Bid to end `phoenix` firms tax loophole

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Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling
Bid to end ‘phoenix’
firms tax loophole
THOUSANDS of pounds of tax is being unpaid because of entrepreneurs
who claim their Maidstone-based businesses are bankrupt, only for their
assets to be transferred to a company with a different name.
The recipient is known as a
phoenix company and though the
practice is legal, Maidstone Council is lobbying for a change of law
after recently writing off £636,883
in unrecoverable business rates
from 18 failed businesses, accumulated during seven years.
Downs Mail can reveal that Mark
Wilson (52) and his brother Robert
(56), who both live in Bearsted,
have continued to run the Strawberry Moons nightclub in Gabriel’s
Hill despite it being associated with
failed companies under their authority that failed to pay more than
£48,000 to Maidstone Council and
owed £210,000 to the taxman.
Partner Club Limited, which
listed Robert Wilson as a director
and Mark as a secretary, was liquidated in March 2010 with debts of
£553,841, including £32,937 that remains unpaid to Maidstone Council and more than £80,000 to HM
Revenue and Customs. A month
earlier Wilson Fun Company Ltd,
for whom the brothers held the
same positions, was liquidated
with debts of more than £130,000 to
HM Revenue & Customs.
In May last year their company
1MK Ltd, which had the same address as the nightclub, owed the
council £15,403 when it was liquidated. The council’s policy and resources committee agreed to write
off the debt.
Mayor joins
fencing fun
THE Mayor of Tonbridge and
Malling, Cllr Owen Baldock,
enjoyed the swashbuckling fun of
fencing during the borough
council’s summer activity scheme.
A group of 16 youngsters spent
two hours learning the basic
techniques of the sport with
professional coach Kornel Kossuth
from Tongswood Fencing Club at
The Malling School in East Malling.
Under the watchful eye of their
coach, the children practised their
moves with the mayor, who also
tried out a few parries.
Cash query as
bypass agreed
The mayor and his band
Cllr Baldock said: “I’m amazed at
how quickly the children picked up
the art of fencing, which is
definitely not as easy as it looks.”
The Activate programme focuses
on a range of more unusual
activities including archery,
windsurfing, pottery, fishing, TV
presenting and cookery.
YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT
[email protected]
01622 690290
However, since October 2014
they have been directors of Club
Trading Ltd, which also has its address at 28-32 Gabriel’s Hill. The
following
month
Strawberry
Moons issued a health and safety
statement that confirmed the brothers were directors of the nightclub.
Rob Wilson said: “It is with deep
regret that these companies went
into liquidation due to the recession. It is also unfortunate that
Maidstone Borough Council has
had to write off £15,000 in rates.”
The Wilson brothers also
launched The Brenchley in the
High Street two years ago. Their
failed companies owed at
least £667 to Maidstone 14
23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent
MAIDSTONE Council is set to
press ahead with the Leeds-Langley bypass, but there is still no indication of how the scheme will be
funded.
The proposed road linking the
A274 south-east of Maidstone with
the A20 near M20 Junction 8 has
been an aspiration for more than 30
years. It has become even more important in recent years, with the
council's local plan target of 18,560
homes between 2011 and 2031 including about 4,000 homes along
the Sutton Road corridor.
Previously the link road idea had
caused divisions but the Maidstone
Joint Transportation Board, containing borough, county and parish
councillors, has recommended the
inclusion of the scheme in the Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS),
which will form part of the local
plan. But Cllr Paul Carter, who
lives in Langley and represents Maidstone Rural 16
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News
Fun on the river
ALMOST 100 boats lined along
the Medway for the informal
boat gathering, collated
by River Medway Boaters. 4
Cabbies’ safety tips
LOCAL taxi drivers are being
trained to help guard
10
against child abuse.
Involve replaces Vam
LOCAL charity Voluntary Action
Maidstone is to change
25
its name to Involve.
Hospital boost
THE local NHS Trust says
the treatment of strokes
is improving.
28
Obituaries
30-31
Comment
46-47
31
Parish Councils 40-41
SUGGESTIONS were to be made
to reduce flooding in East Peckham, where a new community
warden was to begin in autumn;
street lights were troubling locals
in Kings Hill; strawberries had
been stolen from fields in Mereworth and sold at boot fairs.
Crime Reports
41
ITEMS stolen included a mobility
scooter outside a community
centre in Ditton and red diesel
from a vehicle parked in roadworks in Aylesford. Two trees
were killed with weed killer in a
back garden in Kings Hill; catapults were used to damage a
window in East Malling.
Town Talk
KIND-HEARTED locals have
raised £30,000 to give four-yearold Jamie Maynard the chance
to walk. For more details see
Town Talk in the central pages
of this month’s Downs Mail.
The bi-monthly independent
magazine is dedicated to Snodland and Halling residents.
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Malling August 2015
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Uproar over bus route
T H E Arriva 71 bus service between Maidstone and Snodland
now operates through the new
Holborough Lakes estate in Snodland, cutting out Constitution Hill
– and has caused an uproar.
Previously, the route from St
Benedict Road took the bus down
Constitution Hill along Holborough Road into the estate – and
back again.
A road, built specifically for
buses, opened on August 2. The
bus route now goes from St Benedict Road, along Cemetery Road,
Manley Boulevard on the estate,
along Snodland Bypass, Holborough Road, left into the High
Street, Queens Avenue, back along
Holborough Road and through the
estate to St Benedict Road.
Arriva has increased the number
of services, including late at night,
and has now provided a Sunday
service.
Brian Holman, of Constitution
Hill, said local people did not know
about the change as there was no
consultation. There were large lorries in the High Street delivering to
the two Co-op stores and drivers of
buses would have real problems
getting past them, he said.
“It will be a difficult walk for
people who have been to Tesco’s to
carry their shopping to their
homes,” he added. “We have got to
make a noise about this to let Ar-
The new route for the Arriva 71 bus service is a “mistake” say local residents
Advertisement feature
riva know they have made a mistake. We will all suffer.”
Iris Relf, also of Constitution Hill,
said there were many old people
living in her road, Tomlin Close
and Bingley Close. They would not
be able to walk as far as St Benedict
Road. She added: “I rang Arriva
and said it had to be a man who
planned this route. A woman
would have seen how illogical it
was.”
Snodland Town Council members were due to meet representatives of Arriva as the Downs Mail
went to press.
Chairman Peter Misy described
the new route as “terrible” and
buses going down the High Street
was “even worse”. He thought the
road through Holborough Lakes
was one-way.
“They used to go down the High
Street many years ago and they had
to stop because of the lorries delivering,“ he said. “Someone at Arriva
who doesn’t know the town has decided to change it back to how it
was.
“What can we do about it? It is
not going to work because the
buses will not be able to get down
the High Street. How can we get
Arriva to see this?”
Line of five
MARGARET Kitney has become a
great-great-grandmother and is
the matriarch of five generations
of females.
The 93-year-old is pictured holding Lilia Olde with, from left, Lilia’s
mother Gabrielle King (19), Tara
Tomkins (43) and Annette King (62).
Margaret married George Cable,
for many years a member of East
Malling and Larkfield Parish Council and the old Malling Rural District Council (now Tonbridge and
Malling Council) and lived in
Brooklands Road, Larkfield.
George died in 1975, aged 55,
and in 1983 she married Keith Kitney, who died two years later. She
lived at St Peter’s Court, Ditton for
20 years and moved to Rectory
Close, Snodland four years ago.
downsmail.co.uk
Malling August 2015
3
News
downsmail.co.uk
Boat gathering lights up river
THE prospect of poor weather
failed to deter boat owners sailing
into Maidstone for the new “gathering of boats”.
Almost 100 boats berthed in the
town for the informal gathering, organised by River Medway Boaters,
which last year replaced the Maidstone River Festival.
The gathering was a great social
event, according to spokesman
Mark Smurthwaite, who said it was
now a fixture which would continue in its present form for “many
years to come”.
There had been attempts to revive the old-style festival this year
but Mr Smurthwaite said: “The
boaters do not want a fun fair,
stalls, bands and all the grief that
goes along with being part of an organised festival.
“From speaking with the boating
community, the general consensus
was that we do not want an official
event – we are quite happy to carry
on with our own gathering as we
have done for 37 years.”
Mr Smurthwaite said 90% of the
boaters were happy with the gathering as it was – although he criticised Maidstone Council for its
apparent lack of interest in the river
as a tourist attraction.
This year’s gathering coincided
with the Ramblin’ Man Fair, which
the council claimed would boost
the town’s economy by £700,000
and bring up to 20,000 visitors to
the town.
But Mr Smurthwaite said: “Yes,
lots of people travelled to and from
Mote Park but very few stopped in
Maidstone or spent any money in
the town.”
In contrast, one boat owner alone
– moored alongside Mr Smurthwaite and who visits every year –
spent more than £500 during the
five days he was berthed on the
Medway.
Mr Smurthwaite said: “It is such
a shame that the council cannot see
the benefit in promoting the river
as a positive attribute to the county
town, despite using a picture of it
on much of their literature.”
Prior to the gathering, police is-
sued a warning to visitors to stay
safe and behave responsibly on the
water.
However, one speedboater – unconnected with the gathering – was
spoken to by police after driving
dangerously close to young children bobbing about in dinghies,
and causing a swell which knocked
other boat owners off their feet.
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Malling August 2015
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News
Flats plan unveiled
A PLAN to demolish a 38-bed care
home at Larkfield and redevelop
the site with a three-storey block
of apartments has been unveiled
by the Abbeyfield Kent Society
(AKS).
If approved, the charity will demolish the two-storey 1965-built St
Martin’s in Martin Square, and
build 74 extra-care units, with 54
set on affordable rent.
Twenty of the 54 units will be
earmarked for ex-service personnel
aged over 55 and in need of extra
care housing. The remaining 20
will be sold as Older Person’s
Share Ownership (OPSO) units.
There will be 52 one-bedroom
units and 22 will have two bedrooms.
Communal facilities will include
a lounge/café and sun lounge,
buggy store, activity and training
rooms, therapy and hair salon, assisted bathrooms and two separate
landscaped gardens. There will be
35 parking bays and eight spaces
for cycle storage.
AKS expects the scheme to generate 30 new jobs. Staff at the existing home will be offered
alternative employment at the society’s other sites.
AKS said in its application to
Tonbridge and Malling Council
that it was “working with the current residents and their families
and KCC to support them to find
suitable re-housing and allowing
them the time to do so”.
The charity said the home was
no longer financially viable due to
cutbacks in KCC funding. Also,
there was now a demand for
homes where people could lead an
independent life with support such
as carers coming to visit them to
provide for specific needs.
East Malling and Larkfield
Parish Council chairman David
Thornewell said local people were
concerned about the existing residents and the effect on them of
being moved elsewhere, but this
was not a relevant planning issue.
The scope for any objection
could only be on planning grounds
such as the building’s appearance
and parking provision.
He added: “There is a worry of
contractors, for example parking in
Martin Square car park, which at
peak times is already full up, and
also that any disturbance from the
demolition and rebuilding work is
kept to a minimum.
“The parish council will be seeking assurances on these issues.”
Bull poised for Co-op start
WORK is due to start on converting the former Bull public house
into a Co-op store after planning permission was granted by Tonbridge and Malling Council.
The Co-Operative Group took a 20-year lease on the pub at the
Holborough Road and High Street junction last September. Permission has now been given for an ATM cash machine at the front of the
building.
A single-storey extension will be built at the side of the property,
there will be a new plant and servicing enclosure and trees will be removed. Part of the wall in Holborough Road at the bus stop will be
demolished to provide a new access to the site.
The new shop will replace the Co-op at 46-48 High Street, which
includes the post office. The store at 11 High Street will not be affected.
Pub conversion
Pathfinders walk
W O R K was due to get underway
on converting the former Red Lion
public house at 96 High Street,
Snodland into eight flats.
A letter from the developer, ACS
Ltd of Crowhurst Road, Surrey to
local residents said: “The works
will be carried out in reasonable
working hours.“
There will be three flats on the
ground and first floor and two on
the second. The existing property
will be refurbished and extensions
will be added to the rear and side.
M E M B E R S of Pathfinders, a
church-based group for 10- to 14year-olds, walked from St Benedict’s Church, Paddlesworth to
All Saints in Snodland to learn
about pilgrimage.
All Saints was a strategic point
on the route from Winchester to
Canterbury, being close to where
pilgrims crossed the Medway.
The Rev Mandy Young, curate
at Snodland, said the walk finished with an outdoor service at
All Saints.
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5
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downsmail.co.uk
Plan ahead to avoid long delays
DRIVERS have been warned to
allow more time for their journeys
through Ditton during work to replace a water main.
The work by South East Water to
install a new 7km pipeline is one of
the most complex projects the company has undertaken.
The old water main, buried beneath Burham marshes, has burst
nine times over the past four years
and has proved difficult to repair.
The £8.1m blue pipeline has already been woven through Leybourne Lakes Country Park and
New Hythe Business Park.
The 80-metre section in Ditton is
being laid in Station Road between
the junctions of Priory Grove and
the A20 London Road.
Chris Love, delivery manager at
South East Water, said: “The new
pipe will link into the water main
we laid within London Road during 2013.
“We were already planning for
this project back then and at the
time installed a special section of
pipe at the Station Road/A20 junction which we’ll connect this new
pipe into.
“The safety of the public and our
staff is our top priority and due to
the size of the pipe we’re installing
we need to close Station Road at the
London Road junction to motorists
wanting to travel onto London
Road until September 1.
“Motorists travelling into Station
Road from London Road will still
be able to do so as normal.”
During the lane closure Cobdown Sports and Social Club,
Aylesford railway station and
nearby businesses will be open as
usual and a diversion will operate
for traffic travelling from Station
Road onto London Road.
Speed limit
A R E D U C E D speed limit is
in operation on the A20 London Road between Coldharbour roundabout and Beaver
Road.
The 30mph limit will enable
work by Southern Gas Networks, which could continue
until August 31. The work was
due to start on August 10, lasting for up to 21 days.
Swimmer Nick inspires Holmesdale pupils
THE first person to swim the English Channel in
2014 was guest speaker at Holmesdale Technology College’s awards evening.
Nick Alford, from Ditton, was part of a relay
team that swam the channel in 2010. A year later
he planned, and led, a further cross-channel team,
which gave him the ambition for a solo swim.
He showed students and staff of the Snodland
school a video of the swim as he gave an inspirational, motivational and humorous speech.
Together with Tonbridge & Malling deputy
mayor, Mark Rhodes, Nick handed out certificates
and medals to the winning pupils.
This year’s winners were Dion Lovett for overall
effort and Brooklyn Damerum for overall attainment, while the Ian Hobson award was won by
Chelsea Vaughan.
School principal Julia Campbell praised students’ achievements and told the audience that
Holmesdale would be going ahead as a satellite
for Five Acre Wood Special School in Maidstone in
January. The Wolfe Centre will cater for 70 students with moderate to severe learning difficulties. The part of the main building previously used
by Grange Park School would be available for the
college’s use.
“These changes have also finally facilitated the
formalising of our own autism provision, also in
the Wolfe Centre,“ said Mrs Campbell. “This will be
for students with an educational health care plan
and may also support some students in main- Dion Lovett receives her award from Nick Alford
stream school with autism.”
and deputy mayor Mark Rhodes
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News
downsmail.co.uk
Garage plan
‘too large’
A PROPOSED triple-bay garage
and home gym would tower
over historic cottages within the
conservation area at Addington
Green, it is claimed.
An application for the detached L-shape building, in the
garden of Shelmerdene – a
property on the green – was
submitted to Tonbridge and
Malling Council. The building
would also include a tractor
mower and garden store and
home office.
But neighbours have raised a
number of issues, complaining
about the “unacceptably high
density and overdevelopment
of the site” and saying the design would dwarf adjacent historic cottages which have a
lower elevation.
There was also concern that
“the gym is of such a size that it
could be used for commercial
operations which could increase the noise and intrusion
for extensive periods of the
day.”
