JUNE 2015 Published by Kennington Community Forum

DELIVERED TO 5,000 HOMES

Kennington Community Forum - for all the latest news

Police are urging elderly people to be on the alert after three conmen tricked a man out of £1,000. They claimed to be from the council and told him he would be evicted immediately unless

he paid rent arrears. The 69-year-old victim, who lives alone in Beecholme Drive, Kennington, was driven to cashpoints and money was withdrawn from his account. The conmen returned over the next two days and he handed over £300 and £200. He called police when he realised his bank account had been emptied. Police Community Support Officer Nikki Relf said: “He is very, very vulnerable and is on medication. He pays a

Beware of the conmen

VULNERABLE MAN ROBBED

OF £1,000

Kennington Summer Fayre is on Saturday 27 June at the Recreation Ground, Ulley Road. More than 30 stalls will be selling a wide range of

goods and the ever-popular children’s funfair will be in full swing. Arena events feature Maypole dancing, Downs View choir, Towers Cheerleaders, Ashford Folk, Zumba dancing, The Brilliant Book, Phoenix school, DreamDragons and a Fun Dog Show — just bring your pooch along. There are fantastic prizes in the Grand Draw. Tickets will be on sale at the Committee tent. The Fayre is held in aid of charities and local voluntary organi-sations. It starts at noon and parking is free.

If you have any books, CDs or DVDs Kennington Forum could sell on its stall please call Sandra Dunn on 01233 634165.

Facebook: Kennington Summer Fayre

Grand Draw prizes include a Big Cat Encounter, Eurostar tickets and a thrilling off-road experience

Great prizes to be won

A plan to close Kennington Post Office and convert it into a dental surgery has been dropped following protests from residents. Chopra & Associates have revised their planning application which could have resulted in the post office becoming an additional surgery

at 225 Faversham Road. Chopra are still seeking permission for a one-bedroom ground floor flat, and rear and first floor exten-sions. Objections have been made to these proposals “because of the condition of the building and the rubbish that is usually left around it.”

small amount of rent and is not in arrears.” It was shortly after midday on Friday 1 May when a man claiming to be from Ashford Borough Council called at the bungalow and told the victim he would be evicted unless he paid £1,000. He was taken to a blue car with two other men inside and driven to several cashpoints. One of the men was described as clean shaven, aged between 30-40, and wearing a T-shirt. PSCO Relf said: “They cleaned him out, but he will not lose any of his money as it has

been refunded by the bank. “It is very important elderly people keep their doors locked and ask for identification even if the caller has an appoint-ment. Never give any personal details and if you become suspicious call 999.” Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 101. Earlier this year two conmen claiming to be from Lloyds Bank called on a elderly wom-an in Thirlmere, Kennington. They persuaded her to give them her bank card details and shortly afterwards with-drew £1,500 from her account.

If you would like a copy of the latest East Kent Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter which warn of scams, email fraud and bogus callers please contact philip.sims01@gmail.com

Post Office saved after protests

It was a popular lunch venue and was rated “excellent” on the Tripadvisor website. But Carters in Kennington, the Towers’ school restaurant where meals were prepared and served to the public by catering course students, has closed. Principal Richard Billings said: “It has been forced on us by the government’s emphasis on non-vocational subjects. Many of the vocational subjects have now gone from the accredited list of qualifications. Most schools are moving to academic subjects and some are closing catering depart-ments.” He said Carters had been making a heavy loss for a number of years. Three members of the restaurant staff have been made redundant. Students will complete the catering course using other kitchens in the school.

The restaurant was named after Paul Carter, the leader of Kent County Council, who opened the Towers enterprise centre in 2007.

But there is some positive news. Mr Billings said: “We are working closely with Mr Carter and looking at ways of re-opening the restaurant in a different form.”

Towers’ construction department (bricklaying and woodwork) is

also closing as those qualifications have also been taken off the

accredited list.

Meanwhile the Hair and Beauty Academy has proved so popular that it will be expanded.

A hairdressing salon and barber’s shop, run by students, will open to the public on Saturday morn-ings from September with heavily reduced rates for local residents.

