Brabourne & Smeeth

Parish News

May 2020 30p

Stour Downs Celebration Day Saturday March 14th see page 5

Visit our website: www.a20churches.org.uk

Visit our website: www.a20churches.org.uk

Message From Rev Chris

May 2020

Priest in Charge of the Parish of Stour Downs

Rev Chris Denyer, The Rectory, Church Road, Smeeth

Tel 01303 470791

Parish Administrator: Liz Richardson - office@stourdowns.org.uk

Enquiries can be made via email to office@stourdowns.org.uk  or 0752 6688826

Dear Readers,

The Stour Downs Parish is certainly a good place to be on “lockdown”. The wonderful countryside is in its full springtime glory during the spell of good sunshine we have had. We are lucky to be able to enjoy it on the prescribed daily walk for our wellbeing whilst we stay at home.

In the fields around are the joyful signs of new life, with the lambs and bluebells, and the busy tractors remind us of the hardworking farmers continuing to provide us with food.

The Rectory garden is full of magnificent bird song (and aren’t the skies suddenly so quiet and empty without aircraft), and my children have enjoyed the regular visits of the pheasant who parades through each day calling out for the lady pheasants! He has made regular guest appearances on the live-stream services broadcast from the Rectory.

We are also able to access the vital services we need in being not too far from the essential supermarkets, surgeries, and the hospital. My thoughts go out to those who are isolated far from these lifelines and to those who have no outdoor space to exercise, enjoy the sunshine for their well-being, and for families living in tower blocks.

Simply sitting in the garden listening to the birds in the sunshine has been very calming whilst worrying about the spread and effects of Covid-19. It has been something of a spiritual exercise, tuning in to God’s creation and leaving the anxieties and low-points of this time with God.

All this has reminded me of the Psalms in the Bible. The Psalms were written in times of distress, challenge and adversity. They have a structure that remembers all the good things God has done in the past and his presence in difficult times, appealing for his help, often ending with a hopeful and joyful glimpse of a better future.

In this challenging time, I pray that you may find strength, hope and joy in the good things around us, and perhaps in prayer and scripture too.

God bless, and stay safe and well,

Chris

Church Services

We are sorry that in accordance with the Government measures against the spread of Coronavirus, all church services are suspended and our churches closed until further notice.

However, our buildings may be closed but your Parish Church is alive and active.

Sunday services on the Stour Downs Parish Facebook Page – live video from 9:30am and posted afterwards on the page to view

https://www.facebook.com/Stour-Downs-Parish-275026813134319

Or By Phone: dial the number shown below and enter the Room number followed by the hash key and then PIN followed by hash key when prompted.

Dial: 0333 0110 945 Room number: 15371271#PIN: 1030#

If we can be of any help in this difficult time, please contact Di Dawson on

07779 680003/01303 813398/cirrus.five@yahoo.co.uk or The Rectory on 01303 470791

However, we continue to be a church gathering “remotely” – please see our Stour Downs Parish Facebook page or www.stourdowns.org.uk for ways to engage remotely with “virtual” church, such as live streams of worship on Sunday and morning and evening prayer.

Funerals can go ahead (with restrictions on attendance) –

please contact Rev Chris on 01303 470791.

If you need some help or someone to speak to in this challenging time, please phone the Parish Office on 01303 470791 or our Pastoral Team on 01303 213398/ 07779 680003

What The Archbishops Say

Since 17th March, when the Archbishops of Canterbury and York had to put the public worship of the Church of England on hold, they have called on Christians to become “a radically different kind of church, rooted in prayer and serving others.”

They have also urged congregations to be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor, and the most vulnerable, during the crisis.

“We may not be able to pray with people, but we can certainly pray for people.

“And please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it.  Ensure also that the night shelters, wherever possible, are kept open.

“Then by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that can counter fear and isolation – will spread across our land.”

They add: “This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves?

“We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.”

This is from www.churchofengland.org

Café Wednesday; The Café is open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am at Brabourne Baptist Church. Pop in for a warm friendly chat, caring atmosphere, tea coffee and biscuits. Choice of books available.

Cafe Wednesday is back! Second Wednesday of every month starting at 12 noon. We will be serving soup, rolls and coffee/tea followed by a reflection, song & prayer. Cost remains at £1. Everyone welcome!

warmly invites you

to

Fridays at 3

in the Oak Room on the last Friday of every month

St Mary’s Parish Church Smeeth

warmly invites you

to

Fridays at 3

in the Oak Room on the last Friday of every month

Our next meeting is on August 26th for our Annual Cream Tea

Please come and enjoy homemade scones, a variety of jams with fresh cream.

Plus tea and good company !

This invitation is open to anyone who would like to come along.

If you would like further information, or a lift to / from the Oak Room

Please contact Di Dawson (01303 813398)

We look forward to welcoming you.

View From A Churchyard

I had decided this year to give four seasonal entries from the churchyard of

St Mary’s Smeeth, but never did I envisage that Spring would be written on my one permitted daily exercise walk from my home and that we’d be living under circumstances which even eight weeks ago would have been unimaginable.

