Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

communitymagazine

Summer 2016

News and events from your Parish Council

31/12/16.

31/12/16.

ENROLLING

NOW

AGES

5 -18

Do not underestimate the preparation and commitment required over time to pass the 11+ or achieve target GCSE or A Level grades. We can help. Contact us now to secure your place with us.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

CLEANER PONDS Keeping your pond crystal clear

Welcome to the ninth edition of the Frindsbury Extra Parish Council Magazine, with its many articles and information which we hope you will find interesting.

This is your Community magazine and we would love to hear your views and thoughts on any issue relating to Frindsbury Extra Parish Community and its residents, past, present and future.

Please send all contributions to Roxana Brammer, via email to clerk@frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk or call 01474 874343.

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 mention Frindsbury Extra Parish Magazine when responding to advertisers

To advertise please call Lucy on 01843 292658

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

cleaning · clearance · service · maintenance Pond Builds & shut Downs · system Upgrades · Filters & Pumps Pond & aquatic equipment · Water Features Koi carp · Fountains · Pond Fish & Plants

Free estimates, aDvice anD consUltation

07715 661491 • 01795 668734 www.cleanerponds.co.uk

Here to Help

Rubbish Removal LoCAL ProFEssionAL sErviCE

Cheaper than a skip, no expensive permit needed and we do all of the loading

Large enclosed trailer available for smaller loads 70% of all rubbish recycled Environment Waste Carriers Licence shown to all customers Fully insured · Advice and free quotes given We dispose of all contents from houses, lofts, garages, diy, gardens, take down sheds, garages, plus we repair sheds & fences 01634 401313 | 07842 856581 | heretohelpremovals@gmail.com

FOUR ELMS TREE SERVICES LIMITED Tree Surgery Hedge Cutting Clearance Work Tree Stump Removal

01634 9249590 07868 564286 fourelmstreeservicesltd@yahoo.co.uk

www.fourelmstreeservices.co.uk 3

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

Local Councillors join Rotary Cycle Checkpoint in Cliffe

Chairman David Coomber Vice-chairman Geoffrey Moore Medway Councillor for Strood Rural Peter Hicks Trevor Archer | Val Archer Gary Etheridge | Peter Hicks Peter Martin | Ope Onimole Chris Buckwell | Fatima Mitchell Chris Sparks | John Williams Medway Council Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR Tel: 01634 306000 Fax: 01634 333188 Minicom: 01634 333111 TextRelay 18001 01634 333333 Email info@medway.gov.uk Web www.medway.gov.uk 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

A fine sunny day brought hundreds of cyclists to Gravesend promenade to join in the annual On Your Bike sponsored bike ride. Some were casual cyclists or groups of friends wanting a leisurely ride in the countryside, some were families and others were keen cyclists. All were there to raise money for local charities.

They had a choice of three routes, 15, 30 or 45 miles, selected with the help of the Gravesend Cyclists Touring Club to suit a wide range of abilities. The shortest went along the canal path to Lower Higham, up to Cobham and through the village past Jeskyns Park over the A2 and into Gravesend.

The 30 mile route started the same way but from Cobham went on to Luddesdown, Harvel, Stansted, Ifield and back into Gravesend. The longest route started a different way going to Lower Higham via Chalk then to Cliffe, High Halstow, Hoo, Chattenden and joined the 30 mile route at Cobham.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

All those who completed the course returned to the Promenade to receive a certificate – many already had a collection of these from previous years each with a unique design. Those returning sponsorship money by the end of August will also be entered in a draw for a bicycle presented by Tri The Bike Shop of Gravesend.

This was the 30th year that Gravesend Rotary Club has organised the event which has become an annual “must” for many cyclists over a wide area. During this time thousands of pound, has been raised for local charities. The charities will be chosen later in the year. Initial estimates suggest that at least £12,000 will be raised for these charities but it is usually several months before all the money comes in.

The Club enjoys working with several organisations who make the event run safely and smoothly. These include: Gravesend Cyclists Touring Club which lends its expertise in organising the route, St John Ambulance provides emergency medical cover and several Rotary and Lions clubs provide volunteer helpers.

