Boxley Parish Mail Royal couple at orchard
CHAIRMAN: Martin Pepper
THE Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit the Boxley Parish Community Orchard at Penhurst Close, Grove Green, on Thursday, May 31, on be- half of Her Majesty The Queen, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. Martin Pepper, chairman of
the parish council, said: “This is a massive honour for the parish council and the com- munity, and I can’t think of a better way to launch and in-
Your new
parish council THERE is still one vacancy on the parish council, following elections onMay 3. Fourteen nominations were received for the 15 seats, result- ing in an uncontested election. All were sitting councillors, with the exception of one new- comer, Paul Dengate. Members can co-opt a new councillor to fill the vacancy, and the council would like to hear from anyone who is inter- ested in helping to shape the community. Boxley councillors are: (North) Ivor Davies, Paul Den- gate, Bob Hinder, Wendy Hin- der, Geoff Smith, Alan Springate; (South) Pat Brooks, KazMacklin, Kevin Perry, Ann Spain, Patrick Sullivan, Mau- reen Walker: (South East) Vic Davies; (Boxley Woodlands) Tony Harwood. Chairman Martin Pepper and
Bill Stead did not seek re-elec- tion. The council was due to elect a chairman at its annual meeting at Beechen Hall on May 14.
Chairman ends
10-year service BOXLEY Council’s chairman Martin Pepper has stepped down from the council, after more than 10 years as a member. Chairman for four years, he
said: “I have enjoyed bringing my skills and knowledge to tak- ing the parish council forward at a time of major change, with the support of the willing parish councillors and clerk. “I have had the pleasure of promoting Boxley Parish Coun- cil through the Downs Mail and other mediums and I wish the parish council and their new chairman every success.”
16 East
troduce the new orchard than with the support of Their Royal Highnesses. “The council hopes the com- munity will turn out to wel- come our guests and join in the fun. More details will be issued and placed on the council’s website and notice boards so everyone can be- come involved. The visit is part of the build-
up to the official Diamond Ju- bilee weekend of the June 2,
2012, and the community or- chard has been planted by the parish council in recognition of the celebrations. The project recalls the old
apple and cherry orchards, which were a traditional fea- ture of the area. The orchard has been planted with fruit and nut trees and will include a natu- ral area for wildlife. A neg- lected playground on the site has been refurbished.
School crossing THE council meeting was in- formed by PCSO Andy Hawthorn that the children were using the new puffin crossing in Provender Way, Grove Green. Unfortunately, their accom- panying adults were setting a bad example by not waiting for the permission to cross signal. The PCSO said: “I am trying
to encourage the parents to wait and follow the instructions. Most forget that children learn by example, and crossing dur- ing a gap in the traffic is only teaching them to ignore the safety instructions.”
Fog lamps targeted PCSO Andy Hawthorn has warned residents to be on their guard after a spate of thefts of fog lamps from parked cars. Two thefts in Saracen Rise
Village green bid to save woods The parish councilwantsWaldersladeWoods preserved for the public
THE PARISH council has acted in a bid to protect Walderslade Woods for the benefit of the com- munity. A previous attempt to have
RoundWood officially declared a village green was shelved during protracted negotiations involving landowner Kent County Council over the future of the area. KCCplanned to build12houses
on land next to Wildfell Close, with themoney released from this development going to preserve the surrounding woodland for public use. However, the homes proposal was refused by Maid- stone Council in 2008. Theparishhasnowsentadead-
line toKCC, giving it until June 29, 2012, to submit a Voluntary Vil- lage Green application for all of
the Walderslade Woods, except the Wildfell Close site. If it does not, the parish will
take steps to reinstate its Round Wood village green bid, which in- cludes the land at Wildfell Close. Under current law, it is ex- tremely difficult to develop land which is registered as having vil- lage green status. The woods are cared for by vol-
unteers fromWaldersladeWood- lands Group, comprised of local residents. Members of the group told the
parish council itwas important to obtainprotection forall thewood- land, to make it accessible to the public. The group was thanked for its “superb job” by council chairman Martin Pepper.
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
and Olivine Close may be linked to a wave of thefts of parts from VW, Seat and Audi vehicles in Medway. Metal thefts have continued, including an old farm machine blocking a gateway at Grange Lane, and scrap stolen from a skip at HarrowWay,Weavering.
Apology for delays THE council has issued apolo- gies for the delays in residents getting response from the parish office. The chairman Martin Pepper
said: “As I’m sure everyone can appreciate, the parish office and the councillors are a bit preoccupied by the opening of the orchard.
Bikers investigated POLICE checks are continuing at Boxley Warren following com- plaints of nuisance bikers. Re- ports of motorcyclists on land off Boxley Road are also being mon- itored.
CLERK: Pauline Bowdery ASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks
Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU Tel: 01634 861237 email:
bowdery@boxleyparishcouncil.co.uk Website:
www.boxleyparishcouncil.co.uk
Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48