News


Lorraine takes on London in


big challenge A SNODLAND woman who ac- complished a long-standing am- bition to run the London Marathon before her 55th birth- day last year enjoyed herself so much she is doing it again next month. Themumof five, Lorraine Shep-


heard, pictured, of Queens Road is regularly seen running around the town preparing for the event on April 22. Last year, she raised almost


£1,200 for charities. This time, she is raisingmoney for theHeart of Kent Hospice and All Saints ChurchHeritage Fund once again. Sponsorship forms are available


at A'n'DBargain Food Store,High Street; theMonksHead, Constitu- tionHill; SnodlandWorkingMen’s Club, Holborough Road; All Saints Church; Christ Church and Christ Church Hall.


Gerald Cadwallader is given a surprise leaving party at St Katherine’s Primary School in Snodland


Welsh suprise is fiing farewell to deputy head


A DAY of celebration was planned in secret to mark the retirement of Gerald Cadwallader on his last day at St Katherine's Primary School, Snodland.


We reported in the last issue of


Downs Mail that the deputy head was standingdown after teaching at the school for 33 years. Head teacher Ruth Powell said:


“He turned up for work on his last day to find that the school hall had been decorated in all thingsWelsh – to reflect his heritage. “A coffee morning had been


arranged for himtomeet with par- ents and past pupils, during which the school choir sang a special arrangement of a song reflecting their sadness at his retirement.” Mr Cadwallader took a tour of


the school, visiting every class to say his goodbyes, which was followed


by aWelsh-themed lunch. he after- noon sawa special assembly held to enable all the children to gather to- gether to mark his service to the school. Therewas a demonstration by the


school'sCheerleading team, singing by the choir and the presentation of retirement gifts. Mr Cadwallader had yet another


surprise in the eveningwhen he re- ceived a welcome from more than 100 past and present staff. Nick Vickers, chairman of the Fi-


nance and StrategyCommittee, pre- sented himwith a number of gifts to mark his retirement. The popular teacher said: “My


final day at St. Katherine’s was ab- solutely fantastic and itwas great to have the chance to visit all of the classes during the day to say a farewell to the children and staff. “Iwas thrilled to seemany ofmy


colleagues and ex-colleagues turn up to say goodbye in the evening. “I hope to keep in contact with


themmore frequently nowthat I am retired. My only regret was that there was simply not enough time to catch up properly on the night. “Thanks to themany people who


worked so hard to organise the day forme. I knowfrommy own experi- ence just how much work goes into preparing for such an event.”


Child sex abuser jailed Duo held over Lions race night


is roaring success THE Malling Lions received a boost fromvillagers after they do- nated part of the funds from a popular race night. Villagers in Offham held the


night on February 17,withmost of the money going to help them with their village projects. The parish council agreed to do-


nate £95 to the Lions,who ran the evening, and who are raising money to buy oncology equip- ment forMaidstone Hospital.


14 Malling March 2018


A MAN has been jailed in Corn- wall for abusing children as young as three years old in West Malling and Sittingbourne in the 1980s and 1990s. Christopher Gillard has been


sentenced to five years and three months in prison after appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on February 8. Kent Police began an investiga-


tion into the 64-year-old, formerly of Penscombe Cross, Lezant, Launceston, in December 2015 when one of his victims came for- ward, and inquiries led to the dis- covery of threemore victims. Gillard carried out the offences


between 1987 and 1999 while liv- ing in Sittingbourne, but he also had connections toWestMalling. He was charged with eight counts of indecent assault and ini-


tially denied any wrong doing, telling police he had simply been play fightingwith the victims. However, in court he pleaded


guilty to five charges, with the other three ordered by the judge to remain on file. Detective Constable Becky Taft


said: “Gillard manipulated and abused children for his own grat- ification and they will live with these memories for the rest of their lives. “I would like to thank the vic-


tims for helping us ensure he has now faced justice. “Their bravery and courage in


coming forward has demonstrated that it is never too late to report abuse to police. If you have been a victim of any sexual offence we will always treat any information with confidence and sensitivity.”


van blackmail TWO men have been arrested in connection with the blackmail of a security van driver in Larkfield. Serious crimes officers fromKent


and Essex have been investigating allegations involving demands for money and a cash-in-transit vehi- cle, following an incident in No- vember last year. It was reported that at around


10am an employee returned to his security van, parked off London Road, and found awritten demand for cash placed in the door. It is al- leged the message also contained threats of harm. No money was stolen during the incident. Two men, aged 32 and 57, were


arrested in the Hastings area on February 12 on suspicion of black- mail and released pending inves- tigation.


downsmail.co.uk


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