News


downsmail.co.uk Ma lands a place with Google


MAIDSTONE sixth former Matt Quinney has landed himself a job with internet giant Google. The Maplesden Noakes pupil se-


cured a marketing apprenticeship following an interview process unique to Google involving 800 young hopefuls. Onthe first day, Google called 120 people for group interviews at its headquarters in Marble Arch, Lon- don. Eighteen-year-old Matt was then recalled with 40 others for a “Google assessment” which in- cluded one-to-one interviews and team-building exercises. Matt was also called on to devise amarketing campaign and present his ideas to a panel fromGoogle. He recalls: “They were really in- terested in the Business Challenge we undertake at school and were impressed that I had developed so many key skills during the experi- ence. As they were looking for somebody with marketing experi-


Teen banned A TEENAGER who was almost three times over the legal limit for driving has been banned from driv- ing for 20 months. Maxwell Cornwell (19) of The Medlars, Maidstone, drove a Skoda Fabia in London Road where he gave a breath test of 101mg of alco- hol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Cornwell admitted drink-driving


when he appeared before Mid Kent Magistrates, who banned him for 20 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work over 12 months. He must also pay £85 costs and a £60 victim sur- charge.


Drink charge


ROBERT Shepherd (47), of Brewer Street, Maidstonewas banned from driving for 20 months by Mid Kent Magistrates after he admitted drink driving.


Shepherd drove a Toyota Land Cruiser in Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone and gave a breath test of 71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. He was also fined £320 with £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.


Drug suspects A GANG suspected of selling drugs in Maidstone have been ar- rested. The five men, all in their early


20s,were stopped in a car in Barker Road by officers in an unmarked patrol vehicle. The driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and taking the car without consent. The gang – four from Maidstone


and one from Boughton Monchelsea – have been bailed.


32 Maidstone Town July 2016


dents the opportunity to develop their employability skills by work- ing with real businesses. The school’s head of sixth form.


Tom Newcombe, said: “We are re- ally proud of Matt and what he has achieved andwe’re also really proud that our Business Challenge has helped him get there.” Head Jane Prideaux added: “This


Matt Quinney (right) with head of sixth form TomNewcombe


encewhohad worked in a team, this put me in a great position. “My Business Challenge experi-


ence at school helped massively when having to present to the panel


– particularly the confidence and public speaking elements.” Maplesden Noakes’ Business Challenge celebrates its 10th an- niversary this year and gives stu-


Studious pair graduate


TWO sisters from Barming School took centre stage at a graduation ceremony for Kent youngsters who rose to the challenge of studying after school. It is the second year that Jessica Sturrock (11) and


her seven-year-old sister Emily have graduated from Kent Children’s University – a county council initiative offering youngsters further opportunities to extend their knowledge and creative talents. In fact, Jessica has become such a leading light that


she was invited to give the keynote speech at the graduation ceremony at the University of Greenwich in Medway after receiving a Gold Diploma for her 300 hours of extra studies. Also receiving praise and a graduation certificate


was nine-year-old Delia Delvitto-Arriazu, who has been taught at home in East Farleigh. To find out more about the initiative visit www.kentchildrensuniversity.co.uk.


Emily and Jessica Sturrock with their awards £100 prize for homes name


A MAIDSTONE couple are feel- ing £100 happier after researching the history of a town centre site. Brian and Grace Love, who


have lived in Maidstone for 76 years,were the winners of a com- petition to name Churchill Re- tirement


Living’s new


development on King Street. The couple decided to delve


into the history of King Street – and discovered it was named after King George III, who rode along it in 1799. Mrs Love said: “He was visit-


ing Mote Park to inspect 3,000 as- sembled troops of the Kent Volunteers, a local militia trained to defend the county from a pos-


sible invasion by Napoleon.We thought thiswas a really interest- ing connection.” Mrand Mrs Love came up with


the name King’s Lodge andwere presented with a cheque for £100 at a naming ceremony for the de- velopment. Anne Scherrer, from Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We re- ceived a vast number of entries for the Maidstone development, but we particularly liked the local historical connection that Mr and Mrs Love’s entry had.” The complex will comprise 53


private, self-contained apart- ments that are designed for re- tired owners.


For more local news www.downsmail.co.uk Two hurt in


street brawl A LARKFIELD man arrested in connection with a serious incident in Maidstone High Street has been re- leased without charge. The 19-year-old was questioned by police after a 23-year-old man was left unconscious on the pave- ment outside the British Heart Foun- dation charity shop. The man was taken to Maidstone Hospital with head injuries along with a second man, also in his 20s, who also sustained head injuries. Part of the High Street was cor- doned off following the incident, in the early hours of Sunday, April 17. The trouble is believed to have started in Rose Yard, home to The Source Bar, and travelled into the High Street. A 20-year-old Snodland man was also arrested in connection with the incident and bailed until August 1.


is a fantastic opportunity for Matt and he has done exceptionally well to secure an apprenticeship with such a high-profile company. This typifies the ethos of our sixth form, to equip our students with good ac- ademic qualifications, coupled with a range of employability skills that give our students the edge when faced with these types of interview situations. “Well done to Matt and we wish himwell in his future career.”


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