Cllrs. Gary Etheridge and John Williams joined Rotary volunteers at the Cliffe Checkpoint, watching riders come in.

They were informed by Rotary members that they were very proud to have had a part in organising and helping in this sponsored cycle event, whilst improving it to match the changing trends of cycling across those years.

The invite had gone out to friends, new riders, family groups, and to whoever they could think of, to help us have another very successful event.

Their thanks went out to everyone who contributed to make it a ‘fun’ day fundraising, especially the wheelpower of riders who have helped Gravesend Rotary Club raise close to £500,000 for charities over the years.

THE KITCHEN CENTRE The local independant retailer that gives you more

Visit our showroom to book your free design consultation Unit 23 Castle View Business Centre Gas House Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PB 01634 827242 | info@kitchencentrekent.co.uk www.kitchen-centre.co.uk

SALMON WINDOWS LTD INSTALLERS OF QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR 30 YEARS Conservatories designed and built Upgrades to existing roofs Misted units replaced

Energy efficient ‘A’ rated uPVC windows & doors

uPVC soffit, fascia & guttering replacement

Family run independent company For advice and a very competitive quote call

01634 363881 Registered Company

www.salmonwindows.co.uk Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

5

Anti-social behavior Anti-social behavior (ASB) is a broad term used to describe the day-to-day incidents of crime, nuisance and disorder that make many people’s lives a misery, causing alarm, harassment or distress to the Community. Incidents of anti-social behavior can include:

Using the Country Eye App. on his smart phone, he was able to photograph and report the matter immediately. This was followed up by a call to the Customer Contact Team at Medway Council. As you can see, this was dealt with promptly and efficiently.

• Criminal Damage

Not only is fly-tipping illegal, it is bad for the environment and often a health hazard. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that clearing fly-tipped rubbish from the streets costs local councils £4 million a month.

• Vandalism • Noise Nuisance • Vehicle Nuisance • Fly Tipping Whilst some incidents are just simply a nuisance some are unlawful and your local councilors are committed to challenging and reducing such behavior.

Recently, Cllr. Gary Etheridge came across a pile of fly tipped rubbish in Cooling Street, Cliffe.

Today’s technology means that you too can help combat this menace. By downloading the Country Eye App. for free (www.countryeye. co.uk) onto your smartphone, you can photograph and report a number of crimes in your area, including fly-tipping.

To advertise please call Lucy on 01843 292658 6

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Difficulty Bathing – we can help FR EE

Fre e Ge orgia Toi let and basin wi th eve ry walkin showe r/bath ord er Expires 31 August 2016

Call for a free survey and quote 01634 649035 or 01622 738204

Wet rooms • Walk in showers (low level & level access) Walk in baths • Product & installation guarantee Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Local family business Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms

we design · we supply · we fit · we care Discounts for over 60s, SSAFA and Ex Service personnel

info@ahminstallations.co.uk | www.ahminstallations.co.uk

Pub & restaurant serving traditional pub grub

41-43 High St, Isle of Grain ME3 OBJ 01634 271199 Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

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Medway Tennis Festival Strawberries and cream at the ready - tennis is taking over Medway this summer.

More than 100 events will be staged across three sites during Medway Tennis Festival week 24-30 July, including Frindsbury Tennis Club.

Players will travel from far and wide to join local players in junior, adult, wheelchair, team and newcomer tournaments aimed at players keen to develop their competitive tennis (grade 6) and county-level players seeking to improve their rating and ranking (grade 4).

Matches will be staged at King’s Rochester Sports Centre, Frindsbury Tennis Club and The Strand, with the finals day being staged at King’s on Saturday, 30 July.

Free, fun community activities will also be staged every day of the festival. These will include family time, mini tennis, cardio tennis, social sessions, free play and Miss-Hits, the LTA’s programme encouraging girls to play tennis in a fun environment.

The Medway Tennis Festival is being organised by the Lawn Tennis Association, Medway Council and the three partner venues.

For more information and to book onto a fun session or to enter the tournaments visit www.tennisinmedway.com

The place to dance in Rochester If you are looking for a well-established dance school in Medway, look no further than Rochester School Of Dance Our qualified and highly experienced dance teachers take great pride in offering fun yet professional classes.

