News
Cash boost for charity
MAIDSTONE mental health charityMind has received £250 towards frontline services. Visitors to Taylor Wimpey’s new development
in West
Malling nominated Maidstone and Mid-Kent Mind to receive themoney. Tom Fishenden, from MMK
Mind – a charity that promotes social inclusion for people with mental health problems – wel- comed the vote fromvisitors to the Leybourne Chase develop- ment. In addition, to helping with frontline services, he says themoneywill offer a chance to provide more for the growing number of younger sufferers in the area. Susan Joseph, from Taylor
Wimpey, said: “We’re commit- ted to supporting the communi- ties in which we build our new homes and this fantastic charity carries out invaluable work helping people with mental health issues.”
Kent Show’s trade chance
NEW businesses will have a chance to showcase their wares for the first time at the Kent Showin Detling. Ten start-up firms from the
county are invited to apply for free exhibition space in a new enterprise zone at the show in July. Applicants have until April 9 to apply for space at the three-day show, which attracts 80,000 visitors. Find the application form at
www.kentshowground.co.uk, under exhibit. Trade stand co-ordinator
Rosie Gouldsworthy is avail- able to give advice to any start- ups that wish to apply on
rosie@kentshowground.co.uk The show will be on July 6, 7
and 8 in 2018. .
Girl band at
showground GIRL band Little Mix will be visiting Maidstone as part of their Summer Hits Tour. Shout Out to My Ex band
members Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne will be bringing their high-energy show to the Kent Events Centre at the Detling showground on Sun- day, July 22. The band are visiting 15
towns and cities across the country as part of their tour, fol- lowing the success of their new albumGlory Days.
24 Maidstone January 2018
CarolMcGiffen with Volunteer of the year Daphne Springett and Trust chairman David Highton
downsmail.co.uk
Riverside castle gem is set towowvisitors
THE chance to visit a hidden gem in Maidstone from next year has been widely welcomed. Allington Castle, owned by Sir
Robert Worcester, is to open its doors once a week in the summer season to passengers on the Ken- tish Lady river cruise. The castle, which was once vis-
ited by Ann Boleyn, boasts fantas- tic gardens and a notable history. Sir Robert has owned Allington
Castle for almost 22 years, and ad- mits it was a “love affair” for him when he first sawit. “It’s everyAmerican schoolboy’s
dream,” said the founder of polling company Ipsos Mori. “I’m a histo- rian by nature; one ofmy academic appointments is at the Institute of Contemporary BritishHistory and, to me, this is contemporary British history. “I’d been in Tenterden for 25
yearswhen, one Saturdaymorning in July, I opened the Financial Times and sawthis listed. I thought it was wonderful, so my late wife and I came to see it. “Itwas a love affair as far as Iwas
concerned. I made an offer, it was accepted, and herewe are.” Built in the 12th century and set
in 42 acres of land next to the River Medway, Sir Robert has spared no expense inmaintaining the original
FORMER ‘LooseWomen’ host Carol McGiffin handed achievement awards to staff and volunteers from Maidstone Hospital on Friday. The annual Staff Stars Awards
features of the castle. EstatemanagerCraig Bruun said:
“We’re really excited about this venture. Not many people get to see these gardens. Come spring it’s full of colour. “People that live on Castle Road
don’t know there’s a castle at the end of the road! It is a hidden gem and to open it up tomore people is very exciting.” Tours, which are scheduled to
take place on Tuesday afternoons, can be tailored to the interests of the group, and Nick Kennedy, owner and captain of the Kentish Lady, is thrilled to add Allington Castle to his schedule. “Sir Robert has put a lot of trust
in us.Whenwe firstmet itwas ten- tative but nowthere seems to be the right amount of trust there. “The river really is the gem of
Maidstone and not enough is done to shout about it. Hopefully this will help to raise the profile.” The tourwas previewed to digni-
taries in early November, and among those (pictured on board) was Deputy Mayor David Naghi, who could barely contain his ex- citement at the newventure. “Sir Robert and Lady Worcester
tying up with the Kentish Lady is probably themost exciting thing in my lifetime that’s happened along the river,” he said. “It’s an historic day forMaidstone.”
Staff and volunteers are stars of hospital
recognise those who ‘go above and beyond’ in their roles at the hospi- talsmanaged by theMaidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust. Carol joined Trust chief executive
JimLusby and chairmanDavidHigh- ton, at Oakwood House in Maid- stone to present the awards. Taking the awards forMaidstone in
categories including excellence, inno- vation and respect were: Stephanie McKinley, clinical research team;Amy Duncan, reception, Maidstone; com- munity midwifery support workers; Pye Oliver Ward; Maidstone or- thopaedic unit; Debbie Cay, theatre practitioner, Maidstone; Chaucer Ward; the Trust’s finance team; Julia Martin (Reed), pharmacist, Maid- stone;DrConn Sugihara, cardiologist, Maidstone; John Day Ward, Maid- stone; ITU Maidstone; Jackie Tyler, paediatricmatron; LeighannMitchell, sister,Maidstone stroke unit;Danielle Tolley, therapeutic radiotherapy sup- port worker; Daphne Springett, neu- rology,Maidstone; Valerie Blackman, chaplaincy;Maidstone short stay sur- gical unit and the League of Friends, Maidstone; Kate Holmes, A&E and SakheleniMakena, actingwardman- ager, stroke. A charity raffle on the night raised
more than £1,000 for blood cancer charity Bloodwise, which was nomi- nated by Carol.
Keep it local this Christmas
Lyn’s Floral Designs
Births I Weddings I Events I Sympathy Flowers Merry Christmas to all our customers
Telephone: 01622 720500 / 01732 844805 Mobile: 07960 900076
www.lynsfloraldesigns.co.uk 4 Marlborough Parade, Beverley Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9JN
THE WALNUT TREE Kent’s longest running comedy club
Your traditional, family run, local pub.
Every Thursday – Come and see the future stars of comedy live!
Live Music - every Friday (visit website for details)
Jam Night - First Monday of the month Christmas Eve
Squeeze Gut Alley - very popular local band Christmas Day
Open 12pm-2.30pm - Drinks & Nibbles Boxing Day
Our popular Quiz Night!
Dogs welcome on their leads Lovely beer garden and car park.
Varied bar menu served every day 12noon-8.30pm.
Come try our famous ‘Build a Burger’ meals!
Find us opposite the entrance to Oakwood Park Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8SR
01622 727260 email :
walnuttree234@yahoo.co.uk web :
www.thewalnuttreemaidstone.com
24 hour service locks opened new locks fitted security checks emergency work undertaken UPVC door & window repairs Your Maidstone Locksmith
T: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751 3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT Maidstone & Kent
www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk Email:
mick@yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk
For breakfast and lunch - - try the Munch!
Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas
Open 6 days a week Mon-Sat 8am - 4pm Good atmosphere,
great food & friendly staff Tak e - Away
34 King Street, Maidstone 01622 692555
Ea t - In
ALL SAINTS CHURCH Mill Street
Maidstone A Service of
Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols
by Candlelight
Sung by the choir of All Saints Church with
Astley Brass Lionel Marchant
Directed by Philip Horley (Organ)
4.30pm Saturday 16th December 2017 Everyone is welcome to attend this service.
Seasonal refreshments will be available after the service. Christmas at All Saints, Maidstone
Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December
4.00pm Christingle Service - Carols for Families 11.30pm Midnight Choral Eucharist - with Carols
Christmas Day Monday 25th December 8.00am Said Eucharist (BCP)
10.00am Family Eucharist - with Carols Maidstone January 2018 25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25