Special Announcements, News and Events
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Extended Electricity Works - Queens Farm Road, Lower Shorne
National Grid have informed Higham Parish Council about extended duration upgrade works to their site during November 2019. Works may continue outside of normal times and may involve testing of lighting and illumination infrastructure.
For more details, please read this National Grid letter [pdf document]
Local Guided Walks Programme 2019
Gravesend Historical Society's Footpaths Committee have published their 2019 list of walks. See the programme [pdf file].
Please especially note the 25th August circular walk around Higham led by Anne Waugh. NOTE:- walks in some places have stiles, uneven surfaces and may be muddy and slippery. Please dress accordingly and have suitable footwear for you, your family and pets.
Higham Community Pavilion Project - An Update
Firstly, thanks to everyone who supported recent events which have raised money for the Pavilion Project. The Fun and Relax Evening in October made £110 profit and the 5th November
Firework Display collected £1506.
Read this Pavilion Project update, November 2018. [PDF file]
Higham Library News
October 2019 Half Term -- Free Craft Activities
Simply Weave
Weaving with various materials, such as paper & string,
for children and adults!
Tuesday 22 October 11-12 & 2.30-3.30
Spooky Crafts
Making witch and ghost puppets
Thursday 24 October 2.30-4pm
All children are welcome in the library but remain the responsibility of an accompanying parent or adult.
Library Extra
It is now possible to access Higham Library when it's not staffed! Wow!
Outside the usual staffed 'opening' hours, using a Library Extra registered Kent Library Card and your personal PIN, you can enter Higham Library from 7am until 9pm, Monday to Saturday. This is ideal for customers who find it difficult to get to the library during its opening hours, to pick up a reservation or return a book for example, but it also provides an opportunity for quiet study and email catch-up, using the public computers for an hour, or WiFi.
Anyone interested can join the library (with proof of address and DOB) or get their existing library card registered. You just need to sign acceptance of the Terms & Conditions and receive a short induction. You'd have to pop in during the staffed hours to do this though! The staffed hours are still Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 9am - 1pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays 2 - 5.30pm, and Saturdays 10am - 2pm to 29th September 2019.
NEW - Normal Library opening hours as from 30th September 2019 are Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 9am - 1pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays 10am - 1pm & 2 - 5pm, and Saturdays 9am - 1pm.
Tuesdays
Knit & Natter -- Knitting and crochet every Tuesday 6-8pm for beginners and old hands!! (Library Extra card needed)
Books & Beverage -- Book club meeting 2.30-4pm on the 3rd Tuesday of the month discussing books by a chosen author for the month. Refreshments served by Paul, the Community Warden!
Wednesdays
Talk Time -- Meet up and chat, with refreshments and quiz, every Wednesday 10-11.30am.
Thursdays
Higham Library Book Club -- Book club meeting 6.45-9pm on the 1st Thursday of the month discussing the chosen book of the month. Very informal. (Library Extra card needed)
Higham Quilters -- Quilting group meeting on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7-9pm. (Library Extra card needed)
Community Warden Surgery -- Last Thursday of the month 2.30-4pm. Raise any issues with KCC Community Warden, Paul Hassell, and a local Parish Councillor. Free refreshments provided!
Fridays
Baby Rhyme Time -- Every Friday during school term time, 9.30-10.30am, followed by parents/carers coffee and chat.
Saturdays
Reading Champion -- Every Saturday, 10.15-11.15am, a young volunteer reads with children.
Games Club -- Every Saturday from 10.30am, games and crafts for children (volunteer needed).
Home Library Service (HLS) -- If you are someone (or you know of someone) who would like to borrow a book (standard or large print) or audio disc (spoken word) but you're unable to get to the library, we have a volunteer who can visit you fortnightly with books for your enjoyment. There is no charge for this service and you have an extended loan period.
Chess -- Why not pop in with a friend to play a game of chess, using our lovely, donated chess set. If you fancy setting up a Chess Club, even better!
Coming Soon! -- Higham Village History Group now has its archive materials stored at the library and a volunteer will be available once a month to help customers with their local history enquiries. Dates/times to be confirmed.
