Skateboard idea blocked


A SCHEME to install a skate stop to prevent skateboarders damaging the Brenchley Gar- dens memorial has been turned down by Maidstone Council’s own planning committee. Officers had come up with


the idea of fitting small stain- less steel buttons to the edge of the memorial steps at regular intervals to protect its stone joints. The memorial at the town


centre park is regularly used by youngsters who congregate in the gardens at weekends, after school and in the evenings. However, plan-


ning committee member Cllr Gor- don Newton (pic- tured), whose job involves design- ing, restoring and building war me- morials, strongly


objected to the scheme. “Skate- boards have done serious dam- age and Maidstone Council has not done anything about it soon enough,” said the Independent member for Downswood and Otham, and a founder member of theWar Memorials Trust. “Drilling into Portman Stone


and fixing pins in it will do more damage than skateboard- ers. Consideration should be given to other ways of stopping skaters.”


He added: “The inclusion of


Brenchley Gardens’ memorial. Suggestions include an orna-


mental fence to restrict entry and cobblestones to prevent skaters from gaining speed.


the proposed devices will cause more damage than graffiti or anti-social behaviour. It would be absolutely awful. It may even be better to leave it alone.” The planning committee backed this expert advice, with most feeling that establishing cobblestones near the memorial offered a better solution. Com- mittee member Cllr Malcolm Greer, the cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Drilling into stone might weaken the memorial and causemore prob- lems. “We need to go back to the drawing board and see how we can address this problem.” The committee voted unani- mously to refuse the applica- tion.


UNIVERSITY for the Creative Arts, which has a campus in Oakwood Park, Maidstone, is to charge £8,500 a year for its undergraduate courses from 2012. The rate is close to the £9,000 maximum that universities can charge per course. UCA says that with a 75% cut in government funding it will have to rely on student fees to cover the whole cost of delivering its courses. Students will not have to pay any fees upfront.


They will be loaned the money by the govern- ment, which will only seek repayments when an individual is earning over £21,000. A government scheme will also offer 164


Christian Care


anniversary evening VOLUNTEERS from Maid- stone Christian Care (MCC) have celebrated 25 years since their first soup run. At a reception, some 70 past


and present volunteers remi- nisced over their past efforts. In 1986, Patricia McCabe,


the then deputy head teacher of Maidstone Grammar School, joined pupils for the first soup run when they served sandwiches and hot drinks from a car boot. The charity currently oper-


ates from its own purpose- built premises in Knightrider Street, Maidstone. Angela Clay, who has been


with the charity for 23 years, said: “The evening was lovely, but equally, it is sad that our work is still needed.”


UCA to charge students £8,500 a year in fees


scholarships of £3,000 to those applying to UCA in 2012. Professor Mark Hunt, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor, said: “A creative arts education is an investment in the future. Because of our strong industry links UCA graduates have gone on to work for household names such as Nike and Ted Baker. Many distinguished practition- ers have started their careers at UCA, including Karen Millen, Zandra Rhodes and Tracy Emin.”  The Government recently confirmed that all


123 universities and colleges in England intend to charge over £6,000 per year from 2012. The average fee stands at £8,600.


MANY LINES GREATLY REDUCED! Pictures for illustration purposes only


Don’t forget to pop into our delightful and friendly


Staplehurst, Kent (A229) 01622 832299 www.highgrovegardencentre.co.uk


18 South


Garden Café which offers a full range of hot and


cold meals, light snacks and beverages. Coaches welcome.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


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