The Village Magazine of the Chiddingstones

www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16937/benefice/

60 Pence September 2020 USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Churches Associate Priest Bill MacDougall 01892 870442 Licensed Lay Minister Sally Musson 07713 352017 Churchwardens (St Mary’s Bob Golds 01892 870429 Village) Chris Bell 01732 866222 Verger (St Mary’s) Christine Roberts 01892 870437 Churchwardens (St Luke’s Paul Allen 01732 463382 ) Vacancy Pastoral Assistant Carol Benton 01892 870483 Pastoral Help (Causeway) Helen Barnes 01732 838855 Pastoral Help (Hoath) Jane-Ann Golds 01892 870429 Bell Ringers Stella Wooldridge 01892 870323 Choir Paul Allen 01732 463382 Parochial Parish Administrator Louise Sanders Church Council [email protected]

Local Chiddingstone Sports Assoc Martin Keeler 01732 700516 Organisations Chiddingstone Football Club Martin Keeler 01732 700516 Chiddingstone Cricket Club Mark Streatfeild 01892 870851 Stonewall Park Cricket Club Andy Batchelder 07903 830142 Causeway Stoolball Club Rosa Gower 01892 870644 Stonewall Park Stoolball Club Pauline Hodge 01892 524783 Chiddingstones Tennis Club Richard Sinclair 07771 912108 Chiddingstone Real Football Katie Ashworth 07730 331800 Chiddingstone W.I. Elaine King 01892 871536 Chiddingstone Causeway W.I Carol Benton 01892 870483 Chiddingstone Over 60’s Elizabeth Fleming 01892 870224 Alice Peterkin 01892 870503 Tuesday Group (pre-school) Sam Day 01892 871570 Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service 01732 865353 Chiddingstone Castle 01892 870347 CHAPS Kenton Ward 07881 957800 Res. Assoc. Trust Steen Carndorf 01732 700585

Youth Youth Club Chris Pounds 07725 563636 Organisations Scout Group Lorna Baker 01732 750178

School Head teacher Rachel Streatfeild 01892 870339 Nursery School Leader Jill McCoy 01892 871315

Village Hall Chiddingstone Jane Ann Golds 01892 870429 Bookings Chiddingstone Causeway Elaine Ewer 07597 271974 St. Luke’s Parish Room Diane Heasman 01892 870794

Sevenoaks District Council Councillors James Osborne-Jackson 01732 227000 Sue Coleman 01892 870435

Parish Councils Chiddingstone - Chairman Richard Streatfeild 07973 842139 - Clerk Louise Kleinschmidt 01892 740753 Leigh - Chairman Joe Kaye 01732-835897 - Clerk Louise Kleinschmidt 01892 740753

Magazine Editor and ‘’For Sale ads’’ Jenny Chettle 01342 850827 [email protected] Commercial advertising Stuart Notholt [email protected] Advertising copy Robert Hunt [email protected]

