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VILLAGE NEWSLETTER
February 2001

For
Doddington, Newnham & Wychling

From The Vicarage

Dear Friends

"Or if we have strength four score." I often say these words from Psalm 90 as I lead the funeral procession into or out of church. I am always reminded too of the words of that wise king, Solomon, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die." I mention this because as you will see from the Registers, we have had a busy time with many funerals, which is to be expected at this time of the year. Happily most of the funerals were for people who had reached 70 years of age or more. But even if someone 'has had a good innings,' it always comes as a shock when a loved one dies, especially if the deceased was the father or mother.

I well remember when my father died, it did not seem possible. He had always been there when I needed him. I had assumed that he would somehow go on for ever. But there was still my mother. A few years later she became frail, often falling and being taken into hospital. She came up to stay with us here in Kent and whilst she was here, she had another stroke and died.

When my father died it made me stop and think about what life was all about etc?' But when my mother died and there was only my brother and I left, it became much more personal. I became much more aware of my own mortality. It was a case of 'we're next to go!' My brother then became ill with cancer in his kidney. He was taken to hospital for an operation. By a strange coincidence, in the next bed was another Mr. Kilford. He too was due to have an infected kidney removed, though his was the left one and my brother was to have his right one removed. Happily the surgeons got it right and both operations were successful. But a few years later the cancer returned, this time in his back and in the spinal cord. He gradually became paralysed and bedridden, dying some two years after this second cancer had been diagnosed. He was a wonderful example to everyone during this time. He was sustained by the faith that he had and his funeral was a wonderful affair, full of hope and joy, even though he was only 62 when he died.

My heart goes out to many people who come to the funerals I take. To them their loved one has gone, and that is that! They have no hope of ever being reunited. Often too, there is a lot of what we might call 'unfinished business.' Quarrels not made up, wrongs not forgiven, things promised but not done, thanks or expressions of love or appreciation not said and so on. The funeral therefore becomes an ordeal to be gone through and often the best that can be hoped for is that nothing will 'go wrong,' and that 'it will all go off alright.' Of course there will always be sadness at not being to see or talk to our loved ones again in this life. But Jesus shows us that this life is but the prelude to another life, and that "his resurrection declares that death, our last enemy, is overthrown" and that he has gone "to prepare a place for us," and that "where he is we may be also."

I know that younger people do not think much about these sorts of things, but the time comes to us all when we have to come to terms with death. I am ever thankful that, as the writer of the Hebrews puts it,

"Jesus became like us and shared our human nature, so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."

CHURCH SERVICES DURING FEBRUARY

Last month I wrote about wanting us to get involved in a Practical Aid Project of some kind. Many of you have expressed an interest in this. We have been in contact with various aid agencies but have not yet come to any decisions. I would like to invite you to an initial meeting on THURSDAY 8th FEBRUARY in the Community Room at Lynsted Church at 800pm.

Here we shall discuss the way forward for the project and appoint a 'steering group,' to take it forward. All are welcome to attend. Please contact either Tim Sidney on 521714 or myself on 886265 for more information. R Kilford

PAGE 2.

DODDINGTON CHURCH FLOWER ROTA
4th ... 11th... 18th... 25th.... February Mrs J.Howell

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA.
3rd February ... Mrs W. Cuthbert and Mrs Witherden.
10th February ... Mrs Pateman and Mrs Bayford.
18th February? ... Mrs Hawkins and Mrs Hanson.

Thank you' very much for all your hard work cleaning the church. I am extremely grateful bo everyone for giving' up their spare time to make the church look spick and span? The church is generally locked during the day', so it might be an idea to collect the key from the garage before going up to the church to save making 2 journies. Don't forget the hoover is now in the cupboard and that the vestry needs a clean from time to time.

NEWNHAM CHURCH FLOWER AND CLEANING ROTA.
3rd February Mrs C. Dartnell.
10th.. 17th February Mr & Mrs R.Smith
24th February Mrs A. Sutton.

BRASSES.... Mr. and Mrs Clark.

