lent lunches church stockbury - hugofox.com
TRANSCRIPT
Page
Not that I’m wishing the time away,
and at risk of sounding like a bah-
humbug yet again, I’ll be glad when Spring arrives as
I’ve had enough of snow already. I hope that by the
time you’re reading this the white-stuff has gone!
Maybe it was because of needing something to while
away those cold, snowy days I was asked if I could put
in a slightly more difficult crossword this month? Does
being bigger make it more difficult? I hope the one
I’ve squashed onto page 3 fits the bill. I’m always
happy to consider requests for items for the Observer.
Please contact me with any suggestions or ideas.
Tickets for the second year of the lottery for the
Church repairs went on sale during January and I
understand they are selling well. See page 9 for details
of how to buy your ticket and don’t forget to mention
Gift Aid if you’re a tax payer.
In this month’s edition:
Regulars: St Mary Magdelene and South Green
Service dates; Poet’s Corner; Puzzle Corner; Cottage
Gardeners; Letters;
Features: Mistakes (1)
Reports from: Masked Ball; St Mary Magdelene
Church Draw; Book Club
Notices & Dates: Fun Quiz; Library, Community Bus
schedule; 2013 Stockbury Observer Deadline dates;
Lent Lunches; Pie Lunch; Cricket Club
Sue Gardner
Folklore!
By John Cockett
Something my mother had said
Keeps going round in my head
When autumn has gone
It’s “winter draws on”!
Or a hot water bottle in bed!
February 2013—Editor’s notes
SERVICES AT SOUTH GREEN CHURCH
In view of the difficult weather conditions likely in February, services will be held in member’s homes at the usual time of 10am each Sunday. If you would like to attend any of the services please ring 01795 842978 for details of venue.
Diary for February
All events at the Memorial Hall unless otherwise shown
Fri 1st Dancing Club 8 pm
Sun 3rd Bowls 3-5 pm
Tue 5th Bowls 2-4 pm
NSYC 7.30 pm
Wed 6th Pilates 9.30-10.30 am
Thu 7th Gardeners 8 pm
Fri 8th Dancing Club 8 pm
Sat 9th Fun Quiz 7.30 pm
Sun 10th Bowls 3-5 pm
Tue 12th Bowls 2-4 pm
Wed 13th Pilates 9.30-10.30 am
WI 7.30 pm
Thu 14th Bowls match 7.30 pm
Fri 15th Dancing Club 8 pm
Sun 17th Bowls 3-5 pm
Tue 19th Bowls 2-4 pm
NSYC 7.30 pm
Wed 20th Pilates 9.30-10.30 am
Parish Council 7.30 pm
Thu 21st Bowls 7.30 pm
Fri 22nd Dancing Club 8 pm
Sun 24th Bowls 3-5pm
Tue 26th Bowls 2-4 pm
Wed 27th Pilates 9.30-10.30 am
Thu 28th Bowls 7.30 pm
Stockbury Parish Council Minutes
The full unapproved minutes will be
published on www.stockbury.org.uk as soon
as they are available. These unapproved
minutes will be approved at the next Parish
Council meeting to be held on
Wednesday 20th February 2013
Page 2
The services in the church for February 2013 are planned as follows:- 3 February - 3 pm Sung Communion 17 February – 3 pm Sung Communion Also:- 13 February – Ash Wednesday – there will be services in Iwade & Newington churches at 7.30 pm. All are welcome. If we experience extreme weather, these details may change, so please check with the church notice board or contact The Revd Liz Cox. Details of the range of services held within the six parish cluster, to which Stockbury belongs can also be found on the parishes' website – www.thesix.org.uk. or contact The Revd Liz Cox. For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals please contact The Revd Elizabeth Cox - tel. 01795 - 844241 Penny Stevens, PCC secretary
St Mary Magdalene Church Stockbury
Stockbury WI
No report this month for the WI except
to mention advance notice of our very
popular Pie Lunch which is to be held on Saturday 20th
April. As usual, there will be two sittings and tickets are
now on sale. Please see page 6 for more details.
We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7.30
pm and have a full programme available for 2013, details to
appear in future issues of the Stockbury Observer. Why not
come along and try us out?
