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downsmail.co.uk Students take to the sky Headcorn Aerodrome said it will


the school are about to embark on a two-year project to construct a replica of a World War I Fokker Eindecker – a single wing plane originally built by the Germans in 1915.


Although other individuals and groups have built replica war- planes, kit supplier Grass StripAvi- ation, based in Stroud, Glouc- estershire, believe it is the first time such a project has been launched within a school. The single-seater plane will be


built to three-quarter scale, which means it can be flown by anyone over the age of 16 who holds a microlight licence, as opposed to the CAApilot’s licence.


Students are aiming to build a Fokker Eindecker


The project has been made possi-


ble by a generous donation from the Froud family of Coxheath, three generations of which have sup- ported the school, as well as from several sponsoring companies. However, with a price tag for the project of £20,000, the school is still looking to local businesses for on- going support.


store the plane when it outgrows the school workshops and heat treatment company HME has of- fered assistance with purchasing specialist tools. SuttonValence isworking with St Ronan’s Prep School at Hawkhurst, whose year 7 and year 8 pupils will be working on the fuselage under the guidance of the school’s head of design and technology Will Ben- nett, while SuttonValence students tackle the wings. Dan Keep, head of DT at the school, said: “We are trying to show our students, in a practical way, just how far aviation technol- ogy has advanced in 100 years. It is almost unbelievable to think that


HIGH-FLYING students at Sutton Valence School could soon be taking to the skies – in an aero- plane they have built themselves! Design technology students at


these planeswere built forwar, but they were to prove to be an inspi- ration to future generations of air- craft builders.” The Fokker forms the first part of


a four-year plan and, if funds are forthcoming, the school intends to follow it up with building a replica Sopwith Camel. The ultimate dream is for stu-


dents to exhibit their work at the national Design and Technology Show and for two students to fly the two planes as part of the flypast at the Armistice Centenary in 2018. Sutton Valence School headmas-


ter Bruce Grindlay said: “It is tremendously exciting to be the first school in Britain to be involved in this sort of project.”


Over 200 make village run Cheers for Vera’s 109th


THEWorld Cup is thought to have been responsible for 40 runners missing out on the popular Staple- hurst race on June 15. While the number of entrants


was the same as last year, just 255 runners (299 in 2013) made it to the start line on Surrenden Road play- ing field for the 10k run towards Marden and back, passing Hush HeathWinery and the formerWild Duck pub. Crossing the line first for the men


was Anthony Bradley, and Maria Heslop and Alice Heather-Hayes, together, for the women. Staple- hurst Parish Council clerk Mick Westwood finished 98th. According to resident Bob Ham,


the weather was perfect for run- ning, being cool and dry. He said: “I think the numbers


IT’S not every day the mayor of Maidstone bursts into song. But then, it’s not every day that


you celebrate your 109th birthday! For Vera Pigott, just 109 years


winning women: Maria Heslop (right) and Alice Heather-Hayes


were down on the day because of the England football match ending at 1am. But everyone who did run seemed to have had a great time.” Among themwas a husband and


wife, with their baby, who com- mented on the Runner’s World website: “My husband and I did this as a sort of comeback run, after a variety of recent hurdles – one of which, is a 13-month-old baby.”


Sunny fete raises more than £5k THE sun shone on an estimated 3,000 visitors who turned out for a day of fun on Surrenden Playing Field in Staplehurst. The event, on June 28, was opened this year by Ken Collins, who pro-


duces the popular village calendar. Attractions for youngsters included Uncle Myles’ magic show and the Messy Church craft tent and, for adults, therewere stalls and music fromShan- nen Turner and Electric Fingers. The draw – sponsored by Doves and


organised by Paddock Wood and Dis- trict Lions – raised £656. Pulling the lucky numbers was Jasper Wren, the son of local funeral arranger Anisa Wren. Event committee member Bob Ham


said: “We were lucky to avoid the rain, as other events close by suffered badly, so,wewere delighted that itwentwell, with no major problems, and profits


likely to be in excess of £5,000.” He thanked the event’s main sponsor, Sainsbury’s, and Golding Homes. Anyone interested in joining the organising committee should email Bob at rjham@hotmail.co.uk.


30 Maidstone South July 2014


young on July 8, Cllr Richard Thick’s rendition of Happy Birth- day to You was the icing on the proverbial cake in a day of celebra- tions at SuttonValence Care Home. Mrs Pigott, formerly of Langley,


moved into the care home when her health was failing at the age of 100.


Now, thanks to plenty of com-


pany and TLC, the centenarian has celebrated nine more birthdays – and received nine more messages from the Queen. Joining the party thrown for her


by the management and staff was her youngest son Graham (67) – who visits his mum every day – and grandson Kevin Lee, from Horsham. AlthoughVera had four children,


her other son Donald passed away five years ago and her daughters Monica (79) and Kevin’s mum Beryl (87) both live some distance away and suffer from poor health. Born in Hackney, East London,


Vera married her late husband, bank clerk Douglas, in 1924. During World War Two, they


were air raid wardens in Broad- stairs and then moved to Bromley. Douglas became chief cashier


WEST Farleigh Sports Club has been given planning permission to establish a 30-space car park on the opposite side of the road to its clubhouse in Charlton Lane. Carswere damaged while trying


to negotiate the narrow road when sports fixtures were at home and


Vera celebrates with friends


with the Midland Bank, now HSBC, and the couple moved to Dickens Close in Langley following his retirement, in 1981. Douglas sadly passed away in 1998 and, fol- lowing a bout of failing health,Vera moved into the care home eight years later. AlthoughVera has outlived most


of her contemporaries, she now has a new set of friends in the home, who bestowed her with flowers, cards and other gifts on her special day. Vera is now listed as the 36th old-


est person in Great Britain – just five years behind the eldest, 114- year-old Ethel Lang from Barnsley.


Car park approved for sports club


bus operator Nu-Venture threat- ened to withdraw its service if the problem had not eased. Maidstone Council’s decision


notice said the car park could only be used on Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-4pm and on Sundays, 10am- noon.


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