NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020 Issue 1

Shadoxhurst Newsletter February 2020

WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY OF SHADOXHURST PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH

Welcome to the first edition of the 2020’s. but if there was a problem, it is easy to Sewing and Craft Club A new year and a new decade in use, simply following the instructions. Shadoxhurst’s long history. Over the last Quilt Unveiling few months a number of new families have moved into our village, so a very There will be a very special occasion in warm welcome to you all. We hope that the village on Saturday 4th April at you enjoy life in our village. Our 2.00pm when the Mayor of Ashford Cllr Newsletter comes out every two months Jenny Webb will make an official visit. She and we hope you will support and will then unveil the completed quilt of the participate in the various events through village in Issuethe village hall. ItDate has been a very the year. Please do stay in touch. long time since we have had such a

The closing date for information and prestigious visit from Ashford’s First inclusions for the April edition is the 25th Citizen. March. If you would like something included, please email it to David at The Quilt is a tremendous piece of work [email protected] created and completed from scratch jointly by the club members over two years. At 7 foot by 6 foot, it is large and will Defibrillator Instructions be framed and will be on permanent Annual Spring Clean display in the hall, showing the central part of village circa 2016. We have been asked to remind residents On Saturday 21st March we will again have about the defibrillator situated at the our Spring Clean event as part of the The event on the 4th April will be a village hall and advise on how to use it. Great British Spring Clean. It will celebration of the club’s achievement of Essential as when we come to use it in hopefully include some vegetation this mammoth project and all are welcome earnest, there is already a problem to be trimming and tidying, not just litter picking. solved and time is vital. to come along. When you come, it is free We are blessed that Michael generally and you will get a complimentary glass of The important thing is that there is a code looks after the village roads when he can. wine. Following the unveiling, there will be to open the door. The instructions on the Where else is support needed to a High Tea with the Mayor, Club Members outside (see photo) refer to ringing 999 for tidy/remove debris? We are looking for and guests. Tickets for the High Tea are medical assistance and at the same time suggestions for locations and volunteers. £8.00 and can be obtained through obtaining the door code as the interim The Scouts, cubs and Beavers have been Sheila, the Club’s Leader. measure. active on the day in previous years – and are looking for a “safe” area and activity The framing is being undertaken by On training events we have been where they can help. Simon Beaugie Picture Frames Ltd., reminded that continuous CPR is the only who are based in the village. We are all We have been given some tree saplings way to try to resuscitate someone, and the indebted to Simon and his team for their and we could plant some trees on that day defibrillator is there to help this process work and generous support for this very until the medical professionals arrive, as too. Save the date and meet at the Pavilion st special project. CPR is extremely hard work. at 9.45am on the 21 March. If you travel Church Lane and through New members are very welcome to join Once the machine is out, simply follow the Forest, you will have noticed the very friendly group of sewers and instructions which are voice led and you how much litter and rubbish was being crafters who are more than willing to help can’t go wrong. It won’t work if the dumped and thrown out of vehicles. We you with your sewing project or to show machine detects a pulse, so cannot be are grateful that recently a team from Biffa you how to start making things. Please misused if someone’s heart has restarted. have done a fantastic job at clearing it all. contact Sheila on 01233 733540 or email We have provided it as an essential back Some 20 bags of rubbish were collected. her on [email protected] up and we hope you won’t have to use it,

