To contact the editor� e�-�mail thebeanstalk@btinternet.com� Telephone 01474 704062�

1 School Lane�Bean�

DA2 8AL. Bill (editor).�

THE�LATEST�LATEST�LATEST� COPY DATE FOR THE MARCH�“BEAN’S TALK” IS TUESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY.�

Please note that late copy will only be included if time and space is available.�

December 2008.�

4/08�Issued�free� to every�household in Bean.�

Web site www.beanvillage.org.uk� E�-�mail address beanra@waitrose.com�

Notable items in this issue.�Scouts Christmas Fair on�Saturday 29th November,�and other info rmation.�

The Seniors Dinner and Ch ildren ’s Christmas Party and Santa’s Delivery�Service.�The school’s Christmas events, and other festive activities.�

Church Serv ices schedule, The Co mmunity bus trips, Quiz dates and new advertisers�

We welcome new residents to the village�and to the Residents Association’s quarterly�magazine. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts, ideas and comments.�

A Merry Christmas�

I would thank all our contributors and advertisers and wish you all�a happy and successful New Year.�

At some time early next year a representative from Bluewater Management will�attend the residents association meeting to talk about traffic problems and�solutions. Watch the notice board outside the post office for the date, and if you�are concerned about the problem please attend.�The Public Inquiry on the housing development in Beacon Drive / Drudgeon�Way is scheduled for the 10th and 11th of December, if you can contribute�please contact the associations secretary.�

1�

Information from the monthly meetings.�BEAN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION�

The September Meeting.� The Annual General meeting.�The Kent County Council and Dartford Borough Council were not available to�attend the meeting to advise on the situation regarding the Bean Interchange,�The Highway Agency sent a letter instead..�The October meeting.�The refusal of the application for a terrace of twelve, 4 storey dwellings�between Beacon Drive and Drudgeon Way had been appealed by Vision Homes�and was scheduled to be by Public Inquiry starting on 10th December.�The Parish Council have indicated that it was unlikely that funding for street�lighting in School Lane would be available before 2011.�“Clean Bean” was supported and another PACT meeting had taken place.�A cavity in the footpath link from Beacon Drive was noted.�Some changes in the village Traffic Calming scheme were proposed, like�removal of the bollard by the shop.�The old school building is being inspected on a 6 monthly basis , but now�refurbishment works are in hand.�The last meeting of The Bluewater Forum was a coach trip, which inc luded�visits to Stone Recreation Ground improvements, St Edmunds Church “Living�Well” at Temple Hill and Swanscombe IT Training Centre for residents.�Although these are all located north of the A2, future funding may be available�for support south of the A2, such as Bean.�The manager of Bluewater had offered to talk to Bean about their thoughts on�traffic problems. It was suggested that they might not want traffic to arrive�quicker as parking could take longer. Bluewater might favour another entrance,�presumably still off the A2. It was agreed to invite them to a meeting, probably�after Christmas.�The November meeting.�The West Bean Reservoir Application was still undecided It was assumed that�the problem was allowing construction access through Darenth Wood SSSI.�Twelve lights on the Hope Cottages roundabout had been restored, only one�remains defective.�Dartford Borough Council has been asked for an “Air Quality Briefing Note”�now that Bean Interchange has been designated an Air Quality Management�Area for pollution.�An invitation has been extended to Tim Holland of Lend Lease Retail,�Bluewater, to talk about traffic problems and solutions.�PCSO Darren Coote, who would be jointly patrolling Bean with PCSO�

Dave Davies for a period, supplied a report for the meeting. (see page 6).�The Community bus had an MOT test, and there were clutch problems, a�lack of power and an elusive rattle. Investigations are in hand.�The public enquiry about the 12 proposed dwellings between Drudgeon�Way and Beacon Drive is scheduled for December 10th and is expected to�last for two days.�The appeal on the change of use at Cherwell Farm is due to start on�February 2nd.�Bean Parish Council mentioned a Southern Water proposal to increase�charges by 10�-� 15% in 2010 to 2015.�More signs were requested in an effort to stop dog owners from taking dogs�into the recreation ground.�Suspicious characters had been seen in the allotment area taking an interest�in the sheds.�Number plates are still being stolen. The type attached by Velcro tape are a�high risk.�Drugs debris had been found adjacent to the recreation ground.�Incidents of vehic les being damaged, possibly by a high powered catapult,�have been recorded in School Lane and Beacon Drive and the High Street.�The missing “Welcome to Bean” Sign in Bean Lane has been replaced by a�“Bean” sign�.�

The next Residents Association Meeting is on Monday 1st December�at 8.15 pm in the Community Centre .�

Bean Parish Council�would like to take the opportunity to thank all the�volunteers, local groups and charity organisations who helped us to make�our first Parish Fair a special day.�We are planning to repeat this event next year so�if you are interested in�being part of it�, or know someone who would like to,�please contact�Jan Beckett at the Parish Office on 01474 832 402.�

Bean Residents Association Subscriptions.�At the Residents Association meeting on 6th October it was agreed that in�recognition of the adequate financia l s ituation of the Association, and�concern for the Community, to suspend collection of the Annual�Subscription for the financia l year 1 April 2009 to 31�st� March 2010.�However, this will be reviewed in February 2009 so that, if needed, (for�unexpected expenditure), there will still be time to collect for 2009 /�2010. For those Members that have paid for years in advance, the end�date will be rolled forward.�

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Now that the winte r is he re it is the time to be us ing your community�bus for those s hopping trips on a We dnesday or Thurs day. It is che ape r�than us ing the car and you are collecte d and de live re d to your door.�

Give it a try�-� you will not be disappointed.�

** TBA =�P rices to be arranged nearer the time .�

Bean Community Bus Trips Schedule.�For more information, or to book a trip, please contact�

Colin on 01474 832 793�Date� Venue�

En try fees , where applicable, are an e xtra.� A dult�Bus fare�

Tues day 2n d Dece mber�Canter bury� £10�

M onday 8th Dece mber� Polhill Gar den Cen tre�(Chris tmas ordering)� £5�

Tues day 23rd Dece mber� Polhill Gar den Cen tre�(Co llect ion of above�orders ).�

£5�

2009�

Fri day 16th J an uar y� Polhill Gar den Cen tre� £5�

Mon day 23rd Fe br uar y�Polhill Gar den Cen tre� £5�

Tues day 24th Marc h� Cobtree�-� Mus eu m of Li fe�Us e vouchers is sued las t year.�

TBA **�

Tues day 31s t M arch.� Polhill Gar den Cen tre� £5�

Mon day 20th A pril� Polhill Gar den Cen tre� £5�

Friday 24th A pril� Nymans �-�National Trus t. A 20th century�garden s et around a romantic hous e and ruins �in a beautiful wooded es tate.�

TBA **�

Tues day 28th A pril� Brog dale�-� The s cientif ic ho me of�thous ands of types of apples and other fruits ,�and wonderful butchers etc.�

£8�

The Community B us�.�If anyone would like to go to LIDL or ALDI supermarkets on a Monday or�Tuesday, or any theatre trips to Dartford or Gravesend please contact Colin�on 01474 832 793 who w ill work out the fares and offer some dates.�

Ple ase look at the bus trips �, listed be low, and if you are interested phone�your booking as soon as possible.�

On the Gravesend trips someone s uggeste d we ge t picke d up at 12�noon and the n s hop at Lidl or Aldi for half an hour.�

Is anyone else inte reste d in the ide a?�

CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS�NOW BEING TAKEN�

EVER Y TUESDAY ALL FOOD £1�-�00�

Families Welcome�

New Fantastic Lunchtime & Evening Menus�

Exciting Beer Promotions Each Week�Wines From Around the World�

Function Room Available�

Buffets Catered for�

WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS�A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR”�

The Bus Team is still in desperate need of drivers to cover day trips,�weekends and evenings in order to expand the service.�If you can help please ring Colin on�01474 832 793�.�

Bean Neighbourhood Policing Update .�

Dave Davies has now taken over from myself as the new Police�Community Support Officer for Bean. Any queries, information or�concerns can now go through him. His contact details are as follows:�Tel: 07969584192�E�-�mail: dave.davies@kent.pnn.police.uk�Dave will be more than willing to hear from you.�

Kent Police visited the Village Fete on 14�th� September. We had a love ly�day and the weather was excellent. We spoke to many members of the�community and interacted with all the children. We brought with us the�Mobile Police Station and whole variety of goodies for the kids and giving�out personal attack alarms to the elderly and vulnerable.�Kent Police ran its PACT (Partners And Community Together) meeting at�Bean Primary School, on 30�th� September 2008. It was decided that litter�and fly tipping would be removed from the PACT Priorities list and in its�place would be lighting for School Lane. The PACT priorities are now:�·� Parking at School Lane, Southfleet Road and High Street, Bean,.�·� Lighting along School Lane,�·� Nuisance youths, Anti�-�Socia l Behaviour and nuisance motorcycles.�In tackling litter and fly tipping, Dave and myself had organised a�weeklong event to ‘Clean Bean’, Southfleet and Betsham, in co�-�operation�with Clean Kent and Dartford Borough Council. This has now finished and�the result is excellent! Alleyways, bin areas and footpaths are all now�looking spotless and leaves the village looking improved and revita lised.�To finish this off, Kent police along with the Crime Prevention Team,�Handy Van Service and Kent Fire & Rescue Service held an Open Day at�the Black Horse. The day was a great success with visits from the Parish�

Councillors, the Mayor�and Mayoress of�Dartford, the�Neighbourhood Polic ing�Inspector and many�residents who benefited�from the day.�

20 years at Bean Post�Office�9.12.1988�-�-�-� 9.12.2008�

Well folks, twenty years ago I was appointed as Subpostmaster at Bean�Post Office.� Way back then I had hair and waist line�-� both now just a�memory.�

In those days the Post Office just paid out pensions, family allowances and�other benefits. Parcels and packets were sent with stamps, all bill payments�were a manual process and you could only pay for services by cash or�cheque.�Then all transactions had to be entered onto a huge ledger and the figures�transferred onto equally large accounting sheets at the end of each week, when�all Subpostmasters sweated and prayed that final amounts would end in the�holy grail of all Post Offices, “a balance”. Not a lot had changed for over a�hundred years!�Now the Post Office has undergone a complete transformation, with the�introduction of automation.�Benefits are paid via chip and pin, postage labels are used 90% of the time,�we have “partner banks” for free of charge withdrawals, payments can be�made with Debit Cards. The Post Office is now the number one choice for�Bureau de Change, and Bean Post Office hold Euros in stock.�It is now one of the leading institutions for investments and financia l services.�The Network also has undergone a major closure program that resulted in�a severe�pruning of rural offices. Bean Post Office was part of that review�however, after a long� period of uncertainty, we were spared the chop.�Even so, we must not be complacent, I am sure there will be further reviews�in the future, as the Post Office struggles to reach profitability.�

The only way forward , is for you all to continue supporting�YOUR LOCAL POST� OFFICE.�

Many thanks to all our loyal customers�-�without you, a 20�th� anniversary would never happen.�

Frank Miles�

Poppy Fie lds.� A poem by Carol Disney�In years gone by�The fie lds flowed with blood�Now they are re�-�born�With poppies of blood red.�

To remember the sacrifice and Service�Of men and wo men in the fie lds�

Those fields covered in blood�We wear poppies of blood red.�

Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters�Sons and daughters fought and fell�To be drowned in mud and blood�Honoured now by poppies of blood red.�

6� 7�

UPDATE�

For All in One Package £29�Half leg £11 Full Leg £16�

Bikini / Underarm £7�

Holistic Massage�

C A L L F O R A N A P P O I N T M E N T 0 7 5 15 2 8 6 4 3 �1�Your local mobile technician�.�

Gift Vouchers�for Christmas, Birthday and Sp ecial Occasions.�

Serenity Zon�e�

Shavasana Eyelash�Extensions�

Enhance your natur al be auty�With l onger, thicker eyelashes�for those special occas ions or�just for e very day. Fr om £60.�

Express Facial £15�Full Facial £30�

Luxury Facial £45�

Great Special Offers for the Hostess,�when you invite 4 or more friends�

round for a fun evening with�a glass of wine and a bit of�

Pampering which we all deserve.�

M�Y�S�T�E�R�Y�

P�I�C�T�U�R�E�

Can you identify the people, the� place or the time of this picture ?�

If so please contact the Web Site or�the magazine. There are no prizes!�

8� 9�

10�

THE�Established 1880�

School Lane, Bean DA2 8AL.�Tel 01474 832306�

Graham and Karen�Families and Children welcome.� Games Room.�

New menu available every Sunday,�traditional Pub grub all at £3�-�99�-� 12 to 4pm.�

Traditional Christmas Dinner available on�Sundays�-� 12 to 4pm�

during the festive month of December at £6�-�95.�

Real Ales, Real Fire, and A Real Christmas Tree.�Darts every Monday night,�

Quiz Night every Tuesday evening 8.30pm,�Pool Night Wednesday evening 8.00pm�

What is on ?�Entertainment most week ends.�

Ring for details.�

Wednesday 24th December�Christmas Eve Party�31st December�New Years Eve Party.�

Neighbourhood Watch.�There have been a number of vehicles damaged in the village by vandals�breaking windows and denting car body work.�If you know who is doing this , and protect the culprits by not identifying them�you may be found culpable if they are caught.�A white transit van has been seen in the area where confidence tricksters were�trying to ga in entry to houses in the village.�Scams include�advising the elderly that they have been left a legacy in a will,�Unnecessary work requires attention on the outs ide of the house,�Problems with water supply and they require entry to check it, and�Leaving a notice on the car rear window so that when you get out to remove it,�before driving off, they can jump in and steal the car or contents,�Notifying you that a parcel requires collecting and giving a premium cost�phone number, which costs £15.�Be on your guard and do not let strangers into your house unless you check�their identity.�A drug problem still exists in parts of the village. If you see anyone under the�influence report it to the Police Community Support Officer (CPSO Dave�Davies mobile phone number 07969 584 192).�Vandals are still targeting the allotments, if you see it report it to the PCSO.�

Mobile Service�-� Fitted by experts�

paul stapley�tyres�

MOBILE TYRE FITTING SERVICE�

01474 700 400�

e: paul@stapleytyres.co.uk�

Have your tyres checked or�replaced at your home, your�work or wherever is�

convenient.�

No hidden extras�All prices quoted include:�-�*VAT *Balance *Valves�

*Disposal of Tyres�

Tracking service available�All major brands supplied�

All major credit cards accepted�

21 years experience in the business�

Call anytime�

11�

Christmas at St Nicholas�(Bean and Southfleet)�

Bean�10 am�

10 am�

6.30 pm�

10 am�

10 am�

10 am�

Southfleet�10.30 am�

10.30 am�

10.30 am�

6.30 pm�

3 pm�

11.15 pm�

8.00 am�10.30 am�

10.30 am�

10.30 am�

Sunday 7th December�—�Toy Service�All toys will go to the Ellenor Shining Lights�

Hospice at home for children�

Sunday 14th December�Family Services�

Annual Carol Service�—�Bean�

Sunday 21st December�Normal Services�

Carols by Candlelight�—�Southfleet Church�

Christmas Eve�—�Southfleet Church�Crib Service (especially for children)�

Candlelight Midnight Communion�

Christmas Day�—�Southfleet Church�Communion�

Family Worship�

Sunday 28th December�Normal Services�

Sunday 4th January�Christingle Service�

O come� let us� adore Him�

Friday 5th December.�The School is holding its�Annual Christmas Fayre�in the�

School. Many different stalls offering a wide variety of�Christmas gifts.�

Do join us�-� doors open at 2.30pm.�

Friday 5th December.�The School’s Quiz Night�with a Christmas theme.�

We invite teams of 6�-� 8 people to the evening.�Starting at 7.30pm�.�

Tickets cost £4�-�00 per person which includes�light refreshments�.�

Tickets can be purchased from the School Office.�

Tuesday 16th December.�The School is hosting the annual� Christmas Carol Concert�

with the Salvation Army. Everyone is welcome to attend�this evening full of Christmas spirit�

at�7pm in the School Hall.�

Feeding the birds.�According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds it is not a good�idea to feed bread, which fills them up without supplying the nutrients�they require�A better option is to leave out a selection of proprietary seeds, pieces of�grated cheese, jacket potatoes, cereals, pastry, over ripe strawberries,�raisins, peanuts or other left overs.�You can also make up a bird cake by mixing melted lard or suet, bits of�bacon, cheese rind and porridge oats then let it set inside half a coconut�shell and hang it up, or in a cup and turn out when set.�

12� 13�

14� 15�

WAGS ‘N’ WHISKERS� ·�Dog Walking�

·�Pet Feeding�

·�Pet Taxi�

Tel: 07789 225085�

Email:�info@wagsnwhiskers.co.uk�

Web:�www.wagsnwhiskers.co.uk�

The Village Fete on Sunday 14th September.�

Water Softener Specialist�Family run business�–�

established over 20 years.�

We sell:�Non electric block salt Softeners.�

Meter controlled Softeners.�Timer controlled Softeners.�

We Service:�Most makes of Water Softener�.�

We Supply:�Tablet Salt & Block Salt.�

Free local deliveries.�Free�no obligation Quotes.�

01322 28939�8�E�-�mail�–� info.alpha@virgin.net�

THE KINGSWEAR CASTLE.�The Kingswear Castle is a coal fired paddle steamer, built in 1924 by Philip�and Son’s of Dartmouth, was one of three sister ships and was the last�paddle steamer to be built for use on the river Dart. The Kingswear Castle�superseded another paddle steamer, built in 1904,of the same name. She�sailed up and down the River Dart, between Dartmouth, Totnes and�Kingswear, until the 1960’s.�When she was built her steam engines and many fittings were salvaged from�her predecessor, the hulk of which still survives, on the river Dart. The�original engines are still in her.�During the second world war she was chartered by the American Navy as a�Liberty ship ferrying stores and personnel at Dartmouth. She was one of the�few who retained her pre war colour scheme instead of the wartime grey.�She was withdrawn from service in1965 and was laid up in Dartmouth�until1967 when she was bought by The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society�and moved to the Isle of Wight where she appeared in a BBC film.�Her condition continued to deteriorate and in 1971 she was towed to the�River Medway for restoration. Many companies and individuals donated�money and expertise and she was finally fully certified to carry passengers�and returned to service in the spring of 1985.�Since her return to service she has carried over 200,000 passengers on�different cruises both on the River Medway and The Thames�She has been in demand for TV and films and recently starred in the BBC�production of Great Expectations.�

For those people who enjoyed either of the trips on the Kingswear Castle�paddle steamer, I thought you may be interested in some of its history.�For those who would have liked to go but forgot, or missed them for another�reason, please contact Colin, on 01474 832 793, who will arrange another�trip for next year.�

The Bus Drivers Lunch.�On the Friday 17th October the volunteer bus drivers enjoyed a�lunch at The Black Horse as a “thank you” from the regular�passengers, a good number of whom were there in support.�Christine’s hard work in organising this was greatly�appreciated.�

16� 17�

01474 833249�

01474 833674�

R�ED STREET GARAGE�

Established 1960�

FREE body damage estimates�

All MOT’s�

FREE local collection and delivery service�

Breakdown recovery service available�

Helpful and friendly staff awaiting your call�

Full service £80 + parts + VAT on all vehicles�

Small service £50�-�00 + parts + VAT on all�

PRINCES�FISH BAR�

01322 293432�

2b Princes Avenue, Dartford, Kent DA2 6NE�Monday�-�Friday� 11.30�-� 2.00 & 4.30�-� 10.00� Saturday� 11.30�-� 2.00 & 4.30�-� 9.00�

*�Florist� *� Delivery Service�*�Unusual Gifts�

*�Exotic plants�

9 Station Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 7QD� Tel: 01474 700035 Fax: 01474 700063�

www.floral�-�explosion.co.uk�

Email info@floral�-�explosion.co.uk�

Floral Explosion�

Specialising in�

Wedding and�

Funeral floristry.�

BEAN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS�

Are held on the FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH�(Excluding Bank Holidays).�

The meetings start at 8.15 pm.�In the Youth and Community Centre.�

All residents of Bean are welcome to attend.�Check the notice board outside the Post Office�

for notice of guest speakers.�

SKIP HIRE�LOCAL AUTHORITY LICENSED�

FAST EFFICIENT SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES�

**DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL **�

A.�WINCHESTER & SONS�TEL. 01322 221388�

The Quiz Night in aid of The Community Bus�The team shown below we re the winners of the quiz in aid�of the bus held on Friday 26th September, they prefer to�re main anonymous.�

Friday 9th January 2009�

A QUIZ NIGHT.�

In aid of funds for your Bean Community Bus�will be held at the Community Centre�

Starting at 8pm. Teams of 6 to 8 persons.�Entry Fee £3�-�50 per pe rson�Prize for the winning team�Bring your own refreshments�

Quiz nights�in aid of the Community Bus�may become a regular�activity, during the coming year, so watch this space for further�

dates, or contact Colin on 01474 832 793.�The first of these will be on the 9th January as shown below.�

18� 19�

Letters or e�-� mails�to the Editor�

A Merry Christmas�

.�

In the comfort of�

Your own home�For an appointment please call�

01732 824402 or�01474 832806�

“LIZ”�MOBILE�

HAIRDRESSER�

Tom and I went on two trips this week, on the Community Bus, to�Canterbury on Tuesday and on Friday the Kingswear Castle jazz jamboree.�We thoroughly enjoyed both and send special thanks to Alan and Colin the�drivers. I am sure we will soon be booking another trip.�We also enjoyed the Bean Village Fete today, hopefully lots of money was�raised and it is repeated next year.� Maureen. P�

Dear reader,�Just a few lines to tell you what a fabulous night we had at the Jazz�Jamboree on the paddle steamer Kingswear Castle, on the river�Medway. The music was great as was the company. The trip was�2½ hours of pure fun.�Thanks to Colin, our ever patient driver, we made a detour for fish�and chips on the way back so we arrived home happy and full.�

Maureen Osbourne�

THE�LATEST�LATEST�LATEST� COPY DATE FOR THE MARCH�“BEAN’S TALK” IS TUESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY.�

20� 21�

1A Princes Avenue�Fleet Estate�

Dartford DA2 6NE.�

Services, Exhausts, Cam belts, Brakes, MOT’s, Clutches,�Starters, Shock Absorbers, Batteries, Alternators,�

Tyres and Exhausts etc.�

Full Service�£90�-�00 plus Parts and VAT.�

01322 271462�

07958 674247�

Vehicle Repairs�

Unisex Hair Salon�Tel: 01322 224740�

1A. Princes Avenue� Fleet Estate� Dartford�

Kent DA2 6NE.�Professional Stylists offering a wide range of�

treatments at affordable prices.�We look forward to seeing you.�

½� Head Highlights�With Cut and Blow Dry�

From £56�-�00.�

BEAN SCOUT GROUP CHRISTMAS FAIR�Our Christmas Fair is to be held on�Saturday 29th November� between 12pm�and 4pm at Bean Community Centre. Please come along and support our�youngsters as they raise some well earned funds for the group. Have a go at the�tombola, p lay your cards right or even name the teddy. You will also find a�variety of other stalls, including Christmas crafts created by the ch ildren. Enjoy�a hot drink and a snack with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and who knows, it�may be you who wins the first prize in the raffle.�

BEAVER'S�Beavers are gradually growing and with the start of the new school year out of the�way, maybe your child would like to come along and join in. Beavers is open to�girls and boys aged 6�-� 8yrs of age and are the youngest in the huge family of�Scouts.�If you or your child is interested please call Adam Boucher on 07931733862.�

CUBS�Bean Cubs has had a large increase in numbers this term, which is really great to�see. Before half term we invested a total of 9 ch ildren aged between 8 and 10�(girls and boys) into our section. During this t ime they have enjoyed act ivit ies�leading to their fitness badges and went on an 8 mile h ike around Darenth,�Horton Kirby and Bean.�Between now and the new year, Bean Cubs will be taking part in the District Art�and Craft day, visit ing a working Ambulance Station, an evening of bowling�and having a day t rip to Fort Amherst, Chatham.�

SCOUTS�For those that don't know, Scouts is now open to boys and girls aged between 10�and 14yrs of age.�Bean Scout Group is g rowing n icely and they en joy a range of activ it ies from�hiking (day or night) to bag packing at local supermarkets, from camping to�keeping fit.�

Beavers�and Cubs meet on Wednesday nights between 6 and 7.30pm�during term time�at Bean Community Centre. Scouts meet on Wednesday�nights between 7.45 and 9.30pm during term time at Bean Community�Centre.�

Beavers please call Adam Boucher on�07931733862.�Cubs please call Faye Brown on�07971011928.�Scouts please call Neil Warburton on 01474 707 382�

22� 23�

24� 25�

Unit 2, Westwood Farm Highcross Road�Southfleet, Kent, DA13 9PH.�

When replying�to an advert�

please mention�the�

Bean’s Talk�

Full page £30�-�00�2/3�Page�£25�-�00�1/2�Page�£20�-�00�1/3�Page�£15�-�00�

1/4�page�£10�-�00�

Advertising Rates per issue�Or Buy 4 get one free.�

Would you like Father Christmas to deliver a present to�someone special in the village on Christmas Eve?�

If you take your parcel, wrapped and showing the name�and address to whom you would like it delivered,�to�The ROYAL OAK or the BEAN POST OFFICE.�

BEFORE�Saturday the 17th December.�

The parcel will be delivered on Christmas Eve between�5pm and 9pm by father Christmas and his helpers.�

There is no charge for this service which comes with�the compliments of the Royal Oak Charity Committee.�

Telephone The Royal Oak on 01474 832306, after 7pm, for more information.�

Would you like to advertise in the Beanstalk?�The magazine is delivered to all of the 650 houses in Bean four�

times a year, in March, June, September and December.�Advertising prices are shown below.�

If so please contact Colin on 01474 832793 or The editor .�

10% Discount Off MOT Test Fees�On� production of this advert.�

Servicing and Bodywork�

On All makes of Motorcycles and Cars�

B EAN’S TALK� Is published by the BEAN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION�Corres pondence� to The Secretary, Jenny Kelly, 14 School Lane, DA 2 8AL.�

© All M aterial is copyright protected�-� Bean Residents Association�

VILLAGE ACTIVITIES and USEFUL NUMBERS.�Bean Village web site� www.beanvillage.org.uk�

E�-�mail address beanra@waitrose.com�Phone Numbers 01474 unless shown otherwise.�

POLICE� Maidstone 01622 690690�Gemma Pawley�-� Neighbourhood Police Officer. Mobile 07870252526�Dave Davies�-� Police Community Support Officer. Mobile 07969584192�Crime Stoppers� '�0800 555 111�Communi ty Warden� (�Control centre�)� '� 01732 885712�Bean Youth and Communi ty Centre�Hall Bookings� Betty Martin� '� 706347�Tuesday 1.00�-� 2.45p m.� Mother and Toddler Carrie� '� 700291�Wednesday 2.30 p m.� Young at Heart� Betty Martin� '�706347�Wednesday 6.00�-� 7.30p m.� Beavers Adam Boucher�'�07931 733862�Wednesday 6.00�-� 7.30p m.� Cubs� Faye Brown� '� 07971 011928�Wednesday 7.45�-� 9.30p m. Scouts� Ne il Warburton� '� 707382�Thursday 5.15�-� 6.45p m.� Brownies� Mrs. E. Barrett� '� 703429�Sunday 10.00�-�11am.� St. Nicholas at Bean, Don White� '� 705430�Mon�-� Fri 9.15�-� 12.00 Play School� A llison Barrass�'�07771 864937�Mobile Library�Black Horse� 4.05 to 4.25p m.� The service is on a Monday at the�Beacon Drive (Lo wer end)� 4.30 to 4.45p m.� stopping points and times shown.�Doctors�Dr.�Soma�segaram� Bean Surgery, High St. Bean � '�707236�Dr. Langley� Beacon Drive, Bean� '�708672�Churches�St. Nicholas at Bean. Bean Youth and Co mmun ity Centre. Sundays 10 am.�St. Nicholas at Southfleet Rector is David Houston� '�833252�For special services�-� see the church notice board located at the front of the car park�at the Youth and Co mmunity Centre.�Bean Residents Association�Bean Residents Association meets on the First Monday of the month at 8.15 p m in�the Bean Youth and Co mmunity Centre. A ll Bean residents are welco me to attend.�Bean Parish Council.�Bean Parish Council meet on the second Monday of the month at 7.30p m. In the�Bean Youth and Co mmunity Centre. All Bean residents are welco me to attend.�Oasis Counselling Centre� '� 01322 294430�Free counselling for bereavement and help for those affected by suicide, pregnancy�crisis and post abortion, support for ex�-�offenders, advice and support for job�-�seekers,�those affected by domestic violence, those in distress, befriending scheme, parenting�classes�.�

P rinted by Darenth P rint & Design Ltd. Unit 1, The Old P owder Mill, P owder Mill Lane, DA1 1NT. Tel: 01322 288627�

If you have any particular area that would benefit from a litter pick�please contact me and we may be able to tackle it, or make contact�

with the council.�

The routine Litter Picks�will take place, starting at 10am.�and lasting up to 1�½� hours on;�

Thursday 29th December,�Meeting outside the� Black Horse,�

Thursday 29th January,�Meeting outside the School,�

Thursday 26th February.� Meeting at the corner of Beacon Drive and High Street.�

Bill on 01474 704062� e�-�mail thebeanstalk@btinternet.com�

If anyone has a litter picking stick, or high visibility jacket�that they no longer re quire, could they please let Bill know�

so that they can be used by the team?�

A Christmas Wish�If the litter picking team had a wish for Christmas the top two items�would be:�That the irresponsible dog owners would act responsibly,�That those who insist on throwing paper on the ground ceased to tear�it into small pieces and then dropping it�

To the remainder of the village we wish you all a�

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WE ARE HAVING A TRADITIONAL XMAS LUNCH�At The Royal Oak�

FREE TO ALL BEAN RESIDENTS AGED 60 or OV ER�

On�With�Community Bus p ick up between 11.30 and 12.45pm.�

Return this reply slip� than�to The Royal Oak or the Bean Post Office.�

Name (s) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _�Address�(If you re quire the bus to pick you up) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _�

Or tele phone The Royal O ak on 01474 832306, after 7 pm, if you re quire�more infor mati on.�

At The Youth and Community Centre�FREE for Bean Residents children�

of 4�-� 10 years of age.�On Saturday 13th December 12.30�-� 3.30pm.�

DISCO�-� GAMES�-� FOOD�-� DRINK�

eturn this reply slip� than� to�The Royal Oak or the Bean Post Office.�

Child(s ) Names _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Age _ _ _ _ _� _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Age _ _ _ _ _�

Contact ’phone numbe r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _�

Telephone The Royal Oak on 01474 832306, after 7pm, for more information.�

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