News Children hit
by tax debt AN ESTIMATED 2,285 households in Tonbridge and Malling struggled to pay their council tax last year – with a knock-on effect on almost double that number of children. Areport by The Children’s Society
reveals that council tax debt is wide- spread, with almost 216,000 children in the South East living in 124,000 families who have fallen behind with their bills. In Maidstone, the society esti-
mates 3,221 children in 1,835 homes were affected. Rather than helping them get back
on their feet, local authorities are threatening struggling households with court action and sending the bailiffs in, according to the report “The wolf at the door: How council tax debt collection is harming chil- dren”. A spokesman for Tonbridge and Malling Council said: “We do offer advice on our website to anyone having difficulty, for whatever rea- son, in paying their council tax. The use of bailiffs really is the last resort, but sadly on occasionwe do have to use them.”
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
downsmail.co.uk
Runners enjoy sunshine and boost hospice funds
MORE than 540 runners enjoyed the sunshine at Maidstone’s first 10k run in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice.
Supported by Mercury Holidays,
this was the first charity run of the year to be organised by the hospice, which provides end-of-life care for more than 1,000 patients and their families each year. Starting from Cornwallis Acad-
emy, the circular route took the runners through Boughton Monchelsea and along winding country lanes. The runwas the per- fect warm-up for experienced run- ners getting ready for the spring races and a challenge for those new to running. First to cross the finish line was Calvin Mullings from Greenwich in 36:11, followed by Nigel Ling from Bexley in second place with 36:23 and in third place Alexander Lindfield from Downswood with 37:54. The first three women runners to complete the race were Penny Holden from Bearsted in 43:12, Holly Priestley from Maidstone in
From left. ClareWhitehouse, Penny Holden and Holly Priestley
44:54 and Claire Whitehouse from Bearsted in 45:17. The 10k was well supported by
local clubs, with more than 100 members from Beginners2runners taking part. Beginners2runners provides a network of groups across Maidstone and caters for those who are new to running. Ateam of 15 staff fromWesterhill Homes also took part to support the hospice as its charity of the year.
Spokesman Tim McLoughlin
said: “Many of us haven’t run be- fore, so we have been out training at lunchtimes from our offices in Coxheath. It’s been great fun and a real team effort for what is a very worthy cause.” Richard Neville, events manager
at Heart of Kent Hospice, said:“We are hoping the 10k will raise in the region of £30,000.We would like to thank Cornwallis Academy for kindly hosting the event on our be- half and our team of volunteers for their invaluable help.”
Artificial Grass Sale
Richmond 35mm was £14.99 M2
NOW £11.99 M2
Spring Meadow Last remaining stock
To Clear £6.99 M2 was £10.99 M2
Lily 35mm was £13.99 M2
NOW £11.19 M2
Laurus 40mm was £18.99 M2
NOW £15.19 M2 FREE SAMPLES
DELIVERY* over £299 spend
FREE
01732 362332 OPEN 01622 677787 9.00-5.30pm
24 Malling May 2015
www.carpetnextday.co.uk www.flooring4letts.co.uk www.grassnextday.co.uk
MILLWOOD COURT, TOVIL HILL, TOVIL, MAIDSTONE, ME15 6QS MON - SAT
Landlords Developers Letting Agents Trade Discounts Call for details
Find us on
Pine Valley 42mm was £24.99 M2
NOW £19.99 M2
FULL ROLL DISCOUNTS
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