A high point in Hoo

It’s always nice to see where we live from a slightly different perspective. Towards the end of last year I joined local churchwarden Mick Hollands, pictured below, for a tour of the tower at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church.  We were joined by Michael Pearce, who runs Village Voices.

The battlemented tower, including spire, is more than 120ft tall, and the views from the top are quite fascinating.

The photographs below show (in order) Branta Fields, the centre of the village, the now defunct Kingsnorth Power Station, the River Medway and Church Farm Close.

If you’d like to find out more about Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church, take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Doing ‘The Windmill’ walk

We’re very lucky on the Hoo Peninsula to have so many good, and sometimes quite dramatic, walking routes. However, a popular walk for many people living in Hoo is what I call the ‘triangular walk’ around the village.

This includes Bells Lane, the old Ratcliffe Highway and Main Road. I’ve met a good many locals whilst out enjoying the fresh air and views.

Conveniently, The Windmill pub is on the old Ratcliffe Highway and marks the half way point of the walk.

Just along from the pub, in the direction of Chattenden, is the now rather dilapidated Mill House - believed to have been built in 1799 and, according to Philip Macdougall’s book about the Hoo Peninsula, the home for many years to the Ballard family, who were a local farming family.

I like this building a lot, and only wish that I could win the lottery to pay for its renovation, before it collapses!

Depending on how fast you walk, I’d say this walk takes about an hour to complete - that’s without stopping at The Windmill for a swift pint!

  

Keeping fit in High Halstow!

High Halstow has a new ‘outdoor gym’ installed behind the Village Hall (The Street, High Halstow), within the grounds of the recreation ground.

It’s a clever concept - giving people the chance, whatever their age, to access a range of useful fitness equipment. Best of all though - it’s completely free to use!

As you’ll see from the photographs I took last week, below, there’s lots of equipment available, including contraptions to help improve muscle stamina, endurance and heart and lung functions. There’s also a recumbent bike - to tone your upper body, legs and backside no less. And to avoid any confusion, the equipment has user instructions attached.

It all sounds rather healthy I admit, but you’d probably do well to check with your GP if you’re worried about ‘over doing it’ on the equipment. I wouldn’t want anyone doing anything too strenuous!

Bets of luck!

High Halstow Parish Council installed the new equipment. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

  

Out in rural Hoo

It was good getting out and about this week - again exploring some of the more rural parts of Hoo.

With a spell of fairly nice sunny weather, and the prospect of some much needed exercise, I headed out to help with the delivery of the latest edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo and Chattenden) with Michael Pearce, who runs the magazine, and Kevin from The Chequers pub.

We delivered the magazine to Hoo’s more rural areas, including Dux Court Road, the Ratcliffe Highway, Roper’s Lane, Jacob’s Lane and the section of Stoke Road beyond the 'village envelope' - going as far as the last house in the parish, namely Polly Adams Cottage.

It was a lovely afternoon and it was good seeing everything looking so vibrant and interesting in the sunshine, albeit it was still very chilly.

I'm looking forward to the summer months!

  

Refurbishment of The Chequers

Quite apart from being my local pub of choice, I’m very excited about the major refurbishment currently underway at The Chequers pub in Church Street, Hoo.

This wonderful old red-brick Georgian building with its mansard roof is, in my opinion, one of the best old buildings left in the village. And it is one that escaped destruction during the 1950s and 60s - a particularly dark period, architecturally speaking, when so many other classic buildings succumbed to ‘progress’.

You can view photographs of the refurbishment work by visiting the pub’s new website, just click here to take a look.

Very best wishes to Kev and Sarah on their grand re-opening, all set for Friday 1 March.
 

Vacancy at Allhallows Yacht Club

Allhallows Yacht Club (The Seafront, Allhallows on Sea, Allhallows, ME3 9SY) are looking for a Part-Time Cook / Steward.

Experience of working in a pub or restaurant is essential for this weekend role.  Pay rates are negotiable, just get in touch with the Club Secretary for more information or to apply.

Email here or here, or phone 07860 467995.

To find out more about Allhallows Yacht Club take a look at their website here.

Good luck!
 

Grain Youth Club

The Youth Club on the Isle of Grain meets at St. James’ Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW.

Sessions are held on a Thursday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm (after-school club for 8 to 10 year olds) and, also on a Thursday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for 11 to 19 year olds.

