News A virtual festive


lights switch-on MAIDSTONE town centre will have Christmas lights this year. One Maidstone has come up with an alternative way to cele- brate due to the current govern- ment guidelines in place. The Secret Switch On event will be a pre-recorded and socially distanced concert film, which will be available to watch for free from November 19. Performances from local singers and dancers will be filmed around the town centre to create an evening of entertainment. Already lined up to take part are organisations such as Fremlin Walk, the Mall shopping centre, the Royal Star Arcade, Maidstone Dance Studios, Enchanted Events 4 Kids, Mid Kent College, the Maidstone Distillery and other Maidstone-based talent and spaces, as well as a signed perfor- mance by Hi-Kent.


BID Manager Ilsa Butler said: “Whilst we’re obviously disap- pointed to not be able to put on a live show this year, there will still be a lights scheme installed, and we hope we’ve found a way for the residents to watch along and enjoy the evening.”


A spokesman for the Royal Star Arcade said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to host part of the One Maidstone Secret Switch On event. There has not been a lot to smile about of late, but we hope the people of Maid- stone enjoy the performance.”


Appeal delays for


thug David Brown VIOLENT bully David Brown, who was convicted of assault and engaging in coercive behaviour against his ex-partner, will not have his appeal hearing until the end of the year.


Mr Brown (28) of Owletts


Close, Shepway, strangled his vic- tim to the sofa until she passed out in January last year. She suf- fered a swollen eye and injuries to her neck. At a trial in March, the court heard how Brown had coerced his estranged ex-partner for years, shortly after the birth of his first son. It was also alleged Brown took his victims memory box to her stillborn child and poured petrol over it and burnt it in a fire pit in the garden. Brown was ac- quitted at trial of criminal dam- age. His hearing is scheduled at Maidstone Crown Court on De- cember 21.


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Villagers bracing for more closure chaos


VILLAGERS are bracing themselves for five days of disruption and heavy traffic volumes along country lanes when an important road is shut. Long delays are feared as Car-


ing Lane, between Leeds and the A20, will be closed from October 26


for UK Power Networks


works to be carried out . Locals fear that there will be similar scenes of chaos caused by the closure of Penfold Hill near the entrance to Leeds Castle re- cently.


Robert Sinclair, of Forge Lane, Leeds, said the recent water leak on the B2163 has concentrated minds on how the county council and South East Water put in place road closures.


Mr Sinclair said: “We were ba-


sically locked in for about seven days. Kent County Council needs to get its act together before they make another avoidable mistake again.”


Thousands of vehicles were sent down Forge Lane, Burberry Lane, Broomfield Road, Park Barn Road, Chegworth Road and Horseshoes Lane when South East Water shut the B2163 (pic- tured). It also caused congestion in Langley, Kingswood, Otham, Downswood and Willington Street. Locals, who were angry at "inadequate" diversion signs for motorists, blame leakages on large volumes of traffic being al- lowed through the village, partic-


ularly large articulated lorries which are banned from entering Leeds.


Residents and local representa-


tives complain Kent Police do not enforce the lorry ban and fear a relief road is now no longer a pri- ority to either Maidstone Bor- ough Council or Kent County Council. Kent county councillor Gary Cooke, a long-time cheer- leader for a by-pass, is so angry at the position residents were left in as a result of the B2163 closure, he has called for a virtual meeting


Warning over HMRC bad debt arrests con


A POLICE warning has been issued following a number of fraud reports in which victims have been led to believe they may be arrested for owing a debt to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). In September, 85 reports of scams involving fraudsters claiming to be


from HMRC were sent to Kent Police. A Maidstone man was scammed out of £11,000 after being receiving


a call from someone claiming to be from HMRC. He was told that he could either pay the money or go to court for tax evasion. Detective Sergeant Alec Wood of the Volume Fraud Team said: “These


fraudsters prey on vulnerable individuals and use scare tactics, like the threat of arrest, to rush people into making rash decisions and parting with large sums of money. “They are good at what they do and always have a convincing reason


why money has to be received a certain way. “In addition to a direct bank transfer they also encourage people to purchase gift cards or download money transfer apps to make a pay- ment.”


with local highways officers to voice his concerns. The meeting, by invitation, was due to be held as we went to press. Mr Sinclair added: “Most of the roads in this area were built for the horse and cart, not thousands of vehicles or articulated lorries driven illegally through rural vil- lages."


Leeds borough councillor Gill Fort has sought assurance from KCC leader Roger Gough that a relief road is being "pursued with vigour".”


Firework show


now cancelled THE Bearsted fireworks dis- play will not be taking in place in November. The annual event has been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 guidelines. A Bearsted Parish Council spokesman said: “We would like to inform residents that sadly Bearsted fireworks dis- play will not take place this November. “The decision did not come


easily, and it is with regret that Bearsted Parish Council have decided to cancel this very popular event due to the cur- rent Covid-19 Government guidelines.”


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