BBC KENT
Service at Diana's former school
A special service is being held at the former school of Diana, Princess of Wales to mark the 10th anniversary of her death. The princess attended West Heath Girls' School, now called the New School, in Sevenoaks, Kent, from the age of 12. During a careers lesson she wrote she wanted to work with children and make their lives better. Following Diana's death, the school set up a foundation to help traumatised and underprivileged youngsters. On Friday, the 10th anniversary of her death, it was holding a special service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

'Untimely death'

Principal Valerie May said: "It's been heartening to know that I think we are doing what she would have liked to have happened here. She did write a note in a careers lesson when she was at the school saying 'When I grow up I want to help children, want to make their lives better', and that's what we are doing on her behalf." Graffiti proclaiming "Diana Spencer was in this cupboard" now takes pride of place at the school and her name is featured on school jumpers. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
More homes threaten green belt
Plans to build 3,100 new homes across the Sevenoaks area by 2026 look set to be increased by a further 200. The recommendation has come in the South East Plan (SEP), a report issued by the Government Office of the South East on Wednesday. The report also suggests redrawing the boundaries of the green belt to make way for new homes across the south east. This could have huge implications for the district because 93 per cent of it is in the green belt. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Get on the register!
Residents of the District can expect to receive some important documents in the coming weeks as voter registration forms are sent to households throughout the area. The forms are being sent out from Monday 3 September by Sevenoaks District Council. Details can once more be confirmed by using the popular freephone service and certain changes made online, either of which saves bringing or sending the forms back to the Council. [more].

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Stop ridiculous emergency calls
Stop wasting the police's valuable time is the message from the Chronicle this week. We're backing an appeal from Kent Police and calling on people to stop making ridiculous calls to the 999 emergency number. Every year Kent Police receive around 30,000 hoax, unsuitable or just plain daft 999 calls. And each and every one of them takes up valuable resources that could be given to those people facing genuine emergencies. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
More retained firefighters are wanted
A recruitment drive for retained firefighters is under way at Seal Fire Station. The station is operating just 85 per cent of the time due to a shortage of qualified staff. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Family pay tribute to railway victim
A devastated mother from the Sevenoaks area has described how her world had been torn apart by the tragic death of her teenage son. Tributes have poured in for 16-year-old Thomas Baker of Beldham Haw in Halstead - fondly known to family and friends as Tommy-boy - who died in an accident at Shoreham railway station on Wednesday last week. A spot near where he died has been adorned with countless bunches of flowers from well-wishers. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Holiday project hits right chord
It's been a week of activity for youngsters in the Sevenoaks area as children formed their own bands, learnt acting skills and were visited by Uncle Bumble's Show. The BEAT project started the fun at Knockholt recreation ground on Monday last week with 58 young people learning musical skills at a rock and pop workshop. The youths formed their own bands with singers, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players. After learning some chords and how to keep a rhythm going they then performed their tunes to the other groups. Organiser Sophie Lord said: "For some it was the first time they had ever picked up the instruments and they all helped each other and some of them made some lyrics as well." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Promises of green belt protection from housing
Community leaders have promised to protect Sevenoaks' countryside despite warnings that two million new homes may need to be built in England's Green Belt. A report by think tank the Social Market Foundation concluded extra space is needed to meet Government targets for new homes. Sevenoaks District Council has responded by assuring residents planning applications involving land in the Green Belt are unlikely to be approved. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Age proves no barrier when helping others
People from both ends of the age spectrum are representing Sevenoaks this year in the Kent Volunteer Awards for Volunteering Excellence. The two residents who were nominated for their committed efforts to the voluntary sector prove age does not matter when it comes to helping others. Lorna Noble, 70, and Riki Logsdon, 21, will both receive certificates for their endeavours. If picked as winners they will be presented with an award at the gala ceremony in November. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Artistic talent on show to 400 visitors
Visitors to Westerham were able to enjoy a display of artistic talent over the Bank Holiday weekend. More than 400 people visited the Westerham Art Group exhibition in St Mary's Church to see watercolours, oils, pastels and etchings. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Death of teenager was 'tragic accident'
A play fight ended in tragedy when two teenage boys fell off the platform at Shoreham Railway Station and one was hit by a train. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Youngsters create music and art at special day
A Borough Green business opened its doors to a group of youngsters on Tuesday, who were treated to a day of music and crafts. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Artist chosen for liner
An artist from Ightham has been chosen to create a sculpture for the world's largest floating art gallery. Oliver Barratt, 45, of Oldbury Lane, has been commissioned by P&O Cruises to create the piece for superliner Ventura, which will be based in Southampton between April and October next year. His sculpture will be part of a £1million, 7,000-piece modern art collection aboard the liner. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Hindu blessing as stores open again
Shoreham Village Stores threw its doors open to the public again on Friday thanks to a group of community-minded residents. Earlier this year the shop was forced to close and it looked like the village had lost a vital service for good. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Gifted kids explore talents
44 children enjoyed the fourth Gifted and Talented Environmental Summer Course at Sevenoaks School. Twenty-seven primary schools in the Sevenoaks district sent the Year Four pupils who are talented in maths, science or information communication technology (ICT) to the week long programme. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Banks delay sentencing of school bursar
The sentencing of Haydn Glyn Puffette, who stole around £174,000 when employed as bursar at Wildernesse School, has been delayed. The prosecution is seeking clarification as to whether all the money stolen by Puffette, who lives in Lambarde Road, has been paid back to the school. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Ambulance in tight spot on high street
Chaos returned to Sevenoaks' streets on Friday when a massive digger on the back of two lorries had to be escorted down the High Street by police. Shoppers piled out on to the pavements to see the unusual sight while others stared gob-smacked from windows as the giant piece of machinery snailed its way to its destination at the Bat and Ball around 2.15pm. At one point an ambulance on an emergency call was forced to sit behind the lorries and queues formed in both directions as two police officers manually directed traffic. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Hay bale and rubbish fires
Firefighters were called out twice in the space of an hour on Bank Holiday Monday to deal with rubbish and hay which had caught alight in Wrotham. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents warned off door-to-door traders
Residents in Platt and Borough Green have been warned to be on their guard following reports of rogue traders offering services in the area. A number of incidents have occurred in recent weeks in Greenlands, St Mary's Close and Borough Green with traders offering householders building work at a reduced price. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Charity balloons
Balloons filled the air over Knockholt as a charity race was held on Sunday to raise money for a couple's sponsored trek across the Sahara in November to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Anti-social behaviour has top priority
Residents have identified anti-social behaviour as the number one priority for policing in the Sevenoaks area. Members of the public had their say at a special event organised by Kent Police Authority in the High Street on Tuesday and voted overwhelmingly in favour of tackling this type of crime. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Keeping New Ash Green safe - partners and communities together
New Ash Green residents have the chance to discuss any local concerns and receive crime prevention advice from their local PCSO's next month. The PCSO surgery will take place from 10.30am to 12noon on Saturday 1 September at the Village Association Offices, Centre Road in New Ash Green, when the two PCSO's for New Ash Green - Charlotte Maycock and Laura Horn, will both be on hand to speak to local people. [more].

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Review begins into local polling districts and stations
Sevenoaks District Council is asking local people for their views on the location and accessibility of local polling areas and polling stations.

The Sevenoaks District is divided into small areas, known as polling districts, for voting purposes. Each polling district has one or more designated polling stations where electors can cast their votes in person. The aim is to provide polling stations that are easily accessible to all electors, including those who are disabled. [more].

KOS MEDIA - KENT NEWS
Conway stutters again in GP2 outing
Sevenoaks driver Mike Conway suffered two retirements in another character building experience at the eighth round of the GP2 championship at Istanbul.

