Graffiti

Graffiti

The photos attached are not of different areas but are located in just one alleyway.

It covers more than a hundred yards.

It is going to cost a lot of time and money to clear!

The annoying thing is the mindless people who did this will be complaining that there are not enough facilities for the young. If we did not have to waste hard earned money to clear this and to pick up their litter we could spend the money elsewhere. If anyone can come up with a good way to prevent this I would love to here from you. That excludes them being transported to Mars.

Posted by Pat

Spring At Last In Princes Park

I said before that I had planned to show a picture of spring but was put off by all the litter, well I changed my mind! The weather has been so bad lately I thought we needed a reminder that summer is just around the corner.
As Matt said in a previous article work in the ward is still going on as usual. The Police, PCSO's and Community Safety team are out there looking after us. You may not see them but they are working hard to keep us safe. Remember, if you want to talk to a PC come along to the Church (by Morrisons) on the first Saturday of every month, there you will find the Police and either Matt or myself. On the last surgery we had one visitor who wished to speak to the Police. However, this visit by them was not a waste of time as the resident had a serious concern which the police are now dealing with.
The Church also run a coffee morning Saturdays so while you are waiting, if you need to, they will make you very welcome.

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posted by Pat

PC Dave Saunders

A lot of thanks go to PC Dave Saunders who is the Community Police Officer for Princes Park.

Over the last week he has been involved in two different arrests involving cannabis in the area.

One arrest came in Highgrove Road whilst the other was in Somerset Close where he managed to smash a cannabis factory in the property.

PC Dave Saunders, along with the PCSO's and the Community Warden are carrying out fantastic jobs in making Princes Park a safer and cleaner place to live.

However, there are many more things that need to be done and we on the Council along with our Police colleagues are currently working on the known trouble spots, hopefully with positive results in the near future.

PC Dave Saunders gave me full permission to write this article.

Please get in touch with us or visit us at one of our surgeries if you need to report something.

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posted by matt bright.

New Planning Application

Here is the latest application that involves Princes Park this week.

There is only the one and it sits on the other side of the ward.

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Hopewell Drive

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posted by matt bright.

Safer Communities

Here are the latest figures I have received from the safer communities team which involve Princes Park.

The period is from October 2007 - December 2007.

Fly Tipping

Coverdale Cl, Shanklin Cl, - 4 reported incidents.

Defiant Cl, Glenwood Cl, Hardy Cl, Romney Rd, Somerset Cl, Swallow Rise,Ventnor Cl, - 2 reported incidents.

Anson Cl, Brenzett Cl, Fisher Rd, Flamingo Cl, Goose Cl, Henley Cl, Highgrove Rd, Mermaid Cl, Penfold Cl, Ramilles Cl, Shakleton Cl, Solent Gds, Wiltshire Cl,- 1 reported incident.

Adandoned Vehicles

Chrisite Cl, - 4 reported incidents.

Heron Way, Illustrious Cl, Setford Rd, - 2 reported incidents.

Glamis Cl, - 1 reported incident.

As you can see the Council work hard to remove any fly tipping and abandoned vehicles as soon as they are reported.
If you do come across any of these unsightly problems then call Customer First on 333333 to have the problems removed.
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posted by matt bright.

New Planning Applications

There are two new planning applications this week in Princes Park, they are in the following roads;

Highgrove Road

Henley Close

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posted by matt bright.

Litter

I have just come back from a couple of weeks holiday ( this was last years summer holiday that had to be cancelled). So I thought I would have a stroll around Princes Park and take some nice spring photos to cheer the blog up. What did I find LITTER.
Matt and I are trying to organise a clean up in the area but we do need help. It seems as fast as we manage to clear an area it gets messed up again. It is unsightly unhealthy and costly. So please PLEASE pick up your litter and teach the children to have pride in their community.
Posted by Pat

Yet Even More Barriers

As you can see Matt and I have been listening to you. I know we have not managed to do everything people ask for but we are slowly getting there. These are another set of barriers that residents ask for to combat the bike problem on footpaths.
These barriers are on the footpath that runs from Swallow Rise and goes along the bank over looking Morison’s. I must admit I was just as worried about the riders as I was the pedestrian. I thought if a bike is speeding along there and suddenly had to swerve to get out of the way of a child they could end up a crumpled heap in the car park below. They may be a menace but I do not want to see anyone hurt. I think with a lot of the riders the problem is they just do not think.
We will probably have to put a third barrier up at the beginning of the footpath and I would appreciate your comments on this. Also is it working?

posted by Pat

March Surgery

This Saturday (1st March) is the latest edition of the Princes Park surgery.

