Your Maidstone, Issue 121, January 20, 2010

21 MB·English

by  KOS Media

yourmaidstone
E K O S
E
R yourmaidstone.co.uk
F
w e e k
midw s p a p er
n e Issue No 121
Available from Wednesday,
THE NEWSPAPER FOR MAIDSTONE, MALLING, LARKFIELD AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES January 20, 2010
MONEY MATTERS PROPERTY…
Competition rises
Our pull-out guide on ways to
for best mortgage
make your money go further
PAGES 43-52
EXAMS TOO EASY FOR
MY GIRLS, SAYS HEAD
WHAT’S ON & WATCH (cid:2)BY ANNA WHITE
yourkenttv.co.uk THE headteacher at one of the
country’s best performing schools
has called on exams to be made
harder,saying they no longer chal-
lenge her pupils.
High-achieving students at Invicta
Grammar School,in Huntsman Lane,topped
the national league table for attainment rates
after all of its 162 GCSE pupils recorded a
minimum of five A* to C grades, including
maths and English.
Head Kirstin Cardus said she was delighted
with the school’s place on top of the tree,but
said the exams failed to test her pupils’ intelli-
gence.
Jason Conners was told to lose weight or he In an interview with the Daily Telegraph,
would die within five years. Search ‘weight’ Ms Cardus said she preferred the students to
sit exams in eight or nine “core”subjects as
ALSO INSIDE
quickly as they like,to allow them to begin
studying AS levels a year earlier or spend time
LETTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 14-15 teaching in nearby primary schools.
Ms Cardus said:“The students take their
LEISURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 16-41 CAMPAIGN GOES TO NO 10 examinations when they’re ready and not due
MOTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 53-56 to their age.They take a core eight or nine sub-
SPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 62-63 jteiocnts oaft t thhees ee.nd of year 10 or 11,or a combina-
“Then they can look at doing one or two AS
This group of campaigners went to Number 10 Downing Street in a bid to overturn an NHS Trust’s deci- levels in year 11.
“Most choose to take GCSEs early and are
sion to downgrade Maidstone’s maternity services.
very competitive.It’s about getting As and A*s
The town’s four parliamentary candidates put all political differences aside to show a united front at
first time round.It’s not about a re-sit culture,
the Prime Minister’s office on Monday. Together the six representatives handed in more than 20,000 trying them many times.”
signatures and letters addressed to Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, asking them for their support. The headteacher has also called on the
It is hoped the petition will be a step further in the group’s mission to stop plans to change Maidstone’s Government to introduce international
consultant-led maternity unit into a midwifery birthing centre. Turn to page 3 for full story. GCSEs to give students a challenge,despite
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
NewYou
memberships to
VILLAGEMaidstone
Call01622 656941JustoffJ6M20 suit all pockets
Welcometomore
yourmaidstone.co.uk
2 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
Deputy head in
WHAT’S ON & WATCH
yourmaidstone
yourkenttv.co.uk
NEWS IN BRIEF
child porn raid
Treeby family quartet
TOP TV CLIPS
get murder plea date
at Princess Di’s FOUR family members accused of
murdering a relative have been given
a date to enter their pleas.
Bill Treeby,49,his wife Charity,50,
and their two sons Billy, 29, and
George, 22, have all been charged
with murdering Bill’s brother, Jack
former school
Treeby,and the attempted murder of
other brother,Gary,39.
Father-of-five Jack Treeby,43,from
Rainham,was killed in a hit-and-run
in Quarry Road,Maidstone,just two
days after Christmas.
(cid:2)BY ANNA WHITE The accused appeared at Maidstone
Crown Court on Monday where they
were remanded in custody until April
THEdeputy headteacher of
9,when they will reappear to enter
Princess Diana’s former their pleas.
school has been charged
Stab suspect charged
A behind the scenes look at the county's plans for a £10 with possessing child
1
million library and archive centre. Search ‘archive’ pornography after his boss A MANhas been arrested on suspi-
tipped off police. cion of attempted murder following
William Whillock, from an alleged stabbing.
