New inspector
The new museum, left, and below, MP Helen Grant cuts the ribbon with mayor Brian
Mortimer Opening day for museum
THE new-look Maidstone Mu- seum has officially re-opened, following an extensive multi- million pound makeover and the addition of a new east wing. Housing a collection of more
than 60,000 artefacts and speci- mens, the museum is now one of the largest in the South East. Clad with “gold” shingles which hint at the museum’s col- lection of treasures, the exten- sion offers 40% more display space and includes lifts, a new café and a Japanese gallery. Two easily accessible education rooms have also been created. The first, for visiting school parties, is fully equipped with the latest audio-visual equip- ment. The second, a beautiful Victorian library, has been re- furbished to provide a meeting room for life-long learners and a
baby changing facilities. Maidstone and theWeald MP
gallery space for the museum’s fascinating art collection There is also a new-look re- ception area, occupied by Maid- stone’s Visitor Information Centre and the museum shop. Improvements also include a new café, cloakroom, toilets and
Helen Grant, who cut the offi- cial tape with Mayor of Maid- stone Cllr Brian Mortimer, said: “Our museum has always been a fantastic way to spend a day in our county town, but with new space for school groups, formal meetings, lunch and much else besides, there is now more reason than ever to come to Maidstone Museum. “I am proud to have such an inspiring institution in the midst ofMaidstone.” She congratulated manager Simon Lace and his team, as well as Maidstone Council, on theirwork to bring the project to fruition. Costing £4.2 million, the scheme received £2 million Heritage Lottery cash as well as private and public funding.
Children plant a tree for jubilee PUPILS from Laddingford primary school reception class have planted a forest of trees for the Queen’s Jubilee. Parent Bek Bibby obtained 60 trees – including an oak sapling grown from a tree on the royal estate – to enhance the village’s Jubilee field.
Gift of gold grows on trees
A FRUIT business in Staplehurst has donated £1,000-worth of trees to promote apple growing skills. The Cheerfull Gold – spelled
with an extra ‘l’ – was launched at the National Fruit Show last year, having been developed by fruit tree wholesaler John Breach of Chittenden Orchards (pic- tured). An orchard of 260 Cheerfull
Gold trees has been planted at Pershore College, Worcester- shire, as a source of learning for students and growers. The gift follows a similar dona-
tion to Hadlow College of trees whichwere planted in 2010 and produced their first crop last year.
Children from the school, who use the field for play and sports, donned gar- dening gloves and got stuck in to plant the saplings, which will give some welcome shade once they reach full height. Bek, co-owner of Blooming Green, who is also a Friend of Laddingford School (the PTA), came up with a plan to create new wooded areas, shady glades and awildflower meadow on the field after obtaining the saplings from theWoodland Trust. She said: “There was some doubt as to whether we could get the
Bek Bibby with reception class pupils AmélieWarner, Hannah Rae and Tia Coster
trees in before the Jubilee, but the plan has come together and this is perfect timing. It’s a great way tomark the Queen’s Jubilee, with something that will be a permanent reminder.” To mark the fact that Britain is hosting the Olympics this year, the trees were planted in the form of the five-circle Olympic logo.
Keep your car on the road PLACES are available for two short courses in carmaintenance at MidKent College’sMaidstone Campus. The 10-week programmes – one for beginners and one for ad- vanced – cost £195 each, andwill run every Tuesday evening, start- ing from April 17. MidKent College’s purpose-built motor vehicle workshops in-
clude engineering and vehicle body repair facilities and students will learn from a team of highly-qualified staff.
Visitwww.midkent.ac.uk for more details, call 01622 625917 or email
jane.fennell@midkent.ac.uk for an application form.
for town centre AN OFFICER with 25 years ex- perience has been appointed to head policing in Maidstone town centre. Insp Mark Hutcheon (pictured), has joined the team from the Sevenoaks district, where he was responsible for the police element of the commu- nity safety unit in the area. He replaces Insp Dave Cole-
man, who is now the Neigh- bourhood Inspector in Swanley. Insp Hutcheon has worked as
a detective in the west of the county within the major en- quiry team, the public protec- tion unit and the intelligence unit. He was also acting detec- tive chief inspector in West Kent, heading up the local CID. He said: “Dave Coleman’s
work has been appreciated by those who work in the town centre and I will be looking to build on his success. “We have a great working relationship with retailers, the town centre management and Maidstone Borough Council and these are crucial to keeping the county town a safe place to visit.”
Parish clerks
standing down LONG-serving clerks at two parish councils are to retire. Sue Bassett is to leave her
role at Staplehurst from April, having served the last 16 years as a clerk. Before that, she was assistant clerk for two years. However, Sue will stay on as finance officer on a part-time basis. SueWotton(65)istoretire
from Broomfield & Kingswood after seven years. She is looking forward to spending time with her family, including her fourth grandchild, due in the summer. She added: “My home is in Maidstone and Iwill go back to spending more time there al- though having made a lot of lovely friends in the parish I will also carry on being actively involved in things locally.” As Downs Mailwent to press, neither council had announced their replacement.
School open date CORNWALLIS Academy in Linton, held a language and sci- ence evening to show off its new building. Activities included firework making, flame testing and a combustion show, along with Chinese calligraphy, origami and language tuition. There was also a chance for visitors to sample food dishes from around the world.
20 South Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56