South January 2014

downsmail.co.uk Schools merge

as head quits THE village school in Ulcombe is to join forces with a neighbouring pri- mary school, following the resigna- tion of its head. Vincent Hampton left Ulcombe

Church of England Primary School at the end of October, after six years in the post, to gain experience of work- ing in an urban environment, with more challenging students. Instead of re-appointing mid-

year, the school governors have de- cided to form a collaboration with nearby Kingswood Primary School until the end of the summer term 2014. Kingswood’s head Emma Hickling will act as executive head, with responsibility for both schools. Each school will have a teacher in

charge who will deputise in the ab- sence of the executive head. A spokesman for the governors said: “The school’s governing body is grateful for the many and varied contributions Mr Hampton made to the school and the community and wishes him every success. Mr Hamp- ton will be missed for his commit- ment to the children and the school and his outreach to the community.” Mr Hampton involved the school

in church services and village events, inviting the whole community to school productions.

News

Sports club move could makeway for homes

A TOTAL of 124 homes could be built on the site of Marden Cricket & Hockey Club in Stanley Road, Marden. In June last year, planning permis-

sion was granted for the creation of a new sports ground for the village club in Maidstone Road. To fund the move, the club’s base is being sold off for housing and Countryside Proper- ties has lodged a proposal to rede- velop the 4.2-hectare site – half the size of the club’s new home once the

Information

board unveiled MEMBERS of East Farleigh Parish Council attended the unveiling of a new bridge information board at the Horsewash, Station Hill. County councillor Paulina Stockell

unveiled the sign, which she had helped to finance through her com- munity budget. Chairman of the council, Cllr Glyn Charlton, thanked fellow councillor David Hussein for bringing the project together. He said it emphasised the importance to pre-

serve the bridge, which is one of the bridge as the oldest in Kent. It is hoped that, when the level

crossing is automated, some road safety measures can be undertaken

new sports ground has opened. The schemewould include one and

two-bed flats and two, three and four- bed houses, 49 of whichwould be so- cially rented or available through shared ownership. The remaining 75 homeswould go on the free market. Four areas of open space would be established, as would 264 parking spaces, including garages, driveways and parking courts. Eleven additional spaceswould be set aside for visitors. The homeswould be accessed from

Albion Road. Maidstone Council will determine the planning application. The club is moving to Maidstone

Road, where there will be a new cricket ground with nine playing pitches, two multi-purpose artificial pitches (one floodlit) suitable for hockey and football, a hockey practice area, cricket nets, a clubhouse, four floodlit hard-surfaced tennis courts and 100 parking spaces on a 8.39- hectare site previously farmed as apple orchards.

Cllr Paulina Stockell, David Hussein and Cllr Glyn Charlton with the new information board

to make the passing of vehicles easier and to enhance pedestrian safety. Shortly after the unveiling, the

board was submerged by the floods, but emerged as good as new.

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Maidstone South January 2014 3

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