Chill out over Fridgehenge

Fridgehenge brought a smile to many faces this week, not least those of the men responsible for the elaborate monument. The quirky installation made a nice break from recent news of murder, arson and drug dealing and it was the element of mischief behind the white goods ring that amused most people.

Everything from the early morning construction to the initial element of mystery and the crowd of ‘worshippers’ the ‘megaliths’ attracted on Sunday for the summer solstice made the whole tale highly entertaining.

Kevin Wildeman’s gleeful pride when he explained how shocked he was by the attention it had received was especially uplifting, as was his business partner Paul Stone’s decision to list Fridgehenge on eBay to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Heart of Kent Hospice.

However, some people saw the stunt as an eyesore, at least one person reported it to Maidstone Borough Council on the grounds it was unsafe and others berated the move to auction ‘a pile of junk’ despite the fact a similar monument in America was described as a work of art.

Surely this is a case of people needing to lighten up? It is no exaggeration to say the community was united by the story, with the town’s sense of humour coming to the fore.

In fact, it was probably the only structure to be erected without planning permission in Maidstone which was so unanimously loved.

Mr Wildeman made sure he removed all traces of Fridgehenge this week. But he’s suggested a follow up stunt. Watch this space.