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THE PLAXTOL HERALD
A Monthly Magazine for Plaxtol
November 2016
The Rector of Shipbourne with Plaxtol has now retired During the interregnum please contact the
Churchwardens with any enquiries: Adrienne Brewin on 810361 or email: [email protected] or
Rodney Crouch on 810718 or email: [email protected] Carol Crossley on 810801 and the Pastoral Team would be grateful
to hear of any sick parishioner needing a visit or who would like Home Communion
PARISH DIARY: NOVEMBER 2016
EVERY SUNDAY The main morning service at Plaxtol is at 11.00 am (except 3rd Sundays) WEEKDAYS Morning Prayer is normally said in Plaxtol Church at 8.00 am Wednesday Thursday Saturday SUNDAY (All Souls Day)
2nd 3rd 5th 6th
2.00-4.00 9-11am 7.45pm 5.30 8.00 am
Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church Plaxtol WI in Memorial Hall Plaxtol Fireworks, Spoute Field, Brook Lane Holy Communion at Plaxtol with commemoration of the departed
9.30 am Parish Communion at Shipbourne with commemoration of the departed
11.00 am Family Service at Plaxtol 12.00 Short Communion at Plaxtol with commemoration
of the departed Readings for principal service: Job 19: 23-27a 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-end Luke 20: 27-38
Monday 7th 2.30pm Bible Study at The Mallows, Ivy Hatch 8.00 pm Plaxtol Parish Council
Tuesday Thursday Saturday
8th 10th 12th
8.00pm 9-11am 9.30am
Plaxtol Local History Group in Memorial Hall Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church Playchurch at Shipbourne
SUNDAY (Remem-brance Sunday)
13th 8.00 am Holy Communion at Shipbourne 10.50 am Act of Remembrance at Plaxtol War Memorial
and Service in church 10.50 am Act of Remembrance at Shipbourne War Memorial
and Service in church Readings for principal service: Malachi 4: 1-2a 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 Luke 21: 5-19
Monday 14th 8.00 pm Plaxtol Men’s Society in Memorial Hall Tuesday Wednesday
15th 16th
9.30 am Marie Curie fundraiser at the Papermakers 10.00am 2-4pm
CMS Group at Salmon’s Barn, Dunks Green Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall
Thursday Friday Saturday
17th 18th 19th
9-11 10-11.30 12-4.00
Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church Coffee, Cake & Co in Plaxtol Church Plaxtol WI – day trip to France Christmas Craft Fair, Shipbourne Village Hall
SUNDAY (Sunday before Advent)
20th 8.00 am Holy Communion at Plaxtol 9.30 am Parish Communion at Shipbourne 12.00 Short Communion at Plaxtol 4-5 pm “Community at 4” and “Rock Solid”
Benefice Service at Plaxtol Readings for principal service: Jeremiah 23: 1-6 Colossians 1: 11-20 Luke 23: 33-43
Thursday 24th 9-11 Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church 10.30 Playchurch at Plaxtol
Friday
25th 7.00-9.00 Plaxtol Youth Club in Memorial Hall
SUNDAY (Advent Sunday)
27d
29th
8.00 am Holy Communion at Shipbourne 9.30 am Family Service at Shipbourne 11.00 am 6.00pm 9.30am
Parish Communion at Plaxtol Advent Carol Service at Plaxtol Readings for principal service: Isaiah 2: 1-5 Romans 13: 11-end Matthew 24: 36-44 Marie Curie fundraiser at The Papermakers Arms
LETTER FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
Dear all, Andrew and Elizabeth took their leave of both St. Giles, Shipbourne and our own congregation on Sunday 9th of October. It was a bitter sweet farewell. Sad, but with joy and great appreciation of their nine-year ministry, large congregations wiped away tears while wishing them a long, happy, healthy and productive retirement. A cheque and a Snapfish album of photographs and personal messages was presented to them to ensure that they do not easily forget us as they move on. During the interregnum we have the privilege and responsibility of both legally and administratively steering us all through an, as yet, unknown number of months before a new Priest has come forward, been appointed and is finally inducted as Rector. There is a lot to do and we may well be asking for your assistance at times and most certainly, for your commitment to Church worship, understanding and tolerance as we do our best. All services will continue as usual: With help, we have been able to find visiting preachers to take the principal services at Plaxtol and St. Giles. So there will be variety in preaching and teaching. We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. Our Reader, Peter Brewin, has been granted the Bishop’s approval for what is known as “Communion by Extension” and will now be able to take the shortened Communion service at 12.00 noon. The Revd Peter Flynn will take some services and will continue to minister to the bereaved and to conduct funerals, Cremations and Interments. He can be contacted at 01732 811304. For Pastoral visits, including Communion at Home, Carol Crossley is on 810801. The Re-Ordering Project - Thank you for your generosity: On Harvest Sunday, 2nd October, you donated a total of over £34,000. That is an amazing outcome and it was thrilling to see how you have responded to the need for £69,800. This means that already, we are half way to our target total, and is most encouraging. Automation of the Tower Clock: Implementation of this project has been delayed. However, it is due to happen very soon and for a week and a few days, the clock may be stopped and its strike will certainly be silenced. You will not need us to inform you when it restarts! A verse which you may find encouraging: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11 v 28.
