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Widow’s thrilling trek swells charity’s coffers


Anotherincursion at Larkfield park


THE widow of a much-loved GP has completed a self-funded char- ity trekaroundtheGrandCanyon– which has helped to raise more than £9,000 for research into the ill- ness that claimed him. DrNigelMinett,who hadworked


of aparty of 20 trekkers, all ofwhom had been affected by the disease in oneway or another. But Kate was one of only two in


fami- in-


the party who slept under the stars in sub-zero temperatures, braving rattlesnakes, scorpions and ven- omous spiders as part of the “amaz- ing, exhausting, exhilarating and emotional” experience. Shededicatedher tripto themem- orDavid Thornewell says more has to ears as aGP at theMardenMedical entre, and to raisemoney for Pan- eatic CancerUK.


volv ed have been offering tree felling services to residents in the area. Parish


council chairman


y of her husband, who spent 20 ybe done to stop the travelling com- Cmunity running circles around the crpolice and local councils. at


id: “An incredible experi-


nce, so much natural beauty in Gthousands of pounds The last inci- hdent, in early summer, costing the “I would like to thank everyone


parish council £1,200, with the trav-


TRAVELLERS have moved back onto a popular park in Larkfield for the second time in six months. The families - in five caravans - pulled on to


Gighill Green in


at the Orchard Surgery in Langley, died in 2012, just 10 weeks after his diagnosis for pancreatic cancer. His widow, KateMinett, was one lies


Lunsford Lane on Sunday October ,, releasing dogs on the popular public open space and setting up washing lines within hours. It is un- derstood the


ellers simply moving on to take up temporary residence elsewhere in the area. He said: “They just seem to be


have visitedmy JustGiving page or sentme donations. “I amtruly overwhelmed by your


KHe ssaays the job ofmoving on trav- e ellers for a second time will run into od’s creati n, so many beautiful urting souls.


doing the rounds. These incidents have affectedWest Malling, forcing the closure of the village hall, and Leybourne, and now they are back in Larkfield. The police told resi- dents that this was a civil trespass when they reported it and that they couldn’t do anything and obviously the council offices were closed be- cause it was the weekend. These travellers know and play the sys- tem.” The council’s legal team served an eviction notice but it took aweek to enforce. Cllr Thornewell held talks with Laddingford Engineering in an effort to increase security further on the public land, near the M20. Valdemar Kalinin (pictured), of


who took the time to con- tribute to my fundraising activities,who


generosity and the lovelymemories ofmy husbandyou shared. I amstill collecting sponsormoney – as of the beginning of November it has topped £9,400.” Pancreatic cancer is the tenthmost


common cancer in the UK affecting around 9,400 people every year.


the National Gypsy-Traveller-Roma Council said recently that local councils must provide designated traveller sites or “tolerated zone” which gypsy convoys can move onto. He said: “It comes down to racial prejudice against this com- munity.”


KateMinett stands above the Grand Canyon on her fundraising trek inmemory of husband Nigel, left


It is regarded as a “silent killer”


because it is often too advanced by the time doctors discover it. Kate’s trek involved a week of


training in Arizona and Utah in preparation for an eight-mile hike, whichwas a timedascent of thepop- ular trail to Observation Point in ZionNational Park. She added: “It is difficult to find


thewords to trulydescribe the expe- rience. Awonderful teamof excep- tional human beings, all sadly touched by this dreadful cancer. There were somany sad stories but hope prevailed.”


Council tax is


downsmail.co.uk downsmail.co.uk


under strain ALMOST 60p in every £1 of council tax paid could be spent caring for children and the elderly by 2020. New analysis by the Local Gov-


ernment Association, ahead of the autumn Budget, shows the strain on council spending of rising de- mand for children’s services and an ageing population, which will leave less for services frompothole repairs to libraries. The LGA forecasts that for every


£1 of council tax collected in 2019/20, 56p will go on caring for the elderly, vulnerable adults and children – up 15p on 2010/11. The LGA suggests this could


‘Spooktacular’ at the farm


MAKE the most of the October half-term holiday at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park’s Halloween Spooktacular in Maidstone. Brave kids are invited to the vintage village to knock on doors and


leave just 6p in every £1 for refuse collection and as little as 5p for roads and street lighting. The LGA warns that as well as


discover who – or what – is lurking behind them from October 21-31. The award-winning attraction at Sandling, near Maidstone, has a few


other tricks up its sleeve to turn its usual exhibits into frightening farmhouses and horrifying homes. Youngsters can try pumpkin carving, dressing up and the Ugly Bug Ball. On October 25, there will be more spooky goings-on with Kent Life


5-6pm and, for older visitors, from 7-8pm. If you would like to know more about any of the above, call 01622 763936.


the cost pressures, by 2020, local government in England will have lost 75p from every £1 in central government funding onwhat it re- ceived in 2015. There had been hope that local


After Dark, This event includes a spine-chilling tour suitable for under-eights from


government would be allowed to keep all of its business rates income by the end of the decade, but this was not in the Queen’s Speech. The LGA says the Government


needs to set out how it intends to help councils keep up with infla- tion and demand for services.


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            


     





   Yes       


             


   


 


   


Is this the best care for your eyes? 


More often than not a visit to the optician involves walking in, sitting down, waiting around, being rushed into a darkened room to read some letters on a chart, a light shone in your eyes and a new pair of specs.   


        


  


  


  


    


    


   





Is your eyesight important? What would you do without it?





 


          


           


         


    


                    


       


       


         


Alisdair Buchanan of Buchanan Optometrists in Kent was voted UK Optometrist of the year 2017; he explains what they do differently at his practice:


 


                


“From the moment you walk through the door, you notice we do things very


 


         


             


 


    


   


   


        


               


   


     





            


         


     


                 


 


                       


           


             


      


                      


                           


    





Unique Li mited Time Offer Ends 31st October 2017


Unique Limited Time Offer 20% OFF


  


           


differently to most opticians. The warm welcome, the relaxing smell, the beautifully appointed surroundings, the fantastic teas and coffees and that is before we even start on your eyes. You see, everything that we do in my practice is orchestrated to be the best. That is why we have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in equipment to look after your eyes, to ensure any conditions or problems are detected as early as possible. Most of the equipment we use is only available in a handful of practices around the country. However, the most crucial piece of equipment we use is our ears. We take the time to listen to your concerns and problems and then ascertain the best way to resolve these. You will never feel rushed at Buchanan Optometrists. Taking the tme ensures you get the best care and advice and the most beautiful spectacles available. You are after all a walking advert for us. The range of stunningly beautiful spectacle frames has been chosen for their style, quality and comfort. We have dealt with our frame artisans for many years


 





    


     


     


 


     


    


       


 


        





           


     


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     


Guarantee your 20%r 20% discount, Call Now 01622 535115


01622 535110 56 Malling Road, Snodland, Kent


ME6 5NB


    


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  


       


   


 


   


 


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   


 


      


        


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 


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How to fix uncomfortable or slipping glasses Are you ge tting the best sight test? 


        


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excellent support of our products. We do not just do eye tests and spectacles. We are leaders in treatments for dry or watery eyes, early glaucoma detection and Meares Irlen syndrome to name a few. My team of staff have been with me for many years assuring you of continuity of care. My practice has been in Snodland for over 57 years – a good heritage! There are good reasons we have become one of the most awarded opticians in the UK – Book your appointment to see why.  


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