Local News

Bowls players with mobility challenges will be able to continue playing thanks to a grant of more than £2,000 from Swale Borough Council.

Borden Short Mat Bowls Club applied for the funding to have a special bowling wheelchair made to provide players experiencing mobility challenges the opportunity to continuing playing.

Norman Smith, treasurer at Borden short mat bowls club, told SFM News: “We’re delighted with the funding. We’ve wanted a bowls wheelchair at the club for a while. The wheelchair will help our players who are having trouble bending. We have a couple players who are waiting for hip replacements so this will help them continue to play and stay active while they wait. The wheels on these specialist chairs are underneath making them narrower and easier to use while playing bowls. The wheels are also much wider than your average wheelchair. We’ve ordered our chair and it’s being made so we hope to have the chair early next year.”

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “We made a commitment to make leisure and sporting activities accessible to each age group and ability, so when Borden bowls club approached us, we were pleased to help. This specialist bowls wheelchair will help promote wellbeing and enjoyment for our residents who are facing mobility challenges and that’s exactly what this funding is for".

Cllr Mike Baldock, Deputy Leader at the council, added: “This funding is from our special projects fund, which gives us the opportunity to support local projects that are important to you. It’s been a tough few years and we’re pleased to be able to provide the equipment needed for people facing mobility challenges to keep active.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of a fire at a bungalow in Swanton Street, in Bredgar, yesterday (Saturday 1st January) afternoon.

Seven fire engines attended, shortly after 3:30pm, along with a bulk water carrier and a height vehicle. 

Crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets and fog spikes to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started in the roof space of the property. 

No injuries were reported, however two adults suffered symptoms of suspected shock. 

The cause of the fire is not yet known but is believed to be accidental. 

Kent County Council (KCC) have confirmed that they are planning to allocate £3 million to "temporarily" enlarge three secondary schools in Sittingbourne, to accomodate extra pupils, from next September (2022) and the following year.

KCC say they have identified the need for extra secondary places schools at Westlands, The Sittingbourne School and Fulston Manor because new housing developments are boosting the borough of Swale's population, saying there is a need for "swift action" as they forsee" a shortfall" of 176 spaces for Year 7 starters in September 2023.

In a Press Release the KCC also confirmed that: "There is a need to secure a permanent solution to the secondary place pressures from September 2024 onwards and options are being investigated."

It's believed that there will be an additional 30 Year 7 places at Westlands, another 30 at The Sittingbourne School and 15 at Fulston Manor.

The KCC also recognised that there is additional pressure on the Sittingbourne non-selective schools coming from the Isle Of Sheppey parents who opt to send their children off the Island instead of to the Oasis Academy in Minster-On-Sea.

Charges have been authorised against a man by officers investigating an incident involving a child in Sittingbourne.

Harry Morris, aged 24 and of Peregrine Drive, has been charged with child abduction and sexually assaulting a child under 13 years old.

Mr Morris was charged following an allegation that a man approached a girl in an alleyway off Rectory Road at around 8.15am on Wednesday 8th December.

After a short verbal exchange, the suspect is said to have briefly grabbed her before running from the area. The girl was uninjured.

As part of the investigation CCTV images were released as part of a witness appeal and were featured on the SFM News pages.

Following this Mr Morris was arrested on Thursday 16th December and charged with the offences earlier today (Saturday 18th December).

He is due to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday (20th December).

As part of the investigation officers previously arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the incident. He has been bailed until Tuesday 4th January 2022.