Welcome to this week's Know Your Neighbours update.
So - just over a week to go, and I'm sure many of you will have very excited little people in your homes (not to mention some very excited or even stressed bigger people).
There will be a newsletter next week, so please let us have any news you wish to share for the new year!
UPDATE ON CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
It was great to see those people out last Saturday afternoon, joining the Over 60's with a little carol singing and to see our High Street lights go on. The impromptu carol singing was brilliant - maybe not quite as tuneful as the church choir's rendition earlier in the afternoon, but brilliant anyway.
The Over 60's enjoyed welcoming you to their monthly teatime club, and want us to remind anybody out there of a certain age, that these wonderful teas are a monthly ritual, usually along with an interesting speaker. Please call Chris for further details. (01732 763585).
So - back to the lights - they all came on as planned, so a great sigh of relief all round, and we look forward to enjoying them for the next few weeks, in the High Street, Zambra Way, the comunal greens, and strategic points around the village. Hopefully, next year, we will be able to return to a longer run than this year.
Our intention is to take the lights back down on the morning of Saturday January 7th, so if you have an hour or two to help out then, we would be very happy to see you.
On a health and safety issue, it was pointed out that the traffic was particularly busy, and we should wear hi viz jackets. This is a very valid point, and whilst we do have about 12, we will put our minds to accessing some more for Sat Jan 7th and beyond.
WE ARE HOPING TO SEE A FAMILY PARTY IN EARLY JANUARY
We will also need organisers for this event please, so again, please let me know via this email if you can offer your assistance in any way. This will not be possible unless others come forward to help, and this is a good opportunity to bring families together after Christmas, for a free party. WE HAVE THE FUNDS - JUST NEED THE ORGANISERS!
REMAINING SEAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS DATES
Carol Service 6.30pm on Sunday December 18th - THIS SUNDAY
A beautiful service with choral contributions from Seal's amazing choir, and the sharing of familiar carols for the whole congregation.
Crib Service 4pm Christmas Eve.
A very much more informal service, where families meet - children share the Christmas story by adding the nativity characters to the crib as the story progresses. Lots of familiar carols for all to sing (sometimes with great exuberance). A wonderfully uplifting service with lots of Christmas Eve excitement, but a very timely reminder of what it's all about.
These are all very popular services so please put those dates in your diary.
SEAL ECO CHURCH
St P& P’s Church, Seal, is now a registered Eco Church, working towards a bronze award at this time of accelerating climate change and species loss. We warmly welcome anyone along with an interest in protecting nature and caring for God’s Earth (A Rocha Uk) Hope to meet you soon! Babs Bartholomew (07973 478968) & Lise Michaelides (07570 125115).
Qigong In Seal Village Hall
We would like to welcome Annabel, who has started 2 Qigong classes each week in Seal Village Hall. They run on Wednesday evenings from 7pm and Friday mornings from 9.15am. The current term has just ended, but the new term begins on Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th January. To find out more about Qigong, please see Annabel's website www.bewellwithannabel.co.uk or call her on 07768 122212.
SEAL LIBRARY NEWS
If anyone is looking for Christmas gifts, I have had a new delivery of printed jute bags which are priced at £5.50 and a selection of adult and child bookmarks priced at £2.
Leading up to Christmas the book sale is on with a range of library books and some donations. Adult and Teen Hardback is £1, Adult and Teen Paperback 50p and all Children’s books are 25p.
As usual cash payment is required for all items.
I have Free Christmas crafts laid out – parents/guardians and children are welcome to come and make Seasonal cards, decorations, colouring and sticking and I also have various Top Trump cards collections to play as well as some jigsaws for older children/ adults. The library is warm and I have put grit on the path and carpark.
The Library Christmas Hours are :
Christmas and New Year Hours
December 2022
Christmas Eve Saturday 24
Christmas Day Sunday 25 Closed
Boxing Day Monday 26
Tuesday 27
Wednesday 28
Thursday 29 Open
Friday 30
New Year’s Eve 31 Open
January 2023
New Year’s Day Sunday 1 Closed
Monday 2 Closed
Tuesday 3
For more information visit kent.gov.uk/libs or call 03000 41 31 31
Happy Christmas to everyone. I hope it is a peaceful one for all.
Jillian
SEAL COMMUNITY LUNCH IS BACK -
A free lunch of homemade soup, bread and a hot pudding will be served at Seal Church Hall at 1pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Arrive any time after 12.30pm. Join the team for a warm welcome and meet friends.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY LUNCH WED DEC 21st 1pm.
A completely free lunch of turkey baps, with all the trimmings, Christmas cake, mince pies, and Greek spinach pie for vegetarian option.
Sounds delicious - please join Lise, Hilary and the team, for a free festive celebration, and meet new friends and old! All welcome.
A NEW LOCAL PLAN FOR SEVENOAKS DISTRICT
A consultation is in process for you to have your say to help shape the future of the district. The consultation has been running since November 16th - January 11th. Although the drop-in sessions have already taken place, there is the opportunity to join an online Zoom session on Wednesday January 4th at 2.30 and again at 5.30. Please contact SDC if you are interested.
KENT WILDLIFE TRUST
Kent Wildlife Trust’s Sevenoaks Greensand Commons Project is running a Winter Walk Challenge! Can you please help us to raise awareness for challenge?
Did you know that spending time in nature can alleviate the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder? The project manages eight commons across Sevenoaks, Westerham and Seal, and we want to raise awareness of their value so that residents can take advantage of the sites for leisure, exercise and more this winter.
The Winter Walk Challenge pack is free and includes information on species identification, the heritage of the Commons and parking and public transport information. The pack includes maps of the sites and information on how the plant and animal species of West Kent use the Commons during winter.
The pack has been designed to help families to continue exploring natural spaces despite the cold weather! Spending time in nature is crucial for our physical and mental well-being. If your organisation can help us to spread the word about these free resources, our staff and volunteers would be incredibly grateful. If possible, please share the Winter Walk Challenge via your website, social media and mailing list.
The Winter Walk Challenge can be accessed here. Participants can download their packs digitally and physical copies are also available for collection from our Visitor’s Centre at Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3DH.
2023 - JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE!!!
Just a thought, we know there will be a very big day to celebrate in May next year - King Charles' Coronation.
As a village, we will clearly want to celebrate this in a big way, but, once again, we will need people to take on the organisation of this community event. Those of us that have taken on these events over the past years/decades, are feeling somewhat jaded, and really need new blood to take over. We would like to suggest that plans are started early, maybe put your good selves forward (maybe individuals or several groups of friends). I am happy to compile a list of names and introduce you to each other. We know there are loads of skilled young people out there - we need you!!
Again, we will have some funds thanks to our 100 Club revenue, but, undoubtedly, more will be needed. We can help in this way, but we really need you to come forward and take over please!
SEAL CHURCH CHOIRS
Adult and junior choirs looking for new members - practice Wednesday evenings -sealpandp@gmail.com
SEAL OVER 60s
2nd Saturday of each month 2.30-4pm.Seal Village Hall. £3 per head, for a delicious tea, interesting speakers and great company. Call Chris 01732 763585 or 07759 808814
.
SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Thursday evenings Seal Village Hall contact Alan Davies jandadavies@hotmail.co.
SEAL SEQUENCE DANCING - Village Hall Tuesdays 8pm -10pm contact awatts@talktalknet
SEAL SCOUTS, CUBS AND BEAVERS.
Please contact 9thgslsevenoaks.
DANCE FOR FUN
- Village Hall - Tuesday mornings -10.30am - contact Luci 07748 008431.
SEAL LIBRARY-
