Underriver Newssheet

APRIL 2017

Alleluia. He is Risen The Church of St Margaret, Underriver Contact:... St Lawrence Vicarage, Stone Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0LQ Telephone: 01732 761766 Email: [email protected] Church Calendar APRIL 2 5th Sunday of Lent Purple 11:15 All-age Family Service Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14 9 Palm Sunday Red 08:00 Holy Communion (BCP) Readings: Philippians 2:5-11 & Matthew 26:14-27 11:00 Palm Sunday Procession 11:15 Palm Sunday Service Readings: Philippians 2:5-11 & Matthew 26:14-27 13 Maundy Thursday White At St Lawrence’s 20:00 Maundy Thursday Communion (CW) 14 Good Friday 11:15 Good Friday Service Readings: from St John 18 & 19 16 EASTER DAY White 11:15 Easter Celebration Holy Communion (CW) Readings: Acts 10:34-43 & Matthew 28:1-10 23 2nd Sunday of Easter White 11:15 Holy Communion (CW) (Joint) Readings: Acts 2:14a,22-32 & John 20:19-end 30 3rd Sunday of Easter White At St Lawrence’s 9:45 Holy Baptism (CW) (Joint) Readings: Acts 2:14a,36-41 & Luke 24:13-15

Key: BCP = Book of Common Prayer - a service using traditional (17th C) language and form; CW = Common Worship - a service using contemporary (21st C) language and form

St Margaret’s Church Website St Margaret’s now has its own website. To keep up to date about services and events please see www.stmargaretsunderriver.org.uk 2 Some thoughts for the month ahead

The contrast is clear: St. George St George and Hiccup and the slayed the evil dragon, while Hiccup dragon refused to kill one. However, they also Have you seen the film How to have something important in Train your Dragon? It’s set in a Viking common. Both acted according to village under attack from dragons, their conscience, defying the popular who steal livestock and burn down understanding of those around them houses. Hiccup, the village Chief’s son, and not worrying about the personal invents a machine to capture dragons. cost to themselves. St. George was However, when he catches one of the martyred for standing up for his faith most dangerous dragons, he cannot in Jesus before a pagan emperor, kill it, when he sees that the dragon is while Hiccup risked rejection by his just as frightened as he is. Through father and village because of his this friendship, the people and compassion. dragons eventually live in harmony. Today, we are still called to stand This month we celebrate St. for Christ against wrongs and injustice George, the patron saint of England. in a daily life, whatever the personal He is famous for slaying a dragon, a cost. However, we also need to be tradition which became popular in the ready to look our enemies in the eye Middle Ages. Whether he killed an and meet their hostility with love and actual dragon is open to question! compassion. This is why we also However, we do know that the remember this month that Jesus died original George was a Roman soldier and rose again, so that we might have at the time of Emperor Diocletian. He God’s power to do this in our lives. refused to renounce his faith, as commanded by the Emperor, resulting in his death on 23 April 303 AD.

EASTER LILIES If anyone would like to make a donation towards the purchase of Easter Lilies in memory of someone (if you would like to name them, a list will be on the Altar for Easter Sunday and Easter Week), please contact me either by phone 01732 833141 or email [email protected] Jane Martineau 3 EASTER – the most joyful day of the year

