News Guides enjoy
outdoor fun MORE than 130 Guides and Brownies from across Maidstone and theWeald have returned from an action-packed weekend at Windmill Hill. The girls enjoyed a two-day
camp in Hailsham, East Sussex, where they took part in activities such as climbing, abseiling, raft building, zip-lining, tunnelling, archery and canoeing. Amy (12), from 2nd Coxheath Guides, said: “It was such fun going away with my Guiding friends. My favourite activity was rafting becausewe got to work as a team and then test our raft. Most of us ended up swimming in the lake, whichwas cold, but great fun!” The event was jointly run by leaders Pam Sharland and Judy Barrett. Pam said: “The weekend was a great chance for the girls to enjoy each other’s company in a safe, girl-only space. It was fantas- tic to have so many Brownies and Guides together for the weekend.” Judy Barrett said: “All the girls
told me how much they enjoyed themselves and they can’t wait to decide where they want to go for their next adventure.” For details of activities and how
to get involved call 0800 169 5901 or visit
www.girlguiding.org.uk.
downsmail.co.uk
Castle ticket dodgers ‘hiing charity work’
LOCAL good causes supported by Leeds Castle may be in jeopardy because entrance fee dodgers are depriving the charity running the estate of “significant” funds, the chief executive has warned. Sir David Steel says that
swapped tickets and people using public footpaths to enter the grounds are now having an impact on the castle’s finances. The warning comes against a backdrop of management dipping into reserves to counter the impact of Operation Stack last summer. Sir David says he may have to
cut back on the generosity shown by the castle to its surrounding communities. But local county councillor Gary
Cooke said villagers would be very disappointed if the castle manage- ment cut its “little bits of support”, given the inconvenience it causes with major events. Sir David writes in the Leeds & Broomfield parish magazine: “Too often I now hear and read on social media of tickets swapping hands, being shared around or not being
Leeds Castle and right, chief executive Sir David Steel
purchased at all as people use footpaths over the estate to gain entry and the benefit of what we offer without paying for a ticket. “We have resisted having offi-
cials checking tickets because we genuinely believe that Leeds Cas- tle should be free to roam, unhin- dered by security once a ticket is purchased. “I would not wish a change in
that policy but, at the moment, the charity is losing significant amounts of income because of the
conditions I have described. “Moreover, it is unfair on those
who do pay entry when others are not. Reduced income from ticket sales will mean thatwe are not able to offer as much to all our visitors and we may have to review our own support to local charities.” The castle, said Sir David, was
hit hard financially by Operation Stack, bad weather and unex- pected repair bills and resulted in certain improvements being put on hold. He added: “Last year, we had to
dip into this rainy day fund be- causewe saw reduced visitor num- bers as a consequence of Operation Stack, and the weather in the sum- mer did not help.” The castle welcomes 600,000 vis-
itors a year and provides jobs and local investment in the local econ- omy. Cllr Cooke said: “Given the
noise, inconvenience and distur- bance Leeds Castle causes local residents with their events, the lit- tle bits of support it gives the local community is the least it can do.”
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Maidstone East July 2016
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