Doddington, Newnham & Wychling Newsletter December 2019
Merry Christmas CHEQUERS INN, DODDINGTON 01795 886366 Opening Hours: Monday – closed EXCEPT for Bank Holidays Tuesday, Thursday 12-3 & 6-11 The Friday & Saturday 12-12 Sunday 12-8 George Breakfast now served every Sat and Sun 9.30 - 11am Newnham Possibly the best Sunday lunch, served 12-4pm Opening hours Tuesday: 6pm-9pm 2 Delicious Burgers for just £13 Mondays Closed all day Wednesday night: Midweek Roast - Tuesdays 6pm – 10.30pm Food served 6-9pm available to all but £7.95 for our lovely OAP’s Monday Closed Thursday: Curry night 6pm-9pm & a drink for £10 Wednesdays,Tuesday 6-11.00pm Thursdays food 11.30aam served- 10.30pm6-9pm Food served 12-3pm and 6-9pm Kids & Dogs welcome. Gluten free options available. Wed. Thurs. Fri. 11.30-3pm 6-11.00pm Friday 11.30am-11.30pm food 12-3pm & 6-9pm Lunch menus available 12pm-3pm FoodFish served & Chips 12-3pm available 6-9pm Evening menu and specials available from Saturdays 11.30amSaturday-11.30pm9.30- 11.30amBreakfast 9.30-11.30an Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – 3pm/6pm – 9pm Food foodserved 12- 123pm-3pm 6-9pm 6-9pm Booking advisable to avoid disappointment Breakfast 11.30-11.00pm Sundays 12-8pm food 12-6pm Please see back page for other events Sunday 12-8pmAfternoon Food Teasserved 12-5pm The Chequers Post Office: Tues 13:00-14:30. Usual PO services, (bookings only) utility bills, Council Tax. Lloyds, Barclays and Co-op deposits and www.thegeorgenewnham.co.ukwww.thegeorgenewnham.co.uk withdrawals, Pre-order foreign currency – 0% commission TELEPHONE 01795 890237 TELEPHONE 01795 890237 www.shepherdneam.co.uk/pubs/Faversham/chequersinn Newnham Village Hall Available to hire for parties & functions Well fitted kitchen with cooker Crockery, cutlery and glasses available (at additional charge) Enquiries regarding availability to: Sue Kirby: 01795 890095 - 91 The Street, Newnham - [email protected]
The George Inn Newnham Friday Fish & Chips - £5.00 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm Take away only Tel: 01795 890237 Thursday Pie & Liquor Night 6-9pm Saturday Morning Breakfast 9.30-11.30am Cooked Breakfast, baguettes, eggs benedict, Eggs royale and pancakes Christmas Eve open 6-10.30 Food 6-9pm Christmas Day open for drinks 12-2pm Fully booked for Christmas07748 Dinner 220 998
2 Everybody knows the ‘little town of Bethlehem’ where Jesus was born according to the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. Bethlehem was probably a place like our village. Normal people lived their normal lives. The difference is this place was mentioned in the Old Testament hundreds of years before Christ was born: ‘But you, o Bethlehem of Ephrata, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel.’ So Bethlehem was quite famous among the people of ancient Israel. Thinking of the world around us these days we can’t look away from the many problems and challenges to mankind which have to be solved by all of us.
Often I hear people say: ‘Well, I think this or that has to be changed in the world or has to be handled differently’. And I myself am quite aware that are things I should change in my life. After a little while – and maybe with a helpless smile in their faces – they might add: ‘But then I think I am only a little light in the world. What difference does it make what I do or don’t do?’
A lot!!! I would think. In a certain way we may compare to Bethlehem. – We may probably be only ‘a little light’ in the world, quite insignificant and of little importance as a single individual – and yet we are important for making things better throughout the world. Bethlehem was the place where Jesus was born, a man who preached love and charity, a man who changed the world. All things – good as well as bad – have small beginnings. Just like Bethlehem we could be of minor importance to the rest of the world and yet each one of us will leave their marks in the world for better or for worse.
As Advent is drawing near we might start growing more aware of our own possibilities. Just as Bethlehem started out rather insignifcantly and yet went down in history as something very special, we could stop thinking or saying: ‘I am only a little light I cannot change the world.’
We could start thinking or saying: I will make a difference. I can try to bring more peace into the world. I can try to live in a way that is environment friendly. I can try to support an atmosphere of friendly welcome to strangers wherever they may come from. I can ......
I wish you the good feeling of making a difference to this world as we go on to Christmas.
