River Situation

Groundwater levels in the Nailbourne catchment area are continuing to rise in response to this winter's rainfall. However the rate of rise is currently decreasing.

Forecast

At present there is a low risk of groundwater flooding in the Nailbourne catchment. However, flooding cannot be ruled out completely.

We expect that more reaches of the Nailbourne will start to flow, but the current information indicates that flow, rather than flood is most likely.

The possibility of flooding is dependant on any rainfall we get in the next few months. The current short term forecast is for cold weather with average to below average rainfall.

Actions

Condition can change rapidly, but we will continue to monitor the groundwater situation closely. We take measurements at a number of observation boreholes across the area and provide warnings should groundwater levels begin to reach a point of concern.

Riparian Owners

If you are a riparian owner (you own part of the river bank), please keep the banks and bed of the river clear of any debris. This helps the water to flow freely and reduces the risk of flooding.

For a copy of 'Living on the edge' (a guide for riparian oweners), or for more information on how you can prepare for floods, please call Floodline (0845 988 1188 ) or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood

As part of the Bridge Energy Saving Team's efforts, they produced a short video based on the drop-in event in December...

Please note that the suggestions of other videos at the end come from YouTube, not us!

A series of maintenance works are being carried out along a 30 mile section of the A2 from just past Brenley Corner at Boughton through to Jubilee Way in Dover . These will involve resurfacing and replacing the road studs on various sections of the A2 and construction of a number of maintenance vehicle parking bays. The work started on Monday 8 February and are planned to last for ten weeks.

For the safety of road users and the workforce there will be various overnight lane closures as well as separate weeknight carriageway closures on either the coastbound or Londonbound carriageway of the A2 for various sections as detailed below. The closures will run from 8pm to 5am each night.

The Highways Agency has broken down the information by week so that you have full details of the locations and traffic management that will be in place. Whilst carriageway closures are in place, there will be one of two diversion routes in use, but we have given full details within each section to follow each week.

All the works are weather dependant but the Highways Agency will endeavour to keep to the above stated programme. If you have any queries with regards to these works, please contact the Customer Care Line on 0845 6000414 or the Highways Agency (Area 4) c/o Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald - Area 4 MAC, Kings Hill Office, 10 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent ME19 4LT

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The proposal to charge for extra clear recycling sacks has been dropped in response to comments from the public.

For more details on this, as well as information and comment on the other budget cuts, please visit the Canterbury City web page

The Pilgrims Hospices are organising an "Open Gardens" event for 2010 which will extend throughout East Kent over the last two weekends in June.

Kathy Walder has volunteered to act as co-ordinator for Bridge and, needless to say, she is looking for volunteers who would be willing to open their gardens for this most worthwhile cause.

Although the event is spread over the two weekends, it does not mean that gardens have to be open for the whole time over the two weekends but only at times and on days that are convenient to the owners.

If you feel that you can help in any way, please would you contact Kathy for further information on 830057.

That phrase will bring back memories of the anti-crime campaign that ran in the early 1970s.

Unfortunately, there is one about and he is taking advantage of open doors (e.g. patio doors) and sneaking in while the owners are at home, grabbing handbags and sneaking out again.

While it is clearly impractical to keep all doors locked at all times, do make sure they are locked when you leave the house to go out and keep your eyes open - and report anything suspicious to the Police.

He has struck again!

This time, late at night in the High Street. He came in through an unlocked back door and stole a bunch of keys. He used these to steal a car, then later came back and used the house keys to rob the house.

...and yet again! (but this time thwarted)

He tried to get into another house in the High Street, just after New Year, but the door was securely locked. It was 3.30am.

Please, Check your back door is locked when you go to bed

If someone is out late, make sure they have a key or get them to wake you on their return. Do NOT leave the door unlocked for them.

Stagecoach have updated the timetables for the buses running through Bridge with effect from 3rd (17) and 4th(89).

NOTE. The school buses will now leave at 8.03 and 8.08.

It has been suggested that the bright yellow street lights all along the High Street ares unnecessary and unwanted. Please vote in our Parish Poll and tell us what, if anything, we should try and do about them.
The poll at the the bottom of the right column on this page.

There is now a one hour limit on parking in the layby outside the shops in Western Avenue.

Following the announcement that GB Oils were closing the depot, the demolition team moved in. Most of the tanks, buildings and structures have gone, with the next stage being the removal of the concrete base.

The future for the site is still unknown.

Free vaccinations against seasonal flu are available for people aged 65 and over and for adults and children aged 6 months to 65 years in certain risk categories from October 2009.

