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Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling
September 2015 No. 221
Bid to end ‘phoenix’
firms tax loophole
News
THOUSANDS of pounds of tax is going unpaid because of entrepreneurs
who claim their Maidstone-based businesses are bankrupt, only for their
assets to be transferred to a company with a different name.
The recipient is known as a
phoenix company and though the
practice is legal, Maidstone Council is lobbying for a change in the
law after recently writing off
£636,883 in unrecoverable business
rates from 18 failed public limited
companies, accumulated during
seven years.
Downs Mail can reveal that Mark
Wilson (52) and his brother Robert
(56), who live in separate addresses
in Discovery Road, Bearsted, have
continued to run Strawberry
Moons despite being directors of a
string of companies registered at
the nightclub's address of 28-32
Gabriel’s Hill that wound up with
debts of £2.89m.
This figure includes more than
£630,000 owed to the taxman and
£63,895 to Maidstone Council.
The brothers were additionally
directors of two Ashford-based
companies – one previously trading as Strawberry Moons Ltd – that
went under with debts of £1.4m, including £327,000 to HMRC.
In all, one or both of the Wilson
brothers have served on the boards
of 10 companies that have folded in
the past seven years, owing £4.29m.
One of their failed companies
was 1MK Ltd, which had the same
address as the nightclub and went
under in May last year, owing
Maidstone Council £15,403. The
council’s policy and resources com-
Luke’s degree of success
A STUDENT from Maidstone who
was turned down for his 11-plus
exam is hoping to inspire others
after picking up a first-class honours
degree.
As pupils across the borough
received their A-level results, Luke
Coomber (21), from The
Hedgerow, Grove Green, proved
that academic success can be
achieved without attending a
grammar school.
Luke (pictured) said: “You are
very young when the choice is
made as to whether or not you are
good enough to go to a
grammar school. At that 23
YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT
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mittee recently agreed to write off
this debt.
However, since October 2014
they have been directors of Club
Trading Ltd, for whom their registered address is 28-32 Gabriel’s
Hill. The following month Strawberry Moons issued a health and
safety statement that confirmed the
brothers remained directors of the
nightclub.
Robert Wilson said: “It is with
deep regret that these companies
went into liquidation due to the recession. It is also unfortunate that
Maidstone Borough Council has
had to write off £15,000 in rates.
“Everything has been
done in the correct and legal 6
Cash query as
bypass agreed
MAIDSTONE Council is set to
press ahead with the Leeds-Langley bypass, but there is still no indication of how the scheme will be
funded.
The proposed road linking the
A274 south-east of Maidstone with
the A20 near M20 Junction 8 has
been an aspiration for more than 30
years. It has become even more important in recent years, with the
council's local plan target of 18,560
homes between 2011 and 2031 including about 4,000 homes along
the Sutton Road corridor.
Previously the link road idea had
caused divisions but the Maidstone
Joint Transportation Board, containing borough, county and parish
councillors, has recommended the
inclusion of the scheme in the Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS),
which will form part of the local
plan. But Cllr Paul Carter, who
lives in Langley and represents Maidstone Rural 8
Fun on the river
ALMOST 100 boats lined the
Medway for the informal boat
gathering, collated by
River Medway Boaters. 14
Students celebrate
SCHOOLS across the borough
have reported recordbreaking A-level results. 22
Hospital boost
THE local NHS Trust says the
treatment of strokes is
26
improving.
Congestion hope
MANSTON Airfield will be used to
ease the misery caused
28
by Operation Stack.
End of market era
MAIDSTONE Country Market has
closed just months after
46
its 70th anniversary.
Obituaries
32-33
Comment
46-47
34
Crime Reports
47
A NUMBER of vehicles were
scratched while parked overnight
in the Bower Place and Bower
Lane areas of Fant.
Parish Councils
47
COLD callers had been arousing
suspicion by offering cut-price
furniture and enquiring about
parked cars in Loose; volunteers
were requested to act as flood
wardens and to help organise
next year’s fete in Tovil.
Ramblin’ fun
MAIDSTONE proved it could rock
with the best of them, in spite of the
rain, when the Ramblin’ Man Fair
paid its first visit to the town.
Thousands endured Sunday’s
downpours at the rock weekender
in Mote Park and a repeat
performance is planned 16
next year.
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Cafe’s new
lease of life
A TOWN centre cafe has found a
creative way of making a ‘living’.
The Living Café in Earl Street has
prided itself on serving nutritious,
locally-sourced food in a friendly
and intimate atmosphere.
Now, when the soup and sandwiches are sold out, the cafe
switches at 4.30pm to serving liquid refreshment, thanks to the
Crafty Alehouse – a new micro-pub
pouring pints from four casks
stored in the cafe’s cellars.
Sandwiched between the Earl’s
and Druids pubs, the Crafty Alehouse is run by brothers Sam and
Joe Otway, and estate agent Ben
Siggins. The new owners hope to
attract customers looking for a
quiet drink before or after a meal.
Man cut free in
car crash rescue
KENT Fire and Rescue was called
to a crash involving two cars in Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone. They
found a man in his mid-30s
trapped in one of the cars complaining of neck and chest pain.
Crews removed the driver’s door
and worked with paramedics to get
him into an ambulance before making the scene safe.
I’ll be back, promises
cancer scare councillor
A POPULAR borough councillor
is fighting his way back to full
health after doctors gave him only
a 20% chance of surviving a cancer
scare.
Cllr Brian Mortimer, who lives in
Heath Road, Coxheath, went to
Pembury Hospital in May with a
suspected perforated bowel.
He was admitted and woke up 10
days later in intensive care, having
had both a cancerous tumour and
abscess removed.
He said: “Don’t ask me what
happened during those 10 days – I
have no idea. I was totally out of it.
Apparently, the doctors tried to
wake me up four times without
success; it was only on the fifth occasion, after 10 days, that I opened
my eyes.”
At one point, Cllr Mortimer’s
wife Dianne and close family were
told he had only a 20% chance of
pulling through.
The former Mayor of Maidstone,
known for his jovial and outgoing
personality, went on to develop
septicaemia (blood poisoning) and
developed a second abscess in his
leg, both of which were success-
fully treated.
He said: “I consider myself to be
a very lucky lad and am only
thankful I am here to tell the tale.”
After being bed-bound in hospital for a month, Cllr Mortimer (61)
now faces a six-month spell of
chemotherapy as a preventative
measure in case any cancer cells
have survived.
He said: “I’m not looking forward to it, but it is the sensible
thing to do.
“Every day is now so very precious to me, as there is still a lot I
want to do – but I’m alive and kick-
Maidstone
ing, that’s the main thing. I love life
– and I’ll be back!”
The former electrician and
builder, who has served Coxheath
and Hunton ward since 1996, paid
tribute to his family and friends
who had rallied round during his
convalescence.
He said: “I’ve had kind wishes
from people I don’t even know!”
Although it will be some time before he is back to full strength, Cllr
Mortimer has every intention of
getting back into the council chamber in the autumn.
He said: “My brain still works,
but my body soon gets tired and I
get frustrated that I can’t do much.”
Brian has been a stalwart of the
council, and a regular member on
various committees, since his election 19 years ago.
When not attending council
meetings and serving his ward
members, he enjoys playing the
guitar and playing in a band. He is
also a keen member of the Coxheath twinning association.
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News
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Facelift to boost
“twilight” zone
WORK to revamp The Mall in
Maidstone could see a new “twilight” shopping facility to bridge
the gap between day and nighttime activities.
A £5m facelift, most of which
will take place during the night,
will see new flooring, lighting and
entrances installed to the town
centre shopping outlet in a bid to
encourage more shoppers.
Longer-term, owners Capital
and Regional plan to spend
£100m on creating a cleaner,
brighter centre that will encourage shoppers to stay longer in
town – and spend more money.
New leisure facilities and additional food and drink outlets are
planned to bridge the gap between daytime shopping and the
town’s busy night time economy
– restaurants, bars, cinemas and
nightclubs.
The trademark canopy in King
Street will be taken down as part
of the first phase, being replaced
with a bright new glass entrance,
along with changes to the other
main entrance at the bottom of
Gabriel’s Hill.
Capital and Regional say improvements to another of their
outlets has seen a 2% increase in
footfall.
Access threat helps to
scupper homes scheme
THE owner of a dance and events
venue in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone says she was prepared to refuse developer access had a scheme
for five homes been approved.
Margaret Preedy (pictured) lives
at No 33, from where she has run her
dance studios for 15
years. She strongly
objected to a proposal to develop on
the former Budget
Rent-a-Car
site
nearby, and told
Maidstone Council's
planning committee, before its decision to refuse the
scheme: “The only access to this proposed site is across private land,
owned by me. There is no independent access.
“I have the right to move this access at any time with two months’
notice, which I could be forced to do
to protect my business, thus making
these plans non-viable.
“I run classes six days and
evenings a week for adults and children as young as four years old. I
run school holiday clubs with children on the premises all day. I have
The premises in Tonbridge Road
party and wedding bookings in for
every weekend this year, and into future years.
“It would be wrong to accept that
any of these events could be watched
by overlooking residents. This past
week, in excess of 1,400 people came
through my front door. Over a year
there could be 100,000 visitors.
“The front windows of the proposed development will be less than
2m from my busy car park with my
guests leaving late in the weekday
evenings and past midnight at the
weekends.
“I will not be prepared to accept
any complaints that may arise from
this and will insist on no windows
facing my premises and full sound
insulation used in the build.”
Mr Atkins, representing the applicant, said the site had been marketed
for business use for two years, but
had no takers.
However, Cllr Stephen Paine, a
member of the committee, said: “I
think I have supported every brownfield regeneration scheme since I became a councillor [in 2008].
“But for this one I really do have
concerns. The layout is very dense
and there is a lot of overlooking. It
has happened before, when we have
had housing next to a business, the
residents start a campaign. Before
you know it, a successful business
will have an enforcement notice,
which is the last thing we will want.”
Cllr Brian Clark, also on the committee, said: “It is ironic that a Renta-Car site caused less harm than
housing but we are shoehorning in
large family homes. I can see some
great problems if this goes ahead.”
The committee voted to refuse due
to the proposal's cramped design
and its lack of amenity area.
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News
Help charity to
bridge shortfall
MAIDSTONE Mencap is hoping
locals will dig deep to help the
charity keep its historic base in
the town’s Mote Park.
The charity, founded 47 years
ago, runs a popular playgroup, as
well as holiday and youth clubs, at
its base in the park’s Cobtree Hall.
But the former church is falling
into disrepair and now needs
£160,000 spending on the roof, guttering and stonework to ensure its
survival.
Maidstone Mencap is £52,000
short of funds for the first phase
and would need an extra £30,000 to
complete the second.
At a time when the charity is already struggling to stay solvent,
the news has come as a bitter blow.
The group is loathe to relinquish
the historic building in a picturesque setting where the children
can play safely both inside and out.
Consequently, it has launched a
campaign to raise funds and secure
any appropriate grants and dona-
tions toward the cost of the work.
Maidstone Mencap caters for
children and young people with
both learning and physical disabilities. Many of them also have additional medical needs, are autistic
and have difficulty communicating
or challenging behaviour, any of
which may mean they are excluded from other clubs.
The playschool runs each Tuesday and Thursday in term time,
from 10am to 2pm, catering for up
to 25 children aged two to five from
Maidstone, Malling and the Weald.
A dedicated team of volunteers
means the children get 1:1 care.
The charity gets no government
funding so is entirely dependent
upon donations.
For more information on how to
help, donate or volunteer, visit
www.maidstonemencap.org
For more local news
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A new lease of life for Maidstone’s 12th-century Corpus Christi Hall
Ancient to modern revival
A 12TH-century hall in Maidstone,
mothballed for 15 years, is to open
its doors to the public following a
six-month renovation project.
The Corpus Christi Hall in Earl
Street is now available for private
hire in the latest twist to its colourful past. It was home to Maidstone
grammar school for 300 years, from
1549, and also housed the town’s
Whitbread brewery. Part of the
building was most recently used as
the reception for Avis rent-a-car,
while the rest lay empty for 15
years.
The hall’s historic character remains in place thanks to its original
features including two crown posts
with chamfered tie beams, a passage with five stone arches, and
traces of a wooden partition that
originally divided the hall in two.
The renovation has meticulously
restored the building, with its origi-
nal sprung floor and vaulted ceiling.
Now, the hall boasts a bar and commercial kitchen, which are available
for wedding receptions, corporate
events, birthdays and any celebrations.
The owner, described as a “very
private person”, added: “I had a vision for an events hall but something that was a little different.
That is when the hall came about
and although it was an obvious
challenge, I could see the huge potential and honour to open such a
prestigious building. We believe we
now have what is a magnificent result, with it retaining its original
charm and features.”
The public can view the premises
for free from noon to 4pm on Sunday, September 13, as part of Maidstone Council’s Heritage Open
Days. Details on 01622 670011, or
email [email protected].
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News
Business rates | downsmail.co.uk
£100k debt wrien off
MAIDSTONE Council has written off more than £100,000 in unpaid business rates associated with the recently closed Wonderland nightclub.
Stephen Charles Thomas (62),
who is registered at a Milton
Keynes address, was a director of
two separate companies based at
Lockmeadow that have gone bust.
He was the sole director of NSG
(Maidstone) Ltd, which went into
liquidation in January this year
owing Maidstone Council £56,705
in business rates.
Mr Thomas was also one of two
directors of TMH (XL) Limited,
which went into administration in
July last year, owing the council
£59,318.
The council’s policy and resources committee agreed to write
off the £116,000 debt.
Going back to the 1990s, not long
after the Lockmeadow complex
was built, the premises has seen a
variety of clubs – including Jumpin
Jaks, Liquid and Envy and Ikon –
come and go.
For the past three years, its reincarnation as Wonderland had
young clubbers flocking to the west
side of the Medway. However,
Maidstone Council has approved
an application to turn part of the
club into a trampolining centre, to
be run by Gravity Fitness Ltd.
Wonderland closed its doors this
summer for the final time with a
foam party for under 18s.
WHEN a company goes bankrupt, a
second company can start up
overnight with the same directors –
but without any obligation to pay
for the failed company’s losses.
This is because they appear to be
different entities. The new firm is
known as a phoenix company.
Fraud happens when directors
abuse the phoenix company
arrangement by transferring the assets of the failing company below
their market value before insolvency, which reduces the funds
available to creditors.
There is no suggestion of any illegality in any of the companies we
have featured in our investigation.
Wonderland nightclub in Maidstone’s Lockmeadow complex could
become a centre for trampolining
Call for legislation to close loophole
Continued from page one
manner. We are currently employing over 100 people full- and parttime in Maidstone town centre.
“We have been operating in Maidstone for over 22 years, contributing
millions in taxes and rates and will
continue to do so in the future. We
personally took heavy losses (approx £1m) but have continued to
reinvest into the Maidstone economy that is now coming out of one
of the worse recessions in history.”
Despite the debts already accrued
in charge of businesses that went
into liquidation, the Wilson brothers
were able to launch The Brenchley
in the High Street two years ago. At
the time their failed companies
owed at least £667 to Maidstone
Town Centre Management, who
still promoted
the opening of
the pub in its
summer 2013
newsletter.
The council
has sent a letter
to the Local
Government
Association calling for a change
Mark Wilson
in the law regarding
the
ease in which debts can be written
off and phoenix companies created.
The leader of the council Cllr Fran
Wilson (no relation to Mark or
Robert) would not comment on individual cases but said: “If a company known to us closes and
reopens under a different name
there is absolutely nothing Maidstone Council can do about it, other
than collect business rates in the
normal way. Until the Government
decides to legislate against it there is
little we can do.”
Cllr Steve McLoughlin, a member
of the policy and resources committee, said a possible solution was to
demand the payment of business
rates upfront from companies considered a risk.
Of the business rates that Maidstone Council successfully collects,
it gets to keep 40%, with 10% given
to KCC and the remainder to the
Government. Although more than
97.6% of Maidstone businesses pay
their rates on time, the council is
currently owed more than £1.5m in
unpaid rates.
Government and council both big losers
IN the past half-decade eight public limited companies, of which either or both of Mark and Robert
Wilson have been directors, have
gone bust with huge debts.
Documents seen by the Downs
Mail confirm that they are all
linked to Strawberry Moons’ registered address of 28-32 Gabriel's
Hill, Maidstone. They were liquidated on the following months:
February 2010 Wilson Fun Company owed £1.1m, including
£130,962 to HMRC.
March 2010 Partner Club owed
£703,842, including £82,305 to
HMRC and £32,937 to Maidstone
Council.
6
January 2012 Big Fix (Robert Wilson only) owed £104,679, including £82,771 to HMRC and £3,611
to Maidstone Council.
April 2012 Kent Nightclub (additional director June Wilson (83), of
Oak Croft, Bearsted) owed
£188,142, including £101,971 to
HMRC and £8,163 to Maidstone
Council.
May 2013 Mad Star (minus Robert
Wilson; additional director June
Wilson) owed £102,863, including
£78,969 to HMRC and £3,500 to
Maidstone Council.
May 2014 Kent Club (additional
director June Wilson) owed
£317,495, including £24,553 to
HMRC and £281 to Maidstone
Council.
