The Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr Mrs Pat Oakeshott

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Dear Friends,

This year has been one of our more exciting years in Higham. Two events have been the highlight. Firstly, Higham’s own Councillor Pat Oakeshott was elected Mayor of Gravesham last May. She works tirelessly for us and more generally for the residents of our Borough. On many occasions I have seen the mayoral car driven through the village on another mission, perhaps on our behalf?

Secondly, the Tour de France passing along the A226 was a rare opportunity for the village to gather in large numbers to witness the spectacle provided by so many cyclists as well as the entertaining entourage that preceded and followed them. The early gathering of people from the village was rather slow, causing Linda Carnall and I to be a little apprehensive, but suddenly the numbers swelled and all the available space on the pavements and grass were taken up by enthusiastic onlookers and digital camera snappers. A report and photographs appeared on the Higham website. My thanks go to those who manned stalls, played music and to those who dressed in Dickensian costume.

Last year I was sad when the Parish Council received the resignation of Barrie Howes as leader of the Youth Club. Our thanks go to Steve Gray who stepped in and kept the Club open for our youngsters through the summer. In the autumn we were happy to welcome Joanne Raff as our salaried Youth Leader. Joanne has worked hard reforming the Club. She has some excellent ideas and we wish her well. To help with funds for the renewal of the Club, Nicky from the Three Crutches Public House held a Halloween party and was able to raise £203. Clearly this required considerable effort but the resulting event was wonderful. Our thanks go to the two of you, and also the team backing Joanne each week.

The official opening soon of new housing, at the far end of School Lane, to be known as Jupp Court will raise hopes for people wishing to live in Higham. The naming of the complex honours Colin Jupp who was a member of Higham Parish Council for many years. This year Higham School has run a competition for the children on ‘Why I like living in Higham?’ This was judged independently, and it is hoped that a similar competition will become an annual event as a way of raising awareness of our children’s surroundings and the merits of their village.

The Gardens for Pleasure competition took place again and there were some interesting gardens to assess.  Our thanks go to Morton Grey for juding these - not a simple task.

Your Parish Council members were dismayed when the children’s slide in the recreation area adjoining the Memorial Hall was vandalised resulting in very serious injury to an unsuspecting youngster. Having spent £700 on welding, the slide was then removed, as the repairs were unsuccessful.  The Parish Council is now looking at the cost of replacing the slide and the provision of new swings and safety matting. There was also the distressing issue of graffiti through the village, an ongoing problem.

The Parish Council was very sad to lose the services of Mrs Anne Waugh just before Christmas. Anne has been a very willing Councillor, her speciality being the upkeep of our footpaths and general care of the village.  Anne, we thank you and wish you well.

I give my sincere thanks to all the Parish Council Members who work unstintingly on your behalf, not forgetting that Linda Carnall keeps the wheels of the Council well oiled.  You will have noticed that the Higham Parish Council website has developed further and has been well viewed by many.  Clive Stanley has provided a very professional service for us all – many thanks. 

I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Parish Assembly on 17 April 2008 at 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall.

My best wishes to you all,

Jennifer. 

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We would like to thank Michael Papadopulos for his photograph of the Mayor of Gravesham on the front cover and Judi and Clive Stanley for those photographs contained within this booklet.

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FROM THE MAYOR

As you all know, I have almost finished my year as Mayor of Gravesham.  One of my first duties was to travel to Virginia, USA, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the ship ‘Godspeed’, which left Gravesend in May 1607 for the ‘New World’.  It was a great moment to stand, in May 2007, on the same spot where the settlers from our town had landed.

Since then I have visited very many clubs and societies in our Borough and have learnt to value and admire those wonderful volunteers who make life so much easier and more pleasant for those less fortunate and less able than ourselves.

Invitations to visit schools and churches have been welcomed and enabled me to meet lots of wonderful children and teenagers who volunteer to help disabled and sick residents.

There have been very many highlights, including:

*            Being winched aboard ‘Lord Nelson’, a ship which takes disabled people on voyages.

*            Taking part in the ‘Doggets Rowing Barge Race’ (imagine rowing a big barge from Greenwich to Westminster!).

