The War Memorial Hall has rooms for hire. A lift is available to reach first floor room, tea and coffee arrangements are available in all meeting rooms. To book the hall: phone or e.mail the bookings clerk, Cate Reid on Latest News: Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch. THEFT BY FINDING…Electricity cable was stolen from pole number 861900 on the Stodmarsh Road between 00:01 and 12:00 on 4/5. Crime Report No; ZY/012817/12 Beat Code: ZA025 If you have any information regarding the above please contact the police on 101 quoting the Crime Report No. Thank you. reply using email mailto: 90760@kent.pnn.police.uk Rydon Homes Public Exhibition Most residents will know that Rydon Homes have an option for development on land at the rear of The Hill / Jubilee Road, subject to planning permission being granted. Canterbury City Council is considering this site as a potential development site as part of the Local Plan process. Rydon Homes have consulted the city council, the drainage authority, local school, bus company, etc. and now invite you to drop in to a public exhibition to see their proposals. We understand the scheme(s) on show will have a mix of tenure and size and type and could include some bungalows, with accommodation suitable for the young and the elderly. There will be provision for local needs housing under general policy split with the development approximately 1/3 affordable and 2/3 market homes. Rydon representatives will be holding a Public Exhibition to run on Friday 18 May 4pm to 9pm in the Parish Council upper meeting room and Saturday 19 May 10am to 3pm in the Memorial Hall. A Littlebourne Parish Council Councillor will be on hand to offer Cllrs’ local knowledge only – it is not a joint exhibition, nor does it assume any support for the development. From the survey last autumn, the villagers’ top priority is the provision of a new larger doctor’s surgery and affordable housing. There will be a questionnaire for community consultation at the exhibition by both, Rydon and Littlebourne Parish Council – please do complete these to let your views be known on Rydon’s proposals or what changes you might propose to assist Rydon in understanding the local community's priorities for development and to advise the Parish Council how you would wish them to proceed on behalf of the village/villagers. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE AND GUIDE YOUR PARISH COUNCIL AS TO THE FUTURE OF THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. Twinning Signing in France COACH TRIP TO WIMILLE ON Saturday 14th July this is a trip to sign the charter in our French Twin Town after their visit to Littlebourne. As this is Bastille Day there will be many attractions for us to partake in, we hope to arrange a coach trip at a reasonable price, would all villagers that are interested in going please contact Viv Spratt by 10th June, the price for the day trip will be according to what size coach we can hire. Vivienne.spratt@btinternet.com Tel. 01227 722088. Jubilee Day Celebrations: Monday 4th June Fun Dog Show There will be a Fun Dog Show at the Littlebourne Jubilee Day Celebrations on Monday 4th June. The classes are: The happiest puppy (4-6 months), The most charming veteran (9 and over), The best trick, The waggiest tail, The most appealing small dog, The most splendid large dog, Sit, Stay and Come, The most regal dog for the Jubilee (Owner's interpretation), and Best in Show (From all the dogs who received a first place rosette). Registration will take place in the scout tent on the recreation ground between midday and 1pm. The show will take place at 1.30pm. Canterbury and District Pensioners Forum (Supported by Kent County Council) Samantha Terry from the NHS would like to hear your views on the changes to older peoples’ mental health service – including dementia care. www.cantdistforum.org.uk The Canterbury Festival has secured funding for an intergenerational creative writing project for non-writers! They are looking for people over 60 years of age who will pair up with young people around the age of 18. The aim is to improve the creative skills of those taking part and also the sociability between the groups. It begins in May and finishes in October at the Canterbury Festival. There will also be showcase opportunities at the Herne Bay & Whitstable Festivals – it is called “Wise Words” and led by post graduates from Christ Church and Kent University; are you interested, - it is a fun project! Ring the Forum on 01227 366494 Club60 exclusive discount structure Kent Adult Education are offering discounts on their courses for the over 60s.The more courses you sign up for the larger the discount. For further information on suitable new courses. Ring 0845 606 5606 or go to www.kentadulteducation.co.uk NATIONAL PENSIONERS’ PARLIAMENT 19-21 June 2012 The National Pensioners Convention’s Annual Parliament takes place in Blackpool again this year, and we will be looking to elect delegates at the Forum meeting – normally two delegates go. Some subjects up for debate are Fair Pensions For All; Tackling Fuel Poverty; Where Next For The NHS? The Future of Concessionary Travel; Housing For The Older Population. There will be a question time with Paul Burstow MP, Care Minister, and other speakers. DID YOU KNOW? You can change your hospital appointment so you can use your bus pass – ring 0845 084 050 Littlebourne & District Royal British Legion. At our May meeting we welcomed back Ray Tupper following his recent operation. Our recent Casserole Supper was an enjoyable event and we raised £105 on the night in aid of the Poppy Appeal. We have changed the date of our forthcoming Coffee Morning to Saturday 15th September in the Lounge at Littlebourne, more details later on.Our next two monthly meetings will be on Tuesdays, 12th June and 10th July both at the Recreation Club, Littlebourne at 8pm. Anyone wishing to find out more about possibly joining the "Legion" are welcome to contact the secretary on 01227 472023. You do not need to be an ex-service person - just someone who would like to join us and support our valuable work. St Vincent’s Church Services (see also Latest News page) Services on Sundays at 11.00am - first of month All Age Worship, second and fourth Parish communion, third Junior church at 10.45am and Parish Communion at 11.00am. Each Wednesday there will be a service of Holy Communion at 9.30am. Interested in Advertising in the Littlebourne parish council quarterly newsletters? About the parish council: Parish Councils are the level of local government closest to the people and supervise civic duties in towns and villages. Broadly speaking, Parish Councils exist to represent the people within the parish with the aim of improving the quality of life within the parish. They are consultees on all types of planning applications affecting the parish. Parish Councils have the power to raise a sum of money known as the ‘precept’ which is collected with the Council Tax to support their operations. Parish Councils have powers to provide some facilities themselves, or they can contribute towards their provision by others. For a full list of powers and duties please visit [link to NALC Become a Councillor] In the future, Parish Councils may soon be granted more powers as part of the government’s initiative to revitalise local democracy. Our Aims as a Parish Council We as a Parish Council have tried to improve communication within the parish and to improve links with the people of the parish. We try to improve the quality of life in the village and maintain and improve the services and facilities that exist. Duties of a Parish Councillor Councillors attend meetings to decide on activities to support, where and how much money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented. They also monitor the effects of these decisions and try to get involved locally by going to meetings of bodies affecting the wider community and taking up issues on behalf of members of the public. How we are Elected Councillors are generally elected by the public every four years. There are nine seats on Littlebourne’s Parish Council, plus a part-time Clerk who help us to carry out our duties. The Clerk acts as the council’s Responsible Finance Officer and she also gives effect to decisions of the council by placing orders for goods or services or formally writing to other bodies. All correspondence and communications should normally pass through the Clerk. At each year’s Annual General Meeting of the parish council each May a Chairman is elected and it is usual practice for a Vice-Chairman to also be appointed who can deputise for the Chairman as necessary. Any other representatives are also elected, e.g. our Parish Council nominee who represents us at the Kent Association of Local Councils’ meetings. In the event of a resignation or vacancy occurring mid-term, either a bye-election is held or, if there is no call for one, the remaining councillors can co-opt a willing volunteer to serves out the remainder of the four-year term. Fortunately politics are not generally a feature of Parish Council elections. 
The Parish Clerk will be in the parish office (Old Post office attached to the hall) every Monday and Friday mornings to deal with any parish enquiries by appointment. Parish Council Jubilee/Twinning Celebration on 4th June. We are seeking some help in Stewarding vehicles onto Recreation Ground from around 7.30 to 9.30am and on leaving, probably between 3.30 and 5pm. Some French speaking residents would be helpful during the day and on 3rd June some help is required in putting up bunting etc. If anyone is willing to help with any task and lend a pair of hands for other jobs it would be much appreciated. Contact Viv 722088