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News Footballer Josh’s England call-up


JOSHWisson, 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, sociol- ogy 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. “Iwas so proud that the months of


trials and selection and the years of hard work and dedication had paid off with this life-changing opportu- nity to play at the international level. I phoned my mum and dad imme- diately and theywere over themoon with the news. Then I phoned my older sister,wholives in France, and she was just so proud of what I'd achieved.” Josh was chosen to play after a highly-competitive process involv- ing more than 500 young hopefuls. The field was narrowed down to a


ever, their nameswere not revealed at that stage. Thiswas done formally by letter of appointment. Josh’s news came at the end of a


week's trial for south London pro- fessional side Millwall FC.Heis also investigating the possibilities offered by a soccer scholarship at an Ameri- can university, where he would be able to combine degree studies with playing at varsity level. As captain of the Kent U18 foot-


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-


ball team and a semi-professional player with Sittingbourne first team (Ryman League), Josh is the second student from Maplesden Noakes to be awarded U18 international hon- ours and follows in a long line of elite soccer players at the school. In recent years four students have progressed from the school’s soccer academy to be awarded contracts


with professional clubs, and three students secured football scholar- ships at universities in the USA. A further four students represent the school at county level and five at dis- trict level, which is an outstanding achievement for the school. Josh praised the role of the Soccer


Elite Academy at the school in get- ting 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 andwe wish himwell for the rest of the foot- ball season and his career.”


Entertainment lined up for county show


Roz Yates, Bill Murray, Claire Ryan and oncologist Dr Russell Burcombe


Clinic tribute to cancer patient ANEWclinic providing acupuncture for people with breast cancer has been officially opened at Kent Oncology Centre. The Susan Murray Ear Acupuncture Clinic has been set up with support from the Murray family from Headcorn. Susan Murray, a former patient at the Kent Oncology Centre, at Maidstone Hospital, died in June 2015, and her husband Bill and children were keen to do something positive in her memory. With the help of Macmillan nurse clinician Claire Ryan and acute oncology nurse Roz Yates the clinicwas set up, primarily for people living with secondary breast cancer. The complementary therapy aims to promote relaxation, encour-


age a sense of well-being and assist in the management of menopausal symptoms – a common and debilitating symptom of breast cancer treatment. The clinicwas opened by Mr Murray and saw its first patients in March.


STUNT motorcycles, award-win- ning bands and racing pigs are among the acts at the Kent County Showground this summer. Astickets go on sale for the annual three-day extravaganza at Detling, organisers of the County Show have revealed the full line-up for the weekend of July 8, 9 and 10. Show organisers are introducing


more displays and entertainment for younger visitors and Joseph’sAmaz- ing Racing Pigs are sure to prove fun for all the family. Six rare breed pigs will be throwing themselves over hurdles in a bid to be first to get their nose in the trough. Peppa Pig will also be at the show


with her brother George, and Trac- tor Ted have his own area with a bouncy castle, operate Digger Den andwelly-wanging. The Country, Game and Canine


area of the show will also be bigger this year. The Coakham Bloodhounds will


give a display on the Friday and there will be a parade of beagles on the Saturday. There will also be gun- dog, falconry and ferret displays. Chef Dan Kennedy of Kent Cook-


ery School will give game demon- strations daily while the Kent Spitfire will fly overhead. The Royal British Legion Band &


Corps of Drums, Romford, will be entertaining in the main ring on Sat- urday and Sunday while the Bold- dog FMX Stunt Team will see riders jumping gaps of over 75ft. Showmanager Lucy Hegarty said: “Many of the displays have been part of the event for a number of years. The sheep show, sheepdog and duck show, birds of prey and ferret racing are incredibly popular.”


Livestock market taken over by auction firm


THElivestock market at Detling has been taken over by theWilsonsAuc- tions empire. The third-generation auction


house, which runs sales online and from seven sites across the country, has acquired the aerodrome market – covering about nine acres – from Lambert and Foster. GarethWilson said the purchase fulfilled the family firm’s ambition to take up residence in the South East “nearer the big smoke”. He said talks were still in their


early stages as to what exactly will go under the hammer from the site,


but said it would take the form of a collective sale. The issue ofwhether livestock will continue to be sold from the former market, off the A249, had not been ruled out. He said: “We’ve only had the site


since February 1, but have ap- pointed two full-time staff and we are making headway in determin- ing how we will operate here, with the hope of holding our first sale in September, if not before.” He said Maidstone Council had confirmed there is no restriction on what can be sold from the site. The auction house has contracts


with many government depart- ments, including the UK Border Force, to sell seized items, with lor- ries from Dover likely to feature. Wilson Auctions already sells


items including former hire tools and machinery as well as land and property, but its biggest sales are generated by second-hand cars, of which it sold 150,000 last year. The business also supports six satellite sites servicing its storage require- ments and online business. Concern has been expressed by


both Stockbury and Thurnham parish councils that a former re-


striction imposed by Maidstone Council, limiting the site’s use to the sale of livestock no longer appears to exist.


Thurnham parish councillor John


Horne said: “It is a concern that whatwe will see here is unrestricted use of the site all year round.” Mr Wilson said the company’s


lawyers had looked through the pa- perwork before the decision was made to move toMaidstone. He said: “We are delighted to be


here. We have been well accepted and hope we can work with every- one.”


Maidstone East April 2016 33


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