Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Elaine was the daughter of Albert and Verona (Pieper) Brandmire She attended and graduated from Trinity Lutheran School in Janesville She furthered her education at Concordia College in St She was united in marriage to Loren Alvin Malling on September 2 1960 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville Elaine worked as a teacher for two years before staying home to raise her children when they were young She returned to work as a secretary for the Waseca Schools and Vocational Center She then worked for Waseca County in the court services auditor’s and court administrator’s offices She volunteered briefly for the schools to help children read Elaine has been an election judge since her retirement She was a member of Trinty Lutheran Church in Wilton Township Tim (Laurey) Malling of Paynesville; grandchildren Karen Zimmerman of Waseca; and many other relatives.  Visitation for Elaine will be from 5 – 9 PM on Tuesday 2024 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca Third Street - Dennis Steffel Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters The Conservatives managed to hold three seats in Tonbridge and Malling district meaning that Tory councillors from the area now make up more than half of the party's total number on the council The Tories held seats in Malling North East Malling Rural East and Malling West in what were very rare victories for the party in the Kent Local Elections 2025 The party did lose the Malling North seat to Reform UK who now hold a majority on Kent County Council Malling Central was held by the Lib Dems while both Tonbridge seats were held by Green party councillors Overall on Kent County Council Reform UK now has overall control and holds 57 out of the 81 seats the Lib Dems are the second largest party with 12 councillors The final two seats are taken by Labour councillors down from the five the party held before the election Full results for Tonbridge and Malling district are listed below: For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from the other 11 Kent County Council areas Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone and Hythe Gravesham Maidstone Sevenoaks Swale Thanet Tunbridge Wells Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Friedrich Nietzsche has been described as — and accused of — many things, some of them strikingly contradictory. Nazi ideologues selectively appropriated elements of his philosophy, such as extreme individualism and his allegory of the Übermensch, to suit their agenda. And during the notorious Dreyfus Affair in France anti-Semites vilified supporters of the Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus as “Nietzscheans.” He was seen by others as a skilled eviscerator of received ideas on science and its allegedly corrupting effect on knowledge and yet more saw him as a dangerous nihilist Nietzsche was also thought to have serious misgivings about the sustainability of Christianity in the context of Enlightenment and industrialization culminating in his provocative declaration “The Gay Science.” Nevertheless his reputation survived and recovered from its incorporation into Nazidom Nietzsche has been read and commented on by such diverse characters as Huey P Newton of the Black Panther Movement and former U.S both of whom found something (and doubtless something different) in his “Beyond Good and Evil.” Nietzsche’s legacy persists Amid all this hubbub of opinion and research into the man and his ideas another aspect of Nietzsche: his productivity and how it changed during his career because of his adoption of a new writing technology Consider this: Nietzsche wrote four books between 1870 and 1881 he managed to deliver 10 manuscripts to his publisher in the seven years to 1888 whereupon he became too ill to write any longer an infirmity that would surely have hampered his longhand writing How did he manage to improve his work rate What he did was something seemingly out of character given his views on modernity and science: He bought a typewriter he purchased a top-of-the-line portable Malling-Hansen writing ball which was sent specially to him from its inventor in Copenhagen Philosophy changed fundamentally with the gradually more widespread adoption of “automatic writing.” A practiced typist can produce a page of text very much faster than can someone trying to write the same words in longhand And as he became more used to the modern technology this was doubtless a factor in Nietzsche’s efficiency with words It’s more than the fact that the efficiency of the Gutenberg press was in its capacity to print page after page of the same words much faster than was humanly possible before its invention And it’s more than the fact that the efficiency of the Jacquard loom was coded into a program that could replace aspects of the ancient human role in weaving These examples represented significant breaks with how we produce through our interaction with technology Typing transformed Nietzsche’s consciousness — it affected how he thought about and expressed the world as he understood it The literary scholar Walter Ong has said that writing as a technology was not simply an exterior aid but an “interior transformation of consciousness”: It took hold of human consciousness 3,000 years ago and changed it with the written word representing thought itself Written words were embedded into the consciousness of the literate to imprint a kind of thought grammar that reflected the world as they read and wrote about it Nietzsche’s near industrial-scale productivity and efficiency came with a cost — or was it a benefit Blindness forced him to stop writing longhand with pen and ink and instead use his fingertips to identify the fixed arrangement of letters on the Malling-Hansen writing ball the grammar of the mechanical writing ball overrode the schooled grammar of longhand writing and the thought that it produced The sudden mechanical punctuated strike of the typewriter contrasted starkly with the ruminative flow of the pen; the typewriter encouraged a binary decision to depress the key or not; whereas the pen with its store of liquid ink or in a small reservoir in the fountain pen was a more latent and nonmachinic technology The first is an incipiently digital form of thought expression the second more innately analog; one the beginning of the forming of what literacy theorist Maryanne Wolf would call the “digital brain,” the other a brain formed in print culture and in the Romantic ambivalence toward science Once he had mastered the skill of the touch-typist Nietzsche’s thoughts must have really flown onto the pages of typescript enabling him to produce a new manuscript regularly in under a year like the saying “for the person with a hammer everything begins to look like a nail,” Nietzsche’s machine-made words adopted a new form of technological determinism restructured his consciousness and therefore reorganized his philosophical and creative expression What was able to be thought and written in when Nietzsche’s eyesight still held and longhand was his written form was something no longer possible once his eyes failed him and he got behind the Malling-Hansen A very different writing technology helped to determine another way of thinking and the expression of these thoughts through writing The agency and control inherent in wielding a pen even though this too shaped and formed thoughts for millennia was transformed when tapped out from a rigidly positioned set of mechanical keys The German philosopher of technology Friedrich Kittler has claimed that the analog typewriter in general was useful for certain forms of thought: the brief the forms that thrive on concision and quickness Kittler looks at the case of Nietzsche and argues that “Nietzsche’s reasons for purchasing a typewriter were very different from those of his colleagues who wrote for entertainment purposes They all counted on increased speed and textual mass production; the half-blind What would in the mid-20th century come to be called the “culture industry” would thrive on this modern technology and the productivity it enabled in commercialized culture But it posed an existential problem for philosophy and philosophical thought The transformation in Nietzsche’s writing due to his écriture automatique was so marked the Berliner Tageblatt commented on the onset of Nietzsche’s “complete blindness” and wrote that “with the help of a typewriter [he] has resumed his writing activities.” However the article gave notice: “It is widely known that his new work [‘The Gay Science’] stands in marked contrast to his first He notes that the character of Nietzsche’s writing and therefore a celebrated Nietzschean style comprising sustained reflection and complex reasoning had changed “from arguments to aphorisms from rhetoric to telegram style.” Nietzsche was an early adopter of the technology He took it to the heady realms of Continental philosophy and — if we consider his immense influence — began to change it through a creative mind that was reshaped by the keys that had replaced the pen Nietzsche may not have appreciated this evaluation but he did seem to realize in his now-sightless world that something important had occurred in his thinking processes in one of the few letters Nietzsche wrote on a typewriter “Our writing tools are also working on our thoughts.” He undoubtedly was aware of his increased productivity but as to the quality and substance of the content was clear on what was happening with this technology at the general level of philosophic thought or the thinkable and expressible elements of it via mediation changed fundamentally with the gradually more widespread adoption of “automatic writing” and with it the culture it would produce for most of the 20th century Kittler noted a turning point for Nietzsche in his “Genealogy of Morals” from 1887 an immensely influential volume on moral concepts Kittler reads as symptomatic of an evolutionary change in human thought not only in Nietzsche but in Western philosophy itself prefaced the technological evolution of machine memory in computing which was being played out in nascent form in the action of Nietzsche tapping out his philosophy through a fixed array of letter keys Kittler writes: “In the second essay of ‘Genealogy of Morals,’ knowledge and virtuous action are no longer inborn attributes of Man Like the animal that will soon go by a different name Man derived from forgetfulness and random noise Which suggests that … during the founding age of mechanized storage