Flowers in Riverhead are lovely – but there will be no hanging baskets this summer

SUMMER FLOWERS: The pansies around the village were lovely all winter, but it is great to see summer geraniums now brightening up the village centre. Thanks as always go to Riverhead Parish Council for organising these. Residents may have noticed that there are no hanging baskets on the lamp posts this year. This is because Kent Highways (who own the lamp posts on the A roads through the village) required that these be individually stress-tested to ascertain that they could support the weight. The charge for this would have been considerable and the council did not feel the expense could be justified.

CRICKET FIXTURES: There are matches most Saturdays and Sundays at the picturesque Holmesdale Cricket Club ground at the top of Worships Hill and spectators are welcome. The Holmesdale club was established in 1840 and provides cricket for all ages and abilities. The club boasts three senior sides on a Saturday (two of which are in the Kent Cricket League) and a Sunday Development side. In addition to this, Holmesdale has the largest junior section in the area with many county and district coaches. A high proportion of junior players go onto represent the county and district.

For more information about the club see www.holmesdalecricketclub.co.uk

For fixtures and results see www.holmesdale.play-cricket.com/

HOLIDAY WILDLIFE FUN: On Friday mornings 2, 9 and 16 August there will be Nature Explorer sessions at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve for children aged 2-8 featuring Forest School based activities. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to have fun together, exploring the beautiful woodland reserve and trying a variety of bush craft and arty activities. Booking is essential and for more information about these and other events see www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

The reserve with its walks around the lakes is open to everyone every day, dawn until dusk and the Visitor Centre is open every day 10am – 5pm. There is ample parking but please note that no dogs are allowed, except assistance dogs, because of the wildlife.

RIVERHEAD PARISH COUNCIL: The Parish Council will not be meeting in August so the next monthly meeting will be on 16 September. The Parish Clerk has an office (open Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm) at the village hall and phone messages and emails are picked up regularly at other times. The village hall and the committee room are available to hire for meetings and parties. More about Riverhead Parish Council and its responsibilities as the most local rung of local government at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

HOW TO CONTACT RIVERHEAD PARISH COUNCIL: You can phone Riverhead Parish Council on 01732 461278 or email clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk

The Riverhead Parish Council website is at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk and you can also keep up to date with local events by following ‘Riverhead Parish Council’ on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish