Sevenoaks News

KOS MEDIA
County's venues set to realise Olympic ambition
Around a dozen top class sport venues across Kent will find out next week if they will be considered to host pre-Olympic training camps.

The London Organising Committee of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will be unveiling a guide of suitable facilities on Monday.

Organisers are keeping the details under wraps, but several venues in Kent have made the list, including sites in Canterbury, Medway, Dartford and Sevenoaks. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Mother's Day, Sunday 2nd March
Denise Thompson Designer Florist in Otford High Street are taking orders for Mothering Sunday (02 March 08) and the shop will be open on the big day with a lovely selection to cater for all your requirements with free delivery within the Otford area. To place an order please ring 01959 525009.

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Battle lost over Tesco expansion
Supermarket giant Tesco has won the right to increase the size of its Riverhead store by the narrowest of margins.

At a meeting of Sevenoaks District Council's planning committee earlier this evening, members were split straight down the middle over the issue.

But, to the dismay of many people in the room, planning committee chairman Cllr Ian Bosley gave a casting vote in Tesco's favour. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Budgeting for the future
Sevenoaks District Council agreed an annual budget which includes an average Council Tax charge set at £168.39 a year, an increase of £8.01 or an additional 2p a day at the meeting of Full Council last Thursday (21 February 2008).

The Council faces significant financial pressures in the coming year resulting from the very low grant increase from Central Government and additional costs, most of which are beyond the authority's control. Yet the Council ensured that its Council Tax increase was kept to a minimum at 4.99%. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Make a PACT in Dunton Green next month
Residents of Dunton Green are being reminded that they have an opportunity to take part in a consultation event next month to set out what they feel are important issues in their local area.

The Partners and Communities Together (PACT) exercise will take place at Dunton Green Primary School on Wednesday 5 March between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Any residents can attend and let the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership, who are organising the event, know what their community priorities are by taking part in the consultation, which should take no longer than 30 minutes. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Time running out to comment on safety action plan
Local residents are being reminded they have less than a fortnight to make their views known on crime and the fear of crime in the District.

The Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership is currently consulting on its draft Strategy and Action Plan for 2008 to 2011, with residents having until Thursday 6 March to comment on the document.

The draft plan, which is based on consultation with local people, statistical crime data and data from partner agencies, contains over 50 actions designed to reduce crime and the fear of crime, including projects to reduce burglary, vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Stroll along to an accredited health walk!
Local walkers wanting to put a spring in their step as winter comes to an end should look no further than the newly accredited health walks in the District.

The four walks, all co-ordinated by Sevenoaks District Council, have recently been awarded ‘Walking the Way to Health’ accreditation, which means they have met the criteria of offering led walks for beginners (these need to be reasonably flat, with no stiles and last under one hour) and meeting safety and insurance standards for all walks. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Save money with Love Food Hate Waste
Some Kent households are wasting up to £400 a year on perfectly good food which ends up being thrown away - that could buy several meals out or pay the next credit card bill.

The 14 local councils in Kent, are offering residents tips on how to save that money and help the environment with their Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

The campaign gives advice on how to make the most of the food we buy. Around a third of all food being brought in the UK ends up being thrown away and most of that is perfectly good food that could have been eaten. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Car park charges
Plans to increase car parking charges in Sevenoaks have been met with horror by town councillors.

They have vowed to write to their counterparts at Sevenoaks District Council, the authority behind the scheme, to outline their concerns. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Care home given go-ahead
Plans to build a new residential care home in Bessels Green have been given the go-ahead despite vehement opposition.

Sunrise Senior Living has emerged victorious from a battle with Sevenoaks District Council over its scheme to build a three-storey home for 99 elderly residents in Westerham Road.

Councillors refused planning permission in 2006, but Sunrise appealed and the Planning Inspectorate has now found in the care home chain's favour. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Dog training day
One of the area's country parks is hosting a training day for dog owners.

On Wednesday, staff from Battersea Dogs Home will be using Lullingstone Country Park as a base to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership.

