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downsmail.co.uk Talks on future of leisure centre


THE future of Maidstone Leisure Centre is under review, amid concerns it is no longer fit for purpose, DownsMail has learned.


The facility is under pressure due


to Maidstone’s growing popula- tion, and with 17,600 new homes due as a result of the Liberal De- mocrat-led borough council’s Local Plan, it is likely to increase. But demolition of the centre,


which is based in Mote Park, has been ruled out. Cllr PaulHarper, chairman of the


heritage, culture and leisure com- mittee, said: “The situation is that we have a contract for Mote Park Leisure Centre that ends in a cou- ple of years, and we will start dis- cussing what to do next in the coming year. “The building is of a certain age,


with a lot of it being built in the 70s, sowe have to give it a reviewto see if it is still fit forworking order.” Cllr Fran Wilson, of Maidstone


Borough Council, said: “After Christmas, we will look at what work can be done inMote Park and the leisure centre for things to per- formbetter.


Summer show


MAIDSTONE growers will show off the rewards of theirwork in the garden at a classic autumn show. Dahlias, produce and other de-


lights including crafts and cookery will feature in the Late Summer Showat the Baptist ChurchHall in Knightrider Street on September 1. The event is the culmination of a


year’s activity for the 100 or so members of Maidstone Horticul- tural Society, formed in 1935. The Maidstone & District Horti-


cultural Society – its forerunner - boasted local notables as its presi- dent, including Sir Garrard Tyr- white-Drake and Lady Bailey, of Leeds Castle. In 1952 the nameMaidstoneHor-


ticultural Societywas adopted, in a year that saw committee member Mr H. Parsons resign to become head gardener to The Queen at Sandringham.


Work on homes FOUNDATIONS are now com- plete on Golding Homes’ develop- ment inHartnup Street,Maidstone. The housing association is build-


ing two two-bed homes, seven garages and four parking spaces on the site of disused garages. The association says the brick-


work is due to start shortly, with the handover set for early next year.


8 Maidstone September 2018 Wendy Pfeiffer (left) and Diane Bromley re-open the service Natter campaign success


THE books have been re-opened on Maidstone’s befriending service, thanks to onewoman’s efforts. Wendy Pfeiffer, manager of the


West Kent Befriending Service, an- nounced that £11,000 has been raised to employ Diane Bromley a former volunteer fromMaidstone, on a part-time basis, allowing newrefer- rals to be accepted. She said: “Thanks to InvictaGram-


mar School, a number of very gener- ous people and our two campaigns, we have raised almost £11,000. “This will make a world of differ-


ence to lonely older people in the Maidstone area who can now begin the process of being matched with one of our volunteer befrienders.” Wendy – the onlymember of staff


leading volunteers at the Age UK Maidstone befriending service – thanked those who supported her Fancy A Natter and It Matters To Natter campaigns, which saw her spend her holiday out and about meeting people and raising aware- ness of the need for a befriending service and the funding shortage. Among her supporters was Maid-


stone MP Helen Grant, who said: “I want to offermy warmest congratu- lations to Wendy and her fantastic teamat Age UKMaidstone and the West Kent Befriending Service.t. “It has beenmy privilege to be in-


volved in the campaign and I know that thismoneywillmake a huge dif- ference to reducing loneliness across our county town.”


other county and regional aver- ages. Almost 27% of the local pop- ulation belong to a sports club, compared to the national average of just 22%. The reports showthatMaidstone


needs the following facilities: a four-lane swimming pool, 187 fit- ness equipment stations, 17 new football pitches, four sports halls, three cricket pitches and three rugby pitches. In relation to the reports calling


“Roof problems are currently


being fixed at the leisure centre… we are currently looking at what can be done in the next three to five years. With the community grow- ing so fast … nobody has an idea what to do, but the questions are being asked.” Maidstone Borough Council has


received two recent reports – “Sports Facilities Strategies” and “Playing Pitch Strategies” – which look at the future of sport inMaid-


stone. The demand for sporting ac- tivities and facilities is expected to increase asMaidstone’s population is estimated to rise by 22,280 peo- ple by 2031. The reports call for “quantity,


quality, accessibility and availabil- ity” for Maidstone’s indoor and outdoor facilities, forecasting for the estimated population growth. The borough has quite a high


participation rate in sport and physical activities compared to


for a new25mfour-lane swimming pool,CllrHarper said: “Wewould- n’t put a newonewherewe already have one.Mote Park hasmany very large pools that are bigger than other south east leisure centres. “If there was a need for a new


pool it would be a question of where to put it. In September, the committee will look into where, if one is needed, a newpoolwill go.” When asked if the leisure centre


is to be demolished Cllr Wilson replied: “Completely untrue.”


MP’s newrole


MID Kent MP Helen Whately has beenmadeConservative Party vice- chair forwomen. MrsWhately said shewill use the


role to persuademorewomen to get involved in political life. She added: “Having women


around the table changes the con- versation.Women’s life experiences aren’t more or less important than men’s – but they are different. “This year, as we celebrate 100


years sincewomen got the vote, is a golden opportunity to encourage morewomen to stand for election. “I’m grateful for all the opportu-


nities I’ve had; more than my mother, and immeasurably more thanmy grandmother.”


Burglar jailed


A MAIDSTONE man has been jailed for three years after his blood was found at a crime scene. Tony Jackson (57), of Charlton


Street,Maidstone, was convicted of burglary following a trial at Basil- don Crown Court, after stealing a large quantity of cash from a secu- rity cabinet from a Sittingbourne business inDecember last year. The trial heard the business was


entered via the rear fire door, and the safe was looted. But Jackson, who was sentenced in July, left a small trace of bloodwhichprovided aDNAmatch.


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