MARCH 2015 Published by Kennington Community Forum

DELIVERED TO 5,000 HOMES

ELDERLY WOMAN ROBBED BY CONMEN

New pavilion ‘this year’

We’ve made it!

Two conmen, claiming to be from Lloyds Bank, called at the home of an elderly woman in Thirlmere, Kennington, and said they had come to check her bank card. They were very polite and were invited in. “They took her bank details and shortly after leaving £1,500 was withdrawn from her account,” said Police Community Support Officer Nikki Relf. It happened at 11am on Monday 28 January. One of the men was white, aged about 50, and was wearing a dark winter coat. The other was black, and was wearing a dark wool-ly navy hat.

DID YOU SEE THEM?

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Chris Price on 101. If you have information but would prefer to remain anonymous please call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In a second incident bogus callers tricked their way into Gerlach House in Beecholme Drive and persuaded elderly residents to buy torches and other items. Police advise people to keep their doors locked and ask for identification even if the caller has an appointment.

Voters will be able to question some of the candidates who are standing in the May borough coun-cil elections at an Any Questions session organised by Kennington Forum. The Forum is non-political and will ensure that the session reflects this position. It is open to all parties putting for-ward candidates in the Forum’s area — Kennington, Bockhanger, Bybrook, Little Burton and Boughton Aluph. It is hoped candi-dates’ replies will be focused on “What I would do for my ward if

elected”. Questions will only be permitted which are relevant to issues in ABC’s remit, such as plan-ning, housing, the economy, com-munity infrastructure and environ-mental issues. No questions will be allowed on national policy and there will be no electioneering! Questions will not be aimed at catching candidates out. The inten-tion is to give them an opportunity to be seen and heard, and for resi-dents to form a view. Any Questions will be part of the

Forum’s meeting on Tuesday 31 March, at Rylands Road Community Centre. There will be an informal networking session from 6.45pm-7.15pm when candidates can meet with residents. Forms will be avail-able for written questions, which will be submitted to the Chair-man. Tea and biscuits will be avail-able. After a shortened regular meeting the Any Questions session will run from 8.30-9.25pm.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SPECIAL FORUM EVENT STARTS AT 6.45pm

Come and meet the candidates

More than 1,100 residents of Kennington have signed our petition calling for the crea-tion of a community council.

The target was 900, 10% of the electorate in the area covered by Kennington Community Forum.

The aim is to bring decision making on local issues closer to home. The petition, delivered to Ashford Borough Council on 3 February, requests the council to conduct a Governance Review with the aim of forming a community council to serve Kennington, Little Burton, Bockhanger, Bybrook and the non-parished part of Boughton Aluph.

This would have the same rights and responsibilities as a parish council.

Forum chair Chris Morley said: “We are delighted at the re-sponse. Community councils give neighbourhoods a stronger voice and help people feel more in-volved in the decisions that affect

1,100 back campaign for more power

Kennington Community Forum - for all the latest news

them. The number of signatures is compelling evidence that Kennington needs the same level of local representation and service provision that the rural areas of Ashford have had for over 100 years.” Kennington Forum is one of five groups in the Ashford urban area which are campaigning to form community councils. The campaigns

are supported by the Kent Associa-tion of Local Councils with financial aid from central government. ABC’s Selections and Constitutional Review Committee has agreed a timetable for the Governance Review which will cover the whole of ABC’s area. Council officers will now carry out initial research and gather information with plans for an open day in the spring.

INFANT SUCCESS: Magic, singing, dancing and jujitsu were among the skills performed at the Downs View’s Got Talent Show. Those taking part included Kieran, Adam, Brandan, Harry, Tia, Lily and Tia.

Funding arrangements for the new £780,000 community building on Spearpoint Recreation Ground are com-plete. Grants of £469,000 from the Football Foundation and £150,000 from Sport England have been confirmed. Ashford Borough Council, who will also contribute funds, will formally consider the project at its Cabinet meeting on 12 March. When approved it will be put out to tender and work is expected to start later in the year.

