April Church and Community News

Transcription

1 April 2017 HILDENBOROUGH PARISH MAGAZINE Your free guide to what s on in and around the village Church and Community News

2 WHO S WHO IN THE CHURCH CLERGY: Vicar: Revd. Tim Saiet Tel: or Mobile: Associate vicar: Revd. Simon Braid ( ) Revd. Andrew Wooding Jones ( ) Revd. Elizabeth Toy ( ) CHILDREN S CO-ORDINATOR READER: CHURCH WEBSITE: Markus Hockley ( ) Sue Trowbridge ( ) WARDENS: Peter Thomas ( ), Chris Mileham ( ) ARCHIVIST: Terry Barton ( ) PCC SECRETARY: Amanda Willmont ( ) (NB Parish Council tel. is on p 47) TREASURER: David Wood ( ) KEYS Magazine Editor: David Haugh ( ) Deputy Editors: Claire Rawlinson ( ) keysmag@hotmail.com Caroline Candler ( ) Distribution: Stewart Tapsell ( ) Advertising: Pieter Kooiman ( ) CHURCH CENTRE BOOKINGS: Cynthia Fawcus ( ) cafawcus@hotmail.com PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Sal Hamlyn, Church Office, St John's Church Centre, Foxbush, TN11 9HT, ( ) stjohnshboro@btinternet.com (Term time - Mon , Tues 10-1, Thurs 10-1) (School Holidays - Mon 10-12, Tues 9-11, Thurs 10-12) YOUTH WORK: See organisations list inside cover at back and page 4 April Services Sunday 2 April Sunday 9 April Palm Sunday Sunday 16 April Easter Day Sunday 23 April Sunday 30 April 9.30 a.m. Kidz Service a.m. Holy Communion ST JOHN S CHURCH 6.30 p.m. Contemporary Service 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion BCP a.m. Morning Worship 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion BCP a.m. Holy Communion 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion BCP a.m. Morning Worship 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion a.m. Morning Worship Keys is printed by St. Mary s Church, Leigh tel: Contact us for printing of leaflets, booklets, etc. 2 ORGANISATIONS Community Groups AFTERNOON WI Mrs Betty Mackay ( ) EVENING WI Mrs Christine Gray ( ) GARDENERS SOCIETY Secretary. David Haugh ( ) GUIDES (Hildenborough)...Louise Neale ( ) SCOUT GROUP 8thtonbridgescouts@gmail.com BEAVERS (Ages 6-8 Thursdays p.m.) Andy Hay ( ) HILDENBOROUGH CONSERVATION GROUP Mrs Lynne Flower ( ) HILDENBOROUGH HISTORY SOCIETY...Judith McQuillan ( ) HILDENBOROUGH YOUTH CLUB...Temporarily suspended HOSPICE IN THE WEALD Thelma Fairs ( ) PARISH COUNCIL HILDENBOROUGH C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL... ( ) FOR THE STOCKS GREEN PRE-SCHOOL DETAILS SEE AD ON PAGE 42 MUSICAL BUMPS Margaret Lewin ( ) VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Mrs Anne Davies ( ) VILLAGE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION David Vanns ( ) KENT POLICE (Non-emergency calls) 101 PCSO TONI MATTHEW PCSO KIM HOCKEY Church Groups TUESDAY MORNING TEA AND COFFEE CORNER Church Centre ( ) HOUSE GROUPS.. Tim Saiet ( ) HILDENBOROUGH MEN S GROUP Keith Dyer ( ) PRAYER CHAIN Cynthia Fawcus ( ) SUNBEAMS (Mums and Babies)...Sue Gorham ( ) SPARKLERS: 3-7 (Y2 at school) Amy Bean ( ) TRAILBLAZERS: (7-11 year) Emma Challis ( ) PATHFINDERS: (11-14 years) Charlie Sinclair ( ) NEW GENERATION (14 plus)...mark Packer ( ) or Margaret Wooding-Jones ( ) CRECHE: (0-3 years) Anita Parkes ( ) Hildenborough Sports BADMINTON: Kathryn Stewart ( ) HILDENBOROUGH INDOOR (SHORT MAT) BOWLS CLUB David Chambers ( ) HILDENBOROUGH CRICKET CLUB Barry Webb ( ) HILDENBOROUGH FRIENDLY BADMINTON CLUB... Ivan Kirkpatrick ( ) HILDENBOROUGH SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB (SUNDAYS) Pat King ( ) ROSEBANK BADMINTON CLUB Nick Aldridge ( ) STOOLBALL CLUB Bill Richardson ( ) TENNIS CLUB (membership) Jo Garrett ( ) HILDENBOROUGH SPORTS ASSOCIATION (Running Races) Mark Taylor ( ) KENT & SUSSEX SPORTS MOTOR CYCLE CLUB Paul Lane ( ) THE OAKS BRIDGE CLUB...Marilyn Starkey ( ) KEYS ADVERTISING Please note that the PCC cannot be held responsible for the quality of the services on offer. For any serious complaint, contact our advertising co-ordinator, Pieter Kooiman. The Keys Magazine needs your input; please contact: David Haugh (Editor), ( ) or keysmag@hotmail.com Deputy Editors - Caroline Candler ( ) and Claire Rawlinson ( ) The deadline for an entry is the 13 th of the previous month for typed or legibly handwritten entries and the 15 th for contributions. For all ADVERTISING contact Pieter Kooiman on

3 REMEMBER EVERY TUESDAY TO COME TO at St. John s Church Centre 9 11 a.m. Fresh seasonal food from dedicated local producers. Enjoy shopping in a relaxed friendly atmosphere; meet friends for coffee; and share our special events. Contact: Janet Richardson Hilden Park Chartered Accountants Support and solutions for your accounting and business needs - working with you throughout the year, not just at year end! Xero certified advisors Hilden Park Accountants - Making Your Life info@hildenparkaccountants.co.uk Hildenborough 46 I wonder, do you know Jesus? Of course many of us know the name. Many of us have been to church at some point and attended a service. We may have heard a sermon. We may have even watched a film about Jesus life. They are often on at Easter time. I ask this question because I believe it is a very important question. Do you know Jesus? We know a lot about people in the news. We know about our prime minister, we know a lot about politicians and what they think and believe. We know a lot about celebrities and their lifestyles. We see lots of gossip magazines that tell us about the lives of others. Many people love to hear about how others live their lives. There are levels of knowing a person. For example, the Prime Minister is known to us all, yet her personal assistant will know her in a very different way. Her leadership team, her inner circle, will know her in another way. There are levels of knowing a person. None will know the Prime Minister as well as her husband or closest family. How well people know us is also led by how much we choose to disclose to them. Often people tell me they know Jesus. Often they mean they know much about Him. What if I told you that you could actually meet Him? That may sound strange but that is what the scriptures tell us does happen to a person who asks him. Jesus introduces Himself to a person who asks to meet Him. Once you have met Him you are utterly sure of His existence. There is something so irresistible about Him that people give their whole lives to please him. Unlike others in the world, Jesus makes Himself completely known to those who seek Him. It s an extraordinary thing. Jesus enters the heart of those who ask Him, and not only are they extraordinarily changed by that encounter, they know that the person of Jesus sees them as a member of His family. Oscar Wilde said this; Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary. We are told in scripture we are made in the image of God. None of us are ordinary in God s eyes or in the eyes of Jesus. There is something of God in all of us. His workmanship crafted us together for a reason and a purpose. The scriptures tell us that the moment we meet Jesus and accept him into our hearts, we become a member of the heavenly household. God sees us as sons and daughters and our whole perspective will change. The way we understand hope takes on a new meaning. Our lives are woven into God s plan for the world and it s the most exciting adventure anyone could ever have. Do you Know Him? If you don t, why don t you ask Him to introduce Himself to you? He is the most exciting person that ever lived. You won t regret it, I didn t. God bless, Tim 3

