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Maidstone South Edition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE

August 2017 No. 244 N

Sun shines on the News Punishing parents Kent County Show HEAD teachers are asking for STUDENTS from New Line Learning in Maid- more penalty notices for parents stone took their livestock on tour for expert opin- who take family holidays in  ion at this year’s Kent County Show. term time. 5 Connor Green, Jessica Austin and James Beeton (front) took 14-month-old Honeydale Black Majestic - a pedigree Black Limousin - Woman flees attack through her paces for the judges. A WOMAN fled a bus stop at- Jessica (14), who is in Year 9 at the Boughton tacker early in the  Lane school, said: “The show is a great experi- morning in Maidstone. 11 ence and a chance to see other animals from schools in the area; it doesn’t faze me, even though it’s warm, there’s a lovely breeze.” Leeds Castle pledge MAIDSTONE’S treasure house Full report and pictures on page 34 can fight the threat of  terror, says chief. 16

Lions’new president MAIDSTONE Lions new president Complaints hotline has been named as  Derek Ransley . 20 for Ramblin’ Man A COMPLAINTS line number has been released by Maidstone Borough Council ahead of this weekend’s Ramblin’ Man concert. The Mote Park venue, which has the noise from as far as three miles ing a phone line for this year’s been at the centre of complaints away. The event organisers this event that would allow early inter- about noise, will host the rock festi- year have expanded their discount vention. val for the third year from Friday, ticket offer to residents in more Mr Giles, from Copsewood Way, Obituaries 36 July 28. than 30 streets close to the venue in Bearsted, said: “Prior to the event I With over 60 bands playing an effort to win support for the urge the council to put in place Crime Reports 37 across an extended three-day pe- event, described by Classic Rock proper measures to eliminate noise riod, the line-up is set to include magazine as “the best new festival pollution and advertise on its web STEERING cables and wheel nuts notorious noise-makers such as in Britain”. site a manned telephone number were loosened on a vehicle in Far- Saxon, Iron Maiden guitarist Steve The council, which said it would residents affected can make their leigh Lane; access to a basement Harris’ band British Lion and Reef, write to local residents with a views known so that where there in Clifford Way was attempted; a motorcycle seat was vandalised as well as some of America’s hard- manned phone number to deal are breaches in the noise levels, ac- in Reginald Road; garden shears est rock names including ZZ Top. with complaint, agreed to release tion can be taken.” were stolen from a lawn in Had- Criticism of the sound-busting the number to the Downs Mail after A spokesman for Maidstone low Close. Fair has been played down by a specific request from resident Council said: “A letter is still going Maidstone Borough Council, which Robin Giles. Despite living a mile- out to residents in the vicinity of Parish Councils 37 has endeavoured to manoeuvre and-a-half from the venue, he says the park to give them all informa- stages, sound systems and noise noise levels exceeded permitted tion.” FLYERS costing £60 would be de- recording equipment to soothe res- limits. Residents can contact the Ram- livered to householders to publi- idents who have complained about He wrote to the council demand- blin’ Man helpline on 01622 809810 cise the parish council election in or email [email protected]. Tovil; Speedwatch has had a The line will be manned from 3- good take up of volunteers in 11pm on the Friday; 11am-11.30pm Loose; Cllr Doe has asked for any on the Saturday and 11am-11pm on further reports of drug-taking in the Sunday. There are limited op- the Barming parish field car park; erators on duty. Once a call is the parish website in Loose has YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT logged, residents are asked not to been receiving 300 hits a week. make multiple calls about the same 01622 690290 [email protected]  23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent issue as it may prevent other resi- Comment 46-47 dents from getting through. webexpand.co.uk 01622 880840 web design •• google promotion ecommerce OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF windows : doors : conservatories

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2 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Player collpases To boldly go - Lindsay at Mote match FELLOW cricketers and an umpire rushed to the aid of a veteran player who collapsed with a sus- learns a lunar lesson pected heart attack at The Mote ground, Maidstone. A MAIDSTONE teacher has They fought to keep him alive boldly gone where few science until ambulance medics arrived. professionals tread – to the Amer- He was coming in to bowl for the ican space centre and beyond. Kent Over-60s team playing Lindsay Hobbs donned her as- against Sussex Over 60s when he tronaut suit to undergoing simu- fell to the ground. lated space missions, land and A spectator said: “I think the water survival tests, coding chal- speedy help given by the cricketers lenges and jet simulation training was vital to his survival before the at the US Space and Rocket Centre ambulance arrived.” (USSRC), in Huntsville, Alabama. The 999 vehicle drove onto the As one of 200 teachers, from 33 playing area, near to the square countries, selected to join the Hon- where the veterans’ was taking eywell Educators at Space Acad- place. The ambulance crew treated emy Programme, the teacher at St the cricketer for about 30 minutes Simon Stock Catholic School, in ence, technology, engineering and dents around the globe.” before he was transferred to a trol- Maidstone, described the mission maths to life in the classroom. The USSRC is a world-famous ley and ambulance and taken to as a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Dr Deborah Barnhart, CEO of the museum operated by the govern- the William Harvey Hospital in She said: “This was the most in- US Space & Rocket Center, said: ment of Alabama, showcasing Ashford. credible, exhilarating and interest- “Technology is changing exponen- rockets, achievements, and artifacts He was soon in the intensive ing professional development tially. Things we once held as im- of the U.S. space programme. therapy unit and sedated. program I have ever attended. I possibilities are reality – we are on Sometimes billed as "Earth's largest As Downs Mail went to press, it was buzzing with excitement the our journey to Mars. space museum", astronaut Owen is understood that the player was whole time, and I cannot wait to try “Educating the next generation Garriott described the place as, "a making a recovery. out some of the activities that we of leaders and learners is key to great way to learn about space in a His colleagues rushed to him completed at Space Academy in my global success. town that has embraced the space and two with cardiovascular classroom.” “The Honeywell Educators at program from the very beginning." knowledge massaged and treated The programme has been de- Space Academy program unites Opened in 1970, just after the sec- the unconscious cricketer until an vised to inspire teachers to find teachers with exciting tools and ond manned mission to the lunar ambulance arrived on the playing new, creative ways of bringing sci- methods to change the lives of stu- surface. area. The match was abandoned. 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ORDERS OVER £30 CASH ON DELIVERY FOR DELIVERED ORDERS

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Maidstone August 2017 3 News downsmail.co.uk Plane tree wins a reprieve RESIDENTS have won a reprieve for a massive plane tree which was facing the axe after it appeared to be dying. The tree is one of about 20 lining trees to work against pollution. This mature trees in the neighbourhood both sides of Woolley Road, Maid- one was doing its job until work was have outgrown their welcome. stone, and while the others are done around its roots. The pruning Borough ward Cllr Eddie Powell flourishing, there were fears that it threw it into severe shock and said he had been contacted by resi- was dying and could become un- trauma. If it goes, KCC has said it dents with mixed views about the safe. will not replace it.” trees. Some were concerned that the The tree was pruned heavily last Kent County Council said inspec- branches are shutting out the light, autumn by Kent County Council in tions in May last year showed the that roots are undermining the road a bid to promote new life, but with tree was in a state of decline but and properties, and that the leaves no new growth in the spring, it ap- some buds were apparent. are a nuisance. Cllr Powell, pictured peared that the case was hopeless It was pollarded in November in right, called for KCC to complete “a and the tree would have to be cut a last attempt to promote re-growth. thorough survey of all the trees on down. The spokesman said: “London Woolley Road and to make a sug- However, Eve Humphries, who plane trees usually respond well to gestion to the residents that are af- lives in nearby Reculver Walk, was this type of pruning. fected on how the problem can be determined to save the tree after “Unfortunately, on this occasion resolved, while not taking away the leaves started sprouting from the the extent of existing decline is so beauty of the trees." top. She said that residents were great that only a partial recovery is Cllr Powell, who represents Shep- concerned that the pruning had apparent. way at the council, has met with res- been too drastic and the once 30ft “On that basis we have therefore idents on the site. specimen needed more time to re- decided to continue monitoring the Do you have tree issues in your cover. potential recovery at this time.” area? Call the newsdesk on 01622 She said: “We need our plane However, for some people, the Tools to beat Magnificent Maidstone Mela! the criminals THE popular Maidstone Community MORE than 80 suspects who ap- Mela returned for its 15th year, peared on a wanted website were celebrating the borough’s cultural arrested by Kent Police during the diversity and talent with music and year up to March, latest statistics dance from around the world. have revealed. The event, at Whatman Park, was The suspects were wanted in con- officially opened by Helen Grant, MP nection with a range of serious of- for Maidstone and The Weald, who fences and were featured on the thanked all the volunteers involved in Crimestoppers Most Wanted web- staging the festival and stressed the importance of such events. site: http://crimestoppers- Headline acts were Bhangra star uk.org/most-wanted Jassi Sidhu and Jack Shepherd who Kent Police says it is one of the sang the songs of Ed Sheeran. most pro-active police forces in Other acts included the Emeralds England with the highest number Steel Band, Reel Eire Irish Dance, No of “live” appeals anywhere outside Name Polish Pop and Kitka Bulgarian London. Folk Dance. As of March 32, the Kent force The Mela was organised by had 89 live appeals which Cohesion Plus, with Kent Equality amounted to 22 per cent of the total Cohesion Council, local partners and number of appeals of all forces who volunteers, and was part funded by use the site. Of the 85 arrests, 27 Arts Council England. were for drugs, 17 for violence and nine for sexual offences. It comes after Kent Crimestoppers launched its summer campaign to promote the most wanted site, work with Kent Police on tackling modern day slavery and human trafficking and its ambassador scheme. Chief Supt Rachel Curtis said: “Our officers are committed to identifying those responsible for committing crime and bringing them to justice. “When we have a named suspect and need help from the public to locate them, the Crimestoppers Most Wanted site is an invaluable tool. “I would like to thank the public for their on-going support in using the Crimestoppers site to help us find suspects wanted for serious crimes in Kent.”

4 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News THE SUMMER SALE UP TO 30% OFF Punish truants’ parents - heads HEAD teachers are requesting days. This has resulted in a recent more penalty notices are served on substantial increase in the number Kent parents for booking their of Penalty Notice requests being family holiday during term time.. made by heads to KCC. In June, While 1,221 parents were fined KCC received 846 requests, while in nearly £73,260 for taking their chil- May it was 402. dren out of school from September KCC spokesman Cllr Roger 2016 to July 2017 (down from 3,504 Gough said: “We believe pupils in 2015/16 and 4,726 in ‘14/15), a rul- must attend school regularly in ing in the Supreme Court is seeing order to make good progress and to more challenged. benefit fully from education provi- It follows a Supreme Court deci- sion. The local authority and the sion in April that repealed the “90% schools provide a wide range of attendance rule”, introduced fol- support including the interventions lowing a successful challenge by a of the Early Help Service for the par- parent who dodged a fine for taking ents who have genuine family is- his daughter away in term time be- sues that affect their children’s cause her attendance record was attendance.” better than 90%. The latest Supreme Kent County Council has prose- Court judgement has removed the cuted 166 cases of unauthorised ab- 90% attendance threshold sence since May 2016 and its Kent County Council said al- attendance rate has improved in the though the number of penalty no- past year to nearly 96%. Last year, tices issued in 2016/17 was lower 43% of parents paid fines, resulting than previous years, the spirit of the in total payments of £31,500. Of the Supreme Court decision is that chil- 57% of the parents who refused to dren should be in school for 190 pay, KCC is taking legal action. Shernold’s success A SMALL independent primary Barracks in Maidstone and Sher- school in Maidstone has seen off nold’s team of 15 pupils came top of competition from 1,200 other pupils the pile by the end of the exercise, in the borough to win a “safety in earning a special trophy for the Fer- Action” challenge. ndown Queen’s Avenue school. A total of 38 local schools from Shernold has only 143 pupils on across the county town and wider its roll. borough took part in the project but Shernold head teacher Sandra Shernold School emerged as the Dinsmore was “delighted”. winners. She said: "We thought this initia- The event, which was subsidised tive was a great way for our children by the local authority but organised to learn about some of the dangers by the safety training organisation they may face as they become more Salus, saw the year six teams independent and prepare for transi- quizzed on a number of risk scenar- tion to secondary school. ios. "'Safety in Action' was a great ad- These included fire, roads, water junct to their day-to-day lessons at and electrical appliances as well as school, and we are absolutely de- online safety. lighted that our team came out on There were other topics such as top." resilience and coping and emer- Salus Training Services provides 01622 753073 | clarkesfurnishers.co.uk gency life support. a variety of health and safety train- The event was held at Invicta Park ing courses across diverse sectors. Visit us at Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF

Maidstone August 2017 5 News downsmail.co.uk Bedding thief A MAIDSTONE man who stole bedding from a store in the town Allotment dream bears has been jailed. Stuart John Payne, 53, admitted two counts of shoplifting and two counts of failing to surrender to fruit - and some veg, too court bail when he appeared at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on July 10. A SHEPWAY mum’s dream of Magistrates heard he stole three transforming overgrown council duvet sets, worth £45, from a shop allotments into a community gar- in St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, on den has begun to bear fruit – and October 7 and, on May 16, meat veg. worth £39 from a supermarket in Nikki Gough, of Lincoln Road, Romney Place, Maidstone. recruited a “land army” of friends, The 53-year-old, from Dickens neighbours and volunteers to refur- Road, failed to surrender to bail at bish the half-acre plot off Hamp- Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court with- shire Drive, Shepway. out reasonable excuse on June 15 The group, pictured, known as and 23. Magistrates sentenced the Shepway Chariots, gained fund- Payne to 56 days in prison. ing and support from a number of organisations including the Na- tional Lottery, Golding Homes, Gal- Drunk at wheel lagher Group, and Maidstone A COURT has heard how a mo- Council and set to work a few torist with more than twice the months ago clearing rubbish and legal limit of alcohol in his body planting flower beds. Soldiers from drove his Mercedes in Maidstone. Invicta Barracks and Involve Maid- tem. To celebrate their success, the ter but emotionally better too. I Jamie Brook appeared at Mid stone V volunteers also helped with gardening team threw a Big Lunch know what it’s like to feel lonely Kent Magistrates’ Court on July 7, the digging. party at the garden with a barbecue, and see these revitalised allotments charged with driving while over Now their work is paying off as face painting and family games. as a place for people to meet and the limit. The 25-year-old was the garden is thriving with colour- The group has also just been chat and exchange a very welcome stopped on the London Road and ful flowers and tasty produce. The awarded charity status. The garden hello. gave a breath test of 90mg of alco- first cauliflowers have just been har- has been no small achievement for “W’ve cleared tons of rubbish, the hol in 100ml of breath. The legal vested and the tomatoes and pump- mum-of-four Nikki (35), who suf- classroom is now in place and the limit is 35. Brook, from Gayhurst kins are growing well. fers with Chronic Regional Pain main footpath is also taking shape. Drive, Sittingbourne, admitted the A log cabin has been installed and Syndrome. She said: “This project is We have cauliflowers, sweetcorn, charge and was banned from driv- water engineers Mac Mole, of Sut- not just about providing a place pumpkins and more fruit and veg- ing for 22 months. ton Valence, provided a water sys- where people can feel physically fit- etables are beginning to grow.” 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. - Snodland 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, Aylesford, Kent ME16 0JZ

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Maidstone August 2017 7 News downsmail.co.uk Council’s £500k M20 fund bid MAIDSTONE Council has pledged £500,000 “up front” in an effort to fast track improvements to ease road congestion at junction 7, off the M20.

Officers and the leader of the bor- daily as I do for work. While devel- ough council said this week that opment of the site needs to hit cer- pressure on both roundabouts at tain trigger points before the Bearsted Road and New Cut Lane developers are compelled to im- was well known, particularly at prove the roads, we see this fund- peak times, and will worsen. ing opportunity as a way to get the Maidstone Council, the county necessary road improvements council, MPs, Highways England ahead or in tandem with the devel- and the owner of the Kent Medical opment of the site, which is some- Campus now hope to win £4m thing we all want.” from Government to get the £6m If successful, the money would road improvement project started come from the Government’s Na- next year. tional Productivity Investment They say that while the devel- Fund. oper will improve the capacity of Maidstone’s council leader Fran the two roundabouts as part of its Wilson said “with talk of two consent to develop the 30-acre site, schools in the area now on the that work would be six to seven radar” to get the necessary road im- years off, after the new mental hos- provements sooner rather than pital and convalescence home open later was becoming increasingly and even more of the site has been important. She said: “The economic developed. case for improving the road net- John Foster, Maidstone Council’s work is a compelling one. We hope regeneration and economic devel- that this joint bid will be well re- project from the owner of the Kent failed, but this latest bid will be one opment manager, says the joint ceived by the Department for Medical Campus in the fullness of of only two being submitted by funding bid will be determined this Transport.” time. KCC. The medical campus has En- autumn. He said: “The two round- If successful, the council would Mr Foster added: “An earlier bid terprise Zone status and we have a abouts are particular congestion be reimbursed the £500,000 ‘pump for funding from the Government’s lot of support for this scheme and pinch points if you travel them priming’ it has pledged for the Local Growth Fund for Junction 7 are hopeful it will be successful.”

Park flag award MOTE Park in Maidstone has Bus firms interest in P&R picked up an international Green Flag Award. THREE bus companies have shown He said: “Officers are interested to larly in light of rising parking The award recognises the 450- interest in running Maidstone’s Park see how operators could improve charges in the town centre. acre park’s high environmental and Ride scheme. the performance of the scheme, with He said: “We want people to come standards, impeccable maintenance Borough councillor Nick de Wig- new buses and parking fees among into Maidstone. If people can’t af- and excellent visitor attractions. It gondene said a range of options, in- the options being considered. ford to come in, it will become pro- comes ahead of £4.3m of further in- cluding new buses and possible “One company suggests it could hibitive and the High Street will vestment at the park, expected to changes to the payment system are be run on a commercial basis, but die.” start in October and be complete by being considered as part of the ten- this has yet to be seen.” Cllr De Wiggondene said: “I am March. dering process for the service, which The Strategic Planning Commit- constantly arguing that Maidstone The park is owned and managed lost nearly £250,000 last year. tee is due to look at the options in Council needs to provide more by Maidstone Council and is main- Cllr de Wiggondene said that he is October, with the successful com- parking in the town because com- tained with assistance from the “constantly arguing”the council pany notified in November for the mercial companies will charge what Mote Park Fellowship volunteer must provide more of its own park- next financial year. they can get away with. As far as the group. Mote Park is one of a ing because the private companies, Cllr Ted Denham, Thurnham Park and Ride scheme, we are ask- record-breaking 1,797 public open driven by business needs, will parish councillor, says the Park and ing potential service providers what spaces in the UK to receive a flag charge what they “can get away Ride scheme is important for getting they can offer not just for five years, from the Keep Britain Tidy organi- with”. shoppers into Maidstone, particu- but over the next seven to 10.” sation this year. Walkway ‘turned into blot’ A WALKWAY has become a blot on been done for a couple of years. the landscape after not being “It’s a blot on the landscape. I cleared for years, according to a will push with the council for Maidstone councillor. clearing and maintenance. Cllr Eddie Powell said that “A number of the residents cut residents had raised concerns that back the grass and pick up the large patches of Reculver Walk rubbish but cannot clear the have become overgrown with vegetation. weeds, wild roses and self-sown “We have to spend more on sycamores. looking after our neighbourhoods.” He said; “Maidstone Borough Cllr Powell, pictured right, is the Council has sprayed the vegetation Ukip member represents Shepway but it has not been cleared and at the borough council. He recently maintained. fought unsuccessfully to become Residents say that it has not an MP locally.

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Maidstone August 2017 9 downsmail.co.uk News Library site is set to be apartments VIEWS are being sought on a sec- councillor for the area Tony Har- ond high storey housing develop- wood says the high rise plan would ment in Maidstone. help cover the high cost of demol- The proposed 162-unit apartment ishing the tower block, which has block would see the demolition of been found to contain asbestos. the old “book tower” at the former Cllr Harwood said: “I am under Springfield no illusion about the cost of tidying library, up this site, but with section 106 which has money from other developments Who is this vandal? stood already in the coffers, the issue is Do you know this man? empty since not so much funding much-needed He's wanted by police for going on a rampage of criminal damage to the county community facilities for the area vehicles in the Maidstone area council but finding the room to do it, par- Kent Police has released CCTV of a man officers would like to talk to moved out ticularly when we are seeing piece- as part of an investigation after a number of vehicles were damaged in 16 years meal development of small sites Maidstone. ago. such as these.” Officers received a report that between 5.15pm on Friday June 30 The Niyazi Albay, CEO of Peker 2017 and 9am on Saturday July 1 2017 a vehicle in Florence Road, brownfield Holding, said: “We believe these Maidstone, was set alight. site was bought in July last year by proposals are an improvement on A Kent Police statement said: "Having investigated the circumstances Peker Holding, with permission for the previous scheme, which would officers found there to be a total of nine vehicles in Florence Road and 100 apartments, 14 houses and 47 have provided no affordable hous- the surrounding areas of Douglas Road, Westree Court, Prospect Place parking spaces. ing. Our proposal would create and Upper Fant Road, which had been targeted. Peker says it is looking to build much-needed new accommodation "The other vehicles were damaged and had their soft top roofs 162 apartments, with 65 parking in the area as well as space for new slashed, and some were broken into with one appearing that the suspect spaces and more green space on the community facilities. Residents smoked a cigarette inside the vehicle. site, of little more than an acre. The have expressed the need for a doc- "Police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist apartment block would rise to a tors’ surgery and child care facili- with their enquiries and would ask the man, or anyone who recognises height “not significantly shorter” ties in the area and while the him, to contact Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference than the existing 13 storey tower council would ultimately decide YY/018010/17. Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, block, which sits at the northern how this space is used, we would on 0800 555 111." gateway to the town. Borough work closely with them.” For all your bathroom needs www.tdlonline.co.uk Please quote DM30 to receive a 30% discount on new quotes and orders placed. Not to be used in conjunction with other offers. Valid until end August 2017.

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10 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Woman flees a bus stop aack A WOMAN in her 20s fled in ter- way area of Maidstone. ror after being sexually assaulted The incident took place on a recre- early in the morning at a bus stop ation ground off Cumberland Av- in Maidstone. enue and is reported to have taken Kent Police are now appealing for place between 7pm and 8.24pm on witnesses to come forward to catch Tuesday, December 6. her assailant. The victim was walking home The attack was reported to have through the recreation area of Shep- taken place between 6.10am and way when the alleged attack hap- 6.40am on Wednesday July 5 in pened. Northumberland Road, Maidstone. A large area of the park was cor- The alleged victim was at a bus doned off with police and forensic stop when a man is reported to have specialists combing the area. Sniffer approached her. The man is said to dogs were also deployed. have shouted at the victim before The incident caused a great deal pulling at her clothing making the of concern locally. No one has been victim fall to the ground. arrested. Kent Police said: "The woman was A police spokesman said at the able to push the man away and he time: "Officers understand that a ran off in the direction of Cam- group of men were in the area at the bridge Crescent. time and would like to speak with "The man is described as white, them as part of their enquiries, as aged in his 30s with black short hair. well as anyone else who was in the He was unshaven and was wearing area at the time.” a black cap with black tracksuit bot- Anyone with information about toms." the latest attack, can call Kent Police Last December, a man in his 40s on 01622 604100 quoting crime ref- was sexually assaulted in the Shep- erence YY/018334/17. Will, Estate or Power of AttorAttorneyney dispute?

