News


Family firm is due to close


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 clearance details are also ad-


vertised on the company’s website, which boasts:“We are an independ- ent Euronics discount warehouse stocking white goods, electrical ap- pliances 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 products at the best possible price.” The company, which had tomove


from Earl Street to makeway for the Fremlin Walk development, has been operating out of its converted warehouse off Upper Stone Street for the last 20 years, under the direc- torship of Alan Wright.


A20 in bloom


THOSE behind the fantastic flower displays in Harrietsham are looking for more help. Formanyyears the displays along


the A20 and Village Green have de- lighted villagers and visitors. But more volunteers are now needed to tend the planters. So, if you can spare some time, call Harrietsham in Bloom chairmanAndrew Rogers on 01622 859352 or leave a message with the Parish Office on 01622 850089. .


Stole cosmetics


THIEF Jasmine Jade Grant was given a suspended prison sentence after she pleaded guilty to shoplift- ing.


The 25-year-old, from Sutton


Road, Maidstone,was sentenced on July 14 at Mid Kent Magistrates Court for stealing cosmetics worth £180 from a shop in St Peter’s Street. Magistrates sentenced Grant to


120 days in prison, suspended for 12 months. She must also pay £180 compensation and a £20 fine for committing an offence during the operational period of a suspended sentence.


Flats ‘at risk’


SEVENTEEN potentially “at risk” tall buildings have been identified by the borough council in Maidstone as part of an inquiry following the Grenfell Tower disaster. The council reports that the re-


sults on half the buildings have come back, with none found to in- corporate the controversial com- posite aluminium panels.


8 Maidstone East 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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