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   August/September 2006 - ISSUE EIGHTEEN  

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.

Allhallows Leisure Park. Picture credit: John Burrows

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 ISSUE DEADLINE  SEPTEMBER 12 2006
To submit an article or advert please contact your new editor:

Cleo Beckey, 5 Forge Cottages, Fenn Street, St Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent ME3 8QT

Telephone: 01634 272804    email: cleob@madasafish.com

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

Allhallows Parish Council meets 2nd Tuesday of month except August,

Allhallows Primary School, Avery Way, 6.45pm.

Dates of St Mary Hoo Parish Council meetings at the Fenn Bell function room are posted on the Parish Council notice boards.

For local parish news visit:

www.allhallows-pc.gov.uk  &  www.stmaryhooparishcouncil.org.uk

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A Guided historical walk around the Parish of St Mary’s Hoo.

On: Sunday 17th September 2006

Meet: outside former parish church, St Mary’s Hoo

At: 2.30pm

The event is free and will last about two hours.

The walk will take you out onto the Kentish marshes, so beloved of Charles Dickens and smugglers. Learn some of the history of St Mary’s Hoo with guide Christoph Bull (District Library Manager for Gravesham Libraries) and local historian.

You will need sensible footwear.

No need to book, just turn up for an interesting afternoon travelling into our Kentish past in this remote marshland parish.

The event is part of the Gravesend Historical Society’s Footpaths programme, which is open to everybody and encourages a healthy understanding and respect for our local landscapes.

Christoph Bull

GREAT BRITAIN !

One of the British national daily newspaper is asking readers "What it means
to be British?" Some of the emails are hilarious but this is one from a chap in Switzerland ...

Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian
beer, then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on
the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch
American shows on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all?
Suspicion of anything foreign.

Only in Britain ... can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.

Only in Britain ... do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the
back of the shop to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in Britain ... do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a DIET coke.

Only in Britain ... do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.

Only in Britain ... do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive
and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage.

Only in Britain ... do we use answering machines to screen calls and then
have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.

Only in Britain ... are there disabled parking places in front of a skating rink.

3 Brits die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue.

142 Brits were injured in 1999 by not removing all pins from new shirts.

58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers.

31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

19 Brits have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

British Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling accidents.

101 people since 1999 have had broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of
the soles of their feet. 18 Brits had serious burns in 2000 trying on a new
jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

A massive 543 Brits were admitted to AandE in the last two years after opening bottles
of beer with their teeth.

5 Brits were injured last year in accidents involving out of control Scalextric cars.

And finally.... In 2000 eight Brits cracked their skull whilst throwing up into the toilet.

RULE BRITANNIA!!!!!

Good-Bye !

You may have heard that I am stepping down as Brown Owl on Monday 10th July.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 10 years with the movement. Like most
Guiders I started as a Brownies and helped in my local unit when my daughter
was seven. Later I was asked to help the unit at Stoke, which led me to
becoming Brown Owl. After the closure of Stoke I took over Allhallows, which
has steadily increased in numbers with the enormous help from Rainbows. The
girls that have passed through the unit these last ten years have been a
most rewarding experience. Our pack holidays, beach cookouts, trips etc have
all added to what I hope was and will be and adventure the girls won't
forget in a hurry.
I will be leaving the unit with a very enthusiastic, dynamic lady called Mrs
Cheryl Rousell. These past months she has been studying the Guiding Manuals
and is soon to take her promise. Our new District Commissioner, Trish
Ingham, Denise and Glenda will give her all the support she needs. If you
feel you would like to help the unit on a rota or a weekly basis then please
do pop in and see us. Without adult help the unit will not survive.

