downsmail.co.uk
Winter bug’s big increase
CASES of the winter vomiting bug are soaring, according to official figures. Public Health England says it has seen 45% more cases re- ported, compared with this time last year. Those suffering from the Norovirus, colds and flu and those needing to take time off to look after sick family members is al- ready putting pressure on busi- nesses across Maidstone. Clare Mason-Rennie, of Country Menus in Detling, delivers snacks to staff at businesses across the area. She said: “About a third ofmy customers were unwell with the stomach bug, colds or looking after family members before Christmas.” It comes as health bosses warn
that the figures could be just “the tip of the iceberg” as most with the virus do not visit the doctor be- cause it is so contagious and clears up in a matter of days.” Bob Bowes, Chair of NHS West
Kent Clinical Commissioning Group said: “As is normal for this time of year, the numbers of people with Norovirus is up, especially in schools and nurseries and some nursing homes are reporting in- creased figures. “But this is not unusual at this time of year.”
News
MP vows to challenge plan to close barracks
THE closure of Maidstone’s bar- racks would “rip the heart out” of the county town, says MP Helen Grant. The member for Maidstone and
The Weald has pledged to launched a study to scrutinise ar- guments for shutting Invicta Park and to set it in a national context. The Ministry of Defence an- nounced the Royal Engineers Road site would close in 2027 bringing to an end a 200-year military associa- tion.
Mrs Grant has written to the Sec-
retary of State Michael Fallon and has met defence minister Mark Lancaster to discuss the decision. She said: “I have been liaising
with senior military personnel and Maidstone Nepalese community leaders to gauge their opinions. “They are unanimously opposed
to closure for a range of reasons and will be working closely with me on this issue. “I agree that the MoD has to modernise the UK’s military es- tate,but there is a much wider case to answer in Maidstone. We’ve had a barracks here for almost 220 years
Hunt for man in night bus assault
KENT Police are investigating a re- ported sexual assault on a Maid- stone night bus have issued a computer generated image of aman they would like to speak to. Detectives say that at about 11pm
on November 19, 2016, a woman was at the Chequers bus station, where she said a manwhostarted talking to her. The woman boarded an Ar- riva bus, number 155,
for
Chatham. The man also got on
the bus and sat next to her. It is re- ported the man put his arm around the woman and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. When the victim got off the bus,
the man followed. The victim then saw a person she recognised who had also been travelling on the bus and asked for help. Despite this, the suspect contin-
ued to try and persuade the victim to leave with him. She eventually ran home and did not see him again. Officers are investigating the inci- dent, reviewing any potentialCCTV
and checking for forensic evidence. The e-fit image of the suspectwas produced with help from the victim. The man is described as being of
mixed race appearance and aged in his early 20s. He was well-built, about 6ft tall and had short black hair and a slim face. He was wearing a navy or dark
blue puffer jacket and black shoes and is thought to have a London ac- cent.
Detective Inspector Geoff Payne
said: “We are keen to speak to an older gentlemanwhogot on and off the bus at the same time as the vic- tim. The victim told us she sat next to this person and spoke to him, as she was trying to distance herself from the suspect. It is importantwe also speak to the man who the vic- tim went to for help when she got off the bus, and anyone else with in- formation.” If you can help call thewest Kent appeals lines on 01622 604100, quot- ing reference YY/25938/16. Alterna- tively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.
Alastair Barker (centre) receives the certificate of excellence from Kent County Council’s Graham Gibbens and Medway Cllr David Brake
Council’s healthy aitude
MAIDSTONE Council is a great authority to work for – according to a panel of judges. The borough councilwas one of 40 Kent bodies to receive a certificate
of excellence for its commitment to improving the health of its workforce at an awards ceremony at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, near Maid- stone. The Kent Healthy BusinessAward aims to improve the county’s work environment and help companies boost productivity and profits by keep- ing their staff healthy and safe. Initiatives recognised include activities to promote good leadership, absence management, mental health, sport and to limit ill health through smoking and alcohol misuse. The awards are presented by Kent County Council. Receiving the
award for Maidstone Council was Alastair Barker, its corporate health and safety advisor. He said: “Improving the health andwellbeing of our workforce is something the council cares passionately about and this is proof that we are making significant steps in achieving a positive and productive environment in which all staff may prosper.” Last year, the councilwas awarded the highest recognition for its man- agement policies and procedures for assisting staff back to work follow- ing an absence.
Maidstone Weald January 2017 27
and a military presence for much longer. “In fact, I understand that no
other estate closure with close ties to their local town in the recent MoD announcement has a longer history than ours. “I will not stand aside whilst Maidstone’s military heart is ripped out. There are big questions unanswered and I am determined to ensure the best outcome for our county town and its long estab- lished military community.”
Changing needs
THE base is home to the Royal En- gineers 36 Engineer Regiment. It includes two Gurkha squadrons, re- sulting in a Nepalese community of more than 1,000 in the town. There are currently no plans for where the soldiers will relocate to. The 41-hectare site, – Army ac- commodation and military build- ings – has been the regiment’s headquarters since 1959. In his Better Defence State-
ment, Sir Michael Fallon told MPs that 56 Ministry of Defence sites would close by 2040. He said: “Our estate is vast, mak-
ing up almost2%of the UK’s land mass. Yet while the size and struc- ture of the military has changed to meet different threats our estate has failed to adapt.” The borough council listed the
site in its draft Local Plan for po- tential development of up to 1,300 homes, saying that it ex- pected the Army to leave by 2031. But two years ago, the Ministry of Defence denied any such plans.
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