4 MONTHLY DIARY OF SOME OF THE Church Centre "OPEN TO EVERYBODY SUNBEAMS "It is as easy as ABC to come along with your pre-school child. A for Adults, B for Babies and C for Children." Every Monday 2-4 p.m. during term time. Contact: Tina Lewis TEA & COFFEE CORNER "Meeting friends and making new ones" Weekly - Tuesdays a.m. Contact: Church Centre HILDENBOROUGH FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays a.m at Church Centre@St John s Contact: Janet Richardson From the Registers WHO LET THE DADS OUT? For Dads and young children. Hildenborough Church Centre Second Saturday of the month 10am HILDENBOROUGH YOUTH CLUB Temporarily suspended pending recruitment of a new leader MEN S GROUP "Wine, cheese, fellowship, discourse and discovery all at our monthly meeting. All Hildenborough men welcome." Contact: George Gorham PLUS: once a term, at 8 a.m. on a Sat, a Men s Breakfast with a guest speaker. 144 Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, TN11 9HJ, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Why not pop in and see our newly refurbished bar and conservatory? Families welcome. Kitchen now open for hot and cold snacks. Check our Facebook page for live entertainment details or call: Vince , Kim , Rocky Baptisms: 12th February Zoe and Sophia Livermore Ruby and Archie Treen Marriages: n/r Deaths: Eric Nolde, died 5th February aged 89 LOCAL INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENT Selling and renting all types of property in Hildenborough and surrounding villages. With 35 years experience Simon Homes has been running West Kent Estates for over 2 years to provide a bespoke service to meet the needs of each individual client. Let Simon guide you through the house moving process. Please call simon@wkestates.co.uk or visit our website at Tonbridge Road Hildenborough TN11 9HW Receive a 10% discount if you mention this KEYS advert. 4 45

5 Your Local Family Pub Everyone welcome including Children and Dogs. Serving Seasonal Food and Local Ales Opening Times: Wednesday to Friday 12-11pm, Saturday 12-3pm and 6-11pm, Sunday 12-9pm, food served until 7pm For weddings and events our barn is available any day of the week. Follow us on Facebook and plough at Leigh for up to date information and photos or phone Hazel & Mick on AT THE WHITE ROCK INN UNDERRIVER ( FREE HOUSE ) A traditional, family run Pub & Restaurant, just 2 miles outside of Hildenborough towards Sevenoaks. We have a large & varied selection of local real ales, and our Chefs offer a wide selection of food ranging from home cooked traditional pub food to our popular A La Carte Restaurant. Booking is advised. Also, why not try our new Poundstretcher Menu, available Monday to Thursday am/pm and Friday a.m. in bar areas. The pub games of Petanque and Bat & Trap can be played in our large garden. Christenings, Weddings, Birthdays & any other social functions are regularly catered for. Frank, Maria and Staff look forward to welcoming you at The White Rock Inn. Tel: Indian Bar & Restaurant Alongside Hildenborough Station Reservations & Take-away: TheCinnamonSquare.com STOOLBALL Eastertime The stoolball season starts again on the 3rd April with our first practice. We are always looking for new members, so if you would like to join a friendly team of ladies, please come along to the recreation ground at 6.30 p.m. or contact Janet Richardson on for further information. God's promise to mankind, my friends, Is a symbol of re-birth, When tiny shoots and buds appear, Springing forth from mother earth. The dark, short days of winter, Lie hidden once again, And we welcome change in all around, For it's Eastertime again. Kent Wildlife Trust West Kent Local Group And as it is upon the earth, So we should bear in mind That Christ himself gave his own life, As a promise to mankind. Reap joy from this, give special thanks For this treasured time of year, There's a message for each one of us, Very loud and clear. The more we give of our own selves, The more we shall receive. Tiny shoots and buds appear in our lives If we believe in him who walked the earth And gave to us in love, So follow in his footsteps, For he's watching from above. St. John s Church Centre, Monday 24th Aril at 8 p.m. Short A.G.M. followed by a talk from Keith Dyer on My birds. All welcome Walking If walking and cycling are really so good for one s health, the postman would be immortal. Exercise daily - walk with the Lord. Anon Pamela Nicholls Palm Sunday: Jesus at the gates of Jerusalem Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when the Church remembers how Jesus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem, just a few days before the Passover was due to be held. He was the Messiah, come to his own people in their capital city, and yet he came in humility, riding on a young donkey, not in triumph, riding on a war-horse. Hildenborough Dog Walking Do you need your dog exercised during the day? I can offer tailored dog walks in the Hildenborough and West Kent area for forest and open land walks. Please contact David Green on the number below for bookings. As Jesus entered the city, the crowds gave him a rapturous welcome, throwing palm fronds into his path. They knew his reputation as a healer, and welcomed him. But sadly the welcome was short-lived and shallow, for Jerusalem would soon reject her Messiah, and put him to death. On this day churches worldwide will distribute little crosses made from palm fronds in memory of Jesus arrival in Jerusalem. Please call on

6 Afternoon: Our meeting on 1st March was our 98th Birthday Meeting and we had invited 2 members from each of the 8 other WIs in our District. Six had accepted, so that swelled our numbers by 12, which meant a good audience for our speaker, Mr Ian Porter, talking about the Real Mr Selfridge - a very interesting talk giving lots of details that had not been included in the TV show. After the talk we had a delicious tea of sandwiches and cakes supplied by our committee and enjoyed by all - a very good meeting. No speaker next month - we will exercise our brains trying to find the answers in a Quiz and social afternoon. All visitors are welcome on 5th April at 2.30pm in the Family Room. Evening: Our March meeting was a very interesting talk entitled Ten Brave Men. The men in question were all recipients of the Victoria Cross and all had a connection with Tunbridge Wells. In addition to a detailed biography of three of the men our speaker also covered the history of the medal itself from its inauguration by Queen Victoria to the present day. Aspects covered included the metal used to make the medals, the numbers awarded, the first recipient (one of the Tunbridge Wells men) and how much metal is left for the future. There were also maps available of Dunorlan Park showing where to find the Victoria Cross Grove commemorating the ten Tunbridge Wells VCs. Our next meeting on April 11th is a talk centred round a motorbike journey undertaken across India. Visitors are always welcome in the Family Room at the Church Centre at 7.30 p.m. PAVILION FLOWERS Tonbridge (opposite Sainsbury s) EASTER MONDAY WALK Please join us for a 4 ½ mile walk around Edenbridge. Meet St. John s Church Hall 1.15.p.m. to share transport. Cream Tea to follow if required. Further info from Bill Richardson cut flowers, plants, sundries we can also take special orders for any occasion Telephone Rob on Tonbridge Line Commuters Meet us at our Hildenborough Station Recruitment drive Tues 25th April a.m. We aim to improve the experience of all public transport users in the Tonbridge area. Our main focus is users of Hildenborough, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood Railway stations. We cover local issues as well as major Railway initiatives such as new Rail Franchises and the London Bridge Redevelopment. Recent successes include: 1.Changes to the Autumn 2016 Time Table benefiting Hildenborough commuters. 2.A much better deal on Delay Replay refunds for late trains. Our strength is in our membership; please show your support by joining us, 4/yr. Membership@TonbridgeCommuters.org.uk 6 J R L Computing Solutions For all your computing needs For Private Homes and Businesses No Fix, No Fee No Callout Charge Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm Tonbridge Based 43

7 School Swimming lessons Alison Marks Swim Telephone: Children s small group & individual lessons Term time lessons; weekdays & weekends Baby & Toddler Parent & Child lessons Pre-School lessons 3yrs + (no parents in water) Half term, Easter & Summer holiday courses at Fosse Bank School Mountains Hildenborough HUGE RANGE OF DISCOUNTED NEW TOYS AND GARDEN PLAY EQUIPMENT QUALITY USED TOYS AND BIKES BOUGHT AND SOLD IMMEDIATE CASH FOR YOUR TOYS OPENING TIMES Tuesday 9am-4pm and 7.30pm-8.30pm Thursday 9am-4pm Saturday 9am-4pm Mummy and me drop in ballet classes for toddlers aged 18 months & over in Hildenborough Village Hall. Come & join us! See our website for class times & prices: or call Meopham Bank Farm Leigh Road Hildenborough Kent TN11 9AQ

