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ago, offers overnight accommoda- tion for the homeless during some of the coldest nights of the year, supplementing the services offered by other homeless charities in the town. In 2013/14, seven churches of-
Preparing shelter for homeless Archdeacon leads the way
PLANS are being prepared for the Maidstone Churches’Winter Shelter scheme. The scheme, launched two years
fered a welcome to 10 guests each night for eight weeks; last winter, this was extended to 15 guests for 12weeks. The plan is that this model will
be replicated in winter 2015/16, starting on Monday, December 14. Last year, more than 200 volun-
teers helped to run the scheme, which hopes to get a similar – or greater – amount of support this year. Bill Miller, the minister of Maid-
stone Baptist Church in Knightrider Street, has taken over as chair of the Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter from Major Grayson
Stolen vehicle THE police have released this pic- ture in a bid to track down a red Land Rover stolen from Headcorn. The vehi-
cle, registra- tion P735 MSJ, was in the car park off the High Street and is thought to have been stolen between 8.30am and 6.30pm on Friday, July 31. The Land Rover was fitted with
a galvanised roof rack, with a lad- der at the back. Anyone with information should
call 01622 604100, quoting crime number YY/015200/15, email
west.division.media.appeals@kent
.pnn.police.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
A SLEEP-OUT is being held in Maid- stone at the end of September to highlight the plight of the homeless in the borough. On Friday, September 25, the Maidstone Deanery is hosting a sponsored sleep-out, led by archdeacon Stephen Taylor. Each church in the town is being
asked to nominate one representa- tive prepared to sleep outdoors from 10pm to 8am, with only a sleeping bag and cardboard box for comfort.
Williams, who has retired from the Salvation Army in the town. Pastor Miller was chair during
the first season so is already well used to the work involved and there are a number of new trustees coming on board.
There will be a limited amount of shelter if it rains. The event is being organised by Heather May and Diane Enfield on behalf of the deanery. Spokesmen Andrew Sewell said:
“We want to raise awareness of the homeless in town and the services available and to launch the recruit- ment of volunteers for the winter shelter, as well as raising funds to support the homeless in Maid- stone.”
A small number of staff co-ordi-
nate the work of the many volun- teers and the scheme is now actively seeking funding from a range of sources, including charita- ble trusts. Mr Miller said: “Until we secure
enough funds to employ the work- ers we cannot recruit, but we are hoping to have our first worker in place earlier in the year than was possible in 2014. “This will help greatly with all
the necessary preparations and en- gagement of volunteers.” Even now, volunteers are work-
ing to get funds for the ongoing work of the shelter scheme. Mr Miller said: “We have a plan
in place and are working towards another winter when a warm wel- come can be offered to those who would otherwise be sleeping rough in our town. “The outcomes in previous years
have been amazing – often life- changing.” The trustees hope each church
can appoint a volunteer represen- tative to help communicate and co- ordinate volunteers and church congregations.
Ploughmen compete for title
THE nation’s top ploughmen will be converging on Marden to com- pete in the 2015 National Ploughing Championships next month. About 250 top ploughmen are ex-
pected to take part in the event – with up to 15,000 spectators. The event will take place at Moat-
land Farm in Howland Road, cour- tesy of Pat Burke, who hosted the event in 2008. It will take place over two days – Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 – when there will be a host of contests of different types of plough and styles of ploughing. The event will climax with the
two top ploughmen being selected to represent England at the 2016 World Ploughing Contest in York next year. News of the event has already
AN intruder stole a phone/pager from a home in Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea. Two large wooden gateswere stolen from
the entrance to homes in Dean Street, East Farleigh. Heating oilwas tolen from a tank at a
home in Lughorse Lane, Hunton. Achild’s bicyclewas stolen from the front
of a property in Pippin Close, Coxheath. Avehiclewas stolen from a car park in
High Street, Headcorn while the ownerwas at work. Astrimmerwas taken from a commercial premises in Chegworth Road, Ulcombe.A man described as white about 5ft 10in, of slim build with dark brown hairwas seen with the strimmer and gave it back when challenged. Hewas seen driving a white Vauxhall van. Awindowwas damaged at a property in Hampstead Lane, Yalding.
32 Maidstone South September 2015
drawn plenty of interest, and exec- utive director of the Society of Ploughmen KenChappell said:“We are looking forward to a first class event. “Visitors will see not only the highly-skilled competition plough- ing and an extensive trade stand area but also attractions such as vin- tage tractors, ploughs and equip- ment; steam ploughing engines; a craft marquee with a wide variety of stands; and demonstrations of the latest tractors, farm machinery and equipment under working condi- tions.” On the first day the ploughmen
will compete in two classes: re- versible and conventional. The first day also sees the final of the Na- tional Young Farmers' Ploughing Championships.
On the second day, lovers of clas-
sic machinery and equipment will enjoy three classes for vintage trac- tor ploughing while horse plough- ing is one of the major family attractions, with about a dozen pairs of heavy horses at work each day. With their ornate brass and leather harnesses, these true farm workhorses will be seen competing to produce the best general purpose ploughing on the first day and the stylish traditional high cut work on the second day. Local and national companies will
be showing and demonstrating the most up-to-date machinery for sale to farmers. Admission to the event is £10 per
day for adults, £5 per day for chil- dren over 11, and free of charge for children under 11.
NeighbourhoodWatch Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police
Ashedwas broken into in Marden Road, Marden and tools and equipmentwere stolen. Apadlockwas damaged on the garage of
a property in Symonds Lane, Yalding but nothingwas taken. Astonewas thrown at a window in The Cockpit, Marden, breaking it. Avehiclewas broken into in a car park in Cranbrook Road, Staplehurst and an iPhonewas stolen. Asmall yewtreewas stolen from the
front garden of a property in Station Road, Staplehurst.
Two chainsawswere among tools stolen
from a van parked in Gallants Lane, East Farleigh.
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