THE HUNDRED

Programme of events Sept. 2009 – March 2010

The Hundred Talks

We will stay with the same format this coming season, since it seems to generate an informal and friendly atmosphere – a 7.30pm start, which gives everyone present the opportunity to chat over a free glass of wine or soft drink before the Talk at 8.00pm. Please note that the venue for the AGM and the Hundred Talks this coming season will be The John Baker White Memorial Hall in Lower Hardres.

As mentioned in the newsletter, a short Annual General Meeting will precede the first Hundred Talk at 7.30pm sharp on Wednesday, 14^th October 2009 at Lower Hardres. It will greatly assist us in the organisation of the evening if everyone arrives promptly for a 7.30pm start, since we aim to give everyone a free glass of wine or soft drink before the start of the AGM!

The first Hundred Talk will be on Wednesday, 14^th October 2009 at Lower Hardres, immediately after the AGM, when Bob Heddle will give an illustrated talk on the subject of “Orchids”. As many of you will know, Bob is a local consultant surgeon, who also has a very keen interest and encyclopaedic knowledge relating to all aspects of these beautiful flowering plants. He will not only bring to the Talk some examples from his collection, but also wants us to bring along our own interesting orchids, which he can examine and discuss. Needless to say, there will be time for questions, so please feel free to ask about any subject relating to the propagation, growing and care of orchids. Bob is indeed a local expert on this subject and it will be a great pleasure to welcome him as our guest speaker.

Many of you will remember the very successful presentation by Sue Owen and the members of her research team on the “War Memorials Research Project” at a Hundred Talk evening in March 2007. On Wednesday, 11^th November 2009 at Lower Hardres, Sue Owen and some members of another team of researchers will be our guest speakers, with the subject being the results of their recent research project “Researching Your Local Churchyard”. Amongst the churchyards researched by this group were four in the area covered by The Hundred and this presentation will particularly focus on their discoveries in these four churchyards.

On Wednesday, 3^rd February 2010 at Lower Hardres, Brian Maxted will give an illustrated presentation entitled “Antarctica Experience”. This promises to be a fascinating account of Brian’s two week holiday in Antarctica earlier this year, with visits to the Iguassu Falls and Chilean Fiords in South America included for good measure. Brian is an expert cameraman and we can be sure of some breathtaking still pictures and video of the natural scenery and wildlife in these beautiful but remote parts of the world – a “not to be missed” Talk.

March Hundred Talk - please see details overleaf

Fran Thompson is our speaker on Wednesday, 3^rd March 2010 at Lower Hardres and her subject is “The Hundred Butterflies”. Fran is the Denge Woods Project Officer with the charity Butterfly Conservation, which is based locally in East Brabourne. Deliberately timed to be just ahead of the 2010 butterfly season, her illustrated talk will focus on the butterflies that may be seen next spring and summer in the area covered by The Hundred (an area that hosts a bounty of species) and where are the top local spots to see these butterflies. Fran will also cover the work being done by Butterfly Conservation’s Denge Woods Project, where the charity is working with local residents, farmers, enthusiasts and volunteers in the East Kent Downs to improve conditions for woodland butterflies and moths.

We look forward to welcoming both old and new members and their guests to these Hundred Talks.

Richard Wickham

The Hundred Walks

Once again, John and Alison Wiltshier have kindly organised a programme of guided winter Hundred Walks and so do come along and explore on foot some of the wonderful countryside in and around The Hundred. We meet on Sundays once a month for a 1.5 to 2 hour walk, starting and finishing at a different pub each month. After the Walk, there is the option of having a drink at the pub or staying on for a roast lunch or both!

The planned programme is as follows, but each month there will be a reminder in the Parish Magazines, so please check for any changes.

Sunday, 4^th October 2009 – meet at The Chequers, Petham at 11.00am.

Sunday, 1^st November 2009 – meet at The Red Lion, Bridge at 11.00am.

Sunday, 6^th December 2009 – meet at The Hop Pocket, Bossingham at 11.00am.

