News
downsmail.co.uk Town tops road danger league
ROAD accidents are still the biggest killer in Kent – and Maidstone is the worst place to be on the road for the fifth year in a row.
There were 709 collisions recorded on the borough’s roads be- tween July 2014 and June 2015 – up 2.3% on the previous year. This was the second highest in-
crease in the county after Shepway, and above Kent averages where a reduction of 3.2%was achieved. The majority of casualtieswere car occu- pants (69%), followed by pedestri- ans (10%) and motorcyclists (9%). The wards with the highest inci- dents of road traffic accidents were
Aled presents
castle concert SINGERAled Jones will be the nar- rator at this summer’s popular Leeds Castle classical concert on July 9.
Organisers say they are thrilled
that the star of stage and screen will host this year’s event. Aled, a household name since the
1980s when he shot to fame as a boy soprano, will narrate the or- chestral programme from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Rigby. He will be part of the concert, to
be joined by soloists Frances Mc- Cafferty and Anthony Flaum with special guests The Definitive Rat Pack and P&O Ferries Choir. The Daybreak presenter, who is
now 45, said: “I am so looking for- ward to the concert at this most wonderful castle in the Garden of England.” Aled has continued to combine a broadcasting, acting and singing career and has toured the UK and Australia in the last six months.
Charity events
ACHARITY meal is to be held next month in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at the highly-rated Fred- eric Bistro in Maidstone. A three-course meal on June 21
will cost £25 at the restaurant in the Market Buildings. To book a table contact Helene Poursain on 07764 503484 or hpour-
sain@macmillan.org.uk. Guests will need to pre-order and the event starts at 7.30pm. A Macmillan Mammoth Quiz is
being held at the Grove Green Community Hall, Penshurst Close, Weavering at 7pm (for a 7.30pm start) on July 2. There will be tables of eight con- testants with tickets costing £6 per person. Participants are advised to bring
their own drinks and
nibbles.Araf- fle and an auction will also be held on the night.
20 Malling May 2016 Clea Llewellyn
Boxley, North Downs and High Street, while the lowest number of recorded incidents were in Loose, Downswood and Otham and Allington. Young people aged be- tween five and 25 are most at risk. The M20 passes through Boxley
and North Downs, where there were 113 and 79 casualties recorded, respectively. High Street ward re- turned a figure of 78, while the fig- ures forAllington,Downswood and Otham and Loosewere 2, 3 and 6.
Although Shepway recorded a
10.8% increase in the year, the total number of casualties there was still only 390, placing it in 10th place in Kent – just over half the number recorded in Maidstone. Maidstone has the third highest
rate of killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties in Kent, the worst affected wards being Detling and Thurnham (again affected by the M20), Fant, Heath and Bearsted. Al- though Boxley had the highest
number of road traffic casualties there were no KSI incidents for the third year in succession. Research shows that three-quar-
ters of injury crashes occur as a re- sult of the choices people make, such as driving under the influence of drink or drugs, distractions such as using a phone or speeding. Overall, 95% of crashes include
some element of poor road user be- haviour in the cause, according to Highways England.
More variety at town’s Fringe festival
MAIDSTONE’S sixth annual Fringe Festival proved a larger and more diverse affair than its predecessors, with 14 venues hosting livemusic around the first May bank holiday. The focus was on local acts with
most performers and fans coming from the area around Maidstone. Those acts from further afield – such as London’s JahWobble and Canterbury prog rock legends Caravan – had a strong South East connection. There was also a dance all-
nighter and more focus on family friendly events, including livemusic in town centre cafes. The Downs Mail was out and
about enjoying the entertainment and whilst the main thing to
Minkwarning to boaters
BOAT owners on the Medway are being advised to be on the alert for small, furry fiends. The mink population is on the increase – and its breeding season
is right now. Mink mums-to-be are on the look-out for a safe place to have their babies, and boats which have been tied up and left empty for the winter are an ideal spot. Mink may look cute but they
can cause untold damage to boats, according to the Med- way River Users Association. They have been spotted in
Wateringbury and around the disused Stoneham Lock, be- tween Yalding and Bran- bridges, East Peckham. Mark Smurthwaite of the MRUAsaid: “Please advise fellow boat owners of any sightings, so they can be aware – and if you have not been on your boat in a while, check it out very soon.” Aswell as being voracious fish-eaters and largely responsible for
the decline of the water vole population in England, mink have been caught gnawing through decking and boat hulls, as well as devouring property kept on boats.
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celebrate was the scale of the six day event and the number of those taking part both on and off the stage there were some stand-out events. David Migden and Twisted Roots
and Clea Llewellyn performed separate sets in the Pizza Express Music Room in a night that showcased two exceptional local vocalists backed by superb musicians, all of whom played with inspiration. Both acts performed sets of
largely self-penned material, showcasing recent and forthcoming albums. Such a night made for a complete celebration of all that is best about local and livemusic. Neil Nixon
CAB benefits
from quiz A QUIZ hosted by Maidstone Cit- izens Advice raised £1,624. More than 100 people took part
in the quiz to raise funds for the charity.
Supporters of the event included
the Maidstone Lions, Maidstone Day Centre and Citizens’ Rights for Older People. Chairman Bonny Malhotra said:
“As funding from government and local authority sources has been cut, financial support from other sources becomes more important.” Last year Maidstone Citizens Ad-
vice helped 8,934
clients.Ateam of 44 volunteers plus paid supervi- sory staff see clients everyweekday at Maidstone Gateway and at their head office on Tonbridge Road, and provide advice on the phone. Citizens Advicewelcomes volun-
teers. Part-time roles are available as client advisers, receptionists and clerical workers. For details go to
www.maidstonecab.org.uk. For personal advice go to
www.citizensadvice.org.uk or ring our AdviceLine on 01622 752420.
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