downsmail.co.uk River depth has been lost


Dear Sir – Your January edition had an interesting leer from Bill Young about the effect of silt on flood levels. As a boy in the late 1940s and early 1950s I kept my sailing dinghy at Barnes boatyard at Tovil, so I knew the Medway verywell. To find the best fishing places for roach and bream, my friends and I surveyed the river and took depth readings all the way from Tovil to Farleigh lock. The riverwas 13 to 13 6ins in the centre andwell out towards the banks. I understand it is now about 3 6ins to 4. In the 17th or 18th century, the riverwas canalised all theway up to Tonbridge to take the large barges, whichwere hauled by gangs of men. As a boy I can remember two of these bargeswere derelict just below Tovil; they were big andwould have needed that 13 depth. Since the volume ofwater carried by the river is defined as the cross-section of the river multiplied by the velocity, it is obvious that the capacity of the Medway is now a third of what it was when the river was dredged. Maybe the solution is to dredge the river up to Tonbridge once again. Perhaps the Environment Agency would care to comment. Peter Malby, by email


We spent £45 million in the last financial year on improving river flow, including dredging and weed clearance. However, dredging is oen not the best long- term or economic solution compared with other flood risk measures such as building walls or providing storage upstream. In many cases, dredging will not reduce the risk of flooding, simply because many rivers quickly silt up again as part of their natural processes.We therefore focus our efforts on dredging at those locations where it has a proven benefit of reducing flood risk. Dredging or de-silting of some rivers, including the Medway, is now carried out for navigation purposes on a risk-based approach. As part of the River Medway’s annual maintenance programme, we undertake a 10-week programme of dredging between March and June each year. Response by Environment Agency


Tree killer needs aention


Dear Sir – I hope the Government, councils and highways agencies have taken notice of the damage that has been done to our countryside by the winter storms. Ivy has taken hold of our trees and hedgerows, and is killing the oak trees. The fir trees at the end ofWillington Street out on to the A20 must be dangerous, because fir roots run shallow in the ground and these trees are really tall. I ama pensioner in my 70s, and can remember oak trees in Mote Park with no ivy growing, but now it’s sad to say they may not be there much longer. It’s about time someone realised the dangers it’s causing, and did something


Contact our team ...


Stephen Eighteen Editor stephen@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 231


22 Malling February 2014 Diane Nicholls


Assistant editor diane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 232


Jane Shotliff


Journalist jane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


Dawn Kingsford


Journalist dawn@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


about it before all the trees and habitat have disappeared. Having been born and grown up in the countryside, it’s sad to see it slowly dying. A Goodwin, Mangravet Avenue, Maidstone


The rough weather has certainly exposed the tireless march of ivy around our roadside trees, with long loops of the stuff creating huge swathes, like curtains, hanging loosely across our country lanes. Not only do these pose a hazard to motorists, oen hiding a solid tree trunk behind them, but le unchecked, this ferocious climber will strangle our trees. By its very nature, its tough leaves resist sprays and shrug off pesticides, but once it gets its feet in the ground it doesn’t know when to stop and the only successful way I have found of removing it is by hand – roots and all. Hopefully, the powers that be will know of a more skilled – and quicker – way of removing this rampant demon, which needs stopping before it takes over. Response by Dawn


Test kit is a lifesaver


Dear Sir – It seems that every day the media comes up with a “bad news” story about the failings of the NHS. There is no doubt that around the country many people have been badly let down by their local healthcare services, but Iwould like to tell a different and very personal “good news” story about Maidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust. In September 2013 I showed a positive result for the NHS bowel cancer screening test.Asubsequent camera examination and CT scan showed I had a large cancerous tumour in the upper section of my colon. Thiswas successfully removed in early November by keyhole surgery, followed by a five-day stay in Maidstone Hospital. Iwant to shout about the superb treatment I received throughout the whole diagnosis and treatment process at Maidstone Hospital. The rapid response from the screening test, the professional skill and treatment from the colorectal surgery team, the care and commitment of the nursing staff in Pye OliverWard, and even the hospital food, all deserve high praise. I anticipate that I will make a full and lasting recovery from bowel cancer, which, in addition to my outstanding treatment, is also due to an early detection by the screening test. Sadly, Iwas informed by one of the specialist nurses that only 50% of these test kits are returned. Iwould like to advise anyone who receives a screening test kit in the post to complete the test and return it as instructed. Believe me, it is a potential lifesaver. What have you got to lose? If your test is negative, you have peace of mind; if positive, you can be certain of receiving some of the best treatment available from a dedicated team of caring people. Richard Baker, Grove Green


Balance to be applauded


Dear Sir – The Downs Mail’s drive for editorial political balance at election times (Mail Marks) is to be applauded. If only all local newspaperswere so balanced – I have now given up on local newspapers, who are suckers for blatant and unending propaganda. Martin James, Maidstone (by email)


Thanks Martin. Unlike most of the national newspapers, we don’t ‘back’ any political party but simply lay out the positions of political parties and allow voters to decide. Response by Stephen


Is cricket festival lost?


Dear Sir –Will Maidstone Rugby Club’s decision not to relinquish its lease before expiry in 2016 now mean the much-loved annual Kent cricket festival will not return to The Mote? What a huge gap this leaves in Maidstone’s social life. Roger Love, Loose.


Kent Cricket Club still says its wish is to return to The Mote if ground facilities are modernised. The Mote CC says the rugby decision will cause a delay – but the club hopes to modernise facilities by 2017. Response by Dennis Fowle, chairman of Mote CC development commiee


So grateful formy carer


Dear Sir – Carers have had a bad press lately, but the oneswe have in this area are the best. I aman amputee and wheelchair dependant, so they help me to do things I am otherwise unable to do. Whenwe had the very badweather andwewere told to expect power cuts, my morning carer came with a flask of hot boiledwater for me to make a drink if the powerwent off. She also did the same for other people. What a lovely caring carer. I feel so lucky to have someone like her to help me. Why do we only hear about bad carers? Bertha Rose, Glebe Gardens, Lenham


Search for kind ladies


Dear Sir – On July 24, 2012, at around 2pm, I had a fall in Maidstone High Street outside the NatWest bank. Iwas one of those who fell foul to the High Street regeneration works and spent two weeks in hospital, where I had major surgery. I have been trying to locate the two ladies who came to my aid at the time and looked aer me sowell and stayed with me until the ambulance came. One of the ladies put her jacket under my le arm because the groundwas so hot. I really want them to come forward so I can thank them personally. Linda Jones, Lunsford Lane, Larkfield If anybody would like to come forward, please email me and I will pass on your details. Response by Stephen


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