downsmail.co.uk Champion pie flingers take fun to far-flung field


COXHEATH custard pie throwers took their talent to Chester, inviting the public to set a new world record at Chris Evans’ CarFest. TheWorld Custard Pie Champions, Coxheath till I


Pie, and Colonel Custard Last Stand gave event-goers a crash course in pie-throwing and took the new world record on the chin – 4,850 pies in three minutes. Custard pie championship organiser Mike


FitzGerald, fromCoxheath, said: “There’s something about custard pies that’s makes people smile. Itwas a great experience, but lots of hardwork.” The custard pie crew will challenge their ownworld


record at CarFest South in Hampshire over the August Bank Holidayweekend.


Village fury at greenhouse plan


VILLAGERS from Ulcombe were joined by an 86-year-old awaiting heart surgery to demonstrate against what they say is “indus- trial-scale agriculture” in an area with unique views of theWeald. Theywere at Church Farm to op-


pose a plan for 29.5 acres of green- houses near the GreensandWay and the village’s grade I listed church. The plan, which includes a farm building almost as big as a football pitch and 3m high storage tanks, would be accessed on Ulcombe Hill, via the Greensand Way. Villagers fear that not only will the green-


houses be an eyesore, but that farm vehicles will use the footpath and there will be an increase in traffic, tractors and lorries. Kingswood Parish Council has opposed the plan and a public meet- ing will be held at Ulcombe Village Hall at 7.30pm onAugust 24, which farmer and applicant Sean Charlton is expected to attend. Campaigner Jane Mulvagh says:


“The Greensand Ridge is in a Special Landscape Area and it isMaidstone Council’s duty to protect such a landscape.” Rita Strutt, from Lenham Road,


added:“We appreciatenewfarming methods are needed, but there are already acres of polytunnels at Church Farm and fast-moving trac- tors up and down this road from dawnto dusk. Soon Ulcombe will be under more plastic than bricks and mortar. “This is a small village and its footpath is one of our few remaining treasures and needs to be pro- tected.” Molly Poulter joined campaigners


in her wheelchair for our picture, ahead of heart surgery (see front page). She believes the plan will scar


the landscape. Retired police officer Rhian Banhan, from The Street,was also there. She said: “I moved here for the walks, but now they are being covered in polythene, grooved and turned into farm tracks. Now it looks as if even more of the paths are to be industrialised.” MrCharlton says the greenhouses


are needed to improve the prof- itability of the family business, based in Langley. His proposal adds that the farm site is well screened and the greenhouses would not be prominent or intrusive or impact on local roads.


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