Larch must stay MAIDSTONE Council has re- fused an application to fell a larch tree at 17 Greenwich Close, Maidstone. Andy Sutherden felt the tree
was unsafe after a tree surgeon said there was evidence of rot at its base. The report said: “The tree has grown too large for its location and root structure and is now a danger to the house and neighbouring properties.” However, the council’s deci-
sion notice said a visual inspec- tion revealed no visual defects or fungal decay. It added: “The council considers the removal of the larch tree would be to the detriment of the amenity and character of the area.” The council did, however,
grant permission to reduce the crown of a yew tree by 30%.
Extension for annex PLANNING permission has been granted for a single storey annex at 58b Poplar Grove, Allington. Maidstone Council granted consent on condition that materials used in the con- struction matched those used in the existing building.
Beauty therapy plan CAROL Dowle wants to estab- lish Tranquility, a shop offering chiropractic, beauty therapy and complementary health, at 62 Lower Stone Street, Maid- stone. It would replace Mobile Media Communications Ltd.
THE new East Wing of Maid- stone Museum and the Bentlif Art Gallery has been shortlisted for another niche design award. The EastWing, which opened following much controversy earlier this year, has been nom- inated in the architecture cate- gory of the Elle Decoration British Design Awards 2012. The awards are sponsored by
the Daily Telegraph and John Lewis, and thewinners are cho- sen by public vote, with voters having the chance towin £5,000 in John Lewis vouchers. London-based HughBroughton Architects designed the East Wing, which has already won a highly-coveted RIBA award. Thewing includes two golden shingle and glass-clad exten-
sions and a new gallery space for the museum’s Japanese art collection, and was designed to interact with the original Eliza- bethan building. This is the 11th year of the
Elle BDAs, which recognise useful, beautiful and original new work by British designers for UK and international brands.
Security sales alert PEOPLE have been warned about giving away personal details to alleged salesmen. David Graham, vice chair of trustees at Maidstone Salvation Army, raised his con- cerns after a man claiming to be selling se- curity goods called him from a withheld number. He said: “If a number is withheld and someone is asking about personal house se- curity, they could catch people unawares. “If the caller has your phone number, the chances are that they may also have your address, and by telling them about your house alarms etc you may be making your- self an easy target for burglars.”
22 East
Call to cut uniform costs
ANEWcampaign by Maidstone Citizens’ Advice Bureau is urg- ing schools to help families cut the high cost of kitting out their children during the recession. Maidstone CAB says too many schools still insist uniform should only be bought from ex- clusive suppliers, rather than cheaper supermarkets and high street chains. Their “adding-up” campaign
says schools should: Ensure uniforms can be bought from a range of outlets Offer sew-on badges which
can be put on plain clothing Encourage recycling or
swap schemes Choose colours which can
be carried over from one school to the next Appoint a governor to check the affordability of
parental expenditure Bonny Malhotra, chief execu-
tive of Maidstone CAB, said: “We are seeing more and more families struggling with the high costs of uniforms and kit.” Mr Malhotra said many of the
new academies had opted for costly uniforms and said: “Schools should help struggling families keep costs down.” He criticised those schools which insisted on uniform being purchased directly from the school at a hugely–inflated cost, to subsidise school funds. He said: “We are calling on schools to help families by adopting sensible, lost-cost policies on uniform which com- ply with Government guidance on affordability.” Mr Malhotra said he would also like to see more local au-
Volunteers help RSPCA A GROUP of colleagues from UK Power Networks took time out of their busy schedules to carry out work at an RSPCA animal centre. Staff from the connections department,
in Bircholt Road, Park Wood, went to the centre in Leybourne, on August 8, where they laid a patio, stained fences, cut hedges and cleaned up the car park. They also helped to clear a meadow of plants that are poisonous to animals and met some of the animals looked after by the charity.
thorities provide school uni- form grants for those in finan- cial need. At present, only 40% of schools provide grants. CAB evidence suggests little
has changed since Department for Education research in 2007 showed that more than a quar- ter of families on annual in- comes under £15,000 were spending more than 20% of their income on school costs. One in six had to buy uniform
from a designated shop or from the school, despite government guidelines issued in 2004 that school clothing should be avail- able “off the peg”. Maidstone’s St Simon Stock School has already begun to im- plementmeasures to cut costs. Deputy head Ruth Simpson
said: “In 2010 we phased out blue shirts in favour of white be- cause they tend to be more widely available and cheaper. “This year, we have changed
the girls’ school skirt to a cheaper skirt which is more widely available on the internet. “By the end of 2013, it is
hoped to have our uniform com- petitively priced in three differ- ent suppliers. “The school PTA also offers
Agie Smolinska and Karen Aspinal stain fences at the centre
good used clothing to parents who may struggle to pay for new uniform - a service which is dis- creet and well used by parents.”
Museum wing in line for another award Ofsted praise
Last year’s winner in the ar- chitecture category was another gallery – the 5,000 sq metre Hepworth gallery inWakefield, West Yorkshire, which is Britain’s largest purpose-built gallery outside London. Maidstone Museums man-
ager, Simon Lace, said: “This is another great coup for the mu- seum and for Maidstone. It will spread the name of our county town and the excellence of our museum and heritage far and wide if we are chosen as the winner." Voting closes in October,with
the winner being announced in December. To vote, visit
rebelsincontrol.com/ bda/2012/2012shortlist-10-
hughbroughtonarchitects.html
New sports hall agreed THE Valley Invicta Trust has been given planning permission for a sports hall and changing rooms to serve both of its schools, Valley Park and Invicta Grammar, on condi- tion that archaeological items of interest are recorded during construction.
Bungalow to be replaced JAMIE Chapman has been given permission to replace a bungalow in Fairview, Faver- sham Road, Lenham. Maidstone Council granted the go-ahead on condition that the existing bungalow and associated outbuild- ings/mobile home are removed within three months of moving into the new home.
for childminder SHEPWAY childminder Angela Smith, who operates from Derby Road, has been graded as good in an Ofsted report. Ofsted found Angela had an excellent range of resources which she used creatively to help children reach their po- tential. Safeguarding was given very high priority. She had a strong partnership
with parents and worked hard to make all children and their families feel welcome. The children were “squealing
with laughter” and were mak- ing good progress in all areas of learning during the inspection. They were well prepared for school and learning because of their experiences with the childminder, the report said.
School anniversary ROSEACRE Junior School will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of itsmove to its present site on October 10 and 11. Past pupils, staff or anybody with an inter-
est in the school are invited to join pupils for a guided tour by pupils on the Thursday, from 10am to noon. The school is also trying to extend and de-
velop its archive of photographs and memo- ries of both Roseacre School and its previous incarnation as Bearsted School. Please call school secretary Mrs Edwards on
01622 737843, write to Roseacre Junior School, The Landway, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, or email
office@roseacre.kent.sch.uk
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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