Staplehurst, appeared before On Saturday, Jason Sansom, 26,
Maidstone magistrates on Saturday was charged at Maidstone
morning,where he was charged with Magistrates’ Court with attempted
the abuse of position of trust and murder and aggravated burglary.
four counts of possessing indecent He was arrested after an incident in
images. Dickens Road, off Royal Engineers
According to a national newspaper, ARRESTED: Deputy head William Whillock Way, Maidstone, on Thursday last
the 56-year-old was arrested in front week,in which a man was injured.
of staff and students at The New receivership on the day the Princess The victim was taken to Maidstone
School in West Heath, near of Wales and her partner Dodi Fayed Hospital. Sansom,of Farrier Close,
Sevenoaks.Police seized his comput- were killed in a car crash in 1997. will appear at Maidstone Crown
er during a search of his office. But it was saved by Dodi’s father, Court on February 1. Anyone with
Princess Diana attended the school Mohammed Al Fayed,the owner of information is asked to contact police
when it was a private girls’ boarding Harrods,who gave a huge donation on 01622 604280.
school – known as West Heath. to keep the school running in memo-
Whillock, known as Bill to col- ry of his son and Diana. Frozen food arrests
leagues,was in charge of child pro- Mr Al Fayed’s spokeswoman,
tection of the school until he was Katherine Witty,told the newspaper FOUR people have been arrested
arrested on Thursday. he was “aware”of the incident. after reports of suspicious behaviour
The school’s chair of trustees, The school has posted comments near a fire-damaged chip shop.
2 Julie Maddocks takes the Kent chef tour and visits the Stuart Crookshank,confirmed to the made by Diana on its website about A resident who lives near Papa’s
Daily Mail that he and headteacher
best of the county’s local food producers. Search ‘food’ her time there,including:“Actually I Barn,Ditton,called police on January
Christina Wells had called the police.
loved being at school”and “I always 13,four days after the restaurant was
Mr Crookshank said:“He was in
wanted to laugh and muck about damaged by a blaze.
charge of child protection matters
rather than sit tight looking at the Officers arrested a man on suspi-
and has been at the school for 11
years. The headmistress recieved four walls of the schoolroom”. cion of burglary after finding two
some information,immediately con- In another comment, Diana wheelie bins containing frozen food,
tacted me and we the contacted describes her adventures at the believed to be from Papa’s.
police.We took appropriate action as school:“There was an enormous hall, Frozen food was later discovered at
soon as the information came to I used to sneak down at night when an address connected to the suspect,
light.” it was all dark and put on my music where police arrested a man and a
Princess Diana attended the school and do my ballet there for hours on woman on suspicion on handling
when it was a private girls’ boarding end and no-one ever found me. It stolen goods. Another man was
school – known as West Heath. always released tremendous tension arrested later on suspicion of burgla-
The boarding school went into in my head.” ry.
POWERED BY
KOS MEDIA
Gills boss Mark Stimson talks about the weekend games
3
ahead and catching up after the snow.Search ‘Gills’
SEE OUR SISTER PAPERS KENT ON SUNDAYAND THE SATURDAY View 100s of
EDITIONFOR ALL THE WEEKEND’S COUNTY NEWS AND SPORT
our exquisite jewellery at
NEWSEDITOR:Simon Robinson 01303 817185
www.yourkenttv.co.uk
GROUP EDITOR: Gary Wright 01303 817032
WEBSITE: www.yourmaidstone.co.uk
TELEPHONE ADVERTISING: 01303 817110 Just search for
FAX: (Advertising) 01303 817002
EMAIL:Editorial:[email protected]. Sales:[email protected] ‘exquisite jewellery’
HEADOFFICEADDRESS: Apple Barn, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SR
Printed by Newsfax
© 2007 KOS Media. yourmaidstone by KOSMedia award-winning publications
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] yourmaidstone.co.uk 3
Tributes to UN worker
killed by Haiti quake
A(cid:2) BUYNAINTNEAD W NHIaTtEions officer from Picture: KFRS
DOPE FIND: Plants seized in Sunday’s swoop
West Peckham has been named as
the first British person confirmed to Cannabis factory
have died in the Haiti earthquake.
Fredrick Wooldridge is believed to have been raided by police
found dead in the rubble of the UN building
that collapsed in Haiti’s capital,Port-au-Prince.
The 41-year-old’s family, who are from
POLICEseized cannabis plants with an
Maidstone, paid tribute to him, saying he
estimated street value of £32,000 in a
“loved”his work as a senior political affairs and
raid of a drug factory in a residential
planning officer.
road.
