downsmail.co.uk


Defence chief visits veterans at work


WORKERS at Britain’s Bravest ManufacturingCompanymay be holed up in Aylesford, but that did not stop military top brass fromtracking themdown. The ex-armed services employ-


ees of the Royal British Legion In- dustries social enterprise company were hard at work when defence minister the Rt Hon Earl Howe dropped by. The government supremo, who


is also deputy leader of theHouse of Lords,was in town tomeet vet- erans and senior management to see for himself thework they do. The RBLI supports former mili-


tary personnel and the disabled, with work, training, care, accom- modation and support. It employs veterans through


Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company to make road and rail signs andpallets for thepublic and private sector. The commercial en- terprise employs over 120 people,


more than 70% of whom are dis- abled, and generates £5m in rev- enue. After his visit, Earl Howe said:


“The commitment of the staff was deeply impressive, as was the im- pact RBLI is having on the lives of veterans. I wish the charity well with its plans for the future.” The minister was accompanied


by theRBLI’s chief executive Steve Sherry, who said: “It was an hon- our to host EarlHowe.


“The government, through its


Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, has recently earmarked £9m to supportmental health andwell- being activities, and this is to be welcomed. “As a veteran-led and focused


charity, we see the need for such support and the visit was an op- portunity to show Earl Howe our commitment to doing everything we can to help improve the lives of our veterans every day.”


News Bear backing


challenge BEAR Grylls is just one of the well-known faces back- ing an opportunity for the public to take part in a mass assault course. Royal British Legion Indus-


tries (RBLI) at Aylesford and British Military Fitness (BMF) are hosting Britain’s BravestMilitaryChallenge at Mote Park in Maidstone – one of 20 locations around the country. The public will be invited


to take part in a series of physical challenges on Satur- day, September 28. All money raised by


Britain’s Bravest Military Challenge will go towards a proposed £14m Centenary Village,whichwould include another 24 assisted living apartments for single veter- ans at Aylesford and 20 fam- ily homes. Look out for the details of


the UK assault challenge in future editions of Downs Mail.


Business Focus Alexanders barbershop and the bull sign.


As soon as Alex heard that the Old Bull Pub on the Holborough Road was due to be turned into a Co-Op, Alex, owner of Alexanders Barbershop in Snodland, knew that the Co-Op wouldn’t want the Old Pub signs, of which there were 4 in total. So Alex set about trying to get one of the signs, to hang in his Barber Shop. When asked how he eventually came into possession of one of the Pub signs Alex said: “I just kept asking different builders that we’re working on the Co-Op, I eventually was able to speak to the site manager who told me that all the signs from the Pub were to be donated to the Snodland Museum on Waghorn Road. Fortunately, when I asked Andrew Ashbee who runs the museum, if I could have one of the signs, he was very happy for me to have one as it meant it was staying in the local area.”


When asked why he wanted a pub sign in his barber shop Alex added: “I Love it, because it’s a local piece of history, and it’s stayed in the local area. In fact it’s only crossed the Road!”


New barber shop team.


Alexanders Barbershop would like to welcome its newest member Mark to the team. Mark, who was previously plying his trade in Rainham, where he lives, now works at Alexanders full-time and joins Louise, and owner Alex. To help customers avoid having to queue for to long, here are the busy and quiet times of the Barber Shop:


Quietest day: Thursday. Late night: Wednesday open until 7:30


Busiest day: Saturday. (Saturday after 2:00 is quieter then the mornings)


During the week, mornings (9:30-3:00) the shop is much quieter then afternoons. After 3:30 when the schools come out, the shop will be busier.


Closed: Sundays and Mondays.


16 High Street, Snodland 01634 242588


AlexandersBarbershop.co.uk Malling June 2019 21


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