Welcome to this week's Know Your Neighbours update.
So, this morning, we held the March 100 Club draw at Friday Group. Once again, the first prize was £100 and 2nd prize £65, with £165 going into the Seal Village Fund.
This month's winners were:-
1st prize £100 No 30 Kelly Durrant
2nd prize £65 No 34 Julie Hudson
Congratulations to you both!
All the proceeds of this draw go to SVF, which finances various village projects throughout the year. If you would like to take part in this monthly draw, at a cost of £5 per calendar month, please respond to this email for joining details.
Now, a remind of a fund-raising event for Seal St Lawrence Primary School:-
THERE WILL BE AN AGM FOR SEAL VILLAGE FUND
This meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday 17th March at 8pmt. This meeting will include a report of Know Your Neighbours funding throughout the past year.
Those who 'Live, Work or Play in Seal', are encouraged to join the meeting to hear how monies raised by our village are being utilised in our community.
To register your interest in receiving a Zoom meeting invitation, for March 17th, please send your email address to Becky Watson (Seal Village Fund Secretary)
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS TO AMEND EARLIER ERROR. .
SEAL CELEBRATIONS FOR THE PLATINUM JUBILEE.
Throughout the whole jubilee celebration period, we are hoping to have a display of Seal through the past 70 years - probably in the Village Hall (to be confirmed) and the library .
David Williams has also kindly offered to guide another of his ever popular historic walks or two! If you would like to take part in these walks, we are starting to take provisional bookings. These are always very popular, so please book early!
Thursday June 2nd - History walks around Seal - please book by responding to this email. BOOKING ESSENTIAL! These walks take around 90 minutes and will cost £5 per head including a guide book.
Friday June 3trd 12.30-4.30 Seal Village Allotments will hold a Jubilee Picnic. More details to follow.
Saturday June 4th - pm Frances Fish is going to organise another Garden Safari around the gardens of homes in Seal village.(Proceeds ro Kent Air Ambulance). If you have a garden that could be safely shown to others (or know somebody else that does), please let us know. You don't have to have a huge space - in fact sometimes, the smaller gardens are more inspiring, as we realise our small space can accommodate big ideas. If you think you might be able, but feel unsure, just say, and we can put you in touch with others who have participated before. I'm sure they will reassure you.
IF YOU HAVE ANY UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS OR ITEMS THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE< FRANCES IS LOOKING TO PUT SOME RAFFLE PRIZES TOGETHER FOR THIS AND OTHER EVENTS IN THE VILLAGE. Please let me know and we will arrange collection.
Sunday June 5th - The Big Lunch on Seal Recreation Ground, with food outlets being present but you can bring your own picnic if you prefer. We have a fish and chip van and an ice cream van booked at present. There will be games and fun for all ages - competitions, races and general fun activities for all.Annie Fish and Barbara Martin have already started planning our fun activities. If you have any ideas for games or contests, or would like to help with the planning, please get in touch and we will pass your details on.
We hope that many of you will participate in sprucing up our village beforehand, so look out for dates and times of community litter picks, etc. Also, we felt it would be great to encourage as many people as possible, to decorate/adorn the village appropriately. Here are some ideas:-
Planting your front gardens or outside areas in red white and blue - hanging baskets or borders, etc.
Display a 'Royal Scene' in your windows - rather along the line of Advent Windows, but with a royal theme
Display a royal scarecrow outside your home or in a public area where he/she or it, will be seen.
Decorate your home with red, white and blue bunting and flags
PLEASE DON'T BE SHY - GIVE US MORE IDEAS - WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO NEW ONES! WE ALSO NEED PEOPLE TO COME ALONG AND HELP TO ORGANISE THE EVENTS - CO-ORDINATE BOOKING OF FOOD OUTLETS, SOURCE FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES ETC. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE JUST A LITTLE TIME TO SPARE.
I am aware that some people are already creating and planning for this. We will keep you updated weekly via these emails.
There will be lots of opportunities for you to get involved in the planning of these events, so please let us know if you are interested to help (before you get press-ganged)!
QUEEN OF PUDDINGS QUIZ
This is now in the early planning stages and has been booked for Friday April 29th from 7.30pm in the Church Hall. This event will cost £5 per head and include a quiz with a 'loose' royal theme, and tasters of puddings between each round, In all, we hope to have around 20 different desserts for you to try, so eat before you come by all means, but do leave room for some sweet treats during the evening.
AS ALWAYS, WE WILL BE ASKING FOR HELP FOR THIS EVENT - PEOPLE WILLING TO MAKE A DESSERT, WASHERS UP AND CLEARERS PLEASE!
We look forward to welcoming you on the evening and putting your names forward in advance for help please!
