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Ceremonial role for former MP


FORMER MP Jacques Arnold has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Appointed for his positive contributions to the county and the nation, Mr Arnold, who lives in West Malling, is a for- mer MP for Gravesham and now an international adviser on Latin America. He was a parliamentary pri-


vate secretary in the Depart- ment of the Environment, and at the Home Office, and served on the Treasury Select Commit- tee, and as chairman of the Backbench Constitutional Af- fairs Committee. Previously, he had been Thomas Cook’s regional direc- tor for Latin America, Africa


Grant for carers MAIDSTONE & Malling Carers Project has received £48,325 from the Department of Health’s health and social care volunteering fund. The project, which is part of


Voluntary Action Maidstone (VAM), provides information and help to people who look after a family member, partner or friend who needs support due to disability or illness. Themoney will be used to set


up a befriending service to visit carers, and it is hoped the vol- unteers will be, or will have been, carers. Barbara Hagan, manager of


the project, said: “We are de- lighted to have been awarded this funding and are looking forward to developing this new service for local carers.” There are 2,288 carers regis-


tered with Maidstone and Malling Carers Project. For in- formation or support, call 01622 685276. VAM is seeking a number of new trustees/directors. Call chief executive Charlotte Os- born-Forde on 01622 677337.


Swan theft alert A SUSPECTED swan-napper in Manor Park, West Malling, turned out to be an RSPCA offi- cer rescuing an injured bird. Walkers called police when


they saw a man putting a swan into a cage, but the report turned out to be a false alarm, after the bird had been hurt in a territorial dispute. The swans are now being moved by the RSPCA to a larger lake.


New garage NEW plans for a garage at Bourne Garth, Blackmans Lane, Hadlow, have been drawn up after Tonbridge and Malling Council refused plans for an at- tached garage to the side of the house.


Applicant Nick Bender has submitted a revised scheme to demolish the current garage and erect a new detached garage.


14 Malling


Association, and author of a se- ries of books on royal genealogy and parliamentary history. The Lieutenancy of Kent con-


sists of the Lord-Lieutenant, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, and a maximum of 70 other deputy lieutenants. The office dates back to


Tudor times and was originally responsible for the county’s local defence and maintenance of order. The role of the Lieu- tenancy is entirely non-politi- cal and unpaid. Deputy lieutenants come


and Iberia. He has served as chairman of the Kent County Scout Council, is a trustee of the Constitutional Monarchy


from all walks of life. Their local and specialist knowledge and experience is used to posi- tive effect in key areas ranging from education to youth serv-


ices, and from the Volunteer Reserve Forces to business and the rural economy. Duties include greeting and accompanying royalty and heads of state during official visits to the county, the presen- tation of honours and awards on behalf of the Crown, and participation in citizenship cer- emonies. Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieu- tenant of Kent, Viscount De L’Isle MBE, said: “Mr Arnold will be joining an outstanding network of men and women whose role it is to support the monarchy and celebrate Kent, its unique history and culture, serve its communities and con- tribute positively to its future.”


Chinwaggers seek new home


KNITTERS and stitchers have been combining their talents for charitywhile catching up on all the latest news and gossip. Such is the interest in the aptly-named Crafty Chinwag- gers that organisers are seeking a second venue in Maidstone. The Crafty Chinwaggers was


born from a partnership be- tween old school friends Pamela Lippett, from Vinters Park, and Tina Reynolds, from Mereworth, who wanted an ex- cuse to get together for a catch up, while exercising their nim- ble fingers. Now, up to 80 members meet monthly at Mereworth Village Hall, where they get together to share their collective crafty skills and teach each other new tricks. If they could find a cheap meeting room in Maidstone, Pamela thinks there would eas- ily be sufficient interest to form a second group. Pamela and Tina have been joined by crochet enthusiasts, tapestry makers, cross stitchers, quilters and card makers. They rapidly outgrew their


free meeting rooms at a local pub but found a nominal ad-


TWO men have been arrested and bailed as part of an ongoing investigation into burglaries in East Malling. Themen,aged23and 19,


both from West Malling, were picked up by police in East Malling after a tip-off. They were bailed pending enquiries. The tip-off followed an appeal


for information by officers, in the wake of break-ins in December. Thieves preyed on empty homes in the area of The Rocks Road, stealing gadgets such as Ipads, Ipods, laptops, cameras, mobile phones and jewellery. A further attempted burglary


was reported in Clare Lane. Police made house-to-house


The Crafty Chinwaggers are expanding and looking for somewhere to meet


ministrative charge of £1 would cover the cost of hiring the vil- lage hall. Thanks to a £500 grant from


Tonbridge andMalling Council, the group was able to invest in new materials and equipment then, with the support of the charity Grass Roots, buy addi- tional sewing machines for members’ use. They started to raise money


for charity soon after their for- mation and have produced knit- ted baby clothes for the Tunbridge Wells Hospital baby unit, hats for fishermen and for the troops in Afghanistan. Funds have been raised for the Peggy Wood charity, the


Two arrests after burglary spree


enquiries and in some cases, re- covered forensic evidence. Inspector Nick Sparkes: “We


have heard of people knocking on doors in the area and then leaving when someone an- swered, and of people asking odd questions, such as whether a certain person lived at an ad- dress or what road they are on. “I urge anyone who has seen anyone who looks out of place, or a suspicious vehicle, or who has answered the door to some- one acting suspiciously, to call 101 and report it. “Your information might not


seem helpful at first, but these pieces of the puzzle could pre- vent further burglaries.”


Heart of Kent Hospice, and charities supporting Parkinson’s Disease and dementia care. One of their most rewarding projects has been making heart cushions for the breast cancer care team atMaidstone Hospital. The hearts are given to those


who have undergone breast sur- gery and are placed under the arm on the operation side to ease pressure on the wound. Fiona Anderson, breast care


nurse specialist, said: “Patients are very touched by the thoughtfulness of such a ges- ture. Many have said that re- ceiving the cushion made them feel cared for at time when they were feeling particularly vul- nerable.” The group meets on the third


Tuesday of the month at Mere- worth Village Hall at 7.30pm. If anyone can offer a suitable


venue in Maidstone, please con- tact Pamela on Maidstone 754428. The group also has a lively website – www.craftychinwag- gers.com – so that members who are housebound are able to stay in touch with other mem- bers via the website and regular newsletters.


Lent lunches THE Church of St John the Bap- tist, in Tonbridge Road, Water- ingbury, is inviting people to join them for lunch in Lent. Lunches for Lent take place


from 12.30 to 2pm on Wednes- days, February 20 and 27, March 6, 13, and 20. Pop in for a chat over soup and bread or cheese, tomato and bread with tea, coffee or squash. There will be cheese sand- wiches and cakes available for children. Everyone is welcome, and do- nations are invited for local charities. Transport is available if needed locally. For more information, call 01622 813032 .


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


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