News


Waxwings cause bit of a fluer in churchyard


BIRDWATCHERS went twitchy when word went around of a rare gathering of birds in East Malling. The waxwing is not an unusual


bird, but when 24 settled in trees near the horticultural and agricul- tural research institute East Malling Research , there was a call to action among “birders”. Such numbers happen only about


once in every six years. The spot backed on to the grave-


yard behind Saint James the Great Church and Richard Cannon flew his nest in Kennington, near Ash- ford, to visit the site. He met five fellow watchers who


were poised with binoculars at the ready on the Sunday morning. But the church’s flock did not turn


a hair as the group gathered to see the waxwings, attracted to the spot by winter berries. TheRSPB says of thewaxwing: “It


is a plump bird, slightly smaller than a starling. It has a prominent crest. It is reddish-brown with a black throat, a small black mask round its eye, yellow and white in the wings and a yellow-tipped tail. “It does not breed in the UK, but


is a winter visitor.” MrCannon said: “Thiswas a bird-


watcher’s dream. To see the birds in such large numbers was fantastic and when I heard of it, the prospect made me drive the 20-odd miles from home to see it. “When I got there, 21 birds were


sitting in an apple tree on the border of the orchard and the graveyard.


Micropub plans to open in May


THE planned micropub for West Malling is nearing reality after it won planning permission. The Malling Jug is set to open in


a month’s time, serving real ales and some wine – but no lager, spir- its or alcopops. Based in converted flats at 52 High Street, it will open from noon to 9pm each day except Tuesdays. Business partners David Catter-


all and Rick Mason were ‘over- joyed’ at getting planning permission from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (TMBC) on Wednesday, announcing the news on their facebook page. It means they can now stock the micropub with beer mainly from Kent breweries – although some will be sourced from nearby coun- ties like Sussex. David’s wife Sarah was at the planning meeting with architect Peter Trill. She said: “This has been several


years in the planning but itwas im- portant to get it right for the com- munity. “The councillors were doing the


10 Malling March 2017


right thing too in asking questions of our application. It is all systems go.


“The aim is to open in a month’s


time. We still have to obtain a drinks’ licence from the council but we are told this shouldn’t be an issue West Malling is fabulous, with wonderful businesses and a very vibrant nightlife, with restau- rants and places to drink. “This is something different and


may encourage people who have not been for a drink in the village for a while to come back.” Mr Trill added: “The micropub


will have a capacity of about 45 people and, because of its small size, will not have to be very busy to wipe its face financially. “It is not a commercial concern –


more a venue for the community. “David and Rick have done their research locally, asking the neigh- bours for their thoughts on the mi- cropub idea. “They got the backing of West Malling and their mantra, as set out by the Micropub Assocation, is to ‘listen to its customers.’”


Reycling idea supersized


TWO year six pupils fromWateringbury Primary School have seen their ideas for recycling hit the billboards in Maidstone. Eleven-year-olds Samara and Penny were invited by Cllr Matthew


Balfour to take part in a Takeover Challenge at ShorneWoods Country Park in Gravesend in November. As well as helping to decide how Kent County Council should invest £100,000 in the park, the girls also worked on ideas for a recycling campaign, which have now been transformed into a huge advertising billboard onWat TylerWay, near Sainsbury's in Maidstone. The Takeover Challenge is a national initiative organised annually by


the Children's Commissioner. It encourages organisations to engage with young people by listening to them and placing them in decision- making roles for a day. Wateringbury Primary School head Chasey Crawford-Usher said: “Our


pupils are involved in many aspects of civic responsibility and the billboard is an excellent representation of our role in the community.”


“Some birds were being netted Messy church


Richard Cannon’s picture of a waxwing with a member of the British Trust for Ornithology, who were ringing the birds to establish migration patterns


and ringed for future patterns by au- thorised members of the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). “It was great to see such a large number of the birds together.” Mr Cannon has only been bird-


watching for three years butwanted to see the waxwing after it was fea- tured on BBC’s Springwatch.


downsmail.co.uk


Two held for fire ‘murder’


TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after the death of a man in a house fire in Marsham Street, Maidstone. Kent Policewere called at 5.29pm


on Sunday, February 26, to assist Kent Fire and Rescue Service. South East CoastAmbulance Serv-


ice also attended and treated a 48- year-old man,whodied at the scene. A woman and another man were


taken to hospital and both havenow been discharged. Two Maidstone men, aged 30 and


38, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson and have been bailed. Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information, who


has not yet spoken to police is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting refer- ence 26-0976, or call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


MESSY Church at St Peter’s and St Paul’s, Aylesford will next meet on Friday, April 7, from 4.15pm to 6.15pm in the Brasssey Centre, Sta- tion Road,Aylesford. Children must be accompanied


and there is a small charge of £1 per child. Families are welcome to go along and join in the fun and cele- bration.


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