Summer 2015

Message from the Mayor

ever increasing number of visitors to the meeting and greeting guests and VIP’s town. And, with the introduction of the and take part in Mayoral processions. recently established Vine Food Fair - with I am very pleased to announce that Able a three times a year format - our town Cadet Nicholas Leonard from Westerham roots are again in the ascendancy. Sea Cadets is the Mayors Cadet for this I mention the market expansion as civic year and I look forward to welcoming just one of the Town Council’s initiatives Nicholas at future events. but of course there are many additional During the past four years both events planned throughout the year. 2015 as Chairman of the Town will again see the introduction of the red Partnership and latterly as Deputy Mayor, Routemaster bus providing a summer it has been a privilege to meet many Welcome to this, my first Town Crier service around the town from . With people connected in some way to the communication with the residents and its striking livery, ease of use and super organisations, businesses and charities community of Sevenoaks following my value, the upper deck is attracting more within Sevenoaks. We have a real mix of election as Mayor for the 2015/2016 civic and more families to Sevenoaks and the people skills in the area; established retail year. Having been Deputy Mayor for town amenities. This year also sees the traders, small business enterprises and the past two years, I know only too well return of live music at Sevenoaks Vine entrepreneurs, all working together to of the demands placed on the incoming Bandstand on Sunday afternoons from make Sevenoaks the place to live, work Mayor but perhaps, as I mentioned in my late June to the end of August. and do business. acceptance speech at the recent Annual The Vine is also attracting further My main charity this year is Rockdale Council Meeting, I have served a longer amenity investment by the Town Council Housing Association who provide around apprenticeship than is usual. However, I with the £100,000 conversion of the 250 managed units offering residential follow in the steps of Cllr Simon Raikes former 113 year old band practice hut into care and sheltered accommodation. and his wife Christine who have, with a community café, with a planned toddler Through my fund raising events and such aplomb and fervent commitment, play area next to the café. Funded by a with the help of business sponsors and supported a wide and diverse range of £50,000 grant from Cory Environment you, I would like to support Rockdale in charities, organisations and events. I hope Trust, this is just one of the exciting new caring for older people in our community. I will be able to bring the same level of projects in support of the Council’s family- In addition, I also wish to support enthusiasm to the role. friendly policy. organisations providing care for young Sevenoaks is a thriving market town New for 2015 sees the introduction people and those less fortunate. having been given it’s market status in of the Sevenoaks Town Council Mayor’s I hope you will be able to support the the 13th . Until 1999, a weekly Cadet award. The introduction of this Mayor’s events in the coming months and cattle market was held in Hitchen Hatch award is to focus on the important role the Town Council activities that will be Lane but as with many long established performed by uniformed cadet groups publicised in the coming year. and historic venues, its status was eroded within the local community as well as Wishing you and your family a pleasant, by commercial development. Thankfully offering an opportunity for a young fun filled summer in and around our however, we have retained and expanded person to be involved in the work of lovely town. If you see me out and about, our Wednesday and Saturday town the council. Rotated annually between please do come and say hello. markets, venues that are supported not the cadet groups, the Mayor’s Cadet only by the local community, but by an will support the Mayor at Civic Events, Cllr. Stephen Arnold, Mayor of Sevenoaks

Enjoying Summer in Sevenoaks

The Town Council is pleased to be Festival Day on the 20th June with music providing and supporting so many and entertainment happening throughout activities this summer for the residents the town centre. The Stag is once again of the town and for encouraging visitors hosting the Box Office for the Summer which is beneficial for our local economy. Festival. The Town Council is the main sponsor Once again the Town Council will of the Sevenoaks Summer Festival a two provide a series of concerts on the Vine week extravaganza that has so much Bandstand each Sunday and Thursday entertainment available it is difficult to fit starting from 21st June. These concerts it all in. The Festival starts with Summer are free to attend. Enjoying Summer in Sevenoaks ctd

