Downs Mail Newspaper Issue 306

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& Fortnightly No. 246 Maidstone & Malling’s News No. 1 newspaper

October 2017

Panto ahoy!

THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be November 4th – November 17th staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid-

Kate, 107, dies

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No.Hart, 306a resident at an old KATE people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son 3 David has disclosed.

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stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto.

On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Stefan Booth (Prince Charming), Elizabeth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Borzone (Ugly Sisters) .

They were greeted by pupils from South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tickets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.

MP’s Local Plan bid Remembrance HELEN Whately asked Day the

ALL the details to of halt the Rememgovernment the 4 brance Day parade be staged borough’s housingtoscheme. in the county town on à4 November 14.

Plans for Dr Nigel THE widow GP Dr Nigel Minnet Leeds binofanger will walk the Grandvillage are RESIDENTS in Leeds 12 Canyon for charity.

CCTV call in a bid Youngsters’ boxing to stop fly-tipping club facing closure

CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country roadclub havewill beenbemade by to theshut localits borough councillor.

A BOXING forced doors before the end of the

Burberry Lane, near Leeds and nearby, more than a year after it unlicensed waste carriers, but beyear because the council is dumped unableandtosetgive assurances about its future. lieves the cost to small firms of dison fire.

Broomfield, has been targeted by was waste dumpersAmateur for years, but in reMaidstone Boxing cent months, the problem hasbebeClub must find new premises come more acute. to replace its cause the building Construction waste, rubble, current home, Heather House,hard in core, Wood, windows Park willand not household fit its needs.furniture is left illegally – often strewn Club director Joe Smith (45), of in the middle of the road.

Sutton Road, said his dealings with Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month landlord Maidstone Borough we are having toilets, sinks and Council's unelected officials, in who construction waste dumped the are meant to be helping to find a village, specifically in Burberry solution, havewe leftare himnow "frustrated".

Lane, where thinking club, which helpson instil disofThe installing cameras private cipline confidence in youngland, toand oversee the problem area.” sters from deprived is one of A recent event in areas, Burberry Lane the successful in the sawmost a caravan burned out county while a with 28 officially “carded” boxers. torched car remains on a footpath

TheSmith, churchwho car park also seen Mr runs has a telecoms many instances illegal business, said: "Ioffind thedumping. council But it very is a problem officials hard to in getmany holdrural of, areas including take a long time toLangley, reply and Otham don't and Kingswood. Water Lane in seem very helpful. The council Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have doesn't seem to realise the good we also been targeted recently. do for the community."

Last year, Maidstone Borough An option to move into the Red Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tipCross themore nearby Shepping building and this on year than 163 way estate appears to have have been recorded since been April. derailed.

Mr Smith darker says it isevenings not fit The approaching for willpurpose. prompt a rise in illegal tipping.

He "Since we haveinitiadeCllradded: Fort welcomed a joint cided notthe to Environment move forwardAgency with tive by the Cross and building, and Red the Driver Vehiclewe're Stanbeing to our to own devices." dardsleft Agency clamp down on

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posing construction waste at a Electedof Park Wood borough transfer station is proving a detercouncillor Dan Rose said he shared rent that isfrustrations, costing councils more.

Mr Smith's but hopes made her remarks theCllr RedFort Cross building could beas one of borough’s transused as the a base while closest the boxing fer finds stations at North solution.

Farm, Tunclub a permanent bridge Wells, announced it will be Cllr Rose added: "It was decided closed for 10 weeks. that since the new replacement for She added: “If you go along the Heather House couldn't accommoline of increasing fines, they have to date the boxing club, there's no be enforced. A reduction in the way around that. We’re trying our charge or offering it free may have hardest to be of assistance.” the desired similar effect.”

Pictured here with trainers Joe A three-monthly litter pick on the Smith, John Adams and Jim mile-long stretch of road through Shilling, are: Charlie Richardson Leeds village produces an average (12), Alfiesacks Webbof(13), Mikey Mc32 black rubbish.

Carthy (14), who Brendan Andrews Cllr Fort, also serves as a (14), Freddie Goss (13), Harparish councillor, saysBill teaching rington (13), William children about socialBowker-Catresponsibility tle Malloy Parker (17), will JJ and(16), the issue of litter in schools Hickmott Samuel help take(13), the Anna-May issue off the streets.

(16), Underwood (17), She Lilly-May believes with every household Skye Luxford (13), refuse Lennycollection Smith receiving a weekly (12), Billythere Smith (9),excuse Teddyfor Kelly service, is no litter (13), Albert Shilling (9) and Shaneor being thrown from vehicles Lunford dumped(10). in the road.

furious at the council’s refuse collectors who fail to empty the bins. à8 Jason Donovan date THE former Neighbours star brings

Climate change his show to the Hazlitt

Trainer sells up A WELL respected figure in the horse-racing world, Linda Jewell, has decided to sell her training stables in Sutton Valence and has handed the reins à12 to her daughter.

à 32 Obituaries 35 Obituaries à37 Parishes Parish Councils 34-35 àdiscovered Comment 45-47 in ASH dieback has been

Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stallGlamping rejected holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed PROPOSALS for a glamping refor Buffkyn Way, have Otham, to allow treat at Stockbury been buses through Imperial Park; rubunianimoulsy rejected bins in the sports àfield bybish councillors.

29 in Kingswood are to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.

Thousands at funeral

Reports ANCrime estimated 2,000 travellers 35 turned out to pay VEHICLES have their beenrespects driven toover a father and son died causing farmland in who Lenham, à30 indamge a car crash. to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a

vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Express delivery Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were Maidstone taxi firm stolen from an Express allotment in Cars has been recognised at a Lenham. special award ceremony as a compassionate work 46-47 Comment à30 place.

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I’ll pay stranger’s help Thefts alleged forward, pledges Paul IT WAS a simple act of kindness that could put one in mind of the parable of the Good Samaritan or the phenomenon of what is known today as "paying forward".

But when Bearsted businessman Paul Homewood's phone packed in just as he was about to pay for some groceries, he received an unsolicited gift of help from a stranger.

Immediately behind Paul (pictured) at the checkout at Aldi at Langley, stood a man called Adam who realised the temporary predicament and offered the £28 Paul needed for the shopping.

The benefactor refused to be paid back, but asked that Paul might help someone in the future.

Paul (49) said: "What this guy did not know was that I have had some troubles in my personal life in the past three years, and I have had some pretty low moments, so this gesture restored my faith in

people. It was such a kind thing to do. I was bowled over, gobsmacked."

The father of two was in the shop on October 29 when his mobile phone ran out of battery, leaving him unable to use his banking app.

The cashier offered to put the transaction on hold until Paul charged his device, but the stranger intervened.

Paul said: "I hope his message is something I can convey to others – if someone does you a good turn, try to pass it on with another.

"I fully intend to. It's a ripple effect. This guy didn’t know anything about me or any of my troubles, but in that moment he helped. So thank you."

Bearsted vicar, Canon John Corbyn said: "What a lovely gesture and so good that Paul wants to share the sentiment.

"I understand that in America they call it ‘paying forward’ but it is, essentially, the parable of the Good Samaritan."

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A MAN has been charged with five burglaries targetting bank cards at Maidstone businesses between September 25 and October 21.

Kent Police said: "It is alleged the cards were stolen while workers were distracted and these were later used to make purchases at shops in the town centre."

Diavraun Pope (40), from Dartford, was arrested in Week Street, Maidstone on October 27.

He was later charged with burglaries at businesses in Buckland Road, London Road, Earl Street, Pudding Lane and Week Street, and five counts of fraud. He was also charged with a theft at a shop in Tonbridge Road.

He will appear before Woolwich Crown Court on November 26.

Garage closed

A MAJOR filling station in Maidstone is set to shut for a month.

The Esso outlet at Bearsted on the A20 will close from November 6 to December 6. Customers are advised to go to the Tesco at Grove Green, although there is a Shell garage across the road.

It is thought the closure is for maintenance.

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Time to remember them THE Remembrance Sunday Parade in Maidstone will take place on Sunday, November 14.

The day will be marked by a parade around the town and a service of remembrance at the Memorial in The Broadway.

A two-minute silence will be held at 11am, followed by the laying of wreaths.

Maidstone’s mayor, Cllr Fay Gooch, will be joined by Lt Col Mark Hendry MBE RE, Commanding Officer of 36 Engineer Regiment and the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, to take the salute.

For those who wish to attend the service, order of service sheets will be available in Jubilee Square on the Sunday morning.

A large-scale service was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 and residents were urged to hold their own private tributes at home to honour the war dead.

But the service this year will be very well attended by military and civilian contingents, as well as members of the public.

Road closures will be in place be-

Record worry

CONCERNED about the casualty accident record of the Running Horse roundabout, Maidstone, KCC is planning a virtual lane separation scheme using road markings and coloured surfacing.

Funding Is needed to enable construction in 2022/23.

Race hate

MONTHLY reports of online racial abuse in Kent have doubled in a year. Kent Police dealt with 83% more cases in 2020 compared to 2019 with figures jumping from 77 to 141.

DETAILS OF THE DAY

tween 9.45am and 12.30pm.

Traffic around the Memorial, the Broadway, London Road, Rocky Hill, Tonbridge Road and St Peter’s Street will be the most affected.

An MBC spokesman said: “MBC would like to apologise for any in-

convenience the road closures, parade and service may cause, but trust that people will understand the importance of commemorating Armistice Day and remembering the men and women who have been killed or wounded in conflict.”

A PLANNING application for 900 homes in Tonbridge and Malling as finally been submitted after months of speculation, writes Jordan Ifield.

Berkeley Homes intends to build the homes on 118 hectares atBroadwater Farm, between East and West Malling.

The outline planning application includes a medical centre, a primary and a secondary school.

Of the 900 planned houses, 270 (30%) would be affordable housing.

The site sits between two con-

servation areas with some buildings being grade II listed.

In a planning statement, Berkeley Homes said: “The applicant’s vision for Broadwater Farm is to achieve a high quality and sustainable development of homes and supporting facilities.

“Notwithstanding the status of the (local) plan, the applicant continues to positively engage with officers, who remain supportive of an early application.

“It is important to note that a five-year housing land supply is not an aspirational target but the

10:30 The parade will start from the junction of Week Street and the High Street, progress into Lower High Street and across the bridge system and march to the War Memorial in the Broadway (opposite Maidstone West Railway Station); 10:50 The Service of Remembrance will commence at the Memorial and will be followed by the laying of wreaths; 11:15 The dignitaries’ party, followed by the parade, will process back into the High Street where the Mayor and Commanding Officer take the salute from the parade; 11:25 The parade turns into Week Street and makes its way to its point of dispersal.

Plan submitted for 900 homes minimum requirement for an authority.

“Moreover, it should note that there is an upward trend in the overall housing needs and requirements in both the government’s current and proposed standard methodologies.”

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council still does not have a local plan, and have found it difficult to turn away planning applications.

After nine days of online consultation the plans have received 58 planning objections.

The award­winning Downs Mail newspaper is delivered fortnightly door­to­door in selected areas, and is available to pick up from major supermarkets and local stores in the Maidstone and Malling boroughs.

The papers are free to read online, as is the Daily Downs Mail news service.

Find them at www.downsmail.co.uk or scan the QR code below.

We can post the newspaper to you for an annual subscription of £25 for 24 editions.

For details, email info@downsmail.co.uk or call a member of the team on 01622 630330.

