In memory of Weald stalwart Ken Hocking – a message of thanks from his wife Sheila:

My family and I are most grateful to the many friends and neighbours who gathered in and around Weald Close on Monday 11 May to say goodbye to Ken.

Ken Hocking is pictured in 2000 when as Chair of Weald Parish Council, he oversaw the installation of the village Millennium stone on the Green. Also in the photo is Sevenoaks district councillor and Weald resident Frances Dick

In these difficult times it was not possible to have a ‘proper’ funeral, only 10 people were allowed to attend, so the support from you all was really appreciated.

When times are back to normal, we are planning to have a memorial get together for Ken, somewhere in the village, where we can take time to remember him with his many interests and hobbies.

Hospice in the Weald, which has been a great support to us over the last four years, are accepting donations in memory of Ken so if you would like to make a donation please go online to Hospice in the Weald, Fundraising and Events or by post to Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4TA.

The funeral was recorded and is available to watch online. If anyone would like to see it, contact me for the log in details by email at: sheila@hocking.io

ONLINE MEETING: Due to the current Covid 19 pandemic, the next Weald Parish Council monthly meeting on Wednesday, 27 May, starting at 7.15pm, will be held via ‘ZOOM’. If you would like to ‘attend’ the meeting, email John Caird at wealdparishclerk@btinternet.com and he will send the ID log in and password to your email account, plus a copy of the Agenda on the afternoon of the day of the meeting.

SEW MUCH TO DO: The ‘stitchers’ of Weald had a fairly quiet week, but we still managed to dispatch 30 masks taking the grand total to 1,101. A message from Dr Nicki Perry of the Hildenborough Medical Centre which covers Weald, said: “Every week, I am blown away by the creativity, care and love that you all put into your wonderful donations.”

The Weald Stitchers completed orders this week went to: Alpine Care Home – 24 Headbands 24 laundry bags; Leonard Cheshire Care Home – 30 ear savers, 30 headbands; Iden Manor Care home – 15 gowns, 15 headbands, 10 laundry bags; Fountains Lodge Care Home – 50 gowns, 50 scrub hats, 50 adult masks; Covid testing centre – 30 laundry bags; Feast Food Bank – masks 20 large, 5 medium, 5 child; Sustain Food Bank – masks 120 large, 20 medium, 20 small; Loaves and Fishes Food Bank – masks 60 large, 20 medium, 20 small; Friends for Families – masks, 50 large, 10 medium, 10 child; Salvation Army Food Bank – masks 110 large, 40 medium, 40 child; Aspens – 50 adult masks; Ashford Care Home – 30 headbands, 120 gowns, 120 laundry bags, 30 visors.

The volunteer sewers are also making headway on this week’s enormous order with 350 adult masks towards a request for 500 masks and 63 children’s mask towards a request for 150 masks. There are also orders for some headbands, ear savers and aprons.

TAKEAWAY SERVICE: Both the Windmill Pub and Giacomo’s Restaurant in Weald continue to offer a takeaway service. For details of their menus go to The Windmill’s Facbook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/windmill.weald

And Giacomo’s website at:

giacomos.uk.com