Doddington, Newnham & Wychling Newsletter August 2020 CHURCH SERVICES IN THE PARISH AUGUST 2020

Whilst some of our churches have been open for private prayer, we are now able to open more for Sunday worship. Please see details below for local services. Other services within the group of parishes can be found on the website. Some of these services will also be available as audio on the website if you cannot attend in person.

Social distancing will have to be maintained during the service and sadly due to guidelines there will be no singing.

Sanitiser will be available on entry to the church building and this should also be used before taking communion, which will either be taken to Congregants or a queuing system introduced. There will be no use of the altar rail and kneeling together. Nor will there be refreshments after the service.

We look forward to welcoming those that are able to attend.

26th July 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 7th after Trinity 10.30am Moring Worship Doddington 5.15pm Breakthrough Prayer Lynsted 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted

2nd August 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 8th After Trinity 10.30am Holy Communion Teynham 5.15pm Breakthrough Prayer Lynsted 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted

9th August 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 9th After Trinity 10.30am Holy Communion Doddington

16th August 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 10th After Trinity 10.30am Morning Worship Newnham

23rd August 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 11th After Trinity 10.30am Morning Worship Teynham

30th August 9.00am Morning Prayer Lynsted 12th After Trinity 10.30am Morning Worship Doddington www.kingsdownandcreekside.co.uk .

Church Wardens Contact Details: Newnham: Bruce Leckie (01795) 890550 Dave Buckett (01795) 890240 Doddington: Les Roberts (01795) 886332 Matthew Jevons (01795) 886341 Wychling: Robbie Jardine (01795) 886165 Linda Yates (01795) 830285

2 Change?

When I was an 11year old I attended a summer camp for boys, which I went on to lead for a couple of years as an adult. This camp was and its successors are part of West Runton Holidays and some will know that Jane and I have been part of the Kart Camp team for the last decade or so. Sadly all the holidays had to be cancelled this year due to the Covid19 pandemic.

The reason for mentioning this is a song that I learnt at that camp in the ‘Large Marquee’ (and it was in reality a large marquee) where the daily evening worship was held.

Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same, All may change, but Jesus never, glory to His name! Glory to His name! Glory to His name! All may change, but Jesus never, glory to His name!

In fact looking the up I discovered that this is a chorus from a hymn, but we just sang the chorus which for us came out of a CSSM or Scripture Union book of choruses.

It was a favourite of many of the boys attending the camp (many years later the camp has become one for both boys and girls), and on the evenings where favourites could be asked for (in fact it was a way of entertaining us on a wet evening!) this was very popular. One of the leaders used to say, “We can have this song as long as someone could tell him the bible reference of the verse it is taken from.” “Hebrews 13:8,” we used to be itching to say! Well it was one way of encouraging us to learn bible verses and where they were from.

And so Hebrews 13:8 has stuck with me for all these years. And not only stuck with me it has been an important part of my life; in all the ups and downs of life I have been encouraged, held by, reassured by this verse. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

It has struck me that how important this is for us today. In the most of our changing world, and how it has changed for us since March, Jesus remains the same. Jesus is a constant where so much is a variable.

Our Church buildings were shut in March; our last Sunday was 15th March. We have been able to worship together through our on-line offerings. I have learnt how to live-stream; stitch audio clips together to make a complete service; to create a video service and many of us have learnt how to access these things for the first time.

Now we are beginning to open our Churches for worship slowly and carefully. As I write we have had our first Communion Service in a Church building since lockdown 18 weeks since the previous one. But it is different. 2 metre markings on the path on the way into Church; being taken to a specific seat; no singing although we can listen to music; signing the Peace to each other; Communion distributed very differently.

More change and more variables. I suspect that change hasn’t finished as yet. As I write, I am waiting for the National Church’s advice in the wearing of face coverings that becomes mandatory in shops as well as other areas from Friday 24th July.

BUT whatever change there is, whatever restrictions there are in how we can do things we have the assurance that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever and I can sing that song (silently in my head!) ‘All may change, but Jesus never, glory to His name.

