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November 2016 No. 235 Apples are the stars of fruit festival News ’S apple-growing Downs Mail expands heritage was celebrated in style at DOWNS Mail announces the ex- a Festival of Fruit. pansion of its portfolio from four The event, which took place at editions to five - distribut-  the Diamond Jubilee Orchard, ing 85,000 copies monthly. 3 was a celebration of all things apple, including apple pies, apple pressing and beekeeping. Rare bird in Leeds Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr AN extremely rare nutcracker Derek Butler, is pictured receiv- has been spotted in a gar- 3 ing a basket of fruit from den in Leeds village. Parish Cllr Vic Davies and assis- tant clerk Melanie Fooks.  Full story on page 10 Local Plan inquiry THE public inquiry into the coun- cil’s Local Plan begins with MPs speaking out. 8 Has the shop Let’s get militant VILLAGERS are threatening di- rect action to highlight  traffic problems. 10

bale come to an end? KCC consults on hike COUNTY council chiefs are to THE redevelopment of a popular shopping parade at Bearsted Green has consult the public on a council tax rise of 4%.  moved a step closer after campaigners lost their fight to get it listed. 17 It is feared that the decision now build, with flats above. particular, should be preserved. leaves the way clear for developers The campaign was backed by MP However, English Heritage felt Ukip fraud denial to put forward a new scheme. Helen Whately, county councillors that the architectural and historical AN EX-Ukip MEP denies she knew The Bearsted and Thurnham Soci- Paul Carter and Jenny Whittle, as interests of the building did not meet of an expenses scam ety, which appealed against English well as three borough ward council- the criteria for listing, although it did run by an aide. 23 Heritage’s refusal to list The Parade, lors and the parish council. make a positive contribution to the expressed disappointment after the Listing would have given the character of the conservation area. Obituaries 34 original decision was upheld. building additional protection, The society then asked the De- Treasurer Roger Vidler said: “It is which the borough council would partment for Culture, Media and Comment 38-39 now very much up to the owners of have to consider when making a de- Sport to review the decision, making the building and what they propose cision. The existing businesses, a comparison with the grade II listed Parish Councils 50-51 to do. The ball really is in their court, butchers WJ Crouch incorporating Colonnade at Hawkhurst. but we have had huge support and Rickwood’s; Bearsted Computer So- Officials said the society had failed Crime Reports 51 remain determined to try and do lutions and Taylors the Newsagents, to provide evidence that the original everything to preserve it. would need to relocate during the decision was wrongly made. A YELLOW quad bike was stolen “There is very limited car parking reconstruction. Borough ward Cllr Val Springett from a garage in West Street in and this would be a serious problem The owners withdrew the first ap- said: “This decision is really disap- . for any future planning application.” plication and the second was refused pointing. Nothing will happen now Bearsted residents have fought to by MBC’s planning committee. unless the owners come forward save their shops, which have already The Bearsted and Thurnham Soci- with another application. been the subject of two planning ety hoped to persuade English Her- “There is nothing left that we can proposals by Hove-based owners itage to list the parade. It was do apart from hope they will respect Evenden Estates to demolish and re- thought that the Victorian canopy, in the wishes of the community.” Gyratory delay WORK on the Maidstone bridges Festive recycling gyratory system will not be com- CHRISTMAS is coming and we pleted on time. have advice on recycling festive The £5.75 million project was waste. For more, see the Maid- YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT due to end in November but [email protected] stone Borough Council-sponsored 01622 690290 bosses now say it will be  12-page Borough Update inside. 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • January 2017. 22

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2 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk News Downs Mail Rare nutcracker turns even bigger WELCOME to the November edi- tion of the Downs Mail, Maidstone up in a village garden and Malling’s number one news- paper. We have expanded the number of ONE of the rarest birds seen in our publications serving the county Britain, the nutcracker, has been town and surrounding areas from spotted in a village garden – almost four to five. 20 years after the last sighting was With the expansion of Maidstone officially recorded. and an increase in its housing stock, The bird was seen sitting unper- we want to reach out to new read- turbed on a weather vane by a ers. householder and a gardener friend Of course, we want to provide an in Forge Lane, Leeds, before it flew even better service to our advertis- off. The resident, who asked not to Ornithologist Paul ers by adding thousands of copies be named, was stunned when she Stancliffe and right, a being delivered door to door. saw the dark, heavily-spotted bird – rare nutcracker Mail Publications Chairman a member of the crow family – in her Claire Procter said: “At a time when back garden. tremely rare”, conditions this au- ing. Autumn 2016 with easterly air- some newspapers have declined, we The sighting is all the more re- tumn have been favourable for a flows has seen lots and lots of birds have decided to expand our offering markable because it is the second bird, which normally forages in the turning up from continental Europe. both to our family of loyal readers time a nutcracker has visited her forests of Scandanavia for pine nuts, While there have been no nutcrack- and our commercial partners. home in the village – the last one to be blown into Kent. ers reported as far as we know, Kent “The Downs Mail is soon to cele- several years ago. Paul Stancliffe of the British Trust would have been as good a place as brate its 20th anniversary and what She said: “I was with my friend for Ornithology said the last any for one to turn up.” better way to do so than to an- and he spotted this large, dark bird recorded nutcracker sighting in Non-indigenous British birds are nounce these exciting expansion sitting up on the weather vane. He Britain was in 1998 at Kingsdown, sometimes literally blown into the plans.” didn’t know what it was because near Dover. Mr Stancliffe (pictured) UK from parts of Europe on air Downs Mail now publishes five he’s not into birds but I did because said mid-Kent would be “as good a streams or extreme weather. Others editions across the Maidstone and I’d looked it up from the time before. place as any” for one to turn up after will disperse widely when harvests Malling areas with more than 85,000 “We were able to walk round it to continual easterly airflows from con- of their staple foods fail. copies delivered direct to people’s have good look. It was about the size tinental Europe. Such dispersals are known as “ir- homes and available for pick-up of a jackdaw, dark and with lovely He added: “Obviously, I can’t ruptions” and one example was four every month. markings.” confirm it yet, but we’d like to talk years ago when jays came in from All of our current and archived Ornithological experts say that al- to these residents in Kent. It’s very Europe in their thousands after the editions are also free to read on our though nutcracker sightings are “ex- interesting and really quite excit- annual crop of acorns failed. website at www.downsmail.co.uk 01622 738772 www.directorshairandbeauty.co.uk 7 Yeoman Court, Ashford Road, Bearsted Late night We have Christmas all wrapped up Thurs with our range of festive gift packs

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Maidstone East November 2016 3 News downsmail.co.uk ‘Hurry up’ on second school Recycling bank removal BOSSES in charge of funding a sec- ond primary school for Bearsted should “get on with it”, according to a local councillor. will be ‘retrograde step’ has identi- fied a number of sites for the school, SOUTHEASTERN has come under fire after removing community which is needed to meet growing demand for places. recycling bins from its station at Hollingbourne. The decision to get a school in place by 2018 lies with the govern- The decision to evict the well- in to town to find a new home for ing the bins will stop fly-tipping. ment’s Education Funding Agency used collection banks in Station their old clothes. He added: “Only this morning (EFA) which is resisting calls to make Lane has angered villagers and the “I am a big fan of providing there was glass, old videos and a decision. parish council, which has described every opportunity to the public and other rubbish down the lane and Bearsted’s borough councillor the move as a retrograde step. charities to benefit from recycling this has been made even worse by Mike Revell said: “It’s going very It is under- and this is a backward step as far as Southeastern’s street lights along slowly. They should get on with it.” stood that as I am concerned.” this isolated road being out of ac- These are sentiments echoed by well as a bottle A Southeastern spokesman tion for more than a month, leaving county councillor Jenny Whittle and bank, the Sal- maintained the bottle bank and re- the area in darkness.” MP Helen Whately, who has been in vation Army cycling skips needed to be removed The parish council now under- touch with the EFA for clarification. and Barnardos because of fly-tipping. She said: stands Southeastern will also need Mrs Whately fears that a Septem- were among “They have become popular for the to remove the concrete base on ber 2018 new build primary now the charities illegal dumping of house-hold rub- which the bins stood, take down whose recepta- bish and the site is being cleared to the fence and landscape the area seems “highly unlikely”. cles are to be reduce the risk of any accidents and has been advised by Maid- Downs Mail understands one of given their happening.” stone Council that if the train com- the proposed sites is at Eclipse Park Cllr Mike Bedwell marching or- It follows similar decisions else- pany fails to clear fly-tipping, it where there are seven acres of unde- ders. Hollingbourne Parish Coun- where in the borough to remove re- could be issued with an enforce- veloped land. cil chairman Cllr Mike Bedwell cycling bins, including at ment notice. The Education Funding Agency said: “These bins provided a val- Morrisons, on the Sutton Road, Southeastern confirmed an engi- declined to comment. ued service to villagers who have to Leeds village and Kingswood. neer had now been appointed to in- wait a fortnight for their recycling But Cllr Bedwell says Southeast- vestigate why the lights in Station Driver in court to be collected or now need to trek ern is mistaken if it thinks remov- Approach keep failing. A DISQUALIFIED driver stopped on the M20 in his car while nearly three times the drink limit has been Bus firm in given a suspended jail sentence. Chip shop boss in tribute Wojciech Uchronski (38), of Kings- ley Road, Maidstone, admitted safety move drink-driving, driving while banned to quake victim Matt STAGECOACH has agreed to an- and without insurance. swer safety fears by introducing a He gave a breath test that showed A BEARSTED fish shop is hoping that customers will ‘chip in’ to help raise request bus stop for Hollingbourne he had 92mg of alcohol in 100ml of money in memory of Matt Carapiet, who died in the Nepal earthquake children. breath on September 3. The legal last year. It follows pressure from the limit is 35. Uchronski was sentenced Matt (23), of Peverel parish council, parents and county to 84 days in prison, suspended for Drive, Bearsted, had councillor Jenny Whittle. 12 months, banned from driving for been helping to build the The offer, which will run from 42 months and ordered to carry out Self Help Community December 5, after the county coun- 180 hours of unpaid work in the next Centre in Siem Reap cil said highway changes to the A20 12 months. He must also pay £85 while he was travelling carriageway would not be cost effi- costs and a £115 victim surcharge. around Asia in 2015. cient or easy to introduce. Following his death It means the two 7.55am 10X last April, the Carapiet services, will now negotiate the A20 Store takeover family raised more than roundabout twice, to pick up school TALKS of a takeover will please vil- £11,000 to help children from the bus stop at lagers in Hollingbourne, who feared complete the school Hollingbourne Corner, rather than for the future of their general store. project and pay for students having to cross the busy There was concern that the store furniture and fittings. road to pick up their buses to and post office could close early next Matt had enjoyed fish school in Maidstone and on the year, after Christopher Rudgard’s and chips from his local Road in the morning. decision to retire after running the chippie – Marino’s Fish Cllr Jenny Whittle said: “I am de- store in Eyhorne Street for 12 years. Bar in Ashford Road – lighted that Stagecoach has agreed Mr Rudgard said: “Discussions whose owner Donda to tailor its 10X bus service to en- are taking place and I am hopeful Michaelis donated a able secondary school pupils who that by the last quarter these will day’s profits in use this service to be able to do so reach a satisfactory conclusion and September last year to safely from now on. the shop will continue under new the fund in his memory. “This should give parents peace ownership early next year.” The charity day raised of mind when their children board £2,000 towards the fund, and now Donda (pictured) is hoping that this the bus in future.” year’s event on November 1 will be even more successful. Stagecoach has said the new Bowls welcome He said: “I read about Matt in the Downs Mail and the story touched arrangement will need to be kept A WELCOME is on the mat for new- a nerve. He was a young lad from Bearsted, and having four children under review and relies on drivers comers at a village bowling club. myself, I thought it was so sad and I wanted to do something to help.” remembering the double move. Short Mat Bowls Donda will also be celebrating the 50th birthday of the family However, Hollingbourne parish Club needs new members. The club business which his father launched in the Midlands, before moving to council is urging pupils and parents meets at 2pm in the village hall and Maidstone where he opened the area’s first Marino’s in The Broadway. to help drivers remember and re- loan bowls are available. For details, The current site at Bearsted opened in 1989. porting any failures to the bus com- call Chris Wheal on 01622 858100. pany.

4 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk News

CALLING ALL Dr Clive Edmonds and left, the road damage in Leeds LANDLORDS Do you have a Sink hole ‘may property in Maidstone?

• We let most of • We can offer happen again’ our properties Smart rental within 7 days protection AN expert geologist claims a cata- were a contributing factor, Dr Ed- strophic sink hole which shut a monds added: “It’s difficult to • Successfully Kent village for six months is only gauge. Clearly, the roads have been • Most of our a burst water main away in other used for a long time until there was tenants stay on letting properties parts of the borough. too much water in one location. 1 in Maidstone for Much of the soil and deep level “We don’t think traffic levels were average for 2 /2 ground structure across Maidstone implicated although one might years over 20 years is of a similar nature to Leeds – argue that if you had a shallow void leaving it susceptible to sudden col- and you put a heavy load onto it, it lapses. wouldn’t be helpful.” Dr Clive Edmonds, a geohazards At the time of the sinkhole ap- expert specialising in sinkholes for pearing, local councillor Gary engineering giant Peter Brett Asso- Cooke said a separate series of in- INVITATION ciates (PBA), said the suspected leak dependent investigations had been there could trigger similar events carried out and found no imminent elsewhere. threat. But he claimed that the traffic Are you thinking of The collapse which occurred in levels going through the village Leeds in November 2014 is thought “can’t have helped”. becoming a landlord? to have been caused by a water es- The voids which collapsed were cape causing weaknesses in under- at depths of 25-30m. ground “voids” which eventually Downs Mail has obtained a copy If so, you are invited to come gave way. of the PBA survey into the orginal Dr Edmonds said: “In principle, Leeds collapse which hinted at and join us for a glass of wine the same geological circumstances wider possible problems in the are present in a wide area, not only Maidstone area. and an informal chat on in the village but the land around it Dr Edmonds studied geology at for that problem to happen. the University of Nottingham and “You need something to trigger it. holds a master’s degree in engineer- Thursday 3rd In Upper Street, Leeds, it was be- ing geology from Imperial College, lieved that a water main leaking was London. the probable trigger. He also holds a PhD in engineer- November 2016 “The geological conditions are ing geomorphology from Royal similar in other areas, not just in Holloway. Leeds but places like Maidstone and Dr Edmonds, a PBA partner, was 7-9pm .” called in provide expertise on the Asked if high volumes of traffic crisis which hit Leeds. at our Bearsted Office Make most of amphitheatre MAIDSTONE Borough Council plan to improve access, facilities Places are limited so please (MBC) says it wants to make more and activies in the area. The work is of its Roman-style amphitheatre on being overseen by the Maidstone phone to book your place now. the banks of the river near the Arch- River Park Group, recently formed bishops’ Palace. Described as one of to carry out the council’s Tourism the town’s “most delightful outdoor Destination Management Plan. Bearsted Office venues” the site has been branded The group has already recruited Bearsted Green, Bearsted ME14 4QZ by some as “a wasted investment” McDonalds’ staff from Maidstone and “a drug-dealing gang meeting who have been cleaning up the corner”. area. Tel: 01622 737800 The arena and stage, which seats A Maidstone Council spokesman 250 people, is one of the lasting said: “MBC would like to see more Office legacy projects, funded in part by events taking place in the am- Penenden Heath, Maidstone ME14 2HN the National Lottery, to celebrate phitheatre and we would be very the Millennium. happy to work with event organis- The council says the amphithe- ers looking to book an outdoor Tel: 01622 671200 atre is now one of three priorities space either in this space or the identified in a three-year action River Stage at Whatman Park.” www.ferrisandco.net

Maidstone East November 2016 5 News downsmail.co.uk Two year ban A 27-year-old from Maidstone who ‘Kes res’ needs planning drove while over the limit and with- out insurance has been banned from the road for two years. Ionut Buse, from Union Street, was sentenced at Mid Kent Magis- permission, parish told trates’ Court, after admitting the of- fences. FEATHERS were ruffled over a allotments, one of the councillors He was stopped in a Nissan parish council’s plan to site a suggested that we install a kestrel Almera in Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone, kestrel nesting box overlooking box. We consulted a wildlife expert on August 28 and gave a breath test its allotments. and had advice that we should put of 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of Boxley councillors thought that it on a pole near the site. We then breath. The legal limit is 35. providing a bespoke new home for contacted Maidstone Borough the birds of prey would be the Council and were horrified to be Coffee stolen ideal way to control the mice feast- told that you need planning per- ing on gardeners’ fruit and veg. mission to put a pole up and put a A MAIDSTONE man who stole cof- But they were stunned when box on it. It would cost us more fee worth £25 from a shop on the Maidstone Council officials told than £100 to apply. It’s absurd.” Loose Road has been given a sus- them that the “kes res” – a small Sara Humphrey, of the RSPB, said pended prison sentence. wooden box made by local Scouts the charity could not comment on Jason Collins (38), from Willington – would need planning permis- the individual box, but said: “Re- Green, admitted shoplifting on July sion. cent studies show we are losing 10 from the store. He was sentenced And they were even more horri- even more wildlife than ever in the at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court to 12 fied to discover that submitting the UK, but individual actions can weeks in prison, suspended for 12 paperwork to the borough council make a difference. months. He must pay £25 compen- could cost at least £100. “Creating homes for nature in sation and £85 costs. Boxley chairman Bob Hinder Boxley Parish Council want to put a gardens and green spaces can help said he would be writing to Maid- kestrel box like this on their join up the pockets of land de- stone Borough Council’s chief ex- signed to protect wildlife, such as Village events allotments site to control mice TWO events are returning to Grafty ecutive Alison Broom for an RSPB nature reserves.” Green in December. explanation. Parish clerk Pauline Bowdery Maidstone Borough Council, of- The quiz night will be held on Sat- The idea for the nest box at Dove arranged for Scouts from the fering to discuss the issue further urday, December 3 and the craft fair Hill allotments emerged after the group to make the with Boxley, said: “Should the on Sunday, December 4, both at the parish council provided funding box, along with two others for sites structure fall outside of ... permit- village hall. towards one fitted with a camera at elsewhere in the parish. ted rights then the appropriate Tickets for the quiz will be on sale Kent Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre Parish council chairman Bob planning permission would need at the shop from November. off , near Maidstone. Hinder said: “When we created the to be applied for.”

