May we wish all our readers a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. We take a break from the Newsletter over Christmas—the next edition will be in February. We would be grateful to receive any items for this edition before the 20th January, 2009 by telephone on 01304 375560 or E Mail: Sue.Solley@farmline.com

Great Mongeham Horticultural Society Wednesday, 3rd December

at 7.30 pm Christmas/Anniversary Party—don’t forget your ticket!!

Yule Tide Fayre Saturday, 6th December from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm with crafts, gifts, cakes and refreshments. Admission 50p. Followed by a concert billed as an Acoustic Evening with Damh the Bard, from 5.30pm until 7.30pm with coffee, tea and mince pies. Tickets £10.00. Enquiries phone Matthew Callow 07845 438340.

Drop In will again host the Police Clinic on Thursday, 11th December at 10.30 am. Well worth a visit to have a chat on Safety and Security amongst other topics.

The last morning this year will be Thursday, 18th December and the first in the New Year, Thursday, 8th January, 200Aa9.

Bingo Thursday, 18th December, 2008 at 7.15 pm, “eyes down” at 7.30 pm.

Saint Martin’s W.I. New Year’s Day will see some members outside the Time Ball Tower drinking mulled wine.

Thursday, 8th January will welcome Pru Anderton speaking about ‘Convent Girl in the 1950s’. Visitors and new members welcome in the hall for 7.30 pm start. The competition is for a school photo.

Great Mongeham Society Thursday, 15th January at 7.30 pm in the

Parish Hall—Dr. Chris Farrar will talk on Lord French of Ripple.

Visitors and new members welcome. Membership £7.00 a year.

Entrance Fee for visitors £2.00.

Dover District Council Planning Committee Meeting 15th January, 2009 at 6 pm at the Council Offices at Whitfield.

Churchyard Clear Up Saturday, 17th January from 10.00 am until 1.00 pm. If you can spare an hour or so please just turn up and bring your own tools. Many thanks to those who have done sterling work so far—it is looking much better.

Bingo Thurday, 22nd January, 2009 at 7.15 pm, eyes down at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall.

Exhibition of photographs and memorabilia commemorating the Parish Hall’s 80th Birthday to be held in May, 2009.

We are hoping to start Dance and Fitness classes for all ages with Jan Anton from Studio 6 Stage School in the Parish Hall in the next few weeks—dates to be finalised.

Benefice Priest in Charge: Rev. David Flewker Tel. 374076

Ordained Local Minister: Rev. Peter Hambrook, 4 Brewery Cottages,

Northbourne Road, Great Mongeham. Contact for Weddings and Baptisms Tel. 364457

Church Wardens: Bob Osbourne, 27 St. Radigunds Road, Dover, Kent. Tel. 330200

Judy Hambrook, 4 Brewery Cottages, Great Mongeham Tel. 364457

Secretary: Dr. Wendy Madgwick, Glendower, Mongeham Church Close, Great

Mongeham. Tel. 239143

Treasurer: Mr. N. Pitchford, 141 Mongeham Road, Great Mongeham. Tel. 362202

Sunday, 7th December Morning Praise 10.00 am

Sunday, 14th December Holy Communion 10.00 am

Sunday, 21st December Crib Service 10.00 am

Carol Service 6.00 pm

Wednesday, 24th December Christmas Eve Christingle Service 5.00 pm

Midnight Mass 11.15 pm

Thursday, 25th December Christmas Day Holy Communion 10.00 am

Sunday, 28th December Holy Communion 10.00 am

Sunday, 4th January Morning Praise with Baptism 10.00 am

Sunday, 11th January Holy Communion 10.00 am

Sunday, 18th January Family Service 10.00 am

Sung Evensong 6.00 pm

Sunday, 25th January Holy Communion 10.00 am

Paul Kavanagh Tel: 372297 Mick Godden Tel: 239801 Mobile 07713274760

DECEMBER SERVICES 10.30 am Every Sunday 6.30 pm 3rd Sunday Evening

Great Mongeham Society At the Annual General Meeting, members voted Jim Rees to be Chairman with Steve Chappell Vice Chairman for the next year.

After the meeting, Richard Rice gave a very informative talk about antiques and collectables. He spoke on the items brought in, but although interesting not of huge sale value. The evening finished in true style with wine, cheese and a lot of chat. PSB

Great Mongeham Horticultural Society The Annual General Meeting took place on 5th November. After 3 years as Chairman, during which the Club has gone from strength to strength

both in membership and achievements, Peter Aplin has decided to retire from this post.

The new Chairman is Keith Atkinson, the new Secretary is Dawn Cartwright and we wish them all success in the coming year.

