ASH WITH WESTMARSH PARISH MAGAZINE

AUGUST 2018

60p

Part of the Canonry Benefice of

Ash – Chillenden – Elmstone – Goodnestone

Nonington – Preston – Stourmouth – Wingham

INSIDE:

CHEQUER INN

POP UP AT

ASH SAFARI!

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Welcome to the August magazine

Inside this issue

Useful Contacts

The Parish Letter

Church Services

St Nicholas Finances

Onlooker

Parish Council Vacancy

A Village Safari

Chequer Inn News

Cartwright and Kelsey

Almshouse Vacancy

Canonry Benefice Event

August Festivals

A Dramatic Tale

Quiz Time!

Great Days Out

And much more…

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Contacts

Clergy

Rev’d David Moulden The Vicarage, Queen’s Road, Ash 01304 812296

Rev’d Nigel Hale 01304 813161

Rev’d Chris Brewer 01227 721530

This magazine is produced by St. Nicholas Parish Church. We

welcome items from individuals and village organisations. All items should come with a note of the contributor’s name. The editor

reserves the right both to edit and not to publish anything she

receives. Items on church matters do not represent the official position

of the Church of England.

Email copy for the next edition by Wednesday 15 August to

Rebecca Smith at rebeccasmith.ash@gmail.com or

post to Pat Coles at 116 The Street, Ash CT3 2AA.

Products and services advertised have not been tested and are not endorsed by the Parish Church.

Send advertising enquiries to agfoat@gmail.com

Front cover illustration: St Nicholas from the Jack Foat

Trust Field by Pat Coles

Magazine Subscription Never miss an edition of your favourite parish magazine! To arrange to a subscription including magazine delivery to your door (within the parish) phone Rosemary Lines on 01304 812524.

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What’s On ASH VILLAGE SAFARI takes place on Sunday 26th August. For details see article page 12. CHURCHYARD BASH takes place on Saturday 18th August starting at 9am in the parish churchyard at St Nicholas Church. Stay for as long as you can spare the time. There is a delicious lunch provided at midday.

ASH GOOD COMPANIONS meet at the Village Hall on Tuesdays 7th and 21st August from 2-4pm. ASH PARISH COUNCIL will meet at 7.30pm on Monday 6th August 2018, 7.30pm. The Library, Ash Village Hall, Queens Road, Ash. Visit www.ashpc.kentparishes.gov.uk for details. MESSY CHURCH will be no Messy Church in August, but it will return on Sunday 9th September.

A HERITAGE WALK takes place in Ash on Sunday 19th August, meeting at the Village Hall at 2pm. For more details see report page 11. A STRAWBERRY TEA will be held by The Friends of St Mary’s Church, Wingham, on Sunday 12th August. See poster on page 27 for more details. THE CHURCH CAFE is open every Wednesday morning in St Nicholas church porch from 10am to 11.30am with tea, coffee and homemade cake. A warm welcome and good conversation guaranteed.

THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE is now on at Ash Library, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Beano comic. Children are encouraged collect stickers to complete a poster as they read their books. For more details pop in to Ash Library or go to mischief-makers.org.uk For more suggestions on things to do this summer, see our Great Days Out guide, pages 28-29.

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Useful Contacts

Service Organisation/Name Contact

Emergencies Gas Emergency (24hrs) 0800 111 999 999 UK Power Networks (24hrs) 105 Water Leak Line (24hrs) 0800 820 999

Community PCSO Emma Carmichael 101 or email Emma.carmichael@kent.pnn.police.uk

Non-urgent and other enquiries 101 Community Warden Team 07811 271 299 Neighbourhood Watch Martin Porter - email porter118@btinternet.com

Crime Stoppers 0800 555111 Community Safety Dover 01304 872220 Consumer Direct 01845 4040506 Childline 0800 1111

Kent County Council 08458 247247 Dover District Council 01304 821199 Craig Mackinlay MP 01843 589266 Ash Parish Council Clerk 01304 832909 Citizens Advice (Dover area) 0844 8487978 Social Services 01304 204915 Ash Village Hall Enquiries 01304 851967

Environmental Health 01304 872215 Trading Standards 0845 4040506

Ash Library 01304 812440

Healthcare NHS Medical Helpline (24hrs) 111 or www.nhs.uk Out of Hours Doctor Service 0844 8001234 Ash Surgery 01304 812227 Hospitals - Kent and Canterbury 01227 766877 QEQM Margate 01843 225544 William Harvey 01233 633331 Pharmacy - Ash (Boots) 01304 812242

Education KCC Area Office 03000 414141 Cartwright and Kelsey School 01304 812539 St Faith’s School 01304 813409 Sandwich Technology School 01304 610000 Sir Roger Manwood’s School 01304 613286

Transport National Rail TrainTracker™ 0871 2004950 Stagecoach East Kent Ltd 0845 6002299

