Working party helps keep Riverhead looking attractive and more volunteers are invited to join in on 14 September

VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN. Riverhead Parish Council would like to thank all those who volunteered to help at the recent working party in the village. As well as lots of rubbish being collected, one of the planters was replaced, Alison’s Garden was weeded and the fountain  under The Heights topped up and cleaned. It was the usual faces (so mainly Parish Councillors and their friends and family) on 9 March and they could always do with more volunteers so if you would like to help Keep Riverhead Tidy here is a date for your diary. The next working party will be Saturday morning 14 September from 9.30-11.30am.

OPEN MORNING.  St Mary’s Pre-school in Riverhead is holding an open morning at Riverhead Village Hall on Friday 29 March from 9.30am – 11.30am.  No need to book, just turn up on the morning, join in with activities and chat to staff and parents to find out all about the school. St Mary’s Preschool operates in Riverhead Village Hall, Amherst Hill, TN13 2EL. If you are looking for a pre-school for your child from September and can’t come that day do contact the Supervisor Sue Shuttleworth on 07502 428413 to arrange a visit. More information at  www.stmaryspreschoolriverhead.co.uk

AUREA LAMBARDE. A small crowd gathered in the grounds of St Mary’s Church in Riverhead on 5 March to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of  Bridget Aurea Teresa Lambarde who is buried in a war grave in the churchyard. Aurea, as she was known, was born in 1889 in Ireland and was the elder daughter of Major William Gore Lambarde. He was the last owner of Bradbourne House and estate in Sevenoaks, which was sold in 1927. Lambarde Road in Sevenoaks is named after the family. As the commandant at one of the town’s VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) hospitals, Aurea oversaw arrangements for the arrival of the wounded men and Belgian refugees who began to arrive in Kent from October 1914. She sadly died in March 1919 in the influenza epidemic that had begun in late 1918.The short service to remember Aurea was organised by local WW1 historian Matt Ball (see more at sevenoaksww1.org/) and among the crowd were Sevenoaks Mayor Cllr Roderick Hogarth, and Riverhead Parish Councillor Martin Denton. Prayers were led by Lay Preacher  and Riverhead resident Daphne Harrison.

TEMENOS CONCERT. Allegri’s much-loved ‘Miserere’ (a favourite on Classic FM) with its thrilling top soprano Cs will feature in a concert by local Temenos Chamber Choir at St Mary’s Church, Riverhead on Saturday 30 March at 7.30pm which will also include other works for Lent by MacMillan, Palestrina and Scarlatti. The soloists will be soprano Nicola Corbishley and tenor Nicholas Todd. Continuo will be played by young local organist Jack Gonzalez-Harding. St Mary’s Church has a wonderful acoustic for this kind of music so don’t miss it. For tickets phone 01732 452715 or visit Sevenoaks Bookshop. Or just turn up on the night.

EARTH HOUR: Get yourself  and your family  ready for Earth Hour (8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday, 30 March) by making your own candles, building small windmills and producing seed bombs for wildlife at the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve earlier that day at 10.30am – noon or 1pm – 2.30pm. For more information and to book go to www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events. For more about Earth Hour, when millions of people in over 180 countries agree to turn off their lights for an hour at 8.30-9.30pm  local time on 30 March, see www.earthhour.org

SPRING WALK. Join one of the knowledgeable wardens on this popular monthly family-friendly walk at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on Sunday morning April 5 . You will guided around  the reserve and shown signs that Spring is happening all around us. From buds on trees to changes in the behaviour of the birds and mammals that live on the reserve. There is so much to learn and discover on this popular walk. Places are limited so booking is essential so as not to be disappointed on the day. Book at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN. Join in a wonderful celebration of spring on Friday 12 April 10.30am – 3.30pm at the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve as the animals begin to reveal themselves and the flowers start to bloom. Plus there will be plenty of activities and crafts for  all the family to enjoy. Book now at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events where you can choose your perfect selection of activities for a fantastic day out.

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