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Maidstone: Travellers could stay in Mote Park until Monday as council applies for court order

11:56, 09 August 2018

Travellers could remain in Mote Park until Monday as the council awaits a court order to move them along.

An illegal encampment moved onto the park four days ago, leading Maidstone Borough Council to serve a 24-hour notice to vacate.

The order was ignored and caravans remain on site.

Travellers have pitched up at Mote Park in Maidstone (3462054)
Travellers have pitched up at Mote Park in Maidstone (3462054)

The council hopes to serve another 24-hour order on Monday, this time issued by the courts.

Mote Park is set to host Demelza's Bubble Rush event on Sunday, which hopes to raise more than £25,000 for the Sittingbourne children's hospice.

The event, which takes place in a different part of the park, will still go ahead.

Bubble Rush for Demelza (3390268)
Bubble Rush for Demelza (3390268)

Tamsyn Clark, director of fundraising and marketing at Demelza said: "We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Mote Park, Maidstone, where we are holding our Bubble Rush Kent event this weekend.

"We are working closely with Maidstone Borough Council and have worked with the Park Manager to make slight adjustments to the route. Our event will go ahead as normal and people can still register on the day. We hope this event will raise more than £25,000 for Demelza Hospice Care for Children, supporting children living with a terminal condition.

"The Bubble Rush is a fantastic event and we are looking forward to a fun filled morning with local residents and supporters."

A spokesperson for Maidstone Borough Council said: "We have applied to the Court to obtain a Section 78 Order which requires any persons that are part of the unauthorised encampment to vacate within 24 hours. The court date has been set for Monday at 9.45am."

Registration for the Bubble Rush starts from 10am with the first runs starting from 11am, organisers expect the event to be over by 3pm.

Details on how to sign up for the Bubble Rush on the day are available here.

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