*            ‘Beating the Bounds’ of our Borough and finishing up in the Thames for the River Boundary at the end.

I have been supported in my Mayor’s ‘Charity’ by many organisations and clubs in our village and the money will go to those smaller clubs, etc, who do so much to support the elderly and disabled in our community.

If I have not been to visit your organisation, then please invite me.  I will be delighted to meet you all.

Pat Oakeshott

FROM THE PARISH CLERK

It is always great when we hear of people who put themselves out to do something to help our community.  This year we are particularly indebted to Nicola and Rob, licensees of the Three Crutches Public House, who decided to organise a Halloween Party night to raise funds for the Higham Youth Club.  The pub was adorned with spooky decorations, there were best fancy dress and decorated pumpkins competitions, a raffle and ‘spooky special’ meals were ‘brewed’ in the kitchen.  At the January meeting of the Parish Council Nicola was able to present a giant cheque for £203 to Joanne Raff, our new Youth Leader.

Father Christmas paid another visit to Higham last December courtesy of Mr and Mrs Marsh of Hunt Equestrian who were again able to help him open his grotto at Buckland Farm.  Excited children queued to visit him whilst their parents enjoyed some seasonal refreshment.  Thank you once again Mr and Mrs Marsh for your generosity in arranging this event and showing such community spirit.

Did you attend our Assembly in 2007?  If not, make a note of this year’s date and make sure you come along for an excellent evening’s entertainment with refreshments.

Linda Carnall, Parish Clerk

SIMPLIFIED DRAFT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

2007/2008

BALANCES IN HAND AS AT 31.3.2008

The balance carried forward reflects the unused general and specific contingency funds, as well as funds for work carried out, and for which invoices are still awaited. 

A copy of the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31.3.07 is available for public inspection in Higham Library.

IT CAME THROUGH HIGHAM - WERE YOU THERE?

Mounting anticipation greeted the arrival, several days before the event, of the yellow road signs publicising the Tour de France which seemed to appear on every available post within the village. Early on the morning of Sunday, 8 July, as we glanced up the deserted A226 which had been closed to all traffic in preparation for the race, we wondered if the crowds we expected would in fact materialise.

We were not disappointed!  Villagers turned out in force, some even in Dickensian costume, to line the route and cheer on the competitors for the 2007 race. They soaked up the atmosphere, shopped at the kerbside stalls and enjoyed the excellent music provided by the Temple School Steel Band.

Finally, the arrival of the caravanne, passing through the village at high speed whilst throwing freebies to the assembled crowds heralded the imminent arrival of the cyclists. At last we could see the media helicopters hovering over the village and suddenly the competitors came into view over the horizon. Once the crowds realised that the race was being led at this stage by a British competitor there was warm applause and cheering and then ... the cyclists were gone...!  What was almost as remarkable as the race itself was the huge number of replacement cycles and support teams which followed the competitors and these seemed to be never ending. The click of cameras belonging to foreign media photographers riding pillion on motorcycles captured the scene in Higham and relayed it to the rest of the world.

The race over, the crowds enjoyed the traffic-free status of the Gravesend Road for a while longer to meet with friends and some to enjoy something to eat and drink. The race marshals mingled with the crowds and became ‘unofficial villagers’ for the day and there were at least two families who had travelled to the village from Essex (one on cycles!) because they had learnt of our planned festivities from the website. Parishioners commented that the occasion had brought the village together just like the old days and wouldn’t it be fun to do it again.

Intriguingly all the yellow road signs vanished immediately after the race – not retrieved by Council officials but bagged by those who wanted a reminder of the occasion!

I hope that those of you who were unable to join us on the day were able to get some of the flavour of the occasion from the excellent photographs taken by Clive and Judi Stanley which were placed on our website.

Thank you Clive and Judi for giving up your time to capture this for us.

Linda Carnall, Parish Clerk.

KENTCARSHARE IN YOUR PARISH

Carsharing is when two or more people share a car journey to get to the same place.  Kentcarshare, run by Kent County Council, is a FREE internet based service available to everyone in Kent.  It links drivers and passengers who make similar journeys online and encourages them to share a vehicle. You do not have to be a car driver or even own a car to use this service.

Register your journey details at:

www.kent.gov.uk/carshare

and

SHARE YOUR CAR - SHARE YOUR COSTS

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HIGHAM GARDENS FOR PLEASURE COMPETITION 2007

This is an annual competition organised by Higham Parish Council and judged on our behalf by Morton Grey, retired local government horticultural expert.  There are no entry forms for Parishioners to complete as every front garden in the village is considered when the judges tour the Parish looking for gardens that give the passer-by the most visual pleasure. In reaching a final decision the judges award points for colour, choice of plants and cultivation, and the overall design of the garden.

Last year marked the 23rd anniversary of the competition and the following prize-winners received their awards from the Chairman of Higham Parish Council, Councillor Jennifer Papadopulos, at a presentation before the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 10 September 2007.

Linda Carnall

HIGHAM PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING REPORT

The number of planning applications continues to increase and the new team of Parish Councillors who review each application have been busy during the year.

As Parish Councillors we are asked to comment on each application and to consider whether it will detract from the local area or enhance it.  We also consider any other impact the passing of the application may have, particularly to the welfare of the villagers, which includes the amount of additional traffic that may ensue once the development is completed. The Borough Council takes into consideration all comments received, including those from neighbours of the site of the Planning Application.  However, their decision does not have to follow the one recommended by the Parish Council.

Most of the applications are for extensions or small building works.  However, as there have been some of a far greater magnitude, these require more of the team to be involved and if the application could be considered contentious, then the whole Parish Council is asked to comment. We are considering some particularly contentious applications at this time and it is often difficult to decide what the best solution should be, as the lives of villagers could be affected either way.

All of these applications are shown in the Minutes of the Parish Council and Parishioners can make representations directly to the Borough Council or to the Parish Council either via the Parish Clerk or at a Parish Council meeting, although it is best to advise the clerk beforehand that you wish to raise the matter at a Parish Council meeting.

Malcolm L James

Principal Planning Officer for Higham Parish Council

KENT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS (KALC)

KALC serves Parish and Town Councils in Kent.   The Kent Association is governed by its membership.  The Gravesham Area Committee is represented by six Parish Councils including Cobham, Higham, Luddesdown, Meopham, Shorne and Vigo, who each have two representatives.   Some of the purposes of KALC are to provide information and assistance to Councils for best practice, procedures on law, meetings and chairmanship and other matters. The Parish Clerks make good use of the service.

More information can be obtained on www.kentalc.gov.uk

Barry Sutherland

HIGHCLIFFE MEDICAL PRACTICE

At the beginning of the year we welcomed two new Registrars, Dr Mahil and Dr Bolina, to the Practice.  We also welcomed Dr Stone on a part time basis as a GP Assistant when she finished her Registrar training.  Sadly we must now say goodbye to the two Registrars who have completed their training and are moving to pastures new.  However, we look forward to welcoming Dr Towoju who will be joining us as a Registrar in March. We will also have two further Registrars starting in August.

At the beginning of November, Ann Clarke retired from the surgery.  Ann worked in the surgery for over 20 years and we would like to thank her for the contribution which she made to the surgery during that time.  We wish her well in her retirement.

Once again we would like to thank everyone who took part in the recent patient survey.  The results of the survey will soon be posted in the waiting room.  We are always willing to listen to ideas from patients as to how we can improve our service to the village.

We now have two fully trained bereavement counsellors on the staff and any patient can use this service. 

May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Isobel Meredith, Practice Manager

HIGHAM MEMORIAL HALL

2007 was a good year for Higham's Memorial Hall.

In November 2007 when we decided we would officially open the revamped ‘New Hall’ our Mayor, Councillor Pat Oakeshott kindly agreed to preside over the event and after a few words the assembled hall users celebrated with a few nibbles and a bevy or two.

As always, there are additional requirements to keep the Hall up to scratch. To this end we decided to obtain funding for the installation of a Loop system for the Hard of Hearing and a P.A. System. Something the hall with all its echoes has never had. An application to the Kent County Council Small Community Capital Projects proved very successful as we were granted the full amount requested. This equipment will be installed in the near future.

As always, our Boot Fairs are successfully providing the required boost to our funds.

We are still occasionally plagued by the vandal element but keeping the main gate shut overnight does seem to be a deterrent to the nefarious hooligan.

We are always looking to improve the facilities of the Hall and to this end further projects are anticipated.

The committee must again be thanked for all their hard work over the year together with the help of all the friends that come to our assistance when needed. Their support is much appreciated.

We hope all villagers will continue to support the use of the Memorial Hall, it is there for your benefit.

Peter Morriss

KENT POLICE

I would like to introduce myself, I am PC Steve Cole and I am your local Police Officer.  I am part of the Gravesham Rural East Neighbourhood Team consisting of two Police Community Support Officers and myself, which covers the areas of Higham, Shorne, Cobham and Luddesdown.

Within Higham you have myself as a dedicated Police Officer and a Police Community Support Officer, PCSO Darren Fielding.  We are also both in close link with the local KCC Warden, Steve Gray.

I am usually in a marked police car with the Kent County Rural Partnership logo on the bonnet and the doors, in addition to the normal police markings.  Darren and myself also patrol on pushbikes as an additional form of transport, which has so far been positively received.

North Kent Police have had a fantastic year, reducing crime in most areas and becoming one of the top performing areas in the county.  Some of these figures include a 40.9% reduction in robbery, a 34.9% reduction in burglary with an 18.9% reduction in all crime across the area.  All of these crime figures can be seen on the Kent Police website: www.kent.police.uk

I look forward to meeting with many more of you in the future and if you need any further information or help with any issues then please feel free to contact myself or Darren on the numbers below.  There is a voicemail system if we are not on duty and any message left will be dealt with when we come back on duty.

IN AN EMERGENCY PLEASE RING 999

PC Steve Cole and PCSO Darren Fielding

KCC COMMUNITY WARDEN

A pleasing aspect of the last 12 months is the downturn in reported crime.  The three types of reported crime which have shown the largest number of occurrences in 2007 are Criminal Damage, Vehicle Crime and Burglaries from Outhouses, Garages and Sheds.

During the year we have held four Community Surgeries involving your local Police Officer and PCSO and it is our intention in 2008 to hold further surgeries on a regular basis, monthly, if possible. I feel it is only by holding these events that we can hear, in confidence, any concerns or problems you may have. Also we held a Neighbourhood Watch meeting in June where a number of local Neighbourhood Watch representatives got together to exchange ideas so that we could try and establish a more cohesive network within the village. It is hoped to continue these meetings in 2008.

It is only through us all working together that we achieve our aims of making Higham Village a better place to live in.

I can be reached or messages left on:

Mobile:              07811 271256

E Mail:   PhillipStephen.Gray@kent.gov.uk

Steve Gray, KCC Community Warden

RIGHTS OF WAY/FOOTPATHS

As far as I know all rights of way are usable at the time of writing. I have had to report a few footpaths not reinstated across farm land. The Rights of Way Officer has taken prompt action to have the paths reinstated. A few paths needed clearance. 

You will have noticed a few kissing gates popping up. These have been supplied by KCC and erected by the land owner.  Also, this year quite a few new way marking signs have been erected. Again, instigated by KCC.

There is a very good web site at www.kent.gov.uk/environment/public-rights-of-way about rights of ways in Kent. Or, just go to KCC rights of way site and all sorts of information is at hand.

Sadly, this is my last report for the Parish Council. I have had to resign for family reasons but am still available if you have a problem with rights of ways.

Anne Waugh

HIGHAM PARISH ALLOTMENTS

Here we are again at the start of another growing season and there is still a waiting list for the Parish plots off Hermitage Road.  Allotments are going through a national revival for a number of reasons, including environmental issues such as food miles and organic growing methods.  Added to this is the fresh air and exercise required to turn your plot into a productive one.

If you would like to be a plot holder please contact the Parish Clerk and add your name to the waiting list!

Happy Gardening

Alan Howard

HIGHAM IN ROMAN TIMES

Translated from the History & Topographical Survey of the County of Kent

Collected from Public Records by Edward Hasted Esq. 1797

At the east end of the parish of Higham in the road from Frindsbury to Cliffe, is the estate of Mockbeggar, and on the summit of the hill southward, the mansion of Hermitage, below which, in the flat country, at an equal distance from the church, is the manor and hamlet of Higham-ridgeway, a name plainly derived from the ancient causeway through it, leading towards the river.

Plautius, the Roman General, under the Emperor Claudius, in the year of Christ, 43, is said to have passed the River Thames from Essex into Kent, near the mouth of it, with his army, in pursuit of the flying Britons, who being acquainted with the firm and fordable places of the river, passed it easily.

This passage is considered to have been from East Tilbury, in Essex, across the river to Higham.  Between these places there was a ferry on the river for many ages, after the method of intercourse between the two counties of Kent and Essex for all these parts, and it continued so until the dissolution of the abbey here; before which time, Higham was likewise the place for shipping and unshipping corn and goods in great quantities from this part of the country to and from London and elsewhere.

The probability of this having been a frequented ford or passage in the time of the Romans, is strengthened by the visible remains of the raised causeway, or road, nearly thirty feet wide, leading from the Thames side though the marshes by Higham, southward to this ridgeway before-mentioned, and thence across the London Road on Gads-hill to Shorne Ridgeway, about half a mile beyond which it joins the Roman Watling-Street-road, near the entrance to Cobham Park.

M L James

THE PARISH CHURCH OF S.JOHN

Parish of Higham with Merston, Diocese of Rochester, Church of England

Another busy year. Daily worship was maintained, thanks to a loyal core of communicants. We remain the only Church locally open each day because of CCTV cameras and regulars ‘checking’ the building. The hall-office was recently broken into twice. There is nothing of value to steal but the damage to the doors was substantial. A small bell was also stolen after a funeral service! It indicates how low some people will stoop!

Last Easter the west window was re-leaded and cleaned. Autumn saw the churchyard entrance overhauled. A large part of wall was re-pointed, the gates rebuilt, the pathway widened and renewed. The Lady Chapel altar was refurbished from a bequest. A very expensive problem remains with the collapse of some of the wall at S.Mary’s Churchyard. S.Mary’s Church itself was used a couple of times and, though used this year on Mothering Sunday, because work starts there this spring the only other service in 2008 will be on Sunday, 5 October.

The Archdeacon of Rochester came last July to authorise our Pastoral Assistant. Maureen’s role is pastoral rather than liturgical though she is authorised to assist in distributing Holy Communion; as she does at Copperfield Residential Home with me each month. Fr David Barnes left us in November for Edenbridge.

Our Mayor, Councillor Oakeshott, was with us in January to help celebrate our Dedication Feast. The Church was packed a week later in February when the Bishop confirmed eleven people. On both occasions the pipe organ was out of action.

The Church is blessed with two very efficient, co-operative Churchwardens - so many jobs are kept under control. We are grateful for the practical help that a number of people (not always members) offer in Church and hall – which also gets a lot of local use. We are grateful to all who assist us in worship, with children and young people, cleaning, refreshments, magazine production, church draw, flowers, etc., and for those who support it all financially, often sacrificially. We continue to tithe what we spend on ourselves to local and international missionary work.

For details of worship or any other way we may be able to help contact me at the Vicarage – telephone 01634 717360.

Fr James Southward, Vicar of Higham (& Rural Dean of Strood)

HIGHAM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The year of 2007 proved to be quite an eventful one for us. Yes, we did follow the traditional church calendar and Easter, Harvest Festival and Christmas services, as usual, were a great blessing to all of us, with another visit from members of the Gravesend Corps of the ‘Salvation Army Band’ early in December, to lead us in the singing of carols. Hopefully they will be with us this year too. Do look out for these events on the notice board when you are passing and join us, we would love to see you.

We shall be starting our ‘Coffee Mornings’ once again in April, on the second Saturday of the month, running until September. There will be a ‘Bring and Buy’ stall and refreshments will be served. You are invited. If any of you came to the Sunday School as children we would be especially pleased to meet you between 10.30 – 12 noon.

Peter Christopher, Leader Secretary

SHAVES’ CHARITY

The Trustees received five individual applications and two from married couples. The Trustees agreed to distribute all of the Trust’s annual income and the resulting payments were £38 and £76, respectively.  The distribution was made by Mrs Kate Haselden.

During the year Councillor Anne Waugh resigned as a Trustee and Councillor Maggi Scott joined. The other Trustees remain the same:

• Father James Southward.
• Mrs Kate Haselden.
• Les Baker.

The Trustees are especially grateful for Councillor Waugh’s work, as a Trustee and also to Mrs L Slingsby for, again, collecting application forms at the Post Office.

Les Baker

STARTRITE KINDERGARTEN

StartRite Kindergarten has had a successful year and had a great result from the Ofsted inspection back in March.

We were inspected and judged on both the care and education that we provide for the children and the setting and we were awarded with a ‘Good’ in all areas. This is a fantastic result and reflects the high level of commitment and dedication that the team provide and can be attributed to the 100% qualified staff that make up the team.

We continue to provide a balanced curriculum for all the children and as a result of the recently erected fencing are able to provide daily outdoor activities for the children, safe in the knowledge that they are safe and secure.

We continue to open Monday–Friday, 9am–3.15pm term time only and if anyone requires any further information then please do not hesitate to come and visit us or contact Suzanne on 01474 822410 to request a prospectus.

Suzanne Green

HIGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

2007 was another eventful year for Higham Primary. Our Year 6 pupils said goodbye with a wonderful production of ‘Lights, Camera, Action’. The children put on an enthusiastic and humorous show highlighting events and activities within school. These children have now all moved happily on to an array of secondary schools throughout Gravesham and Medway. In September we welcomed our first intake of 30 reception children who are all in the same class. We have now moved to single age classes across the school with the exception of one year 1/2 class.

Throughout the year our house system has continued to be successful with the children enthusiastically working hard to support their house team. Once again our Year 6 children elected four new house captains and four new vice house captains who have settled into their roles with enthusiasm and determination. They have already helped the school to raise money for Children in Need, and Jeans for Genes day. Captains and vice captains are easily recognisable by their coloured sweatshirts which are in the style of the school uniform but in house colours. This enables our younger children to identify their house captains easily.

As in previous years the school has been well supported by parents and staff through our dedicated PTA who work very hard to raise much-needed additional funds for the school. As a result of some of these funds the school has received educational resources across all subject areas. These have helped to enhance and develop the children’s learning further. In addition to this funding, the PTA continue to fund the payment of our interactive whiteboards and broadband service. In June and November two successful fund-raising fairs were held where the public, pupils and parents came along and supported our events.

Throughout 2007 our enthusiastic and dedicated school teams have taken part in various sporting challenges both within and outside of school. Trips, visiting speakers, workshops and theatre groups enhance the curriculum and these take place regularly and the good behaviour of the pupils is regularly commented upon and this makes us very proud of the children and the way in which they represent themselves, the school and the village of Higham of which we are an integral part. We are grateful for the hard work of all of those involved with the school as we look forward to another successful year.

Mrs S Greenfield, Headteacher and Mrs C Grattan, Deputy Headteacher

HIGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

PARENTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Once again, I am pleased to report that the PTA had another successful year of fund-raising thus enabling us to assist the school in purchasing many much needed items. 

The Summer Fayre and Xmas Fayre made record breaking profits.  Our whole hearted thanks go out to all the community, for without their support – whether helping out or just turning up on the day – these records would again not have been achieved.  In addition to the Fayres, our childrens’ discos remained as popular and well-supported as ever.  We have had two more collections for Bag2School which has been an invaluable way to raise funds and is two-fold because it also helps children and families in third-world countries. 

New blood will always be welcome to give, fresh new ideas and also to help spread out the hard work which is involved in producing these
fund-raising events.  Finally, once again, I thank everyone for their help and support.

Leslie Pearton, Chair

GOVERNORS OF HIGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

Higham Primary School continues to be a happy and sought after school by parents, not only from within the village. We were again over subscribed in this year’s intake into the Reception Class, but as the Planned Admission Number has been reduced to 30 there were no spare spaces. As shown in our report last year, the Senior Management and Governors have achieved one class per year group, with the exception of a small mixed Year 1/2 class (it is not permissible to have classes of over 30 in the Infant section).

We are pleased to recognise the achievements of the children in Key Stage 1 (ie Primary) whose results from the Standard Attainment Targets were higher than the previous year.

Work has commenced at last on the provision of a dedicated Care Suite. It has taken nearly two years of negotiation for the school to have this work commissioned.  Children with specific medical needs, will be able to have the special attention that they require at various times of the day, in a suite that is secure from other people.

The plans for 2008/9 should show a new and inviting entrance to the school being constructed that will provide vastly improved facilities for the Administration Department and Senior Management Team. Already we have extended the car park with an overflow area from which the staff have benefited, particularly during inclement weather.

An intrinsic part of the school is the funding received by the excellent efforts of the PTA and our thanks to them must be acknowledged here.  In fact, everybody involved plays an important part in the life of the school, without which the children would not be as prepared for secondary education or for adult life as they are now.

The Governors thank all the staff at the school and also the support of the Parents and Carers of the children.

Malcolm L James

Chair of Governors

GAD’S HILL SCHOOL

Gad’s Hill School has had yet another successful year academically. 97% of  Gad’s Hill students have a five or more GCSE pass rate, with 86% achieving nine or more GCSE pass grades (A* - C).

Our pupils continue to take part in a range of extra curricula activities from representing the school in sports to learning the skills of leadership and a sense of adventure in our growing Combined Cadet Force.

Our planning application for a new school and Dickens Heritage Centre took a step forward in January, with the Gravesham Borough Council Regulatory Board voting for a ‘recommendation to approve’ subject to certain conditions. The school’s planning application has now gone to the Government Office of The South East and they will report back to the Borough Council in the Spring. This is an exciting period for Gad’s Hill School and of course for the village as we work hard to ensure that a building of such historical importance is sympathetically restored and opened for all to see. The school will continue to work with Higham Parish Council to ensure that the visitor centre has minimum impact on the village and that it offers a much needed boost to the economy of the local area, bringing with it jobs, visitors and trade to not only the house but to local businesses’.

Finally the school will be taking part in the Gravesham Heritage Festival by opening its doors on Sunday, 1 June; visitors will be taken round the house by experts from The Dickens Fellowship and will also be able to enjoy a traditional Gad’s Hill Cream Tea. You will find information regarding booking on the Borough Council’s website www.gravesham.gov.uk

David Craggs, Headmaster

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We would like to thank Councillor Bryan Sweetland and Cheryl Russell, from Gravesham Borough Council, for arranging for the scrub clearance to the part of the Recreation Ground overlooking Higham Primary School.  This means that the play equipment can now be seen more clearly from the road which we hope may reduce vandalism.

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SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION

We thank the pupils of Higham Primary School for taking part in the School Essay Competition and very much hope that this will become an annual event.

1st prize essay by Madelene Hart

What I like about Higham

I live just outside Higham and although I do not live here I still like many things about the small village.

Higham is very small and particularly comforting.  This makes it safer to go to shops and other places.  In Lower Higham, there is a train station, which makes it easier to go to London.

Higham is only fifteen minutes away from Bluewater so people can go shopping for food in the food stores.

In Higham there are shops only a ten minute walk away, for some only ten seconds.  There is also a library with all different books and computers if someone needs to use one for something like homework and studying.

The community in Higham is very kind and welcoming.  Everyone is very friendly and takes care of each other, even in different age groups.

Higham has historic land marks like Gads Hill School where Charles Dickens used to live.  The small village also has many acres of land, green and lush.  Higham is so clean it looks untouched.

These are the things I like about Higham especially Higham Primary School, where you get the best education, with kind caring teachers, and a watching traffic warden.

I think Higham is a community of kindness and working friendship.

*****

HIGHAM LIBRARY

2007 has been an eventful year in the life of Higham Library with the 20th anniversary of a permanent branch library in the village, a number of events were held to celebrate this. Our second annual Community Day held on 27 July, thankfully enjoyed much better weather. There were displays and stalls from various village organisations, face painting, children’s activities, refreshments and a book sale. This year the Community Day will be held on Friday, 1 August. Any village organisation that would like to be there on the day, please contact Glynis or Caroline at the library.

