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The next Parish Council meeting is at 8pm Tuesday on 6 April 2010 in the Lounge at the Community Centre.  Please come along and let your views be heard!

 

At our March meeting, PCSO Stevens reported that there has been a spate of burglaries in the Parish.  Please report anything suspicious to the Police on 690690, or dial 999 if intruders are in the area.  In the meantime, please remember to lock doors and windows to deter thieves.

 

KCC Cllr Gary Cooke can assist with the appeals process if any parents are unhappy with the secondary school place that has been allocated to their child.  His contact details can be found on the ‘contacts’ page of this website.

 

Spring Clean - it’s that time of year when we all start thinking about sprucing up our homes so why not our Parish?  Everyone is invited to take part in our Spring Clean on Saturday 10 April at 10.00am until 11.30am.  Come along to the Community Centre and please wear suitable outdoor shoes and clothing - everything else will be provided.  It’s a good chance to spend family time together whilst improving the area in which we live so if you’ve never come before why not give it a try?

 

Our annual Garden Competition will be judged during the week commencing 21 June 2010 - there is no need to ‘enter’ as all houses will be judged.  Make sure your garden is looking in tip-top condition if you’re keen!

 

Parking in Deringwood Drive.  The snow caused many problems across the Parish but conditions were not helped by the number of vehicles parking in Deringwood Drive.  The Parish Council understand the reasons for some residents needing access in/out of the estate during inclement weather and the difficulty in getting in and out of individual side roads but... PLEASE PARK CONSIDERATELY!  With so many vehicles double parking it was very difficult to get along Deringwood Drive and Kent Police had to contact some car owners so be prepared for a call!  Some cars were abandoned well after the side roads became passable so please move your cars back as soon as possible and repair any damage you may have done - some of the verges are now badly rutted and muddy as a result.

 

Arriva experienced difficulty in driving through Deringwood Drive during the snow with the parked cars.  They were very close to withdrawing the Downswood part of the Number 8 service which would have terminated at Madginford as a result.  The Parish Council is anxious not to lose this lifeline (the only transport for many residents) and would ask again that other residents park sensibly on Deringwood Drive if they have to do so.

 

Downswood Christmas Lights - an early diary date for those of you keen to attend the ‘big switch on’!  Friday December 3rd at 7pm 2010 is the date to note.  We have been assured that this year the problems with the bulbs will be rectified and look forward to an excellent display of our low-energy festive motifs at Christmas.

 

David Marchant’s latest newsletter.  

 

 

THE KENT INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY PUBLIC INQUIRY HAS NOW FINISHED!  Maidstone Borough Council’s website gives more information but a big thank you to all of you who attended the inquiry when you could.  The number of people attending each day was noted and showed how strong the opposition really is.  Cllrs Cheesman and Butler spoke personally at the inquiry and Downswood was also represented by the Joint Parishes Group.  The Planning Inspector visited Downswood as a result of this action.  If you wish to keep track of any developments whilst the Inspector deliberates, visit www.stopkig.org to see what’s happening.

 

Downswood Parish Council formed part of the Joint Parish Group fighting against the Kent International Gateway.  Now that the Inquiry is over, the minutes from these meetings can now be made public.  To view these documents, click here.

 

Downswood Parish Council’s winter newsletter.

 

 

Downswood Parish Council has been fortunate enough to obtain one of the Kent Messenger 150th Anniversary trees.  This was planted on 16 October 2009 at the top of Murrain Drive by Parish Chairman Roz Cheesman and Tree Warden David Nuttall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Len Valley Walk Guide Book is being sold at the Spires shops.

 

Residents’ books currently for sale at the Spires shops include Memoirs of an Ordinary Woman by Margaret Knight and The Impractical Guide to Having Babies by Stik.

 

Arriva weekly and monthly bus passes are for sale at the Spires Convenience Store for standard fares only.

 

Also available are MBC Green Garden Waste Sacks.