downsmail.co.uk


Ticketing suspended in a car parkmystery


BOROUGHtraffic wardens have suspended enforcement activity in a Bearsted car park following fears they have been ticketing motorists on private land. The council is carrying out an ur-


gent investigation into who owns the sitenext totheYeomanpuband Bearsted Medical Practice after its officers slapped fines on vehicles because they thought the land be- longed to them. A council spokesman said: “The


ownership of Yeoman Lane Car Park continues to be investigated. MaidstoneBoroughCouncil ceased enforcementmeasures at the site as soon as ownership of the land was in question.” The confusioncame tolightwhen


borough councillorDenis Spooner, pictured, tried to track down those responsible for fellingsixtrees at the car park, but struggled to identify the owner throughMBC. The council’s property teamwas tight lipped over whether the au-


thority held title to the land, while parking services colleagues were adamant the sitewas theirs. Both Cllr Spooner and fellow


councillor Val Springett say they have since been told byMBC offi- cers that the car park is definitely not owned byMaidstone. “This has come as a revelation to


many of us,” Cllr Spooner told Bearsted ParishCouncil. “Not least toMBCparking serviceswhich has been policing the car park for


Easy Access Bathrooms


“Safe bathrooms at sensible prices”


many years and, whenever neces- sary, issuing parking tickets.” A land registry search revealed


the site had been under the owner- shipof a company calledGPGNo 1 Ltd,whichispartofapropertycom- pany thatworkswithGP practices. However, title to the land is subject to a pending application with the LandRegistry, so the owner’s iden- tity is not clear. Many onBearstedParishCouncil


believe the carparkis, infact,Maid- stone’s. The longer-serving council- lors recall the authority taking possession as part of a land swap withhealthchiefswhenthepractice was being built onMBC property. But that transactionmight not have beenloggedofficiallywiththeLand Registry. CllrSpooner said:“Ourmaincon-


cernis that the carparkcontinues to be freely available for short term, less thanthreehours,parking to the public – especially those using BearstedMedical Practice.”


News Charity total


TICKET sales for a concert by the Mixed Blessings choir have raised more than £1,800 for child protec- tion charity the NSPCC.A further £1,500was donated byWHandA Hawkins Charitable Trust. The event, hosted by Rev John


Corbyn of Holy Cross, featured songs and readings. Ann Baldock, NSPCC Mid and


North Kent chairman said the money “will really make a differ- ence to the lives of children who still need the help of the charity”.


Messy church


A MESSY church session will be held at the Thurnham Infant School from11amto 1pmon Feb- ruary 2. Organisers will be happy to take donations of cakes and bis- cuits for the service. Contact Nicola@holycrosschurch.co.uk.


School heroes


PUPILS have been giving Bred- hurst Primary School a makeover by converting a gazebo into a bat cave, a classroominto a castle and their reading area into aWWII air raid shelter in a topic linked with heroes and heroines.


Age UK Maidstone Cleaning & Domestic Services


Anti-slip shower trays Anti-slip flooring Raised-height toilets Bidet shower toilets Shower seats Grab and support rails Wall Panelling or tiling Thermostatic showers


We can offer as much or as little help as you need with day-to-day tasks:


 Cleaning  Laundry


£15 per hour Walk-in Showers Level-access Wetrooms Care-assisted Showers Walk-in Baths


We are a family owned business with over 20 years’ experience; designing, supplying and installing easy access bathrooms and wet-rooms


Whether you need a full or part conversion or you are not quite ready for a mobility bathroom but would like some advice on how to future proof your exisiting bathroom, we offer the complete service from start to finish


Please call us for the best advice


Call us to make a referral 01622 753618


It’s never too early to think about a Spring Clean!


 Shopping  Befriending


www.batheinsafety.co.uk 01622 962108 Charity No 1062723 Maidstone East February 2019 13


Zero VAT on mobility bathrooms


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48