News
downsmail.co.uk Royal honours announced
LOCAL people have been celebrating being named in the Queen’s New Year’s honors list. Of this year’s 1,196 recipients,
76% have undertaken “outstanding work in their communities”. In the Maidstone area they are: George Batts (90), from Barming,
who will be made an MBE for his voluntary service to war veterans. A veteran of the Normandy Land- ings, George became the national secretary and treasurer of the now- disbanded Normandy Veterans’ Association and spent many years organising pilgrimages to France to remember The Fallen in the D-Day conflict. His voluntary work has also included compiling an archive of eye-witness accounts from the battlefields and assisting with civic visits, for which he received an award from Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014. Venessa Willms, from Maid-
stone, will be awarded an OBE for services to education. The director of primary education for Ark Schools said: “I am delighted to have been awarded an OBE. Over
said: “I’m greatly honoured by this award. Retail is a great industry. I’m delighted to have been able to give something back and help some of its people who have fallen on hard times.” Craig, who met and married his
Craig Vidler, George Batts and Venessa Willms have all been honoured
the past nine years at Ark, includ- ing seven as the founding principal at King Solomon Academy, I have worked with talented teachers and senior leaders to provide every child with the tools they need to go to university or pursue a career of their choice. “Their dedication to that mission continues to inspire and together we are working to set a high bar for educational outcomes.”
Craig Vidler receives a BEM for services to charity. The 69-year-old, who lived near Mote Park in Maid- stone throughout his early years, has raised money for charities such as the Royal Marsden and more than £500,000 for the Retail Trust with an annual fly-fishing event over the last 28 years. The former Maidstone Grammar
boy, who built a hugely successful career in retailing and recruitment,
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
Sports costs
SPORTS clubs face higher Maid- stone Council charges in 2016-17 with football, rugby, tennis and bowls clubs needing to pay about 5% more. Asingle let for a football pitch
will increase from £57.60 to £60.50, discounted 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 tennis- court hire goesup40p to £8.40 an hour. Bowls costs increase by about 5% and use of changing rooms/showers will increase by almost 12% to £20 a time. Charges also increase for book-
ings in council parks and Jubilee Square and for cemetery costs.
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: “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 virgin-
moneygiving.com or mydo-
nate.bt.com.
Protest over farm plan
APACKEDcrowd gathered in Fant Hall to protest over a plan to build on land at Fant Farm. Gleeson Developments has sub-
mitted an application for 225 houses on 14 hectares of arable farming land south of Gatland Lane. Despite the developer’s pledge to provide “generous landscaping”, lo- cals say traffic and pollution will cause irreparable damage – apart from the loss of the land, an impor-
tant wildlife habitat, and the open views down the Medway valley. All three of the ward councillors
are fighting the proposal, along with two county councillors. The site has also been ruled out of Maidstone Council’s local plan. Gareth Owen, chairman of Save
Fant Farm, said: “It is our local councillors who make the decisions and we shall be looking to them to refuse this.”
Charity shop needs volunteers CANCERResearchUKurgently needs volunteers to help out in its shop. Applicants should be aged 17 or over and able to spare at least two
hours aweek. There are various roles available at the shop in Maidstone, from working on the shop floor and till to sorting out donated stock. Training is provided. Contact Sarah McCloy at sarahmccloy@hot-
mail.co.uk or call the shop manager on 01622 662502 for details.
wife of 46 years while working in South Africa, returned with Mar- jorie and their daughter Claire to Maidstone in 1971 and lived in Loose and for a short time in Leeds village. The couple now live near Ash-
ford but are regular visitors to the area, particularly Bearsted. Craig remains a founding partner of a mentoring service for the over-55s. Craig added: “This came as a complete surprise and amused me somewhat because it was some- thing Iwas not expecting. “A lot of dear friends and col- leagues must have put in a good word for me somewhere along the line and I am delighted to accept. It’s a huge privilege.”
No funding for river path
ANEWriverside path fromAlling- ton looks unlikely to receive any fi- nancial support from Tonbridge and Malling Council. The 10.5km path, which would
run between Allington Lock and Barming Bridge, is being backed financially by both KCC and Maidstone Council, which have asked Tonbridge and Malling Council for £300,000 to extend it to Aylesford Station. But as the Downs Mail went to
press, council officers in Malling said funding cuts meant theywere unable to recommend offering any financial help. A report to Malling’s finance committee notes KCC’s progress with the plan for the tow path and the £2m investment secured, and an indication from Maidstone Council of funding of up to £500,000. The report adds: “Whilst it is recognised that the proposal would be desirable in terms of improving access along the riverside, it does not meet the council’s priorities or stated criteria for capital funding, and no developer contributions are available or forthcoming. “A contribution of £300,000
would be in excess of the council’s entire annual allowance for fund- ing new schemes.” The path will stretch into Maid-
stone, past Fant, the Gallagher Sta- dium and on to Tovil with a planned cyclehubin Lockmeadow.
Maidstone Town February 2016 43
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