Town Talk


MORE than 400 children visited Father Christmas in his grotto in Snodland. He rode round the streets of the


town in the morning before opening his grotto in the Devonshire Rooms, Waghorn Road. There were so many children waiting to see him he had to leave his grotto and greet them in the hall before he accompanied the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Brian Luker, to turn on the Christmas lights in the High Street. The Christmas tree is in front of the United Church in the town centre but, because the church is closed, the grotto was moved to the Devonshire Rooms, where an indoor market was held. The scouts outdoor market was held


in the Rocfort Road car park. Resi- dents were able to dedicate a “Light for Life” in memory of loved ones and members of Snodland Choral Society led the huge crowd in carol singing in the High Street before the lights were switched on. Anne Moloney, chairman of the town council, commented: “The organisers had been very concerned that Father Christmas had to move from the United Church to the Devonshire Rooms. “In the event, the children found Fa-


ther Christmas and we were delighted that so many came. They just kept on coming and Father Christmas was kept very busy. It was a huge success and we hope that both parents and


Santa rides into Snodland on his sleigh


Members of Snodland Choral Society lead the carol singing


children enjoyed themselves.” LesWithey, chairman of the organ-


ising committee thanked the three Jones brothers for building the grotto and decorating the Christmas tree. Bari Jones lives in Snodland and


he was assisted by his brothers, Chris and Lawrence, directors of Vi- sions Ltd, a visual display technical company. “Our thanks to them for building


such a superb grotto,” said Les. “It was enjoyed bymany local and some not so local children.” He also thanked everybody else


who helped and, particularly, the Wheel of Cuxton, which provides the sleigh and Roger Bolton from Street and Alan King from Snodland for driv- ing the vehicle towing the sleigh.


Local news for Snodland and Halling Santa brings Christmas cheer to Snodland


Courtney, TJ and Amie with Father Christmas in his grotto


Charity events to remember


years ago, was one of the longest serving members and a trustee of the club. Steward Richard Steele


and trustee Toddy Imms wanted a memorial to Bill. A fishing competition, which will become an annual event, has been held. Multi-tribute act Frank n


Stein and singer Verity Rae Martin provided the entertain- ment at the concert – to raise funds for Leukaemia and Lymphonia Research. Richard thanked every-


body who helped, including DG Autos who gave £300 tickets for a touring car championship at Brands Hatch, and Friends & Bikers Motorcycle Club for running an auction and raffle. A total of £1,425 was


raised at the two functions. Couple are wild about wildlife in their garden


A SNODLAND man has won a sil- ver award for his efforts in encour- aging wildlife and making his garden environmentally friendly. It is the third time Robin Trew, of Hollow Lane, has been successful. The Wild About Gardens scheme


is run locally by Kent Wildlife Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society,


Kent High Weald Project and Ton- bridge & Malling Borough Council. The citation declared Robin’s


was a small garden at the front with a long, narrow back garden with a variety of planting. A small wildlife pond, hedgehog box, feed- ing stations, bird bath, bee box and a small log pile. He said he heard about the scheme from a friend in Maid- stone, went on the internet for de- tails and has now won silver three years running. Robin, a retired mechanical engi-


neer with Southern Water, and his wife, Jeanette, have had an inter- est in wildlife for a number of years.


Hedgehogs have been among their regular visitors over the


8 Town Talk


years. They bought a hedge- hog box and this year a mum and four babies have made it their home. One year they had 35 frogs but this year there are only three. Newts are also regulars although the numbers vary every year. There have also been many birds including redwings, blackcaps, mistlethrush, woodpeckers, waxwings and, this year, three nesting blackbirds. Robin and Jeanette are looking forward to seeing what next year will bring.


club stalwart A CONCERT in memory of a stalwart of Snodland Work- ing Men’s Club was highly successful. Bill Wells, who died three


Robin and Jeanette Trew and (left) a


hedgehog has reared her young in their garden


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