Pushed on by the high winds my husband and I made our way down to the church along eerily empty roads and past the Oak Room where we gazed at the daffodils both in front of it and in the field behind – a sight we have over so many years enjoyed through the windows, over coffee after a service and now a reminder that nature continues unabated despite the mayhem in the world.

From an acceptable distance we had the joy of chatting with another couple from the church who were enjoying the sunshine on a bench by the porch. As we walked along the path down to a bench at the far edge of the churchyard Spring’s paint-box was truly visible in the tiny purple violets, the vivid gold of celandine and buttercups, the differing shades of yellow of daffodils, and the warm lemons of the beautiful primroses. There are areas where the grass has received its first cut while others have been left to allow these primroses to thrive. The trees are exhibiting every variation of green you can imagine from the deepest, darkest of the shaded yews to the bright, iridescent new leaves on the horse chestnuts. The trees behind the wall, near to the shed have newly opened sticky buds and here the young shoots go from pink at the top, through cream in the centre to pale green at their base. More promise of what is to come.

Sitting on the bench the near constant gusts of wind roared around us and would have drowned out any traffic noise had there been any and we were grateful for our padded jackets, scarves and gloves as the wind chill froze our faces. Fortunately however the snow, sleet and hail of the morning had passed and we stayed dry! The clocks might have sprung forward into summer-time but there is still a long way to go before we reach those heady days.

Looking up we saw blankets of steely grey clouds contrasting with areas where white pillows floated on streaks of blue and were carried across the sky in the upper air streams while from time to time the sun broke through casting shadows of headstones across the grass and over the mole hills which have started to appear.It is a very strange time and from where we were sitting we could see the notice on the porch gate explaining why the church is locked, but as it says worship will carry on outside of the building – as will hope and thankfulness.

Stay home, stay safe, enjoy nature and look for moments of joy, however small about you. SH

VE Day -the end of World War2 in Europe

VE Day (Victory in Europe) – was celebrated 75 years ago this month, on 8th May 1945, marking the end of World War II in Europe. It was marked with a public holiday.

The previous day the formal act of military surrender had been signed by Germany, and celebrations broke out when the news was released. Big crowds gathered in London, impromptu parties were held throughout the country, and people danced and sang in the streets. King George VI and his family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and Churchill made a speech to huge applause. The two princesses Elizabeth and Margaret mingled with the crowds outside.

Many went into churches to give thanks – and to pray for those still involved in the war in the Far East, because the real end of the war, Victory over Japan, would not happen until 15th August. At St Paul’s Cathedral there were ten consecutive services giving thanks for peace, each attended by thousands of people.

The celebrations masked the fact that so many had lost family and friends, as well as possessions and homes. But for the moment normal social conventions broke down, strangers embraced, and love was in the air.

In May: 80 years ago, 1940:  WORLD WAR II

· 10th May: Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned after losing the support of many

· Conservatives in the House of Commons. Succeeded by Winston Churchill.

·

· 10th-28th May: In what was called Case Yellow, Germany invaded Belgium, the

· Netherlands and Luxembourg.

·

· 10th May: Germany dropped its first bombs on England, at Chilham and Petham in Kent.

· 13th May: Winston Churchill gave his first speech in the House of Commons, saying:

· “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

·

· 14th May: The Home Guard was established, nicknamed Dad’s Army as it was comprised

· of volunteers who were ineligible for military service, usually because of their

· Age.

·

· 26th May-4th June: The Battle of Dunkirk. Allied forces launched a massive evacuation of

· troops from Dunkirk, France, across the English Channel to England

· after they were cut off by approaching German forces. Nearly

· 340,000 soldiers were rescued in a hastily assembled fleet of 800

· boats

In May: 75 years ago, 1945:

· 2nd May: The Battle of Berlin ended. Allied victory which led to the surrender of all

· German forces by 8th/9thMay, and the end of the war in Europe.

·

· 8th May: VE Day (Victory in Europe) – celebrated as a public holiday.

·

· 28th May: British-born Nazi propaganda broadcaster Lord Haw-Haw (William Joyce)

· was captured by the British Army and taken to Britain to face trial.

· (He was convicted of treason and sentenced to death on 19thSeptember

· and hanged on 3rd January 1946.)

The Royal British Legion

What strange and difficult times we are living through, and it is at times like these that one of the Royal British Legion's main aims comes to the fore…   

….Comradeship and Companionship. 

 We have various functions to perform during the year including Remembrance but whilst that should be a year-long activity it generally comes into its own in November each year.   However, Comradeship and Companionship remains with us throughout the whole year. 

 We are reminded of this at our monthly meetings and by the many acts of individual kindness offered by members to each other.  There is a singular manifestation of this at Christmas when we as a Branch provide a number of Christmas hampers to those members who are either living on their own or have difficulty in getting around. However, at this time of National lock down many of our members have been actively contacting each other to ensure that they feel that help is at hand if it is needed.   In line with other organisations and the Government decree, we are unable to have our usual meetings but this has not stopped us maintaining contact with our members in a number of ways to ensure that they recognise that being part of an organisation like the RBL is an important one.

