Yobs cut charity van brake cable


A VANDAL-hit charity shop has had to divert much- needed cash to pay for extra security after its van’s brake cable was cut. The Heart of Kent Hospice superstore at Hall Road,


Aylesford, has been preyed on by yobs since it opened in December last year. Offenders regularly break into the shop’s clothes dona-


tion bins and its four vans have had diesel siphoned off and wiper blades stolen. Most of the damage has been limited but staff were shocked by the latest attack when a handbrake cable was cut, putting workers’ lives at risk. ManagerNathanHodge said: “This was a very worrying incident which has shocked and upset everyone involved in the superstore.” Staff uncovered the damage during a thorough check after the Peugeot Boxer van was found parked in a dif-


ferent place from where it had been left. Mr Hodge said: “It appears the hand brake cable had


been cut to allow the offenders to roll the vehicle. “Fortunately no one was hurt, as the damage was dis- covered before the van was used that day, but this could have resulted in a nasty accident and someone getting hurt.” As well as a £100 repair bill for the vehicle, the charity


has now been forced to pay out for security gates and fur- ther CCTV cameras. Mr Hodge said: “This is very sad as we are here to raise money for the hospice, not to divert it away from the care of patients with life-limiting ill- nesses and support for their families.” Police have closed their investigation due to a lack of evidence butwill re-examine the matter if further details emerge. Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 690690.


LANDLORD Fergus Wilson (63) says hewill stand for election as Kent’s first police crime commissioner. Boughton Monchel-


sea resident MrWilson, who owns hundreds of properties in and around Maidstone with wife Judith, says hewill be running for the top post, which will take on all the key duties of the Kent Po- lice Authority, including the power to set budgets and hire the chief constable. He will not run for a party, but


Hundreds gathered to see Forces veterans, here passing Maidstone Town Hall, on Rembrance Sunday


to remember fallen heroes MAIDSTONE twice came to a standstill to commemorate the lives of those that have fought for Britain during wars. FremlinWalk was among the places that marked Remem- brance Day on Friday, Novem- ber 11. A short ceremony began with the sounding of the last post by bugler Barry Knight, a veteran bandsman of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. An exhortation was then be


read by Jock Shearer, customer liaison officer for Fremlin Walk, who served with the Second Battalion of the Scots Guards. In the lead-up to the service, centre staff and shop assis- tants sold poppies within the complex in their own time and breaks, to raise money on behalf of the Royal British Le- gion. Two days later, Maidstone mayor Cllr Brian Mortimer joined military and civic dignitaries, local councillors and the public to remember those who have been killed in conflict, fighting for


Victory plan not ideal


22 Town Residents comes out in force


their country. The annual parade through Maidstone’s town centre saw more than 700 people taking part. Led by the band of the Salvation Army, contingents included 36 Engineer Regi- ment (Search), the Maidstone branch of the Royal British Le- gion and British Army Associ- ation, St John Ambulance, and Army and Sea Cadets. The parade began fromWeek


Street and marched along the High Street, past the Town Hall, across the bridge gyratory and to the Cenotaph on The Broadway for the service of re- membrance. The service, led by the Rev. Canon Christopher Morgan- Jones, Major GraysonWilliams of the Salvation Army and Padre Danny Connolly of 36 Engineer Regiment, included a two-minute silence. The mayor laid the first wreath on behalf of the coun- cil and the people of Maid- stone. Afterwards, the parade marched back into Maidstone, where the mayor took the salute outside the Town Hall.


CONCERN has been expressed about the develop- ment of the Victory Inn site, in Tovil, with reports that pedestrianswere being forced into walking on the road.Work has begun on building dwellings on the site of the former pub in Church Street.


wants to disassociate himself from the independents. “A lot of people look on them as a party,”


Superstore man- ager Nathan Hodge


Landlord looks to be crime head


he said. “Iwill give my- self a name like Kent First, or similar. It will not be a political thing. “As a landlord of


many properties, I have been a victim of crime up to 200 times.Alot of this is petty crime like people stealing lead. There have been a num- ber of times when peo- ple have moved into a


new home and found that copper has been stolen so they don’t have central heating. “I understand the problems in


Kent and want to do my bit to help reduce crime.” The election is scheduled for November 2012.


Council loses extension decision MAIDSTONE Council’s decision to block retrospective alter- ations to an approved two-storey side extension in Allingtonwas overturned by a planning inspector. In October 2009, permissionwas granted for a single-storey ex- tension at 7 Hazelwood Drive. However, the development breached the agreed ridge height (by 0.2m), ridge depth (0.6m), eaves height (0.3m) and dormer mass (0.5m). In July, Nick Neseyif’s retrospective application to validate the development was refused by Maidstone Council’s planning com- mittee.


Members thought the changes caused additional harm to neigh-


bours, but inspector Penelope Metcalfe reported: “The extension has considerable bulk and is close to the common boundary with Nos 48 and 50 Roseleigh Avenue. “It clearly has an impact on the outlook from those properties. However, in my judgement, the approved scheme would have a similar impact and the difference between that and the scheme as built, in terms of its height and proximity to the boundaries to the east and south, is not so great as to warrant dismissing the appeal. “I consider that the differences are minor, particularly in rela-


tion to those parts of the building which most affect the neigh- bouring residents.” The inspector granted retrospective planning permission to Mr Neseyif.


‘Pudsey’ choir’s


Christmas concert KENT County Junior Choir re- cently sang on television to help raise funds for the BBC Children in Need appeal. The choir, whose members


areaged11-14, istoholda Christmas concert at All Saints Church, Maidstone, on Satur- day, December 10, at 5.30pm. Tickets, priced £6, will be available on the door, with funds going to support the choir’s activities.


Tractor and trailer


stolen from stables A RANSOMES Crawler tractor and a trailer, both blue, were taken overnight from stables in Oakapple Lane, Barming. Also stolen from the same premises were a horse blanket and two saddles, taken from a shed afer thieves forced the lock.


Anyone with information should contact the police on 01732 771055 or Crimestop- pers on 0800 555 111.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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