May 2014 1MK Ltd (additional director Valerie Cradduck (62), of
Penenden Street, Maidstone)
owed £141,737, including £41,452
to HMRC and £15,403 to Maidstone Council.
March 2015 Openscore (additional
director June Wilson) owed
£318,705, including £88,323 to
HMRC.
Ailing pub
kept alive
A MARRIED couple have been able
to keep hold of The White Horse
pub in London Road, Maidstone
after being forced to put their
struggling company into liquidation.
Palmers Pub Company Limited,
owned by Lee Palmer (58) and his
wife Sandra (56), went into liquidation in November 2014, leaving a
£34,000 debt in business rates that
Maidstone Council has written off.
Due to difficulties in meeting
running costs of The White Horse,
which the Allington couple have
run since 2009, they lost their home
but remain the pub’s landlords
after a family member took it over
under a new company name.
Lee said: “It is unfortunate that,
despite all the hard work and effort
we have put into this business, we
were advised to go into liquidation
due to ever increasing outgoings
that we could not keep up with.
The biggest losses were ours, over
£100,000, forcing the sale of our
home, which has now all gone. We
did not let any local suppliers go
unpaid at any stage.
“Thankfully, a family member
was able to buy what was left and
allowed us to continue to stay at
the pub. We put our heart and soul
into what we do here to offer a decent and safe environment for people to relax and enjoy themselves.
“We are great supporters of local
music and of local charities. We
have helped to raise over £3,000
this year alone for various causes.
We will continue to provide a service to our community for as long as
we can.”
OTHER failed companies whose
unpaid business rates were recently written off by Maidstone
Council:
Farmshop Restaurant Ltd, operating as Turning Tables, 62-63a
High Street (£57,609).
Virgo (London), Ltd, 365/366
Dukes Walk, The Mall (£56,705).
Saffron (London) Ltd, 68 Week
Street (£53,279).
Super-Fly Clothing Ltd, 23 Fremlin Walk (£40,761).
Invent Events Ltd, 34c Gabriel’s
Hill (£30,883).
Infinite Leisure Hospitality Ltd,
15-17 King Street (£18,936).
Wimpy Maidstone Ltd, 5
Gabriel’s Hill (£16,915).
STC Fashions Ltd, 51 Week
Street (£12,720).
Footchain Ltd, 17 The Mall
(£419 – previous debts already
written off).
WHAT are your views on phoenix companies? Have you lost money in
unpaid debts because a company went under, only for its owners to
continue to trade the same as before? Should there be a change in the
law? Contact the editor on [email protected]
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£50m bypass scheme agreed
North, has re-emphasised the financial obstacles the project faces. The
KCC leader says there would only
be a total of £10m funding available
for a scheme that would cost more
than £50m.
At the end of a two-hour debate in
which it was agreed to press ahead
with the idea, Cllr Carter said: “We
can't promise a transport plan that
can't be delivered and gives developers an opportunity to build more
homes.
“Don't make decisions based on
total uncertainty. We need to find
out how much the true cost is.”
However, chairman of the board
Cllr David Burton said: “We make a
list of desires and then find out how
they might be achieved.”
The board agreed to back an ITS
that includes the Leeds-Langley bypass, increased bus frequencies of
up to every 10 minutes and a 50%
rise in long-stay town centre parking charges.
The proposal for a park and ride
service in Linton was removed. The
chosen strategy (DS3) could see an
increase of 7% in vehicle travel
times from 2014 to 2031, which compared favourably to 30% in the DS1
option. The latter included a range
of small-scale junction improvements and the development of the
bypass.
The sustainable package (DS2),
which included improved bus frequencies, Linton park and ride, enhanced walking and cycling
facilities and increased parking
charges, would have seen a rise of
just 3%, according to consultant
Amey, who was commissioned by
Maidstone Council and KCC to undertake the study.
Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, leader
of the Conservative group on Maidstone Council, said: “The assumption has been made that 8% of
people will have a modal shift and
not drive, which is a possibility in
urban areas but not in rural areas.
“People will not cycle from Headcorn to Maidstone every single day;
not from Staplehurst or Marden. It
Plan for quarry
Helpers listen in – for 40 years
Maidstone Samaritans also works
with a number of other groups and
organisations, including Cruse, for
breavement support; Maidstone Day
Centre, to assist the homeless; and
the Listeners’ service in local prisons.
Deputy mayor Derek Butler presents
This year it also piloted a referral
a long-service award to retired
scheme with a GP practice.
Founder members Laurel and Bill Samaritan Daphne Earnshaw
Cooper, Mandy Perrin, from Samari- ler were among the guests invited to
tans Central Charity, and the deputy celebrate the branch’s 40th annivermayor of Maidstone Cllr Derek But- sary at its AGM.
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A DISUSED quarry and former recycling centre in Tovil could become a development of 108 homes.
Maidstone Council has received
a proposal for the site, off Straw
Mill Hill, from Skillcrown Homes.
The developer wants to put up 33
houses and 58 flats to sell on the
open market. Another 17 affordable
flats and houses would complete
the development. The development
would generate about 456 traffic
movements a day.
the
MORE than 14,000 people in distress
turned to the Samaritans in Maidstone for help last year.
The figures were reported at the
AGM of the local branch, which has
been offering support for 40 years.
The Maidstone centre’s 70 volunteers spent 224 hours a week listening to people’s problems, with
out-of-hours calls diverted to other
branches, meaning a helping hand
all day, every day.
is not practical or real.
“We currently subsidise park and
ride by £500,000 a year. What subsidy would we have to provide to
prop this one up? ”
The other option, do minimum
(DM), included little more than the
already-planned town centre bridge
gyratory scheme and would have
seen a rise of 38% in travel times.
Cllr Gary Cooke, KCC member
for Maidstone South East, said: “All
things have to be funded, but it is
important there is provision for a relief road for the residents who live
here and those that move here.”
The board's recommendation will
go in the draft local plan document
that will go out for consultation.
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Cup set for
County Hall
RUGBY enthusiasts will be able to
view the Webb Ellis Cup in Maidstone.
Rugby’s greatest prize will visit
County Hall on Thursday, September 3 as part of a national tour, before arriving at Twickenham
stadium on September 18 ahead
of the World Cup opening ceremony.
Albums stolen
A MAN admitted stealing a record
collection from a house in Willington
Street, Maidstone, when he appeared before Mid Kent Magistrates.
Shaun Sands (47) from Tonbridge
Road, Maidstone was ordered to
carry out 270 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay £300 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.
Speed limit
A R E D U C E D speed limit is in
operation on the A20 London
Road between the Coldharbour
roundabout and Beaver Road,
Allington.
The 30mph limit will enable
work by Southern Gas Networks,
which could continue until August
31. The work was due to start on
August 10, lasting for up to 21
days.
Bid to beat isolation blues
TECHNOLOGY is being used increasingly to connect more and
more people.
From social networks, which
keep friends and family in touch, to
professional networks such as
LinkedIn, technology is rapidly replacing the written and telephonic
word.
Now, in a bid to reduce social isolation in the borough, Maidstone is
hosting the Kent Connects ‘Transformed by You’ challenge to bring
people together in a new and exciting way.
Maidstone has one of the highest
concentrations of home-based businesses in Kent, with about 9,000
homeworkers in the borough, of
which half own their own business.
Some of the wards with lots of
self-employed homeworkers are in
rural areas, such as Marden, Yalding, and Boxley.
With the population of the borough expected to increase by 10.2%
(16,400) in the next 10 years, the
town’s challenge is ‘People are better together; how can we connect
them?’ and local residents are being
invited to get involved.
A council spokesman said: “You
don’t have to have technological
know-how – we’re just looking for
ideas to get the ball rolling.”
The challenge is in two parts.
First, people are being asked to
submit their ideas which could
help anyone who might experience
social isolation – from local businesses looking to collaborate for
their mutual benefit, to those who
have just moved to the borough
and are looking for like-minded in-
dividuals to share an interest.
Then, the top ideas will be taken
forward to a ‘Hack Day’ on November 21 in the Business Terrace,
Maidstone’s new enterprise hub.
Here, developers and those with
an interest can come along to help
build a prototype solution, and
have the chance to win a package of
support to help make that prototype a reality.
The spokesman said: “We want
to take advantage of technology to
make sure that people have the
opportunity to build networks and
reduce isolation in our communities.”
If you think you have a technological solution to a problem related to social isolation, submit
your idea online at www.transformedbyyou.com.
David is Lions’ new president
DAVID Priestley has been chosen as
the new president of Maidstone
Lions Club. A retired building society
manager, he has been president of
Maidstone Club three times before.
David, who lives in Loose Road
with his wife Sandra, was involved
with Loose Swiss Scouts for more
than 30 years, many as chairman.
He is pictured with Lion Marion
Brooks, the club’s outgoing president. During her two years as president the club donated more than
£44,000 to charitable causes,
mainly in the Maidstone area.
Maidstone Lions Club belongs to
the largest service organisation in
the world, with more than 1.3 million members. For more details call
David on 01622 745023.
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Op fails to restore spaniel’s sight
HOPES that a blind abandoned
dog might recover part of her sight
were dashed when surgery proved
ineffective.
Delphine the springer spaniel
touched the hearts of hundreds of
people after she was found terrified
and sick and tied to a pallet of bricks
in Hayle Place, Maidstone in May.
Her ears were infected and she had
thick cataracts in both eye.
She was nursed by staff at the
RSPCA centre in Leybourne who
launched an appeal for £2,500 in the
hope that an operation could help
her to see again.
Describing her as a “lovely, gentle
character”, centre manager Christine
Dooley said: “The last familiar
A VIBRANT art market is set to
shake up Maidstone’s Lockmeadow, where the market hall
will be turned into a colourful fantasia of fascinating art and music.
The first Maidstone Art Market
takes place on Saturday, September 19, in the historic Lockmeadow Market Hall.
The market, from 9am to 4pm,
will feature some 80 stalls with
artists from across the South East.
Exhibitors include Emily Tull,
one of the national finalists in the
Sky Arts portrait artist of the year
sound she would have heard was
her owner’s footsteps walking away,
then she was plunged into an unknown world of noises and smells –
the RSPCA inspector that rescued
her, the van as she was driven to
Leybourne Animal Centre, then the
overwhelming sound of dozens of
dogs barking in the kennels.”
Delphine, who is aged about six,
progressed under the care of the centre staff, going for short walks along
the same route to get used to her surroundings. It was hoped that if she
could see again, it would make her
transition to a new home much easier. Donations poured in and £3,654
was soon raised. Delphine was taken
to the Animal Health Trust at New-
market for surgery and initial tests,
completed free of charge, indicated
that she was suitable for surgery. By
removing the cataract in one eye,
there was a chance that she might regain some of her sight but there was
no guarantee of success.
Christine said: “Delphine underwent surgery and has recovered
well. Very sadly, her sight could not
be restored. She does have a very
slow reaction to light but that is all.
We would like to thank everyone for
their generosity. She will find a special new home soon.”
Any surplus funds raised will go
to help other animals at the centre.
Delphine is pictured with RSPCA
worker Simon McArdie.
Art market to wow town
competition; street artist Hannah
Adamaszek; award-winning musician Rennie Pigrim and Ieuan
Edwards, a printmaker based in
Broadstairs, who has produced
stunning artworks for album covers and books.
There will be singers, poets,
dancers and performers to provide
entertainment throughout the day.
A charity art auction will raise
funds for Maidstone and Mid Kent
Mind and The Foundling Museum
in London and donations have already come from artists including
Ralph Steadman, Gavin Turk, Stuart Semple (ambassador of Mind),
Tessa Farmer, Nick Veasey, Sadie
Hennessey and comedian Micky
Flanagan.
Secret bids for the auction can be
made at www.artmarketme14.
wordpress.com and the auction
will be hosted by Raj Bisram from
01622 902005
12
Channel 4’s Four Rooms.
Project manager Ali Farmer said:
"We wanted to deliver an event
that was unique to Maidstone and
something nobody had put on before. We hope that it puts Maidstone back on the map and injects
some vibrancy back into its artistic
culture."
“I want to champion the arts –
making them more accessible locally. We have had such a massive
response from everyone that I
hope in the future it will become
an annual or a two-day event."
Business Focus
downsmail.co.uk
Corpus Christi Hall - Maidstone’s newest events venue
No
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PA or
RT
IE
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If you are planning an event, celebration, wedding
or just a get together then plan a visit to
Maidstone’s newest events venue – The Corpus
Christi Hall. Located right in the centre of Town
towards the bottom of Earl Street, the hall boasts
itself as Maidstone’s second oldest building dating
back to the 12th Century. Take a step through the
heavy oak door and you will be transported into
an idyllic venue that you would expect to find
amidst the Kent Countryside as opposed to right in
the heart of Maidstone town centre.
The Corpus
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Earl Street, Maidstone,
Kent ME14 1JP
To book
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01622 670011
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today’s high standards. Plus there is easily
accessible parking close by in Fremlin Walk just
opposite the hall. So whatever your event
requirements – give the team a call today.
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13
News
downsmail.co.uk
Boat gathering lights up river
THE prospect of poor weather
failed to deter boat owners sailing
into Maidstone for the new “gathering of boats”.
Almost 100 boats berthed in the
town for the informal gathering, organised by River Medway Boaters,
which last year replaced the Maidstone River Festival.
The gathering was a great social
event, according to spokesman
Mark Smurthwaite, who said it was
now a fixture which would continue in its present form for “many
years to come”.
There had been attempts to revive the old-style festival this year
but Mr Smurthwaite said: “The
boaters do not want a fun fair,
stalls, bands and all the grief that
goes along with being part of an organised festival.
“From speaking with the boating
community, the general consensus
was that we do not want an official
event – we are quite happy to carry
on with our own gathering as we
have done for 37 years.”
Mr Smurthwaite said 90% of the
boaters were happy with the gathering as it was – although he criticised Maidstone Council for its
apparent lack of interest in the river
as a tourist attraction.
This year’s gathering coincided
with the Ramblin’ Man Fair, which
the council claimed would boost
the town’s economy by £700,000
and bring up to 20,000 visitors to
the town.
But Mr Smurthwaite said: “Yes,
lots of people travelled to and from
Mote Park but very few stopped in
Maidstone or spent any money in
the town.”
In contrast, one boat owner alone
– moored alongside Mr Smurthwaite and who visits every year –
spent more than £500 during the
five days he was berthed on the
Medway.
Mr Smurthwaite said: “It is such
a shame that the council cannot see
the benefit in promoting the river
as a positive attribute to the county
town, despite using a picture of it
on much of its literature.”
Prior to the gathering, police is-
sued a warning to visitors to stay
safe and behave responsibly on the
water.
However, one speedboater – unconnected with the gathering – was
spoken to by police after driving
dangerously close to young children bobbing about in dinghies,
and causing a swell that knocked
other boat owners off their feet.
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Festival rocks county town
THE biggest rock music event in Maidstone’s history drew a massive and international crowd of
about 20,000 to Mote Park on the last weekend of July.
The Ramblin’ Man Fair was organised by Classic Rock magazine
and offered three stages on both
days, with onsite camping, park and
ride buses and parking.
The bill was rich in American and
European acts, with several exclusive attractions including German
heavy rock titans The Scorpions
making their only UK festival appearance this year and acts such as
Polish prog rockers Riverside.
The Downs Mail was on site on
both days, speaking to fans from all
over Europe, and even as far away
as San Francisco. The range of acts
was breathtaking, with many producing stunning performances.
Inside the arena the atmosphere
was celebratory, the warm Saturday
weather making for a party feel and
the rain for the first half of Sunday’s
schedule forcing the early performers to push the limits as they tried to
warm up the crowd. Icelandic heavy
rockers Solstafir joked that the
weather made them feel at home.
Sunday ended with a main stage
performance from American rock
legend Gregg Allman, whose former
band The Allman Brothers had a
huge hit with Ramblin’ Man.
The fair offered more tickets than
Maidstone’s previous biggest rock
concert, Radio One’s Big Weekend in
2008. There was a bonus for businesses, with hotels, bars and restaurants reporting increased trade.
Maidstone Grammar School offered camping on its playing field,
and the stream of people clutching
Sainsbury’s bags packed with food
as they headed to the site suggested
Photo: Andy Archer
the Romney Place supermarket had
done a roaring trade.
Reactions on social media from
festival-goers were almost unanimously positive, with many praising
the quality of the performances and
Boost for fans
By Neil Nixon
I WILL not bore you with my music
obsession but my first published
journalism as a student was about
rock music and I am still writing
books on the subject today.
Whatever the judgments about
noise and nuisance I can only say
that the festival was one of the
best-organised events I have ever
attended. The quality of acts lower
down the bill was life-affirming:
standouts were the pristine beauty
of Camel and the incendiary blues
of Joanne Shaw Taylor.
To have such an event of this
quality in town is a bonus to all who
love their live music.
Wind spreads
noise issues
well-chosen line-ups on each stage.
However, there were complaints
about poor information on the park
and ride bus service and some residents complained about the level of
noise over the two days.
Cash donation
THE Rock Collective, which organised the Ramblin’ Man festival has
announced a fund to support projects in the Maidstone area.
