Your Swale, Issue 223, January 27, 2012

12.3 MB·English

by  KOS Media

Your Swale
PICK UP FREE
www.yourswale.co.uk January 27, 2012 • No 223
Dad’s fury EMPLOYMENT - BAD
400 jobs set
to go on isle...
as far-right
UP to 400 jobs hang in the
balance this week after steel
firm Thamesteel slumped into
adminstration this week. Staff
at the troubled site in Sheer-
ness were told of the news
group claims
on Wednesday afternoon. It
comes after a planned invest-
ment deal with a major oil firm
fell through. PAGE 3
teen’s death EMPLOYMENT - GOOD
...but winds to
blow in 2,000
‘race crime’
HOWEVER, while Thamesteel
pulled out, there was brighter
news on the jobs front as wind
turbine manufacturing giant
Vestas submitted a planning
application to the council for a
Exclusive by Chris Murphy Pictured alongside dozens of other multi-million scheme. The fac-
apparent ‘race victims’ it promotes an tory plans for Sheppey could
[email protected]
online petition which claims the major- see up to 2,000 jobs created in
THE parents of tragic Bobbing teenager ity of victims in racial attacks in the UK Sheerness. PAGE 5
Michael Chapman have reacted furi- are white and that MPs should do more
ously after their son’s photograph was to highlight the fact.
used in a far-right campaign to crack- A video on the Britain First website SPORT
down on ‘Britain’s racist murders’. supporting the campaign also says the Injured Byrne
The 16-year-old was killed after be- Stephen Lawrence murder case was a
ing punched and kicked as he walked “20-year witch-hunt” which had be-
back training
on playing fields close to Gore Court come a “cause celebre” among the “lib-
Cricket Club by Lee Cowie in a case that eral left”.
shocked the nation. Also featured was murdered Harry PREPARATIONS for the new
But Cowie was white, race was not Potter star Rob Knox who was stabbed British Superbike Champion-
cited in the case, and the perpetrator in Sidcup shortly after appearing as ship continue for Shane Byrne
was jailed for manslaughter – not mur- Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the despite being involved in a
der – for four years. Half-Blood Prince. Again, race was nev- nasty road accident.
Yet this week Michael Chapman was er mentioned as a factor in his death. The Sheppey rider broke a
featured in an email by Britain First – a The email said: “These poor souls – all foot and suffered a head injury
group set up by Paul Goulding, a former of them members of our own nation and a fortnight ago but is building
member of the British National Party up to pre-season by walking
and one-time Sevenoaks councillor. Continued on page 2 MISLEADING: Michael Chapman’s tragic death was not the result of a racist attack his dog on crutches. PAGE 71
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2 I week ending January 29, 2012 www.kentnews.co.uk
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INSIDE NATIONALISM
(cid:78)(cid:0)News................2-22 Fury at use of son’s picture in nationalist campaign
(cid:78)(cid:0)Kent Remembered .....23
(cid:78)(cid:0)Comment/Feedback 24-25
(cid:78)(cid:0)Business Week..... 26-27 Continued from front page guard told YourSwale: “This flyer is just Maidstone Crown Court was told I said, I will look in to it and I will re-
(cid:78)(cid:0)Training & Careers .29-30 wrong. The claim it was a racial attack Cowie ran up behind the boy and move them.”
(cid:78)(cid:0)Jobs & Notices.....32-40 our own flesh and blood – have been de- is just not true. It was a white guy who punched him to the ground before kick- The images were removed from the
(cid:78)(cid:0)Sport...............70-71 prived of life by violent immigrant rac- killed him. I am fuming about this. ing his head “like it was a football”. poster available to download from the
ists in horrific and brutal attacks. “They didn’t even get in touch about It ruptured an artery that would site by Wednesday, but both still ap-
“This campaign is about honouring using his photograph.” cause Michael’s death. peared in the YouTube video which ap-
INSIDE their memory – the media and the poli- He said the stress of losing their son Britain First’s Paul Golding admitted peared on the site.
Kent Weekend ticians have ignored virtually all of has had a devastating impact on their he may have made a blunder when we The video’s voice-over focuses on the
them as if their tragedy is irrelevant and family. contacted him. He said: “Let me take a Stephen Lawrence case, saying: “After
only the immigrant victims of racism He added: “Sue and I came very, very note of these and try to get them re- 20 years of this cause celebre of the lib-
(cid:78)(cid:0)Interview ..............43
matter.” close to splitting up, closer than anyone moved. If they are upset at the use of eral left it is still being rammed down
(cid:78)(cid:0)Food and Drink.....45-46
The leaflet adds: “Britain First is a pa- can think. I was blaming others and Sue the images in our campaign all they had our throat. No-one condones the terri-
triotic political movement that cam- and I were arguing a lot. to do is ring our office and we would ble murder of Stephen Lawrence but
(cid:78)(cid:0)LEISURE paigns to put British people first.” “This is why we need to make POCAV have immediately removed them from people are angry that this one crime
Attractions, events, stage, But Michael Chapman’s parents work and stop Michael’s memory being our literature. from two decades ago has turned into a
exhibitions, theatre, arts, Lloyd and Sue, who are setting up a abused like it is on this leaflet.” “We have received no phone calls or 20-year witchhunt while a multitude of
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47-49 charity – Protect Our Communities Michael Chapman died after he was inquiries whatsoever. In fact, to the British white victims of racist murders
Against Violence (POCAV) – to combat assaulted as he walked home with his contrary, we have received a lot of sup- and attacks are completely ignored or
HOMES mindless violence against young peo- brother in June 2006. Lee Cowie, then port for this campaign.” marginalised.
