Local News

It may only be September but the stars of this year's Swallow's Leisure Centre pantomime "The Wizard of Oz" have been in town and On Air to officially launch the show! 

Headlining this year's Pantomime is Harry Potter star Chris Rankin, best known for his role as Percy Weasley in the hit movies and returning Eastender's star Melissa Suffield, best known for her role as Lucy Beale for a number of years.

The fun-filled family musical has been turned into a pantomime for all. Following a hugely successful summer season run throughout 2013 in Blackpool and four nationwide tours in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Trio Entertainment's production of "The Wizard of Oz" will be at Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne from 15th December to 24th December 2019 and is brought to you in association with 106.9 SFM for the seventh year!

Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, The Tin-man and The Cowardly Lion on their adventure to see The Wizard of Oz for their dreams to be fulfilled. Chris will be playing the part of the Wizard of Oz alongside Melissa as Dorothy.

Melissa told SFM's 'In The Bourne': "This is my third time playing Dorothy having played the part in 2014 and 2018 for Trio Entertainment and I can't wait to be back, Its extra special to have Chris as the Wizard as we both appeared on Celebrity Total Wipeout together a few years ago and did pantomime together in Bradford last year."

Producer Kevin Brown said " The Wizard of Oz promises magic, music and laughter by the bucket load. We've got a fantastic family pantomime for all the family and we cant wait for Christmas time in Sittingbourne. We have been producing the Sittingbourne pantomime since 2012 and each year the show gets bigger and better."

Joining Chris and Melissa will be star of X Factor Soheila Clifford, as The Evil Witch Of The West and back by popular demand from last year's pantomime  Tom Balmont returns as the Loveable Scarecrow. Ryan Byrne joins the cast as The Tin-Man, Kassie Malam as the magical Glinda The Good Fairy and"Jay Wallace Langan as the Cowardly Lion. The Show also features dancers from the Kent School of Dance again this year.

The Wizard of Oz runs from Sunday 15th December to Tuesday 24th December at The Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne. For further information and to book tickets visit www.sittingbournepanto.co.uk, or you can book in person or by calling the box office on 01795 420 420 - tickets strart from only £9.00 per person.

Kent Police have confirmed that a man was arrested after two people were stabbed in Sittingbourne last night (Monday 26th August).

Police say they were called to a disturbance in West Street at around 9.14pm.

Both victims were taken to a local hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening and a man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Stock Picture

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a field fire in Wormshill early today (Thursday 25th July).

The call was received at 4.10pm and four fire engines were sent to the scene.

Crews arrived to approximately four hectares of field alight and a large smoke plume coming from the area.

Firefighters used a hose reel jet, fog spikes and beaters to tackle the blaze.

The cause is not yet known.

Pic: Courtesy of Cllr Richard Palmer

Safety concerns were raised over the weekend the collapse of part of the Sittingbourne-bound platform collapsed at Newington Railway Station on Sunday (21st July) afternoon.

Southeastern spokesman Paul Prentice told SFM News: "We became aware of damage to part of one of the platforms at Newington station at 1:30pm on Sunday afternoon and immediately sent an extra member of staff to the damaged section of platform to ensure the safety of all of our passengers. From 8:00pm onwards, rail replacement buses for trains running towards Sittingbourne were put in place on that section of line until the end of service, so that Network Rail could repair the platform. Work was completed in time for normal service to begin on Monday (22nd July) morning."