Kennington News June 2014

DELIVERED TO 5,000 HOMES

JUNE 2014

Published by Kennington Community Forum

The church clock has stopped and the cost of having it repaired will be £820. When the service engineer arrived at St Mary’s to diagnose the problem he had a surprise. He discovered the clock had been installed by his grandfather.

A fundraising fish and chip supper, featuring the Invicta Ukulele Band, was held at St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road on 24 May.

Let’s make it a roaring success Kennington’s biggest event of the year is only a few weeks away!

The Summer Fayre is on Saturday 28 June at the Recreation Ground, Ulley Road, starting at noon.

Given a fine day it is hoped a record amount will be raised for charities and local voluntary organisations.

Attractions include a children’s funfair; Towers Cheerleaders; the Maypole dancers from Kennington Junior School, the Downs View Infant choir and family games.

There will a Fun Dog Show — just bring your pet along on the day — and two new attractions: the Ashford Town Concert Band, and the DreamDragons Community Theatre Group.

Visitors will be able to meet rescued greyhounds and guide dogs.

More than 30 stalls will be selling a wide range of goods, and hot food, ice creams and refreshments will be available.

Admission and parking is FREE. Last year’s Fayre raised £12,000 and attracted around 2,500 visitors.

Kennington Summer Fayre

A close encounter awaits the Grand Draw winner

If you have any books, CDs or DVDs the Kennington Community Forum can sell on its stall please call 01233 629511 or 01233 634410

We still need more residents to sign our petition for a Kennington Community Council: See Page 4

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A DAY WITH WORLD’S

BIG CATS! TOP prize in the Summer Fayre Grand Draw offers a once in a lifetime experience.

You could win a two-hour guided tour (for two) of some of the most endangered species of big cats in the world.* The winners will be able to get up really close to the animals at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden and have the opportunity to hand feed one of them.

The cats will at all times remain safely in their enclosures!

SECOND prize is a fantastic day out to the continent on Eurostar. The winner can choose return tickets (for two) to Paris, Brussels or Lille.

The Fayre Committee thanks the Wildlife Heritage Foundation and Eurostar for generously donating these great prizes.

THIRD prize is a Magnificent Hamper, packed with delicious food and drinks provided by participating stallholders.

There are many other prizes donated by local businesses. All the money raised from the sale of tickets go to local charities or voluntary organisations.

Tickets, price £1, are available in advance from stallholders or can be bought on the day from the Fayre Committee Tent. *Participants must be 16 or over

The first match gets underway after the opening of Kennington Cricket Club’s new pavilion. Full story on Back Page

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tried to ‘2,000 homes plan would Driver entice children into white van destroy areas of beauty’

Council planning officers have been left in no doubt as to what many people think about sites submitted by landowners as being available for development in Kennington.

They were told that very large developments, such as 2,000 homes on land bounded by Canterbury Road, Willesborough Road and the Canterbury railway line, and a proposal to build on Ulley Farm, would destroy areas of outstanding beauty and irrevocably change the character of the area.

Prime agricultural land would also be lost and there would be serious traffic problems.

More than 70 people were at the Community Planning Workshop in St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, organised by Kennington Community Forum and Ashford Borough Council.

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esidents will have the final say on development proposals, writes Kennington councillor Phil Sims in the May issue of the Parish Magazine.

He says: “There has been significant confusion concerning the possibility of housing development in the Kennington area.

This is still early days for the process of developing the Plan, and though the Planning Officers

Residents were able to question Ashford council planning officers Residents also objected to sites at Orchard Farm, The Croft and Ashford Rugby Club being offered for development. Many filled in comment forms which are being taken into account as ABC assesses whether the sites are suitable for inclusion in the Local Plan to 2030.

There were many concerns regarding potential traffic issues and infrastructure services, especially health services and schools.

Kennington Community Forum

chair Chris Morley said: “It was a very productive morning.”

The Forum is objecting to the inclusion of land east of the A28 and NE of Willesborough Road (2,000 homes); land at Ulley Farm and at Orchard Farm. It does not object to the inclusion of land at Ashford Golf Club and Eureka Park, but has reservations. The full response is on our website bit.ly/kennington where you can also let us know your views on the proposals.

would like to think they are in charge, and know best what to do, we the residents of the area will have the final say YES or NO on such proposals.”

Cllr Sims told the Kennington News: “What may not have been made clear by the officers is that the quantity of land offered for

development is considerably more than required to meet the housing requirement.

“Therefore there is room for the council to select which sites would be best for development, and which would create significant opposition by local residents.

In 2009/10 sufficient residents voiced their objections to the developments proposed, and I and others stopped it happening.”

