Thank You for visiting Rostrum Wateringbury Village Free Magazine
Some find it easier to read the magazine in the Past Issues section
Welcome to the June edition of Rostrum
Welcome to the September edition of Rostrum
Village Diary
SEPTEMBER
6 Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – outside Hall
6 Wateringbury Players - AGM - 6.30pm - Hall
9 WI - Meritxell - River Cruising on luxury ships[CB1] - 7.30pm - Hall
15 Parish Council Meeting - 7.30pm – Hall Upper Room
16[CB2] History Society – Bob Ogly Kent in 20th Century - 7.40 pm - Hall
16 Flower Club - Leaf manipulation demo – 7pm - N’stead Hall
19 School 50th Birthday Celebration– Noon– 3pm– School
20 Village Market – 10am-1pm - Hall
20 Strawberry Tea party – 2-5pm - Westbery Manor, Manor Farm, Old Road
27 Jazz Advocates concert - 2-4pm - Church
OCTOBER
4 Footpaths Walk – 2.30pm – outside Hall
18 Village Market – 10am-1pm - Hall
21 History Soc – D.Collins Malling Poor Law Union - 7.40 pm - Hall
21 Flower Club – Halloween demo - 7pm - N’stead Hall
ROSTRUM’S VILLAGE AMENTIES FUND
The fund is open for applications to contribute to specific projects which benefit the village. These could be related to education, youth or senior services, heritage, worship, environment or sport, but others will be considered. It is unlikely that any individual grant will exceed £1,000. Applications should be made in writing to 
rostrum2@hotmail.com describing the project in no more than 200 words. On the basis of this initial proposal further information may be requested. Proposals should be received by 30th September for a decision shortly afterwards.
Terry Bird, Rostrum Treasurer
BE ALERT FOR ONLINE SCAMMERS
Recently an older resident was scammed out of many thousands of £s. Residents should be vigilant and are reminded:
Microsoft never contact individuals. If you are contacted,
it’s a scam
Banks never ask you to move your money and their staff are not trying to defraud customers. If you are told this, again it is
a scammer. If in doubt phone 159, UK Banks fraud line.
Always talk to a friend or relative or the bank fraud line before taking any actions.
VILLAGE PEOPLE Please let us have your news and tributes by 17th September for our October magazine. Entries are free.
Email rostrum2@hotmail.com
RIP
John Stephen Pattinson 29/07/1947 – 08/08/2026
It is with great sadness that we note that Steve Pattinson died on Saturday 8th August. He had a cardiac arrest while driving on the Tonbridge Road, his wife Val beside him. Steve used to deliver the Rostrum and will be known to many in Wateringbury. His funeral service will be held at Wateringbury Church
at 11am on Thursday 10th September. All welcome.
WATERINGBURY VILLAGE MARKET
Despite fewer sellers (21) due to holidays etc, nevertheless there was an excellent range of stalls on the 16th August, with 2 new sellers! Footfall was low but many new faces who’ve just discovered our unique market. Do call in,
if only for a coffee and snack. You will be surprised at the diversity of items on offer.
Use it or lose it as the saying goes!
Future dates: Sundays 20th September and
18th October 10am-1pm
STRAWBERRY TEA PARTY
The Strawberry Tea Party returns to the beautiful gardens of Westbery Manor on Sunday 20th September, from 2pm to 5pm. Come along and enjoy award-winning Hugh Lowe Farm’s strawberries and cream, homemade cakes and tea, a glass or two from the Pimm's tent and live harp music in the gardens.
There will be plenty for all the family, including traditional garden games, the children and adults rounders match, our World Famous egg-catching competition, a raffle and a selection of stalls. Bring a chair or picnic blanket, catch up with friends and enjoy a traditional afternoon in the wonderful surroundings of Westbery Manor.
Entrance is free and all proceeds from the afternoon will support the Friends of Wateringbury Church and our work to help preserve and maintain St John the Baptist Church. Sunday 20th September - 2pm–5pm Westbery Manor (Manor Farm), Old Road, Wateringbury
Jeremy Burgess
JAZZ ADVOCATES
CONCERT IN WATERINGBURY CHURCH
SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
2-4pm (doors open 1.30pm)
Tickets £8 from Post Office or on the Door
Refreshments with Licenced Bar
SCHOOL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION –
19th September – Noon – 3pm
This year marks a special milestone for Wateringbury Primary School: 50 years at its current site on Bow Road. Over that time, the school has been at the heart of many lasting friendships between pupils, parents and teachers/staff, past and present. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, FoWPS (The Friends of Wateringbury Primary School) will be holding a birthday party on 19th September 2026 (Noon – 3pm), and all former and current pupils, parents and teachers/staff are warmly invited to join the celebrations.