~ If an error is noted please inform the editors ~

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The Parish Letter At the time of writing this, football fever rages, Wimbledon has just started and summer hols are just round the corner. Summer holidays perform a valuable function in slowing people down, albeit briefly. Most of those privileged enough to find a fortnight to spend away, from their usual duties, return to normal life feeling more poised and peaceful about their lives. Most are aware, however, that the benefits of stepping back for a while will not last, but this does not diminish the beneficent effect of living slowly for a time. The fictional Democratic President, Jed Bartlet, used a phrase which spoke powerfully of the relentless demands of a life lived at a frantic pace. A problem would be solved, or a decision reached, and he would bark a nanosecond later: ‘What’s next?’ Deprived of space to think, and with an in-tray full of issues that would render most people paralysed, the only recourse was to develop a remorseless momentum to the endless tasks of the presidency. The pace at which busy people live has become palpably faster in this working generation. There are few signs of resistance to this and mostly people wear their busyness as a badge of honour. The Protestant work ethic still exerts a magnetic pull on modern life, leading everyone to claim that they are working hard even when they aren’t. The journey we are on feels too much like a motorway. Those who drive alone for long periods of time on a motorway where there is little chance to gaze at scenery are subject to a peculiar psychological trick. Despite having travelled a hundred miles, they usually cannot remember anything of distinction about the journey. It is as if the recollection has been wiped from their mind. At the same time, they are not thinking meaningfully about their destination. They will do that in the final moments before they arrive. In the meantime, their gaze is fixed on the road just in front of them. This is the totality of their existence: an endless sequence of road formations, each indistinguishable from the next. In the same way, our preoccupation with the next thing in our life and the need to do it as quickly as possible inhibits us from understanding the purpose of what we do. We travel through life in the same kind of hypnotic trance that the motorway driver experiences. It seems incredible to think that we could live a whole life this way, but lives are lived in the accumulation of days which slip away from us. But what is wrong, if there is, with the question: What’s next? The risk of a life lived at speed is that we become dangerously unreflective.

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Folks who adopt a Jed Bartlet attitude to life fail to ask reflective questions such as: How can life seem less ‘like a motorway’? How can I re-negotiate my work/life balance? The issues surrounding such questions, or the terms of reference about work-life balance, are culturally conditioned and most would offer one kind of answer: We speak of a quality of life issue. In this, we reveal the dominant motif of our times: we are consumers who look for experiences which enrich us. As a component of our lives, this is fair enough. A more significant question underlies it though. The speed we live at begs the question: what is the purpose of life? But how do we even start to answer

this simple, yet difficult philosophical question? At one time all children in churches were taught and all adult members were expected to know the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The first question of this Catechism asks: ‘What is the chief and highest end of man?’ The answer: ‘Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him forever’. If this answer is correct, the purpose of life is bound up in knowing God. Reflection involves not only thinking through the future, but also the past. The past and the future

are irreplaceable resources for negotiating the present. There is something beguiling about the idea that we can only meet with God in the present because this is the only moment we inhabit at any one time. Yet to encounter God in the present, we must shape this round a sense of where we have come from and where we are going to. The people of God in the Old Testament were reminded time and again of the great saving acts of God in their history and this memory to channel an encounter in the present. Neglect of the past and the memory of God’s loving purposes leads to a haemorrhaging of faith in the present. By the same token, the New Testament infuses the people of God with a sure and certain hope of what is to come: the idea that life has a goal and that it is God himself, to which we are drawn. Both the past and the future are essential references for understanding where we have come from and where we are going. Yet this is not how we tend to live. Sometimes just a subtle nudge in the right direction is all it takes and a hyphen will do for us here. We all love times of recreation and it’s where we find our quality of life. God is looking to make these times of re-creation, out of which human purpose is shaped for good.

Reverend David Moulden

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Church Services Services in August at St Nicholas’ Church.

5th August 8am Holy Communion 10.30am All Age Service with Baptism 12th August 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion Please note Messy Church takes a break in August 19th August 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 26th August 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion led by Bishop Michael Turnbull Please note that we have two weddings taking place on Saturday 1st September, at midday and 2:30pm Services around the Benefice 5th August 9am Holy Communion, All Saints Chillenden 9.30am Holy Communion, Elmstone Church 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Nonington 11am Family Service, St Mary’s Wingham 12th August 9am Holy Communion, Holy Cross Goodnestone 9.30am All Age Service, St Mildred’s Preston 11am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Wingham 19th August 9am Holy Communion, All Saints’ Chillenden 9.30am Holy Communion, Elmstone Church 26th August 9am Holy Communion, Holy Cross Goodnestone 9.30am Holy Communion, St Mildred’s Preston 11am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Wingham

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Our Finances

In May, we were not able to pay our monthly parish share payment of £4,351 to the Diocese. We have been concerned about this possibility for the past 1 to 2 years and been doing our best to manage our finances. As can be seen from our accounts we are not profligate, but as costs rise and the share increases (in 2017 parish share was 70% of our annual expenditure) it is difficult to balance income and expenditure. We have had some ‘surprises’ eg. cost of felling the poplar tree (£3,200) and with little headroom we have not been able to contain a potential ‘overspend’. Our last Stewardship renewal resulted in an increased giving of approximately £4,000 (a 10% increase), but we are afraid this was not enough. As you know we are blessed with the Atwood Fund that pays for all of the fabric repairs to the church, but this still leaves us to find the running costs and the share. Over the past few years, we have made excellent strides to support various charities eg. CMS and Christian Aid through specific fundraising activities. At this mid-point of the year we ask you to consider increasing your giving by 5% to 10% - this would ‘put us in the clear’ and free us up to concentrate on our outreach and our church community, without the concern of raising our running expenses.

