Newsletter November 2002

November is here once again! The month for remembrance. It begins with the Christian celebration of All Saints' tide, a time for remembering and celebrating the lives of those men and women whose lives have been filled with God's active presence bringing hope and joy into the world. We rejoice in our fellowship with the saints whilst mourning the departed and commending them with faith and trust into God's care.For though we rejoice in their often heroic example we also feel the loss of those we know and love. Christian believing holds together this confident rejoicing together with the reality of the grief we experience when those we love die.

It seems a shame that real remembering with it's joy and sorrow is often swallowed up by a commercialised Hallowe'en which yearon year becomes more ghoulish and unsavoury.

Bonfire night follows. In spite of it's rather unpleasant connections with the Guy Fawkes plot perhaps deep down it is really more about celebrating the power of light over darkness, life over death?

On the 1 l th comes Armistice Day with it's solemn remembrance of those who have died in war. With war threatened, it is sobering to be reminded of the costly sacrifice and bloody slaughter which is often the price to be paid.

Remembering can help us to celebrate holines, goodness and valour and mourn those we love and see no more.

At the centre of Christian believing is a bloody Cross and an empty tomb.

Victory over death.
You cant believe it?
Why not come and see for yourself?

TRAILBLAZERS MEETINGS IN DODDINGTON VILLAGE HALL

Sunday 27 th October 10. 15am.

Sunday 3`1 November 10. 15am.

Sunday 1 O'hNovember 10. 15a.m.

Sunday 1 7th November - Family Service in Doddington Village Hall 10. 30arn

Sunday 24 November 10. 15am.

DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Summary of the meeting held Monday 14th October 2002 report by Ian Woodhouse
6 Parish Councillors present + 3 members of the public (apologies from Cllr Clinton)

PIaying fleld; Due to concerns regarding overgrowth, youth activities and rubbish it was agreed that the scrub and brambles around the perimeter of the playing field would be cut back. A landscaping and replanting plan is being developed to further improve the area.

jubillee Allotments: Legal advice is being sought regarding tenancy agreements, arrangements for access, water and fencing being considered, and consultation to take place with adjoining residents.

Northdow,o Parking: Issue continues to be pursued by the council in support of residents, Swale Housing Association are consulting with residents regarding proposls for driveways

YOUTH BEHAVIOUR . Councillors are receiving increasing numbers of complaints from villagers regarding the behaviour of a minority of youths in the village, reports have been received of trespass, bad language, harassment, misuse of mopeds and motorcycles, in addition to joy riding in stolen cars, which are then cannibalised, dumped and burnt out in the parish. The Parish Council expressed deep concern regarding this issue; advice has been sought from the Police who have promised an increased presence in the area. All villagers are asked to be vigilant and to report all Incidents no matter how small to the Police (contact number 477055). Please also feel free to contact Parish Councillors with your concerns.

Planning Matters: SW/02/0912, Orange Base Station - no further information/response. It was agreed that an item would be included in parish newsletter to raise awareness and encourage villagers to register their objections.

SW/02/0871, Stuppington Bungalow - SBC had approved this application. SW/02/0825, Freshfields, Dully Hill - SBC had approved this application,

SW-02-1041, 2 Down Court Cottage - side extension for disabled needs, the amended plan showed a smaller extension. The Parish Council is supporting this application.

SW/02/0288, Grain Store Down Court Farm- Agreed majority vote 5: 1 to support the amended proposal. SW/02/1072, Amber Lieu, Bistock ~ lounge first floor bedroom extension. ClIrs approved the plans.

SW/9911008, Palace Farm - Amendments to plans to use redundant agricultural buildings as overnight accommodation for walkers, cyclists etc. All ClIrs approved the amended plan.

