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-


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.


Fete’s appeal DONATIONS are urgently needed for the Otham with Langley Church Parish fete on Saturday, June 22. Home-baked cakes, books, plants, bottles for the tombola, small gifts for the children’s tombola and more substantial raffle prizes are all being re- ceived with open arms by or- ganisers. Anyone who can help can contact churchwardens Brian Page and Maria Mackelden for more information, on 01622 829314 or 861783.


NINETEEN additional parking spaces could be established near a car park behind 7 Ash- ford Road,Maidstone. Dashwood Estates says the


plan would provide an alterna- tive for drivers following the closure of the King Street multi- storey car park, with a loss of 171 spaces. A supporting statement said:


“The car park access off Albion Placewould be relocated to a po- sition further south and closer to the Ashford Road junction. The existing exit off Albion Place would be closed with a new egress being provided off An-


42 East


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.


Walkers wanted FIT folk who would like to be walk leaders are needed to help keep Bearsted ramblers on the right track. A series of monthly summer


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 helps with junior coaching andhas hisEHBlevel1in umpiring,putting theory into practice,umpiringboth adult and junior games.


drew BroughtonWay. “There will be a net increase


of 19 spaces (on the basis that there are already 50 spaces lo- cated to the rear of numbers 7 to 11 Ashford Road). Thismakes a total of 69 spaces that would be available on the application site and existing car park together, all being located at the rear of numbers 7 to 11 Ashford Road. “The application site has been un-developed for many years, it having been the subject of a number of previous proposals for large scale office develop- ment. None of these schemes have come to fruition and, in


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


Office site earmarked for car parking


the current economic climate, it is unlikely that any new office development will be forthcom- ing in the immediate future. “The proposed car park ex- tension would be of great bene- fit to those persons who occupied spaces in King Street on a regular basis. “This application proposes a temporary car park use of the application site for a five-year period, by which time the econ- omy may have improved and the site’s redevelopment can be progressed. This form of tempo- rary development would not prejudice any future use.”


walks has been arranged for Fri- day evenings throughout the summer, but leader Norm King would like more helpers. The three-mile walks are de- signed to be a “bit of a mys- tery”, but set out from the pond on the village green at 6.30pm. The next walks are on June 7, July 12 and August 9. Dogs are welcome, but must


be kept on a lead and under control at all times and all walkers are urged to be cau- tious when crossing roads and paths. Wet weather can mean the


route being changed at the last minute. If you fancy being a walk leader or want to know more, please contact Norm on 01622 736467.


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 the Maidstone 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.”


Coppice proposal JOHN and Deborah Holmes have applied to fell protected sweet chestnut coppice within woodland on the corner of Chegworth Road and Lenham Road, Harrietsham. Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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