Charities join to help homeless
TWOMaidstone charitieswhichsupport the homeless and vulnerable have merged. Maidstone Christian Care,whichoperates the Maid-
stone Day Centre and Food for Thought, has linked with Goodsell House, a hostel for homeless men, to form a newcharity – Homeless Care. TheMayor of Maidstone, Cllr Clive English, and Cllr
Peter Homewood, vice chair of KCC, were at a cele- bration evening to mark the merger, held at the Maid- stone Day Centre, in Knightrider Street. Chairman of trustees Mike FitzGerald presented a
cheque for£15,000 to Homeless Care on behalf of En- terprise Training Maidstone – a company of which he is a director and which used to provide YTS training to young people in the town. Themoney will be used to provide additional “move
on” accommodation tomeetthe growing needs of the homeless in Maidstone. Mr FitzGerald thanked the people, the businesses,
the shops andretailers, churchesandschoolsofMaid- stone, who had supported the charity over the years and said: “Without their support,wewouldnot be able to serve those vulnerable in our society.”
Ancient trees face axe
SOUTH East Water might have to remove pro- tected trees in ancientwoodland in Detling to re- place a water main pipeline. The company has applied to fully remove three
trees and part remove another five in Horish Wood, west of Hockers Lane. According to the planning application, which
will be determined by Maidstone Council, landowner Detling Parish Council has been con- sulted and has agreed to the tree works. A supporting statement said: “The proposed
tree works are to facilitate construction of a new 350mm PVC water main to replace an existing ductile iron water main.
Cllr Mike FitzGerald presents a cheque for £15,000 to Rev David Bond of Homeless Care
He said the merger would enable Maidstone to re-
spond to the needs of the homeless and vulnerable, and said: “Thismerger is just one step on the ladder of change. If we can continue to lead the way in Maid- stone, perhaps it will persuade our nation to rise up anddeliver for thepoorandleastwell-off in our society. “There is no reason for anyone togo hungry inMaid-
stone because of the generosity of its people and I thank God for that – and the people here today.” Cllr English said: “It is inspiring to see some of the
work that has takenplace in Maidstone in thepast few years – but a lot of challenges remain.”
Top brass in tribute night AMUSICAL feast to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Eric Ball OBE takes place at Maid- stone’s Salvation Army Hall in Union Street, with a guest contribution from Mr Ball himself! The former Salvation Army officer and world famous brass band composer died in 1989 – but he will introduce items in the concert via mate- rial recorded while he was alive. Eric Ball was born in Bristol in 1903. He was awarded the OBE in 1959. The concert, at 7pm on Saturday, October 19, features The Medway Band (Championship Section) and the South London Fellowship
Band.Admission is free, but there will be a retiring collection.
Trees ‘rotting’ GLYNIS Gunning-Stevenson has overseen the removal of three protected self-seeded sycamore trees without plan- ning permission. She has now applied for ret- rospective consent, legitimising the felling in the rear garden of 11 Bearsted Views, St Faith’s Lane. Her supporting statement
said the trees were in poor con- dition and had begun to rot. It added: “The removal of
these trees provides a further benefit of eliminating crowding around the protected lime trees in the rear gardens of Blakeney Close. The setting of these trees is now vastly improved.” Pre-application advice by Maidstone Council enforce- ment officer Alan Howell said removal of the trees would be acceptable if a 2m-high fence was installed. The applicant’s plans show provision for this. The council will determine
the application, which also in- cludes re-grading of land and the introduction of raised planters, steps and a terrace.
Badminton trials BEARSTED Badminton Club is on the lookout for new players. Members play at the King George V Memorial Hall most Thursday evenings. The club is offering free taster sessions. For details call Geoff Tester on 01622 739471.
30 East
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