In & Around Kent June 15 issue by in and around Loose

FREE JUNE 2015

WIN a ÂŁ100

Go Ape

gift voucher for you and your tribe

COUNTRY FAIR! 13 & 14 June from 10am

• Falconry displays • Tour the vintage houses • Drive our tractor Ken • Vintage games t M emb Life • Meet the Blacksmith com ers • Local produce stalls FRE e for E! • BBQ & Beer Tent • and much more!

For more details and to book general admission tickets online visit

www.kentlife.org.uk

Kent Life, Lock Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU. Junction 6 of the M20. T: 01622 763936

QUALITY FENCING

FREE SURVEYS SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION CLICK & RESERVE FENCING ON-LINE

WWW.GLEBEFENCING.CO.UK

GLEBEFENCING CALL 01622 220054 LTD

FENCING CONTRACTORS

@GLEBEFENCINGLTD 108 HOCKERS LANE, DETLING ME14 3JJ

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 7am - 4.30pm and Saturday 7am - 3pm 3

Contents to In and Around Magazine

5 hq Hair & Beauty 6 Property 9 Go Ape Competition 10 Tudor Oak Tweet! 12 Audley Competition 14 Local Events

16 Self Hire Boat Review

14 19 Sharks & Bedbugs 20 Perfect Puglia 23 Competition

24 Appendicitis 27 Recipe

Dear Readers, Congratulations to Jill Frankland of Boughton Monchelsea who was our winner of The Mulberry Tree competition we ran in our April issue. Since then Jill and her friend have visited The Mulberry Tree to claim their lunch for 2. Jill’s feedback about The Mulberry Tree: “We had a lovely meal, we thought The Mulberry Tree had a really lovely atmosphere and staff. We would recommend people try it.” We have more competitions for you this month; win £100 voucher with Go Ape, Audley Club are offering the chance to win 1 month membership plus you could win tickets to visit this year’s UK Summer & Motorhome Show. Remember, you’ve got to be in it, to win it! Sarah, Editor

29 Bounderies Advice

Editor & Publisher: Sarah Maberley

32 Community

Tel: 01622 296230

Bearsted and Thurnham

23 34 Local Events Carnival & Fayre Saturday 27th June 2015 1pm on Bearsted Green

June 2015

Copy deadline for next edition:

Tuesday 16th June

Published independently by: In and Around Kent

36 Classifieds

Email: info@inandaroundkent.co.uk

38 Index of Services

Front Cover: Go Ape, Maidstone

St al l Fa nc ~ s yD re ss Ca ~ rn iva l

In & Around Magazine is distributed each month to; Loose, Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Bearsted, Grove Green, Penenden Heath, Allington, Aylesford, Ditton, West Malling, Sutton Valence, Langley, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Maidstone Town Centre and Newnham Court.

nts Eve na ~ aw Are Dr and~ es Gr Rid & mes Ga

Raising funds for Bearsted Scouts and celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland www.facebook.com/BearstedAndThurnhamCarnivalFayre Twitter: @BearstedFayre

“Connecting local people to local businesses”

Web: inandaroundkent.co.uk Laurel House, 43 Earl Street, Maidstone Kent, ME14 1 PD

Let hq Hair & Beauty bring out the glamour in you! salon. Haircuts, colours, extensions, nail treatments, massage, waxing, facials, tanning - Amanda and her team at hq Hair and Beauty in Headcorn are here to the rescue (plus you get the chance to spend the day in the beautiful village of Headcorn visiting the local farmers market, shops and cafes)!

Whether you will soon be off on your summer holidays or are just getting ready for summer, you’ll want to be looking your best. For those of you who find it difficult to find the time to have regular beauty treatments and have to experience the stress of booking hair and beauty appointments, save time and book yourself numerous treatments all in one

In today’s hectic fast paced way of life, it is so important to take time out and look after yourself. Seriously, pro-longed stress is bad for your health. By slowing down you’ll keep your stress levels in check, sleep better, your mood will improve, your memory and concentration will improve but most importantly you’ll enjoy it!

The ultimate glamour treatment for feet, Swarovski gem stones for manicures and pedicures. Feeling stressed? Book an Indian Head Massage based on the Ayurvedic system of healing which has been practiced in India for over a thousand years. Not forgetting the men, hq is a unisex salon - guys - any treatments booked will remain confidential! Your secret is safe with hq! What we can promise you is Amanda and her team will have you looking your best and if it’s your first visit they are even offering a generous 50% off!

Whilst many treatments alone give you the “feel good” factor, treatments at hq will leave you feeling like a celebrity! If you like a bit of glam, then this is the place for you. hq are proud to offer Swarovski nails.

Whoever loses, first time buyers win! As I write this, the general election is still a week away and Labour and Conservatives are neck and neck with neither party looking anywhere near winning a majority. By the time you read this, hopefully we’ll know what government is going to be running the country. The only people who don’t have to worry about the outcome are first time home buyers because both parties are targeting them with pre-election giveaways.

The Conservatives have already brought in the Help to Buy scheme which enables them to buy with a much smaller deposit. Newly announced is the Help to Buy ISA, set to be introduced in the autumn. The government will contribute a 25% top up to any savings invested in the ISA up to a maximum of £3000. In addition, if elected, the Conservatives would build 100,000 homes on brown field sites that would be available for first time buyers at a discount of 20% on market price. Potentially, 6

some taxes would also be waived on these homes. Finally, aspiring homeowners who live in housing association properties will be given the right to buy their homes at a discount of up to 70%. Labour have got in on the act as well. If elected, they would give first time buyers a stamp duty holiday on purchases of up to £300,000 for the first three years of the parliament. There are no indications that they would withdraw the Help to Buy scheme; instead they have pledged to adapt the H2B ISA so that the money invested in the schemes is used to fund building 125,000 homes over the next five years. I find this focus on first time buyers to be very encouraging; they are, after all, the life blood of the housing market and have been conspicuous by their absence since the financial crash. However, they will need homes to actually buy and, despite the promises of both parties, I can’t see the numbers required being built without further drastic reform of the planning laws. Craig Brown

FAIRVIEW FARM

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inandaround

Feature

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POOL Bearsted roundCARE table Bearsted round table was chartered in 1974 it is a mens club ‘non profit’ organisation for men 18-45

we also recently hosted a Black Tie Ball raising £2000 for crossroads young carers. And in September we are climbing 3 mountains in 24hrs.

