Some sort of periodical is an essential life-line in village such as ours

Welcome to West Farleighs own

LIFELINE
Distributed freely in December Edition no 484
Editors: Stephen Norman, Helen Swan and Jacky Taylor
Website: www.thefarleighs.co.uk Email: editor@thefarleighs.co.uk

Upcoming Events:

CAROL SERVICE
This years Carol Service will be at
6pm on Sunday 11th Dec at All
Saints, West Farleigh.
The Farleighs Choir will be leading
the singing and there will be
mulled wine and minced pies
after the service.
The church will be decorated with
Christmas trees donated by local
organisations.
NB. Get there early to get a seat.
You can also join the choir at the
Good Intent on Tue Dec 20th, 8pm
onwards.

Wed November 30th

WI (with men) Talk on N Korea
Sun December 4th:
East Farleigh Farmers market
W Farleigh litter pick
Sun December 11th:
All Saints Carol Service
Sat December 17th
Sports Club Draw
Tue December 20th
Carol singing in Good Intent
Fri December 23rd
Good Intent Xmas draw

Sat December 24th

All Saints Midnight mass 9.30pm
Dec 25
Christmas Family Service 9.30am

In this Lifeline
Pastoral newsletter 2
Once in Royal Davids City soloist required!
Do you know an aspiring singer (no age too young or old) who can lead in
the choir at the Carol Service on Dec 11th? Dont delay, call Helen on
814445

Local litter pick unaffected by shock Trump victory!!

Parish Council minutes. 3

Michael Devenish.. 4
This month in the garden..5
Sports report. 6
Local organisations 7
Events page. 8

Despite the turmoil of world events, the next litter pick will go ahead on
Sunday 4 December 2016. Volunteers, please phone Tel (815267) or Brian
(812341) or email brianc02@hotmail.com. Or just turn up. Meet 9am at The
Green outside The Good Intent. Hot drinks and bacon butties afterwards.

New on the website

Congratulations to the Sports Club on stunning fireworks night

See the pictures and report on www.thefarleighs.co.uk

Loads of new recipes from Chris

Stockwell try the Breton Chicken
Horrible ghoulish images from G.I.
party
Big Bang Fireworks pics
New History of E Farleigh
Ray Morris bird report

Deadline for February issue of LIFELINE: 19th January, 2017

(editors are resting over the Christmas period)
Page 1 of 8

Pastoral newsletter
If November is the month of remembrance December is the month of
anticipation. For some it may be eager anticipation for children the
expectations of school days filled with little work as rehearsals are under
way for Christmas plays, of school holidays and of much desired gifts at
Christmas. As Christians we eagerly look forward to celebrating the birth
of Gods only son, Jesus.
Advent (the countdown to Christmas) is a time for us to consider what it
meant for God to be here, on earth, in human form. As the words of that
well-known carol, Once in Royal Davids City say He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and
Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall: with the poor and mean and lowly lived
on earth our savior holy. Why did God do that? Why send His Son to live and grow as one of us? What
does that mean for us today?
But sometimes this sense of awe can be lost in amongst the secular busy-ness of the season. How often
can we lose sight of that helpless babe as we are elbowing our way through the crowds to get that
special gift for our loved ones? How often do we forget the mystery of Gods rescue plan for the world as
we rush around making sure all the trimmings are just right? How easy is it for us to spend time moaning
and groaning about crowds and commercialism that we lose sight of Jesus?
This is also the time of year when more people are likely to visit our churches. A time when the spirit of
Christianity flows through those who normally give God no thought. The welcome they receive should
reflect the warmth and welcome of that small, humble stable in Bethlehem that turned no-one away who
wanted to see the new born king. Christmas is a chance for Christians to show their faith and relationship
with God at its best, where worship and welcome should meet and reflect a choice that others want to
know more about. Whether you are attending a Christingle service, Carol service or Midnight communion
it should be an opportunity for you to ask what is Christmas really about and to see the answer reflected in
the faces of those around you as they worship God and celebrate the birth of His son.
My prayer for you all is that this year you will find time to look forward to the celebration of Jesus birth with
the same eagerness and anticipation that you had as a child waiting to see what Santa would bring. And
that with that same, infectious, child-like quality remember how to share this with others too.
Becky Parnham, Children and Families Worker