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A14 SEPTEMBER 2020 Forthcoming Events Saturday 5th September Farmers’ Market see page 8 Open Air Theatre in the Orangery at Chiddingstone Castle see page 6 Tuesday 8th September Hand hop picking in Chantlers Hop Garden see page 5 Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th September Machine picking see page 5 Saturday 12th September Friends of Churches Sponsored Bike Ride see page 19 Sunday 13th September Country Fair at Chiddingstone Castle – no unfortunately! Wednesday 16th September MAGAZINE COPY BY 12 NOON PLEASE see page 4 Thursday 17th September Age Uk Pop Up at the Old Rectory see page 11 Tuesday 22nd September Parish Council Zoom meeting see page 4 Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September Hever Castle Triathlon FROM THE RECTORY I hope that many of you have been able to get a holiday of some sort this summer. What a strange summer it has been! Not only have we had wearing masks in shops and public indoor spaces, physical distancing and limited numbers of households in our home, but there has also been the debacle of the A level and GCSE results. It has been a tough year for all our young people, and people may have been disappointed by cancelled holidays, lack of opportunities to play or watch sport, visit galleries and spend time with family. And what about the weather? An incredible heat wave followed by thunderstorms, strong winds and rain. However, it has not all been bad news. We opened St Mary’s church for services at the beginning of August and have enjoyed seeing each other again on Sundays in church – however different it may be, wearing our masks, not singing hymns and being careful to keep distance from each other – at least we have returned after 5 long months. Last year, the field behind The Rectory garden had been planted with rape seed. As the autumn progressed into winter and on into spring, we watched to see what would be planted this year. The field was ploughed, planted, fertilised, sprayed and green shoots appeared. As summer emerged through lockdown, the field became increasingly golden, providing the most beautiful views in early morning and evening as the sun lit up the radiant wheat field. A growing pile of husks appeared on our side of the fence as the squirrels foraged for food. Eventually, in the early days of the heatwave, we watched the crop being harvested and the stalks formed into giant Weetabix. The harvest was in before the rain. Cont/… 1 In the letter I wrote last September, I spoke about the inevitably of change, and our response to change. Well, this year has certainly been a year of unimaginable change – people already talk about pre-Covid and post-Covid as two different periods of time. But some things remain – the seed was planted and grew until harvest. The natural cycle continued due to our clement weather with abundant rain in February and sunshine through spring and summer. In Genesis chapter 8, when Noah had survived the flood with his family and a boat full of animals, God made this promise, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Although I think that the account of the flood is a story to illustrate truth (that is paralleled in other world religions), nevertheless, I believe that God was indicating his desire to protect the world – and of course, we are given the responsibility of being the world’s caretakers, looking after it on God’s behalf. It will be great to have the nursery and school open again. Any new situation of change is challenging, and I will be thinking of you all as you start in a new class or even a new nursery, school, college or university. September is so often the season of new beginnings, and whoever you are, and whatever this month holds for you and your family and friends, I pray that God will be with you, and that He will see you through. With my love, Bill MacDougall DISCOVERERS ONLINE We have come to the end of the Summer series of Discoverers Online and will be starting a new Autumn theme on Sunday 13th September. You can find out what it is all about by tuning in at 9am on the Churches Near You (St Mary’s website) on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD4UozgMz-u7FDZy0y0rS9g or on the St Luke’s Chiddingstone Causeway and St Mary’s Chiddingstone Church Facebook page. As we are hoping to start the Family Service on the first Sunday of the month at 4pm (in St Luke’s in September and in St Mary’s for the winter), I have decided to move Discoverers Online to the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 9am. I would love to hear from any of you. Izzie MacDougall 2 CHIDDINGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL The full Parish Council does not meet during August, although the Parish Office remains open and work continues including the consideration of planning applications. 1. Hedge Cutting: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 says that if any person intentionally takes, damages or destroys the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built he/she shall be guilty of an offence. It is common practice not to cut hedges during the nesting season, generally thought to be between 1st March and 31st August. However sometimes a hedge becomes too overgrown and can reduce visibility on a highway. Please check your hedges before cutting to make sure there are no nesting birds, this is generally thought to be acceptable. 2. Aviation: the number of flights using has continued to increase since the easing of the lockdown period. The airport is currently handling an average of 250 aircraft movements per day. This is expected to increase to 350-400 per day by the end of August as more airlines re-start services. By comparison, Gatwick handled 950 aircraft movements daily in recent summers. The airport has now announced that it has returned to 24hr operations. There are 14 airlines flying from Gatwick to 98 destinations in 39 countries, including many short haul summer holiday destinations. Travel corridors were introduced by the Government to allow people to travel without having to self-isolate upon return to the UK. This is reviewed weekly so please check for the latest Government advice at: www. gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors You may have noticed that you are being overflown more at the moment than previously. If you are adversely impacted by aircraft overhead, please remember to complain to Gatwick Airport: www.gatwickairport.com/business-community/aircraft-noise-airspace/ noise-enquiries 3. Garden Waste sacks: are available by contacting the Clerk. The bags cost 55p each as normal. 4. Bulk Refuse Freighter: unfortunately, District Council has advised that it is not able to operate the freighter until 2021. I am really sorry about this as I know a lot of residents use the service. Your items can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Dunbrik, but please remember to book a slot, see www.kent.gov.uk 5. Parish Council meetings: the Parish Council is following the advice of the National Association of Local Councils and continues to meet remotely via Zoom. All meetings are listed on our website, together with agendas and minutes. Cont/… 3

If you would like to remotely attend a Parish Council meeting, or if you need any help or advice, please contact the Clerk who will send you an invitation to the meeting. The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30pm remotely via Zoom. Louise Kleinschmidt, Parish Clerk Salehurst Barn, Oak Lane, Blackham, Kent. TN3 9UB. Tel: 01892 740753. Email: [email protected] www.chiddingstone.org

NEXT EDITION All contributions for the October edition of the magazine by 12 noon on WEDNESDAY 16th September. Please put the date in your diaries immediately so that I don't have to chase people! Copy can be left in Chiddingstone Village Shop, posted to me at 6a High Street, , Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7JB or: [email protected]

NURSERY NEWS! The Nursery is allocating sessions for September, if you would like to look on the Nursery website for further information please do so or contact the Nursery for a virtual tour. Website address: http://chiddingstonenursery.co.uk E-mail: [email protected]; or Telephone: Mrs J McCoy, Chiddingstone Nursery Tel: 01892 871315

CHIDDINGSTONE WI As our group has been unable to meet again this month, the members have taken it upon themselves to organise some small get togethers in members’ gardens. It has been so nice to be able to see one another face to face again after such a long break. As no more than six people can gather at any one time, even outside, we held two smaller meetings so we all had the chance to catch up. Afternoon tea was shared and we each brought our own chairs so all socially distancing rules were adhered to. We all had such a lovely time that we have planned to do it again very soon. Last year, in May, you may remember that it was the 50th birthday of the inauguration of our group and we bought and planted a lovely rose. This was placed in the garden of the village hall and two of our past presidents, Alison and Brenda, went along last week to see how it was getting along. Cont/….

