Furyoverlicencebill forfarmers’market · Picture special, page 20 Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE [email protected] 01622 690290 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone

Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling July 2016 No. 231

Four editions delivered to over 88,000 homes every month downsmail.co.uk

Maidstone East EditionMaidstone East Edition

MPs’ pledgeMPs Helen Grant and HelenWhately have pledged to accept theresult of the EU referendum for thelong-term good of their Kent con-stituencies, the economyand the nation.

Fury over licence billfor farmers’ marketThemarket has taken place on The

Green on the last Sunday of themonth since 2010 and is well-sup-ported by both stallholders andshoppers.Themarket has up to 28 stallhold-

ers each month, primarily sellinglocal produce.Parish councillors are refusing to

pay Maidstone’s bill for a £900 an-nual licence to stage the market.Unlike many markets, which are

held on the public highway,Bearsted’s takes place on the villagegreen – which is wholly owned bythe parish council.Stallholders pay a monthly pitch

feewhich goes towards the salary ofthemarketmanager and the costs of

advertising the event.While the two sideswere locked in

dispute, the parish councilmade theJunemarket a ‘ticketed event’ whichmeant shoppers attending wereasked to pay a nominal 20p ‘admis-sion fee’ for a ticket, which was thenrefunded against the cost of theirfirst purchase from any of the stalls.Parish council vice-chairman Dan

Conner said: “Our understanding isthat MBC is the only council in Kentto interpret the legislation in thewaythat they do, which means we getcharged to license the market.“The charging of an entrance fee

means that the market doesn't fallinto the same category, meaning thelicence isn't required.”

But he said the ticketing systemdid not come without other logisti-cal issues, such as how to cordon offthemarket so tickets could be issuedat the entrance.Cllr Conner said: “We are keen to

workwithMBC and the Kent Farm-ers’ Market Association (KFMA) be-fore the next market to achieve asuitable solution for all involved.”AnMBC spokesman said: “Under

schedule 4 of the Local Government(Miscellaneous Provisions)Act 1982,consent is required for trading onany street in the borough. This in-cludes any road, footway or otherarea to which the public have accesswithout payment. This can includeprivate land.”

A ROW has broken out between Maidstone Council (MBC) and Bearstedparish over the cost of holding its monthly farmers’ market.

�4

News

Obituaries �32

�32

Crime Reports �35

Nude jogger mysteryA NAKED jogger has been spot-ted in the King’s Wood,near Broomfield. �4

Cockerel’s reprieveHENDRIX the cockerel has beengranted a council reprieve aftercomplaints were made byneighbours in Lenham. �3

World record poppy?A SIX foot tall poppy has beengrown by ex-Para RichardGough in Weavering.

Comment �34-35

Fly-tipping anger PILES of rubbish is beingdumped at recycling-bins in Hollingbourne. �8

�6

Bearsted primary callMP Helen Whately says Bearstedurgently needs a new pri-mary school. �11

Parish Councils �46-47

COUNTY councillor Gary Cookeapologised for KCC cuttingcowslips while in bloom in Leeds.There has been disturbance fromoff-road bikes in Hollingbourne.

A BICYCLE was stolen in Bearsted.

Castle ticket dodgersLEEDS Castle’s finances arebeing hit by visitorsdodging entrance fees. �12

Red kites returningRED kites spotted in the Maid-stone area sparked hopesof the birds’ return . �24

LADS defy weatherLEEDS Amateur Dramatic Societyattracted good crowds forsummer plays. �25

THOUSANDS turned outdespite the rather dampconditions to support theBearsted and ThurnhamCarnival and Fayre.

Stallholders reportedbrisk trade for most of theday and the funcontinued even when therain fell in earnest.

Brightly-colouredcarnival floats weredressed on the ‘AmazingBooks of Roald Dahl’theme.

A spokesman said: “Theparticipants really rose tothe challenge. Theweather didn’t matter.”

�Picture special, page 20

Maidstone & Malling’s

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ACOCKEREL called Hendrix willlive to crow another day despitelanding himself in trouble withthe council.Owner Katie Rose feared Hen-

drix’s days could be numberedwhen neighbours in Old SchoolClose, Lenham, complained toMaidstone Borough Council aboutthe noise he makes.Despite trying a range of meas-

ures, Katie (31) could not silenceher pet – so she set up an online pe-tition to Lenham Parish Council,which gained more than 250 signa-tures of support.Katie said: “He is a much-loved

family pet – his crowing is not ex-cessive and just natural behaviour.Two neighbours have complained– whereas many of us love to hearhim announcing the day!”Former police officer Katie’s hus-

band Darren bought Hendrix forhis wife last September, along withfour hens. Since then, Katie (31),Darren and their three childrenJoshua (9), Isabelle (6) and Made-line (4) have spent many happyhours with their feathered friends

at their home in High Street,Lenham. Katie tried several meth-ods of silencing him, including put-ting him into a hedgehog box so hisneck is bent low, restricting his nat-ural urge to crow.She said: “He was shut in that all

night and was really miserable. Wenever let him out now before 8am,but even that didn’t stop the com-plaints.”

In recent days, Hendrix wasbeing kept inside the family home,which seems to have worked.Maidstone Council has refutedHendrix might be destroyed.After working with the council’s

officers, MBC has written to Katiesaying: “It is not Maidstone Bor-ough Council’s intention to re-move, harm or destroy Hendrix.We believe that if crowing is re-stricted to the daytime and doesnot disturb the normal hours ofsleep, there is no reason why Hen-drix will not be able to continue tobe a part of your family. "Katie’s immediate neighbours

have no problem with Hendrix –named after the guitar legend -even shift worker Gary Tong, whois often asleep during Hendrix’swaking hours. “If people don’t likethe noises of the country, theyshouldn’t live here,” he said.Lenham resident Margaret

Mitchell wrote on Facebook: “Ihave heard your cockerel and Ithought ‘how lovely to hear him’.You keep him and ignore those nar-row-minded townies.”

Noisy Hendrix causesa neighbourly dispute THIEVESwho broke a church win-

dow in order to steal a century-oldsafe walked away with not-so-richpickings.Apart from the communion sil-

ver, which they left behind whenthey abandoned the safe, thethieves found themselves with justthe proceeds from the Sunday serv-ice collection at St Martin of Toursin Detling – a maximum of £200.Police later found the safe aban-

doned in a suitcase in a field offColdblow Lane, Thurnham.Churchwarden June Eckton said:

“It was very upsetting to think thatpeople would break into a churchbuilding. Our only consolation wasthat they would have had to spenda lot of time tearing open all the of-fertory envelopes. There would notnormally have been any cash in thebuilding, but the offertory had beenput in the safe because the churchtreasurer was unwell.”The church will now be obtaining

a new safe which can be bolted tothe floor and faces a repair bill forthe leaded window, expected torun to several hundred pounds.The chalices are now stored away

from the church to avoid any fur-ther temptation for thieves.

Church thievessteal £200 incollection cash

Katie Rose and children with their

pet cockerel Hendrix

Maidstone East July 2016 3

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Twitcher spies somethingodd in the undergrowth

‘Gentlemen’ set to ride on in

MPs vow to support EU decision

News downsmail.co.uk

He stumbled into a naked joggerin the middle of the King’s Wood,near Broomfield, wearing only apair of trainers and a startled ex-pression.The 51-year-old father – who

asked not to be named – said hewas a “bit stunned” by the en-counter on June 19 at around7.45pm.Kent Police say that they have

not received any reports of a nuderunner dashing through the ancientwoodlands, pictured, once thoughtto have been a hunting ground forHenry VIII during his visits toLeeds Castle.The witness told Downs Mail: “I

was slightly off the main tracks andon a path created by dog walkersover the years, which runs more orless parallel to a field of rape andlooking towards Broomfield church

on the left.“The path is narrow and quite

overgrown at this time of year but Isaw the face of a man running to-wards me, then he appeared top-less. I suddenly realised he wasnaked apart from something on hisfeet, maybe trainers.“At that moment, he saw me,

looked absolutely startled andscampered off at speed the way hecame. All I could see was his barebottom disappearing into the un-dergrowth.“There was no one else around

and I guess he was a naked joggernot a ‘dogger’.”The married birdwatcher – who

lives nearby and knows the cop-piced woodland well – describedthe man as about six feet tall, mid-dle aged, of medium build andwith greying hair.

He added: “To be honest, helooked more startled than me. Idon’t think he was expecting tocome across anyone at that time ona Sunday, but I was a bit stunned,too.”A spokesman for Kent Police

said: “We have had no reports of a

man running naked, as you de-scribed.“For clarity, there is no law

against being nude in public in theUnited Kingdom. Simple nudity isnot illegal. However, using nudityto ‘harass, alarm or distress’ othersis an offence against the PublicOrder Act of 1986.”The birdwatcher added: “I am

pretty broad-minded and not eas-ily shocked, so I just carried onwith my walk and went home totell mywife and daughter of what Ihad just seen.“But a woman on her own or a

family with young children mighthave been upset to see some blokerunning through the woods withno clothes on. I have been backsince and, thankfully, the onlything I sawwas a fully-clothed rab-bit.”

Clean-up costsTHE clean-up operation followinga gipsy incursion at the WhiteHorse Woods country park, at thetop of Detling Hill, cost the countycouncil £11,000.Retiring county councillor Jenny

Whittle reported the cost to Thurn-ham Parish Council.

Cream teas atBoxley fayreCREAM tea will be on the menu ata summer fayre at the EuropeanSchool of Osteopathy at BoxleyHouse, Boxley on Saturday, July 16,from 11am to 3pm.Activities include face painting,

games and a barbecue and therewill be a raffle for prizes includinga day out at Leeds Castle, dinner atthe Kings Arms, Boxley and a mas-sage at the Fig Tree Spa, Lenham.

HAIRY bikers could be on theirway back to Bearsted in September– but this time with a bit more or-ganisation.The Kent contingent of The Dis-

tinguished Gentlemen’s Ride cameto the village last year – but withonly a few days’ notice, the councilwas concerned at the possible im-pact on The Green, particularly ifthe weather was to be wet.The riders, many clad in dapper

vintage biking gear, are part of aninternational event, which seesmore than 30,000 riders taking partall over the world, to raise moneyfor prostate cancer research.This year, the bikers have noti-

fied the council they will be in townon Sunday, September 25, ataround 2.30pm to 3.00pm.The parish council is keen to sup-

port the event but again has con-cerns regarding the possibility of

damage to The Green. However,with more time to prepare, mem-bers hope to be able to come upwith a solution.The Distinguished Gentleman’s

Ride was founded four years ago inSydney, Australia. It was decided athemed ride would be a great wayto combat the often-negativestereotype of men on motorcycles,while connecting niche motorcyclecommunities together.

A BIRDWATCHER was out on a Sunday evening stroll when he spotted something stirring in theundergrowth – but it was an eyeful he is not likely to forget.

Audi driver banADRIVER stoppedwith more thantwice the legal amount of alcohol inhis body has been banned fromdriving for three years.Ion Vrabic, 30, of Faversham, was

sentenced on June 14 by Mid Kentmagistrates after he pleaded guiltyto drink driving on the A20 inLenham on January 23.He was stopped in his Audi and

gave a breath test of 81mg of alco-hol in 100ml of breath. The legallimit is 35.

LOCAL MPs Helen Grant andHelenWhately have pledged to ac-cept the result of the EU referen-dum for the good of theirconstituents, the local economy andthe nation.Both members were in the Re-

main camp and expressed theirsadness at Prime Minister DavidCameron’s decision to resign.Mrs Grant, MP for theMaidstone

and the Weald, said: "I am disap-pointed with the result but what isdone is done. We must now worktogether to preserve the unity of theUnited Kingdom and protect oureconomywhilst we navigate a newcourse in an uncertain world."My focus remains squarely

upon serving the people of Maid-stone and the Weald and lookingafter their best interests. There is

much to do now that the referen-dum is over."Faversham and Mid Kent MP

Mrs Whately said: "When I thinkabout our national character, Ithink of resourcefulness, pragma-tism, frankness, scepticism, hu-mour and an unwillingness tosuffer fools gladly.“We have a robust democracy, a

world-renowned legal system andone of the strongest economies inthe world. Britain is a good placeto be.

“That said, the British peoplehave voted for change.“My job now is to ensure we, as

country, make the most of this de-cision and seize the opportunity itprovides to change things for thebetter."I’ve already spoken to some of

the biggest businesses in Faver-sham and mid-Kent about the ref-erendum result.“Given that these businesses pro-

vide so many local jobs, I will do allI can as an MP to deliver that.”Downs Mail readers voted over-

whelmingly in favour of leavingthe European Union.More than 75 per cent of the hun-

dreds who took part in our surveywanted out of the EU project.Just 21 per cent wanted to remain

and two per cent were unsure.

Downs Mail readers voted:

Leave: 75.89%

Remain: 21.99%

Unsure: 2.13%



Village vicar ismade a canon

Showground homes plan

THE vicar of Bearsted and Thurn-ham, the Rev John Corbyn, hasbeen admitted as an HonoraryCanon in the Canterbury Cathe-dral Foundation.The vicar was one of two clergy

to be honoured during a service ofChoral Evensong at CanterburyCathedral, conducted by theBishop of Dover, the Rt Rev TrevorWillmott, and the Dean, the VeryRev Dr Robert Willis.Some 50 parishioners travelled to

Canterbury for the service, alongwith members of Canon Corbyn’sfamily, who came to Kent fromacross the UK.The cathedral choir sang a special

anthem byMendelssohn for the oc-casion.The office of Honorary Canon

was introduced under the 1840Cathedrals Act and is given tothose who have played a significantpart in the life of the diocese andfor long service to the church.Canon Corbyn, who studied the-

ology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, hasbeen priest-in-charge of Bearsted

and Thurnham for almost 15 years.He was born in Bracknell, Berk-

shire – although the bishop made anumber of references to his “north-ern grit” – harking back to his yearsin parishes in Bolton, Lancaster andBlackburn.Canon Corbyn now gets to wear

a cassock with red buttons and redpiping.The second recipient was the Rev

Sarah Chapman, diocesan healingand wellness adviser and chaplainto The Living Well, based at Non-ington, near Dover.

The Very Rev Dr Robert Willis (left)

and the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd

Trevor Willmott (right) with Canons

the Rev Sarah Chapman and the Rev

John Corbyn. Picture: Rob Berry

TWOdevelopments on 155 acres ofarable land off the A249 near theKent Showground at Detling Hillare to be considered.Quinn Estates is proposing two

schemes at Binbury Park, BimburyLane, which take in the former RAFairfield, shut in 1958, and theDetling Aerodrome Estate.The first plan is for 1,750 homes,

1.2 million sq ft of commercialunits, a new primary school and apub. The second suggests 350houses and two million sq ft ofbusiness accommodation.No planning application has

been submitted.Both plans include a hotel, park-

and-ride and shops. Also includedare improvements to the key com-muter route with a new round-about on the A249 and anupgraded entrance to the show-ground.

A spokesman for the developerssaid: “Quinn Estates wishes to en-gage fully with the public and localgroups throughout the planning ofthe Binbury Park development.“We are in the process of organ-

ising consultation events.”Thurnham parish Cllr Peter

Waite said that the parish councilhad been calling for the site to beused “for some time” but wouldnot commit to approving eitheruntil greater detail is put forward.There have been initial talks be-

tween Stockbury Parish Counciland Maidstone Council’s chiefplanner, Rob Jarman.One sticking point is that the land

is in an area of outstanding naturalbeauty (AONB) and a full environ-mental impact statement would benecessary.�Thurnham parish news – seepage 26.

RESIDENTS in Bearsted will be re-membering another young officerwho lost his life fighting for king andcountry on July 13, 1916.

Second Lieutenant and actingCaptain David Cathcart was killed atthe Somme, aged 33, leaving a wifeEmma and two young children.

Lieut Cathcart trained at the Can-terbury Riding Establishment andwas one of the Army’s finest horse-men, regularly taking part in the Mil-itary Tournament in London.

After marrying Emma in Canter-bury in 1909, they moved toBearsted where they shared WhiteLodge, in Ware Street, with Emma’ssisters.

A wreath will be laid as part of thevillage’s “We will remember them,one by one” tribute at the Bearstedparade of shops, opposite WhiteLodge, on Wednesday, July 13, atnoon.

A member of the Cathcart familywill read a short tribute.

