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SNOW
Winter arrived with a vengeance during the night of Thursday 17 December 2009. The weather forecast proved correct for our area with a six inch snowfall to greet our residents' gaze on waking up the following day. Problems then arose with difficulty getting out and about so many of our commuters preferred to stay at home. For car drivers the minor roads were passable with care however at a slow speed. The children took to their toboggans in Hextable Park for a hilarious time down the slopes and made snowballs in their gardens. With the temperature hovering just above or below zero ice soon became a major problem requiring a good tread on footwear for those walking around.
CAROLS ON THE GREEN
There was a large turnout of residents for the annual carols on the green on the evening of Sunday 13 December. This year for a change it did not rain at all and there was no wind to blow away the carol sheets. It was simply ideal weather for both singers and musicians. The newly formed choir at St Peters took part to swell the singing. The lights on the trees around the green provided by our council provided a nice backdrop. The stage area was well lit by the electric generator for the musicians to read their music. Afterwards everyone walked to the church for the traditional mulled wine and mince pies in the lounge. Thanks to the committee for the hard work in setting up and running this annual event
PRIMARY SCHOOL MUSIC
The school has been excelling in various areas this year one of which is music. After practising hard over many weeks the choir travelled to join 8000 children from other schools to sing a medley of songs at the O2 Arena on Tuesday 1 December. They sang these again in front of the parents on the evening of Thursday 10 December and were warmly applauded. One class that has been learning to play the saxophone over just a few weeks also demonstrated their talents during this evening. It was fantastic to see and hear so many saxophones being played at the same time. The teachers informed the parents that a whole class may learn to play violins in 2010, so there is an exciting time ahead in the school life.
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
The first service in the village organised by our new Parish Council took place on Sunday 8 November at Five Wents Hall.The service in which the Royal British Legion and the Air Training Corps both took active part was led by Andy Hammond from the Parish Church. Wreaths were laid by the Royal British Legion and other local organisations and individuals. The hall was well filled with 70 residents attending a very moving service.
SENIORS TRIPS
Two full coaches left Hextable for the resort of Eastbourne at 9.30 a.m on Wednesday 30 September to enjoy the ambience of this seaside town.The weather whilst not sunny remained dry so residents could stroll around without discomfort. Some took the sightseeing buses, others walked along the seafront/pier or explored the shops for bargains at low prices. The restaurants and tea rooms provided refreshments at very reasonable prices.Thanks again to the Parish Council for organising another successful trip.
The next trip will be the Christmas Lunch one to Hastings and Bexhill including lunch at the popular Wheatsheaf Restaurant. There are two dates of Tuesday 8 th and Monday 14 th December. Please contact Tracy Lane at the Heritage Centre (Phone 01322-668530) for more details and to book your place.
WELCOME BACK DENIS
After a break of one term our school crossing keeper Denis Wood has been given permission to continue assisting children and their parents as they cross the dangerous bend of Top Dartford Road on their way to Hextable Primary School in the mornings and on return home in the afternoons.
BEATING THE BOUNDS 2009
A good number of residents turned up at the Heritage Centre on the morning of Saturday 12 September for the second annual walk around the boundary of our parish. The weather was again ideal so the exhilarating views along the route could be enjoyed without anyone getting wet or feeling cold. Refreshments were provided by the Heritage Society on return and certificates were given to the walkers completing the distance.
HEXTABLE DANCE
A Summer Course entitled " Dance Enriches Lives " is being run starting on Tuesday 28 July and continuing on Tuesdays 4/11/18 August. This is a set of four sessions for adults aged 50+ who may have some experience in basic contemporary.modern or jazz dance. Led by Pam Howard and featuring tasters of dances linked with musicals. dancing to music from the 50's & 60's and a taster of Jazz. The sessions will run from 10 a.m to 12 noon, cost £20 for the course (£5 per session). Call 01322 618 618 or Email info@hextabledance.com to book or make enquiries about the course.
HEXTABLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
On the 23rd June 2009 the annual school sports day for the infant and junior departments took place. The children all tried very hard in each event. The first three in each race received a sticker with 1st, 2nd or 3rd on it. Some of the events that took place were skipping, running, sack race, throwing bean bags, relays and many more. It was organised again like the Olympics, the teams
representing different countries. These were France, Spain, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and Great Britain. The winning country was again France with the runners-up Greece.
