Town gets high-speed London link
HIGH-speed trains are to run from Maidstone West to London St Pancras from May 23. Local rail champion Cllr Malcolm
Robertson hailed the peak-time service as great news for the town’s commuters and its economy. But he urged the borough council to im-
prove public transport links to the West station and make parking available. A £37.50 return ticket will buy a journey
There will be four trains each way - 06.56,
0726, 0756 and 1913 from MaidstoneWest and 1714, 1744, 1814 and 0625 from St Pancreas. The morning service will take just 47 min-
to London taking less than 50minutes on a comfortable, air-conditioned train. It will stop at Strood, Gravesend and Stratford In- ternational - the latter will make it “very attractive” for Canary Wharf workers, said Cllr Robertson. The downside for many commuters, though, is that St Pancras is
Invicta wins mock trial event
INVICTA Girls Grammar won the local heat of a mock trial competition at Maidstone Magis- trates Court. The school beat Astor
of Hever and a school in Dover to progress to the regional final in May. The competition, organised by the Citizenship Foundation in
Invicta pupils celebrate their success
partnership with the Magistrates’ Association and local magis- trates and court staff, is now in its 17th year and aims to intro- duce young people to the legal system. This year’s case involved a course of conduct that amounted to disorderly behaviour. Teams of 12-14 year olds took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff in a specially written criminal case, battling against other schools – as prose- cution and defence – with their performance judged by real mag- istrates and legal professionals. It is one of the only active learning competitions to address the legal system.
The Goodman Centre A day centre facility
specialising in dementia care for those living in the Maidstone Borough
A fully qualified nurse will be on site at all times.
There is a permanent onsite cook who provides a healthy nutritious lunch.
Clients can either come in by transport provided by us or by their own means.
Activities at the day centre include:•Gardening •Entertainment •Cooking •Mobility Therapy •Lunch
01622 753618
www.ageconcernmaidstone.org.uk Age Concern Maidstone, 11 Mill Street, Maidstone, ME15 6XW
Save money on your hair styling costs! At the Keith Graham
Hairdressing Academy Salon Cut & Style Perm
Blow - dry or set Full Head Foils Partial Foils Tint
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For further information and to book call 01622 691916. 49 Earl Street, Maidstone.
16 Town
utes, and 48 minutes in the evening, compared to about an hour between Maidstone East and Victoria. It will only be truly high-speed from Ebbs-
fleet as it will “trundle up” the Medway Valley line on existing third-rail power.
not handy for those who work further south in the capital and face a cramped, onward Tube journey to the office. The news was welcomed by Maidstone
MP Helen Grant, who has been fighting for the return of the fast City service to Cannon Street via Maidstone East since it was axed in December 2009. She said: “While I understand this is still
not the return of the much missed City serv- ice and that St Pancras will not be the ideal destination for many, this is a good start.” Cllr Robertson warned the service would be experimental. “It’s critically important
that a lot of people use it. It could be a case of use it or lose it. He added: “We have to make it work with transport connections and car parking.”
No tree reduction A PLAN to reduce the size of overhanging branches of a pro- tected sweet chestnut tree near Mote Park was blocked. Maidstone Council refused
the application claiming the proposed 3m reduction of a tree at The Spinney, Maidstone, could have “set a precedent for further works to this and other protected trees, with wider im- plications for local amenity”.
Schoolboy prank? THE front door to a property in Shepway Court was damaged. Three schoolboys, aged 11 to 12, wearing white shirts, dark trousers - thought to be the school uniform for NLL Acad- emy – were believed to have been involved.
Messing around YOUNGSTERS are invited to take part in some messy after- school activities. For £2 per family, the Salva-
tion Army’s Messy Church on Thursday, May 12 offers a time for primary school pupils and their families to have fun, wor- ship and share a meal together. The premises at 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone will be open from 3.30pm, with activities from 4pm to 6pm. Children must be accompanied by a par- ent/carer. Info - 01622 681808.
Conservatory plan A PLAN has been lodged to erect a conservatory for use as a family meeting room at the Trevor Gibbons Unit, Maid- stone Hospital.
CHARITY ABSEIL IN AID OF THE HEART OF KENT HOSPICE
Saturday 11th June 2011
Miller House, Maidstone 200 ft drop
Raise a minimum of £75 sponsorship and abseil for free! Limited spaces!
To register contact Fundraising and Marketing on 01622 790195 or e-mail
fundraising@hokh.co.uk RCN:298164
Local friendly family run company
Country Lifestyles Ltd 40
Advice - Sales - Services & Repairs Years
Repairs undertaken for any make, model or age in your own home
All Aspects of Mobility Showroom at Horseshoes Lane, Langley
Tel: 01622 863300
www.countrylifestyles.co.uk
Visit Downs Mail’s website—
downsmail.co.uk EXPERIENCE
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