to help Chernobyl children ALORRY load of aid is on its way to young victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear dis- aster – thanks to Maid- stone Lions Club. Ten tonnes of clothes, toys and other items collected during the summer months were packed onto an articulated lorry that recently set off for Belarus. Club president Malcolm Luxton (pictured) said: “Every year the Lions clubs of the South East – but mainly Maid- stone, Gillingham and Swale – send a lorry over to the town of Gomel. People’s wages there are about £200 a month and many are still suffering from the fallout of the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago.
POLICE officers will come
down hard on those found drunk and incapable in Maid- stone town centre. As young adults enjoy their opening weeks at university and the Christmas party season approaches, officers are prom- ising to report for summons anyone found drunk and inca- pable in the town centre. Inspector Dave Coleman said: “Previously we have been will- ing to let those who are ex-
Lions Club roars into action
“A huge number of youngsters are in or- phanages because their parents have died. Their life ex- pectancy is about 28 years. “We have set up a
LionsclubinGomel so we know that the aid is being distrib-
uted in the right way.” It is Mr Luxton’s second stint
as president – the former teacher and ex-borough coun- cillor served three years ago. He hopes he can increase the club’s membership from its current 23. “There are so many charities
in this country that, even though there are more helpers than ever, they are spread so thinly,” he added.
tremely drunk receive care from the ambulance service but we will now be looking to re- port for summons anyone found drunk and incapable. “A criminal conviction can
harm job prospects and that should be a sobering thought and a strong deterrent. In the past we have come across peo- ple drunk and alone because they have been refused entry to
Rural bus routes face New Year axe
NINE rural communities face losing their Saturday bus services from January. Parish councils were informed earlier this summer and their con-
cerns have been taken up by Maidstone Rural Transport Group. The total annual cost of the services threatened with withdrawal is nearly £147,000. They include the following Saturday routes, which KCC subsidises to the tune of £5.02 per passenger: 13 Hollingbourne, Leeds and Otham 59 Grafty Green, Ulcombe, Kingswood, Chart Sutton and Boughton Monchelsea 28/29 Marden and Chain- hurst (Marden has an alterna- tive, route 26, which also serves Yalding and Farleigh areas) No change is proposed Mon-
Driving illegally PATRICK Cash (20), of Boxley Road, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to driving in Headcorn while disqualified andwithout third party insurance. Between July 8 and 9 last
year, Cash illegally drove a Vauxhall Combo van along the High Street. Magistrates sen- tenced him to 140 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also disquali- fied from driving for three years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 costs.
Police get tough on town centre drunks
bars and clubs and been aban- doned by their friends. “We don’t want a small num-
ber of people to tarnish Maid- stone’s good name, so the message is clear – if you cause alcohol-related disorder in Maidstone we will look to put you before the courts.” Kent Police is also using the section 27 “direction to leave” to reduce disorder in the town,
day to Friday though communi- ties fear they may also be axed if usage declines.
giving officers the power to order someone to leave an area if it is believed they could cause alcohol-related crime and disorder. It is a pre-emptive measure to
avoid crime and disorder tak- ing place. They can be required to leave a specified area for up to 48 hours and failure to com- ply with the order is an ar- restable offence. In the last year over 400 orders have been is- sued across the town centre.
Email your vote for your favourite to win! Isla
Pretty as a Picture Finalists
After an overwhelming response to our Pretty as a Picture competition, in conjunction with Maidstone Photofactory, here are the top three entries that polled the most votes.
The free contest has been open to children aged three months to three years and attracted over 1,200 votes and more than 40 free portrait sittings at the Headcorn studios of Maidstone Photo Factory. Downs Mail readers have been able to view all entry photographs and vote for their favourite.
Now the top three battle it out to win £500 worth of photography & prints. Voting for the finalists ends on October 24th, with the winner announced a fortnight later. Strictly one vote per email address, duplicate entries will not be counted. *All those who had a sitting can return to Maidstone Photofactory to collect their free 6x4 print.
Vote for your favourite “Pretty as a Picture” winner by following the link from
www.downsmail.co.uk or email the name of your winning choice to
info@downsmail.co.uk
DownsMail 18 South
email the name of your favourite to
info@downsmail.co.uk To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
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