News


Shock rise in temporary housing cost


THE cost of providing temporary accommodation for families in Maidstone has quadrupled in the last five years. The annual bill now stands at £440,447 – up from £111,894 in 2008- 09. The figures were revealed by Maidstone Council’s head of hous- ing, John Littlemore, in response to a Freedom of Information request. The Green Party’s Stuart Jeffery, prospective parliamentary candi- date for Maidstone and theWeald, who made the request, said he was shocked by the four-fold increase. Hespent a night on the street rais-


ing money for the winter shelter in Maidstone and carried out a couple of shifts there, adding: “This gave me an insight into how difficult it can be.” Healso criticised the Government decision to end the localwelfare as- sistance fund which offers emer- gency loans to those in crisis. He said: “Maidstone is not pro-


viding enough affordable accom- modation and the Government is cutting support for people who need it most.” Last year, KCC received 6,700 ap-


peals for help from the scheme. It needs to discuss the options for con- tinuing the scheme and the cost.


County show diary dates


THIS year’s Kent Show at the Kent County Showground near Detling will run from Friday, July 11, to Sunday, July 13. The EcoVillage is back, and


there will be even more agri- cultural displays, including the Lamb National on Friday and Saturday. The creative craft show, main


ring displays and perform- ances on all three days by the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers, at Chatham, will be among the crowd pleasers. Ticket prices will be the


same as last year, when 75,000 people attended over three days. The show will be open to vis- itors from 8am to 6pm.


Charity river run


THE fourth Maidstone riverside charity run takes place on June 8. The route, which is just over five


miles, starts from Wateringbury and finishes at the Millennium Bridge in town. Entry costs £12 in advance or £15


on the day, in aid of breast cancer research. For details go to run- ningandriding.co.uk.


26 Malling April 2014


downsmail.co.uk


£30,000 plan to create a ‘national treasure’


Acampaign has been launched to raise money for a project to transform the memorial garden at the Royal British Legion Village. Aplan to extend the site off Bent-


ley Close,Aylesford, and include a bandstand, parade ground, am- phitheatre seating, and the relo- cated war memorial and urn, was given the go-ahead by Tonbridge and Malling Council. The esti- mated cost is £30,000. Horticultural students from Had-


low College will be involved in planting and designing the soft landscaping of the site which will be part of the RBLI’s World War I centenary commemorations. Work will begin in May and is ex-


pected to be complete by autumn. RBLI vice-chairman Stephen Kingsman said the garden would be refurbished “with great sensitiv- ity” to the memories of the fallen. The RBLI said: “This exciting


transformation will create a setting that will not only honour those who serve but will be a place of re- flection and enjoyment for all those who live, work and visit the Royal British Legion Village.”


Aweb page has been opened for people to play “a key role in the creation of a national treasure”. To donate, go to the website


www.justgiving.com/gardenofho- nour


Carnival to celebrate the arts


THERE will be a carnival atmos- phere in Maidstone this summer when the town stages a parade of arts and culture. The town centre will be burst-


ing with colour, music and fun on Saturday, July 5, as more than 40 arts and voluntary organisations parade from County Hall to Ju- bilee Square, viaWeek Street and FremlinWalk. This will be followed by a showcase of Maidstone talent. The event, which is being or-


ganised and partly funded by the Maidstone Town Team and the Maidstone Area Arts Partnership, is the first to receive a grant from the Make Maidstone Smile fund – a Maidstone Council scheme to encourage art and cultural devel- opment. Ken Scott, chairman of Maid-


stone Town Team’s events group, said: “Maidstone has such a wealth of art and culture. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and showcase the town’s talent.”


Every parade needs good cos-


tumes and 16 textile artists have been trained to help groups de- sign and create theirs. From the fun to the flamboyant, support for costume design and creation will be given at one of five workshops happening be- tween now and July. Schools, arts and voluntary or- ganisations that want to be in- volved can call project manager Richard Gretton on 07802 425022 or email grettonr@gmail.com.


Burglar found behind bin Charity chief


APROLIFIC thief and burglar who stole from cars and garages in Snodland has been jailed for two years. Police found Jason Higgins (43), formerly of Ingram Close, Larkfield, hiding behind a wheelie bin after a bur- glary in Veles Road last year.


When offi-


cers searched his vehicle, they found more than 50 stolen items linking him to other crimes, including an attempted burglary and thefts from motor vehicles. Asearch of Higgins led to the dis-


covery of car keys belonging to ve- hicles including a Ford, Fiat and a


BMW. He also had a large screw- driver and a torch. A pick axe and hammer were


found in his Renault Megane, as well as stolen property including a TV, awallet, a container of fuel and a socket set. Higgins was charged with bur-


glary and with thefts from three motor vehicles. He was also charged with an attempted bur- glary as well as driving while dis- qualified and with no insurance. He appeared at Maidstone Crown Court where he denied all the charges. He was sentenced to a total of 24 months for the offences, which included three months for breaching a suspended sentence in 2012.


Higgins was also disqualified


from driving for a minimum of 12 months and ordered to pay a vic- tim surcharge of £100.


admits fraud FORMER Age Concern Malling boss Keith Austin has admitted de- frauding the charity. Austin was accused of stealing £217,553 between March 2009 and September 2011 while he worked as chief officer of the charity, based in Norman Road,West Malling. But Maidstone Crown Court


heard, when the 63-year-old en- tered his plea, that he disputed the amount.


Sentencing was adjourned until


after June 12 to hear evidence about the sum of money involved. The judge was told that Austin,


of Tovil Green Court, Tovil, who was appointed to the Age Concern role in 2002, had recently suffered the tragic and unexpected loss of his wife. He had received treat- ment for cancer andwas not awell man.


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