Restaurant closes after owner’s death


THE HENGIST restaurant in Aylesford High Street has closed suddenly following the death of its owner. Kent businessman Paul Smith


(43) was found dead on Sep- tember 1 at his home in the vil- lage. An inquest into his death was opened and the cause given as suspension. A statement on the award- winning Hengist’s website said: “Due to the sudden death of Paul Smith, owner of the prem- ises, the Hengist restaurant has had to close with immediate ef- fect. This unfortunate conse- quence of a tragic event is


especially saddening as he had worked tirelessly to ensure that Aylesford was graced with a first class restaurant, which he often frequented. It added: “We apologise for


any inconvenience caused to guests who have reservations and all our diners who, like the staff, enjoyed afternoons and evenings in this very special en- vironment. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.” With celebrity cook Richard Phillips as head chef, the Hengist had gained a wide- spread reputation as a fine din-


School open days MEREWORTH Community Primary School is holding three open days for parents of children starting school in September 2014. The sessions are on Thursday, November


14 and Friday, November 29, both at 9am, and on Tuesday, December 10 at 2pm. There is no need to book. They will include an introductory talk by


head teacher Diane Moore and tours given by the older pupils.


Skin care and scarves A DEMONSTRATION on skin care by Clar- inswill be given whenAylesford and Eccles WI meets at the Brassey Centre, School Road, Aylesford, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 23. The competition will be a healthy recipe and the recycling stall will be scarves. Contact Eileen on 01622 715205.


ing venue. The restaurant had been trading until mid-Septem- ber and had bookings. Mr Smith,


of Rochester Road, was the founder of Regal Es- tates sales and lettings agency. He was awell-known figure in Kent and had been instrumental in a number of business ventures covering financial services, es- tate agency, designer retail out- lets, restaurants and pubs.


Holiday let planned A KILN oast and barn next to a Grade II listed Georgian house in Mereworth has been earmarked for a holiday let. Owners Mr and Mrs Philip Masterson,


have applied for change of use of the de- tached property within the grounds of Springfield House in The Street. They pro- pose to convert it into a two-bedroom hol- iday let by remodelling the interior while preserving the building’s character. Themain external change to the oast sec-


tion would be to replace the demolished cowl, to accommodate a hidden flue. Mereworth Parish Council suggested al- terations to the windows on the south side to form a skylight with no view of a neigh- bour’s house. Tonbridge and Malling Council will de- termine the planning application.


A tribute from former col- leagues at Regal Estates, which has branches throughout the county, said he was “a larger than life character who could not help but be the life and soul of any situation he was in- volved in. Paul will be desper- atelymissedbymanyofthe staff at Regal Estates who had known him for many years and counted him as a friend.” Mr Smith was the original founder of the agency but had not owned the firm for some time. All branches closed for the day as a mark of respect on September 16.


Fears over centre HADLOW Parish Council has written to KCC in support of the Sure Start centre in the parish which is facing closure. The children’s centre, along with one in- Larkfield, is among 23 in the county which could close under proposals to axe 23 sites, saving a potential £1.5 million. The parish council move had the support of Tonbridge and Malling ward Cllr Jill Anderson. KCC Cllr Matthew Balfour said the county council was committed to reducing costs and that underused services would unfortu- nately be highlighted for closure. He was aware that the funds received by


Sure Start in Hadlow were essential to cover costs of the Hy-Arts Centre and would do his best to assist. East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council has also expressed concern over the review.


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