Following an excellent drive in the last round at Hungary reigning British Formula 3 Champion Conway was hoping for a similar performance. [more]

BBC KENT
Family tribute to rail death boy
The family of a 16-year-old boy who died after being hit by a train have said their "hearts are broken". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Boy, 16, dies in train tragedy
A teenage boy from the Sevenoaks area has died after being hit by a train at Shoreham Station. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Quarry row councillors cleared
Three councillors who had official complaints made about them over a major development site in Borough Green have been cleared. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Hedge blunder fuels dispute
A dispute over a high hedge in Westerham continues to cast a shadow over neighbourly relations thanks to a council blunder. Shirley Wade, of Darenth Gardens, has been trying for 17 months to force her neighbour, nursing home Westerham Place, to reduce its 7m high leylandii. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents call for crossing at busy junction
A campaign has been launched for a new crossing on a spot where Sevenoaks pedestrians "take their lives in their hands". Residents and town councillors have united in calls for a crossing on the busy intersection of roads by the Vine. They are appealing for Kent County Council (KCC) to install a pelican crossing on Dartford Road, just below the junction with Vine Court Road, outside the Vine Restaurant. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Tackling parking head-on
The impending overhaul of parking in Sevenoaks is the greatest bid to tackle the problem in the town's history, it has been claimed. Within the next few weeks, residents will be asked to have their say on the unprecedented re-think of the on-street parking rules. Sevenoaks District Council is trying to tackle the twin problems of congestion on roads around the station and the town centre, and the lack of spaces in town centre car parks for shoppers and visitors. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Park and wildlife haven is neglected and vandalised
A leaflet promoting the Sevenoaks Environmental Park has exposed the grim truth of how neglected the once-valued site has become. The guide, produced in the late 1990s, proudly speaks of how the area is safe, pleasant and full of wildlife. "The park is carefully managed by Sevenoaks District Council", it boasts. But the reality today is a far cry from the image of a picturesque idyll conjured by the leaflet. Much of the adventure playground is cordoned off - soon to be removed - while the woodland is teaming with litter and broken glass, the benches and fences are daubed in graffiti, and the pond has become so overgrown that no water remains. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Exciting find for archaeologist
An archaeologist from Seal has made a once-in-a-lifetime discovery at an historic site in Israel. Diarmaid Walshe, 38, is celebrating after uncovering a mosaic floor near Tel Aviv, which he said dates back to the 6th century Byzantine Empire. He said the find is of huge significance because it may provide vital clues surrounding the emergence of early Christianity. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Tennis fan serves up courts complaint
Tennis court managers in Sevenoaks have been on the receiving end of a verbal volley from a frustrated enthusiast. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Council gathers in the tax cash
Sevenoaks District Council has been named among the best in the South East for cutting the amount of council tax it fails to collect. The drop in uncollected tax was £378,000 - the fourth largest decrease in the region. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Be extra vigilant during the summer weather, warn police
Police are warning residents across Kent to protect their properties against the heightened risk of burglaries in the hot weather. They claim that thieves are more likely to strike on hot sunny days when people leave their doors and windows open while they are in their back gardens. For this reason the force has organised a Safer Summer campaign involving operations against known and suspected criminals, high profile patrols in areas with high burglary rates and an advice service for residents. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Alcohol application
Residents and traders in Kings Hill have hit out over a supermarket's application to serve alcohol 24 hours a day. Asda is also applying to serve refreshments from 11pm to 5am the following morning. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Housing 'threat to village life'
Tatsfield residents have expressed anger at two proposed housing developments in the village they feel could be the "tipping point" in the urbanisation of their village. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Traders welcome parking charges
New parking charges in Westerham aim to free up more spaces for shoppers. From Thursday August 30 parking on parts of Croydon Road and in Marlborough Court will cost 10p for up to 15 minutes, 20p for 30 minutes, 40p for one hour and 60p for two hours. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Event-full despite livestock no-show
The Foot and Mouth outbreak may have caused the cancellation of livestock classes, but organisers of this weekend's Edenbridge and Oxted Show have laid on several new attractions. The event, at the Ardenrun Showground, off Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, on Sunday and Monday, will this year feature displays of reptiles and caged birds. Brian Perring, chairman of the 170th annual show, said: "Despite the livestock not being able to appear, we only had to alter one item on our main ring programme." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents invited to curry along to RNLI fundraiser
A major fundraising event will be held in Westerham next month to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. People are being invited to join in with what promises to be a fun-packed occasion. The main attraction will be the demonstration of a variety of remote-control model boats displayed by the Southern Model Lifeboat Society, the Association of Model Barge Owners and Maidstone's Cygnet Club. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Our earthquake narrow escape
This is the relieved group from the Sevenoaks area who have returned home safely after narrowly escaping the devastating earthquake in Peru. The 18 friends, mainly from Knockholt, believe they were saved from the 7.9 magnitude quake by their decision to stop for dinner. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Patience urged over the bypass furore
