Lyminge Online

Vandalism and Public Nuisance - A Public Meeting held at Elham Village Hall on 14 February

Over 130 people met at Elham Village Hall to discuss the problems of local vandalism and public nuisance. Problems encountered include; intimidation of villagers, consumption of alcohol (which is illegal in the streets) and the resultant litter and drug taking and dealing. After discussion, the means to counter this nuisance include:

• The provision of organised activities (e.g. youth clubs, football clubs). This will require adult leadership.
• Note the nature and time of any incidents, including the names of offenders and/or a general description.
• Inform the parents.
• Inform the Police (P. C. Ian Foster on 01304 218151)
• If the incident is serious, do not hesitate to ring 999.
• CCTV (being investigated by the Parish Councils).
• Noting the registration plate of vehicles undertaking motoring offences (Speeding etc.) and reporting them.
• Parish Special Constable. Anyone can volunteer, but the work is unpaid.
• Neighbourhood Watch. Maintain and strengthen the existing network.
• Local groups should produce a co-ordinated plan.
• Finally, if a crime is not reported to them, the Police cannot act.

There are several "Letters to the Editor" In this Issue regarding the financing of the School's expansion plans. They are reproduced, in full. However, as you will note, this means that a great deal of space has been devoted to this topic. The Chairman of t" Lyminge Association has asked that any further correspondence takes place between the two parties and not through the medium of the Newsletter.

As the Lyminge Newsletter Editor I am not unused to controversy in the Newsletter, indeed I welcome it as it gives the Newsletter vitality. Editorial policy has always been to publish any letter, in full, so long as it is not libellous or slanderous. This I have always done, even if there may be some inaccuracies. My personal knowledge does not affect the content of letters. Rebuttals can always be printed in the following Newsletter. What I am not used to is being part of the controversy. I am therefore taking Editorial privilege to give my personal, actual viewpoint.

The Parents and Friends of Lyminge School undertook to raise half the money (a total of £41,000) for the alterations to the school buildings for the computer suite and library, if finance for the other portion could be found from elsewhere. One option was to ask the Parish Council to raise the finance. There are statutes etc. in place that could be used to do this and per household it was not thought to amount to a great deal.

The Governors put their proposition to the Parish Council before one of the general Parish Council meetings. The Parish Council decided to meet as the Finance Committee to discuss the issues and decided against funding through an increase in the precept. It was emphasised that no discussion about what happened during that meeting should take place outside the meeting, and I have abided by this. The vote against the proposition to increase the precept was taken in public, but without public debate. As this vote was taken in public and a member of the public was present, it was public knowledge as to which way the councillors had voted.

I resigned from the Parish Council on the principle that I felt the Parish Council should have been in a position to support the School; no compromises or other suggestions were made. I was also very disappointed with the negative attitude of some of my fellow Parish Councillors to the school. Personally, I feel that issues such as this should be debated in public to give transparency to the decision, but the mechanism used did speed up the decision.

On the same day I offered my resignation to the Governors of Lyminge School and the Parents and Friends of Lyminge School. In the event, the school found that they did not have to accept my resignation and both they, and the committee of Parents and Friends of Lyminge asked me to reconsider (as did the Parish Council). I did so because I feel strongly that I should support the financing of the proposed facilities. This is not because we will benefit as a family; we will not the building alterations (if they go ahead) will only be complete after our daughter leaves the school. I feel that the new facilities should be of benefit to the community as a whole and I will support their availability to other users after school hours. I also feel that the knowledge of a good school in a community encourages families to move closer to it, thus improving the local economy. I had always been uncomfortable about not being able to report the decisions of the Board of Governors to the Parish Council, but this is because the Governors’ minutes are confidential until they are approved at the next meeting - which might take place a in a term's time, by which time old news is definitely dead news.