In recent years round table has been considered an old mans club and the numbers through out clubs in the UK have Pool Repairs & Relines Pool & Hot Tub Chemicals Supplied been on the decline. We are experiencing interest from people that have DIY Self Build Service Pump Repairs & Replacements moved to the area for work. Bearsted Round Table however currently on the way Filter & Sand Changes Heating Repairs Oil, Gas & LPG Replacements If you are new to the area it’s a great way to meet up. We currently have 6 members under 30 and Hot Tubs Sales & Repairs Summerise & Winterise a new groupServices of mates and get yourself out the we have had recent membership enquiries via house it could be a pint at the local, go karting Solar & Winter Covers Pool Maintenance our website even Climbing mountain! Contact Chemicals available at Woodstock Garden Centre, or Hermitage Lanea, Maidstone , ME16us: 9NT At the end of this month we could be back in Telephone: 07739 308493 double figures! In November the lads collect in Email: membership@bearstedrt.co.uk London for Children In Need with Pudsey and Web: www.bearstedrt.co.uk won an award for collecting £5000

Call 01622 676790

11 Tovil Green Business Park, Burial Ground Lane. ME15 6TA

MONGERS TANTONS TREE GARAGE LTD Pest Control

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Why Not Try us For All Your Your Local Tree Experts Motoring Needs? all your inpest problems AsFor Professionals the Trade We Offer:

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01622 630 312 01622 842481 Do YourCall Shopping While We Fix Your Car So Why Not Pop In Or Give Us a Call On

Or 07788 971 900

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ACE

M.O.T. & Clutch Centre

Diagnostics • Fault Code Reading • Servicing and General Repairs • MOT • Air Conditioning • • Brakes Timing Belt Replacement and Repair • Clutches Vehicle Maintenance, Service & M.O.T

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OPEN Mon -DOOR Fri. 8.00 - 5.30 GARAGE ASSOCIATES Satof garage doors8.00 - 12.30 All makes supplied, installed, M.O.T.repaired, only Sun - 12.00 automated9.00 and spares www.jandccreations.co.uk Free - no obligation estimate

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in inand andaround around

17 25

What is Go Ape? Good question. If you’ve not come across us, Go Ape’s the UK’s number one forest adventure.

Days out with us are about living life a little more adventurously, having fun with friends and family and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan. The classic and original Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. We’ll brief you for safety before you fly down our zip-wires, leap off our Tarzan Swing and tackle our crossings whilst enjoying some of Britain’s most breathtaking scenery. With zip wires and high ropes 12 metres above the forest floor and 250 metres in length, experience an adventure experience never to be forgotten. There are 28 Go Ape adventures around the country, all

set in some of Britain’s most spectacular forests. If you’re looking for things to do near Maidstone, you won’t leave our Tree Top Adventure or Tree Top Junior outdoor adventures at Leeds Castle disappointed. Enjoy one of the best days out in Kent with breathtaking views of the beautiful area surrounding Leeds Castle, and obstacles that will get the hairs on the back of neck bristling. Just a couple of minutes from the motorway, Leeds Castle, “the loveliest castle in the world“, is enough of a reason for a day out. With peacocks roaming and sheep wandering, you really will feel like you’ve got away from it all! So what better way to experience the treetops by entering our competition to win a £100 gift voucher!

COMPETITION WIN £100 GO APE GIFT VOUCHER Just tell us the answer to the following question:

Which castle is Go Ape located in? Email your answer to sarah@inandaroundkent.co.uk or post to In & Around Kent, Laurel House, 43 Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PD. Closing date 16/06/15.

A Kent-based bespoke oak joinery and furniture-making company gets a Twitter Boost from Theo Paphitis! Last week, Sasha Kamenetski, managing director and partner at Tudor Oak, tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’, an initiative set up by Theo that runs weekly. Theo re-tweeted Sasha’s message to his 464,000 followers and as a result, the business (www.tudor-oak.co.uk) has over 100 more followers and potential extra orders for their bespoke oak joinery and handmade furniture. They are also profiled on a new website (www. theopaphitissbs.com) that is exclusive to Small Business Sunday winners. A Maidstone-based company with over 45 years’ experience received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis.

FINE

Sasha Kamenetski said, “We’ve been in business for over 45 years, are well-known locally, nationally and even internationally and I feel very proud of our achievements – a large number of companies doing what we do, have

HANDMADE

FURNITURE

•

been forced to close down, but we are still here and are growing. It is great to have support from Theo because of his experience in business and his very high profile. We feel extremely lucky to catch his attention, Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.” Anyone looking for a re-tweet from Theo should tweet him about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re-tweeted every Monday at 8 PM and then invited to enter their profile on the new website. This is done free of charge and the new website is sponsored by Ryman Stationery, where Theo is Chairman.

BESPOKE

JOINERY

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Email. info@tudor-oak.com

Established in 1987 your local kitchen and Established in 1987 your bathroom specialist based in Coxheath

local kitchen and bathroom

• The only Kent Trading Standards Approved specialist based in inCoxheath Kitchen and Bathroom retailer the Maidstone Area

TradingtoStandards approved •1.Dedicated providing you with the best possible advice installers •2.Working with you on your dream project Insurance backed guarantee

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Specialists in Bathrooms & Wet Rooms

Stream is an established family-run business with a wealth of experience and understanding. Our locally-based professional teams work to the highest of standards. Call us now for a FREE QUOTATION on 01622 747414 or email us at simon@stream-group.co.uk quoting ref IAL15 for a 10% discount*

www.stream-group.co.uk 11

WIN!!! 1 month membership at the Exclusive Audley Club Health Club who want to keep fit and healthy with other like-minded individuals. You will be looked after by our highly-trained Audley Club team who have been chosen for their exceptional personal qualities.

We are offering a chance for you to sample this amazing club - by entering our competition you could win a 1 month membership which also entitles you to:-

It’s one of Maidstone’s best kept secrets - the Audley Club at Mote House is an exclusive health club designed specifically for the over 55s age group

• Exclusive invite to range of social events at Mote House including Gourmet Nights & BBQs

To enter, please answer the following question and include your contact details:What is the minimum age you need to be in order to become an Audley Club member?

• A personal training session

a) 40

• Range of exercise classes such as Zumba Gold and Pilates

Please email your answer by 30th June 2015 to:-

• Access to luxury heated swimming pool & gym

moteclub@audleyretirement.co.uk or send them to Audley Club Competition, Mote House, Mote Park, Bearsted, Kent, ME14 8NQ

• Discount in the Romney Bar/Bistro & Restaurant

b) 55

c) 70

Cooper & Co are a local family business with over 20 years experience

Cooper & Co

Cooper Cooper Cooper & Co & Co& Co Plumbing & Heating Services Plumbing Services Plumbing & Heating Services& Heating

• Boiler Services • Boiler Services • Boiler Services • Boiler Changes & Upgrades • Boiler Changes & Upgrades • Boiler Changes & Upgrades • Full Central Heating Systems • Full Central Heating Systems • Full Central Heating Systems • Water Softeners • Water Softeners • Water Softeners • Walk in baths / Adaptions for DisabilityLtd Plumbing & Heating • Walk in baths / Adaptions for DisabilityServices • Walk in baths / Adaptions for Disability Bathroom & Shower Installations • Bathroom & •Shower Installations • Bathroom & Shower Installations • New Taps / Outside Taps • New Taps / Outside Taps • New Taps / Outside Taps * Free * Quotes * FreeShowers Quotes ** Free Quotes •*Power Showers • Bathroom & Shower Installations • Power Showers • Power • Water Softeners • Guttering Repairs • Guttering Repairs • Guttering Repairs * Evening &Weekend * Evening &Weekend • Full bathroom finishes or part bathroom finishes undertaken • New Taps / Outside Taps * Evening &Weekend • Tiling • Tiling • Tiling • Additional Radiators * • Additional •SlotsAvailable Worcester Bosch* Registered Installer - we offer a 7 year warranty SlotsAvailable *SlotsAvailable • Additional Radiators • Walk inRadiators baths / Adaptions for Disability & more…please feel free to enquire. & more…please & more…please feel free to enquire. feel free to enquire.

