Boost for women
abuse victims THEWomen’s Support Service, which covers the Mallings area, has received £27,752 from the Government’s Big Society Tran- sition Fund. WSS chairman Suzanne Hol-
loway said: “Raising funds for services for victims of domestic abuse is challenging in this dif- ficult economy. This grant will enable us to work better to de- velop support for victims of do- mestic abuse in Kent.” WSS’s helpline, 01622 761146, is available Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, or email
dutydesk@wsskent.org.uk. An out-of-office-hours service operates from Maidstone police station on Saturdays and Sun- days, 9am to 3pm, on 07961 021929.
Ruling on Oaken Wood quarry likely this month
A DECISION on whether Gallagher Aggregates' quarrying operations can be extended into Oaken Wood is expected by the end of this month. It had originally been thought that the Govern-
ment would make a ruling within 21 days about the scheme, which borders Ditton and Barming, after being notified of KCC planning committee’s approval in May. But the Woodland Trust, one of several high- profile objectors, said the Government had inter- preted the Oaken Wood case differently, not as a “departure” from the county minerals plan - as KCC believed it would - but as a "request to inter- vene", thus requiring a time extension. Aspokesman said: "Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is now holding the application under an Article 25 direction allowing him to consider whether or not to call in the application for his own decision.
“This direction can run indefinitely but the
Woodland Trust has been assured by the National Planning Casework Unit that this is being dealt with as a matter of priority due to the high level of public interest." Meanwhile, Maidstone MP Helen Grant, who recently asked a parliamentary question, said: “I am glad the Secretary of State hopes to make his decision by the end of July. The quicker a deci- sion is made the better." She added: "Notwithstanding the persuasive economic arguments and the careful and sensitive approach Gallaghers have commendably adopted, it cannot be right that this irreplaceable and quite magical ancient woodland should be lost forever." The Woodland Trust said the plans to extract
stone from 33 hectares amounted to "the largest single case of destruction of ancient woodland in England in recent times".
Success in store for hospice charity CHARITY workers are delighted with the success of their new superstore, which has raised £75,500 since it opened seven months ago. The new Heart of Kent Hospice shop at Aylesford sells everything from jigsaw puzzles to three-piece suites, clothing, furniture, books, retro items, vinyls and collectables, as well as a wide selection of mobility aids and nursery ware. Goods on sale reflect the time of year. Retail business development manager Sheila Burton said: “This has been
a huge team effort, with forward thinking, to try something new. Many charities have furniture outlets, but we are proud to be the first to offer our valued customers all they enjoy from charity shopping in one place.” Regular customers Mary and Ian Firth, from London Road, Aylesford,
Seasonal stock at the Heart of Kent Hospice shop.
said: “The store always looks fantastic. Staff are excellent, polite and very helpful.” The Hall Road store is open 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Dona- tions of summer stock are welcome during opening hours.
Fight to save sheltered homes Howzat for a
VILLAGERS at East Peckham have rallied round in a bid to save access to sheltered housing for fu- ture generations. Housing association Russet has put forward four options for the future of Marvillion Court, a com- plex of 30 apartments for the elderly which cur- rently requires tenants to share bathrooms. Russet says, that to meet government standards
for sheltered housing, the 38-year-old site at The Freehold would require major refurbishment, meaning fewer homes to make way for the new bathrooms. Alternatively, it could be left as it
is, redeveloped into 12 units for mixed social housing – or closed andsoldoff. The parish council has expressed dismay that three of the options would result in the loss of commu- nal facilities. It said that Russet was wrong in its view that there was no demand for sheltered ac- commodation in the village and asked for the con- sultation period to be extended. “We feel that the re-developed site should be 100
per cent for the older population of the village.” The parish council has delivered letters to each
of the 1,350 homes in the village, asking residents which option they favour and said there had been “an unprecedented level of response”. Russet’s board – an independent group of com- munity members and Russet residents - was due
Mayhem after party posted on Facebook
16 Malling
to decide on the matter in July. However, the parish council says Russet had previously indi- cated that redevelopment to provide mixed social housing was the preferred option. Tonbridge and Malling MP Sir John Stanley ex- pressed his surprise and concern at reports that Marvillion Court may be demolished. He said: “I know this sheltered housing is very greatly appreciated by the residents and their fam- ilies.” Sir John has written to Russet, seeking assurance residents will be offered suitable alter- native accommodation if required. He also asked managing director
SteveWoodcock to justify its plans and to respond to criticisms of a lack of consultation. Russet said most of the 22 elderly res- idents live in bedsits and have to share
a bathroom with 10 other people, which was con- sidered the norm when the complex was built in 1973. A detailed consultation began in February on the many ways of modernising the conditions. MrWoodcock said: “Marvillion Court is a dated scheme which is no longer fit for purpose and we believe residents deserve better homes where they do not have to share a bathroom with 10 people. “We have a dedicated consultation coordinator whose sole responsibility is toworkwith residents and the wider community to ensure all their feed- back is available for the board to consider.”
POLICE were called to EastMalling Village Hall when a 16th birthday party was gatecrashed after details were posted on the internet. Crowds of youngsters, some drinking alcohol, spilled out on to the nearby playing field, and two
toilet doors inside the building were wrecked. The doors, which had been punched in, had to be re- placed, and the hall had to be spe- cially cleaned because so much drink had been spilled. A neighbour said: “Loads of peo-
great day out! SNODLAND’s annual real ale and live music event took place at the Cricket Meadow by the High Street car park. In a cricket match between Snodland All Stars and the Working Men’s Club, the club had a resounding victory, scor- ing 171 runs to the All Stars 64. In the evening there was an enjoyable family event with music provided by “Goose- bumps”. The group was so pop- ular that it has been booked again for 2012 when the event will be on Saturday, June 30. Thanks went to Paul Hickmott
and the other organisers for mak- ing the event a real success and providing a family occasion without any charge. Funds raised from the collection and the bar will go to the Twinning Committee and Scouts.
Kings Hill fete MAGIC tricks, dance perform- ances and a hog roast are all part of KingsHill’s annual sum- mer fete in the Market Square and community centre car park on July 23, 10am - 3pm.
ple turned up. Some of them brought alcohol and they were drinking on the field. “We heard that one of the invited guests mentioned the party on Facebook and lots of gatecrashers arrived.”
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