4 I am pleased to say it is prospering and with a quick tidy up, prune and a bit of weeding, it is now looking lovely. The garden is accessible to all so if you would like to pop along and have a look, please do so. Sadly, we have had to cancel the next three indoor meetings as we cannot yet meet up in large numbers, but we are keeping everything crossed that we will be able to meet up for our Christmas get together! (yes, I did mention Christmas in August....shhh!) Time remains to see if this will be possible but let us hope so. Until then I hope all of our readers remain safe and well and we hope to be back here next month with some more news. Elaine King Don’t forget! HOP PICKING AT LARKINS FARM Once again there is an opportunity for everyone to join in the traditional hop picking at Chantlers Hop Garden at Larkins Farm on Tuesday 8th September from 11am to 1pm. These hand picked hops go into our Green Hop Best ale. Wear old clothes that you don't mind being stained. Machine picking dates are 10th – 12th September with lunch provided. Call Larkins Brewery Tel: 01892 870328 for more details or directions

THE TULIP TREE The government initiative ‘Eat out to help out’ has been extremely popular, and if you read this before the month is out, don’t forget that you get 50% off any eat in food or drink on a Monday to Wednesday in August, up to a maximum of £10 per head. Thank you for everyone’s cooperation with wearing a mask in the shop. I know it’s not comfortable, particularly on the warmer days. We introduced a new menu with a range of interesting salads last month, such as roasted baby potatoes with green beans and sun dried tomatoes, Greek salad and Panzanella. They’ve been going down extremely well. You can add some as a side to a piece of tart or have a combo of three on a plate. Nicoletta Shop 01892 870326 Tea Room 01892 871504 [email protected] www.thetuliptree.biz T: @TheTulipTreeTea I:@thetuliptreetea F:facebook.com/thetuliptreetea

5

September Open Air Theatre Enjoy a professional open air production of either ‘Wind in the Willows’ or ‘Three Men in a Boat’ at the Orangery on Saturday 5th September 2020. More details: https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/

Visit the Castle and Collections Come and see new displays at the castle. Sundays and Mondays from 11am to 5pm (last entry 4.15pm). Tickets £9.50 adult. £4.50 children (special offer £2.50 children during August). We hope to be open until the 27th October 2020 dependent on government guidelines. More details: https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/

Take away Tea and Cakes Bring your picnic furniture, find a spot, and select from our delicious display of cream teams, cakes and hot and cold beverages. Available 11am to 4.15pm every Sunday and Monday until the 27th October 2020.

Enjoy the Grounds Our grounds have welcomed many families, fishers, walkers and cyclists to enjoy the space, views and sunshine, woodlands, lawns and lake this season and we look forward to seeing more friends and visitors this autumn. Fishing has been particularly popular and we recommend a quick view of our fishing rules at https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/visit-us/fishing/

Ready to Celebrate? Our virtual viewing for weddings and celebration planning has helped many continue their planning whatever the situation. For a quick view of opportunities take a look at our Instagram page @chiddingstonecastlewedding and our Pinterest boards www.pinterest.co.uk/chiddingstoneca/boards/. Do share with friends and family who may be thinking ahead.

Autumn Listening. Virtual Literary Festival 2020 – renowned author podcasts – listen for free Autumn reading? Why not autumn listening? Famous authors such as Peter James, Michael Morpurgo, Maggie O’Farrell, Robert Sackville-West, Alexandra Shulman, Joanna Trollope, Tom Holland and Andrew Roberts share behind-the-scenes thoughts on their latest books. To listen for free, go to https://www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/literary_festival/, scroll down and click an event. Sadly the Chiddingstone Castle Country Fair has been CANCELLED.

Local history | Japanese, Egyptian, Buddhist and Jacobite collections | Tudor origins Victorian rooms | 35 acres of woodland, lawns and fishing lake | Take away Tea Room Year round availability for weddings, parties, corporate events, groups & school visits www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk Chiddingstone, Kent TN8 7AD - 01892 870347 - [email protected]

6 THE CASTLE INN The Castle Inn at Chiddingstone has extended its opening times after lockdown and it now trading Wednesday to Sunday. The lovely hot weather has meant that they have been able to seat people outside in their sun-trap of a back garden, but also inside when it’s less than lovely. Things are evolving all the time, so do check the website for the latest news and opening times, but at the moment the menu is still more limited than usual; typically sandwiches, coffee and cake from 10am and then hot food from noon until early evening. And, of course, Sunday roasts – they are limited to how many they can serve, though, so please do ring ahead (during opening times) and pre-order to avoid disappointment. Although the Tuesday Socials have not yet returned for their lunches (as the inn is closed that day), we’re working towards getting these up and running at The Castle again as soon as possible. For those who aren’t familiar with the format, Tuesday Socials, which started at The Castle Inn last October and officially launched at a lovely lunch attended by Rev MacDougall and Rev Holme, are short, guided walks followed by an informal lunch, suitable for all ages and a lovely way to meet up with friends old and new – socially-distanced, of course. www.castleinnchiddingstone.co.uk Reservations: Tel: 01892 870371

