Villages South Aug/Sep 2021 by The Village Directory

The Village Directory Aug/Sept 2021 Edition • Issue 164 • Royal Mail

Villages South

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Welcome Hi everyone, welcome to the Summer Edition, I do hope you are all well. At last freedom from lockdown is here - although it’s a cautious one and we are far from back to ‘normal’! In this edition I have an article on setting up a garden office. This one is close to my heart as I was an early adopter of working from home. I have been working in my garden for around 25 years now, even before I started The Village Directory! I was lucky enough to have a trusting, forward thinking boss in London that allowed me to work from home for part of the week so that I could organise my working life around my son when he was young. The recent lockdown has introduced many of you to this way of working and the challenges it presents, least of all being able to get away from ‘The Office’! My office at home kept being move from one room to another, there was no perfect spot, and it was often a dumping ground for anything that came through the letterbox. That was until my husband spotted the solution at the garden centre - a summer house we could use as an office. It was perfect for part-time working from home, but when I began the magazine and working there full time, we realised some issues. It was really hot in the summer and freezing in winter. This is something we could have dealt with at the point of building, but not when everything is in place and you have deadlines to meet. There were also no opening windows, just fixed panes! All these years later, it’s showing it’s age but it still serves us well, and I do believe it’s one of the best things we did - the worst was not insulating it and having no opening windows! We now have mature plants stategically placed against the east facing wall to reduce heat, but it is still cold in the winter, so I migrate back to the house until the worst is over. If any of you are considering a garden office feel free to drop me an email if you want to know more. Until next time keep stay safe.

Debbie T: 01233 720488 e: info@thevillagedirectory.co.uk e: events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk w: www.thevillagedirectory.co.uk

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The Home

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Pet Corner

Step back into a 1970s garden and you might see an unfortunate tortoise tethered by a string. In the days when we didn’t understand these creatures, we thought it was OK to drill a hole through a thin portion of the shell and use this to thread a string. Hopefully we are now kind enough to know that being tethered represents a very poor living environment for any animal. Do tortoises make good pets? If you have a young child, it’s probably a ‘no’. They are not cuddly and can deliver a painful bite. But most importantly, it’s all about the care that an owner is prepared to offer and children will probably not be able to satisfy their needs. It’s not so much about what a tortoise can give to its owner, but what a caring tortoise-keeper can offer to this very special reptile. These prehistoric creatures have strong personalities and can be addictive, but their multiple needs include heat, light, dry housing and appropriate nutrition. They require space to roam and company at a ratio of one male to

at least five females, otherwise injury from vicious biting will occur. They can’t fend for themselves in this country and will rely on you for all their needs. Most tortoises in the UK require certification, as many of the various species are now listed on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Always check that you are buying from a reputable source. By Caroline Knight

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LIQUID GOLD Water conservation and management in the garden

As you swivel the magic turnkey that releases a gushing stream of clean and sparkling water into your can, pause for a moment. Marvel at the luck of the draw that finds us living in a part of the world where water is available for us to use and to misuse. The water that you pour into summer hanging baskets and sprinkle liberally on your beds and borders was once excreted by huge reptiles. Your café latte contains dinosaur pee. Indeed, water on Planet Earth has been here for almost five billion years and the total amount is just about the same as ever. It represents the ultimate success story in terms of recycling. So, what’s the problem – we’re all familiar with the water cycle, right? A massive 97.5 per cent of water contains salt. So that means that only 2.5 per cent of Earth’s water is suitable for our use – and the majority of that is frozen and therefore unavailable. It’s hugely expensive and difficult to extract fresh water from the sea. It can take thousands of years for some parts of the water cycle to complete, such as the replenishment of underground aquifers. The warming planet Climate change is causing a warmer atmosphere. This holds more moisture and means that some areas will be wetter, whilst the dry regions will continue to get drier. We either have too much water or too little; Goldilocks would rarely judge things to be ‘just right’. We all need to do our bit, so what ‘bit’ is best in a garden? Firstly, let’s understand some of the consequences of what can happen when we interfere with the precious surface of the earth, both with and without a capital letter: • We cover it in impermeable material so that water falling on this will act in an unpredictable and sometimes dangerous way. Water moves into rivers far more quickly when there are fewer surfaces to soak it up en route. • We send water cascading into drainage pipes that can so easily be overwhelmed, eventually causing flooding.

• We confine rivers and drain flood plains so that water channels are no longer big enough during times of excess rainfall. • We cut down trees and remove vegetation, reducing the absorption potential of plants and destabilising soil that had previously been held in place by roots. Land surfaces can easily capsize and slip away when the anchors have been removed. How can gardeners help? • It’s a win-win situation. Creating space for water within a garden can be life-enhancing. Aim to slow rainfall down – allow some of it to be absorbed in vegetation, then catch and retain some more. Provide a pond that collects water run-off, then enjoy watching the biodiverse-rich habitats that develop. Surround your pond with plants that can cope with flooding and drought. They will help to absorb some of the excess during times-aplenty, but they won’t die of heat exhaustion during a prolonged dry spell. Some examples are: Acanthus, Asters, Astilbe, Brunnera, Carex, Cornus, Eupatorium, Hemerocallis, Iris, Kniphofia, Miscanthus, Monarda, Persicaria, Rudbeckia, Sanguisorba, Scabious and many more. Experimentation is all part of your gardening fun. • In places that require hard materials, choose porous options through which the rain can drain. By Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

The Garden • Divert your downpipes into water butts – these can be surprisingly beautiful if you shop around. It means you capture some of the rainwater for use when you need it the most. • Choose drought-tolerant planting for the driest parts of your garden. These plants will generally have silvery-coloured leaves or foliage that is covered in fine hair, which cuts down on evaporation through the leaf pores. Once established, they should survive the hottest, driest weather that they are ever likely to get, without needing to be watered. Surround them with gravel, pebbles or boulders as this will conserve what little moisture there is in the soil, plus it looks great too.

