The magazine is a celebration of life in Rusthall and is published 6 times a year. It is delivered door to door to the 2000-plus houses in the village, and is available at local shops and in some surrounding villages. Please submit editorial and advertisements (pre-paid) for the next edition by 11th February 2025.
Advertising: Rob Mauduit advertising@rusthalllife.com
Editor: Jayne Sharratt
Tel: 07532 339434 editor@rusthalllife.com
Director: Ed Langridge
Well done to Bonfire and Fete Committee regulars Mark Coghlan and Ian Woodcraft for their work putting up the Rusthall Village Christmas Tree on November 30th 2024. It was a beautiful tree, kindly donated by Mitre Farm Christmas Trees in Fordcombe. The Christmas lights were switched on at 6pm on Friday 6th December and gave a welcome twinkle at the end of the High Street for anyone braving the outdoors during Storm Darragh at the start of December.
The Molyneux Alms houses would like to say a big thank you to Rusthall Parish Council and a couple of other supporters of the charity for their generous donations earlier in the year. The donations were put to good use as they enabled the charity to purchase a significant number of plants generously supplied by Coblands Garden Centre in Sundridge. Planting took place in the spring and the charity’s Trustees dusted o their gardening gloves and trowels. On a cold and damp day, several pairs of hands were put to good use and over 170 plants were planted in the flower beds outside numbers 3-6. We thought you would like to see the before and after – what a di erence a few months makes. I am sure you will agree it looks fantastic and will only get better.
The Community Co ee morning on November 30th was busy and full of friends old and new, as well as lots of stalls o ering Christmas crafts. The next Co ee dates are December 28th 2024, and January 25th 2025.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Rusthall community. In September 2023, I was delighted to be appointed as the new Head of School for Rusthall St Paul’s. I have been working in education since 2007 where I started as a class teacher.
I have also been an Inclusion Manager and am part of the Senior Leadership Team leading across three schools.
From both my experience in schools and as a parent myself, I know that a successful and happy school depends on the whole community working together. Over the last fifteen months, I’ve been focused on building strong relationships with our students, sta , and families. Creating a sense of unity and trust has been my priority, and I am delighted by the positive feedback and growing sense of community within the school. Together, we are working to ensure every child feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.
It is a privilege to work with the Rusthall community to deliver an enriched, inspirational education which gives pupils the opportunity to develop courage and perseverance from within, allowing them to overcome any obstacle in their way and tackle new situations with enthusiasm and determination. I am committed to enabling pupils to grow in independence to become self-confident and resilient learners, both in the classroom and beyond. Above all, my aspiration is for all pupils to be the best that they can be, achieving anything they set their minds to.
As some of you may be aware, in September we joined the Inspire Academy Movement Trust. This decision has put Rusthall on a transformative journey, and I am honoured to lead the school in this exciting new chapter as the Head of School. This partnership has brought fresh energy, valuable resources, and a renewed sense of purpose to our community, all while staying true to our core values and Christian ethos.
Since joining the Inspire Academy Movement, we’ve seen significant improvements across many areas of the school. One of the most notable changes has been the opportunities for professional development available to our sta . Being part of the Inspire Academy Movement means we can collaborate with a wider network of educators, sharing ideas and best practices. This has already started to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in our classrooms, as our sta feel supported and empowered to try innovative approaches tailored to the needs of every child.
This year alone the children have been given a wealth of
opportunities to grow, learn, and shine in diverse areas. They have had the chance to attend exciting events like Russell Kane’s book launch, fostering a love for literature. Their leadership skills have been nurtured through initiatives such as Unicef’s Rights Respecting Schools, earning the Bronze Award for our impactful campaign. Creativity and community spirit are celebrated through activities like the scarecrow trail and singing in the village. Cutting-edge technology enhances their learning experiences, with tools like VR units enabling them to explore the wonders of space. These experiences and many more empower children to discover their potential in meaningful and engaging ways.
In this new chapter, Rusthall St Paul’s is flourishing as a hub of learning, creativity, and community spirit. By blending the school’s unique identity with the resources and expertise of the Inspire Academy Movement, we are laying the groundwork for lasting success. We are excited for the future, confident that the best is yet to come.
