Hartley-Kent: Parish Council 2010

Hartley News 2004

16/12/04	Dartford Messenger	PC is found guilty Bexleyheath PC from Ayelands, New Ash Green, convicted of perverting the course of justice at Croydon Crown Court.
9/12/04	Dartford Messenger	Villagers will battle ahead Residents, parish councillors and local schools combining to oppose Phone Mast application by Orange at Downs Valley (picture).
9/12/04	Dartford Messenger	Injured cat to be put down Cruel attack on cat from Farm Holt, New Ash Green, thought to be linked to another similar case.
9/12/04	Dartford Messenger	Village divided over border / We don't want our boundaries changed Villagers criticise last week's parish council release, and put the case forcefully for remaining in Dartford constituency by pointing out the many links to the borough.
2/12/04	Dartford Times	Spending is cut by £2.9m Cash strapped Sevenoaks Council to cut budget by £2.9 million, a move condemned by Labour.
2/12/04	Dartford Messenger	Confusion reigns over change to boundaries Press statement by Clerk to Hartley Parish Council claims councillors are unhappy to remain in Dartford constituency (however when this was discussed at the next council meeting, no member spoke against the decision). Sevenoaks MP said he was sorry to lose Hodsoll Street, but acknowledged the support in Hartley for staying in Dartford constituency.
2/12/04	Dartford Messenger	Fantastic evening High praise for Hartley Players' production of "Absurd person singular"
25/11/04	Dartford Messenger	Buses Bus routes K14 and K15 likely to be withdrawn from Hartley
24/11/04	Boundary Commission	Final approval for Hartley to remain in Dartford Constituency The Boundary Commission has now completed its review of the parliamentary constituencies for Kent, and confirmed that Hartley is to remain in Dartford Constituency. The new boundaries will be brought in when they have finished reviewing the whole country, which must be before 12 April 2007. This means they will probably not be in force for the next election.
21/11/04	Mail On Sunday	Claims that pressure is being put on the Strategic Rail Authority to hush up the success of state owned South Eastern Trains, which run the service to Longfield, because it would strengthen the case of those who want to keep it in the public sector.
21/11/04	Mail On Sunday	Former chief ready to bid for Mid-Kent Hartley's water company Mid Kent is being put up for sale by German bank WestLB,
18/11/04	Dartford Times	Court quizes PC about lunchtime maggot claim Trial of Met Police PC from New Ash Green accused of perverting the course of justice enters 7th week.
7/11/04	News Shopper	Children get into swing of things at playground Official opening of new Oval Playground at New Barn, including swings, slides and a bike track (picture). See also "It's playtime - at last" (Dartford Times, Emma Durdle, 18 November 2004, p9 and "Reshaping the Oval" (Dartford Messenger 18.11.04, p21)
11/11/04	Dartford Messenger	Mayor's car trouble again Letter further to article of 4/11/04
4/11/04	Dartford Messenger	Make way for mayor Neighbours of Longfield councillor and Dartford mayor annoyed after he asked fire engine to move, while it was attending a shed fire. He said road was blocked by both engine and car on other side, who also refused to move.
28/10/04	Dartford Times	De Flavas is voted de best De Flavas Restaurant in Longfield voted best restaurant in the Kent Life Taste of Kent Awards (picture). See also "Restaurant wins prestigious award" (Dartford Messenger 4.11.04, p5)
28/10/04	Boundary Committee	Electoral Review of County Council Seats Completed The Boundary Committee have been reviewing the boundaries of the seats for county councillors in Kent. At present Sevenoaks district has 8 county councillors, but because of population changes this will be reduced to 7, meaning all the boundaries needed to be redrawn. So for the next election in May 2005 the wards of Hartley and Hodsoll Street, Ash, and Fawkham and West Kingsdown will be one county council division (this is the same as present, but with the addition of West Kingsdown). The Committee rejected the county council's proposals as it would involve splitting wards. The statutory instrument bringing the changes into law is made today.
