downsmail.co.uk


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


Clear benefit to tourism


REGARDING the proposal for a £5m five- star spa hotel scheme in Maidstone, has the planning committee met to discuss the tourism aspect of the proposed hotel? Surely it must be obvious itwould be an asset


to the town, which has so many unused and boarded up properties. Ciaran O’Quigley is willing to build this


hotel and is being prevented from doing so be- cause of Maidstone’s conservation officer Mike Parkinson, who suggests it would cause harm to a listed building – Grove House – of which, I understand, only the porch is listed. The Catholic school Mr Parkinson refers to is literally an unusable and unstable building. The windows have been boarded up by the priests because of being vandalised, so the only way in is through the roof unless the door is un- locked. It would be interesting to know if the council


or its officers have actually seen the property he wants to save, which is not listed, and is an eyesore. If not, Mr O’Quigley, who has 24 years’ experience running Mu Mu’s in Week Street, is going to pay for the demolition of the building, which is falling down anyway. That the council is not accepting with open


A CREAM-coloured pedigree Persian cat was stolen from a garden in Duke of York Way, Coxheath. Money and a cash register were stolen


from a business premises in High Street, Headcorn, and a door and security camera were damaged. Two blue ceramic bowls and a blue ceramic ball were taken from the garden of a house in The Brambles, Langley. Security barrierswere damaged at the village hall in North Street, Suon Valence. Two hanging baskets were taken from outside a property in JaggardWay, Staplehurst. At commercial premises in Yalding Hill,


Yalding, a containerwas broken into.A white generator with green writing, a large quantity of diesel, a computer and small electrical itemswere stolen. In North Street, Headcorn, a burglar gained access to a property after damaging a door and window and stole cash. Power and hand toolswere stolen from a


shed in Barn Hill, Hunton. A shed at a residence in Old Tree Lane, Boughton Monchelseawas broken into and clothingwas stolen. A wing mirrorwas smashed on a


Vauxhall van parked in Maidstone Road, Suon Valence. Therewas an aempted break-in at a


dwelling in Beech Road, Collier Street. Three outbuildings were broken into in


St Ann’s Green Lane, Marden. Someone smashed a window at a


arms the proposition, in the words of Victor Meldrew, I would say: “I don’t believe it!”. Marie Shandley, via email


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 of my pupils, I would 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 I would love


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


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 in victory, surely


it is a time for us all to be moderate, tolerant and astute. Europe and all its parts should remain a


friend and ally. R Shanks, via email


Rachel’s brave cancer battle


I HAVE been reading about the brave battle that Rachel Curley has been fighting against cancer and wanted to say what an inspira- tion I feel she is to other sufferers. Like many people, I suspect,my life has been touched by this horrible disease, having lost more friends and family members than I dare to count. Rachel’s never-say-die (literally) ap- proach to taking on her illnesswith always one eye on the future, rather than allowing the can- cer to defeat her, is amazing. People react to cancer in so many different


ways. Some prefer to take it on in private, sur- rounded by family, while others get out there and raise awareness. It takes a lot of nerve and steel to do what


Rachel has done and I hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery. Lee Davis, via email


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


residence in Pope Drive, Staplehurst. A shedwas broken into inWilsons Lane,


East Farleigh. In Staplehurst Road, Marden, a vehicle parked in a car park had its bodywork and windscreen damaged. Side doors at a residence in Shingle Barn


Lane, Yalding,were damaged with intent to steal, but accesswas not gained. A Skoda Roomsterwas damaged while parked overnight on a driveway at Upper Barn Hill, Hunton, and a sat navwas stolen.


Intruderswere disturbed when the alarm


was activated at a house in Vanity Lane, Linton. Nothing appeared to have been taken. A vehicle parked in the road at Orchard


Bank, Chart Suon,was damaged. Thieves broke into a shed at Haste Hill


Road, Boughton Monchelsea, and stole a hedge trimmer. A car parked on the Road in Lime Trees, Staplehurst,was damaged. In Redwall Lane, Hunton, there was an aempt to break into a Land Rover. The alarmwent off and lights came on, which disturbed suspects who ran away. Door fiingswere damaged and a gas bolewas stolen from a farm in Maidstone


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Road, Yalding. A shed at a cricket club in Albion Road, Marden,was broken into but nothing appeared to have been taken. Large sculptures and statueswere taken


from a garden inWest Street, Hunton. Several sheds at a farm in Stockes Lane, Coxheath,were broken into.A Stihl chainsaw, Ryobi strimmer and other power garden toolswere taken. A ride-on mowerwas stolen from a garden in Ewell Lane,West Farleigh. Itemswere removed from a garden in Station Hill, East Farleigh. Three males and a Vauxhall Frontera


were seen in suspicious circumstances on a site at Linton Hill, Linton, where a burglary occurred.


Comment


Crime reports


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