News Police probe


sex allegation POLICE made house-to-house checks searching for amanwho al- legedly sexually assaulted a school- girl in Larkfield. The girl was walking in an alley-


way between Kingfisher Road and Woodpecker Road on Monday, November 6 at around 4.40pm when she was approached by a man asking for directions. The victimthen dropped an item


on the floor and says the man picked it up and then assaulted her. He is described as white, in his


early 20s with dark hair. He was wearing thick-framed glasses, smart trousers and a jumper,which covered awhite collared shirt. Police have been knocking on


doors and reviewing any possible CCTV, as well as other lines of en- quiry. Detective Inspector Garry Cook


said: ‘This would have been a very distressing incident for the victim, who has told us thisman alsomade comments to her as she tried to walk away. “Offences of this nature are


thankfully rare andwe are treating it as an isolated incident. “If you saw anything suspicious


or have any information which may assist our investigation please get in touch.” Call the west Kent appeals line


on 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/032974/17, or Kent Crimestop- pers anonymously on 0800 555111.


downsmail.co.uk


Timely reminder to keep dogs off green


PET owners who use Ryarsh Green are being reminded that a dog ban is in place. The restriction was introduced


four years ago, but footballers and residents who regularly use the area and its many pitches have written to the parish council saying the ban is being ignored. Ryarsh Parish Council chairman


David Storey says the ban was not introduced because the council is anti-dogs, but because residents were unhappy about the dog foul- ing, and players with the potential health hazard. He said: “We are finding increas-


ingly during the winter evenings that people are using the opportu- nity to let their dogs use the play- ing fields under cover of darkness.” He understands that dogs need


to be exercised, but says villagers are fortunate to have the Pilgrims Way, dozens of footpaths and the North Downs on their doorstep. “This ban was accepted when it


was introduced but seems to have been forgotten more recently. We would remind everyone that their dog is not the exception to the rule and if even one dog is seen this sets a precedence for others to follow suit,” said Cllr Storey.


Cllr David Storey wants to reinforce themessage banning dogs fromgreen He is urging villagers, visitors


and match spectators to work to- gether to ensure anyone walking their dog is reminded of the signs that prohibit dogs on the village green. Cllr Storey said: “This is a beauti-


ful village that appeals not only to locals but, with easy access to the motorway, to visitors with dogs. We all need to make sure they are aware that dogs are banned from the green if we are to preserve it in


thewaywewish.” He added: “The parish council is


unable to enforce this ban unless we have someone here every minute of the day and sowe are ap- pealing for everyone’s help to keep it free of dogs and the mess that goes with it. “The ban was introduced be-


causewe havemany junior football teams that use the pitches here and it is highly unpleasant if they have to clear the pitch first. ”


Popular operetta helps swell funds for hospice


SONGS of love and laughter helped raise more than £9,500 for the Heart of Kent Hospice, which cares for terminally-ill people inmid-Kent. The hospice will benefit from the


charity gala night performance of TheMikado.


The operettawas staged atMaid-


stone Leisure Centre on Saturday, October 28, before an audience of more than 450 people, who packed Mote Hall to enjoy the popular songs and love story of Gilbert and Sullivan’s timeless comic opera.


Maidstone Choral Union and


singers from 15 other local choirs and individuals provided the 125- strong Hospice Festival Choir, to- gether with orchestra players from all over Kent, led by Martin Hind- marsh, Maidstone Choral Union’s


music director. They were joined by several pro-


fessional singers who gave their services for Voices for Hospices, the world’s largest singing event held every two years. The cast was assembled by the


artistic director, ColinMorris, and he updated the amusing libretto when he reprised his role as KoKo, the Lord High Executioner. James Barker-McCardle, chairman


of Heart of Kent Hospice trustees, paid tribute to the high calibre mu- sicianship and singing which, he said, had provided a “magnificent” evening’s entertainment. He told the audience that the hos-


pice relied on community support, and that 91p of every £1 donated was directly spent on patient care. But with increasing costs and pa-


tient demands, he said: “We need to mobilise in a way that has never been achieved before.” Rehearsals are nowunderway for


Maidstone Choral Union’s Christ- mas concert at All Saints Church, Mill Street,Maidstone, on Saturday December 9, starting at 7.30pm. Carols for the choir and audience


The cast of theMikado take a bow at the end of a fundraising performance in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice 8 Malling December 2017


are on the programme, as well as Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio.


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