Frindsbury Extra Parish Council Magazine, Feb - April 2014

Feb - April 2014 Quarterly

communitymagazine

News & events from your Parish Council

Good old fashioned service

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Dear Readers, Welcome to the latest edition of the Frindsbury Extra Parish Magazine.

We hope that all our readers found something of interest or informative in our first edition that was published last year. We would welcome any comments in this respect.

If you would like an article on any particular subject relating to our Parish Council, please contact our Parish Clerk, whose details appear elsewhere in the magazine.

David Coomber Chairman FEPC

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Contents Parish Brief

4

Council Contacts

6

Budget 8 Hilltop Primary School

12

Tele Health Care

22

Buses 30 Alone In Antarctica

36

Memorial Hall

38

Domino

Plumbing & Heating

• Boiler servicing • Central heating • Bathroom installations • Gas safe • Boiler supply & installation

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PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported Frindsbury Extra Parish Magazine.

Please support local businesses and mention Frindsbury Extra Parish Magazine when responding to advertisers

To advertise please call Calvin on 01843 200013

Published by Community Ad Web Ltd 01843 834160 email info@communityad.co.uk web www.communityad.co.uk The views expressed in any published content are solely those of the contributors. The Publishers and Frindsbury Extra Parish Council accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in the publication. The contents of this magazine including images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, downloaded or displayed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Frindsbury Extra Parish Council and/or Community Ad Web Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. The Publishers reserve the right not to publish a submission or part of a submission that they consider defamatory or otherwise inappropriate for publication.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

3

PARISH

Parish Brief Welcome to the second issue of our magazine. We apologise for the gap between issues – this is new to us, we will try to do better in future in providing the publisher with articles sooner. In fact you can help here – if anything you think will be of interest to other residents comes your way, please forward it and we can then consider it for inclusion. Contact details are on page 6.

Since the first issue was published, the Parish Council has been busy considering the many planning applications for this parish submitted to Medway Council.

One that caused major concerns amongst residents was from MHS Homes, who want to demolish Wayne Court, now no longer up to standard for a home for the elderly. The plans are to replace it with some housing and flats. It’s not clear who would be occupying these dwellings, although many rumours are flying around. The Parish Council objected for a variety of reasons. We are still waiting for Medway Council’s decision.

Another planning application still not determined is for the MoD depot site at Lower Upnor. This will be for mixed light industrial/business use with about 20 houses. It will include parking available both for the businesses during the week and for visitors at weekends and access and parking for visitors to Upnor Castle.

Still on planning, Taylor Wimpey gave councillors a presentation on their draft plans for a development of 68 dwellings (houses and flats) in Brompton Farm Road, on the Temple School site. There are also apparently plans to expand Abbey Court School (for special needs children) onto the Temple School site – a councillor living in Brompton Farm Road received a leaflet about it through his door.

4

Before Christmas the Parish Council prepared a budget for 2014/15. A copy can be found in this issue. The precept is the amount raised through your council tax to fund the Parish Council, although we do try to obtain money from elsewhere for certain projects. We have allocated reserves, which are added to every year – for instance we’re putting money aside for eventual replacement of some of the older pieces of play equipment in the playpark behind the Memorial Hall. You can see from the budget that we’ve increased the amount set aside to pay for elections and this has increased the precept by an amount above inflation. This is because we’ve been informed by Medway Council of the amount they would charge in the event of a contested parish council election. We have 5 polling stations in the parish and each station would cost us over £3,000. As there are elections in May 2015, we need to ensure that we have the funds available at the end of our financial year 2014/15.

We decided that now we have more land and facilities to maintain, we would have to draw up a specification and go out to tender for a greenspaces maintenance contract.

The specification is based on that used

by Medway Council and is performance based, not man-hour based. For instance, if the grass grows furiously and an extra cut is required, the contractor will have to do this within the contract price. We sent out invitations to tender to 6 companies; 3 replied. The sealed tenders were opened by 2 councillors and the Clerk and the tender forms were presented to the Parish Council for evaluation, discussion and decision. One company was chosen and will start the contract in April. As we take over responsibility for more of our land at

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

PARISH

Wainscott Fields, this will be added in and the selected contractor understands this.

We’ve been working with Crest Nicholson on their landscaping of our land and currently the idea is to provide a small copse of native trees in the far corner near Four Elms Roundabout, which we would like to develop for wildlife with water scrapes, bug hotels and so on. We’ve asked for the area of open land on the left hand side of the entrance road to be landscaped as wild flower meadow, with mown paths for walkers. Visitors to the play area will see we’ve added some swings for older children, with a basket swing that is suitable for all ages and disabilities. According to the manufacturer, you can even place a baby in it (although personally I haven’t tried!).

Wainscott School started this term in its new buildings with the new access. We’ve been contacted by some parents about the dangers in crossing Wainscott Road for children coming from Miller Way and the Benenden Road area. We’re working with Highways on this issue.

Residents of Lower Upnor will have noticed we’ve replaced plants in the tapestry hedge on the village green that had either died or been destroyed by the car during the accident that happened a year or so ago and have also replaced the aucuba hedge that was mown out in its infancy by Medway Council. The area now looks good again and the plants are surely being well watered in!

We’ve now settled in to our new parish room at the rear of the Memorial Hall.

None of us are regretting the stairs to our old meeting room and as evidenced by the attendance of a large number of residents when we were considering the Wayne Court planning application, it’s much more convenient for everyone.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Finally, we would like to thank all the advertisers for supporting the magazine and trust they have had positive enquiries. We even found someone to a job for us through our magazine after weeks of searching – a result for us and for the advertiser too.

