U n d e r r i v e r news sheet The Church of St Margaret, Underriver Vicar: Rev Serena Willoughby St Lawrence Vicarage, Stone Street, , TN15 0LQ Telephone: 01732 761766 Email: [email protected] Church Calendar FEBRUARY 3 Candlemas White 9:45 All-age Family Service (Joint benefice)— at St Lawrence’s Readings: tbc 10 5th Sunday after Epiphany White 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP) Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 & Luke 5:1-11 11:15 Matins(BCP) Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 & Luke 5:1-11 17 6th Sunday after Epiphany White 11:15 Short Family Communion (CW) Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Luke 6:17-26 24 7th Sunday after Epiphany Whte 11:15 Parish Communion (CW) Readings: Genesis 45:3-11,15 & Luke 6:27-38 3 Mar Sunday next before Lent White 9:45 All-age Family Service (Joint benefice) Readings: tbc 6 Mar ASH WEDNESDAY Purple 10:00 Ash Wednesday Service at St Lawrence

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 FROM THE VICAR

Hello everyone, In February some people may celebrate Valentines Day, I remember the agony as a teenager of waiting to see if the postman weaknesses, virtues and vices, right? brought me a card! My daughter’s If you’re looking for perfection, birthday is Valentines Day and it you’re in the wrong shop. Maybe now has a very special meaning for Esther’s birth day being on us as a family. Valentines Day serves a lesson to me We talk about love a great deal, as a mother that I am not perfect at the media talks about it all the time it and many times I get it wrong but (sadly usually in not a positive way in she keeps on loving me anyway, people’s lives) and most pop songs definitely as a parent there’s that are based around the theme of love. unconditional love that just seems to But of course there are different grow and grow (fortunately in time kinds of love and perhaps if we don’t for the teenage years!). want to think about Valentines Day The only way to have a successful we could take a while to reassess relationship with someone is to love our friendships and relationships in and accept them ‘as is’. Don’t buy the light of what the Bible tells us into the myth that most folks are about how we could love one ‘normal’ except the ones in your life. another. Based on that idea, relationships are Have you ever been in a discount an endless quest to sort each other shop where merchandise is labelled out, control others, or pretend they ‘slightly irregular’, or ‘purchase as are something they’re not. Thomas is’? They don’t always tell you where Merton said, ‘Love is letting those the flaw is. And once you buy it you we love be perfectly themselves, can’t return it. You have to make the and not twisting them to fit our own decision there and then that you’ve image. Otherwise we love only the committed to it as an item that is reflection of ourselves we see in just as it is. them.’ Well, in a way we all live in the ,‘as A hallmark of real love is is’, department. Stop and think acknowledging that nobody is about the people in your life. We’re perfect as we ourselves are not a mixed bag of strengths and (Continued on page 4) 3 (Continued from page 3) support them in their areas of struggle. ‘What about their flaws?’ perfect and committing to love you may say. ‘…Love covers a others in spite of it. St Paul writes (in multitude of sins’, says St Peter. the Bible): ‘Be gentle and forbearing When we think about it long and with one another and, if one has a hard it’s quite a challenge isn’t it! difference (a grievance or complaint) Maybe a challenge that would be against another, readily pardoning good to take up this Valentines day? each other; even as the Lord has Love to you all, [freely] forgiven you, so you must also forgive’ Colossians 3:13. Serena x To love someone, ‘as is’, means to focus on their areas of strength and

Prayer Times Tuesday 12th February 2.30pm at the vicarage Thursday 28th February 2.30pm Brian and Mary’s 50 The Crescent

LENT COURSE: The Prophetic Voice of the Church 5 SESSIONS starting Monday March 11th 2019 Be inspired and challenged! Do join us for this year’s course. 7.30 – 8.45pm Sessions will be held alternately between Stone Street and Underriver. Please put the dates in your diary and let Serena or Gretel know if you are able to attend. Thank you. We look forward to seeing you. More details in the March magazine.

