Return to London24 home page
News
'RAIL RAGE' attacker jailed
A CARPENTER who pushed a woman on to a live railway track in a case of rail rage after a row about him smoking has been jailed for four years. Ionel Rapisca, 33, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm by shoving Linda Buchanan, 59, from the... » MORE
Olympic dream bobsleigh girl: I’M BROKE
AN OLYMPIC bobsleigh star says she is broke, had to fund her place at last month s Olympic Games using credit cards – and is now struggling to find a day job. Kelly Thomas, originally from Sidcup and now living in Dartford, and Paula Walker, from Leicest... » MORE
Funeral held for ‘inspiring’ scout
HUNDREDS of mourners attended a memorial service for a teenage scout leader killed during a hiking expedition in Scotland. Stephen Young, 18, from Borough Green, fell through a shelf of snow while on a group trip to the Cairngorms on February 15. Famil... » MORE
Parish get snoopy on dog-fouling
A COUNCIL is clamping down on dog-fouling through initiatives including surveillance, a hard-hitting poster campaign and a discussion on Facebook. Stone Parish Council has received an increasing number of complaints and last Friday it announced drastic m... » MORE
Oh baby! Cheryl opens £1m unit
CHERYL Baker helped launch a £1.1 million special baby care ward at a hospital and revealed how a similar unit saved her own daughter s life. The former Buck s Fizz star visited Darent Valley hospital on Tuesday to open its Little Buds Special Care Baby... » MORE
Four-year jail term for platform thug
A CARPENTER who pushed a woman onto a live railway track in a case of rail rage after a row about him smoking has been jailed for four years. Ionel Rapisca, 33, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm by shoving Linda Buchanan, 59, from the pl... » MORE
Tories admit taking ‘non-dom’ donations
THE borough s Tory party have admitted they received cash from a billionaire nicknamed the Sleaze of Belize to help fund an election campaign in 2007. Last week, the Conservative Party s deputy chairman, Lord Ashcroft, was unmasked as a so called non... » MORE
Sisters bid for olympic glory
TWO talented sisters are eyeing up the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in the gruelling pentathlon event. Annie French, who attends Wilmington Grammar School for Girls (WGSG), in Parsons Lane, is only in the sixth-form, yet is already competing at internatio... » MORE
Times election poll shows town is still an open race
LATEST political round up with NICK HITCHENS EACH week your Times will be devoting space to a comprehensive look at the political parties chasing your votes during the forthcoming election, wrties group editor, Melody Foreman. We will be covering educat... » MORE
Disabled gran locked out of village park
A MOBILITY scooter user who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis claims she is locked out of her favourite park due to new gates that are unsuitable for the disabled. Jenny Onley, of Broad Lane, Wilmington, has been unable to access Oakfield Park for almost t... » MORE
Letters
Why are the hospital garden doors locked?
When our new Farnborough hospital was built there were two garden areas which included contributions from local school children - I was told that this was so that they would feel involved and not fear entering the hospital....
We mourn our David
OUR thoughts are with the family of David Harrod. It was horrendous to hear about the death of such a young man with a full life ahead of him....
Most of our councillors work hard..
I SAW your article on the front page of the Bromley Times last week and I know I m not alone in being appalled at Cllr Karen Roberts attendance record....
Proud of our disaster help across the world
AS a Bromley resident I am increasingly proud of the role our area has taken in helping victims of natural disasters. First we heard about the Haiti Hospital charity based in West Wickham which has people in Haiti and support from this end....
Vote cancer support
I AM writing to raise awareness of Macmillan s Vote Cancer Support campaign....
Fleet fans are living in denial
I AM glad your sport columnist Ed Miller now, rather belatedly, seems to agree with my letter of 14 months ago, that the Stonebridge Road chickens were coming home to roost. The question is: Does anyone in charge there recognise these scrawny birds for w...
