downsmail.co.uk


from the villagewar memorial. He had agreed to make a contribution towards the cost of adding the names. Hook and Hatchet A meeting had been held regarding a community purchase of the Hook and Hatchet public house at Hucking.A request had come from the meeting organisers for assistance. Pavilion An electrical inspection had taken place at the Cardwell Pavilion, following the lights tripping inwetweather. The report had been circulated to councillors. The heating thermostat did not operate correctly due to safety blankets over the radiators. Itwas agreed to replace these with radiator guards at a cost of £262 plus Vat. This would solve the problem and keep the building warmer aswell as cuing down on heating costs. Asbestos The asbestos survey contractors would inspect the pavilion on February 14. Waterside Park The parish council had been asked for its views on the appeal against refusal of the scheme. Its response had not changed and a leer had been sent to this effect. Trees Cllr Susan Bauer did not feel that the parish should enter the Men of Trees favourite tree competition as many of the trees needed maintaining and those planted on the Meadows Trust landwere not quite old enough to qualify. Cllr Bauer was looking to get a blanket preservation order on the trees in the village to protect them. Twinning The parish’s twinning friends in Templeuve had sent a very enjoyable YouTube new year video whichwas on the villagewebsite. Incident An incident occurred in Eyhorne Street at 12.15am on a Saturday night.A flat bed truck was parked on the pavement outside the home of one of the councillor’s neighbours and the hornwas continually blasted for about 15 minutes. The driver then drove off at speed, still sounding the horn.


Leeds


New councillor Ian Bowleswaswelcomed to the parish council. He replaces Sean Wallace. Highway issues KCC Cllr Gary Cook said


there was an agreement between KCC and Maidstone Council for a single carriageway Leeds relief road. Itwas felt that no further development could take place to the south and east of Maidstone without this road. Funding was available and survey work was due to be undertaken. The route had yet to be determined. Police report The new PCSOwas announced as RyanWaring. There had been two crimes – a theft in Caring Lane and criminal damage in Upper Street. Bridleway Itwas reported that bridleway KH260was impassable – a trench had been dug and not filled in. Thiswas the responsibility of KCC andwas to be rectified. Recycling Itwas noted that therewas a lot of mess around the recycling bins in the church car park. Someone had left about 30 black sacks full of clothing. Residentswere asked to take their recycling elsewhere if the binswere full.


Lenham


Neighbourhood plan The interim report for the emerging Lenham neighbourhood plan had been submied to Maidstone Council. Thiswas an important step in the development of the plan but a considerable amount of workwas still needed before the parish could arrive at the final draft. The report and other documentswere on the parishwebsite and commentswere invited.


Otham


Anti-social behaviour Therewere six reports of youths throwing sticks at cars and leaving branches on the road on Gore Court Road. Churchyard Itwas agreed to donate £75 towards the maintenance of the churchyard. Neighbourhood planA questionnairewas circulated to residents. Football club Workwas progressing in the background. Itwas agreed that further actions would be considered if the maer wasn’t concluded soon. Urgent maers Repairs to the kerb were needed at the end of Honey Lane/Simmonds Lane. The HGV and speed


limit signswere still down at the junction of New Road and Suon Road. The White Horse pub sign had been fixed to the White Horse Lane road sign. The drain outside Wardes on the corner of Gore Court Road needed aention. Lines on the bridgewere still outstanding.A highway signwas damaged in Green Hill. Parking The clerkwas checking the parking agreement for the woodland at the junction of White Horse Lane and Church Road.


Ulcombe


Police The PCSOwas not present at the meeting. However, seven crimes had been reported. There had also been two incidents of domestic violence and a report of anti-social behaviour involving loose horses.


Footpaths The KCC footpaths officer advised that the path opposite the school would be re-routed slightly after the bridge over the stream to follow the official route. New markers and signswere to be installed. SpeedWatch The clerk said she had been in consultation regarding the loan of the equipment from a neighbouring parish council. Further information had been sought and shewaswaiting for a response. Village hall grant Itwas agreed to give the village hall a grant towards a new kitchen. Blocked drain The blocked drain at the junction of Pye Corner andWilliam Post Lane had been reported again. Kent Highway Services (KHS) said an inspector would look at the site to see what needed to be done to prevent further flooding. HGV damage Therewas a request for a kerb to be installed on the Ulcombe Hill corner byWents garage because HGVs werewearing away the edge by the fence. Itwas agreed that KHS should be informed. Potholes The reappearance of many potholes on the Ulcombe Road needed to be reported to KHS, particularly between Jubilee Corner and Talebury. Kerb replacement The work on Chegworth Roadwas delayed as the contractorswere unable to agree a date. The clerkwas asked to email KHS.


Lacrosse plan for Green Villagers’ bid to save pub


WINTER sports could be coming to Bearsted in 2015. Maidstone Lacrosse Club have


asked for permission from the parish council to use The Green for their home matches from Oc- tober. The club have already spoken


to Bearsted Cricket Club about sharing the pavilion for their Sat- urday afternoon games when not in use by the cricket club. The games would take place


later than the junior football – from 1pm to 4pm – and not clash with the cricketing season. Conscious of nearby properties


and parked cars, the club say they will net the playing area to min- imise the risk of any accidents and damage to property. Club chairman Alistair Wilson


said low level nets would be used to prevent ball loss, but 10ft tem- porary nets would offer protec- tion for cars and homes. Cllr Les Ethridge said he felt the


risks were “horrendous” and chairman Cllr Richard Ash said: “It seems perfectly sensible to link a summer sport with a winter sport, to make all year round use of The Green – but schools, which have under-used facilities would be far safer than a public open space such as this.” The club have three mens’


teams which play at Sutton Va- lence but need a second pitch to avoid unduewear on each. The cricket club have said they


are happy to see a shared use of the pavilion. The parish council has yet to make a decision.


VILLAGERS are inviting members of the public to buy shares in the Hook and Hatchet pub in Hucking, which has been put up for sale by brewery Shepherd Neame. Locals fear only community inter-


vention will now protect the pub, after four failed attempts by tenants to keep the business going. Charlotte Clark (50) and her part-


ner David Bacon (46) – took on the pub in March, but it had closed by November. Now the pub has been put on the market for £450,000. Thirty villagers attended a meet-


ing to discuss saving the country pub and a committee has been formed. Its first job will be to regis- ter the pub as a community asset, to help the tendering process. Committee member Samantha


Mabb (43), of Scragged Oak Road, said: “As a small rural community


we would never forgive ourselves if we didn’t try to save it. “When we moved here, the prox-


imity of the pub to our house was a deciding factor. When we became snowed in, it became clear that this is where you get help and socialise. It would be a desperate shame if the pubwere to close.” The committee has visited a suc-


cessful community-run pub at Mer- sham, near Ashford. Shepherd Neame refused to com-


ment on the prospect of a commu- nity buy-out of the building, which is currently boarded up. The pub – close to one of the area’s busiest walking districts – has a restaurant and living accommoda- tion and is set in two acres. Anyone interested in buying in to


the business should email info@samanthamabb.co.uk.


Maidstone East February 2015 43


Parish Councils


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