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 Summer issue of Rostrum
VILLAGE DIARY
July
1 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm - Hall upper room
6 Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – Hall car park
9 WI CPR evening – 7.30pm - Hall
11 Coffee Morning - 10.30am-Noon – Hall downstairs room
19 Mission Possible Charity Auction – 7.30pm - Church
20 Village Market – 10.30am-1pm - Hall
25 Concert – 7.30pm - Nettlestead Place
27 Nettlestead Place Gardens and Teas – 2.30-5pm
August
Please note there will be no Parish Council meeting in August
3 Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – Hall car park
8 Coffee Morning - 10.30am-Noon – Hall downstairs room
17 Village Market – 10.30am-1pm - Hall
20 WI Charity Tea Party for Breast Cancer – 11am-2pm
Old Police House, corner of Bow Road and Glebe Meadow
31st Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – Hall car park
September
2 Parish Council Meeting – 7.30pm – Hall upper room
20 History & Parish Registers Displays – Church – 10.30am-4pm
21 Village Market – 10.30am-1pm – Hall
21 Guided History Walk around village - 2.30pm
To Mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2
Come and hear the true story of 22 year old Secret Agent Yvonne Baseden
Saturday 12th July at 7.30pm in
Wateringbury Church
Tickets £7 at the door
Talk by Professor Juliette Pattinson
Daughter of Wateringbury residents, about Yvonne, her interesting heritage, her recruitment and training, her wartime experience as a wireless operator, her incarceration in a concentration camp and the post-war newspaper articles in which she frequently featured.
SUMMER EVENTS TO ENJOY
Gravesham Choral Society presents
Tales of Land and Sea
Saturday 12th July at 7.30pm
St George’s Church, Gravesend DA11 0DJ
Tickets from www.graveshamcs.co.uk
£15 adults (£16 on the door) - £5 under 18’s (£6 on the door)
TONBRIDGE RAMBLERS
Local walks include Sunday 13th July Wateringbury to East Farleigh, a leisurely walk along both sides of the Medway from Wateringbury and then back via Teston Country Park 5.5.miles Details of all walks at the website 
www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk or our Facebook page.
“Mission Possible” Charity Auction
I dearly want to play string quartets on a regular basis in my home in Wateringbury. I need two violins and a viola. Professional players or amazing amateurs. If you are interested kindly e-mail. This would be for pleasure rather than concerts. naomilefleming@gmail.comwateringburyplayers@hotmail.co.uk. NB. Members between 7 and 16 years will need a licensed accompanying chaperone at the time of joining. Please email for more information. The Wateringbury Players .
The sun made an appearance, as did many people for our 2025 village fete and the rain held off. It was a success!
Thank you to everyone who assisted and supported the village fete this year. The committee would like to thank the local businesses who happily displayed a poster, donated a raffle prize or sponsored the fete, the individuals, groups, societies and businesses who had stalls, rides and activities which make the day so enjoyable, the entertaining bands, singers, dancers and tug of wars teams, the volunteers who leafleted, collected raffle prizes, ran the tombola, put gazebos up, sold raffle tickets, did announcements, litter picked, manned the car park, allowed use of their field, worked at the first aid tent and to everyone who volunteered their time. We thank you!
It really was a whole village effort and we’d love to see even more of you there next year. Nicola Plane
Saturday 19th July
St John the Baptist Church
7.15pm arrival for 7.30pm start
Come and enjoy a fun evening where you could win
experience days, spa days, gift packages
and many wonderful services from the local community.
Help us fundraise for an outreach mission to Tanzania, funding a number of different projects that create sustainable development and long term change. Including: Sponsoring orphans, planting trees, providing birthing clinics for refugee mothers, building water pumps, building places of peace and worship and creating long term economic empowerment.
