Welcome to Rostrum, the free magazine for Wateringbury Village

which is delivered to each home in the village 10 times a year.

Some find it easier to read the magazine in the Past Editions section

We hope you enjoy reading about the happenings in the village

Welcome to the November edition of Rostrum

 

Contributors please note that the next issue covers the months of December and January

 

VILLAGE DIARY

November

2          Sunshine Art Group Exhibition - 10.30am - 4pm -  Hall

3          Footpaths Walk - 2pm - Village Hall (note earlier  winter start)

5          Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm - Hall upper room

8          Footpaths Walk – 10am - Village Hall

8          Coffee morning – 10.30am-11.30am – Village Hall

10        Parish Annual Act of Remembrance – 10am –  Church

13        WI Christmas decorations making – 7.30 - Hall

16        Christmas Craft Fayre - 11am-3pm - Church

16        Pool competition – 3.30pm - Wateringbury Social Club

17        Village Market – 1-5pm – Hall and car park

17        Christmas Lights Switch-on – 4pm (approx)

20        Commonwealth Graves Commission talk – 8pm -  Hall

20        Winter Sparkle - Flower Club– 7pm - East Malling  Institute

30        Quiz night – 7.30pm Wateringbury Social Club

Warm Space + Soup every Friday – 12 -1pm – Hall

 

December

1          Footpaths Walk - 2pm - Village Hall

3          Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm - Hall upper room

8          Christmas Disco – 7.30pm – Wateringbury Social Club

 

Sunshine Art Group Exhibition
2^nd November 10.30am - 4pm

at Wateringbury Village Hall.
There will be original paintings, prints, cards and crafts for sale  (cash or cheques only). Refreshments will be available. Free admission and parking.

 

The Warm Space initiative is on every Friday at Wateringbury Village Hall between 12 and 1pm. Join us for a bowl of homemade soup and a roll -donated by Plaxtol Bakery. The soup is made by Donna at The Railway Pub. So please pop along and keep warm with a free meal to boot.

It would be lovely to see as many of you as possible. We are in the downstairs small room.

            Our next coffee morning is on Friday 8^th November. This is between 10.30am and 11.30am. Tea and cakes for all!

Sarah Hudson.

 

VILLAGE PEOPLE  Please let us have your news and tributes by 17^th November for our double December/January issue of Rostrum.  Entries are free.  Email www.rostrum2@hotmail.com 

RIP

Carl Farrin (19^th October 1937 – 27^th September 2024)

Carl, a resident of Wateringbury for 21 years, sadly passed away on Friday, 27^th September at the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, where he had been for a few days after a long illness.  He loved living in Wateringbury and loved his garden with a stream.  He was a Vickers Armstrong Engineering Apprentice, R.A.F. Veteran, Past Commodore and member of Rochester Cruising Club for 50 years, a Freemason and member of Wateringbury Local History Society since 2004.  He was the owner of “Farrins” Garage in Longfield.  He leaves his wife Sandra, son and daughter in-law, Mark and Susan, Grandson George, Stephanie and Great-Grandson Freddie, Granddaughter Lucy and Grandson Tom.  He will be greatly missed.

            Carl’s funeral will take place on Friday, 1^st November at 11.15 am at Vinters Park Crematorium in Maidstone.

 

John Francis Clarke

(30^th January 1940-7^th October 2024)

John was born in St Mary’s hospital Paddington.  During 'The Blitz ' of the same year, his mother evacuated from bomb torn London to his grandmother's home in Wateringbury, where the family continued to live. John later attended the old Wateringbury School on Red Hill followed by Wrotham Secondary Modern. After leaving school he took up an apprenticeship as a Compositor and eventually worked in London.  Upon his marriage he left the village and made his final home in Larkfield, where his wife, Marcia, still lives.

