Red letter day for blue plaque creators


WEST Malling Blue Plaque Scheme received the High Sheriff of Kent Award for a community project celebrating the important citizens and visitors of the town.


The High Sheriff, in awarding the prize, said that he was particularly impressed by the group's intention to assist others interested in celebrating their local histories. The scheme was the brainchild of Peter Cosier, local amateur historian who, together with a small group of local enthusiasts, researched many of the characters and their stories.


Ray Lawrence developed a smart modern plaque of aluminium and Perspex with a vinyl face which could be printed with a very detailed image. This opened the way for including a QR


Ray Lawrence developed the plaque, using a replica wall


code on each plaque, which, when scanned with a smart phone, opens up to text, illustrations and further reading about the individuals involved. It also sets the reader on the trail linking all the plaques. The result is a scheme which is cheaper to set up and maintain, and contains a wealth of information in comparison with the national scheme run in London only by English Heritage.


West Malling Blue Plaque Group chairman Cllr Trudy Dean said: “The group members worked very enthusiastically. Ray Lawrence even built a bit of replica wall to show what the plaque would look like. We have been delighted at how many people have followed the trail in the first few months of opening.


East Malling are already working on their scheme, and we hope to work with West Malling CE Primary School on some new characters for the children to research, including the founder of their


own school, and an early developer of telegraph messaging.”


English Heritage have asked if they can refer enquiries from communities outside London to the West Malling team. Cllr Dean said: “Peter was very proud when he saw a newspaper report that in Moscow the main graveyard has been equipped with electronic links to the histories of the past heroes. ‘Sorry, Putin, West Malling did it first’, he said.”


Tonbridge and Malling Council and


West Malling Parish Council sponsored the scheme.


Future of Aylesford Newsprint site


ADMINISTRATORS KPMG have recently put forward at an exhibition at Church Farm Hall, Larkfield proposals for the redevelopment of the 100-acre Aylesford Newsprint site.


As a “brownfield” site, it has existing use rights for commercial use but the options put forward are for a wholly commercial site or part allocated for housing.


The site consists of the former newsprint buildings; the now disused treatment works between the railway and River Medway; and the undeveloped sections including the old mill pond stream at the Station Road end of the land. There is also Ditton stream on the other side of the M20 within Cobdown Sports Ground.


The suggested plans propose: -the paper mill be replaced by large or medium size commercial buildings; opportunity to establish riverside walk; possible footpath/open space “green linkages”; potential housing at the eastern undeveloped end of the site close to Aylesford station. More information is at www.formeraylesfordnewsprint.co.uk.


East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council chairman David Thornewell said: “As someone who has lived in Larkfield all my life, it is sad to see the paper industry end after being on the site since the 1920s. In planning terms, this is a “brownfield” site where commercial development is


acceptable in principle, and the Government is pressing all councils in England to make more land available for housing.


“I therefore think some element of housing is better than using greenfield sites in the area, and it could be a way to improve the area of Ditton stream with its old mill pond as well as improving the riverside path access. The exhibition showed local people are concerned about local roads. In my view, it would be wrong if the whole site has its only access along Leybourne Way or New Hythe Lane at the Larkfield end. This will be a real issue for us.


On the positive side, at least the land is all in one ownership. So now is the chance to get an overall plan to get the best outcome one can within the planning laws, but locally decided.”


.Want help to get a job?


The East Malling Centre in Chapman Way is running courses to get people ready for work. The courses are free, travel to East Malling is free and you can join by contacting Angela at the centre on 07710 403882 or 01732 846314.


Peter Cosier created the scheme


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