Hothfield News Volume 2 No. 2 July 2010 The Monthly Newsletter by the Community, for the Community Work begins on Church After a considerable period of planning, design work and plan- ning and building control appli- cations, work began on 11 June on the improvements inside the West end of St. Margaret’s church. The space under the tower will now be in two storeys, with a toilet (suitable for disabled peo- ple) on the ground floor and a spiral staircase leading to a new bell-ringing gallery. Local craftsmen are involved in the work, which will greatly im- prove the appearance and func- tionality of our ancient building. This is by no means the first time improvement works have been carried out at St. Marga- ret’s. The 13th-century church was rebuilt in 1603 after a fire, and further work was done in the 18th century and in 1876. Damage had to be repaired after the Second World War, and the whole interior was redecorated in 1964. village hall to flourish for the Support our Village Hall! good of Hothfield so it seems to me that we should all make What a pleasant surprise to from outside Hothfield. Many an effort to get behind them meet so many people at the people were angry especially and support the work they Village Hall Annual General those living close to the hall are doing on our behalf. Meeting. During that meeting itself. However the outcome Thank you to all the new there was clearly an issue of this anger was really posi- committee and I for one wish about a very recent distur- tive and as a result a larger you good luck with your ex- bance at the village hall management committee has citing new ideas. which had been let to a group been elected. We need our Shirley Whittington 2 Village Hall news At the Village Hall Manage- ment Committee’s Annual Gen- eral Meeting in May we heard that the Village Hall made a modest profit, compared with hiring the Hall for an event then losses in previous years. The costs of running the Hall, how- book early to avoid the possible ContraDance increase. Contact Sharon on ever, were not covered by the 661237 to check availability of hire charges from people using special events coming up: your Hall. it and so the difference had to be made up from fund-raising As well as dancing every Village Fête, Boot Fair and Monday evening in the Hall events and contributions from Dog Show 19th September the Parish Council. This had We are now concentrating our from 8pm, ContraFusion are only been realised through the thoughts on arranging the Fête. holding monthly dances: dedication and huge amount of We have a number of displays, time from the previous small sideshows and events lined up Saturday July 17: Skylark Committee. already but there’s still lots to The meeting was well attended with John Meechan do. If you would like to have a and I’m pleased to say that Boot stall at the event for £5 Saturday September 25: many more residents of Hoth- these can be booked through me field, including myself, offered or through John Nicholls on English Contra Dance Band to join the Committee and be- 620537; if you would like to have with Andrew Swaine come Trustees of the Charity. your own side-show or other I’d like to thank everyone who stall then again talk to me or The dances are from 8pm to came to the meeting for sup- John. Any support for running 11pm, but get there at 7:30 porting the Hall and for nomi- this event and making it a suc- nating and agreeing to the new for a free introductory lesson. cess for the village will be Workshops are also held on Committee. In an unusual move greatly appreciated. it was also decided to elect the these days from 2pm. Tina Marden Chairman (myself) and Vice- Chairman (Kay Pender) at the th AGM. On Sunday 25 July 2010 We now have a much larger Committee to share the work- The Hothfield World Cinema Film Club load and responsibilities. Since proudly presents the Meeting many more of you have offered to help and sup- Black Cat, White Cat port events, which is also great. You don’t have to be a formal Set within a community of gypsy people, this film tells a story of dodgy deals, family ties, young love and magical occurrences. Zare is in love with beautiful Ida but his Committee member to lend a crooked father Matko, having botched up a black market deal, intends to marry him hand with work at the Hall or off to the sister of a powerful gangster - a woman so tiny that her nickname is fundraising. If any other resi- Ladybird. Beautifully filmed on the banks of the Danube this is a riotous mix of dents would like to support us comedy, romance and crime, with the powerful music of director Emir Kusturica's from time to time, in any small famous travelling gypsy band. (in Serbo-Croat with English subtitles) way, then please don’t hesitate Hothfield Village Hall Tickets: £5 (£2 unemployed/students) to chat to me or any of the Com- Park Drive doors open 6.30pm - 7pm start mittee. Hothfield TN26 1EG (ends approx.9pm) We hope to be able to keep the No children under 15; No alcohol to be consumed on the premises Hall’s finances in the black by The Hothfield World Cinema Film club is a non-profit organisation founded continued fund-raising, but we with the aim of providing community entertainment and promoting awareness may also need to look at in- and appreciation of other countries and cultures, and is run entirely by volun- creasing the hire charges for the teers. Any funds collected go towards the costs for hiring and heating the Vil- Hall. If you are thinking of lage Hall & film license fees, with any surplus donated to the Village Hall. Hothfield Heathlands 3 torial display Broad-bodied Chaser male) where it launches into the sky, and then parachutes back again calling more and more intensely until landing back on its perch. Other birds include the Willow War- bler, Yellow Hammer and Reed Bunting, who all nest in dense vegetation and then feed across the heath and bog. Wild Flowers The bog nearest the Lakeside Village is probably the most col- ourful spot, heavy flows of I know there are many regular visi- spring water means that it re- tors that read this newsletter, However the rarest, the Keeled however if you have never visited Skimmer, is found nowhere mains wetter than the other before, this month is one of the else in Kent. bogs, and has different vegeta- best times of year to do so. tion too. As well as the impres- Birds sive Greater Tussock Sedge, Over a number of years we After a long absence, the re- with its 5 foot giant tussocks, have been removing encroach- stored heathland is now attract- there area also hundreds of ing trees and scrub, and endeav- ing Tree-Pipits. This little bird Southern-marsh Orchids, ouring to keep water levels as carries out an impressive terri- pinker and more sturdy than high as possible. The the Heath-spotted Orchids. effects of this work can Heath Spotted Orchid There are also plenty of Ragged really be appreciated in Robin, Water Mint and Birds- June and July. If you foot Trefoil with their pinks, walk across one of the purple and yellow flowers. This bogs you will see masses bog can be teaming with am- of white fluffy Cotton- phibians, Toads, Frogs and grass, scattered with Newts – often being hunted by the yellow star flowers hungry Grass-snakes. of Bog Asphodel and Ian Rickards the fly eating Round- leaved-sundew. But also look out for the Heath Spotted-orchids, Guided Walk with pink flowers and If anyone would like to find spotty leaves. out more about the wonder- ful wildlife of Hothfield Wet Pools Heathlands, there will be a The wet pools should guided walk on 10th July be buzzing with dragon- from 10.00am to 12.00. flies, there are 14 regu- Please join us at the Main lar species that can be Cade road car park. seen, one of the most For further information impressive will be the contact me on bright blue Broad- [email protected] bodied Chaser. or 01622 662012 4 HEALTH WALKS share art/craft and active move- We run pushchair/pram/ ment sessions. No need to book. toddler friendly Health Family donation of £1 per ses- Walks from the centre sion. each week over the com- Every Wednesday mon. Anyone with a 1.30 - 3pm Bluebells first-time child up to the age of 5 parents meet. If you are a new is very welcome to join parent with a baby under 9 us. Dates are displayed months come along and join us on the notice board at for an informal chat with other the centre. Just turn parents of young babies. Breast- up and explore the lo- feeding advice also available. cal nature reserve. For Every Wednesday more information 3.15 - 5pm Stay and Play, This please call Emma/ is a drop-in session for parents Dawn 01233 622296. with children under 5 years old Courses to come and use the facilities at Various courses run at the centre. This is a free session Bluebells Children's Cen- with no need to book.