From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Lydia Catling, 20 December 2019.

Sandbags handed out in Yalding, Collier Street and Laddingford by Maidstone Borough Council after flood alert.

A council has deployed more than 1,500 sandbags to areas affected by flooding.

Maidstone Borough Council delivered the flood defences in a bid to support residents.

Yalding Village Hall, received 15 boxes, containing 40 bags each, while Old Vicarage in Collier Street and The Chequers pub in The Street, Laddingford were given 12.

Residents can pick them up from these locations and those in Collier Street can contact 01892 730512 or 07841 776377.

A home near the "White Hart" in the village is reported to have water coming in.

A spokeswoman for the borough council confirmed it would provide emergency shelter and help for people if required.

They added: "We have staff working in several areas affected by flood water and are continuously monitoring the situation."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Rhys Griffiths, 27 April 2020.

The Chequers Inn pub in Laddingford, near Maidstone, has been lit up blue in support of NHS workers.

A pub has shown its support for the NHS by lighting up its exterior blue to coincide with the weekly Clap for Carers.

The Chequers Inn in Laddingford, near Maidstone, glowed from the lights, which were installed by one of its regulars, despite being closed due to ongoing social distancing restrictions.

The Chequers Inn at Laddingford lit up in blue to honour the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Run by a husband and wife team, Tracey and Charles Leaver, the inn has also started to offer delivery of freshly cooked meals for vulnerable members of the community and those self-isolating.

The long-standing publicans, who have been at the Laddingford pub for more than 26 years, have also championed a local initiative to place teddies in the windows of buildings in order to demonstrate collective spirit in the community during the pandemic.

Mrs Leaver said: “The pub has long been the central hub for communities across the country, something we’ve been passionate about upholding over our last 26 years at the helm of the Chequers Inn.

"Despite being closed, our position as a hub has become more important than ever to us, and the lighting up of the pub, running the delivery service and other activities is just our way of showing our appreciation for the NHS and key workers, as well as doing what we can for the local community.

"My husband's daughter as well as many members of the local community work in the NHS, so it’s very close to our hearts.

"Seeing the positive comments across social media and being able to give something back makes all of the effort worthwhile and we're very much looking forward to getting together with the community to enjoy a drink once we're through the other side of the pandemic."