Roxana Brammer Parish Clerk

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CONTACTS Please make contact via the Clerk Roxana Brammer 01474 874343 clerk@frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk or roxana@madasafish.com

Council Contacts Trevor Archer Val Archer Pam Coomber Gary Etheridge Peter Hicks Peter Martin Tom Mason David Miller Andrew Millsom Georgina Revell

Chairman David Coomber Vice-chairman Geoffrey Moore Footpaths Officer Wendy Williams Webmaster Clive Stanley Medway councillors for Strood Rural Peter Hicks | Tom Mason | Peter Rodberg Frindsbury Extra Memorial Hall Booking Clerk Freda Atkinson 01634 271026 Medway Council Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR T 01634 306000; F 01634 333188 Minicom 01634 333111 TextRelay 18001 01634 333333 Email info@medway.gov.uk Web www.medway.gov.uk

SALMON WINDOWS Installers of qualIty products for 30 years

Frindsbury Extra

Website

www.frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk The webmaster is Clive Stanley, Clive Stanley Associates, 29 Oak Drive, Higham ME3 7BD 01474 822676 stanley.clive@gmail.com 6

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

www.patriciascurtains.co.uk 7

BUDGET 2013/14 2013/14

to 31/10/13

Year End

Over/Under

2014/15

INCOME Precept

47400

47400

47400

0

4320

4320

-4320

150

90

120

30

120

45

19

35

10

35

0

0

0

47595

51829

51875

-4280

55155

6500

3723

6383

117

6750

Use of home as office

480

280

480

0

480

Mileage

600

417

714

-114

725

Clerk’s expenses

600

404

693

-93

700

Telephone + broadband

400

615

1013

-613

1050

Audit

600

600

600

0

600

Stationery

25

0

10

15

25

Publications

75

0

75

0

75

400

413

520

-120

500

1000

0

300

700

1000

Professional fees

500

0

500

0

500

Sundry

100

80

100

0

100

Chairman’s Allowance

500

0

250

250

300

1300

1200

1400

-100

1450

300

0

180

120

300

1800

2852

3000

-1200

3100

Allotments

45

45

45

0

45

Recreation ground

25

25

25

0

25

Greenspaces gen maintenance

9000

3089

8097

903

10500

Play park

1200

877

1200

0

1200

150

0

0

150

150

Council Tax arrangement Allotment Income Bank interest Other income Available Funds

55000

EXPENDITURE Clerk (inc tax & employers NI)

Administration

Website Legal

Subscriptions Training courses Insurance Rents

Property maintenance

Seats

8

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

BUDGET 2013/14 2013/14 Noticeboards

to 31/10/13

Year End

Over/Under

2014/15

50

0

50

0

50

Allotments

700

337

400

300

700

Lower Upnor woodland

500

0

500

0

500

Footpaths

200

0

0

200

700

S 137

500

300

500

0

500 *

under other powers

500

479

550

-50

600

1800

0

1800

0

1900

1400

2500

500

0

500

30350

17136

32385

465

35025

500

0

500

0

500

30850

17136

32885

465

35525

Grants

Hall insurance premium Other expenditure Hall extension Capital expenditure General Sub total Contingency TOTAL EXPENDITURE

500

To Specific Reserves Elections

2000

2000

7000

Woodland

550

550

550

2000

2000

2000

Lower Upnor project

10000

10000

10000

Sub total

14550

14550

19550

TOTAL REQUIREMENT

45400

47435

55075

31/03/13

31/03/14

31/03/15

-199

4440

4540

Elections

6000

8000

15000

Woodland

5450

6100

6650

Play equip replacement

8000

10000

12000

Lower Upnor project

35396

55399

65399

Balance cf to next year

54647

83939

103589

Play equip replacement

Unallocated reserves Specific reserves

NOTES * S 137 - 5185 (Nov 2012) electors @ £6.98 (2013/14) = £36,191

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

9

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10

Samaritans at 60

The very first call to the helpline was answered by Chad Varah in the church of St Stephen Walbrook on 2 November 1953. Since then 127,000 volunteers have answered 115 million calls for help. The organisation now has 201 branches with 20,980 volunteers across the UK and ROI, who answer more than five million calls each year.

Talking about the difficult experiences she has been through, Jasmin said “I’ve been through my fair share of ups and downs and it is comforting to know that Samaritans is there, round the clock, if things get on top of me. It is amazing to think of the millions of calls they have answered over the last 60 years. People’s problems will never disappear, there will always be a need for Samaritans.”

Felicity Varah Harding, daughter of Samaritans founder, Chad Varah, said “My father began Samaritans, with just one telephone. It’s wonderful to see how the charity has grown and flourished over the 60 years since he took that first call in 1953.

The challenge now is to look to the future. As the way people choose to communicate changes over time, we need to continue to evolve, combining technology with compassion, to reach people who still so desperately need our help.”

Press Release, 1 Nov, www.samaritans.org If you ever need the Samaritans their helpline is 0845 790 9090 Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Winter woes… how you can help

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

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On the 1st of October, KCC launched a series of new 03000 numbers. Calls to the new 03000 numbers will cost the same as local landline rates, and will be cheaper from mobile phones too.

They should also be included as ‘free numbers’ in most telephone providers call inclusive packages.

The new numbers are as follows: Highway Helpline 03000 418181 Speed Awareness 03000 418282 Concessionary Fares 03000 418383 Kent Freedom Pass 03000 418484 KCC Main Number 03000 414141 At the same time as these new numbers comes in to effect, the hours that the main highway helpline stays open will change. It will now be open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday for all general enquiries. A 24/7 service will remain in effect for emergencies and the online fault reporting tool can be used anytime to let us know about non urgent issues. www.kent.gov.uk/highways

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No job too small

11

EDUCATION

Hilltop Primary School Hilltop Primary School is a large and popular school which enjoys an excellent reputation within Medway.

The school was officially opened in 1967 and was initially a one form entry school. However, the school has expanded due to popularity over the years and now is a two form entry school with no mixed age classes. The school benefits from an extremely experienced staff.

As a result of academic standards, the school received an Achievement Award from the DfE for year on year improvements. Ofsted has highlighted the commitment of staff and high expectations of both work and

Hilltop Swimming Pool

Hilltop School is fortunate in having the largest indoor heated primary school pool in Medway (and probably in Kent!). It underwent a half a million pound refit last year and new changing rooms and toilets were added.

