LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
over 30 weddings and 30 baptisms. Many of these are of Boxley couples and Boxley in- fants. As they don’t all live in the tiny cen- tre of Boxley, they have little choice but to come by car. Finally, over half the regular Sunday congregation of the church, do come from “far afield”, from distant parts of Boxley: The Abbey, Harbourland, Grove Green, Sandling, Boxley/Walderslade, etc. All of these are unquestionably Boxleyites, and surely have equal rights to those in the centre of our extensive parish. I cannot speak for the pub, but I have seen
locals at the bar and eating food. In the same edition of The Downs Mail it is reported that Hollingbourne looks upon The Sugar Loaf public house as “a community resource”. Go down to Romney Marsh. See shut
pubs and boarded-up churches. Is that re- ally what Boxley Parish Council wants? John Munson, by email
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Reducing speed limits Dear Sir – In your latest issue concerning crashes in theMaidstone area and featuring proposed 20 mph limits, the Green Party spokesman said: “There is no reason not to back them.” There are plenty. Maidstone is already a bottleneck through
poor roads, traffic volume, unnecessary traf- fic lights, build-outs and artificially low speed limits on crucial routes around the town. It needs a lower limit like a hole in the head. I doubt that such a limit will “reduce ac- cidents, pollution and congestion” either. Vehicles travelling at 20 mph and less will bring traffic to a low gear crawl, thereby in- creasing pollution and congestion. Crashes are unlikely to be reduced with drivers checking speedometers constantly, rather than looking at the road.
A BUILDER living near Leeds has been cho- sen to represent the southern counties in a na- tional competition. Paul Ray (43), of Back Street, won the Federation of Master Builders’ regional award for medium renovation proj- ects, giving him a place in the national final in London next month. He has had his busi- ness, Paul Ray Construction, for 13 years. Mr Ray, who has three full-time employees
The house restored by builder Paul Ray, right
Kent&E TEN ERDEN Rail Rail
and uses sub-contractors, added a missing “bay” – part of the oak framework a house is built around – to a Grade II listed 15th century farm house, also in Back Street. He said: “Canterbury Archaeological Trust did a survey of the building and proved there
t & E tS sse lwaylway TAT TENTERDEN TOWN STA & East Sussex ATION A 20 mph limit will be unenforceable, as
most drivers will not comply, which is, I suspect, why KCC and the police are op- posed to them. Speed limit criteria that have stood us in
good stead for decades have already been ridden over roughshod at a number of sites in the area. As a result, advisory signs illu- minated when speeds are exceeded seem to be permanently lit. Unenforceable law is thoroughly bad law. It seems that whilst vehicle technology improves, speed limits come down and the motorist has become a persecuted cash cow. Pressure groups like the Greens would take our cars away if they could. Meanwhile they continue their crusade towards the reintroduction of men carrying red flags.
Malcolm Brockman, Carman’s Close, Loose
Builder on national award shortlist
used to be a fourth bay but it did not know whether it was removed or destroyed by fire. “I’ve got as good a chance ofwinning as any
of the finalists. Last year the winner built an eco house by the seaside so I don’t know if I’ll be able to compete with that.” Two years ago Mr Ray received a “highly commended” award in the same category. Builders are nominated by their customers, using forms handed out by the Federation of Master Builders. Architect and television pre- senter George Clarke, who presents Channel 4’s The Restoration Man, will announce the national winners of the 11th Master Builder of the Year Awards.
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