Special Announcements, News and Events
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His Worship the Mayor of Gravesham 2017-2018
With the end of his Mayoral year fast approaching, Members of Higham Parish Council surprised Harold Craske, and his wife Veronica, at this year's Annual Parish Assembly by presenting him with a portrait they had had commissioned of him dressed in his full Mayoral robes as a reminder of his time as Mayor of Gravesham.
[Photo Credits: Michael Papadopulos and Sue Sparks]
Higham History Walk, 29th April 2018
On Sunday 29th April 2018 starting at 2.00pm Andrew Rootes will be leading the second of three Guided Walks around Higham - looking at the important buildings and the people who inhabited them.
This time we will explore the middle part of the village, starting at the Memorial Hall. This will be quite a long walk with some hills and cross country walking. We will finish the afternoon with tea and cakes in the Memorial Hall.
Places are limited so booking is essential. Phone Kate on 01634 718285 or email info@highamvillagehistory.org.uk
Cost: £4 payable on the day.
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:-
Beating the Bounds
The ancient tradition of “Beating the Bounds” takes place around Gravesham every year with the Mayor walking around the Borough perimeter - that’s about 30 miles!
 
This year the event took place over the weekend of 7 and 8 October.
'Community Asset' Pub Re-Opens
On Monday evening 23rd October 2017 the Gardeners Arms PH formally re-opened for business. Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of Kent brewers Shepherd Neame was present to oversee proceedings. Jonathan also presented a cheque for £1000.00 to Demelza Hospice. The traditional 'first pint' was drawn by Patrick Murray (actor in BBC's 'Only Fools and Horses' who played Mickey Pearce), closely followed by local resident and pub regular Inder Pal Kalsi.
In early 2017, Higham Parish Council proposed to identify the Gardeners Arms as a village Community Asset. Gravesham Borough Council then added the pub to its "List of Assets of Community Value in Gravesham" with the following detail "... for many years it has provided a focal point for residents and visitors. A pub provides opportunities for supporting cultural as well as social well-being." Photographs below, courtesy Benedict O'Connor.
Councillor & Community Warden Drop-In Neighbourhood Surgery
Do 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 2018
Mondays:-
15th January
26th February
16th April
21st May ** date changed ** (Annual Parish Council Meeting and Parish Council Meeting)
2nd July
10th September
15th October
19th November (Budget and Finance only)
26th November (Christmas Meeting with the Mayor of Gravesham).
The Annual Parish Assembly will be held on Thursday, 12th April 2018.
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.
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.
 
Village Plan Draft
The first draft of the Plan is here!!
HIGHAM VILLAGE PLAN 2018-2028 YOUR VILLAGE – ITS FUTURE can be downloaded here
A summary version of the Plan will be delivered to every home in the village during March – along with the 2018 Annual Parish Newsletter. The full version of the Plan will be on-line at:
www.lovehigham.co.uk
www.higham-kent-pc.gov.uk
Paper copies will be available in the Library and many other locations in the Village.
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...
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 web site ( www.highcliffemedicalpractice.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
Highcliffe Medical Practice
Higham Surgery
Hermitage Road
Higham
Rochester, Kent
ME3 7DB
Tel: 01474 823841
Fax: 01474 824155
Kent Police Local Contact Point Dates
Need to speak to a neighbourhood police officer? Visit one of the Police Contact Points, available in nearly 200 locations across Kent, including Higham. Police vans stop at a prominent location for one hour per visit; come along to talk to a neighbourhood officer about any policing concerns you may have, to get safety advice or to collect a free crime prevention item.
To confirm the times and locations of the Police Contact Points near you, visit www.kent.police.uk/policecontactpoints.
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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.
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. See the April & May 2018 issue of HiARA News... page one and page two (views in new browser windows 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.
A Thank You
Mary Clark writes -- "Is it possible to thank on line all those people from the parish who remembered Dudley Clark's birthday and those who have visited him in "Brambles" Care Home.
He misses the church in particular and was amazed at the number of people who signed the card.
Thank you.
Mary Clark"
Contact us by email: enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk
Please do browse through our pages for more information...
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19 April 2018 |
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