(cid:78)(cid:0)Property...........50-52 ple, were left staggered at their son be- 19, admitted manslaughter. It is be- When it was pointed out these two “It is becoming patently obvious that
ing part of such a campaign. lieved he reacted jealously after Michael were not the victims of racial attacks, he British victims of racist attacks simply
MOTORS Mr Chapman, a former Grenadier was seen talking to a girl he liked. said: “They wasn’t? Right, OK. Well, as don’t count.”
(cid:78)(cid:0)Driving ............ 55-62
(cid:78)(cid:0)Commercial .......63-69 SAFETY
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DOVER FERRY
29
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£
of new-look policing in Kent
TO FRANCE
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(cid:13)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:14)(cid:21)(cid:2)(cid:15)(cid:21)(cid:10)(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:14) By Marijke Cox the way the force is run. from the Army a year after his alongside seven Tories, one La-
The 51-year-old, who lives awe-inspiring speech and now bour and one Lib Dem.
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in Whitstable, said he would runs a firm training foreign po- The PCC – who will serve for
AN ARMY veteran famed for push for changes in volunteer- lice officers, stated his belief four years – will have the pow- BIG IDEAS: Col Tim Collins
his inspirational eve-of-bat- ing, greater transparency of that there needed to be greater er to hold the force to account,
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(cid:14) tle speech to troops in the Iraq operational information, and transparency of operational in- determine the policing strategy more engaged with policing.
(cid:2)(cid:1) War has vowed to make radical greater rights for victims. formation to engage the public for the area, set the budget and “I can see candidates making
(cid:14) (cid:14) changes to Kent Police if elect- He expressed concern over in solving crime. issue a five-year plan. headline grabbing statements,
ed as the county’s first police the lack of Special Constables Col Collins announced last Col Collins, who was born in which they won’t be able to de-
commissioner. in Kent – where there are now October that he wanted to be Belfast and served in Bosnia, liver. They need to get a better
(cid:14) Col Tim Collins says volun- fewer than 400 – and proposed the Conservative candidate in Kosovo and Iraq before leaving understanding of what polic-
teer officers should get council the creation of a Kent Police the election to become Kent’s the Army, said he was inspired ing is about.”
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(cid:12)(cid:8)(cid:2)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:31)(cid:11)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:12)(cid:6)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:10)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:8)(cid:5)(cid:3)(cid:6)(cid:9) Col Collins, who was award- “There are many fine men Prime Minister David Cameron But chairman of Kent Police said: “I’ve got a great deal of re-
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(cid:13)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:1)(cid:5)(cid:3)(cid:1)(cid:2) the Oval Office by then-Presi- people giving what time they duced in November and will an increase in officers. zaar. Volunteers are important,
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www.kentnews.co.uk week ending January 29, 2012 I 3
bringing you the latest news ▪ sport ▪ video ▪ jobs ▪ cars and property …Just visit the Apple App Store
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS IN BRIEF
TV show inspires us
(cid:177)(cid:0)Making the grade
to look to the stars SCHOOLS across Swale saw an upturn in the
number of students scoring the equivalent of
five good GCSEs in the latest school league
tables. Sittingbourne Community College was
A TELESCOPE firm says The shop caters from the up 10 per cent to 42 per cent, Westlands up five
its success was written in beginner to full time experts per cent to 56 per cent while the Isle of Sheppey
the stars after sales soared with their own observatories. Academy rose five per cent to 35 per cent -
following a series of BBC Mrs Papagno added: “Our meeting the Government’s minimum target
programmes fronted by field trips have also been well settings. Highsted Grammar scored 99 per cent,
Professor Brian Cox and attended. We had one recently Borden Grammar, 96 per cent.
comedian Dara O’Briain. and over 150 people turned up,
Stargazing Live ran for a which was amazing. NEW HEIGHTS: Luigi Papagno (cid:177)(cid:0)70th anniversary visit
week earlier this month and “The BBC series has says his telescope store has felt
aimed to encourage more stimulated so much interest, the benefit of the Stargazing Live THE Mayor and Mayoress of Swale, councillors
people to look to the skies we have seen many more series hosted by Professor Brian Ben Stokes and Sylvia Bennett, joined in the
and learn about astronomy people come through the door Cox and comedian Dara O’Briain celebrations for a couple in Milton Regis on
and the universe which and buying too. Sales are up Thursday, as they reached their 70th wedding
surrounds them. and we are delighted. I hope it spending about £1,200 will get anniversary.
