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Big tick for grammar schools MailMarks


 MAIDSTONE (with four) and Kent are


power bases of Britain’s few grammar schools, and many supporters will be de- lighted Government is likely to back remov- ing the nationwide ban on new grammars. I appreciate powerful pros and cons, butmy experiences of having my own life trans- formed more than 60 years ago at Borden Grammar School, Sittingbourne, convince me what is best for Britain. Money was so tight in my childhood home


that new school shoes were a real challenge and it was down to the personal support and dedication ofmyparents that Iwas able to rise from a very rough, tough junior school. I did not realise then that this was true so-


cial mobility and Government must ensure this in any new structure. I still remain close to that school and am


proud how many students have become na- tional and regional leaders so vital to the suc- cess of our country and society. At a time when quality of our education sys-


tem falls further down international league ta- bles, grammar schools are the increasing aim of many parents.We must meet demand. I think the Government must lift the ban as


soon as possible as part of a programme to im- prove education standards in all schools so Britain rises in international tables.


Ramblin’ Man success


WEHAVE been overwhelmed by the positive feedbackwe have received from our staging of the Ramblin’ Man Fair festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. We had more than 22,000 people on site


over theweekend. Therewas a fantastic atmosphere with no trouble. Mote Park is a wonderful location andwe are very happy to be able to put money back into the local community via the council. We had customers from all over Europe


and theUKandwe think the festival acts as a great showcase for Maidstone and Kent. We are aware of 35 complaints made to


the council relating to noise levels. Whilstwe werewell within agreed noise levelswe take the concerns of any residents very seriously. We will be continuing to work with the council to minimise any disruption to residents whilst working very hard to make this event a continued highlight of the Maidstone calendar in the coming years. Early bird tickets for 2017 are on sale now!


Chris Ingham, Spirit of Rock owner and Creative Director of Ramblin Man


Less talk, more action


IT HAS become known to me that my name has twice been mentioned in your publication in connection with the disgraceful appearance of the parade of shops on Madginford estate.


Contact our team ...


Got something to say? Write to The Editor, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Maidstone ME14 4DT or email simon.finlay@downsmail.co.uk


Simon Finlay


Editor simon.finlay@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 231


Diane Nicholls


Assistant editor diane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 232


Dawn Kingsford


Journalist dawn@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


Maidstone East September 2016 35


DENNISFOWLE President dfowle2011@aol.com


Protect cricket THE game of cricket is still deeply em-





bedded in the British psyche and I am horri- fied by latest English Cricket Board (ECB) proposals which have potential to be very se- riously damaging to Test and county games and the very existence of our county clubs, in- cluding Kent. The ECB chairman Colin Graves and chief executive Tom Harrison face stiff opposition from the majority of county clubs to a plan to revolutionise the key money-spinning 20/20 overs format. It would be played on a mainly a big city


format (eg – London v Birmingham – and who in Kent will be loyal to that?), mixing the top players from our counties with the biggest names from abroad, producing a lengthy Big Bash competition at the height of summer. It is a format successful in hotter evening


climes of India and Australia and brings in substantial TV income. One aim is to spread


On the first occasion, thiswas in a report


of a parish council meeting, and secondly in an uncalled-for and ill-informed comment on your leers page. It is, of course, always a mistake to rush


into print when in posession of only half the story – a mistake unfortunately made by Mr Roy F.Wilsher, of Blenheim Close. Bearsted, in his leer on the subject. Itwas, in fact, the eyesore of those


unswept guers fronting the shops that first took me to a parish council meeting. Mysubsequent words of praisewere directed at the harmony existing between councillors in recent months, and equally directed at Cllr Ash, the longest serving member of the council, who took it upon himself to take a shovel and broom to the said guers on Sunday morning. Sadly the area is again looking sad, less


than a month after this 83-year-old also weeded and swept it, completely filling a black bag in the process. So now, how about you, MrWilsher? Are


you as good with a shovel and broom as with a pen? Or shouldwe all sit andwait until “they” do something? TerenceMTurner, Madginford Road, Bearsted


Toughen up on inmates


I READ with interest your article about the prevalence of drugs in Maidstone Prison. The means of smuggling illicit goods into


the game to a wider and younger audience. Many counties face financial problems and


they are promised stakeholder income. But most – and their members and sup- porters – believe this is an unacceptable gam- ble and amassive threat to the first-class game in Britain. Although these ECB executives see the cur-


rently lucrative county 20/20 competition con- tinuing, the counties could be robbed of star players (both domestic and overseas). Who would watch effectively Kent 2nds v Essex 2nds? The number of county championship games


is again being reduced, from 16 to 14 a season – an unacceptable loss to countymembers and a barrier to playing these matches at out- grounds around the counties, such as Tun- bridgeWells and Maidstone. The counties and the county championship


are the breeding ground for our England Test players – and success of the national team is still a high public priority. The 50/50 over games, with the end-of-


season Lord’s final, also have a strong follow- ing. Kent have done well this season. Note interest in the quarter final against Yorkshire. I fear such a gamble will be the graveyard


of county cricket and summer traditions which bring so much pleasure to many.


modern prisons are sophisticated these days, with the use of drones a favourite. To be honest, with their colour TVs and


mod cons to keep them occupied, it is a wonder Her Majesty’s guests require further stimulation. Perhaps if prison regimeswere harsher –


ie no privileges – and sentences adhered to in full, there might be a deterrent factor. At present, there is none. Modern prisons


are holiday camps, often run by profit- driven companies who cut corners to make a beer boom line. There is nothing wrong with running businesseswell, but there is something wrong with businesses running prisons. B McGann, via email


School site unsuitable


I READ your report that a new school may be built in Eclipse Retail and Business Park to serve Bearsted. Such a location is some 2.5km from that village


and in a very busy area of Maidstone poorly served by any transport except the private car. It can therefore be expected that a large amount of peak hour trafficwill be imported into the area. This is unwanted by local people and cannot


be considered convenient for the people of Bearsted. By all means provide new schools but


please make sure they are sensibly located to serve the people they cater for. John Payne, Ardenlee Drive, Maidstone


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