Kennington News September 2013

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Bus passengers feel the heat

SEPTEMBER 2013 Published by Kennington Community Forum

The hottest place to be in Kennington during the July heatwave was on a C-Line bus. Drivers were unable to turn off the heating as it involved opening the engine compartments and risking burns from hot pipes.

After passengers alerted the Kennington News we contacted Dutch Docherty, Stage-

coach Operations Manager, Ashford Depot. A week later users claimed some buses still had heating on. Mr Docherty said switching off the hot taps would take away demister facilities in the cabs that were a legal requirement. The problem was finally solved — just as the heatwave ended.

C-Line to be revamped Page 4

Thanks a million

£12,000 Fayre is best ever The Summer Fayre had everything going for it — sunshine and plenty for all the 2,500 visitors to enjoy. At the end of the day almost £12,000 had been raised for charities and local organisations — a record amount. St Mary’s Church took £1,500, Kennington Junior School £1,400, the Scouts £1,246 and Kennington Cricket Club £1,100. Arena events attracted big crowds, especially the Towers Cheerleaders and the Fun Dog Show. Organiser Jill Britcher said: “It was a fantastic effort by the whole community.” This year’s surplus will go to the Spearpoint project and the Ashford Food Bank.

Keeping fit the Bokwa way. Another Fayre picture on Page 5

Picture: KERRIE RICE

The generosity of retired Kennington businessman Frank Brake has enabled the Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Butterfly Appeal to reach £1million.

Mr Brake, who is patron of the Centre, has doubled all money raised since February 2012 and will do so until the end of the year.

The appeal needs to raise £150,000 before 31 December which Mr Brake will double, enabling work to start on the new £1.3m Canterbury building next spring.

Frank, William and Peter Brake set up Brake Brothers in 1958. It became Britain's largest distributor of frozen food to restaurants and was sold to a US investment firm in 2002.

The deal is reported to have netted Frank, William and Peter’s widow £80m each.

The good (and the not so good ) things about living here Ashford council wants to know what you like and dislike about living in Kennington.

The results will help the council identify and address local development issues to 2030.

You will be able to give your views at a public consultation in St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, on Saturday 14 September, from 10am12, and enjoy free refreshments.

The event has been arranged by the Kennington Community Forum and Ashford Borough Council planning officers to discuss suggestions for the future of the area.

The principal document that guides

and shapes development in the borough, the Core Strategy, is now being reviewed by the council.

It is working on a new Local Plan that will set targets for creating jobs, building homes and addressing local development issues to 2030.

Katy Wiseman, ABC Policy Planner, said: “The starting point for the review is to work closely with communities to identify what the issues are. We welcome your views.”

Residents who attended a recent meeting of the Forum were asked by Ian Grundy, ABC principal policy planner, to write down three things they liked about living here and

three issues that needed addressing.

Dislikes included transport issues and parking, new estates which are too large and soulless, the threat of infill building, incomplete cycle paths and litter.

Likes included good community spirit, a quiet, friendly and attractive area, good access to services, good schools, shops, pubs and the library.

It felt like a village and was unspoilt.

People liked the open space and access to the countryside.

Further details of the consultation process can be found at www.ashford.gov.uk/local-planto-2030

Follow the Kennington Forum at bit.ly/kennington and on Facebook

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COUNTRY PARK OPEN TO WALKERS SOON

A further £200,000 is to be spent

by Ashford Borough Council to ensure the new Conningbrook Lakes country park can get under way. Most of the money will be used for a temporary access road from the Julie Rose Stadium along

with security gates and fencing.

The council has already spent £87,000 to enable the park to open for walking from this autumn and for water sports from next year. The money will be reimbursed in developer contributions

DIRTY DOGS

from the Brett Group. The council stands to receive £3 million from the aggregates firm once it has built 300 homes on the Willesborough Road site. Later phases of the project include a water sports centre and restaurant.

Demolish hall and create new square, say residents Bockhanger Community Hall should be demolished and the whole site redeveloped.

