THE public will get a first chance to see plans for a “new look” St Mary’s Church in West Malling.


Throughout its 900-year history, the listed building has seen structural changes (‘re-or- dering’), more recently the dismantling of a gallery and the arrival of pews in 1904. The hoped-for newest addition is an annexe at the back, the details of which will be revealed at the church on Saturday, January 27.


The proposal is for two rooms and toilets, providing a new Sunday school venue and community space. A glass door overlooking the cemetery, with building materials includ- ing local ragstone are among the details of the design, which will be on show for discus- sion and feedback from 10am to 1pm. Rev David Green (44), who has been the vicar at St Mary’s since 2011, will give a presentation on the plans at about 1pm. He is excited about the plans, which will also include toilets and a kitchenette within the church and access for the disabled. He joked: “They certainly didn’t teach me about project management at theological college, and these plans are rather complex in that they need approval from so many official quarters, but, especially, the support of the public.”


About a million pounds has been set aside for the work, including the proceeds from the sale of the church centre in the former primary school. It is hoped work could start early in 2019.


As part of the work some graves may need to be moved and arrangements


SIX local projects won grants at Trudy Dean’s Annual Dragons Den event before Christmas.


More than 70 local residents voted for the most worthwhile projects. Larkfield First Scout Group (pictured) and Blacklands Scout Group, Heart of Kent Hospice, Slideaway bereavement support for children, Communigrow community allotment and East Malling Centre all received a share of £10,000 from Trudy’s County Councillors Members Fund.


Borough moves to free up New Hythe traffic jams


TONBRIDGE & Malling Borough Council have at last agreed to consult about restricting on street parking in New Hythe Lane, Larkfield.


Cars parked on street between Morrisons supermarket and the


Fire Station cause hold ups which back up onto London Road during peak hours frustrating drivers daily.


Some homes on the Morrisons’ side of the road have no private parking and so opposed TMBC’s first consultation on a total parking ban in the area. But local councillors pointed out that problems were caused in the wider area to thousands of users of this busy road, and pressed for a second consultation with more limited time restrictions.


TMBC is going to consult residents about banning on-street park- ing between 7.30am and 9am in the morning and 3 till 6pm in the evening, Monday to Friday only. County Councillor Trudy Dean explained: “In our door-to-door survey in Larkfield last May the response was overwhelming, and over 93 out of every 100 people supported a restriction. “Continual jams were thought to be dangerous and indeed a study of the local roads revealed a cluster of crashes in this stretch of road. Higher pollution levels must also result from revving cars queueing to pass the parked vehicles. “We continue to try to find alternative spaces for affected house- holders, and if any local residents have spare spaces to offer that would be helpful.”


Malling January 2018


made for the closure or part-closure of the church during the work. Rev Green said: “All of these elements are being discussed and will be handled as sensitively as possible. “The last re-ordering was carried out


in Victorian times and these changes will ensure that the welcome the church provided 100 years ago will be appropri-


ate for the needs of the community today and into the future. What we all want is a building that is used by its community.” He hopes current and previous resi- dents of West Malling, and those with an interest in the church, or family buried in the cemetery will use the opportunity on January 27 to ask questions and comment on the plans.


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