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downsmail.co.uk New way to remember them
WITH many Remembrance events cancelled this year, the Royal British Legion (RBL) is asking supporters to back the poppy appeal in a new way.
The threat of Covid-19 has made the RBL cautious as many of its 40,000 volunteers are in vulnerable categories.
Catherine Crowhurst, RBL or- ganiser for Maidstone, said 20% of Maidstone’s normal poppy outlets will not be staffed, largely because most are not big enough to socially distance more than two people. RBL hopes supporters will order poppies online, by post for neigh- bours, printing a poppy to display in your window, or undertaking a virtual poppy run.
In Maidstone, poppies will still
be available, with schools and vol- unteers manning tables in shops and supermarkets. One shopping centre, where the
same elderly couple have been sell- ing poppies for years, is expected to have a stall manned either by staff or an Army Cadet instructor. Mrs Crowhurst said: “I’ve been selling poppies with my dad and uncle, both veterans, for over 20 years but they are both in the vul- nerable category, so I’ll be helping some younger volunteers.” While the Army Cadets will not
be collecting, members of the Ro- tary Club of Maidstone will help with deliveries and collections. Collectors will have QR codes and
Hundreds at
village funeral HUNDREDS of travellers con- verged on a village near Maidstone for a funeral, bringing roads to a standstill.
Flat-bed trucks and vans deliv-
ered hundreds of floral tributes in memory of Paul Hooker, who died in Pitt Road, Kingswood on September 21.
Mourners packed St Nicholas Church in Leeds, while others stood outside in the rain on Octo- ber 23. A horse-drawn carriage de- livered the coffin and mourners laid their tributes at the graveside. Mr Hooker was travelling in a
white Mercedes GL350 when it overturned in Pitt Road, between Langley and Kingswood, at around 11.25pm on September 21. Police were largely absent for the
event until locals alerted the force to the chaos. Online critics pointed out there were far more than the 30 people permitted at a funeral under current restrictions.
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contactless payment machines. Maidstone Borough Council has had to cancel this year's Remem- brance Day service, but people are urged to “remember from home” and hold their own private tributes to honour war veterans. There are various ways you can donate. l Go to
www.rbl.org.uk/pop- pyappeal and click on ‘Donate’ l By Phone 0845 845 1945 l By text: To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020 (Typically £2.97 goes to the RBL). l By post: Return to Freepost Plus RTZT-ATBH-RGBZ, The Royal British Legion, Bumpers Way, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6NG
You can pick up your poppy at outlets across the town. Here are just some of them. These outlets were accurate at the time of compiling, prior to the Govern- ment’s second lockdown: Pharmacies: Boots, Albion Place; The Link , King Street. Supermarkets: Aldi, Well Road; Co- op, Week Street; Tesco Express, Week Street. Banks: Lloyds Bank, Week Street; Santander, High Street. Town centre shops: M&S, Week
Catherine Crowhurst selling poppies with her father, David Gray, and uncle, Steve Gray, in the Mall, in 2017
Street; Robert Dyas, Gabriels Hill; ; Reddys, 95 High Street; Timpson Shoe Repairs, Earl Street and The Mall. The Mall: BBs Café; TJ Hughes; Poundland; Iceland; Matalan; Wilkinsons. Vinters Park: Costcutter; Maid- stone Dry Cleaners; Penenden Heath: Penenden Deli; Fish & Chip Shop; Londis. Others: Foley Park News; Vasa Food store, Union Street; Haynes, Ashford Road; Londis, Chatham
Jade makes the grade
STAFF at Downs Mail have congratulated Jade Schopman on her grad- uation as an editorial apprentice. The journalist, who joined the team in August 2018, completed a Business Administra- tion and ICT course under the Kent Train- ing and Apprentice- ships
scheme. Jade
was recently promoted to online news editor for Daily Downs Mail. Colleagues enjoyed a socially-distanced celebration at the Downs Mail office on October 2. Jade (20) said: “My two years at the Downs Mail has been the best educational experience I’ve had. “I think the appren- ticeship route is a very valid path to take, and one that should be put on the same level as going to university, going to college or studying A-Levels. Thanks to my supportive colleagues and tutors, I have been challenged to do things I never thought I would be able to do.”
Road; Shell Garage, Chatham Road. Bearsted / Grove Green: Tesco Grove Green; Lloyds Chemist and Newsagent, in Grove Green; Co-op, Madginford; McColls, Madginford; Rickwoods; BP Garage; Tesco Ex- press; Bearsted News, Ashford Rd; Post Office and Chemist; Tudor Park hotel reception; Bearsted So- cial Club; Cooling’s Garden Centre. Langley / Dowswood: Rumwoods Garden Centre, Langley; Spires Chemist, Downswood.
Health online SUPPORT among patients and
staff for continued use of telephone and online appointments has been identified by Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group. But Clinical Chair, Dr Navin Kumta, told the board: “This must not be seen as the only option”. He said patients and staff needed clear information about the pan- demic and how to stay safe. Covid- 19 led to teams working in new ways “and this collaboration should be taken forward”.
Offices agreed
AN ‘EYESORE’ on the A20 ap- proaching Hollingbourne will dis- appear now Maidstone Council Planning Committee has approved two two-storey office buildings on the site of the Maple Leaf Garage. The rural site is near the evolving
large Woodcut Farm employment site. KCC Highways reported it was happy with the access on to the 60mph Ashford Road.
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