Table Of Content

FFRREEEE KKeenntt oonn SSuunnddaayy www.kentnews.co.uk February 1, 2015 W E E K L Y F R E E N E W S P A P E R O F T H E Y E A R East edition No 645 London and South of England Media Awards JUSTICE Why did open jail really close? Fears Blantyre House a victim of mounting staffing crisis TELEVISION County’s role in AGRICULTURE top TV shows Rural threat Ten of the best programmes filmed in Kent EDUCATION of leaving EU Schools face threat to survival How our countryside could change Could falling admissions force forever if we opt out of Europe another closure? The best garage is a safe one Security, convenience & reliability When it comes to remote controlled In 2006 Essati introduced the insulated aluminium rolling garage door systems, Essati is a rolling garage door system, a sleek and beautiful modern rollerdoor of superior quality, conveniently leader in innovation and quality. operated by a small hand held key fob. This Since 1995 Essati has been an inventive roller system combines security, convenience and shutter garage door company catering for the reliability, with a beautiful stylish door of infinity, needs of the residential market place. and it’s completely maintenance free! www.essatigaragedoors.co.uk 01245 396910 JUST £699 Remote controlled insulated aluminium rolling garage door inc vat & fitting 2 Week ending February 1,2015 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk Kent on Sunday PAGE PAGE 8 » 26 » WEEKLY FREE NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR London and South of England Media Awards Sister title of www.kentnews.co.uk Grammar system unfair to our struggling schools WHEN the school league tables come away from you, you can see how out each year it is easy to look at the they start at something of a disad- bottom half and wonder just how, in vantage. Or, indeed, how they this relatively affluent county of ours, cannot be expected to post 80 per some of our schools perform so poorly. cent pass rates for the elusive five PAGE Easy to look at the national GCSEs at A*-C with maths and 7 » average and ponder why so many English. Nor, as a consequence, do struggle so far below it. We are quick you get many ‘outstanding’ Ofsted to point fingers; teachers, politicians, reports for non-grammars; purely funding. because they can’t secure the very But the simple truth, in the most highest marks. part, is that Kent is one of the few I repeat these well known facts remaining areas in the county which only because we should not all hold clings on to the selective system. our heads in our hands at the state of And, as a consequence, every some of our schools and consider non-grammar school has the top them all as ‘failing’. They 20 per cent - or whatever it is - should certainly strive and PAGE creamed off by the Kent Test. aspire to improve and the 11 » Of course, those that are leaders must be strong and left are more than capable of focused, but so should the performing on par or, parents who send their indeed, far better than some students, and the communities of those ‘top’ grammar pupils. which they serve. Education is PAGE But when you have the all about team work. And 12» ones who are going remembering our to hit the top non-selectives marks immedi- don’t play on a ately whipped Editor Chris Britcher level field. (cid:2) Kent on Sunday and its journalists are committed to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Kent on Sunday editor Chris Britcher ([email protected]) please contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London, EC1 2JD, or via [email protected]. uk. More information about IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk PAGE 6 » Contents News 34 Paddy’s game HOW TO CONTACT US… PAGE Publisher: Simon Irwin 5 Tesco closes 12 Schools near 14 » for a laugh Email [email protected] Editor: Chris Britcher crisis levels? Email [email protected] superstore Stand-up show date Address: Kent House, 81 Station Education expert on Food Road, Ashford TN23 1PP Supermarket pulls out Editorial: News: 01233 653475 the admissions slump Sport/Leisure: 01233 653479 of another store 14 Top 10: Kent 35 Check out Email [email protected] 7 Flood of Advertising: on TV shows the 5:2 diet Jobs/Notices: 0845 671 4460 good ideas Business: 01233 653461 Feast and famine Email [email protected] Big stars who have Retail/Leisure/Motors: 01233 653461 Experts gather to filmed in the county Business Email [email protected] discuss flooding Distribution: 01233 653470 19 Relief in fight 43 Business 8 Row after FOLLOW US ONLINE @ vs fracking Monthly • kentnews.co.uk prison is shut • kentnews.co.uk/mobile • jobsforkent.co.uk Crucial concessions Launches today • homes24.co.uk Concerns after are agreed by