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]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Getaway driver's jail let-off
The getaway driver in raids on stores in Sevenoaks and New Ash Green has been spared jail. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Gunman linked to other raids
The gunman who robbed a building society in Sevenoaks on Friday is the same man who committed two other armed raids in the town last summer, police believe. The man threatened staff with a handgun at the Bradford and Bingley on London Road shortly after 3pm. He dropped his haul and fled when the security device showered him with dye. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Farmer's partial victory in court fight
Halstead farmer Craig Sargent has won a partial victory in his battle to clear his name following a conviction of causing suffering to animals. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Town centre armed robbery shock
A building society in Sevenoaks has been robbed at gunpoint. Police say a man who was "dressed as if he had just come from the golf course" went into the Bradford and Bingley Building Society in London Road and threatened staff with a handgun at around 3pm today. He demanded they hand over money and then ran off down South Park. As he did so the security devices in the money bags activated and purple dye was sprayed over the money and some went onto the robber. He then dropped the money and fled. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Rush-hour misery after M25 crash
A multi vehicle crash on the M25 in Surrey caused rush-hour misery for motorists with tailbacks stretching as far as Kent. The clockwise carriageway was closed after the incident around 7.30am this morning. The crash happened between junctions six and seven, which serves Gatwick, and vehicles were backed up for over 10 miles. [more]

Kent Messenger
Divorce battle could go abroad
A businessman who faces the biggest divorce bill in British legal history may take his case to a court in Bermuda. A spokesman for 54-year-old John Charman said he was "considering his options" after being told he could not appeal to the House of Lords over the £48million payout to his ex-wife, Beverley, 53, of Wildernesse Avenue, Sevenoaks. The settlement was upheld by the Court of Appeal and now three Law Lords have ruled that there can be no further appeal. Mr Charman's representative said: "It was deemed to be not in the public interest that the matter be debated further. He is now considering his options and there may be proceedings in the Bermuda court." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Where can we play?
Children have been left without playground equipment at Sevenoaks' most popular park during the summer holiday. Angry parents have slammed council chiefs for letting youngsters down by failing to repair the damaged facilities at Sevenoaks Environmental Park. These have now been fenced off to the public for four months - a situation one furious mother branded as "disgusting". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Uproar over closed park
Furious parents have lashed out at council chiefs for letting their children down by failing to fix play equipment in a Sevenoaks park. With the holiday season in full swing, youngsters have been denied the chance to use adventure equipment in Sevenoaks Environmental Park, which has been out of use for four months. And regular users of the town's most popular park believe Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has had more than enough time to fix the problem. Now, visitors are being forced to go to Hollybush Recreation Ground a mile away. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man 60, dies in crash on his way to work
The family of a Biggin Hill motorcyclist killed in a crash have paid an emotional tribute to him. Louis Woodnott-Miller, 60, died after his white Honda motorcycle collided with a silver Renault Laguna in Slines New Road, Woldingham, on Tuesday morning. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Kent county council threaten to recover costs from all parties
The fall-out from the collapse of the public inquiry which could have led to the Borough Green bypass being built, has seen residents threatened by their own county council. After last week's shock developments when the factory application was withdrawn, all parties met at Ightham Village Hall on Monday to discuss damages. The threat was issued when the opponents of the factory - environmental group Keep Boroughs Green and Wrotham and Ightham parish councils - said they were applying for costs from KCC and applicant H+H UK, formerly known as H+H Celcon. In response David Platt, counsel for KCC, indicated the authority also planned to make an application for costs against H+H UK. But he warned the three community groups to reconsider applying for costs, saying KCC would have to lodge a counter-claim, using taxpayers' money, to foot its administrative costs. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Big blow for show forced to ban livestock due to virus
Organisers of the Edenbridge and Oxted show have banned livestock from the event following the latest foot and mouth crisis. It is a major blow to organisers who were expecting around 700 cattle entries - the largest number in the event's history. Show council chairman Brian Perring said: "We are very saddened that the livestock section cannot make its traditional presence at the heart of the show. The 2006 show was considered to have the best turnout of cattle in the South East in terms of quality and quantity and entries for 2007 exceeded last year." But he urged people to still support the event, pointing out there were plenty of other attractions on offer such as the Shetland Pony "Grand National". Defra classifies agricultural shows as high-risk events for the potential spread of diseases such as foot and mouth and show organisers have imposed the ban as a precautionary measure. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Need for more restrictions
