Malling Mail 5
LOCAL DRAMA GROUP MEMBERS CHIP IN
Helping to improve Manor Park
Summer at Manor Park, West Malling, has seen the reintroduction of grazing to its large meadows. These meadows have been grazed throughout recent history and the action of the grazing and the cattle’s hooves breaking up the earth stimulates the perfect conditions for wild flowers and herbs to grow. This is conservation grazing, not commercial grazing, so the stock will only be on site until they have achieved their conservation purpose. In the long term this will enhance the site for nature, significantly more than mowing alone could achieve. The aim is for a mixed height of grasses and herbs and open soil areas for wild flower seeds to flourish.
A LOCAL performing arts company is on the look-out for new members and is stressing that no previous experience is necessary. The main goal is to provide entertainment and above all enjoyment for the local community.
Chip Productions is a well-established company that meets every Friday evening at West Malling Village Hall to engage in drama workshops and rehearsals, culminating in regular productions including an annual pantomime in early December.
One of its most recent new members, Paul Chapman, said: “I had long been interested in joining a local drama group but had always pulled away from the idea as I had not acted or sung before. I thought such groups could be stuffy or intolerant of my inexperience. Instead, everyone at Chips could not have been more friendly and supportive and the atmosphere is great”.
Paul went on to say that since joining last September he was immediately offered a small part in the pantomime last December and was then entrusted with a larger role in the Wild West show performed in early June. He believes that taking part in drama can help to grow confidence and self-esteem and has found that the local audiences are always generous with their applause and feedback.
All the shows are written and directed by the talented Julian Jacobs. They are fun and entertaining with a comic side. Julian has also adapted many well known pantomimes in his own unique style, including “Aladdin” and “Cinderella”. These have surprised and delighted audiences for many years.
Chip Productions is always looking for new members of all ages who want to act or sing or just be on stage as extras. It also needs new members whose talents include stage management, wardrobe, lighting, sound or publicity.
The company has its own website at
www.chipproductions.co.uk . You will find a diary section that includes details of its next production. The latest show was an informal song and sketch show called “Take us as you find us” at West Malling Village Hall. The Chips’ contact phone number is 07716 228682 or you can email on
chip.productions@
hotmail.com
Tickets for the shows can be purchased in advance through the box office section on the website or from the Chip Productions stand at the monthly West Malling Farmers Market.
Julian Jacobs
As we move into autumn, we will be completing the tree clearance along the edge of the lake that was started last year. This has allowed a lot more sunlight into the lake and greatly reduced the amount of leaf litter that has been a significant contributor to the build-up of silt in the lake. The biggest noticeable success has been the increased flow of the water. This has washed through a lot of the algal blooms and helped aerate the water. The lake project is a very long term one, where gradually over time the increased sunlight, increased flow and reduction in leaf litter should encourage better biodiversity in and around the lake. On the banks, grasses and herbs will flourish and along the water-edge the pond reeds will spread and provide egg-laying areas for dragonflies and other insects. This will eventually lead to more insect life which will provide more food for birds and bats.
You can help us to improve the water quality by not feeding white breads to the ducks. Huge amounts of bread are thrown into the lake and this is not a healthy food for the ducks and helps to add to the build-up of silt in the water as much more is thrown in than eaten. Please use either wholewheat bread broken into very small chunks or cracked corn which is much better for the ducks health.
Some health and safety tree works will be carried out in the autumn. This includes the coppicing of some ash trees along the boundary of the site and, more importantly, a major reduction in the crown size of the large oak above the lake. This has been deemed a hazardous tree by arboricultural experts and in order to make the tree safe we have to undertake major tree works. Specialist cuts will be made to maximise the tree’s potential for insects. We never undertake major tree works on veterans unless the work is essential. This tree overhangs three paths so cannot be left to collapse without management as it would have been in a dense wood.
We are considering setting up a friends group for this site that would actively help us to manage the site through volunteering to litter pick, assist with conservation and management tasks or events. If you are interested in being a part of this please call 01474 823800 and ask to speak to Helen Page. If you have any questions regarding site management please call the rangers on 01474 823800.
Tim Bell, Head Ranger
Malling Action Partnership is a community organisation open to anyone to join. It represents the 10 parishes surrounding West Malling, and with the aid of government, SEEDA and other grants, it supports the businesses and community life of these parishes through a series of projects. One major project is to help the Farmers' Market grow and provide more family activities. Contact Trudy Dean 01732 843119 or
trudy.dean@
kent.gov.uk
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