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News Rugby club to make fresh start
MAIDSTONE Rugby Club look set for a new ground – leaving The Mote after more than 50 years in the centre of town.
The move follows a successful season on the pitch for the club, but disagreement with The Mote Cricket Club, which own and share the ground. Earlier, the cricket club had suggested houses would be built on part of the rugby club’s train- ing ground to finance develop- ments that they say would transform the ground’s sports fa- cilities. However, the rugby club were
not happy with having to relin- quish part of their training ground, forcing cricket club chairman Glen Aukett to say that these plans were “on ice”. Now the rugby club’s vice- chairman, Paul Firmin, appears to have offered a way out for both sides by allowing them to move elsewhere in the town. Up to three potential sites are under discussion with Maidstone Coun- cil as part of a larger develop- ment plan concerning Mr Firmin. The rugby club say the oppor-
tunity to move away from The Mote has received the backing of
Driving ban
ABANNEDdriverwhodrove while drunk and without insurance has got a four-year ban. Daniel James Curd (39) was sen-
tenced by Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court after admitting driving while disqualified, driving without insur- ance and drink-driving. Curdwas stopped while driving a
Kia Rio near his home in Chapman Avenue, Maidstone. A breath test showed 68mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. He was sentenced to 120 days in
prison, suspended for 18 months, or- dered to carry out 60 hours of un- paid work and banned from driving for four years. He must pay a £150 courts charge, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Assault case
A MAIDSTONE man who threat- ened a man in The Mall shopping centre has been told he will go to jail if it happens again. Matthew Jackson (23), from Mote
Road, Maidstone, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the man and resisting a policeman. He was sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and orderd not to contact the victim or his partner. He must also pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Kate Turnham, ofMaidstone Council hands the lease to Keith Rylands of Maidstone Tennis Club,watched by council staff and club members
Tennis team celebrate lease
MAIDSTONE Tennis Club have been granted a 28-year lease until 2043 for the use of the Giddyhorn Lane tennis courts, which are owned by Maidstone Council. The lease means that the club,
who were established in 1984, will be able to further develop the courts which in turn will benefit the community. Club chairman Richard Dawson
said: “We are delighted with the lease, as it gives us the chance to build new courts and develop the clubhouse further.” He said the club had already
hosted community events such as Maidstone’s Got Talent as well as supporting the Great British Tennis Weekend. “A key outcome of running these community events has been the attraction of even more members
of the public to come up and enjoy playing tennis.” Richard added: “The public are
welcome to come up and give tennis a try. If you want to be part of a growing community then visit
maidstoneltc.co.uk for our latest events and great value membership offers.” The lease to the tennis club
contains a community schedule that sets out that the club will continue to use the facilities to encourage people of all ages and abilities to participate in tennis and establish links with school sports clubs to enhance the development of tennis in Maidstone. The club will be working with South East Tennis to deliver community tennis sessions and taster sessions for school children.
consider in the next month their policy regarding the lease. Dennis Fowle, chairman of The
Mote CC development commit- tee, said: “We have delayed any new lease offer to rugby since the end of May until the rugby club’s plans are a little clearer. “Our priority is to safeguard
the cricket club and this magnifi- cent site for local sport and the community. Building a new pavilion and improving facilities are integral to that.” The rugby club’s Jim Tinsley
Maidstone Rugby Club is considering moving to a new site
the club committee and the mem- bership will be presented with the full details shortly. They say initial discussions between the club, Mr Firmin and Maidstone Council representatives have been positive, although they recognise significant hurdles
need to be overcome before a more formal confirmation of the details can be released. Maid- stone Rugby Club remain a sig- nificant tenant of The Mote and their lease agreement is up for re- newal next May. The Mote Cricket Club will
said: “Regarding the ongoing saga on development at The Mote, the protracted discussions which involved the rugby club, the cricket club and Maidstone Council were not able to be re- solved aswe in the rugby club are not prepared to sacrifice playing and training space to allow de- velopment on our 1st XV pitch. “Our proposed exodus from
The Mote should allow both clubs to realise their full potential as important sports centres in Kent.”
Protected trees
can be felled PLANNING permission was granted to remove a group of pro- tected Leyland cypress trees at 8 Albert Reed Gardens, Tovil. Cllr PaulWilby, vice-chairman of
Tovil Parish Council, told Maid- stone Council’s planning commit- tee of his fear that allowing the trees to be felled would be the pass- port for other removals. Mrs Brown, the applicant, said
that the trees were unsightly. “When it is sunnywewant to sit in the sun. There is bird foul con- stantly,” she said. “I want to enjoy my garden.” The council officer report said the
trees had been managed as a hedge in recent years: “The council must consider whether it is reasonable to refuse an application for works to what is now effectively a hedge.” The committee gave the go-ahead
on condition that three replacement field maple trees are planted.
Fruit show dates
THE 82nd National Fruit Show will be taking place in the Maidstone Exhibition Hall and Hendry Pavil- ion on Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 and 22. Businesses or organisations inter-
ested in attending should book at
www.nationalfruitshow.org.uk.
Maidstone Town October 2015 47
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