MPs • drive24.co.uk Sport • twitter@kosmedia Blantyre House closes The Arts Published in Kent and printed by Archant Print, 11 Attacking 51 Gills out of division of Archant Community Media Limited 31 Mockingbird (Co Reg No 19300). Registered Office: Prospect the Stack the cup House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE flies back in Battle erupts over how Wembley dream over to ease Operation Stack Harper Lee classic for another season back on Kent’s stage kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk KEA Week ending February 1, 2015 3 WINTER SALE NOW ON 20,000 square feet of furniture and beds greatly reduced SAVE SAVE £400 20% Ixworth 3 seat sofa Chateau Dining table with one leaf Usual price £1495 Sale price £1095 Usual price £659 Sale price £525 2 seater and chair also available in a good Chair Usual price £135 Sale price £99 choice of pattern and plain fabrics A complete range of country style rustic oak furniture SAVE SAVE £900 £1000 Relyon Royal Edinburgh LAZBOY Zara Divan set King size Leather corner reclining seating group Usual price £2099 Sale price £1199 Usual price £4195 Sale price £3195 1400 pocket spring mattress on a Price includes 2 recliner units with USB 2 drawer sprung edge divan sockets, 2 single units and 1 corner Nasons Furniture & Bed Centre Maynard Road, Wincheap, Canterbury CT1 3RQ 01227 463550 | www.nasons.co.uk Easy Parking - Free Delivery (Ts & Cs apply) 4 Week ending February 1,2015 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk s k e Struggling academy hits e w y t s a back at league table blow p e h a t g By Maria Chiorando n i [email protected] r u d d THE vice principal of one of the county’s poorest performing k secondary schools insists its future u is secure, despite a huge slump in . admissions and, once again, o coming bottom of the pile in the c GCSE league tables. . The Marlowe Academy, in n s Ramsgate, was opened just 10 w years ago, in a state-of-the-art building and bank-rolled by former e Saga boss Roger De Haan. n But it has always struggled to hit t performance targets and this week n was again named the county’s e e worst performing school. DETERMINED: The Marlowe Academy says admission figures will rise in September k The league tables saw just 13 per cent of students secure five GCSEs, what everyone has to remember is illustrate the full picture.” The Judd School in Tonbridge @ including maths and English, at that this last academic year has Other schools also recording less came 44th, with 99 per cent. grades A*-C. The national target is seen massive academic reforms. than 20 per cent were the Oasis Other top performers included v s 40 per cent. “There are a few empty places Academy on Sheppey, the Maidstone Grammar School, e More worryingly, the school across Thanet but a good bit of Hartsdown Academy in Margate Dartford Grammar School for Girls attracted just 32 pupils in its Year 7 news is that we have figures of and Pent Valley Technology and Invicta Grammar School in n intake, despite a capacity of 180. It those who have applied for next College in Folkestone. Maidstone, all of which were in the li has led many to wonder how it can year, and those figures have But there was good news from top 100 in the country. d survive if the trend continues. increased. Also, the number of Kent’s super-selective grammars. ■ Education advisor Peter Read a But vice principal Will Pember- students putting us as their second The Skinners School in Tun- writes for KoS on schools with e e ton insists it is turning a corner. choice has increased which shows bridge Wells had a 100 per cent worryingly low intakes – full h He told KoS: “Naturally we are the local community has faith in us. pass rate and came 17th across all story page 12. disappointed with the results but “League tables just do not of England. e h t s e Fresh fury over design College unveils its plans for d a m of Sheppey Crossing as brand new secondary school h c MP meets minister ADDITIONAL pressure will be Called The Technical School, i h brought to bear on the likes of the college principal Graham Razey, w Marlowe Academy after East Kent said: “We’re focusing on catering College announced it was to open and hospitality and early years and THE roads minister John Hayes is to mended safety measures was a new school. childcare because we have an s undertake an ‘urgent review’ into rejected on the grounds of cost. Open to students aged 14-16, excellent track record and e the design and construction of the “Frankly, I think it is a scandal and focusing on vocational state-of-the-art teaching facilities in i r Sheppey Crossing amid further that a government department courses, if it proves successful, it both areas.” o revelations of