Dates to Remember
(updated 12th May 2008)

More events in Lynsted: Lynsted Society - Parish Council - Community Orchard - Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men (Lynsted Branch) - but check Pew News, Women’s Institute and our pages for Visiting the Area too.  To entertain children (OK, the parents too) throughout the year and throughout the country, visit the Primary Times website.
New to the area? There are many regular meetings and events that will help you meet your neighbours, no matter what your age - from youth club to Coffee mornings to “Drones” lunch.

Gardening for Wildlife Award Scheme - Contact Swale in Bloom for a free information pack and entry form for the awards. All entries to be returned by 31 May. Phone 436055 or e-mail sallie@bloomingswale.freeserve.co.uk

12th May

7 pm: AGM of Norton, Buckland and Stone Parish Council.  In Newnham Village Hall.

12th - 16th May

Fundraising by Friends of Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital & Community Nursing. Bric-a-Brac sale. Please let us know if you have any bric-a-brac (costume jewelry for example) - contact Myra Scott on 522428

14th May

DEADLINE: For your articles and advertisements to go into the June edition of the  Parish Newsletter. Electronic copy to newsletter@lynsted.com

17th May

8 pm: El Andalus. Leading exponents of Andalusian Music and Arabian Music. Norton Village Hall - more details to follow. If you want to learn more, please contact Sheila Wood (521581)

17th & 18th May

2pm - 5pm: Hardy Plant Society Garden Show at Doddington Place Gardens. (Tel: 886101)

18th May

All Day: Faversham Classic Car and Motorcycle Show.  Town Centre. Learn More

24th May

10-noon: Coffee Morning in support of Christian Aid.  Newnham Village Hall. Tea, coffee, homemade cakes, Fairtrade products, raffle. All welcome.

25th May

14.00 - 1730 pm: Sharsted Court Gardens open to the public in support of The Rod Kesson Benefit Fund.  Entrance: £6 at the gate on the day includes tea, scone, cream and strawberry jam. An opportunity to enjoy the magnificent azalea walk, lime walk, topiary garden, and steeped in history. Set in lovely woodland with plenty of paths for those making a day of it. Plenty of parking.

31st May
DEADLINE

Gardening for Wildlife Award Scheme - Contact Swale in Bloom for a free information pack and entry form for the awards. All entries to be returned by 31 May. Phone 436055 or e-mail sallie@bloomingswale.freeserve.co.uk

31st May

11am Onwards: Medway Centenary Barge Match Race.  Prize giving 7pm. Full details, including map on their website.

31st May

10.30 to 1pm: Garden Plant & Produce Sale, Bring & Buy. Come and sell your excess home grown plants/produce. Book a table £3. Light refreshments on sale. Enquiries:- 521478. Norton Village Hall

31st May to 15 June

Fuse Festival: Medway's venues, streets and open spaces will be filled with some of the world's most exciting, innovative and inspring artists. The full programme will be announced in March 2008.

7th & 8th June

The Secret Gardens of Faversham - Private Gardens not usually seen, open for public viewing (Tel: 534542). ALSO 26th & 27th July

14 & 15th June

10am - 4pm: Flavours of Faversham Festival - celebration of food and drink. Learn More. Father’s Day (15th June) Tour and Sunday Lunch at Shepherd Neame Visitor Center - call 542016

18th - 28th June

Outdoor Shakespeare - picnic in the gardens of Mount Ephraim Gardens, Hernhill. (No performance on 22nd June) Trl: 01227 751496

28th June

Sittingbourne Carnival. Town Centre. Contact Pam Griggs - 475773

29th June

10.30am onwards: Faversham Medieval Fayre - Town Centre. Contact Suzanne Miles - 536376

5th July

Various times: Faversham Society Open House Scheme in which many of the town's historic and architecturally interesting buildings are open for public viewing. Admission to the properties is by programme, a Hand Book which includes detailed historical and architectural notes on each. The programmes cost £7.50 and will be available from 1 June 2008 from:- Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, 13 Preston Street, Faversham. Learn More

6th July

12 noon - 5pm: NORTON GARDEN SAFARI: A popular fund-raising event. The Friends of St Mary Church invite you to enjoy an afternoon visiting the Church and gardens around Norton. This includes an Art Exhibition at Norton Village Hall, Provender Lane.  The' Train Railway' will also be running for children and train enthusiasts in one of the gardens. The SAFARI starts from St. Mary Church, Provender Lane, for payment and map of gardens. Price £2.50 (Children Free).

