News Village fete
STRONG men and women and vintage cars are needed to take part in Hollingbourne fete. Teams of eight are invited to test
their strength in the tug of war, while classic cars are needed for the motorcade through the village prior to the event. The summer event and exemp-
tion dog show is at the Lance Me- morial Playing Field on June 11. Anyone interested in taking part should call the parish clerk on 01622 880526. More details, including the dog
show classes, are available online, at
www.hollingbournepc.kent-
parishes.gov.uk.
Thief in court
A MAIDSTONE man who stole washing powder from a supermar- ket in the town has been given a suspended prison sentence. Lee Stych (43), from Kingsley
Road, admitted taking the deter- gent, valued at £25.20, from the shop in Romney Place and at- tempting to steal meat worth £12.96 from the same store four days be- fore. Medway Magistrates’ Court sentenced Stych on April 14 to 90 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Pothole plan
MILLIONS of pounds has been set aside for emergency pothole re- pairs. The county council says it will
spend £4m targeting the damage with either square-cut pothole re- pairs, or larger areas of patching and, where possible, follow it up with a surface dressing of the whole road. In the last year more than £7m has been spent repairing and patching potholes across the county. To report a pothole go to
www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and- trav el/what-w e-look- after/roads/find-and-fix-potholes.
Bikers’ show
DOZENS of trade stalls, bands and vintage aircraft will be among the attractions at a two-day bikers’ show at Headcorn Aerodrome. The British Motorcycle Federa-
tion’s Merlins and Motorbikes weekender, on June 11 and 12, will include a Great British Bike-Off, when a motorbike and Aero Leg- ends Spitfire TD314 race against each.
Family fun day
THE Great Danes Mercure Maid- stone is holding a family fun day in aid of breast cancer care on July 17 from noon until 4.30pm. Organis- ers says there will be stalls, raffles, an ice cream van, a barbecue, face painting, and live entertainment.
6 Maidstone East June 2016
downsmail.co.uk
Pre-school set to close after funding changes
STAFF at The Three Bears Pre-school in Bearsted are preparing to say a sad farewell to the youngsters they have cared for over the years. It follows a reluctant decision to
close the nursery at Bearsted’s WI Hall after 43 years. The pre-school for two- to five-
year-olds, which meets on week- day mornings, has received a growing number of requests for longer opening times, which can- not be met by the multi-use hall. Aswell as a falling register, there
have also been changes in funding to contend with. Kate Taylor, from Bearsted, started helping out at the pre- school back in 1991 when her daughter attended, and has been its supervisor for more than 10 years. She said the decision by The
Three Bears’ management commit- tee had been reached after a great deal of thought. She said: “Parents have been 100
per cent supportive and persuaded the committee to stay open for two more months, after deciding at the start of this year that we would close at Easter.” She added that the last day
would be “heart-wrenching for everyone” including parents, who choose the nursery for its friendly, family atmosphere. She added: “Many of the staff, in-
Staff and children celebrate Three Bears’ 40th birthday in 2013
cluding myself, have had long as- sociations with the nursery and have watched youngsters come through the door, grow up and are now preparing to leave university, so it will be a very sad day.” But before the crayons are packed away, the pre-school’s six
staff and parents will be taking part in Bearsted and Thurnham Carni- val, keeping up with a tradition that has been followed by the pre- school for years. Youngsters will also enjoy a trip
to Leeds Castle and a farewell party on July 20.
Glass homes plan for Grafty Green site
DRAWINGS showing the design of homes planned for the old Grafty Garden Centre have been released. Quinn Estates, which bought the
redundant site on the Headcorn Road in November 2014, wants to demolish the old greenhouses and feature glass widely in the 14 contemporary detached homes it hopes will replace them. There will also be a two-storey
office block. Boughton Malherbe Parish
Council and some neighbours have welcomed the application, saying the site has been amagnet for vandals and off-roaders. Others expressed concern about
the development’s entrance via Crumps Lane, which is said to be “notorious for near misses”. The development is expected to
generate 50-plus vehicle movements a day. Kent County Council Highways does not object. There were other concerns over the use of greenbelt to the west of
the car park, which was bought separately. Natural England also fears an adverse effect on the nearby woodland. However, most felt the proposal
would “tidy the site”, which was left empty following the retirement of the garden centre’s owner at the end of 2014. The large four- and five-bedroom
houses would have garages incorporating further living accommodation above. The
5,500sqft of office space proposed was not necessary, according to some, with similar space in the local area sitting empty. The applicant has offered £350,000 towards off-site affordable housing, broadband and improvements to the village hall if permission is given. The proposal drawn by leading
architect Guy Hollaway is to be considered by Maidstone Borough Council on June 2.
Formore local news
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