Good News Parish Magazine High Downs Parish Serving the villages of Eastling, Otterden, Stalisfield and ccgi.northdowns.plus.com/goodnews for current and past editions MAY 2020 We are in the midst of this new virus worldwide Pandemic and our Corvid-19 and the Psalms lives are necessarily changed. For many life has slowed down, normal life has been stopped, but for others What has struck me about Morning On the day I write we were taken to life has got busier and more Prayer, during which we read a Psalm 96, a great Psalm of praise: demanding. Psalm or two each day, is how Psalm 96:1-4 Those who are involved in the NHS, helpful the Psalms are and how Sing to the Lord a new song; sing those who are working in the Care relevant they are in our current to the Lord, all the earth. sector, our Food shops and in situation. Sing to the Lord, praise his deliveries amongst others, are During Lent the Psalms used each name; proclaim his salvation day busier I am sure and in the midst of day are Psalms of Lament such as: after day. stressful circumstances. Declare his glory among the Psalm 102:1-6 nations, his marvellous deeds As we all know our Church 1 Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry among all peoples. buildings have been shut since the for help come to you. For great is the Lord and most Country went into what is called 2 Do not hide your face from me worthy of praise; ‘lockdown’ but Church continues. It when I am in distress. Turn your A Psalm that points us to God and has been wonderful to see how ear to me; to who He is and that He deserves many join the livestream of Morning when I call, answer me quickly. our praise. When we do this we are Prayer at 9am each day. This is 3 For my days vanish like smoke; taken beyond where we are, the live-streamed on Facebook - found my bones burn like glowing here and now, to a new place of by either going to the Kingsdown embers. relationship with God our heavenly and Creekside Facebook page 4 My heart is blighted and Father. (@kingsdowncreekside) or by going withered like grass; I forget to eat to the Kingsdown and Creekside my food. Psalm 100 website - 5 In my distress I groan aloud and 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the www.kingsdowncreekside.co.uk - am reduced to skin and bones. earth. and scrolling to the bottom of the 6 I am like a desert owl, like an 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; ‘homepage’ where you will find the owl among the ruins. come before him with joyful Facebook page; it is also streamed Psalms that bring us to a place of songs. in the YouTube Channel honesty before God, our heavenly 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is ‘Breakthrough at ’. The Father, where we can express our he who made us, and we are his; information you need is also to be feelings about our current situation we are his people, the sheep of found in the St Mary’s Eastling ‘a yet acknowledge in the midst of all his pasture. Church Near You Page’: that trust in God our Father. 4 Enter his gates with https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ thanksgiving and his courts with church/11982/ praise; give thanks to him and praise his New Ways to Worship name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin his faithfulness continues through Welby, has launched a free national all generations. phone line to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church I have found the Psalms so helpful buildings are closed because of the to me at this time, which has coronavirus. brought reflection on the direction we have been journeying in as a Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship world, as a nation in terms of what is services from the Church of at the end of a telephone line. most important to us. The Psalms The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has help me in anchoring myself in God. been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services I finished with the first two verses of during the period of restrictions in mind. Psalm 62, a psalm of David: 1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; The service is supported by the Church of England nationally as well as my salvation comes from him. through the Connections group based at Holy Trinity Claygate in Surrey 2 Truly he is my rock and my and the Christian charity Faith in Later Life. salvation; he is my fortress, I will Although thousands of churches across the country are now running never be shaken services and prayer groups online while public worship remains Steve Lillicrap suspended, many people – especially older people – do not have access [email protected] to the internet. Pumpkin Lottery Join in with a pumpkin growing competition to raise funds for NHS. Price: £2.50 per entrant. What you get : A mixture of 3 pumpkin seeds. It is a lottery as to which ones you get -your seeds could grow into vast pumpkins or just very odd ones. That’s why it is a Pumpkin Lottery! End of entry date- 10th May or when the seeds run out if it’s before that date. The aim: The competition is to see who can grow the largest pumpkin, the smallest, and the funniest. Judging: If we are still having to social distance by the time the pumpkins are grown (about October) judging may have to be via photographic evidence but hopefully, we will be able to display the exhibits in the village hall. Prizes for: * The largest pumpkin * Under 15s * Most amusing * Smallest * Most liked by vote

How to enter: Please put payment (£2.50 per entrant ) for the Pumpkin Lottery into an envelope with your name on the front. Place the envelope into the postbox for Eastling Manor. It’s a big black box on the left hand side of our drive. Once we have received your contribution, we will put your seeds into your named envelope and place on the Community Table ready for you to pick them up. The rest is up to you!

Please support this idea- it should be fun! Bay Lees asks Virtual Flower Show “Do you have an Our gardens are at their best at this time of year. Why anecdote or not take a photo of a special part of your garden and memory send it in for publication in next month’s online Good connected with News. Perhaps send in a verse from the Bible to the Yew tree in accompany your picture. Eastling Please send in your photos by 23rd May to: Churchyard?” [email protected] or any articles you would During this extraordinary and unsettling like included in the June issue. time of Covid-19, seeing the ancient Yew tree in Eastling Church yard is reassuring to many of us - a symbol of hope and continuity, connecting us to the past and also to the future. Loneliness at the Virtual Chelsea The tree has seen 2000 years of Eastling life: times of great happiness and times of Flower Show, despair. It could tell us so much about the th rd history of Eastling and the hopes and fears 19 – 23 May of generations of villagers. All sorts of themes are chosen for the Chelsea Flower In conversation with Janet Wood, she told Show, but this year’s theme turned out to be scarily me two wonderful, entertaining stories from appropriate for the Spring of 2020: loneliness and mental her younger days that were centred around health. the Yew tree. For, according to Sue Briggs, RHS Director General, Janet came up with the brilliant idea that we could collate some of stories connected to the “many feel they need gardening in their life now more than Yew tree so that they could be enjoyed by a ever before, for their mental and physical wellbeing during wider audience. this national emergency.” Perhaps you have an anecdote or memory Writing on RHS website (www.rhs.org.uk), Sue Briggs connected with the Yew tree in Eastling says: “This applies to everyone from those who are having Churchyard? to self-isolate to families planning, maybe for the first It may be a much repeated and loved family time, to grow their own food.” account ; it may be funny or sad; it could be And so, “for these reasons, and to do more to support the romantic or mischievous. Whatever it is and whatever your age, we would love to hear industry, the RHS will create a Virtual RHS Chelsea your story. Flower Show, to celebrate our great horticultural industry Please either hand write your account and and gardening heritage.” The Virtual Show will run th rd pop it in my post box at Eastling Manor ( I from Tuesday 19 May to Saturday 23 May. will scan it so it is your handwriting) or Guy Barker, chief horticulturalist at the RHS said: email a typed version to me at “Nurturing plants can make you less lonely and release you [email protected] from troubles.” If you have any drawings or photographs of the tree, please send them to me as well.