Residents in the Malling district are still in the dark as to why the planning permission for the Borough Green bypass ran out, despite Kent County Council finally breaking its silence. KCC's leader Cllr Paul Carter asked for residents to be patient and claimed it was impossible for the authority to lead the project. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Victim, 19, tells of metal bar attack
A young Borough Green woman left scarred after a yob threw a metal barrier from a bridge, has told of her ordeal in a bid to catch the culprits. The 19-year-old, who was too traumatised to be named, spoke out as police released CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Leak causes road closure
A diesel leak in Westerham closed the main road until it could be cleaned up. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Crime action plan workshop
An initiative bringing together the community and the police is to be launched in Sundridge, Brasted and Ide Hill. The Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership is organising a workshop for the villages in Sundridge Village Hall on September 26. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Old quarry is earmarked for 200 homes
Development plans that could see more than 200 houses built on the Green Belt in Borough Green have been given the go-ahead. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council earmarked Isles Quarry West, a multi-acre site opposite Borough Green doctors' surgery, for a major residential project including 80 affordable homes. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Police cut protesters from airport gates
A group of climate change protesters have been arrested trying to disrupt Biggin Hill Airport by chaining themselves to the gates. Fifteen activists gathered at the main gate at just before 7am on Thursday morning. Three of them locked themselves to it, while four lay down in the road and shackled themselves together. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Children get sporty on lawns at historic mote
Hundreds of children were put through their paces when Ightham Mote hosted its own sports day on Thursday. Some 800 visitors, young and old, enjoyed a host of different activities put on by staff and volunteers. Face painting, storytelling, and the Mote's own version of Cluedo all proved to be popular events. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
New scout HQ gets green light from planners
Scouts in Platt have been boosted by the news that planners have rubber-stamped proposals for a brand new headquarters. Platt Parish Council already had planning permission for the replacement of the hut but a new application was submitted revising the design of the building. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Leader denies money-making exercise claims
Council leader Cllr Peter Fleming vehemently denied the parking overhaul was a council money-making exercise. He said: "It's fundamentally not about money-making, it's about sorting out the issues we have had historically in Sevenoaks around parking." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Passengers face delays after train hits tree
Rail passengers bound for London escaped injury when their train struck a tree on the line near Knockholt Station. Services were disrupted and trains had to be rerouted at Sevenoaks after the incident, which happened at 2.50pm on Tuesday. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Planning appeal ahead
Property giant Barratt Kent has withdrawn an appeal against a decision to refuse planning permission for 49 homes at Halstead Place School, but another appeal is in the pipeline. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Woman left disgusted at attitude of motorists
Three Good Samaritans who stopped to help after an accident in Sevenoaks were subjected to a tirade of abuse. Emma Cooper, 26, said she was "disgusted" at the treatment she and two girls aged 15 and 11 received when they pulled over in the driving rain to help slow down traffic in Riverhill. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Charity event helps the deaf
The Sevenoaks branch of national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People swelled its coffers by £530 when it held a coffee morning. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
New homes plan would be 'out of keeping'
An angry Sevenoaks home owner has slammed "greedy" developers over plans to replace a neighbouring property with six new homes. Peter Smith, of St George's Road, claims the proposal constitutes over-development and the new houses would be out of keeping with the area. He also believes some of them would overlook his home. The 61-year-old said: "It's dwarfing my property, which is a three-bedroom bungalow. I'm not very happy with it and nobody else in the area seems to be happy with it. We've no objection to our neighbours selling their property off. What we do object to is greedy developers making as much money as they can by erecting inappropriate buildings on a site not really designed for it." Millwood Designer Homes submitted plans for seven homes earlier in the year, but later withdrew the application. Now plans have been put forward for houses ranging in size from three to four bedrooms. Four are three storeys high. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
School playground gets a makeover
Children at West Kingsdown Pre-school have a new playground to look forward to when they return from their summer holidays thanks to staff from the village Co-op. Volunteers from the store in Hever Road rolled up their sleeves and helped give the area a new lease of life. New equipment was erected and the area was also given a lick of paint. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fine cask ales earn recognition for pub
The Rose and Crown in Halstead has once again received recognition for serving Kentish-brewed real ales. Joy Brushneen and Robert Baker's watering hole has been named runner-up in the West Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 awards, which is organised by the Campaign for Real Ale. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fine cask ales earn recognition for pub
The Rose and Crown in Halstead has once again received recognition for serving Kentish-brewed real ales. Joy Brushneen and Robert Baker's watering hole has been named runner-up in the West Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 awards, which is organised by the Campaign for Real Ale. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford - the past in pictures
This book published by the Otford & District Historical Society has been added to the Otford village gallery. A limited number of copies are still available from the Parish Council / Heritage Centre for £5.
If you have any information on the pictures shown, please do 'Add a comment' using the gallery facility.
Also, any other pictures you may have of the village would be very welcome. You can 'Register' and 'Upload them direct' .. any queries, please contact info@otford.net.

