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 Celebrates - Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Today, Hoo Village Square will host a whole afternoon of celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Click the images below to find out more about what will be happening in Hoo Village Square!

Whatever the weather - please try to pop along and have a great time.

And tomorrow, Hoo will be lighting a Jubilee Beacon at the Kingshill Recreation Ground - as part of a national network of Beacons. Click the image below to find out more.

See you at both events!

  

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.

  

Hoo’s up for a great Christmas!

Yesterday was the Hoo Christmas Fayre - a fantastic afternoon of festive celebrations, once again organised by the Hoo Village Events Committee.

Local singing sensation Matthew Crane - the UK’s youngest classical baritone - captivated the crowds with an hour long performance of classic tunes, before switching on the Christmas tree lights. Matthew, who was the champion of the 2006 BBC talent show ‘Let Me Entertain You’, is pictured below with event organisers Maureen Tong-Ralphs, Linda Perfect and Nancy Waller.

And Matthew wasn’t the only entertainment on offer!

Not only was everyone treated to belly dancing (Yes, belly dancing in December!), there was live music from duo ‘True Blue’ - featuring Grain’s soprano sax playing Parish Council Chairman, and singing local Councillor Chris Irvine (both pictured below).



Chris Irvine with Hoo Parish Councillor Ron Sands

I was in good company for much of the time, wondering around the square with Hoo Parish Councillor Ron Sands (pictured above). Ron is a former wrestler and once had the ‘pleasure’ of going head to head (or should that be belly to belly?!) with the legendary Big Daddy.

Despite the nip in the air, the sun shone brightly across the Village Square and the event was a tremendous success. There were lots of stalls offering local produce, mulled wine, mince pies, cakes and much more besides! I’m a bit of a big kid when it comes to Christmas, and it’s at times like this that I really do wish it were Christmas every day!

I wrestled past a queue of eager children to get a photo of Santa and his helper in Santa’s Grotto. Sorry kids for pushing through to the front - but it was important to get evidence that he is real to prove any doubters wrong!

Santa gave me his assurances that, despite not being at the North Pole to supervise the toy making, all is in hand for the Christmas Eve deliveries.

But Santa wasn’t the only special guest. We were joined by royalty too!

It was good to be able to chat with John and Peggy Scott who, although from Hoo, are the Pearly King and Queen of Highgate. John and Peggy have spent 40 years fundraising for good causes and charities and were delighted to be on hand to support the Anim-Mates Animal Sanctuary (based in St. Mary Hoo), as well as the whole Christmas Fayre.

Despite getting bitterly cold towards late afternoon, everyone had a great time catching up with friends and enjoying some good old fashioned festive spirit!
 

Lots of ‘Ho Ho Ho’ in Hoo this Christmas!

There’s lots of festive fun to be had in Hoo this Christmas, with at least four Christmas events taking place in the village. Well that’s four I’ve already been told about anyway!

The fun begins this coming Saturday (26 November) when Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church hold an Autumn/Christmas Fair - with lots of entertainment for the whole family. This is taking place from 10am until 1pm. Click the image below for more information.

Then there’s a Christmas Bazaar, which is being held at Hoo Village Hall (Pottery Road), on Wednesday 30 November. This is being organised by Hoo District Girlguiding - with cakes, competition prizes and crafts on offer. Click the image below to find out more.

On Saturday 3 December it’s the turn of the Red Cross Christmas Fayre, at the Red Cross Centre just along Stoke Road (from the Village Square). The fun will include a raffle, tombola, refreshments and much more besides, so please pop along and show your support. Take a look at the image below to find out more. I bought some very tasty cakes at last year’s event, which, needless to say, didn’t quite survive until Christmas.

And on Saturday 10 December Hoo Village Square will come alive with the Hoo Village Events Committee presenting their Christmas Fayre. There’ll be lots going on, so you’d better make time to pop along and enjoy the festive atmosphere. There’ll be live music and entertainment (including local singing sensation Matthew Crane), seasonal stalls, local produce and a great deal more! Last year’s event was a stonking success, and there’s sure to be something for everyone again this time. Click the below images to find out more.

My apologies if I haven’t mentioned your Christmas event - just let me know all the details by getting in touch using the contact page.

I’m hoping to include Christmas events taking place in other parts of the peninsula shortly, so please get in touch if you’d like your event to appear on this site.

I hope to see you soon . . .
 

Would you like a stall at the Hoo Village Christmas Fayre?

The Hoo Village Christmas Fayre will be taking place on Saturday 10 December in Hoo Village Square. And there’s still time to become a stallholder at this popular event - find out how by clicking the image below.



