News Heritage date


VILLAGERSwill be able to celebrate 1,230 years of the church in Trot- tiscliffe at a heritageweekend. The event is being held at the


church on theweekendof June 29 to July 1, with a history talk and tour on the Friday night, priced at £5 per person, and floral displays on the Saturday. Refreshments andmusicwill also


be available after the patronal fam- ily service on the Sunday.


Bard at castle


THE HEART of Kent Hospice will benefit fromtwo open-air perform- ances atAllington Castle in July. The Changeling Theatre will put


on Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at 2pm and Shakespeare’s Measure forMeasure at 7.30pmon Saturday, July 21. Tickets are £40 per performance


for adults and£10 for children, from www.hokh.org. Cash ticketswill also be available


on the door. Village show


DITTON’s annual village showwill be held on Saturday July 28. Programmes for the event in the


Community Centre are available fromthe parish office.


downsmail.co.uk


Mum’s charity run to remember her father


A SNODLAND mum is planning to honour what would have been her dad’s 60th birthday with a se- ries of fundraising events. Nicola Thomas, a 34-year-old


legal secretary, has already com- pleted theHarvel 5 – a five-mile run in early June – and is signed up for the 5k Colour Run in Tonbridge on July 1. Her dad Dave would have been


60 this year, but he died at the age of 55, having suffered with Type 1 diabetes, so themumof two is rais- ingmoney forDiabetesUK. “MyDadwas diagnosed just after


I was born,” she explained. “As a young child, I remember him hav- ing it andwas taught howto notice when hewas having a ‘low’. “Later on, he developed cataracts


and some of his toes were ampu- tated after he burned them, because the condition meant he could no longer feel them. “In his memory I want to do


everything I can to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes and raise money forDiabetesUK.” Nicola is being cheered on


Hospice shops ‘not opponents’


THE opening of a second hospice shop in West Malling has been called into question. TheHospice in theWeald at Pem-


bury opened its 27th shop in the town amonth ago. However, not everyone is happy


about the competition, as TheHeart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford al- ready has a store in theHigh Street. Min Stacpoole, from Norman


Road, said: “I knowfromexperience that both hospices providewonder- ful care. But it is sad to see competi- tion between these two institutions. “The new shop will be a blow to


fundraising for the Heart of Kent Hospice at a difficult time.” Rob Woolley, chief executive of


TheHospice in theWeald, says, like others, its retail division is a vital part of its fund-raising operation. He said: “We do not see stores as


having catchment areas, in the same way that patients can be referred from anywhere if they wish to re- ceive care fromus.” Like other end-of-life hospitals, The Hospice in the Weald, which


14 Malling June 2018


has 15 beds andprovidesHospice in the Home to another 810 patients, receives less than 10%of its running costs fromtheGovernment. “Given how little we receive, it is


easy to seewhy stores play a signif- icant part in allowing us to provide patient choice and services.We do not want these stores regarded as being in competition.” The Heart of Kent Hospice also


has stores in Tunbridge Wells and Southborough. Elizabeth Palfreman, from the


country’s hospice andpalliative care charity Hospice UK, described the economic environment as challeng- ing, with charitable hospices forced to raise the bulk of their funding fromthe local communities through shops and fundraising. She added: “Theydo receive some


statutory funding, although this varies across the UK and for many, funding at a local level has been frozen or cut. “It is vital that the public contin-


ues to support hospices so that pa- tients can get the care they need.”


Spitfire takes off for summer


THE Spitfire pub at KingsHill has re-opened for the summer after a £1mil- lion facelift. Over the last twomonths, the pub’s ground floor has been divided into


three areas arranged around a central bar. A new restaurant, new décor, another function roomon the first floor, a kitchen refit, and a newmenu complete the refurbishment. Outside, a newawning covers an al-fresco dining area at the front of the


pub, while a covered dining terrace has been built in the garden. Shepherd Neame’s Nigel Bunting said: “This yearmarks the 100th an-


niversary of the RAF, so we seemto have chosen a fitting time to reinvig- orate The Spitfire.We are very proud of the pub’s distinctive,modern new look, andwe are confident that, following our investment in the site, itwill go fromstrength to strength.”


Thieves take MorrisMinor


THIEVES have stolen a vintage MorrisMinor van in Staplehurst. Kent Police said the distinctive


green car, with a registration start- ing GLK8 had been left near Sta- plehurst railway station and is reported to have been stolen on May 16. Police are appealing to anyone


who may have seen the vehicle to come forward. Anyone with infor- mation is asked to call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting ref- erence 17-0207, email west.divi- sion.media.appeals@kent.pnn.polic e.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


Nicola Thomas with dad Dave, who has inspired her fundraising


through her many challenges by sons Oliver (7) and Matthew (5), with the older one set to join her at the Colour Run. She added: “We’ve got a lot


planned this year and Oliver is ex- cited to be getting involved. “He’s really into running at the


moment and is super excited about getting paint thrown at him! “I’meven thinking of planning an


outdoor cinema fundraiser at my house in the summer if theweather plays ball.” People with Type 1 diabetes are


unable to produce insulin. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to dowith being overweight and it isn’t preventable. It’s themost common type of diabetes in chil- dren and young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated with daily insulin doses – taken ei- ther by injections or via an insulin pump. Lauren Baker, regional fundraiser


forDiabetesUKinKent, said: “Our workwouldn’t be possiblewithout the determination and generosity of our incredible fundraisers. “We are extremely grateful to


Nicola for her hard work over the past few years. The money she’s raising will help fund ground- breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those livingwith diabetes.”


downsmail.co.uk


Police officers honoured for rescuing crash victim


TWOMaidstone police officerswho rescued awoman froma crashed car inMaidstone have been honoured.


