MedwayExtraME

Fast and furious!

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

GILLINGHAM fans may be licking their wounds after another failure to win promotion but Priestfield will resound to the sound of brute force clashing at full-speed as top-class rugby league comes to town.
London Broncos take on Hull FC on Sunday for a Super League match which the sport's top brass hope will spark a surge in interest in the game locally.
Broncos coach Rob Powell said: "It's fa

Dramatic fall in deaths by heart attack

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

by Jenni Horn jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk THE number of people dying of heart attacks in Medway has fallen by 77% over the last two decades.

NHS figures show that in 1993 there were 287 deaths from heart attacks in Medway. In 2011, there were 67.

According to health experts this dramatic improvement is because fewer people are having heart attacks and those who do are given treatment which mini

Get ready to ride...again

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A CHARITY bike ride which had to be postponed because of torrential rain and strong winds, has been rescheduled.

The inaugural Wheels for Wisdom challenge was due to take place on April 29 but on the previous night organisers decided to halt the ride amid safety concerns as flooding and debris covered much of the route.

It will now take place on Sunday, May 27, starting from the Royal Engin

Lollipop man Bill to open fair

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

LOLLIPOP man Bill Thomas will officially open this year's Hempstead village fair on Sunday.

Mr Thomas, 80, who was voted best crossing patrolman in the South East in 2008, helps little ones across the road outside Hempstead Infants School in Gillingham.

Attractions will include competi tions to find the best scarecrow and the best classic car, a marching band, dance displays and a fancy dre

Comic Paul is back to play Buttons in panto

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

`I'm especially thrilled to be playing alongside Cheryl Fergison' COMEDY star Paul Burling returns to Chatham this Christmas to star in Cinderella.

The impressionist, one of Medway's panto favourites, will be playing the part of Buttons at The Central Theatre.

He last appeared on the Chatham stage in 2010, a few months after achieving nationwide fame as one of the finalists on ITV's Britai

Pupils enjoy pet shop tour

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

PUPILS had a tour of the new Pets at Home shop on Gillingham Business Park.
The children from Twydall Primary School were among the guests at the opening of the £400,000 shop in Ambley Road.
Medway Mayor Cllr Ted Baker performed the official honours and then joined Pets at Home mascot Robbie the Dog and the children for a walkabout.
Representatives from the RSPCA in Medway were on hand

Street parties and river festival for Queen's Jubilee

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

DIAMOND Jubilee fever is brewing in Medway as people plan events to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

At least 21 street parties will take place to mark the anniversary at the beginning of June three times the number of official parties for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding last year.

Medway Council has organised its first river festival as part of the celebrations on Satu

Students set for boat race

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

STUDENTS are renewing their sporting rivalries on Saturday in Medway's own version of the Boat Race.
The challenge is organised by the Universities at Medway Students' Association (UMSA), and sees competitors race for their own university along a 3.3km route between Cuxton and The Esplanade, Rochester.
Rowers from the University of Kent, University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church U

Plan for homes

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A HOUSE in Osprey Avenue, Gillingham, could be demolished and replaced with three new homes. The proposal for two semi-detached houses and a detached chalet bungalow are with Medway Council.

Guide to orchids

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

LEARN more about the wild orchids found at Ranscombe Farm nature reserve during a training day on Sunday, May 20. You will be shown how to identify the plants during the session at the reserve, off Sundridge Hill, Cuxton, from 1pm to 4pm. Booking is essential. Call 01634 292062 or email ranscombe@plantlife.o rg.uk

Join in the fun at school's May fair

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A SCHOOL is holding a traditional fair to raise funds for a new outdoor area.
Walderslade Primary School, Dargets Road, stages the English-themed event from noon to 3pm on Saturday, May 26. There will be maypole dancing, bouncy castle, cream teas, games, face painting and a balloon launch.

£5,000 aid for firms to develop new products

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

MEDWAY'S brightest business people are being given the opportunity to bid for £5,000 of support and expertise from industry experts.

Medway Council and the University of Greenwich have teamed up to launch the Innovation Voucher Scheme. Businesses can submit applications for funding to pay for expert and academic support from the university.

Funded equally by the council and university, this

Park welcomes Forces families for a free day

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

MEMBERS of the Armed Forces enjoyed a free day out at a Medway adventure park.

Diggerland in Strood gave away more than £35,000 of tickets to serving and former servicemen, cadets and their families.

Families enjoying the thrills and spills of the park could negotiate the robot course, sit in the bucket of a JCB and take in the views from the Skyshut tle 50ft in the air.

Cadets collected

Wanted - a lynchpin behind the bar

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

THE hunt is on to find a landlord to run a pub which has just received a £75,000 make-over.

The General at Sea in Balfour Road, Chatham, has been renovated inside and out by brewer Shepherd Neame but it is missing one vital ingredient a licensee.

Area manager Chris Pattinson said: "It's unusual for the brewery to make such substantial improvements without having a tenant in place. However,

Try out new cycle track

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

KEEN cyclists can try out a new track as part of the Hoo Active Medway Cycling Group.

