TN26 April 2016

village directory

The 105

April 2016

for the TN26 Area

Delivered FREE to 5,000 homes in TN26 by Royal Mail

BENSKO PEST CONTROL &

Chimney Sweeping Services

Fast, Effective Service for the DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL Removal of ALL Pests INDUSTRIAL WASPS ANTS FLEAS FLIES

RATS MICE MOLES SQUIRRELS COCKROACHES

Fully Insured Authority Approved

Brush and Vac Friendly, Clean, Reliable Every Type of Flue Swept Pots, Cowls & Bird Guards Fitted Stove Installations NAC’s Certificates Issued Fully Insured

Best Possible Prices on all Fires Weddings Attended All Areas Covered

A CLEAN CHIMNEY IS A SAFE CHIMNEY

Call: 01303M:221008 T: 01303 221008 07857 344770 M: 07857 344770

Family We are sincerely grateful for the loyal support www.benskoservices.co.uk e: bensko@talktalk.net Run Business of all of our customers - Thank you

A Better Choice for you!

Let your property through Ashford Borough Council

9 Guaranteed income!

9 Variable length of contracts to suit you 9 Out of hours service for tenants 9 Full Management of your property by experienced professionals

TAYLOR'S CARPENTRY SERVICES Bespoke Traditional Carpentry • Doors • Floors • Windows • Kitchens • Repairs & Alterations • Interior & Exterior & much more • References available

Tel 07787 929979

Storey Plumbing

No Job Too Small - OAP Discounts Emergency Service Available No Call Out Charge For Response 07808 423 927

9 Underwritten by Ashford Borough Council

For more information contact Mark or Vicki: abclettings@ashford.gov.uk 01233 330869 / 330378 www.ashford.gov.uk/abclettings

TN26

PRIVATE HIRE CARS

Call: 07894 716 007

AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS (LOCAL TAXI SERVICE) LOCAL AND DISTANCE RUNS Fully Insured, Licensed & Friendly Service Email: tn26privatehire@hotmail.com

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Welcome Hi everyone and welcome to the April Issue.

Spring is here (at least it is today!) and I’m looking forward to getting out into the garden, which is a bit of a mess following the flooding we had a few months back. As I write I can hear my husband’s voice in my head questioning exactly what I do in the garden, other than relax. He does tend to do it all, I have to admit, but I am good at jet washing the patio and I’m not averse to a bit of re-pointing where needed! Largely it’s a therapeutic exercise to bring me out into the real world for a while rather than the digital one I spend so much of my time in .

I’d like to begin this month by congratulating Bensko on their 10 years in business, I cannot believe that when I first met Bruce, to organise their advertising, the magazine was just a year old, my how time flies. Do read Bensko’s article in this month’s magazine, I’m sure Emma (one half of the dynamic duo) will make you chuckle as she recounts the early days of her introduction to pest control. She will be following this up every couple of months and offering advice, tips and some insight into the world of Bruce and Emma.

Lastly, please note that the monthly deadline for the magazine has now changed to the 10th of the month, from now on all of the magazines will be delivered during the first week of each month.

Until next time, have a great time!

~ Debbie T: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk May Issue Deadline 10th April

DRESS MAKING & ALTERATIONS

QurnaNowCreations in Tenterden

Tel: 01580 764131

Email couch.hilary@gmail.com

Piano Lessons

From 9.30am to 8.30pm, Charing Heath

Mrs Jane Cooper GGSM, ARCM & AGSM

Tel 01233 714787

Lots of Experience, from Beginners to Grade 8

N & E Window Cleaning Services Water-fed Pole / Traditional Window Cleaning Fascia / Gutter / Patio Cleaning / Solar Panels Please contact Nathan Turner for a free quote

07754 193492 n_eturnercleaning@yahoo.com

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the garden

Go On, Grow Your Own!

by Pippa Greenwood

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Enjoying a delicious meal which includes some home grown ingredients is a wonderful feeling – it fills you full of just the right sort of pride (and maybe even a little bit of smugness!). That meal might be a dinner party, a family supper or even a quick sandwich grabbed whilst you go about your daily work; it makes no difference, it simply feels good to indulge in a bit of Grow Your Own and then reap the rewards.

If you’re a hardened vegetable grower you may well have been sowing and potting on for a while now, but if you’re a bit behind schedule or if you’ve simply not dared to venture into vegetable production to any extent before, don’t panic – there’s still time to grow just about any crop in your plot this year.

If you want to raise some plants from seed yourself then most could be sown now, but there are a few that are likely to produce a much better yield if given an earlier start. I’d give seeds of

Ashwoods • Tree Surgery • Stump Removal

crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, chilli peppers, melons and aubergines a miss now, but buy in a few plants over the next month or so and you’ll be going great guns in no time at all.

Some vegetables can be directly sown now (i.e. just sow the seed into a well-prepared area of garden soil in a suitable spot) in all but the coolest gardens – beetroot, lettuce, beans, peas, carrots, rocket, spinach to name but a few. Other slightly more tender crops such as sweetcorn, squash and courgettes would fare better if given a bit of extra heat when you are germinating the seeds. That’s where an electrically heated propagator comes into its own, and you will also find it really useful if you are trying to make up for lost time as it will speed up germination of many seeds by several days. The seedlings may then need pricking out and potting on until they are sturdy enough to live in the great outdoors. With these more

tender crops, try to ‘harden off’ the young plants before you put them into their final positions: having been raised and grown on inside (either in a greenhouse or on a warm, sunny windowsill) they will be a little ‘soft’ and tender, and easily damaged by cold, wind or rain. Hardening off isn’t difficult, just put the trays or pots of young plants outside on warm days once the weather has stabilised, and bring them back under cover at night. Do this for a week or so and then leave them outside, covering them with some fleece at night. The resulting plants will now have had the chance to acclimatise to ‘real’ conditions and will grow far better, whilst also being much less likely to suffer from weather damage.

If you find seed sowing and the subsequent pricking out and potting on too much when juggling with a job or other commitments, then buying in some small plants is a great plan

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as it gets you past the highinput bit at the beginning and allows you to just get on with the growing on, maintaining… and eating! You will get a good range from seed merchants or garden centres, but if you like the idea a bit of at-your-elbowadvice from me to ensure great results, don’t forget that you can still order garden-ready plants, accompanied by weekly advice and tips emails specific to the vegetables you’ve chosen to grow. There are more details at www.pippagreenwood.com/ grow-your-own and if you use the code 12419-E7SPS at the checkout, you’ll also get £4.00 discount, whichever pack size you choose. Garden-ready plants can be planted out as soon as you get them and, provided you follow the instructions, keep them wellwatered during drier weather and

apply feed at regular intervals, it won’t be long until you will be harvesting crops such as climbing French and runner beans, tomatoes, sweetcorn, sugar-snap peas, peppers, chillies, onions, melons, butternut squash, beetroot and courgettes.

Most vegetables need a good fertile soil and a sunny or only partly shaded spot if they are to perform well, so choose your growing area with care. If space is short or your garden is limited to a paved back-yard, patio or balcony, there is no need to go without the delights of Grow Your Own – most vegetables will do well in good sized containers (minimum 30cm x 30cm x 30cm) with good-quality compost. If you can manage even bigger pots, then maintenance will be easier as they will need watering slightly less frequently. But, whether

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you plant and sow vegetables in pots, tubs, greenhouses or open ground, the end result will be gorgeous tasting, super-fresh vegetables to be enjoyed on your own or with company. So go on, get growing!

