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News Dion’s last


pub new role DITTON’s last remaining pub will be taking on a new lease of life as of- fices for chartered surveyors. Formerly the village working


men’s club, The Kentish Quarryman in New Road closed its doors for good in February after a chequered history. A bid to extend licensing hours caused controversy and residents raised concerns about antisocial be- haviour and vandalism. The sitewas bought in June from brewer Shep- herdNeamebyAMSurveying Prop- erty Services. Neighbour Tracey Lucas said:


“There did seem to be a lot of trouble there at theweekendsandmanypeo- ple were relieved when the pub closed. Offices are a good idea.” Director Antony Mackintosh said


the purchase brought to an end a two-year search fornewpremises for his company which had outgrown premises it occupied nearby for eight years. “The former public house provides


us with agoodopportunity to remain in the local area, retain our existing 10 employees and expand further,” he said.


The firm has submitted a proposal


to Tonbridge and Malling Council to convert the upper floor of the building into two flats.


downsmail.co.uk


New Stones pitch will mean awaywarm-ups


WORKon a new artificial pitch at the Gallagher Stadium in Maid- stone means the Stones' pre-sea- son games will mostly be played away.


Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “It’s essential thatworkisdonefor thenew season. “I’ve got the lads back in andwe’ll


be having some training sessions ahead of those friendlies, which will give us the match practice we need ahead of what will be a big season for us.”


Ryman Premier Division newcom-


ers FolkestoneInvicta willbethissum- mer’s first opponents. The Stonesweredueto travel to the


coastonTuesday, July 12, toplayates- timonialmatchfor JoshVincent before atripalongtheA20toplay Sevenoaks Townon July 14. The first Saturday friendly (July 16)


is against Welling United. Former Bromley boss Mark Goldberg has takenover atParkViewRoadandhas made some changes during his first fewweeks in charge. There will be several former Stones on show for the friendly on Tuesday,


July 19, against Danny Lye’sAshford United on the3Gpitch at Homelands – a venue the club played at for two years. Thefirsthomefriendly isscheduled


on Saturday, July 23, against Concord Rangers.Shouldthe pitchworksover- run, the match will be played at Con- cord’sAspectArena. The following week sees a trip to Leatherhead on the Tuesday, July 26, and Faversham Town on Thursday, July 28.Ahome friendly is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 – visitors to be announced. The Stones’ fixtures for the 2016/17 season, starting with York City at homeonAugust6, areavailableonthe club’swebsite on www.maidstoneu- nited.co.uk/


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The pitch at the


Gallagher Stadium, home to Maidstone United


Mayoral approval


MAIDSTONEUnited’s promotion to the top level of non-league football was celebrated at the town hall. Mayor Derek Butler congratu-


lated manager Jay Saunders and chief executive Bill Williams on their achievement. The Stones stormed into the Na-


tional League in May after a dra- matic last gasp penalty shoot-out against Ebbsfleet United. The club have been in non-league


football for a quarter of a century, but under current ownership, it is widely envied for the facilities, arti- ficial pitch and community ethos and involvement.


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