Riverhead applies for support to introduce more wildlife, trees and bulbs to village parkland

PARKLAND NEWS: While we are having to take walks and exercise closer to home during the pandemic, many are taking advantage of the lovely open space of the Riverhead Parkland in the centre of the village. While observing current restrictions, volunteers continue with maintenance such as mending fences and improving paths which were particularly muddy last winter.

Meanwhile Riverhead Parish Council (which owns the Parkland) has applied for a grant from Enovert Community Trust to enable increased biodiversity of this area, in line with Government policy.

If successful there is a project to put up 20 bird boxes and plant three rowan trees for winter, 4,000 bulbs (mainly crocus and daffodils to provide spring nectar), crab apple trees for food for wildlife, and buddleia copses for butterflies. A decision should be made by early May as to whether this application has been successful. Thanks go to Councillor Clive Himsworth who once again has been instrumental in making this application.

SUPPORT LOCAL SHOPS: The three village centre food shops: Batchelor’s Butchers, Londis and Sai Convenience Store remain are still open at time of writing and have been working hard to make sure they have supplies of milk, bread, meat, fruit and veg and other fresh food as well as all their usual stock. Please support them.

ST MARY’S CHURCH: The church is currently sadly closed but lots of information can be found on their web-site at www.stmaryriverhead.co.uk including contacts and details about online worship services led by Licensed Lay Minister (and Riverhead resident) Daphne Harrison. There are also links to other resources and listings of services available on the BBC. A link to the St Mary’s Weekly Newsletter provides community notices as well as bible readings and prayers for each Sunday.

WILDLIFE RESERVE: Although the Visitor Centre near Riverhead is closed, the 73 hectare Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (off Bradbourne Vale Road TN13 3DH) remains open from dawn to dusk every day. Entry is free. Remember to maintain social distancing on the paths and that no dogs are allowed (except guide dogs) because of the wildlife. No bikes either. For more information about the history of the reserve and the variety of wild life there, especially birds, see: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

RIVERHEAD PARISH COUNCIL: New legislation allows Parish Councils to hold meetings remotely during the pandemic and an agenda for the next Riverhead Parish Council meeting on Monday, 20 April can be found on the village noticeboards and at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk the week before the meeting. Please do contact the Clerk by email: clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk if you have an issue to raise at the meeting.

The office at the Village Hall is not open to visitors at present so if you are unable to use email be assured that the clerk will continue to check for telephone messages (01732 461278) and post when possible on the normal working days Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the morning for telephone messages. You can find more information and some useful links on the council website at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

You can also keep up to date by following ‘Riverhead Parish Council’ on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish. For the whole of this period of uncertainty, Riverhead Parish Council will continue to endeavour to help you, and would appreciate your patience if it takes a bit longer to get back to you.

FRAUD WARNING: Riverhead Parish Council strongly advises that anyone receiving offers of support – such as to do their shopping – from someone they don’t know should confirm that the volunteer is a genuine neighbour and not a fraudster.

VOLUNTEERS: If you want to volunteer to help others in your community with shopping or other small tasks during the Coronavirus outbreak (or alternatively if you yourself need help) you can register on the Sevenoaks District Council website at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk Or if you don’t have internet, phone 01732 227000.

NEWS WANTED: Obviously there are no organised events to report at present. But if you have any items of local interest or (preferably good!) news, however small the village correspondent would be pleased to hear from you, preferably by email. The contact details are below.

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