downsmail.co.uk 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 bandD 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 bandDproperty (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 theway 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 whatwas 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 therewas no case to


Sir Peter Maxwell Davies


SIR Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE (81) was a patron of Kent Music. He took an active interest in music created throughout the county and engaged both with teachers of music and musicians. The Lancashire-


born composer and conductorwas a major figure in the UK classical music community; noted for a personal journey


that took him from being the composer of difficult and challenging works to become the Master of the Queen’s Music. Despite living in the Orkney Isles from


1971, Sir Peter was a noted advocate of local music, and remained passionate about music education. He had been a patron of Kent Music since 2006. The association’s chief executive Peter


Bolton described Sir Peter as “a great supporter of music education for all” and noted “we will cherish his patronage and


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 threeweeks 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. 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 he was 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


his musical legacy”. Sir Peter first came to prominence when forming the group New Music Manchester with composers Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Elgar Howarth and John Ogdon. Hewas awarded a number of honorary doctorates andwas a keen environmentalist. One of his best known compositions –


Farewell to Stromness – celebrates the environment around his Orkney home.


Marion Pring


THE death has been reported of Marion Pring (80), of Hollingbourne. Marionwas known for her years of


involvement with the WI; the local branch hosted a party for her 80th birthday in July last year. Marion’s roles with the WI included two years as president and a lengthy spell as honorary treasurer. She was also active in a number of village organisations including All Saints’ Parochial Church Council. Marion served her local church in a number of capacities including churchwarden and honorary verger.


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.


Jobs an illusion


Dear Sir – When yet another supermarket proposal comes up, I have to give a wry smile as the bid always includes “hundreds of new jobs” (Downsmail, February). With the proliferation of supermarkets


and Tesco even closing some down, it’s obvious that one person’s supermarket job, is another person’s redundancy. We can only buy so much. There isn’t an inexhaustible supply of money, unless you’re in government of course. Why not merge the park and ride in with


the store, to supply all the local shops? It’s something that more understanding councils seem to manage quite easily! Phil Granger, Alma Road,West Malling


Michael Jordan


THE death has been reported of Michael Jordan who lived on Pilgrim’sWay, near Hollingbourne. Michael lived locally for almost all of his


life and spent years baling illness. Hewas a motor sports enthusiast, competing regularly in car rallying. Michael spent much of his working life in insurance but also used his professional skills when serving as trustee of the Friends of Hollingbourne's Historic Church. Michael leaves his wife, Liz, with whom he shared his passion for motor sport.


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 Maidstone East April 2016


43


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Obituaries


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