(This was our) TIMETABLE OF EVENTS FOR 2012

See the letter of thanks from Gravesham Borough Council.  

THE SCREEN ON OUR GREEN AND FAMILY FUN DAY

It came...we went to the Recreation Ground and enjoyed twelve hours of non-stop Olympic coverage of “Super Saturday”.  See the photographs.

2012 Olympic Torch Came to Higham

It came...we all saw it...and the occasion raised our spirits sky high!!  See the photographs.  See the letter of thanks from Gravesham Borough Council.

Higham Village Parade and Picnic 2012

Saturday 14th July 2012 was a busy, wet yet fun day for many people and groups who took part in the Parade.  To see photographs, please click here.

Friends of St Mary's Church, Higham

A full calendar of 2013 events at St Mary's organised by The Friends is available here.

Higham Dog Show, Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2013

The 2013 Higham Dog Show will be held at Higham Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground, School Lane, Higham ME3 7JL. Enter on the day from 10am and judging starts from 11am. No experience necessary - easy and fun to take part.

Everyone is welcome whether you have a dog or not - lots of stalls and refreshments.
Free admission and free parking. Classes only £1.50 each. Any dog can enter crossbreeds or pedigree all welcome.

More details from Rachel on 07889767146 and all the info is at :www.highamdogshow.co.uk

Advice for Higham Residents

Some useful information from our local PCSO Clare Croucher (07772 226 238 or email: claire.croucher@kent.pnn.police.uk):

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 no body 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 Callguard Service on 0870 444 3969.

Planning Application: 20121098 LAND AT CHEQUERS STREET, HIGHAM

There is a planning application submitted to Gravesham Borough Council and more information is found here.

MAKE KENT QUICKER CAMPAIGN

Kent has a higher than average proportion of businesses and properties currently suffering from poor broadband services. Kent County Council prepared a Local Broadband Plan in order to secure Government funding to improve broadband speeds across the county, but in order to achieve this ambition investment by broadband providers is needed. The greater the demand, the more willing broadband providers will be to invest in high speed infrastructure.

STOP PRESS!! - KCC have just announced that they have signed a contract to take forward the Kent and Medway BDUK Broadband project. The partnership is backed by £10m of council funding, £9.87m from central government and £19.6m from BT.  Work starts on upgrading Kent telephone exchanges in 2014 with preliminary surveys starting now... good news and thanks for all your votes which achieved this end result.  Read more FAQ's...

Community Warden Afternoon Tea and Surgery Dates

An invitation to Afternoon Tea and a Community Surgery at Higham Library, Forge Lane, Higham throughout 2013. Come and have a chat with your local KCC Community Warden, Steve Gray. Any issues or ideas about how to improve our local environment are welcome. Or just pop in for a cuppa and a natter with Steve!

2013 Dates

Thursday, 31st January

Thursday, 28th February

Thursday, 28th March

Thursday, 25th April

Thursday, 30th May

Thursday, 27th June

For more information about Kent Community Wardens, please telephone 07811 271256 or visit www.kent.gov.uk/communitywardens

Thames Estuary Airport Proposal

Oh Dear, here we go again!  On 2nd November 2011 the architect Lord Foster, in association with other construction consultants and Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, announced outline proposals for a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary which would cost at least £50bn.

See Higham Parish Council's comments and reaction. 

'21st Century Kent' Report & A Lower Thames Crossing

In early 2010, Kent County Council published their report into future developments within Kent.  One vital aspect considered is transportation and links outside of Kent.  The potential future need for another crossing over the River Thames is mentioned.  A Public Meeting was held in early February 2011 to hear more details on the proposals.

For more information on this whole issue, visit the Lower Thames Crossing web page. 

Kent Police Launch 101 as the New Non-Emergency Number

As from Monday 14th November 2011 there is a change to the Phone Number that you should use to contact your local Kent Police for non emergency calls.

101 is the new 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. The current non emergency number (01622 690690) is being phased out.

Examples when to use 101 are:

• if your car has been stolen,
• if property has been damaged,
• if you suspect drug use or dealing,
• to report a minor traffic collision,
• to give information about a crime or criminals in your local area.

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.

Higham Youth Club

Kent Police Area Commanders Award North Kent

Joanne Raff

This Area Commander’s Certificate of Merit is awarded to Joanne Raff for her services to the Higham Youth Club and contribution to reductions in youth related disorder within the Higham area.   Joanne Raff took over the responsibility of running the Higham Youth Club at a time when attendees were often disruptive and it attracted very few new members.  The youth attending the club were often associated with drinking, swearing and general disorder within the village of Higham.  Joanne worked very closely with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, KCC Wardens, the Parish Council and parents to set up rules, deal with the disruptive individuals and encourage new members to attend the Youth Club.  She also secured significant funding for new equipment, advertised the club amongst local schools and set up a website.   Since Joanne assumed the role of leader, the youth club in Higham has gone from strength to strength.  The number of attendees has increased to such a degree that a further club night has been set up in Higham.  She was also asked to set up a further youth club for Cobham, Sole Street and Luddesdown.   Due to the hard work and commitment Joanne Raff has dedicated to the Higham Youth Club, youth related crime and disorder has significantly reduced in the area to a level where it is virtually non-existent and for this she is to be commended.

(signed) T/Chief Superintendent Alison Roden Area Commander 9th September 2010

Jo Raff has written the following in response to her award:

"I am very honoured and proud to have received this award. However I would like to add that the success of the youth club has been down to the dedication and hard work by many people, including our great team of dedicated helpers who give up their time on a weekly basis. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped, and continue to help with the clubs that are serving so many young people living in Higham."

If anyone ever wishes to help with either Monday or Wednesday youth club on a regular or occasional basis please contact Jo. To find out more and to offer your help for just a couple of hours, please take a peek at our website – www.higham-youth-club.btck.co.uk or call Jo on 07934 562085.  See below here for just some of the fun and activities that the teenagers get up to.  And the adult helpers get involved as well...

STOP PRESS: The Youth Club will be starting the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for eligible youngsters.  Please ask Jo for more information and to register interest.  Read more information .

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Higham Youth Club attended a High Ropes activity day (pictured above) where the young people were able to take part in climbing, the leap of faith, archery and climbing along the H bar. We have also had trips to the ten pin bowling alley and cinema and a group will be going to take part in Midnight to 3am ice skating soon. We have also arranged a kayaking session at Leybourne Lake. During weekly sessions we usually hire the outside courts so many use these in addition to all the activities taking place inside the hall.

The Youth Club runs on two nights - Mondays for the 14+ age group and Wednesdays for the 10+ age group. Both clubs have very enthusiastic young people enjoying themselves with their friends. We have a number of activities each week and lots of equipment including a pool table, table football, table tennis, basketball, swingball, Nintendo Wii (two consoles plus guitar hero complete band set, snowboarding, wii fit, dance mat and many other games), Playstation 2 (including Singstar), Karaoke, Scalextrics, Keyboard, Circus equipment, Board games..... We also have an iPod docking hi-fi so the young people can bring along their iPods if they want to listen to their own music... Often we run cookery evenings, circus skills, hair and beauty, arts and crafts plus many others..

You can keep up with what's going on by looking at our website... www.higham-youth-club.btck.co.uk

If anyone in the village would like to give up a couple of hours per week of their time and help us as a volunteer please contact Jo for more information on 07934 562085. All adult helpers are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau, and we do ask for 2 referees.. You will understand that this is purely to safeguard our young members. Working with the young people at these clubs is a very enjoyable experience and also gives you the opportunity to take part in exciting activities too!

Higham Neighbourhood Forum  (previously Higham PACT Panel)

The Neighbourhood Forum for Higham is a range of local people plus representatives from Parish Council, the Kent Police and the Community Warden.  We meet quarterly to discuss any concerns about the quality of life or community safety issues within the village. SPEEDWATCH is one of our activities.  Regular reports and liaison with the Parish Council, Police, Community Warden and other key partners allow free and frank examination of things that may be of concern.  At our past meetings we have had officials from Gravesham Borough Council and Kent Highways who advised us and assisted in discovering solutions to local issues. 

If you have a concern about your local neighbourhood or have ideas that would improve your quality of life in Higham then do either come to a Forum meeting or a Parish Council meeting to speak your mind.  For more information, please visit our new Forum website at http://www.spanglefish.com/highamneighbourhoodforum  

2013 meetings are planned for Tuesday 5th March, Tuesday 4th June, Tuesday 3rd September and Tuesday 3rd December normally at 7.30pm in Higham Library, Villa Road, Higham.  All are welcome to come.

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 information and details of HiARA's activity programme plus dates for outings.  Visit the web site. May 2013 HiARA News... click here to view in new window with any PDF viewer.

Thames Estuary Partnership

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.

Higham Primary School

WALKING BUS

The Parish Council is sponsoring the new Walking Bus at Higham Primary School which launched after Easter 2008. This new initiative is to get children to and from school and to reduce the amount of traffic congestion on the village roads in the vicinity

The Walking Bus is an organised column of children who are escorted to and from school along a set route. All involved wear high-visibility tabards for safety and routes are approved by council traffic engineers.

To find out more about this initiative or to become a volunteer helper on the Walking Bus please contact Higham Primary School.

Hearing Aid Aftercare Service

Hi Kent is the country of Kent's deaf and hard of hearing registered charity, established in 1986 and last year we were the only Kent organisation to win the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. We provide free advice on how to cope with hearing loss and can provide a wide range of assistive equipment to help deaf and hard of hearing people.

In Higham we run a monthly hearing aid aftercare clinic at Highcliffe Medical Practice in Hermitage Road on the second Tuesday of each month from 2.30 to 3.30pm, where people can come along to get their hearing aids cleaned and retubed, and pick up free replacement batteries.

Further information from 01622 691151 or visit www.hikent.org.uk

Share your journey, share your costs!

kentjourneyshare is a free, simple, secure, internet-based service that enables you to register your car journey on-line and match drivers and passengers with those who do similar journeys, sharing driving costs and reducing congestion.

Over 1,750 are now members of kentjourneyshare since the launch by Kent County Council in September 2005 and more and more people are discovering the benefits of carsharing. New members join by registering for free on the site www.kentcarshare.com and record their journeys. The system matches those traveling similar journeys and members then make the arrangements to start car sharing.

More than 1700 people countywide have already joined the scheme. As a result they have reduced the number of miles traveled on Kent's roads by over a million miles a year. Kent has one of the largest road networks in the country and the volume of traffic creates a high demand for road maintenance.

To find out more, or register visit www.kentcarshare.com

Contact us by email: enquiries@higham-kent-pc.gov.uk