TV celebrity Carol to cheer on night walkers


Double celebration


for Freddie, 1 NO wonder little Freddie Nar- ramore has a beaming smile. The toddler was having a


great time at the royal wedding party – held at The Swan pub in Woollett Street, Maidstone –just days after his first birth- day.


Freddie was there with mum Jo and father Ed from Tovil.


CALLING all women. Mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends are being asked to make a date in their diaries for the fifth annual sponsored Moon- lit Walk in aid of The Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford, on July 16. More than 800 women of all ages took part in


last year’s walk to raise cash for the hospice and remember friends and loved ones in their own special way. Over the years, the walk has raised £265,000


and it is hoped that thousands ofwomenwill line up for this year’s start, at 10pm from the David Lloyd health and fitness club at Kings Hill. ITV’s ‘LooseWomen’ presenter, Carol McGiffin,


who encouraged the walkers last year, will again be cheering them on, following an energetic warm-up presented by male dancers from Mandy Ellen School of Dance inMaidstone. Carol said: “Last year the atmosphere and good


ABUS company boss has apologised to local res- idents after one of his vehicles burst into flames outside The Bull pub at Penenden Heath. Norman Kemp, of Nu Venture, said the fire ap- peared to have started in the bus’s rear engine and then spread through the vehicle. It was the 130 service from Twydall to Maidstone. There were no passengers on board and the driver es- caped uninjured. Emergency services attended promptly to tackle the blaze, just after 5.30pm on May 4. Mr


POLICE have launched a crackdown on nui- sancemotor bikerswhohave been ruining res- idents’ enjoyment of the warm weather. Officers went to the scene following com- plaints of two bikes riding constantly in woods at the back ofWilson Close, Maidstone. One motorcyclist received a warning and the other bike, belonging to a repeat nuisance


Carol McGiffin with aMoonlit walker.


spirit were so inspiring and heartwarming that I wanted to again show my support to all those women actually walking in the moonlight to raise funds for the hospice.” The 10 and 6-mile well-lit routes will be fully marshalled, with regular water and refreshment stops along the way. The hospice is asking walkers to also raise as


Boss apologises for disturbance after bus fire


Kemp said: “We are very grateful that everything was resolved safely. “We have been trading for 35 years and never


had anything like this before. It was a most un- usual incident.We have operated these particu- lar vehicles for over 10 years.” Mr Kemp said he saw the smoke from some


way off as he approached the scene in Boxley Road. “It must have been quite frightening for people locally. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Roadswere shut and it caused access problems.”


motorcyclist,was seized. A25-year-oldmanwas summonsed to court


for a number of driving offences after it was found a young girl had been driven on the front of a motorbike. PCSO Supervisor Nicola Morris said: “Thesemotorbikes are making life amisery for local residents who simply want to enjoy the summerweather in their gardens.


much sponsorship as they can. Men can also do their bit for this all-woman event, by being a marshal on the night. Walkers need to register in advance to secure their places. The £15 non-refundable regis- tration fee includes a Moonlit Walk T-shirt and pin badge, and refreshments at the finish line. For more information log on


to www.moonlitwalk.org, call 01622 790195 or email en- quiries@moonlitwalk.org


Warm weather brings increase in nuisance motorbike reports


“Not only that, but the areas in which these motorcyclists are choosing to ride are busy with dog walkers and young children, causing a danger to everyone concerned.” She warned that officers would continue to


patrol the areas in the coming months and anyone caught riding could have their motor- bike seized for good.


DownsMail In touch with your parish


Barming Council Chairman thanks


CLLR Fay Gooch was thanked for her tireless work on behalf of the parish council and also as a borough councillor. She was re- elected chairman with Cllr Peter Budgen elected as vice-chair- man. It was reported there had been


a break-in at North Pole Road and the police and a forensic team had attended. It was agreed to abandon the


parish hall, pavilion and playing field committee and add a fifth member to the planning com- mittee. The finance committee would be abandoned as the full council meets to discuss any fi- nancial item. Cllr Gooch reported that, due


to budget cuts,Maidstone Coun- cil had withdrawn from cutting verges which would now be controlled by Kent County Council. She had contacted KCC for information which had not been forthcoming and consid- ered the situation neededmoni- toring as it could have financial implications for the parish council. Survey reports had been com-


pleted for the parish hall and pavilion. A small piece of top quality asbestos had been found in the electrical cupboard in the parish hall and needed to be sealed. A quote was being ob- tained for the work. Some as- bestos had also been found in the roof of the pavilion and along both entrance steps but no action was needed at present as it was not disturbed. A copy of the report would be placed in each building which contractors must sign to show they had read and understood it. A request had been made to


Kent Highways for yellow lines at the corner of Maryland Drive. The response was that it was not high priority because there had been no accidents, and that there would be heavy cutbacks to budgets. It was agreed to ask County


Cllr Paulina Stockell for a high- ways grant for the work. The chairman reported that


the church sign on the Ton- bridge Road had been knocked down after a road accident, leav- ing a very dangerous stump. Kent Highways had informed her that the church or parish council would need to fund the


replacement as it was classed as a tourist sign. It was agreed not to replace the sign. The clerk reported that on the


latest play area safety check, branches were highlighted as being dangerous to toddlers due to the way they had been cut. The situation would be moni- tored.


Following a request from Friends of St Margaret’s Church, it was agreed that no money be given at present due to the di- minishing funding to the parish council. Members heard the group would be fundraising for some time yet to reach their goal of £10,000 and this decision could be reviewed at the end of the financial year.


Loose Council Speeding cars


ONE crime was reported – crim- inal damage at Forstal Farm. It was reported there had been a few incidents in Walnut Tree Avenue with speeding motorists and loud exhausts. The Loose Parish Council


sign, announcing the annual parish meeting, sited at the top of Old Loose Hill had been re- ported stolen but it was discov-


ered that a resident had found the sign lying around and put it in his shed for safe keeping. The clerkwas asked towrite to thank him. A member reported that since


he raised the issue of street sweeping at the annual parish meeting, the sweeper, which he said was not really suitable for the open gullies, had been round the centre of the village three times in one day. It was stated there had been a healthy number of people (more than 50) at the meeting and everyone seemed to enjoy the new format. Members discussed ways of forming closer ties and relation- ships with other organisations and charitieswithin and around the parish. It was agreed that a letter should be sent out. It was agreed that All Saints’ Church could use Brooks Field for an informal service on Sun- day, May 29, as the church had been let out for an art exhibition. The £10,000 funding for the project on Brooks Field had been received and the new com- mittee,which was being formed, had been given a year for com- pletion.


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