Library in 'shock' sale - Downs Mail

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No. 311January 27th – February 3rd

Turtle doves return LEEDS residents Debbie and Neil Willett have reported sight-ings of the increasingly rare turtle dove.

Allotment feedback FEEDBACK on controversial plans for Bearsted’s allotments has been returned.

Teenage hero A MAIDSTONE teenager has been named one of BBC Radio 1’s Teen Heroes for 2021.

Saving public loos A COUNCILLOR is in a race to save public loos in West Malling.

Centurian dies IVY Watson, 100, has died at a Bearsted residential care home.

News

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Obituaries àà27

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Comment àà37-38

Church foundations PRAYERS have been set into the concrete foundations of the new church being built at Ringlestone.

Vicar Nigel is dead LOCAL vicar Rev Nigel Fry has died six months before he was due to get married.

PE teacher jailed A FORMER grammar school teacher has been jailed for the grooming and abuse of a teenage girl.

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The red-bricked building over-looking Bearsted green, opened in 1839, is to be sold freehold by Kent County Council with a guide price of £380-400,000.

Borough councillor Denis Spooner, pictured at the library, says KCC has reneged on plans to refurbish the building and create ac-commodation to pay for the works.

He warns there will be "public outrage" at the lack of consultation and moves have been made to withdraw it from sale.

The former primary school, which was converted into a library,

was shut some years ago because of its deteriorating condition.

A temporary library was opened at Bearsted rail station to provide an interim service while the build-ing was renovated.

As well as the main building there is the old schoolmaster’s house and a substantial plot of land, front and back.

It is due to go under the hammer on February 9 by the respected auction house, Clive Emson.

Cllr Spooner, has written to the relevant KCC cabinet member, to say: "It has always been KCC's

Library in ‘shock’ saleRESIDENTS are furious a village library is to be sold off at auction, despite earlier Kent County Council plans to refurbish and re-open it.

stated intention to refurbish the former schoolmaster's house into a new library and refurbish the for-mer library and its outbuildings into apartments.

"These proposals have widespread public support and residents 'tolerated' the temporary library at the railway station while they waited for the refurbishment works to be undertaken by KCC."

He adds: "There has been no public consultation on the closure of the library and no consultation about the sale of the site."

Bearsted and Thurnham Society chairman Caroline Vanhecke said the group had lodged an applica-tion with Maidstone Borough Council to have the building as an asset of community value.

County councillor Sir Paul Carter said its auction came like "bolt from the blue" and has called on KCC to withdraw it from sale.

KCC was approached for a com-ment but did not respond.

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Burberry Lane, near Leeds andBroomfield, has been targeted bywaste dumpers for years, but in re-cent months, the problem has be-come more acute.

Construction waste, rubble, hardcore, windows and household fur-niture is left illegally – often strewnin the middle of the road.

Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every monthwe are having toilets, sinks andconstruction waste dumped in thevillage, specifically in BurberryLane, where we are now thinkingof installing cameras on privateland, to oversee the problem area.”

A recent event in Burberry Lanesaw a caravan burned out while atorched car remains on a footpath

nearby, more than a year after itwas dumped and set on fire.

The church car park has also seenmany instances of illegal dumping.

But it is a problem in many ruralareas including Langley, Othamand Kingswood. Water Lane inBearsted and Pilgrims Way havealso been targeted recently.

Last year, Maidstone BoroughCouncil cleared 911 cases of fly-tip-ping and this year more than 163have been recorded since April.The approaching darker eveningswill prompt a rise in illegal tipping.

Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-tive by the Environment Agencyand the Driver and Vehicle Stan-dards Agency to clamp down on

unlicensed waste carriers, but be-lieves the cost to small firms of dis-posing of construction waste at atransfer station is proving a deter-rent that is costing councils more.

Cllr Fort made her remarks asone of the borough’s closest trans-fer stations at North Farm, Tun-bridge Wells, announced it will beclosed for 10 weeks.

She added: “If you go along theline of increasing fines, they have tobe enforced. A reduction in thecharge or offering it free may havethe desired similar effect.”

A three-monthly litter pick on themile-long stretch of road throughLeeds village produces an average32 black sacks of rubbish.

CCTV call in a bidto stop fly-tippingCALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on acountry road have been made by the local borough councillor.

News

Obituaries �32

Crime Reports �35

Kate, 107, diesKATE Hart, a resident at an oldpeople’s home in Bearsted,has died aged 107, her sonDavid has disclosed.

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Comment �46-47

MP’s Local Plan bidHELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.

Parish Councils �34-35

VEHICLES have been driven overfarmland in Lenham, causingdamge to crops; an attemptedbreak-in was reported in Detling; avehicle was vandalised in BearstedRd, Weavering; pumpkins werestolen from an allotment inLenham.

ASH dieback has been discovered inMonks Meadow in Detling;Hollingbourne village fete stall-holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy hasresigned; yellow lines are neededfor Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allowbuses through Imperial Park; rub-bish bins in the sports field inKingswood are to be moved over tothe picnic area and rear exit.

Jason Donovan dateTHE former Neighbours star bringshis show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.

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�18

Plans for Dr NigelTHE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnetwill walk the GrandCanyon for charity. �12

Cllr Fort, who also serves as aparish councillor, says teachingchildren about social responsibilityand the issue of litter in schools willhelp take the issue off the streets.She believes with every householdreceiving a weekly refuse collectionservice, there is no excuse for litterbeing thrown from vehicles ordumped in the road.

Panto ahoy! THE cast of Cinderella, which is to bestaged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid-stone, took to the River Medway tolaunch this year's panto.

On board The Kentish Lady werenational treasure Rustie Lee (FairyGodmother), former EastEnder Ste-fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza-beth Bright (Cinderella), CraigAnderson (Buttons) and, pictured,Stephen Richards and Adam Bor-zone (Ugly Sisters) .

They were greeted by pupils fromSouth Borough Primary School andmembers of the media. The pantoruns from December 1-31. For tick-ets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.

October 2017 No. 246

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IMMORTALISED in a favoured carol by English composer Fred-eric Austin, the 12 Days of Christ-mas marked out two turtle doves as a festive gift "my true love gave to me".

In fact over the centuries, the unmistakable bird, with its dainty markings and gentle purring call, appears in many songs and poems, usually as a symbol of in-nocence, stability and enduring bonds.

But turtle doves have been in se-vere decline for years with popu-lations plummeting – but not in Leeds village, where they have made a reappearance.

A pair have been making regu-lar visits to the bird table of Deb-bie and Neil Willett in the village.

Care home manager Debbie said: "They just appeared one day and have been coming back regu-larly. They used to be so common but now they're such a rarity."

Another villager noted their ar-rival about four months ago after a significant absence.

The Royal Society for the Pro-tection of Birds (RSPB) has the bird on its red (endangered), list with just 14,000 breeding territo-ries. The RSPB cites a lack of seed and grain for food during the breeding season, which has re-sulted in a reduced window for nesting opportunities.

In sharp contrast, the less dis-cerning collared dove moved in from Asia in recent decades and has thrived. There are now nearly two million in the UK.

The turtle dove is smaller and darker than a collared dove, not much larger than a blackbird, with dark mottled upper parts and a white-edged tail.

The RSPB notes: "The gentle purr of the turtle dove is an evoca-tive sound of summer, but has be-come increasingly rare following rapid and sustained population declines."

Pairs mate for life and their gen-tle demeanour has long appealed to writers.

Naturalist Theo McCausland said: "Birds will always go where they can get what they need to survive. The turtle dove is a rare sight indeed these days and Deb-bie and Neil are lucky to see them. Loss of habitat and access to food is most likely the reason."

Have you seen a turtle dove? Let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected]. Picture: RSPB

downsmail.co.uk News

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Rare turtle doves make village a regular haunt

Date with 007 LENHAM Film Club presents the James Bond classic No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig at the community centre in Groom Way.

The film starts at 7pm on Febru-ary 11 and runs for 2hrs 43mins with an interval.

For details go to www.lenham-filmclub.org. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, email [email protected]. Ad-mission is £4 for members and £5 for non-members.

Bus fares rise PARENTS of children who use buses to get to school face a price hike of £80 in the new school year.

Kent County Council is propos-ing to raise the annual cost of a standard ticket by 20% from £370 to £450. KCC blames "challeng-ing" circumstances caused by COVID-19.

Parish vacancy WEST Malling Parish Council has a vacancy for a councillor after the resignation late last year of Nick Stapleton.

If no election is triggered the va-cancy will be filled via the co-op-tion process.

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A MARKET research company tasked to evaluate responses into Bearsted Parish Council's contro-versial proposals to move allot-ments in the village has delivered its findings to the authority.

BPC held a public consultation last summer, asking for views on a scheme code-named Project A.

The parish council suggested more courts for the tennis club, a bigger Church Lane car park and to shift allotments to land donated by local benefactors.

Gardeners said they were not consulted about the plans while the tennis club was kept in the loop.

A spokeswoman for Lake Mar-ket Research, of Offham, said she could not comment on the number of responses or whether respon-dents were for or against Project A.

Downs Mail understands there were hundreds of responses.

The proposals have caused bad feeling in the community and anger towards the parish council.

BPC responded that proposals

were not set in stone and there were no foregone conclusions.

The council reported in its newsletter last month: "Lake Mar-ket Research has been instructed to carry out a full review of the feed-back received earlier this year."

A BPC spokesman added: "The working party has to go through the results and understand them."

The findings were to be re-viewed by BPC's working group on January 24, before being made available to the public.

News downsmail.co.uk

Your views on Project A

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 [email protected] or call a member of the team on 01622 630330.

Editorial Editor Simon Finlay [email protected] Editorial team: Online news editor Jade Schopman [email protected] Chris Lawson [email protected] Lindsay Roberts [email protected] Obituaries Neil Nixon [email protected]

Advertising Sales Contact [email protected] Accounts: [email protected] Mail Publications Ltd Forge House Bearsted Green Business Park Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4DT Call us: 01622 630330

Village homes ANOTHER 39 units for assisted living will be built at Ledian Gar-dens, Upper Street, Leeds, if the lat-est planning application by Inspired Villages is approved.

There will also be extra off-street parking for Upper Street residents.

Although residents affected by the changes are broadly supportive of the scheme, there is opposition in other parts of the village.

Castle concert LEEDS Castle's famous classical concert returns on July 9 this year.

Thousands attended the iconic show last year after months of lock-down and conductor John Rigby will be in charge as artistic director in front of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bus attacked YOBS threw rocks at a bus in Pad-dlesworth Road, Snodland, at around 4.30pm on January 7.

The 71 Arriva service was driving through Snodland when it was tar-geted by the children.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers searched the area but were unable to locate them.”

Farm open day KNOWLE Hill Farm in Ulcombe is hosting an open day on February 5.

Snowdrops and hellebores, many tender plants, china roses, agapanthus, verbenas, salvias and grasses will be on view.

Entry is £6.

Market date ALLINGTON Community Market will take place on February 4.

The market, which will include cakes, soup, sausage rolls and cof-fee, will run from noon to 3pm at St Nicholas Church Hall.

Tackling car park yobs CONCERNS have been raised about antisocial behaviour in a partially-lit car park in Bearsted.

Locals complain of drivers revving engines and performing wheel spins and handbrake turns next to the Holy Cross church and allotments at Church Lane. There is also evidence of alleged drug-taking.

Local borough councillor Denis Spooner said: "These crimes impinge on people's lives and perhaps the police could do more."

It has been suggested that a barrier used at night would deter yobs using it as a playground, but that would need to be managed daily.

The parish council is understood to be considering CCTV, which stopped antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping in Leeds village’s church car park.

Holy Cross vicar Canon John Corbyn said at one point the church's porch was left locked and unlit to deter vandals.

He is aware of local concerns about alleged drug-taking and is also wor-ried about litter problems in the car park. The vicar added: "There is a prob-lem with takeaway wrappers and cans, but not Costa coffee cups, which seem to find their way into the bins okay."

This drone picture by Paul Dadson, of Topflight Photography, captures the land affected by the Project A plans

5

A MARKET research company tasked to evaluate responses into Bearsted Parish Council's contro-versial proposals to move allot-ments in the village has delivered its findings to the authority.

BPC held a public consultation last summer, asking for views on a scheme code-named Project A.

The parish council suggested more courts for the tennis club, a bigger Church Lane car park and to shift allotments to land donated by local benefactors.

Gardeners said they were not consulted about the plans while the tennis club was kept in the loop.

A spokeswoman for Lake Mar-ket Research, of Offham, said she could not comment on the number of responses or whether respon-dents were for or against Project A.

Downs Mail understands there were hundreds of responses.

The proposals have caused bad feeling in the community and anger towards the parish council.

BPC responded that proposals

were not set in stone and there were no foregone conclusions.

The council reported in its newsletter last month: "Lake Mar-ket Research has been instructed to carry out a full review of the feed-back received earlier this year."

A BPC spokesman added: "The working party has to go through the results and understand them."

The findings were to be re-viewed by BPC's working group on January 24, before being made available to the public.


Your views on Project A

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 [email protected] or call a member of the team on 01622 630330.

Editorial Editor Simon Finlay [email protected] Editorial team: Online news editor Jade Schopman [email protected] Chris Lawson [email protected] Lindsay Roberts [email protected] Obituaries Neil Nixon [email protected]

Advertising Sales Contact [email protected] Accounts: [email protected] Mail Publications Ltd Forge House Bearsted Green Business Park Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4DT Call us: 01622 630330

Village homes ANOTHER 39 units for assisted living will be built at Ledian Gar-dens, Upper Street, Leeds, if the lat-est planning application by Inspired Villages is approved.

There will also be extra off-street parking for Upper Street residents.

Although residents affected by the changes are broadly supportive of the scheme, there is opposition in other parts of the village.

Castle concert LEEDS Castle's famous classical concert returns on July 9 this year.

Thousands attended the iconic show last year after months of lock-down and conductor John Rigby will be in charge as artistic director in front of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bus attacked YOBS threw rocks at a bus in Pad-dlesworth Road, Snodland, at around 4.30pm on January 7.

The 71 Arriva service was driving through Snodland when it was tar-geted by the children.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers searched the area but were unable to locate them.”

Farm open day KNOWLE Hill Farm in Ulcombe is hosting an open day on February 5.

Snowdrops and hellebores, many tender plants, china roses, agapanthus, verbenas, salvias and grasses will be on view.

Entry is £6.

Market date ALLINGTON Community Market will take place on February 4.

The market, which will include cakes, soup, sausage rolls and cof-fee, will run from noon to 3pm at St Nicholas Church Hall.

Tackling car park yobs CONCERNS have been raised about antisocial behaviour in a partially-lit car park in Bearsted.

Locals complain of drivers revving engines and performing wheel spins and handbrake turns next to the Holy Cross church and allotments at Church Lane. There is also evidence of alleged drug-taking.

Local borough councillor Denis Spooner said: "These crimes impinge on people's lives and perhaps the police could do more."

It has been suggested that a barrier used at night would deter yobs using it as a playground, but that would need to be managed daily.

The parish council is understood to be considering CCTV, which stopped antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping in Leeds village’s church car park.

Holy Cross vicar Canon John Corbyn said at one point the church's porch was left locked and unlit to deter vandals.

He is aware of local concerns about alleged drug-taking and is also wor-ried about litter problems in the car park. The vicar added: "There is a prob-lem with takeaway wrappers and cans, but not Costa coffee cups, which seem to find their way into the bins okay."

This drone picture by Paul Dadson, of Topflight Photography, captures the land affected by the Project A plans


MORE HGVs will travel in and out of a quarry during rush hour times, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Gallagher Aggregates Ltd’s planning application to increase the number of HGV movements in and out of Hermitage Quarry, Aylesford, has been granted.

Kent County Council (KCC) unanimously approved the plans, despite concerns about more con-gestion, notably the Coldharbour Roundabout near J5 of the M20.

While the company was credited with providing “quality” employ-ment, councillors appreciated how busy the area already is.

Hermitage Quarry supplies over 70 products to markets in Kent and further afield, including ready mix concrete and flowing screed.

HGVs must travel to the north of the site due to a weight limit im-posed to the south of the quarry entrance near Hermitage Lane.

Currently, the highest average daily number of HGV journeys en-tering and leaving the site is a com-bined total of 600 movements per weekday, on average. These will be

lower on Saturdays. The latest plans mean the maxi-

mum daily number of HGV jour-neys in and out of the site could rise to an average of 800 journeys.

Meanwhile, the applicant’s plan will see the number of lorry move-ments rise during morning and evening weekday rush hour peri-ods, from 150 to 250.

This will be between the hours of 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6pm.

Gallagher says the increase is necessary to maintain the supply of key materials, such as mix con-crete and stone, and to replace ma-terials on landmark buildings. It would also boost the local econ-omy and create jobs.

The applicant will contribute £50,000 towards a new footpath and cycleway to the east of Her-mitage Lane, between the entrance to Barming Railway Station and Maidstone Hospital.

No objections were received from Maidstone Borough Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Aylesford Parish Council and Ditton Parish Council.

More rush hour HGVs at quarry

p5

HAKAN Hayrettin has been named Vanarama National League South Manager of the Month.

The Stones started December with an impressive 4-0 home win over then leaders Dartford.

They then edged Tonbridge An-gels and whacked Welling United 4-1.

In their announcement, league

bosses said: “Maidstone United started the season like an express train – and ended the year in sim-ilar fashion.

“Hakan Hayrettin refused to panic as their rivals put win after win on the board.

“The gaffer gave his reaction to Stones TV and was keen to praise his players and all those who make up his backroom staff.”

Hakan is top manager

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A MAIDSTONE teenager has been named one of BBC Radio 1’s Teen Heroes for 2021.

Madison Hinton (17) is a volun-teer who has worked with Maid-stone-based mental health charity Mid Kent Mind (MKM) to deliver a series of “positivity packages”.

She was inspired to make a dif-ference to the lives of others after struggling with her own mental health during lockdown.

Madison was invited to join Radio 1’s breakfast presenters Greg James and Charlie Hedges as a part of a show dedicated to the winners of the 2021 Teen Hero nominations.