KCC Household Waste Recycling Centres' - charging policy
Kent County Council (KCC) are now charging for the disposal of non-household waste materials (soil, rubble, hardcore and plasterboard) at KCC Household Waste Recycling Centres’ such as Pepper Hill, Northfleet. The charging policy started in early June 2019 at all 18 Kent Household Waste Recycling Centres. The details as follows:
Soil, Rubble & Hardcore: £4 per bag*/item.
Limited to 5 bags/items per day
Plasterboard: £6 per bag*/sheet.
(*Any bag up to the size of a standard black sack.)
Payment will be by card only and there will be a dedicated member of staff to assist customers when they arrive at site with chargeable waste items.
Report Illegal Fly-Tipping
Unwanted rubbish, dumped builders rubble, old furniture, discarded sacks -- these items spoil our lovely village and countryside. If you see flytipping, please report it directly to Gravesham Borough Council:-
Garden Bonfires
Please be considerate if you light a bonfire - the smoke can cause problems, especially for people with health problems.
During hot, dry periods, lighting a bonfire can be hazardous.
There are alternatives to a bonfire - for example:
• Composting garden waste
• Reusing or Recycling items
If you do light a bonfire, and, indeed if you’re "firing up" your Barbecue, please consider your neighbours and give them some warning before you start.
There are no specific by-laws prohibiting bonfires or specifying times you can light a bonfire.
More information about Smoke and Bonfires can be found here.
Overgrown Vegetation - Advice from KCC Highways to local Residents and Landowners
Every year throughout the spring and summer KCC Highways & Transportation receive numerous complaints regarding trees, hedges and other vegetation, which overhang the highway from private property. This matter can pose a number of problems for people trying to use the footways, especially if they are trying to pass with buggies, wheel chairs and scooters. It would be greatly appreciated if you could ensure that any trees and hedges that are bordering the Highway are maintained and cut back to your boundary which would greatly benefit all Highway users. This will help us all keep the highway safe and prevent the need for KCC Highways & Transportation writing to you requesting that you cut back your vegetation.
So that you are aware of our requirements, please refer to the text below.
If the boundary of your property borders the footway, then please be aware that:
• The full width of the footway/pavement must be available for use by pedestrians.
• As well, there must be a minimum height clearance over the footway/pavement of 2.1 metres / 7 feet for any vegetation.
If the boundary of your property borders the carriageway, then please be aware that:
• If you have vegetation that overhangs into the road, there must be a minimum height clearance of 5 metres / 16 feet, to accommodate buses and HGV’s that may use the road.
• If your property is rural, then vegetation should be 0.45 metres / 1’6” feet behind the edge of the road and all signs need to be kept clear of foliage for at least 20 metres.
Also, I would ask that you pay special attention to your trees, hedges and vegetation if your property is on or near a junction, and/or inside bend of the road, to maintain maximum visibility for road users. Read more information and advice.
Highway Steward
Kent County Council Highways & Transportation
Boot Fairs in the Memorial Hall
Indoor Boot Fairs are held in the Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham ME3 7JL on the second Sunday of each month during the Autumn, Winter and Spring and are organised by the Hall Management Committee. 2019 Boot Fairs are scheduled as follows:
January 13th
February 10th
March 10th
April 14th
Summer break
October 13th
November 10th
December 8th
• Refreshments available • Doors open to stallholders 07-45 • Doors open to public 08-30
Councillor & Community Warden Drop-In Neighbourhood Surgery
If
you have any comments, ideas or concerns about your village and local surroundings? Then come to a Drop-In Surgery on the last Thursday monthly between 2.30pm and 4pm in Higham Library.
Volunteer Support Warden Scheme
Calling all passionate community-driven people for an exciting new volunteer role.
Kent County Council is introducing a new volunteer role working alongside existing Kent Community Wardens. As a Volunteer Support Warden you’ll make a difference to residents and create resilient neighbourhoods. The role will be challenging at times but rewarding and you’ll be improving the well-being of the residents in your local area.
For more information and to find out which areas this role is being launched visit www.kent.gov.uk/communitywardens.
