Fourth win for Peter and Elaine
PETER and Elaine Holding, of Primrose Drive, are the winners of this year’s Best Kept Garden competition.
They are pictured below with another four-time winner, Len Mace, Richard Baker, chairman of the Open Spaces and Amenities Committee and, far right, council chairman Mike Porter.
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of this year's Best Kept Garden competition. They are pictured above at the presentation ceremony at the Kilnbarn Club.
In second place after our winners, Elaine and Peter Holding, were Sylvia and Terry Bonner, of Priory Grove (their garden is pictured top right). In third place were Vera and Fred Bailey, of Nursery Road (garden pictured bottom right).
The runners up were: Mr and Mrs Craig, The Stream; Mr and Mrs Darbon, Blackthorn Drive; Mr and Mrs Davis, Fernleigh Rise; Mr Green and Ms Savage, Nursery Road; Mr and Mrs Haycock, Medina Road; Mrs Rush, London Road; and Mr and Mrs West, The Stream.
Guy’s not for burning
DITTON Parish Council's annual bonfire and fireworks display will not be taking place this year.
The cost of the event in previous years has been met by the council out of Parish Funds for the benefit of the residents of Ditton.
Each year the demand on the Parish Fund has increased.
Last year we were fortunate to have received some sponsorship which helped to defray the costs.
Due to the "credit crunch" we have not been able to persuade any local business to sponsor the event for this year.
In addition, the numbers attending the event have increased dramatically year by year which creates problems with crowd control and car parking.
It also puts an immense strain on the amenities at the Community Centre such as the toilets.
To comply with Health and Safety requirements, the Parish Council would have needed to employ marshals for crowd control and to provide 14 additional portable toilets facilities, including urinals.
The council, therefore, came to the reluctant decision not to run the event in 2008. Hopefully, if the economic situation improves, the event may be reintroduced in 2009.
Brownies celebrate
THE 1st Ditton Brownies is a very successful unit which meets at the Community Centre in Kiln Barn Road on Wednesdays, 6pm-7.15pm.
In October 2009 the unit will be 75 years old. We are trying to trace former leaders from 1934-1963. Does anyone have any relatives that may have been involved? Do any of these names jolt the memory?
Miss Smells, Miss Hutt, Miss Gray (Brown Owls 1937-1939) Mrs J Amos (1962-1963). Tawny Owls - Miss Godden-Jenkins, Mrs E Barber (1961-1962).
Contact Sandra Hadaway, 01732 845692 or Maureen Hall, 01732 844134.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Fred and Vera Bailey of Nursery Road, Ditton who will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on October 9. We wish them many more happy years together.
If you are celebrating a special event and would like it to be included in this column, please contact Mandy at the parish council office on 01732 844749 or email Mandy at mandy@dittonparishcouncil.gov.uk
By Mike Porter,
Parish Council chairman
I HOPE you have all had a good summer, despite the weather, and feel refreshed and ready to tackle the Autumn weather which seems to have arrived in August this year!
October/November should see the installation of the new youth equipment at Kilnbarn Recreation Ground. We had hoped this would be delivered for the summer but, due to last minute requests from The Big Lottery Fund for legal documents to be prepared by our solicitors, the installation was delayed.
We are currently applying for a KCC Member’s grant to provide a hearing aid for use in the smaller halls. It will enable the hearing impaired to take an active part in smaller meetings. County Councillor Geoff Rowe is supporting the application.
It was a very difficult decision not to hold the annual bonfire and fireworks this year, which is enjoyed by so many, but the costs of health and safety issues and the lack of sponsors this year left the council with little choice. We will, however, review the situation for next year.
My visit to our twinned village for Bastille Day was once again appreciated by the Mayor and Council of Rang-du-Fliers. I was very warmly welcomed and, as usual, their hospitality was second to none.
Twinning exchange visits between local clubs and organisations are organised on a fairly regular basis and a great many friendships have been forged.
The Twinning Association have their own page on the council’s website www.dittonparishcouncil.gov.uk with in-formation and pictures of recent exchange visits.
We have at last managed to obtain delegated powers from the Borough Council to designate Ditton Quarry as a Nature Reserve. This status will ensure it will remain unspoilt and enjoyed for many years to come.