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Maidstone August 2017 11 News downsmail.co.uk Family business set for closure Pleasure boat charity A FAMILY business that has been selling kitchen appliances in Maid- stone for 90 years looks set to close. While trading continues at Wright's Warehouse in Waterloo marks 10th birthday Street, it is understood its staff of nine full- and part-timers have been A CHARITY providing pleasure trips on the River Medway for told their jobs are to go. Stock clear- ance details are also advertised on disabled and disadvantaged people has celebrated its 10th birthday. the company’s website, which Based at Medway Wharf Marina boasts: “We are an independent Eu- in Wateringbury, the Kingfisher is ronics discount warehouse stocking a familiar sight as it cruises the wa- white goods, electrical appliances terway between Yalding and East and gas appliances. We have been Farleigh, with up to a dozen pas- serving generations of Kent families sengers on board. for many years. Our success is due A crew of four volunteers, in- to providing our customers with the cluding a licensed skipper, run best service, the best choice of prod- each trip and there is enough space ucts at the best possible price.” for three wheelchairs, which can be The company, which was forced to move from Earl Street to make loaded with a hydraulic lift. way for the Fremlin Walk develop- The cruises provide an opportu- ment, has been operating out of its nity to help operate the locks or converted warehouse off Upper steer the boat, or just enjoy messing Stone Street for the last 20 years, about on the river. Supporters and volunteers were under the directorship of Alan Pete Harris, chairman of trustees thanks supporters and volunteers at the Wright.. invited to mark the 10th birthday of the Kingfisher Medway Trust with Kingfisher Trust’s 10th birthday party on board the Kentish Lady a party on board the Maidstone- ‘At risk’ flats based pleasure boat Kentish Lady. By October 2016, the boat had Baughan family, who provided a SEVENTEEN potentially ‘at risk’ tall Trust chairman Pete Harris out- provided 1,802 trips carrying mooring and picnic tables at their buildings have been identified by lined how the charity was inspired 15,999 people, including 1,550 in river-fronted garden at East Far- the borough council in Maidstone as by the late John Lockhart, with his wheelchairs. It caters for a wide leigh for the passengers to enjoy. part of an inquiry following the boat The Dawn Treader and his range of groups including the The prices charged for the trips Grenfell Tower disaster. The council Kingfisher Project. Alzheimers Society, Amputee Sup- cover the basic running costs, but reports that the results on half the Mr Lockhart, who had a son af- port Group and Age Concern, as the charity relies on donations for buildings have come back, with fected by Down’s Syndrome, re- well as community groups, day repairs and improvements such as none found to incorporate the con- cruited helpers to skipper and crew centres and schools. more comfortable seating and bet- troversial composite aluminium the boat. Mr Harris said: “Particular ter galley equipment. panels used on the blaze-torn tower Fundraising for the £75,000 thanks go to Ivan, Sally and Mr Harris said: “The boat oper- block in London. needed for a purpose-built new Stephen of Medway Wharf Marina ates from May to September. It is boat included village events and for all the support and help they very popular and for the last four Woodcut date pub evenings to larger donations have given with discounted moor- years we have been fully booked by AN APPEAL seeking approval for from Rotary and national agencies. ing fees, lifting the boat at the start January to February.” the controversial Woodcut Farm de- Within two years, an updated ves- and end of the season and work For more details, visit velopment off the A20 at Maidstone sel, the Kingfisher, was launched in cleaning Kingfisher.” www.kingfishermedwaytrust.org. will be held in February. 2007. Help also came from the uk. Four weeks have been booked for the planning inspector’s inquiry, which is likely to be held at County Hall, with a contingency for it to run Look to the skies for air show action over into March. The steering group for the Kent NEXT month sees the Combined Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Ops Military and Air Show on Beauty will tell the inspector that the August 19 and 20, when a variety Hollingbourne Vale section of the of vintage and modern aircraft will AONB - the setting for the proposed be on display on the ground and in development - has recovered well the air at Headcorn Aerodrome. after being intensively cultivated in The Tigers’ parachute team recent years and should be consid- (pictured) will also be “dropping in” ered "sacrosanct". to the arena. Their formation displays include smoke-trailing and flag-flying. Invicta buses There will also be the RAF Battle NEW bus services between Kings of Britain Memorial Flight and the Hill, Maidstone town centre and In- mighty Chinook. victa Grammar School, will be The family event also includes launched in September by Nu-ven- military vehicles, re-enactment ture. groups, arena events and military There is a 57X at 7.30am from stalls. Kings Hill to Invicta, returning to In September, it will be the turn All events take place at Headcorn The air show was also to have Kings Hill at 3.34pm from the of the Southern Model Show, which Aerodrome, in Shenley Road, from displays by Hurricanes, Tiger Moth, school. The 57X will start at ASDA returns on 9 and 10, in association 10am to 5pm each day. Harvard T6 and the ME 109, bus shelter at Tower View, serving with the Maidstone Model Flying The season was due to kick off courtesy of the Aero Legends. all the normal Kings Hill bus stops Club. On show will be model with Spitfires flying over the village Go to headcornevents.co.uk or in Tower View, Bovarde Avenue, aircraft, helicopters, ships, tanks in early July to mark the 77th call 07769 683345 for details of Discovery Drive and Kings Hill Av- and other vehicles. anniversary of the Battle of Britain the activities. enue, then on to Invicta non-stop.

12 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Driver cheats Fremlin backtracks as jail - but must do services A BANNED driver cheated prison parking fury explodes despite being convicted of a string of offences. THE firm behind a massive hike in digo is reviewing this price change. Paul Anthony Lamming was parking charges at Fremlin Walk While I understand, as a commercial sentenced on 23 June 2017 at Mid has backed down and reinstated operation, its reason for raising Kent Magistrates’ Court. the old pricing system, pending a them, they need to take a longer He had pleaded not guilty to review. term view and appreciate that peo- dangerous driving, driving with- Drivers found charges at the 760- ple’s shopping budget is price sensi- out insurance, failing to stop after space car park had effectively dou- tive and parking charges are a part a road accident and using threat- bled overnight from Monday, July of that.” ening, abusive or insulting words 10, causing fury. One Downs Mail Lloyd Wright, Centre Manager at or behaviour, but was convicted of reader stayed for little over two Fremlin Walk, which is owned by the offences by magistrates. hours and was left £8 out of pocket. M&G Real Estate, said: “We are cur- On June 14, 2016, the 43-year- On Fridays and Saturdays - the rently in discussions with our car old, of Willow Crescent, Staple- most expensive days to park - car park operator, Indigo, with regards hurst, drove an Audi in Gybbon owners were expected to shell out to the recent pricing changes at the Rise, Staplehurst, dangerously £3.50 for half an hour, and £10 if their shopping centre. We are determined and with no insurance. shopping trip took them longer than to deliver a high quality service for He also failed to stop the vehicle four. five days (July 15). our local community at a competi- after a road accident, where dam- Indigo, which manages parking at Big fears about the affect of high tive rate, and therefore we will be age was caused to another vehicle, Fremlin Walk, claims a steep rise in parking charges on the town’s foot- seeking a resolution to ensure our and used threatening, abusive or business rates and rental charges, in- fall - already under pressure from centre remains accessible and af- insulting behaviour towards a troduced by the Government in centres like Bluewater, which offers fordable for all.” man, causing him harassment, April, was behind the decision. free parking, and online shopping – Driver Alex Hughes said on Face- alarm and distress. However, a flood of comments has been expressed by Lib Dem book: “I estimate the car park is rak- Magistrates sentenced Lamming from outraged users, who described town centre borough councillor ing in around £250,000 a week ... I’m to 63 days in prison, suspended the prices as “hideously expensive, Clive English. He has branded the sure Fremlin walk would love to for 12 months, banned him from even before the increase” and Government decision to raise the give their share of the profit to re- driving for 15 months and ordered “dearer than London”; coupled with rates on car parks as “very strange” duced pricing.” him to carry out 150 hours of un- concern from Fremlin Walk’s owner when High Street visitors up and Indigo has said the old prices will paid work in the next 12 months. about the impact on shoppers saw down the country are in freefall. remain while a review into charging He must also pay a £1,250 fine the old prices reinstated after just Cllr English said: “I am glad In- is carried out. and £250 compensation.

Maidstone August 2017 13 News downsmail.co.uk Scaffold down SEVERAL roads in Maidstone were Royal patron attends closed after scaffolding collapsed at a house in Mote Road. Engineers were working through the night after a gas pipe was found to have been ruptured by the col- graduation ceremony lapse at shortly after 4.45pm on Monday, July 18. PRINCESS Eugenie of York visited Earlier road closures affecting Maidstone to take part in the Euro- Lower Stone Street and Wat Tyler pean School of Osteopathy’s Grad- Way to the A20 Ashford Road and uation Ceremony. roads in the immediate area were The ceremony was held at All lifted after police and fire teams at- Saint’s Church on the banks of the tended. However, Mote Road - be- River Medway on July 7. tween Kingsley Road and According to ESO, it was “a truly Chancery Lane – stayed shut while international occasion” with stu- the repairs were carried out. dents from 12 countries represented No one was hurt as a result of the and family members flying in from collapse. across the globe. It was also the first official engage- Traveller case ment undertaken by the Princess A COURT order to evict travellers since she was appointed as Royal Pa- from land in Fant was being sought tron to the ESO in April. by Maidstone Council as we went After presenting the awards, to press. Princess Eugenie, pictured, spoke to The convoy of caravans and vans graduates about their studies and that arrived in Gatland Lane were their plans for the future. issued with a formal notice to move ESO Principal Charles Bruford all the more special.” the lives of people with similar dis- by 3pm on Monday, July 18. How- said: “We are thrilled that Her Royal Princess Eugenie’s interest in mus- orders. ever, the next morning they were Highness was able to take part in culoskeletal healthcare has been long ESO is a recognised as a leading still there. today’s ceremony. Graduation standing. osteopathic institution, graduating Borough councillor Matt marks the culmination of four years She underwent back surgery that forward thinking and high quality Boughton said he was happy that of intensive study for our students Her Royal Highness underwent at osteopaths from the UK and all over the notice for eviction had been and heralds the start of their osteo- the age of 12 to correct a scoliosis the world. The school’s four year un- served and had hoped the trav- pathic careers. condition. According to the ESO, dergraduate degree programme ellers would respect this and leave, “Having the Princess here to cele- Princess Eugenie is keen to support leads to the Integrated Master’s De- but a court order was now the next brate with us has made the occasion charities that make a difference to gree in Osteopathy. course of action.

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Maidstone August 2017 15 News downsmail.co.uk Castle concert is hit with visitors National treasure can THE sun set on a rousing per- formance by the Royal Philhar- monic Orchestra as thousands enjoyed a summer’s evening at fight on terror threat Leeds Castle - the venue for an- other classical music event. LEEDS Castle can contribute to the The crowds were given their fill local and national economy in the of music, magic, fizz and fire- face of the constant terror threat, ac- works - waving their flags cording to the attraction’s chief ex- throughout. ecutive Sir David Steel. Artillery guns and a fly-by pro- After recent terrorist attacks, the vided the finishing touches to Sat- flag at the treasure house has flown urday’s Battle of Britain themed at half-mast “on too many occasions occasion, with performances by this summer”, he said. The Central Band of the Royal Air Sir David, writing in the Leeds Force, The Patriot Girls (Joanne and Broomfield parish newsletter, Pullen, Jo Gibb and Marissa Dun- said that great houses like Leeds lop Bidwell) and The Royal Phil- Castle can be a source of “joy and harmonic Orchestra, conducted by certainty to so many”. John Rigby. Soloist Tenor An- Thousands of music lovers, pic- thony Flaum and soprano Katie tured, were certainly undeterred to period of great uncertainty, it is the castle has been used as a location Bird also wowed with Nessun attend the sell-out summer classical therefore consoling, to a degree, that in a number of TV dramas and two Dorma and Rule Britainnia. concert on July 8. times move on and there are a good large feature films which helps to Host Aled Jones said: “It was a Sir David writes: “Asa Navy man, many thing that bring a great deal of advertise the 900 year old attraction. pleasure to host the 39th Leeds I support the flying of flags but it is joy and certainty to so many, such as He adds: “…if we are lucky Castle Classical Concert on a hard not to reflect on the fact that the Leeds Castle. If we, at Leeds Castle, enough to attract further filming beautiful summer’s evening.” flag at Leeds castle has flown at half- can assist in making Kent and Eng- business, we will continue to ensure Event director Richard Millward mast now on too many occasions land more generally, an attractive that this is not to the detriment of praised “the perfect co-ordination this summer, in remembrance of destination for so many interna- our visitors.” of the spitfire to the music and the those who have died at the hands of tional visitors, as well as those from The castle chief caused recent con- farewell wing tip as it headed into terrorists or, most recently, because home, then we will have played a troversy by introducing photo ID the sunset; and watching the Gar- of the most dreadful fire in one of good part in our national and local ticketing, to prevent local people rison field guns nail every cue of London’s high-rise apartment economy.” “Facebook swapping” of tickets, the 1812 in perfect symmetry, with blocks. Sir David said that in the past year, often among local people. stunning fireworks.” “As our country moves through a

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16 Maidstone August 2017 Heart of Kent Hospice is encouraging people to save up their old £1 coins to donate to the charity before the familiar round pound ceases to be legal currency from 15 October 2017.

The campaign, coined Coins for Care, is asking members of the public to dig out their piggy banks and loose change jars, search their wallets and purses, and scour the backs of their sofas to help support local people with terminal illnesses.

According to the Treasury, people have already returned 800 million of the old £1 coins and by mid­July there were more new coins in circulation than old ones. Which is why Heart of Kent Hospice is encouraging people to start collecting now.

According to Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive at Heart of Kent Hospice: “£4 in every £5 we spend on caring for people with terminal illnesses comes from the generosity of our local community. We depend on them every bit as much as they do on us, that’s why we hope the public will get behind the Hospice and make their old £1 coins really count.”

Supporters will be able to save up their pounds and donate them either through one of Heart of Kent’s 14 charity shops, at Heart of Flavour Café, in Maidstone, by bringing them into the Hospice in Aylesford, or taking them to official collectors in Fremlin Walk on 9th September.

Companies can also take part by encouraging their employees to come together to start collecting up the round pounds. Whether at home or work, supporters can visit www.hokh.org for more information and to download a collection label.

