News Extension for
special school FIVE Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, Maidstone is in line for a two-storey extension and re- furbishment. KCChas lodged a planning appli-
cation to improve facilities and add 54 places at the special school, which caters for youngsters between four and 16 with learning difficulties. Astatement said: “The proposal is
to refurbish and make minor, non structural alterations to the existing school to provide enhanced facilities. “The primary focus of the pro-
posed works centre on a two-storey extension on the school’s existing car park, enlarged school hall and kitchens and a relocated entrance. “It would include many facilities
such as the existing hydrotherapy pool to be retained, sensory integra- tion rooms, group rooms, and a shared SEN resource. “A car park and pupil drop-off arrangement is proposed.” ShouldKCCgive the go-ahead, by September 2016 the number of pupils at the school will rise to 260. Maidstone Council lodged no ob-
jection but the North Loose Resi- dents Association raised concern about lighting in the car park and called for measures to reduce traffic.
Church marks
anniversary ST Andrew’s Church in Barming Heath is holding a series of events this year to mark the 90th anniver- sary of it being dedicated as an of- ficial church within the Anglican Communion. An Easter egg hunt was held
after the service on Easter Sunday, and on Sunday, May 24 there will be an all-age worship service, fea- turing the history and future of St Andrew’s compiled by Tony Deane. The service starts at 9.45am. Events planned through the sum-
mer include an organ recital, a bring and share lunch, a cream tea and a flower festival and arts and crafts exhibition. The Bishop of Dover, the Right
Rev Trevor Willmott, will lead the anniversary service on October 25, and there will be a social evening to mark St Andrew’s Day. For more information call Jean or John Sweetman on 01622 728233.
Fees removed KENT Libraries has removed the 35p reservation fee for borrowing books, CDs and DVDs. Last year, Kent Libraries rolled
out a courtesy email service for cus- tomers reminding them to return or renew borrowed items before in- curring fines for overdue books. Some charges will apply for re- quested items not held in stock.
28 Maidstone Town May 2015
downsmail.co.uk
Tools thrown from van during police car chase
TWOpolice officerswere injured and the public put at risk after a van thief being chased by police unhitched a trailer and digger and threw tools in the road to escape.
Maidstone Crown Court heard
how Wayne Byrne also threw a wheelbarrow from the back of the van at the pursuing police car. The stolen van, in which Byrne
(32) was travelling then rammed the police car on a number of occa- sions, causing the officers whiplash injuries. The court heard that Byrne (pic-
tured) and his accomplices had stolen a Ford Transit van from out- side a property on Sutton Road, Maidstone, which was spotted by officers a short time later travelling along Headcorn Road in the direc- tion of Staplehurst. A pursuit began, with Byrne eventually climbing out of the pas-
senger seat and into the back of the van through the side door. He then opened the back door to detach the trailer before throwing the wheel- barrow as well as a generator, various power tools and cloth- ing into the road. The pursuit
ended a short time later be- cause of the damage to the
patrol car, but a subsequent search by the police helicopter and a dog handler resulted in Byrne being found hiding in a trailer at a farm
in Sutton Valence. Byrne, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 18 months in prison after admitting two counts of attempting to commit grievous bodily harm, and one count of theft. Investigating officer DC Laura
Pallett said: “Wayne Byrne injured two officers in a failed attempt to escape the consequences of his of- fending and it was fortunate they were not more seriously hurt. “Byrne showed no concern for
the officers’welfare or the safety of other road users while throwing items out of the back the van he had stolen, which is obviously an incredibly dangerous thing to do.”
School shows
improvement A MAIDSTONE primary school is starting to emerge from a long his- tory in special measures. Tree Tops Primary Academy in
Park Wood, formerly Bell Wood School, has shown significant im- provements across the whole school, and has now been re- moved from Ofsted’s special measures category. The school has been in and out
Gerald the Giraffe talks to youngsters about the importance of recycling Residents clean up roads
THE streets of Coombe Farm are due to sparkle in the sunlight thanks to a community spring clean. Organisers Golding Homes and Maidstone Council held a “rubbish assembly” at Archbishop Courtenay School, Tovil to encourage young participants. Mascot Gerald the Giraffeworked
with the children to learn about “re- duce, re-use and recycle” and the importance of keeping their com- munity clean and tidy. The spring clean took place around Coombe Road, Tovil and
local residents pitched in. Represen- tatives of the Dogs Trust were also there to offer pet-keeping advice and free micro-chipping. Golding Homes gathered details
of any external repairs needed and took away bulky waste. Maidstone Borough Council gave
advice on recycling and bin usage. Sarah Leipnik, from Golding Homes, said: “As the weather im- proves and children are playing out- doors this was the perfect time to bring the community out, take pride in our local area, and have a good tidy up.”
Bookmaker sets up new store
JENNINGS Racing has applied to set up a bookmaker at a vacant unit that was previously a mobility scooter shop in 6 Senacre Square, Senacre. Jennings plans to move to the new premises after closing its shop in Park Wood on May 1.
of the inadequate category for six and a half years, but leadership and management have now been rated as good, although the over- all rating is that the school still re- quires improvement. School principal Libby Fidock
said: “This is a huge achievement. The children, parents, staff and our sponsors Leigh Academy Trust are thrilled with what this means. “There has been so much work
put in to get us to this point. The hard work doesn’t stop here and we will continue to do all we can to give our children the best edu- cation they can get.” Ofsted has inspected Tree Tops
each term for the last year and a half, due to its special measures status, and it has shown improve- ment at each visit. Inspectors will not now return
for two years. The report states: “As a result of
the senior leaders’ determination and attention to detail, the quality of education has improved, aspi- rations have been raised and staff morale is high.”
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