Many 'Thanks' for helping with the church cleaning and flower' arranging during the year. Your copy of the rota can be found in the church porch and information for each month will be in the village newsletter. Please make a note of your dates as no personal reminders will be given. If a date is inconvenient, please arrange to change with someone on the rota. In case of an emergency please contact Mrs Diana Davies, Parsonage Farmhouse, Newnham Telephone 890408.
The vacuum cleaner, extension lead , dustpan, brushes and cleaning materials are kept behind the organ. Brasses are kept in the vestry, key is avaiable as below. If the church is locked a key can be collected from either, Mr C. Clark - The Hollies or Mrs D. Davies. Parsonage Farmhouse.
Everyone iswelcome to decorate the church for Easter, Harvest , and Christmas.

DODDINGTON AND DISTRICT W.I.
January 11th 2001 the Members gathered for the meeting on a cold grey afternoon, with a chill wind blowing it was a relief to come into a warm and bright hall and see all our friends.... Mrs Martin started the proceedings prompt at 2.15pm welcoming us back for the first of New Years meetings.

During the course of the business, The 2001 Annual Council Meeting on the 27th March at the Winter Gardens, Margate was mentioned, also the Group meeting on 22nd March to be held at Newnham Valley W.I. evening meeting.

We were reminded that Mrs Chastney is holding a coffee morning on January 20th at (noon. Doddington Village Hall, Craft Classes were restarting on Wednesday 17th January 10 - 12 Doddington W.I received a request for help from Mrs J. Tuckey a school Governer in raising funds, or a donation for the planned after school club, and holiday Club at the School. The plan is to purchase a refurnished Mobile for the purpose. After discussion on the subject all agreed the Mrs M. Chasneys suggestion that a planned Coffee Morning in March will be used to finance the plan.

Our Speaker was Mr. Kennet who brought along some wonderful slides to illistrate his talk on Doddington and District. All his pictures were old post cards that he, as an ethusiast had collected from Card Fairs - from far and wide. There were some remarkable shots, some going back to beginning of the century, houses that had been thatched orginally, and some small buildings that were no more .Alas. I think we would have liked to see more. Mr Kennet was thanked by Mrs M. Chastney'.

Flower of the Month competition was won by Mrs R. Wildash, competition for an Old Doddington Photo there were 6 entries all gained 5 points.
Next meeting is on February 8th 2.15ptm at Doddington V/Hall. The Speaker will be Sara Parker on Demelza House Childrens Hospice.
Visitors are always welcome.

PAGE 3.

NEWNHAM VALLEY W.I.
Our meeting was chaired by our Vice President Mrs Patricia Hards. We now have a Spring meal instead of a Christmas meal, giving members more time to enjoy an evening out without the rush of Christmas. Our meal has a provisional date of March 8th and members were asked to put a mark as to the venue of their choice. Once venue and menu decisions have been nade members are asked to pay before the meal to ease the collection of monies.

Well Cinderella at The Marlow was a great hit. There were many in our group who shall remain nameless who proved to have very' strong Vocal Projection and enjoyed the audience participation very much. Unfortunately Joel from Neighbours who was to play Prince Charming was ill which greatly disappointed the Group of Guides in front of us. His Stand - in was excellent.

How many people can claim to have a book written, have it published and then sell it. From start to finish taking 15 years. That is tremendous dedication.
Knowing where to start the Village News Letter information is hard enough, hence the "Our Meeting was chaired' !!! But to research and write a book about a place of which there is very little recorded information officially available is no mean feat, going through 26 years worth of Kent Messengers and Gazettes.
Our speaker this month had done just that. Mrs Vickie Harris talked us through the highs and lows of writing about Maidstone Zoo, at Cobtree Park, created by Sir Hugh Garrard Tyrwhitt - Drake in the 1930's finally closing in the 1950's

Competition winners were Flower of the Month - Mrs Jennifer Cheesman and Joyce Winn joint 1st. An interesting Old Book ... Joyce Winn.
Our meeting next month February 15th 7.3Opm in Newnham V/Hall. Our Speaker will be Mr Williams and A History of Gardens.
Competition: Photogtaph of a Garden.

DARBY & JOAN CLUB.
Even the cold weather did not stop us from holding a very enjoyable meeting during January' 12th. At the moment it looks as if it will be fine on the 26th.
The meetings in February are on the 9th and 23rd 2pm at Doddington V/Hall. 2 - 4 pm. We would appreciate a few new members, scrabble, whist and crib can be played also there is plenty of chat and laughs. Bring & Buy , raffle with a cup of tea or coffee.
Please remember it is our Birthday Lunch on March 9th.
Transport our motto is if you can get to us we will see you get home safely.

