Horton Kirby and South Darenth

A group of parish councillors are meeting equipment manufacturers on site and will soon be consulting to find out what equipment is needed. See p 4

Farningham Road Station (available now) & Home for Little Boys (coming soon). See page 21

SCOUTS 2008 CALENDAR Local Views. Ready soon. Look out for posters. Contact details page 14

Many complaints have been made about the problems caused to motorists trying to get out of the villages via Station Road during the early morning rush. Add your voice to get something done. More on page 7

Problems of dust and concerns over damage to the chimney are being monitored by Sevenoaks District Council. See page 2

Bell ringers who worked hard to provide St Mary’s with 6 new bells in 1999 are anxious to find their photographic record. See page 8

NEW FLAGPOLE. St Mary’s PCC extends thanks to Bronzeshield crane company for their help. See page 17

Parish Council Election - 3rd May - 11 candidates have put themselves forward for the 9 available seats. Only 4 existing councillors are standing again so there will be at least 5 new councillors elected. The Council is arranging for candidates statements to be circulated to all households.

9th April 2007 - The Annual Parish Meeting on the 8th May at 8pm is an opportunity for all villagers to raise any issues. These can be discussed by the meeting and if appropropriate put forward as an agenda item for consideration at a future parish council meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will elect a new Chairman and Vice Chairman from the councillors elected on the 3rd May, as well as appointing members to the Village Hall and Recreation and Open Spaces Committess. Normal items of business which have been put on the agenda the week before will also be considered.

24-11-06 - The Dolls House made and donated by local craftsman Dave Cook, being raffled to raise money for an additional 2 new bells in St Mary's Church, Horton Kirby, has been won by Linda Gough. The raffle raised over £200.

24-11-06 - Over 60 music lovers enjoyed an exciting musical experience in the village hall provided by ZuBop Gambia. This 9 strong band produced an exhilarating evening playing a wide array of instruments. The audience were encouraged to join in with singing and dancing to the infectious african and jazz rhythms.

Sutton-at-Hone Badminton Club are advertising for new members. "Come and join us! 18 to 80 welcome!"
8.30 pm Mondays in Sutton At Hone Village Hall
for further details telephone 226091 - Judith

A successful local service club is in crisis and the current year of operation could well be its last. Darent Valley Lions is a small club with a big heart, serving among others South Darenth and Horton Kirby in a huge variety of ways. However, recently this big heart has missed several beats because six very active members have left the club.
This exodus has left the club in a critical and possibly terminal situation. However, the remaining Lions have vowed to give even more time and effort to a recruitment drive in the next 12 months to avoid closure.
They are appealing to all community minded people who may be able to spare a few hours per month to seriously consider membership. If you can help please contact Peter or Barbara Bradley on 01322 862005.

> 31/7/06 Clerk's News > The Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre (KMBRC) in partnership with Kent County Council is pleased to announce the second annual Big Recording Weekend on the 5th and 6th August 2006 at Shorne Wood Country Park, just off the A2 near Gravesend. ‘Kent goes Wild!’ is a free event aiming to engage and inspire adults and children to take pride and take part in their local environment.

Over the weekend, the public will have the chance to see, participate in and learn about surveying for a wide range of wildlife species including small mammals, reptiles, moths, dragonflies and bats. Kent county species experts will be present to identify specimens, photos and wildlife artefacts. For further information go to www.kmbrc.org.uk/kentgoeswild or call KMBRC on 01622 685646/780.

> 25/07/06 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby Village Society made a nice profit of £1700 from the Summer Fayre at the beginning of June which makes all the organising team’s hard work worthwhile. This profit came mainly from the summer draw tickets, the bar, the barbecue, the tombola, tea tent, coconut shy and duck race. Next year’s Fayre is provisionally set for June 9th 2007.