If you have any old photos or memories of the school, please share them with us. We hope to create a Memory Wall so everyone can look back and reminisce.
If you are in touch with old friends who have moved away from the village, please let them know about the event. It would be lovely to see as many familiar faces as possible.
If you would like to share memories or photos, please send them to fowpschairman@gmail.com.
MAIDSTONE FILM SOCIETY
CELEBRATES ITS 77TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR
Starting on 14th September the Society will screen 12 films from around the world on Monday evenings at 7.30pm at the Hazlitt Theatre. To find out more, visit Maidstone-film-society.org.uk or email info@maidstone-film-society.org.uk to join Membership for the year costs £54. Temporary membership for one film only costing £7 is available on the night immediately before the film screening.
Drayhorse Meadow
You may have been following a planning application submitted to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council by Croudace to erect 66 new homes alongside Fields Lane. T&M Officers recommended approval.
On 18th February this year, Planning Committee Councillors voted to refuse. However, under T&M’s constitution, that became only a recommendation for refusal, subject to Councillors receiving advice from Officers on the potential for, and scale of, costs that might be awarded, should Councillors confirm refusal and the applicant then appeal successfully to The Planning Inspectorate.
On 23rd July, the application returned to Committee. After considerable discussion, all members of the Committee were probably minded to refuse. However, two grounds for refusal were put forward (in essence “landscape” and “air quality”). A few Councillors were concerned about continuing with the second ground i.e. air quality, presumably judging that it was not strong, given Officer advice on the current and evolving situation at the village crossroads. Therefore, when the vote was taken with both grounds in the motion presented, the vote was “only” 10-3 for refusal. Nevertheless, that is now the end of this phase of consideration of the application.
It should be noted that Ward Councillors, Cllrs Matt Boughton and Sarah Hudson, played very strong roles in achieving refusal and Wateringbury Parish Council, Cllr Ken Hutchinson, spoke against.
Should the applicant decide to appeal to The Planning Inspectorate, those opposing the application would need to enter the fray once again. That would probably require the engagement of external consultants, if it were wished to pursue not only “landscape”, but also “air quality” as a ground for refusal. Opposing any appeal would require time and resource from Wateringbury Parish Council.
There is an albeit slight chance that the applicant may not appeal, recognising the strength of feeling and the grounds against development at this very visible and impressive location. Whether they would then choose to sell the land, and to whom, is an interesting subject.
News from Matt Boughton
With too many heatwaves to count over the past few months, will the summer of 2026 be remembered for the weather for years to come, just as the summer of 1976 was?
The impact of the drought we are now in is obvious in the fields surrounding the village and our farmers are suffering as much as anyone with the unusually dry and warm weather.
As a result, our water usage has increased but South East Water’s reputation remains in the gutter. For many months we have seen numerous instances of water supply being lost due to unplanned works or burst water mains.
Fortunately, we haven’t seen the worst of it. It is usually properties on higher ground which are most affected and, of course, our village sits on reasonably low ground given our proximity to the River Medway. But the potential for burst water mains is high regardless of which ground you sit on –
as can be seen in the issues in Tonbridge. That’s why it is important we are all prepared.
If you find it hard to get out, don’t have a car or close family nearby in the event of an emergency, we would strongly encourage you sign up to South East Water’s Priority Services Register. This means you get bottled water delivered straight to your door in the event water supply is ever lost to your home. You can sign up online by visiting https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/help/priority-services/ and there is a very quick form to complete. Alternatively, please call 0800 952 4000 and ask to be added to the register.
Anyone in need can sign up to the register, you don’t need to have a proof of ID. But if you don’t, then it may be harder to get bottled water delivered during any time of need.
Matt Boughton, Leader, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
Councillor for East Peckham, West Peckham, Mereworth and Wateringbury
WATERINGBURY PLAYERS
Everyone at The Wateringbury Players would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported this year’s pantomime, Peter Pan. Your enthusiasm, laughter and encouragement made every performance a wonderful success. Thanks to your incredible support, we have raised money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, our local church and school. Funds will also help us continue bringing quality community theatre to the area and support future productions. A special thank you to our cast, backstage crew, volunteers and everyone who gave their time and effort. We couldn’t do it without you!
