Commando Ben makes MP so proud


IT was one of the proudest days of MP Helen Grant’s life, as she watched eldest son Ben pass out as a fully trained Royal Marine Commando. Ben Grant, 19, underwent what many be-


lieve is the most rigorous military training course in the world. Ben’s training was interspersed with in-


juries, and what was originally meant to be 32 weeks turned into 19 months. Of about 60 original recruits only 33 made


it to the end. Mrs Grant said: “Simon and I are so proud of our son Ben, what parent wouldn’t be? To


Left: Helen Grant and son Ben after the passing out parade at Lympstone, Devon.


Charity given green light to expand


PLANNERS have given the go- ahead for a disability charity to expand its base in Hermitage Lane, Aylesford. Mcch society,which provides


work and training for disabled people, has been operating from Britannia Business Park at nearby Quarry Wood, but now needs bigger premises. Borough councillors approved propos- als, jointly submitted by Gal- lagher Properties andmcch, for a two-storey unit at Hermitage Court, including a cafe, offices and car parking. The charity currently runs a mobile catering service called tuckbytruck, selling snacks to local businesses.


Thieves target roofing lead


LEAD has been the target of thieves in a spate of incidents in Cox- heath. In Gresham Road, a 6ft length of lead flashing was taken from a garage roof at the back of a property. Lead was also removed from two sheds at properties in The Beacon and in Linden Road, lead was taken from a bay window. In a further incident in Linden Road, lead flashing was stolen from the shared roof to a porch at a block of flats,


Help Acorn become a Hearing Dog


HIDDEN Hearing, which has a centre in Pudding Lane, Maid- stone, is raising funds to train Acorn the puppy to be a Hearing Dog. For each customer who takes a free hearing assessment at one


of the company’s 78 centres nationwide during July and August, £5 will be donated to sponsor the young cocker spaniel’s train- ing.


The Hearing Dogs for Deaf charity trains dogs to play a vital role in alerting people to sounds such as bells or alarms.


attend his passing out parade surrounded by other parents equally as proud was one of the most emotional events we have at- tended. “We are so happy Ben has achieved his ambition and the whole family remains there for him in the tough challenges he now faces,” she added. Mrs Grant is vice-chairman of the all-


party parliamentary group for the Armed Forces, Army division, and also a member of theArmed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. The AFPS allows MPs to hear the views


of servicemen and women directly and can- didly, rather than through their command- ing officers or via the MOD.


Thanks for help


at summer fair MAIDSTONE Mencap has thanked everyone involved for their donations, support and volunteer work which helped to raise a record total of £7,500 at the sum- mer fair on June 11.


Garage refusal A PROPOSAL to erect a de- tached double garage and new driveway at 107b Tonbridge Road,Maidstone, was refused. Maidstone Council’s plan-


ning department felt the garage would have appeared visually dominant and caused unac- ceptable harm due to its scale and height.


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