FFFRRREEEEEE KKWWEEEEKKLLYY FFeeRREEEE NNEEWWnnSSPPAAPPEERR OOttFF TTHHEE YYooEEAARR nn SSLLoonnddoonn aanndd SSuuoouutthh ooff EEnnggllaannddnn MMeeddiiaa AAwwaarrddssddaayy www.kentnews.co.uk January 17, 2016 East edition No 695 TRIBUTE Bowie: 1947-2016 We look back at the Kentish roots of the iconic artistic chameleon 2 Week ending January 17,2016 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk Kent on Sunday PAGE PAGE 19 » 30 » WEEKLY FREE NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR London and South of England Media Awards Sister title of www.kentnews.co.uk Exert your influence to better those around you THE death of David Bowie this week something which should be the saw the word ‘inspirational’ in exclusive reserve of someone with a almost every article. guitar and a microphone. Or, for that And there is no denying that the matter, that rare breed of the popular impact he had during his 1970s heyday leader of a nation. PAGE genuinely changed the lives of people he Because if David Bowie has taught 12 » had never met; whether it was due to us anything, it is that with determi- his fashion sense or the very deliberate nation and a vision we can rise from blurring of his sexuality. the most humble beginnings and Certainly if ever you feel like you make the world listen to our voice. can relate to someone playing the He certainly wasn’t without role of an alien - as was the case with criticism and made plenty of mis- Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust creation - it is judgements. But no-one is without when you have the hormones and their frailties and by staying true to confusion of adolescence himself the reaction to his death pulsing through your veins. this week is proof of his success. To extend your reach Regardless of if you can PAGE PAGE through your efforts to such a paint, sing, dance or write, we 14 » 07 » global audience is a remark- can all inspire those around able achievement. And his us; all allow those nearest to passing reminds us all of our us to flourish and seek to own mortality. Indeed, when progress by using the talents an idol from our youth falls, they we have and making the most of PAGE take a little bit of our them. If we succeed we 28 » youthful spirit with will live on in their them. minds. And that is But exuding surely a form of inspiration is not Editor Chris Britcher immortality. (cid:2) Kent on Sunday and its journalists are committed to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Kent on Sunday editor Chris Britcher ([email protected]) please contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG, or via complaints@ipso. co.uk. More information about IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk Contents News 14 Grammar in 36 New you for HOW TO CONTACT US… PAGE Publisher: Simon Irwin 06 Job threat at the clear 16 » a new year Email [email protected] Editor: Chris Britcher Email [email protected] Argos stores Legal threat lifted for Get inspired with our Address: Kent House, 81 Station Sevenoaks annexe special guide Road, Ashford TN23 1PP Take over proposal Editorial: News: 01233 653475 16 Wed before The Arts Sport/Leisure: 01233 653479 may see half shut Email [email protected] 07 Pylon plan surgery 33 Ray Mears Advertising: Jobs/Notices: 01233 653461 progresses Comic’s heart scare on a wild life Business: 01233 653461 Email [email protected] prompts marriage Retail/Leisure/Motors: 01233 653461 But row brewing over Star gets ready to hit Email [email protected] 19 Tribute to reservoir concerns the road again Distribution: 01233 653470 11 The Voice David Bowie 35 Artist who FOLLOW US ONLINE @ • kentnews.co.uk star in a spin Following his death fled Nazis • kentnews.co.uk/mobile • jobsforkent.co.uk last weekend, we look • homes24.co.uk Did the chairs turn for Special exhibition in at his Kentish roots • drive24.co.uk our Kent contestant? Canterbury • twitter@kosmedia 30 Who gets top 12 Noye chum Plus Published in Kent and printed by Archant Print, division of Archant Community Media Limited county roles? (Co Reg No 19300). Registered Office: Prospect set for jail Letters ..................... House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE Page 48 Four new deputy Motors ..................... Follows case ending in Page 52 lieutenants are named Sport ........................ deposit box trial Page 55 in honourary roles kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk East Week ending January 17, 2016 3 Sparshatts of Kent 01795 479571 4 Week ending January 17,2016 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk s k e Virgin lands £126m deal e w y t s a to provide health services p e h a t g By Tom Pyman n i [email protected] r u d d THE decision to award a £126mil- lion community health contract to k a private company has been u fiercely criticised. . Virgin Care secured the o big-money contract for community c health services in Dartford, . Gravesham, Swanley and Swale n s following a year-long procurement w process carried out by clinical com- missioning groups in the area. e It is currently being provided by n the Kent Community Health NHS t Foundation Trust (KCHFT). n But Ken Roger, lead governor of the e e KCHFT, said: “I am unhappy the TYCOON: Virgin boss Richard Branson will see his company take over some key community services k contract has been awarded to what is a private contractor and would question executive of the trust, added: “We provider DMC to present a plan for to hit financial targets. @ how the government’s intention to are disappointed it has been awarded the future to deliver good value for The transfer of services, which build local health services around to another provider. We scored money services without reducing include community nursing, neuro v s patients is going to be carried out. slightly higher than Virgin Care on the quality of care for our patients. rehabilitation, speech and language e “Foundation trusts have, at their quality, but not on price. We have “Our patients and dedicated staff therapy, will take place on April 1. core, public governors elected by the one of the lowest running costs of continue to be our highest priority Richard Comerford, Virgin n local community to look after their any NHS community provider in the and during the next three months Care’s regional director, said: “We li interests in building and monitoring country and the cost of our bid was we will be working with Virgin Care have a strong track record of d these services which is not the case within the budget set by the CCGs. to ensure a smooth transition.” delivering NHS community health a for private contractors. This change “We formed a strong alliance It is expected staff will simply care services which are highly e e is against all the values of public with Age UK, Maidstone and transfer over to the new provider, rated by patients. We’re very h representation that I stand for.” Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Ellenor but union chiefs have expressed excited to have the opportunity to Lesley Strong, acting chief Hospice Care and primary care concerns over the company’s need deliver these services.” e h t s e Doctors and trust in Mystery after 29 tall trees d a the dock over death of are felled in a country park m h mother after C-section c AN INVESTIGATION in under way down and stolen over night in the i h after 29 six-metre high trees were Motney field area. The trees would w hacked down and pinched from a cost around £4,500 to replant. park in Gillingham. Nigel Holman, at Medway A LANDMARK case which has seen was born. She was operated on but Park rangers have now stepped Council, said: “All of these beautiful s an NHS trust face a charge of never woke up and died the same day up surveillance at Riverside trees have been badly felled from e corporate manslaughter got under her baby was born. Country Park and the police alerted. waist height, breaking nearby i r way this week with a jury hearing of The jury at Inner London Crown Since late November, the fencing, and the offenders only take o the traumatic final moments of the Court this week heard that the tube council-run park has been targeted the thin twigs and branches away t life of primary school teacher helping Mrs Cappuccini to breathe on three occasions with silver birch with them, leaving the main trunk S Frances Cappuccini. after the operation had been and alder trees being chopped and branches behind.” The 30-year-old, from West removed by 12.30pm but, despite Malling, had gone into the Tun- apparent difficulties with her bridge Wells Hospital at Pembury in breathing after that point, there Bowie made secret visit to » Download your free October 2012 to give birth to her were delays in re-intubating her. Kent News iPhone sBeucto snhde cdhieildd jbuys tc haeosuerrse aafnte sre gctivioinn.g anTdh Ae zpereozs ceocmutpiolent eadll feagielesd C ionr nwihsha t it childhood home in county and iPad App available birth to her son. said was their “elementary task” to Consultant anaesthetist Errol ensure she safely came round from at the Apple App Store Cornish, 68, from Bromley, has the surgery. It was also claimed both pleaded not guilty to manslaughter were advised to take extra measures DAVID Bowie made a secret former home in Foxgrove Road, by gross negligence. to help her