Local News

Sittingbourne FC To Offer New Football Academy

Sittingbourne FC To Offer New Football Academy

Sittingbourne FC, in conjunction with Gillingham FC, are aiming to run a football academy next season and expressions of interest are now being accepted for those who wish to pursue post 16 studies (Year 11's this term) with a speciality of football.

Adam Lawrence, Head of Community Sports & Education Foundation at Gillingham FC, told SFM News: "We [Gillingham FC] and our Community Trust are excited by the opportunity of working in partnership with Sittingbourne FC in founding this new and exciting Academy programme". 

Anyone interested should, in the first instance, email: DavidBrown@sittingbourneyouthfc@outlook.com to register.

New ‘Courier’ Scam Prompts Kent Police Warning

New ‘Courier’ Scam Prompts Kent Police Warning

Police are warning Kent residents of a new scam that could result in a person's bank account being wiped out by a fraudster.

Scammers appear to be using new phone apps that allow them to use a fake caller ID in an effort to convince the person they are targeting that they are calling from a legitimate bank. It is understood that the fraudsters will telephone an individual using the phone app which makes it appear as if the caller ID matches that of the bank.

During the conversation they ask the victim to look at the caller ID as a means of validating the call before asking them to check that number against the one on the back of their credit or debit card. They will then get personal secure information from the victim so they can take funds from their bank account.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Brown told SFM News: "Unfortunately these phone apps are both cheap and easily available. Our advice is simple; never give your bank details out to anyone who calls you directly. If you are concerned about the security of your account then attend your bank in person or use the contact details provided by your bank to contact them directly, preferably from a different phone to the one you received the call on. Never ever give out your account information out to someone who canvasses your call. In some instances banks will not cover these breaches of security and it is the individual who loses out financially, never being able to re-coup their losses."

To learn more about courier fraud watch Kent Police's video, featuring 89-year-old May Gorvan from Gravesend, who details her experience of the scam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heOovORePUI or visit: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-courier-scam.

 

Sittingbourne FC Visit To Raise MECP2 Awareness

Sittingbourne FC Visit To Raise MECP2 Awareness

This Saturday (7th February) Sittingbourne FC will be welcoming Mark Lund to the home game at Woodstock Park against Walton & Hersham.

Mark is making the 400 mile trip to Sittingbourne FC to raise awareness for his son Alfie's life limiting disorder MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. Alfie is one of only a handful of children in the UK and approximately 120 in the world suffering from the syndrome.

Alfie is 7 years old and can't walk or talk and has a shortened life expectancy. It's been a tough 2 weeks due to Alfie starting with seizures and countless trips to hospital but to raise awareness of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome the family have asked football fans to donate a scarf, shirt or flag which they tie together to create a chain. The response from all four corners of the country has been overwhelming and the chain is now 2 miles long and growing by the day.

Sittingbourne FC will donate a scarf and a shirt and on Saturday the pitch will be surrounded with scarfs to raise awareness.

The club is asking all 106.9 SFM listeners and club supporters too to go along and be part of something special.

Please add to Alfie's page your likes to show support and please share: www.facebook.com/thealfielundfund.

The visit programme so far has been: Stockport County on the 10th January, Skelmersdale United on the 24th January, Sittingbourne FC on the 7th February and Mark will be off to Southport FC on the 7th March, Ashford United on the 3rd Apil and Marine FC on the 6th April.

Pedestrian Involved In Accident With Royal Mail Van

Pedestrian Involved In Accident With Royal Mail Van

An elderly man has been injured following an accident with a Royal Mail van outside the Sittingbourne Sorting Office on Central Avenue earlier today (Friday 30th January) .

Police were called to the incident shortly after midday and an Ambulance and Paramedic Team also attended the scene.

The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital with the road and the surrounding area, including the Library Car Park, cordoned off until 4.00pm.

Rotary Club "Community Chest" Opens Soon

Rotary Club "Community Chest" Opens Soon

Yet again the Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta is looking to support other local clubs and groups in the work they are doing, in helping others and supporting the local community in the town, for 2015.

The opening date for applications is the 1st April and the closing date for receipt of applications will be 31st May.

All applications will be considered and decisions taken on merit and applications do not exclude groups who have previously been helped in the past.

For further information please see:- www.rotary1120.org/sittingbourneinvicta/community-chest or you can email:- sittingbourneinvictarotary@live.co.uk for an application form.

