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News Late dates for festive shoppers
CHRISTMAS is coming, and Maidstone is working to ensure it is bigger and brighter than ever. The Town Team marketing
group has been working with re- tailers to draw up proposed open- ing hours which will streamline trading across the town. Late-night shopping is a critical
factor in making the town a shop- ping destination of choice in the run-up to Christmas and the Town Team, together with the Town Cen- tre Management, hopes that many independent traders will stay open later, along with the larger retail chains, to entice festive shoppers to
Building on Lego success
THE Brick City exhibition at Maid- stone Museumwas a huge success, with more than 1,000 people flood- ing through the doors of the mu- seum most days throughout the summer.
Organisers were overwhelmed
with the response – even the Thurs- day “lates” when visitors were en- couraged to take part in a Lego-building challenge. More than 140 people took part
in the challenge, devising fantastic moving miniatures and replicas of everything from cars to cameras. Parents – and some grandparents
– teamed up with their offspring for what proved to be a real family event and a great boost to museum figures. Laura Dickson told the Town Centre Management meeting that the event was “phenomenal” and would be a hard act to follow. She said: “The challenge was to
devise a piece of Lego judged on originality, strength and durability which could be a likeness to some- thing in the museum collection. “We had everything from a grandfather clock, with moving pieces, to a working camera.” The council is looking at “Trea-
sures from Trash” for next summer – an exhibition of items made from recycled products. There will be workshops for
young and old and a variety of ac- tivity days based on the exhibition.
Charity cards MAIDSTONE’S Christmas Cards for Good Causes shop is to trade at the Methodist Church, Union Street, from Friday October 16 to Friday December 18. Opening hours will be 11am-4pm
weekdays and 10am-4pm on Satur- days. It is part of a national net- work of 300 shops staffed by volunteers supporting 275 charities which have received more than £20m in the last five years.
Fire advice for companies
MAIDSTONE businesses were offered some simple fire safety messages during UK Business SafetyWeek. Kent Fire and Rescue Service took to the streets in association with the
Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) to sharemessages the companies could take back to their colleagues and staff. The week coincided with the recruitment of seasonal staff in the run-
up to Christmas. “These new recruits may not have the same level of fire safety
awareness as permanentmembers of staff, and may not be aware of the steps needed to protect themselves, their customers and colleagues,” said a spokesman for KFRS. This year’s message for businesses is ‘Keep it SIMPLE and Safe’ and
offers the following SIMPLE reminders: • Store stock safely: keep corridors, stairs and exits clear • Identify alarm points •Make sure doors are closed to stop fires spreading • Place things that catch fire away from things that cause fire • Let someone know if you spot fire safety problems • Ensure everyone knows what to do if a fire alarm sounds
splash their cash. Proposals would mean shops re- maining open until 8pm on Thurs- days from November 26 and on December 14, 15 and 16 until 7pm. In Christmas week itself, it has
been proposed that the shops might stay open each night until 8pm with the exception of Christ- mas Eve, when they would close at 5.30pm. Boxing Day – a Saturday – would
have Sunday opening hours from 10.30am to 4.30pm and normal
trading hours would resume on December 28, with Sunday hours again on Friday, January 1. TCM change co-ordinator Ilsa
Butler said: “We appreciate it is sometimes difficult for the inde- pendent traders to mirror the large retailers, but at the same time we do not want to disappoint people and hope that as many shops as possible will open.” Fremlin Walk will once again be leading the Switch On event, scheduled for November 19, with a
celebrity guest to perform the hon- ours.
However, local bands and choirs
have already expressed an interest in taking part and could perform in the High Street’s Jubilee and Re- membrance Squares. The council has said it cannot support the “Free after Three” parking initiative, however, or any additional park and ride services, to encourage shoppers into Maid- stone at Christmas, as they are not commercially viable.
Camra date FOUNDER members of the Maid- stone and Mid-Kent Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will be joining current enthusiasts to celebrate the branch’s 40th an- niversary. Aget-together is to be held to cel-
ebrate its launch in the autumn of 1975 at the scene of its very first meeting, the Dog and Gun in Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone. The celebration takes place from 6.30pm on Friday, September 25 and is the brainchild of founder member and former branch chair- man Dave Rayner, who has re- ceived support from campaign pioneers as far afield as Hamp- shire,West Sussex and Devon. Dave said: “The evening will be a
great opportunity for members past and present to reminisce about the early days of the branch and to share memories about local pubs, ales, beer festivals and breweries. We’re expecting a great turnout.”
Shopmobility THE town centre Shopmobility scheme has now ended and the scooters have been offered to Age Concern, either for ongoing use or for sale, to raise funds for the older persons’ charity.
Mote Park aims to be people’s choice
MAIDSTONE is going for gold as voting opens for the people’s choice award for the nation’s favourite parks. The town’s Mote Park took silver
place last year, so the council needs even more support from residents to take the top spot. Four Maidstone parks were
awarded Green Flags this year in recognition of their exceptionally high standards, excellent facilities and strong community involve- ment. Mote Park, Cobtree Manor Park, Whatman Park and Clare Park are all in with a chance of receiving the annual People’s ChoiceAward.
Cllr Gordon Newton, chairman
of Maidstone council’s heritage, culture and leisure committee, said: “We were over the moon when Mote Park was named the UK’s second favourite park last year.
“Maidstone’s parks are great
places for all to enjoy, and I urge residents to cast their votes and let everyone know how proud we are to have them in our borough.” There are 1,582 parks around the country vying for the top 10 slots and voting closes at noon on Sep- tember 30. The winners will be an- nounced in October. To vote, visit
www.greenfla-
gaward.org or: Mote Park:
bit.ly/votemote Cobtree Manor Park:
bit.ly/votecobtree Whatman Park:
bit.ly/vote- whatman Clare Park:
bit.ly/voteclarepark The Green Flag Awards were
first launched in 1996 to recognise and rewards the UK’s best parks and green spaces. Last year, Mote Park was beaten
to the top slot for the people’s choice award by Victoria Park in the London borough of Tower Hamlets and was the only park in the South East to be recognised in the top 10.
Maidstone Town October 2015 37
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