Our Autumn General Meeting was held at the Kenley Memorial Hall on Wednesday 8th October.
(This is a brief summary of the evening)
After a welcome and some ‘housekeeping’ by KENDRA Chair, Christine Heal, the acting Membership Secretary and Litter Co-Ordinator, Paul Keating, spoke to the audience of around fifty members on a number of current topics.
Hanging Baskets
First, the hanging baskets on Kenley Parade (Norfolk Terrace) funded by KENDRA. A show of hands established that most members present thought the baskets enhanced the look of the Parade. The baskets will be removed in October and replaced next spring provided members want them to continue.
Paul explained that the cost was £1800, but this included £500 for the installation of brackets. This meant there was a £300 overspend to the limit set in the rules of £1500. This was a because of the addition of VAT which hadn’t been calculated. The rules state we must seek permission from the membership if we exceeded the £1500 limit.
Future displays would not include this cost of the bracket of course, however the Committee will approach shopkeepers for a contribution for the display next year. (Please let us know your views on the baskets.)
Wattenden Pond Butterfly Garden
On Sunday 12th, the 7th Purley Scout Group will install a new liner at Wattenden Pond and carry out some planting of small shrubs and perennial plants to create a Butterfly Garden. Over the next few weeks plants contributed by members will be collected and planted, as well as some bought-in specific butterfly friendly plants. (If you have suitable plants please let us know).
Membership
It was reiterated that paying cash for membership was never disallowed, but somehow this perception had been conveyed to some members who were reluctant to renew because they wouldn’t or couldn’t pay online.
One member said they had been door knocking for membership subscriptions and on two occasions were asked for identification. Could KENDRA provide this?
Speeding
Kenley Residents Against Speeding (K.R.A.S.) had been launched and members were asked to submit their support for the campaign. Many members had expressed frustration that speeding was rife on Kenley’s roads and little was being done to prevent it. A sub-committee will be formed to plan next steps.
Metropolitan Police
Speakers: Police Community Support Officer Karolina Aamir and Constable Joe Hewett
The officers gave a background to Met Engage, which is an online platform for the Met to tell the public what they are doing in our area and a route for feedback from the community about what is concerning them most.
Constable Hewett said the public were their eyes and ears and that all crimes should be reported, either by calling 999 in an emergency (if a crime is in the process of being committed or there is danger to life) or 101 for lesser incidents. Reporting online will take longer for the information to be passed on.
Constable Hewett admitted that resources in the Met were stretched and that he personally had not spent as much time as he’d like in Kenley. He said he was constantly being moved around to fill in in Croydon or sent to cover protests in Central London.
PCSO Aamir said police numbers were not increasing as more officers were retiring or leaving the force than were being recruited.
Principal Speaker: Linda Duffield
RAF Kenley: Challenges, Triumphs andd Tragedies
Linda Duffield is a Kenley Revival research volunteer. Her knowledge of RAF Kenley is obviously encyclopedic judging by the stories she told ‘off the cuff.’ It was a truly fascinating talk throwing a whole new light on the strategic importance of our humble local airfield.
She revealed why The Hardest Day (18th August 1940) is recorded in RAF Kenley’s history. It was a specific target of the Luftwaffe who intended to destroy the airfield, such was its role as a key RAF base.
RAF Kenley was also a manufacturing base for Sopwith Camels during the First World War, having a high and flat airfield, and good rail links to bring in supplies.
Probably the most interesting part of her talk was the extraordinary exploits of the airmen and ground crew who’s bravery and sheer guts defied belief. Most of them met a tragic end.
It was generally acknowledge that her talk was exceptional and worth of an entire meeting in itself.
Linda is giving a talk for the East Surrey Museum in 2026. We will publish details nearer the time.
Our Local Councillors: Gayle Gander and Ola Kolade
Gayle very kindly started her talk with a tribute to KENDRA, for the work and effort put into making Kenley a better place. She also listed the many changes that had happened this year including the 434 bus, the Zebra Crossing on the A22 and pothole and drainage repairs . She mention the closure of the Bourne View rail crossing following the tragic accident there. It is closed for the installation of new safety measures.
In the Q&As one member raise the issue of blocked gulleys and drains which were all over Kenley.
Ola addressed some specific questions about planning applications. There have been several contentious proposals, in particular one in Hawkhirst Road which was causing local residents distress. (See Geoff’s Planning Table).
For the first time food (sandwiches and sausage rolls) was provided as well as the usual wine, beer and soft drinks. It all seemed to be appreciated by attendees.
The meeting closed ahead of schedule at around 9.30pm