Let us hope that the present situation does not last for much longer and we can get back to our usual routines but in the meantime our planning for future events goes ahead in the belief that things will soon be resolved.   We have an important anniversary to look forward to as we approach the 75th Anniversary of the ending of the Second World War and it is our plan to have a Service of Remembrance on 15th August at Smeeth Church where the recently appointed Bishop of Dover, the Very Rev. Rose Hudson Wilkins will take the service.

We hope that all our members and all supporters of the RBL remain virus free and that we can soon get back to what we know as normality.  GT   

Observations on life!

· Let us endeavour so to live that when we die even the undertaker is sorry.

 – Mark Twain

· Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn. – Robert Burns

· Those who think too much of themselves don’t think enough.  – Amy Carmichael

· It’s easy finding reasons why other folks should be patient. – George Eliot

·  If God sends us on stony paths, He gives us strong shoes. – Corrie Ten Boom

May 1st Philip the Apostle with common sense

Is there someone in church whom you respect for their spirituality and common sense combined? Someone you feel easy about approaching to ask questions? That person’s patron saint should be Philip.

Philip came from Bethsaida and was a disciple of Jesus from early on. He knew how to lead others to Jesus; he brought Nathanael (or Bartholomew) to Him in a calm, kindly way. He knew how to do some financial forecasting: at the feeding of the 5,000 it was he who pointed out that without divine help, even 200 pennyworth of bread wasn’t going to feed that crowd. He was the one whom the Greeks approached when they wanted to ask Jesus to show them the Father, but didn’t quite have the nerve to approach Jesus directly. People had confidence in Philip’s spirituality, common sense and kindliness. 

  Such a person is a gift to any church! In art, the Apostle Philip has been represented either with a cross, or with loaves of bread.

Café Wednesday

The Café is open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am at Brabourne Baptist Church.

Pop in for a warm friendly chat, caring atmosphere, tea, coffee and biscuits. Choice of books available.

Not been before? Just come and find us. Everyone is welcome!

Cafe Wednesday Extra is Back!

We will be continuing Cafe Wednesday Extra on the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting on Wednesday 12th October at 12.00. We will be serving soup, rolls and coffee/tea followed by a reflection, song and prayer. The cost will remain at £1.00.

Every one is welcome to join us. 

Come and join us for coffee before the soup. We are open every Wednesday from 10.00 to 11.30 for a friendly chat and companionship. Don’t forget that on the 1st Wednesday of the month David Vine (a church member) holds a clinic on behalf of Hi-Kent,  to service and provide batteries for hearing aids, free of charge! 

Citizenship Award 2020

The Citizenship Award is presented by Brabourne Parish Council in memory of Chris Goodall, a former Parish Councillor who was also involved in many other village organisations and events. The recipient of the award is chosen by the Parish Council from nominations made by our parishioners and thanks to this Newsletter there has been a significant increase in nominations this year.This year's Citizenship Award was presented to Kathy Embleton-Smith.

A university lecturer, her research for over 30 years focused largely on livelihoods and rural development in parts of East Africa and India. It was a short step to apply this technique locally and away from work she is closely involved with St Mary's Church, Brabourne.

A quote from her nomination: “She is a tower of strength and reliability ….. and is always so kind and thoughtful..... She has the energy and enthusiasm to encourage others and is a real example of someone who values and encourages community life.”

Kathy wishes to say thank you to everyone who put her name forward for the Award. She was truly astonished she had been chosen. At the presentation Mike Hickmott referred to the book that she and Christine Gurr wrote - Archives & Anecdotes (2013).

Kathy says interviewing over 170 people highlights the ties of community which have developed over generations and which have underpinned life in our villages. She says the award is therefore a consequence of the generosity of spirit of so many others and they are the ones who must share in it. 

Church Mission Society Boxes opened in March realised a splendid total of £144.37p.

Very many thanks to all our box holders for their continued support

Meeting Point

Come along to Brabourne Baptist Church On Thursday October 13th at 12 noon You are welcome to join us for good food and good company! Please phone Cathy for details; 01303 814132

The Brabourne and Smeeth Allotment Society

A Plot Holder’s View

How things have changed since my last newsletter. My daughter,

affectionately known as “vet girl”, has banned me from the allotment due

to my susceptibility to infections. Bless her though, she has taken on some tasks to ensure at least something grows down there this year.

Sue has worked like a trojan to clear some rough ground at home so that we can grow more vegetables here. The onion seedlings mentioned last time are now planted and the potatoes are in the ground.

Last autumn I mentioned that we are going to try a “no dig” policy. So far, we have prepared some vegetable plots using the rotovator as a hoe. It loosens the top two inches and then I rake up the weeds. Time will tell whether this is going to be successful.

On the subject of potatoes, we are still enjoying last year’s early and maincrop varieties. They have kept so well which is due to Sue’s diligence in rubbing off the shoots when they appear which would otherwise cause the tubers to shrivel. Large onions are starting to bolt but many of the small ones are still in good condition.

This year I think the spring has started at least two weeks early as asparagus is evident in early April and fruit trees have flowered earlier than usual. No doubt the drought that has now started at the time of writing, will cause more challenges for us.

