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News School bans ‘sugary’ fruit juice


CHILDREN atWateringbury Primary School have been banned from drinking fruit juice while at school because of the high sugar content.


In a health drive to cut down on sugary drinks, head teacher Chasey Crawford Usher said pupils would not be allowed to bring them to school in their lunchboxes and could only drink milk orwater. Ms Crawford Usher said she did


not realise that her veto was a “de- cision”, but thought that she was merely reinstating lapsed policy. She said: “Many schools in Kent


and the UK had banned fruit juice and sweetened drinks for years. I was troubled by the increasing


Man jailed for


crime spree AWESTMalling man arrested for a catalogue of crimes has been jailed for nearly seven months. Anthony Bashford (41), from


Ewell Avenue, admitted burglary, abstracting electricity illegally, re- ceiving stolen goods and shoplift- ing.


He was jailed at Medway Magis-


trates’ Court after the court heard how he used electricity at his home without paying on February 4; drove an MG ZR in Ewell Avenue without a licence or insurance on March 2; received a stolen sheath knife, tent bag and car radio worth £170 between May 7 and June 8 and on May 15 burgled a plant nursery in Teston Road, Offham, with the intention of stealing. The court also heard that be-


tween May 18 and June 8 he re- ceived a stolen satellite navigation system worth £100 and on June 8 drove a Volvo in King Street,West Malling, otherwise than in accor- dance with a licence and with no insurance. On July 12 he took a camera


worth £400 from a shop in King- standing Way, Tunbridge Wells and a TV worth £300 from a super- market in Mills Road,Aylesford on July 17.


Bashford, who also admitted the motoring offences, was sentenced to 266 days in prison and banned from driving for two years. He must also pay a £330 fine, £255 costs, a £180 criminal courts charge and a £95 victim surcharge.


Stamp fair


STAMP clubs and societies are in- vited to promote themselves to col- lectors at East Malling Grand Stamp Fair at the village hall in Jan- uary next year. The event, on Saturday, January


23, will feature stamp displays, re- freshments and free parking. Any groups interested in attending the fair should call 01474 325507.


Music and more at town Mela GDF productions performing at the Maidstone Mela


THE Maidstone Mela returned to Mote Park for its 13th year, promoting the borough’s cultural diversity and local talent. The headline act was the Trenchtown Experience, an eight-piece band


dedicated to the music of reggae legend Bob Marley. Other acts included local Bulgarian Folk Dance group Kitka and Maidstone-based South Indian dance group, the Kerala Cul- tural Association. Mela volunteer of 12 years, Barm-


ing resident Dennis Edwards is pic- tured, right, receiving an award from MP Helen Grant to recognise the work he, and his late wife Sirpa, had undertaken for the community. Visitors enjoyed food from across


the globe, craft and clothing stalls, andwere able to find out about local charities and community groups. The eventwas organised by Cohe- sion Plus and Maidstone Council.


TV show needs your talent


IF you think you’ve got talent and fancy being a TVstar, now’s your chance to shine. The selection team for ITV’s popular Saturday night slot “Britain’s Got Talent” is starting its search for next season’s stars – and it is coming to the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone, on October 16.


From 6.30pm to 9.30pm, the


doors of the Earl Street theatre will be open to singers, dancers, comedians, magicians – and the


odd performing dog. Dawn Abrahams from the show’s production team said: “If you have got a talent that you would like to share, no matter how big or small, then we would love to see you.” You need to register your in-


terest first by contacting Dawn on dawn.abrahams@thames.tv All ages and performers are


welcome, but if you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.


numbers of packaged drinks in the children’s lunch boxes andwas un- comfortable with the inconsistency between what the school dinner children drank and what packed lunch childrenwere drinking. Iwas also aware that children were also diving into their drinks first, filling themselves up with sugary liq- uids.” However, she did decide not to distinguish between fruit juices and sweetened drinks. She said: “Sugar is sugar and the large amount of


sugar in a glass of apple or orange juice – just 1g less than in a glass of cola – is as damaging to a child’s teeth as artificial drinks.” Ms Crawford Usher stressed that


Wateringbury was not a sugar-free school, adding: “Freshly baked puddings are on offer each day as part of school dinners andwe don’t police lunchboxes except to ask children not to bring in chocolate.” Ice creams and sweets would con-


tinue to be served at sports days and special events.


“Iamnot in the business of telling parents what to do. I am, however, in the business of leading a school which has our children’s interests at its very heart,” she said. Her decision prompted a mixed response, with some parents wel- coming the ban while others ex- pressed concerns that their children could become dehydrated. But Ms Crawford-Usher insisted children would drink water when they were thirsty if it was the only option.


Diabetes talk


AYLESFORD and Eccles WI mem- bers will hold their monthly meet- ing on Wednesday, October 28 at 7.30pm in the Brassey Centre, Sta- tion Road, Aylesford, when there will be a talk by a speaker from Di- abetes UK. There will also be time for a chat


over a cup of tea and a chance to ex- plore outside events and interest days that may be available to at- tend. The competition is any item start-


ing with the letter Q and the recy- cling stall is for a handbag or purse. Visitors are always welcome. Con- tact Eileen on 01622 715205.


Ice rink fun


AFREE ice skating rink will be part of the fun for families at a Christ- mas Fayre at The Friars,Aylesford, on Saturday and Sunday, Novem- ber 28 and 29. Attractions also include Santa’s grotto, a bouncy castle, gift stalls, barbecue, ceramic workshop, mulled wine, mince pies and fes- tive music. Admission is £4 for adults and free for under-12s.


Lunch date PENSIONERS are invited to make new friends at a senior lunch club at The Dorcas Centre in Swal- low Road, Larkfield. The club runs from 11am to 1.30pm every Thursday, when members can enjoy a two-course meal and activities such as quizzes, bingo or board games. There is a minimum donation of £3. To book, call 07434 150922.


Table blaze


POLICE were called to East Malling playing field in New Road at 10.30pm after two men were seen trying to set an oak table on fire near the village hall. The blaze was started with a pile of newspa- pers which had been left under- neath the table. The officers put out the fire with portable extinguishers.


Malling October 2015 33


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