NEWS APRIL 2020

PARISH COUNCIL posed development in Staple Street. As a result of Coronavirus, it is no long- This can be found online using the fol- er appropriate for the Parish Council to lowing link for those that wish to view hold meetings. However, the Parish the final proposals. Council has put into place powers pa.midkent.gov.uk/onlineapplications/a whereby Parish Council business will pplicationDetails.do?keyVal=Q60D6LT continue, albeit at a more restricted lev- YKL400&activeTab=summary el. All matters in the first instance will be dealt with by the Clerk. Please do con- Originally the Parish Council intended tact the Clerk should you have any que- to hold an Extraordinary Planning Meet- ries in these challenging times and the ing to discuss and vote on the planning Parish Council will endeavour to update application. Obviously, this can no long- the websites, notice boards and post in er go ahead given the exceptional cir- the Hernhill News when appropriate. cumstances that we find ourselves in The situation regarding Coronavirus but it is important that the Parish Coun- evolves quickly. For the latest advice cil retains a voice in this planning appli- and information please refer to the NHS cation. As a result, a new process has website been put into place which is detailed www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus- below, which will allow for public partic- covid-19/ ipation and allows the Councillors to see all the information from all parties Please note that Swale Borough Coun- before making a decision and taking a cil are in the process of coordinating vote. We are requesting parishioners support for people who are self-isolat- who wish to let the Parish Council know ing, this includes the elderly and/or vul- their views (positive or negative) con- nerable people due to medication. SBC cerning this planning application to re- is putting together a team of volunteers spond to the clerk preferably by e-mail to deliver prescriptions and groceries to ([email protected]) by the 7th their most vulnerable residents. More April. For those who do not have e-mail information will follow so please monitor access, please contact the clerk by post Swale Borough Council website. The to ‘Southland, Church Hill, Hernhill Parish Council website will also be up- ME13 9JX’, or as last resort by phone dated as more information becomes ‘07876221580’. These responses will available. then be circulated to the Councillors on For those not already aware. English the evening of the 7th April for the Rural have now submitted their plan- Councillors to digest. Councillors will ning application in respect of their pro- then respond to all councillors with their

Chairman:Jill Geliot 01227 750974 [email protected] Clerk: Rebecca Parr 07876 221580 e-mail [email protected] KCC Representative: Andrew Bowles comments by the 10th April given all process has a good audit trail and is further time to digest. A vote by Coun- transparent. It allows for public partici- cillors will take place by e-mail on the pation and allows the Councillors to see evening of the 12th April copied to all all the information from all parties be- Councillors stipulating whether they fore making a decision and taking a support, do not support or abstain. The vote. Plus safeguarding the health of all results of the vote will be placed on no- parties by avoiding face to face contact, tice boards and the website as soon as as well as ensuring that the Parish possible after the event. The Parish Council has a voice in this planning ap- Council will then respond formally to plication. The process also allows suffi- Swale Borough Council by the required cient time between each step of the deadline of the 15th April uploading process in order to meet the Swale BC their comments to the planning website deadline. as per usual. It is considered that this Rebecca Parr

YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR Election period. The good news is that, The first highlight of February was my led by pressure from rural Councillors, annual “You Decide” event to allow res- next year we shall have £20,000 to al- idents to vote on the allocation of Mem- locate to voluntary groups in our Divi- ber’s Grant monies. A good crowd at sions. Village saw ten local organi- February is Budget month and this year sations present their bids. Eight of the County Council has, for the first ten shared £12,000 to deliver their time in 10 years, received an increase projects. Of those succeeding Hernhill in Central Government Grants. Parish Council received the highest Expenditure has gone up by £77 million vote with their project to provide a defi- (7.8%). The largest increases are in brillator in Dargate. They applied for Community and Residential care, es- and received £600. sentially for the elderly and those with Other “winners” included Teynham learning difficulties. Kent Highways has Book & Brunch Club tackling social iso- also received a significant increase in lation £1,564.50, Oare Parish Council funding; £88 million over three years. for play area refurbishment £2000, Di- The cost per household should show an versity House for young people’s work- average increase of £44 depending on shops to help combat knife and gang Council Tax Band plus, of course, any crime, SATEEDA for a support worker increase for Police, District (Borough) and drop in and counselling services for Council, Fire and Rescue, etc. I was victims of domestic abuse across especially pleased to play a part in get- Swale East, ‘ Over 55 Fel- ting £400,000 to fund dedicated youth lowship’ which organises community work for each District plus £100,000 for events for the elderly etc. Also, Swale equipment, etc. The rural areas have CVS towards a Film Club with transport been disadvantaged for too long. for the over 60’s. All applicants were On another, personal, note I have just limited to a maximum bid of £2,000 added membership of Kent County each. Council Planning Committee to my list Due to County Council Elections in May of duties. Must be a glutton for punish- 2021 this year’s event must be held pre- ment! I am working together with Sheld- Christmas 2020 to allow funds to be wich, Badlesmere and allocated and spent before the pre Parish Council together with Parish

