Summer fair VISITORS will get a chance to see the refurbishments to Mote House, Mote Park, on Septem- ber 7, when Audley Mote throws open its doors to host a charity Summer Fair. There will be a variety of


stalls selling local produce, as well as the chance to dine in theMote House Bistro. Entry to the fair is free, but donations are welcome for Macmillan Cancer Support. For further information, including how to reserve a stall, call Maidstone 737279.


Trees ‘too shady’ DEAN Simmons has applied to fell six protected hornbeam trees at 6 The Covert,Walderslade. His application says they


cause excessive shading and contribute to damp in the house and squirrels in the gut- tering and loft. The form added that there was “potential of sub- sidence”.


Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Subsidence risk WENDY Hogg has submitted a conservation area application to fell a whitebeam tree and a bird cherry prunus at 16 Grove- lands, Lenham. A supporting statement said


the trees provide excessive shading and low amenity value. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application.


Cash gifts ‘could kill beggars’


A HIGH-profile poster and sticker campaign has been taking place in Maidstone to help clear the town of its unwanted “street population”. The campaign – “Your kindness could kill” –


was developed some 10 years ago by Thames Reach, a London charity which helps the home- less and vulnerable, and is designed to show how cash given to street beggars can all too often pro- long their misery, as it is used to fund further al- cohol and substance abuse. Posters have gone up around the town centre


and in buses, with supplementary stickers in some of the main street shops, to hammer the message home that kind-hearted shoppers should not give cash to those begging in the streets. Addressing the Maidstone’s Business Forum,


the council’s Katie Latchford said: “The term ‘street population’ covers several different co- horts. Some are beggars, some street drinkers and others rough sleepers. “By giving money to them, people who think


they are performing an act of kindness are, in re- ality, prolonging their time on the street.” Katie said the council, which had managed to identify permanent suitable accommodation for 50% of those sleeping rough earlier in the year, was not wanting to discourage people from giv- ing – just to channel their donations into more ap- propriate areas. She said the council had been workingwith the police, Porchlight and theMaidstone Day Centre, as well as drug and alcohol charities, to help the street population and had experienced a high level of success. She said: “We do notwant to stop people giving


– but ask them to go online and donate to Porch- light or the day centre, which need funds to pro- vide food and shelter for the truly vulnerable people.”


JohnWilson with the poster urging shoppers to direct their donations to charities


Katie added: “People who are truly homeless


are often hidden, sleeping in cars or sofa-surfing. These are the people who need our help. Quite a number of beggars are not homeless and we are working with the police to address this issue.” But she said: “A lot of these people have com-


plex substance and alcohol issues.We are not say- ing ‘do not help’ – merely ‘do it differently’.” Town Centre Manager Bill Moss, who has been concerned at the growing numbers of people on the streets in the past six months, said: “We are 100% behind this project and will do all we can to assist.”


STONE GREEN NURSERIES www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk


We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets.


Wholesale Nursery open to the public On the 23rd, 24th, 25th, & 26th August


An open invitation awaits you at this charming village tea room, cocooned amongst a wealth of shabby chic home wares and handcrafted gifs.


A truly eclectic, vintage shopping emporium www.lilypiecafe.com


Book your vintage afternoon tea (Sundays)


Georgian House, Warmlake Road, Chart Sutton ME17 3RP 01622 844590


6 East


We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual. Huge range and fair prices


We invite you to our open days


Your selection will come from our growing beds, you can’t buy fresher


If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast.


*Shrubs*Trees*Herbaceous perennials*Climbers* *Large plants for instant impact* 9am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun and BHM.


Truly a gardener’s paradise Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET


Please remember we are only open on these dates We accept most major credit cards


For detailed directions please use website Follow day –glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


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