News


downsmail.co.uk Royal honours for locals


THREE people fromthe area have had their service to the community recognised by theQueen in her Birthday Honours List.


Jim Findlay, from Holling-


bourne, receives an OBE; Molly Poulter, from Ulcombe, a British Empire Medal; and Maidstone auctioneer Clive Emson becomes anMBE. Former stockbroker Jim Find-


lay, from Pilgrims Way, Holling- bourne, receives his award for his work for the area, aftermoving to the village 34 years ago. He was church warden for 10


years and, following his retire- ment in 2001, has used his finan- cial skills to the benefit of others includingMaidstoneGirls’Gram- mar School and as a finance com- mitteemember for theCanterbury Diocese. The 75-year-oldwas also one of


the founders of the Meadows Trust, which has brought land to protect it from development, for the public’s use. He said: “I hope it is a reflection that some of thework I have done


National date


HEADCORN’SKristian Samwell- Nash has been selected to run for the county in the English Schools Track and Field Championships at the Alexander National Sta- dium in Birmingham on July 12 and 13. Kristian (16) recently won the


U17 400m in the South East Schools Intercounty Champi- onships, and is alsoKent’s indoor, county and schools champion. He goes to Birminghamas a top


five UK athlete for both the 200m and 400m, and will also be com- peting as part of the Kent 4x100m relay team.


Calves rescue


FIREFIGHTERS have hauled two calves out of an old drainage sys- temon Linton Hill. The rescuers found the animals


in a 5ft pit. They had fallen in after amanhole cover collapsed at about 1.30pmon Sunday, June 9. Crews widened the hole and


lowered a hoist, secured the cat- tle, and hauled themout safely. A spokesman for Kent Fire and


Rescue Service said: “They only had minor grazes and were quickly reunited with their mother, who’d been looking on throughout the rescue.”


12 Maidstone Weald July 2019


has been useful.” Maidstone based auctioneer


Clive Emson (72) earned hisMBE for his charity work, particularly


for the Young Lives Foundation, which is based in College Road, Maidstone.As the charity’s found- ing chairman and now president,


Cricket club honours


THEMote Cricket Club hon- oured two outstanding hon- orary secretaries when framed photographs of John Gulland andMalcolmBas- sett were unveiled next to the club honours board in the pavilion. Blair Gulland (pictured),


chairman of theMaidstone solicitors’ firm, unveiled the photo of his late father, who held the office from1958 to 1973. Blair said he was pleased the long association with the club would continue now that Gullands were main sponsors for five years. Club chairman Glen


Aukett unveiled the photo of MalcolmBassett, who has just retired after 31 years. He also praised lunch


guests who includedMal- colmBristow (past grounds- man and talented batsman), Bill Hickling (hon treasurer for seven vital years), John Booth (fixture secretary for 22 years) and Nick Aldrich (who has built up coltsmem- bership to over 130).


the foundation provides a be- friending service to young people. Clive’s contribution to the


county of Kentwas recognised by KentCountyCouncil in 2017with the Kent InvictaAward. Naturally, Molly Poulter (86),


pictured left, was helping at Ul- combe Church summer fayre when the news came through. She said: “It’s very exciting. I’ve had so many people congratulate me and the vicar announced it in church.” She plans to wear a £20 cream


dress she bought from a charity shop to pick up her award. Molly and her husband moved


from Chislehurst in 1956 to Ul- combe. She has set up a newplay- group, lunch club, friends’ group for the elderly and the history so- ciety. She also led the fund-raising campaign to build Ulcombe Vil- lage Hall and the Heart of Kent Hospice atAylesford.


Crash driver’s


van ‘took off’ AMOTORISTwas driving so fast, his van “took off” before causing a serious collision in Headcorn last summer, a courtwas told. KarlWilloughby (33) had never


held a licence and had taken class A drugs. Forensic tests showed he had traces of cocaine in his system and had reached speeds of up to 75mph in a 30mph limit. Willoughbywas travelling along


the A274 Biddenden Road when he lost control on a bridge. His Transit van hit two oncoming ve- hicles, injuring twowomen, one of whomhad to be cut free. Sergeant Peter Greaves, of Kent


Police, said: “Witnesses reported seeing the van flying through the air.” Initially,Willoughby gave police


a false name and details. He said hewas using the van forwork but confessed he had never held a driving licence or even taken a test. Appearing before Maidstone


CrownCourt, he admitteddanger- ous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving with no insurance and drivingwithout a licence. He was sentenced on June 25 to


15months’ imprisonment.Hewas also disqualified from driving for almost five years.


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