News
downsmail.co.uk Mountain trek boosts quake fund
STAFF at Sutton Valence School reached new heights to support pupils in their generous pledge to raise £58,000 for youngsters hit by the earthquake in Nepal.
Eight teachers and members of
staff braved snow, fog, and rain on Britain’s highest mountains to com- plete the Three Peaks challenge to raise more than £5,000 for the school’s Nepal fund. School expeditions to Nepal in
2008 and 2014 left a deep impression on staff and pupils, leading them to pledge to rebuild The ShreeTamang Kharka Higher Secondary School in Dhading, which was all but demol- ished by the earthquakes. Working with the UK-basedPahar
Trust, the Sutton Valence School community plans to raise the funds to rebuild the school’s18 classrooms, which serve more than 600 students. The team walked 27 miles over Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snow-
Prison needs monitors
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help make sure that prisoners at East Sutton Park prison are being treated fairly. Members of Independent Moni-
toring Boards (IMB) come from a variety of backgrounds and are ap- pointed by government ministers to check that prisoners are treated with respect. Monitors also make sure that prisoners are adequately prepared for their release, given help where necessary with literacy and numer- acy as well as drug, alcohol and anger problems. Being part of an IMB is a unique opportunity to act as a watchdog for your community and to speak out about issues that are of concern to us all. The voluntary role takes up about two or three days a month. Each member of the team of upwards of 10 people will make an inspection visit, answer any ques- tions or complaints from prisoners and write up the observations. To find out more, call IMB chair
Clare Hudson on 01622 814027 or send an email to derekandclare-
hudson@gmail.com.
Roof repairs
MILLWOOD Designer Homes has pledged £20,000 towards the repair of Marden's memorial hall roof. The money will be part of the de-
veloper's contribution after it was given permission in August last year to build 85 homes at Stanley Farms in Plain Road, Other money will be spent on ex- tensions at Marden Primary School, Marden Medical Practice and Maidstone Grammar School, books for Marden library and improve- ments to the village railway station.
16
don, in 23 hours, 55 minutes, run- ning the last two miles to cross the finish line in time. In total, the group climbed 3,407 metres on foot and drove 1,235 miles to successfully complete the challenge. David Sansom, assistant head and
leader of thewalkers, said: “Itwas a fantastic effort from a very strong team. The challenge was one of the most physically demanding things that many of us have ever done. The team all showed tremendous spirit and determination throughout, as well as great dedication in helping to raise funds from many different sources for this worthwhile cause.” To sponsor the group visit
www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/s vs3peaks.
The fund-raising team from Sutton Valence School Thriving village pub takes on more staff
THE landlord of The Anchor at Yald- ing has taken on 10 new members of staff and says he is looking to take on more to cope with demand. Chris Peach (pictured), who took
over the 14th century riverside pub a month ago has taken on a head chef, sous chef, assistant manager, two supervisors and four front-of- house staff. Mr Peach (34), who previously managed the Manor Farm Barn, an- other Shepherd Neame pub in Southfleet, said: “Business is going really well. Our new menu is proving particularly popular, andwe have in- troduced a children’s menu, which has been a real hit. All our food is
cooked on site, using local produce.” The pub serves freshly ground cof-
fee and a selection of other hot drinks, along with Shepherd Neame’s renowned Kentish ales, a wide range of international lagers and a list of carefully sourced wines from family-owned vineyards. Cus- tomers can relax in the comfortable bar and restaurant, or enjoy the ex- tensive terrace overlooking the river when the weather is fine. Mr and Mrs Peach, who is living on
site with their baby daughter, said: “The villagers have been really wel- coming and we are really confident that the business is going to go from strength to strength.”
Focus on rural crime
KENT Police is teaming up with farmers and other villagers to tackle rural crime in the Maid- stone area. In the first of a series of high- visibility campaigns, regular of- ficers, PCSOs and special constables patrolled Marden and Yalding, deterring would-be offenders and providing crime prevention advice to members of the rural community. Landowners and residents
who attended a pre-campaign briefing were provided with a dedicated mobile telephone number, allowing them to be the eyes and ears of the opera- tion by reporting suspicious ac- tivity and providing valuable intelligence to officers. During the evening officers
FREE Maidstone South September 2015
arrested a manwanted on suspi- cion of causing criminal damage to a property in The Cockpit, Marden and issued a 48-year-old man with a cannabis warning after being found with a small quantity of the drug in Chantry Road, Marden. Officers also gathered infor- mation and spoke to a number of known offenders, while pro- viding reassurance and crime prevention advice to residents. Further operations are planned targeting other rural lo- cations in the Maidstone dis- trict.
Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to email
csu.maidstone@
kent.pnn.po-
lice.uk and include Op Innovate in the subject title.
Read all the latest editions of the DownsMail at
www.downsmail.co.uk
Vicar’s post
REV Philip Goodey will take over the post as vicar of Boughton Monchelsea church. It is expected that Mr Goodey,
who is currently working in Hull, will start at St Peter’s Church in Oc- tober. He was ordained in 1992 after a career as a computer pro- grammer. Mr Goodey, who is married with
two grown-up daughters, has ex- perience serving in rural and urban benefices. Hewas born in Devon.
Police appeal
OFFICERS investigating a serious assault in Maidstone High Street are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Police dealt with a disturbance involving a number of people near the pedestrian crossing at the bot- tom of the High Street shortly after 2.40am on Sunday, July 26. Anyone who witnessed the inci-
dent is asked to call 01622 604100 quoting reference YY/014714/15.
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