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Tandridge/Edenbridge Chronicle February 2012


Edenbridge Town Council By town council clerk Christine Lane


TRADITIONALLY January has been a month when spirits can be low, the dark days, cold weather and the realities of the Christmas overspend hit home. So, it is not surprising that when, as part of Sevenoaks District Council’s review of democracy, in which it has been asking local residents for their views on Edenbridge Council, not all of the responses have been positive. The town council has requested and will receive details of all the issues raised, good and bad, when the consultation is


complete and will use the information to improve its services. I will use a future column to report on the positive results but this month I’m addressing some of the other concerns. The condition of two privately-owned vacant development sites, where the fencing and overgrowth have led to an untidy look, has been raised. The town council has approached the land owners and requested them to make improvements. It is hoped that they will take their responsibilities seriously and it won’t be necessary to take further action, but if this doesn’t happen then it may be possible for district council officers to apply pressure. Examples of recent success from SDC and the Chamber of Commerce are the re-boarding at the Leathermarket and the hoardings at the new Jubilee Centre site, which now presents a good image whilst the development takes shape behind.


Speeding remains a concern and the council has passed information to the police, who continue to monitor the situation. The cost to pensioners having bulky items removed has been referred to Age UK and the district council but with budget cuts hitting hard it is unlikely there will be a change in this situation. The council is constricted by planning legislation so it is not always possible for residents’ personal views to be taken into account?


Questions were raised over the opportunities to meet with councillors and how they consult with residents between elections. A good opportunity is coming up soon, with the Annual Town Meeting to which all electors are invited. There will be an opportunity to see displays by the local groups and organisations, who have received grants, and to hear from an Edenbridge perspective about policing, the progress of the Jubilee Community Centre and other local government activities. The date for your diary is 5 March, 8pm at the WI Hall.


If you can’t wait that long then you are invited to attend the chairman’s monthly surgeries or to see democracy in action at the planning and council meetings. Agendas are posted on the notice board on the museum and there is an opportunity to speak and raise issues. For day-to-day business the council offices are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, offering a face-to- face service and should you wish to meet with your elected members, meetings can be arranged at a convenient time.


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By Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce president Peter Kingham


I WOULD like to begin this month’s column with a comment on a couple of items from last month’s Chronicle


From the response we have had to the article about ‘Start Ups Edenbridge’ it is very encouraging to see that there are so many people in Edenbridge willing to give their time and experience to helping others. As business people ourselves we understand the difficulties involved in building a new business from scratch and however good the idea there are times when you wonder whether you are doing the right thing. Having experienced business people on hand to help can make a huge difference. Working with the Town Council we will show that by offering this kind of help and support to entrepreneurs we will prove that Edenbridge is a place where business flourishes. Trade is the lifeblood of any community whether it is at town, county or country level; where else does employment come from or the commodities that we all enjoy? Successful businesses will also invest time and money in the community they come from, which I hope you will see plenty of evidence of this year with the Fun Day and other events we have planned.


The other item I wanted to draw to your attention


to was the local council review. I would just like to say that without the active support and help from the Edenbridge Town


Council we would find it much harder to do our job. I enjoy working with many members of the council and I can say from experience that lots of work is done on behalf of the residents of Edenbridge that isn’t perhaps widely known. Without it Edenbridge wouldn’t be the town or community it is of which Di and I are proud to be part.


Please register your support by taking part in the review, you can find a link to the review on the chamber website www.edenvalleychamber.org.uk. I am happy to say that the Loyalty Card continues to grow in popularity and our plans for the Fun Day and Pram Race are coming together nicely. All of you interested in entering the Pram Race can register on our website and I am also looking for people and businesses interested in exhibiting at the Eco Fair, which will be held in Stangrove Park on the 22 September this year. Again, details can be found on our website.


Have a good February and remember it’ll soon be spring.


Swimmers get ready for Swimathon!


SWIMMERS in Tandridge district and Edenbridge are preparing themselves for the swim of a lifetime when they take part in this year’s Swimathon. In Tandridge, participants will dive in at


East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah (centre) with staff from Caterham Dene Community Hospital


MP’s Caterham Dene visit


EAST Surrey MP Sam Gyimah visited Caterham Dene Community Hospital in January to see the impact of the new Social Enterprise – First Community Health and Care. The hospital offers a walk-in-centre, a rapid assessment clinic and a rehabilitation ward.


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Speaking after the event Mr Gyimah said: “It was great to see the passion and commitment of the staff working on this new Social Enterprise at Caterham Dene Hospital. The hospital is truly a community hub as well as a much needed resource. “What is so striking about Caterham Dene Community Hospital is the level of staff engagement. The staff, who are at the frontline of health care, are also the owners, who can instigate real changes. “They all spoke about how quickly they can innovate to meet their patients’ needs rather than waiting for central diktats. “The level of care for patients and the amount of investment for the future health care of Caterham Dene residents was hugely inspirational. This is simply fantastic for East Surrey.”


Tandridge Leisure Centre on Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 April, taking on one of five Swimathon Weekend 2012 challenges. Swimathon Weekend participants can raise vital funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care by swimming the 5k, 2.5k or Team 5k challenges, or for Sport Relief by swimming the ‘Big Splash Mile’, individually or as part of a team. Swimmer entry is open at


www.swimathon.org until 25 April or for more information contact lodonnell@tandridgetrust.co.uk. Edenbridge Rotary will be getting in the swim by staging its second Swimathon on Sunday, 26 February. Participants will be collecting cash for Mercy Ships, Regain and local charities. The plan is to swim further down the Thames than David Walliams, clocking up over 140 miles.


The event is open to all ages – last year one 12-year-old girl swam 84 lengths and she is returning to try and swim 100 lengths this year, and the oldest swimmer was 84-years-old. Sponsorship forms are available from Terry Farrington Jewellers or Edenbridge Leisure Centre with times available from 9am to 3pm.


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Newsdesk: editorial.chronicle@tindlenews.co.uk


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