Village store granted off-licence


AHADLOWnewsagent has been granted an off-licence, despite strong opposition from residents and churchgoers. Stringent efforts to prevent anti-social be- haviour had made the village a peaceful place to live, but a late night drinks licence would undo all the hard work by various or- ganisations, Tonbridge and Malling licens- ing panel was told. National retailer Martin McColl Ltd ap-


plied for a new premises licence at its shop in The Broadway, High Street,with opening hours from 5.30am to 11pm each day, and to supply alcohol during the same times. However, after hearing from the company


and local residents, the panel limited clos- ing time to 9pm, with the CCTV system ex- tended to provide external monitoring. The


Amanda wins


safety award A WOMAN who helps make theMallings area a safe place to live has been recognised at an awards ceremony. Kent Police hosted the first Kent Community Safety Awards where there was one winner from the Tonbridge andMalling borough. The business safety award


was presented to Amanda Smith (pictured), safer towns co-ordinator for Tonbridge and Malling Council. She is the driving force behind the Ton- bridge Safer Towns Partner- ship, identifying offenders and working with police to catch criminals. She is in daily contact with the police, the CCTV control room and the majority of businesses within the town centre. In the last 12 months, 74% of reported shoplifting offences resulted in successful prosecution, thanks in part to Ms Smith. She said: “I feel so honoured


and appreciated for the work that I do and will continue to help make the area a safer place. I feel so grateful to every- one who has supported me, es- pecially my board of managers, who give their time and com- mitment free, and officers at Tonbridge andMalling Council and at Kent Police.”


store should also display signs advising cus- tomers not to cause nuisance and to con- sider the neighbours when leaving. Objectors to the evening licence sent in a petition with 532 signatures, as well as more than 200 letters. Concerns included potential noise nuisance with groups of youths hanging around and a possible in- crease in anti-social behaviour. Churchwarden Barry Wheeler, writing on


behalf of St Mary’s Parochial Church Coun- cil, said the village and churchyard had been troubled by drink-fuelled rowdyism and vandalism for some years, but con- certed efforts by the police, Neighbourhood Watch and parish council had reduced the problem to a manageable level. The evening licence would undowhat had


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be felled and replaced with more suitable species. “Removal of the trees will


open up views of Clare Park, making the path a more attractive route,” she said. She suggested “a well-spaced line of London planes” to enhance the area while maintaining attractive views to the lake. However, resi- dents said more trees had been affected than were covered in the original document and the plan submittedwas confusing. Unlike planning application procedure, the borough did not seek local residents’ views, and those in Blacklands, Clare House and Clare Wood Drive


been achieved in time, money and effort by the various organisations, said the PCC. The parish council wrote: “Hadlow has worked hard to reduce the crime and disor- der within the village and feels that longer ac- cessibility to purchasing alcohol will increase anti-social behaviour associated with drink- ing in the village centre.” The company said it operates a Challenge


25 policy,with anyone appearing to be aged 25 or under being asked to provide evidence that they are over 18 – the lawful age to buy alcohol. The policy also incorporates full training for all staff, a refusal record and regular refresher training. The store would operate a CCTV system and there would be prominent signs confirming the minimum legal age for alcohol purchase.


Anger over trees felled at school


only learned of the work when it began. Cllr Thornewell said: “The


parish council has long been concerned about the future of Clare Park, with its lovely lake, and some years back a lease to the borough council was pro- posed so it could be maintained properly as a local open space. This all came to a halt on legal advice when the school left KCC control, and there is also the complication that it is subject to a private finance arrangement, so there is a mortgage on the land which backed the costs of pro- viding new school buildings. “Most schools do not have a lake or a large area of parkland


Church celebrates new name


MORE than 100 people gathered at the Discovery School, Kings Hill for the first service of the newly-named St Gabriel’s Church. The congregation was blessed by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, who led the inauguration service. The church meets at 9.30am each Sunday in the school’s main hall. The name St Gabriel’s


was chosen in an online vote, and children are pic- turedwith thebishop hold- ing a banner featuring an angel during the service. Responsibility for the church is shared by theRevDavid Green, vicar of


West Malling and Offham, and the Rev Patricia Dicken, priest-in-charge ofMereworthandWestPeckham.Athirdmemberof the clergy teamwill be appointed.


Depressed labourer took his own life


A 43-YEAR-OLD labourer with a history of de- pression was found dead in his van after sending his family a text saying: “I’m sorry”. Andrew Tivey, of Garner Drive, East Malling,


had parked the Ford Transit near lakes at Ham Hill, Snodland, where he used to enjoy fishing, a Maidstone inquest heard. He was found on February 27 last year by his stepdaughter Elizabeth Weston. She could not get to him because the van was locked. Assistant deputy coronerRachelRedman consoled her: “I am sure your stepfather passed away long before you got there so there is nothing you could have done.” MrsWeston said he had texted her, saying: “I’m


sorry, I have been an idiot”. She replied “Don’t be silly, are you OK?”, and he replied “Not really”. Mr Tivey’s brother John arrived with a work col-


12 Malling


league and called the police. He told the inquest there had been previous cries for help, such as texts saying he had had enough.On this occasion he had been texting Andrew all day but received no reply. The inquest heard thatMr Tivey died from fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. There were tablets and empty beer cans in the vehicle. His wife of 29 years, Cynthia, said he had al-


ways suffered from depression and had made more than 10 attempts on his life. “He would wander off with alcohol and tablets and I would go out and search for him. Until the last time, I had always found him and stopped him.” Recording a verdict that he took his own life


while suffering from a depressive illness, Mrs Redman said: “I believe that he did have the in- tent to end his life on this occasion.”


with its conservation area des- ignations and all that goes with that. The school, I think, strug- gles with all this involves, in- cluding the costs. “I agree the trees do now look terrible and the parish council is keen to try to work with the school and residents to get the park with its lake in a better con- dition. It is taking up with the borough the issues raised by res- idents, but would like to work with the school so this important area can both serve the school and be a community asset.” No comment was available


from TheMalling School as the Downs Mail went to press dur- ing the school holiday.


War memorial


needs repair DITTON’s war memorial is in need of urgent repair at an esti- mated cost of more than £8,000. The cross


and figure on the im- posing mon- ument have deteriorated and need re- placing as soon as pos- sible, parish councillors were told. The council was quoted £8,600 for the work by a spe- cialist stonemason and is ap- plying to the War Memorials Trust for a grant which will cover half the cost. Councillors acknowledged it


was very important to the vil- lage to preserve the memorial and agreed to meet the balance of the fee from the council’s in- vestment income.


Extra floor at store CAR parts retailer Halfords is looking to expand its store at Quarry Wood business park, Aylesford. The company has submitted proposals to Ton- bridge and Malling Council for a mezzanine floor of 123 sq m.


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