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Volunteer Network If you would like to save the date, cars will If you would like to read the information be £10 and vans £15. sheet and receive the comments sheet to A key objective of the Shadoxhurst make your own comments, then please Forum is “to re-kindle community spirit As the Charity becomes established email [email protected]. and engender friendship”. The many and grows, you might wish to consider The sheets have been circulated to Village events and projects that are run in our creating a legacy leaving some money Forum Members. See page 3 to see how village throughout the year by ordinary in your will. to join the Forum mailing list to receive up local people contribute to this in many to date information about village things ways. Please stay in touch… including planning news. Booking the Hall and Pavilion In December we circulated a short There are now over 300 residents on the survey to help us to better understand Shadoxhurst ‘Next Door’, group which If you would like to book the Hall or what kind of events and projects would is part of a much wider community group Pavilion, then we ask you to either go be most welcomed in our village. The involving all the other villages. through the web site at response to the survey was https://nextdoor.co.uk/neighborhood_fe www.shadoxhurstpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/ disappointingly low so we can’t identify ed/ that one ‘big idea’ as suggested by lots of alternatively, please email Caroline on people. However, there were some The “Shadoxhurst, a Village” [email protected] interesting little gems that might have Facebook Page now has 980 members. potential. For example, a musician’s There is also a more recent group, a baby and toddler’s group and “Shadoxhurst Community” Facebook Hall Cleaner bite sized IT skills courses were Page with currently over 260 members Expressions of interest mentioned. and growing. Join us if you can. The Parish Council is looking to re-tender We often say, “why doesn’t someone do Please look out for the active local the cleaning of the village hall and pavilion ….” maybe you are that someone. “Rural Means Rural” Campaign which very shortly and are looking for any person Remember if you have a good idea that is also on Facebook. or business that may wish to tender for you would like to get going, the Forum is this for the coming year. Please contact here to help you do so. Parish News Caroline Laming. We are continuing to make improvements Contacting the Parish Council In the survey two people indicated that to the village hall to make it more attractive they were interested in supporting our for hiring and use. This includes some Our Parish Clerk Caroline Laming only community events and projects. Any help new cushioned chairs, crockery and works a few hours on Tuesdays to is very welcome. The future of even our cutlery. These were put to good use with Thursdays so is not always available. The most successful events is at risk as we the recent Murder Mystery event which best way to communicate with Caroline is simply don’t have enough people was fully booked and raised over £480. to phone and leave a message if no volunteering to help run them. answer, ring 07729 734149 or email: Hornash House [email protected].

The Parish Council is also looking for com The planning application for Hornash people with skills to help, for example with project planning, website / media and House, Hornash Lane was recently funding source research and making bid refused by ABC. There is a lot of concern 1st Shadoxhurst Scout applications. If you want to know more about the deterioration of the house itself about volunteering in Shadoxhurst contact following the two fires in 2019. The Group Ian at [email protected] Thank tarpaulin protecting the holes in the roof you to those of you who returned the keeps being dislodged in the wind Beavers (aged 6-8) Mondays survey. allowing rain in. We continue to remind the ABC Conservation Officers to be vigilant Cubs (8-10½) Tuesdays about ensuring the long term protection Scouts (10½ -14) Wednesdays and stability of one of the oldest houses in Countryside Trust the village. Please contact Simon via email: [email protected]. Thank you to those who came along to the

Christmas Fayre. It raised a total of £600 GreenVolt and Tally Ho Road for the Shadoxhurst Countryside Trust. The Trust is now waiting for the Charity We recently held a drop-in for residents to Flower Club Commission to agree the application, but talk about the likelihood of a new planning there is still time to pledge some money application on Tally Ho Road. The The first club meeting in the new year is towards establishing the Trust. Contact company sent a new proposed layout, and on the 6th February in the Hall. They meet it was a good opportunity to talk face to on the first Wednesday of each month at [email protected] face about people’s concerns. We did an 7.30pm in the Village Hall. This year on Sheila can email or post pledge forms to information sheet explaining the current the 6th May, the Club will celebrate their you, they are also in the pavilion and hall. position and residents took away a Emerald Anniversary with a special 55 You can also phone her on 01233 733540 comments sheet. years’ demonstration. Please contact the to find out more. Club’s Secretary, Gaye on 732212 for Some completed them at the event. But at further information about the club and There will be a fund rising Boot Fair on publication date, we still await the return activities. Saturday 4th July at the recreation ground. of the comments sheets from others. Issue 3