Our local community can affect the lives of another community 6000 miles away, a great display of how humanity throughout the world can be united by compassion, kindness, generosity and support. We look forward to seeing you there! Theo Izzard
NETTLESTEAD PLACE EVENTS
CONCERT Friday 25th July - 7.30pm Gardens open from 5.30pm
The Eden duo - Karen Brown Flute and Debbi Parks Piano
Guest musician- Andrew Muir Clarinet
Please come to an evening at Nettlestead Place and enjoy
Music for your soul - Gardens for your inspiration
Refreshments for your vitality (including wine plus refill!)
In aid of Demelza House Hospice for children
also Improving lives for disabled people of all ages
Roy Tucker Charitable Trust no. 269888
Tickets: Adults £15 - Students £5 - Children Free
Please contact Karen Brown 07808 068881
Tickets available at the door but cash only please!
Sunday 27TH July - 2.30pm - 5pm
In aid of the Kings Hill Strings (Cellos & Violins for children 7-18) Do come and enjoy an afternoon sauntering or indeed frolicking around the beautiful gardens of Nettlestead Place. Delicious teas will be available as well! Tickets are £5 for entry and there will be a donation box for the refreshments. Parking in Nettlestead Court Farm
KH Strings have won the opportunity to perform on stage
at Disneyland Paris. To ensure that no child is disadvantaged we are fundraising to help pay for the trip. To book tickets email Kingshillstringclub@gmail.com or pay on the day (Cash only)
CREAM TEAS MEREWORTH CHURCH DATES
Sunday Afternoon Cream Teas in Mereworth Churchyard
13th, 20th and 27th July and 3rd and 10th August
Over the years Mereworth Cream Teas have gained a justifiable reputation for serving delicious cakes in the delightful setting of the churchyard.
HISTORY SOCIETY
A talk on the Red Arrows brought a successful end to this year’s season of talks. The new season starts on 17th September when
Bob Ogley will talk about Doodle Bugs and Rockets.
On Saturday 20th September the Society is mounting displays from its archives with particular emphasis on WW2. The church records of births and marriages will also be on display so do come along to the church between 10.30am and 4pm and enjoy a browse. C Byron
ROSTRUM’S VILLAGE AMENTIES FUND
application deadline extended
The fund is open for applications to contribute to specific projects which benefit the village. These could be related to education, youth or senior services, heritage, worship, environment or sport, but others will be considered. It is unlikely that any individual grant will exceed £1,000. Applications should be made in writing to rostrum2@hotmail.com describing the project in no more than 200 words. On the basis of this initial proposal further information may be requested. Proposals should be received by 300th September for a decision shortly afterwards.
Terry Bird, Rostrum Treasurer.
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes by 17th August for our September magazine. Entries are free.
Email www.rostrum2@hotmail.com
RIP
Alma , who ran the Richmond House Stores on the Tonbridge Road for many years, died on 3rd May at the age of 90. She will be remembered by many for the well-stocked shop and her friendly smile and helpfulness. Under her ownership Richmond House was the epitome of a village shop where many came not just to buy but for a chat to Alma and to customers. Rostrum sends its condolences for her family, Graham, Neville and Andrea and their families.
GOLDEN WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS
Terry and Ela Bird who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on 16th August. They were married at Caxton Hall, London.
Ian and Miranda Cookson who were married in Lewisham Registry Office on 29th May 1975. They celebrated with a Norwegian Fiords cruise and then a family party.
OBE CONGRATULATIONS
“Matthew Featherstone, President, Cricket Brazil - For services to Sport and Disadvantaged Communities, Women and Girls Overseas. Order of the British Empire (OBE)”. In September 1979 Mike Witts started coaching cricket as an after school activity at Wateringbury Primary School. Among the first group of pupils was 9 year old Matthew Featherstone. The coaching helped to develop Matthew’s life-long love of cricket and the desire to pass on his enthusiasm and skills to others. He went on to make his home in Brazil where his work to develop cricket has been recognised with his OBE award. “From little acorns mighty oaks grow”.