I feel that the community should give much more support to the Parish Council, which is democratically accountable to the electorate. The Council (and its members) does a great deal for the Parish behind the scenes, for instance in the maintenance of our network of footpaths, hedges and playground equipment, all undertaken free of charge by members of the Council, thus keeping the precept low. Moreover, it seems the Government intends that Parish Councils should start to undertake more duties which will have a direct effect on the community. The meetings of the Council are held on the last Monday of the month in the Village Hall, and I have always found it very disappointing that the public do not show more interest and attend these meetings, as is their right. Failing that, the minutes of every meeting are available in the Library or on the notice board by the Post Office.

The result of the recent poise, of the Etchinghill Residents' Association on, "Do you think Lyminge Parish Council should temporarily increase our rates to pay for the extension to Lyminge Primary School" resulted in a 44% return of ballot papers, 13.4% said 'Yes" and 86.6% said 'No'.

It would seem that the majority of the residents in Etchinghill believe that the Parish Council was right in not voting for the rate increase.

It is sad and regrettable that the School Board of Governors' letter of 7 December 2000 to Parents, which presumably prompted the letter in the January Newsletter by the 'very disappointed parent', should have adopted such an inflammatory and divisive tone without regard to the facts - all of which were probably known to Liz Coleman as both ex-Councillor and the Council's representative on the Board of Governors.

Although Parents and Friends knew the Governors' intent and had been fund-raising since April 2000, the Parish Council was not aware of it until its September meeting when the Governors' request of 10 September was tabled seeking permission to give a presentation of the proposed New Classroom extension and IT Suite at the October meeting. To accommodate this, the Council broke with protocol and integrated the presentation within its October agenda thereby enabling the Governors and members of the public to speak during the meeting.

Readers must acknowledge that the Council represents all sectors of the Parish community, a fact hardly recognised in the Governors' letter. Whereas we cannot recollect any one Councillor speaking against the Project, and many did visit the School to learn of it, concern was expressed at the charge to be imposed upon that other "substantial proportion of the community", the senior citizens. The Governors had quoted to others on 7 October a proposed precept of 20p. per council tax payer per week, i.e. £10.40 p.a., and repeated to the Council on 30 October to be collected "over one financial year". All this was news to the Council. Here it must be emphasised that although ex-Councillor Coleman is a Governor, she had not been permitted by the Governors' rules to divulge the Board's business to the Council. The immediate reaction of the majority of senior citizens seemed not to support the Project. In addition to Councillors testing the feelings of other elements of the community, the Council felt the need to seek legal opinion on the whole concept. Incidentally, the precept is now stated as £3.50 per year, but "over a period of years", presumably three years.

The Council's financial powers are limited under s.137 of the Local Government Act, 1972, and our advisers have opined that had the Council pursued the line argued by the Governors, using s.137 over a number of years to fund the Project (albeit in part), the District Auditors would have been highly critical. A long term funding commitment would undermine the basis of s.137, would have created a precedent, and committed the Council's emergency reserves. In addition, it would have denied assistance to other equally-deserving but small occasional requests from within the Parish, for example; Age Concern (Elham Rural) and Lyminge Parish Church

Also, some Councillors were concerned at misleading or contradictory statements by the Governors on tendering and planning progress, and surprised that the estimates of cost had not been updated since May 2000 before presentation to the Council. The estimates were eventually updated November 2000.

Having regard to the various strong feelings being expressed to the Councillors, the opinion being received from the Council's lawyers, and that the fulcrum of the matter lay with finance, the Council decided to debate the subject in Finance Committee with all Councillors attending. This was not "a device" but an established procedure to enable Councillors to have a full and frank discussion. To avoid proceedings being disrupted by emotive behaviour by members of the public, it was agreed to hold the meeting in camera and for its conclusion to be presented for vote at the November Council Meeting. It was after the Committee adjourned that an attempt to influence the Council's deliberations was revealed by an ill-conceived and biased proforma placed in the Library to win Parishioners' support for the Precept idea, the author of which remains anonymous. That was an abuse of democracy and offended many Councillors.