This is the consensus of local residents who responded to a questionnaire from Ashford Borough Council about the future of the square.

Four potential options were put forward to stimulate debate and to get the community thinking.

The majority favoured demolishing the hall and redeveloping the entire site — including the shops — and building a new, but smaller hall, ideally a more flexible facility to meet local needs.

This would be funded by building 11 houses on the site with 12 flats above the four replacement shops.

Questionnaires were sent to all residents and two Saturday public consultation events were held in the hall. Ward Councillor Andrew Buchanan (above) said: “Despite well publicised consultation, the

overall response rates were not fantastic.

However, the response showed clearly which option was favoured and so it is reasonable for us to take the necessary steps to proceed with what the community has said it wants.”

The other proposals were: 1. Do nothing.

2. Refurbish the existing hall, funded by building some new homes.

3. Refurbish the existing hall and shops, to be paid for by building seven houses and 11 flats.

The council has been working with a steering group on the proposals for 18 months.

The steering group consulted with borough and county councillors,

community groups, shopkeepers, Phoenix Primary School, Sure Steps, the Library and residents.

Kennington Forum chair Chris Morley said: “We were continually assured that there were no plans to close the library and that it would be retained or included in the new building, but I would be very surprised if this were not affected by KCC’s latest round of economies.”

The steering committee has suggested that a new hall should, if possible, be near the school boundary. It could be enlarged and incorporated with the school as a shared resource, should funding and agreement be reached at some time in the future.

It is hoped a proposal for the development of the square will be submitted to the council before the end of the year.

Cllr Buchanan said: “All being well, we hope work can begin sometime next year or early 2015.”

PEOPLE are taking dogs into Bybrook cemetery and letting them run loose over graves.

The dog warden has been given details of three Jack Russells which roam around the cemetery. Free poop scoop bags are available from the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane and Ashford Gateway Plus in Church Road, Ashford.

A SECOND bungalow has been bought by Kennington Parochial Charities Trust and is now ready to let. Lisa Webb, clerk to the Trustees, said: “Last time we had a tremendous response and were successful in helping a family.”

For details of how to apply for the lease see the advertisement on Page 4.

AN APPLICATION to have Grasmere Green, Kennington, registered as a protected village green has been made to Kent County Council.

THANKS to everyone who contributed books, DVDs and CDs, games and knitting patterns to the Forum’s stall at the Summer Fayre. Treasurer Chris Woolgar said: “We raised £520 for the Spearpoint project and gave the remaining items to Guide Dogs for the Blind who run a number of fundraising events throughout the year.”

WANTED: SITES TO GROW FOOD A community food growing project could be set up in Kennington if suitable sites can be found. The aim is to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. Money would be provided by the People’s Health Trust to buy tools, seeds and plants.

Tom Watkins, of The Conservation

Volunteers, said: “We may be able to work with families to help them develop a garden. Anything I set up must be sustainable after the funding ends in March next year.”

Any ideas can be submitted to Tom by email t.watkins@tcv.org.uk or by calling 01233 666519.

RE-THINK OVER TRAFFIC SCHEME A revised scheme to solve parking and speeding problems in Faversham Road is being prepared by KCC traffic engineer Steve Darling.

His earlier proposal to ban all parking from Lower Vicarage Road to Towers School was rejected by the

Joint Transportation Board. Mr Darling is also looking at ways to improve the effectiveness of the interactive flashing 30mph sign near the school. He will discuss his plans with the Kennington Forum prior to a wider debate.

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Ella takes another step along the road to fame Ella Barnes is well on her way to achieving her ambition of being a professional dancer.

The 13-year-old from Friesian Way, Kennington, was in the English Youth Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, on 23 and 24 August.

Ella appeared as one of the six ladies in waiting alongside the EYB’s professional principals.

She said: “I was in all the performances and was on stage for quite a long time. I was so excited about performing and want to

Swan Lake after attending an audition in Canterbury.