4 THE NEW CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL Every six years, all Church of parishes prepare new Church Electoral Rolls. Those who wish to be on the new Roll (or to stay on it) will need to apply to do so, using a special form. We are starting on this process now; and it will be finished in April. The Church Electoral Roll has nothing to do with the Electoral Roll used for central and local government elections or for referenda. The Church Electoral Roll is the list of those qualified to attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. This meeting is held in April; and it is where elections take place for the Parochial Church Council, the two Church- wardens and the Parish’s two Deanery Synod representatives. Any person enti- tled to attend that meeting may raise any question of parochial or church inter- est. Being on the Church Electoral Roll is one of the ways in which people can show their support for our lovely little Church and for keeping it alive in Under- river. We have a legal obligation to display the names – but not the addresses – of those on the new Church Electoral Roll on the Church notice-board inside the Church Porch for two weeks in April. We are writing to everyone on the present Church Electoral Roll to ask them whether they wish to remain on this Roll - and we will be sending them a form in the hope that they will! We are also writing to some others. However, if you’re not on the Church Electoral Roll at present and would like to be on it, please don’t wait to get a letter! Give me a ring - or even better email me. You may also wish to know that at the same time we shall be writing to all whose data we hold in connection with Data Protection (as we are required to do by law). Arthur Rucker, Secretary to the Parochial Church Council. 01732 833227; [email protected]

5 St Margaret’s Church Underriver Report to parishioners on the 2017 150th Anniversary Appeal and Church works The total amount raised as previously reported was: - Lump sums including Gift Aid £21,244 Increased regular giving including Gift Aid £12,350 per annum Following the Appeal the PCC resolved that all the lump sum donations and half the increased regular donations should be credited to the Church Repair Fund. The quinquennial inspection of the church in 2018 revealed the need for some substantial expenditure on repairs. The main items are:- • External stonework requires treatment because it has been flaking. This treatment is known as defrassing using brushes to remove all loose material. It is not thought that as a result any stonework will need to be replaced. • The redecoration of the vestry including the removal of a defunct radiator, replastering the west wall, which is cement rendered. This is not good on stone walls. The floor will be sanded, restained and polished • Some interior redecoration to the East wall of the chancel, the SE corner of the nave and some remedial work to the N wall plus some rather more substantial work to the NW corner above the flower room • Substantial upgrades to the rainwater goods including enlarging the downpipes and gutters, which frequently get blocked. Gullies will be raised and covers provided and an additional downpipe on the north wall. • Cleaning the porch roof and then replacing such roof tiles as necessary. • Repairing the floor of the porch, which has subsided leveling it and retiling as necessary. • Sundry other minor matters. The total cost of all this amounts to £51,536 including VAT. All the VAT should be recovered as the church is listed. The repairs commenced on 7th January and are estimated to be completed by 29th March. There will be some disrup-

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6 (Continued from page 6) tion while the repairs are being done and the PCC has made provision that this should be minimized and all services will be held as usual. During the year the electrical system has been upgraded with anti surge boards and RCDs. A total of 10 unsafe gravestones and crosses have been made safe and the large cross on the right hand side of the path is to be raised to ground level to eliminate the water problem in heavy rainfall. The total expenditure on these is approximately £5,000. The grave yard has been kept looking attractive and this Spring there should be even more spring flowers. This has all been made possible by the generous response to the Appeal, to- gether with the balance we had on the Church Repair fund account and the proceeds of the Autumn concert. It is forecast that the level of the General Fund at 31st December 2019 will be at or above the minimum level which the PCC considered advisable. While this has been going on the PCC has been considering alterations to the west end of the church to make it more open and sociable. This project was mentioned at the time of the appeal. No decisions have been taken but a draft scheme has been the subject of a pre- application to the DAC to gauge their reaction before any substantial expendi- ture is incurred. The costs so far have been sponsored. If it is decided to pro- gress the idea there will be opportunities for discussion and comment. Until a clearer picture emerges of what might be possible, the question of the cost of any such work has not been addressed. The other matter raised at the time of the appeal was the redecoration of the nave walls and the ceiling. Any consideration of this is deferred until the present work is completed. The PCC has also been warned that it is likely to have to spend a very consider- able amount on our splendid Walker organ within the next 3 to 5 years. This is the subject of a discussion with the Diocesan adviser and will be reported later. Thank you all for your generosity which has made this possible. John Clemence PCC member responsible for the structure and churchyard