She also received messages of congratulation from Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal and singer Halsey.

Madison met the Duke of Cam-bridge at a special event at Kens-ington Palace earlier this month. He spoke to each of the Teen

Heroes and learn more about what they had done to win their nominations.

Madison started volunteering with Mid Kent Mind during the first wave of lockdowns in the UK. She approached the organisation about sending clients her uplifting

positivity packages, which in-cluded items such as stress toys, sweets, notes and a personal mes-sage from Madison.

Since then, she has gone on to help deliver over 300 packages to people across Mid Kent.

She has also won a Kent County Council Try Angle Award, and a Kent Mental Health and Wellbe-ing Award.

Mid Kent Mind’s CEO, Julie Blackmore, said: “We are incredi-bly grateful for all the hard work Madison has put into supporting our organisation and our clients.

“Her selflessness and determi-nation to support others affected by mental health problems, even while going through her own struggles, have made a real differ-ence.

“The message from Madison’s story is clear to us – small acts of kindness can have a real and last-ing impact.”

Madison is a teen hero for mental health care

p6

Path delayed THE re-opening of a footpath in Aylesford has been delayed.

Kent County Council, which looks after public rights of way, says it is waiting for a decision on government funding to repair a massive crack in the Medway towpath.

A local MP has also raised con-cerns.

COVID help A PRIVATE hospital has been put on standby to take on COVID-19 cases, should NHS resources be stretched.

The facility near Bearsted has signed a three-month deal to aug-ment public healthcare and pro-vide staff.

L-plate success MAIDSTONE is one of the easiest places to pass the driving test, ac-cording to statistics.

The county town has a pass rate of 58%, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. This the third highest be-hind Tunbridge Wells (61.8%) and Gillingham (58.7%).

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A MAIDSTONE teenager has been named one of BBC Radio 1’s Teen Heroes for 2021.

Madison Hinton (17) is a volun-teer who has worked with Maid-stone-based mental health charity Mid Kent Mind (MKM) to deliver a series of “positivity packages”.

She was inspired to make a dif-ference to the lives of others after struggling with her own mental health during lockdown.

Madison was invited to join Radio 1’s breakfast presenters Greg James and Charlie Hedges as a part of a show dedicated to the winners of the 2021 Teen Hero nominations.

She also received messages of congratulation from Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal and singer Halsey.

Madison met the Duke of Cam-bridge at a special event at Kens-ington Palace earlier this month. He spoke to each of the Teen

Heroes and learn more about what they had done to win their nominations.

Madison started volunteering with Mid Kent Mind during the first wave of lockdowns in the UK. She approached the organisation about sending clients her uplifting

positivity packages, which in-cluded items such as stress toys, sweets, notes and a personal mes-sage from Madison.

Since then, she has gone on to help deliver over 300 packages to people across Mid Kent.

She has also won a Kent County Council Try Angle Award, and a Kent Mental Health and Wellbe-ing Award.

Mid Kent Mind’s CEO, Julie Blackmore, said: “We are incredi-bly grateful for all the hard work Madison has put into supporting our organisation and our clients.

“Her selflessness and determi-nation to support others affected by mental health problems, even while going through her own struggles, have made a real differ-ence.

“The message from Madison’s story is clear to us – small acts of kindness can have a real and last-ing impact.”

Madison is a teen hero for mental health care

p6

Path delayed THE re-opening of a footpath in Aylesford has been delayed.

Kent County Council, which looks after public rights of way, says it is waiting for a decision on government funding to repair a massive crack in the Medway towpath.

A local MP has also raised con-cerns.

COVID help A PRIVATE hospital has been put on standby to take on COVID-19 cases, should NHS resources be stretched.

The facility near Bearsted has signed a three-month deal to aug-ment public healthcare and pro-vide staff.

L-plate success MAIDSTONE is one of the easiest places to pass the driving test, ac-cording to statistics.

The county town has a pass rate of 58%, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. This the third highest be-hind Tunbridge Wells (61.8%) and Gillingham (58.7%).

8

The loos were shut last April, leading to a wave of protests from residents and business owners, spearheaded by county Cllr Trudy Dean.

She earmarked £5,000 of her Kent County Council community fund to re-open the facility, while Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) reviewed its poli-cies and helped find a location for new ones.

TMBC is keen for parish coun-cils to take on the running of con-veniences as it feels they are better placed to do so.

Delays to the review mean the toilets could be closed once Cllr Dean's funding runs out at the end of March.

She told Downs Mail: "I agreed to spend £5,000 of my KCC Com-munity Fund to re-open the toilets and that happened at the end of November. However, on chasing up the lack of action since then, I


Desperate battle to save loosA LOCAL councillor is fighting to save West Malling's public toilets from permanent closure.

Calendar of roadworks KENT County Council has an-nounced projected start dates for nine significant road schemes mak-ing up the Maidstone Integrated Transport Package. l A249 Bearsted Road widening from Bearsted roundabout to New Cut roundabout – April; l Coldharbour roundabout en-largement to traditional round-about with no traffic signals – November; l Hall Road, Aylesford, co-ordi-nating with Coldharbour – au-tumn; l Loose Road, Wheatsheaf phase one – February; l Loose Road, extra right-turn lane in Armstrong Road – August; l Loose Road, filter straight in to Sheals Crescent for southbound traffic – August; l Loose Road, Wheatsheaf phase 2 – April 2023; l Loose Road, Cripple Street/ Boughton Lane – currently paused; l A20/Willington Street – ex-tended right-turn lane, involving repositioning Mote Park wall – April.

The proposals for the junction of Willington Street and A274 and dual roundabout scheme for the junction of Tonbridge Road and Fountain Lane are currently paused.

Guides’ plea GIRLGUIDING Kent Weald is on the hunt for volunteers with the country’s leading charity for girls and young women.

Girlguiding has 300,000 girl members and offers adult volun-teers the chance to make a differ-ence to the charity.

The organisation is encourag-ing businesses to tap into the movement, building employees’ confidence, teamwork, and lead-ership skills.

If your company can help by cir-culating information to your em-ployees’ or you are interested in volunteering locally in Maidstone, please contact [email protected]. ll See letters page 45-46

Attack in bar FOUR people, including two emergency workers, were at-tacked at a bar in Market Build-ings, Maidstone, at around 6.15pm on Friday, January 14.

It was reported to police that a member of staff and a customer had been assaulted. A 47-year-old man was arrested and has since been bailed pending further en-quiries.

Witnesses should call Kent Po-lice on 01622 604100, quoting refer-ence 46/8796/22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Closed down ELSEWHERE public toilets were permanently closed from April 2021 as the parish/town councils declined to take on their opera-tion. TMBC will explore alterna-tive uses for the sites at Aylesford, Hadlow and Snodland.

Transferred PUBLIC loos at East Peckham, Borough Green and Larkfield have transferred to the respec-tive parish councils.

now understand it will not take place till March.

"My money will run out at the end of March, so I am naturally very disappointed that this review will probably mean that the bor-ough council will close the toilets again, while we wait for the re-view."

A TMBC statement said: "The financial pressures we face result-ing from reduced government grants in recent years have re-quired us to make tough deci-sions about how we spend our income.

"We believe parish councils are well-placed to run public toilets in their areas and offered practical

as well as financial support to en-able them to take on this respon-sibility. Regrettably, some of the parishes declined our offer and those facilities closed from April 2021.

"We’d like to thank those which took on the management of the toilets for the benefit of local resi-dents and visitors."

MAIDSTONE House, the six floor building in King Street, has been bought by the borough council.

The authority is currently a tenant, but has secured the of-fice space as part of £7.07m deal.

Maidstone Borough Council was paying up a £1m a year in rent, but decided to buy the 199-year lease instead from owners Capital & Regional, which owns The Mall Shopping centre.

Council leader Cllr David Bur-ton said: "This represents a mas-sive saving for the taxpayer. We

will able to rent empty space out to subsidise its costs.

“This was being talked about for years by the Liberal Democrat leadership, but we have done something about it. They were even going to spend millions on a swanky new office for them-selves but that would never have represented good value for tax-payers, in my view."

Funding for the purchase comes from the council’s internal resources and Public Works Loan Board borrowing, which is low risk and low cost.

£7m deal ‘big saving’

9

The loos were shut last April, leading to a wave of protests from residents and business owners, spearheaded by county Cllr Trudy Dean.

She earmarked £5,000 of her Kent County Council community fund to re-open the facility, while Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) reviewed its poli-cies and helped find a location for new ones.

TMBC is keen for parish coun-cils to take on the running of con-veniences as it feels they are better placed to do so.

Delays to the review mean the toilets could be closed once Cllr Dean's funding runs out at the end of March.

She told Downs Mail: "I agreed to spend £5,000 of my KCC Com-munity Fund to re-open the toilets and that happened at the end of November. However, on chasing up the lack of action since then, I


Desperate battle to save loosA LOCAL councillor is fighting to save West Malling's public toilets from permanent closure.

Calendar of roadworks KENT County Council has an-nounced projected start dates for nine significant road schemes mak-ing up the Maidstone Integrated Transport Package. l A249 Bearsted Road widening from Bearsted roundabout to New Cut roundabout – April; l Coldharbour roundabout en-largement to traditional round-about with no traffic signals – November; l Hall Road, Aylesford, co-ordi-nating with Coldharbour – au-tumn; l Loose Road, Wheatsheaf phase one – February; l Loose Road, extra right-turn lane in Armstrong Road – August; l Loose Road, filter straight in to Sheals Crescent for southbound traffic – August; l Loose Road, Wheatsheaf phase 2 – April 2023; l Loose Road, Cripple Street/ Boughton Lane – currently paused; l A20/Willington Street – ex-tended right-turn lane, involving repositioning Mote Park wall – April.

The proposals for the junction of Willington Street and A274 and dual roundabout scheme for the junction of Tonbridge Road and Fountain Lane are currently paused.

Guides’ plea GIRLGUIDING Kent Weald is on the hunt for volunteers with the country’s leading charity for girls and young women.

Girlguiding has 300,000 girl members and offers adult volun-teers the chance to make a differ-ence to the charity.

The organisation is encourag-ing businesses to tap into the movement, building employees’ confidence, teamwork, and lead-ership skills.

If your company can help by cir-culating information to your em-ployees’ or you are interested in volunteering locally in Maidstone, please contact [email protected]. ll See letters page 45-46

Attack in bar FOUR people, including two emergency workers, were at-tacked at a bar in Market Build-ings, Maidstone, at around 6.15pm on Friday, January 14.

It was reported to police that a member of staff and a customer had been assaulted. A 47-year-old man was arrested and has since been bailed pending further en-quiries.

Witnesses should call Kent Po-lice on 01622 604100, quoting refer-ence 46/8796/22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Closed down ELSEWHERE public toilets were permanently closed from April 2021 as the parish/town councils declined to take on their opera-tion. TMBC will explore alterna-tive uses for the sites at Aylesford, Hadlow and Snodland.

Transferred PUBLIC loos at East Peckham, Borough Green and Larkfield have transferred to the respec-tive parish councils.

now understand it will not take place till March.

"My money will run out at the end of March, so I am naturally very disappointed that this review will probably mean that the bor-ough council will close the toilets again, while we wait for the re-view."

A TMBC statement said: "The financial pressures we face result-ing from reduced government grants in recent years have re-quired us to make tough deci-sions about how we spend our income.

"We believe parish councils are well-placed to run public toilets in their areas and offered practical

as well as financial support to en-able them to take on this respon-sibility. Regrettably, some of the parishes declined our offer and those facilities closed from April 2021.

"We’d like to thank those which took on the management of the toilets for the benefit of local resi-dents and visitors."

MAIDSTONE House, the six floor building in King Street, has been bought by the borough council.

The authority is currently a tenant, but has secured the of-fice space as part of £7.07m deal.

Maidstone Borough Council was paying up a £1m a year in rent, but decided to buy the 199-year lease instead from owners Capital & Regional, which owns The Mall Shopping centre.

Council leader Cllr David Bur-ton said: "This represents a mas-sive saving for the taxpayer. We

will able to rent empty space out to subsidise its costs.

“This was being talked about for years by the Liberal Democrat leadership, but we have done something about it. They were even going to spend millions on a swanky new office for them-selves but that would never have represented good value for tax-payers, in my view."

Funding for the purchase comes from the council’s internal resources and Public Works Loan Board borrowing, which is low risk and low cost.

£7m deal ‘big saving’

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A 100-year-old woman who re-ceived more than 700 birthday cards from strangers after an in-ternet appeal has died.

Ivy Watson was sent cards from across the world after a Facebook post by Barty House Nursing Home and Downs Mail was seen by thousands of people.

Ivy ended up receiving a total of 723 cards – some all the way from Australia, America and the High-lands of Scotland.

The Bearsted care home initially put out the appeal to surprise Ivy with 100 cards to match her 100th birthday on September 28.

Staff said Ivy, who has very few relatives and was bed restricted, was so bowled over by all the bal-loons and gifts. She asked: “Are you sure these are all for me?”

A Barty House spokesman said: “We are hugely upset by the loss of our lovely resident Ivy Watson, who has passed away aged 100.

“Ivy celebrated her 100th birth-day in September, and it was a memorable and magical one, thanks to the good wishes and fabulous generosity of the local community – and people as far away as Australia – who answered our appeal to send Ivy 100 cards .

“Ivy actually received 723 cards plus lots of cakes, balloons, ham-pers and gifts and the story of her birthday even appeared in the Downs Mail. Ivy was a thought-ful, caring and generous lady and we will all miss her tremen-dously.”

Ivy, 100, dies after a ‘magical’ birthday

p10

Village play LEEDS Amateur Dramatic So-ciety (LADS) stage Rapunzel at the village hall next month.

There are three perfor-mances: Friday, February 4 (7.30pm) and Saturday, Febru-ary 5 (2.30pm and 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk.

Charity boost BREWING giant Shepherd Neame has chosen Sandling-based Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) as its charity of the year.

The KWT will receive funds from the Faversham brewery’s events and fundraising activi-ties.

Pastors date MAIDSTONE Street Pastors will hold a commissioning ser-vice for new volunteers in March.

The event happens on March 12 at 7pm at St Luke's Church in Foley Street, Maidstone, and will be attended by the town’s mayor, Cllr Fay Gooch.

11


A 100-year-old woman who re-ceived more than 700 birthday cards from strangers after an in-ternet appeal has died.

Ivy Watson was sent cards from across the world after a Facebook post by Barty House Nursing Home and Downs Mail was seen by thousands of people.

Ivy ended up receiving a total of 723 cards – some all the way from Australia, America and the High-lands of Scotland.

The Bearsted care home initially put out the appeal to surprise Ivy with 100 cards to match her 100th birthday on September 28.

Staff said Ivy, who has very few relatives and was bed restricted, was so bowled over by all the bal-loons and gifts. She asked: “Are you sure these are all for me?”

A Barty House spokesman said: “We are hugely upset by the loss of our lovely resident Ivy Watson, who has passed away aged 100.

“Ivy celebrated her 100th birth-day in September, and it was a memorable and magical one, thanks to the good wishes and fabulous generosity of the local community – and people as far away as Australia – who answered our appeal to send Ivy 100 cards .

“Ivy actually received 723 cards plus lots of cakes, balloons, ham-pers and gifts and the story of her birthday even appeared in the Downs Mail. Ivy was a thought-ful, caring and generous lady and we will all miss her tremen-dously.”

Ivy, 100, dies after a ‘magical’ birthday

p10

Village play LEEDS Amateur Dramatic So-ciety (LADS) stage Rapunzel at the village hall next month.

There are three perfor-mances: Friday, February 4 (7.30pm) and Saturday, Febru-ary 5 (2.30pm and 7.30pm). Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk.

Charity boost BREWING giant Shepherd Neame has chosen Sandling-based Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) as its charity of the year.

The KWT will receive funds from the Faversham brewery’s events and fundraising activi-ties.

Pastors date MAIDSTONE Street Pastors will hold a commissioning ser-vice for new volunteers in March.

The event happens on March 12 at 7pm at St Luke's Church in Foley Street, Maidstone, and will be attended by the town’s mayor, Cllr Fay Gooch.

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FOUNDATIONS have been laid for the new St Faith's Church cen-tre in Ringlestone.

The current building next to Brenchley Gardens in the centre of town is being sold.

Priest-in-charge, Rev Canon Arthur Houston (pictured), laid prayer cards into the concrete foundations of the new church, which senior leaders hope will be completed by the autumn.

Canon Houston said: "We all know how important it is to have good foundations on which to build a strong building. Prayer and concrete make a great combination so that the centre will not just be a strong building but also a spiritual blessing to all who use it."

A church spokesman added: "Things are well underway for the new St Faith's centre.

"At the end of 2021, the old hall and vicarage at Ringlestone were demolished. The new centre is due

to be completed around Octo-ber/November this year.

"The existing St Faith's church on the edge of Brenchley Gardens, has been sold to another church."

The new facility will be home to baby and toddler group Ringletots and other organisations.

The spokesman added: "The en-tire project has been built on the foundation of prayer.

"Individual cards of prayers

have been written for the future of the church, the centre and for the people who will use it.

"These have been concreted into the foundations of the building as a reminder of this."

The Anglican church is part of the Canterbury Diocese and is a member of the group of churches in the Maidstone deanery which cover the Maidstone town centre, Ringlestone and Springfield.

New church is built on prayer, says canon

p12

Club centenary MAIDSTONE Rotary Club is to celebrate its centenary on Wednes-day June 22 with a banquet at Allington Castle.

The club, which has raised hun-dreds of thousands of pounds for charity, is the mother of Maidstone Riverside, Maidstone Dawn Patrol, Malling, Weald of Kent and Ten-terden clubs.

Support dates THE Maidstone Fibromyalgia Sup-port Group has arranged three meetings at Marsham Community Support Centre, Marsham Street.

They are from 1.30-3.15pm on February 16, April 20 and June 15.

Care village A FULL planning application has been submitted for a care village with an 87-bed care home and 13 assisted living apartments at For-sham House, Sutton Valence.