February Sudoku (medium) Solutions on
page 10
LENT LUNCHES
(soup, jacket potatoes etc.)
Stockbury Village Hall
12.30—2 pm
£3.50
Wednesday
6th March
13th March
20th March
There will be a bring and buy stall
Everyone welcome
(Proceeds to Christian Aid and
Stockbury Church)
MASKED BALL New Year’s Eve in the Village
Hall saw party-goers arriving in
disguise. However, most masks
were discarded by the time the
first course was served– it seems
that soup and masks don’t mix!
The food was as delicious as
usual, prepared by Sue Porter and
Jacqui Harman ably assisted by
Treena Field, Kirstie Monk,
Harriet Averns, Sam Martin and
Ella and maybe some party-goers were a bit full-up with so
much yummy food to make it to the dance floor despite the
Five Star Swing band swinging!
The tables were decorated to the high standard we’ve
come to expect and the prize went to the table in the
corner—picture above. I’m glad I didn’t have to choose!
Midnight brought a few more revellers to the dance floor
and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne raised the rafters
followed by a fireworks display on the green, despite the
weather trying to dampen a few squibs.
Sue Gardner
Members of the winning table (see page 11 for more photos)
Page 3
February Crossword
To contact the editor: Email: [email protected]
All stories, notices, letters, recipes, articles and pictures
welcome.
All contributions must have a genuine name and contact
details otherwise the article will not be considered for
publication.
Please try to write your article as concisely as possible. The
Editor may have to change your layout etc. in order to
fit the space onto the pages.
Deadline third Friday of the month, see page 4 for
details. Please provide your articles sooner if possible please.
All emails will be acknowledged.
Views expressed by contributors are those of the author and not
necessarily those of the Editor or Parish Council. However, the
Editor reserves the right to publish, shorten articles/letters or
reduce the size of notices.
Solutions on page 10
Page 4
Visit us on: www.stockbury.org.uk
You get more with the
on-line Stockbury Observer!
Colour! More photos!
Available after the 1st of each month
STOCKBURY OBSERVER DEADLINES
2013 Please note the following deadlines which are the 3rd
Friday of the month with the exception of March,
August and November when it will be the 4th Friday.
I would much appreciate it if you didn’t leave your
submission to the absolute deadline as frequently
happened in 2012. Many thanks for your
consideration. The Editor
March 22nd August 23rd
April 19th September 20th
May 17th October 18th
June 21st November 22nd
July 19th December 20th
Stockbury Book Club
Book: Me Before You
Author: Jo Jo Moyes
Our Verdict: 9/10
This book sparked much debate at our book club meeting
this month. So much so, that we were hard pushed to
'rein it in' so that we could disperse and go home at the
end of the evening! It tells the story of a young, active
man, Will, who after being in a road accident faces a life
of paralysis confined to a wheelchair. Along comes Lou,
who becomes his carer and thus begins their journey
together - the ending unknown until the very last pages.
Although predictable in parts, this book is emotive,
credible, and totally engaging. Its story-line touches
upon mismatched love, family relationships, and the
highly topical subject of assisted dying. It's not all
kleenex and sniffles though. Many humorous incidents
are conjured up by the author, resulting in the reader's
feelings being sent oscillating from one emotion to the
other.
All our members said they loved it and were moved by
it. Comments were made that, out of all the books we
have read so far, this one evoked more debate, discussion
and opinions than any other. Easy to read, thought
provoking and gripping. Give it a go!
Denise Summer
Page 5
LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL
DRAIN CLEANING, CESSPOOL EMPTYING, INTERCEPTOR WASTE, OIL AND
SLUDGE REMOVAL,
CAMERA SURVEYS, FORECOURT CLEANING,
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
M B Farms Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 8.00 am—5.00 pm
Sunday 8.00 am—3.00 pm
Post Office hours Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 9.00 am—5.00 pm
Wed—9.00 am—4.00 pm
Sat—9.00 am—12.30 pm
Saturday Freighter Service
Stockbury Village Hall
Next collection date:
2nd February, 10:15—11:00 am.
