Christmas update

Don't forget to bring yourselves and your families to tomorrow's Christingle Service and Mini Christmas Fayre.

The service starts at 10am, with the traditional Church of England Childrens' Society Christingles,  followed by coffee or tea as usual. 

At 11,15 (ish), to about 1.30. the Mini Christmas Fayre will be open, where there will be mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas gifts, a Hand Made in Seal stall, a raffle of a Christmas hamper, beautiful wooden gifts, cake and sweet stall, and maybe 🎅 could make an appearance! The Seal Allotment Society and Seal Tiddlers will also have a stall.

Hope to see you there! The Carol Service takes place next Sunday - 17th December at 6.30pm, where wine and nibbles will be served after.

Before I finish, I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to JD O'Brien and his team, who managed to get the Christmas lights up and illuminating our village . We don't have a final figure yet, as some pledges of donations have still not come in, but also, a massive thanks to all of you who have contributed in any way - financially or otherwise, to this. It was great to see so many people outside the village shops enjoying the mulled wine from Birch's, and supporting our local businesses!  It is hoped that there will be a great SUMMER PARTY 🍹🍸🍺🍾🍭🍮🍰 for the whole village in 2018, so watch this space! As soon as all the donations are in, we will be letting you all know exactly how much you have raised!

In the meantime, for those that are unable to come along tomorrow or next Sunday, have a very Happy, Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Marion. (on behalf of Know Your Neighbours).

Messy Church this Sunday

Some more events and news from Know Your Neighbours

SEAL BEAVERS AND CUBS - SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND 12 NOON - 3PM SCOUT HUT JUBILEE RISE - CHRISTMAS FAIR.

There will be a cake stall, book stall, toys, raffle, games,PLUS FATHER CHRISTMAS!  Just time to get a bit of a rest in before coming out again at 5pm, to Seal High Street!!

AND MORE GREAT NEWS FOR OUR OVER 60'S GROUP!

If you shop in Waitrose (and even if you don't please pop in just for this)! during December, Seal Over 60's will be one of the local community groups represented by Waitrose green tokens to add some much needed funds to their group. Please poop in to Waitrose whenever you can during the month of December, and add your tokens to the Seal Over 60's collection point!

Thank you for your  support for your local community in these events and those mentioned last week! We have lost so many organisations over the years - let us see these thrive, and maybe build even more!!

Know Your Neighbours Update for November/ December

Here is the latest update for events within the community over the next few weeks.

Firstly, we have had an e mail from Seal Village Allotments and Seal Tiddlers, with the outcome of their recent activities.

Tiddlers managed to raise £60 at their Macmillan Coffee Morning, and a particular thanks to June, for her beautiful fruit and chocolate cakes!

The Table Top Sale which was held as a joint effort between the two groups, was very successful, and a big thanks to all who supported this event. SVA raised £207 and Tiddlers, £200. It was a very busy afternoon, with a great variety of goods for sale.

Frances is going to have a table top at the Christingle Service and Mini Christmas Fayre on 10th December. (More below in calendar).

Also, please see details below of clothing collection - clear out and make space before Christmas, but please see new arrangements for dropping off!

Plans are still being made to light up the High Street over Christmas, and I will be sending more details about this as we hear more! This is a very popular project, as people have been wanting this for a long time. Watch out for more information! A huge thank you to those of you who have already donated, or promised to make donations towards this, especially those of you who don't even live in the village! Please get in touch if you are interested in this, and would like to contribute toward lighting up Seal this Christmas. Hopefully, this is something that can be built on year on year!

DIARY OF EVENTS:-

November 24TH - 8PM - SEAL SCHOOL CHRISTMAS QUIZ IN THE SCHOOL HALL .Preferably teams of 6 people - £3 per head. BYO nibbles,drinks and glasses. Tickets from PTA members - please see their Face Book Posts.

NOVEMBER 27TH 5.30PM-6.30PM SEAL SCOUT HUT, JUBILEE RISE -

Please drop off any unwanted CLEAN clothes, paired shoes, bags, belts, hats, scarves, ties, lingerie, socks, towels, sheets,  curtains and soft toys, in CLEAR SACKS. NO DUVETS, PILLOWS OR BLANKETS THOUGH THANK YOU.

