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Help charity to bridge shortfall


MAIDSTONE Mencap is hoping locals will dig deep to help the charity keep its historic base in the town’s Mote Park. The charity, founded 47 years


ago, runs a popular playgroup, as well as holiday and youth clubs, at its base in the park’s Cobtree Hall. But the former church is falling


into disrepair and now needs £160,000 spending on the roof, gut- tering and stonework to ensure its survival.


Maidstone Mencap is £52,000


short of funds for the first phase and would need an extra £30,000 to complete the second. At a time when the charity is al-


ready struggling to stay solvent, the news has come as a bitter blow. The group is loathe to relinquish


the historic building in a pictur- esque setting where the children can play safely both inside and out. Consequently, it has launched a campaign to raise funds and secure any appropriate grants and dona-


tions toward the cost of the work. Maidstone Mencap caters for children and young people with both learning and physical disabil- ities. Many of them also have addi- tional medical needs, are autistic and have difficulty communicating or challenging behaviour, any of which may mean they are excluded from other clubs. The playschool runs each Tues-


day and Thursday in term time, from 10am to 2pm, catering for up to 25 children aged two to five from Maidstone, Malling and theWeald. A team of volunteers means the children get one to one care. The charity gets no government funding so is entirely dependent upon donations. For more information on how to


help, donate or volunteer, visit www.maidstonemencap.org


Formore local news www.downsmail.co.uk


STONE GREEN NURSERIES www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk


Bowls club tournament


MARDEN Bowls Club was host to an open mixed triples tournament sponsored by Homeleigh Timber Supplies.


The winners came from Canter-


bury Bowls Club. Captain David Todd is pictured receiving a cheque from Marden president Ken Collins.


Ancient hall is re-opened


A 12TH-century hall in Maidstone, mothballed for 15 years, is to open to the public after a renovation. The Corpus Christi Hall in Earl Street is now available for private hire. It was home to Maidstone Grammar School for 300 years, from 1549, and housed the Whitbread brewery. Part of the building was most recently used as the reception for Avis Rent-a-car, while the rest lay empty for 15 years.


The hall still has original features


including two crown posts with chamfered tie beams, a passage with five stone arches, and traces of a wooden partition that originally di- vided the hall in two. The renovation has restored the building, with its original sprung floor and vaulted ceiling. Now, the hall boasts a bar and kitchen. The public can view the premises from noon to 4pm on Sunday, Sep- tember 13, as part of Maidstone Council’s Heritage Open Days.


Plan submied for mobile homes


A GYPSY has lodged a proposal for two mobile homes in Chart Hill Road, Chart Sutton.


Maidstone Council will decide the part retrospective planning application for Horseshoe Paddock, which includes hardstanding, boundary wall and gates.


We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets.


Wholesale Nursery open to the public 4th - 6th and 25th - 27th September


We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual. Huge range and fair prices


We invite you to our open days


Your selection will come from our growing beds, you can’t buy fresher


If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast.


*Shrubs*Trees*Herbaceous perennials*Climbers* *Large plants for instant impact* 9am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun and BHM.


Truly a gardener’s paradise Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET


Please remember we are only open on these dates We accept most major credit cards


For detailed directions please use website Follow day –glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden Maidstone South September 2015 5


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