News


NEWS that special church serv- ices are being held to celebrate the world’s seafarers has been welcomed by Maidstone’s next mayor. CllrDavidNaghi,whowill be-


come mayor in May, is also the chairman of the town’s sea cadets and a big advocate of the town’s River Park. The Sailors’ Society are asking


Maidstone churches to remember seafarers on Sea Sunday, which is on July 8.


And Cllr Naghi said: “I wel-


come this initiative to put seafar- ers at the forefront of people’s minds. “Wewould all be nothingwith-


out them and they certainly play a very important part in all of our lives. “Seafarers are usually forgotten


because of course if you die at sea you don’t have a grave, so this is a great opportunity to remember all of those who have sadly per- ished out to sea.”


The Sailors’ Society is a Chris-


tian charity which celebrated its 200th birthday in March, and on Sea Sunday it asks churchgoers to pray and give thanks for the world’s 1.6million seafarers. CEO Stuart Rivers said:


“Whether they knowit or not, the people of Maidstone rely upon seafarers. “More than 90 per cent of


everything we own comes by sea – our clothes, phones, cars – even the bricks that make up our


Bollardmakes crossing safer for those on foot


IMPROVEMENTS to a stretch of road in Loose are not only giving a fresh look to the area, but improv- ing the safety of pedestrians. North Loose Residents’ Associa-


tion (NLRA) has been working with Southward LiberalDemocrat councillors to tackle anti-social parking at Boughton Parade. Among the latest improvements


is the installation of an extra bol- lard – bought by councillors Derek Mortimer, Paul Wilby and Brian Clark – at the pedestrian crossing. The work, which will stop vehi-


cles mounting the pavement, was fitted free of charge by Kent CountyCouncil-approved contrac- tor J. Brazil. The three existing rusty bollards were also given a coat of paint tomatch in. The NLRA has also installed


planters on the hardstanding, after Cllr Clark earned a waiver on the £500 highways’ licence fee required to do this. The licence is nowto be extended


to allowfor post-and-rail fencing to prevent parking along the verge fronting the A229, which will fur- ther protect the grass. Cllr Derek Mortimer said: “We


have had a parking problemin this area for some time, with a small number of drivers resorting to un-


Defibrillator could


be the gift of life MEMBERS of the Inner Wheel of Maidstone have presented the peo- ple of Coxheath with a defibrillator, a piece of life-saving equipment, which has been mounted on the wall of the village hall. Pictured with village hall commit-


tee chairman Keith Ferris is Sheila Scott with the Inner Wheel’s Anne Goodliffe and Sue Stille.


8 Maidstone Weald April 2018 SibleyParesWT194.indd 1


Cllr Brian Clark (left) and Cllr DerekMortimer admire the recently installed bollard at the pedestrian crossing in Loose


safe parking in the pedestrian area, even though there is a perfectly good car park to the rear. “We fully support the aspiration


of the NLRA to prevent antisocial parking and happily rolled up our sleeves to help.” Cllr BrianClark added: “This has been a long time in the making,


with a number of small measures helping to create a scheme to ulti- mately protect the full parade frontage. “It is amazing what can be


achieved to improve safety and ap- pearance at the parade with just limited funds but a good deal of community spirit.”


downsmail.co.uk Services will remember our seafarers – past and present


homes. All of these goods are brought into the country by sea- farers who risk extreme loneli- ness, dangerous storms and even piracy. “Holding a Sea Sunday service


for Sailors’ Society is a fantastic way of recognising the amazing work seafarers do.” The charity has created a vari-


ety of resources for churches, which it has made available free to download at www.seasunday- hero.org.


Dog walker’s gruesome find


at play area AMUTILATEDcat has been found dead in a village nearMaidstone. Police were called to the playing


field in Sutton Valence just before 10.30am on Thursday March 22 after a dog walker made the grim discovery. The cat’s head and tail appeared


to have been cut off. Janet Burnett, the clerk of Sutton


Valence Parish Council, informed villagers via social media of the news. “It’s shocking anywhere,” she


said. “But obviouslywe’re all upset that it’s happened in our village. “It was near to a play area in the


field and I’mglad that itwas a dog walker that found it rather than a child. “Cats aremuch-loved pets and to


hear of this is pretty grim. We’ve just asked everyone in the village to keep an eye on their cats.” AKent Police spokesman added:


“Kent Policewas called at 10.26am on Thursday, March 22 following the discovery of a dead cat in a field near TheHarbour, Sutton Va- lence,which appeared to have been mutilated. “Anyone with information


should call 01622 604100 quoting reference 22-0288.”


Q&A time for


parishioners CHURCHGOERS are invited to St Peter & Paul’s church in Headcorn for the annualmeeting onWednes- day,April 18 at 7.30pm. A number of reportswill be con-


sidered, and there will also be an opportunity to elect newmembers to the church council, deanery synod and two new churchwar- dens. Parishioners will also have the


chance to ask questions about the future plans for the church. Wine and nibbleswill be served.


downsmail.co.uk News


               Kent.


          horrors of air travel, airport security  directions, for something as mundane  


          light,


       the tasteful classical music in the                        certainly going to develop glaucoma    


clean, and airy, and utterly


           The thing is, the typical and routine                       of glasses all the time, one for reading and one for distance, then I cannot                       on that approaching glaucoma (pun            opticians, from small private practices





 


Advertisement Feature downsmail.co.uk Why I travelled 500miles for an eye test


      


                    


                                          offers E-eye dry eye treatment to help            


          today, on 01622 535115  


  


  


 


50% SOLD


  


 


  Maidstone Weald April 2018 9 16/03/2018 14:59


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