Sittingbourne

The most senior bishop in the Church of England, Justin Welby The Archbishop Of Canterbury, made a surprise visit to Demelza Hospice in Bobbing on Friday (21st December).

He was given a tour by the president of Demelza Richard Oldfield and the Chief Executive Ryan Campbell and stopped to speak to children receiving palliative care and their families, as well as various kitchen, grounds and reception volunteers at the hospice.

A charity has had a welcome financial boost following a Kent Police Fun Day earlier in the year here in Sittingbourne.

In September 2018 the Kent Police Recreation Association organised the family fun day which, due to 2018 being the centenary year of World War One, was themed throughout with activities including a trench experience and wartime victory live band. Two veterans from World War Two were also guests of honour at the event.

The Spirit of Sittingbourne, the developer behind the town centre regeneration, will be offering free parking at all car parks in Sittingbourne this coming Saturday (8th December).

Pic: Shabul and Kabul (chef) both owners of Maharani...

Britain's 'korma kings' were crowned on Monday (26th November) evening 'second to naan' with Sittingbourne's very own Maharani Restaurant (in West Street) receiving the highest accolade in the curry industry - the BCA Curry Chef of the Year award for the South East.

Two lucky Sittingbourne residents had a "Super Saturday" (24th November) after their postcode "ME10 1BX" won People's Postcode Lottery's Street Prize.

A violent offender who dragged his ex-girlfriend into the street by her hair has been jailed.

Luke Chawla, aged 25 and of Murston Road in Sittingbourne, also punched his victim repeatedly after letting himself into her house in Iwade following the end of their relationship.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to five years and four months' imprisonment when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (15th November). Chawla must also serve a further three years on licence under the terms of an extended sentence.

Witnesses are being sought after a family were robbed in Sittingbourne in what officers believe may have been a case of mistaken identity.

The couple and their baby are reported to have been targeted at around 8.30pm in Balas Drive on Wednesday (7th November) evening.

Three men are alleged to have followed the victims home from a shopping trip and when they arrived at their house and began unloading their vehicle three men are reported to have got out of a car and threatened them.

A 53-year-old man has been remanded in custody following reports a man was threatened with a machete in Sittingbourne.

The incident, which caused no injuries, is reported to have taken place in Chalkwell Road on the evening of Friday 26th October.

Later that same night a machete is then reported to have been used to damage a car before a pick-up truck was driven into a further five parked vehicles.

James Thomas Hilden, who is of no fixed address, was arrested the following evening after being identified as a suspect.

The newly realigned A2 St Michael's Road, on to Milton Road, has re-opened in the centre of Sittingbourne.

Spirit Of Sittingbourne, the regeneration consortium, told SFM News that this "should improve traffic flow throughout the town centre. The remaining works on Dover Street will continue but are due to be completed next week. We can now begin construction of the leisure quarter, which will bring a host of high-quality leisure facilities to Sittingbourne, as part of the wider regeneration of the town".

Marriane inspires team mates with defiant effort
Marriane Seaward showed the big C what she is made of when she sped round the Sittingbourne Parkrun on Saturday, 20 October.

In February Marriane was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since undergone chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and is currently having radiotherapy. Despite this she put on her running shoes to storm round the multi-terrain 5km in 32mins 56secs, much to the delight of her supporters.

Great South run for five Strider ladies