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - fantastic UK grown vegetable plants of your choice plus weekly advice and tips emails from Pippa (don’t forget your offer code 12419-E7SPS for a £4 discount), Nemaslug, biological controls, pop-up crop covers, signed books and lots more besides.

Open Weekend Dates for 2016 PLUCKLEY ROAD BETHERSDEN KENT

www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk Wholesale Nursery Open to the Public

15th, 16th, 17th & 29th, 30th April We grow our vast range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets.

We have a truly exquisite range to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual. You will be making your selection direct from our growing beds!

You can’t buy fresher. Fantastic range and fair prices.

Should you need help with your selection we also have knowledgeable staff to help answer your questions.

*Shrubs* Trees* Herbaceous Perennials * Climbers * Large Plants for Instant Impact* Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET Please Mention The

Future Open Weekends 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th May 15th, 16th, 17th May Fri 10am-5pm, Sat, Sun & BHM 9am-5pm More Dates to Follow.

Truly a Gardeners Paradise!

Please remember we are only open on these dates.

We accept most major credit cards

For detailed directions please see our website Follow day-glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden

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5

the garden

Bartlett Tree Experts

Everything Outside Every job is treated with a professional, friendly and reliable service.

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FENCING MOWING HEDGE TRIMMING DRAINAGE CLEARANCE

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LANDSCAPING GARDENING DIGGER WORK CONCRETING TREE SURGERY

Free no obligation quotation / Fully Insured

William Smith T: 07795 465 861 / 01580 766232 E: smith_25@hotmail.co.uk

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Does your hedge look like this?

Bartlett Tree Experts could help!

The Complete Landscape Service Professional Garden & Grounds Maintenance Country Estate Maintenance Paddock Maintenance: Mowing, Hedge Cutting, Spraying Wildflower Meadows Planting Plans & Garden Design Hard & Soft Landscaping Pond Renovation, Clearance & Maintenance

Contact Adam Steggles for a free consultation 01959 525821

Professionally trained & qualified 20+ Years of industry experience Call for a free quote today

sevenoaks@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com

Vernon Harris Bsc Hort M: 07563 580 775 O: 01233 770668 E: vern@bghorticulture.co.uk www.bghorticulture.co.uk

TW PAVING

the garden

• D riveways • P at h s & P at i o s • G roundworks a nd F e n ci n g • L and scape G a rd e n i ng

07989 137 698

Strim and Mow Please Ring 07712 615 115

No Job Too Small • Regular or One Off

07514 720526 Leigh Mower Services Located in Kennington, Leigh Mower Services offer competitive rates for the repair of all leading makes of petrol garden machinery. We also offer: • Servicing • Sales • Blade Sharpening

Collection and Delivery Available Contact Mark on 07514 720526 / 01233 663014 email leighmowerservices@gmail.com

All aspects of treework & gardening undertaken, including garden clearance & garden ponds

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ARBOUR TREE SURGERY

‘ Trust your local experts’ All Aspects Of Tree Work • Felling, Pruning & Shaping • Hedge Cutting • Conifers Reduced • Stump Grinding

01233 730800 / 07771 970570 www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk Please Mention The

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7

the garden

BENSKO 10 Years in Business!

Bensko is celebrating 10 years in business this year! When I say it out loud I can’t believe how far we’ve come.

I remember the evenings spent watching my husband Bruce pace up and down our lounge, wearing out the carpet, contemplating whether to start our own business. With a gentle nudge, although he’d say a big shove, we took the leap of faith and did it, Bensko was born.

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I’ll never forget the early days of pest control; I remember the first time Bruce took me to a farm that had a serious rat infestation, he thought it would be good experience for me! I was on the first floor of the old barn and Bruce was on the ground floor. Once we were in position, he turned the lights on. I waited with anticipation, and it did not disappoint. There was nothing at first, then a steady stream of noise, squeaking and scurrying. I couldn’t work out where the noises were coming from, then I saw them, they were coming from everywhere, over beams along pipes and over bales of straw, the whole area seemed to come alive.

Gripped with slight panic, I rapidly made my way to the exit, briefly glancing down at Bruce, who was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.

What I didn’t see was the large rat on the hand rail, which my hand ‘accidentally’ knocked into. Unfortunately for my grinning husband it fell straight into the hood of his jacket, and the grin immediately turned into fear as the rat thrashed about inside his hood. The rat escaped un-harmed as did Bruce, but the grin he once had now appeared on my face, as I doubled over with laughter.

From the un-known territory of rats to now, confidently tracking, baiting and protecting homes, I’ve come a long way. Even now Bruce tells people I did it on purpose, but I wouldn’t, would I? We all like to feed our birds in winter but, as pest controllers, it can be the biggest problem we face. But we all enjoy looking after our feathered friends, and we’re not going to stop, so avoid ground feeding and take care to use catch trays under the feeders, this will help to stop any excess seed falling onto the floor. This will help discourage rats taking up residence in our gardens. I know I’d rather be watching, Blue Tits and Goldfinches than furry rats hanging from the feeders.

Emma Bensko Pest Control & Chimney Sweeping Services T: 01303 221008 M: 07857 344770 There will be more from the world of Emma & Bruce aka Bensko in the June Issue. Emma will then be discussing wasps!

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Busy Bee Landscapes

Specialising in all types of Hard and Soft Landscaping  Driveways  Patios  Brickwork  Fencing  Decking  Grass and Artificial Lawns  Bespoke Wooden Garden Structures and Buildings  Raised Beds and Planters  Maintenance of Commercial & Residential Gardens, regular or one-off tidy-up & cut-backs

For a job well done and a no nonsense service give Busy Bees a buzz!

Mobile: 07932 564 062 Tel: 01797 690633

www.busybeelandscapes.biz E: busybeelandscapes@yahoo.com www. .com NATIONAL AWARD WINNER FOR 3 YEARS We Are a Local Company, Installing Block Paving, Natural Stone & Slabs Landscape Designs For Driveways, Patio & Garden Paths

Free Quote & Advice Tel: 01797 344266 Mob: 07836 298020 Email enquiries@terswinpaving.com

E: INFO@STUMPOUT.NET W: WWW.STUMPOUT.NET T: 07969 678 781

HANDCOCKS FARM NURSERY BETHERSDEN ROAD, SHADOXHURST, Nr ASHFORD TN26 1LN 01233 733674 (Daytime) 01233 732369 (Evening) Mobile: 07929 617697 Surfinias, Million Bells, Basket Plants 75p each Zonal Geraniums in 11cm pots £1.50 each Ivy Leaf Geraniums in 10cm pots £1.00 each Fuchsias in 9cm pots £1.00 each Bedding Plants £2.00 per pack Clematis From £7.50 each Austin Roses £11 each

Perennials, Alpines, Grasses, Shrubs, Climbers, Roses, Fruit Trees Hanging Baskets from May. All Major Credit Cards Accepted WELL WORTH A VISIT !

OPEN 7 DAYS (inc Bank Holidays) 9am - 5pm Please Mention The village directory When Responding to Adverts

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HAVE YOU A BULK LPG TANK ON YOUR PREMISES? Then Why Not Switch Supplier We Might Even Save You Money For a FREE no obligation survey call us on 01233 733130 or email bulkgas@novagas.co.uk Don’t wait until you want gas and have to sign a new contract with your current supplier - Call Us Now! Thinking of installing a bulk gas tank?

