What’s happening where you live...

young people loitering around the shops in the village centre late into the evening; his role as a dementia friend including involvement in dementia walks, the Alzheimer’s Cafe and setting up projects to support dementia sufferers. It is likely that repairs to the brick bus shelter and Christmas tree pit cover will not be completed until the summer break because it will be necessary to erect scaffolding on school land in order to gain access to the bus shelter roof. It was noted that the Annual Return paperwork had been despatched to the external auditors and notifications of electors’ rights have been posted on parish council notice boards and in the library. It had been confirmed that the parish council had received an unaudited copy of the village hall accounts for the 2015/2016 financial year. The detail will be considered at the next meeting of the finance committee before any decision is taken about the payment of an annual grant. It was noted that debris from the World Custard Pie Championship had been left in the children’s play area and there had also been complaints from dog walkers that their dogs had been vomiting as a result of eating custard pie materials. These matters would be brought to the attention of the organisers. Planning: The following applications were discussed and the results shown. Removal of conservatory, erection of a replacement conservatory and a single-storey rear extension with changes to the flat roof at 38 Huntington Road. These are minor amendments and was recommended for approval. Relocation of garage unit and construction of a detached five bedroom dwelling alongside associated parking, access and landscaping work at Olivia’s Barn, Heath Road. There was no objection subject to the retention of the boundary hedge and the permanent removal of the mobile home. Demolition of a single-storey side extension and erection of a replacement two-storey side extension at 12 Pippin Close. Recommended for approval. Demolition of building and the erection of A1 retail convenience store (Sainsburys), car parking, ATM and associated works at 9094 Heath Road. Recommended for approval subject to a number of points of clarification. MBC had approved the retrospective application for the alteration of fenestration on land at Crinnis. Heath Road. MBC had refused the application for a detached side garage and a tiled lean-to roof over front bay window at Castanea 55 Heath Road. Correspondent: Jenny Cosgrove Tel: 01622 630462 jenny.cosgrove@ hotmail. co.uk Church Open: Detling church will be the venue for a Bible Marathon. This will start on Monday, August 1 and will continue daily from 10am-6pm (Sunday’s open from 10am-noon) with the Holy Bible being read aloud, every word from Genesis to Revelation, using a modern version. Anybody can drop in, listen for a while and perhaps take over reading a chapter or two. This is not a fundraising event, but a way to keep the church doors open to visitors, tourists, walkers and cyclists who are exploring our area. Ring Margaret Cooke on 01622 737987 if you would like to help, it could take as long as a fortnight, who knows! Coffee morning: On Wednesday, August 3 from 10.30am-noon there will be another coffee and chat in the church (outside if it’s good weather). All welcome, there is no charge. For details contact Gill Humfrey on 01622 730139. Popular event: The open garden and teas at the Croft raised £848 for the Heart of Kent Hospice. About 100 people supported this occasion. The Larches : On Monday, August 1, the Kent Wildlife Trust will be holding its monthly volunteer day in The Larches. This month will be barrier fencing, constructing a soft barrier against motorbike access to protect an area of hazel it is planning to coppice later in the year. For information contact warden Alison on 07808 085031 or call the main office on 01622 662012. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com 100 Club winners: Winners of Heritage Centre 100 Club for May and June were 1 Mrs C Welbelove, 2 Mrs L Clark and 3 Mrs J Phillips. Thanks go to all who support the club. Fresh produce: Communigrow, the community food growing charity, is resuming its barrow on The Green on Saturdays August 6 and 20 from 12.15-2pm. Taste local fresh vegetables grown on the field as well as bread, honey, jams and chutneys. If you would like produce between these dates phone Richenda on 07940069266. Joint quiz: The petanque club and the twinning association are jointly holding a quiz night in the community centre on Friday, July 29. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Teams of up to eight at £5 per head. Nibbles are supplied, or take your own. Drinks available from the bar. No drinks to be brought in. To book a table phone

01732 844292 or 840699. Council date: The parish council meets in the community centre on Monday, August 1 at 7.30pm. Time will be set aside for public participation at 8pm. Residents are welcome to attend. Kilnbarn quiz: The next Kilnbarn quiz will be on Sunday, July 31 at 8pm. Teams of up to eight at £2 per head. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com Classic car show: See Bearsted

column. Any answers: A quiz will take place at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday August 10 at 7.30pm. Take your own nibbles and drinks. For details phone 737684 or 01622 739129. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Archaeology exhibition: Kent Area Archaeological Group are having a display of finds from their excavations of the Roman buildings at East Farleigh at the Festival of Archaeology 2016 at Maidstone Museum on Saturday, July 30 from 10.30am-3.30pm. For information contact Linda Weeks, honorary secretary on 01622 762422; email to maag.info@ virginmedia.com or visit the group’s website at www.maag. btck.co.uk WI: The Farleighs WI will be holding a themed evening of Murder Mystery on Saturday, August 6 at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets at £8 each from Pam Lindon on 01622 726337. Gardening club: The club’s evening

visit to the five acre gardens of Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com If you have an item concerning East Sutton, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Fran Smith, 14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA Mob: 07791 650955 Tel: 01622 720623 fransmith@ talktalk.net If you have an item concerning Fant, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Worship together: Members of the four Len Valley congregations will worship together in St Nicholas church, Boughton Malherbe on Sunday, July 31 at 10am. The guest speaker will be Margaret Weston who is an author and Tearfund representative. Margaret will talk about the Connected Church project. Those attending the service are invited to take non-perishable items of food for use at the Maid-