is considering tightening disci- pline and loosening rules for teachers using physical force in classroomswill be welcomed by many. The pendulum has swung
Spare the rod in schools no longer MailMarks
THE news that Government
much too far and now some children are more likely to abuse or even physically attack a teacher. Myschool days are a long way
back but I cannot recall a teacher being abused or hit – andmost of us never truanted. I recall, 20 or more years ago, seeking views of all secondary head teachers in the Maidstone area on a return of their power to use the cane. Itwas a pretty even split, with the balance slightly against. Now theymay be encouraged
by Government to use the cane again. I hope so. I amnot looking for a return of
the classroom masochism I suf- fered as a junior more than 60 years ago. I attended a very tough Holy Trinity School in an impoverished part of Sitting- bourne and some boys hardly ended the day without being caned, cuffed or hit by flying ob- jects such as chalk. It kept us in line and I do not
think it did us any harm, physi- cally ormentally.
DENNIS FOWLE - President Kent Campaigning Journalist of the Year 2001 email:
dfowle2011@aol.com
I feel physical punishment in schools needs cool and calm consideration by very senior and experienced teachers. But all teachers need to be
able to use physical force to re- strain where necessary. The Government wants to ‘restore adult authority’. I go along with that.
A&E anguish WHAT is ourNHS trust up to
on Maidstone HospitalA&Eand the newdaycare children’s unit? These are early days since women’s and children’s services and trauma surgery were stolen from MaidstoneHospital to sup- port a new Pembury Hospital many very difficult miles away. But it seems the trust is now
using those transfers of services to cover a devious manipulation of A&E and child patients to Pembury as well. This carries another massive threat for the 250,000 who see Maidstone as their local hospital.
Ambulance crews are being
told for ‘clinical’ reasons to take our patients to other hospitals, mainly an overstretched Pem- bury whereworrying stories are emerging. Staff at Maidstone are being
left under-employed and no doubt that could be ‘evidence’ to reduceMaidstone Hospital serv- ices further. There are deep con- cerns. It seems just at the moment
there is a strong case to consider avoiding calling an ambulance unless necessary for safety rea- sons and to self-present toMaid- stone A&E. I continue to hear praise for their speed and work.
Cricket club pride KENTCricket Club has given
me a lifetime of enjoyment and excitement and its financial and playing decline in recent years has caused sadness. Iwas suspicious that members
and supporters would see little benefit from the residential and
Application for hotel at London House site Continued from page one
support from Maidstone Borough Council, “and is a use that suits this location”. Maidstone already has a host of
large out of town hotels and town centre guesthouses, and there was concern among some owners when a 113-bed Travelodge opened in late 2009. However, the planning statement added: “There is high demand from a quality hotel operator who has approved the site. Reef Estates’ pro- posal is to comprehensively rede- velop the London House site and existing building. “This is an excellent opportunity
to stimulate the local economy and regenerate this town centre site.” The document adds that retaining
the current building “was decided from the outset due to its solid con- crete frame and well-suited build- ing footplate which allows back-to-back hotel room configura- tion.
“The scheme has evolved and de- veloped around retaining London House along with the large Copper Beech TPO [protected] tree to the west of the building. “Fundamentally the revitalised building should form a harmonious link between the building’s imme- diate context, the surrounding of- fice, retail and residential uses.” It would also feature charcoal brickwork to match the existing building, solar shades and feature canopies. Maidstone Council will decide on the proposal.
30 Town
What London House could look like if planning permission for the new hotel is given the go-ahead and, below, London House as it is now
other fundraising developments at St Lawrence Ground, Canter- bury – but Iwas wrong. So praise goes to the club management that has trans- formed and modernised so much of the ground. I grew inadmiration as the full
scene evolved towards the end of the season. The pavilion, the Les Ames stand and other facil- ities have been transformed and the new floodlights are superb. It brought great pride to me as
a lifemember and I believe Kent now has a headquarters fit for purpose for many years to come. Now the management has turned its emphasis to the play- ing side. Too many top players seriously disappointed last sea- son and some of these, with the coach, have now departed. If the club can match its off-
field performance with a new and successful team, the future for Kent cricket will indeed be bright. The two are very closely linked in ensuring public sup- port. Will Kent county cricket
ever return to Maidstone? Much goes on now to try to improve the facilities at TheMote ground and financing them is proving testing. The cricket and rugby clubs talk toMaidstone Council to trytofindthe answers.
News in brief Quicker fix for
potholes NEARLY all potholes are filled within a month of them being reported.
“Excellent progress” was re- ported to a county highways committee, with 94% of pot- holes repaired in 28 days. The average for last month
was 17 days – a total of 784 fixes – but the average for the year is 29 days.
Temporary traffic
lights targeted BATTERIES used to power temporary traffic lights have been stolen. On separate occasions, thieves took batteries from sites at Farleigh Lane, Fant; Fairlawn Close, Barming; and from Queens Road in Maid- stone.
Ice cream hope ELENA Viciu wants to station an ice cream van on the pave- ment outside the branch of HSBC in High Street, Maid- stone. She said in planning documents that she is willing to pay a charge of £1,053 per year to use the site.
Bank idea DAVID Peters & Company has applied to create three one-bed flats to the rear of 72 Bank Street, Maidstone.
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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