So whatever change we are experiencing at the moment let us please be reassured by this promise of God. Let us reaffirm the foundation that life in all its fullness is built on - our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

May we all continue to know God’s blessings in the midst of all that we are experiencing at present.

Steve Lillicrap

www.kingsdowncreekside.co.uk 3 A defibrillator can be found on the north wall of Doddington Village Hall and also on the Porch wall of Newnham Village Hall. Until further notice no gatherings on this page will take place What’s On Doddington Village Hall (unless otherwise stated) Weekly PILATES – Thursdays 12 noon – Contact: Julie Patching, email: [email protected]***NEW MEDAU - exercise, move, & dance your way to fitness! Tuesdays 9.45am -11am, Contact Jane 01795 886267 Valley Players: Tuesday evenings, September to December from 7.30pm. If you are interested in helping or taking part in future productions pop in and leave your name and contact details. Backstage help particularly welcome. Contacts Les Roberts 01795 886332 and Pam Cowan 01795 886246. Buddies Parent and Toddler Group: Thursday morning (term-time) 10.00 to 11.30. All children aged 0 - 4 and their carers are most welcome. Contacts Laura 07930 710755 and Francesca 07968 168824. Doddington Ukulele Movement: Thursday evenings 8pm. Contact: Bob Allen: 01795 886848, [email protected] Monthly Doddington Parish Council : 2nd Monday 7.30 pm. Local residents welcome to observe, and there is a section for questions and comments from the public. Historical Research Group: 4th Monday 7.30pm. Exploring local history and archaeology in the three parishes. Enquiries to Paula 01795 886165 or email: [email protected] Newnham Village Hall (unless otherwise stated) Weekly Youth Club: It would be useful if those parents interested in their teenagers having a youth club could contact the Parish Council (see page 11 for contact details). U3A Art Group: Every Monday afternoon 1-4pm. Contact: Sue 01795 890627. Newnham Brownies: 5.30pm - 7.00pm every Tuesday (term-time only). Contact: Val - 890240 Tea and Chat: 2pm on 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month but during summer months 3rd Thursday only. Newnham Folk Dance Group: Friday 8.00pm - 10.00pm. 01227 264322 Monthly Newnham Parish Council Meeting: 2nd Thursday each month at 8pm Nearby towns and villages Medau: Tuesdays 7.15-8.30pm Tunstall CoE Primary School; Wednesdays 9.45-11.00am Norton Village Hall; Thursdays 9.30-10.45 & 11.15am-12.30pm Tunstall Village Hall; 1.45pm-3.00pm Boughton Village Hall Plus special seated class at Norton Village Hall each Wednesday 11.30am-12.30pm. Contact: Jane 01795 886267 Zumba: Day and evening classes in Teynham, Faversham and Eastling. Contact Leigh Miles 01795 890149, 07873431952, [email protected], or www. milesdanceandfitness.com

Guitar & Ukulele Group: The Chequers, Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.30pm, all levels welcome. Useful contacts Doddington Neighbourhood Watch: To be kept informed of local incidents and general notifications issued by the Kent NHW police, please email: [email protected] Suspicious happenings should be reported by phone on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Doddington Community Warden: Dave Osborne: 07813 712803 Doddington and Newnham online: www.doddingtonkent.btck.co.uk www.newnhampc.kentparishes.gov.uk. Facebook: Doddington Village and Newnham Village each have their own Facebook sites

Helen Whately: MP for Faversham and Mid Kent - email: [email protected] Address: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6472 4 DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman: Steve Coates 886378 Vice Chairman: Colin Jones 886857 Councillors: Kevin Attwood 886395, Graham Cuthbert 886365, Peter Duckworth 886112, Kevin Fraser 886623 and Sallie Shaw 886804 Clerk: Wendy Licence 01622 739324

