Former MP back in town
ANN Widdecombe will be back in Maidstone on Tuesday, launching her autobiography.
The former Maidstone and the Weald MP will be at the Earl Street branch of Waterstones from 6.30pm till 8pm.
Her book, Strictly Ann, offers a unique insight into her 23 years as a Conservative MP.
The BBC Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been a controversial figure, but was popular in her constituency. Strong views on gay marriage and abortion catapulted her into the limelight.
Miss Widdecombe said she was looking forward to returning to Maidstone, adding: “‘I have been revisiting Maidstone so much in my mind as I wrote this book that it feels as if I have never been away. I almost expect to see my ‘pope mobile’ coming to greet me.”
Tickets are £3 for the talk, but can be redeemed against a purchase of the autobiography on the night. Miss Widdecombe is also offering to sign copies. SEEDS of community spirit and a sprinkling of hard work have helped create an idyllic garden for a whole estate to enjoy.
This week, volunteers from Park Wood have rolled up their sleeves to transform a scruffy patch of land into an outdoor haven for families to use at Heather House, in Bicknor Road.
The project has been spearheaded by Parents is the Word. The community group appealed for donations of plants, paint and pots to help decorate the space, and relied on members to carry out the manual work in their spare time.
It secured more than £1,000 in sponsorship from various companies, including construction and engineering firm Gallagher, Da Vinci construction and Fleur De Lys. Maidstone council contributed to the cost of a hedgerow boundary.
The team has been working away at the site, which measures about 15 metres each way, since Monday, and planned to unveil the fruits of its labour at a ceremony yesterday (Thursday).
Chairman Jade Webster said: “The transformation has been amazing. Everyone has been really supportive and we’ve had people of all ages wanting to be involved. People have been working until 10pm every night.
“The project will continue to be community-led and will be maintained by residents. A few elderly people have said they would like to come along and water the plants and do some gardening. It’s great for them as there isn’t an allotment in Park Wood.”
The garden is split into four sections and is accessible to people with wheelchairs. It includes a playground, a picnic space, a herb and vegetable patch, and a sensory area for children and adults with medical or learning difficulties.
For more information about Parents is the Word, email parentsistheword@gmail.com
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