Parish News and Announcements

Well-Blessing At Broomfield

There are long-held traditions in Britain of celebrating natural water sources, especially for their life-giving abundance during hot summer months. In Derbyshire especially, wells are decorated with flowers as part of such celebrations.

The tradition in Broomfield of “dressing” the well at the village roadside, and of blessing the spring source on Saint Margaret’s day, began in about 1990. Saint Margaret of Antioch is patron of the village church and her festival is on July 20. The roadside well came into use before 1600 as Broomfield villagers’ main, reliable water supply.

This year the festival was celebrated on Sunday 25th July, the well having been dressed with flowers by the verger, Derek Hadlow. The photograph shows Revd. Norman Dabbs, centre, with Cannon Robin Gill conducting part of the Sunday service at the well, with a dozen children from nearby Kingswood and 35 others. Derek is on the right. Norman’s retirement as priest in the parish of Leeds and Broomfield was announced at the service. Music accompanying hymn-singing at the well was provided by Peter Roberts on guitar.

The congregation enjoyed refreshments at Saint Margaret’s after the service.

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Information Notice

An Information Notice has been published about horses and bikes being ridden along the Chestnut Drive <> Gravelly Bottom Road footpath. Read the Notice.

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REVEREND NORMAN DABBS TO RETIRE

Amazingly Norman Dabbs is now in his 74th year. Having served faithfully at Leeds Church in one office or another since 1977, he has decided that it is time to retire. For the last seven years, following his ordination in Canterbury Cathedral, he has been a much-valued colleague in the Clergy Team to Nigel and myself. I know that David Brookes also strongly valued his earlier work as a Reader. Speaking personally (and I know that I speak for Nigel as well) I am going to miss his role as pastor and priest enormously. Not only does he take at least one Sunday service a week, he also presides at many baptisms, weddings and funerals. For some years he has been Chaplain to the local Royal British Legion and, most recently, was the Mayor of Maidstone’s Chaplain as well. For someone approaching his mid-70s he is an inspiration to many others much younger than himself. He deserves a restful retirement at long last.

Norman has decided very sensibly that the only way to retire properly is to make it clear that he really is retiring and not ‘half retiring’. So the final public service that he will take is the Remembrance Day Service on November 14. With all his lengthy local contacts and friends he is very conscious that ‘half retirement’ could soon lead to many ‘special’ requests to take baptisms, marriages and funerals. So Norman is insisting that after November 14 he really will be retiring fully and will not be taking any more public services. It is very much our loss, but he deserves nothing less after such long and dedicated service.

I am sure that many of you will wish to contribute to a special presentation for Norman. Could you please give this to Nigel or myself. We will be having a special service at Leeds Church for Norman and Jenny at 11am on Sunday October 24th (there will be no service at Hollingbourne that morning) and we will make the presentation afterwards over a glass of wine. I do hope that you will be able to be there for that very special occasion.

Norman thank you for all that you have done for many years. And I hope that you have a splendid and well-earned retirement.

Robin Gill
Priest in Charge, Leeds and Broomfield

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Bulky Waste Collection Service

The next Freightliner bulk waste collection is planned for Saturday 16th October from 13.40 to 14.30 hours in the Kingswood Village Hall car park. Please note: See the poster for new restrictions on allowable waste.

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Parish Annual Report, May 2010

The new style Parish Annual Report 2010, as well as being distributed to all households, is now also available here. [A PDF format file which opens in a Reader in a new browser window.]

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Cobtree Manor Park

Cobtree Manor Park is a 54 acre country park located near Aylesford in the Parish of Boxley. As part of the drive to increase visitor numbers to this very attractive but underused green space, Maidstone Borough Council have now employed a full-time Park Ranger who has put together a programme of events for the public.

At the present time these are mainly themed guided walks, some with added value (e.g making lanterns) and are free of charge. It is hoped that the events will continue in the years to come, with variations from one year to the next reflecting the visitors’ interests and expectations. Read about the events.

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Short Breaks for Disabled/Special Needs Children

Following on from the successful pilot held previously in Maidstone, these new days out for Summer 2010 are prioritised for families with one or more disabled/special needs children living or attending school in Maidstone who currently receive limited or no short break services.

Children must be accompanied by one or two adults and siblings are welcome. A maximum of £10 per person charge covers all admission and coach travel costs. See more details. [A PDF format file which opens in a Reader in a new browser window.]

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56 & 66 Bus Service, April 2010

These bus services which serve our village will continue. See more details.

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Kingswood Primary School Ofsted Inspection

The school recently had a visit from the Ofsted inspectors. Their report is a glowing tribute to the hard work and dedication of all associated with Kingswood Primary School. Get more details.

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Closure of Kingswood Doctors Surgery

The Surgery in Cayser Drive has had to close recently. Get more details.

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Medway Valley Countryside Partnership

The Medway Valley Countryside Partnership is working to enhance the River Medway and the surrounding countryside for the benefit of wildlife and the local community. More information from Mark Pritchard, Project Officer, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership telephone 01622 683695. Web: www.medwayvalley.org

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Advocacy Volunteers Needed

Rethink (an Advocacy Service in the Maidstone area provides independent, free and confidential support to those who experience mental ill health) are in need of volunteer advocates. Advocates offer a vital service to people in the community with mental health problems. They listen to the mental health service user, offer support and information and aim to reach the desired outcome. Training is provided. For contact details please see the advocacy flyer. [Opens in PDF format in a new page]

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New Toddler Group

There is a session for toddlers on Tuesday morning between 9.00 to 11.00am at Kingswood Primary School. Term-time only. More information from the school on 01622 842674.

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KCC Family History Research

This new service started November 2009.

Road Sweeping and Litter Picking Schedule 2010

Dates of planned road sweeping and litter picking within the parish have been set for this year. See the planned dates.

Dumped rubbish and litter continues to be a problem in our village and especially along our lanes. Please help to stop this unsightly menace. Go to more information and advice.

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Affordable Housing Development - Hearing on 24th September 2009 - Result

Maidstone Borough Council Planning Committee approved the Affordable Housing development in Kingswood on 24th September 2009. Go to more details.

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Hedge Cutting

It has been noticed that many hedges in the parish have become overgrown and are causing problems for pedestrians walking along footways. The Parish Council would be very grateful if hedge owners could please cut back their hedges to provide a safe passage for pedestrians. For more information, please click here.

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Guided Walks

The Bearsted & Thurnham Society has arranged a series of monthly walks from now up to December 2010. These are for any local people to find out about the local parishes and area. If you wish to join in, just turn up ready for the start.

For more detailed information, including contacts and routing, please click here (June to December 2010). [Opens as PDF file in new window]

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Branching Out Health Walks are also run in a wider area of Kent. For the 2010 programme of walks, please click here.
[Opens as PDF file in new window]

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Community Responder Team Based at Leeds Castle

A community responder team has been launched at Leeds Castle in partnership with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Please click here for more information.

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KIG Update, November 2009 (Go to the StopKIG web site for more detailed information)

At the KIG Public Inquiry held on 10th November 2009, Cllr Beth Hendy, Chairman of Broomfield and Kingswood PC, gave a submission opposing this development. Go to the submission.

[Earlier updates] The Parish Council has written to DEFRA regarding the closure of certain public Rights of Way in Bearsted which are likely to be associated with the planned KIG development. Go to the letter, in PDF format.

The Maidstone Borough Council Planning Meeting to consider the Kent International Gateway development application was held on Thursday 7th May 2009 at The Maidstone Studios, New Cut Road, Grove Green. More information - click here.

A special edition of THE ECHO, Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council's own newsletter is now out. It has more information about AXA's Planning Application, MA/07/2092, for the Kent International Gateway development.

Please click here to read THE ECHO, click here to see the Poster announcing this and click here to download a PDF version of a postcard with suggested points of objection that you may consider appropriate.

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Maidstone Town Centre Access Map for Disabled People

The latest edition of the Town Centre Guide for Disabled People has hit the streets of Maidstone. The 2009 guide is now available and details access to car parking facilities in the town, including the Mall Chequers, which offers a shop mobility scheme for disabled people, and Fremlin Walk.

The large map shows dropped kerbs, accessible public toilets, disabled parking bays, raised kerbs at bus stops, subways and more. There are also useful contact details for public transport and travel information. It’s a great tool for people with disabilities, as well as those with pushchairs. Maps of Whatman Park and the Maidstone Millennium Park are included, as well as information about facilities and accessibility along the 10km route between Allington and Teston.

The guide is sponsored by Euro Mobility and Maidstone council and is available from Maidstone Town Hall and other council receptions.

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DOG WASTE BAGS

In the interests of keeping our parish clean and free from the very unpleasant issue of dog waste on our streets and at the sports field, bags are provided free of charge by the parish council and can be obtained from Avenue Stores / Post Office in Charlesford Avenue, Kingswood. All you have to do is pop into the shop and ask. 

Please be a considerate and responsible owner / walker and always clear up behind you dog - after all, with free bags at your disposal, there really isn’t any excuse, is there!  Thank you!

View an information poster about dog fouling.

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GYPSY AND TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION

A meeting was held recently in Maidstone where the needs to provide accommodation spaces to the gypsy and traveller community was discussed. The meeting was prompted by South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) who reviewed this issue.

For more information and a brief report on the meeting, please click here.

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MVB Maidstone Seeks Volunteer Drivers

Not working? Any spare days in the week? At a loose end? Want something worthwhile on your cv? Perhaps you can help us?

The MVB volunteer transport scheme, which helps the elderly and disabled get to hospital appointments etc, is short of drivers at the moment! For more information and contact details, please click here.

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