LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Admin hampers hospitals Dear Sir – There were two items of interest in the AugustMaidstone East edition about which I would like to comment. Mail Marks – Dennis Fowle speaks a lot


of sense. I think one of the main problems with theMaidstone & TunbridgeWells Trust is down to administration. In January I un- fortunately slipped on ice and broke my right hip. I cannot fault the excellent service I had at Pembury. Aweek after the operation I was moved to Maidstone for rehabilitation. The staff were cheerful and very helpful. Some of them even went in their break to buy me a news- paper when Smiths and visitors were not permitted due to a virus in three other wards.


However after a couple of days I was


bored and felt frustrated and I considered I could improve quicker at home. This was agreed and on theWednesday afternoon the occupational therapist visited me to check my home requirements, although all the de- tails had been agreed at Pembury. But she did nothing about the order for equipment until after 9am on the Thursday, only to find that equipment delivery to the Grove Green Bearsted area takes place on a Thursday and the van leaves at 8.30am. In other words I would have to stay blocking a bed for another week. So we arranged for my wife to collect the items that afternoon and I went home on the Friday. Why didn’t the occupational therapist


know the timings? What would be even bet- ter is more flexibility in the deliveries. Roundabout a big help – I agree entirely


with David Berry’s letter. However there is one problem that still needs to be resolved. Approaching the roundabout from New Cut Road passing Vinters Crematorium on the left, the road ismarkedwith three lanes, the right two being for the M20 and A249 North. But on the roundabout as you enter it there is just a single line, making two lanes. There is an accident waiting to happen for vehicles using that middle lane. The car going right is to the right; the car going straight on towards the Chiltern Hundreds


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or e-mail: info@downsmail.co.uk


does not keep fully to the left but nearer the single line and the poor old driver in the middle is squashed out. The single line needs to be removed and


two lines placed. Also, the approach sig- nage needs to be changed showing left lane for straight ahead Maidstone; middle lane for M20W (London) and A249N (Sitting- bourne) and the right lane forM20E (Dover) and possibly A249N. Monty Knight Olds, Grove Green


No housing in Mote Park Dear Sir – I am writing about the proposed housing development in Mote Park to fund modernisation of the rugby and cricket fa- cilities there. There is no way my neighbours and I would support yet more building in the park. The development in the Willington Street corner is too much in my opinion. Mote Park is the jewel in the crown of Maid- stone’s amenities. Once these green spaces are gone, they are


gone for ever! Although many people enjoy sport, there


are far more people like families with chil- dren, who visit the park. The property built on the park will in-


crease traffic congestion and put more strain on the infrastructure. I suspect members of Maidstone Council


are rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of more revenue, but this is one place they should leave alone permanently. Andy Holbrook, Birch TreeWay, Maidstone


Give town some direction Dear Sir – I permitted myself a wry smile when reading in the Downs Mail of Cllr Malcolm Greer’s grandiose plans for attract- ing visitors to spend money in Maidstone, including “signs around the town to help visitors find attractions”. First, they have to find the town if com-


ing from the west along the A228 and A26. Maidstone doesn’t appear on the major route direction sign at the A26 Mereworth roundabout. Despite spending nearly £4m of local tax-


payers money on the much-needed upgrade to the town centre, councillors Chris Gar- land, Eric Hotson and Mike Hogg have been aware of this KCC highways error for some considerable time but have chosen not to fight for the town. In fact, Cllr Hotson gave an incredibly pa-


thetic reason for sitting on his hands and doing nothing, despite professing to love the town. He said that there was not a prob- lem as nobody had asked his friends who live in the area for directions! A comment more suitable onMonty Python than from a long-standing KCC andMaidstone Borough councillor. Incidentally, on another item in the Downs Mail, I believe Maidstone Council received a £1m lump sum on completion of the Lockmeadow development, in addition to the new agricultural hall, car park and leisure attraction in the centre of town. How come only £140k is to come from the Next development, which goes against the Local Plan? Are our councillors just incompetent or is there another agenda? Steve Russell, Matfield Crescent, Vinters Park


Praise for hospital Dear Sir – I feel compelled to write to ex- pressmy praise forMaidstoneHospital’s ac- cident and emergency department. My wife tripped and fell on a bad pave-


ment, which resulted in the hospital visit. From the offset the receptionist was pleasant, followed by efficient service in various de- partments, including assistance from a para- medic when we went home.


Malcolm Holbrook, Maidstone


Have a heart Dear Sir – Patients with heart conditions face a long walk at Maidstone Hospital for the Cardiac Investigation Unit. It would be easier if recorders could be returned to hos- pital reception to save patients long walks. It is almost impossible to park nearby, and many patients travel by bus. Barbara Betteridge, Dickens Road, Maidstone


Early music date at church


MUSIC-lovers are invited to step back in time at the first of two concerts at St Nicholas’ Church, Otham. The concerts are being organised by the Friends of Otham Church and the first fea- tures the early music group Cancionero,with a programme entitled “This Sceptred Isle”. The concert, featuring music from all cor-


Summer memories


SIX-year-old Joseph enjoys his football day or- ganisedbyPennies’ KidsClubat LenhamFoot- ball Club. Thedaywasoneof the final activities offered


in the summer holiday club. Sheila Vickers,whoran the club forPennies,


said: “The weather has been great, and we’ve hadagoodtime, so I think localchildrenwill re- member this as a great summer.”


38 East


ners of the British Isles, takes place at3pmon Sunday,October 27, and will be a celebration of British history including folk songs and ballads, as well as music from the Middle Ages and compositions by Henry VIII, Pur- cell and Handel. The music will be interspersed with short readings from Shakespeare and other writers of the day. Cancionero is a Kent-based early music


Saturday tests refused A COMPUTER data firm has been told it cannot carry out weekend generator tests at its Vinters Park base. Computer Science Corporation in Pega-


sus Place, had applied to carry out tests on the third Saturday of each month, for 18 months, butMaidstone Council felt it could harm the quality of life of residents.


group, whose members Anthony Purnell, Anne Purnell, and Brian White are joined for this concert by Katharine Head and Imogen Dyer. The second concert, A Winter Serenade,


will be given by Bel Canto –KathrynNorman (soprano), Richard Kemp (piano) and Brian White (bass/baritone). This varied programme of well-known


songs and duets is at the church at 3pm on Sunday, November 17. Tickets for both concerts are £10 each (ac- companied children £5) from Simon Leonard on 01622 738218 or Dr Hugh Vaux on 01622 861245. Tickets for the Cancionero concert can also


be bought online fromwww.cancionero.tick- etsource.co.uk


Holiday let consent ROBERT McDermot has been given plan- ning permission to convert and extend a sta- ble in Harrietsham to form two three-bedroom holiday lets. Maidstone Council accepted the scheme


for Broomfields, Hogbarn Lane, on condi- tion that no single letting exceeds four weeks.


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