Amid all the publicity surrounding swine flu, it is important not to under estimate the impact of seasonal flu. Every year it accounts for approximately 8,000 deaths. It can bring on serious complications for people in "at risk" groups and lead to other serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

In the average winter, up to 15% of the population will be affected.

All people aged 65 and over qualify for the free annual seasonal flu jab, and in addition adults and children aged six months to 65 years with the following conditions should also contact their GP for a free seasonal flu jab:

• a heart problem
• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema
• a kidney disease
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• a liver disease
• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• diabetes
• a neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a problem with, or removal of, their spleen e.g. sickle cell disease.

The jab can never offer 100% protection from seasonal flu, but does have a success rate of between 70 and 80% while others are more likely to get milder symptoms.

Don't forget, the seasonal flu jab does not protect against swine flu.

Patients with seasonal flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:

• unusual tiredness
• headache
• runny nose
• sore throat
• shortness of breath or cough
• loss of appetite
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting

In those circumstances you should stay at home, keep warm and rest, let a member of your family or friend know that you are ill, drink plenty of liquids and eat what you can. If you are in an at risk group or your symptoms get worse and you have chest pains or experience shortness of breath, you should contact your GP.

Seasonal flu peaks each winter between December and March, which is why the Department of Health is urging those in the at risk groups and those aged 65 and over to make sure they get their free jab now before flu starts to circulate.

The dream of many villagers and former villagers to live in a place of their own in Bridge took a step giant leap forward when the planning application was unanimously passed by Canterbury City Council's Development Control committee on Tuesday.

The 9th Annual Art in Bridge exhibition was held on 10th and 11th October in the Village Hall and was reckoned by many to be the best exhibition yet.

For the first time, there was a popular vote, with visitors encouraged to select their favourite piece. It is a testament to the high standards that over half the pieces received at least one vote. In the end, there was a tie for most popular between Katie Zurakovsky's "Wonder" and Barry Kirk's "Flint Wall with Crabapple".

To see more of the works, please visit the Art In Bridge web site

In a scene reminiscent of the floods of 2001, residents had to sand-bag their doors as water levels rose in the High Street. A fairly short period of torrential rain overwhelmed the drains which lead under the road to the wide gullies that flow into the river. Although the Parish Council were unable to locate a key for the sandbag store, the water didn't rise high enough to flood any houses. Kent Highways Services came along and cleared the gulley, to allow the water to drain away.

Traffic levels through Bridge shot up on Tue 6th Oct when the A2 was closed. This was because a bull had gotten loose when its trailer jack-knifed. For more details, click here.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Bridge in Bloom competition. Thank you to all those who took part and to the judges who went around the whole village in July.

Large Business: The White Horse Inn
Community: Mansfield Court
Residential: Julie Bennett, 33 High Street

2nd place in the residential section went to Mr & Mrs Alison (10 Filmer Road) and 3rd place to Mr & Mrs Spencer (1 Dering Close)

Previous winners

The society held their summer show on Saturday 25th on a glorious July day.

Twenty three members exhibited this year and the total number of exhibits was 160. Thank you to all those who exhibited and to those who helped with the setting up and preparation.

• Kathy and Tony Walder were the winners of the Challenge Cup for vegetables, the most picturesque garden, the Husband and Wife Rose Bowl and the Blee Cup for the most overall points.
• Lesley Forwood was the winner of the Sarah Louise Cup for flower arranging, the Fremlins Cup for cookery, the Handicraft Plate and the best vegetable and small garden.
• Peter and Brenda Langley won the Silver Rose for flowers.
• Ann Shirley won the best garden for wildlife.
• Our novice winner was Julia Cooper who won the Anderson Cup for vegetables and the Hawkins Cup for flowers.
• Congratulations to Carina Whiting who grew the heaviest crop of potatoes from one seed potato in a small pot - our Chairman's Challenge. Well done!

We welcome new exhibitors to our shows, its good fun, you meet people who are green fingered, or who are striving to be, and it keeps a great village event alive. Give us a try.

Watch out for our posters and flyers with exciting events for 2009-2010.

Thanks to everyone who attended the fund-raising coffee morning in May. Over £430 was made for the scheme.

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If you would like to join the 25 or more volunteers please phone 766182.

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If you need help with transport phone 07935 966080 and leave a message if necessary.

John Corfield has created a Picasa album with many pictures of Bridge in it. Click on the picture to visit the Picasa page

Keep up with the latest status on these applications by clicking on the links below to visit the Canterbury City Council website.

24 High Street (CA//09/00827)	Gone to appeal
Affordable Housing, Mill Lane (CA//09/00056)	Passed
Mount Charles House (CA//08/01337)	Passed