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News Pie flingers heading forKent


FLAN throwers across theworld are limbering up for theWorld Custard Pie Championships. Originally dreamed up as away


of raising funds for a village hall, the Coxheath event has now be- come aworldwide attraction. The very first championship


took place on June 24, 1967, at Coxheath Primary School’s groundswhen the Parent Teacher Association and the Coxheath Residents’ Association joined forces to raise funds for commu- nity facilities. Originally organised by former


mayor of Maidstone Mike FitzGerald (pictured right), and children’s entertainer Richard Hearn, the championships have since become a global annual event. At its peak, teams came fromall


over the world to throw custard piesmade froma “secret recipe”. Even today, the recipe is a closely- guarded secret. Mike (81) said: “We’ve had


teams come fromfar andwide… from Australia, Canada, and Japan. It has also attracted people fromplaces likeWindsor, Leices- ter,Nottinghamand Portsmouth. “It’s exciting to think we have


been doing this nowfor almost 52 years.” The contest brings thousands of


people to Coxheath every year, which has previously been in aid of charities such as local Scouts and football clubs.Visitors are en- couraged to dress up in their teams of four and create a fun team name. Mr FitzGerald said: “We are looking forward to this year’s event, with proceeds to a charity for the homeless. It is a free event, so we always have a


Shooting threat at school dismissed


POLICE called to investigate al- legations that a pupilmade gun threats against a school have concludedthatno offenceswere committed. Chief InspectorMarkHedges,


ofKent Police, said officers had made extensive enquiries, li- aisedwithValleyParkSchool in Maidstone and spoken to the child in question. Their action had been


sparked by socialmedia specu- lationwhichledsomeparents to keep their children at home. The incidentwas taken so se-


riously that headteacher Vic Ashdown wrote to parents on Monday, January 21, assuring themthe student at the centre of the claims had been sent home and the school was investigat- ing the threat. He said: “We were made


aware on Friday afternoon of a threat made by one of our stu- dents against the school. “The student was immedi- ately collected from school by


their parent. “We are currently working to


identify the level of risk posed by this threat and, if any further action is deemed necessary by ourparentbody,wewill contact you again. “In themeantime, schoolwill


continue as normal for all stu- dents.” However, in a statement is-


sued the following day, Chief Inspector Hedges said: “We re- ceived a report from a member of the public at about 2pm on Saturday, January 19, of a po- tential threat at a school in Huntsman Lane,Maidstone. “The report referredto a social


media discussion by parents who were concerned that a pupil had apparently made threats to causeharmto children at the school. “Officers made extensive en-


quiries, liaised with the school, and spoke to the child. No of- fences were disclosed or estab- lished.”


collection box available for people to donate what they can.We also always invite themayor to receive back the trophy, to give to the nextwinning team.” The championships have been


developed into a fete, with the custard pie challenges being the main event. It also includes a bouncy castle, raffle, craft stalls, a face painter and an ale stand. The next contestwill be held on


June 1, at Coxheath village hall. Report by Jade Schopman


Improved nursing home rated good


A CARE home previously criti- cisedby theCareQualityCommis- sion (CQC) has earned a good rating fromthe inspection team. Abbotsleigh Dementia Nursing


and ResidentialCareHome in Sta- plehurst was told a year ago its service required improvement, with five breaches of the Health andSocialCareAct 2008 identified. The home in George Street,


which can accommodate up to 60 people, was issued with require- ment notices relating to care, gov- ernance, dignity and respect, and safe care and treatment. The latest inspection found sig-


nificant improvements had been made andtheprovider hadtackled all the breaches. The home was clean, spacious


and suitable for the people who used the service, and appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out, the inspector said. There was also praise for the


home’s “open andtransparent cul- ture”. “Staff treated people with dig- nity and respect,” the CQC said.


“Therewere sufficient staff onduty with a goodunderstanding of peo- ple’s care preferences.” It continued: “The registered


manager and provider want the service to be homely and for peo- ple to feel it is their home from home, and staff shared this vision. “They felt it important that peo-


ple should be surrounded by things thatmade themfeel at home andbedroomswerepersonalised.” Staff said they felt supported by


themanager,while residents, visi- tors andemployeeswere consulted about the quality of the service throughmeetings and surveys. ManagerAlinaAbagiu,whowas


just two weeks into her job at the time of the last inspection, said the last 12months had been challeng- ing, but shewas happywith the re- sult. She said: “Muchof thehomewas


being run using agency staff.Now we have in-house staff and have improvedthe training andsupport they receive. My motto remains: Look after your staff and theywill look after your residents.”


Maidstone Weald February 2019 21


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