Homes scheme A DEVELOPMENT of 58 homes with an access to the A20, will be built south of the main road at Har-rietsham if the plan is approved.

13


FOUNDATIONS have been laid for the new St Faith's Church cen-tre in Ringlestone.

The current building next to Brenchley Gardens in the centre of town is being sold.

Priest-in-charge, Rev Canon Arthur Houston (pictured), laid prayer cards into the concrete foundations of the new church, which senior leaders hope will be completed by the autumn.

Canon Houston said: "We all know how important it is to have good foundations on which to build a strong building. Prayer and concrete make a great combination so that the centre will not just be a strong building but also a spiritual blessing to all who use it."

A church spokesman added: "Things are well underway for the new St Faith's centre.

"At the end of 2021, the old hall and vicarage at Ringlestone were demolished. The new centre is due

to be completed around Octo-ber/November this year.

"The existing St Faith's church on the edge of Brenchley Gardens, has been sold to another church."

The new facility will be home to baby and toddler group Ringletots and other organisations.

The spokesman added: "The en-tire project has been built on the foundation of prayer.

"Individual cards of prayers

have been written for the future of the church, the centre and for the people who will use it.

"These have been concreted into the foundations of the building as a reminder of this."

The Anglican church is part of the Canterbury Diocese and is a member of the group of churches in the Maidstone deanery which cover the Maidstone town centre, Ringlestone and Springfield.

New church is built on prayer, says canon

p12

Club centenary MAIDSTONE Rotary Club is to celebrate its centenary on Wednes-day June 22 with a banquet at Allington Castle.

The club, which has raised hun-dreds of thousands of pounds for charity, is the mother of Maidstone Riverside, Maidstone Dawn Patrol, Malling, Weald of Kent and Ten-terden clubs.

Support dates THE Maidstone Fibromyalgia Sup-port Group has arranged three meetings at Marsham Community Support Centre, Marsham Street.

They are from 1.30-3.15pm on February 16, April 20 and June 15.

Care village A FULL planning application has been submitted for a care village with an 87-bed care home and 13 assisted living apartments at For-sham House, Sutton Valence.

Homes scheme A DEVELOPMENT of 58 homes with an access to the A20, will be built south of the main road at Har-rietsham if the plan is approved.

Sun 27th Feb Wed 2nd Mar

Wed 12th JanTues 16th Nov

Tues 15th Mar

Sun 16th Jan Fri 21st Jan Sat 22nd Jan Wed 26th Jan Thur 27th Jan

Sat 29th Jan Sun 30th Jan Thur 3rd Feb Tue 8th Feb Wed 9th Feb

Fri 11th Feb Sat 12th Feb Sat 12th Feb Web 23rd Feb Sat 26th Feb

14


THE rollout of “smart” motor-ways, condemned as “downright death traps”, has been suspended by the government until at least 2025, due to safety concerns.

The road-widening scheme has been heavily criticised by safety campaigners as motorists have died unable to find safe refuge when their vehicles break down.

But Kent’s only smart motorway scheme, the stretch of M20 be-tween junction 3 for the M26 and junction 5 for Aylesford, will re-main in place.

Schemes to convert stretches of the M3, M25, M62 and M40 will be put on ice until five years’ worth of safety data from the controversial roads are available.

Currently, the national average response time for traffic officer pa-trols to attend a stopped vehicle in a smart motorway live lane is 17 minutes.

Figures show there have been a

total of 38 deaths on smart motor-ways in five years.

One of the most vocal critics about the motorway widening scheme – which effectively re-moves the hard shoulder – is

county councillor Gary Cooke. He said: “I welcome the decision

made by government to suspend any further smart motorways, but it’s a little late for the M20, which will remain in place despite protests from motorists, like my-self, who find the schemes danger-ous and not very smart at all.

“To call them smart motorways is a contradiction in terms, they are anything but.

“In fact, they have been proven to be downright death traps. High-ways England had the opportunity a few years ago to stop the project and they didn’t. The authority could have saved millions of pounds and saved a life or two.”

Cllr David Naghi said: “I am so glad that at last the government has listened to the people and de-layed any more smart motorways for five years to assess their safety.”

“Having no hard shoulder is just not safe.”

Move to halt ‘smart’ motorways ‘too late’

p30

Cllr Gary Cooke

Ulcombe tops ‘missing’ list A LOCAL primary school has the highest number of children miss-ing from education (CME) in Kent.

In 2021, Ulcombe Church of Eng-land Primary School (PS) saw 13.1% of its approximate 60 pupils fall out of the system. It was some way ahead of Drapers Mill PS in Thanet with 9.2%.

Ulcombe is part of the Aspire Federation, which also has schools in Leeds, Kingswood and Platts Heath.

The phenomenon was high-lighted by Kent education com-mentator Peter Read, who also noted a sharp rise in elective home education (EHE) in Kent.

Mr Read, of the Kent Indepen-dent Education Advice service, puts this down to the school hav-ing a significant number of chil-dren from traveller families.

Writing in this edition of Downs Mail, Mr Read said: "Ulcombe Pri-mary, which appears year on year at the head of this category, has a high proportion of traveller fami-lies in its catchment area."

The school declined to comment. ll See page 39

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15


THE rollout of “smart” motor-ways, condemned as “downright death traps”, has been suspended by the government until at least 2025, due to safety concerns.

The road-widening scheme has been heavily criticised by safety campaigners as motorists have died unable to find safe refuge when their vehicles break down.

But Kent’s only smart motorway scheme, the stretch of M20 be-tween junction 3 for the M26 and junction 5 for Aylesford, will re-main in place.

Schemes to convert stretches of the M3, M25, M62 and M40 will be put on ice until five years’ worth of safety data from the controversial roads are available.

Currently, the national average response time for traffic officer pa-trols to attend a stopped vehicle in a smart motorway live lane is 17 minutes.

Figures show there have been a

total of 38 deaths on smart motor-ways in five years.

One of the most vocal critics about the motorway widening scheme – which effectively re-moves the hard shoulder – is

county councillor Gary Cooke. He said: “I welcome the decision

made by government to suspend any further smart motorways, but it’s a little late for the M20, which will remain in place despite protests from motorists, like my-self, who find the schemes danger-ous and not very smart at all.

“To call them smart motorways is a contradiction in terms, they are anything but.

“In fact, they have been proven to be downright death traps. High-ways England had the opportunity a few years ago to stop the project and they didn’t. The authority could have saved millions of pounds and saved a life or two.”

Cllr David Naghi said: “I am so glad that at last the government has listened to the people and de-layed any more smart motorways for five years to assess their safety.”

“Having no hard shoulder is just not safe.”

Move to halt ‘smart’ motorways ‘too late’

p30

Cllr Gary Cooke

Ulcombe tops ‘missing’ list A LOCAL primary school has the highest number of children miss-ing from education (CME) in Kent.

In 2021, Ulcombe Church of Eng-land Primary School (PS) saw 13.1% of its approximate 60 pupils fall out of the system. It was some way ahead of Drapers Mill PS in Thanet with 9.2%.

Ulcombe is part of the Aspire Federation, which also has schools in Leeds, Kingswood and Platts Heath.

The phenomenon was high-lighted by Kent education com-mentator Peter Read, who also noted a sharp rise in elective home education (EHE) in Kent.

Mr Read, of the Kent Indepen-dent Education Advice service, puts this down to the school hav-ing a significant number of chil-dren from traveller families.

Writing in this edition of Downs Mail, Mr Read said: "Ulcombe Pri-mary, which appears year on year at the head of this category, has a high proportion of traveller fami-lies in its catchment area."

The school declined to comment. ll See page 39

SEWAGE company Southern Water has pledged to make “transformational” changes to its infrastructure to protect Kent’s environment amid spillage con-cerns, writes Ciaran Duggan.

Kent County Council’s (KCC) environment committee was told millions of pounds will be invested in sewers to create “sustainable” drainage over the next five years.

Councillors said the county’s drainage systems need upgrading” as the Victorian-era systems cannot cope”, with waste water being dis-charged into into the sea.

Dr Toby Wilson, Southern Water’s director of environment and corporate affairs, said: “When the system is overwhelmed by rainfall there is a risk of material backing up and flooding homes and businesses.”

On spillages into the environ-ment, he added: “This is not ac-ceptable to our customers and we are doing something about this.”

Actions will involve increasing

sewer capacity, greater monitoring of networks, along with nature-based solutions, such as rain gar-dens and ponds.

Dr Wilson said: “We believe these will make a massive differ-ence to the frequency of spilling.”

This comes after Southern Water was fined a record £90m for widespread pollution in the south of England, which harmed pro-tected areas and oyster beds.

The firm admitted 6,791 illegal sewer discharges in Kent, Hamp-shire and Sussex from 2010-2015.

Last year, the firm came under fire for discharges in Thanet and Whitstable, with reports of people falling ill after a dip in the sea.

Since 2016, the water company says it has been through a “mas-sive transformational” change. Commitments have been made to invest more cash to improve the sewer infrastructure in Kent.

Southern Water has been asked to report back to KCC’s environ-ment committee in the autumn.


p15

Water company in sewer pledge

THE HAZLITT Theatre is going cashless. The Earl Street venue will not be accepting cash pay-ments at the box office or bar.

Chip and pin and contactless payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) will be accepted.

A Hazlitt spokesman said: “A review of our processes following the onset of the pandemic has

made it clear that we need to re-duce the level of physical contact between our staff and customers.

“This way, we can support re-ducing the spread of COVID-19.

“This is a three-month trial and will be reviewed at the end of March 2022. At this point, we will decide whether this new ap-proach is effective.”

A DATE has been set at Leeds Castle to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year. The event will run from June 2-5 and tickets will be in-cluded with the price of admission. More information is due to be re-leased in the next few months.

Card payments only at Hazlitt

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16


Ofsted left Leeds and Broom-field Primary School with its good rating intact, adding there was a "strong culture of nurture” for its pupils.

Inspectors said that despite the Lower Street school undergoing significant leadership changes, parents can see positive changes in their children.

In his report, lead inspector James Freeston said: “Pupils in this small village are happy and confident learners. They are en-thusiastic about the broad range of subjects they study. Staff pro-vide help to pupils when they need it and expect the best of them.

“Pupils repay the commitment from staff by working hard and achieving well. Strong links with the local church and wider area place the school at the heart of the community.”

Head of school Fiona Steer said since she joined in 2020, the num-ber of pupils had increased from

48 to 72. The school has a capac-ity of 105.

Mrs Steer said: “Since I was lit-tle, I always wanted to be a teacher and this feels like one big, happy family.

“Tiny village schools are disap-pearing, but I think it is important to know they can survive. I think parents would rather their child

be in a smaller school these days because your identity is known and you are treated like a person and not just a number.

“Everybody likes to feel part of something and I think that’s re-ally important.”

Since the previous inspection in 2016 the school has reduced in size from four to three classes.

Village school earns glowing Ofsted praiseA VILLAGE primary school has been praised by inspectors, who called it a “happy, proud and safe” environment.

THE East Malling Trust (EMT), the Kent-based charity dedicated to promoting horticultural research, has added its support to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

Members of the trust were joined by Marion Regan, a deputy lieu-tenant from Mereworth, who planted an oak tree to mark her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year.

She said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy celebrates more than 70 years of tree planting by Her Majesty and her commitment to promoting the county’s wood-lands. It’s great to see the trust, a charity synonymous with horticul-tural research, get behind the cam-paign and it was a pleasure to join them on the day.”

Oliver Doubleday, chairman of East Malling Trust, added: “These new trees join our extensive or-chard, which includes many novel and heritage apple and pear vari-eties, and are part of the national canopy that’s being created.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy

(QGC) project is an opportunity for anyone in the UK to plant trees through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

The QGC will plant a network of trees, creating avenues, copses and woodlands across the country in

honour of The Queen’s service and the legacy she has built.

This will become a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

Trees add to Queen’s legacy

Rebecca, Isaac, Keira, Ben, Knsia, Imogen, Leo, Ethan and Belle with head of school Fiona Steer

New look for Aldi store AN Aldi store has been tem-porarily shut for renovations.

The improved store on Her-mitage Lane, Aylesford, was due to re-open as Downs Mail went to press.

Part of Aldi's £300m “Project Fresh” investment, the refur-bished store will feature a new layout, wider aisles and clearer signs.

Bread and cakes will be moved to the furthest aisle, to prevent squashing under other items of shopping as shoppers place them in their trolley.

There will also be more fridge space, to allow for a wider selec-tion of fresh meat and fish.

The store has been open for more than five years.

Museum talk MAIDSTONE Museum is cele-brating International Women’s Day with a talk by collections of-ficer Pernille.

Online visitors can listen to the talk which covers the inspiring women who created, collected, and curated the objects in the museum’s collections.

The virtual event will run from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on March 8.

The talk is free, but tickets should be booked in advance by going to www.museum.maid-stone.gov.uk.

Bus vandals A BUS belonging to a local chil-dren's nursery has been attacked by vandals.

Pennies Day Nurseries’ vehi-cle, which was parked at Bearsted Green on January 18, was covered in rubbish from a green recycling bin.

A spokesman said: "Hopefully, this is an isolated incident and from now on the recycling rub-bish will stay in the bin where it belongs."

Bridge classes THE Weald of Kent School of Bridge is holding classes for all abilities at Headcorn Village Hall.

The classes will take place from 2pm to 4pm on on Tuesday afternoons until February 15. Each session costs £10 per per-son, and should be pre-booked.

For more information, go to www.bridgewebs.com/weald-kent.

17


Ofsted left Leeds and Broom-field Primary School with its good rating intact, adding there was a "strong culture of nurture” for its pupils.

Inspectors said that despite the Lower Street school undergoing significant leadership changes, parents can see positive changes in their children.

In his report, lead inspector James Freeston said: “Pupils in this small village are happy and confident learners. They are en-thusiastic about the broad range of subjects they study. Staff pro-vide help to pupils when they need it and expect the best of them.

“Pupils repay the commitment from staff by working hard and achieving well. Strong links with the local church and wider area place the school at the heart of the community.”

Head of school Fiona Steer said since she joined in 2020, the num-ber of pupils had increased from

48 to 72. The school has a capac-ity of 105.

Mrs Steer said: “Since I was lit-tle, I always wanted to be a teacher and this feels like one big, happy family.

“Tiny village schools are disap-pearing, but I think it is important to know they can survive. I think parents would rather their child

be in a smaller school these days because your identity is known and you are treated like a person and not just a number.

“Everybody likes to feel part of something and I think that’s re-ally important.”

Since the previous inspection in 2016 the school has reduced in size from four to three classes.

Village school earns glowing Ofsted praiseA VILLAGE primary school has been praised by inspectors, who called it a “happy, proud and safe” environment.

THE East Malling Trust (EMT), the Kent-based charity dedicated to promoting horticultural research, has added its support to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

Members of the trust were joined by Marion Regan, a deputy lieu-tenant from Mereworth, who planted an oak tree to mark her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year.

She said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy celebrates more than 70 years of tree planting by Her Majesty and her commitment to promoting the county’s wood-lands. It’s great to see the trust, a charity synonymous with horticul-tural research, get behind the cam-paign and it was a pleasure to join them on the day.”

Oliver Doubleday, chairman of East Malling Trust, added: “These new trees join our extensive or-chard, which includes many novel and heritage apple and pear vari-eties, and are part of the national canopy that’s being created.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy

(QGC) project is an opportunity for anyone in the UK to plant trees through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

The QGC will plant a network of trees, creating avenues, copses and woodlands across the country in

honour of The Queen’s service and the legacy she has built.

This will become a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

Trees add to Queen’s legacy

Rebecca, Isaac, Keira, Ben, Knsia, Imogen, Leo, Ethan and Belle with head of school Fiona Steer

New look for Aldi store AN Aldi store has been tem-porarily shut for renovations.

The improved store on Her-mitage Lane, Aylesford, was due to re-open as Downs Mail went to press.

Part of Aldi's £300m “Project Fresh” investment, the refur-bished store will feature a new layout, wider aisles and clearer signs.

Bread and cakes will be moved to the furthest aisle, to prevent squashing under other items of shopping as shoppers place them in their trolley.

There will also be more fridge space, to allow for a wider selec-tion of fresh meat and fish.

The store has been open for more than five years.

Museum talk MAIDSTONE Museum is cele-brating International Women’s Day with a talk by collections of-ficer Pernille.

Online visitors can listen to the talk which covers the inspiring women who created, collected, and curated the objects in the museum’s collections.

The virtual event will run from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on March 8.

The talk is free, but tickets should be booked in advance by going to www.museum.maid-stone.gov.uk.

Bus vandals A BUS belonging to a local chil-dren's nursery has been attacked by vandals.

Pennies Day Nurseries’ vehi-cle, which was parked at Bearsted Green on January 18, was covered in rubbish from a green recycling bin.

A spokesman said: "Hopefully, this is an isolated incident and from now on the recycling rub-bish will stay in the bin where it belongs."

Bridge classes THE Weald of Kent School of Bridge is holding classes for all abilities at Headcorn Village Hall.

The classes will take place from 2pm to 4pm on on Tuesday afternoons until February 15. Each session costs £10 per per-son, and should be pre-booked.

For more information, go to www.bridgewebs.com/weald-kent.

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18


A MAIDSTONE boxing club threatened with closure this year has won a reprieve.

Westree Amateur Boxing Club (WABC) was facing a deadline of March this year to vacate its head-quarters in Tonbridge Road, which is due be demolished and turned into apartments.

Now, with the help of Maidstone Borough Council, WABC will move to the YMCA centre in Loose.

The club, whose chairman Eddie Henderson (78) is a former Kent heavyweight champion, regularly attracts 50-60 girls, boys and seniors of all ages, including many from di-verse family backgrounds.

Mr Henderson (pictured) said: "We're delighted to have found the YMCA and I am grateful to the council for what they have done.

"It's a bit further away for some of the members but that's okay. It’s great news and we are very, very re-lieved.”

