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Tip ban for courtesy car


A RETIRED Grove Green man was left “flabbergasted” when he was refused entry to Tovil tip because he was driving a cour- tesy car. Peter Kemsley (57) had the


Ford Fiesta for the daywhen his own vehicle was at the garage and decided to take some gar- den rubbish to the household waste recycling centre in Burial Ground Lane. But when he tried to drive


Pupils move in


into the tip he was stopped by a KCC employee who said vehi- cles with company logos on the side were not allowed in. Mr Kemsley, who ran a card


to playhouse PARENTS and grandparents of pupils at Ulcombe Primary School have pitched in to pro- vide the children with a new playhouse. The new Wendy house has


been named Griffin Lodge, after its creator, John Griffin. John, who is granddad to pupils Robert and Rory Roe, built the house for the children after the Turner family – par- ents of five-year old Tallulah – arranged to have the concrete base laid. The previous Wendy house


hadfallenvictimtothe ele- ments, and had a leaky roof, so the Friends of Ulcombe pooled their resources, time and tal- ents to replace it. It was a real family affair, however, as both Mr Griffin’s wife and his daughter Suzanne –mothertothe boys–lenta helping hand once construction got underway. Mr Griffin was invited to offi-


cially open theWendy house in a small ceremony at the school, following a speech by chairman of governors Terry Shortland. It was only then that the keen


DIY-er and Wendy house builder discovered it had been named in his honour. “He was quite touched when


we unveiled the sign,” said the school’s admin assistant Maria Revell. “Mr Griffin has built things in


the past for his children and grandchildren and was only too eager to help. The children, es- pecially those in the reception and early years’ classes, ab- solutely love it!”


Festive concert MULLED wine and mince pies will be on offer at Maidstone Mencap’s Christmas concert with The Detling Singers on Saturday, December 8. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park (School Lane, Will- ington Street entrance). Entrance costs £5, and in- cludes mulled wine and a mince pie (members and chil- dren £3.) Tickets from Ann Tutte on 07842 149995.


22 East


MP Hugh Robertson tries out the new play area with pupils at Madginford Park junior school


Day parade HUNDREDS of people turned out in Maidstone on Remembrance Sunday to honour those who lost their lives in conflict. The town centre came to a standstill at 11am, as shoppers and businesses observed two- minutes silence in memory of the dead. A military and civilian parade marched fromWeek Street, mak- ing its way along the High Street to the war memorial at the Broadway, where wreaths were laid.


The procession, including


Royal British Legion veterans, was joined by MP Helen Grant and civic dignitaries, led by the Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie. After the service at the memo-


rial, the parade returned to the High Street where the mayoral party took the salute.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735 Remembrance


shop in Strood until earlier this year, said: “It beggars belief – I was flabbergasted. My car was in for a service and I decided to take some garden waste to the tip because I’d done a lot of gar- dening at the weekend and my bin was full. “I am aware there are new re- strictions to stop people taking their trade waste there and I


Peter Kemsley with his courtesy car


agree they shouldn’t be doing that but it was quite clear I was driving a courtesy car. It was ex- tremely frustrating and a waste of my time.”


Mr Kemsley said he contacted


KCC andwas told no “sign-writ- ten cars” were allowed into council tips following recent re- strictions to prevent the illegal disposal of commercial waste at household waste recycling cen- tres. He was told this included courtesy cars and vehicles used by businesses such as driving schools. Mr Kemsley said he had not visited the tip for a couple of years and described KCC’s rules on sign-written cars as “petty”. The black courtesy car was


hired from Bristol Street Motors in Orpington and has “courtesy car” written on the side in white capital letters. Advice on KCC’swebsite says drivers whose only vehicle is a sign-written one need to apply for free vouchers to allow them to dispose of household waste. A KCC spokesman failed to provide a statement as Downs Mail went to press.


A NEW all-weather play surface at MadginfordPark Junior Schoolwas put to the test on its official opening day. Sports minister MP Hugh Robertson


MP opens new games area


braved a downpour to cut the ribbon and joined pupils to try out the £53,000 multi-use games area. Youngsters from the school in Egre-


montRoad, cannowenjoyawide range of sports on the new pitch including basketball, tennis and football. Built on part of the school field, the


play areawas funded from the school’s capital budget so that better use could be made of the grounds in poor weather. HeadteacherDavidDay said: “Weare


very proud we have been able to achievethis for the children. Iamsure it willadd totheir all-rounddevelopment.”


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