Stones’ pitch ‘among best’


RIGOROUS testing has con- firmed that the Gallagher Sta- dium in James Whatman Way, Maidstone, has one of the best pitches in world football. The state-of-the-art artificial


turf pitch has maintained its FIFA two star rating – the high- est possible grade. The testers use natural grass in top condi- tion as the benchmark, and check durability, weather re- sistance and how the ball plays. Maidstone United co-owner Oliver Ash, said: “This is fan- tastic news and shows that with the right maintenance these high quality pitches can do 50-plus hours a week while maintaining impeccable stan- dards. “Our 3G business model is


now being copied by several clubs around the country and I hope our experience will gal- vanise others to follow our ex- ample and take a major step to securing their club’s financial position.” Maidstone United was the


first football club in Britain to develop a purpose built sta- dium using a 3G pitch. “The surface is used by the


club’s first team, their many community teams, as well as other local clubs, businesses, community groups and schools. Around 1,000 people per week play on the pitch.


Stadium clash POLICE were called to the ground of Maidstone United during the first full game of the Stones’ new season. Cans of beer were thrown


onto the pitch as supporters of Wealdstone, North London, clashedwith Maidstone United fans during and after the 1-1 draw. The club vowed to increase security and were checking CCTV footage to try to identify the culprits. They were also looking at increasing the police presence at home games. More than 2,000 fans were in


the Gallagher stadium at the time of the trouble. Police dis- persed several groups of fight- ers, but no arrests were made.


THE 400 walkers who took part in the seventh Moonlit Walk all had their own differ- ent reasons for taking part, but the same purpose: to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice. Many of them had seen for themselves how the hospice cares for patients and their families at the end of their lives. Others had heard about the essential services it pro- vides and wanted to “give something back”.


20 Malling


James is the toast of Mote


AN outstanding all-round performance by James Hodgson was marked whenTheMoteCricket Club celebratedamuch-improvedseasonat their annual dinner.


James, ofKings Hill,won themainbatting and bowlingawardsafter he scored 820 runs during the Kent League season and also took 27 wickets with his spin bowling.


The club led Division One for most


of the season but finally missed pro- motion tothePremier Divisionby only three points – a major improvement on 2012 when they had to battle to avoid relegation.


Other award winners were: 2nd XI batting Richard Bradford (382 runs), bowling Richard Gentry (28 wickets); 3rd XI batting Raj Raveendran (307 runs), bowling Josh Sheriston (19 wickets). Young Player of the Year was 1st team opening bowler Tom Hensonandthemost improvedyoung players Fraser Inglis.


Enjoy a valley


tour by train FINE scenery, fascinating his- tory and a good pint will all be available on a special train on the Medway Valley Line on Sunday, October 20. Commentator Bob Ratcliffe


will point out the sights and de- scribe how the railway helped to form the countryside. The train leaves Maidstone


Kings Hill Mote cricketer James Hodgson (left) and club captain Alex Fordham


A special presentation was made to Malcolm Bassett to mark 25 years as club secretary.


Soccer boosts air ambulance TEAMS from across the area took part in a five-a-side football tournament at Aylesford to raise more than £5,000 for the Kent Air Ambulance. Nearly 50 teams


from Kent-based busi- nesses took part in the charity challenge at Cobdown Sports and Social Club in Ditton, with True Players lift- ing the champions cup and Whispering Eyes the consolation trophy. Prizes were presented by air ambulance mascot Dr Dudley. Rob Pearson,MDat Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Group, which organised the event, sponsored by Maidstone-based printer Bal- reed, said: “Itwas another great day of footballwith some great ca- maraderie and skills being shown off on the day.” Nando’s staged a man v food challenge for the hungry teams,


Champions True Players with Dr Dudley


with five competitors testing their stamina in a race to eat 10 hot wings. Richard Carnegie, from Balreed, polished off his food in the fastest time, before going on to eat another 10!


Getting older ‘is all in the mind’ OVER-65s in Kent are refusing to get old, researchers say.AYouGov poll found that just six per cent of those aged 65-85 think of them- selves as elderly, while 61% refuse to define themselves as “old”, saying the term is simply a “mindset”. Almost half (44%) said they were happier – and more tolerant –


now than at any other time in their life, although “old-fashioned” ideas still held their generation back. The poll, commissioned by Kent personal alarm provider Invicta


Telecare, found two out of three (66%) OAPs haven’t given their future care a second thought. Over-65s account for a sixth of the population in Kent. The num- ber of over-65s is set to rise from 10 to 19 million over 40 years.


Walkers’ moonlit jaunt to help hospice The hospice relies heavily on


the generosity of the commu- nity, and the Moonlit Walk, as the hospice’s biggest fundrais- ing event of the year, gave sup- porters an opportunity to have fun under the stars while doing their bit. Dressed mostly in pyjamas or onesies, walkers covered a route of either six or 10 miles from the David Lloyd fitness centre at Kings Hill towards Aylesford. Among them was television presenter Carol


McGiffin, fresh from Celebrity Big Brother. They left after music from local band the Soundcasters and a warm-up routine by dance group Foxy Burlesque. The hospice’s fundraising


and marketing manager, Caro- line Brinkman, said: “It was a fantastic night and we are grateful to everyone who joined us. This is a very important event for us and it was won- derful to see so many people supporting their local hospice.”


West at 2pm, and will visit Ton- bridge and Strood before re- turning to Maidstone West at 5pm. It calls at all points and can be joined at any Medway Valley Line station. Wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be available. Normal ticketing applies, but


with GroupSave discount three or four adults can travel off- peak for the price of two. Ac- companying children travel for just £1 each and under-fives travel for free. To book, email ian.pater- son@ruralkent.org.uk or call 07917 84100 by October 18.


Rugby recruits AYLESFORD rugby football club kicks off the season with a fresh drive to grow its own tal- ent.


The Bulls’ new coaching structure will ensure the side continues to bring on raw talent and feed the county, regional and national teams. It follows a series of firsts for


the club last season that rein- forced their place as one of the fastest developing rugby clubs in the South East and a breed- ing ground for talent. First team coaches Richard Garrett, supported by Andy Dawling, are already working hard to develop players’ fitness and skills. Richard has an im- pressive coaching background with the Army and Andy has represented England at Sevens, Gloucester and Harlequins.


MP’s spider alert AYLESFORD MP Tracey Crouch’s fear of spiders led to a security alert at the House of Commons. Mailroom staff called security


men when a mystery substance started leaking from a parcel. The item was unwrapped to re- veal a can of insecticide. The spray had been ordered


by Miss Crouch to dealwith spi- ders at her Aylesford home. “It’s an old house and they are


just everywhere,” said the em- barrassedMP. “I have given pro- fuse apologies and will take a tin of sweeties to security next week.”


Annual village walk THE annual East Malling circu- lar walk is on Sunday, October 20, starting at 2.15pm from St James’s Church, to Manor Park, West Malling, and back. The walk should end at about 4.45pm.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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