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
Access threat helps to
scupper homes scheme
THE owner of a dance and events
venue in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone said she was prepared to refuse developer access had a scheme
for five homes been approved.
Margaret Preedy (pictured) lives
at No 33, from where she has run her
dance studios for 15
years. She strongly
objected to a proposal to develop on
the former Budget
Rent-a-Car
site
nearby, and told
Maidstone Council's
planning committee, before its decision to refuse the
scheme: “The only access to this proposed site is across private land,
owned by me. There is no independent access.
“I have the right to move this access at any time with two months’
notice, which I could be forced to do
to protect my business, thus making
these plans non-viable.
“I run classes six days and
evenings a week for adults and children as young as four years old. I
run school holiday clubs with children on the premises all day. I have
The premises in Tonbridge Road
party and wedding bookings in for
every weekend this year, and into future years.
“It would be wrong to accept that
any of these events could be watched
by overlooking residents. This past
week, in excess of 1,400 people came
through my front door. Over a year
there could be 100,000 visitors.
“The front windows of the proposed development will be less than
2m from my busy car park with my
guests leaving late in the weekday
evenings and past midnight at the
weekends.
“I will not be prepared to accept
any complaints that may arise from
this and will insist on no windows
facing my premises and full sound
insulation used in the build.”
Mr Atkins, representing the applicant, said the site had been marketed
for business use for two years, but
had no takers.
However, Cllr Stephen Paine, a
member of the committee, said: “I
think I have supported every brownfield regeneration scheme since I became a councillor [in 2008].
“But for this one I really do have
concerns. The layout is very dense
and there is a lot of overlooking. It
has happened before, when we have
had housing next to a business, the
residents start a campaign. Before
you know it, a successful business
will have an enforcement notice,
which is the last thing we will want.”
Cllr Brian Clark, also on the committee, said: “It is ironic that a Renta-Car site caused less harm than
housing but we are shoehorning in
large family homes. I can see some
great problems if this goes ahead.”
The committee voted to refuse due
to the proposal's cramped design
and its lack of amenity area.
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Malling August 2015
9
News
downsmail.co.uk
Cabbies train to spot
signs of child abuse
David is Lions’
new president
DAVID Priestley has been chosen
as the new president of Maidstone
Lions Club. A retired building society manager, he has been president of Maidstone Club three
times before.
David, who lives in Loose Road
with his wife Sandra, was involved
with Loose Swiss Scouts for more
than 30 years, many of them as
chairman.
He is pictured with Lion Marion
Brooks, the club’s outgoing president. During her two years as president the club donated more than
£44,000 to charitable causes,
mainly in the Maidstone area.
Maidstone Lions Club belongs to
the largest service organisation in
the world, with more than 1.3 million members. For more details call
David on 01622 745023.
TAXI drivers in Tonbridge and
Malling are taking part in a pioneering training scheme to help
guard against child abuse.
Almost 600 drivers will be taught
to spot the signs of potential exploitation following national scandals involving thousands of
children.
An inaugural batch of drivers
has attended the pilot training session at the council offices at Kings
Hill. The workshops are being
made compulsory in the borough
and are the first to be held in Kent.
Drivers are being asked to be on
the alert for any regular patterns in
journeys and whether they are
being booked to take the same
adults or young people to the same
address.
Training, which is part of the
council’s Safeguarding Children
Abused Through Sexual Exploitation initiative, consists of two sessions for managers, supervisors
and drivers and will be rolled out
to 583 hackney carriage and pri-
The first batch of taxi drivers who have been trained to spot signs of abuse
vate hire drivers licensed in the
borough.
Tonbridge and Malling Council
said it felt moved to act because it
was a common trend across England that abusers were using private hire vehicles.
It comes in the wake of scandals
such as that at Rotherham where
an independent inquiry into sex
abuse found that child victims
were moved around in private hire
vehicles.
Cllr Brian Luker, cabinet member for community safety, said:
“With the recent high-profile cases
in the press we are making this
training mandatory for all new applicants and taxi drivers who are
currently licensed with Tonbridge
and Malling Council.
“This will ensure that operators,
managers and drivers are aware of
the signs to look out for and who
to contact if they have any concerns.”
For the latest local news go to www.downsmail.co.uk
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Malling August 2015
11
News
downsmail.co.uk
Op fails to restore spaniel’s sight
HOPES that a blind abandoned
dog might recover part of her sight
were dashed when surgery proved
ineffective.
Delphine the springer spaniel
touched the hearts of hundreds of
people after she was found terrified
and sick and tied to a pallet of bricks
in Hayle Place, Maidstone in May.
Her ears were infected and she had
thick cataracts in both eye.
She was nursed by staff at the
RSPCA centre in Leybourne who
launched an appeal for £2,500 in the
hope that an operation could help
her to see again.
Describing her as a “lovely, gentle
character”, centre manager Christine
Dooley said: “The last familiar
sound she would have heard was
her owner’s footsteps walking away,
then she was plunged into an unknown world of noises and smells –
the RSPCA inspector that rescued
her, the van as she was driven to
Leybourne Animal Centre, then the
overwhelming sound of dozens of
dogs barking in the kennels.”
Delphine, who is aged about six,
progressed under the care of the centre staff, going for short walks along
the same route to get used to her surroundings. It was hoped that if she
could see again, it would make her
transition to a new home much easier. Donations poured in and £3,654
was soon raised. Delphine was taken
to the Animal Health Trust at New-
WI meeting
Mobile classes at new school
Orchard walk
AYLESFORD and Eccles WI will
hold its meeting on Wednesday, August 26 at the Brassey Centre, Aylesford, when there will be a talk by
Jackie Gillard on Blended Therapies.
There will be a raffle, teas and time
for a chat as well as a chance to find
out about activities and outings.
The competition will be any item
starting with the letter O and the
reycling stall will contain scarves
and gloves. For more details, contact Eileen on 01622 715205 or go to
the group’s Facebook page.
THE first pupils at a new primary school at Leybourne Chase will start
the new term in temporary classrooms.
Construction of the one-form entry school to serve about 700 new
homes at Leybourne Grange is not expected to be completed until October. Meanwhile, KCC plans to place three mobile units on a fencedoff area which will eventually be the school playground.
The mobiles will provide three classrooms, with office and admin
accomodation for the 12 staff and there will be a small playground.
KCC has submitted an application to Tonbridge and Malling Council for temporary planning permission for six months. However, it anticipates the buildings will be used for a maximum of two terms.
Along with two other schools due to open in September at Kings Hill
and Snodland, the school will be run by Valley Invicta Academies
Trust.
JOIN a walk through the apple orchards on Sunday, August 30 and
help Malling District Lions Club
raise funds for Prostrate Cancer research and support.
There will be routes for everyone
and dogs are welcome. Registration
is from 9am-11am at East Malling
Research, ME19 6BJ. For details go
to 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.
market for surgery and initial tests,
completed free of charge, indicated
that she was suitable for surgery. By
removing the cataract in one eye,
there was a chance that she might regain some of her sight but there was
no guarantee of success.
Christine said: “Delphine underwent surgery and has recovered
well. Very sadly, her sight could not
be restored. She does have a very
slow reaction to light but that is all.
We would like to thank everyone for
their generosity. She will find a special new home soon.”
Any surplus funds raised will go
to help other animals at the centre.
Delphine is pictured with RSPCA
worker Simon McArdie.
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13
News
downsmail.co.uk
£100k debt wrien off
MAIDSTONE Council has written off more than £100,000 in unpaid business rates associated with the recently closed Wonderland nightclub.
Stephen Charles Thomas (62),
who is registered at a Milton
Keynes address, was a director of
two separate companies based at
Lockmeadow that have gone bust.
He was the sole director of NSG
(Maidstone) Ltd, which went into
liquidation in January this year
owing Maidstone Council £56,705
in business rates.
Mr Thomas was also one of two
directors of TMH (XL) Limited,
which went into administration in
July last year, owing the council
£59,318.
The council’s policy and resources committee agreed to write
off the £116,000 debt.
Going back to the 1990s, not long
after the Lockmeadow complex
was built, the premises has seen a
variety of clubs – including Jumpin
Jaks, Liquid and Envy and Ikon –
come and go.
For the past three years, its reincarnation as Wonderland had
young clubbers flocking to the west
side of the Medway. However,
Maidstone Council has approved
an application to turn part of the
club into a trampolining centre, to
be run by Gravity Fitness Ltd.
Wonderland closed its doors this
summer for the final time with a
foam party for under 18s.
WHEN a company goes bankrupt,
a second company can start up
overnight with the same directors –
but without any obligation to pay
for the failed company’s losses.
This is because they appear to be
different entities. The new firm is
known as a phoenix company.
Fraud happens when directors
abuse the phoenix company
arrangement by transferring the assets of the failing company below
their market value before insolvency, which reduces the funds
available to creditors.
There is no suggestion of any illegality in any of the companies we
have featured in our investigation.
‘Phoenix’ tax loophole
Continued from page one
Town Centre Management, who
still promoted the opening of the
pub in its newsletter in summer
2013.
The council is calling for the
Local Government Association to
change the law on the ease in
which debts can be written off and
phoenix companies created.
The leader of the council Cllr
Fran Wilson (no relation to Mark
and Robert) would not comment
on individual cases but said: “If a
company known to us closes and
reopens under a different name
there is absolutely nothing Maidstone Council can do about it, other
than collect business rates in the
normal way.
“A lot of people think this is not
right but until the Government decides to legislate against it there is
little we can
do.
“I am satisfied that the
borough has
in place robust
procedures in
relation to collecting business rates.”
Of the business rates that
Maidstone
Council sucMark Wilson
cessfully collects, it gets to keep 40%, with 10%
given to KCC and the remainder to
the Government.
Although more than 97.6% of
Maidstone businesses pay their
rates on time, the council is currently owed more than £1.5m in
unpaid rates.
Wonderland nightclub in Maidstone’s Lockmeadow complex could
become a centre for trampolining
OTHER failed companies whose
unpaid business rates were recently written off by Maidstone
Council:
Farmshop Restaurant Ltd, operating as Turning Tables, 62-63a
High Street (£57,609).
Virgo (London), Ltd, 365/366
Dukes Walk, The Mall (£56,705).
Saffron (London) Ltd, 68 Week
Street (£53,279).
Super-Fly Clothing Ltd, 23
Fremlin Walk (£40,761).
Invent Events Ltd, 34c Gabriel’s
Hill (£30,883).
Infinite Leisure Hospitality Ltd,
15-17 King Street (£18,936).
Wimpy Maidstone Ltd, 5
Gabriel’s Hill (£16,915).
STC Fashions Ltd, 51 Week
Street (£12,720).
Footchain Ltd, 17 The Mall
(£419 – previous debts already
written off).
Ailing pub
kept alive
A MARRIED couple have been able
to keep hold of The White Horse
pub in London Road, Maidstone
after being forced to put their
struggling company into liquidation.
Palmers Pub Company Limited,
owned by Lee Palmer (58) and his
wife Sandra (56), went into liquidation in November 2014, leaving a
£34,000 debt in business rates that
Maidstone Council has written off.
Due to difficulties in meeting
running costs of The White Horse,
which the Allington couple have
run since 2009, they lost their home
but remain the pub’s landlords
after a family member took it over
under a new company name.
Lee said: “It is unfortunate that,
despite all the hard work and effort
we have put into this business, we
were advised to go into liquidation
due to ever increasing outgoings
that we could not keep up with.
The biggest losses were ours, over
£100,000, forcing the sale of our
home, which has now all gone. We
did not let any local suppliers go
unpaid at any stage.
“Thankfully, a family member
was able to buy what was left and
allowed us to continue to stay at
the pub. We put our heart and soul
into what we do here to offer a decent and safe environment for people to relax and enjoy themselves.
“We are great supporters of local
music and of local charities. We
have helped to raise over £3,000
this year alone for various causes.
We will continue to provide a service to our community for as long as
we can.”
Beer festival
CAMRA’s East Malling Beer and
Cider Festival will be held on Saturday, September 5 in the grounds
of East Malling Research.
It runs from 11am to 7pm and is
staffed by members of the Maidstone and Mid-Kent branch of
Camra. There will be more than 75
real ales and 25 ciders and perries.
Admission is £4, or £2 for cardcarrying Camra members.
Inquest adjourned into fatal crash of festival friends
TWO best friends from East Peckham were tragically killed travelling home from a music festival.
Mark Smith (33) was a passenger
in a car being driven by Alex Green
(29). They were travelling home
from the Barefoot Festival in
Loughborough when the car left
the M40 in Oxfordshire and hit a
road sign. Both were pronounced
dead at the scene.
Music-lover Mark, who went to
Mascalls School in Paddock Wood,
trained to be a sound engineer at
Nottingham Trent University. He
14
Malling August 2015
Mark Smith
Alex Green
had a recording studio in his parents' garden, where he helped
friends record and produce music.
He spent his spare time volunteer-
ing at music festivals and enjoyed
camping in the woods.
His family plan to purchase a
piece of woodland in his memory.
Mark worked part-time at the
Co-op in Pound Road, East Peckham, which started the ball rolling
with a collection, yielding £500 in
four days. An online giving site has
seen more money pouring in towards the £5,000 target.
Mark was the youngest of three
children and a spokesman for the
family said: “The woods will be
open to everyone that knew Mark
and all will be welcome to join us
for a night under the stars on
Mark’s birthday each year.”
Teaching assistant Alex Green
had moved to Stratford-upon-Avon
from East Peckham, but was due to
move back to Kent this month with
his wife Jessica, who he married in
2012, after obtaining a job in Westerham.
An inquest into the deaths was
opened and adjourned at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on August 4
and is due to resume on January 14
next year.
downsmail.co.uk
News
Fast food plan
for retail park
FAST food giants Subway and
KFC could be moving in to South
Aylesford Retail Park if a plan to
extend the shopping centre by
building two units are approved.
The catering “pods” would be located at the main entrance to the
Quarry Wood site on part of the car
park next to the Pets at Home store.
The Crown Estate, owner of the
centre, is seeking approval from
Tonbridge and Malling Council for
the development, which it says
would provide a high quality landmark on a prominent corner of the
site. The two national food retailers
were expected to create a total of 30
jobs at the new outlets.
Subway planned to open a sandwich shop with an eat-in area and
KFC would be a larger unit with a
restaurant with takeaway facilities.
Both would have mezzanine floors.
External seating and a reconfigured
car park with the loss of 14 spaces
from the park’s total of 551, were
also included in the scheme.
Housed in an “elegant and distinctive” building covering 393sqm,
the new venues would enhance the
range and choice of catering facilities in the area, said the Crown Estate.
However, parish councillors had
no appetite for the scheme.
Registering a strong objection,
Aylesford Parish Council said it was
“over-development of the site with
the loss of car parking spaces”,
adding: “The site is already working
to full capacity.”
Costa Coffee recently moved into
the retail park last year and an M&S
food hall and coffee shop opened
this summer. A McDonald’s drivein is also set to open on a nearby site
close to the corner of Hermitage
Lane and London Road after receiving planning approval.
Crown Estate said the new catering units “will enhance the facilities
for customers and staff of the retail
park, Sainsbury’s and the wider
Quarry Wood area.”
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Pupils’ allotment vandalised
PUPILS at Kings Hill primary school were left heartbroken after
vandals wrecked the allotment they had been carefully tending
since spring.
The Crispin Way school’s vegetable patch had been looking its
best when it was inspected by the judges of the area’s South East
in Bloom entry. But two days later, staff arrived to find it had been
trashed during the weekend with polytunnels torn and produce
trampled and destroyed.
Each class was allocated one of 14 raised beds under polytunnels, where the children planted and nurtured lettuces, courgettes,
tomatoes and other vegetables. The produce is used in the school’s
kitchen and also sold to help fund the project which is linked to
the curriculum.
Emma Gilman, who runs the outdoor sessions, said it was upsetting for the children that all their hard work had been destroyed,
especially as they were close to harvesting the things they had
grown. She added that it would have taken some effort to break in
as the grounds are surrounded by an 8ft fence.
