October 2002

Produced by
The Lyminge Association

Lyminge Association News

At last month’s successful and well-attended AGM we had a slight change of the Executive Committee Members; Jeff Turnbull is now the Chairman, replacing Debbie Marsh, who had reached the end of her three year term.  The Association is very grateful to Debbie, who has been an excellent Chairman and is glad that she is staying on the Committee.  After the business of the AGM we had a very useful and interesting talk from P.C. Steve Ivory and Tessa Bedwell, our Community Warden

Parish Council News

Police report

PC Steve Ivory and Rural Warden Tessa Bedwell  have been monitoring speeds through Lyminge, Elham, and Etchinghill. They are also investigating the possibility of a zebra crossing being installed outside Wentworth Court. The average speed through Lyminge is 35 mph. A mobile device was set up to show drivers their speed as they approach the village.

Steve and Tessa have been making arrangements with the Probation Service for some of the people on community service orders to carry out work around the parish.

Flood Warning System

The Environment Agency are due to implement their new flood warning system this Autumn. An automatic recorded telephone message will be phoned through to those who have asked to be on the system, giving the severity of the flood danger. Once the danger has passed, an “all clear” message will be phoned through. If you’d rather not be on the system you can get current flood alert advice by phoning 0845 9881188.

There are about 700 properties at risk of flooding in the Nailbourne and Little Stour catchment area. So far 185 households have joined the flood warning system. If you would like to be added, please contact the Flood Warning Team at the Kent Area Office of the Environment Agency on 01732 223256. You will need to provide 24-hour contact numbers.

New Parish Councillor

A vacancy arose on the Parish Council following the sad death of Peter Brockett. The Parish Council decided to co-opt Glenn Floyd, who was the only person to express an interest, to fill the vacancy.

Next meeting

The Parish Council will be meeting on the 28^th October at 7.30 pm in Lyminge Village Hall.

James Butcher, (01303) 863581, james.butcher@work-without-walls.co.uk

A Note from the Newsletter Editor

Many people are now, very helpfully sending their Newsletter entries by email.  Please would you do so as a Word attachment, preferably in 10 point Arial with a normal, justified format.  This will help conform with the “house style” and save your Newsletter Editor even more time!  However, payment for the entry must be received by copy date. 

One or two people lost out just recently when copy date was strictly adhered to – sorry about that.  Please note, that copy date is always the 18^th of the month.  All entries have to be paid for – this is because the Newsletter is funded by the advertising and entries only.  Nevertheless, this is very good value for money because the Newsletter is received by all the households in the Lyminge Parish, plus Postling and Rhodes Minnis, various business outlets and Sibton Park.  The contents of the Newsletter are also placed on the Lyminge website (and we have readers from all round the world!), plus events are placed on the Shepway DC website.

Speaking of the Lyminge website – if you have internet access, go and have a look at it (if you have not already done so)!  Not only can you read the Newsletter before it is distributed in “hard copy”, but you can make currency conversions, read the message board and access other websites, such as Lyminge School.  The Message Board has potential to be very useful – for instance road conditions could be reported by an early leaver of the village on wintry mornings – all we need is for more people to use it!

Report from P.C. Steve Ivory, our Community Policeman

Road Traffic Accident - Lyminge - 17th September 2002
A fully loaded cement mixer and a Heavy Goods Vehicle collided on the main road between Broadstreet House and the new doctors surgery on Tuesday 17th September. The driver of HGV was freed from the cab by Kent Fire and Rescue Service but neither driver suffered serious injury.  The road was closed for the better part of three hours whilst the police carried out the initial investigation and the road was cleared of the wreckage and spilt oils and diesel. The accident caused major disruption for through traffic with diversion being put in at New Barn corner and Brady Road/Longage Hill. 

Road Safety
Several complaints have been received from horse riders about the lack of consideration shown by the drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles whilst out and about on our roads. I was somewhat disturbed to hear on one occasion that there had been a verbal altercation between a rider and the driver of a tractor who was from the farming community and had animals themselves. It is the responsibility of all road users to show consideration for others but drivers should pay particular care when passing or approaching horses.  

Advice for the motorist.
When you come upon horse riders you should slow your vehicle to a walking a pace and if necessary stop and wait until they have passed you or they have pulled off the road. Some horses are better on the road than others but any sudden noise or movement could cause them to buck and throw their rider. Be patient and give them plenty of room. Don't sound your horn to attract the riders attention. Don't rev the engine unnecessarily.

