Southeastern – we overcharge commuters

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Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling
July 2015 No. 219
Southeastern – we
overcharge commuters
News
SOUTHEASTERN trains has admitted it charges customers too much to
travel into London from Kent on the West Malling line.
Commuters have long believed
that fares from the station are disproportionately expensive.
Now the rail company has confirmed that the fares for the line,
which runs through East Malling,
Barming, Maidstone East, Bearsted,
Hollingbourne, Harrietsham and
Lenham – are “an anomaly”.
However, the company claims it
is powerless to change them because of the effect it would have on
its revenue projections.
But the Bearsted Commuter
Group (BCG), formed at Southeastern’s suggestion to work with the
rail company to address customers’
concerns, has said it will not let
matters rest.
The group is drafting a letter to
rail minister Claire Perry, copying
in local MPs Helen Whately and
Helen Grant.
BCG member Tony Fitzpatrick
said: “It is utterly outrageous that
they can admit there’s a problem,
that in effect they are overcharging
hundreds of passengers, yet they
are unwilling to address that.
“How can that possibly be acceptable? The fact it affects the
whole line, at least a dozen stations,
is extraordinary.
“Southeastern ended its last email
to us by saying it was sorry it couldn’t write in positive terms. What I
don’t understand is why it couldn’t.
Surely if it recognises a problem, it
should try to fix it?”
In his letter to the BCG, Southeastern’s Benjamin Ward admitted:
“I accept there does appear to be an
Borough’s sport success
RESIDENTS of Tonbridge and Malling lead the running as the most sporty
in Kent. And the borough is also ranked one of the highest in the country
for sport participation.
The number of adults taking
part in at least one 30-minute,
moderate intensity sport session
per week in the borough is higher
than anywhere else in the
county, according to a survey on
behalf of Sport England.
The Active People Survey also
places Tonbridge and Malling
17th nationally out of 326 local
authority areas. It is the largest
survey of its kind ever
undertaken, with 165,000 people
interviewed each year.
In Tonbridge and Malling,
43.5% of residents took part in
at least one 30-minute,
moderate intensity sport session
per week during 2014/15
Cllr Maria Heslop joins Parkrun
compared to 40.5% in 2013/14.
Cllr Maria Heslop, cabinet
member for community services, said: "It is fantastic to see that
Tonbridge and Malling achieves such a high rating in the survey. I 3
anomaly in the system”, and added:
“With over 2,000 stations on the UK
rail network there are hundreds of
thousands of fares and fare combinations in the system. These contain
a number of anomalies.”
He cited an example where, until
a few years ago, a passenger wanting to travel from London to Dover
between October and March would
have been better off buying a ticket
to Calais.
This was because the former
British Rail also operated the crosschannel ferry services until the
1980s and used the reduced fare as
a means of attracting additional
business during the winter.
Mr Ward said that as anomalies
like these were discovered,
they were corrected, where 4
Heart aack
driver saved
A MAN who suffered a heart attack
at the wheel of his car in Wateringbury was saved by hospital staff
who were in vehicles behind him.
Peter Rabbatts (62) was driving to
work through the village when he
collapsed. When his car failed to pull
away as the traffic lights changed,
the two medics became concerned
and ran to help him.
Paediatric oncology nurse Helen
Stevens and occupational therapist
Chloe Joseph, who work for Maidston and Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Trust, each had an instinct that
something was wrong. Discovering
that Mr Rabbatts had no pulse and
wasn’t breathing, Helen immediately began CPR, supported by
Chloe, while a member of the public
called for an ambulance and helped
to direct traffic.
As Chloe took over the chest compressions, the hospital trust’s
medical director Paul Sigston 6
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Bring back festival
A WARD member has called on
his colleagues on Maidstone
Council to support a river
5
festival in 2016.
Tropical Larkfield
THE warm summer has helped a
Larkfield couple grow their
8
first batch of bananas.
Dumping closure
RUBBISH dumped by fly-tippers
caused the closure of a
10
road in West Malling.
Parking scheme off
A PLAN for a new 212-space car
park at West Malling station has been withdrawn. 12
30
Crime Reports
A HANDBAGS was stolen from a
property in Snodland while a resident went down to a car park.
Comment
46-47
32
THE decision not to debate the
demolition of the Russell Hotel in
Maidstone is defended.
Obituaries
34
Parish Councils 42-43
CONCERN was raised in Addington about school changes; the
police’s 101 service was criticised
in Leybourne; the change of
venue of a Parkrun away from
Snodland drew an objection.
Inside this edition:
THE Malling School has outstanding elements, according to Ofsted.
For details, see the four-page supplement by Malling Action Partnership, which supports people,
businesses and events in the 11
parishes in the Malling area.
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Malling July 2015
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Parade brings global
theme to town centre
HUNDREDS of people enjoyed
the glorious sunshine as the Maidstone Parade wound its way
around the streets.
The spectacular parade with the
theme “Around the World” involved more than 20 walking
groups from schools, churches,
charities, youth and community
groups, accompanied by choirs and
bands.
Places represented in colourful
costumes included Africa, Brazil,
Italy and Hawaii while the children Mandy Ellen Performing Arts School in Hawaiian dress Photos: Gary Neave
from Jubilee Church dressed as
aeroplanes from around the world.
There were also live music and
dance performances in the town.
The event was organised as part
of Maidstone Arts Festival by
Maidstone Town Team, in conjunction with Maidstone Council and
the Town Centre Management.
For more pictures of the parade
see www.downsmail.co.uk
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
Advertisement feature
Left, children from Jubilee Church
and above, dancers from Maplesden
Noakes Dance Academy
Borough top of
sport league
Continued from page one
think this reflects the exceptionally
good range of indoor and outdoor
leisure facilities the borough has,
along with the council’s focus on encouraging fitness and healthy living.”
Recent initiatives include Parkrun
which offers free weekly 5km runs.
Launched in Tonbridge in 2013, the
scheme attracts an average 218 runners a week and is due to start in the
Malling area later this year.
Spring into Sport, launched by the
council in 2013, involves sports clubs
across the borough offering free
taster sessions to adults and children.
Health walks, which take place
across the borough, are open to people of all ages and abilities and are
guided by a trained leader.
There are also many councilorganised annual projects such as
junior cricket coaching, Sports Coach
and Young Achiever Awards, the
Kwik Cricket Festival and Change 4
Life Wellbeing events.
Cllr Heslop said: “The links between physical activity and good
mental and physical health are well
evidenced and there are so many
ways to spend your leisure time and
so many activities to choose from.”
downsmail.co.uk
Malling July 2015
3
News
downsmail.co.uk
Commuters vow
to fight ‘rip-off’
Continued from page one
possible. However, in the case of
Maidstone East, it would be necessary to reduce all fares on the line
and, with profit margins on the
Southeastern network being “relatively modest” (about 2%), this was
not a viable option.
He said: “This [a reduction in
fares] would have an impact on the
revenue projections hard-wired into
our franchise agreement with the
Department for Transport and
would have to be met by either an
increase in direct subsidy or fare increases elsewhere.
“As a consequence of the Railways Act 1993 (which paved the
way for rail privatisation), train operating companies now operate on
a commercial basis.”
Helen Judges, who commutes
daily, said: “They asked us to form
this group, so that we could work
with them, yet the moment we come
up against a difficult issue, they try
to close the conversation down.
They say it’s not in their power to
make the necessary changes, but at
the very least surely they could
draw attention to the issue with
whoever they believe does have that
power.”
However, the group is not giving
up. Helen added: “We are writing to
our MP asking for her support on
this issue. We hope other commuters
along the line will do the same, as it
covers several constituencies. The
rail company might think that by
saying it can’t do anything it has
ended the issue, but as we are the
ones being overcharged, we think
rather differently and will continue
with this until we see some results.”
Earlier this year, the Lib Dem challenger for the Maidstone and The
Weald parliamentary seat, Jasper
Gerard, said fares between Maidstone and London were “a rip-off”.
His research revealed a West
Malling season ticket holder paid an
average of £117 per mile, compared
with £97 from Farnham in Surrey or
£85 from Burgess Hill in West Sussex. A commuter from Maidstone
East would pay £105 per mile and
from Barming £108.
A season ticket into London costs
£4,092 from West Malling, £4,180
from Maidstone East and £4,244
from Bearsted.
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Ilsa to shape town’s future
THE future of Maidstone town centre has been placed in the hands of
a new “change co-ordinator”.
Ilsa Butler (36) has been appointed by Maidstone Town Centre
Management (MTCM) as its change
co-ordinator for the next 12 months.
Her priorities will be to separate
the crime reduction partnership
Maidsafe away from MTCM as a
standalone business and to manage
the gradual absorption of the Town
Team functions of events, marketing and regeneration under the
MTCM umbrella.
The temporary post was created
following the retirement of former
town centre manager Bill Moss.
Advertised with a salary of £26£30,000, the job sought someone
who could “develop and implement
a strategy and plan for the coordination of town centre activities
within Maidstone”.
Andy Davy, MTCM chairman,
said: "Ilsa was the stand-out candidate from the 35 applicants who
applied for the job in displaying the
vision and creative thinking necessary in driving the business forward."
Ilsa, who lives in Chart Sutton, attended Cornwallis School. She has
stepped up from her personal assistant and administrative roles at
MTCM to fulfil the secondment.
She said: “MTCM looks forward to
further engaging with businesses
and organisations to find out more
about their needs and the role that
the company can play in and
around the town centre.”
Ilsa’s job will involve liaising with
Maidstone Council, the police, charities, businesses and churches, to
come up with options for the creation of a new organisation to coordinate and manage Maidstone
town centre.
She will also be looking to see if
there is an enthusiasm for creating
a Business Improvement District
(Bid) in the town. Bid members pay
an additional levy to fund projects
and improve facilities within the Bid
area.
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downsmail.co.uk
News
Still hope of Mote
return for Kent
By Dennis Fowle
TALK among cricket spectators at
The Mote during a Kent 2nd XI
three-day runs feast against Essex
2nds was: “When will first-class
cricket return to Maidstone?”
The popular, well-maintained
ground looked at its very best in
the summer sun and cars lined the
south bank of the natural arena for
the treasured view of the game
with the tree-lined North Downs
as the backdrop.
The wicket, cause of a controversial ECB points deduction for Kent
when the last first-class fixture was
played in 2005, now favoured batsmen.
Kent scored 400-7 declared and
285 against Essex’s 342 and 249 to
win by 94 runs in growing tension
with six overs remaining.
Maidstone sports followers and
members of Kent County Cricket
Club keep asking when the firstclass game will return and the annual Maidstone cricket festival will
again be the social and sporting
highlight of Maidstone’s summer.
Kent County Cricket Club say
they want to return to highly-populated mid-Kent, but must ensure
the ground and facilities meet
modern high standards.
The major problem now is that
the 100-year-old pavilion, built and
gifted by the 1st Lord Bearsted, is
The club’s view
JAMIE Clifford, chief executive of
Kent County Cricket Club, told the
Downs Mail: “Kent Cricket remains committed to taking
cricket around the county.
“The Mote CC is of course a traditional home of Kent fixtures
and it remains the hope that the
club will see a return of first-team
cricket to the venue in the future.
“There is much work required
before that point can be reached,
but we will continue to support
The Mote CC in the aspirations
they have for the development of
the ground.”
antiquated and has health and
safety and youth protection issues.
The Mote Cricket Club have approved a development proposal
for its demolition and a rebuild to
create a high-quality centre of
“sporting and community excellence”, including adequate parking
and an improved forecourt and
road structure.
This is dependent financially on
an enabling residential development mostly on the upper pitch
used by tenants Maidstone Rugby
Club whose lease/licence expires in
May next year. The cricket club
have been liaising with Maidstone
Council for the past four years.
River festival ‘could
have council support’
MAIDSTONE Council’s new administration could agree to back a
new-style river festival if it has sufficient public support.
The council has said it wants to
make greater use of the river as an
attraction and Cllr David Naghi
wants the council’s heritage, culture and leisure committee to support the festival.
In the meantime, the boating
community is gearing up for another fun-filled festival afloat.
Social media is once again
buzzing with news of an unofficial
“boat gathering”, due to take place
on July 25.
Mark Smurthwaite, from the
River Medway Boaters, said: “The
river festival is about the boating
community and has only ever been
successful because of them. We do
not need fun fairs, stalls and bands
– it’s all about the boats.
“We plan to get as many boats in
Maidstone again this year as is
possible and will show everyone
that the boating community is
alive and very much kicking.”
At its peak, the river festival
pulled in up to 10,000 visitors, but
the economic climate, together
with health and safety issues,
mean costs have been rising and
administration is more complex.
Last year the boat owners promoted a gathering which pulled in
more than 100 boats from throughout Britain.
The previous administration vetoed a request for support this year
as the gathering coincides with the
Ramblin’ Man Fair and the council
claimed there would not be sufficient resources to cope with security and litter clearing for both.
The costs of patrolling by the police and Environment Agency were
another factor which influenced its
decision – yet both still attended
the unofficial gathering last year.
Cllr Naghi said: “I would like to
see the river festival re-launched as
a family attraction. It will never return in its old form without council
support, as it is all on public land
and the organisers will be liable if
anything goes wrong.”
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Malling July 2015
5
News
downsmail.co.uk
School’s farewell
to retiring head
A MAN described as “the face of
Bower Grove School” is retiring.
Past and present staff and pupils
of the special school in Fant Lane,
Fant were reunited in saying goodbye to Trevor Phipps at a series of
events in the run-up to the end of
term.
The active 60-year-old intends to
use his time to follow his passion as
a cyclist and also hopes to visit two
grown-up daughters in Australia.
Mr Phipps joined Bower Grove in
1984, rising to deputy head and, 25
years ago, to headmaster.
He saw through the changes that
came about following a review 12
years ago, when the school shifted
from serving children with physical disabilities to those with behavioural and mental health needs.
The school now has a register of
200 pupils aged from four to 16.
Deputy head Lynn Salter will
take over as head following Mr
Phipps’ retirement. She said: “He
knows every child’s name, and all
the parents, always takes Friday assemblies, takes a turn on lunch
duty and enjoys making a difference to the lives of young people.
He has been the face of Bower
Grove School for more than 30
years.”
The former PE teacher will be remembered for his love of amateur
dramatics and sport. Mrs Salter
added: “His favourite day of the
year has always been sports day
and the teachers versus students’
football match for year 11s. We plan
to put on a show for his leaving
party and to hold a staff and pupils
rounders match before he goes.”
Mr Phipps is pictured with a Celebrate Maidstone Lifetime Achievement award, which he won in 2013
for his work at the school.
Passing medics save driver
Continued from page one
came on the scene and assisted with CPR. When the ambulance arrived, he
continued to offer medical support as Mr Rabbatts was taken to Maidstone
Hospital.
Mr Rabbatts, from Grove Green, said: “The last thing I can remember is
waiting at the traffic lights on the A26 when I started to experience intense
chest pains, and putting my
handbrake on. The next thing I
remember is waking up in hospital and being told that I’d
suffered a heart attack.”
His wife Jane said: “It was
nothing short of miraculous
how circumstances ensured
that Peter received the best
treatment possible when he
suffered a heart attack. What
were the chances of there
being two health professionals
in cars behind Peter, who had
both been trained in CPR?
Then, you throw in the presence
of the trust’s medical director,
and the miracle is complete.”
Mr Rabbatts said: “Thanks to
Peter Rabbatts with Paul Sigston and
their prompt and effective actions, I arrived at Maidstone nurse Helen Stevens
Hospital’s A&E department alive. We cannot thank those involved enough –
my survival is down to them.”
Another passer-by who was on his way to work, also stopped at the scene
and used his first-aid training from his volunteer work as a special constable.
Mr Sigston said: “We are so pleased that Peter is making a good recovery
and wish him the best for the future. Fortunately, because my colleagues responded so quickly to Peter’s cardiac arrest, further treatment could be provided by the paramedics when they arrived. It is at moments like this that
one appreciates why everyone should be trained in basic life support.”
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Malling July 2015
7
News
downsmail.co.uk
Red Arrows star
at county show
THE Kent County Show attracted
77,000 visitors over three days – up
2,000 on last year.
In spite of hot weather and Operation Stack being in force on the first
day, the turnout at the 86th annual
show held up well, with a display
by the Red Arrows on Friday boosting numbers.
The Malling area was well represented among the 400 exhibitors
and trade stands.
The Kent Federation of Horticultural Societies chose a calla lily
grown by Pat Wickwar, from Leybourne as the best pot plant at the
show. Mrs Wickwar, of London plant when her husband was ill.