Mystery still surrounds Hitler’s real intentions
BOB Ogley in his Times Past column puts some interesting details of the proposed German invasion of Kent, in describing the need to remove signposts and he has possibly got this information from numerous books on 1940. This is a defining year in our hist...
Parents must be told
I AM a mum and I am delighted that these women are fighting for our right to know about dangers to our children. Of course we need to know if there is a pervert in our area, and or course we should be trusted to deal with that information sensibly and no...
Let’s hope young get the message
I AM delighted to see that the Prime Minister has requested a private screening of the anti-knife crime film Cold Kiss. Hopefully it will make him realise just how much this cancer of modern day society affects people and how it rips families and peer g...
Caring kids set an example
MY FRIENDS and I were so impressed by your young readers and their admirable enthusiasm for raising money for Haiti. It sounds like these children were acting off their own back and coming up with all these different fundraising ideas by themselves. It i...
Sport
Harriers ladies earn fifth spot
DARTFORD Harriers competed in the final Kent League Cross Country meeting of the season at Parkwood School, Swanley, on Sunday, writes Rosemary Champion. The course, set within the grounds of the school, was a testing one, although the conditions were go...
Masters bag Vets medals
DARTFORD Harriers Masters team were in medal-winning form at the Southern Veterans Indoor Championships at Lee Valley, writes Rosemary Champion. Kirsty Taylor continued with her excellent debut this season in the W35 age group, with two gold medals on...
Fleetdown’s sports hall final delight
FLEETDOWN Primary School booked their place at the Aviva Sports Hall Athletics event in a qualifying competition at Dartford Technology College last Friday. The school will now represent the borough of Dartford at the Kent School Games after finishing on...
Treddy ready for full Test cap
JAMES Tredwell couldn t have done any more to convince the England selectors that he deserves a place in tomorrow s Test side against Bangladesh, according to Simon Willis. The Spitfires spinner warmed up for Friday s opening five-day game in Chittagon...
Kent quartet in t20 squad
FOUR Kent County Cricket Club women players have been named in England s provisional squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament. Captain Charlotte Edwards, batsman Lydia Greenway, wicketkeeper Tammy Beaumont and uncapped Susie Rowe are included in the 2...
Ball lands Kent deal
KENT have tied academy starlet Adam Ball to a three-year professional deal with the club. The 16-year-old Bexley Cricket Club all-rounder is a member of the ECB s Fast Bowling Elite group and recently represented England at the ICC U19 World Cup in New Z...
Tredwell and Lions wrap up series
KENT off-spinner James Tredwell shone once again as the England Lions claimed an eight-wicket victory against Pakistan A to clinch their Twenty20 series. However, the Lions failed to complete a whitewash as they suffered a four-wicket defeat to their r...
Big squad is four a week like this
TONY Burman is facing a selection headache as his league-leading Dartford side face a gruelling schedule of four Ryman Premier games in a week. The Princes Park club have to contend with away matches at Tooting and Mitcham United and Horsham, while also...
Coach predicts another classic
CHARLTON S first-team coach Mark Kinsella is expecting another blockbuster clash against rivals Millwall on Saturday. The south London neighbours shared eight goals in a thrilling tussle at The Valley earlier this season. And, given that Charlton cemente...
Morison double takes care of Carlisle
STEVE Morison netted twice as Millwall maintained their promotion charge with a 3-1 victory at Carlisle. The former Stevenage Borough man opened the scoring after just 12 minutes when he clipped a fantastic lob over keeper Adam Collin. Morison then bag...
Darts pay heavy Bill for poor second half
THREE second-half strikes saw visiting Billericay Town condemn Dartford to their second defeat to the Essex outfit within four weeks, writes Matthew Poynton. Despite taking an early lead through Lee Burns midway through the first half last Saturday, the...
Blackthorne shuts out Thamesmead
THAMESMEAD can consider themselves unfortunate to have suffered a 2-0 defeat at Enfield Town, where a man-of-the-match performance from home goalkeeper Rob Blackthorne ultimately proved decisive, writes Kevin White. Thanks to the heroics of Blackthorne,...
