Local News

MP Welcomes Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband

MP Welcomes Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband

Gordon Henderson MP has welcomed ultrafast broadband being introduced to thousands of additional properties here in Sittingbourne and on the Isle Of Sheppey.

Today’s (Friday 28th May) announcement by Openreach shows it intends to rollout ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to 8,320 premises in the constituency and is part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to connect three million homes and businesses in some of the UK’s hardest to serve communities.

The figure is in addition to existing coverage and what it is already planned from other Openreach programmes, Community Fibre Partnerships or funded schemes creating 7,000 new jobs across the network.

Mr Henderson told SFM News: “Being able to connect to the internet is a modern day essential and I am delighted Openreach has shown its continued commitment to connecting some of the most remote communities. Businesses and homes are more reliant on the web than ever before and it is encouraging to know more people in my constituency will be able to benefit from the positives of getting online sooner, whether by streaming, selling products or accessing services. In a time where many more people will be working from home, I think it is extremely encouraging to know people will be better off as a result of this initiative. This move will help to level up those in the most disadvantaged areas and give them the equal opportunities which are so important in 2021.”

A study from the Centre for Business and Economic Research shows the national rollout could enable a million people to access or return to employment through flexible working. It will also help to cut emissions by reducing the need for commuter journeys as well as boost rural economies.

Openreach is working on timings for when the project will begin in the area.

Avenue Of Remembrance Consultation Underway

Avenue Of Remembrance Consultation Underway

People are being asked how Sittingbourne’s Avenue or Remembrance should be maintained, so future generations can continue to remember those who died in the First and Second World Wars, by Swale Borough Council.

The avenue was inaugurated in 1923 with 181 name plaques of local men who had died in the First World War, together with trees. A further 94 plaques were added to commemorate those who died in World War Two. The avenue is believed to be the last remaining monument of its kind in the country that remains a roadway.

Swale Borough Council is part of a working group with Kent County Council, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne, Sittingbourne Society, Royal British Legion and Veterans Breakfast Club. Together the group is looking at how the Avenue is managed and maintained in future and have launched a survey to get local people’s views.

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community, told SFM News: “The centenary commemoration of the First World War highlighted the significance of this tree lined memorial, and we are committed to working with the community to preserving its importance to the town. Over the years, plaques have been damaged and replaced, but in different styles, so we want to know what people think about their replacement. Should we carry on replacing as and when necessary, or perhaps consider replacing them all at once so they are consistent? Should we look at how we can use technology – such as QR codes – to allow people to interact with them more, and find out about the stories of those we are commemorating?

Cllr Palmer added: "I am immensely grateful to The Historical Research of Sittingbourne for their work in putting together the survey, which will help support key decisions about the avenue. This is an important commemoration to those who fell in both world wars, and we want to make sure it is maintained and managed for the benefit of future generations.”

The survey is running until 5pm on Friday, 25 June and can be completed at www.swale.gov.uk/avenue-of-remembrance. Anyone who wants a paper copy of the survey can request one by calling 01795 417420 or can email: lynnewton@swale.gov.uk.

 

Witnesses Sought Following Fatal Collision

Witnesses Sought Following Fatal Collision

Kent Police's Serious Collision Unit investigators are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist died in Sittingbourne last night (Wednesday 12th May).

The fatal road collision happened at around 9.44pm on Swale Way when a Honda CBR1000 motorbike collided with a blue Citroen C4 Picasso.

The driver of the motorbike, a 26-year-old man from Whitstable, was riding along the road when the two vehicles collided near the entrance of Milton Creek fishing lakes and Swale Way. 

Following the incident the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene and the pillion passenger was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, not believed to be life threatening.

Three men aged 18, 23 and 32 years old and all from Sittingbourne, have each been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A woman, aged 34, from Sittingbourne, has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the cause of justice. All four people remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are keen to talk to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw the car in the moments prior to the collision.

In particular, officers would like to talk to anyone who was at the Milton Creek fishing lakes who may have information about the occupants of the car.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage which could assist officers with their investigation is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

Footage, photos and CCTV can also be directly submitted online via this link or emailed to sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting ref: CM/DH/042/21.

