Awards for Poppy Appeal supporters
The Royal British Legion has been celebrating the efforts of its Poppy Appeal supporters across the county. Fifty awards were presented to collectors and fundraisers who had been nominated by their colleagues at an event in Aylesford, attended by the nominees, their friends and family, and senior managers at the Royal British Legion.
Last November’s Poppy Appeal raised £1.96m in Kent, the highest sum ever achieved by the county. This money is used to support exservicemen and their families. Many are helped back into work, or training or withe specialist accommodation. Among those selected were people who have run exhibitions and profiled the work of the charity, including Penny McCulloch and Ightham Scouts,Tor Millard of the Frittenden Historical Society, plus Jane Rabbets from Tesco Pembury, Pat Westgate and Freda Cross. Could it maybe be time to engage a new band of people responsible for the planning of the town? Maidstone is a great place, with so much going for it; we just need the facilities to show this to everyone.
Sue Greenham
Upper Fant Road, Maidstone is a theatre. The Hazlitt Theatre has served us well for many years but, with all the extra residents in Maidstone and surrounding area, we could do with a larger one. Not everybody wants/is able to travel to Canterbury/Dartford/London to see a performance, especially if they have to use public transport. This could have a “knock on” effect for the town because people could do what some do now, especially in London, by visiting the town, having a meal, then going to see a performance. Maidstone is supposed to be the County Town so let’s attract visitors, as other County towns do.
Maureen Jopson
Stockett Lane, Coxheath