21/10/04	Dartford Times/Fhc	Wardens "Really Make Difference" KCC announce 10 new community wardens for the Dartford and Sevenoaks area from March 05, including one each for Hartley and Longfield. The KCC press release says "The Kent Community Safety Partnership between KCC and Kent Police aims to reduce crime and fear of crime, to address anti-social behaviour and low level crime and to help build strong communities. Distinctively uniformed and badged, wardens are a very visible presence and focal point for people's concerns."
21/10/04	Reporter	Passengers taken back in time Feature on the Gravesend Classic Bus Day, sponsored by the paper, where vintage buses drove once again on their old routes - including Hartley and Ash. See FHC report, and also "A bus trip down memory lane" (News Shopper 27 Oct 2004, p8)
21/10/04	Dartford Messenger	Veteran Tennis Country club players compete for Great Britain in the World Championships in Philadelphia.
13/10/04	Kent County Council Press Release	Kent Gold for our Kentish Golden Girl KCC chairman and Hartley councillor presents double olympic medallist Kelly Holmes with first ever "Kent Invicta Award".
13/10/04	News Shopper	Price hike is "outrageous" Gorsewood Road resident complains at new charges for parking at the Orchards Car Park in Dartford, which have in some cases risen from 50p to £5. Council spokesman said they would ask for a review of pricing, which they understood was to deter commuters parking there.
7/10/04	Dartford Messenger	A leap into fund raising 16 year old Wilmington Hall School pupil, from Redhill Wood, New Ash Green (pictured) planning a parachute jump for RNIB, as part of a "phenominal 94 hours of volunteering in just 2 weeks".
6/10/04	News Shopper	Policewoman goes on trial Bexleyheath based PC who lives in New Ash Green is currently on trial, accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice and other offences, which she denies. See also "Cop on Trial for faking crimes (DARTFORD TIMES 7.10.04)
30/9/04	Dartford Messenger	Saying goodbye to Saturday Service Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley Primary Healthcare Trust launch new scheme where local Saturday surgeries will be replaced by out of hours service. Patients will contact local surgery first to get number to ring. See also "Saturday Surgery ends" (DARTFORD TIMES 30.9.04)
30/9/04	Dartford Messenger	The pressure's on nationwide Dartford MP pictured visiting Lloyds Chemist in Longfield to support National Blood Pressure Awareness Week.
30/9/04	Dartford Messenger	Hartley based team are ladies cricket champions Invicta Ladies CC, who play at the Hartley Country Club have become national cup winners.
30/9/04	Dartford Times	Horse owner sought after riding accident 13 year old girl from Small Grains, Fawkham, badly injured after fall from horse at Billet Hill, Ash. The family say King's College Hospital where she was treated were "absolutely superb". It is claimed the woman who offered a ride on the horse did not have insurance.
30/9/04	Dartford Times/Fhc	Prescott praises planning division Sevenoaks Council planning department, which covers Hartley and New Ash Green, praised by Office of Deputy Prime Minister, only a few years after being criticised as being one of the slowest in the country.
30/9/04	Dartford Times	Norway walker retires injured at 940 miles Man from Main Road, Longfield retires from sponsored walk the length of Norway with severe back pain, but he was well past the half way mark. He has still raised money for the Royal Marsden Hospital.
29/9/04	News Shopper	Desperate for Truth Plight of the family of Denis Brigden, who was killed in a road crash on Ash Road last year. Because of all the legal problems surrounding the case they have been unable to get a death certificate or to sprinkle his ashes (family pictured)
29/9/04	News Shopper	75,000 house plan is "barmy" Plans by Conservative shadow cabinet minister for new city stretching from Swanscombe to Southfleet given thumbs down by Dartford MP and Longfield conservative councillor. (See also "Fury over Tory plans to build a new city" - Dartford Messenger, 30 Sept, p8)
29/9/04	News Shopper	Parking problem could get worse More on the parking at Longfield. Another writer blames the councils involved and the fact that people are unaware they can use the Waitrose car park.
22/9/04	News Shopper	More on Longfield Traffic Wardens Two letters in support of the wardens. One puts illegal parking down to "laziness". The other correspondent thinks there is plenty of parking spaces in Longfield, which they say is a relaxed place to shop.
16/9/04	Dartford Messenger	Greyhound bitten Greyhound needed 40 stitches after being attacked by an alsatian in a Hartley wood.
