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downsmail.co.uk Rugby club to make fresh start


MAIDSTONE Rugby Club look set for a new ground – leaving The Mote after more than 50 years in the centre of town.


The move follows a successful season on the pitch for the club, but disagreement with The Mote Cricket Club, which own and share the ground. Earlier, the cricket club had suggested houses would be built on part of the rugby club’s train- ing ground to finance develop- ments that they say would transform the ground’s sports fa- cilities. However, the rugby club were


not happy with having to relin- quish part of their training ground, forcing cricket club chairman Glen Aukett to say that these plans were “on ice”. Now the rugby club’s vice- chairman, Paul Firmin, appears to have offered a way out for both sides by allowing them to move elsewhere in the town. Up to three potential sites are under discussion with Maidstone Coun- cil as part of a larger develop- ment plan concerning Mr Firmin. The rugby club say the oppor-


tunity to move away from The Mote has received the backing of


Sex assault reported


POLICE are appealing for wit- nesses after a woman reported being beaten and sexually as- saulted while walking on a recre- ation ground in Eccles. The offence is said to have hap-


pened at the Bull Lane park be- tween 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Friday,August 28. Police are looking for a slim,


mixed race, 6ft male in connection with the alleged attack. The victim told officers she en-


tered the field through a gate in Hawkes Road and as she did so heard a wolf whistle some distance away. The male then approached her, abused her verbally and sexu- ally assaulted her. The woman also claims her attacker hit her in the face.


The suspect is reported to have


smelt of alcohol and appeared to be slurring his words. Hewaswearing dark coloured clothes and had gelled, medium-length hair. Anyone with any information is


asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference YY/17355/15, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


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ReadtheDownsMail online atwww.downsmail.co.uk


Malling September 2015


consider in the next month their policy regarding the lease. Dennis Fowle, chairman of The


Mote CC development commit- tee, said: “We have delayed any new lease offer to rugby since the end of May until the rugby club’s plans are a little clearer. “Our priority is to safeguard


the cricket club and this magnifi- cent site for local sport and the community. Building a new pavilion and improving facilities are integral to that.” The rugby club’s Jim Tinsley


Maidstone Rugby Club is considering moving to a new site


the club committee and the mem- bership will be presented with the full details shortly. They say initial discussions between the club, Mr Firmin and Maidstone Council representatives have been positive, although they recognise significant hurdles


need to be overcome before a more formal confirmation of the details can be released. Maid- stone Rugby Club remain a sig- nificant tenant of The Mote and their lease agreement is up for re- newal next May. The Mote Cricket Club will


said: “Regarding the ongoing saga on development at The Mote, the protracted discussions which involved the rugby club, the cricket club and Maidstone Council were not able to be re- solved aswe in the rugby club are not prepared to sacrifice playing and training space to allow de- velopment on our 1st XV pitch. “Our proposed exodus from


The Mote should allow both clubs to realise their full potential as important sports centres in Kent.”


WI donates bench to mark centenary


A NEW bench to celebrate the cen- tenary of the WI was installed near the parish council offices at Church Hall Farm, Larkfield. The ceremony was the result of a


year’s fundraising by Larkfield WI after the branch’s vice-president, Jean Larking suggested the 100th anniversary could be commemo- rated with an inscribed seat. The bench was unveiled by Sheila


Miles, chairman of the Kent-West Federation WI and East Malling and Larkfield Parish Cllr PamAyrton, who is amember of Larkfield WI.


Diner left without paying


A 39-YEAR old Mereworth man who wined and dined but then did- n’t pay has been given a suspended prison sentence at Mid Kent Mag- istrates Court. Paul Morgan, from Butchers


Lane, Mereworth, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop at a road accident, failing to provide a breath specimen, shoplifting and two counts of making off without payment. On June 11, 2013, Morgan stole


flowers worth £60 from a service station in Hadlow Road East, Ton- bridge. Ten days later he left with- out paying for a meal worth


£220.35 from a restaurant in Eyns- ford and in September that year, left without paying for food and drink costing £219.65 from a restau- rant in Dean Street, East Farleigh. In September 2014, he drove a car


in Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, while disqualified and without insurance. He also failed to stop at a road ac- cident and failed to provide a spec- imen of breath for analysis. Morgan was sentenced to 125


days in prison, suspended for 24 months and banned from driving for 24 months. He must also pay £499 compen-


sation, a £100 fine, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.


Fraud charge


A WOMAN who pretended to be a carer and stole £260 from her victim in Snodland, has been sentenced by Mid Kent magistrates. Wanthana Ayres (37), from Rochester pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. Ayres presented herself as a


carer at an address in Simpson Road, Snodland and persuaded the victim to give her £260. Magistrates ordered her to


carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £260 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.


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