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Welcome to the February Rostrum the first edition of 2025
VILLAGE DIARY
February
1 Puss in Boots Panto - 2.30pm and 7.30pm - Hall
2 Footpaths Walk - 2pm - Village Hall
4 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm - Hall upper room
9 Charity Pre-loved and Craft Fayre - 10.30-1.3 - Hall
11 Footpaths Walk – 10am - Village Hall
Coffee Morning – 10.30am-11.30am – Village Hall
12 WI – Sari and Samosas - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Hall.
Coffee Break – 10.30am-12.30pm – Church social area
16 Village Market –10.30am-1pm – Hall and car park
19 Flower Club – AGM and workshop -7pm – E Malling Institute
History Society - Suffragettes in Kent – 8pm - Hall.
26 Coffee Break – 10.30am-12.30pm – Church social area
March
2 Footpaths Walk - 2pm - Village Hall
4 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm - Hall upper room
11 Coffee Morning – 10.30am-11.30am – Village Hall
12 WI - Eye care and eyewear - 7.30 to 9.30pm - Hall.
16 Village Market – 10.30am-1pm – Hall and car park
19 Flower Club – Eliz Waite -7pm – E Malling Inst.
History Society – Restoration of Medway Queen – 8pm - Hall
Warm Space + Soup every Friday – 12 - 1pm – Village Hall
PRE-LOVED AND CRAFT FAYRE
Bouncy Castle and Face-painting
Raising funds for YOUNG LIVES V CANCER
VILLAGE HALL
SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 10.30am – 1.30pm
If you would like a table (£12) or
would like to donate good quality Preloved items
please contact Sarah on 07745 108145
New Advertisers in Rostrum in 2025
Rostrum thanks all its advertisers for their support, which enables us to provide Rostrum without any charge, and welcomes its new advertisers for 2025: Wateringbury Social Club, the former Working Men’s Club;
Clear it to Hear it, an ear wax remover; Harlequin, an expanded IKD, now doing bathrooms; Paul Graves, a locksmith, and Harris Chimney Services,
a chimney sweep.
Rostrum recommends you do appropriate due diligence on any advertiser you use and hopes you mention that you saw their advert here.
Wateringbury Allotments
The new gate and some clearing of vegetation has already been carried out as part of the tidy up work planned for the allotments with grants from Tonbridge and Malling's Community Development Grant and from Rostrum. Further work will include cutting overhanging tree branches, ivy and removal of waste. At present there are two plots available.
Anyone interested should contact the Parish Clerk.
Cllr Frances Fielding
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes by 17th February for our March issue of Rostrum. Entries are free. Email 
www.rostrum2@hotmail.com
RIP
Mary Jane Bates - known as Jane (6th September 1933 – 17th October 2024)
Jane’s funeral took place last November at Wateringbury Church.
Jane lived in Wateringbury with her husband, Ted, for over 35 years. She was actively involved in the village life. She volunteered as Church Warden, welcoming people to services and aiding the clergy. She took on a part time position working as Clerk to Wateringbury Parish Council. Rostrum is grateful to Jane for her support as a Rostrum distributor.
She will be missed by her family, friends and by villagers who knew her.
Did you watch any TV in December? If so you might have seen Christian McKay, but not realized that the actor was a former resident, for 10 years, of Old Road, Wateringbury. He now lives in Nettlestead, but is still a proud member of Wateringbury Social Club.
In December Christian played on BBC1 the wheelchair bound Inigo Upcott in The Ink Black Heart (by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling). He also played Winston Churchill in a documentary series, Churchill at War, released the same month on Netflix.
Christian has had a distinguished stage and screen,(both TV and cinema) acting career. He appeared in Rivals on Disney TV and played Franklin Roosevelt in FDR, on the History Channel. His films include playing Orson Welles in Me and Orson Welles, as well as parts in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Rush, The Theory of Everything. and Florence Foster Jenkins.
WI
We meet on 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Village Hall.
