60s sing-along RESIDENTS at a Wateringbury home for the elderly stepped back in time as performer Steve Erickson sang a series of songs from the swinging 60s and be- yond bang up to the present day. The ladies and gents of Greensted, the Abbeyfield Kent home in The Orpines, gathered in the lounge for an afternoon that encompassed swing, Scot- tish and country songs, from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond and Michael Buble. The Abbeyfield Kent Society embraces the Eden Alternative within its homes, a concept fo- cused on eliminating loneliness, helplessness and boredom. Home manager Sue Imms


said: “Abbeyfield understands that variety and spontaneity are key towell-being and this is re- flected in the activities and en- tertainment on offer. “The residents always enjoy it


when we have entertainment here, they had a great afternoon and had fun joining in and singing along. It is so important that the residents are always busy doing something different.”


Puppy walking AYLESFORD and Eccles WI will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 24, at 7.30pm, at the Brassey Centre, Station Road, Aylesford. There will be time for socialis-


ing and a talk about Guide Dogs for the Blind and its puppy walking programme. The com- petition prize for the month is an animal ornament and the re- cycling stall will be books. Con- tact Eileen on 01622 715205.


A WOMAN shopping at Sains- bury’s in Aylesford had her mo- bile phone stolen from the counter while she packed her bags.


Police have been studying


CCTV from the store and want to identify a man (pictured) who may be able to help with their enquiries. The theft happened in the


store in Mills Road at around 6pm onMay 1. The 53-year-old victim, from Ditton, had re-


VOLUNTEERS at the Samaritans of Maidstone centre inGrecianStreet dealt with more than 15,000 con- tacts during the year, the charity’s annualmeetingwas told.


Director of the branch, Will Mer-


rifield reportedthat these included 12,576 by telephone, the other 2,772 being amix of emails, texts and visitors.


The centre has a total of 79 vol-


unteers including 16 new recruits and is open every day. Samaritans provide a contact point for anyone in distress or despair to talk through their feelings and con- cerns.


26 Malling


Improved park revealed


THE second phase of an ambi- tious plan to revive the Cobtree Manor Park was officially un- veiled by Maidstone MP Helen Grant and Cllr John Wilson, chairman of the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee. The Cobtree Manor Park Proj-


ect aims to encourage greater public use of the park, be- queathed to the people of the town by 12-times Mayor of Maidstone Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt Drake, by providing facilities for all the family. The first phase of the project


was completed last summer and featured the installation of out- lying play equipment, which has already proved extremely popular. Phase two includes a new


nel slides and wobbly bridges. There are also new circular footpaths and a resurfaced main path in the woodland walk – which will make the walk far more pleasant during the muddy winter months. New benches, bins and infor- mation boards are also being in- stalled. Phase three, already in the de-


Children enjoy the new play equipment at Cobtree


large play area based on the his- tory of Maidstone Zoo, which was set up on the estate by Sir Garrard, including towers, tun-


sign stage, will feature a new sculpture trail by local artist Jason Mulligan, and a new visi- tor centre and café. CllrWilson said: “The opening


of this latest phase of the Cobtree Manor Park project is a flagship event for Maidstone. The facili- ties we are offering to all family members are on a par with the best you will find anywhere.”


Summer of fun with playscheme


YOUNGSTERS in Tonbridge and Malling have a host of fun-packed activities provided by the bor- ough council to keep them enter- tained during the big break. The Summer Playscheme, for children aged 4–11, runs week- days from Monday, August 5 to Friday, August 23 and offers a wide range of activities including arts and crafts projects, competi- tions, games, drama workshops and a variety of sports. The scheme will run at 13 venues across the borough from 9am to 1pm with a qualified team of staff at each site. Cost is £37 per week per child or £12 per week per family for leisure pass holders.


ceived a call from her sonwhile she was paying for her items and put the phone down on the till.


She left the area without it,


and did not realise her mistake until it was too late. She con- tacted the store but her phone, an Iphone 4 in a silver case, had already gone. Sergeant Nick Finnis said:


“We believe this was an oppor- tunistic crime. Whoever took the phone will have seen it


Busy year for the Samaritans MrMerrifield said that aswell as


the work in the branch, the team supports and trains the 24 listen- ers in local prisons aswell as visit- ing centres for the homeless and those on probation.


Branch chairman Margaret Bell


told guests who included the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Richard Thick and the Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr and Mrs Howard Rogers, that it takes£55aday sim- ply to operate the branch.


Announcing the introduction of


somenewfundraising initiatives to secure the branch’s future, she


Tonbridge andMallingMayor and Mayoress, Cllr and Mrs Howard Rogers, with Samaritans branch chairman Margaret Bell and directorWill Merrifield


said there had been significant ex- penditure during the year on build- ing maintenance and this would continue for this year. The branch had a deficit of £2,038 on the year and was grateful for grants from a number of prominent charitable


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


trusts, somespecific project grants from members of KCC and the ef- forts of members in the team to raise funds.


No ongoing financial support


was received from any central sources.


The council also offers a Playscheme Plus programme for children with additional needs including special educa- tional needs and/or physical disabilities. Summer Activate runs


from Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 23 and is for young people aged 8–16 years. It will focus on a range of more unusual activities and courses including windsurfing, kayak- ing, fencing, dodgeball, cook- ery, special effects and character make-up, music tech- nology, dj-ing, skateboard de- sign and outward bound activities at CarrotyWood such as abseiling, bushcraft, team


there on the till and picked it up.


“Fortunately the CCTV footage we have is quite clear and we are sure someone will recognise the man caught on camera.” Anyone who can help, is asked


to contact police on 101, quoting crime number YY/8370/13.


Police hope to identify this man, who may be able to help with their enquiries


challenges, archery and BMX- ing.


Cllr Maria Heslop, cabinet member for leisure, youth and arts, says: "There’s an amazing selection of activities on offer across the borough this year and I would like to thank all the local clubs and organisations who have worked closely with us to put together such a great holiday programme for young people this summer." Details are available from schools, libraries, leisure cen- tres, parish councils, on the council’s website


at


www.tmbc.gov.uk or by calling 01732 876166 or emailing leisure.services@tmbc.gov.uk


Phone stolen at checkout while customer packs bags


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