Donor saves Age charity
Rotary House day centre in West Malling will stay open
...and carers also get reprieve
A CHARITY that supports car- ers of all ages has been saved from a possible funding crisis. Crossroads Care West Kent, whose work was spotlighted in Downs Mail two months ago, has received two pieces of good news since then. The charity, based at Mere-
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“It’s a godsend to us at a time when all charities are suffering with government cuts. “It’s great news – and a huge relief to our treasurer!” The charity's change in fortunes means it can also afford to take
up an option from KCC to purchase the land on which its day cen- tre stands. It also plans to start a ‘pop-in’ service at St Alban’s Church, Blue-
bell Hill. “We had not been able to do that in the past because we had no money,” said Mr Hughes.
Behind the generosity of Ron Hollands RON Hollands loved nothing better than having a chat about the old days. He could remember all the names of businesses and shops from bygone years and was only too pleased to narrate tales to newcomers. Ron spent most of his life at 120 Norman Road,West Malling, which his grandfather had built in 1924. After attending Maidstone Grammar School, he joined his fa-
ther in running Court Lodge Farm. The farm had been in the fam- ily for three generations and it was not until he retired that Ron decided to sell up. West Malling Parish Council bought 20 acres of it, now known
as Maceys Meadow. Ron used to enjoy caravan holidays in Scotland with partner
Joan well into his 80s. She predeceased him and he is understood to have had no family.
worth Business Centre, had feared that Kent County Coun- cil might not continue its cru- cial funding after September. But chief executive Irene Jef-
frey said: "We have been ex- tended until end ofMarch 2012 with KCC. That is a relief. Obvi- ously this will only be a six- month respite but very welcome for all that. "We were also successful in securing some underpinning funding from Children in Need for the young carers project. They have granted us a total of
Kings Hill fete MAGIC tricks, dance per- formances and a hearty hog roast are all part of Kings Hill’s summer fete on July 23. The day will also include
fun games and various stalls, from cake sales to jewellery craft. It will run from 10am to 3pm in the Market Square and community centre car park. If it rains, it will be moved to the community centre.
£86,470 spread over three years, which we are absolutely de- lighted with." Mrs Jeffrey added: "It takes
many strands of funding to make the project work so it is excellent news that we have some support from two major contributors. "So hopefully with the con- tinued generosity of the people of Maidstone, the project can go from strength to strength." The charity also recently re- ceived £6,345 from the previous mayor, Cllr Eric Hotson's fund. The young carers project
works actively with 120 five to 12-year-olds in Maidstone and part of Malling, with 40 more on the waiting list. "These youngsters have substantial car- ing roles, usually with parents or brothers or sisters," ex- plained Mrs Jeffrey.
Country park views RESIDENTS, councillors and conservation groups are all being urged to have a say on a draft five-year management plan for Leybourne Lakes Country Park, which opened in 2004. The plan is viewable this month at libraries in West Malling, Larkfield and Snodland as well as the borough council offices in Kings Hill and on
www.tmbc.gov.uk/LLCP. Deadline for completed com- ment forms is Sunday, July 31.
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