Planning application for change of use on former Abbeyfield Society site in Riverhead has been withdrawn

APPLICATION WITHDRAWN: The planning application SE 19/02127/FUL for change of use of the former St Mary’s Abbeyfield at 15 The Glebefield from residential assisted living to a house of multiple occupancy has been withdrawn.

PARKLAND WORKING PARTY: The next Working Party will be held on Wednesday 12 February from 9.30 -11.30am when the regular group of Riverhead Parish Councillors and local residents would welcome more volunteers to join them. The village is very fortunate to have this beautiful area in but more helpers are now needed to keep it looking good. Tools and refreshments are provided but do come appropriately clad, including sturdy footwear and gardening gloves. He work is not arduous and you will get plenty of fresh air and good company. The group meets at the entrance to the Parkland off St Mary’s Drive at 9.30am. Just turn up or why not take a stroll through the Parkland that morning to see what goes on? More information on the Parish Council website (contact details below).

SPEEDWATCH: Riverhead Parish Council would welcome more volunteers for the Speedwatch initiative. Participants give up around two hours a month to help keep Riverhead roads safe.  Full training is given and sessions can fit around your availability. For more information or an informal chat with the local Speedwatch co-ordinator, contact Parish Councillor Shirley Stewart at: shirleyannstewart@aol.com or phone 07710 553977. Speedwatch is a nationwide safety initiative using approved speed detection devices to monitor the speed of vehicles.  The primary aim is to slow traffic down and to educate drivers. Details of vehicles exceeding the speed limit are noted and referred to the Police.  There then follows a letter from the Police warning the driver that they have exceeded the speed limit and the consequences of speeding.  Excessive speed and repeat offenders may be prosecuted.

SENIORS’ COFFEE MORNING: The first coffee morning of the New Year was held at The Bullfinch pub on Thursday 30 January. These were set up last autumn by Riverhead Parish Council and take place on the last Thursday of each month between between 10-11.30am. They have proved very successful and the Bullfinch really does make everyone feel most welcome. Excellent coffee (or tea), biscuits and cake for £3. Easy free parking too. If you feel that you would enjoy some company do go along. Or if you know someone in Riverhead who you think might benefit from attending these coffee mornings, do let them know about this venture. More information available from Riverhead Parish Council (see contact details at the foot of this column).

GROW YOUR OWN: Two allotment plots are available in the Broadmead Allotment Garden located between Heathfield Rd and Hawthorn Lane in Riverhead. Anyone interested in growing their own veg in 2020 should contact the Parish Clerk (details below). More information on the Parish Council website – click on the allotments link on the home page.

NEW COUNCILLOR SOUGHT: Ross Carmichael stepped down as a Riverhead Parish Councillor at a December meeting and was thanked for all his hard work serving on the Communications and Open Spaces Committees and contribution to the Parkland working parties.

If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor for Riverhead or would like more information contact the Parish Clerk (see details below). Or go along to the next Riverhead Parish Council meeting on Monday 20 January to see what goes on.

CHIPSTEAD WI The next meeting of Chipstead WI, which always welcomes Riverhead residents, will be on Tuesday 11 February when the talk will be about photography. ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’ is being presented by Glyn Bareham. The competition will be for a local snow scene photograph and the sales table theme will be house plants. The venue, as always, is Chevening Parish Hall, Homedean Rd, Chipstead (TN13 2RU), starting at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to go along to a meeting (second Tuesday in each month).For more information about Chipstead WI, which holds monthly meetings featuring interesting speakers and also other events and outings, call Janet Sharp on 01732 452715 or email: barjansharp@tiscali.co.uk.

WILDLIFE DATES: Spring events at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (off Bradbourne Vale Rd) include Nature Explorers (for 2-8 year olds) on Friday 21 February during half term. The Nature Tots weekly playgroup also continues. The reserve is open (free) dawn until dusk every day. Until March 31 the Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm. For more information about events at the reserve see www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Riverhead’s 2020 Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday 23 April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. This is your chance to hear what the Parish Council (the most local level of local government) has been doing over the last year and to ask questions. It is also a social occasion with a chance to chat afterwards over refreshments. Every household in Riverhead will receive an invitation over the coming weeks.

PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS: The Parish Clerk has an office at Riverhead Village Hall which is open to visitors Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am – 12.30pm. Messages are picked up frequently at other times. You can call Riverhead Parish Council on 01732 461278 any time or email clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk. The Riverhead Parish Council website is at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

You can also keep up to date with local events by following Riverhead Parish Council on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish. The Village Hall and the Committee Room are available to hire for parties and meetings.

The Riverhead village news is compiled by Maggie Miles. If you have any news or events you would like her to consider for the My Sevenoaks Community village column you can email it to her at: maggiejmiles@gmail.com