downsmail.co.uk MallingMalling EditionEdition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE December 2016 No. 236 Carols and lights News CHILDREN from West Malling CE Primary School Hit and run ban joined the fun at the town’s Christmas lights festival. A DRIVER who left the scene of a The school’s 30-strong choir delighted the crowd in hit and run in Snodland has been the High Street with the carol, Angels From the banned from the road and Realms of Glory, and the Military Wives’ song, given a hefty fine. 3 Stronger Together. The line-up also included street cleaner Clive Mit- son who switched on the lights and was inter- Sheep attack anger viewed on Chris Evans’ show on BBC Radio 2. 3 VOLUNTEER shepherds called for after a dog mauled a sheep. 5 Crossing delay fury M20 footbridge ‘to MP TRACEY Crouch is furious that a rail problem will last until the New Year. 10 be replaced in 2018’ Daily drug-testing FORMER MP Ann Widdecombe has TALKS have begun to reinstate the M20 footbridge demolished in an called for daily drug- testing in prisons. 15 accident this summer, but work will not start for at least two years. The crossing point at Addington, Lest we forget which linked the village divided CROWDS turned out at war when the motorway opened in 1971, memorials to remember the town’s was brought down by a crane being fallen heroes. transported on the back of a lorry. 20 Two other lorries and a 73-year-old motorcyclist were caught up in the Crash victim tributes drama near junction 4 on August 27. A FAMILY has paid tribute to a No one was killed. “kind and sincere” Now talks have turned to how the student who died. 28 bridge can be re-built, but this will not happen before 2018. The wreckage of the bridge is cleared from the M20 after the accident Addington Parish Council mem- Crime Reports 28 village” on community land at the He added: “The contractors indi- bers were invited by civil engineer- WINDOWS were damaged in end of East Street. cated they are looking at a window ing group A-One+ to discuss draft Ditton by a group of about eight plans in Kings Hill, where they saw Most of the work will be carried some time in 2018.” teenagers running up the street; images of how it will look. out from the hard shoulder of the A Highways England spokesman medical gas cylinders were taken Discussions revolved around the M20, with lane closures required. confirmed talks to replace the foot- from a steel cage behind a need to accommodate an extra spi- Cllr Robinson said the drawings bridge were continuing, adding: “A- medical centre in Larkfield; ral in the walkway to satisfy new looked impressive, but would re- One+ holds the contract for our camera equipment was stolen legislation requiring a less steep in- quire the removal of some trees from engineering maintenance work in from a car in Aylesford. cline, and upgrading the structure the village green at the end of East Maidstone and there will be lots of from concrete to steel. Street. Cllr Robinson added: “The talking before we finalise our plan, Addington councillor Peter Robin- parish council will be looking for the costs and set a time-frame. If there is Comment 30 son welcomed the opportunity to contractors to replace any tree re- any way work can be done to coin- Obituaries 32 talk over the scheme with the con- moved with three more trees to im- cide with other work on the M20 tractors, who have asked the parish prove the green and provide then we would endeavour to do this Parish Councils 40-41 council for space for a “workmen’s screening from the footbridge.” to minimise disruption.” Best for babies Town Talk MAIDSTONE is the best place in THERE have been problems over the country to have a baby, accord- parking outside a Snodland ing to a newly-published review. school - see Town Talk in this Maternity services in this part month’s Downs Mail. 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[email protected] www.whiteschimneyspecialists.co.uk www.the-littlestoveshop.co.uk Connect *Please quote ref LS17 with use on 2 Malling December 2016 downsmail.co.uk News Hit-and-run Street cleaner Clive saves driver fined A HIT-and-run driver has been banned from the road and fined the Christmas switch-on more than £1,000 after leaving his injured victim in Snodland. STREET cleaner Clive Mitson day afternoon ceremony. The 23-year-old motorist, from stole the show when Strictly His celebrity status continued Hoo, admitted driving his Suzuki Come dancing star Ola Jordan was when he was invited onto Chris Swift on the Pilgrims’ Way on Feb- unable to appear at West Malling Evans’s BBC Radio 2 breakfast ruary 22 without insurance, failing Christmas Festival. show to talk about the honour. to stop after the accident and driv- Ola was booked to take part in He told the host, who used to live ing otherwise than in accordance the festivities for the town’s Christ- in nearby Nettlestead: “I don’t take with his licence. mas lights, but the Chamber of the job as just a job, it’s for the com- Magistrates in Folkestone or- Commerce wanted a local hero to munity. I go out there rain or shine dered Kieran Daniel Hedges, of perform the big switch-on. and I do try hard to keep the town Wylie Road, to pay a fine of £1,302, They decided to give the honour looking nice and clean for them. a £66 victim surcharge and £85 to Clive, who has been keeping the “If I see a bit of rubbish or dog costs, before banning him from the roads and pavements spick and mess I just have to clean it up.” road for 18 months. span for the last three years. And Asked why he thought he was so when Ola had to cancel after agree- loved by people in the town, he Hospice carols ing to take part in ITV’s I’m a said: “I smile a lot.” Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, The Veolia employee, who has WEST Malling Community Choir he became the star of the show. three daughters and seven grand- will join the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral at this year’s Demelza Julia Smith, secretary of the Clive Mitson turns on the lights children, said: “To be tapped on the chamber of commerce, explained shoulder and asked to switch on Carol Concert. that Ola, who lives in West Malling, by Ola Jordan disappointing the the lights was really powerful. It Demelza families, staff, support- was already coming to do a book visitors. She was scheduled to at- was overwhelming being there ers and volunteers will be joining signing, but organisers wanted to tend the Christmas festival to pro- with about 1,000 people in front of VIPs at this year’s celebration of thank someone who receives little mote her book and do a book me. They gave me a countdown Christmas, which takes place in the or no recognition for doing a great signing on the day. Instead, Clive from 10. It was brilliant. I was gob- cathedral on Monday, December job for the community. stole the show.” smacked, it was unbelievable.” 19, from 7.30pm. She said: “Clive clears away the Clive (62) said he was “over- Clive may be a hard act to follow, Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 weekend rubbish, sweeps the au- whelmed” by the gesture and thor- but next year the Chamber of Com- for children. To book, visit tumn leaves and is often found dig- oughly enjoyed his big moment merce plans to ask the public to www.demelza.org.uk, email ging out the moss in the pavement when he flicked the switch in front nominate their own “unsung hero” [email protected] or cracks. The day was not dampened of the cheering crowd at the Sun- to switch on the lights. ring 01795 845191. How to stay safe on the roads this winter Driving at night can be a hazardous reduce the contrast of what you see. experience for us all. Being dazzled Using a specialist spectacle lens cleaner by oncoming headlights and having like Solution 30 makes a tremendous to guess where the side of the road is difference to the clarity of your can be very dangerous. During the day spectacle lenses. the low sun causes over 3000 accidents a year. Award winning Optometrist 3. 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