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ago, offers overnight accommoda- tion for the homeless during some of the coldest nights of the year, supplementing the services offered by other homeless charities in the town. In 2013/14, seven churches of-


Preparing shelter for homeless Archdeacon leads the way


PLANS are being prepared for the Maidstone Churches’Winter Shelter scheme. The scheme, launched two years


fered a welcome to 10 guests each night for eight weeks; last winter, this was extended to 15 guests for 12weeks. The plan is that this model will


be replicated in winter 2015/16, starting on Monday, December 14. Last year, more than 200 volun-


teers helped to run the scheme, which hopes to get a similar – or greater – amount of support this year. Bill Miller, the minister of Maid-


stone Baptist Church in Knightrider Street, has taken over as chair of the Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter from Major Grayson


A SLEEP-OUT is being held in Maid- stone at the end of September to highlight the plight of the homeless in the borough. On Friday, September 25, the Maidstone Deanery is hosting a sponsored sleep-out, led by archdeacon Stephen Taylor. Each church in the town is being


asked to nominate one representa- tive prepared to sleep outdoors from 10pm to 8am, with only a sleeping bag and cardboard box for comfort.


Williams, who has retired from the Salvation Army in the town. Pastor Miller was chair during


the first season so is already well used to the work involved and there are a number of new trustees coming on board.


Mayor of Tonbridge and


Malling Cllr Owen Baldock and Cllr Martin Coffin with the gold award


Gold award for council


TONBRIDGE and Malling Council has received a gold medal for maintaining the highest standards of health and safety over the last five years. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) pre- sented the medal after the council achieved a gold award for the fifth year running. Cllr Martin Coffin, cabinet member for finance and innovation,


said: “The RoSPAawards are not just about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill health at work. They are also about mak- ing sure that organisations have good health and safety manage- ment systems in place and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the highest levels of performance in this crucial area.”


Stable security plan falters


APLANto convert stable buildings in Mereworth into a home to im- prove security failed to win the backing of the planning committee. Claire Trevill asked Tonbridge


and Malling Council to approve the scheme on land opposite Highlands farmhouse in Horns Lane. She stated that in recent years the


stables had been repeatedly targeted by thieves who had stolen property and caused damage. The conversion of part of the timber buildings into a one-bedroom unit would allow her to permanently monitor the site.


32 Malling September 2015


However, Mereworth Parish Council and residents said there were no records of recent break-ins and the police had no knowledge of any issues of vandalism on the site. The committee agreed with a planning officer’s report, which said the plan should be refused because it was effectively a substantial re- construction of the building, and was inappropriate in the Green Belt. The applicant was also advised


that the existing hay store in the sta- ble courtyard required planning permission.


WI saves the day for annual appeal


Members of Ham Hill and Snodland WI have helped rescue the Poppy Ap- peal collection in the town. As reported in Town Talk pages of the Downs Mail, Sandra Biddiss of Malling Road, has agreed to take over from June Miners, Poppy Appeal or- ganiser for the last 17 years, aided by WI colleagues. The task involves ordering poppies and wreaths, counting and banking


the cash and working with the street collectors and businesses which sup- port the appeal.


There will be a limited amount of shelter if it rains. The event is being organised by Heather May and Diane Enfield on behalf of the deanery. Spokesmen Andrew Sewell said:


“We want to raise awareness of the homeless in town and the services available and to launch the recruit- ment of volunteers for the winter shelter, as well as raising funds to support the homeless in Maid- stone.”


A small number of staff co-ordi-


nate the work of the many volun- teers and the scheme is now actively seeking funding from a range of sources, including charita- ble trusts. Mr Miller said: “Until we secure


enough funds to employ the work- ers we cannot recruit, but we are hoping to have our first worker in place earlier in the year than was possible in 2014. “This will help greatly with all


the necessary preparations and en- gagement of volunteers.” Even now, volunteers are work-


ing to get funds for the ongoing work of the shelter scheme. Mr Miller said: “We have a plan


in place and are working towards another winter when a warm wel- come can be offered to those who would otherwise be sleeping rough in our town. “The outcomes in previous years


have been amazing – often life- changing.” The trustees hope each church


can appoint a volunteer represen- tative to help communicate and co- ordinate volunteers and church congregations.


‘Smallest pub’ could go


A CRUMBLING historic pub in the centre of Aylesford could be trans- formed into a house. Once renowned as the county’s smallest alehouse, the Grade II-listed LittleGemin the High Street has be- come increasingly dilapidated since it closed in 2010. Concerns were ex- pressed a year ago when a bay win- dow at the front was removed and the space boarded up without per- mission. Owner James Callaghan, of Hampton Hill, Middlesex has now applied to Tonbridge and Malling Council for the change of use of the 12th-century building to a one-bed- room house.Healso sought permis- sion to paint the front and replace the front windows with new wood. Efforts to sell it as a pub last year


for £230,000were unsuccessful. Objections to the proposed con-


version have been posted on the planning website. John Carpenter cited the pub’s proud history,


adding: “It once livedupto its name, and with sympathetic ownership and management, could do so again. The pub should be preserved as a pub and the owners should consider selling to somebody who will pre- serve and conserve what could be a viable pub business.” John Mills said the owner should


be made to use the appropriate ma- terials and methods in the restora- tion. He said: “The owner is not a resident of the area and seems to have no care for its history as many people used to come into the village to use both the pub, tea shops and other facilities. By turning this into a residence the uniqueness of the property would be unavailable to the visitors to the village.”


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