News


downsmail.co.uk Tory’s pledge over relief road


A CONSERVATIVE is prepared to stand as an independent next year over a policy disagreement about the Leeds-Langley relief road. While Paul Wooding (59), a for-


mer Ukip member, remains in the hat to secure a berth in one of the 18 wards, he concedes his more ambitious transport ideas are at oddswith fellowTories. Royal Mail driver Mr Wooding,


who failed to beat popular Liberal DemocratDerekMortimer in South ward in May, claims to have been wooed by Labour, Lib Dems and the Green Party to join their ranks. But the former soldier says his


loyalties liewith theConservatives. Mr Wooding is not convinced a


Leeds-Langley bypass will work on its own, but sees a four-phase ring road as the answer to Maid- stone’s traffic problems. He warned: “I am not going to


GPs to offer ‘social’ help


PATIENTS at five GP practices in west Kentwill soon be able to ben- efit from help with social, emo- tional or practical needs. Launched in the autumn, Involve


Connect forWellbeingwill have ad- visers to help patients to get in- volved in community activities, volunteering, or accessing commu- nity services. It is hoped itwill boost theirmen-


tal health aswell as support themin making friends ormeeting people. Dr Bob Bowes, clinical chair for


NHS West Kent CCG, said: “Prac- tice staff will be able to use ‘social prescribing’ to help people improve their health andwellbeing. “For instance, some people can


feel low because they are isolated. Involve Connect for Wellbeing would mean we can link them up to a voluntary service or social club. “This early help helps people to


do things they enjoy, and puts them in control. It can mean their health and wellbeing improves, reducing their need forNHS services.” UK studies show20%of patients


consult their GPs for social prob- lems orwelfare advice andwithout support, negative consequences can build up, such as depression, anxi- ety and social isolation. Involve Kent chief executive


Charlotte Osborn-Forde said: “We are delighted with this funding which will enable us to recruit and train Involve Coordinators, who will be based in specific GP prac- tices.”


6 Maidstone September 2018


sell my soul in order to climb the political ladder – I won’t compro- mise on that. It’smy red line. “And if thatmeansmy not being


selected, then so be it.” Mr Wooding was prepared to


discuss his candidature further if the party saw the relief road as “phase one” of a bigger transport strategy. One Tory colleague told Downs


Mail: “I find Paul a pretty antago- nistic kind of individual, who sees things verymuch his ownway. “He’s probably got a point about


the ring road, but a relief road is more achievable if the Tories can get control of the borough council. The Lib Dems want ‘modal shift’ where people ride bikes, walk or


catch a bus, but cannot see it is to- tally inadequate.” Lib Dem council leader Martin


Cox has admitted to this newspa- per that he is not 100% certain modal shift can work, despite it being the cornerstone of its traffic mitigation against traffic created by 17,600 newhouses. The Tories are numerically supe-


rior in the chamber than any other party, but the Lib Dems were able to stitch together a coalition with the Labour Party and various inde- pendents. The Tories feel they can hold


their seats nextMay andwill target at least eight, mostly Lib Dem, wards.


Man beaten up by teenage gang


A MAN has suffered severe facial injuries after a beating in the centre ofMaidstone by teenage boys. Kent Police said the victim re-


ported being attacked on Friday, July 27, after approaching a group of people suspected of firing a cat- apult at properties in the Blythe Road area. The incident happened at about


7.20pm, at the junctionwith Square Hill Road. Two of the group are said to have repeatedly punched and kicked the victimin the face. A statement said: “One of the


suspects is described as being a teenage boy. He was white, of


stocky build and about 5ft 8ins tall. He wore a red T-shirt and dark coloured shorts and trainers. He was also said to be in possession of a catapult. “The second suspect was of a


similar age and about 5ft 6ins tall, with long blond slicked-back hair. Hewaswearing a black T-shirt and blue shorts with a black stripe down the side. “Two other boys in the group are


aged between 10 and 12, but were not involved in the alleged assault. “As part of the ongoing investi-


gation, officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and are


continuing to review any possible CCTV opportunities. “They are also urging anyone


who may have witnessed the inci- dent to come forward. Police would particularly like to speak to a passer-by who is said to have helped the victim by stopping her car and allowing him to get in, be- fore driving himto safety.” Anyone with information is


asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100,


quoting reference


YY/026771/18. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anony- mously on 0800 555 111.


Gun alert atM20 services Cinema club


ARMED police descended on the junction 8M20 service station atMaid- stone after a “gun” was drawn by a lorry driver during a fight. The HGV driver was


later arrested on theM25 at the Cobham services, where an imitation firearmwas found. A Kent Police state-


ment said: “Kent Police was called at 12.53am on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, to reports of an as- sault atM20 services, off junction eight. It was al- leged the suspect was in possession of a weapon. “Officers attended and subsequent enquiries led to the suspect’s vehi-


cle being located at CobhamServices on the A2, London-bound. “An imitation firearmwas located within the vehicle and a 38-year-old man was arrested. He remains in custody.”


THEMaidstone FilmSociety's 70th season starts again in September. The non-profit making club has


300members and shows 12 films at the Hazlitt Theatre through the run,which ends inApril. The films are shown at 8pmonMondays. If youwould like to join or know


more, contact Francois-Yves Belver on 01622 746078 or go to w w w . m a i d s t o n e - f i l m - society.org.uk


Memory cafe THE first dementia “memorymat- ters” cafe is being held byAge UK Maidstone at Starbucks in King Street. Offering a friendly and informal


space, it will take place every sec- ond Friday of the month, from 10amuntil noon.


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