Whilst a group of local people are democratically free to invite the Community to join their Wholesome Wye Buyers Group. It is morally wrong for Our Place a Government initiative and Parish Council adopted project funded with public money to promote this. http://www.wyeparish.info/our-place.html

In the Our Place April edition of their newsletter, it states ‘Ordering in quantity means that all items we purchase are often significantly cheaper than buying in shops.’

The reference to shops in this way is a broad brush stroke written without sensitivity to the few remaining food shops that Wye has left.

The Wye Business Association has spent the last twenty two years working hard to preserve our Village Shops and do not expect Our Place to endanger the remaining shops by using public funds to act against them.

There are Parish Councillors on the Our Place Committee who have lived here long enough to know how much the Wye shops have done for their Community in gratitude for the Community’s support of their businesses. The WBA have always seen business as a two way situation of giving and receiving.

We were pleased to read on the same Our Place News letter of all the good works achieved during the snow. This included shopping.

Should the village ever be entirely cut off by snow as it was in 1986 and there are no shops left in Wye, it would prove very difficult to carry out voluntary shopping for those less able to venture out.

A little more careful thought and joined up thinking please.

Perhaps Our Place when spending public money on their next issue of their news letter could encourage people to support their local shops! Shop keepers pay income tax like everyone else.

Ann Sutherland

Pauline Hickson of Wye Bakery has sent us a copy of an email she received from blogger and author Jessie Cahalin.

Click on her link below to read her amazing creative account of her visit to Wye Bakery.

We visited your lovely bakery in the summer. I chatted with you and your daughter, and explained I would blog about the experience. Well, after all this time, here is my blog post. I am a blogger and an author so the post combines a literary reference. I hope your like it. Here is the link to the blog post: http://jessiecahalin.com/a-bread-tale-on-the-road-to-canterbury/ I have shared the post of Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jessie-Cahalin/100016975596193?fref=nf

During last night as snow continued to fall from the evening onwards, Pauline Hickson our village baker had been baking the bread for today’s trade.

After her night’s work she returned home to get some rest. Unfortunately neither Pauline or her assistant were able to get back to Wye due to the heavy snowfall.

A phone call to Martin and Sarah Wakelin who run their butcher’s shop opposite, saw a note on the bakery door directing customers for their bread over to the butchers. Anyone visiting Wakelin’s today would have been aware of the tall trolley full of lovely fresh baked bread which Martin and Sarah had offered to sell for Pauline.

Local businesses in Wye have always supported one another and todays events is just one example of how we carry on here in Wye.

Thanks to Martin and Sarah, Pauline’s trade continued but from a different shop!

Luckley House Sheltered Housing unit held their Social Club Christmas lunch yesterday.

Thirty two people sat down to a three course meal organised by the Scheme Manager Denise Libbeter and Resident Veronica Cackett.

They were helped by four volunteers and of course Jack Woodford stepped in once again to play his role of Santa. Santa even helped in the kitchen washing up!

The delicious turkey was purchased from our local butcher Wakelins in Church Street. With the personal service offered at this Wye establishment, carving the meat proved no problem. Martin Wakelin prepared the meat by taking it off the bone. It was then rolled ready for the oven. It takes a skilled butcher to do this.

Wakelin’s are currently accepting orders for Christmas. If you want a tasty Christmas joint or bird  with personal service and advice, why not give Martin and Sarah Wakelin a call: 01233 812225

This wonderful annual event is in aid of the Ashford Pilgrim’s Hospice.

www.perrycourtfarm.co.uk

                                      Entry reproduced by kind permission of Michael Gilburt

Earlier on this year The Wye Arts Association held a photographic competition which was judged by International World Wild Life photographer Steve Bloom. The subject being ‘My Wye.’

The winner of the adult section was Michael Gilburt whose compilation of pictures taken around our village depicts a whole picture of our village today, including our shops and businesses.

There was an exhibition of the entries in Wye Church where Mike was presented with the Ticketyboo cup.

Congratulations Mike for this wonderful depiction of our village!

We promised to add memories of Wye Shops and Businesses from time to time. We now publish our memories of Taylor’s Garage.

Kentish Express Advertisement July 25th 1969

Taylor’s Garage was owned by the Lepper Family from approximately the 1960’s to early 80’s  It was then sold to partners the late Brian Hern and Alan Heron. The site is currently a housing development in Bridge Street known as Twysdon Court. On the left hand side of our photograph above taken in the 80’s can be seen the corner of what is currently Mary Hemsley’s Curtain and Soft Furnishing shop. During the Lepper’s time Mary’s shop was used by the Garage as their office, reception and spare parts shop. It later became the first office for Calcutt Maclean Estate Agents now known as Foxwood Maclean (Formerly this shop had been a pub known as The Swan).

Partners Brian Hern & Alan Heron. Also in the blue Jacket is Sarah Andrews who served on the petrol pumps.

The Petrol delivery was always overseen by Brian pictured on top of the tanker whilst Alan kept a watchful eye!

Whilst remembering Tayor’s Garage it brings back memories of villagers who passed by daily on their way up from Little Chequers to the shops.

In the left hand photograph is Kathleen Cole who was then Warden of the Luckley House Sheltered Housing scheme. She lived on site with her husband in a flat provided by the Council for the Warden. Pictured with Mrs Cole is Stewart Dunk who was at one time a shepherd for Wye College. In his retirement he delivered newspapers well into his eighties for the Wye newsagents known as and owned by Geerings.

The right hand photograph shows Bob and Sybil Cheeseman. They were a familiar sight as they walked regularly past the garage. Bob in his jaunty tartan cap complete with a red bobble. He always walked about six paces behind Sybil which most villagers found entertaining. They were both staunch members of the Methodist Church and their processional walk could be seen every Sunday evening as they made their way to the Chapel.

Taylor’s Garage was a thriving business and later Brian’s son Nigel joined his Father and Alan. Sadly Brian died and both Nigel and Brian continued with the business until such times they sold the site for development. The age of the Supermarket had arrived and Petrol sales were affected.

Although Brian, Alan and Nigel did not live in Wye, they were very much part of the Community and joined in the WBA events. Alan became the first Chairman of The Wye Business Association with Nigel as his Vice Chairman.

This morning volunteers helped WBA to put up the village Christmas Lights in time for the Christmas Street Party which will be held on Friday 2nd December.

The Christmas Tree was donated and delivered by Perry Court Farm Shop http://www.perrycourt.farm/

Grateful thanks to our volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to help WBA.

This is the twentieth year of lights for our village!

Post Christmas:

How nice it was to receive the postcard above from a grateful member of our community.

WYE BEER FESTIVAL
24th, 25th & 26th June!

Updated 12/04/2018

THE THREE AIMS OF THE WBA ARE: A) TO PROMOTE OUR BUSINESSES B) HELP PRESERVE COMMUNITY SPIRIT C) RAISE THE PROFILE OF WYE.

We hope to help achieve these aims by publishing news of both our businesses and village.

Our members offer a startling range and variety of products, skills and services. Continue Reading »