Head teachers to leave two schools


TWOof Maidstone’s leading headmasters have announced they are to quit their schools in the summer. Dr Nick Argent (57), head of Maidstone Grammar School for boys in Barton Road, is leaving his £82,000 per year post for personal reasons, as is Mr Richard John- son (46), head of Sutton Valence Prepara- tory School, Chart Sutton. Dr Argent,who came to Maidstone from


the independent boys’ school, Elizabeth College, in Guernsey, has said his deci- sion has nothing to do with the school but for “changes in his personal circum- stances”. He is considering the possibility of retirement or consultancy work. In a letter to parents, chairman of governorsMrs Lindsey Evans writes:


“I would like to thank Dr Argent for his efforts over the past three years.” In Chart Sutton, Prep School headmaster Richard Johnson has also


given notice that he will leave in the summer. Mr Johnson (pictured), who attended the Royal family’s favourite Gor- donstoun School near Elgin, joined Sutton Valence Prep School from Wiltshire, three years ago, where he still has family. Before moving to Kent, he was deputy headmaster of Pewsey School


and is an experienced member of the Independent Schools Inspectorate. A spokesman for the prep school said: “The governors have recorded


their gratitude to Mr Johnson for bringing a wealth of experience to the school and for all that he has done in his time here and send him, his wife Helen and their young son their best wishes for the future.”


Mobile operator applies for phone antennas MOBILE phone company O2 has applied to install three antennas on land south of M20 J7, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone. The scheme, if approved by Maidstone Council, would see the erection of a 15m-high column containing the antennas within a glass reinforced plastic cover with two equipment cabinets and an- cillary development.


Cold-call conmen sentenced


TWO men who conned a 91- year-old Sandling man out of £3,300 for unnecessary repair work on his house have been ordered to do community service – and repay the cash. John Hanley and John Brien,


from Banstead, Surrey, pestered pensioner Mr Gale into having work done on his roof – even though he told them to go away. They returned time and time again and even drovehim to the bank to withdraw some of the money to pay them. But KCC’s trading standards department caught up with Hanley and Brien, who each received a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and were also ordered to carry out 275 hours of com- munity service.


Ex-cop sets her


sights on top job A FORMER police consta- ble cleared of faking an as- sault while on duty and then wasting police time, plans to stand as Kent’s first police commissioner in the May election. Frances Croucher (29), from Maidstone, has called for a complete overhaul of the po- lice complaints procedure. She resigned from the force, though she was cleared of all charges last year.


For two months, theywill be


under curfew and must wear electronic tags preventing them from leaving their homes between 9pm and 5am.They were ordered to pay back Mr Gale’s £3,300 and to each pay court costs of £1,250. Victim Mr Gale was targeted


by the two men in November 2010 when they called at his Sandling home offering to re- pair his guttering. Despite turning down their offer, the pair continued to visit Mr Gale over a number of weeks. They told him that if he did not have the work done, the guttering could come down and kill someone - and that he would be liable. The original quote to repair


Mr Gale’s roof was £2,400 for new PVC fascias and replac- ing the guttering. This later rose to £6,400 for additional work which Hanley and Brien said needed to be done. This included saying that the felt on the roof needed to be lifted, costing £4,000. The true cost was about £188.


Pit your wits LEEDS WI is holding a quiz night at Leeds Village Hall on Saturday,March 10, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets, £8, to include supper and wine. Six people per table. Call Jane Newsome on 01622 862558 to book.


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To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 27


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