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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.

Great range of batteries for cars, vans, motorcycles, caravans, mobility scooters and lawnmowers.

We provide a call out for battery fitting, just give us a ring.

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

maintenance and computer diagnostics for most vehicles.

156 Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashford 01233 640835 www.ashfordbatt.co.uk

ASHFORD BATTERY COMPANY

Ashford borough councillors receive an annual ward mem-bers’ grant to support worthy causes and projects. We asked the five councillors in the area covered by Kennington Community Forum how they had distributed their £3,000 grant for 2014-2015.

BOCKHANGER: Michael Claugh-ton said: “I have divided mine between Hi Kent, the charity which provides advice, infor-mation and equipment to as-sist deaf and hard of hearing people overcome problems asso-ciated with hearing loss, some of whom live in my Ward, and the Live it Well Centre which supports people with mental

health needs such as depression, isolation or anxiety.”

BOUGHTON ALUPH: Winston Michael has contributed towards a school pedestrian crossing in Trinity Road and helped fund traffic monitoring. He has helped the Friends of Goat Lees School provide a stage for per-forming arts, and assisted Ash-ford Camcorder Club to replace equipment used for free-of-charge community film shows.

BYBROOK: Andrew Buchanan has given £500 toward a special piece of equipment for the disa-bled to use in the gym at the Stour Centre and will give the remainder to the Bybrook Local

Nature Reserve regeneration project. KENNINGTON: Phil Sims said: “I have been able to support 1st Kennington Scouts; Ashford Concert Band; Kennington Crick-et Club’s new pavilion; Ashford Barbarians Rugby Club’s work on Spearpoint Pavilion; Ashford Folk, and the installation of additional dog waste bins.” LITTLE BURTON: Marion Martin says she has kept residents up-dated and informed of the pro-jects her grant has supported in her regular newsletters. She said: “Considerable funds have been contributed to the estab-lishment of a new pavilion on Spearpoint Recreation Ground.”

Michael Claughton Winston Michael Andrew Buchanan Phil Sims Marion Martin

Giving good causes a helping hand

A fun and educational TV show for children, made in Kenning-ton, has got off to a great start. The first 10 episodes of The Bril-liant Book have been shown on the Community Channel and filming is underway on a new series. “The show is doing really well,” said its creator Rhonda Merrick. “We’ve received a positive writ-ten response from CBBC and with the help a loan from AIM Start-ups I’ve been able to buy better equipment. “We aim to make our first public performance during the Ashford Artigras Festival on May 15 and 16. Anyone who wants to get

involved should email Hello@TheBrilliantBook.com “We’re moving into audio books for the visually impaired and for children travelling in the back of cars! We hope to be more visi-ble and active in the communi-ty. If any Ashford-based events would like to have us come along and bring the story inside a book to life at their village fete or festival, please send us an email or contact our manage-ment office: Blue Red Green Media LTD 1 Elwick Road, Ash-ford. The Brilliant Book will be appearing at the Kennington Summer Fayre on 27 June.

Brilliant Book show wins praise from BBC

Kent County Council is set to switch street lights back on overnight. The big turn-off was intended to save £1m a year in energy bills. But after widespread criticism KCC has said it will invest £40m to convert its 120,000 street lights to a centrally controlled LED lighting system. All-night lighting will return to residential areas but lights may be dimmed a little after peak hours. Conversion to the more efficient LEDs could start later this year and will take three years to complete. KCC Member for Environment and Transport, David Brazier, said: “We meet with Kent Police on a regular basis and they have indicated there has been no overall increase in crime since the introduction of part-night lighting.”

KCC decides to turn street lights back on

FLY TIPPING is a problem in Bybrook Road, especially around the subterranean bins by the flats. Ashford council is consid-ering putting in CCTV cameras and prosecuting offenders.

