Training scheme wins backing


THE Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has applauded a Kent scheme that has already created 100 apprenticeship op- portunities in just a month, adding to the 5,000 apprentices already in the county. IainDuncan Smith made a spe-


cial trip to find out about Kent jobs for Kent young people – a countywide campaign to gal- vanise businesses and organisa- tions to hire an apprentice and give unemployed young people the chance to learn and earn. At the Maidstone Skills and Community Centre, Mr Duncan Smith spoke to apprentices who have been given an opportunity to get a foot on the career ladder and employers who are able to expand their business while training up the next generation.


Nellie Minchella NELLIE Minchella (87), who died at the Lukestone care home in St Michael’s Road, Fant, was a noted local enter- tainer. She and her husband of over


60 years, Antonio, played lo- cally in The Minchellas. Born Nellie Meeds, she moved to East Malling 58 years ago from her na- tive Burham. Her daughter Janet said: “Music was my mother’s life. There was a period of about 30 years when I don’t think she had a night in. The Minchellas played all over the local area, going to social clubs, playing pubs like The Malta Inn, at Allington, regu- larly and doing seasons at But- lins camps in Minehead and Bognor. “My mother had met and worked with people like the ac- tors from Steptoe and Son and Paul James, who is on the radio on Sunday lunchtimes. More recently she played at tea dances in places like the Hazlitt and Larkfield Village Hall. Her


From left: KCC cabinet member for communities Mike Hill; ASA interactive apprentice Michael Uttridge; KCC Leader Paul Carter; work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith MP; The BigMow apprentice Marcus Pearce and KCC deputy cabinet member for education, learning and skills Gary Cooke


He said: “Kent jobs for Kent


young people is an excellent in- novation. It is binding together a lot of what we are doing nation- ally, with some extra things that Kent County Council is able to


pay for and initiate – bringing the businesses together and inform- ing them about the apprentice- ship programmes we have got and what the subsidies are.” Kent County Council hasmade


We will remember


repertoire included concert music and material from the dance band era.” Nellie was mother to Danny


and Janet and had also worked locally on a baker’s round, a grocery round, at the East Malling Research Station and – whenWest Malling still had an air station – in the NAAFI. Janet said: “She was a very generous lady, known for her kindness.” Nellie leaves her husband, children and grandchildren Tony Jr and Jannell.


Alf Johnson ALF Johnson (78), of Lower Road, East Farleigh, was known from a lifetime’s in- volvement with local rugby. A noted player on the wing for Maid- stone Rugby Club, he went on to serve the Mote-based out- field in a range of off-the-field roles, including club chairman


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and, later, president. Current officials at the club and former colleagues have been united in paying tribute to his hard work for the club and passion for the sport of rugby. Alf was schooled locally at Maidstone Grammar School and began a career with the gas board, rising to become area service manager. Married to Valerie, he was fa-


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tackling youth unemployment one of its top priorities, and wants to double the number of apprentices in the public and private sector from 5,000 to 10,000. April’s jobless figures for 18 to 24-year-olds totalled 8,990 in Kent. The recession has hit young people hardest, with the num- bers seeking employment dou- bling over a four-year period. KCC Leader Paul Carter said:


“We have invested heavily in vo- cational education, getting thou- sands of 14- to 19-year-olds equipped for the world of work. This new apprenticeship cam- paign builds on that by offering skills that employers are crying out for. It is good for business, good for young people and at a modest cost to the employer.”


Charity drive A VINTERS Park woman is setting out on a 900-mile char- ity drive from Dover to Barcelona in a £200 VWPolo. Andrea Wiggins (39) will


join brother John Gregor (37) to raise money for Martha Trust, which cares for people with physical and multiple learning disabilities across Kent and Sussex. They have to travel in a car


worth no more than £200 with tax, insurance and a full MOT. It begins on September 22.


the Blackthorn Trust.His efforts have been praised for their im- portance in helping the trust es- tablish new premises. Alf leaves his wife, children and 10 grandchildren.


Margaret Waller THE death of Maidstone’sMar- garet Waller (82) made local headlines. Margaret, of Bedford Place, was a well-known mem- ber of a large traveller family in the local area and her funeral included a horse-drawn hearse and a procession of more than 100 vehicles. Members of her family have described her as a “matriarch” and praised her warmth and generosity.


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