Hollingbourne & Hucking

September 2020

Church & Village News www.hollingbournepc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Parish Directory

The Clergy Team Churchwardens Val Lurcock, 1 Tilefields 880694 Christine Jones 688830 Hucking Churchwarden David Silsbey, Forge Cottage, Church Road, ,Hucking 884631 Church Flowers Bellringers Nigel Baker (Tower Captain) 07778 691 343 Pam Nash 880309 Borough Councillor Patrik Garten, Kingswood House, Pitt Orad, ME17 3NR 807907 Bourne Musicians Beccy Stroud, 1 Musket Lane 880377 Cardwell Pavilion 07932 164839 Cricket Club Ian Gutteridge 730388 Cubs Jane Newsome 862558 Doctor Yeomans Lane : Repeat Prescriptions 630415 /Appointments, etc. 737326 Downs Mail Editor 734735 Football Club Mike Bedwell 880353 Garden Society Joh Ross 737080 Hospitals: 729000 Eye, Ear & Mouth Unit 729000 Preston Hall 9am – 5 pm 710161 Messenger Correspondent Vacant Maidstone Volunteer Bureau 01622 756662 Meadows Trust Ben Williams 07968 123165 or 880584 Neighbourhood Contacts June Pockett [email protected] 8063/07767367611 Parish Council Chairman Adam Ward [email protected] Vice Chairman Simon Hulme 07808 300 840 Parish Clerk Vickie Smith [email protected] 07856.180003/880526 Pre-School Christine Judges 07864 065753 Police 101 Railway Enquiries 0845 748 4950 Reading Group Barbara Lloyd 880282 Dawn Perry 880634 School Mrs. Helen Bradley-Wyatt, Headteacher 880270 Scout Group lan Poulton 843019 Short Mat Bowls Peter Lee 880580 Village Hall Barbara Tremble 880216 Village Shop Julie & Martin Woods 880338 Women’s Institute Barbara Gibbs 880652 Sue Roberts 07867.691393 Hucking WI Sharon Lee 07714.756354 Kate Blacker 07760.905416 Magazine Contributions should be in by the 10 th of the month latest to the Editor : Carole Findlay, The Old House, Pilgrims Way, Hollingbourne ME17 1RB 880244 Email: [email protected]

Magazine Subscriptions for the year £6.00 were due by 1 st April, 2020. Subscriptions are usually collected by Magazine Distributors. (Suspended for time being)

For advertising please contact Phil Smith at [email protected] Single Copies 60p available from Woods and All Saints Church 2 Sprouts for winter; strawberries for summer…..

Well, they used to be, didn’t they? Everything seemed to go with the seasons. You knew what time of year it was just by what was on the shop shelves. Now, with ‘progress’, we can have sprouts and strawberries all year round, if we so wish. That’s great, but we can find it a little unsettling. We’ve been watching ‘Grow your own at home with Alan Titchmarsh’ on television during lockdown. As a lot of you know, I’m not a natural gardener, but watching experts and listening to those who know best gives me a sense of appreciation and calm; a sense of when to sow, when to reap, and so on. It’s my way of acknowledging the seasons and marvelling how things happen at certain times of the year. I suppose, for me, it gives an assurance that at this time of uncertainty there is God’s creation still doing things ‘in season’.

I was reading through my diary the other day, from March onwards, and it saddened me that so many of the services, activities, and commitments I had were just crossed out. Thankfully (and hopefully) most of these dates in the diary will just be moved forward 12 months or re-arranged with the people involved, but for many the time has been lost. Special anniversaries that were going to be celebrated have been postponed for good. I haven’t been affected by these cancellations personally, but I know of people who have had to make painful decisions. Even as a non-gardener I have enjoyed all that our garden has to offer, especially when so many do not have gardens to work or relax in.

As I write this, we are cautiously easing out of ‘lockdown’, with the knowledge that if the number of infections increase, we might have to make more sacrifices. We hope that doesn’t happen, that more people recover from this terrible virus and that the rest of us avoid all the dangers involved.

The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible’s Old Testament says: 'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.' Fruit, vegetables and flowers are pretty reliable, but even they have suffered because of the way we treat our world’s resources. As for the weather, some days we get all four seasons in one. We get record rainfall and then periods of near drought! What a topsy-turvy world we live in.

The second verse of that great old hymn ‘Great is thy faithfulness’ says,

'Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love….'

Next time you have sprouts or strawberries – whatever time of year - just remember those words and let us give thanks to God for his faithfulness, even in times of trial.

Captain Graham Bibby Team Missioner, Team. 3 SERVICES 2019/20 (YEAR SEPTEMBER 2020

6th September Trinity 13 Service Hollingbourne 11.00 am Eucharist Readings Exodus 12: 1-14; Psalm 149 Romans 13: 8-14; Matthew 18: 15-20

13 th September Trinity 14 Service Hollingbourne 11.00 am Eucharist Readings Exodus 14: 19-31; Psalm 114 Romans 14: 1-12; Matthew 18: 21-35

20 th September Trinity 15 Service Hollingbourne 11.00 am Eucharist Readings Exodus 16: 2-15; Psalm 105: 1-6,37-45 Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16

27 th September Trinity 16 Service Hollingbourne 11.00 am Eucharist Readings Exodus 17: 1-7; Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2: 1-13; Matthew 21: 23-32

All Saints Church will be open for Private Prayer on Wednesdays between 10 am and 3 pm.

LEEDS SERVICES (Subject to Review)

6th September Leeds 11 am Eucharist 13 th September Broomfield 3 pm Rose Service of Remembrance & Communion 20 th September Leeds 11 am Eucharist 27 th September Kingswood 11 am Family Communion

4 EDITOR’S NOTES

As I write this, quarantined for 14 days after venturing to France, the weather seems to be turning its attention to the Bank Holiday. What winds! However, the rain seems to be welcome as brown grass greeted our return.

The rest of the world seems to be returning to some sort of normal. All Saints Church will be open for services each Sunday and again for private prayer on Wednesdays between 10 am and 3 pm. It will remain closed to comply with Covid regulations in between. There will be a special Harvest Service on 27 th September and we look forward to seeing many of you then. Sadly, our regular organist and a choir member, Sue & Roland King, have resigned their posts after many years. A tribute to them further on.

The merging of All Saints, Hollingbourne, and St. Margarets, Hucking was mentioned in the August edition. Both Parochial Church Councils will be holding their Annual Meetings in October – Hucking on 4 th (see ad) and Hollingbourne on 11 th (see ad).

Organisations in the village ebb and flow. This is reflected in two articles – the demise of the Village Hall Committee as Hush Heath takes over the running of the building, and the revival of cricket at Hollingbourne’s ground with the collaboration of Cricket Club.

The Reading Group is operating ‘at a distance’, while the Garden Society is being prudent in the current climate.

