Hoo goes Gospel with T-Jae Cole!

Something new and exciting is happening in Hoo right now, and you could be part of it!

Hoo resident, and leading music industry vocal coach, T-Jae Cole (pictured below), has launched two Gospel Choirs - one for local adults and a ‘Glee’ style Choir for our younger residents. Both groups meet weekly.

If you’d like to get involved, and maybe make some new friends whilst you're at it, you will be in very safe hands. T-Jae is a leading vocalist and Choir Director with the UK’s premier Gospel Choir (The London Community Gospel Choir). And he’s got the type of enthusiasm and drive that could easily put Hoo’s singing talents firmly on the map!

Find out more about the Choir by clicking the poster below. Don’t leave it too long before getting involved, as the Choir's first public performance will be on Sunday 3 June - part of our local celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. More details to follow.

Visit T-Jae Cole’s website here.

Good luck T-Jae and let’s hope Hoo goes Gospel!

  

Tom Taggart needs your help!

As mentioned before on this site, residents have been supplying copies of their old local photographs to Taggs Coffee Shop in Hoo. A good many of these images are now proudly displayed on the ‘history wall’ inside the shop. I know many local people enjoy taking a look at how our village used to look, whilst stopping for a nice cuppa and something to eat.

Tom Taggart, who runs Taggs, is keen to hear from anyone who might be able to help him with a couple of photos that he has been given recently.

The first photo is of a group of local school children, thought to be the first ever class of the Hundred of Hoo School. 1955 is written down as the year it was taken. Do you recognise anyone in the group? Are you in the picture?

The second photo, and completely unrelated to the first, is much older and was probably taken between 1890 and 1920 (an obvious guess). Can you shed any light on this?

If you know anything about the names of those photographed, please get in touch with Tom at Taggs Coffee Shop. His number is 01634 256377, or send information using the contact page on this website.

The search is on!

And don’t forget - pop along to Taggs and take a look at the many photos now on display.

Taggs opens Monday to Thursday (7am to 5pm), Friday and Saturday (7am to 11pm) and Sunday (9am to 2pm). Taggs is just off Hoo Village Square at 25 Church Street.

  

Volunteering at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 20 May 2012)

The next volunteering activity day at Grain Coastal Park is this Sunday (20 May), from 10am.

Click the poster below to find out more.

To find out more about the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, or to get involved with volunteering, come along on Sunday - you’ll be made very welcome.

Let's hope it doesn't rain!

  

New evening bus services for Hoo!

Medway Council have this week announced the launch of new evening bus services, on the 191 route, operating between Chatham and Hoo.

The new Monday to Saturday services will come into play on Monday 18 June and will be operated by Arriva.

Here are the additional services:

This will come as really positive news to many, so spread the word!

  

Hoo Clean Up - May 2012

A team of enthusiastic local residents (all volunteers) met on Saturday morning to help clear litter from around the village square.

Up until now, the Parish Council run Clean Up event has been organised every other month, but now the Clean Up activities will take place every month. And the next opportunity to get involved and help make Hoo look tidy will be on Saturday 16 June at 9.30am - meeting point to be confirmed.

So, if you have a spare 90 minutes or so - pop along next time and join in! There’s a promise of some free tea or coffee and a nice slice of cake after!

Well done to all those who gave up their time to lend a hand on Saturday and to Parish Councillor Ron Sands for motivating the troops.

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved, get in touch with Ron on 07770 747820.

  

Get ready for a big Jubilee party in Hoo Village Square!

The Hoo Village Events Committee are hard at work organising ‘The Queen’s Big Diamond Jubilee Lunch Party’. The event is taking place in Hoo Village Square on Sunday 3 June from 12.30pm to 5pm.

It’s free and, as you’ll see from the poster below, lots of entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon. Make a note of the date and be sure to tell all your friends, family and neighbours!

Another Jubilee event being organised during the long Bank Holiday weekend is the lighting of a community Jubilee beacon. As part of the nationwide celebrations, Hoo will be one of six locations in Medway with a beacon. Located at Kingshill recreation ground (at the end of Fourwents), the beacon will be lit on Monday 4 June at around 10.30pm. I’ll add confirmed arrangements for this event soon.

Lots of events are taking place across Medway and around the Hoo Peninsula. I will try and feature a village by village event listing shortly, looking at all those activities taking place during the special Bank Holiday weekend (from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June).

If you are organising an event on the Hoo Peninsula and would like it mentioned on this website, send me a copy of your event poster using the contact page.

