THE PLAXTOL HERALD
A Monthly Magazine for Plaxtol
June 2018
PARISH DIARY: JUNE 2018
EVERY SUNDAY: the main morning service at Plaxtol is at 11.00am except 3rd Sundays
WEEKDAYS: Morning Prayer is normally said at Plaxtol Church at 8.00 am Evening Prayer is normally said in Shipbourne Church at 4.30pm
Saturday 2nd 12.30 on Church Fete at The Rectory
SUNDAY 3rd 8.00 am Holy Communion at Plaxtol Trinity 1 9.30 am Parish Communion at Shipbourne 1100am Family Service with Communion at Plaxtol Readings for Principal Service: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 2 Corinthians 4: 5-12 Mark 2: 23-3: 6 Monday 4th 2.30pm Bible Study at The Mallows, Ivy Hatch Thursday 7th 9-11 am Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church 2-4pm Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall 7.45pm Plaxtol WI in Memorial Hall
SUNDAY 10th 8.00 am Holy Communion at Shipbourne Trinity 2 10.30am Matins at Shipbourne 11.00am Parish Communion at Plaxtol Readings for Principal Service: 1 Samuel 8: 4-11, 16-20 2 Corinthians 4: 13-5: 1 Mark 3: 20-end Monday 11th 8.00pm Plaxtol Parish Council meeting Thursday 14th 9-11 am Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church 2-4pm Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall
SUNDAY 17th 8.00 am Holy Communion at Plaxtol Trinity 3 9.30 am Parish Communion at Shipbourne 1200noon Short Communion at Plaxtol 4.00-5.00 Benefice “Community@4” and “Rock Solid” at Plaxtol Readings for Principal Service: 1 Samuel 15: 34-16: 13 2 Corinthians 5: 6-17 Mark 4: 26-34 Wednesday 20th 10.30 CMS Group at Salmon’s Barn, Dunks Green Thursday 21st 9-11 am Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church 10.30am Coffee, Cake & Company in Plaxtol Church 2-4pm Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall
Friday 22nd 7.00-9.00 Plaxtol Youth Group in Memorial Hall Saturday 23rd 9.30-11.30 Community Bread Basket in Plaxtol Church
SUNDAY 24th 8.00 am Holy Communion at Shipbourne Trinity 4 9.30 am Family Service at Shipbourne 1100am Parish Communion at Plaxtol Readings for Principal Service: 1 Samuel 17: 1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13 Mark 4: 35-end Thursday 28th 9-11 am Farmers’ Market in Shipbourne Church 10.30am Benefice Playchurch at Plaxtol 2-4pm Plaxtol Playtime in Memorial Hall
For enquiries about baptisms, weddings, funerals, hospital and home visits, and Holy Communion at home please contact: Rector of Shipbourne with Plaxtol: Rev Dr Peter Hayler The Rectory, The Street, Plaxtol (opposite the Papermaker’s Arms) Telephone: 01732 811081. Email: [email protected] Normally he takes Friday as a day off except if there is an emergency
We hope you will join us for our next joint Benefice service “Community@4” On Sunday 17th June – from 4 to 5pm In Plaxtol Memorial Hall > Suitable for all ages > worship songs with a band > discussions for different age groups > craft and play time for children Please bring some food for our “Bring and Share” refreshments after the service
“ROCK SOLID?” CALLING ALL TEENAGERS FROM 10+ Why not join us for the next “Community@4” on Sunday 17th June for a game and short discussion? More info from Peter Brewin: 810361 or: [email protected]
NEW CHURCHWARDENS At the end of April, both parishes in the benefice elected a new Churchwarden. During May, the customary safeguarding checks were done, and the wardens were officially ‘sworn in’ at the Archdeacon’s Visitation. In Shipbourne, Cath Jackson was elected to serve in place of Viv Packer and, in Plaxtol, Peter Crossley was elected to serve in place of Rodney Crouch. We thank Viv and Rodney for having served so faithfully, particular with the demands of the vacancy. We welcome Cath and Peter, and thank them for their willingness to lead in this way. Paul Britton and Adrienne Brewin continue as Wardens and we thank them too. But what do Churchwardens do? They are the main representatives of the laity, and work in partnership with the Rector. They are ex-officio members of their respective Parochial Church Council and Standing Committee. In some senses they are chief ‘sidesmen’, organising the ‘front of house’ for public worship. To use some rather old-fashioned language, they are in charge are the ‘temporalties,’ of the church, such as the fabric of church building, grounds and ornaments, reporting on these regularly. In contrast, the Rector is in charge of the ‘spiritualities’, the church’s worship, prayer & teaching. On special occasions, Churchwardens get to carry a ceremonial staff or ‘wand’ as they accompany the bishop or another dignitary. The staves are sometimes topped with brass or silver castings - sometimes a cross, sometimes a crown on one and a mitre on the other. This is from the not too recent past when each church had a ‘People’s Warden’ and a ‘Vicar’s Warden’, the first elected by the people, the second appointed by the incumbent. The greatest undertaking that falls to Churchwardens is the leadership of the parish during a time of vacancy, during which they are licensed to lead Morning and Evening Prayer. Very often they become the Parish Representatives, leading the work of drawing up a parish profile and advertisement, and working with the Archdeacon, Patron and Bishop during the appointment process. Having completed my first year in office as Rector, I feel fairly sure that won’t be happening again any time soon!