7 CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS Wednesday 27th February is nearly here But it’s not too soon to book a table for A CHICAGO BRIDGE TEA in aid of two good causes THE SCOTTS PROJECT and ST MARGARET’S CHURCH REPAIR FUND. To book a table, please ring Arthur Rucker on 01732 833227 or preferably email him at [email protected]

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY Thank you to all the box holders. We collected £383.96 this year. Abso- lutely amazing. And a big thank you to John (C), who helped me count all the money. Actually he did all the real work. The Children’s Society is an organisation which supports vulnerable young people: ones who have been abandoned or who have just lost their way in life. It does vital work. I have a few new boxes and would love to have one or two more people. You just keep the box somewhere available and put in loose change or something bigger when you feel rich! Jennifer Fair

POPPY COLLECTION Louise Hayward has kindly agreed to take on the responsibility for organising the annual poppy collection from autumn 2019. Tim Tawney is stepping down after twenty years, having taken over from the late Bill Mason in 1999. Tim Tawney 8 A message from the Church Army ‘We would like to thank everyone for the generous gifts of toys for the Church Army in December. Sam and Maxine took a car full of lovely presents to the Rev Gary Colville and his assistant at All Saints Church in Northfleet for Sister Gill Martin. We are sure our offering will have put a few smiles on little faces this Christmas!’ Lorna Wright

At your convenience As part of the totality of our building works at St Margaret’s, arrangements were made for a Portaloo. Rather endearingly (I thought) called the Tardis, we felt it appropriate that it should be located discretely, on the east side of the church porch -so out of sight from the road but convenient (sorry!) for those who needed to use the facilities. This was particularly important because its shape and vivid orange colouring is not exactly a heritage enhancement of our Grade 2 listed church and its environs. Alas, this was not to be. The Portaloo needs to be within a pipes’ length of certain other vehicles. Just as importantly, it wouldn’t go in through the lychgate and cannot be hoisted over the fence because of all the chemicals in- side. The Portaloo delivery men, being persons of initiative, deposited it outside the Village Hall. It says something for the goodwill of the UVA, and Robert Tal- bot in particular, that we are still on speaking terms. Eventually the Portaloo was sited on church land through the expedient of lowering part of the wooden fence. Unfortunately, for technical reasons it has to be close to the road and is therefore not as unobtrusive as one might wish. But the contractors have taste- fully shielded it with some bamboo screening to reduce the visual shock of the orange colouring! Please rest assured that this will be a feature of the Underriver landscape only so long as it is required for our building repairs. On behalf of the Vicar, wardens and PCC of St Margaret’s I should like to apologise for any disruption and inconvenience that the repairs may occasion. Andrea Pierce

9 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 Dog walking & puppy visits Children's cookery classes held during school holidays & at weekends. Call Sian on: 07788 219 509. For further information - Or email: [email protected] Lived in Underriver 15 years. email: [email protected] or call Qualified canine first aider. 07786 271227 Fully insured.

English for Au Pairs Second Wind Band Classes in contact Lucy Curtis A friendly concert band of wind and brass 07903 109441 musicians that rehearses each Friday from 6.45pm to 8.45pm in Underriver Village Hall. www.englishforaupairs.co.uk If you would like to join us please email [email protected]

Underriver ladies choir

A fun choir for beginners Monday mornings 9.30-10.50 Contact Belinda Goodwin 01732 833943 [email protected]

Dates for your diaries: • Feb 27th Chicago Bridge Tea (St Margaret’s) • Mar 2nd Quiz Night (UVA) • Mar 23rd Spring Show (Horticultural Society) • May 4th Plant Sale (Horticultural Society) • May 10th Golf Day (UVA) • Sep 7th Summer Show (Horticultural Society) 10 Christmas Market – 1st December 2018 Very many thanks to everyone who made our market a great success. There was a varied selection of goods for sale and the helpers were kept busy all day. Sheila kindly entertained us on the piano while we did our shopping. The good news is that the total takings on the day amounted to £1,500 for the Church Repair Fund, and money is still coming in! We have booked the hall for another Christmas market on 30th November so please make a note of the date.

