Kent weekly round-up: 22 June - 28 June 2024

The story about the Medway creator of the series Heartstopper, Alice Oseman receiving an honorary degree 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.

A champion equestrian from Kent who died after falling from her horse has been remembered by family and friends at her funeral.

Georgie Campbell, from Cranbrook, was just 36 when she fell from Global Quest while at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon on 21 May.

It was standing room only once the 700-strong congregation filled St Dunstan’s Church for Georgie’s memorial service on 25 June.

The rider’s death has “torn a hole” in the eventing world, said friend Tom McEwen.

Read more here

A couple who got engaged at Glastonbury Festival say they are "still riding the high".

James Wilson, 36, popped the question to his long-term girlfriend Maria Lawrence, 34, on 26 June during an interactive theatre show with performance artists, Ministry of Happy, who were in on the plan.

Ms Lawrence, from Kent, was blindfolded under the ruse that it was part of the show, but when she removed the blindfold Mr Wilson was down on one knee.

“I woke up this morning and looked at my hand to check the ring was still there. It felt like such a blur," she said.

Watch the moment Mr Wilson popped the question here

The childhood home of Anne Boleyn has reopened after undergoing major restoration.

The Boleyn Apartment at Hever Castle, in Kent, has been reimagined with 16th-century artefacts and offers an insight into how the Boleyn family would have lived.

Visitors can explore Anne’s journey from child to the ill-fated wife of King Henry VIII, now the six-month renovation is complete.

Castle historian Kate McCaffrey said she was “thrilled” to unveil the apartment’s redesign.

Read more here

"I've always been interested in Lego, ever since the children were small," says 85-year-old John Tasker from Tonbridge.

Alongside his son Mark, 55, the pair have built a replica of the 14th Century Ightham Mote in Ivy Hatch, Kent, entirely out of Lego bricks.

The model took three months to build and used around 8,500 bricks.

The duo have offered their creation to the National Trust as a donation to be displayed at the site.

Read more here

Vandals have removed the head from a statue in a Kent park.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council said it is "incredibly upset" after the incident, which it has described as an act of "pointless vandalism".

The council posted before and after pictures of the Radnor Park statue on X, saying it was "not a game of spot the difference we wanted to play".

"It is hoped a replacement can be arranged, but that takes time and costs taxpayers' money," the council told its followers.

Read more here

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.