Sevenoaks Week former members and opponents. On Wednesday SVCC play Sevenoaks Vine CC cricket week starts on the MCC whilst Savills entertain their guests; on Thursday there Friday 3rd July with an Old Oaks match vs is the 6 a side competition whilst Rix and Kay entertain their Lord Sackville’s XI, accompanied by the guests; on Friday the club play the Chairman’s XI whilst some Sevenoaks Beer Festival (with over 40 Legends entertain the lunch guests. real ales and ciders) in association with This year Ed Smith, Asif Iqbal and Chris Tavaré will be the the Lions Club of Sevenoaks and live legends. music from Artistes of the Zed Music Everyone is welcome to come along and watch the cricket, please Café. The beer festival continues contact Gavan Burden on 07779 725 730 at the club if you would over the weekend on Saturday like to book seats for the Past Players day or Kent Legends lunch. 4th July (with a SVCC 2nd XI game) and on Sunday when the SVCC U17s will play St Paul’s Brisbane in the afternoon, a New community facilities touring Australian school side. On Monday the club entertain Lloyds Insurance of London, on for Sevenoaks Tuesday they play a KCC XI with the Clark Trophy final in the evening; during the day Vine Café there will be a past players reunion for any We have encountered some significant structural issues with this historic building which has resulted in some delays for the project.

Significant Historic Anniversaries It is still the intention that the restoration and refurbishment Commemorated in Sevenoaks of the building into a café will be completed this year.

VE Day – 8th May 2015 On 8th May 2015 the Mayor Cllr Simon Raikes led the Memorial Service in respect of VE Day. The Mayor, Cllr Jill Davidson Chairman of Sevenoaks District Council and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Lord Sackville laid wreaths at Sevenoaks War Memorial.

Help for Heroes – Armed Forces Day A concert will be held at the Sevenoaks Community Centre on 27th June 2015 in aid of Help for Heroes. Tickets available via Bat & Ball Centre Stag Box Office. The RIBA competition to select an architect has now 75th Anniversary of start of Battle of Britain – 12th July been completed and the 2015 contract has been awarded The Stag will be showing the original Battle of Britain film. to Theis & Khan.

800th Anniversary of Signing of the Magna Carta Work will now commence A historical talk relating to the signing of the Magna Carta will be with the architect to create provided in the Stag Plaza Suite on Sunday 19th July 2015 at 3 a plan for the new centre, p.m. engaging as many people as possible in the process. Further consultation will be held at various stages of 70th Anniversary of VJ Day – 15th August 2015 The Mayor will lead a wreath laying ceremony at the Sevenoaks the project. War Memorial commencing at 10am

FREE CHILDREN’S PLAY DAYS ARE BEING HELD OVER THE SUMMER – SEE DETAILS BELOW.

• Wednesday 29th July at the Vine • Wednesday 12th August at the Greatness Recreation Ground • Wednesday 19th August at the Hillingdon Rise Play Area • Wednesday 26th August at Julian’s Meadow Your New Sevenoaks Town Council as elected on 7 May 2015

Cllr Stephen Arnold Cllr Nick Busvine OBE Cllr Merilyn Canet Cllr Maxine Chakowa Mayor Chairman of Youth Services Sub Chairman of Chairman of Personnel Committee Sevenoaks Town Partnership Committee

Cllr Tony Clayton Cllr Andrew Eyre Cllr Roderick Hogarth Cllr Richard Parry Deputy Mayor Chairman of Community Chairman of Open Spaces Infrastructure Committee & Leisure Committee

Cllr Rachel Parry Cllr Edward Parson Cllr Robert Piper Cllr Simon Raikes Chairman of Finance Chairman of Planning Committee & General Purposes Committee

Cllr Oliver Schneider Cllr Paul Towell Cllr Edward Waite Cllr Pam Walshe Chairman of Friends of Bat & Ball Station

Business Awards For the third year Sevenoaks Town The Vintage Partnership will be running the Business Bus will once Awards to celebrate and promote the again operating successful businesses in the town. this summer Application forms to nominate the with a ticket business of your choice within the price of £2.50 following categories is now available on per day ticket the Sevenoaks Town Partnership website – with under 10s www.sevenoakspartnership.org Independent Retailer of the Year National free of charge. Chain Retailer of the Year Sevenoaks A lovely way to Apprentice of the Year New Business (under visit Knole Park. 5 years) Customer Choice Home Enterprise Judges Choice – nominated by judges. Town Councillors Functions & Facilities Provided By 2015-2019 Sevenoaks Town Council