Easter is the cient Easter liturgy. He had not real- most joyful ised he was simply too late: how can day of the year you convince people who have already for Christians. experienced God, that He does not Christ has died exist? for our sins. Why Easter will never go away We are forgiv- But how do you make sense of the en. Christ has risen! We are re- Resurrection? Dead men don’t rise, so deemed! We can look forward to an why believe that this particular dead eternity in his joy! Hallelujah! man did rise? The Good News of Jesus Christ is a At the end of St Luke’s Gospel we message so simple that you can explain read that: “they still did not believe it it to someone in a few minutes. It is so because of joy and amazement” (Luke profound that for the rest of their lives 24.4). This is highly significant. The they will be still be ‘growing’ in their Gospels do not show us a group of dis- Christian walk with God. ciples who were in a receptive frame of Three years after the Russian Revo- mind. After the crucifixion, they were lution of 1917, a great anti-God rally in hiding, frightened and scattered. was arranged in Kiev. The powerful Then suddenly, they came out of hid- orator Bukharin was sent from Mos- ing and were totally different; excited, cow, and for an hour he demolished joyful. By Pentecost they were confi- the Christian faith with argument, dent, with one firm message: “You abuse and ridicule. At the end there crucified Jesus, but God raised him was silence. up!” Then a man rose and asked to How did they know this? Because of speak. He was a priest of the Russian experience. Some of them had visited Orthodox Church. He went and stood the tomb of Jesus: it was empty. Oth- next to Bukharin. Facing the people, ers claimed to have seen and touched he raised his arms and spoke just three the risen Lord. Were they halluci- triumphant words: ‘Christ is risen!’ nating? People can hallucinate in At once the entire assembly rose to groups – when taking drugs, for exam- their feet and gave the joyful response, ple. But of course each one will see a “He is risen indeed!” It was a devas- different hallucination. But the disci- tating moment for an atheist politician, ples all saw the same thing. Or rather, who had no answer to give to this an- the same person. Jesus. 4 Another reason for believing in the Were they lying? Jesus had died a Resurrection is this: Jesus’ continuing humiliating death as a criminal. Per- impact. Thousands and soon millions haps they wanted to rescue His good of people in every generation since name. So did they pretend they had have shared an inescapable sense of seen Him? being ‘accompanied’ through life. Though unseen, they identify this pres- This theory has a big problem. Their ence as the Risen Lord. preaching led them into trouble with the authorities. They were beaten and Sometimes this experience of imprisoned and some of them killed. meeting Jesus is gentle and fitful. People will die for ideas and causes Sometimes it is dramatic and life- which they believe in passionately. But changing. This reminds us that the res- not for things they have made up. We urrection of Jesus is not just an inter- might suffer for our convictions, we esting historical puzzle. It is a vital pre- will not suffer for our inventions. sent day reality. It brings wonderful comfort, assuring us of the central What about the ‘swoon’ theory? Christian truths: death is dead; Jesus is That Jesus didn’t die on the cross, de- alive; God is love. spite terrible wounds. He recovered in the tomb, and escaped. The disciples This central notion was captured, nursed Him back to health. But Roman most movingly, by the great Albert soldiers knew when a man was dead; Schweitzer: “He came to those men and there was the guard on the tomb. who knew Him not. He speaks to us Also, the events which followed simply the same word: ‘Follow thou me’, and don’t fit. sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfil for our time. He commands. And If the disciples had been hiding Je- to those who obey Him, whether they sus, they would have kept very low- be wise or simple, He will reveal him- key, and out of the way, so that the self in the toils, the conflicts, the authorities did not come after him suffering which they shall pass through again. in His fellowship, and, as ineffable mys- Besides, to preach that God had tery, they shall learn in their own expe- raised Jesus from the dead – which is rience who He is.” exactly what they did preach – would Have a joyful – and a have been a lie. Beatings and threat of challenging – Easter. death would soon have loosened their tongues. Inventions crumble under pressure; convictions hold fast.

5 CHURCH NEWS

Looking forward: Palm Sunday 9th April - There will be the traditional walk from Carter’s Hill. Please join us at about 11:00 am and walk to our Palm Sunday Service at 11:15. Maundy Thursday 13th April - Holy Communion at 8:00pm at St Lawrence. Good Friday 14th April - We will be walking from St Lawrence’s Church to St Margaret’s leaving at around 9.10am (weather permitting). The service will be at St Margaret’s at 11 15 am, with hot drinks and hot cross buns available in the Village Hall from 10.45 am. Easter Day 16th April 11.15 am – Easter Celebration of Holy Communion for all the family. Come and join us celebrate the true meaning of Easter.

