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Lib Dems pip Tories at poll
JUST six votes separated theTories from the victorious Lib Dems in the Staplehurst by-election. The winner of the seat on Maid-
stone Council was PaulinaWatson (pictured), who snatched the seat from under the nose of Tory rival Louise Brice. The Lib Dem victory means the Tories now hold 24 of the 55 seats on the council, while the Lib Dems have 20, Inde- pendents five, UKIP four and Labour two. The by-elec- tion result was
declared at 11.30pm, 90 minutes after the polls closed at Staplehurst Village Centre. The result was a further blow for
the Conservatives on Maidstone Council, who lost long-serving member Richard Lusty within days of a new minority administration being selected by the Tories follow-
RUNNERSandwalkers looking for a colourful way to support their local hospice are invited to sign up to the Heart of Kent Hospice’s 5K course at Mote Park. Participants in the event on Sun-
day, September 28, will be show- ered with coloured powders as they make their way round the course.
Registration opens at 9am, and
entry is £15 for adults, £10 for those aged between 12 and 16, and £5 for under 12s. Teams of eight adults pay £100. More details aswell as terms and conditions can be found at
www.hokh.org. To book, email
fundraising@hokh.co.uk or call 01622 790195.
LANDLORDS in Maidstone and residents on the housing register have a newway to find each other. Maidstone Council has teamed
up with
homehunt.co.uk to offer free listings for landlords and an al- ternative place for people on the housing register to find a home. The project is part of Maidstone Homefinders, a range of schemes designed to help make sure every- one has a decent place to live. For residents who need help to
get a home in the private rented sec- tor, the website advertises proper- ties where the landlord has agreed
Results PaulinaWatson (Lib Dem) 609
Louise Brice (Con) 603 Jamie Kalmar (UKIP) 311 John Randall (Lab) 117 David George (Green) 41
ing the May election. UKIP candidate Jamie Kalmar
came third in the by-election, with Labour’s John Randall fourth and the Green’s David George in fifth place. There was a 35% turnout at the polls – higher than for many seats in the local elections. Cllr Watson (61), who is Dutch,
came to England from Holland in 1973 to learn English. A former manager in social care for KCC, she wasmade redundant in 2012. CllrWatson admits she is new to politics, butwas persuaded to stand for election after hearing the huge amount of opposition from friends and neighbours to the huge housing expansion planned for Staplehurst.
Colourful run Cider thief
A LENHAM man admitted five counts of stealing cider and beer. Matthew Hazelby (43), of Robins Close, stole two bottles of cider and a sandwichworth a total of £13 from a service station on Ashford Road, Harrietsham. Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court
heard that two days later he took three bottles of cider worth £11 from the premises. He also stole two bottles of cider worth £8.18 from a shop in Honywood Road, Lenham, and two days later took another bottle of cider worth £4.09.Helater took beer worth £16 from a shop in Lenham. He was ordered to carry out 195 hours un- paid work and pay £36.27 com- pensation and £85 costs.
Help to find a place to live
to accept aHomeFinder bond from Maidstone Council in lieu of a de- posit. The cabinet member for housing,
Cllr Marion Ring, said: “Working with Home Hunt makes it easy for landlords to advertise, and easy for residents to apply.” Landlords are sent applications
from interested tenants, and can choose a tenant for their property. Interested tenants should visit
homehunt.co.uk, while landlords can find out more by emailing
homefinders@maidstone.gov.uk or calling 01622 602750.
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My sister and I are the main carers for our elderly mother who lives alone a few miles away from both of us. She has always been a fiercely independent lady and has loved her home where she has lived for 40 years. It’s where her main memories of husband and family lie. After a few years of increasing confusion, she has now received a dementia diagnosis, apparently in early stage. We are both very reluctant to put her into a care home. Can home care help in this situation?
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Yours sincerely Pauline S
Dear Pauline,
The question for you and your sister is “what course of action will be in your mother’s best interest?” Home care can work very well for some people especially where there are strong local relationships, say with neighbours or church groups because they can remain in contact with what is familiar to them. This often provides valuable reassurance in a situation which causes very real stress to those affected and their families. Regular visits from skilled carers can check regularly on well- being and safety, ensure adequate food intake and nutrition and ensure that medication is taken at the appropriate times. As the condition develops, regular contact with familiar faces offers reassurance, especially when the carers are trained in basic dementia coping strategies. You and your sister will obviously want to be at the heart of the care arrangements but carefully coordinated home care visits can help share the burden. Best wishes
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager Bluebird Care
• 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 September 2014
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