Library complex opens to public


BOOKWORMS have been wel- comed toMaidstone’s multi-mil- lion pound library and archive centre, which opened, on April 23 – St George’s Day and William Shakespeare’s birthday. The state-of-the-art building,


in JamesWhatmanWay, replaces the Centre for Kentish Studies and East Kent Archive Centre, as well as Maidstone Library and the Springfield Library. It houses more than eight miles of docu- ments and over 40,000 books. Members of staff, dressed in Elizabethan costumes, gave short readings from Shakespeare dur- ing the day. Displays included a University


for the Creative Arts student project on the move to the new centre and a timeline of Kent history. In the evening, local crime writer Elizabeth Haynes talked about her work and signed copies of her books. The new library was built by


KCC cabinet member Cllr Mike Hill cuts the ribbon, with KCC officer Amanda Honey and KCC chairman Cllr Paulina Stockell, right.


Bouygues UK and Warings and, alongside the centre, new flats have been built on behalf of Housing 21 andWest Kent Hous- ing. A new addition to the li- brary is the restaurant, built as part of the Housing 21 residen- tial block. The centre includes improved library and IT services,Wi-Fi in- ternet access as well as the use of meeting rooms.


Music morning helps charity MORE than 100 people attended a music and arts morning hosted by Bourne Musicians, Beccy Stroud and Sally Stuart, in aid of Emilia’s Little Heart Foundation. The charity was founded byWest Malling Primary School head Darren Webb and his wife Claire, of Ham Lane, Lenham, after their three-year-old daughter died of a rare heart condition. It helps other children who have to spend time in hospital. The event, atHollingbourneVillage Hall, raised £385.Claire said: “Emilia attended Bourne Musicians from the age of one. This will mean many children in hospital will now receive art and craft activities.” For details go to www.emiliaslittleheart.org.uk.


Foreign lorry charge KENT Green Party has wel- comed Government proposals to charge foreign heavy goods vehicles using the county’s roads from next year. Press officer Steve Dawe said: “Although the Government is planning to charge the maxi- mum amount per lorry permit- ted under EU law, thismeasure will only be a first step towards reducing long-distance lorry freight.”


Art club exhibition COBDOWN Art Club is holding an exhibition at The Brassey Centre, Aylesford, on June 9 and 10. Formore details, email secre-


tary Carol Vella at carolv2@hot- mail.co.uk


HADLOW Carbon Community was chosen by Kent County Council to be one of four low carbon communities in Kent back in 2007. Since then, members have worked hard to raise awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable use of resources. Hadlow College encouraged


the formation of the group and worked with it to submit a joint


Residents clean up RESIDENTS joined the British Trust for Conservation to col- lect 13 bags of rubbish at Yoak- ley Lane, Aylesford. The group hopes people will


take their litter home in future. This event was run as part of BTCV’s Kent Heritage Trees Project, which is a five-year Heritage Lottery Fund project taking place across Kent.


Job plans at agency A KINGS Hill firm is expand- ing and hopes to create 30 jobs. Media agency The Specialist


Worksmoved into its Churchill Square premises three years ago. It is now moving to larger offices at Tower View with plans to increase staff numbers there from 25 to 55.


Group cutting carbon footprint


bid for funding, but the commu- nity today is run by villagers and this grass roots approach to sus- tainability is seen as a key factor in its success. It meets at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at the Two Brewers in Maidstone Road, Had- low. For details, visit www.had- lowcc.wordpress.com, email hadlowcarbon@gmail.com or call Hildegard on 01732 852054.


Visit our showroom


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Malling 13


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