 

Woman Freed After A Two Car Crash On The A249

Woman Freed After A Two Car Crash On The A249

Stock Picture.

A woman in her 70s had to be cut free from the car she was travelling in, after it was involved in a crash with another car on the Sheppey-bound carriageway of the A249 earlier this evening (Tuesday 11th May).

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to the incident and the crews used cutting gear to remove the roof of her car to gain access to her, as she was trapped by her injuries.

Firefighters and paramedics worked together to carefully transfer the woman into the ambulance.

Crews made the scene safe.

It's believed her condition is stable but not serious.

Matthew Scott Re-Elected As Kent's PCC

Matthew Scott Re-Elected As Kent's PCC

Conservative candidate, Matthew Scott, has held onto the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent. 

He beat Labour’s Lola Oyewusi and the Liberal Democrat’s Graham Colley, with 56% of the vote. 

This will be Mr Scott’s second term as the PCC for the county, having been elected in 2016.   The results, declared this lunchtime (Monday 10th May) in Dartford were:

Matthew Scott (Conservative): 237,278
Lola Oyewusi (Labour): 103,807
Graham Colley (Lib Dem): 69,464

There were 420,422 votes cast, with 9873 spoilt papers.

Turnout was 31.8%

Mr Scott told SFM News that he reiterated his commitment to making Kent safer and recruiting more police officers.  Since 2016 there are nearly 800 more police officers in the county and he hopes to see the total number rise to 3,970 by March 2022.

Kent Local Elections: Sittingbourne Results

Kent Local Elections: Sittingbourne Results

Here are the results from the local Kent County Council Elections here in Sittingbourne:-

SWALE EAST:
Turnout: 42.5%

RICH LEHMANN (Green): 3,067
CHARLOTTE WHITNEY-BROWN (Conservative): 2,443
FRANCES REHAL (Labour): 420

SWALE WEST:
Turnout: 31.9%

MIKE BALDOCK (Swale Independents): 3,018
MIKE WHITING (Conservative): 2,367

SITTINGBOURNE NORTH:
Turnout: 24.45%

MIKE DENDOR (Conservative): 1,695
STEVE DAVEY (Labour): 1,021
JAMES HALL (Independent): 912
HANNAH YVETTE TEMPLE (Green): 218
MARY ZENG (Lib Dem): 164

SITTINGBOURNE SOUTH:
Turnout: 32.7%

JOHN WRIGHT (Conservative): 1,868
RICHARD PALMER (Swale Independents): 1,500
LOLA OYEWUSI (Labour & Coop): 765
DAVID WALTON (Green): 309
ALEXANDER STENNINGS (Lib Dem): 207

 

Sailor Dies In Lower Halstow Boating Accident

Sailor Dies In Lower Halstow Boating Accident

The Lower Halstow Yacht Club is remembering a "well-respected member and experienced sailor" who died in a tragic accident after he fell from his boat at the weekend.

In a released statement, following the tragedy in the early hours of Sunday (2nd May) morning, the club said: "We can confirm a club member who had been staying overnight on his boat, which was on its mooring just off the club’s jetty and slipway, fell from his boat on to the soft mud of Halstow Creek. We understand a local resident heard shouting and alerted the police at around 2am. At the time the tide would have been approaching the moored yacht. We understand the police recovered him from the water some time later using a dinghy from the club. Both Sheppey Coastguard and Sheerness lifeboat were tasked at around 3.30am, some one-and-a-half hours after the initial report to the police. The casualty was a well-respected member and experienced sailor and our thoughts go out to his wife and family."

Kent Police confirmed that officers were called just after 2.00am on Sunday (2nd May) morning and that "a man was recovered and taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The man’s next of kin have been informed and a report will now be prepared for the coroner."

It's believed that SECAmb (The South East Coast Ambulance Service) and The KFRS (Kent Fire and Rescue Service) were also asked to attend the scene, to try and save the man.

Council Hosts Compost Giveaway For Local Residents

Council Hosts Compost Giveaway For Local Residents

Swale Borough Council will be hosting a free compost giveaway this coming Saturday (24th April) from 10am to 2pm.

To help local gardeners feed their flowerpots, gardens, allotments and vegetable patches, the council has teamed up with partners Blaise Farm and Steve Pack Agricultural Services for the free giveaway. Blaise Farm takes the garden and food waste collected from around Swale and turns it into soil conditioner and compost for farmers to use to help grow crops.

