Parish Cake Autumn 2017

Is it Goodbye to
our Public Loos?
FOR MANY months
Cranbrook has been
without its public
lavatories, thanks to the
efforts of a handful of
vandals who have forced
the closure of a vital
amenity.
The ladies and gents,
tucked along Crane
Lane off the High
Street, were a constant
target resulting in the
owners, Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council, closing
them.
Despite appeals
from townspeople
and Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish
Council, instead of
repairs being made the
building was boarded
up, the borough saying
repairs would cost up to
£7,000.
I now know that people
in Cranbrook feel
strongly about the
conveniences. Vandalism
is such a waste of effort
and money. We must find
other activities for the
youth of this parish.
As well as the lavatories,
the once-beautiful
mosaic seat covered in
scenes of Cranbrook,
just feet from the loos,
has also been attacked.
Large chunks have been
prised out, leaving it
a shadow of its former
self. It was designed
by renowned mosaicist
Nigel Budd and made
with the help of students
from the former Angley
School, now High Weald
Academy.
Speaking at July’s
parish council meeting,
borough councillor
Tom Dawlings said:
“The money previously
spent on the loos in
Cranbrook last year was
more than that spent on
all the other toilets put
together.”
He said there were
suggestions that
responsibility for public
lavatories in the borough
should be handed over
to parish councils, which
has already happened in
Benenden.
Cllr. Dawlings suggested
that councillors visit the
ABOVE: Cranbrook
public toilets
what do you
think?
conveniences in Paddock
Wood which were part
steel to deter vandalism.
If the Cranbrook
lavatories are not reopened
it is hoped that
commercial outlets in
the town, such as cafes,
might offer to allow
the public to use their
facilities. They would
receive payment from
out chairman’s & about
view
the borough council to
cover costs.
I am exploring
suggestions for
other sites for new
conveniences, perhaps
closer to the coach park
in the Regal Car Park.
Cllr. Bridget Veitch
Chairman, Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst Parish
Council
Should Cranbrook have public conveniences or should
retail outlets provide the service? Let us have your views
by emailing clerk@cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk
or writing to CSPC, The Old Fire Station, Stone Street,
Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3HF
Parish Cake • Autumn 2017 7