More details about this event will appear on this site soon.
 

Diary Date: Hoo Christmas Fayre

Advanced notice about Hoo’s Christmas Fayre - this year taking place on Saturday 10 December in the Village Square. I’ve no doubt this will be another great success!

More details to follow soon . . .
 

All the fun of the Fayre!

I spent much of last Saturday in Hoo Village Square at the ‘Fayre in the Square’. I arrived just after midday and the square was the busiest I had ever seen it. There were plenty of activities and stalls to keep everyone occupied and the promised sunny intervals turned out to be quite long - with only a couple of rain spells to briefly dampen spirits.

One person that was particularly happy to see everyone enjoying themselves was fellow Hoo resident Ben Reeves (pictured below), who was with wife Jenny.

Ben was once Mayor of the City of Rochester-upon-Medway, from 1988 to 1989, and served as Deputy both before and after this as well. He represented Hoo for many years at both district and parish level.

It was really good catching up with Ben, who I joined for a stroll around the square – talking about the history of the village and other local gossip besides!

The Hoo Village Events Committee (and all their helpers) worked really hard to make the Fayre in the Square such a great success.

I’m looking forward to their next event!

Things are hotting up in Hoo!

With the BBC Weather website promising ‘sunny intervals’, I hope the weather will stay nice and warm for the Fayre in the Square tomorrow (Saturday).

Kicking off at 12 noon, there'll be lots to keep everyone occupied - take a look at the images below to find out more.

I hope to see you there!

Fayre in the Square (Hoo), Saturday 20 August 2011

Hoo Village Events Committee have been very busy organising the Fayre in the Square on Saturday 20 August.

An event for the whole family to enjoy, it's taking place (as the name suggests) in Hoo Village Square from 12 noon till 9pm.

It’s going to be a day to remember and one not to be missed!

There’ll be music, entertainment, a variety of stalls, games for the kids, local produce to buy, a bucking bronco and lots more to boot!

The entertainment includes The Desert Flowers Belly Dancers, who will be dancing to their very own exotic beat (sounds like one for audience participation!) and Kent based band ‘Get Carter’ who will perform live in the Square.

This year’s Fayre is taking place in conjunction with Evolution Hairdressers, who are celebrating their 5th Birthday on that day. Happy birthday!!

Click the image below to find out more.

I hope to see you there!
 

Would you like a stall at Hoo Village Summer Fayre?

The Hoo Village Summer Fayre (organised by the Hoo Village Events Committee) will be taking place on Saturday 20 August. The village square will be packed with lots of stalls and entertainment, so if you’d like to have a stall, click on the image below to find out more.

More details about this event will be added here soon!
 

Thank you!

I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me in the Relay for Life, held the weekend before last (2 and 3 July), in aid of Cancer Research UK.

I walked for 6 ½ hours, the bulk of which I managed in one go, from just after 11pm on Saturday until 5am on Sunday. It was surprisingly good fun walking around the Deangate Ridge running track at that time of night - with ‘candles of hope’ lining the track and everyone encouraging each other to stay awake.

It also gave me an opportunity for a gossip with fellow Hoo resident Mick Edwards (my third cousin no less), who was taking part with his family. Thanks for keeping me company in the wee hours Mick!!!

Loads of local people took part in this event, raising £30,759 in total - a really fantastic effort all round.

Many thanks to Nancy Waller and Maureen Tong-Ralphs (pictured above). Nancy and Maureen were part of the voluntary team responsible for producing this really well managed and successful event.
 

I’m doing the Relay for Life event on 2/3 July 2011 – please sponsor me!!!

Okay, so whilst I'm not running the London Marathon, trekking up a mountain or swimming the channel (all of which would be very much against doctors orders given my 'relaxed' approach to exercise), I will be part of the ‘Hoo R Ya’ team - taking it in turns to complete the 24 hour Relay for Life at the Deangate Ridge Sports Complex (Dux Court Road, Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8RZ).

It all kicks off at 2pm on Saturday 2 July, finishing at . . . you've guessed it, 2pm on Sunday 3 July.

Even with options to walk or crawl, there’ll be lots of stamina needed to get through this challenge without falling asleep!

Hopefully though, my fundraising efforts (so far) aren’t a sign of things to come – as I haven’t yet cleared the starting block!

So from today, I’m urgently looking for sponsorship, so I can raise lots of money for Cancer Research UK, and of course not feel too shamed in front of my relay team mates.

Just visit my fundraising page by clicking here, or drop me an email to let me know how much you'd like to sponsor (email here).

Thanks for anything you can do to support this really worthwhile cause.
 

The Big Screen comes to Hoo!

