Formerly the AMC 10 pin bowling centre

Walked into town first thing, mainly for coffee at Pop's, but also to buy a shoulder of lamb for next weekend. (Being Easter Sunday). Slow roast with rosemary and garlic, it is lovely and the leftovers make a great Shepherds Pie.

This place, now reduced to a pile of rubble used to be a 10 pin bowling centre housed in a 1970s style warehouse. Like many of its contemporaries from that era it is being demolished as it is too poor a building to be converted into anything useful. In its place will be a retirement living complex. Just the sort of housing development for that sort of space being so close to the town centre, buses and the like. I'm sure there are many other such spaces and spaces above shops and offices which could be turned into useful living accommodation for people needing a first step on the ladder.

In another part of Maidstone though, a less desirable development is taking shape by the river. A former car show room, also from the same era, I think, has been demolished too. But instead of using the site for homes, a MacDonald's Drive Thru' is being constructed. On one of the busiest roads in the town. What a fabulous attraction this will bring to the town.

The afternoon was spent refereeing down at Cranbrook. It was there I started my career in 1996 and a club I enjoy going to. Today was special for the club as a win would give them promotion from Kent League 1 to London League 3. I wasn't doing that game but I have refereed that team several times in the past. I did the 2nd XV v New Ash Green which was an entertaining match all around. The 1st XV, by the way, won handsomely and are now promoted - no doubt there will be many sore heads this morning judging by the amount of beer being drunk on the touchline and the fact that there had been a large, boisterous and boozy club lunch beforehand.