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June/July 2006 - ISSUE SEVENTEEN
| VILLAGERS'
LIFE |
Allhallows and St Mary Hoo Parish Councils' Magazine
This magazine is printed and published by and under the ultimate control of the two Parish Councils and views expressed may not necessarily be those of the Parish Councils.
 |
All Saints Church, Allhallows. Picture credit: John Burrows
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER2006
ISSUE DEADLINE JULY
14 2006
To submit an article or advert please contact your Parish Clerk.
In
this issue:
Your Parish Councillors — Parish Councils’ News — Annual Parish Meeting
Living in the Countryside — Weather Watch with Dr Rigby — Detached youth work
A Strange Encounter— Crimebusters — Help is at Hand — Old Friends by Roy White
Allhallows Primary School — Medical Practices — Major Roadworks -- Mixed Fortune
Pick up a Bargain — Near & Far — Weekly Diary — Kent & Medway Biological
Records Centre
Rats Recycle — Jokes — I spy — Victim Support Kent
and much, much more!
01634 255366
Your
support is needed if the village hall is to remain open
ALLHALLOWS VILLAGE HALL
Stoke Road
Rates:
block bookings £3.00 per hour;
Saturdays £75 per evening;
one-offs (jumble sales etc)
£4.50 per hour.
For bookings call:
Noleen Skudder
01634 271026
LIVE FIRING AT YANTLET DEMOLITION RANGE
Please be advised that the Yantlet Range will be used for live firing on the following dates and times stated below.
| Date | From | To |
| 1 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 6 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 7 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 12 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 15 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 20 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 22 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 28 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
| 29 June 06 | 08.00 | 17.00 |
COMPLAINTS ABOUT YANTLET RANGE :
HQ RSME Brompton Barracks 01634 822840
‘400 LOTTERY'
The 400 Lottery was originally set up to help raise funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the village hall,but over the years the
take-up on numbers has dropped dramatically and we are having difficulty raising enough money to pay out on the monthly prizes let alone having any funds left over to keep the hall going.
The prize money for 2006 is as follows:
1st prize — £50 3rd prize — £15
2nd prize — £25 4th prize — £10
If you would like to own a number they cost just £1.00 per month per number.
Contact Carol on 01634 271526 for an allocation.
Your support is greatly appreciated as the village hall is a prime local resource and it would be a shame to lose it through lack of funding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VOLUNTEER LOTTERY COLLECTORS are needed. If you have an hour or two spare once a month please call:
Carol 01634 271526
Message
from Jill Todd April 2006
Time seems to have flown by and the next magazine is the seventeenth since it was renamed Villagers’ Life. It is good to have heard so many positive remarks about it from so many people over the years– it is obvious that residents eagerly await its arrival every two months, especially the elderly.
All those who have submitted articles and poetry, and also the regular contributors,
are thanked for their submissions. It would be good to have some input from
the youngsters in the villages.
Loyal advertisers are thanked for renewing their advertisements for another
year. There are many new advertisers too, so please use their services when
you can and mention Villagers’ Life when you do so.
It is with regret that I have had to stand down from editing the magazine due
to work commitments and for personal reasons. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time
as editor and wish to thank all those who have supported me, but I feel it is
time to hand over the reins to someone who can devote more time to the magazine.
I hope the magazine continues to go from strength to strength.
Jill Todd
A STRANGE ENCOUNTER
“Sek Kon tower, Weatherman One do you read? Over.”
Fl/Lt
Striker’s voice sounded in my ear as he opened the radio link with air traffic
control.
“Weatherman
One, Sek Kon tower reading you, fives. Over.”
“Sek
Kon tower Weatherman One ready for take-off. Over.”
“Roger
Weatherman One, you are clear for take-off, runway in use 029, wind easterly
at 12 knots, QNH 1012 millibars. You are clear to taxi. Over.”
“Roger
tower, Weatherman One listening out.”
I
saw the dials in front of me change as Mr Striker adjusted the altimeter for
the barometric pressure reading then felt the aircraft start to move as he gently
eased off the brakes. Moments later we were lined up at the end of runway 29
then he spoke once more.
“Tower
Weatherman One, ready for take-off. Over.”
“Weatherman
One, you are cleared for take-off. Sek Kon listening out.”
I
felt the aircraft shudder as Mr Striker opened the throttles on the two R/R
jet engines then as he released the brakes we were rolling at speed down the
runway. Despite this being the fourth time I had flown with Mr Striker on the
early morning weather reconnaissance, I still felt the excitement in the pit
of my stomach as the Meteor 7 lifted from the tarmac and rose smoothly into
the air.
My
colleagues and I in the air traffic control tower and radar shack, would compete
practically every day for the chance of a flight with Mr Striker (nicknamed
‘Picket’ for the obvious reason). I had been successful on four occasions now
and hoped to be so on many more.
“Sek
Kon tower Weatherman One airborne. Over.”
“Roger
Weatherman One, ATD 0600, have a nice trip. Sek Kon tower out.”
I
looked out of the canopy as the ground beneath us unrolled, the precise rows
of the Nissen huts of the nearby army camp passing swiftly from view. Seeing
them reminded me that we were to play them at cricket that afternoon. Then we
were moving over the neat geometric pattern of the fields of the many local
farms. I felt the aircraft rock gently in the thermals off the range of hills
that bordered the western boundary of the New Territories of the Crown Colony
of Hong Kong as we reached our cruising height of 15,000 feet and passed over
them. I breathed deeply of the oxygen that came through the mask over my mouth.