Lyndsay Smurthwaite Head of School, Rusthall St Paul’s Primary School. www.rusthall-cep.org.uk
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Rusthall Community Cinema held an international film festival back in August 2022. One stand-out entry among the 250 short films received came from US filmmaker Julian Lee. He was just 17 years old. Not Quite Quarantine hilariously depicted his teenage trials and tribulations through the pandemic, including making banana bread - and learning how to use a fire extinguisher.
His creativity, energy and rapping skills deservedly won him the People’s Choice award, voted for by the audience. Julian even popped up on the Sunnyside Hall screen for a Zoom chat with other winners.
Eugene Gardner, co-ordinating trustee of Rusthall Community Cinema, was delighted to hear from Julian again, who was still making films. He had graduated from university in Washington DC, with a focus on Media Production. He sent Rusthall Community
Christine Ashdown is a regular star of this magazine. She has been raising money for charities over the course of decades, and she has not been slowed down as she gets older, instead she has just adapted her e orts to what she can manage.
This year she has been holding ra es in her home, which has meant rooms piled high with ra e prizes! Next year she is planning something di erent, telling me ahead of her most recent ra e, “This will be my last ra e at my home, I’m hoping to do more local fundraising next year.”
In total Christine raised £400 from the ra e held on Saturday November 23rd, and this total was divided between eight village organisations. Rusthall Lunch Club, St Paul’s Church, Rusthall St Paul’s Primary School, Manor Road Pre-School, Rusthall Library, Rusthall Medical Centre, Rusthall Bonfire and Fete and Rusthall Community Larder each received £50.
Cinema a special message, “I really wanted to say thank you for giving my film the People’s Choice Award in 2022. It meant the world to me as I didn’t know that my film could make that many people happy and be awarded something. I’ll never stop creating and never forget your kindness.”
He added, “I have never been out of the country before, so when I found out that Rusthall, all the way in England was interested in me, I shot out of my seat. I learnt that I had the power to make people all over the world laugh. It was truly a dream come true. One day when I go to England, I know the first place I’m going!” Anne Goldstein
On Friday December 6th villagers who had come out in the cold and dark to see the Christmas tree lights switched on, crossed the road for Christmas singing, mulled wine, hot chocolate and a ra e at Rusthall Club. It was a great atmosphere as people came together to celebrate the festive period. Singing were the children of Rusthall St Paul’s School, Rusthall Scout Group, and the Rock Choir.
Christine wanted to thank everyone who has bought her ra e tickets, to help her achieve this fundraising amount. She also thanks the people who help her organise and draw the ra e. “Please thank all of my friends who have helped throughout the year, we will miss our little get togethers at my home,” she says.
Christine is pictured here handing funds to Annie, who accepted them on behalf of the Bonfire and Fete Committee.
Founded in 1899, it’s always been clear that Rusthall Football Club must have a fascinating history, and so I was delighted to be invited to the launch of a new book, A History of Rusthall Football Club, at the Royal Wells Hotel, in November.
To be celebrating a 125-year anniversary in any organisation is quite an achievement these days, let alone a small Kentish village football club such as Rusthall. So how did the club come into existence? Any form of organised football in Rusthall in the 1880s and 1890s was played under the umbrella of the Rusthall Cricket and Football Club. However, with the ever-growing interest in the game in the village at that time, the club decided that ‘order and discipline’ was needed in the club’s approach to football and registered the footballing side of the club with the Kent County Football Association on 12th June 1899 and joined the Tunbridge Wells and District Football league – founding the club as we know and love it today.
Rusthall made their debut on Saturday September 23rd, 1899, against Vale Rangers. The first taste of league football was a di cult one for the Rustics (as the club are known) and they lost 12:0, with the local Courier newspaper reporting on the match with the headline – the Rustics get hammered.
The club had to wait a few years for its for its first trophy which eventually came in 1905 when they were crowned Division Two
champions after beating a Tonbridge side in front of a crowd of 300 one cold Easter Monday. Handbells were rung, and hats were thrown in the air in celebration. The first known picture of the team shows them with the cup at the end of the 1905 season. Nobody at the club was aware of this photograph’s existence until it was spotted hanging in the George and Dragon pub in Speldhurst 25 years ago in 1999 – the year they celebrated their 100th anniversary!
