AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

Issue No 33 : November 2011

WE LOVE RUSTHALL!
Rusthall Village Association

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RVA Rusthall Christmas Pub Crawl - Saturday 17th December
7pm Toad, 7.45pm Oak, 8.15pm Club,
8.45pm White Hart, 9.15pm Red Lion
10.15pm Back to Toad (for hardy types)
Come along with us for the evening or meet us en route

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Contact Chair Tom Snook 520818
at the Toad Rock Retreat
*Paltry £3 annual membership*

The 24 November meeting of the RVA
was ably chaired by Andi Richards in the absence of Tom Snook, who was managing a kitchen crisis in his pub.
First to speak was Carol Lawrence who appealed for someone to take her place as Association Secretary. She is having to step down because of other committments. Any volunteers can ring her on 01892 528237.
Jenny Blackburn then spoke for the Parish Council, giving news that the Christmas lights in the village should soon be in place, along with a new village notice board by the phone box outside the chemist. Salt bins around the village should also be filled in time for any snow and ice. Regarding the proposed 20 mph speed limit along Lower Green Road, apparently we have to wait till KCC completes a trial in January, but we should at least get flashing 30 mph signs soon. The need for restrictions along that stretch of roads was highlighted recently by a child almost being run over.
Jenny also reminded everyone of the Tunbridge Wells Mayor's Annual Toy Appeal which is now in its 21st year. Baby games, toys and books are all welcome. For more details, visit the TWBC web page Toy Appeal . Or email Jenny to arrange collection: jennyblackb@gmail.com

Cllr John Davies from the KCC then announced that he has a budget of £10,000 available for community projects. If you know of any suitable projects, contact Jenny Blackburn and she will explain how to make a submission. Cllr Davies also announced that the KCC is willing to contribute towards kerbing the road in Denny Bottom to help with the parking problems there.

Vic Webb, Rusthall's UKIP ward councillor then stood up to give an account of his many roles on TWBC including finance, planning and his involvement with the Commons Conservators. Regarding parking problems, he commented that the town could probably do with more offenders because the welcome income from fines is sharply down this year!

Regarding the closure of Rusthall Fire Station, the Kent Fire & Rescue Service has assured residents that it should make no difference to their ability to tackle local problems. Andi Richards however suggested in the light of his army experience that it would do no harm if evryone brushed up on their own fire precautions - alarms, extinguishers, fire-blankets etc. - and is willing to give advice: therusthalllookout@gmail.com

After the break Cllr Bob Atwood, current leader of TWBC gave the news that the Morrisons site by the station should be back in action by Easter. Also, the old cinema is finally set to be demolished soon, though there is no set date for building to begin so we may be left with piles of rubble for a while. He then gave an entertaining talk on The Lighter Side of Leading the Borough, outlining the trials, tribulations and rewards of his position.

The Rusthall Bonfire and Fete Committee wishes to thank all those who came in support of the annual torchlight procession, bonfire and firework display and gave so generously to the bucket collection which raised just over £2000. Our most grateful thanks also goes to the envelope donors and collectors which raised just over £1500. We also like to thank all those who helped during the day and the clean up on the Sunday morning. The raffle for a £100 prize was won by a resident of Rusthall High Street with ticket number 3347. There were two new bands in the procession this year, part of the Bloco Fogo band and the Pentacle Drummers from Eastbourne.

OTHER NEWS

Rusthall Parish Council meets each month
on the 2nd Monday at the URC Hall at 7.30pm. All residents are invited and may make contributions at the start of the meeting. Please contact Jenny Blackburn, Chairwoman of the Parish Council 546520 jennyblackb@gmail.com or Acting Parish Clerk Paul Cummins at the Town Hall 554257 paul.cummins@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Courier Reporter Each Tuesday
will be at the Library 2 - 2.45pm, then the Toad Rock Retreat 3 - 4pm (check 01892 686864 Tunbridge Wells Courier) to take notes of local interest.
Reporter Sam Christie can also be reached on 01892 239100.

Rusthall Village Association’s Committee this Year:
Tom Snook - Chairman 520818 (pub@toadrock.co.uk)

Andi Richards - Vice Chairman (therusthalllookout@gmail.com), Paul Reeve - nominee Treasurer, Malcolm Geer, Mary Lawrence, Len Lewis, Carol Lawrence (Secretary)

RVA MEETING DATES FOR 2012
at the Rusthall Social Club in St Paul's Street 7.30 - 9.30pm

26 January
29 March
31 May (AGM)
26 July
27 September
29 November

Refreshments 50p at half time.

MEMBERSHIPS - £3 per person per year until May 2011. Our Treasurer will be available at RVA meetings with forms or print one out from the link below

Membership form HERE

Useful Numbers

Tom Snook, Chair 01892 520818   Email pub@toadrock.co.uk
Town Hall (switchboard) 01892 526121       Gemma Pepper, PCSO 07772 226054
Fly tipping/abandoned vehicles 01892 548154       Graffiti hotline 01892 554159
KCC Highways for broken lights, blocked gullies etc. 08458 247800
TWBC Councillors for Rusthall: Bob Atwood 01892 862455 Vic Webb 01892 529518
KCC Councillor for Tun Wells West: John Davies 01892 862455

Contact Kent Police
For all non-urgent incidents or enquiries, call 01622 690690
If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, call 999
If you are deaf or speech impaired, text 'Police' and your message to 60066
For news, advice or details of your neighbourhood officer, visit www.kent.police.uk