News New bells


THERE should be eight bells ring- ing out from Hollingbourne church this Easter. Bell ringers from All Saints’went


to the Whitechapel foundry to see two bells cast after raising £38,000 for the additions to the belfry. They hope the full complement will be ringing out by the end of March. Bell ringer Pam Nash said: “Our


thanks go to people who supported us, made donations or sponsored mytriathlon.We would also like to thank Nigel Fry for supporting the idea and the PCC for its backing.” Grants were received from: Cob-


tree Charity Trust; The Cromarty Trust; Kent County Association of Change Ringers; Central Council of Bellringers and the Allchurches Trust.


Anyone interested in bell ringing is invited to call 01795 420170.


Driving ban


A 19-YEAR-OLD Maidstone man was banned from driving for 22 months and fined £150 at West Kent Magistrates’ Court after ad- mitting drink driving. Jamie Clark, of Freeman Way,


drove a Ford Fiesta in Ashford Road, Maidstone and gave a breath test of 87mg of alcohol in 100 mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mgs. He must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.


downsmail.co.uk


Cash appeal to restore picture of benefactor


A PROJECT to restore a historic painting of Lord Bearsted is near- ing fruition. It just needs a kind benefactor to


come up with about £500 so the restoration work can commence. The painting of Lord Bearsted –


the founder of the Shell oil company who lived with his family at Mote House – has been in storage at the museum for many years, as it is in an unfit state to have on display. The painting shows the viscount


in his robes when he was Lord Mayor of London in 1902. Cllr Dan Daley,whois the interim chairman of the Maidstone Trust, set up 17 years ago to fund projects to mark the Millennium, has raised the bulk of the £7,750 needed to re- store the life-size portrait and frame. Bearsted Parish Council has been approached for a donation, along with Maidstone Area Arts. Once the funds are in, the picture


will be sent to specialist conserva- tors for the remedial work to take place. Lord Bearsted (pictured)was born Marcus Samuel into an Eastern Eu-


ropean Jewish familywhomoved to London in the 19th century. The family started in business making jewellery boxes decorated with shells and when, in 1890, Mr Samuel began importing oil from the Far East, he adopted the name of Shell. He was elected Lord Mayor of London in 1902 and made a vis- count in 1920, choosing the name Bearsted in honour of his home. As a businessman working in the Far East, Lord Bearsted amassed a


large collection of Japanese ceram- ics and art, which he donated to the Maidstone Museum to enhance its existing collection. A stone was set in the wall of the museum by Lady Bearsted in 1923, in recognition of the gift. Cllr Daley has received £4,000


from the Samuel family trust to- wards the restoration of the picture and a further £2,500 in small dona- tions. He said: “Marcus Samuel lived in


Mote House for more than 30 years and was obviously very fond of Bearsted – otherwise he may well have called himself Viscount Maid- stone. I hope that Bearsted people will be pleased to be so closely asso- ciated with such an eminent person who has a romantic and successful history. Hewas a munificent donor of much value to Maidstone and its museum. “I hope we can get the rest of the money in fairly swiftly so that the restoration project can get under- way and the picture hung in the museum.Wewant to start work be- fore there are any price escalations.”


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