downsmail.co.uk


among all residents of the locality in question. This is another example of Government seemingly unaware of the consequences of its actions, or, being aware, not caring. Peter Baker, Bower Street Maidstone


Mind the teaching gap


WHILST I recognise the need for more housing to meet the needs of our expanding population, I fear for the health of our schools. More children means more schools are needed – but they have to be schools fit for purpose.Not every town is lucky enough to have a Valley Invicta Academies Trust overseeing the management of both primary and secondary schools. But there is a national shortage of good teachers joining the profession these days – and that is where it might come unstuck. P Corry, via email.


Jumble sale total


MANY thanks for the coverage youwere able to give us in support of our jumble sale onApril 16.We raised £500 and would like to thank the local people of Maidstone for their support. Ann Tue,Maidstone Mencap Fundraising Commiee


Lanes not made for traffic


REFERENCE the ongoing debate about a link road, relief road or a by-pass to ease congestion throughWillington Street, Leeds village, and the Suon Road, the seemingly-relentless housebuilding fixation in the borough cannot help maers. The issue of congested B roads is nothing


new. Think Hollingbourne, East andWest Farleigh, Lenham and Bearsted to name but a few. These village streets, no maer how you try to widen them or configure their


TWO lawn mowers, a strimmer, a hedge trimmer, some camping equipment and other items were stolen when thieves broke into a garden shed in East Street, Harrietsham. A ceramic plant pot, about 18in tall and embossed with bamboo leaves, was stolen from a garden in Lambert Drive, Otham.A man, about 6ft tall, of medium build, with short, light brown hair was seen at the property and left in a black saloon car. Two large garden plant pots have been


stolen from the front of a restaurant in Willow Close, Harrietsham. In StWelcumesWay, Harrietsham,a


Vauxhall Astra parked on the road outside a house, was damaged. A golf club outbuilding on Ashford


Road, Bearsted, was broken into and three backpack leaf blowers were stolen. Thieves took a white Mercedes Benz 220, registration GL16*** from Fulbert Drive, Weavering. In Ashford Road,Weavering, a parked


vehiclewas entered and power tools taken. Someone damaged the windscreen of a


vehicle parked inWillow Rise, Downswood.


layouts, are still lanes whichwere designed for the horse and cart, not heavy goods vehicles, unwanted articulated lorries or thousands of car movements. Our councils persist in building programmeswithout any view as to the consequences for the other infrastructure elements. By theway, I believe this has nothing to do with immigration. It has more to dowith the expanding population, people living longer and couples not staying together. PWarren, via email


Hotel plan will hit parking


THANK you for drawing aention to the hotel and spa plan for centralMaidstone in your recent edition. Brewer Street is narrow and the car parks are frequently crowded. It often involveswaiting for a space if one intends to shop in Maidstone. County Hall staff already have their extensive car parking facilities,which are closed to the public for most of the workingweek. The proposed scheme for Brewer Street should only be agreed if the plans include the building of parking spaces for all people resident in the hotel or using the spa facilities. It would be useful to have the construction work accessed from the County Hall road and this should be a condition of approval for the scheme. Brewer Street is narrow and unsuited to building lorries going up and down. Josephine Gibbons,Maidstone


Sad farewell to school


HAVING been a reception class teacher at Thurnham C of E Infant School for 25 years I have sadly decided to relinquish this treas- ured role. Having thoroughly enjoyed every moment


(well almost), Iwill miss havingmy own class. I have worked with amazing and loving chil- dren with supportive parents and colleagues and consider myself extremely fortunate to have done so at this wonderful school for so


many years. I am proud that recently I have been in the honoured position of teaching the children of “children” that I have taught. So ful- filling! I have somany happy memories to take with me into retirement. I look forward to spending time with my grandchildren and, hopefully, travelling. If you remember me, I would love to hear


from you as Iamalways keen to know whatmy pupils go on to do and to know how much they remember about their first year at school. Hopefully, the memories will be good. To parents ofmy pupils, Iwould like to thank you for all your support and for allowing me to enjoy a “time share” of your child. Iwill be staying on at the school for onemore


year as a cover teacher, one day aweek. If youwould like to get in touch Iwould love


to hear from you. My email address is EBev- erley16@hotmail.com. Liz Beverley, by email


Brexit not the world’s end


IN light of the Brexit vote, it is perhaps a good time for the country to pause and re- flect what it iswe have now go. For those of us old enough to remember


times before entering the European Union – or Common Market as it was once known – it is hardly a leap in the dark as far as our country is concerned. What was once a post-war trade agreement


to ensure the countries of Europe stayed friends through mutual inter-dependence is now a huge behemoth of vested interests and political chicanery. It is probably a world we can do without.


There will be some turbulent times as a new Prime Minister is found but after that, the de- parture can be managed in a calm and sensible way. Far from a time for crowing triumphalism, it is a time to be moderate, tolerant and astute. Europe and all its parts should remain a


friend and ally. R Shanks, by email


NeighbourhoodWatch Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police


In White Horse Lane, Otham, a Massey Ferguson tractor was stolen from the sports ground. A Fiat Panda parked outside an address


in Gorham Drive, Downswood,was keyed. A shed on allotments at Sandy Lane, Boxley, was broken into and a strimmer was stolen. A residence in Yeoman Lane, Bearsted


was broken into. Inquiries were ongoing. In Lenside Drive, Bearsted, a shed was entered and a red child's bike was taken. Several windows were smashed at a disused property in Ashford Road, Bearsted.A group of teenagers have been seen in the property. A pedal cycle was taken from outside a premises in Grovewood Drive North, Weavering. InWeavering Street,Weavering,a


garage at a dwelling was broken into and a red Honda generator was stolen. A white Peugeot 208, registration GD14*** was taken from a driveway In Conifer Drive, Lordswood, along with a child seat, pushchair and a purse. At Cobtree Manor golf course, off Chatham Road, Boxley, a motorised golf buggy was stolen. Fencing was damaged at a house in Gravelly Boom Road, Kingswood.


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