Terlingham Vineyard

A visit to Terlingham Vineyard at Hawkinge on 02 June.

David Godfrey, Tina Wiles, David Callaghan, Susan Carey and Stuart Peall with the giant Hawkinge Harry

Saturday 12 September is the sixth Fun Day in Hawkinge and this year’s theme is Hawkinge’s history.  The Fun Day itself is becoming a tradition and part of that tradition is that it is opened by the chairman of Shepway District Council.  First I am greeted at the Community Centre by the chairman of Hawkinge Parish Council, David Callaghan and the parish clerk, Tina Wiles and Shepway District Councllors Stuart Peall and David Godfrey.  I am also pleased to see Hawkinge Harry the giant, who is much in demand for parades and events in Kent and Northern France.  It is good to see him on home territory.

The 1st Foot Guard

I am escorted from the Community Centre to the stage by the 1st Foot Guards a ‘living history and reenactment unit’ kitted out in uniforms like those worn in 1815 at the time of the Napoleonic wars.  We march across the village green to the stage where I officially open the Fun Day and we then march back.  And I wonder if I look like a prisoner under escort!

I am then free to wander around the stands.  These include the local schools, several charities including the Air Ambulance who are already (!) selling Christmas cards.  Churchill school are running a traditional coconut shy and my husband manages to hit a coconut but fails to dislodge it. 

John Hall intent on winning a coconut

The Hawkinge Allotment Society has a stand full of plants for sale which is remarkable as they are still not officially on their new site.  They tell me they’ve been asking for a site for thrity years and I was first involved about four years ago.  But it won’t be long now as the land has been agreed, the society members have cleared it and water, fencing and other facilities including a composting toilet are under construction.

The children love the inflatables at the Fun Day and there’s a full size version of subbuteo.  The 1st Foot Guards demonstrate their weapons and marching.  The dancing also deserves a special mention as there are many groups and styles.  And the main theme of the event – Hawkinge’s history is taken up in a history trail round the village and an exhibition in the Community Centre.

Premier Performing Arts

The Fun Day is run by the Hawkinge Events Group and they would welcome more people to join the fun.  If that appeal to anyone reading this then I will happily put you in touch.

The Fun Day is supported by local businesses, the Hawkinge Partnership (now Shepway Regeneration) and Hawkinge Parish Council.

1st Foot Guard shows what warfare used to be

KCC Wardens watching the Boys in Blue Stripes aka the Police

Thursday 06 August and I’m in Hawkinge to see the annual football tournament staged by the Kent Police and the KCC Community wardens for youngsters from Capel, Hawkinge, Lyminge, Elham and Lympne.

Capel versus Lympne

As well as organising the event, the Kent Police also field a team (white and blue stripes) and I’ve a suspicion that they get as much pleasure from taking part as any of the youth teams.  The KCC Community wardens are allowed one just game but I have the impression that they prefer to cheer from the sidelines like me.

Shepway has also helped the event by lending the Community Unit stand which gives some very welcome shade to the players in between matches.  Thank you Giles for arranging this.

It is very hot and I’m worn out just being outdoors in such heat but the football teams are full of energy and no-one seems to flag.  Capel and Lyminge are the finalists and the match is a close one settled on penalties with Capel winning 3:2.

Chief Inspector Martin Bradley and I make the presentation of certificates, medals and trophy with congratulations to everyone involved in making the event a success.

Councillor Susan Carey, chairman of Shepway District Council and Chief Inspector Martin Bradley with runners up Lyminge

Kent Community Recycling Centre

Friday 10 July and I’m in Hawkinge to join the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Kent Community Recycling Centre.  This Community Interest Company was set up in 1989 to reclaim useful material from waste. 