The Village Covid Commemoration Tree and Talking Village Benches
We have recently heard that the benches have been ordered, to be placed, as agreed, on the recreation ground, in a horseshoe shape, as Talking Village benches. KYN are funding 3 of these benches, with help from a generous annonymous donation made last year. They will be placed beyond the pavilion, and at the edge of the trees, to enable a good view of the football, and providing a little shelter from our blazing summer sun.
Meanwhile, the tree is still under some discussion. Chris Tavare has provided some very interesting articles on the best container grown trees, and so far, the most votes go to the Amelanchier. There was some discussion about the viability of container grown trees, so this discussion goes on. Please, if you have expertise in this field, do give us your views. Whatever the decision regarding the tree, we will be having a planted up (probably wooden) container on the forecourt in front of the dentist, to beautify the space.
Once this has been decided upon we will be looking for a group of volunteers to build the planter as a community project. If you are interested and would like to join this group, please let me know via this email. Obviously, if you are a craftsman, with experience and patience with us poor mere mortals, we would LOVE to hear from you!
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SEAL LIBRARY NEWS
THE TEA SET IS BACK - see below for more details
This month in Seal library:
Clare is as usual providing a fabulous hour for any pre-schoolers and their carers on Fridays with
Baby Rhyme and Storytime. After last week’s fantastic Teddy Bears Forest theme, she is focusing on
Transport and things that go this Friday the 3rd. Other topics this half term include Colours, Shapes
and Numbers, Safari, Farm and Pirates. We have lots of books available to borrow to match the
themes.
On Saturday 5 th March Clare is back with a free Spring crafts session from 11am - 12:30pm. Everyone
is welcome, all children should be accompanied by an adult.
The library scarecrow Ms A Page-turner is also dressed ready for Springtime gardening, and she will
be looking for tips from Frances Fish in her propagation talk which will be the first of the returning
Teatime talks. I am thrilled they are making a welcome return on the last Tuesday of each month
from 2:15- 3:45pm.
Tuesday 22 March 2022 Welcome Back
Propagation of Plants by Frances Fish
There will a raffle and a chance to buy some plants
Tuesday 26th April
Scrapbooking by Jenny Fairman
Tuesday 24th May
Metal Detecting by Gill Peters
Tuesday 28th June
Seal during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II by David Williams
This will be linked to the village and library Platinum Jubilee exhibition.
Details of the remaining talks for the rest of the year will be provided in due course. If anyone has any interests
which they would like to share, or ideas please contact Frances Fish via the library.
If you would like to come to any of the talks, there will be a sign-up sheet available in the library to help the
volunteers in preparing enough tea and cake!
ALL ARE WELCOME
Thanks to Frances to organising the first 6 months of topics. She has also arranged a group of
volunteers to help with the teas and I am looking forward to seeing this popular activity back in the
library. We would be grateful if people could sign up if they are coming to ensure the right amount
of catering is provided!
The Reading Group continues to grow and one of last month’s books A Woman made of Snow by
Elizabeth Gifford was a resounding hit with the group, for anyone looking for a book
recommendation.
Adult Author of the Month for March is Susan Hill
the author of numerous novels, collections of short stories, non-fiction, and children's fiction as well
as a respected reviewer, critic, broadcaster, and editor. Hill is best known for her mystery and thriller
novels and books related to fiction and literature genre.
Adult Book of the Week is The Time Between Us by Marina McCarron – The first novel by a Canadian
author. A dual-timeline Second World War romance novel that crosses decades and oceans.
The prize-winning children’s author and illustrator Shirley Hughes, possibly best known for her ‘Alfie’
books sadly, died earlier this week. We have several of her books available to borrow in the porch
display and even more to reserve free to children on-line.
I have also a couple of middle grade children’s book recommendations this month.
The Escape Room by Christopher Edge, Illustrator David Dean: An adventure story with a surprise
twist- an original thought-provoking book.
and
Loki by Louie Stowell written in a similar style in Tom Gates, a funny diary style book centred on the
naughty Norse god Loki sent to Earth as a boy as a punishment. This is the first in a series.
Last but definitely not least Derek is available by appointment on Thursday mornings each week
from 10:30 am to help with for all I.T. Queries.
Best wishes
Jillian
SEAL PARISH COUNCIL WILDFLOWER PROJECT - REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT WEEK'S SESSION!
Following on from our wildflower talk from the Kent Wildlife Trust's WILD ABOUT GARDENS team, are running a series of zoom sessions this winter on WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDEN, This is a great way of encouraging wildflowers and pollinators to your garden, This, is combination with our wildflower verges project, will also help create joined up 'pathways' for bees, butterflies and other key pollinators in our parish.