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Race circuit raid bid
Raiders failed to steal a cash machine from Brands Hatch in the early hours of Monday morning, police have said. Around six people tried to take the free standing machine at 4.40am. They were seen entering the racetrack in two vehicles. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Crossing campaign over danger spot
A campaign has been launched for a new crossing on a spot where Sevenoaks pedestrians "take their lives in their hands". Residents and town councillors have united in calls for a crossing on the busy intersection of roads by the Vine. They are appealing for Kent County Council (KCC) to install a pelican crossing on Dartford Road, just below the junction with Vine Court Road, outside the Vine Restaurant. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Arrests over village store ram-raid
Two men have been arrested over a ram-raid at a Halstead shop in which a cash machine was stolen. On Wednesday a 4x4 reversed into the front of Hancocks, causing substantial damage to the store. Police said today they had arrested a 25-year-old from Swanley and a 23-year-old from Orpington in connection with the incident. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Top secret stolen info recovered
A server stolen during a raid on a top secret office in Sevenoaks has been recovered, police have said. The equipment - taken from the Forensic Telecommunication Services (FTS) - contained information relating to forensic telephone evidence linked to police investigations. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Closed courts prompt tennis anger
Tennis bosses in Sevenoaks have been on the receiving end of a verbal volley from a frustrated enthusiast. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Beer Fest - Rising Sun, Twitton

