News Fun dog show


BOUGHTON Monchelsea’s an- nual FunDog Showis onSaturday, June 29 at the village recreation grounds, inChurch Street. Funds raisedwill go towards the


Medical Detection Dogs charity, which trains dogs to detect the odour of human disease. Among the categories to be


judged by Kay Cherryman and Heather Knowler will be Best Crossed Breed, Best Biscuit Catcher andDog the Judgewould like to take home. The entry fee for each class is


£1.50,with judging from12pm. Onlydogs entering the classes in


the show will be admitted to the grounds. Further details from Jill Skinner on 01622 744098.


Numbers up


MAIDSTONE’S population is likely to increase to nearly 180,000 in the next five years according to government statistics, which show the 179,523 projection is 439 more than previously predicted. Researchers viewed migration


trends over 10 years of data rather than five years studied before.


downsmail.co.uk


Sanctuary’sDefender was a ‘part of family’


THIEVES have stolena valuable vehicle fromthe favourite charity of former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. Buttercups Sanctuary forGoats,


in Boughton Monchelsea, lost its Land Rover Defender in an overnight theft and must now raise £15,000 to replace it. The callous theft happened on


Saturday, May 18 at around 9.30pm when the vehicle was started and driven through three sets of double gates. The 22-year-old vehicle was


“part of the family” at the animal charity, of which Miss Widde- combe is a patron. Buttercups looks after 140 goats


on site and caresmedically for 130 in foster homes. The charity’s founder, Bob


Hitch, said: “We depend on this Land Rover to operate. It's part of the family. We need it to collect hay, visit goats in foster homes


AnnWiddecombe with two goats


andwhen collecting themup and down the country.” Former Maidstone and The


Weald MP Miss Widdecombe, who was “very sorry” to hear of the theft, said £15,000 is a huge target to hit.


She added: “It's a huge amount


of money to raise. All the time they're having to raise it they're not raising themoney needed just to keep going." The sanctuary was expected to


provide policewithCCTVimages of the thieves atwork. CCTV footage shows the mo-


ment thieves drove out of the 40- acre sanctuary. MrHitch said that the vehicle is


bound to have been damaged as it was driven through the double gates. Buttercups has set up a


fundraising page, hoping to raise around £15,000 via the Charity Checkoutwebsite. Kent Police confirmed itwas in-


vestigating the theft of a black Land Rover Defender, licence plate P663 LKK. Anyone with in- formation is asked to callKent Po- lice on 01622 604100 quoting reference 18-1750.


LOCAL businesses are as important an element to community life as a parish council, cricket club or the Women’s Institute. Here at the Downs Mail we have always recognised the pivotal role commerce plays in a vibrant, thriving economy. Be they small, medium or large enterprises, we have tried to celebrate the great things they bring jobs, career paths, training, entrepreneurship, industry awards, innovation and prestige.


That is why we have been promoting our recently enhanced Business Notice Board (BNB) at downsmail.co.uk in recent months.


And it is paying off. Our BNB is rapidly becoming a place where the business world can communicate with one another, share ideas, offer advice, drum up business or simply promote themselves. And it is completely FREE to use.


You can use it as many times as you like without having to pay a penny. Perhaps you have news you’d like to share, seek tenders for an important contract, trumpet a new product or put feelers out for specialist expertise. Feel free. Use it, it’s yours!


12 Maidstone Weald June 2019


Taking notice


ORGANISATIONS are able to make as many entries and use as many categories as they wish on our Business Notice Board.


They can upload an image, headline, detailed text, contact details and links to their own and associated websites. The service is quick and easy to use go to the business notice board page on our website and just click on the red post your free listing here button or submit your business news link to get started.


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THE Downs Mail Business Directory is a searchable database of local businesses, suppliers and tradespeople where companies can advertise for a year for just £48 plus VAT.


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