SI Sevenoaks gardening team have been working very hard at Sevenoaks Vine Gardens and Sevenoaks Station, maintaining a sensory bed of fragrant plants and a herb garden (with our logo on it!) at the Sevenoaks Vine and a beautiful bed of blue and yellow flowers at Sevenoaks Station where travellers can relax on a bench and watch the bumble bees and butterflies! Sevenoaks had qualified as one of just 4 towns shortlisted for the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition and on Tuesday 12th August members met with the judges to discuss the plants and their care.  Many other local groups have joined in the project, including schools, and The Vine was resplendent with knitted bees, caterpillars and butterflies as well as painted ladybird pebbles!  Mary Hogarth, our project lead, had organised sessions throughout the year and the areas tended looked fantastic for the judging day!

On Wednesday 13th August nine intrepid walkers set off from Shoreham Vineyard for a gentle walk over the hills above Shoreham and around this pretty village, finishing up at The Mount Restaurant at the Vineyard. Valerie Caton planned and led the walk for us and we really enjoyed the views from the hills and the delicious lunch afterwards!  Pictured are members Penny Robbins, Sandie Higgs, Valerie Caton, Lyn Snowden, Jenny Webb, Vicky Tibbits and Kathy Jordan.  Margaret Crabtree and Wendy Metcalf also came on the walk but missed the hilly part! SI Sevenoaks Members

SI Sevenoaks were invited to attend a preview of Sevenoaks Library Museum’s exhibition of Treen on Wednesday 6th August.  We enjoyed wine and nibbles, and a chance to see the items in the exhibition – Treen means ‘of wood’.  The best item was a scarred but highly polished dark oak door which had come from the old police station!  We had a chance to chat with Sevenoaks Town Councillors and with a young local artist, Adam Jaaback, who also played in a band with our member Tracey.  Our picture shows members Tracey Kemp, Julie Walder, Carole Morrisson and Sandie Higgs with artist Adam Jaaback behind us, and Sevenoaks Museum Curator Liz Botterill on the right.  The exhibition will run until 5th September. Sandie Higgs SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks President Margaret Crabtree attended a meeting hosted by Sevenoaks Town Council’s Town Clerk Linda Larter, who is a member of SI Sevenoaks.  Linda was welcoming members of SI Tunbridge Wells together with their President Jill Ruddock, and a presentation was made about the impending re-organisation of local government in Kent and the workings of a Town Council.  We are privileged to be kept up to date with these changes! Sandie Higgs Joint Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

Following the successful sale of clothes at their Swap for Spring in April. SI Sevenoaks have been distributing the items which remained.  Our picture shows member Sandie Higgs delivering 2 large bags of items to the Manager of the Hospice in the Weald shop in Sevenoaks High Street.  The items were very gratefully received!

SI Sevenoaks gathered for another Orange the World coffee morning to continue the quest to highlight the problem of violence against women and girls in our area.  This time, 25th June, we gathered at a new venue for us, Kake & Kocktail on St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks.  The members, as pictured, were given a warm welcome by the owner who, as a retired police officer, knew all about the VAWG and Ask for Angela projects.  We had an enjoyable time and a good chance to chat! Kathy Jordan Joint Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks held a Day of Activism at President Margaret’s lovely home in Sevenoaks to mark the SIGBI date of Saturday 12th July.  Twelve members met to look back at photo albums dating back to the 1930s and to make plans for the coming months to continue the programme action work and fundraising efforts.  We had a collection and raised £52 for President Margaret’s next charity – to be revealed at our next club meeting in September. Sandie Higgs Joint Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

“The month of July has come and it’s always a joy to organise SI Sevenoaks annual Summer Lunch. The conservatory roof open, geraniums in bloom and cheerful chatter! Many thanks to The Chaser in Shipbourne for wonderful meals and of course members good company”. Penelope Robbins Past President SI Sevenoaks                

SI Sevenoaks are very proud of member Margaret Nicholson, who has been presented with the Superstar 2025 Award by The Otford Society.  This is in recognition of the fantastic work she has done over many years supporting the elderly members of the community through the Otford Lunch Club.  The Otford Society state in their newsletter “Many congratulations Margaret and thank you for your outstanding support and kindness!  Margaret is shown in our picture. Sandie Higgs PAO, SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks were delighted to welcome their newest member, Eleanor Burns, to the club at our May meeting.   Pictured are Club President Margaret Crabtree, Eleanor Burns and mentor Tracey Kemp.  We are now up to 25 members, which is great! Sandie Higgs Membership Officer SI Sevenoaks