Come along to the Rising Sun, Twitton, Beer Fest August 17/18/19 2007 with a fantastic selection of Real Ales:
(Brewer/Beer)
- Dark Star/Over the Moon
- Spectrum/Dark Fantastic
- Millstone/Three Shires
- O'Hanlon/Gold Blade Wheat Bear
- Orkney/Red Macgregor
- Jarrow/Jobbling Swinging Jibbett
- Cottage/Silly Mid Whippet
- Westerham/Freedom Ale
- Harviestoun/Navigator
- Westerham/Little Scotney Bitter
- Hopback/Summer Lightning
Friday 17th, from 4pm - Steaks available (booking advised)
Saturday, 18th from 12noon - Hog Roast around 6.30pm
Sunday, 19th from 12noon - Ploughmans Lunches
Contact Sue / Colin 01959 525489 Rising Sun, Twitton Lane, Otford Kent [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Students celebrate exam success
Schools across the Sevenoaks area have been celebrating improved A-level results. All the hard work has paid off for the sixth-form students, who have this morning been finding out whether they got the grades they wanted: [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Concern over number of town eateries
Business leaders in Sevenoaks have expressed concern over the number of restaurants in Sevenoaks and whether the high proportion has dangerous implications for the town's trade. Around 20 eateries currently operate in the centre of Sevenoaks, with several others on the way. Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce secretary Avril Ferguson said: "The chamber feels that with more restaurants opening Sevenoaks needs more retail businesses, otherwise people will be less likely to visit the town." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fears psychiatric unit plan will be scrapped
A Sevenoaks carer is worried that plans to build a new acute psychiatric unit at Pembury Hospital could be scrapped. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents urged to write over bypass plan
Disgruntled Borough Green residents are being urged to contact the leader of the county council over the bypass fiasco. Borough councillors David Evans and Sue Murray want residents to write to Cllr Paul Carter to show the strength of feeling in the community. The pair are demanding answers after the public inquiry for a brick-making factory - that would have seen the bypass built - collapsed due to a Kent County Council (KCC) blunder. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Planning officers lured by private sector salaries
The crisis in recruiting planners in the Sevenoaks area has been laid bare. Official figures show 13.6 per cent of staff in Sevenoaks District Council's planning department - officially called development control - have left in the past year, compared with just 6.2 per cent for the council as a whole. Council spokesman Daniel Whitmarsh explained the council was finding it difficult to compete with salaries offered by other authorities and the private sector. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Recreation ground vandals are traced by CCTV footage
Vandals who caused more than £1,000 worth of damage in Sundridge Recreation Ground have been caught by neighbourhood police. The young culprits were traced after CCTV footage of the two separate incidents was analysed by police. Two local boys, aged 15 and 16, received fixed penalty notices for criminal damage to the door and window of the pavilion between June 19 and 24. Another 16-year-old boy was given a penalty notice for causing criminal damage to the CCTV camera that happened between July 3 and 9. Anti-social behaviour warning letters were sent to the parents of all the boys involved. Both they and their parents sign the letters which are kept on file by the police as a deterrent to future anti-social behaviour. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Stranger enables memorial rebuild
The kindness of a stranger has enabled Frank Stanford to rebuild his well-known RAF memorial display at his home in Riverhead. In July vandals ruined Mr Stanford's second world war tribute by tearing down the displays, flagpoles and model planes exhibited in his Bullfinch Close front garden. He has now rebuilt his memorial and believes the new display to be "a great improvement" with a bigger flagpole and a giant model of a Spitfire, which was presented to him by Jim Veness, of Dunton Green. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Airport plans
The future of Biggin Hill Airport is up in the air while planning applications for the site are decided. An appeal against the rejection of a proposal for a 100-bed hotel at the airport is awaiting a ruling by the communities secretary Hazel Blears. Another planning application for a development including a visitors centre, flight school and bar is currently been considered by Bromley Council. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Primary school applies for £1.5m extension
Plans have been lodged to extend a Kings Hill school which would provide more classrooms and improved staff facilities The Discovery School, Gibson Drive, is due to increase its annual intake of four year olds from September 2008 which would see a rise from 30 to 45 pupils. The new extension, designed to cope with the extra children, would also provide changing rooms, group teaching room, and a care suite for children with special medical needs. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Robber may have struck twice before
Police believe a raider dressed as a golfer, who robbed Sevenoaks' Bradford and Bingley at gunpoint, has struck in the town twice before. The man went into the building society at 3pm on Friday, pulled out a handgun and threatened terrified staff. Things went wrong for the robber when a security device in the packs of money was activated during his getaway and he dropped some of the cash outside South Park Medical Centre. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Armed raider dyed during escape
Police believe a raider who robbed Sevenoaks' Bradford and Bingley at gunpoint, has struck in the town twice before. The man went into the building society at 3pm on Friday, pulled out a handgun and threatened staff. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Village pub has 'pulled its last pint'
The latest plans to develop a disused pub in Borough Green have been lodged, with one resident calling on community chiefs to get the best deal for the village. The Red Lion, which has been derelict since May last year, is planned for development by Insigniacorp. In the latest proposal, the site has been earmarked for six homes with the pub converted into two more homes and traffic measures, including a roundabout and puffin crossing, are part of the application. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Countryside left scorched after blaze spreads from van
A Transit van on fire in Westerham damaged surrounding countryside before firefighters were able to put it out. The blaze in a field in Beggars Lane was reported at 10.37pm on Wednesday last week. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Footpath set for autumn debut
A new footpath aimed at giving residents easier and safer access from an estate in Borough Green took another step towards becoming a reality as it was revealed transfer of the land has begun. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Kids make a splash cooling off
