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downsmail.co.uk


New firemen MAIDSTONE has two new fire- fighters after the first batch of full- time recruits at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) in more than ten years completed their training. Jonny Bell, a 24-year-old former


outdoor activities instructor and former security officer Mark God- frey have completed an intensive 15-week training course where they learned about the challenges, techniques and risks faced by today’s fire service. They also learned the skills and


knowledge they will need to deal with the wide range of emergency incidents that firefighters respond to.


A total of 22 peoplewere chosen


from more than 5,000 applicants for the roles and they underwent a number of tests before joining the course.


NHS boss goes AFTER seven years at the heart of theNHS inWest Kent,David Grif- fiths is stepping down as chairman of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust . Mr Griffiths oversaw the incep-


tion of the trust, created in 2011 as part of the merger of Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Services NHS Trust and West Kent Com- munity Health, to provide care for patients in the community. Prior to this, hewas chair ofWest Kent Pri- mary Care Trust. Playing amajor part inmaintain-


ing the quality of care provided by the trust and its financial stability, the trust became the first NHS or- ganisation in Kent andMedway to achieve a ‘good’ rating from the CareQualityCommission,which it has retained, and one of the first sole community trusts in the coun- try to achieve foundation trust sta- tus. MrGriffiths, ofWesterham, said:


“I feel very privileged to have been part of the leadership team and to have worked with some truly ex- ceptional colleagues.”


Plan charges


THE cost of building or extending a home in Maidstone has gone up by an inflation-busting 20%. The increase relates to the fees for


advice and applying for planning permission, which became effec- tive on January 17. Maidstone Borough Council


claimed: “The recent change to planning application fees is some- thing that has been decided by cen- tral government. We have no power to change this structure and so must implement the new legis- lation as set out.”


24 Maidstone March 2018


A SUTTON Valenceman has joined a top auction and valuation house after years at the London giant Bonham’s. Charles Crisford, 45, will be the


go-to man for antique clocks at Lewes-based Gorringe’s. While the company is based in


Sussex, valuerswill travel anywhere, particularly in the south-east, to seek out a gem. Mr Crisford,who ismarriedwith a


young son, attended Sutton Va- lence School and then LeicesterUni- versity where he read history of art. He said: “The antiques business


has so many disciplines and areas of expertise. “With clocks you have to know


about the case, the movement and the dial and then you have to find if they belong to each other!” CallMr Crisford on 01273 472503 or emailCharlesc@gorringes.co.uk.


News


Tributes to PaulAlcock who has died aged 64


TRIBUTES have poured in for the former Premier League referee and Maidstone shopping centre manager, Paul Alcock, who has died aged 64. Mr Alcock, who refereed top-


flight matches from 1995 to 2000, died after a long battle against can- cer. The father, who lived in


Boughton Monchelsea, was as well known locally as the manager of The Mall shopping centre in the town.Unlike the professional refer- ees of today,MrAlcock helddown a full-time job away fromfootball. Suzie Brindle, the Mall’s market-


ing manager, worked with him at the centre, and said: “We are all deeply saddened by his passing.He will be greatlymissedby us all here. “A number of us worked closely


with Paul and still remained good friends through his battle with can- cer, oftenmeeting for coffee to laugh about the old times.” The referee’s most famous mo-


ment came in 1998 when he was pushed over by Sheffield Wednes- day’s Paolo Di Canio after sending the Italian off during a game with Arsenal. After hewas forced to retire from


refereeing at the age of 47, he kept his hand in by becoming a referee’s assessor, and also became an athlet- ics official. Stuart Butler, a Football League


assistant referee who lives in Cox- heath, said Mr Alcock was a “gen- uinely nice bloke.He used to assess me quite a lot. “And he was always really


friendly.He always gave such good advice and even when it was nega- tive, everything he said was re- spected.When I was starting out, it


Charles swaps Bond Street for auction firm in Sussex


was always good to see himaround becausewe don’t have a lot of high- level referees in our area. “He came to theMaidstoneRefer-


ees’ Association in August and he was so honest and open about both refereeing and his illness. The can- cer changed how he looked, but he was still sharp and was happy to talk about anything.” Hewasmanager at theMall for 17


years and was also involved in a number ofprojectswhichhelpedthe town centre as awhole. Ilsa Butler, the town centre co-or-


dinator at One Maidstone, said he was “very loyal” to his team. She added: “Paulwas a key figure


within Maidstone’s business com- munity and he achieved somuch in that time.Hewas also someonewho was loyal to his team whether that was within Town Centre Manage- ment, The Mall, Urban Blue or his friends throughoutMaidstone. His energy levels were extraordinary, his contribution significant and his courage in the face of his illnesswas awe inspiring.Hewas a force of na- ture andwill be sorelymissed.” MrAlcockwasmarriedwith two


children. PO tax change


SMALL businesses in theMaid- stone area have hit a stumbling block as they are nowno longer able to pay tax at the Post Of- fice. SinceDecember, a change has


meant that allUKtaxpayers are nowunable to pay their taxes in person at the Post Office. HMRevenues and Customs


withdrew the use of the Tran- scash service, meaning that tax bills have to be paid either on- line, by phone or at banks or building societies. Mike Cherry, national chair-


man of The Federation for Small Businesses, said: “More than 90 per cent of members use online banking and many of thosewill choose to pay their taxes online. However...there are likely to be business owners still wishing to have the option to settlewithHMRC at the Post Office.” The Post Office said: “We’re


sorry to our customers that we are no longer able to offer this service, and customers should contact HMRC directly.”


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