DownsMail In touch with your parish


in Dickey Lane and would be working with Marley represen- tatives and local residents. Illegal bikers still persisted


on the restricted section of the Pilgrims Way and he hoped to bring in the police off-road team to deter them. Community warden Martin Sherwood reported several complaints from residents who had visited the children’s play area in Ham Lane that young- sters had kicked footballs, sometimes nearly hitting their young toddlers. He would pa- trol the area and advise any young children having a kick- about to take care. It was agreed to see if the lift-


ing of the tree crowns in Royton Avenue would be enough to dis- courage the climbing of them. Councillors were shown the


new emergency boxes that would be installed in three local buildings. The boxes contain all the information required for first response in the event of a serious emergency in the parish.


Rector welcomed Otham Council


THE new rector, the Rev Steve Hughes was welcomed to the an- nual parishmeeting. Reports were given by repre- sentatives of local organisations including the History Society, Otham Fete, the Village Hall and Friends of Otham Church. Parish council chairman


David Marchant reported on the year’s events. Ameeting had been held with


Kent Highways when the gen- eral state of disrepair of The Street with the potential for col- lapse into gardens because of HGV traffic, had been high- lighted. Years ago, the Edwardian post


box was badly painted and he had tried unsuccessfully in


2001 to get the full colour scheme (gold crown, black let- tering on entry lid). This year, as the paint was wearing thin, he had tried again but the Post Of- fice had replied that such restoration was not possible. He was disappointed since he


had pointed out that this was Jubilee year and the box was in a conservation area. The clerk Teresa Irving re- ported that during 2011-12, the parish received a total income of £11,179.10 mainly from the precept and concurrent func- tions grant. A donation from Len Valley Action Group had been re- ceived for £308 towards an en- vironmental project. Total expenditure for the year amounted to £12,465.30 exclud- ing £932.76 to be reclaimed in VAT. As of March 31, 2012, there was £5,475.31 cash at the bank. The clerk thanked the chair-


man, who was looking to step down in May, for all his hard work, and the assistance he had given her over the years. Concerns were expressed re- garding the damage to the roads caused by heavy vehicles. Signs neededtobemorestrongly worded and should be pictori- ally descriptive to ensue they are understood by foreign driv- ers.


County Cllr Gary Cooke said


the problem remained that sat navs used by foreign lorry driv- ers are not commercial ones. Trees owned by Kirkwood


Trust were causing an obstruc- tion when turning left from Honey Lane into White Horse Lane.


Ulcombe Council Spate of thefts


THERE was no report from the PCSO, although it was noted


A FULL day of celebrations was due to take place to mark the £2.5m restoration of Mote Park, as the Downs Mail went to press. Improvements to theparkhave includednew


paths, restoration of parkland, 100 new trees, car park improvements, new bridges, restoring the 1840s waterfall, visitor hubs atWillington Street andSchoolLane with car parks andplay areas, and restoring the neoclassicalVolunteers Pavilion dating from the 1800s. The Mote Park restoration project was awarded £1.8million from theHeritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) under their Parks for People scheme. Maidstone’s cabinet member for community


and leisure services, Cllr John Wilson, said: “This is the largest investment in Mote Park since the council purchased it for £50,000 in 1927. The park is magnificent. We have rein- stated the splendour of the former parkland, restoring historic views, the pavilion, waterfall and bridges. Maidstone people are rightly proud of their Mote Park. The restoration work and the many new features make visits even more memorable and enjoyable.” TheMayor, Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie was ex-


that there had been a spate of thefts in the village.Itwas re- solved to place a notice in the village newsletter advising resi- dents to be vigilant and report any incidents to the police. The Neighbourhood Plan was discussed and it was resolved to form a committee to take it for- ward.


Sutton Valence Choral Society


had been told of the council’s decision not to award a grant. It was decided to award a grant to Ulcombe Pre-School. The local football team had notified the council that they would have to withdraw their plans to use the facilities. Fur- ther discussions would be pos- sible if their plans changed. With regard to dog control or-


ders and byelaws, one of the parishes approached had con- firmed that they did not have any byelaws in place, the others had not responded. The min- utes recorded that advisory dog signs had been put up at the recreation ground in 1975 and 1986. The clerk advised the council


that the primary school would take the play equipment. Cllr John Watton had in- spected the recreation ground, car park and play equipment and there were no new con- cerns. At the meeting with Came &


Co, it had been advised that a marker on the right hand car park barrier postwould be help- ful in poor light. The new sign would be a reminder of the ap- propriate supervision of chil- dren in an open space and the small roller should be placed next to the pavilion. The stream at the west end


did not necessarily require fenc- ing, but a natural barrier of plant growth could remain in place. The ditch behind the


Mote Park restoration complete


pected to formally open the park on Sunday June 24, at the Kent Kite Festival display,when youth bands and Peppa Pig were among attrac- tions expected. The Kent Kite festival attracts national cham-


pions, with kite flyingdisplays and special kite making classes. There is an action-packed programme of free activities for all ages during the summer, start- ing with Get to Know Butterflies on July 7, Bumble Bees walk on July 8 and the Tales of Beatrix Potter on July 14. Details of all events can be found on www.maidstone.gov.uk


Traffic crack down begins NEW traffic regulation orders have come into effect in Maidstone High Street, following the recent improvement works. Signs are now in place and both the police


and traffic wardens will have the powers to stop and penalisemotorists caught flouting the law.


Only buses and taxis are allowed at the top


end of the High Street and enforcement action will be taken against anyone caught in breach of the regulations.


play area was agreed to be of low risk. The fire extinguishers at the pavilion had been inspected with no concerns noted. Re- pairs to the roof would be car- ried out as soon as possible. The clerk was awaiting a price for a formal survey from S Williams for the pavilion. CES would examine the cess


pit intake pipe as soon as possi- ble.


Cllr Trevor Sharp had secured


the electrics box whilst leaving it accessible for EDF to read the meter. The annual inspection had


been carried out by Cllrs Noble, Sharp and the clerk and it was noted that a spring clean would be carried out before the cricket season started. Interior paint- work would need attention in due course, the south exterior wall and verandah neededmore immediate attention and the west and north walls needed washing down. The cricket club would do this. A smoke detec- tor should be fitted. It was decided to accept the


quote received by J Hoold for £450 plus VAT for work to recreation ground trees. Cllr Watton reported no new concerns regarding the war me- morial. It was agreed that some cleaning and re-inscription work might be desirable. The clerk noted no new con-


cerns about the bus shelter and noticeboard. There was a request for a sign


at Chegworth Road warning that it was not suitable for HGVs.


Potholes had been repaired


by White Rails, Headcorn Road, and Chegworth Road Bridge.


Hollingbourne metal theft HIGH-VALUE aluminium plates, used to help heavy goods vehicles gain access to a field in Greenway Court Road, Holling- bourne,were stolen overnight on June 11. The plates are 10ft by 10ft and weigh


about 300kg each. A total of 37 of the plates, each valued at £1,000, are reported to have been stolen. Detective Constable Claire Davey, from


Kent Police, said: “It’s likely that the peo- ple who took these plates would have needed a crane or hydraulic lifting equip- ment to move them.”


Bearsted Green robbery AWOMAN had her handbag stolen in a robbery at Bearsted Green at around 3.25am on Sunday, June 17. The victim had just got out of a taxi and


waswalking home down The Streetwhen she was approached from behind by a man who demanded her phone. The of- fender then grabbed her handbag and the victim sustained an injury to her nose in the process. The offender ran off towards Bearsted railway station. He is described as wearing dark clothing.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk East 51


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