The fund of about £10,000 will
help groups to deliver cultural, entertainment or sports-related projects to thank the town for
supporting the festival, which was
expected to bring at least £700,000
into Maidstone's economy.
Anyone can apply to the fund to
help to stage a community event or
run a community project.
Applicants
should
contact
[email protected] for more
details. Applications close on September 4. Successful applicants will
be notified by the end of September.
THE strong westerly wind during
the weekend prompted residents in
Madginford, Downswood, Grove
Green, Vinters Park and Thurnham
to complain about noise.
Natasha Bastone, from Grove
Green, said the music drowned out
the film she was watching on television with her family.
She said: “I love to party but
when you have a young child, this
booming music over the whole
weekend was too loud. I have no
problem with the festival returning, but the organiser needs to do
something about the volume.”
On Maidstone Council’s Facebook page, Sandra Woodfall said:
“We live on the Pilgrims Way and
can hear the music above the noise
of the motorway. We find it disappointing that when the council is
promoting an event it doesn’t provide an out-of-hours service that
covers the duration of the event so
that complaints can be dealt with.”
Maidstone Council said it had received 48 formal complaints. A
spokesman said: “We have also received positive comments about
how the festival handled issues
such as traffic and litter. All feedback received will be considered
when looking at future events.”
The spokesman said noise did
not breach the licence terms and
confirmed the organiser is looking
to return on July 23 and 24, 2016.
School contribution query
A D E V E L O P E R contribution
from a housing development in
Fant has been questioned because
it was felt it was being put towards
the wrong school.
In February, planning permission
was given to replace an industrial
estate with 22 homes behind Milton
Street and Hartnup Street.
In a recent planning committee
meeting to agree financial contributions, it was revealed that the developer would help finance the
expansion of Maidstone Grammar
School in Barton Road.
Cllr Paul Harper, a local ward
member, said: “It’s five minutes’
walk from Oakwood Park Grammar School, which has three secondary schools on site. Surely we
need a contribution towards one of
those rather than a school that is
not going to be a choice of residents
living in the new development.”
However, the other members of
the committee voted to sign off the
existing agreement with the developer. Cllr Harper abstained.
Wine theft adds to jail sentence
A MAIDSTONE woman has been
jailed for stealing a bottle of wine.
Shaina
Marston
(22),
of
Brunswick Street, pleaded guilty to
shoplifting, common assault and
assaulting a police officer.
Marston stole wine worth £4.99
from a supermarket in Loose Road,
Maidstone, where she also as-
16
saulted a man and a police officer.
She was sentenced to 56 days in
prison but because the offences
were committed during a suspended sentence, the overall length
of sentence was 98 days.
She must also pay £54 compensation, £150 criminal courts charge,
£85 costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Left to right: Neil Richardson, Ian Sharp, Paul Body, Janine Brown, Tony
Harris and Derrick Lovell
Archers target sports park
MORE than 50 archers came to
Kings Hill Sports Park to take part in
the Sir Thomas Wyatt Tournament,
hosted by Allington Castle Archers.
The tournament has been held for
almost 30 years at various venues in
Kent and is named after Sir Thomas
Wyatt, who was born at nearby
Allington Castle in the 16th century
and was a close friend of Henry VIII.
The two-day tournament saw
archers using all types of bow, from
Hi-Tec Compound and Olympic Re-
curve bows through to more traditional English longbows.
Some very high scores were
achieved on both days and the honours were handed out by sports park
manager Janine Brown.
Allington Castle Archers will be
holding a one-day “Whitefriars”
tournament at the sports park on
Sunday, August 30.
For details call Janine on 01732
872271 or email [email protected].
News
downsmail.co.uk
Homes agreed
on disputed site
MAIDSTONE Council has granted
planning permission for 420 homes
on a site in Allington that it had
fought to protect at an appeal just
weeks earlier.
A year ago the planning committee refused Croudace Homes’ application for 500 homes east of
Hermitage Lane because development of the southern “hospital
field” would have required the creation of a link road that would have
eroded ancient woodland, known
locally as bluebell wood.
In June, planning officers defended the council's decision to a
planning inspector after the applicant appealed. This decision is expected in October, but now the
planning committee has approved a
smaller scheme, for 420 homes, because the southern field would remain untouched.
However, a separate application
for 80 homes on the contentious
field is undetermined.
The council received 196 objections. Angela Poletti, from the New
Allington Action Group, said the
applicant was “playing the system”
by lodging two separate applications after originally being turned
down. “It is quite clear that
Croudace is running rings around
the planning system,” she said.
“This would open the door to the
scheme for 80 homes.”
Cllr Roger Levett, of Teston Parish
Council, said: “The additional traffic will place a great burden on the
already overloaded A26 between
Teston and Wateringbury – particularly during rush-hour.”
Cllr Dan Daley urged the committee to put a decision on hold
until the inspector had made a decision. He said: “This developer has
waited 20 years to get this far – they
can afford to wait for about another
six weeks to see what the Secretary
of State has to say.”
However, the land (minus the
hospital field) had been earmarked
in the council's emerging local plan
for housing, so the committee's
powers to refuse were limited.
Concern was expressed about a
lack of open space on the site, but officers felt a developer contribution
of £71,820 towards the Keswick
Drive Play area was sufficient.
Other contributions included
£570,000 for improvements at the
A20/Coldharbour roundabout and
£168,000 for pedestrian and traffic
movements at the A26 Tonbridge
Road/Fountain Lane junction.
The committee voted for the
scheme with six members in
favour and four against.
New CEO at
Leeds Castle
Upgrade for
HE centre
SIR David Steel is the new chief executive of Leeds Castle.
He takes on
the day-to-day
running of the
castle following
the departure
of Victoria Wallace and seven
months with
estate director
Bill Lash as in- Sir David Steel
terim CEO.
Niall Dickson, chairman of the
Leeds Castle Foundation, said:
“Admiral Steel has had a stellar career and brings a wealth of experience, including responsibility for
the major heritage site at
Portsmouth, which contains HMS
Victory.”
Admiral Steel has moved to Kent
from Portsmouth.
STUDENTS at MidKent College
will have state-of-the-art facilities
when the college’s Higher Education Centre opens in Oakwood
Park, Maidstone this autumn.
The centre will be home to
higher-level courses in construction, engineering, teacher training
and education, business and IT.
Access courses will prepare returners for degree-level studies
and the college will also offer professional qualifications in accountancy, personnel development and
leadership and management.
The £19m investment in the centre is the second phase of the
wider redevelopment of MidKent
College’s Maidstone campus,
which has cost nearly £40m in all.
The building being redeveloped
was formerly the University for
the Creative Arts (UCA).
Do you have a
property in Maidstone?
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Tel 01622 296370 / 07809 556347
447 Tonbridge Road, Barming, Maidstone, Kent. ME16 8NJ
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Open Mon ʹ Fri ʹ 7.30am ʹ 5.00pm & Saturday ʹ 8.00am ʹ 12.00pm
Supper club for children
PARENTS who bring their children along to a weekly supper club
can enjoy a glass of wine while their children eat.
The club is held at the Heart of Flavour café bar in King Street,
Maidstone, from 4pm to 6pm every Friday. It costs £6.50 per child
for a three-course meal, or £5.50 without the parent’s drink. Proceeds go to the Heart of Kent Hospice.
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Next To Cherry Tree Pub / End of Queens Road
Tel 01622 296370 / 07809 556347
17
We warmly invite you
to visit us
FREE TRIAL
Give your child the best
start to their school year.
Contact your local Kumon Maths and
English Study Centre to find out more
about our two week Free Trial.
Maidstone South Study Centre
07792 108 750
Find out more by coming along to our Family
Fun Event on Saturday 19 September at
Maidstone YMCA, Melrose Close, Cripple Street,
Maidstone ME15 6BD.
We’ll be here from 1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.
Monday 28th September 2015
Open Evening from 6pm
Saturday 3rd October 2015
Open Morning 10am-Noon
“Students make good progress throughout the
school and achieve well.” Ofsted 2014
For open day tours on:
Wednesday 23rd September 2015
Thursday 24th September 2015
Wednesday 30th September 2015
Thursday 1st October 2015
Please contact
the School to arrange a visit.
Tel: 01634 240416
www.holmesdale.kent.sch.uk
offi[email protected]
Open Evening: Tuesday, 22nd September 2015, 5.30pm-8.30pm
Open Mornings: 22nd, 24th, 25th, 28th and 29th September 2015
18
LEARNING FOR LIFE
For many of us, September is
synonymous with the start of a new
academic year. Little ones start
nursery, older ones move from
primary to secondary – and the
teenagers fly the nest for university
or further education.
Although we tend to link the
concept of education with
schooling, in reality it’s something
that begins at birth and continues
until the day we die: we never
really stop learning.
The trick is how to maximise the
resources that are available to us!
It’s well documented that
learning becomes more difficult as
we grow older. With pre-school
children soaking up knowledge
like tiny sponges, the choice of a
nursery or play group should be
just as important as their eventual
choice of university.
It’s also a good time to start
thinking about teaching your
toddler a second language –
picking up vocabulary is so much
simpler for children under the age
of 7.
When you tot up the costs of
extra-curricular classes, however,
- whether in French, music, ballet
or football - you may want to
consider investing in private
education. With bursaries and
scholarships available at most
schools, it needn’t be as costly as
you think.
A well-run nursery, whether in
the state or private sector, should
combine the various aspects of
learning – cognitive skills,
thinking and reasoning, motor
skills, good habits and social skills
– with structured play.
A motivational curriculum
structured around play will teach
a whole host of skills to your preschooler, without them even
realising.
The first day at ‘real’ school is
always emotional for mums and
dads but here in Maidstone we are
fortunate to have a wide choice of
good schools, both in the state and
private sector.
Most people will opt to send
their children to the primary
school closest to their home – but,
increasingly, popularity and oversubscription mean some children
are having to go elsewhere.
So, moving house to be close to
your preferred choice of school
might not be such a good plan
these days!
But all is not lost. Small, rural
schools might be favoured by
parents wanting a ‘home from
home’ environment, but the bigger
schools tend to have better
facilities – particularly for sport.
Free schools and academies
likewise have more freedom in
how they use their budgets and, at
senior school level, can be a good
choice for those wishing to pursue
a vocational career.
Kent is one of the few places in
the UK still to have grammar
schools – although many parents
choose for their children not to sit
the Kent Test and go to the school
of their choice, which may offer a
curriculum more tailored to their
abilities and future career path.
Although a string of good
grades at GCSE and A
level is still considered
the prime route into
University,
wellrounded students with
a
broad-based
knowledge tend to be
highly sought – hence
the introduction of the
IB
(International
Baccalaureate) which is
now available in several
Maidstone sixth forms.
It’s a system which
has worked well in
Europe for many years and one
which enthusiastic, good ‘allrounders’
find
especially
attractive.
Students who are still struggling
to reach a career decision are
generally advised to follow the
subjects they enjoy. There’s little
point headscratching with maths
and further maths if you’re more
of a wordsmith; likewise, unless
you’re keen on science with a bent
towards medicine or veterinary
work, you may want to think
twice before battling with biology
and chemistry.
You’re more likely to get good
grades from subjects you enjoy
than those that you find mentally
draining.
No career path runs smoothly,
however, and all is not lost if those
keenly-sought exams fail to make
the grade.
Adult education classes offer a
wealth of options for academic
and vocational study – and there’s
always the Open University for
those who want to combine a
career with further education.
Increasing numbers of retired
and semi-retired people are
signing up for the OU as well as
the University of the Third Age
(U3A) proving you’re never too
old – or too young – to learn!
11+
open
events
2015
Parents and their daughters are
warmly invited to our 11+ Open Events.
Open Evening
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Open Mornings
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www
www.invicta.viat.org.uk
.invicta.via
i t.org.uk
19
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
Buckland Road
Maidstone
Open Evening 2015
5 pm – 8 pm, Thu 8th Oct.
ME16 0TJ
Tel: 01622 759036
Website: www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk
Email:
[email protected]
Open Mornings 2015
9 am, Mon 12th – Fri 16th Oct
by prior appointment only
WE
ARE
NLL
20
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
•
LEARNING FOR LIFE
need advice about
post-GCSE options?
for a unique place
switch to RIC
TWO YEAR A LEVELS • GCSE & A LEVEL RETAKES
TRANSFER FOR YEAR 11 OR YEAR 13 • SMALL
CLASSES • MINIBUSES FROM MAIDSTONE AREA
Advice line 01634 828115
RIC, KENT’S UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE SPECIALISTS CAN
HELP. EVERY SEPTEMBER STUDETNS JOIN US FOR
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21
News | A-levels
downsmail.co.uk
Successful students receive straight As at Oakwood Park Grammar
Dual success for girls from Invicta Grammar School, which also raised more
than £43,000 for charity
Students make the grade
MANY youngsters across Maidstone celebrated strong A-level results.
A third of sixth formers at Oakwood Park Grammar School
achieved A*-A grades.
Top performer Rabey Chowdhury will take his place at Cambridge, studying natural sciences,
after gaining three A*s and an A.
James Handy, Nelson Talukder,
Ivan Pilfold and Andrew Collins all
gained two A*s and two As. James
and Ivan will be taking degrees in
mathematics at Warwick University, while Nelson will study
physics at Imperial College, London.
Andrew Collins will study medicine at the University of Exeter.
Barney Green and James Creasey
achieved A*/A grades and are both
off to study engineering at Surrey
University. William Anderson
earned three A grades and will
study biological science at Lancaster University.
Richard Anderson will study
modern foreign languages at
Durham after earning three As.
Euan
Dickson
and
Jordan
Cochrane will attend the University of East Anglia and Exeter respectively, studying geography
and history with politics after securing A*/A grades in all subjects.
Nick Cooper’s three As have
earned him a place to study architecture at Cardiff University.
Great Britain fencer Simon Dacey
managed to combine the rigours of
training with A-level studies and
after achieving four As will be taking a gap year prior to studying
chemistry or biochemistry at a university in London. After his A-level
results and a rigorous selection
process, Nelson Sinclair Strong has
been awarded a scholarship at the
Royal Academy of Music in London.
Overall, a third of students
earned a place at the Russell Group
or a top 20 UK university.
Results from Maidstone Grammar School were even better than
last year, with just under 60% of all
A-level entries graded A*-B and
nearly one in three grades at A* or
22
A. Twenty-five students achieved
at least three A grades or better,
while 14 gained two A* grades or
better and nine achieved three A*s
or better.
Top scholars were Sam Coward,
with four A*s and William Grace,
with four A*s and top grades in all
three Step exams for entry to Cambridge for mathematics. This is the
first time any MGS student has
gained top grades in all three Step
papers.
The school also achieved its best
AS-level results yet.
At Maidstone Grammar School
for Girls, 98.9% of pupils achieved
five A*-Cs including English and
maths. Sixty-nine per cent of pupils
scored five or more A*/As, with
60% of grades either As or A*s.
At Invicta Grammar School, students achieved 69% A*-B grades,
alongside raising more than
£43,000 for charity.
Head Julie Derrick said: “The students have achieved 200 A* and A
grades and from our 160 students,
100% achieved A*-E grades, 90%
A*-Cs, with 12% A* grades.”
The number of students achieving an A*-B grade in two or more
subjects rose from 21.7% to 42.5%.
Lisa Phipps earned a place to
study veterinary science at Edinburgh as did Kate Boniface, at the
Royal Veterinary College and Beth
Rose, at Bristol; Charlotte Summers
will go on to study medicine in
Birmingham and Katie Driver, the
same subject, in Bristol.
Kiera Doughty, with five A*s,
will study mathematics at Cambridge; Lauren Satchwell, five A*
and As, management, Bath; Lisa
Phipps, five A* and As, veterinary
medicine, Edinburgh; Mercedes
Brown, four A* and As, physics
with astrophysics, Bath; Felicity
Murray, four A* and As, psychology, Bath. Head girl Katie Driver
will study medicine at Bristol after
gaining four A*/As.
At St Simon Stock Catholic
School, students notched up a
100% pass rate in their A-level and
vocational examinations, with 92%
achieving two or more A-levels and
43% the top A*-B grades. This is a
rise of almost 10% on the previous
year.
The highest performing students
were Sarah Pattinson and Clara
Senior, followed by Grace TashieLewis, Lara Epsley, Mikaela
D’Souza, Matthew Brown, Domas
Dregva and Daniel Ellesmere.
Head Brendan Wall said: “The
highest achieving students gained
grades equal to our best in 2013
and will be attending the top Russell Group.”
The Maplesden Noakes School,
in Maidstone, reported “outstanding results”, showing “year-onyear improvement” in its results.
Michaela Porter earned two A*s
and an A, securing a place at Warwick University; Jordhan State
scored a Distinction*, two A grades
Cornwallis
students
Amy
Pearce,
Harry Gollop, Shottie
Hopkins,
and head
girl Rebecca
Hubbard
and a place at Surrey University;
Charlie Powell earned two As and
a B and a place at the University of
Kent; Mukeh Lansana an A*, A,
and B and a place at the University
of York; Amie Hine gained a Distinction*, two Bs and a place at
Southampton. Jack Batters, Tom
Calvert, Ellis Rose and Josh Gilbert
all achieved Distinction* for their
BTEC Sports Studies.
