Your Medway, Issue 70, January 14, 2009

8.2 MB·English

by  KOS Media

yourmedway
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Issue No 70
Available from Wednesday,
THE NEWSPAPER FOR CHATHAM, GILLINGHAM, ROCHESTER, STROOD, RAINHAM & DISTRICT January 14, 2009
GREAT NEWSPAPERS ONLINE
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NHS TRUST TAKEN TO
TASK OVER MISTAKES
WHAT’S ON & WATCH Picture KNP (cid:2)BY SIMON ROBINSON
BOSSES in our creaking health
service will be called to account
after a spate of admissions prob-
lems at Medway Maritime Hospital
including a man’s death.
In another incident an ambulance carrying
road smash victims were forced to wait outside
before being diverted to Maidstone.
Today,Medway Council chiefs are expected
to put five key questions to NHS leaders
asking them to explain the shortage of hospi-
tal beds during the busy Christmas period.
Higher than expected admission numbers
Top tips to train your new best friend. Go to have been blamed for the death of Kings Cross
yourkenttv.co.uk and search ‘ puppy’ signalman Stewart Fleming.
Doctors say he died of a mystery virus after
ALSO INSIDE waiting in the A&E department for SIX hours
before he was treated.
During his agonising wait, Mr Fleming’s
LETTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 14-15 deteriorated as the virus attacked his organs.
LEISURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 16-21 The father-of-two, 37, from Rainham, was
made to wait even though he had a letter from
PROPERTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 23-27 CAMERON COMES CALLING his doctor stating he needed to be seen urgently.
MOTORING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 29-32 On Tuesday,December 16,the day after Mr
Fleming’s death,it has emerged ambulances
JOBS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGES 33-35 arriving at the hospital were forced to queue
outside as staff struggled to cope with the
Tory leader David Cameron was grilled on a range of political issues ranging from the country’s energy admissions.
needs and immigration, to knife crime and the economy. The backlog saw four ambulances carrying
During an hour-long question and answer session in Chatham Mr Cameron said his party backed plans injured motorists from a multiple road traffic
to build new coal-fired power stations – including the Kingsnorth – but only with carbon capture. accident in Rochester join the back of the
queue of waiting response vehicles.
It was his first visit to Kent on his Cameron Direct tour where he also promised our grammar schools’
They were later diverted to Maidstone
future would not be put under threat by his government. Hospital,but only after a “substantial delay”
FULL STORY ON PAGE 3 for those involved in the crash in receiving
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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Inquest told how
WHAT’S ON & WATCH
yourmedway
yourkenttv.co.uk
NEWS IN BRIEF
tragic Alzheimer’s
TOP TV CLIPS
Get online at library
INTERNET users are being invited
to join one of Medway’s libraries to
man met his death
gain access to a wealth of information
at the touch of a button.
Library members can reach a range
of online information from newspa-
pers and e-books to reference books.
Community services chief Howard
Doe urged residents to take advan-
(cid:2)BY SIMON ROBINSON tage of the free research tool.
Call 01634 337799,email chatham.
[email protected] or visit www.
THE body of a pensioner was medway.gov.uk/libraries.
found in dense undergrowth
Hand-made bike theft
in Eccles – nearly six months
after he went missing from
A CUSTOM-made motorbike has
his Chatham home. been stolen from a shed in Chatham
Retired teacher Amarjit Singh during a break-in.
Lehal – who suffered from Alzheimer’s The hand-made bike,worth £2,000,
disease – was found in a small,mossy was taken from a property in
1 Train your puppy with Pippa Ducat. See the community hollow near a disused paper mill in Blenheim Avenue between 5pm on
channel on yourkenttv.co.uk. Search ‘puppy’ November. Friday January 2 and 9.30am the
An inquest in the 70-year-old’s following day.
death was held at County Hall, A police spokesman said:“If anyone
Maidstone,last Wednesday. has seen the bike they should contact
Det Insp John Phillips, of West Medway Police on 01634 792532 or
Kent police,told the court Mr Lehal’s MISSING:Alzheimer’s sufferer Amarjit Singh call Kent CrimeStoppers anony-
body was discovered in an abandoned was prone to wandering from his home mously on 0800 555 111.”
stretch of land between Blue Bell Hill
and Eccles, adjacent to a former news, Mr Lehal’s concerned family Pupils to get new PCs
cement works. made an emotional statement to the
Police investigations found some of press at Medway police station plead-
YOUNGSTERS at a burgled school
Mr Lehal’s clothes scattered in the ing for help in finding their loved one.
will soon be back online thanks to a
undergrowth nearby. Returning an open verdict on Mr
Rochester-based recruitment agency.
DI Phillips said Mr Lehal’s habit of Lehal’s death Mid-Kent and Medway
Bosses at Education Sense are set
picking up items of bric-a-brac may coroner Roger Sykes said: “On
to donate three laptops to pupils at
have led him on to the site,as it was November 4,2008,human remains
Oldborough Manor Community
littered with small objects, some of were found at a location that I
College in Loose – to replace the com-
which were subsequently found in describe as a disused paper mill.
puters stolen by thieves last month.