Grimacing at the metallic taste of the air entering my lungs, I took a pencil
from the breast pocket of my flight suit and opened the pad strapped to my knee
as Mr Striker’s voice in my ear asked:
“Right,
are you ready?”
“Yes
sir.”
“Right.
Three-eighths thin stratus at 30,000 feet to the south and east. It looks like
the start of a fine day for them. Turning now on a course to take a look at
that lot coming down from the north”.
We
had left the mainland and had been flying over the myriad numbers of small islands
that dotted the northern shores of the South China Sea. The aircraft turned
on to its starboard side as Mr Striker made the turn, and for a moment I stared
up into the thin streams of cloud above us until we straightened and levelled
out once more.
Hurriedly
I wrote down the details I had been given then looked out of the canopy towards
the north, at the range of high mountains beyond the river. The river followed
most of the frontier between the New Territories, and the Communist State of
China.
“Ready?”
Mr Striker’s voice came over the intercom once more.
“Yes
sir.”
“Right,
to the north eight-eighths cloud at 15,000 feet rising to 30,000 feet wind south
easterly at 25 knots.”
As
he continued I wrote hurriedly until finally he said:
“Okay
Roy, that’s the lot, pass it on to Kai Tak then Sek Kong.”
I
pressed the button on my throat mike as Mr Striker changed the radio to Kai
Tak frequency.
“Kai
Tak tower Weatherman One do you read? Over.”
“Weatherman
One Kai Tak tower reading clear at fives. Over.”
“Kai
Tak, Weatherman met details following over.”
“Roger,
ready when you are Weatherman.”
Slowly
and clearly I passed the details written on my knee pad over the ether, Kai
Tak acknowledged receipt then closed. I called Sek Kon tower next and passed
them the same details. After I had closed, Mr Striker said as he had done on
the previous occasions:
“Right
Roy, job done let’s have a look around.”
As
Mr Striker turned the aircraft to starboard to a new heading I looked down at
the panoramic scene below us. As the hills and mountains receded behind us the
many farms clustered about the small villages gradually receded also as the
aircraft rose to clear the heights of the mountains about the city of Kowloon.
As we flew over Lion Rock I heard Mr Striker call Kai Tak tower for permission
to enter their air space. As we flew over Kowloon Bay I looked down at the mass
of ships, the Star ferries on their never-ending trips across the bay between
Kowloon and Victoria on the main Hong Kong island. Then we were over the Peak
and turning to pass over Repulse Bay, looking down at the clusters of new apartment
buildings going up along the shores.
We turned to starboard once more to fly back along the bay and clear the south side of the island. As we turned once more to fly up the western coast of the New Territories, I heard the first of the early morning civilian traffic begin as the skipper of a BOAC Speedbird called Kai Tak tower for take-off instructions.
There
was no night flying to or from Kai Tak, civilian aircraft had to arrive by 18
30 hours first take-offs usually started at first light about 0600 hours.
The 90 odd miles of the coastline of the territories passed quickly beneath
us, and the hills rising into the mountains of Southern China came to our left
as the aircraft was turned to parallel the river that denoted the border.
“Right,
my old son, let’s go home and get some breakfast.” Mr Striker spoke for the
first time since we had begun our ‘look around’.
“Good
idea, sir, and thanks once again for the trip.”
“You’re
welcome, Roy, always glad of a bit of company.”
I
had settled down for the few minutes it would take us to reach Sek Kon, when
Mr Striker spoke again.
“Look
to your left, Roy, do you see what I see?”
I
looked out of the canopy to my left and for a moment failed to see what Mr Striker
was referring to then a glint of sunlight on metal and I saw it. The tapered
barrel shaped fuselage, the swept back wing and tail configuration told me that
I was looking at a Mig 15. The red star on the fuselage also told me I was looking
at a Mig 15 of the Chinese airforce. He was flying parallel to and less than
100 or so yards apart from us, so close I could see the pilot clearly.
“Christ,
sir, where did he come from?”
“From
across the bloody river and a bit sneakily at that.”
Mr
Striker sounded a damned sight calmer than I felt, after all the Meteor was
unarmed and a lot slower than the Mig.
“What
do you think he is doing here, sir?”
“Hopefully
he strayed across by accident, Roy.”
I was still staring across at the Chinese aircraft, suddenly the pilot raised a hand and gave what seemed to be a nonchalant wave towards us. As he did so I
heard
Mr Striker calling Davis radar.
“Mount
Davis radar, Weatherman One, do you read? Over.”
“Weatherman
Davis loud and clear. Over.”
“Davis,
do you have me on scope? Over.”
“Weatherman,
have you at 15,000ft vector 136.What’s the problem? Over.”
“Davis,
we have company, nice looking fella big red star on the side. Over.”
There
was a slight pause, then:
“Weatherman,
we have him now same vector etc., he keeps merging with your shadow. Over.”
“Then
he is definitely out of bounds. I’m changing to Sek Kon frequency Weatherman
out.”
Whilst
this exchange had been going on the Mig had still sat there, the pilot occasionally
raising his hand in that gentle wave. Mr Striker’s voice cut into my ears once
more.
“Sek
Kon tower Weatherman One. Over.”
“Weatherman
One Tower we heard your call to Davis. Sunburst flight on its way.”
“Roger
Sek Kon, Weatherman listening out.”
Minutes
later as we flew parallel with the Mig I heard Mr Striker say quietly:
“Here
comes the cavalry, Roy.”
