Family worship ANEWservice has been started at St Mary’s Church, Sutton Va- lence, to encourage more fami- lies to the church. The Worship4all service


takes place at 4pm on the fourth Sunday of the month. The June service had an Olympic theme, with teddy bears as athletes. They took part in running races and the high- light was a zip wire from the balcony. Youngsters also made Olympic torches to remind them to run their own race of faith. The short relaxed service has


its own orchestra, with musi- cians aged from seven to 47. Anyone who is musical is wel- come to join them – call Anna Kish on 842814. The service is followed by re- freshments with homemade cakes. The nextWorship4all service is on September 23.


Friends AGM THE Friends of Yalding Surgery are holding their AGM on Thursday October 4, at the sur- gery in Burgess Bank. The meeting starts at 7.30pm


and is open to all patients and local residents and is an oppor- tunity to learn more about the Patient Participation Group. Refreshments will be served before and after the event.


‘Spare £1.7m’ for regeneration


MAIDSTONE Council has con- firmed it will press ahead with plans to regenerate the lower end of Maidstone High Street, after finding itself with a spare £1.7m in the coffers. When the council approved


the initial spend inMarch 2011, it was agreed to carry out the work in a phased manner, due to a projected shortage of funds. However, the council’s prudent budgeting has led to an unex- pected surplus which, bymaking a few design refinements, means it can now press on and com- plete the second phase. The proposals involve retain-


ing the existing cannon plinth, rather than building a new one, retaining the three existing trees but not planting any others, re- taining the utility cabinets and


Hair salon opens


ANEWhair salon has opened inChart Sutton, as an extension to the grow- ing services offered at the Lilypie Café and bijou interiors centre. The Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie officially opened Lilys, the new hair and beauty salon, being run by stylist Jodi Grima. Jodi,whohas15years’ hairdressing


experience, has joined forces with Carol Filby, owner of Lilypie Café, which replaced The Buffalo’s Head earlier this year.


DownsMail Business Focus


Sharing the passion of antiques FAWCETT’S ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES


A BEARSTED couple have decided to invest in their passion by setting up an antiques and collectables shop in the centre of Maidstone. Tracey and Kane Fawcett sell thousands of items at Fawcett’s Antiques and Collectables, located in Market Buildings. The collecting bug began through attending boot fairs a few years ago “It was a hobby that turned into a business,” Tracey said. “We had our first stall at Detling antiques fair two


years ago and over time our collection has grown.”


As well as selling their own diverse range of items, the couple stock


goods by other specialised dealers, items include militaria, ceramics, Moorcroft pottery, glasswear, wooden carved items, taxidermy, toys, jewellery and locally found Roman coins. Fawcett’s also renovates and re-sells furniture, giving tired items a new lease of life.


Kane said: “We always try to research 4 South shadow puppets to a


1930s German accordion. “What we want is for people to come in and have a good look around and enjoy the shop.”


the history of the items which we can share with our customers.” Tracey’s passion lies in the quirk- iness of the items, from Indonesian


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


reducing the amount of granite paving by 33% and replacing with other, less costly,material. The design – and the changes


– will be discussed with the public, residents, businesses, bus holders, taxi drivers and the town’s disability focus group before being implemented. However, work could be un- derway by the end of the year. Themove has been praised by


town centre manager Bill Moss who said: “We congratulate MBC on their foresight and fi- nancial prudence, enabling them to complete the entire High Street regeneration proj- ect. It is hoped the Lower High Street will embrace the oppor- tunity to extend the Maidstone continental café culture.” However, the opposing LibDem


group on the council is less en- thusiastic. Not only is there still ongoing controversy over the de- sign of phase one, but the group is questioning how the ruling To- ries managed to get their budget so wide of the mark. LibDem leader Cllr Fran Wil-


son said: “If this were a private company and the estimates were so far out, someone would be for the high jump! How did we get it so badly wrong?” Cllr Wilson challenged the council’s decision to slash grants for events in the borough and said: “There is more to the borough than the High Street. The council needs to consider the impact elsewhere. How can we claim to be in dire financial straits, then suddenly ‘discover’ a spare £1.7m?”


Plea to fell trees MICHAEL Porter has applied to fell two protected horse chestnut trees at 21 Station Road, Headcorn. His supporting statement


says the trees are responsible for subsidence at 56 Chaplin Drive. It added: “Any trees felled will be replaced by like for like trees in the garden of 21 Station Road.” Maidstone Council will de- cide the application.


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