Mopping up after show ‘wash-out’ By Jane Shotliff


Clockwise, from right: May


ORGANISERS of the Kent County Show expect to have lost more than a quarter of a million pounds following the worst weather in the show’s history. More than 16,000 visitorswere turned away on the first day of the three-day event at the Kent County Showground, Detling, as the car parks and animal pens turned to quagmires. Advance ticket holders and visitors who had driven miles to share in the 83rd annual agricul- tural event lashed out at organis- ers for not preparing sufficiently for the show, knowing what the forecast was. Only the earliest arrivals man-


aged to secure parking, with car parks being closed by 11am each day because of the mud. Thosewho managed to get into


the showground itself found con- ditionswere not much better. Some traders, whose takings


were hit by the fall in numbers, have vowed never to return. Kent County Show usually at-


tracts up to 80,000 visitors and it was the first time that the gates had to be closed. The show is organised by the


Kent County Agricultural Soci- ety,whose chairman, George Jes- sel, apologised for the inconvenience, but said safety had to be a priority. He said: “It was amassive chal-


lenge to keep the show open, and weare grateful to thosewhowere


Essex, left, and Holly Berreen, from Cobtree Young Farmers were prizewinning dairy young handlers;


Harrietsham’s Chris Bone was awarded best sheep exhibit by former Newsround presenter and Countryfile host John


Craven; and Chris Bone, from Harrietsham, won the Alding- ton Trophy for the best Jacob fleece.


able to attend. “Our staff and volunteers were magnificent in coping with the difficult conditions. “Wewould like to apologise for


any inconvenience, but public safety was of paramount impor- tance.” Staff and volunteers worked


late every night and throughout each day to repair the car parks, as rain battered the showground. Two hundred tons of bark chip-


pings and more than 100 tons of crushed bitumen were used to help create firm surfaces. Roger Moore, executive man-


ager at the showground, said: “Visitors who did make it to the show were determined to have a good time despite the weather. We had to close various sections of the car parks on each day to ensure public safety. However, many people did use public transport.” AmongVIP visitors to the show


were Caroline Spelman, Secre- tary of State for the Department


A GROUP of eight lime trees that have been a fixture of Lenham’s historic village square for more than a century could be under threat. Business owner Paul King


says the roots of the trees are damaging the foundations of the former Lime Tree restaurant, which he took over in March, and has applied to have the trees removed. He says he has been unable to insure the building against sub- sidence, and that the enclave of 10 shops in neighbouring The Corner House, which he also owns, is badly affected. Mr King says lime trees should be at least 60 feet away from any building to prevent in- trusions, but one of the trees in The Square is just 13 feet from the former restaurant. “My application is quite con- troversial,” he admitted. “The trees have been there a long time, but were replaced about 20 years ago and it is common sense that you do not put lime trees this close to buildings. “As much as local people like


the trees, it is an unacceptable situation because I have to un- derpin the former restaurant. If we take the trees down, people will at least be able to get a bet-


14 East


of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson and fellow Coun- tryfile presenter John Craven. Visitors were able to buy county-produced fare from crisps and ice cream to cheese and pick- les in the food and Produced In Kent tents. With displays of aerial gym- nastics, greetings from Titan the


Call to fell historic lime trees


robot, show-jumping displays, cooking demonstrations, birds of prey, the sheep-dancing show and a Spitfire flypast, there was plenty to keep visitors busy. Pre-booked ticket holders re- quiring a refund will be offered equivalent tickets for the 2013 show. They should send this year’s tickets to the showground office with a covering letter.


Restaurant ‘not


fit for purpose’ ANOTHER attempt is being made to convert the Lime Tree Hotel and Restaurant in The Square, Lenham, into homes. In September last year, a schemewas withdrawn follow- ing the closure of the restaurant in Christmas 2010. A new pro- posal seeks to convert 8 and 9 The Square into two dwellings. A supporting design and her-


ter view of the nice old build- ings. I want the debate to start about removing them.” Mr King will have to get con- servation area consent to re- move the trees, but this may prove difficult, as he has not produced a replacement for the trees. “I want them to be re- placed by a more suitable tree which is slow-growing with a small root, so can be controlled easier. “I would like whoever planted


the trees in the first place, possi- bly Maidstone Council, to make a contribution and plant a more appropriate tree.” Chairman Cllr Nigel Godfrey


has been a member of the parish council for more than 20 years


and cannot recall the trees being replanted. “I do sympathise with Paul buthewillhavea great fight to get those trees down. They have been there for many years from the days they used to sell cows in the market. “Limes have the most intru-


sive root system of any tree, but they have been there hundreds of years – and so have the build- ings. I can see Paul getting a lot of resistance from local people.” As Downs Mail went to press,


the parish council had not met to discuss the application.  What do you think about


the prospect of the lime trees being cut down? Email your thoughts to stephen@downs- mail.co.uk


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


itage statement said: “The busi- ness has been in decline for the past 10 years. It is not econom- ically viable to restore it for hotel use because a buyer could not be found after two years of marketing. “The hotel and restaurant is


not fit for purpose. It has dan- gerous stairways, narrow corri- dors, which step up and down due to poor interconnection of no 8 and 9, which were built as separate houses. “This project will give Lenham Square two restored Georgian-fronted town houses. Past unsympathetic alterations and additions will be removed. Period windows, doors, and railingswill be replaced. Struc- tural failures will be rectified. This scheme is excellent for Lenham.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


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