“I’m really chuffed,” she said. “It’s
Road, was delighted with her first
win in this category. She thanked a case of what goes around, comes
her son Michael for watering the around, as I bought the plant at the
showground three years ago.”
In spite of the win, the keen gardener, who has a half-acre plot, told
the Downs Mail that fuchsias reTHE BBC Countryfile team of
main her favourite plant. She started
Adam Henson, Tom Heap, Matt
growing them after an inspiring
Baker, Ellie Harrison and Anita
visit to a flower show with a friend
Rani were at the show to film a
12 years ago and is also a member of
programme which will be broadthe Mid Kent Fuschia Group, which
cast on July 26. It will be available
meets monthly in Maidstone.
afterwards online on the BBC
Next year’s show will run from
iPlayer.
Friday, July 15-17.
Show on TV
H A M I LT O N
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Yvonne Leaver with the banana fruit in her Larkfield garden
Going bananas in garden
A COUPLE from Larkfield are adding
a tropical twist to their horticultural
skills after a banana plant in their
garden began to bear fruit for the
first time.
Martin and Yvonne Leaver bought
the banana plant – which is classified
as a herb – in Cornwall seven years
ago, and thanks to some tender loving
care by the garden enthusiasts it has
produced a bunch of 30-40 baby bananas, measuring two inches long.
The couple put the success down to
a combination of factors including the
maturity of the plant, the hot weather
and “inside knowledge” from Yvonne’s
mother-in-law, Mary. She has been
growing bananas at the family home
in Sri Lanka for more than 30 years
and has been assisting her daughter in
Brooklands Road with some tricks of
the trade about this tricky, tropical
plant.
Husband Martin (70) said: “We
know others in Kent have been successful in growing bananas but we
hope, with Mary’s expert help, that
they will get even bigger.”
Yvonne (65) says the only thing that
may work against the couple is the
short summer. In Sri Lanka they take
three months to ripen.
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Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3LQ
8
Malling July 2015
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Malling July 2015
9
News
downsmail.co.uk
Patients’ gallery of memories
PATIENTS at the Heart of Kent Hospice have discovered it is never too late to learn a new skill.
Terminally-ill patients who attend
day care sessions at Magnolia
House, part of the hospice complex
at Preston Hall, Aylesford, are leaving their legacy for the future in a series of paintings.
Inspired by nature, and sometimes
their memories, about a dozen patients put paintbrush to paper each
week to create watercolour works as
part of their art therapy.
The first selection of work went on
display at the Heart of Flavour café
bar in King Street, Maidstone to coincide with Dying Matters week,
with other paintings on display in
the hospice itself.
Now there is a plan to extend the
displays even further – with a possible auction of work.
Art therapy was introduced to the
hospice in January by therapeutic
arts facilitator Linda Walker. She
said: “The patients find it very relaxing and by focusing on the art
process itself, they are able to lose all
sense of time and temporarily forget
their cares and discomforts.”
Chris Avery from Loose and
Roger Hillier from Bearsted are
among those who find it easy to escape into watercolour landscapes,
Lakeland hills and bluebell woods.
Roger (76) was diagnosed with
prostate cancer 11 years ago and has
been attending Magnolia Place each
Patients
Chris Avery
and Roger
Hillier find
painting a
good way to
relax
week for the past year.
He said: “I look forward to coming
to the hospice. We are not here to
create masterpieces but I do find it
very therapeutic and enjoy the adventure of using colour in my
work.”
Chris said: “We usually have a
quiz as well – but that means using
our brains, while painting is more
relaxing, something you can get absorbed in.”
Diagnosed with motor neurone
disease nine years ago, Brian
Thomas (69), from Bearsted, said:
“When you are painting, it allows
your mind to wander, instead of
thinking about other things – it’s
very calming. I have also found out
more about my disease by chatting
to patients with the same condition.”
Only one of the current artists has
had any professional training and all
consider themselves to be “enthusiastic amateurs”.
As well as painting, Linda reads
poetry to some of the patients and
discusses art and artists with some
of the others who are too poorly to
pick up a brush themselves.
One of the most inspirational
things is how many of the patients
paint memories from their childhood and places they have visited.
Kate Hopper, who was diagnosed
with leukaemia 10 years ago, was referred to the hospice for community
care and support when her condition worsened.
She said: “When I paint, I get lost
in my painting. I go somewhere else
and forget my illness. I feel I can be
Trust open day
VISITORS enjoyed a successful
open day at the Seekers Trust,
Addington, which is a centre for
prayer and spiritual healing.
They were able to take part in a
range of activities including tai chi
and meditation taster sessions,
prayer circles, spiritual healing,
talks about the power of crystals
and an overview of the history and
work of the trust.
There was also a chance to walk
around the extensive garden and
enjoy a range of homemade cakes
from the tearoom.
Football move
KINGS Hill Sports Park will be
used by Vanarama National
League side Dover Athletic FC as
its training ground for the 2015/16
season.
Sports park manager Janine
Brown said: “It’s fantastic to welcome the club to the park. I am
looking forward to working with
them and, as with all the teams that
use our facility, I wish them every
success next season.”
Read our archived
editions FREE online at
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10
Malling July 2015
anyone I want to be when I paint.”
Linda said: “People are surprised,
but we have a lot of laughter here at
the hospice. It is not a sad place. The
art in particular is one way we can
create something positive out of
what could be a negative situation.
It’s all about giving the patients the
best quality of life they can have. ”
Some of her pupils have become
so engrossed in their new hobby,
they now paint at home as well as
during their weekly hospice visits.
Roger said: “I can paint in my conservatory for hours on end.”
Kerry Harrison, the head of outreach and deputy director of health
services, hopes the hospice can soon
start a “creative Saturday” when
families can come along and work
on projects together.
She said: “It is all about preventing regrets and allowing the patient
to remain in control until the end –
not taking away their independence.”
The hospice will soon be launching a sunflower garden, where people can plant a sunflower in memory
of a loved one. It is also hoping to
buy a minibus to help convey patients to and from their day care. In
the meantime, they would welcome
offers of help from drivers who
might be able to spare a few hours
each week.
Road closed
by rubbish
Healthy donation to charity
A GROUP of keep fit fans at Tyland
Barn have raised £1,400 for the
Kent Wildlife Trust.
The group of 16 signed up to a
pilot Wellness Camp at the Sandling centre, launched by DayOne
Wellness.
The organisation, which promotes healthy living, donated
70% of profits from the camp to
the trust.
Pip Lawrence, from DayOne
Wellness, said: “We designed the
course with three things in mind.
The information we provided had
to be easy to consume; the
changes we encouraged needed to
be sustainable and the programme
had to be fun, because no matter
how good something is for us, we
won’t do it unless we enjoy it!”
The group meets at Tyland Barn
every Thursday for a nutrition/
lifestyle workshop, followed by an
outdoor exercise class and a 10minute relaxation session. Participants are set goals each week and
have access to a private Facebook
group to ask questions and keep
each other motivated.
The next Wellness Camp at
Tyland Barn starts in September.
To book a place visit www.DayOneWellness.co.uk/wellness-camp
or send an email to [email protected].
A ROAD in West Malling had
to be closed after fly-tippers
dumped a load of rubbish there.
Fartherwell
Road
was
blocked by a large amount of
household and garden waste,
including
tyres,
conifer
branches, wood and a mattress.
Kent Highway Services
closed a section of the road between Teston Road and Sandy
Lane and traffic was diverted
while the rubbish was cleared
away.
The refuse was reported to
police at 10pm and the clearance operation was completed
by the following afternoon.
Kent County Council had
warned the work could take up
to two days because of the need
to check for asbestos, but none
was found.
The cost of clearing the road
was estimated at £375 and an
investigation had begun to try
to track down the culprit.
Residents were warned that
they could be held responsible
and fined if waste belonging to
them was fly-tipped, even if
they had paid someone to remove it.
Malling July 2015
11
News
downsmail.co.uk
Station car park
plan withdrawn
CAMPAIGNERS have won their
battle against a controversial planning application for a new car
park at West Malling station.
The scheme for 212 parking
spaces and a new access on land
opposite the main entrance to More
Park Catholic Primary school, in
Lucks Hill, had been recommended
for approval by planning officers.
Work had already begun to clear
the 0.67hectare triangular piece of
former grazing land in anticipation
of Tonbridge and Malling councillors voting for the proposal.
However, just six days before the
crucial planning meeting, land
owner Guy Kemsley withdrew the
application due to objections.
A letter to the council said Mr
Kemsley was now reviewing his
position. His agent Stephen
Brooker welcomed the favourable
recommendation from officers
which recognised the need to increase parking capacity at the station and the suitability of the site.
He added: “However, it is noted
that there are still objections to the
scheme from the parish council and
others including the school com-
West Malling railway station
munity. The applicants have therefore withdrawn the application.”
Vehement opposition to the plan
had been expressed by More Park
school and a large number of parents due to fears about increased
traffic and pupils’ safety during
pick-up and drop-off times. There
was also concern that tarmacking
the site would increase the risk of
flooding.
Mr Kemsley had stated that the
existing three car parks at the station, providing 600 spaces, were
regularly filled with commuter cars
with demand set to increase due to
services from Paddock Wood, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks no longer
running to London Bridge due to
building work.
Pick-up your
FREE copy
of the
AUGUST
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available from:-
Sainsbury’s
Supermarket
Quarry Wood,
Aylesford
If you live in the
following postcodes:
ME20-7
Pick up YOUR copy from
Wednesday 19th August
12
Malling July 2015
Market marks
anniversary
MAIDSTONE Country Market celebrated its 70th anniversary with a
cake, which was shared with customers.
Market manager Lin Smith is pictured cutting the cake with Barbara
Hilton at a market at the United Reformed Church Hall in the town.
The market is held from 10.45am
to 12.15pm every Thursday and
entry is free. All the produce is homebaked, home-grown or home-crafted.
Monks bring their blessings
NEPAL took over Mote Hall, Maidstone, when a team of Buddhist monks
visited on their tour of Europe.
About 700 people were fascinated by the dancing, ceremony and teaching of the team of Lamas, who made the town their only British stop.
Visitors travelled from many parts of Britain and Europe to attend the
Grand Puja. Wearing stunning clothing and masks, the Lamas performed
a series of dances to musical backing from their native instruments.
After the show every visitor was given a personal blessing by the head
Lama Guru Dupsing Rinponche and left with a gift of fruit and food.
The 19 Lamas, from Nepal but of Tibetan origin, live in refugee camps in
Nepal and India where they care for orphaned children.
Bus pass deal for larger families
KCC has introduced a “buy two, get one free” deal after being criticised for increasing the price of the Young Persons’ Travel Pass. After
parents’ protests at the increase in price of the travel pass from £200 to
£250 the county council acted to help larger families.
Online
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AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
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which can be found on our website, for local residents and
organisations to use.
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JOIN US
Here are just 4 good reasons why you, your family and friends
should head to our leisure centres this summer.
Summer Holiday Club Activities
Day Camps and Drop In sessions offer hours of parent-free fun and games for juniors aged 5 to
12 years old. Activities include Graffiti Art, Kwik Cricket, Trampolining, Team Building Games,
Roller Fun, Tower Building and much, much more!
Swimming
Whatever the weather our indoor and outdoor pools offer a splashing time for all! Visit Tonbridge
Swimming Pool’s heated Outdoor Pool or head to the Leisure Pool at Larkfield Leisure Centre for
water features galore! Our Summer Swim School courses include Non Swimmer and
Beginners, plus a Learn 2 Swim course for children 7 years+ who are yet to complete a 25m swim.
Larkabout
Three floors of interactive play equipment, slides, crawl tubes and ball pools offer an
adventurous time for young explorers. In August we’re offering Larkabout for just £1 when
an adult and child pay for a weekday swim before 11am.
EXCEL Fitness Programme
11 to 18 year olds can take part in a programme of exclusive fitness classes including Spin, Easy
Line Circuits, Badminton, Aerobics and EXCEL Gym sessions. Classes available seven days a week.
www.larkfieldleisure.co.uk
www.larkfieldleisure.co.uk
www.angelcentre.co.uk
www.angelcentre.co.uk
www.tonbridgepool.co.uk
www.tonbridgepool.co.uk
MORE PEOPLE, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN
Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust working in partnership with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
Malling July 2015
13
News
downsmail.co.uk
Meat thief
sent to prison
A WOMAN admitted six counts
of shoplifting in Kings Hill when
she appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court.
Among other offences, Kellie
Hiscock (38), of Bligh Way, Strood
stole meat and alcohol worth £115
from a supermarket in Fortune
Way.
On another occasion she stole
meat valued at £80 from the same
store.
Hiscock was sentenced to 150
days in prison and ordered to pay
a total of £276 in compensation, a
£180 criminal courts charge, £85
costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Ticket deal means longer
hours for park and ride
MAIDSTONE Council is trying to
boost its evening economy by extending the hours of its park and
ride facility.
Until August 15, travellers using
the park and ride site in London
Road will be able to stay in town later
in the evening.
In a bid to get more workers and
visitors to enjoy more of the attractions of the town centre, the council
has negotiated that park and ride
users can use any valid park and ride
ticket to get back to their car at Alling-
ton via the Arriva 71 and 72 services.
After 6pm, Monday to Saturday, motorists can use their ticket to catch the
regular bus to the stop at Sir Thomas
Wyatt on London Road, just a short
walk from the park and ride car park.
If successful, the two-month trial
could become a permanent feature.
Ilsa Butler from Maidstone Town
Centre Management said: “The night
economy has always been crucial to
the economic health of the town centre and, as such, car parks can be
busy particularly on weekend
evenings.
“With that in mind, Town Centre
Management is very supportive of
the borough council’s trial of a late
night extension to the park and ride
service at the London Road site.
“We will be keen to hear the outcome of the experiment and see if it
has a significant uptake by customers
and consequently a benefit to the
town centre venues.”
Valid tickets include regular day
return tickets, 10-trip tickets and park
and ride season tickets.
walk
Greens branch Orchard
JOIN a walk through the apple orA BRANCH of the Green Party has
been established in Tonbridge
and Malling.
It is one of three new branches
to be formed in West Kent in a bid
to meet growing membership
which, the party claims, has more
than doubled in the past six
months.
Members want to reduce litter
and speeding on rural roads and
increase cycling, community gardens and recycling provision for
electrical equipment.
chards on Sunday, August 30 and
help Malling District Lions Club
raise funds for Prostrate Cancer Research and Support.
There will be routes to suit everyone and dogs are welcome.
Registration is from 9am to 11am
at East Malling Research, ME19
6BJ.For
more
details,
visit
www.mallinglionsclub.moonfruit.com or call 01732 841078.
The club, which has 28 members,
has raised more than £10,000 for
the charity in the last three years.
New law used
to keep peace
A MAIDSTONE housing association has used a new piece of legislation to silence an unruly tenant
who was causing a disturbance.
Golding Homes is believed to be
only the second housing association
in the country to use the new law to
take out an injunction preventing a
tenant from annoying neighbours.
The housing association took the
Maidstone town centre tenant to
court, after he had repeatedly disturbed his neighbours over two
years with drunken outbursts, noise
and swearing.
It gathered evidence from residents to apply for the injunction,
which came into being last year.
The injunction powers are
awarded under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act of
2014, and include positive requirements alongside restrictions.
While the injunction prevents the
tenant from causing nuisance and
annoyance, it also requires him to attend a community detox programme for alcohol addiction.
The tenant will be monitored and
14
Malling July 2015
any breaches could risk a potential
prison sentence and eviction.
Golding Homes’ neighbourhood
advisor Sam Oborne said: “We are
pleased to have support from the
court for the positive requirements
in this injunction.
“We feel that if we can put measures in place to help the resident
overcome his alcohol addiction, it
should go hand in hand with preventing nuisance and annoyance.
“We also want to thank the neighbours for being willing to get involved and go through this process.”
Golding Homes was advised and
assisted in obtaining the injunction
and an accompanying suspended
possession order by housing law
service LLP.
Partner Julie Allen said: "The ability for social landlords, such as Golding Homes, to legally impose
positive requirements on individuals is a significant advance in the ongoing challenge to tackle and resolve
anti-social behaviour. Any step that
avoids the ultimate sanction of eviction must be welcome.”
Picnic protest over homes
PROTESTORS showed you can make
your point while having fun at a picnic organised by the Protect Hermitage Lane Campaign.
The campaigners were at Barming
Heath, on the junction of Hermitage
Lane and Heath Road, to demonstrate their opposition to proposals
for hundreds of homes in the area.
These included residents of Oakapple Lane, where permission has been
given for 80 houses and an allocation
for a further 240 homes to the west is
on Maidstone Council’s draft local
plan, and the New Allington Action
Group, which has been fighting plans
for 500 homes east of Hermitage
Lane that would slice through the ancient Bluebell Wood. Appeals for
these applications have been heard
and decisions are expected soon.
