Lights, camera, action…and splat!


THE TV cameras will be rolling when this year’sWorld Custard Pie Championship gets under- way inMaidstone. Comedy presenters Rory Mc-


Grath and Will Mellor have al- ready promised to take part in the annual custard-chucking competition for their forthcom- ing C5 series ‘Rory and Will’s Champions of theWorld’. The competition originated in Coxheath in 1967 when former Mayor of Maidstone Mike FitzGerald hit on it as a fun fund- raising idea for a newvillagehall. The contest travelled all over


the world before being dis- banded but has been back on home territory since 2007. It takes place this year at the Stile Bridge pub, Staplehurst Road, Marden, on Saturday Septem-


Uninsured driver


A DRIVER had her vehicle seized after shewas found to be driving without insurance in Coxheath. A suspicious vehicle in the


car park of Coxheath Village Hall was reported to PCSO Joanna Watts. A check on the vehicle found it was being driven without insurance. The driver, a 40 year-old woman, was issuedwith a £200 fine and her driving licence was endorsed with six points. The vehicle was also seized.


ber 22, when there will be music and merriment and a hog roast to accompany the sweet and sticky antics. Teams of four take it in turns


to throw pies at their opponents – five pies in the first heat, seven pies in the semi finals and a maximum of 10 pies in the finals. Points are awarded for direct hits and near-misses as well as the most original and amusing throwing techniques. Cllr Brian Mortimer, who is helping to arrange this year’s pie- splatting spectacular, said: “We are expecting a record turn-out for this year’s event now that it has attained celebrity status!” It costs £40 per team of four to


enter, with funds raised going to charity. Entry forms can be down- loaded from www.worldcustard-


LES Teague’s application to erect a two storey extension to a bungalow in The Weavers, Green Lane, Langley, has been refused by Maidstone Council. The scheme, which was to provide extra family accommo- dation, was considered an “im- modest, poorly designed, wholly unsympathetic addition that would bear no relation to the host building, and would thus completely overwhelm and destroy its original form and character, causing signifi-


DownsMail Advertisement feature Honest trader who doesn’t take advantage


Paul Dale is a friendly tradesman but he does get hot under the collar when he hears about vulnerable people being exploited in the name of business.


Paul and sons parents, the widowed and elderly.


Paul said: "I was widowed at an early age and so understand what it is like to be on your own - even the simplest of decisions may be difficult to make."


Trading since 1990, his speciality is fitting UPVC fascias, soffits, cladding and gutterting to houses which have just started to show signs of wear and tear. He will price the job and there are no hidden extras - what he says is what you get.


"I hear many stories of salesmen who are almost impossible to get rid of and unwanted phone calls after a quote. I believe in giving one quote and then leaving people to make up their mind. I treat people the way I would like to be treated myself. People will have my home number and can call me at any time. I am not selling a product or spinning a line I am selling myself - my future business is in the hands of my present customers".


He is only too aware of the pressure tactics used by some businesses and that maintaining a smart home can be tricky, especially for single


The annual custard pie battle will be screened on Channel 5


piechampionship.co.uk TheWorld Custard Pie Cham- pionships were inspired by Charlie Chaplin and, in past years, teams have come from as


‘Poorly designed’ bungalow extension


cant harm to its appearance, the visual amenity of the surround- ing area and the setting of the neighbouring Grade II listed building, Ye Old Cottage”. The decision notice added


that a loft conversion would be more acceptable.


Gravelly permission A PROPOSAL to build a first floor extension over part of a bungalow at Kingsdene, Grav- elly Bottom Road, Kingswood, has been accepted.


far afield as Germany and South Africa. NB: The pies used don’t actu-


ally contain custard, but are made using a secret recipe.


Boot fair fundraiser


A BOOT fair to raise funds for All Saints’ Church, West Far- leigh, and the West Farleigh Sports Club is to be held in the football field, off Charlton Lane, on Sunday, September 16. The boot fair begins at the civilised hour of 2pm and pitches are £10 if pre-booked or £12 on the day. For further details or to book


a pitch, contact Tim and Chris- tine Hill on 01622 813019 or Paul Baines on 720810.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


01227 713995 or 07719 848115 PAUL DALE South 21


Contact Paul on


31st August 2011 Dear Paul


Just wanted to write to you to say a huge thank you for the work you have undertaken at our home. We cannot compliment you enough on the way in which you conducted the work at our house in restoring an unattractive house to a bright and welcoming home.


The work at our house was completed to the highest standard and out of all work we have had done at our home over 2 years, yours was by far the very best in quality and professional right from the very start, Most workmen undertake a job but you undertake your work going that bit extra, ensuring the drive was cleared every night and the little touches of sweeping the front as to not get nails in our tyres of our cars did not go unnoticed.


We have in the past been caught out by workmen and it was such pleasure to have you work on our property and we trusted you fully in the work you clearly are so skilled at. It was so reassuring in a society that some time seems negative that comes to getting in workmen to complete jobs to find you.


A huge thank you from us both for taking this job on knowing that it was not local to you, for your reasonable costs and not lastly for being decent, trustworthy and maintaining huge standards in both you and your colleague on site.


It all looks lovely and thank you so much again. We really are thrilled and would highly recommend you.


Best wishes for your continued success always within your business.


Claire & Shane Gravesend


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