downsmail.co.uk Malling Edition


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


December 2017 Townswitchonis


biggest so far CHRISTMAS has truly started in West Malling after thou- sands of revellers attended the annual festive lights switch-on. Reindeers, the Rock Choir


and Olaf fromFrozen were among the attractions on Sunday, November 19, for a fun-filled day of entertainment in what was described by organisers as the “biggest event yet.” Story and pictures, see page 3


Wholesaler closure ‘big blow’ to towns


ITwill be a bleak Christmas formore than 250workers fromtheMalling areawhowere given theirmarching orders after the shock announcement that one of the area’s biggest employers has gone into administration.


LocalMPs and councils have spo-


ken of their horror after Palmer and Harvey, which has depots in both SnodlandandAylesford, announced it had called in the administrators. The news came less than amonth


before Christmas, and leaves many families in the area facing an uncer- tain future. A total of 2,500 jobs went nation-


wide, including 198 in Snodlandand 58 in Aylesford, with a further 39 keeping their roles across the two depots for the time being. MP Tracey Crouch was “shocked


and saddened” by the news, espe- cially so close to Christmas. She said: “They are a significant


employer in the constituency and manywill be affectedby thedecision tomake staff redundantwith imme-


diate effect. “I was not informed of this news


in advance and the first I heardwas on the 10pmnews. Itwould not sur- prise me if that is when many em- ployees heard too.” She added: “Iwill also get further


informat ion about


the


longer termim- pact on staff pensions and other accumu- lated benefits.” S n o d l a n d


Town Council were alsodisappointedto hear of the news affecting such a big employer in the town. “This will be a big blow to the town because of the number of


Snodland people who work there,” chief executive Karen Sowten said. “There is never a good time for


such news, but this is particularly bad coming as it does just before Christmas.” Mark Todd, national officer of the


Union of Shop, Distributive andAl- liedworkers, said: “Usdawisdeeply concerned at the devastating news that Palmer and Harvey has gone into administration and that a sig- nificant number of redundancies have already been announced. “This announcement is amassive


shock to ourmembers and is an ex- tremely distressing situation for all concerned, especially in the run up to Christmas.” The company, theUK’s largestde- liverywholesaler to the convenience


market, has 14 regional distribution centres, and blamed a challenging trading environment and cashflow issues for the decision to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers as admin- istrators. Joint administrator Matthew


Callaghan said: “This is a devastat- ing blowfor everyonewho has been involved in the business.”


INDIAN RESTAURANT


Christmas bookings being taken now


Obituaries 34


Parish Councils 38 Crime Reports 39


LEAD was removed from the roof of a home in London Road, Ayles- ford; a blue MG ZR car was stolen fromMedina Road, Ditton; a Jack Russell was stolen from the dog pound in Offham.


Comment 46-47 Town Talk


A SNODLAND girl has been named as Young Fundraiser of the Year at theWard & Partners Children’s Awards after walk- ing fivemiles and raisingmore than £2,000 for charitywhenher grandad was diagnosed with Parkinson’sDisease – seeTown Talk in this month’s Downs Mail. The bi-monthly inde- pendent magazine is dedicated to Snodland and Halling resi- dents.


FREE No. 248


News


Youngster on his bike 4


Villagers’dogworries


PARISH council reminds residents of pooch ban.


8 Ben’s Spanish hack


A TEENAGER represented the UK at the European Cyber Security Challenge. 14


Children in Need


PUPILS across the area helped raise record amounts for the annual telethon.


22


A SCHOOLBOY was given a re- placement after his bicyle was stolen.


www.hallingspice.co.uk Free Home delivery


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48