breathe before she died. farewell visit to the UK shortly after Beckenham, and Plaistow Grove in Dr Nadeem Azeez, who, the The prosecution alleges if one or being diagnosed with cancer Bromley. prosecution said, was primarily both doctors are found to be grossly – returning to the homes in Kent in Speaking in an interview last » Follow us on responsible for the care of Mrs negligent, causing the death of Mrs which he grew up. year with his wife Iman, she said: Cappuccini, is not on trial, having Cappuccini, the trust can be said to The superstar died after an 18 “We went this summer. And no one Twitter @kosmedia or left the country. The Maidstone and have employed someone they knew or month battle with cancer last knew we were there. He took Lexi Facebook KOS Media Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has should have known was not suitably Sunday. to Beckenham. They went and pleaded not guilty to its charge. qualified or trained for their role. He, his wife Iman and daughter took a photo outside the house he Mrs Cappuccini lost more than two The trial is expected to last for four Lexi visited his birth place in grew up in.” litres of blood when her son Giacomo weeks. Brixton before heading to his • Special Bowie tribute p19-24. kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk East Week ending January 17, 2016 5 s k e e Gang strategy to be rolled out across Medway w y st A GOVERNMENT-led programme cracking down on The programme comes as the government set out a a gang crime is to be rolled out in Medway. new policy, Ending Gang Violence and Exploitation. p It will receive expert advice from the Ending Gangs North division’s Chief Superintendent Adrian Futers and Youth Violence programme, which has already said: “By understanding best practices developed by a e helped 43 areas across the country. range of other different agencies, which have experience h More than 100 specialists with frontline gang and of dealing with gang issues, we can and will prevent such a youth related violence experience offer tailored support. criminality establishing a foothold here.” t g n i r Fight begins to raise the VICTIM: Sian Blake u d Inquest opens d k into death of u funds to fly cancer hit . o EastEnders star c . Jamie-Lee, 7, to the USA n s w AN INQUEST into the deaths of EastEnd- ers actress Sian Blake and her two sons e has been opened and adjourned. n Coroner Dr Adela Williams said it t By Tom Pyman Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, meaning would be inappropriate for her to release n he has extremely hyper-mobile joints. the three victims’ bodies to the family e [email protected] e After several visits to Maidstone, while the murder investigation was k the Royal Marsden, in Surrey, and St ongoing. A CHARITY appeal has been Thomas’ hospitals in London, Jamie- Ms Blake’s partner, Arthur Simpson- @ launched to raise funds for a seven- Lee was prescribed steroids, which Kent, appeared in court in Ghana on year-old boy to travel to the US and stop the constant vomiting and, up Tuesday as extradition proceedings v s undergo vital specialist treatment to now, have provided relief. continue in an attempt to return him to e for a rare brain tumour. However, the steroids are now the UK for questioning by murder Jamie-Lee Dearing, from Aylesford, starting to have serious side-effects, detectives. n has endured a life-long battle with ill- including giving the youngster puffy The 48-year-old was in court in Accra li ness, and needs crucial proton beam skin. Long-term, they will also affect after he was arrested in a small town in d therapy treatment for a rare low- his already-weakened bones, leav- the west of the African country on a grade glioma of the fourth ventricle – ing his family in a race against time Saturday. He is believed to have left the e e in his brain stem – which causes him to save their son. country on December 19. h to vomit up to 15 times a day. Jodie, Jamie-Lee’s mother, said: Ms Blake, 43, and their two young His tumour is inoperable, and con- “Because of the position of the tu- sons, Zachary, eight, and four year-old e ventional radiation treatment could mour, a biopsy is difficult without Amon were reported missing before h cause permanent damage to healthy causing some degree of damage – in- Christmas. t brain tissue, meaning Jamie-Lee’s cluding possible loss of important Their bodies were found buried in the s e osunclyh ctrheaantmcee onft laivcirnogss a t hneo Armtlaaln ltiifce. is ILL: Jamie-Lee Dearing funMcitkioen Hs ysumcahn a, sc sow-faolulonwdeinr go.”f Kids gJaanrudeanry o 5f t, hmeo fraem thilya nh othmree ein w Eereikths ,a oftne r d As a