Local News

Local bus company Arriva Kent have announced that they will be running more services from next Monday (1st June) - but passengers will be advised to wear face masks when social distancing isn't possible.

Other new measures will see a sign stating 'bus full' being displayed when the vehicle has reached its capacity and when this sign is showing, the bus will not stop to pick up any new passengers - it will only stop to let people off. If the bus does stop, only one new passenger will board for every passenger that disembarks from the service. On the bus itself any seats that are within two metres of the driver will be taped off, but wheelchair spaces will remain available and passengers will NOT be allowed to stand on their journeys.

Oliver Monahan, Area Managing Director at Arriva Kent, told SFM News: “We are committed to running vital services to support workers and people needing to undertake essential journeys at this time. Passengers can rest assured that during these times of change we are continually monitoring service levels in line with demand and will, wherever we can, adapt our services to meet this. We urge all those needing to travel to only use public transport if necessary and to check our website at www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus for up-to-date advice and bus times before they travel.”

Revised timetables can be viewed and downloaded here, or by using the Arriva UK Bus App - available from the Apple Apps Store and Google Play.

A robber, who stole a handbag from an elderly woman while she walked to a Sittingbourne shop, has been jailed.

Craig Creasey initially engaged in conversation with the victim, who is in her 80s, before snatching her bag with such force she fell to the ground.

The 39-year-old, from Sittingbourne, admitted robbery and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 13th May) to 16 months imprisonment.

The offence took place outside a shop in St John's Avenue at around 9:00am on Tuesday 14th April and was clearly captured on a security camera with the footage showing Creasey driving to the scene in a car before speaking to the woman outside the shop. The footage showed a short conversation taking place before the offender snatched her bag and ran towards his vehicle while she was left laying on the floor, having sustained bruising to her arm and soreness to her shoulder.

Creasey then drove away from the scene but, shortly after the offence took place, the CCTV footage was uploaded to social media and within minutes Creasey's name had been reported several times to Kent Police. Patrols acted promptly and arrested Creasey later that day and he has remanded in custody ever since. Officers were also able to reunite the victim with her bag, which contained several photographs that are of sentimental value.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Nicola Lincoln, told SFM News: "This crime was carried out during lockdown, when most people are looking out for their vulnerable friends, family members and neighbours. Creasey saw his victim outside the shop and took advantage of the situation, pulling her to the ground, injuring her and stealing her bag. Though shaken and physically hurt, she has shown great bravery in assisting us with our case and should be commended. Though this was an awful experience for her, it brought out the best in the community, who rallied round and were keen to wish her well, send cards and flowers and even donate money to the NHS as per her wishes. A true reflection of the largely good, kind people in the community as opposed to the abhorrent actions of one person".

It's a tail in the jungle for sure how Kent Speedway fans have been rallying together to pick a name for their new mascot: not just the TouchTec King of the Jungle but a master of all he surveys at Central Park and there by right Royal Appointment!

The competition, backed by SpecSavers, saw a terrific response with a pride of great names including Lennie (a nod there surely to Kings' promoter Len Silver), Luke (ditto to much-loved former skipper 'Bowen 747'!), Kenny, Kingsley and Kingston!

It was certainly looking like it might be a headache for the judging panel to pick (and unfortunately in the jungle there are no headache tablets as the parrots eat them all...) - until a name came roaring into view with six picks and so taking the title.

Yes, the name is ROARY.

Commercial Manager Graham Darling told SFM News what happened next: "There were six people who went for Roary - which is a great name combining the Lion theme with the roar of the Speedway bikes - a sound loved by all in the sport. Six picked the winning name but there can only be one winner. We therefore arranged for Si Kellow of Iwade Garage, who has been on the judging panel, to do a video draw where he numbered the names and did a random draw. That draw selected No.5 which was George Hodgson who has won the top prize of VIP tickets and a replica Kings/Royals 2020 shirt."

Kent TouchTec Kings hope to get up and running on their NEW Wednesday evenings at Central Park Stadium as soon as possible and we will keep you updated with developments.

McDonalds UK have today announced the 15 stores that are due to re-open next Wednesday (13th May) and they include the Sittingbourne Retail Park branch.

McDonald's Chief Executive, Paul Pomroy, told SFM News that the Sittingbourne branch, which closed in March following the government's implementation of lockdown, will be staffed by a smaller team than usual.

He said: "We will providing all employees with updated training on restaurant cleanliness and sanitisation and the restaurant will be deep cleaned before re-opening".

Perspex screens, floor markings, face masks and thermometer checks will be in place and no members of the public will be allowed into the branch.  ALL orders will have to be ordered through and delivered by Uber Eats or Just Eat and social distancing for delivery drivers will also be implemented.

There will be limited operating hours and menu - with burgers, chicken nuggets, Fillet-o-Fish, fries and the hot drinks range on offer but NO breakfasts initially.