downsmail.co.uk


‘Bring town’sMela back toMote Park’


CALLS have beenmade to return Maidstone’smulti-cultural festival toMoteParkinabidtobroadenits audience. TheMaidstoneCommunityMela


event is currently staged inWhat- man Park but councillors say it needs to be held at a venue with better parking and access. Conservative Cllr Dan Rose has


written to the chairman of the com- munities,housingandenvironment committee. His letter states: “There is a dis-


tinct lack of parking at Whatman Park.There is alsoa requirement for many residents to navigate the town centre to reach the park. Ve- hicular access is limited by height restrictions on the railway bridge which makes participation harder for those seeking to run stalls etc. “Maximisingthe attendance, and


indeed the ease of attendance, is critical to both the aims of theMela as a positive force for community


inclusion and to its overall sustain- ability and viability. “I propose that we look at mak-


ing Mote Park available for next year’sMela.” OnJuly14 thisyear, thousandsof


people took part in theMaidstone Community Mela, which is run without public funding. Maidstone Borough Council


withdrew financial support in re- cent years but pledged a small con-


tribution to this summer’sMela. The eventwasoriginallystagedat


Mote Park as a response to the 9/11 terror attacks in theUnited States. Welcoming Cllr Rose’s call, or-


ganiser Gurvinder Sandher, pic- tured, said: “We’dlove togobackto Mote Park, but as a bigger site we would have to pay out more to stage it there. Itwill depend on the fundingwe can generate.” SeeMailMarks, page 46


News Body is found


near car park AMANwas found dead near the town centre Sainsbury’s super- market. Police and paramedics were


called to Romney Place shortly aftermidday on July 15. Eyewitnesses spotted two am-


bulances and a police car parked up along the pavement just out- side the car park. The man was declared dead at the scene. He was later identified as local man Sammy Draper. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“The death is not being treated as suspicious.Next of kin have been informed.” See obituaries, page 36


Cafe sessions


MAKE friends atMaidstoneMu- seum’s Cafe Culture. The drop-in session is for over


65s looking to meet like-minded people over a drink. They are held on the last Friday


of eachmonth. No booking is required, just


turn up on the day. For more in- formation call 01622 602853.


Celebrating lives There is such a thing as a 'good' funeral and celebration of


someone's life. Sadly, too few people experience it. We are passionate that people in the Kent area have this, which is


why I started Albany Funerals - I wanted to make sure a safe place existed where a family's wishes take priority. At a time when it's extremely difficult to think clearly, our


expertise is in helping you to know all the options available to you, so that the funeral is the very best it can be for your loved one.


Award Winning


We are extremely proud to have been recognised nationally by the Good Funeral Awards and the Natwest Everywoman


1 New Street Farm


669 Loose Road, Maidstone ME15 9UX


Tel. 01622 746688


Chilmington Green Road Great Chart, Ashford TN23 3DL


Tel. 01233 650746


We have ample free parking on both sites www.albany-funerals.co.uk


Awards for exceptional service. Affordable


Transparent prices and


campaigning to end funeral poverty as a member of Fair Funerals.


Independent


Being independent of the big chains means we can offer the best care, value and ethics without compromise.


Forward Thinking Offering traditional, modern


and low-cost funerals and the best of traditional practice combined with fresh thinking.


Serving the whole of Kent We cover the whole county and beyond. Maidstone September 2019 27


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