A Happy New Year to you all and a warm welcome to those
new residents amongst us.

Subscriptions are currently being collected from residents by Committee Members and we will shortly be arranging our Annual General Meeting - more details of this to follow.

Currently we are a Committee of 10 (our Constitutional minimum) but any additional members would be welcomed. If you would like to know more please contact Gordon (Chairperson) on 534279 or Tracey (Secretary) on 534471 or e-mail the website and we will get back to you.

SHOREHAM PARISH COUNCIL

We are pleased to announce that we now have a third Badgers Mount representative on Shoreham Parish Council. Dave Southwood of Christies Avenue has been co-opted to fill the vacancy. The Council will meet in the Memorial Hall on the first and third Thursdays of January, February and March. The first Thursday is the planning committee followed by the main meeting, and the third Thursday is the planning and amenities committees. All parishioners are welcome to attend these meetings.

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Our Councillors (Gary Williamson and Emma Crafter) will be holding further surgeries in Knockholt, Halstead and Badgers Mount in the near future. Details of these will appear in the news column of the Sevenoaks Chronicle and on the new Parish Noticeboard. If you have issues that cannot wait, please telephone Gary on 01959 532370 or Emma on 01959 532139.

PLANNING ISSUES

Unfortunately, the recent appeal against the siting of a second Telecommunications Mast on the Orpington By-Pass was allowed despite our objections. It appears that the Mast may be erected in the near future.

The appeal against demolition of Broom Cottage and the erection of 3 replacement houses was also allowed and no doubt work will start on this shortly.

There is also a pending application relating to Barmouth, Badgers Road where it is proposed to replace the existing bungalow with a two storey house and we are monitoring this.

DOG FOULING

Despite the provision of dog waste bins, some owners still do not clear up after their dogs, even only a few yards from the bins. It is extremely unpleasant for operatives strimming the verges to be showered, or for people who step onto the verges to allow cars to pass to tread in dogs excrement, particularly in the dark or when it is hidden by fallen leaves. Please be responsible owners and clear up after your dogs. Remember that you can be fined £1000 for failing to clear up!

DUMPING OF RUBBISH

There have been recent complaints that some residents appear to have dumped
garden waste on footpaths. We would remind you that this is unacceptable, and that there are a number of alternatives available if you can’t compost such waste yourself, principally either taking it to the tip at Sundridge or using the green bags from the Council, obtainable from the Council offices at a cost of £3 for 10 and which are collected fortnightly on Tuesdays.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Coffee Mornings

The weekly Thursday coffee mornings have generally attracted about 15 people. Although this did drop in the weeks before Christmas, numbers have started to increase again. Some ‘regulars’ come each week for a friendly chat, and others less frequently. If you are free, why not come along between 10.30 and 12.00. Remember also that the mobile library van comes into the car park alternate weeks between 10.45 and 11.00. Numbers using the library have already increased. In addition to a range of books, including large print and tapes, videos can also be hired for £1 each.

Games Night
Saturday, 9th April 2005

The Memorial Hall has been booked for a lively family evening of entertainment between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. An assortment of family games both old and new, will be available to test your skills. Adults and children will be welcome. Tickets will cost £3 per adult and £1.50 per child. Nibbles for all and soft drinks for children will be provided but adults are asked to bring their own drinks along. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening. Tickets will shortly be available at Coffee Mornings or by telephoning Tracey as above.

Other events will be arranged later. If you have any ideas for activities you and your children would like to participate in, please let us know.

NEWS UPDATE

Shoreham Parish Council have relocated the Village Sign to the verge near to the roundabout and installed a new seat and Noticeboard near to Fox’s Garage. They have also repaired the Bus Shelter near the roundabout which was recently vandalised and we understand that they are looking at a more ‘vandal resistant’ alternative due to the high cost of continual repairs.

Badgers Mount also has a new Post Box in Old London Road (alongside the bus stop outside Fox’s Garage).

£173.36 was raised for the Harris Hospice, Orpington by the Mount’s Carol Singers - thanks to all those that contributed.

The ‘human’ race night in November, was enjoyed by those who attended. The ‘horses’, mainly children, proceeded down the course according to the throw of dice and were cheered on by spectators hoping to win back their stake money and a little more!

In light of the recent Tsunami in Asia the Association decided that the profit from the successful New Year’s Eve Party (plus a collection held on the night) should go towards the Disaster Appeal Fund. A total of £180 was donated.