Visitors can participate in informal dog training sessions, get their pets microchipped and meet the Battersea workers and dogs. [more]

Kent Messenger
3 killed in M20 crash horror
Three people, two men and a woman, died on Saturday when their car crashed off the M20 in Kent.

They were among five people in a Ford Focus that left the road near Wrotham. No other vehicle was involved. The crash happened on the London-bound carriageway between junctions 1 and 2 at about 4.50am. The road was closed for about five hours. The car was found in a field a few hundred yards from the road. Fire crews from Dartford and Larkfield cut free the casualties. The two women who survived were in hospital with injuries which police said were not life-threatening. Police are appealing for witnesses to call their serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538. [more]

Kent Messenger
A musical portrait of a Czech river
The Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra is to perform a concert dedicated to the memory of David Musgrave, a one-time member of the orchestra.

The concert, at St Nicholas' Church, Sevenoaks, will open with Smetana's Vltava, one of six which make up Ma Vlast (My Country). It is a musical portrait of the Czech Republic's longest river.

The show is on Saturday, February 23, at 7.30pm. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Put on your dancing shoes in Swanley!
There is a chance for Swanley residents to enjoy another afternoon of music, dancing and socialising when the next popular tea dance waltzes into the town next month.

The event is being held on Thursday 27 March at White Oak Leisure Centre from 12noon to 2pm. Tickets cost £4 per person, which includes sandwiches and tea and coffee, and are available now from the Leisure Centre.

The tea dances were introduced in Swanley last year and have proved very successful, with all participants saying they would like to attend them on a regular basis. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man rushed to hospital following collision
A man was taken to hospital following a collision involving two cars.

The incident happened near Fullers Hill Farm, on Fullers Hill, Seal at around 10.45am yesterday. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Firefighters free woman from car
A woman had to be cut free from a car after a collision in Otford.

The incident happened in Bubblestone Road at 12.41pm today.

Two cars were involved and Sevenoaks firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the woman who was trapped. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Antique urns smashed by vandals
Vandals have damaged two antique garden urns at a Sundridge school.

The 18th century stone urns were pushed over, breaking them, at Combe Bank School sometime overnight between Friday and Saturday.

A car barrier was also damaged during the same period. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
11+ assessment may move to September
Kent's parents could know their child's 11+ assessment before deciding which secondary school to apply for after Kent County Council's Cabinet agreed, at their meeting today (6 February), to move the Kent Test to September.

Families across the county were asked for their views on moving the date and the majority voted in favour, although there were reservations from other admissions authorities in Kent. With the backing of the Cabinet, the Secretary of State for Education will now be asked to make a final decision, which is expected before the end of May. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
District-wide parking charges under review
Sevenoaks District Council is putting forward new parking charges that will come into effect from Tuesday 1 April 2008, the first increase in many cases for between two and four years.

Local people can comment on the new proposed charges up to 29 February 2008. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Website highlighted for young people
The Sevenoaks District Local Implementation Group, as part of the Kent Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, are increasing their sexual health promotions during Contraceptive Awareness Week covering the 11 to 15 February.

The group, which consists of multi agency professionals, will be ensuring that promotional materials are displayed in key places where teenagers frequent, including selected local shops in a bid to increase the awareness of sexual health information and services available for young people.

The emphasis for this week will be on promoting the ‘foryoungpeople’ website, a sexual health website specifically for young people in Kent. The Kent Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, along with young people, designed the 4YP logo which represents young peoples services across Kent. These services have to meet a young people friendly criteria in order to be badged with the logo. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Make a PACT in Dunton Green
Dunton Green residents can help set out their community priorities at a consultation exercise next month.

A Partners and Communities Together (PACT) consultation exercise will take place at Dunton Green Primary School on Wednesday 5 March between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Any residents can attend and let the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership, who are organising the event, know what is important to them in their local area by taking part in the consultation, which should take no longer than 30 minutes. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Holiday bus crash terror
Two former Sevenoaks School girls narrowly escaped death when their dream holiday turned into a nightmare.

Sevenoaks resident Hannah Peat, 21, has relived the horrifying moment when the bus she was travelling on in the South Island of New Zealand, with Tunbridge Wells pal Laura Arthur, slid off the road and tumbled 15m down the side of a mountain.