Stewardship Committee (Ann Foat, Jenny Taylor, Hilary

Johnston, Christine Goatham, Andrew Collings, Barbara Bradley,

Rev David Moulden, Bill Vennart).

PS. If you need to know more about what the ‘share’ is or any other aspects of our giving please contact one of the committee.

Baptism Louie James Matthew Kemp baptised June 17th 2018.

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Christian Aid Week Many thanks to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts for this year’s Christian Aid Week, either by attending the coffee morning the church hosted in the village hall in April or through the envelopes that were collected from the church. I am delighted to say that £343.87 was raised at the coffee morning and a further £251.20 from the envelopes. This makes a grand total of £595.07! Many thanks for supporting such a worthy cause.

Jenny Taylor

Deal Foodbank Due to few visits from clients, Deal Foodbank has decided to close its depot at St Nicholas’ Church from 11th July. If you need to contact them, please ring 01304 728428 from 11am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The nearest depot to Ash is now Phoenix Centre, 28 Jubilee Road, Sandwich CT13 0QP on a Thursday 1pm to 3pm or Eastry Church Hall at St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Eastry CT13 0HL on a Monday 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Ride and Stride 2018 (a reminder…) Saturday 8th September is the annual 'Ride and Stride - a national event offering the opportunity to raise funds for your local church and the Friends of Kent Churches while having a thoroughly enjoyable day. Those taking part (the young, and the not-so young) seek sponsorship for bicycling or walking from church to church. Sponsorship forms can be obtained from Cressida Williams (Cressida.williams@btinternet.com 01304 814359). Cressida would also welcome volunteers to greet visitors in the church and serve much needed squash and biscuits.

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Onlooker A councillor’s view of the Ash Parish Council meeting held on

Monday 2nd July 2018

Several parishioners attended the meeting. Some were there to object to a planning application for a house in Moat Lane and others to hear what is happening about the enforcement updates on the travellers’ site in Westmarsh. After some debate, the council decided to object planning permission for the house in Moat Lane on several grounds. Our Dover District Councillor, Sue Chandler, gave an update on the current position regarding the travellers’ site and took away a number of questions for the planning enforcement officer.

Sue, in her report, also announced that ownership of The Guildhall in Sandwich has been transferred from Dover District Council (DDC) to Sandwich Town Council. This is to facilitate the release of Lottery funds for improvements to the Guildhall that Sandwich Town Council wish to make.

It is proposed to improve access to and storage of invaluable archives, including a new reading room, and to improve access, especially disabled access, to The Guildhall. The forecourt granite setts will be removed and smoother blocks laid. This will not only improve wheelchair access, but also provide a flat surface for market stalls and more comfortable walking for the rest of us! The Parish Council agreed with a request from The Chequer Inn Society to keep the public toilets open from noon to 9pm on Sunday 26th August for the pop-up pub and Safari Day. DDC, which maintains the toilet, has agreed already.

The Parish Council was happy to hear DDC grants of £706.75 have been awarded to Ash next Sandwich Rangers, £545 to Westmarsh village hall and £500 to Ash Toddlers Group.

Due to a resignation, there is a vacancy for a new parish councillor. I would urge readers to consider applying. In my many years as a councillor, I have found the work not too onerous and the rewards worthwhile. All councillors give their time voluntarily and the main commitment is to attend the meetings on the first Monday of every month. I would particularly like to see some younger applicants and it would be good to increase female representation.

Onlooker

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Heritage News How well do you know the history of your village? Join the heritage walk in the village on Sunday 19th August, meeting at the Village Hall at 2pm. We shall explore part of the village changing transport routes over the ages, old industrial past and mediaeval monuments and brasses in the church and Ash in WW1 and 2 along the way. No dogs please, and children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult. Future events: October 4th - talk by Dr David Cave Weekend of November 11th - commemoration of the end of WW1 with an exhibition of Ash in WW1 and an evening performance of the play. Ash in WW1.

26th to 28th April 2019 - A visit to Liverpool is proposed to see the collection of Anglo Saxon jewellery and antiquities that were evacuated from the Jutish cemetery at Guilton in the 1700s by Rev Faussett. We are proposing to visit the Ashmolean museum in Oxford on the way to Liverpool for a tour of their Anglo Saxon collection, and the Birmingham museum on the way home to see the Staffordshire hoard of Anglo Saxon gold. If you are interested please contact Mrs Sarah Miller sarah@dellmill.co.uk or Ann Foat agfoat@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Parish Councillor Vacancy

Ash Parish Council has a vacancy for a councillor to be filled by co-

option.

If you are interested in becoming involved, please apply in a brief

letter or e-mail explaining why you wish to be a councillor. You will

be asked to meet the Council on Monday 6th August at 7.30pm.

Applications must be with the clerk no later than Monday 6th August

2018. Information about what councillors do can be found on the

parish council’s website. If you have any questions, please have a

chat with the Clerk or one of your local councillors.

There are some regulations about who may be a councillor. For

example, you need to be 18 or over, and a resident or work in the

parish, or a land-owner or a tenant in the parish, or on the parish

electoral roll, or live within 3 miles of the parish.

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Going on Safari…

The idea of starting a yearly Garden Safari started last year after attending a Safari in one of our neighboring villages.

