downsmail.co.uk Approval for


playscheme THE playscheme held at Yalding Primary School in August has been rated as “good” by an Ofsted in- spector.


The inspector found that staff planned a wide range of activities to suit children’s interests, were positive role models and were ef- fectively deployed to give clear guidance on acceptable behaviour, which meant children behaved well. Youngsters felt safe, happy and


motivated because staff formed positive relationships with them and their families and had a good knowledge of safety procedures, the report concluded.


The inspector added: “The man- ager and staff are passionate and committed to the continuous de- velopment of the playscheme. They work closely together to ensure children benefit from an improving provision.” To improve further, the report advised a review of the way large- group activities were organised to maintain children’s concentration and more opportunities for chil- dren to learn about the wider world.


For more local news www.downsmail.co.uk


News


Yellow lines ‘will hit trade at village shops’


APLANtomakethe centre of Mar- den village a “no go” area for park- ing will sound the death knell for its post office, it is feared. It will also hit the free pharmacy


delivery service, upon which much of the community relies. Many Marden residentswere un-


aware of the public consultation which took place on a plan to tighten up restrictions in the High Street – because they didn’t see the notice placed high up on a lamppost. Now it is too late to object – and shopkeepers fear the decision is a fait accompli. Maidstone Councilwants to paint double yellow lines on both sides of the High Street – including outside the village post office and newsagent’s and chemist. Stuart Nicholls, owner of Marden Pharmacy, said: “If these proposals go ahead it will be the end of our free delivery service because we will have nowhere to park our van.” Mr Nicholls is also concerned for


his 12 staff, many of whom travel in from outside the village and will have nowhere to park.


the station. But, in common with manyother villages,we have a lot of elderly peoplewhocome eachweek for their pension or drop in daily for a newspaper. If they can’t park close by, they won’t come. “Putting double yellow lines out-


side will jeopardise my business – and that could mean the loss of the post office, which nobody wants to see happen.” Mr Welby lives next door to his


WillWelby has been postmaster at Marden for 23 years and says there have never been any problems with parking outside his shop. Although the single yellow lines


are designed to prevent parking dur- ing the day, most of his customers hop in and out within a few minutes and are never parked for very long. However, Maidstone Council


wants to ensure that no parking takes place outside his shop at any time – a suggestionMrWelby thinks is just ridiculous. He said: “Like many villages


nowadays, parking can be a prob- lem, especially with the number of peoplewe have who commute from


All LOADS Ltd Loose or Bags 01622 873 231


Specialists in supplying aggregates


Top Soil • Sand & Ballast Free Delivery


•Turf •Top Soil •Mushroom Compost


www.allloads.co.uk email:aggregates@allloads.co.uk


Maidstone South October 2015 9


shop and a four-hour restriction fur- ther down the road means he will have to park his own vehicle in the housing estate behind the shops. He said: “More people will park outside residents’ houses – it will just move the problem elsewhere.” The main village car park next to


the library has a “no parking” re- striction from 7.15-8.15am, to stop commuters using it. The traffic regulation order, which


also proposes changes in Church Green, with no waiting between 10.30am and 11am Monday to Fri- day, will be decided at the next meeting of the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board on October 14.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48