8 Brilliant weather and a plethora of flowers and scents are brightening our days now. The garden has been beckoning us in earnest for the past month and it will be Easter in no time at all. At the Market we are just about coming to the end of our winter vegetables and looking forward to salad days. Lettuces, spinach, watercress, cucumber and spring onions are starting to arrive, taking over from the winter brassicas, so make the most of them in fresh salads and soups to give a welcome boost of easily absorbed vitamins and minerals which we all need after the long winter. Continuing our trying something new theme, I found a recipe which mixed the veg. and salads from both seasons. A salad of sliced cauliflower florets, sliced radishes and prawns with a dressing of Greek yoghurt, dill, chives and a little lemon zest and juice, s and p. I actually used dressed crab from Mike instead of the prawns, but the salad was still crunchy and delicious and such a change. If you have tried something new and interesting this month, please share it with us, either in person at the Market or online. Our chocolate man, Norman from the Kentish Chocolate Co. will be with us during April, so you don t miss out on handmade Kent Chocolates and Easter eggs - locally made and quite delicious. He will also have truffles, chocolate sheep and other animals, as well as plain or milk chocolate bars. Princess Christian Farm will have their famous eggs for you to boil and colour or blow and paint and make your own Easter decorations. The blown egg need not go to waste - you just use the egg to make your Easter cake two goodies in one. Of course, if that s not your thing, there are always good cakes available from Jennifer from Church Farm, Dulce s Patisserie or Rusbridge Bakers, all very different, just take your pick. During the Easter Holidays on 4 th and 11 th April, as usual we will be doing something silly, and this time it will be Chicken Days. I was going to give you more detail, but we felt that perhaps a surprise would be more fun. Come prepared to have a go with a chance to win a 10 Market Voucher and other goodies. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions, we have had to forego the visit of real live chickens! It seems funny, only now being able to tell you how the Pancake Racing went in February, but the double page spread in the Courier with lots of photos and our Mayor and Mayoress, not only giving out the medals but taking part as well, tells you that it was a great morning, full of sunshine and laughter. Thank you to Stocks Green, Hildenborough and Fosse Bank Schools for taking part - we hope you enjoyed your- 8 41

9 D. Sands Services selves. Thank you also to Cllr. Mark Rhodes and Julie for doing the honours. Earlier that month our ex-deli lady, Belinda, demonstrated to us all how to make chicken tagine with herby couscous and very good it was too. We will be welcoming her back again in June. Plumbing and Heating Free estimates and design Reg. No Discounted rates for Hildenborough residents Mob: Tel: Our February winner in the TLC draw was regular customer, Mrs Toni Simpkins many congratulations. Toni is the lens behind many a photo taken at our events and can often be seen helping with Cooking for Kids, pancake races, or anything else we ask of her. To finish we apologise to the many customers who came with their knives, blades, scissors, etc. for the Knife Ninja at the beginning of March. He had van problems that morning, but has said he will be with us on 4th April. Hildenborough Farmers Market is held EVERY Tuesday at St. John s Church Centre. The 402 bus stops outside. Info. Janet Richardson A Farmers Market Recipe for Easter Lemon Surprise Pudding BRET PLUMBING LTD. M Yeoman Plumbing Terry E R Bedding Above All Bathrooms All domestic plumbing undertaken Advice/estimates given without obligation Tel: Mob: thebeddings@sky.com IAN HOLLOBON HEATING & PLUMBING All Domestic Plumbing Full Heating Design & Installation Landlord certificates & safety inspections Unvented Cylinders and Accumulators Tel: hollobon@virginmedia.com Bathroom Installations Emergencies Repairs info@aboveallbathrooms.co.uk TRAVIS PLUMBING Plumbing & Bathroom Design & Build Flooring and General Maintenance No job too small WRC Accredited Call Simon on: or mobile: I really wanted to give you a favourite chocolate pudding for Easter, but then thought that with a surfeit of chocolate at Easter time, you might like to try this old classic - a very grown-up desert. From my Real Cooking book by Nigel Slater (who in turn took it from somebody else), it is a firm favourite with me. It is a simple mixture that separates in the oven into two layers; one of sponge and the other of mouth-puckering lemon custard. It is, by the way, just as good cold, too. 100g 175g caster sugar Finely grated zest of 2 and 4 eggs, separated juice of 3 lemons. 50g plain flour 500ml butter milk Butter a large (2 litre) ovenproof dish and preheat the oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas 4. Using a beater, cream the butter with the sugar until it is creamy, white and fluffy. Add the lemon zest and juice; the mixture will probably curdle at this point but ignore it and beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. Gently beat in the flour and the milk. You will have a dodgy-looking batter but don t worry. With a clean whisk, beat in the egg whites till they stand in snowy peaks, then fold gently into the mixture. Pour into the buttered dish, then set the dish in a roasting tin with enough water in to come half-way up the sides of the dish. Bake for forty-five to fifty minutes, until the sponge has risen and a thick, lemony custard has appeared under it. Serve with cream if you wish. 9

10 The defunct British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act and Aliens Order My late father escaped from Poland to England with a few ships of the Polish navy in very dramatic circumstances a day or so before the German invasion of Poland in He served with great distinction with the allied navies in the last war and was once presented to the then King and Queen of England as a representative of the free Polish forces. He met my late English mother in Southsea, when he was on a radar training course, and they married in My mother used to tell me that when she married my father, she lost her English nationality and became Polish. I never really believed this, but when clearing out my late parents papers I came across my mother s Aliens Order certificate of registration which showed that this was true. THE AERIAL MAN (inc. 1 st class Aerial Services) Family Run Business Welcome to the Digital age H.D.REALITY DIGITAL AERIAL INSTALLATION NO CALL OUT CHARGE SPECIAL RATES - OAPs IN HILDENBOROUGH CCTV Home Security/ Neighbourhood Watch Kent Food Forests Turn your garden into a low maintenance living larder - a haven for wild life, perfect for nature lovers and foodies Food Forests - Low Maintenance Edible Plants and Landscapes Raised Vegetable Beds Fruit Tree Pruning - Herb Gardens Composting and Compost Bays Woodland Planting & Maintenance info@kentfoodforests.com My father and mother told me that they were very concerned about this, as at the end of the war they thought that they might have to return to Poland, which would have been a very uncertain future, especially as Poland was in the Russian sphere of influence and became communist. Also, under wartime agreements, frontiers were changed and my father s birthplace was no longer in Poland, but was in the newly formed Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and Poles living there, like my father s family, were no longer welcome and were forced to move to former German territory in the West, which was given to Poland to compensate for the loss of territory in the East. Thankfully, under new post-war legislation, my father was given UK citizenship and my mother regained hers. My mother also told me that in the war years, after she lost her UK nationality, under the Aliens Order she had to regularly report to the local police as she was now classed as an alien. A bizarre aspect of this was that she had been to school with one of the police officers she reported to! A high-profile case of an English woman who lost her British nationality on marriage to a foreigner was that of variety star and forces sweetheart Gracie Fields, who mar- Nizels Boarding Cattery Fabulous family run cattery in Kent Newly built, ultra clean and modern cattery, fully licensed and Tonbridge and Malling inspected. Taking bookings now! Nizels Hoath, Nizels Lane Hildenborough Tel: Mob: HAPPY DOGS GROOMING WORKSHOP *Clipping *Bathing *Stripping *Nail Clipping Service * Groomed in a quiet environment! 8 Oaklands Way, Hildenborough Tel:

