News Object thrown


at ambulance POLICE are appealing for wit- nesses after the windscreen of an ambulance was smashed when an object was thrown at it near Mor- risons in Maidstone. The vehicle had to be taken out of service for repairs following the at- tack in Queen Elizabeth Square at about 5pm on Sunday, February 5. The crewwere unhurt. A spokesman for South East


CoastAmbulance Service said:“We would urge anyone who knows anything regarding this irresponsi- ble behaviour to come forward. “We want those involved to


know the consequences of their ac- tions.’


Anyone with information should


call Kent Police, quoting reference YY/003209/17, on 01622 604100, email west.division.media.ap- peals@Kent.pnn.police.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers, anony- mously, on 0800 555 111.


18-month ban


ALINTON Hill woman who drove while twice the legal limit for alco- hol has been banned from the road for 18 months. MariamAwad was sentenced on


at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on January 6, 2017, when she pleaded guilty to drink driving. On December 6, 2016, the 40-


year-old, of Linton Hill, Maidstone, drove an Audi in St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, and gave a breath test of 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Magistrates banned Awad from driving for 18 months. She must also pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. Disqualification can be reduced


by 136 days if she satisfactorily completes a course approved by the Secretary of State, the cost of which will not exceed £250.


Maicks’ ban


A DRIVER from Maidstone who drove a “plateless” vehicle while over the limit has been banned from driving for nearly two years. Taric Matticks (29) was also or-


dered by Mid Kent magistrates on January 27 to carry out 80 hours of work in the community. The court heard he admitted driving a BMW in Union Street, Maidstone, on December 10, with no rear or front registration plates, and drink driving. Matticks from St George’s Square, gave a breath test of 90mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. As well as the community order


and 23-month ban, magistrates or- dered Matticks to pay a £100 fine, £85 costs and an £85 victim sur- charge.


36 Maidstone March 2017 Dame BradyWebb with wife Justine, daughter Freya and mum Suzanne


Robin Hood and the Babies in the Wood – Leeds Amateur Dramatic Society


Village panto nails it again JOHN


THIS village pantomime was a great success. The audience loved it and itwas very ably directed by Lesley Finlay. It demonstrated a village com- munity with a sense of humour. Dan Woollven was Robin and


his singing and courting of Alice Chapman's delightful Marian kept the story very much alive. The brilliantly-costumed Brady


Webb was all a good dame must be, while Felicity Poulter was booed on and off stage as Prince John. Jane Steelewas evil personi- fied as the Sheriff. Muchlaughterwasproduced by


Max Irvine and Ben Manning as Bo and Arry, the Sheriff's men. I


MUNSON SHOW TIME


hope these two lads are booked up for next year's panto. The really good thing about this


show was the number of young people who showed such stage- craft. Leeds’ pantos have always been enjoyable and this one kept up the high standard. The set workedwell and all the lights and sound supported those on stage. The costumeswere lovely. There was a delightful touch


where Robin and his men actually whistled a tune, and some dy- namic dancing.Well done, Leeds.


downsmail.co.uk


Lord’s portrait goes on display at former home


AHISTORIC portrait of Lord Bearsted, whichwas found in a storeroom at Maidstone Museum, is back on display after being restored.


The picture, which has returned


home to Mote House – where his family lived – shows Sir Marcus Samuel, as he thenwas, in his robes as Lord Mayor of London in 1903. The founder of the Shell oil com-


pany, he was made a viscount in 1925, choosing the name of Bearsted in honour of his home town. His links to Maidstone include being made an honorary Freeman of the Borough. As a businessman working in the


Far East, he amassed a large collec- tion of Japanese ceramics and art, which he donated to MaidstoneMu- seum. He also donated a large sum of money in 1923 to establish the Bearsted gallery within the museum. Maidstone Trust has raised the


funds to restore the life-size portrait, which had been in store for many years. It was due to be unveiled by Lord Bearsted’s great-great grand-


son Nicholas, the 5th Lord Bearsted, on Saturday, February 18, at a cere- mony attended by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Butler, with


representatives of the Samuel family and Maidstone Trust committee members. Cllr Dan Daley, chairman of the


trust, said: “We are delighted to be facilitating the return of this impor- tant asset to Mote House, and would like to thankAudleyHomeswhoare allowing the portrait to hang there. “We believe it is a most fittingway


to honour the generosity and life of Viscount Marcus Samuel, who gave a great deal to the borough.” Lord Bearsted was born Marcus Samuel into an Eastern European family whomoved to London in the early 19th century. The family started in business making boxes decorated with shells, and when in 1890, he began importing oil from the Far East, he adopted the name of Shell.Agreat benefactor in the area, he owned Mote House and Mote Park as his country seat.


GP practice rated good


AGPsurgery in Maidstone has been given a clean bill of health from a government inspector. Drs Johnson, Garrett and Mitchell’s Brewer Street Surgery re- ceived a good grade from the Care Quality Commission. The inspector noted: “Patients said


they found it easy to make an ap- pointment with a named GP and therewas continuity of care, with ur- gent appointments the same day.” The report also noted that the sur-


gery went above and beyond, pro- viding translation services and a wide range of other services.


Tool thief


A MAIDSTONE stole power tools worth more than £1,000 on a shoplifting spree. Joseph Michael Daniels (31), fromWaterlow Road, was sentenced on February 7 at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court after admit- ting five counts of shoplifting. The court heard he stole power tools worth £840 from a shop in Barker Road, Maidstone, over two days in January.Magistrates also heard he stole £100 of meat from a supermar- ket on December 28 and aftershave worth £310 from a shop in The Mall on January 18. He was jailed for 56 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also pay £1,250 compensation, £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.


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