DISCOVERY PRE- SCHOOL IS OPENING !
We are very happy' to announce that we will be opening on Monday 5th March at 9.3Oam. Initially we will be open on Mondays and Fridays from 9.3Oam to 11.15am in Doddington School Hall. We plan to extend our hours when extra qualified staff join us. We hope to make our first session a bit special so look out for posters in a few weeks time. If you wish your child to attend the Pre-school, you are a qualified Pre -school worker or you would just enjoy helping us out and read stories or get stuck into some craft work, not too literally I hope, (the glue's not that strong) Please contact:
Nicky Lord 886473 Lis Bayford 886392.

DODDINGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH.
Rural shed breaks are high on the list of crime this week with offences at Hogbens Hill. Selling on 17th where two Claude Butler Mountain bikes were stolen (One yellow, one black).
A second offence at Brogdale Horticultural Trust, Ospringe Road, Faversham overnight on l8th/19th where gardening equipment and sit on mowers wete stolen along with a white Ford Transit van to carry them in, and also Parsonage Farm at Throwley where burglars stole a socket set and a mini JCB key from the barn.

Another rural shed break, this time at North Street Sheldwich overnight ott 14/15th where a petrol qualcast lawn mower was stolen. No one in the rural areas can relax while these spates of theft continue, the offenders must be seen by local people going about their business. Please keep those eyes peeled and report anything suspicious to the NHW office on 01795 584143:

Between 8 and 8.16pm on January there was an attempt burglary at Perry Court Oast, London Rd. Favershanr. At about the same time 3 youths were seen in the grounds with a red Peugeot car th the index number which is not complete was taken K890 CJ?. Please report any sightings of this vehicle. To the NHW office 01795 584143.

Lets keep a special watch in all rural areas for strangers wandering about or acting suspiciciously and pass to the office above. Don't forget an alarm will frighten people.
Ian Pateman

PAGE 4.

DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 8th JANUARY 2001

Apologies Cohn Prescott.

Alan Bayford took the opportunity of the 10 minute public discussion time to inform The Parish Council that the Youth project has made progress in several areas. Man was pleased to report that he had received a most productive response from the youth of Doddington.

Clerk Eileen Trethewey will be moving to Faversham sometime in the next 6 weeks, she is to remain as Clerk and her telephone no will be published as soon as she moves.

Kent Highways replied to letter/list of works needed within the village to tell us that no fi.znding is available in this financial year, although we had been told that some of the works needed, would be dealt with this financial year. It was agreed that a letter of complaint would be sent to the Police re; fuel tanker on Wichling Hill which had started to slide down the hill toward people and property in the recent icy weather, Swale Borough Council agreed that it was an emergency, the police were informed and villagers were told that nothing could be done. It was 3pm before a gritting lorry arrived. Parish Council have been advised to find out which roads are deemed primary and which secondary on the gritting programme from Swale Borough Council. The Parish Council agreed that 2 new salt bins were needed urgently, one to sited on Wychling Hill the other on Chequers Hill and Swale Borough Council to be asked to fill immediately.

Re; proposed closure of Highsted Valley, letter received by Rodmersham Parish Council from SBC Planning Officer copied to Doddington P.C. The idea at the moment is to explore the possibility of closing Highsted Valley as part of the Fulston Manor farm development. There are no plans at present applying for the closure of Highsted~Valley. Parish Council and villagers will be kept informed of any further developments.

Swale paper collection will take place through The Street, Doddington on l6th and 30th January. Please leave your paper neatly bundled before 7.00am,

Parish Council received request to consider street lighting along The Street, opposite Northdowns. The Village Appraisal was used as it is frequently used to take the majority of villagers considerations into account. The majority of villagers are against street lighting in the village and the Parish Council felt that a recommendation of security lighting on individual properties was more appropriate.

The precept was discussed at great length and it was decided that an additional £250 be added this year to cover the cost of the salt bins.

