Hotel
manager Dominic Di Cara with
trumpeter Kenny Ball
Tribute to jazz legend
JAZZ trumpeter Kenny Ball passed away just four days after he was due to perform at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Holling- bourne. The legendary musician, aged 82, had been suffering from pneumonia. He and his band had been booked to entertain guests over Sun-
day lunch on March 3, but he was not well enough to play. It would have been the third year that Kenny had performed at the hotel.
General manager of the hotel, Dominic Di Cara, said: “His son
Keith stepped in to replace Kenny, supported by a trumpeter from the Chris Barber Band. Kenny was a true professional, and a gen- tleman.” Kenny Ball was best known as the lead trumpet player in the band Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Jazz and comedy at arts studios STEPPING Stone Studios, a community-led arts hub, is cele- brating its first year anniversary in Maidstone by launching a new jazz and comedy club. The studio was set up to provide exhibition space for local artists and to run creative workshops. Now The Studios, in St Faiths Street, next to Brenchley Gar-
dens, has launched the monthly Blue Moon Jazz Club and The Comedy Club. The Comedy Club hosted guest comedian Joey Page in March,
andmanymore upcoming comedy stars from the London circuit are lined up. The pop-up jazz club takes place on April 19 and June 7, with tickets for dinner costing £20 a head. For more information go to
www.steppingstonestudios.co.uk or email
info@steppingstonestudios.co.uk.
Bluebell Walk THE Heart of Kent Hospice will be holding its annual Bluebell Walk on Sunday, May 5. The 8.5-mile walk starts from Harrietsham village hall,where there is plenty of free parking, and registration opens at 9am. At the end of the walk, there
will be a well-earned plough- man’s lunch as well as cake, craft and fruit stalls. The entrance fee is £10 for adults, £3 for children, and £25 for a family of five. Dogs are also welcome. For more information call
01622 790195, email fundrais-
ing@hokh.co.uk or go to
www.hokh.org.
Access gate consent LESLIE Needham was given permission to install a field ac- cess gate at Primrose Cottages, Otham Street, Otham.
Pre-school care OFSTED inspectors who went to St Martin’s Pre-school in Shepway found that the chil- dren felt safe and secure. Relations between staff and children were strong, and the pre-school was said to offer a satisfactory standard of care, with many good resources and activities. To improve its rating, obser- vation and assessment should be improved, and planning should reflect children’s indi- vidual interests. Self evaluation did not iden- tify all areas for improvement.
Juniper removal ETIENNE Greeff has been given permission to remove a juniper tree at Brook House, Lower Street, Leeds. Maidstone Coun- cil granted planning permis- sion on condition that a replacement tree is planted.
Book now for mayor’s spring ball tickets TICKETS are still available for the Mayor of Maidstone’s spring charity ball on April 6 at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Holling- bourne. The black tie event starts at 7pm for 7.30pm, and tickets are £39,
with proceeds going to the mayor’s charity fund. For details or to book, call 01622 602183, or email mayor@maid-
stone.gov.uk.
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 23
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