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Garden produce goes on show
PROUD gardeners will be displaying their prize-winning produce at
Larkfield and East Malling
Methodist Church Hall on Saturday, September 5.
Exhibits in the annual Larkfield
flower, vegetable, fruit and produce show will be staged from
10.30am to 12.15pm with free pub-
lic viewing from 2pm to 3.15pm
and prize-giving at 3.15pm.
Classes include vegetables, fruit,
flowers, floral arrangements,
cakes, jam, photography and children’s sections.
For more details and a show
schedule, contact 01634 245767 or
[email protected].
www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk
Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF 01622 753073
Malling August 2015
15
News
downsmail.co.uk
£50m bypass scheme agreed
Continued from page one
North, has re-emphasised the financial obstacles the project faces. The
KCC leader says there would only
be a total of £10m funding available
for a scheme that would cost more
than £50m.
At the end of a two-hour debate in
which it was agreed to press ahead
with the idea, Cllr Carter said: “We
can't promise a transport plan that
can't be delivered and gives developers an opportunity to build more
homes.
“Don't make decisions based on
total uncertainty. We need to find
out how much the true cost is.”
However, chairman of the board
Cllr David Burton said: “We make a
list of desires and then find out how
they might be achieved.”
The board agreed to back an ITS
that includes the Leeds-Langley bypass, increased bus frequencies of
up to every 10 minutes and a 50%
rise in long-stay town centre parking charges.
The proposal for a park and ride
service in Linton was removed. The
chosen strategy (DS3) could see an
increase of 7% in vehicle travel
times from 2014 to 2031, which compared favourably to 30% in the DS1
option. The latter included a range
of small-scale junction improve-
ments and the development of the
bypass.
The sustainable package (DS2),
which included improved bus frequencies, Linton park and ride, enhanced walking and cycling
facilities and increased parking
charges, would have seen a rise of
just 3%, according to consultant
Amey, who was commissioned by
Maidstone Council and KCC to undertake the study. However, councillors were sceptical about this
finding.
Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, leader
of the Conservative group on Maid-
THE Rev Mark Montgomery has
been appointed as the new priest to
look after St Gabriel’s Church at
Kings Hill.
He will live at Kings Hill and become an associate priest in the
clergy team covering the two
benefices of West Malling with
Offham, run by the Rev David Green,
and Mereworth with West Peckham,
run by the Rev Pat Dickin.
still to be finalised but is expected to
The date on which he will be for- be in the early autumn.
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Ordained in 2010 and currently a
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Malling August 2015
tion over bus services.”
The other option, do minimum
(DM), included little more than the
already-planned town centre bridge
gyratory scheme and would have
seen a rise of 38% in travel times.
Cllr Gary Cooke, KCC member
for Maidstone South East, said: “All
things have to be funded and we
need to work on that, but it is important there is provision for a relief
road for the residents who live here
and those who will move here.”
The board's recommendation will
go in the draft local plan document
that will go out for consultation.
New vicar keen to be returning to Kent
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stone Council, said: “The assumption has been made that 8% of people will have a modal shift and not
drive, which is a possibility in urban
areas but not in rural areas.
“People will not cycle from Headcorn to Maidstone every single day;
not from Staplehurst or Marden. It
is not practical or real.
“We currently subsidise park and
ride by £500,000 a year. What subsidy would we have to provide to
prop this one up? It is not sustainable financially and there is not the
political will for park and ride. We
should look for greater collabora-
youth officer for the Diocese of
Chester, he has been working for the
last 18 months in Tranmere, assisting in reaching out to families and
young people. He had previously
worked as a youth minister and volunteer for 18 years.
Mark and his wife, Kirsty, who
have a daughter Isabella, moved
from Kent to the North-West 12
years ago, and said they were really
excited to be returning to the
county.
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Bush road, East Peckham,
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www.peckhambush.com
News
downsmail.co.uk
Festival rocks county town
THE biggest rock music event in Maidstone’s history drew a massive and international crowd of
about 20,000 to Mote Park on the last weekend of July.
The Ramblin’ Man Fair was organised by Classic Rock magazine
and offered three stages on both
days, with onsite camping, park and
ride buses and car parking.
The bill was rich in American and
European acts, with several exclusive attractions including German
heavy rock titans The Scorpions
making their only UK festival appearance this year and acts such as
Polish prog rockers Riverside.
The Downs Mail was on site on
both days, speaking to fans from all
over Europe, and even as far away
as San Francisco. The range of acts
was breathtaking, with many producing stunning performances.
Inside the arena the atmosphere
was celebratory, the warm Saturday
weather making for a party feel and
the rain for the first half of Sunday’s
schedule forcing the early performers to push the limits as they tried to
warm up the crowd. Icelandic heavy
rockers Solstafir joked that the
weather made them feel at home.
Sunday ended with a main stage
performance from American rock
legend Gregg Allman, whose former
band The Allman Brothers had a
huge hit with Ramblin’ Man.
The fair offered more tickets than
Maidstone’s previous biggest rock
concert, Radio One’s Big Weekend in
2008. There was a bonus for businesses, with hotels, bars and restaurants reporting increased trade.
Maidstone Grammar School offered camping on its playing field.
The stream of people clutching
Sainsbury’s bags packed with food
as they headed to the site suggested
Council tax
band advice
TONBRIDGE and Malling Council
has issued a warning after phone
salesman targeted residents across
the borough about council tax.
Residents said they had been contacted by companies who said they
had been placed in the wrong council tax band. The callers offered to
apply on their behalf to get the valuation band reduced for a fee of £55.
However, the council stressed that
this service can be obtained free
from the Valuation Office Agency.
Cllr Martin Coffin, cabinet member for finance and innovation, said:
“While it is perfectly permissible for
companies to offer to provide this
service, residents can obtain the
same council tax valuation service
free of charge by contacting the valuation office directly.”
Anyone wishing to make the free
check should contact the valuation
office on 0300 0501 501.
Photo: Andy Archer
the Romney Place supermarket had
done a roaring trade.
Reactions on social media from
festival-goers were almost unanimously positive, with many praising
the quality of the performances and
Wind spreads
noise issues
well-chosen line-ups on each stage.
However, there were complaints
about poor information on the park
and ride bus service and many residents complained about the level of
noise during the two days.
donation
Boost for town Cash
THE Rock Collective, which organBy Neil Nixon
I WILL not bore you with my music
obsession but my first published
journalism as a student was about
rock music and I am still writing
books on the subject today.
Whatever the judgments about
noise and nuisance I can only say
that the festival was one of the
best-organised events I have ever
attended. The quality of acts lower
down the bill was life-affirming:
standouts were the pristine beauty
of Camel and the incendiary blues
of Joanne Shaw Taylor.
To have such an event of this
quality in town is a bonus to all who
love their live music.
ised the Ramblin’ Man festival has
announced a fund to support projects in the Maidstone area.
The fund of about £10,000 will
help groups to deliver cultural, entertainment or sports-related projects to thank the town for
supporting the festival, which was
expected to bring at least £700,000
into Maidstone's economy.
Anyone can apply to the fund to
help to stage a community event or
run a community project.
Applicants
should
contact
[email protected] for more
details. Applications close on September 4. Successful applicants will
be notified by the end of September.
Poop scoopers clean up
YOUNGSTERS from three Larkfield schools dressed up in Scooper Hero
capes to help raise awareness of dog fouling issues.
The pupils, from Lunsford Junior School and Brookfield Juniors and Infant Schools, were
joined by officers from
Tonbridge and Malling
Council and ward Cllr
Trudy Dean as part of a
national campaign to
promote the message
of responsible dog
ownership.
The council’s Clean
Borough team then carried out patrols on the
footpaths surrounding
the schools – Swallow
Road, Larkfield recreation ground and Martin Square – “bagging and flagging” the dog mess they found.
Officers spoke to more than 30 people during the exercise and said all of
them commented on how clean and tidy Larkfield was and how dog fouling in the area had improved. Intelligence was also gathered on people who
still fail to pick up after their dogs and this would be acted on in the next few
weeks.
THE strong westerly wind during
the weekend prompted residents in
Madginford, Downswood, Grove
Green, Vinters Park and Thurnham
to complain about noise.
Natasha Bastone, from Grove
Green, said the music drowned out
the film she was watching on television with her family.
She said: “I love to party but
when you have a young child, this
booming music over the whole
weekend was too loud. I have no
problem with the festival returning, but the organiser needs to do
something about the volume.”
On Maidstone Council’s Facebook page, Sandra Woodfall said:
“We live on the Pilgrims Way and
can hear the music above the noise
of the motorway. We find it disappointing that when the council is
promoting an event it doesn’t provide an out-of-hours service that
covers the duration of the event so
that complaints can be dealt with.”
Maidstone Council said it had received 48 formal complaints. A
spokesman said: “We have also received positive comments about
how the festival handled issues
such as traffic and litter. All feedback received will be considered
when looking at future events.”
The spokesman said noise did
not breach the licence terms and
confirmed the organiser is looking
to return on July 23 and 24, 2016.
Wood yard
fire ‘arson’
A BLAZE in a large pile of wood
chips at a Mereworth timber yard
could have been started by children.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said
the fire at the Malling Road site had
been started deliberately. Children
had been seen breaking in.
Firefighters were called after a
large stack of wood shavings
caught fire. Five fire crews tackled
the blaze, preventing it from
spreading to homes, and remained
at the scene until 8.20am next day.
Residents were warned to stay
indoors and close windows as a
cloud of smoke was generated.
The timber yard is owned by
John Drake, whose brother Phil
said everything was normal when
he locked up and left but he received a phone call two hours later,
alerting him that there was a fire.
The firm planned to remain open
despite the blaze.
Malling August 2015
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Malling August 2015
Pick-up your
FREE copy
of the
SEPTEMBER
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available from:-
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Quarry Wood,
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If you live in the
following postcodes:
ME20-7
Pick up YOUR copy from
Wednesday 16th September
News
downsmail.co.uk
Homes agreed
on disputed site
MAIDSTONE Council has granted
planning permission for 420 homes
on a site in Allington that it had
fought to protect at an appeal just
weeks earlier.
A year ago the planning committee refused Croudace Homes’ application for 500 homes east of
Hermitage Lane because development of the southern “hospital
field” would have required the creation of a link road that would have
eroded ancient woodland, known
locally as bluebell wood.
In June, planning officers defended the council's decision to a
planning inspector after the applicant appealed. This decision is expected in October, but now the
planning committee has approved a
smaller scheme, for 420 homes, because the southern field would remain untouched.
However, a separate application
for 80 homes on the contentious
field is undetermined.
The council received 196 objections. Angela Poletti, from the New
Allington Action Group, said the
applicant was “playing the system”
by lodging two separate applications after originally being turned
down. “It is quite clear that
Croudace is running rings around
the planning system,” she said.
“This would open the door to the
scheme for 80 homes.”
Cllr Roger Levett, of Teston Parish
Council, said: “The additional traffic will place a great burden on the
already overloaded A26 between
Teston and Wateringbury – particularly during rush-hour.”
Cllr Dan Daley urged the committee to put a decision on hold
until the inspector had made a decision. He said: “This developer has
waited 20 years to get this far – they
can afford to wait for about another
six weeks to see what the Secretary
of State has to say.”
However, the land (minus the
hospital field) had been earmarked
in the council's emerging local plan
for housing, so the committee's
powers to refuse were limited.
Concern was expressed about a
lack of open space on the site, but officers felt a developer contribution
of £71,820 towards the Keswick
Drive Play area was sufficient.
Other contributions included
£570,000 for improvements at the
A20/Coldharbour roundabout and
£168,000 for pedestrian and traffic
movements at the A26 Tonbridge
Road/Fountain Lane junction.
The committee voted for the
scheme with six members in
favour and four against.
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Young cricketers lift trophy
KINGS Hill Primary School pupils
were the winners of the Tonbridge
and Malling Kwik Cricket Festival.
They beat Woodlands Primary
School in the final at Tonbridge
School to claim the trophy.
About 350 young cricketers
made up 31 teams from 21 primary
schools across the borough. The annual festival was organised by Tonbridge & Malling Council and Kent
Community Cricket.
St Katherine’s Primary School,
Snodland won the most sporting
team award.
Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling,
Cllr Owen Baldock, presented trophies to the winning teams and certificates were awarded to all those
who took part.
Cllr Baldock, said: “Once again,
we have been treated to a wonderful display of cricket from all the talented, enthusiastic young players.”
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Supper club for children
PARENTS who bring their children along to a weekly supper club
can enjoy a glass of wine while their children eat.
The club is held at the Heart of Flavour café bar in King Street,
Maidstone, from 4pm to 6pm every Friday. It costs £6.50 per child
for a three-course meal, or £5.50 without the parent’s drink. Proceeds go to the Heart of Kent Hospice.
01622 791111
Hall Road, Maidstone
01580 892733
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01580 892037
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01233 850075
Ashford Road, High Halden
Malling August 2015
19
News
downsmail.co.uk
Ofsted’s ‘thumbs up’
for outstanding school
A VILLAGE primary school was
given a glowing report by Ofsted
who rated it outstanding throughout.
Offham Primary school in Church
Road, was described as a “very caring and nurturing school in which
pupils thrive” by inspectors who visited in May.
Head teacher Ruth Powell received recognition for her inspirational leadership and for being
highly ambitious for the school and
its 210 pupils. She was supported
well by the deputy headteacher, sen-
Tanning plan
A GAMBLING arcade in Maidstone
town centre is set to close.
A planning application seeks to
convert Main St Amusements at 90
Week Street into a tanning and
beauty salon. Applicant Absolutely
Fabulous Tanning has 14 salons
across the country, including Mega
Sun Tanning, which recently opened
in Orpington.
Maidstone Council will decide the
planning application.
ior staff and a highly committed
team, said the report.
Pupils’ attainment was outstanding with all groups reaching standards well above average by the end
of year six. As a result of outstanding teaching, children in the early
years got off to a flying start.
Governors were said to be a real
strength of the school, providing a
good balance of support and challenge, and were ambitious for the
continued success of the school.
Pupils’ behaviour was excellent
and they felt totally safe at the
school. They “flourish and develop
into confident and assured young
people who leave the school with
high aspirations,” said Ofsted.
Outstanding teaching and learning in each key stage enabled pupils
to make rapid progress in reading,
writing and mathematics. As a result, all groups, regardless of their
level of ability, were doing well
throughout the school.
The report said parents told the inspection team that this is “a very
happy school” and deserved “a very
big thumbs up”.
Christmas lights switch-on
THE Christmas lights will be switched on in Maidstone’s Fremlin
Walk on November 19. As in previous years, the organiser is hoping to attract a celebrity to perform the switch-on.
Maidstone Town Centre Management will be looking to complement the event with entertainment including performances
across the town from the likes of school choirs and the Salvation
Army band. Efforts are also being made to co-ordinate late-night
shopping opportunities, possibly for two weeks in the run-up to
Christmas.
Approaches will also be made to Maidstone Council about parking concessions.
the learning
spotlight
Rotary honour
for William
THE first duty of incoming president of the Rotary Club of Maidstone, David Hackett, was to award
outgoing president William Perry
the club’s highest honour, a Paul
Harris Fellowship.
This marked his “tremendous
amount of time and effort during
the year” and also his career as a
“headmaster of standing,” which
started when he became Kent’s
youngest head at the age of 28.
A resident of Hollingbourne, he
served as chairman of Hollingbourne and Leeds Parochial
Church Council; was a churchwarden; a member of the Prison Parole
Board (young offenders); and supported Mencap Cobtree pre-school.
YogaThroughLife
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Malling August 2015
them for 2-5 minutes focusing on breathing to unwind past
and present tension in the muscles and connective tissues.
Includes 15 minutes Meditation and Pranayama (breathing
techniques).
Pranayama- Prana means life source. Breathing keeps
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Malling August 2015
21
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Book at www.embankments.co.uk Tel 0800 689 7888
Parking available in Lockmeadow (free after 6.30pm)
22
Malling August 2015
Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
A Downs Mail supplement produced in conjunction
with the Snodland Chamber of Commerce.
