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


Park is the wrong venue


IN response to the points raised by Chris Ingham, the positive feedback he received undoubtedly came from the aendees, not the surrounding residents. An event like this can do very lile to showcase Maidstone and Kent. Aendees stay or camp on site, then go home, with lile benefit to the local economy.


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


34 Malling September 2016 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


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


I would invite him to look at the park and


the damage that heavy vehicles have done to the grass. The main point which Mr Ingham does


not appear to understand are the words “too loud”. Mote Park is absolutely wrong as a venue


for this event. It is in the middle of housing, so a great many Maidstone residents will be subject to unwelcome noise. Too many aendees use adjacent streets as long-term car parks, causing traffic problems. I also take issue with Mr Ingham’s claim


that it is a highlight in the Maidstone calendar. I dare say that there are some people who like this sort of ear-shaering experience, but I would think that for most people it is something to be avoided. I doubt very much that, unless forced so to


do, Mr Ingham will make any changes to the level of noise. It has never been reduced in the past. How many remember the problems with the Radio 1 Roadshow, where those monitoring noise levels proved impotent to enforce the limits? The limits are far too generous. If noise could be heard as far away as Hucking, it must have been intolerable outside the park. The county showground has excellent parking and toilet facilities, is easily accessible andwell away from large residential areas. It is the obvious place for occasions like this, if Mr Ingham is unable to refrain from bringing his noisy event to the area. David Hacke, ParkWay


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.


Road planning a disaster


REGARDING the leer in edition 233 by David Thornewell I would like to comment on Hermitage Lane. The planning of this essential road, not


only to the hospital but linking the A20 with the A26, must go down as the biggest disaster by a planning department in the whole of Tonbridge and Malling. No respect to its situation and effect on


traffic volume could ever have been undertaken, it’s a total nightmare for people using it. The new retail development has traffic


lights access a lileway from other lights and the resulting queues are unbelievable. Don’t planners consider the effects their decisions will have? This retail outlet should never have been


placed in this location with access onto Hermitage Lane. Mr Thornewell’s leer mentions possible further development in Hermitage Lane. This cannot take more traffic. The field opposite the retail site is part of the Green Belt between Tonbridge and Malling and Maidstone boroughs, which must be kept. There are developments approved on both


sides of the A20 beyond the railway bridge. We need professional planners who live in


the area.What doesMPTracy Crouch think of Hermitage Lane? I amtotally disillusioned with what is happening to this area. Mr PDRoyall, by email


Comment


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