technologies aims toward the creation of a machine memory.” The typewriter that changed Nietzsche had a long time yet to cast its spell on humanity what Maryanne Wolf called the “writing brain,” the “mechanical” brain that had been formed out of the effects of the Gutenberg press would serve to “industrialize” not only the mind but the economies And this mechanical cast of mind would be the basis for the modern analog world in all its forms especially its 20th-century articulations with its successes and failures A rare sound recording of the ivory-billed woodpecker became both a touchstone for conservationists and the center of a scientific debate that continues to this day Joeri Bruyninckx | Apr 10 the often-overlooked systems of technical standards offer a rare example of economic collaboration that prioritizes the public good over profit Jeffrey Pomerantz & Jason Griffey | Mar 24 impacts our lives in many clear and tangible ways Theresa M. Crimmins | Mar 6 From tool-making crows to alligators that lure birds with twigs animals may be more rational than we ever imagined Mark Rowlands | Feb 27 ArrowSwipe right to see the collection that La Bagatelle will present at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Sounds dreamy, right? It is—especially if you’re looking for something that feels one of a kind and local, and more classical than directional. It’s hard to describe La Bagatelle as a brand, because it wasn’t conceived that way and has its own way of existing in the fashion landscape. In part, that’s because Malling comes at it from a journalistic perspective. “I never wanted to be a designer,” she says, “but I’ve always loved clothes more than anything else.” The house, Bagatel, from which the brand takes its name All La Bagatelle pieces are made in Copenhagen. East Germany’s experiment in creating an ideal town from the ground up The GDR planned Eisenhüttenstadt as a model town in the 1950s Now that its population and steelworks have shrunk significantly will it become a living monument to a failed utopia Eisenhüttenstadt.’ The train rolled slowly through the huge industrial zone that inspired its name you could see chimneys and factory buildings glide by rusty pipes wound around battered blast furnaces and silos before disappearing into its metal core down from 12,000 in the heyday of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) the integrated steelworks is the beating heart of Eisenhüttenstadt the town is one of Germany’s newest and most fascinating The GDR leadership built it from scratch to house the plant’s workers and their families This allowed the developers to design buildings and also to incorporate works of art into the urban landscape stained glass windows and murals – many idealising the GDR and socialism – form part of a unique architectural ensemble well worth preserving Thirty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall art historians and cultural tourists are rediscovering its legacy Despite the East German regime’s totalitarianism and the town’s current social problems some of the original ideas behind Eisenhüttenstadt could have new relevance now dictate so many real estate projects and urban planning (where it exists) For today’s visitor – accustomed to seeing soaring rents drive poorer people out of city centres and eat into middle-class incomes almost everywhere – the idea of building an entire town with high-quality architecture and living spaces primarily for working-class people is a welcome change Being a tourist in Eisenhüttenstadt is a bit like stepping into a giant open-air exhibition dedicated to socialism (1) According to Youna Kim in the exhibition catalogue the government provided the series free to broadcasters in Iraq to create positive feeling towards Korean soldiers there repositioning and survival of Deerwood Village Mall one of the Southside’s oldest shopping malls the Deerwood Village Mall serves as an early suburban Jacksonville shopping mall that continues to survive the test of time and changing retail shopping trends The shopping center’s story dates back to the 1960 development of the Deerwood Country Club 10 miles southeast of Downtown Jacksonville The Deerwood Country Club was Florida’s first gated community and for many years the most exclusive residential area on Jacksonville’s Southside The 900-acre development was the brainchild of Bryant Skinner and named Deerwood due to the property’s abundance of wildlife Notable golf course architect George Cobb was hired to design the golf course The Deerwood Country Club development was financed by Stockton SWD was Northeast Florida’s largest real estate Founded in 1884 as the Telfair Stockton Co. the firm also developed the communities of San Marco in the 1920s and Ponte Vedra Beach in the 1930s To make Deerwood’s isolated property accessible land was donated for the construction of Southside Boulevard the only way to reach Deerwood was from Philips Highway along a 3-mile rural road called San Clerc San Clerc eventually became Baymeadows Road and eventually received its own interchange with Interstate 95 when the highway was built Deerwood had become a desirable community on the edge of Jacksonville’s southward growth from the older central city Responding to the need for commercial amenities SWD moved forward with the development of Deerwood Village Mall at the intersection of Southside Boulevard and Baymeadows Road Anchored by Publix Super Markets and Eckerds KBJ designed the development to have a similar architectural style to the nearby Deerwood development’s lodge which was characterized with cedar shake roofs and a significant amount of landscaping The Deerwood Village Mall opened its doors in 1972 14 years after the first enclosed modern shopping mall was completed in the U.S Designed by architect and urbanist Victor David Gruen the enclosed mall concept was intended to serve as a centralized mixed-use epicenter of pedestrian-scale activity for autocentric suburbia Unlike Gruen’s enclosed mall concept KBJ’s Deerwood Village Mall was developed as an open-air shopping center intended to better fit into the then surrounding environment of Deerwood The mall’s Publix was an early part of the Lakeland-based grocery chain’s second attempt to expand into the Jacksonville market Publix opened its first Jacksonville store in the Norwood’s Gateway Shopping Center in 1959 After recording nearly $500 million in sales in 1970 opening stores in Arlington Mall and University Mall and a Westside store at 4399 Roosevelt Blvd With the foundation established for a new division the chain then opened a bakery plant and a produce distribution center in 1973 the bustling Deerwood shopping mall’s list of 32 specialty shops included Venny’s Italian Restaurant Children Tree House and Sam The Super Teller an additional 15,000-square-foot of retail storefronts were added by 1978 increasing the mall’s total square footage to nearly 100,000 square feet the City Council rezoned 20 acres in the immediate vicinity to allow for SWD to increase the shopping mall’s size in 1978 Plans included the addition of an upscale department store comparable to a Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue once Deerwood’s population was large enough to support it Retail expansion finally took place with the November 1982 groundbreaking of the indoor Grand Boulevard Mall by National Capital Investments which also acquired the Deerwood Village Mall The company shifted the focus of the older shopping center to become a “convenience center,” and tenants were targeted and positioned to not have the two shopping centers compete against each other Located across the street from Deerwood Village Mall two-story upscale mall was anchored by an 80,000-square-foot Jacobson’s department store Founded in 1838 by Abram Jacobson in Reed City Jacobson’s was a 25-store chain specializing in high-quality clothing Unlike traditional mall-based department stores Jacobson’s preferred smaller shopping centers where they could serve as the dominant anchor Jacobson’s and the developer felt the location would attract shoppers from St Mandarin and the Beaches who were used to flying to upscale centers in Dallas The vision for Grande Boulevard quickly morphed amid the reality that it was too ritzy for Jacksonville opting for other shopping malls in Jacksonville more than half of the mall’s leasable retail space had gone dark and the final nail in its coffin came with the 1990 opening of The Avenues down Southside Boulevard the failed Grand Boulevard Mall was sold to Florida Community College at Jacksonville for $4 million paving the way for its conversion into the the current Florida State College at Jacksonville Deerwood Campus Deerwood Village Mall continued to morph and prosper in a location accessible and surrounded by three busy streets Deerwood Village Mall LLC of Boca Raton acquired Deerwood Village Mall for $6.8 million the shopping center’s list of tenants included American Express Venny’s restaurant and Persepolis Rugs Florida-based Eckerd Drugs was sold to CVS Corporation and Jean Contu Group for $4.5 billion Eckerd was the second-largest pharmacy chain in the country at its peak with approximately 2,802 stores in 23 states A Winn-Dixie (now Rowe’s IGA Supermarket)-anchored shopping center was added in the mall’s west parking lot in 1986 Vino’s Pizza & Grill and Las Tapatias Mexican Restaurant The shopping center’s original Publix Publix plans to demolish and replace the store and adjacent CVS pharmacy space with a new 48,640-Publix Food & Pharmacy and a separate liquor store By Bill Hoff Archive HOUSING DON\u2019T MISS THIS YEARS ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE Get the \u2018cene CULTURE SHOT straight to your inbox on each release By using this website, you agree to our T&C\u2019s, privacy policy & use of cookies. We use analytical data to provide you with an enjoyable experience and to help our website run effectively it’s time to put Kent authors into the spotlight With Greek myth comedy-thriller Kaos being one of the biggest-streaming shows of the year She’s a Sunday Times Bestseller and winner of the 2012 Rubery Book of the Year Award pathos and action-packed drama evocative of the Greeks (minus the plate-smashing).  