Local News

A Sittingbourne shoplifter has been jailed within two days of her arrest.

Between Sunday 5th November and Sunday 19 November, Rebecca Lee targeted three stores in the town centre on five separate occasions. Meat, cleaning items and laundry products were stolen from Morrisons, Lidl in West Street and Asda in Mill Way. At the latter, Lee assaulted a member of staff as she sought to leave the premises without paying.

On Wednesday 29th November, Lee, of no fixed address, was tracked down and arrested. She was later charged by investigators from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with five counts of theft, common assault and a public order offence.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to all the indictments at Medway Magistrates’ Court last Friday (1st December). She was immediately sentenced to 120 days' imprisonment.

Inspector Vanessa Foster, of the Sittingbourne Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: "We are determined to target criminals who persistently steal from our local shops and bring them before the courts at the earliest opportunity. In this case, a prolific thief was swiftly charged and had no choice but to plead guilty at their first hearing due to the overwhelming evidence against her. Any others intent on committing retail crime in Swale can expect a similar result."

Swale Borough Council is set to plant over 15,000 trees thanks to a government grant of £273,400. 

The funding, which came from the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Tree Fund, will enable the council to plant 15,000 whips and 350 standard trees over the next 2 years and forms an important part of the council's Climate and Ecological Emergency Action Plan. 

The whips, when planted, will be under a metre tall and consist of a thin stem and few branches, but will grow into fully matured trees. They will be protected with biodegradable tree shelters. 

The council confirmed: "the fund aims to restore trees to areas impacted by disease and habitat loss caused by both natural processes and human activity and this project will benefit our society and local ecosystems by improving biodiversity, increasing carbon absorption and protecting against flooding".  

During the first winter planting season 10,000 whips and 200 standard trees will be spread across the borough, namely in Queenborough, Rushenden, Minster, Kemsley, Murston, Leysdown and Eastchurch. A wide variety of native trees are set to be planted including apple, pine, birch, oak, willow, maple, lime and a portion of the money will also be used to monitor and maintain the new trees for three years, with monthly visits taking place for the first eight months, at a minimum, to make sure they are safe and healthy. 

The project is being done in partnership with Blenwood Grounds Maintenance but will also be seeking the help of volunteers from around the community.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, Chair of the environment committee at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “We are very proud as a council to have successfully bid for this funding; it's great news. With these funds we will be able to plant more trees around the borough as well as maintaining them over a three-year period. Whips will be planted to reforest areas, and standard trees will be being planted to line our existing green spaces and urban areas. This investment into our natural environment will continue to bear fruits for our communities for years to come as the trees grow and mature."

Cllr Lehmann went on to add: “This will make Swale a greener place and create habitats to support our ecosystems, while also helping reduce the risks of flooding and remove carbon from our atmosphere. We would like to thank the Forestry Commission for this funding and look forward to seeing some more green in our borough. Please look out for opportunities to volunteer and plant these trees, we would love for the community to be involved with this amazing project.” 

The funding is part of the Government’s 'Nature For Climate' Fund.

You can find out more about Swale Bouncil's Climate and Ecological Emergency Action Plan by visiting: https://cee.swale.gov.uk/what-were-doing/our-declaration

Tree Sentinels lined The Avenue Of Remembrance for Remembrance Sunday yesterday (Sunday 12th November) to mark it's 100 years at the heart of Sittingbourne.

This year's Service Of Remembrance was organised through the Sittingbourne Remembrance Sunday Event Organising Group made up of local individuals, groups and businesses and co-ordinated by Richard and Theresa Emmett of The Historical Research Group Of Sittingbourne (HRGS).

Mr Paul Auston, Swale's Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and the Mayor of Swale attended a service at St Michael's with Rev David Ridley which finished at 10:30am with the main congregation joining the Parade which marched along the High Street, up Bell Road, and via the Avenue of Remembrance to the War Memorial in Central Avenue. They were then followed by standard barriers, veterans, cadets, scouts and guiders, joined by public and tree sentinels along the route. Mayor, Cllr Sarah Stephen was on board an historic military vehicle which took her to the War Memorial in Central Avenue.

At 11:00am Minister Pat Tatchell started the service at War Memorial with The Last Post being played by the Salvation Army. The Doves of Peace were released after the 2 mins silence and Pat Tatchell invited the main 5 VIP wreath layers up to The War Memorial followed by the poem read by Richard Emmett. The Salvation Army played directly after the poem, whilst all other wreaths were laid. At 11:35am the 5  VIPs took the salute on the west side footpath by the Memorial,

At 11:40am The Parade (of Veterans, cadets, scouts, and guiders) marched north along Central Avenue towards the High Street, halted outside the Nat West bank and about turned to face south giving eyes ‘right’ to The War Memorial before marching on to Appleyard for dismissal and refreshments. The Deputy Lieutenant took the salute during the march past.

