News


downsmail.co.uk Musical directormoving on


YOUNGSamWillsmore stepsupto open the flagshipfirst night of the season forMaidstoneWind Symphony, following the resignation ofmusical director Jonathan Crowhurst.


The budding conductor and


principal oboe player takes up the baton to lead the first concert of the season onOctober 24 in a joint performancewith the Frisian Sym- phonicWindOrchestra. Entitled Lollapalooza – an ex-


traordinary or unusual thing, per- son, or event – it is highly appropriate for the award-win- ning wind orchestra, which learned only recently of the resig- nation of itsmusical director of 10 years. A statement on its website says


Jonathan Crowhurst’s resignation has beenmetwith “immense sad- ness”, adding: “Jonathan has been an indefatigable force driving MWS forward to musical excel- lencewith a rich history of collab- orations with internationally renowned musicians and com- posers.” One of the UK’s foremost wind


Drug ‘dealer’


faces charges A'DRUGdealer' has been charged with three offences following adis- pute inMaidstone town centre. On September 19, officers were


on patrol in the Knightrider Street areawhen they became suspicious of a vehicle turning into Knightrider Court. An occupant of the car is then re-


ported to have pushed an officer after exiting the vehicle and being told he had been stopped for a drug search. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“A foot pursuit then took place leading to an arrest beingmade in Lower Stone Street. A mobile phone alongside a quantity of sus- pected classAdrugs and cashwas later seized.” RhysCostello, 29, ofKnightrider


Street has been charged with pos- sessing crack cocainewith intent to supply, possessing heroinwith in- tent to supply and obstructing an authorised person exercising a drug search. Hewas remanded in custody to


appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, September 21. At the hearing hewas further re-


manded in custody and will ap- pear atMaidstoneCrownCourt on a date to be determined.


20 Maidstone November 2019 Marching for future


DOZENS of protesters marched through the centre of Maidstone on September 20 to highlight the issue of climate change. The Downs Mail met protesters


in Week Street, where several school pupils were in attendance. Campaigners reported that re-


actions were “mixed” with some people saying the real problems with pollution were abroad. Donna-Lee Norton, who came


to the protestwith her 12-year-old daughter, said: “This action is about the future and being re- sponsible for our own children.”


Playground damage action


AWATER company is being sued for compensation after a burst sewer causing flooding near the borough council’s newplay area. SouthernWater faces action by


Maidstone Borough Council for the incident back inApril. Some work on the adventure


playground was damaged and had to be re-done, at extra cost. MBC said: “We are prepared to


take legal action.However, at this stage, court proceedings have not commenced.” Southern Water said it contin- ues toworkwith the council.


orchestra directors, Jonathan (pic- tured) is known for his passionate delivery behind themusic lectern, and numerous contactswithin the industry. Aspokesman for the symphony said Jonathan’s commitment to in-


novative wind ensemble reper- toire had done much to foster a wider interest in the genre. “This he has achieved, through his unri- valledmusical knowledge and ex- ceptional ability to craft, for his audiences, performances that are


resplendent and memorable for their theatricality, drama, and in- tensity. “We are hugely indebted to


Jonathan for this and so much more:We shall miss his uniquely individual charisma and highly distinctive brand of humour.” Jonathan said: “Some of my


proudestmoments have come via the baton conductingMWS. “The many wonderful and


memorable performances, the new music, the recordings, the fantas- tic soloists and probably the most important of all, watching the de- velopment of itsmembers. “It has been quite an adven-


ture.” The concert dates for the 2019/20


season remain unchanged. Tickets for Lollapalooza,which runs from 7-9pm, at All Saints’ Church in Mill Street, are available on the door, priced £12.


Warning after


car break-ins DRIVERS inMaidstone are being reminded to remove valuable items from their cars to deter overnight thieves. The advice comes after a num-


ber of reported break-ins between Saturday, September 21 and Monday, September 23. Officers were called at about


5am on September 21, after three men were seen acting suspi- ciously around cars in Clifford Way. They were described as being Asian in appearance and werewearing green tracksuits. Overnight between September


21 to 22, a handbag was stolen from a car in Union Street and a car charger and cash were stolen froma vehicle in Church Street. On September 23, the owner of


a car parked in Tonbridge re- ported the theft of a satnav be- tween 2.45amand 3.30am. District Commander, Chief In-


spector Ray Quiller said: “While we are investigating these of- fences, I would urge car owners to make sure you lock all doors and close windows whenever you leave the vehicle.Never leave anything valuable on display and if possible remove it fromthe car. “If feasible, park in a garage, se- cure car park orwell-lit area.”


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