Time to give Riverhead a spring clean – can you help on Saturday 21 March?

SPRING CLEAN: As part of the Great British Spring Clean, which runs from 20 March to 13 April, there will be a Riverhead working party on the morning of Saturday 21 March at 9.30-11.30am to pick up litter and clear weeds in the village. Everyone welcome to help. Meet at Alison’s Garden (next to the main car park). Make sure to wear suitable footwear and clothing and do bring any brooms and tools which might be useful. Some tools and also refreshments will be provided.

EVERY STEP COUNTS: Residents are invited to take part in an easy level walk led and supported by volunteers starting at 10am every Tuesday. The meeting point is outside Tesco and the walks are followed by refreshments donated by the supermarket. For more information see the link on the Riverhead Parish Council website (see below).

WILDLIFE EVENTS: Upcoming events at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre include a study day on Amphibian Ecology and Survey Techniques on Saturday 7 March, a talk on Pond Life in Your Garden on Monday 16 March and a Beebomb Making Workshop on Saturday 21 March. For more information and to book visit: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

VE DAY 75: Does anyone have an old military uniform they could lend? The Parish Council would like to put on a display in the old red phone box in The Square as part of the 75 years commemoration of VE Day in May. If you can help, do contact the Parish Clerk (see below).

RIVERHEAD PARKLAND: The next monthly Parkland Working Party will be held on Wednesday 11 March from 9.30 -11.30am when the regular volunteer group of Riverhead Parish Councillors and local residents would welcome you to join them. Tools and refreshments are provided but do come appropriately clad, including sturdy footwear and gardening gloves. 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).
RIVERHEAD IN BLOOM: Riverhead is a past winner of a silver award in the South and South East in Bloom competition (see https://www.sseib.com/). Is there anyone out there who would be interested in organising an entry this year? (This really needs to be a community initiative.) If so, do contact the Parish Clerk (see below).

COUNCILLOR SOUGHT: Riverhead Parish Council is still seeking a new councillor and someone with an interest in the Riverhead Parkland would be particularly welcome (although this is not essential). If you would like to help to keep Riverhead a good place to live, contact the Parish Clerk (see below) to find out more. The Parish Council owns and runs the village hall, the parkland and two areas of allotments. It is also involved in highways matters, is a consultee on planning applications and does a whole lot more! The next meeting of the Parish Council, which everyone is always welcome to attend, is on March 16 at 7.30 pm in the committee room at the village hall. The Annual Parish Meeting will be at 7.30 on Thursday 23 April in the Village Hall.

CHIPSTEAD WI: The next meeting of Chipstead WI, which always welcomes Riverhead residents, will be on Tuesday 10 March when the talk will be about ‘Great Grandma’s Workbox’ presented by Jean Surrey. The competition will be for the prettiest greeting card and the sales table theme will be craft items. The venue, as always, is Chevening Parish Hall, Homedean Rd, Chipstead (TN13 2RU), starting at 8pm. 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. Everyone is welcome to go along to a meeting (second Tuesday in each month).

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