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• Windows “A” Rated • Conservatories • Doors • Soffits & Facia • Door Canopies WEATHERMAN WINDOWS LIMITED 13 & 15 Bank Street, Ashford, Kent TN23 1DE

Established 1985

TEL: 01233 643242 www.weathermanwindows.co.uk

the home

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Home & Interiors Planning A Master Bedroom

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Your bedroom is a highly personal space, but if you are considering selling, or simply want to enhance your property’s value in the long term, you’ll also need to design it so it has general appeal, says Katherine Sorrell.

Your first consideration when planning a master bedroom, large or small, should always be comfort. Zone the space according to how you use it – sleeping, dressing, exercising, checking your laptop, reading – and, if it helps, draw a scaled plan of the room so you can play around with the layout. It’s nice to have your bedhead opposite the window, for example, with

a bedside table each side; remember to allow enough space (experts recommend at least 450mm) around the bed to give you room to change the sheets.

To create calm and order while minimising clutter, try to include as much storage as you can squeeze in. A whole wall of fitted wardrobes, with well thoughtout internal drawers and divisions, is a great option, and you can add free-standing pieces such as chests of drawers and blanket boxes for character and flexibility. Given enough floor space, it may also be possible to create a separate dressing area, using a tall bedhead, a bookcase or wide wardrobe as a partition.

We can’t escape technology

By Katherine Sorrell

anywhere, and although watching TV is not necessarily conducive to a good night’s sleep it is still a lovely idea to include a TV in the bedroom – ideal for a languorous Sunday morning lie-in with croissants, coffee and a newspaper. If you don’t want to look at a blank screen the rest of the time, fitted furniture manufacturers can provide cupboards from which TVs pop up or slide out, while music specialists offer all sorts of sleek and good-looking speakers and sound systems. You will probably also want a place to connect and site a landline phone, a small desk on which to pop your computer, e-reader or tablet, and somewhere to plug in a charger for your mobile.

Even in a bedroom, you can’t have too many plug sockets.

Luxurious, wall-to-wall carpet is always a good idea for a master bedroom, and pure new wool has just the right warm, soft, snuggly-toe feel. Choose a high quality underlay for extra bounce and softness. That said, you could combine underfloor heating with engineered wooden boards and beautiful rugs for a more traditional look with plenty of character – and still enjoy warmth underfoot.

The latter option, though only possible if you are undertaking major renovations, will also save the space that would have been otherwise taken up with a radiator.

Well-designed lighting is an asset in any room, and the master bedroom is no different.

A central pendant is fine for general, overhead light, but you

can be more creative elsewhere by adding wall-mounted reading lights beside the bed, a bright, adjustable light above your dressing table and perhaps a table lamp or two to create a gentle glow. Such layers of light will provide a pleasing ambience and give you great flexibility.

Conversely, for restful darkness while you are sleeping, ensure your curtains have a good blackout lining, or else choose well-fitting shutters – which will help block out noise, too.

The days of carefully matched bed linen and window treatments are long gone, yet it is still important to get this combination right. When the bed is plain, some pattern at the window is lovely, and vice versa – simply avoid two patterns that clash. Plain curtains can look absolutely beautiful if made from a generous amount of fabric, hung from a pole with

pretty finials at the ends, and finished with an edging of ruffles or a contrast border. If privacy is a problem, it may be necessary to add sheer or lace curtains, either full-length or covering the bottom half of the window only.

Considering adding an en-suite?

Once a luxury, these days they are virtually a necessity, and will certainly make your home more saleable – and may even add value, too. If you have enough room for a walk-in wardrobe, there’s probably enough space to convert to an en-suite, though if you want a proper bath you’ll need to allow a little more room.

Alternatively, you could knock through and steal a little space from an adjacent room. When space is tight, compact fittings can be effective, but do make sure they are practical for regular use. While any arrangement is possible in theory, the least expensive place to install an

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en-suite bathroom is close to other plumbing, particularly the soil pipe. And, because the room leads directly off the bedroom, install low-noise sanitaryware and lights on dimmers, with a high-powered extractor fan that’s controlled separately from the light.

IMAGE - Soft carpet, sumptuous curtains and a deeply buttoned headboard all add up to a sense of luxury. Huntington bed, £1,175, Sweetpea & Willow, tel 0345 257 2627; www.sweetpeaandwillow.com.

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Older, But Not Always Wiser The main characters of these books may be in their twilight years, but they certainly aren’t content to sit back and spend their pensions on Werther’s Originals and bingo nights. With amateur sleuths, explosive experts and adventurers amongst them, they’ll keep you reading well past a sensible bedtime.

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Elizabeth is Missing – Emma Healey 82-year old Maud is determined to solve the mystery of where her best friend Elizabeth has disappeared to. While she’s at it, she’d also like to figure out what happened to her sister, who went missing more than 60 years ago.

The problem is that Elizabeth has been getting a bit forgetful lately, and the clues keep getting muddled in her head. With twists and turns aplenty, you’ll be left guessing until the end. Definitely a ‘just one more chapter and then I’ll go to sleep’ kind of book.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper – Phaedra Patrick Arthur Pepper likes the quiet life, but that all changes when he discovers a charm bracelet hidden away in his late wife’s things. Arthur’s cross-country quest to discover the meaning of each of the charms sees him uncovering a side to his wife he never knew existed. But will his new found knowledge help him come to terms with her death, or forever taint his memories of her? A thoroughly enjoyable read, with great characters and a pageturning storyline, this is Phaedra Patrick’s debut novel, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see her on the bestseller lists very soon.

The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 – J.B. Morrison Being run over by a milk float wasn’t on Frank’s to-do list for

the day, and he sure as heck isn’t going to let some interfering home-help try to baby him. Nope, he’s quite content on his own, with his cat Bill, his DVDs and a series of cold callers trying to sell him things he doesn’t need.

But home-help Kelly Christmas proves rather more likeable than he expected, and he starts to realise that life can indeed begin again at 81. With his biting sense of humour, Frank will keep you laughing all the way through this immensely entertaining book.

George’s Grand Tour – Caroline Vermalle When George tells people he’s going to do the Tour de France, some are rather concerned. He is, after all, 83. However, George has a slightly less taxing plan in mind; he’s going to do the Tour by car, with a friend. Agreeing to check in with his granddaughter, Adele, by text along the route, he sets off across the country. In the end, the journey may prove as life-changing for Adele as it is for George, as she starts to really appreciate the man who, until now, has just been a name on her birthday cards.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce Staid, reliable Harold lives with his wife Maureen in Devon. When Harold receives a letter from an old friend, Queenie, telling him she’s terminally ill, he pens a short reply and sets off to the post box.

But his walk to the end of the road

turns into a somewhat longer trip, as he decides to deliver the letter in person, and on foot. As he travels the long road north, both Harold and Maureen are given the time to look back on their long marriage, and figure out whether it can be saved. Beautifully written, and at times extremely poignant, this book is highly recommended.

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson Allan has just about had enough of his care home, with its condescending manager, rubbish food and endless rules.

So on his 100th birthday he makes his escape, in his slippers.

After stealing a suitcase full of money, Allan begins a dash across country, picking up new friends as he goes (including an elephant called Sonya). As we learn of his extraordinary life, it becomes clear that there’s rather more to this centenarian than meets the eye, including a passion for explosives…

the home

Expose your property to the London market with Stevens

Ashford Office: 01233 640400 Associated Park Lane: 0203 3688 109 info@stevensandco.co.uk

www.stevensandco.co.uk Please Mention The

stevensandco.co.uk

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All Aboard! Learn to Sail at Conningbrook Lakes With the warm spring weather fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to learn how to sail with the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club's Sailing School (RCPYC Limited) at Conningbrook Lakes Country Park.