ST MARGARET’S CHURCH 150th ANNIVERSARY DINNER Friday 21st July at The White Rock Inn Our Special Celebration Dinner will take place on Friday 21st July at The White Rock. Tickets for this 3 course extravaganza will be £28 per head which includes a tip for the staff. Numbers are limited and we expect this event to sell early. If you would like to put your name down please e mail Maxine and Graham Clark at Holt- [email protected] . alternatively phone on 01732 833376 but it would be help- ful to have an email address for further communication. If you are responding on behalf of others, as your guests, please advise me of their names. Details regarding payment and menus will be sent out in due course. Maxine & Graham Clark

6 150th anniversary of St Margaret’s Church I think many people in the village are now aware that 2017 is the 150th anni- versary of St Margaret’s Church. Our celebrations will be centred on the weekend of July 21st to 23rd, and there will be much more about this nearer the time, but please make a note in your diaries that we have arranged a celebration dinner at the White Rock for Friday July 21st. Frank has drawn up a special menu. We very much hope that lots of people from across the community will want to join us to mark this special event, not just churchy types! Something to give thought to now, however. There is a strong feeling that there should be something in the church, or given to it, to mark this anniver- sary. Our centenary is commemorated by the big brass processional cross used on the major festivals. I would love to have some suggestions for marking our 150th. Emails please to [email protected]. One suggestion already received is that we might put a small plaque in the church mentioning the original builder and architect from 1867 and the donor of our organ, and saying that the plaque was erected in 2017 in commemora- tion. Please let me know what you think of this suggestion. Andrea Pierce

7 Underriver Village Association Chairman: Miles Hayward Annual Membership £10 per household - To join contact [email protected]

Pilates Classes BOOT CAMP Mondays 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm Fast paced circuit based workout Tuesdays 9:25 am Every Tuesday 7.30pm Contact: Zoe George 07950 494 335 Contact: Chris - Email: [email protected] email: [email protected] or call 07796 www.zoegeorgepilates.com 693756

Cookies Kitchen The Band Jam Children's cookery classes held during Runs a three day courses in Underriver during school holidays & at weekends. school holidays for young singers and For further information - musicians aged between 8-14 years old. For further information - email: [email protected] or call email: [email protected]. 07786 271227 Telephone: 07786 166009

Dates for your diaries: • May 12th UVA Golf Day • Jun 17th U Fest • July 22nd Horticultural Society Summer Show • Jul 21st -23rd St Margaret's 150 Years Weekend • Oct 27th Fireworks & Halloween Night • Dec 10th Second Wind Christmas Concert St Margaret’s

Newssheet Subscriptions A reminder. £7.00 or £13.00 for postal subscribers. Cheques made payable to St Margaret’s Church, Underriver or cash should in the first instance be handed to the person who delivers your newssheet. If you are unable to hand to your delivery person then please send to: Belinda Goodwin. The Kentish Barn, Un- derriver House Road, Underriver. TN15 0SJ. Belinda

8 Ladies Choir: As you may know we are trying to get a Ladies Underriver choir together for the ‘U’ Fest which is being held in the village on Saturday 17th June in the afternoon/ early evening. It would be nice to have a dozen or so ladies so we can work in some harmonies. We have a few songs in mind to have a go at, and we have some ‘training tracks’ that can help. We will need a choir director, which we are still working on. We estimate to have approximately 6 to 8 rehearsals before the day, and can discuss these dates, once we know who is interested in taking part. Please can you let myself or Belinda know if you would like to be a part of it Louise: [email protected] Belinda: [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you…

Louise & Belinda

Neighbourhood Watch Shed burglaries in West Kent: Kent Police is reminding residents in West Kent to ensure their sheds are locked up following a spate of burglaries. Officers are aware that a number of sheds have been broken into between Sunday 26 February and Wednesday 1 March 2017. The latest incidents are believed to have happened between Tuesday 28 Febru- ary and Wednesday 1 March 2017 where it was reported that five sheds were broken into. Sergeant Richard O’Toole of Kent Police said: `We take reports of all crime seri- ously and I would encourage people to check to ensure their sheds are kept locked and secure and that no valuables are kept inside. `Anyone who has information about these incidents can call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference YY/5417/17.’ Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 We have also had some burglaries locally, a shed in the centre of Underriver was broken into & a house in Fawke Common was also broken into. So PLEASE BE AWARE