This is by Chris Jackson, Brown Owl 1st Allhallows Brownies

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PATRONS: KIM WILDE  &  JEROME FLYNN

STOP THIS NOW

Members of the West Kent Badger Group (WKBG) are backing a campaign by the Badger Trust to stop Government scientists to testing "body snares" designed to restrain badgers for up to eight hours. Any wild animal suffers terrible stress when restrained for even a few minutes. The stress involved for a powerful animal like a badger being restrained in great pain for this length of time is unimaginable.
Researchers are keeping the animals under observation throughout the daylong confinement - their presence is another source of stress for a naturally secretive animal that lives underground and emerges mostly at night.
David Williams chairman of the Badger Trust said: "This gruesome procedure is rather like peering in through the bars of a torture chamber. Vets are examining the badgers for injury but that can only be cosmetic with the ultimate purpose, presumably, of inflicting the ultimate injury - death.
"If the humaneness of the body snare is thought to be 'acceptable' field trials will be conductedthe snares inspected approximately every four hours. But the badger is mostly nocturnal so snares would have to be set and inspected during hours of darkness at four-hourly intervals. That may be possible for DEFRA staff, but is quite impractical for overworked farmers to organise in real-life conditions, as the Government has suggested.
"Snares, whether body snares or otherwise, are indiscriminate and catch any species including cats and dogs. Badgers are as strong as large dogs and experience has shown how their struggles have caused limbs to be cut off, and some have almost decapitated themselves in their panic before dying of strangulation and blood loss". These are the sorts of injuries members of the WKBG deal with each year. Running snares are meant to release if an animal goes backwards, but wild animals do not know this. Frequently this type of snare is not maintained properly, resulting in them not releasing as they are designed to. There is no such thing as a humane snare; they are a barbaric device that should have been consigned to history long ago.
The Badger Trust has twice presented petitions to Parliament calling for a ban on all snares. The combined total of signatures to these petitions was 110,000. Also, there have been 47,000 responses to the Government's recent public consultation on its badger culling suggestions, and we understand most were against. You can sign the anti snaring petition by logging on to the Badger Trust website: http://www.badgertrust.org.uk Also please write to your MP demanding an end to the use of snare. Can we really call ourselves a nation of animal lovers when we still allow snares to be used?

If you would like to know more about badgers, or what the West Kent Badger Group does, please write to PO BOX 301, Gravesend, Kent DA12 9AB.

Mr Alex Hills

Chairman

FOR YOUR INFORMATION.

The West Kent Badger Group is a voluntary organisation that is funded by donations, subscriptions and fund raising. It does not receive any government, local council or lottery funding; neither does it have any paid staff.

The Group is well respected and known to local councils, other animal welfare groups and the police.

The Group aims to rescue injured and orphaned badgers, advise on all aspects of living in harmony with and protecting badgers and their setts from harm.

The WKBG is affiliated to, but not part of the Badger Trust.

Children over three are funded.

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.

Closed for August. For September please check the notice boards

or phone Brompton Barracks

COMPLAINTS ABOUT YANTLET RANGE:

HQ RSME Brompton Barracks 01634 822840

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Retirement

I am very sad to announce that Mr Eric Woodards has had to retire because of ill health. Eric has been Clerk to St Mary Hoo Parish Council for over 50 years. He first worked as Clerk at High Halstow but moved to St Mary’s after 2 years taking over from Mr Ernie Harrison.

Over the years he has worked tirelessly and always given excellent advice and service, never being paid for his hard work and only taking expenses. Although living in Higham, Eric has always taken a great interest in the village, even playing cricket many years ago for the cricket club that I understand was very successful.

Eric worked in the finance deptment of local government until his retirement several years ago, having started when Strood rural existed and experiencing the changes to modern day Medway.

We all wish Eric well and hope he soon improves and enjoys better health.

He will be sorely missed by us all.

Maureen Stanney

Cooling Road Home Group (St Margaret’s All Saints)

Under the auspices of this group, 333 blankets have been sent to Blythswood Care, who distribute them to needy families throughout Eastern Europe, plus another 111 blankets to other charities. Our thanks go to those from several of our villages and beyond, who knit, crochet, deliver and keep us supplied with wool. This is real team effort. Donations of wool are always welcome at 25 Cooling Road, High Halstow.

