News | Sponsored parish council Boxley ParishMail


CHAIRMAN: BobHinderCLERK: Pauline BowderyASSTCLERK:Melanie Fooks ParishOffice, BeechenHall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade,ME5 9RU


Tel: 01634 861237 email: clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained fromthe parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website


Public works loan for BeechenHall upgrade


THE PARISHcouncil has laid out plans to improve the facilities at BeechenHall. The parish hall, which is now 23


years old, is in need of refurbish- ment, including the replacement of toilets and the front entrance doors. A planning application to more


than double the size of themeeting room has been approved and will allowfor the installation of a lobby in front of the existing entrance to minimise heat loss from the hall and make the existing foyer a us- able and draught-free space. Increasing the size of the current


meeting room will allow more events to be booked and provide improved facilities for the wider communities. Beechen Hall is a popular venue


and has run at a small surplus for a number of years. Five years ago the parish council earmarked funds to pay for part of


Crime reports IN Abid to increase choice, aswell as to reduce the number of 101 calls to the police on non-urgent issues, the public can now report crimes and


incidents online at


www.kent.police.uk. The userwill receive a unique reference number and an email confirming receipt. Kent Police are promoting this


change as a test/pilot at this stage. Feedback on using the online forms can be given at the end of each form.


Yellow lines COUNTY councillor Paul Carter is to use £2,000 of his devolved budget to pay for yellow lines at junctions on ProvenderWay. Poor parking by parents is creat-


ing safety issues for children cross- ing the road and for local residents. The parish council and school


will liaise to identify which road junctions are most in need of yel- lowlines.


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Improve- ments to fa- cilities at Beechen Hall will widen its appeal and allow addi- tional events to be held


the improvements and refurbish- men, and these will now be re- leased. Together with other funds, the parish council will cover roughly 50% of the estimated £180,000 cost of the four projects (toilets, entrance doors, extension and landscaping). The parish council is to apply for


a publicworks loan of £90,000, at a fixed interest rate of approximately 2.2% and repayable over 15 years. It is expected that inmost years the repayments will be covered by the


hire income. To obtain the loan, which can be repaid earlier if in- come increases, the parish council needs to apply to the Secretary of State and provide a business plan. It will also have to underwrite the repayments. It is also a condition that residents be consulted on the loan. Comments on the decision to


apply for a public works loan, using past and future hall income for the repayments, should be sent to the parish office by February 22.


Sad farewell to stalwart Steve


BOXLEY Parish Council is sad to re- port the passing of SteveWright, a much-loved stalwart of the commu- nity – and well-known for his impressive whiskers. Steve, who owned a local


tree management com- pany, was also a woods- man, craftsman and often gave demonstrations at the Kent County Show. At last year’s show he received a commu- nity award for his outstanding con- tribution to society. He was


APLANNING application is to be submitted for a site in Lordswood. A previous application gave ap-


proval for 89 dwellings in Gleam- ingwoodDrive. The same footprint will be used for the new applica- tion but this time 115 dwellings are proposed.The parish council has highlighted the potential increase


Maidstone East February 2018


presented with the Edward Hardy trophy for hiswork as a volunteer at the Ranscombe Farm Reserve, in nearby Cuxton. Paying tribute, Cllr Bob


Hinder said: “Although Stevewas not a parishioner of ours, he had very close links to the parish and made such a contribution to the area, especially on


environmental issues. “Our sympathies go to his family


and friends.” Proposal for 115 new houses


in traffic to county councillor Paul Carter and asked that the traffic as- sessment be carefully studied. Councillor Wendy Hinder also


suggested that Kent County Coun- cil look at applying for a section 106 payment to improve the Gleamingwood Drive/Lordswood Lane junction.


Crossing signs AT ITS Januarymeeting, the parish council’s environment committee considered interactive signs warn- ing of pedestrians crossing on Grovewood Drive North. How- ever, for technical and safety rea- sons these could not be installed. Chairman BobHinder said: “It is


incredibly frustrating that, for var- ious reasons, everything that is suggested justwon’twork. “The committee has written to


KCC to request fixed-plate warn- ing signs and this appears to be all that can be done.”


Newmember ANNE Brindlewas co-opted to join Boxley Parish Council at the Janu- arymeeting. Mrs Brindle,who served onCox-


heath ParishCouncil formore than 20 years beforemoving to the Box- ley area, will represent North ward. Chairman Bob Hinder said: “We


had three excellent candidates and I have advised the two other candi- dates that we would like to hear fromthemagain ifwe have any fu- ture vacancies.”


Precept rise THE parish council has chosen to freeze its annual precept at £107,437. This equates to aa annual charge of £27.82, or 54p per week, on n average a band D property. The decision was ratified by the


council, having been put forward by the Finance and General Pur- poses Committee. Cllr Ivor Davies, who heads the


committee, said: “We felt that our residents will suffer enough with increases to council tax from other parts, sowe are keen to help by not increasing our own precept.”


Kerb changes PROPOSED improvements to Chatham Road in Sandling are to be altered. Kent County Council is to tweak


the design for the raised kerbs and permanent bollards to replace the current temporary bollards placed two and a half years ago to stop HGVs parking up. Thework is likely to start inApril.


downsmail.co.uk


Good food at its best


The Nursery at Bredhurst is offering three-course Sunday lunches for only £15 per person, between 12-6pm every Sunday. The venue also takes bookings for Valentine’s Day, when you can enjoy a three-course meal with live entertainment for only £60 per couple. You can also book for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and enjoy a three-course meal. The Nursery also stages tribute nights, so check the website for up and coming events.


It is also the perfect venue which can be hired privately for any occasion including weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties and is fully-licenced until 1am. Go to www.thenurseryvenue.co.uk The Walnut Tree – Tonbridge Road, Maidstone is 300 years old and steeped in history. Landlady Rosaline Janko has a modern approach coupled


attitude of respect to the history. You will enjoy a great variety of food, drink and entertainment within a relaxed atmosphere.


Regular entertainment is offered all year, including COMEDY NIGHTS


that have been


established 28 YEARS! In the past, Catherine Tate, Alistair Mc Gowan, Jimmy Carr have featured, amongst others. See the future stars of comedy - fun, laughter & often adult humour. Please see www.thewalnuttree- maidstone.com


with an available are


The Black Horse Inn at Thurn- ham is an 18th Century free house Inn with luxury accommodation and a restaurant in a wonderful rural setting tucked beneath the steep face of the North Downs on the Pilgrims Way. The restaurant offers an extensive menu and the chefs pride themselves on using only the very best local produce to give an exciting range of mouth-watering English and Continental dishes. light


lunches,


Also a


children’s menu and traditional Sunday roasts. There are also a selection of daily specials which change regularly.


THE WALNUT TREE Your traditional, family run, local pub.


Kent’s longest running comedy club Every Thursday – Come and see the future stars of comedy live!


Live Music - every Friday (visit website for details)


Jam Night - First Monday of the month


Dogs welcome on their leads Lovely beer garden and car park.


Varied bar menu served every day 12noon-8.30pm.


Come try our famous ‘Build a Burger’ meals!


Find us opposite the entrance to Oakwood Park Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8SR


01622 727260 email : walnuttree234@yahoo.co.uk web : www.thewalnuttreemaidstone.com


The Nursery


Wedding Ceremony, Celebration & Entertainment Venue


Sunday Lunches


3 courses £15.00 per person 12-6pm every Sunday


Valentines Day


Wednesday 14th February 3 courses with live entertainment


£60.00 per couple ‘love songs’


Mothers Day Sunday 11th March 3 courses £22.50


Nursery Weddingvenue 01634 386111


The Nursery, Dunn Street Road, Bredhurst, Kent. ME7 3ND


www.thenurseryvenue.co.uk Maidstone East February 2018


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