Yet Medea is SO relatable in the way she deals with love betrayal and daddy issues (what girl hasn’t annoyed their dad running off with a bloke called Jason?) What struck me was that Medea is iconised as ‘witch’ because of her powers… yet when men display such powers Hewlett redefines the ‘ugly’ tropes of powerful women She comments: “There was a time when being called a ‘witch’ could be a death sentence but now women are reclaiming the label – just look at WitchTok on TikTok!” Yes How did you discover your passion for Greek mythological characters I was lucky that my school offered classical civilisation as an option at GCSE From my first lesson I was captivated by the world of Greek mythology – the epic quests the valiant heroes and the beautifully tragic stories Classics captured my imagination in a way no other subject ever had so I went on to study it at A-level and then at university where I got my degree in classical literature and civilisation I suppose it was inevitable I would start writing my own myth retellings as it was a way for me to fully immerse myself in this world I love so much.    Margaret Atwood said (of historical and mythological fiction) that ‘we can’t help but be contemporary’ What statements did you intend to highlight about contemporary society with Medea and Medusa authors cannot help but weave a piece of themselves and their surroundings into their stories Throughout history these myths have been told and retold with storytellers adapting the narrative to suit their audiences This is a big part of what we focus on when studying mythology – by looking at how a writer retells a myth we can learn so much about the political and social landscape of their time I like to imagine the discussions that will be had in the future when academics look back at this period and analyse the huge explosion of feminist retellings Though Medea and Medusa are set in the ancient world there is still so much within their myths that speak to society today – the vilification or silencing of powerful women heartbreaking effects of emotionally abusive relationships and the importance of female friendships These are all themes I wanted to draw out and I think it is very effective to explore contemporary issues through an ancient lens as it gives the reader an opportunity to step back and look at our world from afar which can often offer greater clarity.  You conjure up the blood and barbarism of ancient Greece How did you strike a balance between mystical myth and a relatable modernity?Thank you so much epic scenes are always so exciting to write and they are indicative of the Greek myth genre as well as offering readers that thrilling escapism we all desire if the reader doesn’t feel connected to the main character then these epic moments would just feel hollow ‘everyday’ parts of Medea to allow readers to connect with her; they are the heart of the story and keep the narrative beating whereas the mystical magical parts are the flesh and bone that strengthen the plot and allow it to really take shape You need both for a book to work well and figuring out that balance is all part of the challenge I think it is important to also note that Medea embodies both concepts – she is the ‘mythical’ and the ‘everyday’ So finding that balance was not only crucial to the narrative but also to understanding Medea as well Ever since I studied Euripides’ Medea in school I’ve been captivated by the formidable Witch of Colchis the most powerful mortal in all of mythology and what she achieves is simply staggering – slaying monsters Her power is unmatched and her actions are often terrifying yet there is a profoundly human vulnerability to Medea one that makes her character even more fascinating and nuanced It is this interplay between power and vulnerability that really drew me to her character as a woman and a writer and the two roles are not mutually exclusive – they feed into and off each other creating this fascinating grey area of morality that is where the most interesting stories exist.  What is the significance or metaphor of the quest for the golden fleece I encourage readers to discover their own interpretations as that’s part of the beauty of art – we can all find our own meaning the golden fleece represents toxic masculinity which was rife in the ancient world – that desperate desire for greatness that is ultimately a hollow prize but one that society has put a false value upon causing men to sacrifice their lives in pursuit of it falls prey to this and we can see the disastrous effect on him as an individual.  Medea is rejected by her family for her witchcraft You dedicate the book to those who are told they are too much and not enough In what ways is Medea both too much and not enough Medea’s magic is seen as ‘too much’ – those around her are frightened by it Medea is continually made to feel ‘not enough’ by those in her life who are supposed to love her.  As an incredibly powerful woman in a deeply patriarchal society Medea is both ‘too much’ and ‘not enough’ and as a result she exists in this lonely liminal space between where she struggles to find a sense of belonging.  Powerful women are the first to be vilified by the media Just look at the language surrounding ambitious women – they are labelled as ‘bossy’ or ‘bitchy’ What does this tell us about modern attitudes to powerful women when they are described with negative language that is rarely used for men?  What books and authors are your inspirations Madeline Miller has always been a huge inspiration to me I read The Song of Achilles when I was 16 and was immediately spellbound by Miller’s version of this epic tale.  is how it allowed me to view the world of myth in an entirely new way I had always thought of the Greek myths as being stories cemented in the past but The Song of Achilles showed me that mythology isn’t a fixed concept but rather a fluid one It is an ever-changing dialogue that continues into the present and one that we can all be a part of.  to keep retelling and resharing these stories allowing them to adapt and evolve through time I fell in love with the idea of continuing this age-old tradition and I knew that one day I would tell my own version of these beloved myths Favourite literary thing about Kent?  I spoke at the Maidstone Literary Festival a few months ago and it was great fun – the audience were so lovely and we all bonded over our mutual hatred of Jason!  Medea by Rosie Hewlett is published by Bantam (£16.99) independent and multi-award winning magazine which focuses on sub-cultures in-and-around the county of Kent ‘cene endorses those who use their ideas and originality to revive the creative landscape of the South-East high-quality content and an approachable tone ‘cene continues it’s drive for inclusivity in the subjects and delivery of it’s free-to-take printed magazines and online platforms Get the ‘cene culture shot for updates on local offers Also don’t miss when the latest print edition is available to pick up or buy We won’t share details with third-party companies other than the Auditing Bureau of Circulation for proof of ‘cene’s annual circulation figures We may also send interesting updates about our partner’s news Please check your inbox to verify your email address We will keep you posted on all the good stuff Kent has to offer KENT PRESS & BROADCAST AWARDSMAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2023Magazine of the Year 2022Magazine of the Year 2020Magazine of the Year 2019Magazine of the Year 2018Design of the Year 2017 SALES : +447510 066 610EDITORIAL + STUDIO © 2017-2025 CENE MEDIA LTD | All rights Reserved | All content on this website is not to be copied or distributed | ‘cene® and KEEPITKENT® are Registered Trademarks of CENE MEDIA LTD A SPACED AGENCY WEBSITE Voters across Tonbridge and Malling borough will head to the polls on Thursday (May 1) to elect seven councillors to represent them on Kent County Council Residents in Tonbridge and Malling borough including in the towns of Tonbridge have the chance to use their vote to influence policies on issues such as roads Tonbridge and Malling borough has 36 candidates standing across six wards with each ward electing one or two councillors to county hall the seven Tonbridge and Malling seats are held by four Conservatives 425 candidates are standing for your votes in 72 wards across the 12 boroughs and districts that make up the Kent County Council region Medway Council does not have elections scheduled in 2025 Kent County Council currently has a Conservative majority with the Lib Dems as the next largest party on six Labour and the Green Party hold five seats each three members for Reform and one each for the Heritage Party and the Swale Independents Elections in Kent are going ahead this year despite the ongoing devolution process that is set to see the county’s current councils abolished to be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities A full list of candidates for all of the Tonbridge and Malling borough seats in the 2025 Kent County Council elections are listed below: For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Folkestone and Hythe candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here 2 MAY 2025BookmarkVoters across Kent are heading to the polls for the county council elections (Image: © 2024 PA Media All Rights Reserved)Voters across Kent are heading to the polls today to have their say on how the county is run in the future However this means there are contests to be decided in the districts and boroughs of Ashford READ MORE: Kent Local Election results 2025 as votes set to be counted for county council seats - live updates The authority currently has a Conservative majority However the makeup of the council could look very different once all votes are counted which is expected to be at around 7pm on Friday (May 2) The county is a major target for Reform while the Lib Dems Greens and independent candidates will all be hopeful of picking up more seats meaning a change of governance is possible Polls opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm for residents to cast their votes For a full list of candidates standing in ever area of Kent in the 2025 Local Elections click here. For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Folkestone and Hythe candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here We have now switched over to our results blog which you can find here. Tomorrow, KentLive will be providing live updates from across the county as the results come in. Wherever you have been voting in Kent you will find the results here. Ballot verification and counting is expected to take please throughout the morning and results should begin to come in in the afternoon. The final decleration of results is expected at around 7pm on Friday (May 2) After polls close counting will not begin across Kent until the next morning. Each district or borough will be counting the votes from there area and reporting back the winners. It is not until 7pm tomorrow that Kent County Council is expecting to be able to announce the full results and we will know who is set to control the authority. Polls across Kent will remain open until 10pm. That means residents have just over six hours left to cast their ballots and have their say on the future of Kent County Council. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kent County Council (@kcc_kent) The only area of Kent where there are no elections going on today is Medway is a unitary authority meaning it operates seperately from Kent County Council The area last held elections in 2023 as is next due to hold elections in 2027 The state of Kent's roads is onew of the major issues facing the county council. The major parties have had their say on how they would go about improving the situation here. You do not need your polling card to cast a vote but you will need photo ID if you want to vote in person A full list of accepted photo ID can be found here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id There are 800 polling stations across the county open today for the county council elections Which one you need to visit will be on your polling card or you can put your postcode in here to find where you need to go: https://wheredoivote.co.uk/ and polls will remain open until 10pm this evening There is no overnight counting planned for this election in Kent instead ballots will begin to be counted across the county's districts and boroughs tomorrow (Friday) morning Kent is expected to be one of the last places to fully declare results with the final ones hoping to be in at around 7pm however results will start trickling in from across the afternoon KentLive has provided full candidate lists for every area of Kent see below for the people who are after your vote: For a detailed list of Ashford candidates click here For a detailed list of Canterbury candidates click here For a detailed list of Dartford candidates click here For a detailed list of Dover candidates click here For a detailed list of Folkestone and Hythe candidates click here For a detailed list of Gravesham candidates click here For a detailed list of Maidstone candidates click here For a detailed list of Sevenoaks candidates click here For a detailed list of Swale candidates click here For a detailed list of Thanet candidates click here For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here For a detailed list of Tunbridge Wells candidates click here News service PA has provided this helpful round-up of how things stand on Kent County Council heading into the 2025 elections The PA news service said: "Kent is another council where the Conservatives are heading into the elections with a healthy majority (55 of 81 seats) but where they face challenges from more than one party "Reform has three councillors here and hopes to gain more "If the Greens or independent candidates also do well the Tories could lose overall control." Good morning and welcome to KentLive's coverage of the 2025 Kent County Council Elections accounting and business advisory services to our clients to help them achieve their personal or corporate objectives We specialise in specific sectors and areas of business where we have real in-depth expertise and experience working with a variety of clients including private individuals owner-managed businesses and not-for-profit entities marking a significant milestone in its ongoing dedication to exceptional We previously advised Ethos Partners and technology enabled healthcare services to the NHS and private healthcare providers across the UK Malling Health provide a mixture of primary and urgent care services to ICBs and NHS trusts in the Midlands and Cambridgeshire This strategic acquisition allows PHL Group to further strengthen its partnerships as it expands its services across the UK Saffery provided financial and tax due diligence services to PHL Group in addition to giving bespoke transaction advice Our Corporate Finance team, led by Niraj Patel with support from Rob Sansom and Millie Darby worked closely with the management team throughout the transaction process Niraj commented: “We are very pleased to have supported PHL Group on its merger which is a key part of its growth strategy to provide an innovative approach to healthcare delivery across the UK We look forward to seeing the success of the integrated businesses in the future.” PHL Group commented: “We were pleased to work with the team at Saffery again during this project the approach they take enables us to obtain a high degree of confidence and understanding of the combined opportunity.” We have extensive experience of providing both sell-side and buy-side transaction services support to clients across a range of sectors. More information is available on previous transactions we have worked on. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply BUTTE — The new owner of the Butte Plaza Mall will be spending the next year and a half redesigning the building and bringing in new tenants I realize the mall is pretty dead inside and our goal is to revitalize it and kind of turn inside out,” said Darren Dickerhoof Dickerhoof Properties purchased the mall from the Hyman Family Trust in May for $8.5 million will drastically change the way the current facility looks “The terminology developers use is called de-malling where you flip it inside out and you have more bigger stores with their own facades,” said Dickerhoof There are about six businesses interested in locating in the new plaza “We are working with some clothing tenants The developer is expecting the former Herberger’s portion of the mall will likely be torn down to make room for a currently-unnamed grocery store Dickerhoof believes Butte residents will be happy with the grocery store which will make some of the other grocers have to compete with them and I think that will be good for the citizens,” he said The mall’s manager believes the purchase of the mall is more than just business I believe he was an answer to a prayer,” said Mall Manager Alana Ferko The mall has been steadily losing businesses over the years and Ferko was having a very bad day She pulled out her Rolodex and Dickerhoof’s business card fell out I’m going to call him.’ And I was having such a bad day that they knew I meant business I never had that tone with them before,” said Ferko Dickerhoof said construction will start next year and some tenants could be in by 2026 This is good for southwest Montana,” said Ferko A new budget to fund delivery of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council services was agreed by councillors last night [18 February] Members voted to set the council tax bills for waste collection leisure and other local services at an average of £4.72 a week for a Band D home an increase of £7.14 on the current year Bills also fund services provided by Kent County Council the costs of which account for around 70 per cent of bills it raises income for the Kent Police Services Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority and parish and town councils.  The combined bill for an average Band D household in Tonbridge and Malling from April 2025 will be made up as follows: Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s income from council tax for the year from April 2025 is forecast to be £13.2m The council’s medium term financial strategy is addressing a forecast funding gap of £2.8m over the next ten years Savings and efficiencies totalling £600,000 are planned for the next financial year.  Council tax income receipts ensure delivery of a range of borough services the council has focused on addressing key issues of concern to residents This included devoting more resources to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) with dedicated patrols targeting known hot spots Tonbridge and Malling has seen Kent’s biggest reduction in incidents reported Last year Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council also invested significantly in its leisure facilities This included a programme of improvements and decarbonisation totalling £1.6m for Larkfield Leisure Centre including new state-of-the-art gym equipment The Angel Centre also received new fitness apparatus and the spa at Tonbridge Swimming Pool has been refurbished as part of our commitment to support residents in leading healthier the council will continue to focus on its goal of being carbon neutral with more improvements to its leisure centres buildings and the installation of air heat pumps The council has also committed to further investment in community and environmental projects with plans for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Tonbridge town centre creating a new leisure hub and thriving riverside community 2025 © Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in itself a nod to the historical context and shape of the former industrial buildings on the site follows the boundaries of the irregular site resulting in a star-shaped form that creates distinct courtyards and a series of small private environments for the residents These yards open towards the surroundings as the wings of the complex radiate out from the centre Apart from the planning that induces a sense of community through its emphasis on open spaces the roof design for the project distinguishes it from its surroundings The three-storeyed complex was conceived with a wave-like roof structure derived from an analysis of daylight conditions to ensure that the variation of the volumes of the blocks would not create shadows in the open spaces “By 'pulling' the roof surface up and down the volume rises only towards the centre of the site not to cast shadows onto the adjacent private garden,” the architects explain this distinctive shape of the roof also made it possible for the complex to accommodate a variety of housing units to cater to different needs This in turn “supports and attracts social diversity with a mix of older and younger families with children which is key to sustaining any well-functioning community,” the architects state In addition to scaling down the building volume the enclosed spaces also create a protected buffer zone between the privacy of the homes and the public streets framing the development long-lasting materials also requiring minimal maintenance Combining a unique approach to planning with an emphasis on courtyard architecture and intimate pockets of gathering the development of the housing