11 HALES CONSTRUCTION LTD Local reliable building company Extensions, refurbishments, new builds, garage conversions, kitchens, bathrooms, fascias/soffits & gutters, roofing & glazing FREE ESTIMATES Tel Dan Hales Local Chimney Sweep * Traditional Brush & HEPA Vacuum * Smoke Testing & Insurance Certificate Included * Fully Insured * ICS Registered * Installation Advice Given Call: E. Coleman on Mr Shaun Simmons For all your electrical requirements large or small: Consult your local established experts without obligation Your satisfaction is our business 61 Mount Pleasant Road Weald, Sevenoaks TN14 6QB Mob: Tel: FREE LOCAL CALL OUT 38 WELD DONE Welding, Metalwork and General Handyman Gates, Railings and Repairs Neil Davies COMPETITIVE PRICES Alistair Colenutt Repairs to Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers, Electric Cookers, Fridges and Freezers Evening and Weekend Calls Welcome Mobile Landline alistairjc@hotmail.com S. L. HAZELL Ltd. DOMESTIC - INDUSTRIAL - COMMERCIAL Mark Hazell ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR - Part P Registered 11 Foxbush, Hildenborough, Kent TN11 9HT Tel: Mobile: markthespark@slhazell.com ried an Italian film director in 1940 and thus became an Italian national and, like her husband, an enemy alien. They lived in the USA to avoid internment in the UK. However, she was allowed a temporary British passport so she could travel to entertain the allied forces, but this was withdrawn in 1946 as she and her husband lived abroad. I researched into the origins of the loss of British nationality by British women who married a foreigner and found that it was based on the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914, repealed 1948, the main relevant points of which were: British subject status was normally lost by: naturalisation in a foreign state in the case of a woman, upon marriage to a foreign man a child of a father who lost British subject status, provided the child also had the father's new nationality renunciation The Act meant that not only did aliens that is, foreign-born residents, have to carry an alien registration card, but British women across the Empire who married such men automatically lost their British nationality and all associated rights. There were no such restrictions for British men; in fact, any foreign woman marrying a British subject automatically became British. Government documents from 1923 state that the loss of nationality was the only argument which the Foreign Office found to prevail with British women in deterring them from entering into such relationships, particularly with Orientals and any change of the laws would encourage mixed marriages of this particular kind, which are in the women s case nearly always most undesirable. What an awful piece of racist and sexist legislation to discourage English women from marrying men of races considered undesirable! I have been in contact with the Imperial War Museum and they have asked if they can have my late mother s Aliens Order certificate of registration for their archives and possible display, as it quite a rare document. I have done this. Maybe a reader of this can shed more light on this topic, or has another story to tell? 11 Jan Drozd Twitter A man walked into a church and approached the minister. I need help. I think I m addicted to Twitter. The minister looked at him and said gently, I m so sorry, I don t follow you." Preach When a minister rehearses his sermon, is he practising what he preaches?

12 GREEN MATTERS Palms for Palm Sunday The Bible story of Jesus arriving in triumph on a donkey with the crowds waving palms in greeting has been re-enacted in Churches over the years throughout the land. Fronds are waved to represent the palms, as these are not a common plant in our country. They are traditionally the male catkin of the Sallow Willow, which are called palms by country folk. They are also called Pussy Willow, also the Goat Willow, as the leaves can be eaten as fodder by goats. The soft down of the catkins makes them ideal for inclusion in floral displays, add to this that they are out on the bushes in the hedgerows in time for Easter, and you can understand their use in decorating Churches at this time of year. In some Churches now the choice for fronds is often the bamboo, but this member of the grass family is a newcomer to the British garden flora. The first bamboo plant introduced to the British gardener was a hot house plant. It was the middle of the 19 th Century before hardier varieties were introduced from Japan. The large, yellow fluffy showy Pussy Willow catkin is the male part of the plant, the anther. It sits up on the stem to catch the best of the wind. The two sexes are never on the same plant, as they rely on wind pollination as well as insects, to transfer pollen from male to female. You will find the female flower is also a catkin, but silver not gold, on another plant appearing in January and February. Wind pollination is good for the windy days of February and March, especially in a cold spring when insects are scarce, to make sure that the pollen is taken from plant to plant. The pollen attracts the early insects such as the bumble bee, which will venture out if it is warm and sunny. For the bumble bee this is a good arrangement, because there are very few sources of food, pollen and nectar at this time of year. When the catkin is mature there are great clouds of yellow pollen, something to be prepared for if they are in your decoration, as it is sticky - designed to stick to the insect pollinators and then to female flowers. The willows have many similarities, especially in their chemistry. Their bark contains tannin though not in useful quantities as in oak. It is also a source of salicylic acid, from which we get aspirin. They all grow very easily. For most willows it is only necessary to strike a cutting into moist ground for a bush to start into growth. Willow twigs, referred to as wands, are useful for weaving into baskets. The wood is white or pale cream, but of little value as a timber. Being a very light timber it was at one time used to make artificial legs. The timber is valued by artists as it makes a very fine charcoal. George Gorham 12 GORDON PATERSON PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Celebrating 40 years in business Glass replacement inc. broken/misted DG units Maintenance of PVC windows, doors, locks, handles. General property maintenance, painting & decorating. Kitchen refurbishments, DIY SOS inc. flat pack assy. Contact Gordon Paterson for quotations on: or gordonpaterson21@gmail.com D.R.WARD BUILDERS Your local builder Est. since 1965 Roof work - Guttering - Chimneys Brickwork - Pointing - Extensions Plastering - Carpentry - Painting Tel: drwardbuilders@hotmail.co.uk Radiator Cabinets Made to measure from Woodtec. Please ring for prices and information. Telephone/Fax: connolly142@btinternet.com Unit 9 Gaza Trading Estate, Hildenborough, Kent TN11 8PL Gaza Timber Gaza Trading Estate, Hildenborough Timber, Sheet Materials, Doors, Ironmongery, Decking, Fencing, Paint Mixer, Power Tools, Tools, Trade and DIY Welcome. Prompt delivery can be arranged Phone or Fax GLASS EXCHANGE Double Glazing Repairs Having problems with condensation between your double glazed units? We replace just the glass - not the frames We specialize in all types of repairs Door Locks, Door Handles, Letter Boxes Window Hinges, Cat Flaps, Window Keys, Double Glazing, Patio Rollers Free Quotations Tel: London Road, West Malling, ME19 5AE 37 EUGENIA S DECORATING SERVICES THE LADY DECORATOR Tel: eugenia.roberts@gmail.com

13 Hildenborough Decorators Interior & exterior decorating Michael Common Painter decorator Riding Park Hildenborough C & K Services Painting and Decorating For new builds and extensions we can also offer a full paint spraying service that gives an excellent finish on ceilings and walls or just a mist coat application General Household Maintenance For a Free Estimate call Colin Harris on or P.W.STURMER ROOFING TILING SLATING MOSS CLEARING FASCIAS SOFFITS GUTTERING STABLES GARAGE ROOFS AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL ROOFING Phone PAUL on: or mobile: Your local Roofer Specialists in flat roofing works,upvc fascias,gutters, tiling works,chimney flashings / Repointing. High Performance Elastomeric felt & DRYSEAL fibreglass system with up to 20 years guarantee (01732) clive@aquaguard.co.uk 36 BUILD AND LANDSCAPE Driveways/Patios Block and Stone Full Landscape and Design Fencing - Panel and Close Board Complete Property Maintenance Free Estimates & Free Advice Tel: For a more professional finish In business in Hildenborough since 1880 aquaguard McDonnell Plastering & Decorating Ltd Skimming over artex All interior and exterior decorating General property maintenance Re-skims Coving New Ceilings Contact us for a free estimate on: or patmcdonnell@blueyonder.co.uk Hildenborough History Society - Notable Buildings In medieval times, what now constitutes the village of Hildenborough consisted of a number of separate manors and their domains, all first mentioned in the 13th to 15th centuries. These comprised Philpots Manor, Dachurst Manor, which probably stood on land between Stocks Green Road and Leigh Road, Nizels Manor to the North West, the Manor of Hollanden around Watts Cross and Hyldenn Manor to the south east. The Tonbridge Road was an important route from London to the coast, and by the 17th century, several public houses, including the Half Moon and the Cock Horse, served travellers with food and drink and provided fresh horses before the steep climb into Sevenoaks. Watts Cross and Hilden Green may be found on 18th century maps, but Hildenborough is not mentioned. The majority of the buildings within the village today date from the 19th century onwards. Oakhill House and Pembroke Lodge were constructed in At the junction of the Tonbridge Road with Leigh Road, The Flying Dutchman Public House was substantially remodeled in the 1840s and there is a cluster of villas and cottages around it, which date from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1844 the Church of St John was built and designed by Ewan Christian. At that time, Hildenborough was part of the Parish of Tonbridge and the new church was built to serve this scattered rural population. The vicar of Leigh donated land and money for the provision of a church, parsonage house and schools. The church was built in gothic style in local materials Kentish rag with sandstone dressings, tiled roof and shingled spire. It formed the focal point of the developing community. The vicarage was built adjacent to the church in 1845 and the village primary school in Riding Lane was opened two years later. In 1866 two substantial High Victorian country houses and their lodges, both of which are now occupied by schools, were built in the vicinity of the church. Foxbush (Sackville School) and Mountains (Fosse Bank School) were both designed by G Somers Clarke. Hollanden Park, now the Raphael Centre, was also built in that year. Over the years several attempts to document the notable buildings in Hildenborough have been made. The Hildenborough History Society was formed just over two years ago, and it is our intention to document as many of these as possible. The selection of the most noteworthy buildings is very subjective, and for this project the choice has been mine. I have written to almost forty owners of what I perceive to be the most noteworthy. Over the coming months I hope to meet with these owners, to obtain further information and to take photos to illustrate each house. Depending on the response and cost we hope to publish a booklet (or booklets) of the results. If you have not been contacted by me and you think your house is worthy of inclusion, I would welcome hearing from you and you can contact me, Howard Dolling, by at johodoll@btopenworld.com or by mail to 1 Derby Close, Hildenborough, TN11 9JU. For your information the annual general meeting of the History Society takes place on Friday 21 st April in the Finzi Room of the Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. Visitors will be welcome and after the formal business of the evening, a talk will be given by Bob Ogley, on the great storm of 1987 and the history of RAF Biggin Hill.. 13

