News
Funding for businesses hit by floods
FLOOD hit businesses are being encouraged to apply for funding being distributed by Tonbridge and Malling Council from government grants totalling £250,000. Money is being made available to
more than 50 local businesses whose premises have suffered from direct flooding, and further claims are being processed. Firms who have been flooded or
who have suffered losses due to flooding nearby are being encour- aged to apply. In addition, business rate relief is
being offered to all firms that were flooded and 72 have already been given this support. Cllr John Balcombe, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We need to help businesses recover from the devastating effects of the floods. This is a one-off fund- ing opportunity. Businesses must contact us now to get the support they need otherwise they could miss out.” For more information go to on
www.tmbc.gov.uk.
Family fun day THERE will be family fun at Ryarsh village fete at the recreation ground on Saturday, June 28. Attractions include live music,
classic cars, a hog roast, beer tent and food. Parking is available at Brookline Coaches. The event from 1-5pm will be in
aid of Leukaemia Research. Organiser Ba Storey said: “This promises to be the best day out in the region.” For details email dcsryarsh-
parish@aol.com or 01732 872113.
Read all the DownsMail editions online
www.downsmail.co.uk Apprentice scheme success
SIX young people who are the first in the UK to work on a joint apprenticeship scheme with Mi- crosoft and the local authority have been celebrating. KCC organised a “graduation
event” for the six, the first cohort in a joint programme between Kent County Council, Microsoft and training partner QA. They have just completed their
first year, in which they have worked for employers including Call Flow Solutions at East Peck- ham, EIS in Maidstone and Zebra Data Sciences, inWest Malling, Speaking at the ceremony at
14 Malling May 2014
Oakwood House, Maidstone, Roger Gough, KCC Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The seven young people have learned many new skills and gained valuable Microsoft quali- fications. I amdelighted they will all be staying on with their em- ployers and a number of them will be progressing on to a higher apprenticeship programme.” The recruits include: Ben
Wright (21), Aaron Dolley (19) and Matthew Howells (20), Aidan Edwards (19),Thomas Wise (18) and Joshua Fissenden (20).
downsmail.co.uk
New plans ‘still too dense for Kings Hill’
MORE than 250 residents aired their views on plans to build hundreds more homes at Kings Hill at a public meeting.
Fears were expressed about the proposed density of housing and the potential effect on traffic, park- ing and transport. Although developer Liberty Property Trust UK had cut its planned 975 new homes by a third to 635, there was concern that the figure was still too high. One angry resident at the meet-
ing, whichwas called by the parish council, drew loud applause when he told the meeting: “This is still verging on the outrageous. You will be seeing a rabbit warren. This is still too dense. It doesn’t fit in with the character of Kings Hill.” Other concernswere that the pro-
posals would result in another 1,300 cars putting more strain on the area’s roads and parking provi- sion.
Liberty amended its plans for
phase three of the development after extensive public consultation, including a meeting attended by
Residents packed the meeting to discuss revised housing plans for Kings Hill
400 people in July last year when concernswere raised about the lack of school places, traffic and park- ing.
The latest scheme will bring the
total number of properties at Kings Hill to 3,600, but now includes a new primary school as well as a skate park, extension to the com- munity centre, sports facilities and open spaces. Sections of the planning applica- tionwere on display during the af-
ternoon, before the meeting for res- idents to see the proposals and give their views. Cllr DaveWaller, chairman of the
parish council, said it wanted to gauge opinions so it could repre- sent them in its response to the bor- ough council. More than 140 objections on the application were posted on Ton- bridge and Malling Council’s web- site before the deadline for comments closed on May 12.
Neglected dog left tied up in lane
THE RSPCA has appealed for in- formation after a starving dog was founddumpedin a rural lane at East Malling. The female lurcher, named
Peaches, was shivering and tied to a fence. The RSCPAwas called by a concerned member of the publicwhosawasilver hatchback car go slowly up the drive to a farm on Kiln Barn Road, then drive off at speed. The callerwent to investigate and found the abandoned and undernourished dog.
RSPCA inspector Vicky Dawe
said: “This poor little thing was just dumped on this back road and was incredibly forlorn when she was found.Whoknows if she would have survived.” Now being cared for at the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Cen- tre, Peaches is aged about four to six and is described as a very friendly dog with a very lively, waggy tail. Anyone with information
should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
Treasured medals stolen
TWOFirstWorldwar medalswere stolen during a burglary at a house in Mereworth. Raiders smashed a patio door of
a house in Horns Lane before steal- ing cash and other items including the medals awarded to the victim’s great-grandfather. Culprits also took a silver tankard, around £100 and an Xbox games console along with games. Police appealed for information, especially from anyone who has been offered medals for sale. Those stolen are a Victory Medal and a British War Medal (pictured). It is believed both have the name A J Kendall inscribed around the edge.
PC Michelle Marshall said: “These medals have stayed in the family for almost 100 years and are of huge sentimental value to Mr Kendall’s great-grandson.” Anyone with information should
call police on 01622 604244 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
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