South January 2016

News Operator saves 28 bus

STUDENTS living south of Maidstone have learnt that their threatened school bus route will be reinstated, while others will get an extra service. The number 28 bus, serving Mar-

den and the surrounding villages will be run by a new operator, after Nu Venture “reluctantly” quit the route. The decision by KCC follows a

public outcry by parents, represen- tations from Invicta and Maidstone grammar schools and local MP Helen Grant. KCC, who re-issued the tender,

says it will now be operated by the 1st Bus Stop bus company, based in Gravesend. The service – often packed – will operate, says KCC, as per the current route and timetable, serving Hunton, Chainhurst and Marden Railway Station at 7.07am, 7.13am and 7.31am respectively, reaching the town at 8.04am and Oakwood Park at 8.14am. The move is good news for

pupils at Maidstone Girls’ and Oakwood Park grammar schools who have also heard that aswell as the bus stopping closer to their schools, Arriva will provide an extra service, No 5X, calling at Loose, Linton and Staplehurst, to

Ex-mayor

steps down FORMERmayor ofMaidstone, Cllr Richard Thick has announced that he will not be standing for re-elec- tion to the borough council in May. The senior Conservative, who represents Head- corn, was first elected to Maid- stone Council in 1998. He served as mayor in 2014/15. Cllr Thick (left) has served on var-

ious borough council committees including planning and has also been involved in volunteer work in Headcorn. He is a member of Headcorn church choir and for- merly sang with Sutton Valence Choral Society, along with his wife Rosanne. He won his seat at the last elec-

tion with 1,001 votes, with his Green Party rival Penny Kemp trailing with 584. Cllr Thick told Boughton Mal-

herbe Parish Council of his decision and thanked all for their support.

Bank to close LLOYDS Bank has announced its branch in Loose is to close from April 18. Branch manager Adam Keeling

has written to customers to indicate the nearest branches will then be in Maidstone (Week Street), Larkfield and Rainham.

26 The No 28 bus is popular with pupils

cope with demand. Commenting on the new 28 bus service, a KCC spokesman said: “To respond to feedback from schools and parents from Oak- wood, the bus will continue via Queen’s Road to serve the Somer- field Hospital stop for Maidstone Girls’ grammar. In the afternoon, the service will depart Oakwood at 15.50, serving the Somerfield stop at 16.02.” The moves to save the No 28 and introduce the 5X service were wel-

comed by Mrs Grant, who has chaired a bus committee attended by service providers and users since 2014. Julie Derrick, a committee mem-

ber and head of Invicta Grammar, said: “The changes to the services will be instrumental in helping a significant number of students and their parents. “We will now have much happier students; they travel long distances to get to school and it is important that their journey is as easy as pos- sible, if they are to have the right mindset for learning when they ar- rive.“

Marden mum Jemma Finch said

she was pleased by the decision, but added that it remained to be seen how the company would fare. She had feared her two children

would be left with no alternative other than to take the train, change at Paddock Wood, and walk two miles to and from Invicta Grammar school or face a three-mile hike to Staplehurst, along country lanes, in the hope of getting on another bus.

downsmail.co.uk

Sports clubs face price hike

SPORTS clubs face higher Maid- stone Council charges in 2016/17 with football, rugby, tennis and bowls all needing to find about 5% more. A single let for a football pitch

will increase from £57.60 to £60.50, reduced to £50.50 for 10 or more lets (£20 for juniors). Rugby increases £5 to £65.50 for

single lets and £53 for 10 or more lets. Adult single court hire of a tennis court goes up 40p to £8.40 an hour. Bowls costs also increase by about 5%. Use of changing rooms/showers will increase by al- most 12% to £20 a time. Charges also increase for book-

ings in council parks and Jubilee Square and for cemetery costs – but cremation increases are re- stricted.

Charity drop-in HEADWAY, the charity for those who affected by a brain injury, runs weekly drop-in sessions at the Maidstone Community Support Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Contact Kate on 07481 922534 or email info@headwaywkent.org.

Avintage year for sloe gin Homes plan

THE poor British summer has brought an unexpected winter windfall for an artisan sloe gin maker from Marden. Sloe gin makers from across the

world gathered at the George Inn, Frant, on the the Kent/Sussex bor- der near Tunbridge Wells, to vie for the title of Sloe Ginster World Champion 2015. The poor summer provided

ideal growing conditions for sloes – the bitter fruit of the blackthorn bush – and Marden-based Sloe Se- duction came third in the contest, taking the bronze trophy in this, the seventh year of the annual contest.

Edinburgh-based Liquid Deli’s Demijohn was crowned world

champion for the second year run- ning. Demijohn, which also has outlets in Glasgow, York and Ox- ford and took the award in the professional class, ships its liqueurs worldwide through its mail order operation. The silver medalwent to Master

of Malt’s Bath Tub Gin, which is made in Tunbridge Wells, while Curiously Kentish, based in Birch- ington, won the award for best liqueur with its sloe vodka. The homemade category, which attracted a record number of more than 20 entries,was won by Kevin Wadley of Dartford. Last year’s winner of this cate-

gory, Grace Winey, returned to present the awards.

HEADCORNParish Council is tak- ing advice as to whether it can do anything after approval for a plan for 220 homes in the village was given by Maidstone council. The parish objected to the devel- opment, on farmland on the other side of the school playing field, be- cause of its size and on sustainabil- ity grounds. The parish council, which de- scribed the plan as “the largest ever proposed for the village,” had hoped it would be called in by the Secretary of State. However, this did not happen and, subsequently, the proposal has been approved by the borough council. Aparish council spokesman said:

“We are seeking advice and look- ing to explore any avenue that might be open to us.”

Charity to help young families bond

FARLEIGH-based charity Dande- lion Time has received a three-year grant to help it set up a ground- breaking project. The charity, which helps families

and children struggling with trauma, often arising from physical or emotional abuse, neglect and do- mestic violence, has started a proj- ect for young parents, many of whomhave experienced poor early attachment themselves. Lead child and family practi-

tioner Carol Bridges said: “Work- ing across generations is central to

Maidstone South January 2016

our work, as very often referred young people have struggled to de- velop strong attachments to a par- ent or carer in early life, severely limiting their emotional wellbeing and resilience as they have moved through childhood.” The project allows young people

who might have otherwise at- tended the core programme to at- tend sessions with their babies. Carol said: “This project sitswell

with our core programmes and will help the young person develop a healthy attachment to their child

and feel more confident in their parenting and in themselves.” The work has been made possi-

ble by a grant from the Colyer-Fer- gusson Charitable Trust, which supports charitable activity in Kent, particularly helping those who are most disadvantaged, with match funding from Dandelion Time’s supporters and fundraisers. Dandelion Time provides practi-

cal farm-based activities and thera- peutic services to help children overcome past suffering, develop confidence and self-esteem.

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