complex of Malling Dampmølle creates a light-filled revel in the importance of community in day to day life she has been trained to look closely at the words of matter As someone who believes in the potent magic of storytelling her work is an exploration of memory and identity or the literal and figurative spaces we inhabit A love for hidden histories informs her research process From vernacular knowledge to modern sustainability Middle Eastern pavilions serve as living archives of architectural thought offering fresh frameworks for global adoption STIR engages with the curators of the Togo Oman and Qatar pavilions—debuting at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025—on representation the book presents a fictional story depicting algorithms exercising control over humans and how this affects the built environment Tipnis shares how the toolbox democratises the practice of restoration via DIY resources to repair tangible urban heritage made of common building materials Exclusive preview for subscribers. Learn More Make your fridays matter. Learn More © Copyright 2019-2025 STIR Design Private Limited Please confirm your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices Password must be 8 characters long including one capital letter By creating an account, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by STIR Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch Please enter your details and click submit Single account access for STIRworld.com,STIRpad.com and exclusive STIRfri content Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process by Mrinmayee Bhoot | Published on : Aug 02 Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has ruled out a deal with the Conservatives to run Kent County Council (KCC) after tomorrow's poll Sir Ed said his party would rather remove the Tories from County Hall He claimed the Conservatives are more likely to do "a shoddy deal" with Reform UK even though both parties have ruled out any agreement to share power On a visit to Tunbrdige Wells in bright spring sunshine today (April 30) the Lib Dem leader said a coalition was "highly unlikely" adding: "We want to kick the Conservatives out of control of the county council They are tired and they haven't got any ideas The real worry people should have is if they do some sort of shoddy deal with Reform "We want to win as many seats as possible so we can change the county county for the better." The Conservatives currently have 56 but most local observers think that number will be reduced significantly with a hung council more than likely KCC along with the other 13 councils in Kent will be abolished in the next few years to make way for a much smaller number of larger unitary authorities Sir Ed said a Reform UK led council would be "totally incompetent" which would not prioritise social care or special educational needs He added: "We don't think they're going to win They are splitting the Conservative vote and that's why I think the Lib Dems can win many more seats." Sir Ed said the Lib Dems would reform the KCC budget release assets to fix the county's roads and fight for better SEN and social care funding He added: "I think we have got the arguments and the evidence and we have got the political will to push this through." The Lib Dem leader said the party can do better than the pundits predict and vowed to "never do a deal with Reform" at KCC He praised the Lib Dem-led Tunbridge Wells local council for transforming the into a place of "vibrancy and excitement" which could be repeated all over Kent For a detailed list of Tonbridge and Malling candidates click here developers and planning agents are being asked to put forward potential sites for future development as part of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s (TMBC) ongoing Local Plan process Following government changes to national planning policy in December 2024 TMBC has an updated annual housing target of 1,096 homes per year stakeholders are being asked again to put forward potential sites to help meet this and other future development needs.    The call for sites process helps the council identify land that could be used for a range of uses such as housing The information gathered will contribute to the Land Availability Assessment which will help shape the next stage of the Local Plan Sites can be submitted online until 26 March. Details on the Land Availability Assessment and how to submit a site can be found on the TMBC website – www.tmbc.gov.uk/land-availability-assessment The submission process takes approximately 10 minutes Those who have previously submitted sites can also amend details relating to these submissions said: "The Local Plan is vital in shaping the future growth of the borough landowners can help us plan for sustainable communities infrastructure and environmental enhancements." Mayor pays tribute to 'sacrifices of others in the defence of our country' In the year that marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings Tonbridge & Malling we will honour those who lost their lives during the two World Wars and other conflicts in a number of remembrance events across the borough The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling will join other dignitaries clergy and community groups at key commemorations on Sunday November 10 and Monday November 11 will also take place at war memorials in villages across the borough serving as a poignant reminder of the bravery and selflessness of our armed forces (Monday November 11) in Tonbridge town centre there will be a two-minute silence starting and ending with the firing of maroons at 11am and 11.02am followed by a short service at the Town Memorial The ceremony will be attended by Deputy Lieutenant Cllr Steve Hammond said: "It is a great honour to be able to take part in these commemorations as Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling.  It’s particularly poignant for me as a former member of the Welsh Guards who has lost friends and struggled with lifelong injuries following my deployment to the Falklands It is vital that we continue to remember the sacrifices of others in the defence of our country and support those who still carry the mental and physical wounds I hope the people of Tonbridge and Malling will stand alongside me to paying tribute to them.” Other key commemorative parades and services will take place around the borough on Sunday November 10 Tonbridge 10.30am: Tonbridge Remembrance Day and Service will begin with the traditional parade leaving Tonbridge Castle at 10.30am and into Bradford Street before gathering for the service and commemoration at the memorial gardens followed by two minutes silence and the sounding of The Last Post Members of the public are welcome to attend any of these services and may also lay wreaths during the ceremonies at the war memorials What we witnessed today in the Kent County Council elections was less a political "earthquake" as the Liberal Democrat Richard Streatfeild put it and more like an Exocet To see the Conservatives reduced to five seats when they started the day on 57 is almost unthinkable The new Reform UK administration has full control of the council and cannot be outvoted by the other parties The Tory Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott described the catastrophe that befell them today as "potentially existential" A (former) back bencher put it slightly more succinctly when he said: "Reform is the new Conservative Party They have nicked many of the values of traditional Conservatism and they appeal in a way that Thatcher did 40 years ago "How we build back from here is impossible to know." Reform UK inherits some of the problems that ousted KCC leader Roger Gough soon found when he had 60-odd in the chamber at County Hall in 2021 The sheen of victory tarnishes very quickly when the day to day business has to be done Once the cabinet and deputy cabinet jobs are doled out there will still be more than 30 sitting on the back benches wondering why they were not picked bored and dispirited rank and file members start to cause trouble The Tory back bench was full of plotting cabals whose allegiances could shift from one day to the next They felt excluded from the top table's decision making because that is what the cabinet system is in danger of creating the new Reform UK council leader and top team will soon experience this These are changing times for local government Reform UK will have to oversee the dismantling of KCC as the new unitary authorities come into being in a few years' time That means the members at County Hall will meet their electors sooner than the full four year term and defend their record Its cabinet will be responsible for a £1.5bn budget does not cover the cost of the services it must provide by law If the new leader thinks there is a legion of hidden 'woke' appointments costing the beleaguered tax-payer tens of millions then he or she may possibly be greatly disappointed the new leader of the opposition and his deputy Cllr Streatfeild will present a small but effective body of 12 members who will hold KCC to account He is right to ask how the changes Reform UK claims it make will be achieved and he is all ears over its plans to pay for adult social care the biggest drain on the KCC purse serving a tiny proportion of the population Reform UK has sent a message out loud and clear today and the people have most definitely spoken While they might celebrate tonight with their triumphant leader Nigel Farage For a full list of results from across Kent click here: Kent Local Election results full list For detailed results from each of the 12 Kent County Council areas click below: Tonbridge and Malling Plans for a new state-of-the-art leisure centre in Tonbridge look set to take a major step forward with a preferred location for the new building due to be considered by councillors A report to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s cabinet meeting on 1 April recommends that the new facility should be built on the Sovereign Way Mid Car park a stone’s throw from the existing centre The 118 space car park’s central location will provide easy access for users There is extensive parking capacity nearby around the Sainsbury’s store and in the Sovereign Way North and East car parks directly opposite the site The proposed site currently serves as the location for the monthly Tonbridge Farmers Market The market operator is aware of the plans and the council has opened discussions on providing an alternative venue While the design of the new building is not