Yours, Hans
3 Kcs carpentry & Joinery Karl smith All carpentry work covered
01795 435294 07780608819
Doddington Tea Rooms Come in and join us for: Breakfast & Lunch, Teas & Coffee, Sandwiches & Cake Open Tues–Sat 10am-4pm Sun 10am-2pm Bookings taken for Traditional Afternoon Tea Doddington Tea Rooms, Standford Nursery Chequers Hill, Doddington, ME9 0BL [email protected] 07930017014
Doddington & Maidstone based qualified Florist. Providing flowers4 for any occasion. Free local delivery. Order via our website or Facebook page. Tel: O7710 480068 [email protected] Website ellicawse-floraldesigns.co.uk 4 CHURCH SERVICES IN THE PARISH DECEMBER 2019
1st December 9.00am Holy Communion Lynsted Advent 9.00am Holy Communion - Extension Oare 10.30am Family Service Teynham 10.30am Family Service - Harvest Norton 10.30am Holy Communion Doddington 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted
8th December 9.00am Holy Communion Oare Advent 2 9.00am Holy Communion Norton 10.30am Holy Communion Newham 10.30am Family Communion Teynham 10.30am Family Service Lynsted 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted
15th December 9.00am Holy Communion Newnham Advent 3 9.00am Holy Communion Oare 10.30am Family Service Teynham 10.30am Holy Communion Norton 10.30am Christingle Doddington 3.30pm Holy Communion Teynham 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted 6.00pm Carols Round the Tree Newnham
21st December 5.00pm Carols Wychling
22nd December 9.00am Holy Communion Doddington Advent 4 10.30am Family Holy Communion Teynham 3.30pm Carols Teynham 5.00pm Crib Service Oare 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted 6.30pm Carols Norton
24th December 3.30pm Christingle Teynham Christmas Eve 5.00pm Crib Service Newnham 11.30pm Holy Communion – Ex Newnham
25th December 10.00am Family Service Lynsted Christmas Day 10.00am Holy Communion Oare 11.00am Holy Communion Norton 11.00am Holy Communion Doddington
29th December 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion Oare Trinity 15 6.00pm Breakthrough Lynsted
www.kingsdownandcreekside.co.uk Quiet time of Bible Reading and prayers Mondays 12 noon at Norton, Tuesdays 8.30am Lynsted, Fridays Doddington 9.15am.
Church Wardens Contact Details: Newnham: Bruce Leckie (01795) 890550 Dave Buckett (01795) 890240 Doddington: Les Roberts (01795) 886332 Matthew Jevons (01795) 886341 Wychling: Paula Jardine (01795) 886165 Linda Yates (01795) 830285 5 Wildwinds Antique Centre Norton Crossroads, London Road, Teynham (A2) Tel: 07986 815580 Antiques, Vintage, Retro, Tea room 10-5 Wed-Sat, 10-4 Sun Lots of different traders with fantastic items A defibrillator can be found on the north wall of Doddington Village Hall and also on the Porch wall of Newnham Village Hall.
What’s On Doddington Village Hall (unless otherwise stated) Weekly PILATES – Thursdays 12 noon – Contact: Julie Patching, email: [email protected]***NEW MEDAU - exercise, move, & dance your way to fitness! Tuesdays 9.45am - 11am. Contact: Jane on 01795 886267 Valley Players: Tuesday evenings, September to December from 7.30pm. If you are interested in helping or taking part in future productions pop in and leave your name and contact details. Backstage help particularly welcome. Buddies Parent and Toddler Group: Thursday morning (term-time) 10.00 to 11.30. All children aged 0 - 4 and their carers are most welcome. Contacts Laura 07930 710755 and Francesca 07968 168824 Doddington Ukulele Movement: Thursday evenings 8pm. Contact: Bob Allen: 01795 886848, [email protected]
Monthly Doddington Parish Council : 2nd Monday 7.30 pm. Local residents welcome to observe, and there is a section for questions and comments from the public. Historical Research Group: 4th Monday 7.30pm. Exploring local history and archaeology in the three parishes. Enquiries to Paula 01795 886165 or email: [email protected]
Newnham Village Hall (unless otherwise stated) Weekly Youth Club: **Until further notice, there will be no youth club for the time being**. As some will know, the original plans did not come to fruition. Newnham Parish Council are still investigating alternative arrangements. It would be useful if those parents interested in their teenagers having a youth club could contact the Parish Council (see page 11 for contact details). Newnham Brownies: 5.30pm - 7.00pm every Tuesday (term-time only). Contact: Val - 890240 Tea and Chat: 2pm on 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month but during summer months 3rd Thursday only. Newnham Folk Dance Group: Friday 8.00pm - 10.00pm. 01227 264322
Monthly Newnham Parish Council Meeting: 2nd Thursday each month at 8pm
Nearby towns and villages Medau: Tuesdays 7.15pm-8.30pm Tunstal CoE Primary School, Wednesdays 9.45am - 11am Norton V. Hall, Thursdays 9.30am-10.45am & 11.15am-12.30pm Tunstall Village Hall, 1.45pm-3.00pm, Boughton Village Hall. Plus specialspecial seated seated class class at Norton at Forge Village Hall, Hall, Borden Wednesdays 1.45pm 11.30am -3pm. Contact: Jane on 01795 886267 Zumba: Day and evening classes in Teynham, Faversham and Eastling. Contact Leigh Miles 01795 890149, 07873431952, [email protected], or www. milesdanceandfitness.com
Guitar & Ukulele Group: The Chequers, Wednesday 7.30pm - 9.30pm, all levels welcome.