Our pool is available for hire by outside organisations and companies. It is open all year round and at weekends and evenings. We have limited availability during term time for other schools.

For further details please contact our Business Manager, Mrs Rosemary Kay, on 01634 710312 12

behaviour that we set for our children.

Our Key Stage 2 results continue to exceed both National and Medway averages which reflect the hard work and commitment of children, parents, governors and of course our staff team. Key Stage 1 were commended for their ‘rapid’ progress in 2013 and Ofsted recently praised our Foundation Stage provision.

We continue to be committed to the all round development of our children and this is reflected in such activities as our Arethusa Day, our visits to France and our Year 6 Residential. We participate in competitive sports with other schools including participating in all of the Mini Youth Games.

We run a breakfast club at 8am for working parents or any child wishing to have one of our lovely breakfasts; many sports clubs: cricket, football, swimming, golf, netball and table tennis. There is also a green action group and a gardening club.

The children have their own orchestra and choir. On Friday evenings there is a dance club for Hilltop children run by Ali’s Dance; on Saturdays we have Centre Stage Theatre Academy & Agency for the children of Medway aged 4-18 years - this academy was founded by Actor Frankie Fitzgerald who played Nick Cotton’s son in EastEnders.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

EDUCATION

Step & Learn Conductive Education Step and Learn is a charity dedicated to assist the physical and educational improvements of children with Cerebral Palsy and associated motor difficulties. Our aim, like Andras Peto the Hungarian founder of Conductive Education, is to view the child holistically, educating and motivating the child through play to become active participants throughout their daily lives.

Our centre is open between Tuesday and Friday for pre-school children 0-5 years and Saturdays for children 5-11 years. The groups are aged and ability based with sessions lasting up to two and a half hours.

Through play our children develop self-awareness, confidence, and a sense of achievement. Through songs they develop rhythm and intention to carry out physically challenging tasks, such as changing position and

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place. Our children are also encouraged to further develop their communication skills by speaking, eye-pointing, or through the use of touch.

Our team of dedicated professional practitioners will not only offer support and guidance to the child and family throughout the programme, but will go further by promoting collaboration between all professionals working alongside the child and family, to secure a continuity of care, in-order that the child reaches their full potential.

The service Step and Learn Conductive Education centre provides for children is FREE. Contact: 01634 787951 info@stepandlearn.org.uk 37 Frindsbury Rd, Strood ME2 4JA Registered charity number 1148686

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

WORSHIP

Worship

Crime Warning We’ve heard from a resident who tells us that his van was broken into and tools were stolen. It appears that there may be a spate of such crimes at the moment and so we urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.

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15

NEWS

Southern Water invests more than £5 million in Whitewall Creek

Erratum

The photo printed on page 12 of the last issue was captioned incorrectly.

We apologise for the error and are pleased to correct it below.

Southern Water is investing more than £5 million to increase capacity at its Whitewall Creek Wastewater Treatment Works near Strood.

The works, which serves a population of more than 25,000 people, is being expanded to cater for the new homes which are planned for the area.

The project includes increasing the capacity of the site’s storm tank by an extra 56,000 litres, installing new filters and treatment tanks and upgrading various pumps and sections of pipework around the works.

Other improvements include extending the inlet works, where wastewater flows enter the site, and installing new screens which filter out non-biodegradable items such as wet wipes which should not be flushed away.

The work, which is being carried out by Southern Water supplier Morrison Utility Services, is due to begin in January and is planned to be completed by March 2015.

Les Kelley, Southern Water Project Manager, said: “Increasing capacity at Whitewall Creek will ensure the works continues to serve the area’s growing population while also meeting tightening EU standards.”

WI75242K001 3/7/2007

16

From left to right: Cllr David Coomber, Chairman Frindsbury Extra Parish Council; Mark Reckless MP; Cllr Josie Isles, Mayor of Medway; Christine Evans, National Grid; James Moody, MD of Crest Nicholson and four junior residents ATKINSON Heating & Maintenance Central Heating, Hot water & Gas work • Gas Safety Inspections • Free estimates • Power Flushing • Up to 10 year • New systems Guarantee • Boiler repairs

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

ADVERTISING FEATURE

KICH School of Clinical Hypnosis

Offering First Class Hypnotherapy Training in Kent KICH was launched last year, based at MidKent College and promptly went on to win an award in the first year of operation!

Although new to Kent the course has a 15 year+ pedigree of training clinical hypnotherapists in Essex.

The one weekend a month 10 module course is designed to make it easy for those interested in changing careers or re-training. The accredited training is geared to provide fast results with recognised qualifications that surpass national occupational standards. The professional Practitioner course allows you to go to work as soon as you have finished your Diploma training.

Then work full-time or part-time, helping people to overcome anxiety,

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Learn the fascinating secrets about the way the subconscious mind is programmed from birth onwards and instantly understand people at such a deep level, everybody will think you have a sixth sense!

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

TAURUS LOCKS 24 HOUR LOCKMITH UK Locksmith Association Member

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17

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

J K Electrics Ltd Domestic & Commercial Installer

sarah poole

With 15 years of experience we provide an extensive range of electrical services throughout Kent and the south east of England in domestic, commercial and retail properties

Our passion for floristry, and attention to detail shows throughout all of our floral arrangements, creatively combining colours, shapes and textures.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

` Traditional Sunday lunches ` Good selection of chef ’s specials ` New winter menu Food served ` Up to six real ales on tap Mon-Sat ` Child and dog friendly 12-3 & 6-9 01634 714175 www.tudorroseupnor.co.uk 19

HEALTH

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a new service that has been introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services.

It provides one, easy-to-remember number that is free to call from landlines or mobiles.

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

NHS 111 can be used by people with a hearing impairment or communication difficulties, via a textphone by calling 18001 111.

What happens when you call NHS 111?

When you call 111, a trained advisor will ask you questions to find out what’s wrong, give you medical advice and direct you to someone who can help you, like an out-of-hours doctor or a community nurse.

If the advisor thinks your condition is more serious, they will direct you to hospital or send an ambulance.

