News Musicians to


inspire pupils SOUNDHUB, the music education hub for Kent, is teaming up with the Music@Malling Festival to de- velop music groups in six primary schools. The project will involve profes-


sional musicians working with schools by mentoring teachers and developing ensembles with chil- dren who are learning musical in- struments. Musicians Thomas Kemp, Matthew Sharp andAdam McKen- zie began working with schools in March and children have spent the spring composing and rehearsing for a concert. Schools taking part include Dis-


covery, King’s Hill, Wateringbury CE Primary, Trottiscliffe CE Pri- mary and Offham CE Primary. Each will have four coaching ses-


sions, which will culminate in a concert at St George’s Church, Wrotham, onWednesday, May 21. The project is based around the


music of Benjamin Britten. Each school ensemble will compose a march, variation or dance to per- form alongside their mentoring musicians and the Chamber Do- maine ensemble.


Baby classes set for award


MUSICAL Bumps, a provider of music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in East Malling, has been nominated in the category ‘Best National Baby and Toddler Development Activity’ in the What's On 4 2014 Junior Awards. Founder and director Sarah


Marsh Carling said: “I’m so proud that Musical Bumps has been nom- inated for this national award. Our teachers all come from a musical background and have a passion for sharing their love of music with young children and their families.” Musical Bumps classes give ba-


bies, toddlers and pre-school chil- dren an early start in music in a relaxed and friendly environment. For further details call 01732 321217 or visit www.musical- bumps.com.


Promises for sale


ST Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Aylesford, will be holding an auc- tion of promises in the Brassey Rooms, Station Road, Aylesford at 7pm on Saturday, June 7. Admission is free but be pre-


pared to barter for some fun items or offers of tasks to be undertaken. Bring your own alcoholic drinks


– soft drinks and nibbles will be provided. For more details call Sandra on


01622 710674 or Frances on 01622 875032


26 Malling May 2014


Age Concern Malling chief executive Penny Nicholls (centre) with (from left) astle Lake general manager Lisa Joseph; the RevMatthew Buchan, Leybourne Church, and Emma Moger and Helen Steeden, of MAD Starfish


Drugs raid arrests


SIX menwere arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after a team of al- most 40 police officers raided five addresses across Snodland. At about 8am onApril 22, officers searched the properties in Simpson Road, Nevill Place andWillowside, after intelligence indicated that drug use and supply was taking place within the town and that it was causing quality-of-life issues for local residents. The suspects, aged from 31 to 61, included a 47-year-old local man, who was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply heroin. Substances believed to be ClassAdrugswere also seized. All the menwere released on bail until June 11. The operation was planned by Snodland’s neighbourhood police officers. Afterwards, PCSOs carried out foot patrols throughout the town to reassure residents and to


downsmail.co.uk


Grace Jones joins stars at Hop Farm festival


APOPULARthree-day music event is set to return to theHop Farm, with a star-studded line-up of acts promising fun for all the family. The plug was pulled on last


Joining them on the main stage


year’s Hop Farm Music Festival fol- lowing poor ticket sales, but a range of acts have already been signed up by a new promoter who is ready to rock’n’roll at the Pad- dockWood venue from July 4-6. Headline act for the closing con-


cert on the Sunday night is the stat- uesque superstar diva Grace Jones. Although it is almost 30 years


since her hit single “Slave to the Rhythm”, Jones still has a voice to command the crowds. Other top names over the weekend are for- mer Kinks lead singer Ray Davies and ex-Beach Boy BrianWilson.


will be Curtis Stigers, James Blunt, 10cc, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Scouting for Girls and Billy Ocean. A second music stage will see


artists as diverse as Nick Lowe, Maximo Park, Marc Almond and Charlotte Church, while the late- night comedy tent has a host of top names lined up for those who can stay awake into the wee small hours, headed by larger-than-life funny woman Jo Brand. Music promoter Vince Power founded the original Hop Farm Music Festival six years ago and has threatened to set up a rival gig


in Tunbridge Wells, but no details have so far been announced. The Hop Farm has developed a reputation in recent years for put- ting on all-round family entertain- ment and the Music Festival has been a draw for families from all over the South East,many camping for the whole weekend, others waiting until the day to decide. This year, aswell as the two main stages, there is to be the introduc- tion of several other areas such as a Jazz & Blues lounge, Comedy Big Top, Kidz Field and Silent Disco, along with Themed Bars and Gour- met Food.


Charity quiz


A QUIZ Night organised by Ley- bourne charity MAD Starfish raised an impressive £744 for Age Concern Malling. More than 130 people attended


the event at the Castle Lake hotel, Leybourne, forming 20 teams. The prize for the winning team was an evening buffet for eight at the hotel. The event, sponsored by Castle


Lake, included nibbles, a charity game and a raffle. The MAD Starfish fundraising


team supports a different charity each year. Contact them on ley- bournecharity@gmail.com or visit Facebook MAD Starfish Leybourne.


Parking fines


MAIDSTONE Council issued 30,848 parking fines to motorists last year – the ninth highest num- ber for any council outside London. The figures were revealed by Churchill Insurance, which re- quested the figures under the Free- dom of Information Act. It found fines by local authorities


keep them updated on the work that had been carried out. Chief Inspector Mark Hutcheon


said: “This enforcement had two strands to it; the first was around disrupting groups of people who are looking to use or sell controlled substances, the second is around addressing the issues that come about from their offending, such as anti-social behaviour and theft.”


last year totalled about £255m, ex- cluding tickets issued by the police and private companies. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells councils also found their way into the top 10 local authorities outside of London, issuing the most tickets per head of population, with Maid- stone coming sixth, and Tunbridge Wells fifth. A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “Our parking en- forcement officers work to make sure traffic can flow freely around Maidstone, maintain access for emergency services, and give everyone a chance to get a parking space close where theywant to go.”


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