Editorial Editor Simon Finlay simon.finlay@downsmail.co.uk Editorial team: Online news editor Jade Schopman jade.schopman@downsmail.co.uk Chris Lawson chris.lawson@downsmail.co.uk Lindsay Roberts lindsay.roberts@downsmail.co.uk Obituaries Neil Nixon neilnixon22@gmail.com

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News

Mystery knocker ‘is invasive crab’ A SNODLAND couple recently received a very unexpected house guest…

Peter and Jayne Byrne were stunned to find a single crab knocking on their front door in May Street on October 18.

Peter (63) says his wife initially thought the scratching sound was hailstones.

But she screamed when she found a crustacean trying to get in the door.

The Scout leader, who believes the creature was a Chinese mitten crab, said: “It was quite a big crab. I have no idea where they're coming from. It's very bizarre.

“We won’t be opening our door tonight.”

When he turned the light on, the crab immediately retreated into a nearby bush.

The Chinese mitten crab, also known as the Shanghai hairy crab, is a medium-sized burrowing crab named after its furry claws, which resemble mittens.

According to the Natural History Museum, Chinese mitten crabs are one of the world's 100 worst invasive species and can be highly damaging to environ-

CHINESE mitten crabs are listed as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species. They cause problems by: l damaging fishing gear such as nets with their sharp claws; l damaging river banks by burrowing into them; l blocking intake streams from rivers, lakes and reservoirs; l modifying natural habitats; l competing with native species. ments where they are not naturally present.

They can harm riverbanks and grow to the size of a dinner plate.

The couple’s house sits just a one-minute walk away from the River Medway and crabs are regularly seen around this time of year.

To report a sighting of a Chinese mitten crab, go to www.nhm.ac.uk

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New role for vicar Sharon REV Sharon Copestake will be the next Archdeacon of Tonbridge.

Sharon, currently the vicar of St Francis in Strood, will look after six deaneries around West Malling, Tonbridge, Tonbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Paddock Wood.

After graduating from Coventry University with a degree in Economic Development, Sharon spent several years in social research before working in Strategic Economic Development at Kent County Council.

After having children, Sharon re

trained as a counsellor and therapist before training for ordained ministry.

Rev Copestake said: "I am looking forward to getting to know the people and clergy of the Archdeaconry, and hopeful that we can build good and strong working relationships that honour the mission of God and the ministry of his people."

A service of licensing will take place at St Stephen’s in Tonbridge at 3pm on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

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News | Obituary

Cricketer Iggy dies, aged 57

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ALAN Igglesden, the former Kent and England fast bowler, has died at the age of 57.

For much of the past 25 years, “Iggy” had been suffering from the effects of a brain tumour, diagnosed shortly after his playing career ended.

He died in Yorkshire surrounded by his wife Liz and members of his immediate family on November 1.

During a long but often injuryprone career, Iggy played in three Test matches, four one-day internationals and hundreds of first class and List A games.

He represented Kent for 12 years after making his debut in 1986.

Tall, handsome and charming, Iggy cut a friendly and approachable character to all he met, yet possessed the single-minded steeliness and talent to become a top, professional sportsman.

When, in 1989, he won his debut Test cap in the home Ashes series alongside future England captain Nasser Hussain, he was judged, not entirely jokingly, “17th choice” for the first-string pace attack, due to injuries and player bans.

But, after good county form, he was picked on merit to tour the West Indies in 1993-94, where he played in two further Tests. Skippered by Mike Atherton, the squad contained England greats such as Phil Tufnell, Mark Ramprakash and Alec Stewart.

While Iggy failed to dazzle and was never considered again, he carried on playing for his county for the remainder of a career beset, if not defined, by injuries.

Born in Farnborough, Kent, Iggy

took 693 wickets across first-class and List A cricket.

In 1999, a year after his final appearance for Kent, he suffered an epileptic fit while playing for Berkshire. A scan revealed an inoperable brain tumour and he was forced to retire from the sport he loved.

He responded well to treatment and the size of the tumour was reduced considerably.

Iggy was able to work as cricket master, rugby coach and sports centre manager at Sutton Valence School (SVS) and for some years lived with his ex-wife Sara, whom he married in 2001, in Loose. The wedding reception was held on the cricket pitch at SVS and attended

by Kent players Min Patel and Martin McCague.

In recent years, he lived in West Yorkshire, where the effects of his illness worsened. He was receiving end of life care after two strokes in 2018 and 2020.

Despite his deteriorating health, Iggy played a large part in raising awareness of brain tumour sufferers.

Report: Neil Nixon and Simon Finlay

‘AN INSPIRATION’ THE Professional Cricketers' Association statement read: "The PCA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Alan Igglesden, who died peacefully at the age of 57.

"An absolute inspiration to everyone he encountered, Iggy was a true cricketing giant in Kent.

"Throughout his journey, Iggy's strength and courage in the face of adversity were nothing short of inspirational.

"Beloved by his students throughout his time in teaching, he went on to father a daughter, Beth, now aged eight, as he built a family of his own alongside Liz." Kent Cricket said: "After his diagnosis, he worked tirelessly to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for The Brain Tumour Charity, the largest dedicated fundraiser of research into brain tumours globally, and an organisation of which he was a patron.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his wife, Liz, and his friends and family."

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News

downsmail.co.uk

Anger as rubbish piles up

LEEDS residents have been left furious at a growing mountain of rubbish outside their homes.

Neighbours in Farmer Close say refuse company Biffa has refused to drive down their part of the road for months, due to parked cars blocking the entrance.

The residents also suspect contractors working locally use spare spaces.

Paramedic Deena Finnis said: “In my work, I have raised issues with emergency services getting in to the close, due to no parking. I know for a fact that minutes wasted can cost a life. There will be a death if there’s a fire.

“This has occurred most weeks and every time I report it to Maidstone Borough Council they tell me it’s been reported as done when it’s not. They also say it will get it cleared on the Saturday, which again never happens.

“The bin men say they can’t get in when cars are blocking the road.

There have been times the road is jammed, but times when it’s clear and they still don’t do their job.”

The residents said that every few years families with teenage children start driving, too, causing extra pressure on limited spaces.

They said a spur of bushes at the entrance to the close’s rear parking area could be removed to make room for more spaces, as could a

portion of a small green nearby.

The residents claim Biffa make no attempt to collect the bins at the rear of the close, which is owned

by Golding Homes although many are private properties.

Beverley Hooper, who has lived in the close for two decades, said: “It’s cars causing the bin problem but the bin people aren’t helping.

When I moved in there was

Get involved

Assault case is ‘not clear’

POLICE suspect a woman may have been assaulted during an incident in Maidstone.

Police were called at around 10pm on Saturday, October 23 to an open air car park near Mote Park and Chancery Lane.

It is reported that two men and a woman were involved in an altercation, after which they all left in a vehicle, possibly a Fiat 500.

Detective Sergeant Richard Crowhurst said: "An incident was witnessed, where a woman may have been in distress and subjected to an assault. It is unclear at this stage whether what has been reported may be a misunderstanding, or if any offences have taken place.

"Our officers have made a number of initial checks including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries and we are working to identify who the people were in this car and where they may have been headed.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting reference 23-1410 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

8

enough space for people to park but as public transport has got worse, there are more cars.”

Postal worker Diane Jones, who delivers in Farmer Close midmornings, knows the area would be clear for Biffa operatives to collect people’s rubbish. But since the private operator switched to an early morning slot, the service has become “terrible”.

A spokesman for MBC said: “If access is available, the team will endeavour to empty every bin.

“In previous instances, the crew have attempted collections just after 8am. However, we have now asked them to collect later in the day when more residents will be at work.

“Saturday collections are unlikely to be successful here as there will be more cars parked which are likely to block access.”

Gilly Tully of the Heart of Kent Hospice and Jo Cass, from Pennies

Nursery gift to hospice A LOCAL childcare company raised £1,000 for the Heart of Kent Hospice.

Pennies Day Nursery held a number of “stay and play’” open events to raise the cash.

A spokesperson said: “We have had a long relationship with the Heart of Kent Hospice, and we value their vital work.

“We originally planned to present the cheque at a social event this year, but the continuing COVID sit-

uation prevented that, so we organised a special presentation.”

HOKH ambassador Karen Newton-Ankor said: “We were delighted to pop along to Pennies Day Nursery to receive a cheque for an amazing £1,000.

“Following a long period of time where the pandemic has placed many restrictions on us all, it was so wonderful to be able to celebrate the successes of our fabulous supporters in person.”

RESIDENTS over 55 or living with a long-term health condition are invited to Actively Involved sessions at Maidstone Museum.

Enjoy the company of likeminded people, handle fascinating objects from the past and talk about your memories of them.

Tea and cake will be available.

The sessions will take place on the last Wednesday of each month from 2.30 till 4pm.

To reserve a place call 01622 602862 or email museumevents@maidstone.gov.uk.

Jimmy’s back

STAND-UP comedian Jimmy Jones will be performing at the Hazlitt Theatre on November 11.

Jimmy (82) will return to the venue on The Guvnor's Farewell Tour. He said: “Coming to The Hazlitt again after all these years is truly exciting and I can’t wait to see my old friends in Maidstone.”

The show starts at 7.30pm. To book go to www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre.

party Christmas arts for sale at farm Work THE borough and county counTHE Maidstone Christmas Art Fair is back at Marlpit Farm in Boughton Monchelsea on December 4.

Maidstone Art Centre will open its doors to an array of local creators. Everything from jewellery stalls to lino cut prints, cakes to paintings will be available at Maidstone Art Centre. The not-forprofit centre provides daily art classes for both children and adults.

cils have formed a working group to consider options for improving the Hart Street/Barker Road junction and highways improvements to Hart Street. A report is expected in January.

downsmail.co.uk

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Sarah is happy to visit your home and, unlike many banks, she is not just available 9-5 but will offer flexible times to suit her clients.

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News

Bo sniffs out tools thief

A POLICE dog tracked down a Maidstone burglar who targeted a building to steal some tools.

Dariusz Kawa (37), of no fixed address, was found by PD Bo with a knife, a quantity of amphetamine and the stolen tools.

Police were called to the building in Lower Road at around 10.50pm on Sunday, October 17 after a report of suspicious noises.

Kawa was arrested and later charged with burglary, possession of an offensive weapon and class B drugs.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on October 19 when he pleaded guilty to all the charges. Kawa, who was already subject to two suspended sentences, was jailed for 150 days.

Post services

A NEW Post Office has officially opened in Headcorn.

The building in Foremans Walk offers bill payment, cash withdrawals and foreign currency, postage, home shopping collections and returns.

downsmail.co.uk

Climate change is ‘to blame for sink holes’

AN EXPERT geologist says climate change and house-building are among the biggest contributors to the recent increase in sink holes in Maidstone.

Dr Clive Edmonds spoke after another void appeared in the A26 Tonbridge Road on October 22 causing a closure between Queens Road and Cherry Orchard Way. Dr Edmonds said ground geology, long-term erosion, intensifying rainfall caused by global warming and house-building were the main reasons for ground wearing away and leading to collapses. He added vibrations from increased traffic is an “ongoing factor”.

The combination of the upper Hythe and lower Atherfield ground formations, are typical around this part of Kent and have been eroding natrually for millennia. Dr Edmonds said: “Much of what has happened is due to erosion over hundreds of thousands of years. But

climate change has brought more intense rainfall. House-building on green field sites causes the loss of natural drainage with roads, patios, driveways and the like causing further surface impermeability. Water pipes will lose the ground support through erosion, crack and start to leak.

“Vibrations through traffic movements is an ongoing actor. All of these are combining to cause the sink holes we see today.”

Andy Beston, regional network

manager for South East Water, apologised for the disruption and said the site is being monitored to ensure the public’s safety.

Mr Beston said: “Following a meeting with other utility companies who have equipment present in Tonbridge Road, a plan is being drawn up to progress the repair and reinstate the carriageway.”