Pleas for tougher restrictions to cope with the foot and mouth outbreak have been made by those in the Westerham area who earn their living from the countryside. Anxious farm manager Bob Felton, of Henden Manor Estates in Ide Hill, believed public footpaths in the countryside should be closed to stop the disease spreading. He said: "What we really need to be able to do is to block the footpaths. It doesn't take much for a rambler to go through an infected area and then start walking around Kent." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
We want cameras to beat unruly conduct
Big Brother could be watching people in Borough Green if residents get their wish for the installation of CCTV cameras to combat unruly behaviour and boost safety. A series of incidents have occurred in recent months, including windows being smashed on shops in the High Street and a car being vandalised. CCTV is already present at two venues; the village hall and the drop-in centre and has been a success in deterring troublemakers. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
More than 100 credit card frauds at garage
More than 100 alleged incidents of credit card fraud have been reported by customers using a petrol station in the area. Surrey Police said they have received a total of 145 reports of card compromises at the Total garage in Church Lane, Oxted, and this now forms part of the wider investigation into a number of petrol stations across East Surrey. The petrol station's operator Total UK, said security had been increased since the problems had been discovered. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Parking tops the agenda
The long-awaited public consultation on the hot topic of what should be done about parking in Sevenoaks' streets is about to begin. Within the next few weeks around 3,500 Sevenoaks residents will be asked for their views on revised parking proposals for the town. Earlier this year residents were given the chance to comment on Sevenoaks District Council's (SDC) draft proposals. SDC spokesman Daniel Whitmarsh said this had aimed to "better regulate commuter parking and make more parking spaces available for people who shop or work in the town". SDC's cabinet agreed to the latest consultation at a meeting earlier this month. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Village examines its flood strategy
Eynsford community chiefs are gearing up to tackle floods in case the problem hits the village. As a result of the recent devastating flooding across the country, Eynsford parish councillors are looking at ways to prepare in case the crisis arrives on their doorstep. Chairman Clive Stanyon explained he does not want the village to be as ill-equipped as it was when the River Darent last broke its banks during the New Year in 2002-3. He said: "We had a flood here a few years ago and at that time it didn't appear to be very well co-ordinated. We want to be the first port of call for residents and although we're not going to be able to provide all the answers, we ought to be available for the first day ideally." The River Darent runs through the village and is a direct tributary of the Thames. The Environment Agency explained Eynsford has a 100 to one chance of a flood in any one year. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Firefighters issue warning after straw blaze
Westerham firefighters have issued a warning to villagers as they enjoy summer countryside walks after they were called to tackle a straw bale blaze. Crew manager Rob Smith said that while the cause of the fire in Beggars Lane was unknown, these types of fires were a common occurrence and were often caused by people's carelessness. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Driver of flipped car claims road is a danger
A driver whose car turned upside down in an accident in Brasted has branded the road a danger. Simon Hallett, 28, of St Martins Meadow, Brasted, said he was driving along Station Road with his 17-year-old passenger on July 25 when his blue Toyota Saura hit some surface water and he lost control. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Resident's plea to stop store noise
A neighbour of a Sevenoaks store who says she suffers from continual noise disturbance has pleaded with planners not to let the situation get worse. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Car blaze 'an accident'
A car blaze in West Kingsdown was started accidentally, the fire service has said. The fire took hold in the car in London Road opposite the Raj Dani Indian restaurant at 5.14pm on Tuesday. 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
Woman says no to anti-drug booklets
A woman from Sevenoaks has spoken out after being sent products by a company at the centre of a Trading Standards probe. Kim Bridle, of Oakdene Road, said React Publications, which produces anti-drug booklets called No Drugs, tried to convince her to part with £199. She said they phoned her last month and told her she had agreed to taking a delivery back in January - a conversation she does not recall. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Surprise 'retirement' party for golf lover
