25th June - 1st July 2022: Between the fetes
Hello, welcome to my Village Diary, the week in the life of a village news editor. I have been away and didn’t think I would have much to say this week, but Rusthall never sleeps!
Saturday was a chance to get back to the Southwood Road Recreation Ground for the Rusthall Village Fete after an absence of three years. I was there with two hats on - talking to residents about ways to save energy and reduce carbon emissions as part of the Environment Committee, and taking pictures for the next issue of Rusthall Life. There were many highlights, and I loved being able to chat to old friends and meet new people. I held some of the archaeological finds from the Rusthall dig site, saw Ruth Gray giving a taste of environmentally conscious art workshops for children with Nature Makers, an overflowing plant stall from Pepenbury, met Savs of Wott the Hoople who will be playing at Rusthall Rocks on Saturday 9th July, bought tasty butternut squash chili from the fast becoming legendary Charlie’s Angels Kitchen, enjoyed listening to the Rock Choir and saw Professor J Neville’s Punch and Judy Show in action. There was also a welcome glass of Pimms. Well done to all the organisers from the Bonfire and Fete Committee - their hard work and vision has paid off!
In the evening I was so happy to be able to go and celebrate the wedding of Rusthall residents Sophie and Brian Carter. I am proud to say that we danced most of the night at the Nevill Golf Club and raised a toast to the beautiful couple.
On Monday I travelled up to North Wales to visit my parents. I went by train via Birmingham, and the long journey gave me chance to catch up with some work on the next issue of Langton Life as well some reading. The views from the train along the coast from Machynlleth through Abermaw, Aberdovey, Harlech and Penrhyndeudraeth are beautiful. I saw plenty of wind turbines on the way too, the kind of renewable energy source we need more of and actually not ruining the landscape - you can barely spot them in the photograph.
I got back on Wednesday evening and we went to the Red Lion for Thai food. I don’t think I’ve eaten there since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but the chicken penang curry with coconut rice is still good and the welcome friendly. We should go more often.
On Thursday I enjoyed a walk with a friend past St Paul’s Church Yard and through Nevill Court to the end of Hungershall Park, before circling back over Langton Road, Bishops Down Road, past the duck pond and across the Golf Course to Rusthall Park and Rusthall Road.
When I got back the latest issue of Rusthall Life had been delivered - it’s always nice to see it after looking at it for so long on a screen. For the first time someone sent us a message saying they don’t want to receive it and view it as junk mail! Thankfully this seems to be an unusual view, and I’m always really grateful to the team of volunteers who deliver the magazine through people’s doors.
In the afternoon I went to a meeting at my daughter’s school to meet the headteacher of St James’s in Tunbridge Wells, who is going to become the Executive Head of Rusthall St Paul’s from September. The school has been getting smaller but the parents care so passionately about its future that it generates a special energy and sense of community. There is a lot of good will and determination, and I can only hope the parents and children have an enriching, imaginative and exciting education at the heart of our village ahead of them.
Today I finally got out for a run! It’s been tricky to keep up with Couch to 5K this week, but I hope to be back to a regular routine on Monday. I took this picture of a view I’m never tired of, opposite Common View.
Common View, Rusthall. 1st July 2022.
Over the weekend, I’m going to be visiting the Langton Green Fete to check out the launch of Langton Thrive, a project aiming to help children and young people with their mental health, and talk to Langton Green head teacher Alex Cornelius about why it is needed.
Thank you to anyone who is reading this, I appreciate it and hope you all have a good week ahead of you.
Jayne