The sheer fact that I can write this article about our activities emphasises just how lucky we are to live in leafy Brabourne with our gardens. For those of us who are retired, apart from seeing family, life goes on pretty much as usual. We often think of those poor people living in a high rise flat in a large city.

BDF

Leave Your Dandelions Alone!

When mowing your lawn, avoid cutting your dandelions.  That is the advice of the president of the British Ecological Society, Prof Jane Memmott. It will help to save the bees.

She explains: “Dandelions are a fantastic source of pollen and nectar for the early pollinators in particular. If they were rare, people would be fighting over them, but because they’re common, people pull them out and spray them with all sorts of horrible things when they should just let them flower.

If you leave the lawn to three or four inches, then dandelions, clover and daisies can flower and then you end with something like a tapestry, and it’s much nicer to sit there and watch the insects buzzing about.”

Gardeners’ Society

Locked in by the lockdown? Discovered a new interest in gardening or found you would have liked to have done more but lacked the knowledge – if so, why not join the Gardeners’ Society?

The Society was founded in 1934 by a Dr Bradbury and over the years has changed its name several times. It is now known as the Brabourne & Smeeth Gardeners’ Society but don’t feel you have to live in one of the villages to join as we have members from as far afield as Hythe and Woodchurch.

Our current membership numbers 77 with an average of 45 to 50 attending each meeting; the meetings are held on the last Friday of the month in the village hall, from 7.15 for 7.30 pm.

The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, giving us, amongst other benefits, access to personalised advice and concessions for entry to the RHS gardens.

During the year we have, on average, seven speakers with subjects that range from growing, maintaining and showing sweet peas, through the story of the rose to producing weird and wonderful vegetables. We stage five shows, a plant sale, at least one quiz and two or three social evenings. Our summer and Christmas socials are very popular with members when good food, wine and a lot of laughter is the order of the evening. We hold wine and wander evenings when we visit a local, private garden and enjoy not just the garden but also tasty nibbles and equally tasty wine.

Our Events Secretary organises coach trips to gardens and places of interest – recent highlights have included Leonardslee, Great Comp and, of course, RHS Wisley.

We are an active, very friendly society and always welcome new members and visitors so if you want to know more about what, when, where and how to grow fruit, veg, flowers, shrubs and trees and how to beat the rabbits, pigeons, foxes, slugs and snails why not come along to our friendly group for tea, coffee and a chat to like-minded fellow gardeners in a friendly and sociable atmosphere?

Any questions? Then please contact our secretary, Wendy Sanders, on 01303 813451,

email brabournewendy@gmail.com or visit our website at www.basgs.com.

…and finally, a few “Words of Wisdom”:

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

A Year in the Life of Smeeth W.I.

Smeeth W.I. have once again enjoyed a varied and interesting year at our monthly meetings which are held on the second Monday of the month. Usually twice a year we have an Open Meeting when anyone male or female are most welcome to join us if we feel that the subject of the meeting is going to be of interest to anyone. This happened again during the past year and our April Meeting became an amazing family gathering. It was the Easter holidays and children joined us to enjoy the “Up the Creek Ukelele Band”. It was great fun.

Our other open meeting was in June when Wing Commander Ankur Pandya gave us a most interesting and informative talk about his work with “Operation Smile” which is a charity working to repair mouth malformations in children and adults. We saw images of patients before and after surgery and all felt that the charity which relies entirely on volunteers was very worthwhile.

At our regular monthly meetings we had speakers covering a wide variety of different topics including beautiful jewellery made from clay, advice on home safety given by officers of the Kent Fire and Rescue service, and a musical evening “Of course I remember the 60s and its music” given by home grown duo, Peter Clayton and George Taylor. We had a visit from Finn Dunlop of Macnades Fine Foods and there were samples of cold meats and cheeses for us to try. Our member Jackie Thomas, showed us how to make Christmas wreaths and table decorations at our October meeting and what a fine evening we enjoyed when Philip Sibbald joined us at Christmas to entertain us with his rendition “Baritone, Bling and Booze”

The beginning of this year we heard about “Rare Breed Sheep – Wensleydales”- followed by instruction in chair-based Yoga and were fortunate enough to have at our first Open Meeting of 2020 Simon Ginnaw, who made a terrific presentation before a very large audience “Kent’s Wild Year”. Simon took us on a journey around Kent during the seasons looking at some of the county’s best wildlife. It was most fascinating.

We have enjoyed our Luncheon Club every other month at various local hostelries including a special celebration for our 101st Birthday at the Black Horse, Monks Horton. Some of our members enjoyed an East Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes weekend trip to Waddesden Manor and W.I.’s Denman College. Our summer outing was a tour of Shepherd Neame Brewery followed by a splendid afternoon tea.

Our lead bulb planter and her team continued bulb planting throughout the autumn and how splendid our village has been looking with its golden daffodils glowing in the spring sunshine.

It is a great pity that our activities have been curtailed at present but once we are through the Coronavirus crisis, there will be different speakers and events for all members to enjoy. JT

Observations on Everyday Life:

People who sing their own praises usually do so without accompaniment. Anon

Confidence is keeping your chin up; overconfidence is sticking it out. Anon

A man shows his character by what he laughs at. Anon

There is no better proof of friendship than to help our friends with their burdens. Augustine

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. J. Wolfgang

Enjoying Painting Watercolours.