We would also like to thank everyone involved in our Cabaret Show in July, which helped raise funds for the village hall.
Our AGM will take place on Sunday 6th September at 6.30pm at Wateringbury Village Hall. Existing members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in joining us, either on stage or backstage, please email wateringburyplayers@hotmail.co.uk . We look forward to seeing you at our next pantomime on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th February 2027!
WATERINGBURY SURGERY
After six years of dedicated service to our patients and practice, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Sohanpal, who is leaving the practice to begin an exciting new chapter in Canada. Dr Sohanpal’s last day will Thursday 10th September 2026.
Right to Choose providers have placed a hold on ADHD and Autism referrals due to increasing demand for their services, which will likely result in longer than usual waiting times for assessments. We can still refer; however, each provider will have a waitlist to manage and review, and new referrals may not be processed until April 2027. If you require further information, please contact the Right to Choose provider you have chosen for your assessment directly.
Keeping Your GP Registration Details Up to Date. Some patients may receive a letter asking them to confirm their personal details. If you receive a letter from Primary Care Support England (PCSE) or the surgery, please follow the instructions provided to confirm that your details are correct. You can usually respond by text message, online form or post. If you change your address, telephone number or other contact details, please let us know as soon as possible. Suzanne Large , Practice Manager
Wateringbury WI meets 2nd Wednesday of the month 7.30 to 9.30pm at the village hall.
We finished the first half of the year with an entertaining evening with Pete Benson, a film props man who had some great stories to tell. Going to the pub with Elizabeth Taylor being one of them. And how creating a giant egg and making the albumen with wallpaper paste resulted in a very sticky situation and the clean-up took longer than expected.
At the end of July a few of us had a lovely relaxing morning on the Kingfisher boat that goes from Bow Bridge Marina, some of us helped with the opening and closing of Teston lock and we sailed down towards East Farleigh bridge. We stopped for a short break to eat our picnic lunches and then made our way back to the Marina.
We didn't have an evening meeting in August but we got together for a coffee morning at the Old Police House in Bow Road organised by Rosemary.
Our next meeting is on 9th September when we will be welcoming Meritxell who will talk about River Cruising on luxury ships. And we will also be taking a day trip to Sissinghurst Castle.
Visitors welcome £3, refreshments £1, raffle £1
For more information email us on Wateringbury@wkfwi.org.uk
Sharon Goshawk President
Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers
For full details of longer walks in Tonbridge and Malling area, please see www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk[CB3]
NETTLESTEAD AND WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
We would like to start with saying a warm welcome to all our old families coming back after the summer break and to all our new families joining us. We would also like to wish all our school leavers all the best on starting their new adventure at ‘big’ school, you all will be missed by everyone here. We are looking forward to hearing all the updates .
We will start the term by celebrating Autumn, exploring the changing season around us with the children. With the children we will be collecting natural resources for them to use in their play and craft activities. Together we will look at hibernating animals, exploring bugs and making bird feeders for the children to hang up outside the setting. We will also be touching on farming and harvest; the children will help with planting some vegetables to watch them grow linking it to the life cycles of a plant. The children will help with looking after the vegetables and once grown they can use what they have to make some yummy soup for everyone to try at snack time .
September 2026: some spaces still available in our wrap around and preschool sessions (Government funding accepted).
Please email enquiries@nwps.org.uk for more information
WATERINGBURY FOOTPATH GROUP
Although I am unable to lead the walks at the moment, the Footpaths Group had group walks on the first Sunday in both July and August, thanks to Lucy and Janet, who chose and lead the walks. As the heat built in the summer, one of our usual Sunday afternoon walks was changed to set off in the morning to avoid the heat later in the day.
In July and August both group walks followed different routes in the woods between Wateringbury and Kings Hill. The woods give some welcome shade and have a lot of tracks, only a few of which are actually public footpaths. If you aren’t familiar with these woods, it is easy to get lost in them (which I frequently did when I first explored them for myself). Even if someone has led you on a walk through them it can be tricky to repeat it on your own. The difficulty is increased by seasonal wood cutting that goes on in the wood. I have sometimes found it hard to recognise where I am as it looks so different when tall trees that limited the view are suddenly replaced by an open area dotted with tree stumps. The trees grow back over the next few years, changing the view again and creating new landmarks for your route.
