Parish Cake - Autumn 2018

newsbites
News
and views from
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Vital Centre’s Hours to be Cut
MR FIX IT HONOURED
TO EVERYONE in Cranbrook Philip
Mummery is the man to call on if
you want anything done.
And in honour of his
commitment to everything from
Nuts in May to the Apple Fair
–whether dressed as a monk or
not – the Kent Association of
Local Councils has given him a
community award.
It was given “for being a
motivational force for the
community and business. A wellknown
and entertaining figure with
legendary organisational skills,
attention to detail and the ability to
get things done.”
The framed citation was
presented to Mr Mummery by
parish council chairman Bridget
Veitch.
USERS OF the Weald Information Centre (WIC) in Cranbrook have been shocked to hear that
opening hours are planned to be cut drastically.
Set up as a one-stop-shop for council and tourism services, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
is planning to introduce a much-reduced service. Plans also include putting services online.
The WIC currently operates on weekdays from 9am to 5pm on a drop-in basis where people
can talk directly to a member of the borough council’s staff.
The plan is from October to December this year opening hours will be reduced Monday to
Friday to 10am to 3pm. January to March 2019 reduced to three days a week 10am to 3pm. April
to September open one day from 10am to 3pm for drop in and one day for appointments 10am
to 3pm. October onwards one day a week 10am to 3pm appointments only. The days it is open
are not specified.
Parish council chairman Cllr. Bridget Veitch said: “I think the plan is very sad and will be a
great loss to Cranbrook as well as surrounding villages. So many people come in for a chat and it
helps their mental wellbeing. Some come in because they are so disorganised and could make an
appointment and not turn up. It is a vital service to the communities.” TF
Guys and Dolls
THE CRANBROOK Operatic and Dramatic
Society (CODS) is currently rehearsing the big
Autumn show for 2018, which will be the everpopular
American Musical; Guys and Dolls.
Thought by many to be the best of all
musical theatre shows, Guys and Dolls is a
funny, energetic, feel-good, and poignant
stylised interpretation of 1950s New York and
features such famous numbers as: Luck be a
Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat and I’ll
Know.
The show runs during school half term,
from 25–27 October 2018 with a BSL signed
performance on the 25th and both matinee
and evening performances on the 27th.
Tickets are already available from the link on
our website www.cranbrookods.org.uk and
will be at our box offices The George Hotel and
Fancy Pants Emporium in Stone Street soon.
Guys and Dolls promises to be a
wonderful vibrant and colourful evening’s
entertainment, suitable for the whole family.
Future shows will include our family
friendly pantomime Cinderella, which runs
between Christmas and New Year and our
Spring Play will be an exciting new production
of Anna Karenina.
As the society approaches its centenary,
CODS proudly continues to bring live theatre
into the heart of Cranbrook and we would love
to see you in the audience. Annie Hatcher
Cranbrook’s
Versatile
Choral
Society
FOLLOWING ITS successful Summer
Concert with Cranbrook School, Cranbrook
Choral Society’s contribution to the
Armistice Centenary will be a performance
of Karl Jenkins’ well known modern Mass
for Peace, “The Armed Man” on Saturday
18 November in St. Dunstan’s Church. The
Christmas Concert will be on 15 December.
We welcome new members and do
not hold auditions. We rehearse every
Tuesday evening from the beginning of
September. To discuss a two week “taster”
and experience the joys of group singing
locally please contact Peter Hoole on 01580
752193. We would like to see you!
Ian Fletcher
10 Parish Cake • Autumn 2018