Maidstone August 2017 17 ROYAL STAR CAFÉ Royal Star Arcade, Maidstone 01622 679620 OFFERING EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY Children’s Lunch Box Meal Deal Only £3.80 Only £5.50 Hot Meal or Sandwich Toastie or Panini with salad Plus crisps or fruit, garnish & a soft drink, The Royal Star Arcade - in the relax and enjoy something to eat Yogurt & a drink tea or coffee heart of Maidstone’s busy town or drink. centre - is a retail gem offering a Within the arcade you will find Now selling mix of independent and DAIRY FREE Breakfast Roll - £4.50 a selection of The Royal Star Cafe. The cake available exclusive outlets under one roof. Sausage, Bacon & Omlette GLUTEN FREE popular cafe prides itself on the products The beautiful Arcade, with its quality of its food, its range of splendid glass atrium, is a great products, and excellent service place not only to shop but to and for many visitors, it has stop and retreat from the heat of become their first port of call. the summer temperatures. After some retail therapy why not Serving breakfast from 8am, including gorgeous fresh ground coffee, bacon baps and tempting pastries along with a morning paper, it’s the perfect start to anyone’s day. Midmorning teas and snacks take you to lunch-time, where the selection includes toasties and panini’s, home baked jacket potatoes and fresh salads, providing something to tempt even the most demanding taste buds. All dietary requirements are catered for with a selection of gluten free products plus a new dairy free lemon cake is now available too.

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18 Maidstone August 2017 Hop Stitch & Jumper 32 Royal StarArcade Maidstone ME14 1JL Exciting range of dress & upholstery fabrics, from starter to designer collections. Knit & Plus •Haberdashery Sewing Knatter •Yarns •Patterns Courses •Felting supplies Fresh coffee along with herbal its suppliers. And, by forging group available Pop in & see us • Dressmaking and fruit teas are available strong links with individual, Thursdays throughout the day, along with artisan ale-makers and roasters, • Felting milkshakes, fruit freezers and it is able to source suds and 5.30 - 7.30pm Tel 01622 609998 • Spinning iced coffees to help you cool off froths that you simply won’t www.hopstitchandjumper.org this summer. find elsewhere in town as well Supporting adults with learning disabilities You will also find 4 Degrees Bar as a forever-changing list of & Kitchen - a small business, guest ales, meaning any visit boasting strong connections, will offer something new to try, that sources much of its produce alongside firm favourites. from suppliers in the area, David added: “It’s worth including locally brewed craft remembering that we offer some beers and Kent wines and cider. of the best beers, wines and It prides itself on serving not coffee in the world; authentic, only an exciting range of hand- artisan and produced by selected drinks, but simple, independent micro-businesses tasty, quality dishes. with integrity and quality 4 D’s partner David Hitch says: ingredients. “Beer is making a quiet and classy comeback from the days when the town was home to the famous Fremlins Brewery, with real ales and proper craft beers finding favour in cooler quarters. Good news for customers is the fact that 4D deals directly with

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Hosted by 4degrees Craft Bar & Kitchen in Maidstone Town Centre ² an area rich with beer and music related history ² this carnival of “We have a beer celebrates the very best of modern beer culture. Come along to this treat for the taste-buds as you immerse yourself into the many passion for beer styles and tastes on offer; with offerings by local and worldwide micro-breweries, various ciders produced with Kentish apples and creating entertainment from top local acts. custom made Tickets are on sale now! LIMITED NUMBERS so buy yours early to avoid disappointment.... jewellery” Just £6 a ticket (+booking fee) Includes, entry & your own branded glass (plus a complimentary first drink if ticket booked prior to 9th September). Large portfolio of designs Tickets available from www.facebook.com/4degreesmaidstone Expert advice LOCATION ROYAL STAR ARCADE Qualified staff High Street, Maidstone Kent ME14 1JL Giftware & clocks also available

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Maidstone August 2017 19 News downsmail.co.uk Prosecute drivers ‘flouting the law’ ILLEGALLY parked lorry drivers near Cobham and Lydden, the M20 will continue to offend unless they and A20 between junction 9 and are prosecuted, according to Ukip’s Dover, and the M2 at Farthing Cor- Eddie Powell. ner. Cllr Powell said: “Unless there He made his comments after an is proper enforcement, there will operation to target antisocial HGV just be repeat offending. There is no parking in Kent reached the mile- deterrent. stone of 5,000 vehicles dealt with in “Only by prosecuting offenders just over 18 months. and mking them feel the full rigour Cllr Powell, who sits on the bor- of the law, will the message get ough council, says there is no deter- home. Just moving truck drivers just rent if there is no enforcement of the doesn’t work. rules surrounding illegal truckers’ “Equally, Kent County Council actions. has been putting out these bollards Kent Police said 5,019 lorries have on the roadsides to stop overnight Lions have named President been moved on, fined or immo- illegal parking or stopping but this MAIDSTONE Lions Club has a new president. bilised by officers from Kent Police just moves lorries on to somewhere The club, under Malcolm Luxton (left), handed over £20,000 to and Highways England since the else.” charities in the area during the last 12 months and it fell to him to hand joint enforcement operation started Chief Inspector Peter Steenhuis over to Derek Ransley (right). in December 2015. from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) Mr Ransley, who worked alongside Malcolm last year as fundraising Some 4,294 HGVs were moved on said: “There are more lorries on the chairman, is a retired distribution manager and was a previous president because they were parked illegally roads of Kent than ever before and at his old club, Southborough Lions. or inappropriately and 18 others that is having an impact on the Malcolm – who has served as president of the Maidstone club for four were dealt with for other traffic of- wider road network and local com- terms – said: “The club enjoyed a very successful year in terms of fund fences. munities. We appreciate HGV driv- raising and its social activities last year and I am sure that Derek will Tickets issued amounted to 695 ers are under pressure to meet legal carry on the same success in his year as president.” drivers, while 12 HGVs were immo- requirements about rest breaks and He will swop roles with Mr Ransley as fund raising chairman for 2017- bilised after truckers initially refus- driving hours, but it is completely 18. Others may know Malcolm as a former maths teacher at Cornwallis ing to pay their fines. unacceptable to endanger other and Maplesden Noakes in Maidstone and Lib Dem borough councillor Under the operation, officers pa- road users and park on slip roads for South ward from 1998 to 2006. trol key locations including the A2 and the hard shoulder.”

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20 Maidstone August 2017 New hope for Macular Degeneration Sufferers

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Maidstone August 2017 21 News | Relief road downsmail.co.uk Maidstone eyes up £1bn pot THE announcement by transport secretary Chris Grayling of £1bn a year to be spent on by-passes and relief roads from 2020 across Britain has received a mixed response from Maidstone campaigners.

Jenny Sutton of the Willington “support the Relief Road” signs Street action group WILLact wel- popping up all over Maidstone – comed it as "good news" but fellow said: “It is good news for the relief campaigner Gary Cooke, a Kent road. It is vital MBC and KCC work county councillor, warned there together in the interests of the ma- would be massive demands placed jority. That’s democracy.” on the cash. But Mrs Sutton claimed that Cllr Mr Grayling would finance the six Carter has “little or no” enthusiasm year plan from ring-fenced cash for a relief road in Maidstone. raised through vehicle excise duty. She added: “I still believe that he A relief road linking the A274 and needs persuading and that he can be the A20 at the M20 junction 8 could persuaded, although I take his point cost at least £50m but may end up that he is worried that a relief road costing far more. may cause more development and Cllr Cooke said it is now "impera- that could be bad for the rural areas. tive" the borough council and “But if Paul Carter came out and county council work together to- backed the relief road, as I believe wards building the best case possi- that he should, it’s a decision Maid- ble to access the funding. stone residents would applaud him He added: "My understanding is for. that this is not necessarily new “He would win a lot of respect for money that has been announced by doing the right thing.” Chris Grayling but, either way, we Kent County Council leader Paul Carter has promised to “have a look” at the Supporters have indicated they need to build the case and gather the may stand as candidates at the next detail of Chris Grayling’s by-pass fund offer evidence to submit a bid for funding tranche of local council elections in that would allow us to build a relief Protecting rural areas around said. MBC is committed to building 2018 on a pro-relief road ticket. road." Maidstone had also to be a priority, more than 17,000 houses within the MBC councillor Clive English told Kent County Council (KCC) he said. next 15 years. Critics have continu- Downs Mail: "The relief road could leader Paul Carter sounded a note of Cllr Carter believes that new ally pointed out that the extra be built within two years if KCC got caution over Mr Grayling’s an- housing growth is better contained homes will inevitably bring far their finger out and if they came up nouncement but promised to study in "new" developments - such as greater traffic volumes onto all the with a route and funding mecha- the offer in more detail. Kings Hill - where towns have roads in Maidstone. nism. No political party at MBC is He said: “Let’s have a look.” grown into their natural limits. Asked if the relationship between preventing it (the relief road) from The leader added that even a Funding for a relief road could be MBC and KCC is as good as it could happening." "modest relief road" carries the dan- achieved by "maximum developer be, Cllr Carter replied: "It has its mo- Get involved in the debate by vot- ger of "urban sprawl" which might contributions" gleaned from Maid- ments." ing in our online poll. only exacerbate traffic volumes in stone Borough Council's massive Of Mr Graylings’s announcement, other parts of the county town. house-building programme, he Mrs Sutton – who is behind the downsmail.co.uk/views/6/ EDITOR’S ANALYSIS

IT IS amazing how a demonstration of people power can have a unifying effect on our political masters.. A simple black and white sign with four words and six syllables (‘Support The Relief Road’) have been popping up like mushrooms all over the county town’s southern parishes. Hung on pickets, hammered onto fences and attached to wooden garden stakes, the boards have been appearing in their dozens each week. Step forward Jenny Sutton, a rather reluctant establishment irritant who or- chestrated this campaign out of sheer frustration at being ignored. She was making noises when residents were fed up 20 years ago. Today, Mrs Sutton has galvanised a movement that says the people really have had enough. She is not being ignored any more. In fact, politicians are falling over themselves to be associated with WILLact, the pressure group she has long been associated with. With the threat of relief road candidates standing at the next tranche of bor- Jenny’s cautious welcome ough council elections, the disquiet among certain politicians has started to grow. JENNY Sutton of the pressure group WILLact is pleased Kent County Those shifting in their shoes will be easy enough to spot. Council and Maidstone Borough Council have shown a desire to act as In fairness, they are in an awkward place – damned for implementing govern- one. ment housing policy foisted on them, yet ultimately responsible for the traffic vol- But Mrs Sutton, pictured above, who lives in Willington Street and umes that has prompted this cunningly quiet revolt. Whether relief road has been orchestrator of the many “Support the Relief Road” signs candidates would win is of little consequence to Mrs Sutton and her supporters. appearing across the county town in recent weeks, is cautious about Providing parties are ready, willing and able to work together – not just in word the joint transportation board’s (JTB) apparent unity. but deed – politicising the issue at election time may not be necessary. She also warned if too many more homes are planned for Langley as In the longer term, providing the traffic modelling shows a favourable cost/ben- a result of a link road being built, its effectiveness may be reduced. efit analysis and if a relief road can be included in a review of Maidstone’s Local She said: “Both authorities have actually agreed to work together, Plan, Mrs Sutton may well, one day, have something to celebrate. In the mean- which is a start. We've been here before and there's a long way to go, time, one fancies she’ll have a beady eye on those political masters should they but hopefully it will move forward. With regard to the JTB meeting, demur. it seems they've decided something we've all known for decades...the . Simon Finlay relief road is needed as soon as possible.”

