Thurnham Parish News
Charity explains its ‘hubs’ idea
NEW support groups for elderly people are about to be set up in villages across the borough. The community “hubs” are the idea
of Age Concern, whose Maidstone chief executive officer Paul Coles (pictured) spoke to Thurnham councillors about the potential for establishing one lo- cally.
Lenham, Staplehurst and Yalding are
Meetings normally held on the third Monday of each month at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.
CHAIRMAN: Richard Morley CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173
It’s No to CPRE membership
THE council decided not to be- come a member of countryside campaign group CPRE because of a potential conflict of inter- est.
The Kent branch of the body, which seeks to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diver- sity of rural England, was very active during the KIG inquiry, said council chairman Dick Morley. But Cllrs Richard Jacques and Anna Bloomfield both warned the council could be in a difficult position if it took an opposite view to the CPRE over a future issue.
already keen on the scheme, said Mr Coles, who added: "Our vision is to have a circle of hubs around Maid- stone." Age Concern's aim is to support the
informal network of help that already exists in the community, such as that provided by church, WI
Precept goes up but it’s still ‘excellent value’
THE average Thurnham household will pay £3.36 extra for its parish services in the coming year, making a total of £31.91. The parish council set its 2011-12 precept at £13,060, a rise
of just over 10% on last year. It is the first increase for two years and is partly due to Maidstone Council cutting all parishes' concurrent functions grant by 30%. Cllr Richard Jacques said a 10% increase sounds quite a lot
but it should be viewed in terms of what it actually means in cash terms. A Band D property will pay £21.69. Cllr Richard Smith said it “represented excellent value”.
Bridleway to get 75 more trees
THE Len Valley Countryside Partnership is to plant 75 trees along bridleway KH123, which leads from the motorway bridge inWater Lane to its end at the PilgrimsWay. Theywere donated from the Kent County Council Free Tree scheme and will supplement tree planting carried out two years ago.
and other voluntary groups. For example, by en- suring there is someone to walk an old person's dog or providing a driver for a minibus to take old folks out for the day. Mr Coles said it was hoped to get
younger people involved, making it "cross-generational". Age Concern hopes to work alongside parish councils. In Staplehurst, for ex- ample, it could help the council to draft its emergency plan by identifying where at-risk residents live. Thurnham vice-chairman PeterWaite said that, in principle, the scheme was
worth backing but it would be discussed further at the parish's next meeting on February 21.
Action promised
on latest potholes COUNTY councillor Jenny Whittle said heavy snowand ice had left local roads in a “pretty awful” state. She said Kent Highways were
doing emergency repairs and would be sending out “find and fix” gangs to tackle potholes. Thurnham councillor Jeff Pilking-
ton said ice had “destroyed” all pre- vious repairs near the railway bridge inWater Lane. Cllr Whittle said last year's repairs
had held up reasonably well and that emergency repairs would be done “as and when”. She also stressed that highway re-
pairs were being protected at a time when KCC is making big cuts else- where. “It is a top priority for us,” added
Cllr Whittle.
MAIDSTONE PHOTO FACTORY
We have moved!! Come and find us at our new premises The Granary Studio
Foremans Walk, Headcorn Tel 01622 730730
Film processing “drop-off” service available at: Invicta Craft Shop, Newnham Court Shopping Village on Mon - Wed - Fri
www.maidstonephotofactory.co.uk
10 East Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56