THANK YOU FROM THE JAZZ ADVOCATES who were able to donate £410 from their recent village hall concert to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Guide Dogs charities.
STRING PLAYERS NEEDED
THOUIGHT There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, believe, do - and mostly live. Dalai Lama
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 10-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 included. We also have a baby area for younger children.
Like our Facebook Page (Wateringbury Toddler Group) for any important information/messages. Email: wateringburytoddlergroup@gmail.com
Summer term ends on Wednesday 16th July.
WATERINGBURY PLAYERS
After a short break we will be restarting in September organising and rehearsing for our 2025/26 Panto. If anyone is interested in joining our team backstage or performing, please send us an email ASAP before the beginning of September for more information .
WATERINGBURY WI
June was a very busy month for our WI. After watching the sun disappear and the rain arrive we were worried that the summer fete was going to be a wash out. But on the day the sun shone and lifted our spirits. As we erected our table and gazebo the ladies came in their droves arriving with cakes and other home bakes for our stall. We had a great day selling your creations. Thank You to everyone who participated and of course those who came to buy. A special thank you to Tina who made our celebration cake for the raffle. The winner told us he was taking it to the hospital to share.
Our monthly meeting was Guide Dogs for the Blind with Su Franz and Sherlock her trainee. It was very interesting to learn how the dogs are trained, fed and funded all of their working lives. An amazing association and always worth donating to.
9th July is our next meeting in the village hall 7.30-9.30pm we will be doing C.P.R. So ladies even if you are not a member you can still come along and learn how to save a life, meet new people and eat cake. Visitors £3, refreshments £1, raffle £1.
In August there will be no evening meeting but, on Wednesday 20th there will be a charity tea party for Breast Cancer Now at the old Police House, junction of Bow Road/Glebe Meadow. Everyone welcome 11am to 2pm. And yes we will need more cake please if anyone would like to donate again. This will be joined by a W.I. bring and buy . Donate something and buy something.
Sharon Goshawk - President
Club members enjoyed a fabulous evening at Margaret and Rod Cowell's beautiful garden in June with garden themed fun games and a charity plant stall, which was lovely after a busy May with Kent’s Area Show at Detling in conjunction with the Garden Show in which members took part in and won many prizes - Class 2 - Pat White HC,
Class 3 - 1st Helen Armstrong, HC Iris Shaw, Class 6 - 3rd Jean Schofield VHC Iris Shaw, Class 8 - C Karen Card, Class 9 - 1st Iris Shaw,
Class 11 - HC Iris Shaw
Special Awards - Peoples Choice Award - Jean Schofield
While members get ready for the Kent County Show we look towards our 16th July Flower Frame workshop with Jean Hoar and on the 20th August we have Vivienne Withers Demonstration - My Floral journey, so we have exciting times ahead!
Jean Schofield (President WFC)
TESTON AND WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
Inspiring young minds to thrive and grow
As we approach the end of the school year, it is with mixed emotions that we prepare to bid farewell to our 15 children who will be advancing to primary school in September. While it is always difficult to see them and their families leave, we take great pride in the care and nurturing we have provided during their time with us. This transition is an emotional time for our staff, but we extend our heartfelt best wishes to these children for their continued educational journey.
We are currently preparing end-of-year reports for all the children and inviting teachers to our pre-school to meet the children who will join their schools in September. The children are also changing into their PE kits and practicing for the sports day scheduled for Friday, 27th June on Teston Village Green.
To help with our fundraising, we have a ’bags to school’ collection from Teston village hall at 9am on Friday 11th July. If you are having a clear out of clothes, handbags, shoes, belts, bed linen and towels please bag them up and bring them along to Teston village hall any day that week. All monies raised will go towards craft material for the children. We thank you for your support.
As we approach the conclusion of our school year, we extend our sincere appreciation to Chris Douglass and the Teston village hall committee for their unwavering support over the past year. Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to Teston Farm Shop for their continuous support in providing high-quality locally produced fresh fruit for our children's snack time throughout the year.
