Senior Living News Arrested man
in assault case A MAN was arrested in Maidstone after allegedly assaulting several police officers. Police were called to reports of a disturbance at a property in San- dling Road on Friday, March 19. Harold Andrews (25) was ar- rested on suspicion of criminal damage and allegedly assaulted two officers. It is also reported he damaged a police vehicle and an ambulance and, while in custody, assaulted three more officers and racially abused another. Mr Andrews was charged with
five counts of assaulting an emer- gency worker, three counts of criminal damage and one count of racially-aggravated harassment. He was remanded in custody.
Bank clean
A BANK in Maidstone was forced to shut for a deep clean. Staff members at HSBC in Week
Street had to self-isolate as a pre- cautionary measure.
A spokesman said: "Customers can continue to use our mobile, video and telephone banking ser- vices. We are working to get our branch open as soon as possible.”
Attack report
A MAN was threatened with a screwdriver outside a supermarket in Maidstone. Police are investigating the inci- dent which took place outside Sainsbury's in Romney Place at around 9.45am on March 15. No one was injured. Anybody who saw the incident or who can assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/42182/21, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Green savings
RESIDENTS could save up to £600 on their energy bills by signing up to a government green initiative. The Green Homes Grant scheme runs until March 2022 and aims to cover the costs of making houses more energy-efficient. The maximum value of the help is £5,000. Go to the Simple Energy Service website for more details.
Pie-inging
A DATE has been set for this year’s World Custard Pie Champi- onships in Coxheath. The unique event will go ahead at Coxheath Village Hall from noon on September 4. Entry is free.
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Villagers call for action at ‘dangerous junction’
RADICAL action is needed to prevent crashes in Hollingbourne, residents have claimed.
High volumes of traffic, speed- ing, inconsiderate parking and crashes have become a way of life for villagers.
The problems stem from the junction at which Pilgrims Way meets Hollingbourne Hill through which a huge number of cars travel each day, many using it as a short- cut to Maidstone.
The latest lockdown has meant
cars parking around the junction, making it difficult for residents to enter the junction. When they do, they are often unsighted from a bend in the uphill stretch. North Downs borough council-
lor Patrik Garten has asked high- ways authority Kent County Council to put in double yellow lines below The Dirty Habit pub and build out the pavement to re- duce the width of the road. He is also arguing for better signs to warn motorists of the dan- gers ahead. Residents gathered to express their frustrations eight days after a crash on March 11, when a school bus overturned in a front garden. The cause of the inci- dent, in which no one was hurt, has yet to be determined. Cllr Garten said: “The traffic
through the village is totally unac- ceptable. It is used by lorries and by people needing a shortcut to Maidstone or up to Sittingbourne. “Residents have complained about their walls being crashed into, parked vehicles being dam- aged and too many cars speeding. “During lockdown people park at the Pilgrims Way junction, leav- ing other road users unable to get a proper line of sight. It is dangerous and people have had enough now. KCC member Shellina Prender- gast said: “Any restrictions, whether speed or parking, will also
require enforcement by Kent Police and Maidstone Borough Council. “There are also risks involved with physical barriers such as chi- canes within rural areas where there is no streetlighting – not to mention the sensitivities of local residents with the use of ‘urban’ features in what is a rural village.” She added that speed surveys would be carried out to “inform any future safety proposals”. Cllr Garten (right) is pictured with Lisa Cooper, Tania Shilling- ford, John Holley, Karen and Richard Fielding and Toni Webb.
Sweet treats for young ‘heroes’
A MAIDSTONE ice cream business spent a weekend handing out free treats to little lock- down heroes. Lottie’s Lollies owner Charlotte Watson (32)
said she wanted to give some recognition to the children who have remained resilient throughout the pandemic. She was inundated with nominations for
well-deserving youngsters across the borough and spent March 6 touring the town to hand out the treats. She said: “I think we visited 60 households
and the kids were so appreciative to have their own ice cream van show up at their door. We created more than 150 desserts in the end. It was a very emotional day but so worth it. “We chose the Williams family because little
Luna was born in lockdown and hasn’t been able to see all her family members yet, and the girls have worked hard with home schooling.” Olivia (9), Melissa (6), Kyler-Louise (7), and 10-month-old Luna-Rose are pictured with mum Rachel Williams.
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