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downsmail.co.uk New name for volunteer group


MEMBERS of Voluntary Action Maidstone voted overwhelmingly for the charity to change its name to Involve Kent.


At an extraordinary general meeting 29 votes, supplemented by 24 proxies, were registered to pass the motion. Just one person, by proxy, voted against. The organisation now has its


third name since it was formed in 1975 as Maidstone Voluntary Bu- reau. It became Voluntary Action Maidstone eight years ago. Involve chief executive Charlotte Osborn-Forde told the meeting that the decision followed a two-year review into how best to market the charity. She said: “Funding cuts and austerity measures have long been on our minds, yet our funds have grown in recent years, butwe can't assume it will stay the same. “Funderswant us to cover larger


areas so they can get better economies of scale. For example, one of our closest partners is the


Curate takes


up town role MARK Pavey has taken up his first post as reverend at St Paul’s Church in Maidstone. It follows his ordination at Canter- bury Cathedral, in a service con- ducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Mark (36) will


be familiar to many, having worked with


schools in Maidstone for Churches and Schools Together, part of the Family Trust. He returns to the town after two


years studying theology at Trinity College in Bristol. Mark, his wife Tansye and daugh-


ters Ezra-May (five) and Emmeline (two) will live in Ringlestone and en- joyed their first official community event – a picnic at Penenden Heath – after his first service at the church in Boxley Road. He takes over as curate from


Eileen Lander,wholeft a year ago to become a vicar near Deal. Markwill provide support in lead-


ing services at St Paul’s and across the town alongside Rev Canon An- drewSewell, the area dean for Maid- stone. Rev Sewell said: “I liked Mark


from the moment I met him and be- lieve he will prove a popular addi- tion to St Paul’s and the team of clergy in Maidstone.” Mark has worked with young of- fenders and is a Liverpool fan. He plays guitar and sings in a band; en- joys musicals and is a fan of Elvis and Queen.Healso worked for Cap- ital Radio before joining the church.


10 Maidstone Town August 2015


Charlotte Osborn-Forde and Trevor Jones with the charity's new logo


West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group, which is one of the largest CCGs in the country, covering four divisions in Kent.” Involve Kent will retain its main


focus on Maidstone, but will con- tinue to provide voluntary services elsewhere in Kent. The falls pre- vention project already operates in East Kent and will soon cover Dart-


ford and Gravesham; the Maid- stone and Malling Carers project will additionally cover Medway. Advertising agencyWe Are Tan- gerine, based in College Road, Maidstone came up with the name Involve and produced the logo, in which the “vol” part of the word will be a different colour to high- light the charity's voluntary focus. On the logo is a smaller word on


the bottom right directly beneath, which could be used to localise an area or service, so meaning that the word Maidstone could still remain on relevant branding materials. Mrs Osborn-Forde added: “This


new name will help people throughout Kent know the service is in their area. However, our focus will remain on Maidstone and we are based here.” Involve board chairman Trevor


Jones said that the standardised logo would save time and money. When asked by a member of the audience if the name could put off existing clients, he pointed out that he was on the project board which helped deliver the ill-fated £2m re- naming of Royal Mail to Consignia in 2001, which changed back to its original name just 15 months later. “I have a good idea about these things,” he said. “We have asked everyone we know whether they have a problem and there were only two objections.” Involve's services have expanded


so much in recent years that its turnover is now more than £1m, meaning it is a registered company aswell as a charity. The leadership, board, charity structure and projects will not be affected by the name change.


Pub sign could be feature of development


AN old pub sign from the Saxon Chief in Queens Road, Allington, could be incorporated into a new housing development which stands on the site. The pub sign went missing six months ago when scaffolding went up prior to demolition – but now it has mysteriously reappeared, in the garden of a nearby house. Bridge ward councillor David Pick-


ett launched an appeal for the sign’s return when he unveiled the devel- opment of six homes, in a tree-lined setting, named Saxon Mews. Cllr Pickett congratulated the de-


velopers and said: “This is a prime example of good management, where developers have worked with residents, the community, Maid- stone Council planning officers and


Stuart Mitchell, director ofWesterhill Homes; Kirstie Slaven of RPC New Homes; Kevin Matthews fromarchitect GDM Design; buyer Lorna Vince; Mary-Anne Staddon, sales manager forWesterhill Homes and Cllr David Pickett at the opening of the new development


councillors to achieve this excellent result. “This is a benchmark for others to


follow and Iwish the residents many happy years of occupation.”


A sign has been incorporated into


the wall, but a spokesman for the Chartway Group said several options were now being considered for the old sign, depending on its condition.


Band’s kit stolen from van Crash death


OFFICERS are appealing for infor- mation after the theft of musical equipment worth thousands of pounds from a band in Maidstone. Fender guitars, pedals, key- boards and drums – much of it bearing the band’s name – were taken from Kaleidophone’s Ford Transit van in Heather Drive. Band members Al and James Holland, Mark Thompson and Mark Wells used Facebook to ap- peal to friends and fans to get enough equipment together to ful- fil their bookings. A spokesman for the indie, rock


and pop band said they had been “overwhelmed” by offers of help and of equipment. Acting Detective Chief Inspector Michael Coltham said: “Many of


A 36-YEAR-OLD biker from Maidstonewas killed after hitting a tree and a wall on the Loose Road. Kent Police’s Serious Collision


Investigation Unit is appealing for witnesses to the accident during the rush-hour on the A229 at Sheals Crescent at 5.07pm on July 16.


PC Guy Ditcher said: “The


the items were personal and can’t easily be replaced. Much of this equipment will be easily recognis- able as belonging to a band, if you have been offered it for sale.” Anyone with information should


call 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/013886/15, email west.divi- sion.media.appeals@Kent.pnn.po- lice.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


black and white Aprilia 125cc mo- torcycle was being ridden along Upper Stone Street, when it seems the rider lost control.” The rider was pronounced dead at the scene. The A229 was closed for several


hours while enquirieswere made. Witnesses who have not yet


been contacted by police should call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk


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