THE CAUSEWAY HALL As we begin to come out of lockdown, The Causeway Hall will be following advice and information from the Government and will be available to hire for some bookings within the restrictions set. For further information, please contact [email protected] or phone 07597 271974. Updates will be posted on our Facebook page and website: www.causewayhall.co.uk Some of our classes will be resuming so to keep up to date with everything that is going on, please follow us on Facebook or take a look at our online calendar on the website. Colliewobbles Dog Training - Dog and Puppy Training - Please contact Sandra on 01732 351178 for further information and to book in. Classes resuming on Wednesday afternoons and evenings. Still-Yoga - www.still-yoga.com [email protected]. Classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings, pre booking is essential. We hope that the classes below will resume as soon as is allowed: Table Tennis for all - Contact Gary Longley on 01892 871285 or email [email protected] Zumba Fitness - Contact Kim Fowler at [email protected] Karate Classes - Contact Adel at [email protected] Cont/… 7 Forthcoming music events will be decided on future Government advice. Age UK - Pop in Coffee morning and Health and Wellbeing Classes - a message from Sue Larken, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator: Sessions are currently still suspended, however there are exercise videos from Age UK on our facebook page. If you need any support or help, please call Age UK Sevenoaks and Tel: 01732 454108 or Sue Larken Tel: 07867 648667.

Saturday 5th September 9.30am – 12pm Visitor Car Park The summer is coming to an end. Hopefully the children will be returning to school and it’s a busy month at Penshurst Farmers’ Market with the beginning of the autumn bounty appearing on stalls. Our 23 stalls this month cover all the basics, from new season rare- breed grass-fed lamb from Hoopers Farm to the best fresh fish straight from Hastings, healthy sustainable wild venison and game to hand-made chutneys, jams and jellies from Sugar and Spice. Award winning sourdough breads and cheeses, craft ciders and wines, cakes, bakes and plants and our resident knife sharpener - we’ve got something for everyone. With our new one-way system and social distancing in operation, we ask that you come prepared to queue, ideally shop alone rather than in large groups, keep your distance and pay by card where possible. There is space to queue safely and plenty of free parking close by. For more information on what to expect and which stalls will be there, check on social media and our page on the KFMA web site where you can sign up for our monthly newsletter. We look forward to welcoming you back to Penshurst. Facebook PenshurstFarmersMarket Follow us on Twitter@PenshurstFmMrkt www.kfma.org.uk/Penshurst

BLACKHAM VILLAGE MARKET Suspended until further notice

8 FARMERS’ MARKET is held EVERY Tuesday 9am-11am at St John’s Church Centre Info. Janet Richardson, Manager 01732 838903 or Email: [email protected]

A NOTE FROM YOUR MP One of the best things to have come out of lockdown is how we have all started to appreciate our communities much more. Being forced to stay local has seen greater use of our public footpaths, and a surge in the number of cyclists using our roads. To cope with this increased demand, it is essential that our roads are safer for cyclists and pedestrians. One of the best ways to make this happen is to reduce the number of vehicles speeding through our countryside. The Government have allocated millions of pounds for active travel initiatives in Kent and I am delighted that much of this is coming to Tonbridge and Malling. In Tonbridge, a town wide 20mph will be trialled for the next 6 months. While this is good news for residents in Tonbridge, it is obvious that speeding isn’t just an issue there. In our more rural roads this can be an even bigger problem. Indeed, here in Chiddingstone, I’ve been helping residents with speeding issues on the B2027 through Chiddingstone Causeway and there are, no doubt many more in need of slower traffic. I am hopeful that should the trial in Tonbridge be successful, Kent County Council will consider extending the use of 20mph to appropriate roads in our villages. Not every one of our roads will be suitable, and the solution might not be a 20mph zone but a smaller reduction in the existing speed limit for some. We have a fantastic opportunity to capitalise on the appreciation of our environment with more road safety initiatives. I am keen to see this happen. We must be able to enjoy our environment safely and ensure that cars travel at appropriate speeds through our villages. Conor Dobbs Office of Tom Tugendhat, Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling 130 Vale Road Tonbridge Kent TN9 1SP 01732 441563/07795 192042

