DownsMail In touch with your parish


Addington Council Outstanding


MEMBERS were informed that Addington was considered to be outstanding in this year’s Kent Men of Trees village competi- tion and had been awarded the chairman’s prize of £35 plus an indigenous tree. Members congratulated Cllr


Peter Robinson on being recog- nised for his work as a Chance to Shine project manager for which he was presented with an award at Lord’s cricket ground. The award is in recognition of his involvement with youth cricket and being the first per- son in Kent to introduce the scheme to his club. The parish council had asked planning enforcement officers at Tonbridge and Malling Coun- cil to investigate alleged breaches of planning permis- sion conditions at Big Motoring World, in particular the new sign which had recently been erected at the front of the site. No objections were raised to proposals to convert a barn at Ford Place, Ford Lane, Wrotham Heath, into a four-bed- room dwelling.


Wall concern COUNCILLORS were con- cerned that repairs to the churchyard retaining wall had


Birling Council


Andrew Vickers ANDREW Vickers died three days before his 23rd birthday. He was well known as a tal- ented rugby player and a mem- ber of a very successful young side who had won their age group in the Kent Cup for U16, U17 and U18.


Andr ew


went on to study sports science at Ex- eter Univer- sity, doing well enough to be offered a place to study for a PhD. He had just started this phase


of his life when he was found dead in his room. Andrew was a type one dia-


betic and had made a specific study of diabetes in sport as part of his degree course. Maidstone Rugby Club’s web-


site has praised his skill and the contributions he made to the


still not been carried out and discussed a possible solution. The clerk reported that Tim


Owen of Kent Downs AONB had advised that a few villages had still to confirm positioning of some of the 70 signs to be in- stalled.


Councillors commented on


the large amount of litter on Snodland Road between Stan- gate Road and All Saints’ Church and on the pathway alongside The Bank being blocked by leaves. The clerk was to write to Tonbridge and Malling Council, expressing the council’s concern and asking when clearance would take place. It was reported that Mrs Diane Pawley was giving up workon Speedwatch. Several residents had indicated they wished the scheme to continue but no-one had volunteered to take over as co-ordinator. Notification was received that


the applicant had appealed against the borough council’s failure to give a decision within the appropriate time on plans for a new vehicle access and en- trance gates at 19 Ryarsh Road.


Ditton Council Kitchen query


A COUNCILLOR said the mo- bile kitchen parked in Pear Tree Avenue was owned by a resi- dent. It was reported that, al-


though food was being taken into the unit, no food licence was listed for a Pear Tree Av- enue address. A quote was accepted for


£446 plus VAT and delivery for the repair of the mobile CCTV. Only 34 tickets had been sold


for the Abba Girls function, de- spite additional advertising and promotion. It was noted that the full fee of £1,200 was due if the function was cancelled less than 16 weeks before the event but the Abba Girls had advised they would be willing to accept half of the contract fee as a goodwill gesture. It was re- solved to cancel the event and accept the kind offer from Abba Girls.


County Cllr Peter Homewood


reported he was processing grant applications from the Her- itage Centre and Petanque Club. He had received requests from Ditton and Burham for grants towards speed signs. Borough Cllr Barry Stone re- ported the owners of Ribshack, in Primrose Drive, would not be pursuing their licence or change of use as they were moving to other premises. One Stop, Ditton, had applied


for the removal of a planning condition to enable it to sell al- cohol on Christmas Day and Good Friday. A total of 10 crimes were re- ported during the month – two burglaries other than at


We will remember


senior side in his time at home from university. Andrew, who lived at


Weavering, had worked part- time for four years at Pennies Day Nursery, Newnham Court, where his mother, Sheila, also works.


Andrew’s Facebook page has


been swamped with tributes. One of them said: “Andrew, you will never be alone as there will always be someone think- ing of you. To have touched so many people in such a short time is a testament to you.” Andrew leaves his parents


Steve and Sheila and brother Matt.


Lyn Martin LINDA “Lyn” Martin (81), of Neville Close, Penenden Heath, was known throughout the area


Albany Funerals


(Independent Local Funeral Director) 22 Malling


from 42 years’ involvement in county football. The first female elected to the committee of the Kent County FA and a former secretary of Maidstone and Mid-Kent Sun- day League, Lyn was married to Ernie, a class one referee who served the game for 50 years. Lyn retired from football


work in 2005 but retained her passion for the game although – unusually for someone so closely involved – had no affin- ity with any particular team. She was presented with a


KCFA long and meritorious service award. Her public service also in- cluded being a reading volun- teer at East Borough Primary School. She leaves her widower, two children and three grandchil- dren.


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dwellings, one making off with- out payment, one assault and six incidents of criminal dam- age.


No objections were made to


planning applications for work onan internal roadway at East Malling Research and creation of a new mezzanine floor, exter- nal alterations and boundary fence at Site 4, Priory Park, Mills Road. In committee, a resident’s


email and photographs showing cars parked dangerously on the bend of New Road and Kilnbarn Road, were circulated. The bor- ough council had responded that parking restrictions could be considered in this area. It was noted that the bend should be improved as part of the high- way improvements to be under- taken under the Section 106 agreement from the new devel- opment on the former New Road business estate. It was noted that two council-


lors had been invited to attend a meeting atEMR to discuss any future development at Ditton Laboratories.


East Malling and Larkfield Council


Crossing date


COUNTY Cllr Trudy Dean re- ported that construction of the crossing at New Hythe Lane


Continued on page 30


Phyllis Martin HAIRDRESSER Phyllis Martin, whose chain of salons in- cluded one in Wateringbury, has died aged 89.


Phyllis, who


lived in Cox- heath for more than 30 years, also had shops in Tovil, Yalding and Gillingham. Guildford-born (nee Pride)


she grew up in Staplehurst and was married to Donal, an engi- neer, for 61 years. Phyllis was described by her


friend and carer Carol Falzon as a “very generous and strong woman with a wicked sense of humour”. Phyllis had been a member of


the church choir in Coxheath for many years and also at- tended the Monday Club run by Age Concern. She leaves her widower.


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