If you do not speak English, tell the advisor what language you want to speak and they will get you an interpreter. You can call NHS 111 any time of the day or night, 365 days a year.

20

Call 111 if…al help fast

edic • you need m cy 999 emergen but it’s not a to u need to go • you think yo another NHS A&E or need rvice urgent care se ll or ow who to ca n k ’t n o d u o • y e a GP to call you don’t hav on alth informati e h d e e n u o • y to e about what or reassuranc do next

Leaflets explaining how NHS 111 works are available in a number of different languages and in easy read format at www.nhs.uk/111 There are now only three numbers to call if you need NHS care urgently: 999 for life-threatening emergencies, your GP surgery and 111.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

HEALTH

Free information service available for all A FREE service is now available for all Kent residents to help them find which health and social care services are available for them. The service is part of Healthwatch Kent, a new independent consumer champion for people who use Kent’s many health and social care services.

Healthwatch’s Information and Signposting dedicated service is available to everyone and will help people to find the services that they require within the complex NHS system in Kent.

You can call them anytime on Freephone 0808 801 0102, alternatively email your enquiry to info@healthwatchkent.co.uk .

Talking about the service, Healthwatch’s Charlie Fox said, “We are getting calls and providing assistance to people from all over the county. For example, one customer had been struggling to find a local dentist with a winch to lift him from his wheel chair. Our team tracked one down for him and provided all the information he needed to make an appointment. We know how complicated it can be to find your way around the health and social care system. Our team of trained staff can take the worry away and find the answers for you. I have no doubt that once people are more aware of our service then we can be of assistance to hundreds of people every week.”

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Healthwatch Kent also wants to hear about peoples’ views and their experiences of local health and social care services. It will take your voice to the people who commission services in Kent and help to shape the future of health and social care services.

To get involved visit our website at www.healthwatchkent.co.uk The team is based from, and supported by, Kent and Medway Citizen’s Advice (KAMCA).

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HEALTH

TeleHealthCare Locally, we have already seen what a dramatic effect telecare and telehealth can have on the daily life and wellbeing of people with long-term health problems after it was introduced by the primary care trusts in Kent and Kent County Council seven years ago.

Now the Department of Health is so impressed with the results of the Whole System Demonstrator Programme, which tested the technology in Kent, Cornwall and Newham, that it is championing its use nationwide.

The project found there was a 45 per cent reduction in deaths among patients taking part, a 15 per cent drop in attendance at A&E, and 20 per cent fewer emergency admissions to hospital.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “People were absolutely clear that hightech healthcare has improved their lives for the better. “I want to see more people across the country benefit. That is why we are working with industry, the NHS and councils to change the lives of three million people across England over the next five years.”

So what is this technology? Telecare, introduced in Kent in 2004/5, offers remote monitoring of people’s safety.

Available to vulnerable people, who meet specific criteria, it consists of sensors that can be worn (such as a falls monitor on the belt) or placed in the home (such as a flood alarm if someone might not remember to turn off the taps). This innovative system consistently and accurately remotely monitors and manages a patient’s health condition.

22

This includes vital signs monitoring and advisory information. This helps to reduce hospital admissions, aid early diagnosis of unforeseen health related problems. It also empowers patients to take a more active role in their care The Telehealth Monitor works through an existing telephone line. At an agreed time the monitor will signal that it is time for them to take their vital signs and answer symptomatic heath questions.

The data is received at Medway Control Centre where the system automatically checks for any variances in the data. If there is a variance then this gets reported to the clinicians promptly. All data within the parameters is recorded and passed over to the Primary Care Trust on weekly basis or the clinicians can assess them through a secure log in. These devices are used to collect the following vital sign measurements: •Blood Pressure Cuff •Pulse Oximeter •Thermometer/Temperature •Weight Scale •Glucometer This system offers suitable patients with conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, the chance to measure their pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood oxygen level, peak flow (lung capacity), temperature and weight, all at home.

Their community matron from Kent Community Health NHS Trust, or specialist nurse, monitors their readings from day to day, picking up subtle changes in their health before they Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

HEALTH

develop into something more serious.

This helps people stay well – as does the power it gives them over their lives.

People get to ‘know their numbers’ and understand the impact their day-to-day life has on their health, so they can spot when things are deteriorating and take action.

It has been such a success that the technology is no longer just a pilot - it is being rolled out across Kent and Medway and will be available as part of the care package for those who are eligible.

This is a wonderful example of what the NHS and social care can achieve by working closely together to improve the quality of life for local people.

So do you have an elderly relative or neighbour that could benefit from Telecare / Teleheath?

Medway Telehealthcare Services, in partnership with Scott Care Ltd (local care provider), is now providing a high quality 24 hour response service as part of an enhanced Telecare package.

The aim of this service is to support vulnerable people, who may otherwise be heavily reliant on carers or admitted to a residential care home, to continue living in their own home independently whilst supporting them in maintaining their potential in relation to physical, intellectual, emotional and social capacity.

Used as part of a package of care services, it can make an enormous contribution to independent living and the quality of life for people and their family and/or carers. In particular it can: Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

• Help individuals maintain independence; • Increase safety and confidence; • Support carers alongside traditional healthcare, social care and housing initiatives; • Help the shift from traditional models of residential care to supporting people at home; • Reduce pressure on the NHS and social services Telecare is not just for the elderly, infirm or disabled who are becoming progressively less stable, but is also available for individuals who have been discharged from hospital and require additional support. Additionally, it’s also for people at risk of bogus callers, as well as people living alone who feel vulnerable and for victims of domestic violence

How does it work?

When an alert is received by the service user’s Telecare service*, and the key holder is unavailable and/or calling the emergency services is inappropriate, a member of a mobile response team will attend the property to assist and support the service user; taking the appropriate and proportionate action, whether that be personal care or help getting back into bed.

