News


Man, 50, dies after river fall


THE Independent Police Com- plaints Commission (IPCC) have been informed after a man with “previous police contact” died after falling into the RiverMedway. Police were called to St Peter


Street at 11.39am on December 1 following reports that the man, aged 50, had fallen into the river. Kent Fire and Rescue Service and


the South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended the area, and the man was airlifted to a London hospital by the air ambulance where hewas pronounced dead. The death is being treated as non-


suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner. Kent Police are appealing forwit-


nesses to the incident; anyonewho may have seen it should call 101 quoting reference 01-0511. Apolice spokesman added: “The


referral to the IPCCismandatory in these circumstances.”


Carol concert


BEARSTED Choral Society will be holding a Christmas Carol concert on Saturday,December 16. Christmas inBearstedwill be held


at St Peter’sRomanCatholicChurch in Button Lane. Directedby the society’smusicdi-


rector Andrew Lowen, audience participation iswelcomed. Tickets are £10 – free for students –


and are available on the door, on 01634 666730 or by emailing tickets@bearstedchoral.org.uk.


Car hit appeal


AMANsufferedserious injuries in a hit-and-run incident involving a car and a pedestrian inMaidstone. Themanwas taken to a local hos-


pital after the incident inLooseRoad at around 7.50pmonNovember 30. Police and ambulance crews at-


tended the scene, and the man was taken to a local hospital for further medical attention. A 51-year-old man from Maid-


stone and a 25-year-old man of no fixed addresswere later arrested on suspicion of assault.


Burglary plea


POLICE are appealing for informa- tion after a number of valuable items were stolen in a burglary in Loose. Overnight between November 22


and 23 a house inWalnut Tree Lane was burgled. A Range Rover, mobile phone,


laptop computer, tablet computers, a bag and a pursewere stolen. Burglarsmade offwith the signif-


icant haul sometime between 11pm and 7amthe followingmorning. Anyone who has information


should contact Kent Police on 01622 604100


quoting


YY/035131/17 or Kent Crimestop- pers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


22 Maidstone January 2018 reference


downsmail.co.uk


Family’s alcohol plea to Christmas drivers


THE family of a teenager who was killed in an horrific car crash inMaid- stone have told howtheir “world fell apart”when he died. Will Funnell’s dad Peter and


grandmother Doreen have spoken in support of this year’s Winter DrinkDrive campaign. Willwas 19when hewas the pas-


senger in a car which went out of control and crashed on the A229 at Linton Hill. The driver, John Junior Forrest (21), was also killed and found to be almost three times over the drink-drive limit. The crash happened in August


2013, and understandably, four years on, life is not the same for his family. Mrs Funnell (72) said: “Myworld


just fell apart.Devastated.No grand- motherwants to hear their grandson has been killed. “This is life now.We look forward


to nothing, we don’t have holidays, we don’t celebrateChristmas at all.” Will is one of 65 people to have


been killed as a result of drink-dri- ving on the county’s roads in the past 10 years. Although the numbers killed on


Kent’s roads hasdroppedin that pe- riod, Kent Police and Kent County Council remain committedto reduc- ing these numbers even further. The Christmas party season is al-


ways a timewhere the temptation to drink and drive may be higher, but the warnings from officials remain stark. Vicky Harvey from KCC’s Road


Safety Team said: “All of these deaths could have been prevented. Drivers cannot be sure of the effect drink is having on their reaction times and ability to drive, until it is too late. “Even the smallest amount of al-


The family ofWill Funnell, who died when he was passenger in a car driven by a drink-driver, continues to suffer four years after his death


coholwill affect their ability to drive safely. The choice you make as to whether you drink and drive is a consciousdecision; somake the right choice. “Drivers must understand that


they do not have to be drunk to be dangerous. Just one drink can in- crease the chances of themhaving a crash, sometimes with tragic conse- quences for the victims and their families. My message is simple: if you are driving just consider, is one drinkworth it?” Will Funnell’s grandmother


added: “If you’re out and you think your driver’s been drinking, don’t get in the car.Get a taxi. “Yourparentswill be better off an-


swering the door and paying a taxi than later on getting a knock at the


door andthepolice coming roundto say that you’ve been killed in a car crash. “You all have a choice. Unfortu-


nately, Will made the wrong choice.” Mr Funnell, fromBiddenden, said:


“Will has gone. I will never be able to see him again, touch him, talk to him, do anything with him again – that’s it, he’s gone, just like that. “We might only be four years


down the line, but I can tell you now I miss him more every day, every week. “Imagine if you kill someone else,


your family has then got that to deal with. Two of his closest friends can’t evenspeak about it. So, inactual fact, that number 65doesn’t represent the amount of lives ruined.”


