Issue No. 266
Facebook: Golden Green Association.
Send items for inclusion to Anne Waddingham (gghamlet@outlook.com) or Alec Pelmore (alecpelmore@btinternet.com)
Spring is sprung – well, its starting to spring, so we are starting to look ahead to the summer and fetes and jubilee picnics – see below. In the meantime, we have our annual village lunch. It used to be for senior and retirees but we now want to broaden it to welcome any residents in the village who are around at lunchtime on 21st March (note the date – Monday and not the usual Wednesday). Its free and its fun!
Mission Hall bookings
The GG hall is available for bookings. Contact Rob Seall, 1 Bell Cottages 850664 r.seall@gmail.com.
What’s on in Golden Green?
***Government COVID-19 guidance will be followed; please stay at home if you are feeling unwell. For the latest guidance, visit Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread***
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 – Dog Training – Hall – 2-3pm
Contact: Ann Kemp 01732 361947
Fridays – Burgers, Cocktails – Bell Inn – from 5pm
Contact: Bell Inn 07940 250644
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Monday 7 March – Bernie’s Quiz – The Bell Inn – 7.30-10pm
Contact: Bernie McGawley 01732 220811
Thursday 10 March – Charity Coffee Morning – Hall – 10.30-12 noon
Contact: Alec Pelmore 01732 850739
Wednesday 16 March – Golden Green WI Meeting– Hall – 7.30 to 10pm
Contact: Rosalind Seall 01732 850664
Monday 21 March – Bingo! – Hall – 8 to 10pm
Contact: Rob Seall 01732 850664
Saturday 26 March – Karaoke & disco – Bell Inn – 7pm to late
Contact: The Bell Inn 07940 250644
Monday 21 March – Annual Village Lunch – Hall – 12.15 for 12.30pm
Contact Linda Daker 01732 851969 or Rob & Ros Seall 01732 850664. Booking essential – see details below
GG Retirees’ Lunch/Annual Lunch
(Please note there was an error in last month’s Hamlet and on the booking form – the date is Monday 21 March NOT Wednesday 23rd)Monday 21 March 12.15 for 12.30pm sit-down in the Mission Hall)
Our annual lunch used to be for senior retired, but this year we want to open it up to all adult residents who would like to come. Its free!
Mouth-watering pies, delectable desserts, good company and a raffle for a good cause (prize donations welcome). Contact Linda Daker (22 Sherenden Park, 01732 851969) or Rob & Ros Seall (r.seall@gmail.com 1 Bell Cottages, 850664) to book your place, stating number of places, your names(s), phone number and any special dietary requirements. Can we have some volunteers please? Cooks, ‘nippies’, dish-washer-uppers – contact Linda.
GG Coffee & Cake for Charity in the Hall
Thursday 10 March – 10.30am in the Mission Hall
Last month’s coffee morning raised £75 for KSS Air Ambulance Charity. This month, Dementia UK will be the beneficiary, helping to provide vital care and support for families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone is welcome, including parents at home with young children – come along for a chat. Bring your own mug; contributions to the refreshments appreciated!
Bernie’s Quiz Night @ The Bell
Monday 7 March & 4 April 7.30-10pm
£3 entrance fee, cash prize. Bernie McGawley (01732 220811) sets the questions. All welcome.
Golden Green WI
Wednesday 16 March from 7.30pm Mission Hall, GG
Talk: “The Origins of Hop Picking” by Anne Hughes.
For information about Golden Green WI, contact Ros Seall, 1 Bell Cottages 01732 850664 goldengreen@wkfwi.org.uk
The Bell News
Clare, Justin & Nigel
Tel: 07940 250644
Email: queensowntaverns@hotmail.com
Facebook: The Bell – Golden Green
Every Friday night – Burgers, Cocktails.
Saturday 26 March 7pm to late – karaoke & disco.
We now have a pool table and darts board and are looking for teams – speak to a staff member.
Golden Green 250 Club – Reminder
The January and February winners will be drawn in two weeks time and the results will be announced in next month’s Hamlet. I have three numbers still to fill – please contact Alec quickly or miss out on our cash prizes!
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The GGA are planning a picnic on the Signpost Field rec ground on Saturday 4 June – more details to follow.
Golden Green Fete
And a date for the diary – we are planning to hold our annual GG fete on 14th August – put it in your diary now!
Stonecastle Quarry Update
Alan Chilvers brings us the latest news about activities in our local quarry: ‘Now that market conditions have improved and demand has returned, Tarmac reopened Stonecastle quarry in October 2021 for three weeks. This Spring, they intend to extract the remaining uncovered sand and gravel reserves from around the lake as well as removing the soils from Phase 2A, when weather conditions allow. Further extractions will take place this year in three distinct phases, with gaps in between where no extraction will take place. The company estimates that it will take 10 years to complete the remaining extraction of sand and gravel from the current permitted extraction area at the site.’ For more information and latest news, visit https://stonecastle.tarmac.
Losing Our 208 Bus Service
Consultation closes 20 April
KCC are proposing to axe four dozen subsidised bus services – including our own 208 service, the only one that passes through Golden Green. Please make your views known, whether or not you use it currently. Visit www.kent.gov.uk/bussavings to view the full list of the services threatened with withdrawal and take part in the consultation, which closes on 20 April.
(Confusingly, the consultation document says that although the 208 Go-Coach service will be withdrawn, ‘a parallel 208 service on this route will continue to be provided by Autocar’. However, the Autocar service only runs between Tonbridge and Pembury, missing out Golden Green altogether. This means there will be no direct public transport from GG to Tunbridge Wells Hospital. And to reach a bus stop, residents will have an unsafe walk along Three Elm Lane or Victoria Rd, which have no pavements).
For queries or requests for hard copies, email bussavings@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421437 referencing KCC Bus Funding Reduction.
St Mary’s Church, Hadlow
St Mary’s website >>
St Mary’s Facebook page >>
Office: office@stmaryshadlow.org.uk , Office: 07570 941809 (Tues 9.30am-3pm; Thu 8.30am-2pm)
Although St Mary’s does not currently have a vicar, we are still able to arrange weddings, baptisms and funerals. If you would like to discuss any of these – or arrange a visit, please email the office or telephone 01732 850238.
Services
Please see the St Mary’s website or Hadlow newsletter for details.
St Mary’s Food Bank
The food bank is now open only on the first and third Thursday of each month for self-referral and personal collection of a pre-packed food bag. If, however, you are unable to attend in person, you can email the church office and a bag will be delivered to you at a convenient time.
Hadlow Parish Council
clerk@hadlowpc.co.uk or 01732 851878
Hadlow Parish Council website >>
facebook.com/
Twitter @HadlowParish
Annual Parish Meeting 14 March 7.30pm Old School Hall, Hadlow, followed by the Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm.
Golden Green Parish Councillors
Nick Collins: 850968 – nicolins@btinternet.com
Ed Bright: 850590 – ed.bright@talk21.com
Borough Councillor Surgeries
Held on the second Saturday in every month, 10.00am-12.00 noon. Cllrs Jill Anderson and Howard Rogers attend.
Hospital Transport Service
Residents of Hadlow & Golden Green who need help to get to clinic appointments can contact Mike Harvey (tel 01732 851881, mob 07464 548448).
Tonbridge U3A
Our coffee mornings will take place on 18 March and 22 April. We look forward to seeing you at the Rose & Crown in Tonbridge from 10:30am. Have a chat and a cuppa and put the world to rights.
Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers
Enjoy walking with a sociable group? See the T&M Ramblers programme of upcoming walks on the Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers website.
Compiled by Alec Pelmore and Anne Waddingham © 2022
