River festival ‘might have to change’
THOUSANDS of people dodged the rain showers to enjoywhat could have been the lastMaidstone River Festival in its current form.
This year’s festival went ahead despite financial
struggles, and was deemed a success by organisers and those who attended. However, chairman Martin Cox said itwas unlikely2014’s river festivalwould fol- lowthe same format.
He said: “I don’t think it will happen next year in the
same guise, but something will happen. I think the people of Maidstone, and indeed people from further afield, really like the festival, but it is down to Maid- stone Council as they are the ones with the money, the expertise and thewillingness towant to do it.”
Visitors to this year’s festivalenjoyed theannual raft
race, won by the Young Farmers team, as well as live music, a funfair and the famous firework finale.
Mr Cox said in future years it might be beneficial to
exploreways of involving a wider cross section of the community. He suggested extending the festival into the town centre to benefit local trade, temporarily transforming Maidstone’s parks into lively village greens or even reinstating the carnival.
Resident Jennifer Hopkins of Upper Fant Road couldn’t have been happier with howthis year’s festi- val went. She told Downs Mail: “I just wanted to say the atmosphere was brilliant, brilliant bands per- formed on the river, great raft race and the fireworks at the end were superb. It was a great day and fan- tastic for our county town.Well done to everybody in-
DEAN Simmons was given permission to fell six pro- tected hornbeam trees at 6 The Covert,Walderslade. He argued the trees caused excessive shading, damp and enticed squir-
The Young Farmers’ team won the raft race
volved; we really appreciate it.” The weather veered from scorching sunshine to torrential rain, and during downpours up to 300 people sheltered beneath the town bridge. One visitorwho didn’t mind the rainwas a seal, which appeared in the River Medway during the raft race and has been nicknamed Bernie.
Just three arrestsweremadeduring the festival–a
40-year-oldmanonsuspicion of shoplifting,a30-year- old man on suspicion of common assault and a 26- year-oldwoman on suspicion of theft.
Mr Cox wished to thank all those who gave their
time or money to make this year’s festival a success, frommorethan60volunteers to the sponsorsandpar- ticularly Maidstone Council. Anyone who wishes to help organise, run or sponsor next year’s event can call Martin Cox on 01622 688945.
Protected hornbeams can be felled
rels into the guttering and loft.
Maidstone Council granted planning permis- sion on condition that a re- placement tree is planted and maintained.
7 Yeoman Court, Ashford Road, Bearsted Trees to be removed
MICHAEL Henley has been given conser- vation area permission to fell two trees at Grove Green Cottage, Grove Green. Maidstone Council agreed that the robinia frisia was dead and raised no ob- jection to his desire to fell a cedrus deo- dara for being “too close to the house”.
01622 738772
New agreement for museum
Continued from page one
riverside walk connecting it to the town.” There is also a pro- posal to invest in new attrac- tions for the site if a suitable business case can be provided. A report to the CMEC com- mittee states: “The charity’s technical, legal and financial officers are satisfied that these arrangements represent the best deal given the complicated cir- cumstances and, if agreed, will allow the Kent Life visitor at- traction to remain in operation with the improved likelihood of future success. “In addition, CMET will re-
gain control of the site and other adjacent land. The pro- posal provides a benefit for both parties and is considered to be the best way forward.” In themeantime, the commit-
tee has also asked the Charity Commission for its views on the implications of selling off an 8.8 hectare parcel of land – which includes the Rural Mu- seum – to raise funds for the trust while freeing up a site for potential future employment. A second report to the com- mittee states: “Allocating the land now does not commit the charity to developing the site, but doing so would keep its op- tions open.”
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