> 31/07/06 Clerk's News > Sevenoaks District Council’s “In the Zone” van set off round the District this week bringing free activities for children and young people aged 8 and over. The scheme comes to us here in Horton Kirby on August 17th in Westminster Field but there is nothing to stop you going to any of the other locations to find one or more that suits you as they all have different themes. Ours is Unusual Sports but if you’d rather try Silly Olympics you could go to Eynsford on Monday 14th or howabout Acting Up and Drama Games tomorrow in Hartley or a tropical beach party in West Kingsdown on Tuesday 29th August? All in all there are 24 locations. Call in for a leaflet to the parish office between 9.30 and 11.30 am.

> 25/6/06 Clerk's News > Members of our local WI joined forces with others from the Swanley District to take back unwanted packaging to Asda Swanley last week. The national campaign by the WI wanted to highlight the amount of unnecessary material that goes to landfill every week from our shopping. Many products have too many layers of cardboard and cellophane, others have necessary packaging that could be made of biodegradable material instead of unrecyclable oil-based product and some don’t need any at all. Wendy Smyth (correct spelling!) met the dozen ladies representing some 400 members at the store and explained her role which involves educating and involving the local school children in recycling. Eileen Kelly President of Rowhill WI pointed out that this campaign is not about recycling but cutting out most of the packaging in the first place. She noticed that cheaper varieties of the some food has a lot less packaging. Others asked for much more positive action to be taken to encourage people to bring their own shopping bags everytime they visit the supermarket rather than adding to the millions of carrier bags disposed of every year. Wendy Smyth promised to look into getting a higher profile for the re-usable shopping bags at the Swanley check-outs and would pass on all comments to head office.

> 24/06/06 Clerk's News > The Village hall committee has agreed to buy 2 new benches for the front of the hall to replace those damaged by vandals. Recycled material has been chosen as this is resistant to malicious damage and also helps the recycling cause by giving a market to recycled materials.

> 08/06/06 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby School pupils will be wearing football kits or England supporters gear on those days when England is playing a match in the World Cup. Headteacher, Mr Say said that many children asked for permission so he declared all match days non-uniform days. “If we do not play well, it will only involve two schooldays,” he said.

The School wants to thank everybody who collected Sainsbury’s and Tesco vouchers. They have over 11,000 Sainsbury’s and nearly 17,000 Tesco vouchers so will be able to send for some really valuable computer equipment.

> 25/07/06 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby School children raised a massive £907 during Christian Aid Week. Deputy Headteacher, Lindsay Williams is proud to say that yet again the pupils have surpassed themselves with their inventiveness and generosity. The money was raised by running stalls and devising competitions during the morning break and will go to help people less fortunate than themselves. According to the Christian Aid “Present Aid” catalogue the amount of money they raised could pay the yearly salaries of 5 teachers in India or provide 36 standpipes for poor communities in Bolivia. Well done Horton Kirby School pupils, your efforts will really make a difference to the lives of children in developing countries however the money is spent.

> 07/6/06 Clerk's News > A trim trail has been suggested for 100 Year Wood. This is a circuit of different outdoor fitness facilities (balance beams, pull up bars, etc). The parish council wonders if anyone is likely to use something like this so, before committing to what would be considerable expenditure, it would like those who think they might get benefit from the trail to drop in or make a call to the parish office (865193)

> 01/06/06 Clerk's News > Garrett Phipps has announced that his pub in Lombard Street, Horton Kirby has just been awarded the "Cask Marque" award for the quality of its real ales. He says: “There is a plaque on display to the left of the door frame as you enter the pub that confirms our place as best pub in the village!!” The Bull will also be in the next edition of the Good Beer Guide.

> 06/05/06 Clerk's News > A successful local service club is in crisis and the current year of operation could well be its last. Darent Valley Lions is a small club with a big heart, serving among others South Darenth and Horton Kirby in a huge variety of ways. However, recently this big heart has missed several beats because six very active members have left the club.
This exodus has left the club in a critical and possibly terminal situation. However, the remaining Lions have vowed to give even more time and effort to a recruitment drive in the next 12 months to avoid closure.
They are appealing to all community minded people who may be able to spare a few hours per month to seriously consider membership. If you can help please contact Peter or Barbara Bradley on 01322 862005.

