Lunch club mainly aimed at elderly folk enters its 41st year in operation

LUNCH CLUB: St Mary’s Church Riverhead has for many years worked in partnership with the United Reformed Church (URC), Sevenoaks to provide the Littlecourt Lunch Club which meets on a Tuesday lunchtime at the Kippington URC Hall.

The club, which celebrated its 40^th Anniversary in September 2019, is mainly aimed at elderly folk in the community and provides a nourishing meal, conversation and friendship.

Volunteers provide the cooking teams, transport and administrative support. The Littlecourt Lunch Club is held every Tuesday starting at noon. A delicious two course lunch is served, and transport can be provided. If you would like to attend the lunch or to volunteer to help in any way (there is a rota), phone Deirdre Montanaro on 01732 455435.

NEW COUNCILLOR SOUGHT: Ross Carmichael stepped down as a Riverhead Parish Councillor at the meeting on 19 December 2019 and was thanked for all his hard work serving on the Communications and Open Spaces Committees and working at the Parkland working parties. If you are interested in becoming a councillor for Riverhead or would like more information do contact the Parish Clerk (see details at the foot of this column).

GROW YOUR OWN: Two allotment plots are available in the Broadmead Allotment Garden which lies between Heathfield Rd and Hawthorn Lane in Riverhead. Anyone interested in growing their own veg in 2020 should contact the Parish Clerk (details below). More information on the Parish Council website – click on the allotments link on the home page.

EVERY STEP COUNTS: For some gentle well-being walking in 2020, or if you know someone who might benefit, this weekly supported 30-minute walk continues every Tuesday morning this year. Meet outside the Costa window at Riverhead Tesco at 10am. (Possibility of coffee and chat at Costa after if you want to stay, also toilets available at Tesco.) For more information contact: irene.collins25@gmail.com

SENIOR COFFEE MORNINGS: Last autumn Riverhead Parish Council set up a new monthly Seniors Coffee Morning at the Bullfinch Pub which takes place on the last Thursday of each month from 10 -11.30am. This has proved very successful and The Bullfinch really does make everyone feel most welcome. Excellent coffee (or tea), biscuits and cake for £3. Easy free parking too. The first coffee morning of the New Year will be on Thursday 30 January at 10-11.30am. 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 the foot of this column).

CHIPSTEAD WI: The first 2020 meeting of Chipstead WI, which always welcomes Riverhead residents, will be on Tuesday 14 January when Marcia Barton will give a talk entitled ‘Marianne North – a Happy Life’. Marianne was a Victorian biologist and renowned botanical artist. The competition is for a photo of a flower and the sales table theme will be unwanted gifts. The meeting starts at 8pm and the venue, as always, is Chevening Parish Hall, Homedean Rd, Chipstead (TN13 2RU). For more information about Chipstead WI call Janet Sharp on 01732 452715 or email: barjansharp@tiscali.co.uk.

DANCE IN THE NEW YEAR: Chipstead Scottish Dancing Group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 8-10pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Riverhead. The next date will be 14 January. Beginners welcome (no partner needed) and a good way to get exercise! Contact Diana Goymer (01959 523351) or Margaret Lee (01732 455127).

PARISH COUNCIL: Riverhead Parish Council is the most local rung of local government and is involved in local planning decisions and highways matters, and also owns and runs the Village Hall, theRiverhead Parkland and two areas of allotments. The Parish Council also organises the colourful planters in the village centre, the Christmas lights and the new senior coffee mornings among many other good things. Their next meeting is on Monday 20 January at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at the Village Hall and residents are always welcome to attend to find out what goes on.

The Parish Clerk has an office at the Village Hall which is open to visitors on Monday and Thursday mornings 9.30am – 12.30pm. Messages are picked up frequently at other times. You can phone 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 and you can also keep up to date with local events by following ‘Riverhead Parish Council’ on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish. The Village Hall and 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