2 Council’s in Challock and Boughton follow up meeting which Kent Highways Aluph seeking to secure a review of Officers have agreed to attend. traffic speeds and other highway dan- Andrew Bowles gers on the A251. Following my initial e-mail: [email protected] meeting with representatives from the Mobile: 07778629879 three Parishes I have now facilitated a SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL recommended pathway would leave “It may sound frightening but the scien- 20% of emissions to be offset to meet tific evidence is that, if we have not tak- our target of carbon neutrality by 2030. en dramatic action within the next At its heart the Swale action plan has decade, we could face irreversible key actions which include; a deep retro- damage to the natural world and the fit of the Council offices in Sittingbourne collapse of our societies.” to dramatically reduce carbon emis- Sir David Attenborough, Climate sions from the building; leasing electric Change: The Facts. BBC TV, transmit- vehicles (EVs) to replace most of the ted 18/04/2019 council’s own fleet of vehicles (summer When the coalition came into office at 2020); installation of EV charging points Swale Borough Council, one of our first in the town centres (look out for 4 EV actions was to declare a climate and chargers to be installed in the central ecological emergency. The declaration car park, this summer); im- sets very ambitious targets, in line with proved facilities for walking and cycling; the science described by Sir David At- and tree planting in the country parks tenborough. The target is to make the (2,500 trees already planted over the Council’s operations carbon neutral in winter). The plan lists other actions to five years’ time and the Borough carbon reduce emissions from buildings, trans- neutral by 2030. The Council undertook port and waste. Also, actions needed to to draw up an action plan with improve- adapt to the effects of climate change ment in energy efficiency and making already affecting us, such as flooding space for nature as key priorities in all and extreme heat. Many actions can strategies and plans. As the Cabinet only be taken in partnership with others Member for Environment, Tim present- including central government, Kent ed a draft of the action plan to the Policy County Council, business, and commu- Development and Review Committee nity groups. To succeed changes in (chaired by Alastair) on 4th March. The government policy are required, for ex- plan will be put before Council in April. ample, to insulate the existing houses Research from the world-leading Tyn- in Swale and replace gas boilers with dall Centre has found that, for Swale to highly efficient electric heating. It’s the make its fair contribution towards the beginning of a long, but very exciting Paris Climate Change Agreement, it journey that will bring many benefits, should emit no more than 7.7 million such as cleaner air, healthier lifestyles, tonnes of carbon dioxide before 2100. and a vibrant more locally-based econ- At 2017 emission levels, Swale omy. would use this entire budget within Alastair Gould seven years. The recommended path- ([email protected]) way requires: a 13% cut in carbon diox- Tim Valentine ide emissions each year from 2020; ([email protected]) 01227 80% reduction in annual emissions by 752802 2030 and 95% reduction by 2042. The

3 CORONAVIRUS the Parish Council’s point of contact for Community Support Scheme any questions about the scheme or Swale Borough Council is starting a coronavirus community support. scheme to support vulnerable people The scheme needs volunteers to help during the present crisis. The scheme with deliveries of food and medicines to should be in operation from the begin- vulnerable residents. Training will be ning of April. given. Volunteers should not be in one If you need support, then details of the of the high risk categories listed on the scheme and how to register will be Public Health website. available from Swale Borough Council If you are willing to help, then please after the end of March. If you need help visit the scheme’s online forum to reg- before then or have any difficulty con- ister. A link to the forum is on the Swale tacting Swale Borough Council, please Borough Council website or available telephone Councillor Chris Page on by emailing the Parish Council at 01227 750284 or 07971 178974. He is [email protected].

