Keep Ditton Tidy
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 By KCC Community Warden John Newton
ONE AREA I walk around on a regular basis is the Ditton Quarry Local Nature Reserve and I can see why Ditton is proud of this area, however, one distressing factor which seems to be getting worse is the dogs mess. I understand that when dog walkers get into the area they let their dogs off the lead to allow the dog to have some ‘Free time’ and the dog may mess out of sight of the owner.
We do have some responsible owners who clean up after their dog, but I am becoming more aware that some owners take a ‘don’t care’ attitude. We all need to take a responsible attitude and if you see a dog messing please inform the owner of its location and even offer them a bag (I will endeavour to replace any bags given to someone else).
If this does not work I need to know. I will involve the Dog Warden and if necessary the police and fines will be issued and prosecutions will follow for persistent offenders. This is a beautiful area that is maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers so please don’t spoil it.
The dog bin is located just outside the entrance to the Quarry, and before you ask why can’t there be more dog bins inside the quarry area, it is quite simple, a lot of hard work goes into keeping the area as natural as possible and a black and red dog mess bin does not fit into the natural surroundings of the Quarry.
The Kiln Barn recreation ground is another fantastic asset to Ditton but, again, some people are not clearing up after their dogs. I urge those people to consider this: young children use this area in their free time and, weather permitting, the pre-school during their school day.
These children could be your children, your grandchildren, niece or nephew or even your neighbours children and apart from the mess possibly being walked into your house there is the more worrying chance of serious infection should the child fall into it.
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We need your help
I have noticed that some thoughtless individuals are lighting fires in the Ditton Quarry Local Nature Reserve. With the weather changing for the good and the area becoming dryer, the lighting of fires in the Quarry area is an incredibly stupid thing to do unless it is correctly marshalled by the ground staff of Ditton Parish Council. The reports I have are that it is youths who have set the fires so far. This is where I need your help, firstly do you know if your child is carrying a box of matches or a lighter that they should not have or do you suspect that one of there friends is. Please be responsible, don’t just take the lighter/box of matches away from them, please explain the dangers of fires. Remember fire KILLS.
Illegal motorcycles
Thank you to the growing number of residents who are reporting the increasing use of these illegal motorcycles on the streets of Ditton and in the Quarry. We are now confident we have a clear picture of the names and addresses of the riders and where the bikes are housed.
Please don’t stop telling the police and myself, because by doing so you could be saving a life or at the least the uninsured cost incurred should one of these bikes hit something, or worse, someone. Remember, these bikes are uninsured, have no MOT and in most cases are dangerous, so if one of these bikes hits you or your property YOU CANNOT CLAIM.
And finally
Those of you who are still parking illegally outside the schools of Ditton, it is only a matter of time before you face a fine and possible prosecution. PCSOs, Police and Civil Enforcement Officers are going to be on the lookout on a far more regular basis, and trust me we have heard all the excuses but there is no excuse for parking that could endanger the life of a child. |
DITTON PARISH COUNCIL
INVITES YOU TO A
PUBLIC OPEN MEETING
TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS ARISING
AS A RESULT OF INCREASED HGV
TRAFFIC ON NEW ROAD/KILN BARN ROAD
ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 14
AT 7.30PM
IN THE DON CARMAN HALL AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
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Youth Centre: Now we’re getting there
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WE ARE now at the point of submitting funding applications and as you are reading this, the first one is being considered. I know what some of you are thinking ‘about time’ well, Rome was not build in a day and that has lasted centuries, and this project is also for longevity to provide a youth facility for generations to come.
Most people will not be aware of the fantastic hard work and commitment that the Steering Committee headed by Floyd Risby and the Youth Committee (Special mention to Rauidhri Fuller) have put.
One example was the recent Fun Run event, at which these pictures were taken, which was organised in just three weeks and made £316 which will go into an account for the use of Ditton’s youngsters.
A huge thanks must go to all those who provided prizes, the Parish Council for supplying the use of the grounds and the Don Carman room and Nigel Saunders (ground supervisor) for all his help. This is truly a community pulling together for a great cause.
Thanks to One Stop (Ditton), Leeds Castle, Maidstone Leisure Centre, The Society Rooms/Maidstone, The Kentish Quarryman, Ditton Tandoori Palace, Twilights, Homebase, East Malling Research Centre, Sweatshop, LA Fitness, Sainsbury’s and many more who contributed personally as residents and helped make the day special.
A great day, and the weather was good for all. Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all who took part.
We still need volunteers for the youth project, so don’t be shy, make a difference your children are worth it.
We had a meeting on the May 20 and we were very pleased to have newly elected MP Tracy Crouch attend the evening and give us her support for the project. The support for this project seems to be growing daily and the portfolio of letters is getting bigger.
By John Newton,
KCC Community Warden Support Team
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News from St Peter's Church |
Our new Churchwardens
St Peter's have acquired two new Churchwardens over the course of the past year, Helen Chilcott who began her term of office in April 2009 and Darren Williams, who started his work in April of this year.
The office of Churchwarden is one of the oldest in the UK. It is a position of very significant responsibility within the life of a parish church and therefore within the life of the local community. Churchwardens have overall responsibility for the church building and for the churchyard and are there to support the Rector in his work of spiritual leadership.
At Ditton we are delighted to have two very competent and able people in these key roles.
Helen is the Senior Emergency Planning Officer for the Southern Region ( Kent Sussex and Hampshire ) of the Environment Agency. Her role is principally to help ensure that the EA are trained and competent in delivering an appropriate response to incidents like flooding or pollution. She comments: “It's a hard slog and often long unsocial hours but the improvements I see are frequent and rewarding.”
Darren works for Brocade Communications who manufacture and sell networking equipment.
If you use the internet or an ATM as part of your daily life you and your data are using their equipment. His role is part of the UK and Ireland management team and he manages team of 14 pre-sales engineers. His office is in Staines so he is used to the M25 but thankfully has opportunities to work from home!
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DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOP
ST PETER’S IS RUNNING A COURSE BEGININING ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 AT 8PM IN DITTON CHURCH CENTRE AND RUNNING FOR SIX WEEKS. THE COURSE IS ONE WHICH HAS BEEN USED NATIONALLY AND HAS PROVED OF TREMENDOUS HELP IN SUPPORTING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PAIN AND TRAUMA OF DIVORCE. THE COURSE WILL BE RUN BY TRAINED FACILITATORS
If you would like further information please ring Ditton Church Office on 01732 873798 (Monday - Wednesday 9-12) or Ross Terranova on 01732 842027
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We have a duty of care to the dying
The Rev Ross Terranova,
Rector of Ditton
'The problem with the God argument' stated Sir Terry Pratchett, concluding his Dimbleby Lecture , is that it only works if you believe in God'.
This was a rather casual way to dismiss the huge contribution that the Judeo-Christian contribution has made and is making to the debate around euthanasia. Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several years ago and has made a number of brave and controversial contributions since then to the hugely difficult area surrounding how we care for the dying.
Well why should ' the God argument ' mean anything in a culture as secular as ours? Perhaps the real shock shouldn't be that Pratchett and many others disregard what the Bible has to say about living and dying well but that their best-case scenario, when confronted with a terminal diagnosis is 'assisted death' . This is simply a reflection of our pro-choice culture where pain, isolation and indignity loom large for those who are terminally ill.
There is something terrifying about feeling out of control in the hands of some horrendous and incurable illness- where we even end up unable to recognise those we love. The horrors of incapacitating illness are real and should never be trivialised.
It is often though not so much the fear of pain that fuels the longing for an early death but the anxiety of becoming an intolerable burden to those you love. This should come as no surprise - God made us for relationship with him and with others. There is no denying that caring for the dying is a burden - a relentless and often very heavy one. The Bible is brutally realistic about this, talking about creation groaning under the weight of suffering . But if the Bible is clear about the burden of suffering it is also clear that we are to 'carry one another's burdens .... doing good to all people'.
Suffering in another human being is a call to all of us to stand together in community. It is a call to be there . As someone put it, 'Suffering is not a question which demands an answer, it is not a problem which demands a solution it is a mystery which demands a presence ' This never means that we seek suffering but it should at least to some degree be accepted .
If we want to restore ' the God argument ' to the heart of this debate lets not shake hands with death, or agree to assist each other do die. Let us embrace our God-given duty of care, and help the dying to live well.
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Our John will be so sorely missed
DITTON born John Dunster has played a large part in the life of Ditton Village. Older folk will remember him as he drove his tractor around Ditton. He was a lover of the outdoors, a person who took a great interest in what was happening in Ditton.
