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fouling in the cemetery. It was stressed that the civic dog war- den could prosecute. The chairman read out an


email about anti-social behav- iour on the playing field. She agreed that there had been re- cent trouble but claimed this had been dealt with. Compared to a few years ago, she felt things had been trouble-free. She told the meeting that the


setting up of the youth club had been unavoidably delayed, but hoped this would soon be moved forward, with the assis- tance of the YMCA. Ms Lovattt stated that some matters connected with anti-so- cial behaviour did not relate to Loose youths. She suggested residents keep a diary of any such future incidents. Cllr Roy Hood reported on damage to items in the playing field. The CCTV was men- tioned, and the cost to upgrade it. As Albany Funerals had a CCTV camera, assistant clerk Anne Rigby agreed to find out if they could offer support. The clerk confirmed that Brownies meetings were to re- turn on Tuesday evenings only. The chairman read out a letter regarding a request to have greyhound dogs on Brooks Field during the annual duck race. Members agreed to allow this, as in previous years. The licence agreement with


KCC for the Sure Start Children’s Centre at Loose was signed. The leasing of the shed on Brooks Field by the Loose Amenities Association was dis- cussed and it was agreed that three months’ notice would be given for the LAA to cease using the shed and a new agreement drawn up for its use. The Big Lottery application


for Brooks Field was discussed and it was agreed to seek addi- tional support for the project. It was reported that a lime


tree opposite The Chequers Inn, planted by Jacobs Babtie to re- place the felled lime tree, would be discussed by the en- vironment committee. The chairman said that any-


one interested in the Poppy Party weekend on June 10-12 should contact the clerk. Simi- larly, if anyone was interested in a tour to mark the opening of the YMCA Centre they should contact the clerk.


Marden Council Library concern


A MEMBER of public raised concerns over the library and hoped that there would be a public consultation if anything was going to happen with the li- brary. Councillors assured that any proposals by KCC would be discussed with the public. Marden Business Forum re- ported that training funds from Skills South East would end in


April. A total of 212 people have been trained. A suggestion had been made


to pot the donated trees for a couple of years and then possi- bly consider planting at the cemetery. A plaque would be erected to indicate that the trees were donated by Marden Pre- School. Four new picnic benches had


been purchased for Southons Field. The clerk was trying to arrange a meeting with South- ernWater to discuss Sovereigns Way and the playing field. The council agreed to donate


£200 to the Marden History Group. A councillor joined a Kent


Highway Services officer on a visit to potential flooding spots in the parish. A gardener at Woolpack House was to dig out a ditch to help resolve the flooding prob- lem inWinchett Hill. A letter had been received


from a resident regarding trains not stopping at Marden. The clerk was to contact the resident for times and to ask that if it happens again it should also be reported to Southeastern. Concern was raised over a


lack of cleanliness of High Street footpaths as they had not been swept/cleaned for months. Borough Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gra- cie was asked to look into this.


Staplehurst Council Vodka bottles


THE village caretaker had con- tinued to pick up empty vodka bottles at Surrenden Playing Field and the police had been informed. It was agreed to re- view the polecat camera trial in the alcohol control zone. A damaged downpipe at The Parade toilets had been re- ported. Details of the Explore Kent


Walking Festival, running from July 18 to August 7, had been sent to Staplehurst Society and Footpath Group and councillors asked for the parish walks to be promoted through a display or a talk in the library. Councillor Roger Munn had approached two landowners on behalf of the allotments project group but neither had made of- fers of land. Those on the wait- ing list would be written to with an update on progress. Maidstone Council had with- drawn support for a clean-up on the edge of the village. Cllr Margaret Arger, Cllr Paul Butcher and Cllr Joan Buller agreed to meet Staplehurst So- ciety members to consider or- ganising a clean-up within the village boundary. Councillor Paul Kelly re- ported that the street sweeping project would be supplemen- tary to Maidstone Council’s ex- isting work and no additional


funding was likely. Cllr Paul Kelly had again


been required to unblock the Bell Lane toilets. The clerk would find out whose respon- sibility The Parade toilets were. Vice-chairman Cllr Tom Burnham reported that election candidates would be invited to meet residents and answer their questions at an information evening at the United Reformed Church on April 28 at 8pm. The meeting heard that ditch


and pipe clearance works would be necessary following flooding in Frittenden Road. Southern Water had confirmed that the pumping station needed upgrading, though this was not a high priority. Local landowners would be urged to write to St John’s College about ditch maintenance. Cllr Peter Spearink reported


on the open day at Woodland House (formerly Winthrop Hall) and said that the atmos- phere was positive and friendly. Cllr Butcher offered to be the carnival and fete representa- tive. Cllr Spearink said the 2012 fete could coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Cllr Butcher told the meeting


that Maidstone Council had do- nated £700 towards the skaters’ festival on July 16, together with the loan of equipment, staff, insurance cover and risk assessments. The football club had agreed to offer its support and provide refreshments from the pavilion. It was agreed to re- paint the skatepark before the festival. The youth club’s kitchen re- furbishment project had re- ceived grants from Cllr Richard Lusty’s borough fund of £1,000, and Maidstone mayor Cllr Eric Hotson had given £100.


Easter opening


Sutton Valence Council


A GRANT of £200 towards the work on the war memorial play area had been received. Nicola Dawkins, the previous parish clerk, who had helped start the project, would be asked to open the play area before the Easter egg hunt on Good Friday. Claire Anderson and Cllr Eve Poulter were thanked for an “excellent” edition of the parish newsletter. The meeting agreed that commercial adver- tisements should not be ac- cepted in the newsletter. It was agreed to ask Kent Highway Services if the Sutton Valence parish gateway sign by the village hall could be moved closer to the parish’s northern boundary. A street party was being planned to mark the royal wed- ding on April 29. Olympics Minister Hugh


RobertsonMPwould be invited to speak at the annual parish meeting on May 14.


Yalding Council New footbridge


IT was agreed to go ahead with Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’s £1,125 quote to install a footbridge across the ditch on the car park. Funds were available from the Rural Payment Agency. It was agreed to spend £300


on entertainment for the street party to mark the royal wed- ding. Several councillors agreed to sell tickets at the farmers’ market. It was also agreed to ask Laddingford School to sell tickets. The ‘Slow Children Playing’


sign on The Kintons path needed to be replaced as the lacquer that had been daubed onto the sign could not be re- moved.


Chairman Cllr Geraldine Brown had met new PC Tom Mepstead and was impressed with his knowledge of the parish. PCSO James Austin reported


that he had issued some advi- sory parking tickets. Speed limit reductions in Laddingford had been imple- mented and the incorrect and stolen signs had been replaced. The proposal by the Environ-


mentAgency to desilt the River Beult by spreading the spoil on the horse fields next to The Kintons was agreed. Another key had been re- quested to the rifle range gate. After visiting the range, coun- cillors felt more confident that this would not be abused and therefore agreed. The clerk would arrange to change the lock and issue new keys to those who had made the re- quest, and the church. The stone coping for the war memorial had been delivered. A site meeting was held to look at the stone on the base of the plinth that had come away and was broken. It was agreed to relamp the lantern on the lamppost at Windmill Path at a cost of £67.50. The residents at the almshouses had asked whether it would be possible to have a fingerpost type sign at each end of Windmill Path to help visi- tors and delivery people find the almshouses. It was agreed that new street signs be erected at either ends ofWindmill Path, saying ‘Windmill Path, leading to The Almshouses’. A £300 quote from Maidstone Council to do the work was accepted. The fish and chip van was


now in the village on Tuesday evenings.


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