Plans to make a golf-loving Platt resident retire hit the rough on Friday. Friends and family made a valiant attempt to get well-known villager Michael Jerrom to semi-retire by throwing him a huge golfing bash at Wrotham Heath Golf Club. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Nuclear bomb victims remembered
Sevenoaks' Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) held its 23rd commemoration of the dropping of the Hiroshima bomb on Monday. The evening, attended by around 70 members and friends of Sevenoaks' CND, marked the 62nd anniversary of when the first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Darwin's relative visits
Ground-breaking naturalist Charles Darwin's great-great-grandson has paid a visit to his forebear's home in the village of Downe for the opening of a new cricket pavilion. Randal Keynes, the author of a best selling Darwin biography, made the trip from his North London home on Saturday, and said he was impressed with the efforts made to preserve Down House. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
From page to stage in just five hours
Aspiring young actors from Sevenoaks put their skills to the test when they produced and starred in their own play on Friday. In just a matter of hours, 36 youngsters on the district council's 8-12s project wrote the play's script under the guidance of drama teachers at the Stag Theatre. The children began scribbling their ideas at 10am and performed them in front of parents just five hours later. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Surprise at decision
County officials have pledged their commitment to the Borough Green Bypass, despite prompting the project's collapse. But Kent County Council said it was "surprised and disappointed" by Celcon's move - and called on the company to "stand firm". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Outcry at blunder
A leading borough councillor has hit out at county bosses following the Borough Green bypass blunder and called on them to secure funding for the project. Councillor for Borough Green and Longmill Sue Murray, who has been campaigning for the relief road for 20 years, said: "The whole thing is beyond belief and I just think county are incompetent. It took me a day or two before I got cross and think the whole thing is a shambles". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Brick company explains why it pulled out
The company which withdrew its proposal for a second brick-making factory following the shock collapse of the Borough Green bypass has explained why it came to this decision. H+H UK, formerly known has H+H Celcon, had pledged to fund the multi-million pound relief road - but only if the firm was given permission for a new factory in Ightham. But after Kent County Council (KCC) admitted it should not have said permission for the route was still valid, the company scrapped the application. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Theatre building not in danger
Passers-by alarmed by the sight of a fire engine outside the Sevenoaks Playhouse yesterday morning (Wednesday) can be reassured the treasured building was at no risk. A fault in an electricity cable running beneath the London Road pavement sparked a small fire underground. Sevenoaks firefighters were called at 7.40am and cordoned off the area until electrical experts arrived to isolate the supply. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Farmer launches court challenge to clear name
Halstead farmer Craig Sargent is fighting to clear his name following a conviction in January of causing suffering to animals. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Road crossing plea
The town council is to ask county road chiefs to consider installing a crossing outside the Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fjordside view for guides
Eighteen Guides and nine leaders have represented the Sevenoaks Division Guides at an international jamboree in Denmark. The event, celebrating 100 years of Scouting, was attended by Guiding patron Princess Benedikte. During their week-long stay at the fjordside campsite in North Jutland, the girls attended a sunrise ceremony and took part in a range of activities to celebrate the different years of the Scouting movement, including canoeing, role play and even dissection. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Mum gears up for new cycling challenge in aid of deaf charity
Glutton for punishment Jan Allen of Sevenoaks is gearing up for her third major cycling challenge in October. The mother-of-four, who works as a nurse manager for medical service provider On Call Care, will cycle 300km in Jordan in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Money for rural projects
Rural businesses and communities from Sevenoaks and other areas in West Kent could benefit from a cash boost of up to £1.8million. The bid for funding was put forward by The West Kent Partnership, which is made up of organisations including Sevenoaks District Council, Business Link Kent, West Kent Police and West Kent Primary Care Trust. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Farmers' foot and mouth plea
Anxious farmers have called for tougher restrictions to prevent foot and mouth spreading into the Sevenoaks area. They have pressed the Government to close footpaths to the public to limit the threat. Frederick Hamlyn has 350 cattle at Westwood Farm in Sevenoaks Weald. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Family's tribute to crash victim
The family of a Biggin Hill motorcyclist killed in a crash have paid an emotional tribute to him. Louis Woodnott-Miller, 60, died after his white Honda motorcycle collided with a silver Renault Laguna in Slines New Road, Woldingham, yesterday morning. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Playhouse safe from electrical fire
