Locals fight to save their village pub
REAL ale fans and local residents have com- bined forces to protect the future of a lead- ing Loose pub. TheWalnut Tree in Loose Road is the first property to be listed with Maidstone Coun- cil under the government’s new “Value to the Community” legislation. Introduced last year, under the Localism
Act, the act allows residents to apply for the listing of local amenities felt to be of partic- ular value to the community. Assets of Community Value can include everything from shops and pubs to village halls and community centres – anything which contributes to the wellbeing and vi- brancy of the local community. A Government spokesman said: “Previ-
ously, when local amenities have been threatened with sale or closure, community groups have taken them over. But, they
has succeeded in getting the pub listed – the first such listing with Maidstone Borough. They are now joining Bearsted residents
Locals want to save The Walnut Tree pub in Loose
faced big challenges and often needed more time to organise a bid and raise money than the private enterprises bidding against them. The Right to Bid gives communities an opportunity to keep these buildings in use and makes sure they stay a social hub for everyone.” The Maidstone and Mid Kent Branch of CAMRA – the campaign for real ale – along with the Walnut Tree Preservation Group
Death ‘natural causes’ A 55-year-old man who was found dead at his lodgings in Carman Close, Loose, had a heart problem and a sleep disorder, a Maidstone in- quest heard. Coroner Patricia Harding said photographer
Timothy Fenton died from natural causes at the home he had rented for two months. A post mortem examination showed he had a
very enlarged heart and the inquest heard he had been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which can in- volve heavy snoring and pauses in breathing. Ms Harding said that these two factors had caused his death and that his high body mass index was also relevant. Mr Fenton, who lived alone, was found dead on
April 1, after paramedics and police were called to his address.
in a campaign to save the Old Plantation in Plantation Lane. CAMRA’s John Mills said he believed
large pub chainswere killing the traditional English pub by squeezing their tenants fi- nancially to the point where they became unviable. He added: “The new legislation offers us new hope.” If an owner objects to their property being placed on the list, they will have a right to an internal review by the council of the de- cision to list. If the owner remains in dis- agreementwith the listing after the internal review they have a right of appeal to an in- dependent tribunal. Pubs across the country are said to be closing at the rate of 26 a week.
Brewery idea for shed A MICRO-brewery could soon be mushroom- ing in the leafy lanes of Linton and Boughton Monchelsea. The Smith family, of Loddington Farm, want
to diversify their farming business by turning a disused mushroom shed into amini-brewery. The Musket Brewery, specialists in micro- brewery equipment, have been consulted with a view to installing a five-barrel brewery in the redundant mushroom house in Loddington Lane, Boughton Monchelsea. The planning application to Maidstone Coun-
cil includes new drains to divert liquid waste through the farm’s septic tanks, but the by-prod- ucts of brewing (spent hops and malt)would be used elsewhere on the farm as fertiliser.
Tennis plans A TENNIS court has been pro- posed for YaldingHill, Yalding. Mr R Hobbs’ planning appli- cation for Blue Hills, which will be determined by Maid- stone Council, said: “Our client’s family plays lots of ten- nis, so this would enable them to enjoy playing together as well as inviting guests and friends to the house to play. “The design is also intended
to provide a surface which can support other sports activities, such as football, hockey, bas- ketball, cricket etc.”
Imagine a conservatory you can use comfortably all year round
IS YOUR CONSERVATORY...
...Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter?
...Being used as a storage area, not a living area?
...Roof leaking or noisy when it rains? We can offer the following 3 options
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ‘REFURBISH YOUR CONSERVATORY’ TO HELP CREATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENT LIVING SPACE.
Customer Testimonial Roof only windows & door Roof,
Complete conservatory
'We were delighted with the service and work carried out on our property recently. We would recommend your company to anyone and if in the future we require any further work we will of course contact your company. The fitters were efficient, clean, tidy and very polite. We cannot praise them or the service your company provided too highly.Our conservatory has been transformed into a second sitting room. Thank you once again'.
Mr & Mrs Henley, Snodland, Kent
Fairdeal Windows Ltd are Kent’s only approved installer of ‘Refurbish My Conservatory’ specialist and exclusive products. This is one of the most cost effective ways to revive your tired old conservatory.
Unit K, Orchard Business Centre, 20/20 Industrial Estate, Aylesford, Kent ME16 0JZ
01622 683332
www.fairdealwindows.co.uk 16 South
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
Follow us on
Replace
Replace
Replace
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 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56