We finished 2024 with a party night, sharing snacks and drinks and lots of chatting. We must say a big thank you to Carmen and Elise at
Hey Beautiful, and Carrie and Steph at The Wateringbury for the donation of gift vouchers for our grand raffle.
In January we enjoyed Going Nuts with Jacqueline Aviolet, a very funny lady, and a fish and chip lunch with Donna at the Railway Pub.
February's meeting on the 12th will be Sari and Samosas with Sam from the Handy Store. So we see lots of participation from local businesses keeping that all important community feeling.
Despite the adverse weather conditions we have had a great turn out for all meetings and a few new faces. Going forward we have lots of exciting things on the agenda for 2025. In March look out for Eye Care and Eye Wear. Visitors welcome at £3.00. Sharon Goshawk.
Our Wateringbury Village Market
It goes from strength to strength with at least 30 stalls each month and many new sellers joining us. Do come along and support your local market. There’s no pressure to buy (and no charge to come in!) - pop in for a coffee and snack and meet up with friends. But you will probably be tempted to treat yourself to any one of the many unique and bespoke items for sale!
Support your Village Market - please!
HISTORY SOCIETY
The Suffragettes in Kent is the topic of our speaker Jennifer Godfrey at the Society’s meeting on Wednesday 19th February in the village hall. The talk starts at 8pm with free tea or coffee available from 7.40pm. Visitors most welcome at £7 (cash please). Members free.
Our January meeting was most enjoyable when Michael Grillo told the story of Rock and Roll. A pleasurable foot-tapping evening which evoked long forgotten memories for some who came along.
Christine Byron
APPEAL (no pun intended) FOR BELLRINGERS
St John the Baptist Church, Wateringbury are looking for people to join their band of bellringers. The bells are rung in celebration and commemoration at church services, weddings, funerals and national events such as the upcoming
80th Anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2025. Bellringing combines gentle physical exercise and mental stimulation, is fun, social and open to young people (10 yrs +) and adults of all ages. For some people ringing becomes a passionate hobby, learning new methods, meeting new people and ringing at towers around the country (or even abroad).
Please join us on our Tuesday evening practice sessions to see and experience what is involved in learning this centuries old skill. Contact Sue on 07756 799372 for details.
COFFEE BREAK – 12th and 26th February
10.30am-12.30pm
After meeting every week in January to help overcome post Christmas blues the group returns to meeting on alternate Wednesdays in the church social area. We are a friendly, informal group who enjoy coffee, tea, home-made cake and spending time in the company of others. Do come along, suggested donation £1. Over the past few months the group has donated 5 sleeping bags, warm clothing and tinned food to Maidstone Homeless Care to help with its work for those in great need.
If you are shy about coming along on your own do give me a call and we can arrange for someone to meet you.
Gillian Sessions 01622 813076
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF – WELLBEING HINTS AND TIPS
SUN SPOTTING, LAUGHTER AND THE OCC ASIONAL
BLAST OF COLD WATER
I am not a fan of January or February. Google tells me seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder with depressive symptoms linked to a certain same time each year and while I have had no specific diagnosis, boy do I miss early morning sunshine and longer sunny evenings. Or any sun at all actually. I was in a meeting on the top of a tall building and as the sun was beginning to turn towards the horizon (teatime) it came out in a gap between the cloud line and the horizon and for about an hour everyone in the room was bathed in very pretty colours. Though the meeting topic was quite tough, the mood in the room lifted and there was even some laughter. I wonder if it was the sun that broke through our moods?
So the challenge is getting through the grumpy bit of the winter. Of course the first rule is to check the weather and if at all possible, notice the sun when it actually does break through. If at all possible get sunlight on your face and eyes. A short dose of sunbathing like that is good for you. Find things that stir the mood. This season should be re-labelled a season for comedy. Laughter is one of those few things which can be deployed at any time. I have discovered some very funny podcasts (Two favourites are Wolf & Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis, and Frank Off The Radio: The Frank Skinner Podcast) but of course there is radio and TV and a good old fashioned funny book. Seek laughter out - schedule comedy in. And for those who dare, remember the value of a cold shower. It’s really hard in the winter as you need to get warm again after but if your head won’t let you get on with enjoying things, a very brief cold shower makes a difference (even 20 seconds). Do make sure you can warm up after though. If you have never done it before you need to train with a little bit at a time, say at the end of a shower when you can adjust it to cold for a few seconds, or at the beginning of a shower as the water warms up. If that idea completely freaks you out you can always try running a cold tap across your wrists or plunging them into a water butt or pond.