Jamie to get his ‘wish to walk’
FOUR-year-old Jamie Maynard is
to get a life-changing operation
after a community raised £30,000
to help him walk.
The Jamie's Wish to Walk campaign has reached its target and
his operation will take place at
Great Ormond Street Hospital in
London in November.
Jamie, who lives with his parents, Tim and Donna and sister
Robyn, at Bingley Close, Snodland, suffers from spastic diplegia
cerebral palsy. He uses a walker
for short distances but otherwise
needs a wheelchair.
The operation will reduce the
spasticity in his legs but the
£30,000 is needed to pay for specialised equipment and intense
physiotherapy for at least 12
months.
Jamie’s friend Joe Scudder (3),
who also suffers from cerebral
palsy, walked a mile and raised
£2,892 for the fund. Clocktower
Childcare Pre-school, which Jamie
attends, raised £1,323 and an
evening in Snodland Working
Men's Club organised by Con
Smith raised £1,833.
Donna told Town Talk: "We have
just hit our target. We are still holding all events as planned and will
be inviting people to a big party at
Snodland Community Centre to
say thank you to everyone.
"Can I just say, Snodland, as a
community, has really pulled together for us and we cannot thank
everyone enough, we are so
grateful."
Jamie's auntie, Claire Saxby,
posted on Facebook: "We've done
it! We can't even put into words
how we are feeling at the moment.
Overwhelmed and grateful is an
understatement. We cannot thank
you all enough.
"We will still continue with our
planned events for Jamie's Wish to
Walk as this will still benefit Jamie
but also help other sick and disabled children.
Good report for nursery Lakes school is delayed
LITTLE-UNS Day Nursery, based at Holmesdale Technology College, Snodland has gained a "good" report after an Ofsted inspection.
Manager Sarah Goodchild said she was delighted with the report. "We are
just really proud
we have done
it."
The nursery
has 55 children
on the roll and
13 members of
staff. Sarah has
worked there for
10 years, and
was appointed
manager two
years ago.
The report
says the children enjoy a
varied range of
resources and activities that are fun and motivating and , as a result, they
make good progress in their learning. They benefit from positive relationships with staff, which help them feel safe and secure.
Safeguarding procedures are strong, and the staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The manager and staff establish
good links with local schools, teachers visit them and this supports children
who move on to the school.
The inspector said staff need to help children develop their own ideas to
extend their self-initiated learning and to review how the outdoor area is
used.
St. Katherine’s Lane, Snodland ME6 5EJ
01634 240061
www.stkatherineskent.co.uk
THE new primary school at Holborough Lakes, Snodland will not
be ready for the start of the new
school year in September.
Pupils will be taught in the village hall for three weeks and the
school is expected to open at the
end of September.
Town Talk reported in February
2014 that Valley Invicta Academies Trust will sponsor the school.
It is also sponsoring new schools
at Kings Hill, which will have temporary classrooms until April
2016, and Leybourne Chase,
which will have temporary classrooms until October.
The trust states that it is not an
ideal start but the aim is to not let
the situation cause any problems.
The school car park will be completed by September; before and
after-school clubs will not be open
until next April.
The children will not be allowed
out at break and lunch time until
they move into the school and will
have a cold sandwich lunch. They
will get milk and fruit and PE lessons will be restricted until the
move to the new buildings.
Process starts to appoint new head
GOVERNORS at St Katherine's Primary School, Snodland have told parents they hope a new head teacher will be appointed by January 2016.
The previous head, Sharon Alexander, was suspended in May 2013
and she left on December 31 "to concentrate on her family".
The school has been led by acting head teacher, Gerald Cadwallader,
and associate head teacher, Barbara Scott. Mr Cadwallader's letter to
the parents read: "An advertisement has gone out for the appointment of
a new head teacher...the governors hope to have the new person in post
for January 2016.
St Katherine’s School
Nursery offers
stimulating
opportunities for
learning through play
within our spacious,
inviting environment.
Come and meet our qualified and
dedicated staff and see the wonderful
facilities we can offer. With places
available now for children aged 3.
Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
Stall helps to
pay for toilets
Scouts’ paper scheme to stop
A STALL at Snodland Carnival
raised enough money to pay for
three toilets in a developing world
community.
The Rev Mandy Young, who has
been the Deacon in Snodland for 12
months, explained to Town Talk that
she and June Wright learned about
toilet twinning at a Challenging
Poverty Conference in Rochester.
"As a consequence of that June
and I, with the support of the church,
decided to support a toilet twinning
charity," she said.
Toilets cost £60 for families and
£240 for a school block. The charity
provides people in the poorest communities in the world with decent toilets and clean water.
The money raised is sent to the
charity which returns a certificate
stating the sender has been twinned
with the community involved.
Mandy is to contact schools in
Snodland to ask pupils to help raise
funds for schools in poverty-stricken
communities.
AFTER about 40 years of collecting waste paper in the town to
raise funds the 1st Snodland
Scout Group will be stopping the
service after October 24.
The value of waste paper has
dropped and fewer people are
leaving it out for collection, meaning it is costing the Scouts money
to continue.
Pete Byrne, group Scout
Leader, made the announcement
"with deep regret". He said the recycling was done through Smurfit
Kappa Townsend Hook.
Play repeated
SNODLAND & Valley Community
Players are presenting one more
performance of their award-winning
play "The Waiting Room" at Snodland Community Centre on August
23. For details call 01634 244933.
"It has become apparent that
the value of waste paper has
dropped so much they are no
longer in a position to make the
collection a financial viability for
the group. Smurfit Kappa has always been a major supporter of
the Scout group and our appreciation of them is immense.
"The amount of waste paper
being left for collection has diminished to the point where it is costing us more to collect it than they
are making in selling to the recycler."
The Scout group executive
committee felt that the income did
not cover the losses being incurred in other methods of raising
funds.
Pete added: "Snodland Scout
Group would like to extend its sincere thanks to the people of
Snodland who, over the years,
have kept the group in a good,
well-supported position within the
community, helping the young
people to develop and take their
place within the community and
further afield."
Volunteer Emma passes on love of books
A SNODLAND woman has successfully applied to
be a World Book Night volunteer.
The annual event is designed to encourage people
to read a book. Since it began in 2011 it has created
a group of 56,000 volunteers who have given books
to more than 2.25 million people.
Emma Foreman, learning resource centre manager at Holmesdale Technology College and a "passionate book lover" chose two of the 20 World Book
Night 2015 titles.
"As a volunteer last year I loved being able to pass
on my love of reading to others," she said. "It enabled
me to highlight reading and its joys to young and old
people in the community.
"It has resulted in the formation of two very active
reading groups of people who would never had the
Useful
Numbers
time or inclination to read before.
"I gave out books this year to year 11 and sixth
form students, to non-teaching staff and staff at our
partner organisations. I would love to be able to start
a teen reading group as a result of giving away these
books."
GARAGE DOORS & AWNINGS
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Supply and fit or supply only
Repairs and spares to any make or model
For a prompt local service & no call out charge
Call: 01622 685850
Head office:
Snodland Town Council
01634 240228
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
01634 244452
01732 590085
Kent Trading Standards & checkatrader approved
www.garagedoors4you.co.uk
All major debit & credit cards accepted
Showroom, 18 Holborough Road, Snodland (Junc. 4 of the M20)
01732 844522
Kent County Council
Contact
Town Talk
Editor:
Stephen Eighteen
03000 41 41 41
Snodland Library
01634 243776
Snodland Post Office
01634 242857
01622 630330
ext 231
Snodland Medical Centre
Advertising:
01634 240296
01622 630330
Police (non urgent)
01622 690690
Lower Halling Post Office Stores
01634 240230
email: [email protected]
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR GARDEN
•Compost & Growbags
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and much much more
Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
Sun shines on town carnival
Haircut helps
cancer patients
AN eight-year-girl had 12 inches
of her hair cut off and raised £450
for charity.
Ashleigh Martin (pictured) of
The Street, Halling had her hair
cut by Clare Codling at Bow Hairdressing in Snodland High Street
and the money was donated to
the Little Princess Trust, a charity
that provides real hair wigs for
girls and boys who lose their hair
through cancer treatment.
Ashleigh found out about Little
Princesses when a relation donated her hair. Ayla and Freya
Winchester of Holborough Road,
Snodland donated their pony tails
to the charity.
THE weather was kind for the thousands of people
who supported Snodland Carnival, either lining the
route of the parade, watching the events at Potyns
Sports Ground or supporting the many stalls.
Floats were judged by the Mayor of Tonbridge
and Malling Owen Baldock in his first official visit to
the town, the Rev Hugh Broadbent, Rector of Snodland, Alisdair Buchanan and Robert Beswarick. The
theme was emergency services through the years.
Snodland Beavers had the winning float, and Devonshire Rooms Pre-School was second. Third was
Clocktower Child Care. Winner of the walkers was
Snodland Cubs, with St Katherine's Nursery second and 2nd Snodland Brownies (pictured) third.
Entertainment was provided by the Redhill Corps
of Drums and Band, Brooks Academy of Dance,
Glenduart Pipe Band, Silhouettes Dance and Theatre School, Bloodrunners Motorcycle Presentation
and Ditton Air Cadets.
Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch said:
"It was another great year joining the mayor at the
carnival. Well done to all involved for another funfilled community day enjoyed by all."
Rubbish left at recycling site
Church opens
RESIDENTS were horrified to see a pile of rubbish at the recycling site
at Rocfort Road car park.
Robert Styles, director of street scene, leisure and technical services at Tonbridge and Malling Council,
said: "Dumping rubbish like this at recycling sites – or anywhere else – is fly-tipping, which is a criminal offence with a
maximum fine of £50,000.
"Where evidence is found in dumped
rubbish, Tonbridge and Malling Council
will investigate and, where possible,
prosecute the offender. The rubbish in
these photographs was cleared and any
evidence found followed up."
Party on the patio
ALL Saints’ Church, Snodland is
open to visitors between 2pm and
4pm on Saturdays until the end of
September. The prayer walk in the
church yard is also accessible.
Christ Church, Malling Road is
open between 1pm and 2pm.
THE Party on the Patio will take
place at the Monks Head public
house, Constitution Hill on August
22 with music from The Feks and
Web Foundation. Proceeds go to
the Kent Air Ambulance.
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Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
Soccer tournament a growing success
SNODLAND Town Football Club's annual tournament was a huge success, with 148 teams
from the South East taking part at Potyns Sports
Ground.
Sports minister and local MP, Tracey Crouch,
said: "It was great to give my support to the
Snodland tournament. I can definitely see some
real talent developing here and it was great to
see so many enthusiastic young players taking
part in such a well-organised and fun weekend."
Barry Dunn, head of academy recruitment at
Millwall Football Club, praised the organisers
and said he and his staff thoroughly enjoyed the
weekend.
Dave Jeal, the club's CEO, thanked everyone
for all their work.
“The weekend was a massive success with
148 teams participating, up from 138 last year,"
The Under 15s team from Snodland Town
he said. "The numbers keep growing. We had
some positive feedback on our facilities, including the new pitches.
"Some teams were saying it's the best tournament they have ever been to which is a compliment to all the managers, committee
members and friends who put so much hard
work into providing such a great weekend's
football.
"We are already planning next year and we
would like to include a girls competition."
Results:
Under 7s and 8s are non-competitive and all
players received medals.
Under 9s Sittingbourne Purple 1 Snodland
Town 0; Under 10s Park Regis 4 Bredhurst 2;
Under 11s Holtwood 3 Hempstead Valley 2;
Under 12s Averley 5 Phoenix 4 (penalties);
Under 13s Snodland Nomads 5 Aylesford
Royals 4 (penalties); Under 14s Sevenoaks
Town B 1 Taviot Rangers 0; Under 15s/16s
Snodland Town U15s 2 Sittingbourne A1
(penalties); Men’s East Malling 1 FC Revolution 0; Vets Sixmania (Snodland Town) 1 Holtwood B 0.
Crafty ladies raise cash for drama group China move
A CRAFT day at Snodland Community Centre raised £500 for
Quercus Theatre Group, a charity
based in Maidstone.
Quercus is a group for adults
with learning and physical disabilities to promote talent and achievement through drama. It meets at
Maidstone Community Centre.
Fernlace Craft Day was run by a
group of 17 ladies who enjoy crafts
such as lace-making, tatting, quilting, knitting and crochet.
Member Angela Hadfield said:
"Some years ago the group decided to hold a craft day where
people come together for a day of
craft, chat, tea and cake. We also
raise funds for local charities."
Donated items were sold on a
second-hand stall and a talk about
"Textile tools found in Kent" was
given by Jen Jackson.
Angela added. "We were also
able to present the 1st Snodland
Scout Group with a cheque towards the cost of their new building. The Scout group always helps
us with the craft day, setting up and
loaning any equipment we need."
For details call Angela on 01634
241910.
CHINA Chaps, the tableware
specialist in Holborough Road,
has moved to the Savoy Snooker
Hall in the High Street.
Town Talk reported the proposed move in the April issue.
The hall was opened as the Wardona Cinema in 1938 before becoming a snooker club.
Mickey Perry, who owns China
Chaps, said the move had been
successful and the building in
Holborough Road would be put
up for sale in the near future.
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Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
takes dive
Beer and cricket success June
for church hall
DESPITE clashing with the Snodland Town Football Club tournament, support for the annual Real
Ale Festival and Twenty20 cricket
match at the cricket meadow was
as high as ever.
Paul Hickmott, organiser of the
real ale festival and music evening
featuring the Fecks, said the day
raised £400 each for the Snodland/Moyeuvre-Grande Twinning
Committee and Snodland Scouts.
"The weather was excellent and
we enjoyed seeing residents,
many with their children, relaxing
Ordination date
THE Rev Mandy Young, curate at
Snodland, will be made a priest in
Rochester Cathedral on Saturday, September 26.
Once
ordained she will
be able to "take
a fuller role in
the things she
can do and can't
do, such as
baptisms and
weddings."
Mandy said: "I have felt very welcome here. I have also been allowed to get involved in so much
and have learned so much."
in the sun with a nice drink, watching the cricket and later the Fecks
band.
"The event could not have taken
place without the team of helpers
and I thank them for their efforts."
The cricket match was won by
Holmesdale Select XI who scored
172 runs against Snodland All
Stars' 154 runs.
Graham Ives said he was worried that clashing with the football
tournament would affect attendance but it was well attended.
He said: "Unfortunately, as most
of the Holmesdale team was involved in the football they were unable to field a side. My thanks and
gratitude must go to Snodland
Community Cricket Club which not
only prepared a super pitch but
enough of their players turned up
to make a game of it."
Graham said the winners were
the players and supporters who
enjoyed a brilliant day in superb
weather.
"Well done, Paul and his team,
for supplying refreshments and the
cricket club," he added.
Pupils’ appeal for safer roads
KEY Stage 2 pupils from the Church of England Primary School,
Snodland took part
in a giant walking
bus, encouraging
motorists not to exceed 20mph near
the school.
About 190 children took part in
the Brake charity’s
Go20 campaign.
Assistant
head
Emily Wright said:
"Each class had a banner to encourage drivers to Go 20 around
Snodland CEP school, homes and shops to protect children, cyclists and other pedestrians. The event also promoted the benefits
of walking and cycling."
A SNODLAND woman is to do a
sky dive, at the age of 82, to raise
funds for a church hall.
June Wright, of Brook Lane, will
jump from an
aeroplane at
Headcorn airfield on August
29.
She
said:
"Most people
say I must be
mad, but it is
safe, the people there are experts.
"I could have held a coffee
morning and raised about £80 but
doing this I am aiming at £1,400
and have got £860 already."
June is raising money for the
hall at Christ Church, Malling
Road which, she says, “is old and
in need of TLC."
June has been married to Alan
for 59 years and the couple have
two daughters, Caroline and Julie,
seven grandchildren and three
great grandchildren.
She is a pastoral assistant,
helps run the dementia cafe, is a
member of the parochial church
council and Snodland Town Active
Retirement
Association
(Stara).
To make a donation, call her on
01634 241005.
