Friday 25th October

Maidstone 2024 Eco-Hub

On Friday I attended the launch of the Maidstone Borough Council 2024 Eco Hub. This pop-up community information centre is back for its third year. I always said awareness and information is always needed to support people to be familiar with better ways of protecting the environment, so this really helps. I was actually the Cabinet Member for Environment that kick started the initiative 3 years ago. It is located in The Mall Shopping Centre. 

It will be open on selected days between 26^th October and 9^th November so if you’re in the town centre then please do try and pop by. Its on the first floor directly from the Gabriels Hill entrance or all the way down the escalators to the very bottom of the building from the other directions.

Since its launch, the Eco Hub has been an invaluable resource, helping residents learn more about sustainable practices, including saving money and reducing their carbon footprint.  The Eco Hub will bring fresh ideas, interesting talks, competitions and family fun activities.

The full schedule of events is linked here, which includes repair cafes, children’s craft sessions, instrument upcycling demonstrations, information on money saving grants and much more!

You can also pop in on certain days to speak to some guest advisors, including:

  - Maidstone’s Recycling and Waste Crime teams

  - South East Water

  - Citizens Advice Energy Advisors

  - MBC Housing Team

  - Maidstone Climate Emergency Network.

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and resources to bring back the Eco Hub this year. There really are some super things to see, from musical bottles to very good honey and learning about bees.

New Chapter for Headcorn Primary School: Celebrating the Launch of the School's New Library!

The Mayor and I recently had the pleasure of joining students, staff, and parents to celebrate the opening of the school’s new library. Its actually a very lovely and hut in the playground.  This incredible addition is a testament to the power of community support and dedication to creating a nurturing environment for our children’s learning.

A Special Thanks to the PTFA

The library project was made possible thanks to the Parents, Teachers, and Friends Association (PTFA), who worked tirelessly to fundraise and bring this vision to life. Their commitment has not only enriched the school but has also fostered a space that will inspire young readers for years to come. The PTFA’s investment underscores the positive impact that community collaboration can have on our local schools, making resources accessible and enjoyable for our students.

A Library Run by the Pupils, For the Pupils

One unique aspect of this library is that it will be open during lunchtimes and managed by a team of Reading Ambassadors from Years 5 and 6. These young leaders have taken on the responsibility of not only running the library but also helping children from younger years with their reading, making this truly a library run by the students, for the students.

Looking Ahead: A Hub of Inspiration and Exploration

As Deputy Mayor and especially as Headcorn Ward Member, it’s inspiring to see Headcorn Primary cultivating a love of reading among its students, and the library is set to become a hub of imagination, learning, and exploration.

The children themselves were an inspiration. The Mayor and I were inspired by them.

Thank you once again to the PTFA, the Reading Ambassadors, and everyone who contributed to this fantastic project. It’s truly a shining example of how our community works together to support and uplift one another. Here’s to many happy hours of reading and learning!

Headcorn Aerodrome

Many of the people that I am in regular contact with will know of my love for my community and some particular and very special reasons for it. Obviously beautiful countryside, landscape, and some lovely villages springs to mind first with some significant architecture and wonderful farming, but the Ward  for which I am elected is bang in the middle of an area with Castles like Sissinghurst,  Leeds and Sutton Valence. It also has a Ladies prison and Aerodrome. That Aerodrome was active in the 2nd World War and was known as Lashenden and had many allies as residents, mainly the USA and Canada.

I have always supported the Aerodrome where I can and usually lead the Civic Remembrance part of the Battle of Britain Show. Over the years we have had Embassy Officials and Military Attaches from USA, Canada and Poland attend our show.  We are now planning the 2025 event.

But in the last week I have been pleased to greet a new business Mid Kent Aviation to the Aerodrome and celebrate the "opening" of a new play area  to the Aerodrome.   

And the work is done locally at a very local company with local labour. Get up close and there is an original Spitfire "part dashboard" too. Needless to say we got our resident Spitfire pilot "Parky" to sit in the cockpit and he loved it.  

Mid Kent Aviation fly microlights and train pilots for what are very light planes. This is Ikarus. 

A  pic from a very memorable Battle Of Britain Event when Poland proved to be great allies and friends

Mental Health

World Mental Health Day

Since I originally posted much of the below content, I've been reminded by some others that I championed the Mental Health Agenda over 30 years ago, in fact I actually set up one of the first Mental Health Days/weeks! Ok its not a great copy using cuttings from the primitive world of "print copy" but somebody said "be proud of your efforts", so there are the works and appeals of me in 1993 that was done as a special feature in the Nottingham Evening Post! Obviously I must give credit to the Evening Post for that article then and now. Publishing it and saying in 1993 was quite an experience.     