Report on a Previous Village Litter Pick
Another successful Litter Pick last Sunday, 2nd October 2016. A BIG thank you to our 13 volunteers who collected 20 bags of rubbish, plus a hub cap, 2 balls, a red pole, 20 glass bottles and several other strange objects from School Lane, Church Street and some surrounding roads, hedges and grass verges plus the Recreation Ground.
There is no doubt there is less litter around the village and thanks are also due to anyone who picks up litter in their area on a regular basis - that makes a huge difference.
Just need to find a way of reducing the number of people who drop litter - any ideas out there - legal methods only!!
Watch this space for the details of the next session - if you would like to become a volunteer just message the Parish Clerk or email sue3906@gmail.com and we'll add you to the list.
Dates for Higham Parish Council Meetings in 2019
Mondays:-
7th January (Budget and Finance)
25th February
8th April
13th May(Annual Parish Council Meeting and Parish Council Meeting)
8th July
9th September
14th October
18th November (Budget and Finance only)
25th November (Christmas Meeting with the Mayor of Gravesham).
Country Eye -- Helping Keep the Rural Community in Kent Safe
Country Eye has been built to help Kent residents, farmers and countryside users receive rural information and to report information quickly and efficiently. The mobile phone app allows users to record and share information on crime, suspicious behaviour and damage in their home community or whilst out and about.
The Country Eye app is now available to download for free on iPhone and Android.
Visit
www.countryeye.co.uk.
Kent Police's Rural Task Force teams help our rural communities with advice and proactive patrols. Make sure your property is secure. Isolated buildings, farms, machinery and livestock are all targets for criminals. Kent Police's Rural Team North Division (covering Swale, Medway, Dartford & Gravesham) can be contacted directly on 07528 989 095.
Love Higham - A Village Plan
From all the comments gathered at the Love Higham Day, it is obvious that you would all like a safe, healthy, clean and tidy village. The rural environment is important to you as is the community spirit. Most of you love living in the village and its sustainability is the key to the future.
HIGHAM VILLAGE PLAN 2018-2028 YOUR VILLAGE – ITS FUTURE can be downloaded here 
Paper copies are available in the Library.
To find out more about Love Higham and to chip in with your ideas, please email, text or phone.
Email: information@lovehigham.co.uk
or Phone: 07480 518493
www.lovehigham.co.uk
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A Love Higham day was held on Saturday 4th February 2017. See some photographs...
Higham's Defibrillator
During October 2018 Higham residents were able to learn about the Defibrillator equipment that has been installed in the village by Higham Parish Council. Awareness sessions were organised to demonstrate the Defibrillator and people were invited to “have a go” using the training equipment.
These sessions were part of the Restart a Heart campaign - a designated yearly day of action with the aim to teach vital life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills to as many people as possible – go to www.resus.org.uk for more details.
Sessions were held earlier in the year when the equipment was first installed on the Recreation Ground in School Lane and so far around 200 people have been shown how to use the Defibrillator.
(above) Residents Queuing to take part in the Defibrillator session at Higham Library
Although the village equipment is located in the middle of the village and is accessible 24/7, the Parish Council is keen to see additional Defibrillators available in other locations. When someone suffers cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chance of survival by at least 7 – 10%.
Although Higham is a village with a large older population, Defibrillators help save the lives of people of all ages – 12 -15 young people die from heart related causes each week.
Having equipment in easily accessible locations in local communities helps to save lives – there are 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year. Chances of survival increase significantly with early access to CPR and Defibrillation.
Faster Broadband in Higham?
Are you interested in faster broadband speeds in our village? Read more...
Volunteer Transport Service Urgently needs Drivers
If you are a car owner, enjoy driving and have time to spare, your keys can unlock lives!
The Volunteer Centre needs local Drivers to take people who are unable to use public transport due to age, frailty, illness, or disability to and from their vital medical appointments. All that is necessary is a clean, valid driving licence, a vehicle in good condition and MOT’d. Our Clients pay you 45p per mile to cover your expenses. This could not only make a difference to our clients’ lives and wellbeing, but your own.
