News
downsmail.co.uk More ranks needed for town’s cabs
COUNCILLORS have set them- selves the task of deciding what to do in a town that has more taxis than it has ranks. Maidstone has 48 licensed Hack-
ney cabs but just 36 spaces, of which only nine are near the busiest town centre spots. Now a group of taxi drivers, to-
gether with councillors and offi- cers, are to investigate whether the King Street rank – set up in 2013 –
is actually the best place for them to be.
Prior to the High Street refur- bishment, the taxi rank was near the Queen’s Monument in Jubilee Square, but Town Centre Manage- ment has recently argued it should be in the Lower High Street. Drivers complain that at night-
time, when trade is at its busiest, private taxis park in spaces allotted for the Hackney cabs, although li-
Healthy twist to youth club
A NEW club has been launched in Hollingbourne for young people from across the district with an interest in healthy living. Stepahead rural youth worker Holly Warren is a driving force be-
hind the venture, which opened for the first time on February 18. The youth club meets everyWednesday at the village hall, subject to
availability, or the nearby Cardwell Pavilion in Hollingbourne. Activities include multi-sports, arts and crafts, cooking, music and
basic IT. Trips and community activities including fund-raising are also planned. Holly said:“We believe our youth clubs provide a great opportunity
to take part in a wide range of activities and are also popular because we are able to reward those who attend withAQAqualifications in the subjects they are successful in.” Stepahead’s club runs from 5.30pm to 8pm, and is open to everyone
aged from 11 to 25, even if they do not live in the village. Admission is free.
ReadtheDownsMail online
atwww.downsmail.co.uk allcars You are invited to
Last Night At The Proms on Saturday 14th March 2015 at 7.30pm at The Salvation Army,
74-80 Union Street, Maidstone (ME14 1ED). This will be led by
Maidstone Salvation Army Band with guests:
Kent Police Male Voice Choir Tickets £5 are available from the Community Office.
For further information please contact the Community Office on 01622 681808.
10 Maidstone East March 2015 W.I Hall, The Street, Bearsted
We encourage and develop the skills required for school by learning through play, in a friendly, stimulating and happy environment.
Mon-Fri 9.15am-12.00 term time with extended sessions for older children
Toddler Group Wed 9.45am-11.30am
OFSTED INSPECTED registered charity no. 1014449
Contact Kate on 07803 979317
www.3bearspreschool.org
censing officers are always on the look-out for offending vehicles. A report to Maidstone Council’s licensing committee argued there was much confusion among cus- tomers about the type and location of taxi cabs. Lorraine Neale, head of housing
and community services, said:“We could look at providing better pub- licity and signage for both drivers and the public, informing them of
where taxis can be found for hire.” The 36 spaces that currently exist
can be found in King Street, High Street, Pudding Lane, Barker Road, St Faith’s Street and Earl Street, as well as at both Maidstone train sta- tions.
Future options could include the
lower High Street – or even the spaces outside the NatWest bank, currently allocated for blue badge holders.
Date with Christian speaker
INTERNATIONAL Christian Science speaker Chris McElroy will be in Maidstone in March to share his take on religion. He will be at the First Church of
Christ, Scientist, inVinters Road, to present an interactive talk entitled The Real You – No Limitations on Thursday, March 19. The American university gradu-
ate, whoworked in banking and as a prison chaplain in Los Angeles before becoming a Christian sci- ence practitioner, will discuss how an understanding of spiritual iden- tity can help overcome physical, emotional, and circumstantial chal- lenges.
Admission to the talk, which starts at 7pm, is free.
Motorcycle MOT’s £25
chart sutton General
Car Servicing and Repairs
Call in or telephone
or visit the website
www.allcarschartsutton.co.uk Chart Corner, Chart Sutton, Maidstone ME17 3SB
01622 844579
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