News John
Munson Show Time
Fun trips to
Pantoland Alice in Pantoland Hollingbourne PantomimeGroup
THE 35th production by this fan- tastic village group, Alice in Pan- tolandwaswritten and directed by Gary Whitcombe. The original songs, which get better every year, were written by Peter Bonds. Alys Verrall, as Alice, took us on a
journey through past pantos in Hollingbourne. Katie Horton and her helpers gave us some terrific sets. Ron Bathie and his helpers, had brought her ideas into being. Louise Cook had masterminded
some really terrific costumes for this huge cast. The young playing cards were excellent, particularly Georgina Whitcombe as the young Alice. I heard every word. Therewas so much to enjoy: the
King and Queen of Hearts; the Tweedle Dumbs and the invisible pig; the Witch of the North; Good- Godmother; both of the hair- dressers; the camel, horse, cow, pigeons and seagulls – oh and the dog and the dragon. Lots of the cast each had two or three parts. Thanks Hollingbourne,we all for- got the floods.
Slice of history
King Arthur Leeds Amateur Dramatic Society THISwas a wonderful pantomime. Lesley Finlay directed and played the very evil and wildly cackling Morgana. At one stage the terrifying little
front row infants threatened to as- sassinate her. Yes, there was masses of audience participation. A brilliantly-bearded Merlin and daughter started the show (David and Alice), aided by Doris and Dei- dre (Jane and Carole), the village gossips. The Lady of the Lake, Tina, en-
tered by boat. Arthur, not yet king and Guinevere sang a sweet love song.
Cones ‘a danger’
ANTHONY Morris wants to fell a protected cedar tree inWeavering. His application for land between
50 and 52 Franklin Drive said: “The tree requires felling as the cones from the tree are becoming dis- lodged and with the close proxim- ity of houses they could pose a danger to passers-by”. Maidstone Council will determine the plan- ning application.
38 Maidstone East March 2014
Roy Hudd and his wife Debbie with Jo Tuck (centre), secretary of Bearsted History Sociey
Roy Hudd entertains
BEARSTED History Society welcomed entertainer Roy Hudd and his wife Debbie to speak at a meeting. Roy’s career spans many aspects of the entertainment world, from
the later days of music hall, concert parties during National Service to TV, films, radio and pantomime. His stories entertained a ca- pacity audience in the Memorial Hall. With chocolates and a drink to round off the evening, the history society’s members and guests left the hall with smiles on their faces.
Solicitors’ WWI tribute
GULLANDS Solicitors is looking for copies of photographs, stories and information for a newwebsite,
www.gullands-heritage.co.uk. The website will celebrate the heritage of Gullands, the history and growth of Maidstone and the 100th anniversary of the outbreak ofWorldWar I. Practice manager Paul Manner-
ing said: “We would like to offer people who may have interesting stories or photographs the oppor- tunity for them to be published on
the newwebsite. “In a tribute to all the young men
of Maidstone who fought in the First World War, we would like people to send us a photograph of them with details.” Anybody wishing to send copies
of pictures and information should contact Paul Mannering, Gullands Solicitors, 16 Mill Street Maidstone Kent ME15 6XT or email
p.manner-
ing@gullands.com. Unfortunately, Gullands won’t be able to return any details sent.
downsmail.co.uk
Mystery tour to raise funds for churchwork
A FASCINATING day of mystery and history has been planned by the Friends of All Saints’, Ulcombe, to boost the church restoration fund.
A routine inspection found the medieval church, outside the vil- lage, needed urgent repairs. Sections of the roof need to be re- placed and internal repairs are needed to the fabric of the building which haswater damage. Thanks to some generous chari-
table trusts, the church has now raised about half the £170,000 needed, andwork is due to start on repairs in the spring. But the church still needs to raise
a further £80,000 for the second phase of the work – improvements to the church kitchen and toilets. The next venture, from 10am to
6pm on Saturday, April 26 , is enti- tled “Mystery and History for all the family”. It will give families the chance to have a go at things such
as bell ringing and brass rubbing. There will also be an adult treas-
ure hunt, mystery play, talk and demonstration on the history of music, a mini-concert, tours of the church tower and a demonstration of stone masonry, as well as paint- ing and a range of children’s activ- ities.
There will also be a chance to
hear some Gregorian chants. Refreshments will be available throughout the day – including real ale and cider. All Saints’ Church dates back to
the 12th century and is a Grade I listed building. It underwent major restoration in the 1980s. The churchyard contains several ancient yew trees, one of which is reputed to be over 2,000 years old.
Funds are needed for improvements at Ulcombe Church
Homes plan
for village A PLANNING application for an- other 80 homes in Harrietsham has been received by Maidstone Coun- cil.
The outline proposal by appli-
cant KE Monk and Son Ltd would see the new homes built at Bell Farm. The estate, off Church Road, would include the oast house, which would be turned into a house. A supporting statement said:
“The site is highly sustainable in terms of access to local facilities and services can be accessed using Church Road, as altered in a safe and satisfactory manner, with min- imal impact on the wider network and the conservation area in partic- ular.”
Silent tributes
MEMBERS of Bearsted Parish Council stood for aminute’s silence in memory of a former chairman, as well as two teenagers who died in a tragic car accident on Ashford Road.
Robert (Bob) Butterworth was
chair in 1994-95 and died just be- fore Christmas. Bob was said to have been an intellectually very able man and verywell read. Gary Ring (18), of York Road, and
his cousin Brett Pearson (19), from Tovil, died when the Ford Ka in which they were travelling left the road, flipped on to its roof and hit a lamppost between Otham Lane and Spot Lane on Saturday, Janu- ary 25.
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