May 2020 Newsletter

Parish Newsletter

MAY 2020 Issue 550 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 CHURCHWARDENS PEW

Church Services At present I am sure everyone understands that the Church cannot be opened at present to allow services to take place. However the Reverend Bill MacDougall at Chiddingstone is conducting weekly services each Sunday on YouTube and indeed daily thoughts. These videos are extremely good and I am sure many would find them most helpful. Please take a few moment to check them out. If you go to YouTube and search under Chiddingstone you will find them. St Peter’s Fellowship - Peter Waghorn Fellowship meetings are suspended for the time being 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 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. The calls for help have not been that great so far and therefore not all of the volunteers have been called to help but as time goes on of course that may change. However many thanks to those who have unstintingly given of their time to help. Email list I have a village Email list of 68 so that information can be disseminated and messages have 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]

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

NO CHURCHYARD AT PRESENT

Helen Morrison 740211 CHURCH COFFEE MORNING

NO COFFEE MORNINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT PRESENT

Christabel Sworder 740345

Hello everyone, in taking it forward into the future.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO WI MEETING PLANNED Best wishes Angie

4 District Councillor’s magazine article for May 2020

April has been a month like no other in any of our lifetimes and although I would love to be writing about something else, I will, of course, have to focus on Coro- navirus in this piece. As this article is only going to be distributed on-line, and therefore hasn’t the same pressure on wordcount as my usual monthly articles, I hope you will find this longer missive both interesting and reassuring that we are coping well in our villages. I want also to balance my focus on the Coronavirus response in Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone, with some ‘business as usual’ matters because I think it’s important that we don’t all become zombies spending each day at home waiting for the daily news briefings from 10 Downing Street; we also need to exhibit some of the oft cited Churchillian ‘keep buggering on’ spirit (yes, it is a direct quote, so please forgive the profanity!) and not to put our lives completely on hold. Local residents expect transparency from the Council as much as taxpayers expect it of the Government, so I want to explain what SDC has been asked to do, and how we are discharging that responsibility. There are many consequences of Coronavirus, some perhaps unexpected, and it is so much more than just a health emergency, it goes beyond economics too (hugely important though that is) and in my view demands a vigorous social response as well. Whilst simulta- neously we must not let the necessary emergency response undermine other essential services (in the council’s case, services such as refuse collection), so operational resilience has been at the heart of SDC’s response plan. Health related council responsibilities and actions

As you will know, early in the pandemic the Government tiered the population according to their Covid-19 risk factors and announced that people falling into Tier 1 (these are the 1.5m individuals who have been told to ‘shield’ themselves completely for 12 weeks) would receive priority support, to include free emergency supplies sent directly to their doors from government in cases of need. Those falling into Tiers 2 and 3 would be able to request emergency food parcels through local volunteer networks such as the one I set up and wrote about in my article last month. That’s not how it worked in practice. In fact councils, not central government, were expected to organise the Tier 1 support response and I’m pleased to say SDC were the first council in Kent to arrange a District Emergency Centre to do so; open from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.

In the Sevenoaks District this meant contacting and arranging support for 1,933 Tier 1 individuals, of whom 404 requested and have been receiving regular food deliveries, including 23 new requests over Easter weekend. SDC has been ful- filling this demand from local supermarkets/catering supplies companies, with Continued on page 6 5 Continued from page 5 local officers doing the work splitting and packing these supplies into individual parcels and then arranging delivery to the Tier 1 group, this has been a huge logistical task which is completely over and above their normal jobs and on your behalf I have already written to the council Chief Executive to thank them. I have also managed to get the composition of these food parcels changed a little to ensure a good balance of proteins as well as store cupboard staples like rice and pasta. No vulnerable person in the District will go without nutritious food because of the lockdown.