Why not try your hand at Watercolour painting?

“ I can’t paint, I’m not an artist “. I have heard those few words many times over my

20 years of painting & nine times out of ten the students who say that prove themselves wrong very quickly.

I have worked with upwards of 300 people in the adult and school courses that I run and have witnessed some really amazing artworks from students, who until joining the course had never painted before. The great pleasure derived from painting is paramount; it can be so absorbing that students are amazed at how quickly the time goes and how therapeutic the experience is.

All my courses are designed with both the beginner and the advanced student in mind and to give all students individual time there is a maximum of 12 students per course session.

I hold both afternoon and evening sessions in the Oakroom , Church Road Smeeth. This is an ideal location with interesting scenes all around and it is just the right size for a maximum of 12 students on any course. During the summer we try and work outside at various locations.

The courses involve 4 X 2 hour sessions enabling students to complete 2 finished art works over the period. All materials for my courses are supplied so there is no extra expense other than the course fee.

My teaching method is by the very established method of Demonstration, so that each student is guided through all the various aspects of Watercolour painting.

Watercolour is a very popular medium; it lends itself to painting a wide range of subjects and although my main interest is in landscape & seascape I am also continually looking at many alternative subjects.

If you would like to join my course AFTER the lock- down is over e- mail me with your details and I will keep you informed as to when & where we will be meeting again.

Phone  Graham Lilley on 01303 812088 or

e-mail grahamlilley68 @btinternet.com   for full details.

Spring Watch at the Sandpit

The main changes you may see if walking past the quarry since

the winter is that some planned tree felling has been done to

reduce the invasive species and allow indigenous planting to take place by kind volunteers - the benefits of which will develop as the new trees grow.

Looking back at what we wrote this time last year, it was difficult to find something new to add - the gorse is in full flower and thriving, wild flowers are sprouting and bringing colour and interest and migrant birds are returning to take advantage, with their local resident population, of this sheltered and peaceful sanctuary. The fact that we are repeating ourselves is reassuring, however, and proves that the quarry is fulfilling its purpose and becoming an established haven for wildlife.

Whilst we, at present, all remain confined to our own little environments, it is uplifting to see that nature carries on - somewhat the better no doubt for our lack of human intrusion.

There is irony in the fact that we are restricted in our movements - no flights, no foreign travel- and yet our migrating birds are still successfully making the daunting passage, unaided, all the way from sub- Saharan Africa. Some cuckoos have already arrived in Kent. At the time of writing, most recent reports from the British Trust for Ornithology of a regular tagged cuckoo visitor to the UK put him in mid Spain having set off from Angola and expected back here about the 27th April.

Nature is a constant in this time of uncertainty and change - so enjoy it and all its detail at its springtime best. JL & PL

Paint for Victory over the Coronavirus!

An invitation to the communities of Brabourne & Smeeth including our school children.

As we all come to terms with this virus & in many cases being isolated from our usual contacts, family and friends,  I am suggesting that we all try & take a little time out to produce a piece of ARTWORK of any size, style or subject. ….just one painting per person to start with.

If you have watercolour paints that would be great but ANY MEDIUM will do …  felt tip pens , coloured pencils,  pastels , acrylics, or even pencil drawings.

My Idea is to hold a FAMILY  EXHIBITION of ALL the paintings submitted at the end of this very difficult time at a local venue, yet to be decided, with the aim of raising monies for a local charity which will have suffered from lack of income as a result of the coronavirus .

Hopefully this will help to focus our minds on something other than the virus & reduce some of the stress of not meeting up at our usual ART GROUPS.

With all the spring flowers out now and potential paintings in your own locations I think this could be quite exciting andI hope many of you and possibly your friends will take part.

I am always  happy to offer advice, tips and hints on your work . So please keep in touch. grahamlilley68 @btinternet.com GL

News from Brabourne Church of England Primary School.

In normal times, this would mark the start of the summer term.  The school calendar would be crammed full of sporting events, Year 2 and 6 SATS examinations, teachers planning summer concerts, sport's days, leaver's performances, theme weeks and residential trips. The playground would be full of the sound of pupils enjoying the wonderful weather, in the beauty of our rural setting.

Instead primary schools are only open for a selection of key worker children, to allow the country to keep moving and support the tremendous efforts of the NHS. We have been struck by the spirit of the Brabourne and Smeeth communities and the kindness that has been so evident, both here and across the country. We have been proud of the way that parents have taken on the challenge of educating their children, without the structure of a normal school day. Schools have now turned to technology to engage with families in supplying work, for those that can, and maintain the bonds between teachers and pupils.

This year our school celebrates 170 years since the first children were enrolled in 1850. It has seen much in its time and this will be yet another chapter in its history. But in years to come, we will look back on this event and think about how we supported each other. During World War 2, Brabourne School housed evacuees from the cities, wiring lighting into its cellar (under the Year 5/6 class), to turn it into an air raid shelter. Teaching children about evacuees always seemed quite abstract, but now we are in a similar situation where we will pull together as communities, just in a different way.

