Two sets of identical twins helped the “official opening” of the new-look Edenbridge High Street during a Community Celebration of the improvements on March 30.

With a fanfare from the Town Band, Tracey and Debbie Divall and Gemma and Amber Chatten wielded the shears for simultaneous ribbon-cutting at either end of the centre section, along with Town Council chairman Cllr Jill Davison and County Council vice-chairman Cllr Peter Lake.

There were activities for all ages with a short road closure in place, giving a chance for people to enjoy the street space traffic-free for a couple of hours.

Eden Valley Museum had almost 140 visitors for its special display High Street History, Hipsinc belly dancing class gave a popular demonstration, community groups set up stalls, there was face-painting, a treasure hunt, fairground ride and candyfloss, Bridges Centre was busy with refreshments, and youngsters enjoyed a roller-skating rink in Market Yard car park thanks to sponsorship by S. Smith & Sons. Retailers were also encouraged to join in by opening for the afternoon with in-shop activities.

The High Street improvements are part of Edenbridge 2008 £320,000 project, begun in April 2006. It included traffic-calming, a second “zebra” near the primary school and two new crossing points – also wider pavement beside Edenbridge
Galleries, new pavement surfacing, and co-ordinated street furniture and information signs.

Enhancing the town centre to attract more visitors was the project aim, and beside the High St works this has included refurbishing the Mill Leat, creating an accessible ViP (Visitor Information Point) above the Town Council office in Doggetts Barn, also a small grants scheme to encourage smarter High St frontages and B&B proprietors to create new or upgrade accommodation.

Plans were drawn up after lengthy consultations with the community, and the majority of funding came from Kent Highways s106 money agreed with developers, and SEEDA/Kent Rural Towns grant.