We provide lessons in ISTD ballet, modern and tap for children aged 2½ years up to 18 years.

Now taking bookings for September

First lesson FREE!

07710 547 672 sam@rochesterdance.co.uk www.rochesterdance.co.uk 8

£30 per treatment session

Rochester

Physiotherapy

01634 290370

& Sports Injury Clinic

rochesterphysio@aol.com

Back and neck pain · All sports injuries Acupuncture · Sprains and strains Soft tissue and joint injuries · Home visits Private health insurance accepted Evening and weekend appointments available

www.rochesterphysiotherapy.co.uk St Mary’s Medical Centre, Vicarage Road, Strood ME2 4DG Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

NO CHIMNEY? NO PROBLEM! Traditional and contemporary designs Multifuel and woodburning stoves All types of chimney liners installed Prepacked coal and logs Chimney Sweep Service

over 70 stoves on display

Full installation Free surveys 43 Skinner Street Gillingham Kent ME7 1LG

01634 855098 07956 835822

TREE SERVICES • All tree work undertaken • Fully qualified & insured • Free quotes Call Zac on 07745 709581

www.lumberzac.com lumberzac

www.medwaystovesandfires.com

Swim to win at life

Qualified

The Home Care Specialists

Life-enhancing, confidence-building, swimming instruction

Do you need a Helping Hand? call today 07432 530 104 nwkent@angelasswimschool.co.uk

TUITION FOR ALL THE FAMILY Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

If you are looking for an alternative to residential care or extra support for those everyday tasks that are becoming difficult for you or a loved one – then we’re here to help - from 30 minutes per week to full time Live-in Care.

To find out how we can help, call: 01622 528 397 or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk 9

COOKING

Chilli, Ginger Chicken Salad Ingredients 2 skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded ½ a cucumber, de-seeded and cut into ribbons (you can use a potato peeler) 1 shallot, peeled and very finely chopped 1tbsp mint leaves 1tbsp coriander leaves 1 red chilli, thinly sliced 3 limes, juiced 1tsp ginger, freshly grated 1tbsp fish sauce

Method Place the chicken in a bowl with the cucumber, shallot, herbs and chilli.

Mix the lime, ginger, fish sauce and sugar together until the sugar dissolves.

Pour half the dressing over the salad, mixing gently.

Sprinkle over the peanuts and serve accompanied with the remaining dressing.

Serves 2 Preparation time 5 mins

1tbsp soft brown sugar 1tbsp roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

K&S

J.J Murphy Plumbing & Heating

Electrical & Security Steve Kirby

Professional Service

Qualified Electrician

Joe Murphy Plumber/Gas Engineer Mobile No: 07943 301 265 Email: joemurphy_595@hotmail.co.uk

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ALL WORK

573775

GUARANTEED

01634 721476 07885 616060 Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Quick & Safe Journeys to the Recycling Centres Welcome to the first edi�on of Medway Recycling newsle�er. Each month we will focus on a different topic whilst providing performance informa�on, Twi�er summary, dates for your diary and a handy hint. This month we will focus on quick & safe journeys to our three Recycling Centres.

Loca�ons Cuxton, Sundridge Hill Gillingham, Hoath Way Capstone, Shawstead Rd

Know your items: Instead of thinking what is it, think what is it made of and then recycle it.

Opening Hours Mon - Sat: 8am to 4:15pm Sun & BH: 9am to 3:45pm

Good enough for Re-use?

Plan your journey:

At all three centres you can donate good quality items for reuse or resale by local chari�es.

The layout of all three centres are on the website.

Look at these first and think how best to load your car.

Loading your car:

Garden, Soil, Hard core?

Make sure you load all the same materials together to enable easy disposal.

Use bags or containers as its easier to unload at the site.

Avoid peak �mes

Remember: Only bring what you can safely manage on your own.

Dates for your diary

Handy Hint:

1st—8th May Hadlow Flower Fes�val, Cozenton Park

We collect recycling & rubbish on Bank Holidays.