• Power Showers • Guttering Repairs • Tiling, Additional Radiators • Landlord Certificates

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Events

Mobile Manicures and Pedicures

Call Dorothy 01622 749002 | 07929 652 012 dorothy.staunton@tiscali.co.uk

SPECIAL HALF PRICE OFFER!! offer valid until 30/06/15

Luxury Manicure £12.50 Luxury Pedicure £10 Experience the leisurely personal service I provide, just for you, in the comfort and privacy of your own home (Loose based cover Maidstone area)

ners

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ave 8 o 1.

COMPUTING One to One Computer and iPad Training in FOR your own home BEGINNERS

Internet ~ Email ~ Digital Photography and more.. Also Computer and iPad Setup Call Lynn for more details

01622 745654

www.computingforbeginners.co.uk 14

Great Kent Charity Bike Ride Sunday 28th June Come and explore a varied landscape of ancient towns, gentle hills and unspoilt shingle beaches - and raise money for the East Kent Hospitals Charity. With two great routes to choose between, there’s something for everyone! Choose one of two circular, on road, routes of approx 35 or 60 miles, starting in Ashford and taking you over gentle wooded hills through unspoilt countryside to where the Garden of England meets the Sea! Heading back in time across Romney Marsh, the routes split at Newchurch. The shorter route then follows quiet country lanes through pretty villages, while the longer route heads on to meet the coast at St. Mary’s Bay and through the open landscape of the Denge and Walland marshes to the ancient ‘smuggler’s capital’ of Rye, before bringing you back across the Isle of Oxney through Tenterden to meet the short route and finish at North Park in the heart of Ashford. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals serving a local population of around 759,000 people. Our motto is ‘putting patients first’ and we have an international reputation for delivering high quality specialist care particularly in cancer, kidney disease, stroke and vascular services. By raising funds for the East Kent Health Charity, you’ll be helping us with a variety of projects, including the purchase of new digital breast screening machines - which allow early and small cancers to be detected and so treatment started sooner, leading to increased recovery rates - and the purchase of a Neonatel Intensive Care Cot to help save the lives of dangerously premature babies. Charity reg.no. 1076555 www.ekhuft.nhs.uk This is a sponsored charity ride.Your entry fee only covers the costs of running the ride so please ask family and friends to sponsor you generously to make a real difference. Thank you http://www.bike-events.co.uk/

Events

“A baby enjoys freedom of movement, relaxation and bonding. They make an easy transition from their early swimming reﬂexes into swimming movements” Kent Life Gears Up for Classic & Vintage Car Show There will be plenty of va-va-vroom at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park on Sunday 19 July when the award-winning attraction, near Maidstone, hosts a Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show. Kent Life’s stunning annual display is once again expected to draw visitors from far and wide, who will be given the chance to vote for their favourite. As well as admiring an array of fantastic vehicles, visitors can make a full day of it by exploring the attraction’s historic vintage village and discovering what life was really like in Kent’s rural past. They can meet some of the animals in Cuddle Corner or take in the scenery with a tractor ride, before relaxing with a homemade cake in Dotty’s 1950s-styled tearoom. If you have a classic or vintage vehicle that you would like to take along, Kent Life would love to hear from you. To download a booking form, go to the What’s On section at www.kentlife.org.uk. Kent Life ticket prices: Adults £9.50; Children £7.50 (aged 3-15); Concessions £8.50. Members and under-threes FREE. Book online in advance and get a 15% discount! There will be a small additional charge for some activities. Opening times: 10am to 5pm daily (last admission 4pm).

JLM Network Services

On-site Computer Repairs

Experienced Company Offering: Kent Life is the county’sIT premier rural heritage experience, set@ inPC 28Repairs, acres of glorious countryside. Explore the beautiful Upgrades, Servicing gardens, orchard and oneNetworking of the last hand-picked hop @ Wired/Wireless gardens in Removal the country; ramble along the wildlife discovery @ Virus trail; and see the last working coal-fired oast house in @ Data Recovery Britain. @ Online PC Backup The attraction is also a real working farm, so there are Contact James now pigs, sheep, ducks, plenty of animals to see, including for all your IT needs goats, alpacas, horses and ponies.

Tel:Life01622 663435 Kent is in Sandling, near Maidstone, just off junction 6Mob: of the M20 or only 422438 an hour by train from London. For 07738 details visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936. sales@maidstonepcrepairs.co.uk www.maidstonepcrepairs.co.uk

“Fun, safe swimming lessons for primary school aged children and all abilities”

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enquiries@juniorswim.co.uk www.juniorswim.co.uk

Privately Owned Swimming Pools in Linton and Sutton Valance

New centre now open Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment. Maidstone South Study Centre 01622 737294 kumon.co.uk Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

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Feature

A great day out with Allington Belle’s Self DriveBelle Boats Allington Self Drive Boat Hire Review iver from “You’ll see the r spective” a different per

My family and I had the great pleasure of taking out one of Allington Belle’s self drive boats. Until now I didn’t realise you could even hire self drive boats in Maidstone! It turned out my family didn’t know either – so please do spread the word. Allington Belle boat hire is situated off Newbury Avenue which is the turning past Waitrose at Mid Kent Shopping Centre. We followed the road until we arrived at a small archway, so small in fact we wondered if we were supposed to drive through it! Turning into the lane we went down a hill all wondering if we had taken the right turning and then after only a few seconds arrived at the boat yard. Foords Wharf boat yard is like being in a little oasis, so quiet and peaceful, surrounded by nature and trees away from the hustle and bustle of Maidstone town centre.

Bev greeted us and took us to a little wooden hut where she fitted buoyancy aides to the children. She showed us a map of the river and how far you can travel in 2 hours, half a day (4 hours) or a full day (8 hours). In 2 hours we could sail through the town centre and reach East Farleigh Lock, and then turn around. If you go for a half day you can sail to Teston Country Park or a full day will take you to Yalding and back. Prices are very reasonable starting from £45 for 2 hours hire (Else Belle) and vary depending on which size boat you choose. If the weather turns bad you are able to cancel your booking with no charge you just need to call Bev by 9am.

