downsmail.co.uk
Easter ‘rave’ disturbs peace
MAIDSTONE Council has apolo- gised for allowing a “rave” that shattered the Easter Sunday peace for residents across the town. Noise from the all-day and late-
night music event – ‘Landed 2014’ – in Whatman Park could be heard up to a mile away, causing 72 resi- dents to complain to the council. Dozens of nesting birds were al- legedly distressed and disturbed by the din, fleeing their nests in a state of panic. Allington ward Cllr Dan Daley,
who was one of those to suffer, went down to the site to remon- strate with the organisers. He said the noise began around noon and went on until 10.30pm. He added: “This was Easter Sunday – and even the major shopswere shut as a gesture of its significance.” The council has accepted that, al- though noise levels were within those permitted by the licence, it was “unacceptable”. A spokesman said: “We would
like to apologise to residents for the inconvenience caused. We have had lots of complaints and al-
though we did put noise restric- tions in place, we realise that the levels and the times were inappro- priate for Easter Sunday. “Although the festival ran very smoothly, the impact on residents on this occasion was unacceptable. Lessons will be learnt.” North ward Cllr Tony Harwood
felt the event was ill judged given itwas at the height of the wildfowl nesting season – when chicks were in the nests and vulnerable to de- sertion if parents were frightened away. He said: “It is particularly ironic that a spring festival based on nature's re-birth saw so many birds driven away from their nests by the disturbance and din. “The politicians and officers in-
volved in sanctioning this event must be made accountable for the damage they have done. Heads must roll.” Sharon Thomas, from Kerry Hill
Way, said: “Our lives were made a total misery by the music volume and the vibration. I, along with nu- merous other residents, logged noise complaints.”
BEARSTED & THURNHAM BOWLING CLUB
We have a totally new, high quality, all weather and all year round playing surface, with floodlighting. We are now open to new members and visitors
alike and offer free ‘taster sessions’ and excellent coaching.
Bowls is a sport for everybody, whatever your age! Come and join us for a friendly introduction to the sport. Telephone Barry Patey on 01622 730336 for further information or Trevor Coleman on 01732 840261 for details of Saturday morning coaching for children.
The club and its members would like to thank our Parish Councillors for their support, in helping deliver these outstanding facilities for the community.
Riding School Approved Riding School Making Riding Fun!!
FIND US AT BLUEBELL HILL Family friendly yard with
lessons for all abilities Our superb facilities include: • Lovely internal stables • 60m x 30m arena • Indoor arena to accommodate lunge and first ridden clients
• Superb off road hacking • Special needs & riding for the disabled SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS
Birthday Parties catered for
Call Hayley for a chat 01634 681000 or 07713 323968 or email
i.squirrell@sky.com www.squirrellsridingschool.co.uk
Open Day 14th June 1pm - 5pm
FREE ADMISSION
News Welcome to Kent’s first little library
MAIDSTONE’s first Little Free Li- brary has opened. Inspired by the American book-sharing phenomenon that has seen nearly 15,000 open worldwide, the mini community library in Lenfield Avenue, Vin- ters Park is also the first of its kind in Kent. Its
creator, Catherine
Crowhurst (pictured), was so taken with the idea of sharing her love of reading that she roped husband Shane into help- ing her convert an egg house into the free library over the Easter break. The self-confessed bookworm, who married this year, has enjoyed
swapping books since her days backpacking, when she discovered book crossing. She said: “Basically, when you travel fromhostel to hostel, you leave
the books you’ve finished for fellow travellers to pick up. Followers have an ID number that they put inside, so you can share reviews and track the book’s journey. “I’ve left books on a train to Bangkok and a bench at Heathrow and
it got me thinking about creatingmy own little library.” The Little Free Library concept was born in 2009 by Todd Bol and
Rick Brooks, fromWisconsin, USA, as away to exchange books and pro- mote literacy and the love of reading worldwide. Catherine said: “I’m very pleased with my little library and how it’s
been received.” The free library works if users take a book and return one, or two,
back to a free library. She added: “It doesn’t work if they just become a dumping ground
for old books. These are books you want to share with others.” She now hopes to open another mini free library in Dartford, where
she works for DHL at Sainsbury’s distribution depot. You can read more about the concept at
www.littlefreelibrary.org.
STONE GREEN NURSERIES
www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk
We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets.
Wholesale Nursery open to the public May 16th - 18th and 30th - 31st and 1st June
We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual. Huge range and fair prices
We invite you to our open days
Your selection will come from our growing beds, you can’t buy fresher
If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast.
*Shrubs*Trees*Herbaceous perennials*Climbers* *Large plants for instant impact* 9am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun and BHM.
Truly a gardener’s paradise Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET
Please remember we are only open on these dates We accept most major credit cards
For detailed directions please use website Follow day –glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden Maidstone East May 2014 25
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