Latest work to boost high street


THE transformation of Maidstone town centre has entered a second phase with the Lower High Street earmarked for a £1.7m makeover.


Improvements will include repaving the


area, planting trees and installing new seat- ing and lighting. The centrepiece of the Lower High Street


will be the cannon, which will be reposi- tioned at the heart of the new space. A granite-paved area is to be created to allow space for seating outside restaurants and cafes. Works will be carried out by Dartford


firm F M Conway, and the scheme has been refined following consultation with businesses, the police, bus and taxi com- panies and the disability focus group. The project follows on from the comple-


tion of works in the upper end of the High Street, including Jubilee Square, a space that has already been used for perform-


Information day


for residents A TWO-day information ses- sion is to be held at Heather House, Park Wood, to outline the courses, activities and op- portunities for local residents. “What’s on – Where and When” takes place at Heather House from 11am to 4pm on Friday, September 28 and from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, September 29. There will be displays on leisure, business, activities for children as well as sport, serv- ices, charities and opportuni- ties to get involved or find help. There are job opportunities to


be found through Working it Out and Job Centre Plus and local business opportunities. The event is being hosted by the Fusion Café.


Drivers needed MAIDSTONE residents with a few hours to spare are being asked to consider helping eld- erly people get around. Voluntary Action Maidstone


says many older people are too frail to use public transport, and rely on volunteer drivers to get to doctors appointments, shopping or social activities. If you have your own car and


about a day free each week, you could help out – expenses are covered. People are also needed to help coordinate the service from the office. Call 01622 756662 between 9am and 4pm on weekdays.


Family fun day CHARITY groups from all over Maidstone are coming together to support a family fun day and fete at ParkWood. The event on Saturday, June


22, will offer arts and crafts, cir- cus skillsworkshops, an assault course, music and a martial arts displays. The event is organ- ised by the Multi- Agency Part- nership in Park Wood, and everyone is welcome.


34 Town


The High Street, left, and an artist’s impression of the new look


ances, markets and events. Councillor Malcolm Greer (right), cabinet member for economic and commercial de- velopment, said: “I am de- lighted to see work beginning on phase two of the High Street Regeneration. Thiswill complement the improvements to the upper High Street,


andwill be a real boost to businesses in the area.” The projectwill be completed in October


and is expected to bring 100 extra jobs, plus £4.5m of additional visitor expendi- ture to the town.


Childminder’s


care praised A CHILDMINDER in Barming has been told by Ofsted that her provision is good. Fiona Gunner, who lives in


Juniors’ hockey awards


THE Junior Section of Maidstone Hockey Club gathered to celebrate their successful season and ap- plaud the award winners for the year (above). The clubhousewas packedwith


juniors, parents and coaches who listened to the club’s junior man- ager,Mick Emery, report on a sea- son of real success. The junior section has now 100 members–up 20 on this time last year – and the girls U14s won the Kent League. Specialmentionwent to the jun-


ior club person for 2012/13, Joe Drake, for his dedication to play- ing, coaching and umpiring. At 16, he plays for the juniors


and the Men’s 2nd team. He also helpswith junior coachingandhas hisEHBlevel1in umpiring,putting theory into practice,umpiringboth adult and junior games.


YOUNG mums and dads stay- ing in a teenage parent unit made a DVD about their experi- ences of living there which was shown at an open day. Owned by Golding Homes,


the unit in Willowbrook Place, Regent Close, Tovil, gives the teenagers support and guidance to help them live independ- ently and bring up their chil- dren.


Golding Homes’ head of sup-


port services, Rose Ellison said: “During their stay, the young families will learn the skills they need to make the most of their life opportunities. Since


In addition to the individual


awards,medals were issued to all the girls in the successful U14s teamfor theirCounty achievement this season. Louise Cassey, who has coached and managed them was presented by the players with a bouquet of flowers. The award winnerswere: Under 8s -Henry Bourdillion, Max Tompson, Gabriella O'Reilly, Char- lotte King. Under 10s - Lloyd Taylor, Alistair Coffey, Rebecca Jarvis, Hebe Bowley. Under 12s - Harry Bone, Zach Quinn, Rachel Davies, Francesca Jeary. Under 14s - Zach Stiff, Alex Har- wood, Isabella Ramiro, Alicia Grasson Under 16s - James Goodbody,Will Bourdillion, Rebecca Grove, Madeleine Grove


Teen parents put life on film


opening in October the young parents have taken part in cook- ery, parenting and IT classes.” Stakeholders and partners at Golding were shown around the unit by residents, who made badges and cakes and explained what it was like to live there. The Salvation Army runs cookery courses at the unit, which give the young parents an opportunity to learn new skills and share a meal together. The NHS and Sure Start Children's Centre also help the teenagers. Resident Briony said: “I’ve learned so many lessons thatwill givemeandmy son a better life.”


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


Pitt Road with her husband, two children and two cats, be- came a registered childminder in 2007. The report highlighted some


of Mrs Gunner’s strengths as her ability to provide interest- ing and informative activities both inside and outside the home and to tailor provision to individual children’s needs to help them learn and develop. She was also praised for the


good relationship she had with children’s parents. In order to improve further


Mrs Gunner was advised to keep more detailed records of both the times children arrive at and leave sessions. Although she obtained verbal permission from parents before taking youngsters on outings she was advised to also seek written permission. Inspectors said childrenwere


safe and well protected in Mrs Gunner’s care, adding that they wore high-visibility jackets on trips and learnt to cross roads safely.


Slimmers’ gift SUCCESSFUL slimmers from the Maidstone area have do- nated the clothes that are now too big for them to charity. Members of Slimming World groups from theMaidstone and Malling areas handed over the unwanted clothes to the Cancer Research UK shop in Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone. Manager Emma Puxty said:


“We were thrilled to receive such a huge donation from the Maidstone &Malling Slimming World groups. The money their old clothes raise will make a huge difference to people fight- ing cancer.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48