downsmail.co.uk Cash for kit
SPORTS clubs and teams are in- vited to apply for £1,000 of new kit to celebrate the first anniversary of Ask in Maidstone. Applicants will then be invited to
rally their fans for a public vote to find the winner. Entry forms are available at the
Italian restaurant in Earl Street, which wants to hear from junior and youth sports clubs and teams (up to U16) in the Maidstone area by Sunday, April 3. The public will be able to vote for
their favourite from a shortlist of three, via theASK Italian Facebook page or through a token system when dining in the restaurant. Vot- ing will close on Sunday, April 24. The winner will be announced at
a first birthday event at the restau- rant onWednesday, April 27.
Flower course
WOULD-BE flower arrangers considering joining the rota at their local church are being offered a free floristry course at Holy Cross church room in Bearsted. The course, aimed at beginners or near-beginners, starts at 7.30pm on MondayApril 11, 18, 25 and May 9. It is being run by Joan Curtis and her team of helpers who arrange the flowers at the church. For de- tails or to book a place, call her on 01622 737551.
News
Closure date set for Dorothy Lucy centre
KENTCounty Council has voted to close the Dorothy Lucy centre and care home. Despite efforts by local council-
lors, campaigners and MP Helen Whately, the county council’s adult social care cabinet committee voted to close the care home in Northum- berlandAvenue, Shepway, fromAu- gust 2016 and to end dementia day care provision from March 2017. Cllr Brian Clark made a final bid
for a reprieve at the meeting, with Marian Reader and Anna Ralph. Both ladies made a case to keep
the centre going, based on the excel- lent service provided and the lack of like -for-like services locally. Cllr Clark saidKCCshould defer a decision, claiming it had so far failed to find any local alternative services in the private sector. He said: “KCC has had to extend dementia day care provision at Dorothy Lucy to March next year after finding no suitable alternative. “Given the clear lack of current al- ternatives for dementia day care in south east Maidstone, this is not the
Maidstone What we have to offer you
The Goodman Centre is a fully equipped, safe and homely day care facility for those
diagnosed with dementia at any stage
Clients can enjoy: Entertainment
Home cooked hot meal for lunch Tai Chi sessions Games and quizzes
The spacious and safe garden Special date celebrations Resident pet rabbits
For More Information Contact:
The Goodman Centre, 6 Egremont Road, Madginford ME15 8LH Tel:01622 736966 Open Hours: 8am - 5pm (Mon-Fri) Call Age UK Maidstone 01622 753618 for other services
4 Maidstone East April 2016
Cllr Brian Clark, Anna Ralph and her father-in-law John Hoggin
time tomakethe decision on closure. “KCC should be deferring the de-
cision until credible alternative serv- ices are available for the whole package of services offered by Dorothy Lucy." His views were echoed by Mid
Kent MP Helen Whately who said: “I am disappointed the Dorothy Lucy Centre is to close. It is a much- valued community asset and the staff there have done great work car- ing for the frail and elderly, as well
as providing support to local fami- lies who needed respite facilities. “I am pleased I was able to help
get Kent County Council to hold back their decision while they car- ried out research to identify alterna- tive providers for the services. “This was particularly important
for day care services at Dorothy Lucy, which now won’t be with- drawn until March 2017, rather than this month as originally planned. “While I understand the reasons
KCCput forward for closing the cen- tre, providing high-quality health care locally is a must. I will continue to monitor the situation and press KCCto ensure good replacement fa- cilities are in place before the final closure of the Dorothy Lucy Centre.” KCC says the Dorothy Lucy cen-
tre is no longer fit for purpose, along with Kiln Court at Faversham. Mrs Whately said: “There are op- portunities for health agencies to use this overall situation to improve pro- vision in Maidstone and across Kent, particularly for dementia care home and nursing care home beds.”
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