JM WEBSTER PLUMBING AND HEATING SERVICES OIL TANK INSTALLATION AND INSPECTIONS OIL GAS LPG INSTALLATION SERVICE AND REPAIR BATHROOMS AND GENERAL PLUMBING OFTEC AND GAS SAFE REGISTERED [email protected] 07971 589 019 If I stand and listen I hear: Otterden and Stalisfield Rabbits rustle in bluebells Wood pigeons fly from bottle green W.I. boughs of conifer trees, Soon after our meeting in March The fading notes of a cuckoo, it became obvious that Covid 19 Sparrows, was beginning to cause disruption, Flapping wings of wood rooks, so we decided then to cancel our A pheasant April meeting for the safety and A blackbird peace of mind of our members. It And an owl. now looks very likely that our May by Audrey Keen AGM and probably the June meeting will not take place, but we are keeping in touch as much as possible with email, WhatsApp and The Archbishop of Canterbury, phone calls. Justin Welby, We are all missing our friends but will deliver a message of hope to school pupils realise how important it is to keep across the country in the first assembly at Oak each other and everyone else National Academy. safe, but will be looking forward to resuming our programme as The Archbishop’s address will be Since its launch on Monday 20th soon as it is safe to do so. We are streamed through TES from 10am April Oak Academy has seen over a very friendly and welcoming on Thursday 30 April 2020. It will two million lessons group so if you would like to join then remain available on the Oak accessed. Providing a sequenced National Academy website: https:// plan of video lessons and us when we resume please call me, www.thenational.academy curricular resources for teachers, Ellie on 01795 892016. In addition to the assemblies, the as well as parents and their Finally we send best wishes to all Church of England is also partnering children. our local villages, friends and with Oak National Academy to Assemblies at Oak National neighbours, Ellie Cameron, provide separate weekly collective Academy will be held in President worship sessions led by schools, which partnership with TES and be will be accessible to those of all faiths delivered by a range of well-known and none. This will be part of the faces. They will focus on topics like Church of England’s forthcoming hope and resilience, as well as MD’s #FaithAtHome programme, which practical advice and support. They launches later in the week. will act as a moment for the TILING Thursday’s event is expected to be country’s pupils to come together Quality Walls & Floors the biggest school assembly ever held and provide reassurance during in the UK. this uncertain time. Kitchen, Bathroom, Conservatories Supply & Fix or Fix Only Preparation Work & Floor Leveling Plasterer Under Floor Heating A D Pink Electrical Bathroom, En-suite & Cloakroom P.Hadley All types of domestic electrical Installation Undertaken Ceilings or Walls, Old or New • installations undertaken, from full Free Estimates, Friendly Advice and Reliable Service • Over skimming of Artex • Coving rewires to single sockets. 01795 531516 - 07952 733909 • Tiling Ceramic or Stone Garden and security lighting. 5 Baybank, Painter’s Forstal, , ME13 0EE NIG Registered Liability Insurance Cover • Plaster Boarding Landlords’ Electrical Safety • Tanking of Cellars Certificates. Fully insured • Rendering Barnie’s Sweeps • Lime Plastering and Restoration Work NICEIC Part P Domestic Installer Professional Brush & Vacuum Chimney No job too Large or Small Sweeping Service for Open Fires and Wood Burners Friendly Clean and Reliable Service Local Tradesman Clean Efficient Service For a no obligation free estimate or advice call Paul on Institute of Chimney Sweeps Trained Tel: 01622 884774 and Fully Insured 07740 530426 Certificate Issued after Sweeping 07761 559 744 For Further Details please call Berni on Working in Partnership with Tom Winter, 01795 581755 or 07751 109300 Painter and Decorator Email: [email protected] Visit me at www.barniessweeps.co.uk High Downs Parish

Parish Office Email: [email protected] facebook.com/highdownsbenefice Rector Reverend Canon Dr. Steve Lillicrap 01795 522510 [email protected]

Reader Norman Fowler (01795 890412) 4 Meesons Close, Eastling Reader Caroline Ramshaw (07799 538809) 4 Glebe Cottages, Eastling Churchwardens Eastling Andrew Baxter (01795 890598) Administrator Janet Payne E mail: [email protected] Stalisfield with Otterden Jean West (01233 712270) Administrator Sheila Moger (01233 463746) E mail: [email protected] Throwley Gaynore Moss (01795 890995)

Funerals during the coronavirus During the current restrictions we cannot restrictions welcome you into our churches right now but you are welcome to follow us on facebook.com/ Funerals have changed almost beyond highdownsbenefice and https:// recognition under the strict new rules to www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11982/ prevent the spread of coronavirus. Church of England funerals may now take place only at crematoria or at gravesides. Only New Sound System for St. Mary’s, Eastling immediate family may attend, and they Eastling DCC has approved the purchase of a must keep their two-metre distance. state-of-the-art digital sound system to replace our To help those who are grieving-at-a-distance creaking hearing loop. This will provide a much at this difficult time, the Church of England needed improvement for congregations and those has published a simple guide. It provides taking services. The proposal includes the use of existing wiring where possible and new, small both prayers and also suggestions of how speakers in ivory, to blend with the stonework. It people can pay their own tribute at home to is being funded through an anonymous gift from the person who has died. These include someone who lived in the village for many years. finding a photograph of the person who has We have to apply for a Faculty and this notice died, writing down memories of them, and invites anyone who wishes to know more about lighting a virtual candle in memory of their the project to contact myself or Mark Harlow. As loved ones. the church is currently closed, a notice of intent will be posted in the outside notice board. The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Head of Welcome and Life Events for the Church of Andrew Baxter Churchwarden, 01795 890598 England, said: “It’s so difficult when you can’t go to a funeral… to say your last Daily Prayer with the Dean goodbye and know that your special Canterbury Cathedral’s website has daily person’s life has been honoured, prayers morning prayer and evening prayer plus Sunday offered, and God’s love experienced.” Eucharist and Sunday Compline. Go to : https:// More details at: www.churchofengland.org/ www.canterbury-cathedral.org/#onlineservices Life Events. YOU CAN HELP save Marshes nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest This is our last chance to stop a massive, dangerous, dirty Solar Power Plant with the world’s largest highly flammable lithium batteries close to us here in Throwley and Faversham. Stay Active during the Lockdown Cleve Hill solar power development will cover the In the current Covid-19 lock down it can seem harder marshes from Faversham Creek to Seasalter to fit exercise and movement into your day. However, with solar panels the size of doubledecker buses. staying active is more important than ever at the moment, both for your physical and mental health. Please follow any of these links: Even if when you’re stuck at home there are still www.savegraveneymarshes.org plenty of ways you can build movement and exercise https://favershamlife.org/last-chance-to-stop- into your day. Online exercise could be an excellent faversham-sized-solar-power-plant/ addition to your day. Or this link for a quick read http://chng.it/r2S9PKTxZN ONLINE PILATES CLASSES! NEW! wildlife trust https:// WHENEVER AND WHEREVER YOU LIKE! www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/campaigns/planning- All you need is an internet connection - at home, at work, on holiday - anytime, anywhere! and-development/cleve-hill-solar-park Professionally-designed classes Ideal for busy people

