Black Belt Edward wins Try Angle award


A YOUNG Black Belt from Ec- cles was among eight talented and community-minded young people from Maidstone to be recognised at the annual Try Angle awards, organised by Kent County Council. Martial arts black belt Ed-


ward Carter, from Eccles, won the Sports or Outdoor Activity award.


Edward, who has autism with


an auditory processing disor- der, has been doingmartial arts for seven years and last year be- came a 1st degree Black Belt. He helps in classes, where he


is a junior instructor, has done a first-aid course and competed at the southern championships, where he last year came second in the country in sparring. He trains three times a week, practices at home with his younger sister and every day does push-ups and sit-ups and other training to try to better himself.


4G ‘will boost


town business’ SUPER FAST 4G mobile inter- net technology has arrived in Maidstone. The service from mobile phone network EE, which runs Orange and T-Mobile, makes Maidstone one of the best-con- nected areas in Europe. Smart- phone users will be able to surf the internet an average five times faster than 3G, EE said. Maidstone Council wel- comed the technology and be- lieved it would drive economic growth by improving business productivity, as well as making the areamore attractive to busi- nesses and residents. Cllr Brian Moss, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “Now the latest genera- tion of mobile technology has arrived,we are an area where it is even more attractive to live, to work and to do business.”


in charity night THE 100 voices of the com- bined Kent Police and Thanet Male Voice Choirs will sing at All Saints’ Church, Maid- stone, on October 12 in this year’s Riverside Rotary Charity Concert. The event is organised by Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club, with proceeds going to The Heart of Kent Hospice and Demelza, as well as other local charities. The choirwill be con- ducted by Martin Rendle and accompanied by pianist, Karen Barton, with professional solo- ists Hannah Kirk and Michelle Harris. Tickets are £15 and can be bought from the Heart of Kent Hospice on 01622 790 195 or online at www.rotaryconcert. co.uk.


Hundred voices


Edward, who was also the winner of the 2012 Maidstone Disability Sport Award, re- ceived his award from John Mills, chair ofWest Kent Youth Association during a presenta- tion evening and celebration at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre. The Try Angle Awards were introduced in 1994 to raise the profile of young people in the


Edward Carter receives his award from JohnMills


safe, happy childhood, and yet we know that there are many instances where children and young people are put at risk, either by their own actions or by the actions of others. “This can be from a number


of issues, including bullying, e-safety, and problems at home and in school. We also know that there are many instances where vulnerable children have been supported and helped by their peers, or stood up for themselves. “We want to celebrate this


community who try, often with little recognition, to do their best.


Maria Kelly, Business Man-


ager for KCC’s Integrated Youth Services, said the theme for this year’s awardswas keeping chil- dren and young people safe. “Safeguarding children is everyone’s business,” she said. “Every child has the right to a


and acknowledge the actions taken which have made a dif- ference to young people’s lives.” All nominees received a Try


Angle certificate and the eight winners will go forward to the Spirit of Try Angle Awards, a county celebration event which will highlight the best of the nominations received from across Kent &Medway.


Wardens reward Sam’s good work


A 15-YEAR-old girl worked so hard helping an 89-year-old Snodland woman tidy her house that she was nominated for a Kent County Council Try Angle Award by Community Wardens. Sam Houston and her mother, Linda Degoey, who live at Discovery Drive, Kings Hill helped clear 150 bags of waste paper – mainly maga- zines, newspapers and cata- logues – collected over 35 years. But because she was unsuc- cessful in winning the award, the wardens, John Newton and David Leipnik, presented her with a certificate and paid for a Next voucher to give her. “We both felt that at 15 years’


old she deserved recognition for all the assistance and work she had demonstrated in help- ing this elderly resident im- prove her environment,” said John.


Christine Gobel, of Oak Drive, Larkfield, knew the old lady and became concerned about her health when she failed to attend church on a Sunday. Christine knew the elderly lady’s GP and went with him to


Sam Houston with her certificate and, from left, John, Linda, Christine and David


see her. She went into respite care then to hospital and be- cause the house was “totally unsafe” the doctor, who is in- volved with the scouts at Kings Hill, suggested they could help clear the house. Sam is an Explorer Scout,


and told her mother Linda about the problem. They went to the house where every room was full of clothes, magazines, newspapers and catalogues. They met Christine and the community wardens were reg- ular visitors. A fire officer was called because of the fire risk. Christine explained that the woman, who suffers from de-


VTeam awards night VTEAM volunteers, who help out elderly and disabled peo- ple,were presentedwith certificates recognising their com- mitment at a social event and buffet at Maidstone Community Support Centre. The VTeam is a service of Voluntary Action Maidstone,


basedat the centre inMarshamStreet.Volunteers carry out gardening and DIY tasks to help elderly and disabled people stay in their homes. One of the volunteers said: “I’m so grateful to the VTeam


for the help it has given me in moving forward in my life. I now have a job that I would not have had if I had not joined the VTeam.” For further information contact manager Liz Tredget at the centre on 01622 677 337.


mentia, had lived in the house for 37 years, and it was after her husband died that she started collecting magazines. The three-bedroom house was so full she had to sleep on a cushion on the floor. “She is a very independent


lady and I sometimes used to take her to church and bring her home, but she never allowedme inside,” said Chris- tine.


Christine and Linda are now


good friends. Sam, who is tak- ing part in the Duke of Edin- burgh Award Scheme, is due to start college at Hadlow in September.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


VTeam volunteers with mayor Clive English Malling 27


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