This is a brief summary of the activities of the Parish Council including the remote meeting held on 13 July, the full minutes will be available on the Parish Council website when ratified. THE CHEQUERS INN The application to relist The Chequers Inn as an Asset of Value to the Community has been submitted. The application had been discussed with the new landlord who is very supportive. PLANNING MATTERS Ref: 20/502641/FULL Address: Victoria Bungalow The Street Doddington ME9 0BH Proposal: Demolition of garage and erection of detached garage. Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal. Ref: 20/502846/FULL Address: 6 The Retreat The Street Doddington ME9 0DB Proposal: Erection of detached garage Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal. Ref: 20/501763/FULL Address: Ellens Court Lady Margaret Manor Rd Doddington ME9 0NT Proposal: Retrospective application for installation of a heat pump. The application has been permitted. FINANCE The Internal Audit has been conducted and the Annual Governance and Accountability Return has been agreed. The Council has certified itself exempt from a limited assurance review under Section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015. A grant of £100 has been made to Citizens Advice Swale. SPEED WATCH Regular sessions are being carried out with speeding vehicles being reported to Kent Police. HIGHWAYS The Parish Council is working on a Parish Highways Improvement Plan for the village and this will help the Council to engage with KCC Highways to prioritise work. The plan will go out to residents for consultation. Councillors were concerned about the late removal by KCC Highways of road closure signs and County Councillor Bowles agreed to follow this up. PLAYING FIELD There will be no summer port-a-loo on the Playing Field due to the coronavirus and the Parish Council being unable to ensure an appropriate hygiene regime could be maintained Date of next Meeting: Monday 14 September 2020 at 7.30pm This will be a remote meeting, details of which can be found on the agenda when published. Please contact the Clerk for the login details of this meeting. There is a public time for residents to address the Council. Sign up for email alerts on the Parish Council’s website to receive notifications of planning matters, news and details of Council meeting.

5 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL Held Virtually On Thursday 9th July 2020

Present: Cllrs C Woods, S Gunner, S Elworthy, S Wickenden, S Gunner, P Pawlik, In attendance: Louise Bareham (Clerk), Cllr A Bowles (KCC), Cllr D Simmons (SBC)

Apologies for absence Cllrs E Turner, J Crampton

Declarations of Interest None

Minutes and Matters Arising Cllr Gunner reported that the telephone box is being cleaned by a resident but can only be used for emergency or reversed charge calls. Confirmation of ownership is required. The Clerk confirmed that NatWest were not accepting new customers and is awaiting responses on salt bins. The Clerk was asked to contact the Village Hall Committee regarding Wi-Fi. The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11th June were proposed by Cllr Elworthy and seconded by Cllr Gunner and on being put to the meeting it was resolved to agree the Minutes.

Open Session A concern was raised on behalf of residents regarding the raised voices of cyclists early mornings and whether anything could be done, such as a notice. The Clerk will investigate if other areas have similar issues. A member of the public asked what was the website address, it was confirmed it was still the ‘Weebly’ site*. Cllr Elworthy is unable to carry out the weekly checks on the outdoor gym, so another person needs to take responsibility. The Clerk will investigate.

Annual Governance Statement The Certificate of Exemption AGAR 2018/19 Part 2 was duly agreed and will be signed by the Chairman.

Highways Improvement Plan A number of items were noted to be included on the HIP, including speeding vehicles, Cllr Wickenden noted that lorry traffic had got worse. The lorry that blocked the road and then parked in Seed Road for a rest period were discussed. Another item to be added is regular cleaning of gulleys

Date of Next Meeting Thursday 10th September at 7.30pm

*The website new domain is now working – www.newnhamparishcouncil.org

NEWNHAM COUNCILLORS Colin Woods (Chairman) 890621, Sue Gunner (Vice Chairman) 890627, Sue Elworthy 886821, Jane Crampton 890491, Pippa Pawlik 07976301443, Emma Turner 07879225544 and Sally Wickenden 890965 Clerk: Louise Bareham 892149 email: [email protected] 6 STAY ALERT CONTROL THE VIRUS SAVE LIVES NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL – UPDATE Newnham Parish Council are happy to announce that our outdoor gym has been reopened for public use. Before you use the equipment, please ensure you follow our Safety Advice

CLEAN EQUIPMENT – To help protect yourself and others, please clean/disinfect touchpoint areas of the equipment before and after use.