In a statement,they said:“Frederick was a
Officer discovered the hydroponics fac-
much-loved member of a close family.He leaves
tory in Postley Road,Tovil,Maidstone,on
behind his wife,his parents,brother and sister,
Sunday morning. More than 650
grandmother and extended family.
cannabis plants were confiscated.
“He had many friends in the UN and beyond, The raid was in response to informa-
particularly Geneva where he loved skiing and tion from concerned neighbours about
mountaineering.” suspicious activity at the house.
Mr Wooldridge’s parents Judith, 68, and Acting Inspector Ian Jones, of the
Harry, 69, who run a fruit farm near urban neighbourhood team,said he was
Maidstone, said they feared the worst when INTERNATIONAL RESCUE: Kent firefighters extricate a victim of the earthquake after seven hours of tunnelling pleased with the results of the raid and
they could not reach him on his mobile phone grateful for the help from neighbours –
after the earthquake on Tuesday,last week. Minister Gordon Brown’s thoughts were with Another British UN employee,Ann Barnes, but wants more drug dealers caught.
His brother,Charles,39,told The Sun news- Mr Wooldridge’s family and friends. 59,has been missing since the 7.0-magnitude He said:“This is a great example of the
paper:“We are devastated.He is going to be The spokesman said:“The Prime Minister is earthquake struck – killing hundreds of thou- community coming together to fight
very missed.” hugely grateful for the work Frederick and oth- sands of people and affecting millions. crime on their doorstep.
He had recently married his long-term girl- ers were doing in the UN Stabilisation Mission: A specialist team from Kent Fire and Rescue “We don’t want drugs in Maidstone and
friend Teamar Melles,34,who also works for helping build a stronger Haiti,and giving peo- Service,based in Maidstone,arrived in Haiti we are committed to tackling supply
the UN and has been stationed in Liberia, ple hope where they had none. last Wednesday to join the UK international wherever it occurs.”
Africa,for the last 18 months. “The Prime Minister’s thoughts are also with rescue operation.The six-strong team has now Anyone with information about illegal
They married seven months ago in Positano, the families and friends of those British nation- moved 25 miles west of Port-au-Prince to drugs activity can call Maidstone police
Italy,and were believed to be planning a fami- als whose whereabouts have yet to be con- Leogane,which is nearer the epicentre and 80 on 01622 604391 or Crimestoppers on
ly.A Downing Street spokesman said Prime firmed.” to 90 per cent of the town has been destroyed. 0800 555111.
Exams too easy Maternity protest’s
for grammar
girls, says head cross-party unity
FROMFRONTPAGE
the exams not following the
National Curriculum.
MAIDSTONE’S four parliamentary
Ms Cardus said:“Some of our stu-
candidates have handed in a petition
dents take GCSEs in mathematics
at 10 Downing Street and hope the
just for fun,because they can.
mass support will stop plans to move
“We’re very interested in them
the town’s maternity unit.
[international subjects] and will be
The campaigners presented more
looking to implement more in the
than 20,000 signatures to the Prime
future.”
Minister’s office on Monday, all
Invicta was one of seven selective
objecting to replacing Maidstone
girls’ schools in the top ten,howev-
Hospital’s consultant-led maternity
er the tables showed in general
ward with a midwife-led birthing
that the gender performance gap
unit for low-risk labours.
closed slightly.
The consultant-led department
The proportion of girls attaining
will be moved to the new Pembury
five A* to C grades is 7.3 per cent
higher than boys,down from eight Hospital in 2012. AT THE DOOR: Maidstone candidates and
If a low-risk labour became compli-
per cent in 2008. supporters outside 10 Downing Street
cated, the mother-to-be would be
The New Line Learning
forced to travel to Pembury.
Academy, in Loose, has defended Liberal Democrat candidate for One letter is addressed to Prime
its reputation after another nation- Maidstone and Weald,Peter Carroll, Minister Gordon Brown asking him
al league table placed it as leading and his opponents,Helen Grant for to press Mr Burnham to force
the country in the number of per- the Conservatives,Stuart Jeffery for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells
sistently-absent pupils. the Green Party and Labour’s Rav NHS Trust to reconsider.