Mr Lehal’s pockets. “They were subsequently found to
Managing director Karl Gannon
Efforts were made to trace Mr be those of Mr Amarjit Singh Lehal,
said:“I went to a special needs school
Lehal’s final movements, but they who had gone missing from his
and thought it was a shame an estab-
remain unclear. Chatham home at the end of May.
lishment teaching youngsters IT
What is certain is that Mr Lehal “He suffered from Alzheimer’s
skills could no longer do so.”
went missing on Tuesday May 27, disease,which led to a propensity to
2 Luke Jackson performs his new song. See the community after leaving his home in Springfield wander from home.
Did you see fight?
channel on yourkenttv.co.uk. Search ‘Luke’ Terrace to go for a walk,something “In most cases he returned safely
he did regularly. but also had short-term memory
His wife Ravinder and her son problems, which meant on several WITNESSES are being urged to come
Harjit raised the alarm when he occasions he would have to be found forward following a late-night fight
failed to return several hours later. and returned home. between a motorist and a pedestrian.
Police enquiries found that “Extensive enquiries by the police Police want to speak to anyone who
Mr Lehal was last seen by a friend have not revealed any cause for me to saw the altercation on the A228 at
shortly at 5.15pm in Blue Bell Hill be concerned that another person the junction of Cuxton Road and
village and an immediate search to was involved in his death. Roman Way, Strood, at 1.30am on
find him was launched. “I find that the cause of death is Sunday,December 21.
Despite calling on dog units, a consistent with hypothermia. The pedestrian, 22, suffered cuts
police helicopter and the assistance “My deepest condolences go to the and bruises and was taken to Medway
of willing residents,they were unable family.I cannot begin to understand Maritime Hospital for treatment.
to find Mr Lehal. how distressing it must have been for A 39-year-old man was arrested but
As the weeks went by without you after Mr Lehal went missing.” released on police bail.
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EDITIONFOR ALL THE WEEKEND’S COUNTY NEWS AND SPORT ablim a
NEWSEDITOR:Jon Coates 01303 817048 s esthroo
GROUP EDITOR: Gary Wright 01303 817032 nesbat
WTFAEEXLBE: SP(AIHTdOEvNe: Erwt AiwsiDnwVg.y)Eo R0uT1rm3I0Se3IdN w8Ga1:7y .00co10.3u20k 3 817110 un Busiall your
EMAIL:Editorial:[email protected]. Sales:[email protected] y ror
HEADOFFICEADDRESS: Apple Barn, Hythe Road, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SR mil“F
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yourmedway.co.uk
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 3
Cameron gets up close Robber in £53m
heist faces retrial
ACCUSED Securitas depot robber Paul
Allen may face a retrial after a jury
and personal at Q and A
failed to reach a verdict on the three
charges against him.
Allen,30,of Chatham,went before the
Old Bailey in London in October.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of
conspiracy to commit robbery,conspiracy
to kidnap and conspiracy to possess a
firearm.The jury went out to consider
(cid:2)BY SIMON ROBINSON Picture KNP VIEWTHIS CLIP ON tahdTevihirse veyed r rdetihcttue or nnpe Trdeh suildarsisndt agy T,jhDuuedrcgseedm,abyJe ura d1ng8de.
CONSERVATIVE leader David Penry-Davey,they were unable to reach
Cameron reaffirmed his position on yourkenttv.co.uk a verdict.
Allen was remanded in custody until a
the proposed Kingsnorth coal plans decision is made on whether he will face
LOCAL
during a fast-paced Q and A session a retrial.
Michael Demetris stood trial on the
in Medway earlier this week.
same three charges,but was found not
The leader of the Opposition said his party guilty on counts in December by the
supports the construction of new coal-fired same jury.
power stations,but only if ‘clean’ carbon cap- Robbers made off with £53 million
ture and storage technology is also introduced. from the Securitas depot in Tonbridge in
Speaking in Chatham on Monday night,Mr February 2006.
Cameron said: “We have to accept there’s a The gang behind the robbery kid-
looming energy gap developing in our country. napped depot manager Colin Dixon and
“North Sea gas is running down,the nuclear his family to gain access to the building
power stations are coming to the end of their before fleeing with truck loads of cash.
lives and yet energy demand continues to grow.
“We need new power stations to be built, Survival surgeries
but our view is that they should not build new
coal-fired units unless they are fitted with at STANDING TALL: Tory Party leader David Cameron addresses the audience during his visit to Medway on Monday night
least an experiment for carbon capture to make A SERIES of credit crunch survival
sure the technology can work. When asked about the level of immigrants in job.Areas of the country,like Kent,that have surgeries will take place across Medway
“We should be leading the world on this.I Chatham,Mr Cameron said:“I think immigra- decided to keep selective education can go on in the coming weeks – with the first
think the Government needs to be more imagi- tion has been good for Britain over many years. with that.” being held in Gillingham on Friday.
native and say very clearly no more coal-fired I think it has benefitted our society,with people The whistle-stop Cameron Direct visit was The events give residents the chance to
power stations unless they are fitted with an coming here, working hard and making a well-received by the crowd, with generous seek advice on how best to cope with the
experiment for this technology.” contribution. But I also think it’s important applause following most of his responses. economic downturn.
