Dreams’ nightmare signs YMCA honours Ron Her husband added:
THE balloon has gone up in Allington, where locals claim a retailer is flouting council rules with signage and litter. But, thanks to the inter- vention of the Downs Mail, offending signage has been removed and the retailer warned not to re-offend. The Dreams bedding store had been in the
The signs at the junction to Dreams store in Allington, which have now been removed
habit of attaching banners to the railings out- side the London Road retail park, advertising offers and forthcoming sales. Balloons were also tied to the railings, which children popped, leaving bits of burst balloon strewn over the pavement. Residents Joan and Peter Sturgess tackled
the trader on several occasions, even con- tacting its head office and the letting agent, but without success. They also sent photographs to KCC’s high-
ways department, arguing that the signage blocked the view formotorists driving in and out of Leafy Lane, creating a potential risk to drivers and pedestrians. Mrs Sturgess told the Downs Mail: “The railings are regularly covered in balloons that eventually burst and create unsightly lit- ter, which is never cleaned up.”
“The railings are there to ensure that pedestrians are guided towards the proper crossing point. Securing an advertising banner cre- ates a visual impairment to drivers and traffic turn- ing into Leafy Lane at pre- cisely this point, where
pedestrians are encouraged to cross. It is a blatant misuse of public highway property.” Mr Sturgess further argued that the plastic
ties and burst balloons also created a slip hazard. “You can’t blame children for wanting to
burst balloons,” he said. “But no-one from the store thinks to clean up the debris.” However, following a call to KCC from the Downs Mail, a council team visited the site and ensured the banners were removed. A KCC spokesperson said: “We’d like to thank the members of the public who alerted us to the banner advertising at the junction of Leafy Lane and London Road. There are strict regulations about banner advertising on the highway to make sure that they do not cause an obstruction for drivers or pedestrians.” Nobody from Dreams was available for comment.
Enjoy chorus and a cuppa for charity A CONCERT and afternoon tea is being held at Oakwood House Hotel, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, on Sunday, March 11, to raise funds for the NSPCC’s Childline. Organised by Maidstone and Mid Kent members of the charity,
the event starts at 3pm and features a varied programme from Dawn Chorus, from classical to “Teddy Bears’ Picnic”, followed by tea. Tickets, £9.50 to include cream tea and sandwiches, should be obtained in advance from Mary Ratcliffe on 01622 752163.
MAIDSTONE YMCA board member Ron Frazer has retired after serving 30 years – and has been made its first hon- orary vice-president. Bryan Price, chairman of the Maidstone YMCA board of management, presented Ron with a plaque and a certificate to mark his 30 years of dedi- cated and ex- emplary service to the board – although he has been a member of the charity for 43 years! In his retirement speech, Ron thanked
Ron Frazer (right), at his retirement with YMCA’s Bryan Price
the YMCA, the board, staff, members and friends for supporting him in his younger days, for enriching his life and for wonderful memories. He said he was thrilled to be offered
the position as honorary vice-president, which he duly accepted. Lynda Dale, chief executive of Maid-
stone YMCA, said: “Ron has been a huge influence on the Maidstone YMCA charity and is well known for a whole range of community activities.”
College Road property’s ‘royal connections’ APLAN to convert a redundant office block at 75 College Road into a family dwelling has been submitted by Ray Bowra. His supporting statement claims that the building has been empty
since 2009 and lists 22 available offices within a 15-minute walk from the premises. It adds: “We know that this property was originally built with
royal connections and we want to reinstate it to its original splen- dour.” Maidstone Council will decide on the application.
The Pilot Tile Showroom Adhesives & Grouts
An original 16th Century Ale House, with Harveys real ales & wines with fresh homemade food & snacks.
Food available:
Lunch times: Wednesdays to Sundays Evenings: Wednesdays to Saturdays
Fun Quiz -
Sunday evenings 8.30 pm
Monday to Friday 8.00 - 5.30 Saturday 8.30 - 5.00 Ample Free Parking
Tel: 01622 717107
info@cafceramics.co.uk www.cafceramics.co.uk
Unit 5, 2M Trade Park, Beddow Way, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BT
14 Town
25 Upper Stone Street, Maidstone ME15 6EU Tel: 01622 691162
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
Live Music - Sundays
from 2.30 pm
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