Event organiser Lizzie Hare, of Hermitage Lane, said: “Residents are fu-
rious about the proposed developments and the lack of infrastructure
to support the extra traffic .”
The campaign group wants to see
fewer houses, better road technology
and a crossing for pedestrians at the
busy junction next to Barming Heath.
Cllrs Bryan Vizzard and James
Willis were also present. Ms Hare rallied picnickers, calling on them to attend Maidstone’s Joint Transport
Board meeting at the Town Hall on
July 22, where a 1,000-signature petition from campaigners will be discussed. She asked them to arrive at
4.45pm for a pre-meeting demonstration.
She told the crowd: “We need people to attend to demonstrate our opposition to these housing plans and
the impact it will have on our roads. If
we don’t make ourselves heard we
will not be listened to at all.”
The Learning Spotlight • The Learning Spotlight • The Learning Spotlight
• The Learning Spotlight
For children and adults
Start September 2015
Spanish
3-5 / 5-8 / 9-11 / GCSE / Adults
courses focused
West Malling –
Tunbridge Wells –
Maidstone
on conversati
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and culture!!
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01622 735292
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Riding School
Approved Riding School
Making Riding Fun!!
FIND US AT BLUEBELL HILL
Family friendly yard with
lessons for all abilities
SUMMER
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Our superb facilities include:
Beach Rides, Jumping shows
• Lovely internal stables
& Cross Country
• Indoor arena
• Birthday parties available
PONY CAMP
• Superb off road hacking
• Special needs & riding for the disabled
10-14th August
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Call Hayley for a chat 01634 681000 or 07713 323968
or email [email protected]
Find
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3 Day Musical Theatre Workshop 17th to 19th August
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Call 0775318th
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01342 892225
www.stagecoach.co.uk
Singing
Dancing
& Acting
The Malling
School
Beech Road, West Malling
ME19 6DH
Age 4 18
Fu n , e d u c atio n al,
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their Principals. STAGECOACH is a registered
trade mark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.
Maidstone
Make friends, have fun, develop new skills
Early Stages classes are aimed at 4-6 year olds. During
one ninety minute session each week, youngsters learn
the basics of singing, dancing and acting.
Main Stages classes are aimed at 6-18 year olds.
Students enjoy three one hour classes in drama,
dance and singing each week. Students learn
and have fun alongside children who are in
the same age bracket.
Benefits…
U Inspirational teachers
U Small class sizes
U Regular progress reports for parents
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Malling July 2015
15
News
downsmail.co.uk
Trampoline park
plan at nightclub
WONDERLAND, one of Maidstone's largest nightclubs, is set to
close and be replaced with a trampoline facility.
There has been a nightclub in the
Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre
since it was built in the late 1990s.
Before recently being taken over
by Wonderland, it was occupied by
nightspots including Ikon and Liquid and Envy.
But the attraction in Barker Road
is due to close in August, and Land
Securities has applied to Maidstone
Council for it to be converted into a
centre for leisure activities for children and families.
A supporting statement for Gravity Fitness Limited said: “The proposed trampoline facility would
diversify the leisure offer at Lockmeadow and increase the footfall to
the area.
“It would not operate outside the
opening hours of other facilities
available to Lockmeadow and
would remove the amenity issues
associated with people arriving and
leaving the club late in the evening
or early morning.
“It would result in a significant
improvement from the existing
nightclub in terms of character, environmental impact and amenity.”
The £1.8m proposal, which promises to increase the number of jobs on
the site from 31 to 65, comes two
years after neighbouring nightclub
Jumpin’ Jaks was replaced by a Hollywood Bowl bowling alley.
Developer to help homeless
A MAIDSTONE-based building company is raising funds to help
homeless and vulnerable people in the town.
Persimmon Homes South East is supporting Maidstone Day Centre for Homeless People, which offers food, skills training and job
advice, hot showers and crisis intervention.
So far, staff at Persimmon have organised a collection of toiletries
for the centre and have held dress-down days to raise money.
www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk
STONE GREEN NURSERIES
Wholesale Nursery open to the public
3rd-5th July and 28th-31st August
We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride
for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops
and other horticulture outlets.
We invite you to our open days
We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried
and tested to the more unusual.
Huge range and fair prices
Your selection will come from our growing beds,
you can’t buy fresher
If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast.
*Shrubs*Trees*Herbaceous perennials*Climbers*
*Large plants for instant impact*
9am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun and BHM.
Truly a gardener’s paradise
Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET
Dawn RiachBrown (right)
and Janet
Greenroyd
receive the
award from
CTSI
chairman
Mark
McGinty
Wardens’ work rewarded
MALLING and Maidstone’s community support warden has received an award for her Kent
colleagues for their work in protecting the victims of scam callers.
Dawn Riach-Brown picked up the
Hero award at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute’s annual
conference in Bournemouth.
The award recognises the support
of the county’s wardens with the
campaign by KCC Trading Standards, police and local authorities to
cut scam crime.
Dawn, who is the support warden
for Malling, Tonbridge and Maidstone, based at the Community
Safety Unit at Maidstone Gateway
in King Street, Maidstone, said:
“There are a lot of scams going on
and we offer support to victims and
give them confidence. It is good to
know we are helping to improve
their lives.”
Community wardens visited more
than 600 scam victims as part of
Kent’s Stop the Scammers project.
KCC’s cabinet member for community services Mike Hill said:
“Kent’s community wardens have
worked tirelessly, often in their own
time, to visit vulnerable residents
and warn them about the various
ways in which scammers can part
them from their money. We are delighted with their achievements and
this award is well-deserved.”
Community wardens have also
been delivering training to banks
and post offices on scam awareness
and where to report incidents and
have helped at training sessions for
more than 400 Royal Mail postal delivery workers.
CLARKES FUNERAL
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BUSINESS OFFERING A 24 HOUR,
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Please remember we are only open on these dates
We accept most major credit cards
For detailed directions please use website
Follow day –glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden
31 High Street, Snodland Tel: 01634 240458
16
Malling July 2015
downsmail.co.uk
News
Town fire: man charged
A 21-YEAR OLD Slovakian man has appeared in court charged with
causing a devastating fire in Maidstone town centre.
Part of Week Street was cordoned off for eight days after the fire,
which totally destroyed The Works bookshop and severely damaged the
neighbouring properties of Hotter Shoes and Thomson travel agent.
Other stores on the stretch
from Marks & Spencer to the
High Street were affected by the
road closure, with a police
cordon preventing access.
Detectives investigating the
fire arrested Adam Stajer of
Lower Stone Street, Maidstone
who appeared at Maidstone
Magistrates’ Court. He was
remanded in custody to appear
before Maidstone Crown Court
in July.
Police enquiries into the
incident are ongoing and
officers are appealing to
members of the public for
information. They are also
working to establish any potential links with a series of car fires in the
Buckland Road and Somerfield Road area of the town earlier the same
morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01732 379285.
Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.
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Retirement homes planned
NEW retirement homes could enable more of Maidstone’s senior citizens to stay close to the town centre shops and community.
Retirement home builder McCarthy and Stone has acquired an interest in land at Chaucer House in Knightrider Street and is proposing to redevelop the site with retirement living accommodation.
A community consultation programme has been launched and
feedback will be incorporated into the final plan prior to the submission of a planning application.
A spokesperson for McCarthy and Stone said: “We are committed
to engaging with the local community and will be offering residents
the opportunity to meet with the project team to discuss the early
proposals in the coming weeks. This will ensure residents and stakeholders can view and comment on the proposed plans and allow
local people to speak with the team and provide feedback.”
£1,000 fine cost Thefts from
of fly-tipping
service stations
A MAIDSTONE business owner
has been fined £1,025 after being
found guilty of fly-tipping.
Steven Tang, of The Mermaid
Fish Bar in Union Street, pleaded
guilty at Maidstone Magistrates
Court after a prosecution by Maidstone Council.
The environmental enforcement
team was alerted to commercial
waste being fly-tipped in Union
Street in November 2013. Having
established that commercial waste
was being added to domestic waste
collections, the officers went to the
scene at 4am one morning to identify the person responsible.
A number of businesses and residents in the Union Street area were
contributing to a bigger problem
with waste at that time. After fixed
penalty notices and warnings,
along with education work by the
council’s enforcement and waste
teams, the fly-tipping stopped in
February 2014.
A LANGLEY man who stole items
worth more than £300 from two
service stations has been given a
suspended jail sentence.
David Lee Duke (32), from
Lacey Close, admitted taking coffee and washing detergent from
a garage on the Ashford Road in
Lenham on May 30 and, the next
day, coffee and food from a service station on the London Road in
West Malling and, again, from the
garage in Lenham, where he stole
shower gels, washing detergent
and meat worth £84.44.
Duke admitted all three counts
of shoplifting and was sentenced
at Medway Magistrates’ Court to
60 days in prison, suspended for
24 months.
He must also pay a £150 criminal courts charge, £308 compensation, £85 costs and an £80
victim surcharge.
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01622 791111
Hall Road, Maidstone
01580 892733
Maidstone Road, Staplehurst
01580 892037
Station Road, Staplehurst
01233 850075
Ashford Road, High Halden
Malling July 2015
17
News
downsmail.co.uk
Charity’s work ‘saved my life’
VOLUNTEERS, service users and friends gathered to celebrate the 95th birthday of a charity which
helps more than 11,000 blind and partially-sighted people in Kent.
The Kent Association for the Blind
(Kab), in College Road, Maidstone,
was founded to help servicemen returning home with sight problems
after World War I.
After just nine months, the charity
was helping 157 people. The original
database, written in copperplate,
along with the first minute book
from 1920, reveal a stark contrast to
the work of the organisation today.
Volunteers now offer a range of
services which give new life to its
11,000 service users.
Talking newspapers, audio books,
kitchen aids and IT tuition are
among the services that enable visually impaired people to lead full –
and fulfilling – lives.
Sarah Rolfe (25), from Larkfield,
was born partially-sighted. Although she went to mainstream
school before attending Dorton
House in Seal, Sarah struggled to
come to terms with her sight problems. She said: “Coming here has increased my confidence. I have met
some of my best friends here and the
charity has helped me to accept my
sight loss.”
Sarah now volunteers on the charity’s reception desk and her experience has given her the confidence to
apply for a paid job in the community.
Paul Smith (41), from Senacre, is
another service user who likes to
give back to the charity some of the
benefit he has gained.
He began to lose his sight 12 years
From left,
Paul Smith,
CEO Karen
Osborn, Kab
fundraising
manager
Amy Van der
Weide, and
Sarah Rolfe
ago and had to give up his work on
the roads three years ago.
He, his brother and sister were all
diagnosed with the hereditary disease retinitis pigmentosa. Paul said:
“Kab has saved my life.
“When you start to lose your sight,
your job, your ability to work, you
need to rely more and more on other
people.”
Paul now volunteers for Kab himself, helping with peer support.
He has gained many new friends,
not the least of which is his trusty
guide dog Pedro.
Paul said: “When I finished my
white stick training, they signed me
up and a week later I had a dog.
“I would not have done half the
things I have done without the help
of Kab. This place keeps me going.
“Most people have lost someone
through cancer, but not everyone
knows someone who is blind or partially-sighted, so they have no con-
cept of how devastating it can be. We
need to raise awareness of all conditions which can affect people and the
fantastic work that Kab does to help
all of us in overcoming the difficulties.”
At Paul’s suggestion, the charity
now plans to organise a 100-mile
fundraising event to mark Kab’s centenary in five years, but chief executive Karen Osborn refuses to think
beyond another 10 years.
Before cutting a cake donated by
the Annabelle Jane Cake School in
King Street, Karen said: “When people ask where we will be in another
95 years, I say I hope we will be out
of business. I hope that sight loss will
have been eliminated and there will
be no further use for us. We will be
here in five and probably in 10 but I
don’t want to think beyond that.”
The chief executive thanked all the
volunteers, saying: “We could not
manage without them.”
How Kab
can help
KAB helps those who are visually
impaired to live independent and
happy lives through services such
as rehabilitation, social and leisure
services and one-to-one support.
The charity’s rehabilitation
workers help service users and
their carers to manage the practical and emotional aspects of sight
loss.
With a network of more than 50
clubs and groups, those with sight
impairments are given the chance
to get out regularly, meet new
people and try something new
and challenging. Most clubs meet
regularly, with some only meeting
for the morning, and others meeting for the whole day. The variety
of activities means there is always
something for everyone, whether
they are into reading or rambling.
The Kab also provides a more
personal one-to-one support service for those who need or want
extra help. Trained enablers support visually impaired people to
achieve the highest level of independence. This service is available
throughout Kent, Medway and
Bromley.
There are currently 11,000 people on the Kab register.
College head
Stars take on locals
SIMON Cook has been appointed
principal of MidKent College.
Simon started teaching in 1999
after a career as a chef which took
him all over the world. He joined
MidKent in 2013 as vice-principal
and became acting principal after
the death of Sue McLeod.
Simon said he has “great hopes
and ambitions for students” and
that he “would not be here without
a college like MidKent”.
TESTON Cricket Club captain Steve Coley holds a
shirt signed by the Lashings All Stars after being
named man of the match in a fixture to launch the
club’s new pavilion at Barham Court.
Coley took four wickets in one over to destroy Lashings’ middle order, but the visitors, who between
them have more than 1,000 international caps, triumphed in the end. Sport England awarded Teston
£50,000 towards the pavilion.
Pictured with Coley is ex-England all-rounder Phil
de Freitas, who skippered the Lashings XI.
Police warning after objects thrown on to M20
POLICE are reminding people of
the penalties they face for throwing
objects from road bridges following
a number of incidents on the M20.
Signs have been fixed to bridges
which cross parts of the motorway
in West Kent, warning offenders
they could face up to seven years in
prison and fines of £1,000. Notices
have also been secured to crossings
above the A228.
There have been 15 reported incidents of objects being thrown off
18
Malling July 2015
bridges, between junctions 4 and 5
of the M20 and from crossings over
the A228 at Snodland and East
Peckham, since January this year.
Chief Inspector Gill Ellis said: “I
cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to throw objects from
bridges. Throwing anything at a
moving vehicle is incredibly stupid
and also malicious. It could easily
kill someone, especially if they are
travelling at high speeds on a major
road.
“Fortunately reports of this nature are still rare, but those who
commit such crimes will face serious repercussions. We also want
motorists to be aware that incidents
such as this are occurring and to remain vigilant.”
CCTV cameras have now been
installed to monitor key locations,
as officers endeavour to reduce the
number of such incidents.
Chief Insp Ellis added: “We will
be monitoring the cameras and will
arrest anyone we find carrying out
these malicious acts. Patrols have
been increased in vulnerable areas,
which will be making regular
checks for any suspicious behaviour.
“We are also working with
schools to inform and educate
pupils of the dangers and penalties.
I would urge parents to also ensure
their children know the dangers
and consequences of throwing objects on to the highway.”
Now Open
in West Malling
Introductory offer. 50% off all pizzas and juices on
Wednesdays and Thursdays on presentation of this advert.
Valid until 9th August. Not in conjunction with any other offers.
The Pizza Shack & Juice Bar is situated
at the back of the The Farmhouse Pub,
High Street, West Malling
Malling July 2015
19
22nd
23rd
Established 1946
A company you can trust
National & International
Removals & Secure Storage
Short & long term storage
CCTV & Redcare alarm protection 24/7
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Own storage warehouse
Self storage available
We don’t just move houses...We move homes....
Local & long distance, full & part loads
International removals and shipping
Wrap & pack service available
Domestic & commercial moving & storage
Fleet of own vehicles
All staff are British Association of Removers
trained & CRB checked
Take a virtual tour of the warehouse with Google maps at Bray & Sons, Maidstone
B012
B.A.R Trained Staff
Bray & Son
A third generation,
family run
company with 69
years experience of
moving homes.
Why trust your
possessions to
anyone else!
22
Malling July 2015
“A very big thank you to yourself, your office staff and your
removal team for a very helpful and efficient removal
service which helped to ease the stress out of the day.
We would certainly recommend your company to anyone
who is considering a move.
Mr & Mrs Underdown, Maidstone
“Just a note to commend the team who moved me last week.
They were all very courteous, careful with the packing and the moving, and
continued to be cheeful in spite of the torrential rain.”
Mr How, Bearsted
Call 01622 670562/663350
[email protected]
www.brayandson.com
Unit 15 Heronden Road, Parkwood, Maidstone
July/August 2015
Serving local people, businesses & events in
Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham,
Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling
Help us keep
our green
RESIDENTS of Step Stile Estate at East
Malling have launched a campaign for
an open space near their homes to be
preserved for posterity as a village green.
