Lyminge Online

Welcome to another edition of the Lyminge Newsletter. I’m grateful to those who have contributed small pieces and articles this month, and hope the trend continues. I wanted to reserve enough space to briefly explain how this newsletter is produced and why we are so limited with space, but I ran out of space! However, next month, I will reserve ¼ of a page to provide more information on advertising notices etc. Again if you have articles of interest please send them to me or give me a call. Also if you belong to a club or have an upcoming community event why not write an article about it because this is good publicity as well as being informative.

Graham Caldow

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Copy deadline for next month's edition is 11.30 am Saturday the 16th October. Take articles to Lyminge library or newsagents, or email with attachment in word .doc format to the editor at gcaldow@hotmail.com, or phone 862907. Enquires regarding payments to jean.howard1@btinternet.com or phone 862488

Community Matters

Who & What is The Lyminge Association?
By Liz Coleman

The Lyminge Association does not just publish the Newsletter: its aim and objectives include promoting and helping local Clubs and Societies. In the past we have made donations to a number of local groups, including the Methodist Church, Lyminge School, the Uniformed Groups (Scouts, Guides etc.) and Age Concern. If your Club or Society has a particular project in mind and needs a modest sum of money, then why not ask for a grant? You will need to be specific in your requirements (e.g. the money allocated to the Methodist Church was put towards the ramp for the disabled). Give Jeff Turnbull (Chairman) on 862732 a ring for further details.
The Lyminge Association also organise some of the “fun” events in the village, for instance the Charity Traders’ Event. The Father Christmas Run, The Fun Run (next year) and helps coordinate events such as the Lyminge Festival (which will incorporate a Garden Safari next year). We also try to arrange events to coincide with national events – speaking of which, there will be Trafalgar Weekend next year (21-23 October). There will be a chain of beacons which we can join in with, but can anyone think of any connection Lyminge, or a Lyminge resident may have had with the Battle of Trafalgar (how many “great-greats” would that be?)
A hearty “thank you” to our retiring Treasurer, Steven Bennett, who has kept our books straight and our finances on an even keel for several years now. Steven is retiring through ill-health and we send him and his family our very best wishes. We are very keen to replace Steven and would be delighted if there was a volunteer out there who can help us. As Steven will vouch, the accounts are not complicated and there are not many transactions a month. If you would like to learn more, please contact the Jeff Turnbull. We also need a Secretary – we have a Minute Secretary but need someone to send the occasional letter and invitations.

Timely Reminders!

Please will all householders check around garden boundaries which are adjacent to a public footpath. Owing to all the rain we have had recently some plants have grown like Topsy! Think in terms of a child in a push chair – are there any nettles or scratchy twigs sticking out which might hurt? Or up above – are there any tree branches which may hurt the head of someone whom we might say was “tonsorially challenged”! Please cut back overgrown hedges and make sure vegetation is clear of your house number or sign (just in case the emergency services need to find you).

As November the 5th approaches so does a feeling of dread for many pet owners. Unfortunately letting off fireworks doesn’t seem to be just confined to the day itself – it seems to be a fortnight before and a fortnight after as well (more, some might say). If you are planning a firework display PLEASE let neighbours know well in advance – some pets need to be sedated so terrified are they of the noise. Alternatively, why not bring your family and friends along to the Village Hall’s magnificent Firework Party which is always on the night itself – people come from miles around to see the display, such is its reputation.

STOP PRESS..….STOP PRESS…...STOP PRESS……STOP PRESS

On Tuesday 7 September Liz Coleman and Glenn Floyd attended the Kent Village of the Year Competition presentation evening at Harrietsham. While we did not win the Village of the Year (Challock did – and hearty congratulations to such worthy winners), we did scoop some prizes.
We won:
• Commended in the Community Action section
• Runner up in the Business Category
• WINNER of the Environmental Action Section!!!

The prizes themselves are framed certificates which will displayed in the Library and a tree (which we have to collect) plus a plaque. (Better luck next time?)

A Farmers Market for Lyminge? By Sarah Huntly A Farmers Market provides a market place for local producers and it gives the community the opportunity to buy fresh and locally produced food. Add to this the fun and “buzz” of the event and you see why many villages are running successful Farmers Markets. The Lyminge Village Hall Management Committee is keen to establish a Farmers Market in the Village Hall. As an indoor venue, we could hold the market throughout the year. We have yet to finalise details, but are considering holding a market one Saturday morning per month. The market will be established in conjunction with “Produced in Kent”, which was developed by Kent County Council with the aim of raising the profile of local produce. More than 500 producers are signed up and a “Produced in Kent” product guarantees locally produced food and crafts. If you are a local producer and not part of “Produced in Kent” then you can apply and join in too. The Village Hall Committee is keen, but is a small and busy band of people! We would really need some more help to get this off the ground. We need a team of helpers for the organisation and publicity, and also a rota for helping on market days with meeting the producers, helping to set up etc. If you would like to help, or if you are a producer and are keen to get involved, then please phone me on 862775. If you would like to know more about Farmer’s Markets you can visit the “Produced in Kent” website at www.producedinkent.co.uk