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Town Talk
Local news for Snodland and Halling
Paralympian Tim inspires teachers and pupils
CHILDREN at the Church of England Primary School, Snodland
were excited to welcome a Paralympian to the school.
New Zealander Tim Prendergast spoke to pupils about his
journey from a young boy who
thought he was going blind to
winning a gold medal in the T13
800m at the Athens Paralympics
in 2004.
Tim, who was a guest at
Holmesdale Technology College
last year, told the pupils that when
he was eight years old he wanted
to play cricket for New Zealand
and to be an astronaut. The following year he started seeing a
dot in his eye which got bigger.
He was told he had a rare eye
condition and by the time he was
15 he would have limited vision.
"I knew then that I would not be
playing cricket for New Zealand or
be an astronaut," he said. "At secondary school I had to join the
sports club. I thought, cool, I will
use my blindness so I do not have
to do sport.”
Tim's school PE teacher
changed his thinking, encouraging him to think about the things
he could do, rather than what he
could not do.
He told the children to have belief and determination and go out
and get what they wanted in life.
Head teacher Holley Hunt said
it was not just the children who
were inspired, but the staff as well.
Afterwards children were able to
interview Tim, asking him lots of
challenging questions and gaining advice on what to do if things
became tricky.
One of the highlights of the day
was a training session led by Tim.
Pupils were put through a vigorous warm-up before competing in
a range of relay activities, ending
with a 60-metre race against the
paralympian.
One boy even asked: "If I win
can I have your gold medal?"
Tim retired from running in
2012, but took part in the London
Marathon this year, completing it
in 2hrs 47 minutes.
Surprise for head as school
pool is named after him
Sisters step out
in Race for Life
TWO sisters aged six and four
completed a 10k Race for Life in
Mote Park, Maidstone to raise
more than £300 for Cancer Research UK.
Penny (6) and Sally (4) Ingles of
Willowside, Snodland finished the
course in just over two and a half
hours with mum Rachel and dad
Ian.
"We did the race in memory of
the girls' nanna [Dorothy Marsh,
Rachel's mother] who passed
away in 2013 from terminal cancer," said Ian.
"This is the fourth year our family
has done the race and we are
bowled over by everyone's support."
Both girls attend St Katherine's
Primary School (Sally is in the preschool) and received a letter from
sports minister Tracey Crouch
congratulating them on their
achievement.
Ian said: "I will never forget them
both finishing the race with the
crowd cheering. A lot of people
thought the girls just joined their
mum for the last bit as they couldn't believe children of a young age
could walk that far.
"We, of course, knew different,
which is all that matters and we
knew what an amazing thing they
had done to help others."
A SCHOOL swimming pool has
been named after the acting head
teacher who has taught at the
school for 31 years.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch,
who is also MP for Chatham and
Aylesford, opened the refurbished
pool at St Katherine's Primary
School, and Gerald Cadwallader
did not know it was named after
him until the plaque was unveiled.
The school governors, staff, parents and many children were in on
the secret. Gerry told Town Talk: "I
am very honoured. All the staff and
children knew but I am a very busy
person and I did not know what
was going to happen.
"It was lovely that Tracey came.
She is a good minister of sport because she is interested in it."
The school has been saving for
years to pay for the refurbishment,
which included a new roof, changing rooms extension, double
glazed windows and showers.
The school has 620 pupils in 21
classes. When Gerry first arrived
the school had about 400 pupils in
14 classes.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch at St Katherine’s Primary School with Jacob,
Chloe, Aiden and Jayden. Inset, acting head Gerry Cadwallader
The pool can be used all year chairman of governors invited
round, will be available for use by Gerry to help Tracey with the openother schools and has already re- ing and there was a "Song for
ceived enquiries from companies Gerry".
Tracey said: "It was fabulous to
for use during school holidays and
open the refurbished swimming
outside school hours.
Governors and parents were pool. The teachers, governors and
welcomed to the opening cere- parents have worked really hard to
mony by Gerry, pupils sang a raise money to transform the pool
swimming song and there was a into a usable asset for both the
performance by the St Katherine's school and the community. Well
Kats Cheerleaders. John Edgar, done everyone."
Gavin takes over as football manager
THE new boss of Snodland Town Football Club, who play in the Kent County
Football League Premier Division, admits
he is a better manager than he was a
player.
After seven years of managing children’s teams Gavin Gillies joined Cliffe
Woods in Division 4 of the Rochester
League in 2008. Promotion followed to
the Premier Division which they won last
season. He lives with partner Kelly Tomlin at the Six Bells public house in Church
Street, Cliffe, where she is licensee. His
two sons, Reese (20) and Liam (15) are
footballers.
Gavin (pictured), who runs a double
glazing business, heard about the Snodland vacancy from goalkeeper Jack Pigden. He said: “I needed a new challenge
and I am very happy with the way things
are going.”
Former manager Ross Mitchell was
with the club for almost two years but resigned due to work commitments.
Malling August 2015
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News
downsmail.co.uk
New name for volunteer group
MEMBERS of Voluntary Action
Maidstone voted overwhelmingly
for the charity to change its name
to Involve Kent.
At an extraordinary general
meeting 29 votes, supplemented by
24 proxies, were registered to pass
the motion. Just one person, by
proxy, voted against.
The organisation now has its
third name since it was formed in
1975 as Maidstone Voluntary Bureau. It became Voluntary Action
Maidstone eight years ago.
Involve chief executive Charlotte
Osborn-Forde told the meeting that
the decision followed a two-year
review into how best to market the
charity. She said: “Funding cuts
and austerity measures have long
been on our minds, yet our funds
have grown in recent years, but we
can't assume it will stay the same.
“Funders want us to cover larger
Charlotte Osborn-Forde and Trevor
Jones with the charity's new logo
areas so they can get better
economies of scale. For example,
one of our closest partners is the
West Kent Clinical Commissioning
Group, which is one of the largest
CCGs in the country, covering four
divisions in Kent.”
Involve Kent will retain its main
focus on Maidstone, but will continue to provide voluntary services
elsewhere in Kent. The falls pre-
vention project already operates in
East Kent and will soon cover Dartford and Gravesham; the Maidstone and Malling Carers project
will additionally cover Medway.
Advertising agency We Are Tangerine, based in College Road,
Maidstone came up with the name
Involve and produced the logo, in
which the “vol” part of the word
will be a different colour to highlight the charity's voluntary focus.
On the logo is a smaller word on
the bottom right directly beneath,
which could be used to localise an
area or service, so meaning that the
word Maidstone could still remain
on relevant branding materials.
Mrs Osborn-Forde added: “This
new name will help people
throughout Kent know the service
is in their area. However, our focus
will remain on Maidstone and we
are based here.”
Rainbow fun run to raise funds for hospice
THE Rainbow 5K fun run is back –
and it is better and more colourful
than ever.
This family event in Mote Park,
Maidstone on September 27 promises lots of fun and laughter once
the paint starts flying. Runners will
be showered with powdered paints
as they make their way along the
course to the finish line.
With music and a chance to party
everyone is welcome at this festival
which will raise money for the Aylesford-based Heart of Kent Hospice.
To book the run and for information on entry prices, go to
www.hokh.org or call the fundraising team on 01622 790195.
Involve board chairman Trevor
Jones said that the standardised
logo would save time and money.
When asked by a member of the
audience if the name could put off
existing clients, he pointed out that
he was on the project board which
helped deliver the ill-fated £2m renaming of Royal Mail to Consignia
in 2001, which changed back to its
original name just 15 months later.
“I have a good idea about these
things,” he said. “We have asked
everyone we know whether they
have a problem and there were
only two objections.”
Involve's services have expanded
so much in recent years that its
turnover is now more than £1m,
meaning it is a registered company
as well as a charity.
The leadership, board, charity
structure and projects will not be
affected by the name change.
Rugby cup tour
RU G B Y fans will be able to view
the Webb Ellis Cup in Maidstone.
Rugby’s greatest prize will visit
County Hall on Thursday, September 3 as part of a national tour, before arriving at Twickenham
stadium on September 18 ahead of
the World Cup opening ceremony.
Malling August 2015
25
News
downsmail.co.uk
help to
‘Wartime’ market closes Gifts
calm patients
after 70 years of trading
A GROWERS’ local co-operative which traded successfully in Maidstone
for 70 years has become a victim of the times.
Maidstone Country Market celebrated its anniversary in April.
However, with fewer producers
and customers the market committee could no longer make ends meet.
Difficulty parking near the hall
and the pressure on producers to
cut costs to compete with nearby
cheap supermarkets were all factors
which led to the market’s demise,
according to former secretary Sue
Chartier, pictured inset.
As producers retired, it became a
struggle to replace them.
Sue said: “Unfortunately the outgoings became more than the income, and even though the hall
rental was not expensive by today’s
standards, we could not make ends
meet.”
“Although all our produce was
home-baked and home-made, shoppers will only pay so much – especially when they can buy similar
things cheaper at a supermarket.”
The Maidstone country market
began in April 1945 with surplus
fruit and vegetables grown for the
war and soon became popular with
housewives. Its previous name was
the WI market.
Selling cakes and bread, preserves, crafts, plants and local produce long before the trend for
farmers’ markets, customers flocked
to the Maidstone country market
from neighbouring towns.
Held in the United Reformed
Church Hall, Week Street, one lady
said she had been a regular customer every week for 27 years.
Sue was a customer herself in the
1980s, when she worked at the police station in Palace Avenue, and
Petition over
Mote charges
A PETITION has been launched following Maidstone Council’s decision to introduce car parking
charges at Mote Park.
The decision means the council
could raise £171,000 every year towards the upkeep of the park, which
receives about a million visitors a
year and has been voted the second
best park in Britain.
Visitors will be charged £1 for up
to six hours or £12 for longer, but the
charges will not apply before 10am,
to allow joggers and dog walkers to
enjoy the park early in the morning.
Council leader Cllr Fran Wilson
opposed the charges, saying they
might encourage visitors to park in
neighbouring streets.
Other members were concerned
the charges could be the “thin end of
the wedge” and increase over time.
The council wants to ensure the
park retains its Green Flag status
and wants to improve the park. It
would also like to appoint a permanent parks officer.
Cllr John Perry said he believed
the imposition of modest parking
charges would help the park retain
its status as a visitor attraction.
Resident Bianca May began the
petition opposing the charges, which
attracted more than 750 signatures in
the first five days.
26
Malling August 2015
became a pruducer, selling plants
after her retirement in 1993.
A resident of Otham, she also participates in the Bearsted country
market, which she hopes will now
benefit from additional custom.
The Bearsted market takes place
in the WI Hall, The Street, from
10am to 11.15am each Saturday.
Sue said: “The members wish to
thank all their customers and
helpers for their support over the
years.”
Other local country markets can
be found at www.country-markets.co.uk – the next nearest are at
Rochester and Tenterden.
The Mote Park
Fellowship,
with Maidstone
Council
employees,
receiving the
Green Flag
Award in 2014.
Discounts for park visitors
A MEMBERSHIP scheme has been
launched for supporters of Mote Park,
offering benefits and discounts to
regular visitors.
The Mote Park Fellowship is the
group of volunteers that maintains
the park with Maidstone Council.
Its new website – www.moteparkfellowship.org.uk – offers information
on the park’s history, wildlife and
New president
of Inner Wheel
FRANCES McGill, pictured
centre, is the new president of
the Inner Wheel Club of Maidstone.
The Inner Wheel Club will
continue to work hard this year
to raise money for local charities.
Pictured with Frances is the new
vice-president, Anne Goodliffe
and past president Sue Kinsman.
events, and invites visitors to join the
group.
For a £20 annual fee, used to support projects in the park, members receive discounts including 20% off
prices in the café, 10% off in the
restaurant at Mote House, 50% off
courses at the lake watersports centre and free tickets for events
throughout the year.
RE P R E S E N TAT I V E S from the
Aylesford and Eccles WI visited
Pye Oliver ward at Maidstone Hospital to hand over more than 50
comfort blankets and muffs, made
for dementia patients.
The comforters are created using
a variety of fabrics and materials
and have attachments that patients
can touch and explore.
Patient experience matron Christine Steele said: “Some dementia
patients can become agitated and
these blankets and muffs help to
calm them down.”
Patients are given a blanket or
muff to keep while they are in hospital which they can then take
home with them. They are all made
with materials which can be taken
with a patient into a scan or X-ray.
Ann Butterworth, from Aylesford and Eccles WI, said: “The idea
came from my daughter. We
wanted to make some for our local
hospital so I phoned and mentioned the idea to Christine, who
thought it was fantastic.”
Ladies from the WI would benefit greatly from donations of ribbon, small soft toys, material,
different types of wool, sewing cotton and large buttons. Donations
can be left in a designated box at
the main reception desk of Maidstone Hospital.
Bakery plan
A SMALL bread production bakery
could be established in Teston.
A planning application has been
submitted requesting the rebuilding of a garage in Fairlawn Cottage,
Church Street to create an area
solely for the production of bread,
which would be sold to local shops,
cafes and restaurants.
A supporting statement said:
“There are a number of commercial
practices nearby, the largest being
Turfsoil Ltd. They, together with
the farm shop, generate scores of
traffic on the country lane one
property away.
“We are practically adjacent to
Turfsoil and feel that the proposed
bakery would not add or generate
more disturbances. Our immediate
neighbours are positive and enthusiastic for this to go ahead.”.
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27
News | Health
downsmail.co.uk
Beer care for stroke patients
MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is reporting ”encouraging” improvement in
treating strokes, with Maidstone continuing as the top stroke unit in North and West Kent.
Latest data shows 55% of patients
were scanned within an hour at Tunbridge Wells and 33% in Maidstone.
The data for 12 hours was 86% for
Tunbridge Wells and 89% for Maidstone.
The trust says there was a
“tremendous improvement” at
Maidstone, which was given an A
rating for October-December compared with a previous D rating.
But both hospitals were given D
ratings for thrombolysis because
they did not hit the 11.1% national
average.
Maidstone admitted 44.4% of patients to the stroke unit within four
hours and Tunbridge Wells 27.3%.
In the first three months of this year
Maidstone was above the national
average but Tunbridge Wells was
below.
In April specialist assessments by
a physician were completed within
24 hours in 69% of cases in Maidstone and 68.2% in Tunbridge Wells.
Figures for the quarter were 73.5%
and 76.5%.
Stroke is the third biggest killer in
Incident app
AN app on hand-held devices for
reporting incidents has been introduced by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust as a safety
measure for staff.
Nurses and junior doctors are
among the first wave of clinical
staff at the trust to also be equipped
with devices to record a patient’s
vital signs and have remote onsite
access to these at any time.
The move follows a successful
ward trial and is being rolled out
on all wards during the summer.
The benefits are widespread and
hospitals using this technology are
seeing a marked improvement in
patient outcomes.
Not so happy
AN annual drop of 2.4% has been
recorded in the percentage of patients who report their experience
with GP services in Maidstone and
the rest of West Kent as “very
good” or “fairly good”, taking the
current 86.6% further from the 93%
standard. West Kent is above average for Kent and Medway and the
national average of 84%.
By Dennis Fowle
the UK and a major cause of longterm disability. People who have
had a stroke need rapid access to a
specialist medical team around the
clock to maximise their chances of
survival and recovery.
NHS clinical commissioning
groups across Kent and Medway,
which plan and buy local health
services, are reviewing how stroke
patients are managed within the
vital first 72 hours.
In West Kent, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and NHS
West Kent Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG) have already undertaken work with Healthwatch Kent,
residents and patients to look at people’s views of stroke services. This
found:
There is public support for new
higher standards of care covering
the critical first 72 hours of a stroke
patient’s care and a need for the
NHS to develop ways of achieving
these.
The NHS needs to improve the
whole of the stroke patient’s
pathway, including the care stroke
patients receive out of hospital.
The NHS needs to improve the
information and support available
to patients and carers after a stroke.
Quality needs to be maintained
within a timeframe that provides
maximum opportunities of
recovery for patients.
The NHS needs to improve planning about how and when a stroke
patient can leave hospital and the
next steps in their rehabilitation.
