'EDITORIAL'

WE ARE ALL MUCH WARMER NOW!     By any measure our 'Winter Warmer Games Evening', held at Teynham Village Hall on 9th February, was a great success; indeed it exceeded in every department what we had set out to achieve.  Some 130 members, friends and guests were present (your editor, ever the sceptic, had originally thought in terms of 50/60), good live music, plenty of delicious hot food (absolutely no bread and cheese in sight) and -- those GAMES!    There were plenty to break the ice and for those who wanted a quiet(er) evening.  Some were, as I had anticipated in my earlier News Letter, a bit physical - involving a bit of running about and - did my eyes deceive me or were those two young women (well younger anyway) really wrestling on the floor over possession of a comic hat?

All great fun and, thanks to the support and generosity of those who came, a very substantial sum was raised for our charitable purposes. 

Our Branch website has now been up and running for some months and we have been able to assess its effectiveness, its appeal and its usefulness to our members and, of course its wider audience.  Jim Hopkins, who set it up and who maintains it, by updating the content from the many contributors, has been pleased and some others of us possibly a little surprised by the site's popularity - as measured by the 'hits' or visits that have been recorded.  We are encouraged by the results so far and Jim and the team will continue to work to make the website of increasingly greater interest and benefit to members.

CRICKET TENTS

Thanks to the efforts of the local Branch, the usual 'tent' will be available during the Tunbridge Wells cricket 'week'.  Sadly, however, there will be no tent this year at Canterbury.

 FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Friday 28th March - The Branch AGM at the Black Lion, Lynsted.  Formal notices of this meeting are now with members. 

Saturday 26th April - our (K)NOSH & KNOWLEDGE evening at Bapchild Village Hall; 7.30 pm 'eyes down' for the first questions.  A good supper will be provided but bring your own drinks and glasses.  The evening will cost just £6 per person and the proceeds of this event will be largely devoted to the Oliver Fisher (premature baby) Unit at Medway Hospital.  Come as a team of 6/8 if you can but otherwise come anyway and we will link you with others. 'Booking' before the day is essential - phone Ray Clark (01795 521499) to reserve your places.

Saturday 10th May - Brian Johnson is organising this year's COUNTRY WALK  (with an opportunity we hope for a bite to eat and a drink at the end).  Help Brian with his planning by letting him know in good time if you want to join him for what has always been a popular event; - Update 28.4.08, Unfortunately this event has been cancelled.

Thursday 22nd May - our annual CAR TREASURE HUNT, starting at Lynsted School at 6.00pm (alteration).  Pam and Tony Pardoe (last year's winners) are organising the 'Hunt' this time and they will need to know in advance if you will support them;  aside from a gentle country drive, the evening will include a supper at the destination; all for just £7 per person.  'Book' soon by phoning Pam or Tony (01795 472575)

See Page 3 for June, July and onward events

The Association will again be represented at the Kent County Show at Detling on 11th, 12th and 13th July.  There is a need to 'staff' our stand and any member who could make a couple of hours available is asked to contact any Committee Member.  The duties at the Show are not onerous and seem largely to involve answering the question 'Am I a Kentish Man or a Man of Kent'!  We do hope that our members could now cope with that! 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS continued 

Saturday 14th June - an evening of Bat & Trap at Medlar House, Lynsted, Alison and Jim Hopkins' home.

Friday 20th June - the Inter Branch Bat & Trap competition at Oare.

Saturday 21st June - the Association's AGM Day at Dover

Sunday 6th July - Jazz Picnic at Medlar House, Lynsted; a rather special afternoon with live music in a delightful setting.

The next news letter will contain more details about the events above.

Sunday 14th September - by coach to the ISLE OF WIGHT.  We are taking a 'block booking' with Chalkwell Coaches on one of their 'Daybeak' trips ;  this to Portsmouth for the ferry to Fishbourne, for a tour around the western Wight through Freshwater, Brighstone, Carisbrooke and West Cowes.   The coach leaves Sittingbourne at 6.40 am (back at about 9.30 pm).  Tickets are £41 (£40 for Seniors) but we hope to be able to obtain a discount which will be returned to the members.  Experience shows that we shall need to book this trip soon;  if you would like to go please contact Judi Randall on 01795 521771.

Saturday 6th December - our CHRISTMAS LUNCH at The Dover Castle, Teynham.  Space is limited - make your provisional bookings with Marian Clark (01795 521499) as early as you wish.