News
Volunteering a two-way benefit, says charity
A NEW RBLI project aims to muster 100 volunteers to join the charity by the end of the year. The scheme will focus on volun- teering as a pathway to employ- ment, rehabilitation and to provide additional services to the men and women supported by RBLI. It is hoped to recruit volunteers in- cluding befrienders, minibus and van drivers, help with gardening, maintenance and catering. Volunteers, representatives of vol- unteering organisations and council officials attended the launch at the Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford, followed by a planting ceremony in the Garden of Honour. Julie Beilby, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling Council, said: “Volunteering is an increas- ingly popularway for people to give something back to the community and provides many with a pathway back to work.” Among the speakers were volun-
Volunteer Kate Bosley with Steve Sherry and Tonbridge and Malling Council chief executive Julie Beilby in the Garden of Honour at the Royal British Legion in Aylesford
teers Kate Bosley and Derek Cantel- low, who lives in the legion village. He said: “Volunteering with the RBLI gives me a chance to talk to people and helps maintain the sense of community in the village.” RBLI chief executive Steve Sherry
said: “Volunteering is very different from what itwas a decade ago. It is a two-way process which benefits
the volunteer and the organisation. For some it can be a first step into employment, enabling them to re- gain confidence. It will also allow us to provide ex- tended services for the armed forces community and otherswe support.” For more information, visit
RBLI.co.uk, call 01622 795924 or email
volunteer@rbli.co.uk.
£100k deal for stadium name
THE Gallagher Group has ex- tended its naming rights’ agree- ment two years early to support Maidstone United’s plan to double the size of its main stand. Gallagher has paid £100,000 to-
wards the club’s £600,000 project to provide an extra 350 seats, support- ers’ lounge and extra terraces behind both goals. The sponsorship deal means the home of Maidstone United will be known as the Gal- lagher Stadium until at least 2022. Maidstone FC chief executive Bill
Williams said: “The company’s sig- nificant contribution has boosted our fundraising efforts for thissummer’s stadium improvement work. “Adding extra seats is a priority but this work will also increase the
‘Army’ games AN investigation has opened into the use of woods off the A249 near Stockbury for military games, fol- lowing parish council concern. The organisers’ website – apoca-
lypse249.com – says some 200 acres of Longton and Squirrel Woods are used for the Sunday “skirmishes”, and have been kitted out with a “US military base”, “Vietnamese village”, canteen, toilets and shop. Stockbury Parish Council, sup- ported by Thurnham Parish Coun- cil, has asked Maidstone planners to look into planning consents for use of the site. A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “We are investigating the situation.”
22 Maidstone East June 2015
From left, property manager Stephen Gallagher with Maidstone United co-owner Terry Casey, Pat Gallagher and Bill Williams
capacity. On a number of occasions during the past few yearswe’ve had sell-outs, so by going up to 3,000 it will give more families the opportu- nity to come and enjoy our big games.”
Gallagher Group chairman Pat Gallagher said: “Maidstone United returning to the town was always going to be great, but you would
have struggled to imagine the enor- mity of their impact. It was clear to us very early on that Terry, Oliver and the team around them were worth backing and so it has proved. “It is a privilege and a pleasure to
be associated with the club and to bring forward our sponsorship to help them take the next step in their development.”
Call to patrol parents’ parking
AMAIDSTONEmumsays she avoids shopping at The Mall because of the difficulty finding a parking space. Ruth Young (29) has three children
under eight andnowavoids the town because of the problem she faces finding a mother and toddler space at the centre’s multi-storey car park. The Mall has a designated area for
27 cars for parents with children on the fourth floor next to the shops, but Mrs Young says she is often forced to use floors further fromthe shops. Mrs Young, fromWillington Street,
says the problem is made worse by “shoppers without children using the
designated parking area”. Mrs Young believes The Mall’s parking staff should patrol the zone. The Mall’s marketing manager
Suzie Brindle said: “As there is no na- tional framework for family parking, and operating a badge systemis not compulsory, we rely on customers to use these spaces appropriately. “We are constantly reviewing the management of our car parks and are open to introducing a badge sys- temif that is what customerswant.” Send your views on parking at the
centre to
amp.maidstone@the-
mall.co.uk.
Ben, 10, off to world cup
A FOOTBALL-mad schoolboy from Maidstone will be taking part in the World Youth Cup. Ben Findlay (10) from Chartway
Street, SuttonValence, who attends SuttonValence Prep School, trialled for the Independent School Foot- ball Association (ISFA) South East squad at Ardingly, Sussex, last year. He was put forward by the school’s head of boys’ games Tom Davey, himself a keen footballer. He said: “Ben captained our un- beaten Colts A team last term. De- spite playing for Maidstone United and the Maidstone District side, I felt the trials would give him the opportunity to be stretched at a higher level.” Ben’s selection for the 16-strong
squad means he gets to play against the likes of Crystal Palace FC and Brighton and Hove Albion FC, and will also compete against teams from more than 80 countries in the World Youth Cup in Sweden this summer. More than 1,600 teams are ex-
pected to take part. Mr Davey said: “Throughout the season, Ben was definitely our best player. He is a very good leader and has the abil- ity to use both feet. He works in- credibly hard for his team and I’m sure he will be a great asset to the ISFA side.”
Family fun LENHAM is hosting a family festival from June 11 to June 14. The event will raise money for
the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK and Demelza Hos- pice Care. There will be enter- tainment from Swadelands School, a musical mystery quiz and a fun day as well as bands, games, stalls and food. Entry is free, although dona-
tions are invited for charity. There is no parking, and events will take place at the Social Club, Lenham Community Centre, Lenham Square and St Mary’s Church. For details go to the website, lenhamfamilyfesti-
val.co.uk.
downsmail.co.uk
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