Although our school gates are closed for the majority for the moment, we are mindful of all the key workers who are keeping the country going and of our school values of hope and courage. When we return, we will have an even greater appreciation of how precious our schools are and the role they play in our communities.

Andrew Stapley

Headteacher

Brabourne CEP School

 

 

Brabourne Church, like all others in the parish, is closed at the moment. However, the churchyard is looking very lovely so please do walk around it as part of your daily exercise. Also, if you see fallen twigs and branches on the grass, kindly pick them up and put them on the bonfire. This will be a great help to the person who mows the grass. Thank you.

Inevitably, all our social and fundraising events are on hold but we do hope that when lockdown is eventually lifted we may be able to reschedule events such as the Plant Sale and Children’s Quiz, and an annual walk round part of Penstock Farm and Vineyard, followed by tea in the farm yard - courtesy of George and Vicki Jessel.

Plenty of other events had also been planned, and have been suspended - a party to celebrate VE Day (to be organised by Alastair Gibson and team); our annual Ploughman’s Lunch and another Otono Guitar Concert led by David Green. If it is possible to reschedule any of these at short notice posters will be put up on Orpins’ notice board. 

So, please keep a look out as lockdown won’t go on forever……. (or so we hope!) KE-S

Scout Group News

As everyone will expect, all face to face Scouting has stopped for the foreseeable future and the 2 camps we were planning for early this year have been cancelled. 

However, we are still giving the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers things to do. We are sending emails and posting on our Facebook Pages some ideas for them to try each week. We have suggested that Beavers make a small raft using twigs and bits and pieces they can find at home and see if they can float it in a bucket or bowl of water. They have also been asked to draw a self-portrait.

Scouts have been asked to build a windmill, try to learn British Sign Language, make a map of their home & garden, write a "Blackout Poem" and to try the scouts Digital Maker Badges (making all sorts of computer based digital things including computer games.) We will continue to send ideas out regularly. 

Building refurbishment

We have been very lucky with the timing of the work to the building. Gary, one of the Group's parent supporters who is a kitchen fitter, has done a fantastic job in helping to install our new kitchen just before movement restrictions came into force. We are really delighted with the result and very much appreciate the significant amount of time that Gary gave to the group.

Similarly Dean Wanstall was able to get the repointing done just in time. Again a great job, well done by a local business.

Newspaper collection

For the time being there is not going to be a newspaper collection. Outside of the Covid-19 crisis, newspaper values had fallen to the point that it was costing £50 per tonne for the paper mill to accept the paper. This makes the whole exercise financially worthless. We are investigating whether we can take the paper to the local KCC tip or not and await news on that front. Given other much more important priorities, we do not expect an early answer.

We thank the whole community for the support that has been given to the Scout & Guide Group for over 20 years with this recycling effort.

With best wishes to all for a safe and healthy outcome from this current emergency.

Jon Rose

Group Scout Leader

1ST BRABOURNE & SMEETH SCOUTS & GUIDES

 

Minister Paul Muir: Tel; 01303813502 or 07929269777 or email; pjm436@hotmail.co.uk

www.brabournebaptist.org.uk

CHURCH SERVICES and PRAYER TIMES

We are very sorry to say that for the foreseeable future, the church will be closed and all the outreaches will be suspended that involve people physically meeting together: 

In the meantime we will be holding our Sunday service, meeting for prayer and Renew 18 using Zoom via the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/730435387?pwd=MzVrdm5LSUFZYU01UmJScC9oUmtxZz09

Meeting ID: 730 435 387

Password: 080196

The meetings we have will be at the following times:

Sunday morning service 

From 10.15 am

Morning prayer

Monday - Saturday 9 am to 9.30 am

Renew 18

Monday 3 pm - 5 pm

Wednesday evening prayer

7 pm - 8 pm

Do look at our website www.brabournebaptist.org.uk where we will be posting recordings of our sermons and posting any other useful information.

A Few Instructions That May Help

If you click on the web link this will take you to the Zoom webpage and if you have already downloaded Zoom it will prompt you to allow the page to open and then when you do you will be taken straight to the meeting (as long as I have already set the meeting running). If nothing happens on the webpage then it will direct you to download and run Zoom.

The other way you can join the meeting whether on a PC (https://zoom.us) or via the app on a phone or tablet is to select the option to join a meeting, enter the meeting ID i.e. 730 435 387 and then you will be asked to enter the password which for this meeting is 080196.

I hope this will make the process easier going forward but please any questions or if you want to try it out before the meetings then please give me a ring (01303 813502 or 07929 269777).

Remembrance – 100 years after the Somme

Remembrance Day this year will have a special significance. Almo.st exactly a century after the Battle of the Somme finally came to its inconclusive end (18th November) we shall once again be remembering all those who have lost their lives in war, or had their lives blighted by its consequences.

The unbelievable slaughter of the Somme – more than a million men were killed or wounded – made it perhaps the bloodiest battle of human history. The incessant bombardment of heavy artillery, the suicidal waves of attack by unprotected soldiers, the introduction, a few months from its close, of the first tanks in battle all contributed to the vast number of casualties, but so did the pointless efforts of both sides to break what was in fact a five month stalemate. This was a battle nobody won but a million men lost.

