News
downsmail.co.uk Vicar reveals his plan to retire
THE vicar of Hollingbourne has announced he is to retire by Easter 2015. Rev Nigel Fry (65), who is also
priest in charge at Hucking, Leeds and Broomfield and shares a link with Kingswood church – has been a popular figure in the parishes for the past 11 years. From his home at TheVicarage in Hollingbourne, he told the Downs Mail his decision to step down had been a difficult one, based on his health and that of his wife Jan. He said both would be leaving
Now showing MAIDSTONE Film Society starts its 66th season this autumnwith a programme of international films. The season starts in September
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with extremely happy memories. He added: “This comes with enor- mous sadness because we have al- ways felt so welcomed by the benefice.”. He added: “I hope they find some- one to replace me, but I doubt they will be as good-looking as me!”
His decision to leave at Easter will, he hopes, provide time to find
a replacement, given “the general shortage of clergy”. Rev Fry has undertaken his du-
ties largely alone after the retire- ment of Rev Norman Dabbs and Rev Robin Gill’s decision to spend more time in Gibraltar. He said: “Robin and Norman
were part-time, so it has been quite difficult. But it is about being real- istic about what one can and can’t do, and I regret I have reached the point where I don’t think I am doing the church or myself any good by trying to carry on.”
The couple, whomarried in 1989
and have five children, lived in Lenham for 16 years, where he served the parish for three. He added: “We have plenty of
ideas for the future, but no firm plans as yet, although we don’t ex- pect to be travelling far.” However, he does hope to spend
more time reading and watching cricket and the couple will consider the possibility of getting another dog. Their much-loved collie, Jack, who attended church every Sun- day, died just before Christmas.
Homes idea fuels fears for school places
THE county council has said it will work to overcome the impact any extra houses might have on places at Hollingbourne School. It agreed that the school is “al-
ready stretched”. Jared Nehra, KCC’s area educa-
tion officer, said: “We are aware there has been an application for a new housing development in Hollingbourne. Thiswould have an impact on school places in the area, which are already stretched. “We seek to commission addi-
tional places where this is required, such as, for example, the expansion of Harrietsham CE Primary School in September 2013.” He added: “We will follow progress on these developments andwork with local schools to help mitigate the impact of any further housing and the need for more school places.” The proposal for 14 executive
homes on land next to 103 Eyhorne Street – opposite Godfrey House – is still to be considered, but has at-
tracted objections from residents and the parish council because of the school’s limited places, its effect on the landscape, on traffic and the village sewage system. The local plan has also earmarked further land for development in the area. The parish council would prefer
new homes were built on land owned by Network Rail, on the ap- proach road to the village’s railway station from Eyhorne Street, but thiswas not put forward in a recent call for sites by Maidstone Council.
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