Adrienne Brewin and Rodney Crouch Churchwardens
FINAL LETTER FROM THE RECTOR (RETIRED!)
Dear All, Elizabeth and I want to send our heartfelt thanks to you all for your lovely send-off both at the Harvest Supper and during our last Sunday's services on October 9th. It was all most heart-warming. Thanks you for the kind things said on those occasions and in the cards and the photo-book. We will keep them for ever and they will be treasured memories of our time with you all. Thank you too for the most generous cheques. We shall use the money towards our new garden. It will be our first project once we are moved in. It needs a lot of landscaping work and we shall try to spend your gift towards a particular part of the garden by which we can remember your kindness. I have tried to say already more than once how much sharing these last nine years has meant to us both. We have felt welcomed and appreciated throughout. We have been very happy here. We are not far away, in St Mary Platt, and hope to keep in touch. Best wishes, Andrew & Elizabeth
We hope you will join us for our next joint Benefice service
“Community@4” On Sunday 20th November – from 4 to 5pm
In Plaxtol Church > Suitable for all ages > worship songs with a band > discussions for different age groups > craft and play time for children
Please bring some food for our “Bring and Share” refreshments after the service
“ROCK SOLID?” CALLING ALL TEENAGERS FROM 10+
Why not join us for the next “Community@4”
on Sunday 20th November for a game and short discussion? More info from Peter Brewin: 810361 or: [email protected]
ANDREW’S FAREWELL “HYMN”
(Sung by the combined choirs at the Harvest Supper!)
Oh Andrew, you are leaving, can this really be the end? The lure of Platt is proving strong and we must lose a friend. We have some thoughts and memories, to show you that we care, As life within the vestry walls is something we should share. The lack of space for you to dress isn’t easy to believe. No wonder that the microphone gets stuck inside your sleeve. The ladies hog the mirrors and the basses fight for books, Church wardens struggle in and out giving you despairing looks. This rabble in the vestry must give you cause for thought, That every Sunday morning it can all get very fraught. We laugh, we shout, we chatter: we make a fearful din Until you calmly start to pray and remind us of our sin. But once we’re in the choir stalls decorum is restored With hymns and prayers – and then you preach – We hang on every word. No fidgeting, no nodding off, no suggestion that we’re bored, And when you bring those fuzzy felts, our attention is ensured. Your gratitude for what we sing has always been profuse. It’s flattering to hear such praise as we’re sometimes not much use. When colds and coughs and bugs attack And our vocal chords are shot The going gets tough and the sound gets rough Harmonious we are not! God moves in a mysterious way to put us to the test, On Sunday we’ve just one more chance to do our very best. We’ll sing our praises to the Lord and we’ll raise the roof above To thank you for your time with us, Your leadership and love.
Sung to the tune of “O Jesus I have promised” Mary Ann Taylor ©
CHURCH NOTES ALL SOULS DAY – will be on Sunday 6th November – when a part of the Holy Communion services will be to commemorate the departed. If you wish to have the name of someone remembered please let one of the Churchwardens know as soon as possible.
Adrienne Brewin and Rodney Crouch, Churchwardens
ADVENT SUNDAY – ADVENT CAROL SERVICE will be at 6.00pm on Sunday 27th November in Plaxtol Church. With the combined choirs it is a fitting start in the lead up to Christmas.
FAMILY TOY SERVICE – at 11.00 on Sunday 4th December – please bring along new or good quality toys (unwrapped). These will be distributed to children in need.
HARVEST SUPPER On the 7th of last month over 150 parishioners, young and not so young, from both Shipbourne and Plaxtol sat down to a traditional and warming Harvest Supper in the charming and atmospheric setting of Home Farm Barn. The evening, enhanced by music from The Wealden Ramblers, a quiz and the singing of traditional harvest hymns raised over £2,000 for the benefice. Our thanks to the Fairlawne Estate for the use of the barn, to James Sheldrick and his team for clearing and setting up the barn with table and straw bales on which to sit, to those who provided and cooked splendid Shepherd's Pies, Apple Crumbles and salads, provided apple juice, set up on the day, those who helped with the serving and clearing up afterwards and those who helped with the all-important bar! Our particular thanks goes to the generosity of local businesses and individuals who donated prizes for our raffle which alone raised over £450. So, all in all, a wonderful evening. If you didn't come and have never even thought of coming then you missed out. Don't miss our next year. Similarly, if you would like to join our small team of organisers you would be very welcome. Please do contact one of us.
Julia Sheraton, Kate Symonds & Andy Doughty
Playchurch Thursday 24th November at 10.30
0 to 4 year olds – bring your parents,
grandparents, carers and join us for:
A Bible story, creative fun and drinks
and biscuits!!