The request for the resiting of the. Millenium sign opposite Church Hill is under investigation as to cost. The original site as advised by SBC Highways department as needing to be as near the existing village sign as possible has not been a success due to the large tree which obliterates the sign.

The redevelopment of the existing Telecom mast at Erriot Wood near the motorway was not opposed.

Kent Police have written to the Parish Council asking whether villages would be interested in deployment of Haweye cameras. Parish Council need to investigate the feasibility of an electrical supply before replying.

Newsletter from Disability Information Services in Kent (DISK) received, Ian Woodhouse to evaluate and report to next meeting.

A SPECIAL MEETING of the Parish Council to be held on 22nd January 2001 8pm in village Hall to discuss results of questionnaire.

PAGE 5.

SPECIAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 22nd JANUARY 2001
TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE.

24 members of the public attended.

Chairman Mary Chastney announced the resignation of Barry West due to pressures of work. Three people have expressed an interest in the vacancy on the Parish Council. Anyone interested in the vacancy needs to contact the Returning Officer at Swale Borough Council, alternatively the Parish Council can co-opt.

Planning application for a dwelling on Hopes Hill was included in the agenda as the plans had arrived after the last Parish Council Meeting. Mr Worrell, who had submitted the application asked the Parish Council to consider the plans as a replacement application not a new application. A caravan which Mr Worrell informed the Parish Council has planning permission and is on a site on Downs Court Road would be removed in exchange for planning permission on Hopes Hill. The reason the application has been submitted is the need for a larger house to accommodate their son, who has been diagnosed with a disability. The Parish Council although sympathetic to the need for the new accommodation were concerned as it is outside the village envelope and no planning permission has been given in the past for this reason alone. Mr Worrell expressed the opinion that this is a unique case where planning permission for one site was being exchanged for planning permission on another site.

Councillor Graham Cuthbert quoted from the Village Appraisal that the majority of villagers were against large single houses being built, if there were ftai-ther building developments in Dodington it was felt that smaller low cost housing was more appropriate. Graham recommended to the Parish Council that a Village Design Statement was set up as soon as possible. Councillors Ian Woodhouse, Linda Lumsden and Stuart Doughty were of the opinion that there should be no building outside the village envelope in any circumstances. Graham Cuthbert also pointed out that the hedge that need to be removed for access to the property was over 1,000 years old and was irreplaceable.

The Parish council decided that they could not reach a decision in view of the village opinion expressed in theVillage Appraisal, and that the village would be consulted. Mary Chastney to phone Swale Borough Council to find out when plans are scheduled to be discussed.

Village questionnaire. Top ten results in order of priority as follows;

1/. Traffic calming
2/. Village shop
3/. Parking in the village.
4/. Scheme to prevent flooding from Old Lenham Road.
5/. Improving road maintenance.
6/. Repairing/resurfacing the walkway through the village
7/. Working for youth.
8/. General tidying of the village
9/. Maintaining the rural environment.
10/. Mains Drainage.

The results of the questionnaire were discussed with several members of the public present. 22% of villagers replied to questionnaire and the overwhelming majority stated that traffic calming was there no. 1 priority.

It was decided to concentrate on top ten issues to start with. Ian Woodhouse suggested getting a small group of villagers together to concentrate on Traffic calming to find out what could be done what/if funds available.
It was agreed that Ian would head this group and report back to Parish Council.

Village shop was a major concern to villagers and Graham and Mary have been looking into this over a number of months. It was decided that a group of villagers was needed to look into the viability of having a shopping facility within the village.

Items 3, 4, 5, 6 a nd 9 are being dealt with already as a letter with a list of requested works is being sent to Swale Highways department on a monthly basis. Alan Bayford has been looking into provisions for the youth of the village and it was felt that we should not interfere with this.

Also funding for sports equipment is being sought at the moment. General Tidying of the village is done on a voluntary basis. We have a major clean up day in April with a freighter which is being organised.

Mains drainage is out of the question at the moment as there simply is no funding available.

NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 12th 8.pm in village hall.
EVERYONE WELCOME.