And at F1 Telescopes in continues.” a telescope that will do all the Ernest and Evelyn Rickwood, who live at the
Sittingbourne, that interest Her husband said a starter work for you, he said. Blair Park Residential Home in Crown Road, tied
has sent cash tills ringing. pack would cost around £160, Mr Papagno said: “These you the knot in 1942. Staff and friends joined in the
Owners Luigi and Mary but he would recommend for a just set up, press one button occasion while singer Joy Dey entertained the
Papagno have run the Castle first timer what’s called a Go To of empty black sky and will get and it does everything for you. guests during the afternoon.
Road shop for 12 years, but System which actually tracks bored very soon. Set it off, go and make a cup of
(cid:177)(cid:0)Olympic Run chance
have just had their best sales planets using a comp- “With these systems, you set tea and come back five minutes
ever, and interest continues. uter and motorised telescope up outside, enter the time and later and navigate. It will talk
Mr Papagno said: “It is quite – it was one of the items date, use a few familiar stars to satellites to get the time and THERE’s still time to enter our competition to
amazing – since this show featured in the BBC shows. and the telescope will work out date, align itself with the stars win a place in the National Lottery Olympic Run
started people have been He said: “These days there its alignment, and from there and you are ready to go. - and get the chance to pound the track of the
coming to us in large numbers. is so much technology inside you simply enter the planet you “So if dad knows nothing Olympic Stadium in London before the athletes
They are more interested in the these telescopes. For a want to look at, and it will find and the children are doing it descend for the 2012 Games. To enter, simply
skies, and we have been able to complete newbie they won’t it, and that’s all done with the at school and he doesn’t want visit www.kentnews.co.uk and click on the link
supply all the information they know how to find anything and handset that comes with it.” to look an idiot, this is the to the competition. Then answer a simple
need for a good start.” just end up looking at masses For the more advanced, telescope for him.” question and email your answer. Be quick
though - entry closes on Sunday.
BUSINESS
Thamesteel collapse
‘devastating’ as 400
jobs are put in danger
By Ed Hill GMB union, said: “This is devastating news for
[email protected] UK manufacturing, for the UK steel industry and
for the community.
POLITICAL pressure to help save 400 jobs on “We are seeing a ‘march of the makers’ to the
Sheerness following the slump into adminstra- dole queues to join the 28,201 in Kent already
tion of Thamesteel is picking up pace, with local claiming jobseekers allowance.”
MP Gordon Henderson demanding urgent talks The company is owned by the Saudi Arabian
with business secretary Vince Cable. Al-Tuwairqi Group, which took over in 2002.
Union chiefs described the steel firm’s collapse John Wright, Swale Borough Council’s cabi-
as “devastating” to the families involved, the in- net member for regeneration and economy, said
dustry, and the community. on Thursday the council was waiting to see the
Now our MP, council chiefs and union bosses implications of the financial move.
hthaivs eh vuogwe ebdlo two ftiog htht et olo scaallv eacgoen soommye.thing out of forH seta affd, dbeudt: a “ tWhree adto tno’ ts ok mnoawn yw ish aa ts etrhiiosu ms belaonws NNeeww YYeeaarr NNeeww CCaarrppeett??
Thamesteel, which has had a factory in Sheer- for the island and for the borough as a whole.
ness since 1972, was put into the hands of ad- “We hope an investor can be found and the
ministrators after a last-gasp investment deal council will provide what support it can.”
with an international oil firm fell through. The steel industry is facing strong competition
It meant staff at one of Sheppey’s biggest em- globally, particularly from countries such as • WOOD FLOORING • VINYL FLOORING • CARPETS
ployers were told on Wednesday that their jobs China, making it harder for the heavy manufac- • LAMINATES • UNDERLAY • ARTIFICIAL GRASS
hung in the balance. Administrators will now turing industries in the UK.
seek to find a new buyer for the site with hopes of Michael Leahy from the union Community WE GUARANTEE ANY WRITTEN QUOTE WILL BE BEATEN
saving as many jobs as possible. that represents some of the workers at the site
OPEN: Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 9am-1pm
However, it is understood just a skeleton staff said: “Once the administrators are appointed, we
will be retained while talks take place. Those staff are willing to work with them to widen the
being kept were expecting to hear after this pa- search for an investor, we want to work with
per went to press on Thursday night. anybody who wants to give Thamesteel a future. UNIT 8 BALLARD BUSINESS PARK,
In a futher blow, staff were told they would not “Any investor would find a proud and com-
CUXTON RD, STROOD ME2 2NY
be receiving wages for January. mitted workforce.”
Mr Henderson said: “This is an employment (cid:78) Vestas puts in planning application for TEL: [phone]
Carpet Sale Centre
disaster. I will do all I possibly can to help.” Sheerness - with hopes of creating 2,000
Keith Hazlewood, national secretary of the jobs. See page 5.
4I week ending January 29, 2012 SE www.kentnews.co.uk
www.kentnews.co.uk week ending January 29, 2012 I 5
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
EMPLOYMENT
Turbine factory plans are welcomed NEWS IN BRIEF
(cid:177)(cid:0)Swotting up on birds
as next step towards 2,000 new jobs
SCHOOLS in Sittingbourne have been turned
into bird hides this week as part of the RSPB’s
Big Schools’ Birdwatch.
It seeks to encourage children and teachers to
By Chris Britcher learn about the birds near their school and with
[email protected] whom they share their environment. Last year
more than 60 schools across the county took
WIND turbine giant Vestas has part, with the top three birds spotted being
taken a giant stride in pushing blackbirds, starlings and woodpigeons. The
ahead with its plans to build a event runs until Monday.
major manufacturing site on
(cid:177)(cid:0)Pub’s £60,000 boost
Sheppey after submitting a
planning application to the lo-
cal council. THE oldest pub in Faversham has undergone a
The firm says that it intends £60,000 refurbishment.
to create 2,000 jobs by build- Brewer Shepherd Neame has spent £60,000
ing the facility at the Port of on giving 19th century pub The Bear Inn an
Sheerness. overhaul. Licensees Chris and Marie Annand
The company revealed it said: “We have added new fixtures and fittings
wanted to move to Sheppey and returned to the traditional colour scheme,
last year in a move seen as es- using blues and greens. We have kept a lot of
sential to injecting new life into Swale Borough Council, said: director of Peel Ports Medway submitted; one for the removal PROPOSAL: the memorabilia,and put up some original
the local economy. But there “This is an exciting project and said: “The planning applica- of the Grade II-listed former An artist’s pictures from the pub and the local area.”
were doubts amid concerns the we are tremendously pleased tion sets out our proposals for a working Mast House (Building impression (cid:177)(cid:0)Your news, your way
Government was not backing the planning application has thriving port over the next 30 26) and the other for demoli- of the Vestas
wind turbine technology. been submitted because it years and beyond. tion of free standing structures wind turbine
Ironically, the huge boost to shows the project is moving “It makes good use of the joined to or associated with factory DON’T worry if your local shop has sold out of
Swale came just weeks after ahead. Obviously the applica- considerable land and assets statutorily listed structures. planning YourSwale or you missed a copy - you can read
the Danish firm announced it tion has to be rigorously and we have available at Sheerness, The documents can be application every issue online, for free, by logging-on to our
was having to cut 2,335 jobs objectively assessed by the enabling us to meet the re- viewed at www.ukplanning. which has website www.yourswale.co.uk and accessing
worldwide when rising costs planning committee, and this quirements of most of our exist- com/swale (Ref SW/12/0045). been put our e-editions. You can also keep up-to-date
wiped out its 2011 earnings. is the next stage.” ing customers as well as to ac- They will also be available as a forward to with the latest news and sport on the site. And
Swale Borough Council has A decision is expected by the commodate Vestas’ brand new printed document at Swale the council to keep informed of all the headlines, join the
now received the planning ap- end of May. manufacturing facility, secur- House, Sittingbourne, and The thousands following us on Twitter. Simply
plication which, once com- Vestas first announced its ing the long term economic Gateway in Sheerness. search for @kosmedia and click follow.
plete, would make it one of the plans for the facility in May well being of the area.”
largest manufacturing facilities 2011 when it signed an option The land required for the de-
of its type in Europe. agreement with the Port of velopment includes quaysides, BEDROOM FURNITURE • MATTRESSES • METAL FRAMES • WOODEN
The application comes in the Sheerness. berths and other facilities with- S F
same week Sheerness was dealt Lars Eriksen, chief project in the main port, together with D R
a huge blow with news Thame- manager from Vestas, said: an extensive area of previously BE AM
steel had gone into administra- “The planning application is a reclaimed land to the south, K E
tion putting 400 jobs at risk. significant milestone which known as Lappel Bank. N S
The site would be involved in brings us a step closer to mak- The ‘hybrid’ planning appli- U •
B H
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wind turbine. line for the V164-7.0 MW tur- ings and associated storage ar- BE online.co.uk BO
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create around 2,000 new jobs, quickly as possible, so as to be works’ to the docks, quays and E D
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& E R N
MURDER Y S
Pub hosts Justice for Carl event LT N E • N
E
V O
O S V
to raise funds to find his killers N E
L
NS • 7 S TY &
A SPECIAL charity event takes place at a been stabbed and beaten prior to falling. VA D C
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DaTvhiees .Ypres Tavern in West Street will be Snihtye pCpoelyle Agcea adnedm ay p aonpdu lSairtt finiggubroeu. rne Commu- DS JUST £299.99 L RE
staging the Justice for Carl night with a live He was working for a private security firm R D N
band and raffle. involved in anti-piracy at the time of his death. OA includes 4 free drawers I S B
areM eexmpebcetrisn go ft oth aet tpeonpdu ltahre 3e3v-eyneta.r-old’s family theH liso cfaaml aiulyt hhoarvieti ebse ehna vlee fht afunmdleindg t ohvee cra tshee awnady DB A MORE FANTASTIC DEALS IN STORE V ED
It is hoped the money raised will provide the are desperate to raise money to help fund their A S
fFinreanncchia-ls pcleoaukti ntgh el acwamyepr atiog nre npereedses ntto thhierem a o n legSaalt buardttalye .night’s event takes place from • HE Y 40 High Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 4PB E • BU
the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean, where 7.30pm with live music getting under way from S 01795 42 43 42 R N
MrH Disa bvioedsy w waass k filoluedn.d at the bottom of a ravine 8prpomdu. Ocend s walreis attb athned se vthene tf awmilli lby eh sapvee cbiaelelyn AME S www.beds4uonline.co.uk Y KBE
on the island in November. Initial reports said he selling in order to swell the coffers of their R D
had stumbled and fell to his death. But a campaign fund. Both the family and pub did not F S
NEDOOW • SEMARF LATEM • SESSERTTAM • ERUTINRUF MOORDEB •
subsequent post-mortem discovered he had want to comment when contacted.