“Coffee, Cake and Company” Every third Thursday of the month in Plaxtol Church
The next one will be on 17th November
10.00 to 11.30am in Plaxtol Church
ALL ARE WELCOME If you would like a lift please contact Carol Crossley on 810801
PLAXTOL YOUTH CLUB Where? Plaxtol Memorial Hall When? Next session is Friday 25th November What time? 7 - 9 p.m. Who for? All 10 - 14 year-olds How much? £5 per person per session Come along and be part of the village Youth Club! We meet for a few hours (7-9pm) once a month, usually on a Friday. This is your club and you have an important say in what you’d like to gain from being a member.
Please contact Clare Harrison for further information: [email protected]
Meeting new friends *** Games *** Being Creative *** Learning new skills *** Hanging out with the others ***
Music***Making a Podcast*
A friendly playgroup for under 5s Wednesday 2nd and 16th November
2.00-4.00pm in Plaxtol Memorial Hall All are welcome (inc. bumps and babies!)
Activities, toys and refreshments provided Join our facebook group: Plaxtol Playtime
or contact: [email protected]
SEND A CHRISTMAS GREETING TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS!!
Instead of sending out Christmas cards within the village there could be a page or two of personal Christmas greetings in the December
issue of the Herald. There will be a minimum donation of £5.00 which will go to the Church re-development fund.
Individuals could also make additional donations to other charities if they wished. The entries would look something like this:
If you are interested, please submit your entry to the Editor by
14th NOVEMBER. No more than about 20 words, please.
This can be e-mailed to: [email protected] or sent to the address below.
In any case, please send the donation for the church, making any cheques payable to: PLAXTOL PCC, to:
The Editor, Wellington Cottage, Dunks Green, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 9SB.
MARIE CURIE CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SALE The Papermakers Arms
Tuesdays 15th and 29th November
9.30-11.00am
Come & buy your cards, calendars and little gifts
All in support of Marie Curie
Come Street Carol Singing!!
ON SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER Meet 6.00pm at Butcher’s or 6.00pm at the Spoute Followed by more carols at The Papermaker’s Arms!! ALL AGES ARE VERY WELCOME
Mulled Wine & Mince Pies for sale The collection will be in aid of The Heart of Kent Hospice
For more information – please phone Pam Horrell on 810870
Peter and Carol Crossley wish all their friends and neighbours
in Plaxtol a very Happy Christmas. (Also supporting Help for
Heroes)
PLAXTOL WI OCTOBER MEETING On October 6th our retiring President Joan Harrison was presented with a bouquet of flowers and thanked warmly by Marian Hemsted on behalf of the Committee and all members of our Institute for being such an excellent President for the past three and a half years. Joan handed over to Margaret Gemmell who had agreed at our Annual Meeting in May that she would be willing to take over the Presidency when she returned from France in the autumn. We have a busy couple of months ahead with the District Quiz on October 13th, and our Pub lunch at the Papermakers Arms on the 20th. On November 18th we are off on our much awaited jaunt across the Channel for a little light shopping and a not-so-light lunch! Our Birthday Party follows on December 1st with the theme of “Bollywood”. After the coffee break the meeting was opened to guests and we welcomed our Speaker Sharon Kelvie who recently retired after 32 years in the Prison Service. Back in 1979 Ms Kelvie answered an advert saying “Prison Officers Wanted” and there began a career which lead her through 11 different establishments in 8 different counties and ended with her holding the post of Deputy Governor of Wayland Prison in Norfolk. Her excellent talk gave us a fascinating insight into some aspects of life for both staff and prisoners. It was moving, thought-provoking and disturbing at times but she spoke with compassion and a great sense of humour, the latter being essential in order to survive in her chosen career.
Next Meeting: On November 3rd we will welcome Speaker Janie Ramsay on “Antiques Without Reserve”. Penny Court
Christmas Craft Fair Saturday 19th November 2016
12.00 – 4 00pm
Shipbourne Village Hall Jewellery, Hand-Crafted Cards
Alpaca Hand-Knitted Clothes & Soft Toys Watercolour and Oil Paintings, Scented Candles, Ceramics
Cakes, Kent Honey, Preserves, Toys, Christmas Decorations and much, much more!!
