Vanish away those blues with a brew
Maidstone and Weald Samaritans have hailed the positivity of commuters in the town after helping bring a smile to their faces on what is widely regarded as the most depressing day of the year. Volunteers handed out tea bags to tired travellers at Maidstone East railway station on Blue Monday - a day in January recognised as a particularly dreary one, given it often comes with bad weather, money worries after Christmas and the return to work after the holidays. The team were on the platform for two hours during the morning rush and spoke to more than 100 people. Publicity officer, Stephen Carr, said: “Instead of Blue Monday we call it Brew Monday.
“Sometimes just sitting down and having a chat with somebody over a cup of tea can lift your spirits. You can sit down down with a friend and vanish those blues away.” then you get back on afterwards, you know you’re standing in the wrong place. Notice things. If someone else presses the STOP button for your stop, the bell will sound, there’ll be a red ‘Bus Stopping’ sign at the front of the bus and the driver will know that someone wants to get off at the next stop. You don’t need to press the bell as well and neither does your companion. It’s not a bell-ringing competition
And to all the children who think it’s cool and grown-up to shout four-letter words at each other - it really isn’t, you know ... I could add about seats not being for leaving rubbish on, either and that people shouldn’t stick their legs and feet and bags out in the gangway.
Linda Weeks
Bell Meadow, Maidstone