14 RWE TREE SURGERY All Aspects of Tree Care WE ARE SMALL ENOUGH TO BE ECONOMICAL, YET LARGE ENOUGH TO UNDERTAKE ALL TREE WORK East Malling Research (EMR) EMR was a horticultural and agricultural research institute first opened in 1913 and specialising in fruit production. Following challenging financial pressures, the facility was threatened with closure and administration in 2016, but became part of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), which was a plant science research company based in Cambridge, primarily specialising in agriculture. Since the integration with NIAB, economies of scale and robust cuts have been introduced, and although income continued to climb, significant challenges remained. It was reported that the vast majority of contracts, successfully won, only attracted 80100% of full economic recovery, which meant that the site potentially operated at a loss; glasshouse facilities were outdated and infrastructure equipment required to solve future technical challenges related to the industry were necessary. Alternative solutions and opportunities for use of the current site buildings were also explored. In July 2016, EMR submitted a Local Growth Fund Round 3 bid, supported by TMBC, which was unsuccessful, due to the lack of housing provision included in the submission. This led to the conclusion that any future bid for investment on behalf of the East Malling estate would need to include housing. TMBC Councillors were reassured that any housing development would not adversely impact on EMR s current work, as it was possible for this to continue on a much smaller area, due to the intensive growing now adopted. There is huge potential for the site and EMR, although the position remains challenging, due to a number of external factors, such as the lack of Government support and the need to secure its own funding. The support from TMBC and KCC was greatly appreciated. The excellent work of NIAB EMR was recognised and Members were proud that such an asset was within our borough. In Bloom Kent-based garden centre Coolings has been running In Bloom competitions for residents and businesses in a number of Boroughs since They have now approached TMBC to lead in the establishment and development of an In Bloom competition within Tonbridge and Malling. They propose an initial trial be run in Tonbridge, with the potential of future expansion to other areas of the Borough. Coolings offer a number of options for residents and businesses to engage in the competition, which could include the following categories Residential Categories: Best front garden, Best back garden, Best planted pot/ trough or basket, Best allotment. Commercial Categories: Best commercial garden, Best commercial planted pot/ trough or basket, Most attractive shop or business frontage. Community Categories: Best community environmental friendly project, Best community ornamental project. Coolings are due to launch just before April with a closing date of the end of June, with judging occurring a few weeks after the closing date. Every resident or business entering will receive a five pound gift voucher supplied by Coolings. Trophies will be awarded to each category winner and first and second prize winners will receive a gift voucher, also supplied by Coolings. Coolings will lead on the Competition and the Borough Council will be supporting, with assistance in promotion and potential involvement in the judging process. See 14 Reductions & Removals however large or small Hedge Cutting & Stump Grinding Fencing and Digger Work For Free Quotes call enquiries@rwers.co.uk ABBEY GARDEN DESIGN & BUILD Passionate about gardens for any and every aspect of your garden, please give us a call Garden design & hard landscaping Plant supply & planting Landscape & garden maintenance or HEVER LANDSCAPES LTD. Year-round garden management, regular maintenance or a one-off garden tidy/clearance. Complete landscaping projects, such as paths, patios, retaining walls, all types of fencing, turfing/seeding, hedge cutting and hedge laying. please phone Karl on or Adam s Gardens Let your garden be mine too Experienced Qualified Arborists All Tree & Hedge Works Undertaken Emergency Call Out 5 Million Public Liability Insurance info@hazelwoodtrees.co.uk Professional Gardener Studied at Hadlow (Distinction in Horticulture) Tel: 35 General Maintenance Plant advice/supply One off tidy-ups Expert Pruning or Fully Insured 958

15 Tonbridge Joinery - Windows Doors Bifold Doors Mouldings Supplied and fitted tonbridgejoinery.co.uk Tree Fellas Tree Surgery Reshaping Pollarding Stump Removal Hedge Cutting Fully qualified and insured Free estimates and advice P J Richardson s Carpenter / General Property Maintenance T RICHARDSON TREE SERVICES ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE UNDERTAKEN Removals Hedge cutting Reductions Stump grinding Mobile: Home: TomRichardson246@gmail.com T RICHARDSON TREE SERVICES Instagram: t_richardson_tree_services Call us now for a free no-obligation quote Community Safety Following the Community Safety Partnership Workshop held on 8 February, the Partnership has now agreed that its priorities for 2017/18 will be to tackle: Antisocial behaviour including environmental crime, Counter terrorism, Domestic Abuse, Gangs/Organised Crime Groups, Mental Health and Substance misuse. TMBC officers will now be developing actions around these priorities and writing the Partnership Plan. This will be ratified by the Community Safety Partnership Strategy Group. Crisis Café West Kent is to get its first Crisis Café for the mentally ill this Spring. The new outof-hours café is expected to open its doors in Tonbridge at the end of April. Staff and volunteers will be on hand with tea and a listening ear to help those in need. The café will provide one-to-one support and the chance to have some space and time to talk. The aims are to prevent mental health problems escalating, and to reduce the impact on hospitals and the police. West Kent Mind (WKM) will be running the café as a pilot project at 3 St Mary s Road, Tonbridge. It will open 5-9 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays only. Similar cafes around the UK have proved popular. WKM said there was a need for this out of hours service because a crisis doesn t stop at 5pm. The pilot is being funded by West Kent Clinical CCG and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Mayor s Report Julie and I were invited to one of the weekly lunches held by The Rotary Club of Tonbridge at the Rose and Crown; they Borough Councillors Chris Smith Knowsley Way, Hildenborough christopher.smith@tmbc.gov.uk Mark Rhodes Hawden Close, Hildenborough mark.rhodes@tmbc.gov.uk asked me to say a few words on the role of the Mayor. Maidstone Mayor held a quiz, to which I managed to raise a team of 9; we came 5 th. We attended Kent International Piano Course, who held their prize giving at Tonbridge School. Stables day-care asked the Mayor along; we both talked to the children on the role of the Mayor and Mayoress. We were presented with a lovely thank you card and cakes. Age UK held a coffee and chat morning in Bradford Street. Tonbridge Lions organised an afternoon entertainment for single senior citizens with tea at the Baptist Church. Wearing the Chain of Office, I managed to win a medal at the Hildenborough Farmers Market pancake race. In the evening Hillview School held a Stars in their Eyes ; the pupils excelled with great entertainment. We were invited to the John Singer Sargent preview at Ightham Mote - the painting of Elsie is superb, (open till end of year). Tonbridge Lions invited Julie and I to their Charter Dinner, which was an excellent evening. My two charities are Age UK and Wide And Finally I am organising a Mayoral farewell dance on Saturday May 13th, in the Village Hall, with plenty of music to dance to by Jean Picton-Bentley and her band. Tickets are limited, but for details please contact mayors.office@tmbc.gov.uk or Cllr Mark Rhodes TMBC Contact the Parish Council via: clerk@hildenboroughpc.kent parishes.gov.uk or

