Chamber may


find new home KENT Invicta Chamber of Com- merce could be moving from its Maidstone home at the historic Archbishop’s Palace Gate- house. The local office of the cham-


ber – which now covers thema- jority of Kent, having absorbed the old Maidstone chamber and, more recently, Thames Gateway – has been based at the Gatehouse in Mill Street for almost seven years. Although the chamber has no immediate plans to vacate the Gatehouse, officers are looking at other possible sites in the town as part of its future strate- gic plan. Chief executive Jo James ex- plained that export documenta- tion was currently undertaken at the Maidstone office but a large proportion of the customers now come from the Medway area, since the chamber took over Thames Gateway. She added: “The Gatehouse


is a great building and a good location. I am however looking more strategically at where we should be positioned as we now cover a much wider area.” But she stressed the chamber would not be leaving the county town. “Maidstone is a key location for us, whether it be the Gatehouse or another Maidstone venue,” she said.


See charity’s work at open day


MAJOR changes are planned at a little-known Maidstone char- ity, whose work and beautiful garden setting can be seen at a summer fair and open day on June 29. The Blackthorn Trust, based in


St Andrew’s Road in Barming, works with a range of specialist therapies alongside work prepa- ration placements at Blackthorn Garden, assisting individuals (known as co-workers) fighting mental health issues, chronic pain and military post-traumatic stress disorder. With the support of volun-


teers and staff, co-workers learn new skills from cooking and baking to gardening, planting, stained glass and other crafts, which build self-esteem and confidence, helping them back on the path to regular work. The trust is soon to dispose of


an unsightly pink-painted cabin, which it hopes to replace with awooden craft cabin. This will allow it to offer even more workshops. There are also plans for a new building built from straw bales. This will be constructed by co- workers and staff under the guidance of a specialist green builder, and will become a Job Club facility to help co-workers find work. Some funding has been secured for this project,


The plant nursery is a vital source of funding for Blackthorn Trust


but a further £15,000 is needed. Chief executive Jan Prior said:


“It is a constant battle in today’s economic climate to raise funds for charity. “Many local people believe


that the trust is funded entirely by the NHS, but this forms only a small proportion of the £500,000 a year needed to run Blackthorn. We also receive some funding from KCC. “Otherwise, we rely heavily


on social enterprise including our café, our bakery and plant nursery, as well as the generos- ity of local people who donate money, goods and their time as volunteers. “Weverymuchhopethat


anyone who is interested to see what takes place behind the high grey walls of the former Oakwood Hospital site, will come along to our summer fair – everyone is welcome!” The open day and summer


fair is at the trust’s site in St An- drew’s Road from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The gardens, café and bakery are also open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and the public are always very welcome. The garden sells a wide range


of herbaceous plants and herbs, artisan breads, cakes and gifts – as well as herb oils and teas. For further information, visit www.blackthorn.org.uk


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