Thank You for visiting Rostrum Wateringbury Village Free Magazine
Some find it easier to read the magazine in the Past Issues section
Welcome to the October edition of Rostrum
OCTOBER
4 Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – outside village hall
14 WI – introduction to Reike talk – 7.30pm - hall
8 Village Market – 10am-1pm - hall
20 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm – hall upper room
21 History Soc – Malling Poor Law Union talk – 8pm - hall
21 Flower Club – Halloween demo – 7pm – N’stead hall
NOVEMBER
1 Footpaths Walk – 2pm (earlier start)– outside village hall
8 Parish Act of Remembrance – 10am - church
11 WI – Christmas Crafting- 7.30pm - hall
15 Village Christmas Market – 10am-1pm - hall
17 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm – hall upper room
18 Macmillan Coffee Morning – 10.30am- 12.30pm - church
18 History Soc – Bob Ogley 20thC Kent talk – 8pm - hall
21 Christmas Craft Bazaar – 11.30am-2.30pm - church
Older village residents are invited to come and enjoy a Christmas Meal at the modest cost of £17.
Monday 7th December at 1pm at The Railway
Those wishing to come should contact the Parish Clerk by 2nd November phone 079 43 937694
Or email 
clerk@wateringburyparish.gov.uk
CHRISTMAS CRAFT BAZAAR
SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
11.30am-2.30pm
at the Church - Entry Free
Lots of local craft stalls to browse
Books and DVDs - Cards, - Jewellery
Stock up your larder with Sheena’s jams and Gordon’s pickles.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee plus delicious home-made cakes.
or a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.
Come for delicious lunch time home-made soup.
There will also be the traditional Cake Stall and Tombola.
General Raffle and Christmas Cake Raffle.
COFFEE BREAK Wednesdays 21st October and
4th November
This friendly group meets on alternate Wednesdays from 10.30am-12.30pm in the church social area to enjoy tea, coffee and home-made cake and of course a chat. Suggested donation £1.
On Wednesday 7th October there will be no meeting as it is the church’s Harvest celebration lunch. Numbers are limited because of logistics so this is a ticket only event. If you would like to come, please phone Gillian who has the tickets (01622 813076).
Our Coffee Break on Wednesday 18th November will also be different. We are planning a MacMillian Coffee Morning with a bring and buy stall. So do save the date and come along to the church between 10.30am and 12.30pm and support this valued charity. Gillian Sessions
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes by 17th October for our November magazine. Entries are free.
Email www.rostrum2@hotmail.com
Best wishes to Guy and Rostrum distributor Carol Bowden as they leave Wateringbury after 57 years (17 years in Allington Gardens and 40 years in Red Hill). We are now looking for a new Rostrum distributor for Red Hill, if you are able to take on this task please email rostrum2@hotmail.com.
Bob Edmunds’ Life in Wateringbury
We moved into our house on 25th September 1976 50 years ago. It was my mum’s birthday.
Sandra and I married in April 1973, had we married the year before we would have had enough to put down on a three bed house but the following year it went crazy with price increases. We ended up buying a 2 bed maisonette in Lordswood Chatham which had been built one year before and sold for £4000, the following year when we bought it was £8100. I know people think us boomers had it easy but my wages didn’t increase by 100% unlike the property. The following year mortgage rates were 11% and bank interest rates were 12%.
We started looking to move to a house in early 1976, we had a place lined up in East Peckham, turned out the seller spent his time putting the houses the market and then pulling out which cost us money we could ill afford. As we we heading home we passed an estate agent in school rd East Peckham called Nyes. They said we have just had a property come in in Wateringbury, to which we said where’s that.
On our way into the village we noticed a railway station which East Peckham didn’t have. As we both worked in London that was very useful, popped into speak to Ken the station master, ticket seller and only member of staff.
When we saw the house the climbing roses were in full bloom and the view we still have was to die for. We arranged a viewing and we’re happy with the £13000 price even tho the house was about 5 years old and first sold for about £4000 I believe.
Not simple though, we were in a contract race and also to get a mortgage we had to have an endowment one which only paid off interest and made more Money for the mortgage company and commission for the sales man.
Anyway we got it and moved in on the 25th. Sandra was soon pregnant and before she left her job with Homes and Gardens magazine, bought home our first cat Ben from a work colleague.
