News News


Anotherincursion at Larkfield park


Free concert


ENTRY to a concert at All Saints’ ParishChurch in Staplehurst on Sat- urday, June 16, is free. The Companye of Singers cham-


TRAVELLERS have moved back onto a popular park in Larkfield for the second time in six months. The families - in five caravans -


ber choir, conducted by SueWight and with Malcolm Riley on organ will be performing choral, solo and organmusic in the church. There will be a retiring collection


pulled on to Gighill Green in Lunsford Lane on Sunday October ,, releasing dogs on the popular public open space and setting up washing lines within hours. It is un- derstood the fami- lies in- volv ed have been offering tree felling services to residents in the area. Parish council chairman David Thornewell says more has to be done to stop the travelling com- munity running circles around the police and local councils. He says the job ofmoving on trav- ellers for a second time will run into thousands of pounds The last inci- dent, in early summer, costing the parish council £1,200, with the trav-


Lorrycrashes


A LORRY and a car were involved in a crash in aMaidstone village. Kent Police attended the scene in


East Street, Hunton, shortly after 10amon Thursday,May 24. Therewere no injuries.


Fair proceeds THE May Fair in Headcorn raised £7,120 for the village school, beating the hoped-for £5,000 target. The money will be used to de- velop outd or learning opportuni- ties for pupils.


in aid of TheHeart of KentHospice and the church. Refreshments will be available


and the barwill open at 7pm, ahead of the 7.30pm start. For details call SueWight on 01622 844946 orMary Henley on 07967 975464.


Rural post office safe, but future is uncertain


ellers simply moving on to take up temporary residence elsewhere in the area. He said: “They just seem to be


THE future of Yalding PostOffice looks safe – but only in the short term. That’s according to Tim Chap-


doing the rounds. These incidents have affectedWest Malling, forcing the closure of the village hall, and Leybourne, and now they are back in Larkfield. The police told resi- dents that this was a civil trespass when they reported it and that they couldn’t do anything and obviously the council offices were closed be- cause it was the weekend. These travellers know and play the sys- tem.” The council’s legal team served an eviction notice but it took aweek to enforce. Cllr Thornewell held talks with Laddingford Engineering in an effort to increase security further on the public land, near the M20. Valdemar Kalinin (pictured), of


the National Gypsy-Traveller-Roma Council said recently that local councils must provide designated traveller sites or “tolerated zone” which gypsy convoys can move onto. He said: “It comes down to racial prejudice against this com- munity.”


man, who retired from the fire service to become the village post- master in 2011. He could not have imagined that


after 29 years battling blazes in London, he would be fire-fighting to keep the village store and post office going in Lees Road. AGovernment proposal towith-


drawvital subsidies supporting the network of rural post offices lays at the heart of the problem. Mr Chapman, whose post office


was named the country’s “Most Loved” in 2016, says: “We know the subsidy for the final 1,000 rural post offices struggling to survive is safe until next March and that might continue to 2021. “But in the meantime, the gov-


ernment keeps whittling away at thework of the post office bywith- drawing the public’s right to pay their tax bill at the post office. It is


‘Spooktacular’ at the farm Timand June Chapman


MAKE the most of the October half-term holiday at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park’s Halloween Spooktacular in Maidstone. Brave kids are invited to the vintage village to knock on doors and since at least 1900.”


discover who – or what – is lurking behind them from October 21-31. The 62-year-old father of


now trying to close down the Post Office CardAccount (POCA) so all pensions and benefits are paid into private bank accounts, but what will customers without bank ac-


downsmail.co.uk downsmail.co.uk


counts do exactly? These moves make the subsidy to somany rural post offices like mine an absolute life-line.” If the subsidy is withdrawn, Mr


Chapman is in no doubt that his businesswill fold. He told Downs Mail: “The shop


is the size of a bathroom. Other businesses in the area have been approached about putting the post office at their premises, but no one wants it because the Post Office keeps cuttingwages. “If I handmy lease back, the sort- ing office next door will also be moved to Parkwood, ending a situ- ation that has worked in harmony


The award-winning attraction at Sandling, near Maidstone, has a ew


other tricks up its sleeve to turn its usual exhibits into frightening farmhouses and horrifying homes. Youngsters can try pumpkin carving, dressing up and the Ugly Bug Ball. On October 25, there will be more spooky goings-on with Kent Life


5-6pm and, for older visitors, from 7-8pm. If you would like to know more about any of the above, call 01622 763936.


two,


After Dark, This event includes a spine-chilling tour suitable for under-eights from


who lives next door to the post of- fice, said he will be forced to find work elsewhere when the subsidy iswithdrawn. He said: “I’ve always been a


fighter, so I will find work else- where, but it is the people of the villagewhowill suffer.”


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     


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   Yes       


             


   


    


      


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· Award winning real ales 


        


         


             


           


· Friday 22nd June - Holmes and Watson: The Case of The Rhyming Crime - an evening performance with this fantastic duo - razor sharp exchange of words as their conversation becomes a spectacular display of rhyme & reason. Tickets only - contact us for details.


· Sunday 17th June - Dreamwheezers - 3pm, 4pm & 5pm - A great story told with live musical accompaniment and amazing sound effects by this unique handmade machine. No charge just come along - and it's Father's Day so treat Dad to an afternoon out to the pub.


           


 


Sunday 26th August – Charity Fun Day With Gobble 2pm, 3pm & 4pm. Join us around the stew-pot as stories of feast and family treats are told and tales become twisted with this great show from Belllow Theatre. Then tuck in and join in the fun. No charge just come along - fun for all the family!


        


       


01622 871266   


Unique Li mited Time Offer 2017


Unique Limited Time Offer 20% OFF


Ends 31st OctoberPlease see our website for


details of our regular events 01622 535115 www.chequersladdingford.co.uk


· Good quality home cooked pub classics including daily specials. Sunday roasts available until 8pm. Please see our website for details of our full menu · Large garden and children's play area


             


     


        


              





                             


                            


      


       


   





 


   


 


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     


    


        


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


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          


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  


   


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 





     


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 


   


  


    


     


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