6 I week ending January 29, 2012 www.kentnews.co.uk
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
BUSINESS ANIMALS
Apprentice breakfast at college Recession blamed for rise in
EMPLOYERS are being invited to ling myths at a business breakfast
learn how to boost their business which takes place between 8am numbers of unwanted horses
prospects through apprenticeships and 10am on Thursday, February 9
in a co-venture between Canter- at the Bridge Road campus.
bury College at Sheppey and the Sheppey principal Philip Wicker
Department for Work and Pen- said: “We are determined to assist
sions. Experts will be answering local people who wish to train By Chris Murphy and we didn’t expect her to live. But with the
employers’ questions and dispel- themselves for work.” [email protected] right care and attention she amazingly managed
to survive and we named her foal Hope, for the
THE only horse rescue centre in the borough says it is so inundated with obvious reasons.
unwanted animals it has been forced to close its doors to new arrivals. “And that’s what we try to offer here, plenty
The economic squeeze is meaning many horse owners can no longer of hope. But the economy is so bad we have liter-
afford to care for the creatures, and with the cost of horses plummeting, ally been over run. I just don’t know how much
being able to sell them on is also now a huge issue. worse it’s going to get for the horses in Sitting-
All of which means there are an increasing number of cases where hors- bourne and Sheppey areas.”
es are being left neglected or handed into an animal sanctuary. The RSPCA said: “If people do have
Sharon Paskell has run Willow Farm Equestrian Centre for five problems looking after their horses,
years using suitable rescue horses to teach locals how to ride. we would recommend they speak
At her base in Ospringe, she said: “We have people from with their local rescue centre or
Sittingbourne and Sheppey coming to us all the time, but the RSPCA. We are always
with more than 50 horses here now, we have had to happy to offer advice.
close our doors. “Things are tight for many
WOODSTOVES • RANGE COOKERS “It’s so sad with people saying they will now have to people at the moment. What
FIREPLACES • GAS FIRES • COOKSHOP put their animals down, which is also really expensive. we do find is people who can’t
“I shudder to think what will become of these horses, cope simply don’t cope and let
Roper Close, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7EP but there is just nothing more their horses basically die where
01227 457643 www.heatdesignkent.com we can do here. There are so they stand.
many people now asking us to “We would rather they call for
take their animals and it’s all down help than do that. We will prosecute
to this awful economy. Feed and care in circumstances where horses are left
is dear, and people are just having trouble.” to suffer and just whither away.”
The animal lover said the natural conse- The Willow Farm Equestrian Centre, which
quence of too many horses and not enough peo- employs three, and uses many Swale volunteers,
ple to look after them is a rise in abandonment. also sells horses and needs donations to enable
One horse rescued last year was Megan who them to keep up with demand.
was close to death and was with foal. Against ■ For more information, contact Willow
all expectations, Megan pulled through and Farm Equestrian & Saddlery Limited on
delivered her foal. 01795 533 669 or email: willlowfarmkent@
Mrs Paskell said: “She was in a shocking state yahoo.com.
RESCUE
Yacht towed to safety
LIFEBOAT crews in Sheerness were called after
an angling boat ran into difficulties last weekend.
The call went up at 11.45am on Saturday
when the Early Down said it was experiencing
difficulty in towing a 17ft yacht in high winds.
The lifeboat found the boat two miles of
Warden Point, in the Thames Estuary, then
towed the yacht back to Sheerness.
