THE BEST KEPT GARDEN COMPETITION

The Best Kept Garden Competition will go ahead this year, but residents are asked to bear the dry conditions in mind and plan and plant their gardens accordingly.

Gardens will initially be judged by Parish Councillors during the first two weeks of July 2007. The final judging will be undertaken by an independent judge during the week commencing the 23rd July 2007.

A presentation to the winners of the competition will take place in the Kilnbarn Club on Monday, 3rd September 2007.

In the meantime ………………

——————— HAPPY GARDENING!

“I became a Road Safety Officer in 1974 and now manage the monitoring and training of School Crossing Patrols, assist colleagues with local campaigns and publicity, and ensure the maintenance of the various road safety vehicles and trailers.  I also edit the annual Kent Road Safety Guide (a free copy can be obtained from the Parish Office!)
 
In my spare time over the years, I have done two stints as Parish Councillor, helped a friend with his restaurant, been projectionist with this country's only drive-in movie cinema, and taken a teacher course with Canterbury Christ Church University College. My hobbies include vintage cars and birds. 
 

I am pleased to have returned to serve the local community as a Parish Councillor, and hope that at the next election more of the younger people in Ditton offer their services in this way.”

I have lived in Ditton since 1986 and work as a production journalist for the Kent Messenger in Larkfield. I am 61 and married with twin sons. My interests include photography, golf, football (Man Utd) and gardening.”

PARISH COUNCILLOR AND DAUGHTER GRADUATE

FROM OPEN UNIVERSITY

On a sunny 21st April 2007 at The Dome in Brighton, Councillor John Beadle and his daughter Michele were joint graduates along with other Open University students at a degree ceremony. They both qualified with Bachelor of Science degrees after seven long years of study.

It all started back in December of 1999 when Michele indicated an interest in commencing some studies with the Open University. She brought home a prospectus out-lining the courses that are offered by the University. She favoured a series of courses dominated by Earth Sciences. John found the prospectus interesting and it whetted his appetite to broaden his knowledge. The result was that both John and Michele enrolled for a Science foundation course entitled “Discovering Science”. The course broadly covered amongst other subjects, Biology, Chemistry, Quantum Physics, Geology, Volcanology and Plate Tectonics. That first course started in February of 2000 and after many hours of study plus a summer school at the University of Reading they sat the examination in October. When the results were announced in Christmas week they both achieved a pass and were awarded 60 points. They found that these points were credits towards a Bachelor’s degree. Because they had these credits they looked around to see what else could be done, with perhaps the chance of eventually graduating.
 

Over the next six years passes were obtained in “Geology”, “How the Earth Works: The Earth’s Interior”, “Earth and Life” the study of why this planet is the only one in our solar system which supports life and how life began. The final year was spent studying “Cities and Technology” which traces the development of cities from Babylonian times through to the modern day and links that development to technological innovations. They also took one humanities course for, they say, “a little light relief”. During their studies there was some divergence with John taking a summer school at Durham University to study the “Geological History of the British Isles” and two short courses on “Anthropology” and “The Facts of Life” whilst Michele studied the “History of Science”.

They both have nothing but praise for the Open University. They found during their years of study that the  University catered for all of their needs. There was a tutor for each course and during the study time they attended tutorials. There is also a vast network of online communications with dedicated chat rooms for each course. This enables students from all over the world to talk to each other about the specific course they are studying. They found that even tutors from other regions took part in the online communications! Interactive computer studies were utilised as well as BBC programmes, audio cassettes, CD Roms and DVDs were also used. There were, of course, examinations which were always during October at various local venues, they even sat some of them at Ditton Community Centre! Although it took them seven years to complete it should be noted that the courses are designed for students who are unable to attend full time universities, perhaps because of work or family commitments. The total amount of time spent studying by John & Michele is about equal to a three year full time degree course at a conventional university.
 

What benefits have they gained from all of the hard work? Well there is a terrific sense of achievement for one. They have also gained a much broader range of knowledge. For Michele she now has a degree that can benefit her career. For John that is unlikely at his age!

Ditton Minors FC 5 a side Football Tournament

Ditton Minors FC held their first tournament for over 30 years at the Kilnbarn Recreation Ground, Ditton Community Centre, on Saturday 28 April 2007.