Now NHS West Kent CCG, as part
of the Kent and Medway-wide review, wants to build on what has
been heard so far by asking local
people what they think of the Kent
Wards combined to improve service
WORK has started on the next
phase of ward redevelopment at
Maidstone Hospital with the £3m
transformation of Jonathan Saunders and John Day wards into a
new respiratory ward.
This latest scheme combines the
wards into one large dedicated respiratory ward with better facilities,
improving privacy, dignity and
comfort for patients.
Patients will be treated in new
four-bedded bays with en suite
conveniences rather than the hospital’s older six-bedded bays,
which have no en suite conveniences.
Other schemes that have recently
been completed at Maidstone Hospital include the following:
Extended and developed the
hospital’s admissions lounge to
provide more privacy, dignity and
comfort for patients.
GPs’ concern at reports delay
INCREASING concerns about delays in receiving diagnostic reports
from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals have been reported
by GP members of West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group.
GPs (and patients) require speedy reports on CT and MRI scans and
the group continues to voice concern “about time to report, work outsourced and governance/consent in place”.
Now the group has written formally to Maidstone and Tunbridge
Wells Trust and the trust has been asked to report in person at a performance meeting. The group has requested a further report covering
X-rays and ultrasound.
The problems lead to delays in GPs recommending to patients required treatments – and frustrations for patients who are unable to
make GP appointments until they know their report is in hand.
Bullying policy Nursing shortages increase
THE NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is updating its
bullying and harassment policy following a staff survey and will ensure employees are more fully
aware of the processes and support
provided.
28
Malling August 2015
and Medway picture of stroke care,
and what would be important to
them if they had just had a stroke.
The focus in this next round of discussions is on the care provided
across Kent and Medway in the first
72 hours following a stroke and
what might make it possible for the
NHS to meet in full the national
standards for care in this vital period.
A report to West Kent Clinical
Commissioning Group says the
stroke service provided in Kent does
not meet recognised quality standards set out in the National Stroke
Strategy (2007).
The group says there is difficulty
recruiting specialist staff. A key
problem is that consultant numbers
are about 50% of the recommended
level. There were problems, too, relating to nurses and therapists.
A Case for Change is currently
being considered for approval across
Kent and Medway. The public and
stakeholders will be involved and
people who have experienced stroke
services will be sought out.
MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells
Trust is reporting nurse vacancies
across all directorates.
In May vacancies rose to 12.3%,
compared with last year’s 8.6%.
Recruitment has been successful
from Italy (13 new nurses) and 33
new starters commenced work in
May/June. The trust is attempting
to improve recruitment through social media, website and adverts.
One impact has been an increase
in the nursing and medical agency
spend.
Improved the facilities within
the main entrance with a new
brighter main reception area, new
shops for Maidstone Hospital
League of Friends and a new coffee shop. Way-finding has also
been improved in the hospital.
Improved facilities for
women’s colposcopy services.
Opened a new 12-bedded unit
for the elderly and frail.
Speeding up
appointments
SUE Southon (pictured), lay member for patient and public engagement, reported to the Clinical
Strategy Group of
West Kent CCG
that there was
often a public
misconception
that it was difficult to get a GP
appointment and
she said this should be challenged.
Dr Bob Bowes, chairman of
West Kent CCG, said there was
variation between practices. He
felt practice participation groups
could investigate changes to improve a practice system.
For information about your GP
practice go to www.nhs.uk/servicesearch/gp/locationsearch/4
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Malling August 2015
29
downsmail.co.uk
Allan Wille
Obituaries
ALLAN Robert Wille CVO, CMG, KStJ
(78) of Chilham was a former Lord
Lieutenant of Kent and a company boss
known for donating about £4m to charity.
Born to a Kent
family who were
working as tea
planters in India, Mr
Wille returned home
and spent most of his
youth living on farms
in Thanet. He excelled
at rugby as a boy and
joined the Buffs
(Royal East Kent
Regiment). After working in Canada and in
the packaging industry he founded Wille
International Limited, which grew into one
of the world’s largest companies involved
in electronic coding and labelling of
information.
Mr Wille sold the company in 2002,
launching a charitable foundation which
benefied Kent causes.
Many public figures have paid tribute to
Mr Wille, including former Mayor of
Maidstone Cllr Dan Daley who said: “Allan
was the truest of gentlemen and so
dedicated to whatever he did. He valued
people and in every way and encouraged
whatever they were engaged in doing.”
that ‘education is about relationships’.
“John believed in developing the
individual in all of his pupils and staff, but
always within a team ethos. Under John the
school developed the reputation for
outstanding pastoral care and extracurricular opportunities which it still enjoys
today and soon was established as the
academic equal to other Kent grammar
schools; quite a legacy.
“John was affectionately known to
students and staff alike as ‘Jasper’ and
although he had a very formal presence
and demeanour he strived to get the best
for and from his pupils and when
appointing staff he instinctively knew what
made an Oakwood Park teacher.”
John was married to Dorothy for 66 years
and father to Christine, Richard and Helen.
Daughter Christine said: “My father was a
gentle man and led a life informed by
Christian principles. He contributed a lot to
local life in Maidstone including being
amongst the founders of the Heart of Kent
Hospice and a trustee for many years.”
John leaves his wife, children and
grandchildren.
Iris Sco
IRIS Sco (84) lived locally for about 60
years, spending the last 43 years in
Aylesford and previously living in Eccles.
Born Iris Mosley in London, she moved
to this area as a young woman and was
Damen Crompton
married to Mike for 47 years. Iris was
MAIDSTONE’s Damen Crompton (36) died mother to Lesley and twins Antony and
in a motorcycle accident.
Hayley.
Damen was heading to his home in
Mike said: “Iris had a few jobs locally.
Reculver Walk, Senacre on the A229 Loose
She worked at the local primary school as a
Road when he lost control of his
dinner lady and did cleaning at different
motorcycle. Damen’s partner Lianne
times for both the local Wimpey offices and
Farrow paid tribute at the scene of the
Safeways. But she was mainly a wife and
accident.
homemaker, her family were her life.
Damen worked for the past four years at
“She loved to play bingo at Aylesford
Dempson Ltd, a packaging company in
Village Club on Tuesdays and Sunday
Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. The company evenings. People will remember how
has supported his family through the
friendly she was and how she would
tragedy.
always be at the centre of a street party.
“We have been overwhelmed with
tributes and we are really thankful for all
John Skinner
the good wishes.”
Iris leaves her husband, children,
THE death was announced in Wiltshire of
grandchildren Jody, Terri, Jason and Millie
John A Skinner (89), who worked in
and great-grandson Oliver.
Maidstone schools from 1958 to 1985, and
lived in Allington.
A mathematics graduate of Queen Mary
College, John served Jeannie Bowpi
in the Navy and
JEANNIE Bowpi (58) lived locally for 25
taught in Woking
years, the first five in the Royal British
and Birmingham
Legion Village in Aylesford and, for the
before moving
past 20 years, in Eccles.
locally to become
Born Jeannie Allen,
head of maths at
she grew up in Sidcup
Maidstone Grammar
and also lived in
School.
Dartford. She and
He served as
husband Chris raised
headmaster of
sons Steven and
Maidstone Technical High School for boys
Michael. She worked
from April 1966. In 1974 the school’s name
cleaning executive
changed to Maidstone School For Boys, and
homes.
in 1983 it became Oakwood Park Grammar
Chris said: “Jeannie
School.
tried all sorts of
The current deputy head, Mark
hobbies and pastimes in her life and was a
Howsden, served with John. He said: “John very positive person. In recent years, she
was an educationalist of great vision. He
was involved with the Leonard Cheshire
wanted to create a ‘different’ grammar
Day Centre at Chipstead.
school, one which developed the whole
“She was so involved with the day centre
person, not just the academic. He wanted
that staff regarded her like a member of
his teachers to be teachers of men, not just
staff rather than a service user – she got
of their subject, once saying at Speech Day
people organised and did lots of card and
30
Malling August 2015
jewellery-making to help raise funds.
Jeannie had suffered with rheumatoid
arthritis since 1997, but she was resilient
and didn’t let her health get her down.”
Jeannie leaves her husband, sons, and
grandchildren Megan, Rhys, Thomas and
Grace.
Norman Harlow
NORMAN Harlow (79) lived in Bearsted
for more than 50 years. He was born in
Margate, was educated at Dover College
and lived in Kent all his life.
Throughout the
war, he and his
parents lived in The
Victoria Hotel in
Maidstone, where his
father was a hotelier
and publican. Later
he lived at the
Masonic Hall in
Bower Terrace.
His work as a sales
rep and manager meant he travelled
widely. He ended his career as general
manager at Aylesford Priory.
He had many interests and belonged to
the Association of Kentish Men and Men of
Kent’s Maidstone branch, where he was
chairman and president. He organised
many outings for members and friends.
He also belonged to Bearsted History
Society and more recently was a member of
the U3A.
He leaves his wife Rosemary and sons
Christopher, Anthony and James.
David Nuall
DAVID Nuall (64), who had recently
moved to Chart Suon, was well known
locally for his years of involvement in
nature and conservation work. He lived for
almost 30 years in Downswood, most of
them in Longham
Copse.
Born in
Chesterfield,
Derbyshire and
educated at
Loughborough
University, David
followed a career in
civil engineering that
took him to
Birmingham and Ashford, before he moved
to the Maidstone area. In Kent he worked
for Wimpey Homes and Southern Water.
He was given a retirement card from his
final job, but still continued to be involved
three days a week until his death.
David was married to Christine for 32
years, and was father to Rachel and Emily.
Emily said: “My father was very generous
with his time and effort and loved taking
his grandchildren on nature walks. He was
very involved with local causes including
the Len Valley Action Group and Friends of
Mote Park. He was a governor of
Madginford School for many years, and
helped out at many local events.
“Since moving to Kent he had been
involved with St Nicholas’ Church in
Otham, which was a very important part of
his life. He also loved music and regularly
aended concerts by Maidstone Symphony
Orchestra and the Sacconi Quartet, of
which he was a patron.”
Christine died five years ago and David
downsmail.co.uk
Ivy Tee
2002. Cyril also competed locally and
remains the track record holder at the old
Brands Hatch speedway circuit.
He leaves his wife Phyllis, sons Simon,
John and Luke, six grandsons and two
granddaughters.
THE funeral took place of Ivy Tee (84),
formerly of Dargate Close, Allington.
Christopher Sturley
Ivy, who previously lived in Grace
Avenue, Allington, died at Harlow in Essex CHRISTOPHER Sturley (69), who lived in
and the funeral service took place at
East Farleigh for almost 30 years, ran his
Parndon Wood Crematorium. Donations
own marketing business.
made payable to “Alzheimer’s Society” can
Born in East Ham, London, Christopher
be sent c/o Daniel Robinson & Sons, Wych
had served in the
Elm, Harlow, CM20 1QP, Tel: 01279
Metropolitan Police
426990.
and as UK sales
manager for Levi
Strauss clothing. The
Cyril Roger
second post took him
to Devon and
CYRIL Roger (93), who has died at his
Amsterdam. His first
home in Suon Valence, held a record for
marriage produced
any Kent-born rider
daughters Abi and
in his sport, having
Kate.
appeared in five
When this marriage ended Christopher
World Speedway
moved to the Maidstone area. He met his
Finals.
Born in Ashford on second wife, Wendy, while visiting a friend
who was running Minstrel Wine on the
December 27, 1921,
Cyril was one of three current site of Ye Olde Thirsty Pig at the
brothers all involved junction of Lower Stone Street and
Knightrider Street, Maidstone.
in the sport.
The pair met on February 9, 1986, and
He began
quickly realised they shared exactly the
competing for Exeter Falcons in 1947,
same birthdate and were both nine days
having been loaned by New Cross
short of their 40th birthday.
Rangers. His greatest success came after
Christopher went on to market Sloopy
the London team recalled him and he rode
jeans locally and run his own marketing
for them from the late 1940s until 1953.
business. He was also a Freemason, being a
When New Cross Rangers’ track closed,
member of Maidstone’s Robinson Lodge
Cyril moved to East Anglia, riding for
for 20 years and serving as master of the
teams in Norwich and Ipswich. A broken
lodge from 2001 to 2003.
leg caused him to miss one season, but
Wendy said: “Christopher was kind,
Cyril continued competing until 1963,
considerate, dignified and a man who
when he retired after a season riding for
adored his daughters. He was modest
Southampton Saints.
when you first met him but soon
Among a collection of honours, Cyril
won the London Riders’ Championship in developed deep and loyal friendships.
“Those who knew him well really
1950 and five team awards. His best
appreciated his sense of humour and the
placing in five world speedway finals was
strength and loyalty he could provide. He
10th.
helped me through two bouts of illness by
Cyril survived both of his speedwayriding brothers – elder brother Bert died in showing those qualities. He loved fly
fishing and golf.”
1965 and younger brother Bob died in
Christopher leaves his wife, daughters
and grandchildren Ben, Tansy and Rose.
Alistair Black
MAIDSTONE Council is mourning the
loss of Conservative councillor Alistair
Black (79), who died at Maidstone
Hospital after a short illness.
Cllr Black lived in
the Tonbridge Road
area for six years,
having moved locally
after retirement.
Born in Glasgow,
he began his career
with the British
Transport Police before joining the
British South African
Police Force in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Cllr Black put himself through a degree
at night school and worked as personnel
director in a paper-making firm before
moving to the Maidstone area, where he
became active in the party he had always
supported and was elected to Maidstone
Council.
Cllr Black joined the council in 2011, representing Fant ward. He was re-elected in
May.
The Maidstone flag flew at half-mast
over the Town Hall from the news of his
death until the sunset after Cllr Black’s funeral and the council observed a oneminute silence at a recent meeting.
Cllr Black’s friend and fellow Conservative (representing Coxheath and Hunton
ward), John Wilson said: “Alistair was a
selfless person who got involved in a
range of causes, pushing the interests of
local people.
“He wasn’t the kind to spend a long time
telling you about himself and his achievements. He was involved with St Luke’s
Church and remained positive. Just before
he died he was still hopeful of recovery
and was making plans for the future.”
Cllr Black leaves his wife, Sue, daughter
Fiona who lives in Australia, son Douglas
who lives in Africa, grandson Brett and
granddaughter Jamie.
Obituaries
recently married Vivien Tanswell. He
leaves her, his children and grandchildren
Bethany, Benjamin, Zoe and Jessica.
There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email [email protected]
Dear Sir – Maidstone has only one bridge
in the town and that results in traffic
chaos.
It is no one’s fault, but what do
Maidstone Council’s planners do?
Agree to huge housing developments in
the Hermitage Lane area of Barming, as
well as Coxheath and Park Wood.
Reaching Maidstone hospital in a hurry
for ambulances will be a miracle. As it is,
Hermitage Lane is usually jammed from
3.30pm until 6pm and the additional
homes in Coxheath will create a far
heavier strain on East Farleigh bridge as
drivers try to avoid the town centre.
More traffic at Coxheath will also filter
down, adding to problems at the Linton
crossroads and the Wheatsheaf junction,
which will also have to deal with the
extra vehicles from Park Wood.
There doesn’t seem to be any practical
solution, but you have to wonder whether
the planners considered the impact that
more construction will have, a few
hundred yards along the line?
Part of the Hermitage Lane area comes
under the borough of Tonbridge and
Malling and it would appear that as it is
located in a pocket, well away from its
main centres but will attract extra rates
for that council, it really does not care
about the traffic implications for
Maidstone.
In such a crowded place isn’t it time for
councils to talk to one another?
Ron Stubbs, Maidstone
Comment
More chaos on the way
It is not just on traffic where Maidstone could
do with the help of other councils.
The borough’s 18,560 housing target
between 2011 and 2031 could be reduced if
another nearby local authority, for example
Tonbridge and Malling, agrees to make up the
shortfall by allowing additional homes.
Good luck with that one!
Response by Stephen
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Malling August 2015
31
News
downsmail.co.uk
Making a difference to homeless
THE founder of a new charity for the homeless, vulnerable and socially isolated is looking for
premises and volunteers to help “Make a Difference” in Maidstone.
