4 Maidstone Borough Council
Danny’s dash
A frantic dash across town summed up the remarkable impact that the arrival of the Olympic Torch had on the people of Maidstone.
Danny Wright made the dash from Leeds Castle to Mote Park on the evening the torch arrived, but his efforts were inspired not by dreams of athletic glory but by artistic ambitions.
Danny was one of the cast members who wowed the audience with the global premier of A River Runs Through to celebrate the arrival of the torch at Leeds Castle, and his sprint to Mote Park was so that he could then take part in the final of Maidstone’s Got Talent, held as part of a successful community concert that same evening.
The dash was well worth it, as he and Oliver Burrows, who stood in for Danny’s usual partner, emerged as the winners of the over-16s category with their comedy dance act.
Danny Wright (right) and Oliver Burrows at the finals of the Maidstone’s got talent competition 2012 at Mote Park – Picture by Howard Marsh
Police and Crime Commissioner elections
On Thursday 15 November 2012 new elections are taking place in England and Wales (excluding London).
On this date you will be asked to vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner.
The police and crime commissioner is a new role that will replace your local police authority. Police and crime commissioners will not run the police, but will be responsible for holding the police to account for the public. They will be able to:
• Produce a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities.
• Set the local policing budget and decide how money will be spent.
• Appoint chief constables and remove them where needed. Information booklet
In late October, every household in England and Wales (excluding London) will receive a booklet explaining more about these elections and how to fill in your ballot paper. Look out for the booklet coming through your door.
Cold calling zones
Maidstone and District Neighbourhood Watch Association, Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards are looking to set up Maidstone borough’s first cold calling control zone in Allington.
If residents want to proceed with the scheme they will be given information on how to deal with bogus callers and rogue traders, along with a door/window sticker and road signs.
Cold calling control zones have proved to be a great success in other areas around the country. Residents are more aware of how to tackle unknown callers at the door, and utility companies recognise a need for good practice when operating in the area.
For more information about Neighbourhood Watch, please contact Suzanne Daniell on 01622 604 395 for an information pack.
His effort summed up the way Maidstone Borough Council used the visit of the torch relay not just to inspire dreams of sporting glory but also to create a much wider cultural legacy.
“I had just 45 minutes to get off stage, drive to Mote Park through the traffic, get changed, find Oliver and dash to the stage just in time for our performance,” said Danny.
“It was worth the effort, though, and I am really impressed with the way Maidstone took the opportunity to broaden the appeal of the Olympics to focus on art and culture as well.”
Earlier in the evening the 8,000-plus crowd at Leeds Castle had greeted the performance of A River Runs Through – which told the history of the town in music and song - with huge applause.
The work, by established composer Edmund Jolliffe, covered key events such as the Battle of Maidstone, the discovery of the Iguanodon fossil and the growth of industries such as paper making and brewing.
Registering to vote
This year the Government has instructed that the new Electoral Register has to be published on 16 October 2012. This is to make sure that the register used for the Police and Crime Commissioners elections is as up to date as possible. The annual canvass started earlier and every property in the Borough received a Voter Registration Form 2012 in June. There was a good response with many residents helping us to save money by returning the first
form. Reminders have gone out to everyone else.
If you have not registered to date you must return a completed form by 8 October 2012 to be included on the new Electoral Register. If you fail to register you will not be entitled to vote and you will have trouble obtaining a mortgage, opening a bank account or getting credit.
If, for some reason, you have not registered by 8 October 2012 you must contact Registration Services as soon as possible on 01622 602007.
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