16/9/04	Dartford Messenger	Tide finally going out After 30 years of flooding, Sevenoaks Council are acting to sort out the drainage at Springcroft by clearing out the silt and looking at the underlying problems.
15/9/04	News Shopper	Riding to raise church funds All Saints' Church had 31 cyclists aged 5-75 raising £700 for Kent Churches (picture).
15/9/04	News Shopper	Traffic review to finally go ahead Dartford Council will be looking at possible new parking schemes in Longfield. The letters page has a letter from someone who has shopped in Longfield for 24 years but no longer does so after being ticketed. However another writer is in favour, saying people had parked just anywhere in the past.
8/9/04	News Shopper	Two sought in violent attack Man attacked and robbed while walking to Black Lion on 13 August. Police seek 2 men in their twenties.
8/9/04	News Shopper	MP's widow claims selection a sham Resignation from the Dartford Conservative Association, after their selection of prospective parliamentary candidate, citing "flaws" in the selection process. Central Office acknowledged mismanagement but refused to rerun the election. The paper says Central Office has brought in new chairman.
8/9/04	News Shopper	Warden scaring customers away Longfield traders claim over-zealous traffic wardens are driving away customers with trade 15% down. One letter supporting the traders, another saying "village life belongs to a past age".
8/9/04	News Shopper	Review of Black Lion Pub Review in the paper's pub spy series.
2/9/04	Dartford Messenger	Addicks teach children a few footie tricks Charlton Athletic Community Scheme teaches football skills at Corinthians, Fawkham.
28/8/04	Estates Gazette	Auction of house at Caxton Close Auctioneers Clive Emson have 3 bed house in Caxton Close in their 14 September auction. It is currently let to Moat Housing Society for £5,993 pa, but they reckon it could be £7,200 when the 2 year lease expires in 2005. Their estimate is £110-115,000. (at the auction it realised £126,000)
12/8/04	Fhc	Sevenoaks refuse Downs Valley Mast Application After hundreds of objections, including one from FHC, Sevenoaks Council have refused the third application by Orange for a telephone mast at Downs Valley.
12/8/04	Dartford Messenger	Lock car doors Theft from parked car at Manor Lane, Fawkham
5/8/04	Dartford Messenger	Raising mast complaints Hartley Parish Council support locals' objections to Downs Valley telephone mast application.
5/8/04	Dartford Messenger	Kicking off to football fun 50 boys take part in Grassroots Soccer School at Milestone School, Ash Road, Hartley (picture).
5/8/04	Dartford Messenger	Vandalism at Northfield A new noticeboard at the Ash Road entrance has been covered with graffiti, which was removed but then the plastic cover was smashed by vandals and more graffiti added.
5/8/04	Dartford Times	Do you recognise these booze thieves? CCTV pictures of suspects of theft of £158.16 worth of drink from Longfield Threshers published (see also Dartford Messenger, p6 - "Police release images of suspects in drink theft").
29/7/04	Dartford Times	Safety figures 'cooked up' Crime rises by 1% in Sevenoaks District, but falls 20% in New Ash Green
29/7/04	Dartford Messenger	Schools say fond farewells (Retirement of midday supervisor at New Ash Green Primary School since 1971 (pictured)
29/7/04	Dartford Messenger	Many thanks RC Church fete raised £7,000.
22/7/04	Dartford Messenger	Youngsters bear all Picture and article about New Ash Green Pre-school's teddy bear's picnic
22/7/04	Dartford Times	Competition 'shows kids care about community' Prize winners from New Ash Green Primary School crime prevention poster competition pictured
9/7/04	Green Party Website	Obituary of Green Party leader, born in Hartley Obituary of Dr Mike Woodin. He was born in Hartley in 1965, and later became a don at Oxford University in Psychology. He was the first green councillor for Oxford in 1994 and since then the party has helped to achieve less traffic congestion, 100% recycling and 50% affordable housing. He was for many years one of the party's "principal speakers" (joint leaders). Current leader said: "At a time when our elected representatives are increasingly viewed as cynical and self-serving, his political career was an inspiring reminder that honesty, intelligence and humanity can still thrive at the heart of public life."
