Pupils' Model Train Damaged at Station
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downsmail.co.uk MallingMalling EditionEdition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE September 2017 No. 245 News M20 roadworks Pupils’ model train Plans for a two-year smart motorway project unveiled. 4 Village walk of fame A trail of blue plaques has been damaged at station made to mark heritage sites in Wateringbury. 8 INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after a model train, built by students Knifepoint ordeal from Malling, was damaged. Teenagers were robbed by two CCTV images are to be monitored men at a skate park in 12 in an effort to find out how the Larkfield. “Snodland Express” came to be damaged days after the station’s Bomb alert 160th birthday celebrations. Disposal experts carried out a Tina Bissett, head teacher at controlled explosion on a Holmesdale School, said: “How dis- WWI shell at Kings Hill. 16 appointing it is that the hard work and effort of students has been dis- regarded by a few thoughtless indi- viduals.” The station improvements have been carried out to cater for the growing number of passengers using the new high speed service Holmesdale and includes the re-opening of its head teacher ticket office, an unprecedented move after years of cuts and closures. Tina Bissett The work has been co-ordinated with students at by Kent Community Rail Partner- the unveiling of ship (KCRP) and Southeastern, with the artwork and Obituaries 32 buy-in and community involvement right, the from government through to parish Snodland Parish Councils 34 councils. Express at Sarah Deakin, community en- Snodland Crime Reports 34 gagement officer for KCRP, said: station, before “This has been a detailed and sensi- PAINT stripper was poured over a tive refurbishment of a listed build- the damage VW Golf in Snodland; a shed was ing, making it a great place to visit, broken into in Mereworth and even if you are not catching a train.” three people fled when challenged She saw the model, based on the One other theory is that the train turned the station, which dates from by a neighbour; keys to a flat in train from Hogwarts, during a visit may have been damaged by high 1856, into a modern transport inter- Aylesford were stolen. to Holmesdale School, where the winds. In spite of the damage, Snod- change, with reinstated period fea- Comment station’s mosaic was created. land’s newly-refurbished station is tures, a disabled toilet and an 42-43 She said: “It was such a beautifully in line to win a top award. extended car park. crafted model, made for Snodland The building has been shortlisted The project was nominated by Carnival. It was never meant to be a for a National Community Rail Kent Community Rail Partnership in permanent exhibition, but if it be- Award for most enhanced station conjunction with Southeastern. came damaged due to vandalism, buildings and surroundings. Winners will be announced at a that is deeply disappointing.” The £1.1 million makeover has gala dinner in Derby next month. Inside this edition: Exam success VOLUNTEERS are needed to STUDENTS from across Malling transform roadside verges and and Maidstone have been celebrat- spare patches of land into wild- ing results in this year’s A level and flower meadows. The four-page YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT GCSE exams. Head teachers re- [email protected] ported record-breaking results after- supplement inside by Malling Ac- 01622 690290 tion Partnership supports people 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent changes made courses more demanding. 28-29 and events in Malling. Home Alarms supplied and fitted visit www.amiga.co.uk or call 08000 199622 OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF windows : doors : conservatories Sorry no buy one get one free. No 70% off list price Just the keenest prices around www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 1pm 1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX 01622 686732 WE DO NOT employ pushy salesmen on commission. WE DO employ our own fitters. WE DO insure all our guarantees for peace of mind. WE DO give prices over the phone. 2 Malling September 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Golf club raid POLICE are appealing for infor- Gran gets community mation following a burglary at West Malling Golf Club. It took place at West Malling Golf Course, Trottiscliffe Road, at together for a picnic around 12.40am on Sunday, Au- gust 20. CROWDS turned out in Larkfield A fruit machine was stolen from for a picnic organised by a gran a bar area, along with a cash box. who wanted villagers to show some No arrests have been made, but community spirit. it is believed that two men com- Jackie Hirsch, who has lived in the mitted the offence, with at least area for 40 years, swung into action one of them running off across the after seeing places such as Snodland golf course when the alarm was ac- and Kings Hill organise big events tivated. bringing neighbours together. Anyone with information can She called a successful meeting to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 set up Larkfield Together, and the quoting 20-0071 or Kent group went on to organise Picnic on Crimestoppers, anonymously, on the Rec on bank holiday Sunday, 0800 555111. August 27. It was a dream come true for Mrs Hirsch, as families arrived at Lark- Rations demo field Recreation Ground with their There was also a dog competition Downs Mail Community Notice A TALK and demonstration on picnics for a sunny afternoon of with three classes, waggiest tail, Board online. Wartime Cookery will be given music, fun and games. most handsome dog and prettiest She wrote: “I’m looking to start a by Julia Davies at the next meet- The festivities were opened by bitch. This was judged by Ian and Larkfield Community Group. Some- ing of the Aylesford and Eccles Tonbridge and Malling deputy Verity from Sandhole Veterinary where that Larkfield residents can WI. mayor Cllr Pam Bates and there was Centre, who also supplied the get together and enjoy social events The group will meet at the a chance to join in dances, try a prizes. and gatherings. Anything from Brassey Centre, Station Road, zumba class and attempt the biggest Jackie said: “Agreat afternoon was Christmas fairs to summer fetes, Aylesford, on Wednesday, Sep- hokey cokey in Larkfield. had and we have shown that Lark- music evenings to barn dances, in tember 27 at 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Stalls, raffle, beer tent, rugby, foot- field knows how to have fun! We'll fact anything that people want to do. The completion will be for any ball and races were all on offer, to- be back to do it again next year.” I’ve seen the once-small village ex- item coloured orange and there gether with a bake-off and children's A member of Larkfield Women’s pand, losing its community feel. I’d will be the usual bring-and-buy fancy dress competitions, both Group, Jackie launched her mission like to get that back, and get neigh- sale. judged by the deputy mayor. with a plea to residents on the bours together again.” Contact Kay on 01622 718353. EXCELLENCE IN EYE CARE in Maidstone At Eye 2 Eye Opticians, we provide eye examinations to the highest standards. We offer a full range of services including eye health photos, specialist cornea scans, full OCT eye scans, and EYEDREAM Treatment. All at affordable prices and carried out by experienced specialist optometrists. • Suppliers of • Independent family Nikon Lenses owned business • NHS Emergency • Experienced friendly staff referral and walk • Disabled access in clinics available • Free Parking • EYEDREAM and contact lenses WIN A NIKON COOLPIX CAMERA Visit our newly refurbished premisies between 9th - 16th September & enter our free draw. Find us at: Call now to book your appointment Unit 8, Mid-Kent Shopping Centre Castle Road, Allington, Maidstone Kent ME16 0PU E:[email protected] 01622 672563 !"#$ % & '%% ()& )*%&' www.eye2eyeonline.co.uk Malling September 2017 3 News downsmail.co.uk M20 upgrade to take two years THE designs and dates for work to turn the M20 into a so-called “smart” motorway near Maidstone have been announced - at a cost of more than £90m to the tax-payer and two years of disruption. It will mean two years of road- Highways England says CCTV works on the key transport corridor cameras will improve emergency from March, with the first lane clo- service response times and variable, sures already being experienced as mandatory speed limits will im- the preparation work begins. prove the flow of traffic further on Highways England says the move the new road. to increase capacity between junc- A spokesman said the work is tion 3 near West Malling and junc- needed to deal with “significant tion 5, near Aylesford, will create congestion” resulting from large car four live traffic lanes in both direc- and freight volumes to and from tions by removing the current hard London and the Port of Dover and shoulder. the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone. However, it concedes there will be He added: “This is of considerable disruption, adding: “It is anticipated local and national economic and po- that narrow lanes traffic manage- litical importance.” ment, temporary concrete safety For lorries travelling to Dover barriers and speed restrictions will there will be specific diversion route be put in place. Junction layouts announcements in the coming may be temporarily altered to allow Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat at the M20 months, including information for resurfacing and improvement. about Operation Stack arrange- “There will be temporary closures our local roads becomes severe. The project, which will be carried ments.