He was very much involved in the planning and construction of the old Quarry Nature Park, always ready to give help and advice when required.
He helped plan local walks and led them for the enjoyment of others. John had helped keep the grass mown in St Peter’s church yard for over 35 years. During that time and with three different incumbents John had always been a reliable and dependable person, even as he became ill he still showed great resilience and a strong commitment to this task for which we are very grateful.
Before his death he bought and donated new gate posts for the church entrance, defying doctors he came from the hospice to see them, wanting to check how they looked and worked.
John will be missed by many people, who always received from him a cheerful and positive comment usually followed by a story of how Ditton used to be.
Our love and sympathy go to his family on their loss, to Kenia, and his children Diane, Tanya and Ian and grandchildren. |
It’s a real joy to sing together
WE HAVE discovered what a joy it is to sing together! Ditton Community Choir goes from strength to strength.
Thirty five of us come together most Thursday evenings at the Junior School to rehearse the songs we will be singing at the open air service on June 27.
Children from the school are included in the great coming together of all ages to sing for the community. We have already performed to a large congregation on Good Friday in St Peter’s Church.
The comments were positive even surprised, “you sounded very good, surprisingly good quality voices, excellent vocals.”
So come along and see for yourself the hidden talent in Ditton. We look forward to singing songs from the musicals for you.
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Can we pray for you?
IS THERE someone or a situation you would like us to pray for in our services on a Sunday. We don’t need to know details or names if you prefer, but if we could be of any help in this way please contact Ross on 01732 842027or Priscilla on 01732 841257 or leave a message at the church office, tel 01732 873798. If you know of anyone who would be helped by a visit at home or hospital please contact the above numbers.
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The future’s bright, the future’s Red & Black Stripes |
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No footy? Then on yer bikes, boys... WITH no football tournament to play in over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, Ditton Minors boys Alex Cordier, Ryan Cornelius, Jacq Dennison and Brad Rose, together with Gary Cornelius took the opportunity to take part in a 44-mile bike ride through the countryside starting and finishing in the village of Stansted.
They rode through many villages including Ightham, Snodland, Cuxton and Meopham and all finished! |
Minors need new players DITTON Minors Football Club are looking for children to join their teams for next season especially at the following ages:
Mini Minors, for children currently in Reception classes or Pre-school,
Training on Monday’s from 5–6pm at Ditton Community Centre. For more information contact Judith Darby on 01732 870137 or just come along and have fun.
Under 7s, for children currently in Year 1. For more information contact Gary Stephens on 01622 718498
Under 8s, for children currently in Year 2. For more information contact Judith Darby on 01732 870137
Under 11s, for children currently in Year 5. This team are moving up to 11 a side next season and need to increase their squad. For more information contact Richard Best on 01732 875008 or 07968 401292.
More information on all of our teams can be found at www.dittonminorsfc.co.uk |
Tandoori Palace
Ditton Grill
A&D Fisheries
DITTON Minors Football Club would like to thank the above sponsors for their kind donations to the club. Although all of these businesses had been approached by teams out of the area looking for sponsorship, it is really appreciated, especially in these hard times, that local businesses are prepared to support the local youth football club. This money will help towards the cost of replacing training equipment and kit for the coming season.
Restaurant manager H can always tell when the teams have had a good weekend, as the players and parents like nothing better than to celebrate with the Tandoori Palace Sunday Buffet. |
 Keen on Darts?
ARE you a keen darts player? The Kilnbarn is keen to have its own darts club to play on a Tuesday evening.
League fees would be covered by The Kilnbarn and a buffet would be provided for the players and visiting team.
All abilities welcome. If you are interested please contact the bar manager on 01732 844749.
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DITTON PARISH COUNCIL PRESENTS
ABBAGIRLS
The Band
SUPPER DANCE
Ditton Community Centre
Saturday 30th October 2010
8pm to Midnight
(doors open at 7.30pm)
Tickets £32.50
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Tickets & Menu available from
Ditton Parish Council Office
Ditton Community Centre, Kilnbarn Road, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6AH.
Tel: 01732 844749
Only alcohol purchased from the premises may be consumed on the premises |
Quarry Needs You!
DITTON Quarry Nature Reserve is a valuable area for people and wildlife. The site boasts many vulnerable plant species and is host to an abundance of insects and spiders which specialists are cataloguing as we speak.