THE CROSS ON THE GREEN a loved one who has died, as a thanks- Holy Week is the week leading up to giving or simply placed in celebration of Good Friday and Easter and to mark the resurrection. this Hernhill Church has been given As we go through this corona virus permission to place a large wooden emergency more than ever we need to cross on the village green. The cross be reminded there is no darkness that will be bare all through the week but on God, in the end, cannot turn to good. Easter Day it will be covered with net- Please do come anytime during Easter ting so that anyone who would like to, Day and help make our cross a symbol can place flowers, prayers or messages of resurrection and new life. on the cross. They can be in memory of FROM THE VICAR es we know people face. Every Sunday Looking out of my study window it’s a I hope to send out, by email or post, a lovely spring day, The Street is quiet but Sunday service, short sermon and ‘pew all seems well with the world. How news.’ Last Sunday it was good to pray wrong I am. We’re living in unprecedent- through that service starting at 10 am, ed times trying to limit the spread of the our normal service time, knowing there corona virus. The situation seems to be were people all over the benefice doing changing daily but I can say all public the same. If you’re not on my current church services, including Sundays, mailing list and would like to receive this weddings, baptisms and even funerals please do email or phone. Other wor- in church are now suspended until fur- ship services are also available online, ther notice. Hernhill Church, which is TV and radio. Live streaming is beyond usually open during the day, is also me at the moment but it would be lovely closed for the foreseeable future. to have something set up for Easter Day. The church building may be closed but The first commandment is to love God, the church has not disappeared be- the second is to love our neighbour and cause it is always, first and foremost the the very practical love and care that has people, wherever or however they been shown within our villages is exem- meet. The worship offered by the church plary. We are blessed to live in such still continues and we are praying for all supportive places. For many in our our villages and the particular challeng- country, and even in Hernhill, it is an

4 incredibly challenging time, our and lift up all who are brought low; thoughts and prayers are with you, you that we may find comfort are not alone. knowing that nothing can separate us Please remember how important it is to from your love observe all the government advice, we in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. are not immune, even in Hernhill. A prayer for our current situation: Keep well, keep praying, keep connect- Keep us, good Lord, ed under the shadow of your mercy. Revd Jean Burrows Sustain and support the anxious, 01227 751410 be with those who care for the sick, [email protected]

A LETTER FROM FRANCE the only places allowed to open and a (courtesy of Julian Owen) "permission form" introduced for any- "Marooned is about right - our island is body going out to justify being en route called Schengen and all its borders are to an approved destination. closed for at least 30 days with a strong Closures (including all bars, restaurants possibility of that being extended, par- etc) were applied from the start with ticularly for the UK where the lockdown Gendarmes manning checkpoints and is only recommended, not compulsory a 38€ fine for non compliance - 4595 ! In France, Hospitals, Doctors, Phar- people were fined on day one - on day macies and Supermarkets are basically two the fine was increased to 135€ !!"

TAKE CARE WHERE YOU WALK avoid both workers and tractors. We are Whilst these are testing times, can I ask a working environment and to do our job that anyone taking their exercise safely we would appreciate some through Mount Ephraim Farm to only space. Your co-operation would be ap- walk around the Orchard edges and not preciated throughout the year and not down through the rows of the orchards. just during the current virus outbreak. (Of course public footpaths are permit- Many thanks ted.) Can you also change your route to Steve Castle

‘ANGELIC’ KNITTERS to please keep them for the time being. You may have heard that Hernhill 900 The church is closed, and I’m sure Jean has been postponed, due to the will not want the Vicarage filled with the ‘virus’. Please note it is only postponed, ‘little darlings’. not cancelled. It may take place in the Thank you to all who have contributed autumn, or perhaps next year, when it to this venture. It has been rather thrill- will be Hernhill 900 plus 1, or maybe the ing to have had so much interest and year after so it will be Hernhill 900 plus enthusiasm shown, and it is such a 2, etc, etc. I’m sure you get the drift. shame events have overtaken us. This Any knitted angels will be not be thrown will probably be the last time I write in away but kept for the time when we can the ‘News’ for now, but I will let you know all gather together again. If you have when things change. knitted some and do not wish to make I hope you all stay safe, and manage to any more, that is fine. However, if you cope with being shut up indoors for want to have something to do while we weeks. all sit at home, that also is fine. I ask you Joyce Robb