16 From your County Councillor As you can imagine, I have very mixed feelings about giving up my role as County Councillor at the next election. It has been a wonderful experience for me and good, I hope for you. The beautiful villages I have served in this Division exhibit the best of English rural life, and I am honestly grateful to you, their residents, for having elected me on four occasions, over sixteen years. I hope that your next County Councillor, whoever that may be, will reflect the virtues of commitment and accessibility, as well as the unimpeachable integrity that the role requires. Good, honest local government really matters! With all good wishes and my warmest thanks, Valerie Dagger, Kent County Councillor. Tel Valerie.dagger@kent.gov.uk From your local MP, Tom Tugendhat Many people in rural communities like ours rely on public transport to stay connected. Many use buses to get to school or to meet friends in Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells. Every year this gets harder and the service is less reliable. Sadly, across the bus network, locally timetabled buses have become increasingly infrequent. This leaves many who can't drive cut off from medical appointments, work and friends. Earlier this year I held a meeting with local bus companies to ask what they could be doing better. Conspicuous by their absence was Arriva. It turns out they had been working on a major change to routes locally. This change will not only impact on our day to day lives, but also cut communities off from each other. In Hildenborough we are lucky, with no major changes to the 202 or 402. However, I'm concerned that this will bring major change to residents in more rural locations who rely on the bus, as they will be unable to go to town as often as previously. At the time of writing, our neighbouring MP, Tracey Crouch and I have a meeting scheduled with Arriva to discuss the issues. Please let me know how you will be affected. Such severe changes, announced with little warning, can be detrimental to the future of local villages. I need your help to keep our buses running. The Absolute Gospel Company Proudly announce their new Advent musical The King is coming Written by Roy and Jenny Etherton CHOIR SINGERS REQUIRED! Performances in November st rehearsal 7.30p.m. Tuesday 25 th April, St. John s Church Family Room Info: or Live-In Home Care We are an independent, family run agency with many years experience. We provide clients with one to one live-in care in their own home. Tunbridge Wells The Pharmacy 50 years Service to Hildenborough Village NHS + Private prescriptions dispensed Home deliveries by arrangement Open Mon-Fri , Sat Smoking cessation support available from trained assistants. Equine and other veterinary products supplied. Thompsons Pharmacy, 1a Riding Lane. Tel: gstsira@btinternet.com 33 Foot Care Alice Neale (nee Hannan) BSc (Hons) MChS Health & Care Professions Council registered Chiropodist / Podiatrist Tel: Local resident A caring and gentle approach to your feet

17 Hildenborough Road Races 1st May - A plea for help! High Hilden Residential Home for the Elderly Established 1946 Residential Home for the Elderly Established 1965 Nine en suite bedrooms Spacious Living Areas Cooked Lunch & Evening Meals Peaceful Garden Security & Privacy Care & Companionship Non-profit making Tel: * Outstanding value, 24 hour personal care * Fine Edwardian house in beautiful grounds * 38 single bedrooms, some en suite * Warm, friendly atmosphere * Freshly prepared, nutritious meals * Extensive activities programme * Pre-bookable respite care available High Hilden Close, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3DB Registered Charity Number: The Abbeyfield Tonbridge Society Limited Bentall House, 7 Dry Hill Park Crescent Tonbridge TN10 3BJ Tel: During 2016, our reserve funds halved, not because of poor race turnout, not because we bought new equipment to make the races safer, but because we donated money to four local causes. Our mission since our first race in 1985 has been to help provide sporting equipment to Village Clubs and Schools, and both our Primary Schools were helped on this occasion. We had a very successful day last year and the portents for 2017 are even better. However, the races would not happen without volunteers who give up their time to marshal, time keep and man water stations. This is where we need your help. The more people we have to help, the more we can fulfil our mission to benefit the local community - your local community. Please do not leave it until the week before the event to volunteer, as it is really useful for us to know in good time, to complete our plans for a successful outcome. Contact hildenroadrace@gmail.com if you can assist in any way. Entry to races is now open ( but remember, entries are restricted to 300 across ALL our road races and the same amount for children's races on the Recreation Ground. Should you wish to have a stall on the day please use the above . Pat Davies Hildenborough Sports Association Ightham Mote Guided walk: Sun 9 April, 10.30am Free, prebook et 100 Date for your diaries, Celebrating Ightham Saturday 15 July Ightham village fete and Ightham & District Garden show. And do get in touch if are interested in volunteering at Ightham Mote contact iain.sanders@nationaltrust.org.uk or call ext 130. Don t just sit there do something! We Purchase Single Items and Complete House Contents Collectables, Antiques & Bric-a-Brac Bought & Sold Environment Agency Licensed Waste carriers Tel: Mob: Barden Road, Tonbridge 32 Keep moving. That is the simple message for any older person who does not want to age significantly quicker than they need to do. A recent study of pensioners has found that those who kept to a sedentary position for 10 hours or more a day and who did less than 40 minutes of moderate physical activity had the bodies of people eight years older. Experts advise that older people should aim to stand up and walk around every 20 minutes, if possible. The study was carried out at the University of California. A spokesman for UK Active warns that: With health and social care budgets stretched to the limit, it s time to end our love affair with the chair and get people moving again it is never too late to get active. Simple things at home, such as carrying the groceries, climbing more stairs and pottering around the garden can play a huge role in staying healthy and independent as we get older. 17

18 Our soldiers and the battle for Vimy Ridge The plan for the main assault of the Spring Offensive had gone through many changes. The final version was for French troops to attack at Chemin des Dames, which they optimistically believed could end the war in forty-eight hours. To support this, the British planned a push in the sector of the front that included Vimy and Arras. This was scheduled to start a week before the French, in the hope that the British attack would draw troops away from the French front. On any battle field throughout history, the side that holds the high ground has the advantage. They can stay in their defences and look down on the enemy. They can see everything that is going on and make life difficult for those below. They can also keep watch and get good warning when the enemy decides to attack. The enemy also have to attack up hill. In this battle, the Germans held the high ground and had all the advantages. The high ground was a ridge that overlooked the battlefield - this was Vimy Ridge, a typical Escarpment or ridge and had been held by the Germans for two long years. Facing the allied troops was an escarpment 8 km (5.0 miles) long rising to 60 m (200 ft) above the trenches. British and Canadian Troops faced this problem. The main assault was led by the Fifth Army, which included Canadian Troops and units of the Gloucestershire Regiment. To their left were units from the French First Army and to the right was the Second Army. The start date was to be April 8 th 1917 but due to bad weather the assault was delayed. These armies included men from Hildenborough who were to survive, as well as some who fell. One of those to survive the war was Aubrey Smith, whose diary we have referred to earlier. It was on the 5 th April, during the build-up to this action, that 2 nd Lieutenant Cyril Meade, of the 2/5 Battalion Gloucester Regiment, became the 17th man from Hildenborough to lose his life. To attack this position required skill and imagination. The classic First World War battle of lines of men standing up and walking forward just was not going to work. This was why, after three years of fighting, the ridge was still causing the British problems. At Vimy Ridge, the Canadian Corps achieved stunning success and quickly took their objectives. The most carefully planned component of the offensive, the Lieutenant MEADE Cyril received his commission on 4 th September 1916 with the 2/5 Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. It had been formed in September 1914 as a home service ("second line") unit. In 1915 and early 1916 they were in training and on landing in France they became part of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. He was 20 years old when he died, only 2 months after arriving in France. Before he joined up, he was a Civil Servant where he had won a scholarship to Commercial School Tonbridge. Canadian troops were now able to see down into the German rear area on the plain beyond. A breakthrough had been achieved, but night fell, and darkness prevented the advance from continuing. The weather had been so bad that there was no visibility for the airmen, which made the use of spotter planes impossible, and the commanders had very little information on any progress. At the same time as the Canadians moved, the British troops also advanced. The weather did not improve, with sleet and snow falling as the troops slowly moved behind their creeping barrage towards the German lines. Progress was costly as well as slow, as this 18 OSTEOPATH Ian Clutton BSc (Hons) Ost. At Integrated Health Ian uses manipulation, cranial and soft tissue techniques (massage). Not just backs... Arthritic Pain Sciatic Pain Sinus Problems Headache Acute Injury Nerve Compression Jaw Dysfunction Sports injuries Elbow / Knee Pain Achilles Pain Frozen Shoulder Constipati on Whiplash Tinnitus Disc Damage Rehabilitation Antenatal Babies London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AP Charlotte Sullivan Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy Qualified with a level 5 BTech diploma Phone: Charlotte_massage@mail.com W ealden surveys & conservation David Vanns - director BSc, Dip Bldg Cons (RICS), P.G.Dip E: surveys@wealdensc.co.uk 4 Fairfield Way, Hildenborough, TN11 9ET 31 ~ Sarah Jayne ~ Professional Hair Stylist For an appointment please ring: or Snippits Unisex hair salon Tonbridge Road Hildenborough TN11 9HP WINDOW CLEANER fergus.brady@water-work-windows.co.uk sales@water-work-windows.co.uk info@water-work-windows.co.uk