A Summary of the Weather for the Year 2000

I am asking The Editor to include a page of graphs to show how the main features of the weather varied month-by-month last year. The most notable feature was the rainfall which totalled just over one metre by the end of December; an unusually wet year, but similar or wetter ones have been recorded long before global warming was invented! Despite the high rainfall there were over 100 days when it did NOT rain, and in fact some months were the sunniest on record though this did not reach the headlines. Much of the rain came in heavy storms giving several centimetres in a short period of time.

I recorded 37 ground frosts and 14 air frosts; snow was observed lying on the ground for 4 days right at the end of December, just 3cms which seemed to be more significant than it should have been because temperatures remained low and the local authority was astonishingly inept in dealing with it.

The highest temperature was 35 deg.C in July; from May to September the maximum exceeded 30 deg.C on at least one day each month.

The lowest temperature recorded was -4 deg.C at the end of December.

Every month had its share of strong winds with gales throughout the spring and again in the final 3 months of the year. The maximum gust recorded was 57mph in October.

John Howell 21/1/01

A great way to serve potatoes on a cold February day. The dish is so called because French families entrusted the local baker to cook it for them in the slow bread oven. If you have some frost-free sage in the garden, it will add extra flavour to this classic recipe

You will need
2lb (900g) potatoes, Desiree are best
2 medium onions
Possibly a little salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage, if available
12 fl.oz (350m1) vegetable stock, made with a stock cube
1oz (25g) butter, melted

Two-and-a-half or three-pint shallow baking dish

How to make it
Peel the potatoes and cut into slices of about a quarter of an inch (half a centimetre). Peel the onion, cut in half, and slice very thinly indeed. Wash and chop the sage if you have it, then make up the stock cube with boiling water.

Now arrange a layer of potato in the dish, and cover with half the onion slices. Then add another layer of potato, followed by the rest of the onion, and finish with a final layer of potato slices. Season each layer with pepper and a sprinkle of sage as you go - easy on the salt: the stock might be quite salty.

Pour in the hot stock, then brush the top layer of potatoes with the melted butter. Bake near the middle of the oven for 50-60 minutes, by which time the top will be a delicious crispy brown, and the underneath soft and tender.

Serve piping-hot, perhaps with the famous Doddington sausages.

Serves 2-3.

The Kent Downs - a Nationally Important Landscape

Did you know that pad or all of your parish falls within This nationally important landscape? The importance of your parish landscape was recognised in 1968 when the Kent Downs was formally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This landscape, which covers nearly a quarter of Kent and runs from Dover to the Surrey border, was considered as important as that of National Parks and therefore worthy of protection. Designation as an AONB means; that the area could be subject to a stricter planning regime, would potentially receive some funding priority from the (now) Countryside Agency and has an AONB Unit working on its' behalf.

The Kent Downs AONB Unit was set up in 1997 and aims to maximise funding opportunities for the area, monitor and guide change and provide advice where possible.

The AONB Unit works with local people, landowners and many other partners to conserve and enhance the Kent Downs. If you would like to find out more about the AONB and how you could be involved the contact the Unit at the address below:

Kent Downs AONB Unit
lnvicta House
Sessions Square
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XX

Tel. 01622 221522
Email: kentdowns@kent.gov.uk

The Kent Downs logo features the lady orchid, a species found on the North Downs.
Kent Downs AONB
24/10/00

PAGE 6.

THE WEATHER.. JANUARY 2001.
As December ended in a flurry of snow, January began as most of us will remember the weather in the year 2000 - mild and wet. The first week of the month continued this feature but on the 10th temperatures began to drop as an area of very high pressure established itself to the north of the British Isles. The wind moved round to the east and for the next ten days day time temperatures struggled to rise much above freezing, whilst night minimums dipped to -4.4c on the 15th and 16th, For 6 days the temperatures was below Oc overnight, the 16th being coldest when my car recorded - 7c in Doddington village at 7am. On the 21st temperatures rose steadily' throughout the day, but this was accompanied by a cold rain that made the day thoroughly miserable despite the warmer conditions.

11.6 c was recorded on the 6th and as I write this evening of 23rd the thermometer is hovering around 12degrees.

There have been several windy days 47mph on the 1st, 46mph on the 10th and today 45mph already rainfall so far is 73.71mm - twice that of last January, but barely half of the total in January 1999...... I have recorded 14 ground frosts and 8 air frosts so far.