Sparring injury halts boxer’s progress


MAIDSTONE super-lightweight prospectGeorgeHen- non was forced to withdraw fromhis scheduled fight in London. A strained bicep is responsible for the reluctant


decision by the 23-year-old, who was due to have his sixth professional bout on the bumper FrankWarren promoted show at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, December 9. The tournament will feature headline world


champion fighters James Degale and Lee Selby. Hennon told fans: “I’ve had to pull out due to a


‘significant strain’ onmy bicep. It’s stoppingme frombeing able to straightenmy arm.” The injury happened during a sparring round. He added: “No one ismore gutted and devastated


than I am. This is boxing, and this is life, I suppose.” The former amateur kick-boxer, who last fought in


July 2016, thanked his supporters and sponsors for their continued support.


The family warmly welcome you to The George Inn, Yalding.


Atmospheric family friendly pub, outside events.


The George Yalding Benover Road, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent ME18 6EJ


01622 814376 www.downsmail.co.uk


Free Ad online


Image, full description, contact details, easy to upload


Connecting with local people


Dawn Harrison Head of Family team


downsmail.co.uk


Business Focus


OUR REPUTATION


SPEAKS FOR ITSELF windows : doors : conservatories


The title of this article may conjure an image of cold, troubled waters with potential dangers above and below the surface. If this is a prospect facing you then look to get sensible support from the outset to help you manage the turmoil.


Below are some pointers to consider


• It may not be too late to repair the damage. Lots of organisations offer support and guidance on practical issues people face when threatened with separation. Relate Counselling can help identify if a relationship can be repaired or guide them to come to terms with the loss of their union. If reconciliation is not possible, a specialist family lawyer is the next point of call.


• Explore the alternative dispute resolution opportunities like mediation or collaborative


processes. If emotions are running high, taking a step back can regain the ability to think more clearly. Taking time to reflect and acting rationally can avoid lots of anguish. Many people regret actions/words spoken in the heat of the moment but the damage done remains.


• Think carefully about the consequences of acting irresponsibly, especially when it relates to your children or to money. Children are very vulnerable when parents separate, they need to know both parents love them and will continue to be there. Financial pressures can lead to relationship problems. Running two households will only compound any financial pressures.


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• When one person leaves the family home, they rarely take all their belongings with them at once. Sensible arrangements need to be agreed to allow them to return for their remaining items. Joint items within the home should be preserved until an agreement can be reached on a fair distribution.


Canterbury 01227 643266 Maidstone 01622 698051


Business Focus downsmail.co.uk


Relationship on the Rocks


• The person that leaves is often a co-owner of the family home. The absent person is still bound by their responsibilities to mortgage lenders and should ensure that the home and contents remain protected by insurance. The leaving party continues to have rights to enter, ideally on giving reasonable notice.


• Analyse your financial resources to work out how they can meet everyone’s needs. Drawing up a priority list of what you and your estranged partner/spouse need is important. Enquiring what help is available in the form of benefits will also assist in continuing to meet the family’s budget.


• Taking early advice can help you steer a safer course through the dilemmas that separation brings. Try to preserve some respect for the other person no matter how difficult the situation. Talk to one of the specialist family team at Whitehead Monckton who have a wealth of experience in these matters.


NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Mon to Fri 8am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 1pm


1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX


Whitehead Monckton Ltd (no.08366029) registered in England & Wales. Registered office 72 King Street, Maidstone Kent ME14 1BL. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279


WE DO NOT employ pushy salesmen on commission. WE DO employ our own fitters. WE DO insure all our guarantees for peace of mind. WE DO give prices over the phone.


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Saturday 28th October Halloween Fancy Dress party


Daytime fancy dress party for children, facepainting, games, painting competition and much more.


9pm - Fox Force 5 playing music and an Adult Fancy Dress competition with prizes for best dressed


Saturday 2nd December


Lots happening at The George and in Yalding. A barbeque, raffles, Santa will make a guest appearance, face painting and lots more.


Sunday 24th December Music with DJ Julie Sunday 31st December DJ John with lots of party fun! We also have Curry & a Pint Mondays & Tuesdays.


Just take a photo with your mobile phone or digital camera and save it to your computer.


Make sure your heading clearly states what you have to sell


Pizza & Pasta special Thursdays. Fish Fridays & Saturdays. Christmas menu available from 3rd December


Click on select an image straight after selecting the red button to upload your free ad.


Type in a description of the item you are selling. Put as little or as much information as you like but the more details you can include the more likely you are to find a potential buyer.


Now showing www.thegeorgeyalding.co.uk


Include as many options as you wish in the contact details eg. telephone, mobile, email. Specify times to call if appropriate - weekends only, anytime, after 6pm etc.


Sunday Roasts 12-8pm (booking advisable).


This will bring up a window containing the files on your computer.


Locate the required photo on your computer, double click on the file and the image you have selected will appear.


Maidstone Weald October 2017 Maidstone January 2018Malling October 2017


23 21


23 Include an image with your free ad.


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Sorry no buy one get one free. No 70% off list price Just the keenest prices around


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