result, Kids ‘n’ Cancer – ‘n’ Cancer, said: “We’re optimistic they vanished. a which supports the families of chil- accommodation and living costs for that we can raise the money quickly Ms Blake played Frankie Pierre in 56 m dren who suffer from rare forms of his family plus the treatment. if we need to get Jamie-Lee and his episodes of EastEnders between 1996 and cancer in accessing specialist treat- Jamie-Lee’s young life has been family on a plane to the US.” 1997 and had motor neurone disease. h ment – has stepped in to help raise dogged by illness, including a hip dys- To support Jamie-Lee’s appeal vis- The actress and her sons died from the funds to fly to Oklahoma. plasia – a developmental deformation it www.justgiving.com/Jamie-lees- neck and head injuries, post-mortem c The funds will go towards flights, of the hip joint – and he lives with lifelong-fight. examinations found. i h w Threat to jobs over Whitstable children’s Panto smashes box s e i Argos takeover plans asylum centre shuts office records again r o t S JOBS could be at risk across Kent if supermarket A RECEPTION centre in Whitstable for unaccompa- A RECORD number of people flocked to Canter- giant Sainsbury’s goes ahead with plans to buy nied asylum seeking children has closed its doors bury’s big-ticket panto this year, with Snow White and the parent company of catalogue retailer Argos. after it was reopened last summer. The Seven Dwarfs playing to near sell-out audiences In outlining details this week of its £1 billion- Ladesfield was brought back to deal with a surge in every night. » Download your free plus takeover proposals for the Home Retail arrivals. The former care home housed up to 40 boys The show, which starred EastEnders’ Rita Simons Group, it confirmed if it went ahead, it would close aged 16 to 17 for six to eight weeks. and CBeebies’ Mister Maker, Phil Gallagher, pulled in Kent News iPhone around half of the existing Argos branches Peter Oakford, cabinet member for specialists a total of 95,685 during its run. and iPad App available nationwides children’s services at Kent County Council ,said: “The That equates to an average crowd per performance Kent has more than a dozen Argos stores across use of Ladesfield was always planned as a short term of 1,153 - making the entire run 99.06 per cent full. at the Apple App Store the county with branches in Gravesend, Maid- solution, after a quick refurbishment we were able to It smashed the previous record, which was for Jack stone, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne, house young people who needed a place to stay after And The Beanstalk which ran over Christmas 2013) and Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Canterbury, Bromley, fleeing their own countries in desperate circumstances.” was seen by 90,364 people (92.5 per cent capacity). Chatham, Dartford, Dover, Erith and Folkestone. The site is now expected to be demolished and Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett said: “I have The group said it was still “considering its used as part of a local primary school. to pinch myself every time I see just how many people » Follow us on position” but that closure would see the stores Going forward, Mr Oakford said the council was came – it’s an incredible achievement. The atmos- taken into its supermarkets as concessions. monitoring figures. phere throughout the six-week run was amazing.” Twitter @kosmedia or The group said it was a “strategically compel- He said: “As the number of young people arriving Pantomime producer Paul Hendy, said: “We’re Facebook KOS Media ling transaction” which would allow it to take on in Kent has reduced recently we are not looking to thrilled, For many years we have invested in the the might of rivals such as Amazon, with more open an additional reception centre, although as the production values and are passionate about giving than 100,000 general merchandise products summer has shown this can change very quickly so the people of the south east a spectacular Christmas between Argos and Sainsbury’s. we are keeping a very close watch on the situation.” pantomime with West End standards.” 