Sevenoaks News

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Sevenoaks Rotary 10k Run in Knole Park Sunday March 16th 2008
It was a day when the weather gods did not smile, so conditions were very wet, soft and slippery for the 2nd running of this popular event.

There were 550 entries, an increase of 60% over last year but unfortunately the runners were greeted by continuous rain and drizzle. Despite this, spirits were high and the atmosphere cheerful.

Entries were received from USA, Germany and all over Southern England, a tribute to the Event marketing and reputation.

Robert Sackville West, Lord Sackville kindly came along with his daughter to talk to spectators and competitors and he welcomed them all before starting both the 10k and the 2k races.

First race to finish was the 2k Fun Run, won by 13 yrs old Amy Captain from Chailey in 8 mins. 19 sec. , 2nd was 12 yrs old Hanna Lunn from Rotherfield in 8 mins. 47 sec. and 3rd 12 yrs old Alistair Bishop from Sevenoaks in 9 mins 01 sec., excellent times in the conditions.

Winner of the 10k this year was Andrew Walpole of the City of Norwich Athletics Club in a new record time of 36 mins. 35 sec. 2nd was Nick Harris from Watford Harriers just 7 seconds behind with Andrew Vlidowski just 4 seconds away in 3rd place. 4th was Philip Avery from Crawley Athletic Club a further 8 seconds back.

First lady was 17 year old Danielle Hurley from Orpington Road Runners in the fast time of 40 mins. 05 sec. With Maria Heslop 39 seconds back in 2nd place and Viv Mitchell from South London Harriers was 3rd lady a further 3 mins. 5 sec. behind.

The Mens` Team prize was won by Sevenoaks A.C. and collected by Mark Haworth who himself finished a creditable 8th.

The Marshalls around the Entry area and on the Course, who were mainly Sevenoaks Rotarians and friends including a few Explorer Scouts from Kemsing, all did an efficient and heroic job in dreadful conditions. Race Chairman Brian Brauns and Race Director John Walker supported by a few stalwarts have devoted a massive amount of time and effort to make the event a great success.

Principle beneficiary of the event this year is Sevenoaks Age Concern and it is hoped that the Run will show a surplus of between £4000 and £5000, all for charity.

Main Sponsors were Knocker & Foskett for the 2nd time, and Ibbett Moseley as well as Sevenoaks Chronicle/Courier Group, The Vine Magazine and Davis Garage who provided field transport and a donation. Support facilities from Sencio at the Sevenoaks Leisure Centre and services from Sevenoaks Computer Shop were invaluable. Healthy energy bananas were kindly provided by Fyffes. There were none left at the end!

The essential Website www.sevenoaksrotary10k.co.uk was provided and maintained by John Hubbard of Otford.net.

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man killed in collision
A man was killed while crossing a road.

He collided with a blue Audi A4 car in London Road, Wrotham yesterday and died at the scene.

Police were called to the incident near the Horse and Groom pub at 6.40pm.

The stretch of road between the junction with Terry Lodge and the roundabout on Wrotham Hill was then closed for about six hours while the emergency services dealt with the incident. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bold school merger plan
An ambitious plan is being drawn up to merge two Sevenoaks secondary schools into a state-of- the-art new school, the Chronicle can reveal.

Education chiefs want to replace the Wildernesse and the Bradbourne state schools with an independently-run academy.

They hope it will offer Sevenoaks youngsters an alternative to travelling to grammar schools in nearby towns. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Opening hours... Firearms ...Theft ... Your concerns
Q: Sevenoaks Police Office is often shut during the day. Why? What kind of message does this send to the public about how accessible our neighbourhood police are?

Chief Insp Ellis: Sometimes....... [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Nursery linked to MP closed down
A nursery chain with links to Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon has closed a branch featured in an undercover TV documentary.

A BBC investigation revealed staff at a Just Learning nursery in Cambourne, near Cambridge, failed to follow policies and procedures. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Headteachers back the academy plans
The Headteachers of the schools at the centre of the academy plans are upbeat about the idea.

The Wildernesse School and the Bradbourne School would both cease to exist as we currently know them if the scheme came to fruition, with one of the sites almost certainly being sold off. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
What happens next?
Stakeholders (including councils, headteachers, governors and sponsors) agree on an overall vision for the academy.

Stakeholders look at the project in detail and produce a formal proposal, called an Expression of Interest. This process is expected to take at least two months.

The proposal is sent to the Department for Children, Schools and Families for ministerial approval. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Anger as PCSO leaves
Dunton Green is losing its designated PCSO so he can cover a paid-for post elsewhere.