I
looked ahead through the canopy just as two vampires flew over us so close their
turbulence rocked the aircraft, then as I turned to look behind me I saw them
turn and come up astern of us parting to take station one each side of us. I
looked across at the aircraft that was between us and the Mig, recognising the
insignia on its fuselage as that of the C/O Squadron Leader Patten. The radio
crackled into life once more
“Weatherman
Sunburst leader. Over.”
“Sunburst
leader, Weatherman, glad to see you, the little bugger might be trying to steal
our apples. Over.”
“It’s
okay now, Picket, we’ll escort him from the premises, go and get your breakfast.
Over.”
“Roger
Sunburst leader I’m on my way. Over and out.”
I
felt the aircraft surge forwards as Mr Striker opened the throttles, and began
descending as we approached Sek Kon, then he was asking the tower for permission
to land. Five minutes later we were rolling into the Meteor’s usual hard standing.
As the engines whined down to stop Mr Striker opened the canopy, then Peter
Johnstone, one of the ground crew, was there placing steps against the wing
and leaning in to help undo my straps. I pulled myself out onto the wing and
slid to the ground foregoing the steps. Moments later I was joined by Mr Striker.
He grinned at me.
“You
all right, Roy?”
“Yes,
sir, though I was a bit worried back there for a moment.”
“Oh
they do that now again, but that is the first time they have been that close
without Davis or Sek Kon radar seeing them. Now go and get your breakfast and
tell your mates what an adventure we have had.”
I
was the focal point of interest for a couple of days, but I knew my friends
had got fed up with my story when I uttered the word ‘Mig’, and I was bombarded
with anything that came to hand. Still it was a good story to tell my grandchildren,
if I ever had any.
I
flew with Mr. Striker twice more before I was posted back to Air Traffic Control
Centre at Victoria on the island to begin a new phase of my life in my service
in Hong Kong. Both trips were pretty mundane and uneventful.
Encounter is by Roy White
Mixed
Fortunes
by Elizabeth Burgess – Slough Fort
This was written for the April/May issue, but it didn’t make
the deadline!
The editor thought it very interesting, so here it is!
I’m aware that I have missed a few issues of Villagers’ Life and apologise for my absence, but I’ve been up to my neck in muck and pullets. Tee hee, more awful puns to follow...
The number of horses at The Fort has unfortunately risen since I last wrote. We have had 2 new arrivals, in the form of Cisco and Beau, both of whom were born on site and are shaping up nicely and becoming very confident around humans. Beau’s mum is a wide-eyed New Forest mare, who is gradually learning to trust us now that she can see how much her baby enjoys our company. Cisco's mum has given up on him; she rolls her eyes as he torments the Shetlands who are really too old to be playing for 5 hours of the day. He’s so cheeky and overly confident, but is already leading very nicely in hand, although he does tend to try and jump up on your back if your concentration lapses for too long.
The winter months have been looooong and if the old adage about muck and brass were true we should be able to supply the Brighouse and Rastrick band for many years to come!
Last time I was telling you how our stallion, mare and foal went off for their summer holidays. Unfortunately, although it made a good story it did mean that Serena (the baby) was not impressed or pleased to see the lorry returning to bring her home again. She reacted badly and ended up injuring herself, fracturing her skull no less! Things were touch and go for a few days, and she was treated by the vet and given lots of love, attention and homeopathy. I am pleased to report that she is now in fine fettle and is springing around the ménage every evening moving beautifully.
We have started to mouth some of our youngsters, which may sound a bit dodgy to the uninitiated – but it just means that we are teaching them what it feels like to have a bit – in their mouth. Shareef, one of our Arabs, took to it like a duck to water and it only took him 15 minutes to chew through the lovely rubber bit Dot had given him to play with. Trigger and Chino were less destructive, but equally receptive. The next stage is to long line them – teaching them how to move in the direction that pressure is applied. It looks a bit like a madman driving horses with no cart, as the trainer walks along behind the horse holding two reins that are attached to the bit. As the bit presses on the horse’s gums and lips they also feel the rein press against their opposite side, encouraging them to move away from the pressure it then applies. Once this stage is firmly established we can start riding them… well, Dot can. She is our new member of staff and is a qualified BHSAI; she works with Roy on the young-stock, bringing them on to eventually sell. Roy is an expert at dealing with young and challenging horses and has rehabilitated most of the rescue horses now used in the school, or those being spoiled rotten by their new owners.
For me, one of the hardest things about managing a rescue centre is persuading the soft-hearted owners – Roy and Sharon - to actually allow horses to be sold, but with ever-increasing hay, feed, vet and shoeing bills I am determined to make it happen. We are obviously very choosy about new owners, as we need to ensure our horses don’t end up on the market again – which sadly often leads to the meat market if there are any small problems or the horse is ‘of a certain age’. Imagine the outcry if we did this with dogs and cats!
“Oh yes, we had to let Rover go, he wasn’t able to go out on long walks with us any more due to his age, so we sold him to a dealer and bought a lovely new puppy.”
As the number of horses increased we had to look at our priorities and started to search for new homes for the pigs. This was going quite well and we got to the final stages of sending off some photos of our little ladies as they strolled around the Fort. The expert we sent them to pointed out that Ginger was actually in pig and that this would prevent him taking her at present. Brilliant! One day we were rehoming 5 little piggies – the next day there were 10 more. Sadly – despite the best efforts of Roy, Sharon, Ginger and the RSPCA - we lost 2 little piggies; luckily the rest of the posse (the collective noun for pigs?) survived and have now gone to a fantastic new home. I’m sure the shopkeepers of Allhallows will miss their occasional visits.