HAND SANITISER – Use hand sanitizer before and after the usage of equipment

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING/NO CROWDING Remember to maintain a 2 m distance, or 1 m distance with a mask on from other household members.

Covid19 Guidance and Risk Check List for Outdoor Activities. Government guidance for England about Covid19 may change frequently. Up to date advice can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social- distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing 7 July History Notes Recollections of Herbert William John Wildash - as taken down by his daughter Jacquie in October 2013 and with subsequent additions, continued . . . .

Bom on 13th November 1919 to Ethel and Herbert Wildash who lived in Lynsted, opposite the Black Lion pub. One of the sisters married the butcher in Teynham and emigrated to Australia, never to be seen or heard of again. Only Arch kept in touch. Dad started his own business with me, now 18, based at 4, the Retreat, Doddington. He got permission from Mrs. Jeffries to use part of the old gas yard as a builder's yard. Dad and myself always maintained a good and respectful relationship with Mrs. Jeffries, while not bowing and scraping as some of the other employees did, even reversing out of the room in her presence. We were addressed by her as Mr. Wildash and John. Grandfather, Gilbert Kite had been game keeper on the estate in the time of Sir John Croft and had lost an eye in a shooting accident whilst beating for a pheasant shoot. The family later moved to Walnut Tree House and had a yard, and workshops next door. This was purchased from Miss Pauline Norrington, who live-d next door to the yard in Fernlea Cottages. She had a large window upstairs in her cottage so she could look down The Street, and spent much time watching what was going on from this vantage point. She was the Church organist. Dad and I built a bungalow for Stan Wood at Cellar Hill, Teynham. We did the brickwork and Arthur George and his two men were the carpenters and always wore white aprons and bowler hats. They had a timber yard in Teynham. One day Dad sent me to cut some wood and I didn't have a saw, so I used Arthur's saw. He caught me and was very angry and told me never to touch his tools. They were also undertakers and made coffins. They had no electrical equipment and all wood was cut with saws. Electrics and plumbing were sub-contracted. Dad did the plastering. For ceilings we put up lathes first then three coats of plaster. I knocked up the plaster known as " tanning the hair". I beat up lumps of bull's wool (hair from hides sold to the building trade) with two lathes sideways on until it was soft and separated and then mixed it with quick lime and sand to make a plaster. I would make a circle in the sand, throw in the lime and pour water on and it would boil overnight. Next morning it would be like putty. Then 3 buckets sand to 1 bucket of lime mixture a couple of handfuls of bull's wool, mix up, add a shovel full of cement and it was ready for the plasterer. The second levelling coat would be without the bull's wool. The following day that was hard and could be gone over with a final coat of syrupite skim. One of my first jobs was connecting the Chemist shop to the main sewer in Green Street. We dug a deep trench down the pathway to the shop. There was a manhole outside the Shop door. A Tunnel went under the road and I had to crawl down the tunnel out to the road to connect to the main sewer and then back out. The Brickfields were at Conyer with a shaft 175'tall. There were two brickmakers; The Butterfly brickmakers produced machine made bricks and the other one hand made bricks. A 'clamp' (1 million) of bricks would be built leaving connecting passages between them where fires would be built. They were set alight and the bricks would burn too. The man in charge of the burning had a responsible job as he had to decide how long to burn them for. The bricks nearest the centre would become fused together and would be used for burr walls (3or 4 bricks burnt together). There were different grades of bricks depending on how skillful the burning. Misshapen ones could be used for foundations. The hardest bricks would have been burnt the most. The raw materials for making the bricks came down from London on barges. This would include clinker plus other rubbish, nails etc. would be mixed with local clay. It came up Conyer creek for Conyer Brickworks and up Milton creek for the brick fields in Sittingbourne. If you look closely at local yellow stock houses you can sometimes see where a brick has weathered, blown, and you can see a rusty nail or old pair of scissors that was left in the brick making mix. Newington brickworks had red bricks. These were made in open kilns. The kiln was loaded with green bricks stacked above tunnels which had fires lit in them. Firing the bricks was a skilled job. The bricks would be stacked in various grades and qualities. Dad knew the owner of Newington Brickworks and we bought a lot of bricks from them. They also produced small briquettes for fireplaces etc. We worked on Eastling Vicarage which had dry rot. The fungus had got up behind the plaster and the walls had to be completely taken out, disinfected and rebuilt. The owner ran out of money and we had to leave the house stripped out until he recovered, and we could finish the job