The Higham Writing Group gave a performance of their own work at the Library on 12 May which was a complete sell out. Plans for another ‘Showcase’ are well under way – this time for two performances on 16 and 17 May – due to popular demand. Don’t be disappointed – get your ticket early!

On 19 September a plaque commemorating one time resident and Parish Clerk of Higham, Reg Weston, was unveiled by the Mayor, Councillor Pat Oakeshott. Reg who died earlier in the year, was the driving force behind getting a permanent library for the village.

Our regular events are held on the following days and times:

Homework Club: Thursdays 3.30 - 4.45pm.

Rhyme Time: Fortnightly from Friday, 4 January between 9.30 – 10am.

Coffee & Chat Group: 3rd Tuesday each month at 2.30pm.

Higham Writing Group: Every Monday at 10am.

Higham Library User Group: Formed in October, this group meets approximately every eight weeks. Contact the library for the date and time of the next meeting. The purpose of the group is to be involved in the planning of the library services to the local community, to give practical help and support to library events where possible and to encourage all sections of the community to use the library facilities.

If you are interested in joining in any of the regular events held at the library, drop in or contact Glynis or Caroline at the library on 01474 823822 or e-mail highamlibrary@kent.gov.uk 

Zoë Gray, Community Services Development Librarian

THE HIGHAM LIBRARY WRITERS GROUP

The Group has been in existence for just over a year now and we meet every Monday morning at the library under the tutelage of Denise Leppard who was once a professional writer. The aim of the Group is to produce written material, not only for our own satisfaction but for possible publication in magazines and suchlike. A couple of our members have been successful in having articles published, some in magazines and in one case a national newspaper.

The group have also read some of their work in the form of public performances. Last May we presented a selection in a ‘Showcase’ which seemed to go down well with the audience. Since then we have read to the Age Concern group in Merston Court before one of their luncheons. The response was such that we have been asked to go back again some time. Due to the reception we had last year we are putting on another ‘Showcase’ this May. Because of the increased demand for tickets we will be appearing for two days, Friday and Saturday, 16 and 17 May, at 7.30pm, in the Higham library. Admission will be by ticket only at £3 each and they can be obtained from Glynis Cordery on 01474 365906 or you can leave your requirements at Higham library where they will be passed on to Glynis. Although none of our material is offensive in any way we feel that this type of entertainment is not for young children. Make a note in your diaries, we will be very pleased to see you there.

Stan Egginton, OBE

SPECIAL EVENTS

As you all know the Parish Council is anxious to mark any special birthdays/anniversaries in our village, but I do need you to tell me about these events.

I was delighted to take flowers and chocolates to Mrs Hilda Cole at Copperfields Home on the occasion of her 100th birthday.  This was a wonderful day and Hilda enjoyed the company of all her family and friends.

The Parish Council offers its congratulations to Mr and Mrs F Figg for their 50th wedding anniversary on 28 June.

Pat Oakeshott

HIGHAM CHORAL GROUP

Higham Choral Group has sung in various locations in the Gravesham area and beyond during the past year.

The Spring concert was at Chalk Church where we sung Schubert’s Mass in F, and in the second half music by Lennon/McCartney and Simon and Garfunkel amongst others.  For our tour in May 2007 we were invited to sing at Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, where we had a very successful concert.  In June we sang a mixed programme of religious and secular music at Shorne Flower Festival and at our summer concert in July at St Mary’s Higham we sang music by Scarlatt, and again a selection of religious and secular music.

The Christmas concert, to a capacity audience, was at St John’s Church where we sang Benjamin Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’, and carols for choir and congregation.

If you have not heard us sing, please visit our web site

www.highamchoralgroup.org.uk

and if you would be interested in joining us please contact me on 01474 822702.

Dates for your diary:

Wendy Hance

HIGHAM YOUTH CLUB

I was appointed as the leader of the youth club in September and have enjoyed settling in, and getting to know some of the young people in Higham. 

Since September the young people have been able to enjoy many activities such as glass painting, making clay models, and other art.  They have been able to en