The Youth Club is run by fully trained and CRB checked staff from Medway Council. For more information contact Karen Yusuf on 01634 338743 or 07740 590115, or send an email by clicking here.

  

Hoo Clean Up (Saturday 23 February)

Join the fight against litter in Hoo, by coming along and joining other residents at the next Hoo Clean Up on Saturday 23 February, at 9.30am.

This month, volunteers will meet at the raised platform area in Hoo Village Square, as The Chequers pub is currently closed for a major refurbishment. Volunteers will target ‘enemy’ litter in and around the village centre. There’ll also be free refreshments after the session.

If you’d like to find out more about the Hoo Clean Ups, or to sign up for this excellent community activity, contact Michael Pearce (Clean Up Co-Ordinator) on 07919 693 095, or send an email by clicking here.

  

Join the new Saxon Shore Way Clean Up team!

Don’t panic, volunteers aren't being asked to ‘clean up’ the full length of the Saxon Shore Way, stretching as it does from Gravesend to Hastings - a mere 160 miles from start to finish!

However, following a number of local groups expressing an interest in setting up a new ‘shore-side’ Clean Up team, other residents are now being invited to come forward and get involved in these new regular litter picks along the stretch that runs between Upnor and Hoo.

If you’re keen to get involved, please get in touch by emailing me here, or contact the Village Voices team on 07919 693 095, or email here.

  

Let’s face it - they’re our Public Rights of Way!

Medway Council recently launched a useful Facebook page called ‘Medway Public Rights of Way’, to help promote local walking routes, and to highlight the excellent work done by many local people, and the local Council, to maintain our paths, bridleways and byways.

The site is very good and, being on the Hoo Peninsula, you’ll find many items of interest - with many parts of our rural area being highlighted in detail.

Well done to Medway Council and everyone responsible - a good job!

Take a look at the Facebook page by clicking here.

  

Quiz Night at Grain

The Grain Fete Committee will be holding a quiz night on Saturday 16 February, at Grain Village Hall, Chapel Road, Isle of Grain, ME3 0BY.

Doors will open at 7pm. Take along your own nibbles and drinks, but there will be tea, coffee and hot chocolate available. Children and families welcome.
  

45 big voices are coming to Hoo from the Rhondda Valleys!

Exciting news reached me over the weekend. Fellow Hoo resident Stuart Coombes confirmed that the ‘Morlais Male Choir’ (or ‘Cor-Meibion-Morlais’ if you prefer) are coming to Hoo for a special concert at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church.

The concert will take place on Saturday 25 May, starting at 7pm, and tickets are by a minimum donation of £8 per person.

I’ll be booking my ticket without delay, and you can do the same by phoning Stuart Coombes on 01634 251705.

See you there!
  

Helping local people in Grain and beyond!

The UJ Community Partnership, based at The Chapel, Chapel Road, Isle of Grain, supports local people by providing different activities that promote social-inclusion, through organising events and learning opportunities.

The Partnership helps people learn, or improve, IT skills. They also run a variety of other useful courses, including first aid workshops and help with personal financial management.

The group was set up in 2003 and is run by a team of hardworking local volunteers. Veronica Cordier (pictured below), who manages the group, is always keen to attract new people, and funding!

The UJ Community Partnership runs courses in basic computing, through to an accredited course, along with a manual book keeping course. The group also hopes to continue their lunch and craft club for the over 50s - usually held on the second and fourth Monday’s of the month. However, Veronica is keen to find new funding to cover the running costs of these activities. The group is not government funded and they have to apply for funding to cover their activities and courses.

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved in the UJ Community Partnership, regardless of where you live on the Hoo Peninsula, or if you'd like to help fund this important group, please get in touch with Veronica Cordier on 01634 271807.
  

Kent's new Police and Crime Commissioner comes to Hoo!

It was really good to be invited along to meet Kent’s new Police and Crime Commissioner, Ann Barnes, yesterday afternoon, at Taggs Coffee Shop in Hoo. The purpose of the meeting, organised by Hoo Parish Council Chairman Lionel Pearce, was to discuss policing and crime.

Much of the meeting was spent discussing general concerns about policing and crime, but we also discussed specific issues, such as the the recent and terrible assault in Knights Road - an incident that is worrying many villagers at the moment.