In 2014, a collapse occurred in Leeds village when a water escape causing weaknesses in underground “voids” gave way. Dr Edmonds was the geologist brought into discover what had caused it.

The B2163 at Upper Street was shut for more than six months and cuased massive disruption to local residents and inconvenience to motorists who churned up back roads instead.

Tonbridge Road was forced to shut for months in 2018 when a similar large sinkhole suddenly appeared in the road.

p10

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News

Orchestra date

MAIDSTONE Symphony Orchestra Concert will take place on November 27 at Mote Hall.

The show will feature Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers Overture and French oboist Olivier Stankiewicz performing Mozart's Oboe Concerto.

Steve Migden presents a free concert talk before the concert from 6.40pm to 7.10pm. Tickets cost £13.

Craft market

THE Royal Star Arcade Artisan Market will take place on Saturday, November 6.

The event will take place on the first Saturday of each month and will feature everything from floristry to food.

The first market will take place from 10am to 2pm at The Royal Star Arcade in Maidstone.

Club opens

A NEW club has opened at the site of Strawberry Moon in Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, following a £250,000 refurbishment. The launch of the new venture, Palms, was delayed because of the pandemic.

downsmail.co.uk

Racing trainer Karen hands over the reins

ONE of the county's most respected racehorse trainers has sold her Sutton Valence stables, writes Chris Lawson.

Linda Jewell (64) has been training at Southfield Stables for three decades and relinquished control to daughter, Karen Jewell.

Karen (38) has now joined forces with Sittingbourne's John Best, of Eyhorn Farm, and the pair have been granted a British Horseracing Association (BHA) joint licence.

Linda (pictured) has sold Southfields and relinquished her licence and hands over to Karen, an assistant trainer there for 22 years.

Linda told the Racing Post: "I built up Southfield Stables over the last 40-plus years, so it's a bit of a wrench, but it's not easy running small yards like ours anymore.

"We weren't strong when we went into lockdown and coming out of it, our horses got a virus, so it's been tough. We've done the best

we can with the horses we've got, particularly when you consider I trained on barely four acres.

"I've always known John Best and we've helped each other out.

He's got very good facilities with lovely gallops, an indoor school and indoor stabling.”

Linda said her owners have been “really supportive” and sent her horses to Eyhorn Farm.

John and Karen have a dualpurpose licence, with around 35-40 horses at the expanded yard.

John said: "I’ve known Karen and Linda for many years, and she brings plenty of experience, along with a team of mainly jump horses and most of her staff.

"It will allow me a bit more time to look for horses and find new owners. It's exciting to get back going with the jumpers and I'm sure we will have a successful time."

Karen added: "I'm so grateful to my mother for the help over the years and this move is a great opportunity to further my career.”

p12

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YMCA Family Christmas Fayre Sunday 21st November

1-5PM at Loose YMCA Maidstone Over 15 amazing stalls with handmade festive gifts to buy!

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RAFFLE KIDS BISCUIT DECORATING £2.00 SANTA’S GROTTO WITH GIFT £4.00

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Nature’s time to plant

Christmas Fair in the Glasshouse 4th-5th December Over 30 stalls featuring crafts, arts and gifts from local artists. Visit our website for further details.

Betula (Birch) Nepalese Orange from £64.99 each

Grown on our nursery

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Ligustrum ovalifolium 10ltr £19.99 each

Betula (Birch) Shiloh Splash from £64.99 each

Grown on our nursery

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ 20ltr £44.99 each

All prices correct at time of going to press. While stocks last.

15

News

downsmail.co.uk

Memories of a life well-lived

IN A moving but often funny 60 minutes, the life of a loyal public servant was remembered at All Saints’ Church in Maidstone.

Wendy Hinder, pictured, died last year aged 77 from a rare brain disorder, just a few months short of being appointed the borough's Mayor. At a service of thanksgiving on October 23, attended by around 80 friends, family and former colleagues from Maidstone Borough Council and Boxley Parish Council, warm tributes were paid to the mother of two sons.

In her address, Rev Joyce Addison said those present were there to celebrate "a life well-lived" and to acknowledge the many people's lives she touched through her work.

In a poignant but sometimes amusing account of his marriage to Wendy, husband Bob, himself a borough and parish councillor, recalled one his wife's foibles.

It was her routine immediately before leaving the house to check her appearance in the hall mirror, before pressing a piece of tissue between her lips to pick up any ex-

cess gloss. It was Bob's habit to later pop the tissue in the bin.

And his lasting regret? "That I didn't keep one of them."

There were amusing speeches

Taken bicycle found in van

TWO men have been arrested in Maidstone after a suspected stolen motorbike was found in the back of their van.

Officers tried to stop the suspicious blue Vauxhall van at around 10.40am on Monday, October 18.

The vehicle did not stop and continued into Otham Lane, where it was involved in a collision with a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

Police found a stolen motorbike in the back. They also seized a quantity of cannabis.

The driver and a passenger, both local men in their 20s, were arrested in connection with theft and possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply.

The driver was also detained on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and driving whilst unfit through drugs.

Both men were later released pending further investigation.

Book sale total

THE 20th Great Leeds Book Sale raised a total of £1,061, which included donations from people who were unable to attend the event at the village church.

Plans are underway for next year’s sale.

16

from councillors and former elected members including Chris Garland, Annabelle Blackmore, Anne Brindle and Vic Davies.

Cllr Blackmore, referring to Wendy’s immaculate dress sense and vast collection of shoes, said she was the “Imelda Marcos of Maidstone”.

The congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful and Lord of all Hopefulness with Lionel Marchant playing the organ.

Cllr Hinder died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a condition that causes degeneration of the nerve cells in the brain, which is not contagious but always fatal.

After the event, Bob said: "It was important that we held the service but it is also a great relief that it went so well."

Winter concert

THE Maidstone Singers will perform A Winter Concert with a Christmas theme on December 4 at the village hall in Headcorn.

Organised by the Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent, it starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £10 from Foodies and Sweet William. Call Rod on 01622 843938 for details.

Proceeds go to the primary school parents' group and other Rotary charities.

Trust award is renewed BEARSTED Woodland Trust (BWT) has been selected for a Green Flag Community Award for 2021 for the 11th year in a row.

BWT is one of only five organisations in the south east to be recognised for its volunteer community engagement under the scheme, celebrating a quarter of a century as the quality mark for open spaces.

The open space, between the village and the A20, became a haven for lockdown walkers looking for fresh air and exercise.

John Wale, the charity’s management committee chairman, said: After these strange times of lockdown and other restrictions ...we are delighted that our Green Flag Community Award status has been re-affirmed.

"This accolade reflects the huge contribution of our many volun-

teers and the thoughtful involvement of our trustees during 2021.

To have gained the award every year since 2011 is a remarkable achievement."

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence by the Government, recognises wellmanaged parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Borough councillor Denis Spooner said: “BWT is a fine example of a project which has been well managed and properly thoughtout.

“They have some really excellent people who know what they are about. This award is well-deserved.

Many congratulations to them all.”

Funds raised

THE Ride and Stride event held by the Friends of Kent Churches has so far raised £1,780 by participants in Leeds, Kingswood and Broomfield. The final total is likely to be more than £2,000.

Wedding days

LEEDS Castle hosted 45 weddings in August and September, many postponed from last year.

Chief executive Helen BonserWilton said: "It was great to see the castle back in celebration mode and to welcome so many couples for their special day."

Natter time

LEEDS Craft and Natter group meets again on November 17 at the village hall. The £3 charge covers the hall and refreshments.

Call Jane on 01622 862558.

The Trust Sixth Form

Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 11th November 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Over 20 A Level and Level 3 BTEC Courses on offer

A Level Courses

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Art & Photography Biology Chemistry Core Maths (Mathematical Studies) English Literature English Literature & Language Design Technology Digital Media Film Geography History Mathematics Media Physical Education Physics Politics Psychology RE & Philosophy Sociology

Level 3 BTEC Courses

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Applied Science (Diploma) Business Studies Childcare Criminology Finance Health & Social Care Music National Extended Certificate in Acting or Dance - National Extended Certificate in Applied Science - Travel & Tourism

Courses may be added or withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the Sixth Form Management Team.

In partnership with Maidstone United Football Club

thetrustsixthform.com

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Age UK Maidstone are here to help Foot Care Clinics

Clinic appointments at 7 Mill Street in Maidstone and The Goodman Centre in Bearsted. Please call us to register and make an appointment. £20 per person.

01622 753618

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Meals on Wheels

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Trusted to care Award winning care homes Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, so whatever your needs and personal preferences, we’re here to help you and your family at every step of the journey.

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News

downsmail.co.uk

Farmer takes on rural role

AN ULCOMBE farmer has been appointed Kent chairman of the landowners’ body, the Country Land & Business Association (CLA).

Charles Tassell, who runs the family farm with his brother, replaced Gary Walters in one of the most important rural roles in the county.

Once fruit, vegetable and sheep farmers with 500 acres, the focus has shifted to arable and many of the farm buildings have been converted into office units.

Mr Tassell is heavily involved in Kent life, and his other roles include director of the Kent County Agricultural Society, Kent chair of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and vice chairman of Kent Wildlife Trust.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visitors to Kent’s rural areas has soared. While the CLA and farmers welcome the

Award for riding school public, ‘the countryside is a working place and needs to be enjoyed responsibly’.

Mr Tassell, pictured, said: “I see access to farmland being a massive challenge, alongside the part we as landowners and managers will increasingly play in the problems of food security, climate change and biodiversity loss.

“I’d like to thank Gary for his endless CLA work over the last few years. He has calmly guided

A SMALL charitable riding school, Team Tutsham in West Farleigh, has been recognised for its efforts to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to enjoy equestrianism.

The outfit was named national the Kent branch of the CLA through the various trials and tribulations, not least the pandemic.”

As Kent branch chairman, Mr Tassell will be representing hundreds of landowners, farmers and rural businesses across the county.

CLA South East regional director

winners of Riding School of the Year 2021 at the Equestrian Business Awards in Nottingham.

Pictured here are Team Tutsham’s Vicky Pataky, Mark Finch, Maxine Buckby, Lorraine Floyd, Jo Considine and Inez Davison.

Tim Bamford said: “We wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Gary Walters for his tremendous work, ideas and enthusiasm over the course of his chairmanship.

“We are delighted to welcome Charles Tassell into the role and look forward to working closely with him over the next few years.”

DID YOU SAY WALKIES?

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downsmail.co.uk

Gallagher purchases ‘to spread net wider’ MAIDSTONE building giant, the Gallagher Group, has acquired ready-mix concrete plants across Kent from Cemex UK. The move doubles both capacity and geographical reach for the company's customers.

New facilities at Tunbridge Wells, Sittingbourne, Margate and Dover join existing operations at Maidstone and Ashford to cover all of Kent.

All existing jobs are protected, with additional roles being created.

Significant further investment planned in infrastructure upgrades and vehicle fleet.

A Gallagher spokesman said: “For some years, our ready-mix concrete customers have been asking us to spread our net wider.

"These new acquisitions let us to do just that. We’re more than doubling our concrete production capacity and can now offer our

unrivalled service and value to customers right across the county.

“We’re investing significant sums in upgrading these sites, as well as adding to our mixer fleet and taking on additional staff.

"It’s all part of our fundamental commitment to getting the right product to the right place at the right time and price for our customers, wherever they are.”

Gallagher Aggregates managing director Sean Connor confirmed the deal went through on October 12 and represents the firm's first external acquisition.

He added: "We’re responding to our customers’ needs by investing in enhancing our capacity in the market.