Tribute to ‘one of Army’s finest’


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THESE poppies – grown by formerPara Richard Gough in his Maid-stone garden – are the likely holderof a newworld record.The 6ft seed-grown specimens

reached for the sky after beingthrown aside by the old soldier, fol-lowing a failed attempt to match theTower of London’s memorial dis-play two years ago.The Downs Mail reader contacted

us this week after the “beanstalk”plants in his Clarence Court gardenkept on growing.A call to the Guinness Book of

Records confirmed that, while an on-line story from a seed companyboasts a 7ft specimen, no officialrecord exists.Officials at the Guinness Book of

Records have now invitedMrGoughto apply for the title.The 84-year-old said: “That sounds

a bit of a giggle. I will definitely putthem forward.”He bought the seeds at Tesco in

Grove Green in 2014 and plantedthem in memory of his comrades.However, when these did not takeafter, he abandoned the rest of the

packet in a border. Born inWales, hespent his National Service inMalayain the Signals regimentHe served alongside the 63rd

Gurkha Brigade, before joining theParachute Regiment with the Terri-torial Army.A bit of a giant himself, at 6ft 1in,

Mr Gough said: “I guess all flowerslook for the sun, like bluebells in thewoods.“After I dumped them at the back

of the border, theymust have landedaround the roots of a clematis thatgot very big andwere forced to growso tall.”Richard and his wife Rona, who is

the gardener of the house, say theplants have flowered ever since.Richard added: “The only thing

they are not enjoying is the heavydownpours.”A plant expert at RumwoodNurs-

eries at Langley, near Maidstone,said six-foot poppies were undoubt-edly tall for the species,He added: “As these are growing

at the feet of a clematis, the lack oflight and the dry conditions willhave provided the kind of conditions

that would have prompted this kindof growth.“Poppies don’t like being over-

damp and most likely were lookingfor light and just kept going up andup until they found it.”


Memorial poppies arereaching for the skies

Richard Gough with his poppies

Driver bannedA DRIVER who disputed drinkdriving when he was stopped inMaidstone over Christmas has beenfined more than £600 and bannedfrom the road. Alex Munene denieddrink driving after being stopped inhis Ford Fiesta on Boxley Hill onBoxing Day.The 42-year-old was sentenced by

magistrates after a guilty verdict.The court heard he had given abreath test of 73mg of alcohol in100ml of breath. He as banned fo 44months.

Horse fraudsterAHORSE dealer from Sandling hasbeen found guilty of a huge fraudwhich involved selling ill or danger-ous horses to innocent buyers.Charlotte Johnson, 28, of Tollgate

Way,was found guilty of conspiracyto commit fraud after animals weresold from local farms. Johnson ap-peared atMaidstone withAniela Ju-recka, 28, Tonbridge, and DavidSmith, 66, of Finglesham, Deal, whowere also found guilty of conspiracyto commit fraud.

Mud rescue bidAWOMAN had to be rescued fromMote Park after becoming stuck inmud. Fire and rescue officerswas upto her kneeswhen shewas found onJune 22 at 5pm. She was not hurt.

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Green space is therefor enjoyment of allDISGRUNTLED dog ownershave been trying to trash attemptsto make one of Bearsted’s pretti-est public places safe for all.The Bearsted Woodland Trust,

which manages the 26 acres ofpublic open space, relies on dona-tions and the work of volunteers tokeep it an attractive place foreveryone to enjoy.Two years ago, the trust decided

to make two separate sections ofthe space – one where dogs mustbe kept on a lead and the otherwhere they can roam free.The decision followed com-

plaints about the open space be-coming dominated by dogs andloose dogs being a nuisance to vis-itors. It was also an attempt to ap-pease both parents whose childrencould be frightened by boundinganimals and dog owners whosepets are less than sociable.Trust chairman and treasurer

RichardAshness said: “A largema-jority of our members want to beable to visit our beautiful greenspace, confident that they will nothave a bad experience with dogs.“Although only a few owners

allow their dogs to misbehave, theonly way to ensure this is to ask allowners to keep their dogs on alead on a part of our land.”Mr Ashness said it was unfortu-

nate that the selfish minority wasspoiling matters for the majority.A survey of BWT members

showed 3-1 to be in favour of thedogs on leads policy. But a deter-mined few dog walkers continue

to flout the rules and have van-dalised signs put up around thetrust, indicating which parts aredesignated for what.“Since the publication of the

2014 survey results, we have con-sulted dog walkers but have notreceived any proposals that wouldresolve this issue, other than adogs on leads zone.“However, our request that dogs

be kept on a lead on 40 per cent ofTrust land has been widely ig-nored,” said Mr Ashness.Dogs are allowed off their lead

on more than half the land – in-cluding the wide open space ofMoore Meadow.But owners are asked to re-

strain their pets near the chil-dren’s play area and in thewestern end ofthe trust, closest to Church Land-way.The trust recently installed

costly new fencing and gates tosegregate Church Meadow andcreate an off-leads avenue from thechurch car park down to the lake.However, the vinyl signs have

been smashed and rippedthroughout the ‘red’ on lead area.Maidstone Council has decided

not to put in place a Public SpaceProtection Order, which wouldhave permitted enforcement actionto be taken, but the Trust is ex-ploring the scope for the BWT tobe considered as a special case.In themeantime, the Trust hopes

people will see sense and conform.“The volunteers who manage

the Trust in the interest of thewhole community hope they willbe joined by the rest of the com-munity in condemning this anar-chy and make it clear to theoffenders that their behaviour isunacceptable. The team is deter-mined to find a solution.”

Armed forcesrememberedA MOVING act of remembranceformed the focal point of the firstArmed Forces Day event in SuttonValence.Organised by the Sutton Valence

and District Branch of the RoyalBritish Legion (RBL), the event washeld in the village hall and groundsdue to wet weather.The RBL was supported by the

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) fromSutton Valence School.Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Sir

Hugh Robertson welcomed guestsand was supported by the vice-chair of Kent County Council, CllrKeith Brazier, and Deputy Mayorof Maidstone Malcolm Greer.Branch chairman Mike FitzGer-

ald was presented with a chequefor £500 from the school by Head ofCorps Edward Simmonds, inrecognition of the work done by theRoyal British Legion.

Charity ride sucessA GROUP of Maidstone cyclistshave raised more than £4,000 for abone cancer charity in a 100-milecharity ride.On Saturday, June 4, Lee God-

dard, Darren Heathfield, SimonRhodes, Danny Bastone, ShaneCollier, Paul Carpenter, LewisYoung and Alex Ogilvy, all fromMaidstone, took on the SouthDowns bike ride challenge.They completed the Winchester

to Eastbourne route in 15 hours and30minutes and hadMick Jones andJames Day on hand as their supportteam.So far they have raisedmore than

£4,000 for Bone Cancer ResearchTrust and CLIC Sargent, in mem-ory of Tom Clarke who died fromcancer, age 29.Their fundraising page is: uk.vir-

ginmoneygiving.com/ team/Clarkey

Dan’s gift of lifeMORE than £9,000 was raised forBearsted-based organ donor char-ity the Daniel Wiltshire Foundationat a glittering ball held at The GreatDanes Mercure Hotel, Maidstone.The Shakespearian-themed Mid-

summerNight's Ball attractedmorethan 120 guests, and featuredcelebrity “butler to the stars” Ren-field, and an auction including a di-amond necklace and personalisedjewellery, Premiership football andO2 concert tickets, and a Londontheatre stay.The event was the major

fundraiser of the year for the DanielWiltshire Foundation, the charityset up inmemory of the 39-year-oldKent actor who died in 2014 of abrain haemorrhage.In line with his wishes, four of

Daniel's organs were donated fol-lowing his death, including one to apatient who had been waiting sixyears for a transplant.

FLYTIPPERS have dumped piles ofrubbish next to recycling bins atStation Lane, Hollingbourne.The parish council said it had re-

ceived reports about the mess, in-cluding wood and builders’ rubble,along with more waste left atRinglestone, and had asked Maid-stone Council to take action.The recycling area is on Network

Rail land next to the WealdenHomes development. The site hasbeen the focus of a long-runningdispute between Maidstone Coun-cil and the parish council over whois responsible for clearing it up.However, the parish council said

it is clearly marked as being the re-sponsibility of Maidstone Council.Residents were reminded to reportstreet cleaning problems to the bor-ough council on its website.

Invicta’s life-saving transition lessonsMAIDSTONE schoolchildren enjoyed the opportunity to learn life saving

first aid skills as part of a transition programme into secondary school.

Around 30 Year 5 students (aged nine to 10 years old) from nearby pri-mary schools attended the workshop at Invicta Grammar School. T

The school’s transition programme is designed to give local children achance to get to know the school environment, enabling them to feel athome more quickly when they potentially join Invicta Grammar at 11 yearsold.

The workshop provided by St John Ambulance involved a one hour tastersession on first aid.

Pupils tak-

ing part in

the life-

saving

workshop

at Invicta-

Grammar

School

The signs put up by Bearsted Woodland Trust which have been vandalised

Call for actionon flytipping



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News | Education downsmail.co.uk

MAIDSTONE is to get a new sec-ondary school, with a special em-phasis on science and maths.The Maidstone School of Science

and Technology (MSST) is one ofthe latest school to be added to theValley Invicta Academies Trust(VIAT) and will be built close totwo of the trust’s existing schoolsin Huntsman Lane.VIAT says the curriculumwill be

designed to offer teaching andlearning with a focus on science,technology, engineering andmath-ematics (STEM subjects).Due to open in September 2018,

it will have a six form entry and anannual intake of 180 students.VIAT is one of the largest educa-

tional trusts in Kent and recentlyannounced it had taken over man-agement of Swadelands School inLenham.As well as running Valley Park

School and Invicta GrammarSchool in Maidstone, VIAT alsooperates primary schools in Ayles-ford, Kings Hill, Leybourne Chaseand Holborough Lakes.The application to build a new

free secondary school was ap-

proved by the Department for Ed-ucation earlier this year.It was originally intended that

the school would have a four-formentry and would open next year,but the department asked if itcould be increased in size to helpmeet Kent County Council’s pre-dicted shortfall of secondaryschool places.Even with the addition of the

new school, KCC expects there tobe shortfall of more than 650

places in the Maidstone area forstudents aged seven to 11 by 2021.Plans are for the new school to

be built on the VIAT campus,which houses Valley Park Schooland Invicta Grammar School.The school hopes to forge an in-

ternational educational partner-ship with the School of Science andTechnology in Singapore and otherindustry partners will include theMaidstone & Tunbridge WellsNHS Trust.

NewMaidstone schoolopens in autumn 2018

Academy trustchief resignsTHE chief executive of the highly-respected Valley InvictaAcademiesTrust (VIAT) has resigned and leftthe body with “immediate effect”.VIAT – which runs the successful

Invicta Grammar and Valley Parkschools – said in a statement that DrPhil Limbert had informed the trustof his decision to retire in February.Respected VIAT heads Julie Der-

rick and Vic Ashdown were ap-pointed joint chief executiveofficers. However, Dr Limberthanded in his notice in May andleft immediately, leaving the newCEOs to take charge on June 1.A VIAT statement said: “Given

that Dr Limbert’s replacement hasbeen appointed internally and hiswish to pursue his own interests,the trust board have agreed to ac-cept his resignation with immedi-ate effect.“Mr Ashdown and Mrs Derrick,

will therefore commence their du-ties as joint CEO of VIAT from theJune 1, 2016.“The trust would like to thank Dr

Limbert for his leadership andcommitment to help secure what isa very successful multi-academytrust, providing an outstanding ed-ucation and creating opportunityfor the young people in the com-munity in which we serve.”

Julie Derrick, head of Invicta Grammar School, with pupils

downsmail.co.uk Education | News

A LOCAL MP has called for a sec-ond primary school for Bearsted asthe acute shortage of places contin-ues to grow.Helen Whately, pictured right,

claims there “is no time to waste” toget a new school up and running asit is “unacceptable” tomake childrentravel long journeys.Her words were echoed earlier

this year by head of Thurnham in-fant school, Chris James, who saidthe continued building in Bearstedwill make matters worse.Mrs Whately has met with Paul

Carter, leader of Kent CountyCoun-cil, who has foundpotential sites butis awaiting confirmation from thegovernment’s funding agency.Mrs Whately said: “There is an

acute shortage of primary schoolplaces in and around Bearsted. Allthe schools in the area are oversub-scribed, leaving some children totravel long distances to get to school.“We need more primary school

places in the Bearsted area, soonerrather than later.“It is clearly unacceptable to ex-

pect children as young as four tomake long journeys to and fromschool. In many families both par-ents work, and it’s hard enough tobe a working parent with school onyour doorstep, let alone if you haveto spend hours each day gettingyour child to and from school.

“I’ve heard there are children hav-ing to get two buses or parents driv-ing in rush hour traffic half wayacrossMaidstone because their chil-dren have been given places inschools so far away. This certainlyisn’t healthy either, when what weshould see is most children beingable to walk to school.

“Kent County Council wants thenew school to open in September2018, but they areworried about de-lays. That’s why I’ve written to theEducation Funding Agency urgingthem to treat this as a priority.”Mr James said: “We cannot keep

building in Thurnham and Bearsted– where are the children going to goto? Three years ago we were unableto satisfy demand. People whowereliving in this area were not gettingthe school places.”

‘Village needsnew primary’

THE Downs Mail has highlightedthe problem of school place short-ages in recent months.All Maidstone primaries are

fully subscribed except one – theunder-construction Langley ParkPrimary Academy, which has 60places but only 22 pupils due tostart in September.It will be sited off the Sutton

Road next to a large new housingdevelopment (pictured).It prompted fears that it will be-

come an “overflow” school for pri-maries whose lists are full.Kent County Council Cabinet

member for education RogerGough said that a “high propor-tion” of children are starting schoolat their parents’ preferred choice.He added: “Unfortunately, a

small minority of pupils have notbeen given a school of their prefer-ence and I would like to assureparents a specialist KCC team is onhand to help.”An estimated 15,000 extra pri-

mary school places are expected tobe needed by 2020.This has raised concerns – espe-

cially in light of Maidstone Coun-cil’s plans for an extra 18,000houses – that demandwill outstripthe rate of supply.Local county councillor Gary

Cooke – whose division takes inLangley Park and some of Maid-stone’s most over-subscribedschools - has said it is of “primeimportance” that developersshoulder the cost burden of educa-tion in areas they wish to build on.He demanded “that new hous-

ing developments mitigate theireducational impact through devel-oper’s financial contributions, en-abling the expansion of existingschools, the establishment of newfree schools and the developmentof new academies.”

Developers must pay share


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LOCAL good causes supported byLeeds Castle may be in jeopardybecause entrance fee dodgers aredepriving the charity running theestate of “significant” funds, thechief executive has warned.Sir David Steel says that

swapped tickets and people usingpublic footpaths to enter thegrounds are now having an impacton the castle’s finances.The warning comes against a

backdrop of management dippinginto reserves to counter the impactof Operation Stack last summer.Sir David says he may have to

cut back on the generosity shownby the castle to its surroundingcommunities.But local county councillor Gary

Cooke said villagers would be verydisappointed if the castle manage-ment cut its “little bits of support”,given the inconvenience it causeswith major events.Sir David writes in the Leeds &

Broomfield parish magazine: “Toooften I now hear and read on socialmedia of tickets swapping hands,being shared around or not being

purchased at allas people usefootpaths over the estate to gainentry and the benefit of what weoffer without paying for a ticket.“We have resisted having offi-

cials checking tickets because wegenuinely believe that Leeds Cas-tle should be free to roam, unhin-dered by security once a ticket ispurchased.“I would not wish a change in

that policy but, at the moment, thecharity is losing significantamounts of income because of the

conditions I have described.“Moreover, it is unfair on those

who do pay entry when others arenot. Reduced income from ticketsales will mean that we are not ableto offer as much to all our visitorsand we may have to review ourown support to local charities.”The castle, said Sir David, was

hit hard financially by OperationStack, bad weather and unex-pected repair bills and resulted incertain improvements being put onhold.He added: “Last year, we had to

dip into this rainy day fund be-cause we saw reduced visitor num-bers as a consequence of OperationStack, and the weather in the sum-mer did not help.”The castle welcomes 600,000 vis-

itors a year and provides jobs andlocal investment in the local econ-omy.Cllr Cooke said: “Given the

noise, inconvenience and distur-bance Leeds Castle causes localresidents with their events, the lit-tle bits of support it gives the localcommunity is the least it can do.”

Castle ticket dodgers‘hi�ing charity work’

Guides enjoyoutdoor funMORE than 130 Guides andBrownies from across Maidstoneand the Weald have returned froman action-packed weekend atWindmill Hill.The girls enjoyed a two-day

camp in Hailsham, East Sussex,where they took part in activitiessuch as climbing, abseiling, raftbuilding, zip-lining, tunnelling,archery and canoeing.Amy (12), from 2nd Coxheath

Guides, said: “It was such fungoing away with my Guidingfriends. My favourite activity wasrafting because we got to work as ateam and then test our raft. Most ofus ended up swimming in the lake,which was cold, but great fun!”The event was jointly run by

leaders Pam Sharland and JudyBarrett. Pam said: “The weekendwas a great chance for the girls toenjoy each other’s company in asafe, girl-only space. It was fantas-tic to have so many Brownies andGuides together for the weekend.”Judy Barrett said: “All the girls

told me how much they enjoyedthemselves and they can’t wait todecide where they want to go fortheir next adventure.”For details of activities and how

to get involved call 0800 169 5901 orvisit www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Leeds Castle and

right, chief

executive Sir

David Steel


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HAS your child ever wanted to seewhat it’s like to be a TV news re-porter?