As well as the new Police and Crime Commissioner, we were joined by our new area sergeant, a PCSO, Medway Council’s community officer Johnny Robinson and the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety - Cllr Mike O’Brien. It was a positive and productive meeting and I very much hope that only good will come from it.

In the meantime, please report all crimes you see to the Police. Call 101 (non emergencies) or if a life is in danger or a crime is in progress, dial 999. You can also phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
  

Craft and Table Top Fair at Hoo Village Hall (Sunday 3 March)

Hoo Village Hall will host a new monthly Craft and Table Top Fair on the first Sunday of every month.

The first event will be on Sunday 3 March, from 10am until 2pm, so please try to pop along and enjoy homemade crafts, cakes and lots of other goodies.

If you’d like a table at the event, they are only £5 per table (table provided). Bookings and payment can be made by phoning Hayley on 07810 542 330. Tables will be available from 9am on the day for sellers.

  

Fundraising for our local animal rescue sanctuary!

Our very own local animal rescue sanctuary, Anim-Mates, based at St. Mary Hoo, are busy organising a fundraising Coffee Morning, on Saturday 23 February.

Taking place at the High Halstow Memorial Hall (The Street, High Halstow, ME3 8SF), I'm pleased to report that you can expect plenty of homemade cakes, tea and coffee - served from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Entrance is only £2.50 and stalls will include clothes, cards, jewellery and gifts.

Visit the Anim-Mates website by here.

  

Village Voices (February 2013 Edition)

The February edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo St. Werburgh and Chattenden), is now available to read online. Just click the image below to read the full copy.

This edition includes an interesting ‘questions and answers’ piece with Inspector David Matson from Kent Police, details of the next Hoo Clean Up (the next one being on Saturday 23 February), a fascinating article by Rolf Williams from the RSPB, a report from Hoo resident Holly Matthews about her trip to Zimbabwe and many other interesting items and local advertising.

Take a look at the Village Voices website by clicking here.
  

Allhallows Life - February 2013 Edition

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

This edition includes an interesting article about a recent Project Morning that involved the clearing of Slough Fort, details of services and events at All Saints Church, a ‘dance through the ages’ event promotion (taking place on Saturday 16 February) and lots of other community information, contacts, diary dates and reports.

Another packed edition this month, with lots to get involved with, so please take time to read from cover to cover.

Allhallows Life is the magazine for 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.

  

High Halstow Times - February 2013 Edition

Here’s the latest edition of the High Halstow Times. Once again the magazine is packed full of stories, reports and things to do in the village. Click on the image below to read the full copy.

This edition includes information about an exciting Photographic Competition taking place, details of the village hall refurbishment, opportunities to meet Parish Councillors (on Tuesday 12 February at the Kings Kitchen, Memorial Hall), a report from the Friends of St. Margaret’s Church, updates from the High Halstow Cricket Club and a special report from the Parish of St. Mary Hoo.

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

  

Pride in Medway, and pride in the Hoo Peninsula!

It’s really great to see two local groups nominated for Pride in Medway awards this year. And, both have been nominated within the ‘Green Champion’ category.

Well done to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers, who litter pick in Hoo every month, and to the Friends of Grain Coastal Park, who have carried out many environmental improvements at Grain Coastal Park.

I know both groups very well, and they deserve recognition for the excellent work they undertake on behalf of their communities.

The next Hoo Clean Up will take place on Saturday 23 February. If you’d like to get involved - they will meet at 9.30am in Hoo Village Square (the raised platform area). The Hoo Clean Ups are usually held on the last Saturday of each month. More information can be obtained by phoning the Clean Up Co-Ordinator Michael Pearce on 07919 693 095.

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park usually meet on the third Sunday of the month, at 10am, and they set out from St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW. To find out more about what they’re up to, get in touch by sending an email here.

  

Good luck to the Hoo Clean Up volunteers and the Friends of Grain Coastal Park - hopefully you'll get through to the final stage of the Pride in Medway awards!

  

Get your hands dirty at Grain Coastal Park!

The Friends of Grain Coastal Park meet every month at Grain foreshore, regardless of weather conditions, to improve facilities and the local environment of Grain Coastal Park.

The dedicated team of local volunteers have worked hard to formalise walking routes, establish seating areas and generally make the place look more attractive to visitors and local residents - and they have done a fantastic job!