Name Party The Town Councils portion of the Council Tax for the financial year 2015/2016 is £803,102, equivalent to Eastern ward £88.69 per band D household. Cllr E T Waite Liberal Democrat • ALLOTMENTS • PLANTERS (The Shambles, Dorset Street, Cllr A S Clayton Liberal Democrat • ARMED FORCES DAY Pembroke Road, London Road, Buckhurst TOWN SUPPORTERS Lane) Cllr Mrs P C Walshe Liberal Democrat • BETHAL ROAD BURIAL GROUND • PONTOISE CLOSE OPEN SPACE & • BRITTAINS COMMON PLAYGROUND Kippington Ward • BRITTAINS LANE WOOD • PUBLIC TOILETS (The Stag, The Vine, • BUS SHELTERS (Dartford Road x 2, St Lower St Johns) Cllr A Eyre Conservative John’s Hill x 3, Bradbourne Vale Road x 1, • RALEYS CAR PARK London Road x 4, Seal Road x 1, Tonbridge • RALEYS & KNOLE PADDOCK Cllr R J Parry Conservative Road x 1) • RHEINBACH GARDENS • CHRISTMAS TOWN CENTRE • SEVENOAKS COMMON Cllr R L Piper Conservative ILLUMINATIONS • SEVENOAKS COMMUNITY CENTRE – • CIVIC FUNCTIONS Available for hire; meetings, conferences Northern Ward • CONSULTEES (PLANNINGS, HIGHWAYS • STAG COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE ETC) Cllr Mrs R E Parry Conservative • SEVENOAKS YOUTH COUNCIL • FREE SUMMER CONCERTS/VINE • STREET LIGHTS IN SOME UNADOPTED Cllr P E Towell Conservative BANDSTAND ROADS • GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS • THE POUND Cllr M Canet Liberal Democrat • GREATNESS PARK CEMETERY • TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES/CHAMBER – • GREATNESS RECREATION GROUND & Available for hire; meetings, conferences St Johns Ward PLAYGROUND • TWINNING WITH RHEINBACH AND • HANGING BASKETS POINTOISE Cllr M A Chakowa Conservative • HILLINGDON RISE PLAY AREA • UPPER HIGH STREET GARDENS • HORSE TROUGHS (Old Police Station, • VARIOUS PUBLIC SEATS Cllr R M C Hogarth Conservative Rheinbach Gardens, St Botolphs Road) • VARIOUS PUBLIC LITTER BINS, GRIT BINS • THE GREEN, HILLINGDON RISE • VINE GARDENS (including Band Practice Cllr S G Raikes Conservative • JUBILEE CLOCK (Old Market House) Room and Public Toilet) • JUDD’S PIECE • VINE CRICKET GROUND & PAVILLION Town Ward • JULIANS MEADOW & PLAYGROUND (including Tea Kiosk) • INFO-PODS & DIGITAL DISPLAY SCREENS Cllr N J L Busvine Conservative • KIPPINGTON MEADOW OBE • LAND AT LITTLEWOOD • VINE WASTE • LAND AT TONBRIDGE ROAD • WAR MEMORIAL Cllr E Parson Conservative • SPORTS PITCHES • WHITE HART BEECHES • MARKETS • WOODLAND AT LETTER BOX LANE Cllr O Schneider Conservative • MIDDLINGS WOOD • WOODSIDE ROAD OPEN SPACE • MILLPOND WOOD Wildernesse Ward • MOUNT CLOSE OPEN SPACE & PLAYGROUND Cllr S L Arnold Conservative

To contact a Sevenoaks Town Councillor, please use the following email format: [email protected] ie. To contact Councillor Piper, the email address would be: [email protected]

Sevenoaks Town Council Town Council Offices: Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QG Tel: 01732 459953 Fax: 01732 742577 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sevenoakstown.gov.uk