News


Clerk investigates parking problems


HEADCORN parish clerk Caro- lineCarmichael got somany com- plaints about illegal parking, she went on amission to investigate. For two mornings, she shad-


owed civil enforcement officers on patrol in the village. Despite “not friendly” handges-


tures,derisory carhooting andmo- toristsplaying cat-and-mousewith thewardens, she toldDownsMail the exercise had been valuable. “You could see drivers moving


their cars when we approached, only to put themback againwhen they thought we had gone,” she said. “For a long time, the council thought the only answer to park- ing issues was to have more en- forcement officers for longer. But, unless they’re here for 24 hours, somemotoristswill take a chance.” The village struggles with peo-


ple double parking, stopping on yellow lines and trying to avoid paying for designated car parks. Last year, following discussions


with Maidstone Borough Council and APCOA Parking UK, the parish secured extra enforcement patrols. The parish says it result in “amarked increase in the number of civil enforcement notices issued in the first twomonths”. However, figures are nowdrop-


ping off,partly, theparish believes, because officersdo notpatrol at set times, arriving unannounced in- stead. This may be wrong-footing some drivers. The councilmaintains thatHigh


Street parking should be kept for shoppers and tourists. It has urged traders not to take spaces that could be used by customers. Caroline said the civil enforce-


ment officerswouldrather educate motorists than ticket them. They do not get a bonus for the number of fines they hand out. But she admitted it wasn’t a ca-


reer for her. “You need an unshak- able sense of humour and a very thick skin,” she said.


It’s frothy, family fun


FAMILIES are being urged to sign up for some frothy, family fun this summer in Mote Park in aid of a children’s charity. The event is the Demelza Hos-


pice Care for Children Bubble Rush on June 23 at 10am. Bubble Rush sees participants, both young and the young at heart, make their way through walls of bubbles and foam, going through different coloured zones and having lots of fun along the way. The route is pushchair and


wheelchair friendly, with no mini- mum age limit, so the whole fam-


ily can take part. Those taking part can choose to do the 2.5 km course once or twice. Participants can run, walk, or toddle and this year Demelza hopes to raise even more fromthe annual event. There is no official fundraising


target, but all participants are asked to try to raise aminimumof £15. Early bird ticket prices are


£12.50 for adults and £8 for chil- dren (aged under 16). Formore de- tails visit: www.demelza.org.uk or contact Demelza Kent on 01795 845 200.


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