I’m a great advocate of close and supportive communities and thought this event was a great way to promote and strengthen our community.

The way the safari works is that anyone wishing to sell on the day, registers their details with me and their address details are added to the Safari map. It’s free to sell.

For sellers without a garden, the scout hut will be available to sell from. This year, so far, over 40 people have registered as sellers and I’m hoping this year’s safari, will be huge!

The registration for selling will close roughly a week before the Safari, then the maps are printed and delivered to each and everyone who have registered their details (maps are free to all people selling on the day).

In the week leading up to the safari, maps can be pre-purchased from 12 School Road and Juliet’s Farm Shop, then on the day, maps will be on sale from; 12 School Road, The Scout Hut, Juliet’s Farm Shop and The Chequer Inn. This year maps will be priced at £1 for people wishing to walk round.

Profits from the sale of the maps will be donated to local good causes.

I’m very excited this year to welcome The Chequer Inn who will be taking part offering a pop up pub and picnic with hog roast, local beers and soft drinks available to purchase.

Local radio have offered to promote the event and I have started organising this wonderful event earlier this year.

Last year we had such beautiful weather and really was a great day, with our community coming together and new friendships made.

Please support the event this year, details are on our village Facebook page or I can be contacted on 07592 327007.

Hope to see you all on Sunday 26th August.

Claire Redsull

Pop-up Pub for the Safari – see Chequer Inn report, pages 14-15.

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The Cartwright, Godfrey & Kelsey Charity

The trustees of the above charity have funds available to enable them to offer a Book Grant to any young people who live in the parish of Ash, and who intend to start a full time university academic course beginning in the autumn of 2018. This also applies to those who may be starting a full time vocational training course. The amount of each grant will depend upon how many applications the trustees receive. The trustees invite applications for the coming academic year by September 28th. Please write with your full name, address, telephone number, and a copy of the offer from your intended university/college, to The Clerk to the Trustees, The Cartwright Godfrey & Kelsey Charity, Little Ware Nursery, Ware, Ash, CT3 2NB.

A visit to Europa Nursery

Operations director at Ash’s Europa Nursery, Chris Baldwin, has invited parishioners to visit the site (just north of the bypass) where the company grows tomatoes under just over 12 hectares of modern glasshouse, all for UK consumption. Anyone wishing to attend, either as a group or individual, should email Chris at Chris.baldwin@apsgroup.uk.com before August 30. A provisional date for the visit is September 3rd – 7th most likely in the evening between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Thanks to all We would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone for supporting the barn dance in June at Little Weddington Farm in aid of the Air Ambulance. It was a beautiful, balmy evening and it was so good to see young and old dancing together and enjoying the fun. The grand total of £2,000 was raised for their funds. Thank you all again.

Linda and Bill Laslett

The League of Friends for Kent and Canterbury Hospital - Ash Branch

Our stall on July 7th at the coffee morning raised £28. Many thanks to Janet Rumley and Marilyn Ackeroyd for running the stall as Liz Allen was on holiday and Marion Martin has had a knee replacement so were unable to help. Hope to see our supporters at the next coffee morning.

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The Chequer Inn – latest news

Since taking ownership of the pub, the Chequer Inn Ash Society has been working through the tasks which must be completed before opening. The first on our list of priorities was to get the building watertight. We are pleased to report the leaking rear roof is repaired and the flashing replaced. These repairs were truly tested in May’s extreme weather. Another of our immediate actions was to have the building assessed for fire safety including testing the electrical installation. Although currently safe, significant remedial and enhancement work is required, including moving fire doors. An asbestos survey was undertaken, revealing only minor isolated presence – including in the toilet cisterns! Electricity and water supplies have been restored and a skip full of rubbish removed. The Chequer Inn is without doubt a beautiful and characterful building, but its listed status has given us a headache in that almost anything we do – except repairs, which must be like for like - are subject to listed building control. We have drawn up a comprehensive list of proposed changes and refurbishment with input from a local architect to ensure that it proceeds through the consent process as smoothly and quickly as possible. We are preparing the application for listed building consent to proceed. Unfortunately, we are rather limited as to what can be done in the building until consent is received, anticipated to take approximately 8 weeks. We are also looking to make The Chequer Inn more disabled friendly and are looking at grants for a disabled toilet and access. Volunteers Our open day attracted over 150 residents, all keen to offer their help and skills. We also have over 100 shareholders who have offered their time and talents to transform our community pub. We are grateful for our volunteers’ enthusiasm, energy and muscle power. Several volunteers and tradesmen have been identified to begin work on specific tasks once approval has been received. In the interests of timely completion, it is likely the majority of the major refurbishment works will have to be undertaken on a commercial basis. We have been contacted by local skilled tradesman who have agreed to complete a range of jobs. Some of this is pro bono, others are giving their services at cost, helping to stretch our funds even further. As a local project, we are keen to keep tenders and work as close to home as possible and/or work with skilled shareholders. So far this

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approach is working well for architecture, carpentry, garden and landscaping, roofing and web design. What we urgently need now is:

PLASTERERS - PLUMBERS - TILERS If you have these skills to a professional level or know someone who may be interested please contact us ASAP by emailing chequermates@gmail.com with name and contact details. Garden A lot of cutting down overgrown shrubs and clearing has now taken place. Thanks to Paul Wilkinson who organised hire machinery and masterminded the gang to safely feed in the bracken branches and vines. The Victorian tearooms have deteriorated quite badly although the main structure is sound. These will, in due course, be restored and reused. If any volunteers would like to lead on this it would be most welcome. Gary Bradbury planted the bed between the shed and the tearooms with shrubs from his end of season stock. The remains of the old toilet block were uncovered when the vines and weeds were cut back. Thanks to Jude Smith for helping David and Jane Greaves cleaning the front of the building. Jude made a professional job of the window boxes which is a sign to passers by that the pub is now under new ownership. David had a good session on the power hose, bringing the cobbles to life, including an ‘ancient’ single yellow line! We also finally discovered the Bat and Trap concrete trap fixing and will be getting the pitch ready for next season’s league when the sport will return to the Chequer. Please get in touch if you would like to help keep our garden beautiful. Tenant Last month we started our search for an experienced new tenant with a passion for the community. We have a number of applicants who have been asked to prepare a business case for their proposed tenancy. Pop-Up Pub Event On Sunday 26th August we will be holding a Pop-Up Pub from 12pm-9pm in our newly refurbished garden selling a hog roast, local craft beers and cider, soft drinks and snacks. Feel free to bring a picnic rug or chairs and enjoy our first village event prior to our opening later this year. This is in conjunction with the 2018 Ash Safari which was a huge success last year. Please keep an eye on our website and social media for further details. We look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to this event.

The Chequer Inn Ash Society

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Cartwright and Kelsey CE School

Governing Body

As you will know all state schools are required to have a governing body who are charged with ‘holding the leadership of the school to account’ and to be a ‘critical friend’. These seem to be divergent sentiments, but in a well-run school (as we have at Cartwright and Kelsey) there is no conflict, because we operate as a team (school staff and governors together) to ensure that the children have the best education possible in a rich and caring environment. Over the past decade the role of governors has changed considerably and we are tasked with ‘monitoring’ a wide range of the school’s activities eg safeguarding, finances, health and safety. To do this we are very fortunate to have members of the Governing Body with a broad range of skills, and to be supported by the local authority with various training courses. All the governors are volunteers and you can see who they are on the

school website (https://www.ashckschool.org).; there is also a school Facebook page. The governors come forward to serve the school and community because they have a passionate interest in our village school and the important role it plays. The Governors are keen to encourage the support of the community in the life of the children whether it be a kindly word as the children walk to and from school, right through to

those who help listen to children reading and local charities (Jack Foat Trust, Cartwright Godfrey and Kelsey) who give financial support. The Governors, Headteacher (Fiona Crascall) and senior teachers have made a number of changes over the past year, including an innovative Early Years Foundation Stage; in addition we are beginning to forge links with St Faith’s School to enable shared initiatives eg science days. In 2021, we will be celebrating 300 years of having a school within our community of Ash - a great tradition that spurs on all who are involved to-day.

Nick Hassall, Chair of Governors

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The Ash and District Horticultural Society

The Ash and District Horticultural Society decided to emphasise its ‘and District’ by holding its annual Rose Show in Westmarsh Village Hall. Congratulations to Gary Bradbury for the all the trimmings for the Pimms – we all got our five-a-day. The hall was decorated with Jan Giles’ bunting and the roses and sweet peas looked lovely and smelled good too.

One of the joys of this show is that there is a class for roses judged solely on their scent, and there is also an opportunity for all the members to vote the best-smelling rose. The winner of the best smelling rose class was a new member, Gina Holden, from Cape House. She doesn’t know the proper name of the variety, but calls it ‘the smelly pink rose’. Her rose

also won the popular vote for most fragrant rose - members voted with plastic cutlery, which explains the small pile to the left of the exhibit. The weather this spring has been very good for our roses and the entries were of a very high quality. Besides watching other people smelling all the roses, it is a joy to look at the roses up close and talk to the people who had grown them. There were some smashing roses that I haven’t heard of such as Coconut Ice and Birthday Girl, entered by Gina Ayles and Helen Tudor. They are lovely frilly flowers as was Sarah Neden’s lovely deep plum-pink rose, an unknown variety. But we are going to try and get a cutting... Steve Edney, Head Gardener of the Salutation Garden and Patron of the Society, judged the entries. There were lots of entries particularly to the Hybrid Tea Rose and the Cluster Rose (Floribunda) Classes. The winner of Hybid Tea class was Helen Bradshaw, for her beautiful pale pink rose Savoy Hotel. The winner of the Cluster Rose Class was Jan Giles, with her entry covered in bright red blooms The winner of the Specimen Rose Class was Mary Evans with Chandos Beauty, which also has a lovely scent. Mary also won the Rose Cup for the most points in the Rose classes, which was presented by Steve. The winner of the sweet pea class was Helen Bradshaw.

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Rose Show Class Results Class 1 Hybid Tea: 1st Helen Bradshaw, 2nd Alison Stone, 3rd Rosemary Lines. Class 2 Cluster Rose: Janet Giles, 2nd Mary Evans, 3rd Rosemary Lines. Class 3 Species Rose: 1st Liz Rath, 2nd Sue Marston. Class 4 Specimen Rose: 1st Mary Evans, 2nd Janet Searle, 3rd Sue Marston. Class 5 Scented Rose: 1st Gina Holden, 2nd Rosemary Lines, 3rd Sue Marston. Class 6 Sweet Peas: 1st Helen Bradshaw, 2nd Rosemary Lines, 3rd Alison Stone. The winners of the competitions: Find the Roses: Janet Searle In the Countryside: Gina Holden.

