Mon, 8 Mar 2010 18:45:15 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/ Village News en-gb http://www.plaxtol.com/village/images/logo.gif http://www.plaxtol.com/village/ gary.starling@btinternet.com http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article117.html Minutes of the Plaxtol WI March 2010 Business Meeting are in the WI Village society section Mon, 8 Mar 2010 18:45:15 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article116.html Dogs and their owners – Over the Christmas holiday I took a walk from Weybridge on the Thames to Godalming in Surrey, following the towpath of the Wey navigation. During the course of the walk I became a little annoyed with dogs, or perhaps I should more accurately say with their owners. Several things caused this, firstly not everyone is happy to have large salivating dogs running towards them barking, not everyone is happy to be jumped up at and have the resulting mud and muck all over their clothes. Then there was the young family with two small children, one of whom fell over and ended up in a pile of dog mess, which got in his hair and all over his hands. On my way home that evening I called into see some friends who were bemoaning the fact that their son had ended up in a similar pile while playing rugby on a school playing field. On returning to work several days later I found myself dealing with an incident of livestock worrying by dogs, which left six sheep dead. Responsibility among some dog owners seems to be an issue, lets hope a more responsible attitude will evolve. Perhaps it could be a new years resolution. Now to move onto something else – for those of you who live in Borough Green and Platt you may have been aware of a number of house Burglaries in the run up to Christmas. A couple of offenders were caught making off from a burglary in West Malling and at the time of writing this article, one has been charged with burglary with a further 18 offences to be taken into consideration. These offences were committed in Borough Green, Platt, West Malling and the Sevenoaks areas. He was not a local man and should now be out of circulation for a number of years. Great news to start off the new year. Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green 8024@kent.pnn.police.uk Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:07:04 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article115.html For the last few months I have had difficulty finding anywhere to shop without my senses being bombarded by the sound of Jingle Bells, the Snowman and large laughing Santa’s. Yes its that time of year again, Christmas is almost here. Only two sleeps to go – as one little lad told me last year when I called at his house. Well there is no need to panic and stuff the turkey in the oven just yet; there are still a few more sleeps to go to the big day. For most Christmas will be a time of fun and laughter, but for a few it will be a time of sadness and grief. Unfortunately some of that grief will be caused by the selfish and thoughtless actions of others. I am thinking in particular about the problems of drink driving. I doubt that there are many tea total office parties and as happens each year at this time people will be tempted to drive home after a night of drinking. So please if you are going to drink over the festive period leave the car at home. You don’t want to be the cause of a family sitting at a hospital bedside instead of round the dining table on Christmas day. It’s just not worth the risk and you don’t want to start off the New Year without a driving licence. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas. Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green 8024@kent.pnn.police.uk Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:59:56 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article114.html The 2010 Festival builds o­n the success of the 2008 concerts hosting a mix of jazz, choral, solo instrumental and the internationally famous. The Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling will open the first event in January with a poetry and prose recital from two of the UK’s most famous actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales and close with a recital by the international violinist Tasmin Little. Claire Jones, harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales returns, this time in a joint percussion recital. There is a jazz evening with the David Rees-Williams Piano Trio over a picnic in private gardens and a choral concert from the King’s School Canterbury’s Crypt Choir. In addition, both Claire Jones and Tasmin Little will be giving workshops at Plaxtol Primary School.[continued...click o­n title above] Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:08:53 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article113.html Theft of metal – I have written about this before and since my last article the thefts have become more ingenious and daring. The demand for and price of scrap metal has remained high and until it drops I fear that this is a problem, which will not be going away. I have visions of the offenders reading the FT with their morning cuppa and deciding what metals to target that day.We are all aware of the age-old crime of stealing lead off church roofs, a problem that has escalated over the last 12 months. What you may not be aware of are some of the other ways they now target copper and lead. Electric companies often have to take you offline if they are carrying out major work in the area, to keep you supplied with power large generators are placed in your neighbourhood. These are targeted at an alarming rate as they are connected to the grid with temporary copper cables. When the cables get stolen you lose your power. In some places electric companies have to put 24hrs security o­n the generators to stop this happening.Recently another method has come to light where the criminals are targeting roadside manholes, often in broad daylight to get at underground communications cabling. The cable will be cut at o­ne manhole and then pulled out of another several hundred yards away. To the casual passer-by someone working in a manhole with a high viz jacket o­n may not look out of place, but look again, be sure. Are there any BT or other appropriately marked company vehicles parked nearby. If a tatty looking van is pulling the cable out with its tow bar then something could be wrong.If you are at all unsure or feel that something is wrong then give the police a call and we will check it out.Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green8024@kent.pnn.police.uk Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:37:42 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article112.html Tonbrige Adult Education Centre are inviting you to find out more about what's going o­n in your local centre! There will be a wine appreciation demonstration, with free tasting, in the evening. During the day there will be demonstrations from some of the wide range of courses we offer, such as sugarcraft, dance, DIY, art, clock repair, pottery, upholstery and more! All visitors will recieve a free coffee/tea and a muffin, and can enter into the FREE PRIZE DRAW. Come along and find out what we can do for you! Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:19:10 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article111.html I recently attended a counter terrorism lecture, part of our ongoing training with regard to the problem of terrorist activities in this country. What’s that got to do with the communities served by this website I hear you cry. My answer to that is that it has everything to do with us. Terrorism is not something, which is going to go away, it affects us all. The terrorist and the cause may have changed, but what has not changed since my time as a police officer in London during the early 80’s, at the height of the IRA troubles is the need for us all to play a part in combating this problem. Terrorists may well target high profile sites in our major cities but they live and work and plan their crimes while living as our next-door neighbours, in our communities. That makes us all best placed to notice and report suspicious activity, which may be linked to terrorism. How often after an attack have people been surprised that those responsible have lived in their street, shopped in the same shops. Then all of a sudden that odd behaviour, the strange comings and goings all make sense, but it’s too late then. Last year in a parish nearby we were called to a house fire in a quiet residential street. The happy chilled out members of the fire service, refusing to use their breathing apparatus were an indication that something odd was going on, just joking, they had stumbled on a house being used to grow cannabis. All right this had nothing to do with terrorism, but it proves a point, for when we started talking to neighbours many mentioned having seen odd activity related to the property, none of which had been reported. So please if you do have concerns or suspicions let us know, don’t wait until after the attack. Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green Fri, 29 May 2009 08:22:35 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article110.html Fly tipping – It’s probably a problem we all recognise even if we are unsure of how it got its name. The Tipping bit is fairly easy and probably comes from the tilting up of a truck or container so as to discharge its contents. The Fly is perhaps a little more obscure but seems to have been slang for wide or clever. We use it to describe something, which is crafty or dishonest. Fly tipping is therefore the illegal dumping of rubbish. More often than not at the roadside, in fields, woodlands and gateways, piles of unsightly rubbish are becoming commonplace. It’s amazing what you come across; yes it was me you may have seen trying to strike up a tune on half a piano dumped in The Hurst. This is a problem, which I doubt will go away and may well become worse. We all know that landslides take place even though it’s rare to see them, much the same could be said about fly tipping, we know it’s taking place but how often do you come across it in progress. It is therefore a difficult issue to police. That said we can all play a part in reporting dumped rubbish on public or council land or on the highway to the borough Council. The prompt removal of rubbish is key to stopping an area becoming an unauthorised tip. It is also important to consider when you pay someone to clear out your garage or workshop where that rubbish will end up, be careful who you use or it could end up on the roadside. If you do see it going on please try to get the registrations of the vehicles involved and pass the information on to the Council or the police. In the long-term perhaps we need to look at the rules and regulations governing local authority tips, perhaps if it was easier and cheaper to dispose of rubbish legally there would be less of a problem with illegal dumping, but that’s just a thought. Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green Mon, 4 May 2009 19:52:44 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article109.html  Plaxtol WI - report of April 2009 Meeting.  Speaker Ela O'Farrell o­n "Polish Seasons - What's Cooking?" Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:36:30 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article108.html A plant fair will be held at Basted Farmhouse (turn right at the bottom of Plough Hill) o­n Friday 5th June 2009, from 10.30 am - 1.00 pm.  In addition to a good selection of perennial and annual plants there will be stationery and cards from Phoenix Trading.  There is ample parking in the field, and tea and coffee will be available.  All profits from the sale go to Sevenoaks Mencap, a local independently funded charity supporting those with learning difficulties in the Sevenoaks area.For further information please call Tessa Baker o­n 01732 780889 Tue, 7 Apr 2009 16:51:12 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article107.html The next Plaxtol Footpath Group Walk is o­n Sunday 10th May, and will be starting from the Plough Pub, Basted at 2pm.  Parking will be available in Bridge House Car Park (on the right at the bottom of Plough Hill).  We are aiming to walk through Basted Woodlands, up to Crouch and back along the Bourne Valley. It will take approximately two hours and could be a bit muddy and steep in places.  If you have need further information please call Tessa Baker o­n 01732 780889 Tue, 7 Apr 2009 16:50:48 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article106.html Some years ago I was visiting a friend in Holland, a country that is well known for its liberal views o­n cannabis, but I was a little surprised o­ne evening to find my friend rolling a joint which he cheerfully told me he was making to take to his grandfather in hospital. I was more concerned o­n arrival back at Stansted airport as I watched an excited drug sniffing spaniel leaping all over the bags in the baggage reclaim area as it dawned o­n me that my bag had been under the table where I had seen the joint being made, could anything have fallen in, luckily not but I looked a little nervous. [cont.] Fri, 3 Apr 2009 16:51:28 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article105.html There's still plenty of time to join the campaign.Although our active campaigning ends o­n 31 May, we still need as many residents as possible to take the Safe Lanes Driver Pledge and commit to safe, slow driving in Plaxtol.  