I recently met up with Jacqie Valentine (below), from the Friends group, who was keen to promote the last opportunity of the year to lend a hand. The session will begin at 10am tomorrow (Sunday 18 November) - meeting at St. James Pavilion, Pintail Close, Isle of Grain, ME3 0DW.

I’ll add more information about their 2013 activity dates soon, but they normally meet on the third Sunday of each month. In the meantime - well done to all those involved with the Friends of Grain Costal Park group for being nominated for a Pride in Medway Award!
 

Village Voices - November 2012

The November edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo and Chattenden) is now available to view online. Just click the image below to read the full copy.

Be sure to 'Like' Village Voices when visiting their Facebook page - you'll get lots of updates on local activities.

Visit the Village Voices website by clicking here!
 

High Halstow Times - November

Here’s the latest edition of the High Halstow Times. 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 information about the next Christmas Market - taking place at the Recreation Hall this Saturday from 12 noon, a reminder about the very popular ‘Mini Christmas Fayre’ at Memorial Hall (on Sunday 25 November), a report from the High Halstow Cricket Club, promotion of the next Dramarama panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and there's plenty more great features too!

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

Hoo Craft Fair - this Sunday!

Last month we welcomed the first Craft Fair organised by local Hoo residents Yola Wozniak and Tracey Spellman. The event was held at Hoo Village Institute.

Their next event will take place this Sunday (11th November) from 11am until 4pm, again at Hoo Village Institute. Pop along and have an enjoyable time. You might even manage to pick up some Christmas presents!

I’ll be popping along myself on Sunday, after attending the annual Remembrance service at Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church.

See you there!
 

Allhallows Life - November

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

This month’s edition includes an interesting piece, written by Mitch Peeke, about local military links, details of the Family Christmas Race Night (on Saturday 1 December), a good history feature about Slough Fort Conservation Group, news of the Allhallows Leisure Park ‘Fireworks Night’ (taking place this Saturday - free for Allhallows residents who walk to the site) and much more!

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

Allhallows Life is the magazine for 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.
 

A musical night in Hoo!

For music lovers everywhere - Hoo is the place to be this Saturday, when there’ll be live music at two venues.

Taggs Coffee Shop and Wine Bar (Church Street, Hoo) will combine their first Mexican food night (a weekly event) with sax-playing Glen Powling, who is all set to dazzle diners with his smooth selection of mellow music.

Glen, pictured above, will begin performing at around 7.30pm. You don’t need a ticket for this event - you just need to be a punter to enjoy the music!

Then, just a short distance down the road, one of the best SKA bands in the country will be performing at The Chequers pub. ‘The Skatonics’ will perform a selection of music, including an impressive catalogue of covers from the likes of The Specials, Madness and Bad Manners! Tickets are £5 and are available from the pub.

Another great musical night in Hoo - enjoy!
 

BBC Radio Kent airport debate arrives on the Hoo Peninsula!

On Tuesday 30 October BBC Radio Kent will host a community debate to give local people a chance of having their say about the future of aviation in the south east.

A panel of experts will come together at the Cliffe Memorial Hall, near Rochester, for the debate. Doors open at 6pm. If you’d like to be in the audience, you can request tickets by emailing Radio Kent here, or by writing to BBC Radio Kent, The Great Hall, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1QQ. Admission is strictly by ticket only. 

Tickets are FREE, but are limited to a maximum of two per person and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Your village needs you - at the September Hoo Clean Up!

The next Hoo Clean Up event is taking place this Saturday (29 September).

Starting at The Chequers Pub at 9.30am, volunteers will clear litter from the centre of the village, including Church Street, Bells Lane, Main Road and Stoke Road. The session will end at 11am with free tea and cakes.

Take a look at the poster (above) to find out more, or get in touch with Michael Pearce on 07919 693 095.

 

Take a look at the Village Voices 'facebook' page here.

 

September Village Voices - now online!

The September edition of Village Voices (the community magazine for Hoo and Chattenden) is now available to view online.

 

Click the image to view Village Voices on their Facebook page.

 

There's plenty to read in this edition - from news about the local reaction to a possible new housing development in the village, a report from Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council, a column about teenage emotional well being, information about the next Hoo Clean Up (on Saturday 29 September), an interesting feature written by Rolf Williams from the RSPB and photographs from the recent family fun day at The Chequers pub, in aid of the Wisdom Hospice.

