downsmail.co.uk


Palaceweddings are here to stay


WORRIED brides looking to book theirwedding at a “fairytale” venue in Maidstone have been assured the historic building will remain available. There had been fears that when


the county council’s lease on the Archbishop’s Palace, owned by Maidstone Borough Council. Council, ended in 2020, civilwed-


dings would be relocated, along with the coroner’s service. While inquests will shift to Can-


tium House at the long-awaited Maidstone East regeneration site, KCChas confirmed that the register office will stay. Shirley Sheridan, service manager


for KCC Registration, said: “The plans for the coroner’s service to va- cate Archbishop’s Palace have no impact on the use of the building as the County Register Office, so all these services including weddings and citizenships will continue. It is an impressive building at the heart of Maidstone, parts of which date back to the 14th century, and is one of our most popular venues for mar- riage ceremonies.” It does, however, suggest further


delay for the Maidstone East regen- eration project by KCC, Maidstone Council and Network Rail, if tenants are to move back in to more vacant buildings on the site and comes weeks after a temporary car park was created on the Sandling Road improvement site. It is understood that four property firms are in the running to submit tenders for the proposed regeneration project by September. KCC says it will be asked to produce a viable master- plan reflecting future trends for re- tail, housing and commercial premises on challenging town cen- tre sites as this. Network Rail also plans to demolish the derelict pub in St Faiths Street,knownas TheVic, to extend its ticket office, alongside other improvements.


A SHED in East Street, Hunton, was broken into and a red Honda lawnmower and pad- lock and chainwere stolen. In Heath Road, Coxheath, a takeaway restaurant was broken into and cash was stolen. Two young men, both described as in their late teens, white, about 5ft 10ins, and of slim build,were seen leaving the property. Damagewas caused to a property in Hunt-


ington Road, Coxheath. An Ifor Williams horse box trailer was


stolen from a farm inWest Farleigh. A moored boat in Hampstead Lane, Yald-


ing,was vandalised. Offenderswere seen fir- ing catapult missiles and throwing stones at the boats. One boat had four windows smashed by the vandals. AMini Onewas stolen from a driveway in Chantry Road, Marden. The vehiclewas later found. A motorcycle parked in Roman Way, Boughton Monchelsea,was stolen and later found abandoned. A container at a farm in Lughorse Lane, Hunton,was broken into. Nothing appeared to have been taken. Roseswere damaged in the front garden of


a property in Court Broomes, East Sutton. Other incidents had been reported. Someone took an Apple Ipad from outside


a property in Kenward Road, Yalding. A sat nav and hiking boots were stolen


from an unsecured vehicle parked behind a property in Heath Road, West Farleigh. Three shedswere also broken into or had at- tempted break-ins. A list of stolen property was awaited. An unsecured garage in Hunton Road, Marden, was entered and a Hayter lawn mowerwas stolen. The driver’s side windowwas smashed on


Jack playing the fool


A ONE-MAN play which portrays the rise to stardom of comedian Norman Wisdom after a tough and lonely childhood comes to the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone, onWednesday, September 27. Starring Jack Lane, Wisdom of a Fool tells how the slapstick comic perfected the routine which shot him to stardom in the 1950s, with film success and the hit song “Don’t Laugh At Me” sealing his fame.


Norman’s daughter Jaqueline Wisdom said: “Wearing the gump suit brought Dad back to life. It was incredibly emotional and I know Dad would be flattered that Jack’s performances earned him standing ovations.” Call the box office on 01622 758611.


Cyclist injured in fall from bike AMANwas seriously injured after falling from his bike near Maid- stone. The incident happened in Smiths Hill, West Farleigh, at about 6.10pm onAugust 14 and the manwas flown to a London hos- pital by air ambulance. A police spokesman said: "The 72-year-old, who was riding a


black racing bike, fell onto the road and suffered severe injuries. Hewas taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition."


NeighbourhoodWatch Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police


a BMW 420D parked on a driveway in Woodlands, Coxheath. It appeared that a stonewas thrown at it. A garden in Old Loose Hill was broken


into and potswere stolen. AVWPassat parked in a driveway in Shin-


gle Barn Lane, Yalding, was damaged, scratching and denting the bonnet. A vehicle parked in Howland Road, Mar-


den,was broken into. A vehicle parked in the road in Gallants


Lane, East Farleigh, was broken into. The barrel lock was drilled and forced and an iPad and mobile phonewere stolen. Agaragewas broken into in Benover Road,


Yalding, but nothingwas stolen. In Oriel Grove, Boughton Monchelsea,a


vehicle parked on a drivewaywas scratched by a sharp implement, Previously children’s toys had been taken from the rear garden and left in the street. A Ford Transit parked in Old Loose Hill


was broken into and toolswere stolen. Deliberate damage was caused to a prop-


erty in Chantry Road, Marden. In Vicarage Road, Yalding, a parked Suzuki Jimny was broken into and a wallet containing cash and cardswere stolen. In St Saviours Road, Park Wood, a red Honda TRX500FE quad bike GN66**, was stolen from a supermarket car park. Three men were seen pushing the bike out of the car park. Amobile phone mast in South Road, Mar- den, was broken into and a battery was


stolen. Someone broke into a shed in Jeffery Close, Staplehurst, and stole a lawnmower. An outbuilding in Mill Lane, Yalding, was broken into and a saddle and riding equip- mentwere stolen. Two men, described as dark skinned, early


20s with short dark brown hair, were seen acting suspiciously nearby. Itemswere removed from a vehicle parked


in Longshaw Road, Park Wood. In Marden Road, Staplehurst, a green wheelbarrowwas stolen from a garden. Damage was caused to a gate and fencing


to a field at nurseries in Sutton Road, Lang- ley.


An unsecured silver and white Carrera bi-


cycle was stolen from a garden in Oriel Grove, Boughton Monchelsea. A flat was broken into in Thatch Barn


Road, Headcorn, and cashwas stolen. A back garden in New Barn Road, Sutton


Valence,was broken into and a plant potwas stolen.Atractor parked in the gardenwas in- terfered with.


CCTV & ALARM SPECIALISTS


FREE consulation: 0800 281 249


info@brooksecurity.com www.brooksecurity.com


Maidstone Weald September 2017 37


Crime reports


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