News


downsmail.co.uk Top police award forAlison


FORMER Snodland resident and retired chief superintendent Alison Roden has been recognised in the NewYear’s Honours List.


The 50-year-old one-time Kent


Police officer (pictured) has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal,which is limited to a small number of law enforcers for dis- tinguished service or gallantry. A proclamation issued by the


CentralChancery of theOrders of Knighthood at St James’s Palace last month said: “The Queen has been graciously pleased to ap- prove the award of The Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service to…chief superintendent Alison Jane Roden, Kent Police.” Ch Supt Roden joined the force


in 1997 andwent on to become di- visional commander for north Kent and, later, head of tactical operations, making her the first female head of profession for


Proms return


to town park PROMS in the Parkwill return to the county town in 2019. Months after the event was


scrapped by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), a developer has stepped in with funding. The building company behind


the redevelopment of the Spring- field Park site, where 500 homes will be constructed near the Whatman Park venue,will stump up the cash. Attendances at Proms in the


Park fell in 2018, after the council decided to charge an admission fee. Maidstone Borough Council then decided that as priceswould have to be increased from £7 to £20 to make it break even, sup- port for the event would drop further. According to a report, the fund-


ing may help to subsidise the event for the next five years, but paid-for ticketing will remain in place.


Road closes A ROAD in West Malling has closed for up to 34 days to allow for gasmains replacementworks. Workmen moved into King


Street on January 2. The entire street has since been closed, with diversions via West Street and High Street. King Street is scheduled to re- open onMarch 4.


12 Malling January 2019


firearms in the county. Kent’s Chief Constable, Alan


Pughsley, described her as “the benchmark” for firearms leader-


ship and excellence, adding: “She also established herself as one of the safest pairs of hands in polic- ing when it came to dealing with critical incidents.” Ch Supt Rodenwas no stranger


to praise during her career. She received global plaudits and was branded an “inspiration to offi- cers throughout theworld”when shewon the InternationalAssoci- ation ofWomen in Policing’s offi- cer of the year award in 2009. She retired from Kent Police


last year. Mr Pughsley said the Queen’s


PoliceMedalwas a fitting reward for her service. “Alison, or Ali as she is known


by many, has had an exceptional career in policing,” he said. “Kent


Police and the people it serves have been lucky enough to have benefitted from her energy and passion. “She always went above and


beyondwhatwas expected of her rank and role, such as her work for equality and diversity, and she is still held in the very highest re- gard by her peers and chief offi- cers both in this force and in others.” He added: “I speak on behalf of


everyone associated with Kent Police when I say Ali thoroughly deserves this prestigious award as recognition and a thank you for all the hard work and unwaver- ing commitment she has shown in keeping the people of Kent safe.”


Fasterwork


A STREET in Kings Hill has been identified as having one of the best broadband speeds in the country. Redwell Grove came top in


a survey conducted by com- parison service uSwitch with anaveragedownloadspeedof 178 megabits per second, which means films can be downloaded in around a minute.


Artist tuition Youth club’s cash help


A NEWyouth club has been formed inWestMalling. LC Youth Club will meet at Leybourne Chase Community Centre and is aimed at children aged 10 to 14. The club runs every Friday evening, offering a varied programme of


activities, and gives young people inWestMalling a safe space to relax and socialise with friends. BonnieWhite, club leader, said: “I’mpassionate about providing ac-


tivities and opportunities for children and young people in the local area and that’s why I wanted to set up a new youth club. “We’ve been thrilledwith the success of the club since it launched and


we have welcomed around 17 children each week. “It’s brilliant to see young people enjoy socialising and the club is a


great space for young people to have fun in relaxed environment with their friends. I’m excited to see the club grow and hope to welcome moremembers in 2019.” A national building firmdonated £250 towards the club’s costs. To find out more about the new youth club, visit Leybourne Chase Community Facebook page or call 07549 240890.


MALLING Art Club is offer- ing £5 taster sessions for sketchers and painters. The club,whichwas formed


in 1978 and now has 65mem- bers,provides tuition,demon- strations and workshops. It meets on the last Thursday of eachmonthatOffhamVillage Hall, 7.45pmuntil 10pm. For more details go to www.mallingartclub.co.uk


Pet therapy


AYLESFORDandEcclesWI is holding a “Pets as Therapy” social evening. Andrea English (accompa-


nied by her dog Charlie) will givea talk at the Brassey Cen- tre inStationRoad,Aylesford. For more information on the localWI, please contact Ann- Marie on 01622 756960.


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