22 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk Relief road | News

Board united to take fight forward “THIS could be the turning point.” That was the assessment of campaigner Gary Cooke as Maid- stone’s joint transportation board (JTB) acknowledged the need for a relief road. County councillor Cooke said he dealing with this issue and advo- Bearsted borough councillor Val going through the town centre has had a “warm and fuzzy feeling” cating a relief road for the last eight Springett warned that in order to to be welcomed. that progress may now be starting years and I have heard excuses and meet the estimated £50-75m cost of Staplehurst borough councillor to be made on the long-running all sorts of reasons why it can’t be the road, there may inevitably be John Perry said that a “Leeds-Lan- issue. done.” development to contribute to the gley relief road is now essential” as Reflecting in the warm July sun- The government’s recently an- bill. traffic in and around Maidstone “is light outside the town hall, Cllr nounced £1bn a year “by-pass County cllr Eric Hotson said that fast becoming an impossible situa- Cooke met with supporters – fund” for areas blighted by exces- a pot of money should be building tion”. mainly from the WILLact pressure sive traffic has to be in everyone’s up now from developer contribu- Shepway borough member John group from Willington Street – sights, he said. tions and the officers from the bor- Barned said: “Only action and ac- who were also happy with the He added: “We have to make the ough and county councils must tion now will solve this problem meeting’s outcome. case properly…if there’s £1bn work together closely. now.” The JTB gathers members from available on a national basis we Cllr Paulina Stockell, who repre- Chairman of Langley’s Parish local councils to assess transport is- have to have accurate data to put sents the borough in Langley and Council Cheryl Taylor Maggio said sues affecting the borough. the strongest possible case to get Sutton Valence, is concerned that a her village was already taking the Surveys, route assessments and, some of it. relief road will simply attract more brunt of Maidstone Local Plan, crucially, funding will be required “The greatest shame of this traffic and “it is going to get worse with thousands of new houses. to make the link from the A274 to whole debate is that we did not and worse and worse”. She said that she cannot support the A20 from Langley through have this debate 20 years ago be- But recently-elected county a link road if it turns out to be a Leeds a reality. cause if we had done so, we would councillor Paul Cooper said that “magnet for housing in addition to Cllr Cooke said: “I have been have a relief road today.” anything that can alleviate traffic the Local Plan sites.” JTB chief: “Road Officer’s road reality check has huge support” KENT County Council’s lead offi- woodland at Langley; scheme” would be a western route JOINT Transportation Board chair- cer on the relief road scheme, John -The countryside around any “with or without a local bypass of man David Burton said that with Farmer, outlined the advantages preferred route would need the A274 to achieve a connection “enough true intent” achieving a and disadvantages of the pro- “strong policy protection” by the to an improvement to an im- relief road for south Maidstone is posed link between the A274 and borough council; proved Five Wents junction”. possible. the A20. -Local opinion is likely to be This route is also “the shortest Borough councillor Burton said : ADVANTAGES: “strongly divided”; and cheapest”, says Mr Farmer, “Building new roads are always -Traffic congestion and air qual- -No current government fund- but is likely to cost up to £75m long-term projects but this is prob- ity improvement in south east ing stream to support the scheme “even if delivered at the earliest ably the most positive we’ve been i Maidstone, including Willington and the borough council would opportunity”. for decades. Street and rural villages, particu- have to ensure developer contri- The JTB report also noted the “With enough true intent, it is larly Langley and Leeds; butions to the cost. caution expressed by the Local possible. My position on housing is -Environmental benefits to her- Although the report does not Plan inspector when he stated: that if there’s no road, then there itage buildings; prejudge the outcome of assess- “The borough is generally sup- should be no housing. But, unfor- -Opportunities for “additional ments for a preferred route, Mr portive (of a relief road) but fund- tunately, history has shown us that enabling development within Farmer’s report does hint at what ing would be a significant we’re probably going to get the Leeds, Langley and Kingswood to may be realistically available. challenge unless it were to sup- housing anyway. support the sustainability of exist- A route to the east of Leeds is port further major development.” “What we don’t want is more ing villages and offset other allo- “undeliverable” because it would The first review of the Local housing and no road. cated sites that may be encroach onto Leeds Castle’ s cur- Plan - in which a route might be “There is now huge public sup- undeliverable”. tilage. included - is not scheduled for at A road to the east of Langley least three years but “sufficient port and any politician would be DISADVANTAGES: less than sensible not to recognise may also be unlikely as it would work would have had to be done -An attractive area with varied affect the Abbey Wood’s ancient to “establish a preferred route”, a that. We have work together to topography with the heritage site make it happen.” woodland. So, according to Mr business case prapared and poten- at Leeds Castle and ancient Farmer, the “only realistic tial funding sources identified.

Maidstone August 2017 23 News downsmail.co.uk Over the limit driver in crash Lorry arsonist left A MAIDSTONE motorist who failed to stop after running into an- other vehicle has been banned from the road for nearly two years. Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court DNA on fuel cap heard how Richard James Glozier failed to stop his Nissan Micra after AN ARSONIST whose DNA was detected on a fuel cap following a fire at damaging another car, when over a Maidstone lorry park has been sent to prison. the drink-drive limit. Glozier admitted driving while Peter Taylor started a fire which rested in May 2014, but when he unfit through drink, failing to stop, destroyed one lorry and also was interviewed by police he de- the possession of cannabis and ob- spread to another vehicle. nied any involvement. He claimed structing a police officer. Taylor (61) entered the Nil Des- he had been at home and in bed at The charges related to an incident perandum lorry park, off Maid- the time. He could not explain how in Green Road, Boughton stone Road, Blue Bell Hill, at about his DNA had been recovered from Monchelsea, on March 9. He later 4.45am on February 1, 2014. a fuel cap. obstructed an officer in Maidstone He extracted diesel from the tank He appeared at Maidstone between March 9 and 10. of a parked lorry and used it as an Crown Court where he pleaded not The 48-year-old, from Haste Hill accelerant to set fire to another guilty to a charge of arson. He was Road, Boughton Monchelsea, was lorry, which was parked next to it. found guilty following a trial and sentenced on June 16 to a driving The vehicle targeted was com- on June 28 was sentenced to three ban of 22 months, a fine of £280, £85 pletely burned out but the fire also years and three months in prison. costs and a £30 victim surcharge. spread to the lorry from which he Detective Constable Rex Dinnage had stolen the diesel. It had con- said: “Taylor was responsible for a Peter Taylor Driver banned tained a number of propane gas fire which has caused thousands of bottles and was damaged by the DNA which provided a match to pounds worth of damage. A MAIDSTONE man who drove a heat and flames. Taylor. “His actions could quite easily Mercedes on the M20 while more Kent Police attended the scene A second person was also be- have also lead to serious injuries or than three times over the legal al- and crime scene investigators re- lieved to have been involved but even the loss of life, as it was only cohol limit was banned from driv- covered a fuel tank cap, still at- currently remains unidentified. by pure chance that the pressurised ing. tached to one of the vehicles. Taylor, formerly of Warden Road, gas cylinders on one of the lorries James Robert Louis Monks was Forensic tests on the item recovered Eastchurch, Sheerness, was ar- did not explode.” sentenced on June 16 at Mid Kent Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to drink driving. The 37- year-old, of The Orchard, Maid- Penioner is hit stone, drove a Mercedes C220 on the M20, Lenham, and gave a crossing road breath test of 111mg of alcohol in A WOMAN in her 80s was 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is knocked down by a car after she 35mg. walked out from behind a bin lorry Magistrates banned Monks from in Boughton Monchelsea. driving for 24 months. . Officers from Kent Police’s Seri- ous Collision Investigation Unit Cheated jail (SCIU) are appealing for witnesses A MAIDSTONE motorist caught following the collision in the village driving through town while serv- last month. ing a ban has escaped jail. It appears she was crossing the Jerry McCann admitted driving a busy road through the village Mercedes along the Sutton Road in when she was hit. Maidstone while disqualified and A statement said: "Kent Police also without insurance on March were called at 9.15am on Thursday 10. The 24-year-old, from White Put nets away, urges RSPCA June 22, 2017, to a report of a colli- sion on the B2163 Heath Road. Horse Lane, was sentenced by Mid GARDENERS and goalies are being The RSPCA’s Llewelyn Lowen "A woman in her 80s is reported Kent magistrates on June 30 to 84 urged to make sure their netting said: “Sadly, the summer is when to have been crossing the road be- days in prison, suspended for 18 does not become a trap for wildlife. our officers see an increase in net hind a white refuse lorry, which months. He was banned for a year. The RSPCA has released pictures rescues. If animals go unnoticed, was static facing in the direction to- to remind people of the danger they can really suffer. wards Chart Sutton, when she was posed at this time of year, especially “The tight net can cut off the Burger thief involved in a collision with a Grey to nocturnal animals like foxes, by blood supply to their limbs, damage Audi A4 which was travelling to- A REPEAT offender who stole the tangles of nylon wire. bones where they have tried to wards Linton crossroads. items from two stores in Maidstone The appeal comes as the charity escape or, worst of all, they could be "The victim was taken to a Lon- has been given a suspended prison revealed that it rescued 405 strangled.” don hospital by road with injuries sentence. trapped animals in the South East She said: “Please remove sports where she is now in a stable condi- Douglas Michael Frankham (30) alone last year – the largest number nets after use and store them safely tion. pleaded guilty to two counts of of cases for the whole country. Most away. It could save an animal from "Following the collision, road clo- shoplifting at Mid Kent Magis- were during the summer months, a horrible death. Where netting sures were put in place from Heath trates’ Court on June 24. with 52 incidents in Kent. can’t be removed, we recommend Road with the junction of Green The court heard that on May 31 This shocking picture shows how replacing them with metal mesh.” Lane and also Gandy’s Lane." he stole burgers and a drink from a easily animals can get tangled in The RSPCA treats calls about an Anyone with information about shop in Upper Fant Road and on sports or garden netting, which can animal tangled in netting as an this incident is asked to call the Se- June 12 red wine worth £13.99 from result in fatal injuries. emergency. If you see an animal rious Collision Investigation Unit a shop in Northumberland Court. Goal nets, tennis nets, pond tangled in netting, the RSPCA on 01622 798538 quoting Magistrates sentenced homeless protectors and fruit netting are the advises you do not try to free it but AH/138/17. Alternatively, email Frankham four months’ prison, main causes. call them on 0300 1234 999. [email protected]. suspended for six months.

24 Maidstone August 2017 Maidstone August 2017 25 News downsmail.co.uk Drugs assault POLICE are seeking witnesses to an Sisters credit their staff assault in Maidstone which left a man with face and leg injuries after he refused to buy drugs. It was reported that two men punched and kicked a man in Week for top restaurant award Street between 5.30am and 6am on Tuesday, June 27. THE Curious Eatery at Boughton The victim said he was offered Monchelsea has been named drugs by the suspects – described as Kent’s best restaurant. in their late teens or early 20s – and The venture, run by sisters Lesley when he refused, he was attacked. (pictured left) and Nicole Parry The victim required treatment at (right), is one of nearly half-a-dozen hospital for his injuries. Police were businesses locally to win praise and called and enquiries led to the arrest votes in the Muddy Stilettos Awards of an 18-year-old man from Maid- 2017. stone, on suspicion of assault. He The Curious Eatery walked away was later released, pending further with the title after an article on our investigations, Daily Downs Mail website helped it to secure a 33.8% share of the votes. The sisters, who grew up in Botswana, received a good luck mes- Racist’s knife sage from Virgin boss Richard Bran- A MAIDSTONE man who used son when they opened their racially aggravated language to- restaurant. wards another at a takeaway in the Lesley said: “We’ve both travelled town has been given a 90 day jail a lot and wanted to bring these in- Toasting its success as best wine missed out on the accolades, coming term suspended for a year. fluences to the table – like an edible merchant is Murcatto Wines in Sta- a very impressive second, in the Lloyd Curtis Wright, 36, must also travel brochure. We just wanted to plehurst, with a massive 40.5% of the fight for Best Family Attraction, after pay a £150 fine following his ap- offer something fresh, fun and votes. Bedgebury National Pinetum & For- pearance at Mid Kent Magistrates’ quirky, but not ostentatious, and it The winner in the best glamping est at Goudhurst. Court on July 5. The court heard seems to be working.” category went to the site at Kits Coty The awards are run by the Muddy Wright admitted using racially ag- The sisters also attribute their suc- in Aylesford, while the best boutique Stilettos blog, which calls on indi- gravated threatening, abusive or in- cess to holding onto their loyal staff stay was awarded to the Who’d a viduals to vote for businesses that sulting words or behaviour towards who “feature in every single review Thought It? at Grafty Green, near have won personal approval from a man at the restaurant in Gabriel’s on TripAdvisor, which is fantastic”. Maidstone. the Muddy team. This year up to Hill on June 7. He also admitted car- They have also launched a “secret Kent Life Heritage Farm Park at 100,000 people per day took part in rying a knife in Maidstone. supper club”. Sandling, near Maidstone, just the voting. YOUR COMMUNITY WEBSITE

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26 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Thief sentence A 21-year-old man who stole more Rogue trader alert as than £2,000 of equipment from a Maidstone builder’s merchant was handed a suspended jail sentence. Kallum Andy Paul Young was sen- man, 90s, is targeted tenced at Mid Kent Magistrates Court after he denied theft and RESIDENTS are being warned fraud, but was found guilty of the about rogue traders at work in the offences. area after a man in his 90s was tar- The court heard that in November geted in Maidstone. last year, Young, of Amherst Road, Police say the elderly man was Tunbridge Wells, made a false rep- asked to pay a large lump sum in ad- resentation that he worked for a gar- vance for repairs to his drive in Mote dening business under someone Avenue. else’s name, intending to make a Two men called at his house on gain of £905. Thursday (July 7) and returned at Between November 29 and De- around 1pm on Monday (July 10) cember 20, he stole a hydraulic when they are said to have de- breaker unit worth £2,340 from a manded a larger amount of cash in builder’s merchant in Buckland Hill. advance of the work being started. Magistrates sentenced Young to The victim then went to his bank to 81 days in prison, suspended for 12 withdraw the money. months, and ordered him to carry Two men from Maidstone, aged 58 out 150 hours of unpaid work in the and 28, and a 16-year-old boy, from next 12 months. He must also pay Wales, have now been arrested on unattended. If you need to get some- You can also contact Trading Stan- £3,245 compensation and £500 costs. suspicion of fraud. thing, close it until you return. dards with their vehicle details, com- Chief Inspector Mick Gardner - Using a spyhole and ask who the pany name, contact details and any said: “We are treating this as an iso- caller is; then keep the door on the other information you have. Town survey lated case but would like to remind chain. - Before allowing any work to be TELL us why you love Maidstone? people how they can stay safer in - Check their identification, even if carried out, it is best to obtain a That’s the question being asked by their homes.” they have a pre-arranged appoint- quote or a second quote from a the borough council in its latest sat- The Kent Police officer said that ment. recognised firm. isfaction survey. precautions householders can take - If you doubt the caller is genuine, - Do not pay anyone for work be- Residents will be able to quiz include: ask them to leave and come back at a fore it is carried out, and certainly council officers and councillors at - Locking back doors and win- time convenient to you and when never go to the bank to draw out Maidstone Farmers’ Market on Fri- dows before answering your front you've had a chance to ask someone cash if a lift is offered by the people day, July 28 – taking place from door. Never leave your front door to be with you. who knock on the door. 10am-2pm.