Bulmers Cider Kent League Round-Up: Oaks maul Tigers for top three spot
SEVENOAKS Town climbed to third in the Premier Division standings with a 3-0 triumph at Sporting Bengal United. John Maloney opened the scoring on the half hour mark prior to Tony Atkins doubling the advantage moments before the interval. A fine afterno...
Football League Round-Up
Charlton: JUST days after Phil Parkinson said he was hoping to extend the loan of Johnnie Jackson, the left-sider suffered a hamstring injury and was forced off the pitch against Stockport County on Saturday. The injury was due to be assessed on Monday,...
Addicks do their bit to help our heroes
CHARLTON Athletic Football Club has joined forces with all the other Football League sides in the past week to raise awareness and vital funds for Help for Heroes. The Addicks showed their support for the cause – the Football League s official charity pa...
NKSL Round-Up: Whitehead shines for Sun
IN THE Kent Premier Cup, Frank Whitehead s strike saw holders Sun through to the semis after a tight 1-0 win over Bromley Green, writes Bob Osbon. FC Longfield were however dumped out of the Kent Junior Cup 4-0 by Cliffe Wood Colts. But, it was a differe...
Boss calls on Darts to fit the Bill - Burman wants to impress home crowd
DARTFORD boss Tony Burman admits his runaway leaders have a double incentive to beat Billericay Town in this Saturday s Ryman Premier Division encounter at Princes Park. The Darts suffered one of their three league losses this term at the Essex outfit s...
At The Races with Ian Bland at Crayford Dog Track: Out with old dogs and in with the new
THINGS change quickly in greyhound racing and go almost unnoticed unless you are a keen follower. It would seem that such is the case at the track at the moment with the retirement of some of the top dogs who have dominated over recent months. In con...
Tales of a Fisherman: Even fisheries have been reeled in the recession
WON the Lottery? Want to buy your own fishing venue? Well, 2009 wasn t the year to do that and 2010 doesn t look like it s going to be any easier for prospective sellers and buyers of fisheries. Last year was the quietest 12 months of the last decade fo...
Sport In Brief: Tredwell begins England career with ODI success
KENT off-spinner James Tredwell made his full One-Day International debut for England in Tuesday s victory against Bangladesh. The 28-year-old went for 52 runs in 10 overs and failed to take a wicket, but partnered century hero Eoin Morgan (110) at the c...
Table Tennis: Kent quintet land national prize
KENT S representatives in the national VETTS table tennis championship beat off stiff competition to be crowned the overall winners. Chris Bartram, from Dartford, and Jackie Williams, of Gravesend, teamed up with captain Mark Romano, Joey Kennedy and Mar...
Greyhound Racing: Victorious Skater on a roll
AN IRISH greyhound became the first in 36 years of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket to clinch the honour. Group Skater, the 2-1 favourite at Saturday morning s grand final at Crayford Greyhound Track, won by an impressive four and a quarter lengths to scoop t...
At The Races with Ian Bland at Crayford Dog Track: Luck of the Irish prevails at last
GROUP Skater became the first Irish-trained greyhound to win the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket when triumphing in the 36th running of the track s premier contest last Saturday morning. As I had clarified in last week s column, there were probably only two ways...
Tales of a Fisherman with Steve Butler: If you want to revolutionise your bait, just get steaming
FOR many years now, Barbel and Carp anglers have relied on boiled baits as a staple foodstuff in pursuit of their catches. The ingredients are mixed, shaped into a round – or cylindrical – shape and then boiled in water. Now, if you are a fan of Masterch...
At The Races with Ian Bland at Crayford Dog Track: Which Golden wonder will hit the jackpot?
WANT to know how to earn £330 a second? Then, I suggest you to come down to the track this Saturday morning to watch this year s final of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket. Six of the country s best dogs will be competing over the 714m distance, chasing the...
