downsmail.co.uk Funding boost to church plan


THE construction of a new church in Maidstone, which will help to support a large housing development near the centre of town, is now a step closer.


So far, more than £100,000 has been collected towards the initial target of £150,000 St Faith’s Hall in Ringlestone is being replaced with a new centre, with plans to sell the existing place of worship, near Maidstone Mu- seum. The scheme has been given planning permission.


A fundraising “gift day” held last month prompted a “fantastic response” on October 11. A statement said: “The funding programme for the St Faith’s Cen- tre includes an ambitious target of £150,000 via direct giving from church members and friends and local community fundraising. “Remarkably, just over £100,000


has already been raised, thanks to a generous response to the first gift day and more donations since. “Together with promising appli- cations for further funding sources, there is now a real momentum be- hind the project with great support from the local community.”


Virus yers LEAFLETS promoting the “truth”


behind mainstream media reports on Coronavirus have been left on car windscreens in Leeds village. The flyers are from The UK Col- umn, a geopolitical website boast- ing


“quality independent


investigative journalism”. It is the mouthpiece of Patrick Henningsen, an outspoken critic of mainstream media, with links to other anti-establishment websites such as Keep Britain Free, 21st Century Wire and New Chartist Movement. It claims the UK government is brainwashing the public over the coronavirus pandemic, “control- ling people by fear” and “creating tyranny against the people.”


Wildlife fears SMALL mammals re-homed from


building development land to Mote Park are suffering, and Maid- stone Borough Council now says they must go elsewhere. An ecological survey revealed


Mote Park has become overloaded, leading to the death of some crea- tures.


This was reported to the coun-


cil’s Planning Committee consider- ing an application for development of the Pea Field in Barming.


Rev Canon Arthur Houston, and right, an artist’s impression of the new community centre and church Rev Canon Arthur Houston said:


“The (present) church hall has been a much-used community facility since 1935 but, sadly, it’s no longer fit for purpose.


“It is rare for a church to get planning permission, but it will also serve as a multi-functional


community centre. There will be a nursery, lunches and events held there seven days a week. People will be able to come and go all day long.” Planning permission has been granted for the new building, on the corner of Monckton’s Lane, to


Crash victim named


A TALENTED hair stylist has been named as the victim of a fatal M20 crash in Maidstone. Josie Smith (22), from Herne Bay, hit a car parked on the hard shoulder after it had been in a collision with a Ford car which had earlier hit the crash barrier.


Staff at Whitstable hairdress- ing salon Cloud Nine paid trib- ute to the young hairdresser. The post reads: “Not only was


Josie a dedicated and talented hairdresser who was an exam- ple to us all, but she brightened life for us. “We feel that the world is a little darker today.”


A Kent Police spokesman


said: “Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses follow- ing a fatal collision on the Lon- don-bound carriageway of the M20 on Saturday, October 31.”


NHS ‘ready for Brexit’


THE NHS in Kent and other care services are well prepared for trans- port and other difficulties which could arise when the UK leaves the EU at the end of this year, Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group has been told. The NHS sees junction 10a of the M20 as “operationally signifi-


cant”, particularly for William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, and the am- bulance service.


Patient involvement needed


THE year-old Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group says there is now a pressing need to set up a patient and public involve- ment framework. It says there is a risk of failing effectively to engage and this would prevent the CCG achieving best outcomes.


Flu jab crisis


VULNERABLE patients could be at risk of contracting flu due to shortages of the vaccine in the na- tional supply chain. Priority is given to those most at


risk – the over 65s, those with long- term health conditions, children aged between two and 11, carers and pregnant women.


Kent Clinical Commissioning


Group says: “GP practices and pharmacies receive phased deliv- eries of the vaccine and flu clinics are scheduled to coincide. By staggering appointments, we can help protect as many as possi- ble.”


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replace the current St Faith’s church hall and vicarage, provid- ing space for the local community to use and enjoy and a vibrant place for the church community to worship.


Go to www.st-faiths.org.uk for details.


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