downsmail.co.uk


Pilot tribute is suggested


A WORLD War II pilot who died when his Spitfire crashed in Net- tlestead could have a new develop- ment named after him. The parish council suggested the


name Blumer Wharf to commemo- rate Warrant Officer Michael Blumer, a youngAustralian aviator, who crashed near the Hop Pole pub in 1944. The village holds a memo- rial service in his honour every year. The crash site was dedicated to


him after remains of the planewere uncovered in 1992. Parish councillors suggested the


name in response to a request from Maidstone Council.


Bags of cash


A“PHIL the Bag” day is being held at Grafty GreenVillage Hall on Sun- day, October 8, when visitors are in- vited to take old clothing, soft furnishings, shoes and belts. The village hall committee is paid


for every bag that is filled. Chairman Richard Pilborough


said: “Each year this contributes around £200 to our continual fundraising effort.”


Grab partners


GRAB your partners and western hats for a hoedown organised by the Marden in Bloom group. The Hatted Hens Barn Dance


Band will be providing music and instructions for the dancing and there will be cowboy fare of beans, baked potato and hot dogs. The second annual hoedown is on at 7.30pm at Marden Memorial Hall.


Church concert A FUND-raising concert at Head- corn Methodist Church raised £517 for the ceiling restoration fund. The concert, onAugust 5,was de- scribed as a “resounding success”, with thanks going to supporters and local businesseswhodonated prizes for the draw.


News


Chance to see town’s historical highlights


THE county town is joining a na- tional heritage festival to celebrate Maidstone's history, architecture and culture. There will be four days of free


events from September 7-10, 2017. Heritage Open Days see more


than 40,000 volunteers across Eng- land organise over 5,000 events. Aspokesman for the council said: "Maidstone has a colourful history shaped by battles, revolts, and mad priests and, later, industrialists and Victorian benefactors – all of which have left their mark on the town." The Archbishop’s Palace will be open to the public on Thursday, Sep- tember 7 from 9.30am-5pm. Free tours are available at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 4pm, for a maximum of 20 people booked in advance. AllSaints’Church on the riverside will open from 10am to 4pm across all four days. Entrance to the church is free and inside you will also dis- cover an exhibition by the Maid-


stone Historical Society. Take a visit to Mote Park on Fri- day, September 8, and join a guided walk to discover more about the his- tory of this award-winning park in the heart of Maidstone. The walk is free but spaces are limited to 20 peo- ple and must be booked in advance. Maidstone Museum is offering visitors a chance to go behind the scenes on September 8. Places are


free, but limited. St Michael&All Angels’ Church in Tonbridge Road is open between 10am and 4.30pm on Saturday, Sep- tember 9, to see inside. The Unitarian Church in Market Buildings opens its doors on Sep- tember 8 and 9 from 10am to 2pm. Go to the Kent History&Library Centre to discover archives and local history. Join a free tour on Saturday 9 to see and hear about behind the scenes areas not normally accessible to the public, and view a small dis- play of original books and docu- ments specially selected for Heritage OpenDays. Tours at 10am,1pmand 3pm but booking essential. Head out to Aylesford Priory and take advantage of a rare opportunity to look inside the beautiful Gate- house, which is not open to the pub- lic for the rest of the year. The Gatehouse will be open from2pmto 4pm on Sunday, September 10. www.visitmaidstone.com.


£3.6m lock project officially opened


RIVER Medway users and wildlife have been boosted by the completion of a £3.6 million proj- ect to refurbish East Farleigh lock. The lock, which has been closed


to boats since September 2016, re- opened in July, but was officially welcomed back into business on Saturday, September 2. The Government-funded work –within the existing lock – has also stabilised theweir and given the facility, which was last refur- bished over a century ago, a new lease of life. The improvements not only se-


cure the future of the structure but the safety for residents and


convenience for boat users, with new features including better moorings, access steps, rubbing timbers and fenders. The lock is one of 10 on the Medway and the second reached by sailors travelling upstream from the tidal Medway. It is now the ninth to boast a special “fish pass” – alongside the weir – pro- viding a climbable slope for freshwater fish, such as barbel, roach, perch, dace, chub and pike, wanting to travel upstream to breed. Julie Foley, Environment Agency area manager, said: “The lock refurbishment will be a great


asset to visitors, river users, and wildlife for years to come. “With a newly refurbished lock


and weir, we will be able to con- tinue to maintain the upstream water levels for boaters, anglers, cyclists, andwalkers to enjoy. The lock is also essential for a number of commercial river operators.” She added: “Allowing free


movement of fish will ensure that the Medway becomes a healthier river than it has been in at least the last 250 years, offering better access to spawning grounds for fish.”


Landscaping of the site will continue for the next few weeks.


Garden centre staff ‘walk towork’ to raise £5,000


STAFF from Millbrook Garden Company completed a 60-mile walk between all three of their garden centres to raise £5,000 for the Marden-based Kent air ambulance. The three-day trek using part of


theWealdWay fromCrowborough in East Sussex to Gravesend, via Staplehurst, has already raised £4,564 and the team are confident that they will reach their £5,000 target. The team hopes their walk will


inspire others to support their charity and visit their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/millbrookgc.


Maidstone Weald September 2017 27


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