For further details please contact telehealthcare@medway.gov.uk or alternatively call Customer Services on 01634 332091 23

HEALTH

Small & Medium Enterprise Support From Medway Control Centre

Medway Council is pleased to host a state of the art Control Centre dedicated to serving our local community and beyond. We currently host service provisions such as Telecare, Out of Hours, Lone Worker Solutions and CCTV. We are pleased to announce the launch of our new specialised services to small and medium enterprises across Kent, all of which will be supported by our dedicated and professional Operator team who have ‘live links’ to police through the police radio network.

This leaflet provides a summary of the range of services available, and the unique benefits we can offer to your business. Please contact us if you have any questions, or would like more information about the service we can offer you.

One of our team of experienced engineers will be happy to help you either over the telephone or a visit to your business premises.

Medway Control Centre’s New Business Services Summary Our telecare service provides instant alerts to our dedicated monitoring team if triggered. It can be tailored to meet your businesses’ specific needs and can include one or all of the following services:

BUSINESS UPDATE

Telecare Intruder Alarm This system uses telecare movement detectors and door sensors which are connected (wireless) to an on site telecare alarm unit. The alarm unit is linked up to our Control Centre and monitored 24/7 by our team of local operators.

Unlike many other alarm systems, if any of the alarm sensors are triggered, our operators can silently listen into what is happening in your property. They can also speak over the alarm unit, which means that, in the event of a situation, we can actively discourage intruders by telling them the police have been notified. The police will be able to prioritise and respond to your incident based on our ‘live’ information. Our team of operators can also hold a list of staff contacts to be notified if there is an incident.

24

Telecare Fire Alarm This system uses our telecare smoke detectors which are connected (wireless) an on site telecare alarm unit. The alarm unit is linked up to our Control Centre and monitored 24/7 by our team of local operators. If you have more than one smoke detector on site, these are each assigned a reference, so in the event of a fire we will not only be able to immediately notify the emergency services we will also be able to give them more detailed information about where the fire originated. Our team of operators can also hold a list of staff contacts to be notified if there is a fire on the premises.

Telecare Lone Worker Using personal, discreet, body warn pendants, this system offers lone worker solutions through linking each pendant into an on site telecare alarm unit, which is monitored 24/7 by our control centre operators. If a member of staff is concerned about a situation, they simply need to press the button on their personal pendant and our operators will be notified. Our operators will be able to listen in; talk over the alarm unit if support is required; and raise an alarm should the incident be critical. If you have lone workers who go out and about, we can also offer you a mobile service

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

HEALTH ESTIMATED COSTS TO YOUR BUSINESS Costs will depend on the size of system you require. However, we have provided some sample package prices, to help illustrate how your business could save money as well as benefit from an enhanced service: Typical Telecare Intruder Alarm System Costs Install £150 Monthly monitoring and maintenance costs from £24.96 Only 1 year minimum contract You can add smoke sensors to this system for as little as £3.15 per month extra You could add lone worker pendants to this system for as little as £3.12 per month extra Typical Telecare Lone Worker System Costs Install £150 Monthly monitoring and maintenance costs from £21.53 Only 1 year minimum contract You can add smoke alarm sensors to this system for as little as £3.15 per month extra You could intruder alarm sensors to this system for as little as £3.42 per month extra Notes: All Prices will be plus VAT. Dummy boxes, signage would be charged additionally.

You may consider obtaining a Police unique reference number (URN). For more details: http://www.kent.police.uk/advice/ home/Security%20systems.html

WHY CHOSE MEDWAY CONTROL CENTRE TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS? 

We present a more affordable option for small and medium enterprises. Our lower installation fee reduces pressure to find up front lump sum payments and our 1 year minimum contract term gives flexibility for evolving businesses.

Competitive monthly monitoring and maintenance charges give great value alongside the enhanced service offered through our Telecare systems.



Our Telecare systems enable us to both listen in and talk over the line directly into your business premises – which supports an improved level of security and prevention on site.



Our Telecare alarm systems will notify us if there is no power at the premises. So for clients with freezers on site, for example, will have greater time to reduce potential loss in the event of mains failure.



Our large CCTV operation has established links with emergency services that enable us to support a professional and efficient response to incidents on your business premises. Our dedicated Operator team also have ‘live links’ to police through the police radio network.

For further advice and information on our service:

01634 332091 telehealthcare@medway.gov.uk

www.medwaycontrolcentre.co.uk

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

25

HEALTH

Home Intruder & Fire Alarm Service Medway Council hosts a state of the art Control Centre dedicated to serving our local community, and this leaflet provides an outline of the home intruder and fire alarm service that the Control Centre can offer you.

The Control Centre is uniquely placed to offer the best possible home alarm service because of it’s CCTV partnership that provides ‘live links’ to the police through the police radio network. This is combined with over 25 years expertise in installing telecare technology into homes to deliver a discreet, high quality, response service.

Medway Control Centre’s Home Security Services Our telecare service can monitor your home 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can provides instant alerts to our dedicated monitoring team if triggered. It can be tailored specifically to your home to meet the needs of your family, and can include one or all of the following services:

Telecare Intruder Alarm Typical* Telecare This system uses telecare movement detectors and door sensors which Intruder Alarm are connected (wireless) to a telecare alarm unit. The alarm unit is System Costs linked up to our Control Centre and monitored 24/7 by our team of local operators. Unlike many other alarm systems, if any of the alarm sensors Installation £60 are triggered, our operators can silently listen into what is happening in your property. They can also speak over the alarm unit, which means Monitoring and that, in the event of a situation, we can actively discourage intruders by maintenance telling them the police have been notified. The police will be able to prioritise and costs from £5.76 respond to your incident based on our ‘live’ information. Our team of operators can per week also contact you if there is an incident.

