Village & Church Diary

This page will keep you up to date with events around Marden parish (in black) and a little beyond (in blue). If you know of an event that is not listed, please email the diary editor

1. Ongoing Events

• • Until 21 April An exhibition of works shortlisted for the Maidstone Young Artists Award at Maidstone Museum. Entry free
  • Until 21 April Albert Goodwin Visionary Landscapes - an exhibition of paintings from the Museum collections. Maidstone Museum. Entry free
  • Until 21 April Curiouser & Curiouser - Foundation students from West Kent College display artworks influenced by the Museum's collections. Maidstone Museum. Entry free
  • Until approx. 21 May Albion Road is closed from Roundel Way to Jewell Grove.  Diversion via Plain Road - Goudhurst Road - West End - Church Green - High Street - Albion Road and vice-versa.  Access to Stanley's Garage is from the High Street end
    

2. Diary Dates

Tuesday 19 March
9.15 am Music Time, Congregational Church
10.30 am Living Memories (topic to be advised) in the Vestry Hall
1.00 pm Tuesday Home Group, 2 Gurr Walk
2.00 - 4.00 pm Citizens' Advice outreach session in the Old School Room, Memorial Hall. No appointment necessary (and third Tuesday of each month)

Wednesday 20 March
9.15 am Baby & Toddler Group, Congregational Church
12.00 noon Lent Lunch, Vestry Hall
7.00 pm MARDEN IN BLOOM AGM at the Congregational Church
2.30 pm U3A at Goudhurst Parish Hall - John Short on 'From Backstage to Front of House'. Entry £2.50, refundable if you join U3A

Thursday 21 March
2.00 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 per session. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)
7.30 pm Lent Course (2) Come Alive, Vestry Hall

Friday 22 March
4.30 - 5.30 pm Youth Café in the Vestry Hall

Saturday 23 March
2.00 - 4.00 pm Kent Young Ringers in the church tower
6.40 pm (Pre-concert talk) for 7.30 pm Maidstone Symphony Orchestra concert at Mote Hall, Maidstone - Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Brahms. Tickets £13 to £28 (u-18s free, students with student card £5)
7.30 for 8.00 pm Brain Game Quiz Night in the Parish Room, Staplehurst. Teams of 4-6 people. BYO food & drink. To enter contact Andrew on 01580 891840 or email

Sunday 24 March
LAST DAY FOR SUBMITTING ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL to the box in the Parish Church

Monday 25 March
11.00 am Mothers' Union Lady Day service, St Nicholas' church, Maidstone
2.00 pm Craft Group, Vestry Hall

Tuesday 26 March
9.15 am Music Time, Congregational Church
1.00 pm Oasis Home Group, Russets

Wednesday 27 March
9.15 am Baby & Toddler Group, Congregational Church
12.00 noon Lent Lunch, Vestry Hall
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Change of speaker: Geoff Doel on 'The Darker Side of Dickens'; tea/coffee and raffle

Thursday 28 March
7.30 pm Lent Course (3) Rewrite the Stars, Vestry Hall
6.30 - 9.00 pm MUSEUM LATES - Quiz Night at Maidstone Museum. Five rounds - mystery museum objects and a round in the galleries. Over 18s only, bring your own snacks. £5

Friday 29 March
4.30 - 5.30 pm Youth Café in the Vestry Hall

Saturday 30 March
10.00 am Flower bunching for Mothering Sunday, Parish Church
Evening Entertainment at Marden Village Club - live band J.E.M., four-piece, favourite tunes old and new. Members and guests only

Sunday 31 March
3.00 pm Mothers' Day Cream Tea & Costume at Maidstone Museum - enjoy a delicious cream tea and go behind the scenes to see the Museum's gorgeous costume collection. Two sessions at 3 pm (tour & tea or tea & tour). £18 (MMF £16)

