News


Homes agreed PERMISSION has been granted


for 106 homes at a controversial site in Allington.


The units will include a mix of bungalows, houses, and apart- ments in land off Beaver Road. Maidstone’s planning commit-


tee could only discuss permission for a small parcel of land which holds the access road to the site. The rest of the site was already granted outline permission by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council back in January as it sits in their catchment area.


Football fund A FOOTBALL academy in Maid-


stone aims to raise funds for de- fibrillators


after Christian


Eriksen's collapse at this year’s European football champi- onships. Jonny Elwood, who runs soccer schools in Maidstone, Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells and Sit- tingbourne, says the shocking in- cident has prompted him to protect his own players. Jonny set up a GoFundMe page


in the hope of raising £6,000. Go to gofund.me/ee0b2dde.


downsmail.co.uk


Actor battled ME to achieve stage dream


A BEARSTED man has told how he overcame a debilitating illness to become a professional actor. Jake Richards has just joined the Changeling Theatre company to take up the role of Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, which tours this summer.


But Jake (25), a former pupil of Roseacre Primary School and The Lenham School (formerly Swade- lands), had to overcome myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) at the age of 15.


Also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, ME's most common side effect is extreme tiredness, al- though its cause is not properly understood.


Jake said: "I found school tough


as I was diagnosed with ME when I was 15 years old, so exams were hard work. "I have learnt to manage my con- dition now and never let it define


in Chiswick, west London and joins the Changeling team after roles in Germ Free Adolescent and This Wounded Island at London theatres.


He added: "It has been a tough time for everybody in the pan- demic, not least the theatre indus- try.


"I see this tour not just as a boost for Kent, but also a kickstart to the return to theatre. "I want this to be a celebration


that we have all, as a country, come through this difficult time and still get to do what we love."


Actor Jake Richards Picture: Yellowbelly Photography


me...coping with the tough days has made me more resilient." Jake has an acting degree from the ArtsEd performing arts school


Of his role as naughty Bottom in the Shakespeare play, he added: "When I auditioned, it lit a fire in my belly – I just knew I had to do it, so I gave it my all.


"When I got the call to say I had the part, I was on the phone to my family within seconds. They told me to do Kent proud."


p10


10th & 11th July 2021 The Kent County


Summer Fayre Book your tickets now


(Pre-Booked Tickets Only) Purchase online at


www.kcas.org.uk 10


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