Late yesterday afternoon, all Councillors from Maidstone Borough were invited to attend a photoshoot today to recreate a photo that had been found in 1946 of the opening of Maidstone Police Station.

Unfortunately, the late notice meant that only a few Councillor’s could attend, but I’m very glad to say I was one of them.

 This is a copy of the picture taken on 27th March 1908. The subjects include the Mayor of the time, Borough Councillors and senior Police officers. (Please click on the picture to see an enlarged version).

As can be seen by the photo, there were of course no women involved with the local Council, or indeed in positions of seniority in the Police. This made it all the nicer for me to be included in todays recreation. Although so few of us could make the photo, it still shows how times have changed. The Mayor sat in the centre of the photo, with his wife the Mayoress beside him, and I am there as a female Councillor too! - Plus, none of todays Councillors had top hats on!!!

I’m really looking forward to seeing the photo’s taken today, and just hope I’m not doing my normal cheesey grin, or blinking at the wrong time!

I’ll post the new along with the old when I get a copy!

By just 511 votes, Nick Clegg has been voted the new leader of the Lib Dems.

Hooray!

Sadly, I learned today (via the Mayor’s office) that a second member of 36 Engineer Regiment (stationed at Invicta Park Barracks) was killed in Afghanistan last Friday (9th Nov). Lance Corporal Jake Alderton was just 22 years old.

I’ve been thinking and thinking about how to finish this posting, but there’s nothing more that can really be said is there? I looked up his details on the Ministry of Defence’s website where it was clear to see that Jake was clearly a popular, friendly and dedicated soldier who will be very sadly missed and grieved for by his friends and family. My condolences go to them all.

The Kohima Epitaph:

When you go home,

Tell Them of us and say,

For your tomorrow,

We gave our today.

St. Andrew’s Park is a beautiful listed (grade II) building that was previously part of Barming mental hospital. Around 5 years ago, it was converted into apartments with a lovely amount of open green space around it. Sadly though there have been issues with the development and it’s been difficult to get the developer to complete the works to the standard expected. Local homeowners have campaigned hard to have many of the problems fixed and have felt they’ve met with silence from the developers and that the council hasn’t offered the support they expect.

Today saw a meeting held with members of staff (known as officers) from Maidstone Borough Council, residents of St. Andrews Park and myself. Finally, things are moving along with this. The developers have been written to with a letter which states all that needs fixing and clearly states a time frame in which it should be done. A schedule of works should be submitted by 2nd December, followed by completion of works three months after that.

The items to be fixed on the building are:

• rendering on blocked out windows
• rendering & colour of both walkways under the buildings
• repointing
• replacement of plastic drains with metal ones

Separately, officers will be meeting with the developers on site to discuss the problems with the open space. This area should have been ‘adopted’ by the council by now. However, it is in such a poor state that they are unable to. The issues that will be raised here include:

• The lighting (poor quality, mostly broken inappropriate street lights)
• Poor finish and maintence of site - trees and grass etc
• Bins not emptied (the developers responsibilty until council adoption)
• Pavillions - what will/can be done

In addition the officers are investigating whether local residents can begin to lock the gate by the lodges in the evening (a condition disallows this on the plans). Currently the poor quantity of working lights means the area is full of youths getting up to no good and then disappearing into the darkness (which is what happened on halloween). With the gates locked, hopefully these problems will calm down.

In mid December, officers, residents and myself along with Peter Hooper will re-meet to discuss what’s happened. If the schedule of works has not been received by this time, the issue of enforcement will be ‘brought to the table’.

Following the sad deaths of so many, through Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) Maidstone Hospital has been in the press for all the wrong reasons in the last few weeks. Because of this I really didn’t want to take baby Travis for his outpatient appointment (to have his squint checked) today.

Since my last visit (a couple of years ago) things have changed. The first thing you now see when you walk in through the big doors is a MASSIVE display asking you to clean your hands with the alcohol sprays provided there. There’s at least 8 bottles - all at different heights so everyone can use them. In addition, there are leaflets to be found on C. Diff and hand hygiene in many points around the hospital. The alcohol sprays are to be found all around the hospital and at the entrance to every ward.

I watched for a short while, (before going to Travis’ appointment) all the people entering the hospital. I was horrified to see less than 50% of people stopping to clean their hands. Whilst, I obviously believe it is imperative that Doctors and Nurses ensure that they keep their hands clean and use the sprays between each patient, illnesses and germs such as C. Diff will only go if EVERYONE gets on board and starts using these sprays.

I only met Rose Gibb once - during a council scrutiny meeting. She is an incredibly articulate woman who spoke clearly on her vision for the hospital, however I did find the meeting rather like being spoken to by a brick wall. She spoke and then ignored every question and suggestion made. Her mind was clearly made up on the changes that were proposed with a real ’stuff local worries’ attitude about herself. Now I don’t know if these ‘clean your hands’ stations were placed in the entrance and all around the hospital while Rose Gibb was in post. If they were, having seen people ignore the oppurtunity to clean their hands today, I actually feel that the blame cannot lie with her and the trust alone. We as patients, visitors, volunteers, in fact anyone entering the hospital MUST take our part in hospital hygiene seriously.

All we are being asked to do is clean our hands and we must do this.

It takes seconds, isn’t sticky, doesn’t smell and helps ourselves, our loved ones we’re visiting and indeed the hospital itself….

… rant over - and if you’re interested, the lovely orthoptic doctor has given young Travis the all clear with the squint!

The next focus is off at the printers as we speak. Big excitement here in West Maidstone as we’ve decided to do an A3 focus for the first time outside of an election.

You can see it before it comes through your door here

Anthony Hull has resigned from his position as Borough Councillor for Shepway South ward on Friday. This means we will be having a bi-election in the next few weeks.

Elections always mean extra work - delivering leaflets, telephone canvassing, etc  - and for this reason I was incredibly grateful to Gordon Brown for deciding against a General Election just a few weeks ago.

Typical - you think you’re off the hook and then someone comes and puts you straight back on it… thanks Anthony!

Jo Bennett (husbands neice) and Rob Osbourne tied the knot today in Torquay.

Congratulations and lots of love to you both.