Council comes out a little bet- ter than most Kent neighbours on cuts in Government grants there are too many signals of a very tough New Year ahead for all – especially for many al- ready in need. The Government, KCC and Maidstone Council make de- termined noises about trying to retain the level of key services as they make enforced economies inmany directions. But quality of life seems sure


to suffer as financial belts sig- nificantly tighten – and for some the outlook is very wor- rying. My main concerns are for


households already financially stretched about to see costs rise, higher taxes and National Insurance


contributions,


smaller benefits and mortgage repayments almost certain to escalate. Then there are the less fortu-


Challenges for a worrying New Year MailMarks


ALTHOUGH Maidstone


DENNIS FOWLE - President Kent Campaigning Journalist of the Year 2001 email: dfowle2011@aol.com


nate who depend on help and services which seem doomed to disappear or be reduced. Charities which provide vital financial and practical help are preparing for a very difficult year. In Maidstone we have so


many and most know cuts are coming. KCC, Maidstone Council, the NHS etc give grants and as they divide their smaller cakes there will be many losers. We will feel most keenly the


losses to charities such as Age Concern, Heart of Kent Hos- pice, Demelza House Citizens Advice Bureau, Kent Air Am-


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Good citizen Dear Sir - I am writing to advise you of a problem that has re- cently been resolved by a local man named Mike Hogg. Our site at Tovil, on Farleigh


Hill, has a grass verge for which we are responsible, which we used to maintain, cutting the grass at regular intervals. We stopped mowing the grass


when it became apparent that local people were using it a a place to walk their dogs with- out clearing up the mess they left behind. We were approached by the parish council requesting that we resumed the grass-cutting, which we declined to do be- cause of the problem with the dogs’ mess. Recently Mike asked us why


we did not cut the grass and we told him.Within days of that conversation he had helped clear the tall grass and arranged for a bin to be positioned for the deposit of dogs’ mess. This has now been done and it just awaits signage. I feel that a person like Mike should be thanked for his ef- forts and encouraged to become more involved in parish mat- ters.


MalcolmBack, Manager, CTD, Tovil


Double standards Dear Sir – Ironic, isn’t it? Pre- sumably, the prime position and design of the Maidstone Travelodge had to be approved, despite the yet-to-be-removed cardboard cladding effect. Does anyone have a good


word for that visual blight of a building?


bulance – and many more. Some services they provide free must be charged in future. There are many support or- ganisations with no firm serv- ice commitments which raise funds for these charities. Their hard task will be to try


to maintain that level of sup- port from a hard-pressed pub- lic. I see wide evidence of a de-


sire to succeed. When my Maidstone Rotary Club organ- ised charity giving for town centre car parking before Christmas the public was very generous. And as I visit many or these





organisations to speak about the Downs Mail story I am en- couraged by their health and vitality. Who will rise to these chal- lenges in 2011 – and who will suffer most?


Uplifting FEW experiences can be


more rewarding than the brief relationships between young children and Santa. The Ro- tary Club of Maidstone took over much of the grotto man- agement at the Mall Chequers and several Rotarians enjoyed the privilege. Most children were enchant-


ing during their few magic mo- ments with Santa. What excitement in their eyes as they entered Santa’s home. These are memories which


last a life time for children – and Santa. How many lovely children there are around.


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or e-mail: info@downsmail.co.uk


And yet, Earl’s application to convert part of the pub’s roof into a drinking area has been re- jected by Maidstone Council’s planning department on the grounds that “it would be detri- mental to the architectural in- terest and visual appearance of the Grade 11 listed building and to the character and appearance of the conservation area”. The Travelodge is on full and


prominent view to all who enter and leave Maidstone. The Earl is not. In the words of John McEnroe: “You cannot be seri- ous!” Is it me?


Kathryn Litton, Maidstone


Parcel memories Dear Sir – I am the president of the Caulfield (in Melbourne, Australia) branch of the Re- turned and Services League (the Australian equivalent of the Royal British Legion). We are in the process of com-


piling a history of the club since its inception in 1916. One of the many aspects I am exploring is the “parcels for Britain” scheme that one of our members set up in 1944 through to 1950. I came across a report dated 1949 with the following information: The gift parcels went to scores


ing from Maidstone said: “Your parcel arrived when I was puz- zling, so as to make something for the children at Christmas. It will enable me to prepare lot of extra things for their Christmas, which otherwise they would not have had.”


of cities, towns and hamlets in Britain and hundreds of letters were received by the branch, from grateful recipients of which the following is a typical example. An ex-serviceman’s wife writ-


I am writing to ask whether


any of your older readers have any memories of receiving a similar parcel, and if so write to me with their memories. For those with computers I can be contacted at robertcharles. larkin@gmail.com or by post at: Caulfield RSL 4 St Georges Rd. Elsternwick Victoria, 3185. Australia. Robert Larkin,


President, Caulfield RSL


Accident appeal Dear Sir – My 83-year-old aunt was knocked down by a car on the Tonbridge Road at The Fountain junction on Wednes- day, November 10, at about 2- 2.30 pm. The considerate driver of the


red car which hit her stopped to ask if she was all right (although it was obvious she wasn't). She thinks she said she needed an ambulance. How- ever, he stated he was “on green” and turned and drove off. I would like to thank the cou-


ple who stopped and assisted my aunt, and who also tele- phoned the police and ambu- lance. We do not know the couple’s names but thank them for the help they gave. We are appealing for any wit- nesses to this accident, and would ask them to contact PC Lloyd or PC Foster at Maidstone police.


Rochelle King (via e-mail)


Charity appeal (1) Dear Sir – With Christmas be- hind us, and many families clearing space in their cup- boards for new presents, I would like to ask readers to consider donating unwanted


items to The Children’s Trust’s charity shops. Our shops would welcome donations of good quality items, including clothing, fash- ion accessories, kitchenware, books, games, toys, DVDs/CDs, bric-a-brac, electrical goods and furniture. Even clothes that are too tatty


to be sold should be put in a bin bag and labelled “rag” as these will also help generate in- come. With regard to donating furniture items, please contact Donna Jarvis on 01622 685112 for an initial discussion. Our charity shop in Maid-


stone is at 20 Gabriel’s Hill. We would also love to hear


from anyone who would like to become one of our volunteers and join our friendly team. Roy Greenslade,


The Children’s Trust


Charity appeal (2) Dear Sir – I am writing on be- half of the NSPCC in Kent to thank your readers for their support over the last 12 months. I would also like to ask read-


ers, when thinking about their New Year resolutions, to con- sider helping the NSPCC to make a fundamental difference to the lives of vulnerable chil- dren in this area. This year we are making a special appeal to anyone in Kent who has secured a place in the 2011 London Marathon, to consider running it in aid of the NSPCC – we can supply running vests, sponsor forms and training hints and tips to anyone who is able to help us. Rupa-Dey Amin


Head of local fundraising NSPCC


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