Coxheath Benefice has a thriving Mothers' Union. In October we welcomed three new members
Anne Cooke, Pat Crawford and Val Farrant. Like to know more? Phone Rev. Eileen 01622 20424
December Services at All Saints
Sunday 4th Dec
Sunday 11th Dec
Sunday 18th Dec
Saturday 24th Dec
Sunday 25th Dec

8.00 am
6.00 pm
9.30 am
9.30 pm
9.30 am

Holy Communion
CAROL SERVICE
Morning Prayer (trad)
Midnight mass
Christmas Family service

All Saints Church is available for

hire for more information,
please ring 01622 820305

Rev Peter Callway, Rector: 01622 747570 Call for Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals, not Fridays
Rev David Jones, Hon. Associate Rector 01622 741474. Not Fridays
Rev Eileen Doyle, Associate Rector 01622 204241. Not Mondays and Tuesdays
Becky Parnham, Children and Families Worker 07949 646885

Page 2 of 8

Parish Council report

Chris Stockwell who resigned due to ill health, was co-opted back onto the council.
Rookery Estates were congratulated on the thoroughness of their autumn hedge trimming.
It was commented that many paths were blocked with leaves and that the Junction of Hunt
Street and Smiths Hill was very dangerous as vehicles coming out of Hunt Street were unable to
stop because of the build up of leaves. This is to be reported to Highways.
A villager had requested speedbumps to be put in on the upper part of Charlton Lane, she had
2 cats killed and feared it might be a child next. However, Highways would not consider bumps
until there had been a serious accident.
The council is to borrow a speedwatch camera to monitor the traffic in the village.
Discussions re Teston and East Farleigh Bridge have not come up with any answers. The only
comment is that a ring road is the only answer, but there is no likelihood of one being built! It is
hoped to persuade the Police to monitor the bridge occasionally to stop and book HGVs, which
will help a little.
A Rotobounce for the playground on the Green has been ordered and will be delivered and
fitted at the beginning of January. The roundabout will be removed.
The Kent men of the trees, considered our village to be amongst the best they had seen and
have given 25 to buy a new tree.
The Sports Club were congratulated on the Firework Event, especially as they took down all
advertising, so quickly after the event. It was hoped they made a good profit.
In the next edition of

LIFELINE

The editors regret that - due to lack of space - an interesting article celebrating the award by the
French Government of the Lgion d'Honneur to Edmund Burkhardt, long term resident of West
Farleigh, will appear in the next (February) edition of Lifeline.

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Email rgilbert2009@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 07779617817/07790089734
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Page 3 of 8

Michael Sean English Devenish

1943-2016
Michael lived at Fox Pitt almost all his life, with interludes for
education and work in London and Hong Kong.
He was educated at Cheam Prep School and then at
Uppingham. It was there his love of music was awakened,
when he was introduced to Stravinskys Rite of Spring.
He went on to Magdelene College, Cambridge, to study to
be a vet, but changed to read English. His love of the arts
was nurtured here and he was steered towards publishing.
Michael had a great love of the countryside, and its sports.
He loved rough shooting, nothing organised. He loved to ski
and went annually to Switzerland where an aunt and uncle had a hotel.
After Cambridge he moved to London to join Oxford University Press and was soon sent to Hong Kong,
where he first learned to sail. On his return he edited the Oxford companion to Ships and the Sea, of which
he was very proud. He also met Belinda at the OUP amateur dramatic group. They were both in the
Beggars Opera.
As OUP was moving to Oxford and Michael wanted to improve his prospects, he signed on at the
International Business school in Fontainebleu in order to study for his MBA. While there he enjoyed riding in
the Foret de Fontainebleu. On his return he got a good job with Citibank.
He was introduced to competitive sailing, by one of his housemates when he moved to London. He sailed
closer to the wind than his friends were comfortable with! He enjoyed a bit of danger.
He moved on to Ocean Racing with an old Cambridge friend. Ocean Racing gave him an excuse to be
even more daring. After a short spell at Citibank, he moved to Mitchell Beasley and then to Collins, where
Belinda was working.
Michael and Belinda married in February 1979 and had a flat in Sunningdale Gardens, Kensington. Lucy
and Harry were born there but in 1985 with two small children they made the momentous move to Fox Pitt.
They then proceeded to turn the reduced farm into a viable proposition, converting the outbuildings mostly pig sties - into units for small businesses. This is still a flourishing enterprise.
While Michael was commuting to London to Collins, Belinda was running the business and bringing up the
children.
In 1990 Michael joined Dorling Kindersley to a job that suited him perfectly, and eventually became the
MD of Dorling Kindersley International. While travelling abroad, he enjoyed entertaining clients in good
restaurants with a fine wine list.
Food and drink seemed to have played a large part of his social life, growing his own veg and eating the
game he had shot as well as entertaining royally.
The village will miss his presence in the village, especially the very strong cider he produced on festive
village occasions!
Our deep sympathy and best wishes go to Belinda and her family.
Extract from the Tribute given by Christopher Thornhill at Michaels funeral

