School plea
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suggested that a new roof would be enough for the centre to carry on. ABC had indicated that this would cost about £100,000. Cllr Clarkson said the building was not fit for purpose and the council would not fund its repair. He said a temporary building could be provided while a new centre was built. County councillor Elizabeth Tweed said it was not just a matter of replacing the roof, energy efficiency was needed and a new building could provide better facilities. Daniel Scarsbrook, ABC building surveyor, said options for the site were: Do nothing and let activities carry on for as long as they can; Sell the site and leave it in the hands of a developer; ABC keeps the land and regenerates it in a self-financing way. This would mean building homes on part of the site to be sold on the open market. The first meeting of the Bockhanger Community Development Site steering group was held on 16 January. Members are: Derek Standing (chair); Jenny and Tony Blunt, Pat Boorman, Pauline Colvin, Mick Hubert, Sunny Dhandra, Yvonne Pucknell, Lee Robinson and Chris Morley. It will also include a councillor and a youth representative. TOWERS Youth Club programme: 7 Feb: Bowling trip, 14 Feb: HALF TERM: 21 Feb: Eating habits; 28 Feb: Board games; 6 Mar: Effects of smoking; 13 Mar: Red Nose day; 20 Mar: Table tennis competition; 27 Mar: Ski-ing at Gillingham. The club meets in the Community Hall Trinity Road Thurs 6.30-8.30pm.
Defending in style HYUNG Je Martial Arts, Ashford’s new Tae Kwon Do club meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Kennington Junior School. Instructors Neil Emerton and Amar Mashru (above) — both 2nd degree black belts — specialise in traditional ITF style Tae Kwon Do and selfdefence. Classes are for all ages (six years and upwards) and abilities, with separate classes for children and adults to cater for individual requirements. Neil said: “The club prides itself on its family friendly
atmosphere which provides a positive, safe and controlled environment for children, teenagers and adults to learn one of the world's most popular martial arts.” Amar recently returned from Germany where he represented England, for the second year running, at the WKA World championships. Further details can be found on their website www.hyungje.org. Contact the instructors on 07938 818 797 or e-mail amar@hyungje.org or neil@hyungje.org. Your first lesson is free!
JOIN THE BIRDWATCHERS ASHFORD Birdwatchers’ Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the WI Hall, Faversham Road, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. After a short introduction about local birds, there is usually an illustrated presentation about birds in the UK or further afield. A charge of £3
includes coffee and biscuits. Most months there are bird watching field excursions with knowledgeable leaders. Everyone is welcome; it doesn’t matter how much or how little you know about birds. For more details call Heather Silk on 01233 637067
THE plan to open a new comprehensive school in the old Wye College campus has suffered a double blow. The government has changed the way of measuring criteria for the school and the deadline for submitting the bid has been brought forward to 24 February. Margaret Williams, chair of the Wye Free School committee, said: “Our previous work needs to be repeated in a very short time. We urgently need parents to complete a new questionnaire.” The aim is to open the school in September 2013 for Year 7 growing in time for up to 600 pupils. See the questionnaire at www.futureofwyecollege.com SURE STEPS Children’s Centre has just celebrated three years in Kennington. The “Fun and Free” centre supports families and works closely with schools, health visitors, social services and ABC housing. Coming up are money management courses, gardening sessions and paediatric first aid. If you have children aged 0-5 years call 01233 624857 NEW HAYESBANK surgery is still actively using the Choose and Book service that allows you to select a hospital or clinic when referred for treatment by a GP. The list includes private hospitals as well as NHS providers and you can choose the date and time of your first appointment. Any follow up appointments will be at the same hospital. Kennington News is published quarterly. Editor Robin Britcher, 01233 634410 kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk
@kenningtonnews
YOUR KENNINGTON CONTACTS COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Elizabeth Tweed (Ashford Central) 01233 714689 elizabeth.tweed@kent.gov.uk Andrew Wickham (Ashford Rural East) 01233 840902 andrew.wickham@kent.gov.uk ASHFORD BOROUGH COUNCILLORS: Kennington: Philip Sims 01233 627603 philip.sims01@gmail.com Facebook: Kennington Ward in Ashford. Twitter@CllrPJFSims Bockhanger: Michael Claughton 01233 635969 michael.claughton@ntlworld.com Bybrook: Andrew Buchanan 01233 627696 andrewjohnbuchanan@hotmail.com Little Burton: Marion Martin 01233 628811 marionmartin168 @btinternet.com NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICERS: Kennington: PC Mandy Surgenor 07772 226133 Bybrook and Little Burton: PCSO Nikki Relf 07772 226206 Eureka Park, Bockhanger, Trinity Rd area: PCSO Selina Lawrence 07772 226098 POLICE INCIDENT LINE: 01622 690690 KENT HIGHWAYS: 08458 247800 ASHFORD PARKING SERVICES: 01233 330641 REV. RICHARD KING: 01233 623334
NEW HAYESBANK SURGERY: 01233 624642 Mon 8.15am–8pm; Tues 8.15am–6pm; Wed 7am–6pm; (Closed 1st Wed pm of each month for training) Thurs 7am–6pm; Fri 8.15am–6pm (pm emergencies). KENNINGTON FORUM: Chris Morley, chair, 01233 611196 chris.f.morley@gmail.com. Sandra Dunn, secretary, 01233 634165 sandradunn@sky.com.