What’s happening where you live...
Correspondent: Jean Watson Mob: 07966 361434 Tel: 01622 687053 Garden club: Members will be holding their annual Christmas party on Thursday, December 4 in St Nicholas Church Hall with entertainment provided by singer and ventriloquist Mr A. Simmons. All members to take their own food and drink. The party starts at 7.30pm. Market: St Nicholas Church will be holding it’s Christmas Market on Saturday, December 6. To be opened by Father Christmas at 10.30am. Gold coins will be distributed to the children. Children’s activities in the church from 11am, with 10 minute services at noon and 1.30pm. Stalls include: hand-made crafts, books, games and toys, gifts, Christmas decorations, honey products, bottle tombola, children’s science packs, home made cakes, greenery, table decorations, raffle, home made jams and marmalades, BBQ and snacks and lunches in the Christmas Café in the small hall. From 10.30am2.30pm. Free entry. Tea and Chat: At the weekly Get Together meeting in the Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 3, there will be a chance to play a few games, have a chat and enjoy a warm time of fellowship together with some refreshments. From 2.15-3.45pm. Correspondent: Gilly Hurley Tel: 01622 790734 AylesfordEccles@ aol.com Eccles defibrillator fundraiser: Eccles Community Group is taking part in a sponsored dog walk on Saturday, December 6, to help raise money for the defibrillator that they are hoping, amongst other things, to purchase for the village. It is a 9am meet by the war memorial. The walk is five to seven miles and it’s £5 donation per dog. All proceeds going direct to the village defibrillator fund. Everyone is welcome with or without a dog. Just go and join in the fun. For information contact Lisa on 07815 948271 or via email lisaa.taylor@ virgin.net March musicians needed: Musicians are wanted for a 12 hour musical-thon in March 2015 in support of the Heart of Kent Hospice. Soloists, choirs, pianists, violinists, guitarists and bands would be welcome to perform alongside other local musicians in a 12 hour back-to-back event. Sets will range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. If you would like to join in, the event will run from 10am-10pm at Grove Green Community Centre on March 28. For details or to book your performance slot contact PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES: The council met on October 21. Chairman’s announcements: Cllr Gledhill reported on his attendance at St Peters Church, Aylesford, Community Service on October 19, where he spoke about the role of the parish council and answered questions. It was a well attended and enjoyable service. Cllr Homewood was also in attendance. Mr Ainsworth, resident of Walsham Road, updated members on his continuing communications with Kent Highways in an effort to get all night street lighting reinstated. He acknowledged the efforts of county Cllr Homewood and borough Cllr Sullivan who have attended site meetings. However, following KCC’s meeting in September to review its ‘Safe and Sensible Street Lighting’ policy, it appears it was still refusing to look at individual areas which are causing concern to residents when lights go off at midnight or 1am, depending on the time of year, until early morning. He indicated that the police and AA were not objecting to these changes. Mr Ainsworth reiterated his view that this is a poor decision by KCC which affects people’s safety and security, both pedestrians and vehicle drivers. He is aware of a number of other councils nationally who originally adopted a reduced lighting policy but have now reversed their decision in view of public concerns. Mr Ainsworth will continue to lobby for a similar reversal of policy by KCC and looked for parish council support. Mr Homewood stated that KCC had been forced by government to continue to make substantial annual financial savings and the £1.5m it estimates to save with their S&SSL policy is therefore non-negotiable at this time. Cllr Elvy commented that new lights recently installed on the path at Tunbury Primary School appear still to be switched on at 9.30am. Clerk to write to KCC expressing council’s concern that KCC was not willing to look at individual sites County Cllr Homewood referred to the KCC Community Award Scheme. Nominations for people making a significant contribution to community life in the county are invited. Members elected to nominate the Blue Bell Hill School of Dance (Mrs Burnham-Jones) and Aylesford Youth Club organisers. Clerk to confirm names and addresses and nomination procedure. Borough Cllr Balcombe (Aylesford) reported that works in Aylesford village centre on paving and drainage had been completed. Improvements to the standard of surface on footways in Rochester and Forstal Roads had also been undertaken. Cllr Rillie commented that the footways certainly look better but queried whether the correct materials for laying at this time of year had been used. Clerk will raise this with Kent Highways. Members hoped that improvements to road surfacing in the village will become a priority. A great deal of patching had taken place over the years and it requires a top coat to improve the appearance, particularly in view of the likely plans to upgrade the village centre. Aylesford highway matters – Rochester Road: Cllr Base stated that in addition to the re-profiling of the speed humps, additional measures were required to reduce speeding approaching the village and to prevent HGVs coming through the village. He had approached Kent Highways regarding these issues as a resident. Cllr Rillie added he would like to see ‘pinch points’ installed at the entrances to the village giving priority to vehicles leaving the village. Correspondent: Ron Stubbs Tel: 01622 726962 Market: St Margaret’s Christmas Market will take place in the village hall, Heath Road on Saturday, November 29 from 2-4pm. Among the array of goodies available will be food, games and craft items plus a raffle and tombola. You will also be able to make your own Christmas decorations using materials there. With music and carols in the background this promises to be a great way to start the Christmas spirit. Bring and share: The congrega- Ivy Club: This club for the over 60s next meets on Wednesday, December 10 at 12.30pm in The Grange Moor Hotel, St Michael’s Road for a Christmas lunch starting at 1pm. Then there is a break with the first meeting in the New Year being on January 7 at 2pm in St Andrew’s Church hall. Maureen, the club’s organiser, can be contacted on 01622 721238 with any inquiries. Lighting up time: A group of people walking from Church Cross House to St Margaret’s Church carrying their lit lanterns is a special occasion enjoyed by many. This happens on Saturday, December 6 with a 3.30pm assembly in the car park of the Scouts’ Belmont Close hut for adults and children over eight who have already made their lanterns. They will be due to reach Church Cross House an hour later. Meanwhile, the families group with children under eight will meet at 3.30pm in Church Cross House to make jam jar lanterns and Christmas tree decorations (a charge of £1.50 per child has to be made to cover the costs of materials) and the groups will meet and proceed down Church Lane from 4.30pm. St Margaret’s Brass Band will play with mince pies, soft drinks and (adults only) mulled wine served for which donations will be appreciated. Cactus club: The Maidstone and Medway branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society will hold its monthly meeting in The Parish Hall, Tonbridge Road on Wednesday, December 3 at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Call Lucy on 01622 727776 for more information. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Bazaar: A Christmas Bazaar will be held by Bearsted and Thurnham WI at the WI Hall in The Street on Saturday November 29 from 2pm4.30pm. Craft. Jewellery. Cakes. Bric-a-brac. Christmas decorations/cards. Tombola. Raffle and much more. Tea/coffee and mince pie £1. Visit Father Christmas and receive a gift, £2.50 per child.