It provides a tranquil place for people (and their dogs) to walk and a great adventure playground for children.
The Ditton Quarry Volunteers need more volunteers to help with the schedule of litter picking. This isn't an arduous task and only requires one litter pick a year (on a rota).
In addition, we all get together in the autumn to do a group litter pick and enjoy a walk around the quarry.
If you are interested in joining an enthusiastic team, please contact Nicola at Ditton Parish Council on 01732 844749 or email nicola@dittonparishcouncil.gov.uk
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Potholes: Repairs are now under way
AS YOU will be aware, the recent extreme winter weather conditions have caused high levels of damage to Kent’s roads. Potholes and broken road surfaces are clear evidence of the coldest and wettest winter for 30 years.
On March 29, Kent County Council agreed to make an initial £2m available to deliver extra, essential road surface repairs. The work will be undertaken on a ‘find and fix’ basis, but will also include defects previously identified.
The work will be to pre-determined quality standards, with real incentives for hard-working, properly equipped crews. The objective is to deliver a high volume, rapid repair service for minor carriageway damage.
Following a widespread media campaign and publication on the South East Business Portal, contractors were invited to apply for tenders and this process has now been completed. Contracts were awarded to several companies across Kent and work started on April 13. The firm look after roads on the Tonbridge and Malling area is A.R. Cooks & Sons Ltd..
The contracts have been set up so that we can call on up to five gangs from each contractor in each district, fixing repairs from small pot holes to patches up to 20m2.
The focus will be a concentrated attack on minor roads (including rural and estate roads) which make up 71 per cent of the total (6,100km) and a high proportion in terms of need.
A list of the roads we will be working on will be available on the website, www.kent.gov.uk/potholes
The new contracts have some very clear requirements on the quality of repairs expected and while undertaking the works, gangs will be visited on a regular basis to build positive relationships, pride in their patch and to monitor quality and progress.
I am very keen to ensure that all councils and members of the public continue to highlight roads that are in need of repair. In order to make this successful and give an understanding of where the high priority areas are, Kent Highway Services is using internal and external publicity to encourage reporting of faults online at www.kent.gov.uk/highways
John Burr, Director of Kent Highway Services
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Ditton’s got talent?
HISTORIC Ditton has a vision to host, celebrate and have fun with the ‘Arts’, a community venture to bring together a colourful display of creativity expressed through media such as paint, photography, jewellery, pottery, wood, metal, dance, sculpture, stain glass etc etc etc.’
Talents that lie unseen are an inspiration for those who silently sit in the wings and quote the words ‘I couldn’t do that’.
If you feel inspired to exhibit or participate in any way, please contact us and enquire about ‘The Ditton Village Arts Festival'. Telephone Steve Brightley-Hodges on 01732 841569 or email brightleyhodges@btinternet.com or call Shinina Fernandez on 01732 522247 or email shinina.networking 369@hotmail.co.uk |
Garden competition
DITTON’S Annual Best Kept Garden competition will take place again this year.
Front gardens will be judged on how well maintained they are and not just on how many flowers there are growing. Gardens will initially be short listed by Parish Councillors during the two weeks from Monday, July 5 to Friday, July 16.
The final judging will be undertaken by an independent judge during the week commencing Monday 26th July 2010. A presentation to the winners of the competition will take place in the Kiln Barn on Monday, September 6 at 7pm. |
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Ditton Short Mat BC
WE HAVE had a great year and have managed to entice some new members into the club to partake in short mat bowls. During the year several members have taken part in the Kent County internal competitions and have achieved their County badges, congratulations go to Roger and Maureen Staple for this honour. We have played several local clubs in friendly matches and are looking to extend these during 2010.
The one disappointment during the year was the cancellation of one of our Charity matches due to lack of support. Several trophies were played for during the year and the annual competitions took place from October until December and was followed on January 17 by the Annual Presentation dinner at the Grangemore Hotel, Maidstone. It was a Sunday afternoon and some 40 plus members attended and took part in a lovely and well served three course lunch.
After lunch and raffle had finished the President, Graham Hawes, presented the trophies and certificates to members, pictured. If you are interested in finding out more about our club contact Jean Banks on 01622 200910 or Tony Mulcuck on 01732 844195.