Liz Rath

Turn to page 24 for the Horticultural Society’s fun Countryside Quiz

RESTHAVEN ALMSHOUSES 11-17 Queens Road, Ash CT3 2BG

There is a vacancy at one of the Resthaven Almshouses.

The Almshouse Trust is governed by the Charity Commission and there are certain criteria for becoming a resident.

The bungalows are primarily for retired married couples, widows or single ladies in need. At the date of becoming a resident, an applicant should have been living in Ash or have a very strong local connection.

Resthaven comprises four bungalows, designed for independent living. The properties are one bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and bathroom with shower. All are centrally heated. There is a large communal garden to the rear which is regularly maintained but residents are most welcome to help with the flower borders and contribute ideas for planting.

If you are in need of a home and feel you may qualify to apply, please write or contact one of the following trustees for an application form:

Mary Smith, 2 Chequer Lane. Tel. 01304 812768

Robert Hudson, 46 The Street. Tel. 01304 812762

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The Ash Society: A visit to Minster Abbey

On a lovely sunny afternoon, before the heat became so oppressive, ten members enjoyed a most interesting visit to the Abbey ruins, followed by tea and cake at the café next door. The café is one of the nuns’ good works, being staffed by young people with disabilities. Our guide was the delightful and erudite Sister Benedict, one of the 13 sisters who live and work in the convent. The Rule of St Benedict requires in addition to their religious duties, the sisters work in the practical running of the establishment. The abbey owns 20 acres of agricultural land which they work with a herd of sheep. Before the foot and mouth epidemic they had a milking herd of 20 cows. They have help from a local farmer but will be reducing the sheep herd so as to be self-supporting. One has to bear in mind that this is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in the country - that is a lot of history. The Abbey was founded in 670 probably nearer the site of the current Anglican church. None the less we were able to see part of the Saxon crypt at the Western end of the site. From parts of the Great Tower (Norman) one can get an idea of the original layout. Sited as it was right on the coast of the Isle of Thanet, it was subjected to raids by Vikings and Warlike Danes. The foundation in 670 stems from by Queen Ermenburga who came to Thanet from Mercia and was granted land on which to build a house of prayer. The Queen took vows of chastity, became the first Abbess and was succeeded by her daughter Mildred. Mildred died about 725 but in successive centuries her reputation for holiness increased and in 1388 Pope Urban IV gave permission of her feast to be celebrated in Thanet on July 13th. St Mildred is often represented with her tame deer. It is said that she sent the deer on a free course and the path the animal took determined the boundaries of the convent lands. There is an excellent carved icon of St Mildred and the deer in entrance to the crypt. After many changes over the centuries the monastery became the king’s property at the time of dissolution and passed on to private ownership. In 1937 a group of Benedictine nuns from Bavaria obtained possession and returned to the traditional life of prayer as we found it today. I mentioned the gardens. So as not to be outdone by the Horticultural Society we came home with the boot of my car full of plants from the garden, none mine. Lastly, I must acknowledge that much that I have written comes from the Abbey’s Short Historical Guide.

Ray Cooper

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A Different View This photograph of St Nicholas’ Church was taken by Richard Palmer. He writes: “Recent felling of trees in the church yard have revealed beautiful new views of our church.” Do you have a photograph, or drawing, of somewhere in the parish that you would like to share? Please send submissions to the editors (contact details on page 2). Items which work well in black and white are preferred, please.

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August Festivals

Pat Coles

1st Lammas/Lughnasadh (the Irish or Celtic version). Lammas derives from the Anglo-Saxon half-mas (loaf mass) and celebrates the first harvest of the summer:- a loaf made from the new wheat crop would be blessed in church. We still often includes a decorated loaf as part of our Harvest Festivals, but now later in the year to celebrate the safe gathering in of all the crops. Lammas was ‘the feast of the first fruits’ (Lia Leendotz, The Almanac). Lammas was known by the Celts as a cross-quarter day as was Imbolc, Beltane and Samhain. These helped mark out the agricultural year and mark a half-way point between the solstices and the equinoxes. 3rd-27th The Edinburgh Festival: one of the biggest arts celebrations in the country. 11th Margate Pride. A celebration of diversity. The main parade starts at Walpole Bay at 11am and finishes in Margate by the Sundowners Bar (see info on website for details of concerts etc). 12th The Glorious Twelfth when the grouse shooting season begins. 21st-25th Eidal-Adha “The festival of Sacrifice”. For Muslims this festival honours Abraham (Ibrahim) for his willingness to give up his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God. It is celebrated through shared meals, giving money or gifts to children and helping the poor by giving clothes etc. This story is found Genesis and is a great lesion in faith, acknowledged by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Maybe one day we will learn how to celebrate together in such a generous way. 26th-29th Notting Hill Carnival. 27th Summer Bank Holiday: A final fling before families and students have to prepare for the start of a new school year. August is a wonderful month for fruits and jam making; blackberries or brambles, wild or cultivated, elderberries, late raspberries and the early varieties of apples and pears. Chutneys too if you get a glut of courgettes and runner beans (providing we get some rain). Our garden birds will be singing less as they go into moult, and Swifts will fly south this month some weeks before the Swallows and House Martins. Lots to do and lots to see and take part in. Have a wonderful month and enjoy the school holidays.