The village has lost a bright spark with the death of Keith Harris. A lovely tribute to him highlights his amazing ability to provoke (kind) laughter in the village pantomimes over a number of years. His production of ‘Jo Carpenter’ in the church was highly acclaimed.

The Parish Council Meetings continue to be held on-line. If you wish to attend, contact Vikki Smith – Parish Council Clerk.

Despite the changes we have had and will have, don’t forget that the Hospice and Homeless Charities will still have to cope with the fallout of the pandemic for many months to come. Now is a time to support them.

We all look forward to seeing the children running round the field, at the school as in times of yore. It will be good for them to run off all that energy that children seem to have. A recent study proved that the recovery time for a child is quicker than for an Olympic athlete! No wonder there are so many exhausted parents.

Information and details of activities to [email protected]

Here’s to a good autumn.

Carole Findlay

5 Country Notes for September 2020

September is the month when summer slips gently into autumn – or at least one hopes it does. As I sit writing this in mid-August, with the temperature routinely well over 30 degrees Celsius, this seems quite a pleasant thought. Many years it feels like summer way beyond the official beginning of autumn, which this year is 22 September. However, one imagines that the temperature will be less extreme than we have been experiencing recently. I would think that many people will certainly hope so!

September is the month when the harvest seems to be at its very height in our hedgerows and woods. Some plants have been in fruit since July. The rowan is one such tree, with its wonderful orange berries. There were certainly plenty of blackberries in August this year, tempting both wildlife and people to pluck a fruit or two from the hedgerow. However, this is the month when the bulk of our plants produce their harvest. We should certainly start to see the first of the haws reddening up on the hawthorns, and damsons and sloes should be in plentiful supply. The majority of people will leave most of these for our wildlife, although they may all be usefully utilised for pie filling, sauces or jams in one way or the other. They most certainly were during the six years of the Second World War, when any extra bounty supplied by nature was much appreciated. Crab apples, together with many of our orchard apples, will also begin to drop any harvest that has not been picked. Those that do drop to the ground will be eagerly enjoyed by bees, wasps and some of our most beautiful butterflies such as red admirals and small tortoiseshells.

Some of nature's harvest, such as horse and sweet chestnuts and acorns from our oak trees, will wait for fruition until October and beyond, and will be much appreciated by squirrels and mice as they prepare for the long winter ahead. For these, however, we and the animals will have to wait just a little longer.

If you do pick from our hedgerows – and who could blame you if you do? – please remember to leave some for the wildlife to enjoy too. They do not have the option of popping off to the supermarket or village shop! Andrew Snowdon

6

Sue & Roland King

Sue and Roland have decided to retire from all their activities at All Saints. They have been popular, hard-working members of our community for many years and will be greatly missed.

Sue has played the organ with great style and taste, never put off by the occasional strangled voices emerging from the congregation – particularly during unfamiliar hymns. However, when it comes to mice eating the electric wires attached to the organ (or indeed her ‘playing shoes’) it is another story! For many years, Sue has also run the church flower rota most efficiently, enhancing the beauty of All Saints.

Roland has been a mainstay of the bell ringers, as well as a fine member of the choir. He led the fundraising for the two new bells which were hung a few years ago. This was a remarkable achievement and the bells were among the last ones produced by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Roland has also applied his business mind to the possibility of acquiring a replacement organ which, unfortunately proved impossible for financial reasons.

It is hoped that the above comments give some feel to the contribution that Sue and Roland have given to All Saints. However grateful we are for these works, it is the feeling of loss of good friends that may be the overarching sentiment.

This morning I saw a neighbour talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house and told my dog. We laughed a lot. Being the office supervisor, I had to have a word with a new employee who never arrived at work on time. I explained that her tardiness was unacceptable and that other employees had noticed that she was walking in late every day.

After listening to my complaints, she agreed that this was a problem and even offered a solution. "Is there another door I could use?"

I told my suitcases that due to the pandemic, there will be no holiday this year. Now I'm dealing with emotional baggage. On dating app: ‘Princess, having had sufficient experience with princes, seeks frog.’

Why is it that saying: "Have a nice day" sounds friendly, but saying "Enjoy your next 24 hours" sounds threatening? 7 HOLLINGBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Next Meetings are to be held on Monday, 14th September, Monday, 12th October, Monday, 9th November, 2020 Via Microsoft Teams Video Link, at 7.30 pm. These are public meetings, but, due to COVID-19 Government Guidelines on the gathering of people together, it will NOT be held at the Cardwell Pavilion. Residents and representatives of the media interested in joining the video link should contact the Clerk via [email protected] . The Parish Council’s aim is to include them within the meeting.*

A surgeon, an architect and a politician were arguing as to whose profession was the oldest. Said the surgeon: “Eve was made from Adam’s rib, and that surely was a surgical operation.”

“Maybe,” admitted the architect, “but prior to that, order was created out of chaos, and that was an architectural job.”

“But,” the politician pointed out in triumph, “somebody had to have created the chaos in the first place!”

HATCHES MATCHES AND DESPATCHES

Keith George Harris, (b.21/1/47)who lived in the village for many years, died on 24 th July. His funeral in the church, followed by a service at Vintners Park, was held on 17 th August. In line with Covid rules only 30 people are allowed to attend funerals. (Tribute on page 33).

8 Music Notes September 2020

Virus restrictions continue and consequently I find it difficult to bring you anything new. As I write in early August, I am aware that the better local amateur choirs and orchestras are busy considering the risks that would be involved, and the possible mitigations available, if they were to start rehearsals in September. That’s rehearsals , so even if they were to find a safe way through the maze of rules, there seems no prospect of actual local concerts in September.

A number of cathedrals (but not Rochester or Canterbury!) and well- known national concert venues are currently advertising concerts in September and taking bookings – see the website https://www.classicalevents.co.uk/?fromdate=30%2F07 % 2F2020&todate=&sort=start% 7Casc&dir=asc&type=home_page&start=20 . However, it is not clear whether these are concerts that have been arranged especially to take account of virus restrictions, or the concerts they had programmed since last year and are still hoping may be possible.

On the subject of cathedral music, the press has reported that cathedral choirs are in dire financial straits due to the virus restrictions. Lay clerks – that is, the professional singers for the lower voice parts – are being made redundant in many cathedrals and some, including York Minster, have closed their choir schools which provide the treble parts. On the positive side, Harry Christophers, of 'The Sixteen' fame, has taken over the presidency of the charity Cathedral Music Trust and is leading a massive fund-raising campaign. See https://cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/ . He is hoping that some sort of cathedral music will start in September, but everything depends on a research project for Public Health , which is investigating how much singing really affects the spread of the Covona-19 virus. The result of that will also eventually have significance for us locally and may even be the deciding factor as to whether we can sing hymns in church once more.

