KENT County Council's cabinet has undergone a mini-reshuffle today. Council leader Councillor Paul Carter has appointed Councillor Graham Gibbens to the new job of cabinet member for public health. Darent Valley councillor Roger Gough, who was lead
TWO teenagers have been charged with arson following a blaze which caused more than £50,000 damage to a bus. The two 16-year-old boys, who were charged earlier today, are alleged to have started a fire on the top deck of a number 96 bus. The bus' top
A NEW campaign is urging road users to consider their behaviour to others and adhere to the rules of the road. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are being encouraged to Share the Road, which is also the title of the new campaign launched by Transport
A HOSPITAL trust has been given a "good" rating for its diagnostic services. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, was given the rating for its performance in radiology, pathology and endoscopy after a series of checks by inspection body the Healthcare
A STAR in the making hopes a trip to the USA will end up with her going on tour with a booty-shaking diva. Only two months after graduating from Greenwich Musical Theatre Academy, in Crooms Hill, Ella Boucher could already be on the road to fame. The
A TEAM of intrepid walkers sampled the delights of south east London as they walked from the Oxo Tower back to The Rose pub in Bexleyheath. The walk, from a different London location every year, is an annual event for the pub in its efforts to raise
HOLY Trinity Church in Hurst Road, Sidcup, is hosting another talk by Anthony Slim, this time on the Pre-Raphaelite school of painters. The Pre-Raphaelites were formed in the mid-19th century and included Millais, Rosetti and Burne-Jones, and numbered
PLANS to replace a detached house on the edge of a conservation area with two other homes have been delayed for fear they mark an attempt at a wider redevelopment of the area. Bexley Council's planning control committee decided to defer a decision on
A LITTLE-KNOWN art group is staging its latest exhibition on its home turf. The Botanical Art Group, based at Hall Place in Bourne Road, Bexley, specialises in an area of art which is not for the faint hearted. It involves using a magnifying glass to
ARMED robbers have made off with £400 after breaking down a betting shop's door and threatening a member of staff. Two white men smashed their way into the Ladbrokes betting shop, Footscray Road, Eltham, at noon today. A knife, found in the store's
THOUSANDS of people flocked to the annual donkey derby and summer fair hosted by Welling Round Table. The event, held in St Mary's recreation ground in Bourne Road, Bexley Village, were opened by Bexley's deputy mayor and mayoress Councillor Colin Tandy
THE recent hot spell turned north Kent's grassy areas into "tinder" forcing firefighters to tackle more than 250 blazes. Dartford firefighters fought 151 vegetation fires over 12 weeks this summer - more than 12 a week. And Thameside firefighters tackled
POLICE have arrested two more people in connection with the running down of two officers in Thamesmead. A man aged 22 from Woolwich and another 22-year-old from Belvedere were arrested on August 25 and released on police bail to return to Bexleyheath
A HOLIDAY scheme entertained more than 3,000 youngsters with activities including team games, circus demonstrations and dance lessons. Gravesham Council's Play in the Park scheme organised events at 12 sites across the borough throughout the summer.
