DELIVERED TO 5,000 HOMES
LIBRARY’S AMAZING ANSWER
FEBRUARY 2013 Published by Kennington Community Forum
WHEN Bockhanger library needed more shelf space for children’s books Kennington Forum offered to buy extra shelving. But the response from Kent Libraries was that rather than increase the amount of shelving they would
reduce the number of books in stock. The library needs volunteers to act as Computer Buddies, Ancestry Buddies, Home Library Service Couriers, Local Sporting Heroes and Talk Time volunteers. Call 01233 624308
Shabby Spearpoint is set for big change THE dilapidated pavilion at Spearpoint Recreation Ground could be replaced within the next two years. The tennis courts would also be renovated. Discussions are taking place with the Football Foundation and Sport England to obtain the necessary grants. Kent County FA rate the scheme “top priority” and have given it their full support. The projected new building would have six changing rooms, a social area and a kitchen. It would be available for hire to groups and organisations.
Geoff Stanborough, President of the Ashford and District Sunday League, said: “This is a very encouraging and positive step forward for Kennington and the local sports community. It’s also pleasing that this badly needed project has now moved from being on a wish list to becoming a practical reality.” Spearpoint pavilion was built about 50 years ago and is owned by Ashford council. It was once a flourishing concern and used by cricket and football clubs, by a playgroup and for functions. Owing to vandalism over the years it is now
used only as changing rooms by Sunday soccer sides. The five pitches are in good condition but several clubs have moved to other grounds because of the poor facilities. Kennington Community Forum has being urging the council to take action before the pavilion is deemed unfit for use. It is hoped the new building will attract more clubs and become an attractive venue for summer tournaments. A steering group has been set up to oversee the project under ABC facilities manager Ben Moyle.
A Wicked moment for Madeleine
Dangerous parking near schools may soon be outlawed
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Madeleine Lunn played the young Snow White in the WI pantomime that was co-written by her grandmother a few months before she died. She was enchanting in her scenes with Sheilagh Jackson, who was as wicked as they come as the royal stepmother. The three performances attracted enthusiastic audiences who enjoyed
A SCHEME has been designed to tackle dangerous and obstructive parking in roads near Downs View Infants and Kennington Junior School. It is proposed to put double yellow lines around junctions, bends, where the road is too narrow, and where passing bays are necessary in Ball Lane, Church Road, The Street, Ulley Road and Upper Vicarage Road. Existing “School keep clear” markings in Ulley Road, Upper Vicarage Road and Ball Lane would remain to protect pedestrian crossing points. Under the proposals there would be very little parking space at the Church. PCC treasurer Mike Wharrad said: “We agree the junctions should be kept clear but there are too many double yellow lines proposed between the church and Ball Lane.” A decision will be made at a special meeting of the Joint Transportation Board on 19 February. To see the proposals go to: www.ashford.gov.uk/amendment-25
Brenda’s dream: Back Page every minute and laughed in all the right places! Lesley Sanders was the grown-up Snow White, Mary Sharp played The Mirror and her husband Ron was the accompanist. The pantomime, with its splendid cast of more than 20, was produced and cowritten by Judy Skinner. More panto pictures on the Kennington Community Forum Facebook page.