We still have a few places left for September enrolment so if you would love your child to be part of this amazing pre-school family please contact: Tina Driver: 07805796353
testonpreschooladmissions@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook too!
WATERINGBURY GUIDES
One of our most interesting meetings this year was our CSI evening. The girls enjoyed dusting for fingerprints, and lifting these. They printed their own fingerprints and collected evidence of marks made in door frames etc to decide what tool was used to make them. And last but not least, there was time to find evidence left at a “crime scene” and an opportunity to try on the suits worn! It was great to hear the girls ask about the qualifications needed for the role as several were keen to take it further.
We joined with the Scout groups to run a stall at Wateringbury village fete and helped raise some funds for the cost of the HQ roof repairs. We’ve started work on our Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance challenge and learnt a lot about how to find a specific area using What Three Words, where the nearest defibrillators are, how to use them and other very important skills for an emergency. Part two is in a couple of weeks.
We’ve also been to Mote Park Water Sports Centre for our annual visit, this time for kayaking and pedalos. A water fight ensued between the scout pedalos and the guides but according to the instructors, the guides won! We’re gearing up our prep for summer camp which is looming fast! Are you an adult who would like to be part of this? Register your interest on https://www.girlguiding.org.uk and we’ll be in touch.
Sheena Stewart and team.
NETTLESTEAD AND WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
We have been busy exploring summer through nature this term. The children used recycled materials to make their own binoculars so they can bird watch. Through books we looked at the different birds around us, the children explaining that birds build their nests high up in the trees away from predators, which got us talking about predator birds like an owl that the children then linked to the story of the Gruffalo.
We have been using The Colour Monster Book by Anna Llenas to explore different emotions that float around us to help support children regulate these feelings and learn about them in a fun and positive way, especially for the children going off to school.
With the summer flowers popping up around us, at the setting we have spotted the bees humming around us. We talked about the importance of bees in our environment and the important job they do. The children then attempted to build their own 3d hives with junk modelling.
With the term ending the children have been practicing for our sports day, they have shown great sportsmanship, cheering each other on and working well as a team. We will be sad to see our school leaver children go but wish them lots of luck for their new adventure!
July/August holiday club for children 2-11 years.
Children outside the setting welcome.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 09:00 – 16:00, half days (9-12.30 or 12.30-4pm).£39 per session or £19.50 half-day session Please email enquiries@nwps.org.uk for more information
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF –
WELLBEING HINTS AND TIPS
Time and Nature
At the moment I am being woken up every morning by the deafening dawn chorus. I do literally mean deafening. If you have not heard it for a while then you simply need to get up at around 3.55AM and listen as it builds over 40 minutes or so towards sunrise. It is a kind of country wide alarm clock. The only time I hear anything like that birdsong is that daily conference that happens in the roadside bush not far from Wateringbury school drive. I don’t know what they are talking about but those little birds in the bush have a lot to say.
As I write this I am putting the final plan together for the annual longest day walk that I do with some other locals (21st June) with over 16.5 hours of daylight. We’ve been doing it for many years now. Last year we also did a shortest day walk and in March a vernal equinox walk (the point that Easter is fixed by). I once lived in Japan at a place where the day hardly changed its length at all (plusses and minuses) so this changeable feast that we experience is something distinctive to where the country happens to be and where we live in it. If I was still there I would need another excuse for the walking which the Japanese seem to find with all their mountain climbing and cherry blossom parties.
Time is different in its impact according to where you live - where you happen to be on the curvature of the planet. Some people have an early morning dawn chorus, but if you don’t have an early dawn in the year, you won’t get nature’s alarm. Some people have varying day lengths, others, not so much.
Acknowledging my bias, and writing as an early riser, I like the very early morning when it is light but the world has not yet woken up. It is a favourite time of day - the mysterious world of early morning dog walkers, runners, and post persons. The air before the pollution has gotten going. The quiet. For me that is neck and neck the best, alongside the moment of the setting sun.