• Use plants to help your plants. One species can prop up another and provide shade if they are planted close together. Avoid bare patches of soil that will dry out in hot weather. • Consider adding structural reinforcement to your shed roof so that you can add plants. It’s such a great look and captures water as it falls. Sedums and wildflowers will give you butterflies and bees all spring and summer long.

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Landscape 1

This high-quality garden building is one of four designs, each customisable in terms of size, style and budget. TGO4 Garden Room, 5m x 4m, £25,245, greenretreats.co.uk.

Setting up an office or studio in the garden may be the ideal solution to pressure on space inside the house. Here we outline some points to consider before you start.

than-average windows or additional security, for example. Most people will want electricity in their new outdoor office, but will you also need a landline, a sink with running water, a kitchenette or a WC?

If the future of work is at least partially at home, many of us are going to have to think long and hard about where to set up permanently. Sharing the dining table with the kids or perching on the end of the bed are not going to suffice long term, and although using a spare room as an office can be a great solution, it’s not ideal if you have regular guests to stay, or simply need the storage space. The answer may be a garden building that’s set up as a fully functioning work area – with the bonus of some welcome separation from domestic distractions, but an enjoyably short commute. The first place to start is with an assessment of how you’ll use the building. While a tiny office with not much more than a desk, chair and shelf will suit some, others may require a lot more floor space, specially designed storage, larger-

Garden office painted in Cuprinol Garden Shades Honey Mango and Black Ash, £19.99 for 2.5l, brewers.co.uk.

This unique garden room has a removable desk top. Medium summerhouse garden pod, £18,995, limelace.co.uk.

Next come decisions about quality, size and position. For comfortable working, and to add value to your property, a garden office should be built using good quality materials and to a high standard. Ideally, its style will complement that of the house and garden, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. On a practical level, insulation is vital. Think walls, floors and roof if the space is going to be used beyond the summer months, with double glazing and draught proofing around doors and windows. Heating is important, too. Many owners of garden studios use electric convention heaters, which can be thermostatically controlled on 24-hour timers. Electric radiators are great, while wood burners look gorgeous and are super-cosy (but must be professionally installed). Considerations of security are equally important. If anything valuable is going to be stored in the space, glass windows (perhaps even double glazed) are infinitely better than plastic, and a sturdy door with a proper lock will be necessary. Size-wise, your garden office must be big enough for your needs but not so large that it decreases your outside space to a problematic degree. A very modest example might not be much over 4m square, while the grander types could be 15 to 20m square or even more. In many scenarios, there will be a maximum size possible, and also an obvious location. Where there is a choice of position, however, think about how close you want the room to be to your home, whether the ground is sloping, where there are trees or other potential obstructions, how the sun falls at certain times of the day, and which way you want the windows and door to face. Unless you’re opting for solar or wind power, and have your own bore hole, consider how you will connect utilities. The closer you are to the house, the cheaper it will be to lay

pipework and cables, whether for lights and plug sockets or a flushing loo. If using the internet is essential, you may be able to access your usual router wirelessly, or extend its signal relatively easily; if not, you may need to lay a wired connection across the garden. And don’t forget how you’ll get from your back door to the new structure. You might need a new path, because it’s no fun trekking across a squelchy lawn in the middle of a rainy winter’s day. Whether you’ll need planning permission is another thing to consider. Most garden buildings are deemed ‘permitted development’, but it’s vital to check with your local authority. If the structure is going to be larger than 15 square metres, or used for sleeping in, then it will have to pass building regulations, too. Bear in mind that, unless you have been granted planning permission to do so, you can’t put an outbuilding in your front garden; nor are you allowed to take up more than 50% of the area of land around the original house. Design-wise, a garden office could take the form of a glorified shed, a futuristic dome, a traditional shepherd’s hut, an all-singing, all-dancing structure that offers every conceivable luxury – or anything in-between. Whatever you decide, whether it be off the shelf, customised or entirely bespoke, your new garden office is limited only by your imagination and your budget. By Katherine Sorrell

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY!

Abbie Fields Abbie ESCAPE TOFields THE COUNTRY!

The Home

ESCAPE THE COUNTRY! ESCAPE TOTO THE COUNTRY!

Lees Road, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 6QB

Abbie Fields Abbie Fields

Lees Road, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 6QB

Abbie Fields Lees Road, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 6QB

Lees Road, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 6QB Lees Road, Brabourne Lees, Ashford, Kent TN25 6QB

OPMENT OF FIVE STUNNING 3 BED DETACHED BUNGALOWS

A DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE STUNNING 3 BED DETACHED BUNGALOWS

the good life by waking up every day with fantastic views whilst still staying

Live the good life by waking up every day with fantastic views whilst still staying

onnected. Ashford International is just 15 minutes away giving access to

connected. Ashford International is just 15 minutes away giving access to

on by High Speed and providing aOF gateway to the continent via Eurostar. A Rail DEVELOPMENT FIVE STUNNING 3 BED DETACHED BUNGALOWS London by High Speed Rail and providing a gateway to the continent via Eurostar. A DEVELOPMENT OFup FIVE STUNNING 3 BED DETACHED BUNGALOWS Live the good life by waking every day with fantastic views whilst still staying A DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE STUNNING 3 BED DETACHED BUNGALOWS Live the good life by waking up every day with fantastic views whilst still staying connected. Ashford International is just 15 minutes away giving access to

Live the good life by waking up every day with fantastic views whilst still staying

connected. Ashford International is just 15tominutes away giving access to London by High Speed Rail and providing a gateway the continent via Eurostar.

