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Love Higham Day lets residents share views on village plan

Favourite haunts and places people would like to see the back of were the subject of much debate in one village at the weekend.

Hundreds of Higham residents put forward ideas of how they would like to see the village take shape at a community get together.

The Love Higham Day at the Memorial Hall was a chance for people to share their views on the village plan and what they want to see change over the next 10 years.

Fiona Spirals, left, and Betty Weller, looking at old photographs of Higham. Picture: Andy Payton
Fiona Spirals, left, and Betty Weller, looking at old photographs of Higham. Picture: Andy Payton

People were encouraged to bring along photos of the place they love best in their neighbourhood and images of places they would like to see changed or improved.

Otis Gyluck, 12, talks to the camera in the video diary room. Picture: Andy Payton
Otis Gyluck, 12, talks to the camera in the video diary room. Picture: Andy Payton

The hall, in School Lane, was transformed into different themed sections. There was a video booth where people could record their ideas and there was also a ‘thoughts forest’ to write down and add suggestions to various trees which depicted numerous aspects of village life.

People gathered at the Memorial Hall. Picture: Andy Payton
People gathered at the Memorial Hall. Picture: Andy Payton

Other activities were held in The Pavilion at the recreation ground nearby, and those taking part could take a break from brain-storming to enjoy a pot of tea and a cake and even have fun playing games and hunting down clues in a treasure trail.

Carolyn Jarvis, Jake Ledger, seven, and Imogen Ledger, 11, at the Treasure Trail table. Picture: Andy Payton
Carolyn Jarvis, Jake Ledger, seven, and Imogen Ledger, 11, at the Treasure Trail table. Picture: Andy Payton

Sue Sparks, chairman of the steering group which organised the day, said: “We received hundreds of ideas and about 300 people came along on the day.

“We had some rants and some raves and lots of new ideas. We had a bit of everything and we just need to go through them now.

Catherine Holcroft ties her thought to the leisure time tree. Picture: Andy Payton
Catherine Holcroft ties her thought to the leisure time tree. Picture: Andy Payton

“There was a real mix of ages, families, and regular parish council attendees as well as people we rarely see.

“We were able to organise the day thanks to a grant from Rural Kent and the Village SOS Scheme which is lottery funded.”

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