Bob Bowie
WATERINGBURY FOOTPATHS GROUP
Many people don’t know where they are allowed to walk on private land. Generally you need the landowner’s permission to walk on their land, unless there is a public right of way, in which case you must follow the official route. Public footpaths are public rights of way, legally protected and primarily for walking, with runners also allowed. There is not a right to cycle or ride a horse on a public footpath, you need the landowner’s permission. Bicycles and horses, together with mechanised vehicles can seriously damage the footpath surface. Very often public footpaths are marked by yellow arrows and signposts. Blue arrows mean it’s a public bridleway that horses and bicycles can use as well as walkers. In Kent there are often small concrete milestones marked FP for footpath or BW for bridleway where a public right of way meets a road.
If there is no public right of way you would be trespassing, even if you are in open fields or woods. There are also permissive paths (locally particularly around Kings Hill), where the landowner permits the public to walk, but the landowner can withdraw or restrict their permission at any time.
Our walks over the summer will be leaving the village hall at:
2.30pm on Sunday 6th July, Sunday 3rd August and
Sunday 31st August (this will be instead of the first Sunday in September).
Please contact me if you would like more information and to be kept updated. I can also add you to the Wateringbury Village Walks WhatsApp group, which I use to keep the group up to date with our plans.
Lisa Dean 077 5953 9032
BOOK BY LOCAL AUTHOR
Get ready to laugh, cringe, and nod your head in solidarity with Fiona Bundell’s hilarious and heart-warming collection of stories, SMILE.
This charming book, available on Amazon, is a love letter to the messiness of everyday life, marriage, and the human condition. With her quick wit, sharp humour, and a generous dose of self-deprecation, Fiona recounts the misadventures of her 50-year marriage to DB (Dearly Beloved, aka the king of chaos). From holiday mishaps to lockdown lunacy, Fiona’s stories will have you, giggling, guffawing, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. With SMILE, Fiona invites readers to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful absurdities of life. As Fiona says, “Every time you find some humour in a situation, you win.” And with SMILE, you’ll be winning big time. Each anecdote reminds us that even when life feels messy, ridiculous, or downright inconvenient, a little laughter goes a long way.
Just go to Amazon and type in the title of the book and the author’s name and you can order it from there. It’s available in paperback, hardback or eBook. ALL ROYALTIES GO TO THE HEART OF KENT HOSPICE
GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
Recent data from the ‘Butterfly Conservation’ has shown that 2024 was the worst year on record for British butterflies and moths with most species in long-term decline. Last year’s weather may have played a part and we can hope that if this Summer continues to deliver long warm and sunny periods, numbers may recover. We can help with this by including nectar-rich flowers in our gardens. These could include; cornflowers, lavender, scabious, verbena, sage, thyme, hebe, viper’s bugloss and buddleia (often called the ‘Butterfly Bush’). These plants also attract a variety of pollinators and other insects and are an attractive addition to any garden.
Another way that we can all help is by including some larval food plants in our gardens which might include: grasses, common sorrel, holly, ivy, lady’s smock, hops, nasturtiums, bird’s foot trefoil, and (maybe in a tucked away corner), a few nettles.
In my own garden, I recently noticed several fat white caterpillars with black and yellow spots on my figwort plants by the pond. These, I discovered are mullein caterpillars, that normally feed on the plant that they’re named after which is also known as verbascum. Having had their fill, they will spend the winter as a pupa, in a strong cocoon in the ground and have been known to spend up to five winters in this state before emerging as a moth.
TOM TUGENDHAT MP
This summer many of us will visit parts of the world we don’t know. Sitting on the beach, walking in the hills, admiring a city, it will be a chance to learn about something new – in a book or in person. I will be doing the same, but I will do one more thing too.
