IWADE NEWS

Iwade Tours are about more than just a good day out. There are a non-profit making village-run organisation, with a simple mission: bringing villagers, their family and friends together for comfortable, enjoyable, and worry-free outings. And they add a few luxuries along the way.

A recent tour to Essex included a stop at Thaxted to see the church where Gustav Holst played the organ and other historical buildings. It also passed through the beautiful Essex Rodings before visiting the Lodge Family Coach Museum for lunch and a ride on a vintage coach.

The organisers Elizabeth and Matthew join every trip and make everyone feel looked after as well as making sure that everything runs smoothly. Visits are well planned with a good balance of beautiful scenery and fascinating history.

There is a wide range of complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks on offer onboard and their Tour Guides are entertaining and full of interesting tales about the places visited.

You can find Iwade Tours dates and trips in the IwadeVillage WHATS ON and get in touch to get booked on!

At the November meeting, the Parish Council agreed to publish draft minutes online to improve community engagement. You can find these on our COUNCIL & GOVERNMENT page. As formal approval of minutes takes place at the following month’s meeting, information can otherwise be delayed. Publishing drafts ensures residents have timely access to council discussions.

PC Skye Williams is Iwade's neighbourhood beat officer. To communicate with Skye and receive updates residents can sign up to ‘My Community Voice’ via mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk

Have your say! Take part in the Village Survey (10 Dec–15 Jan) and help shape Iwade’s future.

Watch this space for how to have your say and thank you to Chair of Iwade Parish Council Steve Tolhurst for providing this update and to Iwade Parish Council for publishing the minutes more "real time" as standard - Ed

Cast your minds back to Sunday 9th November 2025 when Iwade had no water. Thank you Iwade Parish Council for finding out more for residents when we asked if it was a permanent fix - "It’s not an issue of a temporary or permanent fix. What happened shouldn’t be repeated. A third party company isolated two District Metered Area (DMAs). DMAs are sections of a water supply network that are hydraulically isolated to allow for accurate monitoring of water flow in and out of the zone. The isolation was done without Southern Water’s knowledge or engagement with us. Southern Water teams then reacted quickly to provide tankering as a precaution while also getting supplies turned back on."

Clear as the water?! What seems clear is if this is the case then this shouldn't happen again. Hopefully!

According to the Jackson Civils latest email the Grovehurst gyratory closure is delayed until 20th November meaning the Iwade (Grovehurst Road North) road closure will now reopen Monday 24th November not Thursday 20th :-( Apparently due to weather conditions.

Following September Parish Council, IPC have written to object to the application to build 156 residential dwellings as follows:

• Swale Borough Councils 5 year housing target is 5,502. Planning applications for 7,000 new homes in Swale have already been approved.
• The proposed Highsted Park development, if approved, would supply 8,400 new homes.
• Iwade Parish Council are in the process of organising an independent traffic survey to assess how the increase in housing in Iwade will impact traffic in the village.
• The proposal includes 40% social housing. The plans show they are all allocated in one area together, social housing should be spread throughout the estate.
• The proposed housing mix plan shows apartments to be built at the entrance of the housing development adjacent to Sheppey Way. This is not in keeping with the character and appearance of the local area.
• The local infrastructure cannot cope with increased housing; nurseries, schools and the GP surgery.
• Iwade Stream runs between these two developments and any increase in surface water runoff/allowing water into this waterway, will increase the risk of flooding in the centre of the village.
• With climate change and increased rainfall during winter developers should be doing all they can to protect existing properties from flooding and not exacerbate the risk. There is no water attenuation provision in the Sheppey Way section.
• This land is not allocated on Swales Local Plan for development.
• Swale Borough Council have already approved 512 new homes to be built in Iwade.

On this basis Iwade Parish Council would like to call this planning application into the planning committee and ask that the decision on the above application is delayed due to the above factors.

Swale Foodbank have launched their 2025 Christmas appeal 'The Gift Of Christmas' together with their friends at Sheerness Salvation Army.

They are collecting in Hampers Of Hope and brand new, unwrapped toys and gifts that they will pass on to nominated families.

All Hampers and gifts will need to be with them by the first week of December.

Fill the box with at least 20 Christmassy items no fresh items and no alcohol thank you then email christmas@swale.foodbank.org.uk so they know what hampers to expect. Happy Hampering!

It was lovely to meet Iwade Friendship Club at Iwade Barn this week what a welcoming group of ladies. Would you like to join them? Every other week at Iwade Barn on a Monday from 10.30am to midday just £1 which includes a hot drink. Often a speaker and time for a chat. Keep an eye on the WHATS ON for the next date and pop along you will be made very welcome. You can also join their Facebook group if you would like to. And you can find them in the DIRECTORY under CLUBS and ACTIVITIES >>

Iwade Health Centre welcome new patients according to the banner outside telephone 01795 413100 or pop in to the centre in Monins Road

In April 2026, Claire and Susie Colston are riding a motorbike and sidecar from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for Headway, the brain injury association. They have already raised over £700 on their justgiving page and are organising an event on Saturday 21st February 2026 at Iwade Barn a Grade II listed building with raffle and an opportunity to ride in the sidecar!

Would your business like to donate to the raffle with lots of publicity in return? Email eleanor.colston@outlook.com