Death crash driver’s gift of life


THE liver of a Snodland car crash victim who died after drinking heavilywas donated to help another person, an inquest heard. Scrap dealer Darren Woodger


Fear for future of


children’s centre Continued from page one


services, said: “We recognise that people value children’s centre services and we are committed to continuing to provide them to the people who need them most. “Like the rest of the country,


we are facing difficult financial times and have had our central government funding cut signif- icantly. This means we have to make difficult decisions.” She added: “Our evidence


also suggests the Larkfield cen- tre (pictured), which is run part-time, currently signposts a large number of its users to other centres. Along with the expanded health visitor work- force, we are confident that local families will still be able to access the services they need. “We welcome the views of


local people and would urge them to tell us what they think by taking part in the consulta- tion.”


(31), of Booth Close, Holbor- ough, was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, after his car overturned on Birling Hill last year. An empty vodka bottle was in the vehicle. He was pronounced dead two days later, on November 1, hav-


ing suffered cardiac arrest be- fore being admitted. The hearing


at Maidstone was told that hospital tests showed Mr W oodger (right), was brain stem- dead. Despite a history of bouts of heavy drinking, his liver was healthy and his grieving family


Green flag flies at Leybourne park


THERE were cheers from visitors to Leybourne Lakes Country Park as its Green Flag awardwas hoisted aloft for the fifth consecutive year. Theaward, thena-


tional standard for parks and green spaces, was also awarded to Haysden Country Park at Ton- bridge, which like Ley- bourne, is managed and maintained by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Leybourne Lakes is a 230-acre park on the border of Snodland and


was developed from former gravel workings. Council staff are helped by local volunteerswho carry outorganized tasks likelitterpicking, cop- picing and tree planting. Maria Heslop, Cabinet Member for Leisure Youth and Arts, com- mented: “I am delighted that these lovely parks have been awarded Green Flags once again and I’d like to thank all the volunteer groups, rangers and, of course, the visitors for helping us to continue to improve and develop the parks.”


agreed for it to be donated. Pathologist Dr David Rouse


said a postmortem examination showed the cause of death was alcohol intoxication within the fatal range, leading to brain damage.


Recording a verdict of acci- dental death,Mid Kent Coroner Patricia Harding said she was satisfied he did not take his own life and there was no evi- dence that the collision con- tributed to his death.


Join the choir MALLING Community Choir will restart after the summer break on September 3 at 7pm at the Baptist Chapel in Swan Street,West Malling. The choir meets weekly,


there’s no audition and no ex- perience of singing is needed. Choir member Trudy Dean


said: “Just come along and have fun. Two reports have come out over recent months saying singing helps maintain good health andmemory!We shall be rehearsing new songs leading up to our christmas concert, so it’s a perfect time to join.” The choir took part in six suc- cessful concerts during its first year, raising money for local schools,Help forHeroes, Spade- work, St Mary's Church and Kent Association for the Blind.


Tile Showroom


Adhesives & Grouts


Monday to Friday 8.00 - 5.30 Saturday 8.30 - 5.00 Ample Free Parking


Tel: 01622 717107 info@cafceramics.co.uk www.cafceramics.co.uk


Unit 5, 2M Trade Park, Beddow Way, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BT


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Malling 3


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