Miss Peat said: "I'm feeling pretty numb at the moment". [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Fundraiser for Uganda trip by Local Youth Club in Edenbridge
Hi I am Steve Hanks Area Youth and Community Worker for Sevenoaks based at the Edenbridge Centre, Four Elms Road 01732 863152 or 07752 884547 we are trying to raise £20,000 to take 10 young people 14-20 to Uganda in August 2008 and this is the 2nd of a huge fundraising ideas to reach the target - the plan is to build a playground in a village in Kibogo [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bank robbed at gunpoint
A bank in New Ash Green has been robbed at gunpoint.

A man went into Lloyds TSB in the Row at 2pm and threatened staff, demanding they hand over the money.

They gave him cash from the tills, which he put in a dark coloured bag, similar to a sports bag. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Road rage horror
A man was rushed to hospital with cuts to his eyeball and glass embedded in his cheek after a road rage incident in Sevenoaks.

The 40-year-old man, a lorry driver from Tunbridge Wells, was driving on the A21, just after Morley's Roundabout at around 6am this morning when his windscreen was smashed by an object he believes was thrown from another vehicle. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Yobs' behaviour could close hall
Community leaders have attacked the yob culture in Borough Green following claims that audience members were intimidated at the annual pantomime.

Although the performances were hailed as a resounding success, the people in charge of the hall have said that youths hanging around in the car park were a problem. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Road closure is cause of chaos
The seven-week long nightmare for Sevenoaks traders began on Monday as London Road was closed in both directions.

After just two days, business owners were united in the opinion that there had been a noticeable downturn in trade, which they blamed on Kent County Council's project to improve the pavements and zebra crossings and to install 32 bollards. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Appeal is on target
A school in Sevenoaks is well on its way to securing enough money to pay for a major project of improvements.

Since an appeal was launched in May last year, St Thomas' in South Park has raised a staggering £115,000 and needs to find just £35,000 more. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Finally, action after 10 years of flooding
A Sevenoaks homeowner has finally succeeded in persuading highway bosses to take action, after enduring 10 years of flooding.

Jose Freitas lives on Bradbourne Vale Road which, he has claimed, floods every time there is heavy rainfall. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Businesses that started out in town
Brasted is also home to Britain's oldest building firm. R Durtnell and Sons Ltd dates back to 1591. The family firm has since grown and now has a turnover of £40million and 170 full-time staff. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Our legion stalwart
He is a friendly and popular face around Sevenoaks, but few know the truth of Harry Garrett's tough upbringing. Christine Mackinnon meets a Sevenoaks stalwart.

Harry Garrett would like to apologise for not being around so much recently. After all, he's only 89, so there's no excuse. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Timber temper
Bad weather stopped play for the neighbours' tree surgeons this week.

Just between us, I'm holding out for more high winds and rain. My nerves are shredded. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Cricket stars drop in to coach youngsters
Young aspiring cricketers from the Sevenoaks area were bowled over when two top class Kent professionals dropped by to put them through their paces.

Kent wicket-keeper and batsman Geraint Jones, one of England's Ashes heroes in 2005, and fast bowler Simon Cook spent an evening at St Michael's School in Otford. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
School in effort for Fairtrade status
Selling coffee, biscuits and chocolate is one of the ways pupils are promoting Fairtrade at a Sundridge school.

Year Five and Six at Sundridge and Brasted Primary School organised the stall after school on Monday to sell the goods to parents and other pupils.

Headteacher Helen Jones said: "They're learning about economic well-being and business skills, as well as the importance of Fairtrade." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Pub's regulars tackle fire
Regulars at the Three Post Boys in Wrotham valiantly tackled a blaze in the pub's chimney on Monday night.

Firefighters from Borough Green were called into action at 9.49pm, but when they arrived on the scene they found the fire had already been put out.

Pub landlords Annie Hobden and Kevin Obee said a number of locals had decided to take the situation into their own hands and clambered onto the roof. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Pancake flips become school house contest
Pancake racing took a more competitive turn on Tuesday when children from Ightham Primary School turned the activity into a school house competition.