Please note, this is the only time slot and collection point this year! All funds are split equally between Seal Cubs and Beavers, and St Peter and St Paul Church.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1ST 7.30PM SEAL CHURCH HALL, CHURCH STREET,CHRISTMAS DOOR WREATH MAKING -

Always a popular event . All you need to make your own door wreath and explore your own creativity. Plus a glass of wine and mince pie. £20 a ticket, from Chris on 01732 763585, or sign the list at the back of Church. (The cost is £30 if you wish to partake in both this evening and the Christmas Decoration Making on 15th, for both events).

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND SEAL SCOUT HUT, JUBILEE RISE 12-3pm
Beavers' and Cub's Christmas Fair.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND SEAL HIGH STREET 5PM - SAVE THE DATE - FURTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10TH 10AM - 2PM - ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH CHRISTINGLE SERVICE (10 - 11) AND MINI CHRISTMAS FAYRE (11.30 - 2PM).

Always a popular service for families of all ages, to get the real spirit of Christmas started. This year, the service is being followed by a Mini Christmas Fayre, as the Carolathon has had to be put on hold for this year. The Christmas Fayre will consist of stalls selling mulled wine, cakes,Christmas gifts, decorations, door wreaths, hand-made crafts (Hand-Made in Seal), a hamper raffle, and more.

FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER 7.30 SEAL CHURCH HALL - CHRISTMAS TABLE DECORATION MAKING -

All you need to make your own table decoration for Christmas - As Wreath Making - £20 to include wine and mince pies.(or £30 for both evenings).

SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER 6.30PM - ST PETER AND ST PAUL SEAL CHURCH - CAROL SERVICE, FOLLOWED BY WINE AND NIBBLES.

Another very popular service. Look out for flyers in next month's Advertiser for details of all Church services throughout Advent, and over the Christmas period.

We look forward to seeing many of you at these events over the next few weeks, but if you have anything planned for your local organisation, please let me know before the end of this month, in time for the next update.Also, if you or someone you know isn't on the KYN email circulation list and would like to be added, please contact me or Anne.

Best Wishes,

Marion (on behalf of Seal Know Your Neighbours).

Light up Seal for Christmas?

 Hello Folks,

We have exciting news for Seal this Christmas. The Parish Council are hoping to put some funding towards some Christmas lighting up on the High Street, but they and  we need your help.

If you live or work on the High Street, we would love to share your thoughts on lighting up your house/shop/office, and whether you would be prepared to participate. We will also need some electricians to volunteer to help with the installation of these, so please don't be shy! Let me know if you are in a position to help out in this way (or know of anybody else that might).

If you would like to be involved, or maybe make a donation toward the cost, please give us a shout!

I won't waste your time with a full update right now, but just a reminder that Seal History Group meets on Monday November 6th at 7.30 in Seal Village Hall, where Mary Smith will be giving a talk on 'A Schoolgirl's War'.

Also, Chris is taking bookings for Wreath Making and Table Decoration Making on Dec 1st and 15th respectively. Her number is 01732 763585.

The Seal School Christmas Quiz takes place on Friday Nov 24th.

Full update soon!

Please come forward to let us know your views on Christmas lighting, and if you see somebody blatantly missing from the e mails (especially if they live on the High Street). please ask them to e mail me if they wish to be added.

Happy All Hallows!

Marion.

Christmas Wreath and Table Decoration Evenings

Coming events in Seal Village

SEAL SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FIREWORK DISPLAY.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 22ND. GATES OPEN AT 5PM AND FIRST ROCKET 7PM.

There will be a bbq, bar, hot drinks, mulled wine, hot winter Pimms, tombolas, candy floss, doughnuts, face painting, glow sticks and more.

£15 for a family ticket, £5 adults and £2.50 chidren if purchased in advance from seal genberal stores or school PTA. If purchased on the gate, costs are £6 adults and £4 children.

SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENTS AND SEAL TIDDLERS TABLE TOP SALE SATURDAY OCTOBER 21ST AT SEAL CHURCH HALL 2PM-4PM.

Tables are £10 each and can be booked through Frances on 01732 760007.

SEAL HISTORY GROUP MON NOVEMBER 6TH 7.30 SEAL VILLAGE HALL.

A talk from Mary Smith, who was headteacher at Maidstone Girls' Grammar until 2014, named A SCHOOLGIRLS' WAR. This is the story of a Kent school during WW2.

ALL SOULS' SERVICE  OCT 29 6.30pm . St Peter & St Paul's Church.  A gentle service to remember those we love who have died. 