You can add

Telecare Fire Alarm smoke sensors to This system uses our telecare smoke detectors which are connected this system for as (wireless) to a telecare alarm unit. The alarm unit is linked up to our little as £3.15 per Control Centre and monitored 24/7 by our team of local operators. If month you have more than one smoke detector at home, these are each assigned a reference, so in the event of a fire we will not only be You could add a able to immediately notify the emergency services we will also be able to give them bogus caller / panic button to this more detailed information about where the fire originated. Our team of operators system for as little can also contact you if there is an incident. as £3.12 per month

*Costs will depend on the Telecare Panic Button / Bogus Caller size and complexity of the Using either a discreet, personal, pendants or a button placed system you require. around the home (e.g. by the door / bedside), this system offers All Prices will be plus VAT reassurance to anyone at home alone. The pendant/button is linked into an on site telecare alarm unit, which is monitored 24/7 by our control centre operators. If you are concerned about any situation, you simply need to press the button and our operators will be notified (silently or audibly, as preferred). Our operators will be able to listen in; talk over the alarm unit if support is required; and raise an alarm should the incident be critical.

For further advice and information on our service, or a free consultation at your home:

01634 332091 telehealthcare@medway.gov.uk

26

www.medwaycontrolcentre.co.uk

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Excellence in Home Care

on the Peninsula and throughout the Medway Community Medway Business Award Finalists, Bluebird Care (Medway), continues to strengthen its support for the Medway community by expanding further from new offices in Rainham while continuing to deliver their trade mark “Good Old Fashioned Service” of tailor made home care for local customers in the safety and familiarity of their own homes.

Respect and understanding for their customers, often with very unique requirements ranging from 15 minute calls to 24 hour live in care, lies at the heart of their success and is driven by the passion that Director, Ms Charmaine Grech, first brought to the franchise 3 years ago.

She continues to instil this passion and determination on a daily basis.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Care (Medway) home care service is complete including personal care, socialisation, housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, travel for appointments and assistance on waking and retiring to bed.

Drawing upon over 20 years’ experience gained in the UK and internationally within the health care arena, and with a foundation as a Senior Occupational Therapist, Charmaine explains confidently that: “Whether our customers and families require support in recovering from an illness, either short term or progressive such as Dementia, a physical injury or those advancing in age we will listen to each of our customers requirements before offering a flexible and tailor made care package to them.”

Enquiries to Charmaine or Andrew on 01634 780909 27

Mellissa The very first moment I set eyes on her I knew I loved her; I can’t explain how I knew - I just knew. It was something deep inside of me that told me this is the one. With such striking eyes that seem to look straight into my heart, intense, powerful, and piercing. On some days she would glide past my way with such graceful, delight, with a kind of scent all of her own. I had been told that she has always been a very fastidious eater, so I would intermittently sneak a peek at her having her lunch without her noticing my presence, but somehow she always seemed to be aware I was there with her all-knowing feminine mind. Occasionally, she would gaze in my direction and stare at me, but it wasn’t flirting, or even what you might call trifling - as so often with women they are frequently afraid to show their true feelings, until they have really become acquainted with OPEN MON-SAT 9.30-5.30PM

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you. It was definitely that very first eye contact that captured my heart that people say is so dangerous, and oh yes, dangerous is unquestionably what she is. Whenever we meet by chance, usually at night, I can’t help but notice her distinctive embodiment so pleasing to the eye.

I can only describe her as a stunning, delicate, superb beauty; one of the most magnificent creatures I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I would like to be more than just an acquaintance, but she requires her own personal space and glares at you if you should become too close or familiar. However, I live in hope that one day this charming lady will come to see me as more than just a friend, but until then she commands full and unconditional respect.

But then, what else could you expect from Mellissa, my female owl, who I keep in the aviary.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

29

TRANSPORT

Bus 197 | Chatham - Rochester - Strood - Upnor - Lodge Hill MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS

Service No:

M M M M M M

197 197 192 192 192 197 192 197 197 197

Chatham Waterfront Bus Stn A4 0825 1030 1030 1130 1230 1250 1330 1430 1555 1715 Rochester opp Rail Station E

Strood opp. Canal Road E

0829 1034 1034 1134 1234 1254 1334 1434 1559 1719

0834 1039 1039 1139 1239 1259 1339 1439 1606 1726

Frindsbury English Martyrs Ch 0839 1044 1045 1145 1245 1304 1345 1444 1611 1732 Neptune Bus Est R’bout 0846 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

Riverside Bus Est 0849 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

Upper Upnor Upnor Castle 0855 1051 .... .... .... 1311 .... 1451 1618 1740 Lower Upnor The Pier 0857 1053 .... .... .... 1313 .... 1453 1620 1742 Lodge Hill Lodge Hill Lane .... .... 1056 1156 1246 .... 1356 .... 1625 ....

SATURDAYS

Service No:

NOTES

M M M M

197 197 197 197

Chatham Waterfront Bus Stn A4 0820 0930 1330 1610 Rochester opp Rail Station E

Strood opp. Canal Road E

0824 0934 1334 1614

0829 0939 1339 1619

Frindsbury English Martyrs Ch 0834 0944 1344 1624 Neptune Bus Est R’bout 0841 0951 .... ....

Riverside Bus Est 0844 0954 .... ....

Upper Upnor Upnor Castle 0850 1000 1351 1631 Lower Upnor The Pier 0852 1002 1353 1633 Lodge Hill Lodge Hill Lane 0857 1007 1358 1638 SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Service 197 does not run on Sundays & Public Holidays 30

M - This service is provided on behalf of Medway Council. If you have any comments or suggestions, please write to the Director of Regeneration, Community & Culture, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR. When the Medway Explorer Tour is running, Medway Explorer Open Topper tickets are accepted on Service 197.

Service 192 is run by Nu-Venture, 01622 882288 www.nu-venture.co.uk Arriva tickets are not accepted on this route.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

TRANSPORT

Bus 197 | Lodge Hill - Upnor - Strood - Rochester - Chatham MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS

M M M M M M

Service No:

197 197 192 192 197 192 192 192 197 192 197 197

Lodge Hill Lodge Hill Lane

0730 .... 0900 1000 .... 1100 1200 1300 .... 1400 .... 1630

Lower Upnor The Pier

0735 0900 .... .... 1100 .... .... .... 1320 .... 1500 1635

Upper Upnor Upnor Castle 0738 0902 .... .... 1102 .... .... .... 1322 .... 1502 1637 Riverside Bus Est

.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

1642

Neptune Bus Est R’bout

.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....