Sun spotting, laughter and the occasional blast of cold water all offer benefits for the seasonally challenged. Good luck and remember, that the planet is crawling its way round and whatever else happens, eventually spring will kick off again so review your winter wellbeing plan, and hold fast. Bob Bowie
LEST WE FORGET - VE/VJ 80 COMMEMORATIONS
Rostrum remembers village people who gave their lives in the conflict.
Chief Cook John Bowles (Merchant Navy) died 2nd April 1943 age 47
John was aboard MV Melbourne Star (London). John, also known as Jack, was born in Wateringbury in 1896, the son of Thomas and Eliza Bowles and younger brother of Thomas Richard Bowles whose name is on our WW1 memorial.
John’s death in the merchant navy reflects the high loss of life among merchant seamen. The Melbourne Star left Liverpool on 24th March for Sydney via the Panama Canal. She carried torpedoes, ammunition and other materials. On 2nd April she was mid Atlantic when uboat U129 hit her with 2 or 3 torpedoes, she sank within 2 minutes. Of the 118 on board the only survivors were 4 crew who were rescued from a life float after 38 days drifting in the Atlantic.
T&M Council Community Grant Scheme
The 2024/25 financial year is the 50th year of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. To commemorate these 50 years, the Council has allocated £50,000 to be put towards a further Community Grant Scheme, aimed at supporting community initiatives.
This follows the success of the Community Grant Scheme last year, where 45 projects across Tonbridge and Malling were awarded funding. In our area this included £2,500 towards East Peckham Methodist Church as part of the renovation project, and £2,401 to Wateringbury Surgery to fund tools and materials to create a garden for patients.
The fund will allocate money to projects that achieve at least one of these goals:
- Helping vulnerable communities through the cost-of-living crisis
- Supporting healthy lifestyles
- Improving community safety
- Helping people gain skills to access the workplace
- Supporting environmental and carbon reduction initiatives.
Applications are welcome by any community organisation or charity which is based in the village, provides a service that improves the wellbeing of the area, is fully constituted and is in the community not for profit or voluntary sector.
The deadline for applications is 2nd March 2025 and like last year we are really keen to have a number of projects allocated from our area. This is a great opportunity to secure much needed funds for specific projects.
Further details are available on the TMBC website at www.tmbc.gov.uk/business/50th-anniversary-community-grant-scheme. Alternatively, get in touch with us and we can send you the link to apply.
Matt Boughton and Sarah Hudson
Wateringbury Surgery
We wish all our patients a Happy and Healthy New Year.
With the rise of flu cases hospitals are issuing critical incident alerts as they become overwhelmed with the volume of patients presenting to A&E. It’s believed that the low uptake rates in patients having the flu vaccine has contributed to this surge in cases. We still have plenty of stock so we urge our eligible patients to contact the surgery to book an appointment.
Eligible groups for the 2024 to 2025 flu season:
· aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2024
· those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
· pregnant women
· all those aged 65 years and over
· those in long-stay residential care homes
· carers, those in receipt of carer’s allowance or main carer of
an older or disabled person
· household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
· frontline health and social care staff
We will be closed from 13:00 for staff training on:
Tuesday 4th February 2025 and Thursday 6th March 2025 for Protected Learning Afternoons for Kent and Medway GP Practices
For urgent medical attention on these afternoons please contact 111.
UKRAINE APPEAL CONTINUES
The following items are still desperately needed for war torn Ukraine: Food - animal and human - non-perishable.
Medications - part used can be used for animals, walking aids, bandages Toiletries, sanitary, incontinence pads, nappies etc.