rejected safety advice. should ignore the advice of the police could draw even more students Education advisor Peter Read t The controversial crossing, which and its own road safety audit on such away from other secondary said: “It will certainly look an S saw a 150-car pile up in 2013 and an important issue. schools. attractive option to many.” the death of a woman and her young “The roads minister, John Hayes, son last year, has no hard shoulder, has agreed to undertake an urgent no lighting, no warning lights, and review into how the design and Tesco delivers another major » Download your free limits visibility at its brow. construction of the Sheppey Crossing Now it has come to light that both was conducted. He’s promised also to Kent News iPhone advice from police and a report by undertake an immediate review of blow to town centre store and iPad App available consultants, commissioned by the what steps are needed to make the Government’s Highways Agency – a bridge safe. at the Apple App Store road safety audit subsequently “I am less interested in recrimina- obtained by campaigners – which tions against those who messed up SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has confirmed it was pulling out of a warned of the dangers, were rejected. the design and construction of the dealt another devastating blow to a major regeneration scheme in It has left Conservative MP for bridge than I am in seeing some of town in the county after it confirmed Dartford. Sittingbourne and Sheppey Gordon the safety measures put in place.” its superstore in Chatham is to close. The Medway Labour group said » Follow us on Henderson fuming. The fresh call comes after Mr The store, in The Brook, it was “disappointed” in the He said: “These documents make Henderson was approached by currently employs 121 staff. decision and that it was a “big loss” Twitter @kosmedia or clear the Highways Agency was former Kent Police officer Richard It was on a list of 43 outlets Tesco to residents. Facebook KOS Media warned about the safety risks Denyer, who says he repeatedly will close as it looks to reshape its Leader Vince Maple added: “It is presented by the design of the bridge raised concerns about the design of business amid falling profits. The critical the site is not now left and it is clear also that doing the bridge at the time, but had his store in Belvedere is also closing, abandoned as we have seen with something to introduce the recom- concerns rejected. and comes just weeks after it other large sites across Medway.” kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk KEA Week ending February 1, 2015 5 s k e e Ten years for vicious robber after house raid w y st A VIOLENT robber who fractured a man’s skull by with cable and knocking his wife to the floor. He then a hitting him with a candlestick and then ransacked his raided their home where their grandchildren, aged p home as the victim’s young grandchildren lay sleeping, two and 11, were sleeping. They were unharmed and has been jailed for 10 years. he left empty-handed. e Richard Mackie was disturbed as he attempted to Mackie, 29, from Clapham, was jailed at Maidstone h break into a shed in Church Road, Swanley. Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of a He attacked the homeowner before tying him up attempted robbery and one of causing GBH. t g n i r It’s back... your chance d u MODERN: How ground would look d Club unveils k u to grab free tickets to ambitious . o stadium plans c . the Kent Big Weekend n s w NON-league football club Ebbsfleet e United unveiled multi-million pound n plans to transform its historic Stonebri- t By Maria Chiorando dge Road ground this week. n “We strongly encourage everyone Fans got their first glimpse of the e e [email protected] to go on the website and take a look plans on Monday night. k at the wide range of attractions.” If it gets the go-ahead, it would see the THOUSANDS of free tickets are now The public can apply for as many capacity increased to just over 6,000, @ up for grabs in this year’s spring tour- tickets as they like, but will receive a with a main stand housing all commer- ism push, My Kent Big Weekend. maximum of two tickets per house- cial and operational facilities and v s Held annually as a way to give des- hold if selected. There are some fam- becoming a major landmark. e tinations an early surge of traffic and ily tickets also available. The club is owned by Dr Abdulla give those living in Kent the chance Tickets include tours of vineyards, Al-Humaidi, the Kuwaiti businessman n to visit attractions on their doorstep - the chance to learn golf, tickets to who is also spearheading the London li and then recommend them to others see a Kent County Championship