It will be held in the same place (Christ the King Church) in Dove Close between 10-11am.

Cllr Pat Gulvin will be your host along with a member of the local Police Force (as advertised by Kent Police).

If you have any local problems please feel free to pop in, no appointment is necessary.

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posted by matt bright.

Chatham Bus Station

It was approved by cabinet last week the location of the new Chatham Bus Station.

The location will be situated on Globe Lane and Sir John Hawkins Way which will result in the demolition of the Chatham fly-over.

This debate about the Chatham fly-over has been well argued over the last year by all sides but in its place will be a new 'state of the art' bus station which will replace that awful one we currently have to endure inside the Pentagon Centre.

This will kick start the regeneration in Chatham with many more very large projects on their way.

In a couple of years the face of the very tired looking Chatham town will be unrecognisable for the good.

Click here for the story on the Medway Council website.

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posted by matt bright.

New Barriers

Here are some more new barriers that were installed recently in our ward. These have been situated on the alleyway that runs alongside the rear of Highgrove Road.

There have been problems with speeding motorbikes along this pathway, and although they still sneak down here from time to time these barriers have helped in slowing them down.

There is to be a third barrier to be added to these two in the very near future so hopefully no motorbikes can get through the gap provided.

The 'kissing gate' at the top of this pathway near Greenacre School is also to be repaired so this should hopefully stop this problem on this stretch of path full stop.

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posted by matt bright.

Surgery Update

Thank you to the resident from Lordswood Lane who turned up to the recent surgery. Your problem is being dealt with in a combined effort with myself, Cllr Gulvin and the highways department.
Thank you as well to Brian Mooney (Princes Park Warden) for his attendance in the surgery.
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posted by matt bright.

Saturday Surgery

It is surgery time this Saturday (2nd Feb) in the Christ the King Church in Dove Close.
I will be available between 10-11am for local residents if they have any problems, no appointment is necessary.
I should be joined by either the local Police Officer or PCSO on Saturday as they have arranged their surgery times to match ours.
Please feel free to pop in.
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posted by matt bright.

Recent Planning Applications

Here are the latest planning applications to be posted by Medway Council that are in Princes Park.

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Princes Avenue

Lordswood Lane

Princes Avenue

There are two applications from Princes Avenue but one of these applications involves the Princes Park Public House that is sitiuated opposite Morrisons.

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posted by matt bright.

Canvass

Last Saturday Cllr Pat Gulvin along with Tracey Crouch and our Walderslade Conservative colleague David Brake was out canvassing a part of Princes Park.

What was discovered was more local residents want to recycle a greater amount using the blue box/bag system.

I agree the boxes are probably not big enough but you can collect a roll of blue bags from the Medway Council offices in Military Road, Chatham.

Please click here for the story on Tracey Crouch's blog.

If everyone has the same attitude towards recycling our figures in Medway would far exceed the Government targets set upon us.

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posted by matt bright.

New Planning Application

Here is the latest planning application in Princes Park that involves one of the local schools.

Kingfisher Primary School

posted by matt bright.

Barrier Update

Following on from Cllr Pat Gulvins story regarding the barriers, we have also had barriers installed on the pathway that runs at the rear of Highgrove Road with a replacement 'Kissing Gate' due to be installed very shortly.
Also, the pathway that runs from Swallow Rise along the top of Morrisons will also be having barriers fitted in the very near future.
This is in conjunction with the pledge that Pat and I along with the local police gave to the residents of Princes park in trying to cut down on motorbikes in the area which in turn reduces anti social behaviour.
If there are any trouble spots in the local area that you think need looking at that could benefit from having barriers fitted then please contact us with the details.
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posted by matt bright.

