Raising Funds for a Community hall in the village of St Mary in the Marsh NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 St Mar y in the Marsh Project Fund Raising Funds for a Community hall in the village of St Mary in the Marsh NEWSLETTER Plans for development on Glebe Field Artist s impression of new building for Glebe Field as seen from the churchyard Controversial plans have been unveiled for development of the Glebe Field in the centre of the village. The field, which is currently used as a playing field for the children of the village, with play equipment supplied and maintained by the Parish Council, is owned by the Canterbury Diocese of the Church of England. Planning permission for a large residential dwelling on the site Notice of Annual Meeting The trustees of The St Mary in the Marsh Project Fund hereby give notice that the annual meeting of the said Project Fund will be held in the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, St Mary in the Marsh on Wednesday 6th May at. was refused in 2004 and again, on appeal, in Radical new plans have now been drawn-up by a team of a v a n t - g a r d e F r e n c h architects, Messrs Premier, Poisson and d Avril, for a toilet block and storage facility on the Glebe Field. The size and position of the ultramodern building, which overlooks the historic churchyard, means not only the loss of the play equipment but also the loss of the green space in the centre of the village. A spokesman for the architects, M. Jai Ri, said This is a fantastic opportunity to create a modernist structure in a rural setting, juxtaposing the traditional beauty of an ancient monument with the (Continued on page 8) All parishioners aged 18 years and over are entitled to attend the meeting at which the trustees will present the annual report, including the accounts for the year ended 31 March April 2009 Diary Dates at a glance 10th April - Good Friday 12th April - Easter Day 18th April - St George s Celebration 23rd April - St George s Day 24th April - Psychic Evening 4th May - Bank Holiday 9th May - Greek Night 25th May - Bank Holiday Inside this issue: St Mary s Proms Page 2 A letter home! Page 3 Forthcoming events Page 3 Spring is sprung Page 4 Around the parish Page 5 The Country Code Page 5 How Eggsasperating! Page 6 Church Services Page 6 Church News Page 6 From your PCSO Page 7 Name that Road Page 7 Parish Council News Page 8

2 Page 2 Newsletter - April 2009 St. Mary s Summer Prom Concerts The St Mary the Virgin, St Mary in the Marsh parochial church council (PCC) are pleased to announce the inaugural St Mary s Summer Prom Concerts. There are five concerts in the series ranging from organ recitals to chamber music to jazz. All the concerts are on a Friday evening and will be in St Mary s church. The purpose of the concerts is manyfold: To raise funds for the upkeep of the church; to see the fine organ, which was paid for by local hard work and fundraising, being played to its full capacity; to see the church being used as a community space and last, but by no means least, to bring a range of musical styles and performance to the marsh. The St Mary s Summer Prom Concerts are: Friday 12 th June, 8pm - David Flood, Organist Canterbury Cathedral Friday 10 th July, 7.30pm - The Parsons Noyse, Chamber Ensemble Friday 24 th July, 7.30pm - John Wright, Organist Friday 7 th August, 7.30pm - The Alley Kats, Jazz Band Friday 21 st August, 7.30pm - The Thames Gateway Quartet All Tickets 10. Season ticket for all five concerts 40 No concessions. Ticket includes interval wine and canapés Box Office: or stmarys.proms@tesco.net or ask any member of St Mary s PCC