We still have some Underriver Calendars for sale, £8 each, all proceeds to the Church Repair Fund. A Happy New Year to you all, Mary and Sarah

Promises at Christmas Market A huge thanks to all who supported our Meet and Make and Promises tables. We took £334 with more to come in. We did have a few favours left over which are still available, prices are guides, but we are open to offers.

1. Cream tea for four. £25 2. Zumba session at Hildenborough Village Hall - Monday’s 7-8 pm. £5 3. Introduction to fitness walking for two for 1 hour in Knole Park. £8 4. 6 chocolate, 6 lemon dessert Pots. £10 5. One hour fun filled, energy busting walk around beautiful Underriver for one dog £18 6. Will do your shopping (up to medium trolley load) in Sevenoaks and deliver within Sevenoaks, or Parishes of St Lawrence or St Margaret’s (Cost of items purchased not included) £8 7. Central heating consultation, to advise how your heating is working and if it is running optimally. £20 8. A gas boiler service by qualified engineer £50 9. German conversation lesson or coaching. One hour. £25 10. Assemble an item of flat pack furniture £15 Contact Maxine Clark

11 UNDERRIVER BOOK CLUB

Our December book was The Piano nese occupation. The Teacher by Janice Y K Lee. This is set final chapters play out in the Hong Kong of the 1940s and the drama surround- 1950s. Janice Y K Lee was born and ing this, the Crown raised in Hong Kong, the daughter of Collection, Claire’s Korean immigrants. She went to the affair, and Trudy’s USA, graduated from Harvard College, fate. and worked on two of the top Our Book Club women’s magazines before starting readers felt that the this, her first novel. Her novel is from story jumps backwards and forwards the viewpoint of an Asian, looking at too much. It was thought improbable one of the less publicised periods of that a Chinese family would have a Hong Kong’s history, writing for the white driver, and that loose ends were American market. It shows prejudices not properly tied up. Parts of it didn’t in both the European and Chinese ring true, and none of the characters communities. were particularly endearing. Never- The piano teacher, Claire Pendleton, theless most agreed it was a reasona- is in a dull marriage and fresh out from ble read. The book been successful in suburban England. She gets a job America and spent 19 weeks on the teaching the daughter of a wealthy New York Times bestseller list, and has Chinese couple and soon meets their been translated into 26 languages. white chauffeur, Will Truesdale. The Janet Rucker novel jumps backwards and forwards JANUARY between Will’s two love affairs, one with a beautiful Eurasian called Trudy The Book Club met up on Friday 4th at the time of the Japanese invasion in January, to discuss The Elephant the early 1940s, and the other with Whisperer by Laurence Anthony, a Claire over a decade later. When we fascinating story of one man's effort meet Claire she is stealing small ob- to save a herd of elephants, three jects from her employees with adult females, three young, an apparently little conscience. As the adolescent bull, and two babies. He story develops we become aware of a was told that if he did not take greater theft, the disappearance of a them they were due to be shot as they very valuable government collection were proving wild and troublesome, which occurred when the characters not surprising as half their herd had struggled to survive during the Japa- (Continued on page 13)

12 (Continued from page 12) several books, sadly died of a heart attack aged 61, but if you look him up been shot by poachers. With some on Google you can see a moving difficulty, he introduced them into his video of his elephants coming up to own game reserve Thula Thula in stand round his house on his death, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and then began the how they knew, is a mystery, there is challenge of getting them to trust so much about animal communication man, and finding just how intelligent we simply do not understand. these great giants are, and how loyal We all enjoyed the book, and it led they can be when they learn to trust to a lively discussion , about the future you. of wild animals in our increasingly Mr Anthony, a larger than life crowded Planet. character was an international Fionna Brooks environmentalist, and author of

Meet & Make Rough Sleeper by Sheila Groves The homeless man upon the seat, His eye we cannot meet, But people take such care of plants, In palaces of glass they lie Cocooned and cherished til they die .

