Lunch to thank MP promoted to sports minister
town volunteers ACELEBRATORYlunch is to be held to thank local trustees for the work they do in leading Maidstone’s many charities and community organisations. Voluntary Action Maidstone,
in partnership with Whitehead Monckton, is holding a trustees’ brunch on Friday, November 8, to mark Trustees’Week. Natalie Smith, of VAM, said: “Maidstone is lucky to have hundreds of charities and com- munity groups, most of which are run by volunteer trustees, who give their time and expert- ise free. Maidstone residents ul- timately benefit from their generosity, andwewanted to ap- plaud this.” To book places, email na-
talie.smith@
vam-online.org.uk.
Caravans plea FRANKUden has applied to site two caravans and an amenity building for gypsy use on the site of a paddock at the junction of George Street and Clapper Lane, Staplehurst. Subject to Maidstone Council granting planning permission, the applicant’s father Francis and mother Ann would live on land at Blue Bell Farm. “Both are approaching pensionable age and need a settled base where they can draw on the help and support of their son,” said a sup- porting statement.
MAIDSTONE MP Helen Grant has succeeded Hugh Robertson as sports minister in David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle. The appointment marks an-
other milestone in her rapid progress since being elected three years ago in the Maidstone and theWeald seat left vacant by the retirement of former Tory minister AnnWiddecombe. Mid Kent and Faversham MP
Mr Robertson has spent nearly 10 years as either minister or shadow minister for sport, dur- ing which he helped to oversee the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. He has been re-
warded with a move to the For- eign Office as aminister of state. Sport was a
key part of Mrs Grant’s up- bringing in Cumbria. She was an under- 16 judo cham- pion for the north of Eng- land and south- ern Scotland and repre- sented county
the at
Helen Grant has stepped into Hugh Robertson’s shoes by becoming the sports minister
hockey, tennis, cross-country and athletics.Akeen runner, she
Model traction engine stolen AMODELofavintage traction engine,weighing12kgandworth£8,000, has been reported stolen from a shop in Staplehurst. CCTV of the theft has been re-
viewed and appears to show a man entering the shop and grab the en- gine from the display. Themodel is a Burrell Showman’s engine, with “Probyn Amusements Maidstone” across the top. It is 53cm long, 20cm wide and 30cm tall.
DC Lynne Mercer, from Kent Po-
lice’s reactive crime team at Maid- stone Police Station said: “The offender is described as a white male aged between 18 and 32. He was wearing a navy blue hoodie with the hood up, with an emblem on the left breast, as well as jeans and white trainers. It is suspected hewould have left the area in a vehicle.” Anyone with any information can contact DC Lynne Mercer on 01622 604271, quoting crime number YY/18855/13.
completed the London Marathon just 11 days before her victory at the last General Election. As sports minister, her challenges will include pro- moting equality at all levels of sport, fighting her corner over additional funding for school sport,
and overseeing the delivery of Olympics legacy promises.
Tip closure THE waste recycling centre in Burial Ground Lane, Tovil, has been closed for im- provements. Work to repair concrete
walls and surface slabs began on Monday, October 21. As Downs Mail went to press the re-opening date had not been announced but it was thought the works would take three weeks. Waste can be taken to other centres at Gas Road, Sitting- bourne, North Farm Lane, Tunbridge Wells and Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate in Brunswick Road, Ashford.
8 South
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
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