The book is called Rusthall Football Club: The First 125 Years 1899-2024 and costs £25. It can be purchased through www.rusthallfc.com or ordered through a bookshop. It has been the work of club member Ben Martin, who says that he owes a debt of gratitude to many. “Sheila Rusbridge for all the research she did in the early years, spending hours at the local newspaper o ces, to produce her 214-page manuscript. Les Chapman who collated a presentation album of 85 photos from 1919-1985 all carefully annotated with player names and trophies,” Ben tells us. “Reading through the pages and photos from another age that Sheila and Les had compiled was fascinating and I had to keep bringing myself back to the now and concentrate on getting it done. The di cult part was what to leave out! However, the story ran dry from the mid 1970s and we had the daunting task of filling in the next 50 years!”
With the help of old Rustic mags and other memorabilia and more importantly tapping into the memories of club members such as Stuart Hunter, Kev Watson, Dean Jacquin and Dave Rusbridge and particularly Club president and Archivist Richard Smith, Ben was able to bring it all together under the watchful eye of his wife, Jacqui Martin. “She spent many happy hours proofreading the sense, style and spelling of the pages I was churning out!”
Ben goes on to say, “It was noted in the very first committee meeting back in 1899 that the chairman was indebted to the team of volunteers that he had working with him and our current chairman Dean Jacquin echoed that very point in his introduction to the book. Our volunteers and sponsors ensure that football for our community is available week
in and week out. Apart from the change in fashions and language not much has changed over the years. The enthusiasm for football back then was no di erent from today and we are pleased that we now have a book that plots the growth of this great community club from all those years ago to the successful and respected club it is today. Here’s to the next 125 years!”
Enquiries: club@rusthallfc.com
Stop press: an update from Commons Ranger Daniel Colville. I have been doing everything I can to make sure that we carefully manage the risks associated with the horrible disease a ecting our ash trees. I have done my best to ensure that we only have to remove them when they reach a point of decline that renders them a potential hazard to people or property. We have a legal duty of care which has to be our main priority.
I completed a survey in June which assessed the percentage of leaf cover on each tree, a clear indicator of rate of decline, and then a repeat survey in October/November to look at the extent of fungal issues and how the tree reacts to wind and weather events. Quite a few of the remaining roadside ash along the Rusthall Road, Langton Road and Coach Road are now of
su cient concern to warrant significant safety mitigation works. Unfortunately one of the areas where we need to remove quite a lot of trees is directly opposite the cinema and the Tarry Path. We will be removing approximately 22 of the large ash in that area in one go and this will of course be potentially distressing for some residents as it will be changing the skyline quite significantly.
I am working on a plan for replanting that specific area with replacement trees including disease resistant elms and other species. Over time this will improve the biodiversity, beauty and wildlife value, but it is going to feel sad in the meantime. We will be preparing signs for the works to explain to residents what is happening and why.
Plumbing
Boiler
Repairs
Bathroom installations Emergencies
Gas
As winter draws on, the gardeners at Flourish are busy working hard. The plants may have stopped growing but there is always something to do at the allotment. We have been harvesting the last few winter crops to make fresh, hot parsnip and potato soup which warms the gardeners up after a morning out in the cold!
Winter is a good time to tidy up in the garden and we have been clearing out our sheds and cleaning and storing the pots, so they are ready for planting out the seedlings in the spring. This helps to reduce the risk of passing on any pests or diseases that may be lurking! The staging has received a new coat of paint, to store the young plants during the winter months and the polytunnels have been cleared so we can use them for additional indoor space when the weather is too bad to be outside. We have also been making new brash fencing around the summer house and experimenting with weaving willow in for decoration.
Our wood-burning stove has finally been lit! The shelter is nice and cosy and warm for when the frost kicks in. It also means that we have somewhere our gardeners, who are less mobile, can sit and take part in craft sessions or potting plants on. Christmas crafting is in full flow! Some of the gardeners have been making Christmas ornaments and wreaths during their sessions. All we need is a cup of tea and some mince pies to really get into the Christmas spirit!
