Two meetings have passed since the last newsletter, for which RVA apologises. A summary of these meetings follows.

August Meeting

RVA meet with reasonable turnout on 30th August. Guest speakers were:

Carbon Emissions

Paul Norris gave a talk on the improvements he had made to his High Brooms home (outlined RVA newsletter No. 9) to reduce the impact his family were imposing on the environment. Fears of global warming and sustainable energy reserves are very much a political and social talking point. It is now apparent that under estimations were made and the effects of global warming are happening faster than predicted. It is a problem that needs addressing with industries such as manufacturing, power generation and transport systems GLOBALLY needing to rethink their operations. Each of us emits 12 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every year. We are consuming energy from fossil and non sustainable sources faster than we can find them. In other words, we will run out of ways to make enough energy to live in the manor we have all become accustomed to.

But what can we do as individuals?

Mr Norris realised that significant reductions in both carbon emissions and home running costs were possible. He for instance:

Solar Power

Having panels fitted to the roof on a south facing aspect is the best way to get the most out of your panels; Paul's panels are static. It is possible to install a system that tracks the sun from sunrise to sunset, optimising the system, but they are significantly more expensive. The firm that fitted Paul's system is a British company based in Chelmsfield. The panels are 1.6m by 0.8m (just over 5 by 2 1/2 ft) and can be integrated by replacing existing tiles. Each panel gives a maximum power out put of 205 Watts (W). Pauls system therefore produces a maximum 3.38 kilowatts (kW), over three thousand watts. Typically kettles use 900W, TVs 150W and toasters 750W. Low energy light bulbs have been fitted, using only 9W of power but giving the illumination of a 60W bulb. Sunny springs days give the optimum power producing situation, as strong sunlight and low temperatures means that Paul's system is capable of producing 4 kW. The panels have a working life of twenty five years.

Set Up Costs

Paul's system cost £17,000 to install. Half of which was returned to him by way of a government grant. No planning permission is needed providing the property is not listed or in a conservation area.

Economics

During the day, Paul's system can keep up with the family's power demand. This power is free as it is generated without the use of a national supplier. But any power they produce that they do not use, goes back into the national grid for other homes to consume. For this reason, the power companies PAY Paul to produce electricity. Whether he use all or none of his generated power, he gets 5p per kW/hour produced. Obviously the panels only produce power in the day time, so at night, they have to rely on the national grid. For this service, he pays the same as any regular home. Over a one year period, he received £200 ’cash back’ from his supplier, which cancelled out the bill for his national grid consumption, effectively paying nothing for electricity for the year. On this basis and current trends, Paul expects to have broken even on his investment in fourteen years. This does not include the estimated increase in his property’s value of £10,000. It is also estimated that his reduction in carbon emissions is around one and a half tonnes.

Grants, as mentioned earlier, are available to anyone who wishes to make similar modifications to their home, but they are capped now. The government has a budget of around £50 million per year. They were to stop in 2005 but this has been extended.

If You’d Like To Know More . . .

More detailed information on suppliers, grants, companies and Paul's personal solar installation, can be found on the following web site: www.alternative-energy.co.uk Other grants are available for general energy saving enhancements such as lagging and double glazing. See the website www.kentenergycentre.org.uk for more details and ideas on how to save energy (AND MONEY).

Andy Powell From The Home Improvement Agency

The second speaker, Andy Powell, gave a talk on the home Improvement Agency. By contacting the agency's Tunbridge Wells branch, help for day to day home improvement issues can be found. Predominantly aimed at the senior resident, jobs such as putting up shelves and changing a tap washer are carried out by personnel like Andy. This enables residents that are either short of money or physically unable to do such tasks to remain in their homes, safely and in comfort. The agency charges £17 per hour and typically, a tap washer will set you back around £10. Andy was keen to express that it is also about interacting with the community too. In other words, it serves a social purpose, as well as its main objective of maintaining property; care and repair. For more information on this worthwhile service, contact them at:

St Georges Centre, 7 Chilston Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9LP

telephone: 01892 536650   fax: 01892 511057  
email:  sophie.marsh@moat.co.uk

November Meeting

The November meeting saw a very poor turnout. This was partly due to late advertising, but it has been apparent that membership numbers have been dropping for some time now. It had a far more intimate feel as there were only around 15 members present and the guest speakers were fellow residents.

Issues Raised

The Oak

The subject of the Oak's public house extended license became a talking point. The pub is now legally allowed to stay open until midnight on both Friday and Saturday nights. This has been met by over seventy letters of disapproval and it is alleged that notice of this extension was not assessable for a 28 day period. Residents say that because the premises doesn’t have double door entrances, every time someone enters or exits, the noise from within (entertainment license makes matters far worse) will pollute the local area. It was mentioned that the police are monitoring the pub, whose history has been some what colourful.