During the hour-long question and answer to say to people that immigration should Fort Pitt Grammar School pupil and Medway Caseworkers from the Citizens Advice
session at the Church of Christ the King in be controlled. A country can’t manage an Youth Parliament member Hollyann Jeffreys, Bureau and members of Gillingham and
Dove Close,Mr Cameron fielded questions on a unlimited number of people and we need to 18,said:“Mr Cameron was very confident and Rainham MP Paul Clark’s staff will be on
number of political issues. The 250-strong have a controlled system in place.” in touch with the public.” hand to answer questions on a range of
congregation sought his views on areas ranging On the subject of selective education, Mr Jacky Robson,63,from Lordswood,added:“I issues from unemployment to benefits.
from the failing economy,the benefits system Cameron confirmed: “Grammar schools have thought Mr Cameron’s performance was very The first surgery will be held at the
and knife crime,to the police force,transport absolutely nothing to fear from a Conservative good.He was eloquent and to the point.” Parochial Hall in Ingram Road from
and rail links,and further education. Government.Grammar schools do a very good • Email [email protected] 10.15am to noon on Friday.
Wife demands a
reason for delay
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
assessment and treatment.
Medway Council’s health commit-
tee chairman David Brake said the
NHS’ failings must be addressed.
He said: “The community has
legitimate concerns about the recent
admission problems at Medway
Maritime Hospital and we want to SENTENCED: (Left to right) Trio Karl Allen, Lawrence Trowell and Steven Convey were jailed
investigate why this has happened
Young drug dealers jailed
and what steps are being intro-
duced to stop it happening again.”
Mr Fleming was taken to
Medway Maritime Hospital at
5.30pm with his concerned wife THREE Medway men have been Close,Woolwich was sentenced to six
Sarah by his side. jailed for their part in supplying vast years and two 17-year-olds – who
He was forced to wait for three amounts of Class A drugs across the cannot be named for legal reasons –
hours to be seen by triage (priority county. were also jailed, with one being
assessment) and then a further Karl Allen,20,Lawrence Trowell, receiving four years and the other
three hours until he was finally 18,and Steven Convey,18,were part 18 months.
admitted. of a 13-strong gang arrested by The men were arrested following a Improve everyone’s
Two days later he was rushed to police in August 2008 and charged nine-month police operation,which
Harefield Hospital in Uxbridge, with conspiracy to supply heroin and saw £20,000 in cash and drugs with
West London, but his condition crack cocaine. an estimated street value of £6,000
lifeline
continued to worsen. All pleaded guilty to the charges. seized.
Doctors amputated Mr Fleming’s Allen, of Lonsdale Drive, Detective Chief Inspector Jon
leg on Friday,December 19 – the Gillingham,was sentenced to three Sutton said he was delighted with
day of his son Matthew’s 12th years behind bars for his role in the his officers’ work,saying:“The oper-
birthday.He was them placed in a drug network, while Trowell, of ation required a huge amount of
drug-induced coma in a desperate Pagitt Street, and Convey, of hard work and dedication from the WASH YOURHANDS!
attempt to save his life,but died on Rochester Street, both Chatham, officers involved and I am pleased It is everyone’s responsibility to stay clean.
Saturday December 27. received 30 months. that the sentences reflect the severi-
Sarah has demanded an explana- The leader of the network,Calvin ty of the charges.
tion from hospital chiefs. Smith,24,of no fixed address,was “We will continue to target individ-
She said: “There are so many sentenced to 10 years in prison and uals and groups involved in the sup-
questions.Why wait three hours for his right hand man Zouhir Ben- ply of illegal substances and by
triage when his doctor had already Kmayal,27,also of no fixed address, doing so are helping to make
done it and put it in writing? We received a sentence of eight years. Medway an even safer place to live,
should not have had to queue.” Matthew Olujosun, 21, of Slater work and socialise.”
yourmedway.co.uk
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Jailed: the
yourmedway
NEWS IN BRIEF
Advice booklet launched
cashpoint
in bid to beat hate crime
A MULTI-partnership leaflet has been
launched across Medway in a bid to tackle
the number of cases of hate crimes.
The Reporting Hate Crime booklet gives
victims the opportunity to detail the precise
nature of the offence they endured,leading ram raiders
to faster prosecutions.
It will be available through Valuing Medway
People networks at locations such as police
station front counters,police station contact
points,healthy living centres and more.
They will also be available to download
from www.valuingmedwaypeople.org.uk.
Return to learn with a
FOUR men have been caged for (cid:2)BY JENNA PUDELEK
ma total of 17 years for the theft or
range of new courses
attempted theft of cash machines fy their own relentless greed.
WOULD-be learners are being urged to and vehicles. “These men have targeted areas across the SENTENCED: George Welford was jailed for five years
country with no thought of the damage they
turn their hand to a new skill on one of 350 George Welford, from Hoo in the Isle of have left in their wake. for his part in a series of cash machine raids
courses on offer in the coming months. Grain,was sentenced to five years and banned
“This investigation shows the extent our offi-
Maths,computing,office skills,travel and from driving for the same period at Ipswich cers will go to in order to bring those to justice which caused around £4,900 of damage.
personal training and among the many cours- Crown Court on Thursday. who continue to offend in our community and An ATM at a Dover garage was attacked and
es being organised by Medway Adult Learning The 40-year-old construction worker,along even across the country.” £18,210 was stolen with damage costs
Service between February and July. with Steward Bentley 36,Paul Mockford,36, totalling £17,500.
