Holder
of the KCC Award for Volunteering Excellence|
Valley Conservation Society |
Holder
of the KCC Award for Volunteering Excellence
MEMBERS NEWSLETTER No 107 June 2010
DRAMA IN THE VALLEY
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Photo Stephanie Fleck
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The recent closure of Stockett Lane for four days was not, as many locals believed to repair winters potholes, but to film a dramatic re-enaction of a car crash in a country road. The film shot on behalf of the emergency services is to be shown in cinemas as part of a road safety campaign aimed at young drivers.
The film crew set up cameras at various locations along the road and in the adjacent fields. Actors with simulated injuries could be seen chatting with local walkers oblivious to their gory makeup. Although the local roads had been closed some signage was removed prematurely and drivers arrived on the scene horrified to think this was a real life accident.
Kent Archaeological Society.
Records of hundreds of people who lived in Loose and adjacent parishes over a period of many centuries are now featured on the Kent Archaeological Societies website. www.kentarchaeology.org.uk. The records have been taken from 340 memorial inscriptions on gravestones, tablets, tombs and monuments, some dating back to the 16th century.
Barbeque Date.
Enjoy locally produced and sourced food
Tickets will be on sale soon for the annual VCS members barbeque, to be held at
The Manor, Hayle Place. Please make a note in your diaries 24th July 2010.
Ticket price will be £7.50
All enquiries to Alan Smith 01622 751926
Thefts from the Valley.
Members have recently reported items going missing from gardens within the valley.
These items include ornaments and plants. If you are walking in the valley please be vigilant and report suspicious activity to our Police Community Support Officer
Matt Williams on 01622 604391 or ring the usual number 999 in an emergency
Goslings on Lower Crisbrook Pond.
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Photo Dennis Usmar
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The annual appearance of ducklings and goslings has taken place on the ponds up and down the valley. Anxious feathered parents are now guarding their offspring from the many local predators; crows, seagulls and heron have all been spotted by concerned onlookers taking a very keen interest in these youngsters
SBS planning application:
Following the site meeting at Straw Mill Hill, where the Planning Committee of the KCC attended, there has been a meeting of Tovil Residents association at which a traffic survey was presented by Chairman Roger Bister. This survey concluded that an actual volume of 2553 vehicles are using the junction of Cave Hill and Straw Mill hill on a regular daily basis. This information has been passed on to Kent county Councillors as additional information in the fight against this application. The full planning committee hearing is now due in July 2010. The full current traffic survey appears overleaf. A letter of support for this campaign has been received from
Helen Grant, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald.
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The re-pointing of stone walls at Treacle Wood in Hayle Mill Road.
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Photo Dennis Usmar
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The chairman of VCS Bryn Cornwell (in smart hat) and Peter Hobden, observing full health and safety procedures, are pictured mixing lime mortar on the site of the old Lower Crisbrook Mill in preparation for the continuation of re-pointing the stone walls. Over time the original material has been damaged by weather, plant roots and traffic. The refurbished walling can be seen in Hayle Mill road.
Members are reminded that volunteers are welcome to attend the weekly work party and this meets each Tuesday at 11am at Crisbrook House.
Details from Bryn Cornwell 01622 746514
Maidstone South Ward.
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Councillor Derek Mortimer the new Lib-Dem councillor for the area. |
Statement; Not only is the valley a gem for Loose and Tovil, it should be regarded as a gem for the Borough of Maidstone. (continued)
With the increase of population in the borough as a whole, there is not a more important time than now to continue the support and protection of this beautiful valley. People need space and tranquillity in their own communities and should not have to get into their car and drive just to find peace and quiet.
The valley for me provides an escape from the busy urban environment and is a joy to stroll through on a Sunday. The trickling streams, wildlife, trees and plants make me feel as though I could be anywhere in the UK.
As councillor for this area I will always promote and protect this gem. For me it is not perhaps protecting the past but giving something to future generations where many other places have been lost through sprawling urban development and in some cases greed
Local Planning Applications.
MA/10/0649 The Rose Inn, Farleigh Hill, Tovil.
Permission has been requested to change the original permission to six flats and eight dwelling houses. This application alters the parking allocation to one per house and none for the flats. The parking exits onto Straw Mill Hill.
Tovil Parish Council has objected to this request
TA/0031/10 Ivy Mill House
Permission has been requested to renovate and reduce the overall size of one Ash tree. Reduce the overall height of the Leylandii hedge to 3 metres. Prune and thin a variety of trees and shrubs.
Tovil Parish Council has approved this request.
Invasive species 2. Japanese Knotweed.
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is the most invasive of all plants in Britain; it spreads extremely quickly, preventing native vegetation from growing and forcing native species of birds, animals and insects to find alternative habitats. It is lush green in colour and has heart shaped leaves. The stems are similar to bamboo and can grow up to 4 (10cm) a day. The white flowers are produced between September and October.
Japanese Knotweed
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The Japanese Knotweed can damage buildings and hard surfaces and spreads from the dumping on waste ground of pieces of the plant or roots finding there way into and along water courses by careless gardeners. It is an offence to plant or cause it to spread in the wild under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Japanese Knotweed is deemed to be controlled waste and should only be removed from property by licensed waste control operatives. To deal with this hazard on your own land the stems should be cut dried and then burnt and the stumps treated with a proprietary
herbicide. Specific instructions can be accessed from the Environment Agency.
Telephone: 08706 506 506
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Membership.
The Society continually strives to improve the environment and support the heritage of the valley and as such appreciates the efforts of existing members to encourage friends, neighbours and family to join the Society.
If you have previously been a member and find it inconvenient to apply please note the contact details on the application form, we will be more than willing to come to you and help.
If you live locally and would like to join and support the work of the Society please call any of the contact numbers and a comprehensive explanation of the Societies achievements, aims and projects will be provided. A guided accompanied short walk is also available.
Contributions to newsletter.
Please forward any items you would like included in the next newsletter. I would particularly appreciate items of local interest and history of this fascinating area.
Email. flecky@talk21.com
Phone. 01622 758567
Post. David Fleck
3 Hayle Mill
Hayle Mill Road
ME15 6JW
VALLEY CONSERVATION SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2010
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Membership is £2 per year (or 50p for young people aged 14 to 18). Send your application form and your cheque made payable to Valley Conservation Society to:
Colin Holman, Membership Secretary, Flat 3, The Manor,
Hayle Place, Cripple Street, MAIDSTONE, ME15 6DW
or contact David Fleck 01622 758567 for collection.
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If you are able to play an active role in the Society, tick the box you are interested in:
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