They are working with local councillors
to get Step Stile Estate Green, which is
bounded by Carnation Crescent and
Columbine Road, designated as an
official village green.
If successful, the green would be
protected far into the future for the use
of residents and visitors. To achieve this,
the campaign needs to show evidence
that the space has been used by local
people as a playing field for many
activities including cricket, football,
rounders, tree climbing, chasing, camp
making and dog walking far back into
the last century.
Members of residents’ group East
Malling RAG have appealed for people
Step Stile’s “Village Green”
to share their stories and pictures of the
green over the years. The group said: “If
you have photographs that you are
willing to share – we can copy them and
give them back – we would be delighted
to see them. If you are able to give us
dates and a short paragraph to go with
it, that would be even better. If you
School wins Ofsted praise
HARD work has paid off for staff and pupils at The Malling
School which has had a number of features judged as
outstanding in its latest Ofsted report.
Inspectors who visited the school in Beech Road, East
Malling, in May, graded the school as “good” while noting
outstanding achievement in several areas.
The areas they cited as outstanding were:
• Conduct of pupils and behaviour in school
know anyone in the local area that may
have photographs, please speak to them
to see if they will share their
photographs and memories – together
we can keep East Malling green.”
Please contact Dawn and Jenny at
[email protected] or ring
07800 945116 if you are able to help.
• Pupil safety including bullying being extremely rare
• Provision for pupils in the Tydeman Centre
• Breadth and quality of pupils’ personal development
• Provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development
• Senior leadership; governance; middle leadership in The
Tydeman Centre, English, humanities, art and technology
The report shows an improvement since the previous
inspection three years ago when the school was judged good
but with no outstanding features cited.
School principal Carl Roberts said: “I am incredibly pleased
that the hard work of staff and pupils over the past three years
has been recognised with this fantastic report. The inspection
team were clear with me that The Malling School is well on its
way to being judged as outstanding in every area and we look
forward to achieving that top grade very quickly.”
The Malling School is a smaller than average mixed 11-18
secondary school. The Tydeman Centre is part of the school
and is a specialist resourced provision for pupils with speech,
language and communication difficulties and autistic spectrum
disorders.
A Malling Action Partnership publication
Festival programme
Sunday, September 20, 5pm
Lights, Camera, Action!
Music, Morse
and much
more
THE fifth annual Music@Malling Festival runs from Saturday, September 19
through to Sunday, September 27, presenting international artists in historical
venues, in and around West Malling.
The festival opens with an evening of music from TV
and film composer Barrington Pheloung with the
world-renowned London Metropolitan Orchestra.
Audiences will enjoy music written for award-winning
television series such as Morse, Lewis and Endeavour,
performed live to picture.
Bach is featured throughout the festival in a series of
events that feature international soloists. Richard
Harwood will perform the complete Cello Suites in
the inspiring setting of West Malling Abbey, Sami
Junnonen will perform the complete Flute and Organ
Sonatas and a special Bach pilgrimage will be held in
churches along the Pilgrims Way.
The 150th anniversary of Sibelius and Nielsen will also be celebrated with
chamber works performed by The Sacconi Quartet and Chamber Domaine
and this will include the UK premiere of the Sibelius melodrama, The Wood
Nymph, Op.15.
Music@Malling again commemorates the First World War with music by
Ravel and Debussy written during the conflict, performed by Chamber
Domaine at Pilsdon Barn.
James Pearson, artistic director of Ronnie Scotts, will be in residence and
perform two concerts.
Music@Malling is also hosting a world premiere from leading contemporary
composer David Horne, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Grimm Tales
will be performed by Chamber Domaine with English National Ballet. The
concerts will involve hundreds of children in creative activities and
performance. The workshops will culminate in four concerts that will see local
youngsters perform alongside leading professionals. Master classes will
complement the performances.
The festival’s artistic director Thomas Kemp said: “Our fifth festival is going to
be jam packed with distinctive and memorable events with a great line-up of
artists. It has an increasing national as well as regional profile. I am delighted
that Music@Malling continues to
enjoy so much local support and
that our outreach and education
programme inspires hundreds of
children across the county.”
Music@Malling Festival is
supported by Arts Council
England, Cleary Foundation,
Britten-Pears Foundation,
Tonbridge and Malling Council,
KCC, Malling Memorial Institute
and Soundhub Kent.
Box Office: 01732 770929
For full details and bookings,
visit [email protected]
Images courtesy of Shani Hancock
St Mary’s Church, West Malling
TV and film music with leading composer
Barrington Pheloung featuring his music
from Inspector Morse, Lewis, Truly Madly
Deeply, Endeavour and many more, with
the London Metropolitan Orchestra. £20
Sunday, September 20, 7.30pm
Making Sense of Music!
St Mary’s Abbey, West Malling
Professor Jeremy Begbie draws on the
themes of this year’s festival. FREE
Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday, September 21, 22
and 23, 1pm
Bach Pilgrimage I – Six Cello
Suites
St Mary’s Abbey, West Malling
Solo cellist Richard Harwood performs the
complete Bach cello suites. £10 for each
concert. ALL THREE CONCETS £25
Tuesday, September 22,
11am and 2pm
Grimm Tales
St Mary’s Abbey, West Malling
Enter the wonderfully strange and
scintillating world of the Brothers Grimm
brought to life by acclaimed composer
David Horne. Chamber Domaine, English
National Ballet and narrator Matthew Sharp
join forces in the world premiere of a new
work with dance and music performed by
schools from Tonbridge and Malling. £5
Wednesday, September 23,
10.45am and 1.45pm
Grimm Tales
Revelation St Mary’s, Ashford
See above for details. £5
Thursday, September 24, 1pm
Bach Pilgrimage II – Six Sonatas
for Flute and Organ
St Mary’s Church, West Malling
Enjoy the complete sonatas for flute and
organ performd by flute soloist Sami
Junnonen and award-winning Finnish
organist Markku Makinen. £10
Festival programme
Friday, September 25, 1pm
1914/18
Pilsdon Barn, West Malling
Chamber Domaine perform three works
from 1914-18 including the two sonatas
of Debussy and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de
Couperin written in memory of friends
who died in the First World War. £15/12
Friday, September 25, 8pm
James Pearson and Friends
St Mary’s Church, West Malling
An evening with James Pearson, artistic
director of Ronnie Scotts. £20
Saturday, September 26,
11am
Bach Pilgrimage III – Italian
Concerto
St Margaret’s Church, Addington
Steven Devine (harpsichord), Thomas
Kemp (violin): Bach, Sibelius and
Nielsen. £10
Saturday, September 26, 2pm
Bach Pilgrimage III- Sibelius
and Nielsen meet Art of Fugue
All Saint’s Church, Birling
Sacconi Quartet: Nielsen, Bach and
Sibellius. £10
Saturday, September 26, 4pm
Bach Pilgrimage III – Bach
meets Debussy
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Trottiscliffe
Sami Junnonen (flute): Bach and
Debussy. £10. ALL THREE CONCETS £25
Saturday, September 26, 8pm
Hollywood Romance with
Claire Martin
St Mary’s Church, West Malling
The Tippet Quartet, James Pearson
Quintet and legendary jazz vocalist
Claire Martin team up for an evening
with songs from iconic Hollywood film
evoking the golden era of Nelson Riddle,
Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena
Horne and more. £20
Sunday, September 27, 5pm
Family Concert – Nordic
Legends
St Mary’s Church, West Malling
An interactive concert for all the family
to enjoy. Chamber Domaine, Thomas
Kemp (conductor) and Matthew Sharp
(narrator): Sibelius, Grieg and Nielsen.
£15,12
SEASON TICKET:
£75
(saving of £95)
What’s On
Mary Rayner collates our community diary
with details of various groups and will also
be compiling a list of special events in the
area in 2015. So if you would like your
group or event to be included, please
send her all the information, including
how to contact you.
Malling & district clubs,
societies & activities
Please let her know as far in advance as
possible so that it may be possible to avoid
clashes and maximise the attendances at
each event.
Email details to [email protected]
or call 07772 318330.
Local clubs & societies have their regular meetings as follows
East Malling Singers rehearse on Wednesday
evenings, 8pm to 10pm, at St James the Great
Church, East Malling.
Kings Hill Rotary meets every Monday at
7.30pm at the Spitfire Pub.
Chip Productions Drama Group
meets Fridays at 7.30pm at West Malling Village
Hall.
Malling Photographic Society meets every
Tuesday at West Malling Village Hall at 8pm.
The Heath Players meet
at the East Malling Institute, Mill Street, at 8pm
on Fridays.
Malling Rotary meets Tuesdays at 6.30pm at
Spadework, Teston Road, Offham.
Malling Art Society meets every Thursday at
Offham Village Hall, 8pm to 10pm.
Malling Community Choir meets every
Tuesday at West Malling Baptist Church,
7.15pm to 8.45pm. £2 per adult, children free.
East Malling Women’s Institute meets at the
East Malling Institute behind the King and
Queen pub on the third Monday of every
month, 7.45pm to 9.45pm.
Malling Stamp Club
meets on the second Tuesday
of every month at the Clout Institute, West
Malling High Street, at 7.30pm.
Spadework Farmers’ Market is on the second
Saturday of the month from 10am to 1pm at
Spadework, Teston Road.
For more details, see www.spadework.net.
Addington Bridge Club meets every Tuesday
from 7pm in the sports pavilion, Park Road.
Kings Hill Youth Club Tuesdays 6.30pm to
8.30pm. For more information please contact
Sophie on 07947 706781.
Craft and chat group
Drop-in. Wednesdays, 10am – noon, St James
Centre, East Malling.
Let’s Do Lunch!
Every Thursday, 11am to 1pm,
The Dorcas Centre, Swallow Road, Larkfield.
A senior lunch club with activities. Minimum
donation £3. Free transport within Larkfield,
Leybourne, East and West Malling, Kings Hill.
Call 07434150922 to book.
The Oasis Tea room New Road, Ditton. Every
Monday, home-made cakes and tea or coffee
from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. All proceeds to local
charities.
LeyARA
Meets on the second Thursday at 2.00pm at the
Leybourne Village Hall. Speaker, raffle and
refreshments.
Help growing charity
BUY locally grown seasonal vegetables
and support Ditton and Larkfield-based
education charity Communigrow.
Volunteers sell their freshly harvested
produce from a “barrow-on-the-green”
every Saturday from 10am to noon at the
Brassey Centre, Aylesford and from noon
to 2pm on the green outside the church
at Ditton. Or you can order a veg box on
[email protected] or call
07806 708386.
The charity, which is part of Kent Sheds
Project, teaches young people about
responsible food farming by providing
field sessions, free of charge, for schools
and groups. For more details, go to
[email protected]
Volunteers are always welcome and
Communigrow would like to hear from
amateur gardeners who would like to
share the fun and experience of growing
with local students of all ages and
abilities. Or you can donate by sending a
cheque payable to Communigrow to
Secretary, 1 Wesley Close, Maidstone
ME16 9HT.
Volunteers needed
MALLING Action Partnership is on the
lookout for two money-minded
volunteers. One is needed to take over as
treasurer and the other to audit its
accounts.
VOLUNTEER TREASURER
Our accounts rarely exceed more than 50
transactions a year.
Amounts we deal with vary depending
on success with grants, but generally do
not exceed £10,000 pa.
MAP is a limited company and exists to
support local projects concerned with the
community and business life of West
Malling and the nine surrounding parishes.
If you can help us keep our accounts in
order, please contact Trudy Dean, MAP
chairman for more information.
VOLUNTEER AUDITOR
MAP needs a volunteer auditor for our
accounts.
If you can help this local group with its
valuable community work, please contact
Trudy Dean, MAP chairman on
[email protected]
Where I live...
West Malling Parish Council
Annual general meeting The first postelection full parish council meeting
incorporated the annual general meeting.
During the AGM, the pre-election
chairman and committee chairmen were
re-elected with the exception of the
chairman for the planning committee and
the council’s vice-chairman. These were
vacant as a result of the post holder not
standing for re-election and have now
been taken up by two longstanding parish
council members, Richard Selkirk and
Hazel Marlor. Two new parish councillors,
Linda Javens and Catherine Lane, were
also welcomed and introduced to the
meeting.
Malling area traffic engineer had intended
to trial a new type of fitting for the units.
However, this has proved unsuitable and
TMBC will now use a street lighting
engineer to re-assess the lights and
hopefully, solve at least some of the issues
with the down-lighters.
Manor Park Country Park Once part of
the 18th century estate created by Thomas
Douce, Manor Park, West Malling, has
been carefully transformed into an
attractive location with an impressive
variety of habitats and landscapes and
excellent facilities and play area. The park
will be running a daily Summer Holiday
Activity Trail from July 24 to September 6
and you can drop in to the eco-friendly
Green Café any day between 10am and
3pm and for £2.50, pick up a trail sheet.
Explore the park following the self-led
activity trail and see what you can discover
about the park. All completed trail sheets
will receive a small prize (with the last trail
sold at 3pm).
over 20 years and instrumental in the
Malling Society becoming an influential
body in Kent and in the local community
as well as successfully setting up and
running the Twitch Heritage Centre at
Douces Manor.
And a reminder that copies of the West
Malling Town Walk, described as “a gentle
one hour’s stroll over approximately 2k”
are available via the society on 01732
841170 or from the Twitch Heritage
Centre, for a small fee of £1.
SECAmbs Parish councillors received an
update on the remit of the South East
Coast Ambulance Service, which has
changed dramatically in the last few years.
The current committee structure, finance
The ethos of the service is to take people
and general purpose (F&GP), amenities,
to hospital if that is the only place they
planning, and highways, transportation
can receive the level of medical help they
and street lighting (HTS) will remain
need. It is recognised that going to hospital
unchanged for the time being. However, it
can be traumatic (even if the treatment
is likely to be reviewed and possibly
itself is relatively minor). Thus SECAmbs
realigned during this year to allow the
paramedics, now trained to university
parish council to properly process its
degree level and qualified to carry out
increasing workload.
Also, following a grant from KCC Cllr Trudy
complex medical procedures, will
These are notes on some of the items
Dean, Sunday Junior Park Runs are coming
increasingly operate in tandem with
discussed at West Malling Parish Council
to Manor Park. Park Run is a community
doctors’ surgeries and other established
meetings in May and June.
event that offers free weekly timed events
care pathways, such as mental health and
come rain or shine at local venues. Park
Parking review The borough council has
social care. The 999 and 111 call centre
agreed to consult residents of Offham and Run is looking for volunteers to help run
staff will assess and action the most
these weekly events; if you are interested
Norman Road again in the autumn about
in helping with the project, please contact appropriate response to meet the needs
parking arrangements in these roads. The
[email protected] as soon as of the patient, whether an emergency
consultation will be accompanied by an
ambulance response for life-threatening
possible.
exhibition by the parish council of the
borough’s proposals. Large scale maps and The Malling Society Parish councillors had situations, to treatment in the home for
minor injuries, thus ensuring that each
consultation response forms will be
put forward Mr Bernard Tyson, past
patient receives the care they need as
available. The re-run of the consultation is chairman of The Malling Society, as a
necessary owing to the very low number of candidate in the Kent Association of Local well as reducing the number of hospital
admissions.
responses received by the borough council Councils (KALC) Community Awards
in the first consultation.
Finally please note that parish councillors
scheme 2015 and were delighted when
can be contacted via the parish clerk on
their nomination was successful. The
West Malling High Street You may have
01732 870872 during office hours. Or
awards
are
made
in
recognition
and
noticed that the down-lighter units on the
why not come to one of the monthly
acknowledgement of those who have
recently installed highly visible LED halo
meetings in the village hall in Norman
made a significant contribution to their
type Belisha beacons have not been
Road? Full details are available from the
local community. Among other
working properly. This fault was reported
to Kent Highways and their Tonbridge and achievements, Mr Tyson was chairman for parish clerk’s office.
Heritage weekend
LOCAL CONTACTS
THERE’s a chance to explore interesting and historic
places on your doorstep completely free of charge
during Heritage Open Days.
A number of venues in West Malling will be among
those in Tonbridge and Malling who will be throwing
open their doors during Saturday and Sunday,
September 12 and 13 as part of a national initiative.
They include St Mary’s Church, Pilsdon at Malling
Community, the Twitch Heritage Centre and West
Malling Baptist Church.