Animal items - flea treatments, hibiscrub, leads, collars, coats, carriers.
Children’s toys.
Torches (windup) and batteries.
Knitted human and animal blankets.
Clothing can be taken to a collection point at Maidstone West station. The clothes are sent to Ukraine, money is paid to the you which you can keep or use to buy essential items (see above) to be sent to Ukraine - so win/win!
Kent Relief have a charity shop in Tunbridge Wells - any donations can be taken there. All money raised is used for lorry fuel etc for Ukraine.
Perhaps your vet would provide a collection bin?
Thanks so much for your continued help.
Any queries message 07875 262659. Sue Collins
In December members enjoyed a fun evening and dinner at
The Man of Kent - a great time to chat and catch up with everyone.
Our next meeting on 19th February is our AGM with a workshop after. We meet every 3rd Wednesday February to December at East Malling Institute, behind the King and Queen pub, doors open at 7pm for 7-30pm start with a raffle for the flowers. Visitors welcome £7 or ask for details to join.
Jean Schofield Chairman WFC
AN ALAN BENNETT TRILOGY in THE OAST THEATRE, TONBRIDGE 1st March – 8th March 2025
The Oast Theatre are presenting a wonderful Alan Bennett trilogy comprising “Green Forms”, “Bed among the Lentils” and “A Lady of Letters”. Performances: 8 p.m. (Sunday 3 p.m.)
Tickets: £14 Book online at www.oasttheatre.com
Credit card bookings 0333 666 33 66 (booking fee applies).
WATERINGBURY SCOUT GROUP
After a busy term to Christmas with sleepovers, remembrance parade, a whole group bonfire night and Christmas parties we're starting it all again!
Our Beavers plans include a visit to the Pantomime, learning some emergency aid, finding out about endangered animals and having lots of fun and games.
Cubs are having a go at Karate, eating pancakes, working towards the astronomy badge and having a groundhog day - this may be a reoccurring session.
Scouts are filling their time with air rifle shooting, swimming, Chinese cooking, fires and much more.
Congratulations to Claire Worrall, our new beaver Leader.
To Nicola Plane and Sam Plane for their archery Permits and Jodie Smith for her Air-rifle Permit.
We are always looking for people with specialist skills and knowledge who would be willing to share with our young people. If you can sew, know car or bicycle maintenance, can explain how to create stained glass or anything in between please get in touch:
GLV@Wateringbury-scouts.org.uk
If you have young people who would be interested in scouting, we have a joining list at: Wateringbury-scouts.org.uk.
Jacqueline Smith and the Wateringbury Leadership team
Tonbridge&Malling Ramblers organise a local, 6 mile walk from Barming to East Malling on 26th February. For details of all our walks, locations,
see www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk or their Facebook page.
Gardening for Wildlife
The annual RSPB ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’ takes place at the end of each January. If you’ve missed it this year, you might want to put it in your diary for 2026. I find that it’s a convenient but useful way of getting involved with conservation as you can participate from inside in the warm, observing and recording birds whilst collecting important data. I will share the results when I have them.
Any major pruning of deciduous shrubs can be carried out now. All cuts should be made with sharp tools and just above a healthy bud. Outward facing buds will encourage the shrub to develop an open structure whilst cutting to an inward facing bud will develop a denser more bird-friendly plant. Evergreens are best left until early Spring.
As the days get longer and hopefully warmer, we may see the emergence of early pollinators, such as queen bumblebees and butterflies that overwinter such as, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas. It is therefore important that there is a local source of pollen and heathers, aconites, primroses and crocuses can provide this.
Foxes are currently very vocal at night and their unearthly screams carry right across the village. This is their mating season and once a pair have established a bond, they will stay together until the cubs are born in early Spring. Pauline Knuton
WATERINGBURY FOOTPATHS GROUP
In December and January our Sunday afternoon walk groups were smaller than usual as people were put off by heavy rain in the mornings. Nevertheless, the afternoon walks were almost completely dry. In midwinter our walks tend to be shorter to ensure we get back to Wateringbury before dark. In December our route took us up the footpath opposite the top of Love Lane, turning left halfway up the hill, crossing Canon Lane and following the footpath beside the golf course back down to Tonbridge Road.