Peter Hayler, Rector.
FROM THE REGISTERS Marriage: 12th May – James George Creasy and Verity Louise Campbell Davis Interment of Ashes: 14th May – Donald Forbes of Spoute Cottage
Community Bread Basket 9:30 – 11:30 on Saturday 23rd June In Plaxtol Parish Church Café style Breakfast All welcome
“Coffee, Cake and Company” Every third Thursday of the month in Plaxtol Church The next one will be on 21st June 2.30 to 4.00pm ALL ARE WELCOME If you would like a lift please contact Carol Crossley on 810801
To all MUM’s with babes-in-arms, toddlers and pre-school children!!
Please come to our United Benefice “PLAYCHURCH” Everyone welcome! Come and join us! On Thursday 28th June 10.30am in Plaxtol Church A Bible story, creative fun followed by drinks and biscuits!!
COPY DATE FOR THE JULY HERALD IS 12th JUNE Please send anything for inclusion in the Plaxtol Herald to the Editor Peter Crossley at: [email protected] (810801) AND to the Deputy Editor Peter Brewin at: [email protected] (810361) Anything received after that date may not appear until August
COOKERY PAGE – JUNE 2018
EVERYDAY LAMB WITH A DIFFERENCE. I love lamb but it can be a bit pricey for mid-week meals so here are 2 really tasty recipes that use shanks and breasts which tend to be less expensive.
Lamb Shank Tagine (James Martin) 4 lamb shanks 3 tbsp olive oil 2 onions thickly sliced 3 tbsp harissa paste 3 garlic cloves finely chopped 3 cinnamon sticks 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp turmeric 2x400g tin chopped tomatoes 20fl oz chicken stock 200g stoneless dried apricots, halved 150g flaked almonds Sprinkle of salt Oven160C. Heat a large frying pan and add olive oil. Season the lamb shanks and fry the lamb shanks all over until golden-brown. Remove them from the pan and place in a deep casserole dish (with lid). Add the onion and garlic to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the harissa, ground ginger, smoked paprika, cumin, ground black pepper and turmeric and cook for 2 minutes. Tip this over the shanks and add cinnamon sticks, stock, tomatoes, apricots, salt and most of the almonds (keeping a few back to serve). Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours. Remove the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes, or until the tagine is slightly thickened. Serve with rice or couscous and sprinkle with almonds. Serves 4.
Lamb Ribs with Nigella and Cumin Seeds (Nigella Lawson) 2 lamb breasts (bones in) – cut into ribs 4 tsp nigella seeds 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 4 tsp cumin seeds 4 tsp olive oil 4 tbsp soy sauce I get my lamb breasts with bones still in from local butchers – supermarkets don’t tend to stock them. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl, mix up and cover with cling film (or use a large sealable plastic bag). Put in fridge for 2 hours. Oven 150C. Line a large roasting tin with foil and sit a rack on top (or use a large grill pan). Arrange ribs on the rack and cook for 1½ -2 hours or until the fat on the ribs is crisp (turn over half way through). Serves 4.