In May, I was appointed by HM The King to be a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the organisation set up after the First World War to care for the resting place of those who fought for our freedom. As a Commissioner I am responsible for making sure the graves and parks are cared for – wherever they are in the world. I will be using my time on travels to enjoy time with the family, and to take a moment to go and see the cemeteries. It will be a chance to say thank you, and to do my duty and check that they are being cared for. Indeed, we have one war grave of our own in our cemetery here in Wateringbury. This is for RAF Sergeant Kenneth Brooks from World War Two.
I will also be in Kent and look forward to seeing you. As Parliament goes into recess at the end of July I get a bit more time at home to help anyone who needs it. Please let me know if I can help you, do get in touch on: tom.tugendhat.mp@parliament.uk.
COUNCILLOR SARAH HUDSON
Since the elections in May, Kent County Council has been in a state of flux. The majority of the successful Reform candidates were not expecting to win. Nor are they able to attend daytime meetings as they work full time. They also, for the most part, have little or no previous experience of being a councillor. Consequently a lot of time and energy is being put in to training the new members in the ways that KCC work. So my days and weeks are being spent in various in person and TEAMs meetings where officers are explaining the various workings of the Authority. There have been no committee meetings at all. The first one is expected in early July, over two months since we were elected.
But my inbox remains busy, as I deal with lots of queries and emails from residents. I have a dedicated Facebook page where I post regularly on what I hope residents find both interesting and useful.
https://www.facebook.com/share/169BMPnsiZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
WATERINGBURY VILLAGE SUMMER FETE
COFFEE BREAK – 2nd, 16th and 30th July 13th and
27th August Church Social Area - 10.30am - 12.30pm
All welcome to come along and join a friendly group in the church social area for tea/coffee, cake and good company– Suggested donation £1. Just pop along or phone 01622 813076 Gillian Sessions
CHURCH THANKS
Churchyard Plant Sale Many thanks to all who contributed in any way, but especially to Bijou Nursery for their generous plant donations, to this annual event which despite the rain raised £767.
Innominata Concert Thank you to the singers and to those who came along and enjoyed the music and the tea and cakes. The total raised was £176
LEST WE FORGET – VE/VJ COMMEMORATIONS
Rostrum remembers those commemorated on the village and school memorials.
Peter Griffiths – Flying Officer 41016 45 - Squadron
was the son of Rev George Griffiths, vicar of Wateringbury from 1922 to 1940. Peter attended Maidstone Grammar School leaving in 1937 to join the RAF. He served in North Africa from 1940 and was killed aged 23 in January 1941 when his plane was shot down into the sea on returning from a successful raid on in Libya. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt, the Village War Memorial and the War Memorial in the Maidstone Boys’ Grammar School. The school’s tribute says “He will be remembered for his unfailing cheerfulness and unflagging spirit, qualities that not only made him popular at school, but an efficient and brave officer.”
REV GARY WRITES
The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NA
gary.rev@outlook.com ( 01622 813178
Slugs!
If anyone reading this is a gardener I wonder if you’ve noticed there seem to be less slugs around this year? It may vary from one area to another but in my garden there’s certainly been less damage caused by slugs than last year. I’ve mentioned this to other gardening people, and some have observed the same in their plots of land. I have no idea where one would go to get any official figures on a ‘slug count’ for 2025. If there is such a thing I’d be interested to see if my observations tie in with a more widespread and official count.
As much as I dislike these creatures for the damage they do
(I know it’s not all species) I can’t help but admire their ability to survive. They are, after all, such a nuisance and hard to control precisely because they are so good at surviving and I admire that about them. Furthermore, given that many of my plants are surviving well this year due to the low number of slugs I find this reprieve has led me to reflect more charitably upon my enemies!
My dictionary tells me that ‘slug’ is probably of Scandinavian origin and it’s the slow movement of the animal that inspired the name. The term ‘sluggard’ (very familiar to readers of the King James Bible in the Book of Proverbs) is a term for a lazy person and according to the Book of Proverbs the sluggard’s indolence will be the ruin of him. A slug’s slow movement is possibly part of its survival strategy but for us we must be quick to move especially when an opportunity would be otherwise missed: ‘Make hay whilst the sun is shining’ as the saying goes. Generally, our well-being requires a high level of energy and prolonged exertion. At times, our very survival depends upon a quick response.
