The Golden Green Association Newsletter
Issue No. 300
Facebook: Golden Green Association.
Send items for inclusion to Anne Waddingham (gghamlet@outlook.com) or Alec Pelmore (alecpelmore@btinternet.com).
Wishing all Golden Green residents a very Happy New Year from the Golden Green Association!
Happy Birthday The Hamlet!
Welcome to the 300th issue of The Hamlet! Issue no. 1 was published on 1 February 1990 by Nigel Manly and in the 35 years since then (albeit with a break a little later in the ‘90s), there have only been four other editors: Linda Daker, who revived it in 1998; Kate Richardson from 2006; and currently Anne Waddingham who took over from Kate in 2010. Alec Pelmore joined Anne as co-editor in 2020. We have been digital-only since 2020. If you know of anyone who isn’t on our email list, especially new residents, please ask them to contact Anne or Alec. The Hamlet is also available to download from the Golden Green Association Facebook group and the Hadlow Parish website.
Mission Hall Bookings
Check out the new website: www.goldengreenhall.com.
The Golden Green Hall is available for bookings. Contact Nicky Whapshott goldengreenhall@gmail.com or 07702 212317. Ideal for children’s parties.
What’s on in Golden Green?
Weekly Classes in the Mission Hall
Mondays – Strength, Mobility and Balance Class – 10.30am-12 noon
This class is having a break in January and will resume on 3 February
Contact: Pat 01732 850739
Tuesdays – Line Dancing – Hall – 10.30-11.45am
Contact: Wendy Langley 07833 079213
Tuesdays – Colin’s Art – Hall – 8-10pm
Contact: Colin Obray 01732 464187
Wednesdays – Waggy Tails Social Club – Hall – 2-3pm
Now fully subscribed. If you want to go on the waiting list, contact Sue Harriman 07759 904677
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This Month in Golden Green
Saturday 8 Feb – Valentines Afternoon Tea (booking required) – Bell Inn – 1-4pm
Contact: The Bell Inn 01732 605352
Saturday 8 Feb – GG Annual Fish ‘n’ Chips Challenge – Hall – 6:30 for 7pm start (sold out)
Thursday 13 Feb – Coffee Morning – Hall – 10.30am-12 noon
Contact: Alec Pelmore 01732 850739
Saturday 15 Feb – Old Skool Disco – Bell Inn – 8pm-late
Contact: The Bell Inn 01732 605352
Monday 17 Feb – Bingo! – Hall – 7-9pm
Contact Nicky Whapshott 07702 212317
Saturday 22 Feb – Karaoke & Disco – Bell Inn – 8pm-late
Contact: The Bell Inn 01732 605352
Thursday 27 Feb – Psychic Night (booking required) – 7:30pm
Contact: The Bell Inn 01732 605352
Strength and Mobility Class
Mondays 10.30-12 noon Mission Hall
Back after our Christmas break – Improve your balance or gain mobility and strengthen your muscles with a fully qualified instructor, followed by refreshments. Classes are mainly seated and you do as much as you can. Contact: Pat 850739 for info or just come along. £4 per person for class, a cuppa and a biscuit; £6 for a couple.
Golden Green Coffee Morning
Thursday 13 February 10.30am-12 noon Mission Hall
All ages are welcome to join us for hot drinks and homemade bakes. Just turn up or contact Alec 01732 850739 for more details.
Golden Green 250 Club
Making good progress getting money in for the 250 club, but just a reminder to please subscribe asap. £6 per number, 36 prizes of £25 during the year. And I do have a few numbers still for new subscribers. Proceeds go to the village, especially maintaining the hall.
The Bell News
Clare, Justin & Nigel
Tel: 01732 605352 or 07881 816227
Email: queensowntaverns@hotmail.com
Facebook: The Bell – Golden Green
Valentines Afternoon Tea (booking required) – Saturday 8 February 1-4pm
Old Skool Disco with Paul Preston – Saturday 15 February 8pm-late
Karaoke & Disco – Saturday 22 February 8pm-late
Psychic Night (booking required) – Thursday 27 February 7:30pm, £3pp, 18+
Total Body Tuesdays will resume when the weather improves
Golden Green’s Asset, The Bell – Update
TMBC has officially confirmed that The Bell has been accepted as an Asset of Community Value for another five years. Many thanks to Howard Rogers for organising this.
Sponsor Amber in the London Marathon 2025
GG resident Amber Fairhurst writes: “I am running the London Marathon this year for Children with Cancer UK. I [would like] to ask the residents for their support – whether that’s cheering me on as they see my running around the village (my long runs will usually be on a Sunday) or a donation no matter how big or small. I am also trying to gather prizes for a raffle to raise some money, I have a few prizes so far but if there are any residents with a small business that would like to donate a prize that would be great. There will be a fundraising day late February and any businesses that donate will obviously be promoted. My fundraising page is https://2025tcslondonmarathon.
Road Closures and Works
A reminder that Blackmans Lane will be closed until 22 February owing to gas network upgrades by SGN contractors. The temporary traffic lights on Three Elm Lane will continue to be in use until 22 February, also for gas mains works. And, would you believe, little more than a week later, Blackmans Lane will be closed again from 3-5 March by KCC for drainage works!
