WELCOME to the first issue of Rostrum for 2012. The magazine is run by volunteers and is delivered free ten times a year to all the homes in the village. We rely on the income generated by our advertisers to meet our running costs. This year we welcome many new advertisers and the return of long-standing advertising supporters; we are grateful to all our advertisers; so please, when contacting them, let them know you saw their Rostrum advert.
Special thanks this month go to Tony Gosby for his cover pictures for 2012 which this year have the theme Where in the World?
The magazine aims to promote news of local events, societies, clubs and individuals; so please, don’t be shy, let us have your news, tributes and items of local interest. Each article should be no more than 250 words long to fill no more than half an A5 page in arial 10 font. Our copy deadline is midnight on the 17th of each month. To make sure the magazine is round the village by the start of each month we strictly keep to this deadline. Christine, Janet and Ted
DIARY
7th Feb Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm followed immediately by Planning Committee Meeting
9th Feb Women's Institute - History of Capital Punishment by Mr John Mills Village Hall – 2.30 pm
15th History Society – Sheila Boyd - Queen Victoria’s Dreadful Uncles 7.40 pm – Village Hall
6th March Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm followed immediately by Planning Committee Meeting
8th March Women's Institute - Social afternoon - Flower Cup & Hickman Cup Competition
21st March History Society – David Carder – Some Historic Kentish Towns
WATERINGBURY IN THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH II 1950s to 2012
There have been many changes in the shape and character of the village since the 1950s and to mark the Jubilee it is hoped to produce a publication giving details of village life through each of the decades of the Queen’s reign. Please share your recollections so that those of us who lived through them can take pleasure in remembering things gone by which we may have forgotten and future generations will know a little of our everyday life, pleasures and past-times. All memories welcome. Do you remember the village celebrating the coronation and the silver jubilee? Did you go to the Air Station when the Beatles were filming? Do you have memories of the old school or any of the village pubs and shops? Photographs very welcome. Christine Byron 01622 812023
KENT TRADING STANDARDS issue regular alerts via the KCC website on scams, cold callers, recalls, dangerous toys etc., You can read these alerts by going to www.kent.gov.uk enter news and alerts in the searchbox, and them click on Trading Standards news and alerts
GET OUT AND ABOUT IN FEBRUARY Get to an unusual event in nearby Hunton on Sunday 12 February. One of the most charming harbingers of spring are snowdrops and several kinds are to be seen in the churchyard there. The Friends of St Mary’s Church, Hunton will be welcoming snowdrop visitors to both its churchyards which have a wealth of snowdrops in a charming setting, open between 11am and 4pm. Refreshments, information and displays and videos for sale. Entrance free
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes for thAe March issue by 17th February.
Maidstone Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Brian Wright, will perform on Saturday 4th February 2012 commencing at 7.30pm at Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone. The programme consists of three works Vaughan Williams – Overture, The Wasps. Nielsen - Violin Concerto. Soloist Ben Hancox. Sibelius –Symphony No.1. Tickets from 01622 735830. Under 18s free.
MISSING ROSTRUMS
We are fortunate that copies of the parish magazines have survived from the 1800s to the present time. However the archives, held by the History society, of the parish magazines, which then became Rostrum are missing the following years 1963 – 1970 and 1973 -1976. If anyone has any copies from these years which could be borrowed and photocopied please contact 01622 812023.
POPPY APPEAL
Wateringbury has triumphed again! The first two weeks of November saw 22 poppy appeal collectors out in force around the village. Some really keen people were even out at the end of October! Although the official ‘count’ has yet to be confirmed, about £3,000 was raised. Thanks to all who helped at the official count and also to Penny in the Post Office for her help with the final ‘count’! Thanks goes to all the organisations who acted as static collecting points for the appeal this year including Wateringbury School £92 and the North Pole Inn and Working Men’s Club who raised £88 and £84 respectively. The church collection and gift aided donations raised an additional £520 in total.
