Wednesday, April 6, 2016
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ROYAL DIARY DATE FOR RETIRING MAYOR OF TONBRIDGE Page 3
FESTIVAL REVAMP PAVES WAY FOR SUMMER SUCCESS FOLLOWING a rebrand designed to broaden its appeal, preparations for this summer’s Tonbridge Festival are already in full swing. According to organisers, early ticket sales over the past few days have been encouraging for the event’s family-friendly series of shows and activities this July. Formerly known as the Tonbridge Arts Festival, this year’s 10-day extravaganza will feature a host of music and comedy events, plus community workshops. Its website and Facebook page have now been fully updated, with the team behind the festival hoping it will once again attract thousands of visitors. Among its highlights are an evening dedicated to the sounds of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. There will also be an appearance from the Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, as well as offering young people the chance to take part in an open art exhibition and poetry recital. Liz Penn, marketing manager for the festival, said: “After last year, we did some consultation and we felt that dropping the word arts from the event might make it seem less elitist. “But we will still be keeping a lot of what has been seen in previous years. For further details on the festival, which runs between July 1st-10th, visit: www.tonbridgefestival.co.uk
PEMBURY SCHOOL HOSTS LITERARY CELEBRATION Page 21
INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT LIVING WAGE DIVIDES OPINION
£100,000 RAISED BY ARCHERS LISTENERS
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Dumped trolleys in river INSIDE increase risk of flooding AIRCRAFT NOISE
Local MPs united in warning Gatwick to keep its promises
Supermarkets must help tackle problem says warden By Neill Barston SUPERMARKET trolleys littering the rivers around Tonbridge are environmentally damaging and a potential danger to life, a town flood warden has warned. Carl Lewis says he has seen an increase in the anti-social behavior of people throwing trolleys into the water and is calling on supermarkets and residents to help tackle the persistent issue. The problem is at its worst on stretches of the River Medway near Sovereign Way between Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Mr Lewis, whose voluntary team works with the Environment Agency and borough council, says this problem is exacerbated by riverbank littering which poses a danger to riverside wildlife as well as undermining civic pride. The Environment Agency has also warned the issue will create greater flood risks, as ditched trolleys become entangled with fallen branches that increase the build-up of debris in the water. Mr Lewis said: “This is an ongoing problem with trolleys being dumped that is down to the fact that the supermarkets here are right by the river. “If someone becomes a bit silly on a night out and is throwing things into the river, then they are putting their own lives at risk.” Mr Lewis has approached the town’s supermarkets to help combat the problem and Sainsbury’s has already confirmed it is increasing patrols of its car parks. However, Mr Lewis took the Times on a tour to show how in the last few days, several more trolleys have been ditched in the
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LIFE EXPECTANCY
Our guide showing where you live can be a vital factor
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WARNING Flood warden Carl Lewis Inset: Another trolley in the river River Medway and its tributaries, as well as others abandoned in outer areas around the riverside. Local authorities in other areas are already taking a tough stance on the dilemma. A recent case in the North of England involving Tesco established that councils now have the ability to fine supermarkets up to £20,000 for failing to clamp down on customers abusing trolleys. Auria Dee, Environment Agency spokesperson, said: “The River Medway is one of the things that makes Tonbridge great, and I would ask everyone to care for their river. Shopping trolleys, like other types of rubbish, do not belong in the river. “They are a danger to wildlife, and can pose a flood risk. Since Tonbridge suffered
flooding in 2013/14, the Environment Agency has been working with Tonbridge flood wardens and the borough council to increase flood awareness and resilience.” A Waitrose spokesperson said the company was not aware of trolleys from its Tonbridge branch going missing within the last year, but encouraged customers to report any incidents. Ewa Lewszyk, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson, added: “We always want to be a good neighbour and work hard to reduce cases of abandoned trolleys. We do this is through our partnership with Trolleywise, who work with all of our stores to retrieve reported trolleys, as well as security arrangements, such as coin locks and trolley locks.”
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