Alcohol-free communion


Continued from page one


years, rather than use two sepa- rate chalices. Neighbouring churches in Laddingford and Collier Street may also follow their example – although Canon B17 of the Church of England stipulates that communion wine should be “the fermented juice of the grape, good and wholesome”. However, the same laws state


that the bread should be ‘made from the finest wheat’ – when, in fact, most churches use rice paper wafers. In a statement from the Dio-


cese, The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, who is a patron of the Kenward Trust, said he fully understood the PCC’s desire to respond pas- torally to the needs of those seek- ing to overcome alcohol dependency, but it added: “There are pastorally sensitive ways in which to respond to the particu- lar needs of this group of parish- ioners. The bishop will be working with Rev Filmer and his PCC to find a way forward.”


Tea and cake at


village bake-off CAKE bakers are rubbing their floury hands with glee at the prospect of a great benefice bake off and tea time extrava- ganza in Sutton Valence. The fund-raising cake compe-


tition will be held at the Sutton Valence School refectory, from 2.30pm to 5pm on Saturday, October 19. There will be classes for


under 11s, under 18s and adults, and entry is just £1 per item.


Admission to visitors is free


and there will be tea, cakes and activities for all ages. For further information, con-


tact vicar’s wife Tessa Curnew on 860403.


Sycamore consent MICHAEL Smith has been given conservation area consent to fell a sycamore tree in Lower Road, Sutton Valence. The scheme forMilstead Cottage in- cludes halving the height of five conifers and crown thinning a yew tree by 50%.


THE 400 walkers who took part in the seventh Moonlit Walk all had their own differ- ent reasons for taking part, but the same purpose; to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice. Many of them had seen for themselves how the hospice cares for patients and their families at the end of their lives. Others had heard about the essential services it pro- vides and wanted to “give something back”.


6 South


Villagers get on their bikes


MORE than 70 peo- ple turned out for the this year’s Tour de Franc, Boughton Monchelsea’s an- swer to the French cycle race. The gruelling route


took them from the village hall to The Cock Inn for refresh- ments and then back to the Scout HQ for a barbecue. Money raised will be split between Scout group funds and Tommy’s, the charity which helps people have healthy babies. Group Scout leader Karen Filmer, a former Barclays employee, has arranged that the money raised will be matched pound for pound as part of the BarclaysCom- munity Investment ‘Charity Begins atWork’ Programme, bringing the total raised to £740.


More than 70 people took up the Tour de Franc challenge, on a variety of wheels or walking


Gypsies’ visit is cut short


QUICK thinking by parish councillors ensured gypsies planning a sojourn in Yalding had a short-lived stay. Police were called out one Friday night after chairman Geraldine Brown found a breach in the fence at the junc- tion of Lees Road and Hamp- stead Lane. Despite attempts to repair the fence, the travellers moved on


PICNICKERS from Yalding and Laddingford pitched up for the traditional apple picking and pressing session at the village’s ancient orchard on The Fen. Two presses doubled the yield


of juice on last year, allowing vil- lagers to take away as much as they could carry in cartons. Aswell as fresh apple juice and


a glass of Goacher’s fine ale, Yalding Parish Council provided cider, wine and soft drinks, while some pickers brought picnics. Parish council chairman Geral- dine Brown even offered slices of her spiced apple cake,madewith apples from The Fen. Ken Goughwas in charge of the


apple presses this year, while Mark Pritchard, from Medway Valley Country Partnership, led a guided walk around the fen, which is hometo theParish’s two Sussex heifers and Harry the


to the field next to The Lees the following day and set up camp, along with several vehicles, tents and horses. The trespassers moved off on


the Sunday and by Monday, KCC was busy repairing the fence. A police spokesman said: “A couple of vehicles parked up in Yalding on Friday evening. A local officer spoke to them and


Apples picked at picnic


they said they would only be there for the weekend, as they were attending the Horsmonden horse fair.” The vehicular access to The Kintons playing field was also locked for the duration of the weekend and The Lees car park was closed on the Sunday. Most of the local pubs also re- mained closed.


Enjoy a valley


tour by train FINE scenery, fascinating his- tory and a good pint will all be available on a special train on the Medway Valley Line on Sunday, October 20. Commentator Bob Ratcliffe


will point out the sights and de- scribe how the railway helped to form the countryside. The train leaves Maidstone


Highlander. Juice from the orchard is bot-


tled and sold in the Village Tea Shop in Yalding High Street and by Angela Gent, Yalding Parish Council’s clerk. Next September’s popular pick


and picnic will be the parish’s 50th.


Walkers’ moonlit jaunt to help hospice The hospice relies heavily on


the generosity of the commu- nity, and the Moonlit Walk, as the Hospice’s biggest fundrais- ing event of the year, gave sup- porters an opportunity to have fun under the stars while doing their bit. Dressed mostly in pyjamas or onesies, walkers covered a route of either six or 10 miles from the David Lloyd fitness centre at Kings Hill towards Aylesford. Among them was television presenter Carol


West at 2pm, and will visit Ton- bridge and Strood before re- turning to Maidstone West at 5pm. It calls at all points and can be joined at any Medway Valley Line station. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be available. Normal ticketing applies, but


with GroupSave discount, three or four adults can travel off- peak for the price of two. Ac- companying children travel for just £1 each and under-fives travel for free. To book, email ian.pater- son@ruralkent.org.uk or call 07917 84100 by October 18.


McGiffin, fresh from Celebrity Big Brother. They left after music from local band the Soundcasters and a warm-up routine by dance group Foxy Burlesque. The hospice’s fundraising


and marketing manager, Caro- line Brinkman, said: “It was a fantastic night and we are grateful to everyone who joined us. This is a very important event for us and it was won- derful to see so many people supporting their local hospice.”


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


Drivers warned POLICE warned more than a dozen drivers about their speed during roadside checks on rural roads in the area this month. Maidstone neighbourhood policing team used a speed gun to check more than 70 vehicles passing through Staplehurst, Boughton Monchelsea and Headcorn on 5 September. Five drivers were given ver-


bal warnings for speeding in Headcorn, and eight in Staple- hurst.


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