1645

Frindsbury op Eng Martyrs Ch 0745 0909 0911 1011 1109 1111 1211 1311 1329 1411 1509 1653 Strood opp. Canal Road D Rochester Rail Station D

0751 0915 0918 1018 1115 1118 1218 1318 1335 1418 1515 1700

0756 0920 0923 1023 1120 1123 1223 1323 1340 1423 1520 1705

Chatham Waterfront Bus Stn 0800 0924 0927 1027 1124 1127 1227 1327 1344 1427 1524 1709

SATURDAYS

NOTES M M M M

Service No:

197 197 197 197

Lodge Hill Lodge Hill Lane

0900 1010 1405 1640

Lower Upnor The Pier

0905 1015 1410 1645

Upper Upnor Upnor Castle 0907 1017 1412 1647 Riverside Bus Est

....

.... 1417 1652

Neptune Bus Est R’bout

....

.... 1420 1655

Frindsbury op Eng Martyrs Ch 0914 2024 1425 1700 Strood Canal Road D

Rochester Rail Station D

0920 1030 1431 1706

0925 1035 1436 1711

Chatham Waterfront Bus Stn 0929 1039 1440 1715

SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Service 197 does not run on Sundays & Public Holidays

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

M - This service is provided on behalf of Medway Council. If you have any comments or suggestions, please write to the Director of Regeneration, Community & Culture, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR. When the Medway Explorer Tour is running, Medway Explorer Open Topper tickets are accepted on Service 197.

Service 192 is run by Nu-Venture, 01622 882288 www.nu-venture.co.uk Arriva tickets are not accepted on this route.

31

GIRLGUIDES

Frindsbury & Wainscott Girlguides Frindsbury & Wainscott Girlguides meetings are held in the Wainscott Memorial Hall, Holly Road Wainscott The girls enjoy a wide range of activities including, cooking, hiking, sport, playing games, camping, Brownie holidays, going on trips, art & craft etc. On this page you will find meeting times for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, together with contact details and upcoming events.

We are always eager to have adult helpers (non-uniform) and Adult Leaders - already qualified or prepared to gain their qualifications.

We welcome new girls in all age groups: 5-7yrs - Rainbows 7-10yrs - Brownies 10-14yrs - Guides 14-25yrs - Senior Section which includes Rangers, Young Leaders & Leaders up to 25 yrs

UNIT

WHEN?

WHERE?

Brownies

Monday 5.30 - 6.50

Frindsbury

Guides

Monday 7.00 - 9.00

Frindsbury

Guides

Tuesday 7.00 - 9.00

Wainscott

Rangers

Tuesday 7.00 - 8.45

Strood

Rainbows

Wednesday 4.45 - 5.45

Wainscott

Brownies

Wednesday 6.00 - 7.30

Wainscott

Rainbows

Thursday 4.30 - 5.45

Frindsbury

Brownies

Thursday 6.00 - 7.30

Frindsbury

Parents can go to www.girlguiding.co.uk and click ‘Join us’ in order to register their details if they wish their daughters to be a member of this great organisation.

Alternatively they can contact Jean on 07766 741978 or email jean.rog@hotmail.co.uk 32

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Dog Fouling Dog fouling is unsightly, unpleasant and can occasionally cause toxocariasis in humans which can lead to serious illness and even blindness.

If you do not clear up after your dog, you could also be fined.

The maximum penalty for committing an offence is £1000 in a magistrates’ court.

Alternatively an authorised officer may issue a fixed penalty notice. The amount of the fixed penalty can be set by the local authority and is usually between £50 and £80.

If you have any information about a dog walker who fails to pick up report it to your local council or a dog warden.

Try to provide as much detail as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.

Don’t turn a blind eye!

Bag it and bin it!

Have

COMMUNITY

your

Say Frindsbury Extra Parish Council welcomes letters and comments received for publication on matters to do with the Parish Council, its activities and those of the Parish of Frindsbury Extra. Please write to the Clerk, Roxana Brammer 53 Capelands, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LQ, or email clerk@frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk or roxana@madasafish.com The Council reserves the right to moderate and edit the content of any correspondence according to the requirements of the magazine.

Electric Rise & Recline Chairs from

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The

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

33

BATHING A PROBLEM? Try a walk-in shower

Call • Slip-resistant safety flooring for a free • Product & labour guarantee survey and • Low price promised quote • Lever taps & tile panelling • Easy walk in & out shower / baths • Level entry wet floors • Grabrails, shower seats & raised toilets • Grants & council work • Discounts for OAPs, WI members, ex-service personnel, SSAFA & British Legion members

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• Compassionate and caring • Available 24 hours a day • Private chapels of rest • Pre-paid funeral plans • Memorial Mason

34

MEMBER

108 Frindsbury Road Strood Kent ME2 4JB

303 Walderslade Road Chatham Kent ME5 0NU

Tel: 01634 420060

Tel: 01634 420030

mfdstrood@talktalk.net

mfdchatham@talktalk.net Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Joinery Specialist.

Full design service available complete project management from start to finish.

Supply and fit or just fit.

References and photos available

Over 20 years’ experience Satisfaction guaranteed

Call Ian

Tel:

01634 787760

Mob:

07870 455776

caRe visits at home

Good, old-fashioned service Please call our professional team to arrange your free visit to discuss your care needs on

01634 780909

RecRuiting now

medway@bluebirdcare.co.uk www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/medway

CURTAINS

BY SONIA K

Cut out the designer come straight to the maker Curtains, Soft furnishings & blinds Own fabric made up or samples available Alteration work undertaken Established since 1985

please ring for a free quotation 01634 352318 / 07715 629 791 sonia68@hotmail.co.uk / www.soniakcurtains.co.uk or find me on facebook - Sonia Dowsett

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

35

Towards the end of November 2011 I stood on the frozen Ross Ice Shelf of the Antarctic coast and the plane that had brought me there quickly became a tiny black blob in the sky. I could still hear the distinctive drone of its engines but with every breath the sound became fainter. I closed my eyes to focus my ears on the noise but it was slowly, and inevitably, blotted out by the silence. When I opened my eyes again, the plane had gone. I was alone.

so much as a nesting bird, a minute fly or a single blade of hardy grass.