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Maidstone East November 2016 7 News | Local plan inquiry downsmail.co.uk ‘Listen to public over local plan’ THE public have not been listened to over their concerns about the content of its controversial Local Plan, outspoken MP Helen Whately has claimed. Mrs Whately told planning in- posed in the borough by 2031 was structure. Asked specifically about spector Robert Mellor it was “vi- too high – the highest number of whether the proposed junction 8 Traveller sites tally important” the council gets it any borough in the county, bar Woodcut Farm employment site, right before proceeding – particu- Medway. off the M20, should be removed The MP also questioned the coun- larly on housing. Going further, she said that a from the plan, she said: “I seek cil’s allocation of traveller sites, ar- She told the in- four-week consultation period the deletion of this site from the guing that the council failed to take spector at the after the revised housing figure Local Plan. into account the Government’s lat- town hall in- had been released was clearly not “It is not an appropriate loca- est definition of what constituted a quiry: “I have long enough for parishes to consult tion for such a large industrial gypsy or a traveller. had hundreds of and respond in time. site.” This resulted in an over-estimate letters and emails This was particularly true of She added that the site was an of the number of pitches needed. on this issue. Few those where much of the housing integral part of the landscape be- She said: “Time and again, we topics have was being proposed, such as Head- tween Bearsted and are seeing permissions (for gypsy sites) granted. MP Helen aroused such a corn, Harrietsham and , – an important heritage site that volume of so which she said would grow by attracts moe than 500,000 people "We are seeing permissions Whately much concern.” 110% if the Local Plan were ap- to the area every year. granted on the grounds of a lack of The failure of the borough coun- proved. Mrs Whately said development five-year supply, but this is leading cil to listen to the level of concern The MP said the housing figure around junction 8 had previously to the expansion of traveller sites in meant she was duty-bound to en- had to reflect local need and that of been rejected, adding: “We clearly totally inappropriate locations, sure the inspector left the inquiry preserving the countryside, while need to provide employment sites where we know planning permis- in no doubt that constituents felt also contending with the needs of within the area, but those that are sion for residential development the 18,560 new homes being pro- transport and investment in infra- accessible by public transport.” would not be granted.” 18,000 homes ‘not enough’ THE Home Builders’ Federation claims Maidstone should be build- ing MORE than the 18,000 houses it has proposed by 2031 in order to ease the capital’s housing crisis. James Stevens told the inquiry that all the boroughs in London – with the exception of Camden – have a shortage of housing stock. Mr Stevens (left) told the inspector: “There will be a significant under- supply in London and it would be prudent to factor this in.” Maidstone Bor- ough Council (MBC) said the au- thority had made allowances for this in its projected population growth. Government inspector Robert Mellor asked if the arguments had MP Grant against housing figure been heeded by other planning in- MAIDSTONE and the Weald MP housing developments. quiries and was told they had not. Helen Grant is to submit written Check the session programme for “Helen Whately (fellow local Mr Mellor is due to hear from rep- the public inquiry at representations to the planning MP) and I hosted a very well at- resentatives of local parish councils, www.maidstone.gov.uk developers, amenity groups, neigh- inspector hearing views on the tended public meeting to address bouring councils and highway au- borough's Local Plan. Council (KCC)”. these and other issues at the Maid- thorities amongst others. Government inspector Robert The MP told Downs Mail: “The stone Studios (pictured above). The inspector, who is bound by Mellor began hearing evidence focus for me has been what I con- “I have also held private talks the existing legislative frameworks, from the community on Tuesday sider an excessive number of new with the leaders of KCC and MBC can accept the proposals in the Local October 4. houses, which could be reduced and have made written represen- Plan or order significant changes. Mrs Grant is to lodge her objec- by reference to planning con- tations to MBC with particular ref- Robert Jarman, MBC’s head of tions on the “excessive number of straints. erence to the long-mooted Leeds – planning, said his authority had new houses” planned by Maid- “I have also been concerned Langley relief road scheme. risen to the challenge of setting local stone Borough Council (MBC) with manifest shortcomings in “I will be putting further writ- development targets “which are ap- and their traffic implications. constructive co-operation between ten representations to the plan- propriate for Maidstone”. She has also been concerned by MBC and KCC in the develop- ning inspector during the course This assertion is likely to be tested the “manifest shortcomings in ment of this plan, especially relat- of these public hearings to under- throughout the inquiry, with many constructive co-operation be- ing to mitigation of additional line and endorse the opinions I representatives fearful of the impact tween MBC and Kent County vehicle traffic arising from new have already made clear.” house-building will have on roads, schools, GP practices and other www.downsmail.co.uk amenities. For more local news go to

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Maidstone East November 2016 9 News downsmail.co.uk Geing ‘militant’ over traffic VILLAGERS fed up waiting for a relief road have said they are ready to “get militant” if the authorities drag their feet over traffic issues for much longer. Residents in Leeds are planning to stage marches and other disruptive, Road on agenda but legal, actions to highlight the Even lollipop problems huge volumes of vehicle LEEDS’ county councillor Gary movements have on everyday life. Cooke, who sits on the Joint Trans- man ‘abused’ Borough councillor Gill Fort (pic- portation Board, wrote in the lat- tured) says she had heard of plans est parish magazine: “At the last THE head governor of Leeds by residents to “start making a lot of JTB, a resolution was made about and Broomfield Primary noise” as they no longer feel they are working with the borough council School says traffic outside its being heard by those in power. to promote the relief road. gates has become “a huge Apart from the daily traffic, vil- “However, we need to wait until issue” and is one she is con- lagers are growing increasingly fed we have gone through the ‘exam- cerned about. up with HGVs flouting a lorry ban, ination in public’ for the Local Plan For years vehicles and their speeding, reckless driving, hit-and- where we will promote the idea.” drivers have ignored the run prangs and aggressive conduct 20mph speed restriction, sped by some drivers. rush hour. “But there is definitely a mood of up to avoid being stopped by She said: “There is growing anger “I will support and help organise a frustration and anger among local the crossing patrol or hurled among people here and they are march or a series of demonstrations people. There’s just a lot of talk and abuse at the lollipop person. to highlight what is going on here.” threatening to get militant. One chap no action. Sometimes you have to Governors’ chairman Val The Joint Transportation Board I know wants to get a car and park it make people sit up and take notice.” Puncher said: “It’s a huge issue in the road, legally, but which will (JTB) – made up of county, borough Ukip borough councillor Eddie and of great concern. People go slow the traffic down. and parish council representatives – Powell added: “I’m 100% behind the too fast or they get angry when “I cannot and will not condone are mulling over three options for a villagers on this one – they’ve had anything illegal, but I can under- Leeds-Langley relief road. enough. they get stopped.” stand why he thinks that way.” These may eventually be put out “Even if the JTB could come up In a recent newsletter home Conservative Cllr Fort lives in the to public consultation, but critics ac- with a plan, how will it be paid for? to parents, head of school Julie heart of the village and says she un- cuse the JTB of stalling until after the In the great scheme of things, a Wellman reported “inappro- derstands villagers’ frustrations. county council elections next May. Leeds-Langley relief road is hardly priate language and unwel- She added: “Another villager I Upper Street resident Robert Jack- high up on the government’s come comments” directed at know reckons he can get two trac- son (38), said: “All we get is prevari- agenda, is it? This has been talked crossing patrolman Wayne tors to drive in opposite directions, cation because there’s an election about for 20 years and yet nothing English. very slowly, through the village at coming up. has been done.” Shop thief took Choir appeal King of apples star of show MUSICAL group Detling Singers, a food and wine mixed four-part choir which per- FAMILIES turned out to celebrate forms concerts in Kent, is looking for A SHOPLIFTER from Maidstone Weavering’s apple-growing heritage new members. has been jailed for 30 days after at a Festival of Fruit. The group has a repertoire includ- stealing from stores four times in a The fruity frolics and children’s fortnight. ing traditional songs, folk songs, se- fun at Weavering Diamond Jubilee lections from musicals, choral Douglas Frankham (29), from Orchard recalled the orchards which Cheshire Road, pleaded guilty to favourites, spirituals and hymns, once dominated the landscape. The all counts of shoplifting. carols and Christmas music. Re- celebration included apple pies, He stole food and drink worth £6 hearsals are once a week, on Mon- apple pressing, apple identification from a shop in Week Street, Maid- day evenings, in Detling. For further and honey and beekeeping. stone, on September 7; wine from a information, contact Mike Mortlock The event also celebrated the service station in Sheerness eight on 01634 862297. history of Warner’s King, once days later and a bottle of wine from known as the “king of apples” – a a supermarket in The Broadway, very old species which originated in Pie and quiz Maidstone, on September 20. Weavering and is still grown there. MAIDSTONE Mencap members are The following day he also stole holding their popular Apple Pie food and wine worth £5.67 from Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Derek Butler planted a Warner’s King Quiz Night at Cobtree Hall, Mote the same supermarket. Park, School Lane, off Willington He was sentenced at Mid Kent sapling at the community orchard which was rescued from dereliction Street, on Saturday, October 29 at 7 Magistrates’ Court and has been or- for 7.30pm. by Boxley Parish Council. dered to pay a £115 victim sur- Teams will be six to eight people A grant from Tesco, funded from charge. and admission is £6 per person, the 5p plastic bag levy, has paid for which includes apple pie and cream. an educational project for nearby St Parking is free beyond the wooden Strictly’s date John’s CE Primary School, in STRICTLY’S Anton Du Beke and gates leading to the hall. Provender Way and a new wooden To book, call Rita on 07790 643218. Erin Boag are coming to Maid- slide for the orchard. stone. Cllr Bob Hinder, chairman of the There’ll be a chance to book a 50- parish council, said: “From a near Promise auction minute dance workout with the wildlife desert in 2011, the orchard THE Friends of All Saints’ Church, pair, dinner, an overnight stay and is starting to blossom, and , will be holding an auction a performance by the professionals woodpeckers, blue tits and bats can of promises on at 7pm on Saturday, at the Mercure Hotel. be found.” November 19. Tickets for the event on Friday, Alexandra Knight (five) is pictured Details and a catalogue are avail- May 5, are £199 or £159 per person. choosings some apples. able from Molly Poulter on 01622 Tickets are limited. 842988 or [email protected].

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Maidstone East November 2016 11 News downsmail.co.uk Homes crisis COUNCIL chiefs say a combination of soaring property prices and wel- Lier police are back fare reforms could see social hous- ing organisations buying up sites in Kent. A new report by Kent County on beat after review Council delivers the warning against a backdrop of benefit caps MAIDSTONE’S “litter police” are and a tightening up of eligibility. back on duty after being hauled Butt of the fines It claims that housing associations over the coals by the borough fear a cut in social housing rents council … and one departure from A BREAKDOWN of the fines issued until 2020 could mean 600 fewer the sub-contracted team. since September 1 2015 shows homes being built each year in Kent. It follows complaints from the more than 2,000 fines were issued public about the council’s private for dropping cigarette ends, while enforcers being too heavy-handed. only about 130 were issued for Mummy scan A woman was fined £80 at dropping litter. THE Maidstone Mummy has been for feeding ducks – because the Fixed penalty notices were is- scanned to reveal the secrets of the warden maintained there were no sued for: 2,700-year-old teenager. birds around. The fine was later • Cigarettes - 2,043 Ta-Kush, who was 14 when she withdrawn by the contractor, King- • Food/food packaging/chewing died, has been scanned at a local dom Security. gum – 36 hospital in the hope her face can be It follows the return of 61 fines by The borough council’s head of • Dog fouling – 8 reconstructed and any other details the private enforcement firm since environment, Jennifer Shepherd, • Other litter (cellophane, plastic of her life revealed. the company won the £160,000 said enforcement officers would be stirrers etc.) – 98 It is also hoped to prove once and two-year contract to enforce the returning to duties following the • Literature – 16 for all that she is not, in fact, a he. council’s litter laws last June. review of the contract, which runs Total 2,201 Ta-Kush has been a favourite at But it appears this was the final until June next year. the St Faith’s Street collection and straw, leading the council’s envi- She added: “I can confirm there safe environment.” came to in the 1820s. ronmental enforcement manager have been a number of personnel It is understood this will be a Martyn Jeynes to suspend the serv- changes which Kingdom have commitment to ensure officers re- Poppy appeal ice for a thorough investigation. made during the review and we an- ceive full training and regular re- THIS year’s Poppy Appeal is The suspension of the service, ticipate that two new officers will fresher courses about the way in launched at County Hall in Maid- which lasted 26 days, saw officers be joining the team. which they conduct themselves in stone on Wednesday, October 26. finally return to the streets on Oc- “We have been working closely response to the council’s enforce- Armistice Day falls on Friday, No- tober 12, minus at least one male of- with Kingdom to ensure officers ment requirements. vember 11, and Remembrance Sun- ficer, amid calls for better training are able to provide a service which Kingdom Security declined to day on the 13th. of all frontline staff. fulfils our priority of a clean and comment.

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Maidstone East November 2016 13 News downsmail.co.uk Trio jailed for ‘crime wave’ TWO men and a teenage boy have been jailed after they burgled five homes, including one in Bearsted and another in West Malling, before hijacking a car on the M20. Maidstone Crown Court heard the car also had paint on it, which driving and using a vehicle with- how Francis Conners (21), Michael matched that of a stolen safe. Fur- out third party insurance. Moorehouse (28) and the 15-year- ther enquiries led detectives to the Sentencing them on October 11, old left a trail of destruction on the stolen Honda Jazz in a parking bay Moorehouse, of no fixed address, motorway after their crime spree in in Otford, where blood stains in- received seven years and four which properties were targeted in side provided more forensic evi- months in prison. Conners, for- Kent, Sussex and London. dence. merly of Cherryfield Way, Dublin, The trio, who broke into homes, The investigation revealed that was sentenced to six years and the including those in Road after leaving the Honda, all three teenager, from Borehamwood, and Yeoman Lane on June 13, then Convicted: Michael Moorhouse and then boarded a train at Otford for Hertfordshire, two years at a attempted to flee in a BMW, stolen Frances Conners London. Close to the train station, young offenders’ centre. from a previous burglary. and thrown to the floor by one of officers recovered a glove and Detective Constable Mark How- At about 3.45pm their BMW col- the offenders, before the three stole baseball cap, which were found to ell said: “Moorehouse and Con- lided with a Vauxhall Astra on the his car and drove off. contain DNA of the teenage boy. nors, along with their teenage London-bound carriageway of the Jewellery, watches and rare coins The trio were arrested in Essex accomplice were responsible for a M20, between junctions 2 and 1, recovered from the BMW were on July 12. mini crime-wave…then left a trail forcing the gang to abandon the found to have been taken during Appearing at Maidstone Crown of destruction on a motorway vehicle. burglaries on the same day of the Court, they each pleaded guilty to which could easily have had fatal When the driver of a third vehi- collision, and DNA matched those counts of robbery and conspiracy consequences, before assaulting a cle, a Honda Jazz, stopped at the of Moorehouse and Conners. to commit burglary. Moorehouse man whose only intention had scene to offer help he was punched A sledgehammer in the boot of also faced charges of dangerous been to offer help and assistance.” Dog controls Sophie opens long-awaited play park under review YOUNGSTERS at are INCREASED fines and more con- enjoying a new-look play park – and trols on dogs are being considered have one of their friends to thank by Maidstone Council. Sophie Lawrie wrote to In a first move by the council to Maidstone Council when she was introduce tougher measures, it is nine, sending a petition signed by asking dog owners for their views her playmates and parents calling on a £25 hike in the fine for dog for improvements to the run-down fouling, along with other controls park and now – at the age of 15 – that would put dogs on leads in her prayers have been answered. more areas of the borough. The work has been completed The informal consultation on the after pressure from borough council’s RK9 Facebook page is councillor Gordon Newton, seen as the first step in updating Downswood Parish Council and fed- fenced area for younger children her neighbours in this and has the borough’s Public Space Protec- up residents in a jointly-funded with swings, a slide and remained community-spirited.” tion Order. initiative by the borough council roundabout. Sophie is in year 11 at Valley Park In addition to the suggestion of a and the parish council, amounting Sophie’s mum Katie said: “When School in Maidstone, where she is £100 fine for owners who fail to to about £40,000. the council removed the play also taking her Duke of Edinburgh clear up after their animal, views Sophie who had the honour of equipment all that time ago award and helps out at the Bubbles are being taken on further steps, cutting the ribbon on the new-look without telling anyone why, Sophie swimming classes for special needs such as insisting dogs are on leads Foxden Drive play area at the gave them a few weeks and then children at . in shopping areas, excluded from opening ceremony. got on their case. Sophie is pictured cutting the any children’s play areas – not just The refurbished play area now “It’s a shame that funding issues ribbon held by Downswood Parish fenced ones – and giving officers includes benches, a pendulum has meant it has taken this long, Council chairman Cllr Roz but I’m very proud she supported Cheesman. the power to tell owners of nui- swing, a ball hoop, goal posts and a sance pets to put them on a lead. Burns victim in skydive to help foundation A WOMAN who suffered disfigur- lying in a coma in London with Country Market, and on June 24, ing burns in a holiday accident is to 85% burns, most of which were 2017, they will be holding a masked jump out of a plane for the founda- third degree. ball in the Tithe Barn in Lenham, tion which supported her during Six months after being released where Gez is the village crier. her recovery. from hospital, Danielle is hoping to Tickets for the ball, which will in- Danielle Branch was on holiday raise money for the Katie Piper clude an auction with TV star Vic with her mum Jan and her husband Foundation that helped her Reeves, including one of his own Gez Clark, from Lenham, on New through one of the toughest times paintings and tickets for the final of Year’s Eve at the Caravan Club of her life. X Factor, will also be available for park in Addington, near West Still healing from the burns on Danielle, before and after the fire sale at the Lenham Country Market Malling, when fire ripped through her face and body, she will be stall from October. their motorhome. The devastating scarred for life, but Danielle Sunday, October 16. Sponsor Danielle’s parachute fire put Jan and Gez in hospital for launched the fund-raising charge The family will also be raffling 12 jump on the Just Giving website or nearly a month, and Danielle – by her family with a 12,000ft tickets for the Leeds Castle Classi- for details of the ball, email whose injuries were far worse – freefall skydive over on cal Concert from a stall at Lenham [email protected].

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16 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk News Charity play THE Alan Bennett farce Habeas Cor- KCC to consult on 4% pus will be raising money for the bells at St Nicholas’ Church, . The performance by The Willing- ton Players is at the Hazlitt Theatre, increase in council tax Maidstone, on Thursday, November 10. Tickets cost £14. Email elizabeth- KENT residents face a council tax [email protected]. hike of nearly four per cent as the Conservative-led authority tries to Church plea mitigate the impact of another PARTY-GOERS at Leeds Castle have year of cuts totalling £75m. raised £19,000 for up-to-the-minute Kent County Council (KCC) equipment to diagnose and treat launched a consultation period breast cancer in Kent. Two hundred with residents on whether, for the guests attended the charity ball in fourth consecutive year, they memory of the 31-year-old, from would accept an increase on the Cllr Jenny Whittle is Larkfield, who lost her battle with council tax of 1.99% plus a 2% so- backing the council breast cancer in the autumn 2014. cial care precept. tax increase For more details visit www.breast- KCC says this would contribute cancerkent.org.uk. £23.7m towards balancing the ing the challenge early on. we are KCC Ukip member Frank books. now in a better position than most. McKenna said: “It’s a very tricky If approved, the bill for house- We understand that some transfor- situation, especially when it comes Fireworks date holds in Band C properties would mational plans take many years to to social care. It’s down to national ULCOMBE School hosts a Village rise by nearly £40 from £1,007.60 to implement. We have made intelli- government cuts.” Fireworks Night from 6.30pm on £1,047.84. gent commissioning decisions and The council has identified further Friday, November 4. Tickets cost £5 KCC leader Paul Carter said: “We have the situation in hand. savings of £75m for the next finan- for adults, £3 for children and £15 for started this journey to save hun- “Despite these huge challenges, cial year, on top of savings of more a family (two adults, three children). dreds of millions of pounds in 2010 we are determined to continue to than half a billion pounds made Proceeds will go towards school and, by managing this sensibly, we make Kent a great place to live and over the last six years. KCC says projects. have already saved more than half work, seeing the population grow there is still more to find before the a billion pounds over six years. and attracting new businesses.” budget is finalised in February. Promises sale “The government has placed an Tory member Jenny Whittle, who Residents will be asked if they THE Friends of All Saints’ Church, enormous challenge on us by im- represents Maidstone rural east, support KCC’s proposed response Ulcombe are holding an auction of posing on local government some said she will support the rise and to the “financial challenge while promises on Saturday, November 19 of the biggest cuts compared to added: “We have stretched the elas- facing increasing demands and at 7pm. Details from Molly Poulter other parts of the public sector. tic as far as we can – we don’t do costs for county council services at on 01622 842988, email molly.poul- “With forward planning and fac- nearly as much as we used to.” a time of reduced funding”. [email protected]. WINDOWS & DOORS REQUIRING T.L.C? DON’T REPLACE THEM MAINTAIN THEM! MAINTAINING YOUR EXISTING WINDOWS & DOORS IS CONSIDERABLY MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN REPLACING. UPGRADING TO ENERGY EFFICIENT BFRC A & B RATED GLASS WILL HELP SAVE YOU MONEY ON BILLS. Fairdeal are local specialists in the repair, upgrade and maintenance of double glazed windows and doors. We repair PVCu, Aluminium & Timber Fogged double glazed Local Authority Approved glass units - replaced NO Call out charge with with energy rated glass Free Quotations & Advice Handles & mechanisms repaired & replaced We were pleased with the work Fairdeal Windows previously carried out on our porch, so we Window and door hinges went back to them for windows. We are very pleased with the windows and the installers. We and stays “ couldn't fault the work they carried out plus they left everything clean and tidy. Thanks to all Leak and draught repairs the staff too. ” Mr H. - We supply & install windows, doors & conservatories including UPVC fascias, soffits & guttering Call 01622 902005 FOR FAST FRIENDLY QUOTES & ADVICE www.fairdealwindows.co.uk Celebrating over 25 years of continuous trading Find us at: Unit K, Orchard Business Centre, 20/20 Industrial Estate, , Kent ME16 0JZ

