Thanks to this month's contributors and to Mel McDonald for this month's Spring has Sprung Iwade Observer. Would you like to join the Iwade Observer team? Email nicola@iwadevillage.co.uk for more information :-)

The Iwade Community Speed Watch team urgently need more volunteers. Community Speed Watch enables groups of concerned citizens to reduce excessive vehicle speeds on their roads.

The Year 5 classes at Iwade School are taking part in a project called Go-Givers, Make a Difference. Leeds Class project is focussing on making a difference to litter in Iwade village. Litter is a major problem worldwide, simply because it affects our environment. Our project so far has taken us on a walk around the village, to collect evidence of the litter and the amount of it. Even though, we felt that, generally, the village was tidy, some areas need particular attention. For this reason, we would like the support of you, the villagers, in our campaign. If you are out and about around the village, make sure you put your rubbish in the bins provided.

We thought it was time to update everyone about the progress at Iwade Health Centre. As you might well be aware, we have been awarded the contract to provide GP services at the centre and took over in the middle of last June. We would like to thank everyone for their patience so far and must acknowledge that it has taken a little longer than expected. You may be aware that there are some historical issues at the centre and these had to be sorted first. The contract was awarded under a tight budget allowing for 2 GPs and 1 Advanced Nurse Practitioner alongside other nursing and a full compliment of administrative staff.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is appealing to people to make sure their homes, and those of loved-ones and people they care for or come into contact with, are safeguarded from fire. Just three breaths of fire smoke can be life-threatening and sadly, it is often older residents, or those with mobility problems, physical or mental health issues or impaired sight or hearing, who are injured by fire. KFRS offers free safety advice and a range of free services to ensure vulnerable members of the community are protected from the risk of fire.

Thanks to Karen Graystone Practice Manager at Iwade Health Centre for asking us to let you know the latest situation regarding the doctors at Iwade Health Centre. Dr Izmeth has now left Iwade Health Centre and Dr Pragasam will be leaving on Friday 28th February 2014.

Thanks to this month's contributors and to Mel McDonald and Sally Coe for their efforts in bringing it all together. If you have an article you'd like to see in the March Observer email the.iwade.observer@gmail.com. Click on the image on the left to read the Observer before it's hit Iwade doorsteps. Enjoy!

Iwade's own Shaun Pusar is running the London Marathon on 13th April 2014 and is asking for our help. When I say our I mean your! Would you give Shaun a couple of quid to run for the World Wildlife Fund? Click on the image of Shaun to go to his justgiving page and help him raise the funds he needs to pound the streets of London. We can help can't we Iwade?!