Page 4 of 8

A View from the Garden by Lee Brayshaw

As we start a new month we never know if it will be bleak and cold or the more
normal mild weather we have become used to. The days are shortening but don't
put your feet up just yet! Even crisp cold days are still a great time to enjoy a little
time in the garden.
Garden
Here at Smiths Hall we will continue to work through the autumn job list" and
generally keep the garden tidy. Leaf clearing continues right up to our Christmas
break. By then in a normal year - the last leaves will have fallen.

As we start to get harder frosts, take advantage of them.

Give any empty borders you are planning to replant or perhaps your vegetable plot
a really good deep dig. Turn the soil now. The clods you leave will break down
with frosts and has the added benefit of killing off many pests and diseases.

Patio
If your patio is looking a bit tired and lacking a bit of colour, give it a good
sweep and perhaps plant a pot or two. You can buy many winter flowering
plants such as pansies, heathers, or hellebores which will look great until
the spring bulbs appear early next year. Keep any pots on feet, slightly
raised off the ground for good drainage.
Lawns
The lawns may still need a final run over, especially if it stays mild. Use a
higher cut once all the leaves are dropped and cleared but only on a dry
afternoon and if a frost is not expected that night.
Towards the end of the month book your lawnmower in for its annual
service and blade sharpening so it is in peak condition for the coming
season. Some companies will offer a small discount if booked in early so do not wait until March
when you want to start using it when they will be at their busiest.
Plants
As Christmas is coming, lets talk about houseplants. You may be buying or
receiving poinsettias or cyclamen. Make sure they do not dry out and keep
roots moist at all times. These plants need plenty of light but avoid draughts and
not too close to radiators. Other than that they are easy to keep.
Well that's all from me this year!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas,
Lee
PS. See colour pics on my gardening blog on www.thefarleighs.co.uk
Page 5 of 8

View from the Scoreboard

Football

What a run of results for our 1st XI last month, with a fantastic four match winning streak. Amazingly,
not conceding a single goal! It all started with a 2-0 away win against Ashford, this was followed
by a 3-0 home victory over Sheppey, next 4-0 home to Aylesford, finally a 7-0 thrashing of
Larkfield. Lets hope their great run of form continues.
Meanwhile our 2nd XI improved last month, with an encouraging set of results. We started in a cup
tie versus Maidstone Athletic winning 5-2 and in another cup tie the following week, we had a
great victory over Lenham winning 4-2, on penalties after ending 4-4 at the end of extra time. Next
we came unstuck against Maidstone Athletic, this time in the league, going down3-0. Finally, a
fine performance against Town Malling and a good 1-1 score.
Our Vets have had two games, beating Hythe 2-1 and a well earnt 1-1 away to Beckenham.
Yours in Sports
Tel
PS May I wish my readers a very Happy New Year
Club News
Our lucky Ten-Up winners for November were:
30
20
10

Jenny Baines
Linda Body
David Swan

Do you have a local business or trade?

And would like to find local customers? The website www.thefarleighs.co.uk is putting together
(well recreating, actually) a directory page for local trades. It will provide a word or two of
description and contact details.
This is absolutely free. If you would like to tell local people about your business, email
editor@thefarleighs.co.uk with your details.

Christmas trees delivered to your door!!

