Weekend of fun on the Green


THERE was fun for all the fam- ily at Bearsted’s Music on the Green, with music to suit all tastes.


The Villager Storage shed


for youth club SITING a storage shed is proving to be a tad tricky for councillors, who need to store some play equipment. Northborough Infants School needs to offload some of its sports and play equip- ment to make space for the new September intake of pupils – and has offered to give it to Bearsted for use with its youth club.


But the table tennis table, basketball net and other as- sorted items, have nowhere to go.


The parish council has identified a site for a shed and a price has been ob- tained.


However, members heard that the selected site, near Madginford Hall, was too small for the size requested and members needed to re- visit.


The council also agreed it needed to obtain three quotes for the shed, once a size had been agreed upon.


They also need to calculate a price for laying a concrete base.


Mixed feelings


on Next store THE granting of planning permission for a Next home store at J7 of the M20 could be a mixed blessing for Bearsted, the council heard. Borough Cllr Val Springett said she had not spoken out against the application, as she had received a large number of letters of support for the store from people seeking jobs. She said: “I decided to leave it to the planning committee.” Cllr Mike Cuming, also a borough councillor, said he too had remained silent on the proposal. “It was a tough call,” he said.


Although the officers had recommended refusal, chief planner Rob Jarman said the case was “finely balanced”.


The children queued up for Bearsted’s Got Young Talent, while parents and grandparents boogied along to glam rockers Glamtabulous and Abba tribute band Dancing Queen. With performances from local acapella singers Mixed Bless- ings and the 200-strong Maid- stone Rock Choir, it was a two-day extravaganza beneath the blazing sun.


More than 3,500 attended the event over the bank holiday and a charity raffle raised £500 for Demelza Hospice.


The event was followed, on the Monday, by the farmers’ market and classic car show, which attracted a record num- ber of visitors and raised more than £2,200 for the Kent Air Ambulance.


Event manager Cllr Barbara Dunford said: “Many people have commented on how well- organised the event was, but this wouldn’t have happened


without a great team.”


She said the attention to health, safety and security paid off, as there were no incidents at any of the events, and the only traffic congestion occurred on the Monday, because of the ve- hicles involved.


The Green was cleared of peo- ple and litter by 9.30pm each day. Even the two weddings which took place at Holy Cross on the Saturday afternoon went ahead without any disruption. Ms Dunford paid particular


thanks to everyone involved in the planning process, to the se- curity staff and volunteers, in- cluding members of Jubilee Church and local residents, who acted as stewards, as well as fellow members of the parish council.


She also thanked the Lion of Kent for their sponsorship and organisational skills and Guy Pollak for sourcing the raffle prizes and selling virtually all the tickets single-handed!


Weekend to remember P24 Cleaning up Bark in


Park judges PCSO Jim Stevens and Cllr


Richard Ash with prizewinner Paul


Linstead, from


Canterbury, and his dog


Dog show gets tails wagging


BEARSTED’S inaugural Bark in the Park has been declared a resound- ing success.


The community event, held at the Bearsted Woodland Trust, drew dogs and their owners from all around the area – and other parts of Kent. It was one of the first events of the mayoral year for new mayor Cllr


Clive English who, ironically, had been advised not to work with children or animals. He presented some of the winners’ medallions. The event was organised by Community Warden Adam McKinley with the help of his colleagues and supported by Maidstone Council. The parish council heard that the plan is to have even more stalls and activities next year.


Grass-cutting issues resolved COMPLAINTS about grass cutting in Madginford were due to be resolved as the Downs Mail went to press. Residents gardens’ were putting the verges to shame, mem- bers of the parish council heard, with some cutting the re- sponsibility of KCC, other parts that of Maidstone Council – and some the duty of Golding Homes. Cllr Richard Ash said: “Interestingly, there are some people who have said how lovely it is to see the long grass, the wild flowers and the insects, instead of seeing the grass mown to within a millimetre of its life!”


This page is sponsored and edited by:


Bearsted Parish Council www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk


28 East


street scene BEARSTED Parish Council is working to clear the village of clutter.


Cllr Bernard Carine is spear- heading a campaign to get Kent County Council to remove un- necessary and unsightly street signs, although progress is slow, the council heard. Chairman Cllr Richard Ash said: “The leader, Paul Carter, seems to think potholes are more important.”


Cllr Carine said he was per- turbed to see additional “dropped kerbs” being in- stalled in Bearsted at a time when potholes should have been more important.


“I continue to appeal to resi- dents to let me know of any signs which need to be re- moved. “We need to keep street fur- niture at the forefront of KCC’s mind. Unnecessary street fur- niture is an eyesore.”


Activity day COMMUNITY warden Adam McKinley says a sports activity day will be held in Bearsted from 10am to 3pm on August 27. Local sports and activity groups can get involved, and perhaps boost their mumbers, by holding a stand.


For more details email Adam at adam.mckinley@kent.gov.uk or call him on 07813 712105.


Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:


01622 630165 Chairman:


clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Richard Ash


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk Clerk: Helen Elstone


MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERYWELCOME


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