Firm offers to ‘extinguish’ rights of way


Continued from page one DHA is sponsoring Mr Garvey on a degree


in town planning at the University of Brighton. The company is capitalising on his back- ground and expertise by advertising “a unique service for the complete management of diversions and extinguishments of public rights of way”. The advertisement has caused a flurry of concern from countryside supporters and en- vironmental groups. Jamie Weir, from the Campaign for the Protection ofRural England (CPRE) Protect Kent, said: “The countryside is something that everyone should be able to enjoy. “The maintenance of public rights of way should be encouraged, both at national and local levels and we hope that landowners would not want to take public rights of way away from communities.” Former Maidstone borough councillor


Mike FitzGerald said: “I believe public rights of way are sacrosanct – although on occa-


Police call to


crash witness POLICE have appealed for a “good Samaritan” who helped a crash victim, to contact them. Officers are also seeking other witnesses to the collision in Boxley Road, Maidstone, that left a pedestrian with a broken ankle. The accident happened at around 2:30pm on February 18 at the junction with Curzon Road. A 26-year-old woman waswalking her dogs when she was hit by a silver car travelling down Curzon Road. The victim managed to push


her dogs out of the way, but was struck by the vehicle and sus- tained a broken ankle. She was helped by a man who took her home. The driver reportedly failed


to stop and crossed over Boxley Road, and into Gladstone Road. PC Ian Jackson said: “We would like to speak to the man who helped the victim, to see if he can provide any informa- tion, and to thank him.” Anyone with any information


is asked to contact PC Jackson by calling 101, quoting incident reference 18-0910.


ENTHUSIASTIC volunteers with a few hours to spare are being sought to chat with and read to elderly people in the Maidstone area. Community Service Volun-


teers (CSV), the UK volunteer- ing and learning charity, is looking for men and women to visit older and vulnerable peo- ple in care homes, hospices and sheltered housing. The volunteers will be re- quired to encourage the elderly to engage in conversation and to participate in reading sessions and reminiscing. Alberta Atkinson, CSV project


sions diversions may be of public benefit. In most cases, diversions or extinguishments should not be entertained. “Public rights of way are mainly paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. They allow people to explore and enjoy the countryside at a leisurely pace. If we allow extinguish- ments, public rights of way will cease.” Mr Garvey spent three years with KCC,


which is responsible for the protection, main- tenance and enhancement of Kent's public rights of way network. He stressed: “There are very few cases of extinguishment. Gener- ally, a public right of way will only be extin- guished if a new one is created.” Mr Garvey’swork involves him working in tandem with his former colleagues at KCC as the local planning authority. Born and brought up in Medway and Maid-


stone and with a geography degree from Can- terbury Christ Church University,Mr Garvey (27) is familiar with the county’s definitive map of public rights of way, having worked as part of the team keeping it up to date.


DHA Planning managing director David Hicken said: “We generally recruit planning graduates and train them to become town planners.Matt was potentially a good gradu- ate but needed specialist planning training. “Clearly he brings an extra skill and knows


the process, which is helpful, but we have not brought him in purely to work on public rights of way. As a company, we are very aware of environmental issues and have a team dedicated to planning and environ- mental impact, which includes compliance with strict EU regulations.” DHA has represented some of the area’s


most significant landowners and developers, such as Gallagher Properties, Golding Homes, TaylorWimpey, KCC and Kent Police. KCC recently announced it had made sig- nificant changes to the way it managed the county’s public rights of way. The number of area officers has been re-


duced from 12 to 10, while the number of staff dealingwith maintenance and improve- ment has been extended from two to four.


Sports grants up for grabs


The U team withMayor of Maidstone, Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie Learn skills and make friends


FUN and lively learning is coming toMaidstone. The U, in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, is a new ven-


ture that aims to bring people together and develop their skills. Residents can take part in free 90-minute sessions in practical areas


like first aid, defusing conflict and practicing positivity. TheUtrains local volunteers to deliver learning sessions for other res-


idents. Everyonewho takes part in an activity at TheU is given informa- tion on opportunities to learn and do more locally. Maidstone cabinet member for community and leisure services, Cllr


John Wilson, said: “The free learning sessions at The U are a great op- portunity for residents to learn important skills andmeet newpeople.” There will be three to four skills sessions eachweek.Additional dates


will be published atwww.the-u.org.uk/maidstone. The U’s modules have been developed in partnership with several na-


tional charities, including theBritishRedCross,Dfuse,Alcohol Concern and SLAM. For more information, call 0800 254 0154 or visitwww.the- u.org.uk/maidstone


Help an elderly person rediscover arts


manager said:“We’re looking for volunteers of all ages to help older people with their memory, health and wellbeing. “Sharing a memory with a


friend or settling down to a good book is one of life’s pleas- ures and as a volunteer you’ll be making a profound difference to some of the most vulnerable people in Kent.” The CSV Red Reading and Reminiscence Box project is a three-year project funded by Big Lottery. It offers flexible volun- teering opportunities to suit busy lifestyles, to include students, full-time parents and workers or


senior and retired people. Alberta said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and make a difference to vul- nerable people, as well as a chance to learn new skills. “Interest in books, poetry, music, film and drama does not stop when older people are less independent and our volunteers will give residents the enthusi- asm to rediscover their love of literature and the arts.” If you’re over 16 and inter-


ested in volunteering for the project, please call Alberta Atkinson on 01622 230722 or email aatkinson@csv.org.uk.


GRANTSof up to £300 are again available to sporting groups and individuals who want to de- velop new initiatives. The Stanley Blow and Ole Kverndal awards, named in memory of two influential fig- ures in Kent’s sporting devel- opment, are handed out annually by the Kent County Playing Fields Association (KCPFA). The fund set up in their mem-


ory allows the association to make grants each year to support initiatives by clubs and other voluntary organisations to pro- vide new sporting opportunities for young people aged 10-16. Examples of initiatives that qualify include the formation of new sports clubs for young peo- ple, providing skills coaching courses for youngsters and or- ganising courses for coaches and other officials that will ul- timately benefit youngsters. There is no restriction on the


sports that can qualify. KCPFA President Geoff Cooke


said: “We consider it is vital in this day and age to providemore sporting opportunities for youngsters, and these awards are one way in which the associa- tion can make a positive contri- bution.” A grant of up to £300 is avail-


able to each successful scheme and last year, 11 applicants were successful in receiving a share of £3,223. Application forms are avail-


able from The KCPFA Associa- tion, Cantium Lodge, Terrace Road, Maidstone ME16 8HU (telephone no. 01622 753960, email kcpfa@hotmail.co.uk) or by downloading from www.kentpfa.org.uk The clos- ing date for receipt of applica- tions is March 29, 2013. Theawardswillbean- nounced in April.


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