Cash for community schemes Language skill


FIVE community projects which aim to benefit residents in Maidstone’s High Street ward have been awarded a total of £9,508. The successful schemes include a plan to re-


paint the Gala bingo hall and help for the elderly Nepalese community living in the town. Projects were shortlisted by the Community


FirstHighStreetPanel,which wasmadeupof representatives of Maidstone Council and High Street Ward residents and businesses, before being displayed in Maidstone Gateway so that residents could vote for the projects they thought the most deserving. The successful applicants were presented with


their cheques by Mayor Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie. The funding came from the £80 million govern- ment-funded initiative “Community First”, which aims to help communities come together to plan for their future and become more resilient. Penny Reed, ward resident and panel member,


said: “We’re so pleased to see somany people tak- ing part and deciding how the money is spent in their community. Itwas a pleasure to meet every- one and celebrate their success.” Groups receiving awards were: Maidstone Baptist Church, Youth Ministry: £2,500 The church will provide a Christian summer holiday activity programme for young people in years 6 to 11 who live or come into the ward. The programme will run on a Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks. Each day will have a different theme, with various activities that will enable young people to get involved. Maidstone YMCA, Family First Fitness: £2,500 To increase community participation in wellbe-


ing activities and promote social inclusion using funmini “flash” style wellbeing workshops in the open spaces, parks and play areas of the ward.


Mayor of Maidstone Rodd Nelson-Gracie and Cllr Denise Joy with the cheque recipients


Maidstone Sea Cadets: £2,000 They will buy more equipment so they can


carry out further training, education and aware- ness of first aid, piping skills, chart and naviga- tional skills, cook steward and boating skills. This will prepare members for their future and make them aware of life skills. Stepping Stones, Gala Bingo mural: £1,508 Stepping Stones will repaint the wall of the


Gala bingo hall, which is a prominent feature of the one-way system in the town. The project will bring together young people to help cut out sten- cils in a series of workshops over six weeks. The painting will take place on a particular day get- ting young people involved. Maidstone Nepalese Community: £1,000 Maidstone Nepalese Community applied for funding to support the group that meets every Sunday at Midhurst Court, Mote Road. It is pri- marily aimed at the elderly Nepalese community to educate and help people learn about living in the UK and Maidstone in particular.


rates highly MAIDSTONE’S Cornwallis Academy has achieved a top 10 slot in a national Mandarin com- petition, after students tested their vocabulary skills online. The Academy, in Linton, achieved eighth place in the na- tional Vocab Express Mandarin Challenge Cup Grande. Liam Mace, in year 8, achieved 38th place overall in the individual student category and was presented with a cer- tificate from Vocab Express to recognise his achievement. He was one of 24,000 stu-


dentsfrommorethan250 schools that competed by log- ging on to Vocab Express to test their vocabulary knowledge.


Takeaway at pub MOHAMMED Islam wants to set up a hot food takeaway at the Railway Tavern in Station Road, Staplehurst. The plan is to convert the north-eastern wing of the build- ing into a food preparing area. The application, which will


be determined by Maidstone Council, requests opening hours of 5-11pm and would create an estimated four jobs.


Satellite at prison LISTED building consent is being sought to install a satel- lite dish at East Sutton Park Prison.


Maidstone’s Rural Older Persons Forum


Your opportunity to have your say on local issues, meet people and help shape the future of your area


Join us for this FREE interesting and social morning event for people over 55 living in rural areas of Maidstone borough. Light lunch and refreshments included


Question panel and talks from :


-The Kent County Council Chairman - Elect, Eric Hotson -Medway Valley Countryside Partnership -Action with Communities in Rural Kent


Head of planning at Maidstone Borough Council, Rob Jarman. Stands and information from various organisations.


Thursday 30th May at Headcorn Village Hall 10:00am-1:30pm


If you would like to attend, or support the event by volunteering, please contact Brighter Futures on 01622 762 403/


danny.hewis@vam-online.org.uk . Transport may be provided for those with difficulty accessing the venue. (£3 per person).


Funders


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


South 3


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