Useful contacts Doddington Neighbourhood Watch: To be kept informed of local incidents and general notifications issued by the Kent NHW police, please email: [email protected] Suspicious happenings should be reported by phone on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Doddington Community Warden: Dave Osborne: 07813 712803 Doddington and Newnham online: www.doddingtonkent.btck.co.uk www.newnhampc.kentparishes.gov.uk. Facebook: Doddington Village and Newnham Village each have their own Facebook sites
Helen Whately: MP for Faversham and Mid Kent - email: [email protected] Address: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6472 7 Lady Gardener Available for Planting, Pruning, Mowing & Weeding Regular Visit or One-off Minimum 2 hours Call Bev - 07752830979 DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Chairman: Kevin Attwood 886395, Vice Chairman: Steve Coates 886378 Councillors: Graham Cuthbert 886365, Peter Duckworth 886112, Kevin Fraser 886623, Colin Jones 886857 and Sallie Shaw 886804 Clerk: Wendy Licence 01622 739324
SPEED WATCH Since April 2019, one hundred and fifty-seven vehicles out of approximately three thousand vehicles have been recorded speeding in Doddington. Seventeen have received a letter, meaning they have been recorded twice; ten have received a second time letter as they have been recorded three times and two have received direct letter for exceeding 40mph. In Wychling, one hundred and twelve vehicles have been recorded speeding, there were eighty first time letters and three second time letters. The great majority of those recorded speeding are not recorded again. There has been no further support from Wychling.
PLANNING MATTERS i. Ref: 19/504932/FULL Address: Down Court Farm Down Court Road Doddington ME9 0AT Proposal: Erection of a grain store with lean-to's and construction of screening bund and associated landscaping. Councillors considered the application and the concerns raised by residents. Councillors discussed the size of the proposed grain store and its appropriateness within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the potential for an increase in traffic and Councillors recognised that Doddington is a farming community and that Down Court Farm is a working farm and provides local employment. The applicant had also taken positive steps to address the concerns of residents, but that one or two reservations had yet to be resolved. The residents were encouraged to discuss these with the applicant. Councillors agreed by the casting vote of the Acting Chairman to support the application subject to residents' concerns being addressed. ii. Ref: 19/505148/LDCEX Address: The Manor House Lady Margaret Manor Rd Doddington Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) for the retention of 3no. outbuildings for use incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal.
HIGHWAYS Annie Thurgarland, KCC Flood Management has been in discussion with Mr Leigh-Pemberton of Torry Hill and is currently formalising plans with KCC Highways. KCC Highways are going to create some grips which will divert flow off Faversham Road onto Mr Pemberton’s land to reduce the amount of water which reaches Doddington from this side. It is hoped that these works will occur in the next couple of months. The drainage to the lagoon on the Old Lenham Road has been improved by Mr Attwood and this is working more effectively. The planned work on the fields along Old Lenham Road has unfortunately been stopped as it was impacting on farming works. There were other proposals for Old Lenham Road to be agreed with landowners and farmers.
KALC COMMUNITY AWARD Councillors agreed the award will be made bi-annually and nominations will be sought from residents in due course.
Date of next Meeting: Monday 9 December 2019 at 7.30pm in Doddington Village Hall.
All are welcome to attend. There is a public time for residents to raise issues with the Council.
This is a brief summary of the meeting held on 11 November, the full minutes will be available on the Parish Council website when ratified.
9 YOU’RE READING THIS Ess Dee CLEANING The George Inn Newnham and so are hundreds of others Friday Fish and chips – So whyDomestic not have Cleaning your workadvert undertaken in this space? vegetarian option available Available for 2-5 hours daily on £5.00 12-2.30pm and 6-9pm eat in or Monday, Tuesday,Contact Thursday Sue at & Friday takeaway collection available [email protected]£10 per hour 01795 890237 Also experienced in house/pet sitting Saturday Morning Breakfast 9.30-11.30am Only@ £25 £15 per per day year 1-3 editions £6 Cooked Breakfast, baguettes, eggs benedict, Contact 01795 892112 eggs royale and pancakes Newham Parish Council
Summary of matters discussed at the Parish Council meeting held at Newnham Village Hall on 14th November 2019
Present: Cllrs C Woods, S. Gunner, S Elworthy, J Crampton, & Clerk, Louise Bareham and 3 members of the public.
