by Joe Dawson, reporter

FAVERSHAMS recently renovated gardens, dedicated to those who had fallen in conflict has remained unfinished for a number of months, despite growing concerns from the community. 

 Every year the historic town plays host to a decorated service honouring British service men and women who had fallen during the first and second World Wars, as well as in more recent conflicts. 

 Residents are concerned however that £120,000 project will not be ready in time for the service, as well as the future maintenance for the gardens. 

 The great stone plinths feature the names of those who travelled to the front lines from Faversham. 

 Councillor Mike Cosgrove stated, “the design is finished.”  

 “We can’t plant any of the plants because of weed killer, it needs to set for a number of months in order to plant without weeds coming through.” 

 “We have this award-winning landscape artist, Dominic Cole, to front the floral arrangements.” 

 When asked about the proposed finishing date, the councillor replied, “Soonish.” 

 The controversial plans originally involved moving the Grade II listed war monument located next to the gardens into the space, but planning permission was denied by Swale Borough Council. 

 The community had started maintaining the gardens after contracted companies by Swale Council had maintained the gardens to a level lower than expected.  

 A former member of the community group which voluntarily maintained the former gardens spoke of her disapproval for the project, “It just seems like it could have been done differently, at the moment it seems as if it’s just been left to rot like the previous gardens were.” 

 Richard Vastone, who has neighboured the gardens for a number of years, called the project, “A disgrace.” 

 “Swale have done what Swale does best, no consultation, no class. Everyone I speak to about the project says it’s just ugly. I really don’t know what was going through the minds of Mike Cosgrove and company but frankly it does no favours to the dead.” 

 “I don’t know why they couldn’t have chosen one of the hundreds of other spaces available in Kent, it’s a vanity project.” 

 A local army serviceman of 20 years, labelled the project, “Change for changes sake.” 

 “I think it’s fine from a service perspective, it looks fairly smart and it served about as much use to the parades as the old gardens did.  

 “Because of the numbers the parades cannot take place within the gardens, they have to be out on the street. But the money could’ve been spent on something else.” 

The gardens will be officially unveiled on November 3rd this year by Deputy Lieutenant Paul Aston.