Town Talk


Carnival doubt THE response to this year's carni- val in Snodland has been disap- pointing. Last year’s carnival parade was


in danger of being called off through lack of support but An- nemarie Lea and John Morgan saved the day by encouraging local people to get involved. The theme for this summer’s


parade, on July 7, is Charles Dick- ens, but applications for only four floats and three walking groups had beenmade to the town coun- cil by the January closing date. The charities are Porchlight (a


homeless charity) and child poverty, which have local connec- tions with Snodland. A meeting to decide if the pa-


rade will take place was due as Town Talk went to press.


Memorial seat LOCAL MP Tracey Crouch will dedicate amemorial seat to Anne Moloney at Holborough Park, Snodland, between 1pmand 2pm on March 9. Anne was involved in many or-


ganisations in the town, had been chairman of the town council and was a councillor on Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, of which she wasmade an honorary alderman. She died in 2016.


Tribute night SNODLAND Community Associa- tion is presenting a tribute night at the community centre on Satur- day, March 3. Gareth James will recreate the


sounds of Robbie Williams, Michael Buble and other popular artists. Tickets are available at Home &


Hobby in Malling Road, Snod- land, or by contacting Dilys on 01634 240783.


A SERVICE of thanksgiving and re-dedication was due to be held on Sunday, February 11, at- tended by the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Venerable Julie Conalty. The urgent repair work to All Saints Church, Snodland, has


THE rector of Snodland, the Rev Hugh Broadbent, has announced he will be retiring in September when he reaches the age of 65. Rev Broadbent was ordained


40 years ago and has served his entire ministry within the Rochester diocese. He and his wife, Jane, who have been mar- ried for 35 years,moved to Snod- land in July 2009. They have a son and daughter and a grand- son, Bernard, who is almost two. They will be moving to Trot-


tiscliffe when they leave Snod- land. Previously, he was priest-in-


charge of St John’s Church, Bromley and chaplain to St Olave’s Grammar School, Orp- ington, where he was also a teacher. He has a variety of hobbies and


interests, many of which have been on hold because of hiswork. He is a member of Snodland


Chess Club and was in the choral society before its closure last year. He plays the piano, cello and guitar and is in the Anglican Society for theWelfare of Animals, to which he hopes to give more


Local news for Snodland and Halling


A Downs Mail supplement produced in conjunction with the Snodland Chamber of Commerce.


Service of thanks for urgent church repairs


been completed and the scaf- folding taken down. The Rector of Snodland, the


Rev Hugh Broadbent, said the finish date was delayed by a cou- ple of months, principally be- cause of problems experienced by the quarry in supplying the


ragstone needed for the tower. Because of the delay in com-


pleting the work, he said the planned public meeting to ex- plain to everyone what has been achieved and what still remains to be done has been postponed until after Easter.


Retiring rector plans to devote time to hobbies


time. He also plans to domore re- search into writing and speaking and hopes to continue to officiate, support parishes in the diocese and be a more active grandad. “One of the great privileges of a


parish priest is being involved in some of the keymoments in peo- ple's lives,” he said. “I have, for example, conducted hundreds of funerals in Snodland and dozens of marriages and baptisms. Each and every one has been special in its own way. “Pastoral contacts of this kind


are, for me, the most important highlights, but perhaps they are the most hidden. “The church has done a great


deal over the last few years, the result of wonderful teamwork, sacrificial commitment, hard work, talent and expertise given by numerous volunteers and pro- fessionals, both in the church and the wider community. “I have always had a strong in-


terest in education and have en- joyedmy involvement with all four schools in Snodland, taking as- semblies and occasional lessons and facilitating visits to our two


churches. I have also been chair of governors at the Church of England primary school. “The churches have always


been involved in serving the local community and there have been a number of new initiatives in- cluding the Dementia Cafe for de- mentia sufferers and carers, Coffee Break for pre-school chil- dren, their parents and carers on the Holborough Lakes estate and Open Door for people looking for company and friendship. "I have been pleased to see Sue


Brooks ordained as a priest in Snodland and take on the role of associate rector and Mandy Young to complete her training as a curate,” he said. “The bishop has given permission for Mandy to stay on for a year after I leave as interim minister, which is won- derful news for all concerned.” The head teacher of the Church


of England school, Holley Hunt, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Hugh over the last nine years. He has seen our school through highs and lows and he al- ways provides great support for our staff and children.”


‘Quirky’ concert goes above and beyond to raise funds called


A CONCERT held at All Saints Church, Snodland,


Baroque, Brass & Beyond can, at best, be described as 'quirky'. There was no charge for the


concert but £410 was collected towards the church's restoration fund. Associate rector, the Rev Sue


Brooks organised the concert, performed by local musicians and friends. She explained that as well as baroque music on original instruments – flute, violin, bassoon and keyboard – some folk pieces were accompanied


on guitar and tin whistle. Two solos were played on an


unusual keyed brass instrument from the 19th century called an ophicleide, the precursor of the modern euphonium. Pictured (l-r) with their instru-


ments are: Andrew Ashbee (spinet, organ and keyboard), Michael Bayliss (ophicleide, whistle and keyboard), Norman Brooks (whistle and bodhran), Martin Richards (baroque flute), Elaine Brown (baroque bas- soon) and Jenny Frost (baroque violin).


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