Town Talk


TWO Snodland residents have been honoured for their contribu- tions to the community. Dr Andrew Ashbee and PeteWil-


Car parts firm closes down


MOTORHOUSE, the vehicle parts and cycle shop in Holborough Road, Snodland is to close after 23 years. Geoff Robins and Steve Peakin


say they "have had a great time" but have been beaten by the internet. Geoff said: "Ten years ago 10% of


what we sell was sold on the inter- net. Now 90% of it is. We will never regret the years we have been here but since last year it has not been fi- nancially viable." Geoff and Steve worked in the


parts department at Parkfoot, Lark- field. When it closed a poll showed most of the customers were from Snodland, so the pair went into busi- ness at 4 Holborough Road, now the Village Optician, and moved to the present shop after two years. Geoff lives in East Malling, is mar-


ried to Lorraine and the couple have three children, Benn, Millie and Luke. He has always been inter- ested in bikes and will continue with that side of the business from home.


son received the Kent Association of Local Councils and local council awards at the annualmeeting. Andrew, ofMalling Road became


a teacher in 1961 and retired as head of music at Rochester Girls Grammar School in 1990. He is an expert in 17th century English in- strumental music and has taught for the Open University, the Kent Music School and WEA. He has lectured widely on his subject, has been a trustee and member of the editorial committee of Musica Britannica since 1988 and has published andmoderated


A BOY and girl who met at school have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Cliff and Janice Withams, of


Woodlands Avenue, Snodland marked 60 years together with a weekend in Folkestone and a meal with family. Cliff and Janice met at Holmes-


dale school when they were 15 and 13.


"We started going to the cinema, for walks and playing and I taught


Numbers Useful


her how to use a catapult!" said Cliff. "I started work at Carslaw's Farm at Rookery Hill and earned £2.10s a week."


Dr Andrew Ashbee and Pete Wilson


several volumes in the series. But it is for his local work that An-


drew has received his award. He has written, edited and published many historical books, has been conductor of Snodland and District Choral Society, aided by his wife, Brenda, since 1981, is founder and chairman of Snodland Historical Society and curator of Snodland


Local news for Snodland and Halling Community service awards


Millennium Museum and has played the organ at Christ Church, Malling Road for 58 years. PeteWilson, who lives in Godden


Road, audited the books at Lee Road play school in 1977, was treasurer at St Katherine's Primary School from 1979 to 1987 andwas a school governor.He helped build the swimming pool at the school. Pete served on Snodland Coun-


cil from 1980 to 1983. He helped run the bed races round Snodland and the Father Christmas sleigh ride from 1979 to last year. He was treasurer of Snodland Nomads from 1989 and is still treasurer of Snodland Town Football Club. He has been treasurer of Snod- land Labour Party since 1984.


Childhood sweethearts celebrate 60th anniversary


He retired from Reed Paper Group, Larkfield in 2001. Janice worked at Townsend Hook. They lived in Covey Hall Road for


48 years before moving to their present home 12 years ago. The couple were 18 and 16 when


they married and they have two sons and two daughters, Linda, Stephen, Tony and Mandy, 11 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.They are due to be- come great-great grandparents.


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