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Grapevine August 2017
FIFTY YEARS A LAY READER.
It was in 1967 that my vicar at the time asked me to become a Lay Reader: the parish was Sonning (near
Reading) and the vicar’s name was Robin Brutton. I did not feel `I could possibly refuse; and so began 50
years of duty and obligation.
Therefore, looking back, has it been a welcome experience? Of course it has, but there have also been
many occasions of great fear: one might almost say sheer panic. To stand up in front of 100 people and
lead them in worship, and to preach to them is definitely stressful, perhaps at times, even worse.
No doubt many of you reading this will also have experienced times in your life when the occasion has
demanded more than you felt able to give. My method was always, just before the service commenced, to
ask The Almighty to strengthen His Holy Spirit in me so that I could do my very best for His sake. The
words that I spoke needed to be His words: His message, rather than my own. I can honestly say that He
never ever let me down.
I share this with you because I am sure that you will have experienced occasions when the daunting
situation looms before you and you simply do not know how you are going to get through it. If we are
Christians, then we always know that God the Father is there for us: we know this because Jesus, all
through His ministry, assured us that it was so. Do we remember that God is there for us? Do we call on
Him when we need Him most?
This month I relinquish my duties as Lay Reader! Obviously there will be a few regrets, but life is a journey
through which we must move with thought and prayer. New demands come our way, and we should be
ready for them. I believe that the Rector is empowered to call upon my services on an occasional basis if
he so wishes; so you may not entirely have seen the last of me!!
Hugh Grainger
PA R I S H N E W S
SERVICE OF PRAYER AND BLESSING – 24th June
on the marriage of Andy and Lesley Springett.
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING – 26th June
For the life of Joan Hyde with interment of Joan’s ashes in the Churchyard
BAPTISMS – 2nd July
Arthur Winston Ashcroft
God bless Arthur as we welcome him into the Lord’s family
BURIAL OF ASHES – 2nd July
Donald Fredrick Nichols (Don)
Our thoughts and prayers are with Don’s family and friends. Rest in peace.
WEDDING – 15th July
Elliot Grant Buckingham and Lauren Elizabeth Davey
We pray that they have a long and happy life together
East Farleigh Parish Church Services for August 2017
Date Time Service
1st 6.45pm Compline Pat Moore
6th 9.30 Matins
David Jones
13th 8.00
Holy Communion David Jones
11.00 Family Service David Jones
20th 9.30 Sung Eucharist
Eileen Doyle
27th
8.00 Holy Communion
David Jones
10.00 Morning Prayer George Moore
Editor’s Note: please let us have your contributions for the September edition of Grapevine
by 18thAugust [email protected]
SPONSORED RIDE AND STRIDE UPDATE As yet I have not had anybody interested in taking part
in the Friends of Kent Churches ride and stride on September 9th.Although it is necessary to be available
for some of the day to walk or ride some advance preparation in terms of finding sponsors is
required.Anyone interested in taking part, on behalf of East Farleigh Church please contact me on 01622
727142 Judy Salway
CLERGY CONTACT NUMBERS
Revd. Peter Callway, Rector (01622) 747570
For Baptisms, Thanksgivings, Weddings &
funerals Unavailable Fridays.
Revd. David Jones, Hon. Associate Rector
(01622) 741474. Unavailable Fridays.
Revd. Eileen Doyle. Associate Rector (01622)
204241 Unavailable Mondays & Tuesdays
Readers: Chris Bostock and
Alison Callway
Church Warden: George Moore (01622)204874.
Archivist: Alan Springett 01622) 728167
116 year old cedar tree crashes to the ground
The cedar tree planted in 1901 by Revd Mowbray Trotter in 1901 has split and come
down in East Farleigh Churchyard. It is not known yet what caused the tree to fall and
expert advice is being sought as to what can be done with the massive trunk currently
laying across the west churchyard. Meanwhile, for safety sake, and until the part of the
tree that is still standing has been assessed, the churchyard will remain cordoned-off to all
visitors.