Flooding: C11r Woodhouse reported that remedial works to gullies by The Old Lenham Rd lagoon, the gullies opposite Sunnyside and those at the Old Lenham Rd junction had now been completed. ClIrs Woodhouse, Doughty & Cuthbert had met with SWC engineer to discuss kerbing Sprats Hill & further ~major' preventative works. It was agreed that to prevent further flooding from the Old Lenham Rd a linear soak-away would be installed at the bottom of Sprats Hill incorporating upgraded gullies and that the gully system in the lower end of the Old Lenham Rd would be substantially upgraded. In addition to this funds that would have been used for kerbing Sprats Hill will be diverted to clear drainage lines to the 'war memorial' lagoon and de-silt and make safe the lagoon. C11r Woodhouse advised that the agreed works would realistically not take place until the New Year. Doddington PC is also requesting regular sweeping of Sprats Hill to prevent problems with debris.

Traffic Calming: The Public meeting held on 9th October had been very successful with 29 residents attending, presentations were given by the Police, the A.0.N.B., Swale Highways, UNIPAR and the group's chairman on the outline proposals. The key outline proposals put to the village are: a) Gateway at each end of village Le, road narrowed to single file; b) cobbled areas outside playing field and school playing field; c) pinch point outside Yew Tree Cottage and Walnut Tree House, and d) an alternative junction outside the Chequers. The Majority of residents supported the key proposals. The possibility of purchasing a Static Indicator Device (SID) for occasional use in the village was also supported.

Airport AT Cliffe: A letter outlining Doddington Parish's opposition to this proposal has been forwarded to the body coordinating consultation on the proposal., - The Future Development of Air Transport, South East, Department for Transport, Room 1/28c, FREEPOST LON 17806, London SW1P 4YS.

Increasing Parish Council Costs: At the meeting it was agreed to accept the model scheme for Parish & Town Councils specifying what we must do to by December 2002 to meet legislation laid down in the Freedom of Information act. In the past year other legislation, which we have no alternative but to implement, have impacted on the council increasing both the workload for councillors and the number of hours worked by the clerk. This is something we anticipate will continue to increase and despite our prudent management, will increase the council's costs. The impact of this and the precept for financial year 2003/04 will be discussed at our next meeting on Monday 11th November 8pm.

DARIBY &JOAN CLUB
November meetings are Friday I" and 15 th in Doddington Village Hall. Come along for refreshments,
scrabble, whist etc. Furt her information contact Miss Joan Boucher on 886896.

NEWNHAM CHURCH CLEANING ROTA 2 na and 9T November Mts S Boucher. 16" November Mrs E Barry, 23rd November Mrs C Platt. 3 oth November Mrs R Llewellin. Brasses: Mrs C Platts.

NEWNHAM TODDEjR GROUP
Parents, toddlers and babies welcome every Wednesday (term time) from 10. 00am in Newnham Village Hall for play, activities, poffee and a chat. More info ~ontact Mel Jordan 890152.

DODDINGTON CHURCH CLEANING ROTA
2'd November Mrs W Cuthbert and Mrs Witherden. 9"1 November Mrs Hawkins and Mrs Hanson.
16'h November Mrs Pateman and Mrs Bayford,

DODDINGTON CHURCH FLOWER ROTA
27 and 9"' NovembqrM~s O.Waters. 16"' and 23r" November Mrs C Finlay.

BUDDIES MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP The group meet every T. iursday (term time) in Doddington School Hall from 1. 3 Opm -3.00pm. We are a friendly group and are pleased to welcome children ftom 0-5 years with their carers for play, craft activities, a chat an I a cuppa. For more details please ring Lis Bayford on 886392.

DISCOVERY PRE-SCHOOL
',Sessions on Monday Friday mornings 9.30arn - 11. 15am at Doddington Primary School. For further information tontact Joan Tuckey (Club Chairman) on 890688.

DODDINGTON YOUTH CLUB Meets Friday evenings in Doddington Village Hall from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. For children aged from 9 years. Further inforrnati~on contact Les Roberts on 886332.

