Changing faces BARMING has some new faces on the parish council, following last month’s local elections. Chairman Cllr Fay Gooch of


Heath Road, was re-elected un- contested, along with Fred Chapman from Banky Meadow, Sandra Manser from North Street, Martin Greenwood from Anington Road and Jonathan Palmer from Tonbridge Road. Cllr DerekMann remains on the council, along with councillors Christopher Hall and Vivienne Hyndman.


Family fun day THERE will be family fun on Park Wood Recreation Ground on June 3, when community group Parents is the Word holds an event to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Go alongfrom11amto3pm


for bouncy castles, soft play areas, face-painting, glitter tat- toos, stalls and a jumble sale. Therewill also be a DJ and re- freshments, along with special appearances from Toy Story’s Buzz and Jess, and Iggle Piggle.


Legal help offered MAIDSTONE Citizens Advice Bureau is now able to offer the services of a family law lawyer for victims of domestic violence. Maidstone CAB can be con-


tacted on 01622 752420/757882, at the offices in Bower Terrace, Tonbridge Road or at the Maid- stone Gateway in office hours.


Head start for job seekers


A CHARITY helping Maid- stone’s youth find work has been given a head start. Friday People, founded in February last year, has just moved into bigger offices so it can quadruple the number of young people it is helping to train and get into employment. At the same time, it has teamed upwith hair salon Mon- key Hair, which is putting the finishing touches to the young- sters’ appearance before they go out for job interviews. Friday People,which recently moved from Mill Street to Kent House, is making significant progress in Maidstone at a time when one in five 18 to 24-year- olds nationally is unable to find work. The charity is achieving a


Job Seekers Allowance of £56.25 perweek is a challenge.” Tony Mann, from Monkey


The teams from Friday People andMonkey Hair salon


69% success rate in securing employment for the pro- gramme’s participants, accord- ing to founder NickWard. Nick said: “Although latest un- employment figures show a slight fall, young people are bear- ing the brunt of the problem and there are 820 young people aged 18-24 unemployed in Maidstone. “It is clear to us that living on


Hair, said: “After paying out for living expenses, Job Seekers Al- lowance leaves very little to in- vest in preparing for interviews. Our stylists, Zoe, Becky, Bryony and Xavier, are donating their styling services to Friday Peo- ple to ensure that everyone on our programme looks smart.” The offices provide 3,500 sq ft


of space and have three training rooms, conference facilities and kitchen and dining facilities. At the heart of the charity’s approach is the recognition that employers need to see evidence that young people can make a positive contribution to any business.


Family get baking to thank air ambulance


THE family of aman whose life was saved thanks to the swift action of the Kent Air Ambu- lance are organising a home- made cake sale in Maidstone. Estate agent Robert Fletcher,


(35), was hit by a car travelling at high speed along Ashford Road, Maidstone, two years ago while waiting for his car to be washed. Had it not been for the prompt action of the air ambu-


lance, which airlifted him to a specialist major trauma unit at King’s College Hospital, Lon- don, his recovery could have been very different. Robert’s wife Josie said:


“Kent Air Ambulance save many lives and helpmany peo- ple all over our county, but without regular fundraising and help from the public, they wouldn’t exist. They run com- pletely as a charity and always


need help from us.” Josie and her family, from


Grove Green, have organised a stall selling home-made cakes, outside Boots, in The Mall, Maidstone, on Sunday, June 24 and are appealing for dona- tionsofcakes –aswellasfor people to buy them. Anyone able to help with baking or fundraising can get in touch at josiefletcher@talk- talk.net


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