Special congratulations go to Kit Gibson, who has completed 62 blankets in all (over 50 going to Blythswood) and to Dot Woolley, who has completed 70 blankets in all (over 60 going to Blythswood).

Hopefully we have brought a little warmth into quite a few needy lives, Team, keep up the good work!

Hazel Beringer

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THE VILLAGER

A new community transport service for rural Medway

After a year of preparation and planning, the Villager has launched with a range of new transport services for rural Medway. The community transport scheme has two new fully accessible minibuses with seating for up to sixteen passengers, including space for up to three wheelchairs.

They will be used to run various new services including regular excursions to a range of destinations and offer low cost minibus hire for local community and voluntary groups.

Villager services are provided with the help of volunteer drivers, who have undergone training and preparation over the past few months. Free training is available to anyone who would like to drive the minibuses for their group or to help with the general scheme.

The Villager was set up as part of Medway’s Rural Initiative for Transport (MERIT), a three-year project funded by the Department for Transport to improve public transport in Medway’s countryside.

Come and see the new vehicles

The scheme will be officially launched at an event planned for Saturday 5th August at the Hundred of Hoo school in Hoo St Werburgh. The new minibuses will at the school between 10.30 am and 12.00 pm. Please come along and take a look! Local community groups and rural residents are all invited to drop by to find out more about using the Villager vehicles.

Catherine Smith
Rural Strategy Manager
Development and Transport
Medway Council

SPECIAL OFFER: FREE MEMBERSHIPS

To travel on the Villager excursions you must first become a member of the Villager. This costs £3 per person per year, or £10 for families. Similarly, groups wishing to hire our vehicles must first become members of the scheme, which costs £20 per year.

For a limited period we are offering FREE Villager membership for both individuals and groups. All you need to do is send in a completed application form before the end of August. Contact us now and we’ll send you an information pack.

Contact The Villager at:

Telephone 01634 890100 (booking office open 9.30 am to 12.30 pm Monday to Friday)

Email: rural.projects@medway.gov.uk   Website: www.villager.org.uk

You can also find more details, including membership forms at your local Public Transport Info Stations at The Fenn Bell pub, St Mary Hoo and Allhallows Post Office Stores, and Kingsmead Park site office.

Please send in to the Editor any stories, poems, letters, maybe you know some local history you could share with us. Have you been on holiday and would like to let us know where was the hotel / campsite- Was it nice? Did you have a good time? Would you recommend it?

Part-time Clerk required by the Parish Council

Small remuneration and expenses
7 meetings a year including Annual Meeting
Applicants must have local government knowledge
Interviews will be held at the end of August
The next meeting is on 13 September

All applications to:

Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney

11 St Mary’s Cottages

St Mary Hoo

Rochester

ME3 8RB

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Go Wild in Kent with KMBRC!
www.kmbrc.org.uk/kentgoeswild

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.

'Kent Goes Wild!' aims to:

• Increase the public’s awareness of wildlife and wildlife recording;
  
• Promote Kent’s biological and geological recording groups;
  
• Promote Natural Heritage and increase the list of species recorded at Shorne Wood Country Park.

‘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 call KMBRC on 01622 685646/780.

Do you like to draw or paint

Please send me a picture

I will put my favourite one in the next issue……. will it be yours?

Don't forget to tell me your name and age!

Please send it to me by 12 September to:-

5 Forge Cottage, Fenn Street, St Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent ME3 8QT

The Shopping Spree



Last Thursday we went on a shopping spree.

There was Matthew, his mummy, Grandma, and me.

Of Course Mathew had been there before.

He knew his way around that big store.

So that his Granddad would never get lost.

He sat on the trolley, and proved he was the boss,

By showing his Granddad which way to go,

They collected their groceries from row after row,

Of packets and tins, and custards and jellies.

These muttered were good for their bellies

Mummy and Grandma were taking their time.

To collect all their groceries, said Mathew I find,

The speed of their shopping a becoming a bore,

I think It’s time Granddad we vacated this store.