I am honoured to join our community in marking World Mental Health Day, an important day that sheds light on mental health issues worldwide. This year’s theme, “Workplace Mental Health,” is especially relevant as many of us spend a significant portion of our lives at work.

 

Mental health affects all of us, whether directly or through the experiences of family members, friends, or neighbours. It doesn’t matter if we’re at work, at home, or spending time with loved ones - our mental well-being is key to living a fulfilling life.

 

We know the daily pressures many of us face, from managing the demands of work and home life to dealing with personal challenges like loneliness, stress, and uncertainty. The last few years, especially, have reminded us how fragile mental health can be and how important it is to reach out for help when needed.

 

That’s why it is so important for us to support each other, not just in our workplaces but across our entire community.

 

We are fortunate to have many local services and initiatives designed to help residents with their mental well-being. Charities like Mind, along with our local NHS services, offer support through counselling, mental health hotlines, and various community outreach programmes. A full list of services can be found here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADeeS7AIcv931UupY7GBLUXX6raBy 

 

Let’s make mental health a priority, not just in our workplaces, but in every corner of our lives.

 

Thank you, and please remember to take care of yourselves and those around you.

 

Martin

Supporting Our Pensioners Through Tough Times

As Deputy Mayor, I feel it is essential to address the pressing financial strains faced by pensioners in our community. Our seniors, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, have dedicated their lives to building our society, raising families, and contributing to the community. Now, many find themselves in a precarious position, struggling to make ends meet.

It’s heartbreaking to witness the struggles that so many pensioners endure. Many have made sacrifices throughout their lives, saving diligently and preparing for their retirement. Yet, despite their best efforts, some are now feeling the weight of financial pressure more than ever before.

The recent cuts to winter fuel benefits have exacerbated this issue, leaving many vulnerable individuals questioning how they will afford heating during the cold months. For those who have worked hard to maintain their homes or who rely on private pensions, the situation can still be dire. The rising cost of living, combined with fixed incomes, means that many of our older citizens are forced to make tough decisions between basic necessities such as food, warmth, and healthcare.

As the winter months approach, many pensioners in our community face difficult decisions due to rising costs and reduced support. The recent cuts to winter fuel payments have left our seniors vulnerable, and it’s time we take a stand for those who have given so much to our society.

I encourage you to support the petition calling for the restoration and enhancement of winter fuel payments for all pensioners. By signing this petition, you will help advocate for financial security for our older citizens, ensuring they can keep their homes warm during the cold months.

How to Sign:

To add your name to this important cause, please visit this link and lend your support.

Celebrating Community Spirit at Fun Palaces in Maidstone: A Day to Remember

The past two days have left me feeling truly amazed by the incredible contributions of so many people within the Maidstone Borough Council areas. As a community activist, youth worker, and elderly carer over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand just how many people are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. While I’ve always been inspired by the work others do, attending Fun Palaces today brought all of that to the forefront in a really powerful way.

Fun Palaces is a unique event that celebrates the creativity, skills, and talents of local people and organisations. This year’s gathering was no exception – it was bursting with energy, joy, and community spirit. The event was a vivid reminder that while many of us contribute to our communities in different ways, when we all come together, the impact is truly remarkable.

They truly appreciated a Rural Deputy Mayor that could come along and make the effort.

I also have to give a special mention to my fellow musicians! Yes, we were a bit nerdy, discussing the pros and cons of Roland or Technics and debating between the Akai Pro or Arturia Mini Lab, but it was those conversations that made the day even more memorable. It was an instant bond, a sense of camaraderie formed by a shared love for music and gear. I’ve always said that being Deputy Mayor gives me the wonderful opportunity to meet so many incredible people doing wonderful things, but when it comes to music, arts, and sport – well, that’s where I truly feel in my element.

That said, I was equally comfortable and happy to spend time with the amazing carers yesterday. Their dedication, patience, and compassion deserve all the recognition in the world. Whether it’s with musicians, carers, artists, or athletes, every moment spent with people making a difference in their communities fills me with pride.

Here’s to everyone who played a part in making Fun Palaces such a success. You are what makes Maidstone a place I am proud to represent, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to build on this fantastic spirit of collaboration. What a wonderful, fun-filled day it was – a true celebration of all that makes our community great!

Thank you to everyone involved. I loved it!