Children enjoyed the hot weather on Friday by cooling off on a waterslide at a Downe activity centre. Around 60 youngsters, aged between eight and 16, at the day camp in Birdhouse Lane had a go on the 50metre slide. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Village jam caused by M25 chaos
Traffic chaos on the M25 over the weekend brought misery to residents in the Westerham area. Separate incidents on Friday and Saturday closed off parts of the M25, causing massive tailbacks on the motorway. Motorists trying to avoid the problems caused congestion on the A25 through Sundridge, Brasted and Westerham. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Station receives secure status
West Malling Station has been officially recognised as safe and secure. The station is among 11 on the Southeastern network to have picked up the Secure Station status in the latest round of accreditations. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Youngsters flock to fun Friday event
Children flocked to Ightham Mote on Friday to enjoy a variety of activities in the sunshine as the manor house continued its Family Fun Friday scheme. Every Friday throughout August, the National Trust venue is holding special family fun days, designed to give children something to do during the summer holidays. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Do you recognise armed robber?
This is the man police want to question about a terrifying armed robbery at Sevenoaks' Bradford and Bingley on Friday. He struck at 3pm when he walked into the branch and threatened staff with a handgun. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Committed team at 'elite' cab provides a first-class service
Forget the A-Team. If you have a problem and no-one else can help, contact the West Malling Citizens Advice Bureau. The team is celebrating after another impressive result at their independent Quality of Advice audit, carried out by the National Citizens Advice Association. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Community hall gets its finishing touches
Oxted's long-awaited new community hall is nearing completion. The new building, near St Mary's Church, is now finished and the old church hall has been demolished. Work is continuing to finish the car park and landscape the outdoor areas. Oxted community hall appeal committee chairman Martin Fisher said: "It's at a very exciting stage. We're very grateful for the support of the community." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
'Green gym' tidy-up
A record number of volunteers have turned out to help keep a Westerham pond tidy. Ten people met at the Long Pond to cut grass, shrubs and nettles as part of a group from the Friends of the Long Pond. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Celebrating 100 years of scouting
Westerham Beavers, Cubs and Scouts enjoyed birthday cake and games at a party to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. Nearly 50 children from the 17th Sevenoaks Westerham Scouts played traditional party games at the event in Westerham Scout Hut. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
People pack up a picnic
Visitors to Chartwell and Emmetts Garden have been enjoying the good weather with summer holiday picnics in the grounds. On weekdays throughout August, people can enjoy their food at the National Trust properties. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Raids police are linking robber to
Police believe the armed robber may be responsible for three raids in Sevenoaks: A man in a baseball cap brandishing a handgun held up the Woolwich on July 7, last year. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Response from MP Michael Fallon
Friday's drama has prompted a blunt response from Sevenoaks' MP Michael Fallon. He was outspoken last year when he called for action from banks and building societies to protect themselves against robbers, and he has now reiterated these calls. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Village shop is ram-raided
A cash machine was stolen from Hancocks' shop in Halstead in a ram-raid yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Det insp Bert Short said two Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4s were spotted at the scene in Knockholt Road, one of which was silver. It reversed into the building at 3am. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Foot and mouth alert
A call for vigilance has gone out to farmers across the Sevenoaks region as the latest foot and mouth scare hit the South East. Agricultural workers breathed a sigh of relief yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) when tests on sites in Kent and Surrey both proved negative for the disease. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Young thespians rise to the challenge
A group of theatrical youngsters has put on a Play in a Week at Sevenoaks' Stag Theatre. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Top secret police evidence stolen
A top secret Sevenoaks company that provides telephone evidence for the police has had computer equipment stolen. Police say they are pursuing a number of leads following the break-in at Forensic Telecommunication Services (FTS). A server containing telephone records from police investigations was among the items taken during the raid overnight between August 6 and 7. Other police forces have been informed of the theft of the equipment. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Roadworks due to revolutionary NHS upgrade
Motorists have been told that the non-stop disruption they are enduring on Sevenoaks' roads this summer is partly due to an unprecedented overhaul of the NHS' computer system. A new fibre optic cable is being laid which, West Kent Primary Care Trust said, is part of a programme of "a scale and complexity that has never been attempted before in the UK or abroad". Work to lay the cable along the A25 in the Riverhead area was completed last month and has moved on to Riverhill and, this week, Gracious Lane. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Delivery truck overturns outside customer's home
Calamity struck for two Jewson employees while they were delivering supplies to a house in Sevenoaks. Neighbours Geoffrey and Brenda Miller witnessed the truck overbalancing and tipping onto its side in Vine Avenue on Thursday last week. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Accidental car fire doused
Firefighters said a car blaze in West Kingsdown was started accidentally. The fire took hold in the car in London Road opposite the Raj Dani Indian restaurant at 5.14pm on August 7. A crew from Horton Kirby Fire Station attended and used a fire extinguisher to tackle the blaze. It was out by 5.38pm. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Reunion success to be repeated
Following the success of Otford School's reunion in 2006, pupils from the year 1945 will again reunite for an afternoon of memories and nostalgia. Organisers Nick Staples and Valerie Smith are attempting to track down all the pupils who were captured in a photograph taken immediately after the war. Last year 26 former pupils were present at the reunion and interest has since snowballed, with 58 people confirming their attendance at the forthcoming gathering - on August 25 at the Rising Sun in Twitton. [more]

