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11am-3.30pm. Enjoy mince pies and mulled wine under the Scouting Christmas tree. Get into the Christmas spirit and visit fundraising stalls with last minute Christmas gifts. The climbing barn will be open and you can have a go. For details look at www.kentscouts.org.uk Tyland Barn: On Saturdays December 10 and 17, there will be a Woodland Christmas Grotto at Tyland Barn from 11am-3pm, with four sessions available every day. Join Kent Wildlife for the festive season and book a session to meet Father Christmas and his elves in the woodland grotto. Follow the clues on the Christmas Trail and warm up in the café with some festive fare. The cost is £8 per child (which includes a quality gift), booking essential. Note there may be a short wait during busy periods. For information or to book online go to kentwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 01622 662012 (Monday to Friday). Correspondent: Linda Weeks Tel: 01622 762422 parkwoodkm@ gmail.com School Christmas Fair: Senacre Wood Primary School, Graveney Road, will be holding its Christmas Fair on Friday, December 9 from 3.15pm-5pm approx. Stalls will include pick a lolly, face painting and tattoos, tombola, card game, hook a festive duck, decorate a bauble, lucky dip, gardening stall and raffle, guess the number of sweets in a jar/ weight of cake/name of teddy, refreshments including home-made cakes, and there will be a Santa’s Grotto. Some of the children will be running their own stalls and selling crafts and sweets (including chocolate truffles). Contact Linda Weeks, 01622 762422, email librarylil.lbw@gmail.com Vacancy: If you would like to be correspondent for South Park/Shepway, email Debbie Edwards: Early meal: The next ladies breakfast at St Hilary’s House, off Senacre Square, will be on Saturday, December 10 from 9am. This will be a Christmas craft morning, learning and practising card making skills after a continental breakfast. All welcome to attend this St Martin’s/ St Hilary’s event. Friends of South Park: December 5 was the regular volunteer morning for the Friends. It was a frosty start but everyone soon warmed up with their efforts. Following on from last week’s extra volunteer morning when the group had started the planting of the replacement roses, they carried on and planted a further two beds. Two beds have been completed of Just Joey, a copper orange colour and two of Arthur Bell, a yellow. Thanks go to the volunteers, MBC and Rumwood Nursery for working together to make this project become a reality. Whilst they concentrated on getting the roses planted, work was also undertaken in removing the geraniums, now showing the impact of the recent frosts, from the pavilion beds, plus pruning and clearing took place in some of the other herbaceous/shrub beds. They also managed to pick up leaves and sycamore seeds and did a litter pick. So a good effort by all who turned out this week. Thanks again to all volunteers who have given their support to the Friends during this year. Don’t forget it’s the Christmas meeting and social on Tuesday December 13 at 7.30pm in the Hockey Club. So do go along and if you’re not already a member then join the Friends and help keep improving South Park and making it a com-

munity asset we can all enjoy. St Martins church: There will be a coffee morning on Saturday, December 17 in the church, Northumberland Road, from 10-11.30am. All are welcome for a last chance to browse cards, gifts and enjoy some refreshments. The Christingle and Messy Church Christmas celebration is on Saturday, December 17 starting in the church hall at 3pm, where families can help make Christingles and join in party fun and food. The family service itself will start at 4.30pm in the church. The Sunday, December 18 service will be followed by a Christmas lunch at noon approximately. Sign up for tickets, list in the church. Correspondent: Andrew Watson, 9 Barn Meadow, Staplehurst, TN12 0SY Mob: 07715 572772 Tel: 01580 891986 staplehurst.report@ btinternet.com PARISH COUNCIL: Surrenden Mews decision reported: The planning committee recommended rejection of the original application for the building of Surrenden Mews because of inadequate parking. Nevertheless, MBC approved the scheme and the new housing is occupied, only to find that the parking area is inadequate. So, when the application for the ‘Installation of parking area including landscaping’ was before them for comment, the reaction of the planning committee was understandably one of ‘told you so’ and recommended rejection again, just to rub it in. Of course, MBC had no option but to approve the application, because (as everyone but MBC could see from the start) too many houses were built for the parking available. The good news is that MBC’s planning officer commented ‘Building houses with no visitor parking is not a good idea’. The parish planning committee will use this comment to remind MBC of this simple fact at the appropriate time. Neighbourhood Plan test: Neighbourhood planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011, to plan the future of the area in which they live. Our Plan does not include the development in application 16/507661 land to the south of the Marden Road for the erection of up to 126 dwellings with access, parking and associated landscaping. So, for Maidstone to approve the scheme, would be making a mockery of the Localism Act, it would also be flying in the face of the wishes of residents. While it was regarded as the first test for our Neighbourhood Plan, it should never be approved anyway. The application contained a number of inaccuracies such as the traffic count at the crossroads, and Clapper Lane would be turned into a regular rat run, with its blind and narrow hump bridge joining the long list of unsuitable bridges in the Maidstone area having to be used by commuters to get to work. The scheme also included the benefits of the much derided ‘Mott MacDonald’ proposals at the traffic lights. The drainage proposed seemed impracticable, requiring a new line along the Marden and Headcorn Roads, before turning north across what is likely to become Bovis Homes’ Fishers Farm estate. Bell Lane car park: Because of the lack of parking in the village, the borough council (invited by the parish) visited the car park to discuss the repainting of the lines to permit more spaces. It answered that the surface was in such a poor state of repair, painting the lines was not an option. So MBC was asked (as it owns the car park) if it could be resurfaced. Answer: no money. New councillors: Following the recent resignation of parish Cllr Paul Kelly, and the death of Cllr Paul Butcher, Cllrs Laurence Whittle and Gillian Smith were co-opted at the last meeting. They were welcomed by chairman Rory Silkin. Santa’s sleigh timetable: Make sure the children are ready. On Monday, December 12 starting at 4.45pm, the sleigh will be in the Slaney and Poyntell area, Headcorn Road, Hurst Close, Fishers Road, Station Road, Corner Farm Road, North Down, and finishing up in the Marden Road, Thatcher & Crowther. On the Tuesday December 13, he will be starting the Lime Trees estate before crossing to Oliver, Stanley, Jeffery. On Wednesday, December 14, it will be Bathurst’s turn, with the central village (Offens etc) and then south to the Hanmer Way area. This programme will subject to the weather, and the latest information can be found on the Carnival and Fete Facebook page. This event is supported by the Lions. Coffee-morning success: The Christmas coffee morning and craft sale in the United Reformed Church on November 26 raised £625 towards the new sensory room at Sobell Lodge Cheshire Home, so a big thank you to the organisers, and to everyone who attended. Surgeries: There will be a police surgery at the library on Saturday, December 10 from 10-11am. On the same day, the parish council surgery will run at the same time. A parish councillor will be available to discuss any questions about local issues. Calendar error corrected: The mistake which occurred in the July page in the first batch of Ken Collins’ 2017 village calendars has been corrected, and any purchased from now on will be correct. This year Ken, our local artist, offers us a Stroll Through Time. As usual all proceeds will be split between two charities, Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Weald Club for the Disabled. The calendars are available at the usual price of £4, at the post office, Martin McColl, Helen’s Coffee House, the Station Newsagents, Ward & Partners, Radfords Estate Agents, Henhurst Farm Shop, and Coachmans Cottage Studios. Anyone who still has calendars with the July-page error should contact Ken on 01580 891337 for a replacement. Correspondent: Eileen Riden Tel: 01622 844953 riden887@ btinternet.com WI: The Christmas party is on Tuesday, December 13 at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. Members are reminded to take their contribution to the buffet or raffle. For information ring Rosie on 01622 842034. Christmas tree: The tree is shinning bright on the Village Green, thank you Queens Head Odd Fellows. Christmas shop: Sue Davies’ shop is sparkling and welcomes everyone so we are all ready for Christmas. Carol concert: On Sunday, December 11 at 2pm, the concert with the Kent Police Band, in the Village Hall. Tickets £7.50, children £3 (to include mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies) are on sale at the post office or you can pay at the door. If you want to reserve tickets phone Eileen on 01622 844953. Carols around the Christmas tree: On Friday December 16 at 6.30pm. Mince pies and mulled wine so we expect lots of our families with their best singing voices and torches, of course. Christmas at St Mary’s: The Chris

tingle Service is on Saturday, De- Correspondent: Ron Stubbs Tel: 01622 726962 Nativity Play: The Children’s Church will present its Nativity play in the church at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 11. This is a highlight for them and it will mean a great deal if you can support them by being there. Adding to the atmosphere, the play will be staged under candlelight but take a torch if preferred. Carols at three: On Tuesday, December 13, take time out by attending the church for tea/coffee and sandwiches as well as to sing your favourite carols. What could be better than singing along with friends. Cleaning up: Can you spare a little time to help get the church looking even more spic and span for the Christmas season? It isn’t all work – it can be fun and there will be refreshments. Just go along to the church from 9.30am on Friday December 16 or, if you have any questions, speak with Dawn on 812691. Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com Council date: The parish council meets at the Tudor Marriot Park Hotel, Bearsted, on Monday, December 12 at 7.30pm. Residents are welcome to attend. Schools Christmas concerts: Thurnham Infant School will hold its Carol Concert at Holy Cross Church on Tuesday, December 13. PARISH COUNCIL: The quiz night held last Friday, at the Working Men’s Club was a resounding success and a great night was had by all. There was a good turnout and the pizzas were delicious, so I’m told. Many thanks are due to the organising committee of the chairman, Paul Wilby, the vicechairman, Alan Smith and Cllr Rob Foley. Thanks also to Jane at the Working Men’s Club. The December meeting was informed of the various planning decisions that have been determined by the borough council since July. 16/504671/FULL Tesco Stores, Farleigh Hill, for a new plant area enclosed with a 2.4m high palisade fence with a gate: permitted. 16/503151/FULL land to the rear of 1-3 Tovil Green, for the erection of three houses and associated parking on former gardens adjacent to Bridgeside Mews and the creation of front parking with dropped kerb to 1-3 Tovil Green. The applicant has appealed against nondetermination of this application by the borough council. 16/505173/FULL 9 Passmore Way for a single storey rear extension and internal alterations: permitted. 16/505988/FULL 16 Tovil Green for the erection of a single storey rear extension: permitted. 16/505279/ ADV Tesco Stores, Farleigh Hill for various advertisement consents: permitted. 16/503691/FULL 1-2 Little Abbey Gate, Stockett Lane, erection of a single storey side extension and the erection of a side extension to the double garage and the addition of a chalet style roof to accommodate a work from home office above: permitted. Meetings for next year will remain on the first Monday of the month, unless this is a bank holiday, in