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Maidstone August 2017 29 News downsmail.co.uk Racist assault A MAN who threatened a woman Warning to riders as and assaulted two men at a Maid- stone restaurant has been jailed. William Richardson-Smith admit- ted racially-aggravated harassment, being drunk and disorderly, two thieves target stables counts of common assault, and as- saulting a police officer. POLICE have warned horse owners Medway magistrates heard that po- to keep their equipment secure fol- lice were called to a fast food restau- lowing the theft of saddles from rant in Week Street on May 15, where tack rooms across the region. the 31-year-old was being racially The first raid was on Team Tut- abusive. On June 20, he was also sham’s equestrian centre for the dis- drunk and disorderly in Brenchley advantaged in West Farleigh, where 30 saddles were taken. Gardens, Maidstone. The horse-riding community ral- Magistrates sentenced Richardson- lied to provide temporary tack for Smith, of no fixed abode, to 174 days lessons already booked with the in prison. He must also pay £400 com- charity after its equipment store was pensation and a £115 victim sur- emptied between 8.30pm on Thurs- charge. day, June 8, and 8am the next day. Members of Team Tutsham at a horse show before the burglary The burglaries come amid further Driving ban reports of thefts of horse equipment. “CCTV is also a useful deterrent vice and runs events where tack and Yard owner Gemma Oxley offered and can help us to identify suspects horses can be marked. There is also A 65-YEAR-OLD Maidstone man her spare tack to the riding school, should the worst happen. Property advice at www.kent.police.uk/ad- was banned from driving after failing even though her yard, near Goud- should also be marked and where vice/rural-crime/livestock-and- to provide a breath specimen. hurst, had been broken into. possible photos taken to help iden- horses/. John Allen, of Church Street, was In another burglary, from a farm tify any stolen equipment.” Anyone with information about sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates in Staplehurst – reported on Tues- Police Sergeant Darren Walshaw, the burglary in West Farleigh should Court on June 16, after admitting the day, June 13 – 30 saddles and bridles from the Rural Task Force, said: call Kent Police on 01622 604100 offence on May 28. were taken. Padlocks used to secure “While it is impossible to prevent all quoting reference YY/15195/17. If Magistrates banned him from driv- the gate and the outbuildings had burglaries and theft of horse equip- your information relates to the Sta- ing for 21 months and ordered him to been broken off. ment, owners can take steps to make plehurst burglary, the reference carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in Kent Police is now advising own- it harder for criminals to steal and number is YY/016178/17. the next 12 months. ers to ensure all tack and horses are sell on equipment.” Alternatively, call Kent Crime He must also pay £85 costs and an marked and secure and, where pos- Kent Police works closely with Stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 £85 victim surcharge. sible, tack is stored out of site. Kent Horse Watch, which offers ad- 111. Sell your unwanted items

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30 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk News Victim forced to get into van Jail for man who sent TWO men have been remanded in custody charged with false impris- onment after a man was allegedly candidate text threats assaulted and forced to get into a van. Police were called at 5.20pm on LIBERAL Democrat general elec- well as from the local team. tion candidate Emily Fermor was “As a female candidate, you feel Wednesday, June 14, to reports of an bombarded with sickening abuse a lot of solidarity with other female altercation in Maidstone Road, Pad- by a Barming man after he re- candidates from other parties. dock Wood. ceived a leaflet through his door. “It is hard to be a female candi- It is alleged a man was assaulted Mark Sanders (49), sent four text date when you receive that kind of and then forced to get inside a van. messages to former Invicta Gram- abuse.” At 7.50pm a further incident was re- mar School student Miss Fermor in Sanders, who has a personality ported in Mascalls Court Road, the run-up to the general election disorder and is a drug addict, sent which is believed to have involved on June 8. the offending text messages to the the same suspects, vehicle and vic- The abuse was sent to the Liberal campaign phone number – which tim. Police later identified and lo- Democrat team’s campaign mobile was printed on the election litera- cated the victim, who was safe and phone, not to Miss Fermor person- ture. The messages were picked up well. It is believed he is known to ally. by Lib Dem campaign assistant the suspects. After Sanders was jailed for four Jane Bird. Marcus Lawrence (26), of Hen- months in June, Miss Fermor – who Sanders, of Glebe Lane, was sent wood Green Road, Pembury, and came third in the election locally to prison for 120 days and ordered James Webb (27), of Maidstone with 16.4% of the vote – paid trib- to pay £200 in costs after appearing Road, Matfield, were later arrested. ute to Kent Police for their “support at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Appearing before Maidstone and understanding”. Lib Dem candidate Emily Fermor June 14. According to reports on Magistrates’ Court three days later, Miss Fermor (23) said she found Sanders, he has previous convic- they were both charged with false the abuse particularly chilling, “Their response could not have tions for verbal abuse, racial abuse imprisonment and remanded in coming as it did just a year after the been more supportive or under- against a Muslim neighbour and custody to appear at Maidstone murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in her standing of the situation, particu- possession of a pick axe handle Crown Court on Friday, July 14. constituency of Batley and Spen. larly in the light of what happened with nails embedded in it. Anyone with any information can She told Downs Mail: “Thank- to Jo Cox only last year. Miss Fermor, who is also a bor- call Kent Police on 01622 604100, fully, my campaign team kept me “They were absolutely on it from ough councillor in Coxheath and quoting reference YY/016023/17, or sheltered from it at the time and day one. The national party has Hunton ward, was standing in her call Kent Crimestoppers anony- Kent Police were absolutely exem- had experience of this, so there was first general election. She lost to mously on 0800 555111. plary. a lot of support from that end as Conservative Helen Grant.

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Maidstone August 2017 31 News downsmail.co.uk Songbird delights villagers OFTEN the inspiration for some of the most famous poetic lines, the song of the nightingale is con- sidered the most beautiful of all the birds. Rarely seen, the songbird enchants He said: “Many years ago, I used colour, and breeds mostly in the the listener with a broad range of to hear them quite a bit in the village, West Country and east from Dorset sweet notes, rising and falling in fast but I haven’t heard one around here into Kent. The nightingale is a secre- succession from the undergrowth for many years. tive bird, preferring the safety of a where it prefers to skulk. “There was definitely two of them thicket or deep cover. Once associated as a lament from singing somewhere close by. But we The insectivore arrives on these ancient Greek mythology, the in- haven’t heard them since.” shores to breed in April and sings creasingly scarce nightingale is now Audrey Browne, a keen bird- well into June (often at night) before so seldom heard in Britain that its watcher and neighbour of the Wrat- starting the migration back to sub- audience are just glad of the chance tens, said: “It was wonderful to Saharan Africa from July through to to hear its song. know that a nightingale has been September. The nightingale is now David and Monica Wratten were and checked the calls online to make heard in Leeds. A friend tells me on the red (endangered) list of UK walking back from the village pub in sure it was a nightingale. they are regularly heard in Marden.” birds compiled by the Royal Society Leeds on a Sunday evening in mid- But Mr Wratten, who prepares the Although the summer visitor is for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) June at about 9.45pm, when they wickets for Marden, Charing, not uncommon in parts of Europe, it wildlife conservation charity. were stopped in their tracks by the Bearsted and Leeds & Broomfield has been on a steep decline for many Have you seen or heard a nightin- fluting notes. cricket clubs, is convinced it was not years in Britain. It is slightly larger gale in your area? Call 01622 734735 The couple went straight home one, but two birds. than a robin and a dull brown or email [email protected] Pipe and tank thief is jailed 24,000 crimes ‘left unrecorded’ A METAL thief who robbed a KENT’S chief constable has apolo- “All of those crimes that were not neighbouring property of its water gised after an official report re- recorded have been thoroughly re- tank and copper piping – causing vealed that 24,300 crimes went viewed and safeguarding has been £10,000 of flood damage – has been unrecorded last year. put in place. jailed. Her Majesty’s Inspector of Con- “I would like to apologise to any Maidstone Crown Court heard stabulary (HMIC) showed 16% of victim who has not received the Luke Everhurst, from Saltings Road, all crimes in the county were not service they were entitled to. Snodland, and his accomplice Dar- logged. “However, on reviewing the ren McGrath, flooded the nearby Victims were not well-served, recording decisions from this last house after smashing a window and says HMIC, and 20% of violent year, it is apparent there have been crimes were not recorded, as were Cllr Eddie Powell and Kent Chief Con administrative errors in the way we getting in to the vacant property. 400 sex assaults and 10 rapes. Alan Pughsley have been recording crime which Police were called to reports of The Police and Crime Commis- report made “disappointing read- has not been in line with the guide- loud noises coming from the house sioner for Kent Matthew Scott said ing” but says he has “responded lines.” and water flowing under the front the force’s failings must be “re- quickly” to make the changes Mr Powell said: “I don’t believe door on March 9, 2016. solved urgently”. needed to improve the accuracy of that Alan Pughsley should resign An inspection by officers revealed Ukip spokesman Eddie Powell crime recording. but what he should be doing is say the tank and pipes had been re- directly blamed budget reductions He added: “There are a number that ‘enough is enough’, that the moved and unsuccessful attempts for hampering the force’s ability to of instances where although we force is cut to the bone, they need made to remove the radiators. perform its duties. have not recorded a crime, we have more help and need more money.” Police caught up with 27-year-old But he does not believe Chief responded to the victim’s needs, PCC Mr Scott said: “What this Everhurst walking away from a pile Constable of Kent Alan Pughsley conducted an effective investiga- shows is really vulnerable victims of pipes in the middle of the garden. should resign. tion and provided safeguarding to of crime are not getting the service McGrath was found in a neighbour- Mr Pughsley admitted that the the victims. they should rightly expect.” ing garden. The stolen tank and tools were recovered by officers from an outbuilding. Garden show Both men were arrested and later GARDENERS from the Len Valley charged with burglary. Appearing £50k fine for calls will be able to check out the com- at Maidstone Crown Court on June A MAIDSTONE firm behind ered that MyHome Installations petition at a village garden show. 22, Everhurst was sentenced to 14 nuisance calls has been fined used data it had bought over 18 Flowers, vegetables and flower months in prison, after previously £50,000. months from third party compa- arrangements will be on show at denying the charge. McGrath, also The Information Commis- nies to market its services. These 27 and formerly of Wallis Avenue, sioner’s Office imposed the companies told the security Lenham community centre, with Maidstone, pleaded guilty but failed penalty on MyHome Installa- business that the personal de- special accolades up for grabs in to appear in court for sentencing. A tions Ltd for pursuing people tails had been screened against novelty classes, including the warrant has now been issued for his who had specifically opted out the “no call” register. longest runner bean and funniest arrest. of telephone marketing and re- But MyHome Installations, shaped vegetable. Detective Constable Andy Julier ceiving cold calls. which is based near the 20/20 Doors open to visitors at 2pm on said: “Everhurst and McGrath broke The ICO received 169 com- business park in St Leonard’s Saturday, August 12, with a chance into this property, just days after the plaints about calls from the com- Road, Maidstone, said it was un- to feast your eyes on homemade previous tenants moved out. It was pany to phone numbers listed able to provide any evidence of jams and cakes in the various cate- empty and they sought to strip it of on the Telephone Preference consent, due to a previous mar- gories. Light refreshments will be every piece of metal they could get Service (TPS), the UK’s official keting manager historically buy- available. their hands on. opt-out of marketing register. ing the data. Competitions are open to resi- “They have caused damage and The complaints involved un- Steve Eckersley, ICO’s head of dents in the Len Valley area; entry destruction costing thousands of wanted calls about electrical sur- enforcement, said: “This com- forms are available from Lenham pounds to repair and also consider- veys and home security. pany blatantly ignored its re- Library and several shops in the able distress to the person who An ICO investigation discov- sponsibilities.” village, with a closing date of 8pm owned the property.” on Friday, August 11.

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Maidstone August 2017 33 News | Kent County Show downsdowns-mail.co.uk

Connor Green, James Beeton and Jessica Austen of New Line Learning’s Young Farmers’ Club and fun for this young guest on the carousel Sun shines on the best of Kent THE Kent County Show – one of the area’s most anticipated events of the summer – has been cleared away for another year. While crashes on the M20 and M2 may have frustrated visitors getting to the opening day of the Kent Show, once inside, it was smiles all round as the sun shone down at Detling. A higher number of livestock, rid- ers and entries in the fruit and flower classes than in recent years ensured the distinctly agricultural feel intended by the organisers. And, with the sun shining, the cold drinks stands, ice-cream stalls and dog bowls were in demand, with the number through the turn- stiles just up on last year’s 80,000. Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “We know that the serious ac- Competitors line up with their beautifully groomed goats, ready for judging cident on the M20 and a further in- cident on the M2 on Friday meant ing was slow.” Tracey Tillinghast, from the vine- demonstrations at Hadlow Col- that many visitors decided not to try The former traffic clerk at Lenham yard on the Hush Heath Estate at lege’s stand, and Jessica Austin, and make their way to the show. Storage managed to find his way in, Staplehurst, was also hoping the hot Connor Green and James Beeton However, we are delighted with the but others reported being delayed weather would encourage passers- were showing livestock from New overall attendance, helped by the by over an hour. He added: “Unfor- by to taste an ice-cold glass of wine. Line Learning’s young farmers’ club weather.” tunately, in this country, accidents Hush Heath was among 50 food in Maidstone. Steward John Goode, from Ul- are never cleared quickly enough.” producers in the new food hall, Martha Connolly (12), from combe, was hired to count cars at Happy to be inside the show- which received good support from Maplesden Noakes School, was the main entrance on the first day ground was Skoda representative the area, A noticeable 75 security showing Wilma, her Romney sheep, and had clocked up a modest 2,700 John Colley, from Beadles Quarry staff were also visible on site, with for the Cobtree Young Farmers’ by midday. Wood dealership in Aylesford. John, 42 on the gates helping with in- Club in Lock Lane, Sandling; and He said: “Visitors do get caught in from Coxheath, said: “It’s a great creased security checks. Valley Park’s young farmers these accidents and, at points, the place to raise brand awareness and Downs Mail also met with lady Evaggelia Kargaki (13) and Austen flow of vehicles came to a halt, there are lots of happy people here sheep shearer Jasmine Martin, from Heneke (12) were helping out with which is unheard of, and the morn- today.” Grove Green, who was giving the Maidstone school’s show en- tries, which included guinea pigs, cattle, sheep and pigs. Taking the praise of judges for their floral art were Janet Williams, from Maidstone Flower Club and Patricia White, from Wateringbury, Ian and Claire who both earned a highly com- Mason Rennie mended award for their “over the with their dogs sticks” arrangements. and right, The Brian Piper Partnership at Filmer’s Farm in Salts Lane, Loose, Evaggelia also won a clutch of prizes for cher- Kargaki and ries, with a prized punnet winging Austen Heneke its way to The Duke of Kent from with the Valley The National Cherry and Soft Fruit Park School’s Show, which is held as part of the guinea pigs county show.

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Maidstone August 2017 35 downsmail.co.uk

Countess Mountbaen pursue his passion for painting, though he years." Tiny was widowed at the age of 49 and Obituaries continued his long involvement with went on to meet and marry Raymond "Ray" COUNTESS Mountbaen (93) known locally Maidstone Art Society. Perrin and the couple enjoyed going to their as Patricia Knatchbull or Lady Bradbourne “My father was guided by strong religious static caravan. They had a caravan in South- who lived at Newhouse at Mersham, near principles and was a member of the sea and, later, near Battle. Daughter Pearl said: Ashford, had much involvement in Kent life. Ramblers’ Association. ” "My mother was a positive person and had a The daughter of Lord Louis Mountbaen, Malcolm leaves his wife, children and wicked sense of humour. She managed to stay Patricia was a lady in grandchildren Wayan, Kieran and Ian. positive even when her health declined and waiting to Her Majesty she remained largely housebound for the last the Queen and eight years of her life. Tiny leaves her hus- godmother to Prince John Durey band, her daughters, five grandchildren, 12 Charles. WARREN Street’s John Durey (69) was great-grandchildren and six great-great After education in grandchildren. Malta, the UK and New known throughout the local area from his York, Patricia entered long involvement with cycle racing. He died military service with on 5 June as a result of serious injuries Mike Evans the Women’s Royal sustained when he was hit by a car whilst taking part in a cycle event on 29 May. The MIKE Evans has been described as a pillar of Naval Service and the community in the village of Leeds. served in the UK and Sri Lanka. VC Deal cycling club stated on Facebook: “It is with great regret the club announces the His local parish magazine noted: “The In October 1945 she married John tragedy is that his work was still in full flow Knatchbull 7th Baron of Brabourne. Both she sad death of club member John Durey…Our thoughts and condolences are with all his when he suddenly died.” and her husband held peerages and an Mike and his wife Judi served in a number inherited title in their own right. family." John was a retired production engineer and of roles for St Margaret’s Church. He was a Lady Brabourne was a founder of Women long-serving member of Leeds and of Kent Luncheon – a bi-annual charity a member of the Ashford Wheelers cycling club; who cancelled an event as a mark of re- Broomfield’s Parochial Church Council and event marking achievements by women in his annual duties included management of the county. She was appointed deputy spect. John – a family man – shared his pas- sion with his son Olly; the pair raced together the carol service, helping with their book lieutenant of the county in 1973. sale and running the weekly café in the A mother of eight, Lady Brabourne was and Olly is now raising money for the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance – who evacuated porch. hit by tragedy when an IRA bomb killed her Mike had experience from a business father, Earl Mountbaen, mother-in-law and his father to hospital in London and gave him a chance of survival. career that also proved valuable to his her son Nicholas. Lady Brabourne was also community work and he managed aboard the boat in August 1979. Olly said: “My dad has always championed the Air Ambulance and would be very proud advertising sales for Leeds and Broomfield She inherited the title of Countess Church and Village News. Mountbaen of Burma as the result of her that the support for their brave work will con- tinue in his name.” As a local author, he had wrien The father’s death and became actively involved Upper Len Valley and the World Outside, both locally and nationally with Online, Heidi Hammond noted: “Let's hope and pray that John will now be riding his bike which was featured in the village news bereavement charities. magazine. Mike’s knowledge of local history Countess Mountbaen – who was in a better place where the sun shines all day and he is blessed with a tail wind.” also led to him writing other articles for the widowed in 2005 – leaves her seven local magazine. surviving children and 18 grandchildren. His passing has also been marked by Alice Perrin Mike’s local branch of the Royal British Malcolm Tait ERNESTINE Alice Perrin (95), who lived her Legion who described him as a “stalwart whole life in Maidstone, worked as a self- member” who “will be greatly missed.” MALCOLM Tait (86) lived locally from employed home-based hairdresser for Mike leaves his wife and family. 1961 and spent his final 43 years in Barming. decades. Born Ernestine Ralph she was Malcolm spent his early life in Greenwich educated locally and undertook a and Welling and was evacuated to hairdressing apprenticeship Doris Williams Langholm, Scotland, during the war. He After meeting and marrying John Erith who DORIS Williams (95) was resident at Holly worked for Cox and Kings travel agency worked at Turkey Mill Tiny raised daughters Villas, Bearsted, from 1971 and lived in the before seing up his own company. Sonia and Pearl and worked as a hairdresser local area for most of her life. Malcolm met his wife Eva whilst he was based in the family home on Upper Fant Born Doris Griffin, near Bredhurst, she completing his national service. They Road. Daughter Pearl said: "My mother com- worked as a nanny before retraining as a celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2015. He bined bringing up her family with her work nurse, serving in this capacity during the was father to Andrew and Kristina. and did this for many years. war at hospitals in Bromley and the Andrew said: “After my father retired in She was a real home-maker who did every- Medway Towns. 1991 he became involved with a local thing for her family. She knitted us clothes Doris married Roy gardening project in Yalding. He loved and made other items, like coats. and together they gardening and spent a lot of time working She was very family oriented and loyal to brought up children on the garden at home. us all. In her younger days she had loved Pauline, Adrian and “As his health declined, he was less able to dancing locally, especially during the war Brian. The family lived in Wigmore and Chatham before Doris and Roy moved near Bredgar for a Camrass Wills couple of years, Advice you can trust before seling in Bearsted. Do you want help writing your Will? Do you need help with probate? Brian said: “My mother was a fairly quiet person who was always very helpful to Do you need powers of attorney? Do you want to buy a funeral plan? others. “She maintained her nursing skills by • We offer help & advice • Home visits • All fees agreed before you proceed working as a volunteer over many years for For a free initial consultation contact: Peter Camrass DipPFS MSWW the Red Cross and also worked at Twyford House, which was part of Linton Hospital, 01622 720985 where she worked with people who had www.camrasswills.co.uk significant disabilities. She was also passionate about gardening.”

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36 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk

Barming soon as possible. receiving about 300 hits per week. Councils Parish Drugs Cllr Doe asked if there had been any Clerk The outgoing clerk Jan Capon Parish field car park The quote from further reports of drug users in the parish clarified the days of the week and hours Gary’s Landscapes for resurfacing the car field car park. There had been none. currently worked by the new clerk and park was accepted. Cllr Willson believed they had been moved herself. She would be stepping down as War memorial The quote from Mid Kent further down by the river and also along to clerk and taking up the post of responsible Memorials to clean and repoint the war the Teston area. financial officer on August 1. memorial was accepted. Allotments Cllr Willson reported that the Play equipment The balance beam on the annual allotment visit had gone very well play equipment at the parish field had and the plots were looking lovely with Tovil been removed due to rot and residents had only two or three not tended. Barry did a Flyers It was agreed to set aside £60 for the asked if it would be replaced. Members wonderful job of looking after the delivery of flyers for the annual parish agreed that as the parish council intends to allotments, which was greatly appreciated. meeting and parish council election. replace the play equipment in a few years Council shed It was agreed that the time, there was not a need to replace the painting would be done in house. The clerk beam at present. Loose would investigate as to the whereabouts of Re-staining of benches Quotes were being Parish council Chairman Cllr Vianne the parish council-owned preservative. sought for re-staining the benches around Gibbons was re-elected as chairman with Newsletter Cllr Abigail Hogg summarised the parish. Two of the benches were in very Cllr Charlie Hollister continuing as vice- her research into newsletters published by poor condition and it was agreed to replace chairman. other parish councils. these with plastic ones and re-stain the Flowers Borough ward Cllr Sue Grigg Fete It was agreed to arrange a meeting of others. presented flowers to the clerk and deputy the events committee. Jubilee seat The Jubilee seat would be clerk as thanks for their support during Parking action A meeting date was renovated off-site and relocated. The the year. arranged to discuss the formation of an World War I memorial bench would be Planning The parish council’s objection to action group concerning parking issues in installed on the site. Cllr Doe was not an application for 210 homes with access Tovil. happy that he had been left with the off Forstal Lane was agreed. Memorial It was suggested that a memorial bench at his property for more Speedwatch There was a good take-up of memorial of some sort be arranged for the than six weeks due to delays in decision- volunteers for Speedwatch at the annual murder victim at Crisbrook Meadow. The making by some members and reiterated parish meeting. issue wouldbe put on the agenda for the that he would like the bench moved as Website The parish website had been next meeting. Crime STEERING cables and wheel nuts were loosened on a vehicle in Farleigh Lane. This could have endangered life. Neighbourhood Watch