Finally, I would like to congratulate all the winners in the 2008 Best Kept Garden Competition and 2008 Ditton Open Show. Well done to you all.
We will be holding our annual Christmas lights competition again this year and we look forward to some excellent displays. We do ask, however, that you use energy efficient light bulbs wherever possible.
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By Sue Kavanagh,
Parish
Council
clerk
NOW that the summer break is over it’s back to the meetings schedule and preparing for, among other things, 2009/2010 budgets and the events planned over the Christmas period.
During the next few months we will be discussing and drafting committee budgets for 2009/2010. This involves reviewing expenditure over the past two years, expected income during the year and increases in annual running costs.
This is a lengthy process and involves all committees setting their budgets, which are then scrutinised by the Finance and Administration Committee before being recommended to full council for approval.
In January 2009 I will be submitting an application for re-accreditation as a Quality Council. This requires the completion of the entire application process and submission of portfolio as evidence of compliance with each of the ten categories.
I have already started work on the application to ensure it is ready for submission before the end of January. Several new categories have been added to the criteria this year, but I am hopeful that we will be able to retain this prestigious status.
We will be holding our annual Halloween Dance on October 25, with dancing to The Peter Eligate Showband. Tickets are priced at £16 and there are a limited number available.
If you would like to come and join us for a good evening of dancing, give us a call on 01732 844749.
The Saturday Christmas dance on December 20 is already sold out and there is a waiting list for the Friday night (19th).
Todd Miller and the Joe Loss Orchestra will be playing at both dances.
During December I will be sending out to people on the mailing list the dance programme for 2009.
If you would like to receive this information and wish to be included on the mailing list, please contact this office on 01732 844749.
Tickets are allocated on a first come first
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Happy days at the Oasis
THE Oasis tea room has now had its second birthday and is open every Monday 2.30-4.30 pm in the cottage to the side of the Church Centre.
It seems to appeal to all age groups and to people whether they are on their own or with family or friends.
This year we have benefited from the outdoor tables generously donated by the Carpenter's Arms at Hadlow (kindly transported to Ditton by an employee of the Parish Council).
The garden at the back is now a very pleasant place to be on the rare Mondays that the weather proves suitable! We are grateful to the team who have regularly baked and given cakes, and those who have helped with serving and washing up.
The tea room makes no set charges but since it opened in June 2006, donations made by customers have enabled over £1,800 to be given away to 18 local and national charities such as the local Hospices, Kent Air Ambulance, Cancer Research and the RNLI.
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The Quiz is back
SUNDAY night quiz nights are back at the Kilnbarn Club and for the first night, on October 12, the winning team will win a £50 cash prize. Quizzes will run every other week, culminating in the legendary Christmas Quiz on December 21, with bar extension.
Teams will be limited to eight people. There will also be a weekly snowball.
Make a date in your diary now. The Quiz starts at 8.30pm.
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DITTON Minors are looking forward to the season ahead with new teams at Under 8s, 15s and 16s.
The new Under 8s team have mostly been together since the age of four, when Craig Driver wanted to help his son play football with his friends.
Graham West, chairman of Ditton Minor, was involved in some training and noticed the talent of some of these boys and invited the local Academy Scout Co-ordinator for Chelsea FC, Alf Blandford, to take a look.
He agreed with Graham and invited the team to play a friendly against the Chelsea U8s.
Ditton Minors came out on top, and have since had six of the current team invited to take part in regular weekly sessions at Chelsea’s training ground in Dartford.
Alf Blandford said: “Chelsea are looking for young boys of this calibre to be the future John Terry or Frank Lampard,” He was very pleased to have found these boy’s at Ditton Minors and was impressed with what the club are trying to achieve within the local community.
The team will be wearing shirts sponsored by Medway Golf Centre and their Managing Director and Chelsea fan Paul Street was very pleased to hear of the success of the team already.
Craig is still on the lookout for a couple more players to strengthen his squad. Contact him on 07590 54981.
The U15s team have joined Ditton Minors this year, with manager Andrew Blackwell at the helm, and it’s a family affair with Andrew’s father-in-law, Mick Grantham, also helping out.