There is no collection in March
For more information : http:/www.maidstone.gov.uk/
environment_and_planning/recycling,_rubbish_and_waste/
Saturday_freighter_service.aspx
Local Electrician
Domestic electrical installation
& repair work
undertaken to a high standard
No job too small
Part P BS7671 Qualified
Free Estimates
Call - Graham Seymour
Tel:01622 884288
Mobile:07522 666116
The Harrow Pub For your diary
Please note:
Fish & Chips Night will be held on
Saturday 2nd February
from 6 pm till 9. 30 pm (last booking)
Bookings only
Cod, Rock, Haddock
Phone 01795 842546
Valentines Day menu available—please ring for
enquiries Charles and Maxine would like you to join them on 22nd February to celebrate their joint birthday party
Live music and a complimentary buffet 7.30 for 8 pm
All are welcome
Community Bus
Weekly Schedule
Mondays – Sittingbourne
Tuesdays – Maidstone
incl. Lockmeadow Market
Thursdays – Hempstead Valley Shopping
Centre (Savacentre)
Pick ups from 9.30 a.m.
close to where you live
Call 07551-454702 to book your seat
Sponsored by
Mobile Library The mobile library stops out front of Stockbury Village Hall
every Thursday between 10.00 and 10.30 am.
Page 6
FUN QUIZ In aid of Stockbury Church
SATURDAY
9th
February 2013
at
Stockbury Village Hall
7.30pm start
£5.50 per person includes soft drinks and nibbles
(Bring own glasses)
Team of 6-8 per table
Contact Brenda Mace 01622 884746
Pie Lunch
Date for your diary
Stockbury Village Hall
Saturday 20th April
11.45am to 1.15pm
or
1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Adults £7.00 Children under 12yrs £4.00
Include a dessert, and tea or coffee
For tickets please telephone
Mary Clarke: 01795 842991
or
Brenda Mace: 01622 884746
planting in the garden.
When the ground is a little drier than it has been lately,
carefully remove each bean plant along with some soil. Try
not to damage or separate the roots and plant out as per the
instructions on the seed packet following guidance for
spacing and row width. If you have a bigger plot you can
even plant up several lengths of guttering.
There is NO excuse now for missing a planting date for
broad beans!!!
TIPS FOR FEBRUARY
Winter cabbage and Brussels may still be standing so on a
dry day try to pick up old leaves from under the mature
heads and pull from the plants any yellowing leaves. This
will give the slugs less chance of getting a feed, as we have
had such a wet period. I have noticed the increased
population of small black slugs.
If you have a greenhouse or conservatory you could steal a
march on your neighbours by planting some tomato seeds.
However, remember that they germinate really fast so they
will require a lot of all-round light and warmth so, leave
them until later if you do not have facilities.
Lettuce can be planted now in the greenhouse and they put
out under cloches when ready to transplant. I always grow
the sweet and crisp Little Gem. Lettuce is one of the few
seeds that will NOT germinate if they are too hot, so a cool
greenhouse or windowsill will get them going.
Last month I reminded you to plan your planting. There is
still time to order seeds. Next year remember that ALL
Stockbury gardeners receive a 40% discount if you order
through the society in December.
Do not forget our meeting is on 7th February.
Tip of the month: it’s a great idea to compost kitchen
vegetable waste but do NOT use leek, onion , or garlic as
you could introduce disease into the garden.
If you have any questions on either the Gardeners’ society
or general growing queries, please come along on the 7th
and ask. Someone will always know the answer. If it’s
your first time, you can come as a guest. Annual
membership is only £10 which is terrific value.
Chris Spree
See page 7 for our programme from Feb-Jun
‘Things to do with a big lawnmower!’
S T O C K B U R Y C O T T A G E G A R D E N E R S
If you are like me and forgot to plant broad beans in
October, you can always cheat by copying me.
First take a 6 foot length of old plastic guttering, and
tape up each end with gaffer tape/duct tape. I normally
use old tomato compost, break it up and lay it in the
gutter. Moisten the compost and plant the bean seeds
about 3 inches apart along the length.
Keep the guttering in a warm conservatory or
greenhouse until the bean plants are about 2 inches in
height; it will take about 2-3 weeks. Take care not to
allow them to stay indoors for too long or they will
become “leggy”.