The new, upstairs space at the YMCA is long and narrow so a new 14 foot ring must be built from scratch and could take up to three months to complete. Downs Mail highlighted the club's problems late last year and the publicity generated eventually prompted the YMCA to be suggested as a possible new venue.

Borough councillor Stabn Forecast said: “Sport is pivotal to mental

health, physical fitness, and tackling social issues such as knife crime. This is welcome news for the people of Maidstone”.

MAIDSTONE Amateur Boxing Club faces losing its premises in Park Wood when it is demolished to make way for a new building. Anyone with a suggestion for an al-ternative venue should call Joe Smith on 07980 254063.

Under threat boxing club nds new home

p18

Tory deputy suspended THE deputy leader of Tory-led Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has been suspended mys-teriously, leading to a mini reshap-ing of the cabinet.

Cllr David Lettington was sus-pended by Chatham and Ayles-ford Conservative Association on January 7, but it is unclear why.

Cllr David Lettington, who rep-resents Snodland West and Hol-borough Lakes, had been the deputy leader of the council and a cabinet member for strategic plan-ning and infrastructure.

TMBC leader Cllr Matt Boughton replaced him as his deputy with Cllr Martin Coffin.

Cllr Lettington had to step down from the cabinet but will continue to sit as an independent.

A council spokesman said: "Fol-lowing his suspension from the Conservative Party, Cllr Lettington has been suspended by council leader Cllr Matt Boughton from his cabinet roles and as deputy leader of TMBC."

Cllr Boughton was unavailable for comment. Cllr Lettington was approached for a comment.

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Aylesford

Sainsburys

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Stephen Grey Chiropody

Chart Sutton

The Shop on the Green

Coxheath

Londis

Detling

Community Store

Eccles

Newsagents

Grafty Green

Halling

Harriestham

Mace Stores

Co-Op

Headcorn

Hollingbourne

Woods of Hollingbourne

Kings Hill

Asda

Kingswood

New Avenue Stores

WM Morrisons

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Tesco Extra

Maidstone

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Tesco – Grove Green

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Haven farm Shop

Shay Service Station

Sainsburys - Romney place

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WM Morrisons - Sutton road

Ask me Point – The Mall

Royal Star Arcade Café

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M&S - Eclipse Park

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19


A MAIDSTONE boxing club threatened with closure this year has won a reprieve.

Westree Amateur Boxing Club (WABC) was facing a deadline of March this year to vacate its head-quarters in Tonbridge Road, which is due be demolished and turned into apartments.

Now, with the help of Maidstone Borough Council, WABC will move to the YMCA centre in Loose.

The club, whose chairman Eddie Henderson (78) is a former Kent heavyweight champion, regularly attracts 50-60 girls, boys and seniors of all ages, including many from di-verse family backgrounds.

Mr Henderson (pictured) said: "We're delighted to have found the YMCA and I am grateful to the council for what they have done.

"It's a bit further away for some of the members but that's okay. It’s great news and we are very, very re-lieved.”

The new, upstairs space at the YMCA is long and narrow so a new 14 foot ring must be built from scratch and could take up to three months to complete. Downs Mail highlighted the club's problems late last year and the publicity generated eventually prompted the YMCA to be suggested as a possible new venue.

Borough councillor Stabn Forecast said: “Sport is pivotal to mental

health, physical fitness, and tackling social issues such as knife crime. This is welcome news for the people of Maidstone”.

MAIDSTONE Amateur Boxing Club faces losing its premises in Park Wood when it is demolished to make way for a new building. Anyone with a suggestion for an al-ternative venue should call Joe Smith on 07980 254063.

Under threat boxing club nds new home

p18

Tory deputy suspended THE deputy leader of Tory-led Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has been suspended mys-teriously, leading to a mini reshap-ing of the cabinet.

Cllr David Lettington was sus-pended by Chatham and Ayles-ford Conservative Association on January 7, but it is unclear why.

Cllr David Lettington, who rep-resents Snodland West and Hol-borough Lakes, had been the deputy leader of the council and a cabinet member for strategic plan-ning and infrastructure.

TMBC leader Cllr Matt Boughton replaced him as his deputy with Cllr Martin Coffin.

Cllr Lettington had to step down from the cabinet but will continue to sit as an independent.

A council spokesman said: "Fol-lowing his suspension from the Conservative Party, Cllr Lettington has been suspended by council leader Cllr Matt Boughton from his cabinet roles and as deputy leader of TMBC."

Cllr Boughton was unavailable for comment. Cllr Lettington was approached for a comment.

The conclusion was arrived at by Maidstone Borough Councillors at a recent meeting.

This formerly quiet part of Maid-stone has developed massively in recent years, with about 2,000 flats, a McDonalds, busy court house, small business park and an enter-tainment and restaurant centre now run by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC).

The two narrow roads – Barker Road and Hart Street – often be-come overcrowded and traffic jams can take 30 minutes or more to clear. Solutions are difficult and residents feared their complaints were not leading to answers.

But members of MBC and Kent County Council (KCC) serving on the local Joint Transport Board pressed for solutions and they

have now considered a KCC offi-cer’s report with seven options.

They have initially agreed on progressing an experimental fast option, which could bring results in about six months.

This involves a clockwise one-

way system with no right turn in to Hart Street from Barker Road and the introduction of a mini round-about at the southern end of Barker Road/Hart Street.

At the same time, the board wants bigger, but more expensive, schemes investigated with design work carried out.

There have also been talks with Network Rail to investigate using the West Station approach as an al-ternative exit through the car park from Hart Street. KCC has com-missioned surveys for a potential route to be assessed.

MBC leader Cllr David Burton (pictured) said: “We need the short-term solution – but we also need the bigger option and rail scheme as part of our town centre strategy.”


Fast action needed to help ‘trapped’ driversURGENT action is needed to help residents, visitors and businesses in Lockmeadow who say they are often “trapped on a traffic island”.

Council issues call for sites TONBRIDGE and Malling Bor-ough Council (TMBC) is calling for people to put forward sites that they believe may be suitable for future development.

The appeal is designed to find areas for new homes, employ-ment and other uses for the re-view and refresh of TMBC's Local Plan.

The “call for sites” exercise will identify a range of suitable, avail-able, and deliverable sites to meet the borough's development needs until 2039.

Landowners, developers and others with an interest in the use and development of land are in-vited to submit plots for assess-ment. TMBC says all sites will be assessed equally.

The call for sites is open until 5pm on February 7. Go to www.tmbc.gov.uk for informa-tion.

River walk MAIDSTONE Borough Council is looking to budget £500,000 in 2022/23 towards creating a walk along the River Medway by Lock-meadow Millennium Bridge.

Areas to be linked include the Memorial Park and Archbishop’s Palace. Costings and detailed pro-posals are in the pipeline.

Golf plans THE fading Cobtree Golf Course clubhouse is likely to be replaced or refurbished.

The course is controlled by the Cobtree Trust, but as Maidstone Borough Council has a two-ninth interest, it is planning to budget £499,000 towards the clubhouse costs.

Culture role THE role of Maidstone’s arts and culture officer will be made per-manent, subject to Maidstone Council’s 2022/23 budget ap-proval.

Cllr Martin Round, chairman, told his economic, regeneration and leisure committee the key roles were bringing more visitors to the town, increasing events and unlocking more funding.

Concert funds A CHRISTMAS concert held at the village hall in Headcorn by the Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent raised £750 for local chari-ties.

THREE parking machines belong-ing to Maidstone Borough Council were stolen earlier this month.

The units were ripped out of the ground in Mote Park and College Road. Another appears to have been knocked over but left on the ground.

An insider said: "They just yanked them straight out the ground. They probably caused more damage than the machines were worth."

An MBC spokesman said: “Maid-

stone Borough Council can con-firm that three parking machines were stolen.

“Fortunately, due to the major-ity of people now paying for their parking electronically or by card, the amount of money taken from the machines was negligible.

“The borough council is working to reinstall the machines and is looking at increased security mea-sures for the equipment to prevent them or others being taken in the future.”

Ticket machines stolen

Call for more 20mph roads MAIDSTONE borough coun-cillors are pressing Kent County Council to investigate increasing the number of 20mph roads in the borough.

A petition presented to the local Joint Transport Board by Maidstone Green Party cam-paigner Stuart Jeffery called for a 20mph limit in Bower Mount Road and its sur-rounding roads (including Cornwallis Road, Oakwood Road) and other residential roads in Maidstone.

This led to councillors for the Fant area pressing again for 20mph in their ward, a call which has been supported by an 800-signature petition.

Cllr Clive English (Lib Dem) said: “Maidstone lags behind other areas of Kent and we need to be more ambi-tious.”

The board agreed to ask KCC’s cabinet member for transport to consider and to keep 20mph proposals on their work programme as they seemed “to disappear into the ether”.

20

Rev Nigel Fry (71), who was also priest in charge at Hucking, Leeds and Broomfield for many years, was a popular figure in the parishes for the past 20 years.

The former bank manager re-tired after 12 years as vicar and had always said his decision to step down, for various health rea-sons, was a difficult one.

He told Downs Mail from his home at The Vicarage in Holling-bourne back in 2015: “This comes with enormous sadness because we have always felt so welcomed by the benefice.”

He joked: “I just hope they find someone to replace me, but I doubt they will be as good-looking as me.”

The vicar, pictured with the then Bishop of Dover Rt Rev Trevor Wilmott, held open services for an-imals and blessed pet hamsters during his tenure.

His wife Jan (77) died shortly after he stepped down in 2015, and

her funeral required an extra 300 chairs as she was so popular.

The couple had planned to move to Lenham. Both played an active role in village life and were heavily involved with the Holling-bourne Helpers organisation.

Rev Fry was best known in the parish for his sense of humour, his love for animals and passion for cricket.

Rev Rob Tugwell said: “He was a very loved figure in the parish and was extremely well thought of. He will definitely be missed as he touched so many lives.”

Rev Fry was all set to get remar-ried in July this year to his partner Julia. He died on January 5 at William Harvey Hospital.

His funeral is at Lenham Church at 1pm on Thursday, February 3.


Village vicar dies of virus before weddingTHE FORMER vicar of Hollingbourne has died of Coronavirus, just six months before he was due to get married.

Washing re starts on hob A KITCHEN fire was started when a washing basket was left on top of a hob in Fant.

Two fire engines were sent to a house in Chamberlain Avenue at around 8.30am on January 19.

Crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets to extin-guish the fire.

The residents were able to evac-uate safely after being alerted by their smoke alarms and no other casualties were reported.

A KFRS spokesman said: “You can help to reduce the risk of a kitchen fire at home by ensuing any flammable items, such as washing baskets, tea towels and oven gloves, are kept well away from hobs, ovens and grills.

“Members of the public should also ensure they have working smoke alarms on each floor of their property.”

Classics show MAIDSTONE Symphony Orches-tra is putting on an evening of wonderful classics.

The show will take place at Mote Hall on February 5 from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £13.

Music director Brian Wright said: “Maidstone Symphony Or-chestra will be play diverse musi-cal styles from Sir Malcolm Arnold and Vaughan Williams, back through Sibelius, César Franck and Brahms, to Balakirev, Mendelssohn, Rossini and Mozart.”

Body found OFFICERS searching for a man missing from Maidstone have found a body near Downswood.

The discovery was made during overnight searches on Monday, January 17. At the time of going to press, formal identification had not yet taken place, but the family of Steve White (57), reported missing on January 14, had been informed.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Stamp fair THE next East Malling Grand Stamp Fair will be held on Satur-day, February 12, at East Malling village hall, New Road, from 9.30am to 3pm.

There are 12 dealers' tables in the large hall, refreshments all day and free car parking. COVID-19 restric-tions are adhered to. Contact Michael Thompson 01474 325507 or 07999 090441.

A LOCAL Soroptimist group has planted 420 trees at a park in Tovil.

Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Fay Gooch joined the club for its 75th anniversary on a foggy morning at Bridge Mill Way Recreation Ground.

Maidstone and Medway Soropti-mists Club, who work to empower and enable opportunities for girls

and women, approached the coun-cil to help plant the native species saplings to leave a lasting legacy.

The trees were donated by the Woodland Trust along with bam-boo canes and spiral guards. As na-tive species, they are well suited to the UK climate.

Cllr Gooch said: “It was a real privilege to be part of this tree

planting and I was delighted to plant the first one.

“The new trees will really help to increase biodiversity and bring beauty and wildlife to this former landfill site.”

Anyone wishing to plant new trees on community ground should first approach the Wildlife Trust at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Mayor helps club plant 420 trees

21

Rev Nigel Fry (71), who was also priest in charge at Hucking, Leeds and Broomfield for many years, was a popular figure in the parishes for the past 20 years.

The former bank manager re-tired after 12 years as vicar and had always said his decision to step down, for various health rea-sons, was a difficult one.

He told Downs Mail from his home at The Vicarage in Holling-bourne back in 2015: “This comes with enormous sadness because we have always felt so welcomed by the benefice.”

He joked: “I just hope they find someone to replace me, but I doubt they will be as good-looking as me.”

The vicar, pictured with the then Bishop of Dover Rt Rev Trevor Wilmott, held open services for an-imals and blessed pet hamsters during his tenure.

His wife Jan (77) died shortly after he stepped down in 2015, and

her funeral required an extra 300 chairs as she was so popular.

The couple had planned to move to Lenham. Both played an active role in village life and were heavily involved with the Holling-bourne Helpers organisation.

Rev Fry was best known in the parish for his sense of humour, his love for animals and passion for cricket.

Rev Rob Tugwell said: “He was a very loved figure in the parish and was extremely well thought of. He will definitely be missed as he touched so many lives.”

Rev Fry was all set to get remar-ried in July this year to his partner Julia. He died on January 5 at William Harvey Hospital.

His funeral is at Lenham Church at 1pm on Thursday, February 3.


Village vicar dies of virus before weddingTHE FORMER vicar of Hollingbourne has died of Coronavirus, just six months before he was due to get married.

Washing re starts on hob A KITCHEN fire was started when a washing basket was left on top of a hob in Fant.

Two fire engines were sent to a house in Chamberlain Avenue at around 8.30am on January 19.

Crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets to extin-guish the fire.

The residents were able to evac-uate safely after being alerted by their smoke alarms and no other casualties were reported.

A KFRS spokesman said: “You can help to reduce the risk of a kitchen fire at home by ensuing any flammable items, such as washing baskets, tea towels and oven gloves, are kept well away from hobs, ovens and grills.

“Members of the public should also ensure they have working smoke alarms on each floor of their property.”

Classics show MAIDSTONE Symphony Orches-tra is putting on an evening of wonderful classics.

The show will take place at Mote Hall on February 5 from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £13.

Music director Brian Wright said: “Maidstone Symphony Or-chestra will be play diverse musi-cal styles from Sir Malcolm Arnold and Vaughan Williams, back through Sibelius, César Franck and Brahms, to Balakirev, Mendelssohn, Rossini and Mozart.”

Body found OFFICERS searching for a man missing from Maidstone have found a body near Downswood.

The discovery was made during overnight searches on Monday, January 17. At the time of going to press, formal identification had not yet taken place, but the family of Steve White (57), reported missing on January 14, had been informed.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Stamp fair THE next East Malling Grand Stamp Fair will be held on Satur-day, February 12, at East Malling village hall, New Road, from 9.30am to 3pm.

There are 12 dealers' tables in the large hall, refreshments all day and free car parking. COVID-19 restric-tions are adhered to. Contact Michael Thompson 01474 325507 or 07999 090441.

A LOCAL Soroptimist group has planted 420 trees at a park in Tovil.

Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Fay Gooch joined the club for its 75th anniversary on a foggy morning at Bridge Mill Way Recreation Ground.

Maidstone and Medway Soropti-mists Club, who work to empower and enable opportunities for girls

and women, approached the coun-cil to help plant the native species saplings to leave a lasting legacy.

The trees were donated by the Woodland Trust along with bam-boo canes and spiral guards. As na-tive species, they are well suited to the UK climate.

Cllr Gooch said: “It was a real privilege to be part of this tree

planting and I was delighted to plant the first one.

“The new trees will really help to increase biodiversity and bring beauty and wildlife to this former landfill site.”

Anyone wishing to plant new trees on community ground should first approach the Wildlife Trust at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Mayor helps club plant 420 trees


p21

TONBRIDGE & Malling Coun-cil (TMBC) needs to save £1.5 million in the next three years to protect its financial integrity, writes Jordan Ifield.

TMBC is preparing its budget to be unveiled later this year, and needs to claw back a £2.35 million funding gap.

Funding from central govern-ment has also been slashed by £400,000 for the next financial year.

In a revenue report, finance of-ficers suggested savings could be made in three areas: waste, home-lessness (temporary accommoda-tion) and the Local Plan.

On Wednesday the council’s fi-nance, innovation and property advisory board met to discuss how savings could be made.

Chief financial services officer Neil Lawley said: “Looking at the revised estimates, this year hasn’t been without its challenges.

“We have a funding gap of

£2.35 million and of this sum, £1.5 million needs to be bridged over the next three years.

“Where work on the bridge needs to start now, as experience tells us, it takes time to implement and deliver savings of this magni-tude.

“It goes without saying that the council faces a difficult and chal-lenging financial outlook.”

Having outlined the council’s problem, councillors debated how money could be raised to help meet the target.

Some councillors took aim at the money allocated to advising parish councils, which totalled £90,000.

Another opportunity for sav-ings is the waste contract with Ur-baser, which could see the number of collections cut. The firm has been plagued with prob-lems since it took over the con-tract in a deal with the council at Tunbridge Wells.

Borough battles to save £2.35m

MAIDSTONE Museum is putting on a gallery gander.

Visitors will have access to an exclusive in-depth look at 10 highlight objects around the galleries with a member of the collections team.

There will be a maximum of

10 people per tour. The event costs £5 per person and will run from 10.30am to 11.20am on selected days.

The next tour is on February 9. For more information go to www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk.

A DATE has been set for the Leeds Castle Joust. The event will take place from April 30 to May 2. More information will be released soon but tickets will be included in the price of admission.

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MAIDSTONE Borough Council has defended its decision to step away from the town’s Park and Ride (P&R) service.