19 Registered Hildenborough Chiropractor Dr Andrew Nurcombe-Thorne M.Chiro (SA) Effective treatment for back pain, neck pain, headaches and other joint pain. Find us at: V02Maximum, The Walled Garden, Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough TN11 9ND Tel: Physiotherapy home visits Pilates classes or Contact Emma on HELEN BOUCHER BSc(Hons), SRP, MCSP, AACP (15 years experience) State Registered Physiotherapist Specialising in the treatment of: Sports injuries. Back and neck pain Rehabilitation following joint replacements, surgery and fractures. Arthritic pain. The Hawthorns, Powder Mill Lane, Leigh, TN11 8QD (Parking available) Tel: Mob: The well-renowned and well-respected aesthetic skin clinic right on your doorstep. Regulated and accredited with Save Face. Wrinkle-relaxing injections, Dermal Fillers, Soprano ICE virtually pain-free hair removal (50% off facial hair removal prices for clients with PCOS), skin rejuvenation lasers, Obagi skincare systems, chemical peels. Nurse/Doctor injectors. Please check out our website or ring to book a free consultation. report (from the Regimental diary of the Royal Fusiliers held in the Imperial War Museum) of the action of the 9 th April 1917 shows. On 9 th April the 13th and 10th (Stockbrokers) Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers worked together to advance on Monchy le Preux, a village on a small hill. They were brought to a halt at the Feuchy-Feuchy Chapel road and they dug in for the night. At noon on 10th April they reached the outlying woods of Monchy, but were now subjected to a heavy barrage which caused many more casualties. They dug trenches west of the village. At dawn the 13th dashed forward and ended up north of Monchy, where they stayed all day. The 10th Btn. stormed the village itself under a heavy bombardment and entrenched on the west side. There was a blinding snowstorm during these operations and they lost heavily. The men showed a high degree of skill, which with their courage and tenacity won the day. In these three days of almost continuous fighting, the 10th had 12 officers and 240 other ranks wounded. This account shows the conditions for many of the troops that day. It was here that William Rye became Hildenborough s 18 th casualty while serving with D Company, 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). The British had success on the first day, aided by the German Generals failure to employ their new defensive scheme. The German Army s reserve divisions were stationed fifteen miles behind the lines. The reserves were too far away, preventing them from advancing to block the British. However, the biggest success was the Canadians taking Vimy Ridge. From now on, the Germans could no longer overlook the British movements in the line. William Rye is not on the War Memorial, yet he was born in the village. His father was a cricket ball maker and lived in Leigh. He is registered as a voter and occupier at Tipps Cross in At that time he was employed as a draper in Tunbridge Wells. He enlisted with the Royal Sussex Regiment, was later promoted to Corporal, then demoted and discharged from the Army as the result of some trouble. He went to war with the Royal Fusiliers, probably enlisting without mentioning his previous experience. There are numerous accounts of men leaving their past behind by joining a different unit. The Army and Navy did not keep close records. Over the first few days, dramatic gains included consolidating the capture of Vimy Ridge and advancing over three miles in some areas. It might not have looked like it on the ground, but we can see with the benefit of hindsight, that the German Generals had miscalculated. Important ground had been gained by the Allies. In the archives of the Imperial War Museum is this report which summed up the action as seen at the time. British War Reporter Philip Gibbs on the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-10 April 1917 Today, at dawn, our armies began a great battle, which, if Fate has any kindness for the world, may be the beginning of the last great battles of the war. Our troops attacked on a wide front between Lens and St. Quentin, including the Vimy Ridge, that great, grim hill which dominates the plain of Douai and the coalfields of Lens and the German positions around Arras. The ridge had changed hands for the first time in thirty months of fighting at the cost of countless lives. Now the Allies had the advantage of looking down on the enemy. George Gorham 30 19

20 Cromer Beachcomber Guest House We offer twin, double and family en-suite rooms for your stay in this lively, unspoilt seaside town. Look forward to a wonderful break in a peaceful guest house that is just a minutes' walk from the beach and near the town centre. Owner: Jill Boyle Phone: Vere Isham Story Captain Sir Vere Arthur Richard Isham, M.C, 11th Baronet of Lamport, Northamptonshire ( ) and Lauriston Hollington Park, St. Leonards-on-Sea A few days ago I was walking around the cemetery and noticed that two of the stones had been replaced with First World War Memorial Plaques, one for Flight Lieutenant D.J. Rowe and the other for Leading Stoker G.W. Matthews. They look very impressive and standout among the rest of the stones. Just a few steps away from these two stones there is another stone, dark in colour and very modest, looking like any other stone in the cemetery. His name was Vere Isham and he also served in the First World War. I should really give him his full title, Captain Sir Vere Arthur Richard Isham, M.C, 11 th Baronet of Lamport, Northamptonshire ( ) and Lauriston Hollington Park St. Leonards-on-Sea. Sir Vere Isham moved to Hildenborough in about 1920 and lived at Oak Lodge, Leigh Road until his death on the 11th February The family name of Isham is pronounced "Eye-shum", and comes from a Northamptonshire village of the same name, which derives in turn from a brook called the Ise that flows through the western part of the county. The Isham baronetcy was created on 30th May 1627 for John Isham, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire. He was succeeded by his son Justinian, the second Baronet, who fought as a Royalist in the Civil War and sat as Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire after the Restoration. Vere Isham was born on the 10th May 1862 at Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire. He was educated at Eton and then Sandhurst as a Gentleman Cadet and received his commission in The Suffolk Regiment as a Second Lieutenant and became a Lieutenant on the 10th May On the 25th September 1889 he became a Captain - all these 20 info@cromer-beachcomber.co.uk Local Country Cottage For two people Central heating Off Street Parking Wi-Fi available No Smoking or Pets Holiday or short term rental Telephone Lucinda Lewis Sarah s Paintbox Beautiful Hand Sewn Curtains and Blinds Competitively Priced Locally Based BA (HONS) TEXTILES TAILOR MADE CURTAINS & BLINDS Contact SHARON on or Mobile Shop at 1 Riding Lane, Hildenborough sarahspaintbox@btconnect.com 29