Parish council chairman John Lankester has criticised the move which came just two days before a public consultation was held to discover what residents want changed in their village. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Wildlife project springs into action
With spring just around the corner, local people can find out how to make the most of local wildlife with a series of free workshops, walks and information packs.

Sevenoaks District Council's 'Go Wild' project springs into action next month with its 'Spring Wildlife Workshop' that will be held on Thursday 24 April 2008 from 7pm to 9pm in the Sevenoaks Community Centre, Cramptons Road, (off Otford Road) in Sevenoaks.

The workshop will include presentations by guest speakers, will give advice and tips on how to attract and protect local wildlife and a question and answer session. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Help Sevenoaks make the transition!
Sevenoaks residents who want to help create a positive environmentally friendly style of living to help combat climate change can find out more about an innovative community run initiative later this month.

A meeting is being held, by and for the local community, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 March at Sevenoaks Community Centre to consider whether Sevenoaks could become a ‘Transition Town’ - a community run initiative which looks at the current and future effects of climate change and how Sevenoaks can adapt and thrive by involving as many different community groups as possible.

Arctic explorer Glenn Morris will be one of four speakers attending, talking about his experiences in one of the coldest parts of the world. There will also be talks on sea level rise in Kent, sustainability and transition towns. [more]

KINO AT THE STAG
The Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year
Presented by Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival.

A musical feast not to be missed! 15 minute recitals by talented young people competing for the title of Young Musician with an adjudication by a panel of professional judges.

Sunday 16th March First Recital 10.30am Winner announced at 4.30pm Come and go as you please Tickets £5.00 (Accompanied under 16s free)
For more information, please call 01732 450175.

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Film role tourism boost
Knole House's starring role in Hollywood blockbuster The Other Boleyn Girl could help bolster Kent's economy, tourism chiefs believe.

The Kent Tourism Alliance thinks the appearance of Knole, as well Penshurst Place and Dover Castle, offers a unique chance to show off the county's array of attractions.

Tourism is already worth £2billion to the county - and this global exposure could give it a welcome boost. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Time is running out to nominate your Young Volunteer of the Year
Time is running out for anyone in the District to put forward young people who they feel have made a difference in their community through their voluntary work.

There are three weeks until the deadline date of 31 March for nominations for the Sevenoaks District Young Volunteer of the Year, a scheme which 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

Anyone can get involved, from teachers to neighbours, from community workers to residents - you don’t have to be part of a youth group to nominate someone. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Get on the health walk scene!
Sevenoaks residents can combine a healthy lifestyle with the beautiful scenery of Knole Park as part of free initiative in the town.

The Sevenoaks Town health walk takes place every Thursday, meeting in the café at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre just before 10.30am.

The walks last from 45 minutes to an hour, with the picturesque surrounds of Knole Park providing the backdrop. The walks are suitable for any age or ability, as well as people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs and everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace. It is suggested people dress appropriately according to the weather and sensible, comfortable footwear is a must.

Newcomers are welcomed every week and are advised to arrive a few minutes beforehand to fill in a short health questionnaire. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Noye to fight conviction
A convicted M25 "road rage" murderer from West Kingsdown has won a key round of his fight to appeal his conviction for a second time.

Kenneth Noye, 60, fled to Spain after stabbing 21-year-old Stephen Cameron to death on the motorway at Swanley in 1996.

He was later extradited and jailed for life in 2000 after being convicted of murder. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Residents highlight village's needs
Poor facilities for young people, traffic congestion and too many houses are some of the main issues affecting Dunton Green, according to villagers.

At a Partnership And Communities Together consultation residents were invited to have their say on a range of community matters.

West Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council and Kent Fire and Rescue Service are all part of the scheme which seeks to gather people's views and collate them into an action plan. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Fierce storms hit area
Sevenoaks is being battered by fierce storms.

A fallen tree has partially blocked the A25 just outside Westerham at Beggars Lane, while traffic approaching Sevenoaks from the south is crawling along the A21, which is suffering from fallen trees and standing water. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Easter bank holiday 2008 office opening times
Over the Easter bank holiday period, there will be some changes to the Council's opening times.

Sevenoaks Office

Open as usual on Thursday 20 March

Closed Good Friday 21 March and Easter Monday 24 March

Open as usual from Tuesday 25 March. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Easter bank holiday refuse collection times
Following the Easter bank holidays, there will be some changes to black and clear sack refuse collection and garden waste collection times throughout Sevenoaks District.

The revised collection times are:

- Good Friday 21 March – collected the next daySaturday 22 March

- Easter Monday 24 March – all collections this week will be one day later than usual until Saturday 29 March

Residents are asked to ensure that their black and clear sacks and green waste is put out by 7am on the collection day. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Drugs 'foot soldier' spared
A 39-year-old Seal man who became a "foot soldier" for a major gang of benefits fraudsters has been spared a prison sentence. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Watchdog clears police marksman in shooting
The Police marksman who shot dead Tosh Sanderson in Sevenoaks should not face criminal proceedings, according to investigators.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has completed its probe into the shooting and decided the officer did not commit a criminal offence. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Rottweiler attack shocks village
A horrific dog attack in Knockholt left three people wounded, including a police officer.

The incident has left the village stunned and questions have been asked as to where the dogs came from and how they managed to mysteriously disappear.

A woman in her 60s and her son from Bromley were attacked by two Rottweilers on a public footpath near Birchwood Lane on February 24 at around 2pm. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
While car park stands empty, council vans park on double yellow lines
District council staff have been snapped parking on double yellow lines in Sevenoaks again - right next to an empty council office car park.

One of the Chronicle's photographers took the shots which show a Sevenoaks District Council vehicle parked on the yellow lines in Argyle Road when, just metres away, the Sevenoaks office's car park was hosting just one car. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man who said yes called 'judas'
The man who granted Tesco permission to expand its Riverhead store left Thursday's planning meeting to cries of "Judas". But Sevenoaks District Council's planning committee chairman Cllr Ian Bosley is sticking to his guns, despite the abuse thrown at him from the public gallery. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
End to theatre identity crisis?
The identity crisis which has long gripped Sevenoaks' theatre has finally been lifted - hopefully.

The London Road arts venue, comprising the theatre, cinemas and bars, is now called Kino Sevenoaks.

The deeply unpopular previous name - the Sevenoaks Playhouse - has been dropped altogether by the new operator, Kino Holdings, which originally promised to reinstate the building's original name, the Stag Theatre. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Meeting over fear that centre is a hazard
Stark warnings have been made by hundreds of New Ash Green residents who fear their village centre will collapse if urgent action is not taken soon.

More than 300 villagers attended a public meeting on Thursday to discuss the future of the village's shopping centre which many believe is being left to run into ruin. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
'Disappointing' park unlikely to see management changes
It's a warm sunny afternoon in early spring, and a perfect day for outdoor play. In Sevenoaks Environmental Park, however, the only movement comes from the bees zipping around the first of the season's blossom.

A week's observation shows that the Environmental Park, at the very heart of town, is little used for the purpose of entertaining children. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Ethel dies peacefully aged 110
One of the country's oldest women, Beatrice Darby, known as Ethel, died peacefully on February 25 at Eglantine Villa Residential and Nursing Home, Horton Kirby, at the magnificent age of 110.

Born on January 6, 1898, Mrs Darby spent her whole life in the Sevenoaks area. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man arrested at school
A man has been arrested at a Westerham school on suspicion of drink-driving. The man, believed to be a parent of a pupil, was arrested on the grounds of Churchill Primary School, on Rysted Lane, after police were called at picking up time on Tuesday afternoon last week. Kent Police said the man has been released on police bail while further inquiries are made. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Bishop marks 150 years of St John's parish
The Bishop of Fulham visited Sevenoaks to mark the 150th anniversary of the St John's parish.

Bishop John Broadhurst started his day by taking mass at St John's Primary School, where he met pupils, teachers and governors. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Night thieves target 5 stores
Thieves have targeted five village stores in raids carried out during the dead of night across the Sevenoaks area.

Shops at Knockholt, Kemsing, Shoreham and Otford have suffered burglaries or attempted break-ins. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
ATC reigns supreme in poppy appeal collection
Sevenoaks Air Training Corps has fended off 15 squadrons across Kent to win a trophy for raising the most amount of money for the Poppy Appeal.

Eight members of the squadron attended the Kent Royal British Legion Poppy Awards 2008 at Ditton Community Centre. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Public meeting on skatepark
Residents in the Greatness area of Sevenoaks are gearing up to give town councillors a grilling over a controversial skatepark.