Sixth-formers at Future Schools
Trust, which covers Cornwallis
and New Line Learning academies, set a new record with this
year’s A-level results, with 75% of
all grades being A*-C.
Head girl Rebecca Hubbard is
heading to Greenwich University
to study event management after
securing A* grades in travel and
tourism, and business. She was also
awarded a B in design technology.
Cara Brown achieved an A* in sociology, an A in RE, and Bs in English literature and history. She will
study sociology at Bath University.
Deputy head boy Philip Hollamby secured the grades he
needed to enrol on a primary
teacher training course at Canterbury Christ Church University. He
leaves with an A* in business, a B in
English literature and a C in geography.
Students heading off to Russell
Group universities include Layla
Richardson, who is going to Cardiff
to study archaeology and Amber
Rose Mckenzie, who is going to
study English literature at Liverpool.
Valley Park School had a record
set of results, with its 80 Year 13
students achieving a 57% pass rate
at the top A and A* grades and 87%
at A*-C.
Fourteen gained A and A* in
three or more subjects. High performers were Briony Everest,
Ayesha Cooper, Poppy Harris, Rojina Giri, James Kiell, Titas Kuprys,
Zoe Noble, Emily Nurden, Nelson
Rai, Mitchell Ranger, Sam Read,
Harry Simpson, Danielle Spry and
Kim Warren.
News
downsmail.co.uk
Six of the best in fight for Fant
A SIX-pronged fight will take
place on September 10 when voters in Fant go to the polls.
Following the death of Conservative Cllr Alistair Black in July,
everything is up for grabs, with at
least three of the six contenders believing their past track record could
swing the seat.
The Labour candidate for Fant is
vice-chairman of the Maidstone
and Weald Labour Party, Keith Adkinson. Keith lives in Fant with his
family and has lived and worked in
Maidstone for more than 30 years.
He is chairman of the Fant
Wildlife Group and an active campaigner for Save Fant Farm. He has
been a Maidstone councillor in the
past and has campaigned in Fant
for more than 10 years.
time I was a very different person,
more interested in my friends.”
Luke left St John’s Junior School
in Grove Green
for Cornwallis
Academy. It was
there, says the
student – who
has hopes of becoming a university lecturer –
Hoping to hold on to the seat for
the Tories is Matt Boughton (22). A
former pupil of Oakwood Park
Grammar School, he read politics at
the University of Sussex and now
works for Tom Tugendhat, MP for
Tonbridge and Malling.
Mr Boughton joined the Conservative Party as a 17-year-old. He
said: “Fant has one of the youngest
populations in Maidstone – including many private renters and those
struggling to buy or rent their own
home. As a young person I know
and understand these issues and I
would help make a difference.”
Former Conservative Mike
Hogg, who lost his South ward seat
in May, is standing as an Independent. Having helped flood victims on both sides of the Medway
in the Christmas floods of 2013 and
worked with residents in Clifford
Way to draw up a flood emergency
plan, Mr Hogg (48) believes Fant
residents need a “pro-active councillor who will get things done”.
He is a prison officer at Maidstone and spent four years on the
borough council. He was co-opted
on to Tovil Parish Council in May.
Rosaline Janko, runner-up for
the seat in May, is standing for the
Lib Dems. The proprietor of The
Walnut Tree pub in Tonbridge
Road for the past three years is well
known in Fant. She said: “Fant has
been sadly neglected in places. I
hope that as borough councillor for
Fant I can build on the Liberal Democrats’ strong record of fighting
for people and communities in
Luke’s first-class reward
that things began to change.
He said: “The teachers were excellent. They got me interested in
science and the different processes
behind how things work.”
Luke’s hard work secured him
eight GCSEs, many of A grade, and
a Btec in business. He could have
transferred to a grammar school at
this stage, but decided to stay on at
Cornwallis to sit his A-levels.
He said: “When I began my Alevels it was a wake up call and I realised I had to knuckle down.”
Now home after three years at
the University of Essex, in Colchester, Luke’s degree in biomedical
science takes pride of place.
Maidstone.”
NHS manager Stuart Jeffery (43)
hopes he can become the first
Green on Maidstone Council.
The chairman of Kent Green
Party came close to winning the
seat in 2014, missing out by 83
votes; this year he was the parliamentary candidate for Canterbury.
Standing for Ukip is Colin Taylor
(46) from Glebe Lane, Barming.
Mr Taylor, currently a night coordinator on a construction project
in the town, has lived in Maidstone
for 25 years, eight of them in Fant
ward, where he lives with partner
Deborah and their eight-year old
son. He joined UKIP 10 years ago.
Polling stations: Grange Moor
Hotel in St Michael’s Road and
Fant Hall in Fant Lane.
He said: “As well as the teachers,
my parents were always there if I
needed support, though they never
pushed me.”
Luke now hopes to study for a
PhD. He said: “I’m particularly interested in the development of antibiotics and, one day, hope to
become a university lecturer.
“If someone had told me at junior school I would go on to be a scientist I’d have been lost for words.”
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23
News
downsmail.co.uk
Protest at new homes plan
CAMPAIGNERS are facing another battle to prevent hundreds of
homes being built on land south of
Sutton Road, Maidstone.
Maidstone Council still has a
shortfall of more than 1,000 on its
local plan target of 18,560 homes between 2011 and 2031, so officers
have recommended an allocation of
850 homes at Langley Park Farm.
The idea came before the strategic
planning committee, less than a
week after developer Countryside
Properties hosted an exhibition outlining a proposal for 850 homes as
well as a school on the land.
Cllr Cheryl Taylor Maggio, chairman of Langley Parish Council, was
at the exhibition. She said: “The
housing density is high, at 35 houses
per acre, and there will be blocks of
3.5-storey town houses – an urban
development in the countryside –
which extends from Langley Park to
St Mary's Church, including the golf
driving range. The view of St Mary's
Church on the approach down the
hill to Langley would be blocked by
housing.”
In March, objectors thought they
had successfully protected the land
from development when an allocation of 600 homes was removed
from the list of sites on the draft local
plan because it was considered an
unacceptable “encroachment of the
24
urban area”, given that about 2,000
homes in the Sutton Road corridor
had recently been built or given
planning permission.
Cllr Paulina Stockell, a member of
the committee, said: “I am absolutely staggered. It gets worse and
worse. We now hear there is going
to be a school, when there is already
going to be a school at the Langley
Park development nearby.
“There will be 2,000 homes there
and another 850 on here. There will
be an unacceptable impact. Nothing
has changed since it was refused before. The traffic in rush hour goes all
the way back to Sutton Valence. For
this development to go all the way to
the allotments and the Crown and
Horseshoes pub is unacceptable.”
The Downs Mail received several
letters of objection in the days before
the meeting. Adam Hume wrote: “At
the meeting [exhibition] I was astonished to see no green buffer
zone/anti-coalescence strip, which
will mean Langley as a village will
(if passed) disappear to be swallowed up into Park Wood.”
Rob Jarman, the council's head of
planning, told councillors that they
would not be “wedded” to the idea
of having a school on the land, but
added it would be difficult to refuse
a planning application for homes
given the shortfall in the local plan
and the site's proximity to those already with planning permission.
The 11pm deadline arrived without a solution. The item was deferred to the next meeting of the
committee on August 18.
Christmas lights switch-on
THE Christmas lights will be switched on in Maidstone’s Fremlin
Walk on November 19. As in previous years, the organiser is hoping to attract a celebrity to perform the switch-on.
Maidstone Town Centre Management will be looking to complement the event with entertainment from the likes of school
choirs and the Salvation Army band.
Efforts are also being made to co-ordinate late-night shopping opportunities, possibly for two weeks in the run-up to Christmas.
Approaches will also be made to Maidstone Council about parking concessions.
Rotary honour
for William
THE first duty of incoming president of the Rotary Club of Maidstone, David Hackett, was to award
outgoing president William Perry
the club’s highest honour, a Paul
Harris Fellowship.
This marked his “tremendous
amount of time and effort during
the year” and also his career as a
“headmaster of standing,” which
started when he became Kent’s
youngest head at the age of 28.
A resident of Hollingbourne, he
served as chairman of Hollingbourne and Leeds Parochial
Church Council; was a churchwarden; a member of the Prison Parole
Board (young offenders); and supported Mencap Cobtree pre-school.
25
News | Health
downsmail.co.uk
Beer care for stroke patients
MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is reporting ”encouraging” improvement in
treating strokes, with Maidstone continuing as the top stroke unit in North and West Kent.
Latest data shows 55% of patients
were scanned within an hour at Tunbridge Wells and 33% in Maidstone.
The data for 12 hours was 86% for
Tunbridge Wells and 89% for Maidstone.
The trust says there was a
“tremendous improvement” at
Maidstone, which was given an A
rating for October-December compared with a previous D rating.
But both hospitals were given D
ratings for thrombolysis because
they did not hit the 11.1% national
average.
Maidstone admitted 44.4% of patients to the stroke unit within four
hours and Tunbridge Wells 27.3%.
In the first three months of this year
Maidstone was above the national
average but Tunbridge Wells was
below.
In April specialist assessments by
a physician were completed within
24 hours in 69% of cases in Maidstone and 68.2% in Tunbridge Wells.
Figures for the quarter were 73.5%
and 76.5%.
Stroke is the third biggest killer in
Incident app
AN app on hand-held devices for
reporting incidents has been introduced by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust as a safety
measure for staff.
Nurses and junior doctors are
among the first wave of clinical
staff at the trust to also be equipped
with devices to record a patient’s
vital signs and have remote onsite
access to these at any time.
The move follows a successful
ward trial and is being rolled out
on all wards during the summer.
The benefits are widespread and
hospitals using this technology are
seeing a marked improvement in
patient outcomes.
Not so happy
AN annual drop of 2.4% has been
recorded in the percentage of patients who report their experience
with GP services in Maidstone and
the rest of West Kent as “very
good” or “fairly good”, taking the
current 86.6% further from the 93%
standard. West Kent is above average for Kent and Medway and the
national average of 84%.
By Dennis Fowle
the UK and a major cause of longterm disability. People who have
had a stroke need rapid access to a
specialist medical team around the
clock to maximise their chances of
survival and recovery.
NHS clinical commissioning
groups across Kent and Medway,
which plan and buy local health
services, are reviewing how stroke
patients are managed within the
vital first 72 hours.
In West Kent, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and NHS
West Kent Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG) have already undertaken work with Healthwatch Kent,
residents and patients to look at people’s views of stroke services. This
found:
There is public support for new
higher standards of care covering
the critical first 72 hours of a stroke
patient’s care and a need for the
NHS to develop ways of achieving
these.
The NHS needs to improve the
whole of the stroke patient’s
pathway, including the care stroke
patients receive out of hospital.
The NHS needs to improve the
information and support available
to patients and carers after a stroke.
Quality needs to be maintained
within a timeframe that provides
maximum opportunities of
recovery for patients.
The NHS needs to improve planning about how and when a stroke
patient can leave hospital and the
next steps in their rehabilitation.
Now NHS West Kent CCG, as part
of the Kent and Medway-wide review, wants to build on what has
been heard so far by asking local
people what they think of the Kent
Wards combined to improve service
WORK has started on the next
phase of ward redevelopment at
Maidstone Hospital with the £3m
transformation of Jonathan Saunders and John Day wards into a
new respiratory ward.
This latest scheme combines the
wards into one large dedicated respiratory ward with better facilities,
improving privacy, dignity and
comfort for patients.
Patients will be treated in new
four-bedded bays with en suite
conveniences rather than the hospital’s older six-bedded bays,
which have no en suite conveniences.
Other schemes that have recently
been completed at Maidstone Hospital include:
Extended and developed hospital admissions lounge to provide more privacy, dignity and
comfort for patients.
GPs’ concern at reports delay
INCREASING concerns about delays in receiving diagnostic reports
from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals have been reported
by GP members of West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group.
GPs (and patients) require speedy reports on CT and MRI scans and
the group continues to voice concern “about time to report, work outsourced and governance/consent in place”.
Now the group has written formally to Maidstone and Tunbridge
Wells Trust and the trust has been asked to report in person at a performance meeting. The group has requested a further report covering
X-rays and ultrasound.
The problems lead to delays in GPs recommending to patients required treatments – and frustration for patients who are unable to
make GP appointments until they know their report is in hand.
Bullying policy Nursing shortages increase
THE NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is updating its
bullying and harassment policy following a staff survey and will ensure employees are more fully
aware of the processes and support
provided.
26
and Medway picture of stroke care,
and what would be important to
them if they had just had a stroke.
The focus in this next round of discussions is on the care provided
across Kent and Medway in the first
72 hours following a stroke and
what might make it possible for the
NHS to meet in full the national
standards for care in this vital period.
A report to West Kent Clinical
Commissioning Group says the
stroke service provided in Kent does
not meet recognised quality standards set out in the National Stroke
Strategy (2007).
The group says there is difficulty
recruiting specialist staff. A key
problem is that consultant numbers
are about 50% of the recommended
level. There were problems, too, relating to nurses and therapists.
A Case for Change is currently
being considered for approval across
Kent and Medway. The public and
stakeholders will be involved and
people who have experienced stroke
services will be sought out.
MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells
Trust is reporting nurse vacancies
across all directorates.
In May vacancies rose to 12.3%,
compared with last year’s 8.6%.
Recruitment has been successful
from Italy (13 new nurses) and 33
new starters commenced work in
May/June. The trust is attempting
to improve recruitment through social media, website and adverts.
One impact has been an increase
in the nursing and medical agency
spend.
Improved facilities within the
main entrance with a brighter
main reception area, new shops
for Maidstone Hospital League of
Friends and a new coffee shop.
Way-finding has also been improved in the hospital.
Improved facilities for
women’s colposcopy services.
A new 12-bed unit for the elderly and frail.
Speeding up
appointments
SUE Southon (pictured), lay member for patient and public engagement, reported to the Clinical
Strategy Group of
West Kent CCG
that there was
often a public
misconception
that it was difficult to get a GP
appointment and
she said this should be challenged.
Dr Bob Bowes, chairman of
West Kent CCG, said there was
variation between practices. He
felt practice participation groups
could investigate changes to improve a practice system.
For information about your GP
practice go to www.nhs.uk/servicesearch/gp/locationsearch/4
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27
News | Operation Stack
downsmail.co.uk
Manston plan to solve Stack
THE use of Manston Airfield should ease local traffic congestion, according to the Government.
The decision to make temporary
use of the disused airfield near
Ramsgate while Operation Stack is
in force follows a series of meetings
involving the Government, Highways England, Kent Police, KCC
and representatives for the ports,
Eurotunnel, and lorry drivers.
Operation Stack is implemented
when problems at the Port of Calais
lead to delays on ferry services and
a backlog of lorries, which force the
closure of the M20, usually coastbound from junction 8 near
Hollingbourne.
Prior to the Manston decision,
Operation Stack had closed the
M20 on 27 days this summer, causing gridlock throughout the Maidstone area.
The idea of a contraflow, offering
coastbound motorists access to the
M20 on the London-bound carriageway, had been seen as a likely
solution. But Highways England
had rejected the idea as “too dangerous”.
It says using Manston’s runway,
when required, as an alternative for
freight traffic will provide shortterm additional capacity to help
manage freight traffic on its way to
the Port of Dover.
It says it will work alongside Operation Stack to reduce disruption
on the M20, with holiday-makers
“clearly sign-posted” to the ports
and tunnel, and perishable, health
and hazardous freight, including
livestock “routed directly to the
Channel Tunnel and Dover” rather
than being stacked.
Transport minister Lord Ahmad
described the decision to use
Manston as a “viable short-term solution”.
He said: “By using Manston Airfield we have secured an interim
solution while we work to find a
longer term resolution.”
The deputy chief constable of
Kent, Paul Brandon, said: “We have
been in a critical situation in Kent
since the middle of June and, in
that time the situation in Kent has
been acknowledged as a very real,
national issue.
“The option to divert freight
bound for Europe to Manston Airfield, whilst very challenging, has
become more feasible in terms of
resourcing and logistics.”
KCC leader Paul Carter said:
“Our principal concern has been to
keep Kent moving.”
How scheme will work
How Manston Airfield will be used when Operation Stack is in force:
1. All freight will first be stacked coastbound between M20 junctions 8
(Maidstone Services) and 9 (Ashford), and this section will be closed to
non-freight traffic.
2. If more space is needed the closed section will be extended to junction
11 (Westenhanger).
3. “When required” (says Highways England), certain “non perishable”
freight will be diverted and stacked at Manston Airfield, near Ramsgate,
until it can be directed to ferry services at Dover.
WHEN MANSTON AIRFIELD IS IN USE
Freight
Dover-bound freight coming from the west will use the M20 to junction
7 (Maidstone), where it will be diverted via the A249, M2, and A299 to
Manston.
Dover-bound freight coming from the north (Dartford Crossing) will use
the A2, M2 and A299 to Manston.
From Manston, freight will use the A256 and A2 to Dover.
Channel Tunnel-bound freight will stay on the M20.