It was great fun for all the children also the parents and grandparents who came to watch on this pleasant sunny day.
SENIORS TRIPS
A further trip was provided by the Parish Council on Tuesday 23 June. Residents were conveyed on two full coaches to the favourite resort of Broadstairs. The weather was excellent on the day and arrival coincided with the sea at high tide. The beach looked fantastic with the crowds of holidaymakers. The Dickens Society exhibition and the characters dressed up and walking around gave an added dimension. A local band provided music keeping everyone in buoyant mood.
The next trip is to Hever Castle on Tuesday 21 July and residents should contact Tracy Lane on 01322 668530 to book a place.
PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
Our parish council now have their own website which can be accessed from the Communities page of our own website. This gives the information concerning our councillors and the areas of responsibility within the village.
GOODBYE DENIS
Our village school crossing keeper Denis Wood guided children with their parents safely across Top Dartford Road for 23 years. He is now sadly 75 years of age and has had to retire from the job. The Primary School organised a special assembly on Monday 18 May when they presented him with a glass tankard and an exquisite carriage clock. The children had made two lovely lollipop cards on one of which they had written their appreciation of his care over their welfare. An amusing poem and prayers which they had composed were read out. After Denis had told the children about his early working life in Hextable and recalled the teachers he had known
he said prayers for the staff and children. He was warmly applauded throughout the assembly
and his closing farewell remarks to the children were "Be good" but if you can't "Be careful"
We now await the appointment of his replacement, until then it is best to cross the road at the chicanes.
SENIORS TRIPS
The latest trip to Tenterden to enjoy the steam railway was a pleasant day out for some 50 of our residents. The weather forecast for Thursday 14 May had however not been too promising but it turned out better than expected. Residents were therefore able to walk around and visit the exquisite little shops and eat in the quaint cafes in the morning before the afternoon train ride. The journey on the train to Bodiam was a round trip of just under two hours through delightful countryside. The cream tea lived up to expectations. Residents are now looking forward to the next trip organised by the Parish Council to Broadstairs on Tuesday 23rd June.
The Dickens Festival is taking place at this time. Early bookings are advised, phone Tracy Lane
at the Heritage Centre 01322-668530
MAY FAIR
There was a bustle of activity at the start of the day on the morning of Monday 4 May 2009 the May Day Bank Holiday. After the organising committee had marked out the field the stallholders arrived soon after to set up their stalls. The Air Training Corps were very helpful in directing the traffic to the correct parking areas. There was a lot of enthusiasm shown during the middle part of the day. Visitors quickly snapped up the cakes from the Rowhill WI cake stall. A long queue formed for food at the pavilion. Residents enjoyed a host of things to do and see and the displays in the arena were excellent. Children had their faces painted and enjoyed smashing crockery and the football "goal shooting" organised by the New Town Tigers.
There was also a good interest in the vintage transport and the police crime prevention bus.
The birds of prey inter-acted with the audience, particularly the large owl and the kestrel took off
for the copse on the top of hill for 15 minutes of freedom before returning to the handlers.
Some photos will be included shortly on a separate page of the website. Please send us any more for us to consider showing, particularly unusual ones as soon as possible.
WALK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
A large group of pupils from Hextable Primary School with their teachers and supporting parents gathered at The Crossways on Wednesday morning 1st April 2009. The children displayed banners and posters specially made for the occasion which they waved to passing motorists. For some time now Wednesday has been the day for walking to school for parents and their children living in the village.
Parents are encouraged to do this throughout the year however whatever the weather. Parking and road congestion is diminished together with the frustration experienced at passing other cars during the times of delivery and collection.
HEXTABLE PARISH COUNCIL
Our new local council held it's annual meeting on Monday evening 16 March
at Hextable School. Upwards of 150 residents turned out to hear speakers representing Kent County Council, Sevenoaks District Council and Kent Police.
The headmaster of Hextable School and representatives from some of our local
organisations also took part. Questions were raised at the end about matters of concern to residents. Phone numbers for Kent Highways and Kent Police are given on the Community Pages of our website.
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Hextable Residents' Association
