Text of one of the Courier articles below

Hundreds join debate to save vital care service

VILLAGERS crowded into Hawkhurst Primary School last Thursday night for a public meeting to discuss the future of Bowles Lodge care home.

Around 200 villagers listened to what Kent County Council's Graham Gibbens and Margaret Howard had to say about the future of the vital service.

Mrs Howard, director of commissioning and provision for West Kent, told the meeting that social care had changed over the last 20 years as "people live for a great deal more time and need a great deal more care".

The audience was told the council's reasons for change were people, buildings, cost and care.

The panel was quizzed over the fact that Bowles Lodge is no longer taking new residents or day care users.

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• GT Beverage Unveils New Beverage Alternative for StudentMrs Howard said: "I think it would be entirely inappropriate to decide to admit someone on a long-term basis when the longterm future of the home is under question."

Tunbridge Wells borough councillor for Cranbrook Linda Hall said moving residents would be "too disruptive", and added "when you move people who are 90 to 100 they die".

Mrs Howard assured people the transition would be "seamless" and said: "If it's done carefully, individually and over time, people do thrive."

Thrive Many villagers asked whether other sites could be used including Hawkhurst Castle and Swattenden.

Since the meeting, the county council has confirmed one of its own sites - or that of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - could be used for the development.

County council spokesman Mike Sherbourne said: "The site would need to be large enough with no restrictions on development.

It would need a strong likelihood of obtaining full planning permission and it would need to be available by October 2011."

He added: "Hawkhurst Castle is not owned by Kent County Council so can't be used. The Swattenden site is not suitable because it is in use by Kent Highways Services, would not be expected to get planning permission and is away from community resources."

KCC are carrying out a consultation until November 1 to look at provision of care across the county. The council's proposal is to close the Bowles Lodge care home in September 2011 and demolish it in order to build extra care housing on the site that would be completed by 2013.

The county council's public questionnaire on older people's provision is available from www.kent.gov.uk/opfutures and paper copies will be distributed to interested groups and parties.

Bowles Lodge staff have been out in Hawkhurst with a Unisonbacked petition calling on the council to "withdraw its proposals and to make a clear commitment to retaining directly provided residential and day care services for older people."

Local campaigner John Porter has started a blog: www.bowleslodgestays.blogspot.com