News


Filminspires inspired by


Lent studies CHURCHGOERS,


Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jack- man, have devised a course on Lent based on the hit movie The Greatest Showman. The five-week programme of


classes, which traditionally have discussion points, biblical reflec- tions and prayers, is using film clips to highlight themes like hope, temptation and salvation. Organiser Sarah Emanuel, who


started the course at Vestry Hall, Marden, inMarch, said: “The 2018 movie about the founder and stars of theBarnumandBaileyCircus, is ideal for the Lenten study.” The study modules – A Million


Dreams, Come Alive, Rewrite the Stars, Never Enough, and The Greatest Show – take their names frompopular songs in the film.


May fair fun


PUPILS at Headcorn Primary School are gearing up for the vil- lage’s third annualMay Fair. The day will be packed with a


variety of stalls showcasing arts and crafts, plants, produce and tombolas. There will be a dog show, chil-


dren’s races, hog roast, dance dis- plays,


fairground rides and


performances from Headcorn UkuleleGroup. The event, which runs from


noon to 4pm on Monday, May 6, has free parking at the village hall and ParsonageMeadow. Last year’s fair raised £7,000 for


the school. Music tribute


THE Relative Minors Orchestra will be performing at Hunton Vil- lageHall. The free concert, on Saturday,


April 27, is in memory of Alan Bishop – former chairman of the village hall committee andRelative Minorsmusician.He died in 2013, aged 62, after being diagnosed with cancer. The “bring your own supper” event starts at 7.30pm.


Chateau talk


IT STARTED as a talk on the French chateau and gardens of Vaux leVicomte, but SteveHarmer quickly encompassed the three musketeers, a trial and imprison- ment in an Italian fortress. For more information about


Marden Horticultural Society and its talks, visit www.marden horti- culturalsociety.co.uk.


22 Maidstone Weald April 2019 Linton litter pickers enjoy a well-earned drink at theMusket Brewery


Village lier pickers drink to their success


A LARGE bag of sawdust, a box of shotgun cartridge shells,wheel caps and a selection of car body parts…the fruits of Linton’s latest litter pick.


More than 20 volunteers – a


record for the village – turned out on March 2 to rid the parish of rubbish. Led by Cllr Julie Urqhart, they


scoured the Loddington, Stile- bridge and Butt Green lanes, Heath Road and the A229 Linton Hill, filling 38 bags with general waste, and carting away assorted vehicle parts. Parish council chairman, Bernie


Cresswell, said: “The vehicle de- bris is an ongoing part of the litter picke’s lot, and takes up much of the rubbish bag ... along with the usual drink and food containers


flung from moving vehicles or those waiting in the rush-hour queues that snake up through the village. “As there are very fewpedestri-


ans in Linton, all the rubbish comes from vehicles. I presume their ashtrays, cup holders and glove compartments are full al- ready, as well as their own home bins.” In addition to thewaste bagged


at the litter pick – the fifth of its kind – a smaller clear-up, organ- ised by a local business, recovered a further 10 bags of trash. “The litter pick volunteers did a


terrific job andwere supported by some generous people, with re- freshments from Linton School and the Musket Brewery,” said Cllr Cresswell. “Everyone said howmuch they


enjoyed it and how satisfying it was to remove so much rubbish fromour lanes and roads.” The clearance exercise came as


the parish council revealed it is in- stalling bins in laybys alongLinton Hill, some of them sponsored by BerryGardens and Linton Park. The next Linton litter pick will


be on Saturday, June 1,meeting at the church car park at 10am.


Objections fail to stop carwash


BOROUGH planners have per- mitted the conversion of a petrol station forecourt into a carwash. Councillors overruled noise


and traffic concerns from neigh- bours, saying the newvalet serv- ice in Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea,wouldbe in keeping with the site’s recent use. But they did insist the old fore-


court canopy be clad in green, to fitwith the conservation area. Maidstone Borough Council’s


planning chairman,CliveEnglish, echoed owner DerekMedhurst’s sentiments that using the old sta- tion as a seven-day-a-week car- washwouldhave nomore impact than if itwent back to selling fuel.


His approach, however, flewin


the face of those living nearby. The parish council’s Andy


Humphryes said: “We feel the proposal would intensify the use of the site to an unacceptable de- gree.We have concerns regarding road safety due to the lack of queueing space for drivers wait- ing to have their cars cleaned.” Lee Sealey, ofHeathRoad, said:


“Mymain concern is noise, ema- nating primarily from the use of jetwashers, vacuumcleaners etc.” Brenda Osborn, of Brishing


Lane, fearednoise “withnot a sin- gle relief day”, adding: “I look aftermy husband with dementia and I fear this constant noisewill


be detrimental to his health.” Neighbour Alex Staples was


concerned water would run off the premises causing potentially dangerous driving conditions on Heath Road in thewinter. However, in a submission to


Maidstone Borough Council, Boughton Service Station’s agent, Colin Smith, said the proposals would not involve any change to the buildings or vehicular access, andwould use existing drainage. He cars being valeted would


waitwithin the boundaries of the premises, and added: “All equip- ment for jetwash and vacuum cleaners would be contained within insulated sound boxes.”


downsmail.co.uk


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