News
Train delays ‘likely until
end of 2017’ COMMUTERS in Kent are likely to face delays until the end of 2017, ac- cording to Southeastern. Only 61% of trains have run on
time since Christmas, with several major events when trains have been disrupted for hours. Mid Kent MP Helen Whately has
been holding talks with Southeast- ern in a bid to get to the root of the problem. She said: “While they are trying,
I’m frustrated that – by theirownad- mission – we’re likely to see delays all the way through to the end of 2017 when the major works at Lon- don Bridge eventually finish.” The MP met with Southeastern managing director David Statham. She said: “Since Christmas Eve
we've seen the service go from bad to worse, with delays and cancella- tions day after day.” One of the “disaster” days was caused by the failure of new sig- nalling equipment and another due to iced-up rails. Heavy rain at Christmas caused several landslips, including one at Hollingbourne. Mr Statham said the collapse of
the seawall atDover, destroying the track and putting that part of the net- work out of action, had made it very difficult for Southeastern to keep services working. Repairing the line at Dover may
take most of the year and Southeast- ern recognises it has to find away to improve the service. Mrs Whately said: “While the con- ditions may have been challenging, Southeastern acknowledged that be- tween it and Network Rail, they need to be able to keep the service running better.” Southeastern told the MP it was employing more drivers and crew, increasing “engineers on the road” (who travel to a broken down train to fix it), and avoiding decoupling trains to speed up services and re- duce the likelihood of breakdown. They are also going to de-ice at milder temperatures to avoid a re- peat of iced-up rails. Mrs Whately is due to meet South- eastern again, together with Net- work Rail, to keep up the pressure.
Driver fined
AYALDING man has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work after failing to stop at an acci- dent. Lee Bowker (44), from Hampstead
Lane, admitted driving a Vauxhall Comboin Maidstone Road,Yalding, without due care and attention and for failing to stop following the acci- dent. West Kent Magistrates ordered
him to carry out the unpaid work and pay a fine of £550, plus £85 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
16 Maidstone South March 2016
downsmail.co.uk
Footballer Josh receives his call-up for England
JOSH Wisson, a sixth-form student at Maidstone's Maplesden Noakes School, has been selected to play for the England under-18 football squad.
Josh (17), who is studying for A
levels in history, psychology, soci- ology and PE, was at home alone when he received his England call- up letter to play centre back. He said: "Iwas ecstatic at this, the biggest achievement in my life so far. “I was so proud that the months
of trials and selection and the years of hard work and dedication had paid off with this life-changing op- portunity to play at the interna- tional level. I phonedmymumand dad immediately and they were over the moon with the news. Then I phonedmyolder sister, who lives in France, and she was just so proud of what I'd achieved.” Joshwas chosen to play in a gru-
elling and highly-competitive process involving more than 500 young hopefuls. The fieldwas nar- rowed down to a shortlist of 32 players. The final 18 players were chosen
at the Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall, Shropshire – where the 1966 World Cup winning squad trained. How- ever, their nameswere not revealed
Noakes to be awarded U18 inter- national honours and follows in a long line of elite soccer players at the school. In recent years four students
at that stage. This was done for- mally by letter of appointment. Josh’s news came at the end of a
week's trial for south London pro- fessional side Millwall FC. He is also investigating the possibilities offered by a soccer scholarship at an American university, where he would be able to combine degree studies with playing at varsity level. As captain of the Kent U18 foot-
ball team and a semi-professional player with Sittingbourne first team (Ryman League), Josh is the second student from Maplesden
have progressed from the school’s soccer academy to be awarded con- tracts with professional clubs, and three students secured football scholarships at universities in the USA. A further four students rep- resent the school at county level and five at district level, which is an outstanding achievement for the school. Josh praised the role of the Soc-
cer Elite Academy at the school in getting him to where he is now. He said: “I've been pushed and encouraged every single day. I've worked hard and they've really brought out the best in me.” Headteacher Jane Prideaux said:
“I am always very proud of all our students who excel and represent the school at any level, but special congratulations must go to Josh for his outstanding achievement and we wish himwell for the rest of the football season and his career in the game.”
Wine producers take the honours
TWO wine producers in the region drank a toast to their own success at the recent Taste of Kent Awards. Hush Heath – producer of the country’s most exclusive pink fizz at Staplehurst – took the Kent Countryside Award. The judges chose the business for
its “incredible attention to detail and real care for the landscape” where “every opportunity is taken to increase vital pollinators on the farm, which is a haven to barn owls. Indeed, the whole team is clearly proud of what has been achieved.” Also taking the honours at the
black tie awards’ night at the Detling Showground was Nick Hall, whose Herbert Hall Brut 2013 Traditional Method sparkling wine was runner-up in the Kent Wine of the Year category. The handmade sparkling wine,
which is on sale at retailers including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Mason, is produced in Marden from estate- grown organic chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. The judges noted: “This is very
well balanced, with fresh bright notes and a touch of cobnut and
The team from Hush Heath Estate (above) and right, Nick Hall and Kirsty Smith of Herbert Hall
honey. It is crisp and elegant and better than a lot of champagnes I have tasted.” Nick Hall said: “Kent is producing
some world-class sparkling wines. I was surprised that we were the only sparkling wine among the three finalists. As winemakers we were all pleased to receive some local recognition and approval.” The other category finalist was
Ortega, from Biddenden Vineyards and the winner was Bacchus, produced by Chapel Down Vineyard in Tenterden.
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