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

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I just can’t imagine life without Chloe

I f friends had told me 20 years ago that one day I

would deliver talks without notes to audiences of over 100 people I would have insisted they were pulling my leg. But public speaking no longer holds any fears for me — quite possibly because I can’t see the audience. I was robbed of my sight at the age of 57 by a succes-sion of eye disorders and by 2007 I had lost the last vestiges of my sight. At first I experienced shock, despair, helplessness and isolation. So many daily activities became impossible: cooking, reading, watching TV, shop-ping and getting out and about and seeing the faces of loved ones. I was surprised at how heightened my other senses had become and appreci-ated all the more the fragrances of the stocks at Sissinghurst or picking up the sound of my husband Roger pinching a biscuit downstairs. What was I going to do about it? I certainly wasn’t going to hibernate. I had been a member of a VIP (visually impaired persons) support group since 2000 and we espoused the acronym AAA — accept, adapt and achieve. I was eager to reconnect with the world and Roger suggested I apply for a guide dog. The first step was to learn pave-ment routes to the shops, doctors, hair-dressers and my daughter’s house. I enlisted the help of the Kent Associa-tion for the Blind and after several

Going blind hasn't stopped Pat living life to the full—with a little help from her Labrador

assessments I joined the waiting list for a guide dog. In November 2008 I was teamed with a yellow Labrador named Chloe. What a wonderful feeling to come and go whenever I please. It wasn’t easy at first to put complete trust in her. On our first trip to Marks & Spencer Chloe led me speedily to the counter where she knew she would receive a reward, ac-companied by gales of laughter from the customers because Chloe doesn’t queue! Over the weeks I gradually relaxed as she guided me effortlessly around obstacles,

stopped at kerbs, found the bus stop and the shops and cafes where I could met friends and family.

Chloe and I have became firm friends. Once having purchased rolls in the baker’s I turned to leave and gave her the command to go through the door but she would not budge. Laugher erupted and the friendly owner told me how Chloe had picked up a baguette from the basket and was holding it crosswise in her mouth, leaving her unable to navigate the doorway.

I have made many new friends since I joined Kennington WI in 2009 and became a volunteer and speaker for the Guide Dogs Association as well as a volunteer for the Kent Association for the Blind and a member of the Ashford Access Group which cam-paigns for safer streets and buildings for people with disabilities.

I am busier and have more friends now than if I had if I remained fully sighted — and I cannot begin to envisage what life would be like without my lovely guide dog Chloe.

First published in WI Life, the national mag-azine of the WI, Nov-Dec 2014. © NFWI 2014

PAT MARSHALL lives in Larch Walk

Kent Police in Ashford now has its own Facebook page. You can also find important updates on twitter@kentpoliceash Go to www.kent.police.uk/ashfordupdates for details of the latest arrests, court results and crime prevention advice. Police ask that you not report crime via social media, but call 999 in an emergency or 101 for less urgent matters.

Bread, croissants and pastries baked on the premises are available at Whats In Store, that has just opened at 88 The Street (formerly The Fair Trade Shop). “We’ll be baking several times a day and will be open seven days a week,” said Andy Holmes. He hopes his wide range of milk shakes, ice creams and snacks will attract customers from the nearby schools. “We’ll be half tea room and half convenience store,” said Andy who supplies sandwiches to the League of Friends shop at William Harvey Hospital.

Look what Andy’s got in store

The project for a Trim Trail at Spearpoint Recreation Ground is coming on by leaps and bounds. Kennington Forum has received grants of £2,000 (Cllr Wickham) and £3,000 (Cllr Wedgbury) through the KCC Member Com-munity Engagement Grant Scheme, and £7,923 through ABC's Single Grants Gateway Capital fund. Forum chair Chris Morley said: “Further grants have been offered by Cllr's Mari-

on Martin and Phil Sims, and we are now just £3,000 from our target.” The Trim Trail will be a 1000m course with 10 items of equipment, such as step-ups, balancing beams, parallel bars, and hurdles. Sized for adults and teenagers, some items can also be used by younger children. The circuit will start near the new sports pavilion and skirt the football and rugby pitches, keep-ing at a safe distance

