News


downsmail.co.uk Vicar’s newvillage challenge


ONCE RevMark Pavey tended to the needs of the country’s “most broken and dangerous” boys. His work at a Medway young


Asked how his experiences in a


offenders’ centre was with killers and sex offenders, aged 12 to 17. But, as he would discover over


his four years in the job, some- times themost hard-bitten London gang members were no strangers to abuse and rejection. Several years later, a curacy in


Maidstone under the tutelage of CanonAndrewSewell at St Paul’s Church in Boxley Road has been preparing himfor a different chal- lenge. InMarch,Rev Paveywill ar- rive in a quieter corner of Kent as Team Vicar of Leeds, Broomfield, Kingswood, Langley andOtham. Essex-born Rev Pavey (39), his


wife Tansye (40) and their two young daughterswillmove to the area and he is determined to get involved in the community. He told Downs Mail: “It is always good for the church to be at the centre of the community and to build relationships. “The church exists to worship


God but also to serve the commu- nity and if it’s not doing that, it’s not functioning as it should.”


young offenders’ institution have shaped his outlook, he said: “When you come face to facewith a child, knowing what he’s done, you are still face to face with a child. “There is good and bad in every-


one and you have to try and see good in that person. That is what you cling to.Most of themhad his- tories of abuse and rejection.” Rev Pavey,who is picturedwith


hiswife Tansye,will be installed in his new role by the Bishop of Dover, Trevor Wilmott, at St Nicholas’ church in Leeds at 7.30pmonMarch 14. His predecessor, Rev Steve


Hughes retired from the church after ill health and when his wife secured a job in northWales. Canon John Corbyn, Rector of


theNorthDowns Teamsaid: “I am delighted that Bishop Trevor has invitedRevMark Pavey to become Team Vicar. Mark made several visits to the area prior to spending a day on an organised tour visiting places andmeeting people.”


Retiring CAB chief is ‘hard to replace’


THE chief executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau inMaidstone has announced his retirement. Bonny Malhotra (pictured) will be retiring at the end of June


2019, after leading the branch formore than 20 years. The organisation has


since become one of the most successfulCitizenAd- viceBureaux in the country. MrMalhotra said: “When


I first arrived atMaidstone bureau in June 1998, I little expected to find a job, a bu- reau and a community that would still be engagingmy enthusiasm21 years later. “The work has been an


excitingmixture of opportu- nities, setbacks, challenges and successes, always de- manding the best that I,my staff and volunteers could give. I am proud to have been a part of a team which has been so whole- heartedinhelping andspeakingupforMaidstone. Iwill continue to support the vital role of the bureau in our community.” Chairman of the Bureau Trustee Board, Rob Bird, said: “Bonny


has been an inspirational and dedicated advocate for those who find themselves disadvantaged throughoutMaidstone. “Through his leadership and vision, the bureau has provided an


excellent service forMaidstone residents which has been recog- nised at a national level.Hewill be very hard to replace.”


4 Maidstone Weald February 2019 Burglary suspects held


THREE suspects, one aged 12, have been arrested in connection of the reported theft of a quad bike using a stolen Land Rover. The trio, all male, were tracked


down to Yalding, according to Kent Police. A police statement said: “Three


burglary suspects have been ar- rested after officers tracked down a stolen off-road bike to a location in Yalding. “Police were called at 9.15pm


on Tuesday, January 22, to allega- tions a quad bike had been stolen froma property inColtsHill, near Five Oak Green. A Land Rover was said to have been used to tow


it fromthe scene. “A short time later officers lo-


cated the bike in an area off Hampstead Lane, Yalding. The Land Rover was also discovered at the scene and checks showed it had been reported stolen fromthe Essex area. “Both vehicles were seized for


further checks. “A man aged 18 and a 16-year-


old boy, both from Wickford, Essex, were arrested in connec- tion with burglary and theft of- fences. A 12-year-old boy from Yalding was also arrested. They have all been released pending further investigation.”


Five horses rescued, one dead


FIVE horses have been rescued by a charity after a sixth animal was found dead in Loose. The RSPCA attended a field near Forstal Lane, Coxheath, on Satur-


day, January 19 after receiving calls from concerned members of the public. One of the horses was said to have looked unwell for days, but was


pronounced dead when the RSPCA arrived. The police and a vet were called to the scene due to the concern for


the welfare of the other horses. They were taken away and an investi- gation is in place to decide whether there are now grounds for a crimi- nal prosecution of the animals’ owners.


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