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ASHFORD ADVERTISER - NEWS ITEMS
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Ashford man takes on steep climb for epilepsy charity
An Ashford man, whose son has epilepsy, is aiming to conquer the UK’s highest mountain, to raise vital funds for UK charity, Epilepsy Action.
Colin Blaney, 43, will attempt the Epilepsy Action Ben Nevis Challenge over three days from 27 to 29 August. The climb will involve eight hours of walking, mostly up a very steep gradient and uneven terrain. At 1,343 metres (4,406 feet), Ben Nevis, located near Fort William in Scotland, is the UK’s highest mountain, attracting thousands of trekkers each year.
Colin said: “My son Rhys, who is 12, was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2009 so Epilepsy Action is a charity close to home. I love walking and have never been Scotland so the Ben Nevis Challenge is the perfect event for me. I’m really looking forward to taking on this personal challenge and raising awareness of epilepsy.”
Colin has so far raised over £500 in sponsorship for Epilepsy Action by taking on the Ben Nevis Challenge. The money raised by Colin will help fund the vital advice and information services provided by Epilepsy Action. To sponsor Colin and support Epilepsy Action, visit www.justgiving.com/colinblaney-BenNevis
Entry to the Epilepsy Action Ben Nevis Challenge is still open. To find out more about this, and other Epilepsy Action events, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/involved or call the fundraising team on 0113 210 8800.
Epilepsy Action celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year. The charity directly helps more than 688,000 people every year through a range of services including its advice and information service, branch network, Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050 and award-winning website, www.epilepsy.org.uk
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The Workers’ Educational Association offers new opportunities for adults to enjoy learning this autumn
The WEA is the largest single provider of adult education classes in UK – it is lead by volunteers who act locally to ensure that high quality taught classes are available on the widest range of subjects to local communities across the country.
Ashford town and Wye village: September and October 2010
This year the WEA is offering classes in Ashford and Wye. These classes run for two hours over ten weekly meetings. No previous experience is necessary as our highly skilled tutors will assist all students to participate-in and gain from study. Our classes provide a supportive environment for learning with students having the opportunity to contribute to the direction of discussions so that the tutor can best meet the wishes of the class members.
• In Ashford our successful Creative Writing class continues on Fridays from 1:15pm – starting on 24 September. New or more experienced writers will gain from working within a supportive group. At Associate House, Queens Road.
• In Wye students can enjoy the study of the music of Brahms: the classic romantic on Tuesdays from 2:00pm starting on 21 September. At the Wye Methodist Church, Upper Bridge Street.
• Also in Wye we have a new Philosophy class, ‘He knew he was right’, which will look a dilemmas in moral philosophy as found in classic literature. No prior knowledge of individual novels will be required. Meetings at 2:00pm Tuesdays from Wednesday 06 October. At the Wye Methodist Church, Upper Bridge Street.
More detail can be obtained from the Branch Secretary, Lindsay Pearson on 01233 634014 or more readily at
lindsaypearson31@btopenworld.com
Pre-enrolment is strongly recommended and most readily done by visiting http://southern.wea.org.uk/
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Silver Medalist Nicholas swims in to meet Asda colleagues
Aspiring swimmer, Nicholas Boylan, visited Asda Ashford recently to celebrate winning a silver medal in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke when he attended the Disability Swimming British International Championships last weekend.
Nicholas has received £500 from Asda Sporting Chance to spend on training and equipment and met Asda colleagues and customers who have supported him as he celebrates his recent achievements. The colleagues also presented Nicholas with a basket of fruit to help him keep healthy.
To help local supporters keep track of his achievements Nicholas has also started a blog for Asda at http://athletes.asda.com/nicholasboylan.
Nicholas said: “Thanks to the support of Asda Sporting Chance and all my family and friends I am well on my way to achieving my life long ambition of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic games. Being invited to Asda was great as it helps boost my profile in the community and I enjoy meeting all the colleagues.”
Asda Ashford General Store Manager, Emma Smith, hopes their support will help Nicholas reach his long term goal of competing in the London 2012 Paralympics: “We’re delighted to be able to support Nicholas and we are thrilled he has won the Silver Medal in the International Championships. Nicholas is an inspiration to all of our colleagues and we look forward to seeing him win more medals in the future!”
Asda have supported over 1,000 upcoming athletes since the launch of the Asda Athletes program in 2008, distributing over £700,000 in grants to young athletes to help with the cost of their Sport. More information can be found at www.asda.com/athletes.
