We have compiled a brief comparison of the 1901 and 2001 census click here for more details

MONUMENT ORIENTATION PLATE - The plate is now in place and was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Ashford when he visited the Parish Flower Show on 4 September 2004 . Well worth a stroll up to the Monument. Did you know that New York is 3522 miles from Bilsington?

ROAD NAME SIGNS – The naming of roads within the parish and the furnishing of road signs was one of the first tasks undertaken by the previous parish council when it was first elected in 2003. It is only now that some of the road signs have actually been erected (November 2006)

LUXMOORE BENCH – This seat has now been replaced on its site opposite the White Horse at a cost of £400, paid by the Parish Council. It has a small plaque attached recording that the original seat was donated to the parish by Lady Luxmore just after World War 2.

VILLAGE SIGN – The village sign fell down during the storms at the end of August 2006. It was erected some 50 years ago. It has now been renovated and re-framed and re-erected hopefully for the next fifty years.

CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR - In 2006 we got through to the final round but did not figure in the awards. The organisers congratulated the parish on it’s easy to read village notice board and how new residents were welcomed to the village. This competition is now much more difficult for small parishes such as us as the organisers have reduced the number of categories and we now compete against much larger parishes with far more resources than we have.

In 2008 we again entered the competition but failed to win any of the awards. Again we were competing against much larger parishes with far more resources than Bilsington such as surgeries, schools and shops.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Minutes of Parish Council Meetings are available from the Parish Clerk after they have been approved by the Parish Council

LOCAL NEEDS HOUSING

 Bilsington and Ruckinge parish councils have agreed to work together to investigate the provision of Local Needs Housing to serve the needs of residents of the two parishes and their families. A survey carried out in December 2007 by Action with Communities in Kent identified a need and both parishes have identified possible sites. Two sites, one in each parish are being considered as possible locations. 

We have also received more details of Affordable Houses (two bedroomed) available at the Aldington Meadows development from the West Kent Housing Association. For a 35% shared ownership the cost is £66500 plus rent on the remaining portion at £206 per month. To find out more contact Sophie Kinzett - 01732 749411.

WISH LIST
We were asked, by Ashford Borough Council, along with all the other parishes in the borough to produce a Wish List as to how the Parish Council sees its community developing over the coming years. The Wish List would then form part of the Ashford Local Development Framework and would influence the Community Strategy and Regional Spatial Strategy.

All 110 homes in the parish were sent a draft Wish List, prepared by the Parish Council,
requesting their opinion and comments. 43 replies were received and the Wish List was then amended to take account of the views expressed.

To see the results of the survey and the Wish List submitted to Ashford Borough Council click the links below. The files are in Adobe pdf format and are quite large in file size so will take a while to load.

Summary of Wish List Survey
Bilsington Wish List

BILSINGTON MAP

A few of these specially produced Bilsington Millennium Maps, which show a painting of every house in the parish, a descriptive map, notes on significant buildings and the flora and fauna of our parish are available from the parish clerk ( bilsingtonclerk@yahoo.co.uk ) on 01233 625777. There are priced at £10 unframed.

BILSINGTON PEOPLE 1800 - 1900

A well produced 32 page booklet with photographs, written by Margery Kenyon describing life in Bilsington during the 19th century. Available from Terry Tarrant (Tel 01233 720404 or Email terry@tarrants.demon.co.uk)  price £5 plus p.p

BILSINGTON PEOPLE 1900 – 2000

The Bilsington Society wishes to announce the publication in mid-December 2007 of their book “Bilsington People 1900 – 2000” based upon the memories of Bilsington residents and information gained from local and national archives. This book contains many previously unpublished photographs and provides a unique account of how a small rural, virtually self contained parish, transformed into the community that it is today through two world wars, steam to nuclear power and telegrams to emails.

Copies are available from Terry Tarrant (Tel 01233 720404 or Email terry@tarrants.demon.co.uk) priced at £7.50 plus postage and packing.

BILSINGTON RAINFALL

Despite warnings of global warming and water shortages, Bilsington has experienced above average rainfalls over the last six years - the average being about 25 inches.  In the past there have been wide variations, notably 1921, 11 inches, 1996 20 inches and 2000 38 inches.

VILLAGE ACTIVITIES

CRAFT FAYRE

Bilsington Art, Craft and Country Fayre was first conceived in 1986 as a fundraiser to replace a much needed roof to the Village Hall. That was achieved; and as it was such a great success, it was decided that it should not be a 'one off' event but should be continued; the money raised going to local charities and good causes. To date the Fayre has been held every year and has raised in excess of £150,000.

In 2006, £10,000 was given as a contribution to the William Harvey Hospital Appeal for a Cancer Diagnostic Machine in memory of Mary Webb who was raising monies for this machine before she died in January. Mary allowed her home to be used every year for the Fayre and gave it magnificent support.

The 2007 was the last fair to be held at the Priory. The Fayre, now titled 'Bilsington at the Rare Breeds' has been transferred to the South of England Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent and will be held on last Saturday and Sunday in June 2008.

For further information Tel 01233 861493

BILSINGTON SOCIETY

The next meeting, in the Village Hall will be on 24 April 2009 when there will be a presentation by Rod Le Gear entitled 'Underground Kent'.

Further details from Eileen Mills 01233 720566

BILSINGTON LADIES

Bilsington Ladies is a social group, unattached to any other organisation, which meets once a month. Membership is open to all ladies resident in Bilsington and neighbouring parishes.
Further details from Contact Eileen Mills 01233 720566

Programme for 2008

HASSOCKS

This group of ladies meets socially at Stephne Mytton's home to sew hassocks for use in the village church. The entry for the Queens Award for Voluntary Service has been accepted and the deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent has carried out an inspection. Results were announced in early July 2005:

‘The standard of nomination was high. While the panel that considered your nomination was extremely impressed by the work being done by the group for the local community, I am afraid it was not one of those selected this year.

I know that this will come as a disappointment, both to you and the group. I hope that it will be of some consolation to you to know how highly voluntary work is regarded by Her Majesty The Queen and the Government. They recognise that the time, talents and commitment invested by volunteers make a real difference to people's lives.'

For more information contact:-
Stephne Mytton,
Cross House,
Bilsington,
Ashford
Kent, TN25 7JX
01233 720311

TREE WARDEN

The village has a tree warden, Mike Lay (01233 720739) who is available to advise on the care of trees and woodland within the parish.

BILSINGTON CRICKET CLUB

The cricket club play on the field adjacent to the Cosway monument. For details of membership contact:-
Mrs Sylvia Leaning,
Eversleigh,
Westwell Lane,
Ashford,
Kent, TN26 1JA.
Sylvia.barry@btopenworld.com.

Website www.bilsingtoncc.co.uk

BILSINGTON ART GROUP

Beryle Bell who is the leader of the Art Group writes as follows:-

“In 1986 I retired as an art teacher at the Adult Education Centres of Folkestone and Ashford. Many of my students left with me and asked me to start a private class. I chose the village hall at Bilsington. It was a hall with good light, small, cosy and the publican at the adjacent ‘White Horse' pub allowed us to use his car park. Many of the class also lunched there.

The class is held each Monday from 10am to 3pm . We cover a wide variety of subjects and mediums including watercolour, oil, acrylics, pastel and pen & wash. Landscape painting is the most popular subject.

In October 2008 we held our annual two day exhibition of our member's work with paintings for sale. In previous years we have have had the High Sheriff of Kent, Mr Charles Dawes. We also take trips to London to see exhibitions. This year we have done Kensington Palace , the Royal Academy and the Aztec exhibition.

The class consists of 25 students, a class secretary and me. There is a waiting list, but because of the loyalty and enthusiasm of the students I have yet to take any one off the waiting list!”

For details contact:-
Beryle Bell,
9A Dukes Meadow,
Hamstreet,
Ashford ,
KENT TN26 2HD
Tel. 01233 732963

BILSINGTON FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SHOW

The Annual Flower Show will be in August 2009.

Contact Stephne Mytton 01233 720311

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Hugh Webb has taken over the position of co-ordinator.  Recent statistics from Kent Police confirm that Bilsington is a low crime area.  The appointment of a village policeman and visits by the mobile police station has enabled parishioners to have direct contact with the police.  The parish is part of the Ringmaster email system with provides swift notification of local crime activity.

Contact Hugh Webb - hughwebb1107@live.co.uk

BILSINGTON FLOWER FESTIVAL

A Flower Festival took place in he Church on the weekend of 28 and 29 June 2008 in aid of the Church Restoration works.  The church was filled with beautiful flowers using a Nursery Rhyme theme. Delicious cream teas were served and handmade gifts sold. 

Contact Charlotte Kerr 01233 720878

BILSINGTON VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

The Village Hall is run by the Village Hall Committee under the chairmanship of Dennis Lukehurst. The theft of the gas bottles has meant that the heating has had to be assisted by a number of domestic heaters. However a new gas tank, fixed to a concrete base has now been installed at a cost in excess of £1000. Fortunately a grant of £997 from the KCC Member Community Fund towards the cost of the tank has been arranged.

The Hall has always been run on a 'make do and mend' basis. Finances are always precarious and it is a struggle to keep the hall in good condition.

ART & CRAFT & TREASURE SALE – This event, in aid of funds for the village hall and organised by the Village Hall Committee took place on Saturday 19 July 2008. £350 was raised.

Contact Shirley Lukehurst 01233 720689