KERBSIDE COLLECTIONS Tuesdays 5th and l9th November. For paper, cardboard, junkmail, magazines etc.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Please be aware of firms making unsolicited phone calls to householders in our area, trying to sell alarms and lighting. Some of these firms are legitimate, some are not, and one has recently been the subject of a BBC Watchdog programme. If you wish to install security alarms and lighting, always obtain three quotations from reputable local companies if possible. Ask for identification before letting any salesmen into your home. Thefts of trailers/horseboxes. There have been 15 thefts of trailers and horse-boxes since I" September. A suspect vehicle for one offence is an old-style red Vauxhall Astra. A male wearing a baseball cap and a long earring in his right ear and riding a bicycle was seen with another stolen trailer. If you see anything suspicious, please report it immediately.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR - SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER - DODDINGTON VILLAGE HALL
The Discovery Club are holding a Christmas Bazaar in Doddington Village Hal from 10. 00am to 2.3 Opm on Saturday 23rd November. Come and meet Father Christmas, have fun, buy your Christmas gifts, craft goods, cards, cakes, produce and pictures. Have a go at the Lucky Dip and Raffle. Refreshments , available. If you wish to have a table at E5 to sell your goods, please contact Joan Tuckey on 890688.

The Weather - September 2002

September was above all a warm and gentle month; on all but three days the maximum temperature exceeded 200C, reaching 27.60C on the 13t" and just above 230C on the last three days of the month. Overnight temperatures have gradually fallen, but no frosts were recorded, the lowest ground. temperature being 60C on the 26th/27h.

For much of the month winds have been from a northerly or easterly direction, which partly explains the relative lack of rain - just 44.43mm in total and 39mm, of that amount accounted for by just 'four days, the. 6h-9h. There is a serious drought in our gardens and I cannot remember needing to water plants at the end of September very often. The wet four days mentioned were accompanied by strong winds, 40mph recorded on the 10 th . I noted a number of very heavy dews towards the end of the month when the wind shifted to a southerly direction.

FIREWORK DISPLAY - SATURDAY 2 ND NOVEMBER In grounds of Doddington School. Gates open 5.30pm. Bonfire ht 6.30pm. Display 7.00pm. Admission: Adults f4.00 Children f 1.50. Hot Food & Licensed Bar.

RIVER PRAISE AT LYNSTED CHURCH ON SUNDAY Yd NOVEMBER 6.30pm Speaker- Bishop Graham of Maidstone. Coffee and Refreshments.

To be held in Doddington Village Hall on Saturday 16u' November 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Tables of six to eight are welcome at f4.50 a head, includes wine and. food. In aid of Doddington School PTFLA funds.,,, To book a table,contact Barbara Roberts on 886332.

A quiet morning for Advent at Lynsted Church on Saturday 30' November from 10.00-12.00, followed by a Bring and Share Lunch. Led by Sister Hilda May CSC.

TREASURE ISLAND THE PANTOMIME - PRESENTED BY THE VALLEY PLAYERS Doddingtons popular Pantomime returns, this year with Treasure Island featuring an all star cast. Pirates a plenty and buxom wenches. Performances on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December at Doddington Village Hall. Tickets: Adults £3.50 Accompanied Children f 1.50. Tickets available I . from Doddington Service Station, The Chequers or contact Les Roberts on (0 1795) 8 86332.

At Norton Village Hall. In aid of Friends of St Mary, Norton. Seasonal Gifts. Crafts, Books, Cakes and Produce. Father Christmas, Raffle and Candlemaking. Refreshments available.

Local singing group Cantiana follow on from their 'Songs for a Summer Evening' with this evening.of entertainment. A celebration of Chri§tftia's in words and music on Monday 23rd December in Newnham Church. Tickets E5.00 (proceeds to Charity) from Doddington Service Station or by calling (0 17,95) 8863 92.

On Friday 18'h October over 60 people gathered in Doddington Village Hall, for anexcellent hot supper followed by an Auction of 'Promises'. Many generous people, organisations and businesses had promised services and or goods and these offers were auctioned.

