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A camera onworrying times MailMarks


 I AM sad and worried that Maidstone


Council is now looking at another major fi- nancial saving by cutting back seriously on the number of CCTV cameras covering the town centre. They werealongtimecoming–notwith-


out controversy over ‘spying’ – and their sub- sequent expansion and operation were carefully considered. But they were quickly accepted, especially


after several early successes. Nowthe council, facedwith having tomake


yetmore savings as Government support con- tinues to diminish, is targeting many of the cameras. Some may produce less results than others – but it is impossible to judge which ones will really hit the jackpots. I feel Maidstone is a much more secure


place by day and night with these cameras watching over us. It is yet another sad episode in the long


story of financial difficulties and severe cuts since the last Labour Chancellor of the Ex-


Why not bypass the town?


REFERENCE the Leeds-Langley bypass – why stop there? Go all theway, past Coxheath and re-join the M20 somewhere. This may (no, would) upset a lot of people, as would Maidstone with a mono-rail network with sufficient park and rides and no bus lanes. I’ve just found a book of Maidstone 1949,


and a celebration of its town charter. It spoke of an 18-hole golf course and an open-air swimming pool for Mote Park – we didn’t get either of these. David Green, Eddington Close, Maidstone


Rays of light in prison


RECENT reports of prison violence have reminded us that prisons can be very dark and harrowing places. Thankfully this despair and violence has not pervaded all prisons. A couple ofweeks ago Iwas privileged


to be invited to aend the carol service at Maidstone Prison. Itwas an enlightening experience which overturned many preconceptions of prison life. Aswewere taken through the countless


locked doors and gates,wewere reminded of the grim reality of being incarcerated behind bars. But once the multi-national, multi-lingual service began, bright rays of light shone throughout the Chapel of the


DENNISFOWLE President dfowle2011@aol.com


chequer left the note that the country’s money had run out. I will never forgive Gordon Brown and his Labour government for finan- cial mismanagement. The pain for some is still growing and for


most there is a fall in quality of life. I increas- ingly feel this in and around Maidstone and it is getting tougher. Very worrying times.





Soldiers’ farewell I have very mixed emotions about the


news Maidstone will lose our military pres- ence in about 10 years. There is a long and proud history (229


years) includingmore recently the RoyalWest Kents, Royal Engineers and Gurkhas. I have


Good Shepherd. The choir performed with passion, originality and no lile skill; the inmates in the congregation joined in with gusto and commitment; and Bishop Trevor gave an inspiring address. Itwas a genuinely heart-warming and


truly memorable service but the bestwas yet to come. Afterwardswewere allowed to mingle with the inmates. Itwas such a joy to meet so many of these men, all good humoured, all appreciative of a few words of friendship and all with a remarkably positive perspective on life. Earlier the Bishop had reminded us that,


even in the despair of being stuck in prison over Christmas, there is a ray of light. These gentlemen showed that there are indeed some bright lights shining in the dark recesses of Maidstone Prison. Let’s hope that these lights continue to


shine. Rob Bird, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Maidstone Central


Leave us in Malling!


REGARDING traffic congestion at Hermitage Lane, planning proposals by Tonbridge and Malling would further aggravate these problems if theywere passed. I sent the council a strongly-worded leer on the subject, but do not expect them to do





very fond memories of all the tremendous support given as the finishing point for the massive Kent Messenger 50-mile overnight walks in the 1960s. In so manyways they will be missed. But their departurewill open new opportu-


nities for valuable land so close to the town centre and I suspect this will lead to a more prosperous and socially-cohesiveMaidstone. Maidstone Council has had its eye on this


site for some time as a development area. That wish will come true.


Thank you Tony Our thanks are due to Tony Jones who


took over the really hot seat as chairman of Maidstone and TunbridgeWellsNHShospital trust not too long after the C-difficile infection scandal saw the death of around 100 patients and the demise of the former chairman and chief executive Rose Gibb. He led the team which restored faith in our local hospitals - no easy task.


much about my comments or anyone else's. I think they have an agenda not for changing – a similar agenda to Maidstone, a total of 20,000 houses by 2031. Think about the result! I must address your presumption that


Aylesford and surrounding area should belong to Maidstone. Historically, they have never had anything to do with Maidstone. It holds few gems thatwe wouldwant to


join, it’s a cultural backwater. Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is at present building right up to its boundary with Tonbridge and Malling, near the Sir Thomas Wya pub. The resulting extra traffic will not make


the problem beer. MBC should look after its own effects of planning in the area. The requirement is a traffic link between M20/A20 and the A26 – easily said, but it would appear not possible on the ground. Hermitage Lane is just that, a lane, now a


bole neck with a major hospital within its length. Why did no one see it coming? If you have any historical bearing you


might promote the reinstatement of the Sir Thomas Wya name to the venue which is now called “Beefeater”, surely a brand name, not one recognisable for people trying to locate it? Anyway, I hope the borough council


keeps up pressure against any more development in the area. Peter Royall, via email


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