No change to your Collec�on day.

Medway.gov.uk/recycle

01634 333 333

Recycling Centre Performance Thanks to you the three centres recycles 70%

Compost Awareness Week

7th & 8th May

@MedwayRecycles Edi�on 1:

Weekdays: 10am-12pm.

Weekend & Bank Holiday 11am-1pm.

Medway: A place to be proud of. A safe, clean and green environment

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Apr 16 11

Walking for health Only a third of adults in the UK are active enough, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Walking for Health is England’s largest network of health walk schemes, helping all kinds of people to lead a more active lifestyle. We’ve done this with great success for over 14 years now, improving thousands of lives.

Our walks are led by friendly, knowledgeable people, specially trained for the job. Along with fellow walkers, our walk leaders provide all the advice and encouragement a new walker needs to build fitness at a pace that’s right for them.

In just a short time, a small amount of regular exercise can significantly improve a person’s health, well-being and confidence. From what our walkers tell us, there’s also plenty of laughter to be heard on our walks.

Together the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support run Walking for Health. By sharing our walking and health expertise, we support hundreds of local schemes across England to offer short, free walks. Our aim is to help more people – including those affected by cancer – discover the joys and health benefits of walking.

To find out about your local walks visit the Walking for Health website and enter your postcode into the walk finder.

www.walkingforhealth.co.uk /walkfinder

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Strood Academy is a “good school” Ofsted June 2013

“This is a thriving and rapidly improving academy. The Principal and her senior team are ambitious with a strong moral purpose. They are rightly proud of the improvements they have made to the academy and they are passionate about ensuring that all students are cared for and achieve well from good teaching. Students feel secure because their teachers have established orderly routines and made their high expectations clear.”

64% top grades at Level 3 in 2015

a 21st century facility with traditional values

01634 717121 • info@stroodacademy.org • www.stroodacademy.org

Useful Numbers Animal Welfare Cliffe Boarding Cattery Ltd The Old School, Cooling St, Cliffe, Rochester, ME3 7UB 01634 220169 Cliffe Boarding Cattery Ltd The Old School, Cooling St, Cliffe, Rochester, ME3 7UB 01634 220169 Petsearch UK 10 Chancery Rd, Cliffe, Rochester, ME3 7TL 01634 220109

Banks Halifax 79 High Street, Rochester, ME2 4AH 01634 497803 NatWest Bank 56 High Street Rochester, ME2 4AG 0345 788 8444 Nationwide 4, Friary Precinct, Strood, Kent, ME2 4AR 0845 266 0886 Lloyds TSB plc 129-131 High Street, Rochester, ME2 4TW 0845 300 0000 Barclays 86 High Street, Rochester, ME2 4AT HSBC Bank plc 104 High Street, Rochester, ME2 1BY 0845 740 4404 Kent Reliance Michael Gill Building, Tolgate Lane, Rochester, ME2 4TG 01634 717374 14

Cinemas & Theatres Cineworld Rochester Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood, ME2 2SS 0871 200 2000

Clubs Frindsbury Cricket Club Frogs Island, Long Meadow, Upnor Road, Frindsbury, ME2 4UX 01634 716543 Upnor Sailing Club 1-3 Upnor Road, Lower Upnor, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4UY 01634 718043 Darnley School of Dancing 5 Sole Street Farm, Lower Rochester Road, Frindsbury, Kent, ME3 8EH 01634 714139 Frindsbury Lawn Tennis Club Upnor Road, Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4UX 01634 814695

Dentists Thakray Dental Practice 11 Central Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 3HF 01634 716840 Louise Lunness-Barnes Dental Clinic 4A Allington Drive, Strood, Kent, ME2 3ST 01634 713422 The Rochester Orthodontic Centre Cypress House, 227 Frindsbury Hill, Wainscott, Rochester, ME2 4JS 01634 710105 Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

DANCE CLASSES

Doctors Wainscott Surgery The Parks Medical Practice, Miller Way, Wainscott, Rochester, Kent ME2 4LP 01634 717450

Pharmacies Medi Pharmacy Ltd 63 Miller Way, Wainscott, Rochester ME2 4LP 01634 297580

at Hundred of Hoo Pool and St Mary’s Island Community Centre

Pre-school ballet; junior & senior ballet, tap, modern, street dance & musical theatre; plus adult tap. All teachers are qualified in BATD and/or IDTA, and all staff are CRB checked.