Advice for the rider.
Before you take your horse on the road make sure you can control it. If you think that your horse will be nervous in traffic, always ride with other, less nervous, horses. Make sure all tack fits well and is in good condition. Never ride a horse without a saddle or bridle. Wear and approved safety helmet and fasten it securely- children under the age of 14 MUST by law do this. Wear hi-visibility or reflective clothing. Never ride more than two abreast. Ride in single file on narrow roads.

Crime issues
There have been three reported incidents where unattended cars have been broken into whilst parked at West Wood car park and one reported incident at Park Wood. On three occasions property left on display inside was stolen from the vehicles but fortunately some of this has subsequently been recovered in the Elham valley area. Tessa and myself have been patrolling the area on a daily basis and have carried out basic crime prevention work by leaving leaflets containing basic advice on the windscreens of parked cars. If you decide to take a walk in these beautiful woodlands and take your car to get there, leave all your valuables at home if you can.  If this cannot be done either take them with you or lock them out of sight in the boot. Handbags, mobile phones, wallets, jackets etc are the things the thief is interested in so don't make it easy for them by leaving things on show. I have plenty of the car crime prevention leaflets available, some of which are available at the library for you to take. 

Reports over the last month of door to door sales people working in the Elham valley have been quite regular. Many of you have, I am sure, answered your door to somebody selling dusters, cloths, pegs or tea towels. They are often referred to as "Nottingham Knockers".  The callers, mainly young men, might have produced some form of card to you with their name and address on and told you a story about them trying to make a new start in life.  The goods they try and sell you are expensive for what you are getting and can be purchased at a fraction of the price in the supermarkets. Some of these men will appear to be friendly at first but some can become verbally abusive when they are not entertained.  Most of them trade unlawfully by not having a peddler’s certificate but will tell a story that their boss has one which covers them all.  This is not the case.  It is my advice that you do not purchase anything from them.  If you do receive such callers please contact me directly on 07980 770583 so that I can monitor the amount of times they are visiting our villages and hopefully be in the area to deal with them personally. 

Another thing to be aware of is the bogus utility company worker. Fortunately we have not suffered any Artifice burglaries (commonly called distraction burglaries) but there have been cases in the Folkestone area in recent times. This is a very serious crime and is not linked to the Nottingham Knockers issue. The artifice criminals often work in pairs and prey on the elderly and vulnerable. They will often pretend to be working for the water or gas board and call stating that they need to get into the house of their victim to test the water or because there is a gas leak in the neighbourhood. Whilst they distract the victim , the accomplice will enter the house and steal what they can. These criminals are very often hated by others within the criminal fraternity because of who they target and in the manner in which they do it. It is my advice that, in all cases, you do not let anybody into your house if you do not know who they are. Again I can offer crime prevention advice to anybody who needs it. In October this year we are due to launch a complete package for the elderly and vulnerable members of our community that deals specifically with this type of crime.

News from Etchinghill

Etchinghill Residents' Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm, at Etchinghill Village Hall.  The guest speakers will be PC Stephen Ivory, the Community Beat Officer for the area and Tessa Bedwell, the Rural Community Warden, who will be available to discuss areas of interest and concern within the local community. Light refreshments will be available.

To The Residents Of Etchinghill and All Concerned Parties.

We have been made aware of a planning application which was be placed before Shepway District Council on 26^th August (Application No. Y02/0798/SH) from the Ministry of Defence for a change use of the land bordering the back of the houses in Teddars Leas Road, down the side of the Nursery and across to the Donkey field beside “Little Orchard” and across to the borders of Peene, Frogholt and Newington.  The area is quite extensive.  They wish to change the use of the land from agricultural land to Military Training.  This area will encompass many Public Rights of Way and ancient woodlands,.

If you have an opinion regarding this change of use please send a letter to Miss R Brown, Head of Planning, Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY, registering your concerns and quoting the planning application number above.

