All change at the Hazlitt
MAIDSTONE Council is look- ing for outside bidders to run its popular Hazlitt Theatre in Earl Street. The theatre, named after
Garden work
finally agreed MEMBERS of Maidstone Coun- cil’s planning committee were satisfied by the measures taken by a bungalow owner to im- prove a rear garden terraced area in the Loose Valley Con- servation Area. In a committee meeting in August last year, councillors criticised the introduction of hard landscaping at Rhencullen in Bridge Street and deferred the scheme for improvements. Applicant Robert Clements’ revised scheme sees a gabion wall structure replacing or cov- ering existing timber sleeper re- taining walls. Cllr Jim Andrew, of Loose Parish Council, said there was still strong local opposition, but Cllr Clive English said: “Gabion takes a while to settle, but it is the most workable and fairest solution.” The revamped scheme was accepted by 10 votes for, with two against.
William Hazlitt, the famous es- sayist born in Maidstone, opened in 1955 and seats 350 people. As well as hosting tour- ing music, drama and comedy productions, it provides a venue for local music and drama, lectures, presentations and pantomimes. Members believe that an ex- perienced company is better
Over 55s club THE South East Maidstone Ac- tive Retirement Association (Semara) meets twice a month at Heather House, ParkWood. Meetings take place on the
first and third Fridays of the month, with activities ranging from line-dancing and short mat bowls to trips to the pan- tomime, shows and holidays. The club has a thrivingmem- bership of more than 200 over 55s and new members are al- ways welcome. The club has recently ob- tained a grant of £1,750, which has enabled it to purchase 40 new chairs. For further information on ac- tivities, contact Ian Pearce on
IRF.Pearce@
blueyonder.co.uk.
placed to take the theatre for- ward, given its value to the local community, rather than the cur- rent cash-strapped council, and has issued an invitation to ten- der.
However, secrecy surround-
ing the proposal has left staff, as well as potential users of the theatre, in limbo, until the out- come is decided. Cllr Malcolm Greer, cabinet member for economic develop- ment, agreed that the services provided by the Hazlitt Theatre and Arts Centre could go out to
Axing to be observed MAIDSTONE Council has de- manded one of its officers should be in attendance when a cherry tree is grounded in Whitchurch Close, Maidstone. The borough’s planning de- partment granted permission for Ronald Amphlett to fell the protected tree on condition an officer can observe while the tree is being felled.
Fire office accepted KENT Fire and Rescue Service has been given conservation area consent to demolish three single-storey buildings at its headquarters in Straw Mill Hill, Tovil. The scheme includes the erection of a single storey office block at the same location.
tender in April last year. The tender took place and it was open to any company, trust, charity or members of staff to submit a tender to provide the services. Two tenders have now been received. Cllr Greer is expected to make
a decision on the future of the theatre, probably before the end of March. A spokesman for the council
said: “The managers of theHAC have been fully engaged in the discussions about its future.”
Burglar jailed A WINDOW cleaner who bur- gled a property in Laddingford has been jailed. Josh Allen (21), of Loose
Road, Maidstone, was door- knocking in the Laddingford area seeking window cleaning work. A homeowner in Cleavesland
didn’t answer her door, but a short time later found Allen in herkitchen.Heran offwith only a box of painkillers. His fingerprintswere later found in the house. Allenwas later arrested at his partner’s house. He denied bur- glary, but was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to 34 months in prison.
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