"More sites means wider coverage, complementing our countywide ability to offer aggregates, recycling and muck away, and allows ready-mix customers right across Kent to benefit."

“The values upon which the Gallagher Group have been built, including our commitment to community support, charity work and creating local employment opportunities, will be replicated across Kent, with our customers at the forefront of everything that we do.

“We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the family.”

News

Festive fair

A DATE has been set for a Christmas fair in Loose.

The market at Pympes Court Farm Centre on December 4 and 5 will feature lots of different stalls with refreshments.

Buy a raffle ticket supporting Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter. Prizes include gift vouchers and crafts.

The market will run from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free.

Shop closed

THE popular charity Christmas cards shop in Maidstone’s Methodist Church will not be operating this year due to national losses suffered last year caused by COVID-19.

Speed scheme

THE 20mph scheme outside Eyhorne Primary School, Hollingbourne, is expected to be completed by the end of December.

Crossing date

A NEW zebra crossing at Buckland Hill, Maidstone, should be completed by next April.

We Are Actively Seeking Consignments

of Fine Art & Antiques, Silver & Jewellery, Objet d’Art Coins & Medals, Clocks and Watches.

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Call Us to Book a Valuation Appointment at Home or at Our Saleroom in Canterbury. All Appointments are subject to current social distancing guidelines.

1. Henry VI (1422-1461) Hammered Gold Noble Sold for £2,600 to a Private Buyer

Weekend Online Auction Dates 2021 27th & 28th November ,

3. Early 20th Century diamond and emerald ring (diamond 1.9ct) Sold for £4,900 to a Private Buyer

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2. George V First World War Military Cross with Bar Sold for £780 to a Private Buyer

4. 1970’s Rolex “Submariner” Chronometer (Model No. 1680/0) Sold for £14,000 to a Private Buyer

thecanterburyauctiongalleries.com

21

News

downsmail.co.uk

Update on roads schemes

PROGRESS on six major road schemes in and around Maidstone has been reported by Kent County Council to the Kent/Maidstone Joint Transport Board, writes Dennis Fowle.

A249 Bearsted Road Major Infrastructure Project. A contractor has been appointed for the road, which also serves Maidstone Crematorium and Notcutts, and main construction work is planned to start next year.

A20 Coldharbour Roundabout/ Hall Road. Detailed design for a major enlargement of the roundabout (with no traffic lights) has been completed. The contractor should be appointed next summer, with construction starting in autumn.

Design work for the scheme for the nearby A20 London Road/Hall Road, Aylesford, is almost complete and construction will follow

2028 end for A229 project

A KCC report on a proposed major Blue Bell Hill improvements scheme indicates that it could not be completed before summer, 2028 – but before the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic.

The work on the road between Maidstone and Medway is likely to cost up to £200m KCC says the Department of Transport has requested additional modelling work to support the value-for-money case and this will be provided before the end of this year. KCC hopes a funding agreement can be reached in 2022.

Detailed design is still being discussed and this work is expected to run from summer 2023 to 2025 with construction starting in spring 2026.

Jack joins up

KENT’S only ‘mountie’ has been welcomed into the Rural Task Force at Kent Police.

Special Constable Alaine Benardis, and her pony Jack, have been patrolling since 2014.

Jack, who is 21, is well known for his unflappable temperament and, together with SC Benardis, the pair have given up hundreds of hours of their time to serve the community.

SC Benardis, a retired teacher, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues with a specialist knowledge of rural crime.”

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closely on the Coldharbour scheme to reduce impacts on local traffic and the M20 corridor.

A229 Loose Road Corridor This involves four separate junction improvements – Loose Road with A274 Sutton Road (Wheatsheaf junction); A229 Loose Road with Armstrong Road/Park Way; Loose Road with Sheals Crescent; Loose Road with Cripple Street/Boughton Lane.

Detailed design progresses on all sites. A trial closure of Cranborne Avenue is likely in the winter after recent traffic surveys.

Armstrong Road will include a a right-turn lane for southbound traffic and this junction could be

completed by December 2022.

The Sheals Crescent junction will include a filter straight into the crescent for southbound traffic, removing the need for traffic to give way when turning in to the crescent.

The design of the Cripple Street/ Boughton Lane junction is being reviewed to try to avoid removal of the landscaped area in front of the parade of shops.

A20 Ashford Road junction with Willington Street This scheme requires re-positioning a listed ragstone wall to the boundary of Mote Park. Work on this junction is expected to follow completion of the Bearsted Road scheme.

A26 Tonbridge Road junction with Fountain Lane This involves a new dual roundabout system to replace the signalised junction, and negotiations continue with the owner the large restaurant building for voluntary acquisition. Currently there is not enough S106 developer funding to deliver the scheme. If funding is identified construction could commence in winter 2023/24.

A274 Sutton Road junction with Willington Street. This scheme will be promoted at the end of this roads programme. Design of this controversial scheme will be revisited in 2022.

Help needed to trim churchyard THE church at Leeds needs a new helper to keep the grass down.

Due to an impending retirement, one or more volunteers are needed to mow the churchyard seasonally.

Although St Nicholas prides itself on being an "eco-church", encouraging wildflowers and grasses among its graves, paths need to be cut for access reasons.

A spokesman said: "As a result, we have magnificent displays of snowdrops, daffodils, ox-eye daisies and cyclamen.

"It means there are times in the year when the grass has to be allowed to grow, so as to allow the

flowers to blossom and be seen but, even then, the paths have to be kept to maintain access to graves

and hedges have to be trimmed."

Contact Brian Hardy on 01622 842915.

Child sex offender back in jail A SNODLAND paedophile is back behind bars after breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Robert Kavanagh (46), of Birling Road, tried to conceal two mobile phones, both with access to the internet.

He had previously been sentenced to a year in prison for the possession of incident images of children. Upon his release, an order was placed for all devices owned by him to be available for

inspection by a police officer.

During a search in October 2019, checks showed one of his phones had been immediately accessed on the day he had been released from prison.

Neither of the devices had been revealed to police during previous inspections.

Kavanagh was also required to sign on the sex offenders register annually but missed the deadline in both 2019 and 2021.

He had also moved home and failed to notify police.

Kavanagh was charged with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and with four counts of failing to comply with a sex offender's notification requirements.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone

Crown Court and was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Investigator Natalie Armstrong said: “Kavanagh has been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

“He appears to have no understanding of the gravity of his actions and has repeatedly sought to obstruct police during our efforts to carry out checks and monitor his behaviour.

“Orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, Kent Police will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions.”

downsmail.co.uk

Elmer trail gives £7m boost to county town

MAIDSTONE enjoyed a nineweek £7m boost to its local economy during Heart of Kent Hospice's Big Elmer Parade.

In addition to raising money for the Aylesford end-of-life care charity Heart of Kent Hospice (HoKH) and raising the profile of its 30th anniversary, trade was boosted by the 230,000 visitors.

A survey commissioned by organisers Wild in Art shows the trail was enjoyed by 230,979 visitors – with 61% spending four days or more finding all the Elmers. The parade had a total economic impact of just over £7m.

The auction of 51 Elmers raised £312,000 for HoKH. More than 19,000 miles were recorded on the App pedometer by visitors exploring the trail, with many highlighting it as a great way to spend more time out in the fresh air with their friends and family.

Over two thirds of visitors en-

joying the trail were from Maidstone, but the event also brought in visitors from further afield, including from other areas of Kent, the south east and London.

Over 10,000 trail maps were distributed, and the trail app was a real hit, with 10,377 downloads,.

The app enabled visitors to unlock and record the number of Elmers they found. Visitors were also able to get a printed version of the map.

HoKH spokesman Ann-Marie Kelly said: “We’re delighted to see

Local Trades

that 98% of residents were proud to have the trail in their town.”

Over 1,300 people who took part in the trail responded to the survey. It revealed that the average time spent on the trail was just over four hours, and 45% of visitors enjoyed the whole trail.

Charlie Langhorne, of Wild in Art, said: “After a difficult 18 months, it’s great to see that the trail has enabled people to enjoy Maidstone again and also encourage visitors to the area.”

News

Girls attacked by park gang

THERE are renewed calls to beef up police and security in the Brenchley Park area of Maidstone after a group of girls was attacked by two dozen youths.

Their ordeal began during half term week when they left McDonald's in Week Street and a gang of six started to intimidate them.

As the gang of teenagers grew to about 25, the three girls, aged around 12, were bustled into the park and intimidated further.

The girls later took shelter in a shop until one of their mothers came and rescued them.

Cllr David Naghi said the problem “is out of control”.

Plan deadline

RESIDENTS and business owners have a few weeks left to respond to the proposals to the Local Plan Review which suggests locations for the massive housing programme imposed by the Government.

The Maidstone Borough Council consultation ends on December 12 before its is submitted to the Government for inspection.

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Glamping site plan ‘making fools of us’ PROPOSALS for a new glamping retreat in Stockbury have been unanimously refused.

The holiday hideaway in Bimbury Lane would have included four bell tents, a shepherd’s hut, three sleeping pods, a bar and kitchen area, tearoom, a shower block and parking.

Stockbury Parish Council raised strong objections to the proposal, which fell within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Cllr Malcolm McKay (pictured) said: “I was struck by the fact that we call this glamping now, and it’s bell tents and shepherds huts and sleeping pods. If this was a proposal to put four caravans in his back garden, it wouldn’t have got passed the starting gates, would it? So what is the difference?

“Because this site is shielded by conifers, we are being made fools of. We really are. I don't even know what a sleeping pod is, by

the way. Is it a small room or just a cool name?"

The planning committee heard how neighbouring properties would be affected by noise and

the loss of privacy.

Parish councillor Geoff Moody said: “We believe the site to be intrusive to an AONB. It could set a precedent in the parish.

“The design seeks to maximise the onsite facilities and this does not encourage the use of local pubs and restaurants and shops.

“Consequently, it fails to contribute to the local rural economy.”

Cllr Robert Eves said: “I quite like the idea of having glamping in my back garden and making money from it. I think that’s quite an intuitive thing. I’m not against that principle really. I wish I had the land to do it, to be honest.

“But there are far too many units being proposed in a small area. I don’t think it enhances the countryside. I just think its an overdeveloped application.”

The application was unanimously refused.

News

Call for better care of teeth

CALLS have been made to improve access to dental care in Kent, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Kent County Council’s (KCC) health scrutiny committee is to carry out a county-wide review of dental surgeries as patients experience longer waiting times for routine care.

A backlog of care has built up from the closures of dentists during the Coronavirus pandemic, when just 20% of the usual procedures were carried out.

Five new dental practices are proposed in the county to meet increase in demand. Each NHS practice is equivalent to the hiring of three full-time dentists.

Cllr Karen Constantine (Lab) said dental services had been in decline in Thanet for last four years, making NHS listings less accessible for residents.

She said there is a problem, with some children having teeth in very poor condition.

Arrangements were reviewed by the NHS dental commissioner on October 1 and a written report will be presented to KCC’s health scrutiny committee.

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News

downsmail.co.uk

Moving funeral for crash pair

AN ESTIMATED 2,000 travellers turned out to say goodbye to a father and son killed in a tragic car crash in Headcorn last month.

Johnny and Johnboy Cash, aged 44 and 19, died when their vehicle smashed into a tree near Headcorn on October 10. Two others, Smiler Cash (25) and Jacko Cosgrove (18), also died at the scene.

Many hundreds of travellers converged on the Holy Family Church in Park Wood for the funeral service, where the capacity is just 130.

The service on October 28 was led by Father Desmond Mbidoaka, who was forced to delay the 11am start of the Roman Catholic service due to the numbers attending.