Philip was born on the 11th of August 1977, Stuart followed three years later, five years after that David arrived, and then in under 2 years Lucy surprised us as we wondered if we would ever have a girl. We were Lucky being on the end plot as we were able to add 4 extensions and a garage to the house or we would have had to move.
In 1979 interest rates climbed to 17% and the mortgage rate was up to 15%. Can you imagine those rates now.
I got fed up travelling to London on the 6.34 train and getting home after 7pm most nights so when I was about 45 I started my own little heating business which I only retired from when I was 70. For the last 10 years of working I had knee surgery and was struggling a bit. I got Tony Goodwin who lives in the road to come and help me for a short while or so I thought. He was such a quick learner and a real asset he was with me until I retired. He passed his gas safe exams quickly and became part of the renamed Ba and T heating.
He has his own business now so if you need any heating work he’s your man.
I enjoyed helping run a boys club with Christine Byron and John Lindsey in the 80s.
We have had great neighbours and we are only the 4th longest residents in Allington Gardens, Rita and Dennis Stones, Sue and Mike Witts are original from when the houses were built, Jenny and Cliff Hickmott have been here about a year or so longer than us. Many of our neighbours have been here 30-40 years. Sadly we lost three neighbours this year, Doreen Parks, George and Jane Bryant.
I was lucky enough to play cricket for the village team for several years and we went on several tours which were great fun.
I joined the parish council about 3 years ago which after an interesting start has been very rewarding. I was also a trustee for the WRSA which ran the playing fields for years but now is back in house with the parish council.
Sandra and I are loving our time with our 4 granddaughters and 2 grand sons whose ages range from 15 to 10 months.
We are hoping our children will attend the schools 50th anniversary celebrations as we did our bit to keep it going.
Sandra has a good group of friends and also attends the History Society meetings and goes on several of Claire’s days out trips.
I enjoy fishing and am very lucky as there are plenty of lakes locally.
Wateringbury is certainly a great place to live. So, here’s to the next 50 years! Bob Edmunds
Allotment at the end of our garden in Pizien Well Wateringbury available for cultivation . Retainer fee for the year £70 Please ring 01622 817842
WATERINGBURY TODDLER GROUP
We are a friendly group that welcomes all parents, carers, grandparents, childminders etc with children from 0 - 5. We run every Wednesday 10am-Noon during school term time. The cost is £3.50 for the first child and adult and then £1 for every additional child 8+ months.
The large hall is set up with lots of toys for free play, a craft session is included and then snack and drink for the children. We finish with a music session and lots of footballs. Adult's drinks and biscuits are also included. We also have a baby area for younger children. Like our Facebook Page (Wateringbury Toddler Group) for any important information/messages. We return from our summer break on Wednesday 9th September. We then run ever Wednesday until 21st October and break for one week on Wednesday 28th October for half term. Email:wateringburytoddlergroup@gmail.com
HISTORY SOCIETY
The speaker at our meeting in the village hall at 8pm on Wednesday 21st October is Deborah Collins who will speak about Malling Poor Law Union (The changing role of the workhouse).
Then on 18th November we have a change of plan and welcome Bob Ogley speaking about Kent in the 20th Century (Bob had to postpone his planned visit in September). Other speakers booked are: Dean Caston QEII A lifetime of Service, Simon Waterfield The Defence of England in WW2, Adam Taylor Medway Muddies, Tony Harris Titanic – the ship that never sank, and Stuart Robinson The London of Charles Dickens.
Our talks are free to members and visitors are welcome at £7 (cash) an evening. It’s still worthwhile becoming a member for our 2026/27 series of talks. There are 7 talks and our Christmas Social evening remaining all for £20. We look forward to seeing you.
Christine Byron
UKRAINE FOUR YEARS ON – STILL A NEED
Unfortunately there is still a desperate need for donations: human medical and animal even part used. Clean winter clothes and shoes. Blankets, torches unwanted tools much needed.
I’m also appealing for clean soft toys for a Christmas tombola. This is to finance neutering costs to enable small independent local animal rescues and sanctuaries to ensure the animals they take in can then be rehomed with no risk of indeterminate breeding of more unwanted pets.