This is a completely new team with a number of local boys who had played elsewhere coming back to play in the Red & Black stripes of Ditton Minors.
John Emery, President of the football club and chairman of Liftec Lifts Ltd, has kindly sponsored the kit for the team, and A & D Fisheries of 630 London Road, Ditton have also made a donation to the team.
Ditton Minors FC U16s team are proud to wear their new kit sponsored by The Tandoori Palace Indian restaurant in Bradbourne Lane, Ditton. Proprietor Subrina Hossain was very keen to help a team in the local community and will be kept updated with the results and also intends to watch some of their games on a Sunday afternoon at the Community Centre. This team, managed by Nick Cathersides, has also been formed from a number of local boys who wanted to play under the Ditton Minors name.
Ditton Minors also have teams at various other ages. For more information go to www.dittonminorsfc.co.uk or contact club chairman Graham West on 01732 845263.
Ditton Horticultural Show
THERE were 52 classes in the Annual Open Show on Saturday, July 19, and 27 competitors submitted 180 entries. Exhibitor prizes were awarded as follows:
Best in Show in Vegetables Section
Michael Hawksworth – Class 6
Best in Show in Fruit Section
Ted Brown – Class 17
Best in Show in Flowers Section
Chris Acott – Class 28
Best in Show in Cooking Section
Coral Smith – Class 47
Best in Show in Craft Section
Sheila Farmer – Class 61
Vegetable Olympics
Mark Webb
Exhibitor gaining most points in Cooking Section
Coral Smith
Len Mace Challenge Cup (most points in Vegetable and fruit classes)
Ted Brown
Best in Show
Sheila Farmer – Class 61
Runner up, Exhibitor gaining most points in Classes 1 – 61
Ted Brown
Exhibitor gaining most points in Classes 1 – 61
Coral Smith
SADLY, Sheila Farmer and Norma Webb will be moving away from Ditton in the near future and will no longer be able to organise this annual event.
We thank them most sincerely for their hard work in organising the show over many years, it has been a pleasure working with them.
Members and staff wish them good luck and happiness in their new homes.
This is not the end, the show must go on.
Gary Smith and DIG (Ditton Gardening Club) are taking over the reins and will be organising the show next year.
Ditton Parish Council thanks the Members of DIG for stepping in and ensuring the continuance of this popular annual event.
Tales of a ‘home’ childhood
IT WAS always an ambition of mine to write. I suppose it began a long time ago when I won a story competition at school, when I was 12. However, writing takes a lot of application and life often gets in the way.
I did spend lots of hours scribbling in exercise books plus I always had my nose stuck in a book. And since adulthood, I have always owned a type-writer.
That was part of the trouble. I was a lousy typist. I never did get to grips with it. I can remember one job I had at a wine and spirit merchants; the warehouse boys joked about my dispatch labels. They said it was the wonder the crates of wine ever reached their destination.
Many years and three grown up sons later, a miracle happened. Computers were born. One son persuaded us that we needed one for my husband’s business. We were doubtful. It arrived and sat there idle for weeks. We were too frightened to touch it.
A few lessons later we wondered how we had ever run a business without it. I was amazed. And it gave me an idea! So, I began writing, in 1997. Although, I really like fiction, I did have a childhood story I had always wanted to tell, one I thought I knew inside out.
I and my brothers had grown up in several large, self contained Children’s Homes run by the London County Council, because of my mother’s mental illness.
I noted people’s reaction when I spoke of it. They were definitely interested. And so The Homesie Kids was born. Then I didn’t realise how complicated the story would become, or where it would take me. Nor did I realise how much research would be needed.
By a lucky accident I managed to get my ‘file’. When I read it I couldn’t believe it.
I had to tell my parents’ heart rending tale, too, which would be sup-ported by actual letters and reports. Sadly, publishers weren’t interested so it sat on the computer. It would still be there now if it wasn’t for my son and his wife who decided to self publish it for me.
Luckily my children could do that. I will never forget the day the books arrived. And they looked so good. I was over the moon. I was a proper writer at last!