Plus - Refreshments and Mulled Wine
Sponsored by Shipbourne Farmers Market & Inscope Management Services
In aid of Shipbourne Village Hall
GARDENING COLUMN – NOVEMBER 2016 The dry period during September has continued right the way through until now (mid October) and everything is longing for some rain. At this time of year some dry weather makes harvesting crops much easier, they can go into store dry and will keep much better. The interest in growing your own fruit has increased in the last few years and the pleasure of gathering and eating your own fresh produce from the garden is so rewarding. As we live in an area renowned for its fruit production it is obvious that the soil, situation and climate are ideally suited for such crops. So let us start with apples! Most of the present day gardens are too small to grow even a solitary apple tree and its normal crop would be too great to deal with before the quality deteriorated. Luckily, the breeders and growers have been working hard to improve this situation. ‘Family apple trees’ have been developed. These trees have been grafted with three or four different varieties of apple, this not only gives a successive range of fruit but overcomes the problem of supplying cross pollination for the flowers, but these trees will still take up quite a lot of space. A more suitable type of apple tree for the smaller garden is the cordon. This is a single stemmed tree that has been grafted on to a dwarfing rootstock (which encourages a more compact growth and a tendency to fruit at an earlier age). These trees are tied to a wired support at an angle of 45 degrees and are planted 90cm (3ft) apart. Cordon trees can be planted against a wall (providing it is a sunny one), or as a light screen or as a backdrop for a vegetable garden or a border planted with low plants. One of the great advantages of growing a row of cordons is the ability to choose the varieties you enjoy eating, that they flower roughly at the same time and that the varieties are compatible (these problems can be sorted out by an experienced nurseryman). To choose the varieties you wish to buy ‘fruit tasting days’ are held Brogdale Nursery, near Faversham, the R.H.S. at Wisley and at Keeper’s Nursery at East Farleigh. Others may be found on the internet. Another group of small apple trees is the Minaret; these are slender, columnar trees which produce their fruit on spurs on a single stem. They grafted on to very dwarfing stock so they need to be planted only 60-90cms (2-3ft) apart and they will grow to 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft) high. Minarets can also be grown in tubs and are very decorative on a balcony or patio. Pear trees can be grown in the same ways as the apples, although there are not the varieties to choose from. November is an ideal month to plant any deciduous trees, as the ground still has some warmth in it and the plants can begin to get established before the winter sets in. Next month other types of fruit will be discussed.
Tessa Forbes
The Friends of Plaxtol Church
BURNS NIGHT Saturday 28th January 2017
7.00pm Plaxtol Memorial Hall
Black Tie or Tartan
Tickets £30 on sale from now
by phone or e-mail from: [email protected] 810931
PLAXTOL LOCAL HISTORY GROUP OCTOBER MEETING Seal & Ightham: Neighbours but Different David Williams, one of the co-authors of Ightham at the Crossroads the history of Ightham, gave us a completely new view of these two parishes, looking at their similarities and differences under various headings. He started with a map of the two adjacent parishes, both straddling the A25. The parish of Seal was lozenge shaped and originally joined to Kemsing, and that of Ightham was long, shaped like an ostrich head attached to the body of a chicken, our speaker said. Both parishes have similar topography, both were mentioned in the Textus Roffensis and both have churches with towers and Saxon origins. Ightham church has monuments to the Cawne and Selby family of Ightham Mote and Seal church has a large number of hatchments. Both have big houses – Ightham has Ightham Mote, St Clare and Ightham Court, whereas Seal has the Wildernesse, Stonepitts and Underriver House. In Seal, Lord Hillingdon’s family owned many houses for several generations and also founded the school. Under the agricultural heading David Williams explained that there were more hops and orchards in Ightham whereas Seal had small holdings growing strawberries and cherries. Ightham had brickworks and Seal had minerals and a good industry making farm tools. Under the history heading, Ightham wins hand down. There are Palaeolithic and Neolithic remains at Oldbury. This hillfort belonged to the Belgae tribe but was taken over by
the Romans at the time of Julius Caesar, although there is no evidence that the Romans lived there afterwards. All this was researched by Benjamin Harrison, the well-known Ightham archaeologist. Both Ightham and Seal were in the news for murders. There is a grisly story that in 1750 a murderer was condemned to be hung in a cage on what is called Gallows Field in Ightham. Years later the remains of the cage was discovered when a mill was pulled down. In 1908 the famous murder at Seal Chart of Caroline Luard, the wife of Major-General Charles Luard, was never solved. Sometime later the distraught Major-General Luard took his own life. This talk was a cleverly constructed comparison of the two parishes. Although Ightham has more history to offer, Seal was shown to have many hidden interests. Our speaker invited us to vote on which was the most interesting place. Ightham was the clear winner. Our next talk will be on Tuesday 8th November at 8pm when Roy Ingleton will talk on Burglary, Brothels & Bestiality – Crime & Punishment in Bygone Kent. V. Dussek
PLAXTOL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – NOVEMBER 2016 PLAXTOL: Roughway: Between 1st and 25th September. A garage in a block was broken into. Two Honda lawn mowers were stolen. PLATT: Basted Mill: Overnight on 24th / 25th September. A Skoda Octavia (KM07***) has been damaged that was parked on the roadside. SHIPBOURNE: Hamptons Road: Overnight on 9th / 10th October. At a property gates and crops in a field were damaged.
From Dave Spitter (Volunteers & Watch Liaison Officer): Please could I ask your members that when / if they call the Police using 101 or 999 – to advise the control Room that they are part of Neighbourhood Watch, this information is recorded on the system and helps us to demonstrate the good work and intelligence that is provided by Neighbourhood Watch. Also – I have received information from a NHW member advising me of a new scam. She had received an email congratulating her on winning an iPad and to act quickly otherwise it would be given to someone else. To claim the iPad all she needed to do was press the "OK" button. Whilst she was conscious that this was a scam, the computer would not let her delete the email or close it down. To regain control of her iPad, “OK” was pressed, and Apple help was requested – they have advised the member to change all passwords on the system to prevent unauthorised access taking place. Please be extra vigilant – there are scam artists out there that have a lot of ways of getting money out of people.
