Go Compare at festival
OPERA star Wynne Evans, who features in the “Go Compare” TV ads, will be Katherine Jenkins’ special guest at Music on the Hill. Wynne, whose debut album “A Song In My Heart” was recently at number one in the clas- sical chart, will be performing with the Na- tional Symphony Orchestra on the opening night of Friday, June 24, at Kings Hill. The singer recently signed a six-album deal
with Warner Music, but he might be better known to audiences as spoof opera star Gio Compario in the TV adverts for a price comparison website. He was also the opera voice for Gary Lineker in a crisps advert. He has also performed at more than 30 interna-
tional rugby games. He said; “I am really looking forward to accom-
panying Katherine Jenkins on stage for Music on the Hill in June. It’s a fabulous event to be part of, to perform in a more intimate setting and for two great causes.”
‘Safe’ environment
at pre-school KINGS Hill Pre-school was praised for providing children with a safe environment, in the latest Ofsted inspection. Inspector Susan Scott re-
ported: “Children feel safe be- cause there are extremely good systems in place to safeguard their welfare and to ensure they feel secure and happy at the setting.
“Frequent observations and assessments promote a good understanding of children’s needs and well organised sys- tems enable staff to promote their progress and develop- ment.” The pre-school has 73 chil-
dren on its roll. The facility, based at Kings Hill centre in Gibson Drive, was registered in 2007. Ms Scott rated the pre-school
good overall. She said it could be further improved by provid- ing “time and space to enjoy energetic play daily, either in- doors or outdoors”, and through reviewing the environ- ment “to ensure that it is inter- esting, attractive and accessible to every child so they can learn independently”.
Music on
the Hill will take place in a dedica ted arena at Kings Hill, and all profits will go to Demelza Hospice Care
for Children and The Children’s Development Trust. Tickets for the Katherine Jenkins concert cost £35,
and those for McFly the following night are £33.50. The line-up for the family fun day on Sunday, June 26, will include ABC, Bjorn Again and reality TV star Stacey Solomon. Family tickets are £80. Top girl band The Sugababes will be joining
McFly on the bill for the Saturday. Sugababes mem- ber Heidi Range and boyfriend, DJDave Berry, who is in the line-up for the following day’s family fun day, have supported the hospice for several years.
Homes planned for edge of town A PLAN has been submitted to build 43 homes on the outskirts of Allington, on the north-west edge of Maidstone. Kingsway Properties has applied to establish 26 houses for the
open market and 17 affordable units in Bunyards Farm, London Road. The plan includes 91 parking spaces The proposal is larger than an outline application for 18 apart-
ments that received outline planning permission in July last year. According to a planning statement by Pegasus Planning Group:
“The increased residential density proposed for the site constitutes a level of development commensurate with the site’s sustainable location in order to make the most efficient use of the previously developed land.” Tonbridge and Malling’s development control manager, Neil Hewett, indicated his support for a scheme of this size. In a letter sent to the project’s architect in January, he wrote: “It is accepted that the development would need to be in the region of 43 dwellings overall to support this level of housing froman economic point of view. “It is also recognised that, in order to accommodate this level of development, it will be necessary for a small amount of develop- ment to take place beyong the current extent of previously devel- oped land.” Tonbridge and Malling Council will decide on the application.
Man jailed after golf club attack
AN East Malling man has been jailed for eight years after hit- ting a man on the head with a golf club. Brian Dunn (35) attacked Richard Palmer after riding into a garage in Catlyn Close, East Malling, on a BMX bike. Dunn, of Howard Road, de-
nied wounding with intent and attempted robbery but was convicted on what a judge called “the clearest evi- dence”. He also denied making a
threat to kill Charlie Pearce and that charge was left on the court file. Maidstone Crown Court
Raider sought POLICE are appealing for any information regarding a bur- glary at the Ham Hill Services in Snodland. The police have released a
CCTV image (above) of a man they would like to speak to. On February 9, a man took money from the till as it was opened to give change. He then ran out of the service station on Malling Road, towards the A228. Info – 01732 379217.
40 Malling
heard Mr Palmer and friends were watching a film in the
garage on November 4 last year when Dunn rode in. He told Mr Palmer he was going to stab him and de- manded his money and phone. He headbutted Mr Palmer, pushed his thumbs in his eyes and then struck him with the golf club. Mr Palmer needed stitches
for a wound to his forehead and upper lip. Dunn had 33 previous con- victions for 105 offences, some for robbery and violence – though none for violence in the last 10 years. Judge Andrew Patience QC
said there had to be a substan- tial sentence to punish and act as a deterrent.
Salvation Army goes Dutch
A BRASS bandfrom Amsterdam will be performing in Maid- stone as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Sal- vation Army’s international staff band, based in London. The event takes place at the Salvation Army’s Union Street worship centre on Friday, June 3 at 7pm. Info – 01622 681808. The Dutch bandwill join five other staff bands for a concert at
the Royal Albert Hall the following day, and then perform in front of Buckingham Palace on the Sunday. A Salvation Army bandfrom Norwich will feature in a con- cert at The Friars, Aylesford, on Saturday, June 18.
Eagles to turn back time at Hop Farm
THE Eagles will top the bill at the two-day Hop Farm music festival on Friday, July 1. The Hop Farm will be the band's only UK show. Join- ing them that night will be Bryan Ferry and The Human League. Saturday's line-up is head-
lined by Morrissey, former frontman of The Smiths. It will also feature appearances by Lou Reed, former lead singer of the Velvet Under- ground and Iggy & The Stooges. The festival, now in its
fourth year, will also feature younger acts such Brandon Flower and Flamingo.
Staircase returns PART of a staircase that had been in Maidstone’s Arch- bishop’s Palace for 400 years has been found... in a skip. The Jacobean post, which
dates from the reign of James I, was removed from the palace during a restoration project. It was discarded when the reception area was being refurbished. Discussions are underway
to decide whether to restore the post to its original place in the Mill Street palace. A KCC spokesman said:
“The post is in safe storage. We’ve contacted Maidstone Council about the next steps.”
Leybourne triathlon RUNNING, cycling and swimming will all be part of this year’s triathlon at Ley- bourne Lakes in aid of Kent Wildlife Trust. The event, consisting of a
5km run, 15km bike ride and a 400m swim, is organised by Team Outrageous, and will take place on Sunday, June 12. Entry costs between £20 and £30. Details from Julie Clare at KWT on 07799 750531/
Julie.clare@ken-
twildlifetrust.org.uk
Healthy school AYLESFORD Sports College has been awarded National Healthy School Status for en- couraging children to adopt a healthy lifestyle and under- take activities out of school hours. The Kent Healthy Schools Programme is run by KCC and NHS Kent.
Temporary stay GYPSIES have been given a two-year extension to remain at Ashtree Place, Hampstead Lane, Nettlestead. In 2005, a five-year permis-
sion was granted to allow the stationing of three static and one touring caravans. Maid- stone Council’s planning committee granted another temporary consent.
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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