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About two years ago the Paddock Wood and Surrounding Areas Community Action Group launched a review of the town to identify what the people who live, work and play in Paddock Wood and its surrounding areas desired and to compare this with what currently existed. A report has now been produced which has identified new requirements, which have been reviewed and a timetable for their implementation produced. Finance now needs to be sought via grants/funding to address these needs and appropriate bodies lobbied to achieve these desires.

The project is called SUCCEED and comes out of the Kent Small Rural Towns Programme run by the South East Development Agency. The methodology adopted was to look at 4 key topics; environment, economy, social and community provision and transport and accessibility. So you can see that very few (if any), issues were not broached by the 4 topics of this project.

The project is run by the people of Paddock Wood and surrounding areas, for the people of Paddock Wood and the surrounding areas. We have already been in contact with many of the areas surrounding Paddock Wood and they all have shown great willingness to be included in this study. If you are interested, want to be involved, or just find out what has been discovered copies of the report can be found in Paddock Wood library or speak to Nichola Reay on 01892 837373.

In 1978 Jack Walker, Chairman of the Parish Council, officially opened the Day Centre. It was through the efforts of Parish Councillors, including Reginald “pop” Ewings, Jack Walker, Henry Mockett and Mr Addison that the Day Centre was built.

Originally private housing and a confectionary shop, run by Mr Lowry and his sister, occupied the site. In the early 70’s Tunbridge Wells Borough Council purchased the land with the idea of building what became Dowding House to provide sheltered housing for citizens of Paddock Wood. After the opening the second part of the plan was instigated with the aim of building a separate meeting centre to cater for the over the over 50’s. Thus the Day Centre, now maintained by Paddock Wood Town Council came into being providing facilities for such activities as Whist Drives, Darby & Joan Club, Arts & Crafts, Luncheon Club, Bingo, Hearing Aid Clinic and Tea Dances for our senior citizens

The Centre can be booked for use by local groups for very reasonable hourly rates by calling 01892 837373.