According to the figures, the Seeruthun,are continuing to fight to The other is to the Prime Minister’s
academy’s rate was 26.7 per cent, secure a meeting with Health wife,Sarah,encouraging her to look
but the Department for Schools, Secretary Andy Burnham. at the campaign’s Facebook group
Children and Families has since The four rivals were also joined by and relay to her husband the
agreed there was a mix-up and the Marden resident and campaigner strength of feeling on this issue.
school’s actual rate is 22.4 per cent. Sarah Waters, her two daughters, Unless plans are changed, the
Headteacher Guy Hewett said: and Brian Grant, from Maidstone birthing unit will be built adjacent to
“This [22.4 per cent] is not good, Action for Services in Hospital group Maidstone Hospital’s main building
but is a long way from being the (MASH) to present the petition and and will be open by the end of this
worst in the country.” two letters. year.

Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] yourmaidstone.co.uk 5
M20 pothole punctures
yourmaidstone MOTORISTS faced long delays after a pot-
hole appeared on a busy stretch of the M20,
NEWS IN BRIEF damaging several vehicles.
At least eight drivers were forced onto the
hard shoulder,near junction eight,to change
punctured tyres after their vehicles hit the
hole on Tuesday,last week.
Keep illness out of wards Police were on scene to clear the five-mile
queues back to junction nine.
UNWELL hospital visitors are being asked The Highways Agency closed two of the
to stay away from wards to protect their London-bound lanes while workers tem-
loved ones and other patients. porarily fixed the hole and then returned
The message from Maidstone and during the night for final repairs.
Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust comes after
Looking for adventure?
cases of norovirus – known as winter vomit-
ing bug – broke out in its hospitals.
ANCIENT LINK: King Withred of Kent’s charter was signed in 699AD
Pride of place for Dr Sara Mumford,the trust’s director of A THEME park is appealing for an enthusi-
infection prevention and control,said:“You astic family to take part in a national compe-
can help us protect patients from this illness tition and be in with a chance of winning a
by postponing your visit if you feel at all holiday.
unwell. Chessington World of Adventures is looking
“You may have the best intentions,but you for Maidstone residents to enter its search to
could end up passing on coughs,colds and ill- find Britain’s Most Adventurous Family.
Withred’s charter nesses such as norovirus on to your loved TV’s nature expert Nick Baker and
ones.Patients are already unwell and there- VisitEngland want to hear from families who
fore more at risk.” encompass adventure in all aspects of their
To help stop spreading any illnesses,visi- life.The closing date is January 31.To enter,
tors are asked to follow simple hygiene prac- visit www.chessington.com/wildasia and
tices at home,such as cleaning hands regu- describe why your family should win in no
larly with hand gels,soap or water. more than 200 words.
(cid:2)BY ANNA WHITE
VIEWTHIS CLIP ON
CARPETS • VINYLS • RUGS • LAMINATES • BEDS • MATTRESSES • PINE FURNITURE
A HISTORIC royal charter CARPETS!
LOCAL
decreed by King Withred of Kent
is to go on display at a new multi-
million-pound library and archive
centre.
The ancient document,signed in 699AD,is
the oldest manuscript held by local authori- FREE Estimates FREE Delivery Landlords Trade Discount
ties in the country. Stored in the archives
department of County Hall,the fragile char- FREE Underlay FULL Fitting Developers Letting Agents
ter will take pride of place at the £10 million
Kent Library and History Centre upon its Offers Service Call for details
completion in 2012.
The archives centre will also feature thou-
sands of historic documents, including a
detailed account of a lightning strike at CENTREOFEVENTS:Stuart Bligh talks 11000000’’ss
Chart Sutton Church in 1779 and a letter about the new centre. Search ‘archives’
which exposed the Guy Fawkes gunpowder ooff RRoollllss
plCoto.ntractors will start building the facility agu ceosltlse.ction of important letters to impress aavvaaiillaabbllee
in James Whatman Way, off the White The letter,dated November 3,1605,was
Rabbit roundabout,next month. written by one of the plotters to someone who
Department manager Stuart Bligh said he was due to travel to Parliament on SALE NOW ON
was delighted work on the centre was just November 5 – the day Fawkes planned to
weeks away. destroy the building with gunpowder.
