Wednesday May 2 | 2018
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More flats planned for town centre – with no parking... A PLANNING application has been submitted to convert the old Woolworths building into three retail outlets and 14 apartments – without any parking spaces. The project put forward by Barton Willmore on behalf of Milford Estates to renovate 77-81 High Street states that the development will be ‘car free’. The premises, which have been a succession of discount stores since the demise of Woolworths, are now ‘temporarily occupied by’ the Mid Kent Bed Centre. The designers highlight the presence of pavements, reminding prospective buyers that they can walk or cycle instead of driving.
Sustainable The application states: “Due to the highly sustainable town centre location of the site, where public transport is available within walking distance and the use of walking and cycling is promoted through the presence of a number of pedestrian/cycle lanes and a wayfinding strategy, the development is proposed to be ‘car free’.” There is, however, one space available for members of the car club, and it adds: “It is recognised that some residents will still require some level of vehicle access and as a result, a car club space is proposed to be provided to the rear of the site, accessed via Medway Wharf Road.” As for ‘any residents who still wish to own their own vehicle’, it is recommended they use car parks – ‘there are 14 public car
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HELPING HANDS
Man’s life saved at Angel gym after cardiac arrest Page 2
BED OF HEAVEN
Hever B&B wins silver medal in national awards Page 2
STRONGER TOGETHER: (L-R) Tonbridge Parent Support Group founder members Rev Sharon Lovelock, parent Gayle Hobden and teachers Rita Tarrant-Blick and Sarah Hardcastle at Woodlands School
Assembly of talents offers support for school parents By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A GROUND-breaking Parent Support Group has been set up for mums and dads of school-age children across town. The innovative venture is the brainchild of parent Essie Andrews, who has teamed up with two teachers from Woodlands Primary School and a local vicar. Mother-of-three Mrs Andrews is working with Rev Sharon Lovelock of Tonbridge Methodist Church and Woodlands staff members Rita Tarrant-Blick, the school’s Inclusion Manager, and Sarah Hardcastle, Pastoral Support Officer. She was motivated to set up the group when she discovered there was no help available for families of schoolchildren. “I found that as I focused on trying to
find support for my son, I felt alone and unsupported,” she told the Times. “I felt that I needed something – not so much counselling or therapy but moral support, talking to other parents who understand and are going through difficult situations themselves.”
‘It just seemed to make sense that we should come together. That’s what it’s all about, community’ Rev Sharon Lovelock She added: “I only found a group run by [mental health charity] Mind, but I don’t have any mental health issues and it wasn’t what I was looking for. “I found I wasn’t the only one finding
things tough sometimes, and by chance I talked to others who felt the same way about the lack of support available. “Parents of children under five can use the local centres and seek help from health visitors, and there are also numerous toddler groups they can attend.” In the midst of this isolation, the different strands of the group fell into place. Mrs Andrews explained: “I approached Rev Sharon to see how she felt about helping to set up a group. “She had thought about it before and was very enthusiastic about the idea. “Almost at the same time Mrs TarrantBlick and Mrs Hardcastle had begun putting the idea forward to parents [at Woodlands].
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GIVE US A CLUE
Rebus creator Rankin comes to literary festival Page 52
GOING FORWARD
Angels bid farewell to prolific striker Nathan Elder Page 71