Rescue plan for Yalding gardens
VILLAGERS and volun- teers are join- ing forces to get the gates back open at Yalding Gar- dens. The gardens re-opened in a blaze of pub- licity in 2010 after local business- man Paul Smith, from Loddington Farm, took over the lease.
Yalding Organic Gardens began with a gift of 10 acres of land and money in trust from Donald and Pixie Cooper, who owned an organic farm in the vil- lage, with the aim of set- ting up a display garden for the Henry Doubleday Research Association, now Garden Organic. The HDRA started the project in 1992 and the gardens were opened by Prince Charles in 1995. Garden Organic pulled out of the gardens in 2008.
Despite a wide range of initiatives, including activity days for children, wildlife tours and talks and a cafe/restaurant, the project failed and the company ceased trading in October. Now, an informal group of villagers has been working with Mr
Smith and trustees from the Congelow Trust, which owns the site, on a rescue package. Spokesman Martin Johnson said: “There is strong support in the village for the gardens. However, it is clear that new capital is needed, as well as a restructuring and reorganisation of manage- ment and staffing if the gardens are to succeed.”
No to fencing HOWARD Hughes has been thwarted in his attempt to add a garden area bounded by a 1.8m high close-boarded fence at 31 Downs Close, Headcorn. Maidstone Council said the proposal would “result in the loss of an attractive soft land- scaped area of land which makes a positive contribution to the locality. Its loss and re- placement with close-boarded fencing against the pavement
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would be out of character with the area.”
Homes refused JOAN Jepson has been blocked in her bid to erect three de- tached houses in the rear gar- den of Faren House, Workhouse Lane, East Farleigh. The scheme would have in- volved the demolition of the ex- isting integral garage and
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The Friends of Yalding Organic Gardens, headed by John andMag Tate, have been in discussions, as have the previous operators, Tania andWerner Neumann. It is understood Hadlow College has been approached, along with or- ganisations such as the RSPB and the Soil Association. Mr Smith was due to present
his business plan to the trustees as the Downs Mail went to press and a campaign has been launched to get local volunteers to help out with various tasks.
Mr Johnson said: “Yalding is full of talent and many people have alreadyworked as volunteers at the gardens. Ideally, we would like up to 50 people offering at least two hours a week in a number of voluntary roles – not just gardening. “We will need help with advertising, PR, event planning and ad- ministration, as well as in the gardens themselves.” While thework would be unpaid, the group are looking to offer in- centives, such as shares in garden produce or free tickets to events. To be involved contactMartin Johnson on 01622 815498 or email
martin.Johnson@
virgin.net
replacing it with either a new garage or parking area to the front of the plot. But Maidstone Council re-
fused on account of no ecologi- cal survey and inadequate parking and turning areas.
More parking
ANadditional 21-space parking area has been permitted for the rear of The Coxheath Centre medical practice in Heath Road. Maidstone Council granted
planning permission on condi- tion that all trees on the site are retained.
Polytunnel training
CHIEFGLEN K9 Training School has been given permis- sion to erect a polytunnel at 8 Wilberforce Road, Coxheath. The structure will be 48ft
long, 18ftwide and with amax- imum height of 8.5ft. The ap- plicantsaysitwillbeusedto train dogs.
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