Morag Welham
THE GARDEN IN JUNE Summer is here at long last. Most of the hard labour has been done and now is the time to relax and sit quietly with a glass in hand, enjoying the sights and sounds of your private piece of paradise. The weather in June is mostly warm and less rainy. Watch out for hot, dry spells and don’t forget to water your newly planted treasures. Be on guard against pests and diseases, using biological controls, especially in greenhouses. Good grooming and simple garden hygiene can solve many problems. Do not allow your plants to grow too closely together to maintain good ventilation and feed your plants to encourage strong growth. Your plants will be able to shrug off attacks from pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemicals, which damage the environment. And, as you enjoy your garden, don’t neglect the chores you need to continue regularly. --Apply and renew mulching over the soil to reduce water loss and suppress weeds, but make sure the soil is moist beforehand. --Water your plants thoroughly, not splashing them everywhere but giving them a good long soaking, benefiting the plants by encouraging the roots to burrow further downwards in search of water. --Hoe or hand-pull annual weeds on a dry day and leave them to wither in the sun, digging out perennial weeds completely, making sure no roots are left in the soil. --Deadhead your perennials, annuals and repeat-flowering roses to extend their flowering period. This prevents the plant’s energy from going into the production of seeds and allows new growth and flowers to occur later in the summer and autumn. Cut back to just above a strong bud lower down the stem of the plant. Be careful when removing the spent flowers from Rhododendrons and Camellias as the new shoots develop immediately below the old flower heads. Remove suckers from roses by pulling them off the plant at their point of origin on the roots, rather than cutting them off --Prune mature deciduous shrubs that finish flowering like Deutzia, Kolkwitzie, Philadelphus and Weigela. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased growth, cutting to a stem joint. Then cut one in three stems to the base, selecting the oldest and thickest. After pruning, feed with a general organic fertiliser and mulch. --Remove old flower heads to ground level from Euphobia characias. Do wear gloves, as the milky white sap irritates sensitive skin. Now it is warm enough to plant out your bedding plants like begonias, bidens, Felicia, pelargonium, salvias etc. They will have to be watered at regular intervals in the early morning or evening. I am out of space for now, but don’t let that stop you from working to make your garden one you will treasure for a long time to come. Anne-Marie Klain-Verdegem
JUNE AT THE FARMER’S MARKET We shall be celebrating the 15th anniversary of our Farmers Market this month with a meal prepared by a well-known chef who was born in Shipbourne and spent his first 6 years in Shipbourne - Michel Roux Jnr. Michel’s father was the chef at the Fairlawne Estate and Michel grew up exploring the area around the village and spending a year at Shipbourne school until they left to open up their restaurant in London. The objective is that the Roux’s will prepare a memorable meal using produce from the Farmers Market. It gives our producers a chance to display the quality and variety of the local produce they sell at the Farmers Market week in week out and, we hope, it will persuade you to buy more from the market. Another benefit of the meal is that it enables us to earn funds to both give to charities (including All Saints Chatham, the Nourish Food Bank, RABI) and help pay for urgent renovations in the Church. Since celebrating our 10th anniversary the whole approach to shopping, especially for food, has changed. On line shopping and home delivery has becoming the norm. This has certainly been noticed at the Farmers Market where numbers attending the market have dropped some 15-20% over the last 5 years (though 2017 was an exception with a 10% increase). We have plans to change this and, if we are successful, in obtaining funding we will inform you of our ‘Click and Collect’ system (which will be the first on- line farmers market in the country). With such a slow start this year growers and producers are now at full stretch as we lead up to the summer solstice in the latter half of June. The benefits of buying locally at a market are wide ranging, not only will you get the chance to taste before you buy but by going directly to the source you can find out at first-hand how the produce was grown or made. And producers will be able to give you storing and cooking tips so you can really make the most of your purchase. Remember that when you are buying locally and seasonally, pricing is likely to be competitive with the supermarkets and often cheaper so don’t fall for the idea that markets are an expensive luxury. The vagaries of the weather are nowhere more in evidence than with the asparagus crop at this time of year. A cold start meant the season didn’t get going till mid-May and growers will be stopping the picking by the end of the month to allow the plants to generate growth for next year so make the most of the green spears while they are around now. Eat your local asparagus traditionally, steamed and served with melted butter, or brush with olive oil and griddle the spears on the barbecue until tender then scattered with shavings of a sharp hard cheese. Other veg to look out for are crisp radishes, spring onions, spinach, and of course new potatoes. There are also early cucumbers, runner beans, spinach and courgettes, alongside all kinds of salad leaves now in season. Cont’d > > > > The long days and the warmth also herald the start of the great English soft fruit season with