MALLING MAIL

Addington Birling East Malling Kings Hill Larkfield Leybourne Mereworth Offham Ryarsh West Malling

The Malling and District Repair Café was founded by Chris Mercer based on Repair Café International. So, what is a Repair Café?

Repair Cafés are community events that match people who need things fixed with people who like fixing things. Repair Cafés are completely non-commercial, repairs are free but we welcome donations. There are no promises and no guarantees, but if something can be saved, the repairers will give their best efforts.

Malling Repair Café was set up in 2022. Initially, we put a request on Facebook and Nextdoor for volunteers to see if there were enough people interested. The answer came back with a resounding ‘Count me in please!!’, so now we have a brilliant and talented team of repairers and helpers.

We hope to help save people money, and help the environment by reducing the number of items going into landfill. And we bring together people who are keen to share their skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

So, what do you do with a broken vacuum cleaner? Or with a bike when the wheel runs out of alignment? Or with a favourite jumper with a hole in it?

Bin it? No way! Repair it!!

Why not come and see us at one of the next sessions?

Commencing at 10:30 and ending at 13:30

 18 March, East Malling Village Hall, New Road, East Malling, ME19 6DD

 29 April, Larkfield Village Hall, New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, ME20 6PU

 20 May, Larkfield Village Hall, New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, ME20 6PU

Bring a broken item and enjoy tea and cake while you wait! For further details on how to join us and future dates visit: https://www.mallingrepaircafe.co.uk

Number 58 and 70 buses running a shoppers’ return trip on Mondays and Fridays only.

NUMBER 58 & 70 BUSES RUNNING A SHOPPERS’ RETURN TRIP ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS ONLY.

The daily 58 and 70 buses have ended as a result of KCC cutting out its subsidy to the operator Nu Venture.

Several Malling villages would have been left with no public transport to shops and services as a result. However, Nu Venture have agreed to run a reduced service at their own cost until July. By then, it is hoped that KCC will have agreed a new deal with affected parishes.

The Monday service will allow a stop for shopping of around two hours in West Malling or Larkfield Tesco. The Friday service will allow a two hour stop in Maidstone .

Most Parish Councils along the routes have agreed to meet part of the cost of the services in proportion to their population from July. KCC has been asked to contribute the rest from a £35m Government Bus Improvement Grant they have been given. This would allow the buses to continue to run for a one year pilot.

Please support these services so we don’t leave people without cars isolated and unable to get out to shops and services and meet family and friends.

Monday no 70 Service

Friday no 58 service