Tuesday 2 April
9.15 am Music Time at the Congregational Church
1.00 pm Tuesday Home Group (venue TBC)
7.30 pm Lent Course (4) Never Enough, Vestry Hall
8.00 pm Marden Motor Club at the West End Tavern

Wednesday 3 April
9.15 am Baby & Toddler Group at the Congregational Church
12.00 noon Storykeepers KS2 School Club at the Primary School
12.00 noon - 2.00 pm Lent Lunch at the Vestry Hall

Thursday 4 April
2.00 pm Come and Sing Spring Concert and Party at the Congregational Church. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)
7.45 pm Marden W.I. - Sue Hollings on 'A Taste of Spain' - at the Vestry Hall
12.30 (light refreshments) for 1.00 pm Lunchtime concert by Hubert Moore, St Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook. Free admission, retiring collection for the Friends of St Dunstan's

Saturday 6 April
10.00 am - 12.00 noon Fresh fish & seafood sales at the West End Tavern
10.30 am Saturday Book Group at the Library
2.00 - 3.00 pm Joint police & parish surgery with PCSO Nicola Morris at the Parish Office

Sunday 7 April
10.00 am Marden Walking Group - meet at the Library to share cars to Stilebridge to walk beside the River Beult. New Walking Group Maps and texts are now available from the Library, Farm Shop or by telephoning Catherine on 01622 832455. These are new versions of previous walks and some new routes. Please do use these as some of the instructions and paths are different
7.30 pm Quiz Night at the West End Tavern

Monday 8 April
2.00 pm Craft Group at the Vestry Hall

• Tuesday 9 April to Thursday 18 April 10.30 am, 12.00 noon & 1.30 pm  Easter Holiday MAKE IT! sessions  at Maidstone Museum - creative craft activities ideal for children aged 5-11 years. £3 (MMF £2.50) per session
  

Tuesday 9 April
10.30 am Living Memories - Games as we remember them - at the Vestry Hall
1.00 pm Oasis Home Group, 9 Roundel Way
7.30 pm Horticultural Society meeting in the Memorial Hall. Speaker Simon White, Garden Centre Manager from Peter Beale’s Roses. Non-members are also welcome; tickets will be priced at £3.00. The competition will be A Vase of Spring Flowers, with a £10 garden voucher awarded to the winner, and there will also be a Seed Swap.
8.00 pm Quiz Nights at The Unicorn are suspended for the time being

Wednesday 10 April
12.00 noon - 2.00 pm Lent Lunch at the Vestry Hall
7.30 pm Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Vestry Meeting at the Vestry Hall

Thursday 11 April
2.00 pm Thursday Book Group at the Library
7.30 pm Lent Course (5) The Greatest Show, at the Vestry Hall

• Saturday 13 April (11.00 am - 6.00 pm) and Sunday 14 April (10.00 am - 5.00 pm) Art & Craft Exhibition & Sale in the Refectory Hall, Sutton Valence School, ME17 3HL.  Entrance £1 includes catalogue. Refreshments available. All proceeds go to Rotary Charities. For tickets and information call Derek (01622 890650) or Bob (01233 756379)
  

Saturday 13 April
7.30 pm Cranbrook Choral Society with the Cranbrook Sinfonia perform Mozart, Haydn and Hummel in St Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook. Tickets £15 (students £7.50) from Baldwins Travel Agents (Cranbrook) or online or 01580 819323 or 01580 714828. On the door if available

Monday 15 April
12.30 pm Community Lunch at the Vestry Hall
7.30 pm Holy Week reflection at the Parish Church
8.00 pm Marden Village Club AGM

Tuesday 16 April
1.00 pm Tuesday Home Group (venue TBC)
2.00 - 4.00 pm Citizens' Advice outreach session in the Old School Room, Memorial Hall. No appointment necessary (and third Tuesday of each month)
7.00 (tea/coffee) for 7.30 pm Annual Parish Meeting in the Memorial Hall. Meet Parish Councillors over refreshments after the meeting
7.30 pm Holy Week reflection at the Parish Church

