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to tree protection orders. The parish council’s view on this matter was made clear at the public sessions when it was stated that the removal of the trees “would not be an issue”. This cavalier approach is particularly ironic when you consider that the land in question is right next to the Bearsted Woodland Trust land and that individuals, groups and local authorities are being actively encouraged to plant trees to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.


The hope is that the parish council comes to realise the futility of this ill- conceived project and decide to spend parish funds on projects that will benet the community as a whole. Chris Buckingham, via email


Boycott has backred


A SECT was formed when its few members discovered that GB News was going on air this summer. Members of this ‘movement’ proclaim their desire to ‘stop hate’ (or something) whilst spewing out hate on social media platforms without any sense of irony.


It accused the nascent media company, GB News, led by the peerless Andrew Neil, of following its own bad example weeks before its target had spoken a word.


These few people, who consider themselves models of absolute perfection, think they have power to tell others what to do and say and force all businesses to boycott anyone that they think may disagree with them.


Through "unsocial" media, sometimes using vitriolic language, they insist that rms must do their bidding and not advertise with GB News. Some large rms have crumbled, stating lame excuses, or they have made statements inferring that this new news channel was going to perform below lawful and their own standards of humanity. Why are these insidious few people able to demand all to meet their demands and why do big companies bow down to them needlessly? Now it is time that they themselves should be investigated, because I am sure that those who act in such a way must have skeletons in their own cupboards. However, they are probably too stupid to realise that their actions have possibly increased advertising in GB News. Alan Wallace, via email


BBC criticism incorrect


I AVIDLY read the Downs Mail letters page and note that there is now less Brexit-led correspondence, but perhaps a noticeable reference to BBC criticism, particularly from one correspondent in the last couple of editions. Of course, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but could we perhaps clear up one misconception from a letter in the late May issue? Contrary to what was


46


claimed, James Dyson did not supply any COVID-19 ventilators to the UK, and this fact was reported by the broadcaster. Similarly, the BBC's handling of the Martin Bashir interview is ongoing, but whether the royal family has emerged stronger than ever given other recent developments would have little to do with this broadcaster. David Purll, via email


Bird species rise and fall


I RECENTLY read in your newspaper how the greennch is in apparent decline. Having lived in the Lenham and Harrietsham areas for a fair few years, I can report, as a keen amateur birder that the greennch populations do appear to be in decline. Yet, two years ago, they appeared to doing pretty well. But garden bird populations rise and fall, depending on a whole range of causes. Habitat, feeding and disease can be principal drivers for whether one species or other thrives or merely survives.


If the habitat which suits a particular species of bird alters signicantly, if there are stresses placed on food supplies or an avian disease comes into play, then the population will be affected. The blue tit populations will be affected


this year because a grub upon which it depends for its early brood to be fed was in short supply because of the cold, dry early days in spring. The winter moth caterpillar was late hatching from oak trees and so were many of the blue tit chicks as a consequence.


The chances of it happening next year are fairly slim, but not out of the question. Perhaps, if an avian virus were to strike, then the blue tit could be in real strife. Yet most species recover in time. R Young, via email


Better late than never


IT BEGGARS belief that eight years after McDonald’s developer funding was set aside for traffic ow improvements in the Hart Street/Lockmeadow area, questions are now being asked what is going on (Downs Mail, June 17). KCC is the highways authority and Maidstone Council has now called for a report – belated, but still very signicant due to ongoing traffic nightmares in this increasingly busy area. Reginald Cooper, Maidstone


A249 changes welcome


AS A regular user of the A249 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne, I am relieved the Government has approved a £92m road improvement scheme at Stockbury roundabout.


I used to allow about 30 minutes for this journey, but due to heavy build-up of traffic at this increasingly busy junction I now set aside an hour. There are so many


accidents this is often not long enough. Now we are promised a new A249


yover for the roundabout, meaning we can avoid the complex junctions altogether. Work is promised to start in September and will take three years. It cannot come soon enough. Barbara Castle, Maidstone


Brighter future for children


SINCE 2018, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery have provided crucial funding to the NSPCC to help the charity keep children safe and well. To date, players have raised almost £6 million, which has been used to support our vital services.


These include our school service programme helping primary school children speak out and stay safe from abuse, our “Letting the Future In” service helping children and young people recover from sexual abuse, and Childline, which provides free and condential counselling to children and young people in need of support.


Childline, which has received £3million alone from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, is a lifeline for many children, and over the past year thousands of young people have needed it more than ever, due to the challenges they have faced during the pandemic. Local lockdowns, school closures, isolation and the impact of being separated from family and friends led many children to get in touch with the service over the phone or online. Since April last year, our trained counsellors have delivered more than 73,000 counselling sessions with young people who were struggling with their mental and emotional health. Of these sessions, 5,646 were with children aged 11 or under, an increase of nearly a third (29%) on the year before. The money raised by players of


People’s Postcode Lottery has been invaluable in helping our frontline staff be here for children during their darkest hours.


Moving forward, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, it remains vital that children and young people know where they can get help and support.


That’s why we are so grateful to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for their continued support as we move into a new stage of our long-term partnership with funding from the Postcode Children Trust.


The money raised by players of the


lottery over the next year will enable our staff and services to be here for those children who need it most. Accessing these services will help them be able move forward with their lives and have a better and brighter future. Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, assistant director NSPCC Local Services, London and the South East


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