Planning - 19/504117 Kennels Field. During the Open Session Alasdair Goulden, the Queen’s Regiment’s Secretary spoke on behalf of the planning application at Kennels Fields 19/504117. He noted the regiment’s history went back to 1557 in Kent and their area HQ was situated in Canterbury. The original portion of land had been too big and a local farmer had agreed to purchase part. Mr Goulden noted that Norton PC had been supported, but he had been unable to attend Ospringe PC meeting. Horticulture helps to combat stress and provide social engagement. They are conscious about security and do not want the building to be seen from the road, so the current hedge will not be removed. The planned use is once a week during summer and once a month during winter. Members of the public asked Mr Goulden questions regarding the proposal. On being put to the meeting the following response, proposed by Cllr Woods & seconded by Cllr Crampton, was agreed: The change of use should only encompass the new building and car park, the residual land should remain as agricultural. If permission is granted a condition should be attached to ensure there is no residential use in the future. Members are concerned if this is not put in place a precedence may be set. Members would like to see a more eco-friendly design, which includes an EV point and a renewable power source.
Traffic Scheme The quotation had not been received from KCC so the item was deferred. The Clerk noted the following: Swale Area Committee Meeting on 9th December, which Cllr Crampton agreed to attend. KALC AGM - no councillors were able to attend. The Council will not be participating in the KALC Community Award Scheme for 2020. The £711 grant towards the war memorial had been received from SBC
Other Matters Cllr Crampton noted that it had been suggested that young people would be interested in a half pipe for their scooters rather than a goal post. Two residents had declared an interest in SpeedWatch and they had been invited to join the group. Cllr Woods advised that he had attended the Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial and reported the event was well attended. Cllr Elworthy confirmed that the flytipping had been removed and asked about the salt bag for Frith Road. The Clerk confirmed that a map had been sent with the required position to KCC plus an offer to purchase a bin if required. Cllr Elworthy further noted that a large lorry had been along Seed Road earlier that day and broken a number of tree branches.
Date of Next Meeting Thursday 9th January 2020. It was agreed to cancel the December meeting as the village hall was not available on the 12th.
NEWNHAM COUNCILLORS
Colin Woods (Chairman) 890621, Sue Gunner (Vice Chairman) 890627, Sue Elworthy 886821, and Jane Crampton 890491 Clerk: Louise Bareham 892149 email: [email protected] 11 Tradewinds Gifts for all occasions and local crafts Standford Nursery, Chequers Hill, Doddington, ME9 0BL 01795 886809 Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
WATERMANS INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS
40 High St, Sittingbourne ME10 4PB Tel: 01795 515570 Email: [email protected]
Sorry! - New chickens not yet laying – watch this space for new start date.
12 CHRISTMAS TREES 2019 December History Notes Thank you for your great support last year by raising £10,465 for Death of a CENTENARIAN 200 trees. As last year, donations are being given to some 44 In the East Kent Gazette of the 22nd December 1877 local parishes and nearly there was an article about the death of a woman. 20 charities. “The death is announced at Wychling of Mary Butler, a widow, who had attained the remarkable Because of the more difficult growing conditions age of 103 years. Up to the last two or three months we have all had this year there are likely to be she was able to get downstairs and move about fewer trees available . with considerable activity, but for the last few weeks As before, the arrangement is for you to make a she had been confined to her bedroom, though she donation for your tree; over half will be returned retained full possession of her mental faculties to to your parish church with the balance going to the last. She was born when “George the Third was the 20 charities. This is a great chance for you to King” at Goudhurst , near Cranbrook. She leaves raise funds for your parish church and some behind her a large family of children “unto the third deserving charities at the same time. As all the and fourth generation”. Her own children are trees are growing, they will remain in the ground themselves old men and women. Mrs Butler died until collected. yesterday (Friday) week.” Please phone or email us to fix a date, preferably A few other newspapers also featured Mary Butler, at weekends, to visit to select prior to collection it was obviously not very common in those days for nearer Christmas. a woman to live to such a great age. The Whitstable Trees will be available this year for selection from Times and Herne Bay Herald of the same date, SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER. reported he death. “On Friday last the oldest PLEASE CONTACT US TO TELL US WHEN YOU’D inhabitant of the quiet little parish of Wychling LIKE TO COME! breathed