Maidstone East Edition Maidstone North Edition


October 2017 February 2019 Panto ahoy! A time of change for our GPs


BIG changes are taking place in GP surgeries across Maidstone – and patientsmay see a GP less often. At a time of increasing population pressure, Kent is


seriously short ofGPs (12%)andpracticenurses (30%), leading to surgerymergers and “smarterworking”. More specialistsarehelpingGPs,andreceptionistsare


being trained to ask patients for more information so that they can be directed to help. Early evening, Saturday and Sunday morning ap-


THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid- stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto. On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Ste- fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza- beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Bor- zone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from


pointments with GPs and surgeries are now taking off and are proving popularwith patients and doctors. Maidstone area is now well-positioned for a new


South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tick- ets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.


Husband is charged withwife’s murder


A MAN accused of murdering his teenage wife on Christmas Day has appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.


CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country road have been made by the local borough councillor.


Maidstone, has been remanded in custody and a provisional trial datewas set for June 3. TheAfghan nationalwas due to


appear again before the crown court on January 18, as Downs Mail went to press. He was ex- pected to enter a plea on that date. Mrs Quriashi was found dead


at the marital home, a £1,000-a- month rented apartment at Ken- tish Court, off the London Road, allegedly fromstabwounds. Mr Qoraishi appeared at Med-


Burberry Lane, near Leeds and Broomfield, has been targeted by waste dumpers for years, but in re- cent months, the problem has be- come more acute. Constructionwaste, rubble, hard


MohammedQoraishi (27), from


core, windows and household fur- niture is left illegally – often strewn in the middle of the road. Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month


we are having toilets, sinks and construction waste dumped in the village, specifically in Burberry Lane, where we are now thinking of installing cameras on private land, to oversee the problem area.” A recent event in Burberry Lane


saw a caravan burned out while a torched car remains on a footpath


way Magistrates’ Court by video link from HMP Emley on Friday, December 28, following a charge for themurder of hiswife.He ap- peared at the crown court the fol- lowingMonday. A Kent Police statement said:


“Kent Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service at- tended a property in London Road,Maidstone, following a call at 1.18pmon Tuesday, December 25, where 19-year old Parwin Quriashi was found with signifi- cant injuries and confirmed dead


nearby, more than a year after it was dumped and set on fire. The church car park has also seen


many instances of illegal dumping. But it is a problem in many rural


areas including Langley, Otham and Kingswood. Water Lane in Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have also been targeted recently. Last year, Maidstone Borough Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- ping and this year more than 163 have been recorded since April. The approaching darker evenings will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-


tive by the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency to clamp down on


at the scene. Mr Qoraishi was ar- rested later the same day. “Detectives from the Kent and


Essex Serious Crime Directorate, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, charged Mr Qoraishi on Thurs- day, December 27.” Mrs Quriashi is understood to


unlicensed waste carriers, but be- lieves the cost to small firms of dis- posing of construction waste at a transfer station is proving a deter- rent that is costing councils more. Cllr Fort made her remarks as


one of the borough’s closest trans- fer stations at North Farm, Tun- bridge Wells, announced it will be closed for 10weeks. She added: “If you go along the


have been a former pupil at Maplesden Noakes and was re- membered by a neighbour as a “lovely-looking young woman who was very polite”. A school spokesman said: “Par-


01622 690290 YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT


win was a lovely, engaging and intelligent student who was look- ing forward to an exciting future. The staff who taught and sup- ported her are extremely upset. Our hearts go out to her family “Parwin will always be remem-


maidstone@martinco.com 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent


line of increasing fines, they have to be enforced. A reduction in the charge or offering it free may have the desired similar effect.” Athree-monthly litter pick on the mile-long stretch of road through Leeds village produces an average 32 black sacks of rubbish.


Cllr Fort, who also serves as a


bered by everyone who came into contact with her at the school and we are struggling to comprehend the news.”


parish councillor, says teaching children about social responsibility and the issue of litter in schools will help take the issue off the streets. She believes with every household receiving a weekly refuse collection service, there is no excuse for litter being thrown from vehicles or dumped in the road.


visit www.amiga.co.uk or call 08000 199622 visit www.amiga.co.uk or call 08000 199622


Home Alarms supplied and fitted Home Alarms supplied and fitted


CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping


major care hub (reducing pressures on hospitals) and a site is being identified. See full details on page 33


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


FREE No. 246


News downsmail.co.uk


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


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Kate, 107, dies News


Panto is a big success PANTO Aladdin at the Hazlitt Theatre has turned out to be its most successful.


KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son David has disclosed.


Cricket in recovery Plans for Dr Nigel


HELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.


Schools concerns MP’s Local Plan bid 3


5 4


MOTE Cricket Club is looking to bounce back after a disastrous season in 2018 with three relegations.


PLANS for schools near the M20 have been submitted to the council with locals concerned about access. 8


Jason Donovan date


THE former Neighbours star brings his show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.


Homeless service


A MEMORIAL service was held for those who have died on Maidstone’s streets. 20


Obituaries Obituaries 36


ASH dieback has been discovered in Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stall- holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed for Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allow buses through Imperial Park; rub- bish bins in the sports field in Kingswoodare to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.


THE Loose community warden Liz Lovatt may get assistance from the church in her work with vulnerable people; a parish coun- cillor at Tovil reported instances of drug dealing in Wharf Road and urged for preventative ac- tion to be taken; the issue of in- considerate parking at the beginning and end of the school day was raised with members at Loose.


Parish Councils 38 32


Parish Councils 34-35


A HOUSE was broken into at Allington and jewellery was stolen; a large set of aluminium steps were taken from outside a garage in Snowdon Avenue; a van was stolen from a residential car park in Peel Street; a house was burgled and valuables stolen in Shepway; a moped was stolen in Brishing Lane.


18


THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet will walk the Grand Canyon for charity. 12


6


Crime Reports 38 Crime Reports 35


VEHICLES have been driven over farmland in Lenham, causing damge to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were stolen from an allotment in Lenham.


Comment 46-47 Comment 46-47


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