No evidence of Vera marks her 108th birthday


tree damage KAYWeatherly’s request to fell a protected willow tree at Wil- low Tree House, 65 Bankfields, Headcorn has been refused. She claimed it was causing cracking in the walls of the house and was shading the building. But Maidstone Coun- cil’s decision notice said: “The willow tree is considered to make a positive contribution to local landscape quality and amenity. “No evidence has been pro-


vided to support the view that the tree is responsible for crack- ing to the property and the council does not consider that shading is reason to justify felling of trees of perceived amenity value.”


Hall roof proposal ANEWroof may be established at Sutton Valence Village Hall, North Street, Sutton Valence. A supporting statement said:


“The extension of the ridged roof would allow the hall to in- corporate changing facilities currently offered by the parish pavilion and extend to include referee changing facilities. The current pavilion is in a poor state of repair and will be dis- mantled if the development is completed.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


ONE of Kent’s oldest residents has celebrated a landmark birth- day – with a whole day of cele- brations, a cake and a framed birthday card from the Queen. Vera Pigott (pictured) was


born on July 8, 1905 – shortly after Emmeline Pankhurst led the first public protest by the Suffragettes atWestminster. Motor cars were still at a form-


ative stage and most people got around on foot or by bicycle. Born in Hackney, East Lon-


don, Vera and her husband Dou- glas had four children – Beryl, Donald, Monica and Graham. Unfortunately, neither Beryl


(87) nor Monica (78)was able to attend the party as both are housebound and live some dis- tance away, while Donald passed away in 2009. However, Graham – a mere youngster at 66, and who still lives in Langley where the fam-


THERE are enough taxis in Maidstone and they provide a good service, according to a sur- vey carried out by an independ- ent company for the council. Research company Amey studied the movement of taxis around the town’s various ranks and spoke to customers. The conclusion was that there was no unmet demand for taxis.


ily moved in 1981 – visits his mother every day at Sutton Va- lence Care Home, and was at her side to share in the momentous day. Vera has lived at Sutton Va- lence Care Home since 2006, when shewas already 100 years old, so staff are getting quite


The quality of Maidstone’s hackney services was rated as good or very good by 56%of the general public surveyed, with only 6% thinking the service was poor or very poor. Maidstone Council must now consider whether to maintain the current level of hackney car- riage licences in the town; issue a limited number of additional


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used to organising her birthday parties. They say she is quite re- markable for her age. This year, pupils from Sutton


Valence Primary School went along to start the entertainment and took along birthday cards they had designed and signed for Vera. Singer Jasmine led a singalong


of some old-time favourites and, finally, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Clive English, visited for a cup of tea and a chat. Vera is now listed as the 75th


oldest person in Great Britain. However, she has a few more years to go tomake it to the top, with the eldest already 113! Graham said: “Mum is well


aware of all that is going on, but soon gets tired and has virtually lost her speech. This was a par- ticularly hectic day, but the staff did a wonderful job and she had a thoroughly good time.”


Town’s cab services approved in survey


licences; or remove the current limit on the number of licences. The latter would only be done following a period of consulta- tion with taxi drivers, operators and other interested parties. The council’s licensing com- mittee was due to make a deci- sion at the end of June, but it will now be discussed at the meeting on September 4.


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