Amanda Sidwell left the town 30
years ago and spent the last seven
and a half years, prior to her return
in 2013, setting up and running
Make a Difference (MAD) in Murcia, southern Spain.
Now, the 53-year-old former estate agent and PA wants to weave
some of the same magic into the
patchwork of organisations which
already exists in the county town to
help addicts, the homeless and disadvantaged discover a new life
without dependency.
Amanda has set up MADM –
Making a Difference to Maidstone
– a Christian charity which aims to
fill some of the gaps between the
existing providers.
She said: “MADM has been built
to fill in the gaps of what is already
superbly in place. It has been highlighted that more is needed – especially God’s presence and healing.”
Amanda turned to Christianity in
the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001 and
followed her calling five years later,
leaving the UK for the sunny
climes of Southern Spain in May
2006. There, she set about working
with the poor and disadvantaged
in her community.
She said: “Someone once described me in business as a pit bull
terrier – and that’s what I am; a pit
bull for God.
“It’s not the most glamorous of
jobs, sitting amongst what many
How you can help MADM
MADM already has an abundance
of donated items spread over three
garages and has donated bedding,
toiletries and household items to
various supported housing schemes
and individuals.
Amanda would like to hear from
anyone who can support MADM in
any way.
She said: “If anyone wants to
walk the road with us, please get in
touch.”
Amanda can be contacted on
[email protected]
or
07769 268962
see as the lowest of society. But this
is what I have been called to do and
it’s hard to explain, but I do love
these people.
“I believe it was my calling to
move to Spain, in the same way I
have been called to return.”
Amanda never intended to set up
a humanitarian Christian charity in
Spain, but before she knew it, she
was in charge of two shops, more
than 50 volunteers and 650 clients.
She said: “It wasn’t easy – especially when my Spanish was poor
and the locals were very untrusting, but doors eventually opened –
I have never worked so hard in my
life, but it was God’s love which
compelled me to do it and reach
out – it wasn’t me!”
Amanda’s family still lives in
Maidstone, which helped draw her
back, and it was only a matter of
weeks after she returned that she
found herself getting involved in
voluntary work here.
She has since volunteered with
the Maidstone assertive street outreach programme, the winter shelter scheme, homeless feeding at the
Baptist Church and Salvation Army
and CRI Maidstone (the West Kent
recovery service for drug and alcohol abusers), and is known among
the soup run teams and other organisations and charities.
Ashes blaze
FIREFIGHTERS dealt with a blaze
in Heron Road, Larkfield caused by
discarded embers from a chiminea.
The resident had lit the outdoor
heater the previous evening, leaving the ashes to cool overnight before putting them in a plastic
wheelie bin. But the coals were still
hot inside and set fire to the contents of the bin.
Fire crews spent 20 minutes at
the scene after the flames spread,
damaging fencing, two wheelie
bins and a children’s playhouse.
Engineers went to the scene to isolate electricity to a damaged lamppost.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service advised residents to dispose of ashes
carefully by dousing them with
water and placing them in a metal
container. Once cool, they can be
emptied on to bare soil.
WI meeting
KI N G S Hill WI meets on the
fourth Wednesday of the month at
Kings Hill Community Centre at
7.45pm. On August 26 the speaker
will tell the story of the suffragettes.
For details, call Tina Patterson on
01732 844721.
32
Malling August 2015
She said: “We are living in the
21st century – we shouldn’t be seeing women on the street in this day
and age. So many women (and
men) are broken through their experiences of life – deprivation at
home, abuse, domestic violence,
bereavement, job loss etc. I want
this charity to really ‘Make a Difference’ to people in my home
town.”
Now that MADM is in the throes
of obtaining charitable status,
Amanda is ready to move the project forward and is seeking premises
for its first charity shop.
The United Reformed Church in
Week Street has allowed her to
hold a pop-up charity shop
through August and volunteers are
needed, as well as donations of
goods. The shop is open from 10am
to 5pm, possibly later on Thursdays.
She is also hoping for the services
of an accountant, solicitor, IT and
social media expert, commercial
landlord, web designer, PR/signwriting – indeed any profession
which might be able to help further
the cause.
She said: “I came back to England
for a quiet life and have fought
against doing this, but I have come
to realise this is my path and destiny. Everything I do is voluntary; I
give my time and rewards come in
different ways.”
Illegal bikers
to face courts
Driving up hospice funds
A CHEQUE for £10,000 has been
handed to the Heart of Kent Hospice
at Aylesford by a Maidstone motor
company.
The donation was part of a £30k
gift from the Motorline Group to
three Kent hospices – the others
being in Pembury and Canterbury.
The presentation was made by Motorline Group chairman Glen Obee
at the company’s showroom in Park
Wood.
The Heart of Kent Hospice was established 25 years ago and has 10
inpatient beds for adults. It relies
heavily on donations to care for
about 350 families from Malling
and Maidstone every week.
Mr Obee said: “Motorline was
founded in Kent and although we
have grown to cover other parts of
the UK, we feel it is vitally important
we give something back to our community. In this case it is something
that will directly benefit local patient comfort and care.”
Becky Beard, the hospice’s community partnerships manager, said:
“We aim to make every day precious
for our patients and their families,
and it is thanks to the generosity of
our local community, including companies such as Motorline, that we
are able to provide expert support
to over 1,000 patients every year.”
Founded in 1972, Motorline
Group has more than 900 staff,
with dealerships representing
brands such as VW, Toyota, Peugeot
and Maserati.
POLICE have reminded motorcycle owners in East Malling that they
face having their vehicles destroyed if they use them illegally.
PCSOs can issue section 59 warnings to anyone breaking the law.
This means that if the riders are
stopped again and found to be
using vehicles illegally they risk
prosecution and having their bikes
seized and destroyed.
Officers have issued warnings in
areas including Bondfield Road
and Cobbett Close. A 14-year-old
boy stopped in Blacklands Lane
had his vehicle seized after reports
that a moped was being driven illegally. He has also been summoned
to court for having no driving licence or insurance.
Sgt Ash Boxall said: “We are
aware that riders of these bikes can
cause a great deal of anxiety.
“When ridden in inappropriate
places they also pose a significant
danger to pedestrians. We are continuing to take action to prosecute
those who ride bikes illegally and
this includes seizing them and applying to have them destroyed.”
THE FIREPLACE
A FAMILY RUN
BUSINESS
• Wood & Multi Fuel Stoves
• Gas & Electric Fires
• Chimney Lining
• Full Installation Service
• Marble, Wood & Stone
Fire Surrounds
• Made to Measure
Surrounds
• Quote ref MKL01 when
responding to this advert
Visit Our Showroom
2 Castle Court, Castle Road,
Eurolink Industrial Estate,
Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3TD
Tel/Fax: 01795 599234
www.the-fireplace.net
Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9.30-4, Sat 10-4
Malling August 2015
33
Classifieds
downsmail.co.uk
Reach more people than ever before www.downsmailbusinessdirectory.co.uk
Contact our sales team…
Natasha Bastone
Teresa Jeffery
Amy Bonney
Classified Team Leader
Classified Sales Executive
Classified Sales Executive
E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
T. 01622 630330 ext. 224
T. 01622 630330 ext. 227
T. 01622 630330 ext. 234
A Man & Van
Appliance Repairs
A MAN & VAN
01634 365427 07710 772597
www.vanworker.co.uk
ALL DOMESTIC APPLIANCE
REPAIR SERVICE
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us on
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with fully qualified engineer
All makes of washing machines,
fridges, freezers, vacuum cleaners,
t/dryers, dishwashers, elec ovens.
All work guaranteed
Free estimates and call out
01622 673113
Anytime: 07831 557677
Carpenters
Bathroom Installers
All aspects of
The complete Bathroom
Maintenance Company
CARPENTRY
NO CALL OUT FEE & FREE QUOTES
Supply • Install • Repair
Floor & Wall Tiling • Full Plumbing Services
Call Gary 07738 902116 • 01622 736266
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Builders
BETTERBUILD4U LTD
STEVE - 07831285602
(HOLBOROUGH)
Renovation-Extensions-Carpentry
Roof & Garage Conversions,
Kitchens & Bathrooms
Maintenance-DIY Assistance-Decorating
(fully insured & guaranteed-references)
Guild of
Master
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
e: [email protected]
www.mdbuildingservices.co.uk
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]
34
Call our sales team now - 01622 630 330
Malling August 2015
FREE ESTIMATES
Family business established 21 years
01622 743648
Mob: 07711 291921
FULL CARPENTRY
SERVICE FROM
DECKING TO DOORS,
KITCHENS & FLOORS.
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
KINGSGATE CONSTRUCTION LTD
(
Doors, Windows, Kitchens
supplied and fitted, Loft
Conversions, Doors hung,
Locks fitted, Skirting,
small alterations,
Plastering and Tiling
All work guaranteed.
Wood Works
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
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Computer Services
Garden Services continued
Forestry First Ltd
Tree Surgeons & Landscapers in Kent
All arboricultural tree works
undertaken. Fully insured.
www.forestryfirst.co.uk
01622 616133
Electricians
Garden Services
Electric Rewired
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]
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
L.W.LANDSCAPING
Fully Insured
Fencing Treework
Turfing Decking
& Reliable Levelling Ground
Washing Service
260149 JetAstroturf
Patios
231419 Clearance Driveways
Marchant Garden
Services
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
Adrian Marchant
Tree Surgeon
N.P.T.C. Qualified
Fully Insured
Hedgecutting & Fencing
LOOK: Please check our reviews and other
companies you may use at www.uktc.org
Established 1990 Director: M Potter
Offham Nr West Malling
07932 492897 01732 841041
Handyman Services
THE HANDY MAN
01622 755898 Mobile
07834 601428
www.wrightsfencing.co.uk
No1 Locally Since 1996
Handyman
David Matthews
Fencing
•Painting & Decorating • Plastering
• Tiling • Fencing
• Laminate Flooring • Plumbing
General Household Maintenance.
Any odd jobs considered
Phone Lee for quotes
Call our sales team now -
01622 630 330
on production of this advert
* not to be used in
conjunction with any other
offers
3523(57<
6(59,&(6/WG
Sheds constructed & repaired
Door hanging • Flat Pack Furniture
Interior & Exterior Decorating
Many small jobs undertaken
Please phone with your requirements
Phone: 01622 755342
Mobile: 07749 202140
20%
discount*
/$1'6&$3(6
PRACTICAL PHIL
• Free estimates & friendly advice
• All types of fencing at
competitive prices
• Fencing supplied and erected
• You talk directly to David at all
stages for your fencing
• Go on, give him a call on
Free - Private Ads
0$,'6721(
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Fence me in & alot more
Swop your stuff
www.downsmail.co.uk
Tel: 01622
Mob: 07772
The new 17th Edition wiring regs are applied
We are Part P Certificated
Online
No job too small
Competitive prices
EPIC
LANDSCAPES
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
07894 138224 01622 204491
Day
Evenings or to leave a message
Fully insured
Locksmith
HANDYMAN
No job too big or too small.
Painting & decorating,
all roofing works & repairs,
chimney’s, guttering & gutter
cleaning, pressure cleaning,
fencing & brickwork & driveways
07554 267087
0800 4748750
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
House, Industrial & Auto Locksmith
CRB Checked and NCFE Qualified l Key Cutting
Emergency Locked-Out Service l Auto Locksmith
Contact Ryan Eustace 07879 994771
[email protected] www.re-locksmiths.co.uk
Local Mobile Locksmith 24hrs NO CALL OUT CHARGE
Malling August 2015
35
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Painting & Decorating
Property Maintenance
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
TNC Property
& Landscapes
Driveways and Paving
Block paving refurbishment
(level sunken areas, clean & sand)
Lawn construction
Fencing new and repairs
Brickwork/patios re-pointed
Fully Insured
Call Tremayne
01622 758221
Find us on
07748004252
Specialists in
Flat Roofing
Full systems overcoat and repairs
Up to 25 year Guarantee Available
For a free survey/quotation
Please call Joe on 07786
802959
Skip Hire
Rathbone Decorating Services
Painting & Decorating
Interior & Exterior
Works Undertaken
Roofing Services
No job too small
with special rates
for pensioners
• Free Estimates • Friendly Personal Services
• Domestic and Commercial • Qualified Tradesman
Tel 01622 721491 or Mobile: 07753 487796
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
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
Friendly • Effecient • Reliable • Competitive
P
I
N
B
I
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S
Commercial and domestic
1-14 day hire
Same day delivery
2-4 yard mini skips
6-20 yard skips
Roll-on, roll-offs
Council approved
Tipped at our site
70% waste recycled
Crushed concrete
Top soil
Grab hire also available
Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266
NEW SITE
NOW OPEN
Detling
Aerodrome
Maidstone
Business
Directory
Advertise from as little as £3.00 per month
Call 01622 630330 or visit our website for more details
www.downsmail.co.uk
36
Malling August 2015
Freephone
0800 028 49 00
Classified
downsmail.co.uk
Skip Hire continued
st ry
Falive
e
D
Window Services
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
Trailor Hire, Sales & Repairs
Skip Hire 3, 4, 6
& 12 Yard Bins
Covering Maidstone
& The Weald
EA Registered
Fast & Prompt Service
Commercial
& Domestic
TV Aerials, Satellites
& Repairs
R & P Aerial Service
Trailer Hire-Sales-Repair
Kent Trailers
01622 631717 or 078069 12345
Email: [email protected]
Aerials
Indespension Agent
Livestock, Plant, Recovery,
Van, General Purpose
Trailers in stock
New & Used
Detling
01622 730063 07860 318166
[email protected]
Digital Freeview
FM Radio DAB Radio
Satellite
Freesat
SKY HD
TV Wall Mounting
From a standard install to hidden cables
Free initial visit
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
Units 15-16 Dickens Court
Enterprise Close, Medway City Estate
Kent ME2 4LY
01634 717400
www.mdgrepairs.co.uk
Waste Collection
D. BODY LTD Waste Collection
Cesspool Emptying
Septic Tanks
Drain Clearing
Sludge Removal
Treatment Plants
Gulleys & Forecourts
High Pressure Jetting
Domestic & Commercial
ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSED CARRIERS
01622 631688
D.BODY
24Hr - 7 Days A Week
Prompt & Friendly Service
www.dbody.co.uk
The Paddock, Detling Hill, Maidstone, Kent
Health & Beauty
Mobile Manicures and Pedicures
In the comfort of your own home
07929 652 012/01622 749002
[email protected]
Standard Manicure/Pedicure only £12
Foot Health Professional
Katherine Morton MCFHP MAFHP
Registered member of The British
Association of Foot Health Professionals
Visiting Practice
Nail cutting and filing, corn
and callus removal, fungal
nail infections, verrucas
and ingrowing toe nails
Mobile: 07960 072999
Home: 01732 875447
[email protected]
Web Design
EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS
• Google Marketing / Search Engine Promotion
• Web Site Design • E-Commerce Websites • Hosting
• Email • Web Site Maintenance
Business Directory
Advertise from as little as
£3.00 per month
Call 01622 630330 or visit
our website for more details
www.downsmail.co.uk
Public Notice
Town and Country Planning
(Development Management Procedure)
(ENGLAND) Order 2010
01732 842454
Notice under article 11 of application for planning permission.
Window Cleaning
AQUA
KING
New window cleaning
business ready to
assist new customers
in the area.
Window Cleaning
Services
Friendly. Reliable.
(
Call Aaron
for more info
07593 514740
or email
[email protected]
Call our sales team now - 01622 630 330
Proposed development at 8 Downsview Green Lane, Trottiscliffe,
Kent. I give notice that Daniel Dryden is applying to the TMBC for
planning permission to outline application for a 4 bedroom dwelling.
Any owner* or tenant** who wishes to make representations about
this application should write to the Council at Gibson Building,
Gibson Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4LZ by 07/09/15.
* "Owner" means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the
unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years, or, in the case of development
consisting of the winning or working of minerals, a person entitled to an interest in
a mineral in the land (other than oil, coal, gold or sliver).
** "Tenant" means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is
comprised in the land.
