News Boy, 15, facing
supply charge OFFICERS have arrested two boys aged in their teens in Maidstone in connection with supplying drugs. A 15-year-old, of no fixed ad-
dress, was arrested in the Millen- nium Park at around midday on Monday on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. Officers subsequently arrested an
18-year-old, from Lewisham, in Hastings Road and a quantity of drugs believed to be heroin and co- cainewas seized. The teenagers have been bailed
to return to Maidstone police sta- tion on December 22.
Man remanded AMANhas been remanded in cus- tody after being charged over three burglaries. William Rye (42), of Vicarage
Lane, East Farleigh, was arrested on November 8 by officers investi- gating burglaries in his home vil- lage and in Staplehurst. Rye was also chargedwith possessing an of- fensive weapon. He appeared be- fore Maidstone Magistrates on Friday, November 10. He was remanded to appear be-
fore Maidstone Crown Court on December 8.
downsmail.co.uk
Palace date as pieman Mikemeets the Prince
CUSTARD pies were at the top of the agenda when a well-known charity hero received his MBE fromPrinceWilliam. Mike Fitzgerald (79) had his day
out at the Palace onOctober 31 after he received the award in the Queen’s BirthdayHonours for serv- ices to the homeless and community inMaidstone. Mr Fitzgerald,who lives inLaxton
Drive, Chart Sutton,was a borough councillor for 12 years and served as mayor, alongside reams of charity work. Although he has stepped down
fromhis roles at the head ofHome- less Care, Fusion and the Commu- nity Rail Partnership, he is still involved in the charities, as well as maintaining positions with the Royal British Legion, Citizens’ Ad- vice and Chart Sutton Parish Coun- cil.
And he admits his day at the
Palace was great – but believes the charities are the oneswho should be recognised. “This is one of the best things,” he said. “You see others getting these
Mike FitzgeraldMBE, with his wife Maureen at BuckinghamPalace
awards, and it’s greatwhen it comes to
you.At the end of the day, it’s the charitieswhodeserve the award, not me. “Itwas exciting tomeet the others
who had received awards – and to have an insight into how it all went on is very interesting. We had a great time. PrinceWilliamwas very chatty, he put everyone at ease.” And the Prince’s opening gambit
toMr Fitzgerald certainly put himat ease as it concerned theWorld Cus- tard Pie Championships, which he founded 50 years ago in Coxheath. “That was a surprise,” he said. “I
presume somebody looked me up, but Iwas essentially there for home- less and other charities. “I explained to himthat we don’t
actually throw custard, we just mix flour andwater – I toldhimthat cus- tard doesn’t travel.” News of his honour had come as
a complete surprise to Mr Fitzger- ald.He said: “I didn’t knowanyone was planning on putting me for-
ward.Then you have to keep it quiet for sixweeks. Thatwas very hard!” He was joined by his wife Mau-
reen at the Palace. Their son Scott and daughter Julie also attended, with their other daughter Susan in HongKong.And he enjoyedmixing with others as theywaitedto receive their honours, including a famous face fromtheworld of comedy. “Therewerepeople fromallwalks
of life and charities,” he added. “Billy Connollywas there as hewas made a knight.”
downsmail.co.uk
Petitionerswin fight to keep centre open
PETITIONERSfromParkWoodare celebrating after convincingMaid- stonecouncillors tokeeptheirmuch- loved community centre open. Campaigners feared the growing
list of repairs needed at Heather House would see it close, but after 785 signed a petition, councillors unanimously agreed to pay the £20,000 needed to keep the Bicknor Road building going. Joining petitioners from hall user
groups, including the bowls club, was borough councillor Matt Bur- ton. He was just one of the area’s representatives to recognise the plight of the facility – featured on page one of the Downs Mail last month – and the importance of keeping the centre open until a re- placement is built. He said: “We had a good turnout
from residents and I am delighted that we were able to convince the committee unanimously of the need to keep the hall going another two yearswhile they explore plans for a new, fit-for-purpose replacement building. All in all, it was a great night for democracy!”
Local council- lors John Barned,Matt Burton,Gary Cooke andMar- ion Ring have something to be cheerful about after agreeingwith campaigners to keep Heather House open
Cllr Burton says talks will also be
heldwith the clinical commissioning group in a bid tomake greater use of theboroughcouncil-ownedbuilding. MPHelenWhatelywelcomed the
news, saying: “Having an affordable venue on the doorstep means so much to this community, as there are very few other facilities in this deprived part ofMaidstone. “The hall is run down and needs
repair, but I see that as an opportu- nity to fix it and turn it into some-
thing even better. Now we need to get a really goodproposal for the fu- ture ofHeatherHouse together, so it can continue to contribute to the health and wellbeing of local peo- ple.” She said she would also work to
bring the council and the NHS to- gether to explore a plan, perhaps in- cluding the British LegionHall next door, for a re-developed and im- proved community hallwith health facilities, even a newGP surgery.
News
Hearing into police death
is adjourned THE death of a Maidstone man in police custody continues to be the subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Officers arrested the 29-year-old
man in Maidstone at around 3pm on Friday, October 13. While in custody at Tonbridge
Police Station he suffered a med- ical incident and emergency serv- ices were called, but he was pronounced dead at around 5.45pm. Kent Police referred the death to
the Independent Police Com- plaints Commission,which has yet to report back. A brief hearing in Maidstone by
assistant coroner Christopher Sut- ton-Mattocks into the death of Carl Maynard, of Lincoln Road, Shep- way, has nowbeen adjourned until next year.
Wall demolished
A LARGE section of wall sur- rounding All Saints’ Church, in Maidstone has been demolished, causing damage to headstones. A 33-year-old Maidstone man
will appear in court on December 15 charged with drink-driving.
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