News


downsmail.co.uk Chicken farm claims denied


THE farming business behind a proposed chicken farm in the south of Maidstone has criticised a 15,000-signature petition set up by animal activists as “completely misleading”.


People for the Ethical Treat-


ment of Animals (PETA) is calling for plans to build the new site at Reed Court Farm to be scrapped. The animal rights campaigners


have submitted a 15,000-signature petition against the application. Hunton-based Fridays Ltd in-


tends to spend £8m on three huge hen houses, each holding up to 64,000 birds.


Campaigners said the farm would cause “immense suffer- ing” to the chickens


as they


would be “crammed” into each of the three proposed buildings. Kate Werne, a PETA senior campaigns manager, said: “Thou- sands of compassionate people


Carl ‘killed


unlawfully’ A FORMER teacher whose body was discovered on an Indian Ocean island a decade ago was un- lawfully killed, an inquest has ruled.


Carl Davies (33), whose family


lived in Hollingbourne, died from head injuries after an assault. Mr Davies died on a night out in Reunion in 2011 after the vessel he was working on as a security guard docked there. He sustained up to four blows to the head. A man was convicted of his mur-


der in 2017 but later released under judicial supervision.


Food appeal


A FOOD bank in Aylesford is look- ing for donations.


Volunteers are working out of the Brassey Centre in Station Road to ensure no one goes hungry. Donations


of non-perishable


foods are distributed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call Aline Ongley on 07771 636872.


Parking rise


A RISE in vehicles in Leeds church car park is causing headaches. It is believed walkers are leav- ing their cars there to use the parkland in the Leeds castle es- tate, and, occasionally, one car was double-parked.


The PCSO suggests the parish council uses cones and upgraded signs to control the problem.


20


have spoken, and Maidstone Bor- ough Council should heed their concerns for animal welfare, the environment, and the health of


the community. PETA is calling for this plan to be scrapped, spar- ing thousands of birds a lifetime of suffering and an agonising death.


“Cramming stressed animals together on farms like this one is not only a living hell for animals, but also creates a perfect breeding ground for infectious diseases. “Considering the negative im- pact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on our society, it’s imper- ative that these facilities are no longer built in the UK.” Locals have voiced their con- cerns about noise, waste manage- ment, flooding and smells. A Fridays spokesman said the


venture, called Wealden Woods Free Range Farm, will comply with the “highest standards of an- imal welfare”. A statement added: “It is com- pletely misleading to stay the hens will be ‘crammed’ indoors when we are proposing a free- range facility set in 237 acres of open countryside. “The health and wellbeing of our hens is paramount and we have strict procedures in place to ensure their welfare, as well as a rigorous inspection regime that includes the Animal and Plant Health Agency (part of DEFRA), the RSPCA and independent poultry veterinarians.”


Appeal grows for stolen Daisy


POLICE have launched a campaign to find a dog stolen from a retired couple in Hollingbourne. Cocker spaniel Daisy went miss-


ing in Upper Street at around 8.50am on Monday, January 18. It is alleged a man in a white flatbed truck stopped his vehicle and stole the rescue dog, that was sitting outside an address. The truck then left the scene up Hollingbourne Hill towards Sitting- bourne. Taxi firm Streamline has posted a


reward to reunite the dog with heartbroken owners Pam (77) and Bill Nash (80). Streamline spokesman Sarah


Chapman said: “We want to do ev- erything we possibly can to reunite Daisy with her owners.” A Facebook appeal to find Daisy


has been shared over 160,000 times. Anybody with information should call 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/10049/21.


Popular organist Bob dies aged 100


A MUCH-LOVED organist and choirmaster at St Nicholas Church in Linton has died aged 100. Bob Caudwell took up the post at the age of 76 when he first moved to Kent and he played for Sunday services, weddings and fu- nerals. He would also help out at All Saints Church in West Farleigh He served with the Liverpool


Welsh Tank Regiment in WWII in Egypt, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Greece.


Nottinghamshire-born Bob con- ducted the regimental choir for concerts broadcast by the BBC. He later enrolled as a teacher and spent the rest of his working life


teaching maths, science and music. He gained the Licentiateship of the Royal Academy of Music and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists. Rev Peter Callway said: “When I


first joined the church, one of the first things I noticed was how in-


credibly loved Bob was. “In his later years, he had trou- ble with poor eyesight so he mem- orised all the hymns and performed every one by memory. “He was a popular, talented and gracious man. He would put on concerts and fundraisers for the church and would always enter- tain us with stories from the war. “It is especially sad because he spent his 100th birthday in lock- down. He will be sadly missed.” Widower Bob died at home on January 27 from prostate cancer. He leaves a daughter-in-law, Ju- dith, and two teenage grandsons, twins Fred and George.


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