Residents’ anger at Powerhub plans


PROPOSALS to put a supermarket in St Peter Street have angered locals who have put their names to a petition to the coun- cil’s planning committee. More than 100 residents signed a letter to


the council, expressing concern about the level of traffic they claim will increase by 54% if a supermarket is built in the Pow- erhub building. The Green party’s Stuart Jeffery argued:


“There is overwhelming opposition to a su- permarket on St Peter’s Street, as the peti- tion shows. “Local people have suffered since St


Peter’s Street was turned into a shopping area, and the roads now regularly turn into


High regard for


primary school A REPORT from the National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools says Thurn- ham Infant School is highly re- garded in its community for the way in which it cares for chil- dren and supports families. The school was found to


share the understanding that all children are cherished, and used a wide range of resources to engage children in worship. The school aimed to clearly express its Christan values and the Church’s teaching of them, and to ensure all assemblies in- cluded a time of worship. It also aimed to enhance the use of Anglican tradition to reflect the Church year. Parents say the Christian ele-


ment of the school enhances their children’s learning and the school consistently offers support to families. Pupils had a strong sense of


the school as a family in which they are cherished and care for each other. The impact of collective wor-


ship on the school community was good, and these were times when children were made to feel both special and valued. The effectiveness of the lead- ership and management of the school was found to be out- standing, and the strong links with the local church and other groups showed the school was seeking tomake a wider contri- bution to the community.


Hospice golf day GET your clubs out for a char- ity golf day at Leeds Castle on Saturday, May 18, in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice. The team event is being or- ganised by HOGS (Horseshoes ‘Onourable Golf Society), which is based at the Horse- shoes pub in Dean Street, East Farleigh. Breakfast will be served from 7.30am with the golf staring at 8am and there will be late lunch, trophies and a raffle. Entry is £140 per team or £35 per person to join a team. Con- tact enquiry@thehorseshoe- seastfarleigh.co.uk


6 East


gridlock. Increasing the number of cars on them by 54% is madness.” Mr Jeffery said there were already six su- permarkets within a mile of the site, and a seventh was planned for the old Army and Navy store. He said: “There is no need for one here. It


will simply damage existing businesses. There is no bus service to the site and the nearest stop is 400 metres away so the ma- jority of people will be driving there.” LibDem ward Cllr David Pickett said: “I


am very keen to see a strong and viable ap- plication to preserve this venerable and iconic Grade 2 listed building. “This is a unique example in Maidstone


of one of the first Kahncrete factories to be built in this style and design in the UK [1917] during the FirstWorldWar. “The Victoria Coach Station in London is another similar example of this Art Deco style.


“Many local residents have indicated


that they want to see the Powerhub build- ing brought back into profitable use but that the traffic and pollution generated by the building of a supermarket on the site would only add to an already congested St Peter’s Street and surrounding roads. “It would be helpful if we knew if any of


the major supermarket chains were looking for a site at this location.”


Trust creates shopping centre garden


AFRUITFULpartnershipbetweenaMaidstone charity and the Town Centre Management has led to a “blooming’’ good result which everyone can enjoy. Volunteers from The Blackthorn Trust, which pro-


vides careandrehabilitation throughwork in the com- munity, have given a patch of waste ground outside the Chequers Mall a makeover. Now, visitors to the town who enter the Mall from


the bus station or the car park, can see the results of their labours, instead of a patch ofweeds. The Princes Trust contributed towards the project


whichused staff, volunteersand co-workers from The Blackthorn Trust, to enhance thelook of thegardenby planting, painting the railings and working together as a team as part of their development journey. The trust, based in St Andrew’s Road, helps those


who are recovering from health conditions. Rose Moore, who heads the charity’s gardening


team, said: “The project raises our profile in the town centre and has given a focus to the creativity and en- thusiasm of our volunteers. “We have forged a strong link with the TownCentre Management group and The Mall who now benefit from an attractive and sustainable garden where


OFSTED inspectors returned to Leeds and Broomfield Primary School to monitor progress, fol- lowing an earlier visit which decided the school required im- provement. They found a plan for im- provement had been produced by staff, senior leaders and gov- ernors which addressed the weaknesses. The plan included targets, and responsibility for monitoring progress was well defined. However, the plan was found to be too complex and some targets were unclear. Mentoring arrangements had


therewas once an untended patch of land.” The gardenwas opened with a ribbon cutting cere-


mony performed by Paul Alcock, chairman of Maid- stone Town Centre Management and Jan Prior, chief executive of the Blackthorn Trust, pictured above. TheBlackthorn Trust has a caféwhich is open daily


during the week, as well as a bakery, plant nursery and crafts for sale. For further information, visit www.blackthorn.org.uk


Some improvements at primary school Senior leaders and governors


been set up, with senior teach- ers supporting class teachers, but monitoring was not suffi- ciently focused on the specific areas for improvement. Observations of the teaching of


early reading suggested pupils’ ability to use their knowledge of letters and sounds was improv- ing. There was greater involve- ment of staff in decision-making and governors took their respon- sibilities seriously. The school was found to be developing better systems for communicating with parents and carers.


Gym’s food boost for charity


CURVESMaidstone Southhas collectedmorethanatonne of food items for a local charity. The fitness centre in Senacre Square waived its service fee for newmembers in return forabagof non-perishable food. Existing members had also donated food. Manager Phillipa Gill said: “It’s


beenwonderful seeing howgener- ous our members have been this year in difficult economic times. Phillipa also thanked the customers of Morrison’s who had left food


and other items in the group’s trolley over a three-day collecting period. The food will be passed on to the charity Restoring Hands.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


had begun to take effective ac- tion to tackle areas requiring improvement. To improve fur- ther, action should be taken to slim down the post-Ofsted im- provement plan so that it fo- cuses on the areas identified for improvement. There should be clearer tar-


gets so that improvements can be measured and governors should be enabled to work alongside local authority col- leagues to interpret and evalu- ate the impact of actions taken to raise standards.


Scout parking KENT Scout Group has been given permission to establish 20 temporary parking spaces for the next two years while it develops its new headquarters in Sandling. The organisation is develop-


ing an activity site near White Cottage, Grange Lane, and says it needs short-term parking and storage areas for contractors’ plant, vehicles and machinery. Maidstone Council granted planning permission on condi- tion that all equipment is re- moved after two years.


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