A directory is now available at www. and Martin Goodwin,35,All from Essex,had Damage In Hawkhurst the men stole nearly £10,000
medway.gov.uk/coursedirectory.Alternatively, made guilty pleas to the crime spree which The thefts and damage caused to property from a cash machine and caused £10,000 of
you can pick up a copy from any Medway went on between May 2007 and July last year. totalled more than £500,000. damage.
library or adult learning centre. Detective Sergeant Rob Haines is part of Suffolk Police arrested Bentley, who has In Tenterden near Ashford, £18,000 was
MP in call to constituents Kent police’s serious and organised crime unit been sentenced to three years in prison and a stolen from a cash machine causing damage
which hunted the gang. driving ban, at the scene of an attempted estimated at £12,000.
After the sentence he said:“We have carried ATM theft in Ipswich last April. Other ATM attacks and vehicle thefts took
to recycle Christmas cards out an intensive investigation together with Forensic investigation of two vehicles found place in Hertfordshire,Woking, Nottingham
our colleagues from other forces in order to nearby linked them to Mockford,who was sen- and Northampton.
MP Jonathan Shaw is urging families to do bring these men before the courts. tenced to five years in prison and received a Godwin was charged in connection with 22
their bit for the environment by recycling “In this joint investigation we have estab- driving ban for the same period,and Welford. of the offences during the police investigation
their Christmas cards. lished the full extent of damage,chaos and dis- In Kent, an attempted theft was made in and was sentenced to four years and banned
The Chatham and Aylesford Labour MP regard all four men have had in order to satis- Maidstone Road, Rainham, last February from driving for three years.
recycled his cards at the bin in Tesco,
Chatham,and is calling on constituents to
Town archives on show for all
drop off their cards in dedicated Woodland
Trust recycling bins across Medway.
Recycling bins can be found at Tesco,
WHSmith and TX Maxx until Saturday
January 31.
RARELY seen documents detailing the history “The project to conserve,catalogue and publish
Independence day for of Rochester went on display at Medway’s the Rochester City Archives will enhance every-
archive centre last week – to celebrate a one’s understanding of our history and the her-
disabled and carers six-figure Lottery grant. itage of North Kent and the Medway area.”
Historic volumes were carefully laid out at the The archives cover the period from 1227 to
Strood-based Medway Archives and Local 1974 and include maps, photographs, building
THE elderly,those with special needs or dis- Studies Centre on Wednesday afternoon. plans,heraldic and manorial records,title deeds,
abilities and their carers are invited to attend And with the £155,000 lottery cash,Friends of records of land use, rate books and records of
an independence event in Strood today. Medway Archives members hope the contents trade and industry,public health and transport.
Care providers such as Age Concern,The of 500 boxes of the Rochester City Archives – Medway council community services chief,
Carers’ Centre and UK Mobility will be dubbed the Archives of Great Expectations – Howard Doe,said:“Some of the most important
among the organisations setting up stalls will soon follow. archives in the country are held in this collection,
for two sessions at Strood Sports Centre. FOMA chairperson,Tessa Towner,said:“We are relating to Rochester,the second oldest Norman
The fair runs from 10am to 12.30pm and thrilled to have achieved so much for MALSC in town in England.”
1.30pm to 4pm. ARCHIVES: FOMA chairman Tessa Towner just two years.The award from the Heritage Lottery Once complete,the catalogue will be accessible
Call Carol Galvin on 01634 331232 or with Cllr Howard Doe Fund is a fantastic bonus in tough financial times. online at http://cityark.medway.gov.uk.
email [email protected].
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Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] yourmedway.co.uk 5
Kids in care lose
Co-op ram-raid charges
yourmedway FOUR men have been charged with conspir-
acy to burgle after a series of ram-raids at
NEWS IN BRIEF four Co-op stores in the Sittingbourne area.
out on town hall Piyush Patel,55,of Aldington Close,and
Keyur Patel,43,of Ryeglass Close,both in
Chatham,were charged along with Matthew
Groves,32,of Sheerness,and John Beale,29,
Slowing the school run of Kemsley.
The four men appeared at Maidstone
Magistrates Court on Friday for a brief
TRAFFIC banners are being put up outside
remand hearing.They were bailed to appear
financial help schools in a bid to beat parking congestion.
at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday,
The road safety campaign aims to stop
January 30,when they are due to enter pleas.
motorists from parking on the yellow ‘keep
clear’ zigzag markings when children are on Rumour of free makeovers
their way to or leaving school.
Medway Council’s frontline services chief
Phil Filmer said:“We take road safety serious- WATERSTONE’S is giving teenage fiction
ly and this is especially evident within schools. fans an extra reason to visit their Bluewater
Parents can do their bit by leaving their car at store this weekend – with free cosmetics
(cid:2)BY SIMON ROBINSON home and walking their child to school or join- makeovers up for grabs.
ing one of the walking bus schemes. The book giant will hand out vouchers for a
“The overall message is simple:keep school Barry M makeover to anyone who purchases
FOSTER carers in Medway entrances clear and keep our children safe.” Anna Godbersen’s latest novel Rumours,
The banner campaign carries progressive- between 10am and 5pm on Saturday.
received the lowest amount of ly stronger messages as the weeks go by, The store’s children’s events coordinator
child maintenance cash in the ranging from ‘green’ to ‘red’. Lucy Hudson said:“This is a really exciting
South East, new figures have Schools taking part include Riverside event and the first of its kind for the store.