It was her second appearance Carrying with the EYB. She was in the Coppelia in 2008 at the Churchill Olympic Theatre, Bromley. torch through Ella’s dancing success led to her Canterbury being nominated to carry the last year Olympic torch last year when it passed through Canterbury.

She has been dancing since she be a dancer when I am older.”

Ella studies dance at Homewood was three and has won a number School, Tenterden, and also goes of trophies.

Two years ago she was runnerto the Hasland Dance Studios in Herne Bay. up in a national pairs freestyle She was chosen for her role in disco competition.

A class apart: The cast of Romeo and Juliet, The Musical, performed by pupils from the Phoenix Community Primary School

Even Michael Gove wrote to praise our Romeo and Juliet says proud Phoenix school head teacher Frances Nation I truly believe that children rise to high expectations and I have been proved right by the very talented Year 6 class that performed Romeo and Juliet at Towers.

They didn't think they could do it, they didn't think they could even learn the lines but they did. They memorised, sang, acted, dressed up and all pulled together for two outstanding performances and they learnt a bit about Shakespeare along the way!

Parents and staff were extremely proud. We even got a letter from the Education Secretary Michael Gove. Perhaps, with enough warning, he might make next year's performance of Macbeth.

Tweeting is something we love to do at Phoenix. Our Twitter followers are now approaching 250, not bad considering we had none in January. We tweet everything we think might be of interest to our community: children's work, information, photos, links to interesting topics, trips. The new website also holds lots of information not least

a list of the top ten favourite books of individual staff members.

We have been successful in our bid as part of a Comenius School Partnership. As part of the Lifelong Learning Programme we will be working with nine schools in different countries in Europe and using the money (20,000 euros) on “mobilities”.

These mobilities will give both children and staff opportunities to travel to these countries to experience music, art and drama in school settings. What amazing and exciting opportunities this will open up for children at Phoenix.

With the arrival of Mr Miles, our new music teacher, we now have a rock band, a jazz group, African drummers, trumpeters and we are taking part in the Canterbury Festival for the first time.

We hosted our first Phoenix Proms at the end of term, a feast of musical extravaganza and not, as some children initially thought, to be confused with expensive ball dresses and shiny limousines!

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FREE HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED

Stagecoach revamps C-Line and promises ‘safety first’ Stagecoach is revamping the C-Line service from September.

Dutch Docherty, Operations Manager, Ashford Depot, said: “I hope to solve the punctuality issues customers have experienced.”

The Kennington service has come in for a lot of criticism since it was introduced. Regular users say it has improved lately but there are still some concerns.

Passengers waiting at Bockhanger Square say buses arriving from the town often don’t come back if

If you have any complaints about the bus service please call Stagecoach Call Centre on 08456 002299 they are running late. Instead they continue along The Pasture and turn into Faversham Road on their way to town. Mr Docherty said he had held a meeting with his controllers. He said: “Buses should not be short-cutting their routes unless authorised to do so.

This will be monitored.”

Drivers sometimes pull away before elderly passengers have managed to find a seat. There have been occasions when some have stumbled in the aisles and one or two have fallen over.

Mr Docherty said: “I have addressed this issue with my drivers and the consequences of failings on their behalf.

“Safety is paramount and I take a dim view of any driver who fails to look after the passengers in a safe manner.”

Garden waste service is a growing concern There are two services offering to collect garden waste in Kennington. The council’s optional garden recycling service costs £30 a year and will rise to £35 by 2015/16. You will receive a brown 240 litre wheeled bin that will be

collected fortnightly. It must only contain grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, prunings and small branches, weeds, leaves and dead plants.

Register on line at www.ashford.gov.uk or call Ashford council on 01233 331111.

WyeCycle has extended its garden waste service to Kennington.

You can join by purchasing tags from the Fair Trade Shop in The Street. These are then attached to normal black sacks which are collected on Wednes-

days once you have notified WyeCycle.