Separately SDC has focussed also on Tier 2 & 3 individuals who are in need but fall outside the Tier 1 government scheme, such as people who might be self- isolating with symptoms and do not have family and friend networks available to help them with shopping, collecting prescriptions and social phone calls etc. As I reported last month, I have set up a database of local volunteers who can help, co-ordinated by Rob Rees in Penshurst (01892 870823), Mike Gilbert in Ford- combe (01892 740321) and myself in the Chiddingstones (01892 870435); if you have to self-isolate and need practical support do please call one of us and we will put you in touch with a volunteer. At SDC, these networks of local Care for Community volunteers have been co-ordinated to ensure safeguarding responsibilities are not compromised, and volunteers have been issued with au- thorised ID for example. Across the district 868 Tier 2 individuals have requested support (with 40 being in Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone) – these requests have been serviced by 1407 volunteers (of whom 52 are in my Ward). The system, despite being developed completely from scratch in practically no time at all, is working well and no-one locally has missed out on a meal or a medicine. From previous articles my interest in helping elderly residents will be evident, but one particular request I would make at this time is for everyone to phone a friend or neighbour who might be desperately lonely, it takes so little time but can mean so much. Economic related council responsibilities and actions Although announced by Government the burden of administering Small Business Support grants of £10,000 or £25,000 (for businesses in the retail/leisure sectors with Rateable Values below £51k) has fallen on SDC. As at 15th April the council had dealt with over 2000 general phone call and email enquiries, validated 327 applications and distributed over £6m of Government funding already. Sadly, with Rateable Values so high in the South East many local businesses have fallen outside the grant scheme parameters, but a further £7m of Business Rates relief notices had been processed, benefitting 624 businesses’ cashflows, bring- ing the overall level of business support up to £13m. I have personally supported 2 enquiries from our villages and seen just how responsive officials have been, and whilst there has been no dragging of feet the sheer volume of unexpected work created by these schemes will inevitably take some time to deliver. Council finances themselves are going to be impacted too. Although SDC has received a government grant of £700k to cover extra Covid costs this isn’t going Continued on page 14 6

VILLAGE HALL MONTHLY DRAW FEBRUARY

Prize Ticket No Name First £30 221 N Byrne

Second £15 346 Mark Lees Third £10 191 C. Grainger

Fourth £5 638 Seddon

Fifth £5 677 Foulkes

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

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

Distribution of prizes will be delayed until social distancing measures allow. Thank you for your patience.

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

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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 Continued from page 6 to cover our income losses of over £500k/month (arising from lower service fees and Council Tax receipts) so our reserves are going to take a hit. KCC have allocated SDC £40k to support small local charities (KCC having been funded £40m by government for this purpose) – this won’t go far and we have been lob- bying for more but I guess we are seen as a rich district! Social related council responsibilities and actions During the lockdown there has been understandable press debate on how this affects homeless people. I am pleased that SDC has been able to place rapidly 28 rough sleeper/new homeless/domestic abuse cases in temporary hotel ac- commodation and is exploring with neighbouring authorities how this intervention can be extended whilst the coronavirus crisis continues.

Many regular readers will remember my article on domestic violence locally and my championing of our local charity DAVVS. Having read the national statistics I investigated the position locally and in the year to 31 March 2020 DAVVS received a massive 1036 referrals, a 72% increase compared with the previous 12 months. Many victims of abuse are unable to seek help while in lockdown with their abuser, and DAVVS are expecting a huge increase/peak in referrals when the lock down is lifted and the abuser is back at work. SDC has provided Com- munity Grant support and paid for DAVVS services but given this anticipated spike in demand DAVVS have set up a giving website which I would encourage you to support at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity? charityId=1018070&stop_mobi=yes

SDC operational resilience & ‘business as usual’ At the time of writing SDC have now only 7 staff self isolating and have been able to ensure key services, such as weekly refuse collection, are maintained. Despite a big increase in the quantity of rubbish being left out for refuse collectors due to people having to remain in their own homes there has been no service interruption. It is heartening to report that spontaneous messages of support for refuse staff have been seen in many windows – and I thank you all for these well deserved words of appreciation. Operational pressures remain, in particular, since the closure of the Council tip there has been a big increase in fly tipping taking place and SDC’s phones have been inundated with residential Council Tax queries. Planning stops for no man! I continue to deal with several ongoing enforcement matters………so if you are pondering a quick under-the-radar extension don’t think everyone will be otherwise engaged! Likewise action on the Local Plan continues and as I had anticipated in earlier articles, a judicial appeal has now been lodged, although this may take a number of months it will still be quicker than restarting the whole consultation process again. Finally, a reprehensible aspect of ‘business as usual’; I have been told that scammers are targeting local people who are self-isolating, or are otherwise vulnerable, to buy fake/non-existant medical tests and supplies online. Once your 14 money is sent, the supplies never arrive. As always, remember that If it looks too good to be true, with miracle cures and promises of medical supplies, then it probably is.