her last.” The Kent and Sussex Courier, on the 21st December 1877, reported, “The death is Alison and Peter Howard, Nash’s Farmhouse, announced of a centenarian at Wychling, near Luddenham, Faversham, Kent ME13 0TQ. here.” Tel 01795 532596, email [email protected] The earliest census at 1841 and 1851 & 1861 showed Mary and her husband, George, a Farm Labourer, were living in Wychling and it seems likely that they had lived there before the census.. The 1871 census shows Mary, then a widow, was living with her son and his family in part of the Mapleton ADVENT WINDOWS Farm at Wychling. There has been an excellent response to our Advent window project. Each day of Mary's story was brought up again later. The East Kent Gazette on the 24th December 1927 published Advent there will be a decorated window an article called “Fifty Years Ago” where they to find (on some days more than one), published an historical extract from their newspaper somewhere in the village. A map will be and the story of Mary Butler’s death with her available at The George to guide you remarkable age was the first item.. round all the windows opening throughout the advent period. There are women all over the world now aged 117 pictures and videos of them are available. on the The last window for 24th December internet. will be in the Church. Wychling Doddington Newnham Historical Research Group 13 Sandhurst Farm Forge & B&B
Seed Rd,Newnham, ME9 0NE Tel :01795 886854 Blacksmiths’ Forge Stable Block B&B Forge & Gallery Open: Tues –Fri 9am-5pm. Sat 9am -12 noon. -2hr Forge “taster sessions” available- Please contact us for more info. Email: [email protected] [email protected] Book B&B Online at: www.sandhurstfarmforge.co.uk
14 Newnham Village Hall AVENUE THEATRE Wine & Wisdom PRESENTS dates: Sue Caroline and The Andy Wall Trio 2020 ‘A SINGIN SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS SHOW January 18th An intimate Christmas Show celebrating the very best of classic Christmas February 22nd songs and carols All start at 7.30pm DATE: SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2019 TIME; 7.00 PM Tables of six TICKETS; £10.00 £5 per person BOX OFFICE; Avenue Theatre, Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 4DN Look forward to seeing ON LINE AT: www.avenuetheatre.co.uk you all TELEPHONE: 01795 471140 TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930’S, 40’S, 50’S, 60’S & 7O’S
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn’t get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright coloured lead-based paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and, when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking. Non-stop Christmas songs and seasonal As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, cheeriness contrast with the feelings of booster seats, seat belts or air bags. many people at this time of year. Riding in the back of a pick-up on a warm day was always a For those suffering from the recent or special treat. impending death of loved ones, dealing We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. with separation or divorce, struggling to We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and find employment, or facing depression or NO ONE actually died from this. family crisis, this can be a very isolated and We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because . . . WE dreary time. Every greeting and every WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING! song remind the grief-stricken of how We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as unhappy life is at this moment. we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK. Recognising that a lot of Christmas We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and celebrations do not meet everyone’s then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. needs, Lissie & Christine are offering After running into the bushes a few times we learned to solve ‘A Light in the Darkness’ the problem. A time of reflection with refreshments We did not have PlayStation, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video in which all emotions are validated games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s and all situations honoured. no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell phones, no personal ND computers! No internet or chat rooms . . . . . SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them. AT 3PM – 4PM We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there NEWNHAM VILLAGE HALL were no lawsuits from these accidents. ALL WELCOME Enquiries to Lissie Bayford 886392 Passed to the newsletter by Sue Hanson [email protected] TO BE CONTINUED IN JANUARY’S ISSUE! 15 Court Lodge Farm Barn Court Lodge Farm Frog Lane Bishopsbourne Canterbury Kent CT4 5HR Tel: 01227 678007 Email: [email protected] 07976 893646 www.aviastonegrantie.co.uk