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ZUMBA ® is a fusion of Latin and International music/dance themes which create the principle For lots of information on our local NHS the Kent and that a workout should be “FUN AND EASY TO DO”. The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body! Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust have an Join me at: excellent and informative site: Repton Connect Community Centre, Repton Ave, Ashford TN23 3RX Mondays 19.00 - 20.00 and 20.15 - 21.15 (£10 for both classes) https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk/ The Community Gym, The Lenham School, Ham Lane, Lenham ME17 2QJ - Tuesdays 19.30 - 20.30 Stalisfield Village Hall, Stalisfield Road, Faversham. ME13 0HY - Thursdays 18.30 - 19.30 For parents of school children: Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Road, Harrietsham, ME17 1AP - Fridays 10 - 11 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus- NO DANCE EXPERIENCE OR BOOKING REQUIRED! 16 & OVER covid-19-online-education-resources PAY AS YOU GO, ONLY £6PP! GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFO.... Copyright © 2014Zumba Fitness L.L.C : Zumba® and the Zumba logos are trademarks of Zumba Fitness L.L.C. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/voucher-scheme- launches-for-schools-providing-free-school-meals Leave your dandelions alone Garden Services When mowing your lawn, avoid cutting your Year Round Horticultural Care dandelions. That is the advice of the president Local RHS qualified gardener of the British Ecological Society, Prof Jane Memmott. It will help to save the ! Planting advice. Containers & flower and then you end with baskets. Rotovating. Pruning. bees. something like a tapestry, and it’s Hedge trimming. She explains: “Dandelions are a much nicer to sit there and watch ! Professional lawn care: fantastic source of pollen and nectar the insects buzzing about.” Scarifying, turfing, aerating for the early pollinators in particular. Prof Memmott encourages everyone and treatments. If they were rare, people would be to get a bee hotel for their garden. ! Organic and wildlife friendly fighting over them, but because “There’s nothing nicer than being approach! they’re common, people pull them sat in a chair with a glass of wine out and spray them with all sorts of and watching the bees going in and horrible things when they should just out of your own personal little Phone or Text Mike on: let them flower. If you leave the lawn beehive. Even just a potted plant on 07746 220 998 to three or four inches, then a doorstep will provide lunch for a Email: [email protected] dandelions, clover and daisies can bee or a fly or a butterfly.”

Pest Control Services GARDEN CLEARANCE Eastling Gardeners’ Club Rats, Mice, Wasps and No job too small. Bee Swarms removed Mowing, strimming. Trees topped/removed. The visit by Eastling Discreet & Prompt Service Fences and gates erected. Gardeners to Norton Local Tradesman For a free quote call Court Gardens on 19th Contact Andy Pink Nick Swatland 01795 886814 June has been cancelled. 01622 884774 / 07761 559 744 mobile 07713 766141 A prayer for all those suffering from COVID-19 at Prayer Pointers this time, and especially for all those who May 2020 continue to work to supply us with food and other necessities: Mondays - Pray for our Farmers and give God of all people, thanks for the wonderful countryside which surrounds us. we give you thanks for those whose work provides us with the necessities of life. Tuesdays - Pray for all working in our key services and give thanks for their courage, pray too for their families. In this time of increased demand and pressure, Wednesdays - Pray for the safety of those living in an help them to continue their work in safety and to abusive relationship, both the abuser and their victim(s). find the space and the peace amidst the busyness Thursdays - Pray for all whose businesses are threatened and to care for themselves and their families, those working for them, all facing an uncertain future. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Fridays - Pray for all on the ‘vulnerable list’ or living on their The Lord bless us and keep us, the Lord make own and give thanks for friends and neighbours offering help. his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us, the Saturdays - Pray for those who have prematurely lost loved Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us ones from this disease. and give us peace. Amen. Sundays - Give thanks to God for JESUS is ALIVE, alleluia. (from Canterbury Cathedral website)

