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Work starts to clean up hotel


WORKhas begun to repair the rusty Travelodge building in St Peter Street, Maidstone. Scaffolding has been erected around the hotel, which has been the source of controversy since it was constructed in 2010. Likened to a giant toilet roll and


voted Maidstone’s most ugly building, the Travelodge began to rust within months of being built. Cllr Dan Daley, Lib Dem mem-


ber for Allington ward, took it upon himself to unravel the mys- tery of the rusting “roll” and press for remedial action in July last year. He discovered that steelwork within the building had not been treated properly at the outset – so simply painting over the problem would not make it go away. Now the owner has admitted it


too is frustrated with the recurring rust problem and has brought in a contractor who will, hopefully, put matters right. Treating the substandard struc-


ture is expected to take three months. Cllr Daley set out on a one-man mission to track down the builder,


News


THE SUMMER SALE NOW ON


only to find the company had gone into liquidation. Matters were fur- ther complicated when he discov- ered the original owner and developer had sold the building to another company. Once hewas armed with the nec-


essary information, Cllr Daley pushed Maidstone Council’s en- forcement team into writing to the new owners – a pension fund – seeking urgent action to improve the exterior of the building.


Summer music programme


THE stage is set for a summer of music in Maidstone – but for one of the town’s leading musical lights, it is the end of an era. Maidstone Youth Music Society


(MYMS) started the summer’s en- tertainment in Brenchley Gardens on Sunday, June 21, when three dif- ferent bands and a percussion en- semble performed for the public. But the concert byMYMS,which- coincided with World Music Day, was the final time conductor Steven Seeds wielded the baton to lead the senior band, the Maidstone Youth Wind Orchestra. Steven has decided to retire after


being linked with MYMS for 30 years, so it was an appropriate set- ting for a man who has led hun- dreds of performances in his time


with Kent Music. For those who missed theMYMS


event, there is another opportunity to enjoy free entertainment in the gardens on July 12, when the BAE Systems Brass Band takes to the bandstand and again on July 19 when it is the turn of the popular Maidstone Wind Symphony. All performances start at 3pm. The summer also sees a number


of other music events taking place in the town, with an action-packed programme for Jubilee Square, as part of the Maidstone Arts Festival. A range of bands and other en-


tertainers will perform in an unusu- ally decorated Square on July 11, following on from the Maidstone Parade, which will filled the town with fun and colour.


Charity’s call for volunteers


HI KENT, the charity that supports people with hearing loss, is look- ing for volunteers to help with hearing aid maintenance at its clinics in Park Wood and Shepway. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and travel ex- penses paid.A DBS check will be paid for by the charity. Hi Kent’s Debra Jones said: “This is an opportunity to make a real dif- ference to our charity and its deaf and hard-of-hearing clients. Manual dexterity, a friendly and caring disposition and a willingness to learn are important.” Anyone interested should call 01622 691151 or send an email to a.lin- coln@hikent.org.uk.


INTEREST FREE CREDIT*


www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF 01622 753073


*Cash price £2000, deposit £500. 12 monthly payments of £125. Total payable £2000. Subject to status, quotation available on request. Credit provided by an external finance company determined by Clarkes. Subject to acceptance.


Maidstone East July 2015 21


Salcombe 150cm painted bedstead with space saving drawers, available in a choice of paint colours (mattresses optional extra).


Was £1455 SALE £1095


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