Despite the Liberal Democrats gathering a petition with 1,500 sig-natures to try and save the service, councillors decided to uphold the original decision as Arriva’s con-tract expires next month.

Arriva said the service was no longer financially viable. The com-pany has been providing the buses while the council looked after the "stations" at Willington Street and Allington.

If the service were to stay, MBC would have to meet an anticipated £100,000 shortfall.

At a policy and resources com-mittee meeting on January 19, Cllr John Perry said P&R was a “de-clining service”.

But Cllr Derek Mortimer said it was unfair to not support the ser-vice based on figures undertaken

during the pandemic when num-bers were lower than usual.

Cllr Clive English said: "The de-cision to close P&R means there is yet another missing piece in an al-ready very shaky looking Local Plan.”

Cllr Louise Brice: “What we don’t want is a situation where more peo-ple sign a petition than use the bus. We’ve got to be mindful we are making the right decision.”

Cllr David Burton argued that

working patterns had changed since the pandemic and the only other P&R service in Kent, Canter-bury, is also struggling.

Cllr Paul Harper said: “I hope we can at least re-invest the money in greener transport options.”

Cllr Jonathan Purle said: “I can’t see how we can dispute a commit-tee refusal to give a private com-pany a massive subsidy. It’s not difficult to imagine, Arriva could quite easily end up needing the thick end of £1million over the next few years. To a private company to operate a service that isn’t hugely used.”

The bus service is due to end in February. ll The council currently pays the bus company a £160,000 annual subsidy, but Arriva initially pressed for a £100,000 increase after the contract expires in Febru-ary, a demand which then grew to £200,000 (total £360,000).

Petition fails to save park and ride service

p24

Appeal after man attacked A MAN was chased and attacked by three men in King Street, Maid-stone.

A man in his 40s was walking from the town centre at 11.10pm on Sunday, December 19, when three men got out of a vehicle.

It is alleged the men chased him towards Sittingbourne Road, where he was assaulted. He was taken to a London hospital with a head injury and is in a serious but stable condition.

Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: "We are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to contact us. Drivers with dashcam and residents with private CCTV are asked to check for footage that may assist our investigation."

Road re-opens FORGE Lane in East Farleigh will re-open on February 28.

The road will be closed from Dean Street for 253 metres west of Court Lodge Farm. The alternative route is via B2010 Lower Road, Vicarage Lane and Forge Lane.

25


MAIDSTONE Borough Council has defended its decision to step away from the town’s Park and Ride (P&R) service.

Despite the Liberal Democrats gathering a petition with 1,500 sig-natures to try and save the service, councillors decided to uphold the original decision as Arriva’s con-tract expires next month.

Arriva said the service was no longer financially viable. The com-pany has been providing the buses while the council looked after the "stations" at Willington Street and Allington.

If the service were to stay, MBC would have to meet an anticipated £100,000 shortfall.

At a policy and resources com-mittee meeting on January 19, Cllr John Perry said P&R was a “de-clining service”.

But Cllr Derek Mortimer said it was unfair to not support the ser-vice based on figures undertaken

during the pandemic when num-bers were lower than usual.

Cllr Clive English said: "The de-cision to close P&R means there is yet another missing piece in an al-ready very shaky looking Local Plan.”

Cllr Louise Brice: “What we don’t want is a situation where more peo-ple sign a petition than use the bus. We’ve got to be mindful we are making the right decision.”

Cllr David Burton argued that

working patterns had changed since the pandemic and the only other P&R service in Kent, Canter-bury, is also struggling.

Cllr Paul Harper said: “I hope we can at least re-invest the money in greener transport options.”

Cllr Jonathan Purle said: “I can’t see how we can dispute a commit-tee refusal to give a private com-pany a massive subsidy. It’s not difficult to imagine, Arriva could quite easily end up needing the thick end of £1million over the next few years. To a private company to operate a service that isn’t hugely used.”

The bus service is due to end in February. ll The council currently pays the bus company a £160,000 annual subsidy, but Arriva initially pressed for a £100,000 increase after the contract expires in Febru-ary, a demand which then grew to £200,000 (total £360,000).

Petition fails to save park and ride service

p24

Appeal after man attacked A MAN was chased and attacked by three men in King Street, Maid-stone.

A man in his 40s was walking from the town centre at 11.10pm on Sunday, December 19, when three men got out of a vehicle.

It is alleged the men chased him towards Sittingbourne Road, where he was assaulted. He was taken to a London hospital with a head injury and is in a serious but stable condition.

Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: "We are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to contact us. Drivers with dashcam and residents with private CCTV are asked to check for footage that may assist our investigation."

Road re-opens FORGE Lane in East Farleigh will re-open on February 28.

The road will be closed from Dean Street for 253 metres west of Court Lodge Farm. The alternative route is via B2010 Lower Road, Vicarage Lane and Forge Lane.

26


PLANS have been unveiled for a retirement village in Staplehurst which will replace a petrol station – and they appear to have gained local support.

The Texaco and Enterprise Rentals site in Staplehurst High Street has not been used for 10 years.

All that remains are old build-ings and a former car repair shop.

Churchill Retirement Living in-tends to build a retirement village on the site, including 27 apart-ments and two cottages.

It will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments for the over 60s and communal facilities such as a lounge, coffee bar and gardens.

A store for mobility scooters will be on site, and 15 car parking spaces will be allocated for resi-dents.

The company estimates it will cost £3.5 million to build.

In a planning statement, Churchill Retirement Living said: “The proposed development will develop a brownfield site within a sustainable location.

“The site has been vacant for a

number of years and the site is in a dilapidated state. The proposed development will contribute to the housing needs of Maidstone by delivering much-needed re-tirement apartments for older people.”

The plot has had a chequered history. It was most recently bought by Sainsbury’s in 2012, which was hoping to use it for a petrol station for its new super-market in Station Road.

However, when the chain even-tually opened its new store in March 2021 it scrapped those plans, leaving the space open for new developers.

Local parish and borough coun-cillor John Perry said: “I cannot make any comment as I sit on the planning committee and risk pre-determination. But what I can say is that from soundings I have taken in the village, I haven’t heard anyone against it.”

Retirement village plan for garage site

p32

Carla Loftus admits theft A WOMAN who stole almost £70,000 from her employers in Maidstone will be sen-tenced later at crown court.

Carla Loftus (32), of Reams Way, Sittingbourne, who was a general administration manager at Southern Glass, allegedly took £69,354.98 from the Brunswick Street company between January 6, 2020, and January 25, 2021.

Loftus, who was not pre-sent at the mention hearing on January 19, has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date.

Coffee date BOUGHTON Monchelsea WI will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday, Jan-uary 29.

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PLANS have been unveiled for a retirement village in Staplehurst which will replace a petrol station – and they appear to have gained local support.

The Texaco and Enterprise Rentals site in Staplehurst High Street has not been used for 10 years.

All that remains are old build-ings and a former car repair shop.

Churchill Retirement Living in-tends to build a retirement village on the site, including 27 apart-ments and two cottages.

It will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments for the over 60s and communal facilities such as a lounge, coffee bar and gardens.

A store for mobility scooters will be on site, and 15 car parking spaces will be allocated for resi-dents.

The company estimates it will cost £3.5 million to build.

In a planning statement, Churchill Retirement Living said: “The proposed development will develop a brownfield site within a sustainable location.

“The site has been vacant for a

number of years and the site is in a dilapidated state. The proposed development will contribute to the housing needs of Maidstone by delivering much-needed re-tirement apartments for older people.”

The plot has had a chequered history. It was most recently bought by Sainsbury’s in 2012, which was hoping to use it for a petrol station for its new super-market in Station Road.

However, when the chain even-tually opened its new store in March 2021 it scrapped those plans, leaving the space open for new developers.

Local parish and borough coun-cillor John Perry said: “I cannot make any comment as I sit on the planning committee and risk pre-determination. But what I can say is that from soundings I have taken in the village, I haven’t heard anyone against it.”

Retirement village plan for garage site

p32

Carla Loftus admits theft A WOMAN who stole almost £70,000 from her employers in Maidstone will be sen-tenced later at crown court.

Carla Loftus (32), of Reams Way, Sittingbourne, who was a general administration manager at Southern Glass, allegedly took £69,354.98 from the Brunswick Street company between January 6, 2020, and January 25, 2021.

Loftus, who was not pre-sent at the mention hearing on January 19, has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date.

Coffee date BOUGHTON Monchelsea WI will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday, Jan-uary 29.

The event will take place from 10.30am to midday in the village hall.

Tea and coffee will be available for £2. Call Anthea on 01622 741479.

Cllr John Perry

Eric Watts ERIC Watts, who lived for many years in Loose, was a hugely signicant gure in youth and community work in Kent.

Eric grew up in Hertfordshire and worked as a teacher and youth worker before moving to Kent as deputy youth and community officer in 1988. He was promoted to chief youth and community officer a year later.

His dedication to work with young people earned him an OBE in 1999.

Eric held several posts in the local area including director of the Kent Youth Trust from 2006 to 2020 and director of the Kent Community Foundation from 2001 to 2011, including a term as secretary from 2009 to 2011.

He was also involved in local Scouting and on leaving his chairmanship of the Kent County Scout Council (2001-2) Eric left a bursary of £50 each year for the next ve years.

The Kent Mountain Centre in Llanberis, Wales, which he was instrumental in founding, has an Eric Watts Room named in his honour. He was also central to work establishing a Kent Youth Centre in France.

Peter Barnes, former county commissioner for Scouts, said: "He had had rst-hand experience of Kent Scouts as his sons had been involved with them and so he held Scouting in high regard.

“He was very family-orientated, and extremely affable with a wide smile/grin. His depth of knowledge ensured Kent Scouts was always aligned for funding when KCC were distributing their annual grants to the voluntary sector.”

Eric was married to Ann for 57 years and father to Simon, Dominic, and Tim. He moved to Wiltshire to be near his family in 2019. He leaves his wife, sons and ve grandchildren.

Brian Card BRIAN Card (89) lived in the Loose Valley from 2008, and in Mallings Drive, Bearsted, for many years before that.

He took an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner with Maidstone

Council before completing his national service in the RAF.

He returned to Maidstone Council working as a cabinet maker as well as on construction sites. He won plaudits for his work with a

colleague on the Archbishops' Palace, which was completed using medieval tools such as adzes and two-man saws.

Brian moved on to work for Kent County Council as a clerk of works. He enjoyed a lengthy marriage to his wife, Ivy Yvonne.

His step-brother, John Doherty, said: “Brian was very easy going but took his work seriously. He was rm but fair when he had to be in supervising others. He was a Freemason for over 50 years and after he lost his wife, the lodges became a vitally important part of his life. He also took a real pride in his cars and was a great supporter of a number of charities.”

Brian leaves his extended family. A death announcement described him as a “much loved brother, uncle and friend”.

Alice Clark THE death in a collision between an ambulance and a cement lorry on January 5 of paramedic Alice Clark (21)

drew local headlines.

Alice, from Newington, near Sittingbourne, studied at Rainham Mark Grammar School and trained as a paramedic, graduating from the University of

Greenwich in July 2021. She had been stationed at Paddock

Wood since November. Her parents said: "Alice was so excited

to qualify as a paramedic and looked forward to every shift. She was a

beautiful, kind, fun-loving daughter, sister and granddaughter…She will be missed more than words can say.”

Many of those paying tribute online posted green hearts in solidarity with paramedics and many comments came from Alice’s fellow emergency workers.

Nicky Sparks-Sanders posted: “I was on shift when the call came in…RIP. It’s so awful for something to happen like this when being out in the line of duty.”

Luke Sands THE death of Sheppey scaffolder and landscape gardener Luke Sands (27) drew local headlines.

The father of two, who had worked all over the local area, died on December 30, after a seven-week battle which began when he went into hospital with a chest infection.

COVID-19 and other complications followed, and Luke’s partner and the mother of his

sons, Becky Cole, posted a video of Luke’s battle, along with comments challenging anti-vaccine messages.

Her post included the observation: “My kids have to wake up every morning wondering why their daddy isn’t home and why can’t they see him, so before you start sharing your little posts have a think about people this virus is actually affecting.”

Luke worked for 2-Tone Scaffolding and ran Sandys Property Services, his own company which specialised in garden makeovers and laying articial grass. His death came days after his 27th birthday.

Luke’s sister-in-law, Chelsie Mills, has started a GoFundMe page which has more than doubled its original target of £5,000, including a single donation of £1,000.

Luke leaves Becky and sons seven-year-old Reggie and three-year-old Vinnie.

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Boughton Malherbe Kitsilano It was agreed that the council would not pursue Maidstone Borough Council further regarding planning permission breaches at Kitsilano for now in view of failure to secure a response Speedwatch It was agreed to seek volunteers through Malherbe Monthly. The clerk would arrange this. Cllr Kennaird volunteered to be involved. Litter The clerk would prepare a specication for a contractor to conduct the following: clear re hydrants, clear road signs for visibility, collect litter from the roadside, clearing the ditch in Woodcock Lane. Once the specication is agreed by the council, an advertisement would be placed in Malherbe Monthly. It was agreed that the position would be for one half day a month and the cost will be added to the 2022/23 budget. Highways improvement plan It was agreed to add white lining for the whole of Headcorn Road/Lenham Road from the 30mph zone to the parish boundary to the plan. Footpaths It was agreed to commission KCC to replace two stiles on KH325 to the west of Headcorn Road at a cost of £230 each, plus the cost of a KCC contractor to carry out the works. A budget of £700 would be funded from reserves. It was also agreed that the council would ask if KCC and the landowner would contribute to the cost. Planter Following an update from Cllr Kennaird it was agreed to abandon the plan for a planter at the junction of Eastwood Road and Headcorn Road for the time being, due to practical challenges and to keep the situation under review. Traffic calming It was agreed that a second series of traffic surveys would be conducted in January or February. Cllr Kennaird was discussing a few snagging problems with KCC. Cllr Kennaird would contact KCC regarding the inconsistent white lining. The council would support the placing of bollards on the verge by Wren’s Nest and keep this under review. Queen’s Jubilee 2022 It was agreed that the council would support plans being developed by the Village Hall committee, including making a grant in principle. Village Green trees It was agreed to conduct the three-yearly tree survey on the village green. In accordance with standing orders and nancial regulations it was agreed to obtain three quotes and delegate to the chairman and clerk selection of a contractor. The estimated cost is £540 to be taken from reserves. Community Infrastructure Levy Income had been received from MBC and it was agreed that the priority for its use would be the village shop.

Chart Sutton Police matters PCSO Gardner was unable to be present but reported that there were three crimes in October –

vehicle thefts in Lucks Lane (vehicle recovered) and Chart Hill Road, and a theft in Brishing Road (metal gates). Village hall parking Cllr Forknall was still waiting to hear from the landowners about car park provision at the Memorial Playing Field and Village Hall. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Only one couple had come forward to help with the event. A meeting would be held in mid-February and promoted again in the Village News. Bus service Arriva now only provided the school journeys via Loose Road. Nu-venture had a new contract to run the interchange service. Highways The clerk had met online with Jennie Watson and Susan Laporte from Kent Highways together with Steve Munford, Lottie Partt-Reid and Eve Poulter (Sutton Valence Parish Council). Speeding along Amber Lane/Back Lane, Chart Hill Road and Warmlake Road was discussed and Highways advised that a reduction/extension of 30mph speed limits on these roads would not meet the Highways criteria and would not be supported by the police. Jennie advised that excessive speeding should be dealt with by enforcement, but this is not high on the list of priorities for the police. A further meeting will be arranged to discuss speed indication device locations. Litter The council had lent out four litterpickers, leaving six. It was agreed to buy 10 litter pickers, hoops and hi-vis jackets with “Chart Sutton Parish Council Litter Picker” on the back. Chairman’s report It was noted that Bardsley’s had grubbed out some hedges – this was thought to be to help with ooding issues. The hangers for the village sign had worn away, and new hangers were being sought, which had delayed the re-hanging of the sign.

Harrietsham Councillor disqualied It was noted that Jackie Moore was no longer a councillor, having been automatically disqualied for nonattendance. Antisocial behaviour Cllr Sherwood reminded all present that all incidents must be reported to Kent Police on 101; otherwise there is no record to suggest that greater police presence is required. Tree order The clerk had been informed that the tree preservation order application for 5 Pilgrims Lakes would be withdrawn, as the resident had been given permission to carry out the work under a ve-day notice, due to the tree being diseased and dangerous. A suitable replacement must then be replanted. Glebe Field bench Following complaints from residents it was proposed by Cllr Roots to move the bench to the other side of the eld (opposite the war memorial). This was agreed. Councillors asked for £950 to be set aside so that this work could be completed as soon as possible. Commemorative trees It was proposed by Cllr Foster to ask JB Landscape to complete a tree survey for the

commemorative trees that should be in the Garden of Remembrance and New Burial Ground at a cost of £320. This was agreed. Play area The Saxon place play area was in the process of being transferred to the parish council, however it was not t for purpose. It was agreed to ask Maria Cook, from Craigdene Ltd, to carry out a site visit to look at the option. It was noted there was s106 and CIL money available towards the project. Grants and donations It was agreed to make donations to Harrietsham Fish Scheme (£500) and Harrietsham PCC (£655). It was also agreed to cover the hall rental charge for the Friday coffee morning. Grit bin Cllr J Sams has been asked to look into a grit bin at Taylor Close. Sanctuary Housing had offered £200 towards the cost. Cllr T Sams asked if the parish council would make up any necessary shortfall, and this was agreed. The clerk would contact the Highways Steward to nd out how to progress this. Lorry Watch The risk assessment and method statement had been sent to KCC. The clerk said the volunteer list and health and safety check sheets needed to be submitted before the scheme could be progressed. Speed limit Regarding a proposed 20mph limit for West Street and the surrounding roads, the parish council is to carry out a two-week informal consultation. Debrillator Cllr Dean reported that the debrillator had been delivered, but that there was an eight-week delay on the cabinet. Platinum Jubilee Cllr Dean stated that the Big Lunch, to mark the Queen’s platinum Jubilee, would take place on Sunday, June 5, on the Glebe Field. Cllr Griffiths was asked to speak with the school to borrow tables and chairs. There will be a cake stand, raffle and dog show. The timings for the beacon and piper had now changed.

