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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-


MELANIE Ward wants to erect a non-permanent polytunnel near Collier Street. She wants the structure to


cover a re-planted orchard of less than a 0.8-hecatre at Little Spitzbrook Farmyard in Green Lane.


The Young Farmers’ team won the raft race


tastic for our county town.Well done to everybody in- 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-oldmanonsuspicionof 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.


Request for polytunnel to cover orchard


Her planning application, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, says that the polytunnel would not be visible to neighbours as it is surrounded on three sides by farmland, an orchard and a paddock.


Home and lighting plans


MRJWorley has applied to con- vert an office into a single dwel- ling at Poplar Barn, Brishing Lane, BoughtonMonchelsea. Christopher Clarke wants to install a ground-mounted solar PV array at Peppercorn House, Leeds Road, Langley.


Funding for businesses


GROWING businesses in Maid- stone will soon be able to bid for a share of a £5.5m growth fund.


Businesses that can demon-


strate they are ‘on the up’ will be able to bid for interest-free loans of up to £150,000 – with the potential to tap into a fur- ther £150,000 from KCC. The council is one of the first


to gain a grant from the regional growth fund in the latest round of bidding. Announcing the news to the


NRBF business forum in Marden, Malcolm Greer, cabi- net member for economic de- velopment, said: “This will be a real fillip to local businesses when it comes online in November.


Pedal for church SPONSORED bike rides are being held by Friends of Kent Churches to raise money for church building projects and the riders’ home churches. The rides, which take place between 10am and 6pm on Sat- urday, September 14, all over Kent and are likely to be 20-25 miles long. For more details on this county-wide event, call Dave Blake on 01622 861382 or email davidjrblake@hotmail.com


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