I now have weather data going back 10 years or so. I hope to assemble this in graphical form over the next few weeks and with the editor's permission would like to include it in future issue of the newsletter. By the way a recent report by a number of climatologists shows that global warming is less than half what was formerly- predicted in real terms, the chief culprits seem to be cows (belching etc.) and with a number of 'new' climate predictions and a great deal of sensational misinformation about supposed climate change. Without a doubt our weather itself will spring plenty of surprises on us, hopefully not all of them unpleasant!
John Howell.

WILDLIFE NOTES.
No sooner had I written in last month's column that Field.fares seemed in short supply, than I saw several large flocks over a period of a few days. Mick Barry reports regular flocks of up to seventy birds, and perhaps they prefer Newnham to Doddington.. - both Fieldfares and redwings like orchards as they are fond of fallen apples.

Redwings themselves are certainly not numerous although Shirley Hawkes reports one in her front garden, Shirley has also had a number of Long - tailed tits at her bird - feeder , as have several other people. Peter Griffiths tells me that he has had Marsh Tits visiting" the garden. These small brown tits with neat black caps can sometimes be spotted in the woods. The recent cold weather seems to have affected the birds. Hick Barry reports a hundred or so Lapwings around the villages. These lovely black and white birds with broad square wings feed on insects and worms from' the top of the soil, so perhaps they are looking" for soft unfrozen ground to feed on. The few herons which have been seen locally may likewise have been on the look - out for ice free ponds.

Bull finches have been at the bottom of Torry Hill and at the end of Newnham (these birds seem to move around in pairs) and mick has seen a small flock of Hawfinches below Doddington Place. Hawfinnches are our largest finches, with bills powerful enough to crack cherry stones, but they do tend to keep to the tree tops, making them hard to spot.

Other sightings include a Brown Hare seen (again' by Mick Barry) during January , and a late apnearance of a Red Admiral butterfly, spotted by Jonathon Abbs on the 27th November last year. Spells of sunny weather often bring butterflies out of hibernation, particularly, it seems Red Admirals, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells.

Ive been writing this column' for about a year now, and I couldn't have done it without the help of everyone who has let me know what they've seen around the three parishes. Many thanks to you all and please keep it up in 2001...

Richard Moyse, 2 West End Cottages. Dodd.

SHARSTED SPORTS CLUB.
With the wet weather being as it has been the club has had a blank few weeks all games being cancelled. But just think how many matches will be played towards the end of the season. On the Social side at the last committee meeting not all monies had been counted up for the Charity Ball, but it was understood to have gone well.

The Doddington Friendly teams ahve been training on Saturday mornings and it is hoped that they are still enjoying their football.

Sorry about last month but there was not a lot to report anyway.
Hope everyone had a Good Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

PAGE 7

YOUTH CLUB
I read with interest that working for Youth was fairly high on the Parish Council priority list, I am sure that most of the residents know that a YOUTH CLUB takes place on a Friday Night from 7 to 9pm.

However only 3 Adults are actively involved.
There is agreat deal of scope for adapting Friday Night Clubs. .i.e. longer hours, juniors and seniors boys, girls and so on, however' this would require more adults help and this has always been in short supply.

If you have any suggestions for additional Youth provisiors please feel free to talk to Me Martin or Pam on any Friday evening between 7 - 9pm, you can meet some of the. Kids and discuss ways to improve their outlook on village life and their amenities Leslie Roberts.

PANTOMIME.
This years pantomime Aladdin was a great success. Including our charity performance on Friday 5th of January. We played to over 400 people over the weekend.
The cast would like to thank everyone who came and supported us. The Village Hall Committee (Who was the beneficary of the fund raising) would like to thank the cast and back stage crew for all their hard work in making the pantomime such a polished occasion.
The cast would jike to thank all their families who put up with our absences during rehearsals and scenery painting.
Judy Potts for her dressmaking and costume skills, Ann Pleasance, Neville Legg our musicians and Mike Watts and Victor Streeting on lights.
Big thank you to Nigel England and Barbara (back stage) and to everyone who acted as ushers on the various evenings and afternoons.
Without you it would not have been possible (Luvvies).

It appears that a panto next year would be popular and thet most of the cast are eager to continue with the tradition. If you would like to be involved we are meeting on TUESDAY 13th February at 8pm at the Village Hall to discuss the next project.

