Lots of fun at Hoo Village Christmas Fayre

Hoo Village Christmas Fayre took place last Saturday.

I went along with my family and, despite the chilly weather, the sun shone brightly over Hoo Village Square.

The Gravesend Borough Band performed an hour of festive tunes and carols, and they were followed by live entertainment from local singer Chris Irvine.



It was good seeing so many people enjoying themselves, whilst raising much needed cash for Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church. I believe more than £900 was raised on the day, which is a fantastic achievement.



Event Organiser Linda Perfect was very pleased with the success of the event and I took a photograph of her with the Rev. Andy Harding and Parish Council Chairman Lionel Pearce.

Village Christmas Fayre (Hoo), Saturday 11 December 2010

A Village Christmas Fayre will be held at Hoo Village Square this Saturday (11 December), from noon to 3pm. The Gravesend Borough Band is set to perform a selection of festive tunes (for an hour from noon) and other live musical entertainment will follow until 3pm.

Many treats will be available, including: mulled wine, mince pies, sausage rolls, roasted hot chestnuts, homemade pickles and other goods, refreshments, festive crafts and a tombola! The Rev. Andy Harding (from Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church) will be switching-on the Christmas tree lights.

The Christmas Fayre has been organised by local resident Linda Perfect (pictured), supported by many local businesses in the village, and proceeds will be donated to Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church.

Linda can be contacted on 01634 252795.

Localise your Christmas cards!

If anyone still needs to buy Christmas cards, there is an excellent way to localise your Christmas greetings! Local artist Christopher Norman (Roffensis Studio) has produced a collection of cards that feature local landmarks, including Rochester Castle, Rochester Cathedral and Eastgate House.

Christopher Norman has his own Rochester Cards website, where you can browse through his designs and make an online purchase. His cards are also available at Rochester Visitor Information Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LX.

According to Royal Mail, the last posting dates for standard mail deliveries are: 18 December for second class mail and 21 December for first class mail (UK and Channel Islands).

Youth Soccer School (Isle of Grain) - New Players Urgently Needed

The Isle of Grain Youth Soccer School is urgently looking for players to help make up more full teams!

Parents of any children who are keen – boys or girls, aged from 4 to 16 – should get in touch with Paul Peachey on 07818 558036. Younger children play mini soccer, older kids 11-a-side.

The Isle of Grain Youth Soccer School recently achieved sponsorship from E-ON and are also looking for help to get some new kits for the new season.

Pantomime (Isle of Grain), Friday 10 and Saturday 11 December 2010

Showin’ Grain Theatre Group will perform their ‘PalaceAid’ panto this Friday and Saturday (10 and 11 December), at the Village Hall, Chapel Road, Isle of Grain.

Written, directed and produced locally by Moira Pearn, the production picks up the story from last year’s successful ‘Happy Ever After’ panto, in which Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, along with their hubbies (Prince Charles, Prince Chas and Prince Charming), went back to Faireepantoland to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversaries with the Grand Duchess. However, three baddies (Frightious, Evilla and Scarity) went out of their way to ruin the event, although in true panto tradition all ended well, with the help of Titania and her young fairies.

This year the characters return to raise funds to restore the palace and the well-being of the Grand Duchess with a spectacular charity event, namely ‘PalaceAid’. There will be songs, gags, sketches and a happiometer – helping to lift the cloud of doom and gloom that hovers over the land.

Doors open at 7pm for ticket holders and 7.15pm for non-ticket holders. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 for under 12s and free for the under 7s. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Veronica Cordier on 01634 271674 or on the door. Performances begin at 7.30pm with refreshments during the interval.

Pop along and enjoy some Christmas cheer!!!

The Gravesend Borough Band is coming to Hoo on Saturday 11 December 2010

The Gravesend Borough Band (pictured below) will perform a selection of festive tunes at Hoo Village Christmas Fayre on Saturday 11 December. The band, which has a 125-year history, will be playing for an hour from noon onwards.

