Engineering a career

A sixth-form pupil at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls has earned a prestigious engineering scholarship. Sophie Horan has been awarded the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship after a tough selection process. She has received £600 to go towards her A-level studies after undertaking a two-hour aptitude exam and an interview. The test was designed to gauge her flair and originality and at the interview she was asked about her career aspirations and had to discuss an engineering project she had conducted. She said: “I’m still so shocked to have been given this fantastic opportunity. I have gained so much from this experience already and I hope the scholarship will help me get to where I want to be in the future.” Village diaries: Free 2015 village diaries are available at All Saints’ Church and from other churches in the Leeds and Hollingbourne benefice as well as from Christopher’s Village Shop in Eyhorne Street. Waterside development: The date for the public inquiry into the borough council’s refusal to grant planning permission for the first application from Gallagher’s to develop Waterside Park at Junction 8 of the M20 in Hollingbourne has been fixed for May 6, 2015. The inquiry is scheduled to last for eight days at a local venue which is yet to be announced. A second application for a modified development at Waterside Park has just been refused by the borough council. KCC: Trading Standards is conducting a house-to-house survey until December 31 on roads and pavements, local public transport and waste management services. Every representative of KCC conducting the survey will carry identification. Parish meeting: The parish council meets on Monday December, 8 from 7.30pm-9.30pm at the Cardwell Pavilion. WI: Good friends, good food, and good fun – an old fashioned Christmas party with dancing, readings, and games. Members and invited guests. On Tuesday, December 9 from 7.30pm-10pm in the village hall. Sugar Loaves pub: An evening of popular music with Leaky Tap to which all are welcome will be held on Friday, December 12 from 8pm-11pm. Hollingbourne Meadows Trust: The link is Facebook.com/ hollingbournemeadowstrust You can only access it if you have a Facebook page. It will keep you up-to-date with photos and all