Well, now is the chance with achallenging two-day summer work-shop run by the Kent Children’s Uni-versity and Maidstone-based Newsfor Schools.

Open to all children aged eight to14, youngsters will learn what ittakes to be a journalist, then usethose skills at Sky TV’s studios inMiddlesex.

Children will have a unique be-hind-the-scenes tour of the famoustelevision studio and work with thelatest technology to write and filmtheir own TV report.

There are two workshops plannedfor the summer: August 4 and 5,when the youngsters will be report-ing on text speak while on August 11

and 12, children will be making theirreport on how to save endangeredanimals. The first day of each work-shop takes place in Maidstone andthe second day will be spent at theSky TV Studios.

Kent Children's University providesall children aged five to14 with the

opportunity to take part in excitingand creative learning activities out-side the normal school day, and any-one can take part.

The price for two days includingcoach travel, is £42. For more infor-mation or to book visit www.kentchil-drensuniversity.co.uk/Events

MONTY the police dog (pictured)helped officers investigating a bur-glary locate three suspects – onefrom Coxheath – within an hour ofthe report being made.Officers were called to a report

that three men had attempted togain entry to a private property inLower Street, Leeds, at 6.22pm onWednesday, May 25.It is reported that the men were

disturbed by a neighbour while theburglary was taking place, whowas assaulted before the suspectsfled the area.Neighbours of the householder

said the man was seen speaking topolice officers with blood pouringdown his face from what appearedto be a head wound.Police dog Monty was deployed

to the scene and he tracked andsearched through fields for 40 min-utes before finding a 20-year-oldman and a 17-year-old boy inBurberry Lane. Both were arrestedon suspicion of burglary.The two suspects, who are from

Maidstone and Coxheath respec-tively, have been bailed until July14 as investigations continue.PD Monty then picked up the

scent of a third man, an 18-year-oldfrom Coxheath, who had been lo-cated by officers in BrownfieldRoad. He has also been bailed,pending further inquiries, untilJuly 14.

Society set to ba�le it outover scheme at junction 8


AsDownsMail went to press, thecouncil’s planning committee wasdue to discuss an application byRoxhill Developments for a com-mercial operation close to J8 of theM20 – close to the Kent Downs’area of outstanding natural beauty(AONB).The Bearsted and Thurnham So-

ciety, along with hundreds of localresidents, fought long and hard toprotect the site from industrial de-velopment six years ago and hassteadfastly fought all other propos-als for commercial use of land oneither sides of the A20.Society secretary Mary Richards

said: “The society is extremely con-cerned that, despite the local planbeing under consideration by aplanning inspector, with the exam-ination due in late September orearly October, Maidstone Councilofficers appear to be rushing thisapplication through.”The council is already awaiting

the outcome of an appeal into asimilar plan for the opposite side ofAshford Road – Waterside Park –and residents fear they could ulti-mately find themselves with twoindustrial sites.They also argue the Aylesford

Newsprint site could soon becomeavailable, offering a much moresuitable location.Roxhill’s proposed development

covers almost 62 acres of land to thewest of J8, south of the M20 butnorth of the A20.It provides for up to 514,000 sq ft

of floorspace for a mix of ware-housing, office and light industrial.The society believes this could be

the last chance to save the country-side at J8.Chairman Caroline Vanhecke

said: “The development proposedis entirely speculative. It relies onthe arguments put forward by thecouncil for a quantitative and qual-itative increase in land allocated for

commercial and industrial devel-opment along the motorway corri-dor.“We believe that development on

this scale, whatever the mitigatingeffects, will have a major impact onthe countryside.”She said that while the plan is not

on the same scale Kent Interna-tional Gateway (KIG), the argu-ments for refusing that schemeapply here, namely harm to the en-vironment.Other items on Thursday’s

agenda were for further housingdevelopments at Langley (850houses, business and retail) andLangley/Otham (several hundredhouses) effectively extendingMaidstone even further eastwardsfrom Park Wood.Society members were planning

to be well represented at the meet-ing and hoped to get the itemwith-drawn from the agenda by thoseMBC members attending.

A COUPLE who were rescuedfrom the riverMedwaywhen theircanoe overturned at Teston havethanked firefighters for savingtheir lives.The couple, who were experi-

enced canoeists, were plungedinto the fast-flowing river nearTeston bridge, when their canoecapsized. Kent Fire and RescueService attended the scene, usingdry suits and safety lines to go into

the water and swam out to thecouple, who were clinging onto atree which was overhanging theriver. The incident happenedaround 2.30pm on Friday, June 24.Crew manager Aaron Hughes

said: "A fisherman rang 999 andalerted the emergency services tothe overturned canoe. With thehelp of our colleagues from Kentpolice we were able to bring thepair to safety."

The couple were given precau-tionary checks by ambulancecrews at the scene.The man, who has not been

named, thanked the firefightersfor saving their lives.He said: "I'm an experienced ca-

noeist and have been on the riverhundreds of times but we werecaught by the current as we triedto take the canoe to the oppositeside of the bank for a picnic."

RESIDENTS are hoping people power can move Maidstone Council toveto a planning application for land at Woodcut Farm, Hollingbourne.

Monty tracksdown Leedscrime suspects

Sky’s the limit for wannabe journalistsYoungsters

will have the

opportunity

to make news

headlines at

a two-day

workshop

Canoeists rescued from River MedwayBEARSTED Choral Society willhold its summer concert at StNicholas Church, Leeds, on Satur-day, July 16.The concert, conducted by musi-

cal director Andrew Lowen, startsat 7.30pm and features Shearing’s‘Songs and Sonnets’ to mark the400th anniversary of Shakespeare’sdeath, John Rutter’s ‘A Sprig ofThyme’ and ‘From the BavarianHighlands’ by Elgar.Tickets are £10 (students £5) and

available on the door or email: [email protected]

Celebrating Bard’sbirth at St Nicholas



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The Garden of England is proud to announcethe opening of a new day care centre inMaidstone for the over 50’s. Identifying theneed for something a little different, thecompany has been working with carers, clients,friends and local authorities to develop thisunique environment. The centre located nearMaidstone Town will be operated inpartnership with Golding Homes.

The friendly, fun, safe, community-basedcentre is open to any individual who needs touse a care service. It will allow people in theMaidstone and surrounding areas to have a

place to socialise whilst receiving support,developing their social skills and maximisingindependence. It will also be available for thosewho just want to pop along and socialise.

The Garden of England will be offering anadditional Cognitive Therapy Club which will run over a 14 week period, it will helpdevelop cognition and memory for those with a diagnosis of Dementia, in a fun, friendly and non-invasive environment whichwill maximise independence. Reservations are now being taken for September. Book 14 weeks for the price of 12 when you quotereference GOE001.

Future plans include a ‘Pop In’ facility on a Saturday morning, to allow carers to carry out chores without the worry of taking orleaving their loved ones on their own. A Sundaylunch club and occasional evening events will also be coming soon.

If you think the day centre - or care at home- would benefit you or someone you know, or ifyou want to just have a friendly, no-obligation,chat then please get in touch.

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Support for Carers too. The day centre will operate a drop in serviceoffering “care for carers.”

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MPs Helen Grant and HelenWhately have vowed it will be"business as usual" after the shock-ing killing of her parliamentarycolleague Jo Cox.The Labour MP, 41, was gunned

down and stabbed repeatedly in herYorkshire constituency earlier thismonth as she walked to her office.MrsGrant andMrsWhately regu-

larly hold surgeries in their respec-tive Maidstone and the Weald andFaversham and Mid Kent patches,where constituents can meet themface to face.Stunned Mrs Grant – who took a

part in a charity tug-of-war with 41-year-old married mother Mrs Coxthe week before the tragedy - de-clared "democracy has to continue"although she has had talks withKent Police commander Dave Pat.Mrs Grant said: "I don't suspect I

will be doing anything different.Constituents have got to have accessto you and you can't do the job anyother way.“What happened to Jo was truly

awful and I think we are all still inshock."

Asked if she worried about hersafety, she replied: "Of course I do.My family do."Helen Whately said police had

been in touch with her to offer ad-vice butwould not discuss the detail.She said: "It's a reminder of the

risk thatwe take asMPs. You alwaysthink that it can't happen to you.“You must not let something like

this stop you fromdoing the job andyou must not be deterred by it.

“The policewere in touchwithmeand I don’t want to give too muchdetail away but they are there to talkto and advise onmy security needs.”Dover MP and government whip

Charlie Elphicke said: “The new po-lice commissioner (Matthew Scott)has been proactive in taking the ini-tiative onMP security.“It’s not just about the MPs but

also staff who work for MPs. It is ahuge concern.”A spokesman for Kent Police said

it has offered “support and advicetogether with support as required”to local MPs.MPs have been worried about

their exposure to danger for sometime especially frommembers of thepublic carrying knives or guns.The last MP to be killed was Tory

Ian Gow, in 1990, who was targetedby the IRA and more recentlyLabourMP Stephen Timms, the vic-tim of an attack in his constituencyoffice.MPs are routinely targeted by in-

ternet trolls who post hate mes-sages on their Twitter, Facebook andother social media feeds.

MPs vow to carry onafter death of Jo Cox

MPs Jo Cox (left) and Helen Grant

(right) in the charity tug of war

Gold award forthe Rotary clubROTARY members picked up agold award as part of their silver an-niversary celebrations.President of The Rotary Club of

Maidstone Riverside, Mary Lynn ispictured receiving the award fromRotary’s District Governor RayDixon during their gala dinner.The gold award – the first

achieved by any club in the SouthEast – recognised Maidstone River-side’s work during the year, raising£31,000 for charity.The group’s anniversary dinner at

theOakwoodHouseHotelwas sup-ported by 177 Rotarians and friends.Guests included former MaidstoneMP Ann Widdecombe, PresidentElect of Rotary International GB andIreland Eve Conway and MP HelenGrant, with representatives from theJohan de Witt Ter Merwe RotaryClub of Dordrecht in Holland.

Time on your hands?Don’t know what to do?

Why not join the Maidstone HospitalLeague of Friends

WE URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERSTO HELP IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• To staff the hospital shop which is stocked with a wide variety of sandwiches,crisps, drinks, toiletries, greetings cards, sweets, chocolate, etc.

• To take trolleys (containing sweets, drinks, toiletries, etc.) round the wards. • Staff our busy tea bar • Sell books in the book room

The League of Friends is a registered charity and all monies raised ensures thatit can respond to requests for equipment and improvements in the hospital.

If you can spare a few hours a week and would like to join a friendly team doingsomething rewarding for the community please contact:

Jacqui on 01622 224781

CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline BowderyASST CLERK:Melanie FooksParish Office, Beechen Hall, Wildfell Close, Walderslade, ME5 9RU

Tel: 01634 861237 email: [email protected] Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk

Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website

downsmail.co.uk Sponsored parish council | News

Boxley Parish Mail

AS SUMMER continues, theparish office is receiving more re-ports of fly-tipping of gardenwaste into the woodlands in theWalderslade area.Fly-tipping of any garden waste

potentially adds nutrients (which isharmful to the orchids etc), pesti-cides, diseases and foreign speciesinto what is ancient woodland.Allowing your dog to foul in the

woodland and then not clearing it

up is not only not nice for other vis-itors, but also affects the flora in thesame way as fly-tipping.Ancient woodlands are rapidly

disappearing and are a resourcethat cannot be replaced. For awoodland to receiveAncient statusit must have in existence since 1600and so has developed into a uniqueecosystem.The Walderslade Woodlands

Group works hard to maintain the

woodlands for the community andwildlife so please do not under-mine their excellent work. Fly-tip-ping is a criminal offence andcarries a fine if caught.If you see this type of offence oc-

curring please report it directly toMaidstone Borough Council andthe parish office. Disposing of gar-den waste over your fence or justalong the road is anti-social behav-iour.

Protect ancient woodland

RESIDENTS welcomed the reopening of the path to Tesco at Grove Greenbut some elements of the design were criticised.

Cllr Wendy Hinder and the parish council will approach Tesco about re-moving a small step at the top of the steps and extending the hand rail.There was also some concern about the depth of the lowest step.

COUNCILLORSwelcomed a reportthat bollards had been installed byKent County Council at the entranceto Boxley Warren/Pilgrims Way atCossington Lane, off the A249.Theywere reported as being very

solid, so it was hoped that theywould be very difficult for nuisancevehicles to bypass. The bent bollardat Lidsing Hill had been straight-ened and the padlock on the gatereplaced again.

Arrangements were in hand to re-place the No Vehicles sign.Cllr Bob Hinder, chairman of the

volunteers group that works at thewarren, gave an update on currentpersistent problems with off-roadand trial bikers on Pilgrims Way.Concern was expressed that mis-

leading information about the areamay have been placed on the inter-net and this would be investigatedby the parish office staff.

New bollards at Warren

Tesco path steps re-opened

Cllr Wendy Hinder with Richard Gardiner and other residents and parish

councillors who campaigned to have the path re-opened

Kestrel chicks fly the nestTHE kestrel chicks successfully fledged from the Kent WildlifeTrust/parish council kestrel box. The drama of kestrel family life waswatched by thousands of people via the kescam, which enabled thelive streaming of pictures of the birds and their five chicks.The parish clerk is obtaining quotes for more kestrel boxes, unfor-

tunately not with cameras, which it plans to install at Weavering Di-amond Jubilee Orchard and Dove Hill Allotments.

Parking issueTHERE has been a massive increasein complaints relating to inconsider-ate parking in residential areas.The parish council is being ap-

proached to place bollards onverges. However, it is recognisedthat this does not resolve an issue – itjust moves it elsewhere.Residents who feel that they are

experiencing problems from incon-siderate parking are being encour-aged to keep awritten log, if possiblesupported by photographs, for aminimum of two weeks.After this time, they are invited to

send the information to the parishofficewhowill then collate all the re-sponses in order towrite a report forthe parish council.All information received will be

confidential and only used to inves-tigate where there are problems.

NewmembersTWOnew councillorswere co-optedon to the parish council to representSouth ward.Sue Martins and Rob Martins,

who live in Grove Green, bring thecouncil up to its complement of 15.Cllr Sue Martins will serve on the

finance and general purposes com-mitteewhile her husband has joinedthe environment committee.

Telephone scamKENT County Council’s TradingStandards havewarned of a tricksterusing the “no-hang-up” telephonescam. The fraudster keeps the lineopen, spoofs a dial tone and an ac-complice answers and impersonateswhoever the victim is trying to call.If you receive an unexpected call,

never disclose bank details or per-sonal information, no matter whothe caller claims to be.

Check drainsfor debrisFOLLOWING the torrential rainlast month and the localised flood-ing caused by debris blockingdrains, residents are asked to checkany drain outside or close to theirproperty.Kent County Council (KCC) has

undertaken some drain inspectionsbut it does rely on residents report-ing any blockages. Drains thatneed attention can be reported viathe KCC website.Localised flooding can cause is-

sues for adjacent properties anddrivers are asked to be considerateas the bowwaves that their vehiclescause can actually wash or kerbsand down into properties causingflooding.

Orchard helpAWOODEN slide for toddlers willbe provided at Weavering Dia-mond Jubilee Orchard, thanks to a£12,000 grant from Tesco’s Bags ofHelp scheme.The Mid Kent Downs Country-

side Partnership has bid success-fully for finance for a communityproject from the fund which is ac-cumulated through the 5p chargeon plastic bags.The slide will be made as part of

the grant which will also go to-wards running educational projectsand events at St John’s School,Grove Green.

Traffic newsCOMPLAINTS about MaidstoneCouncil’s website having poor in-formation about work on the pro-posed new gyratory system in thetown centre were made by parishcouncillors.Borough Cllr Derek Butler re-

ported that the roadworks weredue to be completed in November.He noted the issues raised by Box-ley members and said he wouldpass them on.

Council on tourBOXLEY councillors will be takingto the road so that they can obtain aclose view of progress and con-cerns throughout the parish.A day’s tour, which takes place

every two years, is being organisedwith stops at various points of in-terest such as Weavering DiamondJubilee Orchard and the KIMS site.



ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH OF BOXLEY

Boxley Parish Council chairman’sreport for the year 2015/16

Consideration of planning applications

has again formed the bread and butter

of Environment Committee meetings,

chaired by Wendy Hinder. We

successfully opposed a small housing

development on the corner of New Cut

and Bearstead Roads but were less

successful regarding outline planning

permission for 89 houses off

Gleamingwood Drive, Lordswood,

where the developer won the four-day

public appeal hearing attended

throughout by our representatives.

There were other major developments

where we had no material objections

but had our comments taken into

account by MBC. These included the

new supermarket at Eclipse Park and

the new hospital unit on the KIMS

campus.

After a long battle, Wendy achieved a

ban on lorries parking in lower Old

Chatham Road, Sandling, where the

overnight noise and the human and

other waste had distressed local

residents. The whole problem of lorry-

parking on residential roads is now

being looked at by the National

Association of Local Councils and we

have also, with the help of Helen

Whately MP, put the problem before the

Minister for Transport.