Maundy Thursday 18 April
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 pp to cover costs. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)
7.30 pm Holy Communion and Vigil at the Parish Church

• Friday 19 to Monday 22 April The Knoxbridge Easter Extravaganza beer festival and military vehicle show at The Knoxbridge on the A229. Live music all weekend - Barbecue - Hog Roast - Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Raffle - 16 Real Ales - Free Entry. Raising funds for Help 4 Homeless Veterans

Good Friday 19 April
10.00 am Family activity in the Vestry Hall
11.00 am All-age service at the Parish Church
2.00 pm Reflective service at the Parish Church

Saturday 20 April
Evening Entertainment at Marden Village Club - live duo Yoka and Big Ray - jazz, soul, country & blues rock. Members and guests only
11.00 am Easter egg hunt at St Peter & St Paul's Church Headcorn (children 11 and under with a parent/guardian)

Easter Day 21 April
10.30 am Easter Holy Communion at the Parish Church

Monday 22 April
2.00 pm Easter egg hunt at St Mary's Church Sutton Valence (children 11 and under with a parent/guardian)

Tuesday 23 April
9.15 am Music Time at the Congregational Church
10.30 am Living Memories - 'First Cuckoo of Summer' (talk by Ray Morris) - at the Vestry Hall
12.00 noon Storykeepers KS2 School Club at the Primary School

Wednesday 24 April
9.15 am Baby & Toddler Group at the Congregational Church
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Mary Smith on 'A Schoolgirl's War'; tea/coffee and raffle

Thursday 25 April
7.30 pm Thursday Home Group at The Old Stable
6.30 - 9.00 pm MUSEUM LATES - Japanese Evening with wagamama at Maidstone Museum. Enjoy a Studio Ghibli anime film and examine Japanese objects with the curator. Welcome & interval drinks included. £12 (MMF £10). Over 18s only

Friday 26 April
4.30 pm Youth Café at the Vestry Hall

Saturday 27 April
11.00 am Mothers' Union Triennial Service in Canterbury Cathedral (Nave)
2.00 pm Open Day at Marden Bowls Club. If you want to try lawn bowls, get active and have fun please come along. All you need are some flat shoes. More details from Brian (07801 594147). Access to the club is via the Bowling Green Cottage drive (in Howland Rd opposite the Farm Shop)
7.30 pm BAE Systems Band concert in the Parish Church. Tickets £10 including light refreshments & a glass of wine. Proceeds to the Friends of Marden's Heritage. Tickets available from West End Stores, Crowhurst & Tompsett, the Heritage Centre or from Brian on 01622 743011 or by email
7.30 pm Kent Police Male Voice Choir in concert at St Mary's Church Sutton Valence. Tickets £10, available in advance from Mary on 01622 843748, or on the door

Monday 29 April
2.00 pm Craft Group at the Vestry Hall

Thursday 2 May
Maidstone Borough Council Local Elections - polling at the Memorial Hall

• Thursday 2 to Monday 6 May MAIDSTONE FRINGE FESTIVAL - Over 100 live bands, DJs and performing artists across 15 venues in the County Town
  
  
• Saturday 4 May to Sunday 1 September ENDANGERED & EXTINCT - an exhibition by creative recycling artist Val Hunt exploring endangered & extinct animals through 'throw away' material sculptures. Maidstone Museum. Adults £4, children £2, family £10
  

Sunday 5 May
2.00 pm Marden Walking Group - Marden Meadow walk - meet at the Library. New Walking Group Maps and texts are now available from the Library, Farm Shop or by telephoning Catherine on 01622 832455. These are new versions of previous walks and some new routes. Please do use these as some of the instructions and paths are different

Thursday 9 May
7.30 pm The Patients Reference Group AGM, at the Vestry Hall. (RSVP to the Medical Centre, this helps with the catering.)

