News| U3A growing
THE Bearsted branch of the U3A has broken through the 200 mem- ber mark. Less than three years after its for- mation, the club has 217 members, the majority of whom live within two miles of Bearsted. It is one of 30 groups in Kent and
one of almost 1000 in the UK. The Bearsted group has more
than 30 interest groups, covering everything from chess, to walking, sewing and holidays. The club has its own website
with full details of meetings, speak- ers and groups. The main monthly meeting takes place at 2pm on the second Thursday of each month at Detling Village Hall. New members arewelcome.
Driving ban
JASPER Song (23) of Ivens Way, Harrietsham, was banned from driving for 40 months by Mid Kent Magistrates after he admitted drink driving and driving without insur- ance.
Song, who was stopped while in Chartway Street, Maidstone, gave a breath test of 50 mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. He must also pay a £560 fine, £85 costs and a £28 victim sur- charge.
downsmail.co.uk
Castle chief’s apology as visitors clog roads
LEEDS Castle experienced “over- whelming” visitor numbers over Easter – sparking an apology from the attraction’s chief executive. More than 9,000 people headed to
the “loveliest castle in the world” on Good Friday. Leeds Castle chief executive Sir
David Steel said the unexpected high demand causes inconvenience to “those living in surrounding parishes”. Writing in the village magazine,
Sir David said: “We experienced overwhelming demand on Good Friday with over 9,000 visitors. “While we try to anticipate large
visitor numbers, I know that such a large volume of traffic into the estate caused inconvenience to those living in surrounding parishes. “I can but apologise, but there is
littlewe can do when so many peo- ple clearly cherish the chance to visit Leeds Castle all at once.” Sir David said that large volumes
of traffic are expected at certain times over the next few months. He added: “We expect significant
visitor numbers ….and whilewe do everythingwe can to reduce conges- tion on the roads, I hope you will un- derstand the difficulties, especially in the first few hours of the morn- ings and be able to arrange your plans to avoid the traffic.” County councillor for Leeds Gary
Cooke said hewas notaware of local anger about the high Easter volumes of traffic and that most local people were positive about the castle’s ac- tivities. He added: “Iamaware some resi-
dents have had some concerns about the overflow parking at the big events which can sometimes have an impact but generally not with the
Castle’s chiefs
SIR David Steel served as a Royal Navy Vice Admiral until his ap- pointment as chief execu- tive at Leeds Castle last year. He suc- ceeded Victo- ria Wallace who left the same role to become director general of the CommonwealthWar Graves Com- mission.
day-to-day traffic.” One villager said: “It can be a bit
of a pain, especially when the big summer concerts are on but gener- ally there is plenty of notice and the arrangements arewell-organised. “Noone Iknowbegrudges having
one of the country’s best attractions on the doorstep which also provides local jobs.”
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