Primary and St Margaret’s junior schools, “I can’t wait to meet everyone who turns up.”
revealed. both in Rainham, St John’s CofE Infants, Rumours is published by Puffin Books and
The Medway Council payments – given to Chatham,and Bligh Infants,Strood. costs £6.99.
fund the basic needs and day-to-day care of
fostered children and young people – were
the smallest of 19 authorities in the region.
The Fostering Network figures show the
council also failed to meet government-set CCoommee ttoo tthhee bbeesstt SShhoowwrroooomm iinn
recommendations.
In 2007/08,carers of a 16-plus foster child
in Medway received just £134 per week,£35 MMeeddwwaayy aanndd ccoommppaarree oouurr pprriicceess
under the The Department for Children,
Schools and Families’ (DfCSF) minimum
maintenance allowance of £169. WWOOOODDFFLLOOOORRIINNGG :: LLAAMMIINNAATTEESS :: CCAARRPPEETTSS :: TTIILLEESS
During the same period, foster carers in
Reading and Surrey were paid £324 and
£232 respectively.
Medway Council said it has now increased
FOSTER CHILDREN: Medway has been one of the
the 16-plus payments to £184 a week,which
goes £5 beyond the DfCSF recommendations. lowest payers of maintenance cash in the South East
Kent County Council also fell short of gov-
ernment guidelines,paying carers of a 16- Government’s minimum allowance.
plus foster child only £145 a week in “Currently,the Government’s national min-
2007/2008. imum fostering allowance is not statutory.
One foster carer, who wished to remain “Our view is that it should be and that the
anonymous,called for more cash to be made Government should look more closely at the
available,saying:“As far as we are concerned true cost of looking after a fostered child.”
more should be spent on the fostering system Derek Wyatt, the Labour MP for
in Kent. Sittingbourne and Sheppey,has been helping
foster carers get their voices heard and rais-
Dickensian
ing the issue of minimum allowances for
“The system itself needs to be over-hauled eight years.
because it is held together with a needle and He said:“It is always the people at the bot-
thread.They run it in this Dickensian way tom who need to shout the loudest and who
and it is not going to work,not now,not in need the most help,and always do not get it.” 88mmmm bbeevveelllleedd
this time period.” Medway Council spokeswoman Anna
The Fostering Network said the majority of Hinde said: “Medway Council pays the llaammiinnaatteess ffrroomm
local authorities were meeting the govern- national minimum allowance for foster carers
ment’s minimum allowance but said its cal- and additionally has been phasing in other ££99..9999mm22iinncc
culations showed foster carers should be paid recommended payments over two years.
more to meet the true cost of looking after “From April 2009 the recommendations
children and young people. will be fully implemented.
A spokesman said:“Our view is that all fos- “Medway Council foster carers also receive KKaahhrrss OOaakk CCoorrssiiccaa
ter carers should be paid at least the a reward element for every placement.”
££2211..4400mm22iinncc
Swash buckles panto audience records
JUNGLE king Joe Swash’s show. So basically, bigger SSTTOOCCKKIISSTTSS OOFF:: QQuuiicckksstteepp •• BBaalltteerriioo llaammiinnaatteess •• BBooeenn
Christmas panto perform- audiences and bigger stars •• HHaarroo && KKaahhrrss EEnnggiinneeeerreedd FFlloooorriinngg
ances proved a big hit during are choosing to come to the
the festive season – setting a Central Theatre for what is
new box office record. seen as a great,high quality, HHuuggee rraannggee ooff LLuuxxuurryy CCaarrppeettss ttoo ssuuiitt aallll bbuuddggeettss
Central Theatre bosses all round Christmas offer-
ssttaarrttiinngg ffrroomm ££66..9999 ppeerr SSqq MMeettrree
said the ‘I’m A Celebrity... ing.”
Get Me Out of Here!’ winner Swash took on the role of
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venue smash sales figures Theatre’s production of
for the third year in a row. Cinderella,joining rehearsals
General manager Tony just days after being crowned AVALONE FLOORING LTD
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Sat 8am-4pm
records for the third year new age group. as Swash’s bug-heavy diet in Email: [email protected]
running. “But we’ve also had great the Bush had taken inches
“This time,the Joe Swash feedback about the whole off his waist.
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TODAY’S FORECAST WEEKEND
9 HIGH TIDES COLOURFUL:Last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations
Chinese festivities to mark
Chatham Saturday 5:17pm 5.6m beginning of Year of the Ox
5 Sunday 6:05pm 5.3m
Dover Saturday 3:28pm 6.0m DAZZLING dragon displays will be performed
444 Sunday 4:20pm 5.7m in Chatham later this month as part of a range
of Chinese New Year celebrations.
Dungeness Saturday 3:28pm 6.8m A host of energetic and colourful dances and
Sunday 4:21pm 6.4m drum troupes will take to the High Street on
Saturday January 24 and Sunday 25 to mark
Ramsgate Saturday 3:58pm 4.5m the beginning of the Year of the Ox.