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www.kentnews.co.uk week ending January 29, 2012 I 7
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
Picture: FOSTER + PARTNERS
AIRPORT
MP joins opposition to estuary
airport plans with letter to PM
By Chris Britcher Government proposes to fund such a
[email protected] scheme given the estimated cost of £50-
80bn based on the proposals set out by
GORDON Henderson has added his name Lord Foster.”
to a letter calling for an urgent meeting The letter is co-signed by Mr Henderson,
with Prime Minister David Cameron over Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless,
proposals to build a multi-billion pound Gillingham and Rainham’s Rehman
airport in the Thames Estuary. Chishti, Chatham and Aylesford’s Tracey
The six MPs whose constituencies would Crouch, Gravesham’s Adam Holloway and
be most affected by the proposals are chal- Dartford’s Gareth Johnson.
lenging the Prime Minister on his previous It adds: “We strongly urge the Govern-
assertions there would be no airport. ment not to proceed with these proposals
But last week it was confirmed there and look instead at fully utilising the ca-
would be a formal consultation into the pacity of existing airports in the south east,
proposals. and others such as Birmingham, which
One plan – put forward by London May- will benefit from the new HS2 high-speed
or Boris Johnson and dubbed Boris Island rail link to London in 30-40 minutes.”
– would see land in the estuary reclaimed It also accuses the Government of a u-
from the sea. Another, suggested by archi- turn on the plans, pointing out that on Oc-
tect Lord Foster, would see a site on Grain. says: “The proposals for an airport in the tober 27 last year, during Prime Minister’s
Both would be sited close to Sheppey – Thames Estuary do not appear to be Questions, in response to a question from
part of Mr Henderson’s Sittingbourne and supported by the public, or indeed the avi- Mr Chishti, “you stated the Government
Sheppey constituency. ation industry. had no plans to construct a new airport in
And while it would create potentially “If any such proposal were to go ahead it the area”.
thousands of jobs and inject millions into would have an enormous effect on the lives It added: “The Government’s position
the local economy, the proposals would of hundreds of thousands of residents liv- was recently restated in letters from the
also destroy protected areas, turn marsh- ing in the wider Thames Estuary region Minister for Aviation, Theresa Villiers.”
land into industrial sites and see a huge and devastate an area of global environ- It is understood David Cameron is open
PROPOSAL: Lord Foster’s airprort would be built on Grain, Gordon surge in traffic. mental significance. to the suggestion of a meeting as the air-
Henderson has joined other MPs in challenging PM David Cameron In the letter sent this week to the PM, it “We are also concerned as to how the port proposals gather pace.
CARPET TRADE SALES WAREHOUSE
– SITTINGBOURNE –
OPPOSITE
ASDA
MASSIVE JANUARY
CLEARANCE!
All carpets, vinyls and rugs reduced to clear!
JUST IN
100’s of room sized remnants from a top manufacturer all less than half price
NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 01795 435110
Open:Mon to Sat:9am - 5.30pm Sun:10am - 4pm
MILL WAY,TRINITY TRADING EST (OPPOSITE ASDA),SITTINGBOURNE ME10 2PD
8 I week ending January 29, 2012 www.kentnews.co.uk
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
BUSINESS
Restaurant boss sends out a
warning over ‘scam’ invoices
By Chris Britcher tion with any official office nor Marion Ward, advice and for payment are genuine.
[email protected] do they have any legal signifi- education manager at Kent “Be especially wary of in-
cance. More remarkably, the County Council Trading Stand- voices from anyone outside the
A FUMING businessman has scam has been operating for al- ards, said: “I would urge busi- UK and also outside Europe.
written to local MPs demand- most 10 years. nesses receiving an invoice “Kent Trading Standards
ing immediate action be taken Mr Haque, who also runs from anyone they have not would be interested in receiv-
against a firm which could be restaurants in Maidstone and previously dealt with, or had a ing details of anyone who has
ripping off UK businesses to Medway, said: “It was only long term, reliable business re- received such invoices.
the tune of millions of pounds when we looked more closely lationship with, to check, check “We cannot guarantee we
a year. that we had doubts about its and check again that requests will always take action, but we
Kiron Haque, who runs the authenticity. When we did will certainly try to assess the
Spice Fusion restaurant in some research, we came across level of detriment to Kent busi-
Roman Square, Sittingbourne, the fact this organisation has nesses. We regularly work
almost fell victim to an elabo- been known about by the IPO with our partner agencies and
rate hoax after applying for a for several years. their European counterparts
trademark for his business. “What I cannot understand who try to ensure that EU
After sending his forms to is that the EIEC has a bank Business people businesses comply with the rel-
the Government’s Intellectual account and an address in evant legislation.”
