News Taser used in


railway arrest AMANwas arrested and tasered after trespassing on railway tracks inWateringbury. Officerswere called to the scene


just before 4am on July 9 to re- ports of a man walking along the track. A spokesman for British Trans-


port Police said: “At 3.47amtoday officerswere called to the railway near Maidstone after reports of a man trespassing on the tracks. “A 31-year-old man was ar-


rested on suspicion of obstructing the railway, and has been taken into police custody. During the arrest a Taser device was dis- charged. “Enquiries continue.”


Hotel for sale


A FORMER residence for crown court judges in the centre ofMaid- stone is to be sold at auction. The 16-bedroom Stone Court


Hotel in Lower Stone Street was builtmore than 400 years ago, but has fallen into disrepair. Permission was granted in 2015


for the building’s conversion into 14 apartments but that consent has nowrun out. It will go under the hammer at


the Clive Emson Conference Cen- tre in Detling at the end of July with a guide price of £550,000.


Extension law


HOMEOWNERS in Maidstone have taken advantage of legally building extensions without hav- ing to get planning permission. “Permitted development rights”


allow single storey add-ons no more than 8mwide without coun- cil permission. Since they were brought in in 2014, they have been used to build 221 extensions in the borough. The Local GovernmentAssocia-


tion feared the changesmight lead to a change in the appearance of neighbourhoods.


Vehicle fire


A SERVICE vehicle next door to Maidstone fire station caught alight earlier thismonth. One fire engine attended the


scene in Loose Road at 8.22amon July 10 and the crew used a hose reel jet to put out the fire. A spokesman for Kent Fire and


Rescue Service said: “There were no injuries and the cause is not yet known.”


4 Maidstone August 2019


downsmail.co.uk


Kent’s newarchbishop has royal connections


THE new Bishop of Dover has been named as Reverend PrebendaryRoseHudson-Wilkin, the formerChaplainto theQueen and the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Jamaican-born mother of


three takes over from Rt Rev TrevorWilmott,who has retired. Her position sees her take re-


sponsibility for theAnglican com- munity inMaidstone, Canterbury, Romney Marsh, Faversham and Dover. Rev Hudson-Wilkin said: “I am


excited to have been called to be the next Bishop of Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury with its long history of Christianwitness. “I am looking forward to jour-


neying with the people of Kent, celebrating the good work that is already happening and working with its religious and secular lead- ers to ensure that the good news of hope, love and justice remains at the heart of our changed lives.” She will be consecrated by the


Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby on November 19, and in- stalled officially at Canterbury Cathedral onNovember 30.


Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkinwith Archbishop of Canterbury JustinWelby Rev Hudson-Wilkin was or-


dained as a deacon in 1991 and be- came a priest in 1994. She spent 16 years inHackney before being cho- sen as Chaplain to theQueen. Three years later shewas the first


woman to be selected to theChap- lain to the Speaker of theHouse of Commons. Speaker JohnBercowsaid: “Rose


is one of thewarmest, kindest and most loving people I have ever met. Shewill be sorelymissed. “She has an unfailing sense of


duty and an ability to bring com- fort in times of tragedy.” Archbishop Welby said: “I am


absolutely delighted she iswilling to move from her current role to the newBishop ofDover.”


River festival backwith a splash


MAIDSTONE’S River Festival is back with a splash. Organisers hope to recapture


much of the fun and frolics on the River Medway that were enjoyed when it launched 39 years ago. In recent years, largely due to


funding cuts byMaidstoneBorough Council, the festivalhadbecome just a quayside gathering of boatmen andwomen. But largely down to the enthusi-


asm of the county town’s former mayor, Cllr David Naghi, the River Festival returns with a show to live uptoitsname onJuly27,withspon- sors including Maidstone auction house, Clive Emson, and a housing developer. Activities will include a raft race,


dressed boats and illuminated sun- set boat parade. The committee has also lined up


competitions and children’s games under the theme of “Pirates, Mer- maids andUnder the Sea”.


Boats line the banks of theMedway in the heyday of the river festival Cllr Naghi has long called for a


meaningful returnof the festival ina bid to restore civic pride to Maid- stone after the council pulled out. He said: “The River Festival has al-


ways been one of the town’s best loved events, and it is only right we make themost of our river position.” The event starts at noon with the raft race taking pace at 2pm and


culminating with a fireworks spec- tacular at 10.30pm. Three charities will benefit from


festival – The Prince’s Project,West Kent Befriending and Snowflakes (which supports autistic children). The raft race is restricted to10en-


trants, so participants will have to hurry to apply. To sign up, go to www.maidstoneriverfestival.info.


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