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Lights go out on festive canopy


MAIDSTONE High Street is to lose its trademark canopy of all- white Christmas lights – as a result of a controversial “im- provement project”. The first phases of the High


Street regeneration, costing £2.2m, are due to start later this year. But a report to councillors


said it would result in the loss of the lighting canopy and some trees in which lights have been displayed. “It is not within the scope of


the project to design and pur- chase a replacement Christmas lights display,” it added. Cllr FranWilson, leader of the


LibDems,whohave opposed the scheme for the past two years, said: “What we are going to re- ceive is design over common


Olympic dreams A EXHIBITION of young athletes’ Olympic dreams can be seen in the library at University of Creative Arts’ Oakwood Park cam- pus until June 2. Ed Harri- son, the 400m hurdler , is featured in the free photo- graphic display, open from 10am to 4pm week- days.


sense and public enjoyment.” A few years ago, Canterbury praised Maidstone for its “par- ticularly dramatic and effec- tive” all-white canopy when the city was reviewing its festive options. But lights will continue to be funded by Maidstone Council in the town centre, though a de- cision will be taken later about contracts and spend. Several thousand people are attracted to the lights switch-on event at the end of November but the council has not yet as- sessed the event’s economic im- pact.


Investment in lights for the


last three years has meant costs have exceeded budget, though it is expected to be out of the red this year.


Vehicles targeted VEHICLES have been damaged in a spate of incidents. Damage was caused to a black Ford


FiestaparkedintheroadoutsideSher- ingham House, Owletts Close, Shep- way,andinLoose Road, aFord Focus saloon car was damaged. In separate incidents inLoose Road,twovehicles parked in the road - a blueCitroenC3 saloon and a red Peugeot 406 estate - were also the target of vandals.


MONDAY Bearsted


5.30pm & 7.15pm Madginford Park Infant School, Merton Rd Call Julie


01622 734283


TUESDAY Shepway


5.15pm & 7pm


St. Martin's Church Hall, Northumberland Rd Call Sue


01580 292511 sue.slimmingworld@gmail.com


Veteran cyclist dies, aged 100


PETE Avis, the longest serving member of the local San Fairy Ann Cycling Club, has died aged 100. He was only the second VTTA (Veteran Time Trials Associa-


tion) member to reach the 100. A special certificate was pre- sented to him on his birthday in January. Born in Sutton Valence, Pete spent most of his life in the Maid- stone area, most recently in Queen Eliza- beth Square. He wasmarried for 65 years to Nora, andwas father to Christine and Andy. He served in Detling as an anti-aircraft gunner in the war and went on to work for many years at Alabaster Passmore’s paper works in Tovil before moving to Fleetway Press in Northfleet. He rode to work at Fleetway, giving him-


self exercise that made him extremely com- petitive in the veteran races for which he was then qualified. Pete raced for most of his cycling life. His


friend and fellow San Fairly Ann member Dick Bradley said: “Cycling was his pas- sion,hewasagoodracingman andvery


dedicated to the club.” Pete and Nora lived in Florence Road for many years. From


1967 to 1975 the cellar of their home – which Pete and son Andy had converted into a bar – doubled as the San Fairy Ann club room. In the mid-1970s, he and Nora moved toWales. Andy said: “He had time for everybody, he was very sociable.” Pete had a fund of great stories.One of themost celebrated con- cerned his first ever outing with San Fairy Ann, aged 15, when he caused an accident that brought down everyone riding around him. Widowed in 2006, Pete leaves his children, six grandchil- dren and 16 great-grandchildren.


Show human cannonball inquest opens


AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of aman whodiedinahuman cannonball stunt at Kent Show- ground on Easter Monday.


Matthew Cranch (24), of Wa- tergate Bay, Newquay, died of multiple injuries after a stunt, involving him being fired from a cannon, went wrong.


MEAL FOR TWO £15.95 2 Starters


2 Main Courses 1 Side Dish 1 Rice, 1 Nan


Bhindi 01622 663205 INDIAN TAKEAWAY 14 Town


(excludes seafood & duck) offer ends 30th June 2011


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