Riverhead church service hosts talk on Mercy Ships which provide life saving operations in some of the world’s poorest places
MERCY SHIPS: On Sunday, 27 January, at the 9.30am church service at St Mary’s, Riverhead, Dr Paul Hellyer will talk about Mercy Ships, a Christian charity which provides a hospital ship to visit some of the poorest places in the world, many in Africa, with qualified personnel on board to perform life-saving operations. The charity also improves local healthcare by training and mentoring existing local medical staff and renovating hospitals and clinics. Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be a retiring collection to support the work of Mercy Ships.
A TASTE OF CLASSICS: Several Riverhead residents play in the Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra which will be giving its annual Taste of Classics concert on Wednesday evening, 6 February, at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. If you are not sure if you like classical music but would like to give it a go, or would just like to know more about it, this short (one hour) enjoyable concert offers a varied selection of well-known pieces/excerpts by composers including Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Schubert and Johann Strauss, played by a full live symphony orchestra on stage, with a short introduction to each item by conductor Darrell Davison. This concert starts at 8.30pm (to give you time to get home from work and have something to eat somewhere beforehand). The ticket price of £11 (£8 for under 16s) includes a glass of wine or soft drink which you can take into the theatre with you. What’s not to like? For more information or to book go to www.sevenoakssymphonyorchestra.org.uk (where there is also a link to the Stag Theatre Box Office) or direct to www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk. Or just go along on the night!
PORTICO GALLERY: Riverhead’s very own art gallery Portico Gallery, at 25 London Rd, Riverhead, TN13 2BU, which showcases original art works, hand-made jewellery and other quirky gifts, is running a sale throughout January. The outlet also offers an expert picture framing service. During January Portico is offering 50% off Xmas decorations and end-of-line stock, 20% off all art, gifts and jewellery and 10% off bespoke framing orders. The gallery also stocks unusual greetings cards and is open from 10am until 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
RECYCLING WORKSHOP: A reminder that you can learn how to reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill in a fun and creative way at workshops at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre at the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (off Bradbourne Vale Rd TN13 3DH) on Saturday 26 January. Suitable for children and adults. There are two sessions available, starting at 10.30am or 1pm. For more information and to book go to: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events
WILDLIFE WALK: The February ‘Walk with a Warden’ at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (off Bradbourne Vale Rd TN13 3DH) on Sunday morning 3 February offers a chance to see, hear and identify some of the wide variety of birds at this reserve under the guidance of an expert warden. Book for this at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events
HALF TERM ACTIVITIES: Looking ahead to the school half term, the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (see above) has various activities planned. On Sunday, 17 February, you and your children can build your own bird box and then go on a bird walk to spot what birds might nest in it? Or on Wednesday, 20 February, you could try pond-dipping? Then on Thursday, 21 February, it is the Wiggly Wild Show again – a chance to get up close to some amazing creepy crawlies with the help of an experienced bug wrangler. For more information about all these activities and to book go to www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events. These activities are always very popular, so don’t leave it too late.
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