You can get more information about the Christmas Fayre by calling Linda Perfect (Event Organiser) on 01634 252795.

Out and about in Hoo - Snow Coverage

Severe wintry weather continues to cause disruption to everyone living on the Hoo Peninsula. I walked into Hoo village centre this morning to see how things were shaping-up. No buses were operating and only a small number of cars had ventured out. The shops were quite busy, although ‘rationing’ had been introduced on some items, such as milk and bread.

Photographs include the Village Square, Main Road, Church Street, Vicarage Lane, and Bells Lane.

Sunday Walk (Stoke), 28 November 2010

Along with a surprising number of people ‘enjoying’ the frost, the weather wasn’t enough to stop me from getting out for some fresh air this morning.

Setting-off from Upper Stoke at 9.30am, I followed walking route RS35 across open fields to Middle Stoke, and then towards Stoke Saltings – crossing the railway line and passing the micro-light airstrip.

I continued along walking route RS34, taking a quick look at the boats moored near Creek Lane. Continuing past some rather cold looking horses, it was then over another railway crossing connecting me with a farm track up to Stoke Road (RS33) – arriving back in Upper Stoke after just over an hour.

Christmas Fayre (Hoo), Saturday 27 November 2010

Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church (Church Street, Hoo) present their Christmas Fayre on Saturday 27 November, from 10am until 1pm. There will be cakes, books, bric-a-brac, fresh produce, crafts, food, refreshments and much more.



Diary Date: Village Christmas Fayre (Hoo), Saturday 11 December 2010

A Village Christmas Fayre will be held in Hoo on Saturday 11 December, from noon to 3pm. The Gravesend Borough Band is set to perform a selection of festive tunes (for an hour from noon) and other live entertainments will follow until 3pm.

Many treats will be available on the day, including: mulled wine, mince pies, sausage rolls, roasted hot chestnuts, homemade pickles and other goods, refreshments, festive crafts and a tombola! The Rev. Andy Harding (from Hoo St. Werburgh Parish Church) will be switching-on the Christmas tree lights.

Anyone wishing to book a stall should contact Linda Perfect (Event Organiser) on 01634 252795.

Sunset over the Medway

These photographs were taken earlier this week near Kingsnorth Power Station, looking across the River Medway towards Gillingham and Chatham. Although a very cold evening walking from Hoo to Kingsnorth, the sunset views made it worthwhile.

Farmers' Market (Hoo), Saturday 20 November 2010

There will be a Farmers' Market at Hoo Village Hall (Pottery Road, Hoo) on Saturday 20 November, from 10am. Pop along for local produce, pet food, jewellery, a range of crafts and much much more!

Out and about in Allhallows

I went along to Allhallows Primary School this week to join their special Remembrance Assembly. It was really nice to see the children taking time to think about the sacrifices made on our behalf by previous generations.

Afterwards I walked around Allhallows, from the border with Lower Stoke to the Leisure Park. The weather was terrible, but knowing I was heading for lunch at The British Pilot made the soaking bearable!

The British Pilot (above) is open from 12 noon every day, serving food from 12 noon to 2.30pm, and then from 7pm to 9pm (Monday to Saturday). On a Sunday, food is served from 12 noon to 6pm (for Sunday Roast). The British Pilot is on Avery Way, Allhallows-On-Sea, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9QW. Telephone: 01634 272198.

Lodge Hill Development - Public Exhibitions

There will be a series of public exhibitions next week about the proposed Lodge Hill Development at Chattenden. For more details about these events, click the image below.

Bonfire and Fireworks (Allhallows), Friday 12 November 2010

There will be a bonfire and fireworks event (sponsored by Allhallows Parish Council) at Allhallows seafront tonight (Friday). A 'judge the guy' competition will commence at 6.30pm, followed by the lighting of the bonfire at 7pm and a fireworks display at 7.30pm.

Pedestrian access to Allhallows seafront is via Allhallows Leisure Park. Refreshments and other goodies will be available throughout.