Barriers

Barriers


These may just look like boring barriers, but to some residents they have been a lifeline. The residents in this part of Princes Park were having their lives disrupted by motorbikes roaring up and down the alley. This was at all times of the day and also into the night. There was no way they could even spend time in their garden. They got in touch with Matt and myself after we were elected and asked for our help. We were both very new so it did take a little time before we found the right officers. Then it was loads of phone calls every week to make sure it stayed a high priority. One of the residents did a fantastic job as well by ringing up regularly or e-mailing the officer in charge to make sure they were finally installed. I know it seemed as if it would take forever, but we finally made it.
Barriers cannot solve the whole problem of nuisance bikes. But with the cooperation of residents, police and our community safety team we can make some improvements

Posted by Pat

Planning Application

Here is the latest and only planning application I could find from the Medway Council website involving the Princes Park ward.

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There are no applications dated for this week.

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Hopewell Drive

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posted by matt bright.

Surgery 2008

Its a new year and time for another surgery.

The Saturday surgery will be held this Saturday (5th Jan) at the Christ the King Church in Dove Close.

Cllr Pat Gulvin will be in attendance between 10-11am.

Please feel free to visit if there are any local issues you would like to inform us about, no appointment is necessary.

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posted by matt bright.

Planning Application

Here is the latest planning application within the local area. Although this application falls within the Walderslade ward, it is very close to the Princes Park border as Princes Avenue divides between the two.

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Princes Avenue

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posted by matt bright.

Surgery

This Saturday Cllr Pat Gulvin was joined by the local PC, Dave Saunders.
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We are hoping that this arrangement will become more permanent on future surgeries adding to the service that we are providing to the residents of Princes Park.
Sometimes residents come with issues that need police attention as well as the councils, so we will be able to give more definitive answers with both authorities there.
This week we had a resident arrive from Redwing Road, not with a problem but to thank the Princes Park team in improving their immediate area after we resolved a few issues.
Its nice to receive some recognition for our work from local residents.
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posted by matt bright.

Road Improvements

There are to be road improvements carried out on Scotby Avenue starting this week and will be completed within 5 working days.

The work will involve cold milling and the resurfacing of the carriageway.

This is good news for the local residents as the state of the road surface has become quite appalling in recent months.

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posted by matt bright.

Ward Profile

This is the latest ward profile for Princes Park that I have received for September 2007.

These are the latest incidents that have been reported to Medway Council.

Fly Tipping

Incidents reported x3 - Henley Close.

x2 - Brenzett Close, Fisher Road.

x1 - Glamis Close, Highgrove Road, Illustrious Close, Princes Avenue, Romney Road, Ryde Close, Swift Crescent.

Abandoned Vehicles

Incidents reported x3 - Spitfire Close.

x2 - Princes Avenue, Ryde Close.

x1 - Illustrious Close.

Needles

Incidents reported x1 - Redwing Road.

posted by matt bright.

Saturday Surgery

This Saturday (1st December) is surgery time again and will be hosted by Cllr Pat Gulvin.

The event will take place between 10-11am and is at the Christ the King Church in Dove Close.

If you have any issues locally please feel free to pop in, no appointment is needed.

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posted by matt bright.

Planning Applications

There are two planning applications this week that are situated within the Princes Park ward.

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Swift Crescent

Princes Avenue

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posted by matt bright.

Christmas Fayre

Christmas Fayre

There will be a Christmas Fayre in aid of charity at Christ the King (next to Morrisons) on Saturday 24th November 11am-2pm.

Stalls include Cakes, Cards, Gifts & Toys. Also Christmas Craft. So if you need stocking fillers for the children, potted bulbs or even card accessories. Please go along. If you do not want anything why not just pop in with your friends for a cup of tea and a chat.

If you are very good you maybe able to visit Father Christmas in his Grotto.

