News


M&S food store at risk


THEMarks & Spencer food outlet inAylesford could be under threat of closure in plans to shut 110 stores nationwide. The retail giant’s move comes


after a disastrous slump in pre-tax profits. M&S has already closedits long-


established shops in Folkestone, Deal andAshford as the company tries to find a way to combat the decline of British high streets. Last month, it revealed plans to


lose 85 clothing units and 25 of its foodoutlets. InKent, there are nine food stores in Dartford, Strood, Aylesford, Sittingbourne, Whit- stable, Canterbury, Ashford, Dover, and Tonbridge. The cuts come as 35 shops have


already been closed as part of the company's strategy to cut its run- ning costs. The latestmove is in response to


a fall in pre-tax profits of 9.9%. M&S refused to discuss which shops are under threat but staff would be informed first. In a statement, chief executive


SteveRowe said: “We aredeepinto the first phase of our transforma- tion programme and continue to make good progress restoring the basics and fixing many of the legacy issueswe face.”


Charliematch


AMEMORIALmatch in honour of Aylesford’s Charlie Girling kicks off at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone on June 28. Charlie, from Aylesford, died


after an asthma attack at an inter- national Scouting jamboree in Fin- land in 2016.Hewas 12 years old. The game, from 1pm-2.30pm, is


organised by Charlie’s school- mates atMaplesdenNoakes. Tickets on the gate are £5 for


adults and £2 for children, with proceeds going toCharlie’s garden at his former school in Maidstone andAylesford Scout group.


Theft charges


ANALLEGEDshoplifter has been charged with three separate thefts in the Snodland area. On May 28, officers arrested


Daniel Grosset, of Constitution Hill, Snodland. The 31-year-old was later chargedwiththree counts of theft fromsupermarkets inLark- fieldandHolborough, aswell as an assault inAylesford onApril 18. He was bailed to appear before


Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on July 23.


8 Malling June 2019 Community choir raises roof


WHAT started out as an experi- ment, has turned out to be amas- sive passion for more than 100 singers inWestMalling. After an appeal to see if a choir


would be popular in the commu- nity, the response has been im- pressive. West Malling Community Choir


has now been going since 2012. It meets every week, with 60 to 100 singers attending, and has a grow- ing waiting list for newmembers. A spokesman said: “The response


to the idea of a choir in West Malling was amazing, with a mas- sive turn-out for the first session


and, after a short trial, members voted the choir become a perma- nent fixture. We now have about 120 people on our books.” The group defines itself as inclu-


sive and friendly, with amission to bring local people together to enjoy singing andmakingmusic. It is now a regular feature at com- munity events, such as the turning on of the Christmas lights in West Malling and, in April this year, sang at the Royal AlbertHall, supporting the amazingMusicMan Project. The choir’s next concert – ‘Top


of the Pops’ – is at Ditton Commu- nity Centre, Kilnbarn Lane, starting


at 3pmon Sunday, July 7. Kathryn Ridgeway will conduct. The event, which invites the au-


dience to bring a picnic, was a sell- out last year. Tickets, priced £5, are available


fromchoirmembers or by sending an email to wmcctickets@hot- mail.co.uk. Those interested in joining the


choir,whichmeets atWestMalling Baptist Church from 7.15 to 9pm on Tuesdays, should email west- mallingcc@hotmail.co.uk. A spokesman added: “The wait-


ing list is regularly reviewed, so please don’t be put off.”


downsmail.co.uk


Death of newmother could help save lives


THE death in childbirth of a vi- vacious Offham primary school teacher may have initiated a safety procedure which could save countless others. Frankie Cappuccini was 30


when she suffered a fatal heart at- tack after a Caesarean section at TunbridgeWellsHospital in 2012. It later transpired she had died


as a result of catastrophic failings, not least amuddle over the role of anaesthetists. Now a procedure designed to


lessen the chance of a similar tragedy has been devised by the Royal College ofAnaesthetists. It is called the Cappuccini Test. The changes have been devised


by David Bogod, a consultant member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It will act as a checking system


to ensure there is proper supervi- sion of trainee and senior associ- ate specialist (SAS) anaesthetists. The test aims to monitor rotas


and identify if an anaesthetist would beworking alone and, if so, to ensure a supervisor isworking, available or easily contactable.


West Malling resident Frankie


died, in part because staff did not know where to go when the anaesthetist failed to intubate (in- sert a tube) after sheworsened. Mrs Cappuccini’s husband


Tom said: “It is a relief to know that there has been genuine learn- ing fromFrankie’s death. “Patient safety has got to be


paramount and learning from awful events such as Frankie’s case must be the only way for- ward.” Mrs Cappuccini suffered a


major haemorrhage caused by a large piece of placenta left behind after the Caesarean and in correc- tive surgery therewas inadequate ventilation. This caused high acid levels,which proved fatal. Mr Bogod said: “The NHS is


dependent upon medical staff below the level of consultant for much of day-to-day patient care. “Inadequate consultant super-


vision is an issue that affects all areas of hospital care, and I hope to see the Cappuccini Test taken up by othermedical specialities.”


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