From a derelict wreck to elegant living


Anopening ceremonyhas takenplace atAudley Mote House, the large new retirementscheme in Mote Park. The project involves the conversion of the 18th century Grade II-listed building.Downs Mail presidentDENNIS FOWLE was there to give his views on the project.


WOW! What an amazing, exciting transformation toMoteHouse, the historic building at the heart of Mote Park’s new independent re- tirement village. Guests at Audley’s opening cer-


emony looked on in awe at all that has been achievedby adventurous, luxurious design inwhat had dete- riorated to little more than a derelict wreck after Cheshire Homes vacated the building. The house will be the social and


health and wellbeing centre for owners of the 100 residences, being opened for over-55s who choose to live in this beautiful part of rejuvenatedMote Park. There are 14 apartments in the


main house, 24 cottages in the walled garden, 10 apartments in the gatehouse lodge and the re- maining homes will be new-builds


or conversions. About 20 proper- ties have been sold, and as the de- lights of Mote House become obvious, interest mounts for prop- erties ranging in price from £310,000 to £565,000. The morning room, library,


restaurant, bar/bistro, and recep- tion areas inMote House are now completed, and soon there will be a health and wellbeing area with indoor swimming pool, exercise room, physio area, hair and beauty salons. The opening ceremony was per-


formedbymayorRoddNelson-Gra- cie, who said: “Iamamazed at the transformation since I lastwalked around a derelict building.” Maidstone Council, which agreed the sale of this site, was thanked by Audley Retirement chief executiveNickSanderson for


its help in ensuring this major proj- ect happened. “It looked so sadwhen I first saw


it,”hesaid. andrecalled thedelays and financial help needed in a very tough economic climate. Early residents said they were


enjoying theexperience,withMote Park as “their garden” and the park-and-ride service to Maidstone centre just a short walk away off Willington Street.


A sticking point for town’s litter louts


GUM-spitters beware! The council is out to catch you. Maidstone’s £2.5m pedestrianised


pride and joy is already pitted with disused chewing gum – and offend- ing gum-toters will soon be told: “This is a stick-up”. The council’s environment wardens


are empowered to treat gum deposits as litter – for which a fine of £75 ap- plies.


Cabinet member for the environment


Cllr Marion Ring said: “Spittinggumon the ground is as bad as dropping litter, if notworse, because it is more difficult to remove.We will have no hesitation in taking action against people caught of- fending.”


Following the installation of the showpiece granite paving, the council has bought a more efficient street-


Truck driver banned TONY Birchard (44), of Or- chard Grove, Aylesford, was banned from driving for 18 months at West Kent Magis- trates’ Court. He admitted driving a Mere-


cedes truck in Station Road, Aylesford, on June 18, while disqualified andwas ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He must also pay £85 costs.


Cream tea at church CREAM teas and home made cakes will be on offer at the Church of St John the Baptist in Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury, from 2-4pm on Thursdays, Au- gust 23 and 30. For details, contact 01622 817974.


14 Malling


cleaning machine which will also re- move gum deposits. Cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Malcolm Greer, said: “We are confident that we can clean off just about anything anyone can throw at it.” The entire surface was due to be


given a final acid clean at the begin- ning of July after which the council’s own cleansing programme would kick in, he said. In the meantime, the council is looking at a new campaign to raise awareness of gum-spitting, although Cllr Ring stressed there would be no repeat of the controversial “stick it here” boards which were put up on a previous occasion. She said: “We are looking at edu-


cating the public, while operating a strict policy of enforcement.”


The public will be able to use the


bar and bistro facilities in Mote House, forexampleaspartofaday out inMotePark. Therewillalsobe a limited number of memberships for over 55s wishing to join theAu- dley Club for exercising or relax- ation.


Picnics and events will be arranged for the public during the year and the house will open on heritage open days.


Rural school approved HADLOW College’s bid to launch a free school with a rural ethos has won approval from the Department for Education. The Hadlow Rural Community School will open in September, 2013, and will be holding taster days and other opportunities to visit before the big day. The new school will be situated on the college cam-


pus, with its own entrance and recreational areas. Open to youngsters aged 11 to 16, the new school


will provide a unique facility in Kent.Applications for year 7 currently stand at 83, with 82 for other year groups.


Junior school head retires HEAD teacher Bob Holder has stepped down after 23 years at Ditton Junior School. Mr Holder has been head for 15 years and his pred- ecessor, Martin Broadly, was among the guests at a farewell party. Chairman of governors, John Wainwright, said Mr Holder had a genuine love of working with children and remembered the name of every child, probably every one who had been a pupil. The head of Ditton Infants, Jenny Jones, will become executive head of both schools.


Allotments lease signed over THE long-awaited allotments at Kings Hill have moved a step closer after Liberty Property Trust handed over the lease for the land at Heath Farm to the parish council. Planning of the allotments has now started, and construction is


due to begin in the autumn. It is expected that plot holders will be able to start work on their land by the end of the year. Kings Hill parish council has taken on a design consultant to de-


velop plans for the allotments, to make the most of the space. The parish council will now consult with a focus groupmade up


of 12 residents randomly selected from the waiting list for plots The parish council is still looking for more land for those who are not successful in getting one of the Heath Farm plots.


Heart disease test on offer A POTENTIALLY life-saving test that can detect the risk of heart disease is being offered toNHSpatients in Maidstone and Malling. Anyone aged between 40 and 70 can take the non-invasive test, which uses ultrasound to measure the width of the carotid ar- teries and can detect whether a person is at increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Patients can self-refer, or be referred by their GP. For more information like to know more about the free service should speak to their GP or call 01622 211720.


Tory hopeful CLLR Tristan Osborne has been selected by local Labour Party members to fight for the Chatham and Ayles- ford con- stituency at the next General Election. Amem-


ber of Med- way Council, he was educated in Rochester and is a former Special Constable with Metro- politan Police. He will be campaigning to re-


gain the seat won by Conserva- tive Tracey Crouch from Labour minister Jonathan Shaw in 2010.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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