Orchestra needs help from friends


AS Kent County Youth Orches- tra nears the end of its 50th an- niversary year, Kent Music is appealing to music-lovers and alumni to become Friends of Kent County Youth Orchestra. KCYO marked its golden an- niversary season with a land- mark concert at Mote Hall, Maidstone. Orchestra manager Geoff


Dixon said: “We need the Friends’ support to ensure that gifted young musicians in Kent continue to experience the chal- lenge of rehearsing and per- forming symphonic music, coached by a dedicated group of professional players and teach- ers from London’smajor orches- tras andmusic colleges.” Support from the Friends of KCYO helps the orchestra en- gage the best conductors, soloists and tutors throughout the year. Bursaries are provided for young musicians from fami- lies on low incomes, ensuring that entry to KCYO is open to all.


For details of how to become a Friend ofKCYOvisitwww.kent- music.com, call 01622 358402 or email vcordina@kent- music.com


Christmas dates MAIDSTONE Mencap mem- bers have been busy organising festive events in the run-up to Christmas. The Christmas bazaar and


grand draw will be at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, School Lane entrance (offWillington Street) at 2pm on Saturday, November 23. Contact Carolyn on 07762 468097. Tuck into mince pies and mulled wine at a Christmas concert with Maidstone Oper- atic Society on Saturday, De- cember 7 at Cobtree Hall. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £5, and include refreshments. Contact Ann on 07842 149995.


Police chief announces retirement


KENT Police Chief Constable Ian Learmonth has an- nounced that he will be leaving in January after three yearswith the force. Mr Learmonth plans to retire after a 40-


year career, beginningwith Essex Police as acadetandlaterwithStrathclydePoliceand the Norfolk Constabulary before joining Kent. Kent Police & Crime Commissioner Ann


Barnes paid tribute to his “dedication, pro- fessionalism, commitment and leadership skills”. She said: “During his time in Kent, he has


not only had to deal with the pressures con- sidered normal for such a high rank, but he has had to lead the force through a period of unprece- dented change relating to themost severebudget cut- backs in living memory.


“Anyone connected with the policing family of Kent


will knowthat he has managed these challenges with great skill and, despite thepressures, hasal- ways maintained the respect, and indeed the affection, of those in the force and the wider community.” Mr Learmonth said: “Forty years’ public


service isasignificantmilestone,andagood time to reflect. The timing of retirement is not an easy thing to think about, but I have decided to do so in January. The force has the best officers and staff I have ever come across – totally dedicated in their duty to protecting and serving the public. “I leave with immense feelings of pride in


what they have achieved inmy three and a half years as chief constable, and tohavehad the honour to lead Kent Police has been both humbling and inspiring”.


Scheme to bring new life to homes


FORMER service men and women will be bringing empty homes back into use and helping vulnerable tenants with house- hold and grounds maintenance. Maidstone’s local armed forces community covenant steering group has won £31,000 towards the Heroes At Hand skills and employment scheme, which will help former service men and women back into work. The national Armed Forces Community Covenant awarded the grant to Maidstone Council and Futures for Heroes, whowill work in partnership with Stone-


hamHousing, Mid Kent College, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Fami- lies Association and the Royal British Legion. The project will employ veterans to carry out re- furbishment and light mainte- nance work in Maidstone borough.


Maidstone Council leader


Chris Garland, who chairs the Maidstone Armed Forces Com- munity Covenant Steering Group, said: “This pilot model will, where possible, bring empty properties back into use, and ensure there is increased suitable accommodation for vul-


Mayor gets a kick from club visit KIXXMartialArtsClubwelcomed theMayorofMaidstone, Cllr CliveEng- lish to its community open day at the clubhouse in GranvilleRoad, Maid- stone. There were trial sessions and


displays around the building, as well as a demonstration by the KIXXMartialArts sparring team, who competed in the British Council for ChineseMartial Arts national sparring competition in Gillingham and won one gold, three silver and one bronze medal. The mayor presented a Chinese banner from twinned club Southern Shaolin Kung Fu in Banting, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. For more details, call Sifu Nigel Gilham on 07941 340284 or go to www.kixxmartialarts.co.uk


School offers free osteopathy care


FREE osteopathy is once again on offer to Maid- stone residents who need it the most but cannot afford the treatment. The Boxley-based European School of Osteopa-


thy’s teaching clinic, the ESO Clinic in Tonbridge Road, is running its Helping Hands scheme for the fifth consecutive year. Over the past four years the scheme has helped


over 85 people address difficulties with mobility, injury and discomfort through their osteopathic consultations and treatments. With 28 treatment rooms, including three ground floor rooms de- signed to accommodate those in wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties, the clinic is accessible to all. The Helping Hands scheme is open to all resi-


dents within the Maidstone borough and funds are allocated annually from October 1 to Septem- ber 30. There are 20 Helping Hands places available


16 Town


(worth over £150 each), giving each successful applicant an initial thorough consultation and up to six treatments at the clinic, depending on their requirements. The ESO’s head of clinic Helen Jenkins said:


“We know from the tremendous response we have to the scheme how worthwhile and suc- cessful it is for the patients. “Many people could benefit from osteopathic treatment for ailments such as back pain and neck pain but simply find the cost prohibitive. “This scheme is aimed at those people most in


need in the local community – from babies to the elderly, for whom the normal costs are unafford- able.” The clinic is now taking applications for the current year. Call or email the school on 01622 685989 or helenjenkins@eso.ac.uk. Each application is dealt with directly and in the strictest confidence.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


nerable veterans as well as creat- ing more opportunities for em- ployment and community support for those who have served their country and are try- ing hard to build a new life. “With many soldiers facing re- dundancy, some are looking for jobs now and others in the next 12-24 months. These projects will support existing service per- sonnel and their families and those leaving or being made re- dundant from service.” Heroes to Hand is a social en- terprise under the umbrella of Futures for Heroes.


Town Hall work ONGOING works to spruce up Maidstone Town Hall have moved from the outside in. Scaffolding was erected around the town centre building a few months ago, while con- tractors cleaned the stonework, redecorated and carried out es- sential roof repairs. Now, the work has gone in-


doors, closing the main council chamber for up to seven weeks. Work to restore the Rococo ceil- ing, which has been damaged by water, started on October 2. Until thework is complete, all council meetings will be held at County Hall, while committees will meet in one of the Town Hall committee rooms or Maid- stone Gateway. A spokesman said: “The work to the main council chamber completes the maintenance programme started earlier in the year.”


Star backs walk SOAP star Sally Lindsay visited Leeds Castle to start the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk. The former Coronation Street actress welcomed over 800 peo- ple to the event, saying: “My grandmother passed away with Alzheimer’s many years ago. Since then the charity has grown and now provides vital support to thousands of people living with dementia and their carers.” The walk was expected to raise £50,000.


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