BBC KENT
Protest at private airport gates
Climate change protesters have chained themselves to Biggin Hill Airport's entrance gates. The group of about 10 people said they were voicing their opposition against the growth in the number of people using private jets. Protesters have vowed to stay at the airport near Warlingham, south London, until their removal by police. The group blocked the private airport's only passenger entrance and were lying across the only access road. The Metropolitan Police, who have been on patrol at the climate change camp at Heathrow, said they were aware of a group of protesters at Biggin Hill and were attending the scene. [more]

KOS MEDIA - KENT NEWS
Fab’s high hopes for BTCC at Brands
British Touring Cars star Fabrizio Giovanardi is hoping to continue his fine form from Snetterton three weeks ago as he heads to Brands Hatch this weekend.

Vauxhall driver Giovanardi finished all three races at Snetterton ahead of title race leader Jason Plato to slash the gap to the Briton from 25 points to 14 with nine rounds to go, starting with Brands Hatch's triple-header this coming Sunday.

And the Italian has fond memories of the twisty Brands Hatch Indy circuit. At last year's corresponding fixture, he achieved the 101st race win in the BTCC for Vauxhall. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Council leader breaks silence
The leader of Kent County Council has finally broken his silence over the Borough Green bypass fiasco, claiming it was "impossible" for the authority to lead the project. [more]

BBC KENT
Cash machine stolen in ram-raid
A gang of six or seven men armed with crowbars have stolen a cash machine in a ram-raid on a village store. The free-standing cash machine, containing a small amount of money, was taken in the raid, which caused serious damage to Hancocks Stores in Halstead. Kent Police said one of two Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4s used by the gang was reversed into the building, in Knockholt Road, early on Wednesday. A crowbar was found at the scene but the cash machine is still missing. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Secretive forensics site raided
A top secret Sevenoaks company that provides telephone evidence for the police has had computer equipment stolen. Police said they were pursuing a number of leads following the break-in at Forensic Telecommunication Services. A server containing telephone records from police investigations was among the items taken during the raid overnight between August 6 and 7. Other police forces were informed of the theft of the equipment. [more]