We have dropped the weekday morning walks for now and I am using WhatsApp to tell most of the walkers when and where we are going to meet (other people I text). If you want to join us, please let me have your mobile number. Everyone is very welcome to join our sociable group walks.
Currently it is planned that walks will leave the village hall at:
· 2.30pm on Sunday 6th September
· 2.30pm on Sunday 4th October.
Lisa Dean 07759 539032
Wateringbury Flower Club
In August, we welcomed Graham King with his fabulous Beauty in Sculpture presentation. His magnificent sculptures were all made in various flower arranging techniques, wires, ribbon, wool and fabric and variety of colours to compliment them. Members of Maidstone Flower club joined us for this meeting. All took part in a club competition of the same name. Lots of colourful entries and judging took longer than anticipated. All members went home very happy with the designs won from a £1 raffle ticket!
Join us on Wednesday the 16th September for our in-house workshop to try out Leaf Manipulation, this workshop will be run by our committee. We meet at 7 for 7.30pm (visitors £10) in Nettlestead Village Hall. Jean Schofield
TESTON AND WATERINGBURY PRESCHOOL
I am very much looking forward to welcoming our children back from their summer holidays and meeting our new little ones who are joining us this term. To our school leavers, we wish you an exciting first day at your new schools. We look forward to seeing photos of you, smart in your new uniforms.
This term, we will be exploring one of the children’s favourite books, Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy. The story follows Baby Bear as he sets off on an imaginative trip to the moon before bath time. Each week, as we read a few pages together, the children will be encouraged to use their imagination while learning about the stars, the moon, friendship, and preparing a healthy picnic.
On 9th September, we will celebrate National Teddy Bear Day. Children are invited to bring their favourite teddy bear from home to join in the fun. During this term our lending library will run where the children can choose their own book to take home to share with their family.
If you would like your child to be part of this amazing pre-school family please contact: Tina Driver: 07805 796353
testonpreschooladmissions@gmail.com Also find us on Facebook too!
Gardening for Wildlife
This has been the most challenging Summer that I can remember, both for humans and wildlife, with these conditions likely to become more frequent. It is worth putting a shallow dish of fresh water out daily with a few stones in to allow smaller animals to climb out. This could benefit anything from insects to birds, hedgehogs and other mammals, as all creatures need water.
It’s worth installing water butts to collect precious rainwater or even adding a pond which benefits wildlife and is a source of fascination for all ages.
If you already have a pond, it’s a good idea to cover it with a net now to prevent leaves from falling in.
Plants have performed poorly but should be deadheaded regularly to prevent them setting seed which weakens the main plant and may encourage more flowers later in the season.
Any long grass remaining can be cut now, left for a week or so for any flower seeds to drop, then raked up and added to the compost heap. Well-rotted compost can be used as a mulch to cover the ground once we eventually get some rain! Pauline Knutton
WATERINGBURY GUIDES
So, did you see it? We had some excellent publicity for the launch of the new Girlguiding uniform for all ages including leaders. We were on Breakfast TV, and many of the news headlines. The new uniform was designed based on feedback from 55,000 members so we’re sure the girls will like it.
We had a visit to Mote Park Water Sports for kayaking and pedaloes, and our young twin honorary members who are four years old, steered myself, Emily and Sharon very ably around the lake! We ended the term at Aqua Chimp at Yalding where we tackled the ‘slip n slide’ followed by the jungle ropes.
Our weekend on the canal boat was somewhat problematic with bad traffic on the way up, and the M1 closed on the way back. Lancelot played its part by refusing to start on Saturday morning so we had to make a hasty debunk to Guinevere which thankfully was moored alongside. We still managed six locks, one tunnel nearly two miles long, seven locks, another slightly shorter tunnel and a tricky junction turn before mooring for the night. We climbed the nearest steep hill to sit watching the sun go down just before the longest day and it was a wonderful sunset.
If you have a daughter who would love to join these activities, there are still spaces in brownies (aged 7-10), and guides (aged 10-15) in Wateringbury so please register your daughter on
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-a-child/
Sheena Stewart and team.
Rainbows
We had a great end to our summer term taking part in the region's Castles and Palaces event. Thanks to a National Trust educational pass, we headed to Ightham Mote for the morning. We enjoyed a walk, time in the natural play area before exploring the house with an I spy quiz. Some stayed on longer to enjoy a picnic on a hot sunny Saturday. How many of us did it take to hug the biggest tree there? 5 Rainbows, 1 Young Leader and a leader, with much giggling too.