We also lost another one of our residents recently; Percy the cockerel was attacked by our local fox and went into shock. He was also taken to the local RSPCA centre, to whom we are really grateful for all their support. Unfortunately, despite looking like he would make it through at one point, he never made it. This is the downside to owning so many animals and we have to take it in our stride and move onwards and upwards to help the rest of our charges. As a weather-beaten hardened farmer once told me, ‘the only sure thing about having livestock is that one day you will have dead stock’ - the painful truth.
I won’t leave you on that rather miserable note; we cheered ourselves up by holding a mini show day for our novice customers. Each participant had a pony for the day – and got to practise grooming them to a high standard and taking part in actual events – with real rosettes! The stress levels were high (just like they are on a real show day) and the horses were suitably wound up – and very very muddy. We held a ‘best turned out’ competition, (I’m so mean) in which entrants have to have their horse gleaming to stand a chance. The next event was a ‘handy pony’ course, each rider has to complete a set of tasks, such as moving an egg from one place to another (what am I like?), opening a gate and riding over trotting poles. It was an excellent class to watch – and I was particularly kind and didn’t ask them to pin out any washing on the line due to the high winds. This was followed by a ‘clear round jumping’ competition, which most of the young riders successfully completed. The last class was the ‘Chase Me Charlie’. No, this isn't a competition for coy young ladies on singles night, but a jumping competition to see which horse and rider can jump the highest. The class was won by Carly Clarke on Blaze (also the winners of the best turned out) and Jodie Kitson was runner up on Apache. All those taking part put lots of effort into the day and Sharon won the prize for wearing the funniest hat. It can be rather bitter at this time of year (i.e. from October to March!).
We
are looking forward to Easter now and will be holding another mini show, along
with own a pony days and some stable management courses. Every month we hold
a musical dressage event, which sounds rather grand – but has evolved into horse
jiving (guess who is learning to jive?). This is very popular and the horses
love the music – they are starting to learn how to spin on the spot, last time
we worked to an Elvis album and I’m sure I saw Norman curling his lip (uh huh
huh). We are still waiting for one more foal to be born (Lord help me), but
as I said, we are in the process of selling some of the horses we don’t use
in the school – or those that we think would benefit by moving on to a private
owner.
I suppose because the background of the horse is very much that of a working animal, this attitude persists. I am not denigrating it as I realise that having a few old cats lazing around the house, living out their lives in peace and quiet is different to looking after 3 ponies, which were owned by your daughter who left home 5 years ago. They really are a bit big for the hearthside and they insist on eating for about 18 hours a day! That is why places like Slough Fort are necessary for horses in need. Not just horses in need of course, there are also geese in need – we have a few new ones now. Then there are the chickens in need, the dogs, the cats and of course the pigs!
BABY CLINIC, Village Hall, Stoke Road, Allhallows 1st Thurs of month 1.30-3.30
CITIZENS’ ADVICE BUREAU 0870 126 4095 Confidential help & support
LAST POST Best Street Sorting Office, Chatham Weekdays 7pm Weekends 1.30pm
MENINGITIS FREE 24-hour helpline 080 8800 3344
FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP(MEDWAY) 01634 865925
PREGNANCY Crisis Centre, Bridge House, 15A New Road Avenue, Chatham 01634 845958 forconfidential help & support
CAN WE HELP YOU? HANDS Rochester Upon Medway Volunteer Bureau 01634 830371
SAMARITANS 01634 730981 or National number:08457 909090
AGE CONCERN If you have any problems contact us on 01634 725250 or 724828
DEPRESSION ALLIANCE A self-help group for women who suffer with depression, THE WHITE HOUSE RIVERSIDE, CHATHAM Meetings held second Thursday of every month 2pm – 3pm 01634 846914
BRITISH
RED CROSS SOCIETY Medical loan department 252084 Emergencies 250458
& 250051
Opening times Monday 7.30pm - 9pm, Wednesday 7pm – 8pm Hoo
Centre, 9 Stoke Road, Hoo St Werburgh
LOCAL ACCIDENT CENTRE Medway Hospital Windmill Road, Gillingham Tel: 830000 In emergency dial 999
DISABILITY INFORMATION SERVICE Provides the physically disabled and carers with information about services, equipment and local contacts. 01634 830000 Ext: 3343
MEDWAY COUNCIL Civic Centre, Strood Tel: 01634 306000 This number should be used for all enquiries including for the dog warden and bulky refuse collection. Major and out-of-hours emergencies 01634 303300
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY FLOODLINE For information in the event of flood. Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm 0845 988 1188 Quickdial no. 012612 – Seasalter to Higham Marshes
ABANDONED VEHICLES To report an abandoned vehicle provide details of the make, model, colour, registration number and location. 01634 333333 or email cutomer.services@medway.gov.uk
URBAN/RURAL FOXES Foxes are not categorised as vermin, but any specific problems should be directed to the Fox Project. Advice line: 01732 365340 General number: 01732 367397 (for wildlife ambulance)
Canine Mange problems: 0906 2724422
COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS Support for bereaved families St Nicholas Church, High St, Strood 01634 718299
DENTALINE EMERGENCY Advice & on-the-spot NHS treatment. Week nights 7pm – 10.30pm Weekends & bank hols 9.30am – 11am
MEDWAY HOSPITAL 01634 819191
GRIMEBUSTERS
Do you have grime in your area that needs removing? Grimebusters will
help to clear up council land and public areas and aim to remove fly-tipping
in five working days. 01634 333333
EPILEPSY Medway Branch Epilepsy Action 01634 261832
TRAVEL INFORMATION NUMBERS
Clarks Commuter Coaches 020 8778 6697
Arriva Bus Company 01634 281100
NEAREST CHEMIST OPEN ON SUNDAY TESCO SUPERSTORE 3 Cuxton Road, Strood 10am – 4pm
ASTHMA Medway Asthma Self-Help Group 131 Watling Street, Gillingham 01634 855844
Living
In The Countryside
The theft of a birdscarer. (Not a scarecrow)
You may be wondering what the theft of a birdscarer has to do with living in the country-side but please read on.