Parents have been told to be extra vigilant after a man tried to entice children into his van. He pulled up next to them in Bybrook Road and suggested they should look inside the van.

A police spokesman said: “They did exactly the right thing and went straight home and reported it to their parents.”

Police stepped up patrols in the area following the incident on Monday 29 April.

Anyone who saw the white van, which had red lettering on it, should call Kent Police on 101.

‘Danger road’ is made safer The first part of the scheme to make Faversham Road safer has been completed.

Warning signs for Towers School and for the crossroad junctions have been installed.

Power supply to the interactive “flashing” sign has been improved and a dual message system means it either shows a ‘school warning’ sign or ‘30’, depending on the time of day.

Redundant signposts have been removed. The final stage involves putting ‘SLOW’ markings on the road and electrical connections to new signs.

Thief escapes in the ‘blackout’ Questions are being asked about the safety implications of Kent’s street light switch-off scheme after several cars and a garage were targeted on the same night on Little Burton estate.

At least one thief made off with wallets, electrical gadgets and a mountain bike, although some items were later recovered.

Police told residents a suspect they chased into James Allchin Gardens got away because

they were hampered by the lack of street lights.

Kelsey Lapthorn told the Kentish Express: “There are places where you just can’t go now after the lights are off. There are a lot of cul-de-sacs and little lanes and people don’t feel safe.”

KCC took the decision to switch off street lights in some areas between midnight and 5.30am as part of its Safe and Sensible Street Lighting scheme.

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First steps to a new wildlife paradise

B

YBROOK Nature Reserve has undergone a startling transformation. What was an overgrown wooded area has had all the trees razed to the ground and left tumbled everywhere.

This is the first stage of a renovation of the Reserve and local residents are asked to comment on how they would like the Reserve to look in the future.

Phil Cook, Arboreal Officer at Ashford Borough Council, took the decision to fell all the trees when he realised that many of them were becoming dangerous and the cost of making them safe was prohibitive.

During the summer the felled trees will be removed from the site, off Nine Acres, and a decision about how to renovate the Reserve will be made.

Should the old duckboard path be repaired?

There will certainly need to be safe access to the site so the public can enjoy it. Andrew Buchanan, councillor for Bybrook Ward, is planning to contribute money from his members’ grant to the scheme.

The Nature Reserve was given by the developers of the area. It has catchment streams which run down to the mill ponds in Bybrook.

Kennington Community Forum, which organised a site meeting recently, would like to hear your views. Please contact Chris Morley, 01233 611196, chris.f.morley@gmail.com

Picture: MIKE FOISTER

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M

ore than 550 residents have signed Kennington Community Forum’s petition to set up a Community Council.

KCF’s Chair, Chris Morley, said: “We are delighted by the response so far. It is clear evidence of the significant support from residents who agree it is time we had a stronger voice for our area.”

Another 400 signatures are needed to ensure Ashford Borough Council undertakes a Community Governance Review.

Leaflets have been delivered to every home in the area.

Without a Community Council, Kennington is effectively excluded from important consultations.

“When Parish Councils were asked for their views on proposed changes to street lighting, residents in the urban area were not invited to comment,” said Mr Morley.

“We think it is unfair that we do not have the same level of local democratic representation that our neighbours in ‘parished’ areas have, and we believe that it is now time to change this.”

All rural areas of Ashford and newer estates on the edge of town such as Goat

Why it’s so important to support our campaign Lees, Singleton, Stanhope and Park Farm, are served by Parish Councils.

These have various statutory rights and responsibilities, but can for example take the lead in improving local ‘Kennington playing fields and public open spaces, is effectively or providing excluded from and maintaining important community centres.

Facilities such as consultations’ children’s play areas, bus shelters and litter bins can also be provided.

Community Councils are elected in the

same way as Parish Councils and have the same responsibilities.

They have statutory rights and are consulted on issues such as planning and licensing.

They are able to seek protection for existing community facilities by nominating them for listing as Assets of Community Value.

Many are working with residents to create Neighbourhood Plans which enable greater control by the community over development planning.

If you have not yet signed the petition it is available on the Forum’s website

bit.ly/kennington You can print it off, fill it in and return it to one of the following: Chris Morley, 47 Broadhurst Drive, Kennington, Ashford TN24 9RQ; Robin Britcher, 169 Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashford TN24 9AE, or Bockhanger Library .

SEED BOMBS AWAY! Children at Downs View Infant school helped Kent Wildlife Trust sow seeds for a wildlife meadow in the school grounds. Ian Rickards, the Trust’s Ashford Area Warden, said: “Parents, governors and volunteers did a great job preparing the ground. Children sowed 30 different seed types, including yellow rattle, lady’s bedstraw and musk mallow, along with cowslip, meadow buttercup and poppy.

