Medway Messenger

Introducing the Medway Messenger, your go-to local newspaper for the Medway Towns community.

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Sausage and Cider Festival, with music from Reef, The Hoosiers and Barrioke, is coming to Birchington-on-Sea and Tunbridge Wells in 2025

15 hours ago | kentonline.co.uk | Sam Lawrie

Queuing for hours to try the latest gourmet street food trend might be all the rage on social media, but sometimes you just can’t beat the classics. That’s why a touring food festival specialising in the humble sausage has taken the country by storm, with two Kent dates lined up for this summer. The Sausage and Cider Festival is back this year, bringing more than 20 types of sausage and 30 ciders to outdoor venues in Birchington-on-Sea and Tunbridge Wells.
‘00s singer Sonique to headline the Gravesham Riverside Festival 2025

1 day ago | kentonline.co.uk | Sam Lawrie

Noughties chart-topper Sonique is set to headline a free waterfront festival. The Gravesham Riverside Festival will return to the town’s promenade this summer for a jam-packed day of live music, including throwback hits and tribute bands. Sonique, who first found fame with dance music act S’Express in the 1990s, gained further recognition when she broke out as a solo artist.
Romani Gypsy families living at Wigmore park-and-ride speak out after court battle in bid to challenge ‘made up and offensive’ stereotypes

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Davina Jethwa

A group of Romani Gypsy families living on a former park-and-ride site have hit back at critics, inviting those with concerns to “break bread” with them to allay fears. Oldy Herring and his wife Tina, based at the former Wigmore Coach Park, off the M2, say they’re often “tarred with the same brush” as other troublemaking Travellers seen elsewhere around the country.
Person taken to hospital after collapsing at junction of Fort Pitt Hill and New Road Avenue, near Victoria Gardens in Chatham

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Joe Crossley

A person has been taken to hospital after collapsing near a park. Paramedics were sent to the junction of Fort Pitt Hill and New Road Avenue, near Victoria Gardens in Chatham at 4pm. A person was taken to hospital after collapsing near Victoria Gardens, Chatham. Picture: Steve CrispeThey were joined by an air ambulance which landed nearby. The person was taken by road to Medway Maritime Hospital for further treatment. Police and the Air Ambulance service have been approached for more details.
Oad Street Food and Crafts boss Mike Woodcock pleads for information on late wife’s necklace lost at St Andrews Lakes in Halling

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Joe Crossley

The boss of a countryside cafe and restaurant says he is having “sleepless nights” after losing a crucifix necklace which belonged to his late wife. Mike Woodcock, who has run Oad Street Food and Crafts in Borden near Sittingbourne for almost 10 years, was enjoying a family day out at St Andrews Lakes, near Strood, for one of his grandchildren’s birthdays when the treasured piece of jewellery went missing.
Plans for 650 homes in Scocles Road, Minster on Sheppey, allowed on appeal after three-year planning battle

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Joe Crossley

A housing battle that lasted more than three years has come to a “disappointing" end after plans to build 650 homes were allowed on appeal. The controversial new estate, the size of 43 standard 11-a-side football pitches, which will be constructed in Scocles Road in Minster, on Sheppey, was given the go-ahead on Tuesday, June 24. Proposals were first put forward in May 2022. Swale council’s own officers were recommended to approve the scheme.
The Libertines and Tom Jones to headline open-air venue Dreamland, in Margate, on the same weekend

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Sam Lawrie

One of Kent’s outdoor music venues is gearing up for a jam-packed weekend as two huge musicians are set to perform. Indie giants The Libertines and Welsh singer Tom Jones will play back-to-back gigs at Dreamland, Margate’s vintage fairground, as part of this year’s Margate Summer Series. The venue’s string of open-air concerts is in full swing, with the likes of Supergrass and Scooter having already visited the seaside spot.
Frustrations over gridlocked Tunbridge Wells as Frant Road shuts for two weeks due to emergency works

3 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Davina Jethwa

Additional reporting by Gabriel MorrisMotorists travelling through a town gridlocked by road closures have called the emergency works “unbearable”. Drivers say coming in and out of Tunbridge Wells is “impossible” after Frant Road shut on Friday (June 20) for Southern Water to carry out repairs. But, the works follow other restricted access issues in Sandhurst Road, Powder Mill Lane, Upper Grosvenor Road (all for gas works) and Eridge Road (for water works).
Domestic abuser from Maidstone, Alex Buckwell jailed after repeatedly punching and strangling partner

3 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Davina Jethwa

A “cowardly bully” who controlled “almost every aspect” of his partner's life and repeatedly beat and strangled her has been jailed. Alex Buckwell of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone, subjected his victim to “relentless physical and psychological abuse” during their relationship, even denying her privacy inside her home by using a coin to open a lock when she was in the bathroom. Buckwell also made the woman delete all her social media accounts and forced her to block or delete friends on her phone.
Tickets are on sale now for Port Lympne’s new Christmas light trail, coming to the Hythe wildlife park in November 2025

3 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Sam Lawrie

Tickets for a sparkling new light trail that will illuminate Kent’s biggest wildlife park are on sale. Visitors can get their hands on tickets to the new festive trail, coming to Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Hythe this Christmas, from today (June 25). You can book tickets to the event here. The tickets, which have only been on sale to members so far, have already started selling out for popular time slots, so it’s advised to book early if you fancy going along.