> 01/5/06 Clerk's News > Our WI is supporting the Yorkshire Tea tree planting in Africa scheme in conjunction with Oxfam by collecting tokens found on the tea boxes. For every token sent in, 1 tree will be planted in Ethiopia. Already the company has planted 30,000 trees in a WI Wood as the result of support from WIs across the UK. The trees have improved the land and living conditions of the villagers in an incredible way. If you would like to help this project to continue improving lives in Africa, I would be pleased to receive any tokens that readers would like to give me and will find them if put through the parish office letterbox at any time.

> 30/4/06 Clerk's News > The fishing lakes in South Darenth are currently working hard to stop cormorants taking their stock. Betty Cassidy who lives near the lakes tells me that every so often an orange inflatable man pops up from an island and a siren goes off to scare the birds away.

> 27/4/06 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby and South Darenth WI welcomed 5 visitors to their meeting last week who had come as a result of a leaflet drop throughout the villages. They were warmly greeted by President Pam Stevenson. The meeting began with the usual business section which allows everyone to find out about all the latest events and outings that they can join in with. This is not at all stuffy and there was plenty of laughter followed by an interesting talk and slides of stately homes in East Anglia. The evening ended with tea and coffee and a chance to have a chat. If you have a pre-conceived idea that WI is all about cake baking and jam making do think again – it’s much more about having fun and making friends and trying out new skills. Pam Stevenson said: “We had a lovely evening and we hope that our visitors enjoyed themselves and will come again. New members will always be made very welcome.”

> 25/03/06 Clerk's News > Local farmer Sarah Ward offered a guided walk round her lavender field to villagers at the Horton Kirby Village Society last Friday. The offer was snapped up by Chairman David Crowhurst who will be publishing details in a forthcoming newsletter. The event will be just before the harvest and will include a chance to “pick your own”.

> 25/03/06 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby’s Field Study Centre in School Lane has set a date for its annual open day. Centre manager Gary Cliffe has struggled to find a date that doesn’t clash with the many other events taking place on Saturdays this summer but has finally settled on. May 20th. Look out for more details nearer the time.

> 25/03/06 Clerk's News > Revised plans for the Paper Mill site redevelopment have been received in the past few days. The number of residential units has been reduced to 210 from the 239 originally put forward. In addition to the reduction there has been a change from the almost exclusively 2 bed flats – there are now some houses plus a few 1 and 3 bed flats. All the changes have come about as a result of pressure from Sevenoaks planning department and it is good to see some larger, 3 bed properties as these are always needed in South Darenth which has many first time units but few houses for those wanting to move up the property ladder. A chance to look at the plans and documents has been organized by Fairview New Homes for Wednesday April 5th, 2006 in the village hall from 5 to 9.30 pm. Members of the Parish Council and its Steering Group, which has been involved with discussions at all levels from the start, will be in attendance and pleased to answer questions. The closing date for comments on the planning application is April 14th.

> 10/03/06 Clerk's News > Cllr Gill Tripp asked the Parish Council to assist financially with the replacement of the fence between Glebe Place and St Mary’s churchyard extension which she feels is in dire need of a makeover. She hoped that the Horton Kirby Village Society as well as the PCC would all get involved to improve this corner of the churchyard extension. Stephen Allport of the Village Society said: “With a few people and a bit of decent weather, I'm happy to help.”

> 09/03/065 Clerk's News > The Police’s neighbourhood watch co-ordinator has advised that John Aspinall’s Howletts Zoo people will be cold calling in North Kent Monday 27th March through to Friday 1st April. The advice is that, however worthwhile a cause may be, you should NOT give out your personal details on the doorstep to anyone as this goes against the grain of what they are trying to achieve within NHW. You are asked to inform all your neighbours not to become involved and if you have any problems please contact the NHW office on 01474 56514.

> 06/01/06 Clerk's News > American cello virtuoso Rebecca Carrington is appeared at the village hall on Saturday, February 18th. Rebecca Carrington is also a comedian unlike any other performing today. She is also an impressionist and performs spoofs of Madonna, Pavarotti, Bollywood and bagpipes! Tickets have been subsidized and are only £6 and include wine and cheese after the show. Please purchase in advance by telephoning 01322 863205, 07789 878942 or call into the Parish Office (9.30 to 11.30, 865193). Don’t miss this chance to see something really different. MORE INFO

> 24/12/05 Clerk's News > If you want to recycle your real Christmas tree put it out kerbside on your usual rubbish day during the week beginning January 9 or 23.

> 19/12/05 Clerk's News > It’s at this time of year that the Parish Council usually advertises the fact that it is offering money towards the cost of a holiday at Swanley Court Hotel Eastbourne (run by Swanley Town council) to its senior citizens. Unfortunately this won’t happen anymore as the hotel will close on December 27th. The Parish Council allocates £1200 in its budget for this but in recent years have rarely had sufficient demand for the full amount to be taken up.

> 5/12/05 Clerk's News > Sales of the Scouts fund-raising 2006 calendars have gone very well. Last time I heard, there were only a few left. If you want one, showing 12 local scenes, check at Jayney’s Store in South Darenth, to see if any are still available. . There is actually an error with the accreditation of the photographer of the old photo of the bottom of School Lane. The calendar says that Peter Flewin submitted it but he admits he had never seen it before. In fact no-one is likely to have seen it before the competition because the photographer, David Canning told me last week that it is the first time that it has come out of his family’s album. David Canning who has lived in Carleton Place for many years took the picture in 1963 from Forge House and he entered it as a talking point as it shows the old weight restriction sign for the Lane.

> 3/12/05 Clerk's News > A reply from Arriva bus company say that the curtailment of the 414 service up East Hill to Southdowns before 9 am and after 4 pm is because of inconsiderate parking in East Hill. Lois dollin, customer services officer said: “ There has been a spate of minor accidents recently and due to low level patronage over this section of the route, the management has decided that buses will no longer run via East Hill at the times indicated.” Whilst Arriva is sorry for the inconvenience it says that it must consider the safety aspect for both staff and passengers.

> 1/10/05 Clerk's News > The Police neighbourhood watch officer would like everyone to be aware that a number of consumers in North Kent have reported receiving leaflets through their letterboxes suggesting that a parcel is waiting for collection. The bogus leaflet asks them to telephone an 090 number for further information. The call, which is charged at £1.50 per minute, is likely to last a number of minutes.

> 15/10/05 Clerk's News > By the time you read this, we may all know who put up all the strange plastic bins with the flower motif in lots of different places in South Darenth and Sutton at Hone. At the time of writing however, everyone is very puzzled. The small baskets have appeared attached to fences and put on posts in laybys in Station Road, Cedar Drive, Roman Villa Road and St Margarets Road and possibly other locations. They don’t look solid enough to be a Council initiative and in any case, as Roy Jones of Gills Road told me, they have been put up on private property as well as more “public” property like that of the railway. What are they for? Who will empty them if they are used for litter? It’s not 1st April is it?
Do you, like me, sometimes think you need to call the Police about an incident that isn’t an emergency but have no idea what number to call? We all know 999 but I imagine most of us don’t readily know who to ring in all other cases, especially now that all the stations around us are being closed down or scaled down. Well, Geordie, our beat officer (who is now back on duty following his jet ski accident ) told me that one number that can be used for everything is the call center number at Maidstone. So put in your phone book under P for Police 01622 690690 just in case you need it – it’s not too difficult to remember either!

> 05/10/05 Clerk's News > The planning application for 240 dwellings on South Darenth’s Paper Mill site has now been received by Sevenoaks District Council so the consultation period can now officially start. Details from Alison’s email/press release.The Parish Council has not yet received its copy of the plansd but will consider it’s comments probably at the next parish council meeting which is on 7 November.

> 28/09/05 Clerk's News > An application has been made to demolish the existing bungalow at Boyneswood in Mussenden Lane and rebuild a single storey cottage in its place. As ever, plans are available in the parish office and comments are needed by Sevenoaks District Council before 15 October. An application to use land in School lane for clay pigeon shooting for up to 208 days a year had been refused. Sevenoaks District Council consider that the development would be intrusive and harmful to the character of the countryside. It also says that the proposal would be harmful to residents because of the added noise which would detract from the living conditions of nearby occupants.

> 12/09/05 Clerk's News > Neighbourhood Watch are still reminding people to beware of bogus callers and asking everyone to be vigilant. Do not give out any personal details. Do not let anyone into your home. If you see or hear of any of these people operating in your area please telephone 01474565127.

> 05/09/05 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby Village Society, its popular annual barn dance is coming up soon. On Friday 7 October Skinners Rats have been booked to entertain dancers in the village hall. This year the Society has decided to subsidise the event from reserves in order to try and entice more people along. Tickets cost only £3 which includes a chicken and baked potato supper. The barn dance is open to all and friends from South Darenth and further afield will be given a warm welcome.

Warning issued by Allied Bakeries of deliberate contamination at Orpington Bakery
Allied Bakeries have issued a warning regarding a small number of tampering incidents involving bread produced at their Orpington Plant. In recent weeks they have received five complaints involving fragments of glass or sewing needles in Kingsmill sliced bread. The foreign bodies were clearly visible once the bread bag was opened and were not embedded in the bread.

The risk has been assessed by the Food Standards Agency as small. The number of complaints represents a very small proportion of the total amount of loaves, 2.5million per week, produced by the bakery.

Allied Bakeries, in conjuction with the police, have significantly increased security at the Orpington site in order to minimise the risk of further tampering, and to ensure that the products are safe.

For more information, call the Food Standards Agency on 020 7276 8448 or go to the Food Standards Agency Website www.food.gov.uk. Additionally Sevenoaks District Council's Environmental Health Team are happy to speak to any member of the public that may have concerns. You can contact them on 01732 227000.

> 01/09/05 Clerk's News > Sevenoaks District Council has published plans showing how they intend to extend the Horton Kirby Conservation Area. There are basically 3 areas involved: Russell Terrace in Lombard Street; a large part of Westminster Field; and the 2 burial grounds on the other side of the road from the St Mary’s church. Various restrictions apply when your property is in a Conservation Area. If you think this will affect you and you want to see what these restrictions are or you want to look at the plan of the Area, you can call in to the parish office on weekday mornings between 9.30 and 11.30.

> 01/09/05 Clerk's News > Blackwalls, the company that supplies cheap compost bins for residents, has an offer now on wormeries. If you’ve ever thought about having a go with this system that harnesses the amazing power of worms – nature’s perfect recyclers! – to turn small amounts of garden waste into organic fertilizer, now it the time. Two different versions are available both with £10 off the normal price. Call 0870 844 3001 or log on to www.getcomposting.com/kent to order.

> 01/09/05 Clerk's News >The Police community messaging department asks residents to beware of bogus callers saying they are phoning from the Environment Agency or the European Commission. They are not bona fide and are just trying to get your personal details. Advice is, as ever, do not answer their questions and do not allow them to come to your home

> 16/08/05 Clerk's News > Horton Kirby Village Society is holding one of its regular local walks on Sunday 21 Aug starting at 11 am from Westminster Field entrance. These walks usually last about 2 hours and are easy-going and very sociable. Residents of other villages always welcome. No charge. The Village Society also has its family coach outing to Camber Sands next Tuesday 23 August for Horton Kirby residents. There is no charge for the coach but places must be booked in advance with Anita Cockrill. Call her on 865021.

> 15/08/05 Clerk's News > As a result of the planning application for over 200 apartments on the Paper Mill site and the associated influx of residents into the village of South Darenth, the Parish Council is considering whether additional community facilities are needed and where they could be provided. Most people are agreed that provision for youth is a must and outdoor equipment and a meeting point could be put on the Heathside site but are other facilities needed for other age groups? Providers of adult education, health services, leisure facilities like a small gym, meeting rooms, and cyber cafes and information points have asked representatives of the community what they think might be needed in order to make the parish more sustainable. If you have any ideas of what we might need, write in to the parish office, village hall, Horton Road, South Darenth, DA 4 9AX

Cllr Ian Wescombe was able to tell other councillors at the last parish council meeting that Sevenoaks housing officers had agreed that any affordable housing built on the paper mill site and in Shrubbery Road would have a local weighting in favour of South Darenth and Horton Kirby residents. “This support for local housing needs is going into the contract with Fairview New Homes and is quite a victory for local people,” he said.

> 10/08/05 Clerk's News > Alan Burchmore was thanked for all his and the team’s hard work in finally bringing the Villages Design Statement to fruition after many years. The Parish Council felt that it was now in a form ready for printing and agreed to pass it on to the District Council for action in approving it as secondary planning guidance.

> 10/07/05 Clerk's News > 2nd Horton Kirby Brownies are moving from the Scout Hut to the village hall from September. We are managing to squeeze them in to the very busy hall schedule by bringing the Rainbows meeting forward ¼ of an hour so that the Brownies can meet from 6 to 7.15 pm just before the youth club comes in for their evening session. If you want to find out more about the Brownies speak to Alison Dixon on 864949. The Youth Club is looking for more young people to join. If you are between 11 and 18 years old, you can play pool, badminton, table tennis or try arts and crafts or cooking. Speak to Steve on 01322 662779 if you want to know more or just turn up at 7.30 and see Carol the leader. It only costs 50p a night.

> 4/07/05 Clerk's News > Great news for all of us who drive up Station Road, South Darenth – the work has been given to fix the sunk part of the carriageway. I was told by Mr Blogg of Kent Highways last week that the work will be done “within the next two weeks” so it may have been done as you read this. If not, the road will have to be closed for 2 days so prepare for a bit of disruption.

> 1/07/05 Clerk's News > The Village Fayre in Horton Kirby was a great success despite dull weather with many turning out to listen to the ever-popular Halstead Concert Band, to buy bedding plants from the vast display on the Villagers’ Gardening Club stall, to prove their skill on the coconut shy or just enjoy a cuppa and cake or a pint. The tug o’ war between the village pubs was won by The Bull who donated a £100 prize given by DCC Management to the Alzheimer’s Society. Winners of the Welly Wanging were Jordan Henderson, Louise from The Fighting Cocks and Simon Bartlett. Best dog in the Dog Show was Hazel Barrett’s spaniel and best bitch was a young staffordshire terrier that had been a rescue dog from Battersea at Brands. As MC Maurice Tripp observed, all the dogs were lovely and were rewarded with a doggy chew. More winners will be announced next week and by then the money will have been counted and I can let you know how much was raised

> 09/06/05 Clerk's News > South Darenth Village Society is launching its latest initiative for its young people next Saturday (18 June). At 11 am all youngsters aged 11 – 18 are invited to the village hall with their parents to find out how they can earn points which can be banked and then redeemed against exciting trips like paintballing and go-karting. Points will be awarded for helping out with environmental improvements around South Darenth. If any Horton Kirby kids want to join in they will be very welcome but it is stressed that all projects will be in South Darenth. All work parties will be supervised and all participants will be expected to pull their weight but the rewards will be well worth the effort.