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News Blind Delphine finds new home
A BLIND dog who was tied to a pallet of bricks and left to die has got a reason to wag her tail again after finding a loving home.
Delphine the springer spaniel, aged about five, was dumped in Cripple Street, Maidstone earlier this year. Despite being safe and well-cared for, she did not like life in kennels and rarely wagged her tail. But her life was transformed after her story was spotted on Face- book by her new owners, John and Anne Hopkins.
John said: “It is incredible how quickly she learned to trust us. When we first met her she was pac- ing around and when we touched her she flinched. She was extremely nervous. But gradually Delphine has learned to relax with us. Her tail never stops wagging now.” The couple from Wokingham, Berkshire, visited Leybourne Ani- mal Centre four times to build up Delphine’s confidence and they brought their nine-year-old rescue dog Antonia along to meet her too. John said: “She has grown in con- fidence and finds her way around
Assault case
driver banned A SENACRE driver has been banned from driving for three years, after pleading guilty to driving with- out insurance, failing to provide a breath specimen and assaulting a police officer in East Malling. Ashley Greenwood (25), from
Graveney Road, was stopped by po- lice in Ruskin Close, East Malling, in September this year. At Mid Kent Magistrates Court he
was banned from driving for 36 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. He must also pay £75 com- pensation, a £150 criminal courts charge, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Charity car park CHRISTMAS shoppers and football supporters can help charity when they use the car park at the County- gate office in Staceys Street. The car park will be manned by members of Maidstone Lions’ Club from 10am to 5pm every Saturday from November 28 until Christmas. Anyone wanting further informa- tion about Maidstone Lions Club can ring Malcolm Luxton on 01795 841439.
WI meeting AYLESFORD and Eccles WI mem- bers will meet on Wednesday, No- vember 25 at 7.30pm in the Brassey Centre, Station Road, Aylesford. The talk by Helen Howard is Molluscs and Me. Call Eileen on 01622 715205.
Mayor Cllr Owen Baldock with young cricket leaders, Adam Ball (far left) and Richard Kettleborough (far right)
Leaders award for cricketers
EIGHT young cricketers from Tonbridge and Malling met some of the sport’s VIPs at an awards ceremony at Lord’s cricket ground. The borough’s mayor Cllr Owen Baldock was joined by Kent cricketer Adam Ball and international umpire Richard Kettleborough to present the Tonbridge and Malling candidates with their Young Leader in Cricket awards.
Other guests included Jane Hannah, from the England Cricket Board, and Matt Floyd, from Sky Sports, as well as 150 other young cricket leaders from across Kent.
Afterwards, the youngsters were treated to a tour of the ground. The young leader programme is open to those aged 14-16 and includes training in coaching, umpiring and scoring, groundsmanship and first aid. Cllr Baldock said: “We hope this
year’s award winners will go on to inspire other young people to take up the sport and help to boost an interest in cricket locally.” There will be another Young Leaders in Cricket programme in 2016. For more details, call the council’s leisure services team on 01732 876166.
Driver robbed on country road
A WOMAN was grabbed by the jaw and robbed by two men who forced her to stop her car on a country road near Birling. She was driving her Ford Fiesta in White Horse Road near the junc- tion with Holly Hill Road when the white van in front stopped, forcing her to brake.
The men got out and walked to
her vehicle before one wrenched the door open and grabbed her by the jaw, while the other opened the passenger door and went through her handbag, taking a pink Ted Baker purse containing £80. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01474 366149 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
vious experiences and was unre- sponsive when she first arrived. The kennels were challenging for her as her heightened response to sound made her all the more sensi- tive to the noise of the barking dogs.
without a problem. She’s an ab- solute treasure, and lifts her paw up to let us know she wants a tummy rub.
“Delphine and Antonia are in- separable. Delphine has her own bed but she prefers to squeeze on to Antonia’s. She really is part of the family. I will never understand how anyone could part with her.” When she was found, Delphine
had ear infections and cataracts in both eyes. Thanks to generous do- nations from the public, Delphine had specialist treatment at the Ani- mal Health Trust in Newmarket, but her sight could not be restored. Christine Dooley, animal centre manager at RSPCA Leybourne, is thrilled Delphine has found a home. She said: “Delphine was completely traumatised by her pre-
“When she eventually wagged her tail for us here it was a note- worthy occasion, rather like the time she first accepted a treat from our hands. They were milestones in her development and her return to being a more 'normal' dog and they felt like real achievements. “Her life has changed out of all recognition. Having the stability of a new home, a steady canine com- panion and the care and compas- sion of her new owners has changed her world completely.” If anyone has any information about Delphine and how she came to be dumped, they should call 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash.
Praise for childminder
A SNODLAND childminder has been rated as good by Of- sted, after an inspector found that children enjoyed a stimu- lating environment with a good choice of activities. Louisa-Marie Young, of Con- stitution Hill, was said to have strong relationships with par- ents and there was a regular ex- change of information. Children were able to play and learn in the outdoor area on a daily basis and the child- minder ensured that they were safe. She was confident in her knowledge of child protection and welfare.
Relationships between the children and the childminder and her assistant were close, and the children were settled and confident in their sur- roundings. A range of healthy snacks and home-cooked meals were available and helped teach the children the importance of a healthy diet. To raise the rating to out- standing, children should be encouraged to use their senses to explore outside, and more resources should be available to encourage children to make marks and develop early liter- acy skills.
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk Malling November 2015
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