Sunday 4:50pm 4.3m The festivities begin with lion,dragon and tra-
ditional Chinese dancing near the Sir John
Sheerness Saturday 5:06pm 5.4m Hawkins Way flyover from noon on the Saturday.
SUNRISE SUNSET
7.56am 4.13pm Sunday 5:54pm 5.1m The celebrations continue with the Chinese
New Year parade through the high street from
MOONRISE MOONSET Whitstable Saturday 5:12pm 4.9m noon the following day.
9.06pm 9.27am Sunday 5:55pm 4.7m Mayor of Medway David Carr and mayors
FIVE-DAYKENTFORECAST from other towns across Kent will lead more
AROUNDTHE than 200 dancers from the Rochester end of
the town centre towards Gillingham.
Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon WORLDYESTERDAY The parade will include dragons,lions,gods
Ashford 10°C 4°C 4°C 7°C 9°C Gravesend 10°C 5°C 6°C 8°C 10°C of fortune,Tai Chi dancers,The Dance Alley
Canterbury 9°C 3°C 3°C 6°C 7°C Maidstone 10°C 4°C 5°C 8°C 9°C Amsterdam 5°C Madrid 2°C Dplaany cwerist ha gnude sat sH foronmg Kotohnegr Cprhoimneosteio cnoaml mdius--
Chatham 10°C 5°C 5°C 7°C 9°C Ramsgate 9°C 3°C 3°C 6°C 7°C Athens 9°C NewYork -2°C nities across the county.
Barcelona 9°C Paris 3°C The weekend will round off with Kung Hei
Dartford 10°C 5°C 6°C 8°C 10°C Rochester 10°C 5°C 5°C 7°C 9°C Beijing -2°C Rome 10°C Fat Choy,a New Year spectacular at the Central
Dover 8°C 4°C 3°C 6°C 7°C Sevenoaks 9°C 3°C 4°C 6°C 8°C Bombay 33°C Sydney 23°C Theatre,Chatham,presented by The Medway
CapeTown 27°C Tenerife 18°C Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association.
Faversham 10°C 5°C 5°C 7°C 9°C Sittingbourne10°C 5°C 5°C 7°C 9°C Cardiff 9°C Tokyo 7°C The performance begins at 2.30pm.Tickets
Folkestone 8°C 4°C 3°C 6°C 7°C Tonbridge 10°C 6°C 5°C 7°C 9°C Gibraltar 14°C Vancouver 5°C ccoosntc e£s7s.i5o0n sf.or adults,£5.50 for children and
Gillingham 10°C 5°C 5°C 7°C 9°C TunWells 10°C 6°C 5°C 7°C 9°C HLaosnPgaKlmonags 1197°°CC WWaelrlsinagwton 18-1°°CC •w Caya.lgl otvh.ue kb/othxe oaftfriecbeo oonk in0g16.34 338338 or visit www.med-
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Products may vary from pictures shown
yourmedway.co.uk
8 Telephone advertising: 01303 817110 Email [email protected]
yourlocalinterview
QCan you tell us a little about yourself? QWhat are the aims of the friends group? properly managed,one could stand at the top
QUESTION & ANSWER of the hill and see from Sheerness in the east
AI am a retired teacher and I live with my AOur aim is to maintain the park and point to Bluebell Hill in the west looking south and
husband of 42 years.We have three chil- out work that needs to be done to the Southend in the east and Dartford in the west
ODETTE dren and four grandchildren.I enjoy research- appropriate council department. We work looking north. This is no longer possible
ing history,especially local history.At present closely with Greenspaces and have already because the trees have run wild.
I am a volunteer with the England’s Past for had some major successes:bollards installed The friends organize scrub clearing days,
Everyone Medway Towns from 1550 project.I at the Gorse Road entrance to stop fly-tipping, planting days and fun days.In March,I hope
BUCHANAN am proud of my adopted county (I was born council agreement that the footpath from to give a talk on the heritage of the hill.I have
and raised in John Betjeman’s Metro Land of Brompton Lane to Pepys Way needs upgrad- researched its history,geology,flora and fauna.
NW London,which I found very boring).In the ing and given improved lighting,as it is on the
summer, I am a tour guide for the City of ‘walk to school’ route of most schools in the QTell us about the upkeep of the park?
Rochester Society and also a custodian at area. Besides Greenspaces, we work closely
Restoration House.I serve on several commit- with our neighbourhood police and have man- AFrom the above,you will see that we are
tees, indulge in watercolour painting and aged to reduce the incidents of vandalism and important to the upkeep of the park.It is
belong to a writing group.My husband and I anti-social behaviour simply by the PCSOs our intervention that has achieved the present
are frequent theatregoers. We are fond of patrolling frequently in known trouble areas improvements. It will be our agitation that
France and visit there for holidays and short and by cutting back the undergrowth to inhib- brings about future improvements.We also act
breaks.We also enjoy visiting friends and rela- it anti-social behaviour.Through our interven- as a sort of clearing house for specific problems
tions in England and around the world. tion,the council have improved signage – we and are busy trying to access funding too.
now have a board at the car park entrance
QTell us about your involvement with Broomhill Park. with a display for friends’ news and informa- QHow can our readers help?
