Autumn 2022

LITERATURE
Reading for
relaxation
We welcome new contributor Christine Newman to The Cake.
A well-known literary figure in Cranbrook, she is a founder
member of the town’s literature festival
In my job as a school
librarian, I work hard to
promote reading to the
students and encourage
them to try new genres and
authors. They are always amazed
to hear that there are actual
health benefits to be gained
from reading too as it makes you
smarter and more relaxed.
BRAIN STIMULATION
When you read every day, you
stimulate your mental activity.
One study has shown that
benefits of reading slows down
disorders such as Alzheimer’s and
Dementia. Reading exercises the
brain and keeps it active.
Every part of our body needs
exercise to stay healthy and the
same goes for our brain. Reading
gives it regular exercise and
keeps it healthy and sound and
improves our memory.
STRESS REDUCTION
Everyone has worries and stresses
that niggle in your mind and will
keep bothering you unless you
do something to distract them.
Reading gives you the mental
space to escape your worries and
stress can seem to slip away when
you’re caught up in a great story.
VOCABULARY EXPANSION
Reading any type of book can
improve your vocabulary to an
impressive extent.
FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION
Technology is great, but it can
“Every part of our
body needs exercise
to stay healthy and
the same goes for
our brain”
make us lazy and unable to
concentrate. Reading for just
30 minutes a day and engaging
in a story can help us focus and
concentrate.
In our parish of Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst, we are blessed
with so many sources of cheap
and available reading material
– even if we don’t have a book
shop! There’s the local library,
the community library in the
phone box at Baker’s Cross, and
an excellent selection of quality
second-hand reading material
in our charity shops, Hospice in
the Weald and Oxfam. Reading
HEN HOUSE
POULTRY
Quality Point of Lay Chickens
Excellent choice available, fully
vaccinated, laying lovely fresh
eggs in a variety of shell colours
doesn’t have to be an expensive
pastime, so check out what’s on
offer locally. Read and relax your
way through the summer and
beyond!
Country living at its best!
www.henhousepoultry.co.uk
01622 843649 (Sutton Valence)
The Cake • Autumn 2022 37