East October 2015

News

downsmail.co.uk 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.

28 Maidstone East October 2015 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.

Mote goes for award

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.

There are 1,582 parks in the country vying for the top 10 slots and voting was due to close at noon on September 30. The win- ners will be announced 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 Last year, Mote Park was beaten

to the top slot for the people’s choice award by Victoria Park in the London and was the only park in the South East in the top 10.

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.

Fondue blaze

ABEARSTED man needed first aid from firefighters after a fondue in- cident in Peverel Drive. Kent Fire and Rescue Servicewas

called to the house after a man sus- tained burns while preparing the fondue meal. It is thought he poured methylated spirit into a burner but over-filled it. When he lit the liquid in the burner, the vapour ignited, setting light to the bottle containing the methylated spirit. The plastic bottle containing the

meths was knocked to the kitchen floor, where the vaporising meths continued to burn. The man put out the fire using a

damp towel and a watering can from the garden, but burned his hand in the process. The incident also caused some scorching to the kitchen floor. Firefighters treated the man’s in-

juries and fitted two smoke alarms to the property before leaving.

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.

Rugby recruits WEAVERINGWanderers RFC are hoping to tap in to World Cup fever by recruiting new rugby players. The club boast experienced, qualified coaches happy to teach players all ages – between 18 and 80 – and abilities. Training takes place every Thursday from 7pm at Park Wood Recreation Ground, with parking next to the changing rooms in Bic- knor Road, Park Wood. To find out more, either come to training or contact Jim, Dan or Andy at rugby@weaveringwar- riors.co.uk, visit www.weavering- warriors.co.uk or call 07523 821 333.

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