8/7/04	Dartford Times	Fury as reduced bus fares get the red light 20p concessionary bus fares abolished by Sevenoaks Council from 1 July. Pensioners' leader said "Sevenoaks Council believes in money before people. This is an entirely political decision". Council claimed they did it to balance the books.
8/7/04	Dartford Messenger	Mobile firm has third attempt at installing phone mast Orange are applying again for a phone mast at Downs Valley, which is opposed by local residents and our MP.
24/6/04	Dartford Times	Proud parents watch kids perform a children's classic Children at Milestone School, Hartley perform Jabberwocky (picture).
23/6/04	News Shopper	Smokers get help to give up the habit 1,042 have given up smoking in the year ended March 2004 in the local Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Healthcare Trust area.
17/6/04	Dartford Messenger/Fhc	Euro result puts the Tories on top In the European elections the Conservatives won 4 of the 10 South East region seats, followed by the UK Independence Party and Liberal Democrats with 2 each, Labour and the Greens also took a seat a piece. Each local authority area gave their results separately, the Conservatives will no doubt be pleased to have "won" our Dartford constituency but a general election result will be much closer. Hartley falls in the Sevenoaks Counting area for this election but is likely to be part of Dartford constituency for the general election. One party that did better locally than regionally were the fledgling English Democrats, who are campaigning for a parliament for England. They fielded a number of local candidates, including one from Hartley.
17/6/04	Dartford Messenger	One-stop shop for justice New £23 million police station to open at Ebbsfleet in March 2007. Existing stations at Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley to close.
17/6/04	Dartford Messenger	Children make mockery of vote (Dartford Messenger, p14) e-vote by secondary children in Dartford borough abandoned after wholesale voting irregularities. Hartley Conservative Councillor of Leigh City Technology College pictured (with blue tie!), saying before the result was announced that it was "a very good initiative".
14/6/04	Fhc	New Yellow Lines for Quakers Close A picture of the new yellow lines at Quakers Close, which the residents had requested to improve sight lines at a difficult junction. (click on picture for larger version)
1/6/04	The Hart	Hartley remembers D-Day This month's Hart features articles from residents who (1) saw the build up in Cornwall as a child, another (2) whose father was on Gold beach with the Hampshires and won the MC (3) who was on naval escort duty and (4) someone who served with the Royal Berkshires.
1/6/04	Kent On Sunday	Parliamentary Boundary Review Recommends Hartley Remains in Dartford The Boundary Commission has made its final recommendations on the boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies in Kent, following a public enquiry held last November. They now recommend that Hartley and Hodsoll Street ward be part of Dartford Constituency. See also "Voting goalposts move" (Dartford Times 17.6.04, p18)
3/6/04	Dartford Times	Mobiles starting to make call boxes a thing of past BT plan to close phone box opposite Longfield Station and 5 others in Dartford borough.
1/6/04	T&Cp	Parish Pilgrimage to Canterbury To celebrate the 1,400th anniversary of Rochester Diocese, 50+ walkers from All Saints' Church took part in a pilgrimage to Canterbury (pictures).
1/6/04	T&Cp	Choir's 10th anniversary concert Concert by St Francis de Sales Choir (pictured).
1/6/04	T&Cp	Sevenoaks Council elects new chairman Conservative councillor for New Ash Green (pictured).
27/5/04	Dartford Messenger	Excellent report for school New Ash Green Primary School wins praise for its curriculum in latest Ofsted report (photo).
27/5/04	Dartford Messenger	Graffiti artists get blank wall Longfield Parish Council gets £48,000 grant to transform Oval Playspace in the way residents had requested in a survey.
26/5/04	News Shopper	Council considers relocating school KCC want to replace "dilapidated" Axton Chase school, and have got Dartford Council to change their district plan to allow them to build a new school and houses on the existing site. Picture of school and chairman of governors. See also "Build Plan for School" (Dartford Messenger - includes photo)
26/5/04	London Metro	MPs condemn 'worst-class post' DA postcode 4th worst in country for post arriving on time (84.3%) according to survey, but still a lot better than worst code - NN, at 73.3%
24/4/04	Daily Mail	Hartley property involved in lanDartford Messengerark legal decision on the rights of common-law partners. Oxley vs Hiscock concerning a house at Dickens Close. See British and Irish Legal Institute website. See also Dartford Times 27 May 2004 "common law wife sets legal history over house".
