News Gypsy plan
turned down A PLAN to put 10 mobile homes and 10 touring caravans in Ul- combe for gypsies has been refused after a string of objections. William Stacey’s application for
land behind Vine Cottage in Pye Corner included a travelling show- room and utility block. Maidstone Council turned it down after re- ceiving letters from neighbours such as Jan Dunkley, who wrote: “The increase would dominate the local community. Ulcombe is a small villagewhich already has too many pitches. “The primary school will suffer
with all traveller/gypsy children entering the school ... which results in parents notwanting to send their children to their village school.” Neighbours Paul and Marilyn Sparks wrote: “The mobile homes would be clearly visible from local houses and the public footpath.” Ulcombe Parish Council wrote:
“The consequential dominance fac- tor of the nearest settled commu- nity is of great concern, as is the unsuitability of the site in terms of traffic infrastructure on a potholed single unmetalled track.” Maidstone Council said the de-
velopmentwould be an “incongru- ous feature in the countryside” leading to “demonstrable harm”.
downsmail.co.uk
Goat sanctuary marks 25 years of rescuework
THE Mayor of Maidstone helped mark 25 years of goat rescue when he dropped in to Buttercups in Boughton Monchelsea. The sanctuary for goats started in
1989 when founder Bob Hitch took in a couple of goats which needed re-homing. Before he knew it, his flock had grown, along with his reputation as a goat saviour. Buttercups is the only registered
goat charity in the UK and takes in goats suffering from cruelty, neg- lect and starvation – or who are simply abandoned by their owners.
After hearing Bob outline the his-
tory of the sanctuary, the Mayor congratulated Bob for hiswork and presented him with a plaque to mark the occasion. During the summer, the sanctu-
Mayor Cllr Thick (left) and Bob Hitch Although Bob Hitch knew the
mayor, Cllr Richard Thick,was due to visit, he didn’t realise he would be on the receiving end of his own accolade.
Village charity calendar to be unveiled
THE wraps will soon be off the 2015 Staplehurst Calendar. Thanks to the support of the Hop Press, Marden, and local advertisers,
the cost of the annual calendar has been kept to just £4. This year’s calendar features pen and ink drawings of various scenes
and landmarks in Staplehurst which have historic connections. It will be un- veiled at The Staplehurst Photographic Society Exhibition on Saturday, October 18. The exhibition takes place in the The Margaret Howard Hall, Chapel
Lane, when the calendars will be on sale. This year the proceeds will be di- vided between the village’s three churches – All Saints’ Church, The United Reformed Church and Staplehurst Free Church.
ary opens its gates to the public every Sunday, with the first Sunday each month designated a family day when visitors can wander among the 150 goats. They are all friendly and very happy to be fed the bags of carrot slices on
sale.Vis- itors can also enjoy refreshments, buy souvenirs and browse stalls. In winter, it’s a case ofwellies and
waterproofs on those first Sundays when visitors arewelcome towan- der in the mud. This year, researchers from
Queen Mary University in London have been carrying out a range of experiments to test the goats’ intel- ligence and visitors were able to witness some of the results. It costs £400 a day to run the sanctuary without unexpected out- goings – such as a bill for £1,000 to fix one goat’s broken leg.
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