Smell of success in food recycling
PROBLEMS with flies and bad odours caused by theAllington in- cinerator have been eased since the borough council brought in a new food waste policy earlier this year.
Four out of every five homes in
the Maidstone area now recycle their food waste by putting it in separate kitchen caddies, for collection by the council. Each week, more than 100 tonnes of food is sent for com- posting to the Blaise Farm facil- ity at West Malling. Prior to
the scheme being intro- duced in January, household- ers put their surplus food in the same bin as general household waste, which was transported to the incinerator at Allington. Residents on the estate used to
Complaints log IN the last quarter of last year, the plant’s community liaison commit- tee heard that 10 complaints had been received from residents. “Of these,” according to the minutes, “seven related to odour (four justi- fied and three unjustified), two re- lated to flies (neither of which was found to be justified); and one un- justified complaint related to black smoke from the stack.”
complain regularly about the smell and the swarms of flies at- tracted to the plant. But there have been far fewer in- cidents now that the separately collected food waste goes to Blaise Farm. Local councillor Malcolm Robertson said: “We don’t have the odour or fly problems any more. The smell ismuch reduced. “We had some jolly hot weather recently butwe didn’t have the fly problem as before.” The bor-
ough’s recy- cling rate has shot up to 45% this year, put- ting the council well on track to achieving its target of 50%. Cllr Marion
Ring, cabinetmember for the envi- ronment, said local farmers use the compost to grow more food. “It’s a great system, simple and very sustainable,” she added.
Christmas flowers event MAIDSTONE Flower Club's Christmas demonstration takes place at Sutton Valence Village Hall on November 10th, from 7pm. Entrance is by ticket only. Ticekts - £7 members, £8 non-members. A drink is in- cluded in the price. Info: 01622 741207.
Feeling on top of the world!
MAIDSTONEhealthcare worker LacieMidgley has completed her biggest fundraising challenge. She climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point and the world’s highest standalone mountain, to raisemoney for the char- ity Childreach. It ensures children in the developing world get basic provisions most of us take for granted. Lacie has faced her own health challenges. She needed sub- stantial surgery and hos- pitalisation, aged just seven months, following a congenital dislocation of the hip. The condition was missed at birth and meant that her early life was focused on rehabili- tation and corrective treatment. After the climb, Lacie,
21, said: “It really was human torture, but so worth all thepain to get to the top. “The last eight hours was incredibly challeng-
ing bothmentally and physically. The altitude sickness kicked in, I had a severe headache and every 10 minutes was being ill. “However, themoment I reached the peak was simply themost amazing experience ofmylife - both incredible and breathtaking.” Lacie, who raised more than £2,600 for Childreach, said: “What
mademychallenge even more worthwhile was visiting the school where the money I’ve raised will help. I was lucky to have access to brilliant healthcare whichmeantmycondition was treated and I now have a normal life – others, as I’ve seen and met aren’t so lucky.” Connie Stocker, executive director at BMI The Somerfield Hos-
pital in London Road, where Lacie works, said: ‘We knew she could do it, and we’re ever so proud of her achievement. She has such a dynamic and inspiring personality and her drive and com- mitment to help others are fantastic characteristics.” To support Lacie, visit
www.virginmoneygiving.com/laci- emidgley7
ALL TYPES OF ROOFING DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
• High performance felt roofs • New & old roofs
• Single ply membrane
• Glass fibre & rubber membrane roofs • Leadwork Undertaken
• All types of tiling - Kent Pegs, slate etc • Repairs • Liability Insurance
• 10/15 yrs guarantee • Asphalt roots
Professional & personal service - Free Quotations
01233 630601 07831 643886
www.southernandcountryroofing.co.uk
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Town 31
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56