For further information email

mandy.farrell@gmail.com or call

Marshlands Pharmacy Ltd 63 Miller Way, Wainscott, Please include the telephone Rochester, ME2 4LP number – Email:01634 297580

07927 975540 www.island-dance-academy.co.uk

GLOBE PLUMBING & HEATING

National Helplines Age UK

0800 169 6565

Alcoholics Anonymous

0845 769 7555

Alzheimer’s Research UK

0300 111 5555

Cruse Bereavement Care

0844 477 9400

Deafblind UK

01733 358 100

Debt Line

08000 919 991

Disabled Living Foundation

0300 999 0004

Domestic Violence

0808 2000 247

GamCare

020 7801 7000

Men’s Advice Line

0808 801 0327

Mind Infoline

020 8519 2122

Parentline

0808 800 2222

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS COMPETITIVE QUOTES

01634 730392 sales@globeplumbing.co.uk www.globeplumbing.co.uk

To advertise please call Lucy on 01843 292658 15

Confused about the I’m sure that I’m not the only one confused about the up-coming EU Referendum on June 23 and the pros and cons of staying or leaving the EU. On the face of it, Britain leaving the EU and becoming an independent state with free trade and more control over its legislation, fishing, borders and future seems like a good idea.

The complexity of a Brexit might not be as clear cut, or as one sided as I thought. Like many people in the UK, I’m now frantically reading up and questioning both sides of the argument as the referendum draws closer. How we vote, and the long term affects will have implications for generations to come.

One of the major concerns and one that has undoubtedly forced the government to call a referendum, is the issue of immigration. As a member state of the EU, there is a freedom of movement of people from other EU states and one argument for exiting the EU would be that we, as a country would regain control of our borders and have more say about the regulation governing immigration.

There is a counter argument that thousands of Britain’s travel around Europe every year, whether it be on business or holiday, and this would not be as easy to do if Britain were to become independent. Do we also rely to some

Strood Chiropody & Podiatry Fully comprehensive, family-friendly service including Biomechanics & Nail Surgery Paul Miller BSc(Hons)

HCPC State Registered Practice

01634 294884 St Mary’s Medical Centre, Vicarage Road, Strood ME2 4DG

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of these migrant workers to keep the cost of our manufacturing and agriculture cost down?

If you were to look at a proportion of unskilled workers in manufacturing, farming, production etc are these migrant workers. So if we left the EU and tightened our immigration to the extent that some would like us to, would we see a shortage of workers? This shortfall could be taken up with English workers that would perhaps be demanding higher rates of pay and better working conditions.

There is also the question whether Britain has lost its identity and by leaving the EU would we begin to get this back. Are we “Great Britain” with our morals, history and patriotism or are we “Little Britain” a subservient state of the bigger European Union? There are concerns that the EU dictates so much of the bureaucracy and red tape in this country, agriculture, farming, fishing etc and it appears that we are paying £55 million a day in EU membership for the privilege. After a lot of searching through the internet, I’m struggling to see that we are actually gaining financially as

CENTRAL HEATING, HOT WATER & GAS WORK

ALL MAKES OF BOILER FITTED AND REPAIRED 01634 366435 07754 833250

16 Boston Gardens Rainham

• Gas safety inspections • Power flushing • New systems • Boiler repairs • Free estimates • Up to 10 year guarantee

www.loveyourboiler.co.uk Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

EU Referendum? a direct result of this. It seems there is still a deficit on our investment.

The EU does fund some of the poorer communities with grants and subsidies, but surely we could just inject some of the £55 Million a day we pay in membership directly in to this? The pro-Europe campaigners say that if we stay in the EU is we are viewed as a much more attractive investment for other countries, we get more of a vote of confidence for investment and trade and that by exciting the EU and going it alone. They feel that a Brexit could see us with years of economic uncertainty and that it’s better the devil you know. Britain, is at the moment is one of the strongest economies in Europe and even the world, so would we be risking this if we left the EU? There have been benefits in being part of the EU, we have better working conditions, cleaner beaches and environment, but equally there have been the negatives of being dictated to by Brussels on what we can and can’t do in our own country and having to follow their rules and regulations.

