KENT Life at Sandling is offering a new home for unwanted tea cosies. The attraction’s current café is being re-


vamped, with a salute to the 1950s and a more homely, pantry-style atmosphere. New site manager Emily Hirons (pictured)


said: “Nothing else can take us back to the good old days quite like seeing a steaming pot of tea with a charming cosy on. “We would love to give people’s tea cosies


a fantastic new home so please donate yours or even make us a new one, and if


Cosy up for a cuppa


they have a Kentish story behind them, all the better.” Donors will receive a voucher for a free


tea or coffee and a slice of cake in the new cafe - and the owner of the favourite cosy will win a family pass. Tea cosies must be received by 5pm on Friday, 28 February. Send them to Kirsty Vernon, Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, ME14 3A.


‘No automatic train franchise renewal’


ALOCALMPwants the Transport Secretary to re-open bids for the Kent train franchise held by Southeastern. Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling)


told Transport Secretary Philip Hammond: "I urge that Southeastern should not be granted an automatic two-year extension of its franchise on the nod from yourself. "Instead, before you take any such deci-


sion, you should invite alternative bids from other train operating companies to see whether you can get a better deal on rail services, particularly on the Maidstone East line, and on fares, than is currently being provided by Southeastern.


AWARMwelcome is promised at a series of lunches during Lent at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road,Wateringbury. Meals will be served from 12.30pm to 2pm onWednesdays, March 16, 23 and 30 and April 6 and 13. Pop in for a chat over soup and


"As far as I am concerned, more of the


same for two more years just won't do." Sir John said he had forwarded numerous complaints to the Department of Transport about Southeastern’s "profoundly disap- pointing" performance. In a strongly worded letter, he criticised


the firm for axeing direct City services and said it had failed to provide an all-weather service and overseen an "unacceptable" level of train cancellations. "Notwithstanding all this, Southeastern


have imposed extortionate fare increases on my constituents," he added. Transport minister Theresa Villiers had


Warm welcome waiting at Lent lunches


bread or cheese, tomato and bread with tea, coffee or squash. Cheese, sandwiches and cake will be available for children. Everyone is welcome, with vol-


untary donations invited for char- ity. Transport is available if needed locally. Info: 01622 813032.


Lillicos Country Store COME AND SEE OUR GREAT


NEW PET DEPARTMENT! Naturediet 18 x 390g £11.22 Hills Adult Cat 2kg £9.99


Wagg Working Dog 17kg £8.99 Catsan Cat Litter 20ltrs £8.16


James Wellbeloved Adult Cat 2kg £6.99 Felix Pouches 12 x 100g £2.50 Jumbone All Sizes £1.19


Whiskas Cat Treats All Varieties 75p


Lillico Country Store, Beddow Way, Aylesford, KENT ME20 7BT Tel: 01622 718062


10 Malling Support YOUR local paper—and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330


told Sir John that a public consultation would not be held on the issue. "The terms of the franchise agreed by the previous administration require the Secre- tary of State to offer an additional two years to Southeastern, at the price agreed in 2005, if it passes the continuation review," she added. Meanwhile, Maidstone MP Helen Grant


told Mrs Villiers that her constituents are suffering from “appalling service”. She said she had received a huge number


Homes inquiry


of letters and emails about delays, over- crowding, wrong information on websites, lack of toilets, dirty rolling stock and lack of a City service. She also said the rise in fares


A PLANNING inquiry will be held following an appeal lodged by Mr R Hayward against Ton- bridge and Malling Coun- cil’s refusal of permission for three detached houses with garages at East Street, Addington.


was “exorbitant” and called for urgent action. But, in sharp contrast, a sur-


vey by rail watchdog Passenger Focus showed that 80% of Southeastern customers are sat- isfied with the service, though it was still the third lowest overall satisfaction rating na- tionwide.


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