News
downsmail.co.uk River festival plan scuppered
MAIDSTONE’S popular river fes- tival has been cancelled – with the blame laid at the door of the bor- ough council. Organisers say the council’s “in- competence” in arranging repair work, which has closed the river- front’s towpath until lateAugust, is behind the decision to axe the event, held at the end of July for the last 47 years, with the occasional exception. The RiverMedway Boaters say the dedicated organising committee are frustrated by the lack of vision by the borough council, adding: “The council has a plan that highlights the use of the river to promote Maid-
stone, but this has been ignored.” Mark Smurthwaite, secretary of
the Medway River Users’ Associa- tion, added: “People in the council do notwant the festival. “I don’tknowwhy, because it pro-
motes the town. People come from far and wide for the event.” The free Maidstone River Festival
was set to include raft races, live music and an illuminated boat pa- rade, followed by fireworks. The charity raft races had already raised £1,500, which will be returned to the teams that had paid the entry fee. “The festival would not have cost Maidstone Borough Council any-
Police cadets on parade
MORE than 100 young people have passed their Kent Police cadet training. Assistant Chief Constable Tony
Blaker and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott congratulated the cadets at a parade at Kent Police Training School. Cadet ambassador, and
Paralympian ski guide, Charlotte Evans, attended to congratulate the
new recruits. Applications for the Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme opened last year for young people aged between 13 to 17-years-old, from all communities across Kent, including those vulnerable to crime and social exclusion. ACC Blaker and PCC Matthew
Scott are pictured here with new cadets Amy Carter and Chloe Newbury as well as Charlotte Evans MBE.
thing andwe had even lined up vol- unteers from McDonald’s to clear rubbish,” added Mr Smurthwaite. “We are at a loss as to why the council doesn’t like the event. It cer- tainly doesn’t cause trouble, even though people are drinking by the river all day long. Butwe are already working on next year’s event andwe will be back big-time.” Maidstone Council’s Matt Roberts
said: “It is unfortunate that the River Festival organisers have decided not to hold the event and I amsurprised by the comment that this is due to the towpath works; these improve- ments will be of great benefit to res-
idents and visitors to the River Med- way.” He added: “If the organisers are
keen on having a festival, a change of date could have been an option. This would have also given the or- ganisers time to refine their plans, submitting all necessary licence ap- plications and working with Maid- stone’s Safety Advisory Group to ensure people can enjoy a safe and well-run event in the surroundings of the improved river path. “MBC is happy to provide guid-
ance to the organisers should they wish to arrange a date change or plan a River Festival for next year.”
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