Another success was in persuading Kent

Highways to take action on the Lidsing

Road/Pilgrims Way junction warning

signage following several cases of

vehicles crashing into and destroying

the gate to Boxley Warren. However

vehicles illegally accessing the Warren

remain a problem and the Friends of

Boxley Warren have suffered

harassment by bikers, in one case

leading to physical violence. There is

now a danger of this area reverting to

the disgusting rubbish dump of a

decade or so ago unless KCC find a

solution.

Better news for the other open areas in

the parish. The Walderslade Woodlands

Group is very active and regularly

receives compliments from local

residents. Vinters Valley nature reserve

remains popular and the parish council

is pleased to be paying for

improvements to some of the paths.

In the Diamond Jubilee Orchard, we are

improving the Weavering Street

entrance to make it safer for children

while there is now a waiting list for the

Dove Hill Allotments. The orchard and

the allotments fall under the

supervision of our Estates Committee

(ably chaired by Vic Davies) which also

has responsibility for Beechen Hall,

Walderslade, an increasingly popular

and highly valued community asset.

Our third committee, Finance &

General Purposes, kept a careful eye

on expenditure throughout the year

and also made grants to a number of

community-led bodies. For 2016/17,

it recommended no increase in the

parish precept.

New systems in the Parish Office have

been welcomed by staff in view of their

ever-increasing workload in organising

and minuting meetings, responding to a

wide range of enquiries from residents,

and running the council’s popular

Facebook page and Community Alerts e-

mail system. It has also prepared

briefing notes and agreed responses to a

number of national, KCC or MBC public

consultations including the draft

Maidstone Local Plan, the proposed

Lower Thames Crossing, changes to the

KCC Libraries services, and revisions to

the National Planning Policy

Framework, one of which could give

the parish council a right of appeal. I

and my fellow councillors are extremely

grateful to the Clerk for all this and for

the support given her by the Mel and

Angie in the office; and equally so to

the Beechen Hall caretaking staff who

keep it in such excellent condition.

Membership of the council is changing.

Ann Spain, Geoff Smith and Martin

Hinchliffe have not stood for re-election

and we sadly lost Alan Springate in the

course of the year. A new council has

now been elected and the remaining

vacancies will be filled by co-option.

I myself am now at the very end of my

term as Chairman. It has been a

rewarding, if demanding, experience

starting with the 2012 Royal visit just

three weeks in. Other highlights include

achieving protected Village Green status

for the Walderslade Woodlands and the

creation of the Dove Hill allotments. But

it is, however, now time for me to retire

to the back-benches and hand over the

helm to someone with fresh ideas,

working as always for a better Boxley.

I wish him or her well.

Ivor Davies.Chairman

9 May 2015


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Bearsted Carnival and Fayre

Carnival dayfantastic forall the familyDARK skies, thundery rumblesand rain did little to dampen thespirits of thousands who turnedout for the Bearsted and Thurn-ham Carnival and Fayre .Held on Saturday, June 25, hun-

dreds of well-wishers, friends andfamilies lined the road into the vil-lage as the carnival floats arrived atBearsted from Madginford.The event featured some changes

in 2016 with commercial fair activ-ities replaced by a family fun zoneand a food and drink court with anemphasis on local produce anddrinks.The carnival took the ‘Amazing

books of Roald Dahl’ as its theme.A carnival spokesman said: “The

participants really rose to the chal-lenge and there were some fantasticideas for floats.”

Bearsted CarnivalPrincessWinner

Ella Lindon (9) Roseacre JuniorSchool

Deputy Princesses

Isabella Eldridge (8), Roseacre Jun-ior School and Daisy Perriss (8),Roseacre Junior School

Winning floatsFirst place

Three Bears Pre-School – Charlieand the Chocolate Factory

Second place

Bearsted Brownies - Wonka Choco-late Bars

Third place

Madginford Pre-School – A Worldof Imagination

Best dressed stall:Winner

Friends of Thurnham School

Runners-up

Bearsted and Thurnham WI andGreat Arena Challenge: Scouts

The carnival MC entertains the

crowd on The Green

Members of Maidstone Lions ClubRoald Dahl character James and

the Giant Peach

Cavalcade of vintage cars join carnival parade Families out in force make the day a success

Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band sets the pace for the carnival parade Imaginatiave ideas from Madginford Pre-School whose float took third place



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THEDuke of Kent will attend thisyear’s County Show at Detling, ithas been announced.The royal guest will join a stellar

line-up on Friday, July 8, alongsidethe European Commissioner forAgriculture.The EU Commissioner Phil

Hogan will be talking in Kent forthe first time about the result of theBrexit referendum on June 23. Hewill meet the president of the Na-tional Farmers’ Union, Meurig Ray-mond, and take questions fromfarmers, as well as give an addressat the show’s VIP lunch.The Duke, whowill be met by the

Lord Lieutenant of Kent, ViscountDe L’Isle, will meet the mayor ofMaidstone, the borough council’schief executive and Mid Kent MPHelen Whately before making atour of the show, with stops in-cluding the Jacob Sheep Society,Kent Young Farmers, Guide Dogsand the Scouts.Show chairman Kevin Attwood

said: “We are delighted that HRHThe Duke of Kent will be visitingthe 2016 show; his enthusiasm and

interest in the County Show isheartfelt and it is a wonderful op-portunity for him to see the excel-lent work that goes on in Kent. Hisknowledge about the rural andfarming community makes his vis-its very special for the people hemeets.”Crowd-pleasers at this year’s

event, which showcases Kent rurallife and attracted 77,000 people lastyear, also includes a Spitfire flypastand more than 140 different activi-ties, workshops, displays and com-petitions. There will also be plenty

to eat, drink and browse, with 500stalls and an antiques village. Thisyear, the exhibition will extendinto the wooded area of the show-ground, with displays by chainsawsculptors, bushcraft demonstra-tions and wildlife events.The three-day show opens from

8am to 6pm each day. Family tick-ets are £43.20 in advance or £48 onthe gate; adults £19.80 or £22 on thegate and children £5.40 and £6.Multi-day tickets, at £50, are onlyavailable in advance.

Duke of Kent set toopen County Show

Thief in courtA MAN who stole ham and cheeseworth £47 from a shop in WeekStreet, Maidstone, has been sent tojail for 42 days.Daniel James Nicholson (29) from

Bluett Street admitted stealing thefood and another count of shoplift-ing, stealing washing liquid worth£11.97, also fromaWeek Street store.He also admitted taking goodsworth £26 from a shop in the Mall.Medway Magistrates sentenced

him to 42 days in prison. He mustpay £58 compensation and £85 costs.

Raquet dateIF you’re a raquet ace and fancy lim-bering upwith a spot of badminton,then a Monday night club in Looseis looking for you.Places are available for intermedi-

ate badminton players with TheMonday Badminton Club, whichmeets at the New Line LearningAcademy in Boughton Lane.The club has use of six courts at

the school and meets from 7.30-9.30pm most Mondays. Membersrange in age from 20 to 80. For de-tails, call club secretary Janet Knighton 01622 745054.

Sale successMAIDSTONE Mencap plant, bookand cake sale raised £800. OrganiserAnn Tutte thanked all who helpedwith the event.

The Duke of Kent

(above) will open

this year’s county

show at Detling



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THE once-endangered red kitecould be making a comeback as aresident of Kent.Several sightings in theMaidstone

area and in other parts of the countyin recent months have led experts tobelieve the raptorsmay be establish-ing large enough numbers to breed.Others have been seen around

Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells,Manston, andWingham.The red kite – once hunted to near-

extinction as a pest – has been suc-cessfully re-establishing its numbersin other parts of the country.Re-introduced birds are now

thriving in large numbers in Wales,but are often seen along the M4 cor-ridor inWales and intoWiltshire andHampshire.Although there is a possibility the

birds are moving east to Kent by agradual population drift, there isalso the chance they are Continentalcousins which drifted in on the

wind. One kite was seen on theDowns above Hucking while an-other – or possibly the same bird –was seen near Leeds Castle atBroomfield.The Royal Society for the Protec-

tion of Birds (RSPB) wildlife charityis aware of anecdotal evidence of thekite’s spread.A spokesman said: “Red kites are

widespread, but I am not aware of asignificant distribution in Kent yet.“We have no evidence of breeding

in the county yet although there arebreeding pairs in Sussex.”

In October 2014, the RSPB’s PaulOuthwaite said he was convincedmid-Kent or the Stour valley wouldbe attractive to them.The terrain and plentiful carrion –

upon which the red kite largely de-pends – would make rural Kentideal for it to establish permanently.There are currently 1,600 pairs in theUK.Red kite spotter Will Rees, a 47-

year-old father of three, saw the birdat Broomfield, in the sky above thevillage church.He said: “I used to live inWales so

I’d see them all the time. They havean unmistakable silhouette becauseof their forked tail and athletic flight.“But I was surprised to say the

least to see one in Kent. Mind you,the buzzard was a rarity in Kent 15years ago and now you’d barely goa day without seeing one.“It would be fantastic if the kite

was to establish here.”

Will red kite soar once more?‘Vermin’ enjoysa resurgenceONCE revered as a valued scav-enger in the Middle Ages andprotected by royal decree, by the16th century, the red kite wasout of favour and seen as ver-min.

In more recent times, the birdwas hunted by gamekeeperswho suspected – incorrectly –that it was killing gamebirds.

This persecution was wide-spread between 1850 and 1900but continued until 1950, whenthere were virtually no birds left.

Careful management and thereintroduction of the kites intolocations around the UnitedKingdom has led to its currentsuccess.

A FEARED spike in violence anddrink-related crime in Maidstone tocoincide with the European footballtournament failed to happen, policeclaim.On the first weekend of the Euros

2016, Kent Police reported a smallincrease in crimes from eight theprevious weekend to 11.The figures were recorded be-

tween 8pm on June 11 and 8am onJune 12 and the arrests relate to thosemade in the town centre.For the previous weekend, Satur-

day, June 4 to Sunday, June 5, eightarrests were made.� At 11.58pm on June 11, a 22-year-old man fromAylesford wasarrested in Maidstone High Streeton suspicion of possessing cocaine.

He was cautioned.� Joseph Prince (25), of Ton-bridge Road in Maidstone, wascharged with drink-driving afterbeing arrested in Medway Street at1.30am on Sunday, June 12. He wasdue to appear at Maidstone Magis-trates’ Court on June 28.� A 44-year-old man fromMaid-stone was arrested in MedwayStreet on suspicion of being drunkand disorderly at 1.55am on Sun-day, June 12. He was issued with a£90 penalty notice disposal.� A 19-year-old man fromGravesend was arrested in BankStreet on suspicion of being drunkand disorderly at 1.30am on Sun-day, June 12. He was issued with a£90 penalty notice disposal.

� An 18-year-old man fromAsh-ford was arrested in the High Streeton suspicion of being drunk anddisorderly at 2.01am on Sunday,June 12. He was issued with a £90penalty notice.� A 19-year-old man fromAsh-ford was arrested in High Street onsuspicion of being drunk and disor-derly at 2am on June 12. He was is-sued with a £90 penalty notice.� A 22-year-old man fromMaid-stone was arrested in Station Roadon suspicion of assault and beingdrunk and disorderly at 2.45am onSunday, June 12. There was nocharge.� A 20-year-old man fromMaid-stone was arrested in SandlingLane on suspicion of assault at

2.45am on Sunday, June 12. He hasbeen bailed until July 12.� A 20-year-old man fromMaid-stone was arrested in High Streeton suspicion of affray at 5.10am onJune 12. He was cautioned.� An 18-year-old Maidstonewoman was arrested in High Streeton suspicion of affray at 5.10am onJune 12. She was cautioned.� A 22-year-old man from Bor-ough Green was arrested in HighStreet on suspicion of affray at5.10am on June 12. He was cau-tioned.A Kent Police spokesman said:

“Kent Police is well equipped toprovide a swift and proportionateresponse should a disturbance takeplace.”

Euros see small rise in town centre crime

RUNNERS let the train take someof the strain as part of a charity runin Maidstone along the river.Maidstone Riverside Run – the

only race of its kind to involve atrain ride to the start – saw 160 setout fromWateringbury.The run – now four years old – is

organised by Caron Holden inmemory of her mum, who died ofcancer. It was supported for thesecond year by Southeastern,which provided free train travel tothe start.The event, which took runners

throughBarming and East Farleighbefore finishing inMaidstone, hasraised just over £5,000 for CancerResearch UK, and it is hoped thatthis year’s event will put another£1,000 in the pot.The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr

Derek Butler, started the race andpresented the winners’ trophies.This year saw runners take a

slight detour as Network Rail isbusyworking on the embankmentalong the Medway Valley Line be-tween East Farleigh and Maid-stone, so they needed to head away

from the river for a short stretch.Matt Fraser, manager of South-

eastern's Maidstone station, said:“I’m very pleased we can supportlocal activities such as this.A smallgesture from us means a great dealto someone trying to raise moneyfor a charity close to their heart.”

Training boost for the riverside run

Four-legged runners joined their owners for the Maidstone Riverside Run

Flying the flagMAIDSTONE has retained its Pur-ple Flag status for another year.The Purple Flag, awarded for the

quality of the town’s night timeeconomy, is part of a nationalawards scheme and was firstawarded to the county town in2012.Maidstone is due for a full scale

re-assessment in 2017, when in-spectors will spend an eveningtouring the town’s clubs and barsand examining how the councilmanages the night-time popula-tion.The highly successful Urban Blue

Bus, which has since been used asan example of best practice byother local authorities, its volun-teers, the town’s Street Pastors andtaxi marshals, are among thosewho have contributed to the town’ssuccess in the past.


THE inclement summer weatherdid not deter healthy audiencesattending the LeedsAmateurDra-matic Society (LADS) open-airPlays and Picnics event.Held at the Old Vicarage,

owned byAlastair and Sarah Pol-lock, about 90 people enjoyed twoperformances on June 17 and 18.On Friday evening, it was time

for brollies at the ready but theweather stayed dry for the Satur-day performances.The first, Perilous Tales by Bar-

bara Hockley, gave Young LADSthe chance to showoff their actingskills.They comprised Maidstone

Grammar pupil Angus Poulter,Sophie Aujard, of Leeds, andEmily Wallace and Joseph Irvine,both fromMaidstone.They all had to fit in a schedule

of rehearsals and performancesaroundA andA/S levels.Perilous Tales was directed by

Lesley Finlay, of Leeds, who apol-ogised to their parents for inter-rupting their studies.The second play was a comedy,

Neighbourhood Watch by LizDobson, and starred Tina Chap-man and Jane Steele of Leeds,Adrian and Yvette Lovis, fromMaidstone, Lesley Finlay andLenham resident MervynHughes.

It was directed by Bearsted’sDavid Hoxey and prompted byBernie Hughes.Liz Dobson, who has family in

Dartford, travelled fromSheffieldto watch her play being per-formed in Leeds.LADS are always looking for

new talent and volunteers to helpout on and off stage for the an-nual village panto and Plays andPicnics.If you think you can help out,

visit the LADS facebook page ordrop a line to [email protected].

The Bearsted and ThurnhamSoci-ety, backed by dozens of concernedlocal people, protested loudly tosave their shops, pictured, whichhave already been the subject of twoplanning proposals to demolish andrebuild, with flats above.Locals believe the Victorian

canopy, in particular, ought to bepreserved but they also fear the re-development will mean the loss oftheir treasured village butcher’sshop and delicatessen and the possi-ble replacement of the localnewsagent and computer shopwitha mini-market or fast food outlet.The Bearsted and ThurnhamSoci-

ety, backed byKent County Councilleader Cllr Paul Carter and the threeMaidstone borough members, ap-pealed toHistoric England to list theshopping parade but, after carefulconsideration, the preservation char-ity says their plea has been unsuc-cessful. English Heritage describesthe Parade as “an interesting one-off” and comments: “An assessmentof the building’s historic interest isnot entirely straightforward, as itdoes not fit neatly into a particularcategory of commercial building: itis a curious hybrid.

“Despite the good survival of theshopfronts and canopy, their com-paratively standard design, com-binedwith themodesty of the rest ofthe building, the lack of survivalelsewhere in the building, includingthe interior, and the fact that the par-ticular claim to historic interest ofthis building is not manifest in itsphysical fabric,mean that on balancethe architectural and historic interestof the building does notmeet the cri-teria for listing.”English Heritage admits that, al-

though not meriting listing, thebuilding is of clear local interest, andmakes a positive contribution to the

character of the conservation area asa local heritage asset.It concludes: “The name ‘The Pa-

rade’ is something of a misnomer ashistorically parades of shops weredeveloped together as a single pieceof urban, or suburban, planning, butsold or leased separately to individ-ual retailers. As operated, The Pa-rade had more in common with adepartment store – a business, sup-plying a wide range of goods in dis-crete departments.”Bearsted and Thurnham Society

secretary Mary Richards said:“Enormous thanks are due to bothRoger Vidler andChris Buckingham

for compiling such a comprehensivedocument but in the end it seems thebuildingwas just not of sufficient ar-chitectural and/or historical signifi-cance.”The society expects the landlords

to submit a further application intheir bid to redevelop the site.One glimmer of hope is thatMaid-

stoneCouncil considers the buildingto be a heritage asset, within a con-servation area, evenwithout a listingby English Heritage. The Parade,first known as Chestnut Place, wasbuilt in 1882 by John Perrin, a grocerfrom Aylesford. It was a two-storeybuilding, with a parade of shops onthe ground floor and living accom-modation for Perrin and his family,and probably some of his staff,above.Following amajor fire in 1900, the

building was reconstructed in itscurrent form. Perrin was under-in-sured and therefore rebuilt only theground floor of the premises.Reopening in 1901, the new pa-

rade comprised five self-containedshops, all under the ownership andmanagement of Perrin, each sellingdifferent goods, frommeat to crock-ery, gunpowder and coal.

