East July 2016

News

downsmail.co.uk Will red kite soar once more?

THE once-endangered red kite could be making a comeback as a resident of Kent. Several sightings in the Maidstone

area and in other parts of the county in recent months have led experts to believe the raptorsmaybe establish- ing large enough numbers to breed. Others have been seen around Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Manston, andWingham. The red kite – once hunted to near- extinction as a pest – has been suc- cessfully re-establishing its numbers in other parts of the country. Re-introduced birds are now thriving in large numbers inWales, but are often seen along the M4 cor- ridor inWales and intoWiltshire and Hampshire. Although there is a possibility the

birds are moving east to Kent by a gradual population drift, there is also the chance they are Continental cousins which drifted in on the

In October 2014, the RSPB’s Paul Outhwaite said he was convinced mid-Kent or the Stour valley would be attractive to them. The terrain and plentiful carrion –

upon which the red kite largely de- pends – would make rural Kent ideal for it to establish permanently. There are currently 1,600 pairs in the UK.

wind. One kite was seen on the Downs above Hucking while an- other – or possibly the same bird – was seen near Leeds Castle at Broomfield. The Royal Society for the Protec-

tion of Birds (RSPB) wildlife charity isaware of anecdotal evidence of the kite’s spread. Aspokesman said: “Red kites are widespread, but I amnot aware of a significant distribution in Kent yet. “We have no evidence of breeding

in the county yet although there are breeding pairs in Sussex.”

Red kite spotter Will Rees, a 47-

year-old father of three, saw the bird at Broomfield, in the sky above the village church. Hesaid: “I used to live inWales so

I’d see them all the time. They have an unmistakable silhouette because of their forked tail and athletic flight. “But I was surprised to say the

least to see one in Kent. Mind you, the buzzard was a rarity in Kent 15 years ago and now you’d barely go a day without seeing one. “It would be fantastic if the kite was to establish here.”

‘Vermin’ enjoys a resurgence

ONCE revered as a valued scav- enger in the Middle Ages and protected by royal decree, by the 16th century, the red kite was out of favour and seen as ver- min. In more recent times, the bird

was hunted by gamekeepers who suspected – incorrectly – that it was killing gamebirds. This persecution was wide-

spread between 1850 and 1900 but continued until 1950, when there were virtually no birds left. Careful management and the

reintroduction of the kites into locations around the United Kingdom has led to its current success.

Flying the flag Training boost for the riverside run

MAIDSTONE has retained its Pur- ple Flag status for another year. The Purple Flag, awarded for the quality of the town’s night time economy, is part of a national awards scheme and was first awarded to the county town in 2012.

Maidstone is due for a full scale re-assessment in 2017, when in- spectors will spend an evening touring the town’s clubs and bars and examining how the council manages the night-time popula- tion.

The highly successful Urban Blue

Bus, which has since been used as an example of best practice by other local authorities, its volun- teers, the town’s Street Pastors and taxi marshals, are among those who have contributed to the town’s success in the past.

RUNNERS let the train take some of the strain as part of a charity run in Maidstone along the river. Maidstone Riverside Run – the

only race of its kind to involve a train ride to the start – saw 160 set out fromWateringbury. The run – now four years old – is organised by Caron Holden in memory of her mum, who died of cancer. It was supported for the second year by Southeastern, which provided free train travel to the start. The event, which took runners throughBarming and East Farleigh before finishing in Maidstone, has raised just over £5,000 for Cancer Research UK, and it is hoped that this year’s event will put another £1,000 in the pot. The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr

Four-legged runners joined their owners for the Maidstone Riverside Run

Derek Butler, started the race and presented the winners’ trophies. This year saw runners take a

slight detour as Network Rail is busy working on the embankment along the Medway Valley Line be- tween East Farleigh and Maid- stone, so they needed to headaway

from the river for a short stretch. Matt Fraser, manager of South- eastern's Maidstone station, said: “I’m very pleased we can support local activities such as this.Asmall gesture from us means a great deal to someone trying to raise money for a charity close to their heart.”

Euros see small rise in town centre crime

A FEARED spike in violence and drink-related crime in Maidstone to coincide with the European football tournament failed to happen, police claim. On the firstweekend of the Euros

2016, Kent Police reported a small increase in crimes from eight the previousweekend to 11. The figures were recorded be-

tween 8pm on June 11 and 8am on June 12 and the arrests relate to those made in the town centre. For the previous weekend, Satur-

day, June 4 to Sunday, June 5, eight arrestswere made.  At 11.58pm on June 11, a 22- year-old man fromAylesfordwas arrested in Maidstone High Street on suspicion of possessing cocaine.

24 Maidstone East July 2016

Hewas cautioned.  Joseph Prince (25), of Ton- bridge Road in Maidstone,was charged with drink-driving after being arrested in Medway Street at 1.30am on Sunday, June 12. Hewas due to appear at Maidstone Magis- trates’ Court on June 28.  A44-year-old man from Maid- stonewas arrested in Medway Street on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly at 1.55am on Sun- day, June 12. Hewas issued with a £90 penalty notice disposal.  A19-year-old man from Gravesendwas arrested in Bank Street on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly at 1.30am on Sun- day, June 12. Hewas issued with a £90 penalty notice disposal.

 An 18-year-old man from Ash- fordwas arrested in the High Street on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly at 2.01am on Sunday, June 12. Hewas issued with a £90 penalty notice.  A19-year-old man from Ash- fordwas arrested in High Street on suspicion of being drunk and disor- derly at 2am on June 12. Hewas is- sued with a £90 penalty notice.  A22-year-old man from Maid- stonewas arrested in Station Road on suspicion of assault and being drunk and disorderly at 2.45am on Sunday, June 12. Therewas no charge.  A20-year-old man from Maid- stonewas arrested in Sandling Lane on suspicion of assault at

2.45am on Sunday, June 12. He has been bailed until July 12.  A20-year-old man from Maid- stonewas arrested in High Street on suspicion of affray at 5.10am on June 12. Hewas cautioned.  An 18-year-old Maidstone womanwas arrested in High Street on suspicion of affray at 5.10am on June 12. Shewas cautioned.  A22-year-old man from Bor- ough Greenwas arrested in High Street on suspicion of affray at 5.10am on June 12. Hewas cau- tioned. A Kent Police spokesman said:

“Kent Police is well equipped to provide a swift and proportionate response should a disturbance take place.”

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