July/August 2017


Serving local people, businesses & events in Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling


Tribute tea celebrates the life of much-loved Irene


FRIENDS, family, past colleagues and members of the East Malling community came together at an afternoon tea tribute event to celebrate the life of much-loved teacher Irene Scott.


As teacher, then deputy head and eventually head teacher of St James’s Infant and Nursery School in Chapman Way, she dedicated 40 years of her life to the children and families of East Malling. Irene, who passed away in January, took early retirement when the school merged with a junior school and moved into new buildings. The existing building became the East Malling Centre, for which Irene served as a trustee and community volunteer.


Volunteers had planted a garden in her memory which was officially opened during


Traffic queues ahead


MAJOR disruption is expected in the area around New Hythe Lane during the summer when part of the road is closed for gas works.


The route will shut between London Road and the fire station over a 30-day period from July 24. Work will be in three phases, from the A20 to Morrisons, then Morrisons to Laburnum Drive and lastly Laburnum Drive to the fire station.


However, the road could re- open sooner if the work progresses ahead of schedule.


After a request from Cllr Trudy Dean, Kent County Council has


agreed to install the yellow box junction and refresh lane markings at the A20/New Hythe Lane crossing, as well as Keep Clear markings at Larkfield Road, at the same time to avoid another closure. She said: “However, I have not been able to convince them that the on- street parking restriction in peak hours or the rephrasing of traffic lights should take place too. Cllr Dean was also advised it was not possible to use Bellingham Way through the former Aylesford Newsprint site as a temporary diversion because of safety reasons during demolition work.


the tribute afternoon and her husband, Chas, unveiled a plaque near the front doors of the building.


After retirement, Irene remained involved with the community, serving as trustee of the centre and helping, as treasurer of a


community group and with running Craft and Chat Group (a very important part of Irene's time at the Centre), and Irene also got involved in helping with many community events and projects.


The centre’s community development coordinator Angela Borsos, said: “Irene had more friends than I could ever count - she remained in contact with old colleagues and so many more people that she knew over many years as neighbours, members of clubs that she attended and so on. Irene was a much loved, respected and admired


Year 6 children from St James the Great


Academy, East Malling, serve tea at the tribute event for the late Irene Scott (pictured left)


lady who always had time and a genuine interest for the people in her life.


“So many people got involved in the tribute afternoon and pulled together to get everything ready, from baking cakes, making sandwiches, and volunteering to help set up, and a dedicated group of Irene’s friends worked really hard in creating a permanent tribute garden at the centre in Irene’s memory.”


Parking at Manor Park


MANOR Park car park now has parking charges enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Charges remain the same for the Kent County Council-owned car park in St Leonard’s Street, West Malling.


Pay and display tickets cost £1.30 from Monday to Friday and £2 at weekends and bank holidays. An annual season ticket costs £50. The new equipment was introduced on July 3.


Brookfield places


BROOKFIELD Infant and Junior Schools are consulting on a proposal to link the schools for admissions so that siblings would be prioritised for admission to the junior school, which is not the case now, and on admission to the infant school.


Cllr Trudy Dean said: “There has been a lot of distress this year as 20 pupils have been turned away including six siblings, leaving parents to consider travelling arrangements to different schools for different children. I do urge people to write in support of the linking status which would start in September 2018.”


A Malling Action Partnership publication


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