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Maidstone East November 2016 17 News downsmail.co.uk Keep it clean, warns MP Grant MAIDSTONE MP Helen Grant has called on her Liberal Democrat rival in the race for the parlia- mentary seat to run a “clean and positive campaign”. Mrs Grant faces a challenge from could call a snap general election 23-year-old Oxford graduate Emily next spring. Tory sources say that Fermor who launched a thinly- this is unlikely. veiled attack on the MP as her can- Mr Gerard - who is now working didacy was announced. as a campaigner for his party - said: Former Invicta Grammar School “Emily was part of my team in 2015 pupil Miss Fermor, of Heath Road, and was absolutely brilliant. She , claimed that the county worked incredibly hard and is very town needs a local person with popular as a person. “energy, enthusiasm and commit- “I think she’ll make a fantastic ment” which “we have not had for candidate.” a number of years”. With a huge majority to overturn, Mrs Grant responded with a few will give Miss Fermor - a con- terse statement: “Another woman sultant with the public relations choosing to engage with our firm Bell Pottinger - much chance democracy is most welcome. I now Emily Fermor, centre, on the campaign trail of winning. invite her to join me in giving a Miss Fermor added: “The Liberal public pledge to run a clean and pered his chances, despite having years. I have lived in Maidstone all Democrats are well placed to fight positive campaign.” worked full-time in constituency of my life and have a knowledge a general election whenever it is Mrs Grant swept aside the previ- for three years. and understanding of our local held and I am raring to go. ous Lib Dem challenge from Jasper When she was selected, Miss Fer- town and villages that can’t be “Since the referendum we have Gerard and was re-elected with a mor said: “I am proud of our taught. signed almost 20,000 new members 10,000 majority at last year’s gen- county town and believe we need a “I relish the opportunity to prove nationally, a large number in Maid- eral election. local person representing us, with myself in the coming years.” stone and The Weald. Mr Gerard had been expected to energy, enthusiasm and a commit- Miss Fermor’s selection reflects a “This means that we now have do well but a downturn in his ment to the local area – something growing sense in Lib Dem ranks more members than we’ve ever party’s fortunes nationally scup- we have not had for a number of that Prime Minister Theresa May had in this century.” New Mall shop SHOPPERS at The Mall in Maid- Castle is setting for flower festival stone have had their first peek in- ENOUGH flowers to fill eight vans side the centre’s newest store. were exhibited throughout the Discount department store, TJ rooms of Leeds Castle at its breath- Hughes, opened its doors on Sep- taking five-day Festival of Flowers. tember 22, five years after its origi- Providing the perfect backdrop for nal Maidstone store closed. the 20,000 stems of flowers and It stocks leading beauty brands foliage, brought together in including Elemis, Estee Lauder, elaborate floral displays by 28 Clarins and Clinique as well as de- designers, there was plenty for signer bed linen from Catherine visitors to feast their eyes on. Lansfield, fashion accessories from The event, opened by TV garden Karen Millen, Gucci and Calvin personality Joe Swift, was expected Klein, plus toys and games from to have been seen by 13,500 visitors. Disney, Playmobil and Fisher Price. Visitors included TV presenter Jan “We’re thrilled to welcome TJ Leeming and Maidstone and the Hughes to The Mall, Maidstone,” Weald MP Helen Grant. said Suzie Brindle, The Mall Maid- Taking this year’s trophy for the stone’s spokesman. “The depart- best floral display was the castle’s International floral designer courtyard display Whimsical ment store will give our shoppers a head florist Louise Roots, with her Dennis Kneepkens is pictured here Woodland at the Festival of Flowers: real variety of products and some design A Royal Banquet. putting the finishing touches to his A Queen’s Castle. great discounts.” Tesco staff saved shoppers from fire Fostering plea MORE foster homes are urgently SHOPPERS and staff were evacu- A large plume of black smoke ity, particularly by the firemen. needed in the Maidstone area ac- ated from a Tesco Express after a was visible for miles around The police were controlling things cording to Kent County Council bonfire at a nearby derelict build- Maidstone. out front and making sure the area (KCC) which says demand for carers ing got out of control. Tesco staff knew something was was cleared and the cars kept out is reaching “crisis point”. The fire halted traffic for a time wrong when there was a strong of immediate danger. Maidstone has been identified as a while firefighters dealt with the smell of acrid smoke getting into "At one point it looked like it incident. the supermarket. might get very serious but the priority are by the county council The blaze spread to the Tesco Staff and shoppers were quickly crews got there quickly and id a which needs to find 200 places. store in Loose Rd and there were ushered to safety. good job." In Kent this year, 1,593 children en- fears over the presence of large gas It is understood the fire also af- A Tesco spokesman said: "Our tered care compared to 899 in 2013/4. canisters. fected a double garage which is colleagues worked really hard to KCC needs homes for teenagers, Kent Fire and Rescue Service also near to the derelict property. ensure our customers were safely children with disabilities and sibling (KFRS) used a hose, jet and a hy- One local resident said: "At first evacuated from the store." groups as well as unaccompanied drant to dampen the 10 feet high we though the Tesco was on fire Traffic was held back in both di- young asylum seekers. flames on September 21. but it turned out to be coming rections for a time and the road To find out more visit www.kent- It is understood the cause is from the back of the building. was later reopened. No one is un- fostering.co.uk or phone 03000 being treated as accidental. "There was a lot of frenetic activ- derstood to have been injured. 420002 to speak to an advisor.

18 Maidstone East November 2016 Business Focus downsmail.co.uk Roseacre Cottage Dental Practice – Welcoming New Patients dental problems can be prevented through regular care that is tailored individually to your needs. Your first visit is a 30 minute dental health Check where your dentist will carry out a thorough 12 point examination of your mouth, including a cancer screen and routine x-rays. Your dentist will discuss with you any options available for improving the appearance of your smile. At Roseacre we are fortunate to be able to offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments in-house, including dental implants, wrinkle reduction and • Implants Following two years of changes to the building ‘Six Month Smiles’ adult braces. and the introduction of our new hygienist • Six Month Smiles adult braces service, Roseacre are very pleased to be able to For a limited time we are offering a free new offer improved access to our specialist services patient dental health check and x-rays worth • Wrinkle Reduction and continue to welcome new patients to join £61.00, call us on 01622 730548 quoting • Tooth Whitening the practice. reference ‘DHC16’. (Offer valid until 30th November 2016). Although the practice has changed, our ethos • Sedation still remains the same, we know that almost all • Jaw Joint Dysfunction • White Fillings Roseacre Cottage Dental Practice • Crowns and Veneers 111 Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4BT • Dentures E: [email protected] • Hygienist services www.roseacredental.com 01622 730548 • Dental Care Plan

Maidstone East November 2016 19 News downsmail.co.uk Water power plan for castle LEEDS Castle bosses are considering creating electricity for the 900-year-old historic building using a water-powered turbine. Chief executive Sir David Steel the 525 tons of silt collected, rich in has revealed he is looking to harness nutrients, was taken away and used energy from a flow falling from the as fertiliser at a local farm. Great Water into the moat. “This delivered to the foundation Sir David said the idea is being in- a saving of about £35,000 against the vestigated as the castle continues to only other option of dumping the look for ways to save money by also silt many miles away.” turning off unnecessary lights and The castle is also adopting a green reducing gas consumption in the policy when it comes to tools and its kitchens. 57 insured estate vehicles. He writes in the Leeds and He added: “We have instituted a Broomfield parish magazine: “We policy of purchasing/leasing more can do better and, as part of an en- environmentally-friendly vehicles ergy savings programme, we are where opportunities allow and we changing as many light bulbs as will reduce the number of vehicles, possible to LED lighting and inves- if at all possible.” tigating the introduction of a hydro- The venue attracted 339,000 visi- wheel, producing electricity by the sections of water was given to a local away. Sir David said: “When we tors between April and the end of water falling from the Great Water farm to use as a fertiliser, saving the dredged the moat and the Great August, well on course for achieving to the moat.” castle £35,000 by avoiding the need Water recently (for the triathalon the 600,000 target set for March Silt recently dredged from the two to dump the waste many miles and to allow our boat a safe passage) 2017. Threats case Drugs charge A 23-YEAR-OLD man has been A WOMAN who tried to obtain sent to prison for making threaten- drugs from a Maidstone chemist ing phone calls to . using a false prescription has es- James Edwards was sentenced on caped jail. September 20, 2016 at Mid Kent Shaina Marston (23) was sen- Magistrates’ Court. tenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ He pleaded guilty to sending Court after she pleaded guilty to two threatening communications. counts of fraud. On September 1, Edwards, of Marston, of Brunswick Street, Hampshire Drive, Maidstone, Maidstone, passed a false prescrip- made telephone calls conveying a tion for Diazepam at a pharmacy in threat to Kent Police, with the pur- High Street, Maidstone, and at an- pose of causing distress or anxiety other pharmacy in Week Street. to the recipient. Magistrates sentenced her to 56 Magistrates sentenced Edwards days in prison, suspended for 12 to five days in prison. Because the Looking to future after EU months. She must also pay £40 costs offence was committed during the and a £115 victim surcharge. operational period of a suspended A HUNDRED days after Brexit, business leaders from throughout Kent sentence, the overall length of his gave their views at a Maidstone seminar on what the future holds and sentence is 131 days. He must also the best strategies to thrive in a fast changing “new world”. Police assault pay a £115 victim surcharge. The briefing at Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (KIMS), A 33-YEAR-OLD woman has ap- Bearsted, heard from key speakers including MP, peared in court for being drunk and Tom Tugendhat. disorderly and assaulting a police of- Pills fraud An active remain campaigner during the referendum run-up, he ficer in Maidstone. DRUG fraudster Damian John Par- stressed that small and medium businesses should make their voices Alina Korosteliova was sentenced sonage has been jailed for a bun- heard. “Do not let your MP say things that are inimicable to your ability at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court after gled bid to get tablets from a to trade.” admitting assaulting the officer in chemist. The uncertainty over free movement was already creating issues, he Bishops Way on July 11 and being On July 13, 2016 the 29-year-old, said. “It is simply not true that you can be a member of the single drunk and disorderly in the same of Brunswick Street, Maidstone, market and not have freedom of movement.” street the following day. passed a false medical prescription Alexandra Renison, Institute of Directors (IoD) policy lead on Brexit, Korosteliova was sentenced to 90 at a pharmacy in High Street, said it was imperative that the Government communicated with days in prison, suspended for 18 Maidstone, and at another phar- business and provided an assurance that transitional arrangements months and ordered to pay a £115 macy in Week Street, Maidstone, would be put in place. victim surcharge. intending to make a gain of Di- She thought that Article 50, the official start of Britain’s exit from the azepam tablets for himself. EU, would be triggered in 2017. Fit for a king Magistrates sentenced Parsonage THE Bearsted Choral Society with to 84 days in prison, suspended for Lees Court Music will perform a 12 months. He must also pay £40 royal-themed programme at St Mar- costs and a £115 victim surcharge. Big crowds for promoted Stones garet’s Church, Rainham, on No- He was sentenced on September MAIDSTONE United’s atten- The club is raising funds to go to- vember 12. 21 2016 at Mid Kent Magistrates’ dances have shot up since gaining wards the £650,000 new stand. The “ARight Royal Occasion” will fea- Court. promotion to the Vanarama Na- current fans’ total is about £22,000. ture music for the coronation of King He pleaded guilty to two counts tional League. Club spokesman Ian Tucker told George II. of fraud. The Stones are averaging an at- a recent meeting of the One Maid- Tickets are £10 (students £5) by For more local news tendance at home of 2,300, some 500 stone business networking group: calling 01634 362023 or emailing www.downsmail.co.uk more than last season’s very “It is very encouraging to have such [email protected] as healthy 1,800. interest in the club.” well as tickets on the door.

20 Maidstone East November 2016 Business Focus downsmail.co.uk A big ‘Thank YOU’ from all at Revolution Hair and Dementia UK

Staff at Revolution Hair in Vinters the community. Park held a charity ‘Bit of a Revolution Hair has been HAIRDRESSING Summer (Hair) Do’ in August and established for over 16 years want to thank their client’s with all the staff proud to EXPERIENCE support, the involvement of provide affordable high Vinters Park’s residents and quality hairdressing at sensible prices Maidstone people and businesses experience close to a major alike in helping to raise over town centre. £2,500 for Dementia UK. Simon adds “The ethos of this Simon Clarke the owner of business has always been to Revolution Hair said, “We were deliver a relaxed environment, overwhelmed at the donations, with long standing expertise raffle prizes and help from but remain competitively everyone, this is a necessary and priced. There are also loyalty dedicated charity that helps so schemes and discounts many families face this disease. available and the fact that We doubled the amount we hoped to raise!” there is guaranteed free parking , great coffee The stylists gave up their Sunday to cut, colour, and good banter is an added bonus!” style and produce hair up for donations and with cake and games too it was a fete that delighted Come, join a hair Revolution! 01622 763222 • Friendly Atmosphere • Outstanding Service • Free Parking

1 Snowdon Parade, Snowdon Avenue, Vinters Park, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5NS 01622 763222

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Maidstone East November 2016 21 News downsmail.co.uk Fraud warning PEOPLE in Coxheath and Loose have been targeted by fraudsters Gyratory work facing asking for money to fix a computer. The victim is instructed to go to the post office and transfer funds to a bank account. A police spokesman said: “If you delays into New Year are sceptical of a call, end the con- versation and do not give out your WORK on the Maidstone bridges lanes to allow drivers using the personal information. “gyratory” system will not be fin- A229 towards Blue Bell Hill and “Don’t trust a number the caller ished on time. Chatham to avoid the bridge sys- gives you, look up one that is known It is likely to be two months over tem. to be accurate on an official website.” its scheduled completion date of The plan is that congestion will Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 mid-November. be eased in the town centre, with 2040 or report concerns online at Business leaders were told of the highways bosses hoping the new www.actionfraud.police.uk/re- latest development by Kent road layout will shave 74 seconds port_fraud, call Kent Police on 101 or County Council’s project manager off journey times along the A20 Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, Russell Boorman who set a com- Broadway and A229 Bishops on 0800 555111. pletion date of January 17. Way. But Mr Boorman assured a net- Highways bosses have done working meeting at the Gallagher their best to minimise the disrup- Crossing relief Stadium earlier this month there tion caused by the works putting A PRIMARY school in Maidstone would be no disruption over the lane closures in place outside has welcomed a new zebra crossing. festive season. peak times. Brunswick House, in Leafy Lane, The main highways work will be When peak time closures were has been plagued by traffic prob- completed on schedule, but ele- required – particularly between lems in recent years and suffered a ments of the finishing touches will October 3 and 5 – there had been few near-misses. A petition gathered not. advanced notice and publicity. 700 signatures and now KCC has de- A retaining wall on the corner of The gyratory project has hit delays However, there was still signif- livered the £10,000 crossing. the junction of High Street and contract was allocated, there had icant disruption to journeys. Bishops Way and laying new been delays in delivering the ship- The £5.74m project started in Wind concert paving stones was hampered by ment. June, amid concerns from busi- MAIDSTONE Wind Symphony is difficulties sourcing suitable slabs He added that the project had nesses that protracted works holding a concert of reflection at All from China. overcome several other issues, in- might cause difficulties for them. Saints’ Church in the town on No- Mr Boorman said that despite cluding the need to move 24 un- Mr Boorman said at the time vember 19. For details, email mar- the order being placed with the derground optical fibre cables. that the aim was for “business as [email protected] Chinese source immediately the The project will create two new usual in Maidstone”.

Forstal Road, Maidstone ME14 3AQ

22 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk News MEP denies role in Ukip fraud FORMER Kent Ukip MEP Janice fraud. This tactic of trying to shift on Atkinson has angrily denied she to me the blame for a crime which was complicit in a fraud committed Christine had already admitted in by one of her officials. court was made publicly. What they Christine Hewitt (55) admitted in said about me was simply not true.” court she inflated a £950 dinner to The event at The Hoy was meant Annie’s design for trophies £3,000 but claimed Mrs Atkinson to encourage more women into pol- knew of the scam. But the Euro-MP itics. A GLASS sculptor from Maidstone has been commissioned to create the – now an inde- But the court heard manager trophies for this year’s Kent Design and Development Awards. pendent – said that David Goulding became uneasy as Annie Ross (pictured), from Penenden Heath, has been working with Hewitt’s assertions Hewitt suggested the invoice price glass for more than 30 years. She has worked as a designer for a global were “simply not should be increased and a premium architectural glass company behind a series of stunning domes created true”. cost be added to a lunch. for religious buildings in places including Salt Lake City, Helsinki and the Her former aide, The inflated bill would be claimed Middle East. of Kings Hill, re- from the pan-European Alliance for Annie has produced a range of trophies, which also feature Kentish ceived a four- Direct Democracy in Europe, and its ragstone, with the winning design to be revealed at the awards’ night. month suspended foundation The Initiative for Direct She said: “I really enjoy the challenge of creating a design that fits in with a theme or concept and working with glass to enhance its strength sentence at Canter- Janice Atkinson Democracy in Europe. bury Crown Court Mrs Atkinson insisted she did not or emphasise its fragility.” and was ordered to complete 40 tell Hewitt to obtain an inflated in- The Kent Design and Development Awards are held every two years. hours of community work. voice from the pub and was un- In a statement after Hewitt’s con- aware the defendant had done so. viction, Mrs Atkinson said: “The case The MEP was expelled from Ukip involved Christine’s acquiring from when the scandal erupted in a na- Albany funeral service award The Hoy pub (in Thanet) a falsely-in- tional tabloid newspaper sting. ALBANY Funerals in Loose has been awarded runner-up in the presti- flated invoice supposedly to cover Mrs Atkinson’s statement added: gious national title of ‘traditional funeral director of the year' at this year’s the cost of a sponsored event. "Her actions led to my expulsion Good Funeral Awards ceremony at the Porchester Hall which was staged “Christine’s barrister attempted to from Ukip and to my becoming the in London. mitigate her punishment by blaming subject of a police investigation – an The well-respected firm was selected from hundreds of nominees from me as someone who was ‘aware of investigation which cleared me of across the UK and received the award from Penny Smith, familiar to many and instrumental in arranging’ the any wrongdoing whatsoever." as a presenter of GMTV and many other TV programmes.

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Maidstone East November 2016 23 INVITATION Festive Celebrate with us The Opening of The Potting Shed on Sat 19th November from 3pm till late. Dining Food tasting & Live music As Autumn is now very much in the air our thoughts start THE to turn to Christmas celebrations. Make sure that you make your plans early so not to miss out on the fantastic deals being offered by your local , hotels and restaurants this Christmas.

