January/February 2013


Serving local people, businesses & events in Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling


Pete is our local hero


STREET cleaner Pete Gardner has received accolades from businesses and councillors in recognition of the fantastic job he does keeping West Malling spick and span.


Traders are so impressed with his devotion to keeping the streets tidy that


they held a collection and presented him with a gift and card to mark his 65th birthday on Christmas Eve.


Pete, who works for Tonbridge and Malling Council contractors Veolia, was also praised by West Malling Parish Council for his


unstinting efforts and for his assistance when there was a major lorry fire in Town Hill. He happened to be on the spot and helped to advise motorists that the blaze had forced the closure of the road between the A20 and Swan Street junction.


The parish wrote to the borough council to put its thanks on record.


Pete’s bright and cheerful dedication won him a 2012 Environmental Champions award in the borough scheme that recognises people for “going the extra mile” to improve their neighbourhood. He was praised for being so conscientious that even cigarette butts out of plant tubs go in his sack.


Great start for new shops


TIM Baldock’s Abbey Arcade in West Malling High Street is proving the ideal startup site for new retailers.


Four businesses have expanded into their own shops in West Malling after starting life in the arcade and some others have moved to other areas.


The success story includes the Chocolate Umbrella, Abbey Antiques and Fragolina retro shop, with some others moving to Sevenoaks, Chatham and Benenden.


The arcade’s 18 units house a wide range


Sign of success


NEW signs proclaiming it as the winner of the prestigious Kent Rural Community of the Year 2012 award are now up on all the approach roads to West Malling.


The competition is open to any community in the county with a population of less than 5,000.


West Malling was described by the judges as “a bustling hub of business life for its local community”, offering a wide variety of choice


of businesses from jewellery, gifts and crafts to hair, nails and beauty treatments.


Tim, who also runs Moor and Mountain Ski Shop, said: “If someone is thinking ‘new year, new venture’, this is a great opportunity. Due to retirement , we do have four units spare at just £50 a week.”


Fragolina is due to move into the former Baldock’s store on the corner of Swan Street in March. The 16th century building has been split into two units and one is still available to lease.


Crowning glory


PLANS for a Coronation Jubilee Festival


weekend on


June 1 and 2 have received a boost with a KCC grant to fund the Sunday concert by Eynsford Concert Band in St Mary’s Church, West Malling.


Under new conductor Mike Smith, currently Director of Music of the Grenadier Guards, the Eynsford band will perform coronation and related music with the 53-strong brass and wind concert band. Malling Community Choir will also take part.


for consumers.


The parish council had to submit reports on what made it a better place to live and work, maintaining community contact and a


better environmental future.


The judges praised the entry pack as the best they had seen in 25 years of the competition.


Cllr Trudy Dean, chairman of Malling Action Partnership which is co-ordinating the festival, said: “We are in for a treat of military and coronation music to round off the weekend from a larger group of musicians than have ever performed in St Mary’s before. Mark the date in your diary!”


For details of the Coronation Jubilee celebrations, or offers of help, contact Trudy on 01732 843119 or trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk


A Malling Action Partnership publication


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