Tourists
Dover-bound tourist traffic will be encouraged to use the A2, M2 and A2.
If already on the M20, Dover-bound tourist traffic will be diverted off at
junction 7 (Maidstone) and via the A249, M2, and A2 to Dover.
Channel Tunnel-bound tourist traffic will use the M20 and A20 following
signs marked with a hollow circle diversion symbol.
Highways England says routes will be clearly signed and key sites
manned, with vehicle recovery resources at strategic points.
High price of
traffic chaos
MP Helen Whately has revealed
the extent of local problems
caused by Operation Stack.
The Mid Kent MP said: “Visiting
Maidstone Hospital I heard about
midwives whose journeys to work
are taking two or three hours instead of their usual 20 minutes.
Pregnant women are worrying
how they will get to the hospital in
time when they go into labour.
“I have had letters from businesses unable to pay wages because customers have stopped
coming. Leeds Castle is seeing a
huge hit, and funeral services say
mourners are missing services; I
could go on, but I suspect almost
everyone reading this knows how
bad the situation is.”
She called for compensation to
those in Kent who had lost money,
including police (more than £1m
lost), social services (more than
£5m) and businesses (£1.5m each
day Stack is implemented).
A spokesman for Leeds Castle,
which is located off M20 J8, said:
“Due to Operation Stack, we are
“We will never be able to get approximately 30% down on budback this lost trade and there geted visitor figures which transseems to be no one and nowhere lates as roughly £90,000 income
loss for the charity.”
for us to get any redress.”
The Government says it will pay
“reasonable additional costs” to
Kent Police for its management of
BUSINESSES are being asked to
Operation Stack.
Kent Police and Crime Commis- complete a survey to let the Govsioner Ann Barnes said the Gov- ernment know the full cost to Kent
ernment should also pay “costs commerce of Operation Stack.
A handful of questions quiz busiassociated with assisting immigration officers in dealing with sus- nesses about their concerns and ask
bosses what should be done about
pected illegal immigrants”.
She added: “I’ve been dealing the ongoing problem.
Responses will contribute to a
with honourable people at the
highest level of the Home Office, so joint KCC and British Chamber of
I’m quite sure they’ll keep their Commerce report to ministers.
To complete the survey go to
word. When the crisis ends I will be
submitting an application for pay- www.surveymonkey.com/s/Operation_Stack.
ment.”
Caravan business sees trade fall
THE manager of a Harrietsham
business on the A20 says his takings are down a massive 25% because of Operation Stack.
Patrick Willoughby, from Lee
Davey Caravans, said: “You only
have to look in the till to know which
days Operation Stack was in force.”
The company has been selling
and servicing caravans on the site
for people across the whole of the
South East since 1948.
He added: “Our busiest months
are June, July and August.
“We started off with a record
June and since then we have suffered Operation Stack pretty much
every week for a couple of days.
Diversions as road closed
MOTORISTS face more misery with the closure of Eyhorne Street in Hollingbourne for work to the sewerage system under the main road.
The road, a popular diversion for those trying to avoid Operation Stack
congestion, closed from property number 103 on August 10 for up to three
weeks. Drivers were advised to use the A249 and other routes to the A20.
A spokesman for the Nu-Venture bus company also warned: “This will
sever the only bus link to Hollingbourne (No 13) for three weeks.”
Survey request
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28
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29
News
downsmail.co.uk
Making a difference to homeless
THE founder of a new charity for the homeless, vulnerable and socially isolated is looking for
premises and volunteers to help “Make a Difference” in Maidstone.
Amanda Sidwell left the town 30
years ago and spent seven and a
half years, prior to her return in
2013, setting up and running Make
a Difference (MAD) in Murcia,
southern Spain.
Now, the 53-year-old former estate agent and PA wants to weave
some of the same magic into the
patchwork of organisations that already exists in the county town to
help addicts, the homeless and disadvantaged discover a new life
without dependency.
Amanda has set up MADM –
Making a Difference to Maidstone
– a Christian charity which aims to
fill some of the gaps between the
existing providers.
She said: “MADM has been built
to fill in the gaps of what is already
superbly in place. It has been highlighted that more is needed – especially God’s presence and healing.”
Amanda turned to Christianity in
the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001 and
followed her calling five years later,
leaving the UK for the sunny
climes of Southern Spain in May
2006. There, she set about working
with the poor and disadvantaged
in her community.
She said: “Someone once described me in business as a pit bull
terrier – and that’s what I am; a pit
bull for God.
“It’s not the most glamorous of
jobs, sitting amongst what many
How you can help MADM
MADM already has an abundance
of donated items spread over three
garages and has donated bedding,
toiletries and household items to
various supported housing schemes
and individuals.
Amanda would like to hear from
anyone who can support MADM in
any way.
She said: “If anyone wants to
walk the road with us, please get in
touch.”
Amanda can be contacted on
[email protected]
or
07769 268962
see as the lowest of society. But this
is what I have been called to do and
it’s hard to explain, but I do love
these people.
“I believe it was my calling to
move to Spain, in the same way I
have been called to return.”
Amanda never intended to set up
a humanitarian Christian charity in
Spain, but before she knew it, she
was in charge of two shops, more
than 50 volunteers and 650 clients.
She said: “It wasn’t easy – especially when my Spanish was poor
and the locals were very untrusting, but doors eventually opened –
I have never worked so hard in my
life, but it was God’s love which
compelled me to do it and reach
out – it wasn’t me!”
Amanda’s family still lives in
Maidstone, which helped draw her
back, and it was only a matter of
weeks after she returned that she
found herself getting involved in
voluntary work here.
She has since volunteered with
the Maidstone assertive street outreach programme, the winter shelter scheme, homeless feeding at the
Baptist Church and Salvation Army
and CRI Maidstone (the West Kent
recovery service for drug and alcohol abusers), and is known among
the soup run teams and other organisations and charities.
Solar success
for council
Driving up
hospice funds
A CHEQUE for £10,000 has been
handed to the Heart of Kent Hospice
at Aylesford by Maidstone company
Motorline Group.
The donation was part of a £30k
gift to three Kent hospices – the others being in Pembury and Canterbury. The presentation was made by
Motorline Group chairman Glen
Obee at the company’s showroom
in Park Wood.
The Heart of Kent Hospice was es-
JOHN
MUNSON
SHOW
TIME
The Vicar of Dibley
The Chandeliers, Hazlitt Theatre,
Maidstone
IT is setting a drama group a hard
task to reproduce a successful television show on a local stage.
Behind the TV show is a huge
workforce: professional camera-
30
She said: “We are living in the
21st century – we shouldn’t be seeing women on the street in this day
and age. So many women (and
men) are broken through their experiences of life – deprivation at
home, abuse, domestic violence,
bereavement, job loss etc. I want
this charity to really ‘Make a Difference’ to people in my home
town.”
Now that MADM is in the throes
of obtaining charitable status,
Amanda is ready to move the project forward and is seeking premises
for its first charity shop.
The United Reformed Church in
Week Street has allowed her to
hold a pop-up charity shop
through August and volunteers are
needed, as well as donations of
goods. The shop is open from 10am
to 5pm, possibly later on Thursdays.
She is also hoping for the services
of an accountant, solicitor, IT and
social media expert, commercial
landlord, web designer, PR/signwriting – indeed any profession
which might be able to help further
the cause.
She said: “I came back to England
for a quiet life and have fought
against doing this, but I have come
to realise this is my path and destiny. Everything I do is voluntary; I
give my time and rewards come in
different ways.”
tablished 25 years ago and has 10
inpatient beds for adults. It relies
heavily on donations to care for
about 350 families from Malling and
Maidstone every week.
Mr Obee said: “Motorline was
founded in Kent and although we
now cover other parts of the UK, we
feel it is important we give some-
thing back to our community. ”
Becky Beard, the hospice’s community partnerships manager, said:
“We aim to make every day precious
for our patients and their families,
and it is thanks to the generosity of
our local community that we are
able to provide expert support to
over 1,000 patients every year.”
Dibley lost in translation
men, script editors, film editors...
With this production what
slowed the action down was the
number of scenes needed to tell us
the story. There were 22. The set
was good, the costumes were excellent, lighting and sound effects
were excellent. The choir that sang
during property changes were convincingly garbed and tuneful, but
with all the changes between the
village hall and the vicar’s room,
the pace of the story was lost.
I have never seen the television
show so I can‘t say whether Geraldine Boorman was a good Reverend Geraldine. The other
characters were all suitably rural.
Clara Shaw as Alice stood out as
the crazy romantic, totally consistent with voice and body language.
I enjoyed Martyn Mitchell, Adrian
Cheeseman, Simon King, Jordan
Lee, Sandra Stanley and Roger
Boorman and they all did wonders
with a pretty creaky script.
MAIDSTONE Council’s cost savings from solar panels has proved
so successful that the scheme is to
be extended.
Renewable energy technology
was installed at the council’s Park
Wood depot as a trial in March and
has exceeded all expectations in
terms of projected energy savings,
members were told.
The council has looked at five
other possible sites and agreed to
install further panels at Lockmeadow Market Hall, Vinters Park
Crematorium and Magnolia House
in Cripple Street, at a cost of
around £125,000.
The council would also like to see
solar panels on Maidstone House
and the Gateway building in King
Street – but these are owned by
Capital and Regional.
Subject to site surveys and agreement from Capital and Regional, a
company could install their own
solar panels on the roof and the
council would then buy the electricity generated, not only reducing
the council’s costs but delivering
CO2 emission reductions.
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downsmail.co.uk
Amanda Miller
Obituaries
known since
schooldays, and the
AMANDA Jane Miller (50), of Hunton, was
couple eventually left
well-known locally from the work she did
the local area after
setting up and running the county-wide
Mike left the Navy.
property management business Simon
Mike spent most of
Miller and Company.
his remaining career
Born Amanda
in production and
Smith in Essex, she
within the production
trained as a secretary
management
and worked as a
industry. His skills took him to work for
medical secretary in
ICI in Yorkshire, as well as 10 years
Marble Arch.
working in production management in
Amanda met
Derbyshire, where he lived in Glossop.
husband Simon at a
When this job ended, Mike and Margaret
party in 1980 and the
took a hotel in Penrith, running it for a few
couple were married
years. They remained in the town in other
in January 1984. Prior
jobs until they retired.
to Hunton their homes were in Gillingham
Margaret Swaffer said: “Mike was a
and Larkfield.
sociable man and a great character. Even
Amanda was baptised as one of
when he needed a mobility scooter later in
Jehovahs’ Witnesses in 1981 and remained
Henry Fulcher
life he would head off to the pub, and was
dedicated all her life. She was mother to
usually well dressed with his trilby hat. He
Lauren, Alexander, Constance and Morgan. HENRY Fulcher (18), of New Romney,
kept lifelong friends, including his best
was a talented footballer well known
Simon Miller and Company was
friend from his days at Maidstone
from
his
time
at
the
Soccer
Elite
Football
established in 2000, growing to a wellGrammar School and never lost his sense of
Academy
at
Swadelands
School
in
Lenham.
known and county-wide operation. The
humour or his love of life.”
Henry
died
after
losing
control
of
his
company’s website has paid a fulsome
Mike leaves his wife of 58 years, daughter
Vauxhall
Corsa
and
hiing
a
tree
in
tribute: “Amanda was characterised by her
Jo, son Peter and grand-children Bernice,
Tenterden.
seemingly inexhaustible cheerfulness and
Eleanor and Laura.
The player was
enthusiasm for life. She was considered one
named
Twopack
by
of the most modest and humble women
team mates and had
who, despite tremendous ability, always
Neville Phillips
graduated from the
shied away from publicity and praise”.
youth
ranks
to
the
NEVILLE Phillips (84) was well known as
Amanda had baled breast cancer since
senior squad at Hythe a housebuilder and farmer.
2007, a fight notable for the positivity and
Town. Having turned
Born in Chatham he moved locally as a
determination she brought to it.
out
for
the
first
team
boy
and aended Maidstone Grammar
Amanda leaves her husband, children,
last season Henry
School. His homes included about 30 years
grandchildren Hamilton and Fox-Belle,
scored his first goal in in Hollingbourne, time in Bearsted,
parents, one brother and one sister.
a pre-season friendly against a Maidstone
Willington Street, Barming and 25 years
United XI this summer.
farming near Marden.
Tributes included a Facebook RIP page
Neville was married to Bey for more
Frank Conn
with more than 1,000 members, some of
than 55 years and was
FRANK Conn (92) lived locally for about 27 whom contributed at a fundraising event in
father to twins Mark
years. He moved to Detling where he was
Lenham, raising £170 for a wreath in the
and Sarah. Son Mark
very active in the local community, living
shape of a Vauxhall Corsa.
said: “My father will
there for 18 years before spending five
Hythe Town FC paid tribute to Henry
be clearly
years in the Royal British Legion Village
stating: “Henry was one of the nicest
remembered by many
and a further four
people you could meet and had the
people locally. He
years in Allington.
potential to go all the way to the top and
was a master builder
Born on the Isle of
we at Hythe had high expectations of him
involved in house
Dogs, Frank was in
in what would have been his first full
building from the 50s
the fire service at the
season at senior level.”
to the 70s, a time in
start of the war and
which he built houses in places like
was mobilised into
Lenham, Spot Lane, Willington Street and
the Army, for whom
Mike Swaffer
many locations around the Maidstone area.
he served as a ground
“He had talent as a sportsman and
MICHAEL “Mike” Swaffer (81), who died
gunner in the
played rugby as a boy. He opened both the
in
Penrith,
Cumbria,
was
raised
in
Shetland Isles and
bowling and the baing for Rumwood
Ireland before being transferred to the RAF Ringlestone and aended Maidstone
Cricket Club in Otham and in his 30s took
Grammar
School.
and doing the same job at Detling and
up golf, playing at Bearsted and
He
became
a
non-commissioned
officer
in
Manston airfields.
Ringlestone and playing his last round at
the
Royal
Navy,
spending
12
years
in
the
Frank’s time in Detling eventually led to
service and rising to the rank of Chief Pey the age of 84.
him becoming central to the campaign for,
“People will remember my father as a
Officer. He married Margaret, who he had
and design of, the memorial that now
larger-than-life character; intelligent,
stands in the village commemorating the
service and sacrifice of the airfield in the
war.
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Frank’s working life included time in the
car trade, working as a baker, a milkman
and a bus driver, and clerical work for the
police. Before Detling, he lived with Alice,
his wife of over 60 years, in High Wycombe
and Orpington. Frank was father to
Stephen and Joyce.
Son Stephen said: “My father was
involved in a lot of Detling life. My father
and mother were paperboy and girl to the
local village and also turned up on a
scooter to do duties as Father and Mrs
Christmas at the local school. He got on
with everyone and was a loveable and nice
guy who kept his energy until very late in
his life and donated to lots of charities”.
Widowed nine years ago, Frank leaves
his children, four grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren.
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downsmail.co.uk
She was known as a playwright with a
strong creative voice and the ability to
translate strong Christian themes into
accessible and entertaining work.
Born Kathleen Hills, she was educated in
Maidstone and worked in a range of jobs
Russell Ruck
locally including shop work, with the
THE death of Russell Ruck (40), of Florence mentally handicapped and at County Hall
Road, Fant was widely reported in the local dealing with tax. Kathy met Paul, her
husband of 44 years, when she was 16.
area.
Paul Hicks said: “Kathy was a very
Russell died following a fall into a World
War II bunker while doing voluntary work determined person with a genuine gift
when it came to writing plays; her work is
at Capel-le-Ferne, Dover. Friends and
very varied and takes in musicals and
family have paid tribute to Russell, who
liked outdoor sports and was fascinated by serious drama.
“It was performed locally from 1978 to
technology.
2003 and requests came in from as far
Russell was educated locally at St
away as Cobham in Surrey for
Michael’s Primary School and Astor of
performances; some of her plays were also
Hever School before moving to Laleham
published by a company specialising in
Gap School, near Margate. In his teens he
Christian drama. With The Unity Players,
was diagnosed with epilepsy and had
a local church-based drama group, Kathy
more recently been diagnosed with
performed in the works herself and could
Asperger’s syndrome.
draw on a total troupe of 30 players within
His father has noted that the recent past
the group.
was the happiest time of Russell’s life and
“Ill health had forced Kathy to give up
he had been actively involved in things he
really cared about. Russell leaves his father full-time work in her fifties but she still
maintained a positive aitude. She also
Barry and sister Charlie.
loved her garden and had a real gift for
gardening; her father had been a
professional gardener and she inherited
Bernard Head
many of his talents.”
BERNARD Head (78) devoted much of his
Kathy leaves her husband Paul, her
time to helping the community of
brother David and a number of other
Bearsted, his home for more than 40 years. family members.
He served as treasurer of the Holy Cross
Church and was also
treasurer and trustee Damen Crompton
of Bearsted
MAIDSTONE’s Damen Crompton (36)
Woodland Trust,
died in a motorcycle accident.
which protects 26
Damen was heading to his home in
acres of woodland
Reculver Walk, Senacre on the A229 Loose
and meadow. He
Road when he lost control of his
was a founder
motorcycle. Damen’s partner Lianne
member of Bearsted
Farrow paid tribute at the scene of the
and Thurnham
accident.
