News


Fun starts now as araction


reveals events KENT LIFE is promising a fun- filled programme throughout 2018. As well as old favourites, the


Sandling-based attraction has a number of newfamily events, such as a hops and harvest festival in September, and a zombie takeover in the build-up to Halloween. The fun kicks off during the Feb-


ruary half-term,with lambing days and a number of shows in the big top. Bugs and grubs come into focus


on March 17 and 18, with the op- portunity to visit the creepy critter cuddle corner and learn about the work of a local beekeeper. The Easter bunnywill be visiting


from March 30 to April 2, before the quintessential May Day tradi- tions come to life fromMay 5 to 7. Farmyard fairytales are the


theme for theMay half-term, with the family dog showon June 24. Kent Life goes to the seaside


throughout the summer holidays, with an ice cream festival on Au- gust bank holiday. For admission prices and more


details visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.


downsmail.co.uk


999 – call back later if the patient getsworse


THE ambulance service in Kent has been asking some emergency callers to assess the condition of a patient - and to call back if it has worsened. The responsibility this puts on un-


qualified relatives and friends is being taken up by the GP-ledWest Kent Clinical Commissioning Group. The chief executive of South East


Coast Ambulance Service (SE- CAmb) has been asked to attend and report to the group’s governing body. The group is concerned about the


impact on west Kent patients, ‘par- ticularly around life threatening in- cidents’. A report to the group also ques-


tioned the “openness and trans- parency” of SECAmb to callers aroundwaiting times. Patientswere being asked if “they have exhausted all options and advice and to ring backwhen there is adeterioration in condition”. This is the latest episode in a long series of problems for SECAmb,


Concerns are being looked into over changes to SECAmb priorities Picture: SECAmb


which have led to it being placed in special measures by the national CareQuality Commission (CQC). A spokesman for SECAmb told


DownsMail: “Alongwith all ambu- lance serviceswe have been and re- main very busy. All calls are triaged based on the


information provided by the caller and we prioritise our response to ourmost seriously-ill or life-threat- ened patients. Where callers need


ongoing advice prior to the arrival of ambulance clinicians,wewill re- main on the linewith them. “When a call is triaged, the caller


will be told the outcome andwhich priority of call they have been as- signed. “When concluding a call, the


caller will be given advice and told to call back if the patient’s condition worsens. “We recognise there is a lotmore


work to be done, both here and in less serious calls, to further improve our response time performance. “We are committed to improving


the time it takes for us to answer calls and have an ongoing recruit- ment campaign to increase the number of emergency medical ad- visers in our emergency operations centres. “We expect overall performance


to improve from this encouraging start as we further refine our fleet and operational model, working with commissioners as part of our ‘joint demand and capacity re- view’.”


downsmail.co.uk


News Signs ofwild boar in thewoods?


THERE is growing evidence of a settling wild boar population in the woods and farmland around this part of Kent. The animals – persecuted to ex-


tinction hundreds of years ago – have started to leave some tell-tale signs in woodland and arable pas- ture. Boar – a close relative of the pig –


have been disturbing the ground in search of worms, grubs and insects whichmake upmuch of its diet. They are present in some num-


bers in East Sussex and one local wildlife expert says that a small number may be roaming the coun- tryside. Tree surgeon and naturalist Theo


McCausland, of Langley, said: “I haven’t met anyone yet who has seen one, but I do hear of the evi- dence being found. “The disruption to earth when


they have been around in numbers is quite un- mistakable. My guess is


that there are a few roaming over quite large territories aroundMaid- stone, Headcorn, Staplehurst and maybe up towardsMedway.


“Down in Gloucestershire, they


have reached large numbers. They have virtually no natural predators and can cause some problems to people’s properties.” Phil Brown, who runs the


Egerton-based Badger Bushcraft wildlife educationworkshops, said: “I know of people who swear they have seen them or their tracks, but


Wild boar are roaming the countryside, but Phil Brown is uncertain if they are breed- ing in this area


the prints sometimes turn out to be roe deer. “So there is a bit ofmisidentifica-


tion going on. I also knowof people who hunt themin thewild, but not aroundMaidstone.” It is thought the wild boar now


roaming parts of rural southern England are the result of escapes fromcommercial farms. TheWild Boar In Britain website


states: “After an absence of approx- imately 700 years, wild boar are roaming and breeding in the British countryside once again! “For such a large mammal to be-


come accidentally reintroduced into Britain in this day and age is a re- markable event that is fascinating to follow.” The group says the mild climate


should ensure the boar’s survival in the longer term, despite pressures on habitat.


Coldplay tribute at Hazlitt Pair arrested on drugs suspicion


THE Hazlitt Theatre in Earl Street, Maidstone,will host leading Cold- play tribute bandColdplace as part of a UK-wide tour. Lasers, confetti, Coldplay an-


thems and a remarkable resem- blance to the real thing are prom- ised in the Maidstone stage show on Saturday, March 17. Tickets start at £20. Call 01622 758611


A TWO people have been arrested in Maidstone on suspicion of per- mitting premises to be used for the supply of class A drugs. A 53-year- old man and a 43-year-old woman


were arrested at 1pmon Friday Jan- uary 19. Two mobile phones were seized by officers as part of the in- vestigation. They were released under investigation.


Family Funeral Service brings its personal service to Headcorn Business Focus


Family Funeral Service brings its personal service to Headcorn


FAMILY Funeral Service has opened a new base in Headcorn, offering its friendly service to even more people across the Maidstone area. The family


owned, and family run business offers a personalised approach, with the option of home visits and access to a friendly voice at the end of the telephone 24 hours a day. Already operating out of Bearsted, Family Funeral Service is run by Michael Lawrence and his son Robert, along with Kim and Angela - the team behind the third-generation business


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


01622 260200 30 Maidstone Weald March 2018


that has been helping families in the area for 40 years.


Michael Lawrence said: “We are pleased our branch in Headcorn High Street is now open. We’ve worked hard to ensure the premises is sympathetic to the village conservation area, with help from Nick Prior, at Woodland Carpentry, and provides a comfortable environment in which people can relax and talk through their needs.


“Jo will be our lady on hand to help families looking to arrange a fitting tribute for their loved ones. I will also be there daily to meet families and help with their requirements and wishes.”


To meet his new business commitment, Michael has recently moved to Headcorn. He added: “The loss of a loved one is never easy to cope with, and the added stress of making arrangements can often bring further emotional upset. With our experience of


Find us at:


59 High Street, Headcorn TN27 9QA


01622 962001 Maidstone Weald March 2018 31


making funeral arrangements we have learned how to help families have and be part of a meaningful service that 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 to someone with experience and compassion before making a decision.” Contact Family Funerals on Bearsted 01622 260200 or in Headcorn on 01622 962001.


downsmail.co.uk Business Focus


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