Then the coffins were driven to the Maidstone Cemetery in Sutton Road for burial.

More than a thousand members of the traveller community walked solemnly and quietly behind the hearses carrying the father and son.

The cortege, led by two uniformed, top-hatted riders on white Shire horses, moved slowly through the cemetery to join many hundreds more by the graveside some distance away.

Halfway up the path, the mourn-

Fox released

A FOX had to be rescued after getting a discarded plastic crisp bag stuck on its head.

The stricken animal was spotted by a Downswood resident struggling to breathe.

He used a litter picker in the back of his car to remove the bag and the fox ran off.

ers were joined by a lone bagpipe player.

The four men died when the Toyota Hilux truck they were in crashed into a tree, possibly in fog, in Lenham Road. They were on their way to watch “Gypsy King” boxer Tyson Fury's trilogy fight

with Deontay Wilder.

A fifth occupant, Jerry Cash (15), was seriously injured and remains in hospital.

In a video message of condolence, Fury (33) said: "I'd like to send my condolences and rest in peace to the Cash family and the

Cosgrove family on their recent loss. God bless them, make them a good bed in heaven, right in the name of Jesus Amen."

The funeral of Smiler is due to be held in Berkshire and Jacko’s was to be held as Downs Mail went to press.

Taxi firm’s kindness wins award

EXPRESS Cars in Maidstone has been recognised as a compassionate workplace.

The taxi company was given the award by mayor Fay Gooch in a scheme sponsored by Heart of Kent Hospice and the council.

Cllr Gooch said: “I have been so impressed and moved on hearing about some of the work that these wonderful people have done to help those in real need."

Vinnie Iandolo, Chelsea Farinaro, Lynne Fuller, Jade Collier, Jason Brown and Emma Walsh are pictured.

Homes plan

A NEW full planning application has been submitted for change of use from retail to eight residential units at 17 and rear of 15 Gabriels Hill, Maidstone.

Smoking falls in Kent, despite a national rise KENT is bucking the national trend as smoking rates rise in England amid the pandemic, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Giving up smoking is said to be one of the “best things” to improve one’s mental and physical health and increase life expectancy.

More than six million adults in England continue to smoke,

30

which can lead to premature death, according to UK health experts. In Kent, smoking rates have fallen from one in five to less than one in seven over the last 10 years. However they remain high, according to County Hall. This comes despite an increase in the number of people smoking across England since the first UK-wide lockdown 19

months ago. The NHS and Kent County Council (KCC), the local health authority, have called on thousands of residents to reduce their intake, such as cigarettes.

Cllr Clair Bell (Con), who is KCC’s cabinet member for public health, said: “If a smoker can make it to 28 days without smoking, they are five times more likely to quit for good.”

Her comments came during a recent public meeting at Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone.

The KCC public health committee was told there are around 75,000 preventable deaths a year from smoking. A nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers has found that 45% have been smoking more since the first lockdown began.

downsmail.co.uk

30,000 drivers ned for using bays for disabled

News

THOUSANDS of fines have been issued to drivers who have parked in disabled bays, without blue badges, across Kent, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Nearly 30,000 penalty notices have been dished out by nine local authorities from Kent, between January 2018 and August 2021, with the highest number in Maidstone.

Income goes towards maintaining “frontline services” and maintaining enforcement functions.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request found that Maidstone recorded the highest number of cases on and off-street, with 7,229 fines in the 44-month period.

Maidstone Borough Council leader David Burton (pictured) said he was pleased to see his Conservative administration was taking the issue seriously, as the council owns 23 car parks.

He said: “It sounds like the enforcement team is doing a good job.

“If there are people blocking spaces reserved for disabled drivers who need better access to the shopping, and other things, then it needs to be looked at.”

Council parking enforcers hand out fines to motorists parking in a disabled person’s bay, who do not display a blue badge in their car.

Tesco tackles smelly loos

This includes on-street and offstreet parking. There are also dozens of council-owned car parks in the 13 districts, including Medway.

Boris Johnson’s government says it is a criminal offence, and the responsibility of the driver to be aware of the scheme’s rules.

In Kent, it has emerged there was a rise in the number of cases in the number of drivers parking in disabled bays without a blue badge from 2018 to 2019.

However, there was a slight decline across most boroughs and districts in the years of the pan-

demic, mainly starting from the first national lockdown in March and continuing to the end of the summer of 2021.

Councils included in the study were Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Gravesham, Medway, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Swale and Tunbridge Wells.

There were 2,624 on-street and off-street parking penalty notices issued in Gravesham.

Out of the nine authorities, Sevenoaks council dished out the lowest fines, equating to around 870, from January 2018 to August 2021.

Medway Council’s parking team issued the second highest number of fines to drivers, a total of 5,285 followed by Swale, with 4,623 fines from January 2018 to August 2021.

Easing rules for electric cars A “CRAZY” off-street parking rule should be dropped by Kent County Council (KCC), urges an opposition leader.

County Hall’s Liberal Democrats have called on KCC’s Tory administration to scrap a controversial road order, which relates to the amount of parking space available to households, who are seeking to create a new driveway.

KCC’s rule states that there must be at least 4.8m of length from the front of the home to the back of the pavement for cars.

However, Kent’s Lib Dems have said this creates confusion for households wanting to create a driveway for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging points.

It comes after a Faversham

resident, who wants to install an EV charging point, said he fears his application will be knocked back on highways grounds when he applies for planning permission.

Cllr Antony Hook, KCC’s Liberal Democrat leader, described the current rule as “unfair” and “daft”.

It comes alongside a Maidstone County Hall pledge to create a county-wide network of electric vehicle charging points, mainly outside parish offices, villages halls and community centres rather than residential streets.

This forms part of the county council’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions across Kent by 2050.

Cllr Hook says the highways

authority should support Kent residents who want to convert to electric cars by taking away limitations imposed by the 4.8m rule for residential offstreet parking, suggesting it discourages a move to EVs. Explaining his argument, Cllr Hook added: “I am pushing for KCC to drop its crazy 4.8m rule on off-street parking.

“When people want to make a drive in front of their house, many of whom want to make a place to charge an EV, we should support people to do this.”

KCC’s transport boss, Cllr David Brazier (Con) has told the Liberal Democrat opposition leader that the issue will be examined as a “priority” as he talks with senior officers.

TESCO bosses have started work on curing the "revolting stench" in the toilets of one of the borough's leading supermarkets.

Customers at Grove Green have complained about the pong in the gents' loo for months.

One regular told Daily Downs Mail: "The revolting stench in that gents' loo was totally overpowering and it was left like that for months, if not years."

Signs have gone up on the doors of the toilets stating work has begun to fix the problem.

They read: "Sorry we are not at our finest. We are working really hard to fix it. Thank you for your patience."

Cancer trial ‘booked up’

THE county's response to ground-breaking cancer testing trialling has been so strong that all appointments for the first clinic sessions have been booked.

The first local participants in the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new blood test, Galleri TM, which can detect more than 50 types of cancer often before symptoms appear, attended clinics last month Dr Henry Taylor, clinical lead at Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance, said: “The response to the NHS-Galleri trial in Kent and Medway has been incredibly impressive.

“These people are contributing to a study that could prevent cancer deaths not just here but across the UK and around the world.”

The selected residents, aged between 50-77, responded to letters sent from the NHS within the last few weeks that invited them to participate in the trial.

31

News | Sponsored parish council

Thurnham Parish News

Meetings normally held on the third Monday of each month at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.

CHAIRMAN: Daniel Skinner CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173

New vicar

THE parish council has welcomed the new vicar at Hollingbourne Church, the Reverend Robert Tugwell.

Rev Tugwell was licensed as the new team vicar at the end of August.

Cllr Smith said that once the vicar was settled in the community, he would invite him to attend a meeting of the parish council.

Concern as local plan progresses THE PASSING of the Local Plan Review prompted discussions at Thurnham’s parish council meeting on Monday, October 18.

The Maidstone Local Plan Review, which determines housing numbers in the borough, was given the go-ahead by a narrow majority on October 6.

Despite a Liberal Democrat and Labour rebellion, the plan squeezed through by 26 votes to 23.

It means that the housing schemes at Lenham and Lidsing will now proceed to the next stage.

The parish council has already expressed its concern about “creeping development” in the area.

Thurnham strongly objected to the new 2,000-home garden village at Lidsing.

A spokesman said: “It obliterates the ‘protected’ strategic gap between Medway and Maidstone

and will join Lordswood, Princes Park, Walderslade and Hempstead into one big urban sprawl.

“The gap provides a vital green lung between dense housing areas and as such should not be built on. We cannot see that joining Medway and Maidstone together has any advantages that would justify its removal.”

Cllr John Horne said the increase in building and population just before the period of the Local Plan Review was not considered.

Cllr Horne said: “We had the infamous building spike and another has just been witnessed.

“Such spikes accelerate population growth, with a deleterious impact on forward population projections that then just translate into an even greater Governmentmandated Housing Needs figure.

“That ongoing pattern must be broken, for the good of Maidstone.”

downsmail.co.uk

Woodland parking plan

MEMBERS backed the new initiative to put in more parking spaces at Bearsted Woodland Trust.

The council agreed that parking on the A20 was becoming a problem, due to people travelling down to visit from further afield.

The application will prevent cars parking over the verge on the A20, near the entrance to Gore Cottage.

Awards call

NOMINATIONS for the Good Neighbour Awards will be taken in January next year.

The awards are intended to recognise residents who have gone out of their way to make a positive impact in the community.

Date change

JANUARY’S meeting of the parish council will be pushed back to January 24.

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News

Charity match

A CHARITY football match is being held at Gallagher Stadium in honour of Tom Flynn.

Tom died unexpectedly in early August with heart disease and the match is to celebrate his life and raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The event on November 5 starts at 6.30 pm with kick-off at 7pm.

Donations on the door please.

RBL concert

SIR Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man will be performed at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, by The Maidstone Singers and the Royal British Legion Central Choir Tickets for the event, at 7pm on Saturday November 20, are £5-£12, or free for those under 16. For details, go to www.themaidstonesingers.org.uk.

Wartime play

THE Detling Players are staging David Haig 's wartime play Pressure from November 11-13 at 7.30pm at the village hall.

Tickets are £10 or £35 for a group of four. Details from 07842 169725 or www.detlingplayers.co.uk.

downsmail.co.uk

Food producer wins conservation award

A SALADS and cereals producer has been recognised for its dedication to conservation work.

Laurence J Betts Ltd, which has sites at Offham, Yalding and Hadlow, has been honoured with the Country Land and Business Association’s (CLA) Emsden Trophy, which celebrates conservation efforts in the county.

The business produces “whole head” and “baby leaf” salads for the catering and retail markets.

It was nominated by Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and presented with the award at an event supported by BTF Partnership on October 19.

The company, run by Stephen Betts with directors Nick Ottewell and Alison Tanton, was praised for its dedication to “producing food safely while meeting high environmental standards”.

It is LEAF Marque-accredited and the Offham farm has been in-

Emsden trophy winner Stephen Betts (left) of Laurence J Betts receiving the trophy from Paul Cobb of FWAG volved in a test and trials group for Defra’s environmental land management scheme.

Paul Cobb, Kent FWAG adviser who nominated Laurence J Betts, praised the focus on good soil management, while the farm has several areas for birds and pollinators and its woodlands are actively managed by coppicing.

Mr Betts said: “We’re continually developing and maintaining sustainable farming practices that are balanced with biodiversity, our

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Mr Cobb said: “Stephen, Nick and the team have shown a dedication to conservation and the environment over many years.”