confirmed it is expected to provide a wide  range of facilities the project will next see architects producing designs for the new centre The existing Angel Centre will remain open while the replacement is being constructed the council’s Director of Street Scene Leisure and Technical Services said: “We have a great opportunity to provide a state-of-the-art health and leisure facility for Tonbridge and in a very convenient location “Our goal is to deliver a high quality destination that people can use in a variety of ways whether it’s going for a workout in the gym participating in team events in the sports hall providing fun activities for children or simply popping in for a coffee We see it as a positive investment in the health of the community that will be good for residents and great for the local economy.” Alliance Leisure Ltd has been appointed as the council’s development partner to progress the project through the design and planning stages In tandem with the leisure centre project, global design experts, Mace, and architects, Periscope, are currently developing a masterplan for the redevelopment of the wider area east of Tonbridge High Street Community and environmental projects set to receive more cash Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has agreed a major funding round of grants to boost local businesses and support community initiatives The council secured £327,146 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund which gives the green light for key initiatives to continue driving economic growth and social development across the borough The funding will be used to build on existing programmes that provide vital support for small businesses These initiatives have already made a substantial impact by offering financial assistance business support and resources that help the local economy thrive and community organisations flourish Funding was approved by council members last night (4 March) and will commence from April 2025 said: “This is great news for the borough and testament to our commitment to invest in the people and organisations that help our communities thrive “It means that we can continue to help hard working businesses local schemes and charities with grants that we know are making a difference to thousands of people every day.” provides space and facilities to help people learn about growing food using environmentally friendly methods while also improving mental and physical wellbeing The charity has benefited from the Green Business Grant Scheme and Community Development Grant Scheme said: “We successfully applied for grants through Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council which have been transformative for our charity They’ve allowed us to really accelerate our plans for growth this year which means we’ve been able to support more local people and community groups We’d definitely encourage other organisations to apply.” Read more about our grant schemes and follow us on Facebook or X for details of when you can apply. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Text description provided by the architects. In Malling CEBRA melds historical reverence with contemporary living in the newly built housing complex of Malling Dampmølle The new community reimagines the site of a historical steam mill integrating 52 modern dwellings into the fabric of the existing suburban tapestry The project offers a distinct approach to residential design that honors the area's heritage while embracing modern lifestyles Malling is a small and typical Danish market town located by the railway running through Jutland and connects to Aarhus. On the historical site, which used to accommodate the steam mill Malling Dampmølle (Malling Steam Mill) in the nineteenth century, CEBRA was commissioned to design a small housing community, right between the station and the local church of the suburban satellite town. © Adam MorkIn addition to scaling down the building volume, the enclosed spaces offer intimate outdoor environments and a protected buffer zone between the privacy of the homes and the public streets framing the development. © Adam MorkA distinct interpretation of the urban fabric. The idiom of the project finds its inspiration in the urban context – both in materials and scale. The urban fabric consists of small and mostly detached brick houses, which occasionally connect to form actual street facades. Thus, traditional roof pitches made from shale and brick facades make Malling Dampmølle a contemporary interpretation of the surrounding buildings. which is key to sustaining any well-functioning community The housing units include single-storey homes with direct access to gardens and staircases and two-storey terraced houses with direct access at the first-floor level while one of the terraced houses is single-storey All units feature balconies overlooking a communal courtyard You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Public invited to share views on town centre plan A new leisure hub for Tonbridge will be built at a central location The announcement coincides with the launch of a survey to give residents and businesses a chance to share their priorities for redevelopment of the area east of the High Street around Sainsbury’s Locating the replacement Angel centre within the development area paves the way for a masterplan for the whole site medical services and improved access routes including making better use of the nearby riverside A specific location for the new leisure centre will be recommended as part of the initial masterplanning process with a decision by councillors on adoption of the proposal due by June 2025 The existing site is largely given over to council-owned car parks and is home to the Sainsbury’s store which councillors have agreed in principle to replace with a modern The proposals aim to revitalise this part of the town capitalising on its prime location close to the picturesque river the historic heart of Tonbridge and local transport links Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Cllr Matt Boughton said: “I know many people across Tonbridge will be pleased we can confirm the replacement Angel centre will be in a prime location close to the existing site “This will ensure that a modern hub for sport leisure and community activities will be easily accessible and will form a key element of our wider plans to redevelop this important part of our town is also a vital part of the process so we can design something that meets the needs of our residents now and in the future “I’d urge everyone who cares about Tonbridge to get involved and share your thoughts and views with us Help us bring forward the best proposals and shape our town for generations to come.” Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has teamed up with the global design experts, Mace, and architects, Periscope will be developed in the next phase of the project during 2025 Click here to read more and take part in the survey It seemed like the perfect chance to explore Lewes and log a new parkrun So my visit coincided with The Big Walk Weekend and at a pace more suited to taking in the surroundings it was off down the A23 heading for Brighton the first of many Lewes sights to be ticked off that day and with the sun beginning to make its presence felt I was soon at the start area on Malling Recreation Ground and a description of the course with the advice given: “Just follow the person in front” – and always keep to the left Instruction given: RD Simon welcomes the day’s runners and walkers a short slope brought us up onto the old railway track the home of the mud and a chance to see Bridgette I have say I think she was the only one missing the mud and puddles Under another bridge and the turn-round point was soon found Down the slope and with another lap of the field all that remained was to repeat the course once more it was time for breakfast and a day to see what Lewes had to offer finished off with a trip to the Dripping Pan Parkrun is only possible thanks to the “Hi Viz Heroes”. Each week they can be seen working away to make the whole event happen. I read recently that on an average weekend 137,256 people take part, with 20,772 volunteers across 978 events across the UK. It can be hard to fill the volunteer rota sometimes There are roles which can be done and still make it possible to actually run at the event Walk With Us: one of the day's parkwalkers wields the "Let's Walk" paddle © parkrun Limited (Company Number: 07289574) No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is offering residents and community groups the chance to use a thermal imaging camera to identify areas of heat loss in their homes and buildings enabling homeowners to make informed decisions about improving insulation and reducing energy loss By identifying poorly insulated areas and drafts residents can take steps toward lowering their heating bills and reducing their environmental impact The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to support energy efficiency and sustainability in the borough. The council is also supporting home insulation schemes, increased use of solar heating and carbon literacy training for local organisations. Plans for a £1.5m investment to lower carbon emissions from Larkfield Leisure Centre have also been announced Regeneration and Property said:  "We are committed to helping residents reduce their energy bills while also making our community more energy efficient we are empowering people to identify areas of improvement in their homes." For more information or to reserve the thermal imaging camera, visit www.tmbc.gov.uk/thermal-camera Heat pumps to provide clean energy for clubhouse Tonbridge and Malling is set for further reductions in leisure facility carbon emissions after securing funding for air source heat pumps at a popular golf centre The Poult Wood course will see its ageing oil fired boilers replaced by the latest in air source heating technology The new system is forecast to cut carbon emissions by around 37 tonnes a year Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, which owns the centre, secured a grant of nearly £210,000 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The scheme is delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero The council will also be making a contribution of more than £28,000 towards the project All the council’s leisure facilities are operated by its partner organisation tmactive The Poult Wood project will kick off with a procurement exercise later this year to identify contractors to carry out the installation which is expected to start in summer 2026 In addition to its leisure centre projects, the council is taking a range of other measures to cut carbon emissions These include retro-fitting insulation to homes the installation of electric vehicle chargers in car parks and developing an active travel strategy to encourage walking and cycling.  