Sgt Michael Newman and Tem-


porary Sgt ChristopherWard were first on the scene at an incident in the early hours ofDecember 2, 2017, where they found a woman in her 20s unconscious and trapped in a Peugeot on the A249 Sittingbourne Road. Despite the risk to their own


safety, theymanaged to hold the ve- hicle up and pull the woman clear, and although shewas taken to hos- pital with life-threatening injuries, she has gone on to make a full re- covery. They were among 17 Kent Police


officers to receive awards at a Divi- sional Commander’s Awards cere- mony in Tonbridge onMay 16,with the pair being recognised for their “outstanding dedication and com- mitment to Kent Police”. Also receiving an award was DC


Rebecca Taft, who dealt with the harrowing case of a young child in Maidstonewho had been neglected and abused by his parents, DC Taft helping to ensure therewas enough evidence to prosecute Jodie Simp- son and Tony Smith,whowere both sentenced to 10 years in prison. Divisional Commander, Chief


News


Top award for detective


THE detectivewho helped track a group responsible for trafficking and prostitution of women in Maidstone has received a top po- lice award. DC Dave Godden was one of


more than 30 officers from Kent and Essex serious crime squad to be honoured. He was involved in solving a


case of organised crime involving people trafficking and prostitu- tion in the town and in nearby Chatham. Two men were jailed for a total


of eight years, with the sentenc- ing judge commending Godden for his “diligence, efficiency and high standard of performance in his role as investigating officer”. The awards ceremony was held


at North Kent Police Station in Northfleet on May 24 and was hosted by Assistant Chief Con- stable Nick Downing and at- tended by Kent Chief Constable Alan Pughsley. ACC Downing said: “It takes a


SgtMichael Newman, Sgt ChristopherWard and DC Rebecca Taft


Supt JuliaChapman said: “Kent Po- lice officers are called to difficult and potentially dangerous situa- tions every day. They regularly put themselves in harm’sway to protect members of the public, which is why it is right they receive the recognition they deserve. “I am incredibly proud to lead


such a dedicated team. Peoplemay say they are just doing their jobs and that iswhat they are paid to do, but like anyone else police officers still have to dealwith the day to day pressures of normal life, balancing spending time with their families with protecting vulnerable people in the community.”


special kind of person to be able to investigate serious crimes, which are often complex in na- ture and highly emotive for those affected. “Fortunately, we have such tal-


ented people to call on and I am constantly impressed by their work ethic, professionalism and dedication to secure positive out- comes for the communities they serve.”


Warning of rogue traders


KENT POLICE have issued a warning to residents after three reports of rogue traders in the same day in the Maidstone and Malling area. All three incidents occurred on


Wednesday,May 23, and one res- ident – a man in his 80s – paid a quantity of cash to twomen who called at his front door. DSI JonArmory, fromKent Po-


lice, said: “Residents should be alert if a tradesperson visitswith- out an appointment and suggests that work needs to be completed on their house. “In some cases, occupants are


overcharged for minor repairs and then intimidated when they question the cost. “Anybody who is pestered by


unwanted cold callers should ad- vise them that contact will be made with Trading Standards and, if necessary, the police.”


The first incident happened at


about midday in Sheal’s Cres- cent, Maidstone, when two men visited theman in his 80s and of- fered to fix the roof. After he paid them the cash,


they left in a white Transit van saying they were going to get some tools, but they failed to re- turn and complete the work. One of the men is described as


being white, between 25 and 30, 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build and with fair hair and wearing an or- ange T-shirt. The other was aged about 50,


5ft 6in, of slight build, with tanned skin and was wearing a navy blue top. About three and a half hours


later, a woman living in Milton Lane, West Malling, was ap- proached by a man who said he had been called by the landlord to fix a leak. The homeowner


watched him check a bathroom before leaving, but it later tran- spired that the landlord had not arranged the visit. This man was described as


being in his 60s and 6ft tall and was driving a light blue van. The third incident occurred at


3.45pm in Hurricane Road, West Malling, where two men ap- proached a pensioner and of- fered to cut some trees. The fee quoted increased significantly and then the men offered to fix some guttering. The resident de- clined and no money was paid. These men are described as


white and of stocky build. Anyone with information on


the incidents described above is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting 23-242 Alternatively they can contact


the Kent Crimestoppers charity, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Mallling June 2018 15


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