C:\SCANNE~1\NewsletterOct02.htm

Dear Friends.

No one who lives in the countryside can say they do not know about the March to take place in. London this weekend. It seems that wherever one looks there is a poster or banner advertising the event . This letter is not about the pros and cons of the March, as this has been discussed at length in the press on TV and radio, and whatever my personal thoughts about it 1 shall keep them to myself.

1 couldn't help thinking, though, about one of the slogans prominently displayed. It went: A fair country. Worth fighting for. Join us today! It reminded me of a vicar in these parishes who once asked the question during a sermon'Who or what would you be willing to fight and die for? Not only did he ask the question but he actually stopped and waited to see if anyone replied! One person raised her hand; ' 1 would lay down my life for the Queen.' she said. Sometimes we need to stand up and be counted, to think about what is really important in our lives, what we would fight and perhaps even die for.

So thank you, Countryside Alliance! Your posters may not have got me marching in London tomorrow but they made me think about that other country in the second verse of 1 vow to thee my country`most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.' It's the Kingdom of God where there is perfect freedom and everlasting life.

How about you? Will you join us today?
Yours
Diana

DARBY & JOAN CLUB
October meetings are Friday 4"' and 18"' October in Doddington Village Hall. Come along for refreshments, scrabble, whist etc. Further information contact Joan Boucher on 886896.

--NEWNHAM CHURCH CLEANING ROTA
5th October Mrs E Barry. 12th' October Harvest Decorating. 19th and 26h October Mrs J Hempstock. Brasses - Mrs C Platts.

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

DODDINGTON CHURCH CLEANING ROTA
5th October Mrs Spilsbury. 19th' October Mrs Parry and Mrs E Cuthbert.

DODDINGTON CHURCH FLOWER ROTA
19th & 26th October Mrs A Oldfield.

BUDDIES MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP
The group meet every Thursday (term time) in Doddington School Hall from 1.30pm -3.00pm. We are a friendly group and are pleased to welcome children from 0-5 years with their carers for play, craft activities, a chat and a cuppa. For more details please ring Lis Bayford on 886392.

DISCOVERY PRE-SCHOOL
Sessions Monday & Friday mornings 9.30am. - 11. l5arn at Doddington Primary School. For further information contact Joan Tuckey (Club Chairman) on 890688.

KERBSIDE COLLECTION
Tuesdays 8 and 22nd October. For paper, cardboard, junkmail, magazines etc.

DODDINGTON & DISTRICT VILLAGE SHOW REPORT
Entries this year were down on last, but this did not detract from a good show by the entrants. The Birtles Cup for the woman with the most points in show was won by Mrs Win Cuthbert, runner -up Mrs Ros Wildash. The Cuthbert Cup for the man gaining most points in show was won by Ron Cole and runner-up Henry Cuthbert. Village Show Cup for most points in the vegetable classes was won by Ron Cole, runner-up Henry Cuthbert. Irene Gaze Memorial Cup for most points in floral classes was won by Mrs Win Cuthbert, runner-up Ros Wildash. Tiny Cup for men-only cooking class was won by Graham Cuthbert. Filkins Cup for men-only points in cookery, craft and photography was won by Les Roberts. Savill Cup for most points in cookery, craft and photography was won by Elaine Bastable and runner-up Gemma Breakell.

SHARSTED SPORTS CLUB
The cricket season ended with the weather the winner (rain stopped play) but the previous game saw Ross Kennard and Brian Neaves both scoring 50's in beating East Malling in the Kent Village League. Due to indifferent play the club ended mid-table after starting the season well. Football has started early this year, the Ist X1 losing to Tally Ho but winning against Broomfield, making an even start. The 2nd team have begun well winning their opening fixture versus Woodmans Hall. A good start to the season for both teams, keep it up lads. Doddington friendly teams are training and we hope they do well this year. The Clubs Annual General Meeting is to be held on Monday 14 th October at 8.00pm in the Club House. We are hoping for a better attendance this year, as other AGMs have been very poorly attended. Find out how the Club is run and what has to be paid out in keeping the Club as it is.

DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Summary of the meeting held 9^th September 2002 Report by Alistair Clinton
All 7 Parish Councillors present + 6 members of the public

PLAYING FIELD. Cllr Woodhouse presented some outline possibilities of landscaping/planting in the playing field with suggestions from Sally Evans of Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty who may be able to provide/source funding.

GATE TO PLAYING FIELD The gate would remain locked until self closing springs could be installed.

JUBILEE ALLOTMENTS - Draft tenancy agreement papers between the Parish Council and the landowner were presented for perusal and discussion of those concerned.