the council’s cabinet lead on climate change said: “Securing this funding is a real achievement and takes us a step closer to our goal of making our leisure facilities carbon neutral within the next few years It also gives us greater protection against the ongoing volatility of world energy markets safeguarding our leisure facilities for the long term “With improvements at other centres already underway and a new facility planned for Tonbridge we’re delivering on our pledge to be leaders in providing high quality energy efficient leisure centres for our residents.” Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix said: “We have no time to waste in reducing our carbon emissions as we fight to save the planet  Climate change is here and we see the impacts every day “We are pleased to be working with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and supporting them to make their facilities carbon neutral over the next few years  The Poult Wood course is a popular local facility and as a result of the decarbonisation works local people will not only end up with a greener and more energy efficient building but also one that is more comfortable to visit and enjoy.” Residents affected by anti-social behaviour are being urged to report their concerns to Tonbridge and Malling’s community safety team as part of a nationwide campaign to help people feel safer where they live To mark the start of a national week of awareness raising campaigners are highlighting that more than half of those surveyed who had seen or experienced anti-social behaviour (ASB) hadn’t reported it Reports of ASB in Tonbridge and Malling have been falling, from 1,712 in summer 2023 to 1,290 this summer. The reduction follows a number of council-led initiatives, including dedicated ASB patrols in known hot spots and a crackdown on car meets and so-called “boy racers” commissioned research which showed many people don’t report problems they experience It also found that almost one in five people have had to consider moving home because of the impact ASB was having on them; one in 10 have actually moved A key aim of Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week (18-24 Nov 2024) is to encourage reporting so that councils the police and other agencies can take action and provide reassurance to those affected Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council cabinet member for communities said: “I’m pleased our recent initiatives are helping bring down the level of anti-social behaviour but we know there are people out there suffering in silence We can and will take action to tackle those who blight the lives of others but we need people to come forward and tell us about the problems they are experiencing “Our community safety team works closely with Kent Police and I can assure anyone affected by ASB that we will use all the resources at our disposal to take action against those responsible and safeguard our communities.”   It have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime “It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities.   “We are delighted that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is supporting this hugely important campaign It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB.” Report anti-social behaviour the Tonbridge and Malling Community Safety Team. Breaking crime updates and news from the courts Nigel Farage has announced plans to create a new minister for deportations if his party wins the next general election at an appearance in Kent where he described the county council as 'broken' During a conference held at the Best Western Hotel on Waterloo Crescent his party's chairman introduced Mr Farage as "the next Prime Minister of the UK" It comes ahead of elections to Kent County Council (KCC) on May 1 which pollsters Electoral Calculus predicted last month Reform UK would win He spoke mainly about immigration from a blue lectern with the slogan "Reform will fix it" and a backdrop with the words "Britain is broken" "We've been told by successive pms that they would stop the boats even that they would smash the gangs – and I'm afraid none of it has come true," he told the room packed with journalists "We are now by far the most trusted party on this issue and I am by far the most trusted leader to do something about it." The long-time Eurosceptic politician who spearheaded the campaign to leave the EU for decades has come to Dover often with the town becoming symbolic in the immigration debate as the site where many small boats arrive non-working mass migration has made everyone in this country poorer – except big employers who want as much cheap migrant labour as they can get their hands on." If Reform UK win the next general election he said they would create a new minister for deportations to oversee the removal of all illegal immigrants from the country He argued that many in the Home Office would try to "obstruct" such policies and that his party would remove the right of all people who arrive illegally to claim asylum He also alleged immigration has increased crime "If you come from a poorer country there are richer pickings in crime in London Birmingham and even Dover than in your home country," he said "You may as well put up a sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying everyone is welcome." Electoral Calculus – the polling firm with a strong track record on predicting elections – released research in March saying Mr Farage's Party would take control of the county council and for almost the entire history since the authority was created in 1974 said: "Can we win an outright majority We are going to do very very well indeed we are going to take a lot of seats." Speculating on the party's first day in office Mr Farage said Reform UK would "bring the auditors in" to the county council citing their "gross financial mismanagement" and had to make £72m of cuts to spending to pass its budget for 2025-2026 "I'm not saying we can wave a magic wand," Mr Farage added Businesses in Tonbridge and Malling which are looking to reduce their carbon footprint can now apply for a green grant to support their work The Green Business Grant Scheme is an initiative delivering part of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s (TMBC) wider economic recovery and climate change strategies Part-funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity fund, grants of up to £5,000 available to cover up to 40 per cent of the costs of reducing the carbon footprint of commercial premises (including equipment and machinery) This grant is open to Tonbridge and Malling borough businesses that operate from commercial premises the council’s Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager said: “While there are many approaches businesses can take to address climate change securing the necessary funding for changes is often the biggest hurdle This scheme offers a way to help businesses make progress toward their sustainability goals.” Applications close on 28 May 2025 and can be submitted via TMBC’s website New signs will appear on car doors of taxi and private hire vehicles Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is taking action to ensure a safer taxi experience in the borough New signage on taxi and private hire vehicles will make it easier for people to report concerns provide reassurance that standards are being monitored and help customers feel safe The borough council is one of the first authorities in the country to adopt this approach which comes after reports of taxi drivers at Tonbridge Station refusing short-distance fares and turning away passengers without cash sometimes leaving lone women stranded at night taxi drivers must accept the first fare that hails them In several cases complainants could not recall the vehicle plate numbers meaning the council had no way of addressing the issue with the drivers concerned Licence identifications are currently on the rear of vehicles which are less visible to people using taxis The new signs will appear on the side of vehicles and will feature a QR code for passengers to scan with their phones to report any issues directly to the council’s complaints webpage This aims to simplify the process of reporting problems and identifying vehicles and drivers the council’s cabinet member for Community Services said “We are committed to ensuring high quality safe taxi services across our borough and making licence numbers more clearly visible is just one way of doing that While most passengers don’t have issues we also want to make it easier for those who do to report it so we can investigate and take appropriate action.” The new signs will roll out to more than 500 registered private hire and hackney carriage vehicles from early November Please enter your username or email address to reset your password Changes include extended charging periods and free parking for 30 minutes Changes to car park charges are due to come into effect across Tonbridge and Malling from Monday 19 August The new charges agreed earlier this year are designed to meet the rising costs of providing 34 car parks across the borough and will also see the introduction of free parking for up to 30 minutes at six locations in Tonbridge Most car parks will see charging periods extended to 8pm and to Sundays and bank holidays Notices will be displayed in car parks to remind drivers of the changes nip out” free parking arrangement for up to 30 minutes is being introduced at six town centre short stay car parks Nine extra pay and display spaces have also been created outside Tonbridge Castle and on-street bays in West Malling are on hold pending the installation of ticket machines which will offer an hour’s free parking at both locations Charges at Aylesford’s two car parks will not come into effect until an extension of the Bailey Bridge East car park is completed drivers will have one hour’s free parking and will also be able to purchase a season ticket for £120 a year The changes follow a report to councillors last year highlighting a sharp increase in overheads for operating car parks and the need to generate more income Costs include car park maintenance and business rates of £320,000 and £295,000 per year respectively council cabinet member responsible for parking said: “We want to ensure that the public have access to safe secure and well maintained car parks and that they can find a space when they need one.  