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Correspondent: Jean Watson Mob:

07966 361434 Tel: 01622 687053 Hearty Quilters: Will be holding a fundraising and Open Day on Saturday, November 4 from 10am-2pm at St Nicholas Church. Demonstrations throughout the day. Sale of fabric remnants, fat quarters and haberdashery. Second-hand books and magazines plus refreshments on sale. There will also be a quilt raffle and lucky dip. Entry £2 per person. Get Together: At the next meeting on Wednesday, November 8 in the Baptist Church, there will be another chance to play the Boggle Word Quiz. A brain teaser presented by Fred. Runs 2.30-4pm. Millennium Green: Presents a Wine and Wisdom Evening on Saturday November 18 at 7.30pm in St. Nicholas Church Hall. Teams of up to eight at £5 per head, which includes nibbles. Take your own drinks. To book tickets phone: 01622 756660. Friendship through flowers: Maidstone Flower Club looks forward to welcoming Louise Roots with her demonstration Autumnal Splendour on Thursday November 9. Tea / coffee will be available before the demonstration and Louise’s arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Baptist Church. Free parking. New members and visitors welcomed at the club which meets on the second Thursday of the month. Membership £30 per annum, Visitors fee £6 per visit. Fireworks spectacular: At the community association, Castle Road on Saturday November 4. Gates open at 6pm, display 7.30pm. Fun fair, hot and cold food and licensed bar. Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the gate. Family tickets for two adults and two children £25 in advance or £30 on the gate. Tickets available from the association. Information on 01622 673633 pearance from Father Christmas. All money raised for St Alban’s and local charities - MIND (Maidstone branch), Holding On, Letting Go, Contact the Elderly and Medway Churches Winter Night Shelter. Details to follow. 2.30-3.30pm at the library. Go along and enjoy a cuppa while discussing the current month’s book. Give blood: The next blood donor sessions will be on Friday, November 10 from 1.45-4.30pm and 5.308pm at the village hall. There are limited walk in slots but you are advised to make an appointment on 0300 123 23 23. PARISH COUNCIL: There have been four crimes reported. In Hanover Road, car keys were taken leading to the stealing of a vehicle, which has subsequently been recovered; theft of lead flashing from a communal cycle shed in John Day Close; graffiti on residential property windows in Waverley Close and burglary at Greensands Surgery. PARISH COUNCIL: Following her promotion, Sgt Roy Hefferden had taken over from Rachael Cumberland. There were continued concerns over the availability and deployment of PSCOs. Only nine are deployed in the Maidstone area, although more are in the process of recruitment. Despite initial indications to the contrary, it was hoped that local PCSOs would attend parish council meetings on a quarterly basis. The parish council had been given a general alert about rogue traders. In his report, the community warden said that he was giving continued support to vulnerable and elderly residents and working closely with the PCSO with regard to scams and the victims of crime. The repairs on the village CCTV camera were complete and would be delivered back to PCSO Alan Hunter in due course. The chairman reported that he had tried to comment online before both the original and extended deadline dates but to no avail on the KCC consultation on Rights of Way Improvement Plan. However, since this was only a preliminary approach to parish councils, it would be possible to respond to the full consultation when it is issued later in the year. Several parish councillors attended the annual church fete which was well-attended and deemed a success. Westerhill Road car park. The parking services manager at MBC had been contacted about the uneven surface in the car park but a response was awaited. It was agreed to contact Jeff Kitson also to add weight of the parish council to the concerns that had been raised. While attending a refresher planning training day, one of our councillors was surprised to learn that the government had instructed planning authorities to relax rules on minor planning applications. Concern was expressed about the increase of fly-posting, especially in Parkway and it was agreed that, wherever possible, these notices would be removed. It had been disclosed that discussions had taken place between Firmins and others regarding the possible construction of a medical centre on the boundary between Coxheath and Linton. The next step was likely to be an approach to hold public meetings in both Coxheath and Linton to gauge public reaction. It was noted that, despite further emails to John Edwards at MBC, there had been no further developments regarding possible dates for starting the re-furbishment of street furniture in the village centre. This matter would be pursued through both parish and borough councils channels. Action was to be taken to determine where and when salt/grit bags would be deployed in advance of the winter weather. A concerted effort was to be made to resolve the issue of sight lines at the junction of Amsbury Road with Hunton Hill. The collapsing speed ramp at the pedestrian crossing to the west of the village centre