What’s happening where you live...

mously agreed. The proposed change of the BT telephone line to a business line after the forthcoming move to the YMCA community centre later in the year was agreed. The enrolment of staff into a Workplace Pension Scheme was unanimously agreed. It was unanimously agreed that the admin staff would attend the annual Training and Development Seminar held by the Society of Local Council Clerks in February. Membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks for the Clerk and Assistant Clerk was agreed. Assistant parish clerk’s overtime payments for meetings instead of current time off in lieu agreed. The costs of repairs to the burial ground rear boundary wall which is showing signs of wear and plant growth: a quotation had been requested from Pearson’s Landscapes Limited. The admin team was asked to obtain three professional quotes from stone/ brick layers. Costs of repairs to the boundary of the raised flower bed in the car park: a quotation for wooden replacements had bee requested in December 2015 from Ringshill and a quotation for stone replacements had been requested in January 2016. The quotations were awaited. Crisbrook Meadow: Cost of tree surgery to dangerous trees. The parish council would pay half the total estimated cost of £400. Correspondent: Leila Ware Tel: 01622 842330 leilaware@ outlook.com History society: The society will meet on Tuesday, January 19 at 7.30pm in the village hall. Albert Evans will be speaking about The English Gentleman: Made in Italy. Guests are always welcome, admission £4. Morning service: All Saints Church will be holding a service of Morning Worship on Sunday, January 17 at 10.45am. Join fellow worshippers afterwards for a cup of tea or coffee. Correspondent: Jackie Nixon Mob: 07527 449540 jackie.kmlocal@ hotmail. com Wildlife activity days: Once a month burn a few calories for conservation, by volunteering to help maintain the nature reserve. First day Sunday February 7, 9.30am at Lodge Road. Habitat improvement is the main conservation field. Help improve the area for reptiles and butterflies with a bit of bramble bashing. Working at a gentle pace, the aim is for an enjoyable day out helping to maintain and improve the reserve. No experience necessary, training and tools are provided, along with tea, coffee and biscuits etc. Usually working through until approximately 12.30pm with a mid morning tea break around 1111.15am. Walking boots (or stout shoes) will be fine. For detail see http://vintersvalley.co.uk Mobile police station: At noon on Thursday, January 21, the mobile police station will be at Vinters Park Snowdon Parade, Snowdon Avenue, for an hour. This enables residents to drop by and speak to a Maidstone North Area PCSO about any policing concerns or local issues. Correspondent: Christine Byron Tel: 01622 812023 Royals in Kent: On Wednesday

January 20, the history society will have a talk by Colin Breed on Royal Visits to Kent. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £3.50. The evening will be in the village hall with free tea or coffee from 7.40pm and 8pm for the talk. Crafters coffee morning: Go along to the church for coffee and cake and optional craft activities from 10.30-12.30 on Wednesday, January 20. Everyone welcome. The group’s winter projects are hats for the homeless in Maidstone; teddy bears and blankets from knitted squares for an orphanage in Africa; tiny blankets and teddies for premature and stillborn babies. The group meets in the church fortnightly however winter meetings depend on good weather if you are unsure phone 01622 814673. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Parish council: The next meeting is on Monday January 18 at 7.30pm in The Good Intent. These meetings are open to all villagers. Village News: Do you have anything you would like included in the next issue of Life Line? If so, email to tim_and_chris@ btinternet.com as soon as possible and by Monday January 25 at the very latest. Charity campaign: Do you have any unwanted Christmas presents and would like to donate them to a good cause? The Heart of Kent Hospice will welcome any items that you don’t want, to use as raffle prize(s) or to sell on one of their shop. Simply drop your donation(s), clearly marked “Re Gifted”, into one of their shops or to Reception at Preston Hall, ME20 7PU from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday, before the end of February. For a list of HOKH Farmers’ market: The next farmers’ market takes place on Saturday January 16 from 10am-1pm in the High Street. Support your local producers. Find there a huge variety of high quality local produce and enjoy hot snacks and hot drinks at the charity refreshment stall. All age service: The weekly service on Sunday January 17 at 10.30am at the Baptist Church will be an all age event. Parish council: The joint January/ February parish council meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 19 at 7.30pm at the village hall. All residents of the parish are welcome but anyone wishing to address the councillors on any matter, should contact the clerk, Angela Gent, at least 24 hours ahead of the meeting. clerk@ yaldingparishcouncil.gov.uk or 01622 814134. Village Pensioners’ Club: The next meeting of the club takes place on Tuesday, January 19 from 2-4pm at the social club off the High Street. All senior citizens are assured of a warm welcome. Just turn up for bingo, chat and refreshments. Unwanted Christmas gifts: Unwanted Christmas gifts can be donated to the Heart of Kent Hospice to help them raise vital funds. Please drop off any donations clearly marked “re-gifted” at any Heart of Kent charity shop or at the reception area at Preston Hall between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Saturday before the end of February. In addition Twyford Pre-school is holding its annual jumble sale on Saturday January 23 at the village hall. Full details of when and how to donate and sale times will appear here next week. Music Festival: The Vicar’s Picnic music festival this year takes place on Friday and Saturday July 15-16 in the village. There is currently a local ticket pre-sale saving £15 per ticket while stocks last. These special tickets are available from the village Post Office, The Walnut Tree, The Chequers and Yalding Tearooms. For information go to the website wwwvicarspicnic.co.uk Still no football: Yalding and Laddingford FC’s weekend games had to be called off once again last weekend due to the weather affects on the pitch. On Saturday the team travels to Gravesend to play Guru Nanak and the Sunday team goes to Cranbrook. GP appraisal: Yalding Surgery Patients’ Participation Group reports that NHS England invites patients to apply to join the GP appraisal and re-validation team as a Patient and Public Voice Partner. Details can be found by emailing patients@yalding.com or by inquiring at the surgery reception desk. There is an application pack in the PPG folder in the surgery waiting room. Flood wardens: With rising rivers over the early days of January many residents felt very concerned about the possibility of having flooded homes once again. Much comfort has been provided by the regular Environment Agency updates, and the on the spot reports from parish council chairman Geraldine Brown. Not least, the fact that we now have a whole team of on the spot and very professional flood wardens within the community ready to offer advice and support, mean that Yalding and Laddingford have never been so well informed and well prepared.