Festival vows to return, despite music in the rain


THE first Music on the Hill was such a suc- cess that delighted organisers have pledged it will return in 2013. Thousands headed to Kings Hill for the


star-studded three-day fundraiser in aid of Demelza Children’s Hospice and the Chil- dren’s Development Trust. The weekend began with crowds braving


the rain for a performance from Katherine Jenkins with the National Symphony Or- chestra, and “Go Compare” opera singer Wynne Evans. The diva dedicated her second song to everyone at Demelza and continually praised the audience for staying despite the chilly and wet weather. The sun came out on Saturday for per- formances from McFly, the Sugababes, and City Stereo. Dedicated McFly fans had camped out the night before to ensure their places at the


Crowds at Music on the Hill braved the rain to hear Katherine Jenkins (right) perform. She dedicated a song to Demelza House children’s hospice.


front of the stage. Among the fans was Eastenders star Bunmi Mojekwu who plays Mercy in the BBC1 soap. The last day of the festival stayed sunny


andmarkedachangeofpacetoafamily summer Sunday with acts including ABC, Bjorn Again, and Stacey Solomon as well as children’s activities and games. The festival was also a community event


Discovery School choir members meet Bjorn Again and Stacey Solomon


Nose-bite man jailed


A SNODLAND man who bit off a teenager’s nose after a night out drinking has been jailed for four years. Russell Scott (28), of Willowside, left the 16-year-old in need of extensive reconstruc- tive surgery and scarred for life. Judge Philip Statman described it as a


“truly awful injury and extremely grave act of violence”. Scott, who admitted wounding with in-


tent, had been drinking at the Savoy snooker club in Snodland on December 4 last year when in the early hours he saw the victim and a friend walking home. Martin Yale, prosecuting, said Scott was agitated and said he had been having trouble with the teenager’s friends. The friend said they were just walking


home and did not want any trouble. Scott said he knew they had not caused trouble but he did not care. He grabbed him around the neck, pulled


him forward and bit his nose, Maidstone Crown Court heard. He was taken by ambulance to the Queen


Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for spe- cialist treatment but it is not known how successful the surgery will be.


A CHILDREN’s charity has had help main- taining its farmhouse base inWest Farleigh. Twenty-five staff from Liberty Property


Trust’sKings Hill and London offices took the day off work to do jobs at Dandelion Time’s Elmscroft House. They spent the time weeding, removing Japanese knotweed and ragwort, strimming paths, redecorating the main entrance hall, stripping and re-polishing the parquet floor, installing replacement windows and build- ing a new porch roof. They were taking part in the ‘Bill Rouse Day of Caring’, when the 400 Liberty em-


12 Malling


and the winner of the battle of the bands competition, On the Spot, from Heathfield, had a turn on stage as did the Discovery School choir from Kings Hill. The children sang three songs including “Walking on


Sunshine”. Choir leader JaneWince said: “They have


been so excited for weeks. They had butter- flies in their tummieswhen they saw the big stage.” Event director and trustee of the Chil-


dren’s Development Trust Colin Thacker said: “Music on the Hill exceeded our ex- pectations in every way. The audience num- bers, support and generosity of companies and people generally made it a very special event. “We were highly praised by artists and management on our organisation and effi- ciency especially as it was our first festival.


Pre-school’s organised and stimulating work is ‘exemplary’


DITTON Church Pre-School has been praised in its latest Ofsted report as well organ- ised with a stimulating play environment for children. Rating the group as “good” with some outstanding features, the inspector said that planning and support for children’s learning were exemplary. Based at Ditton Church Centre, in New Road, the pre-school has 62 children on its


roll and is able to care for those with special educational needs and disabilities. The report said children’s development is successfully promoted by a trained and experienced staff team who also work effectively with parents and carers. The presentation of resources is a strong and outstanding feature and children have access to an exceptionally rich and stimulating outdoor area. Children greatly enjoy playing and being active and are encouraged to be outside


every day. They are also consistently encouraged to feel safe and secure and there is a well or- ganised set of safety procedures.


Richard chips in at Open TV chef Richard Phillips swung into ac- tion during The Open golf championship at Sandwich last week when his Kentish pro- duce menu was served on all four days at the club’s restaurant. The Hengist in Ayles- ford is one of his four restaurants in Kent.


More tea, Vicar? CREAM teas and cakes are on offer at the Church of St John the Baptist in Tonbridge Road,Wateringbury, from 2 to 4pm on Au- gust 4, 11, 18 and 25. Info – 01622 817974.


Caring day rouses staff into action for charity


ployees in the UK and USA spend a day helping their communities in memory of company founder Bill Rouse, who died in 2003.


Dandelion Time was founded in 2003 by


local doctor Caroline Jessel to help children aged 7-16 who have various behavioural, ed- ucational and emotional needs, plus their families. It uses practical tasks to raise self-esteem


and self-awareness. The centre, which is not residential, looks after around 280 children either at Elmscroft House or in local schools. Dandelion Time is holding an au-


Liberty staff after a hard day’s work at Dandelion Time’s Elmscroft House inWest Farleigh.


tumn preserves workshop to make chutneys and jams on September 27 and a green wood- working workshop on October 1. Details, at www.dandeliontime.org.uk


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


New minister for St Mary’s ST Mary’s Church inWest Malling is antic- ipating a new vicar, the Rev David Green. From September 19, Mr Green (37) will be


the vicar in charge of West Malling and Offham. The vicar-to-be, who trained at Ri- dley Hall in Cambridge, is currently assis- tant curate at St Philip & St James’ Church, Walderslade. Prior to his ministerial studies, Mr Green


– originally from Paddock Wood – worked in publishing. He has three children with wife Kelly, who grew up in Yalding,


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