News
downsmail.co.uk Op fails to restore spaniel’s sight
HOPES that a blind abandoned dog might recover part of her sight were dashed when surgery proved ineffective. Delphine the springer spaniel touched the hearts of hundreds of people after shewas found terrified and sick and tied to a pallet of bricks in Hayle Place, Maidstone in May. Her ears were infected and she had thick cataracts in both eye. She was nursed by staff at the RSPCA centre in Leybourne who launched an appeal for £2,500 in the hope that an operation could help her to see again. Describing her as a “lovely, gentle character”, centre manager Christine Dooley said: “The last familiar
A VIBRANT art market is set to shake up Maidstone’s Lock- meadow, where the market hall will be turned into a colourful fan- tasia of fascinating art and music. The first Maidstone Art Market
takes place on Saturday, Septem- ber 19, in the historic Lock- meadow Market Hall. The market, from 9am to 4pm,
will feature some 80 stalls with artists from across the South East. Exhibitors include Emily Tull,
one of the national finalists in the Sky Arts portrait artist of the year
sound she would have heard was her owner’s footstepswalkingaway, then she was plunged into an un- known world of noises and smells – the RSPCA inspector that rescued her, the van as she was driven to Leybourne Animal Centre, then the overwhelming sound of dozens of dogs barking in the kennels.” Delphine, who is aged about six, progressed under the care of the cen- tre staff, going for shortwalks along the same route to get used to her sur- roundings. It was hoped that if she could see again, it would make her transition to a new home much eas- ier. Donations poured in and £3,654 was soon raised. Delphinewas taken to the Animal Health Trust at New-
market for surgery and initial tests, completed free of charge, indicated that shewas suitable for surgery. By removing the cataract in one eye, therewas a chance that she might re- gain some of her sight but therewas no guarantee of success. Christine said: “Delphine under-
went surgery and has recovered well. Very sadly, her sight could not be restored. She does have a very slow reaction to light but that is all. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity. She will find a spe- cial new home soon.” Any surplus funds raised will go
to help other animals at the centre. Delphine is pictured with RSPCA worker Simon McArdie.
Art market to wow town
competition; street artist Hannah Adamaszek; award-winning mu- sician Rennie Pigrim and Ieuan Edwards, a printmaker based in Broadstairs, who has produced stunning artworks for album cov- ers and books. There will be singers, poets,
dancers and performers to provide entertainment throughout the day. A charity art auction will raise funds for Maidstone and Mid Kent
Mind and The Foundling Museum in London and donations have al- ready come from artists including Ralph Steadman, Gavin Turk, Stu- art Semple (ambassador of Mind), Tessa Farmer, Nick Veasey, Sadie Hennessey and comedian Micky Flanagan. Secret bids for the auction can be
made at
www.artmarketme14.
wordpress.com and the auction will be hosted by Raj Bisram from
Channel 4’s Four Rooms. Project manager Ali Farmer said:
"We wanted to deliver an event thatwas unique to Maidstone and something nobody had put on be- fore. We hope that it puts Maid- stone back on the map and injects some vibrancy back into its artistic culture." “I want to champion the arts – making them more accessible lo- cally.We have had such a massive response from everyone that I hope in the future it will become an annual or a two-day event."
01622 902005 12 Maidstone Town September 2015
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