Volunteer Mike’s dedication rewarded


FORMER Maidstone borough councillor Mike FitzGerald has won the lifetime achievement award as part ofCelebrate Maid- stone 2014. The awards, now in their third year, are or- ganised by Jubilee Church and honour the area’s unsung heroes with an emphasis on volunteers in 2014.Mikewas parish council- lor for Coxheath in 1967 when he devised the World Custard Pie Throwing Champi- onships. He has been at the forefront of vol- untary work in Maidstone for many years. After moving to Chart Sutton, Mike became


a parish councillor for Chart Sutton and Boughton Monchelsea and then borough councillor for over 10 years.Hewas Mayor of Maidstone in 2007/8. It was while Mike’s children were at the


Holy Family School in Park Wood that he started to support charities in this area and assist the local community.Mike helped cre- ate ParkWood MAPS, linking all of the char-


Surgery plan MAIDSTONE Council has granted planning permission for Marsham Street Surgery in Maid- stone to be converted into a four- bedroom house and a one-bedroom flat. The surgerywill move from the


grade II listed building into the NFU Mutual Building in Albion Place alongside St Luke’s Med- ical Centre, later this year. The council is still to deter-


mine an outline proposal for five townhouses on the corner of Hol- land Road and St Lukes Road.


numerous charities and his initiative, theVol- unteer Centre, is still going strong in Maid- stone Town Hall. Chief executive of VAM, Charlotte Osborn- Forde, said: “Mike is one of the most dedi- cated and determined people I have met; he is genuinely passionate about making a dif- ference for people in Maidstone and works tirelessly to do this. Iamdelighted he is being recognised with this award. “The number of people and organisations


Mike FitzGerald receives his trophy from last year’s winner, Trevor Phipps


ities and organisations working in Park Wood. In addition to MAPS, Mike is the chairman of the trustees of Fusion Healthy Living Centre in ParkWood and chairman of Maidstone Christian Care, a charity dedicated to helping the homeless and hungry in Maid- stone. Mike is well known to Voluntary Ac- tion Maidstone (VAM), assisting with


NINE out of 10 residents in Loose want to see more done to tackle dog fouling. Asurvey carried out byAshley


Wakeling on behalf of the North Loose Residents Association and other groups found that 89.4% of people in the area want to see the issue addressed. And 69.3% don’t think the borough council is effective in tackling the issue. Ashley, who stood as theGreen candidate for the area, has been working with Shelley


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that have to thank Mike FitzGerald are too numerous to mention. He has a knack of per- suading people to give their time to help any- one who is in need.” Last year’s winner, head teacher of Bower


Grove School Trevor Phipps, and Charlotte Osborn-Forde brought the exciting news to Mike. Please visit www.celebratemaid- stone.org.uk or call 01622 804356 to nomi- nate the unpaid volunteer who has made a difference in your life.


Call for action on dog fouling


Humphreys from Melrose Close to see what can be done. Shelley, whose home borders


an alleyway, has put up signs in the area warning dog owners to pick up after their pets. She wants to see at least three


bins provided for Westwood Road and Melrose Close. Since Ashley contacted the council, a bin has beenmoved to the end of the alleyway. He said: “This is not a solution. I feel it shows the council aren't willing to engage with the people.”


Bid to fell trees MARGARET Jethwa has ap- plied to fell two protected trees at 8Heathfield Road, Penenden Heath. She wants to remove a sycamore because it may dam- age a wall in the future and a silver birch due to its height. The proposal includes work to two sweet chestnuts, an ash, a thuja and two Lawson cypress trees.


Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


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