DownsMail In touch with your parish


is the route the lollipop man has to use to switch on the road safety sign. The resident also spoke about the high volume of traffic in the village and in- creased speeds. Members spoke of the action taken to date and reassured the resident that all options were being investigated to find solutions. An allotment holder reported


that he had been approached re- garding the smell of manure he had placed on his allotment. Local residents had raised con- cerns when, in fact, the smell was coming from sludge being spread on the fields of a nearby farm. The chairman stated he would take this up with the agents acting for Rochester Bridge Trust. Cllr JuneHarrison was elected chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr Gill Fort as vice- chairman and Peter Martin was co-opted to fill the parish coun- cillor vacancy. Members discussed the unsat- isfactory condition of the pavil- ion the previous month following use by the football team. The clerk had brought this to the attention of Mote Park Rangers who stated the pavilion was left in a clean con- dition. However, a small foot- ball tournament had taken place after their use. The clerk was asked to try to establish further details as no other party had been authorised to use the pavilion that day. Concerns were raised about


the frequent parking in the bus stop and also about commercial vehicles parking in the playing field car park and unauthorised car repair work being under- taken there at weekends. It was agreed that the parish council’s policy was that there should be nocommercial park- ing or activities undertaken in the car park at any time. A let- ter would be sent to the manag- ing director of the company. Signage options and a byelaw would be investigated. Areview of the parish council website would be carried out. County Cllr Gary Cooke told members that the school cross- ing was not being pursued by KCC because an officer felt that the sight lines would not enable


drivers to see pedestrians. KHS would change the kerbs


and pavements to improve safety. The Caring Lane Bridge would be protected by heavy metal posts on each of the four corners and white lines would encourage traffic to use the cen- tre of the road. Cllr Cooke said the parish council’s suggestion to have the ‘except for access’ removed from the HGV signs was un- likely to be approved. He said the village gates de-


sign had been approved by Kent Highways but not by the parish council. This could not be dis- cussed further but he would put in a further design and fund the build-out of the gates as a sepa- rate project. It was agreed to liaise with the


three teams interested in hiring the playing field next season to establish what they could offer the parish council.


Lenham Council


Thanks to Nick COUNCILLOR Nick Osborne, who is standing down after 20 years, was thanked for his hard work and dedication. The working party was com- mended for cleaning the Cross. The community warden re- ported incidents of graffiti. Concern was expressed at the


lack of lighting at the Faver- sham Road junction. It was pointed out that some lorries using the road to and from Lenham Storage were on the wrong side. County Cllr JennyWhittle would investigate improved signage and road marking. Talks regarding the recycling


site were ongoing. All agreed that for safety reasons, the hedge needed to be cut back and lowered on each side of the site. Overgrown brambles at the Cherry Downs picnic site were to be cut back. The royal wedding celebra-


tions were a success and well attended with the Church show- ing the event on a large screen and The Square being used as a picnic area. A committee will be formed


for organisations to work to- gether to co-ordinate the cele-


Ben, 11, wins world title HARIRIETSHAM’s Ben Jelf has be- come a powerboat world champion days after his 11th birthday. Last year, Ben won two British titles


but went one better last month when he took the GT15 world crown for 10 to 16 year-olds by winning all four of the competition’s sections. His mum, Jeni Jelf, said: “It’s easy to


forget he’s only 11 and only been rac- ing two years." Ben is the third mem- ber of the Jelf family to win world champion status in the sport, follow- ing dad Colin and uncle Owen Jelf.


brations for the Queen’s Dia- mond Jubilee in June 2012. A parking review was due to


take place. Maidstone Council quotes for the long term car park were £200 for cleaning the site and £887 for removing, repair- ing and repainting the barriers. It was agreed that the work be undertaken if it could be done for under £1,000. The damage toa bollard in


the Square had been reported to MBC. It was reported that white stones which had been spread on the ashes section of the cemetery would have to be re- moved. A quote would be sought for the cost of replacing stones.


Changes to the access gates at


the Pilgrims Way would be monitored. Concerns were voiced about


the standard of grass cuttingin the parish. The situation would be reviewed.


Golf ball damage Otham Council


A ROOF of a property in Gore Court Road had been damaged by youths hitting golf balls on Senacre community field. As there was currently no signage stating that golf cannot be played, signs would be re- quested from Maidstone Coun- cil. Meanwhile, youths would continue to be asked not to play golf.


Anti-social behaviour calls continued from Senacre with youths climbing on to the roof of the hall extension and shout- ing abuse at residents in their gardens. Newly erected fencing had also been damaged. These issues were currently being dealt with by the police and the community safety team. It was noted that Bearsted FC


had been playing after 2pm on a Sunday on the Honey Lane field. A complaint would be progressed with Maidstone Council. County Cllr Gary Cooke was


to ensure that Otham remains on the secondary route for grit- ting. Work to the fingerpost at


Avery Lane and Caring Lane Bridge were in hand. The White Horse A-boards on


Sutton Road were discussed but it was understood there was no contravention of the byelaws since they were not causing an obstruction. It was confirmed that a meeting


had been set up with residents/ MBC/KCC to try and resolve the Senacre Hall problems. The National Trust sign had


been broken by a hot air balloon coming down. Representatives of the balloon company were due to visit to investigate. The northern end of the vil-


lage green had been tidied up efficiently by Ian Betts and was looking very nice. The clerk was to chase MBC


about the installation of the new litter bin and jet washing of the play area. It was reported that there was


an extremely good turnout for the village clearance this year and everyone involved was thanked. The height of the grass on the


edge of the village green was discussed. It was agreed that keeping it high benefits chil- dren while playing as it keeps them away from the road.


Ulcombe Council Oil tank security


IT was agreed that the grant of £850 which had been budgeted for 2011/12 should be paid to the village hall committee to en- able a new more secure oil tank to be purchased as soon as pos- sible.


Following a request from a parish councillor, the clerk would ask Maidstone Council if it had a view on rates and terms for members wishing to claim for attending meetings held out- side the parish. A request had been received


from Headcorn Juniors Football Club to use the football pitch from September 2011 for nine games. Members confirmed that the present policy of not letting the pitch remained unchanged. Further to advice from the


parish council’s insurers that a more extensive risk assessment was now required, the clerk would inform all listed litter picking volunteers that they should not continue with clear- ances until the matter had been fully reviewed.


Sky’s the limit on


Beavers’ big day AIR activity was the theme of a big gathering of Beavers at the Scout HQ in Grange Lane, Sandling. More than 100 youngsters


were able to clamber aboard a helicopter, build model space- craft and operate a flight simu- lator as well as other air-related activities. Pictured (left) with their


UFOs are Bearsted Harriers and Mote Park.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk East 47


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