Turning to radio, the proms continue every day until 12th September on BBC Radio 3 – the 12th being the famous 'last night' performance. Some days they will be recorded programmes from previous years, but the concerts on 1st to 5th, 8th and 9th and 12th will be live concerts. On TV, BBC4 has a prom on September 6th, and it is probable that the last night on the 12th will also be at least partly shown on TV.

The musicians' dictionary continues in lockdown : Allegro: An old, small car. Lento: The days leading up to Easto. Con Spirito – Drunk again

BJH

9 Hollingbourne Village Hall The end of an era

On the 1st August, 2020, the hall was handed over to the control of Hush Heath with contact & bookings to be made through the Windmill, ( [email protected] ) so I thought it would be interesting to look back at the history of the hall, spanning over 50 years.

I have the minute book for the committee which ran the old church hall (originally part of the garden at 6 Bells) from 1959 and can recognise a number of names. By 1962 there were discussions regarding a new hall and the final minutes, dated 23rd October, 1968, stated that the total cost of the new hall would be £9,450, for which they had a grant of £4,375. The church was prepared to put in £1,000 if a chapel could be included. Not everyone will know that this is behind the double doors in the committee room.

Whitbread, who owned the Windmill, had agreed a lease of 28 years from August, 1968, and the hall was completed in 1969. Unfortunately, I do not have the first minute book for the new hall, although I do have them from 1980 onwards. The committee was made up of representatives of the various organisations using the hall but, as an unincorporated body, they could not hold the lease. Three Trustees, Arthur Clarke, Mrs. Newbury and Mrs. Wilson, were appointed on the committee’s behalf. Unusually, the constitution of the village hall was an appendix to the lease. The hall was owned by the Trustees and they could be asked to remove it at the end of the lease.

When I joined the committee in March, 1981, it was as representative for the Summer Adventure Playgroup. As a fundraiser for the Playgroup, we introduced Brian Higbee & Philip Reed to start the long run of ‘Sing & Sups’ that we all enjoyed so much.

The kitchen was half the size it is now, with the entrance, facing the Windmill, where the second part of the kitchen now is. A few years on and the first extension was completed with the new side entrance, paved area and the kitchen doubled in size. The car park in front was shared with the Windmill and divided roughly in half by a line of bricks in the surface. People using the hall & the ignored the division so when the landlord suggested we remove the bricks and he would pay for the whole car park to be resurfaced the committee agreed. Unfortunately, he never arranged for the spaces to be marked.

In 1996 the lease ran out and Enterprise Inns, who now owned the Windmill, only offered a 5-year lease. This would be no use to us as, firstly, it meant we had very poor security of tenure, but, also, it would be difficult to get grants. It took nearly a year, but eventually we achieved a 20-year lease from 1996. This time the Parish Council held the lease on our behalf. Unfortunately, one condition was that we lost the front car park completely and had to make the grass at the back into our rather odd shaped car park at a cost of £15k. 10

With the Millennium on the horizon and an apparently large fund available for new village halls, Roger Graynoth spent a long time designing a new hall for our car park, so that we could continue with the present hall and, when it was complete, have our car park in place of the current hall. Not only would the planners not agree, but the Millennium Fund turned out to be spread very thinly. However, we were successful with a grant of £70K, which completely transformed the rear of the hall. This included an extended stage, with Roger designing the lifting mechanism for short mat bowls, the rear storage room and new toilets and committee room. We were also able to get new chairs & tables with yet another grant from Maidstone Borough Council.

The hall then continued successfully, but with little spare cash as trends changed and the hall was no longer hired for weddings and only used occasionally during the day. The new and very large stage helped the pantomime go from strength to strength and they were a major help in trying to balance the books. The short mat bowls club flourished and brought in people from a wide area.

In 2015, after some fundraising from a number of user groups and a grant, we were able to replace the main hall floor. This had been a problem for a number of years and the new insulated one was a great improvement. We did have to be more careful moving stacks of chairs around. Before obtaining the grant, we were able to get an assurance from Enterprise Inns that, when the lease ran out in 2016, it would be renewed.

Unfortunately, when August 2016 approached Enterprise Inns only mentioned a 5-year lease, but were unwilling to provide one that, as complications with potential planning for houses in the field opposite the hall, meant they wanted to keep their options open. The hall committee were opposed to the houses because of potential problems with access, having to share the lane and the major disruption it would cause, particularly when the services were put in. The hall committee was changed to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which meant we could hold a future lease ourselves. Continued promises from Enterprise Inns for a new lease were not kept and the planning consent for the houses was successful, but I suspect Enterprise Inns was withholding their agreement to access over the first part of the lane which they own.

In January, this year, the committee received the bombshell that the hall would be taken over by Hush Heath Winery, who were taking a long lease on the Windmill. At a public meeting Richard Balfour-Lynn assured the village that the hall could continue to be used by the local community, but he was unable to accommodate either the short mat bowls or the Preschool. He is planning to refurbish the hall but that, together with all the problems connected with corona virus, will mean that use of the hall in the short term is uncertain.

As you will appreciate, I have been associated with the hall for a long time and I am disappointed that the hall is no longer run by the village. 11 Many people have contributed to its success over the years and I would like to thank all committee members, both past & present, for all the work done on an unpaid basis. In particular, Roger has done an enormous amount of building & restoration and Ivor Tapsfield has looked after the electrics as they got more & more complicated. We also have to thank a number of local ladies, including Jean Duffy, our latest incumbent, for keeping the hall clean - a thankless task.

I am intending to call an Annual General Meeting on the 27th October, if the hall is available and the Government permits it. It would be good to see as many people as possible to talk about the future. I hope the hall continues to serve our local community for many years to come.

John Holley

Production of Snow White in 1979.

A cup of joy! A tea shop is a wondrous place Where I for one just love to be! A place to rest from life’s harsh pace And sit and drink a cup of tea! Indeed, it’s time to take a rest! From all life’s pressures, take a break! And just today it might be best To have a slice of home-made cake!

12 READING GROUP

We have seen in recent weeks the BBC dramatizing classic novel.

First, we had ‘The Luminaries’, Eleanor Catton’s Booker winning novel. It is set in 1866 where Walter Moody sets out for New Zealand to make his fortune in the goldfields. Then we had ‘A Suitable Boy’, Vikran Seth’s Commonwealth Prize winning novel about life in India in the 19560’s, where Lata has to find a suitable husband.

Both books have been well dramatized.

Currently best sellers include ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ by Chirsty Lefteri, which has been a best seller for many months. Also, a new Diane Chamberlain novel, ‘Reflection’, which, as usual, is full of suspense. It is no surprise that a new Val McDermid mystery is also in the best sellers.

We have still not been able to meet as a group, but we do keep in touch and we keep reading.