It was a very special occasion and was well received by all that attended and marked Remembrance Sunday and this year's 100th Centenary of The Avenue Of Remembrance, the only tree-lined memorial in the UK that is still a public highway.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2023

SITTINGBOURNE

Church of St's Peter & Paul, Borden  (Borden)   

9.30am    The Parish Eucharist, followed by an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 10.40 am, The Mayor will be represented by Councillor Mike Baldock, who will lay a wreath.

Church of St Bartholomew, Bobbing   (Grove)

10.45am    An informal service of Remembrance.  Councillor Simon Clark, representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath. 

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Newington (Hartlip, Newington, & Upchurch)

10.15am   Service followed by an Act of Remembrance at 11am. Councillor Richard Palmer will attend and lay a wreath.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Upchurch  (Hartlip, Newington, & Upchurch)

10.15 am    Service of Remembrance Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin, representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath.

Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Hartlip  (Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch)

10.30am    The Service and Act of Remembrance. Councillor Chris Palmer representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath.

St. Margaret’s Church, Lower Halstow  (Iwade & Lower Halstow)  

10.30am  Councillor Lloyd Chapman, representing the Mayor, will attend the service and lay a wreath.

All Saints Church, Iwade  (Iwade & Lower Halstow)  

10.30am   Service, with an Act of Remembrance at 11am, The Mayor will be represented by Councillor Roger Clark who will lay a wreath.

Holy Trinity Church, Milton Regis  (Milton Regis)

10.00am  Councillor Tony Winckless and Councillor Angie Valls representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath at the memorial in the Church grounds.   

All Saints Church, Murston  (Murston)   

10.45am  Councillor James Hall representing the Mayor will attend the Service and lay a wreath at the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial outside the church at 11am.   

St Michael’s Church and the War Memorial, Central Avenue 

9.45am The Mayor, Councillor Sarah Stephen, accompanied by her consort Councillor Paul Stephen will attend the Church service and lay a wreath at the War Memorial.  Leader of the Council Councillor Tim Gibson will be in attendance.

St. Laurence Church, Bapchild  (West Downs)

10.30am Councillor Monique Bonney representing the Mayor, will lay a wreath on the altar. 

FAVERSHAM

Church of St. Mary of Charity, Faversham  (Abbey/St Anns)

10.45 for 11am.  Laying of wreaths at the War Memorial, Stone Street. The Mayor will be represented by Councillor Carole Jackson who will lay a wreath.  The Service in the Church will be at 11.30am (approx) Councillor Hannah Perkin, representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath.  

Church of St. Barnabus, Boughton.  (Boughton & Courtney)  

10.50 am.  Service and wreath laying at the War Memorial, The Street, Boughton.   The Mayor will be represented by Councillor Alastair Gould.

St. Mary’s Church, Selling (Boughton & Courtney) 

10.30 am Councillor Rich Lehmann, representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath. 

Doddington and Newnham War Memorial (East Downs)  

3.00pm Hon Alderman David Simmons representing the Mayor, will attend and lay a wreath. 

ISLE OF SHEPPEY

All Saints Church, Eastchurch and Eastchurch War Memorial

10.00 am   Service and wreath laying.  The Mayor will be represented by Councillor Lee-Anne Moore and Councillor Tara Noe

The Lychgate, Leysdown (Leysdown and Warden)    

2pm.   Act of Remembrance.  Councillor Lee-Anne Moore and Councillor Tara Noe will attend and lay a wreath.   

Abbey Church of St. Mary and St. Sexburgha, Minster  (Minster Cliffs)

10.45am.   A Remembrance Service will be held.   Councillor Tom Nundy representing the Mayor will lay a wreath in the Chapel of Remembrance.   

Holy Trinity Church, Queenborough  (Queenborough & Halfway)

10.45am.  The Service of Remembrance in Church followed by the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial at 11am - Councillor Ashley Shiel will represent the Mayor.  

The Cenotaph, Sheerness  (Sheerness West)

10.45 for 11am   Service and wreath laying at the Cenotaph.  Councillor Angela Harrison will attend and lay a wreath.  Participants then process to Holy Trinity Church, Broadway, for a service at 11.45am

War Grave, Harty  (Sheppey Central)  

3pm approx.  Service and Act of Remembrance.  Councillor Elliott Jayes will attend the Service and lay a wreath.