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Maidstone East Edition


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


October 2017 June 17th Panto ahoy! - July 7th


THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid- stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto. On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Ste- fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza- beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Bor- zone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from


Bells ready to ring out again


AFTER more than a year of virtual silence, the sound of church bells will soon return to the parishes. Bell-ringers at Holy Cross church


South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tick- ets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.


in Bearsted are getting ready for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions this summer. Lead ringer Ian Parker, pictured


CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping


on the church tower, said: “We are keen to be getting back together to bring the joyful sound of bells back to our village.” l Full story page 16


Crime ‘out of control’


CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country road have been made by the local borough councillor.


Burberry Lane, near Leeds and Broomfield, has been targeted by waste dumpers for years, but in re- cent months, the problem has be- come more acute. Constructionwaste, rubble, hard


core, windows and household fur- niture is left illegally – often strewn in the middle of the road. Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month


we are having toilets, sinks and construction waste dumped in the village, specifically in Burberry Lane, where we are now thinking of installing cameras on private land, to oversee the problem area.” A recent event in Burberry Lane


saw a caravan burned out while a torched car remains on a footpath


nearby, more than a year after it was dumped and set on fire. The church car park has also seen


many instances of illegal dumping. But it is a problem in many rural


areas including Langley, Otham and Kingswood. Water Lane in Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have also been targeted recently. Last year, Maidstone Borough Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- ping and this year more than 163 have been recorded since April. The approaching darker evenings will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-


tive by the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency to clamp down on


Criminals, some said to be carry- ing knives, are dealing hard drugs, shoplifting and causing fights and antisocial behaviour. Now Liberal Democrat borough councillor David Naghi, pictured, is calling for an urgent meeting with the area commander, Chief Inspec- tor Gary Woodward. He blames poor policing, CCTV deficiencies and an influx of newcomers placed by London councils for problems in Week Street and Brewer Street. Cllr Naghi said: “It's out of con- trol. Something has to be done.” Businesspeople claim criminals operate with impunity because some cameras do not work to record evidence for police prosecu- tions.


A CCTV blind spot in a town centre street is now an “out of control” crime hotspot, according to local business owners and a councillor.


unlicensed waste carriers, but be- lieves the cost to small firms of dis- posing of construction waste at a transfer station is proving a deter- rent that is costing councils more. Cllr Fort made her remarks as


one of the borough’s closest trans- fer stations at North Farm, Tun- bridge Wells, announced it will be closed for 10weeks. She added: “If you go along the


line of increasing fines, they have to be enforced. A reduction in the charge or offering it free may have the desired similar effect.” Athree-monthly litter pick on the mile-long stretch of road through Leeds village produces an average 32 black sacks of rubbish.


Cllr Fort, who also serves as a


A man was charged with at- tempted murder after an alleged at- tack on May 30 in nearby Brenchley Gardens, a park known for drug- dealing and weapon carrying. A business owner, who asked not to be named, says he was attacked in the street with a metal object, but police have been unable to establish a case because a camera did not work. There are 28 town centre CCTV cameras operated by Maid- stone Borough Council (MBC) but business support group One Maid- stone (OM) monitors the images. MBC said: “There was an issue outside of the control of the council with the power supply that affected a small number of cameras. This has now been resolved.”


01622 690290 YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT


maidstone@martinco.com 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent


parish councillor, says teaching children about social responsibility and the issue of litter in schools will help take the issue off the streets. She believes with every household receiving a weekly refuse collection service, there is no excuse for litter being thrown from vehicles or dumped in the road.


Another businessman is warning there will be a killing in the area. He added: “We're coming out of a pandemic and businesses are trying to get back to normal, so it doesn't help if criminals are running around acting with impunity.” OM’s Ilsa Butler said: “I know there have been times when the cameras haven’t worked.” l Special report, page 8


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FREE No. 246


News


Kate, 107, dies News


No. 297


KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son David has disclosed.


MP’s Local Plan bid Weeds anger


HELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.


A MAIDSTONE resident is angry the council has allowed unsightly weeds and grasses to flour- ish in Weavering.


4 Plans for Dr Nigel Gardeners incensed


THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet will walk the Grand Canyon for charity. 12


BEARSTED allotment holders claim they are being moved onto smaller plots in parish council expansion plans.


A CURRY house site is to change to allow a Tesco Express branch to open.


Jason Donovan date Every little helps


THE former Neighbours star brings his show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.


MP faces changes


MP Helen Grant could have her constituency being carved up at the next election in new propos- als announced earlier this month by The Boundary Commission.


Obituaries Obituaries


Parishes 32


à10 à35 à37


Parish Councils 34-35


ASH dieback has been discovered in Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stall- holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed for Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allow buses through Imperial Park; rub- bish bins in the sports field in Kingswoodare to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.


Energy successes Crime Reports 35


VEHICLES have been driven over farmland in Lenham, causing damge to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were stolen from an allotment in Lenham.


THE borough boasts some of the best renewable energy sources in the county - according to official figures.


New Mote Park cafe Comment 46-47


A NEW cafe is planned for Mote Park with emphasis on learning and community use - as well as stunning views of the lakes.


à30 à21


Changing stations SHOPS and cafes are being ear- marked for disused buildings at Newtwork Rail sta- tions.


Comment à45-47 18 à6 à4 à3 3 FREE & Fortnightly


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


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