Hadlow college steals the show with garden, cows and stand Caroline Spelman, Secretary of


HADLOW College returned victorious from the Kent County Show having won Top Gold for its original show gar- den entitled The Hop Garden. The college’s prize-winning


dairy herd gained a champi- onship award in the Exhibitor- bred class in addition to gaining three first prizes, a first in the dairy pairs and a runner- up award in the dairy group class. The college also won a silver


Thief demands


lift from victim A MOTORIST was threatened andforcedtohandoverhis wallet to a robber who then de- manded a lift down the road. Police appealed for witnesses


to the incident in Larkfield at 5.30pm on Friday, July 6, just off the forecourt of the Tesco Express service station in Lon- don Road. The victim is thought to have returned to his car when a man he knew was standing next to it. He was threatened and handed over his wallet to the offender, who took a quantity of money before demanding that the vic- tim drive him to a location a few minutes down the road. The suspect is described as a


white man in his late 20s, with black hair, wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bot- toms and white trainers. Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime ref YY/12077/12.


Appeal after


raid on store A NEWSAGENTS in Larkfield has been targeted by raiders twice in five weeks. Two men forced their way in


to the Martin Square store on Saturday, June 16, at around 2.45pm and stole a DVD player and a large quantity of cash and cigarettes. The incident came a few weeks after four men bursting into the shop at about 5am, wearing balaclavas and bran- dishing weapons. The gang escaped with cash


and cigarettes. Police are study- ing CCTV images but are not linking the two incidents. If you can help, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Harvest fayre THE Blackthorn Trust is holding a Harvest Food and Craft Fayre on Saturday, September 22. The fayre at the trust in St An- drew’s Road, Barming, runs from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The trust is holding a five-


mile sponsored walk in East Malling on Sunday, September 9. Dogs are welcome. Email info@blackthorn.org.uk or call 01622 722219 for more infor- mation.


8 Malling


gilt medal for its exhibit in the horticultural marquee while the college’s main stand achieved Top Gold for Best Agricultural Stand. The Hop Garden was built


from materials sourced from local companies and included a scaled-down oast cowl. Designed and built by stu-


dents at Hadlow, the garden will be rebuilt at the college.


State for the Department for En- vironment, Food and Rural Af- fairs was an enthusiastic visitor to the stand, which was themed around a summercampaign “For people who love life”. During the three-day show, visitors enjoyed watching flo- ral art demonstrations by the college’s


award-winning


floristry department and sheep-shearing by college shepherd Matt Greer.


Mystery as head resigns


THE successful head teacher of Lunsford Primary School has resigned after amystery absence of 18 months. Parents were informed in a


letter from acting head teacher Barbara Scott that Malcolm Goddard had left the school, de- scribed as outstanding in its last full Ofsted report. She wrote: “I know that many


of you have been anxious about the situation regarding the head- ship at the school. I can now in- form you that Mr Goddard has tendered his resignation. “This will take effect on August 31 and he will not be returning to


Lunsford Primary School. We would like to thank him for the contribution he has made to the school and we wish him every success for the future.” She added that the governors would begin the process of re- cruiting a new head as soon as possible.


Concerned parents had sent a


letter, signed by 25 people, to Patrick Leeson, KCC corporate director for education, learning and skills, seeking an explana- tion. An online petition called “What has happened to our headteacher?” includes com- ments supporting Mr Goddard


and requesting information. In 2008, Lunsford was de- scribed as a “fantastic school” by Ofsted, who praised the leader- ship and management as out- standing. An earlier report focusing on maths, said standards were ex- ceptionally high and pupils en- joyed the subject because of the quality of teaching and because lessons were fun. Since Mr Goddard’s absence, parents have received letters from the school governors refer- ring to the confidential nature of the matter and warning against rumours.


Stables agreed PLANS for equestrian facilities in a field next to a Grade II listed property at Mereworth have been approved by Ton- bridge andMalling Council. Owner Sarah Armstrong ap-


plied for the change of use of land adjoining The Octagon in Mereworth Road for an exercise area, timber stable and storage facility for private use for the care of her own three horses. Mereworth Parish Council


Family fun at nursery sports day THE rain held off as youngsters and parents took part in a variety of races at Teston andWateringbury Nursery Group’s annual sports day. The fun included egg and spoon and bean bag races, with rosettes


and ice lollies for all the children. There was also a selection of stalls and a raffle as well as a family picnic, before the heavens opened. Chairman Sarah Sewell said: “Sports day is always a fun time and everyone gets involved.”


had raised concerns regarding access for vehicles during con- struction and for ongoing de- livery and maintenance vehicles. The parish was also con- cerned about floodlighting and that the livery may become a commercial enterprise.


Blaze death still a mystery


AN OPEN verdict was recorded at an inquest on a homeless man who was found dying in a wasteland blaze at Snodland. Richard Stephenson (38) was burned after becoming uncon- scious from ketamine and alco- hol and died at Maidstone Hospital from his injuries and smoke inhalation. But two years after the tragedy, the cause of the fire near Coombe Close remains a mystery. Mr Stephenson, who had re- cently split from his girlfriend after a spell in prison, had a his- tory of drinking and suicide threats. However, coroner Patri-


cia Harding told the Maidstone hearing that the evidence fell far short of that required for her to determine he took his own life. An empty container of lighter


fluid, which was found in un- dergrowth, had recently held fuel, which was the probable ac- celerant for the fire. Investigators said no evidence


of arson was found, but the scene was charred by fire and disturbed by rescuers. Two men were arrested after


the fire following information from someone who later refused to give a statement. Peter Taylor and Luke Collier were ques- tioned but denied any involve-


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


ment and provided alibis. The inquest heard that Mr Stephenson, who was well- liked in Snodland, had chosen to camp out on a strip of land beside the A228, despite offers of places to stay. Firefighters were alerted to


the fatal blaze on March 16, 2010, by night-shift workers in Sortmill Road, who spotted the flames spreading along fences. Mr Stephenson was just alive


when they arrived, and man- aged to speak, but died later in hospital. His family have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.


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