downsmail.co.uk


Tributes to friends after fatal car crash


MAIDSTONE and InvictaGrammar schools have paid tribute to former students,who died in a car accident on RomneyMarsh.


Ex-MGS pupil Harry Skilton


and former IGS girl Beth Eves (pic- tured), both 21 and fromBarming, were killed when theMiniCooper they were travelling in left the road and plunged through a barbed wire fence into a water channel at around 3.40amonMay 18.


On Twitter, MGS said: “The


school community at MGS is, of course, terribly sorry to hear of the tragic death of both Harry and Beth, andwe send our sincere con- dolences to their families and friends.” Invicta Grammar School head


teacher JulieDerrick said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news regarding the deaths of Beth Eves andHarry Skilton.Bethwas a lovely, hard-working and popular student. “Our thoughts are with their


friends and family at this incredi- bly difficult time.” After secondary school, Harry


worked with his parents at their distribution company, but had set his heart onworking in landscape and design. He was studying at Hadlow College. Beth was a de- sign apprentice at Google. The company’s UK managing


Concertmarks


anniversary SINGING group The Huntones celebrated nine years of making music with a concert in Hunton church that attracted 60 people. The group put together the


biggest programme ever, includ- ing pieces by JonahMan Jazz and Barry Manilow, with Les Mis, West Side Story andABBAsongs. Pianist Nick Drewe composed


two quartets for piano, flute, clar- inet and cor anglais, all the play- ers being members of the choir. He also played two Gershwin pieces. The concert finishedwith Thank you for theMusic,with the audience joining in. The informalmixed groupwel-


comes new singers and meets every other Thursday in Hunton. Call Sue Pinks on 01622 820709.


News Brexit victory


shocks Tories THE Brexit Party secured more than 45%of the vote inMaidstone borough at the European election. The Conservative Party, which


has two MPs in the district, se- cured just a 10% share, sending alarm bells through the con- stituencies. The Tories polled just 167more


than the Green Party. One loyalConservative activist,


who declined to be named, said: “If there is a general election to- morrow, we have got to be wor- ried, reallyworried. “This may have been a protest


vote but we cannot assume that our supporters will switch back again. If the Brexit Party stands, it could split the vote asunder and let someone else in. “There is always the possibility


Crash victims Harry Skilton and Beth Eves were both 21


director, Ronan Harris, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear about this tragic accident. “Our hearts and thoughts are


with the friends and family of Beth Eves andHarry Skilton. “Beth was a highly-regarded


Google colleague and will be sorelymissed.” BenO'Reganwrote on Facebook


of Harry: “Rest in peace, my bro. Can't believe this has happened.” Cameron Ryan posted on Face-


book: “Harry and Beth. I can’t de- scribe how empty I feel knowing that when I next come to Maid- stone you’re not going be there.


Music and fun at free park event


INVICTA Jazz Orchestra opened Proms in the Park – a free event providing a showcase for the area’s singer songwriters. Clea and the Dubs were among


those to draw a crowd at What- man Park on the warm Bank Holi- day. Groups from the Hazlitt Theatre, along with local musi- cians also performed, with Maid- stone Wind Symphony rounding off the day. Children’s entertainment, in-


cluding a stiltwalker,was also pro- vided for the free event by Maidstone Borough Council.


Harry, you’re a brother, a friend and an excellent human being and you improved the life of everyone youmet by being so generous and friendly. “I hope everyone who sees this


takes extra care behind the wheel going forward, because life is pre- cious and can be taken away in the blink of an eye.” A third person in the car was


rescued and is not thought to be in a serious condition. Kent Police has appealed for witnesses. Call 01622


798538 HW/DC/056/19/, or sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.


quoting email


of a pact or agreement among other parties which could see a non-Tory entity sneak in. It is rather hypothetical, granted, but not beyond the realms of possibil- ity.” The Liberal Democrats secured


22% of the vote in a turnout of 44,532. Lib Dem Kent county councillor and regular at the Maidstone law courts, Antony Hook, became anMEP. Both the Maidstone and the


Weald and Faversham and Mid Kent constituencies had Labour coming a distant second place at the last general election. The respected Electoral Calcu-


lus website predicts the current 35% majority of the latter con- stituency being slashed to 12.4%. InMaidstone and theWeald the


majority could collapse from34% to 12.8%, according to thewebsite which uses polling, trends and analysis but not local factors in coming upwith its findings.


Village fete


A BEER tent, tea, cake and ice cream–what could be better? Hunton Village Fete, from 2-


5pm on Saturday, June 22, will also include a barbecue, wine tombola, plant and produce stall, children’s games and Tanya’s Vintage and Upcycled stall. Live jazzmusic and a dog show


will add to the afternoon’s enter- tainment. The crazy, comedy cavemen


Applause Outdoors Presents will keep the crowds laughing and running to the recycling bins as they hear of their time spent frozen in ice, only to be awoken to aworld of problemplastic.


Maidstone Weald June 2019 21


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  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48