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Headmaster ‘a victim of his own success’


THE grieving family of headmaster Mark Geadah say the popular and


highly-respected headmasterwas a victim of his own success. Mr Geadah (43), headmaster of Allington and Aylesford Primary Schools, was found hanged at his home inAugust this year. Speaking after a pre-inquest re-


ner Patricia Harding said this was unlikely to be before the New Year – but hopefully within six months. She said it was


view, his father, Monir Geadah, said his son was only ever con- cerned about giving his best – which ultimately led to his death. “Hewas a victim of his own suc-


cess,” he said. “The better he did, the more hewas asked to do.” Monir Geadah revealed he had


suffered a mini heart attack at the beginning of November, which he blamed partly on stress and asked for an urgent conclusion to the in- quest.


Maidstone and Mid Kent Coro- Mark Geadah


her duty to con- firm who the de- ceased was, and how, when and where he died – not to apportion blame or to deter- mine why some- one had taken


their own life. However, she revealed that a coroner has the discretion to issue a “prevention of future deaths” re- port if he or she believed the cir- cumstances which led up to the


Howvolunteering led to job


A 20-YEAR-OLD from Coxheath has told how volunteering at Age UK has transformed his life. Jack Allen, who attended Cornwallis Academy, began volunteering


one day a week at the Goodman Centre in Bearsted, after completing amedia studies course at Mid Kent College. His work at the centre, which helps dementia sufferers, gradually increased and a year after starting, he was given a full-time job. He said: “In 2013 I was


so new to all this. I began making teas but I became a lot more confident, helping clients with their activities and making a good impression. “I am really happy that I have got a job here now. I am helping


Jack with Age UK chairman Bryan Vizzard


elderly people enjoy life and giving something back to the community. It is great to hear elderly people’s stories about their lives.” Jack, who enjoys photography and left college hoping to become a


film director, says he found volunteering “really rewarding”. He told the Downs Mail: “If someone wants to volunteer I would tell


them to go for it. I was taken on with no knowledge about the centre andmy confidence has grown somuch. Before I could never go up and introducemyself to someone but now I am a lot more confident.”  Age UK feature – page 28. Working for the future: focus on starting a business – page 18.


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death might lead to further deaths. Mrs Harding said she would not


be calling witnesses from his em- ployers, either at the school or from KCC, the education authority, but said: “It was no secret that he told people that hewas under consider- able pressure at work.” An independent GP report which


had been commissioned to review the care provided by Mr Geadah’s GP did not find any evidence of medical negligence, said Mrs Hard- ing, who revealed that Mr Geadah had declined help from the com- munity mental health team. At the opening of the in-


quest on September 1, the court had heard how Mr


Town Talk


WORK to extend the car park at Snodland railway station ahead of the commencement of high- speed services to London was held up by slow worms. For more details see Town Talk in this month’s Downs Mail. The bi-monthly independent maga- zine is written by and dedicated to Snodland and Halling resi- dents.


For more local news, community events and information, go online www.downsmail.co.uk


4 December 2014 No. 212 News Railway costs


COMMUTERS in West Malling are paying more per mile for train season tickets than those elsewhere in the South East.


Repairs needed


GRADE one listed All Saints Church in Snodland has been put on English Heritage’s “at risk” register.


17 High price of holiday


THE number of fines issued to lo- parents for taking their children out of local schools has doubled in three years.


More homes needed


THE borough’s local plan hous- ing target has risen to 13,300 be- cause it is considered “an attractive place to live”.


25 Crime Reports 31


A MAN pretending to be a tradesman stole a handbag from a home in Larkfield.


Comment 46-47 31


READERS have been having their say on a call for all schools to start and finish at the same time.


Parish Councils32-41


SPEED Watch volunteers had dropped to two in Addington; NatWest apologised for its serv- ice in East Peckham; a plan was set up to deal with any traveller encampments in Leybourne; a Romany family from Nettlestead was accused of not picking up dog mess in Wateringbury.


Obituaries 41 24 6


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