Headteacher June Cooke said the idea came about when the children on the school council decided they wanted more house competitions. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Hunt for robber who threatened acid attack
A robber threatened to spray a woman shop worker in the face with acid before running off with the day's takings.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at The Shop on the concourse of Sevenoaks Station. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Revamp will bring state-of-the-art equipment to gym
A major refurbishment of the fitness gym at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre got under way on Monday.

Sencio Community Leisure in partnership with Sevenoaks District Council is planning to install 60 new state-of-the-art pieces of equipment. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Skate park set to be built wheely soon
A long-awaited £100,000 skate park is in-line to be built in Sevenoaks within the next few months.

Sevenoaks Town Council has decided to cough up £60,000 towards the cost of the park. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Station plans to be debated
The future of the old Sevenoaks Police Station will soon be decided. Initial plans to demolish the station in order to erect 59 residential units and 1,340 sqm of office floor space were refused in June 2007. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents are angered as electricity is cut
More than two-thirds of Toys Hill was left without power for over six hours while an electricity company connected the supply to a private workshop.

Power to 32 homes and businesses was turned off by EDF Energy engineers between 9.15am and 3.28pm on Tuesday. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Marmalade competition
Exotic oranges are all the rage in Plaxtol at this time of year as the village gears up for its annual marmalade-making contest.

The competition, which is organised by Plaxtol Village Stores owner Sandy Oram, and Plaxtol sub postmistress Gerry Weston, is a highlight of the village's calendar, bringing together a wide range of marmalade enthusiasts, both male and female. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Local resident celebrates her 100th birthday
Kemsing centenarian Rosina Burrett has reached her 100th birthday through "sheer stubbornness and determination".

Mrs Burrett who celebrated her birthday yesterday (Wednesday) moved to Abbeyfield The Dynes Residential Home in 2005. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Traveller penalised for living on disallowed land for five years
A traveller from Halstead has been fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 costs after being convicted of failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

Robert Simmons has been fighting eviction by Sevenoaks District Council to remain on land near Station Court, Sevenoaks Road, for almost five years. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Air ambulance launches new venture
A Kent Air Ambulance Trust helicopter landed at Brands Hatch on Tuesday last week to mark the launch of a new venture between the trust and MotorSport Vision.

A new relationship between the two organisations means Kent Air Ambulance Trust can now take its exhibition trailer to some of the most major events at the racing circuit, run by MotorSport Vision. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Peace group celebrates its 50th anniversary
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Sevenoaks is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Sunday.

The campaign group was launched in the late 1950s and still boasts a few original members. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Renovations ready to begin despite curators' reservations
Renovations at Eynsford's Lullingstone Roman Villa are on schedule despite interesting challenges for the curators.

The English Heritage is bankrolling the £1.3million overhaul at the popular tourist attraction - its biggest revamp since being opened to the public in 1962. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
MP defends employing wife
Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon has defended his decision to employ his wife, in the wake of the Derek Conway scandal.

On Monday Conservative Mr Fallon, 56, confirmed his wife Wendy had worked for him part-time for several years.

But he moved to distance himself from his disgraced party colleague, insisting his situation was "totally different" from that of Mr Conway. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Make it a SNAPPY Valentine's night!
Award winning band Stonefoxx will be bringing their mix of pure pop and deep R 'n' B grooves to Sevenoaks later this month when the Valentine's SNAP night is held in the town.

The three piece girl group, who were named as winners of BT Broadband’s Search for Unsigned Talent last year, will be headlining the event on Saturday 16 February at Sevenoaks Community Centre on Crampton’s Road.

The night runs from 7pm to 10.30pm, and advanced tickets are on sale for £5 from Sevenoaks Leisure Centre. Any remaining tickets will be available to buy on the door. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Council welcomes retention of Minor Injuries Unit
Sevenoaks District Council has expressed its delight at the decision by West Kent Primary Care Trust to retain the Minor Injuries Unit at Edenbridge District War Memorial Hospital.

