Garden open day success Talks closer on


MORE than £1,500 was raised when Yalding Gardens opened its gates to the public for the first time in nine months. A group of enthusiastic gar- deners and community volun- teers have been turning out to try and keep the gardens, closed last October, neat and trim. The results of their hard work


were on show on Saturday, June 30, when former head gardener Nick Robinson gave guided tours and there was a children’s treasure hunt to keep the younger visitors amused. There were almost 300 visi-


tors on the day, and the Friends of Yalding Organic Gardens have now decided to repeat the event three more times. The gardens will now be open on Sunday, August 19; Satur-


Plan to convert


barn to homes TWO new dwellings are to be established in Goudhurst Road, Marden. A planning application has


been accepted to convert the Grade II Listed Tanner Barn and outbuildings on Tanner Farm to residential use. Maidstone Council granted permission on condition that a landscaping scheme was agreed, that took into account all existing trees and hedgerows, and showed meas- ures for their protection.


company of his friends, and had a love of Italy and all things Italian. “He also loved watching foot-


ball, especially big games in- volving England, Manchester United and Chelsea. We en- joyed holidays, especially the time we spent in Spain, but the main thing people will remem- ber about Joe is that he was a re- ally loving and caring man.” The eulogy at his funeral in- cluded the words: “Joe will al- ways be remembered for his honesty, a local businessman who was highly respected by


day, August 25; and Bank Holi- day Monday, August 27, from noon until 4pm. The gardens were established


15 years ago to promote organic gardening in association with the Henry Doubleday Research Association. The HDRA pulled out five years ago, and two pri- vate operators have tried to keep the gardens open to the public, with limited success. The volunteers are now work-


ing with the leaseholders, Lod- dington Farms, to save them. Martin Johnson, who has co- ordinated the voluntary activity, said: “We are looking for more volunteers and people with a range of skills, including busi- ness management, financial management, fund-raising and bid-writing.”


About a dozen volunteer gar- deners turn out twice a week to keep the gardens in check but Mr Johnson said more would be welcomed. He said: “We have about 70 supporters on the books, but only a handful are active. How- ever, when it comes to open days, we have lots of people willing to help with cooking, cleaning and baking of cakes!” Several people have shown an interest in running arts and crafts workshops at the gardens and a new leaseholder is be- lieved to be interested in taking on the gardens in their entirety. In the meantime, gardening volunteers or those with busi- ness brains to spare should con- tact Martin Johnson on 01622 815498


Pupils’ Lion King wows audience CHILDREN at Ladding- ford Primary School put on a colourful end- of-term performance of the Disney classic The Lion King. The school was


packed for both per- formances, as the pupils sang and danced their way through excerpts from the popular musical, written by Tim Rice and Elton John. The whole school took part, with spectacular masks made by the


staff and face painting by teachers and parents. Director Emily Cooper said: “Itwas fantastic.”


We will remember


everyone who met him.” Joe leaves his partner, chil-


dren and grandchildren Gio- vanni, Olivia and Alfie.


Stuart Dyer STUART Dyer spentmore than 30 of his 91 years in West Far- leigh, where he and his late wife Irenewere activemembers of All Saints’ Church and the Evergreens, which he was in- strumental in forming.


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Stuart and Irene lived in Mill House until moving to Surrey to be closer to their daughter some seven years ago, as Irene’s health deteriorated. Born in Cardiff, Stuart was a


keen sportsman in his youth. After leaving school he joined Lloyds bank and went to work in Birmingham. Through the church and local tennis club, he met Irene, but theywere sep- arated by the war, when Stuart was posted to India with the Army. They married on his return to England, living first in East-


bridge HGV ban THE long-standing rumblings over heavy traffic crossing Yalding’s historic bridge could soon be silenced. A 15-year battle to get lorries


and HGVs banned from the vil- lage hasmoved one step nearer completion, and villagers will soon be asked for their views. Talks have been taking place between KCC and Yalding Parish Council over the extent of the restrictions, which will ef- fectively prohibit heavy vehicles using a section of the B2162 from Nettlestead to Benover. The scheme is being funded


out of Cllr Paulina Stockell’s member’s highway fund, but she told the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board: “This is taking forever!” Marden and Yalding Cllr Annabelle Blackmore said: “This goes back as far as Febru- ary 1997, and we don’t appear to be any further forward.” Kent Highways officer Ben Hilden said there was just one flaw to be ironed out before it went for discussion.


Extension scheme A PLANNING application has been submitted for a two-storey side extension and front porch at Tawahi, Priory Close, East Farleigh. The scheme, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, includes the conver- sion of garage to a utility room and ground floor alterations.


bourne. However, his work with the bank was to take him all over the country. He wrote a popular and influ-


ential textbook on banking and, at the height of the banking cri- sis in the 1970s, was seconded from Lloyds to manage the af- fairs of a bank in difficulties.He worked first in TunbridgeWells and then in London, moving to West Farleigh in 1972. This was to be Stuart and


Irene’s longest stay in any one location.


Wherever they lived, the


church played a large part in their lives and Stuart was a churchwarden at All Saints’ for many years. He and Irene also shared a love of music, enjoy- ing concerts and the opera. Stuart cared for Irene as she became increasingly affected by arthritis until her death in Feb- ruary this year. He was still driving at the age


of 91 and only a few months ago drove to Oxfordshire for the funeral of fellow Evergreen John Evans. Stuart died suddenly of a


heart attack while gardening on July 17. He leaves three chil- dren, Nadine, Paul and Jen- nifer, who are very sad to have lost both parents in the space of a few months.


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