Trudy Dean, Malling Action
Partnership chairman
E: [email protected]
T: 01732 843 119
Citizens Advice Bureau –
T: 01732 440488
Tonbridge & Malling Borough
Council main switchboard –
T: 01732 844522
Pothole
reporting –
T: 08458 247800
Travel Enquiries
Trains – T: 08457 484950
Nu-Venture Buses –
T: 01622 882288
Arriva Buses –
T: 0871 200 22 33
www.malling.org.uk
Spruce
Up
your garden
this Summer!
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£16.00 EACH +VAT
Bark (Bulk Bags)
Natural Paving
Railway Sleepers
Homeleigh Offer
from
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£46.00 +VAT
www.homeleighgroup.co.uk
£13.99 +VAT
(per sq.m.)
£13.99+VAT EACH (+5 rate)
£15.99 EACH +VAT
(Single)
Your local timber & Builders Merchant
Maidstone 01622 791111
Woodford Depot: 01580 892733
Staplehurst: 01580 892037 Ashford: 01233 850075
Hall Road | Maidstone
ME20 7QZ
Maidstone Road | Staplehurst
TN12 0RH
Station Road | Staplehurst
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TN26 3BP
Malling July 2015
23
News
downsmail.co.uk
Summer fun
for children
PARENTS worried about keeping
their kids busy during the summer
holidays will be delighted to learn
about the activities lined up by the
council, including bushcraft, BMX
riding and cheerleading.
Tonbridge and Malling Council’s
summer playscheme is for children
aged four to 11 and runs weekdays
from August 3 to 21, offering arts
and crafts, competitions, games,
cookery, magic workshops and
sport. The scheme will run at 13 venues from 9am to 1pm.
Activities cost £39 per week per
child or £13.50 per week per family
for leisure pass holders. The council
also runs the Playscheme Plus programme for children with special
educational needs and/or physical
disabilities.
Summer Activate runs from July
27 to August 21, for those aged eight
to 16. Courses include windsurfing,
fencing, cookery and cupcake making, as well as special effects and
make-up, drama, cheerleading,
magic, pottery, fishing and outward
bound activities at Carroty Wood,
Tonbridge.
Details are at libraries, leisure centres and www.tmbc.gov.uk. Email
[email protected] or call
01732 876166.
Work starts to
clean up hotel
WORK has begun to repair the rusty
Travelodge building in St Peter
Street, Maidstone.
Scaffolding has been erected
around the hotel, which has been
the source of controversy since it
was constructed in 2010.
Likened to a giant toilet roll and
voted Maidstone’s most ugly building, the Travelodge began to rust
within months of being built.
Cllr Dan Daley, Lib Dem member
for Allington ward, took it upon
himself to unravel the mystery of
the rusting “roll” and press for remedial action in July last year.
He discovered that steelwork
within the building had not been
treated properly at the outset – so
simply painting over the problem
would not make it go away.
Now the owner has admitted it
too is frustrated with the recurring
rust problem and has brought in a
contractor who will, hopefully, put
matters right.
Treating the substandard structure is expected to take three
months.
Cllr Daley set out on a one-man
The Mote
Cricket Club
mission to track down the builder,
only to find the company had gone
into liquidation. Matters were further complicated when he discovered the original owner and
developer had sold the building to
another company.
Once he was armed with the necessary information, Cllr Daley
pushed Maidstone Council’s enforcement team into writing to the
new owner – a pension fund – seeking urgent action to improve the
exterior of the building.
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Malling July 2015
MAIDSTONE’s twinning group is
looking for more members to help
promote the entente cordiale with a
French town.
The Maidstone/Beauvais Twinning Association began in 1961. Over
the years, the links between the two
places have gone from strength to
strength, but with the Beauvais
group still thriving, membership on
this side of the Channel dwindled
after Maidstone Council withdrew
its funding a few years ago.
Borough Cllr Wendy Hinder,
twinning committee vice-chairman,
said: “Due to the withdrawal of
funding we have seen our membership drop significantly. We are urgently trying to re-invent ourselves
to increase the membership in order
to be able to hold fundraising events.
We would welcome new members
who have an interest in France, those
who have expertise or experience in
fundraising, and anyone who just
wishes to join to be able to participate in social events.”
The committee held its annual
meeting at Maidstone Town Hall
this month. Anyone interested in
joining the twinning association can
contact the secretary, Michael Yates
on [email protected] or
079636 677952.
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Malling July 2015
25
News
downsmail.co.uk
Drugs trio jailed after house raid
THREE drug dealers have been jailed for more than 15 years after police seized nearly nine kilograms of cocaine destined for the streets at a house in Ditton.
Police arrested Aaron Elcombe
(38), from Birling, Lee Blanford (48),
from Ditton, and Steven Savage (36),
from Maidstone, following the successful drugs operation.
Maidstone Crown Court heard
how police saw Elcombe, of Ryarsh
Road, get out of a vehicle in Acorn
Grove carrying a heavy box into the
garage. He emerged a few minutes
later with the same box, which appeared lighter, and drove off. Fifteen
minutes later Blanford arrived at the
Acorn Grove address – his home.
Elcombe was later stopped by police and the empty box in the boot of
his car was found to contain traces of
white powder and he was taken
back to Acorn Grove where officers
found nearly 9kg of cocaine, 5kgs of
Aaron Elcombe, Lee Blanford and Steven Savage
cannabis resin and 220gm of herbal
cannabis, along with 40kgs of caffeine and 11kgs of lactose and other
drug production items. A receipt for
120kg of caffeine led police to Savage, from Cambridge Way in Maidstone. Officers also found a further
8gm of cocaine in the door pocket of
Elcombe’s car and small amounts of
herbal cannabis and cannabis resin
at his home address.
At previous hearings Elcombe
pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying and possessing Class A and
Class B drugs and Lee Blanford to
seven counts. Savage admitted as-
Rock at park
MAIDSTONE’S Mote Park is getting ready to rock’n’roll.
An estimated 30,000 people are
expected in town from all over
Britain and Europe for the town’s
first ever Ramblin’ Man fair on the
weekend of July 25 and 26.
Some of the biggest names from
the golden age of rock headline the
two-day festival, including Marillion, Blue Oyster Cult, Camel, the
Scorpions and Gregg Allman.
Organised by The Rock Collective
and TeamRock, the festival aims to
bring the best of classic rock, progressive rock and a smattering of
country and blues to Mote Park,
where Seasick Steve will headline
the country and blues stage.
There will also be gourmet food, a
beer festival, a spoken word stage,
outdoor music cinema, camping
and glamping.
Flower talk
From left:
Author Miriam
McGuirk, Paul
Andrews and
Louise Henley,
chairman of
Kent Deaf
Children
Society
Picture by Jen
Edwards
Book launch helps charity
MORE than £250 was raised for the
Kent Deaf Children Society at a book
launch organised by Maidstone author Miriam McGuirk.
The author, who now divides her
time between the county town and
south west Turkey, held the event at
The Townhouse Hotel in King Street,
Maidstone.
Her book, “Shattered Dreams and
Scorpions at Midnight – a search for
sanctuary” tells Miriam’s story of how
she countered the effects of the illness ME and how, with the help of her
AYLESFORD and Eccles WI will
meet at the Brassey Centre, Aylesford on Wednesday, July 22 for a
demonstration of flower arranging.
The group is planning how to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
WI in England for its September
meeting so take your ideas along.
The competition will be any item DK HOLDINGS has opened its
beginning with the letter N and the new factory in Staplehurst.
recycling stall will be jewellery. For
The new tool-making facility,
details, call Eileen on 01622 715205. off Station Approach, has been
built after Sainsbury’s acquired its
previous site on the junction of
Station Road.
AYLESARA, the group for anyone
Maidstone Council approved
over the age of 50, will meet at
the retail chain’s application for a
Aylesford Community centre at
supermarket and petrol station in
2pm on Thursday, July 23, when
2013. However, Sainsbury’s has
Sue Spiel will read the poems of
since put its plans on hold and the
Pam Ayres. For more details, call
vacant site is available to let.
Wayne on 01622 710734 or just go
DK Holdings’ MD Brian Salter
along. There is no obligation to join
welcomed the move and the offiat your first visit.
cial opening of the site by the
husband Chris Pollard, she set out for
a new life in Turkey, where the air and
climate is ideal for people who live
with ME and fybromyalgia.
The evening was hosted by Maidstone-based business entrepreneur
Paul Andrews, with raffle prizes donated by local companies.
KDCS is a registered charity that
supports deaf children and their families. Chairman Louise Henley said:
“With the money raised, we will be
able to host at least two playtime sessions for our younger children.”
sisting, possessing cannabis and
possessing CS spray.
Maidstone Crown Court sentenced Elcombe to five years and
seven months; Blanford to six years
and seven months and Savage to
three-and-a-half years.
DC Donna Hopper said: “The
drugs we seized would have made
the defendants a sizable amount of
profit, but we were able to quickly
intercept the delivery of the drugs
and ensure that they didn’t enter circulation in Kent. It was obvious from
the various items that we seized
from Blanford’s house that he and
Elcombe were involved in the supply of drugs and I’m pleased that we
have been able to put a stop to their
offending.”
Take a leap to
help hospice
DAREDEVILS and have-a-go heroes are being sought by the Heart
of Kent Hospice to raise funds in a
freefall for charity.
Anyone who can raise £400 in
sponsorship for the hospice can
take part in the tandem skydive at
Headcorn Parachute Club. After
training on the ground with a professional instructor, participants
will take to the skies and jump
from a plane, harnessed to the instructor, from a height of 12,000
feet.
The dive begins with a free fall at
over 120mph before the ‘chutes
open and bring divers back down
to earth.
There are various dates available
throughout the summer, but the
Hospice would particularly like
volunteers for the August Bank
Holiday weekend, August 29-31.
For further information call
Becky in the hospice fundraising
department on 01622 790195 or
visit www.hokh.org.
Mayor opens relocated tool factory
John Perry and
Rory Silkin with
DK Holdings MD
Brian Slater and
director David
Smart and
mayor Cllr
Daniel Moriarty
Pam’s poems
26
Malling July 2015
Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Daniel
Moriarty.
He said: “We were delighted
that the mayor agreed to open our
new factory and were pleased to
greet many parish councillors. A
keen interest was shown by all in
our history and current operations. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to Staplehurst
Parish Council for its continued
and valued support.”
News
downsmail.co.uk
Museum hours to be reduced
MAIDSTONE Museum has become a victim of its own success, forcing it to close on Mondays.
Maintaining the building and
keeping tabs on the 600,000 exhibits
means the museum needs to close
on at least one day a week.
After the summer season, it is
likely the museum and art gallery
in St Faith’s Street, Maidstone will
not be open to the public on Mondays – although it will still be available for school groups and
children’s parties, as before.
This will also mean the visitor information centre being closed, although the service will still be
available by phone and email.
Low Sunday visitor numbers
could also see the doors being
Council tax
scam warning
RESIDENTS are being warned
about scam council tax calls.
The warning comes after Tonbridge and Malling council received several more reports from
homeowners who took a bogus call
from a man posing as a council officer, claiming to work in the council tax section.
The caller tells residents that their
property is in the wrong council tax
band and that they are entitled to a
refund. He then asks for confirmation of their bank account details so
that a refund can be made.
Cllr Martin Coffin, the borough
ouncil’s cabinet member for finance, said: “Our officers never ask
residents to confirm their bank details over the phone and we are
urging residents to be wary of these
unscrupulous individuals.”
Residents can have their council
tax band checked free by calling
0300 0501 501 or visiting
www.gov.uk/council-taxappeals/challenge-your-band.
closed on Sundays in 2016, although Maidstone Council leader
Cllr Fran Wilson is vehemently opposed to this.
The museum is currently open
from noon to 4pm on Sundays
from Easter to the end of September, and it will remain open seven
days a week this summer.
Monday closing would result in
small financial savings as no front
of house staff would be required,
but the main benefit would be behind the scenes, according to Dawn
Hudd, the council’s director of regeneration and communities.
She said: “Running a complex
operation which combines an Elizabethan manor house with a contemporary extension, a collection of
over 600,000 objects and 70,000 visitors per year, requires dedicated
downtime to change over exhibitions, maintain fixed exhibits, carry
out audits, conduct maintenance
and repairs to the building and
other essential works.”
She said that failure to close the
museum to the general public on
Mondays would seriously affect
the council’s ability to maintain the
building and collection – and this
could put its accreditation with
Arts Council England in jeopardy.
Pupils’ recipes help hospice
DOZENS of budding young chefs
from Maidstone and the surrounding area have had their recipes included in a charity cook book.
Entries chosen for The Children’s
Choice Cook Book include recipes
from primary school pupils from 41
Kent schools, including Loose, St
John’s at Grove Green, Staplehurst,
Allington and Barming.
Recipes
including
Barnaby
Williams’ Healthy Nachos were on
show to classmates when the book
was launched at Loose Primary
School.
The Contract Dining Company,
which caters for schools and ran the
competition, has had 5,000 copies
of the book printed. These will be on
sale for £1, in a bid to raise £5,000
for Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
Pupils whose recipes were included
in the book, including Hayley Buckle,
from Allington Primary School, Emily
Moreton from St John’s and Jasmine
Ayres from Barming school, received
a certificate and a goody bag.
Pupils who had recipes published in the cook book received certificates
Contract Dining Company operations director Tracey Spellman said:
“It has taken about six months from
beginning to end, but it was great
fun. We are really pleased with the
book – it’s stunning.”
Demelza’s community fundraiser
Leila Ilkhan said: “We cannot say
thank you enough to all the very talented schoolchildren who put forward their delicious recipe ideas.
Friends’ gift of chair to hospital
A SPECIALIST chair to aid the recovery of those in intensive care in
Maidstone has been bought by the
hospital’s League of Friends.
The chair, which cost £3,740, will
allow those with severe weakness
to sit up and get out of bed and others to enjoy time outside.
The chair also works to
strengthen patients’ posture and
muscle activity and stimulates the
respiratory muscles of those who
have been on a ventilator.
Claire Chalklin, clinical specialist
respiratory physiotherapist, said:
“We are extremely grateful to both
Maidstone’s Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) for working with physiotherapy to source this fantastic chair,
and recognising the need, and to
The new opening hours were approved by former cabinet member
Cllr Malcolm Greer. However, the
council’s culture and leisure department has taken the decision not
to introduce the new hours until
later in the year.
In the meantime, research is to be
carried out with current and potential users to see what the impact of
Sunday closing could be.
Cllr Wilson said that while it was
important for staff to keep on top of
preparation work, hence the need
for a Monday closure, she was not
happy at the suggestion the facility
be closed on Sundays.
the League of Friends for their continued support and generosity.
“This chair will be of enormous
benefit to some of our weakest patients – it will allow them more
freedom as well as helping them to
progress with their recovery.”
Joyce Langton, chairman for the
League chairman
Joyce Langton,
ICU sister Alison
Crayford, ICU
nurse Ligia Rodrigues, Claire
Chalklin and the
league’s Graham
Neads check out
the new chair
Maidstone Hospital League of
Friends, said: “The chair is fantastic and we can see first-hand how
much of a help it will be to our intensive care patients and staff.
“We are delighted to have joined
forces with the ICU to buy this
piece of equipment.”
“The book looks absolutely brilliant and we’re so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make
this happen – we can’t wait to start
trying all the meals. The money this
book will raise will make a real difference to our children and families.”
Anyone who would like to buy a
copy of the book should contact
Emma Grove at the hospice on
01795 845270.
Thief in court
A THIEF who stole catalytic converters from cars, including one
from a vehicle in Larkfield, has
been ordered to do 150 hours community service.
Jimmy Docherty pleaded guilty
to taking the converter, worth
£3,500, from a car in New Hythe
Lane in February and from another in Ipswich.
The 27-year-old, from Hemel
Hempstead, was ordered at West
Kent Magistrates’ Court to carry
out the unpaid work in the next 12
months. He must also pay £3,900
compensation, £85 costs and a £60
victim surcharge.
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
Malling July 2015
27
News
downsmail.co.uk
Park award
Trust hopes youth work
will mean a Safer Kent
THE Kent People’s Trust has been
re-born – and relaunched under a
new name: Safer Kent.
The charity, which has given more
than £800,000 in grants to various organisations in the county since its inception in 2000, works with
individuals and organisations to
provide everything from youth
clubs, security advice, mentoring
programmes and drug rehabilitation
to help for victims of domestic
abuse.
The projects all help prevent crime
and reduce anti-social behaviour in
local communities.
Based in Maidstone, the trust
works with young people who are
on the verge of exclusion from
school, offering them social and
sporting opportunities and mentoring to put them back on the straight
and narrow.
Among those helped was Malling
School pupil 16-year old Joe Shand,
from Wouldham, who spoke at the
re-launch.
He told how he was bullied at
school and struggling at home,
where he has a disabled sister.