Village Businesses Update After the closure last month of Mayfield Stores, I thought it appropriate to find out more about the various businesses in our villages. The Lyminge Sub-Post Office immediately sprang to mind, because it is so much at the heart of the community. Colleen, the Postmistress, had this to say: Q: Why do we hear so much about the number of village Sub-Post Offices closing down? A: Because many things have changed. The post office is undergoing massive reorganisation trying to get into profit and so many urban post offices are being forced to close. This means the Post Office is cutting subsidies and sub-post office salaries in real terms. What this effectively means is that the post office must be combined with a successful retail business in order to survive. That’s why we have tried to expand the range of cards and gifts and are always very interested to know what our customers would like us to stock in the future. Q: Can’t you cost-cut by having less staff? A: The Post Office warrants about 1.5 staff, yet we always operate with a minimum of 2 and sometimes 3. Q: Why? A: We want to provide a fast efficient but friendly and personal service. We value our customers and like them to feel well looked after. We also get checked out once a month by the Post Offices “mystery shopper” – a sort of Post Office quality control. They note how they are greeted how long they have to wait and how well we deal with unusual requests.		Q: What do you mean by “unusual requests”? A: Anything. We have far more products like banking and insurance and we are expected to know about what we offer. Each month I reckon there is a box of leaflets to swot up on and not only for the benefit of our mystery shopper but because we want to serve our customers. Q: Yes, but with computers, things must be easier, they must be quicker? A: Yes, but computerisation is also taking away some business and profits. By February next year all pensions and allowance books will disappear. What we hope is that our customers will continue to support us by withdrawing their weekly money at the post office. We now provide withdrawal facilities for nearly all banks and card accounts either over the post office counter or by using the link machine. The village was crying out for a cash machine so we were pleased to get the Link machine which saves many people the inconvenience and expense of going into Folkestone and Canterbury. It also helps the other shops and businesses as people are more likely to shop locally. Q: And, finally, why do this job? A: Village life. Family. School. We want to live in a place where we can walk the kids to school in five minutes, not be stuck in a traffic jam on the school run. We want to spend time with our kids in between working. This is not intended to be a free advert for the Post Office and I will be endeavouring to eventually interview other the local business owners. What I hope we will get from this series of Q & A’s is a bit more information on how our local businesses work. Maybe you have your own questions for local business owners which I’m sure they will welcome. Graham Caldow

AGE CONCERN ELHAM RURAL The plans for our extension project are now agreed and the work is out for tender and planning permission. We are still on course for a February start date for building work. As with all projects, the cost continues to rise and we are desperately trying to raise additional money to decorate the Centre when completed, buy carpets and equipment needed to supply additional day-care places and new services. Lloyds TSB Foundation have given us a grant of £5,000 towards the purchase and fitting of new laundry equipment, which will mean that we are able to provide a laundry service particularly for frail and housebound older people in the community. We have a number of projects planned, but until we have sufficient funds to purchase the equipment needed, it is difficult to confirm that they will go ahead. With all the help we are receiving from Coast and Countryside Housing it would be a great shame if we missed the opportunity to help the older people in our community by bringing them services unavailable at present. It can mean the difference between them remaining independent at home and going into care. If anyone has any good ideas for fund raising or wishes to give a donation, please telephone 01303 862364. We are holding a Winter Fair in the Day Centre on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th and shall be grateful for raffle and tombola prizes, cakes, books and bric-a-brac. Please come along and support us. Disability Information Services for Kent will be at the Day Centre on Thursday, October 14th between 10am and 11am and the Pension Service will visit on Thursday, October 21st – both in-reach clinics are available to any older person, their relatives and carers.

Lost Parents

I am helping a lady named Roma Hodges to trace her birth parents. Her birth details are as follows:
ROMA HODGES: Born 4/5/1937 at Hill House Lyminge Elham Road.
Mother: Violet Hodges, formerly Cocker Housewife, 7 Radnor Park Gardens Folkestone.
Registration District: Elham, County of Kent.
ADOPTED: Application No. ACR166042/98; No. on entry 48727; Date 14/06/1938, Roma Gladys
Adoption Parents: HENRY RUPERT SALTER Milkroadsman & Hilda Mary Salter, Sea Beach Cottage, The Parade Sandgate, Kent. Date of adoption order First March 1938. The County Court Folkestone.

