What’s happening where you live...

meeting of the New Year of Coxheath Ladies Friendly Circle is on Thursday, January 21 at 7.30pm in the committee room at the village hall. This month there will be a social evening. For information about membership and/or forthcoming events, contact Sandra Baker on 01622 745264. Mobile police: There will be a mobile police station at Clockhouse Rise on Monday, January 18 from noon-1pm. This is your chance to bring your concerns to the attention of the police, who may be able to help but does not need emergency response. Community warden surgeries: Our Community Warden, Adam McKinley holds surgeries every Thursday from 3-4pm at the library. Charity campaign: Do you have any unwanted Christmas gifts and would like to donate them to charity? The Heart of Kent welcome any items. Simple drop your donation, clearly marked as “Re-Gifted” into any of their shops or into Reception at Preston Hall, ME20 7PU, from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday, before the end of February. A list of shops can be found on www.hokh.org PARISH COUNCIL: Since the previous meeting, it was reported that there had been four reported crimes – one burglary, two thefts from motor vehicles and one case of criminal damage to cars. It was noted that the parish/ police liaison meeting, which was scheduled to be held on November 18 had been cancelled at short notice. This has been arranged to be held on February 18. It had not been possible to arrange a meeting with the parking services manager at MBC over inconsiderate parking and it was hoped that the meeting would be held in the near future. KCC Highways had agreed to look into the possibility of introducing ‘Slow’ signs to be painted on the road surface on Hunton Hill, to warn motorists of the junctions with Amsbury Road. Temporary road closure: Heath Road between the junctions with Pembroke Road and Culpepper Road will be closed from January 25 for up to two days to enable UK Power Networks to undertake electrical works. Hearing aid clinic: HiKent will be holding its next hearing aid clinic on Friday, January 22 from 1011.30am at The Coxheath Centre. This is your chance to get your hearing aid re-tubed or cleaned or just to get new batteries. No appointment is necessary. If you have an item concerning Detling, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Winners: Ditton Heritage 100 Club winners for November and December were 1 D Stevenson, 2nd J Beadle, 3 Kavanagh. Thanks go to all who support the Heritage Centre. Council dates: The planning committee meets in the community centre on Monday, January 18 at 7.30pm. It will be followed by a meeting of the open spaces and amenities committee. Residents are welcome to attend. Line dancing: The Kent Active Retirement line dancing classes for the over 50s have started again at Larkfield Village Hall. The weekly beginners class starts at noon followed by the more advanced section at 2pm. For details call 01732 870715. Sixties night: Bookings are being taken for a night of Sixties music with the Top Beats at the community centre on Saturday, April 23 from 8.30-11pm. Tickets, which are only available in advance, cost £5. To book call 01732 844749. Correspondent: Martin Hider Tel: 01622 736327 mhider5@ gmail.com RSPB: The local group of the RSPB will meet at Grove Green Community Hall on Thursday January 21 at 7.30pm when Jodie Randall will give a talk on Wildlife of the South East. Ample parking close by in Tesco car park with pedestrian access to the hall. Light refreshments. Entrance costs £3.50 for members, £4.50 for non-members. For details phone 01622 674007. Party for everyone: A tea party will take place at St. Nicholas Church on Thursday January 21 at 3pm. Everyone welcome. For details or if a lift is needed phone Joan Palmer on 01622 202239. Church bellringing: Ringers ‘Ups and Downs’ practice will take place at St Nicholas Church on Saturday, January 16 from 2pm4pm. Novice bellringing will take place on Monday January 18 at 7.30pm and there will be a bellringing practice on Wednesday, January 20 at 3pm. For details phone 01622 861143. R.S.P.B. Outing: The local group of the RSPB will have an outdoor field meeting at Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum on Saturday January 16. For details and to book a place please phone Simon on 07783 354337. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Unwanted Christmas gifts: Do you have any unwanted Christmas gifts? If so, consider donating them to the Heart of Kent Hospice for them to sell in its shops or to use as raffle prizes. All items are welcomed. Simply drop your donation, clearly marked “Re Gifted” into one of the hospice shops or to reception at Preston Hall, ME20 7PU from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday, before the end of February. 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 Community Group meeting: The next meeting of Westborough Community Action Group will be at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Tonbridge Road at 2pm on Thursday, January 21. The group provides an opportunity for residents to discuss west Maidstone issues with local councillors, police and housing association representatives. Inquiries to Malcolm Coates on 01622 725606, email malcolmcoates@freeola.net Clare Park Friends: An exploratory meeting to try and re-establish the Friends of Clare Park will take place at the Walnut Tree pub, Tonbridge Road on Tuesday, January 19 at 6pm. If you are interested in supporting this venture contact Rosaline Janko on 07850 632384 Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Village hall: The annual pre-Christmas quiz night was a great success. A local team won the trophy and £500 was raised for hall funds. This will be used to install diffused and dimmable fluorescent light bulbs in the hall. Morning worship: Holy Communion will be celebrated in St Nicholas church Boughton Malherbe on Sunday January 17 at 9.30am. Tuesday prayers will be in the same building on January 19 at 9.30am. Joshing around: The 2016 Messy Church programme will begin with a party in Harrietsham school on Saturday, January 16. Josh, who provided the entertainment last year will be on stage. Tickets cost £2 each or £5 for a family and may be bought on the door. Tea will be provided. Ring Helen Venn on 01622 858195 with any queries. Gentle exercise: The days may be dull and wet but there are a variety of activities in Grafty Green Village Hall. The gentle exercise and the competitiveness of short mat bowls will take your mind off what is happening outside. The club meets every Tuesday at 2pm. Ring Chris Wheal on 01622 858100 to find out more. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07527 449540 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Parish council: There is a meeting of the environment committee on Monday, January 18 at 7pm in St John’s School, Provender Way. A main topic will be development of Eclipse Park, and delivery of a presentation from the applicant’s agent DHA Planning, based at Eclipse House, Eclipse Park. The meeting will adjourn to allow the public to address the meeting. The meeting should close no later than 9.30pm, but the chairman has devolved powers to extend it by 30 minutes. Parish not church: Do you care about roads, parks and playgrounds? Do you want to see them improved? This is just some of the business of the “parish” council. They are elected, and work with Maidstone Borough Council. So This pair of furry friends are hoping 2016 could be the year their fortunes change. Tony came into the care of the RSPCA last April, while Sarah has been in the shelter since June. They are both lively, inquisitive adult ferrets looking for a loving new home with a confident owner willing to continue with their handling and Neighbourhood Watch has received a number of reports of scam phone calls from people claiming to be from Kent County Council, inquiring about a recent accident you, or a member of your family has had. One of the telephone number’s used to make these calls was 00209 875462. Please be aware that these calls are NOT being made by Kent County Council and that some scammers may use caller ID spoofing equipment to make the call appear legitimate. The Watch is concerned that residents may be asked for payment or information such as bank details.

If you receive one of these scam telephone calls report it to Kent Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.