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Our showroom has working kitchen displays with appliances from Learn, Laugh & Live Samsung & Neff - over 200 doors to choose & worktops available in granite, quartz and laminate. Bathrooms or wet rooms available from Aqualisa, Mereway furniture, Kaldewei, Vitra and Lakes showers. We provide a full design, supply and installation service for your projects, also all of the associated plumbing, tiling, plastering, building Newnham Church and decoration. We have our own in-house installation team, Flowers & which is rare in this industry, so you can relax and have the assurance each project will be carried out to the highest standard. Cleaning A family run business so our reputation is your guarantee. Thank you to all the 33 High Street, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME10 4AW dedicated cleaners, flower Showroom: 01795 522533 arrangers and brass website: www.elliottinstall.co.uk email:[email protected] polishers who work so hard to ensure that our village church looks beautiful throughout the year. We really couldn’t manage with-out your help and are now in desperate need of more volunteers to join the rota. The commitment involves just two 3 packs of 5 pale Yamaha PSR-330 sessions of less than two hours per grey glazed tiles electric keyboard year. If you are able to help, please 76cmx25cm (with with stand. £60 contact Rosemary Llewellin at extras) £50 ono Foxwood End, The Street. Newnham Telephone: 890358 Tel: 01795 890627 890550 16 Our Feathered Friends For Life’s Journey
Please remember to feed the birds, There are woodpigeons and collared doves Now that winter’s on it’s way. Also chaffinches and wrens. They need for food to keep them warm Sometimes a spotted woodpecker As we approach the shortest day And blackbirds – cocks and hens. The titmice all like peanuts, We even get three pheasants The sparrows like the bread, Who come to eat the corn. The starlings like the fat balls, When I get up each morning They all come to be fed! They greet we with the dawn. We get magpies, crows and jackdaws We get a lot of squirrels, We even get a jay, I’m not sure of the amount. Who gobbles up the peanuts They don’t keep still for very long Then quickly flies away. They’re quite impossible to count So, when the weather’s dreadful And until the winter ends, As you sit by your cosy fire, Don’t forget our feathered friends Pam Hawkins December 2019 Nature Notes Fungi are odd. Neither plant nor animal, they exist almost entirely out of sight within soil, wood, plants or other substrates, where they consist of networks of fine threads. Some species cause diseases in plants or animals, some break down dead material, and some have symbiotic relationships with plants. Indeed, many plants benefit from relationships with root-dwelling fungi – especially trees and orchids, all of which depend on fungi. In fact, recent work has shown that fungi in tree roots and woodland soils effectively create a ‘wood-wide web’ which links trees together. The only time we can easily see fungi is when they produce their fruiting bodies – the mushrooms, toadstools, brackets and other bodies that pop out into the open. And this autumn seems to have been especially good for this. Dave Perrin recently pointed us towards some good displays locally, and also led a recent meeting of the Kent Field Club (www.kentfieldclub.org.uk) to look at fungi in Sharstead Woods. Amongst the toadstools, the Clouded Agaric has been particularly abundant. These medium-sized, cloudy-grey toadstools often pop up in fairy rings in woodlands – one ring which we found was some 20 yards across and would have consisted of a single fungus which had grown out from a central point. Nearby, we found the highly poisonous Panther Cap, with a brown cap dotted with scattered white scales (like a brown version of the more familiar Fly Agaric), and the attractively-named The Blusher, which is similar, but of a paler, pinky-brown hue. Stands of beech trees in Sharstead Woods proved particularly good, with a number of species of milkcaps, which are so-called because their gills and flesh exude a milky sap when damaged. These included the Tawny Milkcap, Beech Milkcap and Pale Milkcap. The milkcaps produce roughly funnel-shaped toadstools and are amongst the fungi which form symbiotic relationships with trees. Not all fungi live amongst trees, and we found one of the grassland species, the brightly-coloured Parrot Waxcap, in Doddington Churchyard. Many waxcaps are grassland specialists, but are susceptible to herbicides and fertilizers, so that they are often restricted to grassland that has been managed without chemicals – old lawns and churchyards can be very good sites. Not all fungi produce fruits that look like mushrooms or toadstools, either. Amongst these are Beech Woodwart, which forms hard, pink lumps up to 1cm across on beech wood, and the jelly fungi which rot dead wood. We found several jelly fungi, including the black blobs of Witches’ Butter, and Crystal Brain, which forms clear, jelly-like blobs containing tiny white crystals. Most spectacular were the Coral Fungi which look for all the world like little growths of branching, pale brown coral, standing around 10cm tall on the woodland floor. There’s a huge number of fungi out there to discover – thousands of species in the UK alone – so why not grab a book and have a look? But do remember that a number are very poisonous, and that there’s no quick way to know which these are: if you want to collect wild mushrooms to eat, you do have to be able to identify them to species with absolute certainty.
