What made the headlines in 2019
It’s been a year of highs and lows. We take a look back at events of the past 12 months that made us laugh, cry, and everything in between...
January
The year began with news a gin distillery would be coming to Maidstone, which bosses said would restore the County Town’s rich historical association with the spirit. The new attraction, including a bar and visitor centre, is expected to open this year.
There was frustration after the government once again delayed its decision on the future of high speed trains from west Kent to London. The KM continued to campaign for the popular services to be retained but a verdict on the next rail franchise is yet to be delivered.
Daredevil BASE jumper
Chad Smith, from Tovil, avoided death by a matter of seconds after a mistimed leap from one of Dover’s famous white cliffs. Despite suffering a broken back and pelvis, he returned to his beloved hobby just weeks later.
In Headcorn a particularly illuminating tale captured hearts. Valerie Beaney’s family bought a light bulb from the now-defunct retailer, Woolworths, some 75 years ago, and despite decades of service, the 40-watt wonder was incredibly still found to work in 2019.
February
The county ground to a halt as blizzards brought down hundreds of trees and forced major roads, including the
A229 at Blue Bell Hill, to close. Despite the difficulties, hearts were warmed by the sight of communities rallying together to help each other out.
Maidstone was shocked by the stabbing of Wesley Adyinka in Knightrider Street, which a trial has since heard happened during a drugs turf war. Four men have denied murdering the 39-year-old and wounding his partner, Amanda Francis, with a jury’s verdict expected early in the new year.
Young Tony Hudgell, whose legs had to be amputated after sickening abuse by his birth parents, saw his family’s fight for justice go to Parliament, where MP Tom Tugendhat helped push for tougher sentences for those found guilty of child cruelty.
Elsewhere there was outrage as it was announced Maidstone’s Trinity Foyer, which provides housing for vulnerable youngsters, would be restricting its services to 16 and 17 year olds, leaving dozens of older residents in the lurch.
March
BMI Healthcare announced it was closing Maidstone’s Somerfield Hospital in London Road. Dozens of appointments were cancelled and 62 people lost their jobs. The company blamed competition from new healthcare operators.
Shepway estate was left grieving after Andrew Jenkins was shot dead by pal Jeffery Mills, after confronting him about having an affair with his wife. Mills was cleared of murder but jailed for six-and-a-half years for having a gun.
Aylesford shopkeeper Bala Baleswaran was hailed a hero after he saw off a masked gunman who tried to hold up his store by hurling drinks cans at his assailant.
It was Happy Times in name but not nature for the owner of the Chinese takeaway in Larkfield, who ended up in court after a customer found a metal wing-nut in a portion of crispy seaweed. David Wen was banned from running a food business.
April
Police in Maidstone used a new “knife bar” for the first time. The portable metal-detecting equipment allowed officers to check that those entering Brenchley Gardens were not carrying a weapon.
We revealed a trial run of Operation Brock - the HGV management system on the M20 in preparation for a possible no-deal Brexit - was costing £9,600 a day in hotel bills alone. Highways England had shipped in an extra 80 highways officers to top up the 140 already in Kent.
Maidstone council announced plans to end the 24-hour monitoring of CCTV in the town centre. The 32 cameras are watched around the clock from a command centre in Strood, but cuts mean that will