5 SHUT DOWN – takeout meals. Tel: 01227 750842. Hernhill church has been told to close & The Red Lion had started a small shop, all celebrations for its 900th anniversary but have closed for two weeks. They say are postponed. After careful considera- they might open again in the future but tion the Village Fete Committee has de- have no idea at the moment. cided that it would be inappropriate for Bessborough Farm is delivering to this year's fete to go ahead but they look Hernhill only on a Thursday. (Fruit, veg, forward to your support in the future. chutney, apple juice etc.) You need to The Village Hall has cancelled all book- fill in an order on Facebook. The Goods ings but the playing field remains open Shed in will deliver fish, bak- for people to exercise, but please re- ery, meat, cheese, veg. and more. spect social distancing. Tel: 01227 459153. The Butcher of The pubs are shut but they are providing will deliver to doorstep. Tel: help to villagers as follows. The Dove – 01227 712571. Macknade Fine Foods freshly cooked meals & some staples will deliver their goods. Tel: 01795 such as fresh bread, veg, etc. Tel: 534497. Dizzy’s Dog Food Deliveries. 01227 751085. The Three Horseshoes Tel: 07985 025198. A LETTER OF MEMORIES We took a candle in a jam jar to light our I well remember my childhood days in way to the outside toilet when dark. We Staplestreet. I was born 80 years ago in had no washing machines or fridges. a house called The Homestead; lived Mum had a cellar and a food safe. Mum and worked in the area until my marriage used to make delicious meals out of next at the age of 20 years (my Father made to nothing as everything was on ration. us wait until I was the age). I went to We had a lodger living with us; my Fa- school in Hernhill and worshipped at ther's Mother for 21 years. I often won- Hernhill Church. Here I was Christened, der how many wives would put up with Confirmed, and Married, and at one time their Mother-in-Law for that amount of helped teach the local Sunday school time (not many I think!). Everyone took along with my dear friend Jennifer Miles. care of their own folk in those days. We were both born in 1939, our Mothers There were no old peoples' homes then. living next door to each other. We were, We had all the local children into our more or less, brought up in the same house and Gran used to read us Enid pram and are still, to this day, close Blyton's Five stories until she was friends. hoarse from reading them. It was a great We, like all children, got into some feat for her as she had very little school- scrapes and were in some sort of mis- ing and she taught herself to read from chief most of the time. the Bible. She was married at the age of We had no television, no electricity, no 13 years, her parents having no money bathroom or inside toilet. Baths were and needing to place her. She was, we taken once a week in a tin bath, in the understand told to say she was 15 in- winter in front of the fire. Everyone stead. She had a very hard life and had shared the same water starting with about 17 children, my Father being the Mum first followed by Dad and my Sister, last child. then me last, which I used to get very Although we did not have much money upset about. Mum kept the old stone or the home comforts of today I look copper banked up with wood to keep back with fond memories. We were topping up the bath with hot water. When more content then and people helped we were all washed to her satisfaction each other much more. There was no the bath was emptied out down the drive. road rage as not many people had cars.

6 Back then only the rich could afford them. for The Friars, Aylesford. I worked from the age of ten years. My I am going to retire on 29th September first job was for Mr Webb in Staple street 2019 at the age of 80 years. stores after school and on Saturdays for I am going to hold a party in the Pilgrims ten pence a week. My first full time job Hall for Family and Friends, about 50 after leaving school was for Godwin Fos- people. I have a lady to play the harp for ter Browns in Faversham for £1.12 and me on that day. a halfpence in today's money per week. It will be a sad time as well as a happy I was Miss Hernhill 1956. A very proud one for me as I have made some won- moment for Mum and Dad. derful friends in my life. I have worked all my life as I had a disa- I still class Hernhill as my home. bled husband. I worked 28 years for the Co-Op in Bearsted and the last 29 years Mrs Peggy Marks (nee Gibbs)