Dawn Perry 880634

Kent Meals Home Delivery

Research shows that home-delivered meal programs significantly improve diet quality, increase nutrient intakes, reduce food insecurity and improve quality-of-life among the recipients.

To arrange meal delivery for yourself or someone you know: contact your local Age UK centre as many of them may offer meal delivery service use a contracted hot meals delivery service, which is delivered by Apetito. Call 01634 24 63 18 or email [email protected] contact Wiltshire Farm Foods or Oakhouse Foods for meals that require heating or preparing.

Apetito have stated that they can help by providing hot lunchtime meals to vulnerable members of the community. All meals are nutritionally balanced, and they cater for a varied range of dietary requirements including diabetic, vegetarian, pureed etc. Delivering 365 days of the year.

Whilst they visit, they undertake a welfare check which includes a visual check of the client for signs of ill health and deterioration. If they cannot locate the client, they will contact the next of kin, social services or the police. Should a driver deem it necessary such as a following a fall an ambulance will be called, and they will wait with them until the paramedic or next of kin arrive. They will also make the next of kin aware of hazards such as tripping hazards, moss on the pavement…

13 Sunday, 11th October, 2020. ANNUAL PARISH CHURCH MEETING

The Annual Parish Church Meeting will take place in All Saints Church after the 11.00 am Service (at approximately 12.00 pm) on Sunday, 11th October. All are welcome to

ALL SAINTS : HOLLINGBOURNE

Some comments on politics and politicians

Politician to aide: “About their charge that I’m indecisive – do you think I should answer it, or let it go, or answer it in part, or what?” Politics: the career of plundering and blundering. - Disraeli Politician: a fellow who shakes your hand before the election and shakes you after the election. Admirer to political candidate: Great speech sir! I really like the straightforward way you dodged the issues. If you want to find out what’s wrong with a man, elect him to public office. American teacher to students: “Be diligent and steadfast, and you will succeed. Take the case of George Washington, our first ever president. Do you remember my telling you of the great difficulty that George Washington had to face? The big problem that could have been the end of his political career?”

“Sure,” said a student. “He couldn’t tell a lie.” What this country needs is fewer people who know what this country needs. 14 HARVEST SUNDAY 27th September, 2020

Gifts of tinned and packet food also long life milk, are asked for, which will be brought up to the altar, They will then be taken to the Day Centre in Maidstone for the Homeless and for Vulnerable Families.

Celebrate the Harvest Season

15 GRANTS FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Maidstone Borough Council is reminding anyone who is self-employed to apply for a second government grant from Monday 17 August. The Self Employment Income Support Scheme, which is open for applications from today, allows individuals and partnerships whose work has been affected by the Coronavirus to claim for financial support. A second and final taxable grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits. This is paid out as one single payment covering three months’ worth of profits and is capped at £6,570 in total.

You can make a claim for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme if you’re eligible, even if you didn’t make a claim through the initial grants.

It is thought that around 30% of those eligible businesses did not apply last time but may do so this time.

Any self-employed sole traders and small businesses, who were eligible for the first grant and can confirm to HMRC that their business has been adversely affected by Coronavirus on or after 14 July 2020, is able to make a claim for a second and final grant from 17 August – 19 October 2020.

“Over the past 4 months, Kent Invicta Chamber has run the COVID-19 Business Helpline via the Kent & Medway Growth Hub and have supported over 10,000 businesses, so we know first-hand that these types of schemes could literally be make or break for so many people in business.”

Stephen McGinnes, Mid Kent Services Director at Maidstone Borough Council said: “Those sole traders and businesses who receive the grant can continue to work, start a new trade or take on other employment including voluntary work, or duties as a military reservist. Most importantly the money received through this scheme does not need to be repaid, although it will be subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance.

“We are particularly concerned that sole traders may not have taken this up first time around so if you know of any self-employed plumbers, builders, hairdressers, electricians or gardeners who might benefit please let them know about it.”

For more information about the scheme please visit: https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19 -self-employment-income-support-scheme

16 Reversing the decline of insects

Much as we like to imagine we live in a green and pleasant land; the truth is that the UK is now one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Craig Bennet, Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts writes in a new report from the Wildlife Trust “Reversing the Decline of Insects” which focuses on the rapidly diminishing insect populations and the steps we can do as communities to help prevent these. The lead author is Professor Dave Goulson, a professor of biology who specialises in bumblebee ecology and founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. He highlighted some of the alarming statistics in his recent book The Garden Jungle. “Wildflower meadows used to cover much of lowland Britain: 7m acres of them in 1930s. Only 2% of these remain. Hedgehogs have declined in numbers by 50% in just the last 15 years. In parts of China, farmers now have to hand-pollinate fruit trees because pesticides have wiped out the bees. In the UK, orchards are typically sprayed 26 times a year with insecticides, fungicides and other chemicals: “those rosy, shiny apples on the supermarket shelf got there as a result of environmental carnage”. The main insecticide, Goulson notes, was chlorpyrifos, belonging to the chemical family of organophosphates which are also toxic for people. Whether as an individual, you ‘like’ insects or not, we need them. Without their help in recycling nutrients and keeping soil healthy, it would be much harder to grow crops, and the three quarters of our crops that require insect pollinators would produce little or nothing. We could not feed the growing human population without the help of insects, so we have a very pressing, personal reason to look after them. Yet, 41% face extinction. It’s not too late to bring them back, but urgent action is needed. We can all do our bit, by making the communities we live in more insect- friendly. Simple, non-intervention practices such as allowing wildflowers to grow alongside paths, on parish greens and in churchyards, to more specific changes like declaring pesticide-free towns. Download the Wildlife Trust report as a PDF here Reversing-the-Decline-of -Insects-Report-EMBARGO-08.07.20-FINAL.pdf (1 download) Sign up for your free guide here . Kent Wildlife Trust Tell us what you’re up to. Post the actions you’re taking on social media, use #ActionForInsects and tag @kentwildlife

17 GOOD NEWS FOR CRICKET IN HOLLINGBOURNE

Many would have been saddened by the closure of Hollingbourne Cricket Club in 2018, only a couple of years short of its 150-year anniversary. All sports clubs rely on the dedicated support of volunteers and the commitment of local people and sometimes this cannot be found.

But all has not been lost. Following discussions, between the Committees of Hollingbourne Cricket Club and Bearsted Cricket Club, it was agreed that the latter would take on the Hollingbourne ground, to provide extra facilities, and offer continued cricket options for Hollingbourne locals. Many of the HCC players, who had a desire to continue playing, joined Bearsted CC to great success, and some have also joined the BCC committee. This year BCC has invested a lot in some much-needed refurbishments to the pavilion and playing surface and will be looking to invest further in the entire ground over the coming years.

