News Golding post
CHRIS Cheeseman has been ap- pointed chairman of Golding Homes. He takes up the post with the
Kent-based housing association this month after more than 30 years in housing, moving from his current job as head of new business at Clar- ion Housing Group. He said: “I’m looking forward to
working with the Board to help shape the future direction of the or- ganisation.” Mr Cheeseman worked previ-
ously with specialist housing provider ikon Consultancy Ltd and spent 17 years at Moat Housing Group. He also worked previously for the Housing Corporation. He will work alongside Roger
Ford who retires as chairman in De- cember.
Julie’s new job
JULIE Wickens is Maidstone Lions new fund-raising chairman. She steps into the role as Malcolm
Luxton, a former president of the group, takes a well-earned rest after many years as a lead member of the group. He will, however, continue as an active member of the Lions. In July, Bryan Vizzardtakes over as
president.
downsmail.co.uk
Is tiny deer making a home in Maidstone?
THE small, secretivemuntjac deer is being reported in areas across theMaidstone borough. The animal once associated with
India and China have been spotted inMote Park, Leeds and Langley. The deer’s distinct screaming and
barking, which is sometimes mis- taken for foxes, are nowbeing heard at night in some areas of Maid- stone. Local naturalist Theo McCaus-
landreportedsightings inMotePark and anecdotal evidence fromacross the borough and the widerWeald, where heworks as a tree surgeon. He said: “Themuntjac is active all
day long but it will move into the open at night under the cover of darkness. “That is when people hear the
screaming, which some think is a fox, but it is, in fact, muntjac when alarmed. Unusual clicking sounds are also evidence of themuntjac. “They have been very successful
escapees since they were first brought here a hundred years ago
because of their ability to adapt to the relatively mild climates of cen- tral and southern Britain. “They also breed all year round
and have no rut,whichmakes them more likely to be successful in wild environmentsunfamiliar to their na- tive habitats. Itwas only amatter of time before they would get into Kent.” Themuntjac were imported from
China to Bedfordshire’s Woburn Abbey early in the last century but soon broke out from the estate and have spread slowly and gradually
across into small pockets in the south east. Deliberate releases elsewhere in
Northamptonshire and Warwick- shire caused a feral population to grow throughout central England and Wales, as well as parts of the south east, according to the British Deer Society. Leeds resident Monica Wratten
heard reliable reports of a muntjac being seen in the grounds of St Nicholas’ Church by an allotment holder. Downs Mail has anecdotal evidence of the tinydeer –whichare rarely bigger than a Labrador – being seen or heard near Sutton Va- lence,BoughtonMonchelsea andUl- combe. There are an estimated 40,000 in
Britain, increasing 10%cent yearly, according to one report. They are attracted to a habitat of coppiced trees and plenty of woodland cover. Have you seen or heard a munt- jac? Contact us at 01622 734735 or
simon.finlay@
downsmail.co.uk
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