Passers-by alarmed by the sight of a fire engine outside the Sevenoaks Playhouse can be reassured the treasured building was not at risk. Firefighters were called to the scene at 7.40am this morning, where a fault in an electricity cable running beneath the London Road pavement sparked a small fire underground. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Motorcycle crash victim named
A Biggin Hill motorcyclist has been killed in a road crash. Louis John Woodnott-Miller, 60, was named by police as the victim of an accident in Slines New Road, Woldingham, this morning. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Firm defends factory withdrawal
The company which withdrew its proposal for a second brick-making factory following the shock collapse of the Borough Green bypass has explained why it came to this decision. H+H UK, formerly known has H+H Celcon, had pledged to fund the multi-million pound relief road - but only if the firm was given permission for a new factory in Ightham. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Two seriously injured in crash
Two people are in hospital with serious injuries after a car accident in Farningham. Police were called to the incident on the A20 at 6.40am yesterday. A silver Mercedes SLK was in collision with a Kawasaki motorcycle, which left the motorcycle rider with serious injuries and his woman pillion passenger with a serious leg injury. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Conflicting claims over roadworks let-off
Community chiefs and bosses at Sevenoaks School have each clamoured to take credit for the removal of the deeply unpopular traffic lights in the High Street. A letter drafted by a trio of county councillors has assured residents the lights came down after they applied pressure on council officers. But the school's spokesman Andrew Burton said the lights were removed ahead of schedule because the work - the first phase of maintenance to the outside of school-owned houses - was finished early. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
£70k push to restore village structure
Community leaders in Farningham have launched a campaign to restore and preserve a Grade II listed cattle screen dating back to 1760. The historic structure is a continuation of a wall over the River Darent that would originally have prevented cattle from straying down the river. It is also believed to have marked the boundary of an old manor house that has since been pulled down. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
KCC "still committed" to bypass
Kent County Council has pledged its commitment to the Borough Green Bypass, despite prompting the project's collapse this week. On Monday H&H Celcon pulled out of its bid for a new factory - which would have funded the much-needed new road - when KCC admitted there was no planning permission for the bypass route. But the council said it was "surprised and disappointed" by Celcon's move - and called on the company to "stand firm". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Tributes pour in for 'Mr Rotary'
People have been paying tribute to a well-known Sevenoaks businessman who died suddenly, aged 79. Jim Davis was on his way to a doctor's appointment on Tuesday last week when he collapsed in the town centre and died of heart failure. Mr Davis was known for supporting local charities through his membership of Sevenoaks Rotary Club and earlier as a member of Sevenoaks Round Table. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Action demanded as town grinds to halt
Traders and town chiefs have hit out at the chaos on Sevenoaks' roads which has seen people suffer a third consecutive summer of disruption. Shop owners claim profits are down because customers have deserted the town and Sevenoaks Town Council (STC) has vowed to bring Kent County Council (KCC) to account. The top of the High Street is closed in one direction while Sevenoaks School conducts maintenance to buildings, causing massive tailbacks. Brittains Lane, Beechmont Road and Ashgrove Road remain shut while a cable is laid for the NHS and Cramptons Road is also closed while Southern Gas Networks replaces a gas main. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bypass plan collapses after KCC admission
The Borough Green bypass is dead. The project collapsed after Kent County Council (KCC) admitted it should not have given permission for the route for the proposed new road. The multi-million pound bypass would have been funded by H&H Celcon - but only if the brickmaking firm was given permission for a new factory in Ightham. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Campaigners from both sides united in dismay
Key figures on both sides of the debate respond to the dramatic collapse of the factory inquiry. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Premiership stars reward dedicated Joe, 11
An 11-year-old boy's four years of perfect attendance at a Kings Hill school have netted him memorabilia from two Premiership football clubs. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
MP calls for a cleaner station
Community leaders have called on Network Rail to clean up Sevenoaks Station following the announcement that 140 staff are going to be relocated to the town. In a bid to centralise its Kent operation, Network Rail plans to occupy six floors in Tubs Hill House. It hopes to be in by the end of the year. Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon welcomed the news and hoped that, with Network Rail staff using the station, the company might be prepared to make improvements. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
The cleanest streets in country: Are you sure?
