Volunteers clear up River Darent by historic bridge and cattle screen in Farningham – and Eynsford wins another gold in South East Bloom competition

RIVER CLEAR UP: ‘Friends of Farningham’ volunteers recently did a fantastic job clearing the river bank of weeds and reeds between the river bridge and the cattle screen outside The Lion Hotel (see before and after photos).

The clear up was prompted by complaints of how bad it looked in a post on the ‘Eynsford and Farningham Massive’ Facebook page.

Farningham Parish Council Clerk Jane Gray obtained permission from the Environmental Agency for people to work in the River Darent after which a poster and email campaign helped to gather support for the clear up.

• Congratulations to Eynsford which has won a gold award in the South and South East in Bloom competition for the fourth year running

ELECTION RESULTS: Conservative candidate, Brian Carroll, was recently elected in a Sevenoaks District Council by-election for Farningham, Horton Kirby and South Darenth. The full results were: Brian Carroll (Conservative) 542 votes; Krish Shanmuganathan (Liberal Democrats) 260 votes; Emily Hannah Aisher (Labour) 171 votes. For more information, visit: www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/currentelections

MILLFIELD TRUST ANNUAL QUIZ is being held on Friday 28 September at Farningham Village Hall, 7.30pm start. Tables of six at £6 per person can be booked with Ken Baker on 01322 863069.

AXSTANE PLAYERS: The upcoming dinner theatre presentation of Murder at The Movies on Friday 12 October and Saturday 13 October has proved so popular that both nights are now sold out.

RIVERSIDE PLAYERS are performing Leave it to Psmith! on 19, 20, 26, & 27 October at 7.45pm in Eynsford Village Hall. For booking details see www.RiversidePlayers.co.uk

POLYCHOR welcomes new members and is now rehearsing, every Wednesday evening at Anthony Roper School at 7.45pm, for their next concert on Saturday, 17 November, in Farningham Church. Tenors and Bases especially welcome, no auditions, for more information contact Frank Rogers 01322 862519

FARNINGHAM & EYNSFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY: There are still tickets available to see a Second World War film of Eynsford 1939-1945, with some Farningham footage, by Norah Penwarden on Friday 21 September at Eynsford Village Hall. Norah’s film shows local daily life in the war – erecting air-raid shelters; gas masks; the Home Guard; Riverside bomb; Sparepenny Lane Observation Post and much more. It ends with the Peace Celebrations. Doors open 7.30pm, film at 8pm. Refreshments will be available and there will also be historical items on display. Members free/non-members £2.

PANSY PARADE CHARITY QUILT FOR OVARIAN CANCER: The group made £568 with sales and donations during the recent Heavy Horse Show at Shoreham. That brings the grand total raised over the year to £3,340.