Lovely Charing - Kent

"pen-pal" wanted

Received the following request in our inbox - all the way from Tasmania

Hello, I lived in Link Cottage, (on Charing Hill) in the early sixties. I have many fond memories of those times. I now live in the Central Highlands of Tasmania and would be very pleased to correspond with anyone who remembers me.....

I returned to Charing in 1995 for a visit and wrote a comment in the visitors book located in the church, hoping that some one may have seen the entry and contacted me. But to

no avail. I am happy to have my email address disclosed to anyone who would like to contact me.

Regards, Julian Wilding.

If anyone remembers Julian and wants to get (back) in contact, drop me an email and I'll forward your message to him (or give you his email address - for obvious reasons, avoiding spam, his email address is not publicly published here).

First ever Charing's Food Festival

Charing Business Association is proud to sponsor Charing's first Food Festival.
This fun and tasty event starts on Sunday 30th October and runs until Saturday 5th November, and you can get a flavour of what's on offer from the details below:

Sunday 30th October:

• Sunday Roast at The Oak for just £5 !! Booking Essential 01233 712612
• Kentish Cream Tea with Family "Foodie" Quiz at The Barn from 2.30 pm

Monday 31st October:

• Cookery Demonstrations at House2Home from midday.
• Cupcake decorating demonstration and competition for Children at Thyme for Tea all afternoon

Tuesday 1st November:

• Steam oven cookery demonstration at House2Home from midday, followed by talk on "Why Diets Don't Work" by Yvonne Fernando.
• Evening sampling of curry dishes specially prepared by Kerala Spices and served for one night only at "Thyme for Tea" - Don't miss this opportunity to taste a variety of dishes for only £2 each!!

Wednesday 2nd November:

• Cookery Demonstration at House2Home from midday.
• Butchery Demonstration "Three into One Does Go!" by Martin at G&M Johns Butchers at 1.30pm.
• Biddenden Wine Tasting at Wady & Brett in the afternoon.
• TAPAS Night at Thyme for Tea. Please call 01233 714171 to reserve your table

Thursday 3rd November:

• Country Market with Beer Tasting from Historic Dockyard Brewery Chatham; "Bit Spicy" Food Tasting; Honey Maker tastings and display and all the usual tasty treats you all enjoy.
• Cookery Demonstration at House2Home from midday.
• Free Pakora side dish when you order your main meal at Spices of Bengal restaurant!

Friday 4th November:

• Cookery Demonstration at House2Home from midday.
• Fish & Chips from "Fishers" at The Oak with FREE Draught Beer (minimum spend £5).
• "Goupie" tasting at Wady & Brett all day

Saturday 5th November:

• "You are What you Eat" Talk by Grace da Silva Hill at Charing Library 11.30. Grace will be explaining how osteoporosis and arthritis can be improved by what you eat.
• Cookery Demonstration at House2Home midday
• "Harvest" Still Life Painting demonstration by Richard Barton at "44" in the afternoon.
• "Jamaica Night" at Thyme for Tea - authentic Jamaican Dishes. Early booking advisable on 01233 714171

And, late entry: Watch chocolate making everyday at Purple Patch

Enquiries? Please phone Elizabeth @ "44" 01233-714689

Steel Magnolias - Charing Guild of Players

The play will be performed from Wednesday to Saturday, November 16th to 19th at 7.30pm in the Church Barn

Steel Magnolias is a comedy-drama about the bond between a group of southern women in north-west Louisiana. It was written by Robert Harling, based on his experience of the death of his sister. The title suggests that the female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel. The magnolia specifically references a magnolia tree they are arguing about as the drama opens.

There was a play reading for Steel Magnolias in The Church Barn during August and this has now been cast:

• Truvey: KAREN WRIGHT
• Annelle: NATASHA GUDGE
• Clairee: MARIAN WHITE
• Shelby: ALISON HOWE
• M'Lyn: CAROLINE BANHAM
• and Ouiser: GILL MAGSON.

It will be directed by Michael Headley.

Tickets £7 (Students £6) go on sale from November 7th at Wood You Like, School Road - during opening hours.

Do note: tickets must be paid for on collection - this also applies for reserved tickets (before the 7th through friends and families of the Guild).
No tickets can be left at the door and/or paid for on the evening.