We are happy to be welcoming new gardeners. If you would like to take part in the Flourish Project, please contact Keith Terry on 07543 135 585 or email keith.terry@crosswayscommunity.org.uk
Kate Cheshire
This January we wanted to celebrate some of the businesses and organisations based in Rusthall who are the backbone of Rusthall Life. If you appreciate getting a community magazine full of local faces and news through your door free of charge, then thanks must go to the wonderful people who regularly advertise with us. We feature some of them here, and hope to celebrate more of them in future issues. We hope that you will appreciate them as much as we do – they really are giving back to Rusthall Life, and the community.
Owner Tim told me a bit more about his executive travel service.
“We are really friendly. Whether you require transport to or from the airport, seaports, business meetings, sporting venues, a show or just would like an executive car for that special occasion. T&I Executive Travel Service can be trusted to provide professional drivers, comfortable cars, and above all reliability.”
What do you value about Rusthall?
As a local business owner, I value the Rusthall community’s strong sense of togetherness, diverse culture, and active engagement in local events.
What do you like about Rusthall Life?
The magazine understands its readers - the contributors are local residents who reside in the community. The content is always about the residents.
We asked KMJ, the estate agents based on Rusthall High Street, what’s new for 2025? We are now KMJ Property Sales... and Lettings! We’re thrilled to share that we’re now o ering lettings services alongside our property sales! In other news, our wonderful Director, Katrina, is back from maternity leave and ready to help you with all your property needs. Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting, we’re here to help in 2025!
What is it that’s so great about Rusthall?
Rusthall is a wonderful village which celebrates the local independent shops and businesses, and we are so proud to be a part of such an amazing community!
Why are you a Rusthall Life fan?
We absolutely love how Rusthall Life Magazine brings the village to life! It’s the perfect celebration of local businesses and all the exciting events happening around Rusthall. It’s such a fantastic way to stay connected and feel involved in the vibrant heart of our community - it really brings everyone together!
As a new business in Rusthall, are you settling in, and what’s next? As a family business we have been looking after families in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells for over forty years. Taking on the new property in Rusthall High Street was such an exciting step and even though the renovations took a lot longer than planned, we are thrilled with the welcoming space we have created. We also have our bereavement support group ‘Friends Together’ up and running at the URC on the last Friday of the month, o ering peer support to those who are bereaved. We are very proud of our charity and have other groups running in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Paddock Wood, Hadlow and three in Tonbridge supporting many through their grief.What do you value about the Rusthall community? We have been so welcomed into the community by residents and other retailers and are thrilled that we are able to give a little back too, as a sponsor at Rusthall Football Club, helping out with contributions to local events and organisations as well as helping towards the EMC Academy hardship fund.
What made you want to advertise in Rusthall Life? It’s a great local publication and gives all the local information you need as a retailer but also a resident - we live in Langton Green so we get Langton Life too!
What does 2025 hold for everyone’s favourite hardware shop? We’re celebrating our 50th year in the village. We love being part of the village and really appreciate all the support we have received over the years from our customers.
You are one of the places people can pick up copies of Rusthall Life– what do you like about the magazine? It’s great to see the interest people show in the magazine. It’s a nice way to keep people informed with what’s going on in the village.
What is your message to the community for 2025? The Bonfire and Fete Group would like to wish our volunteers, residents, businesses, and visitors a wonderful new year and welcome everyone to our annual Thank you AGM evening at Rusthall Club on the 11th of January from 7pm. This is a great opportunity to meet our group and see how you can get involved with 2025’s firework night, fete, co ee mornings, quizzes, scarecrow trail and Christmas events. We have exciting and new plans for next year and would love to get everyone in our village involved.
What do you value about the Rusthall Community? We constantly talk at group meetings about how amazing the organisations we work with are, and how lucky we are to have such a concentrated group who care about our village and making it a better place to live. We are really enjoying working with all the local groups in and around the village to make our events more interesting and creative. Over the many years we have built relationships with so many groups with whom we lend equipment and resources between us and help each other out.
What is your favourite thing about Rusthall Life Magazine and the role it plays in the community? Rusthall Life is a fantastic resource to us and our community, it really helps spread the word about everything local and makes our role as volunteers much easier when we know there is a great team at Rusthall Life to support us and our events. Thank you!
At the end of another busy year, it’s a great time to look back at the achievements and activities of Rusthall Parish Council. In no particular order we have:
• Successfully recruited a new Clerk, Mrs C Reed and a new Allotment Manager Mr J Vanns.
