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Jobs scheme wins award


MAIDSTONE has been rewarded for its initiatives to get the borough working. The council received the commu-


nity support (large employer) award at the Kent Employer Part- nership Awards, in addition to being highly commended in the skills and training category. Maidstone Council has been


working with Maidstone Jobcentre Plus to help unemployed people in the borough findwork, and to pro- vide support to residents through the recent benefit changes. One of the initiatives has been to provide coffee mornings and work experience for local young people. Here, unemployed young people


can meet senior council managers and discuss possible work place- ments and how to enhance their prospects.As a result, more than 30 young people have been offered work placements with the council, with more than 50% of those going on to secure employment. Young people are also offered on-


going mentoring, with 20 volunteer mentors trained within the council. Maidstone Council’s director of regeneration and communities Zena Cooke said: “We’re particu- larly proud of ourwork experience and mentoring record, which has had excellent results getting young people locally into work, and our strong partnershipworking to sup- port our residents.” More than 5,000 jobseekers at- tended “Get Maidstone Working” jobs fairs in partnership with Job- centre Plus and Golding Homes.


Friends offer help to lonely


ANEWbefriending service aims to reduce the loneliness felt by many Maidstone people, both at home and in their communities. Volunteer befrienders are trained


to visit people in their homes regu- larly, offering companionship and support and helping to build confi- dence for people who might other- wise go days without seeing or speaking to anyone. AgeUKbefriending service coor- dinator for Maidstone and Ton- bridge, Wendy Pfeiffer, recently visited one lady who has benefited from the service andwas told: “I re- ally look forward tomyfriend com- ing to see me. She is so cheerful and it breaks the week up for me.” The service is available from Age


UKs inWest Kent and its partners, Centre for Independent Living Kent (CiLK), The Simon Paul Foun- dation and Maidstone Mind. If you know someone who might benefit from this service or if you would like to become a volunteer, call 0800 048 4668 or email be- friending@ageukmaidstone.org.uk.


48 Maidstone East June 2014


downsmail.co.uk


New green will mean bright future for club


BEARSTED now has one of the best bowling greens in Britain.


The new year-round artificial bowling green at Bearsted and Thurnham Bowling Club, which was due to be opened by the Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP, is one of only a few playing surfaces in the country delivered to achieve – and exceed –World Bowls performance standards. The green was made possible thanks to grants of almost £100,000 from Sport England, Biffa, Kent County Council and the Cobtree Charity Trust. Constructed and laid by Dales


Sports Surfaces, it also has flood- lighting so members and visitors can bowl into the night. The club hopes to attract an extra


3,000 visits a year as a result of its investment. President Derrick Rowe said:


“The bowling green has ensured the future prosperity and success of the club which can continue to in- crease its playing membership and offer more opportunities for people


to play the sport. “The club will be open 365 days


of the year and will be more avail- able to the community, including a rapidly expanding junior section.” County Cllr Paul Carter said:


“The new surface will enable the club to encourage greater partici- pation in the sport.” Bearsted resident and county Cllr


Jenny Whittle said: “Such a surface will lead to increased use of the


Green and provide a year-round fa- cility to serve the demands of the local community.” The club is now open to new members and visitors and offers a free taster session and coaching for beginners. For more information call Barry Patey on 01622 730336. For information about Saturday morning junior coaching (aged 8-17 years), call Trevor Coleman on 01732 840261.


Students mark Shakespeare’s birthday


STUDENTS in Maidstone cele- brated the Bard’s birthday with what could prove to be a record- breaking cake. The celebration – to mark the


playwright’s 450th birthday on April 23 – was the idea of Maid- stone Grammar School’s English department and was attended by 180 Year 8 boys. As well as singing “Happy Birth-


day, Will”, staff wore period cos- tumes and students created an enormous Globe Theatre birthday cake, standing 50cm tall and a metre round. The Guinness Book of World Records has been informed.


There was also a series of Shake-


speare workshops and a perform- ance of Romeo and Juliet by the Young Shakespeare Company. Head of English Dr Tony Froud


Twinning role for mayor


THE retiring Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Clive English, has a new role as press officer for the Maidstone Beauvais Twinning Association. The association held its AGM at


the Town Hall earlier this month and adopted a constitution setting it apart from the borough council. Although the association came


about through liaison with the councils both here and in France, the move means the group will be able to access grant support which would not otherwise be available. Association chairman Cllr Bryan


Vizzard said: “The aim is to allow the association to attempt to access support and funding to expand our


activities, which would not be available to us if we are perceived as being part of the council.We will continue to work closely with MBC, aswe attempt to develop our activities and membership.” In the coming year, the associa-


tion try to establish closer links be- tween schools in Maidstone and Beauvais, as well as between col- leges and youth groups. The meeting re-appointed Glenda Goldfinch as president, BryanVizzard as chairman,Wendy Hinder as vice chairman, Mike Yates as secretary, Alan Cocks as treasurer and appointed Cllr Eng- lish to the role of press officer.


said the school felt it was important to remember the bard, not only for his literary genius, but because he “lives on in our everyday speech, our culture, and our theatres”.


Run and rail THE fourth Maidstone Riverside Run is on Sunday, June 8. The 8.6k run, organised by Caron


Briffa, from Staplehurst, in memory of her mother Sandra, who lost her battle with cancer in 2010, is in aid of Cancer Research UK. Registration is from 8-9.45am, out-


side David Lloyd’s Health Club in Lockmeadow. Entrants will then take the 10am train along the Med- way Valley Line from Maidstone West toWateringbury. The run starts at 10.20am, from


Wateringbury, following a riverside trail back to David Lloyds. Entry is £12 in advance or £15 on the day and proceeds go to Cancer Research UK.


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