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A festival of music
TONBRIDGE Castle Festival of Music and Fireworks will take place during the July 23, 24 and 25. The event is organised by promoters MA Concerts (Ltd) in partnership with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. All concerts are picnic style and end with a fantastic firework display. The event is sponsored by the Courier Media Group and McCarthy & Stone.
Friday, July 23
Motown’s Greatest Hits features legendary songs from artists such as The Temptations, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Jacksons. Get ready to “Go Loco...Down in Acapulco”!
Saturday, July 24
Strictly West End brings together the magic of the musicals coupled with the beauty of the ballroom. The Tango in Evita, the Jive in Hairspray and the romance of the Waltz and Quickstep with Gershwin and Porter.
Sunday, July 25
Magic of the 80s is the perfect party night out for
everyone, The show includes 40 songs from artists such as Boy George, Wham, Madonna, Bon Jovi and the Human League, to name but a few.
£27.50 adults, £21.50 children (2-17 years), £18.50 Leisure Pass holder
July 23-25 (subject to availability)
£30.50 adults, £23.50 child (2-17 years), £20.50 Leisure Pass holder
To check prices and book tickets visit www.tonbridgecastlelive.com or call the box office on 0845 296 0000. |
Parish Council accounts and report
ANNUAL REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2009/2010
 By parish council chairman Mike Porter
WELCOME to my report on the work of the council during the financial year 2009/2010. I hope it gives you an insight into the work of the parish council and the problems it sometimes encounters. In my report you will see that through careful budgeting and a review of our operations we have been able to make substantial savings for 2010/2011.
Grants and donations
During the year we managed to obtain grant funding for the following: Best Kept Garden competition, Hanging Baskets in New Road and War Memorial refurbishment/cleaning. The council also received the following donations from residents: Donation towards a replacement seat in Kilnbarn play area and donations towards a replacement seat in front of St Peter’s Church.
Money raised from holding raffles at parish council events enabled the council to make donations totaling £1,725 during 2009/2010 to the following charities and organisations: Ditton Pop-In-Club; Age Concern; Malling Area Volunteer Bureau; Victim Support; Ditton Heritage Centre, Kent Play Clubs, Children with Leukaemia; Kent Air Ambulance; Ditton Junior School; Ditton Infant School; Y2 Crewe Summer Scheme. All donations are funded through money raised by staff holding raffles at council functions and not through the precept.
Boundary Review
As I reported last year Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council undertook a boundary review during the year. This review was undertaken because the residents of the new houses built on the old Frantschach site, the majority of which were within the Ditton boundary, wanted to live in parish of East Malling and Larkfield and not Ditton. The result of the review was that the boundary was changed and the outcome is a shrinking of Ditton’s historic boundary and a considerable loss of properties and revenue from council tax for Ditton.
East Malling and Larkfield, who did not oppose the boundary change, will of course benefit by an increase in properties and council tax.
Parish Rate
Every year the council is required to estimate how much money is required to run the Parish for the following financial year. To facilitate this, during October and November each committee undertakes a review of its income and expenditure and sets its budget for the following year. The committee budgets are then recommended to the Finance and Administration Committee which scrutinises them and recommends them to full council for approval.
Last year the amount members calculated would be required was just over £223,000 which when divided by the number of properties we have in Ditton gave a parish rate of £111.24 per household: The Kilnbarn Residents Club and the commercial operations are not included in this figure as they are self supporting. It appears our estimates were accurate and we had a small surplus of income at the end of the year.
As previously advised, a review of the council’s entire operation was undertaken during the year and the recommendations of the Review Committee, including the franchising of the function bar operations, changes in working patterns, changes in the way insurances are purchased, amongst other recommendations were approved by the full council towards the end of 2009. These changes, plus the careful estimating of the various standing committees, resulted in a reduction in the estimates for the next financial to £201,716, a reduction of £21,419. This would have allowed us to lower the parish rate by almost £11 per household.
Sadly, following the decision made by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, over which this council had no control, the boundary change was imposed on Ditton and took effect on April 1 this year. The result is that Ditton is losing 274 properties to Larkfield Parish Council, which means that the cost of running the parish now has to be shared by 274 fewer households and our hopes of reducing the parish rate have been dashed. On a positive note and because of the hard work put in by the Review Committee, the savings we have made means that despite the loss of those properties our parish rate for 2010/2011 will only increase by 64 pence per household. You will no doubt appreciate that Ditton Parish Council is bitterly disappointed that the hard work that was put in has not resulted in a saving to the parish.