West Kent PCT carried out a comprehensive public consultation on the issue resulting in the positive outcome for the community of keeping the unit open. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Get in line for dance classes!
Over 50 year olds in Swanley who want to lead an active lifestyle have even more options now thanks a new dance class starting up in the town.

The weekly line dancing classes that take place every Thursday at White Oak Leisure Centre for over 50s have now been expanded into three classes rather than two:

3.30pm to 4.30pm – Absolute Beginners

4.30pm to 5.30pm – Improvers

5.30pm to 6.30pm – Intermediates

Classes cost £2 and there is no need to book in advance for classes, simply turn up on the afternoon and have fun! [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Your favourite Sevenoaks magazine, now bigger and better
The February edition of Vine launches across the Sevenoaks district today and there's some good news. We’ve added eight extra pages to this month’s offering and increased our circulation to 14,000 – a 40% increase since launch. What’s more, you’re now among plenty of friends, joining over 35,000 other readers of Vine every month. [more]

Kent Messenger
Runners all set for banana bonanza at Brands
Brands Hatch will be bombarded with bananas this weekend for a special charity event. Leukaemia Research’s Banana Army will unleash 150 runners at the famous Kent racing circuit, near West Kingsdown, for its annual half marathon spectacular on Saturday. The event, organised by Running Fitness and Saucony with Leukaemia Research, features a traditional 13-mile race, a 10k run and an additional one-mile Bananaman Chase in aid of Leukaemia Research. The banana bonanza will see entrants running to overtake pacesetters, all dressed in banana suits. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Changes prompt crime cut
An impressive cut in crime across the Sevenoaks area is thanks to the police boundary changes, the district chief inspector has said.

Overall crime - from April to December 2007 - was down 17 per cent on the corresponding period, latest figures show.

Chief Insp Gill Ellis beamed: "Every single ward in the whole district is showing reductions in the recorded crime." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bank bosses sorry over sign gaffe
HSBC's Sevenoaks branch has unveiled a new sign - complete with an unfortunate error greeting people to the town.

The multinational organisation, which proudly claims to be the world's local bank, welcomed people to the Seven Oaks branch.

The banking giant was rueful of the error but took full responsibility. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Joint strategy to tackle homelessness in West Kent launched
Three Kent councils have joined forces to launch a new strategy aimed at tackling homelessness in West Kent. Sevenoaks District Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council launched the strategy, known as the Joint Homelessness Strategy – Towards 2010, at a special event at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Pembury on 4 February 2008. The three councils pooled their skills and experience to develop the strategy after engaging with and listening to feedback from local housing associations and statutory and voluntary sector organisations. They also worked with a number of homeless people to learn more about the issues surrounding homelessness and how to prevent it. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Joy at injury unit u-turn
A minor injuries unit used by Westerham and Oxted residents has been saved from possible closure.

West Kent Primary Care Trust Board approved plans to retain - and improve - the Minor Injuries Unit at Edenbridge Hospital on Thursday, following a fight lead by the League of Friends to keep it open.

Plans for the future of the unit include recruiting a matron, ensuring it is open every day from 8.30am to 4.30pm and offering bookable appointments for non-urgent patients. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Sevenoaks Rotary 10k Run in Knole Park Sunday March 16th 2008
The second running of this event organised by the Rotary Club of Sevenoaks promises to attract a record number of over 500 runners from all over the South East of England with even one from Germany.

Last year`s record times were 37.01 minutes set by Robert Jackson and 37.59 minutes set by Lizzy Hall a Ladies National Cross Country Champion.

This year we are honoured that Lord Sackville, Robert Sackville West will officially start the Race.

The main beneficiaries of the 2008 Run will be Age Concern, Sevenoaks, who with limited financial resources, do so much to help local elderly people.

Our thanks go to Lord Sackville and the Knole Estate for facilitating the Run. We are also fortunate to have as our sponsors, Knocker & Foskett who supported us last year, Ibbett Moseley, Sevenoaks Chronicle and the Vine Magazine as well as Davis Garage, Sencio and Sevenoaks Computer Shop who will be providing our results service.

Our brand new website www.sevenoaksrotary10k.co.uk is up and running thanks to John Hubbard of Otford.net and is receiving an impressive number of `hits`. Full details of the Run are shown and postal entry forms can be downloaded. All sponsors and advertisers have links to their own websites.

