Pensioners could see the new state pension rise from the following economic year, if wage growth remains at a similar level. Annual growth in total earnings in March to May (including bonuses) was 5.7 per cent, down from six per cent in the previous th…
Nurse, 85, warns ‘state pension doesn’t go far enough’ as she struggles to afford rising housing costs
Pensioners are “living a nightmare” as they struggle to keep up with rising prices during retirement. Those relying on their state pension with minimal savings are left out of pocket each month, scrapping by to afford essentials as housing costs eat in…
St John the Evangelist Church in Newbury one of 100 chosen to be part of net zero pioneer project
A Newbury church is to pioneer a new scheme aimed at reducing carbon emissions across England. The £5.2m Net Zero Programme has been launched by the Church of England. It will help 114 churches tap into advice from experts, including fundraisers and pr…
Raft race and illuminated paddleboarders will return for this year’s Maidstone River Festival
A waterfront festival that attracts thousands of visitors is set to return this summer. Crowds are expected to once again gather on Maidstone’s riverbanks to watch raft races and floating displays take to the water. The Maidstone River Festival has bee…
H. Goodsell and Son in Maidstone marks 100 years of building in Kent
Tucked away in a quiet side-road are the unassuming offices of H. Goodsell and Son, Builders. From the modest exterior, it would be difficult to guess that the firm has played a key part in shaping Maidstone today and indeed in shaping many other Kent …
Bid for fifth McDonald’s restaurant in Thanet sparks concerns over obesity in district
A divisive bid to open a Kent district’s fifth McDonald’s has sparked concerns too many people in the area are already obese. The fast food chain has unveiled plans to launch another of its restaurants in Thanet, where almost 70% of people are classifi…
Sudbury Rowing Club member Jen Titterington from Ridgewell near Haverhill qualifies to compete for England in prestigious Home International Regatta
Representing her country is not something Jen Titterington ever thought was possible when she switched sports to take up rowing upon leaving university. But following a strong performance at last weekend’s national trials, the Sudbury Rowing Club assoc…
Great Cornard Country Park plaque honours contributions of ‘visionary’ late former councillor Mick Cornish, who helped to establish site
The contributions of a long-serving councillor, teacher and trade unionist have been immortalised, with the installation of a new memorial at the park he helped to establish. Family members and former colleagues of the late Mick Cornish gathered at Gre…
Two years on, hunt for replacement Rector of Diss continues
The search for a new rector for Diss remains a work in progress – nearly two years after the post first became vacant. Parishioners have been waiting on news of an appointment since the Rev Canon Tony Billett retired in September 2022. Mr Billett had b…
“China’s threat against Taiwan has increased”, say 60% Taiwan residents in new survey
Taipei [Taiwan], July 21 (ANI): A survey by Taiwan-based Academia Sinica has claimed that nearly 60 per cent of Taiwan’s residents say China’s threat against Taiwan has increased in the last few years, reports the Voice of America. James Lee, an assist…