REMEMBRANCE

Saturday Nov 11   11am Short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial in St Peter & St Paul's Churchyard

Sunday Nov 12  10 am Remembrance Sunday service in St Peter & St Paul's Church, with two minute silence at the War Memorial 

SEAL SCHOOL CHRISTMAS QUIZ - SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 8PM IN SEAL SCHOOL HALL.

Ideally for teams of 6 people at £3 per person.

ST PETER AND ST PAUL SEAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING AND TABLE DECORATION MAKING IN SEAL CHURCH HALL ON FRIDAY 1ST AND FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY. 7.30 IN SEAL CHURCH HALL.

Mince pies and wine served during the evening. Tickets £20 for each evening or £30 for both if booked in advance from Chris 01732 763585 or Maggie 01732 762840.

Carolathon in seal church 12 noon - 5pm on Saturday 9th December. More details to follow.

There is also the possibility of a village event for Christmas in the village, on Saturday December 2nd. Again, more details to follow.

St Peter and st Paul church seal Christingle service at 10am on Sunday December 10th, and carol service with mulled wine, wine and refreshments at 6.30pm Sunday December 17th.

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Some of Seal's Scarecrows

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: Some of Seal's Scarecrows: Some of this year's Scarecrows. Many thanks to Jenny Bensted for most of these photos. I'm sure there are others I haven't spot...

Some Autumn events

Firstly, a little feedback. The Seal Village Allotments held an open day back in July, and they raised £560 for Hospice in the Weald. It was a lovely event, and well done to all those who worked so hard to achieve this.

The trip to Broadstairs just a few days ago, was also very successful, and everybody seems to have enjoyed their day. I am sure this will be repeated in the future!

The following gives you the dates of events over the next few weeks as far as we are aware.

SEAL SCARECROW FESTIVAL

Please get your thinking caps on for your contribution to your own original scarecrow design for this year's festival. Each year this gets bigger, so please let this continue!  To enter, please complete the form in next month's Local Advertiser, and pay your £5 entrance fee to Highland Printing, or in Church. The scarecrows need to be displayed any time from September 17th, to Sunday October 1st (or beyond if they are still in tact)!. Judging will take place on Friday 29th September. Please display your scarecrow either outside your property, or somewhere else with the agreement of whoever owns the property. The judges will need to know where your scarecrow can be found, so please complete your form! The results will be announced at the Harvest Lunch in Seal School on Sunday October 1st.

ST PETER AND ST PAUL HARVEST LUNCH.

We’re celebrating the Harvest this year on Oct 1, with a service at 10 am in Seal Church, followed by a lunch of chilli and rice in Seal School starting at 12.30. There will then be a bit of barn dancing for anyone not too weighed down by lunch… Tickets:Adults £10  Children £5  Family £25. Bring your own drink and glasses. Vegetarian/Vegan food available. Contact:  Marion Gilchrist 01732 763727  Email:sealchurchevents@hotmail.com or sign up on the event sheet in church – please book early to reserve a place!!

SEAL TIDDLERS AND SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENT SOCIETY

Table top Sale on Saturday 21st October from 2pm - 4pm in Seal Church Hall (opp St Peter and St Paul Church). Grab a bargain, get your raffle tickets and enjoy and cup of tea and cake! If you wish to book a table, please contact Frances on 01732 760007.

SEAL LIBRARY.

Here is a list of the activities that take place in our local library:-

Every Friday 10am - 10.30 - Rhyme Time (and 11am - 11,30 term time only)

Every Friday 10.30 - 11am Story Time.

Every 3rd Friday of each month  2.30 - 4pm- The Tea Set - Tea, cakes, chat and guest speakers.

Every 1st Friday of each month 2.30 - 3.30 - Book Group

Every Saturday 10.30 - 11.30 - Computer Buddies ( please book for this).

SEAL DANCING GROUP.

Every Tuesday from 8pm - 10pm Seal Village Hall. If you enjoy dancing, a group meets every Tuesday, for sequence dancing and ballroom. Please call Jojn Elwell for further information on 01322 615666.

SEAL TIDDLERS.

The new term starts on Thursday 7th September. This is a friendly group that meets each Thursday during term time, for 0 - 4 year olds and their carers, to share in constructive play, with a variety of toys, cookery and art activities, and music time. The cost is £1.50 per session. 10am - midday.