Lenham In memory Cllr Osborne requested a minute’s silence in remembrance of Jean Cockett, who had died recently. Railway Cllr Walmsley said a formal complaint should be made about the lighting and lines on the road over the railway. The clerk would contact KCC and MHS Homes. Woodland Trust trees Most of these are likely to be going to the cemetery in line with the Lenham Meadows Trust plan. Some will go to the Cross to ll in gaps from new gates and some to Rose Lane Industrial Estate. The Cross The garden works had been nished and the contractor had been instructed to construct the new steps. Speed limit Regarding the 20mph zone, Cllr A Walmsley reported that the survey cables would be in place on the roads for one week.

Parish Councilsdownsmail.co.uk

31

Garden Services cont

Handyman

20%discount*

on production of this advert* not to be used in conjunctionwith any other offers

Tel: 01622 851222 Mob: 07786 07 01 07E: [email protected]

www.maidstonelandscapes.comLOOK: Please check our reviews and other companies you may use at www.uktc.org

Established 1990Director: M Potter

LANDSCAPING - Drives, Patios, Pathways, Brick/Stone Walls, Block/Stone Paving,

Tarmac, Decking, Fencing etc

BUILDING WORKS - Extensions, Porches, Conservatories, Garages, Groundworks,

Roofing, PVC Windows, Doors, Soffits etc

Landscaping

Logs

Call Maidstone office: 01622 813750 or Mobile: 07854 615687FREE DELIVERY

Any moisture test welcome on delivery.Also other hardwoods available

Four-year seasoned apple logs - £100 load - £125 load- LOGS -

Kiln dry logs also available

Painters & Decorators

Internal & External DecorationApproved by Dulux Select

Established 30 years

01622 737225 / 07816 [email protected]

07890 982430

FREE ESTIMATES

D.STEWARTAll decorating

interior & exterior

Decorator

01622 730541

Pest Control

E: [email protected]


www.sabrekent.co.uk

downsmail.co.ukClassified

38

Fencing

Landscaping

Garden Services

Garden Services continued

Pressure washingHedge cuttingLawn treatments

AeratingScarifyingGrass cutting

Maidstone Weald October 2017 39

downsmail.co.uk Classified

Cleaning Services

Using van mounted cleaning tanks,your oven hob and extractor is

cleaned to showroom shine withoutsmell, mess or fuss. 1000's of

delighted local customers.

"WE CLEANOVENS!"

Please call James on 01622 616168

Oven cleaning from just £49

www.ovenwizards.com

Electricians

ELECTRICIANATLANTIC ELECTRICAL

Call Steve 01622 747257Mobile 07985 474176Uplands, Halstow Cl, Maidstone ME15 9XA

For all your electrical needs Fuseboards, Re-wires, Certificates

NICEIC Part P registered Free Estimates, Friendly Service Fully insured, 25yrs Experience

All aspects ofdomestic electricalwork undertakenby a trusted andqualifiedelectrician with 20years experience.

• Part Pcertificationprovided

• All work NICapproved andcertified

J Norris Electrical Contractor

- Free no obligation quotes- No job too large or small Tel: 07966 511408Tel: 01634 920598E-mail: [email protected]

Fencing

No1 Locally Since 1996

www.wrightsfencing.co.uk

Fence me in & alot moreAll types of Fencing & Gates

Installed & RepairsAll Aspects of Garden Services, Landscapes,

Decking, Patios, Paths & Paving.Regular Contracts, Lawn Mowing,

Hedge Cutting etc.Call Colin on 07521

377306 or 01622 853978

01622 232860 07931 368710www.iwallondfencingcontractors.co.uk

ALL TYPES –REPAIR/RENEWEst. 25 YEARS

FREE ESTIMATES

Garden Services

ARBOURTREE SURGERY‘Trust your local experts’All Aspects of Tree Work

Felling • PruningHedge Cutting

Stump GrindingFully Insured and Qualified

Free No Obligation Written Quotation

01622 759119 07771 970570www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk

FAIRVIEW FARMTREE MAINTENANCE & GARDEN SERVICES

for a helping hand with:- TREE SURGERY:

CROWN REDUCTION, FELLING,PRUNING, HEDGE & SHRUB -

TRIMMING, CLEARANCESEASONED LOGS SUPPLIED,

MOWING (lawns)FULLY INSUREDFor a friendly &

professional service & advice Please call:- 01622 743428

Mob:- 07817 517 733

(City & GuildsNPTC qualified)

Hedge cutting

Traditional Hedge laying

Fencing

Landscaping

DAVID WYNN

Free estimates & advice - Fully insured

Tel: 01622 892244 Mobile: 07732 768331

Tree & Garden ServicesGREEN MAN

IRELANDLANDSCAPES

All Types of Hard & Soft LandscapesNatural & Concrete Paving & Patios

Block Paving, Fencing, Concrete BasesTurfing, Groundwork, Jungles Cleared.

Call Paul on 01622 844605 or 07767 683747

or email:[email protected]

for free estimate

Est. in1993

� Tree Surgery

� StumpGrinding

� HedgeCutting

� Pruning � Fencing� Free Bark

MulshE:[email protected] checked, Checkatrade approved

TREE CARE

Contact Tom

T: 01622 206431M: 07812 921748

FREE 24 hour call & emergencywork carried out straight away

EPICLANDSCAPES

• Fencing • Treework • Turfing • Decking• Levelling Ground • Patios • Jet Washing Service • Astroturf • Water Features

• Clearance • Driveways

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

For a free site survey call:

01622 527106 07788 532926

LANDSCAPING - Drives, Patios, Pathways, Brick/Stone Walls, Block/Stone Paving,Tarmac, Decking, Fencing, Turfing, Ponds, Water Features, Garden Clearance,

Sheds/Summer & Play House Bases, Tree Surgery etcBUILDING WORKS - Extensions, Porches, Conservatories, Garages, Groundworks,

Roofing, PVC Windows, Doors, Soffits, Fascias, Floor/Wall Tiling, Decorating etc

20%discount*

on production of this advert* not to be used in conjunction with any other

offers

FULLY INSURED/WORK GUARANTEED, VERY PROFESSIONAL/FRIENDLY SERVICETop Quality Materials/Workmanship from design to completion - FREE ESTIMATES



Established 1990 Director: M Potter

Locksmith

3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk

� 24 hour service � locks opened � new locks fitted � security checks � emergency work undertaken � UPVC door & window repairs

Maidstone & KentT: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751

Logs

– LOGS –Four-year seasoned apple logs

£100 load – £125 loadAny moisture test welcome on delivery.

Also other hardwoods available

FREE DELIVERY – FREE STACKING SERVICE

Call Maidstone office: 01622 813750

or Mobile: 07854 615687

Call our sales team now -

01622 630 330� �

Maidstone & Malling’s

No. 1 newspaper

Handyman

• Patios/Decking • Turfing• Artificial Grass • Carpentry

• Water Features

www.vugarden.co.uk

Call:01622 617388 or Email:[email protected]

We are a Landscape specialist company that will take you through the process of creating your perfect garden. We cover everything from design through to

completion, whilst providing the best standard of work and materials.

5 Year Guarantee on all hardscape projects that we undertake with our tailor made maintenance packages.

20%discount*









Painters & DecoratorsOven Cleaning

Ovenmeister UKWe are an oven cleaning company based in Maidstone Kent. Established in 2005

we have over 15 years experience in cleaning your ovens.

Call us on: 01622 720713 or 07763 061774Alternatively drop us an email:[email protected]

Book with us 24/7 — Free quotations

All types of Hard & Soft Landscapes• Patios, Paving Roads & Drives • Concrete Bases & Stable Bases

• Fencing & Gates • • Jungles Cleared

RING PAUL ON01622 844605 or 07767 683747

for free estimate.



RING PAUL ON01622 844605 or 07767 683747

for free estimate.

Est. in 1993

LOGS• Logs suitable for log burner

• Barn Stored • Ready To Burn • £75 per load • Free Delivery

Call Joe on:

07970 647 334


Landscaping & Property services

01622 962363 [email protected]

Logs continued

30

01622 630 330

38 Maidstone Weald October 2017

Bathrooms

PAUL BESTBrickwork

� Extensions� General Builder� 25 years Experience

01622 89196007748 630747

Appliance Repairs

ALL DOMESTIC APPLIANCEREPAIR SERVICE

with fully qualified engineerAll makes of washing machines,

fridges, freezers, vacuum cleaners,t/dryers, dishwashers, elec ovens.

� All work guaranteed� Free estimates and call out

01622 673113Anytime: 07831 557677

Find your local

trades people

Businesses & Services

on the Downs Mail

directory

downsmail.co.uk

The complete BathroomMaintenance Company

NO CALL OUT FEE & FREE QUOTES

Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Supply • Install • RepairFloor & Wall Tiling • Full Plumbing Services

Building Plans

A.H.B.SCarpentry

All aspects of CARPENTRYDoors, Windows, Kitchens supplied and

fitted, Loft Conversions, Doors hung,Locks fitted, Skirting, small alterations,

Plastering and TilingAll work guaranteed.

FREE ESTIMATESFamily business established 21 years

01622 743648Mob: 07711 291921

31, Sheppey Road, Loose, Maidstone

Specialists in • Extensions • Refurbishments

• Plastering (All aspects) • Electrics • Modernisations

• Kitchen & Bathroom Installations• Driveways, Patios & Repointing

• Fencing & Blockpaving

FULLY INSURED

Tel: Mark 07841 409061e: [email protected]

www.mdbuildingservices.co.uk

MD Building & Services

Carpenters

Builders

Wood WorksFULL CARPENTRY

SERVICE FROM DECKING TO DOORS,KITCHENS & FLOORS.

ALL JOBS BIG & SMALL.MAKING THE BEST OF WOODIN AND AROUND THE HOME

CALL Cliff on07940 854927

Chimney Maintenance

Chimney sweeping service • Long established • ICS registered All types of flu • All pots-cowls supplied & fitted

Complete re-builds • Re-pointing • Guttering, roof & valley repairs01622 739439 07860 318166 [email protected]

H & G Chimney Services

Clean SweepBrush & vacuumWood burners and flues supplied and fittedAll work insuredAll work certified to cover insurancePest control availableCamera inspections availableWeddings attendedMember of the ICSHETAS approvedContact Kevin Bovis01622 844385 07885 [email protected]

Classifieds downsmail.co.uk

Reach more people than ever before www.downsmailbusinessdirectory.co.uk

Contact our sales team…

Natasha BastoneTelesales ManagerE: natasha@

downsmail.co.uk

T. 01622 630330 ext. 224

Teresa JefferyClassified Sales ExecutiveE: teresa@

downsmail.co.uk

T. 01622 630330 ext. 227

Rebecca AbbottClassified Sales ExecutiveE: [email protected]

T. 01622 630330 ext. 234

Chimney Maintenance

Driveway ServicesBuilding Services

‘’ RESIN’’ BOUND & BONDED DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS.Tarmac, Shingle & Block Paving

Council Approved Vehicle Crossovers.Mobile: 07795 471196 / 07799 867524

Email: [email protected]: www.landwaysurfacing.co.uk

100 The Landway Bearsted Maidstone ME14 4LB

Landway Surfacing Ltd.LWS

Fencing

Carpenters

Garden Services

• Crown Reduction • Pruning • Felling

• Overgrown Clearances • Turfing • Hedge Cutting

0800 118 2474 | 07847 710747www.greenacrelandscapeservices.co.ukgreenacrelandscapeservices@gmail.com

38 Maidstone Weald October 2017

Bathrooms

PAUL BESTBrickwork

� Extensions� General Builder� 25 years Experience

01622 89196007748 630747

Appliance Repairs

ALL DOMESTIC APPLIANCEREPAIR SERVICE

with fully qualified engineerAll makes of washing machines,

fridges, freezers, vacuum cleaners,t/dryers, dishwashers, elec ovens.

� All work guaranteed� Free estimates and call out

01622 673113Anytime: 07831 557677

Find your local

trades people

Businesses & Services

on the Downs Mail

directory

downsmail.co.uk

The complete BathroomMaintenance Company

NO CALL OUT FEE & FREE QUOTES

Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Supply • Install • RepairFloor & Wall Tiling • Full Plumbing Services

Building Plans

A.H.B.SCarpentry

All aspects of CARPENTRYDoors, Windows, Kitchens supplied and

fitted, Loft Conversions, Doors hung,Locks fitted, Skirting, small alterations,

Plastering and TilingAll work guaranteed.

FREE ESTIMATESFamily business established 21 years

01622 743648Mob: 07711 291921

31, Sheppey Road, Loose, Maidstone

Specialists in • Extensions • Refurbishments

• Plastering (All aspects) • Electrics • Modernisations

• Kitchen & Bathroom Installations• Driveways, Patios & Repointing

• Fencing & Blockpaving

FULLY INSURED

Tel: Mark 07841 409061e: [email protected]

www.mdbuildingservices.co.uk

MD Building & Services

Carpenters

Builders

Wood WorksFULL CARPENTRY

SERVICE FROM DECKING TO DOORS,KITCHENS & FLOORS.

ALL JOBS BIG & SMALL.MAKING THE BEST OF WOODIN AND AROUND THE HOME

CALL Cliff on07940 854927

Chimney Maintenance

Chimney sweeping service • Long established • ICS registered All types of flu • All pots-cowls supplied & fitted

Complete re-builds • Re-pointing • Guttering, roof & valley repairs01622 739439 07860 318166 [email protected]

H & G Chimney Services

Clean SweepBrush & vacuumWood burners and flues supplied and fittedAll work insuredAll work certified to cover insurancePest control availableCamera inspections availableWeddings attendedMember of the ICSHETAS approvedContact Kevin Bovis01622 844385 07885 [email protected]

Classifieds downsmail.co.uk

Reach more people than ever before www.downsmailbusinessdirectory.co.uk

Contact our sales team…

Natasha BastoneTelesales ManagerE: natasha@

downsmail.co.uk

T. 01622 630330 ext. 224

Teresa JefferyClassified Sales ExecutiveE: teresa@

downsmail.co.uk

T. 01622 630330 ext. 227

Rebecca AbbottClassified Sales ExecutiveE: [email protected]

T. 01622 630330 ext. 234

Maidstone December 2017 43

Waste Service Continued

Window Services


On the Road

LeisureSTEPHEN GRAYBearsted Chiropody &

Podiatry Practice

111 Madginford Road Bearsted

01622 630 393Home visits and evening and

weekend appointments available

BSc Hons HCPC Registered

At Mid Kent College People are at the heart

of everything we do

That's why we're looking to add to our team of expert teaching sta�, who will help us develop and deliver programmes to prepare our students to thrive in their careers.If you're an experienced Lecturer, Assessor or Industry Specialist, providing you hold at least a Level 3 quali�cation in your chosen profession and share our passion for learning, then we'd like to talk to you about our full and part time opportunities in :-

Electrial InstallationEngineering CAD / CAM Mechanical Engineering Health & Social CarePlumbing Electronic Engineering MediaChildcare

Come and meet the team for an informal conversation at one of our recruitment

evenings to discover why you should join us on our exciting journey to excellence

MEDWAY CAMPUS - Wednesday 22 November 2017 from 17.00 to 20.00MAIDSTONE CAMPUS - Wednesday 6 December 2017 from 17.00 to 20.00

With more than 30 years' experience in the

motor industry, Barming Motor Co is an

independently run used car specialists based

on Hartnup Street, Maidstone.

Car’s & Commercial vehicles

Over 25 vehicles in stock

Wide range of vehicles

Servicing & MOT’s

Competitive Rate

Finance available

barmingmotorcompany.co.uk

[email protected]

Tel: 01622 728712 or 07864 393785

Maidstone October 2017 45

On the RoadSILVERBACK RECOVERY

01622 813733 07740 123495

Car recovery and transportationLight commercialCars for scrap removedCompetitive ratesCALL ROGER ON:

• Cam belt kits supplied & fitted• Broken belt damaged repaired

• All makes, petrol & diesel

ACEM.O.T. and Clutch Centre

Vehicle Maintenance, Service & M.O.T.

Te l : 0 1 7 3 2 8 7 0 3 6 8736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG

Open Mon – Fri 8:00 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 – 12:00M.O.T. only Sun 9:00 – 12:00

SOLUTIONSAutospray

“At your service”Cherry Tree Business Estate, Plough Wents Road,

Chart Sutton, Maidstone, ME17 3RY

BMW & BMW Mini Specialist

All servicing work undertaken, diagnostics, mechanical and bodywork repairs,

MOT preparation and winter checks.

We have been servicing, repairing, and restoring BMWs forover 30 years, our staff have over 50 years combined

experience, and all have more than 25 years of workingwith BMWs behind them.

We specialise in Classic BMWs of ALL ages

Ltd

01622 919122

Granville Garage 01622 761571Granville Road, Maidstone www.granvillegarage.com

MOT Testing - General Vehicle Repairs

Health & Beauty

Recruitment

Chiropody

31

Garden Services cont

Handyman

20%discount*









Landscaping

Logs

Call Maidstone office: 01622 813750 or Mobile: 07854 615687FREE DELIVERY

Any moisture test welcome on delivery.Also other hardwoods available

Four-year seasoned apple logs - £100 load - £125 load- LOGS -

Kiln dry logs also available

Painters & Decorators

Internal & External DecorationApproved by Dulux Select

Established 30 years

01622 737225 / 07816 [email protected]

07890 982430

FREE ESTIMATES

D.STEWARTAll decorating

interior & exterior

Decorator

01622 730541

Pest Control



www.sabrekent.co.uk


38

Fencing

Landscaping

Garden Services

Garden Services continued

Pressure washingHedge cuttingLawn treatments

AeratingScarifyingGrass cutting

Maidstone Weald October 2017 39


Cleaning Services

Using van mounted cleaning tanks,your oven hob and extractor is

cleaned to showroom shine withoutsmell, mess or fuss. 1000's of

delighted local customers.