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Check out our new business directory http://www.ashford247.co.uk
All advertisers are now included on our new website directory for free, with a direct link to their website!! see http://www.ashford247.co.uk
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Ashford student wows the judges at prestigeous design awards
Student innovation recognised by Xerox at this year's Made in Brunel show
Bumble bees, bicycle chains and water purification - Brunel University's graduating students show us the future, strengthening the UK's position in global design
Innovation is critical to the future success of the UK economy, and this year's Made in Brunel [MiB] event which showcases innovations created by Brunel University design and engineering students indicates that the UK is still a hot bed of creative talent. This year saw Xerox recognise three Brunel students whose designs displayed an inventive and pioneering approach to solving a real-world problem with its Xerox Innovation Award. Over 250 outstanding entries covering almost every aspect of modern day living were submitted for this year's award.
The overall winner of the prestigious Xerox Innovation Award at MiB was Chris Holloway who impressed the judges with his revolutionary proposition to change a bicycle design that has not fundamentally changed in nearly 100 years. Two runners up prizes were awarded to James Bartlett for his water chlorination design and Norah Lewis for her 'Fumee' bee equipment for bee keepers project.
Les Wynn, manager of industrial design and human factors, Xerox Europe presented the awards and commented: "Innovation is not only the lifeblood of our business but is also essential for any successful economy. Xerox has a long heritage of investing in innovation and our involvement with Made in Brunel allows us to recognise the most innovative students. The winning design was particularly well received by the judges because of its originality and challenge to accepted thinking."
Winner of the Made in Brunel Xerox Innovation Award 2010:
Chris Holloway's 'Link gear system' for bicycles offers a completely new way to change gear. The system uses one single sprocket to give different ratios for changing gear rather than the traditional system that uses a number of sprockets and drags the chain. The design can significantly improve performance, making it ideal for the professional race setting.
Chris is 21, from Kent and is studying Industrial Design Bsc
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FLYBE OPENS UP GARDEN OF ENGLAND
Flybe, has announced another brand new route namely a daily Edinburgh to Manston service that, apart from opening up the Garden of England to the Scottish market also offers regional travellers the only scheduled flight to be currently operated out of Kent International Airport.
Tickets are on sale now at www.flybe.com from £24.99 one way including taxes and charges for travel effective May 27th through to 30th October. The new route, with a flight time of just 80 minutes, will be operated by Flybe’s fuel efficient 78- seat Bombardier Q-400 turboprop aircraft.
The announcement further reinforces Flybe’s commitment to offering an extensive choice of convenient, affordable regional travel.
Kent International Airport is located in east Kent, just a couple of miles from the popular seaside destinations of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate and within easy reach of picturesque Whitstable, historic Canterbury with its world famous cathedral and, of course, Dover’s iconic White Cliffs.
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Be a star! – Walk in the Moonlight for Pilgrims
Pilgrims Hospices has launched one of the charity’s most popular annual events; the Moonlight Walk – a night to remember. Chose from an entirely new route between Herne Bay and Whitstable (18 September). Exclusively for ladies, each Moonlight Walk is a chance to have fun, support a worthy cause, and perhaps remember a loved one.
With earlier start times and a wealth of enthusiasm, the Moonlight Walks this year promise to be the best so far. Young girls from the age of 12 can also now get involved, so get your family together, brandish your glow sticks and all things that sparkle, and have a night to remember in support of Pilgrims Hospices.
Deborah Kellond, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manager, said; “This event has been a huge hit with ladies in previous years. Last year 1,500 walkers raised £170,000 for Pilgrims Hospices, and we were amazed at the turn out for both events and the generosity of our supporters. This year we are aiming high and hoping to reach our target of 3,500 walkers raising £350,000. Pilgrims Hospices needs to raise over £8 million every year, and the Moonlight Walk is one of our key fundraising events.”
Nigel Donkin, Fundraising Manager gave thanks to the many local companies that are sponsoring the event, saying; “The response we have had from local businesses has been wonderful. They are giving us support in such a variety of ways, from help with promotion to hosting and entertainment on the night. We are all very excited about the Moonlight Walks this year as the event promises to be one of the highlights of our events calendar. We urge you ladies to team together, sign up, and make it the most successful yet!”
For full details and to register online visit www.pilgrimsmoonlightwalk.org or phone 01227 782062.
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Plans for major road improvements for Ashford
Improvements to Junction 9 and Drovers Roundabout are well underway as we've all seen!
Changes include introducing traffic signals, widening approach roads and building a landmark footbridge over the M20. Work will finish in spring 2011.
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Do you have time to volunteer?
Ashford Samaritans need volunteers
No qualifications or experience needed.
You need a natural ability to listen and be non-judgemental.
Full training and support given. Visit our website or call.
Phone us: 08457 90 90 90
SAMARITANS
www.samaritans.org
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ASHFORD ADVERTISER - Ashford's Local
ASHFORD ADVERTISER - Ashford loves it!
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