6 Week ending January 17, 2016 East kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk Power firms clash over route Sheppey Crossing to re-open this week of pylons across reservoir site THE Sheppey Crossing is expected to re-open this week after being shut for several days due to a burst water main. The main link to the island has been shut since By Chris Britcher Tuesday to repair the main and to then carry out vital safety checks. [email protected] Highways England will carry out a final assessment to ensure it is safe before re-opening. THE National Grid has been criticised by Traffic has been diverted via the Sheppey Way. South East Water for failing to re-route its controversial Richborough Connection py- Cold snap prompts lon route away from land ear-marked for a major new reservoir. South East Water says despite talks with pharmacy flu jab call the power firm to deflect the pylons from the site at Broad Oak, in Canterbury, its calls have been ignored. THE NHS is urging people across Kent and The pylons will carry power from Richbor- Medway to get vaccinated against flu at their local ough, near Sandwich – which will be receiv- pharmacy, under a new scheme introduced this ing electricity pumped in from Belgium via winter. the Nemo Link – to an electricity sub station With temperatures falling, those who are in Canterbury. vulnerable or with health conditions can pop into This week National Grid submitted an ap- IMPACT: Opposition includes local MPs and residents pharmacists and get the jab with no appointment. plication to the planning inspectorate. It is the latest stage in a lengthy planning proc- But South East Water says it has over- ment consent order submission.” ess but means a final decision could be made looked its concerns. Steve Self, project manager at National Mote Park charges in around a year. Lee Dance, head of water resources, said: Grid, said: “We believe our final proposal National Grid insists it has made some “We do have some concerns the alignment of strikes the right balance between every- changes to its plans. These include moving the pylons through the proposed route corridor thing we’ve been told, the planning and CAR parking charges in Mote Park will come into proposed route north of existing lines in the could put at risk our ability to deliver a reser- environmental guidelines we have to fol- force from February 1 as councillors attempt to Ash Level to minimise the impact on wildlife. voir at Broad Oak. low and the engineering needed to build plug gaps left by funding cuts. The route has also been moved around the “As a result we have made a number of the connection.” The charges star at 10am each day and will be campsite at Nethergong, near Canterbury, as a re- suggestions to National Grid... unfortunate- As of Friday, the planning inspectorate £1 for six hours or £12 for more than six. sult of protected species being identified through ly it seems these suggestions have not been has 28 days to decide if the application has It will remain free for morning dog walkers and surveys. UK Power Networks’ existing overhead fully reflected in both the pre-consultation met the right standard to proceed to exami- those who go jogging in the park. Residents can line would still be removed as part of the scheme. documentation and this current develop- nation. get an annual pass for £40. kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk East Week ending January 17, 2016 7 Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... RSPCA warning after spate Thames crossing plans in fresh round of criticism of sick horses found dumped COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have “major negative environ- are calling for fresh thinking mental impacts”. RSPCA officers say they have been over plans for a proposed lower The policy statement reads: called out to a spate of “extremely Thames crossing to provide a “The Dartford option would be a distressing” cases of dead or dying “wider, more resilient solution” great local burden even if improved horses, dumped around the county. to the congested area’s operation could alleviate The charity says that since transport issues. pollution and congestion. November 15, it has been called out The government is currently “The Tilbury/Shorne route to 21 incidents where they found considering two options – one would cut a whole new 25 horses which were either dead, for a new crossing to be built motorway further east, dying or in poor condition. close to the existing Dartford destroying nationally impor- Some 14 of the horses were dead on bridge and tunnels, the other tant landscapes, wildlife sites, arrival; nine had to be put to sleep due east of Gravesend. national heritage and the to their condition; and only two A decision is expected later character of iconic settlements survived and are recovering. Incidents this year to ease the bottleneck such as Orsett in Essex, Chalk range from Ashford to Sevenoaks. at Dartford going into Essex, in Kent, and villages and Inspector Caroline Doe said: “It is with Gravesend the more likely landscape that are a vital part extremely shocking and distressing choice. of the rural and tourist