Dave Spitter is contactable on: 01622 604395
THE WEATHER IN SEPTEMBER The rainfall recorded in September was 15.6 mm. (0.6 in.) compared with an average of 56.0 mm. (2.2 in.) over the last thirty one years. The average maximum temperature was 24.8⁰ C, compared with an average of 17.6⁰C over the last twenty six years and the average minimum temperature was 10.9⁰C compared with an average of 9.4⁰C over the last eleven years.
Donald M Forbes
PLAXTOL MEN’S SOCIETY – OCTOBER 2016 MEETING Our first meeting of the 2016/17 season began with our AGM. Tom Hogg was re-elected as Chairman, Alan Chacon as Secretary for one more year and Tom Owen was elected Treasurer to replace Donald Forbes who retired – the Chairman thanked him for his 11 years of excellent service. This was followed by a talk from Mr Michael Martineau, a former head of BP exploration and an acknowledged mining expert with particular expertise in gold mining. We were treated to a history of gold extraction in sub Saharan Africa from prehistoric times to the present day. There is evidence of gold mining in West Africa as early as 1500 BC and as trade routes grew sub Saharan gold was shipped to Egypt and to Carthage (present day Libya), often in exchange for salt which was considered to have equal value to gold. African gold exploration came to a halt with Portuguese colonisation – they were more interested in establishing a slave trade as part of their colonisation and development of Brazil. The industry was relaunched in the 20th century in Africa with the rise of independence and dictatorships: with gold sales far exceeding foreign aid by value the mines were worked to extinction with little or no forward planning. However with the end of the Cold War and the rise of an entrepreneurial civil service in sub Saharan Africa, new sources of gold were discovered and developed in a more commercial way. We were then treated to the exciting story of Mr Martineau and his team, with modest start-up capital of $500,000, prospecting for, and finding, gold seams in Tanzania which they were able profitably to extract. The modern processes involved were demonstrated with the aid of an excellent slide show and commentary. The risk of poisoning by mercury and other dangerous materials involved in the refining process is fortunately long gone. For our next meeting, on November 14th, we will be joined by Mr Tim Tawney who will talk to us on the fascinating subject of “The Underground War”, one of the lesser known aspects of the 1914-1918 conflict – well worth attending! Alan Chacon
COPY DATE FOR THE DECEMBER HERALD IS 14th NOVEMBER Please send anything for inclusion in The Plaxtol Herald to The Editor
Peter Crossley at: [email protected] (810801) AND the Deputy Editor, Peter Brewin, at: [email protected] (810361)
Anything received after that date may not appear until January
PLAXTOL SCHOOL OPEN DAY FOR PRIMARY ADMISSIONS 2017 Please join us on Thursday 3rd November at 9.30am.
We would love to show you around and tell you about our wonderful village school.
Come and meet our Headteacher and dedicated staff. Our school has a friendly, family feel enabling all pupils to feel safe and secure,
with small class sizes in a beautiful setting.
You are warmly invited to meet our pupils, see the environment in which we teach, and learn and hear about our aspirations for your
children. Please visit www.plaxtol.kent.sch.uk for more information about our school.
If you are interested in attending, please contact us on 01732 810200 or [email protected].
Plaxtol School, School Lane, Plaxtol, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0QD Tel: 01732 810200. www.plaxtol.kent.sch.uk. Headteacher: Ms Lisa Mansfield BSc (Hons) PGCE
IGHTHAM & DISTRICT GARDENERS CLUB
Invites you all to
OUR END OF YEAR SOCIAL EVENING WEDNESDAY, 23rd NOVEMBER 2016
At Ightham Village Hall – starts at 7.30 pm
LAST MEETING OF 2016
Warm Mince Pies with Mulled Wine and Fun Quiz Visitors very welcome (£2)
For further information contact Phil Barlass - 01732 883505 or Dee Samways – 0779 900 2129
COOKERY PAGE – NOVEMBER PUMPKIN SOUP 4 tbsp olive oil 500ml stock 1 onion 1 lime 1kg pumpkin 200ml double cream 2 garlic cloves Fresh coriander (to serve) Finely chop the onion. Peel and cut the pumpkin into 1cm cubes. Juice the lime. Fry the olive oil, onion and pumpkin in a frying pan for about 2 minutes. Then add the stock and bring it to the boil. Simmer it for about 5minutes, or until the squash is tender. Pour the mixture into a blender and pulse to a fine puree (you may need to do it in batches); or you can mash it if you don’t have a blender. Put the soup back in a clean saucepan. Add the lime juice to the soup mixture. Then add the cream and season with salt and pepper. Return to the heat to warm through. Serve with a little olive oil drizzled over the top, and some coriander as a garnish. Merran Hilton
