FREE DELIVERY on orders over £15*
(Between 5-10pm, within a 5 mile radius)
*Orders less than £15 subject to £2.50 delivery charge
B
F
A B
H
S I
E K
&
•
H C
News
Underused bus service ‘at risk’
RESIDENTS in Barming have been issued with a rallying call to “use it or lose it” amid fears a cherished bus service could be withdrawn. There are fears that bus operator
Nu Venture might discontinue the No 78 service – which connects Glebe Lane, North Street and the Beverley Road estate with Queen’s Road, London Road and the town centre – except at school times. The bus service is operated com- mercially, without any form of public subsidy. Nu Venture boss Norman Kemp said: “This service is no different to any other in that it is subject to periodic review. If more people are encouraged to use it, that is all to the good.” Residents fear that lack of use
could mean the operator with- drawing all but the 07.51 from the Barming Bull to Maidstone in the morning and the return journey from the Mall at 15.57. There is speculation that a deci-
sion on the future of the service has been deferred, possibly until April. Richard Weller, from Maryland
Drive, said: “The 09.30 departing for Maidstone from Glebe Lane is the gossip bus, a particularly popu- lar ‘community’ journey on which many friendships and acquain- tanceships have been forged. But, unfortunately most other journeys are poorly used. “However, it is understood that
if passenger numbers can be boosted within the next few weeks then it may be possible to retain the full service.” Mr Weller, who is reminding friends and neighbours that travel on the bus is free if you have an age-related bus pass, said: “Please consider using or continuing to use these buses as withdrawal would see the loss of a vital link to the out- side world for those who currently rely on it and have no private trans- port of their own. “Even if you are a car owner,
using the bus reduces traffic con- gestion and gets you into town with no worries about the hassle and cost of parking. Even if you don’t use it now, you may well be appreciative of it in the future.”
01622 737081 Restaurant & Takeaway
S P I
Serving the finest fish & chips in Bearsted for over 25 years
•Charcoal Shish kebabs •Fish & Chips •Tasty lamb & chicken doners•Wraps plus all your usual favourites Find us at:-
Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone
Thank you for your custom in 2014. We look forward to serving you in 2015.
20 Maidstone Town February 2015
downsmail.co.uk New director at charity
KENT-BASED Christian schools charity The Family Trust has an- nounced Alex Clark as its new ex- ecutive director.
Mr Clark
(left), who previously co- ordinated the secondary school arm of The Family Trust (CAST), will be in charge of op-
erations at the charity, which has an office in Maidstone. Mr Clark, who lives with his
wife Anna in Holborough, Snod- land is looking forward to leading The Family Trust, which has oper-
Flats plan refused
MAIDSTONE Council has turned down a plan to convert offices into four one-bedroom flats at 11 Rom- ney Place, Maidstone. The scheme included the demoli-
tion of an outbuilding and the erec- tion of a single-storey rear extension and a second-floor extension over an alley. The council believed the changes would harm the character of the grade II listed building.
ated throughout Kent since 1989. He said: “The opportunity to
build on the great reputation The Family Trust has in serving schools and promoting the message that Christianity is relevant to chil- dren’s daily lives is one which ex- citesmeand Iamconfident thatwe can continue to grow under my leadership.” Mr Clark, who grew up in Bearsted, and attended secondary school in Maidstone before study- ing for a degree in youth work at ChesterUniversity, takes over from his predecessor Steve Knowles who is retiring after seven years of service. The trustees thanked Mr Knowles for his hard work and wished him a happy retirement.
Cedar faces axe
THE Southern Tyre Co has applied to fell a protected cedar tree at London Road, Maidstone. A planning application says the
tree has lost four large limbs in the past three years, “the last one falling right across the main London Road, missing everything.” Maidstone Council will
determine.
01622 631111 Deliveries
S
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56