Terry Baines will be selling and delivering Christmas trees, on behalf of the Sports Club, again this
year.
5 foot
30
6 foot
35
7 foot
45
8+ feet
50+
They will be delivered from the 12th December. If you require yours earlier than this, it can
probably arranged. There is no delivery charge, but like Father Christmas, a mince pie or two
might go down well! To place your order, leave a message on Terrys phone (01622 815267), with
name address and size required.

Page 6 of 8

EVERGREENS REPORT
A representative of Pets As Therapy came along with his dog Missy
Sabie. He explained the benefits of taking dogs into old peoples
homes. Stroking and petting a dog or cat can be very therapeutic
and relaxing. Dementia patients respond well and will often
become much more animated and talkative than usual. The PAT
animals are now being used in establishments where people are
disturbed and they have a calming effect. They are also taken into
school. Children who lack the confidence to read out loud to an
adult or their peers will read to a dog! The dogs enjoy it and dont
criticise. Sabie and Archie, Helens dog, wandered among the
members who, on the whole, enjoyed their company. Archie, has
been assessed and is just waiting for his owner to be checked out
before he starts visiting also.
In December we are going to the Criterion Music Hall in Blue Town Sheerness, to see their
Christmas Show, with afternoon tea. THE following week, Kettle Bridge Concertinas will be
entertaining us. I am sure a few Carols will be included.
In January we will be having our post Christmas lunch.
=============
We were entertained at our November Meeting when Steve Poole gave
us an insight into the life of a Policeman and Actor, with numerous
anecdotes.
Our WISH meeting on Wednesday 30th November is a date for your
diaries when Ray Davidson will be entertaining us on his experience of
working for the Foreign Office in North Korea - this should prove
interesting in this little known area.
Open to ALL ( Men and Women) 3 entrance to include refreshments 7pm for 7:30 start.
The December meeting is our Christmas Party with entertainment and games for members
and invited guests. Our Christmas show has been postponed to the spring.
If you would like to see what we get up to at the W.I. then please come along to our
January meeting when we will be having a Whist Drive - January 11th 7:30 start - The W.I. Hall,
Forge Lane,East Farleigh. - Contact Diane Scott - 01622 814476.
Lastly, thank you to all the stall holders and supporters that came to out Table Top Sale.
The proceeds are going towards the Hall refurbishment - Have you seen our lovely new
Windows?.
=============
RNLI QUIZ, 14 OCTOBER 2016 AT THE GOOD INTENT
This event was very well attended! A most enjoyable evening with brain teasers provided by Peter
& Den, and a delicious fish buffet laid on by Pauline.
The impressive sum of 336.09 was raised for the lifeboats, which definitely made all the effort on
everyone's part worthwhile. Thanks to all!
Brian Cushing

Page 7 of 8

Events
Date and time
Wed November
7.30pm

30th

December:
Saturday 3rd 3pm to 5pm

Sunday 4th 10am to 1pm

Sunday 11th 6pm
Saturday 17th 8pm
Tuesday 20th 7.30pm

Friday 23rd 7.30pm

Sat 24th 9.30pm
Sun 25th 9.30am

Event and venue

WI WISH evening (means men invited also!). There will be a talk
about North Korea, by a recently returned Diplomat.

MESSY CHRISTINGLE at St Nicholas Church, Linton. Get into the

Christmas mood with fun, food and fellowship.
All ages welcome.
East Farleigh Christmas Farmers Market, Old School Hall. New stalls,
lots to buy.
All Saints Carol Service with W.I. choir
Sports Club Christmas Raffle draw at the Good Intent
Join the Farleighs choir singing at the Good Intent. This is not a
concert! The ladies will not be performing, just leading and
encouraging you all to join in.
Good Intent Christmas draw with live music from Pete and Co
Midnight mass at All Saints
Christmas Day Family Service at All Saints

The Coxheath Chiropractic & Natural

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Offering a range of complementary therapies to
ease your aches and pains
And soothe away the stress of life:
McTimoney Chiropractic Massage
Craniosacral
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Health & Wellbeing & Money
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Autogenic Training Organic Facials Dry Body Brushing
Reflexology Psycotherapy and Counselling

For full details please visit

www.coxheathchiropractic.co.uk

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