Kent weekly round-up: 27 July - 2 August 2024
Fans gathered at Folkestone's harbour arm to celebrate the 1978 hit Wuthering Heights
- Published
The story about Kate Bush fans dancing to Wuthering Heights in red dresses at a Kent harbour proved a popular read this week.
A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Kent and BBC South East Today.
We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.
'Extinct' butterfly now breeding in Kent
The large tortoiseshell has a wing span of between 68-75mm (2.67-2.95in)
A species of butterfly which is thought to have died out in England more than 60 years ago is showing signs of breeding in Kent.
The large tortoiseshell butterfly was common in the UK but disappeared in the 1960s, possibly because of Dutch elm disease, although scientists have been unable to confirm this.
Now they are making a comeback, with more than 30 spotted in a Kent woodland this year.
"They're living proof that eco systems can recover if they're given the chance," said conservationist William Malpas.
Over 70,000 vehicles fined for driving in bus lane
The vehicle restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells run daily from 09:00 to 18:00 BST
More than 70,000 drivers have been fined for driving along a stretch of road in Kent.
Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells has generated 71,836 penalty charge notices since April 2023, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that the BBC submitted to the council.
Other than buses, taxis and bicycles, vehicles are banned from driving on the road between 09:00 and 18:00 BST.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said the restrictions aimed to make the town a "more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists".
Man takes dog to hospital to 'offer others hope'
Staff would put dog treats between Nigel Avery's fingers and allow Martha to jump on to the bed
A dog owner who spent more than 100 days in hospital while paralysed has returned to the same wards with his pet to offer hope to others.
Nursing staff at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital allowed visits from Martha to owner Nigel Avery while he was in intensive care.
Two years on the pair have now completed therapy dog training, and go into the hospital to visit other patients.
Mr Avery's family had been told to prepare for the worst after he developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after a bout of Covid and he was put into a coma to help his body recover.
Charity 'frustrated' as tool thefts in Kent increase
Stephen Weeks is an area manager for Kent Wildlife Trust
A charity manager has expressed frustration over increasing tool thefts as data shows only a fraction of reports to Kent Police lead to charges.
Kent Wildlife Trust's Stephen Weeks made his comments after data showed 1,385 tool theft reports had been made in the last year, but only 38 charges, summons or postal requisitions were carried out.
The data also showed in 2023-24 the total number of tool theft reports was the highest since before the pandemic.
Supt Pete Steenhuis said the force investigated every incident based on the evidence available.
NHS apology after E. coli patient's 'unbearable pain'
Matt Jenkins, from Faversham, was initially discharged from A&E with painkillers
A man who developed E. coli after eating a contaminated sandwich said the pain was so bad he thought he was going to die.
Matt Jenkins, from Faversham, Kent, was initially discharged from A&E with painkillers despite passing blood up to 40 times a day.
After returning in agony, it took another four days before he was diagnosed with the infection – a delay which he said put himself and other patients at risk.
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for any distress caused to Mr Jenkins.
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