WWI - Remembering William and Harry

Two nephews of my Great-Grandfather Herbert Watson joined many others from the Hoo Peninsula in putting their lives on the line during World War I.

So today, when everyone in Britain is thinking about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I’m remembering William Watson (Lower Stoke) and his cousin Harry Stratford (St. Mary Hoo) who left their respective villages, and families, to fight for King and country. Never to return.

Private William Stephen Watson

- 3 Gravel Pit, Lower Stoke -

1st Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Died: 17 February 1917 - aged 21

Buried: Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy (pictured below)

Private Harry Stratford

- Moat Farm, St. Mary Hoo -

6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Died: 12 April 1917 - aged 24

Memorial (no grave): Arras Memorial (pictured below)

 

Christmas Market (High Halstow), Saturday 13 November 2010

A Christmas Market will be held at the Recreation Hall (Village Hall, The Street) in High Halstow on Saturday 13 November, from 12 noon onwards. Plenty of festive fayre will be available and a special visitor from the north pole will be making an appearance!

Grain Over Forty Fives Group (GOFFS) - Winter / Christmas Fair (Isle of Grain), Saturday 13 November 2010

The Grain Over Forty Fives Group (GOFFS) will hold their Winter / Christmas Fair on Saturday 13 November, between 11am and 2pm. The event will take place at the Village Hall, Chapel Road, Isle of Grain. To book a stall or for further information, phone Jenny on 01634 271759 or Cynthia on 01634 272478.

High Halstow Hikers (November Walk), Sunday 7 November 2010

I joined the High Halstow Hikers this morning for a nine mile trek along country lanes and farm tracks between High Halstow and Cliffe - with the farmers’ permission where there were no public footpaths. The weather was crisp and sunny and almost 20 people turned-up. We set-off from High Halstow Village Hall at just after 9.30am and headed down Cooling Road, turning into Wybournes Farm and then towards Cooling. After stopping for a quick look at St. James’ Church in Cooling, we headed for Cliffe, passing through Rye Street. The return journey to High Halstow took us through Morning Cross, Cooling Street, Spendiff and Cooling Court, before a pit-stop at The Horseshoe and Castle, in Cooling. We arrived back at High Halstow at just after 1pm.

It was nice to meet so many people enjoying a really well organised walk. High Halstow Hikers’ next event will be held in early December and posters will be displayed around High Halstow village.

Bonfire Night Party and Sing-a-Long (Allhallows), Friday 5 November 2010

There will be a Bonfire Night Party and Sing-a-Long at Allhallows seafront tonight (access via Allhallows Leisure Park). The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and there will be refreshments and other goodies available.

A second bonfire event will be held next week, on Friday 12 November, sponsored by Allhallows Parish Council. More details will follow on this site shortly.

Medway Neighbourhood Watch on the Hoo Peninsula

Medway Neighbourhood Watch would like to hear from residents concerning the setting-up of new Neighbourhood Watch schemes on the Hoo Peninsula. For further details and an information pack, please contact John Haddaway (Watch Liaison Officer) on 01634 792131.

Visit the website of Medway Neighbourhood Watch.

The Beacon (November) Parish Magazine of Hoo St. Werburgh - Out Now!

The November edition of The Beacon Parish Magazine is out now! The magazine is full of information about local events and community articles. Although delivered to many areas in the village, copies can also be obtained from some local shops, including: Choicemeats at 1 Fourwents Road and the Newsagent at 35 Knights Road.

For further information, contact the Editor (Mrs Muriel Bewsey) on 01634 252129.

Farmers' Market (High Halstow), Saturday 6 November 2010

There will be a Farmers' Market at the Village Hall in High Halstow (The Street, High Halstow) between 9am and 11.30am on Saturday 6 November. Pop along for fruit, vegetables, cakes, honey, gifts, plants, bulbs, pickles, chutneys, sweets, pet food, jewellery, greeting cards and much more!

High Halstow Farmers' Market is held on the first Saturday of the month at the Village Hall.