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stage marches and other disruptive, but legal, actions to highlight the problems huge volumes of vehicle movements have on everyday life. Borough councillor Gill Fort (pic-


Geing ‘militant’ over traffic Even lollipop


Road on agenda


tured) says she had heard of plans by residents to “start making a lot of noise” as they no longer feel they are being heard by those in power. Apart from the daily traffic, vil-


lagers are growing increasingly fed up with HGVs flouting a lorry ban, speeding, reckless driving, hit-and- run prangs and aggressive conduct by some drivers. She said: “There is growing anger among people here and they are threatening to get militant.One chap I knowwants to get a car and park it in the road, legally, but which will slow the traffic down. “I cannot and will not condone anything illegal, but I can under- stand why he thinks thatway.” Conservative Cllr Fort lives in the


heart of the village and says she un- derstands villagers’ frustrations. She added: “Another villager I


know reckons he can get two trac- tors to drive in opposite directions, very slowly, through the village at


LEEDS’ county councillor Gary Cooke, who sits on the Joint Trans- portation Board, wrote in the lat- est parish magazine: “At the last JTB, a resolution wasmade about working with the borough council to promote the relief road. “However, we need to wait until


we have gone through the ‘exam- ination in public’ for the Local Plan where we will promote the idea.”


rush hour. “I will support and help organise a


march or a series of demonstrations to highlight what is going on here.” The Joint Transportation Board


(JTB) – made up of county, borough and parish council representatives – are mulling over three options for a Leeds-Langley relief road. These may eventually be put out


to public consultation, but critics ac- cuse the JTB of stalling until after the county council elections next May. Upper Street resident Robert Jack-


son (38), said: “Allwe get is prevari- cation because there’s an election coming up.


“But there is definitely a mood of frustration and anger among local people. There’s just a lot of talk and no action. Sometimes you have to make people sit up and take notice.” Ukip borough councillor Eddie


Powell added: “I’m 100% behind the villagers on this one – they’ve had enough. “Even if the JTB could come up


with a plan, how will it be paid for? In the great scheme of things, a Leeds-Langley relief road is hardly high up on the government’s agenda, is it? This has been talked about for 20 years and yet nothing has been done.”


VILLAGERS fed up waiting for a relief road have said they are ready to “get militant” if the authorities drag their feet over traffic issues for much longer. Residents in Leeds are planning to


man ‘abused’ THE head governor of Leeds and Broomfield Primary School says traffic outside its gates has become “a huge issue” and is one she is con- cerned about. For years vehicles and their


drivers have ignored the 20mph speed restriction, sped up to avoid being stopped by the crossing patrol or hurled abuse at the lollipop person. Governors’ chairman Val Puncher said: “It’s a huge issue and of great concern. People go too fast or they get angrywhen they get stopped.” In a recent newsletter home


to parents, head of school Julie Wellman reported “inappro- priate language and unwel- come comments” directed at crossing patrolman Wayne English.


Shop thief took King of apples star of show Choir appeal


food and wine A SHOPLIFTER from Maidstone has been jailed for 30 days after stealing from stores four times in a fortnight. Douglas Frankham (29), from Cheshire Road, pleaded guilty to all counts of shoplifting. He stole food and drink worth £6


from a shop inWeek Street, Maid- stone, on September 7; wine from a service station in Sheerness eight days later and a bottle of wine from a supermarket in The Broadway, Maidstone, on September 20. The following day he also stole


food and wine worth £5.67 from the same supermarket. He was sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court and has been or- dered to pay a £115 victim sur- charge.


Strictly’s date STRICTLY’S Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are coming to Maid- stone.


There’ll be a chance to book a 50- minute dance workout with the pair, dinner, an overnight stay and a performance by the professionals at the Mercure Hotel. Tickets for the event on Friday,


May 5, are £199 or £159 per person. Tickets are limited.


10


FAMILIES turned out to celebrate Weavering’s apple-growing heritage at a Festival of Fruit. The fruity frolics and children’s


fun atWeavering Diamond Jubilee Orchard recalled the orchards which once dominated the landscape. The celebration included apple pies, apple pressing, apple identification and honey and beekeeping. The event also celebrated the


history ofWarner’s King, once known as the “king of apples” – a very old species which originated in Weavering and is still grown there. Mayor ofMaidstone Cllr Derek Butler planted aWarner’s King sapling at the community orchard whichwas rescued fromdereliction by Boxley Parish Council. A grant fromTesco, funded from


the 5p plastic bag levy, has paid for an educational project for nearby St John’s CE Primary School, in ProvenderWay and a new wooden slide for the orchard. Cllr Bob Hinder, chairman of the


parish council, said: “Froma near wildlife desert in 2011, the orchard is starting to blossom, and woodpeckers, blue tits and bats can be found.” Alexandra Knight (five) is pictured choosings some apples.


Maidstone East November 2016


MUSICAL group Detling Singers, a mixed four-part choir which per- forms concerts in Kent, is looking for new members. The group has a repertoire includ-


ing traditional songs, folk songs, se- lections from musicals, choral favourites, spirituals and hymns, carols and Christmas music. Re- hearsals are once a week, on Mon- day evenings, in Detling. For further information, contact Mike Mortlock on 01634 862297.


Pie and quiz MAIDSTONEMencap members are holding their popular Apple Pie Quiz Night at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, School Lane, off Willington Street, on Saturday, October 29 at 7 for 7.30pm. Teams will be six to eight people


and admission is £6 per person, which includes apple pie and cream. Parking is free beyond the wooden gates leading to the hall. To book, call Rita on 07790 643218.


Promise auction THE Friends of All Saints’ Church, Ulcombe, will be holding an auction of promises on at 7pm on Saturday, November 19. Details and a catalogue are avail-


able from Molly Poulter on 01622 842988 or molly.poulter@vast.co.uk.


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