Firm wins memorial contracts DownsMail gets
AN East Farleigh company has been awarded the contract to build a seafront memorial at Dover to mark a combined forces operation during the SecondWorldWar. Last month marked the 70th an- niversary of the Channel Dash – on February 12, 1942 – which included Operation Fuller. The Channel Dash Memorial Trust
has given the contract to build a me- morial to Operation Fuller to The Stone Shop, on Station
Hill.The stonewill be erected in Dover’sMarine Gardens. In the same week, the company’s Portsmouth shop received an order from Portsmouth City Council to ren- ovate the HMS Shah Memorial in Portsmouth city centre. The Stone Shop managing director Gordon Newton, who is also a borough councillor for Downswood and Otham, said: “We are very proud to be associated with the Operation Fuller memorial, which is designed to be a source of education for future generations.”
Planning success MAIDSTONECouncil leader Cllr Chris Garland praised planning officers for having the “best ever” success rate at appeals. In 2011/12, they successfully de- fended 79% of decisions.
Home going yellow A PLAN has been submitted to colour the elevations of a prop- erty in Ash Farm, Scragged Oak Road, Detling, pale yellow.
Operation Fuller was the masterplan devised by Admiral Ramsay to sink three German battle ships – The Sharn- horst, The Gneisnau and the Prinz Eugen – which had been causing havoc to mer- chant shipping convoys in the Atlantic. In the early hours of February 12, 1942,
the trio were spotted by a lone Spitfire patrolling the Channel and six Swordfish biplanes were ordered to take off from Manston to torpedo the German ships. All six aircraft were lost with only five
crew members being rescued from the sea.
The Stone Shop’s managing director, Gordon Newton
HMS Shah was in active service from 1873-79, firing the Royal Navy’s first ever torpedo. The project aims to renovate the me-
morial first erected in Portsmouth in 1880. The two contracts are the latest in a long line of commemorative stonework undertaken by The Stone Shop. Other major projects have included the national Battle of Britain Memorial Wall at Capel-le-Ferne and the Falklands Memorial at Tower Hill in London.
Charity for deaf needs volunteers
HI Kent, the charity that sup- ports deaf and hard-of-hearing people throughout Kent, is looking for volunteers to help with hearing aid maintenance at its clinics in Maidstone. A CRB check will be neces-
sary and will be paid for by the charity. No previous experience is necessary, as training will be
given and travel expenses paid. Hi Kent’s Debra Jones said:
“Any experience you may have with hearing loss, either your own or someone you know, would be an advantage in help- ing our clients, but is by no means essential.” If you are interested, please contact Debra on 01622 691151 or
D.Jones@
hikent.org.uk.
message across BEARSTED is among the grow- ing number of parishes to join forces with the Downs Mail in getting its message out to the electorate. The council has voted to sponsor half a page in the next three East editions, to help get its news out to the public. Vice-chairman Cllr Barbara Dunford told members: “The Downs Mail goes to between 16,000 and 20,000 households and iswidely read.We get feed- back from readers all the time.” The council shelved a spon-
sored page as a cost-cutting ex- ercise a year ago and issues a quarterly newsletter, but Cllr Richard Ash said: “Many of our problems have been caused by poor communication.” Neighbouring Boxley Parish Council has taken a full page in the Downs Mail every month for more than 12 years and parish clerk Pauline Bowdery said: “It has worked very well.” See page 16 for the Bearsted sponsored page
Tree ‘blocking light’ A PROPOSAL has been lodged to fell a protected hornbeam tree at Orbit Close, Walder- slade. The application, which will be decided by Maidstone Council, states that the tree “blocks too much light from the house and garden”.
Wedding Open Day
Sunday 15 April 2012 - 10.00am to 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) The Orangery and Garden Room at Turkey Mill
Entry is free of charge and everyone is welcome. A fantastic chance to view our magnificent venue and meet some of our recommended suppliers. No need to pre-register. A date not to be missed!
Join us on Facebook “The Orangery at Turkey Mill - Maidstone”
Turkey Mill Events Ltd, Turkey Court, Turkey Mill, Ashford Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5PP 01622 765511 ext. 1
Email:
events@turkeymill.co.uk www.turkeymill.co.uk 4 East You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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