Richard Billings

‘E XCELLENT’ RESTAURANT FORCED TO CLOSE DOWN

There’s fun for everyone at the Fayre

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Elected: Winston Michael, Luke Powell, Andrew Buchanan, Phil Sims and Marion Martin

THE ROSE INN

Sunday lunches Bar menu 12 till 3pm

Meal and a drink £7.50 Mon-Fri 5-9pm Function room for christenings, parties, etc

Pool table and darts Sky and BT Sport

Dave, Sara and their staff look forward to welcoming you to the Rose Inn

Faversham Road, Kennington 01233 623871

by CHRIS MORLEY, chair Kennington Community Forum

Every name and address on

our petition for a Community Council has now been verified by Ashford Borough Council, and 1,090 signatures have been accepted as valid.

The number of signatures needed was confirmed as 819, which means we exceeded the level required by a very impressive margin of one third. ABC have started work on a Community Governance Review which will take up to 12 months to complete.

This enables the council to review current community gov-ernance arrangements such as parish councils and community forums across the borough, and to change existing councils, or

create new ones. KCF have responded to the first phase of the review by requesting that a single parish council is created to cover the area served by the Forum, but that this is divided into wards to ensure fair representation. Our response also urges ABC to hold the first elections for the community council in May 2017, and not delay until the next borough elections in 2019. Draft proposals for new community councils will be published on 1 August, and will be open for public consul-tation until 30 October. Full details of the Community Governance Review process and timetable can be found on ABC’s website at www.ashford.gov.uk/community-governance-review

Community Council moves a step nearer

Top

of the

polls

Four Ashford borough councillors in the area covered by Kenning-ton Community Forum were re-elected on 7 May. The new councillor is Luke Powell who retained Bockhanger for the Conservatives following the re-tirement of Michael Claughton.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL

Winston Michael (Ash Ind) 895 Len Bunn (Con) 465 Ryan Bulley (Lab) 158 Turn-out 65%

BOCKHANGER Luke Powell (Con) 778 Kaprasad Chhantyal (Lab) 392 Turn-out 62%

BYBROOK Andrew Buchanan (Con) 693 Alex Ward (Lab) 549 Turn-out 65%

KENNINGTON Philip Sims (Con) 684

Derek Standing (Ash Ind) 213 Pat Purnell (UKIP) 212 Andrew Stevenson (Lab) 177

Ken Blanshard (Lib-Dem) 133

Turn-out 76%

LITTLE BURTON Marion Martin (Con) 747 Grace O'Driscoll (Lab) 331 Bev Gregory (UKIP) 321 Clare Hardwick (Lib Dem) 128 Turn-out 70%

The new borough council is:

Conservatives 34; Labour 4;

Ashford Independents 2; Lib Dems 1; UKIP 1; Independent 1.

JUNIOR and toddler equipment in Goat Lees play space is being refurbished. The facility, sited between Goat Lees Primary School and the community centre, will be closed from Monday 15 June until mid-July, while two older items are replaced by a “whizzy” roundabout, multi-coloured climbing units and cradle swings. It is being funded by money paid to the council by developers.

MAN ACCUSED OF SEX ATTACK A man has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Peter Candler Way, Little Burton.

Mindaugas Stoskunas, 29, of Canterbury Road, Kennington, was arrested following an incident at around 1.15pm on Monday 13 April.

A 39-year-old woman was reported to have had been approached from behind and touched inappropriately.

Stoskunas was remanded in custody by Folkestone magis-trates and a trial date has been set for 13 July at Canterbury.

He also faces nine charges of making indecent photographs.

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A large tree threat-ened with the chop has been saved. Following a number of objections Ashford Borough Council said the sequoia outside Ferdi Lethert House, at the junction of Faversham Road and Burton Road, Kenning-ton, will remain. The tree, related to the giant Redwood, was at risk because it was pushing over a retaining brick wall and the roots were damaging the car park. It was feared that as the cost of building a new type of wall and resurfacing the car park would exceed that of felling the tree it could be axed. ABC tree officer Phil Cooke said: “The story in the Kennington News resulted in a lot of feedback. If no-one had come forward a decision could have been taken on economic grounds. But this is great news, I never like having to cut a tree down.” Vikki Perry, area manager in Ash-ford council's housing department, who own the tree, said: “The re-

pair work is likely be undertaken in the summer. The tree has prompted strong views both for and against its retention, but the decision is one we feel is the best solution in terms of keeping the area visually pleasing and actually ena-bles us to retain what is a lovely tree in good condi-tion, albeit that it needs a little work to tidy it up.

