Canterbury Christchurch student Oliver Jaynes on modelling, rugby and being a lifeguard in Faversham

Tell us a bit about you

My name is Oliver Thomas Jaynes, I’m 21 and I live in Faversham – in fact I have lived in Kent all my life.

I am currently studying Animal Science at Canterbury Christchurch University but in between studying and going to lectures, I also lifeguard and supervise at Faversham swimming pool. It’s an excellent facility with a great outdoor pool that is well worth a visit in the summer!

I have a brother, Simon, who attends Canterbury College and my parents Amanda and Eddie both work for the NHS. My girlfriend Karly has started a degree in Adult Nursing.

Tell us about the Face of Whitefriars

I applied for the ‘Face of Whitefriars’ competition spontaneously after it was suggested by my parents and girlfriend. I didn’t find out that I was in the top five until I finally found out that I had won.

I had to try on different outfits from a number of shops including Fenwick and Next. Once the outfits were chosen all that was left to do was to pose. Being in front of the camera was unnerving, having not done any modelling before, however it was really quite easy once it started.

I may try more modelling part time and apply to some businesses, however I will be following my degree into a job.

It was an excellent experience and a brilliant scheme that has been set up by Whitefriars. It demonstrates that big companies can give younger members of the community life opportunities that need only to be picked up, as I did.

What are your hobbies?

A big part of my spare time is spent playing rugby and I play for Canterbury Rugby Club, where I first started at the tender age of four. I train twice a week and play in matches at the weekend. It’s an excellent sport with a great social aspect and I have developed some important personal skills from playing there, including teamwork and leadership skills.

What’s best about Kent?

I love living in Kent, it’s such a stunning, beautiful county. A big part of my life for a long time has been family walks in the Kent countryside. No matter where you are in Kent it seems you can travel five minutes up the road and you can be walking alone with the beauty of nature, from the beautiful coast of Whitstable to the striking sunsets at Oare Marshes.

Kent achieves the perfect balance between its busy towns and cities and the quiet perfection of the countryside, truly living up to its title as the Garden of England.

There are some excellent pubs that offer good food and local beverages scattered all over Faversham. My favourites have to be The Albion and The Old Wine Vault, which are both well worth a visit.

Where do you like to shop?

The shops in Canterbury are excellent for shopping, from the top range of men’s clothing brands in Fenwick to the modern styles of Jack Wills.

Canterbury as a city is excellent for all ages, sexes, styles and tastes. Having now modelled and seen how other clothes fit that I wouldn’t have necessarily worn before, I shop in most places now.

What music do you like?

I love a bit of Ed Sheeran and Mumford and Sons. n