Tennis Club; a
Damen worked for the past four years at
founder member and
Dempson Ltd, a packaging company in
trustee of Bearsted Bowls Club and a
Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. The company
founder member of the badminton club.
has supported his family through the
Bernard was an examiner of local
organisation accounts, including Bearsted tragedy.
Parish Council and Bearsted’s annual
carnival and fair. He was employed by
local company Marley and after retirement Sam Dunlop
in 1990 he set up his own accounts
SAM Dunlop (78) lived locally from 1970,
business.
firstly in Maidstone and – from 1972 – in
He became a respected school bursar,
Bearsted.
notably with Red Hill special school (he
He worked for GEC in Rochester for 22
was also a trustee of the Red Hill Trust)
years. He worked as a draughtsman, rising
and became business manager and
to the role of chief
governor of Roseacre Junior School, which
draughtsman before
he helped guide to grant-maintained
becoming logistics
status.
manager, the role
He joined the Rotary Club of Maidstone
from which he
in 1995, was treasurer for five years and
retired. He had
president in 2004. Last year he was
previously lived in
honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Wembley and
Bernard is survived by his wife Helen
Rainham.
and sons Graham, Michael, Tim and David
Sam was father to
and grandchildren.
Jane, Stephen,
Jonathan and Jenny.
His wife Lee said: “In his younger days
Kathy Hicks
Sam was a gifted footballer who tried out
for professional clubs. He loved sport and
KATHLEEN “Kathy” Hicks (63) lived
became very good at table tennis. His
locally her whole life, first in Maidstone
other passion was computers and he was
where she grew up and – from 1979 – in
amongst the first to own one.
Harrietsham.
“He learned programming, and was able
to teach himself other things like how to
build computers and DIY skills. He used
his computer skills to help with the
logistics in his business before using
computers in this was a normal part of
business.
“His son-in-law, Greig, delivered a
eulogy about Sam’s achievements but also
the modesty he showed, in not being
outspoken about all the things he had
done. His friends and family will
remember his dry sense of humour and his
wisdom.”
Obituaries
interesting and funny.”
Neville, who was widowed in 2013,
leaves his twins and grandchildren James,
Alice, Sophie and Tom.
Allan Wille
ALLAN Robert Wille CVO, CMG, KStJ
(78) of Chilham was a former Lord
Lieutenant of Kent and a company boss
known for donating about £4m to charity.
Born to a Kent family who were working
as tea planters in
India, Mr Wille
returned home and
spent most of his
youth living on farms
in Thanet. He
excelled at rugby as a
boy and joined the
Buffs (Royal East
Kent Regiment). After
working in Canada
and in the packaging industry he founded
Wille International Limited, which grew
into one of the world’s largest companies
involved in electronic coding and labelling
of information.
Mr Wille sold the company in 2002,
launching a charitable foundation which
benefied Kent causes.
Many public figures have paid tribute to
Mr Wille, including former Mayor of
Maidstone Cllr Dan Daley who said: “Allan
was the truest of gentlemen and so
dedicated to whatever he did. He valued
people, in every way, and encouraged
whatever they were engaged in doing.”
Norman Harlow
NORMAN Harlow (79) lived in Bearsted
for more than 50 years. He was born in
Margate, was educated at Dover College
and lived in Kent all his life.
Throughout the war, he and his parents
lived in The Victoria
Hotel in Maidstone,
where his father was
a hotelier and
publican. Later he
lived at the Masonic
Hall in Bower
Terrace.
His work as a sales
rep and manager
meant he travelled
widely. He ended his career as general
manager at Aylesford Priory.
He had many interests and belonged to
the Association of Kentish Men and Men of
Kent’s Maidstone branch, where he was
chairman and president. He organised
many outings for members and friends.
He also belonged to Bearsted History
Society and more recently was a member of
the U3A.
He leaves his wife Rosemary and sons
Christopher, Anthony and James.
There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email [email protected]
33
downsmail.co.uk
Comment
Mote Park well worth a quid
R E C E N T Maidstone Council invest-
ments have improved Mote Park magnificently to make it even more popular locally
and see it rated second best in the nation.
Purchased for £50,000 from the Lord
Bearsted family almost 100 years ago, Mote
Park has proved a wonderful council investment and residents will want it preserved and improved for years to come.
I think few will complain about a proposed new parking fee of £1 for six hours,
especially as the income will be used to
maintain and further improve the park.
Government has imposed massive financial restrictions on local authorities in the
troubled economic times and funding nonessential services is a great problem.
I think most of us who pay to park will
appreciate its great value.
Political football
The political football of Maidstone’s
local plan is being booted in the direction
of the right goal at long last.
When the Tories were in control they
commissioned an expert independent report on the evidence-based need for more
than 19,000 new houses in the borough for
the period 2011 to 2031. They knew this evidence would be tested by a Government
inspector and if it failed the desperatelyneeded local plan would be rejected.
This figure was strongly challenged as
massively over the top by local political opponents in the build-up to May’s general
and borough elections. I always felt they
were playing to local voters worried about
the level of development, especially in
some rural areas, rather than working to
meet Maidstone’s greatest need.
And KCC Leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con)
was still more vociferous in damning the
number – even after KCC commissioned
its own independent report which, to his
fury, largely mirrored the report commis-
Unwarranted aack
Dear Sir – I write to respond to the unwarranted, unsubstantiated and nakedly politically-motivated attack by a defeated local
election candidate upon the democraticallyelected representatives of South ward in last
month’s Downs Mail.
The assertion that the local Liberal Democrat
councillors show any favoritism to one particular area of this large and diverse electoral ward
is wide of the mark. Indeed, in recent weeks we
have facilitated the installation of a second bus
shelter in Tovil and, working with the parish
council, we have achieved a major reinstatement of the popular path along the River Medway next to Bridge Mill Way play area and
beyond, and improvements to the footpath linking Dean Street and Stocketts Lane.
We also gained agreement for the installation
MailMarks
DENNIS FOWLE President
[email protected]
sioned by Maidstone Council.
These long delays may well cost Maidstone dear – as we currently have little protection against developers with their own
ideas for using greenfield land for housing.
It is not a good scene – and sadly Maidstone Council is now subject to ridicule.
New Lib Dem leader of Maidstone
Council Cllr Fran Wilson is working well
to bring together all politicians, including
KCC, to finally get the local plan on the
road. Tough decisions must be taken in the
face of continued local resident opposition.
If not the borough’s housing target could
well swell under government pressure to
beyond the current evidence-based 18,560.
She has accepted she has “failed” to reduce
the target substantially.
The Tories will have a wry smile – but
hopefully they will continue to play a leading role to see past wrongs righted.
Ramblin’ Man
I welcome Maidstone Council’s policy
to increase attractions (and income) from
Mote Park – but I expressed fears about
noise from the big two-day Ramblin’ Man
music festival.
I was close to it for two days at The Mote
cricket ground and was impressed. The festival was very professionally organised and
the large audience was mostly mature,
friendly and responsible. The nearby roads
were busy at times but with visitors arriving
over a long period, and leaving at non-peak
times, I am not aware of serious problems.
How about the noise? On the cricket
ground side it was no problem at all when I
was there. The wind was blowing from the
west and I am sure this helped. Friends living in Downswood, Vinters Park, Grove Green
and Bearsted heard much more but I believe
there were few complaints. Noise levels were
monitored and limits were not breached.
Perhaps limits could be reduced somewhat
in future.
The festival brought a lot of people and
money to Maidstone and I believe there
were many happy visitors and businesses.
I understand Ramblin’ Man could well
return.
Festival revellers at the Ramblin’ Man Fair
of a CCTV safety camera at Tovil Bridge, which
is now in place, and have worked with Maidstone Council’s environmental enforcement
team to ensure that Network Rail cleans up its
land in the same vicinity.
We could go on and on, but will conclude
with references to our central involvement in
the refurbishment of the Bridge Mill Way play
area, close working relationship with local
amenity group Valley Conservation and key
role in delivery and subsequent management
of the beautiful Hayle Place nature reserve.
As regards our campaigning record on the
recently-permitted residential development at
Postley Road, I can confirm that all the South
ward’s local elected representatives passionately opposed this application when it came before the planning committee. We also raised a
petition signed by some 1,500 residents opposing further development close to the Loose Val-
ley. Unfortunately, Government diktat requires
that councils must have an up-to-date local
plan and five-year housing land supply and
this left the planning committee powerless to
resist this and other speculative residential
planning applications.
It did not help that against the advice of the
planning scrutiny committee, the Conservative
cabinet had previously agreed to include the
Postley Road site in the draft local plan, effectively sealing its fate.
Finally, the local elected representatives in
South ward regularly distribute Focus newsletters and other correspondence carrying content
specific to communities in Tovil. To this end,
local people shouldn’t hesitate to contact their
local councillors for help and advice on any
matter, regardless of their political allegiance.
Ian Chittenden, borough councillor for South
ward
Contact our team ...
34
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Free No Obligation Estimates
Certificates Issued
News
downsmail.co.uk
Is it good value to pay for your
funeral before you die?
Yes it is, according to funeral plan adviser, Peter
Camrass of Camrass Wills. The cost of funerals has
gone up by more than the rate of inflation for many
years and shows no signs of stopping.
Peter goes on to say that there are other benefits also.
Fast food plan
for retail park
FAST food giants Subway and
KFC could be moving in to South
Aylesford Retail Park if a plan to
extend the shopping centre by
building two units is approved.
The catering “pods” would be located at the main entrance to the
Quarry Wood site on part of the car
park next to the Pets at Home store.
The Crown Estate, owner of the
centre, is seeking approval from
Tonbridge and Malling Council for
the development, which it says
would provide a high quality landmark on a prominent corner of the
site. The two national food retailers
were expected to create a total of 30
jobs at the new outlets.
Subway planned to open a sandwich shop with an eat-in area and
KFC would be a larger unit with a
restaurant with takeaway facilities.
Both would have mezzanine floors.
External seating and a reconfigured
car park with the loss of 14 spaces
from the park’s total of 551, were
also included in the scheme.
Housed in an “elegant and distinctive” building covering 393sqm,
the new venues would enhance the
range and choice of catering facilities in the area, said the Crown Estate.
However, parish councillors had
no appetite for the scheme.
Registering a strong objection,
Aylesford Parish Council said it was
“over-development of the site with
the loss of car parking spaces”,
adding: “The site is already working
to full capacity.”
Costa Coffee moved into the retail
park last year and an M&S food hall
and coffee shop opened this summer. A McDonald’s drive-in is also
set to open on a nearby site close to
the corner of Hermitage Lane and
London Road after receiving planning approval.
Crown Estate said the new catering units “will enhance the facilities
for customers and staff of the retail
park, Sainsbury’s and the wider
Quarry Wood area.”
Destination Maidstone
COUNCILLORS have approved
a three-year plan to put Maidstone on the map.
The Maidstone destination
management plan, endorsed by
the new heritage, culture and
leisure committee, sets out a
strategy for improving key areas
identified by tourism businesses
in order to achieve its potential as
a top destination for tourism and
investment.
About 70 organisations provided information to help identify key target audiences.
The consultations also identified areas of importance and opportunity in the visitor economy
such as retail, river, rural, heritage, and the night-time economy.
Action plans have been developed to make sure that the borough is making the most of those
areas.
Cllr Gordon Newton, chairman
of the HCL committee, said: “The
hard work of everybody involved in the development of the
DMP has ensured that now is the
time to take the marketing and
tourism potential of the borough
to the next level.”
Maidstone Council is keen to
work with service providers and
businesses that rely on tourism as
a significant part of their business
to help in the delivery of the
DMP action plan.
To be involved email [email protected] or call 01622
602748.
Night curfew part of sentence
A M A I D S T O N E man was sentenced to 70 days in jail, suspended
for 12 months, after he pleaded
guilty to assaulting a police officer
and being drunk and disorderly.
Robert Gregory Massey (23)
from Perryfield Street, was found
drunk and disorderly in Gabriel’s
Hill, Maidstone, in September last
year, where he also assaulted a police officer.
Massey was also given a threemonth curfew to remain at home
between 7pm and 6am daily and
must pay £50 compensation, £350
costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Cash flow during probate. Very often, the family will
not have access to your savings until well after the
funeral because Probate, the legal process which takes
place after a death, can take several months. This
means relatives have to find the money for the funeral
from their own funds. If you have a prepaid funeral
this difficulty is avoided.
Funeral wishes in your Will. Even though you have
stated preferences in your Will, e.g. burial or
cremation, ecofriendly coffin etc., it is up to the
executors of the Will to arrange the funeral and they
are not legally obliged to follow your instructions. With
a prepaid funeral, you have already instructed the
funeral director and so your wishes will be honoured.
Peace of mind. Setting up your own funeral plan not
only protects your loved ones from rising funeral costs,
but also spares them the distress of having to make
difficult decisions at an emotional time.
For a free guide to funeral plans contact
Peter on 01622 720985
www.camrasswills.co.uk
A warm welcome
awaits you at
Maidstone Salvation Army
74-80 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED
Our weekly programme of events includes:
• Sunday services at both 10.15am & 6pm. All are welcome.
• SAMS Tots. A term time mother and toddler group which is held
on Monday & Friday mornings. (There is a waiting list for this group).
• Home League every Tuesday from 1.30 - 2.30pm. A friendly
meeting group for ladies of all ages.
• CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Coffee & Crafts on
Wednesdays (weekly) 9am-12pm.
• Ladies Fellowship at 7.30pm, on the 3rd Wednesday of each
month. This is a mixed age group with guest speakers & various
activities to do.
• Over 60's group meetings each Thursday from 1.30 - 2.30pm. This
group is open to all ladies and gentlemen, over the age of 60!
• Messy Church, held on the second Thursday of every month from
4-6pm. A time for primary school children & their families to have
some creative fun, fellowship & share tea together.
• Youth Club for all children from Year 7 onwards. This is held on
Friday evenings from 7-9pm and costs £1.50 per person.
For further information on these or any of our other events,
please telephone the Community office on 01622 681808.
37
News
downsmail.co.uk
Waterside Park appeal rejected
PLANS to build an industrial estate near M20 Junction 8 at Hollingbourne have been thrown out
by a Government inspector.
Maidstone Council turned down
two applications from Gallagher
Properties and two Marden-based
companies to build Waterside Park
on land south of the A20.
Now, planning inspector Katie
Peerless has supported Maidstone
planning officers and dismissed Gallagher’s appeal.
The inspector said she was concerned that the proposed development would “prove disruptive and
seriously harm the character of the
wider landscape”.
She wrote: “The impact of the
schemes would be further exacerbated by the extent of the earthworks that would be needed to
create the development platforms
and the surrounding bunding.
These would be engineered, obviously man-made features that
would contrast unfavourably with
the gently rolling hills leading towards the scarp of the North Downs
and would permanently change the
topography of the landform.”
Ms Peerless said the development
would be detrimental to walkers
and she believed that the proposals
did not tie in with the development
plan policy regarding protection of
the countryside.
One of her greatest concerns was
the impact of the development on
Jail sentence
A MAIDSTONE man who stole
meat from a supermarket has been
jailed for three months.
Matthew Savage (22), of Wallis
Avenue, admitted shoplifting the
meat, valued at £65, from a store in
Station Approach, Borough Green,
on July 4 and was sentenced at Mid
Kent Magistrates’ Court.
Savage was also ordered to pay
criminal court charges of £150 and
an £80 victim surcharge.
Leeds Castle and its parkland. She
said it would intrude on the “iconic
view” of the castle from the golf
course and “diminish the significance of the heritage assets”.
The inspector accepted there was
a need for additional industrial and
employment development in Maidstone, but said there was available
space elsewhere and, as neither ADL
nor Scarab – the two Marden companies – had a formal agreement to
take up space, the development was
effectively speculative.
She conceded that the site was “a
highly sustainable location in terms
of accessibility to major road transport links” but said she believed development on such a scale could
have an adverse impact on traffic
congestion levels.
Ms Peerless concluded: “I find that
the environmental harm would be
greater than the identified economic
advantages and the adverse impacts
would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”
Roger Vidler, treasurer of the
Bearsted and Thurnham Society,
said: “The decision vindicates the
stand that society, the Joint Parishes
Group, the CPRE and others took on
this development.
“It also adds further weight to the
arguments we and others advanced
for this area, along with the land between the M20 and A20.
“However, as always with MBC,
the position is not as straightforward
as one might hope. We understand
that there is still pressure to designate junction 8 as a site for industrial
and commercial development and,
of course, the threat from the Roxhill
development covering part of the
former KIG site remains.”
Nick Yandle (pictured), chief executive of Gallagher Properties, said:
“The inspector’s decision is of course
disappointing. We have a number of
options open to us, and we are giving these due consideration, taking
the inspector’s decision and reasoning into account.”
38
RESIDENTS are pleading with
Maidstone Council to protect
land near M20 Junction 8 from
development.
The Bearsted and Thurnham
Society has written to Cllr Fran
Wilson, the leader of the council, asking that J8 be removed as
a location for employment in
the draft local plan.
Society
secretary
Mary
Richards referred also to the decision to reject an application
for the Kent International Gateway road/rail freight interchange in August 2010.