“The new centre will allow us to put all our The note was sent as a warning,including
records on computers to make it more acces- the words “there will be a terrible blow at
sible,”he said.“It will make it more appeal- parliament”and whoever received it alerted
ing for younger generations to use for school officials to the plot.
projects,or to research their own family his- Mr Bligh,who has been at the centre for
tory. seven years,added:“All our documents have
“It will also include a library so people some connection to Kent and you automati-
won’t have to travel to another part of town cally have that emotional attachment to
to get a book out after finding an intriguing something that is part of your history.
piece of information.” “But the best part of researching your his-
The documents,securely stored in 14km of tory is finding a small piece of information
temperature-controlled aisles, also give that leads to a whole story.”
insight to family history,planning,churches, Withred was king of Kent from about
marriages and deaths, which are often 690AD until his death in April 725AD.
donated by parish councils or once belonged According to researchers, Withred was
to residents. responsible for issuing a code of laws in a
It was through a Kent-family that the manuscript known as the Textus Roffensis,
archive department came into possession of which is also kept at Sessions House.
the historic letter which foiled Guy Fawkes’s The laws focus on the rights of the Church,
plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament. including punishment for irregular mar-
It is likely the family was wealthy and kept riages.
£19 per2 p.7a2c skq imncts. FpRerE Epa UcNkDERLAY
MODERN TIMES: Artist’s image of the £10m Kent Library and History Centre, due for completion in 2012
yourmaidstone.co.uk
6 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
New Year
Healthy Eating
and Fresh Local Produce
Just a click away
Local detox box @£30 contains 2L fresh juice, 600g fish, 1kg of apples and pears,
7 mixed veg, 500g diced chicken breast, 500g brown rice, fruit spread and dried fruit snack.
yTelephoone edituorial: 01r303 8w17200 Emeail [email protected] er yourmaidstone.co.uk 7
Centre’s relaunch
SPONSOREDBY
after £20k refit
[email protected]
TODAY’S FORECAST WEEKEND
HIGH TIDES
Chatham Saturday 5:38pm 5.1m
Sunday 6:35pm 4.9m
Dover Saturday 3:42pm 5.6m
111000 Sunday 4:45pm 5.4m
Dungeness Saturday 3:53pm 6.5m
Sunday 4:58pm 6.2m
888 Ramsgate Saturday 4:12pm 4.3m FUSION:Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Peter Parvin with staff
Sunday 5:15pm 4.1m
A COMMUNITY centre has been transformed
Sheerness Saturday 5:27pm 5.0m with a new interior and a new name.
S7.5U0NaRmISE 4S.U2N3pSmET Sunday 6:23pm 4.8m rePlaaurnkc Wheodo dl aPstlu Ms Honedaaltyh yw Litihv iintgs Cneewnt rnea wmaes,
MOONRISE MOONSET Whitstable Saturday 5:15pm 4.7m Fusion Healthy Living Centre,above the door.
9.19am 10.20pm Sunday 6:12pm 4.5m The centre underwent £20,000 of internal
FIVE-DAY KENT FORECAST improvements including an extended kitchen
AROUNDTHE area in the cafe,updated electrical appliances
and a redecoration.
Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon WORLDYESTERDAY Manager Angela Creighton said:“This is a
Ashford 7°C 4°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Gravesend 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C very exciting time for all involved in the proj-
ect.We are looking forward to attracting lots
Canterbury 7°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Maidstone 7°C 5°C 6°C 10°C 7°C Amsterdam 3°C Madrid 12°C more people to enjoy the benefits the centre
Chatham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Ramsgate 7°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C ABathrceenlsona 1111°°CC PNaerwisYork 43°°CC offNerHs.S” West Kent provides funding for the cen-
Dartford 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Rochester 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Beijing -1°C Rome 9°C tre to put towards community services such as
Dover 6°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Sevenoaks 6°C 3°C 4°C 8°C 5°C Bombay 30°C Sydney 24°C hwehlop nfoere dr easnidtei-nstms owkiinthg hsueaprpionrgt iamndp afiorrm edniat-,
Faversham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C Sittingbourne 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C CCaarpdeifTfown 294°°CC TTeonkeyroife 287°°CC beTtehse. centre also offers rehabilitation for drug
Folkestone 6°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 5°C Tonbridge 7°C 3°C 6°C 9°C 6°C Gibraltar 16°C Vancouver 10°C and alcohol addiction,computer tuition,anti-
HongKong 20°C Warsaw -2°C bullying support and weekly surgeries for
Gillingham 7°C 5°C 6°C 9°C 7°C TunWells 7°C 3°C 6°C 9°C 6°C LasPalmas 23°C Wellington 16°C Maidstone Housing Trust tenants.