This new arrangement began with a cracking start in 2019, with the Hollingbourne ground used for Kent County age group representative games, Bearsted Junior Cricket and a T20 competition. Probably not many in our village were aware of this.

Although 2020 has been a wipe-out for many team sports, coaching of young cricketers, in line with Kent Cricket and ECB return to cricket guidelines, has been taking place at the ground, in preparation for a healthier 2021. Moving forward, it is expected that, after the improvements made, many more Kent County age group games will be taking place in the village, along with a planned increase in the number of junior and senior BCC matches.

It is wonderful to know that cricket matches will continue in the village. It is hoped to publish, in the Village Magazine, the dates and times of games being played – full fixtures and news about the club and other events can be found on the Bearsted Cricket Club website (www.bearstedcricketclub.co.uk). The ground is situated a few hundred yards from the Dirty Habit on the Pilgrims Way (going east).

Do please support cricket in the village, in such beautiful surrounding, by watching matches, lending a hand and giving support to this venture.

David Patton Chairman Bearsted Cricket Club 18 19 Monday, 7th September, Southeastern will be introducing a new timetable.

It takes 84 days for the average schoolboy to outgrow a pair of shoes.

Fire Wood Logs Kindling Seasoned firewood suitable for all fires from local coppiced woods.

Please call Norman 07733.328715

20 The Great Leeds Book Sale

We are planning to hold the annual Great Leeds Book Sale again this year. It will have to be subject to whatever restrictions are in force at the time and, if there is a “second virus wave” in the Autumn, we will have to be prepared for it to be postponed at the last minute. The proposed dates are Friday October 23rd from 4.00pm to 8.30pm and Saturday October 24th from 10.00am to 2.30pm at St. Nicholas’ church Leeds. Put those dates in your diary now! This is a littler later than last year, partly because we received complaints last year that it was too early in the year, and partly to fit in with other events like Harvest and Remembrance. Note that we are again opening on Friday evening for people who can never make Saturday mornings – many have said they found it helpful. There will be some 14,000 books for sale – yes 14,000! – so something must be there to suit everyone’s taste. As well as paperbacks and hard-backs for a quiet read yourself, there are plenty of splendid books in as-new condition which would make excellent gifts.

This sale is of a size which means it is an event for all the parishes around. If you can help in any way, please call Brian Hardy (see below).

It has also become also an occasion to meet up with friends over a cup of tea or coffee; to be honest we may not be able to do that this year if the current virus restrictions continue, but we certainly will provide refreshments if it possible.

If your bookcases are already full, it is not too late to make some space for more or our inexpensive purchases by donating some books to the sale; give Brian Hardy a ring to agree a time for delivery - but no old magazines, videos or second-hand toys please; save these for the next jumble sale or boot fair; and please no encyclopaedias or old text -books – we can’t sell them nowadays.

If you would like more information about this important local happening, please give me a ring on 01622 842915, or email [email protected] Otherwise, just come along!

Brian Hardy.

21 The Corona Virus emergency has seriously disrupted our plans for services at St Margaret’s this year.

Next Service 4th October 11-00 am Holy Communion (Followed by APCM )

Please note that Hucking Electoral Role is being revised. A new Hollingbourne & Hucking combined Electoral Role is being prepared. (Closing Dates 6 th & 13 th September)

To meet the very stringent Covid 19 guidelines and to ensure that social distancing can be maintained during the service in this very small church building , it is essential that anyone wishing to attend contact the Churchwarden at least 24 hours before:-

David Silsbey 01622 884631 St Margaret’s Churchwarden

22 All in the month of September

400 years ago , on 6 th September, 1620, that 102 English Puritans (now known as the Pilgrims) set sail aboard the Mayflower from Plymouth, for a new life in America. After a perilous journey they landed in what is now Provincetown Harbour, Cape Cod, Massachusetts on 11th November. They had intended landing in Virginia, but were unable to reach it because of heavy seas.

150 years ago, on 20 th September, 1870, that Rome was captured. Italian forces defeated the Papal States and captured the city of Rome at the end of the wars of Italian Unification. The Papal States were dissolved. Rome was annexed, and it became the capital of Italy in 1871.

125 years ago , on 28 th September 1895 that Louis Pasteur died. This French biologist, microbiologist and chemist was one of the main founders of the field of medical microbiology. Best known for originating the pasteurization of foodstuffs to eliminate micro-organisms that cause disease, Pasteur saved the French beer, wine and silk industries and developed vaccines against anthrax and rabies.

65 years ago, on 22 nd September, 1955, that Britain’s first independent television channel, ITV, was launched. It ended the BBC’s monopoly. Regional franchises were rolled out across the whole country by 1965.

60 years ago, on 27 th September, 1960, that Sylvia Pankhurst, suffragette leader, died.

50 years ago , on 19 th September, 1970, that the first Glastonbury Festival was held, at Worthy Farm near Pilton, Somerset. About 1,500 people attended (compared to 135,000 today). It became an annual event from 1981 and is now the world’s largest greenfield festival. The first festival was billed as the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival.

40 years ago, on 22 nd September, 1980, that the Solidarity movement was created in Poland, with Lech Walesa as its leader. It was the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc.

25 years ago , on 3 rd September, 1995, that the auction site eBay was founded (as AuctionWeb).

20 years ago, on 17 th September, 2000, that Paula Yates, TV presenter (The Tube, The Big Breakfast ) died of a heroin overdose, aged 41. Wife of the musician Bob Geldof, she was also noted for her relationship with the musician Michael Hutchence. She was the daughter of Hughie Green, host of the talent show Opportunity Knocks , though she did not discover this until late in life.

15 years ago , on 24 th September, 2005, that the IRA decommissioned its last remaining weapons in front of independent inspectors.

23 Leeds Castle and Hollingbourne Garden Society

Your Leeds Castle & Hollingbourne Garden Society have regretfully decided that it is not viable, for many reasons in these difficult and unpredictable times, to hold the September Show nor the Annual Supper.

Everyone longs for a solution to the Covid 19 situation and we look forward to the time when we can all get together once more and share the things we enjoy, hopefully come 2021.

In the meantime we hope everyone manages to stay safe and well and thoroughly enjoy their gardens.

24 CARPETS, VINYL & NATURAL FLOORING ALL LEADING BRANDS SUPPLIED & INSTALLED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ QUALITY, RELIABILITY & VALUE AS STANDARD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A FAMILY RUN BUSINES FOR OVER 25 FULLY INSURED YEARS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHOOSING CARPETS 01622 880596 MADE EASY [email protected]

25 Hollingbourne Meadows Trust - News Bulletin September 2020

I have, in previous months, encouraged everyone to enjoy the Meadows for what they are during these difficult times. The Meadows are only a short walk from most homes in the village and this presents wonderful countryside on our doorsteps, where we can go to walk and exercise. Please enjoy the countryside that surrounds our village and remember to pick up your dog’s deposits, bag them and either take them home or place them in one of the dog bins provided. Do not leave bags or litter anywhere else in the Meadows. However, this brings me on to two recent issues.