The nearest open water where any wildlife was to be found was more than 700 kilometres away to the north and the nearest human habitation perhaps as much as 1,000 kilometres to the west. The scale of the emptiness was almost too much to absorb.

Alone in Antarctica

I stood motionless for a second, breathing in the cold air. Even the smallest of movements sounded brutally intrusive in the stillness: the rasp of brittle fabrics, the polystyrene squeak of my boots in the snow. I turned on the spot, running my gaze slowly over the horizon, trying to take in my surroundings.

To my right was the flat expanse of the Ross Ice Shelf, a featureless divide of white snow and blue sky, while to my left were the Transantarctic Mountains which extended in an unbroken line as far as I could see in either direction. Each peak appeared intimately close-by even though I knew that I could travel for hours towards them and still not touch stone.

As I looked around me, one thought echoed through my brain: in all this landscape, in all this space, I was the only living thing. I could search every fold of rock, every block of ice and not find

36

Panic filled my chest like a slow rising bubble threatening to block off the air to my lungs. It burned in my stomach like corrosive acid and I felt choked. It wasn’t that I feared for my life or for my safety, it was the alone-ness itself that scared me. I have always been comfortable in my own company and often travel by myself to remote places but this was a whole new level of isolation; to be so far not just from other human beings and any signs of civilisation but from any form of life whatsoever. The sense of absolute loneliness was instant, overwhelming and completely crushing.

Every fibre of my body was yelling at me that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

Ahead of me was a 1700km ski journey across the entire Antarctica continent – a journey that would eventually take me 59-days to complete, making me the first woman ever to do so alone. But, during those first moments of the expedition as I stood contemplating the challenges ahead - the cold, the altitude, the crevasses, the terrain – it was the alone-ness that was most daunting.

Every morning I would wake up filled with a deadening conviction; I couldn’t go on. Antarctica was more than I could manage on my own. I knew that it was impossible for me to get out of the tent and confront the remorseless weather that waited for me. I could not spend another day battling forward on my skis trying to

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

ignore the clammy discomfort of the close fitting material around my face protecting my skin from freezing. I could not bear anymore the moment I would be forced to expose myself to the cold, hastily refastening stubborn clothing with painfully numbing fingers, only to repeat the agonising process a few hours later. The relentless struggle just to stay safe, never mind move forward, was more than I could take. I understood, in that moment, categorically, that the distance ahead of me and the number of days to come, as well as my alone-ness, was more, much more, than I could face. It wasn’t that I was giving in; it was a calm and rational realisation that I didn’t have the physical or mental capacity for the challenge ahead. I had found what I had come to Antarctica for. I had found my limit.

And yet every morning I would have to get myself out of that mind set and find a way to motivate myself. Often it wasn’t pretty; it usually involved a lot of crying, a lot of cajoling and a lot of painful angst. I found that it was remembering those who had been disparaging of me in the past, or events that had left me feeling angry and indignant,

that the strongest feelings provoke the most dramatic responses. Hurt so often stays with us longer and more vividly than praise.

Felicity at the I realised that the success Birchington Parish or failure of my expedition Council offices when was not going to be down she was presented with to anything heroic; it an engraved memento was not about ploughing from the Village for through blizzards, crossing her achievement crevasses or dealing with frostbite – it would come down to the simple, fundamental and yet very difficult challenge of getting out of the tent each and every morning.

When I returned home, having completed my expedition, I found that this part of my experience struck a chord with lots of people. All of us struggle from time to time and it is often the seemingly simple that can be the most demanding. But the fact that I had crossed Antarctica, despite the tears and the fear and the alone-ness, deepened my belief that we are each far more capable than we give ourselves credit for. Our bodies are stronger and our minds more resilient than we could ever imagine. All you have to do is keep getting out of that tent…

Felicity Aston

that provided the greatest incentive. I made old wounds fresh by recalling those who had dismissed me, people who had been unjustly harsh in their evaluation of my character and my capability, in order to galvanise myself. At first I felt a little embarrassed at this way of going about things; but perhaps it is natural

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Call of the White: Taking the world to the South Pole by Felicity Aston Summersdale Publishers Ltd; ISBN 13/EAN - 978 1 84953 134 4 Alone in Antarctica by Felicity Aston (with foreword by Joanna Lumley) Summersdale Publishers Ltd; available from www.amazon.co.uk 37

EVENTS

The Memorial Hall, Meetings Groups & Clubs The Memorial Hall, Holly Road, Wainscott Mondays 9am-1pm Sure start Kids 7pm-8pm Aerobics 7pm-9pm Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesdays 7pm-9pm Girl Guides Wednesdays 9am-3pm Sure Start For Kids 4.45pm-5.45pm Rainbows 6pm-7pm Brownies Thursdays 1.30pm-3pm Pensioners’ Bingo 6pm-7:30pm Brownies 7:30pm-9pm Keep Fit Fridays 9am-11am Weight Watchers 4:30-5:30 Children’s Karate

Frindsbury Extra Women’s Institute An active WI meets at 7.30pm on the 2nd Monday monthly. For more information, please telephone Mrs Janet Jarvis on 01634 719116. New members and visitors welcome!

Remembrance Day 11th November In memory of The Fallen from Wainscott and surrounding area, a Wreath from the Parish Council is normally laid by Councillors at the War Memorial within the Memorial Hall.

Often, Members and Leaders from the Brownies and Guides also attend this important occasion.

The memorial hall may be hired for your special occasion, event, group or club.

To Book and check availability, please call Freda on 01634 719426 £12:50 Per Hour; Sat 8am-midnight £250; Sat 4:30pm-midnight £125; Deposit Required

TELL YOUR COMMUNITY about your events, groups and clubs email: info@communityad.co.uk

cES

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

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39

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