News Flood effortwins prize


A RESILIENT flood campaigner haswon £10,000 to help her village after being chosen as the winner of a national award. Geraldine Brown, from Yalding,


was one of 140 nominees for the Local Heroes Campaign award, launched by the re-insurance or- ganisation Flood Re, and had been put forward byMaidstone and the WealdMP Helen Grant. Mrs Brown,who is also the chair-


man of Yalding Parish Council, has worked tirelessly to improve the village’s flood protection and re- sponse for almost two decades. The village has flooded several


times, most notably in 2000 and at Christmas 2013 – the latter event bringing national coverage, includ- ing a visit from then Prime Minis- ter David Cameron. Mrs Brown received her prize at


theHouses of Parliament and said: “I amtotally humbled to havewon. The award is a tribute to the strength of the Yalding community in the face of flood adversity.” She said the award would help


keep the community in the spot- light while it sought long-term floodmanagement solutions for the MiddleMedway area. Her own home was flooded in the 2000 floods, and in 2013 she


Business Focus Business Focus


Award winner Geraldine Brown (centre) with [l-r] Andy Bord, chief executive of Flood Re, Helen GrantMP, Angela Gent – Yalding Parish Council clerk - and Deframinister Therese CoffeyMP


spent her Christmas Day rescuing her flood-trapped neighbours. She said: “The floods of 2000


were probably theworst of the two because I and many of my neigh- bours had never experienced any- thing like it before. Nobody was talking to anybody and everybody was just focused on trying to evac- uate the village. “After that,we decidedwe had to


take action to avoid that extent of chaos happening again. We wrote the Yalding emergency plan, set up an emergency contact list, created a list of residences prone to flooding


and prepared the church as an emergency rest area so at least when we flooded again we were more prepared. “In 2013, Maidstone and several


villages were submerged, but this time we had plans in place to help people and keep everyone in touch with each other.” Mrs Grant was equally thrilled


with the victory for her nominee. “This award is such deserved


recognition of all the time and ef- fort she has given to her commu- nity and it was a privilege to be able to nominate her,” she said.


downsmail.co.uk


Venue change KENT FA Women’s football ses- sions have moved for the winter fromNewLine LearningAcademy to the indoor sports hall at Maid- stone BoysGrammar School in Bar- ton Road. Organiser Natalie Curtis is en-


couraging women of all ages to come along to the fun,weekly ses- sions, regardless of whether they have played before. She said: "You are not too old, too


heavy or too unfit to join in. Wob- bly bitswelcome!" The Tuesday evening sessions


run from7-8pmand cost £2. For


further details email


Natalie.curtis@kentfa.com or call Aimee Bartlett at Fusion on 07872 933097 .


Robbery threat A TEENAGE boy was reportedly the victimof an attempted robbery in aMaidstone park. The teenager was approached in


the Millennium River Park in the town at around 4pm on Tuesday December 5 by a man in his 30s or 40s who threatened to assault him if he did not hand over his mobile phone. The man is described as of thin


build with tanned skin, short dark hair in a Mohican style and wear- ing a blue jacket and jeans.


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


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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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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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