Snow White meets the Wicked Queen
Picture: KERRIE RICE
COUNCILLOR Michael Claughton still has several hundred pounds available for community projects in Bockhanger ward. Contact him on 01233 635969
Follow the Forum at www.kenningtoncf.kentparishes.gov.uk and on Facebook
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Silent supporters lose out
MANY people who supported a controversial plan to ban parking on a dangerous stretch of Faversham Road failed to make their views known. County councillor Andrew Wickham, who chaired the Joint Transportation Board that rejected the proposal, said: “I have heard since that those in favour didn’t write in. “It is important with a consultation for people to comment whether in favour or against, otherwise we will only hear one side of the argument.” Kent Highways Services wanted to ban all parking between Lower Vicarage Road and Towers School following 14 accidents in the past four years. But the Board thought removing cars could encourage drivers to go faster on the straight stretch of road and
but about reducing accidents, particularly as this stretch has been identified as a Crash Site with accidents caused as a result of parked vehicles. It seems to me there was lobbying by people who are not local residents and that’s completely wrong.” rejected the proposal. Defending Mr Darling told the Kennington the scheme Highways engineer News: “The scheme is under Steve Darling said parked cars had review. If alternative proposals been involved in several accidents come forward they will be and double yellow lines would be discussed with local councillors the best solution. prior to any public consultation.” Nineteen residents objected to Several people have called for a the plan and Kennington WI fixed speed camera as the road submitted a petition with 81 has a 30mph limit. But to meet signatures. One of the few comthe criteria there must have been ments supporting the scheme four fatal or serious accidents in came from Stagecoach. the last three years. Peter Powell, a leading camSandra Blackmore, who lives near paigner for safety measures, was Towers school, said: “I hope it disappointed by the decision. He doesn’t take the death of a child said: “It was not about speeding before something gets done.” It’s important for people to comment whether in favour or against, said Cllr Wickham
BUSY BEES ARE ALL OF A BUZZ BUSY BEES nursery in Eureka Place has been rated “good” by Ofsted. Children are well behaved and build good relationships with adults and their peers, said the report. The environment is bright and welcoming and there is a very well resourced outside play area. Inspectors said the nursery, which supervises 65 youngsters between 7.30am to 6pm, is led by a well-informed and organised manager, Karen Povey. She said: “I’m very proud of my team. We have worked very hard to gain this amazing Ofsted outcome.” Ages taken: 0-5. Tel: 01233 663386
NEW signs now point the way to St Mary’s Church. County Councillor Andrew Wickham said: “This is a direct response to a request by a Church warden who said outsiders coming to weddings and funerals get lost and drive around the area unnecessarily. The signs were funded by my Member Highway Fund which fast tracks highways issues of local importance.”
OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY
A TENANT has been found for the Tritton Fields bungalow bought by Kennington Parochial Charities. The trustees are now planning to buy another bungalow that they can let.
ROUND-UP THE proposal to create Conningbrook Lakes country park will result in an intolerable increase in traffic say many local residents. Givaudan are concerned for the safety of staff who walk or cycle to work on the narrow Willesborough Road and Premier Foods say traffic issues could have a detrimental impact on their operations. The planning application from the Brett Group includes a 300-home lakeside village to fund the park. LITTER dumped near the Rugby Club in Kinney’s Lane is from passers-by and lorry drivers who use the area for overnight parking says the club. It will tidy up the site as a gesture of goodwill. POLICE community support officers have been tackling anti-social behaviour in Dexter Close, Guernsey Way and Bockhanger Lane and say matters are improving. WORK is continuing to improve the Bockhanger Lane cycle path. The experimental solar light has not always been working. Potholes have been filled in but are being washed out by the rain.
A RACE night at The Kennington raised nearly £400 for the Baby Memorial Garden in Ashford. It was arranged by Amy Pitcher in aid of SANDS, (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity).
Attacker still at large THE attacker who brutally beat up former Kennington headmaster Michael Thompsett is still at large. Police have not had any response to a plea for witnesses. Mr Thompsett, 70, lost an eye and suffered a
broken wrist and head injuries when he was knocked to the ground and kicked in the face as he returned to his car in Broadhurst Drive at 8.30pm on 21 August. Anyone with information is asked to call 101.
WORK began in January to replace 650 metres of gas pipes between the Faversham Road/ Canterbury Road junction and The Ridge, via Burton Road and Warwick Road. The new pipes should last for 100 years.