9 SUE’S COLUMN Stop press: it’s not Covid that’s going to get you ( has the lowest number of infections in Kent and only 4 new cases in the first two weeks of August), it’s going to be the scorching Kent weather……plague of locusts next?! It feels like the world has simultaneously had all its colours turned to ‘vibrant’ and its sound turned to full volume; so as there are no Council meetings in August, I will try to inject a note of counterbalancing ‘ordinariness’ by covering some of the unglamorous background work being done. As reported last month, there has been a worrying increase in Antisocial Behaviour so SDC pressed for greater focus on this area. A programme of weekend crackdowns was arranged, with extra police presence, which led to numerous arrests (including for drug and knife possession) and crowd dispersal powers were invoked on the first two Saturdays in August. The crackdown also discovered 83 train fare dodging cases, despite Southeastern reporting continuing very low passenger numbers! Local post-pandemic planning continues, with the newly established local Business Board (which I attend in my People & Places role) meeting monthly. One enterprising suggestion made is to use redundant retail space as ‘creative spaces’ for arts and cultural activities and to emphasise public realm improvements, eg. sculpture trails as a means of attracting more leisure activity to the District. SDC’s 8 year old cycling strategy might finally get implemented with new funding from the government’s Active Travel initiative. This will involve improving cycle/rail interconnectivity….all of which will appeal to the hordes of Londoners expected to seek ‘home working from the healthy countryside’ space in the district – I’m sure Penshurst, and Chiddingstone will be prime attractions. Which leads me neatly on to the Government’s announcements on reform of the planning system. Extra demand will only exacerbate the pressure for more new homes. The proposals are currently out for White Paper consultation and I will be pressing SDC to make three points. Firstly, it is iniquitous to weaken development control powers at the same time as challenging the Council’s carefully developed Local Plan – government can’t have it both ways. Cont/..

10 Secondly, if controls are weakened then enforcement must be strengthened at the same time; weak limitations with weak enforcement will lead to a concrete jungle. Finally, planning permissions granted under any new streamlined regime should have only a 2-year validity, to stop the problem we’ve all seen of developers ‘land banking’ in anticipation of rising house prices. Finally, a plug that there will be an Age UK Pop Up at The Old Rectory on Thursday 17th September at the earlier time of 1pm. Please confirm attendance. Sue Coleman District Councillor for Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone

BRIAN WILLIAM PARTRIDGE My lovely Dad, Brian William Partridge, passed away on the 18th of July having reached the age of 81. He had become very frail but had managed his illness with strength and grace. Dad and our family moved to the area in the 60s and he spent time as the local bobby before moving to Bough Beech Waterworks and then ending his career working for Barnardo’s. After his retirement he worked as a gardener which he thoroughly enjoyed. He played football for Chiddingstone Football Club before becoming a stalwart of Chiddingstone Cricket Club, hitting many a century in the infamous beer matches. In later life he took up bowls which he was just as competitive and successful in. Dad leaves behind my Mum, Edna, my brother Michael, myself Susie, and three grandchildren Mathew, Sarah and James who he was extremely proud of. Dad was a loving, funny, strong, compassionate man who spent his life looking after his family and his community. He will be missed by everyone who knew him but leaves behind many happy memories. Susie Otway

11 SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 Sunday 6th September – Trinity 13 10am Sung Eucharist St Mary’s 4pm Family Service (check website for details) St Luke’s

Sunday 13th September – Trinity 14 9am Discoverers online 10am Matins St Mary’s

Sunday 20th September – Trinity 15 10am Family Eucharist St Mary’s

Sunday 27th September – Trinity 16 9am Discoverers online 10am Matins St Mary’s

Sunday 4th October – Harvest Festival 10am Sung Eucharist St Luke’s 4pm Family Service (check website for details) St Mary’s

HARVEST FESTIVAL LUNCH Sunday 4th October Please make a note of the date! At the time of going to print, we are unsure if the lunch will be able to take place, and if it does what shape it will be. The good news is that The Causeway Hall has been booked since last year. We are exploring various options and, if we are not able to use the kitchen, we may bring our own picnic and sit in family or group “bubbles” at a table of six. We could also still have our “Harvest Quiz”! If you are interested in coming, please let me know so that I have some idea of numbers. Obviously, as with most things at present, the situation may change. Hilary Allen Tel: 01732 463382