connected. International isdevelopment just 15 minutes awaytogiving access tovia Eurostar. PrivateRail gated with secure parking LondonAshford by Highl Speed and providing a gateway the continent CE - ONLY ONE- REMAINING l Private gated development with secure parking LAST CHANCE ONLY ONE REMAINING London by High Speed Rail and providing a gateway the continent Eurostar. l Village setting with every daytoconveniences to via hand l Village setting with every day conveniences to hand

l Stunning bi-folds with integrated blinds -The PlotBeech 4LAST -The Beech l Quality finish wet room style bathrooms & en-suites CHANCE - ONLY ONE REMAINING

l Stunning bi-folds with integrated blinds

l Private gated development with secure parking

l Private secure parking l Quality finish wet roomgated styledevelopment bathroomswith & en-suites LAST CHANCE - ONLY ONE REMAINING l Village setting with every day conveniences to hand l Private gated development with secure parking l Village setting every day conveniences to bar hand l Bespoke handmade kitchens with island and with breakfast bar LAST CHANCE - ONLY ONE REMAINING l Bespoke handmade kitchens with island and breakfast LAST CHANCE - ONLY ONE REMAINING l Stunning bi-folds with integrated blinds

00 PlotPlot 4 -The Beech £795,000 4 -The Beech

l Village setting with every day conveniences hand l Stunning bi-folds with integratedtoblinds l Flooring and tiling included l Flooring and tiling included

l Quality finish wet room style bathrooms & en-suites

l Stunningl bi-folds integrated Qualitywith finish wet roomblinds style bathrooms & en-suites Private developement with secure parkingbar l 10 year• build warranty l 10 gated yearl build warranty Plot 4 -The Beech Bespoke handmade kitchens with island and breakfast l Quality finish wet room style bathrooms & en-suites l Bespoke handmade kitchens with island and breakfast bar

£795,000 £795,000

l Flooring and every tiling included • Village setting with day to hand l Bespoke handmade kitchens withconveniences island and breakfast bar l Flooring and tiling included l 10 year build warranty £795,000 l Flooring and tiling included l 10 year build warranty • Stunning bi-folds with integrated blinds London St. Pancras International Junction 10A M20 Channel Tunnel Stratford International l 10 year build warranty London St. Pancras International M20 Channel Tunnel Stratford International 40 minutes 3 miles 9.9 miles 31 minutes minutes 9.9 miles 31 minutes • Quality finish40wet room style bathrooms & en-suites • Bespoke handmade kitchens with island and breakfast bar Ashford International Gatwick Airport Liverpool Street via Stratford Int. ord International Gatwick Airport Liverpool Street via Stratford Int. 6 miles (15 mins) 61 miles hour 1 minute • 1Flooring and1 tiling included miles (15 mins) 61 miles hour 1 minute • 10 year build warranty Rail timings are from Ashford International. Rail timings are from Ashford International. Junction 10AChannel M20 Channel Tunnel Junction 10A M20 Tunnel 3 miles 9.9 miles 3 miles 9.9 miles Junction 10A M20 Channel Tunnel 3 miles 9.9 miles

St. Pancras International International LondonLondon St. Pancras International Stratford Stratford International 40 minutes 31 minutes 40 International minutes minutes London St. Pancras Stratford31 International 40 minutes 31 minutes

Ashford International Gatwick Airport Ashford International Gatwick Airport 6 miles (15 mins) 61 miles Ashford Gatwick Airport 6 milesInternational (15 mins) 61 miles 6 miles (15 mins) 61 miles

Liverpool Street via Stratford Int. Liverpool Street via Stratford Int. 1 hour 1 minute Liverpool Street via 1 Stratford 1 hour minute Int. 1 hour 1 minute

All timings and distances are approximate Source: Google Maps and National International. Rail Rail -timings are from Ashford

All timings and distances are approximate - Source: Google Maps and National Rail timings are fromRail Ashford International.

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All timings and distances are approximate - Source: Google Maps and National Rail Rail timings are from Ashford International.

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How do you Increase Your Finances and Hit Your Goals? I

t is more important than ever that you have someone who can help you look after your finances. Many things have changed over the years. We no longer send fax messages, rent videos from shops or use a phone box to make phone calls. Likewise financial advice has changed, financial advisers no longer just want to sell you insurance- they want to deliver the best outcome for you and your family. What does an adviser do and why should you speak to one?

• Bespoke Advice - Your adviser will not just hand you an off the shelf one size fits all solution. They will find out all about you, your family and lifestyle, what your current situation is and what your future goals are i.e. when do you want to retire, what are you saving for etc. Once they know this they will find a solution that is right for you. • Choices - A financial adviser whether independent or restricted will not be tied to a particular bank or provider whereas a single tie adviser is restricted to one provider. Because of this they could have access to products that are more suitable for you than those that are available online for you. • Research - Many people do not understand

their existing financial products whether that is investments, protection or pensions. A financial adviser will find out what you already have how it fits in with your future goals and work out what gaps you have. They will check if your employer provides financial support for you and what you are entitled to from the state. They can advise on tax and trusts among other things that many of us find complex.

• Responsibility - You do not want to worry

that you have made the wrong decision with something as important as your finances. Your financial adviser is a specialist in this area and they must keep up to date with changes in the market, legislation and tax. They take responsibility by advising you on your finances.

• Help - Not only is your adviser there to give you advice they are there to offer you practical help. When you need to start taking a retirement income, if you need to claim on a protection product, they are there to help with this. It is an adviser’s job to support you through what can be emotionally challenging times. • Financial Partners for Life - Ongoing your adviser

will be there to make sure you are on track to hit your goals. They will be there to help you if you need to alter how much you are saving or how much income you are taking. Good financial planning and advice can save you time and money - by guiding you towards the most suitable solution for you your adviser can save you time and money. Seeking professional advice can save you time and energy trying to filter through various options and products that are available to you online. The report ‘Revisiting the value of financial advice’ from the ILC showed that those receiving professional financial advice between 2001 and 2006 boosted their wealth in pensions and financial assets by £47,706 (2016) Yes, we can all set up products by ourselves without getting advice but when it comes to something as important as our finances it pays to get expert advice.