The giveaway, running in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Sheppey on Saturday 24th April, and to ensure it is Covid safe, will be run as pre-booked slots between 10am and 2pm where residents can arrange to pick up 25 litre reusable hessian bags filled with compost. Each resident booked can collect up to two bags.

To book, call the booking line on 01795 417044 between 10am-1pm Monday-Friday to book a 10 minute time slot at one of the three locations. You will then be given a unique reference number which you will need to bring with you when you come to collect the free compost.

You will have the option of picking up bags of compost from:

• Sittingbourne – Milton Rec, along Vicarage Road, next to the tennis courts

• Faversham – Faversham rec, in the car park area

• Isle of Sheppey – Marine Parade, on the open space/car park fronting Barton’s Point Coastal Park (opposite the Shingle Bank car park).

Once all of the slots are booked, all the bags are gone, so you will need to call and book quickly.

Martyn Cassell, head of commissioning, environment and leisure, told SFM News: “We are doing this giveaway to show the many advantages of residents doing their bit through recycling their food and garden waste. By recycling, residents are helping the environment, reducing the amount of general waste they are putting into their green wheelie bins and creating a reusable product. Using the compost to help grow plants or food will also help to improve air quality and reduce carbon, plus provide a habitat for our wildlife. We encourage people to sign up for a food waste caddy free of charge if they are not currently using one by contacting us on 01795 417888. Residents can also pay for the garden waste service which provides regular kerbside collections of your waste, taking the hassle out of taking it to the tip.”

You will also be offered a free wild flower seedbom at the sites to help encourage pollinators and wildlife into more gardens.

To find out more about food waste collections, visit www.swale.gov.uk/bins-littering-and-the-environment/bins.

To subscribe to garden waste collections, visit www.swale.gov.uk/garden-waste.

Statement Regarding HRH Duke of Edinburgh

Statement Regarding HRH Duke of Edinburgh

Following the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh earlier today (Friday 9th April), a Statement has been released by Cllr Paul Stephen, The Mayor of the Borough of Swale.

The Worshipful Mayor said: "It is with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and I would like to express our sincere condolences on behalf of Swale Borough Council and the people of the Borough of Swale to Her Majesty The Queen, and the entire Royal Family. For so many people here in Swale, across the United Kingdom and around the world, it is impossible to imagine the Royal Family without His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. To us, he has been The Queen’s constant companion since the middle of the last century, but in reality, he was much more than that".

"He was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Our own sadness at his death is nothing compared to the sense of loss felt by his loved ones. As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast across all council buildings, and arrangements are being made for people to share their condolence messages to allow them to pay their respects."

Books of Condolence

There is an online book of condolence if you wish to pay your respects, which can be found at www.royal.uk.

Alternatively, you can write to Swale Borough Council with your condolences to: Book of Condolence, Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne ME10 3HT.

A book of condolence is being opened at Swale Borough Council's offices at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

They will close for archiving at 5pm on the day after the funeral.

The condolence books will be archived at the Kent History and Library Centre, once they have closed.

Tributes

Tributes can be laid at:

Tributes will be removed on the day after the state funeral. Any written cards or messages will be added to the official books of condolence and flowers will be recycled.

Other items, including soft toys, photographs and artificial candles will unfortunately have to be disposed of. If people want to keep them they should collect them by the end of the day of the funeral.

Flag Flying

As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast across all council buildings during the period of mourning before the state funeral , when they will be returned to full mast for 1 day after the state funeral.

Swale Borough Council flags are located at Swale HouseSheppey GatewayQueenborough Town HallQueenborough Park and on Swale Borough Council's Blue Flag beaches.

Driver Cut Out Following Bell Road Collision

Driver Cut Out Following Bell Road Collision

(Stock Picture)

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called out shortly after 1:30pm this afternoon (Wednesday 31st March) to a collison.

The KFRS Emergency Cail Centre received reports of a crash involving two cars on Bell Road here in Sittingbourne.

Two fire engines attended and crews used hydraulic cutting equipment to remove a door from one of the vehicles to safely release the driver. 

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