  

Football Fun Day at Hoo Village Institute

An action packed fun day is planned for local youngsters, aged 6 to 12, on Saturday 26 May.

Organised by the Woodpeckers HI FC, the Football Fun Day event will be kicking off at 11am (until 2pm) on the football field behind the Hoo Village Institute.

Click the poster below to read more about what will be happening:

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with Amanda on 07747 801609.

  

Coming Soon - The 2012 Isle of Grain Summer Fete and Carnival

I had lots of fun at last year’s annual Isle of Grain Summer Fete and Carnival. People from all over the Medway towns came along too and enjoyed a great day out. This year's event will be held on Saturday 14 July and preparations are under way to make it even more fun and even better!

The fete will again be held on the St. James’ recreation field, off Green Lane, and there’ll be plenty to keep everyone occupied throughout the day. There will be stalls, live shows, exhibitions and a fun fair - more details to follow. The carnival will kick off at 2pm (from Power Station Road) for an hour long procession around the village, before finishing at the fete.

Fancy having your own stall at the fete?  Get in touch with Ronnie on 01634 271674. Stalls are £10 for non residents (of Grain) and £5 for residents. No charge for charities. All stalls must be ready by 12.30pm.

Click here for Grain Fete and Carnival 2011.

  

High Halstow Times - May Edition

Here’s the latest edition of the High Halstow Times - sorry for the delay in adding it to this website! Once again the magazine is packed full of stories, reports and things to do. Just click on the image below to read the full copy.

This month’s edition includes details of Diamond Jubilee events taking place in the village - the Jubilee Party in the Park on Monday 4 June and the Jubilee Afternoon Tea event on Sunday 3 June. There’s also information about the next walk being organised by the High Halstow Walkers - taking place tomorrow (Saturday 12 May). And you will also find details of the next Project 90 community action morning, also taking place tomorrow, in the village centre. There’s useful diary dates and a report from the High Halstow and District Gardening Club, information about a night of musical entertainment with a Take That tribute band on Saturday 26 May, and plenty more reports, updates and local advertising!

The High Halstow Times is the magazine of High Halstow Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Allhallows Life - May Edition

The May edition of Allhallows Life is now available. Click the image below to see the full copy.

This month’s edition includes information about events taking place to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, including a Picnic in the Park on Sunday 3 June and a special Gardening Competition - with a chance of winning prizes of £50, £30 and £20. There’s also details of the next meeting of the Allhallows History Club on Sunday 6 May, a list of services at All Saints Church plus reports from the Parish Council and other local groups.

And there’s another really informative report about Project Day activities - where volunteers come together every month to help clean up the village. The next Project Day morning is on Saturday 12 May at 8.30am - meeting at the Village Hall.

Allhallows Monthly Indoor Market gets a mention, along with photos of a recent event. This event is held at The British Pilot, and is worth taking the time to go along to. The next one will be on a Saturday in May (watch for signs around the village for the date).

Another really packed edition of Allhallows Life to enjoy this month, with lots to get involved with - so please take time to read from cover to cover!

Allhallows Life is the magazine of Allhallows Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here. The magazine also features items from St. Mary Hoo Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Licensing and Installation Service at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church

This Thursday (26 April), at a Licensing and Installation Service, Hoo will formally welcome the Rev’d John Smith as the new Priest-in-Charge of Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church. Also to be Licensed, and taking on the role of Self Supporting Minister (Honorary Curate), is John’s wife, the Rev’d Sue Smith.

The ceremony will be conducted by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Rev’d James Langstaff, and commences at 7.30pm. 

Take a look at the website of Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church by clicking here. 

Welcome and best of wishes to John and Sue.

  

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

We are just 6 weeks away from celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, on Tuesday 5 June.

Lots of events are taking place across Medway and around the Hoo Peninsula. There’ll be beacons lit, street parties held and plenty of other celebrations taking place. I will try and feature a village by village event listing in the coming weeks, looking at all those activities taking place during the special Bank Holiday weekend (from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June).

One event that I have already been told about is a Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Memorial Hall in High Halstow. It will be held on Sunday 3 June. Click the image below to find out more. No ticket necessary - just turn up!

If you are organising an event on the Hoo Peninsula and would like it mentioned on this website, send me a copy of your event poster using the contact page.

Stop the Thames Estuary Airport!

The campaign to prevent our area being destroyed by a Thames Estuary Airport has really taken off!

Medway Council, the RSPB and Friends of the North Kent Marshes continue to work hard, and in partnership with local residents, to prevent this catastrophe from happening.

My Photo Wall - a work in progress!

