‘Quiet’ game of croquet sparks furore
THE seemingly gentle game of croquet has caused a stir in Ditton where residents are seething over plans for a new clubhouse. It all got off to a quiet start with a proposal
by Medway Croquet Club to move from the Cobdown Sports and Social Club ground to Bradbourne Park, East Malling. The club sought planning permission to
lay out its lawns and build a pavilion and small car park on grassland within the boundaries of East Malling Research, with access from Bradbourne Lane, Ditton. The scheme was not originally opposed
by Ditton Parish Council, but following con- cerns raised by residents, the council regis- tered its objection on highway grounds. The parish said the move from the current premises could cause safety issues and great inconvenience to the residents of narrow Bradbourne Lane, which was already used
Trees ‘too big’ JAMES Chapple has applied to Tonbridge and Malling Council to fell twotrees–aholly and beech – at 1 Churchfields,West Malling, as they have grown too large for a small cottage back garden. Mr Chapple, who recently bought the property, raised concern that the holly tree would cause damage to the old ragstone wall, which is the boundary to the churchyard. He told the council he in-
tends to replant with species more suitable to a small space such as hawthorn.
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as a rat run. Residents of nearby Bradbourne Park fear the scheme is too close to their homes and have worries about noise or dis- turbance thatmight be caused by spectators or from the use of the pavilion. Alarge number of neighbours’ comments,
both for and against, have been sent to Ton- bridge and Malling Council which will de- cide on the plans. Resident David Smith wrote: “We live in
a quiet cul-de-sac and such a clubwill have a severe detrimental impact on our daily lives. The Cobdown site is purpose built for such sports, I would suggest a horticultual research centre is not.” Another objector, AlisonWaters, said she
had no particular concern about the playing of croquet, which seemed “a very placid and non-disruptive pastime”, but raised questions about parking, possible social
functions, and the impact on wildlife. “I cannot understand why an area of nat-
ural beauty and parkland has to be dis- rupted in this manner,” she said. Medway Croquet Club said that between
the site and the houses there is a belt of trees which are maintained by the research trust, that there is no intention to have a drinks licence nor bar and that croquet is not a noisy sport. Situated in Ditton for 20 years and with
60 playing members, the club said it now needed to move to maintain the quality of its turf. It had not proved possible to buy its current site and the Bradbourne land was the most suitable it had found in the area. The club considered that “this well-man-
nered and quiet sport and its low key and unobtrusive facilities will fit well within the surroundings of Bradbourne House.”
Anglers reel in hundreds for hospice
TOP anglers in the South East were joined by fishermen from France and Essex for an annual angling competi- tion on the River Medway at Barming. Conditions proved challenging for
Maidstone Victory Angling Society’s contest, as the water temperature dropped and catches were limited to smaller fish. MVAS has 900 members from Maid-
stone and the surrounding areas and the Dave Pankhurst Memorial Compe- tition is held each year, in memory of former Barming angler Dave Pankhurst. Michael Hayman’s journey from
France proved not to be wasted, when he took top honours with a bag of hard wonsmall fish for8lb 3oz.Hetook both the prize money and the silver trophy. Second place was taken by last
year’s winner John Larraman, with a catch weight of 5lb 5oz. Kevin Pack was third,with 4lb 5oz. Match organiser MickRoberts, from
Aylesford, said: “This was by far the best turnout for thismatch, which has raised hundreds of pounds for the Heart ofKentHospice over the last few years.” Heart of Kent Hospice received a cheque for £230 following the event.
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