Wychling Doddington Newnham Historical Research Group 8 ‘ Nature Notes - August As mentioned last month, Kathy and I have been wandering the parish during June and July, as I’ve been furloughed for a few weeks. The aim was to find as many different species as possible, just in the parish of Doddington, though in reality the emphasis has been on plants. Apart from putting out the moth trap a few times, we have only noted mammals, birds, insects and other animals as we have come across them, and have not deliberately sought them out. So – the results. In a calendar month from 11 June to 11 July, we found 317 different species of plants. This excludes any that had obviously been planted, but includes a surprising number of garden plants and other cultivated species which have, one way or another, made their way into the wild. This include Pink-sorrel, Monkeyflower and Rose Campion, all of which we found in the edges of woodland around the parish, as well as Wheat and Barley both growing on The Street, presumably from grain spilled from last year’s harvest. The plants came from 70 different plant families, though more than 11% of the total were members of the daisy family, the Asteraceae, which included such interesting plants as Heath Cudweed and Heath Groundsel growing in open areas in coppiced woodland, as well as the elegant Musk – or Nodding – Thistle, and the flat-to-the-ground Dwarf Thistle. The grass family – the Poaceae – were not far behind, with 30 different species, from the common, such as Cock’s-foot, to more specialised species such as Quaking Grass of old meadows and pastures and Wood Millet of ancient woodland. By contrast, 28 plant families were represented by just one species. These included the Yew (in the Taxaceae) in the churchyard and woods, Mistletoe (in the Viscaceae) by Sharsted Court, and the floating pond-plant Lesser Duckweed (in the Lemnaceae) in a cattle-trough. We managed 78 insects, of which nearly half were butterflies and moths. Small Elephant Hawkmoth – caught using the moth-trap (and released unharmed) – were great to see. Less welcome was the Box-tree Moth found during the day in our garden, especially as its caterpillars had clearly been making a feast of our box bushes. Bees, wasps and ants were also well-represented – one notable species was the Bryony Mining-bee, still a relatively scarce species, but one which has spread into North Kent over recent years. Bryony Mining-bees only collect pollen from White Bryony and are worth looking for on White Bryony flowers in early summer.

Thirty-nine bird species wasn’t a particularly good total, though it did include a Hobby high over the village and a Raven flying low enough over the church to be easily recognised with the naked eye. A Treecreeper in Oakenpole Wood was also a lucky find, as they are so quiet and well-disguised against tree bark. Amongst the plants were also five orchid species – Common Spotted-orchid, Common Twayblade, Bee Orchid, Early Purple Orchid and Pyramidal Orchid. The tally of 335 Pyramidal Orchids in Doddington Churchyard was a lot lower than last year, and the fact that many plants were small suggests that the strange spring weather had an impact. Of course, this doesn’t mean there actually were fewer plants, as many orchid species are happy to spend a year or two below ground if conditions don’t suit them. In fact, some of the plants were found in parts of the churchyard where they hadn’t been seen before, suggesting ongoing spread, despite fewer plants being in flower. Richard Moyse

9 Retired at last! Newnham Village 100 Club – July Draw results Your time to learn for pleasure, 1st prize No. 20 2nd prize No. 39 3rd prize No. 72 to laugh and to live! More than 40 different Next draw – 20th August 2020 activity groups, trips and social events with For details contact either Jeff Kirby 890095 or Steve Dixon 890205 Faversham & District U3A Get involved, Get in touch! For more information email memsec1fadu3agmail.com Or check out our website