Posted by Pat

ROCHESTER FARMERS MARKET

ROCHESTER FARMERS MARKET

I was lucky enough to get to the market this morning. It is only on every third Sunday of the month so I do not always manage to make it. I have been very lucky as this is two months running that I have been able to enjoy the market. It was really cold but there were lots of people about. The stalls selling hot sausages or beefburgers were doing a roaring trade. Also the hot spiced apple juice went down a treat.

Posted by Pat

Cabinet Decisions

Here are the latest decisions made by Medway Councils cabinet on 6th November 2007.

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Please click here to view the link.

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posted by matt bright.

Surgery

Last weeks surgery welcomed one resident from Vulcan Close. The issue has been passed onto the Princes Park warden and will be shortly resolved.

On a whole the monthly surgeries have been reasonably successful over the last few months and we may plan to keep them ongoing after the 6 month trial period.

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posted by matt bright.

Capstone Valley Referendum

Capstone Valley Referendum

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I thought you would like to see a few photos of the count. It was held yesterday in Lordswood Leisure Centre.

The results were fantastic!

This should show Medway Magna that the people of Medway have made a enough. WE DO NOT WANT CAPSTONE VALLEY DESTROYED. The results will be published in the local paper this week. Like the idiot, I am, I forgot to get the exact number. I know it was over 3000 to approx. 20.

I would like to say a special thank you to all the shops and businesses that held the ballot boxes. They were quite large and they must have got in the way sometimes. However, no one complained and all the shopkeepers and business people were so supportive. Of course I have to add a special thank you to Barry at the local post office in Princes Park. It was the only ballot box in Princes Park and he was kept quite busy. He even had to repair the box when a child sat on it.

Over 400 ballot papers were in his box, this is marvellous. I had 50+ either posted to me or popped through my letterbox.

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posted by Pat

Safer Communities

Here are the latest statistics regarding Princes Park. These are reported incidents which happened during August 2007.
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Fly Tipping
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x4 - Heathfield Close, Sundridge Drive.
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x1 - Defiant Close, Goose Close, Henley Close, Highgrove Road, Heron Way, Merivale Grove, Ryde Close, Solent Gardens, Wiltshire Close, Wittersham Close.
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Abandoned Vehicles
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x2 - Emily Road.
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x1 - Glenwood Close.
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Although there is always room for improvement in the ward these are very good results compared to other wards in Medway.
I'll be contacting the warden shortly to discuss if there have been any further problems in Heathfield Close and Sundridge Drive regarding fly tipping.
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posted by matt bright.

Surgery

This Saturday is surgery day and I will be hosting it from 10am to 11am.
If there are any issues you have within Princes Park please come and pay me a visit, no appointment is needed.
It is held in Christ the King church in Dove Close.
Details of attendance figures will be published later next week.
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posted by matt bright.

Planning Application

There is one planning application this week within the Princes Park ward.

There were no applications last week involving the local area.

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Ryegrass Close

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posted by matt bright.

An Evening with Rt Hon Dave Davis MP

Last week, me along with several colleagues from our local association had the pleasure of having a meal with the Shadow Home Secretary Dave Davis who was a guest of Tracey Crouch.

After Tracey introduced him during the meal to individual members he gave a fantastic after dinner speech that seemed to captivate the whole audience.

Three main subjects were addressed by Dave Davis, drugs, crime and immigration. He spoke of how simple and effective these issues can be dealt with under a Conservative run government.

I, for one was very impressed with his manner, deliverance and sheer will to succeed as Home Secretary during his speech and would feel far safer and happier living in this country with him at the helm compared to the current Labour Home Secretary.

posted by matt bright.