“We have listened to residents and it is only by people taking the trou-ble to get in touch that we are able to know what matters to people. “The lowest branches will be removed. The crown lifting (to a height of five metres) will mean more light can get under the tree. Similar procedure will be undertak-en on the adjacent Yew tree.”

A large cedar tree in the seating and picnic area behind the Conningbrook Hotel in Canterbury Road is to be felled because it has become unsafe.

Giant tree saved

All places bright and beautiful Bybrook Nature Reserve, off Nine Acres, has been visited by a local ecologist to establish what species of wildlife are present. This is a key step in the establishment of the reserve, as it provides a catalogue indicating the site’s value, which will be used to decide how it is managed. The ecologist has been checking trees for potential bat roosts, assessing the water for amphibians such as frogs and toads and carrying out reptile surveys looking for slow-worms, grass snakes and lizards. Further surveys

will be happening including dusk and dawn surveys looking for bats as they leave and return to their roosts and more reptile surveys.

If you have a garden backing onto the Reserve and would be interested in helping out with future bird or bat surveys please contact

matthew.mordaunt@kent.gov.uk

Matthew would also like to hear from anyone wishing to join the Friends of Bybrook Nature Reserve.

Facebook: Bybrook Nature Reserve

Wildflower areas at Spearpoint Recreation Ground, above, and Little Burton

Wildflower areas have been created at Spearpoint Recreation Ground and Little Burton. At this stage there are large areas of exposed soil which have been seeded with more than 30 different species of flowers and grasses.

These will slowly begin to grow and develop into an area full of colour and life. Ashford Meadows officer Camilla Blackburn said: “They will add to the fragmented network of

FLOWER MEADOWS START TO TAKE SHAPE

wildflower–rich grasslands in this part of Kent. We hope they will be enjoyed by all who walk there.” The work was carried out as a partnership project between Kent Wildlife Trust, Kennington Community Forum, the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, Ashford Borough Council and the essential help of enthusiastic volunteers. KSCP volunteers will be at Little Burton on 17 June to remove Himalayan Balsam (a river bank invasive). “They will be wading in the river, in a boat and on the bank,” said Partnership Officer Diane Comley.” If you would like to help call 03000 410900 or email diana.comley@kent.gov.uk

GRAHAM SKINNER

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To Contact Us Simply Call: 0800 772 0782

lynnstapley@hiltonnursingpartners.org.uk

makes it easy to connect with local people, ask questions about the area, share news, events and recommendations. To join go to www.streetlife.com and click on the “Join” link.

Children from Downs View Infant School enjoyed an International day. This involved pupils with their families sharing knowledge and experiences about their own culture and religion. Each class researched a country and spent the day learning differ-ent languages, trying food and learning about different religious and cultural celebrations. The day ended with an exhibition display-

ing each class’s work for children and their families to enjoy. Many parents ran stalls which enabled children to sample food and learn more about different cultures and countries through looking at a range of artefacts. The hall was buzzing and everybody left with some new knowledge. We are thankful to Mrs Watling for organising this. TK

Children taste the difference

Sure Steps children’s centre, in partnership with Phoenix Community School, have been hosting a Skills Plus “ESOL” (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course on Thursday mornings. The sessions were targeted for elders in the Nepalese community and have been very successful. The course has been supported by the Gurkha Settlement Fund which is supporting the large Nepalese community in Kennington. As part of the course the community also visited Bockhanger Library.

Lee Robinson, Early Help Practitioner from the centre said: “It has been a difficult time for the community originating from Nepal and it is important we bring them even more into our community and thoughts. “It has been great to develop the links with the Nepalese community as well as see them develop through the course” *Namaste is a customary greeting when Nepalese people meet or depart.

Namaste*

KENNINGTON SCOUTS have been given permission to vary the hours they hire out their community hall in Lower Vicarage Road — for a temporary period of 12 months. It is now available from 9am-10pm (Mon-Fri); Saturdays 9am-6pm (May to Sept) and 9am-11pm (Oct-April) on no more than six occasions, and not more than once in any month. Eighteen neighbours were consulted by Ashford Borough Council. Eight objected and two supported the application.