NOVEMBER AT THE FARMERS MARKET Finally it would seem that we might have turned a corner re the number of visitors to the market. The first 9 months show an increase of over 5% vs the last 2 years. In fact if we omit June, which was the worst month on record since we started the market (excluding January) it would be 10% up. June was just cold, cloudy and miserable. We also have some ideas as to how we might be able to improve the economics of the market. Watch this space!! Now the clocks have gone back and it’s that time of year again when short days and cold nights mean we all crave a little comfort from the kitchen. Slow-cooked casseroles, homely dishes such as the mashed topped game pie recipe below, rich flavoured roasts and warming puds all fit the bill perfectly. So wrap up, put on some sensible shoes and head out for a trip to the market for inspiration. November is the month to get organized and place your orders for Christmas treats to pick up at the December markets so go prepared with your shopping list to ensure you get just what you want. Make local game the meat of choice this month as the season is well under way for birds such as pheasant, partridge and wild duck. Keiron (Keiron’s Game) has all sorts of Venison cuts and makes a healthy choice as most wild game has 5% to 7% fat, compared to red meat such as lamb with 25% or more. The lower fat content means careful cooking to avoid letting the meat dry out, so forget the old traditional slow cooking methods in stews and casseroles. Less strong and much more tender than red meat, it calls for more modern, time-friendly techniques such as flash-frying, or grilling. If
you want to slow cook for great comfort eating, look out for the cheaper cuts of venison and pair with some fattier pork to keep the dish moist, or choose beef, lamb and pork – shin of beef, belly pork, or lamb neck all cook down to meltingly wonderful mouthfuls of flavour, perfect for colder days. Remember that most stews, pies and casseroles actually improve in flavour from being cooked and stored for a day or two in the fridge before serving. I double up and put some in the freezer to make the most of this keeping benefit! Colder coastal waters at this time of year make for the highest quality fish and seafood, and as the temperature drops the range available just gets better. Treat yourself to the very best crab, lobster and oysters order directly from Mick (Mickey’s plaice) our fish monger. For fish, Dover sole, turbot and halibut are rightly considered the very finest eating by cooks and chefs. But also this month why not try some of the lower cost alternatives as many are at their best. Brill is a real discovery if you haven’t tried it before – a firm white flesh full of clean flavour that only needs simple cooking. Or opt for healthy mackerel and herring, full of valuable Omega 3 fish oils. Shellfish including oysters, scallops and mussels are also all good this month. Root vegetables are at their tastiest now and perfect for mashes, gratins and roasts – they improve with the cold and you will notice a marked difference in flavour from locally sourced varieties compared to supermarket specimens. Look out for parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, swede and turnips. Try cooking peeled, cubed celeriac with a couple of cloves of garlic in the cooking water then mash with a big dollop of locally produced butter to go with venison or roast beef (or use in the recipe shown here). Main crop potatoes are full of texture and flavour and the varieties available in your own area are worth exploring. Ask Gary (Oak Apple Farm) for advice on which potato to buy – the right one, floury or waxy, will make all the difference to the finished dish. The brassicas really come into their own this month too – kale, spring greens, Brussels sprouts and all kinds of cabbages are wonderful in stir-fries, soups, and hashes or just steamed with grated nutmeg and more butter! And red cabbage cooked with apple, spices and red wine is another seasonal treat to go with rich pork, or maybe a roasted wild duck. Apples, pears and plums are in abundance this year, all benefiting from the cool wet spring so try as many local varieties as possible – Bramley’s are perfect for using in mincemeat and Christmas pudding so buy them ready for stir-up Sunday at the end of the month. Carry on making chutneys and pickles and remember the eating varieties can also be used in tarts, puddings and cakes.
See www.kfma.org.uk/shipbourne for stallholder contact information Bob Taylor
A busy start to the new school year at Plaxtol School The staff and pupils at Plaxtol School have begun the new school year at top speed with lots of activities and
special events to enrich their learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. The children have been making the most of our Wildlife Garden, enjoying weekly lessons there during which they have been planting herbs and vegetables, pond dipping, building bug houses and exploring different natural materials. The children in our Food Tech club have been using food grown in the garden to make chutneys and soups. We celebrated Roald Dahl day by making and wearing HUGE BFG ears. We all read our favourite section from our favourite Roald Dahl book and also made up our own new characters. We held a very successful Macmillan Coffee Morning which raised £210. The cakes were baked by the children in school and our new Reception pupils served our guests, ably assisted by our Year 6 pupils. We have celebrated Harvest Festival in full voice! Class 4 performed a special song called Harvest Time which was written by pupils Isabella Rickard and Olivia Vernon. All the food and flowers donated by families have been given out to people in the Parish by our Year 6 pupils. We hope to see many of you at Fireworks Night on 5th November at Brook Fields from 5.30pm and at our Christmas Fair on 26th November at school between 11.30am and 2.30pm. There are open days planned for anyone interested in looking around the school for children starting school next September. All enquiries for admissions, either in Reception or other years are welcomed. Please contact the school on 01732 810200 or [email protected].
