downsmail.co.uk Castle concert


thrills visitors THE sun set on a rousing per- formance by the Royal Philhar- monic Orchestra as thousands enjoyed a summer’s evening at Leeds Castle – the venue for an- other classical music event. The crowdswere given their fill


of music, magic, fizz and fire- works, waving flags throughout. Artillery guns and a fly-by pro-


vided the finishing touches to Sat- urday’s Battle of Britain-themed occasion, with performances by The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, The Patriot Girls (Joanne Pullen, Jo Gibb and Marissa Dun- lop Bidwell) and The Royal Phil- harmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Rigby. Soloist Tenor Anthony Flaum


and soprano Katie Bird also wowed with Nessun Dorma and Rule Britainnia. Host Aled Jones said: “It was a pleasure to host the 39th Leeds Castle Classical Concert on a beautiful summer’s evening.” Event director Richard Millward praised “the perfect co-ordination of the Spitfire to the music and the farewell wing tip as it headed into the sunset; and watching the Gar- rison field guns nail every cue of the 1812 in perfect symmetry, with stunning fireworks.”


News


National treasure can fight on terror threat


LEEDSCastle can contribute to the local and national economy in the face of the constant terror threat, according to the attraction’s chief executive Sir David Steel. After recent terrorist attacks, the


flag at the treasure house has flown at half-mast “on too many occasions this summer”, he said. Sir David, writing in the Leeds


and Broomfield parish newsletter, said great houses like Leeds Castle can be a source of “joy and certainty to so many”. Thousands of music lovers, pic-


tured, were certainly undeterred to attend the sell-out summer classical concert on July 8. Sir David writes: “As a Navy man,


I support the flying of flags, but it is hard not to reflect on the fact that the flag at Leeds Castle has flown at half-mast now on too many occa- sions this summer, in remembrance of thosewhohave died at the hands of terrorists or, most recently, be- cause of the most dreadful fire in one of London’s high-rise apart- ment blocks. “As our country moves through a


period of great uncertainty, it is therefore consoling, to a degree, that times move on and there are a good many thing that bring a great deal of joy and certainty to so many, such as Leeds Castle. “If we can assist in making Kent


and England more generally, an at- tractive destination for international visitors, aswell as those from home, thenwe will have played a good part in our national and local economy.” Sir David said that in the past year, the castle had been used as a


Warning to riders as thieves target stables


POLICEhavewarned horse owners to keep their equipment secure fol- lowing the theft of saddles from tack rooms across the region. The first raid was on Team Tut- sham’s equestrian centre for the dis- advantaged inWest Farleigh, where 30 saddleswere taken. The horse-riding community ral-


lied to provide temporary tack for lessons already booked with the charity after its equipment storewas emptied between 8.30pm on Thurs- day, June 8, and 8am the next day. The burglaries come amid further reports of thefts of horse equipment. Yard owner Gemma Oxley offered her spare tack to the riding school, even though her yard, near Goud- hurst, had been broken into. In another burglary, from a farm


in Staplehurst – reported on Tues- day, June 13 – 30 saddles and bridles were taken. Padlocks used to secure the gate and the outbuildings had been broken off. Kent Police is now advising own-


ers to ensure all tack and horses are marked and secure and, where pos- sible, tack is stored out of site.


Members of Team Tutsham at a horse show before the burglary “CCTV is also a useful deterrent


and can help us to identify suspects should the worst happen. Property should also be marked and where possible photos taken to help iden- tify any stolen equipment.” Police Sergeant DarrenWalshaw,


from the Rural Task Force, said: “While it is impossible to prevent all burglaries and theft of horse equip- ment, owners can take steps to make it harder for criminals to steal and sell on equipment.” Kent Police works closely with Kent HorseWatch, which offers ad-


vice and runs events where tack and horses can be marked. There is also advice at www.kent.police.uk/ad- vice/rural-crime/livestock-and- horses/.


Anyone with information about


the burglary inWest Farleigh should call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting reference YY/15195/17. If your information relates to the Sta- plehurst burglary, the reference number is YY/016178/17. Alternatively, call Kent Crime Stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


location in a number of TV dramas and two large feature films which helps to advertise the 900-year-old attraction. He adds: “Ifwe are lucky enough


to attract further filming, we will continue to ensure that this is not to the detriment of our visitors.” The castle chief caused recent con-


troversy by introducing photo ID ticketing, to prevent people “Face- book swapping” of tickets. Leeds Castle’s Festival of Flowers takes place from September 23-28.


Racist assault


A MAN who threatened a woman and assaulted two men at a Maid- stone restaurant has been jailed. William Richardson-Smith admit-


ted racially-aggravated harassment, being drunk and disorderly, two counts of common assault, and as- saulting a police officer. Medwaymagistrates heardthat po-


licewere called to a fast food restau- rant inWeek Street onMay15, where the 31-year-old was being racially abusive. On June 20, he was also drunk and disorderly in Brenchley Gardens, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Richardson-


Smith, of no fixed abode, to 174 days in prison.Hemustalsopay£400com- pensation and a £115 victim sur- charge.


Driving ban


A 65-YEAR-OLD Maidstone man wasbannedfrom driving after failing to provide a breath specimen. John Allen, of Church Street, was sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates Court on June 16, after admitting the offence on May28. Magistratesbannedhimfromdriv-


ing for 21monthsandorderedhimto carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. He must also pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.


Maidstone East August 2017 29


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