News
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 reg-
ularly 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 ap- proached Maidstone Council but has now been told no land is avail- able, 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 miles away. Consequently,we will be contacting Ashford Council and Tonbridge and Malling Council to put forward the proposals and enquire whether they have suitable sites.” He said: “Allwe need is a patch of land about 30m by 30m andwe can
work on fundraising and making 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 fu- ture projects, so that’s good news.” Heis stillwaiting to hear from the Cobtree Trust about whether there is a suitable space at Cobtree Manor Park, but in the meantime he has set up an informal mountain bike club called Invicta Gravity Riders, with the intention of becoming a regis- tered sports club. The club has been given steward-
ship of the old Red Bull Track that was built in Mote Park in 2010, and has been authorised by Maidstone Council to carry out repairs. Mike said: “This is a positive step
and hopefullywe'll be able to work on improving mountain-biking op- tions and facilities across the county, improving Kent's appeal as a cy- cling destination.”
Agent offers moving gesture
LOCAL estate agent Ferris & Co is celebrating 35 years of buying, selling and letting property in Maidstone by giving away a luxury hamper filled with treats to all new tenants and buyers. The team at Ferris & Co aims to ensure that the moving experience is
as smooth and stress-free as possible for all its clients. Owner Tim Ferris said: “I believe our continued success is down to our professional, experienced and loyal team.”
Salary error to be repaid
A MAIDSTONE woman who continued to accept a salary from the NHS despite quitting her course has been ordered to pay back more than £9,000. Natalie Davidson (41), of Hadlow Close, enrolled on a community nurs-
ing programme in September 2012 but left four months later for another job. She continued to be paid by Kent Community Healthcare NHS Trust for a whole year – about £18,000 – but failed to point out the mistake. The trust learned of Davidson’s dishonesty in January 2014, and in No-
vember shewas given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after ad- mitting retaining a wrongful credit. She hasnowbeen ordered to pay back £9,092.75 to theNHSafter Kent Po-
lice applied for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Financial investigator Jackie Lowdon, of Kent Police, said: “Natalie Davidson’s dishonesty caught up with her in the end and she must now return a significant portion of the salary she had no right to claim.”
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