3 Page 3 Newsletter - April 2009 Life in the Australian Army! A letter home to Mum and Dad. Dear Mum & Dad, I am well. Hope youse are too. Tell me big brothers Doug and Phil that the Army is better than workin' on the farm - tell them to get in quick smart before the jobs are all gone! I wuz a bit slow in settling down at first, because ya don't hafta get outta bed until 6am, but I like sleeping in now, cuz all ya gotta do before brekky is make ya bed and shine ya boots and clean ya uniform. No cows to milk, no calves to feed, no feed to stack - nothin'!! Ya haz gotta shower though, but it s not so bad, coz there's lotsa hot water and even a light to see what ya doing! At brekky ya get cereal, fruit and eggs but there's no kangaroo steaks or possum stew like wot Mum makes. You don't get fed again until noon and by that time all the city boys are finished because we've been on a '15 mile route march' - geez its only just like walking to the windmill in the back paddock!! This one will kill me brothers Doug and Phil. I keep getting medals for shootin' - dunno why. The bullseye is as big as a possum's bum and it don't move and it's not firing back at ya like the Johnsons did when our big scrubber bull got into their prize cows before the Ekka last year! All ya gotta do is make yourself comfortable and hit the target - it's a piece of pie!! You don't even load your own cartridges, they comes in little boxes, and ya don't have to steady yourself against the rollbar of the roo shooting truck when you reload! (Continued on page 4) Your handy cut-out guide to Project Fund events Forthcoming Events September 1940s Dance Night Saturday, 12th September Dance the night away to the big band sound BYO drink and nibbles Phone Andrew on for details October An Evening of Magic with Etienne Pradier Saturday, 3rd October Tickets 12 each Refreshments will be on sale during the interval To book, phone Susan on Forthcoming Events April A celebration for St George s Day Saturday, 18th April Fish & Chip Supper Revue (Songs & Sketches) Last Night of the Proms Finale Tickets 10 each. BYO Drink. To book, phone Andrew on Psychic Evening with Daphne Webb Friday, 24th April Tickets 5 each includes interval tea & biscuits To book, phone Helen on

4 Page 4 Life in the Australian Army! (Continued from page 3) Sometimes ya gotta wrestle with the city boys and I gotta be real careful coz they break easy - it's not like fighting with Doug and Phil all at once like we do at home after a muster. Turns out I'm not a bad boxer either and it looks like I'm the best the platoon's got, and I've only been beaten by this one bloke from the Engineers - he's 6 foot 5 and 15 stone and three pick handles across the shoulders and as ya know I'm only 5 foot 7 and eight stone wringin' wet, but I fought him till the other blokes carried me off to the boozer. I can't complain about the Army - tell the boys to get in quick before word gets around how good it is. Will write again soon, your loving daughter, Sheila. Newsletter - April 2009 Spring is sprung How lovely the village looks now Spring is upon us. The Daffodils, planted by Dennis Cole and Helen Carr a few years ago, provide a colourful welcome under the St Mary in the Marsh sign and along the churchyard fence. People s gardens, too, are bursting forth with Spring colours, lifting the heart and bringing a smile of pleasure on a warm, sunny day. Already, lambs are gambolling in the fields and soon the rape will be in bloom in the fields creating a bright and heady blanket of golden yellow and sweet perfume. All too soon, it will be Summer. Long, hot days of sweltering sunshine with the constant background hum of farmers busily gathering the harvest. How lucky we are to live on Romney Marsh! Your handy cut-out guide to Project Fund events Forthcoming Events May Greek Night Saturday, 9th May 3 course meal (Greek cuisine) Entertainment with a Greek flavour plus dancing Tickets 12 each BYO Drink To book, phone Helen on July An Evening with Elvis (Elvis Tribute Act) Saturday, 18th July Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Tickets 12 each To book, phone Helen on F o l d H e r e F o l d H e r e Forthcoming Events Please visit our stall at the New Romney Country Fayre Saturday, 25th July Home-made cakes, jams & chutneys High class bric-a-brac and Games of skill August Schooldays Disco Saturday, 1st August to 11pm Come in your old school uniform (or someone else s!) BYO Drink and Nibbles Fancy dress optional Tickets 5 each for adults 2.50 for children under 16 To book, phone Susan on Car Treasure Hunt Sunday, 30th August Phone Andrew on for details

