downsmail.co.uk


News


Future of hall on knife edge


FEARS are growing that Holling- bourne could find itself without a village hall. The issue has been rumbling on


for over a year and has now prompted the parish council to write to the owner of the land it sits on to express concern at a lack of agreement on its future tenancy. The council says the hall, which


will be the venue for Holling- bourne’s 40th panto in February, is in daily use for activities including shortmat bowls and as a chapel for Holy Communion. Village hall representatives, in-


cluding hall committee chairman John Holley are among those to have criticised the lack of commit- ment by EI (formerly Enterprise Inns), which appears unwilling to negotiate until a plan for 10 homes involving the site behind theWind- mill pub, is determined. The committee says the potential


development by Country House Homes, off Eyhorne Street, is hold- ing hostage the hall’s future and bookings arrangements, with EI having allowed its 20-year lease to lapse inAugust 2016. In a letter from Hollingbourne


ParishCouncil, chairmanMikeBed- well urges EI to agree a long-term leasewithoutdelay so that residents


andothers can continue to enjoy the use of the hall. Parish councillor John Cobbett


(pictured) fears if the lease is not ex- tended, the landlord could insist that the site is returned in its origi- nal state, and the cost of de- molishing the hallwould fall to the village, which would then need to look for a re- p l a c eme n t venue.He esti- mates the cost


– should a suitable site be found – could be £1.5m. Meanwhile, Maidstone Borough


Council’s planning committee says it is scheduledtodetermine thepro- posal for 10 houses in Windmill Lane on February 2. Commenting, Cllr Cobbett said:


“If the lease is not renewed and the hall is lost, hopefully, Maidstone Councilwill funda replacementhall as itwill be the actions of the coun- cil regarding development here, outside the village envelope,which will have triggered a sequence of events that could lead to the loss of the hall.” Forty years of panto, page 16


Buying sellng, selling or oth?


or b


Whitehead Monckton solicitors can help you complete all the legal steps, whether you’re buying or selre buying or selling a property.


you’ e We take pride in offering a Cross earns place in history


THE chalk cross at Lenham has fi- nally earned national recognition. Since the village turned out in


1921 to mark the cutting of The Cross in the hill, thememorial to The Fallen in the Great War has held a special place in the hearts of many. But, it came as a shock to learn that The Cross had no official status. Lenham parish councillor Mike


Cockett (picturedabove) said: “When we issuedourNeighbourhoodPlanin 2014 in came as a shock to learn that The Cross was totally unregis- tered and virtually unknown outside Lenham.” He set about getting it registered


as a National Monument and War Memorial, with the help of villagers, Historic England, photographs and Amy Myers’ history book, Lenham and the GreatWar.


The memorial – visible from the


A20– is unusual in that itwas carved by hand into the North Downs. The prominent hill-figure cross was cre- ated by FreddieBaldock,with help of local volunteers. It was designed by the village school headmaster,Mr C H Groom. The war memorial at Lenham, has now been given Grade II listed status as an eloquent wit- ness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrificemade in the conflicts of the 20thCentury, and for its unusual and striking scale and form. Theme- morial stones,nowwithinthe church- yard of StMary's Church, have been granted Grade I status. Cllr Cockett said: “I am obviously


pleased that Historic England has recognised the unique history and value of The Cross.”


e buying or selling a property f


fering a no-nonsense approach to


what can sometimes be a frustrating pr ocess, helping ensur e your transaction is completed as quickly and smoothly as possible.


Recognised by the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Accreditation Scheme, a r equirement for some mortgage lenders to use the same solicitors.


Contact us today


Canterbur 01227 01622


e Eng


England & Wales. is


itehea Monc al


Registered office 72 King Street, Maiidstone, Kent, ME14 1BL. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation no. 608279.


Limite tr


d So ci e, K atio Authority under DM /1 Maidstone East January 2018 5 08


Canterbury 01227 64325 Maidstonei Ma dstone 01622 69800 Tenterden 01580 765722


1622 698000 01580 76572


is


www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in


01227 643250 01622 69800 01580 76572


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  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48