News Group fails to list shop
RESIDENTS in Sutton Valence have failed to get the village shop and post office listed as an asset of community value. But the Village Shop Preservation
Group (VSPG) is still hopeful it can win a reprieve for the amenity. Two local businessmen are be-
lieved to be interested in buying the premises – although shopkeeper Gary Coyle and his wife Jackiewant to turn the Broad Street building into a house. An application has just been ap-
proved to convert the neighbouring property – the former Swan public house – into a house, and locals fear the same will happen to the shop.
Mr Coyle, who has run the busi-
ness for the past 27 years, says the business is no longer viable. Colin Davies, from theVSPG, said:
“Just because the shop has per- formed poorly in the recent past does not mean it could not be viable under new management.” In its findings against listing the
shop as anACV, Maidstone Council said local people had not supported it butMrDavies said: “The idea that it is we, the community, who are to blame for our “lack of…support” is an insult. ‘Steps taken to improve the business’is hardly crediblewhenthe shop stocks so little and closes at lunchtimes, in the evenings, on Sat-
urday afternoons and on Sunday. “He added: “Allwe ask is that the use-class of the premises should re- main as it is. If it is sold it should be sold as a shop, not as a house.” “We are at a loss to understand
whythe parish councilwould refuse to support a legitimate community initiative that could help save such an important local amenity.” Mr Davies would like to see the
shop cater forwalkers and students at Sutton Valence School – and per- haps open an area as a café. Hesaid: “Without its shop, the vil-
lagewould have no centre. ” Mr Davies said the group would object to a change of use application.
Parish’s farewell to popular priest
THE parish priest of Headcorn and The Three Suttons, the Rev Dr Brian Curnew, said his final farewell to his flock at Easter. Rev Curnew, who had the task of uniting Headcorn with the churches of Sutton Valence, Chart Sutton and East Sutton, shortly after arriving in the area five years ago, announced he would retire more than six months ago. His suc- cessor is yet to be appointed.
Afarewell partywas held for Rev Curnew and his wife Tessa in St Peter and St Paul Church, Headcorn, fol- lowing his final service on Sunday, April 23. The Rev Curnew was raised in Lon-
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don and the South East. After a teaching career, hewas ordained in the Oxford Diocese 33 years ago, and served there, then Bristol and Hereford. His previous postwas in Ludlow,
South Shropshire, where he was Team Rector for 17 churches. He said: “Throughout my years
since ordination, I have been com- mitted to enabling the ministry of other people.”
downsmail.co.uk Schoolwelcomes
good Ofsted rating GOVERNORS, staff and pupils at Boughton Monchelsea Primary School are celebrating a good Ofsted rating in the latest report. Inspectors visited the school,
which has 212 pupils, in Church Hill in February and spent time ob- serving lessons, talking to children and looking at their work. The final report highlights good
teaching across the school, en- abling pupils to achieve standards that are consistently above the national average. The leadership of the school
and the behaviour and safety of pupils were also rated good, with children enjoying their learning and contributing to a positive and welcoming environment.
From pub to home
THE former Swan Inn pub in Sut- ton Valence is to be converted into a family home. Maidstone Council granted plan-
ning permission for the scheme, which also includes replacing a rear extension of the Grade II Listed building, in Broad Street, on condition that details of the park- ing and turning area are provided.
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