A NEW war of words has erupted between campaigners in Maidstone who want to save their school farm and the school’s management.

The Friends of the Astor of Hever School Farm have accused Martin Carroll, the head teacher, of ordering a former head boy to shut down part of a website.

The site, www.astoryfc.co.uk, included a debate page which hosted messages attacking the decision to close the school farm.

But Mr Carroll has denied ever telling the former pupil, Cambridge University student Stephen Paine, anything of the sort.

In a statement released to the Kent Messenger, he said: “At no time did the school ask former pupil Stephen Paine to shut down the debate forum. Indeed, when Stephen came into school last week to discuss the site he explained that the web page was missing because of a technical error.

“I understand that this is a very emotive subject and I am all for democracy on the issue and welcome everyone’s view.”

The website, which is managed by Mr Paine, was created by him two years ago as a way of letting the wider community know about the activities of the school’s Young Farmer’s Club.

When it was announced that the farm would close at the end of the school year, Mr Paine created a debate page on the site.

Mr Paine said: “I felt it was important that anybody should be able to comment on the closure.

“I was called in to the school a few days ago and asked to remove the debate page from the website.”

Representative of the Friends are due to meet Cllr Paul Carter, Kent County Council cabinet member for Education Standards and Pupil Services, in the New Year to discuss the proposed closure of the farm.

The debate page was not available when the Kent Messenger went to press on Wednesday.

* The Young Farmers’ Club held a Carols With The Cows fund-raising event attended by about 150 people, including Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Peter Hooper.