Town Talk


PATIENTS at Snodland Medical Practice are being asked not to make same day appointments to see their doctor for repeat pre- scriptions. An audit at the practice in


Catts Alley, Malling Road, showed a large number of ap- pointments were being booked in this way and it is felt that it is better to use the system for pa- tients who are acutely unwell and need to be seen that day. Dr David Colin-Jones said:


Henry marks


his centenary THE oldest resident in Snod- land has celebrated his 100th birthday with a party and a message from the Queen. Henry Skinner was born in a


house oppositeHam HillWork- ing Men’s Club, Malling Road, and has lived in Snodland all his life. He was one of seven children


and lived in the family home until he retired. One sister, Dorothy, died shortly after he was born. He started his work- inglifeasapaper boybefore joining the brickworks at Ham Hill. After a short spell in the Army he became a groundsman at Reed PaperMills, Aylesford. His hobby was gardening,


and Henry enjoyed playing darts at Ham Hill Club and the Freemasons Arms. His niece, Rosann Saunders,


said Henry moved to Nevill Place when he retired, but kept his hand in at gardening by looking after his sister’s garden. He moved into Rectory Close, Snodland, four years ago. And what is the secret of Henry’s long life?With a smile, he said: “Not getting married, but I do enjoy the company of my nieces and nephews.”


“We have introduced a system whereby. if your prescription has run out, the prescription clerk is authorised to make you a pre-booked appointment and also give you enough medica- tion to last until you have seen your doctor for your review.” In a number of changes to im-


Local news for Snodland and Halling Changes at GPs’ surgery


prove the service at the practice he went on: “We have started a system of nurse triage for sur- gery appointments. “This allows our senior nurses to assess problems quickly, take prompt action and, where appropriate, to pass problems to the doctors for ap- pointments on that day.” Dr Becky Prince returns from maternity leave in January, an- other doctor is to be employed. Tina Joseph, a senior nurse has been appointed, and Nick Sug- den’s hours have been ex- panded and the hours of other staff members have also been increased. Mandy Murrell, advanced


nurse practitioner, said the practice was quite late in bring- ing in triage nursing and it


MPjoins children to open park


THE childrens’ playing areas at Snodland’s Nevill Park have been trans- formed by newequipment and the renovation of old items.


MP Tracey Crouch and Kent County Council member, Sarah Hohler, were present for the for- mal opening on a rather wet af- ternoon. The ribbonswere cutby members of Russet Homes’ Jun- ior Warden Scheme, which was launched at the same time.


The Friends of Nevill Park,


which organised and designed the new equipment, has raised about£60,000 towards the cost. The SITA Trust gave £25,000, Russet Homes £7,000 and there have been contributions from Kent County Council, Snodland Town Council, Snodland Children’s Cen- tre andWarburtons.


MPTracey CrouchMP, Cllr Sarah Hohler and helpers cut the ribbon


Fireworks and fun Cllr Hohler also gave £11,000 of her members’ allowance grant. She


said: “It is always a pleasure to support projects in Snodland throughmy member grants, as schemes such as the ones to provide play and ad- venture equipment in Nevill Park are appreciated by so many. Snodland haswonderful open spaces and it is good to see themwell used.”


AnneMoloney, chairman of the towncouncil andFriends ofNevillPark,


told Town Talk: “I can’t tell you howproudwe all are of these young peo- ple. They and their parents have been a delight towork with. Judging by their reaction today, they are going to have great fun in their newplay- ground. They deserve it.”


Pub darts team hit the bullseye


THE darts team at the Bull public house, Snodland, has won, in its first season, the bronze division of the Malling Combined Central Summer league and knockout cup. Team secretary Richard Hill, who also won the trophy for the highest unhook of the season, with a score of 117, said the players all knew each other well and had played to- gether for different pubs. “It’s the first time the


Bull has had a darts team for 20 years,” he continued. “We scored 140 points and won by 40 points.” The team will play in


the Silver Division next year and is currently playing in the “C” League of the Malling District Winter Darts League.


A HUGE crowd risked the possi- bility of inclementweather to at- tend Snodland’s fun, fair and fireworks night. Mr Mystery entertained the


children in the community cen- tre before the superb display started. Our picture shows Ella enjoy-


ing a ride on the roundabout at the funfair.


Church organ rebuilt in French village


last issue that the organ was sold on the internet and two Frenchmen, with Andy Joyce, a teacher from Leeds, Yorkshire, took it apart and transported it to a church in Chaourse, near Montcornet, where it was rebuilt and fine-tuned. Andy said: “The villagers


love it and it has made a great impact.” Berry Estates Ltd bought


the church building and is converting it into four two-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom flats. Bernard Berry told Town Talk that if he sold the organ, he would donate the money to a good cause in Snodland. He said: “We have donated £1,000 to the Christmas lights in Snodland.” Neil Berry, the company’s managing director, is pictured pre- senting the cheque to town councillor, Paul Hickmott.


THE organ from the former United Church in High Street, Snod- land, has been installed in its new home in France. Town Talk reported in the


would take time before patients understood the benefits. She explained that if patients


ran out of tablets and their doc- tor was not present, they could be given a week’s supply of medication. If someone had trodden on a nail and needed a tetanus injection, had twisted their ankle, or had earache, Mandy and Tina can deal with them. If patients had an ongo- ing medical problem they would see their doctor. The practice has also formed


a Patient Participation Group giving people the opportunity to air their views and help the development of good practice at the surgery. Anybody interested can apply


to practice manager Elaine Man- nooch.


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