DODDINGTON OPEN GARDENS Learn, Laugh & Live www.u3asites.org.uk We were very disappointed that this event had to be cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. In Or call 07954145904 order to help make up for this, we set up a Virtual Open All meetings and groups have been Gardens page on the village website featuring photos suspended for the time being but the website will continue to be updated from some of the gardens which would normally have with information on the current opened. You can view the photos at: situation. https://doddingtonkent.btck.co.uk/VirtualOpenGardens Elaine Coates An unwanted inheritance – Doddington & Wychling Website admin hundreds of recycled, garden pots – please help yourself to the pile outside Doughty’s shop in Doddington.

Eastling School News Eastling Primary School welcomed back pupils from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on 1st June in line with the government guidance. Shortly after this we were able to welcome children from the other year groups back to school. The children were delighted to be able to choose the name for their group bubble and they included banana, rainbow and galaxy. The children, staff and parents quickly adapted to the changes in routine from staggered drop off times to social distancing on the field.

The children have coped well with the changes including the increased amount of hand washing. Hearing and seeing children at work and play back at Eastling Primary School has been wonderful. The school successfully managed to have 2/3 of the school back for the final term.

Our Year 6 children have been particularly happy to spend time with their friends before moving on to their secondary schools. We have been able to provide them with a Sports Day, Circus Skills workshop and a socially distanced leaver’s assembly. It isn’t the send-off they deserve with no leavers party or school production but under the current circumstances it has given them some additional memories to take with them.

We are looking forward to welcoming the whole school community back in September. The school is delighted to have a full cohort for the new Reception class starting in September. It will be lovely to welcome new families into the Eastling Primary School community.

There are a few spaces available across the school. Any prospective parents are welcome to call the office on 01795 890252 to arrange a visit. For further information please visit our school website where photographs and newsletters are displayed and updated regularly. Headmistress, Melanie Dale 10 Stir Fever For Life’s Journey (with apologies to John Masefield)

I must go down to the shops again As it’s time I started roaming. And all I ask is a full purse And some bags to take things home in.

Our family has kept us fed And I’m grateful for their care, But I must go down to the shops again To make sure that they’re still there.

I’ll buy lots of things we do not need, Like brandy, port and sherry. Though we’ll probably never drink them, It will make me feel quite merry.

Then when I get back home again I’ll put away the booze And make a cup of coffee And sit and have a snooze.

Pam Hawkins

Edna and family would like to thank everyone from the villages and beyond for their cards, flowers, letters and shared memories of Charlie Clark. To all of you that gathered in The Street to pay your respects to Charlie, a heartfelt thankyou. Your love respect and support helped to carry us through such a difficult day, as we buried Charlie with “his Edna” in hospital. Rev. Steve Lillicrap helped make it a memorable service. Newnham Church and the flowers were breathtaking. Such thought, care and attention to every bloom. We hope Edna will be home soon and be able to see the love and beauty for herself. The George provided us with lovely refreshments in such difficult times, keeping us all safe. Finally, to the villagers who helped the mourner who fell in The Street, thankyou. You gave hours of time, cushions, comfort, tea and biscuits. Another example of how privileged we are to live In this community.

Edna, Susan, Stephen & Families. 11 KENT COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC PROTECTION have been sending out warnings of scams created by criminals, making use of the current crisis to obtain money from their victims, below is the latest that may find their way to your email address or letter box. Please DO NOT get anxious about any of this, if you have doubts about any emails you receive just delete them, without opening them.