The Orpington and district branch of the National Childbirth Trust is hosting a ladies' pamper evening on Friday (September 8). The event will take place from 7.45pm to 10.15pm, at Petts Wood War Memorial Hall. Tickets are £3 in advance or £3.50 on
Do you dare to drop 120ft, all in the name of charity? Test your wits on October 21 and take part in the Macmillan Cancer Support abseil at Charter House, Ashford. Places are strictly limited to 100 so you must register quickly. Training on the day
Complementary therapy is increasingly being recognised by the medical world for its healing qualities. CORINNE McPARTLAND finds out more. MANY doctors in Dartford, Swanley and Gravesham have begun to refer patients to complementary therapists to receive
A woman has abseiled 469 feet down the side of a building to raise money for a children's hospital. Lizz Webb, 50, hopes to raise more than £500 from the abseil down Guy's Tower. The money raised will go to the Evelina Children's Hospital, which is
COMMUTERS are being warned of delays following an accident on the M2 this morning. A van driver is in a serious condition in hospital after crashing into the central reservation. Kent Police officers closed both sides of the motorway between J5 for
Take the plunge at the Ellenor Hospice at Home Swimathon and have an absolutely splashing time. We would like to invite you to take part in the Ellenor Swimathon on September 16 at the Next Generation Club, Dartford. Held during children's hospice week
Each year during Children's Hospice Week, Ellenor Shining Lights raises awareness of our work with terminally and seriously ill children through the sale of butterfly pins. The butterfly is the national symbol of children's hospices as it represents
For the third year running the Lions Hospice is holding a firewalk in the grounds of Fleet Leisure and Sport Club in Northfleet. The evening is to be held on October 20 from 7pm. Everyone is welcome, even if you're not taking part. We have an added
ANTI-TERROR police who swooped on two homes in the area are quizzing two brothers. Abu Abdullah and Musa Ahmet are two of the 14 men arrested across south east London over the weekend. Detectives have been keeping a close guard over Mr Abdullah's home
PEOPLE affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) - one of the UK's most devastating neurological conditions - are coming together from across Kent on September 23 to hear experts in research and social care talk about everything from the latest in clinical
Bromley and Orpington branch members of the Kent Beekeepers Association will stage a honey show on September 16. This is a traditional honey show with top prizes awarded. Alongside the honey show we have a beekeeping exhibition and other trade stands
My friend died in May and I would like to know if she is okay? - Norma, Lewisham Graham says ... I felt she had a stomach condition, but I feel she now is around you when you need support, and feels free. Will I die alone? - Anna-Marie, Basingstoke
Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) is a national charity that helps disadvantaged children develop a love of reading and learning. We recruit and train volunteers to work with children aged six to 11 who find reading a challenge and may need extra support
HUNDREDS of bus drivers have been fined for making calls while on the move. The 550 drivers from Greenwich and 750 from Lewisham were caught using hand-held mobile phones while transporting passengers between March last year and April this year. The
FAMILIES can take part in sumo wrestling or sip tea on the Titantic at a school's fun day. Valley Primary School, Beckenham Lane, Shortlands, is hosting the event to remind children the fun does not have to stop just because the summer holidays are over
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for armed robbery. Andrew Farge, of Watlington Grove, Sydenham, was one of four men facing firearm and robbery charges relating to incidents on October 2 and October 4 last year. Farge pleaded guilty to possessing a
FOUR people charged with conspiracy to supply 10 kilos of cocaine have been committed to crown court. Alfie Hogg, aged 26, of Firtrees Close, Rotherhithe, Andrew Shepherd, aged 45, of Parkview House, Hornchurch, Kelly Frankling, aged 20, of Crofton Road
MOTORISTS driving into Essex on the M25 are being warned of 10 minute delays. A lane has been been closed due to "an incident" - causing disruption between J30 and J29. The Highways Agency says it hopes traffic flow returns to normal in the next hour
BETTER food is being promised at a hospital after its kitchens are updated. The promise by Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, follows a dismal description of the meals currently on offer by one recent patient. Comments by Jean Slattery, 73, of Cloverdale
NEXT weekend sees the annual chance to have a look around buildings which might otherwise be closed to the public. Open House London takes place on September 16 and September 17 and this year 11 buildings in the borough will be open free to visitors.
BEXLEY Heritage Trust, which manages Danson House, has applied to Bexley Council to extend its current alcohol and entertainment licence. The Palladian mansion in Danson Park, Welling, was recently restored by English Heritage at a cost of £4.3m and
A MOTHER'S 48-year search for her missing daughter could move a step closer to conclusion tomorrow. Barbara Raymond-Waul and a woman she believes is the daughter taken from her are to have DNA tests. The tests, which are taking place at a clinic in
A BABY and its parents escaped injury when a gunman fired several shots at their house late last Friday night. A man, aged 26, his girlfriend and their baby were at home in Totnes Avenue, Welling, at about 11.55pm, when shots were fired into the front
A PENSIONER is puzzled about an enormous mushroom which has grown in his garden. Jan Wocial, 70, first noticed the whitish-grey fungi in his garden in Addison Road, Bromley, about three weeks ago. It was only slightly larger than normal but
