Lovely Charing - Kent

Bat and Trap in Charing Heath

Charing Heath and Lenham Heath Village Society

Bat and Trap (an outdoor game, played with a bat & ball on a pitch slightly shorter than a cricket pitch. This game, an ancestor of cricket, has been played in Kent for hundreds of years

Sunday, June 13th at Woodruff, Hurst Lane, Charing Heath.

Bring a picnic and refreshments!
2pm Start - Family fun - teams and instruction will be given on the day.

No tickets - donations - everyone welcome

Charing Races Easter Saterday

Charing has been associated with Point to Point races since the 1930's when Barnfield was the venue and the Hunt Race was wan in 1937 by a young Stanley Homewood with his horse, Goldflake. Another Charing farmer, Percy Hickman, also competed and there is a perpetual Percy Hickman trophy. The Point to Point was started many years ago by farmers when they rode from Steeple to Steeple, hence the name Point to Point Steeplechases.

Six races will be held during the annual Easter Saturday meeting, organised by the Ashford Valley Hunt, at the "Palace Farm" on the A20/Charing by-pass.
All races are run over 3 miles with 19 fences, every fence has a steward. There are of curse professional paramedics, veterinary surgeons, farriers all on site and the event is under the rules of racing laid down by the Jockey Club who also send their own representative to inspect the course and to ensure it is up to safety standards.
One race will be confined to men, one to ladies and the remainder are mixed for both sexes. Charing was the first course to hold a mixed race.

Pony Races - another item first introduced at Charing - are run over 6 furlongs, on for 9-15 years, ponies 138cm and 9-15 years, 148cm and under.
The pony races produce the stars of the future and manu bevome professional jockeys.

During the races you can buy almost everything you need from trade stands: from a car, stable, all types of clothes, a new hat, a plant for the garden ro a jar of honey. There is a bouncy castle, slides and many attractions for the family children.
There will be tea, coffee, lemonde, beer, champagne and food is in abundance too: homemade cakes, burges, chips etc all available from various stands or you can bring your own family picknick.

Gates open at 10.30 (entrance from A252 Nothern By-Pass/Charing Hill), first race at 12.45
Pony racing starts at 12:45, Horse racing from 2:00pm.
Car parking including all occupants: £20 on course, £30 on hill side. Foot gate £5

For more information, contact Ashford Valley Hunt.

Easter Sunday: WORKING TERRIER/LURCHER SHOW & RACING

4th APRIL 2010 at 12 noon sharp (TERRIERS/LURCHERS) and 1 pm sharp (FUN DOG SHOW) PLUS lurcher and terrier racing after showing classes have finished. At CHARING POINT-to-POINT Course, Ashford, Kent (opposite The Swan A20)
Qualifiers applied for: Countryman's Weekly E.A.J.R. & LC Pride of the Peak National Working Terrier Federation NL&RC Refreshments available. Enquiries: Ron 01233 712358 Sue 01233 756266

Baskets, Balls and Bouncing for Charing School

Charing School are celebrating a windfall in the shape of a grant from the Lottery distributor “Awards for All” of just over £5000.  The money is being used to buy safety equipment, outfits and goals for the school’s competition winning trampoline and football teams, as well as new balls and hoops for the basketball club. Members of the PTA worked hard with teaching staff to compile a successful bid for funds and were rewarded for their efforts this week when they were given enough money to buy all the items on their wish list.

“We are over the moon” said PTA Chair Sarah Littlewood-Tribe. “This money means the trampoline lessons and club can continue after new safety guidelines are brought in next year, and the football and basketball teams will have the proper equipment for them to go from strength to strength.”

The whole school will be celebrating their good fortune on Thursday, 16th July when children and staff will be able to see and try out all the new equipment. Press coverage would be welcome on the day at 1pm, when there will be an official presentation.

From Joanna Astbury PTA Press Officer

Charing CEP School PTA is a registered Charity, number 1096620, working hard to ensure all pupils at the school have the widest variety of opportunities possible.

Awards for All is a lottery grants scheme for local community projects, bringing lottery funding into local neighbourhoods. Grants range from £300 to £10,000. For more information about this scheme or to obtain an application pack call 0845 600 2040 or visit www.awardsforall.org.uk

Easter Saturday: Annual Point-to-point races in Charing

On 11 April 2009 The Ashford Valley Hunt holds its annual

Easter Saturday Point-to-Point Races in Charing.
(Palace Farm on A20/Charing by-pass)

Racing starts around 12.45pm.

There will be pony racing, parade of hounds, many trade stands, bouncy castles, bookies, food and drink and a really good crowds is expected.

In between races, why not wonder down the School Road into the High Street where you will find a treasure trove of local shops and restaurants. You will be very welcome there too!