News


downsmail.co.uk Charity finds home in Mall


ACHARITY which helps homeless and vulnerable people in the county town has found a new base in the Mall shopping centre.


Volunteer-led Making a Differ-


ence to Maidstone (MADM) re- cently had to vacate premises once used by the vehicle licencing au- thority DVLA in Queen Anne Road. Its owner pro-


poses to turn the building into flats, leaving MADM without a home itself. MADM is a faith-based or-


ganisation which aims to “bless” society’s less fortunate with house- hold items to get their lives back on track


Founder Amanda Sewell (above) thanked The Mall for its generosity. She said: “I was absolutely de- lighted when I found outwe could have a home in The Mall.


RiverMedway


lock re-opens RIVER Medway users and wildlife have been boosted by the comple- tion of a £3.6 million project to refur- bish East Farleigh lock. The lock, which has been closed


to boats since September 2016, re- opened in July, but was officially welcomed back into business on Sat- urday, September 2. The Government-funded work


has also stabilised the weir and given the facility, whichwas last re- furbished over a century ago, a new lease of life. The improvements not only secure


the future of the structure, but the safety of residents and convenience for boat users, with new features in- cluding better moorings, access steps, rubbing timbers and fenders. The lock is now the ninth to boast


a special “fish pass” – alongside the weir – providing a climbable slope for freshwater fish, such as barbel, roach, perch, dace, chub and pike, wanting to travel upstream to breed. Julie Foley, Environment Agency


area manager, said: “The lock refur- bishment will be a great asset to vis- itors, river users, and wildlife. “We will be able to continue to maintain the upstream water levels for boaters, anglers, cyclists, and walkers to enjoy. The lock is also es- sential for a number of commercial river operators.” She added: “Allowing free move-


ment of fish will ensure that the Medway becomes a healthier river than it has been in at least the last 250 years, offering better access to spawning grounds for fish.” Landscaping of the site will con-


tinue for the next fewweeks. 18


Maidstone October 2017 ME postcode is a lottery winner


PEOPLE living in the ME postcode area, which includes Maidstone, are among the luckiest in the country, according to lottery firm Camelot. The area now ranks fourth in the country for lottery top prize winners per head of adult population during the last two years, with 37 lucky residents in the ME postcode celebrating a win of £50,000 or more since 2015. Of those lucky winners, eight


have become lottery millionaires. Since the launch of The National


Lottery, 48 millionaires have been made in ME. Big winners include florist Con Smith of Snodland, who scooped £247,463 on a EuroMillions lucky dip earlier this year, and the Misfits Syndicate (pictured) – workers at DHL’s depot in Hermitage Lane who scooped the Millionaire raffle jackpot in the Lotto draw in 2016.


In addition, 463 players sporting the postcode have banked a top tier prize of at least £50,000. National Lottery spokesman


Andy Carter said: “The ME postcode has certainly recorded a bumper couple of years, long may that run of luck continue.We’ve been delighted to welcome these luckyME ticket holders to the ever- expanding lottery winners club and there’s always room formore.”


Trackers help police find stolen cars


KENTPolice returned two cars to their owner – after locating them within 20 minutes of receiving a report that they had been stolen. Officerswere called to a report


that the vehicles had been stolen from a property in Hanover Road, Coxheath, at 1.49am on Thursday,August 31, 2017. But the vehicles had been fitted


with trackers, which allowed them to be remotely slowed down in the event of a theft. The first vehicle was subse- quently found in Courtenay Road at 2.06am and the second was found in the same road a minute later. Bothwere abandoned and have now been returned to the owner.


At present, no arrests have been


made. However, officers are con- ducting ongoing enquiries. Anyone with information on


the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting ref number 31-0065. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


Volunteers Elaine Cruse and Mischa Harrison at MADM’s shop in The Mall “We are here to support Maid-


stone, and over the years we have built up a good relationship with The Mall.” MADM was established as a charity in September 2016 and sup- ports the homeless, vulnerable and


socially isolated in Maidstone with a charity shop in Church Street, Maidstone. Amanda added: “We are run


100% by volunteers. “We bless people less fortunate with furniture and household


items. Everything from a three- piece sofa to a potato peeler – if we’ve got it,we’ll bless people with it.


“Since opening in The Mall, the


last few days have been amazing for us,” she added of their new charity shop. “We are eternally grateful to The


Mall for their generosity and hope our new location will help us serve and support Maidstone even more.” Suzie Brindle, marketing man-


ager at The Mall Maidstone, said: “WelcomingMADMto The Mall is an absolute pleasure and a privi- lege.


“They are a worthy charity that


goes above and beyond helping the local people in Maidstone, and one thatwe are proud to support with a store right here in The Mall.”


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