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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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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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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May 2025
Maidstone Museum is delighted to invite members to an exclusive preview of the Titanic Honour & Glory Exhibition on Friday 11th July 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Maidstone Museum.
Members of Maidstone Museum Friends’ will have the unique opportunity
March 2025
Maidstone is proving a role model for its management of the Business Improvement District (BID), so much so that representatives from other UK towns are beating a path to their door to find out how One Maidstone does it.
Michelle Woodland, Chief Executive Officer One Maidstone BID, and Steven Pankhurst, BID’s Business Crime Manager, told an audience
February 2025
Those strange structures off the Kent coast have played a key role in maritime and radio history. Frank Turner, from Gravesend, is passionate about the Maunsell forts, so much so that he is spearheading a campaign of restoration. He told their fascinating story to a 40-strong audience at the first MMF talk of the year held on February 13 in Maidstone Museum
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