Paramount project in nearby d - it has become a major hit. cricket match, plus the chance to Swanscombe. a Last year some 115,000 people ap- visit the likes of Canterbury Cathe- It is hoped the club will see a swell of e e plied for 20,000 free tickets - all of dral, Dover Castle, Hever Castle, the fresh interest when the park opens, in h which are handed out by a ballot Historic Dockyard Chatham, Knole addition to the proposed Ebbsfleet system. The tickets must be used and Penshurst Place. garden city. e over the weekend of March 21-22 National Trust properties Ight- A club spokesman explained: “The h and are only open to Kent residents. ham Mote, Scotney Castle, Quebec finished ground will be a ‘complete t This year more than 100 destina- House, and Chartwell are all also building’, as opposed to a collection of s e tions have donated tickets, among participating. four stands and will be designed to meet them the likes of Leeds Castle, Chart- To see the full list of attractions the appropriate ground grading and d well, Howletts Wild Animal Park TIGER: Howletts is included taking part and how to apply, visit safety standards. a and Diggerland. www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk. “The new development will not only m Sandra Matthews-Marsh is chief exciting weekend of the year for us, The deadline for applications is transform the stadium and the club, but executive of the county’s tourism as we see thousands of people get- February 17. Tickets not allocated will be pivotal to the regeneration of h champions Visit Kent, which is be- ting out and about in Kent and will be available via the website. Northfleet as a whole.” hind the scheme. spreading the word about just how Kent on Sunday is one of the Planning permission will be submit- c She explained: “This is the most much we have to offer. event’s media partners. ted shortly to the council. i h w Brewers fined after Pylon plans go out to Fishermen drowned s e i worker loses finger public consultation after boat lost at sea r o t S BREWER Shepherd Neame has been fined A PUBLIC consultation into the controversial Richbor- A MAJOR search mission was continuing on Friday £10,000 after one of its workers lost a finger after it ough Connection will get under way later this month. after a Belgian trawler went missing in the English become caught in machinery. The project is part of a high-voltage electricity link Channel. The Faversham firm had been prosecuted by which pumps excess power from Belgium to The boat disappeared on Wednesday night after » Download your free the Health and Safety Executive for safety Richborough, near Sandwich, called the Nemo Link. finding itself caught in gale force winds and rough seas. breaches at its site in Court Street, last June. The Richborough Connection then takes the power It had been fishing in the Dover Strait and had four Kent News iPhone Agency worker Billy Scanlan, 21, from Sheer- from where it enters the country and links it into the people on board - two Dutch, one Belgian and one and iPad App available ness, had entered a fenced-off section housing a National Grid via a sub station in Canterbury. Portuguese. running production machine, and was hosing But that means a 12-mile string of pylons. The last signal received from the boat’s tracking at the Apple App Store down an area when he slipped. A series of public events gets under way on system was some 15 miles south-east of Hastings. No His left arm instinctively shot out as he tried to February 10 with pop-in sessions in Canterbury, distress signal was received. regain his balance, but his hand came into contact Westwood Cross and Sandwich, before a string of A coastguard helicopter, a French search and with one of the operating parts of the machine. It events in various locations from February 17. rescue helicopter and two Kent lifeboats carried out immediately began to be drawn in by a sprocket Events will include members of the project team the first search for the trawler. » Follow us on at the end of a conveyor. who will be able to answer questions and discuss By Friday morning, two bodies had been found in He needed a full amputation of the finger and concerns over the impact on the countryside. the sea off the coast of Boulogne along with debris Twitter @kosmedia or repairs to his thumb and middle finger. He has The consultation runs until March 27. To find out the from the vessel. An empty life-raft had also washed Facebook KOS Media been unable to return to work. details of just where and when the sessions take place up on the French coast. Shepherd Neame admitted a breach of the - and more about the project, see richboroughcon- Dover RNLI crews were forced to keep suspend- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations nection.co.uk. You can also read our guide to the ing the search due to the poor conditions. The search 1998 before Maidstone magistrates. Nemo Link online at www.kentnews.co.uk. was focused on French waters on Friday. 