East June 2014

News

downsmail.co.uk Shelter scheme set to expand

MAIDSTONE Churches’Winter Shelter for the homeless, which was launched after Christmas, was so successful that plans are in place to expand and improve next winter. Thirty-two people were given a

roof over their head, a bed and a meal during an eight-week period at seven churches (SalvationArmy, Methodist, United Reformed, St Faith’s, Quakers, Baptist, St Luke’s) on successive nights of the week. In all, 52 people were helped in

various ways. Every church had the support of

volunteers and local financial and food donations (many from Downs Mail readers). Funding was available to employ a project manager and assistant. All guests hadwashing facilities

andwere offered clean clothes and footwear, bringing “an amazing, visible impact of personal confi- dence”.

Independence was encouraged

and homeless guests were sup- ported to find their own perma- nent accommodation. This was achieved for 12 people. Eight people renewed contacts

with their families and sevenwere helped to find paid work, work placements or volunteering. The shelter has now been incor- porated as a registered charity and this will help “to build stronger

Gardens open

SEVEN gardens in Otham will open to the public on Sunday, June 29, as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Stoneacre National Trust Garden, Greenhill House, The Limes, Bee- hive Cottage, Ashley, in White Horse Lane and, for the first time, Ridings and Rose Cottage, in Holly Farm Road, will open their gardens from 11am-5.30pm. Maps of the walk will be avail-

able at the start at Otham Village Hall, next to the Green, where the Friends of Otham Church will also be selling light refreshments. Combined admission is £5. Chil-

dren go free. Go towww.ngs.org.uk or call 01622 861333.

Gym site plan THE former headquarters of Pega- sus Gymnastics Club near Bearsted is to be replaced with three de- tached homes. The building in Crismill Lane

will make way for a group of five- bedroom properties. A Maidstone Council officer report said the ex- isting leisure usewas inappropriate for the location on a country lane. The planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the pro- posal. The club moved to the Far- leigh Hill Trading Estate in Tovil in the spring.

46 Maidstone East June 2014

structures and develop a higher quality project ... to relieve this deep need in Maidstone”. The aim is to open for longer

and with more beds. Volunteering capacity could

allow for 20 beds, but as some churches are small alternative ven- ues are needed. Chairman Rev Bill Miller intro-

duced the published project report at a reception in Maidstone Baptist Church, where he is minister.

Rev Bill Miller thanks (fromleft) Angela Flynn, (associate project manager), Tracy Maybank (volunteer help manager) and Jayne Hendy (projectmanager)

‘Wonderful’ project changedmy life

TONY Powell-Chatfield (49) says Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter and Maidstone Day Care Centre has totally changed his life. Until Christmas he slept in woods in

a tent (until it was stolen), off Millen- nium Park and in Sandling. Then the former pharmacy techni-

cian heardof the night shelter offered by severalMaidstone churches. He went to the Salvation Army

Citadel in Union Street, where he en- joyed a meal, the company of other homeless people and volunteers, and

a comfortable campbed. “It was wonderful,” said Tony (pic-

tured). He moved on to other churches until the scheme ended in February. But the two charities liaised with MaidstoneCouncil andTony was offered an apartment off London Road, with rent paid fromhis benefits and furniture provided by volunteers. “There is no substitute for yourown

place,” Tony told the DownsMail. Tony lost his job, was evicted from

his Maidstone home due to rent ar- rears in September 2012 and was

homeless for two winters. He was helped by the day centre for 18 months, but the nights were “tough”. Now he is fit

and settled – and just needs

to find a job, perhaps in a pharmacy or as a driving mate. The Downs Mail will pass any offers of interview on to Tony.

Extension of estate refused North Downs

APROPOSAL to build 89 houses on land east of Gleaming Wood Drive in Lordswood has been re- fused. An outline application by Palm

Developments said the homes would have been built on two parcels of countryside totalling 4.05 hectares – currently in eques- trian use – to the east of ancient woodland at Reeds Croft Wood and north ofWestfield Sole Road. Maidstone Council said the de-

velopment was an “isolated ex- tension of the built-up area of Lordswood, poorly related in sit-

ing and layout terms to the exist- ing built-up area while appearing as an incongruous and out-of- character incursion of built devel- opment into

adjoining

undeveloped countryside. “It will therefore have an unac- ceptable visual impact on the rural character of the area”. The decision notice also criti-

cised the proposed emergency ac- cess and road layout for causing the removal of ancientwoodland, the lack of affordable housing as well as a legal agreement to en- hance local services.

Grant gets charity on the road

MAIDSTONE charity Restoring Hands has been awarded £10,000 of Big Lottery funds towards a van to help with itswork. The charity seeks to improve qual-

ity of life, restore dignity and pro- mote hope. Its volunteerswork with victims domestic violence in shel- tered accommodation; provide food parcels and complete home refur- bishments for needy families; visit and provide entertainment for the elderly; and run a Star Kids cam- paign which provides Christmas presents for needy children. Managing director Daniela Hel-

frich said: “Our work has been lim- ited due to the lack of transport and this van, which is designed to trans- port disabled people, will help us ex- pand and improve the projects we are already involved with.” The charity is embarking on anew project, Hope on Wheels, which will distribute food parcels, take the eld- erly on day trips, and help women from sheltered housing move into their own homes. Restoring Hands has raised funds through itsowninitiatives and is ap- plying to other grant schemes to meet the full cost of the project.

charity walk THE Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent will be holding its annual North Downs walk on Sunday, June 22. Walkers have a choice of routes –

three, six or nine miles – which fin- ish with a free ploughman’s lunch, strawberries and entertainment. Registration takes place at Harri- etsham Village Hall from 8am to 11am, or places can be booked in advance on the website, www.wealdofkentrotary.co.uk, where maps and details are avail- able. Walkers can give 50% of their sponsorship money to a charity of their choice, with the remainder going to Cancer Research UK.

Big fun run

ENTRIES are being invited for the Big Fun Run at Mote Park, Maid- stone, at 11am on Saturday July 19. Entry costs £11.49 for adults,

£9.49 for children and runners over 65 and children under five go free. Finishers get a medal, goody bag and refreshments. Enter at www.bigfunrun.com,

and for more information see the facebook page or follow #BigFun- Run on Twitter.

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