Heritage bid for village shops

Players pull in picnic crowd

RESIDENTS have failed to secure listing for the parade of shops near Bearsted village green.

Court casesface delaysANYONE expecting to have theirday in court might have to wait avery long time.The backlog of cases at Maid-

stone Crown Court means defen-dants might have to wait up to 10months to stand trial before a judgeand jury.Following the death of Judge

David Caddick and the retirementof Judge Michael Carroll, thecourts, in Barker Road, are twojudges down.Preesently, the waiting list of

cases coming to trial is nearing 800.Canterbury’s presiding judge

AdeleWilliams is to move toMaid-stone, but not until September.She is entitled to hear the most

serious of cases, including murder.However, while her fellow

judges James O’Mahony andHeather Norton can hear at-tempted murder trials, no one elseat Canterbury can preside over amurder case.This could mean all such cases

being taken inMaidstone which, itis feared, will further add to thebacklog.The crown court has eight court-

rooms and seven judges, includingresident judge Jeremy Carey.

Angus Poulter,Sophie Aujard,Emily Wallaceand Joseph Irvineand left, YvetteLovis, AdrianLovis, MervynHughes, JaneSteele, LesleyFinlay and TinaChapman

For more local newswww.downsmail.co.uk




ThurnhamParish News

Meetings normally held on the thirdMonday of eachmonth at theMarriottTudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.CHAIRMAN:Daniel SkinnerCLERK: Sherrie Babington

01634 867173

downsmail.co.uk Sponsored parish council | News

COUNCILLORS heard the firstdetails about an emerging plan todevelop land in the parish nearDetling showground.Members heard that Quinn Es-

tates have initiated talks withMaidstone Council about buildinga mini village on the industrial es-tate, which until recently housedMaidstone livestock market.Councillors heard that while the

proposals are still in their earlystages and details sketchy, it is un-derstood some 1,700 houses and a

school could be included in the de-velopment, which would cover theindustrial site and a smaller sectionof the showground.Cllr Peter Waite said: "While I'm

not saying we would agree, as aparish council we have been callingfor some time for something to bedone here."He understood that initial talks

had been held with StockburyParish Council and Maidstone'schief planner, Rob Jarman, whohad indicated that such a proposal

might be possible, even though thesite is in an Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty (AONB).Cllr Ted Denham added that any

development could be an opportu-nity to get the roundabout for thearea to slow traffic and improvesafety on the A249.Members made clear that while

no planning application had beensubmitted as yet, the parish councilwould be asking for a full impactassessment, as the land falls withinan AONB.

‘Village’ plan for showground

Award for countryside workPETER Coulling will receive Thurnham council's coveted HeritageAwar-dat the council’s next meeting, at the Tudor Park Hotel, on July 18.The award recognises the Teston Parish Council chairman's efforts to

protect the local countryside.Cllr Skinner said: “In spite of having little or no development proposed

in his own parish in the local plan, Peter Coulling has worked selflesslyfor many years on behalf of all Maidstone parishes in his role as a leaderof Kent Associations of Local Councils and Maidstone Committee.“He has been a major player in the defence of our countryside, both in

public, in asking questions and responding to consultations and by writ-ing copious letters and reports.”

THE parish council is to request anupdate on enforcement action re-garding the use of a no-throughroad by a commercial operation inRutland Woods.It follows concern from a resident

in Crismill Lane about damage tothe track and the cost of repairs.Cllr Mick Wise said: “It does

seem the neighbourly thing to dowould be for this company to sharethe cost of the upkeep.”

Concern over damage to track

Verge hazardCOUNCILLORS heard various re-ports about overgrown vergesacross the parish.Chairman Cllr Daniel Skinner

spoke of grass being allowed toreach more than two feet in Aver-enches Drive and Cllr Ted Denhamexpressed particular concern aboutthe traffic hazard caused by over-grown verges on the A249 and itsroundabouts.He said: “I think someone needs

to be shamed into doing somethingabout it, whoever's responsibility itis."

Bollards callCONSTANT damage to the vergealong Caring Lane has led parishcouncillor Michael Stark to reluc-tantly request bollards to protect theland outside his home and thewatermain that runs beneath it.The county council recently car-

ried out reinstatement work but,since then, Cllr Stark says more rutshave been made as vehicles havebeen forced to mount the bank.

Gate concernTHE parish council is to investigateconcerns about the use of land nearBearsted Golf Course.A resident said gates had been put

up at a field off the access road. Sincethen, a caravan had arrived.

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Drivers face traffic ‘nightmare’News | Bridges project downsmail.co.uk

The £5.7m Maidstone bridgesproject will push two new lanesthrough the notorious “congestionand air quality hotspot” in thecounty town - where the A20, A26,A229 and A249 converge.Traffic is likely to be disrupted

until at least the middle of Novem-ber and possibly to March nextyear.For motorists, it is a case of toler-

ating traffic pain for the long-termgain, according to the county coun-cil, which has played down thelikely disruption on the roads, eventhough its website warns “disrup-tion is expected, so know your op-tions and plan ahead”.It says the work to thread two

lanes through the busiest intersec-tion of the town – serving some5,800 vehicles in the morning rush-hour alone – will cut congestion by10-20%, travel times by 25% andhelp regenerate the western side ofthe river.Contractors Jacksons Civil Engi-

neering (JCE) says it understandsthe complexities of working insuch a vibrant town and has donewhat it can to minimise disruption.

As part of its tender, JCE alsopledged to limit the use of tempo-rary traffic management duringpeak periods and keep open atleast four lanes for Fairmeadowsouthbound. Nevertheless, roadclosures are still permitted from9.30am-4pm.The two extra northbound lanes,

on the eastern side of the river fromBishopsWay towards Fairmeadow,along with new traffic-light con-trolled junctions, will ease north-bound traffic flows on the A229,allowing vehicles to use a more di-rect route without negotiating thebridges, according to KCC.While appreciating that the work

needs to be done, Maidstone taxifirm Express Cabs, Arriva and the

Chamber of Commerce are amongthose who fear that as the workprogresses disruption in the towncentre will be inevitable.Express Cabs operates 100 cars in

the town. Its accounts directorGary Jobling fears the delays formotorists could reach nightmareproportions.“When the schools go back and

the wet, cold weather starts in Sep-tember, the current headache in thetown centre will become an ab-solute nightmare,” he said.He also believes the new road

system will still not address thefundamental traffic problems inthe town centre. He said: “What isreally needed is another crossingover the river that takes traffic onto the Tonbridge Road without theneed to come in to the centre oftown at all.”OneMaidstone and the Chamber

of Commerce in Maidstone saytraders are optimistic, but appre-hensive.The chamber’s Roger Keech said:

“The project team did give a verythorough report and seemed tohave considered pretty much

everything in terms of traffic man-agement.“While it is very early days, some

remain apprehensive. I am hopefulthat the disruption will be kept toa minimum, but we will have towait and see.”Ilsa Butler, from the town centre

partnership One Maidstone, saidshe had received no complaints,but appreciated the huge volumeof traffic that uses this part of townand the work that lay ahead.Pedestrians will have to re-work

their route as the subways at Bish-ops Way and Fairmeadow will bebricked up permanently as part ofthe project, in a bid to preventflooding of nearby businesses.A spokesman for KCC said: “At

this early stage, there seems to beminimal disruption but this will bemonitored throughout progress.“Updates will be regularly put

on Twitter and the local commu-nity and businesses will be up-dated by our dedicated publicliaison officer, Rebecca Edwards.The plans are available at

www.kent.gov.uk and Rebecca canbe reached on 07970 358089.

MOTORISTS usingMaidstone are being urged to buckle up for a summer of discontent as a majornew road system tears up the tarmac in the centre of town.

Roger Keech and Ilsa Butler


THE work has been scheduled to runfrom June to March 2017 – with abreak in work between mid-November and mid-January –unless the work is completed beforeChristmas.

PHASE 1 June – late JulyIncluding removal of traffic islands.Construction retaining wall.Widening Fairmeadow, adjacent toclock.

PHASE 2 Mid July – mid AugustIncluding Fairmeadow wideningwork opposite Medway Street.Bishops Way and Fairmeadowsubways bricked up. Openreach BTdiversionary works.

PHASE 3 Late July – September

Including paving subway ends andHigh Street footway, installation ofdrains, relocation of CCTV.

PHASE 4 Mid August – lateSeptemberIncluding kerbing, new duct roadcrossings and drainage.

PHASE 5 Mid August – lateOctoberIncluding removal and installationof new light columns, resurfacingand road marking, installation andcommissioning of new trafficsignals.

The scheme is being supported bythe South East Local Growth Fundand £1.14m from MaidstoneBorough Council.

downsmail.co.uk Bridges project | News

Arriva warns of bus changesARRIVA is advising customers to allow extra time for journeys asthe roadworks are phased in.The bus company warns of likely disruption as a result of the

work and of changes its town centre service.Kevin Root, general manager of Arriva’s Maidstone depot, says

the company has worked with Maidstone Council, KCC and Jack-sons to keep lanes open during peak periods and road closures re-stricted to overnight.However, it has been forced to change the route of its Sapphire

101 service betweenMaidstone andMedway, which terminates andstarts in Pudding Lane while the work is carried out. It will also notserve the bus stop in Mill Street or Chequers Bus Station.Arriva says it will put regular posts on its Twitter and Facebook

pages to keep passengers abreast of the situation.

SCHEDULE OF WORKThe junction where work is to start and right, the planned changes


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THE council’s Picnic on the Green to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthdayproved a great success – despite attempts by the great British weather topour cold water on it.

Dozens of families brought their brollies and gazebos to watch a varietyof musical entertainment while making merry on the village green.

One family – who donned masks to make themselves look like the RoyalFamily – were celebrating Joan Martin's 85th birthday.

Another group, chiefly clad in red, white and blue, were marking BarbaraDunford’s 60th celebrations.

Many residents stayed away because of the inclement weather and thefree minibus laid on to shuttle folk from Madginford brought – and re-turned - just 14 people, but the council felt the exercise was a great suc-cess and something which could be repeated for future events.

This page is sponsored and edited by:

Bearsted Parish Councilwww.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk

Council Office: Madginford Hall, BearstedTelephone: 01622 630165E-Mail: [email protected]: Fiona Redman

MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAY OFMONTH (7.30PM)AND THE PUBLIC IS VERYWELCOME

News | Sponsored parish council downsmail.co.uk

Pupils design thronesfit for a teddy bearCHILDREN at Bearsted’s JuniorSchools were invited to take partin their very own ‘Game ofThrones’ as part of the Queen’s90th birthday celebrations.The pupils were asked to design

a throne – either as a model to fit asmall teddy bear or as a drawing.The competition was open to

years three to six – and the pupilsat Roseacre really rose to the chal-lenge.Resident artist and parish coun-

cillor Suzanne Camp did the initialjudging with the school council atRoseacre.Those finalist were then invited

to the picnic, where the final judg-ing was carried out by Cllr MrsCamp and Cllr Dan Conner.The top three received craft boxes

and artist materials.

THE Bearsted Fun Dog Showproved a great success and raised£488 for the Battersea Dogs andCats Home.Pooches of all shapes and sizes

dragged their owners along toBearsted Woodland Trust for thefamily day, filled with fun andgames, doggie challenges and in-formation stalls.The event, organised by the

parish council in conjunction withMaidstone Council, was designedto educate residents about respon-sible dog ownership, including thebenefits of microchipping and theneed to clear up your pooch poop.

Puppy love show

Fencing it off

Crime is down

Sally’s rootingout the rogues

Kerbside carsales concern

The finalists with their entries –and the winner, pictured top right

PEOPLE who progress projectswithout planning permission andthen apply in retrospect could facethe wrath of Bearsted Parish Coun-cil.Twonursing homes – BartyHouse

and Hillbeck, both in Roundwell –have carried out improvementworks and then applied for consentretrospectively.Barty House built a summer-

house in the grounds without ob-taining listed building consent andHillbeck carried out additionalbuilding works to those for whichit had permission.Cllr Val Springett has received

complaints about drainage prob-lems that have arisen since thecompletion of both projects.She said: “I am intending to ask

for the Strategic Planning commit-

tee to undertake a review of howbuilding works are checked forconformity with the planning per-mission that was granted, in con-junction with a review on whatenforcement action, if any, has beentaken over non- compliance in re-cent years.”Cllr RichardAsh said: “I am very

dissatisfied to see these applica-tions going in after the work hasbeen done. ”The parish council has been wait-

ing almost a year to get planningpermission to install safety lightingon Church Landway – facing a bar-rage of obstructions from Maid-stone Council planning departmentin the process.Cllr Jon Hughes said: “With

hindsight, perhaps we should havejust gone ahead and done it!”

Picnickers carry on regardless

Retrospective planning wrath

COMMUNITY warden SallyWilliams has been hot on the heelsof rogue traders trying to rip offresidents in Bearsted.Fleet-footed Sally hounded a

roofer and reported him to tradingstandards officials before visitinglocal groups to warn memberswhat to watch out for.Sally received four reports of

rogue trader activity during themonth and urges anyone with con-cerns to get in touch with her.

KENT’s new police and crime com-missioner, Matthew Scott, has beenasked to look into the problems ofcars parked for sale in urban streetsaround Maidstone.Maidstone councillor Mike Rev-

ell brought the matter to the atten-tion of the commissioner afterreceiving complaints from resi-dents in Willington Street about anumber of vehicles being parked inthe layby close to Mote Park.Cllr Revell said: “I ammaking in-

quires as to who is responsible forenforcement and how it is done.”Meanwhile, the mystery of a

Mercedes has been plaguing theparish council.The A-class Mercedes, which is

taxed and has a full MOT, was leftat the Yeoman Lane car park, closeto the doctor’s surgery severalweeks ago, with the windowsopen.Maidstone Council believes the

vehicle has not been reportedstolen but says it is not its job to re-move it as it is not on the highway.It has also survived being

slapped with a parking ticket forbeing there at least three weekslonger than the permitted threehours. Cllr RichardAsh said: “I wastold it would be 70 days before itcould be removed by the boroughcouncil. All the time, it is taking upa valuable parking space!”

THE parish council is to replacethe fence which divides the villageallotments, in The Street, from theindustrial units to the rear.Three quotes have been obtained

for a chain link fence to divide thearea and make it more secure.

THERE were seven reported crimesin Bearsted in the last month, downfrom 11 the previous year: two ofcriminal damage in Ashford Road,two thefts from vehicles – in MynnCrescent and Yeoman Way – a re-port of criminal damage in CrossKeys and another in MadginfordRoad, and a theft in Ashford Road.



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Dorothy HaleyDOROTHYHaley (91) was known for heryears as head teacher at Bower GroveSchool, in Fant Lane, Maidstone.Dorothy joined Bower Grove in 1979 and

left in 1986.Her friend and

former colleagueTrevor Phipps said:“She was devoted tothe children at theschool and was afantastic advocate forpupils with specialeducational needs.She dedicated her life

to the work at school and spent hours tryingto achieve the best for the school and thepupils, which included on occasionsdisagreements with the authority, which sheusually won.“Her assemblies were fascinating and

always exceptionally well planned, so thechildren gained so much from them.“Although slight in stature she had an

enormous presence at the school and sheexpected high standards from everyonefrom pupils, staff, governors and colleagues.“Dorothy had a vibrant personality. She

was a single lady and a private person whokept in close contact with her family.”On retirement, Dorothy fulfilled a long

standing ambition to learn to be a gliderpilot and also travelled widely. Trevor said:“There is not a place in the world she hasnot been to see, as far as I am aware.”Whilst in Maidstone, Dorothy was a

member of the Soroptimists and became avery influential member of Delta, Kappa,Gamma (an organisation that promotesprofessional and personal growth of womeneducators). She gave world-wide talks fromAmerica to Europe about special education.Dorothy maintained contact with Bower

Grove, a�ending fetes and Christmas Fairs.Trevor – who succeeded Dorothy as headteacher – said: “Dorothy was a greatpersonality who led such an interesting life.You could not help but be mesmerised byher stories and adventures.”Dorothy leaves members of her extended

family and her many friends and colleaguesaround the world.

Hilda BrownHILDA Daisy Brown (102), who has died atPine Lodge Care Home in Si�ingbourne,lived in the area her whole life.She spent 27 years living in Egremont

Road, Bearsted, and before that lived in inDetling and Si�ingbourne.

