‘Chuggers’ keep shoppers away


AGGRESSIVE and intrusive charity street collectors are putting people off shopping in Maidstone town centre, according to a sen- ior licensing officer at Maidstone Council. In a report to the council’s licensing com- mittee, Lorraine Neale advised Maidstone Council to join forces with other local au- thorities and organisations to keep a tighter control on street collectors. She said: “There appears to be a general perception that direct debit street collectors are deterring the general public from using local high streets, due to alleged aggressive and often intrusive collecting methods.” Maidstone Council said Ms Neale’s opin-


ionwas based on complaints from members of the public and the work of the Profes- sional Fundraising Regulatory Authority (PFRA) and answered calls from Town Cen- tre Management to regulate the industry. Town Centre Manager Bill Moss said he did not think street collectors would put


Stroke blamed


for fatal fall AN ALLINGTON man suffered a stroke before stumbling and banging his head, a Maidstone inquest heard. Alfred Town – known as Ray


to his neighbours – lived alone in Hildenborough Crescent, Allington, after his divorce. Neighbours called police


after hearing a thud late one night in March – but nothing further the following day. Police found 73-year old Mr


Town lying in a pool of blood, in his lounge. There were no signs of a break-in. Mr Town had suffered a


stroke in May 2012 and a post mortem examination, carried out by consultant pathologist Dr David Rouse, revealed he had suffered an intracerebral haemorrhage – a type of stroke – shortly before his death. Recording a verdict of natural causes, deputy assistant coroner for Mid Kent and Maidstone, Rachel Redman, said: “Mr Town probably suffered the effects of a stroke, collapsed, banging his head on the coffee table, and lost consciousness.”


people off visiting Maidstone town centre but awarded “full marks” to the council for trying to better control the “chuggers” – an abbreviation for charity muggers. He said: “Chuggers are a total pain in the


neck. Although they are not doing anything illegal, they annoy, intimidate and upset peo- ple in our town centre. They are not people who work directly for charities, they are highly skilled, articulate sales people who are employed by agencies and are paid a com- mission for every person they persuade to sign up. Anything that can be done to bring them under control would be welcome.” Mr Moss stressed he was not against giv-


ing to charity and admitted to regularly do- nating to causes that were close to his own heart. He added: “People should identify the charity or charities they wish to support and support their charities. They should not feel pressured into signing up to support charities in the street.”


The report recommended Maidstone Council joined forces with Sevenoaks Coun- cil, TunbridgeWells Council and the PFRA, which works with local authorities to en- sure fundraising sites are used appropri- ately. The agreement would be voluntary and not legally binding, but has worked in other parts of the country, Ms Neale said. The arrangement would also provide a way of reporting alleged instances of inappro- priate activity and behaviour and for re- ceiving feedback on how any issues have been resolved. Ms Neale concluded: “By proceeding with


this site management agreement itwill pro- vide the correct balance between the right of the charity to fundraise and the right of the public to go about their business with the least level of inconvenience.” Nobody from any of the companies that employ street collectors was available for comment when contacted by DownsMail.


Mayor guest of honour at fun day


AFUNday for the local community held atParkWood was a huge success, despite the inclement start to the day. The stalls and sideshows arrived in good time and


the crowd steadily grewas theweather improved. The event was officially opened by the Mayor of


Maidstone Cllr Clive English who visited every stall and chatted to the local people. He stopped off at the kurling demonstration and


tried his hand at the sportwhich the members of the South EastMaidstone ActiveRetirement Association (SEMARA) organised. Some said hewas a natural! The fundaywasafreeevent for the community, sup-


ported by Golding Vision and the many of the local groups who make up the Multi-Agency Partnership (MAP).


Mayor Clive English withmembers of SEMARA Mike FitzGerald, who chairs the group, was com-


pere for the day and fun events were presented by Maidstone Borough Council andKent Youth, TheHar- mony Group and Maidstone Majorettes.


Log cabins proposed at lock


TWO timber log cabins may be erected for short-term lets at Lock House, Allington Lock, Castle Road, Maidstone. A supporting statement for applicant Timothy Benger said:


“The cabins would enhance the camp site facilities for a num- ber of people who wish to stay here temporarily, and do not have their own equipment. “This may be on an ad hoc basis or, as recently experienced,


boat owners meeting friends at the lock and needing overnight accommodation. “It would also allow us to offer superior accommodation to


the disabled requiring ease of access camping.” Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.


College head delighted with OBE


MIDKENT College principal Stephen Grix has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Mr Grix, who returned to the college in 2005, having studied there more than 30 years earlier, is recognised for services to fur- ther education. He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been awarded an OBE for doing a job I love and which I am extremely pas- sionate about. “I had a tough time at school


and left at 15 with no formal qualifications, but thanks to fur- ther education I was able to build a career that eventually led me to where I am today. “I hope my story demon-


12 Town


strates to young people that school is not the only option. Many students are more suited to the vocational style of learning that MidKent College can pro- vide.” Mr Grix (pic-


tured) enrolled at the college in 1971 as a day-release bricklay- ing student at the former City Way campus in Chatham. He moved into teaching in his twenties and returned to the college to study for an educa- tion degree before moving on to gain amaster’s degree in educa- tion management.


Mr Grix became principal of


Sir George Monoux College in Walthamstow, north-east Lon- don, and then head of Ofsted’s post-compulsory education di- vision. His next role was director of education for the London bor- ough of Tower Hamlets before the father-of-three returned to MidKent College as principal and chief executive in 2005. He was nominated for the ho-


nour by colleagues. Deputy principal Sue McLeod said: “We are all delighted for him.” Mr Grix is due to step down


as principal at the end of this academic year, but will con- tinue as chief executive on a part-time basis until 2015.


Storage plan EASISTORE has applied to ex- tend an existing warehouse to provide a self-storage facility at Unit 1, Hart Street Commercial Centre. The four-floor building would include an area for reception, offices, staffwelfare, toilets and large lifts for access to all floors. A supporting statement said:


“The proposals make use of an existing, dated and empty warehouse unit to produce a modern building finished in good quality materials, provid- ing a much-needed facility for the town.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Offices in pub CONSENT has been given to convert the Saxon Chief pub at 250 Queens Road, Maidstone into offices. Maidstone Council agreed to


plans by the Chartway Group, of Church Street, Tovil, who want to use the pub as new headquar- ters. Details of parking and cycle storage areasmust be completed before the new use begins.


Estate agent consent MAIDSTONE Council has granted planning permission for the establishment of an es- tate agency at 29 Pudding Lane, Maidstone.


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