 

Mary Jane Bates - known as Jane

(6^th September 1933 – 17^th October 2024)

            Jane died on 17^th October peacefully in her sleep.  She had a fall on her birthday in September and never fully recovered.  The care staff at the nursing home have been extraordinary with their care and attention to her needs.  Ed and I are so very grateful for giving us the ability to come and go any time to visit.  My mother will be remembered for her loyalty, resilience and friendships made throughout her life. She was also a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Funeral details will be made available in due course.

Vicky (Daughter)

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

                        After much soul searching Larry and I have decided after nearly 15 years, to resign from our voluntary positions as Poppy Appeal Organisers for Wateringbury.  

            We have been so fortunate to have been supported by an amazing group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly for this wonderful cause. Some of you have served for over 25 years dedicating your time each year to the Poppy Appeal.  Thank you - we could not have done this without you.

            We would also like to thank all the organisations and businesses including pubs and clubs, in the village who willingly display a static collecting box for us, and to the surgery, church, parish council and school who have always supported us raising many hundreds of pounds over the years. Wateringbury should be very proud of their fundraising efforts - records show there have been several years where we have raised over £3,000 which is a huge achievement.  

            If there’s anyone who would like to take on the organiser role please visit the website at www.britishlegion.org.uk to find out more.

Thank you      Angela and Larry Collins

 

Grand Christmas Craft Bazaar

11am to 3pm Saturday 16^th November

In Wateringbury Church, Tonbridge Road

Entry Free

Gifts galore for everyone on your list

Lots of new stalls

Accessories, Jewellery and Crafts

Stock up your larder with Sheena’s jams and Gordon’s pickles

Keep your strength up with a cup of tea or coffee and

a mince pie or a glass of mulled wine

There will also be the traditional Cake Stall and Tombola

General Raffle and Christmas Cake Raffle

 

COFFEE BREAK 6^th and 20^th November

          The group returns to its usual format this month after having a Harvest lunch and Macmillan Coffee morning in place of the regular meetings in October.  Both ‘out of the ordinary’ events were enjoyed by those coming along.  So our November meetings will be in the church social area between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Wednesdays 6^th and 20^th November. (Suggested donation £1).  If you would like a change of scenery and the opportunity to meet ‘village neighbours’ don’t be shy just come along.  If you would like more information please phone Gillian on 01622 813076.

 

MESSY CHURCH 9^th November (note 2^nd Saturday)

and 7^th December 3pm-5pm       Messy Church in November will be the SECOND Saturday just this month. Our theme is Children in the Bible and we will be meeting Samuel.

          In December we meet on the first Saturday and it will be our Nativity Tableau when we invite friends and grandparents to see the children and join us for sausage rolls and mince pies .

Ruth Dunn (ruthdunn33@btinternet.com)

 

WATERINGBURY VILLAGE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Sunday, 17^th November 2024 1pm – 5pm

in the Village Hall and car park

 

CHRISTMAS TREE and CROSSROADS LIGHTS

switch on at 4 pm.

 

Mulled wine, Christmas foods. Over 25 stalls: preserves, fudge, honey, meat, bread, candles, chocolates, plants, jewellery, beauty and many other personalised items – order yours for unique Christmas gifts. Raffle - proceeds to Brain Tumour Research. Amazing prizes with donations from local businesses and from our own stall holders. Relax with friends over a drink and snack before watching the lights switch on.

UKRAINE APPEAL

            Thank you to those who continually leave donations in my porch.

I can’t thank you individually as often I’m out when you leave them. But you know who you are and your kindness is much appreciated. Still desperately needed are unused human medications which can be used for the animals, as well as animal food and flea/worming treatments. Also warm clothing for both children and adults, toiletries, sanitary products etc.
            Please read updates on Facebook, Kent Relief, to assure yourselves that all donations do reach those most in need in Ukraine. Lorries leave the UK regularly.    

Sue - 07875 262659.

Wateringbury Scout group Needs You!

 

            Do you have a few spare hours each week? Want to do some crazy activities and make a difference to the young people in this village.

