Pub scoops regional title


THERE have been some chang- ing faces behind the bar of the Stile Bridge, Marden – and the pub is already raising a glass to success. The pub and restaurant, at the


foot of Linton Hill changed ownership in January, when long-serving licencees Matthew Rudd and Emma Cole moved to pastures new. However, new manager Marc Hoffman is no stranger to the regulars, having been head bar- man at the pub for the past four years. The business has been bought


by a private investor, and Marc was delighted to be retained as manager. He was even more thrilled to


Homes scheme ‘would push out town’s boundary’ Tracey Leaver, Julie Sawyer, Charles


learn that the pub had been voted Maidstone and Mid-Kent CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for 2012.


Judges concluded: “At least


five real ales are usually avail- able, plus proper ciders, lov- ingly cared for by Marc. The


Continued from page 1


built within our boundary, it will predominantly be seen from Langley and will impact that village most. It would very much close the gap between Maidstone and Langley.” As Downs Mail went to press,


Village raises a glass to festival TORRENTIAL rain failed to deter the dozens of real ale fans who turned out for the 15th annual beer festival at The Chequers, Laddingford. Regulars and visitors swigged their way through 22 beers from all over Britain – from the Caledon- ian Brewery in Scotland, to Sharp’s Brewery and St Austell in Cornwall. With specialist cheeses,


a barbecue and music from local bands, plus a tractor rally supported by local farmers, the event was declared a resounding success by licensees Charles and Tracey Leaver.


Leaver, Steve Turner and Geoffrey Hosman


Cllr Munford said his parish council was still determining a view on the proposal. The spokesman for Taylor


Wimpey added: “Wewill hold a public exhibition in the sum- mer to give local people the chance to view the scheme and


tell us what they think. “The feedback we receivewill


be used to help develop our pro- posals and a planning applica- tion will only be submitted after we have consulted fully with the local community.”


food is good and can be eaten in the bar or the separate beamed restaurant. “You can spend ages just looking at the memorabilia and general ‘stuff’ which festoons the bar area.” Marc said: “The CAMRA judges base their scores on a


number of factors over several visits. We are now hopeful of going forward to be the Kent Pub of the Year – maybe even becoming the national champi- ons.” He and wife Emma are also looking forward to the birth of their fourth child in July.


Borehole helps to beat drought


Continued from page one Because Alison’s home is in


the low-lying part of the village and close to the water table, she only needed a relatively shal- low borehole. Alison’s supply is now trig-


gered each time she turns on an outdoor tap,which activates an underground pump. The only visible sign of the borehole is an eight-inch diameter hole sunk into the front drive. She said: “I didn’t buy a


house with a beautiful garden to see it shrivel up and die. I am very ecology-conscious and this seemed the most sensible solution.” South Eastern Drilling services carried out the work at a cost of about £1,500, but typical prices are closer to £5,000 for a garden supply, rising to £15,000 for a household supply. Consumers can draw up to 20,000 litres of water a day be- fore requiring a licence and the average household uses just 150 litres a day. Some boreholes may require planning consent, depending on the extent of the engineering works, and a spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council said: “Our advice for anybody considering such works would be to seek advice from the council planning department.”


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