This year we shall once again make our prayers for peace and our reflective remembrance against a back-drop of a world that is stubbornly inclined to think that problems can be solved by fighting over them. In the Middle East and in parts of Africa there are still too many who believe that guns and bombs can solve things, when all the evidence of history is that they can’t.

Today, a hundred years after the Battle of the Somme, historians still can’t decide what the Great War was actually about. And the arrival of the Second World War in 1939 tells us that whatever anyone thought it was, five years of sickening killing had not settled it.

‘We will remember them’, we say. Surely the finest remembrance would be a world without violence. It still seems a long way off.

Message from Paul……

At this time of great uncertainty, it is understandable that many in our community will feel frightened, not just about becoming ill, but at the thought of being isolated and alone. I want to reassure you all that even if our church doors are closed at this time, the church is not about its buildings, but its people. We are still here and as a church, we are praying for you all and will continue to do so. We cannot possibly know where all the greatest need might be, but if anyone needs help, then please reach out and ask.

At this time we, as a community, have to work together and if we do, then we will come through this and be made stronger. 

Our greatest source of hope, strength and comfort at this time is Jesus and so I would like to sign off with these words: 

‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2) 

Blessings, 

Paul

Bless You ?

People used to say ‘bless you’ if you sneezed. Nowadays they might say something ruder! We live in troubled times.

Some say that the expression started in Rome, when plague broke out. Sneezing was one of the plague’s main symptoms, and Pope Gregory I suggested that a tiny prayer in the form of saying, “God bless you” after a sneeze would protect the person from death.

Sadly, that does not always work, but we can still remind ourselves of Psalm 91: 4-6

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Psalm 91: 4-6

FAMILY SERVICES at Brabourne and Stowting and SECOND SUNDAY SPECIAL at Smeeth are creative times of worship for children and adults of all ages. Services last for no longer than 45 minutes and refreshments are available afterwards.

Brabourne Church hold THIRD SUNDAY EXTRA at 10.00 am on the third Sunday of each month which offers up to an hour of fun –filled activities for children. Well-behaved adults are also welcome to join in if they wish! The kettle is always on the boil!

 

Kent County Council Trading Standards

Dear Kent Resident,

Re: Scams Advice During Coronavirus Outbreak.

Kent County Council Trading Standards are writing to you with regards to the coronavirus and how you can access support and safeguard yourself against scams.

It can be difficult to know who to trust at this time. Please be aware that not everyone is trustworthy, and some people are taking advantage of the unusual situation we are facing.

Here are just some of the scams we are aware of, but please note that criminals come in all shapes and sizes and can contact you at the door, by phone, by post or online.

Beware of:

• Miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Home cleaning services.

• People impersonating healthcare workers, claim to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buy.

• Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar are usually bogus and they are just after your personal and bank details.

• Fake cures for coronavirus – there is no cure for Coronavirus at this time. These will not help and are designed to take your money.

• New mobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom. The UK Government has launched a Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp To use the free service simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.

• Your bank or the police will never ask for your bank details over the phone.

• People offering to do your shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing.

Tips to avoid being scammed:

• Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the door.

• Take your time; don’t be rushed.

• Say no to ALL doorstep sales and requests for money, even if they claim to be from a charity. If possible, stay safe and don’t even open your door.

• If you are online, be aware of fake news and use trusted sources such as gov.uk or NHS.uk websites. Make sure you type the addresses in and don’t click on links in emails.

• Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information.

• Know who you’re dealing with - if you need help, talk to someone you know or report it

.

USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS

The Brabourne & Smeeth Scout and Guide Hut, to book for parties, classes or events contact the Group Lettings Officer by e-mail, when an application form containing all details and hire fees will be sent out to the prospective hirer.  For any enquiries and bookings please e-mail to:   scout.guidehq@gmail.com  

Brabourne and Smeeth Village Hall: For any enquiries and bookings please e-mail to: brabourneandsmeethvillagehall@gmail.com

Baptist Church Hall: If you wish to book the church hall for a meeting or function, please phone Geoff Thorpe 01303 813152

The Oak Room: Bookings and enquiries regarding The Oak Room should be made by

e-mail office@stourdowns.org.uk or telephoning 01303 813398

Neighbourhood Officers: Our PCSO is Aarron Newell and he can be contacted on aarron.newell@ kent.pnn.police.uk

The Police can be contacted to report rural matters on 07980978202

This number should not be used to report crime –for non-urgent calls phone 101, including any matters for Ashford Police, crime reporting, lost property etc.

For urgent emergency calls phone 999.

For further information please visit www.kent.police.uk. Ashford Police Station is 01233 611055

MP’S Surgery: Our MP is Damian Collins. If you have any questions, complaints or comments, please book an appointment by e-mailing your name, post code, subject and message to: shepwayconservatives@btconnect.com or telephone 01303 253524.

Brabourne & Smeeth Parish Councils: Mrs Tracey Block

email: clerk@brabournepc.org.uk   and clerk@smeethpc.org.uk

or from the Home Page of the community website:

http://www.brabournepc.kentparishes.gov.uk

http://www.smeethpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Bellringing: Brabourne Church, 8 bells, tenor 11-2-15cwt in G.