The Potting Shed in Langley opens on 19th November and POTTING everyone is invited. Why not go along from 3pm and enjoy SHED a friendly evening in the completely refurbished pub Now taking bookings for our located on the Sutton road in Langley. There will be food Festive Winter Menu tasting and live music. While you are there take the Mon 14th Nov, until Sat 24th Dec 2016 opportunity to meet the landlord whilst sampling the and Sharon Hodgson. The new Served daily 12pm to 9.30pm (pre booking required) cuisine, fine wines and ales on landlords are going the extra mile Lunch 3 course £25pp offer. Plus booking are now being to ensure that every visitor feels (2 course available Monday to Thursday £20pp) taken for Christmas - be sure to looked after, welcome and 3 course Dinner Mon-Thu £28pp, Fri & Sat £30pp book early. entertained. The pub has been completely gutted and refurbished Sundays booking available from 5pm, £25 per person After having been closed for 2 and now provides a comfortable years the Hook and Hatchet in and relaxing atmosphere. The Starters has re-opened its doors extensive and mature grounds Honey roasted parsnip, chestnut & truffle soup under the new ownership of Alan provide plenty of space to enjoy Kentish wild game terrine Coquille Saint Jacques, (supplement £3) Baked Camembert Dry gin & lime cured salmon Hook and Hatchet Inn Superfood salad Mains Tel: 01622 880272 Kentish free range roast turkey Open all day and serving good pub food 28 day matured English beef fillet, (supplement £5) Sea bass fillet Slow cooked English lamb shoulder Festive nut roast Turbot fillet, (supplement £5) NOW NEW Puddings OPEN Traditional Christmas pudding, Brandy sauce OWNERS Vanilla bean crème brûlée, spiced cinnamon shortbread biscuit Bramley apple & pear crumble, Chocolate & pecan brownie, orange & Cointreau ice cream Selection of British & Continental cheeses, (supplement £3) Now Serving Sunday Lunches Early Christmas midweek offer 2 sittings at 12 noon & 3pm. Third sitting available - bookings only Mon 14th Nov until Thur 1st Dec £21pp Forthcoming Events 3 courses, lunch or dinner Disco - 3rd & 10th December Plus Early Christmas weekend offer • Quiz Night - First Monday of every Month starting 7th November. Fri 18th, Sat 19th, Fri 25th & Sat 26th Nov, • Two wheel Tuesday - a chance for motorbikes and Fri 2nd & Sat 3rd Dec £25pp, 3 courses, lunch or dinner cyclists to get together for a meet. • Wine down Wednesday - 25% off a bottle of wine. Late Christmas offer • Open Mic - Every Thursday 9-11pm Thur 5th & Fri 6th Jan, Mon 9th until Fri 13th Jan £21pp • Saddle up Saturday - Second Saturday of the month Sat 7th & Sat 14th Jan £25 per person • Classic Car Sunday Third Sunday of the month 3 courses, lunch or dinner Bookings now being taken for Christmas, Boxing Day & New Years Day The Potting Shed walks around the Hucking Estates Sutton Road, Langley, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3LZ Church Road, Hucking, Maidstone ME17 1QT www.hookandhatchetpub.co.uk 01622 862 112

24 Maidstone East November 2016 Festive Dining the countryside that surrounds the and the courteous team along with pub. Alongside the traditional pub the exceptional food make this the food on offer Sunday lunches are ideal venue for a Christmas now being served in two sittings at celebration. 12noon and 3pm. There is an If it’s a delicious meal in front of extensive calendar of events over Come & celebrate a cosy log fire then The Kings the forthcoming months so make a Arms at Boxley is definitely the date in your diary and pay them a place for you. The traditional visit. country pub serves real ale and a CHRISTMAS The Gem of Kent boasts itself as seasonal menu using fresh local Maidstone’s only Turkish and ingredients. The pubs cosy interior at Maidstone’s finest Kurdish Restaurant. The popular features red Chesterfield sofas and restaurant offers outstanding exposed beams. Turkish Restaurant dishes from both cultures created Bookings are now being taken using the finest quality for Christmas – whether it’s a CHRISTMAS MENU ingredients. lunch, dinner or private party be Their menus are designed to offer sure to book soon. AVAILABLE FROM the fullest experience of Turkish cuisine. In addition to the 23RD NOVEMBER extensive a la carte menu there is a set lunch and dinner menu CHOOSE FROM A SELECION OF which means that choosing and dining has never been easier – SET MENU’S TO SUIT YOUR PARTY offering you a mouth-watering choice of new tastes as well as the classic dishes. Set Menu A Set Menu B The warm friendly atmosphere 6 Cold Mezze 6 Cold Mezze + 2 Hot + 6 Hot Mezze Mezze to share to share (Falafel & Borek) A traditional country +1 dessert pp + 1 Main course pp pub offering great food, Prices from +1 dessert pp an open log fire and a Prices from K truly warm welcome £16.95 - £19.95 A £21.95 - £27.95 THE KINGS ARMS Full selection of real ales Bar and Restaurant Open all day for food - 7 days a week Set Menu C All food is homemade and cooked to order from All from SET MENU B locally supplied produce + Unlimited still & sparkling water & soft drinks 1 Large beer garden + House wine & house beer for 2 /2 hours Free local courtesy Prices from transport available for diners. Please enquire. £33.95 - £39.95

Bookings now being taken for CHRISTMAS LUNCH AS A THANK YOU TO THE PARTY ORGANISER, BOOK TODAY AND & DINNER RECEIVE A £20 GIFT VOUCHER* 3 Courses Mon-Thur £26 To visit us anytime in January 2017 Fri-Sun £28.50 (* For bookings of tables of 8 or more) Christmas Eve £38pp Don’t leave it too late... 01622 755177 treat the one you love this Christmas The Street, Boxley, Maidstone ME14 3DR www.thekingsarmsmaidstone.co.uk E: [email protected] 01622 675000 ‘Certificate of 62-63 High Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1SR Excellence www.gemofkent.co.uk 2013/’14/’15/’16 Email:[email protected]

Maidstone East November 2016 25 delhispice Festive Fine dining Indian Restaurant serving traditional Indian food Dining Menu selected from various regions from The Delhi Spice Indian at Windmill Hill, Harrietsham. all over the Indian sub continent, with restaurant offers a great selection The charming country pub offers specialist Indian spices, and 100% free of traditional Indian food which award-winning food and is freshly made using organic specialises in traditional ales, from all artificial colourings and flavourings. meat and chicken and the finest lagers and fine wines. The pub Very popular traditional bar, serving fine colour and preservative free offers outstanding views of the wines, real ales and an extensive range of ingredients. Weald of Kent and is a popular Check out the Sheek Kebab destination for riders and teas and coffees starter – delicious barbecued walkers. ground lamb rolls in masala spice The family run pub is now All New Exciting marinade and seasoned with taking bookings for Christmas. coriander. For a main course try With prices starting from just £20 Lunch Menu now available one of the special seafood per person it’s excellent value, sizzlers. book your table today. The Rose, 87 Ashford Road, Bearsted Takeaway customers can enjoy a 10% discount Tel: 01622 734747 / 738200 during September. www.rose-inn.co.uk The restaurant and takeaway can Discount Discount be found at The on Monday on Takeaway Rose pub on the 20% 10% Ashford Road in & Wednesday evenings.•• until the end of November.* Bearsted. On presentation of this advertisement. Valid until 30.11.2016 The Pepperbox Please mention this advert when making a booking Inn is to be found •• Dine in only - Minimum spend £25 in the heart of the * Excluding Bank Holidays. Terms & conditions apply Kent Countryside Christmas at The Pepperbox Inn Windmill Hill, Fairbourne Heath, Nr. Harrietsham Visit our charming pub situated in beautiful countryside with outstanding views of the Weald of Kent CHRISTMAS MENU 2016 STARTERS Book now for Christmas Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms Chicken Liver, Apple & Sage Parfait, Apple Chutney & Toast Christmas Menu available Baked Brie with Almonds & Honey, Toasted Walnut Bread lunchtimes & evenings Smoked Trout & Pickled Beetroot with Horseradish Creme Friache Lunch Spiced Crab & Brandy Gratin, with Melba Toast Monday to Saturday 3 course £26 2 course £20 MAIN COURSES Traditional Roast Kent Turkey, Duck Fat Roast Potatoes & Festive Trimmings Dinner Peppered Venison Loin, Red Wine Sauce, Parsnip Puree & Game Chips Monday to Thursday £27 Baked Salmon Fillet, Crayfish, Leek & Parsley Risotto Full á la carte menu Dinner Pheasant Breast, Drambuie, Mushroom & Chervil Cream Sauce, Fondant Potatoes Friday & Saturday £30 and traditional pub Roasted Squash & Chestnut Roast, Madeira Sauce & Roast Potatoes food served lunchtimes and evenings DESSERTS Christmas Pudding & Brandy Sauce • Ample parking Vanilla Panna Cotta, Baked Figs in Mulled Wine Syrup • Walkers & Riders Clementine & Cranberry Blondie, White Chocolate Sauce & Cinnamon Whipped Cream welcome Chocolate & Caramel Tart, Vanilla Ice Cream • Warm & welcoming British Cheeseboard, Port & Plum Chutney (£2 Supplement) open log fires Coffee & Chocolates

Opening Times: Daily from 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11.30pm Food Served: Lunch 12noon – 2pm Evening 7pm – 9.30pm Sunday Lunches: 12noon –3pm Closed Sunday Evenings 01622 842558 www.thepepperboxinn.co.uk

26 Maidstone East November 2016 Maidstone Borough Council UpdateBorough East 2016

Pride in our borough

www.maidstone.gov.uk 2 Maidstone Borough Council Budget roadshows continue across the borough Our budget roadshows are in full swing and there are still a number of dates left to go for you to have your say on where you think our money should be spent. The theme for the events is ‘Your services, you decide’ with the aim of getting as many people across the borough as possible to think about what services they most value. It could be housing or you might think street cleansing is your top service. Either way, we want to know your views! The roadshows follow on from our pledge that residents will be fully involved in Gateway planning ways to close a £4.2 million hole in our budget following changes to the way that local government is funded. The council’s income is being cut by an we’ve moved! increasing amount over the next four years, leading to the shortfall in the Council’s Hello from The Mall! Our Customer ‘revenue budget’ which pays for services. The shortfall will mean services need to Services Team has moved to their be cut or provided in different ways and standards. temporary home, next to Sports Senior councillors and officers will be at the events so please come along and Direct for the next four months. have your say at the following locations: The Gateway building is being Tuesday 25 October 10:00-14:00 The Monday 31 October 10:30-12:30 transformed to include the Mall, Maidstone North Hall, construction of a mezzanine floor and a more open plan feel which will see Wednesday 26 October, St Martin's Saturday 29 October 09:30-12:30 Job Centre Plus and Citizens Advice Church, Shepway 10:00 - 14:00 Sutton Valence Village Hall Bureau locating to the building too. Cllr Fran Wilson, Leader of the Council, said: “Since 2010 we have been forced to Works are due to be completed in make significant changes due to cuts in government funding. We’ve shared mid-February 2017 services with other councils to provide value for money, and achieved savings with efficiencies and changing the way we work rather than service cuts. We have Residents are able to visit the worked hard to protect front-line services as much as possible. Maidstone Borough Council website via their phone, tablet or computer “This has become harder each year and it is now inevitable that some services will where they’re now able to carry out have to be reduced over the next four years. It’s essential that residents play an many council related matters such as active role in this process. We hope that as many people as possible will come ordering a garden bin or renewing a along to the roadshows or take part in the online survey to share their views.” parking permit as well as nearly 100 If you’re unable to make the roadshows, please visit our website maidstone.gov.uk other such services too. where you can fill in our budget survey until November 18. Helping you to engage with our services more Our upgraded webcasting and microsite was launched earlier this month and has been very popular so far. The improved system allows more flexibility, helping to promote better engagement with the public. As well as attending meetings in person, the public can also watch all proceedings from the comfort of their own home, whilst benefitting from state of the art audio visuals and interactive tweets. The introduction of ‘live tweeting’ during Committee meetings has certainly brought a fresh feel to proceedings and utilises an easily accessible channel of communication. Why not see how you can get involved by visiting www.maidstone.gov.uk Annual Household Enquiry Forms (HEF) What is the form for? Resident reminder If you do not respond a further reminder The HEF form asks for a list of all your application for certain credit form will be sent out by 28 October. people in the household who are over 16 purposes such as obtaining a mortgage Canvassers are door knocking to and who are eligible to vote. could be affected. encourage non-responders to complete A response is required whether you add I have just moved in to my property or delete people from the address or the forms. Currently about 60% of If you have moved to a new property or if confirm that there are no changes within households in Maidstone have returned the form. your details do not show on the HEF you the property. should go online to Once completed what do I do? What will happen if I don’t fill it in www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and The form can be returned by post in the and return it? complete an individual registration form. return envelope or you can respond by If you do not respond your details will be You will need to include your date of going online to www.hef-response.co.uk deleted from the electoral register when birth and national insurance number. and using the unique security code on it is republished on 1st December. Once your details have been checked the front of the form. There is also an ALSO it is a legal requirement to provide with Department of Works and Pensions option to text to confirm that there are the information, if you do not you could and processed then a confirmation letter no changes or call a Freephone number. be fined £1000. will be sent out. All details can be found on the front of Credit rating For further information email: the form. Apart from effecting your right to vote, [email protected] Maidstone Borough Council 3

NEW BENEFIT LEGISLATION How does this affect me?

Central Government has said that from November 2016 the Benefit Cap for households receiving housing benefit and other state benefits will be reduced to £20,000 per year. This is £384 per week.

If your total weekly income from any of Severe Disablement Allowance the benefits listed below is more than Widowed Parent's Allowance £384 we will reduce the amount of Anyone affected by this change can How does this work in practice for housing benefit paid to you. contact any of the organisations households? Bereavement Allowance directly: If your total weekly income from any of Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau Child Benefit the benefits mentioned was £400 we (T) 01622 752420 Child Tax Credit would reduce the housing benefit by (W) www.maidstonecab.org.uk Employment and Support Allowance £16. Kent County Council Children’s Centre (except where it is paid with the Paying the difference (T) 03000 412323 support component) The tenant would need to pay this extra (E) [email protected] Guardian's Allowance £16 to their landlord. Golding Homes Housing Benefit - unless you are living How can I prepare for this change? in supported accommodation (T)0300 7772600 To help people affected by this reduction (W) www.goldinghomes.org.uk Incapacity Benefit in their weekly income we have invited a Income Support number of local partner organisations, Still concerned? Jobseeker's Allowance who can offer advice and assistance If you have any immediate questions, Maternity Allowance with budgeting and debt problems. please call us on: 01622 602557. Housing Seminar Everything you ever wanted to know about housing…but were afraid to ask

We are hosting a housing seminar on The seminar will take place at To reserve your space please contact the 3 November between 9.30am and Maidstone Salvation Army on Union Sarah Ward on: (T) 01622 602157 2pm for all agencies who may wish to Street and promises to be a very (E) [email protected] find out more information about informative and useful resource for all housing. agencies dealing with any of the topics What topics will be covered at the mentioned. event? All places MUST Homelessness Law be booked in What to do if your client is facing advance. eviction What to do if your client is living in substandard accommodation What financial support is available? Places are FREE but are limited to a total of 60 attendees (maximum 3 per agency). A light lunch will be provided on the day.

Due to popular demand another date has been added - Monday 14 November at Maidstone Town Hall. 4 Maidstone Borough Council

What can visitors hope to find? Visitors to the Maidstone Farmers’ Since early spring of this year we have Market can see a great selection of meat, game, sausages and delicious been working hard to introduce and products, ranging from marmalades fruit and veg! cultivate a regular Famers’ Market in and jams, Kentish cobnuts, luxurious The Farmers’ Market is a great way to Maidstone each month. Although there bath bombs, and even Maidstone- remind people that we are in the are approximately 50 farmers’ markets produced cookies which are also on Garden of England, with its amazing around Kent, there has not been a sale in Fortnum and Mason! produce, and it also brings some regular one in the county town until vibrancy and activity to the town centre. now. The monthly Farmers' Market is held The first market was launched in June on the fourth Friday of each month from and was supported by 19 local stall 10am- 2pm in Jubilee Square. holders selling a range of locally produced items from breads and Keep your eye out for new products as sausages, to fudge, cider and even the seasons change, and we add new alpaca fleece products! traders. Next Farmers’ Market dates: Since this date word has quickly spread and the market each month has grown There’s a busy bakery stall selling a 28 October 2016 in popularity with visitors and traders variety of breads, cakes, pastries and 25 November 2016 wishing to be a part of this new initiative. other goodies. You can also grab 23 December 2016 It is the perfect balance between a yourself some lunch at a stall selling a Why not stay in touch by following the commercial venture where traders are selection of Scotch eggs, in a variety of Farmers’ Market Twitter account or keen to come to Maidstone and benefit flavours you won’t find in the liking their Facebook page? from a healthy number of people in the supermarket. Last but by no means town on a Friday and consumers who least a Farmers’ Market certainly @MaidstoneFMMrkt are keen to see something a bit wouldn’t be a Farmers’ market without facebook.com/ different, with quality fresh goods. the traditional ‘farm products’ including maidstonefarmersmarket

Planning application submitted shortly. Details of the closest for Adventure Zone at Mote Park litter bin will also be indicated. We have moved to Once the the next phase in removal phase the complete removal of in completed (late council owned dog waste November) each bin will bins and a move to a be monitored and emptied 'commingle approach twice per week to evaluate (mixing of litter and dog A plan has been submitted is planned for the north demand and ensure that waste). for a new adventure zone at eastern corner of the park. we are providing an We have begun visiting all efficient service. Mote Park. The application If the planning application dog bin sites and are was validated by the is granted, it is hoped the How you can help us entering into a two-week council’s planning team on facility will be open for during this transition consultation period with 15 September with a target people to use from Summer phase? parishes to ascertain decision date of December. 2017. whether the litter bins are Please ensure that any dog The zone, which would be Any residents wanting to currently located in the waste is bagged securely seven hectares, would comment on the application best place to capture and placed in the litter bin. house a Segway hire can do so via our planning demand or, whether facility, high wires, a How can I let you know portal. Visit repositioning them would climbing wall, and an if I see a full bin? maidstone.gov.uk and click be better. During this adventure golf course and the ‘planning’ tab. period please make sure Each litter bin will be fitted that you liaise with your with a unique number, parish and make your allowing us to identify its opinions known. location far easier. Please report this online at Prior to its removal each www.maidstone.gov.uk dog bin will be stickered to select ‘Contact Us followed remind all residents that by ‘Report It’ and choose the bin will be removed the appropriate option. Maidstone Borough Council 5 Resident Parking Permits. Save time,

1 ONLINE do it online! FORMS The council has recently 9 launched a new online form that allows residents to apply for parking permits. This new £ form follows on from the highly successful renew a parking permit which is used to renew over 70% of permits every month online. These 2 forms have allowed the council to improve the service REF. N0. fjdksl jffdddlllaaks jffdddsskaaff

saajjfkddsskafkj fkjsddjjffnnnjjdssffnnnkkjss and considerably reduce the anffdddjjsffnnddkkjsknf kddjjsddjjnfkfk-- time it takes to get permits to jddssd fnfnnjjddssddjjnfkfkjjs people. The council offers a wide range of digital services - everything from booking bulky rubbish collections to checking planning PROOFSPROOFS 24hhrsrs 3 applications. /day/d/ ay

These online services are PROOFSPPROOFS available 7 days a week 365 days a year and lots of people find them the most convenient way to deal with the council.

E ONLINEONLINL S Thank you for FORMSORMSORMR To find out more visit submitting your proof www.maidstone.gov.uk/ 9 services

Maidstone’s Community Toilet Scheme

If you see a Community Toilet How the scheme works: Scheme sticker in a shop window Participating premises display one of what exactly does this mean? our four stickers in their window We are working with local businesses showing the facilities available e.g. like shops, restaurants and pubs, to male, female, wheelchair accessible, help improve the provision of public baby-changing facilities. Members of toilet facilities within the Town the public can use the toilet facilities Centre. during the premises’ opening hours; however, businesses retain the right to Through this scheme you will have refuse entry to anyone whose behaviour We need more access to clean, safe and is unacceptable. accessible toilets. more businesses to help: Window Signs: Is your business happy to allow non- A number of organisations are Premises participating in the customers to use your toilet facilities? participating in the scheme which Community Toilet Scheme will display Do you think your business would means that you are able to use their one of these signs in their window. benefit from being involved in the toilet facilities during normal opening Wherever you see this sign means you Community Toilet Scheme? If you are hours without having to make a are welcome to use the toilet facilities interested in being involved in the purchase. without having to make a purchase. scheme, please apply online. An introduction introduuction to NeighbourhoodNeiighbourhhood Planning

Staplehurst also has a very The DraftDraft Plan Neighbourhood Planning was advanced plan which has been introduced under the Localism The draft plan is governed by examined and will be subject Act in 2011 and allows local regulations setting out the to a local referendum in early communities to have a far stages the plan must go through November 2016, and the greater say in planning for Headcorn Plan is currently at their area. which includes at least two public consultations. examination. A Neighbourhood Plan can contain policies for design HowHow do wewe support What happens nenext?xt? and public realm, housing Neighbourhood Planning and employment, and can • When all of the all of the groupsgroups during the processprocess also allocate land for housing, consultation stages are recreation or employment complete the plan must be • Provision of mapping for example, so this affords the local community a great examined independently. • Health-checks on draft opportunity to express their • If recommended by the policies views on matters that are examiner a local refere really important to them. • Arranging and on the planan must be held.he managing consultations, • The local authorityauthority mustmus examinations and What can’tcan’t the then ‘make’ (adopt) the referendums. Neighbourhood Plan be Neighbourhoodrhood PlanPlan andan used for?for? • Providing updates and use it alongsidengside its otherothe advice on national local plan policiespolicies whenwhen policy relating to considering planning The Neighbourhood Plan can’t Neighbourhood Plans so applications in that are prevent development or be over those involved are kept protective of the status quo in up to date with changes an attempt to block housing Neighbourhood Plans to legislation. or employment proposals. in the boroughborough Constituted bodies such as Parish Councils, or Neighbourhood Maidstone hass a numbernumber of v Forums can apply to their local active Neighbourhoodourhood PlanningPlan council to designate an area for groups, with 14 different ar the purposes of a Neighbourhood covered by Neighbourhoodeighbourhood Plans Plan and then begin to work which are all at different st on a plan with policies for that of development. Currently area. Some may choose to do Maidstone hass one ‘made’‘made’ plan,p this using a group of volunteers, whilst others may employ for North Loose which was specialist support. There are a at the meeting of Full Counc number of funding opportunities April 2016. and grants that can be applied for. Brief Guide to Determining Planning ApplicationsApplications Legally the Planning Department must make decisions on planning applications in line with Section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 38 (6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. This essentially requires that decisions on planning applications are made in accordance with the Development Plan unless other material considerations indicate otherwise. Making a Decision

What is the DevelopmentDevelopment Plan? When making a decision the The Development Plan is a set of documents which contain planning Planning Department must policies relating to different aspects of development including ccarefullyarefully weigh up a number strategic matters such as housing, transport, the environment, retail, of differdifferentent mattermatterss includingincluding and economic development down to detailed matters such as house planning polices,polices, governmentgovernment extensions, advertisements, farm buildings, listed buildings, and policy and guidancguidance,e, adviceadvice barn conversions. frfromom statutory cconsulteesonsultees such as the EnEnvironmentvironment In Maidstone the Development Plan currently consists of: Agency and NaturNaturalal • The Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan (2000) England, carefullycarefully cconsideronsider • MBC Affordable Housing Development Plan Document (2006) rrepresentationsepresentations frfromom PParisharish Councils and the public, and • MBC Open Space Development Plan Document (2006) balancbalancee the prprosos and cconsons of • North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan (2016) ananyy devdevelopment.elopment. However, the current Local Plan (2000) will be replaced by the new Local Plan (2011 - 2031) which is expected to be adopted MatterMatterss that in 2017. can’tcan’t be takentaken into accountaccount Further Neighbourhood Plans are also likely to be produced and adopted and they will form Some issues areare beyondbeyond the part of the Development Plan. scscopeope of planning ccontrolontrol and ccannotannot be cconsideredonsidered including (not exhaustive):exhaustive): What araree other material puts great emphasis on boosting cconsiderations?onsiderations? the supply of housing, and in • Loss of propertyproperty valuevalue certain situations it can take • Neighbour disputes/ Material considerations are precedence above a Council’s privprivateate mattermatterss other matters that are taken into local policies. account when making a decision. • Damage to prpropertyoperty This can include Central • Loss of view Government Policy and Guidance RetrospectiveRetrospective planning • Pr Problemsoblems arising frfromom the embodied in the National applicationsapplications cconstructiononstruction period of a Planning Policy Framework Retrospective planning devdevelopmentelopment (NPPF) and National Planning applications can be submitted Practice Guidance (NPPG), or • MattersMatters coveredcovered byby other and it is not against the law to legislation other matters such as planning do so. They have to be handled appeal decisions, and planning in exactly the same way as any • PossiblePossible futurefuture case law. other applications and judged applicationsapplications For example, the NPPF has on their own merits, and they • PersonalPersonal circumstancescircumstances a presumption in favour of cannot be punished for being sustainable development and retrospective. News from the MUSEUM Maidstone’s Museum is no longer in the dinosaur ages!

Maidstone Museum has unveiled its new Victoria Barlow, Museums Director, website which is already improving not said: “We’re delighted with the new only the visitor experience, but the work website. As well as looking great, it will of the wider team too. For those of you allow our customers to do lots of things that haven’t had the pleasure of using online like booking tickets for our this fresh and modern website you can events, showing an interest in what’s expect great things including: coming up or planning a birthday party. COMING HOME: Simpler navigation “It should make things quicker and Conflict & Care in Clear and clean design simpler for everyone. I particularly hope 1916 Lots of high quality pictures people will check out our regular blog on the page to find out what’s been Modern, clean design September 24, 2016 -January 7, 2017 going on behind the scenes and let us A highly responsive site with the ability The winter exhibition at Maidstone know what they think.“ Museum provides a compelling and for users to access it using mobile emotional look at the lives of those in devices including tablets Maidstone during the Great War. What can you do that you couldn’t Inspired by the work of artist Frank before? Hyde – in particular the paintings Paying for an event or children’s party? ‘Trones Wood’ and ‘Wounded Soldiers Now you can complete this online! Not Arriving at Maidstone East’ – the only can visitors create an account and exhibition, sponsored by Southeastern, pay securely using Paypal, the team can provides a compelling and emotional also track the booking, monitor sales insight into the lives of those in and attendees all from within the Maidstone during the First World War. website! Entrance to the exhibition is FREE HLF funding and mummy scanning

the Maidstone Museums’ Foundation, Civilisations gallery, Maidstone the Egyptology Department at the Museum’s very own 2,700-year-old British Museum, the Petrie Museum at mummy, Ta-Kush, underwent a full University College London, and the body scan at the Kent Institute of Egypt Exploration Society to research Medicine and Surgery (KIMS). and uncover the stories behind the The results of the scan will As part of Maidstone Museum Heritage objects, the redisplay will be unveiled in subsequently be interpreted by experts Lottery Funding, the Ancient Summer 2017 with a fantastic new to enable us to learn more about the Civilisations gallery is set to experience space in which to discover the artefacts. history of one of the museum’s most a complete overhaul. With support from In addition to reworking the Ancient popular artefacts. Keep in touch Fright Night: The museum has recently undergone a programme Fright Night: Prepare yourself for of improvement works. Keep in touch and find news Halloween! Hear from and information at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk, our curators on a tour on twitter @MaidstoneMuseum or by emailing of the weird and [email protected] sometimes disturbing objects in our collections The tour — which is limited to just 25 people — begins at 18:30, but numbers are limited, so please sign up in advance for Museum Lates FREE or upon arrival. Last Thursday of every month Then, at 19:45, watch the Anaconda dance troupe in a chilling and creepy performance. Not for the faint-hearted. There is Museum open until 9pm Lates activities start from 6pm no need to register on the free tour in order to Museum Lates showcase, art, film dance, This season: enjoy the performance of the dance troupe; history and more with a different theme 27 Oct — Fright Night simply walk-in on the day and enjoy the show! each month for you to enjoy. 1 Dec — Christmas Music Licensed café and bar. Our curators share a special insight into 26 Jan — An Evening with the theme’s collections and people are Graham Clarke Admission to museum is free; however, some able to choose from a range of activities. 23 Feb —Romance Museum Lates activities may incur a charge.

More information on all upcoming exhibitions and events can be found at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk Bookings can be made via 01622 602838 and online. Maidstone Borough Council 9 Recycle your way through Christmas!

Christmas is on its way. Part and parcel of the festivities is knowing what to do with all the additional waste generated and how can you dispose of the never- ending pile of wrapping paper! We have a few suggestions that should help you and the environment this year. Keep your black bin trim this Christmas. Recycle all of these in your green recycling bin: Wrapping paper, cards and envelopes Cardboard packaging, boxes & tubes Chocolate boxes and inner trays Kitchen foil, foil trays and dishes Glass bottles and jars (lids too!) Food tins, drink cans, biscuit and sweet tins Plastic bottles, plastic meat trays, plastic sweet tubs Juice cartons

Remember: *Christmas tree lights beyond repair can be recycled by placing in a carrier bag alongside your black refuse bin. G Maid I st *All food waste including B o e n cooked & raw meat, h e Bin it to win it! bones, shells and peelings can T Sign up to The Big Maidstone Food Waste go in your food bin and be collected weekly. FOODFOODW WASTEWAASTE Challenge and you could win a £30 gift voucher for The Mall/ Chequers Shopping Over the Christmas and New Year period, Ch e Centre or family swimming vouchers for please place your bins at the boundary of alleng Maidstone Leisure Centre. your property by 6am. ToTo taktakee the challenge,challenge, Normal Collection Garden followfollow these collection over festive Waste simple steps! date season will be 1 Monday 26 Wednesday Suspended Sign up forfor the challengechallenge December 28 December service and prpromiseomise yyourour support Tuesday 27 Thursday Suspended at wwwwww.maidstone.gov.w..maidstone.gov. Did youyyoou know?know? uk/foodwastechallengeuk/foodwastechallenge 7 millionmillion tonnes of ffoodood and drink is thrthrownown December 29 December service or byby sending yyourour name, awayaway frfromom homes in the UK eveveryery yyearear Wednesday 28 Friday 30 Suspended addressaddress and phone number byby post to: The and moremore than half of this is ffoodood and drink December December service Big Maidstone FoodFood WasteWaste we couldcould havehave eaten? WWee need YYOUROUR help Thursday 29 Saturday 31 Suspended ChalChallenge,lenge, Maidstone to tackle foodfood wastewaste and cut dodownwn on the BorBoroughough CouncilCouncil,, BircholtBircholt amount thrownthrroown dirdirectlyectly in the rubbish bin. December December service RRoad,oad, Parkwood,Parkwood, Maidstone Friday 30 Monday 2 Suspended ME15 9XY December January service Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Suspended 2 3 4 ReduceReduce youryour avoidableavoidable ffoodood Put youryour unavoidableunavoidable ffoodood LeaveLeave yyourour January January service wastewaste as much as possible wwasteaste (such as vvegetableegetable foodfood bin out forfor Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Suspended byby planning yyourour meals in peelings, teabags or collectioncollection advance,advance, using leftoleftoversvers bones) straightstraight into youryourur on youryour rubbish January January service in tasty rrecipesecipes or adding foodfood bin, NONOTOT into yyourour and recyclingrecycling Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Suspended scrscrapsaps to yyourour compostcompost rubbish bin collectioncollection daysdays January January service heap if youyou havehave one Sin WinWi BiBinB Thursday 5 Friday 6 Suspended Bin n As a thank you for your commitment to tackling food waste and helping the envirroonment, all households who take t January January service challenge and put their food rreecyec cling out for collection will be enterreed ini to a quarterly competition to win great prizes. Every quarterr,, 50 family swimming voucherrssfor Maidstone Leisurree Centr Cen e (to be used within threee months) and 20 gift Friday 6 Saturday 7 Suspended voucherrss for the Mall / Chequerrrss shopping worth £30 each will be awarrrdded to households chosen at rraandom. January January service For more information, frequently asked questions, terms and conditions or to sign up, please visit www.maidstone. govv..uk/foodwastechallenge, email: [email protected] or call 01622 602600. This scheme is being paid for with Garden waste collections suspended from funding frrooomm the DeDepartmentpartment ofo Government and Local Communities. 26 Dec until 7 Jan. Collections will resume FFoor advice and tips to minimisenimise fofoodw aste visit www.loveffoodhatewaste.co.uk on 9th Jan. 10 Maidstone Borough Council Open for Business! The Business Terrace is running a series of FREE events and workshops to get your business started or growing.

Established Business looking to grow your customer base, improve marketing or access finance? Business Growth Workshops with RIFT Accounting: 18 October from 8am – 10am. Then fortnightly from 1 November from 8am – 10am. Have a great idea and want to know how to turn it into a commercial success? Business Start-up Workshops with Kent Foundation: Each Friday in November from 9am – 11am. Want to book your place now? Email: [email protected] or call 01622 239300 Can’t make a workshop? Why not drop into The Business Terrace instead? Come along and see one of our advisors who are ready to help from Monday - Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm. Looking for an innovative entrepreneurial community offering flexible & affordable workspace with a 1000% internet connection?

Home to three of Kent’s “Top 30 • Flexible office accommodation under 30” entrepreneurs along with • Modern workspace 20 other innovative start-ups from all • Unlimited fast internet included in affordable hot-desking tariffs backgrounds and age groups, • Private meeting room for up to six The Business Terrace in Maidstone • 40-seat seminar room with ceiling mounted projector provides a dynamic, inspiring and • Onsite business support events highly supportive environment & mentoring where you can chat, connect and • Direct link to the Government’s collaborate with like-minded people. Start-up Loans Company

Drop in between 9am and 4.30pm Monday – Friday to look around and see what The Business Terrace can offer you and your business. T: 01622 239300 E: [email protected] W: www.businessinmaidstone.co.uk @BizInMaidstone

New Councillor Appointments Cllr John Raymond Barned (UK Cllr Gordon Newton for Downswood Independence Party) successfully ran for and Otham is a councillor for the UK election as the councillor for the Shepway Independence Party. South Ward in the recent by-elections. How to contact Cllr Gordon Newton: How to contact Cllr John Barned: (T)01622 862 330 (M) 07769 676238 (T) 01622 851142 (M)07813579631 (E) [email protected] (E) [email protected] How your council works

Do you know who is responsible for delivering which service?

You may find it useful to understand exactly what Maidstone Borough Council is responsible for in the borough. In practice many services are delivered by working together with our partners at the county council and other organisations such as police, fire and health services. Below is a quick guide to help you.

Kent County Council Maidstone Borough Council Parish Councils • Education • Local Planning • Parishes have powers • Housing to spend money on the • Social services following: • Public health • Parks and Open Spaces • Allotments • Highways and traffic • Cleansing • Open spaces and playing fields management • Community Safety • Building Control • Community halls • Strategic planning • Roadside verges • Environmental Health • Consumer protection • Seats and shelters • Refuse and Recycling • Footway lighting • Waste disposal Collection • Crime prevention • Libraries • Cultural – • Cleansing • Registration of births, Museum, Theatre • The borough of deaths and marriages • Council Tax Collection Maidstone is made up of the unparished town and 41 parishes, 35 of which have parish councils. 12 Maidstone Borough Council Working for you

Angela Woodhouse Head of Policy and Communications

What tasks and responsibilities does your job What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? involve? I run, although this isn't always enjoyable! I run several services for the council including Recently my 7 year old has discovered monopoly, communications, complaints, policy and which has made for some fun but competitive information, electoral services and democratic afternoons! services. I have responsibility for corporate governance and information management and What’s your favourite food? also oversee major projects. Anything my mum makes! I really enjoy a seafood linguine. What do you most enjoy about your role? I work with brilliant people; I enjoy working Which country have you always wanted to visit directly with other officers, councillors and and why? meeting residents. I particularly enjoy internal Australia, such beautiful scenery! staff engagement events and running If you had to pick a character to be from a book, workshops to improve how we do things as a council. TV series or historical figure, who would it be and why? What is the most difficult aspect of your Clarice Starling, from Silence of the Lambs, everyday role? because of her resolve and determination. There are never enough hours in the day to get everything done, so I have to make sure I don't Pick one word to describe yourself. set too many things running at once! Enthusiastic.

Borough Update Follow us on Twitter This is your council newsletter, Your comments and suggestions @maidstonebc produced up to four times a are always welcome. It is year in the Downs Mail typeset by AW design and Like us on Facebook – newspaper. It is written, edited printed by Newbury News. and designed by the council's www.facebook.com/ If you are visually impaired and maidstoneboroughcouncil communications team, Maidstone House, King Street, would like the newsletter text in large print, please call us on Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ. Watch us on YouTube – Email: 01622 602176, and we will be www.youtube.com/ [email protected] happy to send you a copy. user/maidstonecouncil

What’s On! To find out what’s on in Maidstone Borough visit www.visitmaidstone.com downsmail.co.uk | Health| News 999 service ‘special measures’ A DAMNING report listing a catalogue of failings has recommended that South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is placed into special measures.

The advice from the Govern- Foundation Trust confirmed the ment’s Care Quality Commission CQC report had rated its service “in- would allow the service to get the adequate” overall and that NHS Im- support it needs to improve from ex- provement was considering placing ternal parties. the trust into special measures. The report by Prof Sir Mike However, he added that SECAmb Richards lays the blame squarely on remains committed to improving the shoulders of service leaders. It the quality of its service and would raised concerns in 13 areas, includ- welcome the additional support ing staff numbers, poor medicine placement into special measures management and hygiene practices, would offer. and in meeting national perform- Acting chief executive Geraint ance targets. Davies said: “While we are pleased However, Sir Mike makes no se- Sir Mike Richards praised ambulance that the dedication and care of our cret of where he feels the blame lies, staff but criticised a management staff is highlighted as good in this re- praising staff for providing the serv- port, we are sorry that we have not culture of harassment and bullying ice, in spite of management and a met the standards expected in a culture of harassment and bullying. agers to meet patient safety and op- nificant concerns about the perform- number of other areas. He adds: “It is to the credit of the erational standards and the need for ance of the ambulance service, I “We have been working on and staff that they have continued to pro- staff to take meal breaks, finish on want to provide some reassurance. implementing a number of im- vide a vital service to the people of time and get their administration Once care arrives, it is of a good stan- provements. I would like to reassure Kent, Surrey and Sussex – dealing and training done. dard – with dedicated and caring everyone that I, along with my sen- with almost a million emergency Sir Mike went on to reassure the call handlers, ambulance crew, para- ior team, am committed and focused calls a year. public, adding that since the inspec- medics and other frontline staff on ensuring these necessary changes “Throughout our inspection, we tion in May, when clear evidence working hard to ensure this. continue. We are determined to im- heard how staff were giving their was found that senior executives “Secondly, the trust is taking ur- plement the changes required to re- best, treating patients kindly, with were not always “pulling in the gent steps and some improvements store confidence in our service.” dignity, care and compassion.” But, same direction”, improvements have already been made to ensure He said action taken so far in- he added: “It was apparent that the were being formulated by an expe- that everyone who relies on this cluded recruiting more staff, al- leadership had not been supporting rienced interim chair. The executive service receives excellent, timely though this remained a significant staff to do their jobs effectively.” has also recently been strengthened care.” issue, and strengthened systems for Specific actions to improve include by new appointments. A spokesman for the South East the management of medicines and providing enough staff and man- He finished: “While we have sig- Coast Ambulance Service NHS infection. Services reviewed in bid to save £5m “UNPRECEDENTED pressure” on quire an acute hospital bed – but cease for non-specific back pain. the NHS due to high demand, es- may require care services – will be  Audiology Access to this service WHAT’S NEXT pecially in urgent care, will lead to provided with short-term support will be restricted to patients with se- early money-saving cuts and re- to be discharged to their home or a vere or moderate hearing loss. THE CCG needs the cuts to work views of some local services. community setting. This will in-  Orthotics Devices are supplied within its budget. The GP-led budget-holding NHS volve KCC social services. More for supporting limbs and service It says at this stage it has not West Kent Clinical Commissioning treatments are planned at home. specifications will be put in place. included changes in: IVF, Group (CCG) has earmarked about  COPD rescue packs Chronic ob-  Enhanced recovery programme cataracts, a ban on non-urgent re- 15 areas as it investigates making structive pulmonary disease packs The aim is to improve outcomes for ferrals, statin prescribing, foot full-year savings of about £5m. This will be issued to suitable patients to patients from surgery, reducing care, physiotherapy for minor in- is on top of almost £20m agreed ear- cut down on hospital admissions. time in hospital and ensuring pa- juries, non-health essential treat- lier this year.  Hip/knee replacements Lifestyle tients are as fit as possible to receive ments such as excessive sweating The group says: “The proposed advice will be offered to ensure pa- surgery and preparing for recovery. and over-the-counter medicines. changes do not represent a sub- tients are fit for surgery. The aim  Temporary restrictions These stantial change in service. They in- will be to refer patients to advice will be imposed on MRI services troduce better systems for services if their body mass index is with exceptions for spine, brain and Whistleblowing preparing for surgery, managing above 30 or they smoke. Surgery knee, although GPs will still have WEST Kent CCG has approved a repeat prescriptions safely, manag- will remain a clinical decision, access to these scans with consult- “whistleblowing policy” to en- ing ongoing care or a temporary weighing up safety considerations ant prior approval. Vasectomy and courage employees to raise con- suspension of ways to access care.” and effectiveness of intervention. sterilisation procedures may be sus- cerns for the benefit of all patients.  The key areas are: Referrals to consultants GPs will pended for six months. “We will look in to what you say   Urgent care – frequent attenders be encouraged to use the Kinesis Medicines Reviews will look to and you will always have access to A project will identify top-repeating software system including guid- ensure best patient outcomes and the support you need,” says the users of local urgent care and a ance from consultants for advising reduce waste. A call centre will be CCG. manager will be recruited to over- patients to reduce outpatient refer- created for repeat medications. see a care plan management sys- rals. A “virtual clinic” could be set  Gluten-free The CCG will carry tem. The aim is to reduce A&E up for most headache referrals. out a consultation on a proposal Ambulance plan attendances, 999 calls, ambulance  Spinal injections The aim is to that gluten-free products should LOCAL ambulances are still miss- conveyances, non-elective admis- reduce the number of injections. An not be routinely prescribed. ing emergency targets and West sions, 111 calls and GP out-of-hours advice service could offer lifestyle  Thyroid The CCG will discon- Kent CCG has written formally to appointments. counselling to ensure patients’ fit- tinue Armour thyroid and other SECAmb requesting a recovery  Home first Patients who have re- ness for injections and offer advice desiccated thyroid extract products plan for this area and regular ceived medical care and do not re- on alternatives. Funding could due to lack of evidence of benefit. progress reports.