12 SUNDAY CRICKET EXPERTISE PART 3 At last, a 'bumping pitch and a blinding light'! My chance to show them. And by some mis-chance, someone had put me a number eight. Thirty-five to win in four point two overs. I strode to join Mark at the wicket. I nurdled the two balls and then met him for a conference mid-pitch. Here we were, two grizzled old warriors; making a plan: 'What do you want me to do, Mark, hit out?' 'No Barry,' he said. 'Get out.' Well, not exactly 'a captain's hand on the shoulder smote' was it? So, no chance to execute my delicate leg-glide or my dabbed late-cut. No place for artistry; I got out. George Allwood came in, and with no artistry at all proceeded to club the ball hither and yon so that Chidd won with four balls to spare. In the pavilion afterwards I could find no-one paying tribute to my sacrifice. So, in this third part of my tips on succeeding in Sunday cricket, there are not many triumphs to relate. I was usually put in at ten or eleven, but I often got a bat. This was because of an important phenomenon - the Chidd-out. A chronic tendency for Chidd to concede a sudden and violent avalanche of wickets. Chidd might be chasing a total of, say, 120. At 90 for 2, only one unused to our Sunday history, would ever bet that we would win. Even at 100 for 2, your cash should stay safely in your back pocket. This made for drama, incredulity, despair. Was it my fault if I went out to bat after three overs of carnage when the other side were already on a roll? How could I stand alone when all around me were caving in? I do have one proud memory. At Southborough one Sunday I was batting at number ten. Out came our last man, a diminutive Cooper who you could hardly see above his pads. Eight overs to go. We were holding out. My goodness, I was the senior partner to guide us to a draw. Then Geoff Medhurst, umpiring, muttered something to me at the end of the over. 'Don't shield him' he said. 'Why?' said I, practising that leg-glide. 'Because he won't get out. You will.' Dispirited – how would you feel? I was almost hoping that the little sprout would fail, but he didn't. After we survived, I marched back to the pavilion next to him, holding my bat aloft. I do recall an eight not-out at Leigh. As I walked up the steps, my friend John Spencer, said 'Well done Barry, you batted like you did twenty years ago.' Warming from John, but slightly spoiled by someone saying: 'Yes, and he was rubbish then too.' But even those given cricketing gifts by the gods had to learn bitter lessons. At Chidd Causeway one Sunday we were chasing 120, and a then-young chap named Tom Streatfeild came out and staunched the Chidd-out. He was steering us home beautifully. The Causeway's Pocock was bowling, and at his end was the Causeway umpire. Pocock bowls one wide down the leg side. Tom rather stylishly leaves it to hit his pad. Pocock appeals, Causeway umpire gives Tom out, instantly. Cont/…

13 Back in the pavilion, to the sounds of jubilation in the Home dressing-room, Tom blurted to his Dad: 'Dad. They don't know the rules!' To which Mark replied: 'They've got slightly different rules here at the Causeway, son.' This games a great leveller. PS: Newbolt was utterly wrong when he wrote: 'And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat or the selfish hope of a season's fame.' Utterly wrong: to draw with Southborough, or beat Cowden….it is all about a season’s fame; and not just that one season, but forever. 'Do you remember I helped beat Cowden by one wicket?' Sorry, Sir Henry: wrong, wrong, wrong! BL

CHIDDINGSTONE CRICKET CLUB It’s been hot. Unbearably so. The outfield is the colour of straw. If the ball gets past you, it’s probably going to be four. Pity the bowlers. There have been a couple of cancelled fixtures this month, including the President’s game, on perhaps the only wet day in recent weeks. Aside from those abandonments, the teams have been involved in spirited victories and agonising defeats both. The annual game with Stonewall Park proceeded the day after the President’s washout. Star import Joe De Souza classily compiled a century, and new addition Harry Elliss bludgeoned 51* to propel Chidd to 226-4. Stonewall held off our bowlers in their reply with Amos Kemp and Warren Daley both registering fifties. A mini-collapse gave us a sniff of victory, but in spite of Harry’s herculean efforts (5-24), we couldn’t prevent the draw. The following Saturday we had a lengthy drive to Hartley Country Club. Against a disciplined attack, our batsmen wilted, often giving their wickets away, resulting in a decidedly under-par score of 165. Hartley were brutal in their chase, smacking the bowling everywhere to overhaul our paltry effort in 22 overs. Not really worth the petrol that one. We demolished a team of our own on the Sunday. At Ightham, Graham Cooper (56), Tony Baldwin (55*) and Jamie Leppard (42*) got us to 220-6. Then a worse- for-wear Ightham collapsed to 77 all out, an innings most notable for Billy Leppard picking up 2-12 in a welcome return to the team. A pasting of Plaxtol kicked off the following weekend. On a scorching day, James Lockwood, Tim Golds and Alex Hanwell all contributed fifties to a mammoth total of 318. The target was insurmountable for the plucky visitors, who subsided to 181. The wickets were shared evenly, with six Chidd bowlers getting at least one. Cont/…

14 On a no less excruciatingly hot Sunday, we ventured up the road to Leigh. Harry flayed the ball to all parts in a swashbuckling 80, but support was minimal and we ‘Chidd-outed’ (it’s in the dictionary, and if it isn’t, it should be) to 157. John Bellingham of Leigh walked away with the extraordinary figures of 7-43. Leigh’s chase was well-paced, but we took regular wickets to arrest their momentum, Billy carrying on his good form with 4-54. However, our total proved insufficient and they crept past it with three wickets in hand. Last Sunday introduced us to a new opposition in Ploughmans XI (London-based). In a reduced-overs game, we notched up 169-6 on a lively wicket. Tony Cooper stood out with a fluent 55. We had Ploughmans on the rack at 81-5, but a match-winning 60* by Tom Lonnen and some truly dreadful fielding (you know who you are), ushered them to the target with three balls to spare. There are still plenty of games left, with plenty of opportunities for glory, heartbreak and ineptitude. Until next time, enjoy your summers. AH