Take a look at the online edition and be sure to 'Like' Village Voices when visiting the Facebook page - you'll get lots of updates on local activities!
 

Your village needs you - at the August Hoo Clean Up!

The next Hoo Clean Up event is taking place this Saturday (25 August).

Starting out at The Chequers Pub at 9.30am, volunteers will clear litter from the centre of the village, including Church Street, Bells Lane, Main Road and Stoke Road. The session will end at 11am with free tea and cakes.

 

Take a look at the poster (above) to find out more, or get in touch with Michael Pearce on 07919 693 095. Take a look at the Village Voices 'facebook' page here.

 

Hoo Rocks - Saturday 11 August 2012

There’s only a week to go now before the village of Hoo will experience its first ever Music Festival. At 4pm on Saturday 11 August Hoo Village Square will be buzzing with activity, but this time it’s all about the Music!

Photograph: Maureen Tong-Ralphs (Hoo Village Events Committee)

Courtesy of Love & Soul Photography

Opening the Festival will be Contra-band, a 5-piece rock cover band fronted by singer and local Peninsula Ward councillor Chris Irvine. At the weekend you can normally find the band belting out rock classics from the likes of Foo Fighters, Guns "N" Roses and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in venues all across Kent. The band, who formed 3 years ago, is made up of Damien "Damo" Fawsett, Mark Fellows, Jason Challis and Brian Callar.

Followed by Janet Gabriel a.k.a Sugar Brown, a Kent-based singer and songwriter. She is the powerhouse vocalist behind Phat Medallion, a high energy disco tribute and party band that has thrilled audiences all over the UK and beyond. Janet will get you singing along and rocking Hoo with music from the 70s through to the 00s. Get ready for a scintillating performance and an afternoon of fantastic entertainment. Too hot to miss!!!

After Sugar comes Something Like Serenity made up of Myke, Ash, Damien and Sam who originally formed in 2005. They have played all over the country at a number of high profile gigs. This will be their first reunion after they each went their own separate ways for university.

Next on the agenda will be a solo performance from John Luchford. John worked as a Karaoke Host and entertainer in the popular resort of Marmaris, Turkey for 6 years before returning to the UK. In December 2008 whilst on holiday in the Dominican Republic he was involved in a brutal attack which left him requiring lifesaving surgery. Hoo Rocks will be John’s first live performance on a stage since the attack 3 years ago where he is hoping to reignite his passion for singing and entertainment.

Natasha Glean graduated in 2010 from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a 2:1 honours in Musical Theatre. Natasha has played in various theatre roles during her studies but her real passion is singing and has recently performed for Soho London for the charity 17-24-30 No to Hate Crime campaign. Natasha is delighted to have been asked to perform at the Hoo Rocks Festival and we are delighted to have her!!

Last and by no means least is MELLO. MELLO started life as a number of collaborative tracks between vocalist Jasmine Bee and musician / producer Peter Owen, culminating in the formation of MELLO as a songwriting partnership in July 2011. Having entered the YouBloom international music competition, Jasmine and Peter discovered they had gained enough of the judges votes to pass over 2500 other bands and reach the annual finals of the competition. YouBloom asked MELLO if they could perform at the annual awards ceremony in London, so for this the partnership had to become a full band and so MELLO was properly born in April 2012.

Before MELLO Jasmine was vocalist with Drum and Bass band, Z-Electric, across London's club scene and Peter was returning to music after a number of years absence, having played previously in a number of 'local' South London bands and having focused on songwriting in the interim.

All in all we have a pretty fantastic show planned for everyone and guess what - it’s FREE. So put the date in your diary, tell your friends and family and come and join us for what promises to be a fantastic event!

Can’t wait to see you at Hoo Village Square!!!

 

Hoo Clean Up - July 2012

The next Hoo Clean Up community event, organised by Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Council, is taking place this Saturday (21 July). Local residents are encouraged to come along and get involved.

The plan will be to start out from the car park at the rear of the Village Square (at 9.30am) and work around the centre of the village, including sections of Church Street, Bells Lane, Main Road and Stoke Road. The session will end at 11am with free tea and cakes.

Parish Councillor Ron Sands will co-ordinate the Clean Up morning for the Parish Council. Get in touch with Ron by phoning 07770 747820.