It was raised that anonymous letters were being delivered related to parking on pavements. The Parish Council would like to point out that

parking on pavements had already been dealt with personally by the Chairman. That writing anonymous letters often cause distress and frustration to the recipients and may constitute an offence. Contacting your Parish Council in person, or by signed correspondence, is a less demeaning method of communicating complaints and more likely to get a satisfactory response. Both in finding out the history and facts of a matter and in getting appropriate action taken.

TREES AT SUNNYSIDE : Some were cut down and others had their crowns lifted. This was due to recent bad weather where a trunk split with a real danger of the tree falling. Although belonging to Swale Borough Council (SBC) due to the imminent danger of collapse the Chairman arranged emergency measures. SBC should be replanting with more appropriate trees in due course.

NORTHDOWN Swale Housing Association is expected to produce an ‘Action Plan’ shortly following on from meeting with residents late July

MOTORCYCLES – There have been complaints of motorcycles being used on the ‘setaside’ area of ground and more recently in Sharsted Woods. It is hoped to find a less disturbing location for this activity.

KISSING GATE At bottom of Church Lane still delayed due to logistical problems

Freshfields, Duly Hill Conversion of garage to sitting room, new detached garage. After site meeting SBC would be recommending approval.

2 Solomons Cottages - Recommended for refusal by SBC (Despite support from Parish Council).

TRAFFIC CALMING - The Doddington Traffic Calming group have received a donation of £300 from Shell. They will be replacing the vandalised ‘Slow Down’ signs. Currently looking into a car sticker scheme and costs of a Static Speed Indicator. Possible funding available from Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (AONB)

PUBLIC MEETING OF TRAFFIC CALMING GROUP – Doddington Village Hall Weds 9^th Oct 2002 at 8pm

A presentation of the outline traffic calming proposals with imputer from Swale Borough Highways and the AONB

Date of Next Parish Council Meeting: Monday 14^th Oct 2002 8pm Doddington Village Hall

DODDINGTON & DISTRICT WI
Mrs A Martin welcomed us to our September meeting after the summer break. In the business session we were reminded that a Coffee Morning is to be held on Saturday 16th November. There will be a variety of stalls, selling cards, gifts, cakes and preserves. Members donating jams or pickles are asked to bring them to the October meeting. Also mentioned was the date of the Half Yearly Council Meeting to be held at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone on the 23d October next. A most interesting talk was given by Mr Tony Farnham telling us of the history of Thames Sailing Barges that used to ply their trade around the rivers and coastal waters of Britain. Sadly there are few left and those that are, are mainly concerned with trippers and charter work. The next meeting will be on Thursday 10 th October in Doddington Village hall at 2.15pm when Mrs Vickie Harris will tell us of her 'Zimbabwe Experience'. The competition is for a soft toy depicting an African animal. Please note: This years Harvest Lunch is on Thursday 3rd October also in the Village Hall at l2midday for 12.30. The menu will include a choice of casseroles served with vegetables, a glass of wine or soft drink, followed by a sweet and coffee or tea. Tickets are priced at f 8.00 (no change from last year). Mrs Tammy Stewart Jones will be our speaker. Please get in touch with Mrs R Wildash (886886) if you require a ticket. Guests are welcome.

NEWNHAM VALLEY WI
The business part of Septembers meeting was kept to a minimum to enable members to celebrate the 18t" Birthday of Newnham Valley WI. Mrs P Hawkins reported on the recent group meeting at Painters Forstal. Mrs V Adgie gave an account of the 'East Meets West' day at Lenharn and Mrs K Sharp told us an amusing tale of how she spent her day at the Penshurst Place Craft Fair, where 10 members had a very pleasant time browsing and spending ! With business completed members were served a delicious meal, complete with wine and coffee. A very enjoyable evening ended all too quickly. Next Meeting: AGM on Thursday 17t" October at 7.30pm in Newnham Village Hall. Presdient, Mrs Humphreys reminded members that officers would be required for the coming year.

NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Apolgies for no report this month. Full report next month. Next meeting 3rd October in Newnham Village Hall.

DODDINGTON SCHOOL PTFA - AGM - WELCOME CHOCOHOLICS!!
The PTFA AGM will be held in the school hall on Friday 25h October from 2.00pm. From 2.00pm to 2.30pm a display of Chocolates available from 'Chocolates for Chocoholics' they offer an impressive and high quality range of chocolates and gifts. There is a wide range of sugar and nut free products and gifts for Christmas. So come along see the Chocolates and stay for the AGM or you are welcome to just come along for the Chocolate display

WINE & WISDOM - SATURDAY 16 TH NOVEMBER To be held in Doddington Village Hall on Saturday IC November 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Tables of six to eight welcome at £4.50 a head, includes wine and food. In aid of Doddington School PTFA fund. To book a table contact Barbara Roberts on 886332.