We are in urgent need of adult volunteers for each of our Sections if we are to continue to provide Scouting activities within the village.

            Scouting has a strong tradition of providing valuable life skills for both boys and girls in the village for over 100 years.

            No experience or skills are needed as full training will be provided. You will be part of a great leadership team even if you can only commit to a few hours per month.

 

            We are looking for leaders in all of our Sections with the aspiration of Squirrels section for 4-6yrs, starting shortly

            Beaver 6-8yrs meet  Monday evenings from 18:00 - 19:15

            Cubs 8-10.5yrs meet on Tuesdays from 18:30 – 20:00

            Scouts 10.5-14yrs meet on Mondays 19:30 - 21:00

            Explorers 14-18yrs meet on Wednesday 19:30 - 21:30

 

            All sections love to camp, learn new skills, be creative, craft, cook, play games, take part in adventurous activities and just have FUN!

            To continue to provide Scouting in Wateringbury for another 100 years, we need more adult leaders. Full training and support will be provided.

For more information please contact

simon@wateringbury-scouts.org.uk and visit our website

 https://www.wateringbury-scouts.org.uk/ 

 

TESTON AND WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL           

            As I write this article the children are enjoying their sponsored walk around Teston village green, completing as many laps as they can, walking, jumping, skipping and running, as the children start to take on new challenges, just like the animals in our book ‘From Head to Toe’ by Eric Carle.

            We have also enjoyed exploring our lovely village and walked along to Ripton Farm where we were able to meet some pigs, sheep and as always our favourite the alpacas.  Elvis was particularly happy to see us with our bag of apples donated by Teston Farm shop. (again, thank you Dave).

            Our new term starts on Monday 4^th November where we will be reading one of our favourite books ‘The Tree that’s Meant to be’ by Yuval Zommer. A little fir tree is too small and too imperfect to be chosen at Christmas time. But being left alone in the forest brings more rewards than the tree could ever have hoped for. .This is a charming and classic-feeling picture book with a heartfelt message about love and embracing what makes us different. As we share the story week by week with the children we will be talking about kindness, generosity, remembering the true meaning of Christmas,

            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: 07805796353    testonpreschooladmissions@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook too!

 

The Wateringbury Social Club 

            The Wateringbury Social Club is working hard to boost its membership numbers. We are offering discounted membership until the end of the year at only £10 per person. The club has many advantages and if you are local and haven’t visited before, you are sure to receive a friendly welcome. We have very competitive bar prices, event evenings, a snooker table, pool table, dart boards and live sports TV channels - for those key football matches. We even have a children’s room. All available at no extra costs for members. We also welcome dogs for those who like a crafty pint or a glass of wine on the way home from a walk.

            Event nights booked (please add to your diary):

            16th November - Pool competition (from 3:30pm).

            30th November - Quiz night (7:30pm).

            8th December - Christmas Disco (from 4:00pm).

            We are also currently recruiting for x2 new bar staff - Friday and Sunday shifts.

            For membership enquiries and information on the bar staff positions please contact Mick - 07595 253464.   

            For information or bookings on the events please contact 

Tony - 07890 053921 or Geoff - 07801 756506

Wateringbury History Society

          The next meeting of Wateringbury History Society is on Wednesday  20^th November in the village hall when Sarah Nathaniel will be telling us about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Association.  The talk starts at 8pm with free tea or coffee served from 7.40pm.  The talk is free for members, visitors very welcome at £7.  Membership for the 2024/25 season is still good value at £20 (6 remaining talks and a Christmas Social evening).

            Our first two talks of this year have been extremely interesting and well presented.  In September Janie Ramsey spoke about the opulent lifestyle of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.  In October Richard Griffin told about his time as the Queen’s Policeman bringing with him a display of some of the memorabilia he collected during his career at Buckingham Palace. 

            The History Society will be at Wateringbury Church’s Craft Fair on Saturday 16^th November (11am-3pm) when copies of our publications about life in bygone Wateringbury will be on sale.  These make easy to post Christmas gifts. 