Plan for Little Acre is ‘invalid’ IT may be many months before the latest application to demolish Little Acre, 80 The Street, and build six homes on the land reaches ABC’s planning committee. Carol Ridings, fast track manager, planning and development unit, said: “The application is invalid because of the lack of an ecology survey and incomplete plans. I am awaiting further
information from the agent and it may be months before this is submitted.” Skillcrown Homes’ first application, three years ago, was for 11 homes. This was rejected by the council and a second application for six homes was dismissed after an appeal hearing. More than 100 residents and councillors have objected to all the proposals.
CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
Head’s guiding force
NEW Phoenix primary head Frances Nation took up teaching 10 years ago when she was 41. She said: “I decided to change my life and it was the best thing I have ever done.” Mrs Nation began teaching at St Stephen’s Juniors in Canterbury and was head of school before moving to Phoenix in January. She said: “I love the building, it’s an amazing environment and I’m really excited. I’m all about opportunities for children and I love creativity — thinking about things in a slightly different
TERESA ADAMS says being in Girlguiding UK will help her as headteacher at the new Goat Lees Primary school. She said: “There may be many challenges but I am sure that Girlguiding has equipped me with a range of skills that will be invaluable.” Mrs Adams takes an active part in the association and runs the 1st Whitstable Guide unit. She said: “The next few months will be very busy as we see the project develop and the school starts to take shape.” It should have
the sea. My husband sails and we have a small house on the seafront at Whitstable where we go most weekends. You will find me there working or reading good children’s literway.” Mrs Nation ature which I love.” wants to set up a Fifty ambassadors Parents, Teachers from STEMNET, which and Friends Associacreates opportunities tion and get the for children in scicommunity involved ence, technology, in the school. Mrs engineering and Nation, who lives in maths, took over the Canterbury has two school for a day in children, aged 23 and January and children 20, and worked part- were shown how to time for a housing make bath bombs. association before Former Phoenix head becoming a teacher. Rob Juniper is now She said: “My interest head of Knockhall outside of school is Primary, Greenhithe.
TARGET DATES FOR HOMES ASHFORD council aims to have its eight new homes in Randolph Gardens completed by March 2014. The planning committee approved the application unanimously despite objections from some residents. Cllr Paul Clokie noted that the ward member Cllr Marion Martin (who was not present) had not commented on the proposal. The scheme includes 28 additional parking spaces and landscaped gardens.
CHRISTMAS collections at St Mary’s Church raised £1,000 which was shared between Crisis and The Salvation Army. Proceeds from the Christingle Service went to the Children’s Society. A further £100 was raised for the Pilgrims Hospice as churchgoers made donations instead of sending each other cards. A NEW style of church is flourishing at the Community Centre in Rylands Road. On the second Sunday of each month families join in with activities such as icing biscuits and gluing and sticking. After “Action Songs” and a short message children have tea. Messy Church is led by Graham Nunn from the Church Army, who plays guitar and performs tricks, assisted by Hannah Seal, along with Richard the vicar and others. Just turn up between 4-6pm. ENJOY planting flowers, vegetables and herb seeds, some for your garden and some for the Sure Steps garden in Belmont Road. Call 01233 624857 for details
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opened last September but was delayed for a year because of a legal dispute over ownership of the land. It resulted in KCC paying £470,000 to the Goat Lees development consortium. Mrs Adams said: “It is my responsibility to ensure the school inspires the local community and be-
comes a wonderful source for all.” Mrs Adams has more than 15 years experience as a senior member of staff and was deputy head at Joy Lane Primary, Whitstable. Family information afternoons were held at the Goat Lees Community Centre in December and January. KENNINGTON Junior school’s Christmas bazaar raised £1,600. TOWERS Sixth form Christmas Fayre raised £500 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Pilgrims Hospice.
CLUB MOVES TO STADIUM KENNINGTON football club is using the Julie Rose Stadium for its county league teams this season. Chairman Graham Oxley said the move would help its chances of playing in the Invicta League. Mr Oxley said: “When I took over as chairman a year ago I was determined to take this club forward and with the use of the facilities at the stadium we can do that. The move has gone better than anyone could have hoped.” The club — the oldest in Kent — runs three Saturday teams, two on Sunday and two under-18 sides, one that plays in the county league.
VOLUNTEERS of all ages helped plant a hedgerow of hazel, blackthorn, crab apple and elder at Spearpoint recreation ground. The Woodland Trust awarded 105 plants to Kennington Community Forum. The event was managed on behalf of the Forum by The Conservation Volunteers.
WINTER REMINDER: Salt in the KCC salt bins is not for use on private drives.
BRENDA’S DREAM Brenda Lunn loved writing and was one of the contributors to A Way with Words, an evocative collection of memoirs by the WI creative writing group. Brenda described how she planned to make her dreams of visiting exotic islands come true after a life devoted to family, work, and being her husband’s carer for 10
FRANK ACOTT
NEXT MEETINGS
29 January 7.30pm 27 March 7.30pm
Kennington, and in particular St Mary's Church, has lost one of its stalwarts with the death of Frank Acott. Despite indifferent health he continued right up to the end to organise the Drop-In at Rylands Road and the community use of the church minibus. But his pas-
FOLLOWING last year’s exciting promotion Kennington Cricket Club’s first team has gained a place in the Kent Regional Cricket League Championship-East division. For the first time in its history, the Club has entered a second team into the same league and has been placed in Division 2BEast. The full league line-ups and fixtures are at www.kenningtoncc.com. Anyone interested in playing for, or supporting, the club please contact the secretary, Terry Deary on 01233 624905 or email terry.deary@kenningtoncc.com. Junior coaching sessions will be held throughout the summer, both midweek and on Sunday mornings. Registration for new players will be on 14 April from 11am at the Ulley Road ground — all welcome. Please contact Junior Manager, John Cunningham, 01233 631672 john.cunningham@kenningtoncc.com
years before he died. Then she found she had cancer. Brenda died in October aged 62, and the book is dedicated to her. The anthology spans many decades and recalls the joys and sorrows of family life, childhood during the war, adventures and the excitement of Christmas. Copies, price £5, can be obtained from Ursula Jones 01233 620620. sion was the Rylands Road Centre. By continually championing the case for the church to provide additional activities for the community Frank was the driving force behind the extending of the centre which has allowed the wide variety of new activities that now take place. CP
Information COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Elizabeth Tweed 01233 714689 elizabeth.tweed@kent.gov.uk Andrew Wickham 01233 840902 andrew.wickham@kent.gov.uk BOROUGH COUNCILLORS: Kennington: Phil Sims 01233 627603 philip.sims01@gmail.com Bockhanger: Michael Claughton 01233 635969 michael.claughton@ntlworld.com Bybrook: Andrew Buchanan 01233 627696 andrewjohnbuchanan@hotmail.com Little Burton: Marion Martin 628811 marionmartin168 @btinternet.com Boughton Aluph: Winston Michael 636644 winstonmichael@aol.com NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE : Kennington: Tom Knight 07772 226032; Little Burton: Fergus Mackay 07772 225992, Bockhanger: Jason Brett 07772 226047. Bybrook: Covered by all of the above. IF NONE IS AVAILABLE DIAL 101 PARKING PROBLEMS: 330641 KENT HIGHWAYS: 08458 247800 NEW HAYESBANK SURGERY: 624642 LATE NIGHT CHEMIST: Sainsbury’s Simone Weil Avenue 01233 662819 NHS DIRECT: Medical advice 24/7 0845 4647 ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY: William Harvey Hospital Kennington Road, Willesborough 01233 633331 REV RICHARD KING: 623334 WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE: Brunswick Road, Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate. Temporary facility while the main site is being extended KENNINGTON FORUM: Chris Morley, chair, 01233 611196 chris.f.morley@gmail.com Sandra Dunn, secretary 01233 634165 sandradunn@sky.com Kennington News is published quarterly. Editor Robin Britcher 01233 634410 kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk @kenningtonnews