Details of the events can be seen on the Parish Council website, but the zoom sessions cost £5 a session, and are as follows:-
Monday March 7th 7.30-9pm - Wilder Lawns
Sat March 26th 11-12.30 - Using weeds and wildflowers in a garden to attract bees, butterflies and moths.
SEAL HISTORY GUIDE BOOKSDeniz's coffee shop still has some copies of our Seal Historical Guided Walk books for just £5 a copy. All proceeds go to the Seal Village Fund. A perfect time to walk around our beautiful village and see it through new eyes!
ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH SEAL
Just a reminder that Anne is still making podcasts of the weekly services, so please log on to the church website www.sealpeterandpaul.com to get the link. These were very popular with our KYN readers during lockdown, and we are aware that many are still not comfortable to go to church during the pandemic, and many still benefit from the healing ministry via these podcasts. If you are having trouble downloading, let me know via this email, and I will add you to the list of people I forward them to.
SEAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
We are giving you plenty of time to organise yourselves for this - we will be looking for a small team of people to come forward, to organise the installing of the Christmas lights this year. It is not that arduous, and, of course, I will support whoever takes this on in whatever way you might need. If you would like to lead on this project, please give me a call on 01732 763727 or 07909905975, and we can have a chat. There is no problem with fund raising, as this is already in place (unless you have plans for a much more dramatic display). It will mainly involve getting the lights PAT tested for safety, organise teams to hang ( we already have insurance sorted), and to take back down and store safely for the following year.
We will be looking to hold another KYN drop-in at the Village Hall later in the spring. So - please organise somebody from your group or organisation to bring along some information and photos maybe, to promote your group, especially to new neighbours! Remember to encourage any new members to our community to come along as well. I will be publishing the date shortly, but it will certainly be for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning, as this worked well for most last time.
SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENT DIARY FOR Mar - June 2022
Mar 12th - Spring working party
Mar 19th - Q and A workshop 10.30-12
April 23rd Q and A workshop 10.30-12
May 15th Spring Plant Sale and Open Day 12-3pm
June 3rd - Jubilee Picnic 12.30-4.30.
Oct 15th Autumn Plant Sale and Open Day 12-5pm
Oct 29th Autumn Working Party 9.30-12.00
REGULAR VILLAGE ACTIVITIES
TALKING VILLAGE
Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones!
Saturdays - First Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10am-11am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books.
At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better.
FRIDAY GROUP
Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10.30 and 12.30 = PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIMES. Coffee, chat, by all means, bring your crafting with you but mostly, enjoy the company.
SEAL TIDDLERS
In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing.
JESSIE'S YOGITRIBE
Seal Village Hall Saturday mornings plus much more - see www.yogitribe.com or call Jess 07976 522726SLIMMING WORLDSeal Village Hall Monday evenings at 7pm. Call Lorraine on 0774086058
SEAL CHURCH CHOIRS
Adult and junior choirs looking for new members - practice Wednesday evenings -sealpandp@gmail.com
Seal Over 60s every 2nd Saturday of each month following, from 2.30-4pm at Seal Village Hall.£3 per head for a lovely tea.
SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB Thursday evenings Seal Village Hall contact Alan Davies jandadavies@hotmail.co.uk
SEAL SEQUENCE DANCING - Village Hall Tuesdays 8pm -10pm contact awatts@talktalknet
SEAL BEAVERS CUBS AND SCOUTS Please contact 9thgsl@sevenoaks.scouts.org.uk for current info during the pandemic.
Dance For Fun Classes - Village Hall - Tuesday mornings -10.30am - contact Luci 07748 008431.
SEAL LIBRARY- Opening hours - Tuesdays 2pm - 5pm, Thursdays 10am - 1pm, Fridays 10am-3pm and Saturdays, 10am - 2pm.
Derek - the IT Guru/Buddy, is available for appointments on Thursday mornings from 10.15am. If anybody would like any help, please book an appointment in the library.
From Friday October 8th, Rhyme Time at 10.15, followed by Story Time at 10.45, will make a very welcome return, with Clare.
Book Club First Tuesday of each month 2.30-3.30
There are also plans for a new martial arts group meeting in the Village Hall weekly and a new keep fit class meeting in the Church Hall. If you have any further details of either of these groups, it would be great to share please.
UNUSED LAPTOPS WANTED PLEASE for use of Seal School learners - please contact me and I will collect and deliver to Derek, for cleansing and prep for use. (Thank you as always Derek).
CHURCH HALL BOOKINGS - Maggie Fox - 01732 762840
VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS - Gerry Froggat - 01959 522545
If you are planning, or already running some activity in Seal you would like to share with us, please contact us at this email address, and we will do our best to spread the word. Also, please remember to tell any new neighbours about this group, so that we can add them to our circulation list, or they can use the FaceBook page.
Meanwhile, have a great week.
Marion (on behalf of Know Your Neighbours).