Richard Moyse 17 Eastling School News Brownie Diary November
There is always so much to share from Eastling Primary This month we’ve been adding onto the School. We may be a small school but we are definitely theme of Reflect, beginning with Know My a very active school, going from strength to strength Rights. The girls designed a poster or a box always putting the education and experiences of our containing things that represented what these children first. The Kent Test Results (11+) were once rights are, e.g. a right to an education, home, again extremely positive for Eastling Primary School. food, healthcare, relaxation and play, then This year 6 of our children were successful which is presented them to Brownie friends. double the national average. On 15th October Silver Birch class visited the During UK Parliament Week we explored the Gunpowder Mill, Standard Quay and Faversham political system before the girls undertook a Recreational Ground to look at features of the local poll to vote for the Brownie they thought area for geography. They then visited ‘The Horsebridge would best represent them in Parliament. Arts Centre’ on 7th November as part of the ‘Into Film In Lead, another Skills Builder activity we Festival’ where they watched a screening of Two by divided into teams of three, with the middle Two, an animated version of Noah’s Ark. On one being blindfolded and guided by the Wednesday 16th October, a group of Year 2 children leader through an obstacle course. To add to visited Herne Bay High to participate in Basketball the excitement, it was a race against time! training. Celebrate is another Skills Builder activity th The NSPCC visited the school on 17 October to deliver where the girls thought of a celebration they some assemblies to all the children followed by a would like to hold, then prepared invitations workshop for Years 5 and 6. outlining all the salient details for their guests. On Friday 18th October Acorn class led their first whole school assembly on the theme of themselves and The Brownies are manning a stand at the th people that help us. The children in Acorn class are still Christmas Mingle on Sat 30 November in the only 4 years old yet each of them spoke clearly and Village Hall. Please lend your support by saying confidently in front of the whole school and their hello and buying a lovely scarf, festive parents. decoration or playing a game. All proceeds to Church Building Funds. Term 1 ended with the traditional school Halloween Disco. The children’s costumes were both wonderful We have capacity, so if you would like your and scary. The event was kindly organised by the FOES daughter please get in touch with Rainbow (Friends of Eastling School). Owl on 01795 890211 or visit the Girl Guiding On Tuesday 29th October, Acorn class visited the website www.girlguiding.org.uk/ pumpkin farm at Sevington where the children all picked their own pumpkins to bring back to school. The following day the parents joined their children to help carve and decorate the pumpkins in the classroom. The results were amazing with each design being unique. Willow class had their first class assembly on Friday 8th that this year FOES have agreed to donate a November on the theme of famous scientists. It was a substantial amount towards the cost of a new very informative and fun filled assembly to celebrate school minibus. World Science Day. Eastling Primary School’s annual Christingle Service th National Anti-Bullying Week was 11th – 15th November. will be held at St Mary’s on Tuesday 17 December. Shooting Star Entertainments delivered a production of We look forward to a wonderful afternoon. the Ugly Duckling to the younger children and Captain We do have a few spaces available across the school Wonderweb to KS2 as part of the schools work on Anti- for an immediate start. Any prospective parents Bullying. looking for a Reception place for September 2020 The Friends of Eastling School’s annual Pumpkin are welcome to call the office on 01795 890252 to decorating competition took place on 31st October with arrange a visit. For further information please visit Tish Neaves, chair of governors, having the difficult job our school website where photographs and of judging the entries. There were pumpkins decorated newsletters are displayed and updated regularly. as snowmen, unicorns, Donald Trump, hedgehogs, 18 spiders and Dracula to name a few. We are delighted Melanie Dale, Head Teacher. Come and sing your favourite Carols Candlelight Carols in the atmospheric setting of at Wychling Church Wychling Church - Join us afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies Saturday 21st December 5pm . www.wychling.org.uk
With Thanks Alison and Stuart Doughty would like to express their thanks for all the very kind messages, cards and donations that they have received in memory of their late father Douglas who sadly died in August. In total almost £900 has been raised and will be divided between his 2 chosen charities, The British Heart Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Sponsored Cycle Ride Many thanks to all those who supported Newnham church in this year’s Friends of Kent Churches cycle ride by sponsoring David & Val Buckett and me. We are also grateful to Hans Hentschel who rode with us and secured £400 in sponsorship for Newnham from his friends and colleagues in Germany. In total we raised £1,095.47 between us of which 50% will go directly to Newnham church. One donation was in Euros if you are curious about the rather odd the total. 19 Bruce Leckie 130 The Street, Newnham One Hundred Weight Success for Community Fitness Week!