I think you'll agree, there seems to be quite a lot going on after a period of summer breaks! Look forward to seeing many of you at some of these events!

As always, please let Marion know if you want to promote any event or activity you are organising for your Seal organisation!

Summer in Seal

Here is your update for events in our community from June onwards:-

SUNDAY 4TH JUNE - SEAL PARISH PICNIC - SEAL RECREATION GROUND FROM MIDDAY - 3PM.

Free event. Bring your own picnic and drinks, and let your children enjoy Messy Church activities, games and races.

MONDAY JUNE 5TH - SEAL HISTORY GROUP - 7.30PM IN SEAL VILLAGE HALL.

An interesting talk from Jean Stirk, about the history of papermaking in Kent. Members and non-members welcome.

SATURDAY JUNE 10TH - SEAL ALLOTMENTS PLANT SALE - 2PM-6PM.

Plants, refreshments and cakes for sale.

SATURDAY JUNE 24TH - A PILGRIMAGE TO ST ALBAN'S

This involves a train journey to St Alban's, with members of Seal Church, to enjoy the procession through the city, St Alban's street fair, and take part in the Cathedral Eucharist. Home around 6pm. Please contact Stephen 01732 461431, for further information.

SATURDAY JUNE 24TH - 11AM-MIDDAY - TOP BANANA SUMMER FETE ON SEAL RECREATION GROUNS/SEAL PAVILION.

SUNDAY 25TH JUNE - SEAL FOOTBALL CLUB TRIALS DAY - MIDDAY - 2PM.

Come along to try out for Seal Football Club. All welcome.

SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 4PM - 6PM - STRAWBERRY TEA - SEAL VICARAGE-

High tea served, including sandwiches, cakes, strawberries and cream, at a cost of £6 per adult, £3 per child, or £15 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children). Please book your tickets by signing the list at the back of church, or e mail me.

SATURDAY JULY 1ST - 10AM-4PM - SEAL ALLOTMENTS AND HOSPICE IN THE WEALD - OPEN DAY AT SEAL ALLOTMENTS, CHILDSBRIDGE LANE.

Open day to visit the allotments, view the improvements which have been made with lottery funding. Entrance by donation. Refreshments, tea and cakes available. 11am - Tai Chi demonstration, 2.30pm - Mini concert from Local Folk for Concertinas. There will be a RSPB stand with childrens' activities, and many items for sale, including plants, veg, used books, greetings cards and a raffle.

SATURDAY JULY 8TH - SPONSORED WALK FROM BROMLEY TO SOUTHWARK IN AID OF SEAL CHURCH.

No need to walk the full 14 miles. Please contact Stephen (as above) for more info.

SATURDAY 15TH JULY 7PM - SUMMER QUIZ NIGHT IN SEAL CHURCH HALL.

BYO drinks and glasses. Supper will be provided. More info to follow soon.

FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST - 9.30 - 5PM - DAY TRIP TO BROADSTAIRS - TAKING IN THE LAST DAY OF BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK.

Seats are going fast, so please book quickly, by e mailing me . Seats are £12 per adult and £10 per child. Payments to be made by June 30th please.

NEWS FROM SEAL FOOTBALL CLUB

The club has now appointed a new manager to take the club forward, and they hope to join the county league next season. They are looking for new players at a good standard, to join the team. The trials day has been arranged for June 25th as above, so please contact Dennis on 07523619856 for more info.

EXTRA INFO -

PLease support your local library. None of us would want to lose this great community facility, so in this time of radical cutbacks, we all know the potential outcome if this library is not used. USE IT OR LOSE IT!!

Look out for the Bump and Rhyme Sessions for your little ones in the library on Friday mornings.

Did you know that there are dancing sessions held in the Village Hall on Tuesday evenings. This is for traditional ballroom and Latin. Please call in on a Tuesday evening.

There is also Short Mat Bowls held in the Village Hall on Thursday afternoons.

Meanwhile, the Friday Group still meets between 10am and midday every Friday in the Church Hall. All welcome for coffee, a chat , darts, board games, cards,or to follow your own hobbies such as sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.

If you would like information added to these updates for your organisation - please e mail me with details.

Looking forward to meeting many of you at some of these events.

Enjoy June!

Marion.

Youth mental health wellbeing session at the House in the Basement under the Stag on April 5.