5 Page 5 Newsletter - April 2009 Around the Parish Birthdays Dot Goodbody - 2 nd April Jamie Cole - 3 rd April Kath Collins - 17 th April H.M. The Queen - 21 st April Malcolm Carr - 3 rd May Samuel Cole - 30 th May Anniversaries Eric and Sylvia Cole - 27 th April (52 years) Dorothy and Joe Pilcher - 9 th May (56 years) Dates to Remember Jewish Passover - 9 th April Good Friday - 10 th April Easter Day - 12 th April St George s Day - 23 rd April May Day Bank Holiday - 4 th May Spring Bank Holiday - 25 th May Rectory Road Sewage System To report faults during working hours (Mon - Fri, 8.30am pm, phone (Shepway Housing). Out of hours (Mon - Fri, 5.30pm am and weekends), phone (24hr lifeline). Chairs for Sale Ex-waiting room chairs for sale, both wood-framed and metal-framed. Good condition. Offers. Phone or Youth Club Your opinion is sought to gauge the level of interest to run a youth club for Romney Marsh children aged The youth club would be held at Brenzett village hall. If you or your children are interested, please contact Denis Connolly PCSO on Donations of High class bric-a-brac are sought for the Project Fund s stall at New Romney Country Fayre. Please contact Andrew on Observing the Country Code The Countryside Code applies to all parts of the countryside. Most of it is just good commonsense, as it s designed to help us all to respect, protect and enjoy our countryside. The Code, which applies in England and Wales, makes it clear what the responsibilities are for the public when using the countryside. There are five sections of The Countryside Code dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside: Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs: Leave gates and property as you find them: Protect plants and animals and take your litter home: Keep dogs under close control: Consider other people. People using the countryside in and around St Mary in the Marsh should also be aware that there are no designated areas of open access to the countryside on Romney Marsh. This means the only access to the countryside on Romney Marsh is on public roads and footpaths. Please remember, you and your dogs are not allowed on farmers fields unless you are on a designated public footpath or you have the express permission of the farmer. If your dog is near or around sheep and is not on a lead it may be shot. Motorbikes are not allowed on public footpaths, nor on private property without express permission of the owner. For further information on access to the countryside and the countryside code visit:

6 Page 6 Newsletter - April 2009 Isn t it sad I can no longer leave eggs for sale at my gate? My hens and ducks are quite old now and don t lay much but the few eggs they lay I sell to help with buying the supplementary feed which makes their eggs so tasty. With the recent good weather the poultry think it s spring and have started to lay more and I have had extra eggs. So, apart from the eggs I give to the Project Fund for cakes, I decided to leave the extra at my gate for people to buy. I have recently reduced the price of the eggs to 1 for 6 because I can t rely on the hens always laying extra. Also the geese have started laying and I know people like the eggs when they are available. I left four goose eggs in a basket and the duck and hens eggs in the box at my front gate and went out for two hours. In those two hours, somebody stole all the eggs (amounting to 13 worth) and the lovely basket for the goose eggs. Church Services in April and May St Mary the Virgin in Spring Sunday, May 3-9am Holy Communion Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April am Palm Sunday Family Service with Easter Egg Hunt Thursday, April 9 - Maundy Thursday Compline and stripping of the altar Sunday, April 12-9am Easter Day Holy Communion Sunday, April 19-9am Holy Communion The 10.30am family service on Palm Sunday, April 5 includes an Easter egg hunt. This simple, yet lovely, service for all the family remembers Christ s ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. This year, as well as receiving a symbolic palm leaf, there will be a chance for the children to hunt for Easter eggs, either around the churchyard or inside the church as the weather dictates. How Eggsasperating! Church News I don t believe they stole them for personal use (if it was I hope they get egg-bound!), I think they stole them to sell. I feel totally fed up that somebody can be so petty they would steal my eggs and destroy my trust in human nature. In future, instead of leaving the eggs at my gate, I have decided to deliver the eggs, free of charge, locally in the St Mary in the Marsh area. If you would like to buy goose eggs at 1 each, duck eggs at 1.50 for six (both of these when available) and hens eggs at 1 for six, then please ring me on or or shinglehallfarm@aol.com and I will be pleased to deliver them. Susan Russell Shingle Hall Farm Sunday, May 17-9am Holy Communion Notice of Annual Meeting The annual Vestry Meeting is on Monday, 27th April at in the church. All parishioners are eligible to attend and elect the churchwardens for the coming year. The annual Parochial Church meeting will follow at 7.15pm, also in the church. All those registered on the parish church electoral roll are eligible to attend and elect the parochial church council (PCC) for the coming year.