Tile Showroom
Adhesives & Grouts
Come and browse the relaxed
and spacious showroom
Monday to Friday 8.00 - 5.30
Saturday 8.30 - 5.00
Ample Free Parking
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]
www.cafceramics.co.uk
Unit 5, 2M Trade Park,
Beddow Way, Aylesford,
Kent ME20 7BT
yourmaidstone.co.uk
8 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
yourlocalinterview
QWhen did you discover your love for the arts? nate to have three such people in the youth ported by the council.The centre provides year
QUESTION & ANSWER and education department at the Hazlitt Arts round entertainment,across all genres,often
AMy mother’s an artist and my father was a Centre.I am committed to nurturing a love of attracting big names to the county town.It
talented musician,so I was exposed to art theatre in young people and while I don’t have also provides opportunities for young people to
MANDY from an early age.When I was nine my par- any desire to churn out dozens of young actors, have access to workshops and performances
ents took me to see The Amorous Prawn at the I do believe an education in drama can devel- through the Hazlitt Youth Theatre. The
Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead. From that op confidence and a passion for theatre which Graham Clarke Gallery is a great space for
moment I knew I wanted to work in theatre. can be sustained into adulthood. local artists.The Hazlitt also provides a hub
HARE for the creative sector to meet and discuss
QDid you always want to share your passion with others? QWhat’s the most rewarding part of your job? work,run sessions,and promote their work.
AI’ve only ever wanted to work in theatre ATheatre is a collaborative art form, with QThe Hazlitt has pledged to support 400m hurdler Ed
and despite having toyed with the idea of each aspect dependent on another in order Hamilton in his mission to compete at the 2012 London
other more lucrative and sensible professions, to achieve great work.I’m lucky to work with Olympics. How did that come about?
I knew the minute a theatrical opportunity an amazing team at the Hazlitt,who achieve AWe’re excited by the thought of the
came up I would go like a shot.When I left great work time after time. Olympics and knowing how hard it is for
drama school I had a variety of jobs, even I love it when we have a full house enjoying young athletes to meet their training costs,
working for a while as a ‘gopher’ for Andrew a show.I love the development work we do thought it would be fantastic if we could help.
Lloyd Webber.I went on to head sound depart- with Perfect Pitch in London,seeing a musical Ed has already achieved an enormous
ments in West End musicals including Les develop from a few ideas into a fully-fledged amount.We’re proud to be working with him.
Miserables,Phantom,Cats and Follies. show is amazing.Nothing can beat the feeling
When the opportunity came up to work at when something we have grown from scratch QThe Hazlitt runs its own youth theatre, what roles have
the Hazlitt it seemed too good to be true. gets in front of an audience.The Shakespeare some of the students gone on to do?
I’d done work experience there as teenager tour we produce with Changeling Theatre AWe have ex-members working in the pro-
and always had huge affection for the place.To Company every summer is enormously excit- fession and seven at drama schools.
be in a position to bring great performances to ing.We start in June with actors,musicians,
Maidstone is a privilege and one which rarely technicians and a script and by the beginning QMany comedians and actors have appeared on stage at
disappoints. of July have a full production. the Hazlitt, do you have any particular favourites?
QDo you have the opportunity to teach budding actors ALee Evans is always great value.I’ve also
and actresses? QWhat does the Hazlitt provide to the community? loved having great musical theatre per-
AI realised a while ago I had no talent for formers here with Perfect Pitch – Julie
teaching and there were others who were AMaidstone is fortunate to have a venue like Atherton,Simon Gleeson,Sally Ann Triplett
truly gifted in that area.I’m extremely fortu- the Hazlitt Arts Centre,that is so well sup- all spring to mind.
&
The county town’s theatre and events manager at the Hazlitt Arts Centre talks to Anna Whiteabout her
love for the arts, the best thing about her job and supporting 2012 Olympics hopeful Ed Hamilton
yourmaidstone.co.uk
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 9
A hole load of expensive trouble for KCC after heavy snow
COUNTY Hall is bracing itself another hazard for road-users and Walker, said: “This case The severity of the pothole
for a torrent of compensation already long fed up with the illustrates the difficulties in problem became clear on
claims linked to the hundreds of earlier snow and ice. obtaining compensation from Tuesday when at least eight
potholes forming on Kent’s roads. Last week KCC was forced to highway authorities. drivers had to pull over on the
Motorists forced to pay out for pay out £6,250 to Welling resi- “They rarely admit liability M20 after suffering punctures
puncture and suspension dam- dent Kenneth Atkinson, who for accidents involving road to their tyres as a result of a
age repairs are expected to flood suffered a badly-dislocated defects and it is usually neces- particularly deep one.