They used a technique known as ‘seed bombing’, where seeds are mixed with damp sand, and the children have to throw their seed balls, often with great gusto!” The Ashford Meadows Project is financed by Ward Homes.

erek and Anita Sorrell D moved to John Dutton Way in March 2012. Derek

group. We currently have 26 households on board, we had an initial meeting but our main contact medisaid: “Having been a um is by email. I would encourage all Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator at other areas to set up a scheme, it my previous address I was keen to certainly is not onerous to do and establish if the scheme was active can only be of benefit to us all. here, so I knocked on 49 doors and “I am Church Warden at St. Mary’s asked that question. I very quickly Church Kennington so this scheme became aware that there was no fits in very well with my Christian such group but from the reactions of faith, after all was it not Jesus who neighbours it was apparent that said Love Thy Neighbour.” there was enough interest to start a derek.sorrell@hotmail.com

SATURDAY SCHOOL IS A SUCCESS

RUNAWAY WINNERS! We salute three heroes of the London Marathon

Saturday school is proving very popular at Towers School.

Students in years 7 and 8 have been invited to attend extra lessons on Saturday mornings.

More than 50% of each year group have taken part in subjects including Maths, English and Science. There have also been sessions in art, aerial trapeze, circus skills and a range of sporting challenges.

At the end of each term the students are taken on a reward trip to London to develop their wider cultural understanding through trips to museums and monuments including the London Eye. THE school day at Towers will finish at 2.30pm instead of 3.30pm from September and the lunch break will be cut to 30 minutes. The changes will allow pupils to take part in after-school activities or join a new homework club.

JOHN CUNNINGHAM raised £2,100 for the new Kennington Cricket Club pavilion.

He said: “At the age of 56 I found I had done insufficient training — mainly due to regular injuries and illness throughout 2013 — and that on the day it was just too hot. This was my eighth London Marathon, I ran my first in 1997, and my slowest as I finished in 4 hours 29 minutes. By the time I crossed the finishing line Mo Farah was at home having a cup of tea!”

SARAH FOX raised more than £2,100 for Action on Hearing Loss. She said: “Everything went really well and I finished in 4 hours 54 minutes. The crowds and the atmosphere were amazing! This was my second marathon.

I ran Brighton Marathon last year for Deafness Research UK (now merged to become Action on Hearing Loss).” Sarah, 24, lives in Grasmere Road and is a financial controller at Geerings Print.

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TOM LYNDS raised more than £1,800 for the National Osteoporosis Society. He completed the Marathon in 4 hours 55 minutes. Tom, 38, of Lenacre Street, Westwell is customer services manager at Sainsbury’s Whitstable store. He said: “The atmosphere was amazing and the crowds were awesome. I finally caught up with my family after 25 miles at Birdcage Walk which really spurred me on.”

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DESIGN AWARDS THE DESIGN of the new Goat Lees Primary School in Hurst Road has won two highly commended awards in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors 2014 architectural competition.

Head teacher Teresa Adams said: “We are absolutely delighted.” The school’s Summer Fair is on Saturday 21 June from 11am-2pm.

BOROUGH councillors each have £3,000 available this year for community group projects. Their phone numbers and email addresses are in the Information panel on the Back Page.

ROB PERFITT is Kennington’s new Community Warden. His role is to visit crime scenes and discover what problems there are in the area and find the right people to deal with them.

He can be contacted on 07773 396708.

Kennington at War 1914-1918 tells the story of the village during the First World War and of those who are remembered on the War Memorial. Robin Britcher’s book is on sale at Bella’s Newsagent in Faversham Road and Bybrook Post Office, price £3.

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The garden of delights Sure Steps children's cenleader Lee Robinson said: tre held its annual "Let's “We have also worked Get Growing" event to KCF closely with the Singleton encourage children to go Environment Centre on a into the garden. They were pond dipping event and able to see how things with the WI for a cookery grow, take planted seeds course for young mums. home and help tidy up the If you are a family with AGM centre’s garden in Belmont children aged 0-5 and not Road. The project was registered with your fun supported by Dobbies Gar- and free centre contact den World. Sure Start team us on 01233 624857.”

PHOENIX HEAD IS MOVING ON Head teacher Frances Nation is leaving Phoenix Primary to become head of Herne Bay Junior School. She said: “It is with great sadness that I will be leaving at the end of this academic year.

I have greatly enjoyed my time at Phoenix and getting to know and be part of such a caring and friendly community.