Neighbourhood Watch Peter Webb 01233 732901 however, following the recent survey Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator included within the December village (NHW) Update [email protected] newsletter, the level of support offered has so far been minimal. Regular updates are posted on the two Village Forum News village Facebooks sites (“Shadoxhurst On this basis I do not feel it is a viable Community” and “Shadoxhurst, a Kent The Forum met recently and due to option to progress organising an event for village”) and the Nextdoor website. personal reasons Anne, our Chairman, this year. Should the situation change is unfortunately having to stand down. and more people come forward and The recurring hot topic for villagers are We are really sorry about this but commit to support future events, through people attempting to “Scam” – understand her reasons. We are Ian Procter’s appeal on page 2, then pretending to be a legitimate company therefore looking for a new Chairman. If hopefully these can be organised. Peter seeking financial details which will then you are interested to take on the role of Webb 732901. be used to extract money. Many will Chairman, please contact David on: have received a call purporting to be [email protected] Ashford Courtside from the likes of BT or Amazon saying that action is needed to keep your The next Forum meeting is Thursday Football Club telephone line or account open. Do not the 19th March 2020 at 7.30pm. respond to such calls – simply Ashford Courtside Football Club have had a very disappointing Season so far terminate the call. Within Kent there is The Forum Members get various emails a known case where the call was with the Pitches being unplayable due to about news, issues and events in the the large amount of rain and supposedly from the Police village. It is free and is a good way of investigating a member of Bank staff drainage issues we haven't been able to keeping up to date between newsletters. play any home fixtures since the end of and asking for cash to be withdrawn and handed to a courier. The Police October last year. But our teams have To get on the mailing list please email: managed to play a few of our away would never ask for this to be done. [email protected] fixtures with a mixed bag of results.

If you are unsure about any contact, be Please put ‘Join Forum’ in the subject it on your doorstep, telephone or email heading so it can be easily spotted. please refer to a family member, friend or neighbour before any money or On behalf of all Forum Members, we bank details are handed over. If you’ve thank Anne for taking the post on and we not asked to be contacted be wary and hope life for Anne calms down soon. not afraid to say “no” – put down the phone or close the door. Be particularly wary if there is more than one Gardening Club individual as they may try to distract If you’d like to meet people with an you to gain access to your property. interest in gardening then we are an Call the Police via 999 if you feel informal group who aim to help each threatened or the people refuse to other with identifying plants/pest/ways of leave. doing something, based upon

knowledge and experience. We have had two recent example of Hopefully once the weather improves, our doorstep collectors for charities (Kent Our next meeting is scheduled for teams will be back playing evenings and Air Ambulance & Alzheimer’s Monday the 16th March, at 7.30pm, in weekends to catch up. One of the U7's Research UK) – while both appear to Shadoxhurst Pavilion. teams are currently looking for a have been legitimate, I would advise Goalkeeper so if you know anyone who against providing anyone who calls at We look at planning for the coming year would be interested please contact the your door with your bank / credit card as our gardens start to exit the dormant Club secretary Vanessa Grimmond details. If you would like to donate to winter stage – it won’t be long before email: [email protected] such causes then I suggest you do so those with greenhouses in particular will direct with the group rather than via a start growing for 2020. We have a website and Facebook page if third party. you want to find out more Please contact me if you have any https://www.afccourtside.co.uk/ and Recent reported thefts have been:- questions:- Peter Webb 01233 732901 https://www.facebook.com/AshfordCourt 7th Jan 2020 – Eversleigh Woodland or email [email protected] sideFC/ Lodges – Garden Furniture 20th Dec – 30th Dec 2019 – Hornash Village Fete For more information please contact … Lane (Lead from around windows). Vanessa (Secretary) on 07526431687 or For the past three years an Autumn fete Tim (Chair) on 07970820018. Anti-social behaviour - The recreation has been organised within the village - field is showing signs that a motorbike although last year was severely V.E. Day / Bank Holiday has been present on and around the impacted by adverse weather. field – if you see any activity that is th causing damage to the field then As I hope you appreciate organising and The 8 May this year has been turned into a Bank Holiday for the 75th Anniversary of please report it to the Police or Parish running the event has required the VE Day. Save the date for a village family Council so that action can be taken. support of volunteers from both within event. Details in April’s edition. and outside the village. This year Issue 4