The Council does not intend to rejoinder other highly-emotive statements in the Governors' letter of 7 December. It was unaware that Liz Coleman had resigned with a feeling of disgust at Councillors' action but believed she had resigned on a matter of principle. She was immediately asked to reconsider her decision but she declined.

So many people in the village have generously supported Lyminge Primary School for fund-raising for our new computer suite, that I thought that this was an ideal time to update you all with the current situation.

Subject to planning permission, we are expecting to start building our new classroom during the Easter holiday, with completion ready for the New Year in September.

As many of you will know, we were unsuccessful in our request to the Parish Council for funding towards the new computer suite. This was a great disappointment to all those involved in the project, as a lot of time was put into our presentation. The Parish Council however, have to manage the parish funds carefully and we must accept that they did not think this was a project worthy of any community funding.

Our request for funding seems to have created some extreme views in the community and we regret this, as our only intention was to provide the best educational facilities we could for local children. We were also disappointed that certain aspects of our request have been misunderstood, the Governors were not asking the Parish Council to direct all their available funds to the use of the school. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Council has in fact many specific powers for assisting worthy causes within the Parish and by law these could not have been restricted in any way by a grant given to the school.

The lack of any council funding will mean that we cannot at this stage progress with the school extension, which was to house the computer suite and provide an improved school library.

The Governors are conscious of the fact that it is the children in the school now who have been missing out on this facility and we are therefore looking at alternative, temporary solutions that will let us develop the computer suite now, with the full facility being built when we have had time to raise the extra funds.

I would particularly like to thank Roy Copping of Haxtons, whose advice is invaluable and is being very supportive of our fund-raising efforts and also the Lions Club (£1,000), The Ronald Cruckshank's Trust (£1,000) and KPMG Accountants (£500) who have also been very generous in their support

The village has always been supportive of the school and we hope that you will generously support our fund-raising events in the coming months.

I don't suppose this will be the fast edition of the newsletter when letters are published about the decision of the Parish Council to refuse financial support for the planned extension to the school. I think it's a shame that the debate is happening in writing, in monthly instalments, rather than at a public meeting. What dismayed me wasn't so much the decision, as the way it was made - behind closed doors, and unaccounted for. Why did the Council turn down the Governors' proposal? We don't know, they didn't say. There are tots of good reasons to support or oppose the proposal, but none of them were debated openly.

I have a daughter at the school and one soon to go, so I have an interest in seeing the school continue to flourish. The suspicion is that some councillors acted as they did because they don't have any such stake in the success of the school. And of course the job of the Council is something rather different; to represent the long-term interests of the community as a whole.

I'm sure opinion is divided in the parish, so whichever way the vote when would please some and annoy others. The only way to satisfy both camps is to have a decision made openly and democratically. We could at least allow every point of view to be aired, and make a decision that reflects the balance of opinion in the village. That means having a debate in public, and if necessary, a referendum to settle the matter.

Liz Coleman's resignation from the Parish Council leaves a vacancy for which I'm standing. If elected I will want to find ways to open up the way we govern ourselves. The Government seas the role of councils as providing "community leadership and they have shown quite an interest in developing the role of parish councils. Our Parish Council do a great deal of work, for which they get far too little credit. I hope out of this affair comes a wider recognition of the contribution the Council make on behalf of us all.

Please will you put this in next months News letter to inform Disappointed Parent in January's Newsletter.

As we feel the Parish need's to know the facts, as we understand them, so they can understand why the Parish Council turned down the Lyminge School Governors.

Due to the increased pupil roll at Lyminge School, K.C.C. are funding the building of a new classroom and staff room.

The governors would also like a dedicated computer room and Library-room but the building of these would not be paid for by the K.C C.

Hence the request to the Parish Council for £21,000 to be raised by a special Parish Precept to pay for it. This would mean raising the current precept of £10.69 by a further £10.40.

