jobs are to be cut? How did they decide which centres to keep and which to cut?How can a privately commissioned organisation be more effective than what is in place al- ready? If a private company actually wanted to get involved in youthwork, and there was no evidence to support this, surely they would only do this to make a profit. Most concerning to me was a flow chart on page 33. It showed what would happen to centres that were not able to be farmed out to private organisations and voluntary groups. They would be sold. I don’t think anyone appearing who op-


posed the cuts had any doubt that voluntary organisations do a great job. However, they need support from experienced and trained KCC staff. Members of the committee stated constantly that the service was superb so why spoil it? Kent is one of the lowest funded councils


in the country for youth services so why cut any more? I have met a few young people in the last few weeks who have benefited from the centres. The one thing they all shared was a passion for the service and stories of how they have been helped. These are people who could easily have gone the wrong way and cost fortunes more to deal with later. Youth workers are paid for maybe eight


hours, but in reality can do 20. They would seem to be excellent value for money and clearly care with a passion about the young. I would urge as many people as go to meet-


ings and make your voices heard. It is clear that the members have already decided on the future of young people in Kent. Two of them said as much today. It surely can’t be al- lowed to happen. We are talking about cut- ting £1m. It is a drop in the ocean. The council has a surplus fund of £30m. Invest it wisely for a change and it could save the youth services; or maybe they just don’t want to.


Tony Frost, by email


Thanks for a great festival Dear Sir - On behalf of the organisers of the Hospital Radio Maidstone Soundstage at the 32nd Maidstone River Festival I would like to thank the following all of the invaluable contributions to a very successful event. This includes our sponsors, our backstage


team of volunteers, the sound engineering team, the River Festival chairman Martin Cox, the superb bands. But the biggest thanks of all must go to the festival goers, many of whom stayed with us throughout to cheer us on, afternoon and evening. Martin Haskell, stage manager, HRM Soundstage


No trees for eco survey Dear Sir - Your article on page 33 of last- month’s edition of theDowns Mail (East,Au- gust), relating to an ecological survey that was carried out on a bungalow inWare Street found that there was no further work neces- sary to safeguard wildlife on this plot. CllrTony Harwood also said that it was “in- conceivable” that no protected wildlife was present on the land. Shall I, and the residents who have proper- ties backing onto this plot, say why no


Play area on agenda A PLAY area at the Thurnham end of Av- erenches Road – at its junction with Fitzwilliam Road – may be upgraded. Parish councillor Richard Smith said:


“A meeting was held with Maidstone Council officers to explore the potential for improving the play area for the bene- fit of the community.” No decision was made but Cllr


Smith plans to report back to this month’s parish meeting.


Room for improvement – the play area in Aver- enches Road is under discussion


Diversion signs at Hog Hill, which caused problems for motorists and bus passengers, are removed by highways workers


Warning of inevitable traffic chaos was ignored Dear Sir - After months of creating havoc and a dangerous hazard for all traffic, the building of three new cottages at the bottom of Hog Hill finally reached its nadir in having the whole road closed – without telling anyone! Hog Hill was closed to all traffic on the afternoon ofWednesday, August 10, and by


5pm on the 11th, Kent Highways Agency claimed they had no idea the road was closed, or why. They had not even thought to tell Arriva, so buses on the 11th had to try to turn around on the small roundabout at the top of the hill, at the junction with Roseacre Lane and The Landway. Maidstone Borough Council were warned, when planning permission was sought for


these houses, that there would be chaos during the construction and so it has proved, but MBC seem not to care. Perhaps notice will be taken when the public points out the obvious in future. Jeanne Gibson, Birling Avenue, Bearsted


wildlife was found? It was because the de- veloper had already cut down the trees and cleared the land before the survey. Name and address supplied


Remembering war past Dear Sir -Amemorial to theWomen’s Auxil- iary Air Force Association (WAAF) was re- cently unveiled and dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire. The memorial will stand as a lasting mem-


ory to colleagues, past and present, and is a reminder of the invaluable contribution made to this country during WWII. I imagine there are a large number of ex-


WAAF and ex-RAF in and around Maid- stone. The recognition of our service days so long ago arewell deserved. The NationalWAF Association still exists.


To join, contact me on 01622 727740. Iris Sheppard, Pine Lodge, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone


Ways to save our planet WEhave been in wars for centuries and they do not appear to produce any long-term so- lutions.


Perhaps we should give them up and try negotiations (these to take place in locked rooms until decisions had been reached) should this be necessary. Constant economic growth is not viable on


a finite planet. We must recycle everything we are able to dismantle armaments and re- cycle thosematerials. Greatly improve our in- frastructure. Retrain and/or redirect skilled staff.We must reduce consumption.


sess? Of course this is difficult, but the alter- native is disaster.


Howmany unnecessary 'things' do we pos- John Ireland, Lenham


Lashings of cricket Dear Sir – Further to your article (Town, Au- gust) The Mote Cricket Club has already in- stigated and held a recent meeting with Lashings Cricket Club to encourage addi- tional attractive cricket to this magnificent ground. Our aim is to improve facilities and one


hope is this will encourage a return of Kent cricket and the annual Maidstone festival. Work on renovating the iconic 100-year-


old Tabernacle should be completed this year (Mail, August) and we liaise closely with Maidstone Council over a small enabling res- idential development on the site to fund a brand new pavilion roughly on the footprint of the 100-year-old pavilion nowpast its sell- by date. Funding in the current climate is a major challenge.


Dennis Fowle, chairman, TheMote CC development committee


Looking for Mr Gribble Dear Sir - I am trying to get in contact with Mr Don Gribble, whowas at one time the di- rector of the ElectricVehicle Association and lived in Kent. I amsetting up my own website on electric vehicle training and would like to incorpo- rate historical information on electric vehi- cles. My details are: 01889 578464 / rjones26@ sky.com. Raymond Jones, Etchinghill, Staffs


Annexe plan PETER Blanchett has applied to convert a garage into a residential annexe at a home in GreyWeathers, Sandling.


Mowers stolen GARDEN equipment was the target of thieves who broke into an out- building in Church Lane, Bearsted. They made off with a green John


Deere ride-on mower, a Hayter mower and a wheelbarrow.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 31


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