This year the RBL celebrated its 90th anniversary and to mark the occasion, special 90th anniversary lapel badges were ‘sold’ and through the Poppy Appeal Organiser an additional £381 was raised for the appeal.
The RBL are always looking for collectors so if you can help in 2012, please contact the Poppy Appeal Organiser for your village, Larry Collins on 01732 872302 for more details
VILLAGE HALL QUIZ EVENING
Come on it’s time to wake up the old grey matter ready for the Spring. This is your chance! Our very own Quiz Master Phil Rex is hatching the questions to test you as you read this. Our annual QUIZ EVENING is to be held on
SATURDAY 17TH MARCH at WATERINGBURY VILLAGE HALL
Doors Open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
So if you want to join in this brain teasing fun evening, you need a team of 6-8 people (or if you want to come on your own, we will match you up with others to make up a team).
As usual, there will be a bar…and a raffle…and prizes for the winners…(and losers!) Please bring your own food. The cost is £6 per person and proceeds will be used to help maintain and equip our lovely Village Hall.
To book a place…or a table…please ring Phil Rex on 01622 814483 or e-mail annerex@btinternet.com
FRIENDS OF WATERINGBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL (FOWPS) (Registered charity 1038836)
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Christmas Fayre on 26 November so enjoyable. The event set a new fundraising record, with a profit of £3,208 thanks to the fantastic support of children, parents, staff, and local businesses.
2012 has started just as busily as 2011 ended, with an Unwanted Gift Day for recycling “unwanted” or duplicate Christmas gifts and a film screening for the children, with plans for a ‘Wear Something Red’ Non-uniform Day (10 February) and a quiz and curry night (24 February) taking shape.
We are now looking for supportive sponsors who would like to help us with our plans for 2012. We want to raise enough money to fund a new shaded area on the infant playground in time for next summer. In these tough economic times we are working hard to minimise our costs so that we can plough more of our fundraising income into important projects like this. Sponsorship enables us to keep our costs low whilst providing local businesses with a great opportunity for publicity.
If you’d like to help us in any way in 2012 please call Chairman Gail Isted on 01622 813716 or e-mail chairman@fowps.org.uk Gail Isted FOWPS Chairman
Date for your diary: Our Olympic-themed Summer Fête will take place on Saturday 14 July.
TESTON & WATERINGBURY NURSERY GROUP (Registered charity 1044257) www.testonandwateringburynursery.co.uk Admissions and all enquiries: Amanda Vidler 07805 796353
What a busy couple of months! Before Christmas the children made Rudolf cards and frosty handprints (with the weather we had, I’m not entirely sure paint was needed…). They also sent cards to one another and wrapped in a grotto – look out Elves, you have competition! Rev Jim Brown was…delighted with our visit, when the children listened to the Nativity story and sang beautifully, and our Christmas Concert consisted of traditional songs and that well-loved story of snow, bubbles, tigers and spacemen, you know the one? Our Christmas Shopping Evening in early December was a resounding success, far exceeding our expectations and raising much needed funds! Christmas certainly came early, not least because our friend from the North Pole popped in. The stallholders were happy; the customers were happy; the committee was happy – perfect! Thank you to all our stallholders, our customers and to Wateringbury School for the use of their hall. The committee (as always) worked extremely hard organising the event and keeping it going – THANK YOU very much.
Huge Congratulations to our Supervisor, Amanda Vidler for gaining her BA in Early Years. Well done Amanda, we know how hard you’ve worked.
Our theme for this term is ‘Clothes’ (warm ones, I hope), which will include uniform-wearing visitors, designing t-shirts and running a clothes shop. Our New Year celebrations included a ‘kind hands’ display which shows all the kind things the children have done. There’ll be recycling and bird-feeder making in the ‘Green Frog Club’, a Discovery Bus visit and further celebrations for Chinese New Year – phew, I’m exhausted already!
Lastly, Mrs Lynda Maitland from Teston & Mr Leonard Cotgrove from Teston are our latest 100 Club winners.