Although the media hype has calmed down in recent weeks, local residents are being encouraged to ‘keep up the pressure’ and maintain the campaign momentum.

That's why it is great to see more and more residents and businesses across the Hoo Peninsula displaying posters, leaflets and car stickers.

The dedicated Stop Estuary Airport campaign website, run by Medway Council, provides detailed information about where you can pick up leaflets, posters and car stickers. It also explains how you can get involved in the campaign.

As well as the Medway Council site, it’s also worth taking a look at the website run by the Friends of the North Kent Marshes by clicking here. The RSPB website also has an interesting section about the Estuary Airport proposals, with lots of useful and detailed analysis and information.

Step up, get up and together let’s Stop the Thames Estuary Airport from becoming a reality.
  

News of Thames Estuary Airport proposals reach Switzerland

An unexpected package landed on my doormat yesterday, post marked Zurich. As I don’t know anyone in Switzerland, I wondered what on earth it could be!

It was from an organisation called SVS / BirdLife Switzerland and contained the latest edition of their magazine ‘Ornis’ - which reminded me of a request a couple of months ago from them to use one of the pictures from this website.

I don’t claim to be anything other than a keen amateur when it comes to photography, but it was nice to see one of my snaps actually published in a magazine. The image they selected shows a view of Hoo Flats, as seen from the Saxon Shore Way along the River Medway. The photo appears as part of an article about the Thames Estuary Airport proposals. Not speaking very good German, I’m afraid I can’t tell you ‘exactly’ what the article says.

Lots of interest in our little corner of the world. But not really a great surprise given that parts of our local area are internationally important to wildlife.

If you want to know more about why our local landscape is so important, visit the dedicated pages on the RSPB website here.

  

Peninsula Times

Whilst out and about in Hoo village square this week I bumped into John Parkinson (pictured below), Editor of the Peninsula Times magazine.

The Peninsula Times is delivered every month to homes across the peninsula.

John reminded me about the Peninsula Times website which features information and news about our area, and the wider Medway community. Take a look by clicking here.

John is always happy to receive information about local events and local stories, just send him an email by clicking here.

Nice to see you John!

  

Volunteering at Grain Coastal Park (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next volunteering activity day at Grain Coastal Park is this Sunday (15 April), from 10am.

Click the poster below to find out more.

Those who come along to lend a hand will spend time clearing and cutting back a wooded walk - adding to the growing number of walks now available within the park.

To find out more about the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, or to get involved with volunteering, come along on Sunday - you’ll be made very welcome.

Let's hope it doesn't rain!
  

High Halstow Walkers - April Walk (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next walk organised by the High Halstow Walkers is taking place this Sunday (15 April).

Starting out at 10am, the walk will begin at the Kings Arms at the top of the High Street in Upper Upnor. Parking is available at the car park on Upnor Road.

The walk is being led by Alan Wilson and will go from Upper Upnor to Lower Upnor, Cockham Fort, Hoo Marina and then back. The walk, which I’ve done a few times myself, covers about 6 miles and follows the route of the old Saxon Shore Way. You can expect good views of Chatham Dockyard, St. Mary’s Island, the shore way, the river Medway and lots of fascinating local history.

So, if you fancy some fresh air, exercise and good conversation, this walk is for you. 

Other walks taking place this year are listed below. The start time for each walk is usually 10am, but confirmation of this, and meeting points, will be posted on this website every month.

13 May - Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. 10 June - To be announced. 8 July - High Halstow to Egypt Bay.

If you’d like to find out more about the High Halstow Walkers, get in touch with Mitchell by phoning 01634 254428 or send him an email here.

  

Anim-Mates Coffee Morning (High Halstow), Saturday 14 April 2012

Fancy a nice cuppa and a piece of cake - eaten in aid of a good cause?

Well, you’ll be pleased to know there will be a Coffee Morning this Saturday (14 April) at the Memorial Hall in High Halstow. It is being held in aid of local animal rescue sanctuary Anim-Mates.

Opening at 10.30am, there’s a promise of homemade cakes and a ‘chocolate explosion’ too - which certainly sounds worthy of further investigation!

Click the poster below for further details.

To find out more about Anim-Mates, who are based at St. Mary Hoo, take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Picking at the litter in Hoo!

The latest Hoo Clean Up took place on Saturday with a litter pick around Hoo Village Hall and the recreation ground along Pottery Road.

Despite being a very foggy morning, the Parish Council event attracted a good bunch of residents keen to help make our community a bit cleaner. Some of those who came along are pictured below - many thanks to Sheila Mudge at Village Voices for the photograph.