tion.In the near future there will be new fin-
AAbout two years ago a group of us decided gerboards at the other two entrances. ABy joining the group – only £2 per year –
that something should be done to restore Our long-term aims are to replace and you increase our membership and our
Strood’s hidden gem to its former glory. In increase the park furniture and invest in income.Many people use the park who do not
recent years,the council has severely cut the appropriate installations.We have plans for a live within walking distance. They come in
Greenspaces Ranger Service responsible for compass at the summit that incorporates a their cars to walk their dogs.Come and join
all green spaces in Medway.So the reduced sundial.This will get us a look-out emblem on them.Look on the website or park notice boar
staff is no longer able to maintain and manage Ordnance Survey Maps.We hope to restore to see what activities are happening when.We
the park on the hill as it should be.We formed the Two-Rivers-View by pruning back trees have all made new friends by becoming a
a friends group in May 2007 and I am the sec- and working with Greenspaces to clear the Friend of Broomhill.
retary.We now have 100 members. undergrowth.In the past,when the trees were • For details see www.friendsofbroomhill.org.uk.
&
The secretary of the Friends of Broomhill group spoke to Simon Robinsonabout the mission to
return the park to its former glory and urged Medway families to take up the fight for the countryside.
yourmedway.co.uk
Telephone editorial: 01303 817200 Email [email protected] 9
EDITOR’S CHOICE
You can view all these
videos and others from
around the county with
the click of a mouse at…
Dog behaviourist Pippa Take a step back in time Kent Police Male Voice A replica of the ship Discovery Surviving the crunch: January
Ducat on puppy training. at the Walpole Bay Hotel, Choir’s fun version of an commemorates Kent’s links sales at a Maidstone furniture
yourkenttv.co.uk
Search ‘puppy’ Margate. Search ‘Walpole’ old song. Search ‘choir’ with Virginia. Search ‘Discovery’ retailer. Search ‘Clarkes’
‘The Legend’ to talk about Morris dancers
on their last legs?
his Best days as a Hammer THE quaint and distinctly British custom of
Morris dancing will die out within two
decades,its custodians have warned.
The Morris Ring,an association for the bell-
clad men,fear young people are not taking up
the ancient tradition as it’s seen as uncool.
But one Kent man is determined to keep
(cid:2)BY JON COATES bled that of a boxer than a typical footballer the hanky-waving habit alive.
of the 70s. The origins of Morris dancing,a style of folk
He gained his first cap for the Bermudian dance that dates back centuries,are clouded
AN INSPIRATIONAL black foot- national team aged just 15 and at 18 was in mystery.But the clatter-
baller will talk about his glory days signed for West Ham. ing together of tiny sticks
at West Ham United when he He arrived in East London at the tail end of by men bouncing back and
the Swinging Sixties,with English football on forth to odd music has
comes to Kent. a high after the exploits of new team-mates delighted villagers and
Clyde Best,57,played for the Hammers in Moore and Hurst in winning the World Cup. baffled tourists in equal
their golden age just after England’s 1966 Best swapped sun-drenched beaches and amounts.
World Cup win. palm trees for the grey, cold East End, but However,with the aver-
The Bermudian striker pulled on the claret cherished every moment of his time in this age age of those taking
and blue shirt with Upton Park greats Bobby country. part continuing to rise,the
Moore and Geoff Hurst, and plundered 58 Speaking from his home in Bermuda last Morris Ring fears in 20 DYING BREED:
goals in 218 games for West Ham in seven sea- week,he said:“They were fantastic days that years the art will have died Morris dancers
sons between 1969 and 1976. I will never forget as long as I live. out completely from the
The heavy-built striker is revered by foot- “I was playing with so many great players current estimate of 14,000 dancers nationally.
ball fans for breaking down race barriers and during what I consider to be West Ham’s Charlie Corcoran,the Ring’s bagman,said:
has been referred to by other black players as golden age. “It worries me a great deal.Young people are
‘The Legend’. “Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst were fantas- just too embarrassed to take part.This is a
Racist taunts tic players,they were the ones that really won serious situation.”
the World Cup for England. However odd and comical it looks,Morris
As one of the first post-Second World War “It was a pleasure to be in their company dancing also raises plenty of cash for local
black footballers in English football, Best and play with them,and if I had to do it all charities. About £600 was presented to
played amid a culture of racism and hooligan- again I would not change a thing.” Demelza House children’s hospice just before
ism on the terraces. The laid-back Bermudan was a strong and Christmas following several displays around
He was adored by West Ham fans but suf- powerful player with the skills of the tradi- east Kent by the Woodchurch Morris Men.
fered constant racial taunts from opposition tional English centre forward – tough to dis- And Malcolm Triggs,50,said:“That is actu-
fans – monkey chanting and the hurling of possess when he had the ball and good in the ally nonsense.We have plenty of youngsters
bananas and peanuts at the pitch. air – so made a quick transition to first-team doing the dancing and playing.”
