YOUNGSTERS from an Irish dance school were jumping with joy after achieving success in a major competition. Thirty pupils, aged from six to


Francesca’s Irish dancers’ major success Festive first for village without a


18, from the Reel Eire School of Irish Dance travelled with their families and friends to Dorset to compete in the Celtic National and European Championships. The school came away fromthe weekend competition with four Celtic National and European champions, 14 top five podium places and 21 top 10 places in all. Reel Eire’s principal Francesca


Heskett, 23, of Teapot Lane, Aylesford, said: “We are over the moon and could not have hoped for better results at our first CNEC. I am very proud.” The competition is the biggest


of the year held by the Celtic As- sociation of Irish Dancing. The school was set up three


years ago with the help of the Prince’s Trust business pro- gramme and has grown from two students to 120. Classes for all ages and abilities


are taught at St Nicholas’s Church, Allington, and Linton Village Hall as well as in Ashford.


Principal Francesca Heskett with her four champi- onship winners.


Christmas tree DEVELOPERS Taylor Wimpey have been thanked by Leybourne Parish Council for providing what is thought to be the vil- lage’s first public Christmas tree. To celebrate, the council organised carol singing around the 20ft tree at the Donkey Field on CastleWay. Residents were invited to join St Peter’s


and St Paul’s Church choir, along with children from the primary school and pre- school. Following the singing, visitors en- joyed reduced bar prices at the village hall, courtesy of the parish council. Chairman Cllr Bob Ulph said: “It’s won-


derful to have our very own tree and we cannot thank TaylorWimpey enough. “We are hoping we can make this event


an annual occurrence as it’s something that can really pull the community to- gether.” He also thanked PCSO Lia Bishop and


parish council clerk Julie Pilbeam for ar- ranging the tree with the builders behind the Birling Grange development on the site of the former Leybourne Grange manor house and hospital. The parish council had been resigned to another Christmas without a village tree after funding cuts meant there was no cash to spare.


DownsMail In touch with your parish


Addington Council KHS apology


A LETTER had been received from Kent Highways, apologis- ing for the oversight in not seek- ing the views of the parish council in the consultation process for the recent A228 di- version. The letter also apolo- gised that KHS had given out false information to a member of the public that the parish council had been consulted when this had not been the case. A member of the public ad-


vised that a further neolithic stone had been found under the surface of Park Road following the recent investigations into cracks in the road. This had been covered up and the road made good. It was reported that a number


of horse chestnut trees along the A20 and on the boundary of the golf course were diseased. Members would investigate and report back at the next meeting. The following planning ap- plications were considered: Londerek, East Street, loft con- version and extension – no ob- jection; Westleigh, Clearway, garden deckingwith steel struc- ture – no objection; Southfield, St Vincents Lane, detached garage – no objection; West Wing, Ford Place, Ford Lane, listed building application for porch and canopy – no objec- tion; Fiddling, St Vincents Lane, documentation regarding renaming of property to Brook- field House noted; land adja- cent Downland, Sandy Lane,


24 Malling


vehicle access to serve new dwelling – no objection. With regard to the building at


the rear of Mayhill Bungalow, in London Road, it had been es- tablished that it had been there since 1999 and was therefore immune from any action under the planning acts. No further ac- tion could be taken. The village hall committee


would be preparing a business plan with proposals to finance a renewable energy scheme and a new storage shed. There had been a number of reports about vehicles driving across the village green and causing ruts. It was agreed to monitor the situation.


Aylesford Council Work meeting


MEMBERS were invited to at- tend a liaison meeting with Kent Highways to discuss pro- posals for work required in the parish.


Community Warden Dave Leipnik had received comments on the parish council car park survey that residents were con- cerned at the narrow access to the proposed car park and the need for lighting and CCTV. PCSO Julie Stoner reported


there had been one crime in Ec- cles – vandalism to the sculp- ture being created on the recreation ground. Enquiries were ongoing but there was no evidence so far. The children who won the


Stranger Danger sign competi- tion would be collecting prizes from British Legion Industries.


The signs would be delivered to the parish council for siting at the recreation ground. PCSO Rose Sparrowhawk re- ported there had been a number of thefts from vehicles in the Walderslade/ Bluebell Hill area. Car security was therefore being targeted in the next few weeks. Cemex Quarry management reported that problems with trespassing and vandalism were reduced this summer, which was thought to be partly due to publicity, letters and vis- its to schools by the PCSOs. This would be repeated next year.


PCSO Sparrowhawk was working with the welfare officer at Aylesford Sports College tar- geting Premier Parade particu- larly in the mornings to prevent litter and groups gathering past school start time. A meeting with residents, shopkeepers, parish and borough representa- tives, the community warden and the police was well bal- anced and productive. Shops would be putting up notices about litter. PC Mark Beresford was asked


about the police action over the on-going problem with graffiti around Aylesford village. He reported that police had a sus- pect and were gathering evi- dence before making an arrest. A councillor asked if large ve-


hicles could be prevented from parking on the small grass verge at the bottom of Lower Warren Road. The verge had been destroyed and the condi- tion encouraged fly-tipping. County Cllr Peter Homewood


agreed to look into this.


Birling Council Litter meeting


IN response to the parish coun- cil’s concerns about the amount of litter along Snodland Road and leaves on the footpath by The Bank, Tonbridge and Malling Council had suggested a meeting. No crimes had been reported


in the Birling area during the previous month. The following planning ap- plications had been received: 19 Ryarsh Road, Birling, felling and replanting of trees – notifi- cation that Tonbridge and Malling Council raised no ob- jection; 117-119 Sandy Lane, Snodland, disabled annex – no- tification that the borough had refused permission; 1 Snodland Road, Birling, application to re- duce lower bough of walnut tree – parish council had no comment.


Ditton Council Tree volunteer


A RESIDENT had expressed an interest in becoming the tree warden for Ditton. There were no costs involved but a dona- tion would be made to BTCV for training. It was reported that a portable


speed indicator device could be purchased for around £2,000. Information on Speed- watch would be obtained so that this could also be consid- ered. Continued on page 30


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40