We had a bigger turnout for the January weekday morning walk when the weather and daylight was kinder to us and we had some good views. In January we followed the footpath from the village pond to the back of Nettlestead, turning up past Rock Farm to the top of Gibbs Hill. We returned to Nettlestead on a footpath from Pizien Well Road.
You are very welcome to join our sociable group walks. We will be leaving the village hall at:
· 2.00pm on Sunday 2nd February
· 10.00am on Tuesday 11th February
· 2.00pm on Sunday 2nd March
Please contact me if you want more information and to be kept updated.
Lisa Dean 07759 539032
TESTON AND Wateringbury PRE-School
We have kicked off the new year reading the well-known book ‘Polar bear, polar bear, what do you hear?’ by Bill Martin and Eric Carle. The children have raised the rooftop of the pre-school with chanting the rhythmic words in this book and making the animal noises. The children have been learning about each animal through the book and what makes them unique. Who knew that a polar bear’s skin underneath the white fur is black, and hippos can actually sleep underwater! We are looking at maps of the world and learning where these animals live, what they enjoy eating and learning yoga poses named after these animals.
On Wednesday 29th January we will be decorating the hall to celebrate Chinese new year and reading about how the children celebrate this occasion in China. As we move on from the energetic and dynamic year of the dragon, 2025 brings the snake’s wise and intuitive energy.
The children will be colouring and cutting out their own snakes to take home.
We still have a few places left, so if you would love your child to be part of this amazing preschool family please contact
Tina Driver: 07805 796353 testonpreschooladmissions@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook too!
FROM TOM TUGENDHAT MP
Many parents are concerned about the additional tax the new Government are asking private schools to pay. They are right, this will impact their children’s future.
This tax won’t just hurt those in private schools, it will increase class sizes and put pressure on all schools in our community. It is estimated that over 37,000 children may now need to have a place at their local state school, putting significant pressure on our grammar schools and secondary schools in particular.
Our local schools provide wonderful assets including their facilities to the community. This is certainly the case for Tonbridge School, who are an employer in the town. Jobs are under threat. Our area will be hit hard by this change.
The education system in Kent is one that demonstrates a range of secondary schools working effectively alongside one another and catering for many different needs. In our community, all schools provide that bridge to take young people to the next stage of their lives. That is why education is one of the biggest pull factors to Kent. And that is not just good for schools. It helps support local businesses, allows local communities to develop and connect, and boosts opportunities for all.
If you are impacted, or concerned about the implications, please do visit www.tomtugendhat.org/schoolstax where I am asking for views through my website. I am keen to hear from you. Tom Tugendhat MP
WATERINGBURY GUIDES
We are very grateful for all the support we got at our stall at Wateringbury church Christmas bazaar, allowing us to raise valuable funds for our activities
Prison Island was very enjoyable with the added adventure of getting the train into Maidstone and back to the village afterwards. Routine for some, surprisingly a novelty for others.
We have restarted after the Christmas break and together we’ve planned the programme until Easter. We’re looking at allergies and how they affect us, in particular food allergies, and will make pancakes using a selection of different recipes each avoiding one allergen. We’ll celebrate Chinese New Year making dragons big enough to fit the whole patrol in, and have a Chinese food tasting evening. The guides are at Wateringbury Panto and some of us will be staying for a sleepover afterwards.
After the half term break, we’re going to do some outdoor cooking making camp donuts, as well as a pamper and hair care evening. We’ll treat all the mums to a Mother’s Day meal at the HQ and present some of our highest awards to the girls at the same time. We round the term off with a trip to
Clip n Climb.
There are now spaces in rainbows (aged 4-7), 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/ Sheena Stewart and team.
NETTLESTEAD & WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
It has been lovely welcoming all our children and families back after the break. It’s the year of the Snake in the Chinese New Year Calendar! The children explored this through role-play, craft and books. They tried prawn crackers with sweet and sour noodles, sharing them with their friends, practicing using chop sticks! We even attempted making our own fortune cookies.