After all the hard work everyone headed back to the Village Hall to enjoy a nice hot cuppa and a few cakes, kindly donated by ‘Icing on the Cake’, the bakers shop in Hoo Village Square. Thanks for the cakes - they were lovely!

The next Hoo Clean Up will be on Saturday 12 May, from 9.30am until 11am. This time the meeting point will be the car park behind the Village Square. If you'd like to get involved, and for more information, contact Parish Councillor Ron Sands on 07770 747820 or send him an email here.

Look forward to see you!

  

Fun Day at the Tennis Club

The Frindsbury Lawn Tennis Club will be holding a jam packed Fun Day on Saturday 28 April. The event kicks off at 1pm and takes place at Frogs Island, Upnor Road, Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4UX (map).

Click the poster below to find out more.

For more information contact Zoe on 07791 086919.

  

High Halstow Times - April Edition

The April edition of the High Halstow Times is now available. Once again packed full of stories, reports and things to do. Just click on the image below to see the full copy.

This month’s edition includes details of Diamond Jubilee events taking place in the village, a reminder about the next Farmers’ Market being held this Saturday, a report by Dave Stephenson on setting up a new local history group, an update on Project 90 community activities taking place on Saturday 14 April, Parish Council surgery dates (always on the second Tuesday every month), a Take That tribute concert on Saturday 26 May, updates from the High Halstow and District Gardening Club and plenty more reports, updates and local advertising!

The High Halstow Times is the magazine of High Halstow Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Allhallows Life - April Edition

The April edition of Allhallows Life is now available. Click the image below to see the full copy.

This month’s edition includes information about Diamond Jubilee events taking place in the village, details of the celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Allhallows Primary School, a list of services at All Saints Church plus reports from the Parish Council and other local groups.

And local resident Marian Morrad has written an interesting article about Cross Park. There is also a look back at the most recent Project Day morning and details of the next one planned for Saturday 14 April.

Another really packed edition to enjoy this month, with lots to get involved with - so please take time to read from cover to cover!

Allhallows Life is the magazine of Allhallows Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here. The magazine also features items from St. Mary Hoo Parish Council. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Have your say on the future of the Hoo Peninsula

A new project has been launched to bring investment to the Hoo Peninsula. It’s called ‘GIFT Hoo Peninsula’ and local businesses, residents, community groups and other organisations are invited to get involved.

The new initiative is part of a three-year European funded project, led by Greening the Gateway (Kent & Medway) and Medway Council.

Copyright:  English Heritage.NMR

The launch event, and first working meeting, will take place on Thursday 12 April, from 2pm to 4.30pm, at the Hundred of Hoo School. Click the documents below to find out more.

Sign up to go along on 12 April by clicking here.

I hope to see you there!
  

Sport Relief on the Isle of Grain

Today marks the beginning of Sport Relief 2012 and there’ll be activities taking place across the country. Locally, the Isle of Grain Youth Football Club are holding a special fun day at Seaview Meadow (Laing’s Field) tomorrow (Saturday 24 March) from 10.30am.

To find out more, click the poster below.

Try and pop along to show your support - the entire nation will be coming together to get active, raise cash and change lives. 

Visit the Sport Relief website by clicking here.
  

2012 Summer Boot Fairs return to GEC Bowls Club in Hoo

Sunday Boot Fairs, organised by the GEC Bowls Club, will be taking place on the first Sunday of every month throughout the summer (except in May, when it will be on the second Sunday).

Held in the sports field, next to the club at the top of Bells Lane, the first Boot Fair will be on Sunday 1 April. Other dates include: May 13, June 3, July 1, August 5 and September 2. Trading from 6am, bargain hunters are encouraged to get along early!

If anyone would like a pitch - just go along on the day (as early as possible). There is a charge of only £5 per pitch.
  

Cliffe History Project launch new website

A group of local residents from Cliffe have begun a project to record the social history of the village. Their project takes in the impact the Saxons and Romans had on the area and continues through the changes which have taken place since the beginning of the area’s industrialisation in the 1800s.

Much has already been written about the area’s history and military connections, but this new project is different as it will also focus on how war affected daily life.

Janet Keates, who is involved in the project, told me that the group would like to hear from anyone on the Hoo Peninsula who is interested in local history or who has knowledge they’d like to share, especially concerning our local military heritage.

The above photo is of a largely forgotten pillbox from the GHQ line that was constructed across the Hoo Peninsula. The Cliffe History Project hopes to spend time looking at their importance and remembering those who were responsible for defending the coastline of North Kent.

