‘Horror’ over Mote Park tree-felling


A TREE-felling operation in Mote Park - supposedly to open up historic vistas - has angered some park users and sparked a political row. A leading Lib Dem contacted


the Downs Mail expressing "considerable shock" among the public over destruction of na- tive lakeside trees. Cllr Tony Harwood said:


"Every member of the public I bumped into expressed horror at the extent of work." The issue flared within days


of it being revealed that the Tory-run council also planned to introduce parking charges at Mote Park. That proposal has since been dropped. The park is currently under-


going a £2.5m revamp, part- funded by a £1.8m Heritage Lottery grant. Cllr Harwood said: “Mote


Park is special. It provides an opportunity for residents to in- teract with wildlife on their doorstep. The changes under- way at the park will sever this link for many people.” He added: "All the native


trees at the western-most end of the lake have been felled to 're- instate' some imagined historic vistas, which have long-since


been softened by nature and have evolved into the sylvan park that residents and wildlife love so much. "It is depressing to hear the distress calls of moorhen, coot, grey wagtail and other bird species who have lost the wa- terside willows and sallows on which they relied to roost and nest. "Indeed, in late February


many birds were already nest- ing so the timing is particularly crass and sets a very bad exam- ple to developers and landown- ers."


Maidstone Council said 140


trees would be planted after areas of scrubland and some poor quality trees were re- moved. Reinstatement of his- toric views had been coordinated with KentWildlife Trust “to ensure the park’s ecol- ogy is protected. No substantial trees will be removed”. Cllr Richard Ash, cabinet member for leisure and culture, told our readers last month: “These improvements will con- serve the natural habitat of the park, restore many of the fea- tures lost over time, and add better facilities for families and disabled groups.”


Women have a ball for charity


THREE Bearsted women raised more than £4,800 for the Mid Kent Breast Cancer Research appeal with a Valentine’s Ball.


Julie Paramor (42), AshleighWilday (43) and Anna Brown (39) –pictured, left to right – have each suf- fered the condition in the past few years, and wanted to thank those responsible for the care they had re- ceived. A total of 150 tick-


ets were sold for the ball, which was held at Grove Green Community Hall. An auction and raffle helped boost the tak- ings.


Ofsted praise for nursery care


A DAY nursery has been praised by Ofsted as a “well-or- ganised, inviting and com- pletely child-centred environ- ment”.


Pennies at Newnham Court shopping centre was rated as good overall for the effective- ness of its early years provision while many features were con- sidered outstanding. Ofsted inspector Liz Caluori


said children have great fun in the nursery and demonstrate a good sense of security as they confidently select the activities they want to take part in. Her report says: “Children are exceptionally well behaved and


move safely and sensibly around the nursery and clearly understand the boundaries and routines.” Pennies has a day nursery and out-of-school provision. A maximum of 140 children,


aged under eight, attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery’s capacity to maintain continuous improve- ment was rated as good while its deployment of resources, safeguarding, engagement with parents and carers, the extent to which children feel safe and make a positive contribution, were all regarded as outstand- ing.


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