gested the situation could be improved if this was made one way. This was supported by the council and a letter would be sent to Kent Highways. Residents were arranging to monitor HGV traffic through the village. New planning applications included: The Ramada Hotel, Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, advertisement consent for new signs; 2 Brogden Farm Cottages, OldMill Road, Leeds, extension and porch; Arnold Court Bun- galow, Back Street, Leeds, ex- tension; Arnold Yoke, Back Street, Leeds, listed building consent for extension and alter- ations. An application with condi-


tions was granted byMaidstone Council for Abbey Farm, Lower Street, Leeds, for the conver- sion of two former agricultural buildings to provide three dwellings.


DownsMail In touch with your parish Lenham Council


It was agreed to seek a quote


for additional lighting for the church car park, but the idea of CCTV would not be pursued due to problems with monitor- ing it. The parish council would re-


turn to the village hall, from the pavilion, for its meetings at a date to be agreed. An allocation of £460 wasmade in the budget for this. The appointment of a parish warden from April 2012 to un- dertake maintenance, rather than a contractor, was ap- proved. This had been dis- cussed at the parish open day and had received a favourable response The parish precept of £21,800


for 2012/13 was agreed. A quote for £1,248 plus VAT


was accepted for the remaining street lights requiring traffic management I order to be re- paired.


Jubilee jamboree PLANS for the Queen’s Dia- mond Jubilee celebrations were going well. There had been lots of interest from local commu- nity groups and sports clubs. A programme of events, including live music, morris dancing, ma- gician, Punch and Judy show and a skiffle group among other attractions, was being organ- ised. A tea party for local children


up to the age of 11 would be held in the Tithe Barn and there would also be a barbecue, cream teas, ploughman’s lunches and a beer tent for refreshments. Teams are needed for the tug


of war competition and chil- dren would be encouraged to join in traditional races, to be held in the arena. A dog show would be held in the afternoon. Details of all events and activi-


Siblings run miles for their mum


A BEARSTED brother and sister will be running in April’s London Marathon to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign. Mark Anderton (42), from Bramley Crescent, Bearsted, and sister Keeley Lonergan (39), from Horton Downs, Downswood, are hoping to high- light the plight of sufferers like their mum, Joan Anderton, the local businesswoman behind In- victa Valves. Togetherwith work colleague Maria Gentle (37),


who also lives in Horton Downs, the pair will be take part in the event on Sunday, April 22. Mark said: “We are calling our fundraising “Miles forMum”. Having cared for ourmum over the years and seeing her strength and determina- tion each day, we wanted to do something for this charity,which is so close to our hearts andwhich cares for so many who suffer with this disease.” Despite needing full-time carers, Mrs Anderton,


who lives with her daughter, manages to get into work at ParkWood every day where she oversees the business she began more than 20 years ago. Mark said: “Mum’s strength and determination


One man blamed for burglaries A SPIKE in the post-Christmas crime figures in Bearsted has been attributed to one man. There were 11 burglaries and attempted burgla-


ries in the area between January 12 and February 1 – at properties including Roseacre Lane, Yeo- man Lane, Birling Avenue, Ware Street and the Landway. Most of the burglaries were at the weekend and similar in nature. Eagle-eyed police officers identified a suspect


who came from out of the area, who was duly ar- rested and some of the property recovered. He admitted being responsible for nine of the


11 offences and was charged to appear in court. PC Jim Stephens said: “This was a unique ‘spike’ committed by a single offender. It was good work on the part of the local CID in appre- hending someone.”


New wardens en route BEARSTED is to get 10 new KCC community war- dens to help maintain law and order on the streets.


Bearsted has been without its own dedicated


team for some time, but the vacancies have now been filled and the new faces will be trained up and on the team from May.


Marathon runners Mark and Keeley,with their mum, Joan, and work col- leage Maria


are incredible. She has close links with the char- ity and when the email came in asking for run- ners to volunteer, we decided to give it a go.” Mark, Keeley and Maria can often be seen pounding the verges along the A20 from Bearsted to Charing and back – with the occasional “away day” to BewlWater for a change of scenery. They hope to raise at least £5,000 for the char-


ity. Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting their Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/milesformum


Vanessa swaps her high heels for training shoes


BEARSTED’S Vanessa Norton has thrown off her high heels and taken up training in readiness for the LondonMarathon. Vanessa (28), from Ashford Road, Bearsted,


works as an events manager but is heavily in- volved with the youth at Holy Cross Church, Bearsted. The formerMaidstone Grammar School for Girls pupil is running for Action for Children, which supports some of the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people. To donate to Vanessa’s cause, you should visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/VanessaNorton


A nose for nappies A BEARSTED councillor has applauded Maid- stone’s recycling initiatives. Cllr RichardAsh said the borough was now recycling some 50% of its waste, compared with just 18% a few years ago. The weekly food collectionwas particularly ap- preciated by residents, who did not like food mat- ter lingering around at home, he said. But parish Cllr Fabienne Hughes pointed out nappy disposal was proving a problem formums, particularly in summer when the smell of up to eight nappies a day could be quite offensive at the end of two weeks.


ties would follow. Any spare cotton material, of


any colour, to be used to make traditional bunting, would be gratefully received. Crockery of any size or design


or odd sets of any colour would be welcomed. It was hoped to stage a display


of Lenham in the 50s; anyone with old photographs, maps, leaflets or similar items from the time would be welcomed. Or- ganisers would collect the items. If you would like to help out


on the day, open meetings would be held at the commu- nity centre on March 8, April 12 and May 10 at 7pm, all wel- come. Help to make the Dia- mond Jubilee celebration a day to remember Details from Margo McFar-


lane on 01622 859682 or email margo.mcfarlane@btinternet. com


Boxley clerk comes


to the rescue BOXLEY parish council clerk Pauline Bowdery was brought in to minute Bearsted Parish Coun- cil’s meeting on February 21. The council’s own clerk Helen Elstone is currently offwork sick. There have been severalmeetings where councillors have had to minute their own proceedings, including a stormy meeting that was aborted by its acting chair- man Cllr Paul Young on January 17.


Several members challenged


the accuracy of the minutes and whether or not it was a member of the council or amember of the public who should be accused of disorderly conduct. They also failed to agree on


how and why the meeting col- lapsed. Ms Bowdery pointed out the council only needed to log bullet points of the proceedings in order for the minutes to be ac- curate and, after a lengthy and heated debate, members agreed upon a revised wording.


Bus club reunion MORE than 5,000 visitors are expected to roll up to the Kent Showground, Detling, for a Dia- mond Jubilee reunion of the M&D and East Kent Bus Club. The event is being held along-


side Kent Showground’s annual Heritage Transport Show and Auction, which attracts visitors interested in vehicles, from vin- tage cars, motorbikes to com- mercials and tractors, as well as buses. The event, on Saturday, March 31, follows last April’s successful “M&D 100”, which marked the centenary of Maid- stone & District bus company. The M&D and East Kent Bus


Club was founded in 1952 by a group of four teenage bus en- thusiasts.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk East 55


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