Optometrist looks into hypnotist’s eyes Town Talk
SNODLANDoptometrist AlisdairBuchanan, who is recognised as one of the best opti- cians in the UK, has designed and made spectacles for famous hypnotist and author, Paul McKenna. Alisdair told Town Talk: “I was staying at
a hotel in London with my wife, Kathryn, when I saw him and, much to her embar- rassment, I went up and told him I would like to design and make a pair of specta- cles for him.” Paul McKenna agreed, and Alisdair went
to see him in Kensington. He was so happy with the spectacles, he ordered two more pairs. Paul said: “Designing the frames with Alisdair was a very enjoyable experience. I believe life is art and what we wear says a lot about us. When I wear these glasses, not only do I feel really good as they are a statement about me, but I also feel a little more confident as well.”
is essential for his television work.” Buchanan’s beat stiff competition from
Paul McKenna, centre, with Kathryn and Alisdair Buchanan
Alisdair said glasses are one of the few possessions used every day and they are the first thing someone notices when they look at your face. “They should be beautifully made and supremely comfortable,” he added. “Paul’s glasses are key to his look, so designing something unique for him that looks great
the elite of UK opticians to win the 2013 Technology Practice of the Year at the Na- tional Optician Awards and was runner- up in five other categories. Last year they won the Premier Lens Practice of the Year award. The award was presented by Hugh Dennis, from the BBC’s Outnumbered and Mock the Week. He took a particular liking to the name Snodland, as so many entrants were from cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Alisdair said: “As we had been short-
listed for six awards, each time he read our nomination he encouraged the crowd to chant ‘Snodland’ in support.”. The company has invested £85,000 in
the latest equipment to allow the earliest possible detection of eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Engineering students Paul
Handover, Charlie Hood and RyanTaylor
Young engineers go for gold
THREE engineering students have won a gold award for their prototype engineering solution, which investigates materials for internal faults using ultra-sound. The three, who are in year 12
at Holmesdale Technology Col- lege, are Ryan Taylor and Char- lie Hood who live in Snodland, and Paul Handover, who lives in Meopham. They worked with business partner, IPS Interna- tional, a technology training provider in Medway. The intention is that the com-
pany will use the equipment as part of its standard equipment in its training facilities. The team travelled to the Uni-
versity of Kent at Canterbury for an assessment day. Teacher of engineering,
Robin Smout, said the boys were nervous, but handled themselves with verve to show they had mastered their topic. He added: “I am very proud of the students as they have shown they can hold their own with their peers in schools across Kent.” They delivered a 15-minute presentation to a panel of ex- perts from leading Kent engi- neering firms, manned a trade stand and answered questions from other school teams and their senior leaders.
Changes to deanery boundaries SNODLAND has been transferred from the Cobham Deanery to Malling, and will look at ways of working with parishes such as Birling, Addington, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe,West Malling, East Malling and Aylesford as opposed to Meopham, Longfield, Ash and Hartley. A deanery is a local administrative area in
which Anglican parishes work together, and the Rector of Snodland, the Rev Hugh Broadbent (right), was previously Rural Dean of Cobham. Changes to the Deaneries of Malling, Cob-
ham and Gravesend were made after a wide- spread consultation and review within the Rochester Diocese. A special service of welcome and farewell for the affected parishes
was due to take place at Hartley on June 4. A Pentecost Service was held in Snodland on May 19, at which the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Venerable Clive Mansell, was the preacher.
Jobs talks continue at paper mill
STAFF at the Townsend Hook paper mill at Snodland are ex- pected to be notified of any job losses by the end of June. Smurfit Kappa said that consultation was still in progress in
the lead-up to the closure of twomachines, which was brought forward by a year. The company says a new machine, due to be operational by autumn next year, will save costs and increase competitiveness. A spokesman said: “We are currently still in the consultation period, so staff have not been notified as yet. We envisage all staff will be notified by the end of this month.”
Local news for Snodland and Halling
A Downs Mail supplement produced in conjunction with the Snodland Chamber of Commerce.
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