Another full programme of events for all the family planned for Weald’s Christian Aid week

CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL: The £7,450 raised last year helped Weald top the list of villages involved in raising funds for the annual Christian Aid appeal. The village is hoping for an equally impressive total this year when the focus will be on generating funds to support trained nurses and health professionals who help young mothers through the birth and early nurturing of their babies. You can pick up a programme of events at the village Community Shop or St George’s Church.

The programme of events starts with a Children’s Disco on Friday, 10 May, from 6pm to 7.30pm. The target audience is children from Years 1 – 6 but mums and dads will also be welcome to have a bop around the floor. Admission is £5.

On Saturday, 11 May, the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band is playing on The Green (or in the Memorial Hall if the weather is wet) between 3-5pm when teas and Pimms will be served. There is no fixed charge for admission but donations will be gratefully accepted

Sunday, 12 May, will be particularly busy with a special Christian Aid Service (10.30am) in the Memorial Hall with a guest speaker from the charity. In the afternoon, the Hamlyns at Westwood Farm will be warmly welcoming villagers following the trail from the village Green to the farm (details can be picked up from the Green between 2pm and 3pm) where there will be ‘activities for all the family. Even if you’re not interested in the activities you can certainly enjoy the tea and cakes sitting in the garden between 2pm and 5pm. The £2 cost for the trail includes a return tractor and trailer-ride back to the village (children £1).

On Tuesday, 14 May, a family dog walk has been organised to explore the countryside around the village leaving at 6pm from the Green. £2 hot dogs will be for sale afterwards along with hot drinks.

The evening of Friday, 17 May, sees another quiz night in the Memorial Hall, always a popular activity. If you want a ticket (£12.50 including a fish and chip supper) you’ll need to act fast and entry is for ticket holders only. Contact Ros Hollamby on 01732 451452.

AND DON’T FORGET THE GARDENS: Several Weald residents are opening their gardens in aid of Christian Aid. All the gardens are within walking distance of the village Green so people can enjoy a tour and still have time left over to saunter back to the Green for afternoon tea between 2pm and 5.30pm. The Garden Open Day is on Sunday, 19 May, between 2pm and 5pm and donations towards Christian Aid can be given at each garden.

A CUPPA ON THE GREEN: Refreshments will once again be available during Christian Aid week (11^th -19^th May) from a caravan/tent on The Green in the afternoons between 2.30pm and 5.30pm (except for Saturday 11 May  when the Brownies are in charge between 3pm and 5pm). The information flyer available from venues in the village lists the local organisations who will ‘man’ the caravan during the week. On Monday it is the Horticultural Society and History Groups’ turn; on Tuesday it is members of St George’s congregation; on Wednesday the Women of Weald, and it’s ‘Sarah’s afternoon’ on Thursday.

VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS: Rosie Wood, Chair of Weald Parish Council and her fellow councillors, will be celebrating the outstanding work of Weald volunteers at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday 22 May in the Memorial Hall, 7pm start. Refreshments will be available after the meeting.

BINGO NIGHT: The recent Cancer Research Bingo night held in the village raised a magnificent £1,210 towards Cancer Research.

SCHOOL BRIDGE TOURNAMENT: Weald Village is playing host again to the Southern Counties Inter-schools Bridge Tournament at both the Memorial and School Halls on Friday, 17 May, from 12.30pm – 6.30pm. Weald Primary has been hosting this tournament for three years now, attracting around 50 young bridge players from about eight schools. This year the organisers hope to include schools from Sussex and Surrey as well as Kent.

There are separate sections for mini-bridge players (without bidding) and bridge players (with bidding) for children aged 8 to 14 years. Both sections play competitive, duplicate bridge, with a break in the middle for some energy burning fun races on the Village green.

Anton Mauve, the co-ordinator of the event says: “It’s truly impressive to see the youngsters excelling at this mind sport and having fun. We have noticed that junior bridge seems a lot noisier than adult bridge, and there is much more laughter.”

So far this year, teams have entered from Weald Primary, Sevenoaks Primary, Weald of Kent, Tonbridge Grammar and Sevenoaks School.

CANINE PARTNERS: On Friday, 10 May, join a group of walkers convening at Riverhill between 9.15 – 10.30am to raise money for the charity ‘Canine Partners’. Registration is £10 per ticket which can be paid on arrival and the money raised will go toward training more amazing dogs. Wheelchair users are welcome to explore the gardens and coffee and biscuits will be available after the walk. Contact Sarah at sjfpartners@hotmail.com or call 07803 231723.

WEALD BROWNIES: Sarah Chatten, the ‘Tawny Owl’ at Weald Brownies celebrated 20 years of service at a recent gathering. ‘Brown Owl’, Trudi Bowen, said: “Well done Sarah and thank you for all you do for the girls.”

The Weald Village news is compiled by Susan Gidman. If you have any news or events you would like her to consider for the village column you can call her on 01732 454222 or email it to her at: wealdnews@hotmail.com