The society believes the council should designate the area as
“a valued local landscape and/
or Green Belt to check the unrestricted sprawl of Maidstone to
the east and to safeguard this
valued area of open countryside
from development, also to protect the setting and character of
Leeds Castle and other nearby
heritage assets and to assist
with the regeneration of employment land within the Maidstone urban area”.
Could you help victims of crime? Driving ban
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help
support the victims of crime.
Victim Support works with Kent
Police to offer emotional support
and advice to people who have
been affected by crime. Volunteers
are trained to support victims until
they feel strong enough to move forward, listening to their concerns and
making sure their needs are met.
No qualifications or experience
are needed, just a couple of hours a
week and a willingness to help.
Volunteers must be over 18 and
will be subject to a Disclosure and
Barring Service check. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Anyone interested in volunteering
with Victim Support should contact
the service delivery team on 01233
896423 or email [email protected].
Crossing could safeguard school children
A NEW zebra crossing could be
introduced in Leafy Lane, Maidstone to help keep school children
safe.
The cul-de-sac is the only access
to Brunswick House Primary
School and it is also used by pupils
of Maplesden Noakes and Maidstone Girls’ Grammar schools.
At drop-off and pick-up times,
many parents park at the London
Road Retail Park, which is fenced,
meaning youngsters have to cross
a narrow section of Leafy Lane to
get to school.
Parents parked on the double yellow lines or Keep Clear section risk
colliding with these pupils when
they turn to leave.
‘Now protect
this land’
Central. “We are reinforcing the
double yellow lines but we need a
zebra crossing to make it safer.”
Tim Read, KCC’s head of transportation, reported on a petition
delivered to the Maidstone Joint
Transportation Board in April.
He wrote: “The existing waiting
restrictions and school Keep Clear
marking could be enforced more
actively; however, civil enforcement operatives cannot be there all
of the time.
“A zebra crossing might be likely
A new zebra crossing in Leafy Lane
to be respected more than the existcould help protect pupils
ing yellow lines.”
He recommended a bid for fund“They often don’t look in their
rear-view mirrors,” said Cllr Dan ing from the local transport plan
Daley, KCC member for Maidstone budget.
A DRIVER from Maidstone has
been banned from the road after
giving a positive breath test.
Andrew David Looseley (40),
from Quarry Road, was driving a
Vauxhall Vectra in the town’s
Upper Stone Street on June 16 and
gave a breath test of 68mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal
limit is 35. He pleaded guilty to
drink driving and was given an 18month driving ban by Mid Kent
Magistrates’ Court. He was fined
£110, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Demolition
plan denied
MAIDSTONE Council has refused
an application to demolish the former American Golf store at 5 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone.
The applicant said they wanted
to redevelop the site but the proposal was only to to demolish the
now derelict store as well as a twostorey building and other outbuildings in Corben’s Place.
The council’s planning department said that with the future of
the site uncertain, there was concern about its visual impact.
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KINGSGATE CONSTRUCTION LTD
Extensions & Conversions Specialist
No upfront costs - No deposit taken
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Call Mark 07976 264231
01622 736127
[email protected]
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FULL CARPENTRY
SERVICE FROM
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Family business established 21 years
01622 743648
Mob: 07711 291921
CALL Cliff on
07940 854927
01622 729092
31, Sheppey Road, Loose, Maidstone
Chimney Maintenance
H & G Chimney Services
Chimney sweeping service
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Complete re-builds
Re-pointing
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01622 739439 07860 318166
[email protected]
your ur
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class 2 6303
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Cleaning Services
ALL BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN
Fully Insured. References Available.
Wood Works
"WE CLEAN
OVENS!"
Using van mounted cleaning tanks,
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PHOENIX
The Truck Mounted All
Surface Cleaning System
• Carpets • Upholstery
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T: 01622 753466
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Cleaning Services continued
Fencing continued
Garden Services Cont
APPROVED
GARDENS
• Regular Maintenance & Jungle Clearances.
• Mowing Strimming Hedge Trimming.
Re-Shape, Reductions, Pruning & Fencing.
• Tree Works, Re Turfing & Weed Control.
• Fully Insured, Residential & Commercial.
Award winning Contractor for
“Kent Garden Of The Year 2010”
www.wrightsfencing.co.uk
01622 726736
07436 117576
[email protected]
No1 Locally Since 1996
Garden Services
ARBOUR
TREE SURGERY
‘Trust your local experts’
All Aspects of Tree Work
Forestry First Ltd
Drives
BUTLER
DRIVEWAYS
Block Paving Patterned Concrete
Tarmac Driveways
Shingle Drives Patios
01622 850491
Mobile: 07885 253623
Warren House Headcorn Road
Sandway Maidstone
www.downsmail.co.uk
Kent & Sussex
Drives
Specialists in Block Paving, Resin
bonded surfaces. Also red or black
tarmac. Hot tar chippings. Pea
Shingle. Free Estimates. All new
work guaranteed for 10 years.
Tel: 01622 809105 /
01580 891668
Mobile: 07789 360748
Tree Surgeons & Landscapers in Kent
All arboricultural tree works
undertaken. Fully insured.
www.forestryfirst.co.uk
01622 616133
No job too big or small
• Fencing • Treework
• Turfing • Decking
• Levelling Ground
• Jet Washing Service
• Water Features
• Astroturf • Patios
• Clearance • Driveways
Landway Surfacing
Email - [email protected]
Website - www.landwaysurfacing.co.uk
100 The Landway, Bearsted, KENT ME14 4LB
Electricians
Electric Rewired
The new 17th Edition wiring regs are applied
We are Part P Certificated
For all your Electrical needs
From extra sockets to house rewiring
Replace old light fittings with new fittings
Call Alf for your free quote
Ring 07831 247843 or 01622 738680
www.electricrewired.co.uk.
[email protected]
Fencing
Fence me in & alot more
All types of Fencing & Gates
Installed & Repairs
All Aspects of Garden Services, Landscapes,
Decking, Patios, Paths & Paving.
Regular Contracts, Lawn Mowing,
Hedge Cutting etc.
Call Colin on 07521
377306 or 01622 853978
40
Fencing continued
I.WALLOND FENCING
ALL TYPES – REPAIR/RENEW
Est. 25 YEARS
FREE ESTIMATES
01622 844956 07931 368710
www.IWallondfencingcontractors.co.uk
01622 759119 07771 970570
www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk
EPIC
Driveways, Block Paving, Tarmac & Shingle,
Council Approved Drop Kerbs, Resin bonded Drives
All work fully insured and guaranteed
Tel/Fax - 01622 734817
Mobile - 07795 471 196 or 07799 867 524
Fully Insured and Qualified
Free No Obligation Written Quotation
LANDSCAPES
www.kentandsussexdrives.com
For free advice and quotation call:-
Felling • Pruning
Hedge Cutting
Stump Grinding
BRANCHING OUT
TREE SERVICE
All aspects of tree cutting, Re-shaping,
Crown reduction. Felling of dangerous
or dying trees. All hedges and shrubs,
topped and shaped
Site clearance, prompt services
FREE ESTIMATES
01622 880218
07796 772020
For a free site survey call:
01622 527106
07788 532926
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offers
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 etc
BUILDING WORKS - Extensions, Porches, Conservatories, Garages, Groundworks,
Roofing, PVC Windows, Doors, Soffits, Fascias, Floor/Wall Tiling, Decorating etc
David Matthews
Fencing
FULLY INSURED/WORK GUARANTEED, VERY PROFESSIONAL/FRIENDLY SERVICE
Top Quality Materials/Workmanship from design to completion - FREE ESTIMATES
Tel: 01622 851222 Mob: 07786 07 01 07
www.maidstonelandscapes.com
• Free estimates & friendly advice
• All types of fencing at
competitive prices
• Fencing supplied and erected
• You talk directly to David at all
stages for your fencing
• Go on, give him a call on
Phone: 01622 755342
Mobile: 07749 202140
LOOK: Please check our reviews and other
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Garden Services cont
L.W.LANDSCAPING
Fully Insured & Reliable
Tel: 01622 260149
Mob: 07772 231419
z Fencing z Treework
z Turfing z Decking
z Levelling Ground
z Jet Washing Service
z Astroturf z Patios
z Clearance z Driveways
Complete Garden
Maintenance
Fully Insured
• Grass cutting, from field to a garden
•Hedge cutting • Weed control
• Japenese Knotweed treatment
• Fencing • Rubbish removal
• Hedge & tree reduction • Turfing
• CRB Checked
Free Quotes
Tel 01622 206431
Mob 07932 752875
www.boatmanlandscapes.com
Painting & Decorating continued
LEE Hughes
PAINTING & DECORATING
SERVICES
Interior & Exterior Work
Undertaken
OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
City & Guild Qualified
Tel: 01622 759040
No job too small
Competitive prices
•Painting & Decorating • Plastering
• Tiling • Fencing
• Laminate Flooring • Plumbing
General Household Maintenance.
Any odd jobs considered
Phone Lee for quotes
No job too big or too small.
Painting & decorating,
all roofing works & repairs,
chimney’s, guttering & gutter
cleaning, pressure cleaning,
fencing & brickwork & driveways
07554 267087
0800 4748750
07894 138224 01622 204491
Day
Evenings or to leave a message
Free from landlines
Fully insured
Ironing Services
Painting & Decorating
Including wallpapering
City & Guilds qualified. 28 years experience.
All work carried out to a professional high standard.
A.M. Freiter
01622 747 296 /
07729 573 024
Rathbone Decorating Services
Interior & Exterior
Works Undertaken
No job too small
with special rates
for pensioners
• Free Estimates • Friendly Personal Services
• Domestic and Commercial • Qualified Tradesman
Handyman Services
Handyman HANDYMAN
All aspects of internal & external
Tel 01622 721491 or Mobile: 07753 487796
We accept payment by
Plastering
Plumbing & Heating
D K PLASTERING
Chris Bourne Plumbing Services
All plastering work carried out
• Excellent Work • Excellent Prices
• FREE Quotes
Call David 01622 727534
making water work
Heating
Wall & Floor
Plumbing
Tiling
Complete 25yrs experience
Bathrooms
Mobile: 07974 891795
PRACTICAL PHIL
01622 747272 /
07885 950959
THE HANDY MAN
Sheds constructed & repaired
Door hanging • Flat Pack Furniture
Interior & Exterior Decorating
Many small jobs undertaken
Please phone with your requirements
01622 755898 Mobile
07834 601428
07857 702418
Locksmith
R K Plastering
24 hour service locks opened new locks fitted security checks
emergency work undertaken UPVC door & window repairs
Maidstone & Kent
T: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751
www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk
3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT
MALCOLM ROBERTS
Over 25 years’ experience of
maintaining people’s homes.
A friendly, reliable service.
Painting & decorating,
Wall Papering, Tiling
and all aspects of DIY.
CALL MALCOLM
ON 01634 308067
Mob: 07788 142576
FOR A FREE QUOTATION
Larkrise, Green Lane,
Boughton Monchelsea.
BARMING PLASTERING
• Internal & External Plastering
• Reliable Professional Clean
Friendly Service
• Free Estimates
• Over 25 years experience,
references available on request
• Registered with mybuild.com
All Aspects of Plastering
Internal / External
Plastering Over Artex
Coving
Free Estimates
Clean & Reliable
• Quality Decorating at a
fair & competitive price
• Fully insured &
references available
• Dulux approved
Tel/Fax: 01622 737225
Mobile: 07816 149502
www.sr-interiors.com
email: [email protected]
Boiler repairs and installs
Leaking taps
No Job too small, No call out fee,
Free estimates
All types of plumbing work.
Please call Matthew on
07929 544 856
Call Rob on: 07984 609133
www.rkplastering.co.uk
M B Plumbing and
Heating
www.downsmail.co.uk
All gas appliances installed, serviced and repaired
Boiler installations & breakdowns
Solar installations & maintenance
Gas cookers installed & repaired
Power flushing
Landlord gas safety checks
All plumbing work undertaken
City & Guilds and A.C.S qualified
Call Neil Tel: 01622 683476
Mobile: 07725 696030
218594
GAS, HEATING, PLUMBING & RENEWABLES
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Plumbing & Heating continued
Roofing Services continued
NO CALL OUT CHARGE & FREE QUOTES
For all your plumbing needs
General Repairs • New Taps
• Toilet & Cistern Repairs
PLUMBING Bath & Shower Installation • Leaks & Fault Finding
25 years & 25,000 roofs
& all our guarantees are
insurance backed for the
full 30 years
Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266
30
Benjamin Terry
Plumbing and Heating
• Free Quotations for all your plumbing and heating requirements
• All calls handled promptly and efficiently.
• No job too small
306005
Heating Bathrooms Plumbing Boiler Servicing
Landlord Gas Safety Certificates
LPG, Air Source Pumps and Natural Gas
01622 725558
[email protected]
07968 424228
!
NOsW
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A
C e home ey
For a
fre
0800 0434 342 / 07899 905 301
The Fibreglass Roofing experts
See the working display we created in Notcutts 25 years ago
Gavin Francis
www.flatroofcokent.co.uk
Central Heating Installations ex British Gas
• New Boilers
• Noisy Boilers and repairs
• Burst pipes & leaks
• Bathroom & shower installations
• FULLY INSURED
• ALL WORK GUARANTEED
& AT COMPETITIVE RATES
199173
NO CALL OUT CHARGE FREE ESTIMATES
Business
Directory
Your local plumber
07860 174959
01622 721779
Forge Lane, East Farleigh,
Maidstone, Kent ME15 0TH
E:[email protected]
Advertise from as little as £3.00 per month
Call 01622 630330 or visit our website for more details
Roofing Services
Property Maintenance
TNC Property
& Landscapes
COMPLETE ROOFING SERVICE
Driveways and Paving
Block paving refurbishment
• Full Roof Installation
• Tiling & Slate Roofing
• uPVC Fascias & Soffits
• Chimney Repointing or Removal
• Roofing Repairs & Maintenance
(level sunken areas, clean & sand)
Lawn construction
Fencing new and repairs
Brickwork/patios re-pointed
Fully Insured
Call Tremayne
01622 758221
Find us on
07748004252
www.apolloroofing.co.uk
07808 414965
or 01622 853601
for a free, no obligation quote
A1Roofing Services
• TILED ROOFING • FLAT ROOFING
• LEAD FLASHING • PVC FASCIA / SOFFITS
• FULL REPAIR SERVICE
Tel: 01622 296011
Mob: 07884 180595
For a prompt reliable service
( 01622 630 330 (
42
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Skip Hire
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Waste Collection
Skip Hire continued
st ry
a
F ive
l
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D
P
C r
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D.T
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c pt
ti
SKIP HIRE
o
n
Over 20 Years Experience
Prices from £110+VAT
01622
843511
South Belringham Yard, South Lane,
Sutton Valance, Kent ME17 3BD
Skip Hire 3, 4, 6
& 12 Yard Bins
Covering Maidstone
& The Weald
EA Registered
Fast & Prompt Service
Commercial
& Domestic
Friendly • Effecient • Reliable • Competitive
P
I
N
B
I
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S
Commercial and domestic
1-14 day hire
Same day delivery
2-4 yard mini skips
6-20 yard skips
Roll-on, roll-offs
Council approved
Tipped at our site
70% waste recycled
Crushed concrete
Top soil
Grab hire also available
D. BODY LTD
Waste Collection
Cesspool Emptying
Septic Tanks
Drain Clearing
Sludge Removal
Treatment Plants
Gulleys & Forecourts
High Pressure Jetting
Domestic & Commercial
ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSED CARRIERS
01622 631688
D.BODY
24Hr - 7 Days A Week
www.dbody.co.uk
Prompt & Friendly Service
The Paddock, Detiling Hill, Maidstone, Kent
Web Design
EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS
• Google Marketing / Search Engine Promotion
• Web Site Design • E-Commerce Websites • Hosting
• Email • Web Site Maintenance
01732 842454
Window cleaning
MB WINDOW CLEANING
• Domestic & Commercial • Window Cleaning • Conservatory Roof Cleaning
• Gutter, Fascia & Conservatory • Professional & Reliable Service
• Power washing available for block paving & patios
01622 863502 07950 211 507
www.mbwindowcleaningservices.co.uk [email protected]
NEW SITE
NOW OPEN
Detling
Aerodrome
Maidstone
Freephone
0800 028 49 00
Windows Repairs
Miranda
DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS
SPECIALIST REPAIRER FOR OVER 20 YEARS
ALL REPAIRS GUARANTEED
Trailor Hire, Sales & Repairs
TV Aerials, Satellites
& Repairs
Trailer Hire-Sales-Repair
MIKE PRIOR
Kent Trailers
Indespension Agent
Livestock, Plant, Recovery,
Van, General Purpose
Trailers in stock
New & Used
Detling
01622 730063 07860 318166
[email protected]
Misted / Broken Glass Units,
Door & Window Handles,
Locks & Hinges
Patio Door Wheels & Tracks
T.V.`s, recorders & surround sound
systems installed and set up.
T.V. wall mounting service.
All aerial work including digital
Freeview upgrades.
Freesat satellite dishes installed
and upgraded.