All the above can be dropped off to me. Sue Collins - 07875 262659
WATERINGBURY FOOTPATHS GROUP
I am hoping to get back to leading walks again soon, we will be leaving the Village Hall at:
ü 2.30pm on Sunday 4th October (Judy to lead)
ü 2.00pm on Sunday 1st November.
(The hour will have changed by the time of the November walk and in the winter we go out earlier to ensure we get home before it is dark.)
We have a WhatsApp group that I use to remind walkers when and where we are going to meet. I can also text people who don’t use WhatsApp. If you think you’d like to join us, please contact me for more information, or simply turn up at the start. Everyone is very welcome to join our sociable group walks.
Thanks to Jane, who led our September walk. She took the group down to Bow Bridge, then along the riverside footpath upstream, turning uphill to cross the stiles and railway and continue up through Yalding churchyard. They carried on in the same direction, up Gibbs Hill, turning right at the top to walk along the footpath that has great views and leads down to the waterfall bridge and on to Old Road. There a right turn and another one took them by the pond before following the bridleway back to Bow Road. Along the way they were told about a nuthatch that they did their best to rescue. It was an enjoyable walk and there was a good turnout in excellent walking weather.
Lisa Dean 077 5953 9032
WATERINGBURY WI
meets 2nd Wednesday of every month
7.30 to 9.30 pm at the village hall.
We had a great Welcome back to September. Meritxell From MCM travels in Paddock Wood came along to tell us about River Cruising. There are so many beautiful places to visit in the world and a river cruise sounds a great way to do some of it. We had a lot of time after her presentation to chat and catch up on our Summer news with coffee and a selection of cakes. It was lovely to see a few new faces joining us.
Some of our ladies have also been busy during the summer knitting bears for the Buddy Bag Foundation which have gone off in the post to Children in emergency care.
On the 14th September we had a coach trip to Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens. The weather was good to us, just a light breeze and lots of sunshine. It was good to meet some of the friends of our members who came along to enjoy the day with us. Coming Up..... in October we have another trip on the river Medway on the Kingfisher boat .
Our meeting ion 14th October. A nice relaxing evening where we can focus on our mind and body with an introduction into REIKI with Chloe Fitzsimons. Please come along if you fancy something different.
Visitors £3 Refreshments £1 Raffle £1.00
email Wateringbury@wkfwi.org.uk
Sharon Goshawk President
BOROUGH COUNCILLORS MATT BOUGHTON AND SARAH HUDSON
There is not enough drinking water to supply the number of new homes the Government wishes to see built in Tonbridge and Malling.
That is the view of South East Water, our water provider. Our water infrastructure can cope with an extra 317 homes a year across the borough. Yet the Government has mandated 1,117 homes a year be built.
Consequently, at a meeting on 3rd September Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council felt it could not proceed with its Local Plan – the document which plans where future development will be. We considered it irresponsible to pursue a plan which was so unrealistic in terms of our water infrastructure.
Yet less than 24 hours later, the Government intervened. Citing rarely used powers under Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Government overruled the decision of your Councillors and have forced the Local Plan to proceed. Despite knowing there isn’t enough water to cope. Worse still, the Council is legally required to comply with this direction – regardless of whether it agrees or not. Needless to say, we don’t agree. We think it is irresponsible to plan for more houses than our infrastructure can cope with. It is counterproductive to progress a plan for which the majority of houses within it cannot actually be delivered.
Yet the Government cannot see beyond its determination to see 1,117 homes a year built here – giving no regard to current or even potential infrastructure. The proposed solutions to improve the water infrastructure haven’t been fully costed or planned yet. There is no guarantee they will actually happen and be able to tolerate the level of development the Government wishes.
Then there is also the question of ‘devolution’. The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, likes to speak about giving more power to local communities. Isn’t reversing a decision of a democratically elected council the very opposite of this? The outcome of this is that the Local Plan is now out to consultation again, and we have until 25th October to have our views heard. This is a much more technical consultation than before but the good news is that no new sites have been added, and the previous allocation for 30 homes on the east of Red Hill has been removed.
There will be an online public meeting on Monday 5th October, please e-mail matt.boughton@tmbc.gov.uk if you would like to dial in and here more about this process.
Please visit www.tmbc.gov.uk/local-plan to have your say.
