Our monthly column publicising Maidstone’s voluntary agencies and community groups, co-ordinated by Voluntary Action Maidstone.

The School Council from All Saints Primary celebrate with the former Mayor and Govenors at the purchase of the new site that will accomodate both schools

The ambitious regeneration taking place in Coombe Farm Estate, Maidstone is designed to sweep away high levels of deprivation that has blighted the area for years. Scores of modern homes are going up, and a new school and a community centre are planned. But work on this scale takes time, so efforts are being concentrated on better amenities for residents now.

Before the scheme got under way, a number of people who work within the area came together to tackle this, and the Coombe Farm and Tovil Development Group was born. The partners include representatives from Kent County Council, Kent Police, Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone Housing Trust, Hyde Housing, Maidstone YMCA, Tovil Parish Council, NHS West Kent, Archbishop Courtenay Church of England Primary School, and local borough and county councillors.

The trigger for this initiative was the new community centre planned to replace the Children’s Hut on Courtenay Road, and the new Archbishop Courtenay school to be built on Eccleston Road. The school currently operates in old buildings on two sites – infants in Church Road, Tovil, and juniors at College Road in central Maidstone. When it was decided to try to get some of the activities that residents had requested up and running as soon as possible, it became apparent that a major problem is the lack of suitable buildings for community activities, so the long-term aim of the group is the purchase of the school site in Tovil for community use.

Work is now starting on the Eccleston Road building, and the eventual prospect of a centralised operation can only enhance the school’s reputation as a safe and happy environment for pupils and their many clubs and activities. There is a pre-school at the Tovil site, a parent and toddler group runs on Wednesday mornings, and the school community group works with local organisations on events, as well as organising its own. For more information on all these, call 01622 754894/754666, or e-mail www.archbishopcourtenay.org.uk

Successes launched by the development group so far have included a Bonfire Night party, an English class for adults from ethnic minorities, and football tournaments run by the local police community support officer during school holidays.

Another recent initiative is the Health Walk every Thursday afternoon, which sets off from the Post Office in Church Street at 1.30pm and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Depending on the weather, it explores circular routes like South Park, Fant Nature Reserve and Maidstone town centre. For more information contact Paula Hubens on 07740 899959, e-mail p.hubens@btcv.org.uk

The Tovil Lighthouse Club is run fortnightly on Saturday mornings, 11am until 1pm, at the Children’s Hut on Courtenay Road. It is free, and open to all primary school-age children. Activities include games, crafts, music, quizzes and Bible stories. A snack is provided. All you need do is turn up. The next one is Saturday, June 20. For more information call the charity Life Church, in Brewer Street, on 01622 757095

Tovil parish council is organizing the annual fete to be held on Saturday, August 29 from noon, at Bridge Mill Way Open Space, also known as Stampers Park. Other forthcoming events run by the development group partners include Up Rockin’ at the Skate Park, including a soapbox obstacle race, on Saturday, June 27, a barbeque on Saturday, July 25, and another bonfire party in November.

Meanwhile, the Coombe Farm Estate replacement housing programme continues. The first 60 of the planned 153 new homes which will replace 117 old houses were handed over to tenants by Maidstone Housing Trust at the end of last year. Properties in the second phase will be ready towards the end of this year, and the final third phase is due to be completed in summer 2011. The trust’s community development team works with a number of partners to deliver the sort of events and activities which residents say interest them. Anyone wanting to become involved in community activities can contact the team free on 0800 923 2700.

New flats and houses completed just over a year ago by Hyde Housing in Eccleston Road have proved popular. One resident, Clare Jordan, said: “We’re pleased with our flat. We’ve had washing lines put in as a result of resident initiative, and there is a bike shed. We’d like to see the bin store enclosed, as we’ve suffered from fly-tipping.” The housing officer is investigating, and hopes to consult residents on a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

For more information about the work of Coombe Farm and Tovil Development Group, contact Cllr Mike FitzGerald on 01622 743270, or mikefitzgerald@maidstone.gov.uk

Anyone in Kent suffering or recovering from illness, disability or trauma who wants to use (or discover) artistic talents is invited to submit work for consideration for an exhibition being run by Art Uniting People, which is sponsored by Kent County Council. Carers may also enter.

Paintings or photographs, or any other medium that can be framed or hung, are acceptable from artists ranging from novice to professional. A maximum of three works may be submitted, with an entry fee of £2 per item. If you wish to sell a work, specify a price and AUP will charge a 10 per cent sale commission. All entries must be framed.

The exhibition will run from Saturday, July 4 for three weeks at County Hall, Maidstone. For more information go to www.artunitingpeople.org.uk/index.html

• Community Focusprovides information for everyone using voluntary services, and encourages people to offer their time and skills to benefit others. If your group would like to feature here, call Sue Towns Okorodudu, CEO of VAM, on 01622 677337.