News Articles

MMF News articles are listed in chronological order with the latest first - click the titles to read the full article.

MMF Tribute to the late Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL

September 2025

It is with great sadness that Maidstone Museums’ Foundation has learned of the death of our former President Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL.
Sir Robert served as President from 2017 – 2024. After he stepped down from that role, he was accorded the honorary title of President Emeritus which he held until his death on September 5, 2025.
In 2017 MMF was delighted and honoured when Sir Robert accepted our invitation to become President.

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Messing about on the river

August 2025

A sunny evening voyage along the River Medway is a lovely way to see Maidstone and nearby attractions from a different angle.
More than 40 members of Maidstone Museums’ Foundation and guests enjoyed a relaxing cruise on Thursday August 14, 2025, savouring the scenery, buffet and drinks from the bar. Although recent

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New Museum products designed by young people win plaudits at Awards Ceremony

July 2025

MMF’s design awards for young people sparked a wealth of exciting product ideas that were celebrated at an awards evening in the Friends’ Shop.
The third MMF Heritage Design Challenge, promoted to schools across Kent, encourages young people to visit Maidstone Museum and create a product idea from something they have seen there. Winning products are sold in the Museum shop.

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Life Inside -Prison Stories

July 2025

Prisoners serving a life sentence are easier to work with than those facing shorter terms, according to John Mills, a prison officer for 15 years. His experience of working in prisons in Maidstone and Holloway showed that “lifers were the easiest group I worked with. Once a lifer is told to serve a life sentence, they make a life for themselves in prison.

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Future Queen and Petula Clark add post-war lustre to Maidstone Zoo

June 2025

With the ending of World War II, Maidstone Zoo, although open during most of the conflict, resumed its mission to show off its animals and attract thousands of visitors. Since opening in 1934, some 1.5 million visitors had passed through the gates at Cobtree Manor. As Ivan White explained in his second fascinating talk about Maidstone Zoo

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How Queen Victoria got around – find out in Maidstone’s “internationally significant” Carriages Museum

June 2025

Sir Hugh Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, 12 times Mayor of Maidstone, has secured his place in local history with two major achievements. He founded a zoo that attracted thousands, including the young Princess Elizabeth – later Her Majesty the Queen – for nearly 20 years. The zoo closed in 1959. But his second huge achievement is still giving pleasure to visitors, an outstanding legacy to the County Town.

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