and needs to stop. is quite simply barbaric. “We are urging the public in Now the Kent and Essex economy. “These horses appear to have “This is pushing our inspectors Kent to be vigilant.” branches of the Campaign to “We need a wider, more been transported in vans or pick-up to their limits and putting a strain Anyone with concerns over horse Protect Rural England (CPRE) resilient solution, including trucks to quiet locations where they on resources. We have finite welfare or information about recent have produced a policy investment in ports north of the are callously dumped, some even resources and must always act incidents should contact the RSPCA statement on the proposals. Thames to disperse the cross while they are still just alive which within the law. on 0300 1234 999. It says both options would Channel movement of freight.” College’s £8.2m works KCC phone scam warning Rylance is Oscar hopeful Tune in for Deal Radio BUILDING work on an £8.2 million project at KENT County Council has warned of scam ACTOR Mark Rylance has been nominated DEAL is set for a new radio station as it Canterbury College has been completed. phone calls claiming to be from the authority for an Academy Award for his performance prepares for a special launch event at the Work includes creating a sports centre, and ringing about a recent accident. in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies. Astor Theatre on January 24. business and arts blocks. It says it does not make such calls and that The Ashford-born actor, renowned as one Programmes will be designed for The project was funded in part by the anyone receiving a call should not provide of the greatest Shakespearean actors, is in listeners in the town and surrounding Skills Funding Agency and carried out by any contact information but contact trading the running for an Oscar in the best communities. The event will feature a host of construction firm Morgan Sindall. standards officers. supporting actor category. Kent-based bands performing. PEOPLE OF KENT Oppose OPERATION STACK Vote for Fergus Wilson Advertisement Paid for by Fergus Wilson 8 Week ending January 17, 2016 East kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Top Three Stories Top Three Blogs 1. Celebrity deaths 1. Medway tree thief Reminding us all of our own mortality 29 trees have been felled 2. Christmas pudding 2. Bottle throwers jailed FEATURED PHOTO GALLERY: Fans across the county paid tribute to former Beckenham Why is it still in the fridge in January? Two men threw items at cars from a bridge resident David Bowie, who died of cancer this week at the age of 69. 3. Too reliant on phones 3. Weekend water work Lanes to be narrowed by South East Water Missed last week’s...? KwKwWwE.kEKenLYtn eeFeRwEsE.c No.EuWnnkS P JaAnPuEaRrytt O 10F, T2H0 1E6oo YEARnn SSLondon anduu South of Englannnd Media Awarddds aayyFFRREEEE Do we need to learn to live without them? East edition No 694 KoS The Essential Guide: .w..YwOwU. kcaenn rtenaedw tsh.ec po.aupker online via our e-Edition at wLnBaaetroetvismmte herib -m tse uscenhhe iitWminiopRna Ei gsClt eiKv bkse soeesf ef sylouonrkueen’v e MaEnauCdsR tricIEMnhdnEidnlederrore socn a efkc tintrllehetsdses ROensluinltes Poof ltlhe DtSouO npNdic’aTky ,wu opor rmar yics osifep dyy oaou cf osKpterynu.tg golne bcyheaacivkres t .hwrohuicghh tismtree twchitehs anba acrk- lTifreuHEA LsTHsut pppuot rotn Where should there be a soiuvYre o wauer bcchsaiintve e ak, ceocnnetslnisne weo,us .trch oer.xoutukeg.n h- idto’sAn ’nat dlflo trhfgreee teb, ewtsote opaf rciotc vaeisldls,e. iasP tflhuualsl,t mReapyo lrots sea cyosn itt rmolu osft m geatj obre httoesr poirt aitl CoJmuicl iaanvdnii lsnl taCag rtlesChap EhLoereEt tBy cecRar IoolsTl Ysiunn h n Kolmietfnyeet David Bowie monument? 1 You can read the full paper, news service throughout the Brixton - 40% download articles you partic- week, to supplement your 2 ...to the Dartford Crossing ularly enjoy, and take a walk weekend read. Beckenham - 30% 3 New York - 20% Everything you need to know about the Dart follow us on Twitter @kosmedia and on Facebook.com/KentonSunday 4 Charge. There shouldn’t be one - 10% BIG SALE Sherborne Keswick 2 seat manual reclining sofa: Usual price £1455 Event price £1159 Chair (fixed): Usual price £579 Event price £459 Nasons Furniture & Bed Centre. Free armcaps with every Maynard Road, Wincheap, Canterbury CT1 3RQ www.nasons.co.uk order (leather excluded) 01227 463550 (cid:2) kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk East Week ending January 17, 2016 9 E L N A O S W O N THROUGHOUT THE STORE 10 Week ending January 17,2016 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk