Fans’ joy as Stones come home
After some 11 years away from the county town, Maidstone United have played their first match at their new stadium in James WhatmanWay. A £1.6million fundraising project by owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey has delivered a 3,000- capacity stadium in the heart of town, making the Stones one of the first English clubs to build a new stadium with a third-generation (3G) surface. NEIL NIXON was present to savour a momentous day for the Isthmian League Division One South club
MAIDSTONE United’s home support happily trooped away from the inaugural match at Gallagher Stadium on July 14, feeling a great deal had been achieved, despite pouring rain and a comprehensive 5-0 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion. The pre-match announce-
ments featuring the words “Gallagher Stadium, home of Maidstone United” went down very well with the capacity crowd of 2,226. David Prosser was one of sev-
eral fans seeking out the name- plate showing he had sponsored a grandstand seat. “Maidstone United FC will
be a more real entity with a home in the town whose name it wears on its badge,” he said. “There is a definite sense of be- longing among the fans, who have followed the club all round Kent, just waiting for the day when it comes home. “No matter how bad things
got, these supporters and their fundraising activities made the whole thing worthwhile.” David’s point was supported
by the sight of a small army of Maidstone shirts trooping out of pubs in the town and head- ing for the 3pm kick-off, some- thing not seen in the town for almost a quarter of a century.
Another supporter, David Us- borne, said: “This is a great day for the town and the club, foot- ball can bring prosperity here.” The club had organised events to make sure the first game was a real celebration; a move mirrored by fans like Ian Packer, a supporter for 12 years, who dressed as a penguin with a commemorative message scrawled on his white front. Perhaps the best news for the
club was the presence of somany children, some attending their first Maidstone United game. Once the game started, stories
were swapped amongst fans. Some holdmemories of a freez- ing night at a Kent League Cup game at Sittingbourne in No- vember 2006, with a crowd of less than 100 and no away fans. The hope among the home support is that such low atten- dances and such footballing lows will now be consigned to history.
Takeaway idea
for pub refused A PROPOSAL to turn the for- mer Eagle pub, on the junction of Loose Road and Old Tovil Road, Maidstone, into a hot food takeaway, has been re- fused.
Maidstone Council’s decision statement said: “The submitted scheme shows a small, shed- type building, lacking in detail and with an inappropriate flat roof. The proposed corner loca- tion, quite close to Loose Road, would emphasise these nega- tive aspects, particularly in views of the side of the build- ing, which would appear to be dominated by operator signage. “Such a building would be harmful to the street scene and to the character of the area.” However, the notice added
that a building with more fen- estration and architectural de- tailing, and with a properly pitched roof, might be looked upon more favourably. In January 2011, planning permission was granted to build a retail showroom in place of the one-time pub, which was demolished in 2009.
12 Town Playgroup youngsters ‘happy’
OFSTED inspectors who vis- ited Invicta Park Playgroup in Maidstone, found that the children are safe, secure and happy. Their individual needs are
met by interested enthusiastic adults, and children made good progress in their learning and development. Staff have a strong knowl-
edge of the Early Years Foun- dation Stage and implement it well, the inspectors reported. The manager of the play- group, which is located in the Invicta Park Barracks, was de-
scribed as an inspiration to her team andwas said to work well with external agencies. Children are encouraged to
take part in role play and to talk about their home life, where many have parents de- ployed abroad with the Army. The staff strive constantly to improve the nursery and are clear about the way forward. Inspectors said the overall provisionwas good, but could be improved by developing the outdoor area to give the children first-hand contact with the natural world.
Plan to extend hours at pizza takeaway WAHIDULLA Masoudi has asked for longer opening hours at his pizza takeaway, Pizza Hot 4U, at 34High Street, Maidstone, for the second time this year. In March 2012, he was given permission to trade until 1am from Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays; and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. He nowwants the premises to stay open until 5am seven days a week. Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.
Reptiles shop wins permission to move PLANNING consent has been given for a reptiles shop to move into 64 Lower Stone Street, Maidstone. Maidstone Council granted permission for Respect for Reptiles to replace Hyten Services Care &Mobility Centre.
Plea to extend
priory home GARETH and Catherine James have applied to demolish a garage block and build an ex- tension behind Barnjet Priory, Tonbridge Road, Barming. The supporting statement
said: “The existing property is in need of modernisation to sat- isfy the requirements of an ex- tended family. “The proposal is for a ground
floor extension and a small area of first floor accommodation above the existing garage. “The extension will not affect Barnjet Priory as the proposals will be well inside the site at the rear of the property, and away from neighbouring prop- erties. The new development will be fully integrated to the surrounding area, with similar building style, and will en- hance the character of the ex- isting residential stock by improving the environmental standards. “This will be embracing both traditional and modern build- ingmethods. The site will con- tinue to be used as one residential property.”
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
Above: David Prosser with the seat he sponsored. Below, Abigail, five, gets her first glimpse of the new ground Left, Thirteen-year-old Amy Browne gets a hug from MUFC mascot Iggy
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 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64