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Drivers hit by road closure


WILLINGTONStreet will remain closed to through traffic until August 31. The busy thoroughfare, which


links the A20 Ashford Road with the A274 Sutton Road, is being resurfaced after damage caused by thewet winter. Work on phase one, between Sutton Road and Denton Close, will last for the rest of the summer. The remaining sections ofWilling- ton Street will be repaired in two further phases during the Easter and summer school holidays of 2015. Traffic has been diverted via the


A20 Ashford Road, A249, A229 and A274 Sutton Road. There are 25 fixed and mobile message boards highlighting the works. Crews were said to have been on site seven days a week, working from 7am to 7pm. Other measures have included changes in the town traffic signals and priority given to the A229. The Willington Street park and ride scheme has continued to operate, with access only from the A20. Residents in Shepway have been


able to drive to their homes as nor- mal, but some of those immedi- ately next to the road have not. The council has arranged security pa- trols to reduce concerns about leaving cars parked on the street at night.


Businesses have been using signs


to let customers know they are open as usual. David Brazier, KCC cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “With a project of this magnitude and complexity, disruption is inevitable, but we will be doing our utmost to make sure that this is kept to an absolute minimum. “We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused. There are significant long-term benefits to theworks aswe have designed the repairs to last many years.” The £1.2m scheme will eventu-


ally see the reconstruction of two kilometres of the road between Sutton Road and Deringwood Drive, to replace the lower layers, in places digging down up to half a metre, nearly five times the depth involved in normal resurfacing.


John’s fight to the end


A BEARSTED-born man who spent his life in and out of trouble and worked for the notorious Krays in London has left a legacy in words to raise money for Help for Heroes. John Rogers (pictured)was born in the village, but grew up in children’s


homes across the county, including HeverWarren in Edenbridge. In his book, he says his lifewas “nevermeant to


be easy”, but “he knew trouble – as perpetrator and victim – almost from the day he was born”. His book reflects on being shunted fromhome


to home and, finally, into a life of crime, as a safe- blower. He worked for the Kray twins and later, through one of his fund-raising efforts, metGreat Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in Brazil. His life took a different turn when he joined the


Army and then the Merchant Navy, but even here he was never too far removed from “trou- ble”. The book recalls his business battles and lat-


terly fighting ill health. John coped with Parkinson’s disease and finally, an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which claimed his life in 2013, at the age of 70. Even then, he was battling the NHS for negligence. His book – A Fighter All theWay – is available on Amazon as an e-book.


Show proceeds


THE BEARSTED Green Classic Car Show held in May raised £2,193 for the Kent Air Ambulance Trust. More than 100 classic vehicles


took part in the annual event that drew hundreds of people to the Green.


Organisers have thanked sup- porters. They have already set the date for next year’s summer event: July 19 2015.


Tree safety plea A PLAN to fell an aspen tree at Snowfield, Yeoman Lane, Bearsted, has been accepted. Maidstone Council granted conservation area consent.


Garage scheme AGARAGEcould replace ahomein Detling. Maidstone Council will con- sider the demolition of 83 Hockers Lane to create a garage for No 81.


CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service


ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance


Dear Debbie,


My family like many others are spread around the world on four continents. We have worked out a means of keeping in touch with my children using Skype which is working really well. This technology seems to be too much of a challenge for my parents though. Is it too much to expect a home care agency to help with putting something into place?


Best regards,mp. Tricia W


Dear Tricia, Technology can be a challenge for older people and in this


context “older” starts at a far younger age than for most other uses of the word!


The answer to your question is definitely “yes” but you may have to look a little harder to find the right agency. This would be not be within the normal definition of “Care”.


Good care agencies will do everything they can to help a customer remain in touch and integrate with the modern world and using technology. Having Skype conversations with children in Australia, Talking Books using an iPod or just getting to grips with the current brands of interactive TV’s are all part of what a good care agency can offer.


My team have helped several customers set up technical processes that have improved their quality of life and kept them in touch with family members that would otherwise be beyond reach. If the first grandchild is born in Sydney, then that’s where Grandma would like to be! But if it’s not possible, then a Skype connection makes a fantastic second best alternative! Best wishes


Debbie


• Help with getting up or going to bed


• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care


• Washing or Ironing • Shopping


• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care


• Trips to see friends or relatives


MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530 maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk


www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone East August 2014


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If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk


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