WATERINGBURY SURGERY UPDATE
We are delighted to welcome Dr Roxanna Chung to Wateringbury Surgery. Dr Chung will take on some of the GP sessions previously covered by Dr Sohanpal. We are continuing to recruit for the remaining GP hours and hope to share further updates soon.
As we move into the autumn and winter months, we encourage all eligible patients to have their annual flu vaccination. The flu vaccine helps protect against serious illness and is available to:
· People aged 65 and over, · Adults with certain long-term health conditions
· Pregnant women, · Care home residents,· Eligible children
· Carers and those living with someone who is immunocompromised
Please book your vaccination when invited.
To help improve our services, we will be introducing GP Automate from 22nd September 2026. This NHS-approved system helps our team manage routine tasks more efficiently, reducing delays and allowing staff to spend more time supporting patients.
From October 2026, clinicians will also begin using Lexacom Ambient AI Scribe during consultations. This technology helps create draft consultation notes from the conversation. All notes are checked and approved by the clinician before being added to your medical record.
For more information about GP Automate or Lexacom Ambient AI Scribe, please ask for a copy of our privacy notice.
TESTON AND WATERINGBURY PRE SCHOOL
This term, we are continuing to enjoy our featured book, Whatever Next by Jill Murphy, while exploring space through a range of activities. We will build rockets and learn about the planets and the world around us. In our role-play area, children can create a space station and dress as astronauts, just like Baby Bear in the story. We will also make space biscuits for snack time and sing ‘Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon’, helping children practise counting backwards.
Our pre-school lending library is now up and running, offering a variety of books to choose from and take home to share with their siblings and parents. We are also encouraging our families to join their local libraries as this is a great place to take your children on a wet and windy day. Books can support children's creative development and imaginative thinking, as well as spending that quality bonding time with your child.
This term, the pre-school is organising a "bags to school" collection for unwanted clothes to be reused and recycled. The collection will take place at 9:00am on Friday 2nd October. Anyone wishing to recycle unwanted clothes, bags, shoes, or towels is asked to place items in a bag and bring them in any day week commencing Monday 28th September between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Please ring the doorbell at the back of the village hall upon arrival. All monies raised will go towards buying craft material for the children.
If you would like your child to be part of this amazing pre-school family please contact Tina Driver: 07805796353
testonpreschooladmissions@gmail.com Find us on Facebook too!
GROUP WALKS WITH TONBRIDGE AND MALLING RAMBLERS
Thursday 22nd October a 5 mile circular walk from Offham through woods across fields to Offham Church, then onto Church. Return through West Malling Meadows. Mostly flat with one stile. Moderate difficulty. Full details of all October walks www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk or our Facebook page.
PROTECT OUR MEDWAY VALLEY
Fields Lane refusal of development: Thank you, everyone
Great news!! — the planning application for Fields Lane has been refused, and it's a result our whole community can be proud of.
Thank you to all the locals who backed the campaign in ways big and small — whether it was financing a second independent Land Valuation assessment from their own pockets, signing an objection, donation to the Crowdfunder, spreading the word, or simply cheering on from the sidelines. Protect Our Medway Valley (POMV) held many meetings following advice from a planning expert. Behind the scenes, volunteers put in countless hours researching planning law and working through documents and finding ways to support the planning committee members in their decision for a refusal. The POMV crowdfunder raised an incredible £3,000, which paid for leaflets, banners (many thanks to Lee at the wood yard, who gave us space for one of them), a Land Valuation Assessment, and two rounds of printing onto A3 sheets so it could be hand-delivered to every member of the planning committee. Thank you to everyone who donated, and to the volunteers who carried out leaflet drops. Many thanks go to Matt Boughton, Sarah Hudson, Wateringbury Parish Council and Peter Coulling (Teston Parish Council) for their support and hard work during this lengthy process. This was a true group effort, and it shows what we can achieve when we pull together. Thank you all.
WATERINGBURY GUIDES
We’ve been busy over the summer holidays planning fun and challenging activities. We’ve got cake baking, some pioneering – ropes and poles to build climbing apparatus, a first aid evening in aid of the Kent, Surry and Sussex air ambulance, and of course our trip to Big Gig. This is an event for Girlguiding members only at Wembley arena and such acts as The Wanted 2.0, Kerry Ellis, and Aston Merrygold are confirmed with more to come. We’re off to Chatham Ski Centre to go tobogganing and on the snow tubes and we also have a very popular trip to see Paddington in London.