Following a report in last week's Chronicle concerning Sevenoaks Town Football Club's objection to the location of the skatepark in Greatness Playing Fields, concerned residents, who fear it could lead to anti-social behaviour, have called a public meeting - to be held in the pavilion at Greatness Playing Fields on Tuesday from 7pm. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Two venues win Olympic training bid
Two venues in the Sevenoaks area have been named as official Olympic training grounds for the 2012 games. Brands Hatch and Sevenoaks School will feature in a guide sent to Olympic boards across the world who will decide where they want to train. Sevenoaks School undermaster Mike Bolton said the school could host archery, athletics, basketball and fencing. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
More runners expected
The organisers of next week's Sevenoaks Rotary 10k Run believe more than double the number of participants could come flying out of the starting blocks than last year.

Rotarians hope by the time Lord Sackville fires the starting pistol at 10.30am on Sunday March 16, more than 500 people will be ready to compete.

So far 400 have signed up for the event in Knole Park and there is still plenty of time to register. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Solid defence proves futile
A solid defence was mounted against Tesco's plans, but in the end it proved futile.

At the crunch meeting Cllr Cameron Brown underlined the strength of feeling among residents.

He pointed out a petition had received 632 signatures, 125 cards created specifically to fight Tesco had been completed, 55 letters of objection had been sent and only one letter of support had been received. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
£1m work may begin before end of 2008
Tesco is celebrating after emerging victorious from a protracted battle with the district council and residents in Dunton Green and Riverhead over its expansion plans.

Tesco spokesman Michael Kissman said: "Obviously we're delighted that the council chose to approve our application."

He said the next steps would be to add the development to Tesco's schedule and source contractors.

He hoped work would begin before the end of the year. Asked how much it was expected to cost, he said: "It would be over £1m of investment for Riverhead." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Firefighters wash cars for charity
Firefighters will be washing cars in aid of charity on Saturday. From 10am to 2pm, crews will be making cars sparkle at their Morewood Road station, in return for donations to the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Messages of gratitude flood in
People whose lives have been touched by Joy Pennells over the years have been paying heartfelt congratulations to the newly-crowned Sevenoaks Woman in the Community.

Mrs Pennells, 81, has scooped the award for her tireless involvement with the community of Gordon Road for the past 50 years. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Pupils build the streets of the future
Town planning was on the agenda at Shoreham Village School on Monday, when pupils got to design their own street scenes with Lego.

The event had been organised to give the children a flavour of some of the issues that need to be considered when building new houses.

Headteacher Frances Fish said: "It was a one-off event to promote geography throughout the school. It was good because it had team building, morale, dexterity and collaboration. It had the geography side about building and planning and they learned an awful lot." [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Two more dead horses found
The shocking spate of dead horses being dumped has continued, with the bodies of two ponies discovered in Kemsing.

The animals, believed to be a mare and a foal, were found on Green Lane, Cotman's Ash, yesterday.

The latest incident comes after the Chronicle reported last week three other horses had been abandoned in Fawkham, Shoreham and Knatts Valley. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Sevenoaks benefit fraudster prosecuted
A Sevenoaks woman who failed to declare money from her second job was successfully prosecuted for falsely claiming benefit she was not entitled to at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court last Wednesday (27 February). [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
'Silvers surfers' can get on the net!
The world wide web could be opened up for older Edenbridge residents when a free computer course starts in the town early next month.

The ‘Silver Surfers’ course will run for six weeks, starting on Thursday 3 April, and is for anyone in the Edenbridge area over the age of 50 who has no, or very little, previous experience of computers.

The free course will be held at Edenbridge Leisure Centre from 1pm to 2pm. It aims to give attendees a basic understanding of computers for personal use and to teach them how to use the Internet, send e-mails and write letters on the computer. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Stub it out and go smokefree
Smokers District-wide have the perfect opportunity to take a permanent cigarette break next week on national No Smoking Day.

Next Wednesday (12 March) will see millions of smokers across the country attempt to give up smoking as part of the national campaign.

Smoking causes more than a quarter of all cancer deaths in the UK, and even non-smokers are not immune as secondhand smoke (also known as passive smoking) can cause health problems including lung cancer and heart disease. Hence the ban last year on smoking in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Are you listening?
Residents of the District who want to improve their listening skills to help others have the chance to attend a free course later this month.

A Listening Skills Workshop will be running from 9.15am to 1pm at three venues across the District in March:
Edenbridge - Thursday 13 March
Sevenoaks - Friday 14 March
Swanley - Thursday 27 March
The workshop is designed to introduce participants to the concept of full or active listening, and provide the opportunity to practise some basic listening and responding skills. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Record fine for benefit fraudster
A Swanley man who deliberately mislead Council benefit staff to claim over £7,000 that he was not entitled to received a record fine at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court last Wednesday (27 February). [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Sevenoaks District set to star in Hollywood blockbuster
Two of Sevenoaks District's star tourist attractions feature in the latest Hollywood blockbuster 'The Other Boleyn Girl', which will be hitting the big screen later this month with its regional premiere at the Stag this Thursday (6 March).

The film is a dramatisation of Philippa Gregory’s best-selling novel about two sisters competing for the love of King Henry VIII.

Knole House and Penshurst Place are the two of the main locations of the film which follows the story of sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn played by Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson respectively.

Sevenoaks District takes a starring role in the film with scenes shot on location in Sevenoaks and Penshurst during December and November 2006 and well as at other famous Kent locations. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Woman threatened with gun
A man threatened a terrified post office worker with a gun before making off with cash from the till.

The armed robber struck at Hartley Post Office in Ash Road, Hartley yesterday at 10.10am.

He entered the shop and demanded the female worker open the safe, but she was unable to as staff do not have access. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Parking enforcement set for a shake up
Major changes to the way councils enforce parking will take effect from 31 March and as a result, motorists are set to benefit from clearer and more consistent guidelines for parking across the country. In Sevenoaks District and across the whole of Kent there will be two levels of penalty charges, depending on the severity of the contravention. [more]

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL
Court finds ASDA guilty of planning breach
Sevenoaks District Council has successfully prosecuted Asda in Swanley after it broke planning regulations and disrupted residents by receiving deliveries outside of agreed hours, the second successful prosecution for the breach in the last four years.

In a court case heard at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 27 February 2008, Asda were fined £900 together with £520 in costs. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Man rescued after blaze
A man was rushed to hospital after he was rescued by firefighters from a house in Sevenoaks, who were tackling a blaze in a property next door.

Three crews from Sevenoaks, Westerham and Borough Green were called into action at 6.18pm on Friday following reports of the fire, which had taken hold in the downstairs area of a two-storey end of terrace house in Hitchen Hatch Lane.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the property next door had become "heavily smoke logged", and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had to rescue the man from the building. [more]

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Plans for £850,000 new hall
An ambitious scheme to replace Eynsford Village Hall by 2010 has been unveiled to residents.

But the clock is ticking and the Trustees of Eynsford Village Hall have given themselves just two years to raise the £850,000 necessary to carry out the work.

At Saturday's meeting, trustees' co-chairman Tony Easter explained the hall, which dates back to 1905, is in a bad state of disrepair. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Sevenoaks Rotary 10k Run in Knole Park Sunday March 16th 2008
Just over 2 weeks to go before the 2nd Sevenoaks Rotary 10k takes place in Knole Park, with an expected entry of 600 runners, double last year`s number. Falling just before the London Marathon, this is an ideal training event.

All runners will receive a participation medal and winners will receive special awards and prizes. 1st Lady and 1st Man`s prizes have been kindly donated by Boots of Sevenoaks.

March 16th is also a Sport Relief day and although we are not an official Sport Relief Mile, we are in contact and will welcome families to run in our 2k Fun Run and raise their own sponsorship for Sport Relief. Full details of Sponsorship/Donations and Sports Relief `goodies` can be found on the Sports Relief website www.sportrelief.com

Last year`s 10k record times were 37.01 minutes set by Robert Jackson and 37.59minutes set by Lizzie Hall the Ladies National Cross Country and Steeplechase 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 every day and are already approaching 400. Closing date for postal entries is 10th March and Online entries 12th March. After these dates all other entries will be on the Day from 8 am.

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. Other entries have come from as far afield as Reading, Milton Keynes and Haslemere, not to mention one from Germany!

In view of the expected increase in the number of runners this year, additional Marshalls will be on hand to ensure a smooth organisation for what is becoming a major event in the Sevenoaks sporting calendar.

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

Kent Messenger
Hundreds of homes hit by power cuts
Hundreds of properties in Kent were left without power on Saturday as high winds caused a high volume of failures.

The worst affected areas were Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Edenbridge, but there were problems across the whole county.

An EDF Energy Networks spokesman said engineers were working to restore the power as quickly as possible. [more]

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Aikido Club success
The Goshinaikikwai Aikido club, based in the Scout Hall, Otford, sent a 5 man team to Folkestone on Friday 29th February to take part in an Aikido competition. Two members each won a silver medal, and in the team event the 5 members each received a bronze medal.

Well done to them all.

Dudley Osborne.