Before we leave Granddad and venture outside.

I think we have time to enjoy these four rides.

While Mummy and Grandma, continue their shopping,

On all four rides I can be hopping.

There's a tortoise, an airplane, a boat and a car.

I like the airplane it’s the noisiest by far.



Grandma and Mummy soon came through the till.

Grandma not smiling as she looked at her bill.

Mathew and me, quickly hurried away.

We certainly did not want to pay,

So I said to Mathew lets go get some food.

I would buy Mathew Chips as he’d been so good.

So we enjoyed a burger and portion of chicken.

Which tasted so good, Granddad his fingers were licking.

But Mathew who had eaten his burger too quick.

Upset his Mummy by being quite sick.

Mathew quickly recovered, he usually did.

Without any doubt he’s a resilient kid.

Then back to the car park they made their way.

Mathew having enjoyed this shopping day.

Into the car, Mathew had one more chore.

To direct dear old Granddad out through the door.

Keep left Granddad, left you keep going.

The exit will come if you go the way I am showing.

Out on the main road, Mathew sat back with a grin.

At two years of age he had triumphed. Again.

Roy White

WEATHER WATCH with Dr Rigby

Despite the call by the water companies for hosepipe bans we followed a wetter than average April with a wet May. Rainfall was 3.6" (91mm). Most months we have a day with more than 3" of rain and in May this year we
had four days with over 3".

As a month with so much rain (only 9 days without any) it was a cool month, often sun and showers predominating. Total rain 3.6" (91mm); 2005 1.4" (36mm).

June was the opposite of May with only 1.06" (21mm). We had only 6 days of rain. The month was sunny but the heat was often spoilt by cool winds especially in the last two weeks.

Rain 1.06" (21mm); 2005 0.07" (less than 2mm).

Approximately 19 years ago, a group of people came together and formed an initiative to save “an old girl”. The article in question being the paddle steamer the Medway Queen.

She had a varied history, her biggest achievement being rescuing about 7000 service personnel from the beaches of Dunkirk during the second world war, the biggest result achieved in that exercise, although all the vessels/craft concerned played a vital part in our history

Jumping ahead, after many years of ‘patching and painting’, at long last the Medway Queen moored at Damhead, has received 1.86 million pounds of Lottery money to rebuild her hull and superstructure.

As many recall, I, Alan Marsh wrote an article introducing the boat approximately four years ago for the villagers’ magazine, and the enthused new response was good. But much was to be done at that time of writing.

Since that time, the paddle boxes have been restored and indeed stand alongside the new funnel, on permanently displayed in Chatham Dockyard.

Earlier this year, the GMB union presented Dunkirk Battle Honour which had been previously lost to the Medway Queen Preservation Society (MPQS) these are also on display at The Dockyard.

The Vice Chairman of the MPQS, Brian Burton stated “Though we have nearly two million pounds, we will need that much and more to restore her completely to her former glory; to be a lasting memorial to the soldiers that were rescued from the beaches at Dunkirk, those that formed the backbone of our forces in the fight against the enemy in the second world war”

If you wish to get further involved, do not hesitate to contact the honourable Secretary, Mrs Noreen Chambers, tell: 01634 252848 for a membership application form.

Brian concluded “The MRPS hopes at last she will be restored, and hopefully my baby granddaughter (pictured) is grown up!”

Alan J Marsh

Vice-Chair Allhallows Parish Council

Brian Burton

Vice Chairman MPRS

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Matters discussed at the June and July meetings included:

• No-one has applied to fill the vacancy on the Parish Council caused by the resignation of Pam Burrows. Anyone interested should contact the Clerk whose details are given on the inside front cover of the magazine.
  
  
• “The Villager” bus. Medway Council’s Rural Strategy Manager Catherine Smith gave a presentation on the new community bus for rural Medway. She has written an article especially for “Villagers’ Life” which can be found on page 38-39. Posters to place round the village about the summer trips were sent too late to promote the first trip on 13 July and comment about this was made at the July meeting. Blame for this lies entirely with Medway Council’s PR department and not with Catherine who did her best in expecting the posters to arrive well in time.
  