NOTES FROM PLAXTOL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 03/10/16 Present: Cllrs P Thomas (Chairman), M Anketell, M Brewin, J Cannon, M Carboni, J Denham, D Fermor, K Johnson; L Thomas (Clerk) Apologies: Cllr R Simpson; Boro Cllrs S Perry, T Shaw, M Taylor Matters arising: i) Item 7: NALC survey on smaller councils. Cllr Brewin reported that the nature of the
consultation was such that the Parish Council could make little contribution and that he had responded to that effect.
ii) Item 7: KCC Local Transport Plan. Cllr Johnson reported that the plan concentrated on the wider environment, including issues such as the new Lower Thames
crossing, possible Gatwick Airport expansion, and that since these were not specifically Parish issues, no response had been made. The public consultation is at consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/LTP4/consultationHome. Correspondence: KCC: Environment & Transport: Pothole Blitz 2016 – details of pothole reporting. Highways: Parish Seminar, 27.10.16. TMBC: Area 2 Planning committee: meeting papers 28.9.16. Community Safety Partnership: CSP newsletter, Sep/Oct 2016. Director of Finance: funding arrangements update; TMBC Financial Summary 2015-16; DCLG consultation on referendum principles for town and parish councils. Joint Transportation Board: meeting papers, 26.9.16. Parish Partnership Panel: meeting papers, 8.9.16. Other: Action with Communities in Rural Kent: Inside Track, Issue 240 – funding opportunities; social media workshop, 22.10.16. Gatwick Airport: tour invitation. Groundwork: Tesco bags of help funding, round 3. KALC: Highways England – M20 lorry area proposals; Locality – changes to neighbourhood planning regulations; letter from KALC Chairman regarding J5 slips economic survey results; Kent Police – rural weekly update; area meeting papers, 13.10.16; DCLG technical consultation on neighbourhood planning; KCC Highways Tracker Survey 2016. Screen South: WWI Heritage Trails. Payments/Finance: Councillors approved a schedule for tree maintenance on Council property for 2016/17 from H&E Tree Services at a cost of £1,048. Councillors also approved a quote from P. Bryan for £260 for a repair to a damaged fence post in the car park. A financial statement and bank reconciliation was distributed to members. Members noted the following receipts: £
TMBC, precept, 2nd instalment 12,332.00 TMBC support grant, 2nd instalment 496.50 Fee for locating skip in car park 150.00 The following payments were approved: £ SLCC: annual membership 103.00 Clerk salary & reimbursements September 2016 529.30 Eon Energy: street lighting September 2016 68.95
Planning: The Chairman advised that the public consultation on the Local Plan, with a revised ‘The Way Forward’ document, had now opened. TMBC had issued an invitation to parish councils to attend a presentation and discussion on the Plan. It was agreed that Cllrs Thomas and Anketell would attend. It was noted that the document submitted to TMBC as a result of the meeting of local parishes on 3 July 2016 had not formed part of the consultation as had been requested, but would form part of the evidence base. The parishes would be pressing TMBC for a justification for its exclusion. The consultation can be found at www.tmbc.gov.uk.
TMBC decisions: Caterways Cottage, Old Soar Road: Erection of timber framed 2 bay garage to side of property. Refused to permit. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Cherry Orchard, Long Mill Lane: Prior notification for change of use of agricultural building to provide one dwellinghouse (Class C3). Refused to permit. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Flintcott, The Street: Single storey rear extension and garage conversion. Granted permission. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Golding Orchard, The Street: T 1 Beech trees encroaching on rear of property - remove over hanging branches to allow for more light and to clear property of foliage. No objection. Parish Council had not objected to this application. May Cottage, Roughway Lane: Change of use of land to private equestrian use, including construction of a sand school and hard standing with associated access. Granted permission. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Ragstone Cottage, School Lane: Fell Mature Ash to ground level and remove the stump. Granted consent. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Land South Of Shrubshall Meadow, Long Mill Lane: New detached dwelling with associated access and parking. Refused to permit. Parish Council had objected to this application. The White Cottage, Roughway Lane: Demolition of side and rear extensions. Erection of first floor front, two storey rear and single storey side extension. Granted permission. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Parish council decisions: It was noted that responses of no objection had been returned to TMBC in respect of planning applications Clakkers Hall, Basted Lane and 4 Browns Cottages, Roughway Lane considered at the Parish Council meeting of 5 September 2016. 6 Bartons Cottages, Long Mill Lane: Alterations to existing ground floor rear extension and new first floor rear extension, ground floor window & door alterations to side elevation and internal alterations. No objection. Golding Orchard, The Street: T1 2x Leylandii to fell both. The Tree Warden reported that the trees were too large for their situation affecting neighbouring buildings. He recommended approval of the application. No objection. Lower Roughway, Roughway Lane: Listed Building Application: Alterations to front and side elevations consisting of enlargement of 2 No. side windows and infill front window, new chimney and rainwater goods; and removal of internal partitions. No objection. Spoute House, Long Mill Lane: Listed Building Application: Retrospective consent for the formation of a shower room on the eastern first floor landing of the building. No objection. Spoute House, Long Mill Lane: Listed Building Application: Reinstatement of Cross Hall door by removal of window and single brick infill panel from existing oak door frame and hanging new bespoke oak and glazed panel door in same location. No objection. Parish Plan: The Chairman reported that the application to have the Papermakers Arms, the Village Stores, and Ken Francis butchers listed as Assets of Community Value had been approved by TMBC. It was noted that Enterprise Inns, owners of the Papermakers Arms had notified TMBC of their intention to dispose of the property in accordance with the regulations.