It is sad to see this old cedar tree which has been a prominent feature of East Farleigh
Church for over a century in such a sorry state but it is hoped that what remains can be
saved.
WHERE ARE THE BIRDS? August usually prompts the question “Where have all the garden birds gone?”. To which the answer is “into the fields and hedgerows where there is now more food available”. Our house sparrows are no exception, but their survival compares less well in our village (and the South-East generally) to those nationally. Results from the sparrow tracking project running in the village show that only 39% of adult males and 36% of adult females survive each year. This compares with 44% and 42% elsewhere. The project is based at Frith Farm and the Horseshoes Riding School in Dean Street, and Vicarage Lane, and is one of eighteen across the country. Sparrows are fitted with coloured leg-rings so they can be tracked through the year. If
you see any of them, or would like more information, please let me know - (01622} 726164 /[email protected]). Ray Morris
STOP PRESS You may like to know that one of the blue tits fledged from the boxes in the churchyard has turned up in my garden two months later, fit and well and moulting into its adult feathers. (Ray)
BULLET POINT SUMMARY ARISING FROM
EAST FARLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4TH JULY 2017
Please note that these bullet points (taken from the minutes) are not yet approved by Council when published in
Grapevine.
PCSO Jasmine Pay was unable to attend, but had sent a report for crimes since the last meeting: theft of a tool bag from Dean Street 25-27 June. She also highlighted a Home and Equine Security event at Coxheath Village Hall on 9th August 7.45–9.15pm. All are welcome. If you have a security business and would like to advertise at the meeting, contact Jasmine on [email protected]
A Councillor had attended a meeting in Collier Street of the Joint Parishes Flood Group (JPFG) with all associated agencies. It was well attended and questions from parishes were answered. However, in the end it was clear that flooding in the area cannot be prevented, but the effects can be mitigated.
Defibrillator: the Parish Council confirmed the model required and authorised payment. There was an offer from a first responder, to provide some training in the use of the defibrillator for those interested and a volunteer electrician to wire it all in.
Village Car Park: the monthly car park inspection was received. The bay markings were becoming less distinct and would need redoing in the Summer holidays, Pearsons had been asked to quote for spraying the weeds and pruning and strimming the boundary hedging and the Parish Council now had “No overnight parking” signs, but yet had to fix them in place.
Those allocated the portfolio for traffic calming measures on Lower Road had met on 29th June. They had agreed that the suggested Option 3 in the “Small Works, Lower Road” report (March 2016) for the junction of The Green and Lower Road was the favoured one (junction realignment) (£7-
8,000) and that Option 3 for traffic calming in Lower Road, was the most practical (road cushions and signage, which would require street lighting) (£70-80,000). It might be necessary to ask the residents if they would be happy with this. Some members would be meeting Matthew Balfour from KCC Highways and County Councillor Paulina Stockell on 14th July to discuss this and the Bridge Feasibility Study.
Speedwatch: A deployment had taken place on 9thJune, 4-5pm in Dean Street, monitoring traffic travelling north. There were 16 first offences and 7 hand delivered offence notices, of which 3 were for travelling more than 15% over the limit (first time offences), 3 were for multiple offences and one was a second offence. One vehicle was reported to the DVLA for having no tax or insurance. Further deployments are planned.
Fete de la Musique: this had been a success and had made a profit of approximately £1,200. Though dogs are not permitted on the recreation field and the majority of attendees left their dogs at home, some people still persisted. MBC Dogwatch was highlighted: if members of the public report a particular area as having a problem with dog mess, MBC will increase their vigilance in that area.
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 5th September 2017, at 7.15pm in the Old School Hall, Lower Road, preceded by Planning Committee at 6.45pm, unless deadlines necessitate one on 1st August. See
noticeboards or website http://www.eastfarleighpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/ for confirmation.
