Local News

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to develop, Swale Borough Council has begun activating plans to maintain essential services across the borough.

At present, council meetings are being scaled back to only those we are legally required to continue, and we are awaiting government advice on running these remotely - either online or by phone.

Council officers have begun working remotely, and for now council offices remain open to the public for essential services such as supporting rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness.

Cllr Roger Truelove, Leader of the Council, said: "These are serious times and we - officers and members of the council - will do all that is possible to protect people from this virus and maintain the services and decision making that we have to do. Over the last few weeks, we have been preparing for the potential impact on the borough. It is highly likely our services will be affected in some way, but we have been planning what we can do to minimise any disruption.

"Before any impacts become apparent it is important that people know where to get the right information. People should check our website and social media accounts for information and updates. We are already working with our partners across the public sector as part of the county-wide response to the outbreak, and we will continue to support each other throughout this crisis. We must also think about how we, as members of our communities, can support each other. When friends and neighbours are isolated, we need to support them too. Practical things like help with shopping can be a lifeline, but something as simple as a phone call to let them know someone cares can be a great morale boost.

"Our local businesses that employ thousands of people across the borough will most likely be affected, and it's vital that we all support them however we can. We don't know when this will end, but we do know that it will, and I want us to know we did everything we could to help each other through this difficult time."

For information and advice about council services impacted during the coronavirus outbreak, visit www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus.

National information about the current situation, including travel advice and updates on what action is being taken, is available on the Gov.uk website.

More specific health advice is available on the NHS website.

If you are feeling unwell and worried about your symptoms, use the online NHS 111 coronavirus service. Do not go directly to your GP, pharmacy, hospital or other healthcare setting.

Three bowlers from MS Swale (the independent local charity, offering support to anyone in Swale with Multiple Sclerosis and those affected by someone with MS) have formed a team and entered the South East Region leg of the Disability Bowls England Inter-Club Triples competition which was held at Ashford Indoor Bowls Centre on Saturday (7th March).

Around 2½ years ago, MS Swale realised that their members would benefit mentally and physically from exercise and decided to set up a Para-bowls club, run weekly at Swale Indoor Bowls Club in Milton Regis. It soon became obvious that the members were enjoying the sessions and with the help of grants from Swale Council and local councillors, combined with fund raising efforts, they purchased 5 specialised wheelchairs, plus steps for an outdoor rink to enhance everyone's enjoyment. The numbers participating have increased and members really enjoy the sessions, usually staying for lunch at the Bowls Club afterwards. Many members were so keen that they also played outside during the summer season at the Appleyard Bowls Club. Playing ability has greatly improved so that they have now formed a team to play in one of the many leagues run by Swale Indoor Bowl Club, competing on an equal basis with able bodied players.

When they heard about the Disability Bowls England Triples competition to be held in Ashford, they welcomed the chance to take up the challenge. 8 teams, each consisting 3 players with a disability from the same bowls club, will take part in the competition. The teams will be divided into 2 groups, playing a minimum of 3 games each.

Steve Harbour, David Webb and Janice Hancock made up the MS Swale team, with Tony Hancock as Reserve. Many of their fellow members, family and friends planning to cheer them on at the event. Steve Harbour said "Playing bowls has really made a difference to my life. The Para-bowls sessions have enabled me to play sport again, benefitting me both physically and mentally. The regular sessions have given me the confidence to take part, with the rest of the team, in the Swale Indoor Bowls Club leagues and I am looking forward to the challenge of the Disability Bowls England Competition".

MS Swale invites anyone who has a neurological disability to come and join us at bowls. The sessions take place each Friday from 12.00 midday at Swale indoor Bowls Club, Vicarage Road, Milton Regis ME10 2BL.

The Selection of the Sittingbourne Carnival Court for 2020 took place on Sunday (8th March) at The Appleyard.

Miss Sittingbourne for 2020 will be Emily Thomas and her two joint Sittingbourne Princesses for 2020 will be Shannon Evans and Nola Hart (all pictured above).

They were very excited to be chosen and look forward to representing their town at events throughout Kent, starting with the Teynham Court Selection this coming Saturday (14th March).

The judges were Sonja Wilson, a former Miss Faversham in 1987, Zoe Hetherington, current Miss Kent Great Britain and a Miss Great Britain finalist, Leanne Martin, former Miss Sittingbourne 2008 and Miss Kent 2011, Cllr Mike Baldock, the Deputy Leader of Swale Borough Council and Roy Bailey, the Chairman of Minster (in Thanet) Carnival Association and Chairman of the AKCO (Association of Kent Carnival Organisations).

The afternoon was enjoyed by over 150 people, including 11 other Carnival Courts from around Kent supporting the event.

Good luck to the new 2020 Carnival Court and we look forward to working with you throughout the next 12 months!

Sittingbourne's Carnival Day will be on Saturday 27th June and the 106.9 SFM Roadshow crew will be there too!

A motorist from Sheerness, who fled from police in a stolen car at speeds exceeding 100 mph, has been jailed.

Harrison Bennett, of Marina Drive in Minster-on-Sea, hurled glass bottles from an Audi and drove on the wrong side of the road during a police pursuit last year. Officers were forced to abandon the pursuit due to safety fears but then located Bennett at a property nearby where he tried to get rid of evidence by flushing the car key down a toilet. The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and driving without a licence or insurance at Maidstone Crown Court.

At around 7pm on Friday 13th December 2019 patrols spotted Bennett driving an Audi with cloned number plates in Sheerness High Street. Attempts were made to stop the car but Bennett increased his speed, driving at over 100mph in a 40mph speed limit, throwing glass bottles from the car and driving towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road. Due to the poor driving and risk to the public, officers decided to stop pursuing the vehicle and instead carried out a search of the area. The car was found parked outside an address in Berridge Road. Bennett was discovered inside the property and the key to the Audi was found and recovered from a toilet within the house. He was arrested and charged the next day. Bennett was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and banned from driving for 30 months at Maidstone Crown Court earlier today (Thursday 5th March).

Officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Kara Sweetland from North Kent CID, told SFM News: "Bennett drove so dangerously that evening that it was lucky no one was injured. He behaved with complete disregard for the safety of himself, the passenger in his car, officers and other drivers. Even though we had to abort the pursuit, prompt action by our officers meant we were still able to track and locate Audi and bring Bennett to justice. Thankfully this result means he has now been taken off the roads of Swale and is unable to pose a threat to other drivers or members of the public."