He was facing exclusion from
school when he was placed on the
scheme and given a placement with
Maidstone United Football Club.
He said: “After just the first session, I felt that someone believed in
me. The coaches were amazing.”
Joe, who has just taken his GCSEs,
has helped coach the disabled youth
team and has now been offered a
place at the club’s youth academy in
September.
He said: “The scheme has helped
keep me in school and helped me at
home. It has changed my life.”
Safer Kent director Bryn Price
said: “This project aims to give
young people renewed confidence
and focus and a reason to stay out of
trouble.”
Other projects supported by Safer
Safer Kent
trustee Laura
Cox with Joe
Shand and
director Bryn
Price.
Kent include the Maidstone Street
Pastors, proving funds to help them
supply night time revellers with bottled water, thermal blankets and flip
flops, and KCC’s ‘Licence to Kill’
project, which teaches year 12 and 13
pupils about the dangers of reckless
driving.
More than 10,000 pupils will see
the presentation this year.
KCC’s Carol Cullen told the meeting: “It’s the most impactive project
we have ever been involved in.”
The rebranding has been carried
out to give groups and organisations
a better idea of the ethos behind the
trust.
Mr Price said: “We believe our
new name will better describe what
the trust is doing.”
MAIDSTONE’S Mote Park has
been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.
The award, which comes seven
months after Mote Park was voted
the nation’s second favourite park,
celebrates excellence in hospitality
and is only given to places which
consistently achieve great reviews
on the TripAdvisor website.
Maidstone Council’s chair of heritage, culture and leisure, Cllr Gordon Newton, said: “Winning this
certificate is a real source of pride
for the team at Maidstone Council
who looks after the park and the
fantastic volunteers who help keep
the park at its best.”
Driver banned
A VAN driver has been banned
from the road for three years after
being stopped in Snodland while
over the drink-drive limit and without insurance.
Mark Joy (40), from Upper Fant
Road, Fant was sentenced at Mid
Kent Magistrates’ Court after he
admitted both offences.
Joy was driving his Ford Transit
van in Holborough Road, Snodland, on June 26 with no insurance
and gave a reading of 66mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal
limit is 35mg. He was also fined
£400 and ordered to pay £85 costs
and a £40 victim surcharge.
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Malling July 2015
29
News
downsmail.co.uk
Weight advice
for joint ops
Seven-day plan rejected
LOCAL doctors are supporting national guidance that patients for joint
replacements (such as hip and knee)
should be advised to have a body
mass index (BMI) of less than 30 before they are referred for treatment.
The local CCG says: “This is advice rather than an eligibility criteria
and there would likely be exceptions.” It needs to ensure the longterm functional benefits and reduce
the risk of complications.
The CCG wants a review of clinical evidence and audit outcomes for
patients with a BMI of 40 or above to
produce guidance for these patients,
taking benefits versus risks and
value for money into account.
The CCG says obesity needs to be
addressed to assist the wider system
for prevention.
MAIDSTONE and other West Kent
GPs made a bid for the Prime Minister’s challenge fund to pilot surgeries opening seven days a week –
but it was rejected by NHS England.
The GP-led West Kent Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG),
chaired by Bob Bowes (pictured)
says it is not opposed to seven-day
working. Its Clinical Strategy Group
(CSG) discussed a paper to divert
CCG commissioning funds to open
Patient transport
A MUCH stronger liaison has been
requested between the GP-led NHS
West Kent Clinical Commissioning
Group and the patient transport
provider when the new contract is
awarded for 2016. The current contract had a difficult start but improved following complaints.
Crime reports
30
services.
Government policy is to have a
seven-day GP service by 2020 – but
the CSG feels logistical issues of resources and workforce need to be
addressed first.
CCG members do not think the
policy represents value for money
and would not have a significant impact on hospital A&E pressures.
It agreed “quality and capacity of
GP provision” have more of an impact on A&E.
Get walking to boost fitness Afternoon tea
WALKING is simple, free and can
help you to lose weight and become healthier. So why not head
along to one of Tonbridge and
Malling Council’s health walks
which are organised each week at
Leybourne Lakes Country Park.
The walks take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am
and last 40 to 60 minutes, depending on individual walking speeds.
They are guided by a walk leader
and are on flat ground, so are suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.
There is also an opportunity to
A WA L L E T containing cash was stolen
from an unlocked van in The Avenue,
Aylesford. Three people seen at the van
ran off when challenged and drove off in
a Toyota saloon.
A pane of glass was smashed in a door
in Poynder Drive, Snodland.
Grass seed and gardening tools were
taken from a container in Forstal Road,
Aylesford.
A vehicle in Hambrook Road,
Snodland was searched but nothing was
taken.
A shed was broken into at a home in
London Road East, Aylesford. Two
Paslode nail guns, a Dewalt drill and light
units for a Fiat Punto were stolen.
A shed door was damaged at a property
in Lavender Road, East Malling.
A vehicle was broken into on the drive
of a home in Rochester Road, Aylesford,
and various items were stolen.
A van was broken into in Butchers
Lane, Mereworth but nothing was taken.
Tools and a drum of diesel were stolen
from a Citroen van in Forstal Road,
Aylesford. A white Peugot van was seen
being driven away.
A vehicle left in Willow Road, Larkfield
was taken overnight.
A wall was damaged with graffiti in
The Stream, Ditton.
A red Trafalgar paddock cleaner was
stolen from a field in Eccles Row,
Aylesford.
Golf equipment was stolen during a
break-in at a garage in London Road,
Ryarsh.
A ground compactor and sod cutter
were stolen from a barn at a farm in
Addington Lane, Trottiscliffe.
Lampposts were damaged in East
Malling High Street.
Equipment was stolen from a van in
Malling July 2015
surgeries for a six-month pilot to see
if it had an impact on A&E attendances.
But
members
did not give support because they
want to await results of national pilots; resources are
not yet available
for a pilot; and the
required GP workforce is not available and this could affect weekday
become a walk leader with training provided by the borough
council.
Cllr Maria Heslop, cabinet
member for community services,
said: “Our health walks are free,
fun and friendly – perfect to help
you get active and meet new people.”
The walks are ideal for people
of all ages and abilities who do little or no exercise. For details, visit
www.tmbc.gov.uk/healthwalks,
email [email protected]
or call 01732 876347.
ENJOY afternoon tea at St James
The Great Church, East Malling
from 3pm to 5pm on Sundays until
September 6. A mini-market will be
held on June 27 and September 26
from 10am to 12.30pm in aid of the
Apple Tree Room project.
Quiz night
A QUIZ night is being held in the
Brassey Rooms, Aylesford at 7pm
on Saturday, September 5 for St
Peter’s and St Paul’s Church. Tickets are £4. Please bring drinks and
nibbles. Call Aline on 07771 636872.
Neighbourhood Watch
Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police
New Hythe Lane, Larkfield.
Two hanging baskets were stolen from
the front of a property in Snoll Hatch
Road, East Peckham.
Cash was stolen from a VW van on a
driveway in The Street, Mereworth.
Tools were stolen from a work site in
Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill.
Tools were stolen from a van in
Butchers Lane, Mereworth.
A wall was damaged with graffiti in
Alexander Grove, Kings Hill.
A van on a drive in Sherwood Avenue,
Larkfield was broken into and searched
but it was not known if anything was
taken.
A handbag was among items stolen
from a property in Rectory Close,
Snodland while the resident went down
to the car park.
Two windows were damaged on a
digger on a building site in St Leonards
Street, West Malling.
A vehicle was scratched in Holborough
Road, Snodland.
A car was stolen from a car park in
New Hythe Lane, Larkfield.
There was an attempted break-in at a
property in Epsom Close, West Malling.
Fencing was damaged on a nature
reserve in Holborough Road, Snodland.
An orange Husqvarna chainsaw was
stolen from a shed in Brickfields, West
Malling.
Tools were stolen from a van in
Thomson Close, Snodland.
A vehicle was scratched in Police
Station Road, West Malling.
There was an attempted break-in at a
garage in Saltings Road, Snodland.
A strimmer was stolen from a shed on
allotments in Ryarsh Lane, West Malling.
A Kawasaki KLX125 motorbike was
stolen from a garage in a block in
Holborough Road, Snodland.
A lawnmower was among items stolen
from a shed on allotments in Norman
Road, West Malling.
A car was scratched on a driveway in
Church Field, Snodland.
Garden furniture, a barbecue and a drill
were stolen from a shed in Lucas Road,
Snodland.
A disability badge was stolen from a
vehicle in Phoenix Drive, Wateringbury.
Tools including two Makita cordless
drills were stolen from an unlocked van
in Freelands Road, Snodland.
Power tools were stolen from a van in a
car park in Bow Road, Wateringbury.
Tools were stolen from a van in
Bramley Road, Snodland.
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Malling July 2015
31
downsmail.co.uk
Comment
Inquiry in wrong place
Lost property folly
Dear Sir – I am a resident of Allington and
a member of the community trying to save
a glorious area of Kent countryside and
ancient woodland from development.
There was a public inquiry concerning
this application. The area in question is at
Allington and the inquiry was at the
Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Hollingbourne
– about as far away as you can get from
Allington and still be in Maidstone
borough.
It takes about two hours to get from
Allington to the hotel by bus. The hotel is a
20-minute walk from a station. Many
Allington residents are elderly or do not
have access to a car. How were they
supposed to aend a public meeting to
voice their concerns about what is
happening in their community if they
could not get there?
It beggars belief that Maidstone Council
did not consider this.
According to guidelines about these sorts
of inquiries, one of the prime
recommendations was that the chosen
venue is as close as possible to the area
under discussion. This has patently not
been adhered to.
I wrote to Maidstone Council about this,
but was told it was too late to change the
venue.
There are many more accessible venues
that could have been used, such as the
Town Hall or Sessions House.
What possessed the council to choose the
Great Danes?
A developer is planning to put about 500
homes on land off Hermitage Lane. It is the
last area of open green space on the west
side of Maidstone. The borough boundary
is included within the site.
It is a rural gem which includes a small
but invaluable ancient woodland which
would be ruined if development were
permied.
I know houses are needed. I’m just
saying that this is the wrong place. It is too
important as open green space and a green
corridor between Maidstone and
Tonbridge and Malling borough to be
developed.
Ann Bates, Howard Drive, Allington
Dear Sir – Regarding your story about the
police no longer handling lost property,
have they really thought this through?
Surely there is no way that anything is
likely to get back to its owner via social
media.
I recently lost my purse containing my
car keys and house keys in Maidstone
while shopping. I retraced my steps and
enquired in several shops, but no luck.
After about an hour I went to the police
station at Palace Avenue and a very kind
member of the public had found it in
Fremlin Walk and handed it to a police
officer, so I was able to retrieve my car and
shopping.
I don’t think this would have happened
if the police had not accepted lost property.
Robin Hinkley, by email
Help is invaluable
Dear Sir – I am a full-time carer for my
husband John and for the past two
years I have been helped by volunteers
from Spadework, a charity in Oam
which helps people with learning
difficulties.
They come to my home and deliver
logs, plants and compost and always
offer to help me with anything,
including shopping. This is particularly
helpful given that I am unable to get
about at the moment having broken my
wrist.
They will do anything for me and the
people at Spadework deserve a lot of
credit. Keep up the good work!
Rosemary Broad, St Mary’s Abbey,
Swan Street, West Malling
Homes on hotel site
Dear Sir – Far from being passive in
response to the recent application to build
14 houses on the site of the former Russell
Hotel in Boxley Road (Comment, June),
Cllr Jenni Paterson and I have had at least
three face-to-face residents’ meetings, in
addition to office-based and site meetings
with planners and Clarendon Homes.
Further, a significant weight of
correspondence has been exchanged
between a range of stakeholders. Indeed,
negotiations involving local councillors on
detailed design including landscaping,
boundary treatments, building materials
and a public art installation are ongoing.
I will seek to answer the two points
raised in relation to why conversion to flats
was not sought, and why the application
a nightmare. What’s the nightmare? I never
was not determined by planning
had a problem, nor did my mum or
commiee.
mother-in-law. Then again, our children
Firstly, the former Russell Hotel was not
knew how to behave because we took time
a listed building or of a quality that could
to teach them, rather than expect the world
conceivably achieve such a designation;
around us to make life easier for us.
this meant that it enjoyed no protection
She also says: “As parents we have to pay
and could therefore be demolished at any
for our space, so being forced to park on
time.
the sixth or seventh floors with three
Secondly, very significant safeguards for
young children is inconsiderate."
surrounding residential areas had been
Does she think those who aren't parents
achieved through negotiation such as the
don’t have to pay? I have to pay and am
retention of wooded buffer strips, changes
often on higher floors because I’ve not got
to design and layout, and new tree
a child, I’m not disabled and don’t need
Parents not a special case
planting.
my car washed, but you don't hear me
Local North ward councillors and
Dear Sir – I’ve just read the June issue of
complaining.
residents were concerned that, should the
Downs Mail and am staggered by a
The reason people without children use
planning application (for 14 houses) on this
Maidstone mum’s claim that she avoids the them is probably because like me (and I
site go before commiee, there was a big
town centre as she is unable to park in a
don’t use them, I’d like to add) they
risk that the density of the proposed
parent and child space. I cannot
remember a time when they didn't exist
development would be increased.
understand why parents even need these
and fail to see the point in them. If there
It is the low density of the scheme which
spaces.
are no lifts to use then I’d see her point, but
allows the retention of a wooded buffer at
My mother-in-law had five children all
I really don’t in this case.
born within six years of each other, but she
What’s inconsiderate is lazy parents who Fintonagh Drive and the space to beef-up
tree planting along the Boxley Road and
can't be bothered to cope the way we've
managed. My mum had two and she
Chaenden Court boundaries. The 14
had to in the past, and want everything
managed, and I managed 18 years ago
comparatively large gardens afforded by
simple and easy. Try using the lift, teach
when I had my own child. I hated lifts but
this low density scheme should also benefit
with a pushchair I had no choice but to use your children to hold your hand, or each
local landscape and wildlife.
other's hand, and behave. You'll find life a
them, and soon got over my fear.
lot less 'inconsiderate' and so will I.
Cllr Tony Harwood, member for North
The lady says she is forced to use floors
further up which makes her shopping trip Lisa Lomas, Foxglove Rise, Maidstone
ward
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Malling July 2015
33
downsmail.co.uk
Obituaries
Sheila Hawkridge
SHEILA Hawkridge (81) who lived in Taylor
Road, Snodland from 1963 was well known
from many years of working in local shops.
Born Sheila O’Connell, she spent her early
years in and around Carshalton, Surrey. With
husband of 56 years
Dennis “Den” she
moved locally with son
Stephen. Younger son
Neil was born in Snodland.
Sheila’s local work
included fruit picking
on farms in the Malling
area and jobs in local
shops on Snodland
High Street; Key Market, Hilton’s Shoes and
Snodland News Agents (from where she retired).
Son Neil said: “My mother was very sociable, friendly and bubbly. She was also quite
adventurous and – in her younger days – flew
abroad to places like Austria long before this
was a regular thing to do.
“She loved outings, and going to restaurants
and was very well known and well liked locally because of the years she spent working
with the public in Snodland. She and my father also enjoyed going to the retirement club
in Snodland. We were touched that many people she knew turned out for her funeral.”
Sheila leaves her husband and two sons.
Noel McCrerie
NOEL McCrerie (94) lived in the Maidstone
area apart from time he spent in the RAF during the war. He moved into the Royal British
Legion Village in Aylesford in 1929, and lived
in the same house until his final months.
Educated in Aylesford, Noel began work
for local building firms.
His wartime service included time spent in
Egypt, South Africa
and Libya.
Noel spent the last
40 years of his working
life employed as a
plumber for Maidstone Council, travelling in the area on his bicycle.
He was married to Joy for almost 58 years,
and father to Jan and Sue. Jan said: “My father
was quiet, gracious, caring and a real gentleman. He loved swimming – when we were
younger I recall him swimming out in the sea
until he was a dot in the distance. He swam locally, at Larkfield Leisure Centre, until he was
into his nineties.
“After moving to a care home in Tunbridge
Wells he got a place in a care home back in
Aylesford, the place that meant the most to
him.”
Noel leaves his wife, daughters, grandchildren Laura-Louise, Jason, Carly-Ann, Samantha, Thomas and Joshua; his first
great-grandchild, Freddie, was born in December.
Sir Reg Doyle
SIR Reg Doyle (85) lived in Headcorn from
2006 and was a distinguished public servant
who carved out a notable career including
posts as Kent’s chief fire officer (1977-84) and
HM Chief Inspector of the Fire Service.