Practice Friday 7.30- 9.00pm Tower Captain Alan Bourner.

tel : 01303812604

Parish NewsPlease send all articles, society reports, coming events to

Maggie Smith by the 20th of the month prior to publication tel 01303 813746 or e-mail: parishmag_gie@btinternet.com

To advertise in the ‘Parish News’ contact David Hill on 07827 221569e-mail: davidhillmkc@gmail.com

The Voyage of HMS Beagle

Two hundred years ago, on 11th May 1820, the British Royal Navy sloop HMS Beagle was launched. It was the ship that took Charles Darwin on the voyage around the world between 1831 and 1836 that led to his putting forward the theory of Evolution.

HMS Beagle was one of 100 ships of its class, known as coffin brigs because they handled badly and were prone to sinking. But its captain on Darwin’s voyage, Robert FitzRoy, made some critical changes to its superstructure and weaponry.

This was the second voyage of the Beagle; the first had resulted in the suicide of its depressed captain. FitzRoy was able to recruit Darwin, who was intending to be a clergyman, though he had recently graduated as a naturalist, as someone of a like mind who could be relied upon to research geology and natural history ashore.

The voyage lasted five years instead of the intended two, and Darwin became famous after publishing his journal, usually known as The Voyage of the Beagle, which was an intriguing travelogue as well as hinting at Darwin’s theories on species.

The ship itself was believed lost, but in 2004 its remains were thought to have been located beneath an Essex marsh.

St Mary the Blessed Virgin Brabourne

Café Wednesday; The Café is open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am at Brabourne Baptist Church. Pop in for a warm friendly chat, caring atmosphere, tea coffee and biscuits. Choice of books available.

Cafe Wednesday is back! Second Wednesday of every month starting at 12 noon. We will be serving soup, rolls and coffee/tea followed by a reflection, song & prayer. Cost remains at £1. Everyone welcome!

warmly invites you

to

Fridays at 3

in the Oak Room on the last Friday of every month

St Mary’s Parish Church Smeeth

warmly invites you

to

Fridays at 3

in the Oak Room on the last Friday of every month

Our next meeting is on August 26th for our Annual Cream Tea

Please come and enjoy homemade scones, a variety of jams with fresh cream.

Plus tea and good company !

This invitation is open to anyone who would like to come along.

If you would like further information, or a lift to / from the Oak Room

Please contact Di Dawson (01303 813398)

We look forward to welcoming you.

Details of events organised by or on behalf of our churches during 2020

Café Wednesday

The Café is open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am at Brabourne Baptist Church.

Pop in for a warm friendly chat, caring atmosphere, tea, coffee and biscuits. Choice of books available.

Not been before? Just come and find us. Everyone is welcome!

Cafe Wednesday Extra is Back!

We will be continuing Cafe Wednesday Extra on the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting on Wednesday 12th October at 12.00. We will be serving soup, rolls and coffee/tea followed by a reflection, song and prayer. The cost will remain at £1.00.

Every one is welcome to join us. 

Come and join us for coffee before the soup. We are open every Wednesday from 10.00 to 11.30 for a friendly chat and companionship. Don’t forget that on the 1st Wednesday of the month David Vine (a church member) holds a clinic on behalf of Hi-Kent,  to service and provide batteries for hearing aids, free of charge! 

Meeting Point

Come along to Brabourne Baptist Church On Thursday October 13th at 12 noon You are welcome to join us for good food and good company! Please phone Cathy for details; 01303 814132

Observations on Everyday Life:

People who sing their own praises usually do so without accompaniment. Anon

Confidence is keeping your chin up; overconfidence is sticking it out. Anon

A man shows his character by what he laughs at. Anon

There is no better proof of friendship than to help our friends with their burdens. Augustine

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. J. Wolfgang

Remembrance – 100 years after the Somme

Remembrance Day this year will have a special significance. Almo.st exactly a century after the Battle of the Somme finally came to its inconclusive end (18th November) we shall once again be remembering all those who have lost their lives in war, or had their lives blighted by its consequences.

The unbelievable slaughter of the Somme – more than a million men were killed or wounded – made it perhaps the bloodiest battle of human history. The incessant bombardment of heavy artillery, the suicidal waves of attack by unprotected soldiers, the introduction, a few months from its close, of the first tanks in battle all contributed to the vast number of casualties, but so did the pointless efforts of both sides to break what was in fact a five month stalemate. This was a battle nobody won but a million men lost.

This year we shall once again make our prayers for peace and our reflective remembrance against a back-drop of a world that is stubbornly inclined to think that problems can be solved by fighting over them. In the Middle East and in parts of Africa there are still too many who believe that guns and bombs can solve things, when all the evidence of history is that they can’t.

Today, a hundred years after the Battle of the Somme, historians still can’t decide what the Great War was actually about. And the arrival of the Second World War in 1939 tells us that whatever anyone thought it was, five years of sickening killing had not settled it.

‘We will remember them’, we say. Surely the finest remembrance would be a world without violence. It still seems a long way off.

7