The trophy was presented at a reception hosted by the previous winners, Hugh Lowe Farms near Mereworth. It is awarded in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent and Sussex CLA Regional Secretary in the 1980s who died of cancer in post.

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downsmail.co.uk

AYLEFORD’S Diane Atkinson (83) was brought up in south east London, but lived locally for 51 years.

Diane met John, her husband of 58 years, through a local sports club.

She started to train as a nurse and was in line for a gold award for her work when a car accident thwarted her ambitions, leaving her off work for a year.

She took a post as secretary of the Institute for Nuclear Medicine, based in Middlesex Hospital, London, and was mother to Richard and Paul.

John said: “Diane worked as an administrator for Night Share Care after bringing up our sons. Her Christian faith was central to her life, and she was heavily involved in the work of St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Aylesford, where we worshipped.

“She helped to run the Sunday school and children’s club and was a member of the local young wives’ group. Diane also chaired the local Conservative Association – a ground-breaking feat for a woman in the 1970s – and was known for her skills in cookery and cake decorating.”

An online tribute page has noted the impact Diane made on young lives, stating: “She was kind and compassionate and took great joy in seeing youngsters thrive, putting many smiles on many faces.”

A JustGiving page has been set up in her memory to raise money for Barnardo’s, which she supported. The fund has greatly exceeded its £500 target.

Diane leaves her husband, sons, grandchildren Alice, Nick, Sophie and Ben and great-granddaughter Florence.

Eddie Moon FOR many years, residents of Maidstone and the south east were gently

persuaded to buy a car by salesman Eddie Moon (84).

At 15, he became a parts delivery cyclist with Drake & Fletcher and he rose to become a company director.

He retired in 1995, but later joined Dutton Forshaw and then Guy Salmon Jaguar as he missed the industry and his customers.

Eddie was a member of Maidstone Round Table and a highly proactive member of 41 Club and The Rotary Club of Maidstone, which he joined in 1978.

Serving as president in 1986/87 he was also almoner for many years. His sales abilities and charm helped him raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

Eddie served on Maidstone Prison’s local review committee in the 1980s. He was also awarded the Freedom of the City of London. His wife Elizabeth died in 1999 and is survived by daughters Katherine and Victoria and grandchildren David and Elizabeth. The funeral takes place at 11am on November 15 at Ulcombe Church.

Eddie Austin EDDIE Austin (72), who has died from a combination of COVID-related causes and cancer, lived in Dover and was known for his years as a mobile DJ, broadcaster on the onshore pirate radio station, Channel Radio, broadcasting to Dover and on shortwave.

He had also run nightclubs, the twin clubs Cinderella's and Snobs in Ramsgate and Tonight’s in Folkestone.

After years of temporary licences, he became a full-time presenter on Neptune Radio, which was eventually taken into the KMFM group.

After retiring in 2003, Eddie divided his time between Malaysia and Kent. He leaves his children Jeanine and Chay.

Gabriel Lancaster GABRIEL Lancaster (99) had lived in Rochester since 1955 and was widely recognised as a signicant gure in both aeronautical engineering and Jewish life.

Born in London, he moved to Nottingham when he met his wife Pearl in 1943.

Gabriel pursued a career in aeronautics that involved much work designing aircraft engines and their accompanying instrumentation. His credits included work on Merlin engines used in Spitre and Hurricane ghters, work on the fuel ow systems of the Vulcan bomber and the TSR2 multi-role combat aircraft.

He worked locally for Elliott Brothers and Fisher Controls before working as a consultant from 1967 to 2002.

Obituaries

Diane Atkinson

Margaret Rogers THE death in Seaton, Devon, has been announced of Brenda Margaret Rogers (90) whose previous homes included Loose and Linton.

A death announcement described Brenda as “Beloved wife to Bill, loving mother to Susan and Judith, devoted Nanna and great Nanna”.

The funeral service has taken place in Devon.

Roger Sage THE death has been reported of Roger Sage, who worked locally both as a manager for the Town and Country Building Society and as head groundsman at Cranbrook School.

Roger was husband to Joy and father to Barry and Colin.

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Public session Mike Hitchins asked about an error in the traffic-calming scheme and plans to evaluate the impact of the scheme. Cllr Galton conrmed that the council would conduct a follow-up traffic survey, the results of which would be made public. The fault had been reported to KCC. Antisocial behaviour Cllr Ziggy Trzebinski reported on plans to report antisocial behaviour to the police when not officially reported. It was agreed that the clerk would pass on anything of this nature.

Highways The clerk would report a pothole on Liverton Hill to KCC and white lines at Crumps Lane. The clerk would remind KCC about refreshing white lines on Headcorn Road through the village. The clerk would check the status of the bridge repair on Coldbridge Lane and report back to councillors.

Footpaths The footpaths map had been installed on the village green. An update had been received on the priority of replacing stiles with gates. Cllr Galton was talking to the Wickens family and had so far received a positive response.

Planters A proposal had been received for two planters at the junction of Eastwood Road and Headcorn Road. There were concerns over whether a volunteer could be found to maintain the planters, or whether KCC approval was needed.

Fire hydrants The council continued to explore options for clearing hydrants, along with options to collect litter.

Traffic calming Cllr Kennaird and the clerk would continue to seek a date for completing the gates.

Village green The clerk would inform Rosemary and Michael Smith that the council would leave it to them to decide how best to maintain the green, including deciding whether the tip of the village green should be excluded from regular grass cutting and used to encourage wild ower growth.

Garden village It was agreed that the council would attend an informal meeting with other parishes along the M20 corridor to discuss the garden village development.

East Sutton Bus shelter The ivy had been cleared.

Play areas The clerk would obtain a further quote for cleaning the play equipment.

Village hall The clerk would discuss the lease with the village hall committee.

Leeds Council vacancy Cllr Greeff was elected as vice chair and Mr Gallafant was elected as a councillor.

Highways Results of the KCC Highways speed tests had been received. Cllr Bernini suggested the data should be presented to the public at a separate

meeting. Residents interested in a meeting should contact the parish clerk so that a date and venue could be set.

Lorries Police and the PCSO had stopped three overweight lorries at the entrance to Leeds Castle. Information about the outcome was awaited. It was proposed that volunteers be sought within the village to collate information on overweight lorries – anyone interested was asked to contact the parish clerk.

Future of eld MBC Cllr Gill Fort said that a planning application had not yet been submitted for the eld next to the Inspired Villages site. Resident Barnie Razzle said he and other residents who overlooked the eld were concerned about the proposals and suggested a meeting be arranged with all concerned.

Parish maintenance Bulbs provided by a resident would be planted in the rose border in Lower Street and in front of the Christmas tree next to The George. The village benches, notice boards and map outside the church had all been refurbished.

Parked vans Vans were still parking in the bus stop by the sports eld. The PCSO would be informed.

Sports eld The timber fascia on the Pavilion had deteriorated. Two quotes were obtained to replace it with white PVC cladding. The lower cost of £725 was agreed and the contractor would be asked to proceed. Materials had been procured to extend the parking at the sports eld, which should ease congestion in the area at weekends.

Parking Parking in the church car park is limited to Leeds residents, church users and as an overspill to tTe George car park.

The parking problem in Farmer Close was being addressed by Golding Homes.

Clear access into the close must be available at all times for emergency vehicles and council refuse vehicles.

Sutton Valence Car park The parking post recently placed in the parishioners’ car park had been hit twice and had now been removed. It was agreed not to replace this.

Football The clerk updated the meeting on number of teams and match schedule.

It was agreed not to increase the pitch hire costs.

Tennis The resurfacing was almost complete.

Harbour play area The weekly and monthly inspections were satisfactory.

The annual inspection had been booked.

Speed limit An email had been received from a parishioner about the speed limit in Warmlake Road. It was agreed to approach KCC and ask for a reduction to a 30mph stretch to beyond the houses.

High Street A wall had collapsed in to Lambes Garden. KCC had conrmed that it was not dangerous and it would be repaired.

Remembrance Sunday The Royal British Legion had asked the parish council to

arrange the road closure this year. The clerk had asked the QHOF if they were prepared to marshal this and supply and erect the usual signage.

Police matters The PCSO said a new speeding check system had been put in place. If the parish council wanted to use the police to monitor and ne speeding in future it would cost £26.35 and £28.80 per hour for a PCSO and a police officer. The change of PCSO had been put on hold.

PCSO report Youths had been spoken to with regards to E-scooters and there had been a leaet drop to houses in Greensand Meadow. The PCSO had patrolled the sports eld regularly following criminal damage and theft of signage. Parking in South Lane had been monitored. Fly-tipping areas had been monitored and seemed okay.

Parish Councils

Boughton Malherbe

West Farleigh Litter picking One of the volunteers had asked whether it would be possible for them to be covered by the parish council insurance, to allow them to continue their work around the village. The insurance company had stated that they would be automatically covered. The need for risk assessments was discussed, which should include the procedure undertaken on each road, a register of all volunteers taking part each time and a form to be signed on each session to conrm that the volunteers have read and understand the risk assessment.

Play area It was noted that the play area is beginning to look quite tired and it was felt it was time to carry out improvements, as the area has become more popular since reopening in summer 2020. The clerk reported on the nancial situation and it felt that the parish council could look to spend around £30,000 on the project. It was agreed that Craigdene be employed to oversee the project and that £30,000 be made available.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Event It was agreed to take part in the The Big Jubilee Lunch on June 5, 2022. It was agreed to book the Samba group again.

Tree inspection Cllr Moy queried whether the parish council should complete a tree inspection on council owned trees in the village. The clerk said she had used Tree Ventures for any tree safety inspections that are required. It was agreed that a map of parish councilowned trees be drawn up to obtain a quote for an inspection.

Meeting venue The clerk said discussions were ongoing to arrange a permanent venue for parish council meetings. It was hoped something could be arranged before the November meeting.

Laptop The clerk reported that there were ongoing issues with the council laptop and the time had probably come to upgrade. The clerk intended to nd a mid-range laptop from PC World, with a view to buying it when the Office 365 was due for renewal in November. This was agreed.

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Sewage vote MPs slammed

TWO local MPs who rejected a House of Lords amendment to a bill to prevent water companies dumping raw sewage into rivers have come in for heavy criticism.

Liberal Democrats claimed Helen Grant and Helen Whately "shockingly" voted down an attempt to force private utility firms to accept legal responsibility for pumping human waste straight into rivers.

The Government, which had whipped MPs to vote against the amendment, later climbed down after outrage from the public and environmental groups.

A Lib Dem statement said: "Maidstone's watercourses and Kent's beaches are being routinely contaminated by raw sewage, and this refusal to tackle failings by our privatised water companies and ensure Government takes its enforcement duty seriously is a betrayal of local people and our environment.”

Climate change is resulting in heavy rainfall and more frequent discharges of raw sewage, it said.

It added: "Conservative MPs, including Helen Grant and Helen Whately, shockingly voted down this and other amendments relat-

Call to delay ‘Smart’ plans

CONTROVERSIAL “smart” motorways could be the subject of a five-year moratorium, to allow proper safety assessments.

The practice of converting the hard shoulder into an extra lane to provide extra capacity has been called into question on the M20 and in other parts of the country.

Cross-party MPs on the transport select committee say it is wise to halt the roll-out of the schemes until safety is evaluated.

The M20's smart section has come in for sustained criticism, with one county councillor, Cllr Gary Cooke, saying the concept "is not very smart at all".

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch said: “The roll-out of an all-lane running motorway on the M20 is one of the least smart things to have happened.

"The select committee report articulates the concerns many had and continue to have about its safety. I really hope more can be done to retrofit safety features to provide some form of security to motorists using this stretch of road."