DEMELZA HOUSE COLLECTIONS
Thank you to everyone who received the Carol singers with a warm welcome this year , as we sang around Pheonix Drive to raise money for ‘Demelza Hospice Care for children’ .
We also collected money at the Crib service in Church on Christmas Eve for the same cause. Together the two events raised the magnificent sum of £344.80.
Thank you so much to all for supporting this charity, they really do make a big difference to the children and families in their care. God Bless, Lisa Glasscote
WATERINGBURY FLOWER CLUB Guest Demonstrator Jaqui Arnold - A Hint of Spring
As our first meeting of the new year, we welcomed Jacqui a very talented area demonstrator, and also our area demonstrators rep. Jacqui enthralled us with her programme entitled A Hint of Spring - Jacqui treated us to several different designs all in beautiful spring colours, including all our favourite spring flowers, catkins, tulips, and the more exotic lilies, and cornus to name but a few, we had traditional and the more modern designs using all sorts of extras, large containers, and baskets and other household items.
We also had our last club competition of the 2011 season with a title of the same name, we were not disappointed with the members entries, we had fifteen which is a record for this early in the year, the standard as usual was terrific.
February the 16th is the next meeting and is the club AGM - this is always a good social evening as once the business is over we have a fun time and this year we are doing the encore of desserts and the committee will be providing all the desserts, we look forward to seeing all members there, and welcoming new members for our very exciting programme for 2012. Jean Schofield, Chairman, Wateringbury Flower Club.
THE FOOTPATH GROUP
Our New Year’s Day walk, starting at 10.30, took place in fine weather, and although muddy underfoot in some places, was very enjoyable. It certainly blew the cobwebs away from celebrations the night before, and we had excellent clear views of the valley as we walked back down towards the village. Unfortunately we do not have a walk planned for February as we do not have anyone to lead walks regularly. We are a friendly unofficial group who just like to walk, and would welcome volunteers to lead walks for us occasionally. For more information please call 01622 812338 ST.
STEP BACK IN TIME FROM THE PARISH MAGAZINE OF FEBRUARY 1893
Col. and Mrs Davies extended their accustomed hospitality at Christmastide. Invitations to all the Cottagers and others were issued to partake of Tea, which was followed by Theatrical Performances, on the evenings of January 2nd, 3rd and 4th and a very enjoyable evening was spent on each occasion. The Wateringbury Place Amateur Theatrical Company gave representations each night of “Bubbles” and “The Jacobite” and their efforts were rewarded by the evidently keen delight which the audience evinced. On Friday January 6th, between 60 and 70 of the National School Children were invited to Tea, and afterwards received a useful present from the Xmas Tree, as well as toys for their younger brothers and sisters
HISTORY SOCIETY
In February Sheila Boyd is coming back to tell us, about ‘Queen Victoria’s Dreadful Uncles’. A talk which promises to contain intrigue and scandal together with secrets about Victoria’s relatives.
In November Air Commodore Bill Croydon presented a talk to us entitled “History of Early Flight on Sheppey”. He started his talk by telling us that after the first successful powered flight by the “Wright Flyer” in 1903, three brothers, Horace, Eustace and Oswald Short set up the world’s first aircraft factory on the Isle of Sheppey in 1909, after obtaining permission from the Wright brothers to make six copies of this aircraft. All six aircraft were sold, and “Short Bros” quickly went on to make more aircraft to their own improved designs. We were shown slides to illustrate the many technical developments that followed, including folding wings and many of the aircraft controls that are still in use today. Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey soon became world famous. In 1913 they opened a second factory in Rochester, in order to develop and build seaplanes. In 1917 the factory at Eastchurch was closed, and all production moved to Rochester. After WWI the company became famous for building the luxury flying boats used by Imperial Airways to transport mail and passengers across the British Empire, and later produced a military version, the legendary “Sunderland Flying Boat” which saw service throughout WWII and beyond. During WWII the factory was moved to Belfast, and the company was nationalised. It continued making aircraft in Belfast until it was sold by the British Government to Bombardier in the 1980’s.
