What’s happening where you live...

Sunday, November 13 starts at 10.15am. Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for Headcorn, please contact Debbie Edwards, email: dedwards@ thekmgroup.co.uk Markets: The next farmers’ market is on Saturday, November 12 from 9.30-1pm in the village hall. There is a wide variety of produce and crafts for sale, which varies each month. Most are produced locally in Headcorn and the immediate vicinity. The flea and collectors market will be held in the Methodist Church hall the same day from 9.30am-2.30pm. For information, phone 01622 890735. Free entry. Footpaths group: The next walk is on Sunday, November 6 meeting at 10.30am at the war memorial, High Street. Members will then go by car to Smarden. Optional lunch. Information from Chris Dutton on 01622 890142. Correspondent: Liz Willy , 108 Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, ME17 1UA Mob: 07928668924 elizabethwilly@ btinternet.com PARISH COUNCIL: Cllr M Bedwell reported that the padlocks for the Cardwell Pavilion gate kept on disappearing from the gate, and therefore were having to be replaced. Cllr P Garten had welded the padlock on to a chain attached to the gate. Cllr M Bedwell had been advised of a rather large mobile home, with drainage, being erected in the vicinity of Snagbrook. Maidstone BC had advised that it had inspected the mobile caravan which is temporary for those renovating the house, and after the renovation it would be removed. As a result, no action would be taken. Crime report: Crime figures September 9 to October 4. September 14, criminal damage in Eyhorne Street; September 19, theft on Hollingbourne Hill; September 19 between 11am and 11.59pm, criminal damage to a property on Hollingbourne Hill; September 21, criminal damage in Musket Lane and September 23 theft on Hollingbourne Hill. There were two cases of anti-social behaviour reported, September 21 poaching with crops in a field being damaged by hare coursers in Musket Lane and September 22, poaching on Hollingbourne Hill. The PCSO’s advised that there had been numerous reports of poaching across the North Downs over the last 10 days. Report any suspicious vehicles in rural locations at night, especially 4x4s, which may be used for poaching. Kent Police ran an operation over the weekend of October 1-1, which targeted poaching in the area. These operations will continue to run to provide a high-visibility presence. The clerk had attended a meeting with the Maidstone Bus companies in September and had been advised that timetables were due to change in the near future due to road congestion problems. The clerk would investigate into the marking out of a ‘no parking – buses only’ area at the entrance of Church Approach, as the bus drivers often find it difficult to turn in this area when gatherings, eg funerals take place. County Cllr Mrs J Whittle report: The parish council said that following concerns from the parents of schoolchildren who need to cross the busy A20 at Hollingbourne Corner to catch the bus into Maidstone each morning, Cllr Whittle had succeeded in arranging for early morning buses to collect Maidstone bound passengers on the Ashford bound side of the A20 from December 4. The parish would like to thank Cllr Whittle for her persistence and hard work in this matter. Planning: 16/506385/FULL 2 New Cottage, Upper Street, erection of dwelling utilising access arrangements to the site. Demolition of garage and provision of a replacement garage to serve the property. No objection. 15/503232/FULL 21 Eyhorne Street. Despite the parish council’s efforts, the application was approved at the planning committee on September 15. The considerable risks to the neighbouring properties, if building works were carried out in a thoughtless way, were recognised and various rules for its construction were specified to the developer. Cllr P Waite, Thurnham PC, said had been attending the Inspector’s Enquiry of the Maidstone Local Plan, but needed the support of Hollingbourne Parish Council when he attends the meeting on November 9, when he speaks about employment policies and allocations, regulation 18. This matter is with regards to Leeds Castle and its lack of a regulation 19 comment, but thankfully Hollingbourne PC has submitted such a comment. Cllr P Waite felt that Maidstone BC had played down their biggest employer, Leeds Castle, and the business that it promotes in local bed and breakfast establishments, etc, and Hollingbourne PC needed to emphasise how important the Castle is in promoting tourism in the area. Cllr Bennett offered to support Cllr Waite. Cllr P Waite also reported that the KIMS’ site, Bearsted, was allegedly not performing financially, as expected. A high level of new build houses in the Maidstone area are occupied by people from Could you make room for another lovebird? Sadly Josephine’s mate Napoleon has recently died so now she is looking for a new home with others of the same species to keep her company.