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keep park safe RESIDENTS of Maidstone are in- vited to get involved with their local park by joining the Mote Park Fellowship. This group of volunteers works


with Maidstone Council to look after and maintain the park. The group, which has charitable status, aims to create a well-maintained and safe environment to enhance the quality of life of local residents. Members enjoy benefits includ-


ing 20% discount in the cafe, 10% in the Romney Restaurant, half- price courses at the Mote Park water sports centre on the lake and free entry to events. Volunteers arewelcome to attend practical conservation task days in the park everyWednesday and one Saturday every month, from 9.30am to 1pm. The next task day is December 12. Volunteers should meet at the office next to the cafe. Other volunteering opportunities include administration, stewarding events and helping to organise events and activities such as play days and arts and crafts. Anyone who would like to get


more involved should attend one of the park task days or email alanfrith@maidstone.gov.uk or visit www.moteparkfellowship.org.uk


downsmail.co.uk You can help to Memorial garden opens


MORE than 200 veterans, digni- taries and supporters turned out for the dedication of a memorial gar- den at the RoyalBritish LegionVil- lage,Aylesford. The plaque was unveiled by Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt General Andrew Gregory, and guests included MPfor Chatham andAylesford Tracey Crouch. The servicewas led by RBLI chap-


lain, the Rev Chris vanStraaten, with harvest festival songs fromValley In- victa Primary School, Snodland and a reading by Burma Star veteran res- ident John Riggs of the war poem “The Volunteer”.


go to the donors and fundraisers whohavemadethis possible, along- side the teams who designed and built the garden.” Lt General Gregory had broken


MP Tracey Crouch at the service RBLI chief executive Steve Sherry


said: “It was a celebration of life as much as itwas a commemoration of sacrifice and selflessness. I’m ex- tremely proud of the work that has been achieved here and our thanks


the ground at the start of the project in 2014 when it was decided to cre- ate a garden to mark the centenary of WorldWar I and to become a na- tional memorial to the devotion, bravery and sacrifice of the armed forces. Built on the site of an original me-


morial garden opened in 1980, it has been given national war memorial status, is fully accessible and can ac- commodate larger events.


Good report for childminder Choir concert


AN Ofsted inspector who visited childminder Diana Bushnell in Ewell Avenue,West Malling found that she helped children to develop good social skills and manners. They learned to be respectful of


each other and be polite. The children were confident and independent learners who explored and experimented as they played, and shared their ideas with the childminder, with whom they had trusting relationships. They were


Pumptrack plan makes progress


MORE than 500 people are now backing a campaign for a cycling pumptrack in Maidstone or Mid Kent.


Mountain biker Mike Jordan regularly travels to a track at Hawkinge and believes something nearer the county town would be a great boon for stunt cyclists. Pumptracks allow bikers of all


kinds to put their wits and skills to the test on a purpose-built track. It can cost between £40,000 and £60,000 to build a pumptrack – plus the cost of the land. Mike (27), from Tovil, initially approached Maidstone Council but has now been told no land is available, so he has widened the scope to look at sites within 10 miles of the county town. He said: “Having a track near


the town is a big improvement over the nearest track being 40 milesaway. Consequently,we will be contactingAshford Council and Tonbridge and Malling Council, to put forward the proposals and en- quire whether they have suitable sites. “All we need is a patch of land


about 30m by 30m and we can work on fundraising and making


18 Malling December 2015


it a reality.” Mike has approached a number


of developers in a bid to convince them to incorporate a pumptrack into future housing plans, as part of their requirement to provide green space and recreational areas. He said: “Several of them have


shown interest and said they will discuss incorporating them into future projects, so that’s good news.” He is still waiting to hear back


from the Cobtree Trust about whether there is a suitable space at Cobtree Manor Park, but in the meantime he has set up an infor- mal mountain club called Invicta Gravity Riders, with the intention of becoming a registered sports club. The club has been given stew- ardship of the old Red Bull Track, which was built in Mote Park in 2010, and has been authorised by Maidstone Council to carry out re- pairs.


Mike said: “This is a positive


step and hopefullywe'll be able to work on improving mountain-bik- ing options and facilities across the county, improving Kent's appeal as a cycling destination.”


happy to approach her for support and reassurance. The childminder was also building good relationships with parents, sharing her policies and procedures with them. There were interesting activities


which helped the children make progress. However, they did not al- ways have opportunities to explore technology resources and their progress was not always effectively tracked. The provision of care was rated as good.


KENT Chamber Choir, with conductor Alan Vincent, will present Music for Advent and Christmas at St John’s Church, Wateringbury, on Saturday De- cember 5 with prize-winning soprano Alice Brown . Tickets are £10 (£5 for chil-


dren and students) and are available from Wateringbury Post Office or Ros Diment on 01622 813032.


Veteran award for Shaun


A FORMER serviceman has received a national award for helping fellow veterans meet the challenges of adjusting to civilian life and work. Shaun Maloney (pictured), head employability coach and specialist


trainer at Aylesford-based Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), was honoured for his work in helping to change the lives of hundreds of service leavers. He was chosen to re- ceive the award because of his commitment in developing and delivering the RBLI’s Life- Works courses, increasing them locally and nationwide and expanding them to sup- port military spouses and part- ners and veterans serving in prison. He received the individual


award for excellence in support of service-leavers at the inau- gural Nationwide Resettle- ment Awards ceremony in Manchester. Delighted Shaun said: “I’m


overwhelmed to receive the award and to have been cho- sen from so many other dedi- cated people. As a former member of the armed forces, I know how daunting it is when you leave. It’s like leaving your family and sometimes it’s hard to see how your skills and experience fit into civilian life.” RBLI chief executive Steve Sherry said: “We’re extremely proud of Shaun’s achievement. His knowledge and empathy, together with his com- mitment and creativity in developing the courses to help his fellow veter- ans, are why he is thoroughly deserving of this award, and we thank and congratulate him.”


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