County showground takes on London centres


KENT County Showground at Detling aims to take on the might of London's exhibition centres in a new marketing drive. The initiative was announced as


the Kent County Agricultural Soci- ety unveiled its new executive manager, Roger Moore (pictured), as well as plans for a £1m refur- bishment of its Cornwallis build- ing.


The new marketing slogan will


be: “However big or small your event, the Kent Event Centre can accommo- date it”.


The centre, offering a total of 6,500sqm of


space, will be competing with a £60m de- velopment at Bluewater, due for completion in 12 months. But the Kent centre spokes- woman said: "We are by far the largest conference and event centre in the county. We are competi- tively priced and the refurbish- ment will put us in an even stronger position." The revamp of the Cornwallis


building will convert a 34-year-old, earth- floored barn into a modern, 1,700sqm con-


St John cadets display


skills to aid recruitment CADETS and Badgers from St John Ambulance’s Maidstone division spent a day showing interested passers-by how much fun it is to be involved with the charity and displaying their first aid skills. They demonstrated how to correctly bandage and


dress wounds, resuscitation techniques and the re- covery position. Divisional officer Paul Cole said: “The day was a


great opportunity for our youngsters to show their first aid knowledge and skills to the general public and we were very proud of them. Six local families expressed an interest in their children joining our local Badger sett, which is great news. Parents who are interested in their children joining Badgers or Cadets can visit divisional meetings held every Thursday evening, during term time, at Dunk Memorial Hall, Church Street, Maidstone. For more information, call 01732 874446 or log on to www.sja.org.uk/sja/counties/kent


And they benefit from


orchestra’s centenary THE Maidstone division of St John Ambu- lance has been named as the chosen charity partner for the Maidstone Symphony Or- chestra’s centenary season. The five-concert season began in October


with a concert held at Mote Hall, Mote Park, and will run through to May 2011. A per- centage of the proceeds from tickets sold through the division will be donated to the charity. Peter Thurley, divisional officer of St John Ambulance Maidstone, said: “Members will be encouraging family and friends to attend the concerts which will then, we hope, trans- late into much needed funds for St John Am- bulance.”


Hello, hello, hello ... police get new number


KENT Police have introduced a single non-emer- gency number, which is aimed at making it easier for members of the public to get in touch. Before Monday, November 8, local police sta-


tion numbers (ending in 055) were automatically redirected to the new number but now people need to dial 01622 690690 directly. People who have called a local police station number during the last year have heard a


PLANS are in the early stages for a new primary school at Kings Hill, parish councillors were told. County Cllr Richard Long


said the demand for primary places continued to increase and a third school would be needed in two years’ time. Earlier this year, 30 families


living close to the Kings Hill School and The Discovery


recorded message advising 01622 690690 is now the single non-emergency number for Kent Police. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said:


“This single number should make contacting the police in a non-emergency situation much more straight-forward for people. “It's an easy number to remember and will en-


Dermand for new school increases


sure any call made to us is routed properly to the appropriate person or department from the out- set.


School enlisted the support of Tonbridge and Malling MP Sir John Stanley when their chil- dren were allocated to schools in other villages. Education chiefs made an-


other 30 places available at The Discovery School but head- teacher Alison Farrall warned that the school would not be able to keep up with demand indefinitely.


“Having separate numbers for different police stations and po- lice offices all over Kent was confusing so having just one number should make things much simpler for everyone.” Neighbourhood policing team contact numbers will not change. To find out the contact details


for your neighbourhood officer, go to www.kent.police.uk and enter your postcode.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


ference, entertainment and exhibition cen- tre. Facilities will include: a viewing gallery commercial kitchen catering for up to


1,000 WiFi internet access cargo door to admit HGVs Power Float floor for maximum weight


load 125sqm exhibition hall with attached meeting room two 60sqm conference rooms. There are 62 venues in Kent with confer- ence, exhibition and meeting facilities.


Dover Cruise Terminals has 1,992sqm;University of Kent in Canterbury 1,295 sqm; and Margate'sWinter Gardens 1,050 sqm. The O2 Arena at Greenwich


has 20,000 seats but is geared to music and entertainment and now has very little capacity for trade and visitor shows.


Police act to cut burglaries as


number rises CRIME has gone up in the Ton- bridge and Malling area by 4.5%, according to the latest figures. The period of April to Sep- tember saw offences rise by 132 compared to last year. Incidents of burglaries (by 35) and theft of motor vehicles (by 14) saw in- creases. A statement byWest Kent Po-


lice said: “Although these are relatively small increases, the Community Safety Partnership will be working to reduce these increases. To try to prevent the burglaries the police will be carrying out additional high visibility patrols and will be targeting any potential hotspot areas. We'll also be continuing to promote crime prevention initiatives.” There were reductions in criminal damage offences (by 59) and shoplifting (by 18).


Fine for driver who ignored red light


SAMUEL Eastmead (22) of Quindell Place, Kings Hill, was fined for passing a red light at speed and failing to produce a driving licence when re- quested. The incident occurred in


April when Eastmead drove a Y-reg silver Volvo through a red light at the Bat and Ball junc- tion of Otford Road. He was fined £67 and ordered to pay £35 costs.


Let there be lights FATHER Christmas will be handing out treats for the chil- dren at the big switch-on of East Peckham Christmas lights. The centre of the village will


be lit up on December 16 with motifs and a large Chrtistmas tree and there will be music from East Peckham Silver Band.


Malling 21


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