We’ll be at the Remembrance service at Wateringbury church proudly parading our flag as well as taking part in the commemorations. In readiness for Christmas, we’re making mini-Christmas cakes, decorating baubles and making sweets to sell at the Christmas bazaar at Wateringbury church. We’re hoping to have another go at our cardboard ovens – yes, we did manage to cook fairy cakes in them last time before they went up in smoke, as well as trying to cook pancakes over a colander! Finally, we end the year with a trip to ten pin bowling in Maidstone. A very busy term and it will be hugely enjoyable. If you have a daughter who would love to join these activities, there are still spaces in brownies (aged 7-10), and guides (aged 10-15) in Wateringbury so please register your daughter on https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-a-child/ We encourage girls to come and visit for a week or more before deciding if they want to join us. Sheena Stewart
GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
I’ve really missed feeding the birds through the Summer, but the RSPB’s recent advice is that we can now start offering high-fat, energy foods like sunflower seeds, suet and peanuts to help them store fuel for migration or colder weather. The food should be in feeders rather than on flat surfaces as they’re less likely to spread disease and cleaned weekly. Another way to support our native birds is to plant a fruiting tree and now is a good time as the soil is still warm and moist. Some of the best berries for birds are holly, hawthorn, rowan or crab apple.
I currently have two rescue hedgehogs in my garden that I’m feeding up for a couple of weeks prior to release. Once free, they’ll be relying on natural food and will need to travel further afield to find it. If you can ensure that you have a clear highway from your garden to any safe, surrounding area, then our local hedgehogs should be able to feed up in readiness for their hibernation.
Now is a good time to gather seeds from your favourite flowering plants and either sew them directly into well-prepared soil or dry them out and sow them into trays of peat-free compost, pricking them out when large enough to handle. Alternatively, you can store them somewhere frost-free and dry and sow them in the Spring. Pauline Knutton
NETTLESTEAD AND WATERINGBURY PRE-SCHOOL
A busy term 1 with our new and old families starting back. It’s been great catching up with everyone and hearing about the children’s summer adventures! The children have enjoyed coming back, building new friendships, and seamlessly falling into preschool life.
We have also had some amazing feedback from our leaving families saying how wonderfully well their children have transitioned into primary school life. Showing great independence through the whole experience, something we promote strongly within the setting. It is important to us to help the children develop skills they can take away with them to use as they progress further into their journeys.
The children have been getting to know each other using our family board pointing out family, friends and pets, building great communications and social skills. Through this we have extended the children’s learning by making family trees/pictures using natural resources to talk about people that are special to them.
We are looking forward to exploring autumn with the children and to see what natural treasures we can find around us as the season turns.
‘The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky’, by Margaret Macmillan. We are looking forward to exploring this quote further with our children through our Curiosity Approach Accreditation J Come and join us on journey!
26th September: some spaces still available in our wrap around and preschool sessions (Government funding accepted).
Please email enquiries@nwps.org.uk for more information
WATERINGBURY VILLAGE MARKET
18th October and Christmas Market on
15th November
September’s market had 25 sellers – including 3 new stalls. This market is well established and a great asset to the village. We have a wide range of items on offer. As well as JoJo’s Cupcakes and Marianne’s Kitchen offering delicious home bakery and coffees, Independent Trotters local meats and pies. Also bespoke jewellery, prints, cards and unique handcrafts. Do pop along even if just for a chat with friends and neighbours. No pressure to buy and entry is free. See you there.
Sue Collins
RAINBOWS
Rainbows restarted after the summer break with tales of holiday adventures, badge work activities and for many of our girls, news of their very first few days of big school. Rainbows can join at 4 years old and stay until they are 7. We have one girl now wearing the brand new uniform which you might have heard about in the media over the summer. We had some fruity fun with making fruit salads and learning about blue plaques to remember important people and places. A few experienced their first taste of kiwi fruit after the challenge of firstly peeling and cutting it. Not the easiest fruit to handle and prompted lots of conversations.
