Town Talk


LEYBOURNE Lakes Country Park has won the prestigious Green Flag award for the sixth consecutive year. The award encourages the provision of good quality public parks and green spaces, man- aged in environmentally sus- tainable ways. Leybourne Lakes is managed


by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, with the help of volun- teers, and with financial support from Snodland Town Council and East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council. Darren Lanes, the borough council’s outdoor leisure serv- ices manager said the council had to submit an application to Green Flag every year and give a management plan for the fol- lowing 12 months.


Judges inspect the site for its physical condition and cleanli- ness, ask about promotions that have been carried out and con- sider the management report. Darren said: “We are in the top bracket for the first time this year. “The volunteers are very im- portant in helping to bring the site up to standard. “In fact, if we did not have the support from the community and volunteers, I am not sure we would win the Green Flag award.” The park was opened in 2004.


The council runs regular events, including healthy walks, every week.


There are also facilities for


wind surfing, scuba diving, ca- noeing, boating and swimming and hosts triathlon events.


Rangers and volunteers, from left (back): Head ranger Phil Outram, Robin Trow, ranger Andrew Armstrong,Michael Pollard, Tony Munn; (front) Catherine Eden-Green, Tim Anderson, Helen Orme with the coveted Green Flag award


Taking the leap for charity funds


TWO Snodlandmen raised more than £500 for charity by jumping out of an aeroplane at 12,700 feet.


Graeme Thorpe, who owns Snodland Jewellers in Malling Road and Chris Hinsley, also of Malling Road, carried out their tandem skydive at Headcorn air- field. The money will be divided be-


Snodland Town FC is pictured in its new kit after all the clubs in the town combined (see the story in last Town Talk).


tween Lupus UK and the RSPCA. Graeme and Chris are now thinking of what else they


Cancer victim’s funds boost


A SNODLAND woman battling her fifth bout of cancer in five years has raised £1,728 for the Mid Kent Breast Cancer Appeal at Maid- stone Hospital. Kim Weeden, of Taylor Road, opened up


her sitting room and garden to about 70 fam- ily and friends, who came to buy clothes, bric-a-brac, cake and jewellery and enjoyed pampering, massage and make-up sessions. It is the third such event Kim, a mother of


five, has held since her initial diagnosis. Hus- band of 30 years, Phil, a manager with Tea Time Toasties, a cash and carry wholesaler for independent retailers, was given £400 by


his customers, which was added to the total. He said: “We renewed our marriage vows


when Kim was diagnosed for the first time. “We charged everybody £5, which included


a strip of raffle tickets and free tea and coffee. Kim goes round local businesses getting prizes. She is a very good baker and makes loads of cakes to be sold.” Kim described the breast care unit at Maid-


stone Hospital as “marvellous”. “We are giving something back for the help


they give us cancer people,” she said. “I have never said ‘why me’. It is a challenge. I have wonderful family and friends and I have


PLANS are in hand to re-build Holborough Service Station at its junction with the Berkeley Homes development and Ladds Lane at Holborough Road, Snodland. A planning application


Plan to rebuild garage with store


has been submitted to Tonbridge & Malling Bor- ough Council to demolish all the buildings on the site and replace them with a 24-hour fuel sta- tion, large convenience store and hand car-wash- ing plant. The present service sta-


tion is closed, as is the McDonalds drive-in and small retail outlet. The application has been made by Petrodesigns Ltd on behalf


of Sectosure Ltd. A previous application, which has now been withdrawn, planned to retain the restaurant. Snodland Town Council ex- pressed concern about the volume of traffic.


so much to live for. I will carry on.” Kim and Phil hope to continue their fundraising in a hall, because they are limited by the number of people they can invite into their home.


Centre marks 25th anniversary SNODLAND Community Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ceilidh night and barn dance. Vice-chairman, Chris Howick,


said the idea for the building came from a petition circulated in 1978 by resident Linda Bar- ton, now Linda Howick, presi- dent of the community centre association. She realised Snodland was a growing village with no ade- quate facility for big celebra- tions, such as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. After many years of fundraising the community centre was finally opened in 1987 by TVS weatherman Ron Lobeck. “The centre is a charity and not run by the local council,” Chris ex- plained. “It has proved a great success, and it is hoped in the near fu- ture to expand it with an additional smaller hall and a second set of changing rooms, as well as a larger bar and kitchen.” Chris is pictured with Linda and chairperson Dilys Crook.


can do. It will be for charity but will have to get the adrenalin flowing!


Local news for Snodland and Halling Country park continues to fly the green flag


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