Friends of Farningham - Saturday 1 May 2021

A bright and crisp morning helped produce a good turnout for our first Friends of Farningham meet of the season on Saturday. It was good to finally get together again after such a long period of enforced inactivity due to the restrictions of the Covid pandemic.

Seven of us concentrated on sprucing up Irving's Corner - the gated sanctuary by the river, opposite The Lion Hotel - where the benches were cleaned, overhanging shrubs cut back, and weeds removed from the edges. At the same time two others worked on weeding and cleaning up the Village Hall garden and car park area. And there was even time to weed and sweep the High Street footpath in front of the flint wall.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 19th May, 10am at the Village Hall. We are then going to work on the area of Farningham Parish Council land at the corner of Beesfield Lane and Eynsford Road and those living in that area may prefer to meet there rather than come through to the Village Hall. There will be hi-visibility jackets for those without them. Sensible shoes, gloves and your own small gardening tools are all that is needed.

Our next Saturday meeting is on 5th June when we will be litter picking in support of the Great British Spring Clean. I suggest we litter pick along the Darent Valley River Path from The Lion Hotel through to the M20 bridge but if there are any other areas that could use a good clean-up, please let me know. Litter picking can be hazardous so we cannot go anywhere near speeding traffic and must take extra care along the riverbank. Black bags will be provided, and some litter pickers are available although if you have one of your own, please bring it - and don't forget your gloves!

About litter, thank-you to the individual who has hung clear sacks on the branches in two of the passing areas in Eglantine Lane. This is a dreadful hotspot for discarded food and drink packaging and these bags seem to have made a difference already.

Thanks to all who turned out on Saturday and gave up part of their Bank Holiday weekend to keep the Village looking lovely!