16 inandaround

the river It was so peaceful on , relaxed and we all felt calm and tranquil. We were fortunate to take out Maidstone Belle, one of their silent picnic boats that seats up to 10 people. For half a day hire this costs £150 (only £15/person!) or a full day is £220 (I’m sure you can do the maths on this one). They are really easy to drive with just a forward and reverse leaver – much to my husband’s relief (I had to look after our children of course). Once on the boat everyone was having a good look around; a gas hob, running water, cups, plates and cutlery even a toilet. The children thought it was great having a toilet on a boat! You could sit outside of the boat at the front and rear and the middle was undercover with soft comfy seating. We all opted to sit outside as it was a sunny afternoon. Steve and Henry showed us how to steer and control the boat and we were on our way. As we departed Bev shouted out “you’ll see the river from a different perspective” and she was right. We all felt like we weren’t in Maidstone at all. It was so peaceful on the river and we all felt calm, relaxed and tranquil. As we sailed along we were all guessing where we were as you could see how lucky some of our residents are that have a big garden that backs onto the river. “This must be Tovil” my husband said, “No, it’s the back of College Road” my mum would say. Beautiful green trees lead the way through the town centre and towards East Farleigh Lock with my husband physicing himself up for the U turn back to boat yard. Another thing I noticed “down on the river” was how friendly everyone was. Every person we passed be it on a boat or sitting on the river bank all waved and said hello. Much different from the hustle and bustle of the town where no-one’s eyes meet and people appear less friendly. We didn’t have the time to stop off for a picnic this time but all agreed what a lovely day out it would make and we will definitely return to Allington Belle boat hire to arrange our memorable family day out.

rree i i H t at o o B B e ll e AAlllingtton BBeel

Self drive day boats on the river Medway Call 01622

661064 or 07763242701

www.allingtonbelle.co.uk Fords wharf marine Allington Maidstone Kent ME16 0BP inandaround

1117

S.G. SWIM SCHOOL

ETHOS Local Plasterer

15 Starnes rn Court, offf Union io Street Maidstone ds Fast, clean, honest, reliable plasterer.

No tooFairtrade small. food ce job to buy fo ood ods ds, s, The best place foods, allyof friendly hous household environmentally All aspects work undertaken products & Fairtrade crafts. Ethos also Free quotation offersFantastic a range ofprice. organic foods & other environmentally friendly products.

For non swimmers to advanced in a new 25 metre pool at Sutton Valence. Maximum of 6 non swimmers in a class. Saturdays from 1.30 - 4pm 10 WEEK COURSE - £50

FOR NON SWIMMERS TO ADVANCED. FROM 4 YEARS TO ADULTS

Call Paul on 07932 737754

There is also a refill station for cleaning products! The majority of items are also suitable for vegans or vegetarians. ethos Maidstone email: ethosmaidstone@gmail.com www.ethosmaidstone.wordpress.com

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01622 745146 | 07730 797424 sgswimschool@o2.co.uk

SUMMER FUN Sunday 5 July

s ion price £9.50 £7.50

admiss General Adults Children 5) 1 (aged 3ions Concess

SEE

£8.50

for FREE ers come b m e m e Kent Lif Shaun the Sheep will be appearing at intervals throughout the day. For more details and to book general admission tickets online visit

www.kentlife.org.uk

Kent Life, Lock Lane, Kent ME14 3AU. Junction 6 of the M20. T: 01622 763936

18 inandaround 18

Sharks & Bedbugs making the news!

In the UK our smaller sized problem is the ever resilient bedbug. Constantly evolving and clinging onto bedframes and mattresses, terrorising us while we sleep and biting us for a tasty meal. Why do they find human skin so attractive?

Pest Purge Ltd 01622 842481 or 07758 615101

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Adult bedbugs are oval, flat, reddish brown and c5mm long. They can squeeze into cracks in furniture and mattress seams, making them difficult to spot and kill. Females lay 200-500 eggs in a few months. Dr Gries endured 180,000 bedbug bites to feed the large colony required for her research, acting as their “host”. She is now working with a Canadian company to develop an effective and affordable trap. Night night, sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite! For all your shark and bedbug problems call Pest Purge, keeping your paddling pools and bedrooms pest free.

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remove them safely without a fuss, keeping your event pest free. It must work; no pest that we have ever expelled has complained! We are tolerant of small disturbances but will intervene when insects get out of hand. If you have a Pest call Pest Purge (small kids excluded)!

The authorities closed the beaches after numerous sightings. Despite this, people were still swimming and surfing and acting like it was business as usual. This shark weighed in at 1.7 tons, with a bite radius that would cut an adult in two. (Nobody got eaten!) Apparently, this was the largest recorded white shark on record in this area. Perhaps folk were banking on the fact that it may be a friendly fish! Sharks hunt their prey in the surf-zone, finding swimmers and surfers taste best between the surf break area and the shoreline, in relatively shallow water. You have been warned, stick to Margate this summer, the only thing likely to bite you will be a crab!

Monday, May 14, 2012 15:15 Magenta Yellow Black Cyan

It has been reported that one pest problem in Australia seems larger than many of ours in the UK. Recently there was a 15 feet long white shark, aka Jaws, swimming around in the waters off Newcastle, 100 miles north of Sydney. Unusually, for a large predator, it remained in the same area for several weeks.

One scientist, Dr Regine Gries has been trying to find out. Over five years she offered up her arms as food to more than 1000 bedbugs every week in a quest to find out the answer. This was a mission to find the first effective bedbug bait that can be used to lure the insect into a trap. Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to spot quickly, a nightmare to evict and are growing more resilient to insecticides. Dr Gries found that the compound histamine combined with a blend of pheromones are the crucial ingredients that makes human skin so appealing.

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Perfect Puglia for Monopoli Money Puglia is a little known corner of Italy; it forms the high heel of the peninsula’s boot. It can’t boast the historic glories of Rome, Venice or Tuscany, nor the beauty of the Italian lakes or the sophistication of the Riviera. What it does have is a rustic charm all of its own and some of the best food you will ever eat; this has been enough to lure me and my family back several times over the years. Our two older children have fled the nest so this time we were accompanied by our 17 year old son and his friend. We needed to find somewhere with good restaurants and an old town for pottering around together with decent beaches and an energetic nightlife for the younger members of our party. Monopli fitted the bill perfectly. It is a lovely old town midway between the commercial city of Bari to the north and the package holiday resort of Brindisi to the south. There’s an old town with narrow winding streets lined by numerous bars, restaurants, boutiques and a surprising number of delis and butchers. The old harbour is still a working fishing port and is a perfect place to sip a grappa and watch the world go by. To the south of the town is a line of beaches that are very popular with backpackers and the younger set, where the boys spent much of their days trying to 20

impress girls with their kite surfing skills. We stayed in what I can only describe as a gourmet hotel on the edge of the old town. The charming old building had been sympathetically restored and had a fantastic garden that also supplied a lot of the fruit on the menu. The food was out of this world, a never ending parade of fish, salads, cured meats and magnificent fruit pies that were even served at breakfast. After the first couple of nights the boys gave up on morning altogether, rolling back from the bars and clubs in the small hours which seemed a shame to me – who could resist apricot pie and cream for breakfast? In fact, the food is one of the main reasons for visiting this region of Italy. Even the smallest village seems to be able to boast a decent

restaurant; Monopoli has lots. Everything is locally sourced too, in a way that would embarrass even the most self-righteous English restaurant. Everything from the sublime prosciutto to the divine tuna carpaccio has travelled less than 50 miles. Puglia is noted for its robust red wines, particularly Primitivo, but there are lots of first rate whites available as well for the more headache-averse. We found a local Viognier that you can glug down till the cows come home and at 12 euros a bottle you can afford to. We had done most of the regular sightseeing trips during our previous visits so this one was dedicated to lazing in the sun, eating too much wonderful food and drinking too much excellent wine. However, Bari is well worth a trip – 2000 years of history all