However Lyminge Parish can only raise an extra £7,500 per annum, unless permission is sought from Central Government for a greater amount.

The School governors have asked that £7,500 be given to the school for 3 consecutive years. If the council opted to give this amount it would be unable, due to local government legislation, to give monies for this period of time to any other parish organisation. Thus money given annually to Age Concern, Parish Church etc. and one off payments requested by the likes of Youth groups could NOT be paid, making the school the only beneficiary of parish money for 3 years.

It is our understanding the School Governors were made aware of the above circumstances.

So why are they making such a fuss over something we are sure the Parish Council thought about most carefully?

Dates for the Diary

During March at the Library
The Exhibition during March will be art work by Ellie Topaz. March 10 is World Book Day, so pop into the library, borrow a book, admire the art work and write a few lines saying which book you would risk keeping if reading was made illegal. Best entries will form a display later in the year.

Friday 2 March
Lyminge Pre-School Playgroup
Quiz Night. Come to Lyminge Village Hall at 7.30pm for 8.00pm with an American Supper. £2.00 per head, max. 6 per table. Tickets and information from Rowena Bergin on 863506.

Tuesday 6 March
Lyminge Historical Society
The Historical Society welcomes visitors to attend the monthly talks starting at 7.45pm in the Methodist Church Hall, which take place on the first Tuesday in the month. March's talk will be given by Martin Easdown on 'A Tour Around Britain's Pleasure Piers (part 2)'.

Wednesday 7 March
In aid of Pilgrims' Hospice
Put "Coffee" in your diary on the first Wednesday of every month - come to the coffee morning at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Folkestone from 10.00am until 12 noon. Bring and Buy stall. Your help really matters.

Thursday 8 March
Abbeyfield Society (Lyminge) Limited
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the above Society will be held at 7.00pm at Rivulet, Canterbury Road, Lyminge, to which all members of the Public are invited.

Saturday 10 March
Parents and Friends of Lyminge School
The Parents and Friends of Lyminge School are holding an indoor table fair from 9.00a, - 12 noon. Have a good clear out and take a table at £5.00 and make some extra cash. There will be a second-hand uniform stall in aid of the building fund and all donations will be most appreciated.

Wednesday 14 March
Lyminge W.I
The first meeting of the newly re formed Lyminge W.l. will be held at the Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm. Do come along and meet other like-minded ladies and discover how much the W.I. can offer you. We promise a friendly welcome and an entertaining evening.

Saturday 17 March
Sewing Workshop
Not patchwork today - but a simple machine-sewn project to make a magic-fold-up-into-a-bag seat-cover/cushion which you can take with you every time you will be sifting on a plastic stackable chair, often found in village halls! You don't have be a regular sewer to be able to make the seat-saver. Phone Liz on 863197 for further information and to find out where it will be held - it depends on how many want to come! Cost will be £7.50 and it will run from 10.00am-4.00pm. These workshops take place on the third Saturday of each month. New - and easy - patchwork techniques are taught, no experience is necessary, and you don't have to come every month!

Wednesday 21 March
Rhodes Minnis Ladies Evening Circle
Our Speaker for March is to be Mrs. P. Webb, telling us about a Nepalese Wedding, We welcome new members and guests. We charge just £1.00 per non-member. We meet at Rhodes Minnis Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Sunday 6 April
Elham Valley Lions
This year's walk will be in support of the Paula Carr Trust retinal eye-screening unit. This event will take place from Brabourne village through Mersham Hatch park and the Brabourne Estates. Sponsor Forms available soon.