People in Westerham have been scratching their heads over claims that Sevenoaks district has the cleanest streets in the country. A number of complaints from residents concerning litter in the town, particularly in the Market Square, has spurred Westerham Parish Council into writing to Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) seeking clarification on its approach to keeping the town's streets clean. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Commuters slam 15% hike in station parking charges
Commuters in Sevenoaks have slammed a 15 per cent increase in railway station parking charges saying no warning was given and the cost is too high. Prices in both the London Road and Oak Hill Road station car parks increased from £4 a day to £4.60 on Sunday. Oak Road car park is used solely by permit holders who were contacted prior to the upsurge because their details are known by operator Southeastern. But users of the London Road site have said they were left in the dark. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Disputed sex leaflet removed from shop
A controversial leaflet that brands sex education in schools "amoral", claiming it is "promoting a homosexual agenda among children", has been withdrawn from an Oxted shop. Until Tuesday, The Outrage of Amoral Sex had been freely available in Paydens Ltd, a bookshop and stationers in Station Road East. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Former MoD boffin jailed for man-trap
An eccentric ex Ministry of Defence boffin who worked at Fort Halstead has been jailed for 18 months for setting a mantrap at his garage. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Charity fights child sex trade
A new charity, whose UK branch was founded by a woman from Sevenoaks Weald, is gearing up to fight the scourge of child prostitution in India. Christian organisation Freedom Firm has been battling child prostitution for around five years, but only achieved charitable status in this country in February after Liz West, of Scabharbour Lane, got involved. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
£2,500 benefit cheat caught after tip-off
A Hartley benefit cheat who tried to swindle taxpayers out of nearly £2,500 has been successfully prosecuted following a tip-off from the public. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Youngsters go back to Tudor era
Children have had the opportunity to spend a day finding out how the Tudors lived at Knole House in Sevenoaks. They had the chance to make purses and lavender bags and try finger braiding at the event on Tuesday, the first of three days at the house. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
School memories buried in time capsule
Biggin Hill children have buried a time capsule reminder of their time at junior school beneath a housing development. A group of Year Six pupils from Biggin Hill Junior School, Old Tye Avenue, buried two containers of photos, copies of schoolwork, and teachers' and pupils' messages at Bryant Homes' Leavesden development. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fury over yet another summer of roadworks
Motorists and traders in Sevenoaks are demanding to know why they are enduring a third consecutive summer of traffic misery. Shop owners claim profits are down because customers have deserted the town as tailbacks cripple the roads. Sevenoaks Town Council has vowed to call Kent County Council to account as to lack of co-ordination over the string of roadworks. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Scrapped!
