Leadership

Catie Webber, Vice Chairman
Alkham Valley AGM – 21 November 2023

 

“We ended last year knowing we would be updating our constitution, with the executive committee documenting our comments on the Dover District 2040 plan and with our usual Boxing Day walk. The new blood in the AVS was marrying quite nicely with the old traditions and the AVS was enjoying renewed importance in the Alkham Valley. We began 2023 with devastating news about both our secretary‘s and our President and founder’s ill health. The executive committee pushed on with a new venture – the snow drop walk and litter pick in mid February. This was such a resounding success that a hard core of the group came back the next weekend and lay wood chip down on muddy paths behind the Church and Short Lane  and started clearing  the village green car park. It seems the nature of the AVS was changing from lobbying to taking action. Late Spring, our executive committee was a bit distracted by politics and the Coronation celebrations. But the AVS continued to meet socially in the pub every 2 months. It wasn’t until September and  October that we rallied and got work parties together clearing some overgrown public rights of way ( PRoWs) and laying down more wood chip. Admittedly this is work that KCC should be doing on a regular basis. But KCC has been unable to keep up with nature’s abundant rain and growth this year. Our efforts have been hugely appreciated by local pedestrians. Autumn has seen our executive committee’s efforts behind the scenes bear fruit. The new constitution is complete and adopted and up on the website. The website has been revamped. Our relationship with the new Parish Council is strong.  And our Chairman is busily attending the 2040 Plan meetings representing our interests. We have also just entered our comments on Dover District Council’s new green infrastructure project. The AVS is going from strength to strength and is needed and valued as ever.”