MPs Helen Grant (right) and Helen Whately (far right) have been criticised for not voting against the release of raw sewage ing to air quality, soil health, pesticide use and ancient woodland."

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat also voted against the amendment.

The statement said Kent MPs Tracey Crouch, Kelly Tolhurst, Gordon Henderson and Greg Clark defied the whip.

Sewage firms like Southern Water say they are forced to use rivers during heavy rainfall to avoid human waste backing up

into areas where local people live and work. This is done by combined sewer overflows and operated by release valves.

The Environment Agency has reported in the last year that raw sewage was discharged into coastal waters and rivers in England more than 400,000 times.

Mrs Whately said: "‘While I support the sentiment behind the Lords amendment, (it) came with no plan and no proper assessment

Racing ace killed FRIENDS and family of a motorsports legend have paid tribute after he was killed in a collision on the A21.

Father of two Paul Smart (78), of Farleigh, soared to stardom after he rode a Ducat to fame at the Imola 200 in 1972.

In a statement, Mr Smart’s family said: “Paul was a hugely popular character in and out of the paddock, and much loved by his family, friends and fans around the world.

“He will forever be synonymous with Ducati, the Italian brand he propelled to international acclaim with victory in the 1972 Imola 200 race.”

The former Grand Prix racer married Maggie, the sister of motorcycle world champion Barry Sheene, in 1971 and they had a son Scott and daughter Paula.

A family friend said: “Paul was a lovely guy. He carried on riding his bike into his old age. His family must be devastated.”

Paul leaves behind wife Maggie and their children.

of the cost to the public. The estimated cost is up to £660bn – more than the amount we’ve spent in our fight against Coronavirus."

Mrs Grant said: "Certain amendments warrant considerable individual care and attention. That is why the Government has set out separate measures for these issues, to allow for deeper research and analysis, and the preparation of impact assessments and cost / benefit computations.”

Blaze in at

FIREFIGHTERS tackled a huge apartment fire in Maidstone.

Four fire engines and a height vehicle arrived in College Court near Hayle Road at around 3.30pm on November 1.

Crews found the fire on the fifth floor and the flats were evacuated.

There were no reported injuries.

The whole flat was left with extensive smoke damage, and there was fire damage in one room.

Cash for club

THE West Farleigh Community Centre Fund of more than £15,000 will be donated to the sports club.

After the purchase of the grounds at Church Lane, the donation of £15,894 will allow it to be a community hub.

A spokesman said: “We saw this as the closest fit to the original objectives of the community fund.”

Festive music

A SERVICE of traditional Christmas carols and music will be held at West Farleigh Church on December 19 at 5.30pm. All welcome.

43

News

Row over road at country park

PARK users at a beauty spot near Teston are angry that the Evironment Agency has laid a road across its open green space.

The body needs the track, which has been fenced off, to get access to the River Medway weir beside the Teston Bridge Country Park.

An overspill car park has now been made available only to contractors' vehicles.

One local parish councillor said that any permanent changes to the landscape of the popular park would need planning permission.

The park is owned and operated

by Kent County Council.

Local people claim changes were started with “zero” consultation.

Road closed

GREENWAY Forstal in Harrietsham will shut for three days.

The road will close for repair works between the junctions of Greenway Court Road and Holm Mill Lane from November 4.

The alternative route is via Holm Mill Lane, Ashford Road, Greenway Court Road and vice versa.

Vintage date

THE recently-staged 13th Annual Classic Cars & Retro Vintage on the Green festival, delayed by COVID19, was finally held on Bearsted Green on September 19.

It raised a total of £6,182.92 for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.

Owner ned

A DOG owner has been fined £100 by the council for allowing a pet, a serial offender, to attack another in Maidstone.

No details of the incident were released.

Crime reports 44

downsmail.co.uk

Vaccines to be rolled out in Kent schools

AROUND 100,000 children in Kent and Medway will be offered a coronavirus vaccine, it has been revealed, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Kent’s NHS says it has begun the inoculation rollout to all healthy children aged from 12 to 15.

A single dose of the Pfizer jab is being given to secondary-aged students at school.

The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, which oversees health and social care for 1.8million residents in the county’s 13 districts, is co-coordinating the rollout of the programme.

GP Dr Nikki Kanani, deputy lead for the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme, said: “NHS staff have been working closely with schools to deliver the vaccine to children aged 12 to 15.

Last month, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said the benefits of children getting

vaccinated are “marginally greater” than the potential harms from catching coronavirus.

The Covid Delta variant has been described as highly infectious. For those aged 12 to 15, this can occasionally, but rarely, lead to serious illness, hospitalisation and even less commonly death.

POLICE have issued an appeal after cash was stolen from a car in West Malling.

The incident happened near the High Street at around midday on Tuesday, September 21.

Two men are reported to have approached a man in his 60s and distracted him while they stole cash from his car.

Investigating officer PC Joshua Littley said: "We have been making enquiries in the area, including the examination of CCTV footage, and we are now able to release these images.

"Although they are wearing masks, hiding their facial features, one of them has shorts and distinctive red trainers and it is hoped somebody will recognise one or both of them and call the appeal line."

Anybody with information is urged to call 01622 604100, quoting crime reference number 46/185206/21.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or using the anonymous online form on their website.

Symptoms include a high temperature, continuous cough, along with a loss of taste and smell.

In Kent, all children aged 12 to 15 will be eligible to be offered a vaccine by the school-aged immunisations team, which includes those who are home-schooled.

Children with health conditions that put them at higher risk, such as those with a weakened immune system, have been invited for a lifesaving jab and continue to be eligible for two Pfizer doses.

Families can book with their GP or visit their nearest walk-in centre.

There are around 200 GP surgeries and seven main hospitals in Kent.

To find the most convenient walk-in centre or book online, visit nhs.uk/covidvaccine.

Police appeal after distraction theft

Neighbourhood Watch

BOTH number plates were stolen from a Mini One in Cornflower Close, Boxley.

A lorry parked up in Detling Hill, Thurnham, was broken into.

A business property was broken into Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police and a wallet was stolen in Buckland Road, Maidstone.

Two young people threw excrement at Alexandra Street, Maidstone.

Barriers were damaged outside a pub in the front door of a house in Robins Close, Somebody entered into a house and Lower Road, East Farleigh.

Lenham. stole a jewellery box in Winchs Garth, StaBatteries and light units were stolen Glasses and a glass panel were damaged plehurst. from four temporary traffic lights in at a pub in High Street, Sutton Valence.

The rear windscreen of a double decker Bearsted Road, Maidstone.

Somebody broke into a building site and bus was damaged with a catapult in LonTwo windows were smashed on a vehi- stole a generator and some diesel in Ash- don Road, Aylesford. cle in Lenham Heath Road, Lenham. ford Road, Maidstone.

A window was smashed at a club in Gates were damaged at a house in StonSomebody poured a fizzy drink over a High Street, Maidstone. estile Road, Headcorn.

Seat parked in Ashford Drive, A wallet and cash were stolen from a Two men stole cooking oil from a nurs- Kingswood. locker at a leisure centre in Kings Hill Aving home in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone.

Thieves tried to break into a house in enue, Kings Hill.

downsmail.co.uk

A QUOTATION once attributed to a Dublin broadcaster (perhaps not entirely off the cuff and almost certainly not his own) about the political demise of the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey states: "If you give him enough rope, he'll hang you."

Until Haughey's disgrace in old age, the Irish rather loved the rapscallion's roguish ways, either in office or in opposition.

Had Haughey been English, it is hard to say which party he might have gravitated towards, but the Liberal Democrats could have been a fair bet.

After all, his Fianna Fail party was forged by a true statesman, Eamon de Valera, from an alliance of European thinkers, liberals and democrats.

The Lib Dems have a reputation, deserved or otherwise, for being astute campaigners, capable of playing dirty at election time and apt to airing differences rather more publicly than is healthy.

Ruthlessness is a trait often cited.

Haughey was certainly merciless to friend and foe, particularly so when it came to lthy lucre.

The party will soon jettison a leader no longer fancied, as Tim Farron, Charlie Kennedy and Ming Campbell discovered.

What we have witnessed in recent weeks at Maidstone Borough Council is a classic, local falling-out. Truthfully, it could be any party in any town in Britain.

But ve Lib Dems who until May were in charge (one the council leader) have jumped off to form a new independent entity, The Maidstone Group, leaving just 12 in the opposition.

This is unlikely to end well, if history repeats itself.

By way of illustration, back in 2003, at Shepway (now Folkestone & Hythe) District Council, the ruling Conservatives had spent four years squabbling amongst

MPs not great examples ALL who knew him expressed what a charming and caring man the dedicated MP Sir David Amess was and yet, in a church, he was horribly stabbed to death.

Although we are shocked, have we become used to hearing such terrible news that would have been unthinkable during most of my lifetime?

Recently, at the Labour conference a senior front bencher described Tories as "scum". A member was frightened to go to the party conference because she dared to express an opinion that others disagreed with.

A Labour MP who was found guilty of harassment and threatening to carry out life-changing bodily harm is still in her seat as an independent MP on £81,000 plus expenses. She represented Leicester East, with all its problems, but evidently very rarely went there.

At her trial, some prominent Labour

SimonSays

SIMON FINLAY Editor simon.nlay@downsmail.co.uk Twitter @Simonnlay6500 themselves – an internecine war in which factions and alliances shifted daily, sometimes hourly.

Plots and back-stabbing were so common and so vicious, the speed at which they happened became dizzying at times. Ultimately, electorally, it saw the Tories crushed by a Liberal Democrat machine, so clinical and shrewd that your correspondent, then editor of the Folkestone Herald, wrote a three-deck, front page screamer headline:

TORIES FALL IN LIBERAL DEMOLITION

So chuffed were the party, a copy of the splash was sent to headquarters to be framed.

Within a year, petty internal irritations, a proposed council tax rise and a footling spat about the closure of some public toilets virtually no one used caused a deep and lasting rift the Lib Dems have never really recovered from.

Fifteen councillors forced the leader out, who then formed a breakaway, 12strong party called People First.

Numerically superior as a group, the Tories formed a minority administration which limped through to 2007 when it grabbed more than 30 seats with an unassailable majority. People First was all but annihilated.

Even with the iniquities of the yearly cycle of elections in Maidstone (skilfully set out by the youngest member, Stanley Forecast, in the last edition of members gave glowing reports of her warm, caring personality.

Some very senior shadow members have no idea of knowing how their proposals can be paid for and are accused of simply reading scripts written by others.

They represent the people and make the laws and some of them do not, as we have seen, set good examples.

Alan Wallace, via email

Poppies back on streets MY NAME is Charlotte and I am the community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in East Kent (and Maidstone).

This year will be extra special as we welcome our incredible Poppy Appeal collectors back in to the community to raise vital funds to help current and exservicemen, women and their families

Downs Mail), the Tories could end up next May with the two-thirds majority needed to return to a poll every four years.

Cllr Forecast argued that £220,000 could be saved to the public purse by switching.

It should not take another election to get to that stage. It has been seen that the present system, which is meant to be supported by committees chaired across the political spectrum to allow a greater share of power and inuence, simply does not deliver.

It serves narrow political and personal self-interest, but it does not provide rm or consistent governance for the electorate.

The council officers, unelected, gain far too much clout while the politicians are distracted, looking ahead to the next set of elections. At least the new Tory administration is paving the way for the return of the cabinet system, which will go some way to cancelling out the culture of dithering inertia so favoured by public sector officials.

The wider question is whether the remaining wounded Liberal Democrats can muster the energy and policy ideas to ght another battle so soon. Will the new Lib Dem splinter movement stand candidates in their former party’s strongholds? Insiders fear the split could set the local party back a decade.