The future I want to encourage everyone to see the positive benefits of the community co- hesion we are seeing spring up as we address current adversities, this is a re- source that can make our villages even better places to live in the future. I am considering how, within the constraints of GDPR and safeguarding legislation, we might keep this volunteer network going………….. your thoughts and ideas are very much welcome as always. Many have said already, including the Queen, that we will emerge the other side of this epidemic as a strong united country and I am equally certain that Pens- hurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone residents will too. I wish you all good health.

Sue Coleman District Councillor for Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone

A LITTLE HUMOUR TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD

On the traffic news- A juggernaut carrying treacle has overturned on the M4 Drivers are asked to stick to the inside lane.

Newspaper report - Police have doubled the number of officers on the beat to five.

From the Teignmouth News - Male masseur. Fully qualified. All areas covered.

From the Hertfordshire Star - With a Tidy Britain Award in last month's Anglia in Bloom contest under its belt, Broxbourne Council is stamping down hard on dog mess. Wellington Weekly News - Visitors to Longforth Road public toilets might be interested to know they are now being powered by wind.

Report in a local newspaper of a road accident - Mr Brown was trapped in his car for several minutes before the arrival on the scene of two families, the Smiths and the Balls. Fortunately he was pulled out by the Smiths.

Article in the Daily Telegraph entitled "Brussels Pays £200,000 to Save Prosti- tutes" The money will be used to encourage prostitutes to lead a better life. They will be trained for new positions in hotels.

15 Fordcombe Primary School

World book day We had another excellent world book day but…. Then the World turned upside down… From 20 March 2020, the school was closed for normal activities as per government requirements due to the Coronavirus COVID – 19 pandemic. It remained open for vulnerable children and children of key workers with a skeleton crew of staff as per those government stipulations. Learning continues away from school Whilst secondary schools have been using online portals to submit homework and email to support pupils for many years now, primary schools generally don’t follow such patterns or necessarily have such infrastructure. Before the school closures, pupils came home with a work pack that covered their learning up until the Easter break. The pack contained work programmes for maths, English, included a range of projects to do at home and a list of websites that can be accessed by children and parents to help support learning at home. Mathletics All pupils have log-ins to Mathletics which were attached to their work packs. Staff can set learning via the Mathetics website which follows the school curriculum. Class Dojo Before the Easter break all parents and carers were emailed a login for the Class Dojo app enabling them to set up a parent account, and then subsequently a student account. Dojo is a fun, child friendly way for staff to keep in touch with all parents, carers and pupils and vice versa. Juggling home schooling, working and finding a healthy balance in this unprecedented time is not easy. Staff realise this and it is not the intention to overload households with obligatory tasks that require mass printing or lots of parental input. To this end, each class teacher will upload a week of activities on one Word document and include a selection of maths, literacy, RE, Science, Music and topic tasks. These are just for guidance. There is no pressure to complete every single one. Dojo also offers the option to upload photographs, word documents, power point presentations and videos of what pupils have been up to. These are only seen by the class teacher who may even upload little videos of them reading or presentations of fun, creative and other activities to do at home, in addition to a learning grid. After the Easter break learning grids are being issued on a regular basis once parents, carers and pupils have got used to Dojo. National Assessments The following regular assessments planned for between April and June have been cancelled: Year 1 Phonics Check Year 4 Times tables Check Year 6 Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs)

16 School performance tables will not be published for 2019/2020 but you will recall that the school has done very well in these in recent years prompting congratula- tory letters from MP’s copied in the previous month’s Parish News There will be light at the end of the tunnel Many thanks to all of the staff and governors and other stakeholders who have assisted in making these rapid adjustments in difficult times for all and also to parents and carers for carefully managing their decisions as to whether their children need to attend or not and for supporting them so well at home - and to all of the pupils for confidently absorbing these huge lifestyle changes. We hope that this time will pass quickly, the children will return to classrooms as soon as possible and schools will return to normal with everyone in good health. 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. Core government funding is proportionate to school headcount and changes in pupil numbers in a small school have a great impact.