Our last meeting was Teddy Bear themed with fun games and a Teddy Bear's Picnic with families after our awards and promise ceremonies. We gave out a bumper crop of badges including bronze and silver awards and officially welcomed Phoebe and Maddie to our unit. It's been a great year and we look forward to restarting in September for more fun, friendship and adventures. For more information about us, contact WateringburyRainbows@outlook.com Tiffany
REV GARY WRITES
The Rectory, 72 The Street, Mereworth ME18 5NA
gary.rev@outlook.com ( 01622 813178
‘Come, behold the works of the LORD.’ Psalm 46 verse 8.
It has been a summer of record-breaking temperatures. I’ve been reading a book by an eminent British geologist who points out that for the last 2 million years Britain has been in a cool period and that over the course of the entire planet’s long history the usual condition has been for the climate to be warmer and the sea levels higher than has been the case since man has been on the scene. And man’s activities seem to be helping the planet back into that warmer state!
I’m not a ‘climate-change sceptic’ but I do think it’s good to get the best perspective possible on the history of planet earth and the changes it has gone through. The past 250 years of geological and palaeontological investigation have opened up for us a view of our planet and its history that is simply mind-blowing. Those sandy beaches some of us were enjoying on our holidays in the UK have come from sandstone rocks that have been eroded. Some of that sandstone was laid down about 200 million years ago during the Triassic period under desert conditions when parts of the British Isles were only 20/30 degrees north of the equator! Pick up any good book on earth sciences and you’ll find many more examples of this sort. Read enough of it and you’ll come away with a point of view that will help you put into perspective the climate ‘extremes’ we are experiencing today.
Some people may take such knowledge and say, “There you are, man is having no effect on this planet that it hasn’t experienced before – don’t worry about climate change!” I most certainly do not take that view because I believe this planet and all life on it is God’s creation and we are here to look after it. But the view I do take, and what I, as a Christian, take away from the knowledge given us by workers in the natural sciences is that God has chosen to bring us into being over the course of millions of years and our growing understanding of the great work of God seen in the existence of Earth and the life on it should move us to want to know our creator. This is why I believe in Jesus. I believe he shows us who the creator is, what He is like and the way of life that will draw us ever closer to Him. This planet and the life on it are amazing. How wonderful it is that we can know the one who is behind it all and holds it all in His hands.
Rev Gary Townsend
Rector of Mereworth, Wateringbury and West Peckham
WATERINGBURY CHURCH SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER
Benefice website www.mwwpchurches.org
A friendly welcome awaits you at all Sunday Services which start at 10am and last for about an hour.
Each service has an easy to follow booklet.
Refreshments are served after these services please stay for fellowship.
Tuesday 1st September - 10am - Prayer and Praise Service at Meadow View Court led by David Garland
Sunday 6th - 10am – Morning Praise led by Barry Fisher
Saturday 12th - 3-5pm - Messy Church (for children and their carers). This month will be held in Mereworth Rectory garden).
Please note change of date and venue
Sunday 13th - Holy Communion with Rev Gary Townsend
Sunday 20th - 10am - All Age Worship led by Betty Earl and David Garland
A less formal service of praise and prayer with well-known hymns
Sunday 27th - 10am – Benefice Communion with Rev Gary with your choice of receiving individual healing prayer in the side aisles.
REFRESH – Praise, Prayer and Discussion
Sunday 27th - 5-6pm in Mereworth Church
An informal service in which we explore some fundamental questions about the Christian Faith. The topic will be Christian Behaviour Part 6 – Faith From C S Lewis’ book Mere Christianity
Sunday 3rd October - 10am – Harvest Praise with Barry Fisher
MESSY CHURCH
September Messy Church will be taking place in the Rectory garden (The Street, Mereworth) on Saturday 12th September. We'll be enjoying fun for all the family including games, craft, songs, a short bible story and much more!! To know more about Messy Church please do get in touch with us at messychurchwateringbury@outlook.com we'd love to hear from you!
COFFEE BREAK – 9th and 23rd September 10.30am-12.30pm
in the church social area.
Do come along and enjoy coffee/tea and home-made cake and meet others from the village. Suggested donation £1.