• Took delivery of an interactive Advice Hub supplied by Citizens Advice. This is installed at the Rackli Centre and is available to the public to use on Friday mornings.
• Continued to liaise with Police resulting in increased police patrols around the village, who are not always in uniform. We now also participate in a new quarterly meeting, with Community Police Unit and o cers from TWBC anti-social behaviour team, to discuss feedback of recent investigations and summarise ongoing incidents.
• Grants have been issued to the following: -
• A Bee Keeping project for the Youth Club.
• Pensioners Christmas Lunch club
• Community Co ee
• Bonfire Committee
• Children’s Punch and Judy event for Summer Fete
• Purchasing of two new de-fibrillators now available at Southwood Road and Wickham Gardens Allotments. A successful training session was held recently.
• Thermal Imaging surveys (free of charge to residents in the village) continuing now into a third year.
• New bike racks were installed on the High Street opposite the Chemist.
• The Speed Watch team continue to monitor tra c on the main through roads (Lower Green Road and Meadow Road/Ashley Gardens). In the last twelve months 720 vehicles were recorded exceeding the speed limit. Their details were passed on to the Police who in turn issued 153 first level warning letters and escalated several incidents.
• Continued to lobby for a speed reduction on A264
• The Council arranges both the festive annual Christmas lights and the beautiful summer Hanging flower baskets This year it played host for a surgery held by our local MP and is home to the very successful EMC Academy who utilise the Hall three days a week.
• The Allotments have had a busy year; with the successful introduction of a new All Ability Garden which is now in use. New Summer Houses have been erected on both Southwood Road and Wickham Gardens sites. There have been social events in the summera BBQ and recently a Christmas get together.
There are currently a few allotment plots available. For more information, please contact Allotment Manager Jon Vanns
a. Allotment Committee 13th January 2025
b. Environment Committee 20th January 2025
c. Full Council Meeting 10th February 2025
For further information about any of the content on this page please do not hesitate to contact clerk@rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk
For more details about the Parish Council and the many Clubs and Associations in the village please have a look on our website https://www.rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk
At the time of writing I can see the preparations for Christmas going on all around me, but by the time you read the magazine it will be January, and the new year will be underway.
What does 2025 hold for the village of Rusthall? The more time I spend in our incredible community, the more signs of strength I see, especially where people come together. I like to think that our magazine plays a small part in letting people know what is going on, and how they can take part, and this will always make me proud.
Rusthall Life is a real team e ort, and there
• Fungal Infection
• Ingrowing nails • Nail Trimming
• Diabetic Foot
• Cracked Heels
Reflexology
Thickened Nail • Athlete’s Foot
Foot Washing
are a few groups of people who make it possible. There is a fantastic team of volunteers who put the magazine through your door - we couldn’t manage without their support. Paul Gripper and his wife Liz manage the distribution of the magazine - if you can help at all, Paul is currently looking for someone to deliver to Cranwell Road. We are also grateful for the support of the Parish Council. In this issue we are celebrating a handful of our most regular advertisers - because it is our advertisers who make it possible for us to produce a community magazine. Finally, last but not least, we thank our readers for taking the magazine to your heart and letting me know how much you appreciate it. When we say it is your magazine, we do mean it, so if you have news or photographs you would like to share, please do get in touch with me at editor@rusthalllife.com
I wish you all a very happy New Year, from the Rusthall Life team! Jayne Sharratt, Editor
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The All-Ability Allotment Garden, a community garden project for elderly and disabled villagers in Rusthall, received £2,700 to finish building accessible paths from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust last year.
Rusthall Parish Council used the money to extend the paths at the All-Ability Allotment Garden in preparation for the next phase of the scheme, which will include building a summer house and four raised beds. Mental health charity Crossways Community has already carried out much of the ground clearance work to make way for the summer house as part of a corporate day.
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust, which is funded exclusively by London Gatwick, has been providing much-needed support for charities and groups for more than two decades. London Gatwick is also appealing for community groups in Kent to apply for financial support from the next round of The London Gatwick Foundation Fund. The deadline to apply is 27 September.
