downsmail.co.uk Hall could be sold
THE St John Ambulance training hall in Lenham could be sold. The future of the Ham Lane centre
and its neighbouring allotments is being reviewed by the charity. A St John Ambulance spokesman
said: “We are currently consulting with our volunteers to get their opin- ions. If it is decided that the building in Lenham is no longer suitable, we willwork with our local volunteers to establish alternative arrangements so that they can continue their life sav- ing work.” A spokesman for the Lenham unit said: “Whatever hap- pens to the building, the division will continue to operate. These are chang- ing times, I’mafraid, butwe are mak- ing plans for another venue should the charity decide to sell.”
Coach house plan
A SCHEME has been lodged to con- vert a former coach house into a two- bed home in Pilgrims Way, Thurnham. The Trustees of G & CDH Fletcher Discretionary Settlements say there would be “minor alterations to the el- evations” of the building so the plan would not negatively impact Thorn- ham Friars, an early 17th centrury Grade II Listed dwelling with whom it shares the grounds. A supporting statement ruled out conversion to form a holiday let or business use as it would not be considered viable.
News Tragedy in secret hole
A30-year-old man died after becoming wedged in a cavity between two walls at a converted farm building in Otham, an inquest heard.
Therewere signs that Adrian Matthews had made des-
perate attempts to escape from the hole at a former pack- ing shed that hewas renting atHighwoods Farm in Holly Farm Road. But itwas not clearwhy he had gone into the narrow space, the Maidstone hearing was told. Coroner PatriciaHarding heard that AdrianMatthews
had his mobile phonewith him but could not uncross his arms in the tight space to reach it. Detective Sergeant Neil Kimber said: “From the evi-
dence at the scene, I can only imagine he must havemade a frenzied effort to get out.” MrsHarding asked if the cleaner might have been sur-
veying the hole to install electrics in connection with the cultivation of a number of cannabis plants which were growing in the room next door. But the officer said: “There was nothing that we could see that would give absolute clarity on how he died in that cavity.” Mr Matthews was last seen when he left the home of
his friend, Joe Sage, at around 1.30am on Tuesday, Au- gust 27. His bodywas found two days later by Mr Sage’s father, Alan, who owns the property. His son had asked him to check on the tenant after hewas unable to contact
him. In a statement, the owner said Mr Matthews had leased the shed for 12 months to run a motor workshop and had been there for about four weeks. Mr Sage dis- covered Mr Matthews in a hole which had been cut out in the floor since the tenant moved in. Another hole had a ladder giving access to the ground floor room with the cannabis plants. Kent Fire and Rescue Service removed the wall to en-
able paramedics and the police to reach Mr Matthews. Officers found a sheet of plywoodwas lodged under his rib cage and was pushing into his chest. His arms were folded in front of him and his mobile phone was on his chest. He had read a text at 6.35am on August 27 but there were several missed calls and messages later that afternoon. Mrs Harding confirmed the findings of the post mortem that he died from compression of the chest. Recording an open conclusion, she said: “I can conclude that he voluntarily went into the hole. He had his tele- phone with him and was trying to access that but was well and truly stuck.” She added: “It would appear that he tried to get out of the hole but was unable to do so.”
Pub charity’s donations THE Heart of Kent Hospice and Fusion Healthy Living Centre have thanked regulars at The White Horse at Otham for raising money for items for their charitywork. TheWhite HorseCharity (Otham) presented a freezer to Michele Finnemore, from the Fusion centre in ParkWood, and seven TV/DVD players to Katrina Farrell, forwards at the hospice. The charity gave £5,295 in gifts to groups in 2013.
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