Letters to the Editor

From:  Mrs. Fill Fagg (dated 25 August 2002)
Re. Bonfires
            Please would all those who need to have a bonfire PLEASE consider when you light it.  Recently during the lovely weather, when windows are open for a breath of fresh air, there has been a spate of bonfires seemingly every day.  This means windows have to be closed making a house hotter than ever.  Also washing has to be dried indoors.
            The last straw was today, Sunday morning at 9.30am, when a local resident has just lit a bonfire, which as meant yet again being unable to enjoy the lovely day by sitting out in the sun, and enjoying a bank holiday breakfast, which for some of us is a luxury.
            I realise for some people, taking their waste to the local tip is a problem, but please consider the timing of burning your rubbish.  There used to be a bye-law that forbade the lighting of fires until a certain time of the day.  I hope this is still the case.  Would late evening be a suitable time?  Maybe other readers could coup up with a compromise suggestion.
            As I conclude this letter, divine intervention has occurred, as it is now raining!  This has meant no bonfire, but alas, no sitting in the sun.

From B. and R. Sheppard, Wildacre House, Rhodes Minnis and T. and I. Shefford, Woodgate, Rhodes Minnis
Re. Jubilee Farm
            “As the householders most closely affected by the proposed Jubilee Farm development we would like to add the following thoughts to the debate.
            “Firstly, we are not for the development but, taking a pragmatic view, we are not against.  The farm was suffering the fate of farming generally and becoming run down.  The new owners have revitalised the area and have spent large sums of money on extending the range of activities, installing new fencing, planting many trees and fruit bushes and cutting hedges and verges.
            “As far as we are aware, all aspects of the farming side of the business are intended to be “organic”, including the fruit, vegetables, cereals and livestock and will be marketed as such once approval by the Soil Association has been obtained.  This year’s crop has been produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, weed killer etc., and we can only welcome the reduction in pollutants.
            “The large barn proposed for the warehouse is an eyesore and surplus to farming requirements.  Under the proposal it would be treated outwardly to give a greatly improved appearance, particularly to those closest to it.
            “A couple of years ago when the farm was fully operational we were treated every morning at 7.20am, or 6.50am in the summer, to the clanging of the main gate opening, the arrival of seven or eight cars or vans, loud conversation from the workers, followed shortly after by the engines of the tractors, combines, the excavator and the low loader starting and idling while they were refuelled and then a constant procession through the day as they came and went to their various tasks.  This was always six days a week and seven days a week at harvest time and continued through until late in the evening.  A few vans between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday bear no comparison.
            “This is a rural area and we chose it for its peace and beauty.  Living so close to Jubilee Farm we were, of course, extremely concerned over the future use of the site and would suggest that the objectors to the proposals should consider carefully the possible alternatives.  One must ‘live and let live’ and if the development subsidies the farming and provides some work locally, then it ought not to be condemned out of hand.”

From Graham Burns Esq., Director, The Change Organisation Ltd.
Re. Jubilee Farm
            “’Change of Use Application’, a recent article written by Alan Alton in the Lyminge Newsletter suggested that we are making an application to turn Jubilee Farm into a warehousing industrial complex.  Our application is to move 17 staff from Whitstable and convert half of the main barn into offices and warehousing (approximately 7,000 square feet).  The remainder of the barn and all other buildings will remain for farm use.
            “The level of traffic generated by our business has never exceeded more than five transit/sprinter sized goods vehicle and one lorry per day.
            “The primary reason for relocating is to allow us to re-deploy existing staff to support the farm as and when needed.  As you will appreciate, running a mixed organic farm of 530 acres is extremely labour intensive.  As we only employ two full-time staff, this additional labour will be required anyway, increasing traffic movements accordingly.
            “All our staff have four weeks holiday per year, in addition to national and public bank holidays.  Therefore the calculation should be 8000 car movements per year and approximately 3000 lorry movements, of which 500 would be HGV.  This is a starting figure of 11,000 movements, less than two thirds of the figure suggested by Mr. Alton.
            “Whilst writing I would like to thank the local community for the support we are receiving for our fresh fruit and vegetable stall at Jubilee Farm.”

Editor’s Note:
Re. Dog ………..
Yet again I have received a telephone call about dog owners not clearing up after their dogs.  I cannot understand this.  Why can owners be so thoughtless?  Do they not understand how revolting it is to have to scrape it off small children and the wheels and mechanisms of buggies and prams?  Yet again the offending path is Ethelburga Grove, but there are several other hot (steaming) spots.  Dog fouling is against the local bye-law and hefty fines can be levied.  If you see a dog “doing it” at the owner not clearing up, then report them to the dog warden (telephone number is in the phone book) or via P.C. Steve Ivory.

Celebrate in Style at the New Inn, Etchinghill