          We look forward to seeing you.   

Christine Byron

FROM TOM TUGENDHAT MP

 

I have a strong desire for more buses serving our rural villages. We have the 6 and 7 buses running through Wateringbury but we need to make sure the timetable works for the village, as well as those in Maidstone, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells travelling through.

One of the ways you can help ensure our bus services are as good as they can be is by letting me know any issues or concerns you may have. I am always interested to hear the experiences of anyone who uses our local bus routes, including our children.
            That’s why I run a School Bus Survey each year. Since the new academic year started in September I have run my 2024 survey to find out which services are working well, and which need improvement over the first few weeks of term. If you, or someone you know, has children of secondary school age, please ask them to complete my annual survey so they can have their say.
            The school term between September and Christmas is a tricky time for parents, with our children going into a new school year or a new school entirely. This brings a change to the routine and travel plans too. It impacts on how our roads are congested at peak times every working day.

            It's more important than ever to let me know your thoughts so that I can raise these with the relevant operators and Kent County Council.    

If you would like to complete my survey, or share it with any neighbours, please send me an e-mail to tom.tugendhat.mp@parliament.uk 

Tom Tugendhat MP,

130 Vale Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1SP        tel.01732 441563

 

WATERINGBURY WI IS REFORMING

            The newly reformed Wateringbury WI enjoyed a second meeting with a quiz followed by tea, cake and friendly chat. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 13^th November at 7.30 in the Village Hall. We will be making Christmas decorations. Materials will be provided but please bring along a Pritt stick, glue gun or other adhesive. Potential members can come along to this friendly group as a visitor and you will be made very welcome.

 Margaret Malsher

 

FLOWER CLUB

            The next demonstration on 20^th November is our Christmas meeting with our guest demonstrator, Gill Smaggasgale, from Sevenoaks. Her title

Winter Sparkle is going to conjure up a great season to come.  Non-members are welcome to attend 7pm for 7-30. Tickets £7. Enjoy an early seasonal event. Jean Schofield Chairman WFC

 

 

Gardening for Wildlife 

            Apparently, there has been a sharp fall in butterfly numbers this year. This is thought to be partly due to habitat loss and the use of insecticides. We can help in both cases. Some butterflies, including orange-tips, overwinter as chrysalises whilst others hibernate in grass or in leaf litter. Leaving most things where they are until the Spring will benefit these and many other insects. 

            Only 1 percent of insects are a nuisance and some play a beneficial predatory role. Sprays are not selective and kill both friend and foe so please avoid pesticides. I haven’t used any in my garden for years and it’s thriving. 

Healthy plants are better equipped to withstand pests and now is the ideal time to apply a layer of mulch to your beds. This will not only improve the soil but suppress weeds and conserve moisture. 

            You can buy peat-free mulches from all garden centres but Autumn is a good time to start making your own as there is an abundance of garden waste. It’s important to have a mix of ‘green’ matter (grass, annual weeds and vegetable waste) and ‘brown’ (autumn leaves, prunings and cardboard). Large pieces need to be chopped up or shredded and it can all be stored either in a covered heap or in one of the Darlak style compost bins which can be kept near the house. I have 2 of these and find that I have a ready supply of compost that can be dug out from the bottom whilst I continue to add matter to the top.      Pauline Knuton

WATERINGBURY FOOTPATHS GROUP

            The last couple of months were pretty wet at times so I avoided some of our usual autumn routes as they were underwater or too slippery.  I don’t say in advance where we will walk as I try to check the route beforehand and change my plans according to the conditions.

            Last month was a case in point.  For the Sunday afternoon walk we took the footpath opposite the top of Love Lane and walked in the woods around the North Pole.  Rather than walking down a pretty impassable Livesey Street to Teston and returning along the river, we looped back and returned via Redhill Farm.  We noticed house martins flying around preparing to migrate south for the winter.  We should have joined them!  Little more than a week later, for the weekday walk, which is usually a repeat of the Sunday walk, it was pouring with rain.  Three brave souls put on wet weather gear and when we met we agreed that we might as well have a bit of a  walk.  So we missed the North Pole and took a shorter route home, returning via Canon Lane and Old Road.  It was quite a test of our waterproofs.

            You are very welcome to join our sociable group walks.  We will be leaving the village hall at:

 

            2.00pm on Sunday 3^rd November

            10.00am on Friday 8^th November

            2.00pm on Sunday 1^st December

 

Please contact me if you want more information and to be kept updated.

Lisa Dean          077 5953 9032

 

WATERINGBURY GUIDES

            Well, we really are proud of our guides this month.  Wateringbury Guides submitted two teams into Challenge Invicta in October – it was an approx. ten-kilometre incident hike with six bases to visit, where the girls navigate their way around the course, working as a team to complete the challenges. They plotted their own route on a map using grid references which is checked before they depart, and if they complete the hike within the time limit, they gain extra points.  They also gain points for having all the correct kit, and even have to prove that their lunch is in recyclable containers for yet more points. If they misread their map, they could walk quite a lot further! 

I’m delighted to say that Wateringbury won, coming first out of 39 teams!  Our second team comprising all newcomers came 16^th and had they gained one more point they’d have been 12^th so that’s how close they were.  It’s great to hear that while some were stiff the following morning, they were keen to have another go next year. 

We welcomed visitors from Guide Dogs for the Blind and were amazed at how the dog can guide their handler around, and learnt all about what the training programme involved.  We’ve also had a photo trail around the village, again using maps and learning to navigate with them.  There were 21 landmark photos for the girls to recognise, work out where they were, and then walk there, and take a photo of the patrol in front of the place in the original photo. 

There are spaces in brownies and rainbows 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

                Term 1 came and went in the blink of an eye.

                Our holiday club this year was themed around Autumn and Halloween. The children got to enjoy fun activities like pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, face painting and dressing up, apple bobbing, loo roll mummies and making yummy pumpkin soup.

                Term 2.  We started to explore Autumn further, taking the children on walks so they could take in and talk about the season changes. On the walks they enjoyed collecting natural resources like sticks, pinecones, conkers and some lovely colourful leaves to bring back to the setting to use for crafts or in their play. They have also been taking little bags home to explore autumn changes with their families.

                The children have been creative with the natural resources and made their own version of autumn trees, wreaths, leaf printing and little bird’s nests for our outdoor bug hut. Some children have even used the sticks to create stick families using maths language to describe the sticks they collected. With the children’s help we have also made our own bird feeders for the birds to enjoy as the weather gets colder.

                Bags2School collection – Thursday 28^th November 2024 Bag2School Fundraiser | UK's No.1 Fundraiser for Schools. If you are having a clear out before Christmas, please have a look at the link on what you can donate to us to raise some valuable funds for the children and setting. For more information, please email enquires@nwps.org.ukCHURCHYARD AUTUMN CLEAR

Saturday 9^th November - 9.30am to Noon

            Volunteers are much needed and will be much appreciated, to go along to help prepare the churchyard for the annual Parish Act of Remembrance.  Please go to the church at any time during the morning and take 'tools' suitable for the job which you would like to do.  Tea and coffee will be provided.

 

JAZZ ADVOCATES CONCERT IN CHURCH

29^TH SEPTEMBER

            The church proved to be an amazing venue for the Jazz Advocates, (the acoustics are great).  Thank you to the Jazz Advocates for sharing their talents and those who came to enjoy the music.  The afternoon raised £536 to help with the maintenance of our beautiful ancient village church.

 

Let’s celebrate Christmas together -  

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 7^th December - Messy Church Nativity

All welcome to go along to the church to enjoy the Messy Church interpretation of the Nativity at 4.15pm  

 

Saturday 7^th December – 7.30pm – suggested £7 donation on the door Voices Across A20 Christmas Concert in the church

 

Thursday 19^th December -  8pm - Carols by Candlelight  with readings and well-known carols to enjoy

 

Christmas Eve Crib Service – 5pm

Midnight Communion – 11pm

 

OCTOBER PARISH COUNCIL NOTES

Allotments – the faulty water meter has been replaced.

 

Cemetery – the contract for the waste bin for the removal of dead flowers and floral tributes at the cemetery has been renegotiated and the new contract will save £2,400 a year.

 

Crime – the police website shows the village has been crime-free in recent weeks.

 

Christmas Lights  - some residents in Red Hill have asked the Council to consider extending the village Christmas Lights into Red Hill.  The Council were in favour of this suggestion since it would then mean all four roads at the Cross Roads junction would be decorated for the Season.  After discussion it was agreed that when the present contract for the lights expires a couple of lamp posts in Red Hill would be included in the specifications for the new contract.

 

Planning – The following planning applications came before the council:

            Demolition of existing stables and erection of a replacement dwelling (revision to TM/22/00019/FL) at land around Coppice Court 70 Teston Road.

Cllrs maintained their objections as stated in previous submission.

            Tree notification in Conservation area at Little Orchard 50 Old Road  removal of 1 dead Purple Plum and 1 dead Hawthorn  Cllrs have no objections and refer this to the Tree officer.

 

Procedures – Councillors agreed to adopt the procedure for the Co-option of individuals to serve on the Parish Council.

 

Public Open Discussions - Matters raised were: potential sites for housebuilding within the village, the structural damage being caused to a residential home by vibrations from large lorries and farm vehicles travelling at speed along the A26, and the need for a Village Plan.

 

Village Car Park – an update is still awaited from T & M but it was hoped a meeting could be soon held.

 

KCC and Borough Councillor report  Sarah Hudson reported that in order to balance the books KCC had to find savings of £90 million.  Over the past decade central government had year on year reduced its support for county councils nationwide and very difficult decisions had to be made.  Statutory requirements meant that 71% of the budget was required to be spent on 3% of the population (mainly adult and child social care and education). KCC estimated that to repair all its roads £800-900 million would be needed yet central government had granted £6 million to be paid over 3 years.

The T&M National Planning Policy Framework document had been submitted to central government and a response was expected in December.  

 

Glebe Meadow Play Area

The area has much overgrown vegetation and grass edges which need attention.  Councillors agreed to accept a contractor’s estimate for the general cutting back and tidying of the area and to the cost of providing a skip.

 

Playing Fields – The results of the Residents’ Survey regarding the future provision of facilities was discussed and following advice from T & M the council are proposing to implement two of the most popular facilities.  The upgrading of the existing Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) will hopefully enable the provision of a tennis court.  Councillors are to look at how to store the tennis net which would be needed.  The upgraded MUGA will include

the complete resurfacing of the area, lining of the area to accommodate sports not currently provided on site, installation of fencing, ‘goals’ and nets and the installation of a shelter area at the MUGA site.  Councillors Dave and Fielding were asked to obtain 3 quotes for the work needed.  If there are sufficient funds left after the MUGA upgrade an all-weather table tennis table will be provided.

 

Sports and Recreation Association - It was hoped the repairs to the track down to the Fields would soon be carried out.   The storage garage has now been deemed repairable so a replacement container will not now be needed and the repairs will be carried out.  Grass cutting options were also discussed.

 

Speed Watch – during September the volunteers carried out 10½ hours of surveys during which time 5041 vehicles passed them.  273 vehicles were exceeding the speed limit.  29 letters were sent to repeat (twice or more) offenders, 6 letters sent to high end offenders (45+ in 30mph zone) and 2 vehicles’ details have been passed to officers for active enforcement

 

Next Meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 5^th November at 7.30pm in the upper room of the village hall.  Residents are welcome to attend and will be given time to raise matters of local interest.

 

Minutes of the October council meeting will be available on the Parish Council website www.wateringburypc.org.uk in due course

 

Ramblers group walks

               

                Thursday 7^th November - North Pole circular: 5.3 miles from Teston Lane via East Malling Heath to playing fields near Kings Hill.  A mix of country paths and some road walking. Moderate difficulty; no stiles.

            Thursday 14^th November - Kings Hill Sculpture Walk to see the 10 sculptures on Kings Hill. A leisurely 5.5 miles pavement walk.

            For details of all the Ramblers group walks see www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk or

our Facebook page.

REV GARY WRITES 

The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth       ME18 5NAgary.rev@outlook.com    (  01622  813178

 

And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares … Isaiah 2:4

Beat your ploughshares into swords …    Joel 3:10.

            Recycling is no new thing as the two quotes above show. The words are from two prophetical books in the Old Testament and I suspect they were well-known sayings in ancient Israel: the one indicative of peace and the other of war. And the same metal (perhaps more precious then than it is now) could be fashioned and re-fashioned into implements for sustaining human life or destroying it.

            The history of the human race shows the almost limitless capacity of man to develop ever new ways of protecting and nurturing life or destroying it. The First World War marked the beginning of a different way of fighting with the use of the newly invented machine gun, barbed wire -which stopped cavalry charges - aeroplanes, tanks and canned food - which made it possible to keep men on the battlefield for months. All highly ingenious. On the other hand, the last one hundred years have seen the development of new strains of wheat which produce higher yields, are resistant to some of the old pests and can be harvested more easily because of their small size. Again, so ingenious. Doubtless you could think of other contrasting examples of technological advancement in the fields of life or death.

            But what no-one seems to be able to come up with is lasting peace, and an end to all hostility. We’re no nearer now to looking back on the last war and saying, “That was the last!” I wrote this time last year about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. One year on it’s not only continuing but the hostilities between Israel and her Arab neighbours are escalating.

            But as I said at the beginning, ‘recycling is no new thing.’ Man used a felled tree to make a cross but God used that instrument of torture to reveal his great love for the human race. It is His will that none should perish and all should come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). And as we think of God’s Son hanging on that cross for the sins of the world we see God’s response to all the hatred and brutality of which we as a race seem capable of turning out again and again. It is a response of limitless love working with all the usual stuff of his creation: wood and metal, sweat and blood, the free use of human will. All used by man for destruction but all used by God for salvation.

            I simply cannot see any other hope for us than in Christ alone.

Rev Gary Townsend

Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham

 

WATERINGBURY CHURCH  -  SERVICES IN  NOVEMBER

Benefice website                     www.mwwpchurches.org

Saturday 2^nd November   3-5pm Messy Church (for children and their carers) – Bible Story, Action Songs, Prayer time, Rev Gary with his guitar and lots of crafts and ending with afternoon tea.  All welcome

 

Sunday 3^rd November - 10am – Matins led by Barry Fisher

Sunday 10^th November – 10am - led by Barry Fisher

ANNUAL PARISH ACT OF REMEMBRANCE - 10am –

Our uniformed organisations parade to this service which starts in the church and then continues at the Village War Memorial in the churchyard for the laying of wreaths and the national 2 minutes silence.

Messy Church on Sunday meets in the vestry during this service 

Monday 11^th – 10.55am – Short act of Remembrance at  Mereworth War Memorial (entrance to churchyard)

Sunday 17^th - 10am - All Age Worship

Sunday 24^th - 10am – Benefice Communion with Rev Gary

The fourth Sunday each month will now be a benefice service in Wateringbury church when all three churches enjoy worshipping together.

Sunday 1^st December - 10am – Morning Praise for Advent  with Barry Fisher

Every Sunday Refresh Benefice Services in Mereworth Church at 5pm   for those who enjoy less formal worship.

 

They were the glory of their time

Their bodies are buried in peace and their names

Liveth Evermore.  We will Remember Them

 

Great War 1914-1918

 

World War II 1939-45