New cast members will be welcomed and anyone who would like to help in any way.

A POLITE BUT IMPORTANT REMINDER.
Over the Chirstmas holidays I was bitten twice by two large Alsations who were walking unleashed along a Country road and were entirely upprovoked. Desptte bitting through my thick coat, jumper and trousers I suffered quite severe bruising. If I had been wearing less clothes or was a child the damage would have been quite serious.
Please remember that even well behaved dogs can be unpredictable at times and large dogs can be as a result a risk to children and adults.

Dogs should be on a lead in public places including roads, footpaths and fields. Their rights to roam should not come above the safety of the public. If your dog has ever made an unprovoked attack muzzling should be considered. This protects your dog as well as the public from problems.

May I also add that I have passed many well controlled dogs who were a credit to their owners and vice versa.
May we all PLEASE follow their example. Happy New Year to All.
Nicky Lord 886473.

DODDINGTON WEBSITE.
Hi there... I have just found and read the Newnham Newsletter on the internet. This is the first time I have been able to find anything for Newnham. I used to live in the Street in Newnham until 6 years ago before I came to Adelaide(Australia) to live.

It was really nice to catch up with all the happenings from the village and suuurounds. Please convey my thanks to everyone concerned in the production of the newsletter. I will check again soon for the next newnletter. Joan O'Dell (also of the Street - who also now lives in Australia) visited Newnham back in October and said it was nice to see everyone again... Regards to Charlie and Edna Clark.....
From Peggy Nayler donald@picknowl.com.au

PAGE 8.

PERIWINKLE PRESS.
After much deliberation and soul searching Antony and Clare Swain have decided to move house. We are fully aware the implications that this will have on the villages and hope that there will continue to be a village shop to give a heart to the community.

There is great potential and need to expand the shop (i.e. Post Office, National Lottery, alcohol and cigarettes) but with our main business and livelihood 'Periwinkle Press' neither Antony' or Clare have the energy nor space to carry it forward.

Clare is to concentrate on her painting after encouraging sales in 2000 - She will be setting up painting classes, continue to teach in schools and to keep on exhibiting.

Antony is to continue to deal in books,antique prints and picture framing but we will not be having a shop and all committments that incure.

We are taking the opportunity to try and find a better quality of life. The luxury of a "weekend" the excitement of a holiday to look forward to and to spend more time with the children (whilst they are still children).

It will be with great sadness that we shall be moving from such a lovely village with so many friends. In the meantime we shall continue with "business as normal" until the house is sold.

FOIL COLLECTION.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have sent me this notice.
When they started collecting aluminium foil in 1964, in conjunction with Blue Peter, the prices avaiable to us were very attractive. Over the years the re-cycling of foil has become a tradition that has raised' enormous sums Sot our work.

However over the past few years the prices offered have fallen dramatically owing to changes in the world economy, and we are now in a position where aluminium' foil is no longer cost effective, this is not a financially worthwhile form of fundraising.

As from January 31st. 2001 we will not accepting any further foil. However we are stepping up our collection of used Stamps.

Please no more FOIL But please let me have the stamps. Just in an envelope in the letter box. at Joan's Victoria Bungalow.

CHRISTMAS CARDS.
This year I took 11 large black bags full of cards which I found on my doorstep. The last week Mary Chastney took some to the school.
Next I am NOT COLLECTING. Many of the shops in Faversham and Sittingbourne do have collection boxes also Doddington School.

PAPER & CARDBOARD ONLY.
Dates for TUESDAY in February are 13th and 27th. out by 7am. Not black sacks.

PLEASE ++ PLEASE ++ PLEASE ++ PLEASEcolor>
Residents of Newrtam and Doddington are extremely concerned by DOGS fouling the footpaths through the villages.
It is an offence by a heavy financial penalty.
Would dog owners PLEASE clean up after your dogs. (The vast majority do). If you happen to see a stray dog fouling footpaths please report the incident to Swale Dog Warden.

THREE CHEERS.... after many years my New Years Resolution has really paid off
all news with no phone calls arrived to time. Thank you.

CLOSING DATE FOR MARCH 2001.
24th FEBRUARY at 6pm.

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