MAIDSTONE
BOROUGH COUNCIL - CONTACT NUMBER
Did you know that you can now contact the Maidstone Borough Council
outside of normal hours. All MBC customers are now able to report all
emergencies to a single number on (01622) 602243.
This single landline will be cheaper as well as more convenient for
customers. All calls to this number will be routed directly to the Housing
Call and Repair Centre, which operates 24 hours a day. The team has
been trained to deal with all likely calls.
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL - POLLUTION CONTROL
Did you know that the MBC have issued a Guidance Note on the storage,
movement and use of poultry manure.
There have been many plagues of flies affecting properties within the
Borough of Maidstone over the past few years. These flies have caused
immense distress and disruption to the lives of local residents.
Investigations have shown that most of this nuisance has been due to
the inadequate treatment and lack of control over the disposal, storage
and dispersal of poultry manure.
In order to prevent further nuisance the Council have drawn up this
Guidance Note in consultation with the Industry, to clarify the responsibilities
of any person involved in the production, treatment, carriage, storage
and disposal of poultry manure.
For the purposes of the Guidance Note the word flies includes flies,
eggs and larvae of flies.
1) The producer should ensure that all possible measures are taken to
ensure that manure is free from flies or their larvae whilst in storage
prior to removal.
2) Operators must ensure that the movement of poultry manure is carried
out so as to minimise all nuisances. This may include the covering of
trailers, but must include the removal of any waste falling onto the
highway during transit.
3) Unless used to top dress pasture or standing crops all poultry manure
should be deep ploughed into land within 48 hours of its arrival on
site. Recent experience has shown that incorporating the manure with
heavy discs is not sufficient to prevent emergence of flies.
4) Poultry manure should not be stockpiled near watercourses, including
ponds, ditches and rivers or close to domestic dwellings or business
premises. All stockpiles should be monitored regularly and covered with
black polythene, suitably weighed down whenever there is an imminent
risk of flies living and breeding on the stockpile.
This Guide will assist in the prevention of fly infestations. Failure
to follow it may be used as evidence in any enforcement action. For
further information please contact the Maidstone Borough Council Pollution
Section on (01622) 602202.
THE LATE REV. TREVOR VICKERY - MEMORIAL
WINDOW
Did you know that a memorial window is now installed in the Parish Church
of All Saints dedicated to the late Reverend Trevor Vickery, Rector
of Staplehurst from his installation on 21st December 1951 to his retirement
on 29th September 1991, the longest serving Rector since the establishment
of the Rectorship in 1245. 'For what he achieved in this Parish, we
give thanks today'. So said the then Rector of Staplehurst, Canon Brian
Barnes, when dedicating the Memorial Window at a special Advent Sunday
service in the Parish Church of All Saints on 2nd December 2001. Trevor
was affectionately known as Trev the Rev and was a very proud Welshman.
The window, with its Welsh theme, has in the centre light, St David,
Patron Saint of Wales, with other Welsh symbols, including the dragon,
daffodil and leek. The arms of the Vickery family and that of HMS Conway,
the training ship to which Trev the Rev gave wartime service as Chaplain,
are in other areas of the window. Created by local stained glass artists,
Keith and Judy Hill, from a design brief provided by the Vickery family,
this is the third memorial window they have made for the Parish Church
in Staplehurst, all situated on the south wall of the South Aisle. Funding
for the memorial came from the Vickery family, donations from Parishioners,
friends and the Parochial Church Council.
KENT MESSENGER - VILLAGE CORRESPONDENT &
WEB SITE
Did you know that you can read all about Staplehurst on the Kent Messenger
kent-online website? Go to http://www.kent-online.co.uk/
for the latest news contributed by the KM Village Correspondent Ron
Hegarty who can be contacted HERE.
BRATTLE FARM - MUSEUM
Did you know that in Staplehurst there is a magnificent display of historic
farm equipment used in the 20th Century and before? Did you know that
at the same place there is a museum containing many artefacts from Staplehurst's
past? You will find these at a working farm, itself having a 14th century
moated farm house, at Brattle Farm, Five Oak Lane.
The farm is owned by Brian and Anita Thompson and is open to the public,
but you do have to make your visit in an organised group by appointment.
Group organisers can contact Anita and Brian on (01580) 891222 to arrange
a visit in the evening or at a weekend, on any day throughout the year.
McCABE DAY CENTRE - HEARING AID ASSISTANCE
Did you know that trained volunteers are available to check, clean and
re-tube hearing aids, supply batteries and to give advice and information.
This service is provided at McCabe Centre, McCabe Close, Staplehurst
on the first Thursday of each month between 14:00 and 16:00.
If you cannot get to the above clinic and would like a home visit please
contact Volunteer Co-ordinator, Hi Kent, 18 Brewer Street, Maidstone,
Kent. Tel. (01622) 691151.
