downsmail.co.uk MaidstoneMaidstone WealdWeald EditionEdition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE May 2017 No. 241 News Top Twenty Rural rail stations DOWNS Mail throws a party to celebrate 20 years in newspaper publishing in Maidstone face cut in services and Malling. 3 Local Plan control RAIL services across the Weald could face the axe if a planned timetable A TOP borough councillor says the Local Plan gives Maidstone shake-up gets the go ahead. control of its future. 5 Stations including Headcorn, Sta- plehurst, Marden, Pluckley and One-day truck ban Paddock Wood are most at risk from a government proposal. POLICE enforcd the ban on trucks It wants a new franchise to take through a village on just 12 up the rail service currently pro- one day. vided by Southeastern. And hidden among the consulta- Water hazard tion documents is a suggestion that a fast service between Ashford and YOUNGSTERS have been warned Tonbridge could be introduced. about swimming at the 18 This would mean the current weir in Yalding. service not calling at the Weald sta- tions as it prioritises a faster train to Turtle sanctuary London. The new plan would come A STAPLEHURST man is on a into force at the start of 2019, and mission to rescue trains would stop at these stations abandoned terrapins. 22 every hour – it is currently every 30 minutes. A petition set up to get the gov- Protestors gather at Marden station, which is facing cuts to services Honour for Molly ernment to rethink collected more near the station. People come from ple who commute and many who A VILLAGER is recognised for her than 11,500 signatures. However, Boughton Monchelsea and Park- moved to the area because of the tireless work for the because of the General Election, the wood on the south side of Maid- train services and they are going to community. 29 closing date originally set for May stone because it is easier to access. feel very upset. 23 was moved to May 3. The con- “Marden and Pluckley are two of “The Department for Transport sultation is still open until May 23. the least-used stations on this list, simply hasn’t future-planned this. Comment 33 Started by Martin Chambers, the and we fear the government will There are houses being built all petition says of the cuts to the Weald simply close them. With the houses around the area, and people moving Obituaries 34 stations: “We believe this would be that are being built here, and the in to them will use trains. disastrous for the communities, businesses in Pattenden Lane, it will “Taking these trains away will Parish Councils from 36 towns and villages along this line be disastrous for the area.” only damage our community. and could potentially lead to the clo- Retired Mr Chambers, who used “It will change people’s lives. If Headcorn councillors heard that sure of the stations altogether.” to commute to London, told the they pay hard cash to come and laughing gas cylinders had been Hunton mum and parish council- Downs Mail: “The fast service will move here and then their service is tipped in the parish; a new PCSO lor Helen Ward is worried about the come in at the expense of others. taken away, that will be disastrous.” had been appointed in Coxheath; Marden station shutting. Pluckley is a village, but we want to See the petition at https://peti- a possible site for a defibrillator She said: “Commuters use it and stay connected and in touch. tion.parliament.uk/petitions/194306 was being considered at East my children took the train to Ton- “If we are reduced to a Sunday See the consultation at: Farleigh; fundraising events were bridge when they were at school. service or worse, with only one train https://www.gov.uk/government/co being planned for Nettlestead “If you go to the village after an hour at these stations, we are nsultations/future-of-south- Village Hall and the kitchen was 7.30am, you will struggle to park going to feel isolated. There are peo- eastern-rail-services. being renovated. Crime Reports 47 Ofsted praise A green lawnmower with a missing HARD work has paid off for hub cap was taken from a shed in two primary schools who are Boughton Monchelsea; a house in celebrating after being told they Chart Sutton was broken into and YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT continue to provide a good computer items were stolen; tele- [email protected] education in glowing phone cables under a hatch in the 01622 690290 reports from Ofsted. 4 road were cut in Headcorn; some- 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent one slashed a car tyre in Coxheath. www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk 1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX See our main ad on the back page. 01622 686732 The Taste of Bengal Bangladeshi Cuisine Every Tuesday is Banquet Night £11.95 Discount on orders over £10 10% (Collection only) Opening Times; Daily 12-2pm & 6pm – 11pm Ashford Road, Harrietsham ME17 1HY Air Conditioning & Fully Licensed 01622 859461 01622 858662 2 Maidstone Weald May 2017 downsmail.co.uk News MPs join guests to mark 20 years of Downs Mail THE Downs Mail hosted a party to celebrate 20 years of newspaper publishing in Maidstone and Malling with a gathering of Golfer thrilled friends and distinguished guests. In his address at the Museum of From left, Downs Kent Life, the newspaper's founder Mail chairman to find lost ring and former editor Dennis Fowle Claire Procter, WHEN Reinhard Stille returned to told guests: "I think the most excit- president and the golf clubhouse after a round at ing memory is the way the people founder Dennis The Ridge, East Sutton, he was hor- of Maidstone and Malling have Fowle and mayor rified to discover his wedding ring taken the Downs Mail to their of Maidstone Cllr was missing – and an immediate hearts." Derek Butler cut search of the course with his partner His daughter Claire Procter – proved fruitless. the Downs Mail now chairman of Mail Publications Imagine his amazement four Ltd – remembered the early days of birthday cake weeks later, as he played the same the business creating "wonderful backed our newest developments, nis Fowle and Claire Procter before par 3 hole, when he saw the ring and unique" newspapers that have including our daily Downs Mail guests enjoyed ferret racing in aid glistening in the grass close to a gone from strength to strength, initiative on line.” of Heart of Kent Hospice and an greenside bunker. with the creation of a fifth edition The Downs Mail, which is based owl display laid on by the Kent “What luck,” he said. “I had been in the popular Downs Mail series in in Bearsted, is now posted through Owl Academy. wearing that ring for about 45 years November. the doors of 85,000 homes across Other guests included Maidstone and my wife and I were ready to pay She said: “At a time when other Maidstone and Malling each MPs Helen Grant and Helen about £350 for a replacement.” newspapers are struggling to retain month, with more signing in to its Whately, Heart of Kent Hospice Reinhard, who is retired after run- their readership, it is wonderful to website and enjoying its quarterly, chief executive Sarah Pugh, council ning a display lighting business, have a loyal and growing audience colour lifestyle magazine, Mid Kent leader Fran Wilson, Bearsted parish lives with his wife Sue in Adbert that enjoys reading every issue Living. councillors and Liberal Democrat Drive, East Farleigh. He recalls driv- cover to cover. Maidstone mayor Cllr Derek But- Parliamentary candidates David ing his ball in to the bunker and tak- “We are also pleased to have the ler was among those to celebrate Naghi and Emily Fermor. Other or- ing off his glove to play the shot. “I continued support of our advertis- the publication’s 20th anniversary, ganisations represented included had no idea the ring came off at the ers who recognise this and have cutting a birthday cake with Den- the YMCA and Blackthorn Trust. same time.” Has your doubledouble glazingglazing steamedsteamed up? St Helens Montessori School WeWe can SAVESAAVVE your windows!windows! East Farleigh SAVESAAVVE money,moneyy,, energyenerrggy & time Cloudy2Clear is a leading local glass rreplacementeplacement companycompany,, Pre School for children aged 2 to 5 established for over 10 years. By saving your window we can... SASAVEAVVE moneymoney,y,, SASAVEAVVE enerenergy,gyy,, SASAVEAVVE ttime.ime. 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