We were thinking of the homeless especially as the nights grow colder. We felt lucky to be warm, cosy and in friendly company at our last meeting in January at Fionna Brooks’ home with delicious eats! Thank you all for coming and for all the blanket squares. If you want a change, you can make small Easter baskets or other Easter items for a display in April. Email me if you need patterns or ideas. We next meet on February 5th at Jennifer’s home Rockmead by the letter box in Underriver. Love to see you there, Maxine and Jennifer xx

13 THURSDAY UNDERRIVER GROUP

TUG members enjoyed a slightly JANUARY different arrangement this year for the TUG held their annual members annual Christmas bash. meeting on January 10 2019. Attend- The usual mulled wine was supped ance was a little low due to the usual on arrival whilst nibbles were munched winter coughs and colds but 22 mem- and raffle tickets were purchased. bers did make it and enjoyed their Members were very supportive whilst I lunch and puddings despite all those played a selection of music from Cole New Year resolutions! Porter, Glen Miller and jazzy Christmas Wendy Fairweather ran through the carols on my tenor sax...... it was differ- entertainment enjoyed during 2018 ent and I hope it helped to create a and enlightened members on what relaxed and happy mood. was planned for 2019. Members ex- Gone were the hot lunch and pud- pressed how much they enjoyed our dings. Tables were laid cafe style and Christmas lunch and hoped that some- adorned with Poinsettias and crackers. thing similar would take place next Each table had a tasty selection of Christmas . Wendy also advised that sandwiches and cakes followed by tea, TUG donated £700 to the Air Ambu- coffee and sweeties. Whilst we were lance and £100 to the Medway Queen munching away on the latter we all Preservation Society. took part in a quiz arranged by fellow Before concluding the meeting committee member Jenny. This proved members were reminded how im- to be great fun but not necessarily portant it is to find new members if showing the greatest of knowledge for TUG are to continue in the same way. the most part! The two top teams Two new members will be joining with were given a rosette for their effort. at least one other in the pipeline . We Members were extremely generous are a friendly bunch and we look for- and raised approximately £120 for our ward to meeting all new comers! We Air Ambulance charity. are good value for money at £20 annu- al subscription and £6 for lunch and Everyone seemed to have enjoyed entertainment ! themselves and I think appreciate the different format this year. As usual See you on February 7 2019. members were excellent when it came Denise Budd to clearing up and all skipped off to hopefully a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

14 UNDERRIVER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Dates for your Diary: Spring Show Saturday 23rd March Plant Sale Saturday 4th May Autumn Show Saturday 7th September AGM Thursday 24th October This year for the first time we are having an Autumn Show instead of a Summer Show, we have been through the schedules and surprisingly there will be very few changes. It’ll be interesting to see if the roses come up to scratch but other local shows have lots of classes for roses in the autumn so we’ll see how it goes. The big change is Dahlias, we aren’t having masses of classes but there will be two so plan to buy the corms/plants now and be prepared to do battle with the slugs! It should be a colourful display. Angela Ridge

14 February - St Valentine’s Day: a poem Saint Valentine’s Day, many believe, was named after one or more Christian martyrs and was established by Pope Gelasius 1 in 496 AD. Valentine of Rome was martyred about 269, and this day usually ‘belongs’ to him. The first recorded association of Valentine Day with romantic love (1382) is from Geoffrey Chaucer. He wrote, ‘For this was Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.’ This poem was in honour of the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. Valentine Day is referred to by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600-1601). To-morrow is St Valentine’s day All in the morning betime And I a maid at your window To be your Valentine. The modern mention of Valentine’s Day can be found in a collection of English nursery rhymes (1784): The rose is red, the violet’s blue The honey’s sweet, and so are you. Thou are my love and I am thine I drew thee to my Valentine.

15 UNDERRIVER WILDLIFE HABITAT

THE BENEFITS OF COPPICING When trees are cut down, there tends to be a howl of despair at the per- ceived ruination of the countryside and irreversible damage to the landscape. Coppicing, the cutting and use of underwood, is sustainable and environmental- ly beneficial. Much of the woodland copses in Kent have been conserved in this way for millennia. Coppice relies on the reaction of most hardwoods, when felled, to produce new growth from dormant and adventitious buds on the stools. It is the origi- nal “cut and come again” crop. Man has exploited this reaction from the time of the flint axe. The botanical reaction is similar to pruning roses. Unlike clear felling and replanting, coppice regenerates quickly to provide cover for wildlife and aesthetic benefit in the landscape.

