Bike docks launched


COMMUTERS and visitors to Maidstone are being urged to get on their bikes following the launch of the latest folding cycle hire scheme at one of the town’s two stations. A 24-dock cycle station has


been unveiled at Maidstone East, where Southeastern Rail customers will be able to hire a bike for an hour, a day – or even a month or more. The folding nature of the


bikes means that they can be taken into the home or office and on public transport, even at peak times. Members of the scheme, oper-


ated by Brompton Dock, can keep the bikes for as long as they like, from hours to weeks. Users register online at


www.bromptondock.co.uk and pay an annual membership fee.


West division CHIEF Superintendent Steve Corbishley has returned for his third stint at Maidstone police station, taking up the role of divisional commander forWest Kent. The division covers Maid- stone, Tun- bridge Wells, Sevenoaks


and Tonbridge and Malling. He succeeds acting Chief Su- perintendent Andy Rabey who held the position on a tempo- rary basis, following the depar- ture to force headquarters of Chief Superintendent Matthew Nix.


After joining Kent Police in


1993, Chief Supt Corbishley has performed a variety of roles, with much of his early career in the criminal investi- gation department. He under- took his first command role in 2004 at Maidstone, returning again in 2006. He was ap- pointed area commander at Medway in 2008. During his command, signifi-


cant reductions in crime were achieved and long-standing problems addressed, notably the virtual removal of street prostitution in Chatham. Since July 2011, he has taken charge of the partnership direc- torate at force HQ, with respon- sibility for strategic crime reduction activity, partnership and community engagement. He said: “I am pleased to be


given the opportunity of leading the police team atWest division and look forward to seeing many familiar faces. The key for us will be to continue reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and making sure that we pro- vide the best possible service to all those who contact us.”


18 Malling Pupils from East Peckham primary in the woodland zone


CHILDREN from all over Kent celebrated a decade of Living Land at the Kent County Showground, Detling. More than 3,000 children from years 3 and 4 from over 60 schools


converged on the showground for a day, learning about the importance of farming, agriculture, the countryside and healthy eating. In Maidstone, children from Archbishop Courtenay PrimarySchooland


ParkWay Primary Schoolwere among those who learned howto milk a cowand make sausages in the interactive zone. Pupils from HarrietshamandLenhamwere thrilled to getupclose and


personal with shire horses and tractors in the woodland zone while youngsters from Kingswood andEastPeckhamwereamongthe packed audience whowatched the informative and hilarious sheep showand a birds of prey presentation. Itwas the 10th year of the show, organised by theKent County Show- ground, which invites children to see and touch a wide variety of ani- mals, make food and fabric, and learn about farming and food.


Shame of benefits fraud woman


A DITTON woman was ordered to do 240 hours community serv- ice after admitting dishonestly claiming benefits for nine years. Sally Fennessy (48), of Fern-


leigh Drive, had savings of more than £20,000 in 2004 from the sale of a property but failed to declare this, Sevenoaks magis- trates were told. She was overpaid £14,089.47


in housing benefit and £815.15 council tax benefit. Following an investigation, Mrs Fennessy had been cautioned in 2008 for failing to notify Tonbridge and Malling Council of changes in her circumstances.


The court heard she was very ashamed of what she had done and had already begun paying back the overpaid benefits. She was ordered to pay £100 costs and to complete the 240 hours unpaidwork within 12 months. Cllr Martin Coffin said: “This


was a serious and second attempt to defraud taxpayers of their hard-earned money and I’m pleased that the maximum order for carrying out unpaid work was imposed in this case. Our benefit investigation team will continue to follow up every lead to ensure that fraudsters are caught and brought to justice.


Officer returns to take over


They can then hire a bike by textmessage or reserve a bike or empty bay online. Frequent members pay a £45 annual membership fee and then £2.50 per day to hire a bike. Leisure members pay a £10 annualmembership fee and then £5 per day to hire a bike. The dock is one of several to


be launched in Kent, with oth- ers at Ashford International, CanterburyWest, Tonbridge and the University of Greenwich in Canterbury and Medway. The Kent docks will bring the num- ber of automated Brompton Docks in the UK up to 18. Managing director of Bromp-


ton Dock, Mark Antwis said: “This is our first county-wide scheme, and we are really ex- cited about seeing the benefits it can bring.


“The scheme has been de- signed to suit a range of needs and we look forward to seeing commuters and visitors to the area making the most of our folding bikes.” Managing director of South- eastern Rail, CharlesHorton said: “The rapid rise in passengernum- bers over the last few years means trains are busier than ever before, which means we have to restrict the carriage of conventional bikes in peak periods. “However, fold-up bikes can


be carried at any time, so this scheme is great for both leisure travellers and commuters. We look forward to its roll out to other stations.” The scheme is being sup- ported by funding from the De- partment for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund.


Pupils’ taste of country life


Barclays plans


to relocate BARCLAYS Bank is looking to close its two High Street branches and move into Frem- linWalk,Maidstone. The bank wants to relocate to number 13, currently occupied by Clinton Cards, which would move to a smaller retail unit at 8 FremlinWalk, should Maidstone Council grant planning permis- sion for the Barclays move. A supporting statement said


both High Street branches were considered “off pitch”, as they are “situated outside the main retail core area of Maidstone town centre”. It added: “Barclays seeks to relocate from existing premises at 5/6 High Street and 40/46 High Street, as the current branches do not meet the mod- ern banking requirements that are expected by its customers. “Furthermore, the current exte-


riors do not fit with Barclays’ modern and contemporary retail banking profile and appearance. “Through an investment of £2million, a new Barclays branch at 13 FremlinWalk will include a high quality glazed frontage and entrance, to as- similate with the existing retail frontages, presenting an open view of activity within the branch from the street.” The High Street branches em-


ploy a combined 27 full time members of staff. The company says the pro-


posed Fremlin Walk branch would employ 30 full time members of staff in total, with existing employees relocated where possible. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application.


Woodturners


mark 25 years KENTWoodturners Club is cel- ebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Formed in 1989, it was known as the Kent Chapter of theAssociation ofWoodturners of Great. Then, it had just a few members, but today it boasts a membership of over 100. Club meetings and demon- strations bywell known profes- sional woodturners, are held at Aylesford Priory on the first Tuesday evening and the third Saturday of each month. Any- one interested is welcome to go along, or they can call John El- lender on 01622 735637 for more information. Every year the club holds two exhibitions, where some items are on sale. This year they are from July 6-14 and November 2- 17. Generally, 25 woodturners exhibit over 1,500 items such as bowls, vases, candlesticks, pen- dants, pens and clocks. The ex- hibition is held in the oak-framed barn at the entrance to the Priory. Entry is free.


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