30th May-5th June - the art of half term
Hello, welcome to my village diary, a round up of my week in the life of the village of Rusthall in Kent. I hope you are all enjoying the Jubilee bank holidays!
It was my children’s half-term holiday from school this week, and the first highlight was my daughter finding her balance on her bike and taking off. She is delighed with her new skill and has been whizzing round the paths of Southwood Road Recreation Ground all week, in wind, rain and sunshine. While she did that, I continued my Couch to 5K quest by running round the perimeters of the football pitch. I’m still not enjoying it much but it feels good when I’ve done it!
The content of July’s Rusthall Life is at the stage where it is mainly a long list, but not actually written yet! Thankfully some people have sent me articles and I know there is lots of great content that will come together in earnest next week. I did manage to answer emails and gather my thoughts a bit while my daughter was doing the brilliant Future Creatives Art Workshop at Hillview School in Tonbridge with teacher Antonia Harrowing. The focus was on creating mixed media portraits inspired by the artist Adebayo Bolaji.
On Monday I was glad to visit Halyna, Halya and Sofia, a Ukrainian grandmother, mother and child staying with Rusthall resident Adriana. In her tucked away house and garden, they have found a peaceful refuge. Adriana told me she feels the grandmother has occupied her time since the war began in knitting toys. She makes them because their creation brings her solace, but Adriana is also wondering if she may be able to sell them - they are beautifully well made.
Spending time in Tonbridge, I was able to read in the park - if you have ever wanted to write your own book, I’d recommend Cathy Rentzenbrink’s book for helping you feel gently encouraged and inspired.
For a long time I have wanted a white and green hydrangea like this one I spotted in Tonbridge Lidl on Wednesday, and I’m so glad I bought it. I wavered because I knew I would have to bring it home on the train, along with F’s lifesize full length portrait and other art work, but it turned out to be manageable and so worth it! I hope that it grows and thrives in its new spot in my garden.
We took advantage of the sunny Thursday bank holiday to head to the seaside again, but as I travelled it was great to be sent pictures and messages from Rusthall village residents keen to share their street decorations. I especially love Rebecca Harrison’s Queen outside her home in Shirley Gardens, made entirely from materials she already had.
On the walk home I saw the stunning paintings by Rusthall artist Sophie Cook in the window of Silver Sheep in Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells. Like many local artists, her studio is open as part of the South East Open Studios - go and look if you get chance.
Last night the Parish Council Hall on Lower Green Road was full to bursting with more people than it has ever seen for the lighting of the Beacon to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It was a great moment of community togetherness, with buglers and Scout flag bearers, as well as a buffet by Charlie’s Angels Kitchen. It was lovely to see lots of familiar faces, and to meet some new people, including Karen Gardner’s guest Daria, a Ukrainian medical student who is able to continue her studies online.
Today and over the weekend I’m looking forward to catching up with friends, feeling the sun while it lasts, and seeing all the fabulous street parties going on around the village. If you are celbrating - enjoy! And thank you for reading - I really appreciate it. I hope that whatever you are doing you have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.
Jayne