Blessed are the truth-tellers

ITV News journalist and presenter Julie Etchingham, a practising Christian, has defended the role played by journalists during the Coronavirus pandemic.

services and the wider public are health experts, the scientists demanding answers. We are there researching vaccines to combat the on their behalf. We don’t always get virus, and the key workers keeping Julie told the Christians in Media it right. This isn’t a moment to trip our societies running. website, “Reporters are coming in people up, but urgently to get to But we also need to be praying for for a lot of flack for the questions the truth.” and supporting the men and they are asking government. But As a Christian who has worked in women working in and with the what else are we for? We all get communications for around 50 media to publish, upload, broadcast that this is a crisis like no other; years, I strongly support Julie and distribute the most accurate that few in government have ever Etchingham’s view. Now is the time information, without spin or had to navigate such a challenge. for truth and accuracy to be at the distortion. “But, if we’re still attempting to centre of all our communications. By Rev Peter Crumpler, a Church of function as a democracy in the So, yes, we need to be praying for England priest in St Albans, Herts, face of this, then scrutiny is clearly and supporting the front-line UK, and a former communications crucial. Many in our frontline health service staff, the public director with the CofE. Wags & Tales HOGBEN & PARTIS LTD INDEPENDENT FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MEMORIAL SUPPLIERS Professional Administration Chapels of Rest Office Solomon’s Lane Home from Home Dog Boarding 37 Stone Street (Off St Mary’s Road) One family’s dog/dogs at a time, Izzy's Odd Jobs Faversham Faversham in our home, we have 3 acres and lovely Kent ME13 8PH Kent ME13 8EF walks For all your general jobs: Accredited Funeral Fully Insured, Enhanced DBS Check Gardening, DIY, Cleaning, Director of Perfect Choice Canine first aid course. Animals (i.e. horses, dogs, cats, etc.). Funeral Plans Also Dog Walking service If interested/have any enquiries Telephone for the surrounding areas. contact me on 07455 394605. For more details please contact: 01795 532319 Always happy to help. Day or Night Trudie on 01795 890114 References available on request. www.hogbenandpartisfuneraldirectors.co.uk or 0771 4455 769 The Plough Inn, Stalisfield is now offering a take away service for food and drinks, please check out the website for details or give us a call. Join our Facebook group for details 'Community services from the Plough inn’. Please call 01795 890256 or email [email protected] to place your orders in advance or to get further details of our full take away menu. We can drop out to your car if you need us too also. In some circumstances we may be able to deliver, please just ask, we are all in this together! This is a perfect time to take full advantage of our shop. Pre order two to three days in advance for meat, fish and fresh vegetables, by phone or email. We can bring out to the car so you don’t even have to come into the pub and take payment over the phone. Keep up to date by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

Christina’s Mobile Hairdressing EASTLING VILLAGE HALL To book ring Hayley on Weddings & special occasions catered for on 01795 890968 27 years experience www.eastlingvillagehall.co.uk Mob: 07894 524166 A beautiful hall in a lovely village location for your Tel: 01795 890826 wedding, club, sports or meetings. Marcus Hammond The large hall has pretty grounds, car parking, meeting Email: [email protected] Tel: 01795 473959 A stylist who cares Mob: 07592 511612 rooms and fully equipped facilities for professional or Email: [email protected] self-catering occasions.