Liz Ellicott, vice chair of Rusthall Parish Council said they were delighted to receive the grant. “The money went towards completing Phase 2 of our ambitious project to provide allotment gardening opportunities for elderly, infirm and disabled village residents who find it impossible to cultivate regular allotments. It is hoped that the All Ability Allotment Garden will provide not only an enjoyable outdoor activity, but also a chance to socialise with likeminded people.”
The All-Ability Allotment Garden is next to Crossways Community Flourish Garden project, which is aimed at adults in the community with poor mental health. The charity is already promoting the parish
council’s project to their clients and it is also helping to manage the garden.
All residents are welcome to join the All-Ability Garden via application to the parish council.
The Gatwick Airport Community Trust was originally set up in 2002 as part of the legal arrangements between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and London Gatwick following the publication of the airport’s Sustainable Development Strategy. It aims to make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the communities a ected by the airport and its continuing growth.
Applications for the Gatwick Airport Community Trust will reopen again on 1 November 2024 and close on 31 March 2025. For more information about the Gatwick Airport Community Trust and to find out how to apply for the next round, visit: https://gact.org.uk/
On 30th November there was an event held in Rusthall Club, seeking to highlight the work of Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS) and Baby Umbrella, who work with families in the early parenting years. After a delicious supper of vegetable chili followed by fruit crumble prepared by Charlie’s Angels Kitchens, there was a sobering moment listening to speaker Louise Wright from DAVSS and volunteer Jackie Nudd, who spoke so movingly about her daughter Louise, who died as a result of domestic abuse, and the reasons she has been so determined to raise money for DAVSS. This was followed by an entertaining quiz, with rounds themed by ‘great women of today’, ‘herstory - women from history’, ‘women in fiction’, a music round and a picture round. There was a ra e, and all the proceeds from the evening were divided between the two charities - in total £360 was raised. The organisers thanked everyone who took part, Charlie’s Angels Kitchens and Rusthall Club for giving the use of their room.
You can find out more about the charities at www.davss.org.uk and www.babyumbrella.org.uk
In mid-December it was delightful to see a festive yarnbomb appear on the village post box in Rusthall High Street. This time it was themed around a group of carol singing mice - perhaps they were inspired by our own Rusthall St Paul’s Church choir? I like to think so!
residents’
trustees’
On 25th November 2024, the third annual Reclaim the Night Walk took place from meeting points in Rusthall and St John’s to The Pantiles. In Rusthall around fifty people took part, including members of the Soroptimists, and Tunbridge Wells Women’s Rugby Club, alongside members of the community.
The walk seeks to highlight the fact that women and girls often don’t feel safe on the streets at night, and journalists from West Kent Radio and KMTV came on the walk to talk to participants and record their voices. O cers from Kent Police also took part, standing in solidarity and support of the clear message from the community. The walk always takes part on 25th November because that is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Organiser Jayne Sharratt said that she was really happy with how the event had gone, and wanted to thank everyone who took part or supported it in other ways. “What I realised this year is that some people in our community are more vulnerable than others – people with a disability or who are less mobile for other reasons, for example, and so can’t get up if they are knocked over or run away if they need to. The walk has a serious message, and I’m always proud when Reclaim the Night gives people a voice on this issue, so I was glad that journalists, police and local Council colleagues were there to listen to how people feel and the changes they would like to see to help them feel safe. It’s also always a really positive event, because it brings people together, and we always go for a drink when we reach The Pantiles – this year I was grateful to The Old Auction House for opening for us, it was the perfect venue to give everyone space to chat and make new connections. My hope for next year is that we can have a small working group to organise it together – if you would like to be involved, you can contact me at jaynesharratt1977@gmail.com”
Rusthall Guide Group etc.