Un-Fair Funding Deal

The Council is having to campaign for a Fair Funding Deal for residents as the Labour Government are giving Medway less funding compared to other Councils per head of the population.
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There are fears that in future years the settlement will be even worse then it is currently.
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The funding settlement by the Labour Government had a reduction of £4.5 million before the financial year begun (compared with previous years) with further news in the near future set to look even worse.
Compared to other Councils Medway residents get a poor deal.
All figures below are per resident per year.
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Walsall Council - £465-00
Peterborough City Council - £405-00
Medway Council - £284-00
If Medway received the same deal as Nottingham do then they would have an extra £60 million to spend with a portion of that coming to Princes Park.
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The whole funding issue has left Medway Council with a financial crisis that could have been critical. However, without affecting front line services it is predicted that £2.8 million can be saved by the introduction of a moratorium on discretionary spending, a recruitment freeze and other measures.
Despite all this, Medway Council has been judged by the Government as officially giving 'good value for money'.
It also boasts as having the lowest Council Tax in Kent (£152 lower then neighbouring Kent authorities) and the 13th (band D) lowest in the country!
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posted by matt bright.

Farmers Market

Farmers Market


It was the farmers market again last Sunday. It is held in Rochester; the third Sunday of every month. We love to go along if we are free, all the produce is fairly local and the quality is excellent!

Now the weather is getting colder the hot spicy apple juice is on sale. It goes down really well and my husband always gets a sausage bun from one of the stalls, to eat with it. We always come away piled high with fresh vegetables, fruit and of course nice fresh eggs. This time we bought some partridges to try. I must admit I have not tried them before, but as they say 'you are never too old'.

We must be truthful and say one of our favourite stalls is the wine stall. Yes England does produce some excellent wine. The Meopham Valley Vineyard has won many prizes and it is worth going along and having a sample. Their Sparkling wine is second to none. So no need to go to France for your Champagne, just pop along to Rochester and buy English.

You can also buy cheeses, crafts, and this month some beautiful paintings.

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posted by pat

Coney Banks

LITTER PICKING ON CONEY BANKS


Tracey Crouch’s action group were out in force on Saturday. Tracey had a request from residents to try and tidy up the Coney Banks. We made quite a collection which included a “men at work” sign.

You never know what will turn up!

Some new “kissing gates” had just been installed and someone had already put graffiti on them. Never fear, Pat was out with her graffiti gun and cleaned it up. If you remember from earlier blogs the action team has also worked in Princes Park. So it was our turn to help another area.

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Posted by Pat

This Weeks Application

There is only one application this week that falls within the Princes Park ward.

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Chevening Close

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posted by matt bright.

Safer Communities June 2007

Here are the latest statistics for reported incidents to Customer First and the council regarding Princes Park.

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Fly Tipping

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Incidents x4 - Heathfield Close.

Incidents x3 - Ryde Close, Wiltshire Close.

Incidents x2 - Fisher Road.

Incidents x1 - Shanklin Close, Sundridge Drive, Defiant Close, Emily Road, Freshwater Road, Kinross Close, Somerset Close, Spitfire Close and Vulcan Close.

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Abandoned Vehicles

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Reported x2 - Highgrove Road, Illustrious Close, Manchester Close.

Reported x1 - Aldington Close, Bilsington Close, Freshwater Road, Glenwood Close, Mermaid Close and Spitfire Close.

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There was also one reported incident of a needle that was found in Ryde Close.

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The reported fly tipping seems to mostly come from one area around the top of Heron Way. We will be contacting the local warden to make him aware of this constant problem in that certain area so he can monitor the situation.

The reason why we post these figures is to show that Medway Council do log everything that is reported to them and it then channels its way to Pat and myself.

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Again, the figures are good in comparison to other areas within Medway but there is always room for improvement to try and stamp out these anti social problems.

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posted by matt bright.

Maundene School

PARKING!



Yesterday the local warden, Brian Mooney, asked me if I would like to pop along to Maundene school at around 3 o’clock. I was told that the PCSO had been there a few days monitoring the parking outside the school. They knew that I had been very concerned about it. Some one did tell me I should not get involved, as the people illegally parking were voters. As I said I would rather lose their vote in the next election than lose a child because of their thoughtlessness. I really think that most of it is that people do not think. They are in a hurry to pick their child up and do not think of the danger to other children they are causing.

What did upset me was to hear that the day before the young PCSO was sworn at. He is really concerned about the safety of the children at the school and did not deserve that kind of abuse! The PSCO and the warden have said that they would give up their own time to help get the walking bus going. Morrisons have said they were more than happy for parents to park in their car park. But no one seems to be taking them up on the idea.