Born Hilda Costenin Burham, shestarted work at theFoster Clark factory inMaidstone andmarried local farmerand contractorMaurice Richard“Dick” Brown.Hilda was mother

to Barry, Valerie andAnthony. Valerie said: “My mother wascapable, confident and very very caring; thekind of person who would do anything foranyone. She was known locally as acharacter and as someone who worked veryhard.“She did all the things a farmer’s wife

would do. When we lived at the top ofDetling Hill, she would skin rabbits andmake her own bu�er. As we children grewup she was bored and went to work atTrebor Sharps in Maidstone.“She retired at the age of 60, but by the

age of 67 he began cooking for about 50people for Age Concern and continueddoing that for 21 years, making her own piesand not buying in things she could makebe�er herself. She remained sprightly andindependent into her 103rd year.”Hilda – who was widowed in 1993 –

leaves her children, six grandchildren, 12great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Bre� BakerDOWNSWOOD’S Bre� Baker (33) wasknown and liked by many in the local area.His father announced his death on Bre�’s

Facebook page, saying that he passed awaywith his family by his side. He thankedBre�’s many friends for their kind thoughtsand wishes.

Bre�’s Facebookpage had chronicledevents in the course ofhis ba�le with primarysclerosing cholangitis(PSC); a chronic andincurable livercondition that can betreated but – in caseslike Bre�’s –necessitates a

transplant.Bre� had high priority as the potential

recipient of a new liver and onApril 25 hetold Facebook friends: “it could happen inthe next couple of months.... forever theoptimist.”

Freda HaywardTHE death has been announced inSidmouth, Devon, of Freda Hayward (90,who lived in College Road, Maidstone andran the dance school, Theatre Group.Born Freda Oliver and educated at

Maidstone Commercial School (now InvictaGrammar), Freda was an accomplisheddancer and worked for Royal Insurance inthe High Street. She married FrankHayward in 1959 and the couple raisedchildren Jilly and Sally.Frank and Freda were involved in

producing and performing in a range oflocal shows and pantomimes from 1966 to1992.Obituaries and local coverage of her death

have recounted a number of storiesincluding meter readers at her home inCollege Road being warned to avoid thepantomime camel stored in the cellar.Freda and Frank retired to Devon in 1993,

where she became active in her local WI andFrank served as an independent councilloron Sidmouth Town Council. The couple alsoperformed with the Sidmouth Songsterschoir, which raised hundreds of pounds forcharities.Freda leaves her husband, daughters and

three grandchildren.

Elizabeth MellingTHE death has been announced ofElizabeth Melling formerly of BowerMount Road.

Elizabeth died at the Pilgrims View CareHome in Snodland and the funeral tookplace on June 30.

Christine Louise PermanTHE death has been announced inBrighton of Christine Louise Perman,formerly of Larkfield and Maidstone. Herfuneral took place in Brighton on June 30.

Phil SweatmanPHIL Sweatman (59) lived in Weaveringfrom 1997.Born in Islington, London, Phil moved to

Langley with his wife of 29 years, Judie.They later moved to Weavering. Phil wasfather to David, Jenny and Ma�hew.Judie said: “After 38 years of public

service, mostly in HM Customs & Exciseand la�erly in theNational CrimeAgency, Phil wasdelighted to beoffered earlyretirement in 2014. Hevolunteered hisservices as a driver toAge UK and spent theremainder of his lifedriving clients to day

centres and out for summer and Christmastrips.“He also took over maintenance of the

Age UK fleet, spending Saturday morningsensuring the vehicles were roadworthy,safe and clean.“Phil died suddenly and unexpectedly

from undiagnosed heart disease. Sadly, healso died too soon to see his belovedMaidstone United promoted at the end ofthe season.“Phil was a quiet, self-effacing person

who loved the Kent countryside. He loveddriving his distinctive Land Rover roundthe country lanes to air shows or simplydown to Headcorn to watch planes.”The tributes paid to Phil included one in

the programme at Maidstone Unitedwhere he and Judie held season tickets forthe stand during the recent promotionseason.His funeral drew 160 people from all

walks of his life. Phil leaves his wife andchildren.

Daphne TamkinTHE death has been announced inSandbach, Cheshire of Daphne JaneTamkin (89), formerly of Pevington Farm,Egerton. Daphne was married to the lateBill Tamkin and was a mother,grandmother and great-grandmother. Herfuneral took place in Cheshire on June 30.

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THE plight of four-and five-year-oldsfaced with a 6am start to an 11-hour dayto a�end allocated Langley Park Schoolhas touched many hearts.Most expected to a�end East Borough

School, which is within easy walkingdistance of their homes.There are several very li�le ones,

including some from Vinters and Detling,who need to catch a bus to Maidstone atabout 6.30am to pick up the Tenterden busarriving at Langley at 7.41.An accompanying parent faces a

nightmare there-and-back journey twice aday. And the fare will be £800 a year forboth parent and infant.These are the early victims of

Maidstone’s massive population growth,and with the borough’s Local Plan figurenow set at an evidence-based 18,000-plusnew houses to meet Governmentdemands, we face infrastructurechallenges of nightmare proportions notonly on schools but on hospitals, GPs,other NHS services, social care and on ourroads.It would be more comforting if

Maidstone Council and Kent CountyCouncil were united in planning to meetthese challenges, but they are set to be ateach other’s throats when a Governmentinspector will consider many objections ata Local Plan public inquiry and decide ifKCC has a case for a considerably smaller

housing target. In the light of immenseGovernment pressures it will not be aneasy case to win.This friction is evident in the North

Maidstone schools places horror story.KCC has a statutory duty to ensuresufficient school places and operates five-year rolling plans, updated annually, forrelatively small areas.It says it identified pressure in

Maidstone north, largely driven by newhousing and inward migration, and wasgrateful to East Borough Primary Schoolfor agreeing an additional reception-yearclass for 30 pupils.KCC points out the new Jubilee Primary

(Free) School was proposed to open for 60pupils a year within Maidstone north. Butthe government funding agencydetermined it would be sited in GatlandLane, serving Maidstone West planninggroup.Then Maidstone Council imposed a

planning condition limiting intake to 30pupils a year, reducing Maidstone’sprimary school capacity at a time of verysignificant demand.

KCC says it is now looking at apermanent expansion of East BoroughSchool to meet future demand. Andsustained demand in Maidstone north hasled to discussions with the EducationFunding Agency over establishing a newfree school in Maidstone north to providelong-term capacity.On the broader front KCC says it has

seen significant demand for school placesarising from new housing developmentsin Maidstone.“In the absence of the borough council

formally adopting a revised Local Plan itis difficult to plan for additional schoolplaces that may be required. Planningapplications for development are likely tocontinue to be submi�ed ahead of theLocal Plan adoption, presenting furtherchallenges to efficient provision planning.“It is imperative the borough council

continues ongoing discussions with KCCin relation to education provision toensure appropriate provision is accountedfor over the short, medium and long termsand proposals where adequate provisioncannot be provided are resisted.”So there is a big story behind these li�le

ones’ horrendous school day. It stretchesfrom the EU debate on immigration to therelationship between Maidstone and Kentcouncils and Government’s requirementsin Maidstone’s Local Plan.The toddlers deserve be�er from us.

Link road poorly plannedREGARDING the “link road” article in theMay edition of Downs Mail, I make someobservations.The traffic problems within Maidstone

are now at the same level as Guildford 35years ago. Remember leaving home at 3amthen going to the West Country to getthrough Guilford before it became blockedwith traffic? Well, Maidstone is the newGuildford.The problem is due to poor planning and

under-investment in the county town.The town hasA229, A249, A20, A26 and local

roads all needing to enter the town to accesstheir desired destination. The gyratory systemis based on a roundabout that works so poorlythat traffic lights are needed.The southern approach roads from

Su�on Road and Loose Road had aroundabout but this was replaced withtraffic lights and nothing was done toremove the problem.What is the problem here?It seems simple to me. Two busy A roads

joining together into Loose Road in twolanes. But then squeeze all the traffic intoone lane at Armstrong Road – not aroundabout in site.Why are the A roads so busy? Because all

the through traffic with a destination otherthan Maidstone has no option but to usethe A roads provided, that lead to thegyratory in the town centre.Creating local rat runs through housing

estates is not going to make the problem goaway. It will just increase risk anddisturbance in housing areas that should befree of through traffic. This is where ourkids play!The M20 acts as a bypass for half the

town, but traffic that need to cross the riverand go south of Maidstone is bringing thecounty town to its knees.A Maidstone bypass would allow the

local traffic in the town to move more freelyby keeping the through traffic out of thetown. But only if it is planned andimplemented with care and thought for thefuture. Rat runs are not the answer.A dual carriageway bypass from M20

Leeds via Langley, Loose, Barming andfinishing at the M20 will alleviate theproblem within the town and villages likeLeeds and Langley. There even seems to beenough farmland to do it withoutdisrupting residential areas.It is up to the Kent County Council to

organise and fund this and not put it off foranother 44 years. The longer it takes themore difficult and disruptive it will be. The

borough council has stopped grantingplanning permission south of Maidstone toavoid adding to the traffic congestion. Tooli�le too late.Let us see how the new gyratory system

improves things. If not, would the moneyhave been be�er spent on a bypass?Christopher Smith, via email

Pu�ing up house pricesMAY I please make a response to countycouncillor Gary Cooke’s recent le�er in theDowns Mail about school places.Cllr Cooke refers to developer’s financial

contribution relating to new housingdevelopments.It is all very well requiring developers to

make such financial contributions, but theyonly contribute to general house priceinflation, since the developer will not payout of the profits but will increase the saleprice of the houses.Depending on the size of the

development and financial contributionrequired, this may not make a substantialincrease to the sale price, but will inevitablyhave some effect and mean that thosehouse buyers are making adisproportionate contribution to somethingthat ought to be shared more equally

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among all residents of the locality inquestion. This is another example ofGovernment seemingly unaware of theconsequences of its actions, or, beingaware, not caring.Peter Baker, Bower Street Maidstone

Mind the teaching gapWHILST I recognise the need for morehousing to meet the needs of ourexpanding population, I fear for the healthof our schools.More children means more schools are

needed – but they have to be schools fit forpurpose. Not every town is lucky enoughto have a Valley Invicta Academies Trustoverseeing the management of bothprimary and secondary schools. But thereis a national shortage of good teachersjoining the profession these days – and thatis where it might come unstuck.P Corry, via email.

Jumble sale totalMANY thanks for the coverage you wereable to give us in support of our jumblesale on April 16. We raised £500 and wouldlike to thank the local people of Maidstonefor their support.Ann Tu�e, Maidstone Mencap FundraisingCommi�ee

Lanes not made for trafficREFERENCE the ongoing debate about alink road, relief road or a by-pass to easecongestion through Willington Street,Leeds village, and the Su�on Road, theseemingly-relentless housebuilding fixationin the borough cannot help ma�ers.The issue of congested B roads is nothing

new. Think Hollingbourne, East and WestFarleigh, Lenham and Bearsted to namebut a few.These village streets, no ma�er how you

try to widen them or configure their

layouts, are still lanes which were designedfor the horse and cart, not heavy goodsvehicles, unwanted articulated lorries orthousands of car movements. Our councilspersist in building programmes withoutany view as to the consequences for theother infrastructure elements. By the way, Ibelieve this has nothing to do withimmigration. It has more to do with theexpanding population, people living longerand couples not staying together.PWarren, via email

Hotel plan will hit parkingTHANK you for drawing a�ention to thehotel and spa plan for central Maidstone inyour recent edition. Brewer Street is narrowand the car parks are frequently crowded.It often involves waiting for a space if oneintends to shop in Maidstone. County Hallstaff already have their extensive carparking facilities, which are closed to thepublic for most of the working week.The proposed scheme for Brewer Street

should only be agreed if the plans includethe building of parking spaces for allpeople resident in the hotel or using thespa facilities.It would be useful to have the

construction work accessed from theCounty Hall road and this should be acondition of approval for the scheme.Brewer Street is narrow and unsuited tobuilding lorries going up and down.Josephine Gibbons, Maidstone

Sad farewell to schoolHAVING been a reception class teacher atThurnham C of E Infant School for 25 yearsI have sadly decided to relinquish this treas-ured role.Having thoroughly enjoyed every moment

(well almost), I will miss having my own class.I have worked with amazing and loving chil-dren with supportive parents and colleaguesand consider myself extremely fortunate tohave done so at this wonderful school for so

many years. I am proud that recently I havebeen in the honoured position of teaching thechildren of “children” that I have taught. So ful-filling! I have so many happy memories to takewith me into retirement. I look forward tospending time with my grandchildren and,hopefully, travelling.If you remember me, I would love to hear

from you as I am always keen to knowwhat mypupils go on to do and to know howmuch theyremember about their first year at school.Hopefully, the memories will be good. To

parents of my pupils, I would like to thank youfor all your support and for allowing me toenjoy a “time share” of your child.I will be staying on at the school for onemore

year as a cover teacher, one day a week.If you would like to get in touch I would love

to hear from you. My email address is [email protected] Beverley, by email

Brexit not the world’s endIN light of the Brexit vote, it is perhaps agood time for the country to pause and re-flect what it is we have now go.For those of us old enough to remember

times before entering the European Union – orCommon Market as it was once known – it ishardly a leap in the dark as far as our countryis concerned.What was once a post-war trade agreement

to ensure the countries of Europe stayed friendsthrough mutual inter-dependence is now ahuge behemoth of vested interests and politicalchicanery.It is probably a world we can do without.

There will be some turbulent times as a newPrime Minister is found but after that, the de-parture can be managed in a calm and sensibleway.Far from a time for crowing

triumphalism, it is a time to be moderate,tolerant and astute.Europe and all its parts should remain a

friend and ally.R Shanks, by email

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TWO lawn mowers, a strimmer, a hedgetrimmer, some camping equipment andother items were stolen when thievesbroke into a garden shed in East Street,Harrietsham.A ceramic plant pot, about 18in tall and

embossed with bamboo leaves, was stolenfrom a garden in Lambert Drive, Otham. Aman, about 6ft tall, of medium build, withshort, light brown hair was seen at theproperty and left in a black saloon car.Two large garden plant pots have been

stolen from the front of a restaurant inWillow Close, Harrietsham.In St Welcumes Way, Harrietsham, a

Vauxhall Astra parked on the road outsidea house, was damaged.A golf club outbuilding on Ashford

Road, Bearsted, was broken into and threebackpack leaf blowers were stolen.Thieves took a white Mercedes Benz 220,

registration GL16*** from Fulbert Drive,Weavering.In Ashford Road,Weavering, a parked

vehicle was entered and power tools taken.Someone damaged the windscreen of a

vehicle parked in Willow Rise,Downswood.

In White Horse Lane, Otham, a MasseyFerguson tractor was stolen from thesports ground.A Fiat Panda parked outside an address

in Gorham Drive, Downswood, waskeyed.A shed on allotments at Sandy Lane,

Boxley, was broken into and a strimmerwas stolen.A residence in Yeoman Lane, Bearsted

was broken into. Inquiries were ongoing.In Lenside Drive, Bearsted, a shed was

entered and a red child's bike was taken.Several windows were smashed at a

disused property in Ashford Road,Bearsted. A group of teenagers have beenseen in the property.A pedal cycle was taken from outside a

premises in Grovewood Drive North,Weavering.In Weavering Street,Weavering, a

garage at a dwelling was broken into and ared Honda generator was stolen.A white Peugeot 208, registration

GD14*** was taken from a driveway InConifer Drive, Lordswood, along with achild seat, pushchair and a purse.At Cobtree Manor golf course, off

Chatham Road, Boxley, a motorised golfbuggy was stolen.Fencing was damaged at a house in

Gravelly Bo�om Road, Kingswood.

Neighbourhood WatchWorking to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police

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ARBOURTREE SURGERY‘Trust your local experts’All Aspects of Tree Work

Felling • PruningHedge Cutting

Stump GrindingFully Insured and Qualified

Free No Obligation Written Quotation

01622 759119 07771 970570www.arbourtreesurgery.co.uk

TANTONSTree Surgeons

� Maidstone � Medway � Surrounding Areas� TREE FELLING � CHIPPING

� CONIFER TOPPING� CLIMBING/DISMANTLING

� SITE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS� HEDGE TRIMMING � LOGS

� POLLARDING � FREE ADVICE STUMP GRINDING SPECIALISTSClean & Tidy Friendly Service Guaranteed

Public Liability Insured/Approved Contractor

01622 630312www.tantonstreesurgeons.co.uk

and find us on www.yell.com

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Garden Services continued Garden Services continued

KD & SON•Tree & Garden Work •Clearance

•Patios •Astroturf •Turfing•Decking •Levelling ground

•Jet washing service •Driveways & Patio •Fencing

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

Please call for your free quation

01622 80979407785 180605

MAIDSTONE TREE SERVICESProfessional Tree Services

0800 567 7175

[email protected]

� Tree Surgery

� StumpGrinding

� HedgeCutting

� Pruning � Fencing

Contact Tom

T: 01622 206431M: 07812 921748

E:[email protected] checked

TREE CARE

APPROVED GARDENS ��• Regular Maintenance & Jungle Clearances.

