Shire Lane and Berry's Hill closure

Shire Lane will be closed tomorrow, 30 March, between 0900-1600 due to maintenance.

Alan Dear's Guardian Letter about Farage Demonstration

As a Guardian reader for over 50 years and a Downe resident for over 20 years, including eight years as landlord of the Queen’s Head, I find your article (Big trouble in middle England, G2, 24 March) disappointing, to say the least. This was in no way a political demonstration but an ill-disciplined, attention-seeking rabble with no thought of other people’s safety or enjoyment. They booked the George & Dragon under false pretences for larger numbers and purposes than it is suitable for, thereby ruining normal customers’ afternoon enjoyment.

A large number of families use this pub and the Queen’s Head for a peaceful Sunday lunch and social gatherings. Young children with their parents (including the Farage children) were terrified by these events. Mr Farage remained calm during these so-called demonstrations and certainly had no minders, heavies or aides with him. Your correspondent omits the fact that the driver of the hired coach refused to transport the rabble back to Bromley, worried about their behaviour and no doubt his safety. Also, the article does not take into consideration the damage caused to the business and reputation of these well-run pubs. I’m not, of course, going to stop buying or reading the Guardian, but hope for a return to more balanced and objective reporting.
Alan Dear
Downe, Kent

Farage calls anti-Ukip protesters who forced him out of pub 'scum'

Protesters outside the George and Dragon in Downe, Kent. Photograph: Mike Kear

Anti-Ukip protesters in fancy dress forced Nigel Farage to flee his local pub where he was dining with his family on Sunday afternoon.

The Ukip leader called the demonstrators “scum”, claiming they had caused his children distress. The group, however, said they were holding a “cabaret of diversity” in support of those Ukip was seeking to marginalise.

Read the whole The Guardian article here

Nigel Farage brands pub invaders 'scum' as protesters jump on his car bonnet

Protesters said to have chased Ukip leader and his family out of Queen's Head pub in Downe before jumping on car bonnet as he drove away.

Nigel Farage and his family have been chased out of a pub in Kent and had their car attacked by protesters demonstrating against the UK Independence Party (Ukip).

See the full Telegraph article here.

London protesters 'chase UKIP leader Farage out of pub'

Anti-UKIP protesters have invaded a pub in south London where party leader Nigel Farage was having lunch.

Mr Farage was in the Queen's Head in Downe with his wife and two younger children at the time.

Demonstrators first went to the George & Dragon, believing it to be Mr Farage's local, before they found him.

For the full BBC article click here.