We will all get to have our say in the referendum on June 23, so make sure you choose wisely with an informed decision.

A&E Locks & Property Maintenance Lock Fitting · Repairs · Upgrades 24/7 emergency lock and door opening

Most building maintenance work taken on

call John on 07910 044188 Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Man & Van Fully Insured Competitive Rates Kent & Home Counties Enhanced CRB Checked Light Collections & Delivery davidjpenfold@talktalk.net

call

01634 365427

www.vanworker.co.uk 17

Rhododendron rule no. 1 - or is it…?

One day you notice a beautiful rhododendron in a garden up the road.

You decide to treat yourself to one, too.

You get a lovely rhododendron at your local garden centre, plant it, water it well – and within weeks the leaves at the top turn yellow, with just the veins staying green. What’s gone wrong?

North Kent is a hard-water area, meaning our tap water contains lime (which scales up your kettle), so it is rainwater only for your rhododendron.

Don’t let the compost dry out, feed the plant with a special ‘ericaceous’ feed, and there is no reason why it should not thrive.

Well, is there chalk in or beneath your garden soil? If so, this is the most likely culprit.

Rhododendrons, together with azaleas, camellias, pieris and other so called ericaceous plants, simply cannot cope with lime (which comes from chalk) in the soil. Lime makes soil alkaline and in those conditions many plants cannot absorb iron that is naturally present in the soil. And they need iron like we need our vitamins.

But what about that garden up the road? A large chunk of Medway sits on top of the North Downs which are basically made of chalk, with a layer of clay with flint on top. This layer can be thick or thin. If you are in a valley, e.g. in Hempstead, the chalk may be just inches beneath your feet. On the ridges and plateaus between the valleys, e.g.

Wigmore, you may be OK, with the chalk much further down.

There is just one thing for it: dig up your rhodo, shake off the garden soil and plant it in a pot using a special lime-free (‘ericaceous’) compost.

If not sure, check the pH (acidity/alkalinity indicator) of your soil with a simple test from a garden centre. A reading of 6.0 or above, sadly,

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Too much hassle? Fine. There is a huge range of lime-tolerant plants that will love your chalky soil: lilac, clematis, thrift, to name just a few.

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

means that rhododendrons are not for you – unless you like a challenge. Well, actually, that’s not quite true anymore.

If you can afford to pay the premium price, lime-tolerant rhododendrons do now exist. They have recently been introduced from Germany under the name INKARHO Rhododendrons. The secret ingredient is a lime-tolerant rootstock, onto which many popular varieties have been grafted. The resulting plants are robust and hardy, and happy to grow in a variety of soils, including those with a certain amount of lime and pH of up to 7.5, i.e. neutral or slightly alkaline.

They are not recommended for shallow chalk, though, so for many of us in the valleys, our ‘rhododendron envy’ may have to last for a bit longer.

By Eva Girling of GARDENITY www.gardenity.co.uk

Medway Memorials We supply and install all types of memorials to Kent and the surrounding area We have a large selection of memorials suitable for cemeteries and churchyards in a variety of stones, marbles and polished granites.

Unit 16 Castleview Business Centre Gashouse Road Rochester ME1 1PB 01634 402741 info@medwaymemorials.co.uk

Est. 1986

www.medwaymemorials.co.uk

CAlling All businesses

First Aid is for everyone, young and old Contact us for details of all courses available

www.thefirstaidco.com : First Aid at Work : : Emergency First Aid at Work : : Annual Refresher Training : : CPR : Paediatric First Aid : : Defibrillation Training (AED) : : First Aid for Children and Schools : KCC Approved Paediatric First Aid Provider

07717 843117 enquiries@thefirstaidco.com All Instructors HSE Approved QCF & OFQual Approved Courses

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

19

What’s the point of the hoverboard?