Entries are coming in thick and fast, mostly online via Runners World website, and have already approaching the 200 mark.

This year we hope to see many teams of 3 or more entered from local firms and clubs. The Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce have circulated all members and we know that RBS/Nat West and Sencio intend to enter teams.

We have also received entries from a team of Olympic Medal winning Sailors including double Silver Medallist Ian Walker and Jo Grindley who will be demonstrating their abilities on terra firma for a change, but do not expect to be among the prizewinners!

This year we have improved the medals and prizes. In view of the expected increase in the number of runners this year, additional Marshalls will be on hand to ensure a smooth organisation.

Sencio are providing changing and toilet facilities and a cafe selling drinks and refreshments at the Sevenoaks Leisure Centre. Free parking is available on the adjacent car parks.
John Walker Race Director www.sevenoaksrotary10k.co.uk

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Answer to 'easy' A-levels?
Sixth form students at a Sevenoaks school will have the opportunity to take a new qualification as an alternative to the A-level.

From September, Walthamstow Hall will offer the Cambridge Pre-U - designed to give exceptional pupils the chance to stand out.

Critics have labelled A-levels too easy but this new system, recognised by all universities, aims to tackle that problem. [more]

Kent Messenger
Boys arrested after fire in school loo
Two teenagers have been arrested following a fire at a Kent school which is thought to have caused thousands of pounds of damage.

The two 14-year-old boys were arrested after the fire at Wrotham School today.

The blaze is believed to have started after a toilet roll caught fire in the first floor boys' toilets. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Daughter for couple who spent £64,000 on 15 IVF treatments
A woman who spent £ 64,000 on 15 attempts to become pregnant through IVF treatment has finally given birth.

Delina Tree and her husband Simon from Sevenoaks in Kent were told they had only a five per cent chance of conceiving.

But, 10 years after they first started IVF, they are celebrating the birth of daughter Olivia. [more]

Kent Messenger
Weekend hockey round-up
Sevenoaks climbed to the top of the Men’s National South Division after a double success at the weekend. Oaks started the weekend in second and on Saturday won a tricky tie against Indian Gymkhana who were sitting just one place below them. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
England crushed by World Champions in Deaf International
England found the world champions too hot to handle in an entertaining Deaf International at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry this afternoon. England competed well in the first half and were level at 7-7 after 30 minutes. But their errors were then punished with increasing frequency by an experienced and well-organised Wales side who eventually pulled away to record a second consecutive win in this fixture with six of their ten tries being scored in the second half. “The better side won, there is no doubt about that,” said Tony Stoyles, director of rugby of the England Deaf Rugby Union. “They are the best side in the world and they showed why. They created space in our defence and they were able to select players from the higher divisions of the Welsh leagues. “But we tried hard and we competed well for most of the first half. “This is all part of learning process for us. We gave debuts to seven new caps today and there were some encouraging individual performances which has given us something to build on for next month’s game against Scotland.” Stoyles praised the efforts of the England back-row of Brett Pruce (Aylestone St James), Ian Collins (Sevenoaks) and Matt Gilbert (Hartpury College) for their unstinting efforts in defeat. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
No action against death crash driver
No action will be taken against the driver of a lorry involved in a man's death on the Sevenoaks stretch of the M25, police have said.

A 45-year-old man died after being struck by a lorry after stepping out of his car on the hard shoulder yesterday lunchtime. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Thieving bursar jailed
Disgraced former school bursar Haydyn Puffette, who systematically stole from the Wildernesse School at Sevenoaks while working there, has been jailed for 18 months.

The 64-year-old, who stole approaching £175,000, but who has since paid the whole sum back, was told by Judge Philip Statman he could have faced a sentence of up to four years. [more]

KINO AT THE STAG
Hansel & Gretal
The Little Stag is back!!...with this well known fairy tale adapted into an interactive play for 4-9 year olds during half term.