I have decided to donate 50 per cent of the profits of the book to charity, which I will do when I have sold the first print run (100 books.)
The ones I have chosen are Childline and MIND. The Homesie Kids is priced at £7.99.
If you are interested in buying a copy please ring me on 01622 710011. Or email: eric.joy.shurmer @talktalk.net
Pterodactyls come home
2008 saw the arrival of Aylesford Pterodactyls to Ditton as resident cricket club and I have to say that we couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome.
Although originally hailing from Aylesford Village, in just the few short months of this first summer, we have come to think of the Ditton as our true home.
Our thanks go to everyone on and in the Parish Council who has helped to get cricket back on the Ditton Recreation Ground after an absence of some years, but we are especially indebted to Nigel and his team of groundsmen who have worked so hard to ensure that wickets have been prepared, regardless of what the week’s weather has thrown at them, and to the caretakers and the staff of The Kiln Barn Club, who have looked after us and put up with the inevitable vagueness of cricket timings, without complaint.
We are also grateful to those local residents, who have expressed an interest in playing for the side, one or two of whom have already turned out for us, so we are hoping to cement our links with the Ditton community still further over the coming months, with a number of local residents playing in the side next year.
The Pterodactyls are a social side who play purely for the fun of the game. We do not play in any league and place far more importance on enjoyment and inclusion (and the excuse to spend a day in the sun, drinking), than on winning, which makes this summer’s excellent record all the more pleasing.
At the time of writing, we are on course for our best season ever, having lost only one game, so the move has obviously been good for us.
As one of the connotations of our name hints at, we were originally formed from a group who were older than the average cricketer, but we now have a diverse cross section of players, with greatly mixed ability and age, who share the same goal, to enjoy a game of cricket without too much competitiveness involved.
If that sounds like the sort of club you would like to be a part of, we would be very pleased to hear from you, as new members for the 2009 season would be more than welcome.
The best way to contact us is via email at either gareth@fairline.co.uk or robert.dearnaley@fourelms.co.uk but, if you do not have this facility, you can call Gareth on 01622 790693.
Our Nigel celebrates 25 happy years with council
NIGEL SAUNDERS, Grounds Supervisor and Health & Safety Officer celebrates 25 years service to Ditton Parish Council.
When Nigel left school in 1977 he went to work for East Malling Research Station as an apprentice in horticulture. This was a temporary position which was extended and he left in 1981 to progress his career.
After successfully applying to the parish council for the position of village caretaker, Nigel commenced his employment on July 4, 1983.
At that time there was no parish vehicle, so Nigel used his own car for parish work. However, in 1984 the council agreed to purchase a works vehicle in the shape of a LandRover. This was welcomed with great enthusiasm by Nigel, as by that time his car was in need of extensive repair or replacement.
Nigel’s workload continued to increase over the next few years, with contract work being under-taken, and on April 1, 1986, his job description was changed to that of Grounds Supervisor.
Over the years of his employment with Ditton Parish Council Nigel has gained many qualifications – this list is too long to quote in full, but they include City and Guilds and IOG Certificates in Horticulture, certificates in spraying, cricket square maintenance, bowls green maintenance, NEBS management, health and safely, use and storage of chemicals in the workplace, playground maintenance, safety for supervisors, 1st Aid at work etc etc.
He is now a highly qualified, competent, and valued employee.
In May 1995 Nigel was declared Groundsman of the month by the Institute of Groundmanship, and featured in the May edition of the publication ‘The Groundsman’. It was a whole page feature.
Nigel has supervised several members of staff during his 25 years with the parish council and has been able to pass on some of his vast knowledge to them.
We are sure they are all grateful to have had the advantage of his knowledge, as most of those who left to progress their careers are still employed in grounds maintenance work.
During 2001 Nigel took on the extra role of Health and Safety Officer and now assists the Clerk with all aspects of health and safety and also undertakes risk assessments.
He still found time for family life though, and on June 20, 1988, he married Sue and they now have two lovely daughters, Katie and Emily.
