downsmail.co.uk
Homes plan at garden centre
GREEN-fingered gardeners in Maidstone have been shocked and sad- dened by the unexpected closure of a popular and long-established garden centre. Grafty Garden Centre had been a focal point of Grafty Green for al-
most 30 years, drawing customers from far and wide. Now, residents have been asked to give their comments on a proposal
for 14 family homes and offices on the former garden centre plot. Details of the rede-
velopment scheme, being marketed by Quinn Estates of Little- bourne, near Canter- bury, were due to be unveiled during a two- day consultation at the Grafty Green Village Hall. The garden centre business was set up in Harrietsham by Pauline Parkinson in 1980. It moved to Grafty Green six years later, where it blos- somed. At the age of 69, Mrs Parkinson decided to throw in the trowel and the
Pauline Parkinson (right) with staff and family
gates of the garden centre closed for the final time. Grafty Garden Centre scored a major publicity coup, not without con-
troversy, when staff created the memorable floral sheep “Shorn” which spent a summer in the High Street before being moved to Romney Place. The sheep attracted as much criticism as it did praise, although the town centre management at the time believed itwas a magnet for visitors.
News Pre-school shows improvement
AN Ofsted report on Headcorn Pre-School has rated it as good – up from satisfactory at its last inspection five years ago. Following the latest inspection of the pre-school, which meets at HeadcornVillage Hall in Church Street, the inspector said: “Children are confident and display high levels of self-esteem. Staff plan effec- tively for the different ages and abilities and encourage independence at an appropriate level.” Staff were further praised for observing and assessing develop-
ment, which allowed children to make consistent progress, and for involving parents in the process. The report continued: “Regular termly meetings enable parents and
staff to share information about children’s progress. Therefore, par- ents are able to further support their children’s learning at home.” The inspector noted staff were skilful at introducing new vocabu-
lary during conversations, which supported youngsters’ communi- cation skills and language development. The report concluded that children benefit from being encouraged
to play outside and are helped by staff to understand the importance of making healthy choices.
Pupils ready to get messy
SEAMSTRESSES have been busy rustling up pinafores for pupils at a primary school. The ladies of Staplehurst WI and members of the village Trefoil Guild converted old shirts, tea towels, cur- tains, duvet covers and other as- sorted fabrics into 120 “pinnies” for the pupils of Staplehurst Primary School, towear when doing art, craft or other messy tasks.
The WI, which this year celebrates
its 100th anniversary, shares several of its members with the Trefoil Guild, and together they decided to carry out the project to help the school. It was a bumper week for pupils
who were also presented with a gar- den shed. The gift to the gardening club from the fete committee was paid for out of proceeds from last year’s carnival and fete.
www.facebook.com/ymcamaidstone
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Melrose Close, Loose, Maidstone ME15 6BD Maidstone South May 2015 9
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