Below are details of some more scams currently doing the rounds, to read the full account, please view them in your browser via the relevant code below each heading. Hawkhurst Resident Targeted by Banking Scam https://mailchi.mp/kent/hawkhurst-resident-targeted-by-banking-scam?e=c46e551643 The resident had a phone call from what they thought was their bank. It is a scam that can lose you money. What To Do: If you get a call from your bank – hang up. Check the line is clear and the caller has not stayed on the line, call a friend or family to check. Call your bank using the number on your card. Your bank will NEVER ask you to purchase vouchers or other items. Report to Citizens Advice. Misleading Information About Covid-19 https://mailchi.mp/kent/covid-19-misleading-information-alert?e=c46e551643

We have been made aware of residents in the Maidstone area receiving the anonymous leaflet below through their letter boxes. Please be aware that this information is misleading and potentially dangerous. It may lead some people to ignore important advice about symptoms or avoiding infection. We urge you to follow the Government guidance. Below is an extract from the 2-page leaflet - to read in full, please go to the https: address above.

Gravesend Resident Targeted by Sky Scam https://mailchi.mp/kent/gravesend-resident-targeted-sky-scam?e=c46e551643

The resident gets a telephone call from someone claiming to be from Sky. They offer the resident a discount due to their age and the COVID-19 pandemic. After giving their bank details they become unsure. They call Sky who advises it was not a genuine call but a scam. The resident then calls their bank to alert them and are told by their bank to move their money to another account to safeguard it. The resident moved over £40,000 to an account he was told to on the telephone call. This item is continued on next page 12 Continued from previous page What To Do: This is a scam. Never respond to unexpected or cold calls. This scam works because the criminal does not hang up the phone, so when the resident calls Sky and then his bank he is still connected and speaking with the criminals. If you think you have fallen for a telephone scam, check the line by dialing and speaking with a family member or friend. For advice and to report go online or telephone 0808 223 113. Doorstep Criminals Active in Sevenoaks Area https://mailchi.mp/kent/doorstep-criminals-active-in-sevenoaks-area?e=c46e551643

You receive a leaflet offering repairs or maintenance on your home. You contact the company and they offer to do some work for you. The cost of the work goes up. More work is found that needs to be carried out. The work is of poor quality and often unnecessary.

What To Do: Never respond to cold callers or unsolicited offers of repair work. If you need work carried out get 3 quotes. Ask family and friend for recommendations. Find a trader who is Trading Standards checked or is a member of Checkatrade who is Trading Standards Approved.

Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours of these scams. Keep up to date by following Kent Public Protection on social media. For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact: Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 Citizens Advice Scams Action Line on 0808 250 5050

Sally Mills is the Doddington Neighbourhood Watch coordinator and is happy to drop the yellow window sticker shown below through the letterbox of anyone who is concerned about cold callers – to request one, email her at [email protected]

CORONAVIRUS STAY ALERT TO THE RISK OF INFECTION For more ways to stay safe Go to gov.uk/coronavirus 13 THE GEORGE INN Tel: 01795 890237

We will be operating mainly in the garden weather permitting. If the weather is not good, we will operate indoors. In due course we will look at operating both inside and outside together.

Pub Opening Times Dates for the Diary!!!

Wednesday to Saturday Every Wednesday in August 12-3pm Food served 12-2pm “Eat out to Help out!!” 6-10pm food served 6.30-8.30pm Receive 50% off up to the value Saturday Breakfast of £10 per person when you 9.30-11am starts 1st August eat at The George on Wednesdays in August. Sunday 12-6pm food served 12-4pm Food Times Village Shop 12-2pm and 6.30-8.30pm Wednesday to Saturday 11-2pm Thursday 13th August Friday Takeaways Pie and a Pint Night £15 Please call or book at the shop to arrange your collection times Saturday 8th August Fish and Chips £5 Steak Night Scampi and chips £8.95 Saturday 22nd August Battered Halloumi and chips £7.00 Sausage and Chips £7.00 Pizza Night Sunday Lunch Takeaways Monday 31st August Bank Holiday Please call or book at the shop to BBQ in the garden 12-4pm arrange your collection times Sunday Menus can be collected from For delivery during coronavirus isolation, please the shop or found on our new website call us on 01795 890237, please let us know if you are SELF ISOLATING, Thank you. www.thegeorgeinnnewnham.co.uk