“Lamping”: It has been reported to me that lamping for foxes and rabbits at night is quite legal IF they have permission from the landowner but lamping for deer is illegal! I have been told that there may be people from outside the county who are thought to be lamping in Underriver from the road when it’s dark, they are using an R reg Landrover Discovery with a high intensity spot light on top. Apparently the police are aware of the situation and action is being taken. If you see any suspicious vehicle, please try to get the number plate and make of car and let me know. [email protected]

9 ‘U’ FEST

Saturday 17 June

and an afternoon of cars, face and

are for to out on

Please for

All Fools’ Day In years gone by, the rules surrounding April Fool were this: between mid- night and noon on 1 April, everyone is ‘fair game’ to be made a fool of. It is the morning of the practical joke. But the aim is not just to discomfort the victim: he must be tricked into taking action himself, sent on a ‘fool’s errand’. And so children would be sent to the dairy for a pint of dove’s milk, or to the bookseller for The Life of Eve’s Mother. Practical jokes on a bigger scale were played: in 1860 a vast number of people received an official looking invitation to the Tower of London that read: ‘Admit the Bearer and Friends to view the An- nual Ceremony of Washing the White Lions.’ Precisely the same trick had been played in 1698. Then, on the stroke of noon, tradition decrees, April Fools is finished. If any- one attempts devilry thereafter, even while the clock is still striking, it recoils on his own head. A child would then race through the sing-song formula: ‘April- Fool-Day’s-past-and-gone-you’re-the-fool-and-I-am-none!’

10 Tim Stanley to speak at the Underriver Village Hall

Wednesday 24th May (evening) Tim Stanley is a leader writer and columnist for the Daily Telegraph, some- times seen on BBC Question Time and often heard on Radio4. His fascination with US history and politics have led him to teach at the Universities of Sussex, London and Oxford as well as fellowships at Royal Holloway and Harvard. As part of his work for the Telegraph he covered the 2016 US election. He will be telling us about his experiences on the campaign trail, why last year’s vote swept away the received orthodoxies of presidential contests and his views on the future of the Trump presidency. The evening is being held to raise funds for Hospice In The Weald. Tickets are available from Mike Clyne (01732 832000 or [email protected]). We are hoping to raise as much money as possible and therefore a minimum dona- tion of £20 per person is requested (light refreshments will be served and are included).

11 UNDERRIVER GOLF DAY FRIDAY 12th MAY

INCLUDES: 9 HOLE COMPETITION AT HEVER GOLF CLUB FOLLOWED BY

7.30pm DINNER & PRIZE GIVING AT UNDERRIVER VILLAGE HALL (Bring Your Own Wine/Refreshments)

YOUNG PLAYERS WELCOMED PROVIDING THEY ARE PROFICIENT GOLFERS & ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

TICKETS: £35 (DINNER ONLY: £15)

TO RESERVE A PLACE PLEASE CONTACT EDWARD ROOK 07798893580 Email: [email protected]

CLOSING DATE FOR GOLF ENTRIES – 1st May

12 UNDERRIVER BOOK CLUB

It was with some trepidation that I tween his formidable suggested this month’s book – “A intellect and his treas- Shepherd’s Life: A tale of the Lake Dis- ured inheritance. He trict by James Rebanks. I thought that knows himself and is it might be an overload of sheep, but I at peace. His spell at need not have worried, the group, University and in the without exception, loved it. outside world, gives him a much greater This beautifully written book, de- understanding of why city dwellers scribes in detail the life of a sheep would want to experience this glorious famer, tending his sheep and therefore landscape for themselves and under- managing the ancient Fells in Matter- stands that there can be harmony dale, Cumbria. This is an ancient land between the two. and his family have farmed this area of the Cumbrian Fells for generations – We all loved his beautifully evoca- going back to the Vikings.. The name tive descriptions of the landscape, Matterdale is derived from the Old made with simplistic elegance. The English Maeddre and the Old Norse author feels and cares deeply for the word “dair” and means ‘the valley Fells, the animals in his care and de- where the bed straw grows’ scribes it in moving detail. His love for the Herdwicks, magnificently adapted Within the first few pages of the to the landscape and the impact the book, it becomes obvious that this is changing of the seasons has on his no ordinary shepherd. He has a less work, is beautifully descriptive. than spectacular schooling career, dropping out with no qualifica- The future of our countryside is safe tions. However, intellectually he feels with persons of such intelligence and unfulfilled, so decides to study for A knowledge, with the ability to bridge levels and wins a place at Magdalen the divide between diversifying to College, Oxford, graduating with a meet the demands of our fast and ever double first in history. He briefly works changing modern world, whilst at the for a newspaper in London, but this, same time, adapting in order to pro- for him, is not the real world and his tect this ancient, precious and beauti- heart belongs to The Fells and his ful landscape. beloved Herdwick sheep. As one of our members put it - this He returns to the ancient Fells, book is like a breath of fresh air. settling within himself the conflict be- Elizabeth Shirtcliff