We have used the cold snap weather to explore the winter season around us. The children talked about the icy snow and frosty outdoors. We all wrapped up warm and explored the outdoors using our binoculars to bird watch. We talked about the limited food the birds have at this time of year. So, the birds didn’t go hungry. The children helped make some birdfeeders and helped to hang them outside the setting.
Walking along on the frosty field, the children managed to collect some big bits of ice, we talked about how ice is formed, they shared how it felt when they touched it and why it started melting in their hands. They loved running across the frosty field crunching as they went along!
February Holiday Club for children 2-11 years.
Children outside the setting welcome.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am–4pm,
half days (9am-12.30 or 12.30-4pm)
Please email enquiries@nwps.org.uk for more information.
DECEMBER 2024 PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
Announcements
Resignation of Councillor - Kamal Dave has resigned with immediate effect creating a vacancy on the Parish Council.
New Parish Clerk - The present clerk Steve Hill has agreed to assist and will remain as Finance officer until the new clerk starts work.
Car Park - To ensure the village car park will remain free the Parish Council have leased it from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council on a 25 year full repairing lease. The rental is £1,250 a year but will increase year on year in line with inflation. In addition to the rental other costs will be for council tax, electricity and insurance.
County and Borough Councillor’s report - Sarah Hudson reported on the forthcoming Central Government’s White Paper on Devolution. The Government are proposing the abolition of County and Borough Councils and the formation of Unitary Authorities. Locally this will mean the abolition of KCC and all Borough Councils, including Tonbridge & Malling. Three Unitary Councils East, West and North Kent would be created each having a Mayor. The thinking is that this would make councils more efficient and less costly since each area would be responsible for all its services. Smaller units would also have more local knowledge and control. At present some decisions are made by KCC and some by T & M for instance T & M are responsible for planning but KCC is responsible for the related infrastructure i.e. roads, education and social care. In some areas the elections due next May have been postponed and those elected will remain in post until the new Unitary Councils are created.
Crime report – On Friday 22nd November at about 10pm in Bow Road somebody damaged a bus.
Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) - Michael Wells had attended a day conference and reported on the day’s events.
Sports Field matters
Sports Pavilion refurbishment – work will start in January. Councillors unanimously agreed that Sarah Hudson and Bob Edmunds would oversee the work and stage payments.
Overflow Car Park – the Clerk was instructed to obtain three quotes for the upgrading of the area.
Bag and Flag event – it is hoped to organise, with the assistance of the Borough Dog Warden, a bag and flag day to highlight the amount of dog mess which is being left on the fields and other areas.
Traffic Speed Indicator – KCC have been monitoring the speed of vehicles on the A26 close to The Orpines and have confirmed the need for a replacement traffic speed indicator. The new one will be solar powered.
Planning – Councillors had no objections to the reduction in height of an Oak tree at 20 Upper Mill and changes to a boundary wall positioning at 16 Hillside Court. Councillors strongly objected to an outline planning application for the erection of up to 52 residential dwellings on land North East and South of 161 Wateringbury Road.
JANUARY 2025 PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
Bag it and Flag it – Councillor Edmunds reported that on Friday 10th January he would be working with the Borough Dog Warden to bag and flag dog mess at various locations in the village. It was hoped this would encourage all dog owners to act responsibly and pick up after their pets.
Cemetery – Councillor Mathieson spoke about the proposed memorial garden. It was agreed that the February meeting would discuss proposed plans and costings in detail. A new grave digger is required.
County Councillor’s report – Sarah Hudson reported on the forthcoming Central Government’s White Paper on Devolution. KCC is keen to take the Devolution Priority Path and it was likely that KCC will apply to Central Government to postpone the planned KCC elections due in May since, if its application is approved by Central Government, councillors elected would only serve for one year before the KCC is abolished. T & M elections are not due until May 2027.
Lock-up – the village lock-up in Bow Road next to the carpet shop is a listed building. Councillors approved a quote to clear the roof and walls of vegetation. Once this has been done it will be possible to see if any further work is needed.
