Cobtree awards boost charities


THREE prominent local chari- ties have received a welcome cash windfall from the Cobtree Charity Trust. Kent Scouts, Voluntary Ac-


tion Maidstone and Cross Roads Care, were all selected by the trustees for a share of a special £25,000 Jubilee Prize. Representatives of the chari-


ties were presented with their cheques by the Mayor of Maid- stone Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie, who congratulated all three on their sterling work, and offered his thanks to the trust. The charity distributes around £150,000 each year, sup- porting more than 60 local or- ganisations with their running costs. Kent Scouts received the


lion’s share, with £17,000 to help improve facilities at their new county headquarters, Lower Grange Farm, Sandling, purchased in 2009. Liz Simmons, county chair-


man, said: “We have come a long way in three years and this will help us further improve the facilities for the young people of Kent – and especially Maid- stone.”


Charlotte-Osborne-Ford, chief executive of Voluntary Action Maidstone, which received £5,000, explained how the money would help fund a new


New bins for


garden waste MAIDSTONE Borough Council is changing its garden waste collection service, and encour- aging neighbours to share bins. Gardeners are being asked to change to garden waste bins and the council is offering two sizes – a 240-litre wheelie bin costing £30 a year or a 140-litre wheelie bin costing £27 a year. The council has offered green garden waste bins for some time, but is now phasing out com- postable bags and replacing green binswith brown ones. Gardeners who feel they can-


not fill a bin to themselves will be able to share with neighbours. Cllr Marion Ring, cabinet member for the environment, shares her bin with a neighbour. She said: “We don’t create enough garden waste to fill a bin each. This way we both benefit, but we halve the cost.” The council is asking residents


who have compostable bags to use them by the endof June 2013. Properties which are unsuit-


able for wheelie bins can still use the bags, at a cost of £30 a year for up to 52 bags. The council introduced the


bags, made from potato starch, in 2010 to replace plastic sacks. If you would like to order a garden waste bin or garden sack collections please call 01622 602600 or visit www.maid- stone.gov.uk.


24 East


Mayor Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie with Cobtree Charity trustees and award recipients


software system to make man- agement of their voluntary transport service more efficient. VAMoperates a number of proj- ects for vulnerable and socially isolated people and the volun- tary transport scheme provides some 10,000 trips per year to hospital and doctor’s appoint- ments and other urgentmatters. The prize will go towards a


much needed software system. Irene Jeffrey, from Cross Roads Care, based at Watering- bury, which received £3,000, said themoney would help pro-


vide counselling and much- needed emotional support for the charity’s 150 young carers, aged from five to 18, many of whom were offering end-of-life care for ailing parents. Cobtree Trust chairman Richard Corben said: “The an- nual Cobtree prize is aimed at those organisations which have a charitable purpose, help the community or have urgent re- pair work to the historic build- ings within their care. “The selection of the winners was very hard for the trustees, as


so many organisations are doing such fantasticwork in the area.” The Cobtree Trust funds come


from a trust set up in 1951 by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, 12 times Mayor of Maidstone, who lived at Cobtree Manor. Mr Corben said: “It is the


third year that the trust has made the special annual award, all of which has been made pos- sible by this ‘very handsome’ gift from Sir Garrard, which has been managed by some very able trustees through the ages right up until today.”


The large oak tree is said to be


depriving nearby residents of light


Protected oak tree “too large” A VINTERS Park resident is hoping to persuade Maidstone Council to allowhim to fell a protected oak tree. StephenMann has applied to ground the tree at 44 Lombardy Drive because it is “muchtoo large forour garden”. His supporting statement added: “It causes loss of light for us and neighbouring properties. The amount of debris from the tree is daunting and spoils our enjoyment of the garden.Wewould like to install solar panels on the roofbut the tree has ruled this out.” However, correspondence from landscape officer Paul Hegley claim-


ing there were “no notable defects” suggests the councilmay be less than convinced. He wrote in a letter to the applicant: “The oak’s overall condition appeared tobe reasonablewithgood shoot extensiongrowth having been made following past permitted reductionworks. “The felling of a tree because of falling leaves and seeds is not usu-


ally considered sufficient reason.” The letter recommends reducing the height of the tree instead of felling it. Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.


Pick up gifts at village craft market LENHAM’S medieval Tithe Barn is to host a pre-Christmas craft and art market, featuring local food and drink producers. The market, on November 24 and 25, will showcase the work of Kent-based artisans.Visitors will be able to meet the craftsmen and buy original and unique gifts. Proceeds from the sale of raffle tick- ets will go to the Mid-Kent Breast Cancer Research Appeal. The market will be open from 11am till 4pm on Saturday, November 24 and from 10am till 3pm on Sunday November 25.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Drivers needed TWO new minibuses have been introduced in Maidstone by Brighter Futures. Part ofVoluntary Action Maid-


stone, the group and its 110 vol- unteers supports almost 700 older people across the borough with shopping, befriending, day trips and falls prevention classes. Danny Hewis, the Brighter Futures manager, said: “We have such fantastic support from volunteers all over the borough, butwe need people to drive our minibuses for us.” If you would like to volunteer


or donate to Brighter Futures, call 01622 762403 or email danny.hewis@vam-online.org.uk


Nicole’s journey A 12-YEAR-OLD girl from Downswood has flown to Tan- zania to learn about the life of street children. Nicole Neshiri, who is home- schooled, spent three weeks workingwith her aunt Faith, in Moshi on the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. Nicole said: “It really struck


me the condition the children were living in. They have so lit- tle, yet they are happy, and they too just want all the things that most children want.” Nicole’s England to Tanzania journey can be tracked on her blog myuniqueworld.com, where donations can be made to help the street children.


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