David Jepps

Exploring Creativity An evening once a month enjoying creative demonstrations from local artists. Glass making Painting Contemporary textiles Silversmithing Pottery Knitting and crochet Christ- mas 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

17 FOOD SUPPLIES TO THE VILLAGE

The Chafford Arms Tel 740267

Paul and Jackie continue to do a great job in providing essential supplies such as fresh veg, fruit , milk, eggs, bread, meat, cheese . They also can arrange provision of meat and have some general grocery products so if you need anything please have a word with them. Orders will be available on Wednesdays and Saturdays with orders placed by midday the day before. They can be delivered to you if required.

Take away food from the Pub Paul and Jackie can supply a number of frozen meals and a Take Away service Friday and Saturday 6pm until 8pm by pre-booked slots.

Florent Gacon (residence St Peter's House) The French Comté Borough Market As many will know Florent has arranged for a lorry to visit the village each Saturday 9am until 1pm and supply a range of fresh produce . It is not possible to bring everything that is available in the lorry but pre ordered items can be brought along. A list in Excel or Word is included on the church website (http://fordcombechurch.org) . For any information , ques- tions or to place an order call Hugo: 0717 752 747 or Warehouse: 0207 231 9091

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

18 .

Mobility , strength and Falls prevention video Sue Larken, Health & Well being Coordinator Age UK Sevenoaks Office Has sent out the following message which may be helpful perhaps to the older amongst us.

Hello Every one

I hope you are all keeping safe and well

I have decided as the Health & Wellbeing coordinator as I cannot get out and teach exercise in the community during this difficult time that I would make a video . It is only about 20 mins long and my first at- tempt and hoping to do more and add in different exercises

I appreciate that I will not be able to reach everyone but can help those that do have access to a tablet or computer or the internet in some way

If you can please share the link with anyone you feel will bene- fit or can find it useful

Alan if you can please share it to our web page that would be great

Here it is https://youtu.be/ta_6suz_ApU

Thank you everyone for your help Best wishes Sue Larken

19 New Village Hall News

In such difficult times it's good to be able to report that the project progresses well. The old hall has been removed, foundations dug for the new hall and work started to concrete these in. To set anyone's mind at rest, construction industry employees have been told they can still work on building sites during the coronavirus pandemic - so long as they observe social distancing and stay two metres apart. Stevens Bros. are strictly following these regulations, ensuring work can continue.

Elaine Barnett & John Morrison

20 SIGNS OUTSIDE SHOPS ETC

Ears pierced while you wait.

In a restaurant - Customers who consider our waitresses uncivil ought to see the manager.

Outside a long-established dry cleaners - 38 years on the same spot.

Radiator repair garage - Best place to take a leak.

Notice in a burger bar - Staff who steal food will not receive sick pay.

Butcher's shop - Eat our homemade pies- you'll never get better.

Indian takeaway - Once you try our curries you'll never want to try other curries.

Travel agents window - This month's special offer - One week in Venice £995 - (including CAR HIRE).

A note pinned on the door of a Family Planning Clinic in the Seychelles - Closed for the immaculate conception.

Notice in the kitchen of a cafe on the Isle of Mull - Will ladies please rinse out teapots then stand upside down in the sink. On no account must hot bottoms placed on the worktops.

Notice on the soft toy counter in a Brighton shop - If you want a closer look or, a cuddle please ask a member of staff.

Over the bar of a local pub - Don't moan about the beer, you'll be old and weak one day.

Friday Disco - very exclusive- everyone welcome.

Another Restaurant - Good food served here every day except Mondays.

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.

PENSHURST PARISH COUNCIL- Council meetings are suspended at present but the following is an extract from the Monthly Report of Penshurst Parish Council Administration: 31 March 2020

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 2 March 2020: Approval of these minutes will be taken forward to the first meeting held after current restrictions introduced as a result of the Corona virus are lifted. Please note that the Annu- al Parish Meeting and the April Ordinary PC Meeting have both been cancelled, again due to movement restrictions. The Monthly Reports will be included in the Parish Council records on a monthly basis to provide a record on ongoing issues in the parish.

