MP backs ‘it matters to natter’ campaign

A fight to end loneliness around Maidstone has gained the support of MP Helen Grant.

Maidstone and The Weald’s MP was out in Fremlin Walk last week with West Kent Befriending Service manager Wendy Pfeiffer, asking shops and businesses to get involved in a new initiative.

Ms Pfeiffer is encouraging businesses and locals to speak to a stranger on World Friendship Day on Monday, July 30. She said: “It can be a neighbour, a work colleague, someone you see every day on your journey to work or even someone standing in a queue in a shop.

Too many people can go a whole day without speaking to another person but together all of us, the people of Maidstone, can make a difference. It really does ‘matter to natter’”

Mrs Grant said: “The idea is to get everyone to pledge to speak to at least one person that they would not usually speak to on World Friendship Day.

“It reminds ourselves how valuable warmth and civility can be, especially toward those who may suffer from loneliness. I hope the campaign will encourage people to natter more anyway, it helps make a healthier society.”

Share who you’ll be speaking to and donate to West Kent Befriending Service at tinyurl. com/matterstonatter. Kent’s parks have once again been recognised for their excellence with more than 30 Green Flag Awards.

The scheme, which has been running for 22 years, rewards well-managed, clean and safe parks.

This year, the county received 37 awards, beating last year’s total of 33.

Winners include Mote Park in Maidstone and Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells.

Leybourne Lakes Country Park has been rewarded for the 12th time, with Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge also bagging an award for the 13th year in a row.

Both parks are managed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, with the help of local volunteers.

Cllr Maria Heslop, the council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the visitors who spend their time in the park and to the volunteer groups who work so hard each year to help us maintain and develop this beautiful park.

“It is a fitting credit to all of those whose efforts have ensured that Leybourne Lakes Country Park has received a Green Flag Award for the twelfth year in a row.

“We are proud to see the flag flying high once again.”

Tunbridge Wells has added another site to its list of award-winning green spaces, with St John’s Park receiving one of the prestigious flags for the first time.

It joins Dunorlan Park, Calverley Grounds, Woodbury Park Cemetery and The Grove, which have all retained their green flag status for another year.