Summer playscheme fully booked


ALMOST 100 children a day turned out for the Bearsted Parish Playscheme, which ran for two weeks in the summer holiday. Amanda Franklin, who ran the


The Villager More reporting


violent crimes THERE’S a saying that you never know what goes on be- hind closed doors, and it’s just as true in Bearsted as every- where else in Britain.


A report to the parish council showed there were 14 more crimes between April and Au- gust than police anticipated. But this was more likely to be due to an increase in domestic violence than burglary and theft, members were told. Cllr Bernard Carine reported on a meeting he had attended with Kent Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes, who said there was a national trend for more crimes of violence against a person because of a campaign by police to encourage victims of domestic violence to come forward.


In Bearsted, there were 16 crimes of this nature during the six-month period – nine more than predicted.


There was, however, a


marked decrease in the number of instances of theft and han- dling stolen goods, with rob- bery and criminal damage also less than expected.


Charity donations THE Bank Holiday Classic Car Show raised £2,246 for Kent Air Ambulance. A raffle held during Music on the Green raised £508 for Demelza Chil- dren’s Hospice.


Council pays tribute to Peter TRIBUTES were paid to the late president of Bearsted Woodland Trust, Peter Willson, at the last meeting of Bearsted Parish Coun- cil.


Mr Willson, who passed away in July, had worked tirelessly for the village and took a keen interest in all parish affairs. Chairman Cllr Richard Ash said: “He did sterling work for the trust and helped them to raise tens of thousands of pounds. He will be sadly missed.”


Clubs start up for new season


GROUPS for the young and the not so young in Bearsted are now up and running for the au- tumn season.


The youth club meets each


Wednesday at Madginford Hall, and new members are always welcome.


The club met three times dur- ing the summer. There was a games afternoon at Mallards Way, with mini tennis, hockey, rounders and quick ball, fol- lowed by “space hopper” races for all ages on the Green during


activity day – great fun! At the end of August, the youth club joined up with Holy Cross and several other local youth groups in a games and laser tag event at the Boys’ Brigade campsite in Thurnham Lane. A total of 44 young peo- ple took part and a great time was had by all.


The parish council has agreed to purchase a projector, which will be partially-funded by the U3A, which will share its use. There are now more than 70


This page is sponsored and edited by:


Bearsted Parish Council www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk


20 East


potential members of the U3A, which held its inaugural meet- ing at Detling Village Hall last month. Membership is just £20 per year and seven study groups have already been set up, with more to follow.


For further information, please contact John Gregory on 01622 730478.


The U3A is a democratic, self- funded organisation which pro- vides a range of activities for men and women who are no longer in full-time employment.


scheme with the support of June Wilkins and her team, thanked the parish council for allowing her to manage the scheme once again this year and said: “It was a real pleasure for two weeks. We were fully booked each day – which meant 95 children pre-booked


prior to the start of the scheme.” Amanda thanked Cllrs Geoff Li- cence, Pat Marshall and Richard Ash for their support before and during the scheme and had partic- ular praise for Madginford School, which went so far as to re-arrange their building work so that con- tractors did not clash with the chil- dren playing on the school field. This year, the children had the benefit of a specialist sports coach who taught them a range of skills,


including an introduction to volley ball. They also enjoyed a dance workshop, cake decorating and a talent show.


The project received a grant of £320 from Maidstone Council and Amanda said all the feedback from parents had been very positive. “The weather was kind to us, with only one wet day.” Parents are being encouraged to book early for next year, as places will fill up fast.


Lifts going in at rail station


WORK has begun on making Bearsted an “access for all” rail- way station.


Contractors moved on to the site in September to install lifts to both platforms, next to the new footbridge.


Residents raised a petition after the footbridge was installed when they realised access was going to be difficult for the dis- abled or mothers with prams. The work is being funded by the Department of Transport and project managed by Net- work Rail.


Mike Gibson, public affairs manager for Southeastern, said: “Bearsted station will be fully accessible to the mobility-im- paired and the works will also benefit the elderly and others who may find it difficult to manage stairs, cyclists and par- ents with baby buggies.” The work is scheduled for


completion by March 2014 but in the meantime, any passenger in need of assistance when trav- elling from Bearsted should contact Southeastern’s assisted travel service via 0845 000 2222 or the website www.southeast-


ernrailway.co.uk who will arrange for the passenger to be met at each end of their journey. In the case of unstaffed sta- tions, the rail company will meet the cost of a taxi to the closest accessible station.


Fireworks date THIS year’s Bearsted bonfire and fireworks display will take place on the Elizabeth Harvie field on Friday, November 1. The Scouts will provide a bar- becue and tickets will be avail- able online, priced £6 for adults, £4 for children, with a family ticket costing £15. Tickets will be £1 more on the night. The parish council has de- cided there will be no bar, as this is a family event, although soft drinks will be available. Local schools will be ap- proached about selling tickets, volunteers from the Jubilee Church have offered to do litter picking, and the Roseacre Raiders will do the stewarding.


Annex proposal A PROPOSAL has been lodged to convert and extend a double garage into a one-bedroom annex at Spot Farm Cottage, 93 Spot Lane, Bearsted.


Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


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


01622 630165 Chairman:


clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Richard Ash


Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330 Clerk: Helen Elstone


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


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64