The 64 teams that took part came from the Maidstone and Medway area, with Under 9s and 10s playing in the morning, and Under 11s and 12s competing in the afternoon. The tournament was kindly sponsored by local companies and the weather could not have been better.

Many people commented on how great it was to see the field full of people, young and old enjoying the day, with many of the local residents joining the crowds to watch the entertaining matches, and all this was on the day that the earthquake hit Kent!

The results of the finals in each age group were:

 
Under 9s—Snodland Nomads beat Vinters Park B 2—0
Under 10s — Holtward Rangers C beat Swallow Reads 2—0
Under 11s — Vintners Park A beat Ditton Minors B 2—1 (after extra time)
Under 12s—Larkfield Boys B beat Larkfield Boys A 2—1

Ditton Minors FC would like to thank everyone who attended for making the day so successful, and they are hoping that next year will be bigger and better to celebrate their 40th birthday.

From those helping to keep Ditton trouble free

I have been asked of late about the differences between the KCC Warden, PCSO and myself. In short, I am able to deal with everything that PCSO Bishop deals with and some of the more serious and pressing issues. Obviously I won’t be able to take a handle on ‘every’ incident personally, so, at times will look to use some of the specialist departments with Kent Police to help. A reminder on how and when to contact us and whom you should expect to respond.

1.    The 999 service is for imminent matters. For example, when life is threatened, people are injured, a crime is in progress or offenders are nearby. You will most probably be dealt with be a ‘section officer’ – a department who deals with incidents around the clock, 7 days a week.
 

2.     The Kent Police general number – 01622 690690. This will go to the switchboard where you can ask for a specific person or department or to report a non-urgent or minor matter.

3.    Via the Parish Council office - Lia and I are in daily contact via phone and email with the Parish council office and we endeavour to follow up every incident brought to our attention.
 

4.    Leave a letter/note in the letterbox – Lia, Tom and I have a black letterbox on the wall just inside the main entrance to the Parish Council office – use an envelope for confidential matters that you only wish one of us to know about.
 

5.    Surgery. Every two weeks on Tuesday evening between 19:00-21:00 either myself, Tom or Lia (or a combination of 2 or all of us). Around the community centre you will see posters with the new dates of the next meeting. This is a chance to have 1 to 1 contact in a private room to discuss crime or anti-social behaviour.
 

6.     Kent Police website – www.kent.police.uk - Here you can often find the answers to general queries and there is a facility to contact by email, either Lia or myself and a chance to look at crime statistics in your neighbourhood.

A day of celebration graced by superb weather was enjoyed by members, numerous VIPs from the world of Bowls and other visitors from the locality.

Her Worship the Mayor, Mrs Ann Kemp, accompanied by her husband, were greeted by Mr Des Butters, President of Ditton Bowls Club, who then introduced them to Mr Peter Arnold, President of the English Bowling Association, other Officers from Kent County Bowling associations, representatives of Visually Handicapped and Wheelchair Bowling Associations, and the Chairman and Clerk of Ditton Parish Council.

President Des Butters and Mayor opening the new changing room

Mr Arnold presented the EBA Drakes Pride Club of the Year Award Runners-Up Cup, 4 sets of bowls and a Certificate of Merit to Tony Mulcuck and Chris Parker, Men’s and Ladies Captains.

Tony Mulcuck (Men’s Captain) and Chris Parker (Ladies Captain) being presented with the Runner-Up Club of the Year Award

Activities on the bowling green included visitors receiving instruction from members, a Juniors match and demonstrations on various measuring techniques used in deciding shots scored during a match.
Four visitors in wheelchairs demonstrated the game of Boccia, the original game of bowls played by the Romans. This is a game that can be played by persons of all ages and physical abilities, either indoors or outdoors.

In the afternoon a friendly match between Ditton and other local clubs took place, with a Cream Tea being served part way through the game.
Members and visitors then spent an enjoyable social evening and BBQ in the Clubhouse.
This was a very enjoyable and notable day in the vibrant life of Ditton Bowls Club, well supported by its members, many of whom put in a lot of effort to make the day such a success.