from the chairman...

The Committee held a reception for area and road stewards prior to the General Meeting on 23 October which was well attended. The event was held to thank area and road stewards for their efforts in pounding the streets and climbing steep driveways to collect subscriptions. I am sure that Kenley must have some of the fittest residents in the Borough!

The General Meeting was lively and there were plenty of questions for the panel comprising Kenley Ward Councillors, a representative from Croydon Council and the police. One of the issues which elicited a number of questions was traffic in Hayes Lane. There is concern about the speed at which traffic travels along the road and the possibility of accidents due to the increase in the number of pedestrians using the road occasioned by the increase in numbers attending The Hayes primary school. There is particular concern about the speed at which traffic comes across the airfield and does not slow down where the road narrows immediately before the junction of Hayes Lane and Welcomes Road. I am pursuing these matters with the LBC.

On a lighter note, there was an observation and question about parking on the airfield. A number of people found it puzzling that there are always several cars parked on the airfield late at night. A number of theories were put forward and a light hearted discussion ensued. As a result the Croydon Advertiser ran an article in its next edition but additionally, the 4 November edition of the Sunday Times ran a "tongue in cheek" piece about the leafy suburb of Kenley and its curious late night lay-by parking. As I write, one of the most pressing issues which will undoubtedly affect us is the spread of Ash die back disease. Our Conservation Officer is seeking information from Croydon Council about its strategy and when we receive advice this will appear on the Kendra website.

Recently, the library in Caterham asked Kendra if we wished convert the video "This is Kenley" into DVD format. The video was very seldom out on loan as most people now have DVDs. The video was shot in the summer and autumn of 1997 by the Miller Centre Video Camera Club and gives a good record of the area at the time. Kendra has paid to have the video converted mainly for historical purposes. A DVD has been given to the Caterham Library so that it can be loaned to Library users and John Davenport, Kendra Secretary will retain a further copy.

Finally, the Committee continues to look for a new Chairman and a minutes' secretary so if you feel able to volunteer you would be warmly welcomed