downsmail.co.uk


News


Campaign to boost pet care


A NEW community initiative is being set up to help promote re- sponsible pet ownership in Maid- stone. The Maidstone Pet Partnership is formed of local vets, councillors, community and voluntary organisa- tions, schools and businesses. The partnership has been set up by


Léonie Harrington on behalf of Maid- stone RSPCA to help combat the in- creasing problem of too many cats and not enough homes – partly be- cause of non-neutering and also own- ers abandoning their animals in times of financial difficulty. Léonie said: “New partners are


joining every week and what each partner brings to the table will be slightly different.” The first campaign – the “9 Lives”


cat neutering campaign – was being launched on Tuesday, February 4, at


County Hall, by KCC chairman Cllr Eric Hotson and Daphne Harris, chair of Maidstone RSPCA. Jenny Whittle, KCC cabinet mem-


ber for specialist children's services, will be playing a key role in the launch. Future campaigns will focus on micro-chipping for dogs and the pre- vention and treatment of rabbit fly strike. The role of partners is to help raise


awareness about the MPP’s cam- paigns via public meetings, newslet- ters, websites and social media. Posters and flyers will be available for distribution. Léonie said: “I am hoping to


achieve something which I do not be- lieve has been attempted elsewhere, for different organisations to com- bine forces to make a real difference to petwelfare in the community.”


Cadets receiveawards


MAIDSTONE Sea Cadets held its annual presentation evening, with guests in- cluding Maidstone mayor Clive English and KCC chairman Eric Hotson. Cadet of the year was Able


CadetMatthew Sheppard, and the commanding officer’s cup went to Ordinary Cadet Lucas Bishop. Team of the year was the junior section swimming team, two of which went on to represent West Kent in the South of England competition. The Boorman Sword award,


for the individual who had done most in support of the unit, was won by Petty Officer Sam Stevens for her tireless ef- forts in applying for donations and bursaries. The unit in College Road is open to young people aged from 10 to 18, but


Trevor Harrington, of TheWater Conservators with able cadet Mathew Sheppard


adults can also volunteer. The unit can be contacted on 01622 761916 and meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


‘Father’ Mike steps down


THE founding ‘father’of ParkWood MAPS has stepped down after a decade at the helm. Mike FitzGerald was a Maidstone Council cabi- net member when the partnership was set up andwas its chair for four years, as well as chair of the Fusion trustees, until January this year. Mr FitzGerald (75) told


the MAPSAGM that, as the areawas about to em- bark on a period of growth, it was time for people with the youth, drive and determination to take over. He said: “Regeneration offers a


great opportunity to build and grow and deliver sustainability for the fu-


ture – but this will need to be built around a new 3-5 year plan. Given the need to commit to such a timescale, I am standing down.” Building is about to


start on the first phase of Golding Homes’redevel- opment of Wallis Fields and the company’s Keith Mandy told the meeting there could be as many as 100 peopleworking on the site by late Spring.


Mr FitzGerald handed over the chairmanship to Sara Hutchinson (pictured), chairman of Fusion, and added: “ParkWood has trees, green- ery and the basis of a very strong fu- ture.”


Ferris & Co. Independent Estate Agents with property for sale and let


in Maidstone - Kent & surrounding areas


Selling homes in Maidstone since 1982


Transparent fees with no tie in contract and absolutely no


misleading small print OUR FEES ARE JUST


1% + VAT


as sole agent


Call our sales team today!


Bearsted Office Bearsted Green, Bearsted ME14 4QZ


Tel: 01622 737800 Penenden Heath Office


Penenden Heath, Maidstone ME14 2HN


Tel: 01622 671200 www.ferrisandco.net


Find us on Maidstone Town February 2014 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56