Starting this month RCPYC Sailing School is offering Stage 1 and 2 courses in dinghy sailing for youngsters aged 8 to 18. A two-day course costs £45 per day and participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon passing. All workshops are led by qualified Royal Yachting Association instructors with safety boat on hand.

After passing Stage 1 and 2 youngsters have acquired the skills to sail in most weather conditions safely and can take part in open events.

www.stellineinteriors.com

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Adults looking to learn how to sail can sign up to a Level 1 Dinghy Sailing course this spring.

The course of six afternoon sessions cost £35 per session and participants must attend at least four to pass.

Adults and children who have attended a beginner’s course, or who have sailed before, are welcome to join weekly Sunday sailing afternoons. The sessions run every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm and start on 13th March. A boat and sailing kit is provided, subject to availability, or participants are welcome to bring their own kit.

East Kent Yachting Association Chairman, Helen Hofmann, said: “Conningbrook Lakes Country Park provides the perfect setting to learn how to sail. We aim to make sailing both safe and fun, enabling people of all ages to develop an enjoyment for the sport.”

Conningbrook Lakes Sailing is run by the Sailing School of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, and is supported by Ashford Borough Council.

If you would like more information about the sailing training courses, please call 079101 23259, or email sailingschool.rcpyc@gmail.com For further details on the country park and current opening times visit the website at www.ashford.gov.uk/conningbrook-lakes Conningbrook Lakes is sited next to the Julie Rose Stadium on Willesborough Road, Ashford.

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Tel: 01233 647699 E: sales@stellineinteriors.co.uk

the home

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We Also Sell Curtains & Awnings For more information or to book an appointment

Call: 01233 226570

E: info@jlsblinds.co.uk W: www.jlsblinds.co.uk 17

From start to finish we offer a complete, professional package to suit your very own requirements and budget.

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Being lucky enough to be born and bred in the heart of the Kent Countryside I have childhood memories of great locally grown tasty fresh produce, in the days where Supermarkets were not in abundance and Food Markets and Village stores were a popular and regular place that we bought a lot of our foods.

tales finding the beauty of searching out more local fresh and interesting products, cooking has become more and more popular over the years with celebrity chefs showing us that it is not difficult to produce tasty economical meals even in 15 minutes and dining with others is a very entertaining pastime.

A once a week visit to the local Market and in my case it was Ashford was all most families needed to top up their weekly pantry. Most families were also growing lots of staples in their gardens too because life was different we had the time and skills to produce our own.

Sadly things have changed over the years and Supermarkets have got a foothold on most of our lives for almost every product you need in the home, I have heard them described as large car parks with shops attached! Convenience for the faster paced life we lead has been a benefit on our time and perhaps pocket but not on our environment and local farming economy let alone to mention our health, several studies have proven that.

Through Food Fairs, Farmers Markets and Country Markets which are on the increase every month we can re-discover the beauty of REAL food, where it comes from, how it is produced, and what it looks and tastes like in its natural glory.

Food we need it, we love it but do we all really understand the importance of supporting our heritage and the providence of the foods we put on our plate?

The Garden of England where we all live has local food and producers in abundance, they are just not widely known as much as they should be, but this is changing. The way in which most of us use and celebrate food is slowly turning around, we are looking back on our childhood memories and Grandparents

Each producer has a great story to tell of their forefathers and of how they may have adapted their farming methods over the years to exist or how just ordinary people with a passion and an idea have started producing products that only our older generations remember creating or buying in their local area.

Local food has less far to travel so can be delivered and sold soon after it is picked. The food should be fresh and at its best. Producers also can select varieties for flavour rather than those that travel well or have a long shelf life.

These might be heritage varieties or unusual.

In each edition of the Village Directory I will endeavour to introduce you to some of the wonderful products and producers right here on your doorstep. Tell you their stories, introduce you to their products and tell you where you can buy them in your local area.

Local Markets

Rhubarb

April/May crop season can go right through to June. Best way to keep for longer is to freeze it. It is the first Fruit of Spring but really is a vegetable. Great for all sorts of pies, deserts and preserves.

Recorded in the 17th century as being used

Ashford Farmer’s Market First Sunday of every month from 10am to 2pm in the lower High Street.

Charing Farmer’s Market Charing Church Barn 9 -11.30 every Thursday morning. Contact 01233 740176 Egerton Every Friday 2 - 4.30pm Millennium Hall

in cooking even before sugar was available! it’s usage peaked through 2 World wars.

Hamstreet Victory Hall every third Sunday 10-12pm Contact 01797 344437

In Chinese medicine it has been used as a laxative

Rolvenden - 01580 240763 Every Thursday 10am -12 noon St Mary’s Church and the Village Hall Rye Farmers Market Every Wednesday at Strand Quay 10am - 1 pm (From Midday Oct - April)

In Season:

Rye Market Every Thursday at the Cattle Market Car Park. Early till around 3pm (depending on the

April

weather)

Fruit

Salad

Apples Pears Rhubarb

Lettuce

Vegetables Asparagus Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Chicory Greens Kale Rocket Swede Sorrel Turnips Winter Greens

Fish Cockles Cod Crab Halibut Herring John Dory Mackerel Plaice Salmon Sea Bass Sea Trout

Meat & Game Beef Guinea fowl Hare Lamb Mutton Pork Rabbit Veal Venison Wood Pigeon

Rye Country Market Formerly WI Market Rye Community Centre, Conduit Hill.

Every Friday 10am -11.30am Tenterden Country Market Every Friday 9.30am -11.00am St Mildred’s Church Hall, Church road.

Tenterden High Street Market Friday’s – 0830 – 1400 Wittersham Market Every Tuesday Village Hall 9am. - 11am Tel: 01797 270757 Wye First and third Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Wye. Tel: 07804 652156 www.wyefarmersmarket.co.uk

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Cake and Bake Rhubarb & Coconut Meringue Cake There’s plenty of field grown rhubarb about this time of year and it’s perfect for pies, puddings and cakes. When buying choose firm plump stalks of rhubarb – avoid any that are floppy or bruised.

Ingredients:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C, Gas 4. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Grease a 20cm round springform cake tin and line the base with baking paper.

20 • 100g butter, softened

• 100g light soft brown sugar • 2 medium eggs, beaten • 50g self-raising flour • 50g ground hazelnuts • Zest of 1 orange • 300g rhubarb, trimmed and chopped • 2 tbsp caster sugar

2. To make the base, place the butter and brown sugar in a bowl and beat together until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs then sift over the flour and fold in. Gently fold in the ground hazelnuts. Spread the mixture in an even layer in the base of the prepared tin. Arrange the rhubarb over the top and sprinkle over the 2 tbsp caster sugar and orange zest.

3. To make the topping place the egg whites in a clean grease-free bowl and, using an electric hand held mixer, whisk until stiffly peaking. Whisk in the caster sugar until glossy then fold in the coconut.

FOR THE TOPPING • 2 medium egg whites • 50g caster sugar • 75g desiccated coconut • Whipped cream or Greek yoghurt, to serve

Serves 6 Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes

4. Spread the coconut meringue over the top of the rhubarb. Place the tin on the hot baking sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the topping is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or Greek yoghurt.

TIP

Placing the cake tin on a hot baking sheet will help to ensure that the hazelnut sponge base is cooked through.

Gibbet Oak Farm Shop Tenterden Growing for the Local Community For Over 30yrs

Try Rubens, our newest apple variety plus Cox, Russet, Jonagold, Bramley and Conference Pears Delicious Ready Ripened Comice Pears!

