Kos RSS Feed

Disabled yachtswoman readies for sailing challenge

A quadriplegic yachtswoman from Kent is preparing to set sail around Britain this summer.

Hilary Lister, who learnt to sail at Westbere Sailing Club, near her home town of Canterbury, is only able to move her head.

The 35-year-old uses a ‘sip and puff’ system of straws to control the sails and tiller. Last year she entered the record books for the second time after becoming the first female quadriplegic to successfully solo circumnavigate the Isle of....

Police take to the sea to combat organised crime

A launch patrolling the county’s coast is Kent police’s newest weapon in the fight against crime and terrorism. The Alexandra III carries on a tradition started in 1830, when the force used rowing boats – but she is the first craft at the disposal of officers since 1995. She will be tackling illegal immigration, drug trafficking, people smuggling and terrorism. The 53 foot long vessel, which is capable of speeds up to 27 knots, was originally designed as a prototype lifeboat....

Minister pledges to 'progress' road schemes

A group of MPs and the leader of Kent County Council met with Transport Minister Tom Harris to press for improvements to a congested stretch of road.

Greg Clark, Tory MP for Tunbridge Wells, led the delegation which met with Mr Harris on Thursday to call for work on the A21 to move forward without delay.

Dualling work on the road was due to begin in 2010-11, but was thrown into jeopardy after cost estimates escalated earlier this year.

After the....

Fly-tipping proves a very costly mistake for man

A man will have to fork out more than £1,000 for dumping a single carrier bag of rubbish in a rural lane. Andrew Keeves, of Mount Pleasant, in Tonbridge, was charged with the offence after council officers found letters in the bag dumped in Marden Road, Marden, with his details on. Mr Keeves told magistrates in Maidstone he was sorry for his actions and was fined £350. He will also have to pay £800 in court costs. Cllr Mark Wooding, Maidstone council's....

Police seeking witnesses to gang attack on man

A man suffered a broken jaw after being set on by a gang of teenage thugs in Gillingham on Friday. The 37-year-old was attacked in an alleyway between Toronton Road and Sturdee Avenue at 10pm. Five Gillingham teenagers – two as young as 16 - have been arrested in connection. Police are urging witnesses to come forward. Call detectives at Medway police station on 01634 792424 quoting reference DY/7306/08 or Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.
....

Cullip leaves Gills after rejecting new deal

DANNY Cullip will leave Gillingham after rejecting a contract from the club after a disagreement about the length of deal. The 31-year-old centre-back joined the club in February on a short-term deal and made an instant impact. Gills boss Mark Stimson changed formation to a back three to get the most out of Cullip and it was largely successful in strengthening the stricken side’s defence. Despite agreeing a deal weeks ago, Stimson revealed Cullip had turned down a contract and would not....

Stimson swoops for Stevenage stopper

STEVENAGE Borough goalkeeper Alan Julian could be Gillingham’s first summer signing after the stopper visited the club for talks. Gills need a new goalkeeper after the retirement of Derek Stillie and Kelvin Jack’s release. If Julian does sign it will be the fifth player to join from Stevenage since Mark Stimson made the switch from Broadhall Way to Priestfield in November. Stimson said: “We've had the opportunity to talk with Alan and bring him down to the club today so that....

Crofts gets Wales call-up

RELEGATION with Gillingham has not appeared to dent Andrew Crofts’ international chances, with the midfielder included in the Wales squad announced today. The 23-year-old is in John Toshack’s 35-man squad for away games against Iceland and the Netherlands on May 28 and June 1 respectively. There had been fears the Gills captain may look for a move after the club sunk into League Two so he could maintain his place in the Wales squad. Crofts has won 10 senior caps,....

Chats moved to Ryman North for next season

CHATHAM Town will return to the Ryman Division One North next season after the divisions were restructured by the Football Association. Following the end of season promotion and relegation shake-up, the Ryman South was larger than the 22 teams permitted. As a result two teams – Chatham and newly promoted Kent champions Thamesmead Town – have been moved into the Ryman North. Both sides were selected for geographical reasons, as they are the closest to the rest of the Ryman North....

Paralympic camp announcement postponed

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has postponed the announcement of training camps for the 2012 Paralympics. LOCOG was due to announce the list in London on Tuesday, with Kent expected to perform well. Kent received 36 nominations for pre-Olympic camps when they were announced in March, more than any other county. However, although the south east venues have been finalised, some regions are not complete, so the official unveiling has been delayed for a....