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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