Saturday 11 May
8.30 am Men's Breakfast at the West End Tavern. Simon Vinall on 'Aston Martin - 0 to 100 in 45 minutes!' £7 per head. Please book your place with Geoff on 01622 831106 or 07973 118241
8.00 pm Charity concert in the Parish Church for Christian Aid - local  jazz choir Antiphony with toe-tapping jazz numbers, dreamy ballads, laughter and tears. Tickets £10.00 (concessions £7.50) including a glass of wine/juice & nibbles - box office opens early April at Forty-Seven, Crowhurst & Tompsett, West End Stores and Marden Heritage Centre
10.30 am, 12.30 pm & 2.30 pm FAMILY SCIENCE DAY at Maidstone Museum - Have fun exploring crazy liquids and science experiments using everyday household materials. £5 per child per session (accomp. adult free)
12.30-5.00 pm The Northern Belle steam train (Black 5 locomotive, seven Pullman cars) - circular tour of the rolling hills and ancient woodlands of Kent. Champagne & canapés, four-course lunch with wine, coffee & petits fours. Departs/arrives Maidstone East Station. Tickets £349 pp from, and all profits to, the Heart of Kent Hospice 01622 790195

• Sunday 12 to Saturday 18 May CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

Thursday 16 May
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 pp to cover costs. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)

Friday 17 May
10.00 - 11.45 am CHRISTIAN AID Coffee Morning at the Village Café, Vestry Hall

Saturday 18 May
Evening Members Only Night at Marden Village Club - Blues Brothers Little Brother (tickets purchased in advance only)
6.40 pm (Pre-concert talk) for 7.30 pm Maidstone Symphony Orchestra concert at Mote Hall, Maidstone - Borodin, Schumann, Rachmaninov. Tickets £13 to £28 (u-18s free, students with student card £5)

Monday 20 May
12.30 pm Community Lunch at the Vestry Hall

Tuesday 21 May
a.m. MARDEN IN BLOOM's Bring & Buy Seedlings Coffee Morning open house - venue TBA

Wednesday 22 May
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Guy Bartlett on 'The History of the Red Arrows'; tea/coffee and raffle

Saturday 25 May
1.00 - 3.30 pm Marden Motor Show on Southons Field. Marden Motor Club will have between 50 and 100 vintage, classic, retro and supercars on show. Refreshments (provided by the West End Tavern) and raffle. Entry free.
3.00 pm (picnics with musical entertainment to follow) 6.00 pm (concert) PROMS IN THE PARK at Whatman Park Riverstage, Maidstone. Bring your deckchairs & hampers, candelabras & bottles of fizz and enjoy Maidstone Wind Symphony conducted by Jonathan Crowhurst. Free entry

Sunday 26 May
2.30 - 4.30 pm CHRISTIAN AID Afternoon Tea at 4 Princes Villas, Maidstone Road. £5 for tea, sandwiches & cake

Monday 27 May
Loose Village Duck Race

Thursday 30 May
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 pp to cover costs. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)
6.30 - 9.00 pm MUSEUM LATES - History Mystery Tour of Maidstone Museum - Meet the characters who built, lived & worked in the museum's buildings and try a glass of Tudor spiced wine. £10 (MMF £8). Over 18s only

Saturday 8 June
TBA - MARDEN IN BLOOM's Pop Up Plant Sale (details to follow)
2.00 pm Marden's Big Musical Picnic on Southons Field

Sunday 9 June
The Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent's 34th Annual North Downs Charity Walk. The walk is primarily in aid of Cancer Research UK but walkers may retain 50% of their sponsorship money for their own cause. The Walk starts and finishes at Harrietsham Village Hall with choice of 1,3, 6 or 9 mile routes across the beautiful North Downs. Start times are between 8.00 am and 11.00 am. To register or find details of the routes, maps etc please visit the website.  Alternatively, register at the Hall on the day for a suggested donation of £15 per person. Children 13 and under go free. On completion all walkers receive a free Ploughman’s Lunch, punnet of strawberries and are entertained by a local Jazz Band