Saturday, 26^th December 2009 – Boxing Day Walk

Meet outside The Dower House, Petham (at the top of Vicarage Hill) at 11.00am. The walk is to The Compasses, Sole Street and it is a flat walk with no stiles. This walk is ideal for the whole family, friends, Christmas guests and dogs and takes about 45 minutes in each direction. Please make your own way home.

Sunday, 3^rd January 2010 – meet at The Duck, Pett Bottom at 11.00am.

Sunday, 7^th February 2010 – meet at The Compasses, Sole Street at 11.00am.

And to finish off the season, an all day walk on Sunday, 7^th March 2010 – to and from Stelling Minnis via The Rose and Crown in Elham. Meet outside the Stelling Minnis shop at 10.00am.

We look forward to meeting friends old and new. Do come prepared for stiles – guaranteed except on Boxing Day – mud, good company and bags of fresh air!

For further information on The Walks, please ring John or Alison Wiltshier on 01227 700317

The Hundred Shows

As a new venture, The Hundred has already purchased 10 London theatre tickets for the National Theatre’s production of “The Pitmen Painters” on Saturday, 12^th September 2009 at 7.30pm. This is a play about a group of Northumberland miners, who attend evening classes and become talented artists. Tickets are available from Trevor Conway at £10 each on a first come first served basis and Trevor has volunteered to co-ordinate car transport to the theatre. Please telephone Trevor for tickets and further details (01227 700327).

The Hundred Shows

For our fifth season, ticket prices will have to increase a little because grants to our main contact, Applause, have been reduced. We plan to present four shows in the forthcoming season. Options we are negotiating for 2010 include a further production by our favourite theatre company, Farnham Maltings, and an evening of opera led by an English National Opera soloist. We will let you have information regarding the 2010 programme as soon as the details are finalised. Meantime the following Hundred Shows have been booked:

Sunday, 27^th September 2009 at Petham Village Hall at 7.30pm

MARK GWYNNE JONES AND THE PSYCHICBREAD*

It is not easy to describe this show in a way that does it justice. On stage we have Mark Gwynne Jones, musician and poet, and three other musicians surrounded by an incredible international array of string instruments, keyboards, percussion and a flute. They play at times in a relaxed hypnotic way and at other times with the energy and punch of a samba band. Mark’s poetry is at times extremely amusing, but during his more thoughtful pieces his audience is utterly captivated, the band’s stylish playing building moods and complementing the words. Overall they are a powerful act, capable of transforming the mundane into magical landscapes and leading an audience towards laughter and dance.

Ticket Prices – Adults £9 and Under 16s £5

Box Office – to reserve tickets, please ring 01227 700847 or 01227 700327 - then send a cheque and sae to guarantee your places and avoid queuing.

*When their base is distant, touring artists sometimes value hospitality. Mark Gwynne Jones’ group of five have asked whether any Hundred members could offer them bed and breakfast after their show. Please contact Trevor Conway (01227 700327) if you would like to know more about this chance to meet the musicians.

Sunday, 13^th December 2009 at Petham Village Hall at 7.00pm (please note early start)

MIRACLE ON 34^TH STREET

This Christmas show is presented by one of our most popular choices – Farnham Maltings – who brought us In the Bleak Midwinter, The Polish Play and The Drawer Boy. It is based on the Hollywood Classic of 1947 depicting Macy’s department store’s Thanksgiving event, where a stand-in Father Christmas insists that he is actually Santa Claus, delighting the children but unsettling the management with his intriguing way of handling generosity. Farnham Maltings have adapted this warm funny story to appeal to whole families from seven upwards. The show includes conflict amongst adults, a Thanksgiving Parade, Santa’s grotto and newly fallen snow.

Ticket Prices – Adults £9 and Under 16s £5

Box Office – to reserve tickets, please ring 01227 700847 or 01227 700327 - then send a cheque and sae to guarantee your places and avoid queuing.

Wednesday, 2^nd December 2009 at Petham Village Hall at 7.00pm

The Hundred Christmas Show

An enjoyable and entertaining evening of music, song and dance featuring local talent from The Hundred villages and beyond. Please come and join us for this exciting evening of Christmas entertainment - a wonderful start to the festive season.

Entrance is free – no tickets required.

Wine available by the glass at a reasonable price.

Free soft drinks.

Free light refreshments at the end of the Show.