Town Talk Residents return to ‘invasion’ scene
LOCAL residents were horrified when newcomers “invaded” the new Rookery Farm Estate in the early 1960s and tried to take over their parish council. The estate comprised Taylor,
Godden, Roberts and Dryland roads, part of Birling Road and Goreham Close in Snodland. And now one of the “in- vaders”, Ernest Pennington, is organising a reunion for as many of the original newcomers he can find. He explained that homes on
the estate were not sold to local people and many of the new- comers were from London. He and his wife, Jeanne, came from Huddersfield after a new job re- quired him to move nearer Lon- don. “We used to meet on the train
to and from work in London, we had social evenings and at weekends some people held parties,” he said. A residents’ association was
formed in 1963 and, due to a number of issues in the village, 11 members contested the 15 seats at the parish council elec- tion the following year. As far as Ernest can remember, he thinks six were successful. Although many residents moved on, others integrated into village life and Ernest said there were still a lot of people who stayed in Snodland. “We thought it was a good
idea to have a reunion of as many people as we can con- tact,” he added. “Depending on the response we will arrange a social evening.”
Ernest can
be contacted on 01634 240284 or by email
at
erne stpen - nington@one-
tel.com
Rookery Farm Estate “in- vader” Ernest Pennington and his wife Jeanne
TWO of the “invaders” who bought a bungalow in Birling Road, Snodland – part of the Rookery Farm Estate – have cele- brated their golden wedding. John and Pam Ayto (pic- tured), who moved into their present home in December 1962, were married on April 1, 1961. Why April 1? As Pam ex- plained: “In those days, many people got married be- fore April 5 to get their full tax allowance. That year the Sunday before was Easter.” The couple met when Pam started going out with John’s brother, Brian, and they used to take John with them to teach him to dance (“not very successfully”, said John). Apart from a two-year na-
tional service spell in the RAF, John was employed in road transport for his entire work- ing career. Pam worked at a bank in the City and then at a chartered surveyors’. After having children she went into family law as a probate executive. They both retired in 2000. Pam joined “everything” in the village while John did “all the running around”, they said. Pam started the Guides and Brownies and finished up as the divisional commissioner until she had to retire at 65. Both are members of Snodland Town Active Retirement As- sociation (STARA), where Pam was treasurer until a short time ago. The couple have two children, four grandchildren and one
great grandchild. They had a lunch with friends on their golden wedding day and will spend a long weekend with fam- ily and friends in Taunton in May and a combined celebration for the 10th wedding anniversary of their daughter Alison.
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Snodland West could have its first teenage town councillor
AT 18, Luke Chapman, ofWil- lowside, is probably the youngest-ever person to stand for election to the council in Snodland and the first Lib Dem candidate for a number of years.
Elections to town council
and Tonbridge & Malling Bor- ough Council will take place on May 5. At the same time residents
will be able to vote in the na- tional referendum for the vot- ing system to be used at future general elections.
SnodlandWest Borough Council (three seats) – Cons: Barbara Brown, St Katherine’s Lane; Dave Keeley, God-
den Road; Anne Moloney, Sharnal Lane. Lab: Paul Hickmott, Pout Road; Iain Laverty, Clock Tower Mews;Wayne Mallard,Willowside. Snodland East Borough Council (two seats) – Cons: Steve King, Holborough Road; LesWithey, The Lakes. Lab: Julian Atkins, Lakeside; Dave Laverty, Clock Tower Mews. SnodlandWest Town Council (nine seats) – Cons: Chris Block, Malling Road; Barbara Brown, St Kather-
ine’s Lane; Barrie Garlick, Roberts Road; Dave Keeley, Godden Road; Debra Macey, Roberts Road; Peter Misy, Roberts Road; Anne Moloney, Sharnal Lane; David Purll, Townsend Road; Les Withey, The Lakes. Lab: Paul Hickmott, Pout Road; Gill Hutchinson, Meadow
Walk; Iain Laverty, Clock Tower Mews; Dave Lucas, St Kather- ine’s Lane; Tom Perkins, Constitution Hill; Pete Sutton, Birling Road. Lib Dem – Luke Chapman,Willowside. Snodland East Town Council (six seats) – Cons: Debbie Alford-Smith, Holborough Road; Dilys Crook, Saltings Road; Alan Keeley, Norman Road; Barbara Keeley, Godden Road; Michael Herbert, Church Field; Jeff Tucker, Lakeside. Lab: Julian Atkins, Lakeside; Laura Gilmore,Willowside;
Vivien Hickmott, Pout Road; Dave Laverty, Clock Tower Mews; Wayne Mallard,Willowside, Richard Steele, Holborough Road.
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