News


downsmail.co.uk Field day as LibDems earn bigwin


THE Liberal Democrats swept aside the Conservatives in a by- election victory which re-estab- lished the party’s dominance in Maidstone’s northward. The LibDems retook the borough


seat with an unassailable 719 votes on a poor turnout of 22.1%. The Conservatives had taken the


seat last time in a narrow and sur- prising victory. The seatwill be fought oncemore


in around 18months’ time. Thewinnerwas father-of-oneRob


Field, pictured,who said: "The stuff that came up on the doorstep time andtime againduring the campaign were the issues of play areas, fly- tipping and roads.We have a team


of active coun- cillors in this area who work hard for local people and who are visible. “I would


like to thank local people for their sup- port


and


pledge to work tirelessly to tackle the many challenges facing north Maidstone.” Tory candidate Cheryl Taylor-


Maggio, fromLangley,polledbarely half the winning total in a poll sparked by the resignation of Con-


servative councillorMikeHemsley. Mr Hemsley was a popular and


hard-working member, even re- garded warmly by his Lib Demop- position. Lib Dem campaigner Rob Bird


questionedwhy the Tories chose an “outsider” in Mrs Taylor-Maggio rather thana candidatewho livedlo- cally. He added: “I think they’ll be look-


ing back on thatdecision andbe say- ing ‘Why on earth didwe do that?’ “It is fair to say that in this by-elec-


tion, there were two parties who threwthe kitchen sink at it and lost. “It was a fantastic result and al-


though northward is traditionally a Lib Dem stronghold, I was over-


Every little helps the homeless and hungry


HELEN GRANT has praised the work of food charities in the town in the run-up to Christmas. TheMaidstone and theWealdMP visited


Tesco’s superstore in Tovil to give her backing to the supermarket’s Food CollectionWeekend. The initiative invited Tesco customers across


the country to donate food, which would then be collected by FareShare, the UK’s largest food waste charity, and distributed to smaller charities to help those struggling to eat at this time of year. Mrs Grant said: “Whilst Christmas is, of course,


Business Focus Business Focus


a time of celebration, it is important to remember that it also brings great worry and concern tomany families inMaidstone and the Weald. “I commend the teamat (Tesco’s) Tovil store


for their passion and commitment and thank the people ofMaidstone for their goodwill and generosity.” The store also donates food which they can no


longer sell to charities – including The Vince Church, Home Start, Lilly Smith House and Dandelion Time.


MP Helen Grant is backing charity efforts to feed those struggling to eat this Christmas


downsmail.co.uk A personal service at a time of loss


Michael Lawrence, and his son Robert along with Kim and Angela, are the team behind a family-owned funeral service that has been helping families across the Maidstone area for 40 years.


With offices in Bearsted and Barming, Family Funeral Service is a third generation business, experienced in caring for your needs with commitment and understanding.


At such a stressful time, they know it’s important to sit and talk to you about every detail and to assist you in making the often


4 Cavendish Way, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME15 8PW


01622 260200 12 Maidstone January 2018


difficult decisions about how best to remember a loved one and to meet their personal wishes. With so many years’ experience, Family


Funeral Service has learned how to respond to the specific and different needs of every individual facing one of the toughest times in their life. This personalised approach includes the option of home visits and access to a friendly voice at the end of the phone around the clock, as well as personal support to clients through the bereavement process.


Michael Lawrence said: "The loss of a loved


one is never easy to cope with, and the added stress of making arrangements for the service can often bring further emotional upset. With our experience of making funeral arrangements we have learned how to help families have and be part of a unique and meaningful service that


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Penenden Heath Office Maidstone ME14 2HN Tel: 01622 671200


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Tel: 01622 737800


celebrates life. "Our approach is simple. We sit with you in our


office or your home, taking you slowly and methodically through the various decisions that you will face and the options available to you. Sometimes, it’s just good to sit and talk, and to learn about the services and venues available from someone with experience and compassion before making a decision.”


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whelmed by the support out there for us.” TheLibDemswill take some heart


fromthe fact that as the ruling party at the borough council, they have not been adversely affected by the adoption of the Local Plan, which brings some 17,000 extra houses to Maidstone. Labour came in third with 270 votes and theGreens 47. Father of one Mr Field (39) is a consultant, who


management


servedas aLibDemcouncillor in the ParkWoodward from2005 to 2011. Mrs Taylor-Maggio, who is chair-


man of Langley Parish Council and has voiced grave reservations about a south Maidstone relief road, de- clined to comment.


Right Move have confirmed that


Ferris & Co have sold and let more properties in the ME14 postcode than any other agent throughout the last 12 months.


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