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

To publicise an event on the Kennington Forum Noticeboard in Upper Vicarage Road

please send details as an A5 document to

kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk

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

There are concerns that six of the street lights around the shops in Little Burton are not working. But who is responsi-ble for them is something of a mystery. Some have KCC asset numbers on them but they all say “other” for owner — that is, not maintained by the county council. Attempts to track down the landlords have proved difficult. Ward councillor Marion Martin says

the streetlights are the responsibility of Kent High-ways. She said: “I’m on the Joint Transportation Commit-tee and will be dealing with the lights in the alleyways and elsewhere. I want KCC to really get their finger out.” She said part of the problem was that the shops are owned by several landlords. “I am in the throes of dealing with it and hope one day the council will acquire the property and be responsible for all of it. It’s been a bit slow because I was told to leave it until after the election.” Councillor Martin will be having a site meeting about the state of the pave-ments and their upkeep.

Left in the dark over street lights

EXTRA staff will be joining Towers School in September following a large rise in the number of Year 7 students. “The school is becoming more popular,” said principal Richard Billings.

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Former Kennington head teacher Rob Juniper and his office manager Yvonne Pucknell have been charged with help-ing themselves to more

than £13,000 belonging to Phoenix Community Primary School. Mr Juniper was accused of taking £3,841 for his own use on 29 April 2013. Ms Pucknell, who worked at the school in Belmont Road for more than 20 years, was charged with

gaining £7,756 through fraud and stealing a further £2,091. She is alleged to have taken the money between January 2011 and April 2013. Discrepancies in the school’s financial records were discovered by Mr Juniper’s successor, Frances Nation, Folkestone Magistrates Court was told. Juniper, 55, of Jubilee Fields, Upchurch, near Sittingbourne, chose not to enter a plea. Pucknell, 62, of Bybrook Road, Kennington, pleaded not guilty. Both were granted bail and are due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on 29 June.

Former head accused of taking money

DR CHRIS POWELL is taking early retirement from New Hayesbank Surgery after 30 years.

What do you want to be when you grow up? asked the Sure Steps children’s centres Early Help team when they hosted an event at Bockhanger Community Centre. More than 50 chil-dren with carers had the opportunity to do work-related art and craft, dress up in array of outfits and were asked what they wanted to be. Answers included dentist, builder, scientist, vet, a midwife, join the Army or the Police. The latter might have been influenced by one of many activities out-

side the community centre. PCSO Martin Connolly let children try on the police uniform. ‘Fire Fit’, from the fire service, had a more energetic approach as they put children and adults through their paces on a rowing machine and an obstacle course while weighted down with equip-ment. Circus Skills were on show to maintain an active outdoor theme. Lee Robin-son, Early Help Family Prac-titioner, said: “It was great to see youngsters engaging in activity—and not being aware they are exercising.”

THE PROBLEM of lorries parking overnight on Rugby Club land in Kinney’s Way has been referred to ABC as a planning issue. The club owns the land all the way down to the river.

PHOENIX SCHOOL fete is on Saturday 13 June from 12-4pm.

LORRAINE ANDREWS and Nigel Adams are the new churchwardens at St Mary's, Kennington. They succeed Margaret Moir and Derek Sorrell who stepped down after many years’ service.

FIT FOR ANYTHING!

THIS YEAR’S Gurkha Walk will be held on 14 June at Eastwell Park. The distance will be 13km in memory of 13 Gurkha VCs and consists of two laps.

LORRY MENACE

If you could help deliver copies of the Kennington News please call Robin Britcher on 01233 634410

Nadine Lidbury from Kennington, a regular participant in the Pilgrims Hospice Pyjama Walk, is taking on an extra challenge in aid of the charity by tackling the 25 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on 12 June. To support her visit www.justgiving.com/NadineLidbury

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Judy Skinner won the ballot to represent Kennington WI at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on 2 June to celebrate the centenary of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. She also attended the AGM at the Royal Albert Hall shown live at cinemas across the country and watched by Kennington members at Cineworld Ashford. In recognition of the Centenary Year Kennington WI will open its doors to the public on Sunday 20 September at 12.30pm. Everyone is invited to enjoy refreshment and see the activities of the Institute from drama to

darts, art to gardening and calligra-phy to table tennis. Before then we look forward to visiting Rochester for the Dickens Festival; a day at Wisley and a trip to Eastbourne. We welcome visitors and new members to our monthly meetings in the WI Hall, Faversham Road, on the second Monday of the month beginning at 7pm. Further details from President Pat Owen-Smith on 630134 or kenningtonwi.co.uk and Facebook - Kennington Women’s Institute. GW