21 SPECIALIST IN COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC FLOORINGS, WINDOW BLINDS & CARPET CLEANING SERVICE Hildenborough Butchers MARKET GARDENS, RIDING LANE, TN11 9LH, OPENING TIMES. TUES WED - FRI SAT Or meet us at Hildenborough farmers market. Specialising in home grown and locally produced meat FRESH CUT MEAT ALL WEEK. Wasp Treatment Taking the sting out of summer andy.wasp Wasp & Wasp nest treatment Fast, Efficient & Reliable Mobile: andy.wasp@yahoo.com 28 Tonbridge area Postcodes TN9, 10, 11 Woodies is a passionate and creative catering company offering quality catering at competitive prices. Excellent service and customer satisfaction is our main goal. Our team are on hand to help you plan your event whether you need chefs, waitresses or the food just delivered we can provide to your requirements. For more information please visit our website, or contact Victoria on or by at woodiescatering@hotmail.com LIVERY HILDENBOROUGH SMALL FRIENDLY YARD CLOSE TO TOLL RIDES OWNER RUN / ON SITE FLOODLIT MENAGE SECURITY DETAILS were reported in the London Gazette of the day. Vere Isham married Millicent Vaughan, daughter of Henry Halford Vaughan, on 16 January 1895 and had two sons, John Vere and Gyles, and one daughter, Virginia. Captain Vere Isham served in the First World War and gained a Military Cross on 28th December 1914, the third level military decoration awarded to Officers. The citation was published in the London Gazette on 26th September 1916 for the Military Cross. It read : His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led an attack along the enemy's trench with great dash. 300 yards of the trench was captured and successfully consolidated. He retired as captain on the 30 th March According to Sir Ian Isham (the 13 th Baronet), Sir Vere was knocked over by a motorbike and ended up in a wheelchair, and they moved inland to Hildenborough to avoid the risk of bombing along the coast. His son, now Sir Gyles Isham, was an actor in America and had just completed the reissue of Anna Karenina. With this success Greta Garbo was interested in him playing other parts, but due to his father s injury he declined, because he felt he was needed back in England to help his father. After his recovery Sir Vere Isham returned later to serve as a Major in the 13 th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters and when the Second World War started he became a Major General Staff Officer, 2nd grade (Military Intelligence (MI9)) in February 1940, British Army War Office. Sir Vere Isham had a serious motor car accident in 1937 and almost became an invalid. He retired in May 1940 and died in Hildenborough on the 11 th November 1941 age 78. The funeral took place privately at Hildenborough Church on the following Friday. After Sir Vere s death Lady Millicent Isham sold Oak Lodge and returned to St Leonardson-Sea, Sussex where she lived with her daughter until her death on 11 th August His 3 children never married, and so the last first-hand testimony died with the passing of his daughter Virginia in Tim Asquith

22 The Night Sky in Hildenborough April 2017 Venus may have disappeared from the evening skies, but it will soon make its presence felt in the mornings, low down in the east before sunrise. It is so bright that it is impossible to confuse it with any other heavenly body. By way of compensation, the elusive planet Mercury is visible in the evenings, although it couldn t be less obvious than its brilliant neighbour. It is best positioned from April 1 st to the 5 th when it lies just north of due west at a height of ten degrees above the horizon. Look just after 8pm when the Sun will be approximately six degrees below the horizon. If you use binoculars to sweep for Mercury, you must never do so until after sunset, or you risk blindness if you inadvertently glimpse the Sun. The planet Jupiter reaches its closest point to the Earth this year on April 7 th and can be seen in the late evenings in the constellation of Virgo. Look at about 10pm in the south east, at an altitude of about twenty degrees for a bright star-like object. Although the date I gave is for closest approach, Jupiter can be seen right through until mid August, although it will be a little fainter, and also when viewed through binoculars or a telescope it will be a little smaller. If you have any problems finding the planet, the almost full Moon is very close to it on April 10 th. If you do have binoculars or a telescope, have a look at Jupiter to see if you can find its four largest moons. Hand holding binoculars will make it almost impossible to see these moons; it is much better if you can mount them on a tripod or support them in some other way. Women in Astronomy Part 1 The name of Henrietta Leavitt may not be familiar to you, but she was responsible for one of the most important astronomical discoveries of the twentieth century, and showed us that the universe consists of more than our galaxy, the Milky Way. Henrietta was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts in 1868 and was educated at Oberlin College, Ohio and then at Radcliffe College, Mass., leaving with the equivalent of a BA. Had she been a male student then that is exactly what she would have been awarded. She took employment at the Harvard College Observatory, working for no pay in order to earn graduate credits, where she spent her working hours comparing the brightness of stars on glass photographic plates under the watchful eye of the observatory Director, Edward Pickering. After a while she moved on to looking for variable stars, ones that vary in brightness, although at that time astronomers had no understanding of why these fluctuations, some regular, some irregular, happened. Apart from some breaks, in a number of cases for years, Henrietta continued her work, eventually being paid...thirty cents an hour in view of the quality of your work, although our usual price, in such cases, is twenty five cents an hour. She was given the task of analysing the photographic plates that had been taken of the Magellanic Clouds, two of the Milky Way s satellite galaxies that are invisible from the latitudes of the UK. It is these studies that would provide Henrietta s enduring legacy. To be continued... Brian Mills FRAS 22 T A X I Carriage Private Hire PRIVATELY OWNED Punctual Pre-booked Service Estate and Six-Seater Vehicles Airport and Seaport Transfers Hospital Travel Waiting Service Long Distance Trips Contact: carriageph@gmail.com Want a 2 nd income you can bank on? Earn an increasing ongoing commission with a Major British Plc, which could be life changing. Part time, flexible hours. Free training and support. Help people to save money. call Heather / Enjoy learning to drive with Dee Clay Shooting Lessons for Beginners & Experienced Shots Pre-Stag/Hen parties - Corporate events - Mobile facilities. Located at Eridge Green (3m Tunbridge Wells) Vouchers for The Perfect Present Also Monthly Open Competition Shoot Fletching (3m Uckfield). Call for details: meadowheadshooting@hotmail.com 27 THE BRILLIANT CAR CLEANING CO. LTD. Keith Walters For friendly, patient and reliable instruction Beginner, refresher, Pass Plus, motorway tuition, night driving and intensive courses Call Denise Stewart on or WATERCOLOURS Painting Classes with Professional Artist Please contact Hazel Kelly Tel: Mobile:

23 Tel: MOT Test Alba Transport Services, Mechanical Repairs, Air Conditioning Services Rear of Texaco Petrol Station, London Road, Hildenborough From the Editor The Annual Parochial Church meeting took place in the church this year. There is considerable excitement and interest in some proposed internal changes to the chancel to allow this fine Grade II listed building, now some 170 years old, to be used more than just once a week. As with everything in life, change is a continuous process, and the church is no different. It will still retain its magnificence as a place of worship, but will be more accommodating for meetings, concerts, etc. throughout the year. St. John s church is a dominant feature of our village, and the exterior (which will not change) is one of the first things that visitors see on entering Hildenborough. There is, of course, considerable paperwork and negotiation that has to take place with a plethora of organisations and official bodies, but the changes will benefit the church and the village. We wait with anticipation. Have you changed your energy supplier lately? Every day there is a new announcement that one of the big suppliers has increased its prices, by much more than the rate of inflation and even more than your income rise. All major companies energy, telecom, insurance, etc. rely on public apathy to change, and apply annual increases that give no reward for loyalty - if anything you are penalised for staying with a given supplier. Changing may take an hour or so of your time, but the rewards can be measured in hundreds of pounds - much more than you can earn from normal work. Elderly people often baulk at such changes since it was not the C R S Travel Services Airports / Theatre / Weddings Any Occasion Social or Business 4 & 8 Seaters Tel: crs.travel@btinternet.com Tonbridge All types of bodywork catered for:full spraybake facilities - Full resprays Accident damage repairs Paintless dent removal Custom airbrush art Courtesy car available r/o Texaco Petrol Station, London Road Hildenborough TN11 9ND T: M: fletch@hildenboroughbodyworx.com 26 done thing in earlier times. If possible, get your children or younger friends to assist - the benefits are not to be sniffed at. Personally, I have changed energy and telecom supplier this year thanks to the total lack of customer appreciation from suppliers. Insurance - car, home and travel are next to be checked. Go on - you know it makes sense! The editorial team wish everyone a very Happy Easter, especially those selfless persons who deliver your Keys magazine throughout the year in all weathers. Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Kent, TN8 7AR Organic pork butchery - 1 day introductory course Sunday 23rd April 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dawn chorus and moth breakfast Saturday 29th April 5:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Cow cookies, chocolatey goodies, Easter treats, arts and crafts plus meet the cows on the farm. Take a look, and book now for the Easter holidays. And finally, we have new 2017 dates announced for our popular Saturday and holiday club for 8-17 year olds with additional needs - check for the latest dates. 23