We would be grateful to receive any items for the March edition  before the 20th February, 2010 by E Mail: Sue.Solley@farmline.com Anyone wishing to advertise in subsequent issues, should produce 400 copies on an A5 flyer—these will then be delivered for £10 to every house and given to friends of Great Mongeham. Please telephone Peter on 364457.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY in the Parish Hall

Great Mongeham Horticultural Society Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 at 7.30 pm—R. and M. Lawrence will talk on Vintage Mowers and Tools.  The competition is for five small cakes suitable for a children’s party.

Great Mongeham Singers  will meet for their second meeting of 2010 on Wednesday, 10th February at 7.30 pm in the Upper Room of St. Martin’s Church.  Everybody welcome to come along.

Drop In Thursday, 11th February from 10.00 am to 11.00 am—why not come along and talk to PCSO Liam Voller who will be holding a Police Surgery. KCC Warden Dave Bish is also a regular visitor—they will help you in anyway they can -telephone 01304 218000.

Saint Martin’s W.I Thursday, 11th February at 7.30 pm—talk on the ‘Importance of your Blood Group’ with a competition for a ‘Heart’ in any medium—perfect for Valentine’s Day.  Visitors and new members welcome.

Great Mongeham Society Thursday, 18th February at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall—Dr. Reg Colman will talk about Clementine Churchill, wife of the late Sir Winston.  Visitors are always welcome to attend the meetings.

 Bingo  Thursday, 25th February  at 7.15 pm in the Parish Hall, “eyes down” at 7.30 pm.

.FORTHCOMING EVENTS

St. Martin’s Church Flower Festival will be held  on 25th, 26th and 27th June.  If you would like to sponsor a tableau please contact Peter Hambrook Tel. 364457.

ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH

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

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

Mongeham.                                                                                                                 Tel. 239143

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

ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday, 7th February                           Morning Praise                                                  10.00 am

Sunday, 14th February                         Holy Communion                                              10.00 am                                                                                

Sunday, 21st February                          Family Service with Baptism                             10.00 am

                                                              Sung Evensong                                                    6.00 pm                                               Sunday, 28th February                         Holy Communion                                               10.00 am

REGISTERS

Marriage Saturday, 19th December, 2009 —David Stuart Fowler and Jennifer Ann Campbell

of 115 London Road, Deal.

Saturday, 23rd January—Mark Quested Petts and Kelly Louise Macey of 2 Bruce Close, Deal.

Baptism  Sunday, 17th January—Charlie James Moir son of Sarah and Alastair of Earlsfield, London and Harry George Stanley Ledger son of James Ledger and Gemma Newport of Wingleton Farm, Sutton.  Grandsons to Richard and Jane Ledger of Manor Farm, Little Mongeham.

A Memorial and Thanksgiving  Service for the life of Pat Solley, who died on the 14th November, 2009 took place on Thursday, 26th November, 2009 at St. Martin’s Church.  The following is an edited version of the Eulogy given by Peter Hambrook.

Pat was a well-loved person around the village of Great Mongeham.  She was born at Wallington, into the Townend family, who were a well-established firm of hat makers dating back  to the 1700s by royal appointment.  She had one sister Lettie who sadly passed away in 1943.

As a young woman she ran a Dance School in Broadstairs teaching all types of dancing from ballroom to ballet.  When war broke out, Pat did her bit for the war effort in the Land Army.  She was first trained as a Rat Catcher, handling strong poisons that nowadays you would not be allowed to look at , let alone handle!  As part of her work, she was given a car and had to teach herself to drive!  As time progressed she graduated from rat catching to become ‘Steed’s Land girl’, working in Finglesham and living at the Farmhouse.  Pat told many stories of the time she spent living at the Farmhouse.  She was never allowed to go into one particular room, indeed it was always kept locked.  Her bedroom was right above it and it was not until the war was over that she learned that the room was the arsenal for the local home guard.  There were munitions stored in the room including grenades and phosphorous bombs.

It was while she was working at Steeds that she met a young farmer by the name of Derek Solley.  Romance ensued from cycle rides to the pictures and eventually marriage at St. Peter’s Church, Broadstairs on 12th January, 1946.

They settled into married life and set up home in Ripple, where they had two children  Stephen

and  David.  They were involved with the local church—Derek was Churchwarden with Pat doing the support work.

As a young couple they set up a concert party known as the Merry Makers putting on shows in local village halls.  Pat was chief make up artist leaving Derek to do the acting.  They raised monies for Sutton Church and the not yet built, Ripple Village Hall.  They moved to Great Mongeham where Pat was kept busy as a farmer’s wife and she regularly helped out at Eastry Hospital, taking out the inmates and fund raising for them.

Sadly, Derek died in September, 1992 but Pat was determined to rebuild her life.  She was elected President of the Great Mongeham Horticultural Society  and enjoyed attending the meetings together with those held at the Fine Arts Group in Sandwich.  She was one of the front runners of the women’s section of the East Kent Ploughing Match.

She leaves  a void in the life of the village as well as her much loved family—she was the last of her generation in the Solley family, but leaves two sons, four grandchildren and seven and a half great grandchildren.  Pat will be very much missed by all who knew and loved her; we thank God for her time on this earth and commend her soul into his caring hands.

CHRISTIAN CENTRE

Graham Herbert Tel: 366332       Mick Godden  Tel:  239801 Mobile 07713274760 

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

CLUB, SOCIETY AND VILLAGE REPORTS

Great Mongeham Horticultural Society

The Christmas Party was most enjoyable with food and entertainment provided by members.

After the January break we are all looking forward to our first meeting of 2010.

                  JB

Saint Martin’s W.I.  Kevin Cook, resplendent in his official uniform of Sandwich Town Sergeant, gave a humorous and informative talk at the last meeting.  He brought along  a Black Thorn wand and the different Mace he carries, one of which had been handled by Queen Elizabeth I.

Great Mongeham Society  January meeting was a great success. Alex and Pam Summers spoke briefly about the ancient games and showed members and visitors how to play them.  Shuffleboard was a forerunner of Shove Ha’penny and the competitions highest scorer was David Solley. To see a Doctor and a retired Bank Manager in an intense game of Blow Football was a sight to behold.                                                                                                           PSB

There is a Keep-Fit for life, class every Monday morning at 10.30 am it is only £3.50  - mainly for the older age group but we also welcome all other age groups such as non working

Young mums.  It is informal and friendly but an excellent all round work out.  On Fridays we have Tots Ballet and Gymnastics for age groups 3 to 5 years.  A very popular class from 4 pm to 4.45 pm  At 5 pm we have a class for special needs children from age 4 upwards.  Please ring if you would be interested in any of these classes.  Jan Anton 01304 373421 or 07760150233.

For Sale 3ft. Bunk Beds as new including interior sprung mattresses. Please telephone Peter on 364457 for further details.

Missing Cat If you have seen or have news of a black and white cat around the Mongeham Road area please call Chris on 0751306483—Thank You.