A social evening was held during the Christmas week organised by four members of the committee. Whilst enjoying wine and nibbles, we listened to carols sung by the Church choir, took part in a quiz and received a talk from Alan Button on ‘The Wardens’, Gary Evans spoke to us about ‘The Victorian Army in Contemporary Art’ and Barry Fisher and Celia Pocock told us about ‘The Wateringbury Players’. Visit the History Society site on
https://sites.google.com/site/wateringburylocalhhistory/, for further information
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
And so we start another WI year. A good time was had by all at our Christmas party, with plenty of food and crackers and our guests from other local WI branches.
The district carol service at Yalding church for WI members was well attended with carols being sung, and this was followed by refreshments.
Mrs Sandy Sharp entertained us at our January meeting with her talk on the history of Morris dancing - accompanied by music.
At our February meeting Mr John Mills will be giving a talk on the history of capital punishment.
As usual in 2012 we shall be meeting up monthly for our WI lunches, and also our monthly walks. Kathy Coates – 01622 814618
WATERINGBURY BABY & TODDLER GROUP
What a fabulous Christmas party! The best we’ve ever had! With the hall festively decorated in wreaths and Christmas trees from previous weeks’ craft activities, we were thoroughly entertained by the marvellous Music Mayhem followed by scrumptious party food and a surprise visit from Santa with presents for everyone. What good little boys and girls we have at toddler group! It seems such a long time ago now but the memories of smiling children will remain with us.
And now for a most exciting New Year at our group! Our theme for this term is animals. We’ve already enjoyed making hand puppets, animal masks and paper plate tortoises, and there will be special things to make this month for our loved ones for Valentine’s Day. Don’t just take my word for it; come and see for yourselves!
If there are any parents/guardians wishing to join our friendly group, our sessions are held on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10am to 12 noon at Wateringbury Village Hall. There is a small charge of £2 for the first child and £1 each for subsequent children over 12 months old. The children receive snacks and drinks half way through the session and there are free hot drinks for the adults. We also hire out our tables/chairs and toys in the hall; ideal for birthday parties, Christening celebrations etc. If you are interested please contact Tina/Linda on our usual number - 07506 735137.
WEATHER REVIEW 2011 Last year was a very varied one. Most people will remember a poor summer with above average rainfall and below average temperatures; however this does not reflect the rest of the year. We had some good weather in the spring and the autumn was exceptionally mild, with the rainfall being 165mm (6 ½“) less than average over the year. The sort of weather we have is dependent on where the low and high pressure systems cross the UK but when we get the low pressure systems they seem to be much deeper than we have been used to and this has caused the very strong winds we have experienced from time to time.
January 2012 started wet and mild with a cold snap in the middle of the month but as I write this the anticyclone which has been dominating is starting to recede so by the time you read this I expect we will have had some more warm, wet and windy weather. WWW
WHY DON’T THEY? (Let us have your suggestions for future issues)
Why don’t the manufacturers of energy sports drinks put a little more into the cans so that those who drink them will have enough energy to carry the empty can to the nearest bin instead of dropping the empties in the street?
BLACKTHORN
As we begin to wonder if this unseasonably mild weather will ever transform into a winter we might recognise, and Christmas and New Year merriments slowly fade to a distant memory, January brings excitement at Blackthorn for new events and fundraising ideas in the year to come.
In the Garden, the teams are hard at work clearing after last season and preparing for the next. So far, the hard frosts have not transpired, but work has been done to protect the more vulnerable new plants just in case. Composting, leaf mulching and bonfires - back-breaking work made more enjoyable by the temperate air and good, sustaining food from the Cafe. Contrary to some ideas, this is not a quiet time!
The kitchen is using lots of root vegetables at the moment, also kale, spinach, oriental greens and fresh herbs all harvested from our own Garden. Jerusalem artichokes make an unusual and tasty addition to our delicious fresh soups! A new batch of Seville Orange Marmalade has just been made and is on sale in the Café.