Thu 1 Mar
9.30am Holy Communion
8.00pm Holy Communion
Sun 4 Mar - 1st Sunday of Lent
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am WOW (World of Worship) Service
Thu 8 Mar
9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 11 Mar- 2nd Sunday of Lent
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Holy Communion
Thu 15 Mar
9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 18 Mar - 3rd Sunday of Lent
10.30am Holy Communion
Thu 22 Mar
9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 25 Mar - Mothering Sunday
10.30am Holy Communion
6.30pm Sunday Silence
Thu 29 Mar
9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 1 Apr 5th Sunday of Lent
8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am WOW (World of Worship) Service

March 21^st – 24^th
Lyminge Dramatic Society
This months eagerly awaited production, Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, "Time and Time Again, will be performed, from Wednesday 21^st to Saturday 24^th March in Lyminge Village Hall, starting at 7.45pm and will be directed by Jenny Gasson. Ayckbourn is one of Britain's leading playwrights and the Society has successfully staged several of his plays in the past. Tickets are prices at £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children. Senior citizens will be invited free of charge to the dress rehearsal on Tuesday 20th March at 7.45pm. The box office opens on Saturday 3 March at G.W. Finn and Sons, Estate Agents, Lyminge. Make sure you book early to avoid being disappointed!

A Lyminge Village Hall Management Committee Event
Saturday 7 APRIL
"Call My Bluff" Style Evening
7.30pm for 8.00pm start
Pit your brains against the dictionary.
Teams of up to 8.
Bring your own food, drink and all you need to go with R. Raffle. Ticket price £2.50.
For tickets telephone: Dave and Honor on 862928 or John and Judy on 862655.

Saturday 16 June
Etchinghill W.I.
Etchinghill W.I. are holding a 'Trash and Treasure’ sale at Lyminge Methodist Hall from 10.00am to 4.00pm Anyone who would like to book a table for £5.00, please 'phone Barbara on 265229.

St Mary & St Ethelburga, Lyminge - Children's Workshop
Our Children's Workshop will be held on Saturday 3 March from 2.00 - 4.00pm in the Church. All children are welcome (adults tool) to our afternoon workshops, held on the Saturday preceding the first Sunday of the month. For more information, Contact Vanessa Ashman at the Rectory, on 862432.
For your diary: Our next Children's Workshop will be on Saturday 7^th April.

ST MARY & ST RADIGUND, POSTLING
Sun 4 Mar 6.30pm Evensong
Sun 18 Mar 8.00am Holy Communion
Sun 25 Mar 9.30am Family Service
Sun 1 Apr 6.30pm Evensong

ST OSWALD, PADDLESWORTH
Sun 11 Mar 1 1.00am Holy communion
Sun 18 Mar 6.30pm Evensong

LENT COURSES IN L YMINGE
'Christians Together' in Lyminge will be holding LENT COURSES during MARCH, on:
TUESDAYS at 7.30pm in the METHODIST CHURCH HALL
WEDNESDAYS at 8.00pm in LYMINGE PARISH CHURCH
THURSDAYS at 3.00pm in LANFRANC, HIGH STREET, LYMINGE
All welcome!

Handbell News
The Lyminge Handbells were delivered to a bell foundry in Loughborough in January and we expect to receive them back by the end of March. After getting used to the bells we shall naturally be keen to play them within the village and local area straight away. We will be playing at Lyminge Day and at other local summer 2001 events, but if you would like to hear the sound of our newly refurbished bells earlier, at a special celebration or family event, then let us know and we will do our best to come along. Evenings and weekends only please. We also hope to recruit more ringers this year to make it easier for us to attend all the events we are asked to play at. If you wish to book the ringers, or would like to have a go yourself, please call either Liz McNaughton on 863983 or Ro Edmond on 863201 for details .