This term we are looking at developing skills for our future with various activities and will be taking part in the region's Guiding for Good challenge. Look out for us in the village, as we hope to venture out into the community this month. For more information about us, contact WateringburyRainbows@outlook.com Tiffany Allen
TOM TUGENDHAT MP
September often brings surprises and new beginnings. For me, that has meant taking on a new role as shadow Foreign Secretary. Working alongside Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Conservative Party, I will be helping shape our foreign policy, working to make Britain safer and more prosperous, and boosting our role in the world.
Iran have targeted our infrastructure at home; Russia has sailed unregistered ships through our waters and China intimidates dissidents in Britain. It is clear that events overseas can threaten our security, but those threats are not limited to conventional war. They also affect our food supplies, energy security and cybersecurity. Keeping our country safe requires Britain to stand up for its interests on the world stage. After serving in uniform and in government, I want to see our country use every skill and talent to make us stronger and happier. All that to defend what we love at home.
I will continue responding to residents’ concerns, supporting local businesses, charities and community groups. From improving phone signal to ensuring that upgrades are made to local water infrastructure, I am working for the people of Wateringbury. As always, I’m here to serve you. If you have a concern, suggestion or question, please email me at tom.tugendhat.mp@parliament.uk.
Litter danger to wildlife While I was delivering Rostrums in Canon Lane earlier in the year I stopped to pick up a bottle which had been thrown in the hedgerow. It had some liquid in it and as I shook it to empty out the contents a dead field mouse came out tail first, then sadly two more. All must have been attracted into the bottle and become trapped. So please don’t discard bottles, cans and even crisp packets they can be a danger to wildlife. Christine Byron
REV GARY WRITES
The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NA
gary.rev@outlook.com ( 01622 813178
website – mwwpchurches.org
Harvest Thanks
As ever the Harvest Festival services in our churches provide an opportunity for us to gather and give thanks to God for all His goodness and also remember the farmers and their helpers who work closely with God’s provision through nature in the fields of our parishes.
And as we show our gratitude for human effort, I want to acknowledge my thankfulness to all those who over the last few months have worked hard at events that have brought much needed funds for the upkeep of our church buildings. Those buildings are first and foremost places of Christian witness, worship and prayer but they also stand as important parts of the history of our parishes and they get many visitors. They are also used by those who are not regular worshippers who come wanting funerals and weddings and places in which to remember their departed loved ones. So, the upkeep of those buildings in our parishes is important to more people than just those believers in the Lord Jesus who worship in them regularly.
Some of the money raised at the fetes in Mereworth and West Peckham was given to the churches there. The Cream Teas in Mereworth raised a lot of money for St Lawrence’s and the recent Ride ‘n Stride event at Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham brought in even more donations. Also, Wateringbury Church benefits from all the funds raised at the FOWC (Friends of Wateringbury Church) Strawberry Tea Party. So, my thanks go to all those who gave their time, energies and talents to these events. My thanks go too to all those who supported these events and I hope you enjoyed them.
I try and remember to thank individuals as and when I see them but, across three parishes, you can imagine it’s easy to overlook a few. Hence this general expression of thanks here: well done and thank you to you all.
As well as our Harvest Festival services coming up soon there are also a Harvest Quiz at Mereworth and a Harvest Supper at West Peckham. Visit our website mwwpchurches.org for details.
Gary Townsend Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and
West Peckham.
WATERINGBURY CHURCH SERVICES IN OCTOBER Benefice website www.mwwpchurches.org
A friendly welcome awaits you at all Sunday Services which start at 10am and last for about an hour.
Each service has an easy to follow booklet.
Refreshments are served after these services please stay for a chat if you are able.
Friday 2nd – 2pm – School Harvest Celebration Service
Sunday 4th - 10am – Morning Praise for Harvest
led by Barry Fisher
Tuesday 6th October - 10am - Prayer and Praise Service at Meadow View Court led by Rev Gary Townsend
Saturday 10th - 3-5pm - Messy Church (for young children and their carers).
Sunday 11th - Holy Communion with Rev Gary Townsend
Sunday 18th - 10am - All Age Worship led by David Garland
A less formal service of praise and prayer with well-known hymns
Sunday 25th - 10am – Benefice Communion with Rev Gary with your choice of receiving individual healing prayer in the side aisles.