Following the success of the Christmas Fayre and recent Royal Wedding Party, the Hoo Village Events Committee is turning to the silver screen for an exciting new project.

An outdoor film festival is being planned for later in the year - to be held in the village square.

Organiser Maureen Tong-Ralphs (Hoo Village Events Committee) says the aim is to capture the history of the village and surrounding area by getting local residents to talk on camera about their memories of the village, and she’s sure there’ll be many funny and interesting tales which deserve recording for posterity. But the film festival won’t just showcase the past - there’ll be plenty of filming about life in Hoo now and the many exciting things going on locally.

If you have a story to tell, old film footage or photographs that you’d like to share, or if you’re planning an event which could be captured on film - get in touch with Maureen Tong-Ralphs on 07905 178644.
 

2011 Relay for Life (Rochester) event - still time to get involved!

People of all ages will be taking part in this year’s Relay for Life (Rochester) event, in aid of Cancer Research, on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July.

I’ll be joining one of fifteen teams helping to raise funds for the life-saving work of Cancer Research UK.

The team I’m part of is to be known as ‘Hoo R Ya’, captained by local Hoo resident Nancy Waller.

Team members will take turns to walk, run, skip or crawl* around the running track at Deangate Ridge, with each team having someone on the track for 24 hours. And there'll be a great overnight party, with camping, music, stalls, entertainment and BBQs, to ensure a superb atmosphere.

(*for the very young or those feeling very old!)

If you’d like to sponsor the ‘Hoo R Ya’ team, take a look at our team fundraising page by clicking here.

This relay will take place at the Deangate Ridge Sports Complex, Dux Court Road, Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8RZ.

There’s still time to take part and register a team, so if you’d like to find out more, contact Nancy Waller (local event organiser) by emailing here or by phoning 01622 221254 (daytime).

For more information about Cancer Research’s Relay for Life events, visit their website.
 

New to You Clothes Sale (Hoo), Thursday 26 May 2011

The Five Bells pub in Hoo (1 Stoke Road, Hoo, ME3 9BE) will be hosting a 'New to You Clothes Sale' tomorrow (Thursday), from 4.30pm to 7pm - free admission.

Organised by the Hoo Village Events Committee.
 

Get involved in the 2011 Relay for Life!

People of all ages will be taking part in this year’s Relay for Life (Rochester) event, in aid of Cancer Research, on Saturday 2 July from 2pm.

Local teams of friends, families, neighbours and work colleagues will be helping to raise funds for the life-saving work of Cancer Research UK. Team members will take turns to walk, run, skip or crawl around the running track at Deangate Ridge for 24 hours. And a great overnight party, with camping, music, stalls, entertainment and BBQs, will be taking place to ensure a superb atmosphere.

With the walking option likely to appeal to many (including me - and I’ll be adding sponsorship details here soon!) this is a perfect way for everyone to get involved with this great fund-raising effort.

This relay will take place at the Deangate Ridge Sports Complex, Dux Court Road, Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8RZ.

If you’d like to find out more about taking part, contact Nancy Waller by email here or phone 01622 221254 (daytime).

For more information about Cancer Research’s Relay for Life events, visit their website.
 

Petition for Hoo Parish Church – signed, sealed and delivered!

Several months ago, an independent petition was launched by members of the community who wanted to help safeguard the future of Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church. The petition asked the Bishop of Rochester and the Archbishop of Canterbury to "provide adequate funding to keep Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church open." It was hoped the petition would also highlight the huge financial problems being faced by the Church and encourage donations.

On 29 April, whilst attending the the Hoo St. Werburgh Royal Wedding Party, Maureen Tong-Ralphs (Hoo Village Events Committee) presented the petition to Rev. Andy Harding in Hoo Village Square. The petition contained more than 1,000 names – demonstrating how people feel about the local Church. It will hopefully do much to highlight the urgent need for donations.

More information about getting involved with the Church’s financial appeal is available here.
 

Getting ready for the celebrations!

The village square in Hoo will this Friday host a Royal Wedding Party extravaganza, organised by the Hoo Village Events Committee.

With the bunting in place and months of hard work and planning coming to a head, the ticket only event has now completely sold out! Those attending are set for a glorious day celebrating the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

It will be an exciting occasion for Hoo and I’m sure everyone will have a memorable time!
  

New to You Clothes Sale (Hoo), Thursday 24 March 2011

The Five Bells pub in Hoo (1 Stoke Road, Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9BE) will host a 'New to You Clothes Sale' this coming Thursday, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. The event will be held in the function room and admission is free.

The event will help raise funds for the Royal Wedding Street Party (organised by the Hoo Village Events Committee), set to take place at the end of April.