Tags cost £15 for 10 (£1.50 each).

Information from The Fair Trade Shop (01233 665651) or www.wyecycle.org.

WyeCycle is a not-forprofit community business.

Sure Steps Children’s Centre provides free services for parents, carers and children aged 0-5 years.

It also provides support to those most in need in the community.

Team leader Lee Robinson said: “Our Swap Shops allow families to donate unwanted children’s items (mostly clothes) in good, clean condition up to one week before the event — then families can come along on the day to fill a bag for free.” The next Swap Shop is at Sure Steps, Belmont Road on 7 October, 9am-11am.

Sure Start has its own benefits advisor who attends parent and

PERIL ON THE PATHS Pavements obstructed by parked vehicles or bins may mean a guide dog owner has to walk into the road, close to moving traffic they cannot see.

Sharp branches and overgrown hedges are also a hazard and can cause serious injuries. Guide dogs are very observant,

DOUBLE yellow lines on roads near Kennington Junior School and Downs View infants have not solved the problem of dangerous and obstructive parking. Some motorists are flouting the new regulations when dropping off or picking up their children.

Up to a quarter of children's centres in Kent could close under cost-cutting proposals

by KCC. A consultation on the plans runs until 4 October.

Even if your centre is not on the list please respond as it could still be under threat. www.kent.gov.uk/ childrenscentres

but when the offending foliage is at the headheight of humans, a dog cannot always detect the obstruction.

Please trim back hedges and branches that overhang pavements and make our pavements safer for blind and partially-sighted people.

THERE is still a problem with people driving over pavements, without dropped kerbs, to park on garden frontage in Mardol Road and Bybrook Road. Some vehicles park on grassed areas.

toddler group on Wednesday mornings (term time only). Lee said: “Pop in for guidance. She is also able to support with housing, preparing a CV, training and can connect you with a careers or volunteering advisor.”

Sure Steps is a registered supplier of Ashford Foodbank vouchers, supporting those in need of emergency food boxes. For details call 01233 624857.

A SPECIAL TIME FOR REFLECTION St Mary’s Kennington is holding one of its most popular events of the year on Sunday 27 October — The Service of Light. The Rev Richard King said: “We invite all the families and friends of those whose funerals we have taken in the last 12 months, be it at the church or crematorium, to join with us at St Mary’s church for a time of music, prayer and reflection.

“We read aloud the names of all those who have died and other names that those present wish to remember.

Each person who comes then lights a candle in memory of the person they have lost. It is incredibly moving, deeply powerful and, for me, a privilege to be present at. All are most welcome to attend.”

The service starts at 4pm. Coffee is served from 3pm.

FOOTPATH TO CINEMA TAKES SHAPE Work to improve the footpath from Bockhanger Lane to the cinema finally began after Kent County Council secured legal agreements for resurfacing work as far as Kingswood access drive. It was hoped to THE next blood donor session in Kennington is on Thursday 19 Sept 1.30-4pm and 5-7.30pm at the Scout Hall, Lower Vicarage Road.

ficer, said: “The council is consulting on a proposed plan to remove street lights in numerous locations, so it is very difficult to establish new columns. It may be that we can still make some improvements and we have already raised the TOWERS pupils have turned canopy of some trees to an unused piece of land give greater natural light. into a “green escape” with Any new lights that do go tools and plants donated in would not interfere

by Dobbies Garden World. with the new surfacing.”

complete the path across Eureka Leisure Park to the cinema during the school holidays. Unfortunately there is no money for mains lighting and the solar light is not working very well. Colin Finch, KCC Senior Projects of-

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Jumping for joy: The spectacular Towers Cheerleaders were a hit with visitors at the Kennington Summer Fayre

Clubs urged to apply for grants County councillor Jim Wedgbury has used his Highways grant to fund footpath repairs in Bybrook Road, Kennington. The work began in August and was scheduled to last four weeks.

