I think it’s safe to say that the water outage across areas of Kent has dominated issues around the county in May and June.
Thousands of homes and businesses have and still are experiencing widespread water disruption, low pressure and intermittent outages.
Reservoir levels have dropped and drinking water has been scarce. Many areas have seen water bottle banks set up.
At its peak nearly 22,000 homes were impacted, and farmers have been unable to give vital drinking water to calves or to water crops.
If you would like local street updates visit the South East Water AquAlerter Map.
If you are supplied by South East Water and keep livestock, please regularly check water trough supplies at all locations. With intermittent supplies, there is a risk troughs can run dry.
For updates on the latest water supply situation, keep up to date by visiting South East Water’s website.
To ‘have your say’ and feed into the South East Water draft Drought Plan for 2027-2032 please see the public consultation on its website.
Southeast TB meeting
Two members from the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey who have dairies and livestock met with an NFU specialist policy adviser, APHA, local vets, FCN and Hurst Animal Health on 1 June to discuss key concerns and to get disease updates.
Rural Crime
At this time of year there are lots of boot fairs and markets. There has been a spate of thefts of tools and smaller machinery items that can be sold at these events.
Please be vigilant. Mark up your tools and lock them away securely.
Are you interested in supporting children under ‘The Daffodil Project CIC’ Kent?
The Daffodil project is an animal therapy inclusion project in Kent that supports children who are struggling to cope with traditional educational environments. The project focuses on animal therapy and husbandry, gardening, horticulture and outdoor learning.
The children have additional needs including anxiety, SEND related challenges, emotional regulation difficulties and school avoidance. The project hopes to re connect these children with learning, build their confidence, responsibility and wellbeing through outdoor activities and rural experiences.
If you would like to support the Daffodil Project please email: [email protected] or telephone: 07712 557959.
Mental health - Yarn In A Barn lunch club
FCN, RABI, Kent Trading Standards and the local Ashford NFU office have got together to launch a new lunch club for anyone in our rural communities. The aim is to support and improve mental wellbeing in the local area, with a Yarn in A Barn style social eating together. It will be run on a monthly basis on the second Thursday of each month at 12.30pm. The venue is Perry Court Farm Shop, A28, Canterbury Road, Bilting TN25 4ES.
Dates for your diary
Kent County officeholders are having a virtual Teams meeting on 8 June. Please speak to your branch chair, vice chair or group secretary if you would like anything raised.
Canterbury Spring Walk, 9 June with hog roast at Ewell Farm, Faversham, ME13 8UP. Please contact Canterbury Mutual office to book.
Kent Health and Safety event
Monday 29 June 9.30am to 1pm. Montreal Estate, Penn Farm, Penn Lane, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, TN14 6BG. See below for more details.
Finally, we're looking forward to seeing members at Kent County Show on 3 July. Come and see your Group Secretary, NFU representatives and Warners Law on our stand next to the wool tent.