BLAZING A TRAIL

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To Contact Us Simply Call: 0800 772 0782

lynnstapley@hiltonnursingpartners.org.uk

WHEN PARENTS can’t get a child into the secondary school of their choice they often turn to county councillor Jim Wedg-bury. “It’s the most common complaint I have to deal with,” he said, “and that’s when I can be your champi-on.” Cllr Wedgbury, repre-sents Central Ashford, which takes in part of Kennington. He said: “My first job is to ensure the money spent by KCC and its policies are car-ried out in your best inter-ests. I attend meetings of the Kennington Forum where I am able to listen to resi-dents’ views and then ensure those concerns are heard at county level and, if I can, change the polices that people are against."

KCC is transforming the way it delivers library ser-vices. A public consulta-tion runs to 8 April . KCC’s preferred option is to set up a Charitable Trust. The consultation questionnaire can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/lraconsultation It is also available in all libraries.

BUS PROBLEM There is concern about new bus services through Little Burton. These no longer call at New Hayes-bank Surgery and Sains-burys. Stagecoach has told county councillor Jim Wedgbury it needs more money to improve the service.

NOW OPEN! TEA ROOM AND CONVENIENCE STORE

WHATS IN STORE Freshly baked bread, rolls, croissants and pastries. Hot and cold snacks, salads, ice cream, milk shakes,

confectionery, teas, coffees, greeting cards and Fair Trade goods. An ECOVER refill station

Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm Sat and Sun 8.30am-4.30pm

88 The Street, Kennington 01233 665651

You can now take only one boot-load of rubble or hardcore a day to the Household Waste Recy-cling Centre in Brunswick Road. All waste must be taken to the tip in a vehicle. An elderly man, who did not have a car, was turned away when he arrived with a TV set in a wheelbarrow.

Vehicles that are regular-ly parked close to junc-tions causing a hazard should be reported to Police by calling 101.

A proposal to remove all the Victorian pews in St Mary’s Church Kenning-

ton, to make it more accessi-ble, especially for wheelchair users, has provoked strong feelings The £100,000 plan envisages a café-style church to appeal to a younger generation and a “Wow” factor — glazed panels in the archways between the side chapel and the chancel telling stories from the Bible. In addition to removing the pews the proposal is for a new single-level floor throughout the building and repositioning of the font. Flexible seating would adapt for all types of worship. “We have received a fair amount of correspondence,” said Parochi-al Church Council treasurer Shirley Leslie. “Some are very definitely against, some middle ground. Most of those in favour tend not to write about it. We need a mandate before we can go ahead because we have said we will consider everyone’s opinion.” Opponents say replacing the local-ly-crafted pews with chairs would destroy part of Kennington’s her-itage. Following consultation, a presentation was held in the

Battle of the pews

church. One long-term resident said: “It is hoped Kennington will not fall into the trap of sweeping away pews that have admirably stood the test of time for 150 years just to comply with short-term fashionable trends.” Another, who has been a member of the church for 70 years, said: “I am in the same pew that I first sat in in 1944 when the Luftwaffe were flying overhead. I love Victoriana and I think the church should stay as it is.” Ms Leslie told those present: “If we don’t change we stagnate.

And if we stagnate as a church we die.” She said there had been inci-dents when people in wheelchairs had almost come to grief. There were steps everywhere, even into the pews. A new floor on one level would solve the problem. Mike Wharrad said: “We are grow-ing, we are successful and we must go forward, although I admit a café-style church is not every-one’s cup of tea.” The Rev Richard King said: “We face a big challenge. Throughout the 1,000 years that a church has stood on this site the worshipping community has needed, from time to time, to re-fit the interior. “It is now the turn of this genera-tion. We must make St Mary’s fu-ture-proof.” A decision on wheth-er to go ahead with the project was expected to be taken by the PCC on 26 February.