7 Page 7 Newsletter - April 2009 A message from your PCSO Hello everyone. For those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting I am Denis Connolly and I am the PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) for the Romney Marsh. I am based at Lydd Police Station and I have been in this role since July 2007 so I thought it was about time that I provided a piece for this publication. I thoroughly enjoy my role and I can honestly say that those of you that I have come into contact with have been incredibly supportive and helpful and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all. The role of a PCSO brings me and my colleagues into contact with a great variety of situations such as Lost dogs, Found dogs, Straying sheep and cows, Road Traffic Collisions, Speeding vehicles, Anti-Social Behaviour, Lack of street-lighting, Dog Fouling, Fly -Tipping, most of which are high on the public s list of priority issues that have come to light during P.A.C.T. (Partners And Community Together) meetings that I have held during my time as a PCSO. Just over a year ago I started a radio show called Youth of Today that is hosted by a local lad called Jack. The show is broadcast by ROMNEY MARSH FM on the internet every Sunday from 2pm to 5pm and everyone is invited to contact the show during that time and talk to Jack or me about local issues, concerns and also the good things about living on The Marsh. Three times a year the station is allowed to broadcast live on frequency 87.8 FM. We invite experts on to the show throughout the year to answer questions live on subjects such as sex education, drug/alcohol abuse, council issues. The main ethos of the show is to provide an outlet for the youth to voice their opinions and express their concerns. We have found that parents have taken the opportunity to contact the experts and have received enormous peace of mind. Please give the show a listen on the internet by Googling Romneymarsh.fm this will open up the site and you will be led through the contact section. I look forward to meeting more of you over the coming years. If you see me don t be afraid to stop me and have a chat. I like a good chinwag! Or you can call me direct on my Mobile: me at denis.connolly@kent.pnn.police.uk. If you want to report any incident you can call or in the event of an emergency of a life threatening nature please call 999 where you will be directed to the appropriate emergency response service. Remember Kent is a safe place! See you soon! PCSO Denis Connolly. Name that road! At the March Parish Council meeting, a parishioner raised the issue of the road through the village from Turnagates to the Five Wents crossroads being nameless and how this causes difficulties with delivery drivers, the emergency services and when dealing with Shepway District Council or KCC Highways dept. The Parish Council were asked if the road through village could be given a name. This is up to KCC Highways and not a matter over which the Parish Council has any say. However, it was suggested that parishioners might draw-up a short-list of possible road names and submit them to KCC for consideration. Your Parish Council representative is therefore asking for any suggestions for a road name to be sent to him. Depending upon the response, he will either submit all the suggestions to KCC or (Continued on page 8)

8 Page 8 Name that road! (Continued from page 7) shortlist the five most popular suggestions and submit those to KCC. The name St Mary s Road should be avoided as should the names of living people. Please send your suggestions to: Andrew Sinden Fenny Bridges St Mary in the Marsh Romney Marsh Kent TN29 0DE andrew.sinden@tesco.net Glebe field development (Continued from page 1) stark, uncompromising lines of a modern, functional edifice. It is the ultimate embodiment of the paradigm shift in rural planning strategies which has occurred in the last eighteen months, as a result of the Government s continuing eagerness to develop green field sites in the South East. A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said of the proposal, It s an absolute disgrace. Our lovely, village is going to be ruined by plonking some great, ugly monstrosity right in the middle, adding Where are our kids going to play now? If you have any views on this story, please send them to the editor, who will gladly publish them in the next edition of the newsletter! Parish Council News The St Mary in the Marsh Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2nd 2009 at in the village hall, Jefferstone Lane, St Mary s Bay under the chairmanship of Cllr Graham Allison, Chairman of the Parish Council. The Parish Meeting may, by law, discuss all parish affairs. It may pass resolutions on agenda items only. Newsletter - April 2009 Contacting the Project Fund The Project Fund Trustees are: Chairman: Helen Carr. 1 Wade Close, St Mary in the Marsh Vice-chairman: Chris Carr. 6 Rectory Road, St Mary in the Marsh Secretary: Andrew Sinden. Fenny Bridges, St Mary in the Marsh Trustee: Martin Rogers. 13 Rectory Road, St Mary in the Marsh Trustee: Pauline Rogers. 13 Rectory Road, St Mary in the Marsh Trustee: Susan Russell. Shingle Hall Farm, St Mary in the Marsh The Project Fund s Treasurer is David Russell of Shingle Hall Farm, St Mary in the Marsh. Tel: Items for the newsletter Anyone who has an item they would like included in the next issue of the newsletter should submit it to the Project Fund secretary, Andrew Sinden, by Saturday, May 18th. The newsletter is as much for the community as a whole as it is for the Project Fund, so please let us have your stories, jokes and articles as well as your friends and families birthdays and anniversaries. If you have something to sell and would like to put a notice in the newsletter, we can do that for you too. Please submit your copy, in writing, to: Andrew Sinden Secretary Fenny Bridges St Mary in the Marsh Romney Marsh Kent TN29 0DE Tel: project.fund@tesco.net