Residents from Hawkinge are fighting back against plans to develop a new supermarket in the village for a second time.

Scottish developer Edinburgh Land Estates submitted plans to Shepway District Council to build on the Heron Forstal Avenue car park earlier this month. They plan to build a 650 square foot store on this land, which is currently used as the car park of the Community Centre

However, the residents told the Herald that the plans have safety and parking issues as it is a “family friendly area” and will lead to noise disruption as the road is “not designed” for delivery vehicles. A meeting will occur on 4^th August at the Hawkinge Community Centre from 7pm if you wish to attend.

A mother has complained to the company Stagecoach after her disabled son fell from one of their buses and hit his head. Sebastian McDonnell suffers from epilepsy as well as many other health problems and is bound to his wheelchair after contracting meningitis at the age of 14. Soon after this he had to have both his legs amputated because of the condition.

Speaking to the Folkestone Herald, his mother Christina McDonnell blames the bus driver and his actions. Apparently the driver lowered the ramp down onto the road instead of the pavement which is the common practice when using the disability ramp. She said: “I told him it was not safe for me to get Sebastian off and he said he would help me”.

“It was like not having a ramp there. I was turning the wheel chair round when Sebastian slid down the ramp and fell backwards and hit his head.”

Following this incident, Sebastian had an epileptic fit. He had to be taken to hospital. Stagecoach have investigated the claims and, in a statement released to the Folkestone Herald, said:

 “We accept the driver made an error of judgement but we are satisfied his intentions were good and he was trying to be helpful to the customer. He was very upset”.

An inquest into the deaths of 3 Folkestone-based soldiers has ruled that they were “unlawfully killed” after they were attacked on 13^th July 2010.

The 3 men were Major James Bowman, Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun and from the First Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, which is based in Folkestone. The attack occurred in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at the men’s command centre. 4 others were also injured in this attack.  

The man responsible is a rogue Afghan colleague, Sergeant Talib Hussein from the Afghan National Army (ANA). The Coroner, David Ridley, stated that the deaths were a “result of the actions of the member of the ANA”. He also concluded that there was no evidence to suggest there the British army failed to properly protect the men.

A survey has shown that people in Folkestone would like to see more police on the streets.

Kent Police Authority set up a stand at Asda which asked the public which policies best represented their needs.

According to the Kentish Express, top of the poll with 45% was a more visible presence on the streets.

The second most popular issue they wanted dealt with was crime and anti-social behaviour, which had 34% of the vote.

A teenage girl has been prosecuted for constantly bullying a 19 year old.

The family of the victim told the Kentish Express they are relieved that they finally have justice.

The 15 year old from Romney Marsh has been given a restraining order after three years of bullying the boy, who has learning disabilities.

The victim’s mother said: “He would come home shaking and upset when he had seen this girl.”

Police have warned the girl about her behaviour a number of times but this did not deter her.

In April she was witnessed hitting the boy on the head and swearing at him by two teenage boys, who gave evidence against her.

It is reported in the Herald today that local military chiefs may take control of army interests in Nepal.

After the Government spending cuts were announced last year Gurkha jobs were placed under threat.

A senior Tory back-bencher hinted that all British regiments could be axed.Local MPs believe that having the South East Brigade take control is a positive outcome.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said: “It would on the face of it be a positive development, and if it does mean the securing of the Gurkhas future locally, then so much the better.”

The Folkestone Triennial Fringe has been deemed a success after hundreds of people enjoyed vibrant performances, while also taking part in interactive workshops.

The Fringe launched on the 25th June, with work by local artists from Folkestone being displayed. The event has been taking place in the town as well as in rural locations all over Shepway.

Shepway District Council, who has co-ordinated the fringe, has also put together a fringe fanzine which details all you need to know about the fringe. More projects have been developed, ready for August and September.

Two German men, who were arrested at the port of Dover earlier this month, have been charged with terrorism offences.

Christian David Erkart Heinz Emde, 28, and Robert Baum, 23, are accused of collecting or possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Both men have been remanded in custody to appear at the city of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

A 24-year-old man has been charged for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following a disturbance in Ashford.

Firearms officers were called to Kilndown Close late on Sunday night, following reports of an argument.

Police have revealed the Ashford man was charged on Monday night and remanded in custody to appear before Magistrate’s court in Canterbury.

Northcliffe Media which publishes the Folkestone Herald and Dover Express is planning to sell the papers to rival publisher the KM Group.

The sale will be subject to a 40 day investigation by the Office of Fair Trading. If it goes ahead it would strengthen KM’s control of print and online news outlets across Kent.

The news was announced to both organisations at lunchtime yesterday.

Other titles that would be transferred to KM ownership include the Medway News, East Kent Gazette, Herne Bay and Whitstable Times, and the Isle of Thanet Gazette.