Meridian Chatham News

Two men have been charged after a series of armed robberies at newsagents across Kent.

Robert Powsey, 41, of Peacock Rise in Chatham and Duncan Snape, 41, from Chapel Yard in London were arrested earlier this week.

Seven different newsagents were broken into between March 2012 and March 2013.

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Kent Police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion or robbery following incidents in Chatham. Police had earlier issued an appeal after a robbery at a Co-operative shop, and a second at William Hill Bookmakers . A local man is being questioned.

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• Chatham

15 motorcyclists are setting off on a 13,000 mile trek from England to China in the name of research. Their every move and breath will be monitored for signs of stress and tiredness.

It's part of scientific project being carried out by the University of Kent in Chatham. Tom Savvides explains. Tom speaks to Professor Sam Marcora, University of Kent; Alan Routledge, Motorcyclist; and Kevin Sanders, Motorcyclist.

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They were the force that made Britain great. The wooden warships ships built at Chatham in the 1700s were unstoppable and helped create the British Empire. Now a new multimedia exhibition at the dockyard is celebrating their history and bringing it to life with digital technology.

David Johns reports, talking first to Preservation Officer Richard Holdsworth then actor Dave Norman.

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An art exhibition with a difference has opened in north Kent not in a gallery, but beneath the ancient timbers of Chatham's Historic Dockyard.

The works exhibited owe much to the light and life of Chatham's watery past. As Jenny Line reports it's a history stretching back to centuries past - and for one artist at least, a very personal perspective.

Jenny speaks to Alex Patterson of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, and exhibitors Sheilagh Dyson and Jack McDonagh.

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• Art

Kent Police have released an e-fit of a man who threatened a passerby with a handgun in Chatham.

The incident happened at midnight on Saturday near Kingswood Avenue.

The robber approached his victim and lifted his jumper to reveal a handgun in the waistband of his trousers.

The victim escaped by kicking his attacker in the chest and running to the Texaco garage on Maidstone Road.

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Some people's eyes meet across a crowded room, others are introduced on the internet - and for some a close friendship blossoms into love.

For Mr and Mrs Khullar from Chatham - their love story began on their wedding day, and after 57 years of marriage, it's still true love. Sarah Saunders went along to meet them.

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French police say a man from Chatham has been arrested by detectives investigating the death of a jogger near Montpellier.

The woman's body was found in the hamlet of Courbessac.

The name of the man, who is thirty two and was living with his mother in France, has not been released.

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A man has been arrested after an attempted child abduction at the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham. Officers were called at just after 4pm on Friday to a report of suspicious behaviour by a man in the centre's car park. He then approached a woman and her children, causing them concern.

A 33 year old man has been arrested and is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.

North Division’s Acting Superintendent, Julia Chapman, said: ‘Kent Police would like to reassure people that this was an entirely an isolated incident, but one we are taking seriously.’

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