Maidstone East November 2016 27 LEARNING FOR LIFE It’s never too late to learn IT’S easy to think that learning stops after we memory, planning, and other complex leave school, but with more of us looking mental activities. forward to an active retirement, it’s becoming • In certain brain regions, communication increasingly important to understand that an between neurons can be reduced because active mind, is as good for your health as a white matter is degraded or lost. strong heart. • Blood flow to the brain can be reduced Today’s advice is that as well as eating five a because arteries narrow and there is less day, we should also follow seven simple rules growth of new capillaries. for keeping our mind active: • Damage by free radicals and inflammation • Stay curious and involved — commit to also increases. lifelong learning rising higher up the league table of lessons that As a result, even the healthiest among us may • Read, write, work crossword or other can be learned in order to maintain your health notice a modest decline in our ability to learn into retirement. puzzles new things and retrieve information, such as They include: • Attend lectures and plays remembering names. However, if given enough • Enroll in courses at your local adult time to perform the task, the scores of healthy • Controlling risk factors for chronic disease, education center, community college or people in their 70s and 80s are often similar to such as heart disease and diabetes (eg other community group those of young adults. In fact, as they age, keeping your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight at a healthy level) • Play games adults often improve in other cognitive areas, such as vocabulary and other forms of verbal • Enjoying regular exercise and physical • Try memory exercises knowledge. activity • Garden It also appears that additional brain regions • Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of In recent years, investigators have learned can be activated in older adults during vegetables and fruits much about what happens in the brain when cognitive tasks, such as taking a memory test. • Engaging in intellectually stimulating people have a neurodegenerative disease such Researchers do not fully understand why this activities and maintaining close social ties as Parkinson’s, AD, or other dementias and happens, but one idea is that the brain engages with family, friends, and community these findings have also revealed much about alternative mechanisms to compensate for The latest findings also add weight to the long what happens during healthy aging. difficulties that certain regions may be having. held phrase “use it or lose it” and with evening As a person gets older, changes occur in all These findings have led many scientists to classes, the new U3A movement, keep fit parts of the body, including the brain: believe that major declines in mental abilities classes, and a host of opportunities to get active • Certain parts of the brain shrink, especially are not inevitable as people age. both in body and mind, there’s never been a the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus So as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, more fun - and holistic way – to welcome on old - both of which are important to learning, the role of continuous learning and education is age.

28 Maidstone East November 2016 Is your child due to start school in September 2017? St Paul’s Infant School Hillary Road, Maidstone, ME14 2BS Sixth Invites you to attend an Open Morning Form Open Evening Tuesday 8th November 6pm - 9pm Talks by Head of Sixth Form at 6:15pm & 7:15pm “an exceptional learning experience”

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Maidstone East November 2016 29 News | Sponsored parish council downsmail.co.uk Tickets selling fast for fireworks spectacular AN ONLINE-only policy for selling tickets for the annual fireworks dis- play has seen demand rocket, say organisers. The parish council’s decision to and make sure they get in, as we do display from Phoenix Fireworks not issue paper versions resulted in have a capacity of 4,000.” and with burgers, hotdogs, soup, Players arrive about a third being sold with under More than 80 family tickets were hot and cold drinks and even glo- REMEMBER Leonard Sachs and a month to go. sold by October 11. sticks available from the Scouts”. the Good Old Days on TV? If so, The popular event has a maxi- A £15 family tickets allows two Gates open at 6 pm and the dis- you may be interested in an Old mum capacity of about 4,000 and a adults and two children or one play starts at 7.30 and lasts about Time Music Hall Show aimed at the council spokesman reckons that adult and three children. Children 20-30 minutes. Last entry is at over 70s of Bearsted. could easily be reached, given the are 16 and under. Adults (over 16) 7.15pm for safety reasons. The parish council has arranged current demand. are to be charged £6. Note: no personal fireworks, for the Players Theatre Club to be Councillor Paul Young said: Parish clerk Michelle Rumble sparklers or glassware are permit- at the WI Hall at 3.30pm on Satur- “Selling the tickets online is prov- told members there had been “no ted on site. Entrance will also be day, October 29. ing very popular. With about a complaints” from members of the disallowed for unaccompanied Details of ticket availability are month to go we have already sold public about the online-only strat- groups of under 16s. All must be available via the Bearsted Parish way more than we have done at the egy. with a responsible adult. Church Council website in the events sec- same stage in previous years. Cllr Richard Ash said late sales Lane will be closed so there will be tion, where there is a link or by con- “Given that the majority of ticket were usually down to people wait- no access to the car park. Pedes- tacting the clerk for an application sales are in the final week, this is ing see what the weather might trian entry is from Cross Keys or form. most encouraging. hold before making their purchase. Church Landway. “We are advising people to buy The event, which starts at 6pm on Tickets are available online at Carols date their tickets well in advance online November 4, is, according to the www.wegottickets.com/Bearsted- BEARSTED Area Churches To- to avoid the queues on the night parish council, “always a fantastic ParishCouncil. gether will hold a Christmas carol singing event on the green on De- Hero awards cember 14. The Carols on the Green service DO YOU know someone who de- will be held around the Christmas serves a thank you for their service tree. to the community? Rev John Corbyn will be liaising If so, there is still time to nominate with Bearsted parish councillor Jon them for Bearsted Parish Council's Hughes regarding lighting, sound Mynn Awards. The council is look- and power-sourcing for the ing for local people who have made evening, which starts at 7.30pm. an outstanding contribution to the life of their neighbourhood. Past recipients have included char- Dog bin plan ity workers and volunteers, carers, BINS for dog mess are to be phased sportsmen and women and sup- out across the borough. Classic cars return to Green porters of local groups. These will be replaced with “co- A DATE has been set for next year’s Classic Car Rally on Bearsted Green. The closing date is November 15. mingle” receptacles but the exact It will be held on July 30, providing the date does not clash with the Email details of the person and why location of cricket club’s fixture list. you think they deserve the award to these is still The 2016 event attracted hundreds of vintage and classic cars from [email protected] under consul- around the world and thousands of visitors. or pop a letter into the Parish Office tation. at Madginford Hall. Parish coun- cil chairman Fiona Redman said the au- Have a say on future of village thority will monitor BEARSTED’S first public meeting national, regional and local plans. hood plan cannot stop develop- progress of the replacement pro- on the Neighbourhood Plan – The public meeting aims to ex- ment, as this is led by Maidstone gramme by Maidstone Borough which shapes the future of the plain why Bearsted is adopting a Borough Council’s Local Plan, but Council. parish in the next two or three neighbourhood plan, the commu- it does give us the opportunity to decades – will be held at Madgin- nity benefits, time scales and to influence what type of develop- ford Hall at 7pm on November 30. canvass input from residents. ment and where, plus the plan can Councils meet The area is one of 13 in Maid- A small steering group already include more aspects of life.” THE Kent Association of Local stone working on similar plans exists to drive the plan forward, but As well as a main steering group, Councils (KALC) will hold its an- which can influence on aspects of spokesman Cllr Paul Young says he volunteers will be needed to con- nual meeting on November 19 and life including traffic, transport, em- would like to get “as many people duct parish walks to identify future Cllrs Richard Ash and Pat Marshall ployment and green spaces. as possible involved from the local possibilities, liaising with external will attend on behalf of Bearsted Once adopted, neighbourhood community”. partners as well as looking at traffic Parish Council. plans enjoy the same legal status as Cllr Young added: “A neighbour- and development issues, he said.

This page is sponsored and edited by: Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: 01622 630165 E-Mail: [email protected] Bearsted Parish Council Chair: Fiona Redman MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAY OF MONTH (7.30PM) www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk AND THE PUBLIC IS VERY WELCOME

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Maidstone East November 2016 31 News | Sponsored parish council downsmail.co.uk Thurnham Parish News Call for yellow lines THURNHAM Parish Council says warned KCC, which put a £3,000 faced and the yellow lines covered indiscriminate parking on the road price tag on painting the no parking up. If the county council does not and pavements in Ware Street will lines: “Do we have to wait for some- act, this problem will spread, with spread if action is not taken. one to be killed to get some action? people parking all along this road.” The situation had reached crisis “We have no problem with park- Councillors agreed to ask for a site point, according to councillors - evi- ing by the golf course entrance meeting with county councillor denced by a photograph taken by where the vision of on-coming traffic Jenny Whittle and KCC leader Paul someone with a toddler in a buggy, is clear, but to park near a bend, Carter to show them the dangers. forced to walk in the road to get where residents have to cross the Cllr Smith added: “It will be round a parked car. road, is a clear hazard.” money well spent if we offered £500 Councillors said it was time for Vice chairman Cllr Richard Smith towards the cost of yellow lines.” Meetings normally held on the third double yellow lines on both sides of said: “People know where the park- A letter will also be sent to Monday of each month at the Marriott the road, west of the junction with ing restrictions are in the area and Bearsted Parish Council encourag- Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome. Sandy Lane. we have seen people parking on the ing it to support the parking restric- CHAIRMAN: Daniel Skinner Council chairman Daniel Skinner brow of Hogg Hill since it was resur- tions. CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173 Airfield plan to go to council Diary dates THURNHAM parish councillors Cllr Skinner said: “We will ex- CLLR Richard Smith will lay a Parish could confessed to being undecided plain that we are a long way from wreath on Remembrance Sunday at about plans for Detling aerodrome. making a decision on this and St Mary’s Church and Cllr Daniel purchase land Members agreed to write to a views are potentially split, which is Skinner will give a reading at the Bimbury Lane resident to assure only right. carol concert at Holy Cross, THE acquisition of land next to the her that the proposal for more than “Therefore, any application will Bearsted, on December 18. play area in Averenches Road from 1,100 homes by Quinn Estates will be considered by the whole parish Councillors will also attend the in- KCC is to be investigated. be considered by the full council, council and any resident is wel- quiry into Maidstone Council’s Councillors felt the strip of land not just its planning committee, come to attend our next meeting on Local Plan in November. has become a “nuisance car park when an application is submitted. November 21 to give their view.” for youths and lorry drivers”. Sign reported They hope to consider the costs A FURTHER request is to be made more fully and investigate how Riding arena at farm is approved to the county council to replace the much money is being held by A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for an indoor equestrian “no left turn” sign knocked down on Maidstone Council for community area at Coldblow Farm attracted no complaints from councillors. the approach to Caring Lane. uses from the development of the Members acknowledged that the arena had been used by the public The parish council also heard that Kent Frozen Food site. for nine years and that the application “ties up loose ends”. noticeboards had been refurbished.

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32 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk News Why Emily enjoys dog’s life IF YOU are out and about in Maidstone you may well see Guide Dogs trainer Emily Knott with her canine recruits, working hard to improve the lives of blind and partially-sighted people. Emily (29) from has new owners. Of course, it is an just passed her year-long training amazing thing that they are going to become fully qualified, and is to do. It’s like having children – loving every minute of her new job. you’re proud when they go to She has been involved with the Newly- school, or pass exams, but you also Guide Dogs charity for eight years qualified shed a tear! after her parents volunteered to act “It’s amazing to get feedback that Guide Dog as “boarders” for guide dogs. your dog has changed someone’s Emily also volunteered and soon trainer Emily life. I can’t think of greater job sat- realised that she wanted to work Knott with two isfaction.” for Guide Dogs full time. She has of the dogs Emily is one of the team of Guide now had 15 dogs through her she has Dogs workers and volunteers hands. She teaches them all the el- trained to help based at Turkey Mill in Maidstone, ements, or tasks, of guiding a blind blind and covering an area including Kent or partially-sighted person. One of partially- and East Sussex. the most frustrating obstacles is sighted people The charity is entirely funding by cars parked on pavements. donations from the public and be- Emily said: “We teach our dogs means taking them on to the road goodbye to her dogs can be emo- quests in wills. to always keep their owner off the - safely, of course. It’s very frus- tional. She said: “I get really at- Emily added: “We are hugely road, and then we have to teach trating.” tached to every one of them and do grateful to all the support we get them to go around cars, which Emily admitted that saying get sad when they go on to their that allows us to do this work.” Clowns ban THE “scary clown” craze has led to U3A group marks 25 years of learning a charity banning clown outfits MEMBERS of the Maidstone U3A from its Halloween fun runs at have celebrated 25 years of Mote Park, Maidstone. belonging to the national Hospice charity Demelza says organisation which promotes anyone dressed as a clown will be learning for retired and semi-retired refused entry to the Monster Dash people. event for youngsters. The fancy New chairman James Downer dress events will be held in the thanked Stephen Bush, who was park on Friday, October 28. chairman for the previous four years, The so-called “creepy” or “killer” crediting him with increasing mem- clown craze has swept infrom the bership and finding a new venue for United States, largely via the inter- the group to meet. net. Mr Bush also introduced new ac- Kent Police have already asked tivities, including short holidays. New chairman James Downer addresses the U3A meeting people to act responsibly. The annual meeting was followed logo, specially made for the occa- mounted exhibitions of their works by tea and coffee with three deco- sion. and findings and a number of new A big bag plea rated cakes spelling out the U3A The art, craft and geology groups members signed up at the meeting. THIS October, Age UK is calling on the people of Maidstone to support its annual stock appeal, The Big Police tackle Bag Challenge, by donating as Awards for traders many bags of quality clothing or TWO Kings Hill business have and laser hair removal, said: “I treat hare coursing goods as possible. been successful in the Kent Inde- everyone as a client and a friend, The appeal started this month OFFICERS from Kent Police’s rural pendent Traders Awards 2016. not just a number through the and volunteers in the Age UK liaison team have been cracking Post and Packing and Lumiere door.” Maidstone shop will be on hand to down on illegal hare coursing and Aesthetics picked up the titles of The contest was organised by the receive donations, with the goal of lamping. Medium Business of the Year and Kent Independent Traders group reaching 100,000 bags of goods in The operation coincided with a Customer Service Award respec- and sponsored by the Federation of just two weeks. The Age UK shop recent full moon, when there is a tively. Small Businesses (FSB). is at 11 Gabriels Hill. spike in such activity. Post and Packing offers an alter- David Milham, from the FSB PC Michael Laidlow said: “We native service to the Post Office, said: “Running your own company are keen to hear from anyone who Festive appeal often opening in places where a can be tough; the Kent Independ- is aware of illegal hare coursing or STAFF at Angels Funerals in Cox- post office has closed. ent Traders Awards recognises this lamping in their community. heath are collecting gifts to spread Owners Martyn Filby and Hugh and brings together successful en- “Not only is this activity cruel, Christmas cheer to the homeless as Furnace took over the business in trepreneurs who have the determi- but it is often linked to damage and 2012, when the original firm was nation to make their idea work.” theft on rural properties.” part of their festive appeal.  The firm is appealing for dona- threatened with closure, keeping She Who Bakes won the Home- Police with 4X4 vehicles were on tions of practical items, such as on all the staff. Based Business of the Year award at hand to respond to reports of this hand cream, socks, scarves, hats, Marketing manager Chloe Sands KITA 2016. wildlife crime in addition to pa- toothbrushes and thermal cups or said:”Hugh and Martyn have put Former St Simon Stock school trolling hot spot areas. flasks. Donations can be taken to in a lot of time and hard work to pupil Britt Whyatt set up the com- PC Laidlow said: “Hare coursing Angels Funerals, Heath Road. build the business and grow it. pany two years ago. She started and lamping can have a devastat- They really deserve the award.” baking cakes for friends but now ing impact on farming and wildlife For more local news Kelli Preston, owner of Lumiere works almost exclusively online if left unchallenged, and we want to www.downsmail.co.uk Aesthetics which offers non-surgi- with some 200,000 followers on work with the community to target cal treatments such as contouring Facebook. individuals involved.”

Maidstone East November 2016 33 downsmail.co.uk Alan Cole Raymond regularly worshipped at St Corben as chair of the Trust said: “Richard Obituaries James the Great Church in East Malling and was a respected chair who gave many years ALAN Cole (86) was born and raised in in recent years had visited the WWI of service to the trust.” Snodland and lived in the Springfield area balefields with his son. Another passion In a death announcement placed in the of Maidstone for 62 years. was philately and Raymond had wrien to Daily Telegraph, Richard’s family stated: His only significant period away from the heads of state and others featured on stamps “His courage and sense of humour stayed area came with national service in the RAF to obtain their signatures. with him to the end.” in which he took Raymond remained healthy and active Richard leaves his wife, children and nine postings in various into his nineties, but a car crash in grandchildren. locations around September this year left him with a fractured England. sternum, which eventually lead to his death. Alan had a varied Raymond leaves his wife, children, Sir Nicholas Fenn and creative working grandchildren Natalie and Kevin and great- SIR Nicholas Fenn (80) of Maidstone Road, life. He worked as a granddaughter Poppy. cartographer Marden, was a distinguished career including spells diplomat who had retired to Kent. working in the Rosemary Dunn He became active in public life again in electricity industry 2014 when his anger at the development and for Kent County Council and also THE death of Rosemary Dunn (77) was plans of Maidstone Borough Council worked in a number of roles with his reported nationally. As a music teacher she prompted him to stand as a Liberal musical talents. He taught music, including did most of her significant work in east Kent Democrat councillor in opposition in 2014. guitar, in schools and worked for Sharon but was a figure of national standing who That effort was unsuccessful, but Sir Music in Maidstone, as well as managing worked with musicians from all over the Nicholas’ working life had seen him take a stores for the company in Canterbury and county, including many from the local area. range of positions in the diplomatic service Tunbridge Wells. In a Guardian obituary, Anstey Spraggan including ambassador to Ireland, High Alan was married to June for 62 years and chronicled Rosemary’s roles as an educator Commissioner in India and spokesman for was father to Pam and Chris. Pam said: “My and “a life-long champion of the awkward Britain at the United Nations. He was father was a man of many talents who truly and the underdog” who made every effort knighted for his diplomatic service in 1989. embraced life. He achieved an incredible to be inclusive in sharing her skills and Sir Nicholas read mediaeval history at the amount. He was involved locally as a passion for music. University of Cambridge and joined the Scoutmaster, in church music and Rosemary Dunn’s PhD was focused on Diplomatic Service from university. performing music – including organising inclusiveness in the teaching of music. She He served as vice counsel in Burma barn dances. chaired the Deal festival and raised funds during the military coup in that country in “He also organised quizzes and worked for Revelation Strings and, in the process, he 1962 and served a total of 37 years as a locally as a magician. He did gardens for worked with players of classical stringed diplomat. local pensioners as well as tending his own instruments as well as forging links with Sir Nicholas was involved in the Lancaster garden and had done a lot of cine filming creatives who informed music-making House talks over the future of Rhodesia including footage of British buerflies. across the county. (now Zimbabwe) and was our man in China “He was the chair of his local Active Rosemary’s career came after strong during the last days of leader Mao Tse Tung. Retirement Fellowship and involved in a support from her adoptive parents, and her He later worked for three years as chief local table tennis league. He was also adoptive father’s role as a staunch trade executive for Marie Curie Cancer Care. enjoyed painting and drawing, including unionist informed her thinking about in- Sir Nicholas served as a church warden running art classes and cake decorating. clusiveness and justice for all. for St Michael and All Angels’ Church and Wherever he went in the local area he met She aended the Birmingham supported the charity Safe Anaesthesia people who knew him.” Conservatoire. After her retirement from Worldwide, which is based in Marden. Alan leaves his wife and children. music teaching in schools, Rosemary Sir Nicholas was married to Susan and established the Sounds New festival in father to Robert, who has followed his father Canterbury, focusing on new music and the into the diplomatic service. Raymond Blunden work of contemporary composers. Rosemary’s many achievements included RAYMOND Blunden (92) of Stickens Lane, being a prize-winning poet and a noted David Heaver East Malling, was known locally for his war gardener. memoires. DAVID Heaver (74) lived locally in She married Clive Dunn in 1963 and the Kingswood for about 20 years and, before His diaries, which recounted his younger couple were parents to Dominic. days as he watched the Bale of Britain take that, in Langley. Rosemary, who was widowed, leaves her Born in London, he met Val, his wife of place in the skies above him, were serialised son and granddaughters Jessica and Keira. in a local newspaper in 2015. When he was over 50 years, when the couple aended a old enough, Raymond joined the forces, youth club as teenagers. serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps in Richard Corben He began work for Beefeater Gin and India from 1942. went on to work as a sales rep for Lyons tea. After his war service, Raymond worked in RICHARD Corben (77) of High Halden, He worked for the financial firm Slater land charges and surveying for Kent County and formerly of Maidstone, made a major Walker in Lewisham and a local financial Council and later worked in the same contribution to local life. firm before establishing Rumwood specialist areas for Maidstone Borough He ran the Corben construction firm based Industrial Finance. Council. He married Pamela in 1951 and on the Tonbridge Road for many years until The couple moved to the Maidstone area became father to Richard, Julie and Cynthia. it ceased trading in the 1990s. The site of his from Orpington. firm has recently been redeveloped as the He was father to Deborah. Val said: Corben Yard business park. “David loved his music. He also loved The Stone Shop Amongst other local roles undertaken by cycling and golf. He played golf at the Richard Corben was the post of High Sheriff Weald of Kent Golf Club and had been Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, of Kent in 1984. In the Maidstone area, he captain there. He was a life-long Arsenal lettered and installed anywhere. remained heavily involved in the business supporter who aended games as a boy Inscriptions added to existing memorials community and served as a magistrate. with his father. People will remember him Renovations and memorial Richard served the Cobtree Charity Trust as someone who got on with everyone and cleaning as chair for 23 years, standing down late in had a good sense of humour. David was a The Stone Shop 2015 due to ill-health. loving and generous husband and a genuine Station Hill, , Kent. He was married to Roseanne and father to person.” Josephine, Caroline and Simon. David leaves Val, his daughter, 01622 726633 Former Area Commander of Maidstone grandchildren Emma, Cara and Michael and Police, Roger Hext, who succeeded Mr great-grandchildren Bethany and Isabelle.

There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email [email protected]

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Maidstone East November 2016 35 News | Sponsored parish council downsmail.co.uk Boxley Parish Mail CHAIRMAN: Bob Hinder CLERK: Pauline Bowdery ASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall, Wildfell Close, , ME5 9RU

Tel: 01634 861237 email: [email protected] Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website Womble call THE parish council still wishes to Council bid to preserve identify the modern-day versions of the furry lovable characters who col- lected litter from Wimbledon Com- mon. Anyone who undertakes litter open space in local plan picking or knows areas in the parish that need a spring clean is asked to THE parish council attended the “With a recent approval for 89 dents have strong views that de- contact the parish office. Local Plan public inquiry at Maid- houses at Gleamingwood Drive velopment within the gap should The parish council is happy to or- stone Town Hall on October 11. and a current application for 450 not be allowed, but with both ganise local litter picks, and can ad- The council had employed a houses just over the border in Med- Maidstone and Medway councils vise and support individuals with planning consultant to produce way, it is vitally important that this not identifying a five-year housing litter bags and organise litter bag and present its submission that the area is properly protected. land supply it is now under threat pickup points. draft Local Plan provided insuffi- “Whilst LLV status won’t neces- from developers. cient recognition and protection of sarily stop In the past 12 months, the parish Dog waste bins an area of countryside that stops small-scale council has attended three plan- MAIDSTONE Council is to consult Lords Wood joining up with development, ning inquiries to fight to preserve parish councils on the removal of the Hempstead it lays down a the site. dog waste bins which could be re- This area at used to be marker that Cllr Bob Hinder said: “Prepar- placed by bins that will take dog identified as an Area of Local Land- this is a spe- ing for and attending the inquiries waste as well as general litter. scape Importance and as a strategic cial area.“ is quite a commitment on parish Parish councillors were concerned gap, but Maidstone Council had The finger councillor and officer time, but it that this might result in fewer bins. not included it in the list of areas of of countryside is clear that residents feel strongly Cllr Vic Davies raised the issue of Local Landscape Value (LLV) even joins Gilling- that the area is protected and it is dog waste bins in the Vinters Valley though it met most of the criteria. ham to the right that the parish council makes Nature Reserve and Maidstone Cllr Bob Hinder (pictured), chair- Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) time and money available for Council will be approached about man of the parish council said: and ultimately Maidstone. Resi- this.” including the trust in the meetings that are being arranged. Dog waste can be disposed of in Opposition to residential and general litter bins. Memorial tree planned THE PARISH council has de- homes plan Safer crossing cided to plant a True Service EVIDENCE was submitted and a tree (sorbus domestica) at A RESIDENT whose child attends St statement made to the public inquiry Beechen Hall in memory of John’s School, raised the need for a held at Medway Council, an appeal Cllr Alan Springate who was safer crossing at Grovewood Drive having been made against Medway an ardent supporter of na- North. Council’s refusal for 450 dwellings at ture. The parish council supported for Ham Lane, Lords Wood. In addition to this, the her request and her planned petition The site is next to the parish parish council indicated to boundary and would be within a and will work with her to raise the the Walderslade Woodlands issue with County Cllr Carter and strategic gap that stops Lords Wood Group that it would support joining up with Hempstead. the highway department. For the e- the idea of a seat next to the Cllr Bob Hinder, chairman of the petition, go to https://goo.gl/UicGb8 proposed pond at Cossington parish council said: “Large volumes Valley. of traffic from this site will be using Play area seats local roads and junction 3 of the M2. THE environment committee is pro- Quite frankly, the residents, school posing to the parish council that up and medical infrastructure and to £3,000 is provided in the Road issues Plan on show roads can’t take any more.” 2017/2018 budget to purchase and THE parish council’s environment THE environment committee The parish clerk attended all three install additional seats and bins at committee is chasing KCC for re- meeting on November 14 will now days. She was joined by residents, the Timber Tops play area. sponses on: yellow lines for Proven- be held at the ESO, Boxley Village borough Cllrs Wendy Hinder (Box- Cllr Paul Dengate had proposed der Way and possibly Grovewood so that residents can easily attend ley) and David Wildey (Medway) the project after seeing that there was Drive South; drainage at Boxley and view any proposals concern- and on the first day Tracey Crouch, now insufficient seating for the en- Road and Cossington Lane, Walder- ing the possible development at MP for Chatham and Aylesford. larged play area, which has resulted slade and Boxley Village. the end of Forge Lane. The parish council’s submission to in adults and older children perch- Cllr Lynn Clarke said there was The doors will open at 7pm to the inquiry covered the concerns ing on play equipment. an issue in the village about water, allow residents to view plans that about traffic, impact on local facili- ties and the loss of countryside. during heavy rain, washing debris the agent will make available. Fur- Audit success and grit down into the village. This ther details will be placed on the THE October meeting was informed was then diverted by the large parish council’s website, notice- Meeting date that the council had successfully raised speed cushion towards resi- board and sent out via its commu- THE next meeting of the parish passed the independent external fi- dential properties. It was agreed nity alert email system, which council will be on November 7 at the nancial audit that was required by that the matter would be discussed residents can sign up to by con- European School of Osteopathy law. at the November meeting. tacting the parish office. (ESO), Boxley Village.

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Maidstone East November 2016 37 downsmail.co.uk Comment I live on Maidstone bypass I KNOW many living in Maidstone area has been plenty of pressure and I am pleased now have a tale of woe about increasing local MailMarks to see it is building once again. traffic problems, but please bear with me for a couple of minutes to learn of mine shared DENNIS FOWLE President The Great War exhibition at Maidstone Mu- with the good folk of Farleigh. [email protected] seum fascinated me for an hour – and I chal- I accepted more than 30 years ago that lenge anyone not to be moved by events Lower Road, East Farleigh, was a Maidstone which touched our town so strongly 100 years What thought went in to these? They cause bypass for many living in the south of our ago. major problems and serious delays in all di- borough, but now the consequences are ap- The centre pieces are two magnificent 1916 rections. I believe they are also dangerous for palling. paintings by local artist Frank Hyde – one A20 users. Something has got to be done – we As the centre of Maidstone becomes more showing a convoy of wounded soldiers re- have been very badly let down. congested, so more drivers seek a bypass at a turning to Maidstone East Station and the In East Farleigh, we are always being told time when this route is beset with new and se- other a battle scene from Trone’s Wood, on after investigations that nothing can be done rious problems. the Somme. about the busy railway crossing and our very The slowest part of our journey is now There are many telling exhibits which set historical single-lane bridge. It is a traffic usually from the M20 via Hermitage Lane, the the scene for the sadness and horrors felt by nightmare and big lorries, which use it ille- Tonbridge Road traffic lights, Farleigh Lane, Maidstone residents at the time. gally, are causing serious damage. It is a Farleigh railway crossing, Farleigh Bridge, Do not miss the postcards written recently horse-and-cart route expected to cope with Station Hill and Lower Road. by Maidstone children with messages they the ever-increasing weight of modern traffic. It can easily take 30 minutes, at worst an think they would have written from the front It suits Kent County Council to turn a blind hour. So we have had to give up on Papa's to loved ones at home. May their time never eye, but this just cannot go on. lovely takeaway fish and chips at Ditton! come. With all the development scheduled in the The new traffic lights close to the A20 junc- It is the season of Remembrance Day – an next few years, this horror story will get tion in Hermitage Lane are the final straw. appropriate time to take in this exhibition. worse. Talking has got to turn to action. There

Think about pedestrians with others collecting over 6,000 signatures Dogs Trust’s birthday plea calling for the relief road. I RECENTLY visited my daughter who The public are geing very angry, THE Dogs Trust Maidstone Charity Shop lives in Leeds village and stayed at a bed frustrated and bewildered that such an and Donation Centre is celebrating its first and breakfast a five-minute walk away. obvious solution remains on the drawing birthday on October 16 and staff would like My wife is disabled and gets around in a board. With many politicians and officers to thank the community for their support motorised scooter. We had great difficulty from both (Kent County Council and over the past 12 months. crossing Upper Street and travelling up and Maidstone Borough Council ) authorities The team always needs volunteers to help down the street. agreeing the need, the question must be in the shop. Roles cover a range of duties It is clear that most of the rules of the asked: "Where is it? Why are we still talking from serving customers and sorting road are ignored, since there is no about it"? donations, to helping with warehouse enforcement whatsoever. In fact, some of We all live in the 21st century, in a very functions and deliveries. the signs warn that civilians will report strategic location in one the busiest parts of If you can help or donate any items to the wrongdoings, which I'm sure is an inside the UK. We can't hold back time, we can’t store, please email joke to the many lorry drivers. pretend our roads are coping when they are [email protected] or call I was led to understand that large lorries not. MBC’s Cllr David Burton and KCC’s 01622 755 800. are banned from the village but I did Cllr Gary Cooke recognise this. We are becoming a destination store for witness many large trucks that barely fit in Delivering the relief road must be above great homewares and furniture – open 9am one lane and many vehicles travelling well politics - it is far too important to us all. A to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to above the speed limit in Leeds. suggestion was made, for any further action 4pm on Sunday, with free parking, we can What I would hope is that the village we may have to wait until May 2017, after even deliver locally for a small fee. We can considers pedestrian crossings. It was very the Kent County Council elections. Now the collect large donations and furniture. difficult for my wife to cross the street routes have been published, it cannot be in Claudine Lapsky, Dogs Trust retail area because the traffic didn't slow down and anyone's interest to delay. manager the road didn't always have easy access for Finally, I am not in the least surprised her scooter, leaving her in the road longer with the flippant, patronising comment than a non-disabled person. made by the UKIP spokesman, Eddie Complaints fell on deaf ears I also didn't feel safe. The pavement was Powell. AFTER seeing the coverage of the maer of very narrow – you could not walk side by I have been campaigning with others for noise from Mote Park events in your side – but even walking single file, the cars over 25 years for the relief road, well before October edition, I would like to share with and trucks would speed by and you could his time. We have collected residents' you my own aempts at geing the be knocked over by the closeness of a lorry, signatures, within tight time-frames, from problem dealt with. especially those with extended mirrors. Willington Street, Senacre, Parkwood, These include Maidstone Borough I'm sure there is no easy answer but, in Shepway and local villages. Council’s complaints procedures, the the meantime, it would be nice to make the Cllr Cooke has also worked tirelessly useless Local Government Ombudsman road safer for pedestrians. It wouldn't be with me and others to kick-start this road. and aempts to contact the Secretary of expensive to implement a pedestrian He and I have naturally had a few State, both directly and via MP Helen crossing, traffic lights, etc. I hope that the disagreements over the years, but we Whately, as to whether MBC is free to flout road improves before I visit again next year. continue to work well together towards this the Noise Council’s code of practice (I have Joseph Irrera, by email much-needed road. He too, is always wrien evidence that instead of 65 decibel approachable and always supportive. noise for three days they are planning noise Relief road above politics Sometime ago, I did approach UKIP but, at this level for up to eight days a year). OF COURSE a Leeds/Langley relief road unfortunately, they were not at all I have also questioned whether MBC must be built. In fact, it should have been interested. understands that it is the entity charged in built decades ago. Mr Powell said: “I hope they do it for the law with dealing with Statutory Noise Resisting a relief road, for whatever benefit of the people who live in that area.” Nuisance. All you get, even via the MP, are reason, is undemocratic. Too many He is obviously oblivious that "that area" is, standard leers from minions. residents, motorists and businesses are now in part, represented by his party on MBC. You might be interested to know that the affected. I have personally been involved Jenny Suon, Willington Street (WillAct) November meeting of the Heritage Culture

38 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk and Leisure Commiee is on November 29. MBC will either cancel this nuisance or A marathon opportunity Comment This meeting will be open to the public and have it monitored in a believable fashion. questions can be submied in advance to John Evenden, by email MANY people across Kent will have found any of the councillors involved and these out that they have sadly missed out on the can be found on the MBC website. 2017 London Marathon ballot. Moira Thompson, Garden Walk, Maidstone Cautionary tale of flooding Prospective runners who have been looking forward to taking part will be Noise was unbearable ARE you flooding comfortably? Then I'll disappointed to find out they haven’t begin... secured a place in this hugely iconic race. I READ with uer amazement how Once upon a time Goldilocks the flood But don’t despair, The Children’s Society Maidstone Borough Council, the director of victim went to an EA poster exhibition. can get you on that starting line. If you Ramblin’ Man and all the others contend “My, what big budgets you have for that the noise level was acceptable. have your heart set on running the Virgin some areas,” she said. Money London Marathon in April 2017 you I live on the top floor of Mote House, “Would it make a difference to the overlooking the concert site. The noise can apply for a charity place and run to flooding in if the river was help disadvantaged children. started here on the Friday mid-afternoon, BIGGER?” she asked Dredging Bear. “Oh with the groups tuning their instruments. It The Children’s Society supports children no, no difference at all,” said Dredging and young people dealing with hardship, was a continuous bang-bang of the drums Bear. and other instruments at full blast. Nobody abuse and neglect and every penny raised “Does it make a difference that the river by our runners will help to transform the monitored that day. The noise was is 20% SMALLER in places where it has lives of the UKs most vulnerable children. unbearable and we had to go out to get silted up?” she asked Silty Bear. “Oh no, no It’s easy to apply and we provide a huge away from it. difference at all,” said Silty Bear. amount of support every step of the way, The operator of the system that monitors “So it's exactly the right size then?” including a training day, help with the recorded levels was situated 200 yards “Yes!” said Property Level Protection fundraising, online forums, cheering you away from Mote House on the grass, (PLP) Bear, “Just right!” along on the day and a sports massage and almost under the row of trees, which would “That is lucky,” said Goldilocks. “That celebration afterwards. have reduced the noise levels he picked up. means you have plenty of money to be able For more information on being part of If he had been on the top floor here the to spend millions more on parts of the levels would have been considerately our London Marathon 2017 team go to catchment where only 10 houses flooded louder and unbearable. childrenssociety.org.uk/londonmarathon and still have £3m left over for a fish ladder When Cllr Mike Revell, who aended the Mahew Reed, chief executive of The at East Farleigh.” concert, said that the noise levels were not Children’s Society “Yes!” said the EA spokesperson. “But too bad, he must have been wearing ear PLP can be just as effective, even though pads. The noise level was too much for the DEFRA evaluation says at best it works neighbours here who went away because of Put safety of children first the effect it had on them last year. in one in five houses and in most of the rest EVERY time “the Jungle” refugee camp in Surely this is not an acceptable nuisance it only reduces the amount of water Calais is cleared, children go missing. that we are expected to bear year after year, coming into your house. But maybe The French president Francois Hollande without any help from the council, who are Yalding, and Collier St will be is right to say there is no excuse for the UK using the park as a cash cow to finance different? Can I get back to you on that to shirk its international duties, but for both their spending levels. when we’ve actually done a survey on the The park was left to the residents of houses in a couple of years from now?” the UK and French authorities, protecting Maidstone by Lord Bearsted for their But Goldilocks was a bit of a nuisance young people must be of paramount enjoyment and not for thousands of people and she didn't give up: “But what if there importance. who do not contribute to the coffers of were other ways of reducing the level of More than a year has passed since the MBC. water in Yalding, even if by only 6-12 Government promised to rescue thousands Under the Freedom of Information Act, I inches?” she asked. of lone children from Calais and other would like to know where it is wrien that “Then we'll huff and we'll puff.... But, er, camps, yet few have arrived. The MBC can use the park in this fashion to the that's about it, we've not actually modelled processing of applications remains annoyance of so many council tax-payers it or anything like that,” said the engineer. inexcusably slow. who are treated with contempt. “Shall we do that now?” Many children have relatives in the UK I rang the co-ordinator at Ramblin’ Man “OK,” said Goldilocks. And they all and, above all else, a legal right to be here. to ask them to turn down the volume and flooded happily ever after. Two children are known to have been killed point the loudspeakers in a different Don’t let Goldilocks be flooded again.If waiting for their cases to be dealt with by direction to stop us here at Mote House you don’t see the funny side, email the British government. geing the full blast of the terrible noise [email protected]. As President Hollande enacts plans to these so-called musicians were making. MP [email protected] would close the camp, these children are in even They did try to do this, but without much also like to hear from you to help the greater danger. They must be brought to success, so it was a waste of time ringing campaign. safety now. and complaining. Stephen Day, Medway, Beult & Teise Flood Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the Perhaps, but don’t hold your breath, Group South East

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L.W Electrical ADPink Electrical Part P Registered All electrical work undertaken All types of domestic electrical work 24hr Call Out • Free Estimates undertaken,full rewires to single Fully Qualified & insured sockets,security lighting,fuse box OAP Discounts changes,testing and inspections for Ring Lee landlords certificates 01622 737016 07906 517599 NICEIC Domestic Installer Email: [email protected] part P registered fully insured. [email protected] S COPPER 07761559744/01622 884774 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION Maintenance and Servicing Est 1993 General repairs, maintenance and restoration. ALL WORK CARRIED OUT BY QUALIFIED CITY & GUILDS ELECTRICIAN ADVENT Double Glazing Free quotation services — No call out fees For friendly advice call Simon Copper on ELECTRICAL SERVICES (Kent) LTD 07564 209437 For all your electrical 01622 765761 (Evenings) requirements from an extra E GLAZING REPAIR socket to a full rewire. UBL BEARSTED MA For a friendly local service call Jon Hughes DO N 01622 630585 Misted Sealed Units Door Handles Broken Glass TOTAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES Mobile:0771 2653355 Door Locks Window Handles Letter Boxes BEARSTED • MAIDSTONE 56 Ware Street Bearsted Broken Hinges New Doors New Windows Tel. 07763 613451 For all your domestic electrical requirements. Qualified to FREE ESTIMATES 17th edition •Full rewires OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE •New fuse boards Part P 07808 849432 or 01622 738683 •Sockets, Lighting Reg’d •NICEIC Part P registered •Competitive rates (no vat) ( Call our sales team now - 01622 630 330 •For free quotes and advice call Neil

42 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk Classified Electricians continued Garden Services continued Electric Rewired ELECTRICIAN The new 17th Edition wiring regs are applied ATLANTIC ELECTRICAL We are Part P Certificated For all your electrical needs For all your Electrical needs Fuseboards, Re-wires, Certificates From extra sockets to house rewiring NICEIC Part P registered Replace old light fittings with new fittings Free Estimates, Friendly Service Call Alf for your free quote Fully insured, 25yrs Experience Ring 07831 247843 or 01622 738680 Call Steve 01622 747257 www.electricrewired.co.uk. Mobile 07985 474176 [email protected] Uplands, Halstow Cl, Maidstone ME15 9XA

Fencing Garden Services Tree Surgery Complete Fencing Stump TREE CARE Grinding All Repairs and New Fencing Contact Tom Free Estimates Hedge Call Tony On T: 01622 206431 Cutting 01622 880218 07796 772020 M: 07812 921748 Pruning E:[email protected] CRB checked, Checkatrade approved Fencing I.WALLOND FENCING ALL TYPES – REPAIR/RENEW Est. 25 YEARS Handyman Services FREE ESTIMATES 01580 890649 07931 368710 MIKE LEWIS www.IWallondfencingcontractors.co.uk PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PRACTICAL PHIL • HOME & GARDEN THE HANDY MAN IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS Fence me in & alot more ARBOUR Sheds constructed & repaired • INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING All types of Fencing & Gates TREE SURGERY Door hanging • Flat Pack Furniture & DECORATING Installed & Repairs ‘Trust your local experts’ Interior & Exterior Decorating • WALLPAPER HANGING All Aspects of Garden Services, Landscapes, All Aspects of Tree Work Many small jobs undertaken • GARDEN MAINTENANCE Decking, Patios, Paths & Paving. Felling • Pruning Please phone with your requirements • DECKING & PERGOLAS Regular Contracts, Lawn Mowing, •FREE QUOTATIONS Hedge Cutting etc. Hedge Cutting 01622 755898 Mobile • SMALL JOBS UNDERTAKEN Call Colin on 07521 Stump Grinding 07834 601428 MIKE LEWIS Fully Insured and Qualified TEL: 01622 663192 377306 or 01622 853978 Free No Obligation Written Quotation MOB: 07810 486146 01622 759119 07771 970570 www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk Handyman HANDYMAN No job too small No job too big or too small. BRANCHING OUT Competitive prices Painting & decorating, •Painting & Decorating • Plastering all roofing works & repairs, TREE SERVICE • Tiling • Fencing chimney’s, guttering & gutter All aspects of tree cutting, Re-shaping, • Laminate Flooring • Plumbing Crown reduction. Felling of dangerous cleaning, pressure cleaning, General Household Maintenance. fencing & brickwork & driveways or dying trees. All hedges and shrubs, Any odd jobs considered topped and shaped 07754 267087 Site clearance, prompt services Phone Lee for quotes www.wrightsfencing.co.uk 07894 138224 01622 204491 0800 4748750 FREE ESTIMATES Day Evenings or to leave a message 01622 880218 Fully insured Free from landlines No1 Locally Since 1996 07796 772020 Logs

