Autumn 2006 Extracts
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Chairman's Comments |
Whilst I usually concentrate on events that are specific to Ditton, I must report on a meeting that Cllr. Jane Thwaites and myself attended recently. This was a meeting of the 'NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee' for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, at which the Chief Executive of the 'Trust' presented their plans for the future, and I list some of the main changes that are being considered. The proposals are:-
1. That the Accident & Emergency (A & E), at present in Maidstone Hospital, be transferred to the new (yet to be built) hospital at Pembury. All that would be left at Maidstone Hospital would be a minor injuries department. It was stated that the estimated number of A&E beds at Pembury would be reduced to around 30 places.
2. The Oncology (Cancer) facility at Maidstone would be transferred to Canterbury . The reason given was that the equipment at Maidstone is nearing the end of it's useful life.
3. Paediatrics - there is to be a new facility and teaching hospital based at Pembury.
4. Trauma Orthopaedics will be transferred to Kent & Sussex Hospital.
5. In response to one question (of the few accepted), the response was that MRSA and Mixed Sex Wards was " a thing of the past ".
6. It appears that in T. Wells, hospital beds are being closed as there is no need, yet there is already a massive overspend.
7. Basically, there will be 4 Hospitals chasing the same patients. It appears that there will be a marketing system in place to attract patients from other trust areas e.g. London.
8. One question was posed asking how people should get to Pembury when living in the Maidstone etc; areas as there will be insufficient number of parking spaces to accommodate patients having to travel by car. One 'solution' offered was to organise a car sharing system for people with set appointments! No one seemed able to offer an answer to the organising of such a system.
9. Nothing was mentioned of the demand from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) that there, should be another 30,000 houses per year built in the S.E. corner of the U.K.
10. One bright light on the horizon was that the Medical Director of Kent Ambulance Trust plans to upgrade the skills of ambulance staff to reduce the number of different skilled people needed at present.
Our comments on the points made.
1. With the number of motorways and other main roads close to Maidstone , plus the number of accidents occurring on these roads, the distance plus the inadequate road system to Pembury will put patients' lives at risk.
2. With the organisation well established in Maidstone, surely the upgrading of equipment would be much more cost effective than starting anew at Canterbury. A question that needs to be put (as public as possible) why is there a massive building programme on the Maidstone site?
3. With the difficulty of travelling to Pembury plus the inadequate parking facilities, what is the sense of the move?
4. In January, I entered Maidstone Hospital to await a triple bypass, one week later, in St. Thomas's Hospital in London for the operation. During that week I had been infected by MRSA. This meant a month in Maidstone to clear the problem, then had the operation. On returning, I had on two occasions during some 6 weeks, to return to Maidstone Hospital, each time into mixed sex wards… How accurate are their other claims?
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Ditton Songs of Praise |
"What a great day", "Memorable afternoon", "Please have it again"
These were just some of the comments that came from the Songs of Praise open air services in June.
Over 220 people came together for this joint event. Singing the top voted hymns, To God be the Glory, He's got the whole world in his hands, and the winner which was Shine Jesus Shine.
We then moved to the School Grounds where there were free cream teas and free children's activities, a roundabout and a bouncy castle which was generously provided by the Parish Council. Thank you also to John Millard for providing burgers etc.
With much enthusiasm, the World Cup football was watched on a big screen as England beat Ecuador 1-0.
It was agreed it was a good village event with all ages coming together to enjoy each others company. One comment at the end was "It was nice to meet up with and chat to people I hadn't seen for years; thank you for putting it on!" So a big 'thank you' to all of those who helped and those who came along to make it such a special time.
The Rev. Priscilla Payne
Tonbridge & Malling Crime Prevention Panel
Contact: David Williams - 01732 876132
Email: david.williams@tmbc.gov.uk
This is an invitation to all readers to become a member of the Tonbridge & Mailing Crime Prevention Panel.
Operating for more than 10 years, the scheme has been expanded from just Tonbridge to encompass the whole borough hence the new name as seen above. At present the majority of the members represent the south of the borough.
Membership of the Panel includes the Kent Police, KCC Youth Service, Local Residents and Parish Councils.
David Williams is inviting representation from Ditton Parish residents to meetings which are held every 6 weeks on a Monday , at 5:30 pm , and is currently at Tonbridge Police Station .
