downsmail.co.uk


Stylist Anthea nds new role as deacon


A MAIDSTONE hairdresser has swapped blow dries for Bibles in her pursuit to become an Angli- can priest. Former Maidstone Girls’ Gram- mar School girl Anthea Mitchell (54) has owned Hair Professional in King Street for more than three decades and, after six years of in- tense studying, has finally been or- dained as a deacon.


She will continue to run her salon full time as she cuts herself a career as part of a new breed of Ministers in Secular Employment. Rev Mitchell, pictured, who will


take up her role at St Paul’s Church for the next three years, believes by keeping her current job she will be able to reach more people who simply want to talk or offload some of the challenges life pre- sents, but who do not attend church. The step-mum of one said: "I was raised in the Greek Orthodox tra-


dition and attended a Catholic school, so faith was a big part of my early life, albeit a slightly con- fused part. “My Anglican identity has de-


veloped very slowly over the last 30 years, and God has somehow brought me, sometimes kicking and screaming, to this next part of my journey.”


For the past six years, she has spent half her time in the discern- ment process and another three years at St Augustine’s College of Theology in West Malling. After 80-hour weeks at the salon and late nights studying, all her hard work paid off when the Bishop of Dover, Rev Rose Hud- son-Wilkin, ordained her and 10 others as deacons in a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral. During her curacy at St Paul’s, Rev Mitchell in- tends to keep a detailed journal of her experiences and hopes to be ordained as a priest next year.


Come and hear about the life and times of Paddy Ashdown and pay tribute to former Maidstone Mayor and Custard Pie Champion, the late Brian Mortimer


This FREE event is open to all. This Friday 21st July at Allington Comunity Association Castle Road.


p19


Contact. James Willis 07838 103350


jameswillis322@btinternet.com Licensed Bar and Raffle


Allington Community Association Castle Road, ME16 0PZ


West Maidstone Liberal Democrat wine tasting! Saturday 7th August 2021 7 – 9pm at Riano's Tonbridge Road Maidstone.


Cheese and Wine Tasting with Speaker Tom Wilkinson - Vineyard Manager - Chapel Down


After spending 10 years working for Majestic wine and


completing WSET qualifications up to Diploma level Tom subsequently completed a degree at Plumpton College (Brighton University) in viticulture and oenology.


6 wines (including sparkling) plus several local cheeses to taste!


(non-alcoholic wine or fruit cup will be available for those who do not want wine).


£30.00 for wine drinkers and £15.00 for non wine drinkers.


Alan Cocks


01622 761004 or 07730973512 accocks16@gmail.com


Riano’s, Tonbridge Road Maidstone 19


News Village hope


HEADCORN has renewed hope the village’s Methodist Church and meeting hall will be granted com- munity asset status.


The initial application was re- jected by Maidstone Borough Council because places of worship cannot be listed and the meeting hall was not mentioned.


Now Headcorn will resubmit its case and says religious establish- ments have been included in other parts of the country. Council


asked for information and Drugs charges


A MAIDSTONE man will appear before the courts on charges of dealing in cocaine and heroin. Adam Haddock of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, was later charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply and posses- sion of heroin with intent to sup- ply.


On June 16, Mr Haddock (33)


was remanded by Medway Magis- trates’ Court to appear at a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.


leader David Burton the


agreed the council would work with Headcorn to get the right outcome.


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