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Maidstone East November 2016 43 Classified downsmail.co.uk Logs continued Painting & Decorating continued

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Painting & Decorating

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44 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk Classified Plumbing & Heating continued Roofing Services IRELAND PLUMBING 07808 414965 All domestic plumbing & or 01622 853601 heating work undertaken To place your for a free, no obligation quote boiler installations, advertisement in our servicing and landlord certificates classified pages please call our dedicated COMPLETE ROOFING SERVICE 07912 892341 classified team on • Full Roof Installation • Tiling & Slate Roofing 512663 01622 630330 [email protected] • uPVC Fascias & Soffits • Chimney Repointing or Removal • Roofing Repairs & Maintenance Chris Bourne Plumbing Services www.apolloroofing.co.uk Telsons Plumbing making water work Heating Wall & Floor No call Plumbing maintenance Plumbing Tiling HIGH TOP ROOFING out Charge New bathroom suites Complete Free no 25yrs experience Central heating systems Bathrooms SERVICES obligation Quotation Water leak repairs 01622 747272 / ALL TYPES OF ROOFING WORK & REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN Call Luke on 07934 832345/ 07885 950959 TILING • SLATING • FLAT ROOF • LEADWORK Larkrise, Green Lane, 01622 757513 . COMPETITIVE RATES • All Work Guaranteed • FREE Advice & Estimates • Tel: Maidstone (01622) 736130 Mobile: 07946 085259 NO CALL OUT CHARGE & FREE QUOTES STEVE JARRETT For all your plumbing needs Skip Hire General Repairs • New Taps • Toilet & Cistern Repairs D.T CollectionPrompt PLUMBING Bath & Shower Installation • Leaks & Fault Finding Fast D.T Call Gary 07738 902116 01622 736266 Delivery SKIP HIRE

Over 20 Years Experience Skip Hire 3, 4, 6 Prices from £110+VAT & 12 Yard Bins Covering Maidstone 01622 843511 & The Weald Gavin Francis EA Registered Central Heating Installations ex British Gas 01233 623721 Fast & Prompt Service Sunnybridge Farm, Watery Lane, Commercial • New Boilers West Well, Ashford, Kent TN25 4JJ & Domestic • Noisy Boilers and repairs • Burst pipes & leaks • Bathroom & shower installations Your local plumber • FULLY INSURED 07860 174959 • ALL WORK GUARANTEED 01622 721779 & AT COMPETITIVE RATES Forge Lane, East Farleigh, 199173 Maidstone, Kent ME15 0TH NO CALL OUT CHARGE FREE ESTIMATES E:[email protected] R. WEBSTER PLUMBING & HEATING EST 24 YEARS HEATING AND PLUMBING ENGINEERS High efficiency boilers and heating systems installed, existing systems updated, all gas appliances repaired and serviced. Fault finding. All plumbing work undertaken. New bathrooms, en-suites, showers etc. Free estimates. All work guranteed. No call out charge. Reg No. 185889 Proudly advertising in the Downs Mail Bearsted edition for 16 years. Tel: 01622 208621 Mobile: 07949 241982 www.rwebsterheatingandplumbingltd.co.uk [email protected]

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Maidstone East November 2016 45 Classified downsmail.co.uk Skip Hire continued Trailor Hire, Sales & Repairs TV Aerials, Satellites & Repairs

Friendly • Effecient • Reliable • Competitive R & P Aerial Service 01622 631717 or 078069 12345 Trailer Hire-Sales-Repair Email: [email protected] PINBINS Kent Trailers Aerials Indespension Agent Digital Freeview Commercial and domestic Livestock, Plant, Recovery, FM Radio DAB Radio n 1-14 day hire n Council approved Van, General Purpose Satellite Trailers in stock Freesat n n SKY HD Same day delivery Tipped at our site New & Used n 2-4 yard mini skips n 70% waste recycled Detling TV Wall Mounting 01622 730063 07860 318166 From a standard install to hidden cables n 6-20 yard skips n Crushed concrete [email protected] Free initial visit n Roll-on, roll-offs n Top soil Grab hire also available PAUL MILL Television Ltd Bower Place Est. 1981 Maidstone ME16 8BG 01622 751000 NEW SITE • See the latest Panasonic LED, Latest 4K, Smart & 3D Screens • Freeview play • Catch Up & On Demand BBC iPlayer, ITV Player & 4oD NOW OPEN • Your local Sky expert, SKY HD, multiroom & “hidden” dish installation Detling • Freeview & Freesat, Expert aerial, dish installation service Aerodrome TV wall mounting service. Maidstone Please phone us for free friendly advice today www.paulmilltelevision.co.uk Freephone We pride ourselves on being a local business offering outstanding service 0800 028 49 00 Upholstery and Furnishings BEARSTED UPHOLSTERERS •3 piece suites, sofas & chairs re-upholstered & repaired •3 piece suites individually made to order •100’s of fabrics to choose from Skip Hire •DIY supplies •Collection & delivery •Antique restoration (01622) 863069 Save ££££ On Your Skip Hire Unit 3, Little Caring Farm, Caring Lane, Leeds, Maidstone Domestic and Commercial LASSIC STYLES AVAILABLE: ROLLER 3,4,6,8,12, & 16yd Sizes C VERTICALS ALI VENETIAN BLINDS ROMAN WOODEN VENETIAN Simple. Easy. Classic FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE, FREE QUOTES, HIGH QUALITY, WIDE RANGE, EXCELLENT VALUE, ALL WINDOW BLINDS FULLY GUARANTEED www.ClassicsBlindsAshford.co.uk 01622 730572

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46 Maidstone East November 2016 downsmail.co.uk Classified Health & Beauty Water Services Nail Expressions 01233 840624 Mobile Nail Technician [email protected] Full Set of Acrylic Nail Extensions £35.00 £5OFF Mini Manicure with this advertisement Gel Polish £20.00 1st appointment ● The largest Blocked drain clearance Many Other Treatments Available only independently ● CCTV drain & sewer surveys For an appointment owned liquid ● Call Faye 07711 485749 Drain & sewer cleaning www.Facebook.com/NailExpressionsMaidstone waste ● Cesspool & septic tank services management ● Tankering including ADR (hazchem) company in ● Pollution & flooding solutions STEPHEN GRAY Pet Services the UK ● State Registered Chiropodist Waste disposal & recycling and Podiatrist www.mtscleansing.co.uk 111 Madginford Road Bearsted 01622 630393 Home visits and evening and weekend appointments available

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Maidstone East November 2016 47 Free collection & delivery service On the Road from your home or office... call us sit back and relax!

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48 Maidstone East November 2016 West Malling Garage Limited

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Maidstone East November 2016 49 downsmail.co.uk

aihCouncils Parish HGV signs Cllr Jenny While assured the 14,000 books for sale meeting that HGV signs that had been THE annual Great Leeds Book Sale at St Nicholas’ ordered and other highway schemes that she Church will be held on November 11 and 12. was involved in would be progressed before For the first time, the church will be open from 4pm she stood down in May. until 8.30pm on the Friday as well as the usual Satur- Crime report The chain had been cut on a day opening from 10am to 2.30pm. gate in Crumps Lane. There had been two The Friday opening will allow local people who are road accidents in Colebridge Road and busy on Saturdays to browse the 14,000 books for Church Road. sale. Community warden report The horse fair Organiser Brian Hardy said: “For a sale of this size, had passed with no real issues reported. we obviously need to get support from a wide area There had been some inquiries regarding and it has now become a major local attraction – it is speeding and unsafe driving. not just for Leeds residents.” Speedwatch There had been four sessions Donations of unwanted books can be made to the and between 10 and 21 speeding cars were church any day between 9am and 4pm by leaving logged. More sessions were needed and them in the south porch. Cllrs Collins and Galton volunteered to help. For details call Mr Hardy on 01622 842915. Liverton Hill The boom of the hill had been resurfaced and water ran through the resurfacing. Cllr Turner would ask Sue meeting. that grass would be seeded. . LaPorte if the whole hill could be resurfaced. Dog waste bins Maidstone Borough Council Dog walkers A resident raised concerns Ditches and gullies The gully outside (MBC) was proposing to remove dog waste about dog walkers using the public footpath Homestead was still blocked, so badly that bins across the borough. There was concern across his field and trespassing on his land. the camera could not get through it. Gullies that this was announced on social media It was agreed that an item would be placed were also blocked outside Maples, and before parishes were told. The parish council in the Detling News reminding residents overflowed when it rained. could take on responsibility for the bins or it that dogs should be kept under control on UK Power Networks An electric cable had could accept MBC’s “co-mingled” bins for footpaths that crossed private land. been repaired in Church Road, outside Ash rubbish and dog waste. It was felt it would Ducklings playgroup Cllr Kennard had Tree Farm. They partly backfilled the trench be more cost-effective to work with MBC. e. spoken to the playgroup manager regarding correctly, but ran out of the correct material Village tidy-up This would be held on their wooden play equipment and the and backfilled about three metres with October 30. The main focus would be drain possibility of the parish council buying this excavated material finished with gravel on clearance. if the opportunity arose. She spoke top as a temporary measure. There were regarding the shed that the parish council concerns this would soon sink and become a had bought for the playgroup and asked rut. A resident spoke to the workmen and Detling whether this could be used elsewhere. was assured that this would be rectified, but The Larches Cllr Evernden said he had BT kiosk Cllr Kennard was still trying to this had not happened by the time of the circulated details about suggestions for the find an electrician to install the defibrillator meeting. The clerk was to contact them. Freedom of Information request to all in the BT box. Hedges The hedges around the apple members for information. The chairman said Horish Wood Cllr Evernden said the orchard had not been cut back. There was he had found the original documents reinstatement work at the woodland had also a problem in Millpond Hill – Cllr regarding the purchase of the Larches in the been undertaken to a very poor standard. Turner was to contact the owner. archives and he would circulate this to all He said the parish council needed to make a members. decision on the way forward and raised Weeds Cllr Kennard asked about the weeds concerns with regards to the work and the on Princes Way and the clerk said these had management of the job. The chairman proposed that they write to the chairman of Police report There had been two crimes – been reported to Kent Highways. an aggravated vehicle taking in Forge Lane Horish Wood. It was reported that the South East Water to seek a meeting and a and a theft from a motor vehicle at Arran padlock on the gate at Horish Wood was still resolution. This was agreed. Bank Stables. It was noted that all police and broken. The clerk would follow this up with Environmental improvements The some PCSOs wear bodycams. CTRL. improvements in Church Lane had been Allotment The original applicant no longer Vacancy No applications had been received undertaken as agreed. The total cost of the wanted the allotment and it had been for the parish council vacancy and it was work was £1,642. This was discussed by advertised on the website and Facebook, agreed that it should be advertised in the members and it was agreed that the parish with no interest. It was agreed to ask if the Detling News until it was filled. council would cover the cost of the project. school could make use of it and if not, to Police report The chairman raised concerns Village hall Members discussed the parking advertise it in the next newsleer. The about the way vehicles parked at the arrangements at the village hall and the resident who had collected the rent in the junction of Hockers Lane and Ware Street. clerk was asked to undertake a land search past could no longer do so. It was agreed PCSO Adlington said parking had now been to establish the ownership of the verge that the clerk would write to allotment decriminalised and was the responsibility of outside the hall. holders to arrange payment through BACS Maidstone Borough Council. An application Villager of the year It was agreed that an or by cheque. had been made for yellow lines, but this had advert seeking nominations for the villager Verges Cllr Vanessa Jones had wrien to Cllr not been actioned by KCC. PCSO Adlington of the year award would be placed in the Carter asking how the parish council could said off-road bikes had been seen using Detling News. take over the maintenance of the verges and Jade’s Crossing and asked if this was a what funding might be available to do so. regular occurrence. Footpaths All three footpaths had been Death announcement The chairman spoke Downswood resurfaced. Councillors were assured they about the sad loss of former parish Council vacancy Three candidates would harden over time, but might need councillor and chairman Dr Gavin expressed an interest. Following rolling again. McLaggan. He paid tribute to him and his consideration, two candidates were asked to Village hall licence The village hall had work on the parish council. aend the October meeting when it will be submied an application to vary its premises Sign damaged A resident reported that the possible to co-opt them both. licence to allow the sale of alcohol. The U-turn sign at the junction of the A249 and Verge cuing Three residents of Foxden hours requested were less than the last Church Lane had been knocked down. Drive asked why KCC had not kept application. Questions were raised over the Burial ground A resident asked whether promises to cut the verge. Cllr Cooke had use of the garden and whether the diocese hedges would be planted by the new fence raised the issue with the district manager had been informed. Members of the public of the burial ground to make it more private. and it was being investigated. were invited to comment and some felt more Cllr Clayton said the project was undertaken Mallards The area around the roundabout clarity was required. It was agreed to defer a by the PCC and the parish council to was to be resurfaced. The roundabout decision and arrange an extraordinary improve the area. He said it had been agreed needed to be weeded urgently.

50 Maidstone East November 2016 Parish Councils Crime reports 51 mail.co.uk downs Box-

November 2016 November

01622 880751 01622 ALARMS & SECURITY LTD SECURITY & ALARMS It was agreed to hold The transfer of the land Mr Fisher had agreed to These would be switched Maidstone East A generator had been stolen . Cllr Jenny While said the Cllr Aplin was to email Cllr The town crier had served the The equipment would need to be Cllr Scrivens reported following Cllr Osborne was to aend a site A meeting would be organised A resident raised concern about +VAT Watch , and gardening tools and equipment Boxley YOUR HOME PROTECT ALARMS FROM £495 . Doors and windows were damaged in a A credit card was stolen in the Tesco su- A barn was broken into in Chatham Road, Boxley were stolen. burglary at a propertyWay, in Newnham Court permarket in Grovewood Drive North, ley a meeting with the 14come volunteers forward who with had offers ofRoad help. noise Cooke confirming that noise levelsincreased had on the stretch ofWhite road Horse past Pub the since itCllr was Cooke resurfaced. would request anChristmas investigation. Carols Otham Police report from the allotments. There hadAvery been Lane thefts and in one at theNeighbourhood football plan club. host the event again. Cllr AplinMr would Marchant ask to check thefor choir’s December availability 11. on on the last SundayCommunity in centre November. was progressing, subject to agreement. Town crier community for 25 years. A thankwould you be card sent by the clerk. being actively pursued. Incidences of vandalism at Lenham Railway Station were dealt with by British TransportHGV Police. signs application for the signs hadthe been KCC logged system in subject tothe confirmation locations that were suitable. Link road the lack of a linksouth road of from the developments railway line.overgrown He vegetation also on reported the roadCherry near Downs the picnic site. BMX park replaced within the next twobecame years, too before expensive it to maintain.provision Budget for replacement options woulddiscussed be for the next financialsafety year issues unless arose in theHighways meantime. the delivery of leers tofor householders hedges asking to be cutwork on had the been High undertaken. Street. The Picnic site meeting to agree the positionlime of trees the and four a quotespraying would the be neles. sought for Education with Swadelands School to discuss the Christmas lights proposed science block and swimming pool. . , Box- Boxley Bearsted . Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police Three FoI requests , and a Stihl petrol Boxley Cllr Bob China raised A resident asked and items removed. Bearsted . A total of 38 calls had been There had been a problem County Cllr Garry Cooke The new bench in memory of Paul Boxley Bearsted A discussion took place regarding the . Body parts were removed from a com- The rear number plate was stolen from a A blue Ford Ka, registration MM52 ***, A roof rack was stolen from a car in Boxley A garage was broken into at a home in A vehicle parked in Ware Street, A vehicle was broken into in Roseacre Neighbourhood Working to reduce crime. mercial DAF vehicle, registrationin DG66 St ***, Michael’s Close, was tampered with in Boxley Road, Road, Leeds Election confirmed he would stand forConservatives the at the KCC elections inRoad 2017. relief road and Cllr Cookeworking said on KCC this was but noParish route maintenance was known. concerns about the lier onroundabouts. the He verges spoke and regarding lierand picks encouraging residents to takecleaning part the in parish. It wasadvertise agreed these to events in the ParishHe News. had asked Steven Waring forlier a picking quote both for ends ofBench the village. Gallihawk was installed at thePlaying playing field field. with parking at the playingas field it on is Sundays also usedChina by suggested a white lot lining of the residents.increase car Cllr spaces. park A to quote would be sought. Lenham Crime report received regarding Lenham and fourLenham for Heath. Vandalism problems at William Pi Field were being monitoredantisocial and behaviour at Lenham Heath was car parked on aley drive in Boxley Road, was broken into andwere cash taken. and small items Lane, stolen. Button Lane, hedge trimmer was stolen. the CTRL site. This wasFreedom agreed. of Information had been received from thecompany. directors These of would one involve substantial levels of work to respondcorrespondence to over as a they 40-week covered period, and the parish office would needa to period be to closed compile for the20 responses working within days the allowed. Cllrclosure Dean was said unreasonable. a Councillors were reminded there were thousands ofand emails all members would needtheir to email. go Cllr through Moore proposedwere that found these to be vexatious requests,burden being to a the authority. ThisA20 was improvements agreed. whether these were supposed tocompleted be before the CTRL development was built. Cllr Powell said hethis had cause proposed of action, however thebeen motion overruled by had the borough council. . . , and fishing , but nothing Harrietsham . , and a yellow . . and bicycles were . The provision of a . Thurnham 1st – 11 Grampian Lenham Thurnham Bearsted The clerk said documents Harrietsham It was agreed to continue Cllr Weeks had templates Thurnham Bearsted Harrietsham The clerk reminded all present Bearsted Kingswood Items were taken from a garden in Chart- Gates were taken from a property in Egre- Tools were taken from a vehicle parked in A garage was broken into at a property in A Tom-Tom sat nav was amongst items Two tyres were damaged on a Land Rover Security lights were damaged at a stables Fencing was stolen from the front of a A garage was entered at a property in A shed was broken into at a home in mont Road, Willington Street, way Street, in Headcorn Road, Tylers Croft, equipment was stolen. property in Forge Meadow, AN OUTBUILDING was broken intoAshford in Road, stolen from a mobile homeshop parked in behind Detling a Hill, Harrietsham New parish office from Barra Homes had beenrelating circulated to plot 9 onwould the become CTRL the site new which parishcost office. of The fiing out thebuilding ground for floor the of parish the office£10,000 would over be the budget thatBarras had but been they set would by dooffer the to work loan and the parishinterest council free the over sum three years.and The the final loan plans offer werePublic approved. space that the parish council hadthe voted gifted to area accept of landdrawing shown that on had the been circulatedearlier at meeting. an This would beallotments the for new the parish. Theneed council to would submit a changeto of create use the application new allotments.said Cllr additional Morris precept money raisedthe from residents in the developmentcover would the costs of maintainingStanley the asked area. how Cllr vehicles wouldstopped be from entering the landthought – bollards it might was be added.Allardyce Cllr proposed that the parishtake council over management of the land behind Spires medical centre mini bus by KCC wasas not the likely running to costs be would viable by have the to parish. be Tesco met had confirmedbe it interested might in running aseemed bus. receptive Dr to Singh the proposalnurse of only having at a the surgery. Christmas lights replacing filament bulbs with LEDsbuy and 200 to new bulbs atGreenhead a will cost appear of as £520. Santa Cllr Weeks with as Cllr an elf. Garden competition Way; 2nd –14 Mallards Way; 3rdReinden – Grove. 48 It was agreedadditional to prizes offer of two £10 Rumwoodvouchers gift to highly commended gardens:Reinden 19 Grove and 66 LonghamAlex Copse. Rennie was thanked forEmergency judging. plan to produce a plan. ItOpen was Spaces agreed Commiee that would the workplan on during the the winter months.would The be results presented to the full council. was taken. West Street, in Ashford Road, quad bike was taken. Blackthorn Walk, hunker down daisy Drives, Patios, Walls, Fences, Design etc. FREE ESTIMATES (01622) 738933 t Inspiring floristry Est. 1984 30, Copsewood Way, Bearsted t Weddings t Funerals t Corporate events

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