Corinne Gibbons Financial Planning adviser Corinne.gibbons@quilterfa.com 07930 273 033

Local Financial Advice Tailored specifically for you I live in West Hythe and can help you with advice or reviews, whether for businesses or personally on any of the following products: Retirement Planning Investments Mortgage Protection Income Protection Business Protection

Inheritance Tax Planning Pensions and Transfer Advice Mortgages and Re-mortgages Critical Illness cover Life Cover

Transferring out of a Final Salary scheme is unlikely to be in the best interests of most people. For a FREE initial consultation please contact:

Corinne Gibbons DipPFS CeMAP Financial Planning Consultant T. 01303 653425 E. corinne.gibbons@quilterfa.com W. quilterﬁnancialadvisers.co.uk

ssword

Across 7 Take away (6) 8 Irish lochs (6) 9 Couch (4) 10 Wraps around (8) 11 Disregarded (7) Across 13 Hard, strong alloy (5) 15 Hints 7 Take away (6) (5) 17 Supply (7) 20 Easy 8 Irish lochs (6) going (8) 21 Ashen (4) 9 Couch 23 (4) Heavy mass (6) 24 Woken up (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD

10 Wraps around (8)

QuickCrossword Crosswo 1

Down

11 Disregarded (7) (4) 1 Nothing 2

Vegetable (6)

13 Hard, strong alloy 3 Umpire (7)(5)

Drudge (5) Type of fish (6) 6 Tends sheep (8) Supply12 (7) Ran very fast (8) 14 Authors (7) Easy going (8) stamina (6) 16 Power, 18 Gas (6) Ashen 19 (4) Prickly plants (5) 22 Untruths (4)

14 15

17 20 21

23 Heavy mass (6) 24 Woken up (6)

mina (6) Down

15 Hints (5) 5

3 Umpire (7)

14 Authors (7)

4 Drudge (5)

16 Power, stamina (6)

Across 7 Tak 8 Irish 9 Cou 10 Wra 11 Dis 13 Har 15 Hin 17 Sup 20 Eas 21 Ash 23 Hea 24 Wo

Down 1 Not 2 Veg 3 Um 4 Dru 5 Typ 6 Ten 12 Ran 14 Aut 16 Pow 18 Gas 19 Pric 22 Unt

Views on Life Biographies, memoirs and life lessons…

Who the Hell is….? – Various Authors Academic books aren’t always the easiest of reads. They can feel inaccessible to anyone without a degree in the subject. This series aims to put that right – each book is written in plain, jargon-free English. The series covers key historical intellectuals such as Plato, Rousseau, Marx and Nietzsche. You’ll learn about the events that shaped each person and where they got their ideas from, and take a closer look at three of their key theories.

Slug – Hollie McNish As you’d expect from this hugely popular poet, there’s plenty of humour, honesty and straight talking in Slug. No subject in McNish’s life is out of bounds it seems – she covers everything from birth, periods and motherhood to sex and death. Slug is not a typical poetry book – it’s sprinkled with prose and short stories. If you offend easily, it may not be for you, but if you want to dip into a book that feels like a private conversation with your best friend, Slug is out now. More Than a Woman – Caitlin Moran Caitlin Moran’s second memoir picks up where the first left off. Moran brings her trademark wit as she explores what it means to be a middle-aged woman in modern Britain. She also lets us in on some of the most difficult challenges she’s had to face over the past few years, including helping her teenage daughter battle an eating disorder. It can feel a little smug at times, but on the whole More Than a Woman is well worth a read. Choose Your Own Autobiography – Neil Patrick Harris The clue to this one is in the title – rather than a straightforward ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ memoir, this one gives the reader the chance to choose what to read about next and, in some cases, in which direction Harris should have headed. Will you end up starring in Doogie Howser MD or eaten by piranhas? Only you can choose. Hilarious, insightful and original, this is a great holiday read. Captain Tom’s Life Lessons – Captain Tom Moore and Wendy Holden In 2020, Captain Tom set out to raise money for the NHS. He soon became a household name. A number one single followed, as did his bestselling autobiography, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day. In Captain Tom’s Life Lessons, he shares some of the things he learned over his 100 years. There’s no preaching or lecturing, just bucketloads of warmth, humility and quiet humour. Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet – Kate Pankhurst Kate Pankhurst has written several children’s books about fantastic women in history. This one focuses on environmental heroes. You’ll read about Jane Goodall and Anita Roddick, alongside lesser-known figures such as Wangari Maathai and Ingebord Beling. Each mini-bio is accompanied by full-colour illustrations. Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet may be aimed at young children, but parents, grandparents and teachers are sure to enjoy it just as much.

Motoring

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Call us on

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enquiries@dpvehicles.com The Garage, A20 Main Road, Sellindge, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6AQ enquiries@dpvehicles.com 17

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Carpentry Contractors All Aspects of Carpentry Oak Frame Buildings Equine and Stables Restoration Fencing Landscaping & Decking Site Clearance

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CITB world skills finalist

What’s On Challock Flower Festival New Beginnings 28th, 29th & 30th August 10am to 5pm Free Admission & Parking Donations appreciated Bric-a-Brac, Books, Grand Raffle Tombola, Live Music Teas & Refreshments Famous for delicious homemade Cakes and Ploughman’s Ss Cosmas and Damian Church St Church Lane, Challock, TN25 4DB ‘Known for its amazing Murals’

THE ARTS SOCIETY EGERTON We meet on the second Wednesday of the month in Egerton Millennium Hall. Lectures begin at 2.30 p.m. We also offer Special Interest Days and Visits. We have a membership of over 180 from across the Weald and North Downs. See our website for further information www.theartssocietyegerton.org.uk

8th September: Gainsborough and Brown – Nature as Art or Art as Nature Caroline Holmes is an author and consultant designer specializing in evoking historic, artistic and symbolic references. She lectures extensively and has a forthcoming book on ‘The High Weald’ 13th October: From Rag-Dolls to Robots: A World History of Toys Chloë Sayer is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, researcher, curator and author of numerous books. She has worked around the world.