"WE CLEANOVENS!"

Please call James on 01622 616168

Oven cleaning from just £49

www.ovenwizards.com

Electricians

ELECTRICIANATLANTIC ELECTRICAL

Call Steve 01622 747257Mobile 07985 474176Uplands, Halstow Cl, Maidstone ME15 9XA

For all your electrical needs Fuseboards, Re-wires, Certificates

NICEIC Part P registered Free Estimates, Friendly Service Fully insured, 25yrs Experience

All aspects ofdomestic electricalwork undertakenby a trusted andqualifiedelectrician with 20years experience.

• Part Pcertificationprovided

• All work NICapproved andcertified

J Norris Electrical Contractor

- Free no obligation quotes- No job too large or small Tel: 07966 511408Tel: 01634 920598E-mail: [email protected]

Fencing

No1 Locally Since 1996

www.wrightsfencing.co.uk

Fence me in & alot moreAll types of Fencing & Gates

Installed & RepairsAll Aspects of Garden Services, Landscapes,

Decking, Patios, Paths & Paving.Regular Contracts, Lawn Mowing,

Hedge Cutting etc.Call Colin on 07521

377306 or 01622 853978

01622 232860 07931 368710www.iwallondfencingcontractors.co.uk

ALL TYPES –REPAIR/RENEWEst. 25 YEARS

FREE ESTIMATES

Garden Services

ARBOURTREE SURGERY‘Trust your local experts’All Aspects of Tree Work

Felling • PruningHedge Cutting

Stump GrindingFully Insured and Qualified

Free No Obligation Written Quotation

01622 759119 07771 970570www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk

FAIRVIEW FARMTREE MAINTENANCE & GARDEN SERVICES

for a helping hand with:- TREE SURGERY:

CROWN REDUCTION, FELLING,PRUNING, HEDGE & SHRUB -

TRIMMING, CLEARANCESEASONED LOGS SUPPLIED,

MOWING (lawns)FULLY INSUREDFor a friendly &

professional service & advice Please call:- 01622 743428

Mob:- 07817 517 733

(City & GuildsNPTC qualified)

Hedge cutting

Traditional Hedge laying

Fencing

Landscaping

DAVID WYNN

Free estimates & advice - Fully insured

Tel: 01622 892244 Mobile: 07732 768331

Tree & Garden ServicesGREEN MAN

IRELANDLANDSCAPES

All Types of Hard & Soft LandscapesNatural & Concrete Paving & Patios

Block Paving, Fencing, Concrete BasesTurfing, Groundwork, Jungles Cleared.

Call Paul on 01622 844605 or 07767 683747

or email:[email protected]

for free estimate

Est. in1993

� Tree Surgery

� StumpGrinding

� HedgeCutting

� Pruning � Fencing� Free Bark

MulshE:[email protected] checked, Checkatrade approved

TREE CARE

Contact Tom

T: 01622 206431M: 07812 921748

FREE 24 hour call & emergencywork carried out straight away

EPICLANDSCAPES

• Fencing • Treework • Turfing • Decking• Levelling Ground • Patios • Jet Washing Service • Astroturf • Water Features

• Clearance • Driveways

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

For a free site survey call:

01622 527106 07788 532926

LANDSCAPING - Drives, Patios, Pathways, Brick/Stone Walls, Block/Stone Paving,Tarmac, Decking, Fencing, Turfing, Ponds, Water Features, Garden Clearance,

Sheds/Summer & Play House Bases, Tree Surgery etcBUILDING WORKS - Extensions, Porches, Conservatories, Garages, Groundworks,

Roofing, PVC Windows, Doors, Soffits, Fascias, Floor/Wall Tiling, Decorating etc

20%discount*

on production of this advert* not to be used in conjunction with any other

offers

FULLY INSURED/WORK GUARANTEED, VERY PROFESSIONAL/FRIENDLY SERVICETop Quality Materials/Workmanship from design to completion - FREE ESTIMATES



Established 1990 Director: M Potter

Locksmith

3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk

� 24 hour service � locks opened � new locks fitted � security checks � emergency work undertaken � UPVC door & window repairs

Maidstone & KentT: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751

Logs

– LOGS –Four-year seasoned apple logs

£100 load – £125 loadAny moisture test welcome on delivery.

Also other hardwoods available

FREE DELIVERY – FREE STACKING SERVICE

Call Maidstone office: 01622 813750

or Mobile: 07854 615687

Call our sales team now -

01622 630 330� �

Maidstone & Malling’s

No. 1 newspaper

Handyman

• Patios/Decking • Turfing• Artificial Grass • Carpentry

• Water Features

www.vugarden.co.uk

Call:01622 617388 or Email:[email protected]

We are a Landscape specialist company that will take you through the process of creating your perfect garden. We cover everything from design through to

completion, whilst providing the best standard of work and materials.

5 Year Guarantee on all hardscape projects that we undertake with our tailor made maintenance packages.

20%discount*









Painters & DecoratorsOven Cleaning

Ovenmeister UKWe are an oven cleaning company based in Maidstone Kent. Established in 2005

we have over 15 years experience in cleaning your ovens.

Call us on: 01622 720713 or 07763 061774Alternatively drop us an email:[email protected]

Book with us 24/7 — Free quotations



RING PAUL ON01622 844605 or 07767 683747

for free estimate.



RING PAUL ON01622 844605 or 07767 683747

for free estimate.

Est. in 1993

LOGS• Logs suitable for log burner

• Barn Stored • Ready To Burn • £75 per load • Free Delivery

Call Joe on:

07970 647 334


Landscaping & Property services

01622 962363 [email protected]

Logs continued

32


Skip Hire

Many more services available. See website for details

SKIP HIREwww.gboxkent.com01233 660 099


Book OnlineOrder your skip via

secure 24hr online

book facility

4yd £1986yd £2348yd £24610yd £30012yd £36016yd £420

Commercial & Domestic Recycling Services

Upholstery

��

��

��

��

��

Call Luke on 07934 832345

No call out chargeFree no obligation Quotation

Plumbing maintenanceNew bathroom suitesCentral heating systemsWater leak repairs

Plumbing & Heating

Roofing Services

Property Maintenance

Maidstone Maintenance Services

High Pressure Cleaning

[email protected]

07498 977 83307947 367 008

Driveways | Paths | PatiosFacias | Guttering | Conservatories

1st Call Skips

01622 962347Call the Recycling Team

WE DO SAME DAY DELIVERY

90% of all waste handled is recycled.

Phone Services

Phone Sockets/Broadband25 years BT Engineer

WHY PAY SERVICE PROVIDER PRICES FOR INTERNAL FAULTS?

• New phone/Broadband extensions• Fault finding repairs/Improve broadband speeds• Cat 5 Wiring• Internal/external re-routing/tidying of cables prior to double glazing.

G. NUGENTFULLY INSURED 07845 705900

• Boilers & Cookers • Repairs• Replacements • Installations • Radiator Upgrades • Boiler servicing

No job too small. Honest, reliable and local with 19 years experience.

Call Mark on: 07775 158854

Hm Roofing

Call Henry now!07933 079 787

All aspects undertaken

Tiles - Slates - Flat roofChimneys plus much more!

Fascia and Soffit replacementand gutters cleaned from £40!

32


Skip Hire

Many more services available. See website for details

SKIP HIREwww.gboxkent.com01233 660 099


Book OnlineOrder your skip via

secure 24hr online

book facility

4yd £1986yd £2348yd £24610yd £30012yd £36016yd £420

Commercial & Domestic Recycling Services

Upholstery

��

��

��

��

��

Call Luke on 07934 832345

No call out chargeFree no obligation Quotation

Plumbing maintenanceNew bathroom suitesCentral heating systemsWater leak repairs

Plumbing & Heating

Roofing Services

Property Maintenance

Maidstone Maintenance Services

High Pressure Cleaning

[email protected]

07498 977 83307947 367 008

Driveways | Paths | PatiosFacias | Guttering | Conservatories

1st Call Skips

01622 962347Call the Recycling Team

WE DO SAME DAY DELIVERY

90% of all waste handled is recycled.

Phone Services

Phone Sockets/Broadband25 years BT Engineer

WHY PAY SERVICE PROVIDER PRICES FOR INTERNAL FAULTS?

• New phone/Broadband extensions• Fault finding repairs/Improve broadband speeds• Cat 5 Wiring• Internal/external re-routing/tidying of cables prior to double glazing.

G. NUGENTFULLY INSURED 07845 705900

• Boilers & Cookers • Repairs• Replacements • Installations • Radiator Upgrades • Boiler servicing

No job too small. Honest, reliable and local with 19 years experience.

Call Mark on: 07775 158854

Hm Roofing

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Sutton Valence Karate ClubKarate teaches discipline, confidence, and self-respect, we then ensure students show respect for their families and their fellow students, learn that Karate is for self-defence and help them develop strength, speed and versatility.

Our Sutton Valence club caters for all ages from 7 upwards and currently has 12 registered members and is a member of the Shukokai Karate Academy England. We train at Sutton Valence Village Hall on Tuesdays at 6pm.

For further information and a free first lesson please contact Steve or Elaine Pereira on: 07768 388163 / 07905 311170

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RecruitmentJOB VACANCY - PARISH CLERK - BOUGHTON MALHERBE

A vacancy has arisen for the post of Clerk to Boughton Malherbe Parish Council (which includes Grafty Green) resulting from the upcoming retirement of the current Clerk.This is a part time role requiring 7 hours per week. The role is home-based with flexibility as to when the hours are worked and attracts a salary between £10.44 and £11.55 per hour (national SCP 7-12) - pay award pending - depending on experience/qualifications.Council meetings take place bi-monthly in the evening, and occasionally there is a requirement for committees to meet between council meetings. Duties for this interesting role include: • Attending evening Parish Council Meetings, usually held on Monday.

Additionally, there is a requirement to hold the Annual Parish Meeting each year as well the occasional day-time meeting/site meetings

• Preparing the agendas and taking minutes • Giving procedural advice to councillors• Carrying out the Council’s administrative tasks • Managing all aspects of the Council’s finances including budgeting,

monitoring expenditure, VAT and the production of all relevant accounting statements as well as the audit process.

• Dealing with general enquiries and correspondence • Updating and co-ordinating the Parish Council websiteThe successful applicant will have good communication, administrative and literacy skills as well as a basic IT skill set covering the various packages required to carry out the functions of the Clerk. The Clerk needs to be organised, have the ability to be flexible and able to show initiative. Where required training will be provided.The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a local government/clerk role and some experience of managing budgets. How to apply: Please email a covering letter and CV to [email protected]. If you would like to know more about the role and have an informal chat before applying, please call our Chairman Cllr Ron Galton 01622 850369 or the current Clerk Chris Hume on 07972 630555.

Cosmetic Design LtdDelivery Driver required for Maidstone based

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BOTH number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in The Street, Boxley.

A large group of customers damaged the inside of a pub and left without paying for their meals in Chatham Road, Boxley.

An ambulance was damaged when eggs were thrown at it while it was being driven along Lower Road, East Farleigh.

The marketing suite of a business was damaged in Barty Way, Thurnham.

A horse was stolen from a farm in Well Street, Loose.

A hay turner and agricultural trailer were stolen from a farm in Lenham Heath Road, Lenham.

Graffiti was painted on the wall of a stair-well in Pads Hill, Maidstone.

A gold chain was stolen after it was acci-dentally left behind at a hotel in Ashford Road, Thurnham.

A group of young people set off a fire alarm at a commercial building in Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, and ran off.

Diesel was stolen from machinery in Car-ing Lane, Leeds.

Thieves stole a box of soft drink from a business premises in Bank Street, Maid-stone.

A white Mercedes vehicle, registration number GF13***, was stolen from Grey Wethers, Boxley.

The window of a business premises in Week Street, Maidstone, was damaged.

A garden fence was damaged in Cheg-worth Lane, Harrietsham.

Copper wire was stolen from a commer-cial premises in Ham Lane, Lenham.

Somebody tried to damage a boat moored on the river in The Priory, East Far-leigh.

A window was smashed at a school in Boughton Lane, Maidstone.

Two young people climbed up scaffold-

ing at a commercial site in Sutton Road, Langley.

Six vans parked on a private site in Richard Corben Way, Aylesford, were bro-ken into

A group of young people entered an of-fice and set off a fire extinguisher in Tower View, Kings Hill.

A security fence was damaged at the yard of a shop in London Road, East Malling.

Thieves broke into a house in Mary Last Close, Snodland.

Two people stealing scrap from a skip in Fielding Drive, East Malling, damaged a nearby Audi. They were in a white Ford Transit.

Four young people kicked and damaged the door of a house in Snodland.

News | Crime downsmail.co.uk

Crime reports

Neighbourhood WatchWorking to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police

Carly Dear (48) worked as a PE teacher at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 15 years ago and met her victim when the girl was in her teens.

Dear started to have private conversations with her in the changing rooms, offering her sweets and giving her lifts home.

Eventually, Dear’s behaviour escalated and became sexual, touching the girl before taking her to Dear’s former home in Whitstable, or a hotel, where she would abuse the victim.

Dear continued to regularly contact and abuse the victim, grooming her and insisting the

activity was normal. Dear was ar-rested after the victim reported the abuse in 2018.

Following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, Dear was found guilty of inciting sexual activity by a person in a position of trust.

She was also convicted of four counts relating to indecent as-sault, and one count of sexual ac-tivity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The jury found her not guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Dear was sentenced on Friday, January 14 to six years in prison. She will also be put on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Hannah Crittenden said: “Carly Dear took advantage of a child for her own selfish de-sire.

“The victim’s memories of growing up will be affected by what Dear has done.

“I hope the victim recognises that she was extremely brave in speaking up, but did the right thing by doing so.

“I hope that she will now focus on the future, unafraid and knowing that she was believed and Dear is facing the conse-quences of her own illegal ac-tions.”

Sex abuse teacher jailedA FORMER teacher at a Maidstone school who carried out a "campaign of grooming and mounting abuse" against a teenage girl has been jailed.

A MAN and a woman have been charged after a suspected brothel was discovered in Maidstone.

Amran Hussain (42), of London Road, Greenhithe, and Natlada Nachaipet (32), of no fixed ad-dress, will appear in court after officers were alerted to concerns about the welfare of the occu-pants at the address.

Cash was also seized from the premises.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Once inside the building, the of-ficers’ enquiries led them to sus-

pect the premises was being used as a brothel and a woman was ar-rested.

“A man was also detained out-side the property and a quantity of cash was seized.”

The pair were charged with causing or inciting prostitution for gain and possessing criminal property, namely the seized cash.

Mr Hussain was also charged with managing a brothel.

The pair were remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on February 4.

Police hunt cash thief POLICE are appealing for information after a man stole cash from the till of Sainsbury in Tonbridge Rd, Maidstone.

The suspect was waiting in a queue of customers before re-portedly pushing over a member of staff and stealing the money. He then ran off along an alleyway towards Elmstone Lane and Woodford Road.

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Saturday, Jan-uary 15. The man was wearing black trainers, dark tracksuit bot-toms, a black hooded top and a black face mask.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any informa-tion that may help the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/9562/22.

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

Brothel case in court

37

BOTH number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in The Street, Boxley.

A large group of customers damaged the inside of a pub and left without paying for their meals in Chatham Road, Boxley.

An ambulance was damaged when eggs were thrown at it while it was being driven along Lower Road, East Farleigh.

The marketing suite of a business was damaged in Barty Way, Thurnham.

A horse was stolen from a farm in Well Street, Loose.

A hay turner and agricultural trailer were stolen from a farm in Lenham Heath Road, Lenham.

Graffiti was painted on the wall of a stair-well in Pads Hill, Maidstone.

A gold chain was stolen after it was acci-dentally left behind at a hotel in Ashford Road, Thurnham.

A group of young people set off a fire alarm at a commercial building in Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, and ran off.

Diesel was stolen from machinery in Car-ing Lane, Leeds.

Thieves stole a box of soft drink from a business premises in Bank Street, Maid-stone.

A white Mercedes vehicle, registration number GF13***, was stolen from Grey Wethers, Boxley.

The window of a business premises in Week Street, Maidstone, was damaged.

A garden fence was damaged in Cheg-worth Lane, Harrietsham.

Copper wire was stolen from a commer-cial premises in Ham Lane, Lenham.

Somebody tried to damage a boat moored on the river in The Priory, East Far-leigh.

A window was smashed at a school in Boughton Lane, Maidstone.

Two young people climbed up scaffold-

ing at a commercial site in Sutton Road, Langley.

Six vans parked on a private site in Richard Corben Way, Aylesford, were bro-ken into

A group of young people entered an of-fice and set off a fire extinguisher in Tower View, Kings Hill.

A security fence was damaged at the yard of a shop in London Road, East Malling.

Thieves broke into a house in Mary Last Close, Snodland.

Two people stealing scrap from a skip in Fielding Drive, East Malling, damaged a nearby Audi. They were in a white Ford Transit.

Four young people kicked and damaged the door of a house in Snodland.

News | Crime downsmail.co.uk

Crime reports

Neighbourhood WatchWorking to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police

Carly Dear (48) worked as a PE teacher at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 15 years ago and met her victim when the girl was in her teens.

Dear started to have private conversations with her in the changing rooms, offering her sweets and giving her lifts home.

Eventually, Dear’s behaviour escalated and became sexual, touching the girl before taking her to Dear’s former home in Whitstable, or a hotel, where she would abuse the victim.

Dear continued to regularly contact and abuse the victim, grooming her and insisting the

activity was normal. Dear was ar-rested after the victim reported the abuse in 2018.

Following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, Dear was found guilty of inciting sexual activity by a person in a position of trust.

She was also convicted of four counts relating to indecent as-sault, and one count of sexual ac-tivity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The jury found her not guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Dear was sentenced on Friday, January 14 to six years in prison. She will also be put on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Hannah Crittenden said: “Carly Dear took advantage of a child for her own selfish de-sire.

“The victim’s memories of growing up will be affected by what Dear has done.

