News


Art of healing MEDICAL staff from Maidstone have been learning how art can help heal the sick. More than 200 delegates, includ-


ing nurses, heard how the positive findings of a three-year projectwill help integrate arts into every day physical andmental healthcare and other long-termconditions. Delegates from seven countries


involved in TABLO (Training staff in the use ofArts for the Benefit of patients with Long-Term Condi- tions)were among those attending the event, hosted by Maidstone- based Kent and Medway Partner- ship Trust.


Houses appeal APPLICATIONS are open for peo- ple over 60 who would like to live in one of the almshouses in Linton. One of the five houses is to be


available shortly at an “attractive” rent. Single people or couples are invited to request an application for fromThe Clerk to the Trustees, Mrs K Cooper, Linton Park Almshouses, c/o Forge Cottage, LintonHill, Linton,ME17 4AW, by calling 01622 741494 or emailing cooperkathryn@btopenworld.com. The closing date for applicants is


July 27.


Fence sponsor HEADCORN Cricket Club are seeking sponsors to adorn its new fence. The club have installed a rabbit-


proof fence at their Lenham Road ground, and are planning to have advertising boards placed on it. Contact James Barker by email-


ing jamesbarkerlufc@gmail.comfor more information.


downsmail.co.uk


About turn helps keep water slide event alive


COMMUNITY spiritwon the day after some residentswho signed a petition against a charity water slide event changed theirminds to get the event back on. The annual event in Sutton Va-


lence on July 7 moved to a new lo- cation for 2018, with the 130-metre long slide to be put near South Lane. Kent County Council agreed the road closure, and an emergency plan had also been arranged. However, 36 residents signed a


petition against the event, under the mistaken belief that the road closure had not been approved. Organisers Queen’s Head Odd-


fellows (QHOF), which is also the group behind the village’s annual pram race and other fundraising events,were left devastated. “It was a real kick in the teeth,”


Lyndon Davies said. “As a group we do great things for the commu- nity, and then this happens. “We were told that we were the


cuckoo in the nest,whichmeanswe are an unwanted guest. “We reallywondered ifwe could


carry on with any of our charity events.” A letter was sent to residents in


which QHOF said it would not be arranging any further events after this year’s Summer Ball. But the letter kick-started a resur-


gence, and even some people who had signed the petition were soon regretting their decision. “We were inundated with sup-


port from people of all ages,” Mr Davies added. “We even had a cou-


in the form of sponsors Marley, helping to further increase the fundraising capacity of the day. A KCC spokesman said: “A Tem-


porary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) to close South Lane, across the junction of The Platt,was agreed by KCC on the understanding that all of the residents in The Plattwere in agreement with the arrange- ments. “We became aware that a number


of residents were not in agreement with the closure for the event,most of whom were directly affected by the road closure, South Lane in- cluded.Apetitionwith a significant number of signatures was received by us, and therefore the event could not be supported. “We later received a number of


Making a splash: the 130ft long water slide


ple of octogenarians get in touch, one ofwhominsisted thatwe take a £50 cheque towards ourwork in the community. “The road closure was reinstated


and luckily the operators of the slide hadn’t got another booking. “We are really thankful for the


supportwe have received.Wewon- dered if we weren’t wanted here any more, but some people have said theymade amistake in signing the petition in the first place. “One lady in particular wrote to


KCC and, to be honest, that was a great letter for us.” The event raised money for the AirAmbulance,with a further boost


inquiries from those who had signed the petition, saying they were unaware of the consequences and in fact did support the event going ahead.With this inmind, the TTRO was put back in place so the event could go ahead.” DownsMail approached the peti- tion organisers for comment.


New treasurer HUNTON Village Hall is on the lookout for a new treasurer. Mike Summersgill, who has


been in the role for several years, will be on hand to offer support. Anyone interested should call


David Heaton on 01622 820678 or Annette on 01622 820448.


MP challenges network providers over digital ‘not spots’


ACTION to improve the coverage of mobile networks in Headcorn has been demanded after a survey of villagers found 60% of O2 users still cannotmake a call outdoors. The poll of 600 people, organised by MP


Helen Whately, reveals not only poor con- nectivity, but inaccurate claims by the tele- coms regulatorOfcom,which says the village has “good mobile reception outdoors on all networks”. The survey, in fact, found thatmost people


cannot reliably access 3G or 4G data; only 10% of O2 users can get a connection to fast mobile data and that the best provision is via EE,with about half of its users able to access 4G. The High Street, Wheeler Street and Sta-


tion Road are mobile signal “not-spots” on EE and Three, even though Ofcom’s online checker indicates they have good coverage. On broadband, a third of people cannot re-


20 Maidstone Weald July 2018


Borough councillorMartin Round,MP Helen Whately and county councillor Shellina Prendergast in Headcorn


ceive the standard service of 10Mbps (megabits per second) download speed and 1Mbps upload speed. MrsWhately toldDownsMail: “When I’m


in Headcorn, I struggle to get messages and make calls, and I know I’mnot alone.


“The survey shows that reception is partic-


ularly bad on O2 and patchy on Vodafone. “The outskirts of the village are particu-


larly bad, and I know from my own experi- ence that it is almost impossible to make a call or send an email fromthe station – it’s a mobile ‘not-spot’.” She has now written to Ofcomasking it to


ensure its mobile tracker is accurate and to push for coverage improvements in the vil- lage. She is also asking mobile network providers, KCC and Digital Secretary Matt Hancock what will be done in Headcorn to meet the government target of standard broadband for all by 2022. Liz Chandnani runs the Krishna Restau-


rant in Headcorn High Street. She told DownsMail: “Staff and diners know the re- ception in the village is pretty bad with all the providers.Andwithmy broadband I pay BT extra for a better connection.”


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