A van was broken into in Hildenborough Reports Crescent, Allington, and power tools were Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police stolen, including a DeWalt shop saw and a Makita circular saw. A Mitsubishi motor caravan parked in In Clifford Way, someone tried to gain ac- was stolen. Upper Fant Road had windows broken. cess to a property via the basement. No ac- Cycles were removed from a residential Someone knifed a soft top on a vehicle cess was gained but damage was caused. car park in High Street. parked in Douglas Road. A vehicle parked in Westree Court was In Upper Stone Street, a blue/green Cube A vehicle parked in the road in Blackman- broken into. mountain bike was stolen from where it was stone Way, Allington, was broken into. A garage in a block in Terminus Road was secured to a pole outside a house. In Brewer Street, a white Honda CBR125 broken into but nothing appeared to have An orange bicycle was stolen from where motor bike LC09*** was stolen from a car been taken. it was secured outside the rail station in Sta- park. A Ford Transit parked at the front of a tion Road. Someone attempted to break into a house house in Upper Fant Road was broken into A Ford S-Max vehicle parked in Oxford in Challock Walk. No access gained. and power tools were stolen. Road, Shepway, was keyed. A Yamaha motor cycle parked in Reginald A red specialised mountain bike was Jewellery was stolen in a burglary on a Road was vandalised, severely damaging stolen from in front of the Magistrates Court house in Willington Street. the seat. in Barker Road. A pedal cycle was set alight within a bike A vehicle parked in Sittingbourne Road The front wheel was stolen from a Peugeot shelter in Oxford Gardens. was taken without consent. 206 parked in a car park in Fant Lane. A bicycle was stolen from a residential car A house in Grecian Street was broken into A window was smashed on a Ford Escort park in Lower Stone Street. and jewellery and other items were stolen. parked in St Andrew’s Road. One or more thieves stole bicycles from a Two men were seen cutting down apple A black BMX bicycle was stolen from a car park in a residential area of the High trees at a farm in Upper Fant Road. school bike shed in Oakwood Road. Street. A garage in a block in St Luke’s Road was Garden shears were stolen from the lawn In Hayle Road, a residential property was broken into. Nothing appeared to have been of a property in Hadlow Close. broken into. Nothing appears to have been taken. According to reports given locally, two taken. A brick was thrown through the window young males were seen to stop their car and In Upper Stone Street, a blue/green Cube of a residence in Grecian Street. pick up gardening equipment from the front mountain bike was stolen from where it was In Upper Fant Road, a car parked on a lawn. secured to a pole outside a residential prop- driveway was broken into. Sets of keys were A shed was broken into in Dover Street, erty. stolen from the vehicle. Fant, and a number of items, including lawn The rear number plate was stolen from a mover and gardening equipment were Nissan Qashqai vehicle in Tonbridge Road. taken. An attempt to break into another shed CCTV & ALARM A house was broken into in Upper Fant at a nearby address was unsuccessful. SPECIALISTS Road. A red off-road MX91 motor cycle was A vehicle parked in Florence Road, Fant, stolen from a property in The Cherries. FREE consulation: had its roof slashed. Several vehicles in the A motor vehicle was taken without con- 0800 281 249 vicinity were damaged by vandalism and sent from Queens Road. fire. An industrial yard in Hermitage Lane was [email protected] Someone cut the soft top roof on a BMW broken into and a yellow Indigo HP350W www.brooksecurity.com convertible parked in Prospect Place. road breaker with 26571 painted on the side

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Maidstone August 2017 45 downsmail.co.uk Comment BBC doesn’t deserve licence fee OVER a lifetime, I have valued, This reaction obviously got through respected, even cherished the BBC. No Mail very quickly to management and in less more. Now I back an end to its licence fee. Marks than a week the panic buon was pressed In the last few years the BBC has lost DENNIS FOWLE President and a further review promised. confidence of so many. [email protected] In a maer of a few days of the furore I now see it blatantly politically biased hiing the front pages of our local to the Left, arrogantly disrespectful of our newspapers, Idigo - which runs the car elected leaders, a campaigner against park - had capitulated under the weight democratically-elected Brexit and offering responses on balance and political bias I of public pressure. What happens in the programmes in the 7pm-9pm peak many went to OFCOM for the first time. longer term is unclear. have no desire to watch. I want to trust television to be fair, The increases were incredible and just This all came to a head for me after independent and balanced. about everyone was vowing never to use making various complaints to the BBC (all But I now see BBC both selecting and this car park again (good news for eliciting dismissive in-house responses) presenting news and comment as it Maidstone council car parks). with a new complaint against our South campaigns to damage the Government, Peak-time became the most expensive East regional political editor Helen Ca Prime Minister and Brexit. I watch to be retail parking in Kent and clients were and South East News, which I have taken aware of this highly mischievous shocked how some charges doubled from to independent OFCOM. behaviour - in a lifetime in journalism I £3 to £6. Most unusually, my wife and I shouted know what goes on - but turn to ITV for a A 30-minute stay on Fridays and in unison and turned off the TV in anger balanced approach. Saturdays cost £3.50 – and three hours when at the end of a political piece based MPs and many others now challenge cost £8 rising to £10 for four hours on any on a photo of Hitler cuddling up to the BBC. But the BBC lives behind a wall day. supporters she ended with her own of denials. The operator says increases are comment in no way substantiated by the I believe there will be repercussions and one necessary due to a massive lift in its content. option will be to end the licence fee. Why business rates and rental charges. She said of Prime Minister Theresa should a nation be financing an unsatisfac- Every business must achieve its own May: “The public perception that she is tory service it increasingly distrusts? viability – but there is a limit the public someone who can’t relate to the average will pay and Fremlin reached it. man and woman on the street does now Parking fees anger It cannot be good news for Maidstone seem to be firmly established.” I HAVE have never seen so much town centre businesses. I immediately emailed BBC South East unanimity of anger as standing in a They want customers visiting and formally complained to the BBC. Fremlin car park payments queue Maidstone and not driven elsewhere by Because I was dissatisfied with both witnessing increased parking charges. anger over parking charges.

Road investment shame The town is neglected and the relief road is and protests which could last for years be- just one part of a complete transport net- fore the work even begins in earnest. THIS county town must hold the record for work that just cannot cope. But, for now, it is in the hands of the politi- the sheer neglect in and the shameful lack I would suggest all seats should be chal- cians and one would hope that consensus of investment within our road system. lenged and specifically the rural seats - held will prevail. An accident on the M20 on July 7 caused by Tories who always seem to vote against Do they have to be humiliated at the the entire network to burst at the seams. any development that may benefit this sad polling booths in order to bring them to their Queues of 14 miles, HGVs and through traf- County Town. senses? Well, we shall find out. fic standing still. Mike Cogger, Weavering W Price, via email Any politician who, for one second, be- lieves we do not require a relief road for We need clean transport south Maidstone as soon as possible must be Poll humiliation? treated with the same contempt shown to FOLLOWING Green Party pressure their voting public. THE debate for some sort of easing of the directly on the council both at a full council The sheer arrogance of those not prepared traffic flows seems to centre around the meeting and in the press after we exposed to acknowledge this relief road is needed link between the A274 and the A20. central London levels of pollution in the NOW is beyond understanding. I have heard an argument about creating town, councillors have agreed a draft low another junction south of junction eight of emission strategy . Selfish self-interests of a few must not be the M20, somewhere between Leeds Castle While the Greens are pleased that the allowed to delay the agreements to get the and the first Ashford turn off. council has responded to their calls they are road off the drawing board and into reality. This is a fudge and if anyone in Maidstone deeply concerned that the proposals will not The ‘urban sprawl’ Kent County Council was to seriously propose it, I would hope tackle the problem. leader Paul Carter warned of in relation to that it would be laughed out of town. They have criticised the strategy for its the possible detrimental effects of a relief It is undeniable that wherever one pro- lack of commitment to monitor pollution road (speaking to the Downs Mail website) poses to put a new motorway, by-pass or re- levels and to reduce traffic, both fundemen- is an extremely insulting terminology for lief road, someone is bound to be upset and tal to tackling the problem. They also criti- tax-payers living within the boundaries of campaign against it. cised the length of time it took the council to Maidstone. What is slightly different about the Will- respond to their requests for information. Jenny Suon ingston Street action group WILLact and its As the former Green parliamentary candi- WILLact pals is that they are actually campaigning date for Maidstone and the Weald it is my FOR something. opinion that teir strategy is really quite pa- Target rural seats It is tragic that in the 1990s there was a thetic. The first and possibly biggest prob- REFERENCE your recent reports about golden opportunity to get what seems so lem with their strategy is that there is relief road campaign supporters elusive today. From media reports I have nothing about monitoring the pollution lev- considering standing in next year’s local read, there seems to be a real issue with Kent els. elections, I trust you will urge campaigners County Council and Maidstone Borough There is currently no live monitoring in to stand against Tory, Labour and UKIP Council not communicating or agreeing on Maidstone since they removed the sole mon- councillors in a true measure of people the basic principles to get this thing going. itoring station by the bridge. How do they power. People also have to realise that if a relief expect to tackle a problem when they cannot With years of neglect for the county town road/by-pass does ever get the go-ahead, it even measure it? they all have a responsibility for the state will be the start of as long and possibly tor- The plan fails to reduce traffic too. If any- that it is in! turous saga of consultations, public inquiries thing, recent works have positively encour-

46 Maidstone August 2017 downsmail.co.uk

SeeAbility challenge Comment FIVE Maidstone women with sight loss and disabilities completed the epic ‘Up at the O2’ challenge in 28 degree heat on Friday July 7. They are aiming to raise money for a sum- merhouse with sensory equipment to be built at the end of their garden. The women, Kayleigh, Lucy, Grace, Becky and Laura, are supported to live together in a shared house by SeeAbility, a national sight loss and disability charity. A support worker or rehabilitation worker - a specialist who teaches people with sight loss how to do everyday tasks - supported each woman on the climb. The challenge involves ascending all the way to the top of The O2 via a walkway, suspended 52m above ground level, in full climbing gear. SeeAbility Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins, joined them on the challenge and tweeted a photo of the group at the top of the arena. SeeAbility is a UK charity sup- porting people with sight loss and multiple people to develop the skills and make the The summerhouse will cost £5,580 and disabilities to live the life they choose. choices they want to enjoy a fulfilling life. you can donate to their fundraising page SeeAbility enriches the lives of people with SeeAbility shares their expert knowledge to here: https://www.seeability.org/fundrais- sight loss and multiple disabilities by provid- raise awareness and increase access to eye ers/climbing-the-o2 ing specialist support enabling as much inde- care and vision services for people with Nick Pryce pendence in life as possible. They support learning disabilities. SeeAbility aged it. It is almost as if they think they can IN REPLY to K G Banks recent leer in not what America will do for you, but what wish away the pollution while increasing your pages. We deserve a bigger EU role. together we can do for the freedom of man”. the number of polluting vehicles on the He has not read the following or the A Dennis, road. Building more out of town houses that authors mentioned. Bigger role? via email need cars, failing to invest in clean public Our ex- prime minister tried and was ig- transport and building wider roads will sim- nored. We have never had influence in the Making use of drones ply drive emissions higher. EU because we come from a background of I READ with some with some interest in a Their failure to even mention the number hard won democracy in the EU democracy recent edition of Downs Mail that Kent of deaths attributable to air pollution is ap- is a dictionary word not a way of life, he Police have started to use drones - or palling. They seem to want to keep their mentions ‘largest trading partner’ he ought unmanned aircraft - in the force’s day-to- heads firmly in the sand. to study the Rotterdam effect in particular. day duties. We need a radical rethink of the Local Plan I wonder if he is putting forward an argu- Perhaps the only question one might ask with an end to out of town house building ment of a ‘Remoaner’ not realising that we is: “Why didn’t they start a lot earlier?” and a switch to higher density homes in the have sent a great deal of our inheritance to After all, criminals use them! town where people do not require cars. the EU to sustain a bottomless financial hole Properly used, drones are a practical and We need to see huge investment in clean whilst we suffer with poor housing, a health cost-effective way of performing certain affordable public transport so people don't service which is just managing, bigger taxes, functions which might not be able to be car- have to use their cars. We need monitoring more vat etc. etc. ried out by helicopters or light aircraft. and road closures when pollution hits dan- All to pay for super pensions for the EU One instance mentioned is the location of gerous levels. And we need them to act members. I could not believe what I read missing people, particularly in secluded quickly, it has taken them six months to that employees of the EU do not pay tax - areas or where speed and pinpoint accuracy come up with their plan - during which time they do, but it is reimbursed. might be needed. 65 people died. Then we have a Lord who is worried One would hope, however, that they do Stuart Jeffery, about his pension when we leave the EU. not become a cheap alternative to the use of Green Party We ought to take to heart John F. helicopters which provide speed and the Kennedy's Inaugural Address, January 20, ability to cover a huge area. We deserve bigger EU role 1961: “My fellow citizens of the world: ask J Squires, via enail

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