News


downsmail.co.uk Show boasts the best in Kent


THE Kent County Show in Detling attracted 77,000 visitors over three days – up 2,000 on the previous year’s turnout.


In spite of the hotweather and Op- eration Stack in operation on the Fri- day, attendance for the 86th show held up with a display by the Red Arrows, which cost £12,000, boost- ing numbers through the turnstiles. The showwaswell represented by


the area, not just by visitors, but also among the 400 exhibitors and trade stands, with our region’s commer- cial and amateur growers taking some of the top prizes. Brian Piper, from Filmers Farm in


Loose, received the Challenge Bowl and an armful of trophies for his cherries. He won six first places and the most points in The National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show – the country’s only top and soft fruit competition, held as part of the county show. The best strawberries in the county were grown by Robert Pas- call, from Clock House Farm, Cox- heath,whowonthe Kentish Garden Strawberry Cup. Taking a first for his apricots was Clive Baxter, from Amsbury Farm, East Street, Hunton. Stockbury gardener Chris Spree,


from South Street, received the best in showaward from the Kent Feder- ation of Horticultural Societies as well as the County Trophy from the Kent CountyAgricultural Society for his garden produce. It was the chairman of Stockbury Cottage Gardeners’ Society’s best re- sult at the show. The prizewas pre- sented by Jim Buttress, from the BBC’s Great Allotment Challenge. Chris said: “I’m really pleased and


I hope it encourages a resurgence of young and new people coming into gardening even more. “ The Kent Federation of Horticul-


tural Societies named PatWickwar’s calla lily as the best pot plant on show. Mrs Wickwar, from London Road,Leybourne, is amember of the Mid Kent Fuchsia Group, which meets each month in Maidstone.


Fromleft: Staff fromChegworth Valley, Rodney Gibson with his vintage tractor and Chris Spree with Jim Buttress from BBC’s Great Allotment Challenge


She was delighted with her first


win in this category and confessed her entry was watered by her son Michael when her husbandwas ill. The keen gardener, who has a half-acre plot, told the Downs Mail that fuchsias had been her favourite plant since a visit to a flower show 12 years ago. Roz Day, from Headcorn, was in


charge of the flower marquee. She is on the show’s board of directors and has been the chief flower steward for more than 20 years. She said: “It’s a full-on 10 days, but


I thoroughly enjoy it.” The 32 students from New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone walked away with the The Pattullo Higgs trophy after winning the most points for their animals at the show. They were in The Kent Young Farmers’ Clubs marquee where youngsters competing from eight schools and 11 young farmers’ clubs made it the largest gathering of young farmers in Europe. Exhibiting his vintage tractors – a narrow hop garden 1962 Super Dexta and a 1964 Super Major –was Rodney Gibson, from Stockbury, a founder member of the Ford and


Fordson Association. He spent his life working as a commercial and agricultural engi- neer, and has been showing at Detling for 15 years. He said: “It’s great to give the vehicles an airing and catch up with those who share the same interest. I never tire of it.” Among the trade exhibitors was


Anno Distillers, from Marden, whose award-winning alcoholic of- ferings, infused with Kent sloes, el- derflowers, hops and samphire, attracted keen interest. Staff from Chegworth Valley were also kept busy selling fruit juice to visitors, along with home-grown produce from the farm near Harrietsham. So with a ticket price of £22 per


adult on the gate, was it value for money? A show spokesman said: “The


ticket price is reflective on the day out as a whole. It is comparable to other county shows and events across the country. “We continually look at what we


offer our visitors and the experience they receive when they are at the show. Following feedback from last year’s show, we encouraged our trade stands to think about what


TV special


BBC Countryfile’s Matt Baker helped wrap the cherries sent from the show to Buckingham Palace. Co-presenters Adam Henson, Tom Heap, Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison and Anita Rani also took part in activities for a special broadcast which is now available on BBC iPlayer.


Charity cash


VOLUNTEERS from The Ro- tary Club of Maidstone River- side again manned the gates and ticket booths. They will be donating their cheque from The Kent County Agricultural Society to Rotary charities across the district and, for the first time, to the Black- thorn Trust in Maidstone.


they offer the public and included free donkey rides and a circus work- shop for children.” Next year’s show will run from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17.


Village crime Bellringer moving on Albums stolen


THE police in Bearsted received seven reports of crime in the month following the parish council’s last meeting. PCSO Timon Gurr said four offences involved thefts from cars – in Ashford Road, Ware Street, Whiteheads Lane and The Chimes. He reminded own- ers about locking cars and not leaving anything of value on display. In Egremont Road, two bur- glaries involved items being taken from property, other than the homes, and one of criminal damage to a property.


40 Maidstone East August 2015


A MAN who rang the bells at Ul- combe church to mark the death of Winston Churchill is on the move. Patrick (Pat) Davis has been a bell-


ringer at All Saints’ since 1965. He rang for the funeral of Churchill and, more recently, for the 50th anniver- sary of VE day. The congregation turned out to


wish Pat, his wife Jean and son David all the best with theirmove to the Isle of Wight, where they will live closer to their daughter. Team captain Charles Tassell thanked Pat for his service, recalling his patience with new ringers, and presented him with a hand bell made by the Whitechapel Foundry.


Jean, who has been involved with


All Saints’ for a long time, helping to clean the church and having organ- ised and arranged the flowers for 40 years, was thanked by church war- den Rita Strutt for her help, andwas presented with a card and cheque for the family. Fellow warden John Goode added: “Pat will be particu- larly missed at carol concerts, when he would join in enthusiastically. The family has made a wonderful contribution to the church.” Jean’s departure means the church


is now looking for someone to lead the flower-arranging team. Anyone interested is invited to contact Rita Strutt on 01622 844325.


A MAN admitted stealing a record collection from a house inWillington Street, Maidstone, when he ap- peared beforeMidKent Magistrates. Shaun Sands (47) from Tonbridge Road, Maidstone was ordered to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £300 compensa- tion and a £60 victim surcharge.


Charity cricket


BEARSTED Cricket Club will take on the Bearsted and Thurnham Club in a charity cricket match on Mon- day,August 31. The match, on Bearsted Green,


will start at 1pm. Proceeds will go to The Heart ofKent Hospice and Kent Air Ambulance Trust.


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  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64