| 
(Paddock Wood SUCCEED)
Following on from the Healthcheck programme, a partnership has been
formed to implement the findings of this work. Plans are now being
finalised to bid for monies to improve business conditions in the
town and opportunities for young people to spend their leisure time,
with a youth café and youth forum. Once this bid is underway
the project will move on to other aspects of the plan.
The Healthcheck project came out of the Kent Rural Towns Programme
run by the South East England Development Agency. All aspects of
the town were covered by the study under the headings of environment,
economy, social and community provision and transport and accessibility,
so it can be seen that no stone was left untouched by the work.
The findings are fully documented on the Paddock Wood SUCCEED website.
The project is run by the people of Paddock Wood and surrounding
areas. An Action Plan has been produced, which details some 30+
projects to make Paddock Wood and the surrounding areas into a better
place to live, work and play.
All the people working on the plan are volunteers and progress is
limited by the time they can devote to the project. If you would
like to know more and perhaps become involved in the implementation,
please ring the chairman of the partnership, Peter Nicholls on 01892
835773, or visit the website at www.paddockwood.org.
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.
|