NICK UTTLEY BUILDER Bricklaying Carpentry Painting and decorating Plastering

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TWO member of Bybrook WI were at the Bucking-ham Palace centenary party. Bybrook members will celebrate the occa-sion with a cream tea at The Grand Hotel, Folke-stone. The June meeting is A Kick up the Sixties and members are asked to come in Sixties outfits. Summer outings are to Willesborough Windmill and Godinton House. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month, except, from August in St Mary’s Community Centre Rylands Road at 7.30pm. If you are think-ing of joining a WI you will be very welcome. DB

A controversial proposal to remove all the pews in St Mary’s Church, Kennington, has been put on hold . “The choir stalls will be left as they are and we will think further about the seating in the nave,” said the Rev Richard King. The decision was the result of a secret ballot by members of the Parochial Church Council. Opponents said replacing the locally-crafted Victorian wooden pews with chairs would destroy part of Kennington’s heritage. It was part

of a project designed to improve disability access and flexibility in the church. But it resulted in such strong feelings — for and against — that the PCC decided on a secret ballot. However, members voted unanimously to continue with the

concept for change. They voted by two to one in favour of continuing with plans to raise the floor to create a single level. Mr King said: “The interior design group, with this revised mandate from the PCC, will have discussions within the church family, with our architect and members of the Diocesan Advisory Committee. “At some point revised plans will be drawn up, presented to the church council and then to the congregation for further feedback.”

Two runners from Kennington were among the thousands of competitors in the London Marathon. Rod Kessack, above, who is running 50 races in a year since being diagnosed with Parkin-son’s Disease, finished

the 26.3 mile course in 4hrs 23mins. The 49-year-old father of three has raised more than £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK. Darren Heyburn raised £567 for Cancer Research UK. The 45-year-old father of three was very happy with his time of 4hrs 52mins.

Reprieve for threatened pews

Co-op ready to help out The Co-op in Faversham Road, Kennington, wants to help with local fund raising. Deputy manager Kelly Read said: “We have been doing a lot of work for the community and we are looking to get involved with events, projects and fund raisers. “We could even bring free tasters to events. We have a budget for raffle prizes and donations. If you have an event you would like us to get involved with, or even put some advertise-ment up in the store, pop in or leave me a letter.”

Kennington CE Academy held a special assembly for Phyllis Stace who celebrates her 100th birthday on 9 June. Mrs Stace (nee Taylor) of Canterbury Road started at the school in 1920. She has been a regular visitor in recent years and has given talks about her schooldays.

New setback in the battle of Little Acre Campaigners fighting to stop 80 The Street (Little Acre) being demolished and replaced by five large houses and a three-bedroom home have suffered a new blow. Chailey Homes have appealed against the unani-mous decision by ABC’s planning committee to refuse the application. The developers have request-ed the appeal be decided at a public inquiry. A decision on this is still awaited. Campaigners packed the council chamber and applauded when councillors

threw out the latest “garden grab” application which council officers had recommended for approval. The first application in 2009 by Skillcrown Homes for 11 homes was withdrawn at appeal after it was deemed invalid due to inadequate ecology surveys. An applica-tion in 2010 for six homes was dismissed on appeal. The 2012 application was withdrawn. A highly-organised campaign has resulted in more than 100 objections being sent to ABC over each proposal.

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Kennington’s First World War memorial is showing its age. A recent inspection by MLM Consulting Ltd has identified hairline cracks running from top to bottom on all four sides. These allow rain to penetrate the structure. In winter this freezes and in time will cause serious structural damage, possibly leading to partial col-lapse. Further investigation by Helifix Ltd and South East Ties Ltd has discovered the plinth is a hollow structure built from brick surrounded by con-crete blocks, with a cement render. To stop further cracking, stainless steel reinforcing bars could be inserted into the mortar lines between the blocks. KCF’s chair Chris Morley, who is also a Regional Volunteer with War Memorials Trust, said the memorial has no known cus-todian and is not maintained by Ashford Council. The Forum is

therefore planning to run a restoration project. The construction is probably unique, which makes restoration more challenging, but the surveys have shown that if action is not taken soon then the memorial will be at risk of collapse. What do you think? Would you support the plan to repair the memorial? Please email chris.f.morley@gmail.com or call 01233 611196.

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

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We stock many vehicle parts and accessories. We can arrange MOTs and can provide car servicing, repairs,

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After trading in Ashford for 35 years as Beaver Batteries we are now proud to re-introduce ourselves as Ashford Battery Company. It’s the same location and the same familiar faces, just a new name.