The Farleighs WI What a lovely evening we had being taught not only about wild flowers but how to make a wonderful bouquet. Our speaker this month was Bek from Blooming Green Nursery in Linton, who set up their own nursery about 10 years ago with her cousin Jen. They now grow many different variety of flowers, invite customer to come, choose their own wedding bouquets or just come to fill up a container to take home. It was very interesting and the bouquet she made was put in our raffle for a member to win. We had two new ladies who came to see what we have to offer in our WI and hope that they will come back again. If you would like to come, then please join us on a second Wednesday in the month at the Farleighs WI Hall, Forge Lane East Farleigh or ring me Pam Lindon 01622 726337 for more information. Anyone who wants to hire our Hall please ring Karen Malins on 01622 92025
Coffee morning on 15th July We were pleased to welcome visitors to our Coffee Morning on what was a warm Saturday. Thank you to Pat, George, Sheila, Kathleen and Derek who helped before the event. Thank you also to our customers who helped with the tables. Raffle prizes and some cakes were donated. Church funds benefited by a sum in excess of £104, Thank you everyone.
THE NEXT COFFEE MORNING WILL BE ON THE 30TH SEPTEMBER.
East Farleigh Farmers’ market has recently made a £100 donation
to Maidstone charity Restoring Hands, which offers support in the community to all age groups, including
running a food bank. We also gave £80 to the British Wireless for the Blind, based in Albion Place, Maidstone
who supply specially adapted radios to the visually impaired. Thanks to all stallholders and customers for
helping us achieve this.
The August Farmers’ Market will be held on Sunday 6th from 10am until 1pm.
We are hoping that Teston Bakery will be able to attend if their new premises in Mereworth are up and
running by then!
Yarns of Anarchy and Alan Saunders Art Metalwork will be on holiday, otherwise we understand that all
regular traders will be present.
We are still looking for a fruit and vegetable seller who can supply local Kent produce. Should you have any
suggestions please contact Sue Morris on 01622 726164.
It would be great if our current customers could encourage a friend or neighbour to accompany them to the
market so that we can increase footfall for our stallholders. There are many people in the village who have
not yet visited the market, which is such a shame. Sue RESULTS OF THE BEST KEPT FRONT GARDEN COMPETION 2017 During May and June, two members of the Parish Council were out looking around the village, judging who had the best front garden. The results are as follows: Area 1: Lower Road / Priory Close / Station Hill First: 54 Hartridge Farm Second: 49 Hartridge Farm Third: Helena, Priory Close Area 2: Gallants Lane /Heath Road /Follys /Upper Part Wilsons Lane First: Highlands Farm House Second: St Helen’s Lodge Third: 6 Gallants Lane Area 3: Vicarage Lane / Lower Part Wilsons Lane First: Tall Pines Area 4: Lower part Dean Street / Forge Lane / Stockett Lane First: Frith Farm House Second: Horseshoes Cottage Area 5: Upper End Dean Street / Workhouse Lane / Adbert Drive / Fairhurst Drive First: 8 Fairhurst Drive Second: 3 Adbert Drive Third: Kerinna, Workhouse Lane Highly recommended: Medway Cottage, Riverview, Parsonage Place, The Acorns, Rosebank, Haflong, North Folly Farm. Prizes of £20 garden vouchers donated by Hadlow College will be awarded to the five gardens in first place.
Coxheath Church Fete Saturday 2nd
September – 1.30pm – free entry
on the grassed area around the church. Entertainment, Strawberry Teas, BBQ, Local Produce, Raffle,
Tombola, Crockery Smash, Coconut Shy and much more. Come and join in the fun!
THE OLD SCHOOL HALL We now have no regular booking on Wednesday evenings, so if you need a venue for your class or other group then do get in touch – or I might be forced to start a book club! (Do people still read?)
Contact Mandy on 07703 525138 or Gary on 07985 377585 [email protected]