Faversham Foodbank May 2020 As you can imagine, the demand for supplies from the Foodbank has escalated. Currently our churches are under lockdown as well as us, so Faversham Foodbank has asked that we should leave our contributions in the designated collection bins in local supermarkets wherever possible or consider making a donation of money to the Foodbank instead. The details of how to do so are available at www.faversham.foodbank.org.uk If you know of someone who needs to use our local Foodbank and is unsure of how to get the Foodbank vouchers please advise them to contact West Faversham Community Association on 01795 537321. If you are a parent with a school age child most schools have Foodbank vouchers so contact the school office. Urgent items required for May Tinned ham; tinned fruit; sponge puddings; long life fruit juice; squash; porridge oats; instant mashed potato. The Ven John Barton looks to history for a parallel of what is happening now. Southern Cesspool Severed from routine and obliged to fashion new habits Services Imagine a world where By myself I have sworn, everything familiar has gone, the my mouth has uttered in all capital city’s most famous religious integrity a word that will landmark has been destroyed, you not be revoked: have been transported to a foreign Before me every knee will bow; country, and have no idea when or by me every tongue will swear. if you will be permitted to go They will say of me, home. That’s roughly what ‘In the Lord alone Tank Emptying are deliverance and strength.’ ” Treatment Plant Servicing and Jet Washing happened to the Jewish people in Regular Empties what is called the Babylonian Finally, and after many of the Clean Quick & Efficient Captivity more than 500 years BC. original exiles had died, the British Water Accredited Jerusalem and its Temple had Persians conquered Babylon, and been obliterated. In exile, the gave the exiles the option to go 01233 646767 / 732407 Jews weren’t treated too badly, but home, which many did. 07773 491356 they were bereft of the land they There must be a lesson here for www.southerncesspoolservices.com believed God had given them and many people round the world who, We Pride Ourselves On First where they felt Him to be present. because of Covid-19, suddenly Class Service When their captors, innocently, found themselves severed from asked them to sing one of their routine and obliged to fashion new religious songs, they bristled, habits for an unspecified period. “How can we sing the Lord’s song Regular worshippers were banished in a strange land?” from their churches. The But their faith matured in the 70- observance of Holy Week and Beechfields year exile. Scribes consolidated the Easter had to be in a makeshift Scriptures, new kinds of fashion. Special events were Residential Home congregations, called synagogues, cancelled. Road, , sprang up where they could At the same time, on the first worship and teach the faith. Their . Sunday of this ‘exile’ the Church of somewhat provincial view of God England attracted its largest Individual, ground floor, en-suite actually got bigger - not only did ‘congregation’ ever. A recorded rooms with views over the they find Israel’s God accessible in service led by the Archbishop of surrounding countryside. their foreign surroundings, but Canterbury, Justin Welby, is Run by the resident owners, their prophets began to see that estimated to have been seen or God was for all people. Cliff and Dorothy Saffrey, heard by around five million people. both registered nurses. Here’s part of Isaiah, Chapter 45 Nearly 30 per cent of those watching online were under the age Day Care available. “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; of 34. for I am God, It’s too soon to say what the long- Tel: 01795 520580 and there is no other. term impact will be. But while we cogitate on that, don’t forget to send your usual weekly offering to the Church Treasurer!

Treat your Feet FOOTCARE Nail cutting, corns and callus, fungal foot and nails, verrucas, ingrown toenails and care of the diabetic foot Rebecca Lapslie MCFHP MAFHP Foot health professional Home visits 01795 486849 07734 698792 Eastling School News Eastling Primary School like all schools nationally is going through unprecedented times. We are continuing to support all the children by providing home learning and opening the school for the children whose parents are key workers. The safety and wellbeing of the children and staff is our priority. The school was looking forward to being involved with the Eastling Annual Bluebell Walk this year but this of course can happen next year. We do have some school news to share with you from last term. On Monday 16th March our two infant classes, Acorn and Silver Birch, enjoyed a day of Outdoor Cooking. The school was delighted to work with Wild Classrooms again and the children cooked some delicious Chinese food. Year 6 were fortunate to still be able to have their residential trip before the country went into lockdown. The week was great fun and the children will all have long lasting memories. The children particularly enjoyed raft building where the majority of the children did end up WET! Mrs Dale remained on dry ground to take photographs and could not contain herself laughing hysterically when Mr Brunger fell completely into the water. On the first night there was an extremely limited amount of sleep had by all. Fortunately this did improve after the next full day of activities. The food was great and the children loved every moment. There are a few spaces available across the school for an immediate start. 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. Melanie Dale, Headteacher