News
downsmail.co.uk Libraries could change hands
CONCERNS have been expressed about a plan to change the management of Kent’s libraries. KCC plans to hand over the run-
ning of its 99 libraries, registration and archive services to a charitable trust. LibDemcounty councillor Trudy
Dean, who is chairman of West Malling Parish Council, told the Downs Mail that residents were “very concerned about the future of libraries under the cost-cutting move”. But the KCC’s cabinet member
for community services Michael Hill says it is the best option for the service, and will help save £3.27m “over the next few years”. He says there will be no change
to day-to-day operations for users, no library closures or new opening times or changes to staff, with the trust concept offering the service greater flexibility to develop and generate income. But Anne Moloney, chairman of
Private cancer clinic approved
ANOFFICE building at Kings Hill is set to be converted into a private medical centre for cancer patients. Tonbridge and Malling Council
has approved the change of use of the premises in Kings HillAvenue into an oncology centre. The clinic will be occupied by Cancer Partners UK and will pro- vide chemotherapy and radiother- apy in a “contemporary, comfortable and convenient” set-
ting.Anumber of consultants will be based there and 12 full-time
and up to six part-time roles will be created. The company, which has eight
sites across the UK, aims to offer specialist care outside a typical hospital environment. Patients will be predominantly from the private healthcare sector, but the centre could supplement the re- quirements ofNHSpatients in the future. The site, which is being mar-
keted as offices, has 189 parking spaces.
Free hospital wifi begins
Snodland Town Council, was keen to point out that Snodland library is not only a place to borrow books but also a popular meeting place for the community. She said: “The library is only rel-
atively small but is one of the cen- tral points of the town and offers exhibitions of different activities and interests.” It also serves as a police drop-in surgery and advice centre for the
borough council. She said: “The li- brary is a pivotal asset for the whole community.” The county council would re-
main accountable for libraries and retain the freeholds of any build- ings it currently owns. Mr Hill stressed no firm decision
had been made. For a consultation form visit
www.kent.gov.uk/lraconsultation. Comments need to be in by April 8.
New hope for ‘danger’ tree
A NEW-LOOK junction in Hadlow has been suggested as a solution to the saga of the black poplar being blamed for accidents in the village. The tree at the Carpenters Lane junction –
has been linked to five accidents in as many years by the county council, which says it blocks the view of motorists on the A26. But at a packed meeting of Hadlow Parish
Council, councillors suggested space on the opposite side of the road could be used and the road moved south to provide better visibility for drivers. The council has since written to Kent
Highway Services and the police with its suggestion.
Shoe shop eyes award
STAFF at a shoe shop inWest Malling hope they will get the chance to try two industry awards for size. Soles with Heart won its first national award as independent
footwear retailer of the year in 2014. Now, the store, owned by Michelle Lane, could be in line for more national recognition after being nomi- nated for an award for the second year running – this time, in two cat- egories.
Michelle, whowas diagnosed in 2013 with breast cancer, shortly after opening the children’s and ladies shoe shop on the corner of High Street and Swan Street, was “over the moon” to receive news that the business has been shortlisted. Still undergoing treatment, Michelle continues to expand the store,
which now offers ladies and children's clothes too. This year’s awards will be presented in Birmingham on February 15.
Donna-Marie Jarrett, the director of health informatics at the hospital, holds a certificate with Maidstone Hospital League of Friends volunteers
MAIDSTONE patients will be able to hook up to free internet wifi dur- ing their stay in hospital thanks to their local league of friends. The leagues at Maidstone and
Tunbridge Wells hospitals joined forces to provide the service to pa-
tients and visitors at a cost of nearly £40,000. Supporters raise money in ways such as providing services in the hospitals. Wifi has been available in Tun-
bridge Wells since Christmas and in Maidstone since early January.
M& S gets ready to open
THE BP service station, Marks&Spencer Simply Food outlet andWild Bean Cafe at Holborough Lakes is due to open on February 4. BP has spent more than £300,000 on redeveloping the former Jet site
and the work on the sitewas completed in sixweeks. A spokeswoman for BP said: "The store now offers motorists the chance to fill up their shopping baskets at the same time as they fill up with fuel 24 hours a day.We have also created a number of jobs for the local area. "It is open 24/7 and provides customers with a selected range of Marks
& Spencer's high quality fresh, innovative food ranges alongside the best of BP with itsWild Bean Cafe." The spokeswomanwas unable to say how many jobs will be created.
32 Malling January 2015
THE NatWest bank in Snodland High Street closed its doors for the last time in January, despite a cam- paign by businesses, traders and MP Tracey Crouch to save it. The bank pledged that people
Closing time at NatWest
Among the last cus- tomers at the bank was Sally Randall, pic- tured with employees Joyce Brooker and Les- ley Devall behind the screen. Joyce has switched to the Larkfield branch and Lesley accepted a redundancy offer.
would continue to be able to get cash from an ATM remaining on the front of the premises, but as Downs Mailwent to press, the ma- chine was still not working eight days after the closure.
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