34
Malling July 2015
During his tenure as Kent’s senior fire officer he lived with his family in Lenham and
Harrietsham. Born in Birmingham, his first career saw him serve in the navy, joining aged
15 and rising to the position of chief petty officer before joining the fire service.
Reg married his wife June in 1953 and the
couple raised daughters Mandy and Wendy.
His meteoric rise through the ranks of the fire
service saw the family move across the country, including residence in Hereford and
Worcester, where he served as chief fire officer in the three years before taking over the
Kent service.
During his time locally Reg was president of
Lenham Bowls Club and also president of the
Weald of Kent Rotary Club.
When he was widowed in 2006 Reg moved
to Headcorn, being joined by his daughter
Mandy and her husband Nick (who also
served with Kent Fire Service for many years).
The family have spoken of being overwhelmed with tributes to Reg and his funeral
in Headcorn was attended by more than 200
people.
Leslie Jeffries
LESLIE Jeffries of Allington was well known
locally from his years as station master at
Maidstone East Station.
He held the post from 1964 to 1978 and also
served at stations on the Isle of Wight,
Emsworth in Surrey, Gipsy Hill in London
and Sidcup. Leslie served as a radio operator
in the tank regiment during World War II,
with postings including North Africa. He met
his wife – Jean – in the Lake District during the
war. She was working in a fish and chip shop
at the time.
Leslie loved the railways and also held a
passion for Portsmouth Football Club; his first
railway posting was as a clerk in a goods office at Fratton Park, Portsmouth near the
club’s ground.
Leslie – who was widowed – leaves son
Mick, daughter Janet, four grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren.
the War Office to get Mick home on leave,
arriving only two hours before the wedding.
The couple seled in Ashford, raising
children Beverley and Trevor. Son Mark was
born locally.
Mick said: “Sylvia was the lynchpin of her
family. She was a fastidious homemaker. She
will be sorely missed.”
Sylvia leaves her husband, children, two
grandchildren, two step grandchildren and
one great-grandson.
Douglas Baker
DOUGLAS Baker (109), of Loose spent 54
years working at Turkey Mill, Ashford Road,
Maidstone when the paper mill was open.
He started as a clerk and eventually retired
as general manager.
Douglas spent his whole life – apart from
his war service – living in Maidstone,
moving to Loose in the 1980s. At the age of
100 he visited his old workplace and sat
again at his old desk. He also spoke of his
pride in the workforce he managed, noting
that he had visited a number of other paper
mills and also came away thinking he was
lucky to have his job and workforce.
During World War II Douglas served in
the North African Desert Rats campaign,
returning to the mill afterwards.
He retired in 1976 at the age of 70, when
the mill, founded by the Whatman family,
closed. The closure was blamed on the lack
of demand for writing paper as telephone
use became more widespread.
George Nissen
THE funeral took place of George Nissen
(101), known for many years as manager of
Crows Motor Factors.
George was also a former player for
Maidstone United FC and had served in
World War II, including being involved in DDay.
Andy Gray
Sylvia Snelling
SYLVIA Jean Snelling (77), who lived for 23
years in Wateringbury and before that in
Maidstone for 30 years, grew up in Aylesford.
She went to Aylesford Primary and Maidstone
Technical School for Girls.
Sylvia met her husband Mick in 1955,
marrying in 1958 in a service that made
national headlines because Sylvia had to ring
THE funeral took place in the Scoish
Borders of Andy Gray (80). Andy worked in
Maidstone from 1969 to 1979 as manager of
the Alliance Building Society, a period he
counted as “10 happy years”.
He returned to his native Aberdeen but
retired, through ill health, to the Scoish
Borders at the age of 50. Andy leaves his son
Steve, daughter Carolyn and grandchildren
Beth, William, Ben and Sam.
There is no charge for our obituary service.
Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email [email protected]
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ALL JOBS BIG & SMALL.
MAKING THE BEST OF WOOD
IN AND AROUND THE HOME
CALL Cliff on
07940 854927
01622 729092
31, Sheppey Road, Loose, Maidstone
MD Building & Services
Specialists in
• Extensions • Refurbishments
• Plastering (All aspects)
• Electrics • Modernisations
• Kitchen & Bathroom Installations
• Driveways, Patios & Repointing
• Fencing & Blockpaving
FULLY INSURED
Tel: Mark 07841 409061
Tel: 01622 204759
e: [email protected]
www.mdbuildingservices.co.uk
Chimney Maintenance
H & G Chimney Services
Chimney sweeping service • Long established • ICS registered
All types of flu • All pots-cowls supplied & fitted
Complete re-builds • Re-pointing • Guttering, roof & valley repairs
01622 739439 07860 318166 [email protected]
Cleaning Services
KINGSGATE CONSTRUCTION LTD
Extensions & Conversions Specialist
No upfront costs - No deposit taken
• Conservatories • Kitchens • Bathrooms
• Driveways • Landscaping
ALL BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN
Fully Insured. References Available.
Call Mark 07976 264231
01622 736127
[email protected]
(
Call our sales team now - 01622 630 330
Malling July 2015
35
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Computer Services
Electricians
Electric Rewired
Garden Services
Forestry First Ltd
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
Tree Surgeons & Landscapers in Kent
All arboricultural tree works
undertaken. Fully insured.
www.forestryfirst.co.uk
Marchant Garden
Services
Adrian Marchant
Tree Surgeon
N.P.T.C. Qualified
Fully Insured
Hedgecutting & Fencing
Offham Nr West Malling
07932 492897 01732 841041
• 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
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
01622 880218
07796 772020
EPIC
No job too big or small
• Fencing • Treework
• Turfing • Decking
• Levelling Ground
• Jet Washing Service
• Water Features
• Astroturf • Patios
• Clearance • Driveways
For a free site survey call:
01622 527106
07788 532926
AARON KING
• Grass/hedge cutting • Tree Maintenance • Landscaping
• Leaf/border clearance • General gardening works
Tel: 07593 514740
[email protected]
www.aaronkinggardenmaintenance.co.uk
36
Malling July 2015
Tel: 01622
Mob: 07772
20%
discount*
/$1'6&$3(6
on production of this advert
* not to be used in
conjunction with any other
offers
3523(57<
6(59,&(6/WG
LANDSCAPING - Drives, Patios, Pathways, Brick/Stone Walls, Block/Stone Paving,
Tarmac, Decking, Fencing, Turfing, Ponds, Water Features, Garden Clearance,
Sheds/Summer & Play House Bases, Tree Surgery etc
BUILDING WORKS - Extensions, Porches, Conservatories, Garages, Groundworks,
Roofing, PVC Windows, Doors, Soffits, Fascias, Floor/Wall Tiling, Decorating etc
FULLY INSURED/WORK GUARANTEED, VERY PROFESSIONAL/FRIENDLY SERVICE
Top Quality Materials/Workmanship from design to completion - FREE ESTIMATES
Tel: 01622 851222 Mob: 07786 07 01 07
E: [email protected]
www.maidstonelandscapes.com
BRANCHING OUT
TREE SERVICE
LANDSCAPES
David Matthews
Fencing
Fully Insured
Fencing Treework
Turfing Decking
& Reliable Levelling Ground
Washing Service
260149 JetAstroturf
Patios
231419 Clearance Driveways
0$,'6721(
FREE ESTIMATES
No1 Locally Since 1996
L.W.LANDSCAPING
01622 616133
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
www.wrightsfencing.co.uk
Garden Services continued
LOOK: Please check our reviews and other
companies you may use at www.uktc.org
Established 1990 Director: M Potter
Call our sales team now -
( 01622 630 330 (
Handyman Services
Handyman HANDYMAN
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
07894 138224 01622 204491
Day
Evenings or to leave a message
Fully insured
No job too big or too small.
Painting & decorating,
all roofing works & repairs,
chimney’s, guttering & gutter
cleaning, pressure cleaning,
fencing & brickwork & diveways
07554 367087
0800 4748750
Free from landlines
Locksmith
Maidstone & Kent
T: 01622 755750 M: 07738 658751
3 Plains Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7AT
www.yourmaidstonelocksmith.co.uk
24 hour service locks opened
new locks fitted security checks
emergency work undertaken
Online
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Free - Private Ads
www.downsmail.co.uk
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Painting & Decorating
Plumbing & Heating continued
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.
• 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]
CALL MALCOLM
ON 01634 308067
Mob: 07788 142576
FOR A FREE QUOTATION
Rathbone Decorating Services
Painting & Decorating
Interior & Exterior
Works Undertaken
NO CALL OUT CHARGE & FREE QUOTES
For all your plumbing needs
PLUMBING
General Repairs • New Taps
• Toilet & Cistern Repairs
Bath & Shower Installation • Leaks & Fault Finding
Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266
Property Maintenance
TNC Property
& Landscapes
Driveways and Paving
Block paving refurbishment
(level sunken areas, clean & sand)
No job too small
with special rates
for pensioners
• Free Estimates • Friendly Personal Services
• Domestic and Commercial • Qualified Tradesman
Roofing Services
Lawn construction
Fencing new and repairs
Brickwork/patios re-pointed
Fully Insured
Call Tremayne
01622 758221
Find us on
07748004252
Specialists in Liquid
Membrane Roof Systems
We can overlay Existing Roof Surfaces
Up to 25 year Guarantee Available
For a free survey/quotation
Please call Joe on 07786
802959
Tel 01622 721491 or Mobile: 07753 487796
Security Systems
Pest Control
Double Glazing Repairs
& Locksmith Services
Let us remove unwanted pests
& vermin in a safe, humane way
rats, mice, birds, squirrels, ants,
wasps, cockroaches,
foxes,rabbits, fleas,
mites, hornets
c/o Alarn Firmin Ltd, Wares Farm, Redwall Lane, Linton,
Maidstone Kent ME17 4BB
T: 01622 470077 M: 07919 262797
E: [email protected] or [email protected]
• Locks repaired or replaced
Access
• Letterboxes
• Hinges & window handles
• Broken glass & misted units
• Lost key replaced & doors opened
• Patio doors, runners & rollers
• Doors that are difficult to close and lock
Denied
01622 611107 / 07967 625 447
Skip Hire
Plumbing & Heating
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
Benjamin Terry
218594
GAS, HEATING, PLUMBING & RENEWABLES
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
Malling July 2015
37
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Trailor Hire, Sales & Repairs
Skip Hire continued
st ry
Falive
e
D
P
C
o rom
D.T
lle
ct pt
SKIP HIRE
io
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
N
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
Trailer Hire-Sales-Repair
Kent Trailers
Indespension Agent
Livestock, Plant, Recovery,
Van, General Purpose
Trailers in stock
New & Used
Detling
01622 730063 07860 318166
[email protected]
Waste Collection
D. BODY LTD
Freephone
0800 028 49 00
Skip Hire
Save ££££ On Your Skip Hire
Domestic and Commercial
3,4,6,8,12, & 16yd Sizes
Screened soil
delivered by
the load, ideal
for turfing,
borders and
building up
ground.
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
NEW SITE
NOW OPEN
Detling
Aerodrome
Maidstone
your ur
lace
p
no
o
T
ent i ease
m
e
pl
rtis
adve d pages ted
e
fi
i
ica
class our ded
on
l
l
ca
team
d
e
ifi
30
class 2 6303
2
6
1
0
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 Services
Miranda
DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS
SPECIALIST REPAIRER FOR OVER 20 YEARS
ALL REPAIRS GUARANTEED
Misted / Broken Glass Units,
Door & Window Handles,
Locks & Hinges
Patio Door Wheels & Tracks
SPARE PARTS SHOP
• Permits arranged • Best Prices
We can do same day delivery
Units 15-16 Dickens Court
Enterprise Close, Medway City Estate
Kent ME2 4LY
Call us for a competitive quote
01634 717400
01622-200800 or
01634 201104
www.mdgrepairs.co.uk
Read all editions online at our new website www.downsmail.co.uk
38
Malling July 2015
Leisure
s
edium
hic M
Psyc
apists
r
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tic T
lls
Holis
il Sta
Reta
Free
Work
shop
Refre
s
shme
& mu
nts
ch, m
uch m
ore!
On the
Road
Spiritual & Holistic Fair
Aylesford Village Community Centre
Saturday 25th July 2015 12pm-5pm
Admission £1.50 under 16’s free
Recruitment
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Centre and Charity Shop in Maidstone
Job vacancies:
‡ Donation Centre Manager
(Full time)
‡ Assistant Donation Centre
Manager (Part time 4 days)
‡ Area Van Driver (Full time)
Apply online:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/jobs/
Closing date 2nd August 2015
Volunteers required to help us sell and take donations to
raise funds for dogs in our care. Please email to register your
interest: [email protected]
Opening mid to late summer 2015
Unit 3, Farleigh Hill Retail Park, Tovil, Maidstone
Public Notice
Licensing Act 2003
Notice of application for a Premises Licence
Notice is hereby given that India Marshall-Roads has applied to Tonbridge & Malling
Borough Council on July 10th 2015 for the grant of a premises licence to use the premises
Bottle Bazaar Ltd at Ground Floor West 1, Park House, Park Farm, Bradbourne Lane,
Ditton, Kent ME20 6SN for the sale by retail of alcohol.
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give
notice in writing of his/her representation by August 7th 2015 stating the grounds for
making said representation to: Licensing Services, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling,
Kent, ME19 4LZ.
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.
AUTOSPRAY
SOLUTIONS
For the ultimate paint finish!
MOBILE BODY REPAIRS
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SAVINGS UP TO 50%
COMPARED TO BODYSHOPS
Fully guaranteed to main dealer standard
Fully insured
15 years experience
Insurance work welcome
Call now for your free quotation on
01622 727263 / 07773 340049
or email
[email protected]
Follow
us on
Winner of
tradesperson of
the year 2013
Malling July 2015
39
On the
Road
£££££££££££££££££££££££££
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£ ALL CARS, VANS, TRUCKS & 4x4s, £
£
£
WITH
OR
WITHOUT
MOT
£
£
£ Any age or condition considered. £
£
£
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Cash paid on collection £
£
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Call
our
buyer
line
now!
£
£
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£
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£££££££££££££££££££££££££
WANTED FOR
your ur
lace
o
p
o
T
nt in ase
eme
s
le
i
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adve d pages ted
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a
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class our ded
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call
t
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ifi
30
class 2 6303
2
6
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£ CASH £
07802 807877
At
GMS
we only use genuine parts
Specialising in VW Audi SKODA SEAT
Mechanical Repairs & Maitenance
• Servicing • Tuning • Air Con • Pre-MOT • Accessories fitting
• Vehicle modifications • Electric diagnostic
Main dealer trained • Independently priced
Maidstone’s Best Kept Secret
Now come and find us
Unit 2 Gibralter Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2NG
Call: 07771 621 769
01622 686824
www.gmskent.co.uk
West Malling Garage Limited
Vehicle Air
Conditioning
Service
£20
£49
OFF MOT
*
When booking
made via email
inc Vat
* Not to be used in
conjunction with any
other offer.
Call us now to
book your car in
FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY within 10 miles
West Malling Garage have a fully qualified
team of technicians, who can service,
repair and MOT all makes of car.
[email protected]
www.westmallinggarage.co.uk
40
Malling July 2015
Fixed Price
Servicing
from
£95
01732 874350
High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QN
On the
Road
ACE
M.O.T. and Clutch Centre
Vehicle Maintenance, Service & M.O.T.
Open Mon – Fri 8:00 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 – 12:00
M.O.T. only Sun 9:00 – 12:00
SAPPHIRE CARS 01622 663000
Maidstones Local Taxi Service
www.sapphire-cars.com
• Cam belt kits supplied & fitted
• Broken belt damaged repaired
• All makes, petrol & diesel
For All Your Local Journeys
z Airports
z Ferryports
z Stations
z Available 24-7
z All Drivers are
CRB checked
736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG
z 6 Seater Vehicles
z 8 Seater Mini Buses
DRIVERS
z VIP Chauffeured
Mercedes
URGENTLY
z No Extra Charge
REQUIRED
After Midnight
Te l : 0 1 7 3 2 8 7 0 3 6 8
Luxurious, Executive Business Travel
Sapphire
Cars provides a
24-hour V.I.P. & Executive
luxury chauffeured car service for
corporate clients. We guarantee discretion,
reliability and professionalism providing an
impeccable standard of service to companies and
private individuals throughout Maidstone and Kent.
Experience first-class travel, allow us to greet you
at a location of your choosing and whisk you
away in style, comfort and total safety.
SAVE MONEY
ON PARTS FOR YOUR CAR
BATTERIES - BRAKES - SERVICE ITEMS
OIL - CLUTCHES TOOLS
5 wheeler street - headcorn - kent
All our taxi drivers have been vetted and , licensed by Maidstone Borough Council and have
passed a council test of their knowledge of the local and surrounding area. All our taxi drivers
are also issued with a unique ID number, so that we know who is driving our taxis at all times.