6 Week ending February 1, 2015 KEA kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk agenda What will make next week’s headlines… Select committee set to Flooding conference discuss Manston Airport tackling rising issues THE transport select committee Owner Ann Gloag then sold A MAJOR conference takes place on Council and the Kent branch of the will meet at the House of the site on to developers who Friday, looking at the issue of Campaign to Protect Rural England. Commons on Monday to hear intend to turn it into a business flooding in the county. Topics will include the lessons evidence and examine the park and residential site. Residents, environmental experts, learned from the devastating floods future of Manston Airport. The session, at 4pm, forms parish and district councillors and of last winter; changing climate MP Damian Green, leader of KCC The stricken Thanet air strip part of an inquiry into smaller people working in flood-related and flood risk; safe development in Paul Carter, and David Thomas, a closed back in May last year - airports launched in July. industries will attend the event at areas threatened by flood; and the senior analyst at the Committee on prompting a big backlash from Evidence will be heard from County Hall in Maidstone. It is being impact on farming. Climate Change. Maidstone MP supporters who wanted to keep the likes of Sir Roger Gale and jointly organised by Kent County Speakers will include Ashford Helen Grant will also attend. it open. Supporters of Manston Airport. …also It’s a miserable Monday Change at Cranbrook? Station consultation PCC faces police panel EMPLOYERS may find themselves stuck TWO open evenings take place this month PUBLIC consultation into proposals for the KENT Police and Crime Commissioner this week... apparently the first Monday in to brief parents on the possibility of Thanet Parkway railway station begin this Ann Barnes will face the Kent and Medway February has become known as ‘national lowering the age of entry to Cranbrook week – pushing ahead, despite the Police and Crime Panel this week. sickie day’. School to 11. collapse of Manston Airport. The panel scrutinises her decisions. It It is claimed UK businesses lose £34m in It is currently 13. Discussions with For full details, see our special report on holds the meeting at County Hall, Maid- productivity as a result. parents take place on February 10 and 24. page 22 of this week’s edition. stone, on Tuesday at 10am. kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk KEA Week ending February 1, 2015 7 Prison closure shock SHUT: Blantyre House in Goudhurst amid staff crisis claim Blantyre House in Goudhurst shut this week with prison officers contradicting the official reason given by ministers By Molly Kersey The Prison Governors’ Association, planned temporary or permanent [email protected] (PGA) which represents senior prison prison closures.” staff, said it had not been consulted A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman and was surprised when it heard the said: “Blantyre House prison is not P RISON officers say the de- news on Tuesday. being closed. Prisoners will be moved cision to temporarily close A spokesman said: “It leaves us out temporarily. Some refurbishment the open prison at Blantyre with some major concerns as to the work will take place.” House this week is a result under-usage of the capacity within However, Conservative MP for of the staffing crisis – and the open estate. Tunbridge Wells Greg Clark said he not as the Ministry of Justice claims. “We are led to believe this decision felt uneasy by the move. The gates at the jail in Goudhurst has been borne out of the inability to He said: “This prison has had a shut to inmates earlier this week. Ca- recruit enough prison officers into highly valued track record over many pable of holding 122 prisoners, all some of the prisons in the south of years of great success in rehabilitat- those held at the category C/D prison England, and in particular the Isle of ing prisoners. have been transferred elsewhere. Sheppey in Kent, which has been “The ethos of Blantyre House is to Ministry of Justice chiefs claim the widely reported by most media rehabilitate prisoners close to the lo- decision is just temporary and is as a outlets.” cation of their release and this will be result of the need for a refurbishment Concerns have been growing about undermined if they are moved to an- programme. Elmley on Sheppey, in