BMX-ing and skateboarding was the order of the day at this year’s Uprockin festival.

Maidstone Borough Council and the police have been working together to host the Uprockin event to engage with youngsters at its South Park location in Armstrong Road.

On June 27, bikers had the opportunity to have their property marked in the mobile police station in a bid to tackle cycle theft. There was also BMX and skateboarding competitions, street athletic sessions, stalls from various agencies and food and drink.

Uprockin is aimed at those aged between 13 and 19 years old. Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: “Uprockin attracts a lot of youngsters to South Park. Last year the event, organised by Maidstone Borough Council, attracted a huge crowd and this year was bigger and better, drawing more spectators to the event than ever before”.

PC Ian Packer, who attended the event said: “The aim of this event is to engage with youngsters and keep them occupied. In addition, we were offering our resources to aid BMX bikers and skaters in the prevention of a possible theft of their property. The mobile police station is a convenient way to reach out to the community of Kent and they can also feel reassured of our commitment to tackling crimes such as bike theft.”

This year, Uprockin’ is sponsored by Maidstone Borough Council, Love n Skate, The Source, EZO, Adam Piggott Photography, Bob Browse Health Club and the University for the Creative Arts.

Photograph: Adam Piggott Photography

Football coaching, fairs and charity fun days are just some of the activities lined up for Maidstone’s parks this summer. 

Maidstone Borough Council’s biggest park, Mote Park, will host a jam-packed summer of events to keep crowds entertained during the summer months. Every Saturday throughout June and July there will be Nushootz Sports, which is a football coaching session from 10.00am to 11.30am.

On Sunday, July 5, from 12.00pm-4.00pm, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) will be holding a fete with various stall, an air cadet band and bouncy castle.

From Tuesday, July 28 to Friday, July 31 the grass roots soccer school will be in Mote Park for a junior football course and everyday during August the park will host a family day theme park.

Other parks in the borough will also be holding fun days and events. On Saturday, June 27 South Park, Armstrong Road will be having the Uprockin event with skateboard and BMX competitions, all from 12.00pm to 6.00pm.

On Sunday, July 12 the annual Penenden Heath festival will entertain crowds, with junior football, charity stalls, a funfair, music and displays. From 9am to 6pm.

There will also be a funfair in Park Wood on August 6, 7, 8 and 9, on weekdays from 2.00pm to 10.00pm and weekends from 2.00pm to 8.00pm.

For more information on any of the events in the council’s parks call 01622 602747.

Mote Park is set to receive a massive lottery boost.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) can announced that Mote Park is on track for a major transformation after receiving a cash injection of £124,500 Development Grant to back its regeneration plans. The go-ahead for Maidstone Borough Council to kick-start its £2.5million scheme has come from HLF and BIG's 'Parks for People' programme. Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: "This is exciting and welcome news. The park is a real jewel in the heart of Maidstone used by thousands of people each year. Now that the finance is in place Maidstone's people can look forward to plans which allow better access and better recreational facilities while enhancing the unique nature of this huge open space."

Mote Park is one of the largest public parks in the South East region, with the scale and character of a country park.  Its proximity to the centre of Maidstone makes it a very popular place for local communities to visit. 

Project proposals to restore the park to its 1870s glory include repair and conservation works.  The poor condition of the lake will be addressed, alongside works to the early 19th century waterfall and its header pond. Plans also include a scheme to plant about 400 new trees, replacing trees lost since WW2 due to Dutch Elm disease, the 1987 storm, military damage during the war and also to replace inappropriate 20th century tree planting. 

Improvements will be made to modern facilities for visitors too, with the establishment of two new local 'sub-centres' in the northeast and southeast corners of the park providing play areas, toilets, parking and provision for catering. Vehicle access will be regulated to avoid the present dangerous mix of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Footpaths and cycle paths will be repaired and extended, including the creation of new pathways around the lake and bridges to replace the deteriorating causeway.  There are also plans for a new viewing/seating terrace on the lake-facing side of the café. 

The park already benefits from an active Friends Group and project proposals include ways to create opportunities for other people from the local community to get involved in caring for the green oasis.  There will be opportunities for park users to have their say on the proposed plans and to volunteer to help with park surveys, monitoring wildlife and carrying out conservation works. This will create a great opportunity for individuals to pick up new skills. 

Chairman of the Friends of Mote Park group, Michael Yates, echoes the views of the former Mayor, Cllr Tyrwhitt Drake in 1928. Michael said: "Mote Park is a jewel in the crown of Maidstone. The bid for the Park will ensure that the future of this wonderful asset will be preserved for all the residents of Maidstone, in perpetuity."

Head of HLF in the South East, Michelle Davies, said: "The wonderful thing about the UK's parks is that they are as much a part of our lives as they were for the Victorians who created them.  However, time takes its toll and many parks need a helping hand to be restored to former glory.  Today's news will do just that, giving a boost to the transformational plans for Mote Park so that local communities can enjoy this beautiful green space for generations to come."