Fundraising Events this month
We will continue to run a market stall in the entrance to Sainsbury’s at Larkfield (as their Charity of the Year) on the last Saturday of each month and there will be a fundraising curry night at the Raja of Kent in Maidstone on February 29th, £20 per head (all details on our website).
Existing members don’t forget to renew your annual subscription by 31st January! If you are not a member and would like to join, please ask one of the bar staff for an application form or visit the web site where you can download one (www.testonclub.co.uk). New members are always welcome and you don’t have to live in Teston to join.
Sat 11th Feb – Jim’s “St Valentine’s” Quiz Night – starts 8pm. Complimentary food (could include some aphrodisiacs!!) and a raffle.
Fri 24th Feb – Teston Club AGM – starts 7.30pm.
February Wednesday Afternoons 2 – 4pm
1st - Age Concern – Katie, from the Maidstone branch, will be telling us about ways they can help and services they provide.
8th – Ronnie’s “Beat the Clock” quiz.
15th – Craft Afternoon – Bring along your latest efforts, knitting, crocheting, card-making,
22nd – German Flavoured Afternoon.
29th – Ronnie’s Bingo!
Cate, Trevor and Paul, Entertainments, Teston Club
THOUGHTS FROM THE VICARAGE 2 The Grange, East Malling ME19 6AH e-mail jamesbrown.brown21@gmail.com - Benefice office ( 01732 843282
Thank you for 10 Years
Over the past 10 years I have found myself writing Parish Magazine articles in all kinds of places and situations but never 30,000 feet up in an aeroplane. I do this in the hope that I am closer to divine inspiration! Actually I am en-route to Jerusalem for a Pilgrimage. I cannot believe that 10 years have passed since writing my first article to you (January 2002) and, although my feet were firmly on the ground, I look back and realise I was in full flight with my head very much in the clouds.
The 10 years have passed by so very quickly I can scarcely believe it. It has been hugely demanding, more so than I ever imagined, but so rewarding and exciting too. As I consider all that has taken place in the life of our Benefice I cannot help but reflect on how blessed I have been with the people I have met and who have been working alongside me during this time. It was obvious from the outset that without support from others I was not going to be able to function at all well. It proved to be the case and I have been met with such generous and enthusiastic support that much has been achieved. It has been such a wonderful experience and I thank each and every one of you for that, both within the church and the community. In this particular village I am very conscious of the support that the community offers the church, and without it we would certainly struggle to survive more than we currently do. Your support with the fundraising and maintenance of the churchyard and the church itself is particularly valued. So it seems appropriate for me, on the occasion of my 10th anniversary as your Vicar, to thank you for this support, commitment and friendship.
My hope, in response, is that I might continue to serve you for a number of years to come. For that is my understanding of all that I have been called to do. My Christian faith leads me to serve others because this is the example that the life of Jesus Christ has shown me. This includes standing up against the wrongs of this world, helping the sick and those in need and teaching the faith to others. That is what I seek to do and I have always sought to do my best in regard to this.
I believe that the life of the church is about the people and less to do with the institution and I have always approached my ministry with that in mind. This is because our lives are important to us and we need to look after one other as well as ourselves. When I first came to Wateringbury I quoted John Ruskin, a pre-Raphaelite 19th century Social Reformer and someone who has always inspired my thinking, stating "There is no wealth but life". I realise that I am blessed with much wealth not because I am paid well, you'll never be rich as a vicar, but because I have a fulfilled life living amongst and serving you all. I will continue in my ministry to you all with my feet firmly on the ground but please forgive me when, at those especially exciting times, my head is in the clouds. Those are the moments of real wealth!
God Bless and thank you. Revd Jim Brown
LUNCHES FOR LENT
A warm welcome awaits you at the Church of St John the Baptist Tonbridge Road Wateringbury on Wednesdays 29th February and 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th March 12.30 - 2pm. Why not pop in for a chat over soup and bread or cheese tomato and bread, with tea coffee or squash. Cheese sandwiches and small cakes available for children. Everyone welcome, voluntary donations invited for local charities. Transport available if needed locally. Further information please contact 01622 813032.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - FRIDAY 2 MARCH
This year the service will be in Leybourne Church at 10.30am. Do come along .and join your prayers and thoughts with Christians around the world.