This lady is desparate to find details of her birth parents. Mrs Ellen Colbeck

Acknowledgement

Vera and family would like to express their sincere thanks for the many messages of sympathy and donations received after the sad loss of Jim. Also we would like to thank Rev. Peter Ashman and his wife who helped and made possible a wonderful ‘Thanksgiving Service’

Thank you
Vera Law

Your Letters

Dear Editor
Re: Goldfish at Fayres
There is a new Animal Welfare Bill coming in which bans the gift of goldfish in bags. This is a cruel trade, as most of the fish die and leaves disappointed children. It also involves parents having to spend money on equipment for a pet they don’t really want and haven’t got time for. Having said that, goldfish can make very good and interesting pets and become quite tame if you have the time to look after them properly. No animals should be given as pets – it has to be a choice for the individual to choose for themselves.
Margaret Todd
Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary

Dear Editor
I am responding on behalf of the Lyminge Day organising committee to Mrs Johnson’s complaint in August’s newsletter about the stall giving away goldfish. Firstly, I would like to thank her for supporting the day, despite the poor weather. At 7 o’clock that morning we considered cancelling the event because of damage and disruption, but due to the understanding and patience of all stall holders, helpers and supporters, we were able to make a fun day of it.
The fairground stall that we usually have let us down the week before, so we had to book the stall in question at the last minute. We did not request that he bring along goldfish, but as they are a traditional fairground prize, are legal, and seemed to be in good condition, we had no reason to refuse him at this late stage.
I am sorry that Mrs Johnson has been upset for so many months by the use of goldfish as prizes. To lessen her unease perhaps she could have chosen to prevent her grandson from patronising the stall, or persuaded him either not to accept the goldfish or to have given it back. She could also have mentioned her concerns to a Lyminge Day organiser on the day, or at any time afterwards.
We also have no desire to see goldfish as prizes again, and will make this clear to stall holders in the future. I hope that Mrs Johnson, her daughter and grandson continue to enjoy future Lyminge Days, and if they or anyone else have any further comments, I would be happy to hear from them.
Steve Huntley
Chairman,
Lyminge Village Hall Management Committee

Dear Editor
Re: Site of former Sports Club, White Horse Lane, Rhodes Minnis
I and probably no doubt, many other residents in the area, have received a mail shot from a representative of the Trustees of the above, (name not provided on the mailshot), advising that following receipt of complaints about the general appearance of the site and that garden rubbish has been deposited there, they are going to tidy it up and cut the hedges. There is then a detailed history of the Sports Club and intimation that they are retaining the site in case it be needed for sporting or similar purposes in the future. (There hasn’t been a need for the past sixteen years!).
The Sports Club is certainly history and should any such activities be resumed at some future date it should be patently obvious that the Village Hall would provide the facilities. The real reason for retention of the site by the Trustees is in the forlorn hope that planning can be obtained at some time in the future for the development of a residential property. Please be assured that this is not guess work on the part of the writer!
Would it not be better for the Trustees to advise the residents of the true reasons for retaining the site rather than a mail shot that tells us nothing other than how the activities were transferred to the Village Hall? Would it not be better if we were told who would benefit in the unlikely event of a sale for development? Perhaps the Trustees have a Charity in mind.
Name and address supplied

Dear Editor
Can I bring to the attention of Lyminge newsletter readers Operation Christmas child. This is an Annual appeal to meet the needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease and natural disaster. You can help in several ways:
1. Fill an adult medium size shoebox covered in Christmas paper, with suitable small items, label for a boy or girl and secure with an elastic band. Add a £2.coin towards transport.
2. You may like to donate some small items with which we can fill shoeboxes.
3. You may prefer to donate £2 towards the cost of transport or a little more for us to fill a shoebox. I
f you are able to assist with filled boxes, donations of items or money, they can be left at Brandon Lodge, Church Road (next to the Doctor’s) or Aurora, Westfield Lane, Etchinghill. Filled boxes can also be taken to St Nicholas Fair at Lyminge Village Hall on Saturday 5th December. We hope leaflets will be distributed soon with more guidance but any queries can be addressed to Jean on 862488.

Dates for the Diary

**BUSINESS ADVERTISING**
Phone Jean on 862488 if you wish to advertise your business here. Logos and pictures can be included but must be submitted electronically as Word documents only to gcaldow@hotmail.com Money for electronically submitted ads, as well as hand written ads, must be deposited at newsagent before 16th October otherwise adverts will not be published. Advertising space in this newsletter is limited, so we cannot guarantee immediate inclusion. Products & services advertised here are not endorsed by the Lyminge Association