Property Office (IPO), details Brussels so why hasn’t anyone will have plenty of For further advice or infor-
of the application were then put a stop to their activities?” challenges to face mation contact Kent County
published in a trade magazine. Now the businessman is Council Trading Standards via
Shortly after that, he re- writing to MPs in the areas in in 2012, without Consumer Direct on 08454 04
ceived an official looking which his business operates to 05 06
invoice from the European alert them to the problem and having to deal Advice on trademarks and
Institute for Economy and call for steps to be taken to shut other intellectual property
with scammers
Commerce (EIEC), claiming to it down. matters are available free of
be a European patent registry. He adds: “Business people charge at www.ipo.gov.uk and
It demanded cash to protect will have plenty of challenges KIRON HAQUE, ON EURO CON information on the latest scams
the trademark. to face in 2012, without hav- are available from the Office of
But the firm has no connec- ing to deal with scammers.” Fair Trading website. PAPER THIN: Mr Haque received a bogus invoice demanding cash
www.kentnews.co.uk week ending January 29, 2012 I 9
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
ROAD SAFETY
NEWS IN BRIEF
We’ve got two of Kent’s
(cid:177)(cid:0)Foreign lorry charges
busiest speed cameras
FOREIGN lorry drivers will be charged
to drive on UK roads, the Government
announced this week.
– and both of them are The charge will come into force from 2015
and see all HGVs and lorries over 12 tonnes
charged around £10 a day to use British roads.
UK operators will be able to claim the money
found on the same road back against road tax. Currently, UK lorry drivers
face toll charges across the Channel while
European drivers pay nothing to use UK roads.
(cid:177)(cid:0)Centre holds open day
By Marijke Cox were caught with 1,564 – four helping to reduce casualties.
a day – snapped by the fixed “The casualty figures speak WEST Faversham Community Centre threw
[email protected] safety camera on the A229 for themselves and show that open its doors for visitors to have a look around
KENT’S top 10 speed cameras Loose Road in Maidstone. safety cameras have reduced its new facilities last weekend.
have been revealed – with the A further 1,080 were caught the number of people killed or The site, on the corner of Bysing Wood Road
busiest in Swale coming sixth on the A264 Pembury Road in seriously injured at camera and Wildish Road, is a charity-run project which
and trapping 450 speeding mo- Tunbridge Wells. sites,” he said. has undergone a £3million refit.
torists in just one year. Details of offences at fixed “Where casualties or speeds Run by the West Faversham Community
According to figures from the camera sites are published on have not been reduced suffi- Association, the main part of the building was
Kent and Medway Safety Cam- the Safety Camera Partner- ciently, the local authorities occupied in December, with a host of new
era Partnership, 23,787 driv- ship’s website, in addition to have these sites under review.” improvements due to be complete by the spring.
ers were caught in 2010 across crash and casualty rates. While the busiest cameras (cid:177)(cid:0)Quiz Southeastern
the county, with 1,332 in According to the data, there caught hundreds of speeding
Swale alone – amounting to has been a 74 per cent reduc- motorists, several saw no tick-
COMMUTERS wanting to put their views directly
three a day. tion in the number of people ets issued at all.
Two safety cameras located killed or seriously injured Chief Insp Reeve said: “This few miles over the limit.” KEPT BUSY: to management at train firm Southeastern get
on the A2 London Road/ across fixed and mobile camera is because there was either He added that the reduction The county’s the chance to do just that this week.
High Street near Sittingbourne sites in the county since 2002 complete compliance with the in fatalities and serious injury ten busiest On February 2, between 8am and 10am,
captured 450 and 367 – that’s the equivalent of speed limit or there was no live was a result of significant ad- speed senior managers of Southeastern will be
speeding drivers. A further two around 397 people. camera in the unit while main- vancements in vehicle safety cameras available at London’s Victoria station to
on the stretch of road saw 192 Chief Inspector Andy Reeves, tenance was being carried out. and not due to speed cameras. have been answer questions on its services.
and 185. head of roads policing for “Where sites show no tickets For safety camera data go to announced They will on the main platform concourse
www.kmscp.org. by the Southeastern stand.
The B2008 Chequers Road Kent Police and chair of the from the fixed camera this does
in Minster-on-Sea saw 63 Kent and Medway Safety not mean that no enforcement
speeding offences and the A2 Camera Partnership, said de- was carried out there; safety
Cboaunrtnereb, u7r5y. Road near Sitting- sopvietre tah er eldaustc tyioeanr ,i nth ree soorugarcneis- ccaammeerraa s vbayn se n‘bfoarccki nugp ’w iftixheind NEW The new Kent Air Ambulance Shop in
thoInu soatnhdesr poaf rstps eoefd tihneg cdoruivnetyrs, sdaetniotsn whoawnt edc atom esrhaosw wreesrie- the“ Asilgsno,e d awrheaen. looking at DELIVERIES Sutargtieonnt lSy tnreeeetd (sO ypopu Wr gilokoinds oqnusa)l iStyit dtiongnabtoiounrnse
ticket numbers, traffic volume DAILY!
of clothing, bric-a-brac and FURNITURE.
should be taken into account,
KENT’S MOST ACTIVE SPEED CAMERAS for example, where traffic vol- WE CAN COLLECT &
umes are high, there may be
more tickets issued than on a
DELIVER FURNITURE
Location Offences in 2010 stretch of road where there are
fewer vehicles.”