• Mowing Strimming Hedge Trimming. Re-Shape, Reductions & Pruning & Fencing. • Tree Works, Re Turfing & Weed Control.

• Fully Insured, Residential & Commercial.

01622 726736 07436 117576Award winning Contractor for “Kent Garden Of The Year 2010”

www.approvedgardens.webeden.co.uk

FREE ESTIMATES01622 88021807796 772020

All aspects of tree cutting, Re-shaping,Crown reduction. Felling of dangerousor dying trees. All hedges and shrubs,

topped and shapedSite clearance, prompt services

BRANCHING OUTTREE SERVICE

JBLandscapingJBJBLandscapingLandscaping

Tel: 01622 828036 Mob: 07763 905464

Drives, Paths, Patios, Fencing, Turfing, Shed Bases, Decking

All aspects of treework &garden clearance

Fully InsuredFor a free estimate

or advice please call Jim

For a free site survey call:

01622 52710607788 532926

• Fencing • Treework• Turfing • Decking• Levelling Ground • Jet Washing Service

• Water Features• Astroturf • Patios

• Clearance • Driveways

No job too big or small

EPICLANDSCAPES

Handyman Services

MIKE LEWISPROPERTY MAINTENANCE

MIKE LEWISTEL: 01622 663192

MOB: 07810 486146

• HOME & GARDENIMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS• INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

& DECORATING• WALLPAPER HANGING

• GARDEN MAINTENANCE• DECKING & PERGOLAS

•FREE QUOTATIONS• SMALL JOBS UNDERTAKEN

HANDYMANNo job too big or too small.

Painting & decorating, all roofing works & repairs,

chimney’s, guttering & guttercleaning, pressure cleaning,

fencing & brickwork & driveways

07554 267087 0800 4748750 Free from landlines

KD & SON•All roof repairs undertaken & repaired.

•UPVC Soffits & fascias.•Painting & decorating •Fencing

•Brickwork & driveways•Pressure cleaning

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

Please call for your free quation

01622 80979407785 180605

PRACTICAL PHILTHE HANDY MAN

Sheds constructed & repairedDoor hanging • Flat Pack Furniture

Interior & Exterior DecoratingMany small jobs undertaken

Please phone with your requirements01622 755898 Mobile

07834 601428

Painting & Decorating

Professional Interior Decorator

Not just a decorator, but one with over

40 years experiencenow semi retired,

so can offer a cheaper price

01622 687200

CALL MALCOLM ON 01634 308067Mob: 07788 142576FOR A FREE QUOTATION

Over 25 years’ experience ofmaintaining people’s homes. A friendly, reliable service.

Painting & decorating, Wall Papering, Tiling

and all aspects of DIY.

MALCOLM ROBERTS Painting & DecoratingServices

• Interior & exterior painting • Wall papering • Plastering

• Fully insured• Friendly & reliable service

Call Nick for a free quotation

07921 193298 01622 [email protected]

• Quality Decorating at a

fair & competitive price

• Dulux approved over

30 years experience

• Fully insured

Tel: 01622 737225

Mobile: 07816 149502www.sr-interiors.com

email: [email protected]

Tel: 07944 510742

L A N D S C A P E S E R V I C E S

E-mail: [email protected]

Tree CareHedge cuttingWeed KillingTurfingFencingFully insured, Professional service

42 7 740 E-mail: gar1 E-mail: gar5 479el: 0T E-mai4

essional serofully insured, PrFencingF

ingfurTeed KillingW

Hedge cuttingree CareT

[email protected] E-mail: gar

viceessional ser



HALLFORD DECORATINGPainting & Decorating Services

Call for free estimate• Plastering • Carpentry • Property Maintenance

• Ceramic Tiling, Floor Tiling, Laminate Flooring

Call Martin Hallford on 01622 685732 or 07956 234273Your friendly local service - Bearsted

Painting & Decorating continued

Rathbone Decorating Services

• Free Estimates • Friendly Personal Services• Domestic and Commercial • Qualified Tradesman

Tel 01622 721491 or Mobile: 07753 487796

Painting & Decorating Interior & Exterior Works Undertaken

No job too smallwith special rates

for pensioners

EXEPESTPest Control

Ross 07531 799881Out of hours also available

R.S.P.H. CertifiedInternal and External Pest Control

Insects - Rodents - BirdsSquirrel - Fox - Mole etc.

Pest Control

To place your



call our dedicated

classified team on

01622 630330

Plastering

Call David 01622 727534Mobile: 07974 891795

D K PLASTERINGAll plastering work carried out

• Excellent Work • Excellent Prices •FREE Quotes


Plastering, Rendering & Screeding New Ceilings & Repairs

Coving & Stud WallsTyrolean & monocouche rendering

FULLY INSUREDCommercial & Domestic

www.midkentplastering.co.uk

01622 631915

MID KENTPLASTERING

0781 392 7162 / 0791 994 6328 R K PlasteringAll Aspects of PlasteringInternal / ExternalPlastering Over ArtexCovingFree EstimatesClean & Reliable

Call Rob on: 07984 609133www.rkplastering.co.uk

07804 927680FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

•Plastering •Painting & Decorating•Laminate Flooring•Home Improvements

Plumbing & Heating

Chris Bourne Plumbing Servicesmaking water work

HeatingPlumbingCompleteBathrooms

Wall & FloorTiling

25yrs experience

01622 747272 /07885 950959Larkrise, Green Lane,

Boughton Monchelsea.

For all yourplumbing

needsPLUMBING

New Taps • Toilet & Cistern RepairsBath & Shower Installation

Leaks & Fault Finding • General RepairsCall Gary

07738 902116 / 01622 736266

NO CALL OUT CHARGE& FREE QUOTES

Gavin Francis

199173

Your local plumber

07860 17495901622 721779Forge Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent ME15 0TH

E:[email protected]

Central Heating Installations ex British Gas • New Boilers• Noisy Boilers and repairs • Burst pipes & leaks• Bathroom & shower installations• FULLY INSURED• ALL WORK GUARANTEED

& AT COMPETITIVE RATES

NO CALL OUT CHARGE FREE ESTIMATES

R. WEBSTERPLUMBING & HEATING

EST 20 YEARSReg No. 185889

HEATING AND PLUMBING ENGINEERSHigh efficiency boilers and heating systems installed, existing systems

updated, all gas appliances repaired and serviced. Fault finding.

All plumbing work undertaken. New bathrooms, en-suites, showers etc.

Free estimates. All work guranteed.

No call out charge - Proudly advertising in the Downs Mail for 12 years.

Tel: 01622 208621 Mobile: 07949 241982

LEE HughesPAINTING & DECORATING

SERVICESInterior & Exterior Work

UndertakenOVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

City & Guild QualifiedTel: 01622 759040

Y Decorator YD. STEWARTAll decorating

interior & exteriorFREE ESTIMATESBearsted 730541

LADY INTERIORDECORATOR

� NO JOB TOO SMALL �

� FREE ESTIMATES �

Call Lynda Daniel

on 07733 354617

GILBY PLUMBINGAll small plumbing jobs undertaken

Tel: 01622 674276 Mobile: 07973 171450

Est. 30 years

All our editions areavilable to view onlinewww.downsmail.co.uk

HIGH TOP ROOFING SERVICES

ALL TYPES OF ROOFING WORK & REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN

TILING • SLATING • FLAT ROOF • LEADWORK

COMPETITIVE RATES• All Work Guaranteed • FREE Advice & Estimates •

Tel: Maidstone (01622) 736130 Mobile: 07946 085259STEVE JARRETT

Skip Hire

Fast

Deliv

ery

01622 843511

� Skip Hire 3, 4, 6 & 12 Yard Bins

� Covering Maidstone & The Weald

� EA Registered � Fast & Prompt Service

� Commercial & Domestic

South Belringham Yard, South Lane,Sutton Valance, Kent ME17 3BD

Prom

pt

Collection

D.T SKIP HIRE

D.T SKIP HIRE

Prices from £110+VATOver 20 Years Experience



Family Business Est. 1973

NO CALL OUT CHARGE • FREE ESTIMATE

07976 29829601622 863771

A B MOYLERPLUMBING & HEATING

• Bathroom & Tiling• All plumbing work• Power flushing• Additional Radiators• Hot water cylinders

NO JOB TOO SMALL

Roofing Services

Skip Hire continuedPlumbing & Heating continued

P I N B I N SFriendly • Effecient • Reliable • Competitive

Commercial and domestic� 1-14 day hire� Same day delivery� 2-4 yard mini skips� 6-20 yard skips� Roll-on, roll-offs

� Council approved� Tipped at our site� 70% waste recycled� Crushed concrete� Top soil

0800 028 49 00Freephone

NEW SITE NOW OPEN

Detling Aerodrome Maidstone

Grab hire also available

Trailer Hire-Sales-RepairKent Trailers

Indespension AgentLivestock, Plant, Recovery,

Van, General Purpose Trailers in stock

New & UsedDetling

01622 730063 07860 [email protected]

Trailor Hire, Sales & Repairs

R & P Aerial Service

AerialsDigital Freeview

FM Radio DAB RadioSatelliteFreesatSKY HD

From a standard install to hidden cables Free initial visit

TV Wall Mounting

01622 631717 or 078069 12345Email: [email protected]

TV Aerials, Satellites & Repairs

www.apolloroofing.co.uk

07808 414965or 01622 853601

for a free, no obligation quote

COMPLETE ROOFING SERVICE• Full Roof Installation • Tiling & Slate Roofing • uPVC Fascias & Soffits • Chimney Repointing or Removal • Roofing Repairs & Maintenance

Call Allington on 01622 861564 or 07889255813www.allingtonroofing.co.uk [email protected]

MAIDSTONE FELT FLAT ROOFING SPECIALISTHigh performance felt, Reboarding, Insulation, Dorma Garages, Extensions, Facias, Sofits & guttering!

Free Estimates

Est. 1979



TV Aerials, Satellites & Repairs continued

PAUL MILL Television Ltd01622 751000 Est. 1981

• See the latest Panasonic LED, Latest 4K, Smart & 3D Screens • Freeview play • Catch Up & On Demand BBC iPlayer, ITV Player & 4oD

• Your local Sky expert, SKY HD, multiroom & “hidden” dish installation • Freeview & Freesat, Expert aerial, dish installation service

TV wall mounting service.Please phone us for free friendly advice today

Bower Place Maidstone ME16 8BG www.paulmilltelevision.co.ukWe pride ourselves on being a local business offering outstanding service

Upholstery

BEARSTED UPHOLSTERERS•3 piece suites, sofas & chairs re-upholstered & repaired

•3 piece suites individually made to order •100’s of fabrics to choose from •DIY supplies •Collection & delivery •Antique restoration

(01622) 863069Unit 3, Little Caring Farm, Caring Lane, Leeds, Maidstone

Waste Collection

D. BODY LTD

01622 631688

Waste Collection

24Hr - 7 Days A WeekPrompt & Friendly Service

Domestic & Commercial ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSED CARRIERS

� Cesspool Emptying

� Septic Tanks

� Drain Clearing

� Sludge Removal

� Treatment Plants

� Gulleys & Forecourts

� High Pressure Jetting

D.BODY www.dbody.co.uk

The Paddock, Detling Hill, Maidstone, Kent

Water Services

● Blocked drain clearance ● CCTV drain & sewer surveys● Drain & sewer cleaning ● Cesspool & septic tank services● Tankering including ADR (hazchem)● Pollution & flooding solutions ● Waste disposal & recycling

The largestindependentlyowned liquid

wastemanagement

company inthe UK

www.mtscleansing.co.uk

01233 [email protected]

Water Services continued

ALL MAKES OF WATER SOFTENERS SERVICED

• SALES • SERVICE • FILTERS & REVERSE OSMOSIS

• FREE SURVEY PROMT INSTALLATIONS

• QUOTE WG1 FOR FREE FITTER

01474 812005www.softwaterservices.co.uk

BARNSIDE, WROTHAM ROAD, MEOPHAM [email protected]

BLOCK SALTSOFTENER

Web Design

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS

01732 842454

• Google Marketing / SearchEngine Promotion • Web Site Design• E-Commerce Websites • Hosting• Email • Web Site Maintenance

Window Cleaning

• Domestic & Commercial • Window Cleaning • Conservatory Roof Cleaning• Gutter, Fascia & Conservatory • Professional & Reliable Service

• Power washing available for block paving & patios

MB WINDOW CLEANING

01622 863502 07950 211 507www.mbwindowcleaningservices.co.uk [email protected]

BusinessDirectory

www.downsmail.co.uk

Advertise from as little as £3.00 per monthCall 01622 630330 or visit our website for more details



STEPHEN GRAYState Registered Chiropodist

and Podiatrist 111 Madginford Road Bearsted

01622 630393Home visits and evening

and weekend appointments availableLook after your body and it will

allow you to enjoy your life more!

Call Gina on 07864 914056 or email: [email protected]

Benefits:•Alignment•Strength•Flexibility•Endurance•Stressrelief Mondays at 1.30pm Langley & Thursdays 1.30pm Staplehurst

6 weeks course £42

PILATESat Langley & Staplehurst

Health & Beauty

LeisureBouncy Castle

PPEENNFFOOLLDDSS AAMMUUSSEEMMEENNTTSSBouncy castles and children’s carousels01634 365427 | 07710 772597


RAZZLE DAZZLEREYNOLDS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

WORKSHOP & SHOWCASE

MON 29TH AUG - SAT 3RD SEPT10AM - 4PM AGES 4 - 18

A FUN FILLED WEEK OR ACTING,SINGING, DANCING & CREATIVITY

CONTACT [email protected] AT MEMORIAL HALL, BEARSTED

ONLY £60 FOR THE WEEK

Pet ServicesPETS HOLIDAY HOME

BOARDING FOR DOGS & CATS

01622 745438 07944 070355www.petsholidayhomekent.co.uk

EAST FARLEIGH, MAIDSTONE

• Small friendly family concern • 24 hours supervision • Professional one-to-one care • Cats have extra large runs with heated chalets • Dogs have a secure exercise area

(50mx25m) where they can run lead free safe & secure. All ages accepted, fully insured

On the Road

• 6 day operation • Around 1/4 of body shop price• Reliable, professional and flexible

Before Before

After After

MOBILE BODY REPAIRSMOBILE BODY REPAIRS

FREEESTIMATES

• BUMPER SCUFFS • KEY SCRATCHES • ALLOY REFURB • VANDOLISM DAMAGE TO PAINTWORK • DENTS • MACHINE POLISHING

• FULLY GUARANTEED TO MAIN DEALER STANDARD • FULLY INSURED

Call: 07771 621 [email protected] www.touchupsltd.co.uk

Proudsponsors of

BearstedCricket Club

All MOT’s£40.00

MoT TestingFree re-test and minor adjustments

Service and repairs carried out to all makes and models

Local recovery service now availableTyres • Exhausts • Tracking

FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE WITHIN 10 MILE RADIUS

TilyardAuto’s

Tel: 01622 663662Unit 5, Bridge Industrial Estate,

Wharf Road, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6RR

1 HOUR SERVICE

COSMETIC DESIGNDENTAL LABORATORY

Greenwich House, Peel Street,

Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2BP

Tel: 01622 686919


www.cosmetic-design.co.uk

DENTUREREPAIRS

!


On the RoadB M Travel (Kent)

Private HireAirports-London-Seaports-Days Out-Events Ditton based, our locally established drivers

are friendly, helpful and courteous.Competitive rates (airports from £40).

24 hour service.For enquiries contact

Bob Matthews on: 07904 492819 [email protected]

MOBILE BODY REPAIRS

AUTOSPRAYSOLUTIONS

For the ultimate paint finish!

� SCUFFS, SCRATCHES, DENTS etc � SAVINGS UP TO 50%

COMPARED TO BODYSHOPS� Fully guaranteed to main dealer standard

� Fully insured � 15 years experience

� Insurance work welcome

Winner oftradesperson ofthe year 2013

Call now for your free quotation on01622 727263 / 07773 340049

or [email protected]

Followus on

from your home or office...call us sit back and relax!