Speedwatch Village Contacts Chatterbox Coffee Club The Coffee Club had a break over Our Speedwatch Coordinator Roger had a st spell in hospital before Christmas, and we 1 Shadoxhurst Scouts, Cubs and Christmas and New Year and is back. wish him well and a speedy recovery. It Beavers Simon 07704 789155 The Club continues to be popular and has therefore set us back a bit. Because Ark Drama 2000 Lis 732901 well supported. We meet every we have not had a presence on the roads Courtside Football Club Vanessa Tuesday Afternoon between 2.00 - 4.00 pm in the Pavilion. Pop in for tea, recently, there are noticeably more drivers 07526 431687 coffee, cake, chat and a get together. speeding through our village. We are Fete Team Peter 732901 looking for a deputy to assist Roger and a Lifts can be provided on a Tuesday, Flower Club Gaye 732212 few more volunteers able to share the time please ring Colin on 01233 732784. and allow more speed monitoring. Future Scholars Sarah 07821 143249 Murder Mystery Night If you value the safety of villagers then Gardening Club Peter 732901 please help by becoming a Speedwatch History Club Carol 732084 “Thank you to everyone who came to the murder night on the 1st February, member – we need a larger group of Lesley Munn Dance Academy hosted by the fantastic ‘Murder Again’ people to provide coverage of locations, Lesley 01634 234168 days and times. Group. It was great fun. We raised £242 Line Dancing Kate 733015 raised to support our charity trip to It’s not onerous if there are enough people Neighbourhood Watch Peter 732901 South Africa, and of course, £242 for the to share the load – whilst it won’t stop Pilates Alex 861456 Village Forum; thank you to all who people speeding immediately, it will get Poetry and Expression Ian 732084 donated and took part. the message across that the village is Sewing and Craft Club Sheila We are a group of 10 individuals (with 7 serious about speeding and those who 733540 young members ranging from 13 -19 persist will eventually fall foul of the Police. Speedwatch Roger 733581 years old) from all over Ashford who are Weekend Walking Jim 07788 245022 going to Balfour in South Africa where

WI Mandy Spencer 501774 we will be building a playground for the Ashford Borough Update Wine & Home Brew Club Colin children of the local community with the Charity Urban Saints. We need to raise 732784 The Council recently issued a £17,000 to support the team to be able consultation on the Gypsy and Traveler to go on the trip and will be running Local Plan Options Report in the Refugee Family several fundraising events including: Borough. Please read and reply to the questionnaire on the important subject. We have been advised that in the coming Almost new jumble sale, Saturday 29th st The closing date is 21 February 2020 months, Ashford Borough Council will be February at Stubbs Cross Mission Hall, and the link on the ABC website is locating a refugee family to Shadoxhurst. 10am-12 noon; Quiz Night, King’s Head th https://www.ashford.gov.uk/planning- They will have furnished accommodation Shadoxhurst, Sunday 26 April. and-building-control/planning- as a basic minimum and will likely be re- We also have a ‘just giving’ page should policy/gypsy-and-traveller-local-plan/ located from war-torn Syria. We will tell you more news about this in the April you wish to financially support us The contact points for our two Borough Newsletter. We hope that we can all help at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfun Ward Councilors are: George 01233 to make them feel welcome and ding/renew-south-africa- 732791 and David 01233 733540 Shadoxhurst is a place where they can find 2020?utm_id=2&utm_term=qVE7gBpW G Thank you on behalf of the Team” [email protected] peace in our village. [email protected] Rhiannon Webb (Team Leader)

Dates for your Diary: Every Tuesday Chatterbox Coffee Club 2 – 4pm in the Pavilion Every last Sunday of the month at 7.00pm Charity Quiz in the King’s Head

February: 6th & 20th Sewing and Craft Club 7.00pm in the Hall 12th Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm in the Pavilion March: 4th Flower Club Demonstration 7.30 in the Hall (Joyce Pannell) 5th & 19th Sewing and Craft Club 7.00pm in the Hall 11th Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm in the Pavilion 16th Gardening Club 7.30 in the Pavilion 19th Forum Meeting 7.30 in the Pavilion April: 1st Flower Club Workshop 7.30 in the Hall (Ann Luckett) 2nd & 16th Sewing and Craft Club 7.30 in the Hall 4th Quilt Unveiling, 2.00pm in the Hall free (High Tea ticket only) 8th Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm in the Pavilion

Issue 5