They need to be put outside to acclimatise prior to
Page 7
Letters Dear Editor,
Has anyone else told you that they saw an Emu or Ostrich
running around in the field next to the White House on A249?
We did but got nowhere with our enquiries. Did it belong to
the White House, had it got out from somewhere? We hope it
managed to find its way home because it would not last long
in the snow.
This is a true story.
Frank and Brenda Mace
Parish Council Funding - Council Tax
It is with great regret that Stockbury Parish Council feels that
it has no alternative but to raise the Parish element (the
precept) of the coming year’s council tax.
We recognise that, in the middle of a recession, this is an
unwelcome change for all Parishioners and would like to
explain why this decision has been reached.
A significant part of the income received by Stockbury
Parish Council comes in the form of funding from Maidstone
Borough Council (MBC). This money is intended to pay for
services that the Parish Council provides which, more urban
Parishes within the Borough would have centrally funded by
MBC. An example would be street cleaning.
Stockbury Parish Council has been working hard with the
group of Parishes around Maidstone, to encourage Maidstone
Borough Council to improve its approach to Parish funding
and to be more open about how it spends the money it
receives from all of us in the form of Council Tax.
Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to achieve this.
In order to balance its books, MBC has significantly
reduced the funding to its Parishes for 2013 and will continue
to reduce it over the coming years. This will help MBC keep
its element of your council tax the same, but gives us the
choice, either to stop certain services in the Parish, or raise
our element of the Council Tax.
You may be aware that we have already asked the Village
Hall Committee and Church to reduce their reliance on
funding from the Parish Council. This will allow Stockbury
Parish Council to significantly reduce the pressure on the
Parish budget this year.
Along with other measures, we have reduced the Parish
Council’s planned expenditure for 2013-2014 by 19% when
compared to the current year. We must however plan for
funding reductions by MBC in future years.
By raising the Parish element of the Council Tax now,
Stockbury Parish Council is confident that the effects of
reduced funding from MBC, can be offset over the next 3
years.
Please be assured that the Parish Council will continue
working hard with other Parishes in the Borough in order to
maintain pressure on MBC, to be more open about its
finances.
The amount of your council tax which comes directly to
the Parish is small, for a band E property, it is £40.00 per
year, approximately 2% of your total council tax bill. The
estimated amount of increase per week for each council tax
band for 2013-2014 is shown below.
Council Tax Band Amount of increase Per week (Est.)
A £0.07
B £0.08
C £0.09
D £0.10
E £0.13
F £0.15
G £0.21
H £0.22
Stockbury Parish Council
Stockbury Cricket Club
in association with Hartlip CC
It still feels like winter, but the cricket season is not far
away. Now is the time to start brushing up on your
batting and bowling skills so why not join us for net
practice
Where: The Howard School
When: Tuesday evening 7.00-8.30pm
5th Feb—26th Mar
Everyone 14yrs. and over is welcome to come along
Please call the captain Tom Bulbrook for more
details: 07780440526
2013 Programme 7th February 8pm ‘Quiz’ A general knowledge fun quiz
7th March 8pm ‘Growing Exhibition
Potatoes with Sherie Plumb’ - DVD presention featuring
one of the top exhibitors in the show world explaining how she
grows potatoes – useful information for growing in containers.
4th April 8pm Talk: ‘Ranscombe Farm
Reserve’ Mr Richard Moyse—A nature reserve, working
farm & country park occupying an area of 560 acres in Cuxton.
Wed 24th April 7.30pm ‘Annual Gardening Quiz’ - A visit to Faversham Horticultural Society to support our quiz
team.
Wed 1st May 8pm ‘Hanging Basket Workshop’
- Bring baskets/liners and purchase plants (compost/feed/water-
storing granules supplied).
6th June 6.30pm Visit to ‘Blacker & Moore
Cut Flower Farm’ - A specialist nursery supplying scented
roses and peonies for weddings.
Sat 22nd June 2pm Sweet Pea & Rose Show A special year for us, as we celebrate the 60th year of this show.