01622 891777
www.psautoparts.co.uk
Drive away a Golf for just £1 deposit,* plus 2 years
servicing included at no extra cost from the JCB Group.†
Representative Solutions Personal Contract Plan example
subject to 49 month, 5,000 mile per annum agreement for
a Golf Match 1.4 TSI 5-door.*
Duration
49 months
Optional final payment
Retail cash price
£20,955.00
Deposit contribution
£1,250.00
Option to purchase fee payable
with final payment
£60.00
Customer deposit
£1.00
48 monthly payments
Acceptance fee payable
with first payment
£297.69
£8,955.00
Total amount payable
£24,555.12
Amount of credit
£19,704.00
Excess mileage (per mile) 7.2p
£125.00
Rate of interest
5.89% fixed
Representative APR
6.2% APR
JCB Volkswagen (Medway) JCB Volkswagen (Ashford)
Bailey Drive, Gillingham Business Park.
Gillingham, ME8 0PZ. Telephone: 01634 648 710.
The Parade, Orbital Park, Ashford, TN24 0HT.
Telephone: 01233 215 619.
www.jcbmedway.volkswagen.co.uk
www.jcb.volkswagen.co.uk
*£1 deposit and †2 years servicing at no extra cost available to customers who purchase their car with Solutions Personal Contract Plan from Volkswagen Financial Services. When you buy
on Solutions Personal Contract Plan, at the end of the agreement there are three options: i) retain the vehicle: pay the optional final payment to own the vehicle; ii) return the vehicle; or
iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle, subject to status. Subject to agreed annual mileage. Available to 18’s and over. Offer available for vehicles ordered by September 30th, 2015. Further
charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Subject to availability. Terms and
conditions apply. Finance subject to status. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes
and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption in mpg (litres/100km) for the Golf range: urban 30.1 (9.4) – 72.4 (3.9); extra urban 47.9 (5.9) – 88.3 (3.2); combined 39.8
(7.1) – 83.1 (3.4). CO2 emissions 165 – 89g/km.
Malling July 2015
41
downsmail.co.uk
Parish Councils
Addington
Police maers Tools and equipment were
taken from a shed in Church Road, Oam.
A man was reported as acting suspiciously
in a farm shop in Church Road, Oam. A
person caused damage to a fence and wall
trying to gain access to a barn in Park Road,
Addington.
Defibrillator A member of the public had
reported that the cabinet of the defibrillator
at the Jet Garage was open. The keypad on
the door was faulty so the clerk had
removed the equipment. It was hoped it
would be repaired soon.
Parish plan A questionnaire was being
delivered to every household in the village
to gather information for the review of the
parish plan. These should be returned by
September 18.
Village hall The hot water boiler was
leaking which could cost £250 to repair. The
commiee was preparing an application for
funding to repair the worn-out flooring in
the toilets. Members agreed to write a leer
offering support from the council for the
application.
Posts A quote for £1,247.50 for replacing the
posts on Addington Green was accepted.
Residents would be given the date for the
works and asked for their help in protecting
the new posts.
Oak tree Members were pleased to hear that
the borough tree officer considered the oak
tree on Addington Green was in good
health. A survey would be carried out later
in the year to confirm the health of the tree.
The crown would also probably need
reducing for which permission from the
borough council would be required.
School Members were disappointed that
Weald Grammar School in Tonbridge had
changed the ranking of its catchment areas
to the detriment of residents in Addington.
Whereas Addington used to fall into area A,
it now fell into area B. Kings Hill had moved
from area B to A. This meant that potential
pupils from Addington could struggle to get
in. Oam Parish Council would support
any representation by the parish council,
particularly as local residents had not been
consulted. The clerk was asked to prepare a
leer in conjunction with Oam Parish
Council expressing disappointment with the
decision and outlining the implications for
children in the village.
refurbish the redundant tennis courts.
Preparation work and fencing had been
complete.
Birling
Laptop The clerk had bought a laptop and
Office software at a cost of £439. Utech
Solutions had set up the system but had not
yet invoiced for this work.
Transparency code The clerk had received
website training from EIS Kent and the
Ryarsh clerk. New information would be
added monthly when time allowed.
Debrillator There had been no report back
from the village hall so a decision could not
be made. The clerk was asked to find out
what the position was.
Insurance renewal The three-year contract
with Aviva was due for renewal. Came & Co
had looked at three quotes and
recommended Hiscox at £828, reducing to
£787 for three years. It was decided to accept
this quote.
Potholes The clerk had identified potholes
in Stangate Road which, together with
others identified by Kent Highways
Services, had been filled. A large area on the
Snodland Road had been marked out for
repair but the work had not yet been carried
out.
Road markings The markings in Ryarsh
Road had been repainted but not those in
Bull Road. It was noted that three foreign
HGVs had tried to pass through the village
and had needed the help of three residents.
The number of HGVs in the village had
reduced since the larger sign had been
erected.
Casual vacancy A vacancy had arisen due to
only six nominees for election and it was
agreed that Tonbridge and Malling be
contacted to start the co-option process.
Kings Hill
Broadband A response was awaited from
MP Tom Tugendhat. An online site was
available to register issues such as
connectivity. It was agreed not to add this
site to the parish council website.
Allotments Plots would be marked out as
agreed at the amenities commiee meeting.
Youth club It was agreed that Cllr Sarah
Barker would investigate the maer of
storage.
Street cleansing The issue of cleaning in
Anson Avenue had been raised and
investigations had taken place. A manual
sweep of the area was to be requested.
Cycle lanes It was agreed that the maer of
unenforceable cycle lanes would be referred
to the planning and transportation
commiee for investigation.
Community funding strategy It was
resolved that the council’s funding strategy
for 2015-19 would be to support new
initiatives that benefit a significant
proportion of the Kings Hill community.
Parking It was agreed that a survey
concerning residents’ views on parking in
Kings Hill would be referred to the planning
and transportation commiee meeting.
Leybourne
Scouts The various sections of 1st
Leybourne Scout group were carrying out
their annual voluntary lier pick. The
council expressed its appreciaton for this
community service by awarding the group a
grant of £150.
Hydrant Kent Fire and Rescue had repaired
a damaged fire hydrant at Lillieburn.
Fence A new metal fence was due to be
installed next to the Castle Way children’s
play area.
Co-option Marc Hogwood was co-opted to
fill a vacancy on the parish council.
East Peckham
Policing Sgt Ashley Boxall and PCSO Philip
Harrison were welcomed to the meeting.
Rose and Crown Tonbridge and Malling
Sgt Boxall cited crime figures indicating
Council had visited the site of the former
that, while residents of Leybourne do have
Rose and Crown public house and had
crime concerns, the level of crime was low
confirmed that they would consider the
issue of a notice requiring the land owner to compared with other areas of Kent. The
chairman said that one of the council’s areas
clear the car park and garden area, remove
of concern was the number of empty drugs
advertisements and reboard
packets found at recreational areas used by
windows/openings.
young people, mainly at the multi-use
Highways To improve sight lines, Kent
Highway Services had been asked to aend games area and the Bomb Hole, The clerk
was instructed to report every such find to
to the verge at Boyle Way (Bainbridges
the police on 101, but every time he did so
roundabout).
Aylesford
he felt he was wasting his time and was not
Covers Kent Highway Services would be
Chairman Cllr Roger Gledhill was elected
taken seriously. It was agreed that in future
asked to review village-wide the manhole
chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr covers as some were raised.
the clerk would email a report to the
Joyce Gadd as vice-chairman.
Community Support Unit (CSU) who
Hale Street A discussion took place on the
Vacancies There were currently eight
would collect the packets during one of his
chicane improvement works. Members
vacancies on the parish council. Four
regular visits to the council offices. The CSU
thought that the situation had improved.
applications for co-option had been received. Parking The PCSOs were aware of
would carry out tests and advise the council
Thanks The chairman thanked Nigel Tiller
on what, if any, drugs were detected.
complaints with vehicles parking on
for his many years service as a councillor
Public forum A member of the public
pavements which were a common problem
and particularly as chairman of
in the majority of villages they covered. The mentioned the danger posed by speeding
environmental services. His input and sense issues seem to stem from roads that were not vehicles along Rectory Lane South and the
of humour would be greatly missed by
apparent lack of interest by the local
designed for the number of vehicles now
members following his move from the area. trying to park on them. They had placed
authorities. KCC had painted SLOW signs
Skateboard park The project at Eccles
on the road but one was in the wrong place.
warning notices on several vehicles in East
recreation ground had been completed to a
Junction 4 Members agreed to seek a
Peckham and had also explained to the
good standard and was well received by
partnership with Snodland Town Council
complainants that they could not prevent
local residents. It was noted with pleasure
and Birling, Ryarsh and Larkfield parish
vehicles from parking with two wheels on
that a thank you card had been received
councils to campaign for issues arising from
the pavement if there was still room to get
from local children. The installation of a
M20 Junction 4 alterations.
through.
bench was being priced.
Buses Cllr Michael Mearns informed
Flytipping The borough council would be
Tennis courts An interim payment of
members that he was still trying to get the
asked to remove the items which had been
£20,000 to Kent Turf Care was agreed in
flytipped at Clubbs, Boyle Way and Hatches 151 service amended to include Oxley
Lane.
respect of work already carried out to
Shaw.
42
Malling July 2015
downsmail.co.uk
installed at the end of Roughes Road. The
parish council was to ask if this could be
extended to the rest of the village.
residents to view the proposals at the
Railway Tavern, Nelestead were received
Election Cllr Jon Regan was elected
late. A meeting had been arranged for
chairman for the forthcoming year. It was
councillors to meet with directors of
agreed to continue with the rota system for
Abbeyfield. Members of the public
the role of vice-chairman.
Snodland
expressed concerns over a number of issues
Co-option Stephen Reynolds was co-opted
including the size of the development,
School delay KCC Cllr Sarah Hohler
to fill the vacancy on the parish council.
parking and the general effect on the village.
advised that the Holborough School, which
Questions A resident asked if there was any
Hedge Permission had been received to
is due to be opened at the beginning of
response from KCC regarding Kent Street
reduce the height of the hedge at the
September, was running about four weeks
proposals. It was explained that the response
cemetery car park.
late and that while the building is
had indicated that the purchase of the
completed, temporary classrooms would be Warden’s report John Ibbs, village warden
additional land was not progressing so
reported that things had been relatively
used, together with the village hall.
nothing was happening. The resident had
quiet. He was happy for residents to call him
CAB Sarah was discussing the relocation of
spoken to Terry Drury that day who had
to discuss village-related problems. Any he
the CAB to ensure that the service is
confirmed that he was in negotiations with
maintained following Holmesdale College’s could not resolve would be passed on to the
Falmouth Estate regarding the land and
relevant authority.
decision to use the office for further
hoped that this would progress.
Site meetings These had been arranged for
educational facilities.
Police maers The crime report included
contractors to look at improving the track
Parkrun Cllr Dave Keeley expressed his
burglary other than a dwelling, burglary and concern that a proposed Parkrun, which it
that leads down to the pavilion at the
criminal damage. PCSO Toni Mahews said was hoped would start at Brooklands Lake,
playing fields, and to create hardstanding in
there had been reports of bogus callers prior will now start at Leybourne Country Park. It the overflow car park at Drayhorse
to the burglaries and asked residents to
Meadow.
was agreed that the town council would
report any information to the police. Cllr
Speed Watch The Speed Watch team had
write to the borough council expressing its
Jenny Thorogood said she had seen an
recorded 288 vehicles travelling over the
disappointment and asking that the
intruder on her property, who, when
speed limit in the village and 65 leers were
situation be reconsidered.
stopped, had said he was looking to buy a
Thanks The chairman thanked all those who sent out by police. Volunteers were still
car. Dogs were thought to be a good
needed to keep the team running.
were involved with the organisation of the
deterrent. Asked if the police patrolled the
Annual return The return for 2014/15 was
recent events in Snodland - the five-a-side
village, PCSO Mahews said that she and
agreed by the council.
tournament, the beer festival and the
PCSO Kim Hockey patrolled but there were carnival – and congratulated them for giving Defibrillator A request to site a defibrillator
few police patrols on the roads. She had
in the hall was discussed. It was felt that as
up their time to make sure that so many
asked for help in the vicinity of Mereworth
the hall was not open to the public and
people had enjoyable time. The carnival
Woods due to issues with motorbikes and
therefore locked much of the time, and a key
bucket collection would be donated to the
burnt-out vehicles.
holder would need to be contacted, it would
Dementia Cafe.
Churchwardens Two churchwardens had
Twinning The chairman advised that guests not be suitable to site the equipment in the
been appointed – Martin Wilgoss and
from Moyeuvre Grande in France would be hall. A suggestion was made to site it in the
Valerie Crafter.
reception of the Premier Inn.
visiting as part of the twinning scheme and
Allotments The line of trees alongside the
all councillors hoped to aend the civic
allotments towards the water tap was very
reception at the Devonshire Rooms
overgrown and damaging sheds and
West Peckham
guering. The clerk would obtain advice.
Thanks Harry Wooldridge had recently
Troiscliffe
stood down and was thanked for his many
Leaflets PCSO Laura Bullen had carried out years as a parish councillor for West
Oam
a leaflet drop in Troiscliffe to all residents,
Peckham. He had been a valuable member
No entry Concerns were raised about cars
following complaints received, asking that
of both the council and the community and
continuing to ignore the no entry signs at the vehicles be parked in a considerate manner. would be missed. Thanks also went to John
top of North Meadow and the risk of an
Footpaths Cllr Trevor Ledamun had
Taylor who undertook the internal audit at
accident. Members were to take
expressed the council’s concern over the sate the last minute and very kindly agreed to do
photographs to pass on to the police.
of the footpath in Church Lane, alongside
so with no associated cost.
Speed Watch Councillors were concerned at Bramble Park, and was waiting to hear if
Challenge hike Public liability insurance
the speed of traffic through the village. At
Kent Highway Services had sufficient
details for the Guiding event on September
least nine volunteers were needed to get
funding to carry out the work. The clerk had 26 had been received and would be kept on
Speed Watch started again. Anyone
asked for a contractor to cut footpath MR186 file.
interested should contact the clerk.
and the start of MR187 adjacent to
Police report PCSO Toni Mahews reported
The Pound The council was planning to
Whiakers.
that a section 159 notice had been issued to a
improve this area and there were plans to
Riders Cllr Jenny Dickson had seen horse
man who was involved in transporting
include some paving and plants such as
riders on footpaths and around the edges of motorcycles to the woods to be ridden. If
lavender to create a sensory and fragrant
the fields. It was confirmed that they should issued twice in one year, the police had the
area. This could be classed as a memorial
not ride there and be asked not to do so.
power to take the vehicles involved. Cllr
garden to mark VE Day and funded from
Speed The clerk would contact Kent
Conroy was working with the police
the sale of calendars and the parish quiz
Highway Services regarding the problem of alongside his neighbourhood watch role to
night. Anyone with any ideas was asked to
speeding traffic through the village,
help monitor and therefore hopefully reduce
contact the chairman, David Frankling, or
particularly alongside the duck pond where crime in the parish.
the clerk.
traffic mounted the pavement.
Roads The bend sign as you approach the
Solar pump It was agreed to install a solar
Gates The large gates into the play area
village had fallen down. This had been
pump to circulate water in the pond on
needed aention and the clerk was asked to reported. SLOW wording on the road was
Comp Lane.
arrange the repairs.
very faint in two places.
Notice board The council was funding a
Footpaths Concerns were raised over how
new notice board to be put up outside the
footpaths in the area were very overgrown
village hall.
Wateringbury
and in some cases almost impassable. Cllr
Spensley would contact KCC to clarify who
Greensted The chairman, who declared an
interest, referred to the proposal put forward exactly was responsible for progressing the
Ryarsh
maer when a landowner was not
by Abbeyfield Kent (a not-for-profit
maintaining/clearing them.
Road sign The sign for The Street was stolen organisation) for the redevelopment of
Tree Concern was expressed over the sorbus
from the junction of Roughes Road and
Greensted. The proposal is to close the care
The Street.
home, demolish the buildings and redevelop tree outside the church. This would be
monitored over the next few months.
Streetlights Any lights that were not
the site with a complex of 55 one and twoBench repair The cost of £83.20 for green
working should be reported to the parish
bedroom apartments. The extra care centre
council.
would cater for those aged over 55 who have oak for the bench near the kissing gate was
agreed.
Broadband Fibre optic cable had been
housing and health needs. Invitations to
Malling July 2015
Parish Councils
Mereworth
43
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