The week in Sevenoaks: Kemsing fire: eight engines sent as Collet Road blaze spread (9 Sep)

Your weekly briefing · Wednesday 9 September 2026

Eight fire engines on Collet Road is not a sight Kemsing sees often, and it rather set the tone for the week. Closer to town, The Stag has opened a £100,000 pledge appeal that runs until 1 October, which is a big ask and a short window, while the council's own borrowing has been called not sustainable in the same breath. Lighter news too: pumpkin picking dates near Sevenoaks go on sale from 3 October, so there is something to look forward to once the autumn properly arrives.

The Big Story

Kemsing fire: eight engines sent as Collet Road blaze spread

Eight fire engines fought a garden fire in Collet Road, Kemsing, on Thursday night as it spread to sheds and trees. One person was checked by paramedics.

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The Week In Brief

The Stag: £100,000 pledge appeal opens, closes 1 October — Sevenoaks Town Council wants £100,000 in pledged donations by 1 October to help buy the Stag's freehold for £650,000. How it would be paid for, and how to pledge.

Crime in Sevenoaks: July 2026 figures — Police recorded 60 crimes in the Sevenoaks area in July 2026. The full breakdown by crime type, the streets with the most reports, and how to check your own street, from the police.uk open data.

Sevenoaks council finances: borrowing 'not sustainable' — Council papers say funding projects from its own cash cannot go on: £100m of approved loans unused, £10.6m owed short term, £130,000 overspend forecast.

South Darenth Traveller site: two-pitch plan on Horton Road — Two mobile homes, two touring caravans and a dayroom are proposed on Green Belt land by the River Darent. What the application argues, and how to comment.

Sevenoaks stolen car returned: Fiat 500 traced to Dartford — A pensioner's Fiat 500 taken from a driveway near Chipstead Lane was traced to Dartford and returned. A 40-year-old man has been arrested and bailed.

Sevenoaks community news: £2.1m pavilion due this month — The £2.1m Greatness pavilion is due to finish this month and a £250,000 playground follows, while £5,000 community grants close at noon on 6 October.

What’s On

Pumpkin picking near Sevenoaks: 29 dates on sale from 3 Oct — Stanhill's 17 dates are on sale at £7.50 a car and Broadditch has cancelled its field after the dry summer. Who is open, what it costs, the free patch.

Child Friendly Cafes in Sevenoaks: 8 Verified This Week — Eight child friendly cafes in Sevenoaks, checked at source: GAIL's lists highchairs and baby change, the Vine cafe has a toddler play area beside it.

Things to Do with Kids in Sevenoaks: A Local Parent's Guide — Things to do with kids in Sevenoaks: deer at Knole, a free play park at the wildlife reserve, birds of prey at Eagle Heights, soft play and pools.

Ightham Mote: free on 17 Sep, then £19 adult, £4 to park — Ightham Mote is free all day on Thursday 17 September. Normally £19 an adult, £4 parking, no booking needed. Hours, dogs and buses, checked at source.

Sponsored

West End Classics at St Nicholas, Sevenoaks: Friday 23 October — Danny Whitehead and Rachel Roper sing Phantom, Les Mis and The Sound of Music by candlelight at St Nicholas Church. Two 60-minute concerts, 6pm and 8pm, tickets £25 to £45.

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