BIG CHRISTMAS CARD
Once again members of the church family signed the big Christmas card to send their village friends Christmas greetings. They were invited to donate the money saved from sending individual cards to the 2011 chosen charity – Mercy Ships Africa. . An amazing £370 was raised to which Gift Aid of £82 will be added
MOTHERS’ UNION
The Benefice Mothers’ Union meets on Thursday 2 February at 1pm in East Malling Church. Visitors most welcome.
TWELFTH NIGHT QUIZ
The Quiz raised £134 for church funds and gave us something to tax our grey cells over the Christmas holidays. Congratulations to Gail Isted who won the first prize – a bottle of wine, and to runner up Eddie Scarlin who won a box of chocolates. Answers to the quiz can be found on the church website.
CAROL SINGING
The church choir entertained at The North Pole pub, Teston Farm Shop and the History Society’s Christmas meeting and collected £135 for Kenward House, Yalding. Thanks to all who donated and to the choir.
FROM THE REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM
16 October 2011 Grace Olivia Burrows and Eleanor May Settle
FUNERAL - 8 November 2011 Carole Jackson
QUEEN’S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS 3, 4, 5 JUNE
Plans are underway for a weekend of events at the church including a “Carpet of Flowers” and a Churchyard Fete on Bank Holiday Monday, cream teas, etc. Watch out for details in future issues of Rostrum.
LENT COURSE 2012 – NO ORDINARY MAN
This year we will be holding 5 group sessions for Lent under the heading of ‘No Ordinary Man’. There will be evening and daytime opportunities in the village church/vestry of St John the Baptist on the Tonbridge Road::
Monday Evenings: 27 February, 5, 12, 19 and 26 March. Coffee from 7.30-8.00pm with a talk and discussion 8-9pm
Wednesday Lunchtime 29 February and 7, 14, 21 and 28 March in the church vestry 1-2pm. There will be a crèche for small children in the church
There is no need to miss your lunch as the church will be open for light lunches from 12.30-2.00pm
Everyone from any denomination or none is very welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as they wish. A warm welcome awaits you.
CHURCH THANKS
Thank you to all who donated to the Bishop of Rochester’s Coats for Christmas Appeal, which will make funds available to help provide warm coats for young people. The magnificent sum of £900 was sent from Wateringbury to boost the fund.
The Innominata Christmas concert was a most enjoyable occasion which gave much pleasure and also raised £428 for church funds. Thanks to all who helped to raise this amazing sum.
BENEFICE CHURCH SERVICES Visit our website for full details www.wateringburychurch.org.uk
Sunday 5 February
8am Holy Communion – Teston
10am Matins - Wateringbury
9.45am Family Service – East Malling
9.45am Family Service - Teston
Sunday 12 February
8am Holy Communion – East Malling
10am Holy Communion - Wateringbury
9.45am Eucharist – East Malling
6.30pm Evening Prayer - Teston
Sunday 19 February
8am Holy Communion – Wateringbury
9.45am Eucharist – East Malling
10 am Family Service – Wateringbury
6.30pm Eucharist - Teston
Sunday 26 February First in Lent
8am Holy Communion – East Malling
9.45am Eucharist – East Malling
11.15am Eucharist - Teston
10am Holy Communion – Wateringbury
6.30pm Evening Praise - Teston
Every Monday – 2-3pm – Scout & Guide HQ, Glebe Meadow – Toddler Praise Tuesdays (not 1st in month) – 7.30pm in Wateringbury Church – Holy Communion Every Thursday - 9am in East Malling Church – Holy Communion
SPECIAL SERVICES
10th Anniversary of Benefice of East Malling, Teston and Wateringbury
At the 5 February Service there will be Thanksgiving for the Ministry of those who arrange the church flowers or help to keep the church clean.
Quiet Hour Wednesday 8 February 8-9pm. An opportunity for private prayer and meditation in peaceful surroundings. Come and go as you please.
Service of Healing and Wholeness Tuesday 7 February. This month the service will be in Teston Church at 8pm.
Ash Wednesday 22 February – Service of ashing and communion at 8pm in Wateringbury church.
Sunday’s Cool will meet in the church Vestry during the service on Sunday 26 February. Children of all ages welcome, but under 4s will need to bring an adult with them.
The Watch Club, the new club for young people in school year 6 and above meets fortnightly in the church between 5-7pm February meetings are 12 and 26 February. All welcome, details from Lisa on 01622 812661.
Fun with Faith is a club for children at primary school age which meets monthly. Details from Sally on 01622 817098
DECEMBER PARISH COUNCIL REPORT
Queen Elizabeth II Fields The Chairman reported that 84 residents had recorded their support on line for the registering of the village playing fields under the Queen Elizabeth Fields scheme to mark the jubilee. In due course the council will be notified as to the success of the application.
Jubilee Medals A letter had been received from the Friends of Wateringbury School asking if the Parish Council would consider supporting the purchase of Diamond Jubilee Medals from the Royal Mint for all the children at the school to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The medals cost £3.99. After discussion the Council agreed with the proposal in principle but suggested other quotes and possible samples were obtained first.
The Sports and Recreational Association requested a meeting with the council to discuss draft plans for an extension to the pavilion. After discussion it was agreed to invite the Association to give a presentation of its plans at the council meeting on 3 January.
Village Hall It was reported that the hall was very popular and bookings continued to be high. The chairman congratulated the hall committee on the high standard of upkeep with regular maintenance being done.
Highways and Transportation County Councillor Richard Long agreed to contact Kent Highways about a suggestion from a resident for rumble strips to be placed on the western entrance to the village.
An e-mail had been received from Teston Parish Council regarding the parking of cars in the slip road and on the grass triangle at the junction of Red Hill and Malling Road. These vehicles were parked when the car park for the North Pole pub was full and they were causing a sight line problem for vehicles turning from Malling Road on to Red Hill. Borough Councillor Simon Jessel asked for a copy of the email and said he would look into this matter with the Borough Council officials concerned.
Kent Highways had confirmed that the parking of vehicles on the grass verge at the junction of Tonbridge Road and Lodge Close was not allowed. A bollard could be erected to prevent cars parking on this green space.
Name change Councillor Simon Jessel reported that following the electoral boundary changes the district would be called Tonbridge District instead of Malling District.
Planning Applications the council had no objections to the following applications: part replacement extension at Little Canon 229 Canon Lane; single storey extensions to side and rear of 2 Upper Mill; retrospective application for removal of tall television aerial and erection of zone 1 disk quad LNB behind back chimney – 45cm diameter at Manor Farm. The council’s objections to the proposed front and rear ground floor extension and two storey side extension at 136 Bow Road can be read at T & M offices, Kings Hill.
JANUARY PARISH COUNCIL REPORT
Members of the Sports and Recreation Association gave a presentation giving full details of its draft plan to renovate the existing pavilion and extend it to create storage for equipment, extend the car park to the near-by boundary fence and remove the existing storage cabins from the bottom section of the field and landscape the area. Councillors unanimously supported the plans.
The budget for 2012/13 was unanimously approved. This would mean a slightly lower village precept than last year.
Cross Roads signpost An estimate for replacing and fixing the missing roundel had been received for just under £400. Councillors agreed to write to KCC to ask them to meet the cost of the replacement.
Burglary There was no official crime report but it was reported that there had been a burglary at a house in Phoenix Drive while the owners were away over the Christmas holiday.
Planning Applications the council’s comments on the following applications can be read at T & M offices, Kings Hill: Re-pitched roof with raised ridge to facilitate rooms in roof space, incorporation front and rear dormers and roof lights at Phoenix House, Phoenix Drive.
The next meeting of the Council will be on Tuesday, 7 February at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall meeting room. Residents most welcome