REFRESH – Praise, Prayer and Discussion
Sunday 25th - 5-6pm in Mereworth Church
An informal service in which we explore some fundamental questions about the Christian Faith. The topic will be Christian Behaviour Part 6 – Faith from C S Lewis’ book Mere Christianity
Sunday 1st November - 10am – Matins with Barry Fisher
Sunday 8th November – 10am – Parish Act of Remembrance
In our Joys and Sorrows – From the Parish Registers
Baptism – Isabelle Ryan (19th July)
Funeral – John Steven Pattinson (10th September)
CHURCH THANKS
Thank you to Wateringbury Players who recently donated £500 from the proceeds of their 2026 Pantomime for the upkeep of our ancient church building. Forty plus years ago church members put on a pantomime, Cinderella, to raise funds. They were not convinced that people would want to watch so the show was accompanied by a meal. Gradually the annual pantomime cast became Wateringbury Players and now their shows are highly professional and great entertainment. Watch out for the 2027 show details.
SEPTEMBER PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
Allotments – Councillors agreed to purchase two compost bins for use by allotmenteers. All will be reminded of the regulation that they dispose of there own waste. There is still some work to be done to encourage some plot holders to maintain their plots to the required standard. There are three vacant plots, rental charges vary according to plot size from £30-£90 a year.
Borough Councillor’s Report - Matt Boughton reported that two recent changes in Central Government policies would have major impacts locally. The proposed changes to amalgamate Borough and County Councils to eliminate duplications of effort have now been put on hold. This is frustrating since officials have been working towards the amalgamation for 2 years. Secondly T&M Borough councillors voted to reject the local plan which required the building of 20,000 homes by 2042 since SE Water have said they can supply water for just under 7,000 homes. However Central Government swiftly overruled the decision (more details in Matt’s article in this issue of Rostrum).
Cemetery – the work to map all burials on the new software programme continues. To do this the cemetery has been divided into zones. Zones 1, 4 and the cremation ashes area had been completed and areas 2, 3 and 5 are partially completed, it is a long job. There are 385 vacant plots. Councillors agreed that all plots would be leased for 100 years. The topple tests on all grave stones had been completed and 28 stones need attention. The cost of stabilising an individual stone is £230. The clerk will attempt to contact relatives. In the event that relatives cannot be found or do not reply within a given timescale the headstones will be laid flat. It was suggested that where graves have not been tended for many years and become totally overgrown these are maintained by cemetery volunteers.
Crime – The Police report for Wateringbury for August showed 24 calls were made during the month. The main problems were reports of E bikes riding at high speeds on roads with pillion passengers not wearing helmets. Reports of nuisance youths down by the Riverside Restaurant riding quad bikes and refusing to leave. If anyone has any information regarding the people involved in these incidents, please email 14473@kent.police.uk
It was suggested that residents keep up with local issues and receive alerts by signing up to My Community Voice (www.mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk)
Finance – Rebecca, the Finance Officer joined the meeting on-line. She reported that there were no concerns or queries regarding payments and procedures. The next internal audit was scheduled for 15th December. Councillors formally approved payments made during August and some payments to be made in September. The Parish council will meet the cost of replacing the fencing between the school and the QEII playing fields.
Playing Fields - The steps by the sports pavilion are in need of repair and quotes will be obtained. Although 5 companies had been approached to quote for repairs to the track from Fields Lane only one quote had been received. The use of the grant from T & M for Multi Use Equipment was discussed and how best this could be utilised.
Roads – Double Yellow Line proposals in Fields Lane and Glebe Meadow were causing concerns. Residents are asked to visit the T&M planning website and express their views Councillors felt the length of the double yellow lines was far too long. They are only needed at the junctions for safety. Lengthy lines will only cause parking problems further into these roads. The speed sign at the junction of Canon Lane and Tonbridge Road had been taken way for repair as it is still under warranty there will be no charge. The cost of upgrading of the zebra crossing by the school will be met jointly by the parish council (for the belisha beacons) and KCC for the markings.
Speedwatch – twelve hours of observations had been carried out during which time 6,133 vehicles passed the checkpoint. 297 vehicles were exceeding the 30mph speed limit. The police had sent 50 letters to repeat offenders 5 of which were travelling in excess of 45mph. 5 vehicles had no MOT, 3 no road tax and 2 vehicles neither MOT or road tax.
Next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 17th November at 7.30pm in the upper room in the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting. Approved minutes of council meetings are published on the Parish Council website www.wateringburypc.org.