Free Tastings of our Apple and Pear Juices, CoxBramley, Jonagold, Russet - Pressed fresh from our own orchards.

Fruit and Veg Grown by us and Locally Bramleys Potatoes 12.5 & 25K Sacks 2K £1.60 Fresh Bread Daily Local Cheeses and Dairy Products, Eggs.

Local Meats, Pies and the full Korkers Sausage Range Frozen Selection of Seafood & Fish, locally sourced Lamb, Beef & Pork. Oven-Ready Pheasant & Duck Ready Prepared Frozen Fruit & Veg

Tel: 01580 763938 Open 7 Days A Week Mon - Sat 9am - 5.30pm Sunday 10am - 4.30pm

PLUS...

Our Delicious Range of

COOK Ready Meals

including: 4 Meal, 2 Meal & 1 Meal Portions and Desserts All to Compliment our Existing Farm Shop Range of Fresh Produce.

Hampers & Fruit Bowls Made to Order

W hy P ay S upermarket P rices W hen you can B uy your F ruit F resh from our F arm ?

Honey & Honeycomb from our Orchards Wild Bird Seed, Nuts & Feeders Cakes, Jams and Marmalades and lots more 10lb bags of apples for birds, wild animals and horses. Also great for juicing.

Seasoned logs & Coal Now Available Stocking Local Wines & Micro Brewery Beers & Our Own Award Winning Gibbet Oak Cider

Cox 2K £1.60

Pears 2K £1.70

Fresh Produce at Farm Gate Prices - Local Deliveries to Your Door New Customers Very Welcome!

Find us 1½ miles outside of Tenterden on the Appledore Road (B2080), TN30 7DH

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Clubs & Societies Hamstreet Baby & Toddler Group meet every Wednesday (term time only) in the Victory Hall from 9.30-11.30pm Call Hannah 01233 733863 for information.

Friendly Pop In Centre, Woodchurch, For The Over 60’S. Lower Road Woodchurch TN26 3SQ. Next door to Woodchurch Community Centre.

Every Wednesday afternoon 2 to 4pm. Relax with friends. Also play, crazy golf, table tennis, air hockey,bowls or just have a good chat. Hairdresser every 3rd Wednesday. Tea, coffee, & cakes inside or on the lawn. You are very welcome. Tel Richard 07798566849 Hamstreet Sports & Leisure Assoc The ground floor can be hired for sports changing which consists of male and female changing, Showers and disabled wet room. Along with the field and the multi use courts,we also have the top floor of the pavilion which consist of 2 rooms an office and a Lounge / Bar, we hire this out for small functions of 60 people, the building has disabled access and to the first floor we have a wheel chair lift. The pavilion also has a small fitted kitchen.

Bethersden Art Group meets 7:30pm on Thursdays. All abilities welcome. Contact Jen 01233-820247.

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Craft Workshop, Victory Hall, Hamstreet These are intended to be on the first Thursday of every month.

Knitting, crochet, sewing, furniture painting.

High Halden Craft Group - Meets every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at High Halden Memorial Hall 10.30am till 1.00pm. £3.50 includes materials, coffee and free raffle ticket For more info call 01580 291621 or 01233 85030 Shadoxhurst Flower Arrangers are a small, friendly club who meet at 7.30pm in Shadoxhurst Village Hall on the first Wed of every month except January. No experience of flower arranging needed to join, just an interest in seeing blooms displayed advantageously. Demonstrators visit most months but members also enjoy trips & meals out. If you would like to get to know us, please call the secretary on 01233 732212.

Warehorne Folk Dance Club - Traditional English/

American folk dancing - meet at Kingsnorth Village Hall, Church Hill, Kingsnorth TN23 3EF every Wed 8 - 10pm £2. Call Edna 01233 627121 or David 01233 812935.

High

Halden

Short

Mat

Bowls

Club

We play every Friday 7.30 - 10.00pm. in the village hall. New members are welcome so do come and give it a try. or ring 01233 850395 for further information.

High Halden Young at Heart Club meets 1st Wed each month in The Memorial Hall at 2pm. Please contact George Burford 01233 850427.

The Lunch Club Alternate Wednesdays in the Church of the Good Shepherd hall, Hamstreet at noon. If you wish to join the club phone Jennie on 01233 732766, Alison 733514 or Rosemary 732644.

Dancing for Fun Come and learn a wide range of wonderful dances, from 17th Century Jane Austen style dances to 21st Century Ceilidh Dances, including American Contra Dance, English Barn Dance, Contra Waltzing and the Polka! Great low impact exercise! No experience or partner required!

Have fun, get fitter and meet new people! No need to book - just turn up! Every Monday 7:45pm - 22:30pm at Hothfield Village Hall, Park Drive, Hothfield, Ashford TN26 1EQ www.contrafusion. co.uk 01233 625 362 Tai Chi sessions, Victory Hall, Ruckinge Rd, Hamstreet. Beginners’ classes now take place every Thursday at the hall from 9.30am. These are suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Entry is £5 and info can be obtained from www.taichiforyou.co.uk or by phoning 07587 167756. Email queries should go to taichiforyou@hotmail.co.uk African Drumming Group Thurs 7-9pm at The Birches Nickley Wood Shadoxhurst TN26 1LZ. Contact Leslie Ross on 01233733387. Please call prior to coming so that spare drums can be organised.

ENJOY LEARNING offers enjoyable adult classes in NEW ROMNEY, DYMCHURCH and HYTHE. We teach ART APPRECIATION & SPANISH CLASSES. The Spanish Classes are not for complete beginners, but if you have done a bit of Spanish in the past and would like to brush up your skills, the classes might be suitable.

Classes cost £5, payable weekly.

For further details contact ANDREW and DEBBY on 01303 875542

Every Monday - Have fun and get fit with a mixed

group of friendly joggers with a sense of humour.

The Friends of the Mole Hash House Harriers

meet at 7.30pm every Monday at various pubs across the East Kent area. All ages and levels of fitness and even dogs are welcome. Find out where we are running this week at:fotmh3.com; find us on Facebook: Fun Running Club East Kent or email: hash.running@gmail.com for more.

£49

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What’s On Ashford Loving Hands. The Cosy Kettle, Hamstreet. April14th and 28th 9.30-11.45. Come

along for as long as you want to knit or crochet for charities. Enjoy good coffee and company. Wool, needles, patterns provided. Feel free to come and see what we’re about. New members welcome. For more information contact Helen 01233 733408 or visit Ashford Loving Hands on facebook.

Woodchurch Film Society Friday 18th April Suffragette 2015, 106 mins, 12A Time: doors

open 7pm for 7.30pm screening Tickets: £4 (members), £5 (non-members). All available at the door. Venue: The Memorial Hall, The Green, Woodchurch TN26 3PF Refreshments: hot & cold drinks plus home-made cakes for sale.

Ashford Decorative & Fine Art Society Tues 12th April, a visit to The Towner Art Gallery in

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Eastbourne, for a private tour of their storeroom, then entry to the exhibition “Recording Britain”.

Onto the surrealist Farley Farm House for a guided tour. Includes coffee, lunch & coach from Ashford.

Call Ruth on 01233 720718. Tues 19th April, Aldington Village Hall, 10.30 coffee, 11.00 lecture on “Bringing back the needle, the story of an Obelisk”. The story of the extraordinary journey of Cleopatra’s Needle from the Nile to the Thames.

Tues 17 May, Aldington Village Hall, 10.30 coffee, 11.00 lecture on “Great Tarts in Art: high culture and the oldest profession”. A combination of arthistorical analysis and scandalous anecdote, this lecture looks at attitudes to sexual morality down the ages, as reflected in artistic portrayals. Call Christine on 01233 720241.

