The Vicarage,
December 31st, 1923.

My Dear Friends,

We begin this month a fresh volume of our Magazine and with this number is presented an Almanack for 1924, as well as some picture cards. The object of a Parish Magazine is to bring us more in touch with one another and so to help us to feel that we are not just so many separate individuals and families, but that we are all joined together by a bond of common interests and are all sharers in the parish life. In a parish of the size of ours we cannot expect that a Magazine will more than just pay its way, but it ought to be self-supporting. The advertisements, which are inserted by various tradesmen, help us considerably. There are a few houses in the parish that the Magazine does not at present reach. I should like to leave it at these in 1924.

On December 21st (St. Thomas' Day) the Annual "Dole" was distributed in the Church to six parishioners. It amounted this year to £4/10/0. The sum was made up thus:- From the Vicar, in lieu of 1 bushel of Wheat and 12 bushels of Barley, £3/1/0½; money, 6/8½. From Lieut.-Col, R. G. E. Locke, from Lower Bradfield Farm, £l. A voluntary gift in money, 2/3. Possibly the terms of this old Benefaction to the poor are not known to all and it may be interesting to mention them. In the afternoon of the same day, prizes were distributed to the children in the Day Schools. Twenty-three children received handsome books for gaining the top place in their respective Standards, in Scripture, Arithmetic, Reading and Writing, History, and Needlework. The books were kindly provided by Sir William Haggard and Mr. H. Hales, and our thanks are due to these gentlemen for their generous gift to the School.

The children of the Church Sunday School had their Christmas Treat on December 28th. After a good tea various games were played and then Mrs. Locke distributed the awards for good attendance and work in the School. A large and gaily decorared Christmas Tree contained a present for each of the children and when these and crackers and sweets had been handed out, and nuts scrambled for, cheers were given for all concerned and a very happy evening closed with oranges and cake to take home.

About 60 people came to the Whist Drive and Dance organised by the Entertainment Committee on Boxing Day, but we hoped to have had a larger gathering and larger proceeds for the Gardeners' Society. All the arrangements were excellent. The Schoolroom was comfortably heated and gaily decorated; and particularly good refreshments were given. Those who were present had a very enjoyable evening.

Of the observance of the Christmas Festival in the Church, I write with pleasure and thankfulness. On Christmas Day we had 57 communicants and on the following Sunday large congregations at the Services. The decoration of the Church, the good singing of the choir, and the joyful ringing of the bells all helped to make it a Happy Christmas for us.

With the end of the year, another milestone on the journey of life has been reached, and we turn for a moment to look back over the road we have come. We see parts bright with the sunshine of health and joy, and parts where clouds of sickness and sorrow have cast their

gloom. Now we turn our faces to the road in front, resolved by God's Grace, to climb the hills with stout hearts and to rightly and thankfully rejoice in the smooth and pleasant parts till the journey shall end.

And so - A Happy New Year to you all

Your sincere Friend and Vicar,
D. H. CREATON.

On the 19th. December, a meeting of Ex-service men was held in the Club Room, under the Presidency of Lieut.-Col. Locke, when it was decided to make application for the share allowed by the Army Canteen Fund, to each man who served in the Great War - a sum we hope will amount to about Seven Pounds.

It was also decided under the Regulations, that this money should be spent on purchasing chairs and tables, for the use of the Village Club, to be earmarked as the property of the Ex-service men.

Capt. Bowles, Royal Navy, then introduced the subject of the Foundation of a Branch of the "Legion" to be formed in Hartlip, in conjunction with the Sittingbourne Branch. Capt. Bowles explained the work of the Legion, its chief object being to keep the Ex-service men in touch with each other, to look after the interests of the men, their pensions. and the widows and dependents of all Ex-service members.

The subscriptions to the Legion are 2/6 per annum and 1/0 on joining, of this 1/6 goes to the Head Quarters Branch, and 2/0 is retained by the local (parish) Branch.

The funds of the Legion, which has many thousands of members both in the Mother Country and the Colonies, and even in Foreign Countries, where many Englishmen are working, are raised by subscriptions and the oollections made on Poppy Day, together with the individual subscription of the men, mentioned above.

One of the greatest works of the Legion, is to find employment for any man who may be out of work, through sickness or any other cause, and to give all possible help to his dependents.

All present unanimously decided to form a Branch for Hartlip. A committee was formed consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer, and seven members.

All communications should be sent to the Secretary, Staff Sergt. Witherington, Hiliboro, who will willingly give the fullest information. It is hoped that every Ex-service man in the Village will become a member of the Hartlip Branch which starts life on New Years day, 1924.

R.G.E.L.

Collections in Church.

£s.d.
Dec.2-Quota to Diocesan Funds172
"9-Church Expenses179
"16-Agricultural Benevolent Institution120
"23-Organ and Choir Fund194
"25-Sick and Needy356
"30-Sunday School Fund1183
Nov. 30, Dec 21,27,28 - Vicar's Fund049

EXTRACTS FROM THE REGISTERS.

Marriage

Dec. 22nd - Henry Edwin Godden and Alice Emily Roots

Burial.

Dec. 1st - Donald William Harris, aged 5 months