Firstly, the photograph shows the remains of a gathering in the Meadows near to the railway embankment. The Meadows is an open space for all to enjoy at all hours of the day, but with this freedom comes responsibility. Please feel free to walk and roam the Meadows but please follow the Government's guidelines, safeguard yourselves and take your litter home with you. The Meadows is managed by volunteers and whatever is left must be picked up by someone else. This is not acceptable behaviour and it is also detrimental for nature and wildlife. Whatever you bring into the Meadows must be taken home and that includes dog deposits!

The second issue concerns an incident in July between two sets of dog- walkers. While I am not able to give details, it is imperative that everyone taking dogs into the Meadows must consider others. When other visitors or volunteers are working in the Meadows, the Trust asks that dogs are kept on leads. Even the most placid dog can change when it sees or meets another dog or person. I would like to remind everyone that not all visitors are comfortable when a dog runs up to them even if they do not bark. We have all heard the phrase from dog-walkers – ‘He won’t harm you, he is only pleased to see you’!

Please be considerate to others! The Meadows is for all not just for walking your dog!

The crossing point in Tilefields Meadows

Above are photographs of the new crossing point in Tilefields Meadows.

26 Work has progressed well and the structure is almost completed. Works still to be done include the re-seeding, which will be carried out as soon as the weather is suitable. Please come and look at what is achieved with some of the donations the Trust receives. If you would like more information about this project then please do not hesitate to ask Ben Williams.

During the lockdown the Trust gained 10 new 'Friends of the Meadows'. Their contributions will provide much needed additional regular income. A huge Thank You to these new ‘Friends’ and, as with all donations either regular or one off, if you are a taxpayer then filling in a Gift Aid form will give us an additional 25% at no cost to the donor. Please see the link below. http://www.hollingbournemeadowstrust.co.uk/files/ Charity_GAD_Multiple_Donations .

To allow you to enjoy the freedom, Hollingbourne Meadows Trust Needs You! The monthly running costs must still be maintained in order not only to keep the area legal and safe, but also to keep it in the condition that we have all come to expect and enjoy.

The Trust relies totally on donations!

The Trust needs regular contributions so that it operates both safely and legally and to be able to plan maintenance and improvements to the land. Trust needs you to consider becoming a Friend of the Meadows by donating a regular amount.

Why not become a ‘Friend of the Meadows’ and set up a regular donation direct debit to HTML of a minimum £5 per month? Each new ‘Friend’ would go towards covering our regular maintenance costs.

If you would like further details of the Meadows Trust or be a ‘Friend of the Meadows’ and would like to support this asset which is for the whole community or if anyone is interested in sponsoring a tree which would make a great present for a loved one, then please visit www.hollingbournemeadowstrust.co.uk or any member of the Trust . There is more information on the HMT website along with the details of other projects and this can be found on www.hollingbournemeadowstrust.co.uk , on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/Project100HMTL/ and there is also a website where donations can be made at https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/ hollingbournemeadowstrust .

27 Sheds and Shelters Ltd

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28 The Rectory St James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren

I think your idea for both our Confirmation groups getting together for a weekend away – socially distanced, of course - was excellent and our meeting last week drew most of the plans together. We didn’t take any minutes, so let me record the decisions I believe we made.

Since all of us have to sleep far apart at the centre, I am prepared to spend the nights at a local hotel. By chance, I have found that there is a four star one only a few miles away, so I have booked myself in.

As the dining area in the youth centre may be cramped, I am also willing to have dinner each evening at the hotel, thereby creating more space for the rest of you. An additional sadness is that, since breakfast at the hotel is not served until 8am, I will not be able to join you either for your pre-breakfast dip in the nearby stream. It would be grossly unfair to expect you to pack lunch for me, so I will arrange for the hotel to provide me with a picnic hamper for one which I can have while you all enjoy your cheese and pickle sandwiches.

I think it will be an excellent learning experience if you prepare all the teaching sessions yourself, but be assured that I will always be on hand to give the advice of experience. That large armchair near the fire in the common room seems to be the best place for me to sit, so I can keep an eye on proceedings, while I take on the responsibilities for stoking the fire. This reminds me; do make sure that the young people are encouraged to saw enough logs each morning for me to fulfil my obligations.

Naturally, my arthritis will prevent me being able to accompany you on your afternoon hikes, but I will cheerfully park my car wherever you leave the minibus, to provide a second vehicle in case of emergencies. I do not mind in the least waiting all those long hours until you get back; I have already found an attractive tea shop in the village.

I am fully aware that not sleeping or dining at the centre, not being responsible for preparing the teaching, nor being involved on the walks will mean that my contributions will be ever so slightly limited, but these are sacrifices I gladly make in order to give you further experience in your ministerial career.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

29 30 To advertise in this Gary Tickle magazine, please Conservation bricklayer/ builder contact Phil Smith on 01622.880.680 All building works undertaken philip.smithsmith@ btinternet.com

Specialising in :- when replying to an advertisement, please mention this publication Alterations, chimneys Brickwork, lime mortar & flint work

Mobile: 07710 096506 Home: 01795 881784

Email: [email protected]

31 32 Keith Harris January 1947 – July 2020.

Keith Harris sadly passed away on Friday, 24th July.

Keith was a one-off, a character and an original. None of us will see the like of Keith again and, no matter how he featured in your life, you will never forget him.

Keith had fought poor health for many years, but it wasn’t always obvious. His determination, willpower, stubborness and sheer love of life, even when he was very poorly, meant that he often had more energy and vitality than the rest of us. I remember, just after he had had a major procedure on his heart, for the next St George’s revue I wanted to fire him out of a cannon. He looked me in the eye to make sure I was serious and then nodded. “Yeah, I can do that, let’s do it.” And we did. Keith was a complex man and had many layers. An incredibly creative and imaginative person. He was a successful businessman, a family man, a man who endured, survived and beat his addiction problems, a man who gave his time freely to help others struggling with the similar problems. But the thing he seemed born to do was to make people laugh. On stage he was able to use his small stature and his impeccable comic timing to make people cry with laughter. He was a long-standing member of the Hollingbourne Pantomime group and took part in dozens of productions over the years. His first Panto was ‘Robin Hood 1985’, when he played Hereward Sheepshank, a tax collector. Keith thought about his role and decided to arm himself with a sword. The sword he came up with was taller than he was and, when it was tucked into his belt, it was a nuisance to the cast because every time Keith turned round he would hit a cast member with it. A precedent had been set. The next Panto was ‘Robinson Crusoe in Space’ and Keith played a Galactic Elder called Arcturus. You would not believe how slowly a person could talk. Keith managed to make a fairly small part into a much bigger one.