2. MATTERS ARISING: Highway Improvement Plan: No further information available . Litter/Dog Waste Bins including Leicester Square, Penshurst: ED met SDC Officers on site on 4 March to clarify the stock. The redundant bin which had been replaced by the new green bin would be used to replace the plastic one by the Old Rectory and the plastic bin would be taken to Colliersland Bridge to replace a unit which went missing last year.

Penshurst Village Hall Surgery/Disabled Toilets & Access Project: Issue in abeyance in view of meeting restrictions.

Mobile Fish & Chip Van: Notification received that service would be rein- troduced to the parish. At the moment the van is coming on Wednesdays – the request to move to the front of the hall during the current period of uncertainty was turned down by the Village hall committee so it will be in the lay by as usual from 4 – 8 pm. 3. PLANNING: Planning Applications: SE/20/00831/2LBC: Forge Stores and Post Office, Penshurst: Proposed change of use of former garage to extension of Forge Stores. SE/20/00677/LDCPR: Cabin, Penshurst Off Road Cycling, Grove Road, Penshurst: Proposed single storey rear extension. SE/20/00639: 12 St. Peters Row, Fordcombe: Building front door porch and single storey garden room. SE/20/00221: Land Adjacent to Spile Bank, New Road, Penshurst: Erection of new dwelling with hardstanding and landscaping. PC Response: The PC oppose the application. The site is not within the village nor does it meet the cri- teria in the Green Belt SPD for limited infill of continuous frontage. The location of the site in terms of sustainable development is questionable given the dis- tance from the village, limited bus service, and lack of safe pedestrian access to services. Since this does not appear to be an application for local affordable housing, we are unsure of the relevance in planning terms of the applicant's

28 stated local connections. Although a dwelling on the site may not be out of char- acter with other properties/plots along New Road, we consider this application would be inappropriate development within the Green Belt SE/20/00658: St. Peter’s House, Chafford Lane, Fordcombe: Detached study to side of garage. P C Response: We have no objections based on the scale of the proposal, but are aware that it may not conform to Condition 5 of the consent granted under 06/00885. SE/20/00769/720LBC: Penshurst Place Estate – Forge Garage Cottage: Formation of car parking. PC Response: PC support. It seems eminently sensi- ble that Forge Garage Cottage has its own parking spaces, otherwise they will end up using the very limited customer parking or park in the road. The fence is completely in keeping with the fence around the field.

SE/19/03242/LDCPR: 12 St Peters Row, Fordcombe: Proposed Front porch, single storey rear extension with rooflights and alteration to fenestration. REFUSED 20/00032/33LBC/HOUSE: Chafford Park Chafford Lane, Fordcombe: In- stallation of rear dormers to roof and removal of the rear roof lights. Installation of conservation roof lights to inner main roof slopes. New soil and vent pipes. Inter- nal alterations. Structural repairs to roof and renovation. GRANTED REPORTS: KCCllr Lake provided the following report:

As your local KCC Councillor I have witnessed an extraordinary response to this pandemic. We have an army of remarkable, public-spirited volunteers who are ready and willing to help each other through these challenging times, they all de- serve our thanks and gratitude.

Just two important developments; KCC has launched a helpline - KENT TOGETHER- to provide a single conven- ient point of contact for anyone in the County in urgent need of help during the Coronavirus outbreak. It has been set up by the Government KCC, local councils and the NHS to ensure help is at hand for vulnerable people . You can contact the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or by calling on 03000 41 92 92. It is a 24-hour service

Details of a national voucher scheme for children eligible for free school meals, allowing them to access meals whilst they stay at home, are now available. Kent Schools can now provide every eligible child with a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to Corona- virus. It goes without saying that this money must be spent on nutritious foods. Please call me if you need my help on KCC matters on 077 4070 1695 or email [email protected]. Stay well - Peter Lake