Planning Councillors had no objections to the following applications:
476 Red Hill – Demolition of existing uPVC conservatory and construction of a single storey rear extension, a new orangery and additional new window to front of property.
248 Red Hill – Replacement of 2 windows, removal of roughcast render and bricking up of external doorway (planning and listed building consent).
Sports Field matters
Sports Pavillion refurbishment – Work has started and is progressing well.
Sports and Recreation Association - Following the resignation of Councillor Dave it was agreed that Councillor Lee Webster will join Councillor Fielding to represent the Parish Council on the committee.
T & M Anti-Social Behaviour Team - the anti-social behaviour team work throughout the borough and have achieved a marked reduction in anti-social behaviour. They have patrolled in Wateringbury when requested. The Borough Council have requested help from all parish councils to finance the team and have suggested a donation of £1-£2 per head for each village resident. After discussion Wateringbury Parish Council agreed to donate £2,000.
Village Hall Defibrillator has been checked and the necessary replacements made.
Next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 4th February at 7.30pm in the upper room in the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting and will be given two opportunities to bring matters of local interest to the attention of the council.
Approved minutes of council meetings are published on the Parish Council website www.wateringburypc.org.
REV GARY WRITES
The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NA gary.rev@outlook.com ( 01622 813178
Looking forward
Since this is my first article of the New Year I want to begin by wishing you all a very happy one.
As we move on into the New Year I’m looking forward to Lent and Easter but on the way I have the privilege of carrying out a service of baptism, not for a baby but for an adult. A lot of people don’t realise that in the Church of England we baptise adults or that for hundreds of years we’ve had an order of service especially for them. But it’s true they don’t happen very often and so this will be a very special occasion for the candidate, me and the congregation at St John the Baptist, Wateringbury.
In this country, most people who have been baptised were ‘done’ when they were babies and they remember nothing about it. Sadly, many of them have rarely been back to church since. The baptism of an adult is a great opportunity for all the baptised who attend the service to reflect on their own baptism – what did it mean, what was it for, is it something they should do something about, should they be following a better path in life which the baptism was meant to put them on? All our services are open for anyone to visit so if you’re intrigued about adult baptism or are one of those baptised people who really have no idea why on earth your parents subjected you to such a ritual when you were a baby then do feel free to come along and ponder. Anyone interested can get in touch and ask when the service is or speak to someone you know who attends the church.
Looking forward to something totally different, I’d like to make you aware that for 2025 the church electoral roll will be renewed rather than revised. This means everyone who is currently on the church electoral roll will be removed and will need to reapply to go on the new one. This happens every 6th year. Keep an eye on your church notice boards and in Rostrum for details of when the renewal periods will begin.
Rev Gary Townsend
Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham
WATERINGBURY CHURCH SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 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 can.
Sunday 2nd 10am – Morning Praise led by Barry Fisher
Saturday 8th - 3-5pm - Messy Church (for children and their carers) Bible Story, Action Songs, Prayer time, lots of crafts and ending with afternoon tea. All welcome Please note change of date due to village pantomime on 1st)
Sunday 9th - Holy Communion with Rev Gary Townsend
Sunday 16th - 10am - All Age Worship
Sunday 23rd - 10am – Benefice Communion with Rev Gary
Messy Church on Sunday meets in the vestry during this service
Sunday 2nd March - 10am – Matins with Barry Fisher
Every Sunday in term time Refresh Benefice Services of less formal worship in Mereworth Church at 5pm
Messy Church will be meeting a week later than normal this month as many will be enjoying the village pantomime on Saturday 1st. In December we invited friends and family to come to our Nativity Play and in January we had great fun celebrating our 7th Birthday.
Children and their carers enjoy Rev Gary with his guitar, a bible story, prayer time in an informal way plus lots of craft activities. We always end with afternoon tea. For more information about the group please contact me ruth.dunn33@btinternet.com or just come along on 8th – you will be very welcome.
Ruth Dunn