the council’s mailbags with shoulder after falling from his sary to issue court proceedings. To make a claim, visit the
demands that the authority bicycle in May 2007. “The claim was delayed due to roads and transport section of
should foot the bill,at a poten- The 76-year-old has since arguments between KCC and its www.kent.gov.uk and click on
tial cost to the taxpayer of tens been forced to give up his hobby third-party contractors [Scotia ‘fault reporting’ followed by
of thousands of pounds. following the pothole encounter, Gas Networks].“The pothole in ‘claims for damage’. JOBINTERVIEW:Mike Fuller was questioned by MPs
The lengthy cold snap has left for which the council initially question had been repaired pre- • Would we all be better off
many of the county’s major denied liability. viously,but at the time of Mr driving 4x4s in the county? Fuller puts himself
routes in a state of disrepair, Mr Atkinson’s lawyer Paul Atkinson’s accident it was five See this week’s Yourblogger
with the potholes creating yet Kitson,partner at Russell Jones feet long and four inches deep.” on page 14.
forward as head of
Police admit illegal
Prosecution Service
KENT’S Chief Constable Michael Fuller has
told MPs why he believes he should be
appointed the next head of the Crown
stop and searching Prosecution Service.
Mr Fuller – who is Britain’s first black police
chief – has been selected by Attorney General
Baroness Scotland as the preferred candidate
to replace current Chief Inspector Stephen
Wooler,whose contract at the CPS expires at
the end of March.
An announcement regarding Mr Fuller’s
Picture: KNP future is due to be made tomorrow (Thursday).
(cid:2)BY STEVE KNIGHT appeal against it. Last week he told members of the House of
The environmental rally at Kingsnorth in Commons justice committee why he thought
summer 2008 was over E.ON’s plans to build he was a more suitable choice for the role than
KENT Police have admitted using a new coal-fired power station, which the a former judge or lawyer.
stop-and-search powers illegally company put on hold for up to three years Experience
last October.
in what could prove a landmark Politicians, protestors and academics He said:“While I don’t have knowledge of the
case for Kingsnorth Climate involved in the demonstration have always day-to-day work of a crown prosecutor,I still
claimed the police response was dispropor- bring a lot of knowledge of the system and
Camp protestors. tionate to the threat posed by the activists. experience of being a stockholder of the CPS.
Lawyers representing Chief Constable Officers were also accused of being heavy- “I have experience of running organisations
Mike Fuller told the High Court the force handed with the campaigners,seizing hun- and police departments successfully.”
accepted that its officers wrongfully searched dreds of personal items including soap and Mr Fuller told the committee that adjusting
at least three demonstrators – including board games. to policy changes and providing value for
11-year-old twins – who attended the sum- POLICE UNDERFIRE: Demonstrators at Kingsnorth They also took a clown’s wig,crayons and money represented two of the biggest chal-
mer 2008 rally. highlighter pens belonging to the twin lenges for the Chief Inspector of the CPS but
have always claimed the police response to the protest
They also admitted that an unspecified children involved in last week’s High Court that he was fully prepared to cope with both.
number of other protestors could have been was disproportionate to the threat posed by activists hearing. He also refuted a suggestion by Sleaford and
unlawfully stopped,potentially opening the The judges heard how one of the youngsters North Hykeham MP Douglas Hogg that the
door for further legal action to be brought Section 1 of the Police and Criminal – who cannot be named for legal reasons – police and CPS had an “incestuous”relation-
against the police. Evidence Act 1984 states that officers must was left “crying and shaking”after a female ship and were too closely linked for one to be
Hundreds of similar cases are already going have “reasonable suspicion”that an individ- officer said he had to be searched. scrutinised by the other.
through the system,with one lawyer describ- ual is carrying prohibited weapons or articles He feared he would “go to prison”because Mr Fuller said:“Decision-making has always
ing the cost to the taxpayer as potentially that could be used for criminal damage before he had stickers in his bag which other people been independent and I think the public would
“staggering”. they are stopped and searched. had had confiscated. see me as someone who would bring objectivi-
However, Mr Fuller’s representative Mr Perks added that while guidance given Long-standing environmental campaigner ty and scrutiny where it’s needed.
