Invicta satellite Trees ‘stop us watching TV’
school scheme AMAIDSTONE grammar school could soon have a satellite site in the west of the county. Valley Invicta Academies
Trust (VIAT) has been working with KCC to propose an annex of Invicta Grammar School in Sevenoaks. Valley Park School is also part of the trust and Of- sted has rated both schools out- standing. KCC leader Paul Carter said: “Thousands wanted us to ex- plore the provision of grammar school education in the Sevenoaks area and this part- nership shows KCC’s commit- ment to reflecting those views.” Mike Whiting, KCC cabinet member for education, learning and skills, said he had sent ed- ucation secretary Michael Gove a joint proposal for grammar provision in Sevenoaks. Dr Philip Limbert, chief exec-
utive officer of Valley Invicta Academies Trust, and Julie Der- rick, head teacher of Invicta Grammar School, said: “KCC and VIAT working together on this proposal is good news for the 2,600 young people in Maidstone who are proud stu- dents at Valley Park and Invicta Grammar School.” In a letter to parents and car-
ers of Invicta pupils, Mrs Der- rick added: “Our partnership will be mutually beneficial.”
BEARSTED man Ian Forrest has made a heartfelt plea to re- move two protected ash trees so he can watch television again. Mr Forrest says the trees have ruined his television reception since he moved to his home in Button Lane 10 years ago. He repeatedly asked Maid-
stone Council to remove them, but was rebuffed, as council policy dictates that protected trees should not be sacrificed for the sake of a poor television signal. Now Mr Forrest has lodged a planning application to fell the trees, which are on the other side ofafootpathnexttothe River Len. His application said: “As a resident of Bearsted I would ex- pect that a reliable TV signal is a basic need and requirement – this should no longer be a lux- ury. “I have two young children,
aged five and eight. They often come home from school and cannot watch TV. They wake up in the morning and cannot watch TV before school. Is this right? “My wife and I cannot watch
TV either. This has got to the stage now where we cannot live like this. This may sound a bit dramatic, but put yourself in my shoes and try to live with
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The trees which are said to be blocking TV signals in Button Lane, Bearsted
fect when the trees are full of leaves, which leaves us with very little, and often no recep- tion,” he added. “I have ex- plored the idea of using cable TV. However, that is not avail- able in our area. “The answer is to fell these
trees, rather than trimming or cutting them back, as that would be a short term fix. There are also some of these trees that are showing signs of rotand decayandacoupleof trees in a row have broken and fallen. This does also cause me some concern for the safety of my family and my property. “I fully understand that rules
no TV or an extremely bad sig- nal.We cannotwatch the news, children’s programmes or any entertainment that we wish to view, or merely relax at week- ends. Is that right? “I believe a bit of common
sense should prevail here and override a policy.” After twice increasing the height of a terrestrial aerial and investing in signal boosters, Mr Forrest said he has moved his satellitedishashighasitcan possibly go – on top of his chimney. “But these have very little ef-
are in place that state trees are not cut due to TV signals, but in this day and age I would expect to be able to view television at a basic standard in the UK. We are not in a deprived or partic- ularly poor area or region. “Sometimes procedures need
to change and common sense should prevail. Please do take this seriously and do not brush this under the carpet as this is a serious matter for me and my family. We now find ourselves thinking TV is a luxury. This should not be the case in this day and age.” The council will determine whether the trees should be felled.
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