Doddington Gardeners

Do you enjoy gardening? if so, can you spare an hour or so once a month to help care for the traffic calming flower beds in Doddington? Please ring Jan West on 01795 886 227 for details or email [email protected]

14 CHEQUERS INN, DODDINGTON CHEQUERS INN, DODDINGTON 01795 886366 I’m thrilled to take on the tenancy of this lovely old [email protected] pub, especially as Kirsty and Chris are back to work A warm welcome from Dave, Kirsty, Chris with me. After being closed for 3 months there was and the team a lot to do. Fortunately family and friends all rallied Opening hours round to help us get it ready for our first customers Monday - closed on 4th July. Tuesday - Thursday 12noon – 3pm and 6pm – 11pm We have had to make some changes to meet Covid Friday 12 noon – 11pm, Saturday 9.30am – 11pm guidelines and keep it safe for staff and customers. Sunday 9.30am – 8pm What to expect when you visit - See board outside the pub or Facebook for changes One way system Food is available Leave contact details for track and trace Breakfast Saturday and Sunday 9.30 to 11.00 Hand sanitiser at key points 12-2.30 and 6-9pm Tuesday to Saturday No standing inside Sunday lunch 12.00-4.00 Social distancing to be maintained We also offer a takeaway menu Some tables have been removed to create more space around diners. Sunday Lunch Wipe clean menus Roast -1 Course £12.95 Contactless payment preferred Vegetarian option £10.95, Bookings advisable Everyone has made me feel very welcome and I look forward to meeting more of you over the next Full menu available on Doddington Village few weeks. Facebook page Dave Wickenden www,shepherdneame,co,uk/pubs/faversham/chequersinn

Doddington & District Village Show

Saturday 5 September 2020 - CANCELLED

The Show Committee regret to announce that it is unable to go ahead with this year’s Village Show.

This is due to the problems associated with social distancing in the Village Hall and in the interest of everyone’s safety during this coronavirus pandemic.

If you have been working on the Craft Classes over the past months, please carry on as these will remain unchanged for our next Show.

15 DIARY OF EVENTS

31st August 12-4pm Bank Holiday BBQ in the garden The George, Newnham (see page 14 for other events at The George)

4/5/6th December Doddington Panto – Dick Whittington Doddington Village Hall

AFTERNOON TEA & CHAT in Newnham Village is suspended for the time being.

Further information and contact details for the above events can be found in current or future Newsletters

The Current Situation Members of the villages Parish Councils have offered to be on call for any of their neighbours in the village who may, over the next few possibly difficult months, need help in obtaining shopping, medical supplies or up to date information regarding the virus. PLEASE CALL AFTER 9am AND BEFORE 6pm Their telephone numbers are:- Newnham: Sally 890965 Emma 07879225544 Pippa 07976301443 Doddington: Kevin 886623 Colin 886857 Wychling: Glenn 886434

Doughty’s, in Doddington, are open 6 days a week and will be maintaining their stock of meat, fruit, vegetables, milk, bread and other edibles to cope with the probable demand from the surrounding villages. Delivery is available locally. The George Inn’s Shop, in Newnham – Open Wednesday to Saturday 11-2pm supplying bread, fruit & vegetables, cakes, dairy, jams & chutneys, sliced cooked meat, pies & more.

If you are receiving this newsletter via email, it is sent to you as a blind copy and the listing is not used for any other purpose.

If you have anything of interest for the newsletter, please let us know

NEWSLETTER All copy must be received by 6pm on the 20th of the preceding month (15th for new adverts or changes to regular adverts) Copy (maximum size ¼ page please) preferred in email or as an attachment to: [email protected] Farthing Cottage, 50 The Street, Newnham, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 0LL Tel: 01795 890627

The Newsletter will only be produced and distributed by email until further notice – it is hoped that an engineer will calling soon to rectify the problems with our printer.. A few paper copies may be available at Doughty’s, Doddington Garage and The George Shop