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History Focus: Dramatic days in Ash 250 years ago

Excitement was certainly in the air throughout the parish of Ash early in the month of July, 1768 - 250 years ago. Expectation mounted as details gradually became known of the forthcoming grand cricket match between the men of "the Isle of Thanet against the famous parish of Ash", as the local press billed this highly anticipated occasion. Betting between the teams was to be expected in the mid-18th century but was it really true that the challenge of a wager of half a guinea a man had been thrown down and accepted? It was! It would seem that only gentlemen - and solvent ones, at that - need harbour any ambitions of playing in this match! Arrangements were soon well in hand. Mr Hammond, landlord of the Bull's Head in the Street, had promised to provide a sumptuous dinner. Was this for the teams only, or would crowds of spectators cram into his well-known coaching inn and enjoy the fare too? It seems likely they would, as few grand cricket matches in Kent or Sussex in these times took place without a local hostelry offering "a good ordinary" for all and sundry. And what about the facilities at the ground? Perhaps the grass would be cut, or sheep might be driven onto the meadow and enclosed by a circle of hurdles to ensure a perfect pitch? A gentle roll may have been too much to expect, but who knows? Certainly there would be bright marquees, colourful flags and perhaps a band to create the perfect atmosphere for the large crowd expected, no doubt of several hundred or even more. All eyes were on the weather as Tuesday 12th July approached, when stumps (only two little ones at each end in those days) would be pitched on what everyone hoped would be a sunny day. But what was this? Another story was now doing the rounds - a scarcely believable one, which surely took peoples' minds off the forthcoming tussle between bat and ball? News travels quickly in Ash - but this couldn't possibly be true! Could it? Well, everyone said it was so! Just four days before the big match, Daniel Stoddard, who had lived in a large, well-appointed house close to the church with five acres of hop gardens attached, had been laid to rest in our beautiful churchyard. He'd been 44 years old and, although increasingly ill for twenty years and very poorly indeed during the last year or so, this former Ash brewer had been busy establishing his local post-chaise business, while trying as hard as he could to undercut the fares of other East Kent coaching firms. Well! Just as the Rev'd Benjamin Longley, or his curate, began reading the burial service over poor Daniel Stoddard's remains (wrapped in a shroud of English wool, of course, as the law then required) and only

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moments before the grave would have been refilled... Daniel woke up!!! Impossible? Not according to the witnesses at the graveside, who included the respectable and sober Thomas Sayer, William Reynolds and William Kelley as well as Mr Carr Horn (lovely name!) whose Cross Keys inn at Canterbury was one of the stages for Daniel's coaches. It was presumed he’d been mistakenly pronounced dead and been "revived by the effects of the fresh earth, to the astonishment of all beholders." And to the shock and relief, no doubt, of his "widow" and three children! How could this possibly be? The "effects of the fresh earth"? Let's look into Daniel's past a little more closely. Around 1748 he'd become ill with a number of increasingly unpleasant symptoms (too many to list here) and tried just about every "cure" known to each doctor and "quack" he consulted. Early in 1768, when several years of particular misery were coming to a climax, he was persuaded to try yet another "miracle cure" - Maredant's antiscorbutic drops, prepared and sold by Mr Norton, the celebrated surgeon of Golden Square, Piccadilly. And they worked! Every dreadful symptom from which he'd suffered for so long just disappeared, and all parts of his anatomy became pain free and healthy once more. Best of all, he could now sleep free of discomfort at last, enjoying deep, uninterrupted nightly slumber throughout the whole of February. Suddenly a new man and keen to spread the news, he shared his good fortune with all who'd listen, and by the end of March had even become the local agent for supplying Mr Norton's drops. Best of all was the sleep - at last! But did this tempt him to overdo the drops, just to make sure? We don't know - but in July he clearly had one more long, even deeper sleep ... and woke up just in time! He clearly didn't want to miss the cricket! At ninepence a mile Daniel drove down the prices of Kent's stage coaches but his business didn't succeed and he very soon sold up - insisting that his buyer retain the same low prices! Supposedly leaving Kent by the end of that year, he nevertheless found himself back in Ash four years later, when - sadly - he was once again laid in the ground at St Nicholas in 1772, this time aged 48, his family being well provided for. And who won that cricket match of 250 years ago? We don't know, but let's just hope Daniel Stoddard enjoyed his unexpected day in the sun - and managed not to fall asleep!