Malling August 2015
37
On the Road
All MOT’s
£40.00
d
r
a
y
l
Ti Auto’s
MoT Testing
Free re-test and minor adjustments
Service and repairs carried out to all
makes and models
Local recovery service now available
Tyres • Exhausts • Tracking
FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY
SERVICE WITHIN 10 MILE RADIUS
Tel: 01622 663662
Unit 5, Bridge Industrial Estate,
Wharf Road, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6RR
AUTOSPRAY
SOLUTIONS
MOBILE BODY REPAIRS
For the ultimate paint finish!
MOBILE BODY REPAIRS
• BUMPER SCUFFS • KEY SCRATCHES • ALLOY REFURB
• VANDOLISM DAMAGE TO PAINTWORK • DENTS • MACHINE POLISHING
• FULLY GUARANTEED TO MAIN DEALER STANDARD • FULLY INSURED
SCUFFS, SCRATCHES, DENTS etc
SAVINGS UP TO 50%
COMPARED TO BODYSHOPS
Fully guaranteed to main dealer standard
Fully insured
15 years experience
Insurance work welcome
FREE
ESTIMATES
Before
Before
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
38
Malling August 2015
After
Proud
sponsors of
Bearsted
Cricket Club
After
• 27 years experience
• 6 day operation
• Around 1/4 of body shop price
• Reliable, professional and flexible
Call: 07771 621 769
[email protected]
www.touchupsltd.co.uk
On the Road
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
01622 686824 www.gmskent.co.uk
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
SAVE MONEY
ON PARTS FOR YOUR CAR
• Cam belt kits supplied & fitted
• Broken belt damaged repaired
• All makes, petrol & diesel
BATTERIES - BRAKES - SERVICE ITEMS
OIL - CLUTCHES TOOLS
5 wheeler street - headcorn - kent
736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG
01622 891777
Te l : 0 1 7 3 2 8 7 0 3 6 8
www.psautoparts.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
Fixed Price
Servicing
from
£95
01732 874350
High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QN
Malling August 2015
39
downsmail.co.uk
Parish Councils
Defibrillator A meeting had taken place
aended by some parish councillors,
Crossing Regarding the proposed
members of the Birling Village Hall
pedestrian crossing in Bull Lane, Eccles,
Charitable Trust (BVHCT) commiee and
monitoring wires had been placed across
Martin Render from Community Heartbeat
the road to assess volume and speed of
Trust. Martin had demonstrated how the
traffic. The site of the crossing was yet to be defibrillator works and gone through the
finalised. KCC Cllr Peter Homewood had
options of funding the installation. The
pledged 50% of the cost from his member’s parish council and BVHCT felt the
fund and would be looking to the parish
managed option would best suit both
council for funding support as KCC had
parties. It was agreed that the parish
indicated it had no other finance for this
council would proceed with funding a
project. Members agreed to consider
defibrillator at a cost of £1,750 on a
funding implications once the monitoring
managed basis with Community Heartbeat
had established whether the project was
Trust. It will be installed in the porch of the
viable and when costs were known.
village hall with the BVHCT commiee
Old Bridge lighting Members did not
taking on responsibility for checking the
consider the proposed scheme represented machine. The parish council would be
good value for money for residents. The
responsible for paying the service charges
clerk had investigated other ideas as
and electricity costs.
requested but there appeared to be very
Roads The clerk was asked to report that
limited options. There were existing lights
signs opposite 85 Birling Road were
at each end of the bridge and floodlighting, blocked by vegetation.
either of which it might be possible to
adjust to provide beer lighting for
pedestrians. It was agreed that local
East Peckham
members and the clerk would visit the old
Flooding KCC Cllr Mahew Balfour
bridge in the dark later in the year to
reported that the Environment Agency was
ascertain a beer perspective of what was
due to put forward its flood alleviation
required.
suggestions for the rivers Beult and Teise.
Flooding Work was still awaited opposite
He suggested that the parish council
Brassey Centre. The clerk had pursued this
should consider what it was prepared to
with KCC. The drain had been cleaned
do from a community emergency planning
which had led to some improvement but
point of view and the level of funding it
major work required had not been
was prepared to include within its precept
prioritised. The site would continue to be
for future years.
monitored.
Community warden The new area
Rochester Road Speed humps would be
supervisor and her colleague, the
re-profiled by Kent Highway Services,
community warden for East Malling, were
which would require the road to be closed. welcomed to the meeting. She said KCC
Village square The initial design for
was recruiting a replacement warden for
Aylesford village square had been received East Peckham and it was likely that once an
and a site meeting would be arranged to
appointment had been made they would
discuss street furniture and other features. be operative from the autumn.
Lorries There had been several complaints Police report There had been four cases of
from residents about heavy lorries coming criminal damage, one theft and a theft from
down Rochester Road and entering the
a vehicle. There had been four incidents
village rather than adhering to the correct
involving youths, the worst being a report
route via Pratling Street. In view of media
of youths throwing items from the bridge
aention to similar problems in other
at fast-moving vehicles on Boyle Way.
villages which were being addressed by
Footpath A resident had drawn aention
KHS under KCC Cllr Mahew Balfour, the to the footpath alongside the Coult stream
clerk had passed these concerns to him.
and asked for a stile to be replaced at the
Cllr Homewood said KHS was considering Hale Street end of the footpath. Both issues
increasing the visibility of the sign
had been forwarded to KCC’s public rights
directing HGVs to Pratling Street.
of way officer.
The Hollow Resurfacing repair under the
Garages Residents had drawn aention to
swings was required before it got any
dilapidated garages in Westwood Road.
worse. The initial quote from wickets was
The issue had been referred to Tonbridge
£1,000 but the surface had deteriorated
and Malling Council and Russe Homes.
further and the cost had increased to
Rats A resident of Pound Road had
£1,450. The clerk had authorised work to
complained of rats on her property. She
take place immediately.
had contacted the environmental health
Eccles The skateboard park at the
department and had been advised to
recreation ground had been completed.
contact borough councillors.
Additional goal posts for an informal kick- Speed Watch A resident had expressed an
about area had been requested but would
interest in seing up a Speed Watch
encroach on the flexibility of the layout of
scheme. He was advised that the council
the formal football pitches so were not
had agreed in principle to funding a
feasible.
scheme if at least 10 people volunteered to
Aylesford
Birling
Co-option New village resident Miss
Deborah Harrington had expressed an
interest in becoming a parish councillor.
She had previous experience as a town
councillor and it was agreed, as there were
no other applicants, she would be invited
to the next meeting with a view to cooption to the parish council.
40
Malling August 2015
be trained to operate the equipment.
Blocked ditch A resident said that the
ditch on the west side of Hale Street was
clogged up. The maer would be referred
to KCC.
Bus shelter The new shelter had been
installed at Old Road/Crown Acres.
Jubilee Hall While regular bookings
remained consistent the parish council had
lost the weekly Fit4U class on Monday
mornings. The WOK gym club was hoping
to run some classes from Tonbridge Girls
Grammar School and it was hoped
alternative hirers would be found to fill the
vacated hours. Extra summer classes
would generate additional income.
Youth shelter The shelter was still prone to
graffiti aacks, most of which was being
removed by the groundsman. Anti-social
behaviour had been reported to the police.
The groundsman had removed lier and
broken boles and had worked extra
hours.
Play area It was proving difficult to obtain
the necessary tool to repair the closing
mechanisms on the gates. If this failed,
wickets would be engaged to do the work.
Benches The picnic bench had been
repaired and installation of the new
benches was imminent. It was hoped that
Heritage Fingerposts would install another
bench in lieu of a financial penalty for the
late completion and installation of the
fingerposts.
Milestone Following the completion of the
fingerpost project and selement of the
account, the council would be able to
ascertain whether enough money remained
to proceed with the planned renovation of
the milestone in Boyle Way.
Twier It was resolved to set up a parish
council Twier account by the autumn. The
posts would be factual and in accordance
with the parish council’s policies.
Surgeries The venue for the proposed
parish council surgeries was discussed. The
dates were to be forwarded to the clerk. It
was suggested that the meetings be held in
the Oasis Room in the Methodist building
or the parish council’s own meeting room.
It was agreed that the Oasis Room offered
more privacy and was centrally located.
Garden competition Cllr Serina Page had
been approached by a resident about the
return of a garden competition. It was
agreed that the competition should be run
in 2016, and it would be organised by Cllr
Page along with Cllrs Lynton Wright and
Mick Barton.
Allotments Tonbridge and Malling
Council was trying to arrange for one of its
contacts to install the container at a
cheaper rate than the suppliers. There were
currently three available plots.
Twinning The East Peckham Twinning
Association had held a special meeting
where it was agreed to suspend the EPTA
constitution and associated activities. The
EPTA would be run on a more flexible and
informal basis. Banking arrangements
would remain unchanged and remaining
funds would be used only for twinning
activities. A new commiee could be
formed at any time and a final newsleer
would be circulated.
Kings Hill
Vicar It was reported that Mark
Montgomery, the new vicar for Kings Hill,
would be taking up his post this autumn.
Church Andrew Wooding-Jones, the
project manager from the Diocese of
Rochester to oversee the Kings Hill project,
was introduced and the new church
building was discussed. He explained how
the new church project needed to work
closely with the community centre so that
their uses did not conflict and reflected the
needs of the community without
detrimental effect. A street survey would
be undertaken and residents would be
downsmail.co.uk
Mereworth
Cedar A councillor asked why the cedar
tree on the recreation ground had been
allocations would be published later in the
year. It would affect Mereworth at the
Kings Hill border.
Church The parochial church council had
received only 20 responses to the 1,300
leers sent to households in Mereworth
and part of Kings Hill, seeking interest in
inclusion in a church parish directory.
Highways The clerk reported on a meeting
with the Tonbridge and Malling
environmental health officer about noise
on the A228. Unfortunately, the borough
could not offer any help with the
problem.
Beech Road Cyclist warning signs had
been suggested. It was not felt that signs
would help as drivers should be aware that
there may also be horses, pedestrians etc
on rural roads.
Allotments There had been some
complaints from allotment holders about
plots that were untidy. Councillors would
let the clerk know of any that were not
tended so that she could write to the
tenants.
Yellow lines The chairman had received a
plan from Kent Highway Services for
yellow lines in The Street to give passing
places and deter drivers from blocking the
road. This issue would be investigated.
Sound system The owner of the sound
equipment used at the fetes over the past
few years wished to sell it for £200. The
system was high quality but rather large so
storage would be needed. It was agreed to
purchase the equipment. Storage would be
discussed at the next meeting.
Neighbourhood Watch
Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police
Two trees in the back garden of a home in
Elstar Place, Kings Hill were killed with
weed killer.
The front number plate was stolen from a
car parked in Smithers Lane, East Peckham.
A bench in Fortune Way, Kings Hill was
damaged and golf equipment was stolen
from near the sixth tee at the golf club.
The windscreen of a car was damaged in
Church Field, Snodland.
A car diffuser was removed from a vehicle in a car park in Alexander Grove, Kings
Hill.
Various items were stolen during a breakin at a building in Bow Road, Wateringbury.
A window was damaged at a property in
Tower View, Kings Hill.
Eggs were thrown at houses in Gassons
Road, Snodland.
Four plastic chairs, two wooden chairs
and a table were taken from behind a school
in Crispin Way, Kings Hill.
An iPad was taken from a car on the driveway of a home in Pizien Well Road, Wateringbury.
Cash and a mobile phone was taken from
a property in Sandow Place, Kings Hill.
Money was stolen in a break-in at a property in The Lakes, Larkfield.
A car parked in Queens Avenue, Snodland was stolen. It was later recovered, but
items were missing.
The front window of a shop in West
Malling High Street was broken and hairdressing equipment was stolen.
Hanging baskets were taken from outside
a premises in Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury.
The hub caps were stolen from a Citroen
van parked in West Malling High Street.
The rear passenger window of a Peugeot
was smashed in Grasmere, Leybourne.
A resident had their purse stolen in Water
Lane, West Malling.
Cash was stolen during a break-in at a
home in Birling Road, Snodland.
Items were stolen from a garage in West
Malling High Street.
Tools were taken from a van in Admiral
Moore Drive, Aylesford.
A person entered a home in Addlestead
Road, East Peckham and demanded money
from the resident.
A garage door was damaged at a property
in Offham Road, West Malling but nothing
was taken.
A mobile home was stolen from the driveway of a home in Castle Way, Leybourne.
A shed was broken into at a property in
Eden Farm Lane, West Malling and a rideon mower was stolen.
Crime reports
FENCING was taken from a property in
Forstal Road, Aylesford.
The lock was damaged on the garage of a
property in Bull Lane, Eccles.
A mobility scooter was stolen from outside a community centre in Kiln Barn Road,
Ditton.
Golf equipment was stolen from the
garage of a home in London Road, Ryarsh.
The gates at a stable in Horns Lane, Mereworth were forced open causing damage.
An alarm sounded at the time but nothing
was missing.
A rotavator was taken in a break-in at a
hut in Well Street, East Malling.
The front door of a property in Robson
Drive, Aylesford was damaged but no entry
was gained.
Tools including a Husqvarna disc cutter
and a Makita drill were stolen from a Ford
Transit van in Elm Crescent, East Malling.
There was damage in the garden of a
home in Trinity Court, Aylesford.
A Makita circular saw was stolen from a
home in Temple Way, East Malling.
The front door of a property in Robson
Drive, Aylesford was damaged but no entry
was gained.
A window was damaged when catapults
were fired at it in Temple Way, East Malling.
Red diesel was stolen from a vehicle
parked in roadworks in Aylesford High
Street.
A parked vehicle was scratched in Carnation Close, East Malling.
A container on a playing field in Hall
Road, Aylesford was broken into and items
were taken.
The windscreen of a VW Passat was damaged in a car park in Howard Road, East
Malling.
A car was scratched in Bullen Road, East
Peckham.
topped. Chairman Jon Regan explained
that Kent Landscapes had advised that the
tree was dangerous and he had arranged
for it to be cut back as an emergency
measure to prevent accidents.
Kent Street A resident of Kent Street had
reported that the A228 had been resurfaced
but there had been no information or
warning that this was to be done. There
had been an accident when a lorry
overloaded with bricks and driven too fast
had tipped over and gone through the
A228 hedge. It was further reported that
the driver had been driving with a broken
arm. The resident reported that the road
noise was still horrendous and there were
no road markings yet. The accident proved
that a footpath alongside this road would
be too dangerous.
Police report Crime reports for the month
included burglary other than dwelling,
theft from cars and theft of pot plants. The
PCSOs had spent a large amount of time in
Mereworth on Sundays after continued
reports of nuisance motorbikes in the
woods. Warnings had been issued to
several motorbike riders in the area. It was
also reported that strawberries had been
stolen from fields to be sold at boot fairs.
County report KCC Cllr Mahew Balfour
said that if the parish council felt strongly
about a planning application, it should
contact himself or borough Cllr Ann Kemp
so that they could inform officers that it
should be determined by the borough
council’s planning commiee. He reported
that the local plan was progressing and site
Parish Councils
informed through social media. The parish
council would provide suggestions for
ancillary usage of the new church
buildings.
Residents An update was received from
Kings Hill Residents Group regarding the
provision of retirement homes within
phase 3. After much discussion, the group
was advised to arrange a meeting with the
managing director of Liberty Property
Trust to discuss its concerns and also with
KCC Cllr Mahew Balfour.
Broadband A meeting had been arranged
with KCC to discuss broadband on Kings
Hill.
Traffic signals KCC and Liberty were
investigating the timing of the traffic
signals on the A228 Ashton Way junction
with Kings Hill.
Lighting The new street lights in Warwick
Way were completely different from those
in the rest of Kings Hill. Cllr Balfour would
investigate why they had been installed.
Boundary It was agreed to put forward a
formal request to review the parish
boundary to include amenities provided
for Kings Hill residents.
Community centre The draft design brief
for the community centre reorganisation
was agreed. It would be sent to architects
to enable initial plans to be made up at a
cost of £5,000 plus VAT.
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41
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