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Arriva sorry for its bus blunder


ARRIVA has apologised to resi- dents in Eccles after a mail drop promoting a bus route that does not serve the village,whenthe one that does is in jeopardy. Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch (below) was alerted by residents who received leaflets urging them to use a two-for-one deal on the 101 ev ening Chatham to Maidstone serv- ice.


Villagerswere especially annoyed


as they have been fighting to save their 155 evening service for the last four years, with the latest six-month extension due to be reviewed soon. Noel Butler tweeted: “Is this a


joke, Arriva! Flyers in Eccles about evening service that doesn’t come here when theywant to stop the one that does.” Miss Crouch said she would write


to the company, adding: “As every- one (except Arriva apparently) knows, the 101 doesn’t serve Eccles but the 155 which does serve the vil-


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lage, along with Burham, Would- ham and Aylesford, is potentially going to have the evening service taken away…by Arriva.” TheMPlater posted the bus firm’s response which said: “I would like to apologise for any confusion that our Sapphire 101 route promotion mail drop has caused residents in Eccles. The specific postcode in question was selected and included by our marketing team as it covers part of the Sapphire 101 route.How- ever the Royal Mail area footprints cover a wide geographical area which included Eccles and neigh- bouring villages. The spokesman added: “With re-


gards to the 155 evening service, this service is run by Arriva on behalf of KCC who fund the route.” With the support of Miss Crouch


and county, borough and parish councillors, villagers won the latest reprieve for the 155 evening service in September, stressing itwas a life- line for residents, especially shift workers and young people. Kent County Council agreed then


to fund the buses for a further six months to assess its viability.


News Potters pipped for TV role


THE Great British craze is boosting business for two potters at Aylesford Priory. Mark “Billy” Byles (45) and Alan Parris (47) were auditioned as judges


for the Great Pottery Throw Down, which is currently drawing audiences to BBC2. In spite of just missing out on celebrity status, the pair, who have run the Aylesford Pottery at the priory for 17 years, say they could not be happier. “These programmes encourage people to have a go at something


they’ve never tried before, be that sewing, baking or throwing a pot, so they are very good news for people like us,” said Alan. For the last 10 years,


the pair have been holding classes at the priory, which now run to nine a week, for 10 people at a time. They say the popularity of the classes has helped to keep them in business. Alan said: “It’s more difficult than ever to sell hand-made pottery, with discount stores offering a cup for 50p, so we are pleased we have our teaching sideline. The demand continues to grow and programmes like this are good for the craft.” As for their audition, after receiving a call from Love Productions,


which also produced the Great British Bake-off, they were interviewed over the telephone and then filmed on location in Aylesford before the final auditions at a pottery studio in London. Alan said: “It was really good fun and something we’ll always


remember.” The programme is now enjoying its second series, hosted at 8pm on Thursday by Sarah Cox.


downsmail.co.uk


Malling February 2017


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