13 LOCAL THEATRE

Live shows on stage From Wednesday 5th to Saturday 8th April at Sevenoaks’ Stag Theatre (01732 450175), the Sevenoaks Players will present Hairspray. Set in 1962 Baltimore, this energetic mu- sical tells the story of teen-aged Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of dancing in The Corny Collins Show. After befriending some African-American students, Tracy’s overcomes the odds and joins the ‘dance council’. On Thursday 6th April, Tunbridge Wells’ Trinity Arts Theatre (01892 678678) will feature The Pantaloons’ “hilarious new adaptation” of Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. Will Mrs Bennet marry off her daughters? Will Lizzy and Darcy actually get together? And will creepy Mr Collins just go away? On Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April, at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre (01892 530613) there will be two shows for young children. Northern Bal- let’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears on Wednesday will be 40 minutes of live bal- let, music and theatre; and on Thursday Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom will be based on the BAFTA-award TV animation by the makers of Pippa Pig. From Friday 14th to Sunday 16th April the Assembly Hall (01892 530613), will stage The Little Mermaid, “a laugh-a-minute Easter family musical” presumably based on the well-known fairy tale of a mermaid who falls in love with a handsome prince. The Sea Witch sells her a potion that gives her legs but at a terrible cost. Her dancing stuns the prince - but (alas) he marries another. The Little Mermaid can only return to the depths if she kills him. She refuses to do so; and, in the end, her soul will rise up to the kingdom of God. On Thursday 13th April the Stag Youth Theatre (01732 450175) will perform The Wilderness. This brand-new play is set in a very near future when food is scarce, the climate is unkind and disease is spreading. Children will inherit the land and only the strongest will survive. This show is unlikely to be a bundle of laughs, but you can expect to see some gripping performances. On Saturday 22nd April at the Assembly Hall (01892 530613), Opera and Ballet International will present Puccini’s ever-popular weepie La Bohème with Russian so- prano Ecaterina Danu as Mimi and French soprano Olga Perrier as Musetta. Puccini’s wonderful music includes Your tiny hand is frozen and They call me Mimi. Set in the attics and backstreets of Paris, this production features Musetta’s dog(!), a brass band and snow effects. Don’t forget your hankies for the last scene when Mimi finally succumbs to tuberculosis. From Saturday 22nd to Saturday 29th April, Tonbridge’s Oast Theatre (01732 363849) will present Philip Goulding’s A Fine Bright Day Today. Margaret has been

(Continued on page 15) 14 (Continued from page 14) a widow for thirty years; Milton is a divorced American. When their paths unexpectedly cross, what follows is humorous, poignant and heartening. From Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th April at the Assembly Hall (01892 530613), the Tunbridge Wells Opera and Dramatic Society will stage Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun. When Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show hits Ohio, its handsome star challeng- es anyone in town to a shooting match. Rough and naïve Annie is a brilliant shot, who falls in love straightaway but still wins the shooting contest. Hit songs include Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly, You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun, There’s No Business Like Show Busi- ness and Anything You Can Do. Also from Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th April, at Trinity (01892 678678), Trinity’s own Theatre Club will perform Alan Ayckbourn’s Private Fears in Public Places. Three London couples struggle with their fears, their futures and themselves; and the ripples rock others in devastating ways. This intimate portrait of contemporary life is billed as tender, true and very funny. Screened live performances and encores will include: Puccini’s Madam Butterfly from the Royal Opera House on Sunday 2nd April at the Tunbridge Wells Odeon (encore); Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from the National Theatre at Trinity on Saturday 8th April and at the Stag on Thursday 20th April (both encores); The Royal Ballet in George Balanchine’s Jewels at Trinity and the Odeon on Tues- day 11th April (live) and at the Odeon on Sunday 16th April (encore); and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar from the RSC at the Stag on Wednesday 26th April (live). Arthur Rucker.