Service • MOT • BodyshopAll makes & models

Free collection & delivery service

01622 739864www.patheardgarageservices.co.uk- G A R A G E S E R V I C E S -

BEARSTED

The Willows, The Street, BearstedMaidstone, Kent ME14 4HH

DETLING

Highland Garage, DetlingMaidstone, Kent ME14 3HT

Granville GarageGranville Road, Maidstone

MOT TestingGeneral Vehicle

Repairs

01622 761571www.granvillegarage.com

07814 681 098www.kkautomotive.co.uk

• 6 day operation • Around 1/4 of body shop price• Reliable, professional and flexible

Before Before

After After

MOBILE BODY REPAIRSMOBILE BODY REPAIRS

FREEESTIMATES

• BUMPER SCUFFS • KEY SCRATCHES • ALLOY REFURB • VANDOLISM DAMAGE TO PAINTWORK • DENTS • MACHINE POLISHING

• FULLY GUARANTEED TO MAIN DEALER STANDARD • FULLY INSURED

Call: 07771 621 [email protected] www.touchupsltd.co.uk

Proudsponsors of

BearstedCricket Club

GMSAt we only use genuine parts

Specialising inMechanical Repairs & Maintenance• Servicing • Tuning • Air Con • Pre-MOT • Accessories fitting • Vehicle modifications • Electric diagnosticMain dealer trained • Independently pricedMaidstone’s Best Kept Secret Now come and find us

VW Audi SKODA SEAT

Unit 2 Gibralter Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2NG

01622 686824 www.gmskent.co.uk


On the Road

West Malling Garage Limited

FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY within 10 miles

£95West Malling Garage have a fully qualifiedteam of technicians, who can service,repair and MOT all makes of car.

Fixed PriceServicingfrom

BUY ONEMOT GET1 FREE

Only valid whenbooking made via email

Terms and Conditions apply

01732 874350High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QN

[email protected]

AirConditioning

Services

from

£40+ VAT Quote

EASTfor discounted offer

• Cam belt kits supplied & fitted• Broken belt damaged repaired

• All makes, petrol & diesel

ACEM.O.T. and

Clutch CentreVehicle Maintenance,

Service & M.O.T.

Te l : 0 1 7 3 2 8 7 0 3 6 8736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG

Open Mon – Fri 8:00 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 – 12:00M.O.T. only Sun 9:00 – 12:00

MONGERS GARAGE LTDFor all your servicing &

general repairs77 King St., Maidstone

(rear of Ward & Partners)

Telephone:751258

To place youradvertisement inour On The Road

feature please call01622 630330

BoughtonMalherbeNewmember Cllr Annie Allumwaswelcomed to the parish council.Election Cllr Turner was elected chairmanwith Cllr Galton as vice-chairman.Police report PCSO John Boyd reportedthere had been flytipping on the ElmstoneRoad to which the borough council hadbeen called.Co-opted John Collins was co-opted to fillthe vacant seat on the parish council.Public sessionDog mess was an increasingnuisance and the verge could not be cutbecause of it. Residents were so fed up thatphotographs would be taken of thetransgressors. The clerk would obtain detailsof a new dog mess/li�er bin that had beeninstalled at Headcorn and a notice would beplaced in Malherbe Monthly.

BredhurstOfficers elected Cllr Vanessa Jones waselected as chair and Cllr Nicola Carr waselected vice-chair.Police report PCSOMa�Adlington saidthere had been three crimes in Bredhurstand some serious burglaries nearby, withinBoxley ward. No more nuisance vehicleshad been stopped but six bikes werereported in Bredhurst Woods by a walkercalling 101.Footpath resurfacing The landowners werehappy for work to take place onfootpathKH49/50. The quote for KH49/Awas seven months old and had gone up by£360 to £4,860 plus VAT. KH50 was £1,395plus VAT. It was agreed to proceed asplanned. Public rights of way wouldcontribute £3,000, BWAG £250 and theBritish Horse Society £200. The landownerof KH49 would remove the fence andreplace it closer to the road after theresurfacing work.Printer It was agreed to buy a refurbishedKonica Minolta C203 printer for councilbusiness and share the cost with BWAG. Theprinter would use separate account codesfor the parish council and BWAG andpersonal printing. Two quotes had beenreceived at £500 plus VAT and it was agreedto accept the one for a newer machine. Themachine has a five-year guarantee andincludes all consumables, servicing etc.

Broomfield and KingswoodTall Trees There was a lengthy discussionregarding the disparity between thevaluation of the land at the redundant TallTrees play area and the offer from thetenants to purchase the land. It wasmutually agreed to not pursue the sale andthat the tenants would continue to lease thespace. The clerk would backdate the rentinvoices.Village maintenance The clerk reported oncomments being received regarding the lackof maintenance of the planters and vergesaround the parish. Despite requests fromvarious sources only one quote had beenreceived for the grass cu�ing from StevenWaring who had quoted £425 plus VAT tocut and initial clearance, thereafter to cutand clear three weekly for £120 plus VAT.Councillors requested that he be asked to dothe initial cut and clearance while the otherquotes are obtained.Bridleway improvement The clerk reportedvery positive feedback to the

extension/improvements to the bridleway.With the landowner’s consent it may bepossible to limit vehicular access along thebeginning of the bridleway.Village hall fair Councillors agreed to offera donation to the village hall funds of £50 asthere were no councillors available toparticipate this year due to othercommitments.Deputy clerk Following the resignation ofthe deputy clerk, councillors recommendedthat the position of assistant clerk beadvertised at the earliest opportunity.

DetlingFly-tipping It was reported that there hadbeen a spate of fly-tipping furniture in theparish. Maidstone Council and the policewere said to be aware of this and weretaking action to have it cleared.Footpath The path to the rear of OrchardView was said to be all clear.PotholesA large pothole was reportedalong PilgrimsWay outside the cricketground. The clerk had reported this to KentHighway Services.Air quality The clerk said she was in contactwith Maidstone Council about a meeting todiscuss air quality monitoring in Detling.VacancyNo applications had been receivedfor the parish council vacancy and it wasagreed that it should be advertised in theDetling News until the vacancy was filled.Dangerous parkingA grey van had beenreported parked dangerously at the top ofHockers Lane. The police were said to beaware of the vehicle. A resident asked if thevillage could have parking restrictions. Thechairman said consultation was taking placeover the access only signs, which couldalleviate the parking problems.Defibrillator Cllr Janice Kennard waswaiting for a quotation for the paint for theBT box and asked for authorisation to buythis. This was approved. Training dates hadbeen booked and when this had taken place,the installation would be progressed.Whitehorse Woods The chairman reportedthat further details were awaited from KCCregarding their options for the future of TheLarches andWhitehorse Woods.Playing fieldsMembers considered arequest from Bluebells to use the Old Schoolplaying field for a fundraising event and thiswas approved. It was noted that the grassneeded cu�ing and the clerk was to followthis up with StevenWaring.War memorial It was noted that the hedgesnext to the war memorial were overgrownand in need of cu�ing back. The clerk wasasked to report this.MonksMeadow John Monk reported onthe maintenance work undertaken at themeadow. He was thanked for his work.Christmas lunch Cllr Irene Bowie wasprogressing the parish Christmas lunch andwas due to meet with the WI.

DownswoodOfficers elected Cllr Roz Cheesman waselected as chairman and Cllr Bill Greenheadwas elected as vice-chairman.Police report PCSO Timon Gurr had lookedinto the law regarding vehicles being put upfor sale and parked in the lay-by onWillington Street. He said that any vehiclesparked on the road should have tax andinsurance.Potholes Cllr Gary Cooke said there was to

be a bli� on potholes.Play area Play equipment was to be installedat Foxden Drive before the summer holiday.Spires Medical Centre The chairmanthanked those involved with delivery andcollection of the surveys and Cllr Weeks forcollating the results. Concerns wereexpressed about how Dr Singh could remainimpartial when the CCG took over fromNHS England, as he is the primary care leadon the NHSWest Kent CCG governing bodyand there would be a conflict of interests.Play areasMaidstone Council said it wasunable to provide a copy of inspectionreports. The open spaces commi�ee said thebark put down under the tractor haddisappeared and more would be put down.Olympicnic Cllr Simon Roberts wasorganising medals and would be invitinglocal sporting groups to a�end. Cllr MartinWeeks was ordering new gazebos but wasconcerned about lack of storage. He was toask if parish council equipment could bestored in a shed in the grounds of thecommunity centre.Garden competition It was agreed to buyvouchers from Rumwood Nurseries to thevalues of £50, £25 and £15. The suggestedjudge had agreed to participate.Fete Cllrs Cheesman and Butler were toagree prizes for games. Some bat boxes wereto be held back for display purposes.

HarrietshamCommunity warden Fish had been stolenfrom a lake at the top of Goddington Lane,with three visits by four men. Police hadbeen informed and the owners had beenadvised that cameras might be beneficial.The warden also reported that he had puttogether a new contact list which had beenemailed to the clerk, about who to contactregarding scams.Police report There had been two crimessince the last meeting, one of theft and oneof criminal damage. There had been 34 otherincidents reported to the police, includingbad driving and road accidents.PlayschemeAmember of playscheme staffsaid they hoped the scheme would runagain this year and they were willing towork around the issues, which includedcleaning the Booth Hall each day. Therewere concerns that the decision by thecouncil had been left too late and staff hadthought they were going to be contacted.Cllr StephenMorris said he had spoken tothe staff member once during the precedingmonths. He offered to oversee the schemeon behalf of the parish council if required.There would be no grant fromMaidstoneCouncil as the deadline had passed. CllrMorris suggested a budget of £3,000 was setaside but this was not seconded. Cllr GaryTrussler proposed that the scheme becancelled for this year and this wasseconded, with three in favour, one againstand one abstention. It was suggested to staffthat if they wished to run the scheme thissummer, a grant could be given.Co-option Cllr Trussler asked fornominations. Cllr Tom Sams proposed thatMr Stanley be co-opted on to the parishcouncil. This was seconded by Cllr MikeWilliams and agreed by all councillors.Environmental issues Cllr Trussler askedwhether the commi�ee was any closer toemploying an amenities manager. CllrAllardyce said he had been trying to workout howmany hours the manager would

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need to work.Highways Cllr Tom Sams had beenphotographing and reporting potholesaround the village. A fallen tree in DickleyLane, which had been blocking the road,had been cleared by Kent Highways. It wasreported that Lenham Parish Council hadbeen advised against speed bumps and hadto agreed to install village entrance gatewayfeatures displaying the speed limit.Street names The clerk had contacted theHarrietshamHistorical Society to obtainsome historical names linked to the CTRLsite. Cllr Sams said he was passionate aboutnaming the roads after people from thevillage who had died in the WorldWars, aslisted on the memorial. Names suggestedincluded Southfields Way, Field Close,Buckingham Drive, Mills Court andMa�hewsAvenue. All were in favour.PilgrimsWay footpath Cllr T Sams said thearea around the figure of Percy neededsome work during the summer months. Thepath needed a�ention and Cllr Sams saidthe work could be completed by a smallgroup of volunteers one Saturday morning.He would try to arrange a date. It was alsopointed out that Percy needed a coat of oil.

HollingbourneElected Cllr Bedwell was re-electedchairman with Cllr Ward as vice-chairman.Fence The residents of a house in CulpeperClose, who have erected a high fencearound their property, have assured CllrAlan Benne� that they were not aware thatthey had upset their neighbours and wouldseek planning permission as soon aspossible.Assembly Cllr Bedwell thanked Cllrs AlanandAnn Benne� for all their work inorganising the annual parish assembly, alsoto the WI and the clerk for se�ing up andsupplying the food for the buffet.Hollingbourne Corner Concern wasexpressed that many drivers ignore thewhite lines at the Hollingbourne Cornerroundabout. Kent Highway Services wouldbe asked for comments.Lorry fire There had been a lorry fireunderneath the bridge near the junction forthe services. The cones had been removed inthis area and metal barriers were going to beerected instead. The parish councillorsqueried the wisdom of this as the hardshoulder should be available for parking asa safety precaution.Crime Cllr John Cobbe� asked for anupdate on the crime which took place in hisgarden when an iPod with a name was leftfollowing criminal damage to the property.PCSO Dave Rowley reported that the casewas still open.Off-road bikes The off-road bikes from theclub along Hospital Lane had beendisturbing local residents again. Cllr AlanBenne� had contacted Maidstone Council’senforcement officer, Alan Howell and wasawaiting a response. The PCSOs would alsocontact Mr Howell.Draft Local Plan Four potential sites withinHollingbourne parish are mentioned onMaidstone Council’s draft Local Plan. Theyare Woodcut Farm Industrial Estate,Ashford Road; Wealden Homes site, beingthe 14 houses being build next to 103Eyhorne Street); 10 proposed housesbetween Claygate and Godfrey House;housing to be built on land behind theWindmill public house.

Bats It was reported that there could be avery rare bat colony near the entrance to thevillage. The Bat Society had installedequipment to identify the species. An acre ofland had also been set aside for theprotection of habitat for bu�erflies andmoths, and several rare species had beenspo�ed.MemorialAworking party for therestoration of the war memorial was to beformed and various sources of fundingwould be sought.

LeedsElected Cllr John Gove� was elected aschairman of the parish council with Cllr BobChina as vice-chairman.Public forumA resident spoke regardingthe proposed route of the relief road. KCCCllr Gary Cooke stated that the countycouncil was currently considering this and itwas likely that three routes would beproposed which would be put through apublic consultation process. The optionswould probably be one to the east, one tothe west, and a combined route.Cowslips Cllr Cooke apologised to theparish council and its residents on behalf ofKCC for cu�ing the cowslips in the villagewhile they were still in bloom. He statedthat the contractors had been spoken toregarding this and instructions had beenissued to prevent this from happeningagain.Highways Cllr Cooke reported that KCCwas currently undertaking its annual findand fix bli� on potholes throughout thecounty.Planning ma�ers It was agreed that theparish council would object to applicationsregarding Ba�el Hall and Castle View,Burberry Lane, Leeds, as it was concernedabout the location of the car park nearadjacent properties and the noise and lightpollution from this. It was suggested thatthe car park should be relocated away fromthe properties. Concerns were raisedregarding the continued use of the overflowcar park by the castle as planningpermission had not been granted for this.The clerk was asked to raise this withMaidstone Council planning enforcement. Itwas agreed that the parish council shouldset up a meeting to establish a dialogue withthe new chief executive of Leeds Castle.Tennis courts It was agreed to seek quotesfor sweeping and tidying up the tenniscourts at the playing field. A quote forpainting the pavilion was agreed.Ledian Farm Borough Cllr Gill Fort hadheld a meeting with Gallagher’s regardingthe application for the opening of theentrance at Ledian Farm. A furtherapplication was to be submi�ed for theentrance and the demolition of some units.Bollards It was agreed that the parishcouncil would consider erecting twobollards at the end of Wykeham Grove toenable vehicles to turn safely into the Close.The parish council would liaise with theKCC highways officer over this.Church car parkA new lock would bebought to replace the one missing from theoverflow area in Church car park.

LenhamOfficers elected Cllr Richard Greenwoodwas elected as chairman and Cllr Jerre� waselected as vice-chairman.

Grass cu�ingsA resident asked that grasscu�ings be collected from the play area atCherry Close. The clerk was to ask tocontractors for a quote.Rogue traders The meeting heard that roguetraders had been offering to clear gu�eringand do gardening in the area. Suspectsshould be reported on 101.MaintenanceQuotes were accepted for therepair and maintenance of the notice board(£400) and painting the side door at the lock-up (up to £250). It was agreed to request thatthe work be undertaken.Rabbits The meeting heard it would be atleast two days work to fill in the holes andcarry out procedures to deal with the rabbitproblem at the cemetery. Cllr Greenwoodwould organise a quote.Fingerposts Cllr Paul Scrivens haddelivered le�ers to local businessesoutlining the proposal of new fingerposts inThe Square and offering the retailers theopportunity to buy signs.Cooler units Cllr Michael Cocke� reportedon the Co-op application concerning coolerunits which had been approved withconditions to monitor the noise levels of theunits.Traffic calming Cllr Scrivens was to meetwith Cllr JennyWhi�le and a representativeof Kent Highway Services to discuss optionssuch as entry gates approaching the village.Play facilities Cllr Alastair Walmsleysuggested two phases to upgrading thefacilities at Ham Lane and Cherry Close – arefurbishment of existing equipment costingabout £7,000 and installation of newequipment at Ham Lane costing about£25,000.William Pi� field The lock on the gate hadbeen changed by the football club, but theyhad not provided a spare key for the parishoffice. A key would be requested.Tourism Cllr John Nye had collectedinformation promoting Lenham as a touristdestination. The advertising of theinformation on websites and in magazineswould be the next step.

UlcombePlanning Regarding Hawthorn Farm, PyeCorner, it was agreed to contact theplanning officer to reiterate the council’soriginal comments and also to expressconcern in relation to the lack of piped waterto this site, apparent irregular use of anelectricity supply, and the unsuitable refusecollection point at the end of the track whichvisibly impacts the surrounding area, in theLowWeald Special LandscapeArea, withup to 15 li�er bins and stray li�er. Thecouncil supported the ecological queriesraised by the planning officer. It was alsoagreed to explore other actions.BusesA le�er from the East of MaidstoneBus Meeting gave details of free travel atweekends, holidays and evenings to youngpeople.HGV signs Following an email fromBoughton Malherbe Parish Council, it wasresolved that the parish council would fundfour signs in total.HighwaysA pothole near the manholecover of Lodge gardens and The Streetwould be reported.Li�er Rubbish had been reported near theA20 andWilliam Post Lane.Minutes It was agreed that draft minuteswould be placed on the website only afterbeing seen and agreed by the chairman.


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