 

Sittingbourne FC Showcase 2015 At The Forum

Picture by Ken Medwyn.

Sittingbourne Footbal Club (SFC) had a stand at the Forum Shopping Centre's "New Year's Resolutions Day" on Saturday (10th January).

The idea behind the day was that Sittingbourne residents should consider new things to do in 2015 and there were numerous stalls in the centre showcasing local clubs, associations and charities. 

The SFC stand featured power point presentations accompanied by the club song, club merchandise, sweets, copies of the club's publicity booklet, BOGOF tickets for future matches, sample club match day programmes, a fixture list and an invitation to join the club's lottery.

The stall was staffed by fans, the Manager Nick Davis, Chairman Maurice Dunk, Vice Chairman Ken Medwyn, committee member and 106.9 SFM Sports Reporter Peter Pitts and Clive Phillips from the club shop.

If you would like to know how you can support your local Ryman League Division 1 South team visit: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

Witnesses Sought Following Fatal Collision In Sheerness

Witnesses Sought Following Fatal Collision In Sheerness

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Sheerness earlier today (Wednesday 7th January).

A blue Mazda 323F is reported to have collided with two unoccupied parked vehicles and a wall in Queensway at around 8.00am this morning.

The driver of the Mazda, a man in his 50s and from the Sittingbourne area, was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

The road was closed until around 12.30pm while officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit carried out investigations at the scene.

Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who saw the vehicle prior to the collision, is asked to contact DC Claire Davey at the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit by calling 01622 798538 or alternatively they can email: sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

Police Appeal Following Hotel Altercation

Police Appeal Following Hotel Altercation

Kent Police are appealing for information after a man reportedly threatened bar staff at a Sittingbourne hotel with a knife.

The incident occurred at Hempstead House, on London Road in Bapchild, at about 5.15pm on New Year's Eve (Wednesday 31st December 2014).

The man attempted to buy a drink using what was believed to be a counterfeit £50 note and, when challenged by bar staff, reportedly threatened them with a knife before running away.

Officers have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Anyone who recognises him is urged to contact PC Dave Hanslow on 01634 792350 quoting crime reference XY/46019/14 or, alternatively, they call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

 

RSPCA Appeal After Dead Emaciated Spaniel Found

RSPCA Appeal After Dead Emaciated Spaniel Found

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the body of an emaciated springer spaniel was found by the side of a road in Sittingbourne.

The dead dog was discovered wrapped in a blue horse rug inside a blue and grey plastic kennel on School Lane in Iwade on Friday 27th December.

The male tan and white spaniel was found by a passing dog walker tucked behind a pipe by the side of the road. It is not known how long the body had been there, but it is thought he had probably died within the last week. It is thought he was a young adult - five years old or younger.

The incident follows a similar report about a dead border collie found dumped in bushes in the area a couple of months before, again in a very emaciated state.

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer, Kelly Thatcher, told SFM News: "It wasn't much of a Happy Christmas for this poor dog - who had clearly suffered leading up to his death. I was shocked at how thin he was - completely skin and bones. At first I had hoped he had died a natural death and then been dumped, but seeing how thin he was, and young, I doubt it. It was also such a callous way to dump the poor dog. Over the fence and lying among all manner of rubbish. We urge anyone with any information about this incident to let us know on 0300 123 8018."

 

Sittingbourne Dealer Handed A Three Year Sentence

Sittingbourne Dealer Handed A Three Year Sentence

A man who set up a cannabis factory in his Sittingbourne home has been sent to prison.

Mark Kennett, aged 53 and previously of Harold Road in Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and possessing LSD with intent to supply after being arrested for the offences in November.

Police carried out a search of his house on Thursday 6th November after receiving information of drugs in the area. They found eight plants growing in the loft, with a street value of around £600. In addition, they found nine smaller plants growing in a cupboard under the stairs and a pot filled with herbal cannabis thought to have a street value of up to £580. Officers also located 690 tabs of LSD, with a street value of around £3,450.

Kennett appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court the next day and was remanded in custody. He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday (12th December) to 44 months in prison.

Detective Constable Aaron Chapman, the investigating officer at Kent Police, told SFM News: "Drugs are dangerous and so I am pleased we have prevented hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis and LSD from reaching the streets. Kennett was arrested while he was on licence after being convicted of drugs offences in 2009. He is now back behind bars and unable to supply illegal substances in our communities. We take drugs cultivation and supply very seriously and will continue to disrupt offenders and put them before the courts."

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