Services at St Lawrence, Seal Chart

APRIL 2 5 Sunday of Lent 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9:45 All-age Family Service 9 Palm Sunday 9:30 Palm Sunday Procession 9:45 Palm Sunday Service 13 Maundy Thursday 20:00 Maundy Thursday Communion (CW) 14 Good Friday 9:00 Walk to St Margaret’s 11:15 Good Friday Service at ST Margaret’s 16 EASTER DAY 9:45 Easter Celebration of Holy Communion 23 2 Sunday of Easter 11:15 Holy Communion at St Margaret’s 30 3 Sunday of Easter 9:45 Holy Baptism 15 Rotas for St Margaret’s Useful Names and Addresses Church Warden Sidesmen/-women and Readers Andrea Pierce, 1 Grenadier Cottages, Riding Lane, 2 Apr Sides: J Fair Hildenborough, TN11 9QH; 832408. Reader: Elizabeth Shirtcliff Underriver Village Association 9 Apr Secretary: Robert Talbot, Weald Heights, 8:00 Side: S Tawney Fawke Common, Underriver, TN15 0SP; 761546. Reader: Ruth Hawker [email protected] 11.15 Sides: A Rucker & J Rucker Village Hall Reservations Reader: Phillip Payne Laura Chappell, 07778 128082 or 14 Apr Sides: J Hurrion [email protected] Reader: Arthur Rucker www.underriver-village.org.uk 16 Apr Sides: G Clark & C Thornton Omar Mullick , [email protected] Reader: Charlotte Thornton Thursday Underriver Group 23 Apr Sides: J Clemence Secretary: Pat Hope, 01732 833933. Reader: Charles Honnywill Horticultural Society Secretary: Mary Owlett, Absaloms Farm; 838716. Church Flowers Underriver Youth Group 2 Apr Lent Charles Honnywill, Underriver Farm; 838036. Cricket Club Ian Batty 07877 106681 9 Apr Lent Scotts Project Secretary: Jill Scott, 833498. 16 Apr EASTER Kent County Council Nick Chard, 42 High Street, 23 Apr Jane Martineau Sevenoaks, TN13 1JG; 07855 787511. [email protected] 30 Apr Fionna Brooks Sevenoaks District Council Ward Representatives Roderick Hogarth, 01732 760325 Church Brass Cleaning [email protected] Julia Thornton, 07831 234449 1 Apr Graham Clark & Arthur Rucker [email protected] 29 Apr Tim Pierce & Tim Tawney Seal Parish Council www.sealparishcouncil.org.uk Church Cleaning Clerk - Lorna Talbot; 01732 763488. [email protected] 1 Apr S Brunton & J Fair Tim Martin; 07929 839914 8 Apr B Leafe & L Notkey [email protected] Fidelity Weston: 463372 [email protected] 15 Apr J Martineau & L Weston Parish Administrative Assistant Tim Pierce [email protected] 22 Apr R Hawker & A Martin 29 Apr A Ridge & S Tawney

Newssheet subscription: £7.00 or £13.00 for postal subscribers. Cheques payable to St Margaret’s Church, Underriver or cash should be handed to the person who delivers your newssheet or Belinda Goodwin, The Kentish Barn, Underriver, TN15 0SJ.

All contributions should be submitted to the editor by 15th of the preceding month. Editor Tim Pierce, 1 Grenadier Cottages, Riding Lane, Hildenborough TN11 9QH 01732 832408 [email protected] 16