downsmail.co.uk


Gran determined to reunite village


A GRAN who has lived in Lark- field for 40 years is calling on vil- lagers to show some community spirit. She wants to organise events to


bring neighbours and residents to- gether during the summer and at key times of the year like Christmas. Jackie Hirsch, of The Lakes, is put- ting up posters encouraging people to get in- volved. She swung


into action after seeing neigh- bouring places like Snodland


and Kings Hill host big events. She said: “I’d like to see a summer


fete on the recreation ground in Larkfield this year, with teas and cof- fees, stalls, and families coming out to take part. Let’s openupthe village hall and serve drinks. “Maybe we can do something at Christmas, if peoplewant this. “There are six estates in Larkfield


and they all seem to be theirownen- tity – Iwant to bring us together and get the community spirit back.


Advertisement feature “So far, a few people have said


they like the idea, but I’m hoping these posters andmycampaign will bring forward others who will get involved and make things happen.” Jackie, a member of Larkfield Women’s Group which meets at Church Farm, New Hythe Lane, at 8pm onWednesdays, posted an on- line plea at the Downs Mail Com- munity Notice Board. She wrote: “I'm looking to start a Larkfield Community Group. Some- where that Larkfield residents, young, elderly, male, female, can get together and enjoy social events and gatherings. “Anything from Christmas fairs to summer fetes, music evenings to barn dances – in fact anything that peoplewant to do. “I've lived here 40 years and seen


the once small village expand, losing its community feel. I'd like to get that back, and get neighbours together. “This is not meant to be a political, religious or protest group. Just an idea for a neighbourhood ‘club’ to get to know each other.” Email jackiehirsch56@yahoo.co.uk or call her on 07563 196479.


News MPTracey’s flipping good


A TEAM captained by Aylesford and Chatham MP Tracey Crouch battered the opposition in the annual parliamentary pancake race. The MPs’ squad claimed victory by the length of a frying pan in the 10-lap race challenge against teams fromthe media and House of Lords. Miss Crouch, who is


Minister for Sport, tweeted it was “a flipping excellent victory for the Commons team”. In its 20th year, the


charity race, was held at Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster to raise awareness for those with acquired brain injury. Funds raised by the event will go to brain injury charity Rehab’s services in Birmingham and Newcastle.


Gurkhas join village lier pick


VOLUNTEERS from the Ayles- ford Litter Monitors group were joined by Gurkha veterans in a clear-up around the Royal British Legion Village. They filled 13 bags of rubbish during the event in support of the Great British Spring Clean cam- paign, run by Keep Britain Tidy. Organiser Bob Grange said;


“The weather was good and the turnout was simply amazing. We were expecting about seven group


members, but we were unexpect- edly joined by about 16 members of the Maidstone Gurkha Nepalese Community Veteran Group.


“Special thanks go to Sumindra


Pun for organising this very nice group of people to come and help us with our litter-pick.” Tonbridge and Malling ward


Cllr Trevor Walker also joined in the clean-up which he said was “very enjoyable”.


downsmail.co.uk


Malling March 2017


3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40