particular, other prison in Yorkshire which is It says the jail, which houses pris- which has seen mounting concern what, I understand, is being already struggling prison service in men at the time of the inspection ons as they prepare for their release over the welfare of prisoners and suggested. the county. and concerns were expressed that back into the community, will re- safety of staff. “There are many unanswered HMP Swaleside on Sheppey was measures to prevent suicide and open in the summer. The PGA spokesman added: questions such as when Blantyre blasted after an unannounced in- self-harm among prisoners were But others have suggested it may “NOMS (the National Offender Man- House will re-open and what type of spection by the prison watchdog – inadequate. stay shut for longer. agement Service) have previously prison it will be. HM Inspectorate of Prisons. Sheppey’s Elmley was also named Now a local MP has demanded an stated there would be no further pris- “I have arranged an urgent The category B prison was con- as one of the worst for suicide rates urgent meeting with the prisons min- on closures in this Parliament and, meeting with the prisons minister to demned for having far too few staff, by the Howard League for Penal Re- ister to discuss the issue. therefore, the PGA will seek assur- discuss this vitally important meaning that many inmates were left form, a charity which campaigns for Staff are to be diverted to other jails ances that this is just a temporary matter.” locked in their cells. fewer people to be jailed. in the county. measure and there are no further This news is the latest blow to an The prison held more than 1,000 A total of four people took their FREE TON OF WOOD WITH EVERY INSTALLATION! we do... u r Wood Burners n g y o a t i Multi-fuel Stoves H e m e f o r l e s s Installation h o Chimney Sweeps Liners Replaced Stove Repairs VISIT US AT: Unit 7 Gun Lane Strood, Kent FREE NO OBLIGATION SURVEY ME2 4WP CALL NOW ON: 01634 786 226 info@thestoveandfireplace.co.uk Monday to Saturday: 10am - 4pm www.thestoveandfireplace.co.uk Sunday: Closed 8 Week ending February 1, 2015 KEA kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk CONCERNED: Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark is demanding a meeting life in Elmley last year, with another many prisoners locked in their cells pecially in London and Kent. “The resources in prisons are so “It’s quite essential that we are in four dying from natural causes. for 23 hours a day. “We have had people who have scant now that obviously it’s difficult there teaching them the skills in life Frances Crook, the chief executive Mike Rolfe is the London and Kent done two shifts and then rung up and for the staff to know their prisoners to survive and the errors of their of the Howard League, said that it representative for the Prison Offic- said ‘I am not doing that anymore’.” anymore. The ratios are meant to be ways, and having a relationship so was “evident that people are dying ers’ Association. And Mr Rolfe explained this has a 30 to one. To deal with 30 prisoners we can understand them. as a direct result of the cuts to the He said: “There’s definitely a mas- knock-on effect on the prisoners. that have all got different problems “Prison officers now run around number of staff, particularly more sive staff shortfall in the south east “Prison officers no longer have the and issues is very difficult if there’s from one problem to the next. experienced staff, in every prison”. region at the moment and that’s time to talk to prisoners on a one to only one of you and you have to do “It’s a real mixture for disaster at Staff shortages at Elmley also driven by pay and people not being one basis. To be a prison officer you other things as well. this moment in time and it’s really meant that exercise and education attracted to the job because of the have to be able to have a relationship “You have to act like their carer, difficult to see light at the end of the sessions had been cancelled, leaving low salaries that they are offered, es- with a prisoner that comes to you. their teacher and their nurse. tunnel.” kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk KEA Week ending February 1, 2015 9 Beautifully inspired, bespoke interiors Whatever your budget, we can provide the perfect kitchen, bedroom or bathroom without compromising on quality. Pop into our showroom, no appointment needed, and parking right outside the door! ian pennick Studio adjacent to Canterbury Garden Centre interiors Canterbury Road, Herne Common, Kent CT6 7LJ telephone 01227 283850 for free advice 7 days a week www.ianpennick.co.uk 10 Week ending February 1,2015 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk