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 June edition of Rostrum
VILLAGE DIARY
June
1 Footpath Group walk- 2pm – Hall car park
3 Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm – Hall Upper Room
4 Coffee break - 10.30am-12.30pm - Church social area
8 Village Fete - 12.30pm -5.30pm – Playing Fields
11 WI – talk - Guide Dogs for the Blind - 7.30pm - Hall
13 Coffee morning – 10.30am-Noon – Hall downstairs room
15 Village market – 10.30am – 1pm – Hall
18 ‘History of Red Arrows’ – History Society talk - 8.10pm – Village Hall (AGM 8pm – 8.10pm). Tea and coffee from 7.40pm
18 Wateringbury Flower Club – members garden visit
18 Coffee break - 10.30am-12.30pm - Church social area
21 ‘Voices Across A20’ concert – 7.30pm - Church
21 Race Night - Village Hall fundraiser – 7pm for 7.30pm - Hall
21 Ragged Rose Sale - 10am-3pm – Unit C, Manor Farm
July
1 Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm – Hall Upper Room
6 Footpath Group walk- 2pm – Hall car park
9 WI - NHS talk and CPR demonstration – 7.30pm - Hall
11 Coffee morning – 10.30am-Noon – Hall downstairs room
12 Agent Yvonne Baseden talk by Prof Juliette Pattinson - 7.30pm - Church
16 Wateringbury Flower Club - A twist of your favourite vase!
workshop - 7pm for 7.30pm start- East Malling Institute
20 Village market – 10.30am – 1pm – Hall
25 Concert - 7.30pm Nettlestead Place, garden opens 5.30pm
August
8 Coffee morning – 10.30am-Noon – Hall downstairs room
17 Village market – 10.30am – 1pm – Hall
Race Night at the Village Hall
Saturday 21st June 2025
Doors open 7pm, races 7.30pm – 10.45pm
Bring your own nibbles and drink
Tickets £10
Ragged Rose Massive Summer Clearance Warehouse Sale
Saturday June 21st 10am -3pm
Unit C Manor Farm Wateringbury ME18 5PG
Great savings and big reductions, many items up to 70% off
Easy parking & credit cards accepted
Musical Delights (Plus licenced refreshments)
Saturday 21st June at 7.30pm
in the church of St John the Baptist, Wateringbury
Tickets £7 on the door
VOICES ACROSS A20
(Wateringbury/Snodland church choirs plus Wateringbury Players)
will be singing songs from the musicals Godspell,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
Fiddler on the Roof and a concert version of our producer’s (Jonathan Overell) own production
Cement –the musical
To mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2
you are invited to a talk on
Saturday 12th July 7.30pm in Wateringbury Church
This is her Life - the remarkable story of secret agent Yvonne Baseden by Prof Juliette Pattinson
£7 pay at door.
NETTLESTEAD PLACE CONCERT
Friday 25th July 2025 at 7.30pm, Gardens open from 5.30pm
The Eden duo Karen Brown and Debbi Parks, Flute and Piano
Adults £15 Students £5 Children Free
Please contact Karen Brown 07808 068881
or Annabel Tucker 0779 2975443
Tickets available at the door but cash only please!
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes by 17th June for our double July/August issue of Rostrum.Entries are free. Email 
rostrum2@hotmail.com
RIP
Laurence Murton, a former pupil of Wateringbury School
I was both shocked and saddened when told of the tragic death of Laurence in a road accident in South Africa. Laurence was a pupil at the school from 1999 until 2006, whilst I was Headteacher. Laurence was a bright boy, happy, with a charm and a sense of humour; he was fun to be with and a delight to teach. However, he worked hard, and being a very sociable lad, had many friends. He progressed, and went on to Oakwood Park Grammar School. His goal was to become a pilot, and this he did, achieving his first flying licence before he was legally allowed to drive a car. In due course he graduated to flying large commercial aircraft. Quite literally, he had the whole world at his feet.
When I met him recently, at a function in Maidstone, he was a charming, cultured young man, confident in who he was, yet friendly, and still with that twinkly grin in his eyes – the epitome of an Airline Pilot. I was so proud to have been a part of his growing up, and now so desperately sad to hear of his passing. Laurence’s life was tragically cut short, but in his thirty years he blossomed and lived his life to the full. Richard Arnold
Don’t forget your Village Market takes place on the 3rd Sunday of each month:
15th June, 20th July, 17th August, 21st September
Regularly 30 plus sellers with 1 or 2 new sellers every month.
If you’ve not visited this amazing market yet, please do so - entry is free of course. Have a coffee and cake while you catch up with friends. Or find that unique gift for family or friend.Look forward to seeing you. Sue Collins
Wateringbury Guides and Scouts have approx. 12 small plastic Go-pak type chairs – suitable for up to five years old available for a small donation to the group. They are too small for our use but we really don’t want to take them to the tip. The metal legs are a bit chipped etc but the seats are very robust and useable. A photo can be supplied if required. You are welcome to inspect them at the HQ by contacting me via sheenastewartx3@gmail.com to arrange a mutually convenient time. Sheena Stewart, Group Property Manager
THE OAST THEATRE, TONBRIDGE
“DEATH OF A SALESMAN” by ARTHUR MILLER
19th July 2025 – 26th July 2025
Performances: 8 pm (Sunday 3 pm)
Tickets: £14. Online bookings at www.oasttheatre.com
Credit card bookings 0333 666 33 66 (booking fee applies).
LEST WE FORGET – VE/VJ COMMEMORATIONS
Rostrum remembers those commemorated on the village and school memorials.
John David Godfrey Bewsher – Gunner 859287
97 The Kent Yeomanry Field Regiment Royal Artillery. A pupil at Wateringbury School, commemorated on the outer panels of the School Memorial Board now in the church Vestry. He died on 20th June 1940 aged 25 and is buried in Teston churchyard as his family lived in Teston.
John Arthur Eversfield - Gunner 14255119
114 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. The Eversfield family lived on Red Hill and before joining the Army John worked as a Clerk at the Phoenix Brewery, Bow Road. John was killed by friendly fire near the River Irrawady on Monday 30th April 1945 aged 21. He is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial Myanmar as well as on the village and school memorials.
COFFEE BREAK – 4th and 18th JUNE 10.30AM-12.30PM
All welcome to come along and join a friendly group in the church social area. Tea/coffee and cake – Suggested donation £1. Gillian Sessions 01622 813076
WATERINGBURY SCOUT GROUP
With summer just around the corner all the sections in the group are making the most of the change in seasons and enjoying outdoor activities. The Beaver Scouts have done some community work by creating blooming lovely gardens at the church, as have the Cub Scouts who were out and about the village litter picking, making the village presentable and tidy before VE Day.
The Scouts will be getting on the water later in the term with the group kayaks, having fun whilst working towards a badge over the course of two meetings.
The Cub Scouts will be streameering, a purely made up name for a super fun, wet activity where they travel along a stream, negotiating natural obstacles along the way.
Carrying on the aquatic theme, the Beaver Scouts will be ending the summer term in style with an evening of fun, water based games. Cue lots of laughter, excitement and enjoyment!
In order to carry on providing adventurous activities for our young people within the group for years to come we would very much welcome more adults to join our team of friendly, enthusiastic volunteers. Whether you’re super skilful, know next to nothing or anything in between, we welcome all. If you'd like to join our team or help in any small way please contact our Group Lead Volunteer at GLV@wateringbury-scouts.org.uk or on 07970 368539
Or, if your child would like to join our group, please go to our website www.Wateringburyscouts.org.uk
Nicola Plane - Cub Team Leader
Tonbridge&Malling Ramblers 19th June
Circular walk from Yalding to Nettlestead Green, through the deer park, past Roydon Hall and up to St Michaels Church before returning via Pizien Well and along the River Medway. Two steady climbs; moderate difficulty.
For full details of upcoming walks, see T&M Ramblers Facebook page or www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk
NETTLESTEAD & WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
After a lovely break we have welcomed all our families back from the half term break. This term we will continue with exploring Spring with the children and watching all the seeds we have planted bloom. Over the course of the next few weeks as the plants get stronger, we will move them outdoors where the children can help to look after them and watch them grow.
We have been exploring the lifecycles of frogs, using sensory materials to make frog spawn to explore the different stages. In our outdoor area we have created a little pond with lily pad seeds. We will also be getting caterpillars to continue exploring lifecycles and linking it to the story book of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. The children will be planting little beans to take home to watch them grow, learning how to look after them. Parts of this will also be linked to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to support the younger children.
Our outdoor area continues to grow to allow the children to play and explore nature’s loose parts using them to make bug houses.
Summer holiday club (2-11 years)
Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th & Thursday 31st July
Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th & Thursday 7th Aug
Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th Aug
Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st Aug
Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th Aug
9am – 4pm, half days (9am -12.30pm or 12.30-4pm).
£39 per session or £19.50 half-day session
FLOWER CLUB
At our May meeting members attended an inhouse workshop, making our own fancy frames for a hand tied bouquet. Lots of different frames were created and many people went home very happy! This workshop was led by our two Kent Area Demonstrator trainees.
In June our members are visiting a local garden to look around and have tea and cake! All funds raised by our hosts will go to charity.
July's meeting is another members’ workshop, A twist of your favourite vase! that conjures up a conundrum for us.
Visitors always welcome, £7 tea and coffee included.
East Malling Institute Hall, Mill Street, East Malling 7pm for 7.30 start.
Jean Schofield President WFC
From Sarah Hudson, Wateringbury Parish,
T&M and KCC councillor
It is my honour and pleasure to have been re-elected as our Kent County Councillor at the election on Thursday 1st May 2025. Thank you to everyone who supported me.
I am sure many have heard the news, but in over 140 years of Kent County Council this was the biggest ever change. Reform UK won 57 out of the available 81 seats, having not won any 4 years ago. Standing as a Conservative, I was one of only 5 from my party elected across Kent.
This will mean a significant change to how Kent County Council is run. At the moment, I simply do not know what this will mean. At County Hall most are new faces who I have never met before. It will be extremely interesting.
Given the political backdrop, I am extremely proud to still be representing our village as a County Councillor. Watching the ballot papers being counted on Friday 2nd May 2025 was extremely humbling.
The boxes from Wateringbury showed significant support for my work around the village. I hope I have demonstrated over the years that I will always put the needs of everyone in the village first, and do everything I can for our wonderful place.
I am especially delighted to be carrying on because it provides consistency in an ever changing and turbulent world. Working at the Borough Council with Matt Boughton, together we can achieve the best for Wateringbury. After the election period I can now get back on with my work for you. My County Council e-mail address is sarah.hudson@kent.gov.uk and I look forward to hearing how I can help.
Please do use e-mail if you can as the best way to get hold of me. Often it is tricky to answer the phone if I am in a meeting, and I always would prefer not to deal with sensitive, individual concerns over social media.
Whether you voted for me or not, my responsibility is to represent the whole village, and that is my commitment to you. Thank you for placing your trust in me.
Sarah
Full result for Malling Rural East (including East Peckham):
Sarah Hudson (Conservative) – 2,140 ELECTED
Helen Brown (Reform UK) – 1,538
David Nicholls (Green) – 732
Tim Bishop (Lib Dem) – 374
Jack Tyrrell (Labour) – 244
Gardening for Wildlife
Recently, I was clearing some dead wood and leaves from the bank by my pond, when I inadvertently disturbed a bumblebee nest. I was alerted to this firstly by the noise, which sounded like fast running water and then five or six rather angry looking bees appeared. Bumblebees are not generally aggressive and in fact only the females can sting, though they rarely do. However, I decided to leave that area until the Autumn when all but the queens will have died off and they will be looking for somewhere to hibernate. Bumblebee nests are small and they do not store large quantities of honey, so they are more sensitive to the availability of pollen. We can all help by including nectar-rich flowers such as; foxgloves, lavender, perennial geraniums, herbs and wild roses in our gardens.
I am reliably informed that we have nightingales in Wateringbury! This shy bird is generally found in open deciduous woodlands where there is plenty of cover and we are fortunate to have the ideal habitat near our village. The song period lasts only from April to June. Both sexes do sing but only the male sings at night in order to attract a mate. Four or five eggs are laid in May, and both parents help to feed their young which fledge in about 12 days. By the end of July, many birds have started their journey back to Africa with the stragglers joining them by the end of September.
It won't be long now before any tadpoles that the newts haven’t eaten leave our pond as frogs. They will then spend most of their time out of the water but will need damp, shady spots such as log piles, rocks and compost heaps to hide from predators. These may also serve as grass snake egg-laying sites and a female may travel up to a mile to find a suitable site. The young hatch in August or September and any not eaten by birds, hedgehogs or badgers may live up to nine years. Their main food is frogs!
Pauline Knuton
WI
Our May meeting was the AGM. After voting for the Committee and President we had a fun quiz with Kathy, tea and cake and our usual raffle. Thank you to everyone who was able to make the meeting.
Coming up next....
On 8th of June the WI will be supporting the village fete with a cake stall. Any donations of cakes (bought or homemade) would be gratefully accepted.
Our speaker on 11th June will be Su Franz from Guide Dogs for the Blind. On 9th July we have a speaker from the NHS to talk us through and demonstrate CPR. Both very important subjects.
As always new Members and visitors will be very welcome.
£3 visitors. £1 refreshments. £1 raffle.
Sharon Goshawk, President (tel. 07824 955755)
WATERINGBURY GUIDES
This month we’ve had some great activities for the girls. We took 16 girls to see “Wicked” in London and all was going swimmingly until, with only eight minutes to get from the theatre to our train, our train was cancelled! After some quick thinking and with tremendous help from the train guard, we redirected our trip home and parents collected from another station. A big shout out to the lady guard who turned out to be a brownie leader in Ashford!
The following week we went to play Rugby. We had entered a ballot and were one of only four guide units in the south east to get tickets. First, we went to the Harlequins training ground for an hour of rugby training with their coaches and then onto Twickenham itself. The match between England Red Roses and France was very close but England won by one point and with it the Six Nations Trophy. No issues with the train this time although it was tight to grab some food at Waterloo East. A long day but very memorable and some of the girls got themselves on the big stadium screen as well!
Then most recently we took 30 brownies and guides to the Sussex County Showground for “Mayhem”. It was very appropriately titled, but the girls had a brilliant day and the weather was so kind to us. Suncream rather than rain coats. Among the activities tried, was bhangra, yoga, rugby, a petting farm, enough inflatables for all the village and we learnt how to do the Haka as well.
Are you an adult who would like to be part of this? Register on this link and we’ll be in touch. Register your interest | Girlguiding
Sheena Stewart and team.
HISTORY SOCIETY
The Society’s final talk of the 2024/25 season will be on Wednesday 18th June in Wateringbury village hall when Guy Bartlett will tell the History of the Red Arrows. Visitors welcome at £7. The talk will start a little later at 8.10pm as at 8pm the Society will hold its AGM (and the necessary formalities really can be completed in 10 minutes!) As usual free tea or coffee will be served from 7.40pm.
To set the scene for our displays on 20th the new season of talks starts on 17th September when Bob Ogley will be giving a talk on Doodle Bugs and Rockets.
On Saturday 20th September in the church there will be displays of items relating to WW2 plus items from the Society’s archive and a display of Church registers. We also invite residents to tell the story of a member of their family in WW2 in about 200 words. If you would like to submit a memory with any photos, etc please email the society wateringburyhistorysociety@gmail.com. Christine Byron
TESTON AND Wateringbury PRESchool
We have now entered Term 6. It is remarkable how quickly the academic year has passed. As I prepare this article, I am in the process of coordinating visits to our pre-school with the many excellent primary schools in our vicinity. This allows the teachers to meet the children who will be joining them in September.
We will be practicing for our sports day which will take place on Friday, 27th June, at Teston Village Green. We will be creating Father's Day cards for Sunday 15th June, and our school leavers will practice changing into their PE kits in preparation for starting school in September.
As always, we base our terms around a book, and this term is no exception with us reading the book “Spinderella” by Julia Donaldson. During this term, we will focus on mathematics and expand our understanding of spider facts from our minibeast study in Term 5. We will be creating spiders for our spider web display, engaging in spider counting activities, and preparing spider-themed snacks.
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 FOOTPATHS GROUP
At last it was dry enough to walk by the river and Bow Bridge was open to pedestrians, so in May we walked along the riverside. We crossed Bow Bridge and took the footpath through the kissing gate and followed the riverside through the woods and up the grassy hill to Tutsham Hall. The track over the cattle grid took us down to the lane that joins the road on the approach to Teston Bridge. We then followed a permissive path to keep away from the traffic for as long as possible before crossing the river over Teston Bridge. Initially walking through the country park we followed the riverside back to Bow Bridge. As usual we did the walk on a Sunday and a weekday and had great weather for a really lovely walk on both sides of the River Medway. There were still some bluebells as well as lots of wild garlic in the woods, the fields were full of buttercups and there were some lambs in the fields.
Everyone is always very welcome to join our friendly walks. We will be leaving the village hall at:
2.30pm on Sunday 1st June
2.30pm on Sunday 6th July
Please contact me if you would like more information and to be kept updated. Lisa Dean 077 5953 9032
WATERINGBURY Parish Council CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
As anyone attending our Annual Meeting last year will recall, the cohort of Parish Councillors now is very different to the cohort that attended in May 2024. The Parish Council has been on a considerable journey over the past 12 months.
The major event causing this turnover happened in January 2025 when we suffered mass resignations over a weekend. This was also linked to the departure of the previous Clerk and I regret that there remain a number of outstanding issues.
In addition to addressing the issues which I shall come on to, much of the Parish Council’s time remains correcting policies which could not be implemented, addressing contractual and governance failures, and grant money which was not spent as allowed – especially at the allotments and cemetery. We also have an ongoing Police investigation around intellectual property theft and are in contact with our insurers to settle claims from bereaved families where wrongdoing and malpractice has happened at the cemetery.
However our new Clerk, Suzanne Parr, has worked tirelessly both to address these issues, and to ensure the Parish Council continues its core purpose of serving the village and getting the best for all residents.
Fortunately, we have now established a good team of parish councillors who are working together trying their best to ensure that our village is the perfect place to live.
The pavilion down by the play equipment and cricket green is now completely refurbished. It has new showers, a disabled toilet, and better facilities for visiting referees. This was achieved by receiving match funding from the West Kent Rural Grants scheme. We are continuing with our plans to upgrade the Multi Use games area, to incorporate a tennis court and other ball sports courts, but this has had to be deferred whilst we sorted out the multitude of problems as identified above.
The Parish Councillors have entered into a 25 year lease for the car park next to the village hall. There will be no change in arrangements for its use, ensuring it remains free to use for everyone for the foreseeable future and benefit of residents. Please don’t abuse our trust.
Wateringbury is lucky to have allotments, and although these were supposed to be refurbished, unfortunately there were issues, and this work will now need to be undertaken again. But we do not have a waiting list for plots, and there are a few that are looking for new carers – so if you would like to grow your own veg and improve your ‘green fingers’ then please get in touch with the clerk. Suzanne can be contacted at clerk@wateringburyparish.gov.uk.
I would like to thank the many varied village groups that make our community such a vibrant, fantastic place to live. And special mention to the flourishing group of merry men and women who make up the Friends of Wateringbury, for all their hard work in making our village as tidy as is possible. Huge thanks also go to our village warden, Mark Little, who continues to serve our amazing village, and the new parish councillors who have recently joined.
So, on behalf of the Parish Council, I wish you all well and hope to see as many as possible at the village fete on Sunday 8th June.
Sarah Hudson, Chairman of Wateringbury Parish Council.
may 2025 PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
· Cllr Sarah Hudson was voted back in as Chairman and Cllr Vanessa Young as Vice Chairman
· Highways - Clerk reported Reflective Post dislodged at entrance of Old Road and action will be taken to repair.
· Cemetery - Urgent Maintenance Work is required and WPC approved Clerk to seek quotations where necessary.
· Allotments - Urgent Maintenance Work is required and WPC approved Clerk to seek quotations where necessary.
· Kent Police investigating a Malicious Intent Crime against WPC
· First Phase of Village Lock Up Project completed. Highways intervention required for Phase Two.
· CCTV Upgrade to Village Hall Car Park – Solar CCTV being considered.
· Speedwatch - In April the team carried out 8 sessions, over a period of 9 hours. Out of 4,907 vehicles which passed by, the team noted 332 speeding vehicles. Letters were sent to 44 repeat offenders and 13 were sent to high end offenders driving at speeds over 45 mph in 30 mph zone. 4 vehicles were driven without valid MOT and 6 without valid road tax.
Next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 3rd June 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 raise matters of local concern. Approved minutes of council meetings are published on the Parish Council website www.wateringburypc.org.uk
A reminder that SGN are replacing the gas mains along Bow Road from Waterside Mews up to the crossroads, and Bow Road is closed to all traffic from June 23rd for up to 10 weeks. Access should be maintained for those residents affected.
The Parish Council ask those who then decide to use Fields Lane as a car park, to park considerately to those residents in The Brucks and Cobbs Close. There is far too much inconsiderate and dangerous parking in that road. Double yellow lines are coming, but probably not soon enough.
WATERINGBURY CHURCH SERVICES IN JUNE
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 1st - 10am– Matins led by Barry Fisher
The traditional centuries old service using the beautiful words from the Book of Common Prayer
Saturday 7th - 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 8th - 10am – Pentecost –
Communion with Rev Gary
Pentecost is regarded by many as the Church’s birthday. It marks the arrival of the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to His disciples
Sunday 15th - 10am - All Age Worship
A less formal service with well-known hymns and an address by Kate Millar
Sunday 22nd - 10am –
Benefice Communion with Rev Gary
Patronal Festival marking the Birth of St John the Baptist
Thursday 26th June – 2-2.45pm – Mereworth Church
Service to mark the awarding of the first Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria on 26th June 1857 to Rear-Admiral Charles Davis Lucas who is buried in Mereworth churchyard.
Sunday 29th - 10am – Benefice Communion Service in Mereworth Church this being the fifth Sunday in the month we take the opportunity to worship together in another church in the benefice.
Every Sunday in term time Refresh Benefice Services of less formal worship in Mereworth Church at 5pm
IN OUR JOYS AND SORROWS –
From the Parish Registers
Baptism – 11th May - Autumn Bradshaw
Funeral - 22nd May - Dail Whiting followed by committal in village cemetery
REV GARY WRITES
The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NA
gary.rev@outlook.com ( 01622 813178
THE VICTORIA CROSS – MEREWORTH’S UNIQUE CLAIM
Most people have heard of the Victoria Cross. Many people, including myself until I came to live in Mereworth, do not know who first received it. And here’s something that I’ve found many local residents, including inhabitants of Mereworth, do not know: the first recipient of the Victoria Cross is buried in Mereworth Churchyard. His name is Rear-Admiral Charles Davis Lucas and he received the medal from Queen Victoria herself on the 26th June 1857.
Not surprisingly the people at Mereworth church hold an annual commemorative service on the Sunday nearest the 26th June and I have noticed that attendance at it has been going down. Last year there were more visitors from the Naval Association and Sea Cadets than there were local people. Not long after that service I had occasion to mention Rear-Admiral Lucas and his grave at an assembly in Mereworth school and a number of the teachers were very interested and confessed this was all new to them. It's the sort of local history that is of interest to a school and such things provide the teachers with great scope for projects the children can learn from.
So, putting all this together I decided to do something quite different with our yearly Victoria Cross Service. The service will be held this year on Thursday 26th June from 2pm – 2.45pm in the church and at the grave of Rear-Admiral Lucas but, thanks to our lovely school in Mereworth, the children from Y5 will present some research they have been doing and read some pieces they have written on the themes of the VC, Lucas and courage etc. They may even have some musical items for us. There will be the usual presentation of standards from the Royal Naval Association and an act of remembrance at the graveside, but the input from the school will give it all a new feel, connect the children with a unique and important bit of local history and, hopefully, encourage more people from the villages to share in the commemoration of something that Mereworth residents can be proud of. There will be some refreshments after the service of course!
So, do come along; support the school, support the church and help both as we do our bit to make better known locally and within the village of Mereworth something which it alone out of all the villages in the whole country can claim as part of its heritage.
Rev Gary Townsend.
Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham.
POETRY CORNER
“Remembering the pathways that I have trod”
(A retiring Head Teacher bids goodbye)
Faces from the past,
Float into my head.
Tears trace my cheeks
As I remember all the pathways that I have trod.
Did I make a difference?
Only others will know,
Futures that I tried to build
Take place without me.
Did I affect their lives in some small way?
Only they can tell,
Lives will be lived despite me
And all I tried to give.
Ghosts from the past
Are now fully grown,
Futures they have built
With babies of their own.
Did I make an impact?
That is for them to judge,
As the clock clicks round
To 3.15 I pack away my things.
Empty boxes filled to the brim
With 35 years of my craft,
Packed away for safe keeping
And for the spiders to explore.
As kind words expressed echo in my head
I feel a little sad,
Respect and thanks and memories
For the pathways that I have trod.
It is time now to rest and think
As the future sprawls ahead,
A brand, new adventure
Waiting to be had.
Big steps forward
While remembering all behind,
New pathways now to tread
New avenues to find.
Steve Davies
to heav
March