downsmail.co.uk


Why Downs Mail is top dog in local press


THESE are hard times for the local press. Falling circulations and sliding advertising revenues have put pressure on a once-great British institution. Here in Kent, newspapers have not


proved to be immune to these challenges. The Kent Messenger’s Maidstone,


Weald and Malling weekly editions now sell a combined 11,024 copies, according to the latest 2017 figures compiled by the industry’s official Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC). This represents a drop of 12.3% on 2016 figures.


Last year, Kent on Sunday ceased publication.


Some of the well-regarded titles in the


Trinity Mirror stable of papers nationwide have posted worrying 20%+ circulation slides in the most recent ABC figures. This decline in the wider newspaper industry is clearly causing concern, with the Prime Minister Theresa May recently ordering a review into the health of the local media.


Downs Mail, with its relentless quest for quality community journalism and free monthly distribution model to more than 80,000 homes, continues to strive to keep those negative forces at bay. Chairman of Mail Publications Ltd Claire Procter said: “We have always believed in the need for a strong, vibrant local news media which champions community journalism, not only to keep our readers informed but to hold those in authority to account. “Whilst trading conditions for some sections of the local press have been challenging in recent years, we have seen a growth in our business. With hard work by our dedicated staff, the support of our advertisers and a family of loyal readers we will continue not only to survive these difficult times, but to thrive.” That growth has included expansion of the Downs Mail portfolio from four editions to five, a massive increase in internet user numbers, growth of our


downsmail.co.uk


Get your free shingles jab


Business Focus NEVER TOO OLD FOR A MORTGAGE!


MAIDSTONE and Malling resi- dents in their 70s are being urged to take up the offer offree vacci- nations againstthe “painful and debilitating” condition shingles. By the end of July, just over half


of all eligible olderpatients inKent andMedway had been vaccinated. ButtheNHS is nowencouraging


everyonewho is offeredthe vaccine to take it up. Local GP practices are offering


Kate’s canyon trek in memory ofhusband


Sadly, due to schemes available in the past the term “Equity Release” has got itself a bad name.


Local adviser Sarah Ferrell speaks with many people who, through no fault of their own, are carrying debt into retirement or need to raise new finan e and this can make the “Golden Years” potentially worrying.


patients the vaccination as part of the NHS shingles immunisation campaign for 2017/18,which began on September1 2017. Dr John Rodriguez, Public


Health Screening and Immunisa- tion lead for Kent and Medway, urged local people to take up the offer. He added: “As people get older


KM 11,024* Much bigger in Maidstone & Malling


quarterly lifestyle magazine Mid Kent Living and a developing leaflet distribution business. We are always striving to do better and would welcome comments on how we can improve Downs Mail and the service to our readers. Why not drop a line to editor, Simon Finlay, at simon.finlay@downsmail.co.uk


Downs Mail 80,475 01622 630330 *Source ABC January to December 2017. Average copies per issue. Sunday 6 May 2018 The Red Bull ECCLES FOR A WARM WELCOME & GOOD COMPANY


PETE CAPON sings...A Tribute to the 60's. SAT 26th May


Monthly Karaoke


Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers


• Free valuations • Regular fine & general auctions • Probate & Insurance specialists • Home visits


their immune system naturally weakens which is why those aged 70 and over are more likely to get shingles. “Shingles can be very painful


THE widow ofa popular Maid- stone GP is in training for a self- funded trek through the Grand Canyon,


in aid of


Equity Release can, for many people, offer an ideal solution…..so why does everybody think it is such a bad thing?


Sarah says, “The finance industry has had to adapt as the need for lending in retirement has grown at a staggering rate. The schemes of the past bear no resemblance to those available today however many people’s thinking and understanding of the schemes available is still stuck in the 1970's!”


the charity


which is battling the cancer that claimed him.


Kate Minett,a staff nurse, will be


travelling to America for the Trek Together Grand Canyon Challenge in October. Kate who lives in Staplehurst,


will hike through areas ofthe canyon not accessible to many tourists to raise money for Pancre- atic Cancer UK. The BenendenHospital nurse has


and debilitating and lead to health problems long after the initial rash hasdisappeared. It canalsobe fatal for around one in 1,000 over-70s who develop it. “I would encourage all patients


who are eligible to takeupthe offer fromtheirGP surgery and get vac-


MORTGAGES


Many of Sarah’s clients need to repay a mortgage, finance some unexpected outlay or just make their retirement more comfortable. Others want to help their children with a deposit for a house, buy a new car, go on holiday or make improvements to their home.


Regardless of the reason for needing finance, there are plenty of safe and affordable solutions available and the choice of options is greater than ever.


Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. EQUITY RELEASE RE-MORTGAGE BUY-TO-LET


chosen to supportthe charity be- cause her husband,Dr NigelMinett (54),a GP for more than 20 years at the Marden Medical Centre, then The Orchard Surgery in Langley, succumbed to it in January 2012, just over 10 weeks after he was di- agnosed. Dr Minett (pictured) was well-known for his church work in Maidstone. She said: “This cancer is known


as a silent killer as it usually pres- ents too late for any form oftreat- ment. On October 31, 2011, my


husband was admitted to hospital after developing jaundice. Until that point, his only symptoms had been a few weeks of mild gastric discomfort. He was diagnosed the same day with stage four metasta- tic pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver. “We knew the score - survival


Like all financial transactions there are advantages and disadvantages which means that Equity Release may not be suitable for everyone. Equity release schemes involve borrowing against your home, and may work out more expensive in the long term than downsizing to a smaller property. Depending on the scheme chosen releasing equity may reduce the value of your estate and therefore the amount of inheritance you will leave. “I take great care and time to fully discuss all aspects of the options available so that my clients are fully aware of what may be suitable and equally what they want to avoid!” Sarah comments.


Sarah finds many of the people she speaks to are worried about their finances at a time in life when they really want to be enjoying themselves. Ofte


a lack of information, or confusing advertising causes them concern and they are just not sure what options are really available to them. This is where Sarah can bridge the gap.


Sarah says, “I’ve been in the finance industry for over 20 years and I consider I have come across most scenarios and would reassure anyone who i


concerned about their finances that they are unlikely to be alone. Sometimes an initial chat is all that is needed to put people’s mind at rest and as soon as people know they have options this in itself can often lighten the burden”


Sarah takes time to work out which solution may be most suitable for each individual and will visit a client at home at a time to suit them.


rates from pancreatic cancer have not improved much in the last 30 years. Nigel died on January 19, 2012.I had been thinking about what I could do to celebrate Nigel’s life and decided to join the Pancre- atic Cancer UK Grand Canyon Challenge Trek in October. I am self-funding the trip to ensure that all donations go directly to the charity.” This is the third big fundraiser


Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.


M: 07789007447 T: 01622 631372


E:info@sarahferrell-equityrelease.co.uk www.sarahferrell-equityrelease.co.uk


the family has taken part in. Kate’s daughter, Laura, took part ina su- perhero fun run dressed as Super- man in 2012, raising over £2,000, and her sister Rebecca organised a dinner dance in Tenterden which raised £10,300 in 2015. In the UK, pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate ofthe 21 most com- mon cancers. PancreaticCancerUK supports those affected, investing in research and lobbying for recog- nition ofthe disease. For details visit www.justgiv-


Call Sarah on


ing.com/fundraising/Kate-Minett. For more information on Pancre- atic Cancer UK, visit www.pan- creaticcancer.org.uk/fundraise.


FIRST TIME BUYERS n s


The Alpaca Experience


We’d love you to come and say hello to our beautiful alpaca’s Pepe & Louigi!


Our Alpaca Experience gives you the chance to feed, walk and learn more about these unique animals. Once you’ve finished walking around our beautiful grounds here at Yalding, you can visit our Sage & Time Cafe for a drink and a cake!


Vouchers cost just £14.95 per person or 2 for £25, and includes all of the above.


Discounted early bird entry until 8 April 2018


A 6 mile circular route starting and finishing at Harrietsham Village Hall. Walk amongst the bluebells on the North Downs and through the beautiful Kent countryside in support of Heart of Kent Hospice. Dogs welcome.


Register Now Visit: www.hokh.org/events Tel: 01622 790195 Email: fundraising@hokh.co.uk


Heart of Kent Hospice @Heartofkenthosp Sponsored by:


1 Mackenders Ln, Eccles, Aylesford ME20 7HX 01622 791 135


14 Malling April 2018 Speak to our specialists about selling your Silver


0800 881 5691 clientservices@gorringes.co.uk


15 North Street - Lewes - BN7 2PE www.gorringes.co.uk


Everyone knows that the only way to relax after walking alpacas through the Kent countryside is to enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake!


That’s why your voucher includes a hot drink and cake (or a sandwich) in our on-site Sage & Time café.


Open: Mon to Fri from 10am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 3pm


Kenward Trust, Kenward Road, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AH To book or for more information, call: 01622 814187


or email: reception@kenwardtrust.org.uk Registered charity no. 1146481. Registered in England no. 7931728. Malling April 2018 15


Pepe


Louigi


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25