Freedom Pass signatures plea
A MAIDSTONE student campaigning to have the age limit for the bus Freedom Pass raised from 16 to 20 has collected more than 10,000 signatures. But 17-year-old Jamie Potten needed 12,000 names on his petition by this month’s deadline to ensure the issue is de- bated by a county council meeting. The Freedom Pass, the cost of which will double from September, is available for 11 to 16-year-olds and covers most bus routes in Kent. The IT student has set up a link on KCC’s website, where he is collecting virtual signa- tures. Jamie, of Postley Road, Maidstone, has also attached this link on the website of many schools and colleges including New
Line Learning, Malling Holmesdale Federa- tion and Mid Kent College, where he stud- ies. He said he felt it unfair that some students
are "being punished by having to pay extor- tionate sums of money" for their travel, which he estimates to be up to £1,000 a year. Jamie said those aged 16-plus like him
have to cough up around £80 a month for their travel. He claims many of his friends might drop out of their courses as a result. But KCC has acknowledged there may be
a case for extending the age limit. Over 27,000 young people currently use the pass, which can be used any time of the day or week. Now, KCC is working on plans to provide
concessionary bus travel for 16-plus stu- dents. This follows changes to the Education Maintenance Allowance, which some stu- dents were using towards transport costs. KCC cabinet member for further educa-
tion Sarah Hohler said: “Post-16 transport is an issue schools and young people have raised with me during my many visits across Kent. I am keen that students stay in education or training after they finish their GCSEs and I do not want the cost of trans- port to be a barrier to them pursuing their studies.” KCC has decided to issue the Freedom
Pass to nearly 300 young carers in the Maid- stone borough, free of charge.
Councillors act to preserve Music at Mary’s
Walderslade woodland MAIDSTONE Council deferred an application for a new home inWalderslade after fears were voiced that it could lead to the end of the ‘green-fingered’ appearance of the area. Two previous applications for a new home in Amsbury Cottage were refused – the second by appeal in 2008 due to adverse impact on trees – and a plan for a new home nearby was also turned down in recent years. Yet Maidstone Council planning officers pointed out that
the 2008 planning inspector agreed with the principle of the development but was against the loss of certain trees. They recommended backing the latest plan as two of the protected trees had been removed – one of them with the council’s consent – so the effect was no longer as great. However, planning committee members were uncomfort-
Sarah Johnson’s ability wowed compe- tition judges.
Lovely surprise
for Sarah, 17 by Dennis Fowle
THE judges sprang a surprise for the au- dience when they announced 17-year- old Sarah Johnson’s technical ability and audience rapport made her the new Maidstone and Mid Kent Young Musi- cian of the Year. Sarah, a pupil of The Judd School,
Tonbridge, who lives in St Mary Platt, took on the challenge of a solo on the horn with Poulenc’s ‘Elegie’. The overall standard of the eight final-
ists was higher than ever and for the judges, the choice between flute, cello, saxophone, recorder, horn, violin, piano and vocal was more like choosing be- tween ‘ice cream and curry’. The popular event at Kent Music, Ast-
ley House, Maidstone, raises funds to help future young musicians and is staged by the Rotary Clubs of Maidstone and Dawn Patrol. Compere was local so- licitor Blair Gulland. The magnificent 20-strong North Kent
Jazz Orchestra nearly beat, during the in- terval, the impending demolishers in blowing the house down! Runner-upwas Thomas Shelbourn (18)
who can almost make a recorder talk. Other finalists were: Bryony Clark (17) of Fort Pitt Grammar, Chatham; Frazer Bowles (17) of Maidstone Grammar; Harriet Barker of Invicta Grammar; Rosie Moore of Invicta Grammar; Katherine Samuelson (17) of Maidstone Girls’ Grammar; and Timothy Ellis of Bethany School, Goudhurst.
16 East
able with this argument and unanimously decided on a de- ferral to further examine the proposal’s impact on neighbouring woodland and the ecological impact of such a scheme.
Committee member Cllr Tony Harwood, who is also a parish councillor at Boxley, said: “If we allow this develop- ment it would be hard to refuse a similar application on nearby land. This could be the Trojan horse that encroaches onto the green fingers.We may undermine the wider wood- land and soon splurge into the Medway Towns.” Cllr Clive English said: “The inspector was not just con- cerned about individual trees but about the woodland as a whole. It could be argued that the development would have an adverse impact on woodland itself.” The proposal will return to the committee at a later date.
concert night THE next in a series of concerts to raise funds for the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Boxley will be held this month. ‘Musicat Mary’s’ is
held in the church three or four times a year and the next concert, ‘An Evening Entertainment’ will feature tthe Detling Singers on Saturday, July 16. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £2 for chil- dren under 12, and in- clude a drink and nibbles during the interval. They are available from Gill Munson on 01622 630231 or Francis Coomber on 01622 758638. The inaugural concert
was performed in March by the Kent branch of the Society of Recorder Play- ers, the Boxley church or- ganist and Boxley handbells.
Bowls club celebrates with match and dinner
Ditton Bowls Club cele- brates 25 years with visiting local clubs.
DITTON Bowls Club celebrated its 25th an- niversary by inviting six local clubs, also formed in the 1980s, for a friendly match. The home team competed against mem-
bers from Clare Park, APM/KC, Headcorn, Wrotham, Bearsted and Swanley. After the match, guests from the parish and borough councils joined more than 50 members and friends for a celebration dinner in the club- house. Ditton was formed in 1986 by a small
group of local residents, several of whom are still very involved in the club’s activi- ties.
Last year, Ditton was awarded Sport Eng-
land Clubmark accreditation, becoming the first outdoor bowls club in Kent and the
second in England to achieve this standard. Chairman John Ranger said: “The success
of the club is due to good management and enthusiastic members who, over the years, have established an excellent bowling green and clubhouse. He added: “We are a very progressive club
and, with a growing senior and junior mem- bership, look forward to an even more suc- cessful future.” The club’s junior members, boys and girls
aged eight to 12, are coached every Sunday morning. Mr Ranger said: “We also have close links with several special educational needs schools whose pupils come up to play bowls occasionally.” For information visit: www.ditton-
bowlsclub.co.uk
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downsmail.co.uk
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