Maidstone East Edition Malling Edition October 2017 March 2020 Panto ahoy!
THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid- stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto. On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Ste- fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza- beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Bor- zone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from
CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping
CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country road have been made by the local borough councillor.
Burberry Lane, near Leeds and Broomfield, has been targeted by waste dumpers for years, but in re- cent months, the problem has be- come more acute. Constructionwaste, rubble, hard
Trinity School and College in Rochester wants to create a place for their students to enjoy outdoor learning at Bramble Park, in Church Lane. But the headteacher Elizabeth
core, windows and household fur- niture is left illegally – often strewn in the middle of the road. Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month
Baines (pictured) claims she has suffered “abusive” messages from local people who do not want the school to be sited there. Trinity was described by Ofsted
we are having toilets, sinks and construction waste dumped in the village, specifically in Burberry Lane, where we are now thinking of installing cameras on private land, to oversee the problem area.” A recent event in Burberry Lane
saw a caravan burned out while a torched car remains on a footpath
as an “improving school” with skilled staff “experienced at identi- fying and de-escalating serious problems before they arise”. Teaching assistant and West Malling resident Tina Leggatt said: “When we first announced we wanted to create a forest school at Bramble Park, we received a wave
nearby, more than a year after it was dumped and set on fire. The church car park has also seen
many instances of illegal dumping. But it is a problem in many rural
areas including Langley, Otham and Kingswood. Water Lane in Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have also been targeted recently. Last year, Maidstone Borough Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- ping and this year more than 163 have been recorded since April. The approaching darker evenings will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-
tive by the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency to clamp down on
unlicensed waste carriers, but be- lieves the cost to small firms of dis- posing of construction waste at a transfer station is proving a deter- rent that is costing councils more. Cllr Fort made her remarks as
one of the borough’s closest trans- fer stations at North Farm, Tun- bridge Wells, announced it will be closed for 10weeks. She added: “If you go along the
of positive feedback. “Now, everything has suddenly
turned negative. Adults shouldn’t be behaving like this; we are not a threat and what we are doing is not
line of increasing fines, they have to be enforced. A reduction in the charge or offering it free may have the desired similar effect.” Athree-monthly litter pick on the mile-long stretch of road through Leeds village produces an average 32 black sacks of rubbish.
Cllr Fort, who also serves as a
‘Abuse’ claims over forest school plans
South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tick- ets go to
www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to turn an old house in West Malling into a forest school for disabled children has sparked a backlash from residents.
harmful to anyone. If anything, you’d think people would be happy that the building would be used for something wonderful, rather than another housing estate. “I can’t help but think this is be-
cause the children are disabled. There are complaints about noise, but there is a local primary school nearby, what is the difference?” One Green Lane resident said
any noise during playtime would be “extremely noticeable and dis- turbing for residents”. Opponents also say the village
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parish councillor, says teaching children about social responsibility and the issue of litter in schools will help take the issue off the streets. She believes with every household receiving a weekly refuse collection service, there is no excuse for litter being thrown from vehicles or dumped in the road.
layout is “ill-prepared” to deal with more traffic, as the roads are too narrow and “poorly maintained”. However, supporters of the scheme say if the application is un- successful, the site will “be demol- ished by housing developers”. Mrs Baines said: “We have been completely transparent and honest during this process. We have re- ceived some quite abusive emails and letters since the application was submitted. I’m just very disap- pointed. Traffic is a problem ev- erywhere in Kent, so I do not understand what is different here.”
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Communities rallying to help those at risk
SCHOOLS have closed, the curtains have come down on performances and major sports events have been cancelled as the government ramped up its ad- vice to the public on the threats of Coronavirus. With 14 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Kent, communities have come together to help the elderly and those who are most vulnerable to infection.
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Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper
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Kate, 107, dies News
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Chocks and chocs MP’s Local Plan bid
KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son David has disclosed.
HELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.
Brothers’ project Plans for Dr Nigel
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A LARKFIELD Helicopter Club takes off on social media, with a bit of fun and chocolate biscuits.
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TWO brothers have set up a web- site to help learner drivers find driving instructors.
Tribute to war hero Jason Donovan date
THE former Neighbours star brings his show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.
HALLING war hero Thomas Har- ris to be commemorated with a blue plaque at his former home.
LARKFIELD Community Group’s popular ‘Buddy’ scheme has become a victim of its own success.
Obituaries Obituaries
THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet will walk the Grand Canyon for charity. 12
à3 à4 18 More buddies please
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ASH dieback has been discovered in Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stall- holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed for Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allow buses through Imperial Park; rub- bish bins in the sports field in Kingswoodare to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.
BIRLING parish council are look- ing to commemorate the Spitfire crash site for VE Day; a race night is being considered by Offham parish council; Trosley Heritage Group has exchanged contracts on the Plough Inn, Trottiscliffe.
A FORD Transit van was stolen from car park in Aylesford; a log- splitting machine was stolen from a driveway in West Malling.
Comment à34-35 Crime Reports 35
VEHICLES have been driven over farmland in Lenham, causing damge to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were stolen from an allotment in Lenham.
Comment 46-47
Parishes à26-27 32
Parish Councils 34-35 Crime Reports à27 à8
Inside this edition: THE borough council is set to ap- prove increases to West Malling parking charges, including resi- dents’ permits.
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