When Jesus began His teaching in Galilee around 30 AD he called for a quick response; the moment must be seized while the opportunity was there. He said: ‘The kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news!’ It seems to me that every day there is presented to us an opportunity for showing kindness, compassion, forgiveness or generosity to someone. These characteristics of the life of God, the very values and stuff of His Kingdom, are close by, and we can choose to behave to others in such ways or not. I think these values are of eternal moment and consequence and we should not be sluggish in the doing of them.
Rev Gary Townsend.
Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham.
WATERINGBURY CHURCH SERVICES
IN JULY AND AUGUST
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.
Saturdays 5th July and 2nd August
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
Sunday 6th July – Morning Praise led by Barry Fisher
Sunday 3rd August – Matins led by Barry Fisher
Sundays 13th July and 10th August - Holy Communion led by Rev Gary Townsend
Sundays 20th July and 17th August –
All Age Worship
Sundays 27th July and 24th August – Benefice Holy Communion with Rev Gary Townsend
Sunday 31st August – Benefice Holy Communion in West Peckham Church led by Canon Brian Stevenson
This being the fifth Sunday in the month we take the opportunity to worship in another of the Benefice churches. This will be the only morning service in the Benefice today.
Benefice Refresh Services of informal worship in Mereworth Church every Sunday in July and August at 5pm (except 31st August) For those who enjoy less formal worship.
MESSY CHURCH
Calling all young families- those with primary school children! Why not join us on the first Saturday in the month from 3pm at our church. We celebrated Pentecost in June with crafts and games, singing and tea! We did hand painting in firey colours, team games pouring water over our heads aiming not to shower the person behind with water! We finished by toasting marshmallows. If you would like to join us then email me ruth.dunn33@btinternet.com
JUNE PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
Public Open Session In the first session councillors were asked if there was any more news on the Fields Lane proposed Housing Development . Cllr Hudson advised no plans have been submitted.
Fields Lane – Overgrown Hedging, sited in the Village Hotel Car Park was causing a nuisance to residents walking on the pathway the other side. Since the meeting Cllr Hudson has actioned this complaint with the Hotel directly.
The parish council agreed to investigate how to support unwanted cold calling to elderly residents in the Village. The Clerk was requested to pursue this matter.
Allotments – Councillors agreed to invite tenders for necessary improvements to the site which is off Old Road.
Cemetery – After discussion councillors approved phase two of the Tree Felling and costs to replace the damaged Barrier to the Car Park. On 10th June the Clerk will meet with a Monumental Mason to carry out Topple Headstone Testing which is a statutory 5 year requirement.
Planning - Cllr Mathieson was re-elected as Planning Chairman and Cllr Young Vice Chairman The Planning Subcommittee considered the following applications:
Demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of three replacement dwellings with associated access, landscaping and infrastructure at Wisteria Villas, 624 Tonbridge Road.
Listed Building Application to reinstate layout and function of original stairs replacing inappropriate 1970s stair and return to former kitchen arrangement at The White Cottage, 171 Tonbridge Road.
Speed Watch During May teams due to road closures and bad weather fewer Speed Watch sessions were possible. However during the 5.5 hours of observations 2997 vehicles passed the check points. Of these 175 were exceeding the 30mph speed limit in the village. 15 letters were sent to repeat offenders (two or more offences) and 1 letter for travelling in excess of 45 mph. One vehicle was being driven with no road tax and one without an MOT. Councillors thanked the teams for their efforts to make the village roads safer.
Next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 1st July at 7.30pm in the upper room in the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting. There is no meeting in August
Approved minutes of council meetings are published on the Parish Council website www.wateringburypc.org.