An initiative launched by Claire Goodliffe, Managing Director of the Community Fitness Network, saw the very first campaign "FitnessforFood" take off during the week 4- 10 November. Jane Seyler, who lives in Doddington and runs weekly Medau Movement classes, decided to get herself and her class ladies involved. All week non- perishable food products were generously donated by class members from Doddington, Norton, Tunstall, and Boughton, which resulted in 7 packed shopping bags weighing over 1cwt being donated for distribution to the local food bank! The week culminated in the Community Fitness Awards at the weekend in Newcastle where Jane was a finalist for the 2019 Community Fitness Instructor Award! Jane says, “A huge shout out to all my ladies for their amazing generosity in supporting this wonderful, worthy cause”. For more details about Jane's classes ring 01795 886267 Email: [email protected] or check out www.medaumovement-swale.co.uk
£35 per person Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2019 Christmas Wreath The following sums were raised in Doddington and Making Workshop Newnham during the 2019 Poppy Appeal. Mon 9th December 7.30 – 10pm Tues 10th December 7.30 – 10pm Remembrance Sunday Collection at the War Memorial £174.70 The George Inn at Newnham The George Inn, Newnham £110.06 Tony & Carol Gosling’s House to Get your Christmas decorating off to a superb House Collection in Newnham £112.89 start by making your own door wreath. Bring a The Chequers Inn, Doddington £ 53.90 group of friends or come along on your own. Doughty’s Butchers, Doddington £101.89 Booking is essential. Workshops include all Doddington Service Station £ 31.04 materials and light refreshment. The Old Vicarage, Doddington £ 32.05
Book Now at Total for the villages £616.53 ellicawse-floradesigns.co.uk Many thanks to all who contributed to this Appeal. Or at The George Inn 20 Christingle Service Doddington Church Sunday 15th December 10.30am Build your own Christingle Collection in aid of the Childrens Society
DNW Newsletter Crossword No. 5 - (mostly) Christmas themed. Across: 4. Traditional Christmas pastry (9) 13. The end result for 24 down (6) 5. Partner for Ivy (5) 14. & 15. Waxy glow (6,5). 9. The shepherds felt this when 25 across appeared (6) 16. 3 down is a form of this (3) 10. Christmas cake/well off (4) 21. Do we really wish this for Christmas 11. Guide for 4. down but not needed as they used 19. (4) down instead (3) 22. Tree decoration (6) 12. Another name for small (5) 25. Winged messenger (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 26. For the X in Christmas? (9) Down: 8 1. A course for Christmas meal (6) 2. A sincere request (4)
9 10 3. A gift from one of 4 down (5) 4. Three wise men (4) 5. Ding dong (6,4) 11 6. Another seasonal hot drink (5) 7. Santa’s holdall (4) 12 13 11. Another kind of 6 down (6,4) 17. Where a famous birth took place (6) 18. If left like this 14 across won’t glow (5) 14 15 19. Followed by 4 down (1,4) 16 17 20. Poor boy’s musical toy, so the song goes (4) 18 19 23. Lazy state to be (4) 20 21 22 23 24 24. Yuletide fuel (4)
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Answers to Crossword No. 4 Across: 1. Flower, 5. Pipes, 8. Elm, 10. Grass, 12. Axe, 14. Tulip, 16. Tits, 17. Worm, 19. Basket, 21. Ennui, 22. Sunbed, 25. Dead, 26. Bulb, 29. Shoots, 32. Awl, 33. Earth, 35. Dew, 37. Heater. Down: 2. Log, 3. Rose, 4. Nest, 6. Peas, 7. Stems, 9. Mole, 11. Roots, 13. Petals, 15. Pots, 17. Weed, 18. Range, 19. Bird, 20. Tumble, 23. Bush, 24. Guilt, 27. Plant, 28. Pond, 29. Slab, 30. Saws, 31. Mesh, 34. Hoe 21 DIARY OF EVENTS Wednesday every week 7pm – Guitars at the Chequers 6,7,8th Dec. 7.30pm Doddington Panto “Sleeping Beauty” and 2pm 7th & 8th Doddington Village Hall 7th December 5pm A Newnham Christmas Light Switch-on & Christmas Market The George, Newnham 9th & 10th Dec.7.30pm Christmas Wreath Making Workshop until 10.30pm * The George, Newnham 15th December 10.30am Christingle Service – build your own Christingle (see page 3) Doddington Church 15th December 6-8pm Christmas Quiz The Chequers, Doddington 19th December 7.30pm Local Ladies Group The George, Newnham 20th December 8.30pm Live Music – Micks Hot Licks The George, Newnham 21st December 5pm Candlelight Carols Wychling Church 21st December Closed for private event The George, Newnham 21st December 7.30pm CANTIANA Christmas Concert Newnham Church 22nd December 3-4pm “A Light in the Darkness” (See page 3) Newnham Village Hall 24th & 25th December See advertisement at bottom of page 2 The George, Newnham 31st December 6pm 1920’s Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party The George, Newnham 2020 18th January 7.30pm Wine & Wisdom Newnham Village Hall 22nd February 7.30pm Wine & Wisdom Newnham Village Hall 20th March 7.30pm Quiz Night Doddington Village Hall * Elli Cawse Floral Designs £35 pp including refreshments (booking only) Further information and contact details for the above events can be found in current or future Newsletters
AFTERNOON TEA & CHAT meet in Newnham Village Hall 2-4pm – every 1st & 3rd Thursday each month
If you have anything of interest for the newsletter, please let us know
We would like to wish all our customers past and present a very Happy Christmas and a very prosperous 2020. We would also like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for your custom throughout the year. Kindest regards – Shaun, Dan & Lou - S & D Sewage Services Ltd
Newnham Village 100 Club - November Draw results 1st prize No. 30 2nd prize No. 25 3rd prize No. 85 Next draw – 5th December 2019 - DOUBLE PRIZE MONEY!! For details contact either Jeff Kirby 890095 or Steve Dixon 890205 PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COPY AND ADVERTS FOR JANUARY’S ISSUE MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 6pm ON SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER
NEWSLETTER All copy must be received by 6pm on the 20th of the preceding month (15th for new adverts or changes to regular adverts) Copy (maximum size ¼ page please) preferred in email or as an attachment to: [email protected] Farthing Cottage, 50 The Street, Newnham, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 0LL Tel: 01795 890627