Big maternity blow
CAMPAIGNERS have had to ac- cept defeat over securing a judi- cial review of the decision on Maidstone’s maternity services. But they say the battle goes on. MASH - Maidstone Action for Services in Hospital - launched a public fighting fund and worked with MP Helen Grant, doctors, councillors and news- papers for a review of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s de- cision to allow full, consultant- led maternity services to be switched to the new Pembury Hospital - leaving Maidstone with only a midwife-led service. The legal advice was that the challenge would be too risky. With the high level of proof re-
SCHOOLBOYS who are gifted at sport have been learning the importance of a nutritious, bal- anced diet to boost their per- formance levels. The Oakwood Park Grammar
students were guided in their cookery classes by chef Ben Williams, who works at Maid- stone's floating Medway restaurant, The Barge. Its owner James Bailey, who
has a son, Spencer, at the school, decided to help out when he was approached by teacher Neil Buckley, who
quired, there was less than a 50% chance a judge would find against Mr Lansley. MASH chairman Dennis Fowle said: “We may not beat him on legal grounds but morally he should be ashamed.” The case would have cost
about £30,000 – and more than double that if it were lost. Over £10,000 had already been pledged or given to the fund, which has now closed. MASH and local politicians
are now pressing for 24-hour consultant-led obstetrics and 24-hour consultant-led inpa- tient children’s services at Maidstone Hospital in Her- mitage Lane.
Birthing unit by
Road changes for
September WORK has now started on building the new stand-alone birthing unit at Maidstone Hos- pital and is scheduled to be completed by September when consultant-led births will be transferred to Pembury Hospi- tal. It is expected to take 200-250
births a year – a choice made by women who are expecting births with no complications.
A planning application has
been submitted for between 140-300 extra parking spaces for Maidstone Hospital – to be sited in front of the hospital be- tween the child nursery and Hermitage Lane.
Gifted sport youngsters given taste of success
oversees "Team Oakwood" - a group of talented sporting pupils. He organised the day's events, which also included spinning classes at David Lloyd's for 32 boys. Oakwood's director of sport, Matt Keeling-Jones, said later this year they would go to Brighton Univer- sity to learn more about nutrition, physiology and psychology.
Staplehurst lad Max Holley, 12, (pictured 2nd left) mixes ingredients with fellow young cooksWilliam Lowe, 12, from Allington;Will Sumner, 11, from Kings Hill; and Callum MacGregor, 12, from Maid- stone. Overseeing them are Matt Keeling-Jones, school director of sport, and chef BenWilliams.
school extension LINTON Park School has been told it can only build an exten- sion after it has installed a new pedestrian crossing on Heath Road. Planning permission was
granted to replace existing tem- porary site cabins to the east of the school with a self-contained teaching block providing a new primary school and creative studies centre. This will com- prise a reception area, five main classrooms, a library and re- source area, hall, toilet facili- ties, storage and an office to the ground floor. Before the development can
be occupied, Maidstone Coun- cil ordered the installation of a pair of new pedestrian crossing points at Heath Road on the west side of the school access and a solar-powered interactive sign indicating children cross- ing above a 'slow down' plate approximately 50m west of the Heath Road/Hubbards Lane junction. Once work is complete, the
building would have a second level towards the rear of the site providing an independent learning resource area, art room, office and balcony for an outdoor teaching area. Medway Education Trust, the charity that runs the school, would provide the majority of funding towards the project.
The place for plants
We are an independent garden centre run by a team of people with a passion for plants and an enthusiasm to share it.
Whether you’re a fair weather gardener or a plant lover and collector, we have plenty to offer with an incredible selection of seasonal bedding and an extraordinary choice of hardy plants, from alpines to climbers and roses to fruit trees, to name just some.
So if you’re looking for something special or
are preparing for a summer in the garden, we know we’ve got something to suit you, but don’t take our word for it, please come and see us. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Bigger and better for 2011
We’ve been busy over the winter, come and see what we’ve been up to!
We stock the free 2011 Yellow Book for Kent and MBC Garden Waste Bags
01622 737801
Ashford Road (A20), Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4NH
www.thepottedgarden.co.uk
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk South 19
We are open 7 days a
week 9am – 5.30pm including Sundays & Bank Holidays
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48