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Purge on town


centre taxis TRESPASSING taxis could soon be stopped in their tracks in Maidstone town centre. Officers are to look at the cost


and feasibility of acquiring en- forcement cameras to pick up registration plates of cabs which come in from outside areas, as already happens in Medway and the London Boroughs. Dennis Conyon from the Maidstone Taxi Proprietors As- sociation has asked the Town Centre Management and Night Economy Business Forum for backing in a bid to clamp down on outside cabs plying for trade in the town, particularly in the busy High Street. John Littlemore, Maidstone Borough Council’s Head of Community Services, said he would investigate. “We had looked at it before


and thought this could be a quick fix, but it is clearly not,” he told the town’s Night Econ- omy Business Forum.


Pool conversion PROPOSALS to convert a swimming pool at an Aylesford bungalow into bedrooms and dayrooms have been submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Council. The pool room at the The Venture, 18 Collingwood Road, would then become a garden store.


MIDKENT College has unveiled a scheme to refurbish its Maid- stone campus in Oakwood Park, Tonbridge Road. The college is planning to re-


College vision for future


academic studies; and con- struction and engineering. One of the features is a central


locate some of its departments to the neighbouring University for the Creative Arts campus, which has freed up more space to improve its own site. The refurbishment includes infilling, glazed links and cladding to boost the faculties of well-being; profession and


car park, which opens up the possibility of accessing both campuses from a pedestrian spine link. This, in turn, could release the current staff and stu- dent car park land for alterna- tive, possibly residential, use similar to the adjacent plot once owned by Hadlow College that last year received outline plan- ning approval.


A planning application, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, says the scheme will improve the visual impact and “brand legibility” of the campus; create a heart to the college within the courtyard area; enhance the visibility of the entrance reception area and locate possible retail outlets ac- cessible to the public; as well as locate a discrete service yard next to the estate road for ease of access.


Mote House nears completion


THE five-year renovation of Grade II listed MoteHouse by Audley will be completed this summer, with the official opening planned for July 6. Many of the original features of


the Georgian mansion and its sur- rounding grounds, are being re- stored to their former glory. These will include the 2.5-acre


walled garden, the clock tower, stables with horse name plates and livery, old brew house, Geor- gian iron hand water pump, ice houses, the splendid staircase in the main house, and Georgian steps within the grounds over- looking the Len valley. Visitors to the surrounding 450-


acreMoteParkwillbeable to stop at themain house to enjoy tea and cake in the restaurant, which re-


£25,000 boost for community groups


CHARITIES and organisations in and around Maidstone are being offered the chance to win £25,000 to help fund future projects and celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The Cobtree Charity Trust dis- tributes about £150,000 each year, supporting more than 60 local organisations with their running costs. But the trustees also make an annual award, this year dubbed the Cobtree Jubilee 2012Award, to help specific projects. These can be anything from


sports club changing rooms, Scout and Guide facilities to a new church spire or kitchen. The pot of cash can go to one


major recipient or be divided into several chunks. Trust chairman Richard Cor-


ben said: “Times are particu- larly tough for charities at the moment, with so many people chasing ever-diminishing re- serves. “The idea of this award is to


help one or more local organi- sations, who can demonstrate why they need a particular “lift” to turn their dreams into reality. The scope is vast and all applications will be carefully considered by the trustees.”


Mr Corben said: “Applica-


tions must comply with the ob- jectives of the Cobtree Charity Trust and are therefore welcome from organisations working to enhance the lives of those need- ing support, for the benefit of the public or working to pre- serve the fabric of historic buildings.” The Cobtree Charity Trust Ltd


was founded by 12-times Mayor of Maidstone Sir Garrard Tyr- whitt-Drake and his wife, Lady Tyrwhitt-Drake, and the council leases Cobtree Manor Park from the Trust. In order to apply for the Ju-


bilee Award, you or a represen- tative of your organisation needstosendanemail


to


richardcorben@hotmail.co.uk, telling the trust about your- selves, your organisation, the work that you do and your fu- ture plans, and how you would spend the money. Applications should describe


the work or project, with a fi- nancial plan attached, as well as a copy of your annual report and accounts. The deadline for entries is


June 30, and the £25,000 will be awarded at a special ceremony in the autumn.


To apply,


your application should include:- • Details about you


• Your present plans Email to:


richardcorben@hotmail.co.uk The cobtree Charity Trust Ltd Reg. Charity No. 208453


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Closing date for entries June 30th 2012


Malling 13


• The work you do • Your future plans


• Your annual report & accounts


The renovated Mote House will re-open on July 6


tains its original splendour. Once the house is open, Audley


plans to recruit locally, particu- larly for guest services, including restaurant, bar and health and fit- ness staff. People, aged over 50, from the


localcommunity,willbeinvited to join the Audley Club, which is lo- cated in the main house. It in-


Cobtree Charity Trust


cludes a gym, swimming pool, restaurant, bistro and library. The Mote House Village con-


sists of 100 houses, cottages and apartments, for sale to those aged over 55. There are also 12 unique apartments in the main house. The house and park have a long


and varied history, including visits by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1531, and by King George III and prime minister William Pitt in 1799 to inspect 3,000 troops of the Kent Volunteers. In 1941,Mote House was com- mandeered by the Army as a headquarters and training facility during the SecondWorldWar and was later used as offices for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.


Cobtree Jubilee Award 2012


Your charity or charitable


organisation can win up to £25,000


Applications are welcome from a wide variety of organisations with projects started or are ready to start, given the funding.


Your charity


Twenty five thousand pounds


October 2012


£25,000 Cobtree Trust


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