News News


Steps taken to improve use of village’s library


Anotherincursion at Larkfield park


A TOUGH stand taken to keep Lenhamlibrary in The Square ap- pears to have paid dividends for villagers, with the county council agreeing to invest in the building. The future of the library was


thrown into doubt lastmonthwhen the parish councilwas contacted by Kent County Council, keen to in- vestigate amore “suitable location”. Parish council clerk Margo Mc-


TRAVELLERS have moved back onto a popular park in Larkfield for the second time in six months. The families - in five caravans -


Farlane says a tour of the commu- nity centre, in Groom Way, was made with library representatives who suggested, as the accommoda- tion above the librarywas no longer in use, an alternative venue for it might prove better value. MrsMcFarlane said: “Wemade it


clear that the community centre is running at capacity and the library – in the heart of the village – is the best place for the current host of ac- tivities, such as our community warden’sweekly surgeries.” A survey by the county council


pulled on to Gighill Green in Lunsford Lane on Sunday October ,, releasing dogs on the popular public open space and setting up washing lines within hours. It is un- derstood the fami- lies in- volv ed have been offering tree felling services to residents in the area. Parish council chairman David Thornewell says more has to be done to stop the travelling com- munity running circles around the police and local councils. He says the job ofmoving on trav-


also found the library to be well used, with around 1,000 visitors every month. It has now agreed to


ellers for a second time will run into thousands of pounds The last inci- dent, in early summer, costing the parish council £1,200, with the trav-


ellers simply moving on to take up temporary residence elsewhere in the area. He said: “They just seem to be


Investment in Lenhamlibrary means it will re- main in its pres- ent location, with external ac- cess provided to allow better use of its empty up- stairs rooms


investigate providing external ac- cess to the rooms above – previ- ously used and paid for by the area’sMP – so they can be hired out as offices or a flat. Mrs McFarlane said: “We have


doing the rounds. These incidents have affectedWest Malling, forcing the closure of the village hall, and Leybourne, and now they are back in Larkfield. The police told resi- dents that this was a civil trespass when they reported it and that they couldn’t do anything and obviously the council offices were closed be- cause it was the weekend. These travellers know and play the sys- tem.” The council’s legal team served an eviction notice but it took aweek to enforce. Cllr Thornewell held talks with Laddingford Engineering in an effort to increase security further on the public land, near the M20. Valdemar Kalinin (pictured), of


been assured by the county council that it is happy to keep the library where it is and will, in fact, look at increasing revenue from the build-


the National Gypsy-Traveller-Roma Council said recently that local councils must provide designated traveller sites or “tolerated zone” which gypsy convoys can move onto. He said: “It comes down to racial prejudice against this com- munity.”


Jobs in store


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PLANS to create a new Marks & Spencer (M&S) store at Eclipse Park, near J7 of theM20, have been unvieled to the public. The scheme – being brought to


life by Gallagher Properties – would, if approved by Maidstone Borough Council, create 300 full and part-time positions when the store opens. Apublic exhibitionwas due to be


held at theHiltonMaidstoneHotel, Bearsted Road earlier thismonth. TheM&S proposals follow a de-


cision by Waitrose not to proceed with its plans following the grant- ing of planning permission by Maidstone Borough Council in May 2017.


‘Spooktacular’ at the farm


ing by providing access to the up- stairs rooms and to use developer funding to improve access for wheelchair users.” She said the parish council,work-


MAKE the most of the October half-term holiday at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park’s Halloween Spooktacular in Maidstone. Brave kids are invited to the vintage village to knock on doors and


An early bird?


discover who – or what – is lurking behind them from October 21-31. The award-winning attraction at Sandling, near Maidstone, has a few


other tricks up its sleeve to turn its usual exhibits into frightening farmhouses and horrifying homes. Youngsters can try pumpkin carving, dressing up and the Ugly Bug Ball. On October 25, there will be more spooky goings-on with Kent Life


ing with Lenham school, was also workingwith the county council to address an identified shortage of books for teenagers and a limited choice of audio books.


5-6pm and, for older visitors, from 7-8pm. If you would like to know more about any of the above, call 01622 763936.


AN unusually early passage mi- grant bird has been seen in Leeds. ResidentAudrey Browne spotted


the white wagtail in her garden in early February. According to the British Trust for


After Dark, This event includes a spine-chilling tour suitable for under-eights from


Ornithology, the bird normally passes through theUKfromAfrica to northern and eastern Europe. BTO spokesman Paul Stancliffe said the sighting was “incredibly early” as it is not normally seen be- foremid-March.


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   Yes       


             


   


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        


  


   


        


                              


What is the best way to diagnose glaucoma, save your sight and monitor the condition? You can lose 40% of your vision before         


       


            


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         


  


    


eye test may detect. Earlier detection is possible and can help you prevent any sight loss. Award-winning Buchanan Optometrists offer a glaucoma Ultimate Ophthalmic examination which can provide an earlier diagnosis as well as assessing your risk and monitoring the condition. Alisdair Buchanan explains the best way to detect tiny changes in your optic nerves is through Heidelberg GMPE OCT scanning and assessment by an experienced optometrist. “A 3D scan (very different to the retinal


 


     


        


          


By the time we reach 80 years of age, 1 in 10 of us will have developed this sight-threatening condition, so it helps for you to be informed about what to do to help prevent glaucoma silently stealing your sight. If you have a family history, are diabetic, are of black, African or Caribbean descent, or are very short-sighted you have an increased risk of developing glaucoma so things you learn in this article could just save your sight.


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How to fix uncomfortable or slipping glasses Most accurate treatment for sight loss


photographs most opticians offer) can detect changes as small as 1000th of a mm. Far smaller than a human eye can ever detect. Using this technology we can now detect glaucoma and see progression far earlier than before.”


      


   


           


   


 


 


            


What are the latest treatments for glaucoma? Are drops still the best answer? Eye drops to lower the pressure of the


  


         


     


line of treatment for glaucoma. In most cases, drops can work very well at stabilising the condition and preventing further progression. However, they do not work for every case, and some have unpleasant side effects. Drops can also be hard to administer for some people. Therefore new treatments which avoid eye drops have become increasingly popular. Laser treatments, stents, operations and new drugs may make


                             


                       


           


            


 


                    


      


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              


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        


   


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diabetes and high blood pressure. Some forms of glaucoma (such as closed-angle) are not responsive to the effects of exercise, and other types of glaucoma (pigmentary glaucoma) may develop a temporary increase in IOP after vigorous exercise. So check with your Optometrist to see if exercise can help you. To assess your risk or monitor your condition book a glaucoma Ultimate Ophthalmic examination at award- winning


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        


 


  factors 


         


    


 


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     


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       


                


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     


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 





     





 


   


  


     


and easier to manage. Ask our Optometrists about your particular case for advice.


Can what you eat and how you exercise affect your glaucoma? There is some evidence suggesting that regular exercise can reduce eye pressure (IOP) on its own, and can also have a positive impact on other glaucoma risk


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 


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  


Business Focus


         including     


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