They can always be seen helping Nigel at weekends when he is working on special community events. Ditton is lucky to have such a committed member of staff and as a token of gratitude for Nigel’s dedication he was presented with a watch to mark his 25 years service to the parish. |
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REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES
THIS year two services will be held. The first service will take place on Sunday, November 9, at the Community Centre, starting at 9.45am.
The Parade will then assemble and march to the War Memorial where a further short service will take place, including the two minute silence at 11am.
The second service will be a short service held at the War Memorial at 11am on Tuesday, November 11.
If you would like to help or require further information, please contact the Parish Office on 01732 844749.
Also, if you are part of a marching band or know of one, the Parish Council would like to have music for the march. If you can help, please contact the Parish Office.
DITTON HERITAGE CENTRE LTD
Are holding a QUIZ NIGHT at the Ditton Junior School on
Friday 14th November.
7.30 pm for 8.00pm start, £4.00 per person.
Teams of 4/6/8 welcomed.
Bring Your Own Drinks,
Nibbles supplied.
Contact Tony/Maralyn on 01732-844195
2009 Parish Council Dances
Feb 14 St. Valentine Dance
Oct 31 Halloween Dance
Dec 18 Christmas Dance
Dec 19 Christmas Dance
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Dance
If you would like to be placed on the Council’s mailing list to receive advance booking information for the above dances, please contact the parish office on 01732 844749 or call into the parish office any weekday between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
Helping to keep Ditton trouble free
What’s in your garden shed?
THE VALUE of property kept in sheds, garages and outbuildings can be much more than you would imagine.
Lawn mowers, trailers, power tools and bicycles are just some of the items that are targeted regularly by thieves.
However, the following crime prevention advice may help to keep your property safe:
Put all property away after use and lock the shed or garage.
Shed alarms can be fitted quite cheaply and hanging curtains or nets at windows prevents the thief from viewing your property.
Outdoor security lighting can also be installed at a low cost. Security lighting should be fitted at a height of at least 2.5 metres (eight feet).
Do you have a clear line of sight to your shed or garage? If not, can trimming bushes and trees rectify this?
Up and over garage doors can be made more secure by fitting a padlock with a hasp and staple to both sides.
Double garage doors with a rim latch can be supplemented with a mortice deadlock.
If your garage is attached to the main building ensure that connecting doors are locked and as secure as external doors.
Security mark your property with your house number and post code. Details of specific makes, models and serial numbers should be recorded and stored safely. For larger and more distinctive items it is also useful to take photographs to keep with the other details also mentioned.
All ladders should be locked inside sheds or garages so thieves do not use them to gain access to the rest of the house. If this is not possible, then try to chain them up.
Expensive mowers and bicycles should be secured to a fixed object or the floor to make them more difficult to move.
Reports indicate that the majority of these thefts are committed by people who check properties beforehand.
When questioned, many owners remember seeing suspicious vehicles parked close to their properties or have had callers offering to do garden work or tree felling.
If you see a vehicle you think is suspicious, please report it to the police. Do not put yourself at risk but if you can get the vehicle registration this is always very helpful.
Community Warden Paul Crispe writes...
THERE are no major issues from the Community Warden in this issue of the Ditton Gazette.
Our football tournament on Saturday, July 19, was well supported with14 teams from the Tonbridge & Malling areas. The winners were Bearsted girl’s team and the 16-18 Bearsted boys team and 14-16 boys team from Wrotham who all went to the finals held at Charlton FC training ground on August 31.
There are a number of people and companies who gave their time and donated things to us on the day. They are the following:
Richard Hochfeld Ltd who donated the fruit to us, we had plenty and we even sent some to the local school.
AquAid who provided 240 bottles of water for the players.
Ditton Minors for the loan of the goals, balls, whistles & bibs and Graham West who gave his time to referee on the day.
I would also like to thank Ditton Parish Council for the use of facilities and for providing the pitches.
Now a date for your diaries. On October 2 at Ditton Community Centre there will be a Tricksters show. This is mainly for the elderly and vulnerable. It will show you the different ways that bogus callers can trick you into letting them into your house and what you can do to keep them out.
Other agencies will be there to advise you on home security etc. It will last about 90 minutes and there will be refreshments.
And finally, in case you need to get in touch, a reminder of my contact number: 07813 712081.