Another precedent set. The following year Keith was the first person to write a Hollingbourne Pantomime other than Peter Bonds and Derek Manners, who had started the whole thing off.

Keith wrote three pantomimes, ‘Mother Goose’ in 1987, ‘Red Riding Hood II’ in 1990 and ‘Humpty Dumpty’ in 2013. All of them were very funny, very visual and great fun for cast and audience alike. It’s hard to single out the pantomime characters that Keith developed, but a few come to mind. Blind Pew in ‘Dick Whittington’ 1988 - a one-legged seaman with an incontinent parrot on his shoulder - this was another tiny part which grew and grew. He was brilliant as the Pink Fairy in ‘Pinocchio’ and who could forget him as a ‘Dream Maiden’ in King Arthur. In ‘Rumplestiltskin’ in 2000 Keith played Mr Weft and somehow contrived to make the word ‘Casino’, or ‘Cah-seeen-ooh’ as he put it, stick in your mind for days afterwards.

33 Keith was also involved in many of the local Drama group productions over the years - acting, producing, providing publicity or doing front of house. In Richard Harris’s ‘Outside Edge’ he was wonderful as Kevin and, in the spring of 2006, he gave an absolutely delightful and moving performance in Dennis Potter’s ‘Blue Remembered Hills’. Keith loved being part of the St George’s Players and, amongst many other roles, he was unforgettable as an 8-foot tall German Commandant; a handsome, sultry Mr Darcy and as Mr Hugh Cumber, the first person to be fired out of a cannon in Hollingbourne village Hall.

Keith will be very sadly missed by all that knew him. His enthusiasm was infectious and his spirit and lust for life unquenchable. A small man with a huge personality and an even bigger heart. Rest in peace Keith.

God Bless. Glen Bryan

FLOWER ROTA FOR ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Sue King, who has organised the flower rota for many years, has resigned this position.

Volunteers (more always welcome) decorate the church - you do not need to be an expert. A rota needs to be distributed. At the moment, each volunteer is allocated two two-week dates roughly six months apart (making four weeks in all) and everyone chips in for the great Festivals.

If you would be willing to draw up the annual rota (or add your name to the list of volunteers), please contact Val Lurcock (5880694) or Christine Jones (688830) – churchwardens.

34 OPERATION BROCK

Works to implement the ‘Operation Brock’ are set to begin again in September on the M20. Originally planned for December essential works are now due to take place from next month between junctions 9 and 8 on the M20.

The new moveable barrier on the M20 would be deployed when required as part of a system to minimise disruption to drivers and Kent communities.

The system will allow port-bound lorries to be held on the motorway and at the same time help ensure other traffic continues to run in both directions. Unlike previous solutions it also means that, when it is not deployed, the M20 motorway can operate with three lanes running in each direction, at 70mph.

To prepare for the new system Highways England need to do some work on the hard shoulder of the M20 from September. This will be between junctions 9 and 8 of the London-bound carriageway. There will be overnight or lane closures between these junctions from Tuesday 1 September until the end of November .

The London-bound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 9.00pm and 6.00am , from Tuesday 1 September until Friday 11 September and at the same times between Monday 16 November and Wednesday 25 November . Please check online for any updates.

During the work, the London-bound carriageway will be reduced to two lanes with a speed limit of 50mph during the day.

Whenever the London-bound carriageway is closed diversion routes will be in place. These are:

Junction 9 to 8 London bound diversion route: Traffic will be diverted from junction 9 via the A20 to re-join the M20 at junction 8.

Vehicles over 4.7m high need to follow a different route, which is to turn around at junction 9 to re-join the M20 towards Dover, then the A20, the A2, then the M2. Drivers should then leave the M2 for the A249, to re-join the M20 at junction 7 and head back towards junction 8.

I can always tell when I am going to give birth to an idea. My writer’s cramps start coming two minutes apart. - Anon Looking at modern art is like trying to follow the plot in a bowl of alphabet soup. – Anon I’ve worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty. - Groucho Marx 35 Church Road, Hucking, Kent ME17 1QT. Tel : 01622.880272 Here at The Hook and Hatchet Inn we have a number of desirable amenities other than just our fabulous bar and dining area - paired with a wide selection of beers, ales, spirits and wines and also fantastic homemade pub food!

We are a dog friendly pub and also have an area for horses to be tied up and watered free of charge outside too!

With regular events and on site camping we pride ourselves on being able to offer a country pub experience different from the rest.

We look forward to welcoming you to our establishment soon . OPENING HOURS

LORNAS BAR

Monday, Tues, Thurs 12-8 pm Wednesday 12-9 pm Friday & Saturday 12-10 pm Sunday 12-8 pm

BURGER SHACK

REGULAR EVENTS Monday, Tues, Thurs12-7 pm ALTERNATE MONDAYS - QUIZ NIGHT AND BINGO NIGHT 8.00 PM Wednesday 12-8 pm (Wheelie Wed 5-8 pm Curry & Chips or TWO-WHEELED TUESDAY Chilli £10)

DARTS ON TUESDAY 8pm Friday & Saturday 10am-9 pm

THURSDAY OPEN MIKE WITH JOSH ROOTS & (Fish Friday 5-8 pm Fish & Chips £10) CO 9.00 pm Sunday 10 am-7 pm

CLASSIC CAR FRIDAYS (1st Friday)

CLASSIC BIKE FRIDAYS (3rd Friday) No table bookings SADDLE UP SATURDAYS (2nd Saturday) Cash preferred MUSIC QUIZ (3rd Saturday)

BAND NIGHT (last Saturday) 36 A D Pink Electrical Local Family Business All types of electrical installations Full rewires to single sockets Garden and security lighting Fully insured NICEIC Part P Domestic Installer Tel 01622 884774/07761559744 Email: [email protected]

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Interior/Exterior

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37 Local professional mortgage advice and recommendations to include…

Purchases/Re-mortgages/First-Time-Buyers Buy-To-Let/Let-To-Buy/Right-To-Buy Commercial Mortgages/Equity Release Building & Contents/Life Protection Critical Illness Protection/Income Protection

Please contact GREG on 07956 549488 or Email: [email protected] CeMAP & CeRER qualified

Braemar Mortgage Services Limited is an independent mortgage adviser and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority – FCA No. 495806

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Computer Problems? Need an upgrade or a new machine? Just want some extra tuition?

