News Family business


set for closure A FAMILY business that has been selling kitchen appliances in Maid- stone for 90 years looks set to close. While trading continues at Wright's Warehouse in Waterloo Street, it is understood its staff of nine full- and part-timers have been told their jobs are to go. Stock clear- ance details are also advertised on the company’s website, which boasts: “We are an independent Eu- ronics discountwarehouse stocking white goods, electrical appliances and gas appliances. We have been serving generations of Kent families for many years. Our success is due to providing our customers with the best service, the best choice of prod- ucts at the best possible price.” The company, which was forced


to move from Earl Street to make way for the FremlinWalk develop- ment, has been operating out of its converted warehouse off Upper Stone Street for the last 20 years, under the directorship of Alan Wright..


‘At risk’ flats SEVENTEENpotentially ‘at risk’ tall buildings have been identified by the borough council in Maidstone as part of an inquiry following the GrenfellTower disaster. The council reports that the results on half the buildings have come back, with none found to incorporate the con- troversial composite aluminium panels used on the blaze-torn tower block in London.


Woodcut date AN APPEAL seeking approval for the controversial Woodcut Farm de- velopment off the A20 at Maidstone will be held in February. Fourweeks have been booked for


the planning inspector’s inquiry, which is likely to be held at County Hall, with a contingency for it to run over into March. The steering group for the Kent DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty will tell the inspector that the Hollingbourne Vale section of the AONB- the setting for the proposed development - has recovered well after being intensively cultivated in recent years and should be consid- ered "sacrosanct".


Invicta buses


NEW bus services between Kings Hill, Maidstone town centre and In- victa Grammar School, will be launched in September by Nu-ven- ture.


There is a 57X at 7.30am from


Kings Hill to Invicta, returning to Kings Hill at 3.34pm from the school. The 57X will start at ASDA bus shelter at Tower View, serving all the normal Kings Hill bus stops in Tower View, Bovarde Avenue, Discovery Drive and Kings HillAv- enue, then on to Invicta non-stop.


12 Maidstone August 2017


downsmail.co.uk


Pleasure boat charity marks 10th birthday


A CHARITY providing pleasure trips on the River Medway for disabled and disadvantaged people has celebrated its 10th birthday. Based at Medway Wharf Marina


in Wateringbury, the Kingfisher is a familiar sight as it cruises thewa- terway between Yalding and East Farleigh, with up to a dozen pas- sengers on board. A crew of four volunteers, in- cluding a licensed skipper, run each trip and there is enough space for three wheelchairs, which can be loaded with a hydraulic lift. The cruises provide an opportu-


nity to help operate the locks or steer the boat, or just enjoy messing about on the river. Supporters and volunteers were invited to mark the 10th birthday of the Kingfisher Medway Trust with a party on board the Maidstone- based pleasure boat Kentish Lady. Trust chairman Pete Harris out-


lined how the charity was inspired by the late John Lockhart, with his boat The Dawn Treader and his Kingfisher Project. Mr Lockhart, who had a son af-


fected by Down’s Syndrome, re- cruited helpers to skipper and crew the boat.


Fundraising for the £75,000 needed for a purpose-built new boat included village events and pub evenings to larger donations from Rotary and national agencies. Within two years, an updated ves- sel, the Kingfisher,was launched in 2007.


Pete Harris, chairman of trustees thanks supporters and volunteers at the Kingfisher Trust’s 10th birthday party on board the Kentish Lady


By October 2016, the boat had provided 1,802 trips carrying 15,999 people, including 1,550 in wheelchairs. It caters for a wide range of groups including the Alzheimers Society, Amputee Sup- port Group and Age Concern, as well as community groups, day centres and schools. Mr Harris said: “Particular thanks go to Ivan, Sally and Stephen of Medway Wharf Marina for all the support and help they have given with discounted moor- ing fees, lifting the boat at the start and end of the season and work cleaning Kingfisher.” Help also came from the


Baughan family, who provided a mooring and picnic tables at their river-fronted garden at East Far- leigh for the passengers to enjoy. The prices charged for the trips


cover the basic running costs, but the charity relies on donations for repairs and improvements such as more comfortable seating and bet- ter galley equipment. Mr Harris said: “The boat oper-


ates from May to September. It is very popular and for the last four yearswe have been fully booked by January to February.” For more details, visit www.kingfishermedwaytrust.org. uk.


Look to the skies for air show action


NEXT month sees the Combined Ops Military and Air Show on August 19 and 20, when a variety of vintage and modern aircraft will be on display on the ground and in the air at Headcorn Aerodrome. The Tigers’ parachute team


(pictured) will also be “dropping in” to the arena. Their formation displays include smoke-trailing and flag-flying. There will also be the RAF Battle


of Britain Memorial Flight and the mighty Chinook. The family event also includes


military vehicles, re-enactment groups, arena events and military stalls. In September, it will be the turn


of the Southern Model Show, which returns on 9 and 10, in association with the Maidstone Model Flying Club. On show will be model aircraft, helicopters, ships, tanks and other vehicles.


All events take place at Headcorn


Aerodrome, in Shenley Road, from 10am to 5pm each day. The season was due to kick off


with Spitfires flying over the village in early July to mark the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain


The air show was also to have


displays by Hurricanes, Tiger Moth, Harvard T6 and the ME 109, courtesy of the Aero Legends. Go to headcornevents.co.uk or


call 07769 683345 for details of the activities.


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