Peter Ewart

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Quiz Time: In the countryside with Ash Horticultural Society

All the answers are things that you might find in the countryside

1. A computer accessory (5) ……………………………………..

2. Famous dance troupe (8) ………………………………. ……

3. Glorious to Flanders and Swann (3) …………………………

4. Great in China (4) ………………………………………. ……..

5. Together in a carol (5&3) ………………………………………

6. May be resting on a snooker table (6) ………………………

7. Glues (6) ………………………………………………………..

8. Ice cream holders (5) …………………………………………

9. Animal and winter warmers (9)……………………………….

10. Chinese soup ingredient (5,4) ……………………………….

11. Tales of the (9) ………………………………………………..

12. One of Titania’s fairies (6) ……………………………………

13. And another of her fairies (4) ………………………………..

14. Give me your answer do (5) …………………………………

15. Do this to your bets (5) ……………………………………….

16. Don’t make a mountain from this (8) ………………………..

17. Turn over a new one (4) ……………………………………….

18. A VW car (6) …………………………………………………….

19. To bother someone (6) ………………………………………….

20. Dairy item and an insect (9) ……………………………………

21. An animal stumbles (8) …………………………………………

22. Comes from the French for lion’s tooth (9) …………………….

23. Half the donkey’s call (3) ……………………………………….

24. Sounds like a musical (4) ……………………………………….

25. Edith Piaf’s nickname (7) ……………………………………….

26. Worse than his bite (4) ………………………………………….

27. Needs taming (5) ………………………………………………..

28. Large case (5) …………………………………………………..

29. Gather in May (4) ………………………………………………..

30. A Wednesday in the Church calendar (3) …………………….

Answers next month!

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Great Days Out School’s out for summer… If you’re looking for something to do here are Pat Coles’ suggestions for some fun, inexpensive family days out.

At the Pegwell Bay nature reserve, you can see flocks of waders and Geese preparing for migration or returning after breeding further north. There is a parking charge, but some lovely walks and a very good sturdy play park. Worth taking a picnic and some binoculars – you might even glimpse the seals out on the riverbanks.

Konik ponies and Highland cattle are usually in some of the fenced off areas foreland management. My favourites on the shoreline and in the marshes are the Shell Duck, Oystercatchers, Curlew.

Sometimes you can spot Heron and Egrets. It’s a good running around area for children and dogs – though dogs are not allowed in the playground. Sometimes there’s a very good snack and drinks van.

Government Acre – between Ramsgate and Pegwell is great for younger kids with bikes, scooters or roller skates. The promenade is very safe (just watch out for dogs on leads!) there is also a play park (entrance free) and café about halfway along and a kiosk at the Ramsgate end.

If you like, and the tide is right, trek down the steps or slope to the beaches; some sand or rock pools. Free parking on the top-level road or some parts of the lower road to the docks.

There are sometimes children’s activities at the Ramsgate end with marquees set up on the green –see local websites or newspapers for school holiday happenings.

Monkton Nature Reserve (in a disused quarry) is geared to families with nature walks and activity sheets available.

The ornithological centre just through the toll road from Sandwich to the bay has an interesting collection to view and plenty of information about walks in the areas.

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Great Days Out

25-26th Boing is an international arts festival for families based at the Gulbenkian theatre at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Worth a look at the website – many fascinating events on the campus; lots for children to join with. Some events free, others ticketed.

26th July- 26th August As part of Turner Contemporary’s latest exhibition, Animals and Us (worth a visit on its own), the Margate art gallery welcomes Paula the Polar Bear, a life-sized puppet, who will be roaming the streets of the seaside town on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can see Paula the Polar at Turner Contemporary at 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm and 4pm. 5th Betteshanger Park (formerly Fowlmead) celebrates one of its defining elements with an annual Wind Festival. The Kent Kite Flyers will be filling the sky with shapes and creations from 11am to 5pm. Entry to the event village free, but parking is paid for. There are other paid-for events as well. While you’re there why not go on one of the brilliant off-road bike rides. You can hire bikes there, or take your own. 24th-27th The Sandwich Festival has a packed programme of events and free entertainment in the town centre and on the quay green. Highlights include: Friday – noon the annual St Bart’s Bun Run; Saturday – the carnival queens parade and free outdoor concert, plus barn dancing in the street; Sunday – the community showcase fills the Guildhall forecourt with salsa dancing, bar and BBQ at the Beach Hut on Breezy Corner, music on the green and illuminated boat parade; Monday – classic cars are on the quay green, in the town centre there will be the food fair, Monday Funday and the Sandwich Bites competition. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed this summer’s what’s on guide.

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RSPCA Canterbury and District – an appeal At RSPCA Canterbury and District Animal Centre we are looking to build a community of possible alternative homes for some of our more outdoorsy cats. We always have cats come in to our care that missed out on socialisation with humans at crucial stages in their development as kittens meaning they are nervous of people for the rest of their lives. Much as we might see a cat snuggled up on the sofa as an ideal home, this is not the case for all cats, and those that have not had contact with humans as young kittens would not cope in a traditional home environment. In order to help these cats find the stress-free life they deserve, we need to find people with large outside space and shelter who would be willing to offer this as a home for a cat. This could be anything from a shed in a large garden to a barn in a farmyard and everything in between. If you have always wanted to have a cat but have allergies, then a cat seeking an alternative home would be perfect as they wouldn’t want to come inside the house! All people would need to do is provide food, water and shelter and monitor the cat from a distance. Some of the cats looking for alternative homes would be quite happy to interact with people on their own terms, others would rather people kept their distance but would certainly help with pest control. The reward of offering a cat an alternative home? Restoring a cat’s faith in humanity and allowing it to find happiness. Some of our cats looking for alternative homes are: Brian, Stumpy, Octavia, Athena, Robin, Windsor, Kuching and Squish. If you would like to know more please give us a call on 01227 719113, or email us at info@rspca-canterbury.org.uk

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