Please contact us on: 01322 272476 or email volunteer@nwkvolunteers.org.uk
** Important -- read this Statement from Higham Parish Council about the previous Club and the Pavilion Project. **[11th June 2017]
Our local GP surgery has a new web site (www.highparksmedicalpractice.nhs.uk) to provide patients with useful information about the services available. In addition they are also looking to recruit younger local resident to join our patient participation group. Please contact:
Kevin Creasey
Practice Manager
Highparks Medical Practice
Higham Surgery
Hermitage Road
Higham
Rochester, Kent
ME3 7DB
Tel: 01474 823841
Fax: 01474 824155
Unwanted Mail
By registering with the Mail Preference Service you can reduce the amount of personally addressed junk mail received.
You can register by writing to:
The Mailing Preference Service
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
WIW 8SS
or calling 0845 703 4599 or logging on to: www.mpsonline.org.uk
Unwanted Telephone calls
You can reduce phone calls from companies offering to sell goods or services by registering your telephone number with the Telephone Preference Service.
Write to:
The Telephone Preference Service
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
WIW 8SS
or call 0845 070 0707 or logging into www.tpsonline.org.uk
Silent Callguard Service
If you receive a phone call and when you pick up the receiver there is nobody speaking, you may be receiving calls generated by automatic dialling equipment that dial more numbers than there are operators to take the calls.
You can reduce these calls by registering with the Silent Callgard Service on 0844 3722 325.
Telephone "Yes" Scam Alert
Information from Swale area shows how a simple phone scam can catch people out. Read more and how to avoid being scammed.
Parcel Scam Alert
Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch are aware of a warning Royal Mail have put out. They have advised that there is currently a scam happening due to Christmas fast approaching.
A Card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 09066 611911 (a premium rate number).
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed for £315 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details then contact Royal Mail Fraud.
Royal Mail's website has very helpful details in relation to Scam mail. Please make all family and friends aware that there may be many other scams similar to this. If you are ordering online and getting deliveries, confirm who your item will be delivered by/to.
101 is the Police Non-Emergency Number
101 is the national non-emergency number to contact Police in your area. Residents in the Kent policing area should call 101 to contact their local officer, make an enquiry and to report non-urgent crimes.
Examples when to use 101 are:
Each call will never cost more than 15p. Callers will be put through to Force Control Room in Kent and not a national call centre.
As always, dial 999 in an emergency when life is in danger or a crime is in progress.
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Community Policing Volunteers
Kent Police are looking for volunteers to play a new role in community policing. Could this be you?
See this website for more information.
HiARA - Higham Active Retirement Association For the time being, the Parish Council is providing website space to host the HiARA website. There is lots of news, information and details of HiARA's activity programme plus dates for outings. Visit the web site. HiARA News -- see the October 2019 edition (views in new browser window with any PDF viewer). |
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The Thames Estuary Partnership (TEP) is a forum for local authorities, national agencies, industry, voluntary bodies and local communities to work together for the good of the Thames Estuary. The Partnership is a charity which co-ordinates projects and holds events and workshops to provide information and to gather feedback.
The threat of climate change and increased flood risk is an ever present feature of the Estuary, yet many local people are not aware that plans are already being developed to help those responsible to adapt to these threats. More detailed information can be found on the TEP website, www.thamesweb.com
Viewable Thames Estuary & North Kent flood risk map - click here. format, needs 
.
Environment Agency flooding risk & advice - click here.
Allotments are small plots of land set aside for local people to rent and grow plants, vegetables, fruit, etc. Allotment size can vary or be divided up to provide variety of produce for your own requirements. Click here to go to the informative BBC allotment web page.
Last
season the Parish Allotments showed an increase in the number of plots rented
for cultivation. This was most encouraging and the Parish Council decided
to undertake a survey of the condition of all the plots. Some plots are now available for rent and cultivation. Annual fee is currently £25.00 per annum.
Water stand-pipes are within reach of all the allotments, so if you are interested
in finding out more, please contact the Higham Parish Clerk on 01474 822642
or email enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk.
Contact us by email: enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk
Please do browse through our pages for more information...
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