search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
News News


Anotherincursion at Larkfield park


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


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-


Five arrested including three


after ram raid FIVE people,


teenage boys, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary after this van was used to ram the shutters of a business near Maidstone. Kent Police were called just after


9pm on Wednesday, July 11, after a Ford Transit hit the front of a store in Wood Close, Quarry Wood. After a police chase, the van was


brought to a standstill near junction three of the M20. A police statement said: “It is al-


leged a number of power tools were stolen from the property. “Minutes later, officers identified


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-


a suspicious vehicle and followed it towards the M20. Following a pur- suit it was brought to a controlled stop close to junction three. "Three teenage boys, along with


two men aged 24 and 19, were ar- rested and remain in custody.”


Muntjac sighting backs theory of a Kent colony


THIS is a female muntjac spotted in a back garden in Barming – fu- elling speculation that a breeding population of the tiny deer has nowestablished. This fully grown adult had be-


come trapped in a garden, eventu- ally scaling a fence to escape. It was seen by a 65-year-old local


man, who asked not to be named. He said: “I knewwhat itwas imme- diately I sawit – a little fully grown female muntjac. It was running round the garden and was agitated because it couldn’t escape. “Somehow, this little thing man-


aged to clamber over the fence, which itwasn’t able to do easily. “I think that, given the other sight-


ings in the area, theremaywell be a breeding population in Kent now.” It backs up anecdotal sightings in


Mote Park, Leeds and theWeald. The distress calls of themuntjac –


whichpeople sometimesmistake for a fox screeching at night – have also been heard in SuttonValence, Leeds and Langley.


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


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.”


Reader Kate Altieri said that she


saw a muntjac about a year ago in woods at Barming. In a previous edition of Downs


Mail, we revealed sightings across theMaidstone borough andbeyond into the Weald. Yalding resident Tom Milton said he saw a muntjac near his home in early July. The secretive deer, no bigger than


‘Spooktacular’ at the farm


a familydogwhen fully grown,was imported for show at Woburn Abbey in the early 20th century. Escapees and deliberate releases


in other parts of the country have led to an estimated population of 40,000, according to one report.


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


Cuckoo calls


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


downsmail.co.uk downsmail.co.uk


Naturalist Theo McCausland, of


Langley, said: “Themuntjac is active all day long but itwillmove into the open at night. “That is when people sometimes


hear the screaming, which some think is a fox, but it is, in fact,munt- jacwhen alarmed. “They have been very successful


escapees since they were first brought here 100 years ago, because of their ability to adapt to the mild climate of central and southern Britain. “They also breed all year round,


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


whichmakes themmore likely to be successful.” See letters, pages 46-47


discover who – or what – is lurking behind them from October 21-31. The award-winning attraction at Sandling, near Maidstone, has a few


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


MANY thanks to the dozens of read- ers who rang, wrote and emailed to say they had heard cuckoos this spring. A previous edition of Downs Mail reported how wildlife conserva- tion bodies are concerned about the decline of the summer visitor.


WINDOWS & DOORS REQUIRING T.L.C? DON’T REPLACE THEM MAINTAIN THEM!


MAINTAINING YOUR EXISTING WINDOWS & DOORS IS CONSIDERABLY MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN REPLACING. UPGRADING TO ENERGY EFFICIENT BFRC A & B RATED GLASS WILL HELP SAVE YOU MONEY ON BILLS.


Fairdeal are local specialists in the repair, upgrade and maintenance of double glazed windows and doors.


We repair PVCu, Aluminium & Timber


 





Fogged double glazed glass units - replaced with energy rated glass


Handles & mechanisms repaired & replaced


Window and door hinges and stays


 Leak and draught repairs “


Celebrating over 25 years of continuous trading


We were pleased with the work Fairdeal Windows previously carried out on our porch, so we went back to them for windows. We are very pleased with the windows and the installers. We couldn't fault the work they carried out plus they left everything clean and tidy. Thanks to all the staff too.


We supply & install windows, doors & conservatories including UPVC fascias, soffits & guttering


” Call 01622 902005


FOR FAST FRIENDLY QUOTES & ADVICE www.fairdealwindows.co.uk


Find us at: Unit K, Orchard Business Centre, 20/20 Industrial Estate, Aylesford, Kent ME16 0JZ


Follow us on


6 10 Malling October 2017 Maidstone August 2018 Mr H. - Snodland


 


Local Authority Approved NO Call out charge with Free Quotations & Advice


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48