News


downsmail.co.uk New head of wildlife trust


AFTER 20 years of service John Bennett, chief executive of KentWildlife Trust, has announced his retirement in the same year as the trust’s 60th anniversary.


Mr Bennett, who was born in


Medway, has spent the last 20 years being instrumental in the success andgrowth of the trust, helping it to become one of the UK’s best sup- ported regionalwildlife charities. In those 20 years, he hasmanaged


to triple the number of members who are now part of the trust, cur- rently with 31,000 people. He has also managed over 60 nature re- serves, while almost doubling the amount of land that the trust di- rectly oversees, growing from4,800 acres tomore than 8,300. His work has also led to a strong


relationship with the farming com- munity, marine conservation work, effectively opposing harmful devel- opments while also securing vital funds for major conservation proj- ects. Chairman of the Kent Wildlife


Trust, Mike Bax, said: “Thanks to John’s astute and visionary leader- ship, the trust has become the force in wildlife conservation that it is today, despite the huge pressures


John Bennett, left hands the role of chief executive to Evan Bowen-Jones


from development that the county faces. “We are indebted to him for his


role in preserving Kent’s biodiver- sity in theGarden of England.” Looking back at his 20 years of


service,Mr Bennett said: “I am im- mensely privileged and proud to have played a leading role in the welfare ofwildlife in thiswonderful


county. “I have been supported by the


many caringmembers – andfriends – who give the trust its special warmth, and by dedicated trustees, through sometimes challenging times; never more challenging than now. “Our proven track record speaks volumes, and the trust has built a


uniquely skilled and hugely com- mitted staff team, supported by a large, staunch and equally driven body of volunteers, all well equipped to address themany pres- sures ourwild spaces face.” Hewill be succeded in the role of


chief executive by Evan Bowen- Jones, who formerly held the same title at the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. He has strong Kent connec- tions, as well as nearly 25 years of varied conservation experience be- hind him, aswell as a degree in zo- ology and a Masters degree in entomology. Mr Bowen-Jones said: “I am de-


lighted to have been offered the job of chief executive at Kent Wildlife Trust, and returning to the county where Iwas brought up. “I amrelishing the prospect of ex-


ploring the trust’s fantasticdiversity ofwildlife reserves. I feel very posi- tive about the opportunities for the trust in the years ahead, which will be a critical time for conservation in theUK and in the county.”


Frothy fun is Pet rabbits left


to die in a box THE RSPCA is appealing for infor- mationafter tworabbitswereaban- doned in the heat in a cardboard box nearMaidstone. The grey and brown pets were


foundby someonewalkingtheir chil- dren to school onMonday, June 25. The RSPCA says themale rabbits


were abandoned in Cross Keys, Bearsted, in a plain cardboard box without food,water or bedding. Animal Welfare Officer Lynn


White, said: “Thankfully they are doing ok but this could have been a different story if a member of the public hadn’t spotted the box move.” The RSPCA dealt with 874 com-


plaints about abandoned rabbits last year, and rescued more than 2,000. If you recognise the rabbits, or have information that may help the RSPCAfind the owner, call 0300 123 8018.


24 Maidstone East August 2018


guaranteed for families at Demelza


Hospice Care’s Bubble Rush


event atMote Park,


Maidstone Bubble run fun for families


TheDEMELZAHospiceCare for Children is hosting a Bubble Rush in Mote Park, Maidstone, on Sunday,August 12. This “incredi-bubble” day is


planned to raise money for the charity. The Hospice is encouraging


everyone to sign up for a day of frothy fabulous fun, running through bubbles. Anyone can take part in the


event, that will see children and adults go twice around a 2.5 km route, through 4ft high walls of bubbles, while looking out for different colours on the way.


All bubblers will go home


with a Bubble Rush T-shirt, a medal and goodie bag. This will be Demelza’s third


Bubble Rush event so far this year. Hundreds of families took part at the Bubble Rushs in Brighton and south east London. All money raised at the event


will help Demelza to support more than 750 childrenwith seri- ous and terminal conditions in Kent, south east London and East Sussex. For adults the price is £20 and


for children aged 15 and under it is £10.Under threes can take part


free, although pushchairs will need rain covers. A family ticket is £60 for two


adults and up to three children. The event starts at 11am, fol-


lowing a fun and livelywarm-up exercise. Register on the day or go to


www.demelza.org.uk/support- us/chal lenges-and-events/ detail/bubble-rush-kent-2018. For more details about


Demelza, go to their website at www.demelza.org.uk, follow the charity onFacebookatwww.face- book.com/demelzahospice @demelzahospice on Twitter.


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