Cllr Wedgbury, (right), who now represents Central Ashford, wants to help small groups in the community. He has written to clubs and organisations telling them they can apply for grants through him.

County councillor Andrew Wickham (Ashford Rural East) has given a ÂŁ5,000 grant to Kennington Cricket Club towards the new pavilion. He said his grants could help release money from other funders.

If your organisation is looking for funding, contact your county councillor first to discuss the project.

The type of activities supported by grants vary enormously and range from marketing and training costs, community safety schemes and sports projects to larger refurbishment projects in community halls.

Often the grants are a useful source of seed funding for larger projects or to match fund grants from other organisations.

Councillors’ phone numbers are in the Back Page information panel

Picture: KERRIE RICE

KENT Libraries are hosting a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Bockhanger Library on 11 September from 10-12. You are invited to browse a wide selection of books and feel good tucking into a piece of cake!

There will be a story time for little ones at 10.30am. For more details please call Karin Backlog at Ashford Library 08458 247000 or email bockhangerlibrary@kent.gov.uk

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School rings the changes Following a disappointing Ofsted report Kennington Junior School head teacher Steve Ive says big changes have taken place

The staff and governors have already made significant progress in addressing the main issues contained in the recent Ofsted report.

One of the focal points has been to widen the collaborative partnerships with other schools, so that teachers and senior leaders can share expertise and good practice.

As well as schools in Ashford, links have been established with a junior school in Maidstone and a primary school in Essex, which will prove to be mutually beneficial.

A PRETTY BIKE RIDE It is now possible to cycle to Canterbury without going on the A28 or over any major hills by using Route 18 of the National Cycle Network. An existing public footpath between Godmersham and Chilham has been upgraded to a cycleway, and other stretches of what was a badly rutted bridlepath have been resurfaced. The picturesque route passes through Shalmsford Street and Chartham. Route 18 can be joined as it passes through Little Burton Farm estate.

We have also organised two presentation evenings for parents, on mathematics and understanding data, as well as holding an art and a photographic exhibition of children’s work.

September will bring further changes, with three experienced teachers joining our staff. We are also looking forward to an exciting project between ourselves and Downs View Infant School, where a teacher is going to work in both Year 3 and Year 2.

We believe this is a unique situation for infant-junior

O

NE hundred and ten thousand square yards of grass. That’s a lot of green space, and we are privileged to have this at Spearpoint Recreation ground in the heart of Kennington. Much of the field is laid out for sports but there are plenty of other features of interest.

The “Mound” is probably the base of a windmill; the Roman road from Canterbury crosses the site, entering near the footpath from The Street and heading south-west; and the pond is ancient, dating from before 1820. Kennington Forum is involved in several projects to enhance the community value of this important place. We have been pressing for some time for im-

schools and will add to the very good transition arrangements between the two schools.

Our Year 6 pupils are moving to a variety of secondary schools in and around Ashford, including 26 who have transferred to grammar schools.

As well as achieving some

of our best SATs results, they have been a super year group and we have enjoyed the privilege of teaching them over the past four years.

Our new intake of pupils have visited the school on several occasions during the past few months so they are familiar with their new surroundings.

The school has not been closed during the holidays.

After using the Easter break to completely transform our Year 3 classrooms with new carpets, furniture and paintwork, the rooms used

by Year 4 are undergoing a similar upgrade in preparation for the new school year, which promises to be busy and exciting.

gestions from local residents for new benches, which we support — although these would need to be vandal proof and sited carefully to avoid antisocial use — and we’ve recently asked Kent County provements to the Pavilion, Council to improve the path from Church Road and, as members of the which is impassable in wet recently-formed steering group, we are pleased that weather and difficult for proposals are now being put wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Perhaps our most ambitious forward through Ashford proposal is for a “trim trail” Borough Council. Earlier exercise circuit, offering this year we planted a physical activity not only “fruiting hedge” as a community project and most of for children but for the the plants have taken root. whole community. At an early stage at present, ABC’s officers suggested but this could be an opporcreating a flower meadow tunity to create a unique to improve biodiversity, and we will be working on feature, only possible in the this idea in the next few superb space available at months. We have had sugSpearpoint. CHRIS MORLEY

RESIDENTS WIN FIGHT TO OUTLAW PARKING Campaigners on the Goat Lees estate have won their fight to stop Eureka Business Park staff parking on residential roads.