Continued on page 30

29 Sevenoaks District Councillor: SDCllr Mrs Coleman Corona Crisis: Notwithstanding the impression created by Matt Hancock's recent announcements about an NHS army of volunteers delivering food parcels, late yesterday it became clear that in the first instance Councils would be expected to organise the Tier 1 support response (these are the 1.5m individuals who have been told to ‘shield’ themselves completely for the next 12 weeks, which includes the most vulnerable in terms of health). This means SDC is expecting to have to take delivery of food supplies, to be split and packed into individual parcels and then to deliver these to the Tier 1 group, this will be a huge logistical task but after intensive efforts today I have been briefed that SDC have contacted food distributors, are designing their own packs, and will be ready to take these food deliveries from tomorrow and have the logistics in place to deliver by the end of the weekend. I presume (but haven't been told) that at some point when the 405,000 people who have volunteered have been processed and catalogued, and systems have been designed and built (ie. ages!) NHS volunteers will take over but for now it is down to the Council. At this point I don't know whether SDC is going to want to use any local volunteers to make any of these deliveries but based on my briefings so far I think it is more likely that these deliveries are going to be made by commercial delivery contractors - I am trying to clarify this. Separately SDC is also focusing on individuals that are in need but fall outside the Tier 1 government scheme, such as people who might be self-isolating with symptoms and do not have family and friend networks available them. As you know District Councillors like me have already set up local volunteering arrangements to help these people (you will be getting fed up with all my emails on that!) but as a heads up; SDC will be contacting every home in the district with a leaflet in the next few days which will have three key pieces of information on it: how to contact them if you need help and support, how to contact them if you can offer help or support and details of the NHS Volunteer Scheme. If anyone gets in touch with SDC through this route they will be cascaded down to local co-ordinators ie. me in Chiddingstone, Rob Rees in Penshurst and Mike Gilbert in Fordcombe. On a different tack you might be interested to hear SDC has released the first funding to small businesses today in the form of the government backed £10k grant, with not surprisingly some very grateful reactions, and continue to work with businesses both large and small as further details about the various schemes become known. In case you get asked there have been a large number of people contacting SDC regarding Council Tax and the Council will be doing some specific communication on both how they can help in cases of hardship and to what Council Tax is used for and why it is important (including of course the Parish Council precept!). Finally, no new customers are to be taken onto the green waste scheme for the time being (although the scheme is currently running for those who already receive it) and no new ‘Bulky Collection’ requests are being accepted, in both cases this is because those drivers and crews are being redirected to cover the key weekly waste collection service (which I think is under the circumstances more important). continued on page 32 30

31 Continued from page 30 Information coming through from Government changes rapidly day by day and often lacks the detailed guidance necessary for Local Government to action ef- fectively so SDC are having to fill in the gaps as best they can and with much reduced levels of staff. Officers have been getting a lot of queries on business rate grants and Council Tax issues but are still managing to cope with these and the grants payable to eligible businesses are being dealt with as a priority. Despite very reduced staffing levels refuse collections are still taking place as normal and there has been a big increase in the quantity of rubbish being left out for refuse collectors due to people having to remain in their own homes. Since the closure of the tip, there has been a big increase in the amount of fly tipping taking place.

The Council tried to pull the In Shape Magazine because it is out of date/ inaccu- rate due to the new situation but the suppliers had already sent some copies out. A black and white digital edition is going to be produced to get out key information to residents.

HIGHWAYS: 438502: The Lane – Blocked drain from junction with road towards Reeves Court. Works to open drains being programmed, Cllr Horsford had been ad- vised work had been scheduled including road closure. Website showing that work now completed, area being monitored. 485670: Flooding - Fordcombe to Tunbridge Wells road. Risk assessed; no action will be taken. Temporary Road Closure - 30th April 2020 for 7 days: The Lane, Fordcombe will be closed outside Littleshaw. The alternative route is The Lane, Poundsbridge Lane, Old House Lane, Fordcombe Road and vice versa. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while works are undertaken by South East Water. For information regarding this closure please contact South East Water, who will able to assist with the scope of these works.

NO FARMERS MARKETS AT PRESENT

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33 FUNERAL DIRECTORS

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A Family Undertaking Since 1932

Penshurst 01892 870372 Langton 01892 863317

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

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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 Sally Jolly 740932 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