After the children had left the PCSO Peter Rose and the warden cut back the bushes around the signs in Swallow Rise. That way people can see what the restrictions are.
They said they had both had problems themselves in other areas where they have not been able to see signs correctly.

Posted by Pat

Saturday Surgery

Surgery

Saturday 6th October I had councillor surgery at the local church. Five residents popped into see me. Next surgery we hope to have the police with us as well. This has just got to be finalised. There were residents from Highgrove about the alley, Shackleton about litter and Redwing about the rubbish left by the children on the green.
We, that’s Matt and I, have been working with the council officers, the local police,
and our local warden, on these problems. It would be nice to think we could wave a magic wand and all our ills would disappear. I am afraid though this is the real world.
It does take time and a lot of work by the police etc. But we are getting there and we hope we will win in the end.
Posted by Pat

Latest Planning Application

This is the latest planning application regarding the Princes Park ward.

There is just the single entry this week.

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Prince Charles Avenue

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posted by matt bright.

Police Warning

POLICE WARNING!!!!


I had a very pleasant phone call from our local PC, our PC Saunders. He told me off for not putting much on the blog lately. So here I am making up for lost time. Mind you I have been very busy, as many of you know. The leaflets for the Save Capstone Valley Referendum have nearly all been delivered now. I am sure I must be a lot shorter, wearing away at my poor old feet. There are a few roads left to do which I hope to finish tomorrow. So if you have not had one yet please be patient. If you have not had one by Saturday please let me know.

My husband had an interesting encounter. He was walking along Chatham High Street with a ballot box. It was to be delivered to the restaurant Yoons for people to put their ballot papers in. Well a women came up to him and put her ballot into the box. See people really want this ballot to do well. I have a lot posted to my house. Some people have given them to me when they have seen me delivering. This is one we really must win. If we loss Capstone Valley they will think they can get rid of all our Greenbelt.

Any way back to PC Saunders. He really did ring for a reason. It is to do with the surgeries we hold. He thought it would be a good idea if we had a joint Police and Councillor surgery. I agree as quite a few problems do overlap. That way we may have a better chance of helping.

Posted by Pat

Princes Park Saturday Surgery

It's Surgery time again and this months advice centre will be held this Saturday (6th October) at the church in Dove Close.

The surgery starts at 10am and runs for an hour. Cllr Pat Gulvin will be hosting the event this time, so if any local residents have a problem locally please feel free to drop in (no appointment necessary) to meet Pat.

Details of attendance will be posted on this blogsite next week.

posted by matt bright.

Planning Applications for this Week

These are the latest planning applications to be taken from the Medway Council website.

There are 2 applications this week from the Princes Park area.

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Spencer Close

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Highgrove Road

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posted by matt bright.

Capstone Valley Deliveries

On Saturday, I (3rd from left) joined 20 volunteers who are local residents, Councillors and Association members in helping Tracey Crouch deliver 22,000 ballot papers to local homes.

The local areas included Lordswood, Walderslade, Weedswood, Chatham, Luton, Wayfield and of course Princes Park.

The ballot paper provided in the envelope asks a simple question;

Do you support the Campaign to Save Capstone Valley?

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You have 2 choices, simply either a yes or no.

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Now, I'm presuming there will be a very high percentage of 'yes' votes probably in the 90% region. However, the count of the ballot papers will be counted under independent scrutiny and the results will be announced in the local press.

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Sadly, the referendum has no legal authority, but a massive vote against the proposals will show Medway Magna the level of opposition in the Medway area. With the strength of local feeling this will help in the fight to stop the building from happening and will assist your local Conservative Council who are fighting the proposals all the way.

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This will add to the 11,000 people who have already signed our several petitions. You can find a link to one of the petitions on the right hand side of this blogsite.

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If you do receive a ballot paper, please fill it in and return it. The details on where to post the ballot paper are on the rear of the letter.

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Surely, with this level of local support and the total backing of your local Conservative run Medway Council Medway Magna will finally get the message and leave Capstone Valley for future generations.

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posted by matt bright.