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Awards presented to community champions
BEARSTED’S highest accolade has been awarded to three well-known figures from the community at a presentation by the parish council.
Grant meeting THE parish council will be allocat- ing grants to local groups and char- ities at its budget meeting in March. Organisations which would like
to apply to the council for a grant should contact the clerk in the New Year – and certainly before the end of February. Parish council chair Fiona Red-
man said: “The parish council gives an allocation of its funds to local groups each year towards their work in the community. Members will consider all applications as part of their budget process and details should be submitted in writing to the clerk at the parish office or by email to the usual address.”
Good to talk THE new parish newsletter has prompted some good feedback. The parish council welcomes con- tributions and ideas from the com- munity. The parish council’s Facebook
page and Twitter accounts have been reactivated and daily posts provide information on issues and events of interest that residents can follow @bearstedpc on twitter and
facebook.com/BearstedParish- Council. The site has been relaunched at
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk thanks to Cllr Kenny Cox.
Trees meeting COUNCILLORS are to meet gov- ernors of Madginford Primary School about the fate of a line of trees planted on the school bound- ary about 30 years ago. Members have asked for a meet-
ing at one of the houses in Ragstone Road to discuss concerns about the impact of the trees on the properties.
School visit MEMBERS reported an enjoyable afternoon at Roseacre School, where councillors used a quiz to teach pupils about the work of the parish council. Councillors have been in- vited back in January and also hope to visit Madginford School.
The Alfred Mynn awards are presented annually to those nomi- nated for their outstanding contri- bution to the life of their neighbourhood and to the village. This year they went to commu-
nity campaigner Mary Richards, classic car show organiser Philip Hill and fund-raiser Guy Pollak. Mrs Richards was nominated by Bearsted and Thurnham Society treasurer Roger Vidler and histo- rian Kate Kersey. Mr Vidler spoke of Mrs Richards’ contribution to the community and as a corner- stone of the society. He read her ci- tation, listing her tireless work for Thurnham’s parish plan and the StopKIG campaign, adding: “She is, quite simply, one of the most dedicated and highly regarded volunteers in these communities. “Mention a campaign and Mary
and her placard will be there in the forefront: outside County Hall, protecting the countryside and campaigning to keep the village shops open. She has even been known to persuade Paul Carter to come out of a quiet lunch at the White Horse to join a protest – an act she said her mother would never have approved of. “Perhaps not, Mary, but in all
other respects I am sure your mother would be immensely proud of everything you have achieved.” Mary, who lives in Thurnham, is
also involved in charity work and is secretary of the Babies In Prison charity.
Obviously shocked by her nomi- nation, she said afterwards that she had been reminded of the in- clement night on which she at- tended a meeting at the top of Cold Blow Lane calling for people to get involved in producing Thurnham’s parish plan. She told the Downs Mail: “I
think it was a story in your paper and I turned out in the hope that I could do something useful for the community. I’ve alwayswanted to be active in helping the community and protecting the countryside.” She thanked her family – hus-
band David and daughter Virginia – for providing the help that has
This page is sponsored and edited by:
Bearsted Parish Council
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
24 Maidstone East January 2016
Guy Pollak, Mary Richards and Philip Hill with their Mynn awards Alfred Mynn
THE awards take their name from English cricketer Alfred Mynn (1807-1861) who lived in Sandy Lane Bearsted and was considered the greatest all-rounder of his era. Nominations are considered by a panel prior to being passed to the parish council. Fifty-five people have received the award since its inception in 2004.
enabled her to support so many causes and used the opportunity to highlight the on-going campaign to save Bearsted’s parade of shops. Also receiving an award was
Philip Hill, whose voluntary ef- forts have built the Classic Car Show on the Green into “one of Bearsted’s star events of the year”. He was nominated by Cllr Gra-
ham Farrow, whose citation read: “Few people appreciate what a mammoth feat of organisation it is. This award is for Philip’s work in creating and organising one of Bearsted’s star events of the year and for raising nearly £20,000 for the air ambulance.” Philip, who lives in Bearsted,
said: “Eight years ago we started with 20 classic cars and now we have 200 every year. I try to keep it a local event and we now have
supporters who love to come back year after year, and we hope that continues.” The third award was presented
to “prolific charity fundraiser” Guy Pollak. He was nominated by Bearsted resident Joanne Conner, who said: “Despite his relatively young age and having a full-time job, he uses his leisure time to take part in sponsored runs and in organising and helping at local events for charities. “He is probably one of the best charity raffle organisers, managing to get donations of some fantastic prizes, and his ability to sell tickets is amazing. His understated and approachable style guarantees a sale nearly every time, sticking it out long after the rest of us have decidedwe’ve had enough, and he is still smiling!” Guy said: “It is really nice to be recognised for doing something I enjoy and I bless those who dip into their pockets and give and make it possible.”
Fireworks
THE fireworks display again proved very popular, with ex- cellent attendance and feed- back. Plans are already underway for next year's event.
Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:
01622 630165 Chairman:
clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Fiona Redman
MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30PM) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERY WELCOME
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