  
• Dog Bins. 13 sites around the village have been identified as needing dog bins. The issue is the emptying of them as this has to be done by Medway’s contractors and they must be sited near the highway. There may be a charge to the Parish Council for this service and Cllr Alan Marsh is progressing the matter.
  
  
• Our Footpaths Officer, Cllr Marsh, attended a seminar organised by Vivienne Kent of Medway Council.
  
  
• Playpark request. Residents would like to see a new playpark installed, as would the Parish Council. We are hoping that the developers of the site on Avery Way next to the school will make provision in their plans for a playpark for young children and we are still trying to arrange a meeting with the developer to talk about this and other issues.
  
  
  Playparks are best sited away from areas used by older children and teenagers and if designed into the development scheme from the start an opportunity arises for the playpark to be safe and “policed” by surrounding properties.
  
  
• The July meeting was attended by 4 keen young footballers and supporting adults. They had played against Hoo at Hoo and had won. They then challenged Hoo to a return match at Allhallows. With only 48 hours to go to the match, we managed to get the pitch remarked in time. This will now be done regularly throughout the year. They also asked for a kick wall to be provided. The Parish Council’s Youth Committee will take this up and investigate a multi-use kick wall for the far end of the recreation ground. I am pleased to report they won the return match handsomely.
  
  
• You will have seen in the last issue an advertisement for a new Editor. There was only one applicant, Cleo Beckey who has been acting as caretaker editor. Councillors of both parishes were pleased with the last issue and had no difficulty in appointing her to the post. Cleo lives in St Mary Hoo and is married to Cllr Bob Beckey. He was not involved in her appointment – he was representing St Mary Hoo elsewhere when the decision was made.
  
  
• The Mothers and Toddlers group is growing. All carers with babies and toddlers are welcome.
  
  
• Finally the Parish Council is grateful to Bourne Leisure for the donation of a flat-pack building that they used as a shop. At the moment the parts are in storage but eventually it will be used for community facilities once a suitable site has been identified.
  
  

The next Parish Council meeting is at 6.45 pm on Tuesday 12 September, in the school hall. And don’t forget the opportunity to talk to your councillors in confidence – the Councillors’ Surgery precedes the Parish Council meeting, starting at 5.15 pm.


Roxana Brammer

Parish Clerk

Enjoy the Sun….Safely

The sun gives us life, and its light and warmth give us a lot of pleasure. As summer, the most pleasurable season of all, approaches, we hope you have many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, at the beach, at lakeside or poolside, or even flying down the highway in your convertible with your hair blown back.Just be smart about it. Learn to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays.

The sun is the most intense and does the most skin damage in the middle of the day, putting you at higher risk of eventually developing skin cancer. So it’s best to be outdoors in the early morning or from late afternoon. These are not only the safest times of day (in terms of UV exposure), but also often the nicest. In the morning, the crowds are smaller, and the air can have a bit of invigorating, energizing chill. Late afternoons and early evenings at the beach can be extraordinarily peaceful, and you can see some wonderful sunsets. And you don’t get sunburned!

If you have to be out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., seek the shade; sit under a large beach umbrella, for example. Wear a nice wide-brimmed hat and stylish UV-blocking sunglasses, as well as other sun-protective clothing that can actually enhance your looks.Half an hour before you go out, make sure to apply at least an ounce (about two tablespoons) of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher all over your face and body, and reapply every two hours. Reapply more often if you’re sweating, and immediately after swimming.

Take these few bits of advice, and you’ll have your fun without losing the sun.

Herb Marinade

4 tbs oil
6 tbs clear honey
150 ml (1/4 pint) wine vinegar
1 tbs Herbes de Provence
2 tsp Onion Salt
1 tsp Garlic Granules

Combine all the ingredients thoroughly and pour over the chosen meat. Cover and place in a refrigerator overnight. Remove the meat before grilling and use the remaining marinade as a sauce to baste the meat during cooking.

