downsmail.co.uk


In this modern stressful world, a lot of people love to escape to the peace of the park and do notwant this interrupted by Segways, noisy model boats etc. There are already too many cars in the park and one has to be very careful when taking small children or dogs over there. Less environmental damage might also


give the nature of the park a chance to recover. There has been talk about provision for nature but most of us long- term residents have sadly seen it all decline over the years. Ifwe don’t all help protect it, it will disappear altogether. This is one of the few places in Maidstone wherewe can make a difference andwe ought to limit the damage. I do love Mote Park and care passionately about its future. I resent all these commercial ventures. I met a number of mothers at Gillingham Strand last year and they were moaning about the fact that they couldn’t come to Mote Park during the summer as they had several small children and didn'twant to spend the entire day being pestered by their children to be allowed in the fair! I did complete the survey when asked at


the park, but let’s face it, the questions were worded to get the answers they wanted – not to get honest answers and opinions. Mote Park is not a London park and I for


one, whilst I do appreciate the path round the lake, would suggest hands off everything else. Leave us to enjoy it just as it is. Jean Howland, by email


Bypass money was there


Dear Sir – Iwas reading the comments about the Leeds-Langley bypass andwas interested by KCC leader Paul Carter’s statement that he would have to find £55m to do this project. Didn't they once put £50m into an Ice-


landic bank, and would it not have been cheaper to carry out the work at this time? I would be surprised if he lives in Langley because you state that he uses the South Park rat-run to get to work. No doubt we will continue to have 44-tonnes lorries, some containing liquefied petroleum gas, mount- ing the kerbs through the centre of town James Burnham, by email.


Council tax error


Dear Sir – Your story on council tax in the recent edition of Downs Mail quotes that the average council tax bill for a band D


property in the current year is £1,089.99 This is wrong – that is just the Kent County Council portion and is not the total of what people have to pay at the moment. Added to this are precepts for Kent


Police, Kent Fire and Rescue, Maidstone Council and the local parish council. So, as an example, my bill for a band D property (just an average three-bedroom semi) in Coxheath is £1,584.28 this year. I do think you should make this clear


and quote the correct total figures. PeterWelfare, by email


Racism claim shocking


Dear Sir – I have just read the school racism claim in your paper today and am astounded that a young child has been victimised by the school in thisway. It's disgraceful – Gaynor Harryman and


her son should receive a sincere apology and all claims that her son made a racist comment should be wiped out. Black is an accepted term for a black man


as white is for a white man – a lot of derogatory terms existed in years gone by (I do remember them as I am72) but black is totally acceptable, ask any black person. The school has gone mad – I would certainly notwant my grandchildren to be going to Vinters Park if that’s the way they teach and treat their pupils. The headmaster and teachers need a lesson in racism before they are let loose teaching young people. I hope a lot of people complain about


this as it is something that needs to be addressed prey promptly. Anyone reading the report and what was said and to whom and her reaction would first of all laugh as it’s so outrageous and then be disgusted that a young boy had to go through being disciplined and having a racism report against him when there was no case to answer. If Iwas the parent I would seek some


advice from a solicitor and explain that my son's name had been blackened (is that racist?) by the school. It’s shocking. Carole Revell, Hillden Shaw, Maidstone


Comments out of context


Dear Sir – Regarding your story about an allegedly racist comment made in a school, I feel very sorry for the young boy who made the comment, as Iwent through a similar experience. I live in sheltered accommodation and


about three weeks before Christmas men arrived to fit new windows and doors.


Iwas siing in the lounge, and the window and doorwere out and the back doorwas open. The workmenwere throwing rubbish out of the door, but the windwas blowing it back into the hall, so I put a black bag outside the door to take their rubbish. When one of the men came back in I said: “Excuse me, I’ve put a black bag outside for you to put your rubbish in.” I thought hewas going to hit me, and he shouted: “You’re not allowed to say that any more.” What is it coming to – what arewe


allowed to say? I did report it but nothing was done. Mrs S Hayes, Greenborough Close, Maidstone


Retake control of borders


Dear Sir – After 70 years living here I am appalled at how Maidstone has been forced to change over the past five years or so and I too will be voting to exit the EU (Mail Marks, March). Maidstone has become so overcrowded


and immigration is radically changing the culture of our town. It will get worse until Britain gains full control of its borders. We are having huge residential


developments imposed on us very much against our will; road journeys now take so much longer; our GPs and hospitals are totally overstretched and delays for patients are unacceptable; and too many parents have deep concerns about finding desired places in schools. Brexit may bring early uncertainties but I


will live with these to expel the hand the EU casts over our country. Robin Brand - by email


Vote for Brexit


Dear Sir – I feel guilty my generation is creating through EU membership a diminished Britain I will be ashamed to leave tomy children and grandchildren. (Mail Marks, March). I ampatriotic and have loved living in Maidstone, Kent and England. I cannot bear to see what now happens through overcrowding and the financial crises I consider are closely linked to our EU membership, especially onwelfare payments. I love Europe too, and believewe can


workwell with our friendly neighbours without all the serious downsides of EU membership. We have to give this a chance and vote for Brexit. Mary Jameson - by email.


Support service backed Concert dates


A BEREAVEMENT support serv- ice in Maidstone facing closure after KCC pulled the plug on its funding has found a backer in Maidstone Lions. The Cruse Centre in Marsham


Street, where trained councillors offer free and confidential support to hundreds of people every year, was due to run out of money in April, after losing £5,000 in funding from the county council. But Maidstone Lions has said the


service must continue and has of- fered £5,575 to keep it going while it looks for long-term funding. Cruse’s Alison Blair said: “We


were disappointed when we were told thatwewere to lose our fund- ing. Our volunteers provide first- line telephone and email support and face-to-face counselling that is well-known across the county for its contribution to bereavement care. The Lions’ group has helped us in the past andwe are extremely


grateful for their support.” Peter Hooper, Maidstone Lions


welfare chairman, said: “I had the privilege of seeing the dedication of these volunteers when I was mayor of Maidstone in 2004-5, so I had no hesitation in recommend- ing to the Lions that we support this worthwhile cause.” Alison said: “This grant will en-


able us to keep going whilewe look to secure permanent funding from April 2017.”


THE programme chosen by the Maidstone Singers for their two summer concerts this year embraces major sacred works by two of Britain’s leading living composers: Bob Chilcott's Requiem and Sir Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater. The concerts will take place at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone at 7.30pm on Sunday, June 19 and St Mary’s Church, West Malling at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 25. Soloists are Stephanie Crooks, Diane Seargeant and David Clarke. Tickets: £12 for adults, free for U18s.


Maidstone Town April 2016 45


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