Kent County Council admitted it had blundered in believing the road still had planning permission. This prompted H&H Celcon - which would have funded the bypass in return for permission to build a second factory at Ightham Sandpits - to withdraw its application. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Developers urged not to build another Kings Hill
Developers looking to create a new community at Fort Halstead have been urged "Don't give us another Kings Hill". Sevenoaks District Council leader Cllr Peter Fleming said the authority had told developer Hines that the infrastructure had to be in place before the planned 1,500 homes could be built. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Grant will help provide better public services
A windfall of more than £254,000 from central Government will not wipe out a projected overspend in the district council's planning department, the authority has said. Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) has announced the department will benefit from the money "as part of a performance-related grant and for having among the best online planning facilities in the country". [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Planners overspend budget by a massive £254k
The planning department at Sevenoaks District Council is on course to exceed its budget by a whopping £254,000 because it cannot keep its staff. And a new IT system costing £148,000 - not factored into the original budget - will send extra costs in the department soaring to £402,000. Other departments at the council are now being expected to bail the planners out of their predicament. Councillors say the £254,000 overspend is not their fault, blaming the department's inability to recruit and retain officers. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Pedal power raises funds for children in Africa
Residents and staff at Chipstead Lake Cheshire Home are cycling 1,951 miles on static cycles to raise money for the education of disabled children in Kenya and a new minibus. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bypass scheme hits brick wall
The Borough Green bypass is dead. The project collapsed after Kent County Council (KCC) admitted it should not have given permission for the route for the proposed new road. The multi-million pound bypass would have been funded by H&H Celcon - but only if the brickmaking firm was given permission for a new factory in Ightham. But on Monday Celcon withdrew its application for the factory in the light of KCC's admission. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Top honour for young musician
Sevenoaks' Young Musician of the Year has been presented with a prestigious award recognising her achievement. Violinist Joo Yeon Sir, 16, was presented with the June Clements Memorial Medal at the Lydian Orchestra's summer concert for winning the prestigious title in March. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Memorial event raises a huge £25k for cancer charity
A charity event in Knockholt in memory of a woman who died of cancer has amassed a staggering £25,000, organisers believe. The fundraiser at Letts Green House on Saturday saw 700 people enjoying a host of activities. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Future of park under review after complaints
The future of the environmental park in Sevenoaks is under review amid complaints the facility has become rundown. The site - boasting woodland and a timber adventure playground - was once popular with parents and visitors, partly because it is so close to the town centre. But in recent months residents have been noticing a drop in standards at the park, with problems such as the equipment getting damaged and the grass becoming overgrown. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
TA soldier ends training course at new centre
A Biggin Hill Territorial Army soldier has successfully completed six weekends of intensive military instruction at one of the country's first centralised recruit training courses. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Pupils send their surplus school uniforms to youngsters in Africa
Riverhead Infant School pupils have raised money to send their old uniforms to Zambia following a demonstration of African song and dance. Jane Firth, from Seal, who recently spent time in the country with relief charity Tearfund, heard about the school's wish to donate the uniforms to a good cause from a Riverhead parent at the mother and toddler group at which she helps. She offered to organise sending the uniforms to World Emergency Relief, a charity she had met on her trip, if the school raised the money to transport them to the charity's Glasgow depot. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Youngsters put DJ skills to test
Youngsters in Sevenoaks have been putting their DJ skills to the test this week with the help of professionals. The teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, attended a two day workshop on Monday and Tuesday to produce their own unique lyrics and sounds as part of a youth programme spearheaded by Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Chiefs to push again for multi-storey car park
Community chiefs have pledged to approach the Government in a renewed bid to create a multi-storey car park in Sevenoaks. Under pressure from residents, the leader of Sevenoaks District Council agreed to try to prise the necessary cash from the Department for Transport. But Cllr Peter Fleming warned townsfolk not to get their hopes up. For several decades, creating a multi-storey has been widely seen as the simplest way to tackle the town's long-held parking problems. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Building society staff celebrate
Staff at a Sevenoaks building society have held a party to celebrate their new look. Visitors to the High Street Britannia branch on Thursday last weekwere entertained by a juggler dressed as a decorator, and could enjoy a glass of wine and a buffet. There was also an opportunity to win a bouquet of flowers delivered every month for a year. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Parking changes are a hit, say community chiefs
Shoppers and businesses have welcomed changes to parking in Oxted, according to community leaders. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Allotment gates are opened
The people who run Chipstead Allotment are hoping to plant a seed that gardening is great in the public imagination this weekend. They are throwing their doors wide open on Saturday, and inviting people to come and spend the day with them. [more]