Gillian Sessions 01622 813076
JULY PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
Ken Hutchinson, Chairman, outlined the work on the PC’s website to make it more accessible and on digitising cemetery records as the priority in the next few months.
Borough and KCC Councillor Sarah Hudson reported on the reorganisation of local government in Kent which will set up 4 unitary authorities: West Kent, North Kent, Mid Kent and East Kent. West Kent will include Tonbridge and Malling, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone. The wards' boundaries have not been established yet. There will 18 or 19 councillors in the new West Kent unitary authority.
The local plan will be published by the end of August, followed by a vote on local special strategy and road network to find solutions to improve a few difficult junctions, including Wateringbury Crossroads.
The proposal to build 30 houses in Red Hill has been cancelled as the land has the best agricultural grade 1 soil. Another proposed development behind the Telephone exchange property has been withdrawn and removed from the local plan. The developer has not consulted South East Water for approval. Also, Croudace, who are applying to build houses in Fields Lane, have not secured water supply to the site. Water supply in our area is problematic and currently houses along the Seven Mile Road in Mereworth have no running water and rely on bottled water.
Fly-tipping continues to be a problem. Sarah advised that householders contacting a trader to remove and dispose of their domestic waste, (bulky items, a house or garage clearance, garden waste or scrap metal), are obliged to check their waste carrier license. This can be checked on the Environment Agency website. Not checking the waste carrier licence carries a fine of up to £1,000.
Christmas Meal For Residents – It was agreed to hold a festive lunch for parishioners at The Railway on Monday 7th December. There are 36 seats available. The cost will be £17 per person. Closing date for bookings is
2nd November.
QE2 Playing Fields boundary fence with the school - the Parish Council decided to cover the cost of fence replacement from its reserve funds. Two more quotes will be requested from other companies before the final decision is made.
The track from Fields Lane – a quote was received to patch up two major holes in the track for £3,000. The Clerk will find out from the trader the lifespan of the repair.
Allotments a new survey of the plots is necessary to establish the number of plots available for rent, the boundaries of the plots, further clearance of the site. The upkeep of the allotments is costly to the PC who will look at the budget to identify necessary funds for the work to continue providing allotments to comply with the 1950 Allotment Act.
Wateringbury PC website – the Chairman and Clerk are working with Aubergine, designers specializing in accessible websites for parish councils, to make the website inclusive for people with disabilities to meet the required standard. There is a tremendous amount of work involved but Ken Hutchinson expects the new version will be ready by the end of the year.
Cemetery - seven graves are not attended and some are covered with brambles. Th Parish would like to clear the unsightly growth but will try to establish if by law they are able to do so. The Parish are also undertaking the exercise of digitising the cemetery ledgers to establish which of 390 plots marked as empty are in fact are occupied. It involves digitising files and cross checking with the existing map the purchased and available plots. It is likely that the number of empty plots will diminish.
Police report - in June the local police received 22 calls, including one about rogue traders knocking on the door offering repairs needed to the property. The warning from the police is not to engage cold callers. They frequently charge more on completion than the agreed quote, claiming the additional cost of materials or work to deal with unforeseen problems. The advice is to use a registered company to carry out any work and always to obtain a quote in writing. Suspected scammers should be reported to the police.
Speedwatch - during 6 speedwatch sessions in June out of 1,401 vehicles observed, 169 were speeding. 22 letters were sent to repeat (once or twice) offenders and a letter was hand delivered by the police to one driver for his fourth offence in the last year. 2 letters sent to high end offenders (45+ mph in 30 mph zone) and 1 vehicle's details have been passed to officers for active enforcement, 2 vehicles were not taxed.
Planning Applications considered without objection
40 Phoenix Drive ME18 5DR - Erection of an open sided timber frame car port
Woodlands Edge, 59 Teston Road ME18 5BG - Demolition of garage and erection of a detached garage with annexe and solar panels to roof slope
The Thatched House, 1 Mill Lane ME18 5PE - Hornbeam to reduce by 2 m
Oast Cottage, 147 Canon Lane ME18 5PQ - Tile repairs to the north roof
Correction to June PC notes
KCC has decided to raise the cost of school children’s bus passes by £35 per child. This will take the cost of the Kent Travel Saver to £615, or £170 for low income families. The actual cost of the pass is around £1,300 so still provides excellent value for money. This can be paid for monthly to help with budgeting.
Our apology for any inconvenience.
Next meeting is Tuesday 15th September at 7.30pm in the Hall Upper Room.