Vocational centre plans
KCC WANTS to establish a vo- cational training centre for the hospitality industry at Oak- wood House, Oakwood Park, Tonbridge Road,Maidstone. A planning statement said:
“The vocational training would complement the existing use and particularly support the weddings and public events at theweekend while allowing for training at other times. “Thiswould give trainees real
life experience in a work envi- ronment. The range of catering from hospitality, buffets and
breakfast through to silver serv- ice dinners and weddings will provide opportunities that are not readily available at any other vocational centre. “Kent County Council will
work with the new service provider – yet to be appointed and contingent upon planning consent – to ensure that training activities complement the busi- ness and match or exceed the service that is provided to Oak- wood House customers. “This programme will enable business development and in-
Young farmers muck in!
YOUNGfarmers from Maidstone have been helping residents aroundBowerRoad deal with the drought. They bagged upmorethan two tonnes ofmanure,
which was sold door-to-door, raising £188 towards equipment for this summer’s Kent County Show. Club president, Cllr Stephen Paine, said: “The
young farmers showedmore entrepreneurial savvy than any contestanton“TheApprentice”. This is an- other example of young people making a positive contribution backto societyby literallymucking in!” Manure is one way in which residents can help
keep their gardens moist and rich in nutrients. Kent has 22 young farmers’ clubs. To be a young
farmer, youmust be aged
between10and26.More information can be found
atwww.nfyfc.org.uk
Town is arson ‘hot spot’
MAIDSTONE town cen- tre and parts of Shepway and Park Wood have been singled out by Kent firefighters as ‘hot spots’ for trouble. Youngsters are be- lieved to have been re- sponsible for 46 fires across the county in the first week of the Easter holidays –many of them outdoors. Of 119 grassland and rubbish blazes, 85 are be- lieved to have been started deliberately and it is suspected that chil-
dren and young people aged 17 and under are believed to be responsi- ble for more than half of them. Kent Fire and Rescue Service community safety manager, Stuart Skilton said: “These fires can eas- ily spread out of control, putting lives at risk. “The consequences for
those caught committing arson are serious and can result in large fines or several years in jail – possibly a life sentence if someone is killed.”
Court threat over extension A BUILDING surveyor employed by Maidstone council was given permission to erect a rear exten- sion at her home in 127 London Road, Allington. Trudi Garner’s application succeeded, despite a neighbour claiming the extension could not be built without it encroaching on to his
land.Mr Lloyd said: “If the application is allowed, Maidstone Council leaves itself open to civil action.” But committee member Cllr Clive English said: “Planning law makes it clear that planning decisions have to be made on planning issues. If the council chooses to ignore this we would lay ourselves open to an expensive appeal.” The committee unanimously granted planning permission.
More sign up to save bridge BARMING and Fant areas are likely to join East Far- leigh with petitions to keep heavy vehicles off nar- row East Farleigh Bridge over the Medway. Apetition to Maidstone Joint Transportation Board
is already being signed by East Farleigh residents. The listed bridge is frequently damaged by large lorries which regularly flout a ban from using it. East Farleigh Parish Plan Action Group will be circulating the petition throughout the village.
18 Town
School makes progress HARD work has paid off at aMaidstone school that has earned praise from Ofsted. Park Way Primary School has made good progress in the three key areas identified at its last full inspection in October, 2010, when it was rated satisfactory. Monitoring inspector Jacqueline White, who visited in March, said pupils’ achievements, at- tendance and the teaching had all improved. Head teacher Karen Dhanecha was praised
for her strong direction to the work, well sup- ported by senior leaders. Performance manage- ment was robust. The school had been asked to focus on pupils’ behaviour and had been working hard and effectively on this with parents and carers. Attendance was improving and was cur- rently above the national average.
MAIDSTONE and the WealdMPHelen Grant met with local farmers and sampled their wares when she vis- ited thefarmers’mar- ket in the Royal Star Shopping Arcade, Maidstone. At the invitation of
the Royal Star Arcade, local farmers pro- moted the first farm- ers’ market to be held in the shopping centre formany years. Stalls throughout
the centrewere selling local fresh fruit and vegetables, preserves, cheeses, bread, plants and much more. The Royal Star Arcade Farmers’ Market will operate every month from10.30am to2pm, with
the next event planned for Friday, April 20. Mrs Grant said: “I have a
great loveandhugerespect for our beautiful country- side and it was really great
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
come generation to run in par- allel with a day-release, full- time or residential apprentice- ship training programme and will allow young people to gain accredited qualification in a real and demanding workplace environment.” The centre will link with
other vocational centres, such as MidKent College. “Training facilities of this na-
ture will be the first of its kind in the country,” added the sup- porting statement. KCC will de- cide on the application
Bard on tour THIS summer’s Shakespeare presentation by the Hazlitt Arts Centre and Changeling, “As You Like It”, opens at Boughton Monchelsea Place on Friday, June 22. There will be three more per- formances that weekend before moving to Mote Park on Tues- day, June 26. The show tours Kent and has
a second run at Boughton Monchelsea Place on July 6-8. It comes to The Friars in Ayles- ford on July 13 and Loose vil- lage on July 14, concluding at Dandelion Time, East Farleigh, on Saturday, July 21.
Charlton opening MAIDSTONE United’s new stadium will be officially opened in a friendly against Charlton Athletic on July 14. As Downs Mail went to
press, about half of the tickets had been sold for the all-ticket clash, which will be the first at the Stones’ new 2,400-capacity stadium at James Whatman Way.
Disabled parking A PARKING fee has been intro- duced for blue badge holders at the special bays at Maidstone Hospital to match charges at the new Pembury Hospital. The trust says charges are based on the ability to pay, not physical ability.
Blooming good sale A PLANT and book sale is being held by Maidstone Men- cap, at Cobtree Hall,Mote Park, (School Lane entrance offWill- ington Street). Doors open at 2.30pm. Call Margaret Leeds on 07903 196333.
Flats application A PLANNING application has been lodged to build two flats next to 126 College Road, Maidstone.
MP shows support for farmers’ market
to see agricul- ture and retail working to- gether in the town centre. “Itisthis
type of initia- tive and posi- tive action that is crucial for our eco- nomic recov- ery, andIam thrilled to see Maidstone taking a lead on this.” Mrs Grant is pictured with
Royal Star Arcade centre managerLynneBoyd; Maid- stoneTownCentremanager Bill Moss; and Claire Ed- wards of Witherden Farm, Headcorn.
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