Tree-mendous fun at wintery woods event

Around 40 people turned out to join staff from the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership for a “wonderful wintery woods” event.

Held at the White Horse Coun- try Park off Detling Hill, near Maidstone, the visitors enjoyed a guided country walk identifying tree species, tried their hand at wood-craft making pencils and name badges, and the younger ones had their faces painted with a “green man” theme.

Organiser Andrea Griffiths said: “We were pleased. It was very successful.

“It was all part of our mission to encourage people to take ownership of our countryside and to learn to appreciate nature.”

For details of future events, visit http://www.medwayvalley. org/our-projects/. Shoppers are being told to keep their eyes peeled for hearing specialists dressed as bananas handing out portions of the fruit to help banish hearing loss.

Hidden Hearing is working in association with the global Campaign For Better Hearing to hand out bananas at Maidstone’s Mall tomorrow (Friday).

Staff will dress in costumes and hand out bananas after research found that the potassium-rich fruit is beneficial for health, ahead of World Hearing Day.

Hearing aid audiologist, Jim Hurst, explained: “The fluid in the inner ear, the part of the ear that translates noises into electrical impulses which the brain then interprets as sound, is dependent upon a rich supply of potassium.

“Eating bananas and other potassium-rich foods helps support the liquid inside the inner ear, keeping it healthy, particularly for older people who naturally have lower levels of the important mineral. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness of the importance of hearing to our overall health. It’s never been as vital to look after your hearing, as you would your blood pressure, cholesterol, and eye sight.”

To arrange a free hearing test in clinic or at home, or to request Hidden Hearing visit your organisation, contact 01622 776270.