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Bus users consulted on timetable changes
RESIDENTS are to be asked what they think of proposals to remove or amend up to 17 rural bus services. Communities in places such as Lin-
ton, Marden and Yalding could be af- fected as Kent County Council scrapes around to shave a further £400,000 off its transport budget. The county council is already
tasked with saving £1m on its provi- sion of “socially necessary” bus serv- ices in the coming year, on top of last year’s £750,000. According to KCC: “A range of
service changes have been intelli- gently developed with the bus opera- tors and are considered to be relatively low impact.” But KCC Cllr Mike Baldock be-
lieves savings should be made else- where, without punishing people
Mollie Richford
MOLLIE Richford (88) lived in various houses in East Farleigh from 1960, spending most time in Vicarage Lane. She was a teacher in a number of village junior schools, and regularly aended East Farleigh Church. Born Mollie Picke
in Benover, Yalding, she grew up in Nelestead and Wateringbury and trained as a teacher in Cambridge. Mollie taught in Biddenden and Rochester before
marrying Paul – who worked as a county architect – and the couple lived in East Peckham before moving to East Farleigh. Molliewas mother to David, Mark and
Mary and over the years taught at schools in Hunton, Nelestead andWateringbury. David said: “My motherwas an independent-spirited woman who had clear ideas about the way shewanted things done. “Her faith was very strong and shewas involved with East Farleigh Church as a
who live in remote rural areas. “These are not commuter services.
They are there to help people get to shops or go to medical appoint- ments,” he said. Cabinet member for transport Cllr Matthew Balfour has said KCC will listen to the views of the public dur- ing the consultation period, which runs until May 15 – but it still needs to find savings of £400,000. KCC has worked closely with its
bus operator partners to identify serv- ices and journeys which could be re- turned to commercial operation following news that the Government is granting just £5.6m, rather than the hoped £6.5m, in the coming year. The changes include the re-timing
of journeys, journey amalgamations and journey withdrawals.
KCC supports about 2.3% of bus
routes in the county, which are not commercially viable, but which give people access to work, healthcare, shops or education. Among the list of suggestions is the withdrawal of the No 89 evening service between Maidstone and Cox- heath, being replaced by a diversion to service No 5 which goes via Loose and Linton, and the removal of the Monday service from Benover, Yald- ing, to Paddock Wood. There could implications for the Maidstone to Hawkhurst service, although it could remain largely unchanged. A route could be introduced be-
tween Maidstone and Kings Hill via West Malling station to cover the loss of Nu Venture service 123. Consultation ends on May 15.
chorister, bell ringer, sidesperson, organist and archivist. As an archivist she looked in to whether the church had ever been dedicated to any saint, discovering that it never has. “My motherwas also a Guide captain
and district commissioner and – after being widowed in 1999 – had an amazing end to her life with solo trips to places like Canada, Iceland and Morocco. She visited the Galapagos Islands seven times, becoming a personal friend of Philip Darwin – a descendant of Charles Darwin – and being appointed as a guardian of the Galapagos because of her dedication to the islands.” Mollie leaves her children, seven grandchildren and three great- granddaughters.
Joan Boyle
JOAN Boyle (78) lived in East Peckham for most of her life. She came to the area when shewas
evacuated from Wood Green in London as a child and returned after training with the Salvation Army in 1959. Born Joan Perry, she marriedWilliam Boyle (originally from Dundee) and the
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46 Maidstone Town April 2016 Quiz night
A QUIZ night is being held at the United Reformed Church inWeek Street, Maidstone to raise money for the church’s property develop- ment fund. The quiz takes place on Saturday,
April 23, in the main hall of the church, starting at 7pm. Entry is £5 per person and teams
are made up of six people. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. For further information, contact Graeme Wyles on 07919 050430.
Model trains GET on track for this year’s Maid- stone Model Railway Exhibition at Loose. The event, on Saturday, April 16, is
at the village primary school in Loose Road, with opening times running from 10am to 4.30pm. There will be a variety of layouts to
enjoy from Britain, America, Europe and Japan. Admission for adults is £5, children £2 and a family ticket £12. For details call 07595 255150.
couple made their home in East Peckham from 1964. Joan worked on
farms andWilliam worked in plant hire and as a roller driver. Later in life, Joan became an occupational therapy
helper and worked with mentally- handicapped elderly people at Oakwood Hospital in Maidstone, retiring from that part of her working life when the hospital closed. Joan andWilliam raised sons David and Stuart. Son David said: “My mother’s passion
was her work with the Salvation Army. She and my father built up and ran the local corps in East Peckham, where my mother served for more than 40 years. In a move that is highly unusual, I took over the corps from her leadership, along with my wife Suzanne, when her health declined. “Shewas loved by everyone and always
had time for people. Shewas known as Auntie Joan andwas a cherished presence in her community. There is a thanksgiving service for her life at Holy Trinity Church, East Peckham at 3pm on April 17.” Joan – whowas widowed in 1996 –
leaves her sons and grandchildren Jasmine and Joseph.
The Stone Shop
Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere.
Inscriptions added to existing memorials
Renovations and memorial cleaning
The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.
01622 726633 There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
nlnxn@aol.com
Obituaries
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