Farningham residents warned to be on their guard following increase in calls from scammers

PCSO WARNING: Farningham residents are being reminded to stay vigilant following a report from the local PCSO at a recent Parish Council meeting. There has been a large increase in the number of fake phone calls from people ‘claiming’ to be from HMRC, the Police or BT. Residents are advised never to give out bank details to a cold caller. There has also been five burglaries in the village during the last year, some of which are related to key fobs being remotely cloned from outside homes.

The post box outside the former Eynsford post office at Ford House was given its own knitted Easter Bonnet complete with chicks during the holidays. But who made it? Does anybody know?

MALCOLM GALE, who represented and contributed to the interests of the Farningham community for many years through his activities on the Village Hall management committee and the Parish Council, sadly died unexpectedly on Wednesday 3 April. His funeral will be at 12:30pm on Friday 10 May at Kemnal Park Cemetery, off the A20 Sidcup By-Pass near Chislehurst, BR7 6RR. His family kindly request no flowers but donations may be made to the British Heart Foundation, Lyndon Place, 2096 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3YU or via https://malcolm-gale.muchloved.com/

EYNSFORD IN BLOOM: More helpers are very welcome and if you would like to join one of the working parties, they meet at back of main village car park opposite the church at 9.30 am. The next dates are: Tuesdays April 23 & 30 Saturday 4 May. For more information contact Pauline Penny on 01322 864751.

EYNSFORD & FARNINGHAM DEMENTIA CAFÉ FUND RAISER. Two plays are being performed to help generate funds for this worthy cause (see below). They are Chocolate Muffins and Bothered & Bewildered. Matinee (1.30pm) and evening (6pm) performances take place on Saturday, 27 April, in Eynsford Village Hall. Tickets are £11 (£9 concessions) and the price includes a ploughmans. Contact Ferne Haxby on 07980 820216 for more information.

A DEMENTIA CAFÉ is held every second Friday of the month (not August) and welcomes anyone living with dementia, friends, relatives and carers. Contact Ferne Haxby for details on 07980820216.

FRIENDS OF FARNINGHAM is a group of volunteers who meet at the Village Hall for just an hour twice every month to help tidy the village. The group meets at the village hall at 10am on Thursdays 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, 29 August, and 26 September, and on Saturdays 11 May, 8 June, 13 July, 10 August and 7 September. Contact Cllr Carol Salmon at carolsalmon46@gmail.com or Jane Grey at farninghamparishcouncil@gmail.com for more information.

AXSTANE PLAYERS: A celebration of the year in song is being held at Farningham Village Hall on 31 May, and on 1, 7 & 8 June. There will be cabaret style seating and the audience is invited to bring their own drinks and nibbles. Tea and coffee is available. Tickets £8 from axstanesboxoffice@gmail.com or telephone 07882043567.

COFFEE MORNING FOR BEAMS: Eynsford Baptist Church is hosting a coffee morning on 1 June for BEAMS, a Hextable charity which supports disabled children and their families. It is being held between 10.30am – noon, serving hot sausage (and vegan) rolls, sumptuous homemade cakes and goodies and coffee and tea.

The lovely weather on Easter Sunday once again brought the crowds to The Ford in Eynsford. Visiting drivers just cannot resist driving through The Ford and at one point vehicles were literally queuing up to have a go.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND is being performed by the Riverside Youth Group at Eynsford Village Hall on 12,13 & 14 July. Tickets are £10 for adult, £7 concessions. An afternoon tea is also available with the tickets at £50 for two available from naomijmorgan2014@gmail.com

TEA AND CHAT: A friendly group meets every Thursday at Farningham Village Hall and offers a supportive and enjoyable break to anyone who is lonely or perhaps just needs a little time away from their house or would like to meet some new friends, chat and share some cake and tea. For more information contact stella.baggaley05@btinternet.com

A FARNINGHAM FRIDAY CAFÉ  is held at the Shand Hall, just behind Farningham Church, from 10am – noon every Friday. Everyone is invited to come and share a coffee or tea with old friends or new. For more information email: farninghamcfc@outlook.com