News


downsmail.co.uk Plane tree wins reprieve


RESIDENTS have won a reprieve for a massive plane tree which was facing the axe, after it appeared to be dying. The tree is one of about 20 lining


She said: “We need our plane


both sides of Woolley Road, Maid- stone, and while the others are flourishing, there were fears that it was dying and could become un- safe.


The tree was pruned heavily last autumn by Kent County Council in a bid to promote new life, but with no new growth in the spring, it ap- peared that the case was hopeless and the tree would have to be cut down. However, Eve Humphries, who


lives in nearby ReculverWalk, was determined to save the tree after leaves started sprouting from the top. She said that residents were concerned that the pruning had been too drastic and the once 30ft specimen needed more time to re- cover.


Tools to beat the criminals


MORE than 80 suspects who ap- peared on a wanted website were arrested by Kent Police during the year up to March, latest statistics have revealed. The suspectswerewanted in con- nection with a range of serious of- fences and were featured on the Crimestoppers Most Wanted web- site.


Kent Police says it is one of the


most pro-active police forces in England, with the highest number of “live” appeals anywhere outside London. As of March 31, the Kent force


had 89 live appeals which amounted to 22% of the total num- ber of appeals of all forces who use the site. Of the 85 arrests, 27 were for drugs, 17 for violence and nine for sexual offences. It comes after Kent Crimestoppers launched its summer campaign to promote the most wanted site, work with Kent Police on tackling modern day slavery and human trafficking and its ambassador scheme. Chief Supt Rachel Curtis said:


“Our officers are committed to identifying those responsible for committing crime and bringing them to justice. “Whenwe have a named suspect


and need help from the public to locate them, the Crimestoppers Most Wanted site is an invaluable tool. “I would like to thank the public


for their on-going support in using the Crimestoppers site to help us find suspects wanted for serious crimes in Kent.”


4 Maidstone East August 2017


trees to work against pollution. This onewas doing its job until workwas done around its roots. The pruning threw it into severe shock and trauma. If it goes, KCC has said it will not replace it.” Kent County Council said inspec-


tions in May last year showed the tree was in a state of decline, but some budswere apparent. It was pollarded in November, in


a last attempt to promote re-growth. The spokesman said: “London plane trees usually respond well to this type of pruning. “Unfortunately, on this occasion


the extent of existing decline is so great that only a partial recovery is apparent. “On that basis we have therefore decided to continue monitoring the


potential recovery at this time.” However, for some people, the mature trees in the neighbourhood have outgrown theirwelcome. Borough ward Cllr Eddie Powell


said he had been contacted by resi- dents with mixed views about the trees. Somewere concerned that the branches are shutting out the light, that roots are undermining the road and properties, and that the leaves are a nuisance. Cllr Powell called for KCC to complete “a thorough survey of all the trees on Woolley Road and to make a suggestion to the residents that are affected on how the prob- lem can be resolved, while not tak- ing away the beauty of the trees." CllrPowell,whorepresents Shep-


way on the council, has met with residents on the site.


Cllr Eddie Powell with the plane tree Magnificent Maidstone Mela!


THE popular Maidstone Community Mela returned for its 15th year, celebrating the borough’s cultural diversity and talentwith music and dance fromaround the world. The event, at Whatman Park,was officially opened by Helen Grant, MP forMaidstone and TheWeald, who thanked all the volunteers involved in staging the festival and stressed the importance of such events. Headline actswere Bhangra star


Jassi Sidhu and Jack Shepherd who sang the songs of Ed Sheeran. Other acts included the Emeralds


Steel Band, Reel Eire Irish Dance, No Name Polish Pop and Kitka Bulgarian Folk Dance. The Melawas organised by


Cohesion Plus, with Kent Equality Cohesion Council, local partners and volunteers, and was part funded by Arts Council England.


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