Malling.org.uk FARMERS' MARKET BROKE THE RECORD


Record numbers of shoppers flocked intoWest Malling High Street for theWinter Festival Event on November 29. Market manager SteveWoods confirmed that with 62 stalls the market had achieved its aim of being the biggest farmers' market in Kent.


Several businesses in the town opened their premises for the event. Nationwide Bank served mulled wine to customers, the Swan Inn sold out its hog roast in record time and the Smith andWebb kitchen store had the highest number of shoppers ever since opening in the town.


Chip Productions members were in panto costume to welcome the crowds.


Organisers estimated more than 3,500 people attended the market, and about 2,000 returned for Santa's switching-on of the Christmas lights.


Kings Hill Rotary supplied volunteers to help with stewarding the crowds to make sure every child could climb aboard Santa's sleigh.


Grants from Malling Action Partnership and Tonbridge and Malling Borough


Council meant that new lights were bought this year, and the entire display now uses environmentally friendly LED bulbs.


The December market also went ahead, courtesy of Steve Woods who cleared snow from the pitches at 6am. A number of stall-holders could not get to their normal markets, such as Hempstead Valley Gillingham, because of snow-blocked roads and so came toWest Malling instead.


Malling Action Partnership chairman Trudy Dean said: "We have the Christmas Lights Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Meopham Farmers Markets to thank for their work


to make this event bigger and better this year.


“Malling Action Partnership would like to plan for more activities for children next year, so if anyone would like to help, please get in touch."


How would you spend £2billion?


This is the most fun you will ever have with your council tax.


Come along toWest Malling Primary School on Thursday, February 3, at 7.30pm and have a go!


Kent County Council spends around £2 billion every year on education, care for the elderly, libraries, youth services, road maintenance, schools, road safety, community wardens and lots of other things.


For the first time top KCC finance officers will be working with residents and explaining what happens when you choose to spend on one service and cut another while you build your own virtual budget.


Will you increase spending on pothole mending, and cut services to the elderly?Will you cut concessionary travel for over 65s and increase it for school children?Will you open youth clubs and close libraries?


The choice is yours. Come and have some fun with a cup of tea and buns thrown in for free!


The winner of this month's front page photo competition is Stuart Millson from East Malling with a seasonal picture of East Malling church and Yeoman Hall.


If you would like to see one of your photographs of local events, people or places in print, email them to: info@downsmail.co.uk with your name, address, telephone number, and a brief description of your photo subject matter.


Closing date for next edition is February 4.


PHOTOGRAPHY COMPE T I T ION


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