“I hope the victim recognises that she was extremely brave in speaking up, but did the right thing by doing so.

“I hope that she will now focus on the future, unafraid and knowing that she was believed and Dear is facing the conse-quences of her own illegal ac-tions.”

Sex abuse teacher jailedA FORMER teacher at a Maidstone school who carried out a "campaign of grooming and mounting abuse" against a teenage girl has been jailed.

A MAN and a woman have been charged after a suspected brothel was discovered in Maidstone.

Amran Hussain (42), of London Road, Greenhithe, and Natlada Nachaipet (32), of no fixed ad-dress, will appear in court after officers were alerted to concerns about the welfare of the occu-pants at the address.

Cash was also seized from the premises.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Once inside the building, the of-ficers’ enquiries led them to sus-

pect the premises was being used as a brothel and a woman was ar-rested.

“A man was also detained out-side the property and a quantity of cash was seized.”

The pair were charged with causing or inciting prostitution for gain and possessing criminal property, namely the seized cash.

Mr Hussain was also charged with managing a brothel.

The pair were remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on February 4.

Police hunt cash thief POLICE are appealing for information after a man stole cash from the till of Sainsbury in Tonbridge Rd, Maidstone.

The suspect was waiting in a queue of customers before re-portedly pushing over a member of staff and stealing the money. He then ran off along an alleyway towards Elmstone Lane and Woodford Road.

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Saturday, Jan-uary 15. The man was wearing black trainers, dark tracksuit bot-toms, a black hooded top and a black face mask.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any informa-tion that may help the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/9562/22.

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

Brothel case in court

WE STILL wait to discover how the new housing secretary Michael Gove intends to approach the subject of homes quotas and the devastating impact they are having on our communities in Kent and the south-east.

Mr Gove is a canny operator and he would be mad to allow any bad news into the wider world while the Prime Minister’s own future is in peril after “Partygate” and the row over MP sleaze and second jobs. Nor would it be wise before May’s local elections.

But a couple of hints have emerged in recent weeks. One was in a magazine interview and the other was direction from a House of Lords report.

In an interview with James Forsyth in The Spectator last month, which went largely unreported elsewhere, Mr Gove gave the clearest indication where his direction of travel might lie – and it is not reducing housing numbers.

He said: “People are paying more in rent for a property than they would if they were servicing a mortgage. The amount that you would have to pay as a deposit to get that mortgage, I think is out of kilter with the real risk."

Would he intervene or like to see a return to 95% mortgages?

"Ultimately, it is a matter for the Bank of England. But you can't look at ownership without access to mortgage nance," he said.

The recent House of Lords "built environment committee" report observed the Government’s annual 300,000 unit target could not be met if dithering continued over reforms.

Earlier radical changes put forward by housing minister Robert Jenrick, Mr Gove’s sacked predecessor, which stripped out most public consultation and local authorities' scrutiny role, were ditched after a backlash by Tories in the south-east. But crucially, the headline target has not been revised downwards – the reverse, in fact.

The report said: "The challenges facing the housing market have been well-documented: too many people are living

in expensive, unsuitable, poor-quality homes. To address these complex challenges in the long term it is necessary to increase housing supply now."

Councils must demonstrate they have a strategy to deal with the housing quotas, said the Lords. Worse still, they add, the Help To Buy scheme designed to aid home ownership, at a cost of £29bn, would be better spent on increasing housing supply.

This over-simplistic, dogmatic approach does not meet the real need. There seems to be only a passing regard as to how this might be achieved.

But, depressingly, the end result will be the same. Too many houses in places with inadequate resources to deal with them. Rather than assist councils in providing affordable living spaces for those who need them, the developers are merely given a freer hand to scoop up land to build grand homes that most mortals cannot afford, unless you have a two-bed at in Balham to og.

That is why the new Maidstone Borough Council leader, David Burton, has made it his mission nd 1,000 council homes for locals to live in.

Cllr Burton is relatively realistic about Government targets, so long as the south-east does not bear a disproportionate burden.

He claimed: “It’s not a case of how many houses are to be built, because the Government seems committed to its target, but how they are distributed.

“No one is going to build a house that no one is going to live in but you can’t side-step the fact there is demand.”

Cllr Burton says the south-east quota is “articially inated” by 40%, the thinking being, perhaps, that over-supply will force prices down. Few observers see this as possible.

Whilst it might seem the borough council is clashing heads with the social housing providers, Golding Homes, Cllr Burton prefers to see his suggestion as augmenting existing stock. Plus, it is encouraging the affordable homes idea is achieving cross-party and officer support, although a report warns: “Market conditions in terms of high land and house prices are not favourable at present and so the council will need to be bold, creative, and exible in respect of the types of projects it will consider and the amount of risk it will accept.”

Respected property journalist and author Peter Bill says Mr Gove is currently “transxed” by the cladding issue to focus his mind on planning, but he does think the targets will eventually be fudged.

Let’s hope he’s right. One would have thought, after two disastrous by-elections, the scandal-hit Prime Minister, who is on the brink of being ousted, would be trying to shore up support in the south-east by offering some concessions to his backbenchers.

Those same MPs might also remind him their seats – his majority – may also be under threat should Boris Johnson’s vicissitudes persist. Should he be toast, the new PM needs to know that unless there is a radical rethink on housing numbers, MPs with safe Tory majorities might nd themselves out of work as the electorate seeks out greener, more liberal pastures.

Cover price thoughts THE company publishing the thing in your hands must take a serious look at how it goes about its business.

The Downs Mail has always been built on the core idea that good, community-based journalism should be delivered free. Clearly in this uncertain climate, it is an uncomfortable reality that service will prove too expensive, as free news does not gather itself. We are considering, just considering, charging for the print version of Downs Mail. Tell us your thoughts at [email protected].

Volunteer with Guides GIRLGUIDING Kent Weald is searching for companies willing to circulate information about volunteering with the country’s leading charity for girls and young women.

Girlguiding UK empowers over 300,000 girls to be their best and offers adult volunteers the chance to be part of this amazing charity.

Volunteering builds employees’ condence, teamwork and leadership skills as well as offering individuals fun and friendship. By encouraging staff to volunteer, companies can build morale

and develop a more efficient workplace. Girlguiding Kent Weald is looking for

help in groups across Maidstone and the surrounding areas. Roles could include administrative or nancial support or more hands-on volunteering with groups covering Rainbows (5–7 years), Brownies (7–10 years), Guides (10–14 years) and Rangers (14–18 years).

I’ve volunteered with Girlguiding UK for over 20 years. The girls never cease to amaze me with their determination, humour and energy and if I can inuence a tiny part of their future, it makes giving up my time worth it. Girlguiding has given

me some incredible experiences and introduced me to a network of new people.

If your company can help by circulating information to your employees’ or you are interested in volunteering locally, contact [email protected]. Lucy Hegarty, Maidstone

Answer to EU traffic jams I AM writing in response to an article in an Ashford newspaper regarding John Keefe’s concerns on health and safety at Eurotunnel and Dover docks as well as congestion/gridlock throughout Kent

downsmail.co.ukCom

mentSimonSays

SIMON FINLAY Editor [email protected] Twitter @Simonnlay6500

Homes plans under wraps

38

caused by the new stringent rules for non-EU citizens leaving the UK.

The article indicates that he met with the justice and home affairs committee at the House of Lords, to discuss the EU rule changes and how it will affect us and Kent’s roads, yet it would seem that a solution has yet to be discussed.

Back in 2015, I put forward a suggestion to the government to build a dual carriageway almost parallel to the M20, which was intended to accommodate HGV vehicles when Operation Stack was brought in to force. This idea would also be a good way of helping Kent’s roads remain open even with these new laws.

It could house the cars along this road, which are then released in block amounts to continue their journey to the terminal, thus keeping the M20 owing for all other traffic.

The William Harvey Hospital is the hub for stroke victims and it is imperative that these roads remain as clear as possible.

With the rapidly rising number of vehicles travelling through Kent, a solution needs to be agreed upon now, not when it is too late! Brian Marchant, Ashford

Victims turning offenders IN RECENT times some on the BBC have made horrible, infantile remarks about others, later shrugged off as "jokes".

The former England cricket captain and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the 2005 Ashes winner and a much-respected broadcaster on the BBC's Test Match Special (TMS), has been dropped like a hot potato because of accusations he made a racist remark, which appear to have been based on hearsay.

Despite TMS losing much of its magic in recent years by jettisoning its older contributors, Mr Vaughan has been missed in the Ashes series and continues to vehemently deny any wrongdoing.

For me, the laws of cricket state that there should two umpires – one for each end not one for each side, as it appears to have been interpreted in this instance.

Time after time, we have seen those who claim victimhood also turn out to be offenders themselves. Alan Wallace, via email

Money dictates crossings I HAVE just driven the 1.1 miles along New Cut Road to the roundabout for turning up to the M20, and there are now four traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings and one orange beacon controlled crossing.

I then drove the 1.8 miles from start to nish of Willington Street, and found two traffic light-controlled crossings and one belisha-controlled crossing.

There are no controlled crossings on Willington Street from the one the Mote House Developers paid for at the junction with Madginford Road and the crossing at the junction with Northumberland Road.

No crossings for getting into Mote Park, except the very dangerous one in the dip at the junction with Deringwood Drive, which is uncontrolled and on a fast bit of road.

Obviously people are expected to drive or take a calculated risk crossing the road with very large lorries a constant threat.

I suspect money talks in respect of New Cut Road, where developers have paid for the crossings, even though when traffic gets back to norm, this could cause a lot of congestion. Developers’ money also talked in Willington Street, with the crossing at Madginford Road.

Because nobody has been killed there, KCC do not see a need to put other crossings in on Willington Street, even although they have allowed it to become a major road which has no A or B or even C category, and traffic constantly exceeds the speed limit.

Come on KCC, I complained about the pavements and you did nothing, prove to us that you are listening. Don Wright, Willington Street, Maidstone

Make room for performers A LETTER I have sent to Cllr Martin Round at Maidstone Borough Council, regarding Maidstone Leisure Centre reads:

I read with great interest Dennis Fowle’s account of the recent economic regeneration and leisure committee meeting in which the future of Mote Park leisure centre was discussed (Downs Mail, issue 310).

I was heartened to read Cllr Harper’s support of a mixed-use development, including an auditorium, but was then disappointed to see that none of the initial proposals has any provision for such a range of activities.

There is an opportunity here to nally provide our local musicians and other performing artists with a space that is worthy of their talents, rather than (as is currently the case) plonking them in a converted basketball court that is acoustically dubious and uncomfortable for performers and audience alike.

Maidstone Symphony Orchestra frequently host soloists of international calibre, and our county youth orchestra has been a crucible for exceptional musicians over the years, yet their public stage is this aforementioned sports hall. That these organisations manage to reach such standards with such poor accommodation leaves me only to wonder at what they might achieve given a more tailored venue, and surely with it would come better outreach to the local community.

I write, therefore, to urge that serious consideration is given to performing arts organisations who might make use of a redeveloped leisure centre (and, in any case, seem destined to lose their current home according to the proposed plans). At the very least, please ensure that MSO and Kent Music are included in any future consultations.

I have attached a poster developed some years ago now in response to an open call for ideas to reinvigorate the town centre. This scheme for a riverside concert hall captured the public interest at the time and won the (admittedly informal) public vote for two key reasons: rstly, it made best use of the surrounding landscape (Mote Park offers a similar opportunity); secondly, the narrative told of the chance to provide a stage worthy of the county town of Kent.

I look forward to watching the proposals develop. Alex Marlow, senior architect

A249 scheme out of date ACCORDING to your website, we have a new date for the A249 Bearsted Road improvement scheme.

In the initial public newsletter about the scheme dated May 2019, work was to start on procurement in April 2019, and the whole scheme nished in the autumn of 2020, some 18 months later.

There had been a delay to take into account changes to the original plans. Since then of course with the substantial developments in the area that have occurred since the traffic statistics were collated in March 2018 to justify the scheme, they will be massively under current levels.

The leaet quotes almost 7,000 vehicle movements in each rush hour, plus an additional but not stated total for the rest of the day. With the extra developments completed since then, those gures will be substantially lower than the actuality. Just look at J7 on the M20 and the length of the queues for those wishing to turn left at the roundabout towards New Cut and the same applies to those coming from the town, with queues back to Chiltern Hundreds from the same roundabout.

The scheme needs to be done, but the council cannot use COVID-19 as an excuse for its delay, as lockdown did not start until March 2020, by which time the work would have been half-completed.

Money was not a problem as the above leaet said that nance had been arranged so what was the delay?

If the scheme is to be commenced in April 2022, it would seem it will not be completed until summer of 2023, at the earliest. With those levels of traffic, there will have to be a reassessment of how they get to and from the town – and the Park Wood industrial estate chaos will ensue unless they go through the town or via J8.

Residents of Grove Green and Weavering will become prisoners in their own homes as they will have difficulty leaving the estates or returning. Many aiming for the M20 or Detling Hill will have to go to the Ashford Road and join the M20 at J8 or even go through the town and join it at J6 or J5.

What help will the council give to those residents? Knowing the current lot, probably nothing. Ian Stuart, Weavering

Comment

downsmail.co.uk

39

SO FAREWELL, Peter Read, the Kent education expert who has never felt at

odds with telling it how it is, delivering harsh truths to the establishment. The former headteacher, who is nally retiring, found a niche offering advice to parents desperate to get their children into grammar schools. For 15 years, he has run the KentAdvice website, a must-read for stirrers and meddlers. He says: “I am no longer able to keep up with the increasing amount of material that presents itself, but mainly I recognise the time is right for me.”

WHILST the borough council has been trumpeting the £7m acquisition of

the unprepossessing Maidstone House headquarters (the red-bricked cube atop The Mall), it is always reassuring to know that former Labour councillor Malcolm McKay, now a member of the growing band of indies, is on hand to pour the cold water of reality onto proceedings. Wheeling a trolley round Grove Green Tesco, he condes: “I welcome it as it makes perfect sense. The question to be asked next is how much it will cost to make it t for purpose.”

AS Boris Johnson’s current problems look rather terminal in the face of

unrelenting revelations about sleaze and parties, there is speculation over who will eventually succeed him into Number 10. Rishi Sunak? Liz Truss? Priti Patel? Perhaps. One backbencher exing his muscles discreetly in the background is the resolutely self-assured member for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhat. An old hand at Westminster recalls Tom as he rst entered the Houses of Parliament: “When he got here, he was a little too pleased with himself, a bit smug.”

OUT of the mouths of babes and all that. One Leeds and Broomeld

Primary School pupil, Ben (10), commenting after its recent ‘good’ Ofsted rating, said: “We appreciate the education we get from the teachers…by happiness.”

I HEAR Maidstone Borough Council staffers are being rewarded for their

efforts with a new service entitled to “employee gratication”, an offer redeemable at “local shops and eateries”.

STAUNCHLY independent Boughton Monchelsea councillor Steve Munford

stalked out of the town hall recently after spotting other members were not wearing masks. My spy tells the punctilious officers did wear face coverings.

downsmail.co.uk Opinion

THROUGHOUT the pandemic my team and I have maintained progress on many campaigns and here is a short update on some of the issues we have been tackling. School closure: Many villages will be affected by the shock announcement last September that the High Weald Academy (HWA) is to close. Despite being unable to mount a legal challenge, I continue to press for a new non-selective school, working alongside our HWA working group, Cranbrook School and our parish and borough councillors. Flooding: The forthcoming Leigh Barrier expansion and the Hildenborough embankment could make quite a difference to downstream communities in Yalding, Laddingford, Collier Street, Hunton, Mockbeggar and Benover. I have been liaising with stakeholders and the Environment Agency to ensure residents gain optimal ood protection measures once the schemes are operational. Sinkholes: In West Maidstone, I believe more could be done by South East Water (SEW) to prevent further ground collapses caused by leaking and broken water mains. Following recent meetings, SEW will be commissioning a geological study from Canterbury University into the areas prone to these incidents. SEW is also launching ‘Storm Overow Taskforce’, a project which will examine developing problems before they become real. I will be monitoring the outcomes carefully.

Housing: Across the constituency there remains widespread concern about excessive new housing development. Yes, we need more houses, but only in the right places, with the right infrastructure, and in the right numbers. Working alongside Maidstone Borough Council we have managed to persuade the Secretary of State to reduce the forecast housing need for Maidstone, but we still face a very challenging target and I will certainly be keeping this issue under close scrutiny. COVID-19: The last two years have been extremely difficult for everyone. My thoughts remain with all those who suffered debilitation or who have lost loved ones throughout the pandemic. The development of the vaccine, which this country helped to lead, plus the booster programme, has allowed us to ght the Omicron variant effectively. Let us hope we shall now be able to move forward with condence in 2022.

Still tackling issues that matter to you

NEARLY 1,500 Kent families withdrew their chil-dren from school last year, opting for elective home education (EHE), double the figure in 2019-20.

Many families will educate their children at home to high standards, some will not. Worse still, EHE masks neglect or worse. Local authori-ties have no powers to investigate the circum-stances of the decision.

A record number of Kent children are ‘missing’ from schools. Many will be from traveller or East-ern European families, some of whom went home after Brexit.

These are areas where government education policy is severely lacking, with failures to collect data or to make any checks, despite promises.

The school with the largest proportion of chil-dren leaving for EHE was the closing High Weald Academy, where 8.2% of the 256 children in the school of the start of the year were removed.

Little is known about children who go missing from the education system, and I am full of ad-miration for schools who have to manage the

challenges of such short-term placements. There is little research into the subject, with a

government paper dating back to 2016 saying little about those whose destination is not known. The National Children's Bureau’s “Chil-dren Missing Education’ dates back to 2017, and so is of limited relevance.

Ulcombe Primary, which appears year on year at the head of this category, has a high propor-tion of traveller families in its catchment area.

Schools can probably guess the destination of most of those going missing, but there are cer-tainly fears about the safety of others and it is not clear to what extent these are followed up, especially for children in care.

By Peter Read Kent education commentator

Where are missing pupils?

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

By Helen Grant MP for

Maidstone & the Weald

Chin chin!

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