Thursday 13 June
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 pp to cover costs. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)

Saturday 15 June
2.00 - 3.00 pm Joint police & parish surgery with PCSO Nicola Morris at the Parish Office

Sunday 16 June
RSCM Music Sunday

Saturday 22 June
Evening Entertainment at Marden Village Club - live band 4WD, rock/pop covers from every decade. Members and guests only

Monday 24 June
10.30 am Join the Borough Council for a flag raising event to mark Armed Forces Day. Military guests and local dignitaries will mark the occasion in Jubilee Square, Maidstone

Tuesday 25 June
1.30 - 4.30 pm Marden Society summer outing - on the Kentish Lady down the Medway with a tour of Allington Castle. £30 pp incl. tea/coffee & cake. Contact Carol (01622 832900)

Saturday 29 June
Prosecco Gin & Dance - Live jazz, swing & tributes - Italian street food - wide variety of prosecco, gin & cocktails - photobooth & props. Mote Park, Maidstone. Tickets available online

Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July The 90th Kent County Show at the Kent Showground, Detling

Thursday 11 July
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing at the Congregational Church. £1 pp to cover costs. Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)

Saturday 20 July
2.00 - 3.00 pm Joint police & parish surgery with PCSO Nicola Morris at the Parish Office

Thursday 25 July
2.00 - 3.30 pm Come and Sing Summer Concert & Party at the Congregational Church.  Contact Sarah (01622 832925) or Marden Medical Centre (01622 831257)

Friday 26 July
'Ikarus Inc' - a performance by the Rude Mechanical Company on Southons Field - a play about what it takes to achieve your dream. Time & ticketing details to follow

• Monday 29 July to Friday 9 August Summer Play Scheme at the Scout Headquarters (registration forms available from 3 June from the offices of the Parish Council and Primary School)
  

Saturday 3 August
ROCK the MOTE present "the best tribute acts in the UK". Mote Park, Maidstone

Saturday 17 August
2.00 - 3.00 pm Joint police & parish surgery with PCSO Nicola Morris at the Parish Office

Saturday 14 September
TBA - MARDEN IN BLOOM's Pop Up Bulb Sale (details to follow)

Wednesday 25 September
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Geoff Turner on 'Van 132, Soldier, Sailor Spy'; tea/coffee and raffle

Saturday 28 September
TBC - MARDEN IN BLOOM's Scarecrow Safari on a theme of recycling (details to follow)

Sunday 29 September
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, Howard Shelley piano, cond. Roderick Dunk - Dvorak, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

Wednesday 23 October
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Chris Woodward on 'The History of Canals'; tea/coffee and raffle

Sunday 3 November
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, Amy Harman bassoon, cond. Barry Wordsworth - Tchaikovsky, Weber, Schumann - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

Wednesday 27 November
7.30 pm Marden Society, Vestry Hall. Mike Doel on 'History of Hopping and the Hartlake Disaster'; tea/coffee and raffle

Saturday 7 December
MARDEN AT CHRISTMAS - events throughout the village. Details to follow

Sunday 2 February 2020
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, Susanna Gaspar soprano, Catia Mereso mezzo, Jung Soo tenor, Richard Morrison baritone, cond. Roderick Dunk - OPERA GALA - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

Sunday 1 March 2020
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, Martin James Bartlett piano, cond. Roderick Dunk - Copland, Ravel, Brahms - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

Sunday 5 April 2020
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Gould violin, cond. Barry Wordsworth - Bizet, Barber, Massenet, Beethoven - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

Sunday 3 May 2020
3.00 pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra  cond. Roderick Dunk - Mozart, Bruckner - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Box office 01892 530613

A D V E R T I S E M E N T
The Vestry Hall in the centre of Marden Village is available for hire.
Click here for more information.

Contact diary editor