SPECIAL THANKS Thank you in many tongues, would still be inadequate to express my pleasure and gratitude for the kindness of - someone. Someone who ensured a dream coming true ! Love and blessings to you. (Beryl)

CONGRATULATIONS
To Tom and Olivet Plicher, who celebrated their 66"' Wedding Anniversary on 19th September.

WILDLIFE NOTES
Autumn is here already. I always know summer is over when I start to hear chiffchaff song again, and when the
tawny owls start to hoot. Audrey Smith reports hearing a young tawny owl up near, Little Frith Farm: indeed we must live in prime owl territory judgingb by the amount of hooting from local woods and copses.

A big thank you to the fifteen.people who helped with the cutting and raking at Doddington Churchyard recently. Although the annual maintenance is haidwork, allowing the grass to grow longer, and keeping some wild areas, really pays off for wildlife. The meadow areas were full of flowers this summer, including an abundance of purpleflowered black knapweed very impressive numbers of pyramidal orchids. Also showing well this year were glow-worms, which are always a delight to come across, but which seem to be getting rarer across the UK and Europe. If you want to know more about these fascinating insects, a new book, The Glow Worm, by John Tyler. (warden at the Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve) is packed with the most up-to-date information. From the book it appears that the kind of.habitat we have at the churchyard - an intricate mixture of short grass, long grass and scrubby vegetation - is close to ideal glow-worm territory.

After the effort of raking up the grass, we had a short ramble around the churchyard to look at wildlife, and were rewarded by late summer flowers such as the wild-carrot-like'burnet saxifrage, and insects such as the small and hairy 22-spot ladybird, We also found two true grasshoppers, the flightless, green meadow grasshopper which likes long grass, and the, brown field grasshopper which prefers open areas and bare ground. We also found two species of bush-~crickets (similar to grasshoppers, but with hugely long antennae),"the oddly named long-winged conehead, again a species of long, grass, and the fat, brown dark bush-cricket which prefers shrubs and brambles.

The Glow Worm by John Tyler, ISBN 0 9523526 1 3, can be ordered from the Natural History Book Service
(01803) 8659133 or www.nhbs.com).

Richard Moyse

Richaxd Moyse
2 West End Cottages, The Street, Doddington
Tel. 886421 (not.after 9pm)
richard@moyse-friend.fsnet.co.uk

6oz (150g) self raising flour.

First line a 1 lb loaf tin with greased greaseproof paper. Preheat the oven tol 80 degrees F, 350 degrees
gas mark 4.

Put the dried fruits into a mixing bowl with the orange rind and pour over the juice. Stir well, cover and leave the fruit to soak for two or three hours.

Add the sugar, cinnamon, egg and oil to the bowl and beat well. Stir in the flour and mix thoroughly - the mixture will be quite firm. Spoon into the prepared tin and bake in the centre of the oven for 45150 minutes. Turn out on to a wire rack, peel off the paper and leave to become cold.

Lovely for tea, sliced and spread with butter.

Well, we finally had a summer! It started in the middle of July and continued, with minor interruptions, at least to the end of August. July did in fact end on a wet note, with 26min of rain overnight on the 3 Vt, but heavy, even torrential rain, is by no means unusual af this time of year. August provided gardeners with 69.92min of rain, mostly delivered as concentrated packages of 12 to 20min. This seems a lot of rain at the time, but there were in fact 20 rainless days in the month.

Temperatures were encouragingly high, 34.40C on the 14th and 16'h and exceeding 200C on every day of the month. Overnight temperatures also held up well, 1 10C being the lowest ground minimum on the night of the 10th/1 I'l'. However, temperatures are now falling, and overnight on the 3 1 stAugust/ 1 stSeptember 1 recorded 8()C.

It is interesting to note that the early mornings and late afternoons are now distinctly autumnal, whilst on bright sunny days there is still a lingering reminder of the summer's heat, the autumnal equinox is about the 21't of September, so from now on temperatures will fall steadily as we move towards the depths of December - but it all gets better after that. (John Howell).

The Discovery Club are holding a Christmas Bazaar in Doddington Village Hall on Saturday 23d November from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Come and meet Father Christmas, have fun, buy your Christmas gifts. Lucky Dip, Raffle, Craft goods, Cards, Cakes, Produce, Pictures and refreshments. If you wish to have a table at £5 to sell your goods, please ring Joan Tuckey on 890688.

FIREWORK DISPLAY - SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER In grounds of Doddington School. Jointly organised by Village Hall and PTFA committees. Look out for posters with more details coming soon.

1ST NEWNHAM BROWNIES
We have returned following the summer break. Brownies ineet in Newnham Village Hall every Tuesday from 5.30pm.

ADVERTISING SPACE
There are currently three small spaces available.