LEIGH SCOUTS INCORPORATING CHIDDINGSTONE You may know (or even remember) that Chiddingstone Scout Group merged with Leigh in 1968 and we have had a lot of children enjoying this group ever since and in July 2013, we celebrated 100 years of Scouting in Leigh with a great afternoon on the village green with all sorts of activities, hot dogs, burgers (very important) and coming to a close with a fly past of a Spitfire, which made three or four “sorties” over the green. Now, sadly we do not have any Beavers, Cubs or Scouts activities in the village. Last December our leaders resigned and we have not been able to recruit anyone for these roles. I have been looking through old AGM minutes and this is not a new issue - we have been requesting for volunteers for many years. The committee and Tonbridge District did start off trying to interest people and then along came coronavirus which has put a halt to all Scouting. I am hoping to get the groups going again for the start of September, but we do need leaders. Would you like to see Scouting stay in our villages for your children? Many potential leaders did enjoy their own Scouting when younger - could you help giving these fun and lifetime experiences to today’s children? If there are any parents, carers, aunties, uncles, grandparents etc. that would like to be involved, please do contact me, my details are below. All training is free and there is the continued support of the committee and Tonbridge district. Cont/….

15 Should there be four leaders or assistants for each group, this means they only have to manage the meeting every fourth week, not every one, so the more the merrier. Please do think whether this is something that you would enjoy - I believe you would. Many thanks, Lee Bransby, Chair Tel: 01732 834273 [email protected]

STONEWALL PARK CRICKET CLUB Since the last time of writing, we have had several excellent afternoons of cricket, albeit without tea and visits to The Rock, and it has been great to note that our juniors are not only playing but also performing well and making useful contributions. Special mention this month goes to Charlie Grant who took 2-20 from six overs and then scored 16 against Penshurst. We have also welcomed several new players into our ranks and, so far, haven't scared them off! The results read won one, drawn one and lost two, although the defeat to Penshurst was a thriller as we came up one run short chasing 118 and then against Fordcombe we lost by one wicket but dropped their last man, not once but twice, when the scores were level. A tongue-in-cheek assessment from the Chairman reads "we've almost dropped more catches than runs scored and have lost several matches that we should have won; perhaps it's a good thing that the League was scrapped this season!". Against Chiddingstone, a 99 run partnership between Warren Daley (63) and Amos Kemp (51) threatened to take us to victory but a steady loss of wickets required Richard Grant and his son Charlie to hold out for the draw. Amos, Alice Grant and Jack Overton-Fox were all praised by captain Rupert Fleming for their bowling which restricted Chiddingstone to a get-able target. So, to the win (yes, you do read correctly) against Hildenborough which actually started in traditional Stonewall Park style with an early innings collapse to 37-4. Luckily Warren Daley (60) and another new recruit, Bernie Rees (45 not out), took us to a respectable 165-6 at the bring-your-own-tea interval. The second innings stands out for some remarkable achievements; firstly a stumping by Peter Gilbey (although there is some debate as to whether the ball was in his gloves or cannoned off his pads) and then figures of 7-3-10-6 for Amos Kemp, taking his maiden six wicket haul (but if you've seen him before reading this, he may have already told you!). Rupert Fleming came on just in time to pick up the last two wickets for no runs to seal the victory. We also had an excellent club day with a President's XI vs Chairman's XI fixture. Sean won the toss and elected to bat with Marc Harvey's half century, the bedrock of the Chairman's XI total which was checked by some excellent bowling from Felix Fleming who picked up 4 wickets. Cont/… 16 In response, the President's XI were always behind the worm and Rupert's assessment was that the fielding made the difference with "a rather aged President's XI leaking runs versus Calum Glendinning and his cousin, who saved at least 20 runs for the Chairman's XI patrolling the boundaries". We have a game every Sunday through to the end of September and there are a couple of Saturday friendlies too. If you are interested in donning your whites, do contact the club by email at [email protected] We have another inter-club game on Saturday 12th September and our end of season work party is scheduled for Saturday 3rd October. FQ

