downsmail.co.uk Theatre’s future looking bright
A DETERMINED cast is turning around the fortunes of a Maid- stone drama group that feared it could be forced to close. Alan Chell (left),
who took over as treasurer at the Har- mony Variety Club, in Mangravet Av- enue, said last year that rising running costswere leaving a
£2,000 hole in the club’s finances. But six months on the club “has turned a corner”, according to Mr Chell – a former county councillor
Girls’ football BARMING Football Club have set up anewgirls’ team and are looking for recruits. The plan is to start an under 15s team, but girls aged from seven to 14 are encouraged to get in- volved. Email lauren.ramsden96 @
gmail.com for more details.
Flats scheme
A PROPOSAL has been lodged to convert offices at 46 College Road, Maidstone to five flats. Maidstone Council will decide whether the scheme qualifies for consent without planning permission.
who has supported the perform- ing arts’ group since taking office in 2001. He said: “The committee has
taken a close look at our operating costs and we are now heading in the right direction.” Entrance fees for classes have
been raised by £1 and pupils and parents have raised money with events including a “danceathon” and coffee mornings. Mr Chell added: “Our tutors and
pupils have been fantastic and now we are back on course. It would have been a disaster to lose
this facility.” The club, founded by John King-
don, provides singing, drama and dance classes to 50 members aged five to 16 at its own community theatre.
School making good progress
A PARK Wood primary school placed in special measures has been told it is making reasonable progress towards getting them re- moved. The comment from government inspector Sheena MacDonaldwas in the third monitoring report on Tree Tops Academy, in Brishing Lane since the measures were im- posed in December 2013 after an Ofsted report highlighting serious failings. The school – formerly Bell Wood Community Primary
School – was told to improve lev- els in pupil reading, quality of teaching, staff expectations of pupil achievement and school management. Libby Fidock, who was ap- pointed as the school’s new prin- cipal in June 2013, said: “We are really pleased that the report ac- knowledges the solid progress being made at the academy to- wards getting special measures re- moved. We have all shown improvement and are aware that we still have further to go.”
Mr Chell said: “This is a great
asset to the area and provides youngsters with a unique oppor- tunity to express themselves, to discover talents and develop skills which in turn will enable them to grow in confidence; it’s a hidden gem.” The club is now looking to hire
out the theatre to local drama groups, for parties, conferences and quiz nights as away of raising extra revenue. For tickets and details about hir-
ing Harmony Hall contact Alan Chell on 01622 744796.
Charity chosen
WHITEHEAD Monckton, one of Kent’s largest firms of lawyers has named Porchlight as its charity for 2015, following a vote by all the staff. The company raised almost £10,000 in 2014 for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and is hoping to beat that target this year with events such as quiz nights and sporting challenges.
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
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