This bike ride leaves from Hoo Leisure Centre car park on the second and fourth Sunday of every month at 9.30am. It lasts for about 45 minutes, but can be altered to suit participants.

Each rider must have a road-safe bicycle, cycle helmet, appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, a pump, two spare in

Pupils help to open new store

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

CHILDREN from St Mary's Island Primary School turned out to celebrate the reopening of the Co-op at Chatham Maritime after its £200,000 makeover.

The youngsters cut a ribbon outside the new-look store next to the Ship and Trades pub in Maritime Way. All 40 jobs at the shop have been safeguarded after the 10-day refit.

Manager Peter Lock said: "We are delighted to be able to offer an improved

Pink ladies race for life

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

IT'S time to lace up your running shoes and get ready for the Race for Life next month.

It is the country's largest women-only fundraiser with more than 240 races from now until the end of September, all raising money for Cancer Research UK.

The Medway run is on Sunday, June 10 at Capstone Farm Country Park, Chatham, and already 1,219 people are queuing up to walk, jog or run a 5km or 10km r

Comedy and supper

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

AN EVENING with comedian and songwriter Mervyn Stutter will be held on Saturday, May 26 at St Matthew's Church Community Centre in Drewery Drive, Wigmore.
Tickets cost £10 with supper, bring your own drinks and glasses. To book call 01634 372508 or email pawarren@hotmail.co.uk.

MP volunteer boost

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

MP MARK Reckless is calling on people to give a day to help a good cause. The Rochester and Strood MP visited Strood Community Project in support of the Church Urban Fund's Give a Day Back campaign. To register, go to http://www.cuf.org.uk/volunteer

Restaurant expands

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A ROCHESTER restaurant has been given permission to expand. Shozna, in Maidstone Road, will now be able to take more than 100 diners at a time.

Art exhibition

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

AN EXHIBITION about Medway artists from 1850 to 1950 can be seen at Strood Library, Bryant Road, until May 31.

Church couple enjoying the peace of village life

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

HUSBAND and wife team John and Sue Smith have taken over at historic Hoo parish church.

John has just been licensed as priest-in-charge and Sue as curate at the church and they can't wait to get involved in village life.

Their first impression is that "everyone has been very open and welcoming".

John, 60, said: "We have been used to living 200 yards away from the M25 for the last 20 years

Concert all set to be a big success

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

THE Big Band from Rainham Mark Grammar School will be in concert at St Matthew's Community Centre in Drewery Drive, Wigmore, on Saturday, May 19, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2.50 for students. Call 01634 372508.

Musical winner

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

TABITHA Reynolds, 18, a student at King's, Rochester, won the Young Musician of the Year competition held at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone.
Tabitha plays piano and violin and sings.

Give blood

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

BLOOD donor sessions are being held on Friday, May 18, at the St George's Centre in Chatham Maritime from 2pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm.
For details of further sessions, go to http://www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.

Swap a plant

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A PLANT swap and fun photo competition are on the agenda for Strood Gardening Club when it meets on Tuesday, May 22, at the Swain Vestry, St Nicholas Church, 1.30pm.

Award-winning beaches

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A DOZEN Kent beaches have been given top seaside awards. Keep Britain Tidy gave prestigious Blue Flags to nine beaches in Thanet meaning the district now has more than any other in England.

The charity also awarded the status honouring the highest quality in water, facilities and safety to Herne Bay and Tankerton for the first time.
Reculver beach also gained a Quality Coast Award, whi

Boost for filmmaker

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A CHATHAM filmmaker has helped launch his career by joining a networking community for creatives. Tom Bradley, 23, signed up to beonthescene.com to help gain exposure in his field by connecting with industry experts. Since joining the site in 2011, Tom has been asked to film the site's launch party and has since gone on work for several companies.

Walking without water

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

WALK a water-less mile in Parkwood to raise money for Christian Aid on Saturday. Walk, skip, hop, run, push a buggy, propel a wheelchair or run for one mile at St Paul's Church at 11.30am.

Participants will be given a small bottle of water to carry with them to represent the millions who have to walk miles every day to collect water for their families. If the bottle is opened, a nominal "fine"

Schools visited by peer

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

AN ADVISER to Labour leader Ed Miliband spoke to sixth-form students at two schools in Medway.

Lord Wood visited Rochester Grammar School and Walderslade Girls' School, Chatham, as part of the House of Lords Peers in School programme.
He talked about the work and role of the House of Lords before taking questions from pupils.

Enjoy river views from balcony

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cromaty House, St Mary's Island RENTAL PRICE: £1,450PCM THIS four, double bedroom apartment offers two balconies with river views and is available from July 9.
The master bedroom has an en suite and there are two allocated parking spaces.
Other benefits include lift access and the apartment is available on a furnished basis.

Contact Dockside Property Services Kent on 01634 400 922

Rakish and effective

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Subaru XV's combination of looks and ability along with the promise of enhanced aftersales support are compelling factors in what is a fiercely competitive soft-roader market.
Iain Dooley reports When you've built your brand on the toughness element of your vehicles, adapting to market trends and offering a soft-roader option is always going to be a challenge. The upside is the chance of