20/5/04	Dartford Messenger	MP's free travel for elderly bid MP campaigning for free off peak travel for all, not just metropolitan areas.
19/5/04	News Shopper	Overall Crime Figures rise by 11.7% Year ended 31 March 2004 shows increase in crime in North Kent. Violent crime was up by 15.9%, burglary from houses up 11.2%, but the numbers of vehicle crime and other burglaries fell.
19/5/04	News Shopper	Hiding whole history of secrets Feature on former nuclear bunker at Woodlands Park, Gravesend, which runs tours every fortnight. In there is a map showing that a 1950s nuclear bomb dropped on Gravesend would have caused destruction up to Longfield.
13/5/04	Dartford Messenger	Exam pupils breakfast like kings Our lady of Hartley RC school run SAT exam breakfasts (pictures).
13/5/04	Dartford Times	Rotary club lends support to Indian projects Longfield parish councillor and rotarian visits India for projects supported by Darent Valley Rotary Club (picture).
29/4/04	Dartford Messenger	Activities galore keep crowds entertained Report of Hartley Parish Council Youth Activity Day, includes picture. Councillor spokesman thought "It was a resounding success.... we're already thinking about maybe doing it again".
27/4/04	Boundary Committee	County Council "constituencies" announced The government body charged with making sure each councillor represents roughly the same number of people has reported for Kent. They propose the council should remain at 84 seats, but because of population changes, Sevenoaks District is only entitled to 7 members instead of 8 at present. The result of this is that the current seat of Hartley, Ash and Fawkham is expanded to include West Kingsdown also. This was not what the county council wanted, as they proposed that instead of West Kingsdown, we should be joined with Horton Kirby. However the committee did not like this because this would mean splitting two district council wards.
23/4/04	Strategic Rail Authority	Consultation closes on Longfield Rail Proposals The SRA has been consulting on their proposals for rail services in Kent, when the Channel Tunnel raillink is opened in 2007. The service for Longfield is similar to today, but Farningham Road faces big cuts in services. See also DARTFORD MESSENGER.
15/4/04	Dartford Times	Crowds flock to church service North Kent Community Church has so many worshippers at their Sunday morning meeting at Axton Chase school (350+), they are starting a 6pm evening service at New Ash Green Primary School from 25 April.
15/4/04	Dartford Messenger	The wonders of wildlife Environmental area opened at Fawkham CE primary school (pictured).
13/4/04	Ebay	New Ash Green Domain Name for sale on Ebay The domain name www.newashgreen.co.uk is up for sale on internet auction site ebay at a starting price of £1,000. The vendor wishes to sell because he no longer lives in the area.
3/4/04	Estates Gazette	Homes in the South East? Get radical Article by Fawkham man, who ran an advert in the Times in 2002 proposing a new city for North West Kent. His argument is that "in the near future" some 2 million people will want to live in the south-east, meaning an extra 500,000 houses above what is planned. Even at high 50 houses per hectare density this will mean an area of 77 square miles being required. He thinks "the only area that can accommodate a large new settlement is north-west Kent in the Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley area." He rejects expanding other Kent settlements because it would destroy countryside there. The rest of the article is his ideas of how the houses might be built and run in a "green" way.
1/4/04	Dartford Times	Runaway bus ploughs into front door Bus rolls down Station Road, Longfield into house at 9am yesterday (picture). see also (Dartford Messenger, p2) "Lucky Escape as bus rams home (picture)
1/4/04	Dartford Messenger	Building firm in liquidation 5K Construction Ltd, of Hartley in Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation.
1/4/04	Dartford Messenger	Community on track for country life Feature on Longfield with pictures of the Church and Library
25/3/04	Dartford Messenger	20p trips a pass to freedom Letter from Hartley pensioner, who writes to express her disappointment that Hartley's councillors all voted to abolish the pass, in spite of receiving 2,000 objections. Money spent by the council on space consultants and generous early retirement packages would have more than covered the cost.
25/3/04	Dartford Messenger	Fireworks battle wins my support Farningham and Hartley residents write to support petition for ban on sale of fireworks to the public.
