News
downsmail.co.uk Carnival is a real wonderland
MOREthan 3,000 people turned out to support the Bearsted and Thurnham Carnival and Fayre on the sun-drenched village green. Scouts had to re-stock their sup-
ply of burgers and sausages and smiling faces lined the streets for the carnival procession – the 38th since the eventwas revived in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Leading the procession from Madginford School to The Green was Bearsted-based auctioneer Clive Emson, driving a blue Rolls Royce carrying last year’s carnival court. He was followed by ma- jorettes,walkers and floats. Chairman of the 14 people who organised the event, June Wilkins, described the day as one of the best, with the weather providing “the icing on the cake” for the summer gathering. “Therewas a sea of smiling faces
everywhere you looked, itwas fan- tastic,” she said. The theme of this year’s event
was Alice in Wonderland, to cele- brate the 150th anniversary of the book by Lewis Caroll. June and her co-organiser Pat Marshall adopted the theme whole-heartedly, dressed as the Queen and King of Hearts, and the floats and fancy dress costumes provided colourful interpretations from the book. June said: “We had thought
about being Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, but opted for some- thing a little less restrictive and cool, given the hotweather.” One of the highlights of the day included the crowning of this year’s Bearsted and Thurnham Car- nival Princess, Adrienne Duguid, whowas awarded the Downs Mail
Photos: Gary Neave
Madginford Pre-School (above) gets best float; BenWeston Simmonds (below, centre) wins the fancy dress; Adrienne Duguid is carnival princess
Trophy by the publication’s chair- man Claire Procter. One of her deputies for this year
will be Phoebe Armitage. The event, which included more
than 100 stalls and events aswell as pyrotechnics, is expected to have raised about £5,000 for community groups, including the local Scouts who plan to refurbish their kitchen and replace the roof on an out- building.
Parish chairman Ros joins guests at palace
THE chairman of Downswood Parish Council, Ros Cheeseman, was among guests at Buckingham Palace for theRoyal Garden parties. Ros and husband Edward joined
about 8,000 people for the party in at the end of May. She said: “I was surprised to be nominated and not sure why Iwas there really, other than that I have been a councillor in two different parishes for 30 years. Whatever the reason, itwas a fantastic day.” Roz, who works as a medical PA,
is also a member of Downswood WI and a past president and secre- tary. She is also a member of St Nicholas Church, Otham. Jo and DavidWardwere also in-
vited, as the founders of Headcorn- based charity Abigail’s Footsteps. The couple established the char-
16 Maidstone East July 2015
ity in 2010, following the death of their daughter Abigail Rosie-Ann whowas stillborn at 41weeks. The couple formed the charity to improve the bereavement training midwives and care staff receive and the quality of information that fam- ilies suffering a stillbirth receive. Mr Ward, who runs Ward Secu-
rity in Anthony Way, Rochester, and his wife were guests at Buck- ingham Palace on May 12. The followingweek, Staplehurst volunteer and community worker Kenneth Collins was among the guests, as was BEM recipient Mr Raymond Foster, from Maidstone. Volunteer Sandie Turner, who helps run Rubicon Cares, a charity offering low cost and free coun- selling to victims of serious crime throughout Kent,was also invited.
Mrs Wilkins thanked those who supported the event, including the 30 volunteer marshals who helped with the road closure during the procession.
WINNERS Carnival walkers and floats 1st Madginford Pre-School –The World of Wonderland. 2nd First and Second Rainbows – The Queen’s Croquet Ground.
3rd Third Bearsted Rainbows – The Flower Garden.
Fancy dress 1st Ben Weston Simmonds –a ship. 2nd ThomasWeston Simmonds – post box. 3rd Kara Lee – rabbit.
Best dressed stall Bearsted and Thurnham WI.
Homes plan to include listedwall demolition
ANEWproposal to build 100 homes and demolish the listedwall at Barty House near Bearsted is expected to be submitted to Maidstone Council. The details came from borough councillor Nick De Wiggondene, who outlined his understanding of the latest attempt to develop land at Barty Farm, Roundwell. It follows a fresh request for listed consent to demolish the wall at the front of Barty House NursingHome in Roundwell; crucially, it would provide better access for the pro- posed homes and flats on farm land behind. The applicant estimated the estate would generate 400 traffic movements a day. The application follows a decision
by Maidstone Council’s planning committee to approve 50 homes on nearby Lilk Meadow, despite more
than 100 objections and despite not being on the borough’s local plan. Cllr deWiggondene described this decision as “crazy”, adding that the arguments of flooding, access and the lack of school places in the vil- lage remained. Hesaid: “It is impossible to extend
the schools and this would mean children being taken to LangleyPark every day. The suggestion that a pedestrian access would be created from the Barty Farm development intoWater Lane, with its flooding is- sues, lack of lighting and steep banks is also ridiculous. ” John Williams, from Roundwell,
said: “If the developmentwere to go ahead, the effects would be felt throughout the village and given all the development in recent years it is time to say enough is enough.”
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