News Arts fair total


THE Headcorn Village Hall arts and crafts fair raised more than £900. Headcorn Ukulele Group per-


formed some lively entertain- ment, while Headcorn Scout Group provided refreshments. Aspokesman for the event said:


“Wewould like to thank everyone who attended ourArts andCrafts Fair on November 3.”


Market days


YALDING Farmers’ Market will be pitching up on Saturdays, in the High Street. Next dates are January 19 and February 16.


Councilmeets


WEST Farleigh Parish Council has invited residents to its first meeting of the year at The Good Intent on TheGreen, at 7.30pmon Monday, January 21.


First aid news


FIRST aiders in Staplehurst now have two defibrillators to turn to in an emergency – one is at Poppy’s Day Nursery in Head- corn Road and the other is at the library in The Parade.


downsmail.co.uk


Web designerAndrew is a Freeman of London


MAIDSTONE’S Andrew Dicker has joined Horatio Nelson, Flo- rence Nightingale, JK Rowling andMichael Caine as a Freeman of the City of London. The ancient honour, that would


have once allowed him to drive sheep across London Bridge toll- free, was bestowed at a ceremony in the City’sGuildhall lastmonth. Today, the title is largely cere-


monial, but in 1237 when the first Freeman was created, the holder was “someone who was not the property of a feudal lord but en- joyedprivileges such as the right to earnmoney and own land”. Andrew (37), said: “Basically, it


means I’mno longer a peasant.” He was singled out for the hon-


our by Sheriff of London Timothy Hailes after his graphic design agency, GEO Media, overhauled the alderman’swebsite. Andrew, who lives in Barming,


2727 legacy ad sept 2017_Layout 1 12/09/2017 13:17 Page 1


said: “I was at the autumn recep- tion of one of our clients, London Air Ambulance, in 2017 and I got


talking with Tim. He asked me to take a look at his website, but I never expected to end upwith the Freedomof the City of London.” Andrew and the GEO Media


team (pictured) went to the cere- mony at the Chamberlain’s Court atGuildhall, onDecember 7. As part of the age-old proceed-


ings, hewas askedto swear: “Iwill know no gatherings nor conspira- cies made against the Queen’s peace, but I will warn the mayor thereof, or hinder it tomy power”. He was handed a parchment


copy of the FreedomandtheRules for theConduct ofLife,whichdate


Andrew Dicker (second left) and the GEO Media team with the award


fromthemid-18th century. A spokesman for the Corpora-


tion of London said: “Today,most of the practical reasons for obtain- ing the Freedom of the City have disappeared. It nevertheless re- mains a unique part of London’s history towhichmanypeoplewho have lived or worked in the City have been proud to be admitted.” Andrew’s work in the Square


Mile features as one of his most memorable assignments, but he stressed: “It was a team effort – even though it’s my name on the parchment, the honour belongs to theGEOMedia team.”


Remember Someone Special


A gift in memory can be a unique way to remember the life of someone important to you. Many people choose to honour the memory of a loved one, by raising donations in their name and there are many ways you can do that with Demelza Hospice Care for Children.


10 Maidstone Weald January 2019


For a free in memory information booklet, please contact Lisa Clark on 01795 845275 or email lisa.clark@demelza.org.uk


www.demelza.org.uk Registered Charity Number 1039651


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