If you want to find out more about this project, take a look at this interesting new website by clicking here. This website is partially under construction and more will be added, but if you want to get involved there’s a contact button in place.

Thanks Janet for getting in touch.

  

There’ll be a welcome in . . . Taggs of Hoo!

On St. David’s Day, I joined a contingent of Hoo’s Welsh residents and friends for a night of song, food and celebration at Taggs in Hoo. What a night it was!

And my regular trips to Penmachno in North Wales - a stones throw from one of Britain’s three newest cities, St. Aspath - didn’t prepare me for the night of celtic revelry.

By the time I arrived many people had already begun tucking in to their Welsh rarebit starters. Luckily though, I joined local resident Stuart Coombes and his wife who had saved me a seat. I say ‘lucky’ because, as I would soon find out, Stuart has a booming singing voice - meaning that no one could hear my tuneless mumbling! Stuart recently joined the Kent Police Choir, so he is rather good.

The sing along included renditions of ‘Green, Green Grass of Home’, ‘Calon Lan’ and ‘Ar Hyd y Nos’. Fortunately, no one was filming my attempts at singing the Welsh national anthem. Well I hope not!

Singing really isn’t one of my natural talents, so I was much happier enjoying the tasty homemade traditional lamb stew (cawl) and other Welsh delights. The team at Taggs did a marvellous job with the food - so well done to all those who prepared the feast.

Tom Taggart overseeing events.

Entertainment included!

I had a really good night. And it was nice chatting to other Hoo residents, including Val and Lee (pictured below). Very nice to meet you ladies.

Okay, so now for an even more blatant advert!

There’s a really welcoming atmosphere at Taggs, and it is a genuinely relaxing place to wind down. Available for private functions, they are always happy to accommodate most requests.

If you’d like to find out more about booking a function - give them a ring on 01634 256377. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Taggs opens Monday to Thursday (7am to 5pm), Friday and Saturday (7am to 11pm) and Sunday (9am to 2pm). Taggs is just off Hoo Village Square at 25 Church Street.

  

March volunteering at Grain Coastal Park

The monthly activity days at Grain Coastal Park have been going well since they were re-launched in January. Litter picking has been a key part of activities so far this year, and there is a good explanation for this that doesn’t involve litter louts.

The Isle of Grain is surrounded by open water, where the Thames Estuary meets the Medway, and litter is constantly being washed ashore. 

The next volunteer activity day was supposed to be held this Sunday (18 March), but as it is Mothers Day a good number of the regular helpers will spending time with their families. And rightly so! So just this once we’re going to have to cancel.

Diary dates for future chances to help out with the ongoing improvements at Grain Coastal Park are 15 April and 20 May. All sessions begin at 10.30am from our new meeting point: St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close (off Green Lane).

But if you are keen to help out sooner than that, my colleague Michael Dale is happy to hear from you. Get in touch with Michael on the number below.

More details will be included in the soon to be launched newsletter of the new Friends group. Watch this space, as a copy will be posted on this website.

In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about how to get involved with the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - contact Michael Dale on 01634 270314 or drop him an email here.

  

Have you got your ticket for the Hoo Church concert?

I bought my ticket last week for the concert taking place at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church this Saturday (St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March). It will be the first of many concerts taking place this year and I can’t think of a better way to help raise much needed cash for Church repairs.

The headline act will be ‘Paul Carpenter and Friends’ who will perform a set of well known songs and, given that date, they will also throw in a few Irish favourites. I’ll have to get practising for a few sing songs! The trio, who perform a selection of easy listening songs, spent 29 years gigging in London’s West End, including at the Langham Hilton Hotel and Claridges. They even played for royalty!

Although you can get tickets on the door on the night, don’t leave booking your ticket to the last minute as they are going fast. Tickets are by a donation of £5, so get in touch with Stuart on 01634 251705 as soon as you can to book yours.

  

No Estuary Airport - the community delivers!

The last couple of weeks have been busy, with local residents across the Hoo Peninsula getting involved and delivering thousands of Medway Council and RSPB ‘anti airport’ campaign leaflets. And we haven’t stopped delivering yet - there are still more to do!

I’ve been out delivering with a team of residents from Hoo. We have nearly completed deliveries in the village - the largest settlement on the peninsula. 

We were given a morale boost at the beginning of the month when Mayor of Medway, Councillor Ted Baker, visited the village. The Mayor attended a meeting of the Parish Council and met with its representatives and members of the local community. He was happy to show his support for the campaign objecting to an airport being built in the Thames Estuary.

If you would like to find out more about Medway Council’s campaign, visit their dedicated website by clicking here.