In the hop-growing areas of Kent and Herefordshire, chestnut coppice was grown primarily for large poles for hop gardens, with the smaller stems cleaved for fencing posts and chestnut pale fencing. Smaller off-cuts were converted for use as tent pegs. Most hardwood trees will coppice but the primary species grown in Kent are sweet chestnut, hazel and hornbeam with some ash and oak. Today much coppice woodland is unmanaged and neglected which results in the over mature, shallow rooted trees blowing over so, if you see coppice woodland being cut, rejoice in the knowledge that the woodland is being con- served and the landscape is being actively managed and maintained. Alasdair Patterson

16 UNDERRIVER LADIES CHOIR

On 7th December 2018 about seventy of us gathered in the Underriver Vil- lage Hall in anticipation of a Christmas treat. We were not disappointed. The Underriver Ladies’ Harmonious Choir put on a splendid performance. We all enjoyed the beautiful songs and haunting melodies. Then the audience joined in with some very jolly seasonal favourites, led, once again, by the talented Dani Lemer. The concert was followed by tasty refreshments. Thanks to Dani and her Har- monious Ladies, to all those who contributed to and served the refreshments and to Belinda Goodwin and her team for organising such a superb evening. The Choir meets each Monday at 9:30 am in Underriver Village Hall. Anyone interested in joining should e-mail Belinda at [email protected]. Graham Clark

Underriver Village Christmas Dinner On a rainy Friday evening in December 63 villagers sat down to a delicious meal at The White Rock. It was a fantastic opportunity for us all to get together and enjoy catching up with old friends and make acquaintances with our new- est neighbours. The food and service were exceptional thanks to Frank and his staff who looked after us admirably. During the evening we held a raffle and I am delighted to tell you that we raised £340 towards our nominated charity Sevenoaks Women’s refuge. Thank you for all your raffle contributions and for helping us to raise a good amount for a very worthwhile charity. Belinda Goodwin

17 LOCAL THEATRE

Live shows on stage On Sundays 3rd, 10th and 17th February, Tunbridge Wells’ Trinity Arts Theatre (01892 678678) will present three chil- dren’s shows. Aesop’s Fables (3/2/19) will bring to life many of Aesop’s wise and foolish creatures in his 2000-year old tales (for ages 4+). In Be Happy Harry Hippo (10/2/19) you can make Harry happy again by taking him on a journey to remember all the things that used to make him smile (for ages 3+). Jack and the Beanstalk (17th) is the one in which Jack sells his cow for five magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds. However … Fee Fi Fo Fum … (for ages 3+). From Thursday 5th to Saturday 9th February at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre (01892 530613), you can see Torben Betts’ state-of-the-nation comedy Car- oline’s Kitchen. Caroline is the nation’s favourite TV cook, who in the glow of the studio lights appears to have it all. However, the truth comes out when the cameras are turned off. So, when an unexpected guest disrupts a night of celebration, there is more to spill than the wine. … On Thursday 7th February at Trinity (01892 678678), Emergence will feature a company of 12 postgraduate dancers heading out for their first tour. Both works in their programme were created especially for them and concern empowerment. And Still I Walk takes inspiration from women’s suffrage and the struggles still with us today; while When Worlds Collide is an exhilarating technical master-class with an original cine- matic music score and elaborate lighting design. From Saturday 9th to Saturday 16th February, Tonbridge’s Oast Theatre (01732 363849) will perform Andrew Bovell’s Things I know to be true. Set in Adelaide, this touching and funny play tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves, while their parents think it is time to sit back and smell the roses. However, the changing seasons bring home some shatter- ing truths, leaving us to ask whether it is possible to love too much. On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th February at Sevenoaks’ Stag Theatre (01732 450175), Cascade Dance will present Into the Jungle with over 150 performers aged from 3 to 21. This will be a thrilling original dance production celebrating a variety of dance work showcased within a jungle theme. On Sundays 17th and 24th February, there will be more dance at the Stag (01732 450175), when the New Addington Dance School will showcase students aged between 3 and 27 in Dance with Grace featuring ballet, tap, modern and street dance styles plus singing and drama routines.