Tales of a Fisherman: Trust bids to tackle anglers’ concerns ahead of election
THE ANGLING Trust has launched a campaign to highlight the concerns of Britain s three million fishermen in the run-up to the general election. The comprehensive strategy includes calls for the government, and its agencies, to: * Protect fish stocks from...
At The Races with Ian Bland at Crayford Dog Track: Dazzle still Special, but Lorry broke down
LAST Friday evening s heats of the Golden Jacket were full of incident, with a mix of surprise winners and the early elimination of some of the leading fancies. Hot ante-post favourite, Dazzle Special, had to work hard to stay in the event in her qualifi...
A hole new ball game
MORE than 100 schoolchildren were given the chance to get into the swing of golf with some professional tuition. Pupils from West Gate and The Brent primary schools were given a masterclass by Dartford Golf Club (DGC) head pro, John Gregory, and his team...
Golden wonder Max not Short of quality
DARTFORD Judo Club s junior members enjoyed a successful weekend of action at the Northbrook Kyn Shin Kai Club open championships at White Oak Leisure Centre, writes Suki Barton. The competition pitted junior players from across London and the southern r...
WIN!...British Superbike tickets at Brands Hatch
THERE is only one place to be this Easter weekend (April 2/3/4) and that is Brands Hatch for the opening round of the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. Former champions Neil Hodgson and Ryuichi Kiyonari will be making their much-anticipat...
On their bikes...
SOME of the world s top motorbike racers warmed up for their Brands Hatch season opener in testing last Sunday. British Superbikes outfit Worx Crescent Suzuki ended the Cartagena test in Spain fastest, with Yukio Kagayama slashing more than a second off...
Three-sy riders - British Superbikes welcomes new trio
THREE new manufacturers will be on the grid when the 2010 British Superbike (BSB) Championship gets underway on Easter weekend at Brands Hatch. With newly-added entries from Aprilia, BMW and KTM, there will now be eight marques represented in the series....
Green light for Brands action
BRANDS Hatch is revving up for the start of the 2010 motorsport season with the arrival of the British Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC) this weekend. The BMRC is the UK s oldest motorcycling club and the organisation will kick off its 101st year of racing a...
Racing favourites back on grid
WEST Kingsdown raceway Brands Hatch is gearing up for another year of high octane motorsport thrills after unveiling its 2010 calendar. Crowd favourites British Superbikes (BSB) and DTM are set to return, while the football-themed Superleague Formula ser...
Full throttle fun at Brands
MOTORSPORT enthusiasts who fancy following in the tyre treads of their racing heroes are in luck. Club MSV of MotorSport Vision (MSV) – the company that owns and operates Kent raceway Brands Hatch – has extended its taster session programme for 2010. Th...
What's On
Make a meal of Lille
MEANDERING through the cobbled streets of Lille s Old Town, surrounded by designer cloths stores and bustling bars, you are constantly struck by the vitality of this northern French city. Less than 20 miles from the Belgian border, the city is a charming...
Bay City rollermania is back
BAY City Rollers frontman Les McKeown will spend an evening singing and reminiscing about the heady days of Rollermania . Les, who sung classics including Shang A Lang, Summer Love Sensation and Bye Bye Baby, will be at The Orchard Theatre in Home Garden...
Strictly big-band dancing
YOU can relive the big-band heyday of the 50s as an orchestra that has performed regularly for the royal family appears at the Mayor s charity dinner. The Joe Loss Orchestra, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, is due to perform at Woodv...
Veteran band hopes to lure the next guitar hero
UP and coming bands are expected to join the famous Red Touch when they perform next month. The group are set to play the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone on February 7, with support from local band Sticky Tyres and Forerunner. Fronted by Vic Hyland and C...
In search of a character..
The Comedy Theatre has hosted many illustrious productions and actors since its opening in 1881. Laurence Olivier, Harold Pinter and the Rocky Horror show have all passed successfully through its doors. Now it plays host to the latest screen idol Keira K...