Rotary awards


for town trio THERotaryClub ofMaidstonehas awarded its top honour – the Paul Harris Fellowships – to three members for services to Rotary and the local community. They are (from left) incoming


club president and retired lawyer Colin Trelfer, of Boughton Monchelsea; past president and chairman of Age UK Maidstone Pat Thomas, of Barming;and past president and former Maidstone police area commander Roger Hext, of Bearsted.


Pupils achieve


well at school PUPILS at Lunsford Primary School achieve well and make good progress, Ofsted inspectors found. Starting points were simi-


lar to national expectations, but when pupils leave at the end of year 6, their attain- ment in English and maths is above average. Good teaching ensures pupils have the key skills to become successful learners, and regular checks on the quality of teaching ensures that lessons are effective and pupils make good progress. Pupils’ behaviour is good,


and they enjoy coming to school. Parents work well with the school, and atten- dance is above average. The school was rated good,


after an outstanding rating at its previous inspection. To re- gain an outstanding rating, the schoolwas advised to encour- age pupils to make their own decisions about their work. The outside area for early


years pupils also needs to offer more opportunities for discovery.


Carer’s success A CHILDMINDER who had only been operating for three months was judged byOfsted to be providing good care. Jennifer Orridge, from


Lucas Road, Snodland, was said to have formed strong relationships with the chil- dren in her care, and encour- aged parents to be involved in the learning. The youngsters made good progress because the child- minder had a good under- standing of how children learn, and assessed their abil- ities to enable her to plan for individual learning. Ms Orridge was said to


have a high regard for chil- dren’s safety and welfare. To achieve an outstanding rating, Ms Orridge was en- couraged to forge partner- ships with other early learning settings attended by the children in her care, to promote continuity in their learning.


12 Malling


Inner Wheel’s


new president THE new president of the Inner Wheel Club of Maidstone is Elizabeth Hext (pictured right), of Bearsted. Elizabeth,


who was vice presi- dent last year, is the wife of for- merMaidstone police area commander Roger Hext.


Fire crews praised after blaze


FIREFIGHTERS who tackled a blaze for seven hours have been praised for their efforts in saving a large oast house property in West Malling. Two fire engines, a height ve-


hicle and water carrier went to the fire in a converted oast com- plex, consisting of five homes, in Lavenders Road after the alarmwas raised just after 11am. Due to the information they received from the caller about the extent to which the blaze was spreading, Kent Fire and Rescue Services staff sent two extra appliances and began to move specialist equipment from around the county in case addi- tional support was needed. On arrival, fire crews from Larkfield and Borough Green dealt with a large fire in the house in the middle roundel of the oast building, which had spread from a downstairs kitchen, up to the first floor and to the central apex of the roof which connected it to five other homes. Two crews in breathing appa-


ratus tackled the blaze at the front of and rear of the house,


said: “I am really proud of the efforts of our crews and the effi- ciency of KFRS fire control staff. The initial speed and weight of attack prevented what would otherwise have been a much larger fire,which would have re- quired many additional re- sources and could have destroyed the entire site. While the house and one roundelwere severely damaged, the structure of the building remained intact.” As a result of their efforts,


other homes in the oastwere un- affected and residents were al- lowed back that evening. The owner of the blaze prop-


using hose reels to suppress the fire and stop it spreading to neighbouring properties. They then used cold-cutting equipment to cut through to roof voids to prevent the flames tak- ing hold, and doused the out- side of the roof using a height vehicle for access. At its height, about 40 fire- fighters were at the scene. Crew manager Chris Phipps


Children are ‘happy and settled’ OFSTED inspectors who went to Country Cottage Day Nursery in Butchers Lane, Mereworth, found that children are happy and set- tled, due to the excellent relationships they have with staff. Their personal, social and emotional development is well sup- ported, and the key person system helps to identify children’s in- dividual needs. The partnership with parents is excellent and promotes continuity of care. The nursery itself was said to be bright and welcoming, with a


range of resources, and provides an effective learning environment for children. To achieve an outstanding rating, books need to be better organ-


ised to help children make choices, and children’s understanding of healthy eating should be encouraged.


Reflexology talk A TALK on reflexology and perhaps a chance for a trial will be given at Aylesford and Ec- cles WI’s meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 28. The competition for this monthwill be a pretty scarf and the recycling stall will be for music CDs. The meeting is at the Brassey Centre, Station Road, Ayles- ford. Visitors and newmembers always welcome. Contact Eileen on: 01622 715205


Toy store fears A TOY superstore has been al- lowed weekend deliveries de- spite neighbours’ oppositios. Smyths, due to open in South


Aylesford Retail Park inAugust, had its planning application for Saturday access granted by Ton- bridge and Malling Council. The firm already had permis- sion for Monday to Friday de- liveries but nearby residents raised concerns over extra traf- fic movements following its re- quest to extend this by a day.


erty, Julie Grimes, went to stay with relatives. She had been out when the fire started. She said: “I can’t thank the firefighters enough for the bril- liant work they did in stopping the fire spreading to my neigh- bours’ homes. They kept us fully informed throughout the entire incident and I very much appre- ciate how caring they were about our welfare.” The fire is thought to have


been caused by a pan that had been left on a stove.


Dental surgery A FORMER travel agency in West Malling High Street has been earmarked for a dental surgery. The Grade II listed building


next to the Joiners Arms was previously BG Travel, who moved to Dunks Green. Owners of the terraced prop-


erty, The Swan Collection – the company behind the nearby Swan restaurant – applied to Tonbridge and Malling Council for the change of use. The dental practice would employ three part-time staff and would be open from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. The building is currently oc- cupied by KHP Country Es- tates. A retrospective application for the temporary change of use from travel agents to estate agents for 12 months has previously been submitted by the Swan Collec- tion and is awaiting a decision by the borough council.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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