downsmail.co.uk


FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT YOUR LOCAL THEATRE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE LATEST FROM THE HAZLITT THEATRE WWW.HAZLITTTHEATRE.COM 01622 758611


News Bats restrict club nightmatches


THE plight ofmoth-eating bats liv- ing inwoodland near theA274 be- came the focus of an impassioned planning debate recently. Bearsted Football Club was look-


ing to increase the hours floodlights can be used at its ground near Otham, but it was not sport that shaped the outcome butwildlife. The club,which is nowplaying in


The Showstoppers' Kids Show 5th April / 2.30PM


Showstopper! The Improvised Musical 5th April / 7.30PM


Jarlath Regan: Organ Freeman 6th April / 7.30PM


the SouthernCounties East Football League, needs to increase its light capacity to enable it to compete in cup competitions that might go to extra time. The club, inHoney Lane,Otham,


wanted to be allowed to extend its floodlight time by an hour to 10.30pmon Tuesdays,Wednesdays


An Afternoon with Michael Buerk 8th April / 2.30PM


@HazlittTheatre @HACMaidstone


Little Howard's Big Show For Kids 11th May / 2.30PM


Box Office Open 10am - 4pm (Monday - Saturday)


New Menu now being served


Upbeat Beatles 9th Mar / 7.30PM


Head over to our website and sign up to the latest news, competitions and special offers Hazlitt Theatre, Earl street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PL


VILLAGERS fear they could be with- out a hairdressers for the first time in nearly 30 years after their salon in Hollingbourne was placed on the openmarket. It is understood the salon, recently


and Thursdays during the season. A previous hearing was deferred


so that an ecological survey could be completed into the state of the bat population and whether it might be affected by an increase in floodlighting at the site. The study found there would be


no discernible impact on the local bats. The LiberalDemocrat’sCllr Tony


Harwood said the area around the A274 Sutton Road and Otham was undergoing “urban sprawl” with house-building. He told fellow members of Maidstone Borough Council’s planning committee: “Lighting has an absolutely disas- trous impact on the moths which


Eyhorne Street and non-stop traffic in both directions is thought to have contributed to the decision to place the premises up for sale. Prior to this, the salon was run as


are the prey species of the bats.” Ukip’s Cllr Gordon Newton, un-


happy at the possibility of residents being disturbed by extra lighting time, said that of the nine species of bat found in the UK five of them were present locally and dismissed


the ecological study as “absolute nonsense”.He protested: “Batswill be affected by what is going on here.” FellowUkipmember Eddie Pow-


ellmentionedhe hadbeen the chair- man of a club of a similar size to Bearsted FC.He said the chances of playing Manchester United on a Tuesday night in an FA cup replay were “extremely unlikely” so the re- action to the applicationwas “going over the top”. However, he bowed toCllrHarwood’s “superior knowl- edge” of British bats. The committee resolved to limit


the number of 10.30pm extensions to four per season and only in offi- cial FAtrophy competitions.


Has village lost hairdressers for good? Charity eating chippie’s profits It amounted to £1,050, taking


known as Stone Hairdressing under the ownership of Sarah Stone, is up for offers in the region of £225,000 after closing in October. A lack of parking near the salon in


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Boniface by Joanne Hills, who has taken her styling business to new premises in Chart Sutton. A villager said: “The traffic


through Hollingbourne is horren- dous.”


LET US TRANSFORM YOUR


HOME IN AN INSTANT BY SIMPLY UPDATING YOUR CURTAINS AND BLINDS!


Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel


Soak up the atmosphere in our contemporary restaurant at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. Choose from a diverse collection of mouth-watering dishes prepared using fresh ingredients and locally- sourced produce. Finally, indulge in one of our delicious desserts before sitting back, relaxing and allowing our experienced and helpful restaurant team to provide you with everything you need.


2 DINE FOR £25 2 courses from our Sunday Lunch set menu


Sunday Lunch


reservation. Voucher to be given to your waiter on arrival. No photocopies accepted. Voucher Valid until 8th April 2018 (Excluding Mothers Day and Easter Sunday). Cash value 0.00001p.


voucher


with this


2 Maidstone East March 2018 Songs that won the war lunch event - Relive the good old days


FORTHCOMING EVENTS 4th March 2018


of wartime Britain as the delightful D-Day Darlings take you on a musical journey


£29.95 including a 3 course lunch and entertainment 22nd April 2018


£24.95 per person including 3 course Meal and fantastic musical tribute to the Rock ‘n’ Roll years.


Dreamboats & Petticoats Tribute Lunch


CALL TO BOOK A TABLE. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FORTHCOMING EVENTS


www.mercuremaidstone.co.uk TEL: 0844 815 9045


Hollingbourne, Nr Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE info@mercuremaidstone.co.uk


PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS: Name .................................................................................. Email address .....................................................................


Please tick if you do not wish to receive any information about future events at the hotel.


Terms & Conditions: a table must be booked in advance. Includes a 2 course meal (main course and either a starter or dessert). Maximum of one voucher per


Bespoke Made to Measure Curtains, Blinds & Shutters Tracks & Poles


Measuring and Fitting Service Upholstery


Cushion Replacements & Loose Covers Farrow & Ball Paint & Wallpapers Large Fabric Book Library Haberdashery & Wool Shop


Free Parking Call us today for a Free no obligation quotation!


Unit 2, The Oast, Clockhouse Farm, Coxheath ME17 4PB 01622 744265


www.aquariussoſtfurnishings.co.uk


*Valid until 20 April 2018. Can not be used in conjunction with any other offers. for all new clients on production of this advert


Cut & Finish* Introductory Offer


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Free Interior Design Advice March deals now available


A CHARITY in memory of a Bearsted man has been given a £1,000 boost by a fish and chip shop’s annual fundraiser. Marino’s in the village do-


nated all of its profits on Janu- ary 8 to the charity set up in honour ofMatt Carapiet. Mr Carapiet died in theNepal earthquake inApril 2015.


the total owner Donda


Michaelis has now donated to the charity past the £5,000mark. He said: “They are a local fam-


ily and it’s good to support them. “It’s something we do regu-


larly and we’re happy to carry on doing it.”


01622 738772 7 Yeoman Court, Ashford Rd Bearsted, K


www.directorshairandbeauty.co.uk Directorshair and beauty studio


Late nights Tues/Thurs


Shellac Gel Nails Now Available


Great Lengths hair


extensions - book your free consultation now


ent ME14 4ND


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