Spring is in the air – in December


THERE was an early Christmas present for chil- dren at the Maidstone charity Dandelion Time when a spring lamb popped out – in December. Dotty, one of four ewes kept by the charity in Charlton Lane, West Farleigh, gave everyone a surprise when she produced a hale and hearty lamb on December 20 – well ahead of the normal lambing season. Local sheep farmer Liz Offen, whose family


have farmed at Lake Farm, Sutton Valence, for generations, said she had never known a lamb to be born so early and wondered if climate change was confusing the animal population as well as we humans. The Dandelion Time ewes spent the summer at


Lake Farm along with Liz’s flock – but should have been safe, as ewes normally don’t come into season before September. She said: “With a five-month gestation period,


Dotty obviously became pregnant in July – which is unheard of!” However, her grey and white dappled lamb was


a huge hit with both the children and the adults, and a very welcome early Christmas surprise. Laura Irvine, farm therapy coordinator at Dan- delion Time, said: “The children were all very ex- cited and have been busy thinking of names.” Dandelion Time supports families and children


KCC has been given permission to build housing in theUlcombe Primary School playing field. The county council aims to


sell off the land to a housing de- veloper, and use the capital re- ceipt to build an extension in the school for a new library and staffroom. Work is also to be done to the playground. The


with emotional difficulties. Project leader Graham Carpenter said: “Animals are a fantastic way to bring children and their parents together.” As well as caring for the sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and sundry small pets, the children spin and weave the sheeps’ wool as part of their craft work. But, for the time being, they are happy just to


watch the new addition get acquainted with her surroundings – and help get her acclimatised to a winter in Kent.


Green light for housing on school playing field site


project will cost an estimated £280,000. In October 2010, Maidstone Council refused the county council’s application to erect four semi-detached properties on the site of the former adven- ture play area in the field. It has now accepted a proposal to build one detached and two


semi-detached houses on con- dition that a replacement dawn redwood tree is planted to com- pensate for the one that will be destroyed in the development. The decision notice also


called for no accommodation above the first-floor level to pre- vent overlooking and a loss of privacy.


Georgia Whelan (9), fromMaid- stone, with Dotty and her lamb, along with Dandelion Time’s Laura Irvine


Tool thefts arrests THREE people were arrested by Kent police following a spate of tool thefts from vans parked atMaidstone hotels. Workmen lost not only their


tools, but also business as a re- sult of the thefts. Hotels in the town have


been issued with crime pre- vention leaflets and workmen urged to take valuable tools indoors overnight. CCTV footage helped police identify three suspects who have since appeared before Maidstonemagistrates. Those arrested, a 20-year-


old and two 22-year-olds, were all from the London area.


Fuel costs blamed


for bus fare hikes ARRIVAhas increased its bus fares.The public transport company said that rising costs, particularly fuel, and a forthcoming reduction in government fuel grants, forced it to raise most single bus fares by 10p or 20p. Most return fares have also


risen, along with day, weekly and four-weekly Savers, ex- cept the Family Day Saver, which is unchanged at £13. Info: www.arrivabus.co.uk or 0844 800 4411.


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