News Drivers stuck


in tip queues MOTORISTS giving their homes and gardens inMaidstone a spring clean were left fuming on getting stuck in traffic at Tovil tip. One driver described the traffic


chaos on the approach roads as “theworst I can remember inmore than 30 years living in the area”. Bymidday onApril 22, the queue


was said to be back to the junction with Lower Road and Dean Street. Butwith only 18 county council tips inKent and about 1.5mresidents in the county, KCC was hard pressed to respondwith any good news. A spokesman said a ghost island


providing a dedicated right turn lane into Burial Ground Road and the tipwas introduced for queuing traffic two years ago, which had helped. However, he agreed, the volume of traffic at Tovil was “ex- tremely high”. He added: “Increased housing


development in the area has no doubt contributed to the high vol- ume of visitors. We believe the amount of customers was also due to theweather and the time of year. “Unfortunately,KCCdoes not re-


ceive any funding from planning authorities to enable improvements to the infrastructure.” KCC is trialling extended open-


ing hours until September. The tip will be open from8amuntil 6.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The rest of theweek itwill continue to close at 4.30pm. Opening times on Sundays and bank holidays are 9amto 4pm.


Give up a day


AGE UK Maidstone hopes people will Give a Day in May to raise money for its befriending service. Individuals or businesses are in-


vited to host a fundraising activity, in a bid to raise the £20,000 needed by the charity to help more lonely, elderly people in the borough. Grab a fundraising pack from


Age UK’s office at 7 Mill Street, Maidstone, call 01622 753618, email info@ageukmaidstone.org.uk or go towww.ageuk.org.uk/Maidstone


Dogs’ day out


KENT Life stages its annual Family FunDog Showon Sunday, June 24. The event features classes includ-


ing: the waggiest tail; best six legs; fancy dress; best child handler, dog the judge would like to take home and Kent Life’s champion dog. There is also a chance to take part


in the entertaining agility course and browse the doggy-related stalls between classes. Entry is £1 per class. Call 01622 763936 or go to www.kentlife.org.uk.


20 Maidstone East June 2018


Crafty ladies show off skills Members of the CountryWay patchwork and stitchers group


THE CountryWay Patchwork and Stitchers’ group “sewed the seed” of in- terest in the art among visitors to an open day at their regular meeting place of LenhamCommunity Centre. A spokesman described the event, onMay 8, as attracting “lots of new


faces, with the kettle kept busy and the cakemuch enjoyed.” Visitors had the opportunity to see craft work being undertaken by


members and to view pieces of work, including quilts, bags, cushions and decorations. The charity quilt,which is a shared project bymembers, took centre stage, with visitors encouraged to help increase its size. Several stitch work projects were handed out free of charge to encour-


age visitors to consider the pastime and joining the group. Anyone interested in getting involved should call from Pamela Gillard 01233 879507 or emailmoonbeamspinner@gmail.com.


downsmail.co.uk


EastEnders star to play Hazli’s big panto part


SOAP star Richard Blackwood has been named as the star of this year’s pantomime at theHazlitt Theatre inMaidstone.


Richard (45),who has an impres-


sive range of talents as an actor, co- median and rapper, will be treading the boards in Maidstone fromDecember 1 to 31. He plays the genie inAladdin. In 2015, he joined the cast of


EastEnders as the mysterious Vin- cent Hubbard, but recently an- nounced hewas leaving the soap. Hazlitt general manager Martin


Cleverly said: “The Hazlitt The- atre’s 2018 programme is full of bigger and better productions in comparison to years gone by, so it couldn't let things slipwhen it came to the celebrity of its in-house pan- tomime. “Richard Blackwood will be a


fantastic member of the cast and part of a production that promises to entertain, delight and wow the visiting crowds.” TheHazlitt faced competition last


Christmas from another panto being staged in the county town.


EastEnders star Richard Blackwood Last year’sCinderella production


– which starred TV chef and na- tional favourite Rustie Lee – was hailed a success, despite another


production being staged close by at another venue inMaidstone. A Hazlitt spokesman said:


“Richard is a bit of a coup for us and judging by the reaction so far, it is going down verywell. “He has been around for quite a


while, is a talentedguy andhasdone a lot of different things in his career, so his following is quitewide. “We’re very excitedandwe’llhave


other announcements tomake as the summer progresses. “We’re hoping that this year’s


panto can build on the success of Cinderella, which was very well re- ceived.” Meanwhile, the PeterAndre show


has sold out. Talks are being held in an effort to


arrange an additional date for the singer inMaidstone after tickets for his appearance in June sold out. The Hazlitt says consideration is


being giventopotentiallyputting on another showinOctober.


Invicta Grammar


helps Samaritans INVICTAGrammarSchoolhas chosen Maidstone Samaritans as its charity of the year and a host of events are already planned. Students held a concert ear-


lier this month, showcasing their many musical talents to raisemoney and awareness. Julie Derrick, headteacher of


Invicta Grammar School said: “I amso proud of our students for taking the initiative towork collaboratively to raise money for something that they feel passionate about.” Working in local schools and


colleges, Samaritans are teach- ing young people how toman- age challenges in the future, seek support if they need it and realise they are not alone. Anyone can contact Samari-


tans free anytime from any phone on 116 123. Alternatively they can email


jo@samaritans.org or go to www.samaritans.org/Maid- stone to find details of the branch where you can talk to a volunteer in person.


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