Councillors agreed unanimously that the Parish Council would formally write to TMBC advising that they would be facilitating a group of potential bidders. There would then be a moratorium on the sale of the property until 25 March 2016, during which time agreement could be reached regarding a possible community bid. At this stage, it was thought that this could either be by a group of interested investors, or some kind of community ownership. The Chairman reported that he had been in touch with the Plunkett Foundation who had advised that funding could be available to assist with a bid for community ownership. It was agreed that the working group should arrange a meeting to discuss next steps and the co-option of residents to take the issue forward. It was noted that Enterprise Inns were not obliged to accept any community offer. Councillors noted that the Golding Hop had now closed. Meeting Feedback: Parish Partnership Panel, 8 September 2016. Cllrs Simpson & Thomas had attended this meeting. Cllr Thomas reported on the following issues:
agreement for the proposed cessation of the financial arrangement and payment of support grant to parishes would be put to Council on 1 November 2016 for formal approval;
that the Leader of the Council would be inviting Southwest Water to attend the next meeting of Parish Partnership Panel to find a resolution to localised flooding;
that the police had recruited 50 new PCSOs and a new Chief Inspector had taken over responsibility for the area;
that a protocol for advising Parish Councils, in confidence, of the progress of planning enforcement issues raised by them had been proposed, although Parish Councils were continuing to seek expansion of this process to all ongoing enforcement cases.
Basted Mill Public Open Space: Cllr Johnson reported that the meeting of 15 September 2016 had considered a new management plan. It was noted that some tree work had been carried out by TMBC, but that more was needed. The committee had agreed that Cllr Johnson should obtain quotes for a more extensive tree management proposal. Cllr Johnson advised that the Japanese knotweed was being treated and that the committee had agreed to improve its communication processes regarding meetings and outcomes. Highways & Transport: i) Cllr Johnson advised that speed restriction signs on the entrance roads to Plaxtol village
were obscured by overgrown hedges and that there was a legal problem regarding enforcement if signs were not visible. It was agreed that landowners would be approached to cut hedges, failing which the issue would be referred to KCC.
ii) Cllr Johnson had attended the meeting of JPCTCG on 21 September 2016 and reported on the following issues:
a programme of replacement of old speed cameras by more accurate digital cameras along with the installation of more average speed cameras;
the progress of the lower Thames crossing;
rail and bus franchises;
the possible Gatwick expansion. The Chairman thanked Cllr Johnson for his reports.
Memorial Hall: Cllr Johnson reported that he had attended the meeting of 20 September 2016. He advised that:
wi-fi had now been connected in the Hall and was available to all users;
the outside area had been cleaned and tidied by volunteers;
that an ongoing maintenance programme was in place;
that finances were healthy. Any Other Business: Cllr Denham advised that the playground inspection was booked for 25 October 2016 and that the inspector had been asked to make specific comment on the climbing frame at the Spoute recreation ground, and the safety of the paint finishes. Cllr Denham also reported that the produce show had been successful and had raised £65 for Demelza House. The apple pressing day had also been well attended with juice being given away and the first Garratt orchard cider was now ready. Cllr Thomas advised that the donated defibrillator would be installed at The Plough in Basted. It was noted that there had been two crimes in the Parish since the last meeting: a stolen bench and the theft of a lawn mower, both from premises in Roughway. Date of Next Meeting: Monday 7 November 2016 at 8 pm
Borough Council Members for Borough Green and Long Mill Cllr Steve Perry: 883 538 Cllr Tim Shaw: 883 375 Cllr Mike Taylor: 882 880
FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR The percentage of Kent schools now rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted stands at 89%, compared with 84% nationally. In August 2015 82% were good or outstanding, having risen consistently from 75% in 2014, 71% in 2013, 60% in 2012 and 50% in 2011. The current situation is that of 85% of secondary schools, 90% of Primary schools, 98% Special schools and 86% of Pupil Referral Units are judged to be good or outstanding. Also, 95% of Early Years settings are good or outstanding. Patrick Leeson, KCC’s Corporate Director of Education, has said that this excellent achievement highlighted the hard work and dedication of all involved in education in Kent and the determination to make sure every school a child attends is ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. Ofsted is continually raising the bar in terms of standards, and Kent schools have risen to this challenge. We are continually looking for improvements and have set an ambitious target of at least 90% of primary and secondary schools to be judged good or outstanding in the next year or two. Kent’s vision is that every child and young person should go to a good or outstanding school, have access to the best teaching, and benefit from schools and other providers, working in partnership with each other, to share the best practice as they continue to improve. With best wishes, Valerie Dagger, Kent County Councillor. Tel: 01732 810222. E-mail: [email protected]
