New home joy for village pre-school


A NURSERY which faced clo- sure has at last moved into its new home after two years of planning difficulties and fundraising. The Nettlestead and Water- ingbury Pre-School celebrated with an official opening cere- mony when children cut the ribbon, watched by families, staff and VIP guests. The playgroup, previously known as Kiddliwinks, had op- erated at Nettlestead Village Hall for more than 40 years, but the accommodation was no longer suitable. Plans to build a new home on


the nearby recreation ground were dashed as it would have breached planning rules be-


from Kent County Council with the group raising £10,000 and a contribution from county and borough Cllr Paulina Stockell’s member’s grant. The self-contained extension, which includes a play hall, dis- abled facilities, kitchen and covered outside area, has en- abled managers Ann Hall and Sarah Scott to launch breakfast and after-school clubs for older children. Ann said: “Everyone has been


Excited youngsters assist with the official opening


cause it was within the metro- politan green belt. Organisers feared the pre- school would have to close, but


at the 11th hour, they reached an agreement for a £268,000 ex- tension to the village hall. Most of the funding came


Benefit cheat mum put under tag curfew


A DITTON mother of three who fiddled more than £36,000 in benefits was told by a judge that she had stolen from “all normal working people”. Hayley Delaney, 30, of Primrose Drive, failed to declare that her partner had been living with her for more than two years. As a result, she was overpaid income support, housing and council tax benefit of more than £36,000, Maidstone Crown Court heard. Delaney, who admitted three charges of dis- honestly making false representations to Ton- bridge and Malling council and the Department for Work and Pensions, was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work over 12 months. She also re- ceived an electronic tag curfew from 8pm to 6am


for four months and was ordered to repay all the fraudulently claimed benefit as well as paying £300 court costs. The judge told Delaney that as she had pleaded


guilty to taking money from the benefits, she had actually stolen from all normal working people who pay into the system. Her crime was a calcu- lated and serious offence which should merit a custodial sentence of up to 36 weeks. However, he had taken several factors into ac-


count, including her remorse which he felt was genuine, and her successful effort to obtain em- ployment. He considered that imprisonment would not just punish her, but also her three young children.


DownsMail Recruitment Rickwoods of Bearsted


Requiresapart-timeBakeryCounterAssistant


Hours will vary but will be approximately 20 hours per week


The applicant must be flexible & willing to work hours to cover staff holidays or sickness. Retail experience preferred.


Please apply in writing with covering letter and/or c.v to: Simon Rickwood, Rickwoods,


1-2 The Parade, Bearsted Green, Maidstone. ME14 5DN Or email to:


rowena@wjcrouchbutchers.orangehome.co.uk Closing date: 2nd February 2011


Ashley Gardens Care Centre


89 bedded purpose built nursing home in Maidstone are looking for the following:


Care Assistants - NVQ qualified desirable but not essential. Trained Staff and Housekeeper required


For an application form, please call Jo Mazza (Home Manager) on 01622 761310 or visit www.lifestylecare.co.uk where you can download an application form.


Ashley Gardens • Sutton Road • Maidstone • ME15 8RA T: 01622 761310 • F: 01622 356420 E: ashleygardens@lifestyle.co.uk Lifestyle Care Plc


16 Malling


very supportive, especially Paulina Stockell and our ward councillors Annabelle Black- more and Rodd Nelson-Gracie. “They were very concerned


that the community should keep this facility.


“The families have been very involved in the new building and have been watching it grow since the work started last July. “We also needed new equip-


ment and Teston Coffee Stop donated money for an new floor standing easel. “Now we have a lovely bright


space where the children can do more things. Before, we used to have to put everything away at the end of each day, but now they can put their work out and it stays there.” Guests at the opening cere-


mony included Cllr Stockell, and ward and parish council- lors.


Maidstone & Malling’s


No.1 Free Newspaper


Classified Sales Person Required


The Successful candidate will possess excellent communication and telesales skills and will demonstrate confidence at all sales levels with a proven ability to develop lasting customer relations whilst working towards achievable targets.


The position is offered on a part time basis Mon, Tue & Thur 9:30am - 3:00pm,Wed 9:30am - 5:00pm


(Can be flexible for the right candidate) In return a competitive basic salary


along with a performance related bonus and commission is offered.


In the first instance please email your CV to david@downsmail.co.uk Or post to: David Dadswell,


Sales Director, Downsmail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4DT.


Visit Downs Mail’s website—downsmail.co.uk


DownsMail


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40