East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council Report


A20/New Hythe Lane junction works THE works by KCC to amend the junction layout, mainly to remove the right hand bus lane into New Hythe Lane, are on course. The project also involves amending the alignment of the kerbs and resurfacing the pavements.


The bus shelter outside Bell Court will be taken across the road to the new stop position, where the pavement is narrower and the one currently on that side of the road will replace it. The idea of a shared footway and cycleway on the north side of London Road was dropped as local councillors felt the path between Larkfield Hotel and Morrisons was too narrow and used by many pedestrians. The next phase will be to replace the temporary traffic lights with a new set of permanent ones.


Wooden bollards, Leybourne Way THE parish council has asked KCC to remove the damaged wooden bollards and those lying on the verge opposite Tesco. These were originally placed there to prevent lorries parking and churning up the verge while they visited Tesco. County


The Parish Office is closed to personal callers until further notice. Please ring 01732 870872 or email clerk@westmallingpc.org


Reprieve for Thomas More Roman Catholic Church Lucks Hill


THE Archbishop has confirmed that the Diocese no longer intends to close the church on Lucks Hill. The future of the rest of the site, including the Hermitage, Nursery, Presbytery and car park, will be discussed with the Diocese. The parish council has requested the listing of the church on the Community Asset Register, though there is no longer an immediate threat to the building . The listing means that any proposed sale or closure in future would be frozen for six months to allow the community to raise the funds to make a successful bid for the building and the Hermitage will not be put up for sale until Spring 2021.


Green Cafe Manor Park, West Malling KCC is taking over the running of this cafe from the Easter holidays, and expects it to


councillor Trudy Dean is seeking to have the damaged bollards replaced. The county council no longer uses these bollards, and so she needs their permission to use her KCC Community Fund to pay for them to be reinstated.


Jubilee seat, A20


THE parish council has passed to Ditton Parish Council a metal seat to replace the damaged one they removed on the Ditton/ Larkfield boundary on the A20. Ditton PC has now installed it where it looks very smart. The original seat was provided on a joint basis to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.


Warren Wood, East Malling PARISH councillors were pleased the plan to build houses next to ancient woodland - Warren Wood - on what was originally part of Heath Farm, was refused on appeal. Kings Hill Parish Council has now renewed the registration of the sports areas in its parish plus the area of Warren Wood Nature Area with its footpath network in this parish. The public footpath MR115,


West Malling Parish Council Report


be open weekends and school holidays from then on.


VE Day street party


WEST Malling High Street and Community Orchard will be in party mood on the May 8 Bank Holiday commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in 1945. The High Street, upper Swan Street and Macey’s Meadow will be available for public picnicking, and period dress is encouraged. Food sales, stalls, Spitfire fly past, Vera Lynn-style entertainment and children’s activities are already booked. Hold the date.


Blossom Day at Macey’s Meadow MACEY’S Meadow volunteers will be holding a VE Day-themed blossom event on Bank Holiday Friday, May 8, between 1pm and 4pm. Come along to the meadow to enjoy music, stalls, wildlife talks, children’s activities and, of course, cake. Bake a VE Day-themed cake for our cake competition. Draw, paint or design a picture of the meadow for our art competition (feel free to give it a VE Day theme), all entries should


be with the parish office by May 1 and please remember to provide name, address and age, if under 18. The competition will be judged by a local artist. Drawings on an A4 piece of paper please. We would welcome any contributions to both the tombola and cake stall. Please contact the clerk on 01732 870872 for more information about the day and how you can help. Bring your picnics and enjoy an afternoon of celebration in the meadow.


Volunteering at the meadow VOLUNTEER working party dates will be on March 21, 4th & 18th April 4 and 18, May 2, 16 and 30, and June 13 and 17. Each runs from 10 am to noon. Tools will be provided. All meet at the container by the railway line near the mixed woodland.


West Malling litter pick THIS will be on Saturday, April 25 between 10 am and noon. Please meet at the Village Hall in Norman Road at 10 am. All equipment will be provided. For more details contact the clerk on 01732 870872.


New parish councillor


THE parish council has co-opted Ray Haffenden from Leybourne Park to fill a vacancy. This will be the first time there has been a member for that area at New Hythe.


New trees


THE parish council has ordered three new standard trees to replace those at East Malling Playing Fields, which were felled a little while ago due to disease. It is also seeking a tree for Larkfield Active Retirement Association to provide at Church Farm, Larkfield behind the main hall.


Bank closure BARCLAYS Bank is closing at Larkfield on June 5.


now a bridleway, has also been marked with a sign at both the Teston Road and The Heath ends. One of the local landowners has cleared the cul dec sac of Teston Road as far as their property and re- positioned the concrete blocks to prevent vehicle access towards Kings Hill.


LOCAL CONTACTS


Trudy Dean, Malling Action Partnership chairman E: trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk T: 01732 843 119 Citizens Advice Bureau – T: 01732 440488 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council main switchboard – T: 01732 844522


Pothole reporting – T: 08458 247800


Travel Enquiries Nu-Venture Buses – T: 01622 882288 Trains – T: 08457 484950 Arriva Buses – T: 0871 200 22 33


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