In April some-one “removed” an automatic gas gun from the field near Fenn woods. These are very heavy and very costly, I also think they would be very difficult to sell. If the person who took it was unhappy with being woken at 7 o’clock by its loud bang that is unfortunate. It is one of the ‘joys’ of living in the countryside. A farmer has to protect his crops, a flock of pigeons will devour a field of young corn in very short time. The same as the smell of manure from the cow yard or silage, the calling of the cows and sheep when separated from the young. (wouldn’t you cry). The loudest of them all is the poor frustrated bulls desperate to get to their harem, oh gosh I forgot the cockerel!
I would much rather have all the above than drunken noisy louts in my street, street lights, noisy traffic and early morning milkmen. That’s why I have always lived in the countryside and wouldn't move.
MOBILE LIBRARY
Tuesdays - Kingsmead Park, Allhallows
3.25pm—4.05pm
All
Saints Road, Allhallows
4.10pm—4.50pm
For
more information on the mobile library service phone 01634 718161
HOO
LIBRARY
Monday: 9am-6pm
Tues & Thurs: 2pm-6pm
Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 10am-4pm
CLOSED WEDNESDAY
Telephone 01634 250640 for details
BEAT
THE BURGLAR — make your home more secure CRIMESTOPPERS - 0800 555 111
Crimestoppers
is the only charity dedicated to solving crimes and catching offenders. It is
now available to answer calls 24 hours a day, ensuring that calls are always
answered. Calls are made with the promise of anonymity. Around 20 people are
arrested every day as a result of information given to the service.
0800 555 111
COMMUNITY POLICE SUPPORT OFFICER
John
Hucks is the Community Police Support officer for the Hoo Peninsula. He can
be contacted during duty hours on: 07989 992451. When off duty, messages can
be left for John on the Medway Community Police Office number 01634 884185.
For a free handbook Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention containing tips on how to prevent crime, Phone: 0870 241 4680 Fax: 0870 241 4786 Email: homeoffice@prolog.uk.com
If you are a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, please let the Villagers Life editor know (01634 255366) so that your name and area can appear in the magazine.
COMMUNITY POLICE
SUPPORT OFFICER
John Hicks is the Community Police Support officer for the Hoo Peninsula.
He can be contacted during duty hours on: 07989 992451
When off duty, messages can be left for John on the Medway Community Police Office number
01634 884185
POLICE - ROCHESTER 01634 827055
Kent Goes Wild” aims to:
‘Kent
Goes Wild!’ is an eclectic celebration of biological recording at all
levels, which helps to protect the county’s wildlife and safeguard the countryside
in the Garden of England.
For further information go to www.kmbrc.org.uk/kentgoeswild
or KMBRC on 01622 685646/780
Go Wild in Kent with KMBRC!
The Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre (KMBRC) in partnership with
Kent County Council is pleased to announce the second annual Big Recording Weekend
on the 5th and 6th August 2006 at Shorne Wood Country Park, just off the A2
near Gravesend.
‘Kent
goes Wild!’ is a free event aiming to engage and inspire adults and
children to take pride and take part in their local environment.
Over the weekend, the public will have the chance to see, participate in and
learn about surveying for a wide range of wildlife species including small mammals,
reptiles, moths, dragonflies and bats. Kent county species experts will be present
to identify specimens, photos and wildlife artefacts and to chat with the general
public.
St Mary Hoo Parish Council
The Parish Council has had a fairly quiet year. There have been a few complaints that we have tried to deal with and in some cases have succeeded.
We approached Medway council about the awful appearance of Fenn corner, The litter and overgrown weeds, they quoted a ridiculous price of between £1500 to £3000 to clear it. As part of the highway we felt it was Medway who were responsible and not the parish. Eventually it was cleared and cut in less than a day at no cost to us. It is good to see that corner has been cut twice already this year.
Moat Road was another success, after many complaints from Mr R McClean (the local farmer) the parish council got involved and the road has now been repaired and the corner kerbed to help stop further damage there.
There have been no major planning applications just the normal extensions, garages etc. having made that statement I have had a couple of meetings with Biffa representatives and we will be setting up another Liason group fairly soon. Biffa are hoping to start removing the clay cap in late June and be tipping by October.
I
have attended Consultations about the proposed wind farm at Grain, the gravel
workings proposed at Kingsnorth by La France and the proposed very large village
development of Lodge-Hill and Chattenden dis-used military land.
The conservation area is looking really nice now the trees are bigger and is
providing an excellent habitat for birds and wildlife. I would at this point
like to say a few ‘thank-yous’ to Mr Lapthorn and ‘Cyril’ for keeping the pond
and green area cut and tidy. To Mr Sinclar, Mrs Budd and Mrs K Johnson for kindly
distributing the magazine. Last but by no means least my fellow parish councillors
and our clerk Mr E Woodards. A very big Thank-you to you all.
