News


downsmail.co.uk ‘Loving father’ dies in crash


THE family of a man who died in a crash in East Peckham have paid a warm tribute to a “loving husband and devoted father”.


Motorcycle enthusiast Ian Hodg-


son (46), fromWest Farleigh, died on Sunday, August 7, following what police have described as a “single vehicle collision”. Mr Hodgson (pictured) leaves his


wife Tracey and two sons, Chris and Stephen. In a joint statement issued via


Kent Police the family said: ”Ianwas a loving husband and devoted fa- ther. Hewas a much-loved friend to many.”


Officers continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which


Alzheimer’s


groupwalks PEOPLE with dementia and their carers are invited to join anewwalk- ing group in Maidstone. The 30-minute free and friendly


walk at Mote Park every second and fourth Thursday of the month has been launched by the NHS and the Alzheimer’s Society, with money from the borough council. Walks co-ordinator Julia Wells


said:“Walking is a greatway to keep physically healthy, but it’s also really important for mentalwellbeing.We are a really friendly bunch and we know how important it is for people with dementia to livewell.” One of those taking advantage is


85-year-old Fairley Baker, who moved recently to Maidstone to be near his family. He has dementia and attends thewalks with his friend Caron Newson.


took place on theA228 between East Peckham andPaddockWoodwhich at approximately 7.15pm.


Mr Hodgson, who was travelling


on a red Ducati, died at the scene. PC Jamie Woodhams, from Kent Police’s serious collision investiga- tion unit, said: “This is a fairly busy stretch of road and I would appeal to anyone who saw the collision, or the vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision, to contact us with any information they think could be relevant.” The road near the Hop Farm was


closed for several hours while crash investigators and forensic officers combed the scene.


Witnesses are asked to call investi-


gators on 01622 798538, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk The following morning, a man


from East Farliegh died in his car after suffering a suspected heart at- tack at the wheel, near theAylesford branch of Sainsbury. His car, aVaux- hall Zafira, is reported to have crashed into a lamp post. Despite 999 crews and the air ambulance being called to Mills Road, theywere unable to save the man,whowas re- portedly in his 60s. He was pro- nounced dead at the scene.


Alex is a milestone baby for birth centre


BABY Alex is the 2,000th baby to be born at Maidstone Birth Centre. The one-in-a-million baby boy for


mum Emma and dadMark, from Maidstone, was welcomed into the world at 1.58pm on Sunday, July 24, weighing 8lb 14oz. The very special delivery comes


five years after the doors first opened at the town’s birth centre in Hermitage Lane. Janine Absalom,manager of the purpose-built centre behind Maidstone Hospital, congratulated mum Emma Baines and her new family with flowers. She said: “We’re delighted that


Alex David was our 2,000th baby. Our team are committed ambassadors formidwifery-led care and our facilities support mothers and their families to ensure they have the best possible experience.


We look forward to welcoming many more babies in the coming weeks, months and years.” Emma thanked staff for the support she received on the birth of her first child. She said: “It is a great environment and the staff made it


the best experience I could have wished for.We are so grateful for the support and advice we received from everyone.” Pictured from left are Janine Absalom, Emma Baines, baby Alex and dadMark Sloane.


Bus timetable changes ‘to boost efficiency’


NU-VENTURE bus chief Norman Kemp claims changes to the timetable will provide a more effi- cient and reliable service. The 13, 14, 23, 26, 27, 28, 66, 70 and


151 services are being introduced, primarily to improve consistency in the light of congestion. Mr Kemp insisted the level of service will not be reduced. He added: “The changes will help


to ensure that children will not have towait around at the bus stops in the rain after school.” Nu-Venture investigated the


routes that appeared to be particu- larly prone to traffic, such as Maid- stone toYalding, without taking any number of the buses away. The majority of the changes are for


the buses that run throughout mid- day, with only some routes directly affected. The timetable has been published now, so that parents can prepare for


8


the new school year in September. Timetables are available atwww.nu- venture.co.uk. Please note that Nu-Venture serv-


ices not listed remain unaffected by timetable changes: 13 Maidstone, Otham, Leeds, Hollingbourne: revised timetable on Mondays to Fridays. 14 Kingswood, Cornwallis Acad- emy: revised timetable on school- days from September 5, and will also serve Ulcombe replacing Bus 66. 23 Maidstone, Tovil, Yalding, Laddingford: revised timetable Mondays to Saturdays, especially affecting the afternoon service. 26 Maidstone Tovil, Yalding, Mar- den, Goudhurst: revised timetable Mondays to Saturdays, especially affecting the afternoon service. 26A Maidstone, Tovil, Chainhurst: new schooldays service from Sep- tember 5, replacing part of bus


Maidstone Town September 2016


service 28. 27 Maidstone, Marden, Goudhurst: revised timetable Mondays to Sat- urdays. 28 Maidstone, Marden, Chainhurst: schooldays service revised


timetable from September 5. Bus 26A will now serve the Pattenden Lane-Chainhurst area replacing bus 28 there. The morning route of bus 28 inWest Maidstone will be re- vised to serve London Road, Queens Road and Tonbridge Road. 66 (Ulcombe) Headcorn, Cornwal- lis Academy: schooldays service re- vised timetable from September 5. Bus 14 will replace bus 66 at Ul- combe and bus 66 will run to and from Headcorn Station. 70 Borough Green, Offham,West Malling, Lunsford Park: revised timetable Mondays to Fridays. The service will now extend in Borough Green to and from the new devel- opment in Dark Hill Road and the medical centre. 151 Kings Hill,West Malling, Snod- land, Strood: The Mondays to Fri- days afternoon service is revised, reflecting changes to the school day at Holmesdale School, Snodland.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48