Now before you reach for the Daily Mail article saying they’re illegal on the roads and it doesn’t even hover like Doc Brown intended it to, there’s no denying they have really caught on lately.

I’ve been given a board for the weekend and after wobbling at first, a few minutes later I was spinning around and it found it incredibly stable, tough and with the Bluetooth link up to my phone, it made a rather good portable jukebox.

The first thing that struck me was how tough it is. It’s got a steel plate running through it, so after jumping off and flipping it into a wall (like I did) it remained unscathed. Stepping on is like getting onto a podium – like a stage rising up at the O2.

It’s very stable and the wide tyres are capable of riding comfortably over a small bump. Leaning forwards to go forwards and backwards to stop is very intuitive.

The horror stories are all true. There are manufacturers out there who make boards that set on fire due to cheap parts and no fuses. So if you’re going to get a good all-rounder, make sure you go for a british standards approved board from a shop, not a short term seller like those on eBay. This one I used is CE approved, they deliver, has a Samsung battery for twelve miles of travel, the mobile phone bluetooth with speaker AND the all important fused plug for £375. www.londonhoverboards.com Josh Coleman

Steering is incredibly accurate too. The Hoverboard is not like a bike, it’s an extension of yourself, it replaces walking for getting around and you have almost the same mobility. You can ride into the narrowest corners, up hills and with a top speed of 11mph it’s great fun.

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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

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

Well-being & Craft Fayre Strood & Frindsbury Working Mens’ Club Nutritionists.

Health Charities.

Side Shows.

Exercise for all ages & abilities.

Complementary Therapies.

Arts & Crafts.

Refreshments.

Saturday 16 July 10.30am – 2pm

Admission Free

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www.dgblaw.co.uk www.dgblaw.co.uk 01634 Well-being &304000 Craft www.dgblaw.co.uk www.dgblaw.co.uk Fayre

Strood & Frindsbury    Working Mens’ Club  Nutritionists.

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Exercise for all ages &

abilities.

Complementary Therapies.

Arts & Crafts.

Refreshments.

Saturday 16 July 10.30am – 2pm Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

Admission Free

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All Saints Church, Frindsbury with Upnor and Chattenden Strood, working on community engagement and mission.

As well as offering you, our community, the usual church services we also run toddler groups in Frindsbury (Tuesdays 1.15-2.45pm) and Upnor (Wednesdays 10-11.30am), a Kidschurch in Chattenden (Saturday 10-11.30am) and a Drop In cafĂŠ in Frindsbury Parish Hall (Wednesday 10.30am-12pm).

The parish church of Frindsbury is one of the oldest Anglican churches, having first been established 900 years ago. The church is set on top of a cliff and overlooks the River Medway, Rochester castle and cathedral.

The Parish of Frindsbury has 3 church buildings in Church Green Frindsbury, Upnor and Chattenden.

We currently are awaiting a new vicar, but have a pioneer curate Sue Vallente-Kerr who works with us, as well as across the other churches in

We have also just started a new experience for families called Sundays@4 where we aim to enagage with people of all ages together in craft, music and food; this is also based in Chattenden church.

As the Church of England we are here to help and serve you - our parish.

Do get in touch or pop along and see us sometime.

Our usual pattern of Sunday worship is as follows: All Saints 8.00am 10.30am

All Sundays 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday 4th Sunday

Holy Communion BCP Holy Communion Fourth Sunday Worship

St Philip & St James 9.00am 2nd & 4th Sunday

1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday

Holy Communion Morning Worship

Bishop Gundulph 4.00pm 1st Sunday

Sunday @ 4

More information about the churches can be found on our website www.allsaintsfrindsbury.co.uk You can contact the Parish Office on 01634 296050 or email pa@allsaintsfrindsbury.co.uk All Saints Vicarage, Parsonage Lane, Frindsbury, Rochester ME2 4UR 22

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council

The Memorial Hall The Memorial Hall, Holly Road, Wainscott, 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

Frindsbury Extra Women’s Institute An active WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Monday monthly. For more information, please telephone Mrs Joyce Thomas on 01634 718931.

New members and visitors welcome!

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

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