Malling.org.uk
25 years of caring for East Mallings heritage
This year East Malling Conservation Group celebrates 25 years of voluntary service to the community and members are using this special birthday to raise its profile and attract new members.
The group has two main aims - to manage change in order to conserve the village heritage, its buildings, rural character and natural environment in a way that will benefit the village as a whole, and to promote the sense of community by consultation, communication and social events.
Recently, EMCG has been closely involved in a number of local issues including the all important East Malling parking review.
The group has done much work over the past three years to canvass opinions of large numbers of local residents regarding both traffic problems and speeding through the village and will continue to press for change.
It also plays an active role in giving its opinion on local planning applications and the group should be well placed to help the parish council on the neighbourhood responsibilities for planning, envisaged by the new Localism Bill.
Social events include talks, photographic exhibitions and quiz nights, and a special 25th anniversary garden party was held at Bradbourne House in June. Every December, the group holds a Christmas party and this year it will be in the Village Institute on Saturday, December 3.
However, the group says that despite all this, there are still people in the village who think that all members do is clear out ponds and ditches. They don’t do this, but usually know someone who can!
Family membership costs £7.50 a year and single membership is £5. The group is not affiliated or committed to any political party or pressure group.
The group’s annual meeting will be at the Village Institute on Friday, July 29, at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
‘Highly Influential’
Diz Bernal and her husband Peter were heavily involved with East Malling Conservation group. Peter was one of the founder members in 1986 and served on the committee as secretary until 1997. After he sadly died in 1998, Diz continued the challenge. She served as chairman until stepping down last year, handing over to John Williams.
She was known as a forthright chairman who pursued the group’s aims with vigour and passion and it benefited greatly from her organisational skills.
Notable achievements under her chairmanship included publication of the East Malling Village Design Statement and two separate successful representations by EMCG before the Planning Inspector, who upheld Tonbridge and Malling Council’s refusal of permission for developments that would have radically changed the character of the village.
Indian spectacular at Pilsdon
Beautiful silks and wall hangings transformed Pilsdon Chapel Barn, West Malling, in a celebration of Indian textiles.
The clothes and crafts were sourced by Joanna Hall, whose company Bazaar promotes fair trade industries in India through developing new designs and using recycled fabrics.
Double treat for our winner Megan
LUCKY Megan Locke-West was the winner of our competition to win two tickets for Music on the Hill at Kings Hill.
Megan, 15, decided to treat her eight-year-old brother Riley, to the Family Sunday concert, and mum Kerry bought a ticket so that she could join them.
The family, who live in West Malling, said they had a fabulous day and are looking forward to the return of the festival in 2013.
For Megan, it was an extra lucky weekend, as her mum had already given her tickets to see McFly as a reward for achieving an A in her PE exam.
Competition winner Megan Locke-West and her brother Riley.
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