But his courage and composure in facing football within a year of arriving in Britain. His three sons,Jack,16,Harry,11,and Will,
racism head on and never letting it get him He experienced the worst of racism in foot- nine,are all members of Whitstables’ Dead
down has made him an inspiration for many ball but brushed it aside,saying:“That was Horse Morris.
black youngsters now playing professional there but I was determined not to think about. Mr Triggs,who is the Squire of East Kent
football. I had to put it to the back of my mind and con- Morris Men,added:“If you go to the festivals,
Best,awarded an MBE in 2006 for services centrate on my job,which was scoring goals. you see lots of youngsters dancing in what are
to the game,was due to fly into Britain from “I had to think about the people coming called Sides.Some Sides are made up com-
Bermuda today to be the special guest of the after me and set a good example.It is nice to pletely of youngsters.
touring Forever Blowing Bubbles 2 show. see players from all over the world now play- “Clearly,young children who then become
Now he will relive the glory days.At Dartford’s ing in England,not just black players,you’ve teenagers don’t want to dance in their local
Orchard Theatre on Monday,January 19 from also got Brazilians,Argentines and Koreans – shopping centres because they might be seen
7.45pm,joined by fellow ex-Irons Phil Parkes, that is why it is the beautiful game.” by their mates.
Tony Gale and Brian Robson. • Tickets for Forever Blowing Bubbles 2 cost £19.50 or “But they tend to come back in later years
In many ways Best broke the mould from £17.50 for the over-60s. For details call the box office on when they are not as bothered about what
an early age,as his build more closely resem- 01322 220000. INSPIRATION: Ex-West Ham striker Clyde Best in his heyday people think about them.”
Your local LeisureTVChannel
To advertise your business in your local
paper, local website and online TV,
telephone our team on 01303 817000.
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yoyouNourOukrWr esN dneEaetrnWtvtvadi.ci coleasonsd .lf!udion kre Micks MPOhoTnse tLo tmdak eT eanl :a p0po1in6tm3e4nt 827977
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yourmedwayschools
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BREAK TIME
School’s clear focus
gets Ofsted praise
THE Howard School is a good school
that has shown clear and sustained
improvement, according to Ofsted
inspectors.
Inspectors found the school in Derwent
Way, Gillingham, has a clear focus on
raising standards and has addressed the
weaknesses identified by the last inspec-
tion.
Ofsted’s Robin Gaff wrote: “The
Howard School is a good school.It has REVVINGTOGO: Motor Sports students get ready to race their adapted Kart, pictured with representatives from Buckmore Park, Honda, Midkent college and North West Kent College
shown clear and sustained improvement
in recent years,and this is recognised by Students drive forward with
parents and by older students.
“School leaders have a very clear focus
on raising standards,both of academic
achievement and in terms of students’
personal development.
“They have succeeded in raising stu-
research into greener fuels
dents’ aspirations and in bringing about
significant rises in pass rates at GCSE
and for advanced level courses.
“Students throughout the school now
make good progress. The school’s suc-
cessful record of improvement,for exam-
ple,in addressing weaknesses identified
by the last inspection report, shows a MOTOR sports students will race (cid:2)BY SIMON ROBINSON types,thinking about which are the most eco-
good capacity for further improvement.” around Buckmore Park karting nomical and environmentally friendly.
Principal Paul Morris was delighted “Although these are practical considerations
with Ofsted’s findings, saying: “I am circuit in a bid to find the perfect Buckmore Park every year so it is extremely we have to make as part of our course,this
extremely pleased with this Ofsted result. environmentally-friendly fuel. important that we consider using fuels that project has allowed us to explore different
“It recognises the hard work and effort The MidKent and North West Kent College are kinder to the environment. fuels in much more depth.”
that everyone involved with the school youngsters spent an entire term researching “Our karts’ engines would need to be To aid the students in their research,Honda
has put into raising standards,improv- how to adapt the circuit’s karts so they can be mechanically altered in order to make this has supplied them with two engines,whilst
ing learning and results and generally run using green fuels and will soon put their possible,so I have called on the expertise of Project1 has provided a kart chassis which can
making the Howard better than it ever work into practice on the track. those at MidKent College and North West be used for testing purposes.
has been.” At the launch of the Kart Green Fuel project, Kent College to help me.” The learners will be building new parts for
Inspectors noted that the quality of Buckmore Park owner Bill Sisley said he was Nick Kadis,who is studying for a national the engines before refurbishing them to make
teaching and learning is good,with stu- keen to develop the circuit’s involvement with diploma in motor sport at MidKent College’s them suitable for use with the alternative fuels.
dents willing to learn and teachers education and environmental improvement Oakwood Park centre,is proud to be taking It is hoped that following extensive testing,
preparing their lessons carefully.
works. part in the project.He said:“We’ve had to con- Buckmore Park will be in a position to start
He said: “Around 150,000 people visit duct a great deal of research into different fuel using the new fuel types next year.
SEND your schools news and pictures to [email protected]. You can also upload your video clips of schools events on to www.yourkenttv.co.uk
An evening
meal out or
A Co-educational Day and Boarding School
m
a pub lunch?
"The quality of education
r
o
is outstanding"
OFSTED, 2008
f

h •very small classes (average 8)
Pick up next
t
x • informal but disciplined atmosphere
Wednesday’s i • inspiring teachers
s
• excellent results
yourmedway o • no uniform
t
and take a look 7 • taster days
• college minibus routes

at our yourlocal ar • 3 year fee freeze - see website
e www.rochester-college.org
eating out guide St. Peter’s Infant School, Holcombe Road, Rochester Y
STAR HILL ROCHESTER KENT ME1 1XF 01634 828115
(just off The Delce Road)
OPEN AFTERNOON
Friday 23rd January from 1.30pm - 2.45pm
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