News


downsmail.co.uk Candidates line up for election


THE prospective Parliamentary candidates jostling for the long-held seat of Tory MP Sir John Stanley in Tonbridge and Malling in the upcoming general election are being lined up.


Robert Izzard (67), a retired IT


sales manager from Crowborough, will be standing for Ukip. He will be campaigning on is-


sues including traffic congestion in Malling and the pressure of house building and uncontrolled EU im- migration on the area’s infrastruc- ture and social services. He told the Downs Mail: “Only


Ukip offers the commitment and policies that will be good, by restoring our self-government and democracy to take back control over the key decisions and powers that are in our national interest and put the country first. We can- not do this as a member of the Eu- ropean Union.” The Tonbridge and Malling seat


Cash grants


THE Snodland Partnership has given £3,000 to the town’s Christ- mas lights fund this year. It has also given £5,000 to the Cit-


izens’ Advice; £2,000 to the Godden Trust which helps school leavers to buy books, clothing, tools and helps towards fares. Snodland Town Football Club re-


ceived £2,000 for a mower for its new pitch at Potyns Sportsground, Charlton Athletic Community Trust £2,000 for childrens' football coaching and the town council £1,000 towards its Speed Watch proposal.


Homes hearing THE next phase of development at Kings Hill was due to be debated by councillors on October 14. The meeting of Tonbridge and Malling Council’s planning com- mitteewas delayed while a suitable venue was found to accommodate the hundreds of people who were expected to attend. Itwas due to go ahead at 10am at


the Hadlow Manor Hotel, instead of the council offices. Liberty Property Trust UKwants


to build Phase Three of the Kings Hill development which will in- clude 635 houses, a primary school and skate park.


Tree to be axed A LEANING Scots pine at Oast Cottage, Aldon Lane, Offham should be removed as its roots were creating a large amount of damage to the drive and fence, Tonbridge and Malling Council was told.


Applicant Dr Anthony Crosse


said neighbours agreed the re- movalwould be beneficial.


10 Malling October 2014 Ukip candidate Robert Izzard, Labour’s Claire Leigh and Tory TomTugendhat


has been held by Sir John for 40 years. He will retire ahead of the election, after securing a majority of more than 18,000 at the polls last time.


Former soldier, 40-year-old Conservative TomTugendhat, will fight in his place. The Liberal Democrats,who previously put up borough coun-


cillor Liz Simpson in 2010, told the Downs Mail that the seat had yet to be advertised. Labour, however, has selected


Claire Leigh. Claire grew up on the outskirts


of Tonbridge and attended Tun- bridgeWells Grammar School. She has been an active member of the Labour party for 10 years. Claire, who works for the Lon-


don charity Overseas Develop- ment Institute,


advising


government about post-conflict countries putswomen’s rights and tackling poverty among her pas- sions. She has a degree in history from Cambridge and another in interna- tional relations from Oxford.


Teenager foiled homeless man’s burglary bid


A HOMELESS man who was forensically linked to a burglary in Aylesford has begun a prison sentence of more than two years. A 16-year-old male was alone at


his family home in Hall Road when he heard the letterbox rattle. Looking out of the window, he saw aman standing near their bins before walking out of view. After hearing a further noise, the


boy went into the living room to see the man with his arm bent through a fanlight, attempting to open a larger window. The boy ran across and closed both windows and the offender walked off. The scene was forensically


A busy summer for Stara


IT was another busy three months at SnodlandTownActive Retirement Association (Stara). At the June meeting, members


were entertained by Terry King who told them about Tax, Music and Songs. In July, entertain- ment was performed by Dave and Alan, with some audience participation. August brought the annual meeting. In the past three months, there had been trips to Le Touquet in France with Ray; Eastbourne, and a trip on the Pocohontas to Greenwich with Robin. There was also a lovely mid- summer lunch, organised by Sheila for the group’s charity. The


FREE


stall at the carnival was well sup- plied and well supported. Colin had been organising the monthly lunch club, and again this has been well supported. As usual the group has craft, whist and art classes, tai chi, tenpin bowling and short mat bowls. Future events include an Aus-


trian holiday and a turkey and tinsel event on the Isle ofWight, organided by Marlene. Avisit to Quex Park, barn dance, London theatre trip, charity lunch and a night at the dogs, bowls and ten- pin bowling competitions are coming up. For details about the associa-


tion, contact membership secre- tary Pat, on 01634 242950.


Read the Downs Mail at www.downsmail.co.uk


examined and officers identified the culprit as 26-year-old Robert Remen (pictured), who was arrested on suspicion of the offence. Having pleaded guilty to burglary,


Remen was sentenced to 29 months in prison when he appeared before Maidstone Crown Court. Detective Constable Neil Buckle


said: “When home alone and confronted with someone trying to break into his parents’ house, the young man challenged Remen and prevented him from getting in. “The courts took his previous bad


character into account and sentenced him to nearly two and a half years in prison.”


Solar profits


KINGS Hill Parish Council plans to back a move to get a change in the law to allow local authorities to benefit from the sale of electricity produced on community buildings. Parish CEO Helen Munro spoke to the Downs Mail about the initia- tive promoted by the Kent Associa- tion for Local Councils to bring current legislation up to date with developments in green energy. Parish councils may put solar panels on buildings, but are not al- lowed to financially benefit from the sale of electricity generated. Ms Munro said: “As a parish council we would support such a Kent-wide move to get the law changed. It would be of long-term benefit to residents if it could lead to a reduction in the parish pre- cept.”


Kings Hill Parish Council wants to hear the views of residents by November 3. Email: office@king- shillparish.gov.uk.


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