The Cake - Spring 2022

Plant a Tree for the Jubilee
– with Cranbrook in Bloom
We want to encourage the planting of trees
in and around Cranbrook to support The
Queen`s Green Canopy which has been
launched to commemorate her Platinum
Jubilee in 2022.
A variety of 15 different trees are for
sale from Cranbrook in Bloom, and will be
available at events throughout the year.
They are potted up and can be planted out
later in the year.
The trees you plant can be recorded
online at www.queensgreencanopy.org
and will provide a legacy in honour of the
Queen, appreciated by future generations
for years to come.
If you do not have room in your garden,
please contact Cranbrook in Bloom who
will help you source a place in or near the
town. cranbrookinbloom@outlook.com
Pictured Right from L
to R: Susan Hooper, Viv
Lowe and Jill Hooper.
How about a nice cup
of tea? The Saturday
morning drop in café
at St Dunstan's Church
has re-opened. Do
drop in!
From L to R: Cllr Colin Gilbert, hon. mayor
Linda Page and parish council chairman Cllr
Kim Fletcher.
“Iron Horse” blessed
in St Dunstan’s
“We plough the fields and scatter….” was the hymn
aptly sung in St Dunstan’s Church when a 74-year old
piece of farm machinery was blessed in January.
A few years ago, the vicar the Rev Ann Pollington,
revived the age-old tradition of celebrating Plough
Sunday by ensuring a plough was centre stage for
the blessing which dates back centuries. Worshippers
were invited to bring tools such as garden forks and
secateurs to be blessed by her to ensure a good harvest.
Roger Fermor, whose family farms near Maidstone,
had previously managed to get larger ploughs into the
Cathedral of the Weald. However, this year life was a
little easier when he brought along the British Anzani
Iron Horse which caused a lot of interest at the service
the following day. TF
CUP CAKES
NEWS
• CHAPEL FOR SALE
The joint owner of the Providence Chapel, in
Cranbrook, parish councillor Matt Hartley,
has told fellow members he is putting the
dilapidated building up for sale.
The idea is a test to see if a potential buyer is
willing to take on the listed building without
alterations compromising its heritage. In the
past, there were several stumbling blocks to
changes, including the removal of the pews.
• NO TO GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT
Controversial plans by Cedardrive Ltd to
develop Hawkhurst Golf Club, including
demolishing the clubhouse and squash
courts to build houses, a care home, a
possible community hall/doctors’ surgery
and a new relief road, have been quashed
following a Department of the Environment
hearing.
• DEVELOPMENT DECISION SOON
A Department of the Environment inspector
has overseen an appeal by developers
Dandara Homes which was refused
permission to build 42 homes on land off
Mill Lane, Sissinghurst. Among the strong
objections was Kent Highways’ concern at
the narrowness of the road. The hearing
started on 1 February and a decision is
expected shortly.
• NEW SISSINGHURST FLOWER SHOW
TROPHIES
To mark the death of well-respected
Sissinghurst villager and former parish
councillor, Denis Hemsted, his family have
presented three new youth trophies – one
for each of the three annual shows – to those
who enter the new under 16s photography
class. The shows are on 26 March, 18 June,
and 10 September.
• THANK YOU RONI
The Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Age Concern
coffee mornings will begin again on Tuesday
8 March from 10.15-11.45am at the Vestry
Hall, Cranbrook. Everyone is welcome. A
Big Thank You to Roni Summers for her
many years of support for the charity will be
held at the hall on Tuesday 29 March from
10.15-11.45am. Organisers are urging people
to attend to show their appreciation for her
many years of hard work.
The Cake • Spring 2022 13