More information including diversion routes can be found on the traffic map at https://one.network/ though we can’t guarantee that it’s up to date! Any deviation from the dates given are down to the contractor(s) concerned.
You can report non-urgent problems with roads and pavements to KCC online at https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-problem. This includes street light faults, potholes, drainage, traffic signal faults and overgrown vegetation (including hedges and grass).
Temporary Traffic Lights on Three Elm Lane
The temporary lights on Three Elm Lane have been reported to be temperamental. However, the SGN workers have reported that, even when the lights are working, some drivers have been continuing through a red, which, they say, prevents the lights from resetting as they should. We know of at least one occasion when cars have met in the middle of the roadworks as a result! The lights are certainly inconveniencing everybody, and there is a long lead time when they switch directions so patience is needed before deciding they are broken. Can we also be understanding of someone at the head of the queue who is being cautious? (It’s also worth bearing in mind that there is CCTV monitoring the traffic.)
Golden Green Annual Residents’ Lunch
From Linda Daker: We celebrated our (24th?) New Year Lunch on the 3rd Wednesday of January. Just under 50 residents, friends and guests enjoyed a variety of delicious all-home-made savoury and dessert options and showed no restrictions on their appetites! There was a fantastic atmosphere and the traditional raffle raised £174 for two charities including the Air Ambulance, chosen by the diners. As ever, many thanks to all cooks, ‘nippies’ and bottle washers. Make a date for next year’s event on Wednesday 21 January 2026 – it’s open to all residents!
Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme
The Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme supports Kent pension-aged residents in need of help with significantly rising living costs. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions for those residents on lower incomes who are not eligible for Pension Credit or the government’s Winter Fuel Payment. This includes pensioners who remain in employment.
This scheme provides eligible residents with £200 vouchers towards energy or food, or £100 towards both. Please note – for energy voucher support activation, an email address will need to be provided, and online access is required. Food vouchers will not require online activation and can be issued by email or post.
You will be eligible for assistance if you:
• or a partner living with you is aged 66 or over
• are a Kent resident
• have an annual household income (before tax) between £11,343.80 (£17,313.40 for a joint household income) and £40,000
• do not have more than £1000 in savings
• are not in receipt of Pension Credit
The scheme will close on 28 February 2025, or when all funds are spent. For more information: tel 03000 412424; email kcc-hsffoodandenergysupport@kent.gov.uk or visit https://loom.ly/MY7jmu4
If you can’t apply online, contact your local Citizens Advice branch for support.
TMBC Bourne Ward Councillors
Cllr James Lark james.lark@tmbc.gov.uk; mob 07812 596194
Cllr Steve Crisp Steve.Crisp@tmbc.gov.uk or c/o TMBC, Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4LZ
Hadlow Parish Council
clerk@hadlowpc.co.uk or 01732 851878
www.hadlowpc.co.uk
facebook.com/HadlowParishCouncil
X (formerly Twitter) @HadlowParish
Parish Council Office open – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am until 12 noon
Next Parish Council Meeting – 10 February – 7.30pm Old School Hall, Hadlow
More people to join the parish council urgently needed – contact the Parish Clerk.
Golden Green Parish Councillors
Nick Collins: 850968 nicolins@btinternet.com
Ed Bright: 850590 ed.bright@talk21.com
Hadlow Community Breakfast
Sunday 16 February 9-11.30am Old School Hall, Hadlow
Please contact the parish office admin@hadlowpc.co.uk or 01732 851878. Booking essential at least three days ahead. £5 For a delicious full English.
St Mary’s Church, Hadlow
Please see the Hadlow newsletter for details of services.
St Peter’s RC Chapel, Maidstone Rd, Hadlow
For service times, please see
catholicclocks.com/mass-times/england/kent/hadlow/saint-peters-chapel
Hospital Transport Service
Residents of Hadlow and Golden Green who need help to get to clinic appointments can contact Mike Harvey (tel 01732 851881, mob 07464 548448).
Help a ‘Friend in Need’ and become a Compaid Volunteer!
“We are looking for friendly people like YOU to join our team in Paddock Wood and make a real difference in the lives of older, disabled, and vulnerable people in our community. As a volunteer driver, you will help people across Kent travel safely to reach important hospital appointments, pick up groceries, or simply enjoy a day out with friends and family. Or as a volunteer digital skills trainer, you will help people use the internet and their devices confidently to bank and shop online, stay in touch with loved ones, access important health and support services, and more whilst having fun. You don’t need to be an expert; Compaid will provide complete training for both roles, so all you need is compassion and a willingness to help.” For more information, call the HR Manager Judith at 01892 351055 or email her at judithwilliams@compaid.org.uk. Website: www.compaid.org.uk.
Tonbridge U3A
Tonbridge U3A is celebrating 25 years as a vibrant part of the Tonbridge community. Come along to our coffee mornings on the third Friday of the month at Christchurch from 10:30 am. Not working full time? TU3A may have something for you. Find out about us at www.tonbridgeu3a.uk.
Compiled by Anne Waddingham and Alec Pelmore ©2025
