Church move MAIDSTONE International Community Church has been given the go-ahead to establish a base at 44 Wheeler Street, Maidstone. A marketing company is leas-


ing the building, butMaidstone Council has granted planning permission to change the use. Since June 2010, the church, which began as a small fellow- ship almost two decades ago, has been hiring a hall and leas- ing an office atMaidstone Com- munity Centre in Marsham Street. The church says a growth in attendance – the weekly aver- age has risen to 50 – led to the desire for a permanent site.


Village fete date THIS year’s fete in Boughton Monchelsea will be held on Saturday, June 1. There will be a dog show, farmers’ market, circus work- shop and children’s fancy dress, motorcycle display, clas- sic cars, ferret racing and all the usual sideshows. One highlight will be the


world tights-stretching champi- onship. Refreshments will in- clude real ale, barbecue, cream teas, popcorn and ice cream. Formore details, and to enter


the photography competition, go to www.boughton- monchelsea-pc-org.uk.


Academy vows to improve


NEW Line Learning Academy has been told it must improve after receiving a grade 3 in its latest Ofsted report. Inspectors said the school, in Boughton Lane, must improve its teaching, the managing of the school and the achievement of pupils. Only the behaviour and safety of pupils was rated as good. The report revealed not enough pupils make or exceed the progress they should in Eng- lish and maths, and those who risk underachieving are not identified quickly enough and offered support. Teaching and


the leadership of teachers by senior staff were also criticised. Strengths identified by the in- spectors included progress in the performing and visual arts and vocational subjects, where standards were above average; significant improvements in the behaviour and attendance of students; and theway governors hold the school to account and have taken strong action to ad- dress previous shortcomings in leadership and present teaching weaknesses. Principal David Elliot said the


new Ofsted framework intro- duced in September was far


more stringent than that used in previous inspections. He said inspectors were complimentary aboutmany aspects of the acad- emy and its students, and gave pointers on how to improve. Mr Elliot said: “The staff and leadership team are taking the Ofsted comments on board and have already implemented im- provements. With the lead in- spector’s assertion that this is an academy ‘on the cusp of being a good school’, we are working hard to ensure that future in- spections will struggle to grade us as anything other than an outstanding school.”


Tip-off leads to £1million drugs haul


CANNABIS resin with an esti- mated street value ofmore than £1 million was seized from two vans in PaddockWood. Following a tip-off, officers swooped on two men as they met in a gated driveway in Queen Street. About 200kg of the drug was found in the vans. Danny Malone (43), of Collier Street, Tonbridge, was arrested and charged with conspiring to supply class B drugs. Marek Sieprawski (34), of no fixed ad- dress was arrested and charged with conspiring to supply class B drugs. Both appeared in court on March 14 and were re-


Excel Yachting Future Course Dates


25th May 2013


RYA VHF / DSC. Short Range Certificate Radio Course £95 Per Person


26th May 2013


CEVINI (One day course including assessment) Groups or Clubs welcome. YOUR PREMISES OR OURS? £75 Per Person


31st May 2013 RYA Day Skipper


(5 Days over 2 weekends) £325 Per Person 15th June 2013


RYA VHF / DSC. Short Range Certificate Radio Course £95 Per Person


16th June 2013


CEVINI (One day course including assessment) Groups or Clubs welcome. £75 Per Person


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manded in custody. Four days before the Maid-


stone discovery a massive 1.7 tons (1,701 kg) of cannabis resin, with an estimated street value of £4.9million, was dis- covered in a 40ft refrigerated


container being hauled by a lorryatafarminSandy Lane, Ashford. The combined haul is believed to be the largest in Kent Police’s history. Detective Sergeant Tristan Kluibenschadl of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “This is a significant seizure and we have been suc- cessful in taking a huge amount of drugs off the streets. “If anyone has any informa-


tion surrounding the supply and use of drugs, please contact the police. All information re- ceived is treated in the strictest confidence.”


Sales Executive DownsMail Media


We are currently recruiting for a part-time Media Sales Executive to sell advertising across our successful Downs Mail and Mid Kent Living titles.


The role will involve: • Inbound and outbound calls from existing customers • Developing new business • Field visits and territory work within the Maidstone and Malling area.


•Working towards targets and deadlines


The ideal candidate will •Have a confident and outgoing personality •Have experience of working to sales targets •Be Self-motivated and able to show initiative •Have excellent communication skills •Be a team player •Have a full driving licence, and the use of their own vehicle.


This is a permanent, part-time position of 30 hours per week to be worked over four days. (some flexibility on hours/days for the right candidate)


The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role.


Basic salary + uncapped commission + bonus + mileage allowance. OTE £16,800


Applications in writing to:


Bill Brett, Sales manager, Mail Publications Ltd, Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone. ME14 4DT Or email: bill.brett@downsmail.co.uk


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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