Derek Sorrell and Marga-ret Moir are stepping down as Churchwardens at St Mary’s in April.

Ashford Kent Remembering the Way It Once Was is a won-derful Facebook website containing thousands of photo-graphs and memories of the town and surrounding area. It has more than 6,000 members. If you enjoy a trip down Memory Lane you are in for a treat.

I would like to draw atten-tion to the dreadful state of the letterbox outside the Faversham Road Post Office. It is a disgrace. It really does look tatty, but it would be a shame to lose it. Ted Prangnell

Cars and lorries are using Nettlefields as a “rat run” because of speed humps in The Street, says resident Cecil Horn. “Rather than do the hurdle race drivers continue down Faversham Road and up through Net-tlefields to Canterbury Road and Willes-borough Road,” wrote Mr Horn in a letter to the Kentish Express. He says there should only be speed humps near the schools. He said Jeremy Clarkson’s com-ments about speed humps in The Street had “lit my fuse.”

‘Road now a rat run’

If you have any Sains-bury's Active Kids Vouchers Phoenix Com-munity Primary School would be very pleased to receive them

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GIANT TREE SET FOR THE CHOP This large sequoia tree is push-ing over a retaining brick wall and its roots are damaging the car park of Ferdi Lethert House in Faversham Road. Building a new type of wall and resurfacing the car park with material to prevent roots coming through would cost more than felling the tree, which is related to the giant Redwood. It belongs to Ashford BC Housing Department who will decide the tree’s fate. Unless there are a large number of protests it will get the chop.

The Friends of Bybrook Nature Reserve have got off to a busy start with site meetings to discuss fencing, fly-tipping, vegetation clearance and ecology. They met an ecologist who said the site — off Nine Acres — was a potentially important area for bats and may contain bat roosts. It is known there are great crested newts. The ecologist is very keen that members of the group should be active-ly involved in all surveys. FoBNR members and volunteers from the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership will be working with Ashford Borough Council on Wednesday 4 March to clear vegetation from the perimeter fence and remove litter traps. The council will repair broken fencing and put up “No Fly-tipping” signs when the vegeta-tion is cleared. The Friends’ group, which is being supported by KSCP and ABC, held its first meeting in Janu-ary. The aim is to en-hance the reserve for the benefit of wildlife and local residents. It is hoped local schools will be involved. Although access has not been allowed for many years the site may eventually

be open at weekends and for supervised visits. Debbie Reynolds, KSCP Countryside officer, told the meeting the remainder of the felled timber would be removed when weather conditions per-mit. Volunteers had cleared rubbish and brambles but large items were still being dumped. The cost of a full ecological survey will be about £3,000. Councillor Andrew Buchanan has given £2,465 from his Ward members’ grant towards the project and Kennington Summer Fayre Com-mittee is contributing £500 from its surplus fund. If you would like to be involved with future site surveys or become a member of the FoBNR contact Debbie Reynolds at the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership 03000 410900 (Mon-Wed) or email Debbie.reynolds@kent.gov.uk.

Eco Friends get together to rescue nature reserve

When you’ve got Friends and neighbours the Reserve is a happier place

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Every child at Phoenix Community Primary School now has a weekly music lesson with a specialist music teacher. The school also sub-sidises instrumental tuition in clarinet, flute, violin, trumpet, guitar, singing and drumming. Headteacher James Tibbles said: “Since the Music Studio was opened in December there has been an incredible upsurge in the number of children wanting to take part. The school has had two concerts this year and we hope to follow this up with a Summer concert and a Battle of the Bands.” Year 6 children joined five other primary schools at Highworth Grammar School in a celebration of music, dance and art as part of the Ashford Teaching Alliance's 'Achievement through the Arts' project. Phoenix is looking for-ward to the next phase of its Comenius Project. Over the next few months, children from Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to visit schools in Hungary, Po-land and Italy.