Offers ranged from an Indian Meal for four, computer training, car servicing, car valeting,trin on a vintage bus, a day out on an Oyster Smack, ladies and gents, haircuts, be a Gillingham Football Club,,mascot for~a day and many others. In the end the auction raised about £1750 and with the meals and other donations, the total profit was in excess of £2000. Special thanks to all those involved and to Phill for his good-natured but relentless pursuit of those extra pennies.

Summary of matters discussed at the Newnham Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 5h September 2002. (Apologies for their omission from last month's newsletter)

Apologies were received from KCC C11r Jean Newman & C11r Chris Dartnell. SBC C11r. Colin Prescott and two parishioners were also present.
Matters arising from previous minutes
a) The current owners of the overgrown hedge of the vacant lot next to Calico house have been asked to cut it back to restore the pavement to its full width. b) C11r Llewellin had walked the village but rubbish was not significant to warrant a 'clew-up day' for the village, although fly tipping had been noticed and the C11r would monitor the situation and contact the landowner if necessary. c) ClIrs Llewellin & Gunner had been in discussion with the owner of land that may be suitable for a meeting acea for teenagers. Further information on funding and other details are needed before any plans will be forthcoming. d) Mrs. M. Ockenden will be co-opted onto the PC and other parishioners had shown interest in filling the other two vacancies. e) Mr. Dartnell has volunteered to renovate The Village Hall notice board and the Village Board (at the bus stop) is also to be sent for repair again. f) Mr. Highgate from SBC Highways Dept. is coming shortly to inspect the deteriorating road surface of Sharsted Hill and propose the necessary action required and C11r Gunner has again written to Sharsted Court requesting the preferred route of Straight Hill be encouraged. g) Selling PC is holding a meeting to discuss a proposed traffic-calming scheme, which C11r Gunner is arranging to attend.
Open Forum
The landlord of The George will be contacted with regard to concern from a parishioner over the spillage of pebbles from The George car park, which was making both the pavement and road dangerous. She had also found that debris from hedge cutting was blocking the Ladyswood footpath. Mr. Smith informed the PC that he had resigned from acting as liaison between the PC and the Schoolboys Scrambling Club and was thanked for the work he had carried out.
Other Matters
a) A further meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee is yet to be arranged and C11r Meakins was asked to consider offers of help for the Wine & Wisdom evenings when regular meetings were difficult for him to arrange. b) 'Me treasurer had reported no change. d) Having studied Newnham's published Village Appraisal, Rodmersharn PC had requested advice on producing their own - C11r Gunner is to contact the Newnham co-ordinators for the comments. d) Kent Wildlife Trust posters have been posted on the notice boards. e) Planning - there were no objections to the demolition of barn and rebuilding to four holiday units at Frith Farm; permission for tree felling in woodland to the rear of Calico House was approved by SBC. f) Temporary road surfacing was still ongoing within the village. g) The notice in the phone box advising of its removal had beer! placed there in error and that BT had confirmed there were no plans for the removal of this facility. h) There had been complaints about noise disturbance and C11r Gunner advised that there was a number available from SBC that could be contacted at night to have these problems dealt with.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 3rd October 2002

Summary of matters discussed at the Newnham Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 3d October 2002.