Daphne Pilcher 01892 521691
Allotments
Allotments Manager – Jon Vanns 07983 920716
allotments@rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk
Bonfire, Fete and Community Coffee lisatoes@yahoo.co.uk
Community Cinema, Table Tennis, Badminton, Pickleball and Repair Cafe
Eugene Gardner at Sunnyside Community Halleugene@rusthallcinema.club
ParishChair
Paul Gripper
Paul.gripper@rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk
Parish Clerk
Claire Reed
01892 520161 / 07398 715468 clerk@rusthallparishcouncil.org.uk
Manor Road Pre-School 07972 739852
St Paul’s Church Parish Office 01892 521447
Playtime Parent and Toddler Group Liz Mankelow 07840 837968
Rusthall United Reformed Church Church Secretary – Mary Nolze 01892 536727
Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells Commons Ranger Daniel Colborne 07860 750597
The Molyneux Almshouses info@molyneux-almshouses.co.uk 07504 839548
Rusthall Football Club Jockey Farm 07897427522
Rusthall St Paul’s School 01892 520582 office@rusthall-cep.kent.sch.uk
Rusthall Scout Group Beavers, cubs and scouts rusthallscoutgroupwaitinglist@yahoo.co.uk
Rusthall Medical Centre 01892 515142
Out of hours medical service 111 Emergency Services 999 Samaritans 116 123 Commons Conservators 01892 554250 Police (Non-emergency) 101 Rusthall Lunch Club Mrs Ros Rodwell 01892 618538
Sunnyside Pre-school 07534 810779
Rusthall Library rusthalllibrary@kent.gov.uk
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Rusthall St Paul’s Church was consecrated on 14th August 1850 after being built in 1849 to serve the expanding population. There will be lots of events all year to mark this significant milestone in the life of our parish church, so watch this space! Details of two anniversary projects to kick start the year are below, but there’s lots more to come.
Happy Anniversary – what’s for dinner?
The hunt is on for delicious Rusthall home styled recipes for a St Paul’s and Rusthall Village Cookbook sponsored by leading Tunbridge Wells restauranteur, Matthew Sankey.
As part of the St. Paul’s 175th Anniversary a cookbook is being created with local stories to accompany home styled favourite dishes. This is a great opportunity for everyone to share scrumptious recipes and see them printed. It could be Dad’s homemade chutney, Granny’s Treacle Scones or Auntie‘s hotpot; Whether it’s an old family secret, a failsafe recipe or a great way to cheat, St Paul’s would like to hear about them all.
Elaine Bruce from the church’s anniversary committee says, “We’d like people to share their family favourites with us so we can create a book which truly reflects Rusthall. Coming together and sharing food can be a marvellous way to create a sense of connection and community. Please note that we are not asking for famous cooks’ recipes that you enjoy; we don’t need to when there are so many hidden family gems for us all to discover and enjoy”
cooking – St Paul’s would love to hear about each one of them and don’t forget to include the background story. Along with Matthew Sankey there will be professional cooks to help select the best for us to publish in the St Paul’s and Rusthall Village 175th Anniversary Cookbook later in 2025.
Email o ce@stpaulsrusthall.org.uk or drop in a hard copy at the Parish Church or Church Centre for our attention. We’d like to have your recipes by 31st March 2025.
The Anthem Sing-a-thon on Saturday 22nd Feburary February brings a huge challenge for our Choir. As part of the anniversary, they are fundraising for their tour to France in August and have set themselves the massive task of singing their way through the Oxford University Press Anthem Book. It’s going to be done in one day over eleven hours and they’ll finish with Handel’s Zadok The Priest!
Matthew Sankey, the passionate chef and seafood aficionado who holds a prestigious AA two rosette award for culinary excellence, is sponsoring the book and will be one of the judges choosing the recipes to be included. As an independent business Sankey’s is showing genuine support for the community of Rusthall. So, dig out your favourite, or an impressively easy recipe which is worth sharing or perhaps a recipe which gets youngsters involved in
Between 10am and 9pm the choir will take part in a day long challenge to sing one hundred anthems! If you’ve never heard St Paul’s Choir, this is a real treat.
The members are singing their way through the Oxford University Press New Church Anthem Book, culminating with the hugely popular Zadok the Priest by Handel. Handel wrote Zadok the Priest for the coronation of King George II in 1727. Amazingly the piece has been performed at the coronation service of every British monarch ever since.
Choir Leader, Fiona Johnson says “We’d love people to drop in at any time and stay for as long as they’d like. We are asking for donations, whether people come to sing along with us or just to listen, as our aim is to raise money to assist our Tour of Normandy in August”.
Refreshments will be available as the now popular Chorister’s Café will be open at the back of the church so that those attending can buy tea/co ee and cake to keep themselves going. There choir will also have breaks especially for lunchtime (12-2pm) and teatime (6-7pm), but this will be a fantastic opportunity to hear the choir.