Ashford Flower Club - Our monthly meeting

L i v e Ja z z April /May 16

T h e Fo l k e s t o n e J a z z C l u b At T h e To we r To B o o k C a l l : 0 1 3 0 3 2 7 7 1 7 5 April 7th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE CLARK TRACEY QUINTET £10 April 14th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE MICK FOSTER SEXTET £12 April 21st Bernie Stringle & The FJC Present JAZZIN’ JOLSON £12 April 28th Modern Jazz at it’s Best PETER KING & MORNINGTON LOCKETT WITH THE DAVE BARRY TRIO £12 May 3rd BIG BAND JAZZ AT THE FJC The Christ Church University 16pc Big Band Directed by Steve Waterman £12 May 12th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ GEORGINA JACKSON & KAREN SHARP with THE CHRIS INGHAM TRIO £12 May 19th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ LOUISE MARSHALL WITH THE DEREK NASH BAND £12 May 24th THE BEST OF BRITISH JAZZ THE ALAN BARNES - - BRUCE ADAMS QUINTET £10

will take place Tuesday, 19th April at Furley Hall, Quantock Drive, with a demonstration entitled ‘Bursting Full of Colour’ by Graham King.

Programme starts at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome - for adults/£3 for children on the day. All proceeds to Brabourne CEP School and The Friends of Brabourne entrance £3.00. Enquiries: 01233 628278.

Church. For further information, call 01303 814432 The Biddenden Horticultural Society meets on Wednesday 27th April in the Village Hall (7:15pm The 1066 Archery Club of Tenterden will hold Walk or Cycle. A chance to explore the countryside an Open Day at the archery range at Pickhill Farm, and villages surrounding Brabourne and Smeeth Pickhill Business Centre, Smallhythe Road, Tenterden with a choice of a 7 mile or 10 mile walk or a 17 mile TN30 7LZ on Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May from cycle. Pick up a route map and checkpoint card 10.00am to 3.00pm. Cost: £2.00 per adult; £1.00 per from the Oak Room near Smeeth church between junior (11-18 years). Refreshments will be provided 9 and 10am and follow the route at your leisure, as will all equipment.There will be the opportunity including a lunch at The Black Horse, Monks Horton to meet the archers, try different bow styles, shoot for added energy. Entry free with sponsorship (form indoors and outdoors and to sign up for a four-week available from Hesterfenwick@Hotmail.com) or £5

Continued...

THE STREET, BETHERSDEN TN26 3AG

St George's Beer Festival Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th April 14 Real Ales & Local Cider BBQ & Menu Available All Weekend

Live Music

Friday

S a t u r day

Su n day

Broken

Total Mayhem

Crooked Style

Rock and Pop Band

Rock Band

Celtic Rock Duo

f ro m 8 . 3 0 p m

Open from 12pm - 11pm Every Day Food Served Monday Night - Sunday Lunch 12 - 2pm & 6pm - 9pm

f ro m 8 . 30pm

fro m 4pm

Te l: 01 23 3 8 20 23 5

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beginners’ coaching course to run from Saturday, 7th May to Saturday, 28th May at a cost of £50.00 per adult and £35.00 per junior (11-18 years). After this, those who complete the course successfully may join the Club and take part in Club competitions or just come along to shoot. For more information, go to www.1066archery.co.uk or phone (email) Craigan on 07866 755300 (barnett@fsmail.net) or Roger on 07729 374605 (rmh_thomas@hotmail.com).

WOODCHURCH BOOT FAIR

Every first Sunday in the month from 10am to 1pm at Woodchurch Scout & Guide Community Centre, Lower Road Woodchurch.

27th, 28th & 29th May Woodchurch Art Society

will be holding their very popular Annual Art Exhibition at the Woodchurch Memorial hall. 27th 7-9pm, 28th & 29th 10am-4pm. This will be a very special exhibition with extra surprises, as it is the Art Society’s 25th Anniversary. Over 200 paintings on display, artist in residance. have a go Joe’ for the children, raffle, cards & tombola. Delicious home made cakes and refreshments. Comr along and join in the celebrations. Everyone welcome, Free Entry.

Saturday 28th May, Sunday 29th May, Monday 30th May 10am-5pm. Biddenden Flower Festival

“An English Country Garden”, at All Saints Church Biddenden TN27 8AH. Free admission. Refreshments, music, plant stall and Church tower open. Contact 01580 291463

Matthew Workman Fine Jewellery • MANUFACTURE • DESIGN • REPAIR

m: 07773 744236 t: 01233 633983 matt.workman@aol.co.uk 27

health & Lifestyle

Beauty Spring Is In The Air

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Spring is a great time to clear out the makeup bag (or overflowing cupboard in my case) and treat yourself to a few new goodies.

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How pretty is this new palette from Paul & Joe? Teaming an eye shadow duo with a powder blush, the palette is available in two shades: Papillons de Printemps and Floral Nectar (pictured). Retailing at £28 each, they’re not cheap, but the colours are easy to apply and you’ll be the envy of the other bathroom mirror hoggers on a night out. If you really want to splash out, Paul & Joe have also released some new lipsticks, in three vibrant spring shades.

Many people find that they need to buy a new foundation for spring/ summer, as their skin loses its winter hibernation paleness. (Or that’s my excuse anyway.) The new Aqua Glow Serum Foundation by Stila combines foundation with a treatment serum. It gives great, natural looking coverage, while hydrating and softening skin. 94% of testers reported dramatically improved skin tone.

If you can’t wait to take your makeup off at the end of the day because your face feels dry and uncomfortable, you need to try this foundation. It contains hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that help to keep skin hydrated for up to 12 hours after applying it. Available in 10 shades, the Aqua Glow Serum Foundation retails at £34.50.

If your hair is looking a little ‘meh’, but there’s still weeks to go until your next trip to the salon, try a KC Color Mask. Available in 14 shades, including platinum, golden copper, plum and coffee, these masks revitalise coloured hair. A small amount helps to maintain the hair colour and add brightness, while a larger amount can deepen the colour intensity. Just apply to freshly washed hair, comb through, leave for up to ten minutes and wash out. They’re particularly useful for toning down brassy tones in blonde hair, and giving depth to darker shades. The masks also contain ProVitamin B5 and keratin derivative, to help repair the cuticle. Prices start from under £5.

Spring demands a lighter, fresher fragrance, and Yardley London has just released the perfect one.

English Daisy is reminiscent of a wildflower meadow – floral, but not too sweet. It’s unashamedly girly, with notes including hyacinth and white rose, warmed with sandalwood and musk. And, at just £19.99 for 50ml, it’s a bit of a bargain. Team it with the English Daisy body lotion, £6.50 and embrace the warmer weather.

I’m finding that the sun’s reappearance means it’s a lot easier to drag the kids out for a walk (although it’ll be a while before we’re out of our wellies I reckon). Along with wet wipes and plasters, the one thing I always take with me is Pure & Light Organic’s Essential Family on-the-Go Cream. It’s packed with plant-derived vitamins, and helps to treat everything from insect bites and bruises to eczema. The 18 natural active ingredients include soothing calendula, hydrating shea butter and nourishing avocado. Priced at £15, it’s available from www.pureandlightorganic.eu and www. lovelula.co.uk.

health & Lifestyle More Events...