Maidstone, A229 Loose Road 1,564
But while the county’s Safety
Tunbridge Wells, A264 Pembury Road 1,080 Camera Partnership praised PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP THE AMBULANCE FLYING AND SAVE A LIFE IN KENT...
Dartford, A226 London Road 573 the use of cameras across Kent
Rainham, A2 London Road 554 and Medway, the Association Call 01795 422167 www.philthebag.co.uk
of British Drivers (ABD) said
Tunbridge Wells, A267 Frant Road 537 Boost your school/club/scout/guide funds with ‘Phil’ the Bag
most people caught are not
Swale, A2 London Road/High Street 450 driving dangerously.
Medway, A2 Chatham Hill 406 An ABD spokesman said:
“Around 82 per cent of speed
Chatham, A229 Maidstone Road 405
camera victims thought they
Dartford, A225 Main Road 378 were driving safely at the time
Swale, A2 London Road 367 of their conviction and were
just unfortunate to be doing a
Divorce, personal injury, the annoying
neighbour, an unpaid bill.
CRIME
It's dispute, dispute, dispute.
Crackdown on domestic abuse
Makes you long for a nice
THIRTY-SIX women are among 425 people iden- police in relation to domestic abuse, making
bit of conveyancing.
tified across the county as ‘serial perpetrators it easier to intervene early.
of domestic abuse’ as police look to break their Police want to ensure that punishment and
criminal ways - and protect victims. rehabilitation fit the offence and encourage Hi, I'm Richard Ratcliffe and as a lawyer I deal a lot with people's problems.For the
Serial perpetrators assault each new partner them to change their ways voluntarily by most part, my clients are grateful for the help I can give.Because I never forget that,
they have - while repeat offenders assault the enrolling in an appropriate course. while it's my job, it's often the most important thing that's happened to them.
same victims. The head of the public protection unit,
Now police who specialise in public protection Detective Superintendent Maria Shepherd, said: And, actually, that goes for conveyancing too.
have identified 389 men and 36 women and put “Domestic abuse accounts for about a fifth of all
a mark against their names on a crime record violent crime in Kent. There are nearly 22,000 RATCLIFFES Solicitors
Tel:[phone]
database that is linked to the Police National incidents of domestic abuse in Kent each year
e-mail:[email protected]
Databse. or 60 a day. By focusing on serial perpetrators
www.ratcliffessolicitors.co.uk | 22 Park Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1DR
The marker acts as a warning that the police around the country can track relation-
offender has already come to the attention of ships where victims or children are at risk.”
10 I week ending January 29, 2012 www.kentnews.co.uk
News for more pictures and news go to www.yourswale.co.uk
RECREATION
Play area opening marks
success of pupils’ designs
By Chris Britcher the environment and rural affairs, jacent to the boating lake and cafe,
[email protected] said: “We are delighted to be able to the play area will be officially opened
officially open another recreational by the Mayor of Swale.
STUDENTS from the Sheppey Acad- space for children in the borough. Teachers and students from the
memy will line up alongside local “This is a fantastic design and one academy who have been heavily in-
dignitaries on Wednesday when a we hope will encourage children to volved in the design process will also
play area is officially opened . be active, and to have fun in the great be there to enjoy the big moment.
The new £75,000 play area at outdoors on the island. We also hope In an initial consultation, it was
Barton’s Point, Sheerness, has been it will be a much-loved added attrac- the pupils who came up with the de-
under construction since 2008. tion for Barton’s Point. sign concepts to be used in the final
It was made possible by a grant “This is another example of the constructs.
from the Big Lottery fund. council working with the private sec- The park has been constructed by
Cllr David Simmons, Swale Bor- tor to deliver projects.” contractor Russell Play in conjunc-
ough Council’s cabinet member for Set just off Marine Parade, and ad- tion with the council. PLAY TIME: An official opening ceremony take place this week PIC: Russell Play
PLANNING
Controversial housing development expected to get the go ahead
PLANS to build 12 houses in Teynham are ex- letters from 14 residents have been received ease the concerns – councillors should give the the many objections of residents as to the
pected to be given the green light this week. citing concerns over issues with parking, the scheme the nod. layout and design of the scheme, however I
The decision to build the 12 two-bedroom development not being in keeping with the They include measures to incorporate consider that whilst the design of the scheme is
homes on land off Lower Road had been village and the danger of flooding given added sustainable construction techniques such different to the houses immediately opposite it
deferred, but will go before Swale Borough pressure to the local sewer system. as rainwater harvesting and energy efficiency, is not harmful. The combination of the land-
Council’s planning committee on Thursday. There have also been concerns from Kent and, where appropriate, use of local materials. It scaping and the ‘local’ design and finishing
The homes would be immediately adjacent to Highways and Southern Water. is also expected it will have provision for the materials creates a scheme which I consider
the railway track and Teynham station platform. But the council’s planning chief says as long production of renewable energy. is appropriate to this area.”
Although the parish council has not objected, as a host of conditions are met – designed to Major project officer Jim Wilson said: “I note The recommendation is for approval.
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