ASHFORD BATTERY COMPANY

MEMORIAL IS IN NEED OF REPAIR

Seventy years ago the first VE parties were held to celebrate the end of the war in Europe, 8 May 1945. But Kennington youngsters had to wait until October before they had their victory party in the WI Hall. John Willis, who was 10 at the time, said: “All the fathers were away in the forces or doing other war service. The reason we all look a bit pissed off is because there was no jelly or ice cream.” John Mercer said: “I was about 10. Those involved were from Ulley Road, Vicarage Road, Grosvenor Road and Faversham Road. One of

my pals remembers going to a party in Northumberland Avenue.” The party in the WI Hall was for 5-15 year olds. Eighty children aged 2-5 were entertained in the Parish Room, Upper Vicarage Road.

The story of the village in the

First World War and of those who are remembered on our War Memorial are told in Robin Britcher’s book available from Bella’s newsagents, Faversham Road, price £3. A CONSULTANT is helping draw up a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund

which, if successful, will fund 100% of the money needed to renovate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Pump House in Upper Vicarage Road.

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: Luke Powell

01233 713384

luke.powell@ashford.gov.uk

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 Katie Scott. Call 101 to be put through to the neighbourhood officer best placed

to deal with your call

PARKING PROBLEMS: 01233 330641

KENT HIGHWAYS: 03000 418181

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

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Putting Dan in charge pays off

KENNINGTON COMMUNITY FORUM

We take an active role in looking after the interests of the people and the environment of our area. We hold six public meetings a year and publish the quarterly Kennington News 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 MEETING:

28 July, St Mary’s

Community Centre,

Rylands Road, 7.30pm

Ashford Hockey Club plan to re-develop their ground in Ball Lane, Kennington. “Regrettably the proposal to relocate the club to a new site with all new facilities which was to be funded by Bovis Homes did not come to fruition,” said club president Geoff Playford. “The local planning process means it is unrealistic to hope that a pro-posal on this scale will be successfully deliv-ered in the foreseeable future. We are lucky that the club owns a fantastic ground in a great location with ample space for our needs. However our pitch, clubhouse and some of the associated facilities are in need of replacement and renovation.” Mr Play-ford said the Development Committee were drafting a plan aimed at securing the medi-um term viability at Ball Lane. “This is likely to include resurfacing the pitch, improve-ments/refurbishment of the club house, repairs/improvement to the car park and consideration of a second astro pitch.”

A GENEROUS discount from the equipment suppliers and addition-al savings achieved through a design change mean Kennington Forum have secured sufficient funds to deliver the Spearpoint Trim Trail. Subject to final approvals from ABC and KCC, the Forum plans to place contracts within the next few weeks and it is hoped the 1000m Trim Trail will be installed in the summer.

Kennington Cricket Club started the season in style with the adult teams win-ning four, drawing one and losing one of their first six games in the Kent Regional League. The juniors teams won four of their first six fixtures. The club runs teams in each age group in the Ashford & District Jun-ior Cricket League and on 17 May four of the boys

were chosen to represent the Ashford District in matches against other areas. They were: Matt Dale in the Under 14’s, Henry Hiscocks and Matt Price (Under11’s) and Parth Tewari (Under10’s). Chil-dren or adults interested in joining should contact John Cunningham on 01233 612162 john.cunningham@ kenningtoncc.com

Kennington FC’s decision to ap-point 23-year-old Dan Scorer as first team manager paid off in a big way. They won promotion to the Kent County Premier Division. Chairman Graham Oxley said: “Dan’s appointment raised a few eyebrows due to his age. But the decision has been more than justified with the team not only gaining promotion but also in the

quality of the football and team spirit.” The team finished runners-up in Division 1 East. Dan played for Ashford and Erith before an injury ended his playing days. The Saturday Reserve team finished mid-table in Division 3 East and reached the semi-finals of the Ashford Charity Trophy. Mr Oxley said: “Youngsters were given the opportunity to graduate

to the first team and showed they will be in the reckoning for a place next season.” The Sunday Ashford League side finished mid-table in Division 1 in what was a period of consolidation after gaining promotion last year. If you are interested in joining the club, in any capacity, visit the club website www.kenningtonfc.co.uk

HOCKEY CLUB HAVE BIG PLANS