Members do need to have an interest in crime and disorder, but expert or detailed knowledge is certainly not required. A lay person can bring a freshness of approach. The very best way of finding out what we do is to come along to a meeting. Please feel free to contact David Williams on the number above if you have any questions and require more detail.
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With PC Matt Roddick and Warden Tom Hawkwood already serving Ditton, the additional help from residents, through the Tonbridge & Mailing Crime Prevention Panel, will give Ditton the opportunity to combat 'what is still left' of the unacceptable behaviour whether general nuisance or such as burglary, vehicle theft, or vandalism etc.
The enthusiasm of both Matt and Tom is an excellent base to build on!!
The Kiln Barn Club - SEPTEMBER 1986 - 2006
Members celebrated the 20th Anniversary of opening of the Kilnbarn Residents Club in style.
Following the refurbishment of the Club a celebration party was held on Friday 1st September where members enjoyed a buffet, disco and reduced drinks prices. The cake was made by Club member Chris Acott and the cake artwork was painted by her husband, Mick Acott.
All residents are eligible for membership, and membership renewals commenced on 1st September 2006.
The current membership fee is £2.00 and residents joining before 30th September 2006 receive a £2.00 voucher to be redeemed against a drink of their choice in the Kilnbarn Club.
Membership forms are available in the Club and the Parish office.
The Club shows premiership games on Sky Sports and Premiership Plus, so why not pop along for a drink and enjoy the games in a friendly atmosphere. Other activities include, Darts, Sunday Quiz night, Thursday No Smoking evening and regular entertainment evenings with live music.
From those helping to keep Ditton trouble free
By Matt Roddick – Police Constable who has been quick in identifying the cause of problems.
"There has been a rise in the amount of reports I am receiving about young people on the estate who are in possession of alcohol and cigarettes. Most reports illustrate that they appear to be underage. Having stopped and searched some youths on the estate, I too have found them to be in possession of alcohol whilst underage. Although local off-licences have policies in place to counteract the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to young people, it is hard for them to detect adults who are buying it for them. If you are approached by any young person who asks you to buy them alcohol or cigarettes, then chances are that they have been turned away by the shop and are just trying their luck on you. It is easy to 'just go along with it' and adopt the quiet life-however you and the licensee leave yourselves open to prosecution if caught fuelling this problem.
"I would encourage behaviour of this kind to be reported to myself directly or anonymously via the 'police correspondence box'. Invariably, the levels of loutish behaviour and minor criminal damage related offences are escalated all the time that youths are allowed to roam the streets drinking. I am also keen to hear of any premises that are permitting these sales.
"Crime levels in Ditton continue to be among their lowest for years and, on the whole, considerably lower than adjoining areas. This has come about as a result of the good communication from residents as things happen, and a 'firm but fair' attitude towards offending."
P .C. Matt Roddick
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By Tom Hawkwood – The Warden who is helping to improve the lives of Ditton residents.
"Since the last edition of the magazine we have had the launch of "EXTREEME", although getting off to a slow start momentum is beginning to build and we are getting more and more young people attending each week. At present "EXTREEME" meets on Monday evenings around the sports cage area on the community centre playing fields at 1800- 2000 hrs.
"EXTREEME" is open to all young people of Ditton 11 years old and above, and it is not a requirement that they attend Aylesford Sports College either, all that is required is the necessary completed paperwork. This can be collected from the activity "Leader" on Monday evenings or through the school.
"I also plan to introduce a fortnightly coffee morning starting sometime in the autumn. This will hopefully give residents a chance to come along and have an informal chat about what issues affect/concern them living in Ditton . I would like to invite guest speakers to come along to talk about topics requested by the residents.
"Also please remember that we have the confidential letter box situated within the lobby at the community centre. This is to enable residents to bring to the attention of PC Matt Roddick or myself issues that affect them. ALL correspondence is treated the strictest confidence."
Tom HAWKWOOD Community Warden for Ditton
Wheelie Bins
Members of this Council are concerned at the growing practice of leaving wheelie bins on footways and at the front of properties. I am sure you will agree that this looks most unsightly and spoils the general appearance of the parish.
Could we ask that all residents make the effort to remove their wheelie bins to the rear of their properties once they have been emptied.
Your co-operation would be appreciated.
If you are a resident of Ditton Parish and did not receive a copy of this Ditton Gazette, please contact Parish Council Office, Ditton Community Centre, Kilnbarn Road, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AH, telephone 01732 844749 email clerk@dittonparishcouncil.gov.uk