The Centre was recycling tins, glass,clothing, paper and plastic long before it was fashionable and still does today.  Now that Shepway has a weekly kerbside collection of recyclables and Kent County Council runs a nearby waste disposal site you might think that there was no longer a role for Kent Community Recycling. But there is because Kent Community Recycling offers payment for the waste it receives as well as raising funds itself to support charity.  So the Centre thrives with organisations and individuals bringing in their waste and buying the by products such as decorative glass chippings to use in the garden.

Today there are balloons, a band and a hog roast all and a general invitation to the community to join in the celebration of 20 years of saving the planet.  It’s an event I’m very happy to join in to represent Shepway and show our support for the work of Mark Wyatt and his team.  Here’s to the next 20 years.

Sheila with Councillor Susan Carey, Chairman of Shepway District Council

Kent Community Recycling has a website with information about what it recycles, its opening hours, its business waste recycling service and how its credit scheme works. kentcommunityrecycling.org.uk

Councillors David Godfrey, Susan Carey and Carole Waters at Street Atletics in Hawkinge

Sunday 5th July and I’m in Hawkinge again.  Today it’s for Street Athletics an event that’s now been held annually since 2006 in Hawkinge.

Street Athletics is the brainchild of two of Britains’ top Olympians, Linford Christie and Darren Campbell.  Darren has injured himself playing football but Linford Christie is here, as he has been every year this event as been held, actively organising the races and encouraging the runners.  What I particularly like about Linford Christie is the way he’s involved from start to finish and his attention is all on the children and young people taking part.

The idea is that you run.  It’s as simple as that.  No need for a stadium or specialist equipment.  At Hawkinge we are using the Lidl car park.  There are races for Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17s and Under 20s (male and female in each age group).  Everyone gets a Nike T-Shirt (and Linford was happy to sign these for the participants) and the two fastest from each age group go forward to the National Final in Manchester on 26th September.

Linford Christie keeping order at Street Athletics

Wilbert Greaves, Shepway’s Sports Development Officer, has organised the Hawkinge event and as well as the running there’s fencing, juggling, mime, African drums and dance displays.  Wilbert describes himself as a swan - seemingly gliding along whilst frantically paddling to stay afloat.

Andrea from Shepway with her son

There are an amazing 186 entrants, some of whom are so small that their T-shirts look more like a dress.   A large crowd turns out to cheer them on including District Councillors David Godfrey, Carole Waters and Hugh Barker.  Several members of Shepway staff are also there and one has a son in the running.  Someone suggests we have a councillor versus staff race but fortunately no one presses the idea.

Only when the last race has been run and the last dance display is over does Linford Christie head for the beach at Folkestone with his children.

Peter Sellars and Susan Carey and, in the background, children from the Churchill School performing a maypole dance.

Today, Staurday 4th July, I’m in Hawkinge for the Churchill School’s Summer Fair with Peter Sellars, a friend who lives in the village.

There’s plenty going on with a maypole demonstration, dancing, bouncy castles and lots of games and competitions. 

I’m a governor at the Churchill School so it feels rather strange to be turning up wearing a chain but it’s certainly popular with the children who want to knowif it’s real gold.  It is.  I suppose it’s simply a rather grand name badge which says that I’m Chairman of Shepway District Council.

The Churchill School is into gardening in a big way with several raised beds and a large polytunnel.  Recently the school has acquired a hen coop to house birds rescued from battery farming.  There are no vegetables or eggs on sale today but there’s plenty of other goodies on offer and Peter and I leave with our arms full and our wallets lighter.

Spot the ball - Cllr Susan Carey with Hawkinge Football Club

The event is hosted by the Churchill School and as well as the presentations there are stalls, competitions (including a magnificent cake decorated with chocolate football boots to win) and games to play. 

I spot local District Councillor, Roger Hill who is a big supporter of the club and whose grandson is a member. 

Susan Carey with District Councillor Roger Hill, his grandson and the golden boots

Whenever I am with Hawkinge Football Club I am impressed by the enthusiasm and ‘bounce’ of everyone involved from the adult helpers to the girls and boys in the teams.  The Club is working hard to raise money for new facilities and certainly deserves support.