Leisure

THE WALNUT TREE ALDINGTON

Old Smuggling Inn, Steeped in History Check us out on Facebook

Home of the Sizzling Grillstone

Garden Now Open

Sheltered Seating Available and Children’s Play Area

OLAS BOSS REGGAE RUMBLE Sunday 8th August 3pm onwards

Garden Menu & Specials Board Available Daily.

Fresh fish supplied by Boathouse fisheries New Romney

Sunday Roasts to Shame Great Granny

Beef, Pork, Lamb, Turkey & Gammon - Regular £8.95 Queen £10.95 or the Big Piggy - All five meats, it’s a challenge! £12.95 We cater for all dietary needs, including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan. Please advise us when booking

Forge Hill, Aldington, Ashford TN25 7DT

Tel: 01233 720298 23

What’s On Sewing Room Sale … Craft Room Clearance Saturday

11th September 10am – 12 noon Victory Hall, Hamstreet Lots of fabrics, yarns, trims & more Wide range of craft materials all at bargain prices Refreshments

Contact 01233

732684

Raising funds for

Canterbury Oast Trust A local charity supporting adults with a learning disability Charity no 291662

THE FRIENDS OF KENT CHURCHES RIDE AND STRIDE 2020 RAISED THE MAGNIFICENT SUM OF

£133,879.89

SATURDAY 18th SEPTEMBER Friends of St Margaret’s Church are organising The Inaugural Hothfield Walking Festival from 10.00 TO 4.00. There will be a number of guided walks of various lengths through our beautiful surrounding countryside all starting & finishing at st margaret’s church, where a variety of homemade foods & refreshments will be available together with a number of stalls. If you love hothfield as much as we do and are able to volunteer, we would welcome your help with the following: Assisting with the walks. We need walk leaders as well as help with organising on the day. Helping to enhance hothfield. We are planning on having a couple of volunteer days to beautify hothfield. Fabulous fayre. Please let us have any baked or other homemade foods for us to sell. Local produce, plants, crafts. If you are likely to have surplus crops such as tomatoes, apples etc, plants or homemade crafts on the day & would like to donate your produce then please let us know. Contact Sharon on 01233 638505 wheatbutler@ btinternet.com or fsmhothfield@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Saturday 2nd October 10am – 4pm Sunday 3rd October 10.30am – 4pm HARVEST FLOWER FESTIVAL ‘Come, ye thankful people’ St Mary Magdalene, Ruckinge TN26 2NU A church filled with beautiful flowers, remembering harvests old and new. Come and enjoy, please bring a gift of food for the Ashford Food Bank. Daily refreshments. Contact Margaret 01233 732684 07748 006249

MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO TOOK PART PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE NEXT RIDE AND STRIDE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2021 By cycling, walking or running around Kent churches, you can raise money to be divided equally between the Friends of Kent Churches and the church or chapel of your choice Sponsorship forms available from Your local organiser: ………………………………………………………….. Or see www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk or https://www.kentrideandstride.co.uk/ Event Co-ordinator: Lucy O’Flaherty, tel: 01580 240 802 email: kentcountyorg@gmail.com

FKC Registered Charity No 207021

Submit your local events to events@thevillagedirectory.co.uk

What’s On

The Rockits

will be back in September singing their hearts out and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support They are hoping to start their indoor singing sessions on the following dates: Monday September 6th at Hawkhurst Copt Hall Wednesday September 8th at Singleton Village Hall. Thursday September 9th at St Mildreds Church Hall Tenterden New members are always welcome to join this fun non-profit community choir. You will not find a friendlier group and you will quickly feel like one of the gang. You don’t need any musical experience whatsoever and there are no auditions. Every term is brimming with all styles of music, from your favourite musicals to chart toppers.

Marsh Vintage Amusements FUNFAIR

Walk the Trail to find them all – vote for your Top Five Favourites Start at Victory Hall - trail map and voting form £2 Raising funds for Ruckinge & Hamstreet Scouts and Guides Contact 01233 732684

Under The Rockits umbrella, is their performance fundraising group, The Heart of Kent Show Choir and the super swinging closeharmony quintet, The Ruby Sisterz. They also run classes for little ones, Baby & Toddler Rockits. They have several events planned over the winter months and start off with a wonderful Macmillan coffee morning with songs coffee and cake on Saturday 25th September at The Market Place, Tenterden, where they are currently holding sessions during the summer. The Heart of Kent Show Choir will be busy in October with their Think Pink Campaign Shows and end the year with a fabulous Cabaret Evening for two nights in Tenterden Town Hall. For up to date information on how to join these fantastic groups and their calendar of events visit:

www.rockitchoir.co.uk and www. heartofkentshowchoir.co.uk. 25 By Kate Duggan

A Local Story by Gill Peterson (Mersham resident)

I would like to share the story of why our daughter Rosalind South, (resident of Sellindge) who with 3 friends of her late husband, took up the challenge to swim the English Channel.

against grey skies, freezing cold water, jelly fish swarming close by and turbulent seas they edged closer to the French coast. It became apparent that the 4th person’s 4th hour was up and yet they still had at least a further 2 miles remaining to reach the beach. Adhering to the very strict rules imposed by the Cross Channel Swimming Association Rosalind who had finished her 4th swim had to change out of warm clothes and put on her swimsuit and go in again for a 5th time to complete the challenge and have it officially recognised to validate certification.

