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Secret buyer for old library
AN unknown buyer has snapped up Maidstone’s old library for a bargain. The purchaser bought the six-
storey building in St Faith’s Street for just £395,000 – less than the cost of a detached house in some parts of town. The buildingwas put up for auc-
tion by KCC, which decided itwas surplus to requirements, after the opening of the new Kent History and Library Centre in James What- manWay in 2012. Aspokesman for KCC said: “We
have been reviewing all the build- ings in KCC ownership to deter- mine their best use and suitability for our various services. “We decided that because of the physical limitations of the old li- brary’s use, the best course of ac-
tionwas to dispose of it.” The library came up for auction
with Clive Emson at the beginning of May and councillors, facing the need to build 19,600 new homes in the borough by 2031, are hopeful the site could be redeveloped as housing. A spokesman for Clive Emson
said they could not reveal the iden- tity of the purchaser.
Barn owls bounce back
MEMBERSof the MedwayValley Coun- tryside Partnership say their annual barn owl box survey shows that barn owls are bouncing back this year, following two years of poor breeding conditions. Healthy numbers of young owlets
were recorded at almost every site vis- ited, thanks in part to the owl and kestrel boxes erected byMVCP and theWildlife Conservation Partnership. In 2013 MVCP won funding from La-
farge Tarmac to put up 18 boxes to re- place many of those that had fallen into disrepair.
Twinning role for mayor
THE former Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Clive English, has a new role as press officer for the Maidstone Beauvais Twinning Association. The association held its AGM at
the Town Hall earlier this month and adopted a constitution setting it apart from the borough council. Although the association came
about through liaison with the councils both here and in France, the move means the group will be able to access grant support which would not otherwise be available. Association chairman Cllr Bryan Vizzard said: “The aim is to allow
the association to attempt to access support and funding to expand our activities, which would not be available to us if we are perceived as being part of the council. We will continue to work closely with MBC, aswe attempt to develop our activities and membership.” The meeting re-appointed Glenda Goldfinch as president, Bryan Vizzard as chairman, Wendy Hinder as vice chairman, Mike Yates as secretary, Alan Cocks as treasurer and appointed Cllr English to the role of press of- ficer.
U3A moves meeting to larger hall
MAIDSTONE U3A(University of the Third Age) is moving its monthly meetings to the Salvation Army Hall, in Union Street, from July 21. The move means more people will be able to enjoy the talk by Molly
Poulter on that day, entitled Memsahibs in India. Non-members arewel- come. For more information, including membership details, call 01622 734298 or
visitwww.u3asites.org.uk/Maidstone. U3Ainterest groups that meet at the Maidstone Community Support Centre will continue to do so.
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My father is coming out of hospital after a fall at home. He has lost a lot of confidence and is now quite anxious. I fear that day care visits will not now be enough and that a residential care home is the only way forward. Are there any other options that I should think about first? Yours sincerely,
Charlotte G Dear Charlotte,
Day care does have its limits, and if he’s now worried about being left unattended, then the prospect of “staying home” may make him anxious. One option that may be worth investigating is Live- in Care.
Live in Care is when a Care Worker or Personal Assistant (PA) lives in your father’s home full time in a spare room. Many people trial this concept as the last step before accepting residential care. For some it can be a good option and the trial becomes permanent.
A trained, experienced and supported PA can provide a constant and reassuring presence and also take care of nutrition, housework, and can provide personal care if needed and then is able to withdraw to their personal space if friends or family drop in.
Having a Live in Care Worker can be a great alternative to going into residential care and the costs can be similar to a care home but with all the benefits of staying at your own home. Best wishes,
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager, Bluebird Care
How Bluebird Care can help with you or your loved ones:
• Help with getting up or going to bed
• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care
• Washing or Ironing • Shopping
• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care
• Trips to see friends or relatives
MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530
maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone Town July 2014
19
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
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