Disabled man dies after steps fall


A 43-YEAR-OLD disabled man from Lark- field died after crashing down a flight of steps in his wheelchair as he left a hotel by the wrong door. David Henley, of Cronin Close, had prob-


ably drunk 10 pints of beer at a colleague’s retirement party at the Grange Moor Hotel in St Michael’s Road,Maidstone, an inquest heard.


Friends rushed to help after he landed


face down at the foot of the steps, and para- medics arrived soon after. Mr Henley was rushed to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in- Pembury, but died two hours later at 2am on February 25 last year. A post mortem examination showed he


died after sustaining facial injuries and vomiting and bleeding which entered his airways and lungs. He had an alcohol read- ing of nearly three times the legal drink-


Railway lights and alarm keep


drive limit. An administration assistant with Kent County Council, Mr Henley, who was born with spina bifida, was well- known and liked and led an independent life. He left the hotel at midnight when a taxi arrived to take him home and tragically chose the wrong door, despite being famil- iar with the exit arrangements. Sgt Paul Raines told the hearing at the Archbishop’s Palace, Maidstone, it was not noted at the time whether appropriate signs were on the doors. “I believe these were added after the incident,” he said. The inquest heard that health and safety inspectors had previously approved the hotel arrangements. They had reported that more signage to an exit ramp would be use- ful for wheelchair users but this did not amount to a breach of regulations.


Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner Alison Grief said: “This was not the first time he had been to this hotel. He was familiar with the layout and had previously used the ramp exit. He had had a very enjoyable night out with his friends and was aware of the correct exit. “I am satisfied that the events of that night


were a tragic accident. His friends and the staff and paramedics did all they could to assist him. He was clearly a dearly loved man.” Mr Henley’s mother, Christine, said: “We


aregladhehad suchagoodevening,we have always looked at it that way. His health was not good and it could have been that he had a miserable ending, lying ill in a bed. It happened far too early, but what a way to go – enjoying himself, laughing and chatting with his friends.”


Opposition to


family awake ASNODLANDmumis suffering from sleepless nights – thanks to bright lights beaming through her bedroom window. Amanda Collyer (41) lives in Church Field – a stone’s throw from the railway level crossing. When Network Rail upgraded


the crossing in June, they in- stalled three tall halogen lamps which shine directly into Mrs Collyer’s bedroom. They also added a warbler alarm, which alerts pedestrians that the barri- ers are coming down. Mrs Collyer said: “I may have chosen to live by a railway, but I did not choose to have the lights and alarms. I’ve been told they are for safety reasons, but they are extreme, to say the least.” Despite Mrs Collyer having


blinds and curtains in her bed- room andNetwork Rail re-align- ing the lights slightly, she says they still shine in. Mrs Collyer, who lives with


her partner Steve and son Patrick, is also unhappywith the state of the disused signal box, which has been boarded up. She said: “The signal box has


been boarded up with unsightly plywood, so it now looks like a rough derelict building. Snod- land is a lovely place to live with the lakes and nature reserve, but it’s being ruined.” Aspokesman for Network Rail


said: “Snodland level crossing has recently been modernised, including the installation of warbler alarms. These alert pedestrians – particularly the partially-sighted – that the barri- ers are coming down. “Better lighting has been in- stalled because the better lit a crossing is, the safer it is.” He said the listed signal box


had been boarded up to protect it from vandalism and the lights had been adjusted, but safety had to take priority. Mrs Collyer said: “I am ex- tremely disappointed by Net- work Rail and no-one from the council seems bothered either.”


10 Malling


Tonbridge and Malling mayor Howard Rogers takes pole position at Buckmore Park


Karting wheelie good fun for mayor


TONBRIDGE andMallingmayor HowardRogers got behind the wheel for a go-kart challenge that raised £1,400 for charity. Council colleagues, aswell as civic dignitaries fromother areas joined


CllrRogers tomakeup22teamsof three people tocompeteontheBuck- more Park circuit. Cllr Rogers said: “With first-time drivers and experi- enced racers all competing for first place, there were definitely some wannabe Lewis Hamiltons among us.” Proceeds went to his chosen charities, the Kenward Trust and Ton-


bridge Child Contact Centre. Last year’s mayor Cllr Dave Davis, who is ward councillor for Eccles, was captain of the winning team.


Charity chair KENT Woodturners, based in Aylesford, are auctioning their latest project–areplica of a 16th century ash chair – to raise money for charity. The chair will be offered to


the highest bidder, with a clos- ing date of March 31, 2014. All proceeds will go to the Demelza House Hospice in Bobbing. Anyone interested in making


a bid should email Craydon Care at craydon.care@hot- mail.co.uk.


PUPILS at The Malling School, East Malling, have begun study- ing Latin. Principal Carl Roberts be-


lieves that the language should not be the preserve of grammar and public schools. The subject has been so popu-


lar that year 7 student Michael Middleton surprised parents at the school’s open evening by addressing them in Latin. Mr Roberts said: “We have found the ability profile of our


Spar a winner SPAR Parkfoot Garages in West Malling has been named as one of the top 100 independent re- tailers in the UK by the Inde- pendent Achievers Academy. It was also highly commended


in the Insight NACS Interna- tional Convenience Store of the Year Awards 2013. The site, owned by David Charman, is one of two in Kent with a free customer facility for recycling oil. It is now in the running to be crowned top inde- pendent shop in the country.


pupils has risen signifi- cantly in re- cent years and we are con- stantly looking for new ways of stretching and inspiring our children. “Latin not


croquet plan A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a croquet clubhouse, four lawns and a 10-space car park on a greenfield site in Brad- bourne Lane, East Malling, has been approved. Medway Croquet Club wants


to move from Cobdown Sports and Social Club, Ditton, to a new site within the boundaries of East Malling Research. But residents near the pro-


posed development raised con- cerns about increased traffic on the narrow lane, as well as noise and disturbance from events at the pavilion. The club said there was a belt


of trees between the site and the houses, that there was no intention to have a drinks li- cence and that croquet was not a noisy sport. Tonbridge andMalling coun- cillors granted planning per- mission subject to conditions regarding drainage.


Christmas crafts CHOOSE some unique gifts at a Christmas craft bazaar at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road,Wateringbury, on November 16. Local crafts, cake raffle, tombola, and refreshmentswill be on offer, as well as a visit by Father Christmas. The event runs from 11am to


3pm, and admission is free. De- tails are available from Jan Pursey on 01622 814324.


Latin lessons brought in to ‘stretch’ pupils


also excellent preparation for professions such as medicine and law.We have found that the course has been incredibly pop- ular with students and parents and that the students have re- ally risen to this new chal- lenge.” Pupil Hannah Attubato said


only helps deepen a child's understanding of the English language, but is


Jake Hansen studies Latin


the experience was amazing, adding: “Latin helps us under- stand our own language better and discover the origins of Eng- lish words.”


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