Happy ending for cat shot in face

A DEADLINE IS BEING IMPOSED...

A cat who had to undergo reconstructive surgery after being shot “point blank” in the face has been rehomed.

The black and white feline, named Angel by RSPCA staff at the Canterbury rescue centre, was found with a large ball bearing embedded in the top of her nasal passage after being shot with a catapult.

The cruel attack, which happened in Church Road, Throwley, on December 6, caused the two-year-old cat significant injuries and left her with bone fragments inside her skull.

She was rescued by RSPCA inspector Grace Harris-bridge after being discov- ered by a passer-by.

Angel was taken for treatment and care at the RSPCA branch in Hersden, where she has been recovering for the past two months.

She has now been adopted by David and Pamela Ingram, from Chestfield, who have renamed her Lucky.

David said: “When we met Angel, we knew she was just what we wanted and she’s now become part of our family.”

The RSPCA is still investigating how the cat suffered the horrific wound.

Anyone with information is asked to call the appeal line on 0300 123 8018. To advertise: 01634 227817

A part of Canterbury’s heritage will evaporate if plans to demolish a grammar school are rubber-stamped, a civic group is warning.

The Canterbury Society, which aims to safeguard historical architecture in the city, wants to save the “elegant” Simon Langton Girls’ from the wrecking ball.

But school bosses are backing proposals to flatten the current art deco buildings as they hope to significantly improve facilities with a stateof-the-art new-build.

They had previously pledged to save it from demolition, but eventually sided with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and realised change was needed.

Multimillion pound plans were submitted to Kent County Council in January, with a public consultation ending two weeks ago.

In an objection letter sent to the authority, architect and Society member Keith Bothwell describes how the school emanates “a confident, assured and elegant quality that is rare to find”.

He said: “While we appreciate that the buildings require refurbishment and enhancement to bring them closer to current standards, we strongly object to the proposal to demolish them.

“These current buildings are unique, and new buildings of this quality are rare - the architecture is not only of value in itself, but also as part of the city as a whole.

“If familiar sights, such as these, disappear, our lives will become more impoverished and our sense of place will evaporate.”

Earlier this month, the Gazette revealed how the current school site is suffering from more than 600 defects, with parts having fallen into “significant disrepair”.

Designed by Sir Hugh Wilson in 1951, the popular original build was dubbed the ‘Sunshine School’ due to the masses of natural light and wide corridors.

Mr Bothwell, a senior lecturer at the University of Kent’s School of Architecture, added: “The original school buildings are of high architectural quality at all levels, from their general arrangement on the site, to their individual composition, down to the construction details.

“I would urge you to reject the application to demolish these important buildings, and retain them so that future generations may appreciate them too.”

If the plans are given the go-ahead, the reconstruction, which aims to mirror the much-loved design of the existing art deco school, will boast more efficient heating and electrical systems.

A modern three-storey teaching block will be completed by November 2020.

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Thursday, February 28, 2019 Kentish Gazette (KG) www.kentonline.co.uk

www.kentonline.co.uk Thursday, February 28, 2019 Kentish Gazette (KG)

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