Single yellow lines will be painted in Aylesbury Road, Dunnock Road, Muscovy Road, Siskin Close and Snipe Close — the roads closest to the business park.

No parking will be allowed between 9.30am-10.30am and 2pm-3pm from Monday to Friday.

Double yellow lines will be painted along the length of Trinity Road, in Hurst Road, and at strategic points on the estate.

Restrictions will be introduced once Trinity College and Quadrant Estates create an additional 150 spaces for their workers.

Ashford Borough Council wanted double yellow lines across the estate but a compromise was reached after negotiations between ward member Councillor Winston Michael and council leader Gerry Clarkson.

Cllr Michael said the decision represented four years of hard work to find an amicable solution.

POOR lighting, overgrown trees, loose paving stones, and some vandalism were found during a Community Safety Unit visit to Little Burton Farm. It was also thought the play area might not be in the best place.

OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY

HOW CORONATION DAY 1911 WAS CELEBRATED IN KENNINGTON Festivities to mark the coronation of King George V on Thursday 22 June 1911 began in Kennington at 6am with a peal of bells.

It was followed by a service in St Mary’s church.

Sports in the afternoon included a needle race for ladies, an “Old Dutch” race for the over 45s, a mop tournament and a 12-a-side tug-of-war: Moustaches v No Moustaches.

A tree was planted in the Recreation Ground by Miss Billington of Kennington House.

The Kentish Express reported: “A string band was in attendance and greatly enlivened the proceedings.

“The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of a strong committee headed by the vicar (the Rev G L Thorp) and Mr J C Banfield (headmaster).”

Kennington has a long history of planting trees on the Recreation Ground to commemorate royal events. This photo was taken in June 1897 when Miss A W Kennett planted an oak to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

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Should Kennington plant a tree to commemorate the birth of Prince George? If so, where should it be?

The Forum would like to hear from you. Call Chris Morley 01233 611196

Maggie steps down after 18 years Maggie Beswick has retired after running the Step by Step nursery in Upper Vicarage Road for 18 years. Children and staff gave her a rousing send-off at the endof-term strawberry tea party in the Parish Room. She said: “It has been a pleasure to see children grow in confidence and ability during their time at the nursery.”

Mrs Beswick will now spend time in her garden and travel with her husband Chris. The nursery will continue under new owner Katy Keeler who has worked with Mrs Beswick for several years.

Picture: KENTISH EXPRESS

A PLOUGHMAN’S lunch will be held in the Kennington WI Hall on Saturday 7 September to raise money for the Kent Multiple Sclerosis Centre Butterfly Appeal. Tickets are £10.

Can-Can dancers will be high-kicking their way across the stage at the French group’s cheese and wine evening on 18 October.

The Christmas Fayre will be on 7 December and the pantomime Cinderella on 17, 18 and 19 January. Saturday and Sunday performances will be in the afternoon. For details call Ursula Jones 01233 620620.

HUNDREDS of primary school leavers from Ashford took part in a Safety in Action Fortnight at Towers School hosted by Ashford Community Safety Unit. Workshops included road safety, fire prevention, safe bus and coach travel, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, criminal damage and the importance of school attendance. Kennington Forum chair Chris Morley said: "I was particularly impressed by two workshops led by Towers students, on smoking and internet safety.”

IF YOU have difficulty using or accessing public transport a car service is available. Call Volunteering Ashford on 01233 633219.

SOME of the worst examples of vehicles blocking pavements are on Ted Prangnell’s blog, pavementparking.blogspot.co.uk It has received nearly 4,000 hits.

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Information

Kennington Cricket Club held its biggest-ever annual junior awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the Under 16, Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 squads. Trophies were awarded to the best batsman, bowler, fielder

and most improved player in each of the eight teams. Everyone in the huge Under 10 squad received a certificate. Entertainment for the crowd of around 200 included a barbecue, bouncy castle, inflatable slide and a “bowl out the

coach” competition. The trophies were funded by Park Mall, the club’s junior section sponsor.

Work is expected to begin on the club’s new £100,000 pavilion soon after the season ends. www.kenningtoncc.com

Community raises £2,000 for Spearpoint project More than £2,000 has been raised in Kennington for the new community building on Spearpoint recreation ground.

The Summer Fayre committee has given £1,000 from this year’s surplus, Kennington Forum has contributed £520 it made at the Fayre and the Spearpoint Pavilion Project raised £580 from donations, a Summer Fayre tombola and raffle ticket sales.

“This is fantastic news,” said Ben Moyle, Ashford council facilities manager, who is leading a steering group to oversee the project.

The response will help with bids now that funders know the community is right behind it. The final design and costs will be known shortly.

The main funder is likely to be the FIRST TOUCH Coaching School has asked Ashford council for a time extension on its plan to create an

Football Foundation. Additional funding is being sought from Sport England and the local authorities.

Kent County FA has made Spearpoint a priority project and it is hoped that Ashford Barbarians Rugby Club’s involvement will lead to a grant from the Rugby Football Union.

The building will replace the run-down pavilion and provide first-class facilities for football and rugby. It will also be available to community groups.

The project includes renovating the tennis courts and pitch levelling.

The Barbarians will be playing at Spearpoint on Saturday afternoons.

The club is so pleased at obtaining a home ground that it will maintain the pavilion until the new one is built, hopefully in a year or two. academy on the former Houchins sports field behind the Holiday Inn car park, off Canterbury Road.

Former Chelsea star Ray Wilkins presents Kennington FC’s Callum MacLeod with the Kent County Football League Personality of the Year trophy. Callum scored 36 goals last season.

Kennington Community Forum takes an active role in looking after the interests of the people and the environment of our area and enables the community to voice opinions on local matters which affect their lives and wellbeing.

We hold six public meetings each year and publish the quarterly Kennington News supplemented by web and social media sites.

The Forum is run by volunteers who live or work in the area. By becoming a member of the Core Group you can take an active role in directing and organising its work. The group is friendly and informal. Nomination forms can be obtained on our website bit.ly/kennington. Members will be elected at the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 24 September, St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, 7.30pm For more details contact Chris Morley 01233 611196

Kennington Community Forum To advertise in the December Kennington News please call 01233 634410 or email kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk

COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Andrew Wickham (Ashford Rural East) 01233 840902 andrew.wickham@kent.gov.uk Jim Wedgbury (Ashford Central) 01233 503272 jim.wedgbury@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 01233 628811 marionmartin168 @btinternet.com Boughton Aluph: Winston Michael 01233 636644 winston.michael@ashford.gov.uk.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE : PCSO Nikki Relf.

Call 101 to be put through to the neighbourhood officer best placed to deal with your call PARKING PROBLEMS: 01233 330641 KENT HIGHWAYS: 08458 247800 NEW HAYESBANK SURGERY: 01233 624642 LATE NIGHT CHEMIST: Sainsbury’s, Simone Weil Avenue 01233 662819 MEDICAL HELP BUT NOT AN EMERGENCY: 111 (available 24/7) ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY: William Harvey Hospital 01233 633331 REV RICHARD KING: 01233 623334 STAGECOACH BUSES: 08456 002299 KENNINGTON FORUM: Chris Morley, chair, 01233 611196 chris.f.morley@gmail.com Sandra Dunn, secretary 01233 634165 sandradunn@sky.com Kennington News is published four times a year.

Editor Robin Britcher 01233 634410 kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk

@kenningtonnews