‘Celebration of Weddings Through The Years’ Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th May at St

Margaret’s Church, Hothfield. TN26 1EL 10.30 am - 5.00 pm on both days. Come and view original See wedding dresses from the last six decades and Website for floral displays. Visit our Pop Up Cafe for delicious Special Offers home made refreshments Admission Free The Wealden Literary Festival. The festival will run on the 18th – 19th June from Boldshaves Gardens, Kent . We have a fantastic line up of authors speaking at the festival with local A haven of peace and tranquility offering high suppliers, crafts, food stalls and art installations quality products and a service to match. all taking place over the weekend. We are also • ELEMIS • GIFT VOUCHERS offering free events including art workshops and AVAILABLE • OPI bushcraft for children under the age of 14.

• RITUAL SPA DAYS • THE NEW ELEMIS BIOTEC MACHINE

• LATE NIGHT OPENING • FREE PARKING

Telephone 01233 732628 w w w. wood si d e s pa . co. u k

Woodside Farm, Hornash Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford, Kent,TN26 1HU

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NEW EVENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE 10TH OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION Please Mention The

village directory When Responding to Adverts

Statutory Requirements for Property Alterations Malcolm Bassett, Senior Commercial Solicitor at Pengelly & Rylands, looks at the importance of compliance with statutory requirements when making alterations to your property.

An increasing amount of time is being spent by conveyancers ensuring that any alterations, additions or other works carried out at a property being sold, comply with statutory requirements, particularly with regard to planning permission and Building Regulations, and trying to resolve the problems that arise when evidence of compliance is not produced by the Seller.

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Examples of changes are extensions, conservatories, removal of load bearing walls, electrical work, the installation of double glazing, boilers, wood burning stoves and cavity wall insulation.

Anyone intending to make any such changes should establish what statutory requirements need to be complied with. A reputable contractor should deal with this, but there is a useful government website “Planning Portal” which gives comprehensive guidance on this and an owner contemplating changes would do well to visit this website before embarking on the changes.

A Seller is obliged to disclose all changes made and supply evidence of compliance with the statutory requirements, but this is frequently not the case.

It is important for the Buyer to establish what changes have been made and, unfortunately, the Seller cannot always be relied upon to be open and honest about this. It is not part of a conveyancer’s duty to inspect the property, except in exceptional circumstances, so a suitably qualified surveyor should inspect the property and report on the items he considers require evidence of compliance. It is then

Malcolm Bassett,Senior Commercial Solicitor down to the Buyer’s conveyancer to obtain that evidence.

The Buyer will wish to know that the changes have been properly made but this is not always straight forward when the appropriate paperwork is not produced. One problem is that the change only needs to comply with the regulations in force at the time of the change and the regulations are updated from time to time.

Sometimes indemnity insurance is requested,

Pengelly & Rylands FAMILY SOLICITORS

For friendly advice in

times of need • Family, Children & Divorce (Fixed Fee appointments available) • Elderly Client Care • House Sales & Purchases • Equity Release • Wills & Probate • Commercial

Please call us on 01580 762248 39/41 High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BJ www.pengelly-rylands.co.uk

preferably at the cost of the Seller, but the type of insurance commonly available is against the risk of enforcement action being taken by the local authority and in most cases that is unlikely.

Engaging a properly qualified person to inspect the change is the only sure way of satisfying the concern, but not all changes are readily accessible.

Essentially, the onus is on the Seller to ensure that, at the time of making the change, it complies with the statutory requirements and that evidence of compliance is made available when selling.

If you’re looking for a conveyancer, we would be delighted to help. Please feel free to call us on: 01580 762248

GLEBE SELFSTORAGE CONTAINERS Glebe Farm Business Park, Ashford TN26 1LT glebeselfstoragecontainers@gmail.com

From £120 pcm

RENT ME!

• • • • • • LONG • OR SHORT • TERM

Needing Extra Space Moving House Students Businesses Internet Traders Ebay Businesses Market Traders Builders, Plumbers, Roofers

01233 732 990  www.glebeselfstorage.co.uk

Repairs to...

Washing Machines Cookers (Electric) Tumble Driers Dyson Vacuum Specialist Call Garry on 07958 640152 01233 632329

Oast House Taxation Limited Accountants

Are you working as self employed or through a partnership or limited company? Do you let out property or simply need help with the complexities of accounts and taxation?

As a local firm of accountants we understand the needs of businesses. We provide a wide range of services including: • Trading accounts for the self employed, buy to let landlords and partnerships • Limited accounts and corporation tax returns for companies • Self Assessment tax returns for individuals • VAT returns and payroll services for businesses • Construction Industry Scheme returns • Bookkeeping services • Personal tax compliance and advice For more information and a personal approachable service please call 01233 822235 or email at info@ohtaxation.co.uk Suite 4, The Oast, Thorne Business Park, Forge Hill, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent TN26 3AF

Kent Financial & Management Services Bookkeeping, Accounting and Business Management for Small Businesses in Kent & Sussex.

A cost effective and flexible way of managing your accounting and business management.

Call Peter to arrange a free meeting to discuss your requirements You’ll find we deliver more than you expect!

www.kent-fms.co.uk peter@kent-fms.co.uk

01580 388218

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business

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www.stanfordconservatories.co.uk All Work Fully Insured Start & Completion Times Guaranteed

• Conservatories - Advice, design & CAD • General building & renovations • General Maintenance & Repairs • Paths, patios, driveways, block or paving • Decking and Car Ports 01303 812889 • 07710 077711 Please Mention The village directory When Responding to Adverts

Puzzle Time

Word Ladder

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repetition! That’s all there is to it, you solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic there’s no maths involved and no adding up.

It’s fun. It’s challenging. It’s addictive!

Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

C O O L

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

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W A R M

Crossword Across 7. Sight (6) 8. Female relative (6) 9. Largest continent (4) 10. Fit and healthy (8) 11. Beetles, ants etc (7) 13. Animal furs (5) 15. Invoices (5) 17. Considers (7) 20. Taking small bites (8) 21. Solely (4) 23. Distributed (6) 24. A capital city (6) Down 1. Fasteners (4) 2. Buccaneer (6) 3. Young children (7) 4. Sailing boat (5) 5. Involuntary action (6) 6. Menacing (8) 12. Loudest (8) 14. Harshly (7)

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2

3

4

6

8

7

10

9

11

5

12

13 14

15

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18

19 21

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16. Hard work (6) 18. Drenches (6)

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19. Feathered friends? (5) 22. Stolen goods (4)

the home

CONSERVATORY REPAIRS RESOLVING LEAKS, REPAIRS, CLEANING & MAINTAINING

M & C Conservatory Maintenance ‘Restoring Perfection to Your Conservatory’

• Cleaning • Maintenance & Repairs • Leadwork & Guttering • New Roofs • Misted/Broken Down Glass Units • Painting & Varnishing • Fully Insured

www.mcconservatories.co.uk

For a Free Quote Please Call

012 3 3 50 0719 / 07 8 3 0 0 6 9 9 91

Derek Hales

MASTER TILER

• • • • •

Industrial • Commercial • Domestic New Installations • General Electrical Repairs Showers / Extractor Fans • Energy Saving Advice Emergency Lighting • Solar Panels Garden Electrics • Inspection & PAT Testing Full and Part Rewires • Central Vacuum System • Under Floor Heating

Call: 01233 665107

E: laureng@tbelectrical.org.uk

FREE Quotations!

