Pupils enjoy a taste of Europe CHILDREN at Kings Hill School held a European Fair with food and costumes from the countries they had been learning about. Each group set up a stall and brought in products, in- cluding a realistic model of a glass of Irish Guinness, to illustrate their chosen country. The youngsters, who are in Year 5, wrote to embassies


to obtain information and made colourful displays to show their parents what they had been learning about for the past few weeks. Teacher Sue Doe said; “The children taught me so


much about their countries and I certainly enjoyed the wonderful food they made.We all want to go on a tour now to visit the whole of Europe.”


Pupils Kieran Riley and Connor Griggs (left) with their Irish food and ‘pretend’ Guinness.


A lovely surprise for Sarah, 17


THE judges sprang a surprise for the audi- ence when they an- nounced 17-year-old Sarah Johnson’s tech- nical ability and au- dience rapport made her the new Maid- stone and Mid Kent Young Musician of the Year. Sarah (pictured), a


by Dennis Fowle


saxophone, recorder, horn, violin, piano and vocal was more like choosing be- tween ‘ice cream and curry’. The popular event


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 finalists was higher than ever and for the judges, the choice between flute, cello,


at Kent Music, Astley House, Maidstone, raises funds to help future young musi- cians and is staged by the Rotary Clubs of Maidstone and Dawn Patrol. Compere was local solicitor Blair Gulland. The magnificent 20-strong North Kent


Jazz Orchestra nearly beat, dur- ing the interval, the impending demolishers in blowing the house down!


Bowls club’s silver celebrations


Runner-up was Thomas Shel- bourn (18) who can almost make a recorder talk. Other fi- nalists were: Bryony Clark (17) of Fort Pitt Grammar, Chatham; Frazer Bowles (17) of Maid- stone 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.


Medical centre in


parking row STAFF and patients at a med- ical centre have demanded the removal of parking restrictions just twomonths after they were installed to improve safety for nearby residents. A petition bearing 566 signa-


tures was organised by the Medical Centre in Admiral Moore Drive, Aylesford, in protest at the new regulations. On behalf of staff, patients


and pharmacy customers, it re- quested the lines be removed. Tonbridge andMalling Coun-


cil says it originally agreed to the scheme following ameeting with representatives of the Royal British Legion Village, Kent Highways, local council- lors and the police. The meeting highlighted the increased difficulties of RBLV residents in crossing the road safely to get to themedical cen- tre and pharmacy due to the persistent high number of vehi- cles parked nearby. The council was told that


many RBLV residents do not have cars and rely on mobility buggies to get to the centre.


Freedom pass campaign Continued from page one


that some students are "being punished by having to pay ex- tortionate 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 extend- ing the age limit About 26,000 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 students.


Ditton Bowls Club celebrates 25 years with visiting local clubs.


DITTON Bowls Club celebrated its 25th anniversary by inviting six local clubs, also formed in the 1980s, for a friendly match. The home team competed against members Clare Park, APM/KC, Headcorn,Wrotham, Bearsted and Swanley.After thematch, guests from the parish and borough councils joined more than 50 mem- bers and friends for a celebration dinner in the clubhouse. Ditton was formed in 1986 by a small group of local residents, several of whom are still very involved in the club’s activities. Last year, Ditton was awarded Sport England Clubmark accredi- tation, becoming the first outdoor bowls club in Kent and the sec- ond in England to achieve this important 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. “We have about 175 full and associate members. About 90 of


these are active bowlers.” He added: “We are a very progressive club and, with a growing


senior and junior membership, look forward to an even more suc- cessful future.” The club has a junior section of a dozen eight to 12-year-old boys


and girls, with coaching 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.” Formore information, visitwww.dittonbowlsclub.co.uk or email dittonbowls@talktalk.net


8 Malling


Firefight- ers tackle the barn blaze at a farm building in East Malling. The


cause was un- kown as we went to press


Major barn blaze under investigation DOZENS of firefighters prevented amajor barn fire from spreading to other premises. The blaze started in a farm building next to the Vital Body Clinic


in The Rocks Road, East Malling. Station manager Phil Rice said: “Crews worked hard in the early


stages on this fire and brought it under control rapidly, preventing it from spreading.” The cause was still being investigated as the Downs Mail went to


press. To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


This follows changes to the Ed- ucation Maintenance Al- lowance, which some students were using towards transport costs. KCC cabinet member for fur-


ther education 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 edu- cation or training after they fin- ishtheir GCSEsandIdonot want the cost of transport to be a barrier to them pursuing their studies. “I have sought the support of further education minister John Hayes. He welcomed the work that Kent has been doing to find ways to help young people.”


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