Lyminge Babies and Toddlers
We meet every Tuesday during school term time at the Methodist Church Hall, Church Road, Lyminge. Come along any time between 9.30am and 11.30am. ALL BABIES, TODDLERS AND CARERS WELCOME FOR PLAY AND COFFEE
£1.20 a session (1^st session free)

Lyminge Methodist Church
A warm welcome to any who wish to share our family
worship at 11.00am each Sunday.
Challengers for young people every Sunday 11.00am.
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - FRIDAY 2^nd MARCH AT THE PARISH CHURCH - EVERYONE WELCOME
Sunday 25 March, Mothering Sunday 11.00am Parade Service let by Peter Ellis.
For Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals, please contact the Minister, the Rev. Colin Telfer tel: 278525.
Every Monday afternoon, 2.30pm -3.30prn Women’s Fellowship takes place in the Methodist Church Parlour. Hall/rooms available for hire through Christina Guyett on 863049.

Lyminge Pre-School Playgroup
A safe and welcoming place for your child to make friends, play, learn and make a smooth transition to school. Supervised by trained and experienced staff. Sessions weekdays during term time at Lyminge Village Hall, 9.00am to 12 noon, (or to 1.00pm additional hour is optional and packed lunch should be provided). Standard session is £5.50 - extended session £7.00. Children may start from 21/2years old.
The Playgroup is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and meets standards set by KCC Social Services and OFSTED. The recent, excellent OFSTED report stated, "…In this thriving Playgroup the children are making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. There is a strong partnership with parents and carers which contributed positively to the children's good progress'. Further information from Lynn Hussey on 862831.

ALL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE NEWSLETTER PLEASE NOTE: All entries must be paid for in advance, or regrettably, they will not appear. See list of rates at the end of the business column.

New members of the Historical Society will be made very welcome. There is a programme of eight talks planned this year; each talk to be given on the fist Tuesday in the months of March - December inclusive. Meetings take place in the Methodist Hall at 7.45pm. Members who have not already paid are reminded that Annual Subscriptions of £5.00 are now due.

I should like to thank the very nice young man called Colin (Ritchie?), who came to my assistance when I had a puncture in Lyminge recently. Not only did he change my wheel with great cheerfulness and

efficiency, but he refused to accept any payment. What a gentleman! Incidentally, I have put the money into my charity box.

My husband was recently cycling home from work when he was involved in a road traffic accident at the Newbarn junction. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the "Good Samaritans' who stopped to give my husband assistance in his time of need - it was much appreciated as, understandably, he was in some pain and also suffering from shock at the time. Again, many thanks to you all.

Please can 1 use the Newsletter to pass on a "thank you” to all the inconsiderate and visually impaired motorists who passed me going in the opposite direction at top speed on the morning of Thursday 8 February. 1 was marooned in my stalled car in the middle of the flood outside the Golf Course. The wash from these passing motorists was such that it was sending water inside the car, one even managed to score a "bull's-eye", with the wash coming in through the open window. I can only presume that these motorists could not see me sitting in the middle of the flood in m car!

A huge and heartfelt thank you to Mark from Lyminge, the only human being around at the time with any compassion. He rescued my car and me, at great discomfort and inconvenience to himself. He as a true knight in shining armour and restored my faith in mankind. Thank goodness for one true gentlemen amongst so may lesser beings.

Many thanks to all the kind readers who responded to the request for information regarding Hill House, placed in last month's Newsletter. Duncan Harrington replied by email to Mike Haselip, who asked for the information and this is the information he supplied:

"The euphemism as you rightly concluded related to the Workhouse at Etchinghill which served the Elham Union. The site which as one time included an isolation hospital, was pulled down in 1997 and smart new homes are now adoring the site. The only old buildings now standing being the chapel which has been converted into dwellings. Latterly the workhouse was used as a geriatric hospital, that closing in 1994. There is a booklet, by Anna Rose Auten, 'Last Voices from St. Mary's", which contains reminiscences of some of the elderly inhabitants and has a few photographs.

The organisers of this campaign are anxious to obtain details from relatives or patients who have experience of secondary infections following hospital treatments. Please contact: Anita Law (248957), Bill Simmonds (241361) or David Leach (863843).

