News
downsmail.co.uk Keep it clean,warnsMPGrant
MAIDSTONE MP Helen Grant has called on her Liberal Democrat rival in the race for the parlia- mentary seat to run a “clean and positive campaign”. Mrs Grant faces a challenge from
23-year-old Oxford graduate Emily Fermor who launched a thinly- veiled attack on the MP as her can- didacywas announced. Former Invicta Grammar School
pupil Miss Fermor, of Heath Road, Coxheath, claimed that the county town needs a local person with “energy, enthusiasm and commit- ment” which “we have not had for a number of years”. Mrs Grant responded with a
terse statement: “Another woman choosing to engage with our democracy is mostwelcome. I now invite her to join me in giving a public pledge to run a clean and positive campaign.” Mrs Grant swept aside the previ-
ous Lib Dem challenge from Jasper Gerard and was re-elected with a 10,000 majority at last year’s gen- eral election. Mr Gerard had been expected to
do well but a downturn in his party’s fortunes nationally scup-
New Mall shop SHOPPERS at The Mall in Maid- stone have had their first peek in- side the centre’s newest store. Discount department store, TJ Hughes, opened its doors on Sep- tember 22, five years after its origi- nal Maidstone store closed. It stocks leading beauty brands including Elemis, Estee Lauder, Clarins and Clinique as well as de- signer bed linen from Catherine Lansfield, fashion accessories from Karen Millen, Gucci and Calvin Klein, plus toys and games from Disney, Playmobil and Fisher Price. “We’re thrilled to welcome TJ Hughes to The Mall, Maidstone,” said Suzie Brindle, The Mall Maid- stone’s spokesman. “The depart- ment store will give our shoppers a real variety of products and some great discounts.”
SHOPPERS and staff were evacu- ated from a Tesco Express after a bonfire at a nearby derelict build- ing got out of control. The fire halted traffic for a time
while firefighters dealt with the incident. The blaze spread to the Tesco
store in Loose Rd and there were fears over the presence of large gas canisters. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) used a hose, jet and a hy- drant to dampen the 10 feet high flames on September 21. It is understood the cause is being treated as accidental.
18 Emily Fermor, centre, on the campaign trail
pered his chances, despite having worked full-time in constituency for three years. When shewas selected, Miss Fer-
mor said: “I am proud of our county town and believewe need a local person representing us, with energy, enthusiasm and a commit- ment to the local area – something we have not had for a number of
years. I have lived in Maidstone all of my life and have a knowledge and understanding of our local town and villages that can’t be taught. “I relish the opportunity to prove myself in the coming years.” Miss Fermor’s selection reflects a growing sense in Lib Dem ranks that Prime Minister Theresa May
could call a snap general election next spring. Tory sources say that this is unlikely. Mr Gerard - who is now working
as a campaigner for his party - said: “Emilywas part ofmyteam in 2015 and was absolutely brilliant. She worked incredibly hard and is very popular as a person. “I think she’ll make a fantastic candidate.” With a huge majority to overturn,
few will give Miss Fermor - a con- sultant with the public relations firm Bell Pottinger - much chance of winning. Miss Fermor added: “The Liberal Democrats are well placed to fight a general election whenever it is held and I amraring to go. “Since the referendum we have
signed almost 20,000 new members nationally, a large number in Maid- stone and TheWeald. “This means that we now have
more members than we’ve ever had in this century.”
Castle is setting for flower festival
ENOUGH flowers to fill eight vans were exhibited throughout the rooms of Leeds Castle at its breath- taking five-day Festival of Flowers. Providing the perfect backdrop for
the 20,000 stems of flowers and foliage, brought together in elaborate floral displays by 28 designers, there was plenty for visitors to feast their eyes on. The event, opened by TV garden personality Joe Swift,was expected to have been seen by 13,500 visitors. Visitors included TV presenter Jan Leeming and Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant. Taking this year’s trophy for the
best floral display was the castle’s head florist Louise Roots, with her design A Royal Banquet.
International floral designer
Dennis Kneepkens is pictured here putting the finishing touches to his
courtyard displayWhimsical Woodland at the Festival of Flowers: A Queen’s Castle.
Tesco staff saved shoppers from fire Fostering plea A large plume of black smoke
was visible for miles around Maidstone. Tesco staff knew somethingwas wrong when there was a strong smell of acrid smoke getting into the supermarket. Staff and shopperswere quickly ushered to safety. It is understood the fire also af-
fected a double garage which is also near to the derelict property. One local resident said: "At first
we though the Tesco was on fire but it turned out to be coming from the back of the building. "Therewas a lot of frenetic activ-
Maidstone East November 2016
ity, particularly by the firemen. The policewere controlling things out front and making sure the area was cleared and the cars kept out of immediate danger. "At one point it looked like it
might get very serious but the crews got there quickly and id a good job." A Tesco spokesman said: "Our colleagues worked really hard to ensure our customers were safely evacuated from the store." Trafficwas held back in both di- rections for a time and the road was later reopened. No one is un- derstood to have been injured.
MORE foster homes are urgently needed in the Maidstone area ac- cording to Kent County Council (KCC) which saysdemandfor carers is reaching “crisis point”. Maidstone has been identified as a priority are by the county council which needs to find 200 places. In Kent this year, 1,593 children en-
tered care compared to 899 in 2013/4. KCC needs homes for teenagers, children with disabilities and sibling groups as well as unaccompanied young asylum seekers. To find out more visit
www.kent-
fostering.co.uk or phone 03000 420002 to speak to an advisor.
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