M D Stanney
Vacancy ...Vacancy ...Vacancy ...Vacancy
Villagers’ Life needs a new editor!!
If you are interested please apply in writing with CV to either Parish Clerk
by 20th June 2006
The successful candidate will be self motivated, have good IT skills and a sales
background.
Interviews will be held at the beginning of July.
VICTIM SUPPORT KENT
There
are fewer volunteers coming forward to help victims of crime.
Could you offer support by using your listening skills, and giving emotional
and practical support to allow people to talk openly about their experiences
so that they can rebuild their lives? Crime victims often get overlooked.
Volunteers provide:
If you think this is you, and would like to find out more phone 01233 647253.
Allhallows
Parish Council
MOTHERS
& TODDLERS
The Parish Council is now running Mothers & Toddlers sessions on Thursdays
in Allhallows village hall 1.30 ~ 3pm
contact: Cllr Lyn George on 07854 215328 or Cllr Yvonne Forrest 270720
e-mail the Parish Clerk at clerk@allhallows-pc.gov.uk
This is part of the Parish Council’s Youth Committee commitment to help provide
facilities for young people of the parish between the ages of 0-18 years.
ARE
YOU A MEMBER OF THE ALLHALLOWS VILLAGE COMMUNITY?
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE?
DO YOU HAVE A FEW SPARE HOURS AVAILABLE EACH MONTH?
If the answer to all three questions is ‘YES’ then the village school needs
you!!
Allhallows Primary School is located at the heart of the village and we are
in the process of undertaking a major project to redevelop the school grounds
for the benefit of the whole community of Allhallows.
As with any kind of redevelopment, this will be a costly and time consuming process, so we are looking for volunteers in the community who can help us make the dream become a reality for this and future generations. We would welcome any help whether it be making cakes for a fundraiser, canvassing local businesses for donations, planting shrubs and trees, laying paving slabs, digging out plant beds, or even making refreshments for the rest of the team! If you cannot assist in person but have knowledge in any area relating to design, planning, landscaping or gardening and can offer some advice then your input would be most welcome. The more the merrier – we want this to be a community resource that can be shared by everyone so your views matter and all ideas will be considered by the ‘Action Team’.
Please contact Lisa Tarry in the school office who can give you more information. 01634 270705 or email office@allhallows.medway.sch.uk
We hope to get the project underway in the Summer holidays so please register your interest
/
comments by 9th June 2006.
Thank you
ALLHALLOWS
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Avery Way
Headteacher: Mrs B Beckhelling
01634 270705
We are collecting: used stamps, tesco vouchers, sainsbury vouchers, nestle boxtops
and used inkjet cartridges.
Stranger Alert -- To all parent’s who have young children.
Please tell your child to beware of stranger’s driving around the village especially during school holidays. On the 4th April around 5.30pm a young girl aged 10 was approached in Binney Road by a man driving around in a white van, then asking the child to get into his van to show him some directions.
Fortunately, I am pleased to say the child managed to run safety to a friend’s house, remembering what the child parents have told them. If approached by a stranger either walking or driving around always run straight away to the nearest and safest place.
I can not emphasize enough serious nature of this attempted abduction so please ask your children and yourself to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police.
Help with MS
The Multiple Sclerosis Trust is keen to give more information to people who suffer from the disability or who have relatives who suffer.
The trust has a number of publications containing detailed information about how to live with MS and how you can help.
To order the leaflets
or a brochure listing all the publications phone 01634 238502.
NSPCC
If you know or suspect that a child is being ill-treated or neglected please tell the NSPCC at once on
FREEPHONE 0800 800
HUNDRED OF HOO UPPER SCHOOL Headteacher: Mr Williams 01634 251443
Break Ins And Theft
I have been informed
that there have recently been a couple of garage and shed breakins with small
items being taken. This is unusual in our village as we know nearly every-one
who lives close to us and do not have many strangers wandedering around. Please
keep your eyes and ears open not only for your self but also your neighbour
CALLING ALL CHILDREN!
Come along to SMASH on Sunday mornings All Saints’ Church, 11am
Join in the fun and worship in church, or on the second and third Sunday of the month leaders will take the children to the village hall to learn about Jesus in a fun way through music, puppets, drama, games, stories, drawing, painting and cooking.
All
children welcome!
Allhallows Parish Council
Agreed copies of the minutes are placed on the Council’s website –www.allhallows-pc.gov.uk – but there is inevitably a delay because they aren’t signed until the following month and are therefore a month out of date. Consequently a selection of points from the most recent meeting will help keep the Council’s activities as up to date as possible.
The last meeting before copy date for this issue of the magazine was held on 9 May and was the statutory annual parish council meeting, where the Chairman is elected for the year and councillors are appointed to committees and other responsibilities, as well as normal business carried out.
The
following were elected:
Chairman: Cllr Rod Morrad
Vice-chairman: Cllr Alan Marsh
Planning Committee: The Chairman and Vice-chairman, Cllrs Mark Colyer, Yvonne
Forrest and John Luck
Finance Committee: The Chairman and Vice-chairman, Cllrs Pam Burrows, Lynda
George and Mark Skudder
Youth Committee: The Chairman and Vice-chairman, Cllrs Mark Colyer, Lynda George
and Mark Skudder, plus relevant lay members by invitation
Mark Colyer remains the parish Tree Warden.
Also at the meeting
Since the meeting was held, I am very sorry to report that Pam Burrows has resigned as a councillor for personal reasons. She joined the Council at the last elections three years ago and has worked hard for the parish and its residents. She will be much missed.