Estimates given,
Maidstone trusted trader.
SPARE PARTS SHOP
01622 844393
www.mdgrepairs.co.uk
Units 15-16 Dickens Court
Enterprise Close, Medway City Estate
Kent ME2 4LY
01634 717400
PAUL MILL Television Est.
Ltd
1981
01622 751000
• See the latest Panasonic LED, Latest 4K, Smart & 3D Screens
• Youview Record, Pause, & Rewind TV, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player & 4oD
• Your local Sky expert, SKY HD, multiroom & “hidden” dish installation
• Freeview & Freesat, Expert aerial and dish installation service
Please phone us for free friendly advice today
www.paulmilltelevision.co.uk
We pride ourselves on being a local business offering outstanding service
Online
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Window Repairs Continued
Leisure
Bouncy Castle
PENFOLDS AMUSEMENTS
Bouncy castles and children’s carousels
On the
Road
01634 365427 | 07710 772597
Glaze-Tech Services Ltd
A family run business
with over 30 years experience
Free survey & quotations
Installers of top quality double glazing
• UPVC double glazed windows & doors
• Solid core composite doors, the best in the market
• Domestic & commercial aluminium products
• Insurance backed guarantee on all installations
• Supplied and installed by skilled fitters
• Secondary Double Glazing Specialists
• Repairs service to locks,
hinges & handles
T: 01622 717130
F: 01622 717132
www.glazetech.co.uk [email protected]
Unit 8 2M Trade Park, Beddow Way, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BT
Public Notice
Licensing Act 2003
Notice of application to vary a Premises Licence
Notice is hereby given that Mone Food LTD has applied to Maidstone Borough
Council on 17th. August 2015 for the grant of a premises licence to use the premises at
Mone Food, 82-84 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1EH in respect of the sale by
retail of alcohol. Namely Monday to Saturday from 08:00 - 23:00 and Sunday from
10:00 - 20:00. Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this
application must give notice in writing of his/her representation by 14th. September
2015 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Maidstone Borough
Council Licensing Office, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ.
The Register of Record of Application can be viewed by members of the public during
office hours at Maidstone Borough Council Licensing Office, or accessed online by
visiting http://pa.sevenoaks.gov.uk/online-licensing/ Representation shall be made in
writing. It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in
connection with an application for a premises licence. The maximum fine for which a
person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is £5,000.
TRUSTEESHIPS
MAIDSTONE
FUSION Maidstone, Healthy Living Centre, based in Parkwood,
Maidstone, is a well-established and growing voluntary
organisation with ambitious plans for expansion of its services.
New Trustees are sought to complement existing Trustees and
bring further passion, drive and experience to its Board.
We are looking for community-minded individuals from a range of
backgrounds, including the local community, commercial, public,
charitable, health/social care/education/Church sectors, and who
can demonstrate a track record of effective performance,
strategic thinking and sound and effective judgement. We are
looking for up to four new Trustees to complement Fusion
Maidstone Board of Trustees.
For an initial discussion and to request an information pack
please contact:
Martin or Tracey on 01622 691177 or
email [email protected] /
[email protected].
44
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(rear of Ward & Partners)
Telephone:
751258
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Granville Road, Maidstone
MOT Testing
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Repairs
01622 761571
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Tel: 01622 663662
Unit 5, Bridge Industrial Estate,
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( 01622 630 330 (
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On the
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45
News
downsmail.co.uk
help to
‘Wartime’ market closes Gifts
calm patients
after 70 years of trading
A GROWERS’ local co-operative which traded successfully in Maidstone
for 70 years has become a victim of the times.
Maidstone Country Market celebrated its anniversary in April.
However, with fewer producers
and customers the market committee could no longer make ends meet.
Difficulty parking near the hall
and the pressure on producers to
cut costs to compete with nearby
cheap supermarkets were all factors
which led to the market’s demise,
according to former secretary Sue
Chartier, pictured inset.
As producers retired, it became a
struggle to replace them.
Sue said: “Unfortunately the outgoings became more than the income, and even though the hall
rental was not expensive by today’s
standards, we could not make ends
meet.”
“Although all our produce was
home-baked and home-made, shoppers will only pay so much – especially when they can buy similar
things cheaper at a supermarket.”
The Maidstone Country Market
began in April 1945 with surplus
fruit and vegetables grown as a result of the war effort and soon became popular with housewives. Its
previous name was the WI market.
Selling cakes and bread, preserves, crafts, plants and local produce long before the trend for
farmers’ markets, customers flocked
to the Maidstone country market
from neighbouring towns.
Held in the United Reformed
Church Hall, Week Street, one lady
said she had been a regular customer every week for 27 years.
Sue was a customer in the 1980s,
when she worked at the police station in Palace Avenue, and became
a producer, selling plants after her
retirement in 1993.
A resident of Otham, she also participates in the Bearsted country
market, which she hopes will now
benefit from additional custom.
The Bearsted market takes place
in the WI Hall, The Street, from
10am to 11.15am each Saturday.
Sue said: “The members wish to
thank all their customers and
helpers for their support over the
years.”
Other local country markets can
be found at www.country-markets.co.uk – the next nearest are at
Rochester and Tenterden.
RE P R E S E N TAT I V E S
from
Aylesford and Eccles WI visited
Pye Oliver ward at Maidstone Hospital to hand over more than 50
comfort blankets and muffs, made
for dementia patients.
The comforters are created using
a variety of fabrics and materials
and have attachments that patients
can touch and explore.
Patient experience matron Christine Steele said: “Some dementia
patients can become agitated and
these blankets and muffs help to
calm them.”
Patients are given a blanket or
muff to keep while they are in hospital which they can then take
home with them. They are all made
with materials which can be taken
with a patient into a scan or X-ray.
Ann Butterworth, from Aylesford and Eccles WI, said: “The idea
came from my daughter. We
wanted to make some for our local
hospital so I phoned and mentioned the idea to Christine, who
thought it was fantastic.”
Ladies from the WI would benefit greatly from donations of ribbon, small soft toys, material,
different types of wool, sewing cotton and large buttons. Donations
can be left in a designated box at
the main reception desk of Maidstone Hospital.
Competition brewing as coffee giant joins the parade
IF Britain is a nation of tea drinkers,
why is Maidstone’s King Street set to
become the coffee capital of Kent?
US coffee giant Starbucks has announced it is to open its latest shop
in Colman Parade – in direct competition with other leading coffee
brands Costa Coffee (opposite) and
Caffe Nero (two doors away).
The coffee shop will be open from
7am-7pm, in a bid to entice workers
at both ends of the day (and from
8.30am-5pm Sundays). It will also
offer two free pre-bookable meeting
rooms with wi-fi on the first floor as
another inducement to business customers.
The new Starbucks will create 20
full and part-time jobs in the town,
95% of which will go to local people,
according to Leon King, operations
manager for Cobra Restaurants,
which manages the 15 Starbucks
franchises in Kent and Sussex.
As well as being home to several
independent eateries, King Street
also houses the Heart of Flavour cafe
bar and deli run by the Heart of Kent
Hospice.
Now, crepe, waffle and sundae
speciality dessert franchise Creams
Café has announced it is to open in
the former Yates Wine Lodge/Ink Bar
building at the corner of King Street
and Church Street.
In Market Buildings, another popular coffee shop is also set to change
hands.
Harper’s, with its distinctive decor
and style, has been based in the
town for more than 22 years, selling
glamorous gifts and unusual artefacts, as well as coffee and snacks.
Proprietor Kate Joy, who has
owned the business for the past
Metro Bank moves in
New president
of Inner Wheel
FRANCES McGill, pictured centre, is the new president of the
Inner Wheel Club of Maidstone.
The Inner Wheel Club will
continue to work hard this year to
raise money for local charities. Pictured with Frances is the new vicepresident, Anne Goodliffe and past
president Sue Kinsman.
46
A PRIME town centre building has
been demolished to make way for
a new “hole in the wall”.
The former Burger King building, on the corner of the High
Street and Week Street, and its fast
food franchise, has been razed to
the ground in readiness for another
bank.
The fast-expanding Metro Bank
is in the throes of redeveloping the
site, along with that of the former
Peppermint fashion store, to house
the latest in its chain of high street
banks.
Launched in 2010, Metro Bank
was the first new high street
bank to open in the UK for 150
years.
The branch intends to be open
before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Burger King is doing
a roaring trade further along Week
Street in the former C&H Fabrics
building.
Elsewhere, major structural
work continues to take place on
the buildings that were destroyed
and damaged in the blaze that
ripped through part of Week Street
earlier in the summer, meaning
scaffolding seems set to be a part of
the town centre landscape for
many months to come.
eight years, has decided she needs to
concentrate on business commitments across the Channel, in France,
and has sold the business to another
local entrepreneur.
Harper’s has always supported
local artists and will continue to feature quirky and unusual pieces, as
well as its unique and eclectic range
of designer homeware, jewellery,
cards and gifts.
As for the current complement of
coffee in the town? According to
Leon King: “There are plenty of coffee drinking customers to go round!”
Student-style
store to open
TOP British design brand Jack
Wills has decided to give Maidstone a go.
The student-style fashions will be
going on sale in the former La
Senza store in Fremlin Walk for a
trial six-month period from August
21, creating 18 full-time and parttime jobs.
Previously, fans of the clothing
chain have had to travel to Bluewater, Tunbridge Wells or Canterbury.
FREE
Read the Downs Mail online
at www.downsmail.co.uk
downsmail.co.uk
A hanging basket was taken from outside
a property in Forest Hill, Tovil.
A flat was broken into in Barnhurst Road.
A pouch of tobacco was missing.
Mail was going missing from a communal
post area in Scotney Gardens.
Glue was poured into door locks at a
home in Strachan Close.
A gate to a back garden was damaged by
a car in Plains Avenue, Shepway.
A front window at a residential property
in Terminus Road, Fant was smashed. The
board protecting a previously smashed window at the back was also damaged.
A handbag containing a purse and personal items was snatched from a pedestrian
in Cambridge Crescent, Shepway. The bag
also contained the keys to a 02-reg Peugeot
206 parked nearby. The car was subsequently stolen.
A Yamaha motorbike was taken from a
driveway in Buckland Road. A man was
seen pushing the motorbike but later abandoned it to where it was recovered by police.
White paint was thrown over the front
door of a flat at The Spinney.
Entry was gained to the boom of some
stairs in Old Tovil Road and items were
stolen.
The window and door of a shop in Hart
Street, Fant were damaged, possibly by
something fired at them.
Two plant pots were stolen from the front
of a property in Strachan Close.
A purse was stolen from a Vauxhall Astra
in Norfolk Road, Shepway.
The windscreen of a Ford Transit parked
on a driveway in Courtenay Road was damaged by something fired from a catapult. A
group of men were seen causing the damage.
A property in Gatland Lane, Fant was broken into. It was believed the offender was
disturbed when the resident returned. Nothing appeared to have been taken.
A Toyota parked in Kilndown Close,
Allington was broken into. A bag containing credit cards, work clothing and other
items were stolen.
A window to a property was damaged in
North Pole Road, Barming.
A 51-reg Renault Clio was stolen from
Hartnup Street, Fant.
The door of a property was damaged in
Flaxman Drive, Allington.
A window was damaged at a property in
Victoria Street.
Police maers Five crimes had been
reported in the previous month. These
were one theft in Linton Road and four
incidents of criminal damage in Leonard
Gould Way, McAlpine Crescent, Well
Street and Loose Road.
Warning Cold callers had been knocking
on doors locally offering cut-price
furniture and enquiring about parked cars.
This would be published on the website.
Neighbourhood plan A government grant
had been secured ensuring the project
could continue into 2016. There had been
lots of interest and feedback in the
neighbourhood plan at the stall on Loose
Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police
Tools were taken from a vehicle parked in
St Peter’s Street.
An excavator parked at a building site in
London Road, Allington was damaged.
Windows were smashed and panels were
dented.
A Vauxhall Astra parked in Woodford
Road, Fant was damaged. The windscreen
was smashed, both wing mirrors were broken and the rear door was scratched.
A window was damaged at a property in
Farleigh Lane, Barming.
A vehicle was scratched while parked
overnight in Bower Place, Fant. Several
other cars were scratched in nearby Bower
Lane.
A parked vehicle was entered and tools
were taken in Tonbridge Road.
A spare tyre was stolen from a vehicle in
Lower Fant Road, Fant.
The door of a van was damaged in Farleigh Lane, Barming. Nothing was taken.
A window and door were damaged in an
aempt to enter a property in Terminus
Road, Fant.
A parked vehicle was keyed in Farleigh
Lane, Barming.
A rock was thrown at a window in Upper
Fant Road, Fant, causing it to smash.
A wall at a block of flats in Hart Street was
damaged by graffiti.
A commercial vehicle was stolen from
Springwood Road and later recovered,
minus tools.
A parked vehicle was keyed in Hastings
Road.
A man was hit by more than one person in
Basing Close. His personal belongings were
then stolen.
Both number plates were stolen from a
Vauxhall Corsa parked in St Philips Avenue.
A window was damaged at a home in
Quarry Road, Tovil.
Number plates were stolen from a car
parked on a drive in King Edward Road.
A Ford badge was removed from a vehicle parked in Wat Tyler Way.
High Street premises were entered in an
aempted theft.
Several items of trim and accessories were
stolen from a Ford Focus parked in a car
park in Wat Tyler Way. CCTV was being
viewed.
A Ford Focus parked in a car park in Cam-
bridge Crescent, Shepway had its side windows and a wing mirror smashed.
A silver mountain bike was stolen from
the road where it had been chained to a bike
rack outside County Hall.
A parked vehicle had both wing mirrors
damaged in Bell Road, Park Wood.
More than one person threatened another
to steal their belongings in Willow Way.
An unsecured red mountain bike was
stolen from the hallway of a block of flats in
York Road.
A car parked in West Park Road was broken into and a wallet stolen.
A van parked in Cumberland Avenue,
Shepway was stolen.
A Fiat parked in the car park of Maidstone
Leisure Centre, Willow Way was keyed.
CCTV was being viewed.
A property was entered in Cambridge
Crescent, Shepway and items taken included a mobile phone and cash.
A door at a residential property in Suon
Road was damaged in an aempt to break
in. No entry was gained and nothing was
missing.
A vehicle parked in Essex Road, Shepway
was keyed.
Fencing panels were taken from premises
in Suon Road.
A lock to a property in Westmorland
Road, Shepway was damaged in an attempted burglary.
A parked vehicle was keyed in Redstart
Avenue.
A 27-year-old victim was forced to hand
over £40 after a man pulled a knife on him at
Mote Park. The victim says he was watching the stars near a footbridge that crosses
the lake when he was approached by the
man between midnight and 12.30am. After
taking the money, the suspect is said to have
run off into the trees. Police say he was
wearing a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit
booms and dirty white Adidas trainers.
Duck Race Day.
Fall A fall had been reported by a member
of the public at an entrance to the King
George V Playing Field and damage had
occurred to a wellington boot. Kent
Association of Local councils (Kalc) had
been consulted and the clerk would be
writing to the resident in due course.
Green and blue Cllr Peter Rigby gave
feedback following the Maidstone Green
and Blue Infrastructure Workshop. The
meeting was headed by a consultancy and
not Maidstone Council. It was felt overall
that the meeting was unproductive and no
immediate progress had been made. There
was also no indication of how it was likely
to progress. It was agreed to make a formal
complaint to Maidstone Council.
Pavilion and playing field A new CCTV
camera would be purchased to replace the
broken one, and the gate entrance at the top
of the playing field would also be removed
and replaced with a single central post.
Roads Complaints had been received
about the road surfaces lifting around
Loose. Kent Highway Services was aware
of this and was liaising with its contractors.
PROTECT
YOUR HOME
ALARMS FROM
£495
+VAT
LTD
RITY
ECU
&S
MS
R
A
AL
0
28
162
807
51
Parish Councils
Loose
Neighbourhood Watch
Crime reports
A LARGE planter in the Earl Street pedestrianised area was damaged. CCTV shows a
white woman in her late teens, of thin build
with blonde hair in a ponytail causing the damage. She was with a man at the time.
Tovil
Emergency plan Volunteers are requested
to act as flood wardens.
Fete Helpers are needed to organise the
event in 2016.
47
‘Our reputation
speaks for itself’
windows : doors : conservatories
We are a local business that
believe the key to success is
“reputation”; that is why we like
to distance ourselves from other
companies in our sector and the
way they work. If you would like a
quality finish and competitive price
without the hassle give us a call.
NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN
(OPEN: Monday to Friday: 8am - 5pm. Saturday: 9am - 1pm)
1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX
call: 01622 686732
or 01622 692217
www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk
WE DO NOT employ pushy salesmen on commission. WE DO employ our own fitters.
WE DO insure all our guarantees for peace of mind. WE DO give prices over the phone.
Downs Mail is published by Mail Publications Ltd (President — Dennis Fowle, Chairman — Claire Procter, Editor — Stephen Eighteen, Sales Manager — Bill Brett)
2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4DT 01622 630330 www.downsmail.co.uk email: [email protected] Printed by Newbury News.

Maidstone - Downsmail.co.uk

Transcription

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