Apologies were received from KCC C11r Jean Newman, SBC C11r. Colin Prescott and C11r Meakins. The Chairman welcomed Mrs. Mags Ockenden to her first meeting as the new, co-opted Parish Councillor.
Matters arising from previous minutes
a) C11r Llewellin confirmed that the overgrown hedge of the vacant lot next to Calico house had now been cut back and that the fly tipping above Wineycock had been removed. b) Further discussion on the land near Wineycock is required before plans can be made for its use. c) C11r. Dartnell confirmed that the Village Hall notice board had now been renovated and that the Village board had been repaired again. d) C11r Gunner had walked Sharsted Hill with SBC Highways officer Adrian Highgate. He suggested ways of maintaining the road, which will be the subject of a future PC meeting. He would chase up the outstanding repair work and seek approval for kerbing to be carricd out at the junction with The Street. He also advised that a weight restriction placed on this road could not exclude those with legitimate access to home or workplace. Any
resurfacing taking place would temporarily close some parts of the hill. c) The traffic-calming meeting at Selling attended by C11r Gunner will be followed by a public meeting there and details of the outcome passed back to Newnham PC. f) The Landlord of The George confirmed that he would increase the
o regularity of the sweeping that is carried out to contain the pebble spillage from the car park. g) During the Open Forum period, the overgrown state of the footpaths was mentioned, although the recent weather was mainly to blame for the speed of its growth. Parking along the street was also discussed but it was agreed that this was not uncommon in all residential areas and that the current 30-mph signing and road narrowing had been put M place to sl9W traffic entering the village. Research into other methods of traffic calming was ongoing.
Other Matters
a) The Treasurer reported that an Internal Audit was due and that a resident would be approached to act as auditor. b) Children attending school in Sittingbourne were having problems due to the Citibus timings. Citibus were willing to delay the bus's return to accommodate the school timetable and letters were being sent to SBC to speed up the time taken for this change to be authorised before the clocks go back. c) Planning - demolition of barn and rebuilding of 4 holiday units at Frith Farm had been pa sed by SBC. The PC had no objection to the removal of a tree to the rear of 104 The Street. d) A letter from SBC highl~ghted the changes to the Register of Electors format. f) Correspondence f~om the Information Commissioner regarding the Freedom of Information Act 2002 will be discussed fully at the next PC meeting.
Any Other Business
There are still vacancies for 2 more parish councillors, although decision from some candidates were still awaited. Interested residents can contact any of the current councillors for more information regarding these posts.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 7t' November 2002 at 8.00pm in the Village Hall.

Garden Rubbish
Newnham councillors have had reported to them incidents of garden rubbish being tipped into Right of Way paths and the field to the rear of the even side of the Street. We have the pleasure of living in not only an official Conservation Area but also one designated as of -Outstanding Beauty" and it would be a shame if ~visitors and residents alike are prevented from enjoying these views by a non-thinking few. Unkempt rubbish piles can and do attract rats and other vermin. The PC would request that all garden rubbish be either composted within the garden or disposed of correctly and would remind residents that the SBC tip at Faversham composts all green waste, which is then bagged and made available for sale. Alternatively, green compost bins are also available from SBC, which very quickly rot down green kitchen & garden waste ready to put back to good use in the garden.
In the same vein, a resident has suggested that we should all maintain the area just outside our homes, i. c. sweeping the pavement outside our frontages and picking up the litter that seems to float from nowhere into our gardens. This would, of course, be unnecessary if occupants of cars and the casual passer-by did not drop snack wrappings in the first place!

Roadside Trees & Bushes
In Newnham for a meeting recently, an official ftom the SBC Highways department noted a quantity of overhanging branches from trees and bushes edging the roadside boundaries to properties. He has advised that this constitutes a danger to both pedestrians and drivers and that the recommendation from SBC is to
. trim, wherever possible, 1 metre back from the boundary, thereby giving new growth room to reach the edge
,;without, encroaching upon the space required for the road and pavement. This is particularly advisable for
tall trees,- where the danger of falling branches is an extra hazard and obviously an unwanted liabli, y~ P6rihe
landowner.

Wildlife Notes

A couple of interesting insects to end the summerwith. At the beginning of October, John Adgie of Newnham
brought me a handful of large, white insect larvae which he had dug Lip in his garden. These turned out to be larvae of cockchafer beetles - the maybugs which buzz around on warm summer evenings. The larvae spend their lives below ground, where they feed on plant roots.

A little earlier, on a warm sunny day at the end of September. 1 came across two hornets which were visiting ivy
cflowers in a hedge near Frangbury. The hornet is one of those insects which other insects -- includin- some of the large species of hoverfly - are often mistaken for. Real hornets essentially look like large yellow or orange wasps, and seem to be rather uncommon in Kent. Though very large, and able to inflict. a painful sting, they are actually quite placid animals and unlikely to have a go at you. Like all wasps. they, feed their larvae on insects (mainly flies in the case of hornets), arid therefore rid us of many potential pests.