CHIDDINGSTONE HISTORY NOTES – 2 1. Wealden Building Study Group (WBSG) The Group was formed in 1964 by one of the pioneers in the study of timber-framed buildings, RT Mason and by Roy Armstrong who founded the & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton – an excellent day out for those with timber-framed houses …or anyone. The aim of the Group is to further the study of timber-framed houses in the Weald and to compile a database of the early buildings in our area. Visits usually involve about 1-1½ hours of internal and external study of the structure, form, joints etc followed by a detailed discussion and interpretation of the building with the owners, drawing on the wide-ranging experience of the Group members (usually 12-15). WBSG first visited our old (Spokeshave Cottage/Cherry Tree Cottage next to The Rock Inn) in 1995 and then, again, in 2011 when I had researched some of the history and had drawn the timbered house in its original form. I found it particularly interesting to learn of the sequence and estimated dating of the original and additional structure through the Group`s knowledge of joints, features and historical development of chimney and floor insertion. The Group also visited Oakenden (Penny Harris) on the same day and, since then, I have arranged for other Chiddingstone houses to be visited as below. I have undertaken to supplement the WBSG report with a historical report of owners/occupiers depending upon how much detail I can unearth. 2011 Spokeshave/Cherry Cottages (Golds/Sales) Oakenden (Penny Harris) 2012 Chid. Stores/Old Manor House (Sally Stevens/Laurence and Jacky Taylor) No 1, High St – Chid Cobham Ct House (Annie Gilbert) 2013 Hill Hoath House (Anthony and Sue Hook) Old Gilwyns/Gilwyns (Will and Hilary Lambert Lambeth/Liz Biggs) July 2014 Tyehall (Simon and Janice Butler) Chantlers (Jay and Fiona Leathers) If anyone is interested in a visit by WBSG to their timber-framed house when visits are resumed, please get in touch with me by email or telephone. I can assure you that the Group members are very careful and considerate. Cont/… 17 2. Dendrochronology Dendrochronology, or tree-ring dating, can provide an invaluable insight to the history of a building by revealing the year (or season) in which the timbers were felled. The study is based on the widths of the year-rings which vary depending upon the weather conditions in a particular region – the more ideal the growing conditions, the wider the year-rings. By plotting the relative widths of the rings over the centuries, a clearly identifiable sequence emerges, a unique pattern or database against which the life- cycle of any tree or timber can be compared. Sample cores (approx. 10 per building) are drilled from timbers at optimum positions and then polished and the year-rings measured under microscope to create a historical sequence which can be compared with the database. This will establish the age of the tree and the date of felling. In medieval times, timber was invariably used from a very local source and within months of felling when it was still easy to saw. Through Rod Wild, an archaeologist with Wealden Building Study Group, I contacted Dr Andy Moir of Tree-ring Services who has a reputation for accuracy and economy (£400/house compares favourably with others). I found sufficient owners in Chiddingstone for a 3-day site visit by Andy Moir, the cores were taken and informative 25-page reports provided for the owners. The following properties were examined:- Lockskinners (John Coldman) …. Originally a 4-bay hall house (3 bays remain) with crown post roof. Felling dates in 1428 and spring 1429 indicate a construction date of 1429. Jessups, Charcott (Les and Rosie Jones) …. Originally a 4-bay hall house (2 bays remain) with crown post roof. Construction date of 1398 including re-use of one timber felled in 1330. Chimney added in 1646 (the felling date for the bressumer). The Rock Inn (John Coldman) …. Originally, an unusual 2-bay floored building dating 1520. Inglenook bressumer added between 1545–1577. Large open area and closeness to old King`s Highway indicates the building may have been an ale house initially but historical records show it also as a farmhouse. Spokeshave/Cherry Cottage (Bob and Jane Ann Golds/Chris and Sarah Goatman) …. Originally, a 4-bay hall house (all remain) with all structural timbers and `solar` intact. A felling date of winter 1397 indicates likely construction in 1398. Addition of gable, chimneys, floors and 1-bay extension between 1558 -1577 ties in with adjacent Rock Inn and Elizabethan shilling found in Cherry Cottage plaster. Watstock (Piers and Sally Quirk) …. Originally, an unusually rich 4-bay hall house (central bays remain) with crown post roof and spectacular dais beam and screen to hall. Construction date of 1455 with north-east bay rebuilt in 1490 and chimney/bressumer in 1592. If there are others within Chiddingstone`s old houses who wish to have an accurate house dating, please contact me (details below) and another Chiddingstone visit might be feasible. Bob Golds [email protected] or Tel: 01892 870429 18 WELCOME We welcome James Merewether and Tansin Marshall to Oakenden Farmhouse, Oakenden Lane, . We wish them both every happiness in their new home. WE WELCOME We also welcome Rhys and Ellie Davies and their daughter Persephone and little dog, Truffle to The Manor House, High Street, Chiddingstone village. We wish them all every happiness in their new home. FOR SALE John Lewis contemporary glass top desk/table. Excellent condition. £60. Tel: 01892 870705 STOP PRESS! SPONSORED BIKE RIDE Friends of Kent Churches Saturday 12th September 10am - 6pm This year’s Ride and Stride to fund raise for Kent Churches is going ahead on Saturday 12th September between 10am and 6pm. Cycling and walking are considered to be safe activities during the present situation so if anyone would like to take part, please ring Karen Roche for sponsorship forms Tel: 07835 881399. If anyone does feel that they could give up any time to sign forms in the church, could you also please contact Karen on the above number?

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Saturday 3rd October End of Season work party at Stonewall Park Cricket Ground see page 17 Sunday 4th October Harvest Festival Lunch see page 12 Saturday 10th October Chiddingstone Sports Association Quiz now in Spring 2021

If any organisation has any further dates to add to this diary, please contact the editor. Hopefully, by publishing and keeping an ongoing list of planned events, we can avoid a clash of interests!

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