists warn that it could take up to 500 years for polypropylene face masks to degrade. Meanwhile, according to some estimates, 129 billion masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are being used each month worldwide.

Return to contents pageÎ ADVERTISING RATES

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Editor: Garry Durant; Interim Proof-Reader: Peter Kettle, c/o St. John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA Email: [email protected]

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