For local, friendly, experienced help, call Architectural & Interior Design Mike Cuerden on 0162201622----859442859442 or 07963 020092 Residential Commercial Extensions Alterations No call out fee New Builds Bldg Regs Reasonable rates LA Planning & Listed Buildings Private and commercial work No job too small Tel: 01622 880006 / 07785 544255 Harrietsham Computers PORTICO ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS 6 Tilefields, Hollingbourne, ME17 1TZ E-mail: [email protected]

38 Pest Control Services All Pest Problems Dealt With Including: Rats Mice Moles Rabbits Insects Wasps Squirrels Bee Swarms Removed

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FOR THAT SPECIAL PARTY OR MEETING. WE CAN CATER FOR YOUR NEEDS

Please call 07932.164839

39 VILLAGE DIARY 2020 September 2nd 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 12th Ride & Stride 14 th 7.30 pm Parish Council Meeting On Line 15 th 7.30 pm W.I. Meeting Village Hall 16 th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 17 th 7.00 pm Hucking WI Meeting Little Budds Farm 27 th 11.00 am Harvest Festival All Saints Church 30 th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall October 4th 11.00 Communion & APCM St. Margarets Church, Hucking 10 th 7.30 pm W.I 95 th Anniversary Event 11 th 11.00 Communion & APCM for Hollingbourne & Hucking All Saints Church 12 th 7.30 pm Parish Council Meeting On Line 14 th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 15 th 7.00 pm Hucking WI Meeting Little Budds Farm 20 th 7.30 pm W.I. Meeting Village Hall 23 rd 4-8.30 pm Leeds Book Sale St. Nicholas Church, Leeds 24 th 10 am-2.30 pm Leeds Book Sale St. Nicholas Church, Leeds 25 th Summer Time ends 27 th Village Hall AGM Village Hall 28 th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 31 st Halloween November 5th Guy Fawkes Night 9th 7.30 pm Parish Council Meeting On Line 11 th Remembrance Day 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 17 th 7.30 pm W.I. Meeting Village Hall 19 th 7.00 pm Hucking WI Meeting Little Budds Farm 25 th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall December 5th 10.00 am Christmas Fair Village Hall 8th 7.30 pm W.I. Christmas Party Village Hall 9th 12.10 pm Mobile Library Village Hall 14 th 7.30 pm Parish Council Meeting On Line 17 th 7.00 pm Hucking WI Meeting Little Budds Farm 24 th Christmas Eve 25 th Christmas Day 26 th Boxing Day 31 st New Year’s Eve Items in red are new dates Please send information for Village Diary and Regular Meetings to Carole Findlay 880244/ [email protected]

40 REGULAR MEETINGS After school Club: Schooldays to 6 pm Cardwell Pavilion Bellringing Practice Mondays 7.30 - 9.30 pm All Saints Church Tower Bourne Musicians (3 months - 5 years): Fridays 9.30 - 11 am Village Hall Brownies: Wednesdays 6.00-7.15 pm Cardwell Pavilion Cubs: Fridays 6.30 - 7.45 pm Kingswood Scout Hut Explorers: Thursdays 7.30 - 9.30 pm Kingswood Scout Hut Hucking WI L 3rd Thursday 7.00 pm Little Budds Farm Mobile Library Wednesdays (fortnightly) 11.55 am – 12.25 pm Village Hall Parish Council: 2nd Monday (except August) 7.30 pm Cardwell Pavilion Pilates Classes Thursday mornings Village Hall Pre-School: Every School Day 9.15 am – noon Cardwell Pavilion Reading Group : Monthly Contact: Barbara Lloyd 880282 Dawn Perry 880634 School Terms Term 1: 2nd September - 23rd October Term 2: 2nd November - 18th December Term 3: 4th January - 12th February Term 4: 22nd February - 1st April Term 5: 19th April - 28th May Term 6: 7th June - 16th July Scouts: Wednesdays, 7.00 – 9.00 pm Kingswood Scout Hut Short Mat Bowls: Mondays (not 2 nd ) 2-4pm Village Hall Thursdays 7.30 – 9.30 pm Village Hall WI Meetings: 3rd Tuesday (Not August) 7.30 pm Village Hall Other Tuesday (July-September) Boules 6.30 pm Cardwell Pavilion

Carole Findlay : [email protected]

41 Hollingbourne Neighbourhood Contacts are able to put you in touch with friends living in Hollingbourne who will be happy to drive you to the doctor’s surgery or hospital.

Ashford Road Sarah Leggat 630226 Athelstan Green Pete Brown 07977.134771 Bourneside Terrace Janice Butler 880382 Broad Street Lynn Bryan 880200 Claygates & Godfrey House Vacant Copse End & Culpeper Close Vacant Eyhorne Green Vacant Eyhorne Street (North side 1-53 Marilyn Walker 880851 (North side 57-103) Janice Butler 880382 (North side Godfrey Meadow) Christine Maynard 880613 (North side railway- school) Vacant (South side Cotuams - 40) Marilyn Walker 880851 (South side 42-54 & 78-88) Janice Butler 880382 (South side 56-66) Judi Mills 880378 (South side 104-126) Vacant Firs Lane Sarah Leggat 630226 Greenway Court Vacant Hadley Gardens Vacant Hasteds Judi Mills 880378 Hollingbourne Hill Katie Brice 880520 Hospital Road Jean Wellman 880598 Manor Lane June Pockett 880763 Musket Lane Pete Brown 07977.134771 Pilgrims Way Pam Nash 880309 Road Katie Brice 880520 Tilefields Vacant Troys Mead Christine Maynard 880613 Upper Street June Pockett 880763

For Hospital transport arranged through Maidstone Volunteer Bureau Phone 01622 756662 at least 3 days before your appointment.

THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE ON HOLD WHILE THE COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE. If you need help, please telephone your contact for advice.

Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Editor or Parochial Church Council. We reserve the right to edit, and the right not to print: no reason will be given. Contributions will not be printed anonymously. Advertising space is sold in good faith. No responsibility can be taken for the quality of goods or services offered.

42 43

WOODS OF HOLLINGBOURNE 52 EYHORNE STREET, HOLLINGBOURNE,

ME17 1TS

WE are SERVING: •FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE AND CONVINIENCE ITEMS

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OPEN MONDAY/TUESDAY 8AM - 2 PM WEDMESDAY -SATURDAY 8 AM - 6PM SUNDAY 8 AM - 1 PM

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT:

As a result of the unfolding Covid-19 crisis, we currently prioritising the supply of fresh, local products to members of Hollingbourne and the surrounding community. We are currently receiving deliveries of

• Fresh baked bread and cakes • Milk and dairy products • Fresh meat from Doughty Butchers • Local free-range eggs • A range of Fruit and Vegetables has been significantly increased

We are also offering a FREE local delivery service (3 mile radius) for those who are self-isolating or those who are unable to leave their property.

Please call us on 01622.880.338 to organise a delivery.

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CAR PARKING AVAILABLE BEHIND THE SUGAR LOAVES PUB

44