Since we now have what is known as a casual vacancy, it is appropriate here to describe the procedures that have to be gone through. First, her resignation will be reported to the next meeting of the Parish Council. Then I report the vacancy to the elections section of Medway Council. A statutory notice has to go up, giving electors 14 clear days, not including weekends or bank holidays, to write to the Retuning Officer and call an election. 10 electors are needed for an election to be held and in this event, Medway Council would organise it but the cost falls on the parish. If an election has not been called, the Parish Council can co-opt. In these circumstances, I will put up notices asking for parishioners to apply and selection interviews will be held, with formal co-option at the following normal parish council meeting. With this sequence of procedures and with no meeting in August, it is unlikely that Pam will be replaced until September. However, if you are interested and want to know what you might be letting yourself in for, do please contact me. My contact details are:
Allhallows Parish Clerk
53
Capelands,
New Ash Green,
Longfield,
Kent DA3 8LQ.
Tel/fax: 01474 879955
e-mail: clerk@allhallows-pc.gov.uk
Roxana
Brammer
Parish Clerk
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Note from Allhallows Chair May 2006.
It is with regret that I have to report the resignation of Pam Burrows from the Parish Council. Pam has been a member for 3 years and has made a number of positive contributions to the Parish and will be missed by all the members.
Councillors surgeries started on the 11th April 06, at Allhallows Primary School on the second Tuesday of the month, between 5.15 and 6.15 pm. This is an opportunity to discuss in confidence any issues that concern you.
The range of issues discussed each month by the Parish Council are many and varied. I have list a few topics not necessarily in any order of priority.
Planning
applications.
Grant applications.
Youth Committee report
Quality Parish Council status.
Highways and Transportation.
Tree Wardens report.
Footpaths report.
Street lighting report.
Management of Councils land and property.
Village Hall.
Receive reports from outside bodies that members attend.
Vital Villages report.
Web site report.
We made a donation to the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows recently which will pay for the hire of the Village Hall.
Work has now commenced on the new allotments site in Allsaints Road. A number of residents have already requested a plot to cultivate.
A new kissing gate has been erected at the entrance to Cross Park. An association has been reformed to move this area on as a Country Park.
Finally
don’t forget that the very latest information including Magazine articles are
now on our web site. www.allhallows-pc.gov.uk.
Rod
Morrad
Chairman Allhallows Parish Council.
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Allhallows Annual Parish Meeting
For the first time the annual meeting for the people of the civil parish of Allhallows was held as a separate event from the normal meeting of the Parish Council. Your MP, Bob Marshall-Andrews was invited as guest speaker and entertained around 30 people. It was a shame there was apparently a footie match on television – reluctantly it is impossible to schedule these events without clashing with something. For those of us totally uninterested in football, it was an evening worth turning out for. Other contributors were Medway Councillors Phil Filmer and Janice Bamber, with apologies from Chris Buckwell. The meeting was also attended by Police Community Support Officer John Hucks, who drew most of the flack about anti-social behaviour and lack of police presence. A splendid buffet was laid on by Mrs Meadows and her team and thanks goes to them and to the school for providing the venue.
The
Parish Council has decided the format worked well and intends to repeat this
next year. Put the date in your diaries – Tuesday 24 April 2007 at 7.30 for
8.00 pm. We will be inviting the new Kent Police Area Commander as our guest
speaker. Watch the noticeboards, posters in the shops, your copy of Villagers’
Life and next year’s Annual Report of the Parish Council for confirmation of
this nearer the time.
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DETACHED YOUTH WORK
Jenni Davis, Medway Council’s detached youth worker, has now been given the go-ahead to start working in Allhallows.
What is detached youth work?
Detached youth work is NOT
The Medway Detached Youth Project says:
What do they do?
Jenni and her team will be around from now on and she has joined the Parish Council’s Youth Committee where her experience and expertise is very much welcomed. But don’t expect immediate miracles – this is a long-term project that it is hoped will eventually benefit all residents. Nothing will change overnight and the process of change will be so gradual you will hardly notice it at the time.
WEATHER WATCH with Dr Rigby
March was once again drier than average with a cold spell in the middle of the month with occasional sleet and overnight frosts. Interestingly we had 0.66” (17mm) in the second week and 0.64” (17mm) in the last; the remaining 14 days were dry. There was little sun on many days with a cold wind.
Total rain was 1.31” (33mm) – 2005 1.66” (42mm).
April was much wetter thn-an recently with a total rainfall of 2.38” (60mm). 14 days without rin but on the 9th after a fine morning we rain, sleet and thunder and 1.3”(33mm) of rain in the 24 hours. (The last time we had over an inch (25mm) in 24 hours was August 2005 and also in August 2004). We had much more sun but often spoilt by a cold easterly wind.
Total rain was 2.38” (60mm) – 2005 1.78mm (45mm).
Summer weather in numbers:-
The highest ever monthly total of sunshine - Eastbourne and Hastings July 1911
The highest ever recorded temperature—Brogdale near Faversham, Kent. 10 August
2003
During the long hot summer of 1976, temperatures exceeded 32C (90F) on 15 consecutive
days, somewhere in the UK
Always use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or greater.
A
husband and his wife were sound asleep when suddenly the phone rang.
The husband picked up the phone and said, "Hello? How the heck do I know?
What do I look like, a weatherman?" He then slammed the phone down and
settled into bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife.
"I don't know. It was some guy who wanted to know if the coast was clear."
Submitted by Dan N.