OVER THE GARDEN WALL by mistake. Amazon came to the rescue What unusual times we find ourselves with next day delivery of six whole pack- in. Foraging for food and toilet rolls has ets & yes, I ordered hot chocolate for him never been high on my to do list but hey too. ho! Imagine my surprise the other night Sadly, we were unable to attend a funer- when chatting with friends from my book al today, but thanks to modern technol- club when my neighbour said a toilet roll ogy we were able to watch & listen from was incoming over the fence into my home. How cool is that. I can’t impress garden. Torch in hand I found it among the benefits of being online in these dif- the lavender. The next morning, I was ficult times enough. Hernhill Forum surprised by a knock at the door and a Group on Facebook is invaluable. whole pack of toilet roll plus a delightful Something I read on line made me bottle of Merlot were left by a beautiful laugh: “They said a mask & gloves were blonde-haired angel. Kindness is cer- enough to go to the supermarket. They tainly in abundance in Hernhill. lied, everybody else had clothes on!” Murder nearly took place when my hus- Stay home & stay safe. God bless, band used one of my precious Costa Sandi Rawlins Americano tabs for my coffee machine GARDENER’S CORNER raise their heads again. At this time of There’s no excuse now. Put on those the year we are advised to “feed and wellies, dust the cobwebs off the mower weed” which involves buying extortion- and scrape last year’s mud off the spade ately priced powder and creating a and fork. But what to do? Well there’s checkerboard of string or canes to ena- always weeding. Bad for the back but ble us to make sure all the lawn is fed. can be quite calming for the mind (or is Then there’s sowing seeds. Marvellous it mind numbing?) as your nimble fingers training for patience as the tiny specks tussle with the offending plants that stick to our fingers or disappear without seem to have foot long roots. Tip – keep trace on the earth. However it does lead looking at what you have done, not what to one of the wonders of nature as you still needs doing. see the plants hatching from these dried Cutting the grass can be satisfying – the up husks. Tip – you don’t have to sow garden always looks better for a trim every last seed in the packet, especially lawn – but all too soon those lovely lines when you know you have to test your disappear and the indomitable daisies patience again when pricking out the

7 subsequent seedlings. grow. If you’ve got a patch of not too And what about the kids – they need good earth nasturtiums, calendula (what occupying for the next few weeks. Cress we used to call marigolds) or wild flower grown on paper towel or an old flannel mixture can be flung with gay abandon is good as it grows fast and you can eat and seem to thrive especially if the flin- it. Sunflower seeds started off in pots is ger is a child. another favourite – plant out in the cor- Whatever you do – enjoy. ner of the garden and see how tall they

BITS AND PIECES panicking I am not. This epidemic must I am disgusted with the news media of be treated seriously but let’s kept a all types. They seem determined to find sense of proportion...... we’re British! the most distressing details and head- line them. A recent example was a front Barbara and I have always read a lot. I page headline, "Corona patient turned still do. Over the years we gathered a away from London hospital". At the end library of several hundred books. We of a short article it explained that actual- had different tastes in literature (crochet ly he had been "re-routed" to a hospital is not my thing), so I haven't even looked with better facilities. During the last war at most of her books. Inevitably a few any sub-editor who produced that type my books have still to be read and many of headline would have found himself in are worth re-reading. Therefore I find criminal court for undermining morale. that I have a lot of reading matter avail- Another current practice is to accompa- able without even going out of the ny any ‘good’ news with at least two house. Enforced confinement also reasons why it is wrong, won’t work or means that I now have plenty of oppor- is insufficient to meet the needs. Per- tunity for reading them. As a result I am haps a return to censorship would not finding some hidden gems. How about be such a bad thing. this for a sample from one my discov- Isn’t it wonderful that so many have re- ered treasures? sponded to the call for volunteer help- "Aoccdnig to rscheearhc at Cmabgride ers. At the current count it is over Uinevrtisy, it desont mtater waht oerdr 500,000 and I’m sure that there will be the ltteres in a wrod are - so lnog as more. And isn’t it wonderful that people the frist and lsat ltteers are in pacle. are making sure that neighbours in need Tihs is bcuseae we dnot raed ervey are helped with shopping etc. It revives lteter but the wrod as a wlohe." ones’ faith in human nature and to hell with the depressing media. Atefr wroknig my way tohrguh that I As a male, 87 years, 'O' blood group and paln to go bcak to odrniray wrods for with a heart condition, I qualify as a ma- the nxet vsiit to my lrribay. jor risk. Of course I have put myself into purdah for the duration and certainly I Stay safe. am avoiding unnecessary risks, but ADT T o book the V illage Hall go to www.hernhill-bookings.net

Alan D. Taylor Articles by Yew Tree House, Dargate Monday near Faversham, Kent ME13 9HG 01227 751293 27th e-mail [email protected] Apr