strawberries – one of the great advantages of local markets is the chance to try some of the finer flavoured varieties, rather than the more robust berries grown to withstand the rigours of the supermarket supply chain. A cool start to the year has meant early strawberries might be slower to appear than last year but they will have benefited from a slower growing period for flavour. The same goes for local cherries (Kentish cherries are justifiably world famous), gooseberries and early raspberries. A favourite way to serve raspberries, cherries and strawberries is to crush them slightly, sprinkle with a little cherry brandy and sugar, then leave to macerate for an hour. Serve spooned over vanilla ice cream. Spring lamb is now at its very finest now and a boned-out shoulder or leg is perfect on the barbecue or simply roasted and served with baby new potatoes and minted broad beans and peas. On the fish front it’s really has to be mackerel – bought silvery fresh from the market and cooked the same day to enjoy at its very best. Try it the traditional way for the month – grilled and served with a tart gooseberry sauce. Mussels are also in season. Bob Taylor
A MESSAGE FROM ANNA AND MARIUS CARBONI: The two of us are cycling from Cheltenham to Dublin over three days from 7th to 9th June, a journey of nearly 300 miles, with a group of Anna's work colleagues at the law firm of Wiggin. The route goes through the Brecon Beacons on Day 1, then a dash across Pembrokeshire to make the only ferry of the day to Rosslare, and on to Wexford for the 2nd night, with the final day's cycling over the Wicklow Mountains to Dublin. It is quite a hilly route! We are raising money for MIND which helps people who suffer from mental health problems. The breadth of mental illness is truly staggering and includes those suffering from depression, stress, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harming, eating and body image worry, mania, bipolar, psychosis and schizophrenia. This charity is particularly close to the Carbonis' hearts following the depression-related suicide of Anna's eldest brother last year. Further details about MIND can be found on the charity's website at www.mind.org.uk. If you feel able to contribute to our fund raising we would be immensely grateful. Our fund raising page is at: https://wonderful.org/fundraiser/cheltenhamtodublinthehardway-e6975e29 where every penny goes to the charity. Alternatively, you can drop money or a cheque made out to “Mind” though our front door at Plaxtol Vineyard in The Street if that is easier. We'll let you know how we get on!
PLAXTOL LOCAL HISTORY GROUP MAY MEETING 2018 The Italian influence on the gardens of Kent “Gardens are reluctant historic sources”. Dr. Ann Kneif explained that gardens showed the self-expression and personality of their creator and had cultural significance over the centuries but it was difficult to make out what was original. The Romans were the first to create small enclosed gardens about which Pliny wrote. From the Romans the Italian influence can be traced through the centuries to the present day. The main features brought from Italy were fountains and water, grottos, classical statues and urns and a grand overall vista. The garden was a novelty adding an extension to the house. Even the words pergola, vista and grotto have come from Italian. The English have always had a great love of gardens. Sir Philip Sidney visited the famous gardens at Villa d’Este in Rome created in 1550 by Lucrezia Borgia’s son Cardinal Ippolito. Following this visit he created his own Italian garden at Penshurst Place in 1660. Italian gardens with water features .are also found at Hever, Ightham Mote and Leeds Castle. At Leeds there is a labyrinth and grotto with a green man and nymph statues and mosaics. Urns and topiary are found at Squerry’s Court in Westerham. In the 18th century landscape gardens became popular created by Capability Brown (1715-1783) giving a more natural look with sweeping lawns and tree-lined avenues. At Knole there was a grander Baroque style where avenues stretched into the distance thus gardens began to look outwards instead of inwards. In the 19th century an Englishwoman, Eleanor Coade (1760-1840) invented an artificial stone. Many garden urns, elaborate statues and pots were made of this hardwearing, durable stone during this period. At the beginning of the talk Dr. Kneif asked the members if anyone had an Italian feature in their garden. Only one member put up a hand. But when the same question was asked at the end of the talk several members put up their hands. V. Dussek Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 11th September at 8pm in the Memorial Hall when Jonathan Fenner will talk about the History of Chipstead and Chevening.
APRIL 2018 WEATHER April Weather, the average day temp. was 18.5oc the lowest night was o 3.5 c. Total rainfall was 97mm, with an average over the last 20 years of 63.3mm, max. in April 2000 with 145mm and lowest April 2011 with 4.5mm. There were only 9 days when the Barometric pressure was above 1000m/bars, mainly during the hot spell. Lionel Stielow
THE BETENSON TRUST Vacancies have arisen at the Almshouses in School Lane, Plaxtol and Captain’s Walk, Platt. The accommodation at each site is for one person. A successful applicant must be a member of the Church of England, elderly, in poor circumstances and currently resident in, or have connections with, the area. For further information contact: Mrs Sarah Allewell (Clerk to the Trust) Telephone: 01732 885612 Closing date for application is 30th June 2018
PLAXTOL YOUTH CLUB Where? Plaxtol Memorial Hall When? Next session is Friday 22nd June What time? 7 - 9 p.m. Who for? All 10 - 14 year-olds How much? £5 per person per session Come along and be part of the village Youth Club!