Specialist in all Forms of Wall and Floor Tiling

Clean, friendly and reliable For your free quotation call Derek

07905 700 142 Mersham Based

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES BATHROOM SUITES BLOCKAGES & BURST PIPES TAPS BALL VALVES HOT & COLD TANKS INSTALLATIONS

REPAIRS PUMPS & RADIATORS SPECIALIST POWER FLUSHING & DE-SCALING SERVICE NO CALL OUT CHARGE FREE ESTIMATES OAP DISCOUNT ALL WORK GUARANTEED

NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Noel @ Dial-a-Plumber Please Mention The

01233 642233

village directory When Responding to Adverts

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The Village Directory Coverage

Delivered by Royal Mail to 56,400 Homes & Businesses

PUZZLE ANSWERS Kid’s Corner: There are 11 shiny coins on the page.

Sudoku: Word Ladder: COOL word wool ward wood WARM

Crossword:

DELAMERE PLUMBING & DESIGN Les & Beth Fenton A Bespoke Design and Installation Service for Bath and Shower Rooms Other Domestic Plumbing and DIY Undertaken

Tel: 01233 732 807 Mobile: 07796 884 439

David Lancaster

Professional Painting Services Heritage & Listed Building Specialist • Traditional Materials Used • Specialist Wall Papering (Including stripping & re-lining) • Plastering Services • Fully Insured • Experienced and Trustworthy Tradesmen • All Internal & External Work Undertaken • Full Consultation & Quotations Provided • General Building Maintenance & Repairs • Kent Peg Roofing and Hanging Tiles • Re-pointing

Tel: 01233 733333 Mobile: 07880 505096

e: bethles.fenton2@btinternet.com

All work guaranteed and References available

Delamere, Hornash Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford Kent TN26 1HX

Professional Curtain Making Call Georgie on 07766 508 874

Plumbing & Heating Services

All plumbing work undertaken no job too small!

Burst pipes, Blockages, Taps, Pumps, Radiators & Drainage work. Bathroom & Shower Installation

Call: Michael on 01233 733779 or 07515 651 717 No Call Out Charge. 24hr Service

Oil Heating & Oil Cookers R-OAK Services M. Oakley & O.Stanley - Oil-fired Specialists Breakdowns & Servicing • Boiler Installation • Power Flushing AGA, Rayburn, Alpha, Stanley, Worcester, Tel: 01233 770138 www.ohoc.co.uk Grant, Boulter, Potterton, Trianco and more...

useful information Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden

Crimestoppers

St. John Ambulance Brigade 01233 611 414 East Kent Strokes 01233 840448

101 0800 555 111

www.eastkentstrokes.org

Out of Hours Doctor 0845 4349655 William Harvey Hospital 01233 633331

Samaritans

www.samaritans.org Electricity: Southern Electric EDF Energy Gas: Natural LPG

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08457 90 90 90

0845 770 8090 0800 783 8866 0800 111 999 Details on tank

Doctors Surgery Hamstreet Surgery Parish Councils: Appledore: Bethersden: High Halden: Hothfield: Orlestone: Ruckinge: Shadoxhurst: Warehorne: Woodchurch: Ashford Borough Council www.ashford.gov.uk Ashford Gateway info@ashfordgateway.co.uk www.ashfordgateway.co.uk Tenterden Gateway Citizens Advice Bureau Veterinary Surgeons Vet - Montgomery Vets Ashford Volunteer Centre

Age UK Ashford

01233 730190 (01233) 758298 (01233) 758298 07939 633 232 (01233) 733994 (01233) 628481 (01233) 758298 (01233) 733994 (01233) 758298 (01233) 733994 01233 331111 0845 8 247 247

01580 762558 01233 626185

SE Kent Multiple Sclerosis Soc 07767 326138 e: mssoutheast@gmail.com South East Kent Polio Branch e: flamingo@btinternet.com.

NSPCC: Tenterden & District 01293 651840 CPRE Kent 01233 714540 Royal Mail Residential Customer Services

08457 740740 Bus Enquiries Arriva Bus Enquiries (Travel Line) 0871 200 22 33 (Customer Services) 08456 00 22 99 National Train Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk Village Halls Appledore Bethersden Bilsington Bromley Green Road Hamstreet Hamstreet Pavilion

Graham Woodcock

High Halden Hothfield Kenardington Ruckinge Shadoxhurst

St. Michaels Stubbs Cross Warehorne Woodchurch Woodchurch Scout & Guide Community Centre

01233 758576 01233 820630 01233 720818 01233 733613 01233 732568 01233 732457 01233 733556 01233 850395 01233 610455 01233 733493 01233 732702 01233 733994 01580 763396 01233 623139 01233 733718 01233 860555 01233 861236

01303 813756 01233 665 535 01233 668 765

www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com

CARM www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk E: Carmromneymarsh@supanet.com Macmillan Cancer Support W: www.forget-me-nots.co.uk Royal British Legion 01233 620 167

Parkinson’s UK, Ashford Branch Contact Mike Wharrad

01233 623520

High Pressure Jetting Service & Repair to Sewage treatment plants Soakaway Testing Cesspool Emptying Service

01233 840624

Disclaimer: Every care is taken to ensure this directory is as accurate as possible but the publishers do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from errors or omissions.

Safe & Reliable Car, Minibus and Coach Hire Since 1980

www.amb-travel.co.uk

Day Trips & Excursions

We operate our own brochure with pick-ups (via two small feeder routes) including Ashford, Charing, Dover, Folkestone, Hamstreet, Hothfield, Hythe, Lydd, Maidstone, New Romney, Sellinge to some of the best destinations in South East England, in London and local Europe. Historic houses, museums, gardens, battlefield tours, exhibitions, theatres and shows - you'll be spoilt for choice and there's something for everyone!

EARLY BIRD OFFER SAVE UP TO £5 Get £5 off per person, per excursion when you book online (or £3 off when you book with our office).

Offer ends 30th April 2016 T&C’s apply see brochure for details.

Our NEW 2016 BROCHURE is out NOW!

Request a copy via our website or call our office ADULT SNR CHILD APRIL 2016 Sat 9th Kennet and Avon Cruise with Cream Tea £43 £42 £38 Wed 13th Boulogne or Le Touquet £30 £29 £25 Sat 16th Brighton Free Time £21 £20 £15 Sat 16th Brighton Pavilion £35 £33 £30 Wed 20th Afternoon Drive with Cream Tea £20 £19 £15 Wed 27th Sissinghurst Castle via Tunbridge Wells £27 £26 £22

May 2016 Sat 7th Ostende and PJ’s with Tram Ride Tue 10th Hastings or Eastbourne Thur 19th Bletchley Park Thur 19th Milton Keynes Sat 21st Royal Windsor and River Cruise Sat 21st Royal Windsor Free Time Sat 28th IWM Duxford Sat 28th Cambridge Tue 31st Brick Lane Music Hall 60’s Show

£37 £35 £32 £21 £20 £15 £39 £38 £28 £25 £24 £20 £28 £27 £23 £21 £20 £16 £38 £37 £26 £25 £24 £20 £64 £63

Our new brochure details excursions right through until March 2017

View our excursions via our website and book securely online, you can even choose your seats, or for more information call our team

www.amb-travel.co.uk

01233 626 952

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Private Escort Care Service

Our Private Care Service carers can come to your house; help assist you with an outing in either your car or theirs. This help can form part of a tailored package of care that could help you stay in your own home for longer, rather than going into a care home before its really needed.

We can assist those who need help due to frailty, disability or illness to live as independently as possible, with comfort and dignity, in their own home.

Domestic Care

7 ÂŁ9.7 hour per

For a free assessment of your care needs or to receive your brochure Call us on 01580 762244

Town & Country Homecare Limited, 102a High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HT www.townandcoutryhomecare.co.uk