Traffic Officers
Highways Agency traffic officers are now patrolling motorways in every region in England. Some 759 uniformed traffic officers, working shifts, patrolling 1,928 km of motorway, supported by 244 control room staff. Traffic officers ensure a Quick response to incidents and help the police to clear up and get traffic moving again, releasing the police to concentrate on solving crime.
Traffic officer responsibilities include removing debris from the carriageway and dealing with minor incidents. They are supported by regional control centres, which allocate the officers to incidents, set signs and signals and answer emergency roadside telephones.
Traffic officer vehicles have flashing red and amber lights. If you see one of these vehicles you must comply with their directions and signs for your safty and others’ on the road. Failure to do so could lead to:
Further
information:
Real time traffic information 08700 660 115 www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
General Highways Agency information 08457 50 40 30
www.metoffice.gov.uk
www.iam.org.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/
What to do if you break down
a
Pull over onto the hard shoulder, as far away from moving traffic as possible.
b Get out of the car by the door away from the traffic.
c Move well away from the carriageway and get behind a safety fence, if there
is one.
d Use the emergency telephone, rather than a mobile. This will connect you straight
to a highways agency regional control centre, where your location can be identified
more easily.
e please only call 999 in the event of an emergency.
Cones on the road and no one is there? This is because
*Work
may be taking part on another stretch of the road
*For the safety of drivers and road workers, stretches of the road nee to be
coned off for repairs
*Most work goes on at night, some overnight cones will have been cleared and
removing the cones you see will cause safety risks to drivers
*We have to allow time for construction materials to set and gain strength
*Excavations need protection e.g. safety barrier repairs, new drains
*Work is weather dependant e.g. when white lining, surfaces have to set and
dry
Safer driving
~~~~ Chuckle Corner ~~~~
Why
did the man put his money in the freezer?
He wanted cold hard cash
What
do you get if you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frost bite
What
did the porcupine say to the cactus?
“Is that your mummy”
How
do crazy people go through the forest?
They take the psycho path.
What
do prisoners use to call each other?
Cell phones.
What
do you get from a pampered cow?
Spoiled milk
Where
do polar bears vote
The north poll
What
did Geronimo say when he jumped out of the airplane?
ME!!!
Where
do snowmen keep their money?
In snow banks.
What’s
brown and sticky?
A stick.
What
dog keeps the best time?
A watch dog.
Why
do sea-gulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay they would be bagels!
Why
did the tomato turn red?
It saw the salad dressing!
What
did the grape do when it got stepped on?
It let out a little whine!
How
do you make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogey in it.
Where
do bees go to the bathroom?
At the BP station!
What
did the Judge say when the skunk walked in the court room?
Odor in the court.
What
did the fish say when he swam into the wall?
Dam!
What
did the water say to the boat?
Nothing it just waved.
Why
don’t skeletons fight each other?
They don’t have the guts.
Why
did the scientist install a knocker on his door?
To win the nobell prize.
Why
did it take the monster ten months to finish a book?
Because he wasn’t very hungry.
Why
did the balloon burst?
Because it saw a lolly pop!
Why
don’t mountains get cold in the winter?
They wear snow caps.
How
do pirates pay for earrings?
Buccaneer
When
is a car not a car?
When it turns into a garage.
If
Mr & Mrs Bigger had a baby, who would be the biggest of the three
The baby, because he’s a little Bigger!
Why
did the one-handed man cross the road?
He wanted to get to the second-hand shop!
What
did the carpet say to the floor?
“you go ahead I’ll cover you”
The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice Charity Clay Shoot at West Kent Shooting School New Hay Farm, Old Hay, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 7DG on Friday 25 August 9:30 am start. £50 per person. Please contact: Gillian 01892 834306 or Emma 01634 831163.
///////////////////////////////////////
CANCER RESEARCH UK
RACE FOR LIFE
Capstone Country Park
July 23
Women only!
Apply at: www.raceforlife.org
Marshalls are also needed
///////////////////////////////////////
9 June Rick Wakeman at Rochester Cathedral
01634 401301
15-18 June Zulu war event at Royal Engineers’ museum
01634 822839
13 - 17 June A Family History Roadshow at Grain Library 01634
338727
Chatham
Show 2006
Chatham Historic Dockyard
June 10 & 11
10am - 5pm
Upnor
Castle Events 2006
17 & 18 June
Elizabethan Open Day
10am - 6pm
18 & 19 July
Macbeth Open Air Shakespeare
7pm booking 01622 758611
20 July
The Importance of Being Ernest
7.30pm booking 01622 758611
30 July
Alice in Wonderland
7pm
///////////////////////////////////////
The Friends of the RSPCA Laybourne Animal Centre
Fun Dog Show
10.30am to 4.30pm
Sat 10 June
At Castle Way Laybourne - off M20 jct 4 on the A228 towards Rochester
Old Friends
Old friends I knew so long ago
Where are you now I’d like to know
To meet you all so we could spend
Our twilight years remembering
The days when we were all so young
The things we did the songs we sung
The promises we never kept
Some friends we lost perhaps we wept
Those wordly songs we meant to right
As we parted from day to night
The wars we fought and thought we’d won
All those things we left un done
We tried to leave a better world
As we marched forward flags unfurled
Old friends if we could meet again
Perhaps we have time to explain
To those who follow where we went wrong
So they could sing a different song
Old friends if we do meet
And with great joy each other greet
And say that we should take no blame
For what we did in England’s name
Then when we are laid to rest
We will know we simply did our best
Old friends
Roy White
Contact us:- clerk@allhallows-pc.gov.uk
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