Review
As reported above, the review of the council’s entire operation undertaken last year resulted in a huge saving in operating costs. The review will be ongoing this year and it is hoped that further savings can be made in 2011/2012.
Policing
Sadly, our two neighbourhood police officers, Matt Roddick and Andy Dalton left us towards the end of last year to take up other posts. We miss the working partnership we had with them but wish them well in their new positions. During February this year PC Becky Ballard joined us as the new neighbourhood police officer and together with the neighbourhood policing team of PCSO Robert Sayer and temporary Community Warden John Newton, they have continued in their predecessor’s footsteps of being very successful in maintaining a low crime level. On behalf of the council I thank our neighbourhood policing team most sincerely for their commitment and dedication.
Twinning
Several twinning events took place during the year and the link between the two villages continues to prosper. More twinning exchange visits are being planned for this year. If you would like to take part in exchange visits, please contact the Twinning Association or the parish office. All visits, whether at home or in France, have to be fully funded by the participants, however, a contribution towards providing refreshments for French visitors may be available from the Twinning Association upon application.
Promotions
Parish Council staff organised and ran four dances during the year which raised a profit of £4,267.29. Profit from raffles held at these dances raised £817.98 and I thank the staff involved for their hard work.
Ditton Minors Football Club in partnership with this council organised a May Day fete on Monday, May 4, 2009. This followed their football tournament which was staged over the two preceding days. Unfortunately the fete which incorporated games, arena events, stalls, BBQ, and many more fun activities was not well attended, therefore the council agreed that it did not wish to organise a fete during 2010 but would have no objection to anyone else organising one.
Ditton Quarry Nature Reserve
The newly designated Nature Reserve is being well used and is rapidly becoming a learning tool for local schools and organisations. It became a winter wonderland for children during the snow and many were seen dragging their sledges over the recreation ground to slide on the natural slopes in the reserve. Unfortunately some people left old baths and other items they had used as a sleigh and these had to be removed by the council’s staff because they were spoiling the area. Please, enjoy the area but if you take items into the nature reserve, take them out when you leave.
Quality Council Status
This council was successful in being accredited a ‘Quality’ Council in 2006 and accreditation lasts for four years. After that time a Council has to reapply for Quality Status to satisfy the accreditation panel that it continues to fully meet the criteria required for it to remain a ‘Quality’ council I am pleased to report that the Council was successful in being re-accredited as a ‘Quality’ Council and I thank my fellow Councillors for their professionalism and the Clerk for her work on the application portfolio.
Emergency Plan
The council, together with a group of volunteers, has been working on an Emergency Self Help Plan. It is intended that the plan can be activated in an emergency situation when the emergency services are unable to get through and remain activated until the emergency services arrive and take over. The plan is now in draft form and it is hoped it can be finalised in the near future. When it is ready, copies will be available from the parish office.
Youth Project
During the year the Community Warden, John Newton, asked the local youths if there was anything they felt was missing in the village and which they would like to see provided. Their response was ‘somewhere to meet and socialise together’. From this conversation the Community Warden got together the KCC Youth Field Officer, Youth Workers, KCC Warden Scheme, Parish Councillors, volunteers and youths to discuss how a youth meeting place could be achieved. He also approached the parish council to ask if part of the Cedar Rooms could be used to house a youth centre. The council agreed to the request and to support the project but advised that the Cedar Room would need extensive repairs, which the council does not have the funds to undertake. This project quickly went from strength to strength with a steering committee and youth committee being formed to take the project forward. These committees are currently seeking grant funding to repair and refurbish the Cedar Room, so that part of the building can be used as a youth centre and also an additional hiring facility. I thank the Community Warden for his dedication in getting this project off the ground and for continuing to be a part of it. I also thank the steering and youth committees.
Projects for 2010/2011
With a curb on spending and the need to rebuild general resources, no major projects other than the Youth Project are planned for 2010/2011. Finally I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the parish council staff for all their hard work, dedication and assistance over the past year and also the volunteer workers who help the council maintain the Nature Reserve.
Mike Porter
Chairman
Ditton Parish Council
The council had no other recognisable gains and/or losses during the year. Accounts subject to audit.
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