Just what was needed

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 at the top right

The three performances of Dick Whittington by Kennington WI’s drama group were a sell-out. Judy Skinner who wrote and produced the pantomime praised the audiences for their enthusiastic partici-pation. The cast was joined by dancers from the Tenterden Ballet School, hus-bands Ray Jones, Roger Marshall and Keith Powell and by Sue Adams who played Dick’s cat. Although exhausted, the cast was able to enjoy an after-show party at The Rose! Kennington WI celebrated its 97th birth-day in February with a meal at The Ken-

nington. The Arts and Calligraphy groups staged a display in the Hall of the move-ment’s 100 year history. GW

THEATRE is the theme of Bybrook WI’s meeting on 9 March. George Taylor will speak about “Broadway, 10 Special Years” and the competition is “Any Theatre Memorabilia.” In April Neil Arnold will talk about “Mystery Animals in Kent.” Bybrook WI meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except August) at St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, from 7.30pm-10pm. New members are always welcome.

Picture: KENTISH EXPRESS

Two new groups have al-ready proved successful at Sure Steps children’s cen-tre. Both were set up fol-lowing requests from local families. Music and Move-ment is for under 2’s on Fridays (term time only 10.30am–11.30am); Parent and Toddler group for 1-2 years Wednesdays (term time only 1.45pm–2.45pm). It’s a chance to meet new friends (carers and children!) while enjoy-ing the play activities on offer. All of the children’s centre services are free, including ‘special’ events in school holidays when older children can come along. If you have a child aged 0-5 and are not yet registered pop along to Belmont Road and see what’s offer or call 03000 41 86 00. Lee Robinson

Downs View Infant school will get a new kitchen as the govern-ment pledges another £1m to help Kent schools provide free meals for infant-aged children. It will be outside the main building, where meals are currently transport-ed in, allowing food to be cooked on site.

Kennington Scouts have applied for planning permission to hire out their Community Hall in Lower Vicarage Road on weekdays from 9am-10pm; Saturdays 9am-6pm (May to Sept) and 9am-11pm (Oct to April) on no more than six occasions and not more than once in any month.

Music studio is a hit with pupils

Phoenix Community Primary School is

looking for members of the community to

become school governors. If you are interested in finding out more please call 01233 622510 to visit the school and speak to the headteacher

James Tibbles.

SCOUTS SEEK HIRE CHANGE

Storytime and Crafts sessions for pre-school children are held at Bockhanger Library on Wednesdays during term time, 10.30-1130am

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

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

To publicise an event on Kennington Forum’s Noticeboard

in Upper Vicarage Road send details as an A5 document to

kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk

To advertise in the June Kennington News please call 01233 634410 or email 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

Kennington CE Junior School has been renamed Kennington CE Academy. Headteacher Steve Ive said: “It means we are no longer a local authority school. Ken-nington is now part of a Multi Academy Trust and is sponsored by Aquila, the Diocese of Canter-bury Academies Trust. Both the school and their sponsors share the same ethos and Aquila is keen to help promote and build

on the Christian values of its member schools. Initially, the conversion has not led to any major changes as the staff, build-ings and admission criteria for pupils are unaltered. “The school uniform is the same, although there will be a small alteration to the letters of the school’s crest.” Mr Ive said the governing body has been recon-stituted but will contain the

same members until they have served their term of office. He said: “The Trust wants to ensure the school is still governed by local people whenever possible. Our funding comes directly from the Department for Education. Three per cent of its budget is allocated to Aquila for the sup-port and services they provide. Otherwise, Kennington has more independence in deciding how to

allocate its budget and can make choices based on cost effective-ness.” Mr Ive said there would be op-portunities to work with schools in Kent who are part of the Trust. He said: “The effective partnership with Downs View Infant School will continue to be developed and strengthened. The new status offers an exciting future for the school.”