Lex Levermore (Secretary)
Page 8
MASSIVE BLUNDERS NUMBER 1
by Ann Rich
We all make mistakes at some point in our lives
(unless of course you are perfect!) some more
serious than others. Usually none of them are well
publicised. However other individuals are not so
fortunate. I thought, for your interest, I would
relate some of those serious errors over the next
few months, events you will no doubt remember
from history lessons...
You probably don’t know Thomas Farynor by
name but if I mention Pudding Lane next to it then
you may have
a clue as to
this person’s
disastrous
mistake and
subsequently
other’s
misjudgements too.
Fraynor was a well respected, royal baker to
Charles II and had been for five years. His bakery
was in Pudding Lane adjacent to a largely non-
residential area of old London. His working days
were long and arduous. Each night he would douse
the fire ovens and take his candle up to bed. On
the night of September 2nd 1666 he failed (it is
supposed) to extinguish the embers and at around
two in the morning sparks from them kindled a
fire, which spread rapidly, fanned by a strong
wind. Now the rest you might say is history for the
conflagration which followed destroyed the City
of London and became known as the Great Fire of
London.
However Farynor’s mistake, oversight,
carelessness, call it what you will was not the only
error committed that year and which culminated in
the huge, destructive fire.
The 1666 summer had been exceptionally hot
and the close built wooden structures of London
were tinder dry. Fires, albeit small frequently
broke out and were quickly quenched, but despite
warnings as to the dangers no measures were taken
by the authorities to consider emergency
measures.
When Pudding Lane caught light it was assumed
by some influential people including the Mayor of
London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, to be just
another minor problem. Pepys, the diarist, woken
by his maid in the early hours dismissed the
visible smoke as to be nothing of consequence.
But by dawn the dwellings on London Bridge
were burning.
Having lost the opportunity to take evasive
action before dawn, later that morning Pepys
walked to the Tower of London and when he
observed the path of the flames, immediately
informed the King who subsequently ordered the
mayor, to begin demolition of as many houses as
necessary to form a fire break. The mayor dithered
about what action to take and was slow to take
account of the gathering strength of the east wind.
By the following dawn the fire still raged and now
the Duke of York took control, using the militia to
fight the fire and stop looting, to no avail.
Tuesday saw the destruction worsen. Cheapside
burned, Ludgate and Newgate prisons were
destroyed, Fleet Street and Chancery Lane were on
fire and eventually St Paul’s Cathedral went up in
flames, the heat melting the roof and the molten
lead flowed down Ludgate Hill. The temperature
was such that stones from the building exploded
and in a very short time the building was a ruin. By
the end of Wednesday the wind had changed
direction, the fire had slowed and it headed towards
the river where eventually it died. By Thursday the
embers still smouldered but the remains of the fire
were contained. It has been suggested that even six
months later some of London’s cellars were still
being cooled down.
Around 13,000 houses were burned, 84 churches,
and 44 company halls lost and 100,000 people were
made homeless. However one could say that despite
the errors good came out of the destruction.
London’s worst slums where the great plague of
1665 had raged, were destroyed. Planned
reconstruction of the City could take place and not
least Sir Christopher Wren had a chance to rebuild
St Paul’s Cathedral.
Ref: Bruce Robinson Camb. Univ. ‘London’s Burning’
Nigel Blundell ‘Mistakes of the world’
Page 9
SAVE STOCKBURY CHURCH FUND
NEW MONTHLY DRAW - MARCH TO DECEMBER 2013
Cost of one draw entry for each of TEN months (March to December)
= ONE payment of £10, payable in January / early February 2013
Prizes Each month - March to December £ 30 . £ 20 . £ 15
plus one additional prize
March, June & September £ 50
plus one additional prize
December £ 100
If 200 or more tickets are sold by 30 November 2013 a further prize of £50 will be paid in
December (233 tickets were sold in 2012)
The draws will take place on the second Saturday of each month - March to December:
at MB Farms Village Shop, Stockbury at 12 noon sharp.
All proceeds, after the payment of prizes, will go to the Save Stockbury Church Fund.
One or more draw tickets at £10 each may be bought. Each draw ticket will be allocated a number
which will stand for the duration of the draw.
Draw ticket holders do not have to live in or have connections with Stockbury.