Rosalind wanted to do something positive to honour her husband’s memory to not only raise funds but also raise awareness of how cancer can affect young, strong and otherwise healthy people and to give a warning not to ignore symptoms in the mistaken belief it can’t be anything serious or that, ‘ it won’t happen to me’. The commitment that Rosalind and her Her husband Alex was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in team members have given in terms of September 2018 and died 6 months later in March 2019 aged their time, energy and enthusiasm has 34 years. Alex was fit, strong and father to 2 year old and 6 raised to date almost £50,000 which will month old boys. Just 2 weeks before he died Rosalind herself be divided between research into bowel discovered a lump in her breast and 3 days after he died and cancer and a breast cancer charity, ‘Team before his funeral had taken place, she was diagnosed with Verrico ‘who provided both financial and emotional support to Rosalind throughout breast cancer. her treatment. When your world turns upside down the choice is to either fold or as Rosalind did, to fight on. She did this by undergoing Modern technology enabled us to watch 6 months of gruelling chemotherapy followed by 3 weeks of their progress over the 16hrs and 46 radiotherapy Her determination to survive carried her through minutes enabling us to communicate some very bleak days of treatment and out of all the pain came encouragement as did hundreds of the conviction to turn a negative situation into something followers on Facebook. positive and worthwhile so that others might be saved from I hope if reading this story has made just what had happened to both Alex and herself. one person think about the need to get any Organising and training for the ‘SwimforAlex ‘campaign has new or unusual symptom checked out then been a focus for her and she has trained in all weathers, mostly Rosalind and her team’s efforts will be more than justified. Thanks for reading this. off Hythe beach in preparation for the big event. The team of 4 set off at 4.35 am Friday 2nd July from Dover It’s Roz bringing us home!! She’s about with Rosalind starting from the shoreline and swimming the 30mins left to go and pulling off an absolutely first hour. Thereafter in a relay with each swimming 4 times phenomenal achievement today!!

Team “Swim for Alex” in training, Bob

Paul

Kevin

Rosalind

Health & Well-Being

AshfordFRelelfoowr med ship Baptist

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All are

Welcome! When? Where?

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Top tips to making sleeping under the stars a whole lot more enjoyable… Fly the flag If, like me, you have the navigation skills of Nemo’s best friend Dory, you may find yourself getting lost occasionally. A telescopic flag pole and windsock is a useful marker, particularly if you’re planning to give the kids a bit more freedom. To wee or not to wee No one enjoys a 3am trek to the loo, so a portable toilet is your friend. A potty is fine for younger children, but you’ll need something a bit more substantial for older kids (and adults). If you have room, a bucket style loo is ideal. Otherwise, try a collapsible toilet. We recently bought the Bivvy Loo, which folds down small, supports up to 23 stone and comes with biodegradable bags and powder to transform liquid to gel. Let there be light You’ll need headtorches to find your way around after dark. A rechargeable camping lantern is also useful for evenings (and those 3am toilet breaks). And a string of solar fairy lights around your door will help you to identify your tent at night. (They also look rather pretty.) A decent night’s sleep If you’re only planning to camp occasionally, air beds are usually fine. However, they do tend to deflate somewhat overnight and don’t exactly have the longest lifespan. While camping beds are more expensive, they can work out far better value in the long run. And you’re likely to get a much better night’s sleep. Dress for the occasion Even the hottest British summer’s day can turn cool at night. Close-fitting PJs (or leggings and a T-shirt) will help to keep the warmth in. Make sure you pack plenty of layers. You’ll appreciate a fleecy jumper when you’re

huddled up sheltering from the rain. Speaking of rain, it can be difficult to get dry in a tent, so waterproofs are a good idea. Eat, drink and be merry A camping stove is essential for anything longer than a weekend break, even if you’re planning to mainly barbecue or eat out. Stick to easy-tocook meals, from breakfast fry-ups to fajitas. Don’t have an electric hook up? A cool box with ice blocks makes a useful fridge. You’ll need to refreeze the blocks each day, which you can usually do in the site shop. My kids love ‘camping cereal’ (aka mini variety packs). Pour the milk directly into the cereal bag. No bowl = less washing up. Ideally, start collecting condiment sachets a few weeks before your holiday, so you have plenty of ketchup, mayonnaise, vinegar etc. to see you through. And what camping trip would be complete without toasting marshmallows? Other essentials worth packing include: • Washing line – string it between your tent and a tree to dry swimming costumes on • Baby wipes – handy no matter how old the kids are • Dustpan and brush • Doormat • First aid kit • Extra-thick thermal socks (Heat Holders are ideal) • Gaffer tape for tackling leaks • Travel games, a ball and a frisbee By Kate Duggan

STANFORD ROOFING

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Down: 1 Zero, 2 Potato, 3 Referee, 4 Slave, 5 Mullet, 6 Shepherd, 12 Galloped, 14 Writers, 16 Energy, 18 Vapour, 19 Cacti, 22 Lies. Across: 7 Remove, 8 Loughs, 9 Sofa, 10 Envelops, 11 Ignored, 13 Steel, 15 Clues, 17 Provide, 20 Tolerant, 21 Pale, 23 Weight, 24 Roused.

Crossword

Hard

Down: 1 Idea, 2 Wept, 3 Yo-yo, 4 Animal, 7 Wrist, 9 Sir, 10 Rocky, 11 Nod, 13 If. Across: 2 Way, 4 At, 5 Dye, 6 Oven, 8 Astronomer, 12 Crocodiles, 14 Many.

Mini Cross

C, B, C, A, A & B

Hidato 29

Puzzle Solutions

Easy

Sudoko

The answers are from top to bottom....