o­nly with everyone's support can we create a local culture where driving too fast is unacceptable.  Do something for the community today - take the Safe Lanes Driver Pledge.  Go to our web page for more details.  Mon, 9 Mar 2009 13:05:14 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article104.html The latest report from Plaxtol WI can now be found in the WI section. The next meeting is in the Memorial Hall at 7.45pm o­n Thursday 5th March when Jack Wheeler will be talking about "Japanese Gardens". Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:43:08 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article103.html It is a crime, which is targeted at the more vulnerable in our communities, the elderly and the ill or disabled, those who often live alone. As I write this there have been a total of ten such crimes in the West Kent police area this year and I am sure that by the time you read this there will have been others. Two of these crimes were committed in Platt and Borough Green so they are not something that happens elsewhere, they affect us as well. The offenders will use some story to gain entry to your home; they often pretend to be an official from a gas, water or electricity company. Whatever story is given and they are many and varied its sole purpose is to get you to allow them into your home. Once inside you will be kept occupied in the kitchen filling basins of water or looking under the sink while another offender is looking for your purse or handbag. If you are asked for change for a £10 note that’s just so they can see where you keep your money. We can all think of vulnerable people in our communities who could become victims. It falls to us all to keep an eye on them, to intervene if we see them letting people into their homes. We will often be able to recognise their normal pattern of visitors, so if something looks out of place take some action, even if its just calling round to borrow some sugar, that simple action could deter the offenders and make them leave. We can also educate our family and friends, make them aware of the issues. The message we need to get across is that you do not let people into your homes unless you are sure of them. Utility companies do not usually turn up unannounced, they do not need to come into your home to turn the water off, they can do that in the road and they certainly won’t ask you to fill up buckets of water and watch the kitchen tap for blue dye to come through. Do not let these people in, if necessary leave them on the doorstep and phone a friend to come and verify who they are. We can all help in preventing this sort of crime; we can all play a part in getting this message across. It is important to act quickly if you think such a crime is taking place, phone the police and above all record details of any vehicles involved, that one registration may be so important in the bigger picture, please report anything suspicious. If you are part of a group or organisation, maybe the WI or a coffee or lunch group and you feel that the group would benefit from a visit by me to explain these issues then please get in touch on 01732 379391. Antony Wiles PC8024 8024@kent.pnn.police.uk Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:41:16 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article101.html With the departure of Andy Swanson the PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) for the parishes of Borough Green and Wrotham and the appointment of his successor Mark Thomas we have taken the opportunity to make a few changes. Mark will have responsibility for Borough Green as did his predecessor but will lose Wrotham. He will instead have a responsibility for Ightham, Platt, Plaxtol and Shipbourne, parishes which previously had no PCSO assigned to them. This is good news for Plaxtol as it means you now have a Police officer and a PCSO. What is a PCSO - they are members of the support staff employed, directed and managed by Kent Police. They work to complement and support regular police officers, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the quality of life in the community and offer greater public reassurance - you can see I've just read the manual. Once Mark has finished his training he will be out and about with me and I will be introducing him to you. Antony Wiles PC8024 - Borough Green Sun, 18 Jan 2009 10:07:58 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article100.html I can say with a fair degree of certainty that sometime over the Christmas and New Year period people will be killed or seriously injured throughout the country and possibly in this county through alcohol related crashes on our roads. Its not a nice way to start an article in this festive season, but it is an undeniable fact that a proportion of the motoring public will get behind the wheel and drive having consumed far too much alcohol. Its got to be one of the most selfish actions a person can take, in short saying that the welfare of other motorists and pedestrians does not matter. Is the inconvenience of leaving the car at home and taking a taxi that great when compared against the life and well being of others, I think not. I am sure that as in previous years there will be an increase in police activity in relation to drink/driving. It's not worth taking the risk of being caught or having a crash. Don't blight your Christmas and that of others by taking the chance. If you are going to drink leave the car at home. Christmas is about new birth, hope for the future, family and friends. it would be a shame to remember this season of good will because of an alcohol related tragedy on the roads. From the team at Borough Green police office we wish you all the best this festive season. Antony Wiles PC8024 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:18:04 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article99.html Plaxtol Local History Group has launched a project requesting the owners of Plaxtol properties to lend us their house deeds, in order that we can record for our Archives details of past owners. [continued...] Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:23:35 +0000 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article98.html Months ago, during the summer that never was, amateur photographers of all ages were encouraged to visit Basted Mill Open Space and use their skills “to capture evocatively the various moods and aspects” of the area.In all over 60 photographs were entered, and the difficult task of judging them was left to the Sevenoaks Chronicle’s chief photographer, Gary Francis.There were three categories: Adult, Secondary School, and Primary School, and finally a Winner and a Highly Commended entry were selected from each of these. Borough Green Public Library has kindly agreed to display all the entries in their entrance gallery in February 2009.Click on the title to see photographs Wed, 8 Oct 2008 18:55:03 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article97.html The web page has now been updated with the latest news about the scheme. Copies of the pledge form can be downloaded from this page. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:58:18 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article96.html There is a scam currently doing the rounds which has left a number of people feeling slightly embarrassed and more than slightly out of pocket. It starts when you advertise a car for sale and an interested party, usually via e-mail, contacts you. A price is agreed and then comes the twist. The purchaser wants the car shipped to Scotland or Ireland or some other part of the world. In order for this to be done the purchaser sends a cheque for an amount far in excess of the sale value of the car, with instructions to pay the cheque into your own bank account. You are then instructed to deduct the sale value of the car and forward the remainder to the purchaser's agent who will arrange the shipping of the car. That is the last you will see of thousands of pounds of your own money, and it is your money if you have not waited for the cheque to clear, which is just what they were hoping you would do. The warning signs are usually there, no one comes to look at the car. The value of the car does not justify the alleged shipping costs. All contact is via e-mail, the grammar and spelling of which would indicate it originated outside of the UK. Those cheques which I have seen have telltale signs, different sort codes and cheque numbers on the same cheque, no account holders details printed on the cheque or in the wrong position. The cheque is false, it will not clear but by the time you find that out its too late and you have already sent off your own money to cover the alleged shipping costs. Be aware, don't get caught out and remember - never part with your own money if it is reliant on another cheque clearing. That money is not in your account until the cheque has cleared. Antony Wiles PC8024 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:20:37 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article95.html Check your doors and windows before going to bed. We can all at times be a little absent minded and forgetful, convinced that we have done something when in fact the opposite is true. One morning last week I woke up somewhat bleary eyed to see a cat sitting on the end of my bed looking at me. It took me a while in that semi awake state to realise that I don't actually own a cat. I had left the back door open all night. [continued] Tue, 8 Jul 2008 17:46:59 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article94.html Plaxtol W.I. would like to welcome women of all ages who would like to come along to o­ne of our meetings and/or become a member.  Simply come along or contact o­ne of our committee members for more details. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:39:56 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article93.html Beauty Spot crimeWith the weather warming up and summer fast approaching there has been a visible increase in the number of people visiting Kent's beauty spots. Places like Ightham Mote, Knole Park and Oldbury Hill to mention just a few popular venues. They are great places to spend a day or just a few hours, go for a walk or visit an old historic house or scrumptious tearoom.Most visitors arrive by car, which will then be parked up and left for the duration of the visit. So often I have watched while visitors change into their walking boots and then hide their handbags and other valuables in the boot or under the tartan rug o­n the back seat. Some don't even go to the trouble of doing that and leave such items o­n display in the front foot well.If I can park up and watch visitors doing this then who else could be watching you. Criminals actively target such locations and we know that they often watch you hiding your valuables and leave. Giving them plenty of time while you are gone to break in and take what you have hidden.Be observant when you park up and make sure you are not being watched. More importantly if you have left or hidden something in the car it tends to suggest that you don't need it with you, so perhaps it would be better to leave it at home in the first place. Take with you o­nly what you need to enjoy the day and leave the rest at home. A purse or wallet would be much safer in your pocket than left in the car. There are plenty of small rucsacs or bumbags o­n the market to enable you to keep your valuables with you.It can spoil a good day out to return and find the car broken into and your valuables gone.Antony Wiles PC8024 - Borough Green Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:39:39 +0100 http://www.plaxtol.com/village/Article92.html With those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer” hopefully just around the corner, the underlying theme at our June meeting was enjoying the outdoor life.  With this in mind, a fun walk, with a sausage and mash supper to follow, is taking place o­n 14th June (tickets from Pat Gurney); we have the garden meeting at Little Damas to look forward to in July (when we will be entertained by the WI choir, and the first part of the Webb trophy will be judged); we will be donning our finery for a smart cocktail party at Cob Orchard o­n 1st August (tickets must be bought in advance from Joan Harrison); an outing is being organised to the National Trust’s Standen o­n 11th September; and, of course, we must not forget the Kent Show when the Plaxtol WI Life entry, which recently won the district competition, (well done to Sue Lamb and her team of talented and creative helpers) will, we hope, receive further much deserved praise.  [cont...] Mon, 9 Jun 2008 12:26:35 +0100