I have had the privilege of working with a very talented team of staff and, most importantly, with children who are eager to learn and embrace the opportu-

Free courses in crafts and skills

Spearpoint plan ‘will go to the council soon’ Plans for the new community building on Spearpoint recreation ground will be submitted to Ashford council shortly. ABC facilities manager Ben Moyle, who is heading the steering group overseeing the project, said: “We are awaiting the final cost estimate from the architects. Projects such as this involve a number of bodies, such as ABC, the Football Foundation and Sport England.

We are confident the grant bids we have in place will be successful but we have to wait for infrequent meeting of the grants panel to receive final confirmation.”

The building will replace the rundown pavilion and provide first class facilities for football, rugby and tennis clubs. It will also be available to community groups.

nities offered to them. This has meant the job has been exciting and stimulating.

Substantial improvements have taken place over the last 18 months and there continue to be a number of exciting projects ongoing. The school is now in an excellent position to move forward.

I wish it well and look forward to being kept informed about its next chapter.”

PROUD MOMENT: Linda Dash and councillor Michael Claughton cut the ribbon on a bench which commemorates the green in Grasmere Road, Kennington, gaining Village Green status. Mrs Dash knocked on every door in the neighbourhood asking residents to support her application to have the 2.3

acres registered as a Village Green. It was supported by 90 residents and accepted

by KCC on the grounds that it has been used for a range of recreational activities for more than 20 years. It means the land cannot be built on. Councillor Claughton funded the bench from his council members' grant.

THE POPULAR weekly Story and Crafts activity will be returning to Bockhanger Library from Wednesday 4 June. These free sessions are for preschool children and take place from 10.30am to 11.30am every Wednesday. All are welcome.

KENNINGTON Juniors will represent Ashford in a Kent schools tag rugby tournament on 25 June. The team won five, and drew one, of their six matches against junior schools in a competition at Ashford Rugby Club.

It was the first time Kennington had taken part. Head teacher Steve Ive said: “Our children had very little time to practise but they played brilliantly.”

The team, coached

by Jon Colbran, was: Adam Lane, Tegan Smith, Owen Harvey, Bomi Alabi, Amy Dodd, Jemma-Jo Linkins, Eloise Spencer and Aidan Blyth.

Joining Hands is offering training in crafts and business skills to women who live in Bybrook. The courses are free and will be held at Gerlach House in Beecholme Drive.

Courses will run for three hours a week for 15 weeks and include training in sewing, crochet and jewellery making, plus business skills such as marketing, IT and how to set up as self-employed.

Courses begin in June and continue through to the end of 2015.

Linda Bishopp, at Joining Hands, said: “If you wish to start your own business we will support you. You will be encouraged to run market stalls and get involved in pop-up shops. We will have small friendly classes (only five students) and you will be supported through the coursework.

“If you are over 18 and maybe isolated or recovering from health problems and fancy learning a new skill please get in touch with me.” 07905 038378 or lindab@joininghandskent.co.uk The project is funded by the People’s Health Trust.

MEMBERS of Towers Youth Project were invited by Ashford Mayor David Smith to the official unveiling of the new Goat Lees Teen area. It includes exercise equipment and a basketball area.

The Youth Project holds a regular Tuesday evening Youth Cub at the Goat Lees Community Centre. For more information please contact Dave Yhnell, School Youth Worker on 01233 634171 extension 235.

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Ralph’s the star of TV challenge Ralph Morley from Kennington captained Trinity College Cambridge to victory in the final of TV’s University Challenge.

They beat Somerville College Oxford by 240 points to 135.

Author Jeanette Winterson, this year's guest trophy presenter, told the winners: “That was brilliant. You were very impressive."

Handing over the award, which looked like manuscript made from a wavy metal sheet she joked: “I'm sorry it looks like something from the Hobbit.”

John Naughton writing in GQ Magazine said: “Ralph Morley has emerged as the real character of the series his precise diction matched by perfect manners as he consults his teammates with the sang-froid of one Kennington WI members are busy with a varied programme including a visit to the popular Brick Lane Music Hall on 13 June and a darts group coffee evening on 20 June.

Gill Whitling said: “In July we are hosting a visit for eight ladies of the FABS WI, an institute we are linked with in Manchester. We have a full weekend's events planned including a burlesque evening and an outing to Whitstable and the Shepherd Neame Brewery at Faversham. If anyone

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 a year and publish the quarterly Kennington News

getting in a round at the college bar. A Classicist with lightning reactions and an omnivorous appetite for history, no dynastic line or regnal number is safe when he's around.”

Ralph, 21, wrote on his Facebook page:

“Thank you to everyone who watched. I’ve received some lovely messages over the last nine months and it’s good to know we’ve lived up to the challenge of being (I hope) entertaining.”

Details from Pat Owen-Smith (President) on 630134 or at www.kenningtonwi.co.uk

BYBROOK WI

meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except August) from 7.30-10pm at St Mary's Community Centre, would like to join us on the out- Rylands Road and would welcome ing please contact me on 633550. new members. Next meetings: 10 June, a talk by Prue AnderWe are always happy for new members to join us at our month- son ‘Au Pair Over There!’; 8 July ly meetings on the second Tues- a talk by Sarah Grazebrook on day of each month in the WI Hall, ‘A Working Girl’s Account of Her Life As a Suffragette.’

Faversham Road, at 7pm.”

supplemented by web and social media sites. The Forum is run by volunteers. For more details contact Chris Morley 01233 611196 or visit our website bit.ly/kennington NEXT MEETINGS: 27 May, 29 July, St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, 7.30pm

The Ashford Almshouse Charity (Registered Charity)

A residence is available for a person in need, resident in Ashford for 10 years and over 60 years of age.

Apply for details to Miss L Webb, Clerk to the Trustees, 115 Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9DE

If you would like to publicise a local event on Kennington Forum’s Noticeboard in Upper Vicarage Road please send details as an A5 document to kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk IF YOU have difficulty using or accessing public transport a car service is available. Call Volunteering Ashford on 01233 633219.

New director of music for church St Mary’s Kennington welcomed a new director of music on 18 May. Phil Sibbald has lived in Kennington for many years and recently finished as Director of Music at Kingsnorth.

The Rev Richard King said: “We are delighted that Phil has chosen to join us. The Director of Music is someone who does much more than just play instruments or lead singing. We look to him to help us get to know Jesus better as he develops our worship of God. We are a growing Church and we believe Phil’s gifts will help us be an even more welcoming and joyous place.”

Kennington Community Forum Please trim back hedges and branches that overhang pavements as they are a hazard for guide dog owners and partially sighted people.

Pavements obstructed by parked vehicles and bins are also a danger.

Kennington News is printed by Geerings Print Ltd, Ashford 01233 633366

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It’s been a great start to the season for Kennington Cricket Club . . . a new pavilion and a surprise £40,000 grant

Peter Grant presented bouquets to his mother, Verna, and Pat Flawn. Both spent many hours making cricket teas. Peter’s father “Twiz” and Fred Flawn were stalwarts of the team

T

he new pavilion had cost almost a thousand times more than the clubhouse built in 1965, Kennington Cricket Club president Peter Grant told guests at the opening ceremony.

He said: “I still have the invoices that show the entire cost was £153, 17 shillings and eight pence.”

Peter said: “The genesis of the project was some four years ago when we were able to obtain a 999 year peppercorn lease on the ground from the estate of Miss Hope Jennings. When I got some costings for a new clubhouse I

don’t think many people at the time thought we’d be able to raise that sort of money. That we have done so is in no small measure due to our treasurer John Cunningham who spent hundreds of hours working on funding applications.”

Peter paid tribute to Kennington cricketers Percy Vidler and Fred Tyrell who died in the First World War. They were among many of the club’s players who volunteered to fight 100 years ago.

The new extension, called The Grant Pavilion, was unveiled by Mrs Verna Grant.

The club has received a £40,000 grant and a £10,000 interest free loan from the England and Wales Cricket Trust towards the cost of its new pavilion.

The Trust said the club deserved support because of its junior development programme.

EWCT Trustee, Brian Havill, said: “Having high quality cricket facilities accessible to the community will be key to sustaining grass roots cricket.”

The club has a structured coaching programme for 100 boys and girls and provides coaching and playing opportunities in the local primary schools.

Treasurer John Cunningham, said: “We were delighted because in our initial enquiries to the Trust we were seeking a loan to help finance our building plans which have cost £145,000.

“We wanted to make the new pavilion available not only for cricket but also for local community groups. The extension will increase the size of our social area and kitchen, there are new toilets and facilities for people with disabilities.

“We have had wonderful fundraising support from our members.

We also express gratitude for the support from Kennington councillor Phil Sims through Ashford Borough Council (£10,000), county councillor Andrew Wickham on behalf of Kent County Council (£5,000), the Kent Sports Development Unit (£8,000) and Sport England (£50,000). www.kenningtoncc.com

Information 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 : PCSOs Nikki Relf and Mike Sutton.

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) A&E 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 in March, June, September and December.

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

@kenningtonnews