ROUND THE SOCIETIES

7.40 Group

Pilgrimage by night - 19/20 August: Hollingbourne to Canterbury.

Cheered on by a larger crowd than anyone expected (all of five) the fourteen walkers moved off in a convoy of four cars, after gathering at the School for a final briefing and press coverage. We left Hollingbourne via the Pilgrim's Way at 9.45 p.m. and happy converse kept us absorbed for many miles. The weather was fine, with the grass wet underfoot and muddy puddles for the unwary. The importance of checking the route in sections the previous Sunday quickly became apparent, as the Pilgrims Way varies in width and surface to the extent where the least noticeable exit at an intersection was often the right way.

Our first check-point was on Charing Hill, nine miles from the start. There we met several people from the village who had come to see how we were progressing. The next stop was only three miles further on, chosen because the people manning it believed that at least one walker would succumb by then. At seventeen miles, however, we, lost two, our youngest to sleep, the other to blisters, but everyone else went on to reach Canterbury. We arrived there at 5.40 a.m., unfortunately too early for the pre-arranged welcome by the, congregation of St. Mary Bredin.

Commendation for the walkers, especially the younger ones, should include the escorts who provided their loyal services throughout the night. The venture has resulted in about £70 being raised for the Church Organ Fund and for this we appreciate the generosity of our band of sponsors.

D.F.

Youth Club and Village Hall

At long last the new ceiling in the Village Hall is almost finished, and its completion coincides with that of the new lounge and club room where the old Hall used to be.

The cost of materials for both projects together was about £180, which included the renewal of the main electrical switchgear, a job long overdue.

To give villagers the opportunity to inspect the new facilities and improvements, the Youth Club, which has provided the labour for both jobs, and the Hall Committee are discussing plans for a coffee evening or similar function, and a circular will probably be issued giving full details.

It is sincerely hoped that other organisations will take a particular interest in the new lounge, and will take advantage of any opportunities which may be announced to enable them to try the facilities.

The Youth Club will shortly publish details of its new set-up, and will probably re-open, with a new name, on Friday, September 29th, with a short 90 minute play produced by member Geoff Down, with some of his friends from the Medway Towns. It is probable that invitations will be extended to all villagers, with a nominal charge to cover expenses.

D.B.T.