Dismay expressed over low gardening turnout


DISAPPOINTMENT was stressed that only one member of the public attended the parish coun- cil’s clear-up day. The widely advertised event - the second in re-


cent months - brought together parish councillors and family members. Cllr Fabienne Hughes said: “Considering the


size of the parish it was highly disappointing. “As councillor I have got my hands dirty on two


The Villager


Bearsted offers ‘good value’ to


parishioners IN 2011/12, Bearsted Parish Council will precept its parish- ioners a lower rate than 25 of the other 35 parish councils in Maidstone. This statistic was used by Cllr Richard Ash, who suggested that the council offers good value for money. The council decided to in- crease its precept for 2011/12 by £5,000 to a total of £95,000, which works out at £26.01 per Band D property for the year. The whole increase for 2011-


12 will be placed into a reserve fund to allow the purchase of land or buildings in the future. This was considered the best way for the council to preserve the green areas around the vil- lage. The fund is being set up this spring using the money raised by last year’s Music on the Green event.


Age Concern hub IT was felt that Bearsted Parish Council should consider acting as a hub for Age Concern and other organisations. However, hall availability


was deemed a stumbling block. A suggestion was made to set up something in Bearsted Li- brary or one of the community halls in the parish.


dates - as have most of the other councillors. We have worked hard, got wet and were helped by our children. “I am really disappointed because if we want a


nice parish we need to have a good look at our own backyards. “Most of us have children, some of us have


work and busy lives, but a bit ofwork wouldn’t go amiss.”


Not the parish council’s responsibility after all?


A QUESTION mark was raised about the parish councils responsibility for the war memorial, located close toHoly Cross Church. The issue unexpectedly


came up for discussion after the clerk received a local newspaper article dat- ing back to 1919. This stated that, at the dedication of the memorial service, the then parish council chairman re-


Support for elderly scheme COUNCILLOR Trevor Smith gave his support for a scheme that supports elderly people, which has been hit with a funding cut. Since 2005, Brighter Futures has helped maintain the inde- pendence of older citizens in the borough. KCC has announced it can no longer fund the scheme, based at Maidstone Community Support Centre in Marsham Street, due to financial constraints. Team leader PeterWay says there is enough funding to last to the end of the year, but nothing beyond that. He said: “Our fund manager Barbara Dagger is currently work-


ing extremely hard putting together a proposal to secure long-term (five years) funding from the Big Lottery, and we are putting our hopes in this being approved.” Cllr Smith said the project is something that benefits residents


in Bearsted and gave his support for its retention. For information on the scheme, go to: www.vam-online.org.uk


Aggravated burglary PCSO Jim Stevens reported that an aggravated burglary had taken place while an elderly womanwas asleep in her home in Tower Lane. He also said that items were stolen in break-ins at four block garages in Merton Road.


Lighting project for this year


Substitute clerk WENDY Licence, wife of parish councillor Geoff,was present at the most recent meeting to learn how the parish council works, since she will be cover- ing the parish council office when clerk Helen Elstone is on holiday. During these periods, the office will be open from 9am to noon only.


New shop proposal A QUESTION was raised re- garding the proposed florist, furniture and coffee shop for Yeoman Court. It was thought this might re-


quire a planning application re- questing change of use, but nothing had yet been received.


THE Church Landway lighting project should be going ahead in the spring, with the lights ready for next autumn. The council has been able to fund this with a mixture of ex- ternal funding and prudent cuts in other areas.


This page is sponsored and edited by:


Bearsted Parish Council www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk


24 East


Office to home COUNCILLORS raised no ob- jection to the proposed conver- sion of store and office to a one-bedroom home at The Barn, Thurnham Lane.


Chairman:


quested that the bishop commit the war memorial to the care of the local vicar and church war- dens. If this remains the case, the council raised the question as to why the war memorial is still on its asset register and insur- ance policy. It wasagreedtoallow the


clerk to undertake further in- vestigations on the issue before reporting back her findings to members.


Green justification THE presence of 19 stalls at the February event helped justify the council’s decision to move the farmers’ market from Madg- inford Hall to The Green. The market has been held


there since December, and its popularity has increased. However, it was felt that an alternative method of entering The Green would be required on the occasions of heavy rain- fall.


Party go-ahead THE Christmas party for the elderly - delayed due to the De- cember snow - took place with 57 people attending the event, which was organised by PCSO Jim Stevens and community warden Dawn Riach-Brown.


Council resignation COUNCILLOR Kevin Street has resigned from the parish coun- cil. The chairman has written thanking him for his contribu- tion to the council.


Snow preparation PARISH council chairman Cllr Chris Dyke said he would spend money from his mem- ber’s allowance on a snow plough attachment to be used in inclement weather.


Sycamore request THE council backed a plan to fell a sycamore tree at Old Tim- bers, The Green, but called for it to be replaced with a semi- mature tree.


Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:


01622 630165


clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Chris Dyke


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk Clerk: Helen Elstone


MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERYWELCOME


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