News


Drivers ‘L’ of a chance to pass


LEARNER drivers in the county town have a better than average chance of success of passing their driving test. According to figures released by


the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), 76%of those tested at theArmstrongRoad examination centre got through in 2017. Whilst it does not compare as


favourably to Ashford, where the pass ratewas 80%,Maidstone is 5% ahead of Canterbury (71%). The figures released by theDVSA


cover the first half of the year with 1,403 passes from1,992 drivers. And although the pass rate is still


good, there has been a slide from previous years. In 2014, itwas an impressive 80%


success rate and in 2015 it at 78%. Local driving instructors are un-


sure if radical new changes – brought in inDecember 2017 - to the way the traditional test has been conductedwill affect the pass rate. But they have been introduced to reduce the number of young people


dying on the roads each year. TransportministerAndrewJones


said: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people. “These changeswill help us to re-


duce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.” Under new rules, drivers must


spend 20minutes following sat-nav directions rather than taking in- structions fromthe examiner. The test routes inMaidstone will


also go further afield and test-takers will have to perform several new manoeuvres. Rather than reversing into a space at the test centre, the driver will have to do so in real car parks. Another newmovewill ask learn-


ers to pull up on the right-hand side of the carriageway, reversing for ex- actly two car lengths and re-joining the correct side of the road with all checks correctly completed.


Tiny tots learn how to be green


CHILDREN at a Maidstone nursery have spent 1,000 hoursmaking the world around thema better place. Three and four-year-olds at Smar-


ties Nursery transformed plastic bottles into plant holders and cre- ated an ‘up-cycled’ home for a toy owl named Tomas part of a county council challenge to make them more aware of their environment and how to protect it. The nursery, in Stagshaw Close,


has now received a certificate for completing the 1,000 Hours Envi- ronmental Activity Challenge,which


was led by early years’ educator TeresaMurray. Lucy Ring, nurserymanager, said:


“The children reused and recycled plastic bottles to make planters for our spider plants and explored how cuttings grow into larger plants. “As part of the project, we


wanted to work towards raising awareness of recycling, upcycling and reusing materials to support sustainability.” The children also learned about


biodiversity by going on a mini beast hunt.


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Business Focus Business Focus


Get pampered at The Georgian House Hair & Beauty Salon


Donna Paine and Jo Halls, previously of Boniface in Hollingbourne, are proud to announce the opening of their new venture – the Georgian House Hair & Beauty Salon. The stylish salon can be found away from the main high street, in the pretty village of Chart Sutton on the outskirts of Maidstone in a beautiful Georgian House. The salon is easy to find, just five minutes from Sutton Valance, and has ample parking available.


The chic decor, with beautiful chande- liers and tall windows bathing the salon with lots of light makes it the perfect place to sit back and be pampered. A relaxing waiting area offers you the chance to enjoy a coffee and a consultation at your leisure. The salon provides the perfect environ- ment for having your hair styled or treating yourself to a pampering session from the many beauty and nail treatments on offer. The luxury experience is on offer for both men and women.


With Donna and Jo at the helm you can be assured of a first class service in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They are support- ed by a fantastic team of talented and highly trained stylists, therapists and nail techni- cians. Together they have a wealth of experience and an enthusiasm for making people look and feel fabulous.


The salon uses a range of quality L’Oreal and Koleston hair care products along with colours and bleaches to create stunning effects. There is a full range of beauty treatments on offer too including massage, Gatineau facials, plus manicure, pedicure, nail extensions and much more.


Why not take some ‘me’ time and book your appointment today.


01622 844590


The Georgian House Hair & Beauty Salon, Warmlake Road, Chart Sutton, Maidstone,


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The friendly faces of The Georgian House hair team.


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