A friendly group of players meets at Lyminge Bowls Club every Monday from 10.00am - 12 noon. New players would be most welcome. Cost - just 70p per session, which includes coffee and biscuits. On Fridays - same time, same place, there is a learning/ practice session when expert tuition, help and advice is available. Further details on 862319 or 863212.

Children's mid-sleeper combi-bed. 3 drawers, under bed desk and 2 door cupboard with mattress £50.00. Telephone 863477.

HOSPITAL TYPE BED. As new. Variable height (adjustment by foot-operated hydraulic pump), wheel brake, head or foot raiser, adjustable back rest and bed-stripper support. Cost £800, would accept £400 ono. Telephone 862561.

Jason is coming to the Age Concern Centre, Lyminge,
with his new range of Spring Fashions on the following days:

Fridgesavers - Get a brand new fridge for
£25 and save money on your electricity bill

Seeboard is re-launching its Fridgesavers project, aimed at helping those in receipt of a state benefit or who receive a state pension as their only pension. It offers new appliances to replace old and inefficient fridges and fridge freezers. Customers are asked to pay a contribution of £25 for fridges and £50 for fridge-freezers. The replacement appliances will be the new 'A' rated Whirlpool models and the annual saving on the customer's electricity bill will be £30 for fridges and £55 for fridge-freezers. Your old appliance will be taken away. Full details are provided in Seeboard's leaflet, available from Age Concern Day Centre at Jubilee Day Centre, Everist Court, Lyminge. Telephone: 862364. Monday Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm

Our Speaker in February was Paul Harris, who has been in the entertaining business for many years, mostly as a comedian He still appears in family shows, one of which will be in Margate later in the year. He kept us all amused with his experiences. Mrs. Cross won the competition with a collection of old holiday photographs.

At our next meeting on 20 March, the talk will be by Mrs. Page, entitled "A Peep Behind the Doors', the competition being a photograph of an appealing home.

The Club reopened on 31" January, after our winders break. Twenty members braved the elements for an afternoon of fun, playing bingo. On the 7^th February we had a picture quiz On 14th February Mr. G. Hogben gave us a talk on Wood Carving. Why not join us from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the lounge at Nailbourne Court? We pay £1.50 per month (which includes a cup of tea).

The first meeting for 2001 will be on Tuesday 27 March at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall, when the Speaker will be Mr. Tim Millett, from Broadstreet House. He will speak about creating the gardens and growing, with the help of the residents, fresh produce for daily use. Non-member will be most welcome at any of the Gardening Society's meetings.

The Spring Show is to be held on April 7 at the Methodist Church Hall. The staging of exhibits can be done between 8.00am and 10.30am. The hall will be open for viewing from 2.00pm. Prize-giving will be at 4.00pm. Non-members are most welcome to enter most classes at a cost of 25p per item. Programmes are available from Lyminge Library, or Janet Turner, Doug Furminger and Peter Taylor. Would those who won cups at least year's Spring Show, please return them to a Committee member or leave them at the Library by the end of March.

Unfortunately, the programmes for April and June have been cancelled. Please watch the Newsletter for alternative arrangements

Freshlook Gardens

Tel/Fax:844680

Mobile: 07866091633

Regular lawn-mowing service available. General gardening work undertaken. Good quality seasoned

logs available from October. For free quotation please ring/fax Geoffrey Hogben.

Garden Tips for March

Hopefully, Spring isn't too far away and we can get on in the garden. However, allow the soil to dry out before working it. When conditions are right, hoe and weed border and finish spreading organic material. Pot on cuttings of Chrysanthemums, Pelargoniums and so on. Plant out Sweet Peas. Lift and divide Snowdrops once flowering is over. Prune fruit trees (excepting Plums), Roses, Honeysuckle and some Clematis, if not already done and just enjoy the garden after the winter break.

Mowers, shears and hedge trimmers serviced, sharpened and set. October to April 2001. Collection in the village FREE