Ticket numbers will be allocated as follows:
For people who bought tickets for the 2012 draw:
If you wish to buy the same number of tickets as for 2012 you will be allocated the same
numbers for 2013. No application form needs to be filled in.
If you wish to buy fewer tickets than in 2012 you can choose whichever numbers you would
like from your 2012 tickets. No application form needs to be filled in.
If you wish to buy more tickets than in 2012 you will need to fill in a new application form
for these extra tickets only.
Angela Brown at MB Farms Post Office has a list of all tickets sold in 2012—by ticket number and by
surname—and can tell you what numbers you had in 2012.
For people who did not buy tickets for the 2012 draw, please ask Angela for an application form.
Cash payments should be left with Angela at the Post Office of MB Farms Village Shop, Stockbury—
envelope and receipt will be provided
Cheque payments payable to ‘Save Stockbury Church Fund No 2 a/c’ should be left with Angela, as
above, or sent to MB Farms, c/o Angela Brown, Parsonage Farm, Stockbury, Sittingbourne,
Kent ME9 7UJ—Tel: 01795 842401, or sent to
David Williams, Beaux Aires Cottage, Yelsted Road, Stockbury, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7QY
Tel: 01622 737392
The winners will be notified individually and published in the Stockbury Observer.
People joining after the March draw to pay £1 for each month not yet drawn - minimum £5.
The draw is registered as a lottery with Maidstone Borough Council.
Any decision requiring arbitration will be made by Stockbury Parochial Church Council.
NOTE The FIRST prize in the FIRST draw in March 2013 will be £50, as above
Page 10
USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
Cricket Club—Mike Lee 01795 842532
Church Matters—St Mary Magdelene
Revd Liz Cox 01795 844241
South Green Methodist
Church Steward—Freddie Davey 01795 842978
Community Bus—Booking line 07551 454702
Dancing Club—Sue Carey 01634 387478
Dog Club—Mick Bingham 01795 842480
Electricity Problems 0800 7838866 Environment Agency—Incident hotline 0800 807060
Fly Tipping & Waste Collection
Including bulky items 01622 602162
Gardeners—Lex Levermore 01795 842741
Golf Society—Jeff Hall 01795 843296
Hall Bookings—Brenda Cockett 01622 737782
Maidstone BC Councillor Daphne Parvin 01622 673209
07967 224839
MB Farms stores and Post Office 01795 842401
Neighbourhood Watch—
Local co-ordinator—Tony Kerr 01795 844077
Not So Young Club—Shirley Moss 01795 842691
Kent Messenger correspondent Claire Adams 01795 841140
Pétanque Club—Mick Bingham 01795 842480
Photographic Club—Tim Arnold 01795 843049
Stockbury Observer Editor
Sue Gardner—[email protected]
Police – Emergency only 999
Non-emergency
101
& ALL General enquiries
Police Community Support Officer for Stockbury PCSO Siobhan De Búrca 07772 226099
Crimestoppers (confidential) 0800 555111
Public Footpaths – PROW Officer—John Pelham
01732 872829
ext 4
Roads, potholes etc (manned 24 hours)
[email protected] 08458 247800
RSPCA 0300 1234999
Short Mat Bowls—Sue Finnis 01795 844524
South East Water emergency 0845 6032603
South Green Rendezvous Club
Ken Elgar 01795 424827
W. I.- Brenda Mace 01622 88 4746
Oil Boiler Specialists
Can I just advise all home owners in and around Stockbury that
Oil boilers only need to be serviced once a year.
This will be news to some of you I’m sure.
A service should comprise of changing the nozzle,
replacing the flexible oil line,
changing/cleaning any and all oil filters,
removing all the baffles and
cleaning the INSIDE of the boiler.
Once this has been done and the boiler is rebuilt it should be fired
up and the emissions tested with a gas analyzer and the settings
adjusted to give you the most efficient boiler you can have.
It is your oil - burn it wisely.
Changing the nozzle and vacuuming out the front is not a service,
it is a rip off!
Call us and we will be happy to talk to you about our service with
only friendly advice and no selling.
01795 842291 or 07894067151
OFTEC registered and certified
Puzzle Solutions: