Parish Newsletter

APRIL 2020 Issue 549 http://fordcombechurch.org

Delivered to every home in the Parish—free of charge

ST. PETER’S CHURCH, FORDCOMBE fordcombechurch.org

Rector of Penshurst & Fordcombe The Revd. Tom Holme, MA. The Rectory, Penshurst 870316

CHURCHWARDENS Mike Gilbert Rockydene, Chafford Lane, Fordcombe TN3 0SH Email [email protected] 740371 Peter Waghorn Woodpeckers, The Green, Fordcombe, TN3 0RY Email [email protected] 740645

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Hon. Secretary Linda Naidu 740724 11 The Drive Hedge Barton TN3 0SL

Treasurer/Gift Paul Reeves Queens Spinney, Ashurst Road 740837 Aid Recorder Ashurst, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9SU

Deanery Synod Representative John & Christobel Sworder 740345 Electoral Roll Officer Vacant

PCC. MEMBERS June Gilbert 740371 Helen Morrison 740211 Isobel Smith 740404 Vacancy

Organist & Director of music Bob Wilson 01732832444

St. Peter’s Fellowship Peter Waghorn 740645

Sunday Club Leader Mrs Hayley Collins 01892544458

Church Flowers Mrs. June Gilbert 740371 Mrs. Sandra Arnold 740283

NEWSLETTER - PLEASE NOTE THE COPY DATE IS 16th OF EACH MONTH Newsletter copy by e-mail please to: [email protected] Neither the Editor nor the Newsletter can be held responsible for its content.

Editor and Advertising:

Mike Gilbert. Rockydene, Chafford Lane, Fordcombe. TN3 0SH 740371 Advertising rates per annum: £100 full page, £60 one half, £40 one quarter,

Printer: St. Mary’s Church, Leigh 01732-832236 ALL PHONE NUMBERS ARE PREFIXED 01892– ... UNLESS OTHERWISE SHOWN

2 FROM THE RECTOR

Our church buildings have seen so much over the centuries. Perhaps that is why during this difficult moment they speak so softly but eloquently of matters pertaining to hope, peace and indeed victory over any darkness that may come our way.

Having taken to wandering around these spaces I keep coming across things hitherto unnoticed. When it comes to memorial tablets I find many of them interesting and moving, but rather disgracefully something of mischief arises in my mind from time to time.

Close to the altar at Penshurst Church for example, a memorial to Anne, Relict of the Revd Dr Wm Egerton. ‘The constant tenor of her life was the best preparation for death’. I wish I could expunge from my imagination a thought of those many late eighteenth century arias sung throughout the day by her husband the Rector. At least he apparently was not of a higher voice, - but certainly bass or bass baritone might have been a more comfortable preparation for eternity.

But mischief apart, ‘all who knew her loved and revered her and must sooner or later be happy if they follow her example’. Returning to our difficult moment, happiness now certainly appears to be something that is sooner or later. But in our care and consideration for each other there is the outline of that light in the world that can never be extinguished. There is the hope and victory of Easter. And in the words of King George the sixth at the outbreak of war, The King’s Speech: With God’s help…... we will prevail.

Tom Holme

Registers February

Funeral Service: William Kiddell

3 FORDCOMBE LUNCHEON CLUB Fordcombe Luncheon club usually meets on the second Thursday of each month at 12-30pm. We have space for new members to come and join us for food and pleasant conversation with old and new friends.

LUNCHEON CLUB WILL OF COURSE NOT TAKE PLACE AT PRESENT

For more information please contact Mrs Kate Hargrave Tel 861047

CHURCHYARD TIDYING

Many, many thanks to the helpers who cleared the debris which came through from the road - nearly to the church door! Five or six barrow loads of rubble, gravel and road were removed! Big thanks to those who pop up to the churchyard to clear when they have a free morning/afternoon and also a big thank you to the farmer who has cut the hedge of Poundsbridge church - it looks so much better.

Helen Morrison 740211

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING

NO COFFEE MORNINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT PRESENT

Christabel Sworder 740345

4 FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS PEW

Church Services –message from Tom our rector I’m sure everyone will know by now that all services in our churches are suspended until further notice, including of course those for Holy Week and Easter - 12th April. Our churches of St John the Baptist and St Peter unfortunately have to also re- main closed. I shall myself recite in the churches a daily ‘office’ together with occasions for the Eucharist. If I become confined to barracks, then all that will continue at home in the Rectory. In other words prayers will be ceaselessly offered up on behalf of all the very dear members of our parishes. We have seen already locally how the business of pastoral care and general mutual help is gathering true momentum. The hope of Easter will be proclaimed in so many wonderful ways in the weeks ahead. He is Risen Indeed! St Peter’s Fellowship - Peter Waghorn Fellowship meetings are suspended for the time being to ensure we follow the latest advice to protect all in our community, especially the most vulnerable as we pray: Heavenly Father, Keep us under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Support for the Parish Volunteers A list of over 20 volunteers have kindly come forward to help anyone in need of help with shopping, collecting medication, running errands and importantly perhaps having a chat. If you or anyone you know needs help please do not hesitate to contact me, my details are below, or our other Church warden Peter Waghorn. Email list I have a village Email list so that information can be disseminated and a message has already been sent out on initiatives to help with food supplies. This message and all future ones will be carried on the Church website. (http://fordcombechurch.org) If you would like to be included on the list please do make contact with me Please also see the centre pages for more information on local initiatives

Best Wishes Mike Gilbert 740371 [email protected]

5 WI

Hello everyone,

Our speaker for March could not come, so she was hoping to come to the 21st April but of course the meeting will not now take place. Sorry to everyone who came expecting to hear her.

We are busy making bunting for our 100th Anniversary in November and we are looking for a venue for those celebrations.

If any ladies are interested in joining, there is a reduced subscription fee on a sliding scale. Fordcombe WI is 100 years old this year and the existing committee are standing down in the near future. If you would like Fordcombe WI to move forward in our lovely new hall, then please come along and help to be part in taking it forward into the future.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO WI MEETING PLANNED Best wishes Angie

VILLAGE HALL MONTHLY DRAW FEBRUARY

Prize Ticket No Name First £30 211 Janet Fredrick

Second £15 186 Mrs Davis Third £10 606 Mrs Park

Fourth £5 429 O. Burgess

Fifth £5 542 Mrs Broad

IF YOU ARE NOT IN IT - YOU CAN’T WIN IT!

“If you want to join please ring Bob on 01892 740307"

HELEN BOUCHER BSc(HONS), SRP, MCSP, AACP STATE REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST (13 years experience)

Specialising in the treatment of: · Sports Injuries

· Back and Neck pain

· Rehabilitation following joint replacements, surgery and fractures

· Arthritic pain

· Acupuncture

The Hawthorns, Powder Mill Lane, Leigh, TN11 8QD (Parking available) Tel: 01732 833297 Mob: 07939646030

GARAGE SERVICES SPRING HILL FARM SPRING HILL FORDCOMBE TN3 0SB

SERVICING FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS

M.O.T’s — EXHAUSTS — TYRES

DIAGNOSTICS — REPAIRS

AIR CON SERVICING

COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE

FREE VEHICLE COLLECTION & RETURN (WHEN WORK UNDERTAKEN)

VEHICLE RECOVERY

FULLY EQUIPED TYRE FITTING BAY

GEARBOX RE-BUILDS

01892 740006 www.gdasportscars.co.uk

10 LINE DANCING

Sadly the The Line Dancing Class in Fordcombe has been Discontinued indefinitely due to lack of numbers

AC GROUNDWORK Groundwork Landscaping Foundations Drainage Water Connections

Please call for advice or free quotations

Alex Colegate T: 01892 870168 M: 07752 479747 Email: [email protected]

WELD DONE Welding, Metalwork and Ornamental Ironwork AIRPORT CAR SERVICES For quotations and advice 07799604405 contact Neil Davies on: (01892)731221 [email protected] www.airport-car-services.co.uk Tel: 01892 740432 / 07962 502914 Email: [email protected] April Cottage, The Lane, Fordcombe, Kent, TN3 0RP

C TOWNSEND ELECTRICAL SERVICES Domestic Installer Friendly local service, no job too small Part P Registered

Call Chris on : Tel : 01892 740386 Mob: 07748645206

Email: [email protected]

13 Fordcombe Primary School

Tom Tugendhat MBE MP (local MP) and Rt Honourable Nick Gibb MP (Minister of State for School Standards) both congratulate Fordcombe Primary School The school has received congratulations letters from two Members of Parliament regarding its excellent results last year in the Year 6 Statutory Assessments (“SATs tests”). The pupils who left us for their various secondary schools in July 2019 were ready both academically and socially and quietly confident in themselves after having experienced a wide range of activities, journeys and visits whilst at school. Education is a partnership between home and school and the whole community can share in the success of this group of young people. It is very humbling that our busy elected representatives have taken the time to send kind words of support recognising the hard work and dedication of the school’s staff and pupils in particular – but also the more behind the scenes work of parents, carers, volunteers, governors and many others in the Church and Tenax Trust.

All change Mrs Hughes will take over the teaching of Ash class when Mrs Saxty starts her maternity leave. Mrs Hughes already teaches Ash class one morning a week - as well as providing specialist music teaching in the school and conducting its excellent choir - so is very well-known to the children and in turn knows what they are capable of and what their next steps are. She will also welcome the new Ash class intake to Fordcombe in September. We are all very, very sad to learn that Mrs Pearce will be leaving us at the end of the Spring term. Over the last five and a half years she has been an integral part of the teaching team: Always impressing with her creativity in the classroom; joy of teaching and seemingly endless ability to get cooking into the curriculum somewhere. She will be very much missed. Seeing the wood from the trees All classes have now completed an introductory session with Mrs Parker covering the rules for Forest School and how to keep yourself safe. ‘Keeping safe and managing risk’ appears explicitly in the Early Years Curriculum for Ash class. Being aware of risks and how to manage these is crucial for growing up whether this be in the real world or on-line so it is great that this was a focus of early For- est School sessions and that Forest School activities are back in action. Places There are some school places currently available as people move in and out of the area. Contact the school office on 01892 740224 and please spread the word as even a marginal increase in pupil numbers can have a very positive impact because core government funding is proportionate to school headcount David Jepps

15 New Village Hall News

Lovely to see work on the demolition of the old hall is underway despite everything else going on. As our community pulls together to offer support to the more vulnerable residents at this time and in the months ahead, it will be wonderful to have a new hall for community use once this is all over.

All the monies from external funders are secure and either in the process of being paid to us or arrangements are in place as soon as we start to be invoiced for works.

Special thanks to our supportive Parish Council and to Sevenoaks District Coun- cil who have arranged to credit us with the Community Infrastructure Levy funds shortly and to The Lottery's Community Fund who have the process in place and have said the money is allocated to us even if the work is delayed. Elaine Barnett & John Morrison

Exploring Creativity An evening once a month enjoying creative demonstrations from local artists. Glass making Painting Contemporary tex- tiles Silversmithing Pottery Knit- ting and crochet Christmas crafts Meet new people over a cup of tea and cake at Silcocks Farm in Fordcombe. No fee but donations welcome in aid of The Hospice in the Weald. Next evening held on ——-are limited, so please call Sally to book your

16 District Councillor - April 2020

After missing last month’s magazine because I was away on holiday, I must be the only person in the country who hasn’t said something about Coronavirus yet! You can relax, it won’t be more health guidance from me (what do I know!?), but I do want to highlight some practical community actions I’ve initiated. At the time of writing it seems highly probable that by the time you read this, el- derly people will have been told to self-isolate, perhaps for an extended period. For those of you with relatives living nearby who can shop and run errands for you that may not be a great concern, but not everyone is so fortunate. As a back up to the work already being done by the church and other community groups, I have set up a database of local volunteers who can help do these things for you and Robert Rees is going to co-ordinate Penshurst;and Mike Gilbert Fordcombe if you have to self-isolate and need practical support please call Rob on 870823 or Mike on 740371 and they will put you in touch with a volunteer. Of course, if you would like to offer your voluntary help then please call them too! We are all in this together and I have stressed in previous articles how important I believe community spirit is to our wellbeing; this is time to make that ethereal concept real, please help! Still on coronavirus, I want to reassure residents that SDC are implementing their Viral Pandemic Plan (thankfully prepared well before the outbreak) to ensure key services, such as refuse collection, are maintained by creating smaller work teams operating independently of each other to reduce infection risk and by inter -disciplinary working to cover likely staff absences. More gloomy news I’m afraid. As I predicted in February, the Planning Inspector has rejected SDC’s Local Area Plan on technical grounds, which the Council believes deliberately obscures her real reason - that we will only deliver 10,000 new homes by 2035 against a government target of 11,312 and our plan would set an unwelcome precedent if approved. SDC is taking legal advice on a potential judicial appeal rather than spend another 3 years in further consultations to reach the same conclusion: with 93% Green Belt we can’t build any more! Ending on a happier note, in my People & Places role I was involved in deciding SDC’s 2019 Community Grant awards. Local groups, including Age UK and Do- mestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS) about which I have written before, are amongst the 22 organisations to have benefitted from grants. Addi- tionally, across the district, Citizens Advice Bureaux have been supported with grants of almost £100,000 – a great result. I’m going to wash my hands now I’ve finished all this typing!

Sue Coleman, 870435

17 FOOD SUPPLIES TO THE VILLAGE Reproduced below is the message sent out on the two initiatives to help with food supplies.

Hi Everyone, There are two initiatives within the village to help with the supply of food, they are as follows but please let people know about them who are not on the mail list. This message together with updates will be included on the Church website The Chafford Arms This is the message from Paul and Jackie :- hi everyone We understand that everybody is struggling to get essential food if the panic buying continues.Jackie and I have spoken to our suppliers whose stock levels are fine they range from fresh veg, fruit , milk,eggs,bread,meat,cheese etc The plan we have is to arrange a couple of days a week to get a delivery. As we need to bulk buy it won’t be possible to order daily. (example ring by midday on a tues for weds delivery and by midday fri for saturday) then myself and jackie will split it into individual orders then you pick them up from the pub alternatively volunteers have said they will deliver to people who can’t get out. We would ask people to pay by card if possible This email won’t reach everyone so if you can pass the message on tel 740267 thanks paul and jackie Take away from the Pub Next week Paul and Jackie will put together a take away service. Please give them a ring next week for details

Florent Gacon (residence St Peter's House) The French Comté Borough Market Home delivery Attached is a list of what can be supplied as Home delivery o Wednesdays in about 48 to 72 hrs. Orders can be detailed on the spread sheet and Emailed back or required items can simply be included in an Email.

18 NOTE :- The list in the Excel or Word is included on the church website (http://fordcombechurch.org) Sunday Village lorry Starting on Sunday 29th March it is proposed to bring a lorry to the village 9am to 1pm so villagers can purchase supplies directly.

MEALS FOM THE CHAFFORD ARMS. Paul and Jackie Can provide some takeaway meals Monday to Saturday 6pm until 9pm . Orders should be placed please by 4pm. They are also considering frozen meals. Please give them a ring (740267) for details.

KEEPING UP TO DATE There is a village Email list to which update messages will be posted. If you are not on it and you would like to be please contact Mike Gilbert On [email protected] The updates will also be posted on the Church website http://fordcombechurch.org)

IF HELP IS NEEDED OR YOU NEED A CHAT PLEASE CONTACT MIKE 740371 SO YOU CAN BE PUT IN TOUCH WITH A VOLUNTEER

19 A FEW JOKES TO CHEER US UP

A Scots lady was testing children in her Glasgow Sunday School class to see if they understood the concept of getting into heaven. I asked them, she said, “If I sold my house and my car, had a big jumble sale and give all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?” “No!” the children answered. “If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the garden and kept everything tidy, would that get me into heaven?” Again, the answer was “No!” By now I was starting to smile. “Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave sweets to all the children and loved my husband, would that get me into heaven?” Again, they all answered “No!” I was just bursting with pride for them. I continued, “Then how can I get into heaven?” A six year old boy shouted, “Yuv got tae be deid!” Kinda brings a wee tear tae yir eye….!

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During a visit to my doctor, I asked him, "How do you determine Whether or not an older person should be put in an old age home?" "Well," he said, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the person to empty the bathtub." "Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket Because it is bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No" he said. "A normal person would pull the plug.

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The teacher said that is was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even although it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated the teacher reiterated that a whales could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The girl replied, "Then you ask him".

A kindergarten teacher was observing her class of children while they were drawing. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing way. The girl replied " I'm drawing God". The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like". Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied "They will in a minute".

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The Kindhearted Scotsman My wife and I walked past a swanky new restaurant last night. "Did you smell that food?" she asked. "Incredible!" Being the considerate person I am, I thought, "What the heck, I'll treat her!" So we walked past it again. ————————————————————————————

The Meaning of the Bible A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

———————————————————————- The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to Persuade them each to buy a copy of the group photograph. "Just think how nice it will be to look at when you are all grown up and say, "There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer", or "That's Michael, He's a doctor" A small voice from the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead".

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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "Honour thy Father and thy Mother" she asked. "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters? From the back, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill".

BLACKHAM MONTHLY SATURDAY Kirby Builders

MARKET in village hall Painting, Decorating and all (the first Saturday of every month) Home Maintenance including NEXT MARKET roofing.

CANCELLED Blackham Village Hall For free Estimate Contact Mervyn Smith 10am – 12:30 pm on 01892 740773

2 St Martins Ashurst Everyone Welcome! Kent Blackham Village Hall market is the E Mail

original local market in the area, known for its friendly atmosphere and [email protected] genuine locally sourced fare.

Abstract from the minutes of the PENSHURST PARISH COUNCIL-— Parish Council held on Monday 2nd March in Fordcombe school

MATTERS ARISING Housing Survey: Liz Crockford advised that the Local Plan delay should not impact rural exceptions sites as they are covered by existing Core Strategy policy SP4 (as further set out in the Affordable Housing SPD 2011 and the policy update which was recently issued). With regard to Penshurst possibly benefit- ting from any funds available towards the survey costs, Ms Crockford advises that they are yet to develop the schedule of surveys as it needs to go through the SDC committee process first. It is anticipated something would be completed by May/June. With regard to funding, none will be available for surveys outside of the SDC programme and therefore any independently commissioned survey would need to be fully funded by the land owners, developer and/or parish council. PC would await notification of timescale from SDC. Environment Agency Information Meeting: Report provided by Norman Furnell circulated to members, this had been provided for the parish magazine. Open Session Notes: Information provided at the EA meeting indicated that nothing planned would be advantageous to Penshurst, with 20/30% increas- es predicted in rainfall the situation would only worsen. It was considered that the level of anticipated flood water had not been measured accurately and lacked due diligence. Earlier consultation with Kent Highways would have been prudent in view of the flooding impact between the two bridges on Rogues Hill during the current problems. The number of properties which would be cut off for a considerable time as a result of this was in the region of 140 and included the Smarts Hill, Coldharbour Road and Walters Green Road area. The sugges- tion that should flooding in this area occur Highways should be contacted was not acceptable. OPEN SESSION: Information on affordable housing was awaited from SDC with regard to timing in their five-year plan, it was expected that it would be two years before this proce- dure was completed. The Clock House planning would add 12 further caravans to the existing 4, this should alleviate the need for any buses to be used. A decision on this was expected in 4/5 weeks. A complaint regarding the condition of Penshurst Road from the High Street to Leigh was made, ED confirmed she had checked the road and submitted a request on the KCC Highways website showing over 20 potholes, two had com- plied with the criteria and had been approved for repair. The provision of electric points for cars was raised, the possibility in the future of providing these at either the garage or Penshurst Place car park were suggest- ed. ED advised grants had been available from some of the energy companies to install these.

28 PLANNING: Planning Applications: SE/20/0032/33LBC: Chafford Park, Chafford Lane, Fordcombe: Installation of rear dormers to roof, removal of rear roof lights. Installation of conservation roof lights to inner main roof slopes. New soil and vent pipes. Internal alterations. Structural repairs to roof and renovation. PC Response: No objection Decision: GRANTED SE/19/03403: Land North of Clock House Farm, Salmans Lane: Siting of 12 mobile homes to accommodate seasonal workers and their over winter stor- age. (Response submitted February) SE/20/0164: Hurst House, Fordcombe Road, Fordcombe: Replace existing outbuilding/summerhouse with a greenhouse. Tree Surgery: SE/20/00299: 7 Stone Row, The Green, Fordcombe: To raise the canopy to around 7 m – TI Lime. No Objections Lodged REPORTS: Kent County Councillor: Report emailed by KCCllr Lake: The KCC share of Council tax will rise by 4% this year, a small improvement on last year’s figure of 5%. 2% will once again be committed to Social Care. £1m has been allocated to support youth provision in Kent - a 25% increase on this year. The Council will spend £1billion on essential day to day services, an increase of £77m over 2019/2020. Most households will pay less than £1 extra per week towards County Council services next year. Schools: Today parents will learn which secondary schools their children will be offered. 14,095 pupils in Kent will be offered a place at their first preference school. However, 5% of families will not be offered a place at any of their preferred schools. (Last year 11 children from Edenbridge were offered a school in Cranbrook, some 35 miles away, but after my intervention were given schools much closer to home.) I need to know whether any children in my constituency have been treated in the same way this year as I cannot allow it to happen again. Parents can appeal with my help, but they have until Monday16th to accept or refuse their offer. Roads: Our roads are in an appalling state as a result of incessant rain storms. Kent Highways are working at full stretch to repair the damage, but potholes must be reported on their website. I am getting nowhere either with Kent Highways or the Cabinet Member in at- tempting to bring down traffic speeds to more sensible levels so I am asking Tom Tugendhat to intervene on our behalf. b. Sevenoaks District Councillor: SDCllr Mrs Coleman reported at the meeting: Local Plan: A Draft Report from the Planning Inspector was received on 13th February. This merely repeated previous arguments without adding anything new or giving any hints as to how the situation can be resolved amicably. Despite Peter Fleming requesting a meeting with the Minister of Housing, Communities Fordcombe and motorbikes and a saw from garages on Spring Hill.

Continued on page 30

29 and Local Government over a month ago, no response has been received to date. This seems to be a waiting game! Run Wild Event at Penshurst Place: Evelyn and I attended a briefing meeting to understand what is proposed and I am reassured that it seems a well organised, family orientated event with zoned areas focusing on different activities and pop up sports for people to try out. There will be both fun runs and serious running events and the usual Run or Dye event on the Sunday. There will also be an art and creative zone with both adult and children's activities and, subject to the organisers getting permission to use the lake, there will be swimming and kayaking. We were reassured that there would be traffic management plans in place and that people would be encouraged to use public transport wherever possible. There is going to be a focus on recycling and using wooden medals so that the festival has a positive impact on the environment. Although Bands and a disco will be playing, I was told that music will finish by 10.00pm. Penshurst Place do have a Premises Licence for events but I have briefed Officers and they can now check that the licence covers all the proposed activities. Leigh Barrier: Following the attendance of the Environment Agency at the last meeting, I double checked who the planning authority is. The Agency will need to put a formal paid application in with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council as they will determine the application. They will also need to put an unpaid application in to Sevenoaks as they need to be consulted. Clock House Farms: I chased Sean Mitchell, the Case Officer, for a decision on this. He confirmed that he will make a decision by the end of the week but is minded to support it with conditions such as removal of permitted development rights, limiting the number of cars etc. I do not plan to refer this application to DCC. Spile Bank Application: I have indicated to Officers that I am minded to refer this application to DCC to consider the harm to the Green Belt and AONB. Community Fridge Larder: Following information I saw on twitter {!} and a subsequent brief email exchange with Robert Rees, I have asked Officers if they can provide me with more information on this in case the Parish Council would be interested in taking this idea further. c. Neighbourhood Watch: Cllr O’Shea reported on 6 crimes: 1 in The Warren and 2 in St. Peters’ Row – both involving violence; 2 car burglaries in Oakenden Lane and a potential theft of lead from properties in Penshurst High Street. Cllr Townsend reported on thefts of tools and saws from workshops in Fordcombe and motorbikes and a saw from garages on Spring Hill. High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group: Minutes of last meeting circulated. The Noise Management group had been reconstituted. It was thought that the reasoning adopted to refuse the recent Heathrow runway project would also be applied to any increase in Gatwick activity.

Continued on page 32

31 Continued from page 30 HIGHWAYS: 438502: The Lane – Blocked drain from junction with road towards Reeves Court. Works to open drains being programmed, Cllr Horsford had been advised work had been scheduled including road closure. Website showing that work now completed, area being monitored. 472491: Junction High Street/Penshurst Road, Penshurst: Multiple pot holes adjacent to Village Hall carriageway. Website indicates works being programmed as of 19 December. (Reported again as part of 477134) 477134: Salt Request: Request for bulk salt/grit delivery made during au- tumn 2019, issue being investigated as of 8 January 2020. Cllr Horsford’s contact details again given to officer to arrange delivery. 485670: Flooding - Fordcombe to Tunbridge Wells road. Risk assessed; no action will be taken. FINANCE: . Lengthsman: ED had circulated detailed information regarding a possible new Lengthsman service providing options on regularity and costings. Op- tions of either a fortnightly service or weekly service were considered and weekly visits were preferred. The company could also include the herbicide treatment currently being carried out plus cleaning of general parish signage. It was proposed and unanimously agreed that ED confirm a six-month contract with the company based on a weekly service. Fun Day: ED reported this would not be possible this year due to building works on cricket ground but would resume next year when the new Village Hall was complete.

Next Meeting 6 April 2020 - Penshurst Ordinary & Annual Parish Assembly

Saturday, 4th April 9-30am—12 noon

Penshurst Place Visitor Car Park

32 HOLIDAY IN MENORCA

Spacious apartment, sleeps up to six people.

Gardens, pool, overlooking Mahon Harbour.

Ideal for family holiday or quiet off season break.

For more details call: Dianne Broad 01892 870680.

Grab Hire – Aggregates – Groundworks – Landscaping Waterscapes

JH Countryside Services Ltd based in Tunbridge Wells covering London and the South East home counties of Kent, Sussex and Surry offers Grab Hire and Aggregate sales services and can un- dertake Groundworks, Drainage, Land- scaping and any type of excavation

Springhill Farm, Fordcombe, Kent TN3 0SB E: [email protected] W: www.jhcountrysideservices.co.uk M: 07581292628

33 FUNERAL DIRECTORS

H.J.JOHNSTON & SON Funeral Directors Penshurst

A Family Undertaking Since 1932

Penshurst 01892 870372 Langton 01892 863317

ROGUES HILL LODGE, ROGUES HILL, PENSHURST TONBRIDGE, KENT. TN11 8BB

martindungey75 @gmail.com

34 FORDCOMBE ORGANISATIONS AND CONTACTS

FORDCOMBE Cof E Primary School Office 740224

PARENTS GUILD (Fordcombe School) Helen Jenner [email protected]

CRICKET CLUB Ashley Worcester 740641

FORDCOMBE FETE COMMITTEE Tara Davies 740847

THE FORDCOMBE SOCIETY Mike Arnold 740283

HEDGE BARTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOC’N Sally Jolly 740932

LUNCHEON CLUB (Pre-booking necessary)

Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 12.30 pm Kate Hargrave 861047

ST. PETERS’ MUSICAL TODDLERS Not meeting at present

STOOLBALL CLUB Kim Smithh 740184

TABLE TENNIS CLUB, Every Monday 7:45pm -9:45pm pm from October to March contact via Email [email protected] Elaine Barnett 740512

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Meetings on last Wed. in March & October or as required Richard Fry 740431

VILLAGE HALL Sec. Vacancy Bookings: Janice Byrne [email protected] 740393

VILLAGE QUILTERS Monthly, 3rd Wednesday, 2-4 pm (ring for venue) Sally Hill 740365

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Monthly, 3rd Tuesday, 7.45 pm Fay Blanchard 536405

FORDCOMBE PARISH COUNCILLORS Andrew Campbell 871500 Parish Council web site Vacant www.penshurstpc.kentparishes.gov.uk Jonathon Horsford 740032 Bruce Townsend 740451

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Mike Arnold 740283

ALL PHONE NUMBERS ARE PREFIXED 01892- .. UNLESS SHOWN OTHERWISE VILLAGE WEB SITE http://www.fordcombevillage.co.uk twitter — @fordcombeinfo

The Chafford Arms

TRADITIONAL HOMECOOKED FOOD SERVED ALL DAY AWARD WINNING ALES ALL OCCASIONS CATERED FOR PARTIES WEDDINGS ETC OUTSIDE BAR AVAILABLE ON REQUEST AT VILLAGE HALL

TAKE AWAY SERVICE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

TELEPHONE 740 267 www.chaffordarms.com