Kid’s Page

Puzzle Page

R A D G N E You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6-letter word will always be just a normal everyday word. 3 letters: 15 4 letters: 19 5 letters: 5 6 letters: 2

Hidato Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your

Starting 1 and finishing at 49,either track your way fromatone square to another, way from one square another, placing either horizontally, vertically or to diagonally, horizontally, or diagonally, consecutive vertically numbers into the empty placing squares as numbers you go. Some numbers consecutive into the emptyare squares asalready you go.given. Some numbers are already given.

HARD

Sudoku

6 1 8 EASY

43 9

HARD

Solve the anagrams then put 2 the 4 grid the words into

3 Easy

48 4

Hard

3 9 2 6 8 7 1 3 3 2 4 9 5 8 4 9 6 2 3 6 1 5 4 1 8 2

3 8 20 9 2 6 8 7 12 17 1 3 36 2 4 5 5 1 40 42 4 9 6 2 26 24 3 396 27 33 1 35 5 1 32 8 37

Sudoku

2 4 9 4

4 2 9 5 3 9 6

9 3 6 8

9 3 4

AT FI DEY DNO

6 1 8

EASY 12

2 #2

IRS AWY ADEI AMNY

9 9

ENOV EPTW OOYY CKORY

4 23 9 6 510 3 11 9 6

9 9 4IRSTW 3 AAILMN 2 AEMNOORRST CCDEILOORS 9 4 3 64 1 7 8 2 13

Sometimes, simplicity is best... Aloe vera Aloe vera Aloe is one of of mymy all-time favourite skincare Aloe is one all-time favourite skincare essentials. People tend to think of of it as merely a a essentials. People tend to think it as merely sunburn remedy, but it’sit’sa fantastic hydrator that sunburn remedy, but a fantastic hydrator that can bebe used all all over thethe body. It’sIt’s also chock-full can used over body. also chockoffull vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and it and of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can workwork wonders on psoriasis and other skin skin it can wonders on psoriasis and other conditions. You can it direct from a plant conditions. You can useuse it direct from a plant (I (I have several at home), have several at home), or or justjust buybuy it in a tub for of use. Look 99%-100% pure aloe vera it ease in a tub for ease offor use. Look hasn’t been forthat 99%-100% purewatered aloe veradown. (It will contain preservatives.) that hasn’t been watered Try it… as an overnight face mask. Aloe can be down. (It will contain a bit sticky and does take a while to absorb, so preservatives.) it’s not ideal for morning use if you’re in a hurry.

TryInstead, it… as an overnight I like to use itface before bed. Massage mask. a bit sticky it intoAloe dry can skinbe and reap the benefits the next and does take a while to morning. Your skin should feel softer, plumper absorb, so it’s not ideal and more hydrated forfor a fraction of the cost of a morning if you’re normal use night cream.in a hurry. Instead, Coconut oil I like to use it Another before bed. Massage it awesome hydrator, coconut oil has been into dry to skin andskin reapcomplaints the found help such as eczema benefits the nextItmorning. and psoriasis. soothes, calms and moisturises skin. (It should also smells delicious.) Coconut oil is Your skin feel softer, a real multi-tasker as you can use it all over, plumper and more hydrated your hair,cost and, forincluding a fraction of the of of a course, you can cook with A little goes a very long way, so a normal nightit.cream.

Lemon a great toner for dull or acne-prone skin. (Just Lemon oil contains citric acid, so may help to fade keep it away from your eyes!) That said, I mainly dark spots and skin. ItIt’s can be quite like lemon justbrighten for the smell. been used harsh in though, so it’s best not to use it and undiluted, and aromatherapy for generations is one of the make sure you do a patch test first. A few drops of best stress-busting, energy-boosting essential lemon essential oil in filtered water is a great toner oils around. for skin. aromatherapy (Just keep it away from Trydull it…orasacne-prone a mood lifting blend. your said, I mainlyessential like lemon Addeyes!) a few That drops of lemon oiljust andfor the smell. It’s essential been usedoilinto aromatherapy a few of geranium water in a forburner. generations and is one theTime diffuser or oil Alternatively, tryofthe best energy-boosting to Smile blend bystress-busting, Alexandra Kay (£20, www.greenpeople.co.uk), which combines essential oils around. lemon with other such as cedar Tryuplifting it… as a scents mood lifting and peppermint. It smells amazing and really aromatherapy blend. Add a few does brighten your mood.

drops of lemon essential oil and a few of geranium essential oil to water in a diffuser or oil burner. Alternatively, try the Time to Smile blend by Alexandra Kay (£20, www.greenpeople.co.uk), which combines lemon with other uplifting scents such as cedar and peppermint. It smells amazing and really does brighten your mood.

£10ish jar will likely last you for several months.

Coconut oiloil is solid at room temperature but Coconut Another awesome hydrator, coconut oil has been melts easily. found to help skin complaints such as eczema Try it… as a hair mask. Warm a small amount and psoriasis. It soothes, calms and moisturises (around quarter of a teaspoon full) between skin. (Ithands also smells delicious.) Coconut is ayour real your to melt it. Massage the oiloilinto multi-tasker can use all over, hair, wrap itasinyou a towel anditleave forincluding half an hour your hair,shampooing and, of course, before out.you can cook with it. A little goes a very long way, so a £10ish jar will likely Lemon last you for months. Coconut oil ishelp solid Lemon oilseveral contains citric acid, so may toat room but brighten melts easily. fadetemperature dark spots and skin. It can be quite so it’s Warm best not to use it undiluted, Tryharsh it… asthough, a hair mask. a small amount and make sureofyou do a patch test first. A few (around quarter a teaspoon full) between your dropstoofmelt lemon essentialthe oil oil in filtered water hands it. Massage into your hair,is wrap it in a towel and leave for half an hour before shampooing out.

