News


downsmail.co.uk Buses ‘making pupils late’


THE number of pupils late for classes at Invicta Grammar School shot up immediately after bus giant Arriva’s much-criticised changes to the timetable, Downs Mail has learnt.


The school kept a detailed log be-


fore and after the company cut services on key routes over the Easter holidays. Invicta Grammar School (IGS)


data shows that on the altered number 12 service – which has at- tracted much of the criticism – four pupilswere late for classes between March 20 and 31. But post-changes, between April


18 and May 5, the number had shot up dramatically to 68. On all services used by IGS pupils, the number of pupils late between March 20 -31was 130, but from April 18 to May 12, it had jumped by 402. Mrs Derrick’s warning before


Easter now appears to have been borne out. She said at the time: “It is not


only frustrating, but extremely dis- appointing that students and par- ents of Maidstone and the surrounding villages are affected in


Watches taken


A SHOPLIFTER who stole watches and beer from stores in Maidstone has avoided a prison sentence. Daniel Graham Reed was sen-


tenced on 24 April, 2017, atMedway Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to two counts of shoplifting. On April 3, 2017, the 39-year-old,


of no fixed address, stole four cans of beer worth £5 from a supermarket in TheMall, Maidstone.OnApril 23, 2017, he stole two watches worth £38.99 from a shop in St Peter’s Street, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Reed to 60


days in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must also pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.


Half-term fun


SHEEP and sheepdogs will be the star turns this May half-term at the Kent Life heritage centre. Working dogs, Jake and Barney,


will take a rest from herding duties to meet the crowds, while ferret-rac- ing, family games on the green and farm rides add to the rural fun. The action happens from May 27


to June 4. Details from 01622 763936, email enquiries@kentlife.org.uk or visit www.kentlife.org.uk


Towpath opens THE new towpath between Maid- stone andAylesford has opened. Funded by KCC and Aylesford


Parish Council, the path from the Malta Inn at Allingon to Aylesford village is part of a project to provide a riversidewalk to Barming Bridge.


4 Maidstone June 2017


closely with Invicta Grammar School, and all other schools within its region, to continually monitor and improve performance.” Langley residents accused Arriva


Head of Invicta Grammar School Julie Derrick (left) claims Arriva’s timetable changes have led to a huge increase in pupils arriving late to lessons


this way. As both a parent and teacher, I amappalled at theway in which Arriva have changed timeta- bles and services mid-way through the year. “It is nonsense to reduce services;


it will just mean more cars, more traffic and yet more congestion in Maidstone.” Arriva did not dispute IGS’s data, and a spokesman said: “In-


victa Grammar School has raised a concern around late arriving pupils and as a listening, passenger-facing organisation, Arriva is working with them to review their data and explore any issues which can ac- tively be addressed. “Arriva prides itself on its part- nership working with the hun- dreds of schools right across its network, and is continuing to work


of “taking the heart out of their vil- lage” at a lively meeting with the bus operator earlier this month after it scrapped the stop at Lang- ley Heath. The number 12 serves Tenterden


to Maidstone via Headcorn and Sutton Valence. Now children will have to cross


the busy A274 or wait for the less frequent number 13. Tory spokesman Helen Whately


said: “There are no magic answers, but there were several suggestions made, like a new crossing on the Sutton Road and a bus stop, which will be looked into by KCC. “I will also follow up the com- plaints about pupils arriving at Maidstone schools late because of the timetable changes."


Charity bowling challenge Pews replaced


BUSINESSMEN in Maidstone are putting their computers to one side to test their skills on the bowling alley as part of a novel charity challenge. Maidstone United Football


Club, Evans Cycles, Gravity, Sports Direct, the Odeon and the O2 are among those step- ping up to the line for the chal- lenge at the Hollywood Bowl in Maidstone in aid of the Young Lives Foundation. The charity league is just one


of the fund-raisers being organ- ised by staff at the Lockmeadow bowling alley for the Maid- stone-based children's charity, which offers support to vulnera- ble and disadvantaged children and is celebrating its 10th an- niversary.


Assistant manager Law Mar-


tin said: “We pride ourselves on creating positive energy and happy memories in our centre, especially for children and fam- ilies, and the work of the Young Lives Foundation is about en- suring young people receive the positivity and support they need.We feel it’s a natural fit to name them our official charity partner.” The charity’s Karen Knight


said: “The benefits this will bring to a wide range of local children is invaluable and will help us reach so many more – and do more – for the increasing number of disadvantaged chil- dren in our community.” The grand final will be on Wednesday, June 7.


ST NICHOLAS’ at Allington is the latest church in Maidstone to dis- pense with fixed pews in its nave. The traditional seating arrange-


ment has been replaced in favour of chairs, allowing greater flexibility. As well as “re-arranging the fur- niture” at the church, St Nicholas’ offered other unused chairs to parishes in the Maidstone Deanery. They are now being put to good use by the choir and in the Centre at St Philip’s inWaterloo Street.


Dinosaur day


HE’S big, fast and scary. Meet Rex the Dino at Maidstone Museum on Saturday, May 27. Rex will appear at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Dino Day. Children can also have fun mak-


ing their own dino tail to be like Rex, at a cost of £3 per child.


‘Road rage’ case witness appeal


POLICE have appealed for wit- nesses to a road rage incident in which a woman allegedly kicked another driver's car window near FremlinWalk car park. The incident happened at Fairmeadow at about 3.40pm on May 1. A 17-year-old has been ar- rested and bailed pending further enquiries. Police have received an allega-


tion that both cars stopped at traffic lights close to the entrance of the car park when one of the vehicles


was reportedly cut up. According to Kent Police, a fe-


male passenger in one of the cars got out and started swearing at the driver of the other vehicle. A statement said: "The suspect is


then said to have kicked the vic- tim’s driver side window, causing it to break. "It is reported she then got back


into the car, which was driven away in the direction of St Faith’s Street."


Officers would like to speak to


anyone who may have witnessed the incident and who has not yet contacted police. A 17-year-old girl was arrested


on May 9, on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. She has been released, pending further investi- gation.


Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/011195/17. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


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