Rusthall Elms

More news on this controversial development. To recap, this derilict site is to be developed into 57 homes, of which 17 will be ‘affordable housing’ with access via Edward St. and the rest larger two-four bedroom homes. Three RVA board members were present, among them Jenny Blackburn. They argued for the proposal in general, but expressed concerns over certain issues:

Further information to follow at a later date

Highways

Parking and highway issues never seem to be from the news these days. There has been more talk of traffic calming and yellow lines recently, with considerations given to the entrance of Common View and Edward St with a cry out for pavements around the Red Lion pub and to make the walk from this point to Broomhill Park School a ‘quiet lane’ (20 mph). The current situation with this road being a ‘rat run’ between Southborough and Tunbridge Wells, means walking along this piece of road is very dangerous. With the human traffic to and fro from the school at high risk. It was suggested that a flashing school sign or something similar should be placed here; there is a company in the village that designs or manufactures such signs. There was talk of possible collaboration with this company, seeing as they are in the immediate vicinity. It would appear to be an issue of planning permission.

1st Speaker, Malcolm Geer

As an extension of the above issue, one resident, Malcolm, produced a petition in favour placing a pedestrian crossing in the high street and the Lower Green area. His argument for such a crossing was to help the two extremes of our community cross the road in safety. As a village, we have a very good safety record and the Highways see funding such a project inappropriate; it is not part of their five year plan apparently although this is reviewed every year. They claim that a crossing patrol (Lollipop-person) would suffice but no action has been taken. This also only helps children get to and from school. Surely the idea of a permanent crossing for use at all times is of a greater benefit. Malcolm’s petition for a crossing was signed by the entire group.

2nd Speaker, Carol Lawrence

Carol has concerns over the merging of the village schools. This proposal by the council would have a negative effect claims Carol.

Argument For Merger (Council viewpoint)

Carol would like to make it clear that the education her child and other children that attend St. Pauls is of a high quality and she is perfectly happy with the school. 10 years ago, the junior school went though a ‘dip’ and the reputation may have come at this point. She claims that the current Head Mistress of five years (Mrs Combs) has greatly improved the school. The infant school is enjoying new equipment in a new building and currently has a ’good’ ofsted report.

Argument Against Merger (Parents' viewpoint)

As new housing is to be built in the village, something in the order of 70 homes, it is highly possible that demand will increase enough so that parents wishing to send their children to the village school, will not be able to. Especially if both schools continue to improve and market themselves correctly to raise their profile.

Carol's petition was passed round the group and it was met with great enthusiasm. So much so that RVA’s official stance on this issue is to support the schools' current structure and not wish for a merger.

Other News

Rusthall Working Men's Club Application no. 06/03484/FUL

It has come to light recently that the RWM club has submitted to TWB Council a planning proposal for the development of four homes on their car park in Common View. If permission is granted, then a developer would buy the land having a clear right to build as per the proposal. Local residents have mixed feelings about the development, so much so that letters have been sent to oppose the current plan and a planning forum is being sought, to enable the community to have a fair debate on the issue. Mixed feelings because the outcome means different things to different people. Common concerns included parking issues. This is a stretched situation now. Removing spaces then creating the need for more will introduce great friction for residents and the general public. It is felt that the plots are over bearing and not in keeping with the historical buildings around. Common view is an area that is considered to be already too busy with the village’s only recycle site there, a free for all parking system that has no deterrent for irresponsible drivers, is also used by walkers and dog owners not to mention the shopping parade opposite. Common view is, after all, a conservation area. It is felt that although a fairly small plot of land, this development could potential cause havoc for the whole village.

Sunny Side; Rusthall Village Hall

St Joseph’s Hall was purchased by a trust last year. This hall is available for hire for functions and accommodates the Holding Hands pre-school nursery among other groups and societies. Unfortunately, there is very little storage space on site and the nursery, by its very nature, requires the use of many toys and apparatus. Helpers are required to move everything in time for the next group. They are proposing an extension to the building for the purpose of storage and other amenities but have inadequate funding for such a project; a lottery grant is being sought. They are appealing for your help in any way. You can to help run this community facility. You may remember a presentation at the RVA meeting at Easter, to raise the hall's profile, well unfortunately response was poor.

General Useful Numbers

T.Wells Police Station: 01892 511055       Rusthall Community Warden: 07813 695872       T.Wells Borough Council: 01892 526121      
Rusthall Veterinary Surgery: 01892 511715       Emergency Dental Service (NHS): 01892 517771