Richard Perks told the two High Court judges to individual officers was correct and accurate, David Morris,from north London,was also at “You need a certain degree of knowledge of
it was not accepted that the police had secret- “on occasions it was misapplied in practice”. the court and said he was forcibly searched the CPS and how it works,and more impor-
ly applied a blanket unlawful stop-and- The announcement came just hours after against his will. tantly of the rubbing points.I’ve seen them
search policy at the camp. the European Court of Human Rights ruled All three are seeking judicial review into first-hand and can therefore make recommen-
He said there had been a “clear and lawful” it illegal for police to use terror laws to stop police powers and potential damages. dations that are credible.”
policy and that the huge majority of those and search people without grounds for suspi- The case has been adjourned while further Mr Fuller joined Kent Police as Chief
stopped had not been done so illegally but cion. evidence is considered before a settlement is Constable in January 2004,having previously
accepted there had been “a misapplication of Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was reached or a full court hearing called for. been with the Met since starting as a cadet in
a clear policy by officers on the ground”. disappointed with the decision and would Kent Police declined to comment. 1975.
For information and advice on travelling in Kent and for
all our traffic regulation orders, please see the Kent on
Saturday or the Kent on Sunday or visit our website at
www.kent.gov.uk/highways
All rates and space subject to availability.
yourmaidstone.co.uk
10 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
yourmaidstoneschools
4x3
= 12
Chinese challenge no
BREAK TIME
Grant gives pupils
an indoor play area problem for academy
SCHOOL children with learning disabil-
ities will soon be able to enjoy new play
equipment thanks to a £10,000 grant.
Bower Grove School,in Fant Lane,was
awarded the cash from the Big Lottery
Fund’s Award for All programme.
The Maidstone-based school was one
of 36 recipients of the scheme. (cid:2)BY ANNA WHITE
The special school for pupils with
behaviour and learning needs and asso- A GROUP of students are in with a
ciated autistic difficulties will use the
cash to install outdoor play equipment. chance of winning a trip to Beijing
The new equipment will give the after they soared through to the
youngsters somewhere to have fun and
final round of a competition.
interact with others.
Community groups and organisations The five youngsters from Maidstone compet-
can apply for a Awards for All grant by ed against 260 pupils,from 60 British schools,
visiting www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. in the regional heat of The Mandarin Chinese
Speaking competition to secure their place in
Caribbean trip for the final.
If the New Line Learning Academy pupils
win the last challenge, they will travel to
exchange students China for a week in April this year.
Head of modern foreign languages at the
Loose-based academy,Annabel Parker,accom-
AFTER a year of applications and panied the finalists to the regional heat,on
paperwork a group of students are off to December 15, at the London School of
the Caribbean on an exchange trip. Economics.
Pupils from Year ten at Sutton Valence The teacher said:“It’s brilliant news that our
School are flying to the French-speaking pupils have reached the final of this presti-
island of Martinique to stay with fami- gious competition,especially as the majority of
lies for ten days. schools that took part in the preliminary
The visit,in February,has been made round were extremely well-known independ-
possible by funding from the European ent schools and grammar schools, such as
Union’s Comenius Project, which has Wellington College, Brighton College and
halved the cost of the trip. King’s School in Canterbury. TOP TEAM: The pupils of New Line Learning Academy who took part in the Chinese speaking competition
Sutton Valence’s trip leader Francis- “It will be wonderful if we win.”
Yyevaers bBuetl vtehre, sraeisdu:l“tT ish ew beildl wtooorkth a limt.”ost a acTahdee mfiyv ei ns ttuhdee nctosm wphetoi taiorne rfienparle,sbeenitning gh tehlde The Mandarin Chinese Speaking language as a modern subject in UK second-
Twelve students, aged 15 to 16, will at the British Museum,London,on Thursday, Competition is organised by the British ary schools for youngsters in years seven and
make the trip. March 4,are Holly Morgan,Kayleigh Cooper- Council and supported by HSBC Global 13.
Frewer, Gabrielle Baldry, Conner Matthews Education Programme. This is the seventh year the competition has
and Jude Appiah-Ashia. The aim of the initiative is to encourage the been held and is the biggest to date.
SEND your schools news and pictures to [email protected]. You can also upload your video clips of schools events on to www.yourkenttv.co.uk