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in one place – as is the mysterious Castel del Monte a few miles outside the city. It is an imposing fortress on top of a hill and nobody knows why it was built there. There are some dramatic caves dotted around the region as well as Greek PROBLEMS WITH THE TAX T AXand A MAN? Roman ruins. A tour of a vineyard is an appealing way to spend an afternoon. If you have a car, spend VAT, PAYE, CIS AND ALL TAX REFUNDS a couple of days cruising down the coast, stopping Self Employed/Child Benefit Tax Returns off at secluded beaches, pretty fishing villages and All accounting problems historic towns, while enjoying some of the best CAN eat. SORT THEM OUT! seafood you will Iever Employment versus self-employment considerations

In the summer, endures the searing heat of LimitedPuglia Companies - formation and advice Southern Spain but it is never unbearable. Very Corporation Tax ~ Reasonable Rates popular with the Italians, Swiss and even the French, Please ring for an informal and friendly initial consultation. it deserves a wider audience among the holidaying MIKE NICHOLS - CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT F.C.A F.C.I.S hordes of northern Europe. Give it a try; it is truly a place of magic.accounts.nichols@virgin.net 01622 745629

John Osbornewww.mdnicholsaccountants.co.uk

Call 01622 749404 or visit www.maidstoneymca.org.uk REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1110087

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Events the Maidstone Studios in support&of Maintenance our local chosen charity General Building ‘Kent Young Carers’ on 2nd July 4pm – 8pm. Outside Car For inall building Park area theyour Maidstone Studios. requirements Entry is free and anyone is welcome! Stalls to include ; All vegetable fruit,internal fudge, knitting types& of & wool, fishmonger, butcher,and baker, candles, shabby chic& external building furniture, pottery, cakes, handcrafted jewellery, pet food, general maintenancelocal artists and many more.

day, and there is no COMPUTER extra charge other than entrance to the BEARSTED SOLUTIONS gardens to attend. It’s a great opportunity for plant enthusiasts ... solving your computer problems toFixed enjoy, and can be combined with an afternoon Price Computer Health stroll through the beautiful surroundings of Doddington’s 10 acres Check* forwoodland only and walks, at a perfect of landscaped gardens, time of *Inc. year Virus to enjoy the rhododendrons, camellias and spring & spyware removal, updates downloaded flowers bursting into bloom.& a service. NewGardens Pcs • Accessories Doddington Place is open from 11am to 5pm every 7 and tickets are £6 • Repairs Windows Sunday, Wednesday and•Bank Holiday,

Gardens Extensions

per adult and £2 per child. For more information call 01795 886101 visit Mon www.doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk Open 9or- 5.30 - Fri 3 The Parade, Bearsted Green

Charity Farmers Market Thursday 2nd July

NEILwillSHORTER Maidstone Studios be hosting a ‘farmers market’ at

undertaken with a friendly, reliable service Chelsea Fringe 2015 comes to Doddington Place

In its fourth year, the Chelsea Fringe is an alternative garden Patios ~ Brickwork festival Block run by volunteers Pavingin London and various satellite areas including Kent, Brighton and Bristol. It encompasses a variety Driveways ~ Fencing of events from talks, skip gardens, pop-up poetry gardens, Garden Projects community projects to guerrilla gardening.

£55

01622 737335

A series of talks with special guest speakers are planned, beginning on 20th May with ‘Beautifully Different Floristry’ by Blooming Green. Philip Johnson of Johnson’s Sweet Peas will be the special guest on 27th May, when he will give a talk on ‘Top Tips For Growing Sweet Peas’. The three days For FREE no obligation quotations of events close with a talk on 3rd June by Quentin Stark, contact Neil on the head gardener at Hole Park, on ‘Good Plants For Tough 07759 661255 or 01622 743391 Places’. The talks are due to begin at around 11.15 am each

17 Halstow Close, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XA

Maidstone Wellness Centre is a centre for health and healing in the Maidstone YMCA Osteopathy Osteopathy Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212364

Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212 364 Sports Massage Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638

Sports Massage

Acupuncture Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638 Contact Melanie on: 07837 637465

Reflexology / Aromatherapy Acupuncture Contact Ursula on: 01622 746358 / 07922 872634

Contact Melanie on: 07837 637465

Beauty / Massage Contact Stacey on: 07939 Reflexology / 938440 Aromatherapy

Hypnotherapy / Life & N.L.P. Contact Ursula on:Coaching 01622 746358 / 07922 872634 Contact Geoff on: 01622 747575 / 07950 512453

Beauty / Massage Physiotherapy Contact Mark on: 07794 71 1181 426511 Contact Georgina: 07955 Nutritional Therapy Hypnotherapy/ Life Contact Marjan on : 07895 052861

Coaching & N.L.P.

Contact Geoff on: 01622 747575 / 07950 512453

Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Loose, ME15 6BD 22 8

www.maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk inandaround

info@maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk

Events

JUNE 2015

Sat 6th & Sun 7th WEEKEND CAMPING

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LIONEL RICHIE TRIBUTE HAMILTON BROWNE

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UK Summer Motorhome & Caravan Show Competition Campers from around the UK will be heading to The Kent Showground to visit the UK Summer Motorhome & Caravan Show on 6th & 7th June, but day visitors can join in the fun too. The event will feature trade stands showcasing the latest new and used motorhomes for sale plus a selection of caravans, and all kinds of motorhome & caravan accessories. Day Admission is just £7 each on the gates, and accompanied under 14’s are free of charge. Gates are open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to book discounted tickets in advance see www.motorhomeandcaravanshows.co.uk.

WIN!!! A pair of tickets to the UK Summer Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 Just tell us the answer to the following question:

The UK Summer Motorhome & Caravan Show at Kent Showground takes place on which dates? Send your answer to sarah@inandaroundkent.co.uk or post to In & Around Kent, Laurel House, 43 Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PD. Closing date 31/05/15.

Health & Fitness

Appendicitis The appendix is a small, thin pouch which is connected to the large intestine where stools are formed. Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix, the cause of which is unknown, although it is thought to occur due to an obstruction from a small piece of faeces or a swollen lymph node. Appendicitis is common, affecting around 40,000 people in England each year. It can develop at any age but is most often seen in 10-20 year olds. The appendix does not appear to serve any purpose and removal causes no harm. Appendicitis typically begins with a pain in the centre of the abdomen which is on and off but which moves within hours to the lower right-hand side where the appendix lies and it becomes persistent, constant and severe. Coughing, walking or applying pressure to this area of the abdomen make the pain worse and it may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, fever and a flushed face. If the pain suddenly worsens and spreads across the abdomen, the appendix may have burst which can cause a potentially serious infection of the inner lining of the abdomen; this is a medical emergency. Diagnosis can be difficult because urine infections, gastro enteritis and Crohn’s disease can cause similar pain. Further tests may be carried out, for example a blood test to look for

signs of infection, a urine test to rule out a bladder infection or an ultrasound or CT scan to see if the appendix is swollen. The patient may be observed for up to 24 hours to see if symptoms improve but, if not, the appendix will be removed. Appendectomy has a high success rate and is most often performed as a

laproscopy or ‘keyhole’ surgery. Several small cuts are made in the abdomen through which surgical instruments are inserted. If the appendix has burst or access is difficult, then open surgery may be performed. Recovery from a laparoscopy takes just a couple of weeks but strenuous activity should be avoided for 6 weeks. Phoebe Hodge

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Teaching in a professional but enjoyable manner since 1963 Ballet • Hip Hop • Modern • Street • Jazz • Tap • Break Dance Classes available six days of the week at varoius locations - Allington, Bearsted, Coxheath and Madginford or our two Dance Studios close to the town centre.

ee Pupils taken from 2½ years to Adults. tf Dance for fun. Dance for fitness or take ISTD examinations ou oo

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26 inandaround

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Loose Neighbours: A Free â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good Neighbourâ&#x20AC;? Service

There are times when people need a little extra help, particularly if they are elderly, infirm, living alone or without transport. A group of volunteers have got together to offer that help to anyone who lives in the parish of Loose.

Maidstone Wellness Centre is a centre for health and healing in the Maidstone YMCA

There is no charge for these services, which include; transport to local medical and other appointments, help with some domestic chores, collecting or returning library books, help with shopping, help with completing simple forms or understanding Osteopathy bills, befriending through home 762802 visits. / 07593 212 364 Contact Gemma on: 01622

Acupuncture

So Contact if you liveGeorgina: in Loose and need some occasional or emergency 07955 426511 help why not ring Loose Neighbours on 07909812139? Our Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Loose, ME15 6AB volunteers, who are your neighbours, will be happy to help you in any way they can. www.maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk

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Each volunteer has been DBS (previously CRB) checked to Sports Massage ensure their suitability. If more specialist help is needed they can Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638 give details of other local services. Loose Neighbours is supported by the Parish Council, the local Contact Melanie on: 07837 637465 community warden and other voluntary organisations. It has Reflexology been given small grants by the Loose Amenities Association and Ursula on: 746358 / 07922 872634 theContact County Council (via01622 the local county councillor) to meet its running costs. Beauty / Massage

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IAAK July 14 final to print.indd 29

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Food and Drink Juice and rind of 1 lemon. 80g/30z grated parmesan cheese. 120g fresh salmon fillet per serving. All the same size 1 lemon. 1. Place the salmon under a hot grill with a lemon slice on each piece for ten to twelve minutes. Leave to rest on a warm plate covered in foil. 2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large shallow frying pan. Fry the shallots gently until soft but not coloured, stir in the garlic and the rice, mix well. 3. Pour in about a third of the hot stock, mixing until the liquid has evaporated. Keep repeating this process stirring all the time.

Lemon Risotto with fresh Salmon (serves 4) This is one of my favourite recipes for early summer. Always use fresh in season ingredientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where you can, the results are so much better. 2 tbsp olive oil 25g/1oz butter 2 shallots chopped small 1 garlic clove chopped small

300g/10oz Arborio rice 1ltr/1 Âž pints hot vegetable stock (from a cube or bouillon is fine) 1 bunch of English asparagus, woody ends trimmed and washed.

4. As you add the final stock add the lemon juice, rind and asparagus, simmer gently until the mixture turns creamy and the asparagus is cooked but still firm. 5. Season, add the white wine and half the parmesan cheese. 6. Serve the risotto in shallow soup bowls. Place the salmon on the top, finish with the final small sprinkle of aged parmesan cheese.

75ml/2 Â˝ fl oz dry white wine.

Advice PROBLEMS WITH THE T TAX AX MAN? A PROBLEMS WITH THE T TAX AX MAN? A VAT, PAYE, CIS AND ALL TAX REFUNDS VAT, PAYE, CIS AND ALL TAX REFUNDS Self Employed/Child Benefit Tax Returns Self Employed/Child Benefit Tax Returns All accounting problems All accounting problems I CAN SORT THEM OUT! I CAN SORT THEM OUT! Employment versus self-employment considerations Employment versus self-employment considerations Limited Companies - formation and advice Experienced IT Company Offering: Limited Companies - formation and advice Corporation Tax ~ Reasonable Rates @ PC Repairs, Upgrades, Servicing Corporation Tax ~ Reasonable Rates @Please Wired/Wireless Networking ring for an informal and friendly initial consultation. for an informal and friendly initial consultation. @Please Virusring Removal MIKE NICHOLS - CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT F.C.A F.C.I.S @ Data Recovery MIKE NICHOLS - CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT F.C.A F.C.I.S @ Online PC accounts.nichols@virgin.net Backup accounts.nichols@virgin.net 01622 745629 01622 745629 Contact James now www.mdnicholsaccountants.co.uk for all your IT needs www.mdnicholsaccountants.co.uk

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• Company and • Company andLaw Commercial Commercial Law • Construction Law • Construction Law • Employment Law • Employment Law • Wills, Estates and • Wills, Estates and Tax Planning Tax Planning • Conveyancing • Conveyancing • Divorce and Family • Divorce and Family • Criminal Law • Criminal Law

• Road Traffic Offences • Road Traffic Offences • Health and Safety • Health and Safety Prosecutions Prosecutions • Accident Claims • Accident Claims • Medical Negligence • Medical Negligence • Landlord and Tenant • Landlord and Tenant • Dispute Resolution • Dispute Resolution • Licensing • Licensing • Notarial Services • Notarial Services

Tel: 01622 689790 www.gullands.com Tel: 01622 689790 www.gullands.com 16 Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XT 16 Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XT Email: mailbox@gullands.com Email: mailbox@gullands.com 28

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21 21

Know your boundaries

When you are buying and selling property it is important to understand where the boundary of the property lies to avoid any future disputes with neighbours. A boundary divides two pieces of land and may be physical, such as a wall or legal and identified in legal documents. If the latter is the case, it is rare that the boundaries will be identified precisely. A physical boundary may not follow exactly the same line as the legal boundary. It is possible for owners of two adjacent pieces of land to fix a boundary by agreement between them or a boundary may be fixed by statute or by legal presumption. Owners of properties should look to the title to their properties which if registered, will be held by the Land Registry, and if unregistered will be contained in the Deeds. Frequently Deeds and title information contain details of any obligations to erect a boundary structure on the legal boundary between two parcels of land. There are some occasions where it will be necessary to erect a boundary structure such as the customary duty, which is enforceable at law to fence land containing cattle. There is a statutory requirement for the Highways Authority

to erect such rails and fences, as they consider necessary for the purpose of maintaining people’s safety. In the absence of any statutory or common law requirement and where the Deeds to the property are silent as to the fencing of boundaries, there is no obligation on any individual to erect a boundary structure to denote the boundary of their land. Common sense often dictates that a boundary structure should be erected, such as where a person has a dog or other domestic pet, which needs to be contained within the boundaries of the property. Any failure to keep the domestic pet within the boundaries of the property may result in a claim for damages under the Animals Act or for trespass and/or nuisance against the owner by a neighbouring landowner. There is a difference between ownership of a fence and an obligation to erect a boundary structure. Often “T” marks are used on plans that accompany transfers of property to indicate ownership of a boundary feature or the liability to maintain or repair a boundary feature. The ‘T’ will be drawn on the land of the party that owns the boundary feature with the base of the ‘T’ touching the line that represents the feature.

Whilst the presence of a ‘T’ mark on a plan may be taken as an indication that the fence along that boundary line belongs to the property with the responsibility to erect a boundary, if there is evidence to show that in fact the boundary structure was erected by the neighbouring property, then the neighbouring property will retain ownership of that fence even though the Title Deeds to the property will indicate that it was not their responsibility to fence the boundary. Occasionally, plans may show a ‘H’ mark. This essentially shows two ‘T’ marks mirrored on a boundary line and is the symbol that is used if the responsibility for the boundary is shared between the neighbouring properties. If there is no information contained in the Deeds as to who is responsible for erecting a boundary structure, then home owners should initially look at any information contained in the sellers Property Information Form that was given to them when they purchased the property and speak to their neighbours. In the absence of any useful evidence then any property owner is entitled to erect a boundary structure on their land. However, in order to avoid the risk of being accused of having trespassed on their neighbour’s land they should take care to ensure that the boundary structure is erected entirely on their side of the legal boundary. Anna Golding is a solicitor at Gullands Solicitors and can be contacted at: www.gullands.com Tel: 01622 689700 a.golding@gullands.com

Gardening

A Stitch in Thyme

As a rule of thumb, for the price of a plant from the garden centre you can probably grow hundreds of the same thing from seed. Yes, you will have to nurture your little seedlings through their troublesome teenage tantrums and protect them from all of nature’s dastardly pests, but for any serious gardener that’s all part of the fun and, more importantly, you don’t have to be George Osborne to appreciate the fiscal benefits! Then there is the all-important feel good factor when your Magnolia, grown from a seed you picked up on your holidays trecking through the Himalayas, flowers for the first time. For some people, the whole theatre of raising plants from seed with dinky little trays of specially prepared seed compost, thermostatically controlled propagators (some people even requisition the fridge for some of the more tricky species!) is all part of the allure and one which drives the annual seed buying frenzy. If you’re anything like me, you’ll buy a dozen packets, sow a couple and then consign the rest to your “man drawer” as the reality that is life and limited space in the border precludes anything else. I even came across a tatty packet of Marigolds the other day which had come as a freebie attached to the front of a magazine in the 80’s – I’ll definitely sow these seeds, if only for scientific research! For a few days this week I’ve been helping process seeds for a company that supplies both small packets for gardeners and also industrial quantities for use in commercial and public areas. In fact, the seed that was used in the Olympic Park was mixed here so it has a certain pedigree! As part of this work I gave a talk about meadow establishment to an interested group and one of the burning questions at the end was the advantages of using seed mixes as opposed to planting for reasonably large areas of ground. Clearly, with something like a meadow it makes economic sense to sow, but if you wanted a perennial scheme with a naturalistic theme then you might want to consider what is a relatively new technique, ‘Stitch’ planting. This is where you plant a matrix of structural perennials and grasses throughout the area and then sow in the spaces with a carefully mixed blend of perennials and biennials. This gives a good covering of plants in year 1, followed by even better diplays in years 2 and 3. You can follow this method to create large swathes of colourful planting for a very reasonable cost and it is currently being 30

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implemented at many important heritage sites, together with a few designed landscapes in London. I also discussed with them the relative merits of sowing seeds over large areas to give meadow-like effects or using pre-grown plants in turfs. This wildflower turf is simply a mixture of either wild or non-native plants together with different proportions of grasses (the best have less grass in them!) and is supplied in manageble sections as per ordinary turf. The key benefits are fairly obvious; it is quick and relatively easy to lay, you can see what species you are getting and is fairly forgiving as to the quality of the soil it is laid on. In terms of cost, however, it is much more expensive, but as the plants are perennials you will have a display which gets better every year and will only need cutting back every 6 months. There is obviously a time and a place for both growing from seed and “cheating” and buying garden-ready plants. The former will give you a warm glow of satisfaction when you get the first flowers appearing but, equally, for those with no patience and deep pockets, there is the quick fix solution. Personally, I like a bit of ‘stitching’ to keep everyone happy – especially me! Jonathan Wild Gardening Consultant – and Needle worker!

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Community

Loose Neighbourhood Plan – Update In the process of its work preparing the Neighbourhood Plan, the Parish Council is often asked, ‘why does it take so long?’ This is a good question, as it may take two to three years to complete a document that can be quite short. The reason is that it takes a lot of time to record the views of parish residents and businesses. These then have to be evaluated and put into policies and recommendations. (Loose Parish Council is beginning this stage). The plan has to include an ‘evidence base’ to show how it arrived at these policies and recommendations. During this stage the proposed documents are presented back to residents at pertinent times for further comment and amendment, before concluding with a draft plan. So you see, two years for this process is realistic. The draft plan is then passed to the Borough Council who put it on public display. They appoint an independent assessor who may require further amendments. Finally, the plan is subject of an ‘acceptance’ referendum in the parish. Because of statutory time requirements these stages may take eight months or more. Another question often asked is: ‘will the plan resolve the traffic problems on the A229?’ A Neighbourhood Plan will contain policies on matters that are subject to statutory planning requirements. The plan cannot include policy with respect to traffic as this is an issue for Kent County Council (KCC). As the traffic is obviously a major concern, the Parish Council has written to KCC detailing the views received as part of the Neighbourhood Plan work. However, it should be remembered that as the plan can influence planning developments it may have an effect on traffic indirectly. There are other issues about the A229 that will be considered for the plan. If you have any queries about the plan please contact Jan Capon at loosepc@btconnect.com (01622 692712). Jim Andrew, Loose Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. 32

The Loose Valley Wives Group meet twice this month in All Saint’s Church, Loose at 7.30 p.m. On Wednesday 3rd we have a talk by Ann Carter on “The things that happen”. Mr. Allan Althorpe will be speaking to us on Wednesday 17th about The Shakers – 1700 US Evangelists & Carpenters. Visitors are always welcome. Details from the Leader – Mrs. Shirley Collier. Tel. 741541. AylesARA, the group for recycled teenagers, will hold their June meeting on Thurs 25th June at 2p.m. in the Aylesford Community Centre. This friendly group is happy to welcome anyone over 50 with a little spare time or just the wish to get as much out of life as possible. Contact Wayne on 01622 710734. Family Treasure Hunt Sunday 28th June at 3pm held by Peter & St Pauls Church Aylesford. The hunt will start and finish at the church. Contact Chris 01622 717434. Loose Footpaths Group June Walks Sunday 7th June at 10.30am ½ day walk Dungeness Nature Reserve: Meet at the car park at The Old Lighthouse at Dungeness (TR089169) for a very flat 7 mile circular walk of the Dungeness Peninsula and Nature Reserve. The Britannia is handily placed at the end for Fish and Chips. 01622 743145. Wednesday 17th June at 6.30pm Evening Walk Meet at the Stilebridge Inn (TR759477) for a walk along the south side of the River Beult to Stonewall, then back along the north side for about two hours. There is a ninety minute option depending on the interests of the group. A Barn Owl could be a welcome reward, before supping real ales. 01622 745641. Tuesday 30th June at 7pm Evening Walk Meet at the White House Inn (Grid ref 722516) for a stroll along the south side of the ridge taking in some of the Greensand Way and doubtless a glass of the necessary thereafter. 01622 745067.

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Celebrating Wonderland at the Bearsted and Thurnham Carnival and Fayre Saturday 27 June The fayre takes place on the village green from 1pm on Saturday 27 June and promises the traditional mix of stalls and rides, refreshments, music, fancy dress, crowning of the Carnival Princess and the renowned carnival procession. Visitors can also look forward to arena events featuring displays by local groups St Peters Busy Bees, Directions Performing Arts, Thurnham School, the Guides and Scouts challenge and a reprisal of performances from the popular Maidstone Scout Gang Show, seen recently at the Hazlitt Theatre. This year’s fayre will be officially opened by local author and story-teller Kit Cox, a Bearsted resident, stand-up comedian, leading exponent of Steampunk and counsellor for British soldiers returning from war zones. His alter-ego, Major Jack Union, spends his time protecting the British Empire from monsters, and his exploits and hunting tips are recorded in his book ‘How to Bag a Jabberwock – A practical Guide to Monster Hunting’.

Anyone who would like to enter a float or walking group into the carnival procession or who can help by donating prizes to the grand draw or by volunteering on the day, can contact the fayre committee via www.facebook.com/ BearstedAndThurnhamCarnivalFayre / bearstedfayre@ yahoo.co.uk or via twitter, @bearstedfayre

The Gate House in Chatham is centuries old and was originally built to defend against Napoleonic invasion as part of Fort Amherst, which was later used as a Civil Defence Centre in both World Wars. Now said to be haunted, its long and fascinating history is now serving to add realism and atmosphere to a brand new attraction where the public are welcome to take part in immersive escape challenge games, all designed with the buildings real and imagined history in mind.

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New Attraction - Escape Plan LIVE

Escape Plan LIVE is the invention of a local couple whose creation offers the public a chance to test their nerves as they frantically search for clues to solve the mystery and overcome challenges to escape the movie-like situation in which they’re trapped. It has already proved so popular in its first month that the run has been extended and will now run until June 2015.

Classfieds

Each of the scenarios are intended to make guests feel like they are actually in a movie for less than the price of an average cinema ticket, and with the use of sound and visual effects the games will immerse guests in situations from which they have just one hour to escape. The event is currently booked for a limited run, but if it proves successful, repeat bookings of The Gate House will help Fort Amherst remain open to the public free of charge. The Fort Amherst Heritage Trust is a charity which maintains and restores the buildings, tunnels, cannons and grounds that exist on the 20 acres site which enables such unique events to take place. Visit EscapePlanLive.com

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Opinion

Free money and other modern myths A few years ago a friend of mine put in a monster claim for miss-sold PPI. He didn’t use one of these dodgy claims management companies that cold call you all the time; instead he used the claim form conveniently provided by the government, dotted the Is, crossed the Ts and was even well organised enough to have the original loan agreements on file. A couple of months later he received several cheques totalling over £35 grand… FREE money… whoopee!

employer was making people redundant was that Network Rail had drastically cut their spending on track maintenance. The job with a rival contractor was no longer there and he spent several years on zero hours contracts, working hugely antisocial hours with no guarantee of a regular income. Thankfully, he has now managed to find a full time job as a site supervisor again, with all the perks and benefits that go with it.

Around the same time, one of my relatives was working as a site supervisor on the railways. The contractor he worked for was offering generous voluntary redundancy packages and, as it happened, he had previously been approached by a rival contractor with the offer of a job with slightly better terms and conditions. He jumped at the redundancy offer and received around £10,000 of FREE money… fantastic!

Getting back to that wonderful magical money tree of PPI cash, the big banks have now paid out something like £15 billion and the claims keep rolling in. If you throw in assorted fines for misbehaviour and compensation for miss-selling things like interest rate swaps to small businesses, it is estimated that the big 5 banks have lost 60% of their profits over the last two years. It would be easy to say that they’re only bankers and they deserve everything they’ve got coming, but in reality it’s not that simple. Every pound that is dished out in free money is a pound that is not loaned to a hard pressed small business or as a mortgage to a first time buyer who desperately wants to get on the housing ladder.

The problem is that neither story had a particularly happy ending. My PPI claiming friend rapidly discovered that a large chunk of his money was eaten up by having to immediately pay off the debts that had led to his claim in the first place. He had been paying them off already, but at a leisurely pace. He then discovered that the banks and financial institutions are not exactly thrilled about being forced to shell out billions of pounds in “compensation” for “miss-selling” and that they all talk to each other. As a result, he cannot get an overdraft facility, nor can he persuade anyone to issue him a credit card. In fact, his options for borrowing money are restricted to the likes of Wonga. Worse still, even though he has a good job as a civil servant and enough money to put down a substantial deposit, he cannot get a mortgage. To all intents and purposes, he is shut out of the mainstream financial system. As for my relative and his generous redundancy payment, it didn’t take long for him to realise that the reason his

There is some evidence that a lot of the PPI money has been spent on hot tubs and holidays, thus driving a bit of the economic growth we have enjoyed over the last couple of years. Even so, I can’t help thinking that if that money had been loaned to creditworthy consumers and businesses, it would have worked a lot harder for the economy. So there you have it, there is no such thing as free money; it is just money that is taken off one group of people and given to another. And if the system worked as it is supposed to do, I would probably get a lot less phone calls concerning my PPI claim or that accident I never had. Howard Clemmow

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