Historic tree in Riverhead denied preservation order because of its poor state
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS: Sevenoaks District Council had declined to issue a Tree Preservation Order for the historic cedar tree at the junction of Brittains Lane and Lyndhurst Drive on the grounds that it is in too poor a state.
This was reported at the first meeting of the new session at Riverhead Parish Council on 21 May when Irene Collins was re-elected as Chairman with Clive Himsworth and Chris Kennett as Deputy Chairmen. All allotments are now let.
The council thanked local resident Mr Fraser who offered at the Annual Parish Meeting to take over the keeping up of the village scrap books.
Volunteers are still wanted to help run Speedwatch to try to reduce the speed of traffic through the village – if you are interested in helping, even if only occasionally, contact Caroline, the Parish Clerk, on 01732 461278 or at clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk or via the Parish Council website at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk. A training evening for Speedwatch will be taking place shortly.
Plans by Chevening Parish Council to install a children’s playground on Chipstead Common (which lies within Chevening Parish, not Riverhead) have been put on hold for the time being.
HOLMESDALE CRICKET CLUB: The club, based on a beautiful ground at the top of Worship’s Hill in Riverhead offers competitive and social cricket for men and junior cricket for boys and girls. Matches are played on Saturday and Sundays from April to September. The 1st and second teams play in the Premier Division and Division One of the Kent Cricket League and the 3rd team in the Kent Regional Cricket League. There is also a Sunday Development league for U21s. Spectators always welcome! Holmesdale claims to have the largest junior section in Sevenoaks and offers cricket for girls and boys of all abilities and ages including four weeks of Summer Cricket Camp during the school holidays. For more information and to sign up see www.holmesdalecricketclub.co.uk.
HOLMESDALE BOWLING CLUB: The 2018 outdoor bowling season is under way at Holmesdale Bowling Club, next door to the cricket club, which always welcomes new members including beginners. For more information see their website at www.holmesdalebowls.btck.co.uk or phone the Secretary Mrs Brenda Bennett on 01732 835608.
WILDLIFE EVENTS: The Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (off Bradbourne Vale Rd TN13 3DH) is holding two sessions of pond dipping for children on Friday 1 June. Booking is essential and children under 16 must be accompanied – see below for booking details On Wednesday 6 June there is a study day for absolute beginners on identifying wild flowers. In the afternoon on the same day and the morning of Sunday June 17 there are orchid walks – these are always very popular so once again, booking is essential. For more information about these and other events and to book see www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events. The reserve with its walks around the lakes is open free every day from dawn until dusk. The Visitor Centre and its café is now open seven days a week from 10 am to 5pm.
OUTDOOR THEATRE: The ever-popular Pantaloons Theatre Company will be returning to the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on the evening of Friday 13 July to perform Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest. The promotional material says: ‘This energetic and musical production from the critically acclaimed Pantaloons infuses Wilde’s witty words with snappy new songs and frantically funny physical theatre to give this perennially popular play a hilarious contemporary twist’. This is an outdoor theatre production so take your own seating and a picnic. Refreshments will also be available from the visitor centre cafe. More information at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events. Booking is essential via the Pantaloons website www.thepantaloons.co.uk/shows/.For information only call 01622 662012.
RIVERHEAD CARNIVAL: A date for your diary. This year’s Carnival, held on Chipstead Common and once again organised by 3rd Sevenoaks Scout Group, will take place on Sunday 16 September 16.
