News Boat owners’
get-together Continued from page one
in the past, pulled the plug after re- peatedly failing to get any formal interest or offers of sponsorship. He and other members of Maid-
stone Council would like to see a revival of the old Maidstone Carni- val, with a parade from Mote Park weaving itsway through the town. However, the council is actively looking at ways of promoting events in the town centre – and making greater use of the river as an amenity and attraction. At its peak, the River Festival
pulled in up to 10,000 visitors but the economic climate, together with health and safety issues, mean costs have been rising and administra- tion has become more complex. Mark said: “The River Festival
was never publicised properly or promoted outside the area; it’s as though the council didn’t really want it. Yet it brought a lot of peo- ple into the town who spent a lot of money. “Without our, and fellow boaters
input, therewould never have been any river festivals.We have drawn tens of thousands of people to Maidstone on the last Saturday in July for 35 years and we don’t in- tend to stop now.”
Dog walkers’
stream alert DOG owners have been warned to take care when walking their pets near the stream that runs through the BearstedWoodland Trust. It is believed diesel, which spilled
from a tanker on Detling Hill on July 12, found its way into Lilk Stream and the trust erected notices on its land, which covers 26 acres from Church Landway alongside Ashford Road. The Environment Agency put pollution contamination measures in place, but members of the trust saw some of the potential harmful diesel in the stream, which is pop- ular with dogs for drinking and paddling – especially during the re- cent hotweather.
downsmail.co.uk
Trading improving in town, figures reveal
MAIDSTONE is continuing to attract businesses to the borough – a sign the county town is clawing itsway out of the recession, say analysts.
Almost 300 new companieswere registered in Maidstone in the first quarter of 2014 (January to March) – an increase of 4.2% versus the same period last year. While the figure compares badly
to the UK as a whole, the town is doing well when it comes to the number of companies closing – 146 in the same quarterly period, which is a decrease of 34.5% on the same quarter last year. Peter Valaitis, managing director
of
Duport.co.uk, which produced the report, said: “The falling num- ber of closures in Maidstone sug- gests that trading conditions are improving, which is an excellent sign for businesses.” In the UK as a whole, new busi-
ness registrationwas up by 11.8% – although the number of closures saw an increase of 5.7%, an indica- tion that businesses in Maidstone
Economy based on leisure and retail
MAIDSTONE's economy is largely based on leisure and retail and the town is ranked as having one of the top five shopping centres in the South East. Restaurants and bars are key to the area's success, with the night-time economy being worth more than £75m annually.
have greater staying power than in- most parts of Britain. Cllr Malcolm Greer, cabinet member for economic and com- mercial development, said: “All of our hard work, since 2008, is now showing rewards. The drive to in- crease the status of our public realm, with the completion of both stages of the High Street regenera- tion and other ongoing improve- ments to other areas in the town has made Maidstone attractive for business opportunities. “The jewel in our crown is the
new KIMS hospital that recently opened; this being an investment of
£80m, generating 800 jobs when fully commissioned. “Future works which have plan-
ning permission include the Maid- stone Medical Campus [near M20 J7], an investment of over £200m and the creation of 3,700 jobs. “The completion of the new East
Wing of the Museum and the re- furbishment of the Hazlitt Theatre have all sent out the right message, that we are open for business and the opening of the new Next Home flagship store [near M20 J7] in Oc- tober shows that Maidstone is the place where businesswants to be.”
‘Survivors’ mark birthday with flypast
THERE was no keeping it a secret when six men from Detling turned 80, especially when the girls found out!
More than 120 people turned out
to celebrate the date with a party at the Old School Playing Field. JohnOwen, RonDavie, Mike Sayle,
John Munson, David Humfrey and Gavin McLaggan (pictured right)all make a huge contribution to village life by volunteering their help. Wives Sue McClaggan, Gill Hum-
frey and Gill Munson began to plan the party some time ago. Mr Munson said: “They held com-
mittee meetings, which, as we all know, women are brilliant at. “David Humfrey got some of his Bentley-owning chums to bring their
magnificent machines and his wife is friendly with a Spitfire pilot, so we had inspirational aerobatics. “Gill Munson was the 'sports mis- tress' and therewere some quite eld-
erly potato and spoon racers.” The survivors, as they like to be known, thanked everyone for their day, with RonDavie, the senior man, giving the vote of thanks.
Tragic love story excellently portrayed Summer colour JOHN
ROMEO and JULIET – Changeling Theatre Changeling Theatre’s choice of
actors for the lead roles in this story about young people was expertly made. Ben Wiggins as Romeo was just
the sort of handsome young man who can't help annoying an old codger like me, and a petite but ac- tive and lovely Jessica Boyd, who really looked 14, beautifully com- pleted the tragic recipe as Juliet. Katherine Heath was a manic,
4 Maidstone East August 2014
MUNSON SHOW TIME
man-eating Nurse and Bryan Tor- feh brought a wonderfully played gravitas to Capulet. Boris Mitkov doubled as Mercutio and Lady Ca- pulet – Juliet certainly didn't take after her mother. There was plenty of violent sword fighting on offer – I think
Mercutio and Tybalt deserved to die. A first-night audience member
called the first half “pantomimic”. There were lots of laughs, but di- rector Rob Forknall knows the sub- tlety of contrast. We certainly got the awful tragedy in the second half. Everything back stage went smoothly. I loved the god-like Duke's voice from on high. The show toured all over Kent until August 3.
VISITORS can enjoy an interesting town garden with a rural wooded backdrop at 12 Betsham Road, Senacre, as part of the Heart of Kent Hospice Open Gardens event from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday,Au- gust 30. No dogs or children can be ad- mitted and there is no toilet or wheelchair access. Proceeds of the plant sale will go
to the hospice. Suggested donation £2.
For details, call the Heart of Kent Hospice on 01622 790195.
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