Parish Office Opening Times
The Parish office will be closed for a period of time over the next week.
| Thursday 26th August | Closed |
| Friday 27th August | Closed |
| Bank Holiday Weekend | Closed |
| Tuesday 31st August | Closed |
| Wednesday 1st September | 9.30am – 2.30pm |
| Thursday 2nd September | 12noon – 3pm |
| Monday 6th September | 9.30am- 2.30pm |
| Normal hours resume |
Volunteer for Cancer Research UK – AUG 21ST & 22ND – MOTE PARK.
Cancer Research UK’s much-loved events are to return to Maidstone this summer but with socially distanced measures to keep participants and staff safe. Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
The Race for Life events are open to people of all ages and abilities and offer the perfect opportunity for people across the South East to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.
Events include a 3K, 5K, 10K as well as Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course.
Volunteering Opportunities
Cancer Research UK are currently organising the Mote Park, Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August 2021. Due to Covid, over 400 live events were cancelled last year, having a huge impact on fundraising for life saving research. As a result, volunteer numbers are also very low and without the support of key volunteers, the events just couldn’t happen.
Cancer Research UK are looking for support within the borough, with the current roles including marshalling on course, helping manage obstacles, handing out water and medals, and assisting on the start and finish lines. No previous experience is required, just a positive and can-do attitude to help support participants taking part, have the best experience on the day. The event is set to raise over £250,000 for vital cancer research and we wouldn’t be able to do this without our wonderful volunteers.
If you would like to support the event please register here:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/volunteer/race-for-life-event-day-volunteer-0 you will just need to select Mote Park and the day/s you would be available.
Please also forward to friends and family or anyone you know who may also like to support the charity.
Project A – Post consultation announcement
Over the past 12-weeks, Bearsted Parish Council has run an informal consultation to gain feedback from residents about Project A.
Project A is the name given to a community project with aims to benefit our current residents but safeguard facilities for generations to come.
In September 2020 Mr and Mrs Richard Ashness offered to donate to Bearsted Parish Council a parcel of land to home a new allotment garden with the caveat that the Bearsted and Thurnham Tennis Club would be given the opportunity to extend their facilities.
This opportunity was considered by members of the council, and they took the chance to address a number of issues residents had bought to the council‘s attention. These included: the security of the Church Lane car park, the condition of the Church Landway, overcrowding of the car park at specific times during the week and parking concerns on the Ashford Road and in Crosskeys.
The Parish council also wanted to address the growing waiting list for allotment plots. Bearsted Parish Council is committed to the health and well-being of residents and see the benefits an allotment plot can have for people of all ages. Project A would give at least 20 more residents the chance to benefit from an allotment.
Councillors have worked hard to put forward an idea that would have overall advantages for the many and not just the few. They empathise with allotment plot holders that this project may be inconvenient in the short term but have suggested ways to assist with a move to a new allotment. However, the plan is not finalised, and members of the allotment garden have been invited to join the Working Group so that they can stipulate what it is they would need from a new allotment garden. This offer is still available to them.
The proposal of Project A was announced in what was believed to be the best means possible while the COVID-19 restrictions were in place. This meant that Bearsted Parish Council was prevented from calling a public meeting. At the first opportunity, three open days were scheduled for residents to meet with Councillors to discuss the idea.
Bearsted Parish Councillors dedicate their time to serve their community and always aim to work on behalf of residents to keep Bearsted a safe place to live with a great community with facilities for all ages and interests.
However, over the past few weeks a number of leaflets have been distributed, without any consultation with the parish council. The parish council does not condone and has had no involvement in either leaflet, both of which contain inaccuracies.
All feedback about Project A that has been received by the closing date of the consultation period (3rd August 2021) will be considered by the Working Group in September and Bearsted Parish Council will communicate a summary of the outcome in due course.
!! PLAYSCHEME SPACES !!
We have 4 Playscheme tickets available for the following:
WEEK 1 – 2 Ticket for a current Yr 3 child age 8
WEEK 1 – 1 Ticket for current Yr 5 child age 10
WEEK 2 – 1 Ticket for a current Yr 3 child age 8
If you are interested please contact the office ASAP on 07436 791 709.
Bearsted Parish Council Administration Assistant
Remuneration: Equivalent to (SCP 6) £10.24 per hour – (SCP8) £10.65 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)
Part Time: 16-20 hours per week (some evenings/ occasional weekends).
This is a temporary self-employed position for an initial period of 6 months, subject to possible renewal
An exciting part time opportunity has arisen for self-employment to support BPC as the Parish Council Administration Assistant 2 (AA2). You will be responsible for providing administration support to the Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer and the Administration Assistant in all activities associated with the smooth running of the Parish Council, to make Bearsted the best it can be.
We are looking for someone that is organised and efficient, to support all the administration duties associated with Parish Council meetings, responding to correspondence and enquiries, supporting the running of the parish office and other requirements of parish events and activities. You may be required to work alone so we are looking for someone that is self-motivated and can work with minimal supervision.
You will have contact with the public, Council members and visitors, so we seek someone that is personable, welcoming and professional, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
The successful applicant will have excellent knowledge of administration skills including use of Microsoft office packages, word and excel. You should also be familiar with social and digital media channels to enhance BPC’s communication presence.
You will, ideally, have an L2 NVQ / BTECH in Business Administration, or be working towards this. We welcome applicants that are willing to work towards the CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) qualification, if required in due course.
You will work in support of BPC’s Planning Committee, including dealings with other local authorities. So, you will, ideally, have a working knowledge of local planning.
BPC is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
If you would like to discuss this position further, please contact Erin Sugden
For further details please visit:
Job description, Person Specification and Competencies
To apply please send a completed application form and your CV to our recruitment team
Closing Date: 8 JULY 2021
Interviews planned: 12 JULY 2021
Playscheme Tickets 2021
Tickets for the 2021 Playscheme are now available on our website.
Don’t miss out, spaces are selling fast:
https://bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk/shop/
New poster with Yeoman PDF
Local Wellbeing Walks
Medway Valley Countryside Partnership is delivering a series of free guided walks and events over the next year, designed for people over 55 or with a long-term health condition. Gentle, nature focussed walks will take place each week in a variety of beautiful countryside locations in the Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling areas. Walks will last for 1-2 hours, with rest breaks, led by experienced leaders at a pace to suit the group.
