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Crafty pals get together to help charities


KNITTERS and stitchers have been com- bining their talents for charity while catch- ing up on all the latest news and gossip. The Crafty Chin-waggers meet monthly at Mereworth Village Hall. The group grew out of a partnership formed three and a half years ago by old schoolfriends Pamela Lip- pett and Tina Reynolds, who wanted an ex- cuse for a catch-up. Pamela, from Vinters Park, Maidstone,


and Tina, from Mereworth, soon realised they were not alone, as they were joined by crochet enthusiasts, tapestry makers, cross stitchers, quilters and card makers. The group rapidly outgrew its meeting


rooms at the Queen’s Head in Mereworth, and moved to the village hall. Now, the group has more than 80 members, from all over Tonbridge andMalling, as well as from Maidstone, although some of them are housebound and stay in touch via the web- site and monthly newsletters. A £500 grant from Tonbridge andMalling


ONE of the best-known faces behind the counter of a shop in Snodland has re- tired.


DerekBennett has been involved with


the town’s post office since 1978. He andhis wifeNorma,adistrictnurse,have lived in Simpson Road, Snodland, since 1987. The couple, who have two children,


EmmaandAlex, and one grandson,mar- ried in 1970 and in 1978, he and his fa- ther-in-law, Ron Chetland, sold their houses to buy the post office. Derek be-


Council meant the group could invest in new materials and equipment then, with the support of the charity Grassroots, buy sewing machines for members’ use. The group began raising money for char-


ity soon after its inception, as well as pro- ducing knitted baby clothes for the TunbridgeWellsHospital baby unit, hats for fishermen and the troops in Afghanistan. Funds have been raised for the Peggy Wood charity, the Heart of Kent Hospice,


Postmaster Derek set for retirement


came sub postmaster when Ron retired in 1988. He said: “We could see the post office


was on a downward slope in the 1990s. The Co-op approached us in2000 to buy the business and it was an easy deci- sion.” Derekwas taken on as post office manager. Derekplans to installinganewkitchen


and re-build a 1973 Escort Mexico rally car with his son, Alex.Hewould also like to spend time with Norma, touring with their caravan.


Derek with (from left), Ness Apps, Linda Hasemore, Kirsty Gibbons and Claire Philpott


and charities supporting Parkinson’s Dis- ease and dementia care. One of their most rewarding projects has been making heart cushions for the breast cancer care team at Maidstone Hospital. The hearts are given to those who have undergone breast surgery and are placed under the arm on the opera- tion side to ease pressure on the wound. Fiona Anderson, breast care nurse spe- cialist, said: “Patients are very touched by the thoughtfulness of such a gesture. Many have said that receiving the cushion made them feel cared for at a time when they were feeling particularly vulnerable.” The group meets at 7.30pm on the third


Tuesday of themonth at Mereworth Village Hall. New members are always welcome. Pamela believes there is sufficient inter-


est to start a second group in Maidstone if there was a cheap meeting room available. For further information, call Pamela on 01622 754428 or visit www.craftychinwag- gers.com.


Relocating to larger premises with parking in the new year!


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Malling 3


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