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL - HOME INSULATION
Did you know that Maidstone Borough Council is promoting a Cavity Wall
Insulation Discount Scheme with support from the Energy Savings Trust.
A special rate has been negotiated so that up to £200 of the cost of
insulating your cavity walls can be saved. In addition an extra £75
each can be saved when your home is insulated as well as that of a friend.
It is understood that discounts are also available for new boilers.
Full details of your nearest approved installer are available from Maidstone
Borough Council on: (01622) 602762.
STAPLEHURST PARISH - STREET LIGHTING
Did you know that responsibility for street columns in the parish is
shared amongst the Parish, Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County
Council? Through the annual upgrading of some of the parish streetlights
(all of which are nearing the end of their useful life) the Parish Council
is then able to pass the future responsibility of the lights onto Kent
County Council. The Parish Council is currently paying nearly £4,000
per year for Parish Street Light Energy, Maintenance and Repair costs.
Please notify the Clerk if you notice any street light that needs repairing.
By reporting to the Clerk the exact location of the column and reference
number (if it has one) will ensure speedy repair by the responsible
authority.
ROAD NAMES
Did You Know why your road names were called Oliver, Stanley, Reeves,
Pope, Jeffrey and Butcher? The Wealden Estate, built by Wimpeys, was
completed in 1973 just as the County Primary School was celebrating
its centenary. It fell to the Parish Council to give the road names
- and those of Head Teachers and others associated with the school over
the past century were approved.
MARTYR'S MEMORIAL - CUCKOLD'S CORNER
Did You Know that the Memorial at Cuckold's Corner, the traffic-light
junction of the A229 with Marden and Headcorn Roads, is not the Village
War Memorial, as some may think? It is a memorial to the Marian Martyrs
burnt at the stake for supposed witchcraft and other misdemeanours,
in the oppressive days of Queen Mary. It was placed on land donated
by Mr W. Brooks in April 1905. It consists of 16 tons of Aberdeen granite,
has a commemorative bronze plaque in place at its base mounting and
is rail fenced. Since 1978 the memorial has been cared for by the Staplehurst
Society, who carry out annual cleaning, in conjunction with the National
Providence Alliance.
PUBLIC HOUSES
Did You Know that Staplehurst once had a public house for each day of
the week? There were seven pubs along the main road, of which only four
still exist as public houses. From Station Road there was the South
Eastern Hotel (now converted to apartments), The Railway Tavern, The
Royal Oak (now The Pride of Kent), The Crown (a coaching inn now converted
to private dwellings), The Kings Head, The Bell Hotel and The Lamb on
Church Hill (now a private residence).
AN ORIGINAL PARISH COUNCIL
Did You Know that Staplehurst Parish Council is one of the original
Parish Councils, founded in December 1894? During its existence and
still flourishing, to provide the best for the residents of Staplehurst,
it has had only 15 Chairmen, including three ladies. It is, perhaps,
unique in that only 9 Clerks to the Parish Council have served since
the creation of the Parish Council in 1894. The longest serving Clerk
was the first, Mr Thomas Reeve, who gave 37 years to his duties. The
shortest period was one meeting attending by a Mr Curtis, who demanded
payment much more than the Council of the day would provide! The present
holder of the office is Sue Bassett.
A229 - TRAFFIC CONTROL
Did You Know that traffic control at Cuckold's Corner (A229 junction
with Marden and Headcorn Roads) has been the subject of request since
traction engines first used the village streets around 1895? In 1923
Kent County Council were asked to place a "Danger" signal north and
south of the main road. Traffic Stop signs were requested of KCC in
1934 considering the number of accidents experienced at the crossroad.
Double yellow parking restriction lines were put in place in 1968. A
traffic survey carried out in January 1979 did not justify provision
of traffic lights at the junction. When the Lime Trees development was
first applied for in Mid 1990, the Parish Council insisted that, as
part of the planning approval, the developers had to provide and pay
for traffic control at the cross road. Traffic lights came into operation
at the end of the summer of 1999.
Handyvan & Homesafe Services
These services are financially support by KCC and provide
security services to households across the County. Services are generally provided
free of charge, although in some cases a small charge will be made.
There are currently
5 Handyvans and 5 Homesafe Vans working across Kent. They provide and fit a range
of safety and security products and various other services in clients' homes. The
services are delivered in partnership with Help the Aged and In Touch (Hyde Housing).
Kent Fire & Rescue and Kent Police also contribute equipment and resources.
Homesafe offer free security fitting services for victims of burglary or household
crime. The Handyvan service is delivered in partnership with Help the Aged and is
primarily aimed at the over 60's, on low incomes where no charges are made for labour
or products installed. The range of products include:
- Security Locks
- Carbon Monoxide
Detectors
- Smoke Alarms
To arrange an appointment with your local fitter or for more
information,
please telephone 01255 473999 or email handyvan@hta.org.uk. Web www.helptheaged.org.uk.