We have listened to feedback and taken a pragmatic approach that protects the future of our car parks and ensures that the income reflects the rising costs of delivering them “We want to do all we can to support our towns and villages so I’m pleased we’ve been able to offer short periods of free parking in Tonbridge and elsewhere This will add to the convenience of making quick trips to local shops and I hope will be welcomed by residents and retailers alike.” Retirement Villages Group (RVG) has been given the green light to start construction on the site of its new later living community in West Malling which recently won the Homes England Exemplar Award at the prestigious Housing Design Awards will be the fourth retirement community in RVG’s Thrive Living Collection Thrive Living’s mission is to create living spaces to support positive healthy lifestyles for people over 65 who want an active RVG and Virgin Money’s Health and Social Care Team have agreed a deal for a new £37million development facility to part finance the West Malling project Construction work is due to commence shortly and the development is planned to open in summer 2026 alongside RVG’s third Thrive community at nearby Tunbridge Wells The West Malling site will contain 142 homes with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and terraced cottages all featuring award-winning design inspired by nearby Georgian buildings The community will also be home to easily accessible and high-quality resident amenities Thrive Living developments are located at the heart of towns or close to existing communities This allows over 65s to enjoy being part of a wider urban community with access to all the facilities and excitement of town centres while also having any care and support they may need right on their doorstep in a close-knit community in which they can live an active and sociable lifestyle All Thrive Living schemes will be whole life net zero carbon leading the way in the later living sector commented: “To be moving forward with the fourth of our Thrive Living schemes is fantastic news testimony to the hard work of the RVG team The award-winning development at West Malling will help redefine what it means to live a rewarding and active later life. We are committed to building outstanding homes at the heart of local communities for the benefit of both our residents and local people.” director of health & social care finance at Virgin Money commented: “Virgin Money’s Health and Social Care Team is delighted to be supporting Retirement Villages Group with the development of their next IRC in West Malling. We have been thoroughly impressed with the level of thought and experience RVG has brought to the plans for West Malling and are pleased we can continue to support investment in the real estate and retirement living sectors We are particularly excited to see the Thrive Living brand come to life given its focus on integration into the local community and well-being.” Copyright © 2025 Show House We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized 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analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Umbrellas were out in force again on a torrentially rainy Saturday “soaked to the skin” October Saturday morning 89 parkrunners and parkwalkers lined up at the start line an incredible 35 were “first timers” doing their first parkrun at Malling Rec to 9 individuals who were doing their first parkrun ever (at any venue) Quite possibly they will never run a parkrun in wetter weather Quite probably they will never run a parkrun with bigger puddles As a visiting tourist (albeit only from Eastbourne) Malling Rec parkrun was an especially welcoming venue completing a partial circuit of Malling Recreation Ground before heading up onto the old railway cutting for an out and back section I personally relished the contrast between the grass and flat the old railway track and the mud and enormous puddles that this consisted of That was the most liberating part of it all for me we love to acknowledge and celebrate milestones So this Saturday congratulations to Isaac Tarafder on running his 50th parkrun and further down the parkrun journey to the first timers – respect to Gary Holford on an amazing 556th parkrun But well done to all who completed personal milestones Personal highlights of the Malling Rec parkrun experience included: The start was on open grass with ample space that helps to alleviate congestion 2) it was “weather for the ducks” and there was indeed a large plastic duck at the volunteer co-ordinator table I stroked the duck for luck and liked its quirky presence a lot 3) multi-terrain challenge: as previously referred the first part of the course is on grass and the second part is on mud and puddles with the link being a slight grass incline/decline The two parts both contrasted and complemented each other 4) the Lewes Brewcafe in the Malling Community Centre: although this was closed for its own “breather” this week warm haven and there was a real buzz from damp but exhilarated parkrunners I asked one runner what she thought of the course and her reply – “A little bit muddy a little bit splashy” – summed it up very nicely No run report would be complete without mention of the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning in the rain to make this (and every parkrun) happen We had been warned it was a muddy course and maybe best to leave till drier weather but we love a challenge We donned our festive gear: out came the Christmas pudding dress and hat the Brussels sprout hats and Christmas jumpers Emily and James out on the Railway Cutting in their Brussels sprout hats and parkwalker vests Am surprised my Christmas pudding dress didn’t turn into a Chocolate pudding dress Fantastic marshals throughout the course cheering us on and a plastic duck warning of the big muddy puddle ahead 66 of us went slipping and sliding along the course today The first across the finish today was Michael Reeves in 22:18 There were 6 totally new parkrunners today running his very first parkrun alongside his mum Tomy at the end of his first ever parkrun – and happy birthday Another of today’s first timers was Stanley who gave Stanley a full guided tour of the course I hope that you all enjoyed your first time at parkrun and welcome to a new way of spending your Saturday mornings Milestones today were David Davidson celebrating 250 parkruns and myself Gail Benghiat celebrating 300 who I had the pleasure of running/walking part of the course today with Gail in her Christmas pudding dress and hat Thank you as always to the many volunteers who make parkrun happen each Saturday Here are a few more of the (possibly prize-winning?) pictures that Vincenzo took of Stanley at Malling Rec parkrun today: Stanley tries out a Brussels sprout hat for size Stanley turns his nose up at token sorting Tonbridge Castle has announced its bumper summer of entertainment The historic venue in the heart of Tonbridge will see the return of regular crowd-pleasers and new shows further boosting the town’s reputation as the place to come for fun in the sun Two special events will be taking place to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day the castle bailey lawn will feature a free to attend 1940s-themed party with food This will be followed on Thursday 8 May with a service and beacon lighting with band music from 8.30pm to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe May will also see the return of the ever popular two-day food and drink festival (24-25 May) alongside the TN90s music festival taking place on neighbouring Deacon’s Field There’ll be even more music as the summer schedule gathers pace Free Friday night River Walk Music makes its return as does Tonbridge Music Weekend (4-6 July) guaranteed to get crowds moving with disco classics and Michael Jackson tributes For those seeking something a little more laid back regular free band concerts on the castle lawn provide the perfect way to laze away sunny Sunday afternoons Outdoor theatre will be making a welcome return to the castle with a range of  performances to suit every taste and age group Helping celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in style will be a production of Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning Illyria theatre company.  There’ll also be a raucous retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth Badger for a delightful performance of Wind in the Willows The monthly artisan markets are running throughout the summer and continuing to Christmas in their new home on the castle’s lawn Stalls selling beautiful hand-crafted products jewellery and accessories in a beautiful setting make this a Sunday experience not to miss said:  “We’re excited to have such a brilliant line-up of events for people to enjoy this summer browsing a market or watching performers tell amazing stories Tonbridge Castle is the place to come.  With even more events in the pipeline and yet to be announced 2025 looks set to be one of our biggest and best summers yet.” View the full list of events at Tonbridge Castle. Malling Rec parkrun blossomed again into life The 22nd time this minor miracle of collective lung-busting connection has taken place 98 souls showed up and made it around the mixed course replete with the regular gaggle of dogs and their owners in the middle The volunteers trudged and pegged out the course We were graced by more than a handful of first timers and one “double centurion” – props to Gemma Lord We had runners from as far afield as Plymouth and a good number of young children – it’s always inspirational to see them First of 55 men to the finish line was James Rix First woman of 39 was Pinja Haikka from Rogue Runners Thanks, as ever, to our fabulous crew of volunteers (we always need more, so do check out the future roster page here and find a gap you’d like to fill) and well done to every single participant If you would like to help ensure that no household in our community goes hungry over the holiday season please bring your donations with you to next week’s parkrun – anything from a single tin of beans to a whole bagful of essential groceries – and we will take them over to the Tesco collection point for you you can finish your parkrun and then run your donations over to Tesco yourself