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News Olympian opens sports hall
OLYMPIC gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold returned to her old school in Maidstone to open a world-class centre for today’s students. The former head girl at Maid-
stone Girls’ Grammar School, who made sporting history after win- ning every major title in her sport of skeleton, including in the 2014 winter Olympics in just 407 days, cut the ribbon (right) on the Molly Tipples Sports Hall. Molly Tipples was a school gov-
ernor for more than 12 years, most of it as chairman, a sporting enthu- siast and a former PE teacher. Sadly, in spite of her determina-
tion to witness the opening cere- mony, Mrs Tipples died on April 6 – two days after the nine-month
GP bonuses for beer care
GP PRACTICES can now opt to participate in an updated improve- ment scheme which will earn them up to 70p a year per patient for im- proving care in three areas: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25p). Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia or impaired glucose regulation (25p) – the aim is to prevent at-risk pa- tients developing diabetes. Frequent attenders of out-of- hours services (20p). These patients repeatedly use out-of-hours serv- ices rather than see their own GP and are defined as making 10 visits to anA&E department in a year. The practices must commit to training to improve skills and prac- tice in one or all of the areas and submit evidence of improvements to the budget-holding NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group.
Care for elderly SERVICES for frail and elderly pa- tients in the area are set to improve now that NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is co-com- missioning primary care withNHS England. Local GPs will be in the driving
seat for services they offer, leading to more holistic care for the elderly. The group governing body heard
GP practices were now stretched, especially in the Maidstone area, and the group was reviewing sup- port for general practice. Key reasons for pressure on prac-
tices are the fast-growing popula- tion and demand, with patients now visiting a GP on average six times a year compared with less than twice historically. Despite concerns about a short- age of GPs in the UK there are no reported problems with vacancies in this area.
From left: Bluebird Care director Priyanka Pawar, Jade Bray and Cllr Derek Butler present the cheque to Janice Heale, centre
Award for care worker
GLOWINGcompliments fromclients have helped earn Mereworth resi- dent Janice Heale the title of Blue- bird Care care worker of the year for Maidstone. Janice, who visits clients to help
with personal and domestic care, has worked for the company for two years, after a career in accounts. She was presented with a cheque
for £200 by Deputy Mayor ofMaid- stone Cllr Derek Butler at an after- noon tea at the company’s offices in Barham Court, Teston. Janicewas nominated following a
survey with customers where she re- ceived many compliments. She said: “Iamflattered to receive
this award. It makes me feel very proud to do what I do and really shows howmuch the work I do is ap- preciated.”
Care manager Jade Bray said:“We
have a great team of care workers and are very proud of them all. We very much appreciate the hardwork and dedication they give their cus- tomers. “The feedbackwe receive fromour customers about Janice is always very positive. She forms a great rela- tionship with her customers and it is our privilege to be able to recognise her in this way.” Bluebird Care (Maidstone) pro-
vides services which enable people to lead full, comfortable and inde- pendent lives in their own home. This includes care visits, live-in and
overnight care, help with washing and dressing and assistance with medication. They also provide sup- port with domestic tasks such as cooking, washing and cleaning.
Police seeking row witnesses
OFFICERS are appealing to the public to help clarify the details of an ar- gument between a man and a woman in the town. Following the row in Earl Street, near the disabled parking bays, at 7.40pm on Sunday, April 3, conflicting reports have emerged as to what happened during the exchange of words and whether the manwas hit by a silver car. Anyone with information should call 01622 604100, quoting YY/7092/16.
project was com- pleted.
Head- teacher Miss Deborah Stanley recalled: “Molly was al- ways de- termined
to achieve the best for the school and fought hard over many years to secure funding for Buckland
House and more recently the sports hall. “Molly was thrilled by photo- graphs of the progress, andwas so pleased that students at MGGS would at last have the sports hall they deserve.” The opening ceremony was at- tended by members of the Tipples family and included a number of sporting demonstrations by stu- dents. The sports hall has a Taraflex
floor, which has been used for 10 Olympic Games since 1976 and at the London 2012 Games.
Cricket club’s
plan for town THE annual meeting of Kent County Cricket Club was told by chief executive Jamie Clifford it wanted to return to play at The Mote, Maidstone, but problems still had to be resolved. He sawMaidstone as an excellent location in the middle of the county with excellent parking, but the quality of the ground and the play- ing surface had to be improved. Kent have not played at Maid-
stone since 2005, when champi- onship points were deducted due to the quality of the wicket. The Mote Cricket Club have- worked closely with Maidstone Council over the past five years on planning an enabling residential development on the upper field to raise about £4m for improvements, including a large pavilion to serve sports on the site and the local com- munity. So far only the unique Tab- ernacle building has been restored, as the Mote Youth Sports Centre. The main work is delayed as ten-
ants Maidstone Rugby Club seek a new site in the town. The 50-year rugby lease expires on May 31.
Driver banned
ABMWdriver stopped by police in Maidstonewas found to havemore than twice the legal amount of al- cohol in his body. Carl Chilvers was pulled over in Buckland Road and gave a breath test of 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. The 20-year-old, from Templar
Drive, Gravesend, admitted the of- fence andwas banned from driving for 20 months by Mid Kent magis- trates. He must also pay a £110 fine, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk Maidstone Town May 2016
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