Two more Riverhead allotments available if you want to try your hand at growing your own food this year

GROW YOUR OWN: Two allotment plots are available in the Broadmead Allotment Garden located 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.

SENIORS’ COFFEE MORNING: The first coffee morning of the New Year at The Bullfinch pub will be on Thursday 30 January between 10-11.30am. These were set up last autumn by Riverhead Parish Council and take place on the last Thursday of each month. They have 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. 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).

CHURCH NEWS: As of 1 December 2019, St Mary’s, Riverhead is part of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, working alongside St Luke’s, Sevenoaks and St Mary’s, Kippington. On Sunday 26 January at 4pm at St Mary’s, Kippington, there will be a service to celebrate the formation of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry. Members of each of the three parishes are invited. The service will include the re-licensing of Locally Licensed Ministers and Pastoral Assistants by Archdeacon Julie Conalty. Everyone welcome to attend.

PORTICO SALE: Riverhead’s own art gallery, Portico at 25 London Road, has a January sale. There is a 50% discount off Christmas decorations and end of line stock; 20% off all art, gifts and jewellery; and 10% off bespoke framing orders.

DEFIB AND CPR TRAINING: The next sessions of defibrillation and CPR training, held at Sevenoaks Fire Station, will be on Wednesday, 29 January. For more information and to book call 01622 692121.

PILATES CLASSES: Pilates classes with Sam continue on Wednesday mornings at Riverhead Village Hall. There are two sessions: 9.30-10.30am and 10.40-11.40am. For more details or to book, go to: www.pilateswithsam.com or call 07564 770135.

NEW COUNCILLOR SOUGHT: Ross Carmichael stepped down as a Riverhead Parish Councillor at a December meeting and was thanked for all his hard work serving on the Communications and Open Spaces Committees and contribution to the Parkland working parties.

If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor for Riverhead or would like more information contact the Parish Clerk (see details below). Or go along to the next Riverhead Parish Council meeting on Monday 20 January to see what goes on.

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