Ship ahoy! Stuart’s plan for park


SAILING, canoeing and other water sports are returning to Mote Park. Afive-year licence has been issued to Stu-


art Clarke, trading as Ocean Jack, to operate a water sports centre on the lake. He has helped to launched similar operations elsewhere, but this is his own venture. Stuart, 32, who holds Royal


Yachting Association qualifi- cations, has full approval from Maidstone Council, which is currently doing a £2.5m revamp of the historic park with the help of Heritage Lottery funding. Stuart said courses would


for two hours, including equipment, onWednesday youth nights. The aim is to make it as cheap as possible


As a 20-year-old Stuart, who attended the highly regarded UK Sailing Academy on the Isle of Wight, took part in the BT Global Challenge, the world’s toughest yacht race, on ‘Team Spirit’, which finished 5th over- all.


Stuart is currently Europe’s youngest scuba diving course director.


be available for everyone aged eight and above, regardless of their prior ex- perience. British Canoe Union one-star and two-star starter schemes would be just £5


MORE money is being pumped into the battle against the bulge in Maidstone. Obese residents are shedding pounds (lbs) as pounds (£s) con- tinue to be spent on a weight- loss project. The NHS Primary Care


Trust allocated £158,000 to Maidstone for health work dur- ing the last financial year – 60% was used to “deliver healthy weight programmes”.


for youngsters to take part – and fire them with enthusiasm for next year’s Olympics. “Yes, 100% – that’s a big


part of our drive, to get kids and youth groups coming along,” said Stuart, who lives in Burham but plans to move to Bearsted later this year. “Then I could walk to work,” he said. Adult courses, including


windsurfing, will also be offered and there will be rowing boats for hire, too. Other lake users, Maid-


stone Victory Angling Club and the Cygnets Model Boat Club, are happy with Stuart’s project, as are The Friends of Mote Park.


Stuart on the water’s edge at Mote Park


Maidstone Sailing Club stopped operating


on the lake in 2008. Sea and Army Cadets, Scouts and Guides


are all expected to benefit and organisers of the Duke of Edinburgh award are delighted by the prospect of such a local facility.


No belt-tightening on spending to cut obesity The target, to get 320 people


taking part, was just missed. An update report by borough council cabinet member Cllr JohnWilson said: “While num- bers are lower than anticipated – particularly at the Leisure Centre – weight loss outcomes for those participating are being achieved. “Given that the programme started late these are positive figures.


LANDLORDS of multiple-occupancy houses will be responsible for tenants who cause anti-social behaviour from now onwards. Maidstone Council decided to add this discre- tionary condition to landlords’ licences from April 1. An officer’s report said:


“The council has re- ceived a number of com- plaints about noise and ASB that have been dif- ficult to resolve. “These complaints


“Families with children iden-


tified with weight problems have been able to access a spe- cific programme, with referrals from GPs, occupational health, school nurses and the hospital.” The PCT has agreed further funding of £154,000 for 2011-12 for the council’s community de- velopment work, which also covers the wellbeing and men- tal health of older and vulnera- ble adults.


Troublesome tenants now answer to landlords


would have possibly been easier to resolve with the involvement of landlords, who are sometimes reluctant to take action.” The council also agreed to raise the licence fee


Jobless total is up slightly MAIDSTONE’s jobless total increased by 23 to 2,288 in the latest figures – but it was the smallest district rise in Kent. Unemployment jumped by 982 to 34,076 countywide.


for houses in multiple occupation to £350 for ac- credited landlords and £400 for those who are not accredited under the council’s scheme. Licences are issued for


a period of five years. In 2005 the council set its fees at £300 per house.


Aldi plan back on MAIDSTONE Council has given another green light to the creation of an Aldi supermarket in the town centre. The discount foodstore was


first given consent to build a su- permarket and 21 residential units on the junction of Well Road and Wheeler Street in Janu- ary 2005. Almost four years later, planning permission was granted for a smaller scheme, with provi- sion for only three flats. The latest plan is for a slightly


smaller supermarket, containing 990sqm net floorspace, and no housing. The planning commit- tee agreed to grant permission.


Art group members COBDOWN Art Group is look- ing for new members to join a small friendly group of amateur artists. All abilities welcome. Meetings held Monday and Thursday 7-9pm and 12- 3.30pm Wednesday at Cob- down Sports Club, Ditton. Info: Shirley Brooks - 01732 844191


And still the show goes on


ECONOMIC crises, much of the world in turmoil – but there was no stopping au- diences packing out seven Maidstone Amateur Operatic Society shows at the Ha- zlitt Theatre, writes Dennis Fowle. More than 2,300 saw ‘Crazy for You,’ one of the older American musicals based


on the 1930 Gershwin show ‘Girl Crazy’. Some of the humour showed its years but the tunes and dancing girls never age. We still love ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’, ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ and many more. Not many shows cater for two troupes of dancing girls – and give the more ex- perienced ladies a chance to strut their stuff. We all knew Bobby (Ben Smyth) would get Polly (Kathryn Norman) at the end


TWO stalwart members of the Rotary Club of Maidstone received the club’s highest ho- nour with Paul Harris Fellowship awards presented by president Pat Thomas. Retired accountant Peter Larking (left), of Linton, joined the club in 1966, was presi- dent in 1981 and was praised for his loyal work and particularly his financial guid- ance. John Squire, of Maidstone, retired from investment and finance, joined in 1973, was president in 1980 and was praised for his years of support and loyalty.


30 Malling


of a complex Deadrock Theatre tangle and two hard-working, enjoyable singing, dancing performances. Among the stars were the amazing scene shifters. There were 16 scenes – and most needed very fast changes.


Decision on taxi licence applications delayed


ADECISION on streamlining the process for licensing taxi drivers has been de- ferred.


Instead of doing the paperwork annu-


ally, Maidstone Council’s licensing com- mittee were recommended by officers to change to a three-yearly system for all new applications and renewals. The council currently licenses 132 hackney carriage and 381 private hire dri- vers. The proposed new system, from


July 1, would reduce the number of li- cences that have to be processed over a three-year period fromabout 1,400 to 500. The only exceptions would be drivers


over 65 or with medical conditions, where licences would continue to be dealt with annually. New fee levels would include a 15% discount – £281 for a first application and £212 for a renewal – to reflect the re- duction in workload.


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