Could there soon be a new face at St Mary’s Church in Riverhead? Interviews for Rector of new Team Ministry start soon

CHURCH NEWS: The Church of England is currently advertising for a Rector for the newly established West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, which comprises St Mary’s, Riverhead, St Luke’s, Sevenoaks and St Mary’s Kippington.

The closing date is given as 21 February with interviews takin place on 12 March. Riverhead’s church has been without a vicar since March 2019. There is more information on the church website at www.stmaryriverhead.co.uk.

VALENTINE’S DAY: Thank you to the volunteers who have decorated the old red phone box in The Square at Riverhead for St Valentine’s Day. It is always fun to see the latest display.

SENIORS’ COFFEE MORNING: The next Seniors’ Coffee Morning at the Bullfinch Pub takes place on Thursday, 27 February from 10 -11.30am. These were set up last autumn by Riverhead Parish Council and have proved very successful. The Bullfinch really does make everyone feel most welcome. Excellent coffee (or tea), biscuits and cake for £3. Easy free parking too. If you feel that you would enjoy some company do go along. Or if you know someone in Riverhead who you think might benefit from attending these coffee mornings, do let them know about this venture. More information available from Riverhead Parish Council (see contact details at the foot of this column).

EVERY STEP COUNTS: Residents are invited to take part in an easy level walk led and supported by volunteers starting at 10am every Tuesday. The meeting point is outside Tesco and the walks are followed by refreshments donated by the supermarket. For more information see the link on the Riverhead Parish Council website (see below).

WILDLIFE EVENTS: Upcoming events at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre include a study day on Amphibian Ecology and Survey Techniques on Saturday 7 March, a talk on Pond Life in Your Garden on Monday 16 March and a Beebomb Making Workshop on Saturday 21 March. For more information and to book visit: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Riverhead residents are always welcome to attend the monthly meetings of Riverhead Parish Council and the next will be on Monday 17 February at 7.30pm in the committee room at Riverhead Village Hall. If there is a local matter that you would like to raise, do contact the council beforehand (details below) so that councillors can give you an informed response at the meeting. The Parish Council agenda is posted about a week beforehand on the village noticeboards and also on the council website as are those for the meetings of the planning committee. More about Riverhead Parish Council and its responsibilities as the most local rung of local government can be found on the website.

PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS: The Parish Clerk has an office at Riverhead Village Hall which is open to visitors Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am – 12.30pm. Messages are picked up frequently at other times. You can call Riverhead Parish Council on 01732 461278 any time or email clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk. The Riverhead Parish Council website is at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

You can also keep up to date with local events by following Riverhead Parish Council on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish. The Village Hall and the Committee Room are available to hire for parties and meetings.

The Riverhead village news is compiled by Maggie Miles. If you have any news or events you would like her to consider for the My Sevenoaks Community village column you can email it to her at: maggiejmiles@gmail.com