Spa & Beauty Treatments Aldington

T: 07788 293 757 www.aprilroseretreat.com By Kate Duggan e: nadiya.yildirim@aprilroseretreat.com

Food & Domestic Services

This is such an easy recipe. Everything is simply placed in a roasting dish and slow-cooked in the oven, creating an amazing spicy lemony flavour. Serve leftovers for lunch the following day cold with salad. SERVES: 6 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Ingredients • 1 tbsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp sumac • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 organic chicken, jointed • 1 bulb of garlic (separated into unpeeled cloves) • Sprig of thyme • 2 unwaxed lemons, cut into quarters • 150 ml chicken stock • Black pepper • 1 x 400g can artichoke hearts

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3. 2. Mix together the paprika, sumac and olive oil. Put the chicken pieces into a roasting tin and add the garlic cloves, thyme and lemon quarters. Pour over the paprika oil and rub all over the chicken pieces. 3. Drizzle over the stock and season with black pepper. Cover the dish with foil and cook in the oven for 2 hours. 4. Remove the foil from the roasting tin, add the artichoke hearts and turn the oven up to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Cook for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is golden. Nutrition per serving: 387kcal, fat 27.8g (of which saturates 7g), carbohydrate 1.4g (of which sugars 0.6g), protein 33.2g.

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Food & Domestic Services

Make the most of fresh blackberries with this delicious gluten-free cake. Ideal as a dessert with yogurt. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Makes one 6 inch cake / serves 10 Ingredients • 150g gluten-free self-raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 75g xylitol or coconut sugar • Pinch of sea salt • 2 eggs • 100ml dairy-free milk or regular milk • 60g coconut yogurt or Greek yogurt • 120ml olive oil • 100g fresh or frozen blackberries • A little apricot jam for brushing • Yogurt to serve

1. Grease and line a 6 inch cake tin. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. 2. Place the flour, baking powder, xylitol (or coconut sugar, if using) and salt in a large bowl and mix together. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, yogurt and olive oil, then pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and beat well with a wooden spoon. 3. Fold in the blackberries, reserving a few for the top. 4. Spoon the batter into the tin and smooth the top. Press the reserved blackberries into the top of the cake. 5. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and, with the cake in the tin, brush the top with a little warmed apricot jam to glaze. Allow the cake to cool before removing from the tin. 6. Cut into slices and serve with yogurt. Nutrition per serving (using xylitol): 218kcal, fat 13.4g (of which saturates 2.2g), carbohydrates 20.4g (of which sugars 1.5g), protein 3.4g

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We are Ofsted registered therefore parents can pay using childcare vouchers making tutoring more affordable.  11+ (Kent Test) Tutoring & 11+ Mock Tests  TLA 11 Plus Practice Papers  TLA Cloud (online 11+ resources)  Literacy & Numeracy Skills First two lessons FREE when you enrol in September!  GCSEs  Post 16 Exams & A Levels Ideal opportunity for Year 5 Kent Test preparation & Year 11 ‘to get ahead’ before  Independent School Entrance Exams  Confidence Building their mock exams.  Homework Support Each pupil follows a programme bespoke to  All our tutors are Experienced Teachers their individual learning needs. with a PGCE/QTS qualification & Enhanced DBS checked

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Emergency 999 Police Neighbhd Team Ashford & Tenterden

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101 0800 555 111

NHS 24 111 www.111.nhs.uk Help if you have a medical problem and you’re not sure what to do William Harvey Hospital 01233 633331

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www.samaritans.org

116 123

Electricity: Contact UK Power Networks 24 hours a day on 0800 3163 105 / 0333 3232 105 or go online to ukpowernetworks.co.uk Natural Gas: 0800 111 999

Doctors Surgery Hamstreet Surgery Sellindge Surgery

01233 730190 01303 812180

Dental Practices Starlite Dental, Finerry

01233 502231

Veterinary Surgeons Montgomery Vets Cinque Ports Vets Milbourne Equine Vets

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Parish Councils: Aldington & Bonnington 01233 721757 e: clerk@ald-bonnpc.kentparishes.gov.uk www.ald-bonnpc.kentparishes.gov.uk Brabourne & Smeeth 01233 623902 Kingsnorth 01233 502969 e: manager@kingsnorthparishcouncil.gov.uk Mersham & Sevington 01233 750415 Sellindge 01303 813271 Ashford Borough Council 01233 331111 W: www.ashford.gov.uk Ashford Gateway 0845 8 247 247 Citizens Advice Bureau 01233 626185 Brabourne and Smeeth Community Warden: Graham Kingston 07813 712805 Ashford Volunteer Centre Age UK Ashford www.ageuk.org/ashford ageukashford.org@gmail.com Ashford Counselling Service

info@ashfordcounselling.org.uk www.ashfordcounselling.co.uk CARM E: office@carmromneymarsh.org.uk W: www.carmromneymarsh.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support W: www.forget-me-nots.co.uk Parkinson’s UK, Ashford Branch Contact Mike Wharrad 01233 623520 St. John Ambulance Brigade East Kent Strokes www.eastkentstrokes.org SE Kent Multiple Sclerosis Soc. e: mssoutheast@gmail.com

01233 611414 01233 840448

Royal British Legion CPRE Kent

01233 620 167 01233 714540

Royal Mail Residential Customer Services

08457 740740

Travel www.arrivabus.co.uk www.stagecoachbus.com www.nationalrail.co.uk Village Halls Aldington 01233 720213 Brabourne & Smeeth 01303 813746 David Smith e: keen.smith@btinternet.com Bilsington 01233 720818 Hamstreet 01233 732568 Mersham 01233 503192 Smeeth 01303 814977 Stowting 01303 862819 Sellindge 01303 813250 Sellindge Spts & Soc. Club 01303 812437 Singleton Environment Centre Centre Mngr: John Alexander 07951 343885

centremanager@singletonenvironmentcentre. org.uk

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

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