Earlier today, 1 popped up into the loft arid found a long-cared bat hanging from the roof beams. This was a real delight, as it is only the second tirne 1 have seen a hat in the roof (the first tin-ic being about two weeks ago!). The bat's enormous ears were tucked under its wings, suggesting it is settling down to hibemate. so 1 shall be careful not to disturb it over the coming months. 1 have cared for one or two injured bats in my time, so 1 know they are not the scary things rriany people think they are. In fact, they are clean, intelligent, rather friendly, animals, and even purr when content. In any case, any animals -which can eat 3000 mosquitoes a night each get my vote.

At the end of August. Nan Dalton saw two grey wagtails by her oarden pond. What is surprising about that is that
grey wa-tails are normally found near flowing water, especially rvers and streams - for which
reason they are rather scarce in Kent. Interestingly, 1 have also seen a grey wagtail locally, sometime last year. when one landed on one of the roof-tops on Dully Hill,.-

Nan also saw a redwing in her girden on 13 October. This inspired me to keep a look out for these winter thrushes when 1 went out today (20 October). As in previous years. there turned out to be a number feeding on yew berries in the old wood yard below Doddinaton Place. as well as a few in. the plum orchard at Palace Farm. So our first winter visitors have arrived, even though 1 saw a snial I flock of house martins earlier this week.
Richard Moyse

Finally, back to wasps. There are about half-a-dozen wasp species which all look fairly. similar. several of which
may occur around here. To give an idea what wasps we have got locally, 1 would be grateful if you could send me
any dead wasps you find in your house, garage or shed over the coming month.~, (yes. 1 know this sounds weird!).
Be sure theyare dead and not just hibernating before You. pick theni up. Then wrap them in a bit of tissue, stick
them in an envelope with your name and address, anj send or deliver them to me at the below address. l' 11 let You
know what species we find.

Do your want a mobile phone mast in Doddington ?

Tarte Tatin

60z (15(~g~ plain flour
30z (75g) Ylutter
1 level tabiespoon easter sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons water

1.51b (700g) coxes apples
2oz (50g) fight soft brown sugar
2oz (50g) butter

8 inch (21)cin.) round sandwich tin
Preheat lh(.~, oven to 18WC, 35011F, Gas mark 4

First make the pastry. Put the flour and caster sugar into a bowl and rub in the
:o a firril dough with the egg yolk and water. Set aside while you
butter Mix 1, prepare the apples.

Peel and core the Apples and cut into thick slices. Turn them in a bowl with the brown sugar until coated. Pour the melted butter into the tin followed by the sugared apple slices packing them in tightly to cover the base.

Roll the pastry to a circle a little larger than the tin then carefully lay it over the apples tucking in the overlap to completely seal the edges. Bake for about 35 minutes until the pastry is lightly browned. Leave for a few minutes to settle then invert the tin on to a serving plate, replacing any apples slices clinging to the tin.

Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Sewing Alterations

Do you require a new zip in a pair of trousers. Then Look no further:

Simple alterations undertaken to trousers, skirts, jackets etc

For further information & competitive prices

Please Phone 01795 521 194

ADVERTISING SPACE
Currently no space available.

CLOSING DATE FOR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

ALL ITEMS 20th NOVEMBER

TRICK OR TREAT CALLERS - OCTOBER 30'
Would residents who welcome Trick or Treat callers on Halloween - Thursday 3 I't October, please display this notice on their doors or windows.

And would Trick or Treat callers, please only call at homes which display-this notice. (this notice has been provided by Doddington Parish Council)

Cut along line

The Weather - September 2002

Do your want a mobile phone mast in Doddington ?

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Sewing Alterations

Do you require a new zip in a pair of trousers. Then Look no further:

HALLOWEEN

"TRICK OR TREAT CALLERS

MAY CALL HERE