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County town has rich vein of MPs MailMarks


THE Maidstone area has been served by members of parlia- ment since 1552, but it has never enjoyed such a rich vein as now. Both MPs who represent the borough – Hugh Robertson (Mid Kent) and Helen Grant (Maid- stone and The Weald) – have new government appointments and hold high-profile ministerial offices. Helen’s progress has been particularly remarkable and within three years of re- taining Ann Widdecombe’s seat, she has been appointed to three ministerial roles. She now holds two, adding Minister of Sport (with tourism, gambling and Big Lottery) to her equalities role. Hugh did not have to pass the athletic


baton far to Helen when he was promoted from Minister of Sport to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He could have done it at The Mote CC ground, which borders the two constituencies. I was surprised by the announcement,


but delighted that Helen’s talents, pas- sions and dedication had been rewarded with an office so significant and high-pro- file for our sport-loving nation. Her mod- est childhood and youthful sporting achievements have been highlighted in many national publications since the big news broke. I worked closely with Helen for months


when we led the MASH campaign (I chair Maidstone Action for Services in Hospi- tal) to retain women’s and children’s serv- ices in Maidstone. It is not easy taking on government pol-


icy, the Health Secretary and the local NHS trust, but the people of Maidstone put up a magnificent fight, which turned against us on a final decision by the then


DENNIS FOWLE - President email: dfowle2011@aol.com


Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Helen was at the heart of the fight and


was warned publicly by Tory MPs about how she, as a novice MP, jeopardised her political future by aggressive lobbying of Mr Lansley. I never saw it that way. Good MPs need


many qualities. Theymust understand the battleground and fight a cause with dedi- cation, charm and courage. These qualities stood Helen in good


stead then – and she needs them in chal- lenges ahead. How far and quickly can her star ascend? If she does as well as Hugh as Minister of Sport who knows? She is only 52, and retains the youthful enthusiasm of a talented young sportswoman. Her aims make interesting reading, es- pecially promoting how sport empowers social mobility – part of her own story. Lord Coe paid fulsome tribute to Hugh


as Minister of Sport. Seb Coe would know because they were such big players in the London Olympics. He is now Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East, North Africa and counter terrorism. He told me he could not give too much


detail about the last of those duties “for obvious reasons”, but explained: “I amthe minister in charge of foreign and com- monwealth office counter-terrorism de- partment. It looks after our overseas intelligence agencies and any incidents re- lating to terrorism affecting British citi-


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


churches and schools. If there are clients out there, they must be directed to the day centre. No one has been forced to stay out. The day centre will continue to ensure the homeless and vulnerable are being cared for all year round and respond to their needs. We support the winter shelter pilot and


are passionate about ensuring the day and night shelter provides a seamless provision for the homeless and needy in our county town.


Throughout the year, the day centre pro-


vides early breakfast, a shower, a chance to wash and dry clothes, a hot dinner, and sup- port to review benefits, employment hous- ing or debt. We also provide an address for homeless people so they can access these services, in- cluding bidding for accommodation, as fail- ure to do this can mean their benefits being taken away. Clients always leave with a pack-up, and we have the benefit of our Food for Thought daily service. Longer term,we are looking to acquire ac- commodation so that permanent emergency shelter is available to serve the homeless and vulnerable people throughout the year. I recognise the huge effort made by part-


ners to ensure we respond to individual need.We are blessed to have somany caring people in Maidstone. Thank you. Mike FitzGerald, chairman, Homeless Care The Day Centre Charity.


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zens abroad.” This role is far removed from Minister of Sport. He won his spurs in that office. At 51, Hugh too is a young, but experienced politician.Watch this space!


Maidstone needs Fran MAIDSTONE’S Lib Dems have


been through a turbulent few months, with a small but more


militant faction making much political noise. The long-standing Lib Dem leader on Maidstone Council, Cllr FranWilson,was unhappy with some of their statements and emerging campaigns and tried to con- trol them. This came to a headwhen she offered to


resign both as leader and from the coun- cil. That triggered a major group meeting when she received an “overwhelming vote of confidence”. This has established her position as


leader very strongly – and will influence all Lib Dem thinking, including in the constituency. Fran is at the heart of the Lib Dems in Maidstone, and has been for many years. She, the late Malcolm Robertson, Peter Hooper, Mick Stevens and Dan Daley built a successful and respected Lib Dem team. I have always seen it asmostly balanced


and playing a sound role in the council. Had Fran quit, I fear her determination that Lib Dems should “never compromise on integrity and the truth” would have been endangered. Policies must be formed for the good of Maidstone – not to win an election seat. Running Maidstone Council just now is mightily tough. We need the right people in power and opposition.


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


Littering is an awful habit Dear Sir–Iamwriting to inform youthat the area where I live is covered in litter. Fizzy drinks cans lie in the grass and pack- ets of crisps are stuck in bushes and trees. The litter makes the environment look


awful and I don’t understand why people litter the very place where they live. Sometimes, my dad and I go out with plastic bags and tidy up our neighbourhood. When we have finished, we are shocked to see so much rubbish in our bags. Most of the rubbish consists of cans. However, some of it is plastic bags, sweetwrappers, cardboard boxes and plastic bottles. It is a shame when Kent is such a beauti-


ful county that people litter it in the way they do. I feel the council should start to place more bins around, or at least try to clean up more often. My family have in- formed the council many times, but they often don’t reply. My house is right next to Cuckoo Wood,


nearWoodcut, and in the forest, dogs leave their mess everywhere, and people some- times dump their litter in there. It is not so bad if this is purely organic waste, but we are often pulling out plastic containers and plastic sheeting, as well as dumped house- hold items. Hopefully, by writing to you, some of the people who read this will understand that littering is an awful habit and because they litter, their own environment gets dirtier


and dirtier. Maria Bragin (year 6, Sandling Primary School),Woodcut, Maidstone


Mall victim of council plan Dear Sir – The front cover of your October issue says that the £8 million plan proposed for the Mall development will probably be scrapped . They (the council) blame the Next Home development at Eclipse Park. But I thought the council approved that


plan? I despair! I enjoy your paper though, and find it very informative. Thank you. Barbara Gilbert, Poplar Grove, Maidstone


Editor’s note: Our story stated that The Mall shopping centre was opposed to the Next store, not Maidstone Council


We need a new theatre Dear Sir – Dennis Fowle says in Mail Marks (October) that the main obstacle to a big new theatre for Maidstone is financial. To many residents of Maidstone this does not always ring true. The Hazlitt Theatre is not large enough to


take bigger shows or more famous enter- tainers. It is easy to say there are other the- atres in Kent – and London is only an hour away. But that puts up the cost of a good evening out. Let’s get others coming to Maidstone to boost our economy. Lena Simmons – by email.


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