I suspect I amnot the only
naive student of high inter- national finance and politics struggling to come to terms with the horror stories of the Eurozone. I feel now rather nearer the core. Yes, I am very worried –
Get ready for the battle of Europe MailMarks
and angry too. I have sensed this disaster over the last few years, not appreciating the real seriousness for our nation, town and people until re- cent months. I enjoy holidays around Europe and have
been amazed how the infra-structures of countries like Spain, Portugal, France and (especially) Eire have been transformed. I was pleased for them – but joked it was un- affordable and who foots the bills. Nowit seems everyone has been living in
a fool’s paradise.How could European par- liament/leaders so mismanage finances and leave us in such jeopardy? Stories emerging about financial gover-
nance of the likes ofGreece, Italy and Spain are astounding. No one now seems prepared to bail them
out. China believes the over-generouswel- fare systems are crazy and encourage indo- lence, not economic growth. Germany, a Eurozone partner preserving economic strength, tries to protect itself. Political leaders across much of Europe
saw the Eurozone as a gravy train for their own nation. They successfully abused it. Now we all pay a desperate price. It was a disease caught by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Labour government. Had they not so disastrously
DENNIS FOWLE - President Kent Campaigning Journalist of the Year 2001 email:
dfowle2011@aol.com
spent Britain in to poverty, what a powerful position we could be in. Instead we suffer increasingly and, as al-
ways, it is the weakest in society hit the hardest. The cuts become obvious in so many directions. At a local level, Kent County Council andMaidstone Council are being starved of funds and forbidden to in- crease local taxes. That impacts on so many, especially those most needing help. We must not expect so much from our local NHS, police, ambulance and welfare serv- ices. Charities would like to help – but too are starved of cash. It is impossible just now to see where all
this is going – there seem to be few silver linings. We could well be in very signifi- cant times with the world order changing. Bankrupts are invariably massively weak- ened – but many come bouncing back with the right wisdom, energy, enthusiasm and skills. I sense a new Battle of Britain ahead –
and probably a Battle of Europe too. This will bring changes – and kill many damag- ing practices. I wonder if British trade unions will be
up for this? All I see now are crazy leaders posing like King Canute – thinking they
‘Cash for crash’ gang is locked up
TWELVE men have been sentenced after po- lice uncovered a “cash for crash” scam that targeted innocent motorists in Kent and Essex. The gang circled busy roundabouts in- cluding the one at junction 7 of the M20,
Clare wins horse award
linking the motorway with the A249 Maid- stone Road. After identifying their victim, they would force them to crash into their car in a nearby road. Typically, theywould use two vehicles – a
decoy car and a second one, both of which contained their own people. The decoy car would induce a crash by making a last minute manoeuvre in front of the second car. This would cause it to brake heavily, resulting in the car behind, driven by an innocent motorist, crashing into the second car. The decoy car always left the scene with-
Harrietsham’s Clare Reynolds (right) with actor Martin Clunes and Joy Taylor
THE British Horse Society honoured Harri- etsham’s Clare Reynolds with an award pre- sented by the society’s president Martin Clunes. She won the Open Pairs BHS TREC league alongside Joy Taylor on a horse called ‘Blueprint’. Clare was the 2010 Novice Individual winner and Level 3 In- dividual BHS TREC Champion. Both Clare and Joy, of Bookham, Surrey,
are members of the South East TREC group and regularly organise training, competi- tions and demonstrations. In 2011 they won the Level 3 Pairs Championship class and the Open Pairs League.
38 East
out stopping. This meant the innocent driver was unable to see the “at fault” car and was left swapping details with the pas- sengers of the second car who would pre- tend to be victims of the crash. The driver and passengers of the second vehicle would then try to make large insur- ance claims for injury and hired replace- ment vehicles. Southwark Crown Court heard that the
gang, based in north east London, often car- ried out numerous stings in the same day. A total of 13 people were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud insur- ance companies. Of those, 11 pleaded guilty, one was convicted following a trial and one had their case discontinued. Three men, aged 24, 25 and 29, were jailed
for offences which included the M20 junc- tion 7 crash on March 8, 2011. A senior detective said the gang had “ab- solutely no regard for their victims, old or young” and became skilled at “circling roundabouts like hawks to find them”.
had difficulty in judging the quality of local policing. There are too many variables. That’s why I find heartening the opinions
of many local civic leaders. They are opti- mistic about latest plans for neighbourhood policing. The structure of Kent Police is much changed – with not somany chiefs. Views coming to me are the Chief Constable has got it right where it mattersmost.
Uncertain future How do I see 2012? I wish I knew! I do
not like the signs – but I like the opportuni- ties.
Nick aims to enthuse engineers
MAIDSTONE engineer Nick Glover is on a re- cruitment mission for his profession. Nick (28), who lives in Downswood, has been appointed chair of the graduates and students committee of the Kent and East Sussex branch of the Institute of Civil Engineers. “It is a real honour,” said Nick. “It’s vital
that we support and develop the next generation of civil engineers and, during my year, I hope to focus on inspiring more young people to join this rewarding profession.” Nick works for engineering consultancy Jacobs, where he is involved in highways and structures design and maintenance. His previous projects in- clude the Thames tunnel section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. In his spare time, Nick volunteers as
a science and engineering ambassador, going into local schools to encourage youngsters to study science, technology and mathematics.
Longer office use wanted AN application has been submitted to ex- tend the operating hours of an office in Hollingbourne. In September last year, planning permis-
sion was granted to convert a barn at Greenway Court Farm, Greenway Court Road, into an office unit. A condition was that the use, which included deliveries, was restricted to 7am-6pm weekdays and 8am-5pm Saturdays. A new application has been submitted to extend HGV move- ments to and from the site to 7pm week- days and from 7am Saturdays.
Fence extension go-ahead PERMISSION was granted for a 2m-high close boarded fence at Gidd’s Pond Farm, Bearsted Road,Weavering. Maidstone Council allowed applicant
Gayle Pantony to build the structure, which she hopes will provide better secu- rity following the attempted robbery of a garden tractor last year.
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
can halt the raging tide of economic necessities engulfing us all. We must earn our way in the world
again – and that will all be down to success of our business expertise and energy. Government minds at last seem truly concentrated.
Proper policing IN 60 years of journalism I always
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