HANSEL & GRETAL Saturday 16th - Saturday 23rd February (exc. Sunday)

Two performances a day at 11.30am and 2.30pm

Lost and lonely, a young brother and sister have been left in the deepest part of the forest and they can't find their way home...suddenly they come across a house made of the most delicious cakes and sweets… but who lives there?!

£7 a ticket. Babies go free. 10% discount for groups of 10 people or more
For more information, please call 01732 450175.

KINO AT THE STAG
CELEBR8 DANCE hosted by The Bradbourne School
Following the huge success of dance at The Bradbourne School and the development of dance within many local primary schools, the annual dance show hosted by The Bradbourne School was moved to the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks in order to cater for the massive demand for both performance space and tickets.

In this, the third year at the Stag, performances will run over 3 nights with an amazing 20 schools taking part during the event. It will provide the opportunity for over 500 young people to display all that they have learnt during the many dance sessions that have run over the last six months.

The performance dates are Monday 11th Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th February 2008. Tickets £5.50 (£4.50 concession)
For more information, please call 01732 450175.

KOS MEDIA
Conway in young driver programme
Kent racer Mike Conway has been named in Honda’s young driver programme which could see him on a Formula One grid next season.

The Sevenoaks racer has been named as one of two drivers for the Honda programme after its launch of the 2008 car this week.

Conway beat fellow GP2 racer Andi Zuber to the seat and joins Italian Luca Fillipi for the programme.

The former British Formula Three champion will now have a pivotal role in the team, testing the car four times over the course of the season in a bid to make it stronger and faster.

He believes the chance could land him a place in the team in 2009, as there are rumors that current driver Rubens Barrichello could leave at the end of this season. [more]

BBC KENT
Man dies in lorry accident on M25
A man has died in an accident involving a lorry on the M25 in Kent.

Police said the man was getting out of a vehicle parked on the hard shoulder when the accident happened on the clockwise carriageway at midday.

Emergency services closed the motorway between the Swanley interchange at junction four and the M20/A21 turnoff at junction five for several hours. Drivers experienced long delays as traffic was diverted for 26 miles via the M20 and M26. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Stars back cricket plan
Two cricket stars have thrown their weight behind a bid to save the indoor nets at Sevenoaks' Raleys Gym.

Kent and England wicket-keeper and batsman, Geraint Jones, and Kent fast bowler, Simon Cook, have said the sport could be dealt a devastating blow locally if plans to redevelop the site with tennis courts is given the go-ahead by Sevenoaks Town Council (STC) at the expense of the existing cricket nets. [more]

Kent Messenger
Bursar who stole £175,000 from school locked up
A school bursar who felt undervalued stole almost £175,000 to boost his ailing pension fund, a court heard.

Haydn Puffette, described as a respected pillar of the community, systematically fleeced the school, causing it great hardship.

The 64-year-old married father was jailed for 18 months on Friday for what a judge called "a grave breach of trust".

Maidstone Crown Court heard Puffette was employed by The Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks from 1993 and had responsibility for the finances. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Cowden benefit fraudster punished
A women who tried to con tax payers out of more than £6,000 of their money was successfully prosecuted at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (29 January). [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Who is your Young Volunteer of the Year?
Residents of the District have the chance to put forward young people who they feel have made a difference in their community through their voluntary work.

The Sevenoaks District Young Volunteer of the Year scheme aims to recognise young people aged 14 to 18 whose voluntary work has shown:

- Personal commitment and achievement

- Good leadership

- Innovation and creativity

- Measurable impact or benefit

Nomination forms are available at Sevenoaks District Council, town and parish councils, libraries, community and voluntary youth groups and schools. Nominations can also be made online by going to the Young People's section of the Council website. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Take some time to get in line!
Edenbridge residents are being reminded that there is an enjoyable way to get fit and active with a new dance class that started in the town last month.

The weekly line dance class, held from 12.30pm to 2.30pm every Friday at Edenbridge Leisure Centre, costs £3 with no booking required so anyone can simply turn up and strut their stuff!

The class is run by professional dance teachers Barbara and Karen from Scuffs and Struts Line Dancing Club, and everyone who attends, regardless of age or ability will be made to feel very welcome and is guaranteed to have fun. [more]