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Bearsted faces a by-election


A BY-ELECTION looks likely for the Bearsted ward of Maidstone Borough Council afterMikeRevell told close colleagues hewas stand- ingdown– less than a year after he was elected. In one of the most controversial contests in recent years, Cllr Revell defeated local man Denis Spooner, an independent, by just 50 votes. Now Cllr Revell, who has been


living in MotePark, is movingaway for personal reasons. A by-election is likely to be held on the same day as the county council election on May 4. Mr Spooner, who is chairman of


the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, had hoped to fight the 2016 borough election as the Tory candidate but lost out to Cllr Revell, who had re- cently moved to Kent from Essex. Retired civil servant Mr Spooner


then resigned his Conservative Party membership to stand as an in- dependent and only narrowly lost. He has since re-joined the party. He said: “I was unaware that


Mikewas intending to go but, if that is the case, I would love to serve Bearsted as a borough councillor and I amsure I could do a good job. “And if that was as a Conserva-


tive, then I would be very happy to do so. If a by-election is called, I will give some serious thought about throwing my hat into the ring.” MrSpooner said thereweremany


local issues which were troubling local people. School places, the Woodcut Farm development near theM20J8, housing and traffic prob- lems were among them, he said. A


Cllr Mike Revell and Denis Spooner


source within the Maidstone and theWeald Conservative Association said: “Mike has done a good job but he has personal reasons for moving on. If the by-election goes ahead, it is likely to be on the same day as the county council elections in May as that incurs fewer costs to the tax- payer.”We understand he will for- mally resign in April. Cllr Revell made a name for him-


self by being critical of Maidstone Borough Council, particularly over noise from the Ramblin’ Man Fair. A Maidstone Borough Council spokesman said no notice of resig- nation had been received. Cllr Revell polled 890 votes in


2016; Mike Spooner (Ind) 840; RobertPetitt (Ukip) 317; Jim Grogan (Lab) 224; Ciaran Oliver (Green) 81; Geoffrey Samme (Liberal Democ- rats) 77. Therewere 2,429 votes cast. The Bearsted boroughward is un-


usual as it is straddled by two sepa- rate Conservative associations – Faversham and Mid-Kent and Maidstone and the Weald. In the run-up to last year’s Tory candidate selection, the larger Faversham and MidKent body heldsway in its sup- port of Cllr Revell, while Mr Spooner enjoyed local backing.


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TH MRCH Music on the Green tickets


TICKETS for Music on the Green at Bearsted are on sale. Last year, more than £17,000was shared between three charities. This year’s event, on Sunday, August 27, will benefit Demelza children’s hospice: the Young Lives Foundation in Maidstone and youth football club, the Roseacre Raiders. Acts include last year’s headliners The Kick Backs. Aswell as food stalls and face-painting, therewill be circus performances;


the prosecco Fizz Bar and a beer tent. Tickets for the event - from noon to 9.30pm - cost £12 (adults); £35 (two adults and two children) £8 (under 16s and OAPS) and £1 for those under three, from www.musiconthegreen.co.uk/tickets. Sponsors are Continuity Care Services at Vinters Park, Century 21 Maid-


stone and Ace Sheds at Bethersden. Jo Conner, chair of Bearsted Events Community InterestCompany, said: “Tickets are selling fast, so don’t delay!”


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