There is no meeting in January so we will have time to prepare our gardens and allotments ready to double our prizes next year. JB

The Great Mongeham Design Statement Group would like to thank all those who attended the Open Day in the Parish Hall on 26th October, and thanks also for the many comments received. The Group will be reviewing the document in the light of the comments received during the consultation period, which closes at the end of November. If sufficient funding can be achieved the Group would like to provide a free copy of the Design Statement to every household in the Parish that would like one. We will therefore be putting a form in the February Newsletter so that all those who would like a copy can let us know. We can then arrange for sufficient copies to be printed and delivered in the new year. SB

Forty Eight artists took part in the 17th annual art exhibition held in Saint Martin’s Church last month. They displayed 215 pictures, ranging from small pastels to large canvases which were shown to perfection on the church walls. A steady flow of visitors came from a wide area over six days and a profit of just over £500 was made for the Friends of Saint Martin’s Church. Thanks to everyone for their co-operation. Diana Knight

Brian and Diana Knight and their band of helpers have again produced an excellent show, this time in the beautiful surroundings of the Church. As an exhibitor, I want to thank them for their hard work and for making the show such a special event. SB

I should like to say thank you on behalf of St. Martin’s Church to the friends who ran the very successful Art Show during November. It was well organized and raised over £500 towards the fabric of the building. This money goes into a ring fenced account held by the church council and will only be used for this purpose. PH

The Drop In held in the parish hall on Thursday mornings staged another fund raising event last month. This time it was the Children in Need Appeal who benefited from their generosity. £73 was raised from stalls and a raffle. Thanks to all who participated. Barbara Spence

The Parish Hall Trustees send Christmas and New Year greetings to everyone. PSB

I would like to thank the organisers of the very successful Musical Evening held on 22nd November in St. Martin’s Church where local musicians put on an excellent evening of music to suit all tastes. This made a good profit of over £250, which will go to the general running costs of the church. It costs well in excess of £11,000 annually just to keep the church going so this money is most welcome. If you have visited our Church in the last few months, the beautiful rather expensive flowers that adorned the place may have impressed you. A big thank you to Sainsbury’s who kindly donate them each week. The flowers have gone past their sell by date in the store but with careful arranging enhance the church for us. PH

Congratulations to Wendy Madgwick for an excellent ‘Medley of Music’ at Saint Martin’s Church last month. DK

District Councillors Report A happy Christmas to all our residents. This year has seen a mixture of success and pressures. The big news for many residents was the expansion in the recycling scheme. Cardboard and plastic bottle recycling is important for many although it has not been without its teething problems. We trust that these have been resolved by now but if not please let us know. The credit crunch is severely affecting many and the council is under pressure here, through reduced income from fees such as parking and planning fees. The council continues to look at efficiency savings to minimise any impact on front line services. The regeneration of the district continues and we work with our partners such as SEEDA and the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly known as English Partnerships), as we strive to revitalise the district. Work is already underway in Dover and we look forward to more progress next year. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our residents a safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Nick and Steve

Gt. Mongeham Parish Council 1st Thurs. 7.15 pm Parish Hall Terry Madgwick Tel 239143

Sarah Wells Tel.614320

Sunday School (3 yrs.& over) St. Martin’s Sylvia Griffiths Tel.367124

Bell Ringers Tues. 7.30 pm St. Martin’s Ken Gatland Tel.611283

1st Gt. Mongeham Brownies Weds. 5.30-7pm Term Time Baptist Hall Julie Caldwell Tel.372493

Good Companions Thurs. 2.30-4.15pm Parish Hall Barbara Spence Tel.375786

Gt. Mongeham Horticultural Society 1st Weds. 7.30pm Parish Hall Joyce Blee Tel.372413

(No Meeting Jan. & Sept.)

Mongeham-Ripple W.I. 3rd Weds.2.30pm (Dec.2nd Weds) Parish Hall Sue Case Tel.374025

St. Martin’s W.I. 2nd Thurs. 7.30 pm Parish Hall Jennifer Windsor Tel.365694

Gt. Mongeham Parish Hall Bookings Judy Hambrook Tel 362815

Great Mongeham Society 3rd Thurs. 7.30 pm Parish Hall Jim Rees Tel.373307

(No Meeting in September and December)

T.A.F.-Mulberry Tree 1.30pm Mondays in Term Time Parish Hall Wendy Madgwick Tel 239143

Gt. Mongeham Art Group Tues. 1.45-3.45pm Term Time Parish Hall Julie Kersey Tel 373299

Karate Mons. and Weds. 6.30pm Parish Hall Jan Easton Tel 367001

Friends of St. Martin’s Nigel Pitchford Tel 362202

Yoga Tuesdays 6.00 pm Parish Hall Audrey Clarke Tel 368521

Scottish Country Dancing Tuesdays 8 pm Parish Hall Mary Quinton Tel 375836

or Margaret Bowden Tel 365428

Country and Western Dancing Fridays 7.30pm Parish Hall Wendy Fuller Tel 360286

Drop In Thursdays 10.00 am Parish Hall Barbara Spence Tel 375786

Lets Dance Monday 8—10 pm Parish Hall Janet Dean Tel 613927

Pilates Thursdays 5.45 –6.45pm Parish Hall Lorraine Pullen Tel 07734473784