11th & 12th July

Gardens open 5pm for picnics: Verdi’s Falstaff at Doddington Place. Performed by Opera Project in the gardens in aid of the Kent Association for the Blind. Tel: 886101

12th July

Sittingbourne Spectacular. Town Centre. Contact Pam Griggs - 475773

12th July

7.30pm: Faversham Choral Society “Xtravaganza”! A tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan with lots of well known choruses and solos. Tickets: £8 (under 16s free) from Wyns Flowers, members of the Society or at the door.

12th July

1pm onwards: Davington Fair. A popular event of music, entertainment, refreshments and stalls in the beautiful grounds of historic Davington Priory, Faversham.

12th July

Various times: Faversham Society Open House Scheme in which many of the town's historic and architecturally interesting buildings are open for public viewing. Admission to the properties is by programme, a Hand Book which includes detailed historical and architectural notes on each. The programmes cost £7.50 and will be available from 1 June 2008 from:- Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, 13 Preston Street, Faversham. Learn More

12th July

1.30pm - Wheelie Bin Grand Prix. Three Horseshoes, Staplestreet, Hernhill.  Fun racing by teams in vehicles adapted from wheelie bins. Bar-B-Q and live music. Tel: 01227 750842

18th July

Shepherd Neame - Flavours of Faversham Beer & Food Evening.  Special tour, tasting and four course dinner to raise the curtain on the Faversham Food and Drink Festival.  Find out more from their website.

19th - 20th July

Flavour of Faversham (Food and Drink Festival): Visit Shepherd Neame’s website to learn more.

19th July

Various times: Faversham Society Open House Scheme in which many of the town's historic and architecturally interesting buildings are open for public viewing. Admission to the properties is by programme, a Hand Book which includes detailed historical and architectural notes on each. The programmes cost £7.50 and will be available from 1 June 2008 from:- Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, 13 Preston Street, Faversham. Learn More

20th July

Noon til 3pm: Orchard Group Event - Cherry Day in the Community Orchard. REMINDER: If you are gong to enter the photographic competition, you need to get those photos in before the end of JUNE..

26th & 27th July

The Secret Gardens of Faversham - Private Gardens not usually seen, open for public viewing (Tel: 534542).

19th to 27th July

Whitstable Oyster Festival.

End of July
Learn More about entering the competition

Deadline July 2008 After a VERY successful Recipe theme for the Orchard Group Cherry Day in 2007, the organising committee is giving early notice of its Photographic Competition for 2008 Cherry Day to celebrate the seasons, moods and events in the Orchard. Why not visit the Orchard Group Website for inspiration?

Early August

Swale Smack and Barge Race - details to be confirmed nearer the time

2nd August

Sheerness - Sheppey Show, Carnival and “Sea Sheppey”. Fun and frolics all day

30 & 31st August

Faversham Hop Fair - visit the dedicated website to find out more.

11 October
(to be confirmed)

Faversham Carnival - All day in the town centre and Recreation Ground in the evening. More details. Contact: Sylvia Lawrence on 538747

26th October

Orchard Group Event - Hallowe’en Party

9th November

Faversham Remembrance Parade.Contact: Stuart Downs - 533546

29th November

Sittingbourne Christmas Light Switch On and Parade.  Town Centre.  Details to be confirmed nearer the date

1st December

Sheerness Christmas Lights and Lantern Parade.  Details to be confirmed