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downsmail.co.uk Market plan for town


AMONTHLYfarmers’ market is to be introduced to Maidstone’s Ju- bilee Square as part of a drive to in- crease footfall in the town centre. The monthly market – on the


fourth Friday of the month – will be organised by the council in conjunc- tion with the Kent Farmers’ Market Association and Produced in Kent – and will coincide with pay day for many town centre workers. Since the creation of Jubilee Square


in 2012, there has been no set policy for its use. A similar suggestion failed to get off the ground last year because it


would have required planning con- sent, as did a proposed Christmas market.


Previous attempts to hold a farm-


ers’market atLockmeadow and out- side County Hall have failed but officers believe the square would be much more successful, as it is cen- trally located. Research has shown that between


3,000 and 4,000 people per hour pass through Jubilee Square on a Friday, which should prove profitable for stallholders and for the council. Officers believe up to 32 stalls would fit on the square and a plan-


ning application will be submitted for this. As it can take up to 90 days to get


street trading consents, the council hopes the markets will start in June. About 80% of the stalls would sell


food, while the remainder would be given over to crafts. Therewas some disagreement be-


tween members of the town’s her- itage, culture and leisure committee as to whether the square should be hired out by political or religious groups and the council is to look again at what kind of events will be permitted to take place.


Nursery celebrates third outstanding rating


STAFF and children at Pennies Day Nursery in Hockers Lane, Bearsted, are celebrating a truly exceptional achievement – the nursery’s third consecutive Ofsted rating of “outstanding in all areas”. Manager Trudi Mayes said: “We are absolutely blown away


following the outcome we received from our Ofsted inspection. To achieve the grade of outstanding for the first time is one of the proudest moments of any nursery manager’s career, but to gain the accolade for a second and third time is completely overwhelming.” Trudi thanked her assistantmanager Emma Pemble and


the rest of the team, whom she described as “kind, caring and committed.”


News


Vegan festival first for town


MAIDSTONE will host its first vegan festival on July 23, with stalls, live music, a vegan pop-up café, children’s activities, talks and more. With an estimated 175,980 vege- tarians and vegans in Kent, the fes- tival is set to be a major crowd-puller. It follows Kent Vegan Festival, whichwas attended by more than 1,500 people in Can- terbury last year. The festival will take place at Maidstone Methodist Church in Union Street from 11am to 4pm. Local businesses with vegan- friendly products are invited to apply for stalls by emailing info@maidstoneveganfestival.co.uk. With “flexitarianism” on the rise,


Manager Trudi Mayes joins Imogen (four) and Phoebe (three) to do some drawing


and one in eight people looking to replace meat, eggs and dairy with plant proteins, the festival aims to be awelcoming place for both long- term vegans as well as those curi- ous about thisway of life. The organisers said: “Relax in the garden with a slice of cake as you take in the sounds of some of Kent's finest bands. Learn more about this compassionate way of living and how veganism helps animals, peo- ple and the planet.” Entry is £2 per person, and free for under 16s, who must be accompanied by an adult.


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