News


downsmail.co.uk ‘Way of life under aack’


ITWAS, said one onlooker, yet another assault on the village’sway of life. In a scene that has played out


all too often in our rural commu- nities, staff at the supermarket picked through the wreckage of an apparent ramraid – splintered glass, mangled metalwork and wrecked goods. This time, it was the SPAR in


Staplehurst. Last time it was the Co-op in Lenham. Before that, Sainsbury’s in Headcorn. On this occasion, the suspected


target – a cashmachine orATM– was not taken. But the extensive damage saw the shop closed, in- come hit, and villagers without services. This was far from a vic- timless crime. The frustration and anger was


palpable. Regular shopper Mark Waghorn (81) said: “I don’t know what the world’s coming to. We’re constantly getting reports of raids, the likes of which you never heard of 20 years ago.” When asked if he thought there


was an answer, he sighed: “I don’t think there is any going back; not now.” Last month’s incident was par-


ticularly bitter for Staplehurst be- cause the SPAR stepped up to provide a home for theATMafter NatWest closed its branch in The Parade in 2017…following a ram


Barn dance


A VILLAGE hall barn dance proved so popularwithmem- bers of the Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent, they are al- ready planning another. Figures for the February


event, which have just been released, showthe toe-tapping posse of business people and professionals raised £580 for HeadcornSeniorsLunchClub and the parish church of St Peter and St Paul. The next hoedown will be on Saturday,August 3.


RBL’s lunch


THE Sutton Valence and Dis- trict Branch of the Royal BritishLegionwillbeholding its annual dinner at the Great DanesHotelnearLeedsCastle on Friday,April 26. The meal starts at 1pm.


Email mikefitzgerald2018 @outlook.com.


8 Maidstone Weald April 2019


raid. In January, the safe was ripped from the village post of- fice. SPAR manager Kevin Butler


said the latest damage was exten- sive and included the shop win- dow, a security screen andshelves. Fridges along the window, which were also hit, hadbeen part of a re- cent refit. Citing a spate of break-ins in re-


cent months involving Headcorn FC, Staplehurst School gardening club, Kingswood School, and the fete committee at Staplehurst, local councillor Louise Brice said in- creased police patrols are the only answer. She commendedKentPolice and


Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott’s moves to recruit an extra 180 police this coming year, in ad-


dition to the 200 officers signed up in 2018, but said villages needed to see a fair share of their deploy- ment. She said: “Our rural com- munities pay the same in council tax as everyone else. There need to be more rural patrols to ensure these communities are not seen as easy targets.” Detective Inspector James Der-


ham said: “We understand that each time an attempt to steal an ATMtakes place, it can cause con- siderable damage to businesses and the local community. “Although the vast majority of


attempted ATM thefts have re- sulted in damage to the machine and nomoney being taken, our of- ficers are committed to targeting offenders and bringing them to justice.”


Raid suspect was released


A 30-YEAR-OLDman, fromHurst Green, arrested on suspicion of burglary and drink driving in con- nectionwith the alleged ramraid in Staplehurst at around 1amon March 12, has been released pending further investigation. A Land Rover Discovery re-


ported stolen from Tunbridge Wells was subsequently found near the scene on fire. Anyone with information can


call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/46578/19, or Kent Crimestop- pers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


ATMthefts KENT Police have investigated 33 attempted thefts of or from ATMs in the last five years. In the last three, 14 have involved the use of vehicles. Of all 33 cases, only six re-


sulted in cash being taken. Charges have been brought in re- lation to three cases, while two investigations are described as “ongoing”.


Easter hunts


YOUNGSTERS from across Headcorn are being urged to brush up their tracking skills for the parish’s Easter Egg Hunt. The event is open to children


under 11, as long as they have a parent or carer in tow. Entry to the event – at St Peter and St Paul’s church on Saturday, April 20 – is free. St Mary’s Church, Sutton Va-


Making newts at home


PREMISSION has given for the construction of a pond in the south-west corner of Wimpey Field, Staplehurst, to create a habi- tat for newts. The pondwill be circular – about


11m across – with a maximum depth of approximately 1.2m and shallow sloped sides. The pond will be part of a wider


Natural England scheme to create habitat for great crested newts in


Kent. Medway Valley Countryside Partnership will be overseeing the project on the ground, and is cur- rently liaisingwith contractors and the parish council about timings and working arrangements. These will involve clearing small


trees, saplings and dead hedging, and building three metre-high fencing to create a buffer around the pond. Permission was granted by the borough council.


lence will be holding a similar event onMonday,April 22, start- ing at 2pm.


On the trail


JOIN the fun of an Easter trail, with a jacket potato for lunch, in Hunton onMonday,April 22. The trail from Hunton Village


Club starts from 11.30am, with lunch from12.30pm. The last trail leaves at 2pm. Tickets are £6 for adults and £3


for children, or £1 for the trail alone. To reserve a place, email hdennison@gmail.com.


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