18/3/04	Dartford Messenger	Inquest on road tragedy Verdict of accidential death recorded by Gravesend Coroner on Marjorie Gamble of Cavendish Square, Hartley.
11/3/04	Dartford Times	Bid to ban fireworks Carmelite Way resident (pictured) got 750 signature petition asking for a ban on the sale of fireworks, which was presented by Dartford MP to parliament. Further Reading: Hansard entry for 25 February with text of petition.
11/3/04	Swanley Times	Pensioner fears for pals as bus discount is axed Church Road resident criticises Sevenoaks Council's decision to axe the 20p scheme for pensioners, believing councillors have gone back on their word and have ignored the public. She said being able to get out and about is vital to pensioners' well being. Hartley Councillor said "it had already been decided before the vote had taken place"
11/3/04	Dartford Messenger	Comedy Revue Favourable review of "Radio Days and TV Times" by The Time of Our Lives Music Theatre.
4/3/04	Gravesend Messenger	Clinic staff fury over yellow lines Nurses at New Ash Green mother and baby clinic complain at new yellow lines outside the premises, Sevenoaks Council said they were necessary for road safety.
4/3/04	Dartford Messenger	Call for ban on sales of fireworks 750 signature petition against over the counter sale of fireworks presented to MP Carmelite Way resident.
7/3/04	Kent On Sunday	Northfield Councillor disqualified Notice from the Adjudication Panel for England. Ash parish council member of the Northfield joint committee with Hartley parish is disqualified from holding public office for a year. The panel found after a hearing, that the councillor had failed to declare a prejudicial interest at 5 meetings of the committee, and had sought to improperly influence decisions at 4 of them.
19/2/04	Dartford Times	Tax dodgers' plea rejected Appeal of Longfield company director against 21 month sentance for evading £209,000 tax on 1.4 million cigarettes, refused.
19/2/04	Dartford Messenger	Clifford's big day Clifford the big red dog visits Hartley Primary School Book Fair (picture).
19/2/04	Dartford Messenger	Hartley Council supports 20p bus pass Motion to support the scheme was approved by the council
12/2/04	Dartford Times	E-mail porn disgusts meLetter from Hartley resident, protesting at disgusting spam e-mail.
12/2/04	Dartford Times	Month of Heatwave and frosts Another temperature record for Gravesend as it hits 17.9 C (64.2 F).
5/2/04	Dartford Times	Icy weather's snow excuse for rail delays! South Eastern Trains apologise to New Ash Green lady (pictured) after a "dusting" of snow caused her husband's 6.11 train to be delayed for 4 hours.
5/2/04	Dartford Messenger	Kids Left Stranded School buses from New Ash Green to Axton Chase School axed. Arriva claimed fewer pupils were using it. KCC now pay for a minibus for the 8 pupils entitled to free bus travel, but did not want to support the route.
5/2/04	Dartford Messenger	Hartley Fete 2002 Age Concern detail where some of the money has been spent from Hartley's last village fete in 2002. No fete is being planned this year.
28/1/04	Evening Standard	Days to get ready but Tube still fails as the freeze arrives Chaos in our area as first train of the morning breaks down at Meopham
23/1/04	Fhc	Friends of Hartley Countryside make donation to preserve Blean Wood The FHC are members of the Kent Wildlife Trust, and we were pleased to be able to support their appeal to purchase it.
22/1/04	Dartford Times	Volunteers begin campaign to save green from weeds Feature on the efforts of the North West Kent Countryside Project to promote a more diverse chalk grassland at Rectory Meadow.
20/1/04	This Is Local London Website	Death in Hartley Woods Coroner records verdict of suicide on Hartley man, who suffered from years of depression and agoraphobia, who was found in Hartley Woods.
15/1/04	Dartford Messenger	Pastures New Assistant minister of RC Church is moving to Yorkshire.
8/1/04	Dartford Messenger	Skate boys slope off to mobile park Local youth enthusiastic about temporary skate park in New Ash Green car park. A spokesman for the local youth group HAWK said Northfield would be an ideal location for a permanent park, which is something local children have been asking for years (6 picture feature).