MUSICAL FIRST FOR KINGS HILL CONTROL TOWER
NEWS
After several years of careful restoration, the iconic Control Tower at Kings Hill is well on its way to becoming one of Kent’ s key cultural centres.
It is already being used to exhibit artworks by professional artists in a thoughtfully curated changing programme and the space recently came alive with the sound of music for the first time. Virtuoso cellist Richard Harwood gave a solo recital of works by leading film composers as part of Music @ Malling – an international festival that brings outstanding music to historic buildings in and around West Malling.
“ The space is perfect for a number of cultural uses which was our plan when we restored the Control Tower,” said Caroline Binns of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust.“ We were delighted to sponsor its first live musical event for which there was standing room only.
“ We are currently working with members of the community and art experts to explore other ways in which this shared community space might be used and are hoping to appoint a gallery coordinator in due course.”
After premiering works by composers including Ennio Morricone, Ernst Toch, Dario Marianelli, John Williams, Benjamin Wallfisch and Frank Ilfman, Richard Harwood said:“ It was a great pleasure to perform in the Control Tower and to be the first musician to do so.
“ It is a great space with an incredible history and I couldn’ t help imagining how the location was used during the Second World War. It is a wonderful amenity for the people of Kings Hill today and I hope it will be the venue for more musical events in future.”
The gallery space in the Control Tower is one of many community amenities at Kings Hill – which include a sports park with five grass pitches and one artificial, 18-hole golf course, two gyms, nature park and cricket pitch as well as a community hall, Waitrose, ASDA, other retail outlets, pub, cafés and restaurants.
PROPOSALS FOR EARTH LODGES AT BEWL WATER UNVEILED
Plans to create 60 earth lodges to provide selfcatering accommodation at Bewl Water have been unveiled by its owners Markerstudy Leisure.
The two-bedroom earth lodges would be cut into a slope, covered by earth banks and sheltered beneath a wild meadow roof. Each would incorporate high performance construction and renewable energy technologies.
The low-energy units could accommodate up to 240 people and would use existing on-site car parking.
Each would have views of the water and woodland with private outdoor space. The intention is to provide accommodation to compliment the leisure and recreation facilities already available at the 800-acre Bewl Water County Park, as well as providing a perfect base for short break holidays from which to explore Wealden and West Kent.
Andrew Daniells, chief operating officer at Bewl Water, said:“ Since taking over the management of Bewl Water Country Park and investing in new facilities and improving the existing leisure activities, it has become clear that there is a demand for high quality self-catering accommodation that is sensitive to the environment.”
The proposals can be viewed at www. bewlwaterearthlodges. co. uk and following feedback from the public they will be presented as a planning application to Wealden District Council later in the year.
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