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On Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February Trinity’s Youth Theatre (01892 678678) will present Disney’s High School Musical On Stage. On the first day after the winter break at East High, basketball captain Troy and brainy Gabriella (whom he met singing karaoke on a ski trip) cause an upheaval when they audition for the high school musical. However, their alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well. From Tuesday 26th February to Saturday 2nd March, the Trinity Theatre Club (01892 678678) will perform Patrick Barlow’s hilarious adaptation of John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s film The 39 Steps. With over 140 characters played by just a handful of actors, this show boasts an on-stage plane crash, a rooftop train chase, stabbings, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance. If you’ve never seen this show, don’t miss it – but don’t expect Buchan or Hitchcock!

Screened live performances and encores will include: Bizet’s Carmen 2019 (check what ‘2019’ means) from the Metropolitan Opera (probably an encore) on Saturday 2nd February (Odeon); and Carlos Acosta’s ballet Don Quixote based on Petipa’s choreography and Cer- vantes’ story screened live from the Royal Opera House on Tuesday 19th February (Trinity and Odeon). Arthur Rucker

Services at St Lawrence,

FEBRUARY 3 Candlemas 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9:45 All-age Family Service (Joint Benefice) 10 5th after Epiphany 9:45 Family Communion (CW) 17 6th after Epiphany 9:45 Family Communion (CW) 24 7th after Epiphany 9:45 Matins (BCP) MARCH 3 Sunday next before Lent 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP) 9:45 All Age at St Margaret’s 6 Ash Wednesday 10:00 Ash Wednesday Service

19 Rotas for St Margaret’s Useful Names and Addresses Church Wardens Sidesmen/-women and Readers Andrea Pierce, 1 Grenadier Cottages, Riding Lane, 3 Feb Service at St Lawrence Hildenborough, TN11 9QH; 832408. Maxine Clark, Holt Lodge, Vines Lane, 10 Feb Hildenborough, TN11 9LT; 833376 8:00 Sides: Sue Tawney Underriver Village Association Readers: Jill Scott Secretary: Robert Talbot, Weald Heights, 11:15 Sides: C Honnywill Fawke Common, Underriver, TN15 0SP; 761546. Readers: Richard Shirtcliff [email protected] 17 Feb Sides: P Payne Village Hall Reservations Readers: Tim Pierce Hall Bookings Secretary: Elizabeth Shirtcliff 24 Feb Sides: J Hurrion & G Clark [email protected] Readers: Charles Honnywill www.underriver-village.org.uk Omar Mullick , [email protected] Church Flowers Thursday Underriver Group Wendy Fairweather 01732 851256 3 Feb Judy Hurrion Horticultural Society Secretary: Mary Owlett, 10 Feb Michelle Andrew Absaloms Farm; 838716. 17 Feb Sian McFadyen Cricket Club Ian Batty 07877 106681 Scotts Project Secretary: Jill Scott, 833498. 24 Feb Brenda Leafe Kent County Council Cllr. Roger Gough [email protected] Church Brass Cleaning Council Ward Representatives 16 Feb Tim Pierce & Tim Tawney Roderick Hogarth, 01732 760325 [email protected] 16 Mar Elizabeth & Richard Shirtcliff Julia Thornton, 07831 234449 [email protected] Church Cleaning Seal Parish Council www.sealparishcouncil.org.uk 2 Feb J Martineau & L Weston Clerk - Lorna Talbot; 01732 763488. [email protected] 9 Feb S Brunton & J Fair Tim Martin; 07929 839914 [email protected] 16 Feb J Horner & S Owen Fidelity Weston: 463372 [email protected] Parish Administrative Assistant Tim Pierce 23 Feb M Clark & M Bowman [email protected]

2 Mar A Ridge & S Tawney

Newssheet subscription: £10.00 or £15.00 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] Printed by Sarum Graphics 20