Murder rocks quiet Kent village

by James Crouch

A local Chartham resident has been found stabbed to death in a field behind her house.

Karen Barton, 51, was found in Pickett’s Field, off Rentain Road, Chartham, at 12.40am on Sunday, discovered by a couple walking their dog.

Phoebe Barton and Karen Barton

Her sister, Phoebe Barton, 49, is the chief suspect, and was found just last night – Thursday 13th May 2010 – ending a four day manhunt involving police helicopters, thermal imaging cameras, 20 police officers and a marine search team on the river Stour.

The police report Phoebe Barton as having mental health problems. This is said to have been something she has been suffering throughout the year. Barton’s only daughter, Rachel, was killed in a road accident on May 27th last year, and the anniversary of her death is believed to have contributed to her ill health.
The last time either Phoebe or Karen Barton had been seen was as they were setting off for their regular Saturday evening walk at around 7pm. However, since that moment, and the time the body was discovered, nobody had seen or heard from Phoebe Barton, and she had not been answering her mobile phone.

Karen Barton is believed to have been stabbed a number of times, though the police are refusing to state how many times exactly.

Police had earlier issued a plea to homeowners around the area, asking them to remain vigilant and check outbuildings for the missing woman.

Phoebe Barton was eventually found in the neighbouring village of Chilham.

To have a look at the story on Kent News Online, click here.

Canterbury Rugby Club looking to improve

By Nicolas Verdier

After a brilliant 2008-2009 season on National League 3, Canterbury Rugby Club was promoted in National League 2. Playing at their highest level ever, the black and amber had amore than a promising season for a newcomer with a record of thirteen wins in twenty-eight games.

Indeed, head coach Danny Vaughan was proud of his players, including Christ Church student Jack Davis, as they finished in 7^th place in the top half of the table. But like every team knows, consistency is the key of success and the least we can say is that Canterbury Rugby Club has been lacking of it all year long.

The season started pretty well with three wins in four games. But this good start was followed by a disappointing five loses in six games in October including their biggest defeat of the season against high flyer Roselyn Park 70-19.

Lead by captain Chris Hinkins and his 171 games for the club, their season went back on track when they bagged four successes in five matches before and just after Christmas and their largest victory against Clifton 51-17 at the end of November. But the end of the season was a long journey with eight defeats in thirteen games.

However, if the overall result looks average, it is very encouraging for the future and next year in particular. With more consistency, there is no doubt they will be playing for a play-off position as soon as next year and play for promotion by 2012. The Guinness Premiership is only three divisions above…

http://www.cantrugby.co.uk/

Bands at the Belmont Confirmed for 2010

By Joe Gustafson

It has been announced Bands at the Belmont will return to Whitstable this summer with X Factor star Ben Mills heading the bill after last year’s event turned out a huge success. The music event hosted at Whitstable FC’s ground, The Belmont, also includes last year’s performers Hullabaloo and Rubber Biscuit.

Where as last year the event was held in May, this year it has been pushed forward to 19^th June in a bid to avoid the torrential rain, which poured down upon Whitstable last year. Event organisers also have claimed that they have managed to cut queue’s for the beer tent which last year were reported to have up to 90 minute waits, organiser Neil Harrison has said ‘We are also hiring a 36-feet long marquee as a beer tent to ensure no one has to wait so long to get a drink. That is our biggest priority.’

The Kent Estate Agencies employee has been looking ahead to what should be a memorable night “This is Whitstable’s biggest open-air music event. It features local bands playing to local people raising funds for the local football club’ adding, ‘We have put it back five weeks in a bid to avoid the rain of last year and have switched it to a Saturday to give people more time to get ready.’

Doors will open at 5pm and the first of three bands will begin their set at 6.30pm. Tickets £10 in advance and £15 on the door and are now available either by purchasing directly from Kent Estate Agencies, the Labour Club, Turbo Print as well as the football ground. Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking the link below.

Buy tickets now! http://eventsatthebelmont.co.uk/

Night-time blaze threatens care home residents

By Jamie Feltham

What should have been a peaceful night for the residents of a Canterbury care home turned into one of confusion and panic yesterday. Fourteen residents had to be evacuated when a fire was discovered in the laundry room at 10:50 pm.

The residents were taken to Kent and Canterbury hospitals while fire crews quickly disposed of the fire before it spread to other rooms. Because of the condition of some residents, including a 94 year old women, great care had to be taken in handling the situation.

