Sittingbourne

Local senior citizen's charity, Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne, has decided to merge with Age UK Medway to ensure it can still run its vital services for elderly people locally in the future.

It's understood that funding from Kent County Council is coming to an end soon and the board of trustees have taken the decision to merge with the nearby Medway branch following the news that their Chief Executive Clare Burgess was leaving.

Advice about the dangers of carrying knives and taking drugs has been given to young people during a safety event in Swale.

‘Swale Safety in Action’ took place between Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th May and saw 350 Year Six students from across 10 primary schools invited to take part.

During the event, which was held at Swallows Leisure Centre, they were also told about hate crime, healthy relationships, online safety and road, fire and electrical safety.

On Thursday 20th April 2023 at Sittingbourne Cemetery, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) marked the previously unmarked final resting place of 23 year old Private Leslie Anderson, of the East Kent Regiment, with a CWGC headstone.

At the same time they installed a CWGC Pedestal Marker on the grave of 33 year old Royal Navy Petty Officer Stoker Harry John Baker, who was commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

An email has been sent to parents by The Head Teacher of Kemsley Primary Academy, Iris Homer, after an alleged attempted kidnapping was reported near the school.

Kent Police have confirmed that they: "were called to a report of an attempted abduction of a child yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 25th April) at around 4.30pm. Officers attended and, as part of their enquiries, arrested two men from Sittingbourne, aged 29 and 60, on suspicion of attempted kidnap. They remain in custody. The victim was able to leave the scene and return home safely” they confirmed.

From 1am on Monday (24th April) Highways England will be closing the section of Maidstone Road that links to the Stockbury roundabout, south of Wormdale Hill.

They have confirmed that: "while we're working on the new link to Oad Street, there will be no access to the roundabout from Maidstone Road. We’re currently due to open the new link on Monday 19th June 2023".

Report by Mike Green

It was unlucky thirteen for Sittingbourne and boss Ryan Maxwell on Saturday (22nd April) afternoon, the final day of the regular Isthmian League season as the Brickies, despite laying siege to a floundering Lancing defence in the final quarter, sank to their first defeat since Valentines Day, it was the home side who ran out 3-1 winners in the Sussex sunshine.

A spate of bus shelter vandalism has caused damage throughout Sittingbourne in the past week.

Earlier this week a bus shelter was vandalised on Milton High Street and overnight (Friday 21st April) a number of bus shelters were attacked at the Sittingbourne Bus Hub, near The Forum Shopping Centre on St Michael's Road, in the centre of town.

The Sittingbourne 6-a-side Monday League saw three teams win their respective divisions in an exciting season of football.

Isle Of Bourne won the Premier League, Stover FC completed an incredible feat of winning every one of their 14 games in division one, and Too Old To Play FC claimed victory in division two.

Isle Of Bourne was the deserving winner of the Premier League, showcasing impressive teamwork and skill. The team’s outstanding performance was a testament to their dedication and hard work, as they overcame fierce competition to clinch the title.

A major Sittingbourne juncion, on the A2 Canterbury Road at Snipes Hill, is set for weeks of disruption due to telcoms roadworks.

Contractors for City Fibre are installing new super fast broadband infrastructure at the busy junction of Canterbury Road, Murston Road and Rectory Road and one lane is open through the works with 4-way traffic lights controlling the traffic.

The works are expected to last until the end of May and have caused delays, especially during 'peak' hours, of around 10-15 minutes in the area.

A prolific shoplifter, who assaulted three police officers, has been jailed just a day after he was arrested in Sittingbourne.

Albert Ramsden repeatedly stole groceries from a Co-op in Forbes Road, Faversham during a spate of offences between Wednesday 8th March and Sunday 12th March. On Wednesday (15th March) police officers detained Ramsden in Bell Road, Sittingbourne. During the arrest he assaulted three officers, by kicking, elbowing and also attempting to bite the constables.