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News Village hall


roof scheme THE village hall committee in Sut- ton Valence is suffering from stress – roof stress. The committee obtained outline planning permission to replace and extend the roof last year. However, now members have


been told the roof stresses will need to comply with building regula- tions, which means getting them checked by experts. The committee is speaking to en- gineering specialists inWales to see if further work is required before applying for grant funding. The re-vamp of the roof space, to provide additional meeting rooms, could cost up to £120,000. Balances are in the region of £33,000. Committee chairman Martin


Stokes said hall bookings had fallen during the recession, but profits had risen because the committee had managed to cut its costs. In the past six years, the hall had


had a new ceiling, kitchen and toi- lets, costing about £60,000. Members would like to see the


hall decorated and chairs replaced. The committee believes the extra


roomswould benefit village groups and organisations, as well as offer- ing changing facilities for sports groups at the Memorial Playing Fields.


downsmail.co.uk


Children’s charity sets its sights on expansion


A TEAM of Dandelion Time am- bassadors have been given the task of sowing the seeds of change to help a local charity spread its work county-wide. Dandelion Time, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, began on the kitchen table of its founder, Dr Caroline Jessel, when volunteers sent out packets of seeds – literally “sowing the seeds of (our) children’s future”. Since then, the charity has helped thousands of troubled children and families with complex emotional and educational needs, first from its base at Pympes Court Farm, Loose, and, more recently, from Elmscroft in Charlton Lane, West Farleigh. Trustees and guests at its an-


niversary celebration, including the leader of KCC Paul Carter; MP Hugh Robertson; the High Sheriff of Kent, Lord Colgrain and Lord and Lady Vallance were given a tour of the magnificent gardens at Linton Park before learning about the charity’s plans for the future. Linton Park – built for the Mann


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CEO Graham Carpenter; therapist Carol Bridges; trustee Richard Long and


chairman Dr Caroline Jessel


family in 1730 – is now the head of- fice of Camellia plc, whose director Malcolm Perkins is patron of Dan- delion Time, along with children’s author Michael Morpurgo. Dandelion Time provides a range


of experiences for children which generate therapeutic opportunities, such as cooking and baking and working with animals. Communal cooking and eating are part of the Dandelion experience. Dr Jessel, who is medical adviser


and sustainability lead for NHS Kent and Medway, thanked every- one for their support but said the timewas now ripe for the charity to grow to meet the demands of the


whole county and, in time, the country. From just 12 children in its first


year, the charity now helps more than 200 families a year. Dr Jessel said: “We now want to extend our service so we can reach more traumatised children and families who are so desperately in need of it. “To achieve this we plan to ex-


pand beyond the local community and in time to provide a national service model.” Dr Jessel said the charity wanted


to have more bases in Kent to offer a county-wide service, but would need to raise more capital to do so.


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