News


downsmail.co.uk Family centres show improvement


MAIDSTONE’S children’s centres have received a pat on the back from Government inspectors after responding to calls to clean up their act. Ofsted inspectors deemed the


town cluster of six centres inade- quate at an inspection in June last year, but say a raft of improvements now justify them being re-classified as good. Five inspectors looked at the six children’s centres – East Borough, Greenfields, Howard de Walden, Sunshine, The Meadow and West Borough – over four days. They found significant progress


had been made to improve the qual- ity and range of services provided for families. Services had a consistently posi-


blaze inquiry POLICE investigating a fire at a derelict building in Maidstone are appealing for information. The blaze, at the former school


house in Brewer Street, is believed to have started between 1pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, September 26 and is being treated as suspicious. Officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries, speak- ing to local businesses and investi- gating possible CCTV evidence. Maidstone district commander


Chief Inspector Mick Gardner said: “This was a fire believed to have been started deliberately in a built- up area of the town, with thou- sands of pounds’ worth of damage caused. Fortunately our partners at Kent Fire and Rescue Service were able to put the blaze out before it spread.” Anyone with information can contact 01622 604100 or email west.division.media.appeals@kent. pnn.police.uk quoting reference YY/019335/15.  In a separate incident, Adam Stajer (21), of Lower Stone Street, denied deliberately starting a fire at The Works bookshop in Week Street, Maidstone in June. The Slovak pleaded not guilty to


arson with intent to endanger life and an alternative charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. A trial date has been set for November 30.


Hall solar plan HARRIETSHAM Village Hall is appealing for votes after being shortlisted for a M&S community energy fund award for solar roof panels. The hall is one of several projects nominated and the one with the most votes will win the funding. To vote for the Harrietsham proj-


ect, go to www.mandsenergy- fund.com/project/27171.


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tive impact on familieswhoused the centres and therewere highly effec- tive working arrangements with other services and organisations, meaning families received profes- sional help quickly. The Ofsted report said: “Centre leaders and staff are highly moti- vated and dedicated to their role. They praise the new management structure and take full responsibility for the quality of their work.” Although there had been an in-


crease in the range of training courses provided for parents, in- spectors found there was still room


for improvement if the centres wanted to be rated outstanding. The inspectors visited three stay- and-play sessions, including one at Maidstone Barracks, the young par- ents’ group, a community café, a childminding group, adult learning sessions, clinics and a Baby Bump- kins session at TheMeadowsCentre. The centres’ priorities are children


and families living in less affluent areas, teenage and young parents, children known to be supported by social care and military families. There are 8,391 children aged under five years living in the com-


munity served by the centres and about 11% of the families are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Parts of Tovil and Park Wood,


served by the Sunshine and Meadow children’s centres, are deemed to be among the most dis- advantaged areas of the country. Targeted work in the Park Wood


area had doubled the numbers of families accessing services. The report said: “Centre staff have worked tirelessly to promote the centres’ services across the area. As a result, the centres are now re- garded as hubs of the community.”


School house Credit union’s £2m loan milestone


LENDING by Kent Savers Credit Union, which has its base in Maid- stone, passed the £2million mark in September. Loans of nearly £74,000 were is-


sued in the month, from a loan for vehicle repairs to several for debt consolidation. Other popular rea- sons included home improvement, furnishings, holidays and cars. Nearly 1,500 loans have been is-


sued by the organisation that was launched in 2010 to provide a cheaper, safer option for those with poor credit histories facing loan sharks and pay-day lenders. Kent Savers Credit Union – a part- nership with the Church of England


– has seen a number of church and community-based branches created. Martin Kingman (pictured), chair- man of Kent Savers Credit Union, said: "In the past year there has been a kick


back


against the very high interest rates charged by pay-day lenders and


some banks and credit card compa- nies. Also, banks are being more se- lective when agreeing loans and many people such as those on bene-


Singer guest at lunch


SPANDAU Ballet frontman Tony Hadley helped to raise £14,000 for chil- dren’s charity Action Medical Research at a ladies’ lunch in Maidstone. The singer (pictured) has been a supporter of Action Medical Research


since he took part in the charity’s trek to Peru in 2003. The Tony Hadley Ladies’ Lunch, supported by Next, took place at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, where 200 guests en- joyed a drinks reception and the chance to have their photos taken with the 80s heartthrob before a two-course meal and live perform- ance. Paula Ray, Action Medical Re- search’s community fundraising manager for the region, said: “It was a fantastic afternoon and we’re grateful to Tony for showing the ladies such a good time and to the new committee who helped make the lunch such a success.” Action Medical Research has


played a significant role in many medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952, from the development of the first UK polio vaccines to the use of ultrasound in pregnancy. Paula said: “I’d like to thank everyone who came along and enjoyed the


party, aswell as all the local businesses who donated some brilliant prizes.” If you’d like to volunteer to support Action Medical Research, please con- tact Paula Ray on 07901 712510 or email pray@action.org.uk


Maidstone East November 2015


fits with small incomes requiring small sums for a short period find it hard to access borrowing. Kent Savers have a range of loans and works with its members to help them save and break the cycle of debt." As well as helping those strug-


gling to pay debts, the credit union relies on savers and those with good credit histories to offset the higher risk it takes in helping those less well off. Mr Kingman said: “Our main


aims are to promote saving and pro- vide our members with loans at rea- sonable rates, so that they feel in control of their own money.”


Churches


need friends THE Leeds and Broomfield churches are looking for more friends. The Friends of Leeds and Broomfield Churches is a regis- tered charity which has raised more than £66,000 to help main- tain and support the churches over the years. Membership is £1 a month


and subscriptions are crucial to ensure the future of the build- ings. A spokesperson for the friends said most people, even if they were not churchgoers, would be sad to see their village church fall into disrepair. They liked to use it for weddings, baptisms and funerals and en- joyed community events. The friends have helped with


the repair of the Leeds Church clock, the Lady Chapel floor and repair to the roof joists, as well as a host of other projects. More details can be found on www.friendslbc.org.uk


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