Kennington Junior School is now an Academy

Kent Wildlife Trust has signed an agreement with

Ashford Borough Council to help manage wildlife interest at Conningbrook Lakes. Conservation Community Warden Vicky Aitkenhead said recent visits had shown a promising amount of wildlife. “A Great Egret has been spotted and I discovered otter footprints along the river. Many winter migrants have been using the lakes, such as large flocks of tufted ducks and gadwall. “Anyone is welcome to get involved. Our volunteers are an excellent asset to KWT allowing us to achieve amazing results. The first task day will be on 3 April when we will be planting trees.” Please contact vicky.aitkenhead@kentwildlife .org.uk or call 07747608826 if you would like to book a place.

Water sports clubs will have ac-cess to the Conningbrook Lakes Country Park from Easter. “We are on target for them to start using the lakes in April,” said Terry Jones, Ashford Borough Council conservation officer, “but there will be only very basic access.” A road linking the Julie Rose Stadium with the boat launching area, and a floating pontoon, are almost complete. Anyone who wants access to the water but does not belong to an affiliated club should contact Ashford Leisure Trust who are managing the project. The site will be open to the pub-lic from the end of May. The lakes will eventually be available for sailing, canoeing swimming and fishing. Work on the first of 300 homes to be built on the site is expected to start this year.

Conningbrook Lakes set to make a splash

Police have been unable to trace the owner of this car abandoned in Kennington Recreation Ground. It had carved deep tracks in the sodden ground before getting stuck in the mud on the night of 17 January. An attempt was made to set it on fire. If you have any information about the blue Peugeot 206, reg T595 CBY, please call Police on 101.

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 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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Volunteers are needed to sow wildflower meadows in Kennington. The one at Spearpoint Recreation Ground will be sown on Thursday 19 March, from 12noon. The project is being run by Kent Wildlife Trust in collabora-tion with Kennington Forum and Kentish Stour Country-side Partnership. Call Camilla Blackburn on 01622 357858 or email camilla.blackburn@kentwildlife.org.uk if you would like more details. You can also help enhance the existing wildflower mead-ow at Little 8urton on Wednesday 18 March, meeting by the lake at 10am. Contact Victoria Baptist at KSCP (03000 410900) for details, or if you would like to be a member of the planned Friends of Little Burton Farm Group.

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:

Q&A: See FRONT PAGE

31 March, St Mary’s

Community Centre,

Rylands Road, 6.45pm

With the new season fast approaching Kennington Cricket Club have been busy finalising plans.

Once again the club will be running two teams on Saturdays and one on Sundays and are keen to gain new members — either playing or social. Anyone inter-ested in joining should contact John Cunningham on 01233 612162 or john.cunningham@kenningtoncc.com

The Junior section will have teams in each of the four age groups competing in the Ashford & District Junior Cricket League. With nearly 80 children coming back from last year there are limited places so any child in Year 4 or above who would like to join should also contact John.

The new pavilion is now hired each Wednesday by

the MG School of Dancing for adult tap dancing lessons. Any individual or group interest-ed in hiring the pavilion should contact Terry Deary at secforkcc@virginmedia.com

Kennington FC were still in the promo-tion race with just a few matches left. The club had games in hand over their rivals and finishing in second place would be good enough to win promo-tion to the Kent County League Prem-ier Division. The Saturday Reserves slipped down the table following a difficult couple of months but reached the semi-final of the Ashford Charity Cup. A stop-start season hampered the Sunday side. Many matches were postponed and they face a pile-up of fixtures as the season draws to a close. The latest club news can be found at www.kenningtonfc.co.uk and on the club’s Facebook page.

Kennington chase promotion place

Busy time for cricket club

Help to sow a wildflower meadow

I am writing a book about life in Kennington during the Second World War which also tells the stories of those remem-bered on our War Memo-rial. If you have any memo-ries, or photographs, of Kennington during that time I would very much like to hear from you. Robin Britcher 01233 634410 email robinbritcher @hotmail.com 169 Faversham Road, Kennington TN24 9AE

WARTIME

MEMORIES