News
downsmail.co.uk Shelter opens to help homeless
THE Maidstone churches winter shelter has once again opened its doors. For 12 weeks until March 6, the
shelter offers warm hospitality and safe beds at a different church each night of theweek for up to 15 of the most vulnerable rough sleepers in the town. Just before cutting the ribbon to
open the shelter, the chairman of the charity’s trustees, Rev Bill Miller thanked all the volunteers who en- sure the guests feel safe and com- fortable. Hesaid: “Volunteers get involved in so many different ways, some
preparing the meal, others acting as hosts, others baking or laundering sleeping bags. Every contribution makes a difference to the experience of the guests and we are grateful to each one.” Some volunteers also give up
theirownsleep to care for the guests overnight, and on opening night one of thesewas the Archdeacon of Maidstone, the Venerable Stephen Taylor: He said: “Homelessness is very
much part of the Christmas story. I was keen to give my one night’s sleep, knowing that it will make a difference to the lives of some of the
most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.” The shelter’s operations manager,
Jayne Hendy, has been involved in the project since its pilot in 2013-14, and is determined to help guests find long-term solutions. She hopes that this year at least 30 guests will be housed by the end of the project. If you would like to get involved
with the Maidstone ChurchesWin- ter Shelter, call 07713 706665 or 01622 961616, email mcwsof-
fice@gmail.com or go to thewebsite,
maidstoneshelter.org.uk. Donations can be made at virginmoneygiv-
ing.com or
mydonate.bt.com.
Rev Bill Miller cuts the ribbon Sports clubs face price hike Call for witnesses to fatal crash
SPORTS clubs face higher Maidstone 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 almost 12% to £20 a time. Charges also increase for bookings in council parks and Jubilee Square and for cemetery costs – but cremation increases are restricted.
POLICE investigating a fatal col- lision in Hermitage Lane, Ayles- ford have appealed for any witnesses to contact them. The incident happened at about 9.36am on Monday, January 4, when a silver Man petrol tanker and a red Nissan Qashquai col- lided near the junction with Whitepost Wood Lane. Phil Edbrooke-Childs (36),
from the Dover area, who was driving the Nissan, died at the scene. Investigators would like to
speak to anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have seen either of the two vehicles shortly before the incident. Anyone with information is
asked to contact police on 01622 798538, quoting reference 04-0242.
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