Shopping centre Hospice boss in cycle crash


store to close BEALES department store is to close its Maidstone outlet, just a year after coming to town. The company, which took


over the two-storey site previ- ously occupied by T J Hughes in TheMallinJunelastyear, will move out once the lease expires, the company has said. The news comes within


weeks of clothing retailer Next announcing it is to close its shop in TheMallwhen its lease runs out in November. Although the company is ex- panding, a spokesman said it had decided it was not in Beales’ best interests to remain in Maidstone, which will come as a bitter blow to the town cen- tre management. Founded in Bournemouth


more than a century ago, Beales was one of the founding names of the department store move- ment. It operated 13 shops until two


years ago, including an outlet in Tonbridge, when, despite the re- cession, it acquiredWestgate De- partment Stores, adding a further 19 outlets to its portfolio. Aspokesman for the company


said: “The store has achieved the business’ objectives and we are now looking to exit as per the lease agreement.” Notices have already gone up


in the store window advertising its closing down sale.


Continued from page one


Kate’s accident and we are trying to provide whatever support we can toKate’s family at this excep- tionally difficult time. “Kate is a very gifted CEO


with enormous experience, not only with the Heart of Kent Hospice, but also with Demelza and Ellenor Lions Hospice. Not only does she lead the hospice with great skill, but her fundraising activities, through her passion for cycling, have in- spired many others to support the cause.” Kate (pictured),who is married


to John, joined the San Fairy Ann cycling club when she undertook


THREE clubbers ended up in hospital after taking an ecstasy- type drug, believed to be known as “rockstar”, in Maidstone town centre. The three were rushed to Maidstone Hospital on Satur- day, March 2, after staff and paramedics at the Urban Blue Bus, parked in Jubilee Square, became concerned about their symptoms. All three admitted experiment-


ing with a bright red pill they had bought for the first time. They were suffering severe ad- verse reactions including agita- tion, significant breathing


RESTAURANT GURKHA


The new taste in town!


Variety of food including Nepalese speciality dishes and Indian cuisine


TAKE AWAY & DELIVERY AVAILABLE


FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £15 10% DISCOUNT ON COLLECTION


OPENING HOURS:


12.00PM - 2.30PM & 6.00PM - 11.00PM 112 WEEK STREET, MAIDSTONE ME14 1RH


www.gurkharestaurantm.co.uk 01622 692343 6 Town


z One week pass course


z Semi-intensive


z Midway pass course


z Test booster courses


z Block Booking zWeekly Lessons


According to Government figures, learners each buy on average 52 hours of driving tuition. In total, those who passed had on average 67 hours of driving experience including practice with family or friends. But with LDC’s cutting-edge training materials and methods, the average number of hours to pass the test is closer to 30 - a potential saving of up to 22 hours.


“The safe drivers of tomorrow are the well-taught learners of today”


For more information call....


07977 547383 01622 202378 0800 400 777


www.trainwithdavid.co.uk Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


Paris (viaGeneva) and undertook the gruelling 1,000-mile ride over 12 days from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Brought up in Ilkley, West


her first sponsored ride seven years ago. Since then, she has taken part in challenges in Cuba, India, competed in the Kent 200K, cycled from London to


problems, vomiting, a racing pulse, high temperature and eyes not responding to light. Police said the pill is either circular or star-shaped and is thoughttobeknownas“rock- star”.


They highlighted the incident involving the potentially very dangerous drug to try and pre- vent other people from taking it. A fourth person was reported to have taken the pill in Medway on the same evening and there have been similar incidents in other parts of the country. Chief Inspector Jon Bumpus, Maidstone district commander,


Yorkshire, Kate was previously an employee at Demelza House children’s hospice in Sitting- bourne, and Ellenor Foundation in Dartford, before returning to HOKH – where she earlier worked on thewards shortly after it opened its doors 22 years ago – initially as clinical manager. It costs £3.8million a year to


run HOKH, a specialist palliative care unit in Preston Hall. Kate spearheads the financial strategy, supporting staff and volunteers.


‘Rockstar’ drug warning after three clubbers fall ill


said: “Taking any drug is dan- gerous and presents health risks, but these pills in particu- lar appear to be unpredictable and could potentially have very serious consequences. “We are carrying out a num-


ber of enquiries to glean more information about this sub- stance and I would appeal to anyone with any information about people who are selling this drug to contact us. “The three people who took


this drug have all been released from hospital, and we will be speaking with them to try and find out more.”


David’s Driving School


First 5 lessons for £75!


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48