Award for village history group


MARDEN History Group has won a national award for its community archive. Some 63 submissions from


across the country were entered into six categories of the com- petition, run by the national Community Archives and Her- itage Group (CAHG), supported by the Archives and Records Association, UK and Ireland. The history groupwon the in- augural overall Community Archive of the Year title. In addition to the award, the


work of the volunteers at Mar- den’s Heritage Centre was also recognised with the prize for the Most Interesting Community Archive for solving the location of theMarden Bronze Age hoard. The announcements were


made at the CAHG’s 6th annual Conference in London.


Holiday park


extension plea THE Cherry Tree Park in Church Hill, Boughton Monchelsea, has applied to stay open all-year round. Currently, the holiday caravan park is not allowed to open between Janu- ary 14 andMarch 1. The request has been made following recent decisions made by Maidstone Council to allow sites, such as Pilgrim’s Retreat in Harrietsham, to stay open all-year round. The supporting statement


said: “The applicant is now at a trading disadvantagewith other operators in the area, such as Pilgrim’s Retreat, who are able to offer units for 12 months of the year.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Scheme refused ABRAHAM Beaney’s applica- tion to site a caravan for holi- day use in Headcorn has been refused.


Maidstone Council turned


down the scheme for land south of LenhamRoad, oppositeWater- den Road, because it “would cause significant and unaccept- able visual harm to the scenic quality and distinctive character of this part of the Low Weald Special Landscape Area”.


Request to remain MRS Pearson wants to stay at hermobilehomeatHigh Winds, Gallants Lane, East Far- leigh, for another three years, due to health issues. Temporary permission was granted for her residence inNo- vember 2001. Maidstone Coun- cil will decide the application.


Mobile home plan LILA Ponton has resubmitted an application for two mobile homes at Oak Lodge, Tilden Lane, Marden. A similar scheme was withdrawn last July.


30 South Marden History Group chair-


man David McFarland made a presentation in support of the submission and was joined by archaeologist John Smythe,who displayed items from the Bronze Age hoard to the confer- ence members. CAHG chairman Laura Cot-


Mr McFarland said: “We are


Dr Nick Barratt, Marden History Group


chairman David


McFarland and deputy chairman Eunice Dodswell


ton, who was also chairman of the competition judges, said: “The Marden story was inspira- tional. The enthusiasm and ded- ication of


the Marden


volunteers leapt from the sub- mission; their achievement in opening and running the her- itage centre was substantial.”


just a village, but we believe we may be the only such centre in the UK to operate in this way and be open for 18 hours each week.” The following evening, John Chambers, Laura Cotton and Marie Owens of CAHG, and family historian Dr Nick Barratt visited the Marden Heritage Centre, where Dr Barratt pre- sented the awards. The guests, and members and history group volunteers were joined by Cllr Paulina Stockell and parish councillor Dorothy Reed for a celebration. KCC, Marden Parish Council


and Maidstone Borough Coun- cil were instrumental in fund- ing the original 2008 set-up of the Heritage Centre, which is based in the library.


Gypsies ‘want a place to settle’


GEORGE Beaney has applied to change agricultural land into a caravan site for a gypsy family in Greenfields, Stilebridge Lane, Linton. The scheme would include


the introduction of two cara- vans, the erection of an amenity building and laying of hardsurfacing. The supporting statement


said: “The site is intended for occupation by George Beaney, his partner Fay Bumby and their children Jordan (14) and Casey (11). They are a Romany gypsy family and have always


returned to this part of Kent when not away travelling. “George was born in East Sut-


ton, and has a brother and three sisters in the Maidstone area. Planning permission has recently been granted for his brother’s caravan site, and two pitches for the Ackleton family at Orchard Nursery, Chartway Street, Kingswood. “They need a settled base


where they can provide proper facilities and obtain regular schooling for their children. “The caravans would be lo- cated between a large agricul-


Travellers’ bid to stay THE travellers who moved on to land at Lind- field Farm inWillow Lane, PaddockWood, have asked Maidstone Council if they can stay, Michelle Smith, from Fosterdown Gypsy site


in Caterham, has submitted a planning applica- tion for four pitches to house one gypsy family, several months after they moved on to the land. The application is for change of use to residen-


tial, plus permission to keep horses, build stables and a utility block – all of which are in situ.


THE chairman of Maidstone Council’s planning committee has voiced concern at the num- ber of gypsy families living in a rural road near Staplehurst. The committee granted per- mission for a static caravan and touring caravan to remain on land east of Maplehurst Lane, Frittenden Road, for an- other five years. A gypsy fam- ily has been living on the site on a temporary basis and ap- plied for a further temporary stay that had been deferred by the committee in March. Cllr Richard Thick said five traveller families lived in Maplehurst Lane, compared to four settled families. “It is forced domination,” he added.


tural building on land to the south-west and a stable build- ing on land to the north, where they would be largely screened from public view.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


Bigger pitch needed KATY Smith has applied to move to a different pitch in Horseshoes Paddock in Lucks Lane, Chart Sutton, because she feels there is currently not enough room for her, her hus- band and three children.


Call for extra caravans LISA Smith has applied for two extra mobile homes and utility blocks for a gypsy family on land next to Primrose Paddock, Stockett Lane, near East Farleigh. According to the supporting statement: “This


will enable the client to support the two cousins for which we have already submitted evidence of need.” There is already consent to site one mobile home and one touring caravan at Primrose Paddock.


Enough is enough, says chairman


when we are looking at sites, they are ones that do not upset the settled community. There comes a time when enough is enough.” However, Cllr Lusty also said


The temporary travellers’ site in Maplehurst Lane


Committee chairman Cllr Richard Lusty said: “I am get- ting exceedingly concerned at the number of pitches in this road. If we are not careful, we are going to have a high con- centration of gypsies that will be considered unacceptable to the settled community. “I would ask officers that


the presence of the two cara- vans was acceptable following meetings between the appli- cant and planning officers. It was agreed that there would be additional landscaping and hedging; fencing would be reg- ularised; the mobile home would be moved to the back of the site; and hardstanding on the northern end would be softened. The committee was in favour


of the scheme by six votes to three, with one abstention.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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