downsmail.co.uk Delays for
bus service ARRIVAis advising customers to allow extra time for journeys as major roadworks begin in Maidstone. The bus company warns of
likely disruption while the road system around the bridges is redesigned, and of a change to its Sapphire 101 town centre route. The work, which will allow
traffic to run direct from Bishop’s Way to Fairmeadow, is expected to cause delays to motorists and buses. Kevin Root, general manager at Maidstone, says the company has worked with Maidstone council, KCC and Jackson Civil Engineering to ensure all lanes are kept open during peak periods, with closures overnight. Its 101 service between Maidstone and the Medway Towns will be forced to termi- nate at, and start from, Pud- ding Lane and will not be able to serve the bus stop in Mill Street or The Mall. Arriva will be placing regular posts on its Twitter and Facebook pages to keep passengers up to date during the work, which is ex- pected to take until October.
News
Joe drafts in trainer for 100 mile dash for cash
A YALDING coach driver has abandoned his bus for a bike in a bid to get fighting fit. JoeWestgate admits hewas some-
thing of a couch potato – but now he’s drafted in a Larkfield trainer to get him in trim after his wife’s diag- nosis with rheumatoid arthritis. Amy is the daughter ofWest Far-
leigh parish councillor Larry John- son. Like Joe, Larry and his wife Brenda were rocked to learn their daughter had such a debilitating dis- ease at the age of only 33. Rheumatoid arthritis is an incur-
able autoimmune disease, but drugs can alleviate the symptoms. At a recent consultation, the cou-
plewere devastated to learn that, de- spite medication, the condition had already damaged Amy’s bones. As well as inflamed joints, Amy
suffers from constant fatigue aswell as anxiety and depression, all while caring for the couple’s one-year old son, Noah. Amyfirst showed signs of the ill-
ness at Noah’s Christening, a year ago. She has had to give up her ca- reer as a teacher and nowadays is
JoeWestgate with his wife Amy, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis
happy if she can get up and dressed. The couple have moved from Barming toYalding to be closer to Amy’s family and share a house with her brother Stuart, who is also able to help. Amy said: “Joe often works long
hours and I just can’t manage onmy own. Fortunately, I have a brilliant, supportive family.” Joe is taking part in the 2016 Pru- dential Ride London – a 100 -mile route around London and Surrey on July 31 – to raise £1,000 for the Na- tional RheumatoidArthritis Support group, but that meant getting fit. Fortunately, Chris Mollison (35),
of Larkfield, has just launched his boot camp business CYCLEmefit- ness, and is to help Joe with his train- ing free of charge. Joe has also signed up for the 54-
mile London to Brighton ride with Cllr Johnson. He said: “I am sure after cycling 100 milesmyjoints and body will ache and hurt in places I never knew existed, but it is no com- parison to the pain and hurtmywife suffers everyday and the pain that we sufferwatching her hurting.” Donate through his Just Giving at
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www.downsmail.co.uk Malling June 2016 25
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