News Street party


YALDING is one of the only vil- lages in Kent to be holding a street party to celebrate the royal wed- ding. Prince Harry and Meghan


Marklewill bemarried onMay 19, and the parish council are holding a special event to commemorate it. Tickets are available from the


post office, library and Tearooms in the village. Children’s tea, priced at £5, will


be served at 4pm, with a souvenir mug included in the price, as well as Punch and Judy, hula hoops and games,while a hog roast, priced at £10 to also include a mug, will be served at 6pm. There will also be a bar, live


music and fancy dress,with a fairy tale theme.


Summer fair


VOLUNTEERS and stall holders are being sought for the summer fair and dog show at Kingswood Village Hall. The event takes place from10am-


2pmon Saturday, July 7 . Anyonewhowould be interested


in running a stall or helping out in anyway before, during or after the event is asked to call Val Clarke on 01622 843110.


downsmail.co.uk


Civic parade called off asArmy is sent abroad


THE Civic and Freedom Parade, marking the installation ofMaid- stone’s Mayor, will not go ahead this year. The decision by Maidstone Bor-


oughCouncil breaks a tradition that dates back to the town’s first may- oral appointment in 1549. Cllr David Naghi, who has


deputised for Maidstone’s Mayor, Cllr Malcolm Greer for the last 11 months and is to take on the civic role on May 19, has been told that owing to the absence of the Army from the town, “there is little point in holding the procession”. It is understood soldiers from


Maidstone will be deployed over- seas andwill not be able to take part inthe traditionalHighStreetparade. In recent years, hundreds have


turned out to watch the historic event, which includes a carriage procession attended by council members anddignitaries anda serv- ice at the town’sAll Saints’ Church. The borough council moved the mayor making ceremony from


A scene from last year’s ceremony when Cllr Malcolm Greer took on the role of Maidstone mayor


Wednesday to Saturday morning, so thatmore people could see it. However,CllrNaghi,whowill be


the town’s 42nd mayor since the Local Government Act of 1974 cre- ated Maidstone Borough Council, told DownsMail: “I have been told there simplywon’t be a ceremony of any kind this year, which is obvi- ously rather upsetting.” Conservative councillor for Shep-


way northMarionRing – a borough councillor for 14 years – will be the deputymayor. She said: “Iwas told


out of the blue by David (Naghi) that there wasn’t going to be a pa- rade this year – something about the Army being abroad. “I’m not sure why that makes a


difference when you have all the other people to attend.” Conservative group leader John


Perry said: “I heard awhisper about it being about the Army. It seems rather strange that it couldn’t go on without them.” Maidstone Borough Council was approached for a comment.


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