N.B. The marinade is particularly suitable for poultry and fish.  Makes approx 300ml..

Summer Pudding

Ingredients

450g/llb cherries, pre-stoning weight
225g/8oz lychees stoned, rough chopped
4 white nectarines and 2 peaches, or any combination thereof, plunged into boiling water for 30 seconds, skinned, then cut into about 6 slices per half
125g/4oz vanilla sugar
thick white sliced day-old bread, the crusts removed

Method

1. Start the night before. Stone the cherries, and throw them into a heavy-bottomed pan with the nectarines and peaches. Strew over the sugar, turn the fruit gently, then let it bleed over a gentle heat until the juices run. About two to three minutes. The fruit should not begin to collapse or cook. Remove from the heat. Test the juice for sweetness, you may need a little more sugar, but do not over sweeten.
2. Line the bowl with the bread, fitting it tight as slates on a roof to prevent leaks.
3. Spoon in the fruit, leaving the pink juices that collect at the bottom. Pour them into a jug to be kept for later.
4. Cover with a layer of bread cut out to fit exactly, then fit a plate inside the top of the bowl, and put some weights on it to press the fruit down. Refrigerate over night.
5. Take the pudding out an hour before you want to eat it. Just before serving, turn it out on to a large plate, and pour over the peachy juices.

Cooking time 10 mins

Serves 1

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From the Genealogy web site; Allhallows or Hoo-Allhallows, a parish in the hundred of Hoo, Kent, on the Thames, 4 1/2 miles from Sharnal Street station on the S.E.R. Post town, Rochester; money order office, Stoke; telegraph office, Sharnal Street. Acreage, 2407; population, 388. The coastguard station of Yantlet Creek is on the shore, and Slough Fort, one of the defences of the Thames, is in the parish. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Rochester; net value, £180. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Rochester. The church is ancient, partly Saxon and partly Norman work; and the chancel was restored in 1891. This is one of the few instances in which the name of the hundred as distinctive of the various parishes therein has survived; hence Hoo-St-Werburgh, Hoo-Allhallows, Hoo-St-Mary's, meaning St Werburgh's parish in the hundred of Hoo.

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POLICING

A joint surgery between

Medway Council Safety Team

and the

Police Support Officer

To be held every Wednesday evening between

8 - 10 pm

At the

Hundred of Hoo Swimming Pool

All Welcome

Are you aware of the Parish Council's country park? It's called Cross Park and is off Avery Way, opposite the golf club car park.

All residents are welcome to use the park for recreation at any reasonable time. Entrance is for pedestrians only and is by means of a  kissing gate. We do ask you to be mindful of your own safety and that of other users. Dogs must be under control and no activities can be carried out that would create a risk to you or anyone else, for instance golf practice or flying model aircraft. All motorised vehicles are forbidden.

Summer is a time of busy gardening activity as everything is growing rapidly and weeds seem to appear faster than you are able to pull them up.

Early summer is a transitional stage with some flowering plants dying back and summer bedding coming into full bloom to offer its peak colour.

Pests and diseases are as prominent as ever so taking prompt action when they appear will often stop the trouble and keep it from spreading out of control.

Keep your garden looking its best by weeding frequently and regularly dead-heading border plants.

Mow the lawn, except in very dry weather, to keep the grass short and healthy. Rake the lawn occasionally before cutting as this will help to keep weeds and moss under control. Do not cut the lawn lower than 1 inch as a low cut lawn will encourage moss to grow.

Finish hardening off and planting tender bedding plants as well as watching out for signs of mildew and aphids on roses. Spray insecticide - one of the systemic brands which stay in the plants' system for several weeks - to stop these pests from taking over the soft shoot tips or leaves and halting flower growth.

Putting effort in at the start of summer will let you enjoy your garden mid summer as most things are already sown or planted; your main jobs will be weeding and watering!

Contact us:- clerk@allhallows-pc.gov.uk

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