Hello everybody – here we are again! May we extend a warm welcome to all new residents of Badgers Mount.

INFORMATION SHEET UPDATE

Sevenoaks District Council have changed the day for the fortnightly garden waste collection from the roads east of the Orpington Bypass to Friday, the same day as their general waste is collected. SDC advise us that due to alterations to vehicles and collection timings, ALL collections could be as early as 7.15 a.m. and at more variable times, so please put bags out early.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Associations AGM will be held on Thursday, 11th May, so please put this date in your diary now. Formal notices will be distributed closer to the date.

In accordance with the constitution revision made 2 years ago, Gordon Plumb must stand down from chairman at the 2007 AGM. We therefore need someone who is prepared to take on this vital position in a years time, and it would be desirable to have been on the committee before taking over to know what we do. There is already one vacant position which needs filling at this years AGM, so if you are interested, why not join us. If you would like further information please contact Gordon on 534279, Tracey on 534471 or e-mail www.bmra.info and we will get back to you.

PLANNING ISSUES

Some good news – the application for the continued use of land next to Michael’s Restaurant (at the top of Polhill) as a Bus Depot has recently been refused by Sevenoaks District Council. An appeal against this decision has already been made. Until this is heard, they can continue using the site. Additional comments can be made before 12th April.
Currently there are two further planning applications to demolish and rebuild in Highland Road. One is to replace Cherry Trees with two 5 bedroom houses, the second is to replace the adjacent Badgers Oak, a smaller site, with three 4 bedroom houses. We have objected to these applications on the basis of over development, the effects of additional traffic on this section of Highland Road and further pressure on all main services.

SHOREHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Youth Clubs
Shoreham PC is supporting the start up of a youth club. The next meeting will be on Monday, 24th April between 6.30 & 8.30 p.m. in the Shoreham Village Hall. The Club is open to boys & girls from Year 7 to 17 during term time. A £1 entry fee is payable each week of attendance. For more details please contact the Badgers Mount representative, Christine Gray on 532946 (evenings only).
A similar club is starting in Halstead which Badgers Mount residents can attend.

Village Design Statement
SPC is proposing to produce a Village Design Statement for the whole Parish. This is a follow on from the Parish Plan, and will include sections for each part of the Parish. Each will include desirable features to appear in new developments, and, if appropriate, undesirable features to be avoided. Small groups from each area will produce their own sections which will then be combined into a single document for the whole Parish, in a similar way to that used for the Parish Plan. More details will be available in due course.

Dogs
As seen in the last Shoreham Post, the Parish Councils’ verge strimming operatives refused to cut some of the verges in Highland Road last year because of the amount of dog excrement left by irresponsible owners. The verges are strimmed to allow pedestrians to step clear of the road to allow vehicles to pass, NOT to provide space for a dogs toilet. Please be responsible owners and clear up after your dogs. Remember that you can be fined £1000 for failing to clear up!

SOCIAL EVENTS

Coffee mornings
If you are free on Thursday mornings, why not come along to the Memorial Hall between 10.30 and 12.00. Remember also that the mobile library van comes into the car park alternate weeks between 10.45 and 11.15. In addition to a range of books for adults & children, including large print & audio books, videos can also be hired.

Carol singing
The annual carol singing around some Badgers Mount roads raised £83.22 for the Harris Hospice at Orpington, the local Hospice for those residents attending the Chelsfield, Green St. Green, Orpington etc doctors surgeries, probably the majority of residents. We would like to thank both those who sung and those who gave so generously.

Old Time Music Evening
An evening of Old Time Music & songs provided by Marie Kelly has been arranged for Saturday, 20th May 2006 from 7.30 p.m. onwards in the Memorial Hall. Tickets are on sale for £5 each (which includes a buffet but please bring own drinks and glasses) at the Coffee Mornings or by contacting Gordon or Tracey (telephone numbers as above). Profits from this event will be donated to the Harris Hospice in Orpington.

Summer Garden Party
The Association is to hold a Summer garden party on Saturday 22nd July 2006 at Oaklea, Highland Road (just before the entrance to the woods off Badgers Road) between 2pm and 6pm. Adults and children alike will be most welcome and we will be serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes etc. throughout the afternoon. More details will be given nearer the event, but to get an idea of numbers that are likely to attend please could you contact Gordon, Tracey if you are interested in coming along – thank you.
(Please use the House Locator to find Oaklea)

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL MINIBUS SERVICE

The Council provides subsidised minibus transport for older residents, residents with special needs, and those who cannot easily access public transport, for organised shopping trips etc. The service can also be hired for special outings such as theatre trips etc. and by youth groups. The Council has 10 minibuses, each with disabled access including a tail lift for wheelchairs. We have some application forms, and interested people should discuss their needs with Mr Allard, SDC Transport Manager (01959 567376). As you will be slotting into existing services, some flexibility will be necessary initially.

ROAD WORKS

You will be aware by now that the safety works the Association and Shoreham PC have been requesting for many years on the Orpington Bypass has started. The first stage is to create a wider right turn lane protected by two islands, one each side of the Highland Road junction. KCC will then be able to look at reducing the speed limit on this road.
During the works, the junction with Highland Road will be closed for everyone’s safety, so access will only be via Badgers Road. Please be aware of the increased traffic, particularly near the junction with the Orpington Bypass. The entry to the Memorial Hall has been modified slightly to make access from Highland Road easier.

AND FINALLY…..

The Association has approximately 120 burgers, 40 sausages, bags of chopped onions (all frozen) and tomato sauce (all in date) left from last summer’s BBQ. If you are considering a spring party and would like to purchase these at cost price please contact Gordon on 534279.

MEMORIAL HALL AGM

The AGM of the Memorial Hall will be held on Friday 21st April at 7.30 for 8.00pm. The Hall is important to the community as it provides the only communal facility within Badgers Mount, so please take an interest in its running.