News Schools merge
as head quits THE village school in Ulcombe is to join forces with a neighbouring pri- mary school, following the resigna- tion of its head. Vincent Hampton left Ulcombe
Church of England Primary School at the end of October, after six years in the post, to gain experience of work- ing in an urban environment, with more challenging students. Instead of re-appointing mid-
year, the school governors have de- cided to form a collaboration with nearby Kingswood Primary School until the end of the summer term 2014. Kingswood’s head Emma Hickling will act as executive head, with responsibility for both schools. Each school will have a teacher in
charge who will deputise in the ab- sence of the executive head. A spokesman for the governors said: “The school’s governing body is grateful for the many and varied contributions Mr Hampton made to the school and the community and wishes him every success. Mr Hamp- ton will be missed for his commit- ment to the children and the school and his outreach to the community.” Mr Hampton involved the school
in church services and village events, inviting the whole community to school productions.
downsmail.co.uk
Alan blows whistle on his career on railways
RAILusers made an off-peak return journey to Bearsted Station to let Alan Beeching know he’s a first class guy.
Alan (65), who has been sending Southeastern rail passengers off with a cheery whistle and a smile from Bearsted Station for 18 years, was overwhelmed by the turnout bymore than 50 passengers at the end of his final shift in the ticket office. Commuters Nicki Rowland-Hill
and Jackie Colwell organised a cake, champagne and for the choir from Celebrate Maidstone to join them in the booking hall for a rendition of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. Nicki said: “Alan remembers every-
one, will do anything to help and puts a smile on your face in the morning. He just gives that little extra, which is so endearing in a world where good customer service is so rare.” Another local commuter, Mrs Tate,
said: “He puts up with me turning up at the last minute, every time. He is very special.” Neil Pattison, Celebrate Maidstone chairman, said: “He will be a real loss to Bearsted.” Alan, who started work on the line nearly 44 years ago, admits he’s
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cheeky, but knows where to draw the line. “I just feel, if I can send someone
out of the booking hall with a smile on their face, they are starting a happy journey. People are what make a job and they have made this one, one I will really miss,” he said. He says a new golf driver might be
on the cards after commuters col- lected more than £300 for him. He also received a caricature of himself, painted by Bill and Ben the Cartoon Men from Bearsted. The father-of-two, who lives in Ashford with his wife, shares a sur-
Alan Beeching gets a farewell kiss when commuters threw a party for him after his final shift at Bearsted station
name with Dr Richard Beeching, whose report to the Government in 1963 led to the closure of thousands of railway stations. Alan was born in Rye, served as a conductor on the buses in London and started out on the platform at Gillingham in February, 1971. He said: “While I got my leg pulled for being a Beeching, I’ve since looked back through my family tree and can state hewas no relative of mine.” Alan became a shunter before pro- motion to freight guard at Strood, doing a stint on the trains as a con- ductor, before moving to Bearsted.
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