News
‘Give elderly own parking’
LOCALMPHelen Grant is to take up the plight of older people who have problems with car parking. Although most public car parks
and supermarkets now make wider spaces available for mothers with toddlers and the disabled, not all older people are disabled – but still need more space to get in and out of their cars. The Maidstone and Weald MP
was spurred into action by a letter from a lady in Vinter’s Park, who wrote: “We are not disabled, just pensioners. Most pensioners need a bit of extra space to get in and out of a car. I personally have to open the door fully, so as to swing both legs out and get both feet on the ground before standing up. “Some of my neighbours need a
hand to get from a seated position, especially in a car, to a standing one.” The writer admitted that she
often used the parent and child bays in supermarket car parks where spaceswere tight.However, she has been on the receiving end
of “flak” from some parents. “Iwas thinking that carrying a badge which said 'I am a pensioner and need extra room to exit my car, thank you for understanding' per- haps would help,” she added. The MP has already spoken with
Tesco in Tovil and Sainsburys in Romney Place and is in touch with Age UK and the local authorities. Neither Sainsburys nor Tesco said it would tackle the issue. However, Mrs Grant wants to
hear from anyone who experiences problems and said: “If there is ap- petite for change then we should see to it that something is done.” The MP can be contacted by post
at her constituency office at Maid- stone East Station Forecourt, Sta- tion Road, Maidstone, ME14 1QN, or you can send an email to
helen.grant.mp@
parliament.uk.
Do you think the elderly should have their own dedicated wide parking spaces? Contact the DownsMail editor by post or on
stephen@downsmail.co.uk
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downsmail.co.uk Fright night date forMP
GHASTLY ghouls gathered at Tutsham Farm,West Farleigh, for a fundrais- ing Halloween fancy dress competition. Children and parents paraded before chief judge MPHelen Grant to see
whowas the most fearsome fiend of fright night. Mrs Grant said: “Itwas tough deciding the winners as everyone had made such a big effort.” She i8 pictured with the winners The eveningwas organ-
ised by Team Tutsham, a charity based at the farm, which gives disadvantaged children the chance to work with horses and on the farm, developing personal and so- cial skills. Volunteer organiser Kerry
Smith said: “Learning through horses has such a positive impact as they give immediate feedback to a sit- uation, they don't judge, and they forgive.” Team Tutsham is raising money for a new sand school and riding arena
so the children can ride safely all year round. For enquiries and donations call Maxine Buckby 07971 298337 or go to
www.teamtutsham.co.uk.
KCC calls for lower voting age
PETER Homewood, chairman of KCC, is to write to the Prime Minis- ter urging him to introduce legisla- tion to lower the voting age to 16. A motion was proposed by Lib
Dem member Cllr Brian Clark and seconded by Cllr Rob Bird.
KCC has its own Kent youth county council (KYCC) wheremem- bers represent young people in their area and help to bring about change. Fifty-six councillors voted in
favour of writing to the PM, 17were against and four abstained.
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