Who knows? But this is a perilous hiatus for the opposition, at a time when strength and will and sinew are required. A bit of the old Haughey, perhaps. This current situation may be a blip, but is far more likely to play into the hands of the Tories.

But who can guess what will happen next or, indeed, where it will all end?

Comment

Lib Dem split a big setback

during their time of need. After a difficult year for everybody due to lockdown, we are celebrating our poppy collectors and the incredible job they do, and have been doing for the past 100 years.

If you want more information, please email crobinson@britishlegion.org.uk and I will gladly help.

Raising awareness in any way with your help would be really appreciated. In our centenary year, more than ever, every poppy counts.

Charlotte Robinson, Royal British Legion

Speed limits unnecessary REFERENCE your recent article, it is no surprise to me that speed limits in Bearsted are outed on a regular basis, and in other parts of the Maidstone area for that matter.

In recent years, new limits have been introduced which in my view are

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downsmail.co.uk

Comment

unnecessary, unenforceable and not based upon the tried and tested criteria that used to apply.

It seems that as soon as new housing goes up, in goes a new, lower speed limit.

At the B2163 Heath Road there is a blanket 40 mph limit along the entire length from Linton crossroads to Langley, introduced a few years ago. New housing in Boughton Monchelsea adjacent to Heath Road has brought with it a new 30 mph limit for over half a mile, extending well beyond the development in both directions.

This is not High Street Maidstone with high pedestrian numbers and traffic levels; it is a semi-rural road with few pedestrians or cyclists and thus, the vast majority of vehicles exceed the new limit.

The surveys carried out in Bearsted are somewhat ironic, as the gures for Yeoman Lane illustrate the problem.

Historically, before a proposed new limit was considered, part of the process was an 85 percentile check carried out to monitor the speed that most vehicles using the road were actually travelling.

Consultation and site meetings usually led to a realistic limit being sanctioned.

Now, it appears that checks are being carried out afterwards, revealing that drivers are routinely exceeding limits.

Similar examples of speeding include the A20 at Bearsted, the A274 at Warmlake and the A20 at Harrietsham, with its wide, open aspect and good visibility where drivers rarely adhere to the new 30mph limit through the village.

If a speed limit is too low, drivers will break it routinely, thereby bringing the law into disrepute and nobody wants that.

Malcolm Brockman, Loose, Maidstone

Tories face voters’ wrath THE recent Mail Marks column made sensible points about the housing crisis facing our region.

I agree we must wait and see what the new secretary of state, Michael Gove, will do and whether Boris Johnson will stick to the conference pledge to leave green elds alone.

I hate to be cynical about the man who once wanted to be “World King”, but I’d be very surprised if he knows the difference between a green belt, a green THIS is what Daily Downs Mail readers wrote on our Facebook page about the new Maidstone bus station…

Leanne Berry Give it a week and it will be trashed.

Brian Graves Too much money that could've been better spent elsewhere ... not worth the disruption.

Sherrie Andrews I like it, looks nice and bright. Let’s hope they’ve jet washed those escalators too.

Oliver Birtles Looks nice, not sure if it'll look quite as good with those sour-faced bus drivers standing indignantly on their phones

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Path needs urgent repairs THIS photo shows a stretch of footpath from Spencer Way to the shops on Willington Street, which is heavily used by all age groups, but especially the elderly.

The surface is not considered dangerous by the KCC, merely a patchwork, despite one side being directly by the road which carries very heavy lorries and which slopes towards the road at the entrance to most properties.

Lorries come so close to the pavement at times that you can feel the sideways force from them.

When I see the money the KCC spent recently on a pavement in Harrietsham, which even the locals admit doesn't get used very much, I cannot understand their logic about this small stretch. Are they waiting for somebody on their mobility scooter to topple into the road. or a baby buggy to tip over before they will do anything?

Don Wright, Willington Street, Maidstone eld or the Jolly Green Giant.

But Gove certainly is across the detail of things.

He will also realise what is at stake in the south east, politically. Some vague throwaway line by the PM at conference will not change the minds of those people who are already thinking of deserting the Tories come the next election.

In Maidstone, 1,200 homes a year is way, way too many, as was the original ridiculous annual target of 880. The place is already full and the roads are congested and falling apart. Even the ruling Tories on the county and borough councils can’t come up with plans to solve the roads crisis.

So, what have the MPs in the south-east done? Not a lot, really. What have the MPs is this area achieved in persuading the government of its folly? Can’t be sure.

What I was struck by was the list of names of Conservative MPs who rejected attempts to place a legal duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges into rivers. Clean water campaigners had even backed an amendment agreed in the House of Lords.

But Helen Whately, Helen Grant and Tom Tugendhat all obeyed the whip and voted to reject it. Was that a mystery? grunting incomprehensibly at waiting passengers. They do seem to spoil what could be a good service.

Stacey Dunk It will be a bus park, loads of empty buses sitting on the stands with no drivers. Still only single lane traffic to squeeze through all the empty vehicles. The people who use King Street car park will be relieved to get all the parked buses off the road.

Linda Honeysett Can't see many seats Janet Roberts Lovely bus station. Pity the rest of the town looks so bad.

Jacqui Anne Looks good, but I give it a week before it's vandalised and used as a toilet!

Given one is a government minister, one is a government special foreign envoy and another the chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, one can understand a reluctance to rock the boat.

But it doesn’t augur well for south-east constituents in the good ght against preposterous housing targets, does it?

Many MPs trot out the line that we need more houses. No, we don’t. We’re building houses for Londoners. We are not even building the right sort of houses, that is affordable homes for local people – the sort of houses the builders simply don’t want to build.

Mind you, there will be elections soon enough and we can all give our elected representatives the ringing endorsement they appear to be giving us.

Eddie Powell, via email

Thanks for publicity THANK you to the Downs Mail for helping to publicise our recent vacancies for new governors at Greenelds Community Primary School in Maidstone.

We have had a positive response from Downs Mail readers and appointments are now underway.

Vanessa Stevens, Clerk to Governors Kati Castle Those tiles look like they could be slippery when wet.

Anna Thomas Well considering how long it has taken and the chaos it has caused in King Street with buses everywhere for months it should be nice. Not sure piped music is required but it's okay.

Glynis Ireland I think it looks good. I hope the lighting and the CCTV coverage are sufficient for lone people, particularly females, to feel safe, especially at night.

Trevor Page I recall waiting for a bus in the USA 50 years ago and each seat had its own TV monitor and it cost a quarter to watch.

We have some way to go.

Opinion

downsmail.co.uk

Vital work will affect the lives of all of us

IT has been a particularly busy couple of weeks. We saw the publication of the Budget and spending review, which set out our plans to build a stronger, fairer economy as we recover from COVID-19.

As Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I'm determined to see our recovery benet people across the country – including here in Kent.

This week, the UK has been welcoming world leaders for the COP26 climate change summit. Part of my job as a Treasury Minister includes helping to meet our net zero commitments, and I was delighted to be in Glasgow as part of the UK’s delegation.

Big political set pieces like the Budget, and international gatherings like COP26, can sometimes feel far removed from the real world. But they affect all our lives.

At the heart of the Budget and Spending Review is a determination to drive growth, boost businesses, strengthen public services and support working families and the most vulnerable households.

That’s why we’re raising the National Living Wage to £9.50, freezing fuel duty, cutting the Universal Credit taper rate, and increasing the work allowance.

We’re increasing investment in infrastructure, innovation, and skills – all crucial for growth and our future prosperity.

We’re also investing in future generations with extra funding for early years and delivering record investment in our NHS, with spending

By Helen Whately MP for Faversham and Mid-Kent on health services set to be £40 billion higher by the end of this Parliament.

We’re helping our high streets with a business rates discount and overhauling alcohol duties to support pubs and hospitality. The changes will mean less tax on a pint of draught beer or cider and an end to the tax penalty on sparkling wine, which will help local brewers and wine makers.

I know how concerned people are about climate change and protecting our environment. While we’ve decarbonised our economy faster than any other country in the G20, there is still a lot of work to do.

Our Net Zero Strategy will help people and businesses transition to greener sources of power, such as electric vehicles and low carbon heating technologies.

But action on climate change takes international co-operation. As President of COP26, the UK wants to increase global climate action and help deliver the long-term transition to a sustainable global economy. It’s vital work, that will benet us all.

Help us to keep you safer IN 2008, Maidstone was the first town in Kent to have Street Pastors – an inter-denominational church response to urban problems, engaging with people to care, listen and help.

A Street Pastor is a church member who has a concern for society and is willing to engage people where they are, both in terms of their thinking and their location. Each Street Pastor undertakes about 50 hours of training, and wears a uniform to make them identifiable.

A group of three to five Street Pastors will work a minimum of one night a month, usually from 10pm to around 2am. There is also a Prayer Pastor team at a base who pray into situations that are occurring on the streets.

We work with Kent Police, Maidstone Borough Council and the town centre to help them make the town a safer place at night. We also work with town centre clubs and bars.

Street Pastors hand out (where needed) flip flops, bottled water, hot drinks, basic first aid, foil blankets and more to those in need.

By Nigel Downes

Maidstone Street Pastors

We are there to offer a listening ear and offer advice. We do not preach or try to ‘convert’ people – we are there to care, listen and help.

Street Pastors respond to the needs of people in the town, providing a friendly and calming influence, through to much more focused interventions and responding to individuals incapable through drink, drugs, mental health issues and more. We need more volunteers in both Street and Prayer Pastor teams, along with funding.

If you would like to know more, or can help, contact maidstone@streetpastors.org.uk or visit www.maidstone.streetpastors.org.uk.

T

HE sad death of former Kent and England cricketer Alan Igglesden after a long battle with a brain tumour touched sports lovers the world over. During his playing days, the Kent team physios nicknamed injury-prone Iggy “Ming”, because he was “precious but delicate”.

Indeed, during his testimonial year, his lapel pin badge had the fast bowler in cartoon form approaching the crease head to foot in bandages.

I

N HIS haste to send out a statement explaining why Liberal Democrat councillors had jumped ship to the land of independence while denouncing the evils of party politics, leader of the gang of ve, Martin Cox, inadvertently used the link to the Maidstone Lib Dem privacy statement, not once but twice.

Old habits die hard, it seems.

E

ARLY favourite for the new leadership of the Lib Dems, the folliclychallenged Cllr Dave Naghi, chastises a colleague for recent photo choices, wailing: “You make me look like the FA Cup.” Meanwhile, I hear the local strategy chief Ian Chittenden warned members recently that internal discord might banish the party to a decade in the wilderness.

S

O lovely to hear from the charming and decorous Tory councillor Lottie Partt-Reid on the telephone, but not before she barks an aside: “Alexa, OFF!”

P

OOR old Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. After drawing parallels between the looming global climate change catastrophe (just before the backslapping talk-fest COP26) and the rise of Nazism, he drew no small quotient of, er, discouraging feedback. Yet His Grace does know a thing or two about the work of dastardly polluters, having spent 11 years in the oil industry, particularly in the eld of exploration. He stepped down after a calling from God.

F

ORMER Shepway borough councillor Eddie Powell’s wife Lorraine, famed for her love of rescue goats, has now taken in three sheep named Bernie, Ernie and Magic.

I

T IS with some sadness that I report chef and former Oakwood Park Grammar boy Mark Sergeant has decided to step away from the restaurant business he helped build in Folkestone. Mr Sergeant, who served under foul-mouthed cook Gordon Ramsay, cites "unresolvable differences" with his business partner.

What can it all mean?

Chin chin!

Agree or disagree, have your say by writing to the editor – see our letters pages

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