We meet for a few hours (7-9pm) once a month, usually on a Friday. This is your club and you have an important say in what you’d like to gain from being a member. Please contact Clare Harrison for further information: [email protected]
IGHTHAM & DISTRICT GARDENERS CLUB INVITES YOU TO A TALK ABOUT ‘CHISLEHURST CAVES’ Speaker is Rod Legear th ON WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2018 AT IGHTHAM VILLAGE HALL for 7.30pm Visitors very welcome For further information contact Phil Barlass - 01732 883505 Dee Samways – 0779 900 2129 Plaxtol Local History Group Our latest A5 size publication, Old Plaxtol Businesses, in our local village history series with 64 richly illustrated pages is on now sale at Plaxtol Stores for only £6.00 (plus £1.75p&p) together with all our other items as shown below – all excellent gifts for any occasion.
Available from: Plaxtol Village Stores or The Archivist. at 4, Kingscote, Tree Lane, Plaxtol, Kent, TN15 0QA.
Other suggested local gifts – Plaxtol at War £6.00 Plaxtol at War – I Remember £6.00 Houses & Households of Victorian Plaxtol £6.00 Church Life in Victorian Plaxtol £5.00 Beerhouses and Inns of Victorian Plaxtol £5.00 School Life in Victorian Plaxtol £5.00 Mill Life in Victorian Plaxtol £5.00 Posts and Postcards of Plaxtol £6.00 Plaxtol in the 17th century £9.50 Plaxtol in the Past £6.00 Plaxtol in Living Memory £4.00 Stitches in Time £4.00 Short History of Plaxtol £2.00
Tea Towels with village views £5.00 Pack of 8 Pictorial notelets/envelopes £3.00 CD of Plaxtol Census 1841-1911 Transcripts £10.00
A friendly playgroup for under 5’s Every Thursday in Plaxtol Memorial Hall 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th June – 2.00-4.00pm All are welcome (inc. bumps and babies!) Activities, toys and refreshments provided Join our Facebook group: Plaxtol Playtime or contact: Marcella Dunne on 07900 198904
PLAXTOL WI MAY MEETING Our May meeting is traditionally our Annual Meeting when we elect our Committee & Officers for the coming year and we are delighted to report that Margaret Gemmell was willing to stand as President for another year. We have just had our very successful Plants & Produce Sale – the rain gods were not as kind as they could have been so our attendance numbers were rather lower than we had hoped for but the proceeds were extremely pleasing nonetheless. Many thanks to Kath & James Barden for welcoming us to their gorgeous garden. As Dale Thomas’s talk was cancelled in March she has arranged two visits, the first was to the V&A in May and the second will be to The Royal Courts of Justice on June 5th. Next Meeting: On Thursday June 7th our speaker will be Steve Harmer on “The Arts & Craft Movement & Its Gardens”. Penny Court
Plaxtol Cricket Club
Plaxtol Pirates Junior Cricket Summer 2018 Under 9’s & 11’s Saturday 28th April - Saturday 21st July 9:00 - 10:30 Under 13’s & U15’s Monday 14th May – Monday 16th July 18:00 - 19:30 (Under 9’s 2017 Super 8’s Kent Champions Under 11’s 2017 Sevenoaks Division 1 winners Under 13’s 2017 Sevenoaks Division 1 winners) For more information contact: Ciaran Tucker on 07774 197752 or: [email protected]
FROM TOM TUGENDHAT, MBE, MP On 20 May, Southeastern launched their new timetable. ‘Times are changing’ as they say, and it would be nice to think that they were changing for the better. Late trains, fewer carriages, and cancellations are some of the many reasons why Southeastern have been making many people’s journeys insufferable. I have written to them many times about their service, but they seem reluctant to fully accept the impact these issues have on our everyday lives. To try and improve their services, they have introduced a new timetable. While they have been suggesting that the new timetable will allow ‘more services and new journey opportunities for many stations’, this is certainly not the case for everyone. For Borough Green and Wrotham, these changes have meant that there will now be two rather than three trains that arrive in Victoria between 8 and 9am. In fact, every single train time has changed. As far as I am aware, this does not benefit the customer in any way. It requires many people to entirely restructure their mornings and evenings, and it’s simply not good enough. On Wednesday 16 May I met with David Statham, Managing Director of Southeastern, to voice many of the concerns that have been raised to me by people in our community. In December, there will be a review of the recent changes to see if they should be continued. I will try my best to ensure that Tonbridge and Malling residents get the service they deserve. But to do this, I need to know from you exactly where there are problems and where it needs to change. Please write to me and let me know how the changes affect you at [email protected] and I will ensure they are raised directly with Southeastern.
NOTES FROM PLAXTOL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 08/05/18 Present: Cllrs P Thomas (Chairman), M Brewin, J Cannon, M Carboni, J Denham, K Johnson; L Thomas (Clerk); 12 members of the public Apologies: Cllrs B Pardesi, R Simpson; Boro Cllrs S Perry, T Shaw, M Taylor Matters raised by the public / Borough Councillors: 12 local residents were present to raise objections to planning application for Church Cottage, Plaxtol Lane. Representations were made on the following issues: - failure of the application to address reasons for previous planning refusal: impact on historical character of the Conservation Area; loss of amenity; contrary to linear development; - inappropriate development within the curtilage of a listed building, Church Cottage, and in relationship to the group of listed buildings of which Church Cottage forms a part; - although reduced in size, the proposed building would still have a substantial footprint, covering most of the garden area of Church Cottage; - the importance of the maintenance of garden space for this conservation site; - visible from the Church and west elevation from the road; - although designed to represent an outbuilding, a cottage would not historically have had such an outbuilding and the development is therefore inappropriate; - harm and loss of visual amenity to neighbouring properties, all of which would be impacted by the development; - undermining of the conservation of an historical group of buildings; - loss of visual link to Fairlawne House; - significant visual impact on the Church if the current unprotected screening hedge is removed; - new development would not be listed and therefore eligible for extension without further planning permission; - proximity and thereby threat to the structural integrity of the boundary wall which forms part of the upper storey of the neighbouring listed building; - impact on parking for residents and for Plaxtol Church. The Chairman thanked the members of the public for their contribution.
Cont’d > > > >
Planning: This item was moved up the agenda for the benefit of the members of the public present. Parish council decisions: Church Cottage, Plaxtol Lane: New two bed residential dwelling in the curtilage of a listed building. The Parish Council objects to this application for the following reasons: - the heritage value of the openness of the site, its links with neighbouring listed buildings, with the Parish Church and with the Fairlawne Estate; - historically inappropriate building, which causes harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area; - interference with the relationship of listed buildings to each other as a historic group of listed buildings and to the pattern of settlement and landscape; - loss of historic links to wider environment including Fairlawne Estate; - conservation of the open garden areas of the listed building; - views to and from the Parish Church; - loss of privacy and visual amenity; - non-linear development; - threat to the structural integrity of the neighbouring listed building; - building would be highly detrimental to its environment and would neither conserve nor enhance the character, appearance of historical interest of the Conservation Area. The full response is appended to these minutes and available online at www.tmbc.gov.uk. Claygate House, Winfield Lane: Erection of a single storey side extension, together with associated internal and external alterations. No objection. Hop Pickers Yard, Winfield Lane: To erect a wooden greenhouse in garden. Dimensions width 2.5m, depth 3m, height 2.1metres. No objection. Flat 1 Kingscote, Tree Lane: Extend existing fence and wall to the front and create new steps to side entrance. No objection. TMBC decisions: Bartons Farm, Yopps Green: Tulip Tree (T1): Fell to ground level as tree is irreversibly under attack from Armillaria (Honey Fungus) and Innonotus and is dying. Magnolia Tree (T2): Remove low westerly bough that is encroaching on wall to avoid damage to wall. Remove to base of bough at trunk Cherry Tree (T3) circa 60 y.o: Tree is in poor health and apical bough is dead. Reduce crown and pollard to circa 25ft. Remove dead apical bough and bough overhanging electricity supply. Pollard to below weakened fork to uncompromised fork below bough (to be removed) overhanging electricity line Leylandii hedge (T4-T12) comprising 9 trees (planted in 2011): Planted in close proximity to wall (circa 1m) in 2011. Fell to ground to avoid undermining of wall and remove roots. Replant with 9 native trees at northern curtilage of property (replanting at exact location not possible due to proximity to wall). No objection. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Basted Farm House, Basted Lane: Demolition of single storey side extension to the north end of the property and replacement with new extension. Granted permission. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Spoute House, Long Mill Lane: Listed Building Application: Replace chimney pots with pots more in keeping with the listed building. Granted listed building consent. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Wealden House, Church Hill: T 1 Crimson King- remove, this tree is in major decline and may fall on the owners family whilst they are in the garden. The Tree Warden reported that the tree was dying and needed to be removed. No objection. Parish Council had not objected to this application. Matters arising: Item 1: Ightham sandpit. The Chairman advised that comments of general support from Councillors for Borough Green’s representations to TMBC on this issue had been conveyed to Boro Cllr Taylor in time for his meeting on 11 April. Item 5: NPPF consultations. It was confirmed that a response was in train and would be submitted by the response deadline of 10 May. Council Matters: The Clerk reported that she had received further training regarding GDPR and now had the means to provide encryption for Councillors’ computers if required. A Council policy on data protection would be drawn up for approval at the June meeting. It had now been confirmed that Parish Councils would not be required under the legislation to appoint a Data Protection Officer. The Council’s position with regard to indemnity insurance would also be clarified with Zurich. Correspondence: KCC: Highways: monthly bus updates, April 2018. TMBC: Community Safety Partnership: Newsletter, May/June 2018. MoHCLG: unauthorised developments & encampments consultation. Other: Ash Project: Spring programme. Bluebird Care: Community Grant Scheme 2018. Campaign to Protect Rural England: Countryside Voice, Spring 2018; Field Work, Spring 2018; Kent Voice; campaigns update. Highways England: M20 Smart Motorway Project update. KALC: NALC bulletins on national developments, 29.3.18- 20.4.18; Police & Crime Commissioner newsletter, March/April 2018; volunteering for KFRS; Kent Police Rural Liaison Team report, Rural Matters; National Rural Crime Survey, public consultation, details at nationalruralcrimenetwork; responses to Government housing development consultations. Cont’d > > > >
Kent Men of the Trees: notification of AGM, 21.4.18; Arbor, Spring 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust: newsletter, April 2018. NALC: Local Council Review, Spring 2018. National Allotment Society: Allotment & Leisure Gardener, Issue 2, 2018. Payments/Finance: i) Annual Return 2017/18. a) Annual Governance Statement. Councillors considered the system of internal control and internal audit conclusions and resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement: proposed Cllr Carboni, seconded Cllr Cannon, approved unanimously. b) Accounting Statements. After due consideration, Councillors resolved to approve the Accounting Statements for the year ending 31 March 2018: proposed Cllr Carboni, seconded Cllr Brewin, approved unanimously. Councillors expressed their thanks to Marian Hemsted for her internal audit work both during the year and in respect of the Annual Return. ii) Councillors approved the nationally agreed 2% pay award in respect of the Clerk’s salary with effect from 1 April 2018. iii) Councillors approved the purchase of two replacement litter bins to be located at Reed House Island and Spoute Island at a cost of £89.99 ex VAT each, plus delivery. iv) A financial statement and bank reconciliation was distributed to members. The following receipts were noted: £ TMBC: precept 1st instalment 19,114.50 The following payments were approved: £ Streetlights: street light repairs 309.30 Memorial Hall: hire charges Feb-Mar 2018 38.00 KALC: annual membership 2018-19 493.08 KALC: GDPR course fee, April 2018 60.00 Zurich Municipal: insurance 2018-19 999.75 West Kent Mediation: donation 50.00 Clerk salary & reimbursements April 2018 660.55 Eon Energy: street lighting April supply 96.36 Recreation Grounds: Cllrs Carboni and Denham reported that the playground project was to be part of the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme in the Sevenoaks Riverhead store during May and June. There was also to be an appeal tea towel for sale featuring drawings by local children. Other initiatives under investigation included the Asda Foundation, Waitrose green tokens and KM Charity Team events.
Cont’d > > > >
Basted Mill Public Open Space: Meeting 26.4.18. Cllr Johnson reported that management of the site was well organised. Current issues included repairs to the sluice gate, repairs to the damaged retaining wall and tree maintenance, some of which was urgent. Ownership of the sluice gate and responsibility for repair was still being determined and quotes for repairs to the wall with a like for like structure were significant but less than had been anticipated. Cllr Johnson would be meeting with tree surgeons to discuss maintenance issues. Memorial Hall: Meeting 24.4.18. Cllr Johnson reported that the Memorial Hall was in good funds and that major redecoration internally and externally was being planned. Steps were being taken to resolve the problematic Gigaclear wifi connection. The Chair is currently vacant. Any Other Business: Cllr Denham reported that she had received complaints about inconsiderate parking outside The Rifleman in Dunks Green. This will be referred to Shipbourne Parish Council. Date of Next Meeting: Monday 11 June 2018 at 8 pm
Borough Council Members for Borough Green and Long Mill Cllr Steve Perry: 883 538 Cllr Tim Shaw: 883 375 Cllr Mike Taylor: 882 880
FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR Every 15 years or so, the local planning authority is required to prepare a new Local Plan designating those areas that it proposes for most new build development. The proposed new Local Plan is intended to last until 2031. For residents of Tonbridge and Malling, that time has now come around. In early June, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (T&MBC) anticipates releasing details of its long awaited (and delayed) new Local Plan. You may well ask ‘what has this to do with the county council’? I would answer that KCC is required to adopt and then maintain new roads to reach new developments; to maintain existing roads used more intensively, as a result of new development; to make provision to educate additional residents and prepare to receive more refuse and additional recycling - amongst other matters. My purpose in writing, is to draw the readers’ attention to the forthcoming T&MBC Local Plan known as ‘The Way Forward’, as it appears to me that delays in bringing this plan forward have reduced the impact of earlier efforts to draw public attention to it. It is a very important local government produced document, possibly the most impactful upon residents’ quality of life, in the years ahead.
Cont’d > > > >
In the event that you wish to encourage or discourage, built development on a particular site, now is the time to look at the Plan and put forward your site specific comments. There will be a short window of a couple summer months in 2018 for you to make your views known to T&MBC. Your written views expressed now, will carry much more weight, than for example objecting to a future planning application on a site that has already been designated in the Local Plan, for built development. This plan will, once fully agreed by T&MBC, be the largest single influence on the sites of future built development in the Borough. Do not rely on previous Metropolitan Green Belt or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designations. This is a new plan that may well change or seek to ‘swap’ areas thus protected, in order to release land for built development. Check the proposed draft Plan carefully for yourselves. Once the Local Plan preparation has been through T&MBC’s processes, which is expected by the autumn of 2018, it will be considered and appraised by a Planning Inspector appointed by The Planning Inspectorate, at a Local Plan Public Enquiry. From my extensive experience, it is very difficult to persuade the Inspector to properly consider representations that were not previously raised with the Local Planning Authority (T&MBC) at the earlier Local Plan consultation stage - at which we are now. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all residents to look at ‘The Way Forward’ ideally ‘on line’, from 31st May onwards by looking at the ‘Agenda Pack’ for the T&MBC Planning & Transport Advisory Board meeting to be held at 7.30pm 5th June 2018 at the Gibson Building, Gibson Way, Kings Hill ME19 4LZ. It is open to the general public, but with no right to speak. Limited quantities of paper documents will be available for the public. Harry Rayner, Kent County Councillor Tel: 03000 421606. Email: [email protected]
BOROUGH GREEN GARDEN CITY - UPDATE Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council intends to adopt all or part of the 4000 houses proposed for a swathe of Greenbelt Countryside north of Borough Green, between Darkhill at Ightham, and the A20 at Wrotham Heath, but full details are being kept secret until 5th June. The Independent Alliance will be calling a Public Meeting to discuss this development and Tonbridge & Mailing's Local Plan at: BOROUGH GREEN VILLAGE HALL 7.30PM Friday 15th June. The Independent Alliance
BASTED MILL PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AGM 26th APRIL 2018 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The Committee has undertaken work in accordance with the management plan and taken into consideration the TMBC’s Visual Tree Report. A tree specialist has undertaken some tree work and the Ash Die Back that has affected some of our trees will be monitored. This work will be planned over the next 2 -4 years. The grasslands and meadows have continued to be moved satisfactorily but it has been necessary to monitor the frequency of cuts. The footpaths, boundaries and steps are continually inspected and it is anticipated there may be some remedial work required on the footbridge in the next 12 – 18 months. The Committee were able to locate the original art work for the interpretation panels and I am pleased to say that the damaged panel in the picnic area has been replaced. The lifebuoy cabinet now has a laminated lifebuoy sign on it and a broken finger post has been replaced near the picnic area. Unfortunately, the notice board has not been repaired and the committee has decided it will replace this in the coming year. Details of meetings are being sent to Platt, Plaxtol and Borough Green parish magazines so that local residents are aware of meetings. The Dormice Boxes have been inspected but unfortunately there was only evidence that 2 had been used by blue tits. The Committee have decided that the damaged wall in Mill Lane would look much better if the wall was repaired like for like. Fencing was considered but the committee would prefer that any repair s should be in keeping with the area. Two quotes have been received, one for £11,920 and the other£8,250.00. A third quote is awaited. Meanwhile the possibility of obtaining a grant is being investigated. After problems with the weir were noticed it was established that there is a missing weir board. TMBC’s Land Registry documents show that the weir is still in the ownership of Crest Homes. The Committee has requested Crest Homes to take responsibility for any necessary repair work and to date the matter has not been resolved. The last communication from Crest Homes was to say they were consulting the Environment Agency. I would like to thank all the committee for their support and continued commitment in the past 12 months. Thank you too to our Clerk, Hazel, for undertaking the secretarial and financial work required. Pat Darby, Chairman