Let back one by one, the last resident arrived back home at 5:30am.

“All residents are safe, which was our main priority,” said Terri Wall, home manager, “Some suffered from shock and some were unaware of what was happening but they have all had breakfast and a cup of tea and are resting.”

Conservatives hold Canterbury in election win

By Sam Smith

On a very exciting election night, Tory MP Julian Brazier has retained his position as the incumbent MP for Canterbury. The Conservatives swept the board in regards to Kent, with every seat in the county now held by a Tory MP. Brazier, who has held his position since 1987, won the polls with 44% of the votes, gaining 22,050 in all. Although a larger overall number of votes than in 2005, it is also a smaller majority than last time.

Guy Voizey, the Lib Dem candidate, came second with 16,002 votes, an increase from the 10,059 they gained last time around. Coming last with a meagre 173 votes was Anne Belsey of the Money Reform Party.

After his victory, Brazier set out his priorities for the years ahead, saying "we need jobs here for young people, we have got to tackle anti-social behavior and social breakdown."

Julian Brazier was educated at Wellington College and won a scholarship in Mathematics to Oxford University. He worked for nine years with Charter Consolidated plc, doing economic research, corporate finance and as secretary to the executive directors. Brazier also served as an officer in the Territorial Army for thirteen years, six of them in Airborne forces. A practising Christian (R.C.), he is married to Katharine and they have three sons.

First elected as MP for Canterbury and Whitstable in 1987, Brazier's early campaigns ranged from woodland preservation to protecting intellectual property rights against government confiscation. Now, 23 years later, it is clear the people like having him as the man in charge of their county.

Click HERE to read more about Julian Brazier.

“If he’s old enough to vote, he should be old enough to have a say.” Potential teen councillor brings mixed views.

by James Crouch

The news that local teenager Alex Ellis-Roswell, 16, could potentially become the UK’s youngest councillor in the 2011 local elections has been met with a mixed response from the public in Canterbury.

The Libertarian Party member says he has long been interested in politics, and the former pupil of Barton Court Grammar School in Canterbury, hopes to bring fresh ideas to the city. “There is a south east branch but I am planning to set up one in Canterbury to help raise the party’s profile locally in time for the elections” said the youngster.

Some Canterbury residents don’t seem to be so sure, though. Ruth Wood went as far as to call the idea “ridiculous”, as he was “not experienced enough”. The 58 year-old also questioned whether “should someone that young have that responsibility?” 79 year-old Betty Winslow also gave a scathing view, not only on Alex, but also on Kent County Council in general, as she said she had “given up all hope with them.”

Though some remained indifferent to the possibility, others were in fact rather supportive of young Alex, as many argued he deserved as fair a chance as anyone. “I think it’s a good idea – if he’s old enough to vote, he should be old enough to have a say” claimed Lorraine Peachy, herself a former Council Worker. Tim Hedgecock, 29, agreed, remarking “if it can help young people get a say in their local community, it must be a good thing.”

Though many may feel worried about Alex’s lack of experience, others obviously feel it is a step in the right direction for politics. It could well be an opportunity for one youngster, and maybe others in the future, to really make a difference to their local community.

Pope missing Canterbury on UK visit

by Jamie Feltham and Josh Gray

Disappointment hit Canterbury recently as it was revealed that Pope Benedict XVI will be not be visiting during his trip to the UK from September 16 – 19th this year. The news came with particular surprise seeing as Pope John Paul II included the city in his visit in 1982.

CCCU Student News spoke to a member of staff at the Canterbury Cathedral, one of the main reasons for the Pope to visit “Of course, in 1982 the archbishop and the pope prayed together, so it is a shame. This Cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican Communion. The St. Peter’s Church in Rome was the mother church of the Catholic communion, so that shows how important the Cathedral is to Canterbury.”

We also asked a few students what they thought on the matter. The response was generally one of disappointment, “Personally I think it’s a bit of a disgrace considering its one of the most religious cities in England.” Says first year, Marcus “Just given the Cathedral and the history I think it’s right that he visit.”

Luke Bridgestock, also a first year, agreed, “When people ask you what the most religious place in the country is, the answer is nearly always Canterbury so I think it’s a bit of a joke that he’s not coming and meeting up with the archbishop.” So Canterbury will have to sit this one out it seems.