News Tax bill hike


COUNTY councillors have backed a budget that will see a council tax bill rise by almost 5%. The increase includes a 2% levy


aimed at providing extra cash for adult social care, while the rest would go towards other services. The typical Band D property bill


will rise to around £1,237. KentCountyCouncil leader Paul


Carter said the approved budget would preserve frontline services. He added that the Government


“should start to address the unfair- ness in the current funding system, recognising counties should, if fair and needs-led, receive a fairer and bigger slice of resource”. Liberal Democrat spokesman


Rob Bird criticised Cllr Carter for the rise, especially since members awarded themselves a 15% in- crease in allowances.


Choral work


MAIDSTONE Choral Union is putting on Haydn’s uplifting Cre- ation on March 17 at All Saints Church,Maidstone. Tickets for the 7.30pm perform-


ance, with professional soloists and theMCUOrchestra, cost £12 on the door or from Freda Crispin at fredacrispin@gmail.com.


downsmail.co.uk


Pub planning to pull its first pint by turn of year


THE frustrations of Coxheath lo- cals waiting to order a drink after the only pub in the villagewas de- molished five years ago could be coming to an end. Work to enlarge the Londis su-


permarket and build 10 flats and a replacement for the Bird in Hand, off Heath Road, has been dogged by delays. But the site’s owner, Sham


Baynes, says he hopes the pubwill be open before the end of the year. The father-of-three says he un-


derstands the frustrations of Cox- heath residents, but the scale of the project, coupled with issues out of his control, have convinced him thiswill be the last development he evermanages. He said: “This has been a partic-


ularly frustrating project, with fi- nancial and planning problems and difficulties with contractors. I can’twait for it to be finished.” Electrical contractors say the flats


will be ready by mid-March, al- lowing Mr Baynes to give his full attention to the pub.


tackled and the work is pressing ahead, as are talks with local sup- pliers of beer and cider. I just hope the communitywill support it.” Electrical contractor Grant Tur-


ney has stepped in to help com- plete the project. He said: “I think Sham has done remarkably well. This is a big project and he has done it the right way, which is to avoid placing the whole thing in jeopardy by borrowing lots of money.” Mr Baynes says a manager will


Cllr BrianMortimer and developer ShamBaynes


During a tour of the sitewith bor-


ough councillor Brian Mortimer, Downs Mail was shown the plush flats and inside the pub, which has been plastered andwired. Cllr Mortimer said: “There have


been issues with the re-building programme, but these have been


be appointed to run the pub,which will operate as a freehouse.He and Cllr Mortimer hope the village schoolwill get involved by coming upwith a name.  CllrMortimer says concern has been expressed about the future of former village pub, The Bell. Now a popular Indian restaurant, known as the Spice Lounge, its owner has spokenwith the parish council about the possibility of developing the Heath Road site with 19 flats and eight parking spaces.


Registered charity number 1062723


downsmail.co.uk News


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


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. 


     


  





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


What is the best way to diagnose glaucoma, save your


monitor the condition? You can lose 40% of your vision before        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


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


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


         


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


   





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


      


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


    


     sight and


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


   


     


  


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


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


 


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


 


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


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


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


   


   


     


   


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


What are the latest treatments for glaucoma? Are drops still the best answer?


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


   


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


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


   





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


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


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


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


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


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


       


   


 


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


 


  


       


Book your Glaucoma Eye Examination now 56 Malling Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5NB


01622 535115


Guarantee your 20%r 20% discount, Call Now 01622 535115


Save your sight


   


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





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


 


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


     


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


  


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


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


    





  


 20% OFF 


         


    


    


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


  


  





 


       


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


     


          





x uncomfort 


fo  


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.”


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


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


  


   


 


 


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


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


 


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





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





 


   


  


    


     


and


Optometrists about your particular case for advice.


easier 


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


 


 and high blood pressure.     


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 factors including diabetes


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 Buchanan Optometrists.


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





 





  


 


downsmail.co.uk to manage. Ask our


Business Focus


The Goodman Centre is a fully equipped, safe and homely day care facility for those living as a two course hot lunch with refreshments throughout their day.


‘’It’s amazing what a difference a day can make here at The Goodman Centre ’’


Why not try a Free day by calling us on 01622 736966 Email info@ageukmaidstone.org.uk or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/Maidstone 6 Egremont Road, Bearsted, ME15 8LH


6 Maidstone Weald March 2018 Maidstone Weald October 2017 Maidstone Weald March 2018 7 7


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