July

It was the end of an era as plans were announced to close a popular nightclub. Generations of Islanders had danced the night away at Layzells in Minster, formerly Warners holiday camp, since it opened 70 years ago. It is set to make way for a suite of dental surgeries.

In Sheerness there was jubilation as a controversial scheme banning cars from driving down the High Street was lifted after more than a year. Traders had been staging weekly protests about the closure, introduced because of Covid measures, saying it had devastated trade.

Its removal coincided with Freedom Day when rules over social distancing and mask-wearing were relaxed nationwide.

Meanwhile, homes, football fans and pets across the Island were decked in the St George cross as they dared to dream England might win the Euros. But after a nail-biting final, Italy eventually triumphed on penalties.

August

The month began with a horrifying accident, in which a circus performer fell more than 16ft from a trapeze in front of a shocked audience.

Performer Megan Christian lost her footing during a routine as Santus Circus visited Barton’s Point Coastal Park in Sheerness. After an operation on her neck she reassured fans she was recovering well and would return to the Big Top soon.

In court, an IT consultant accused of stabbing former Sheppey paratrooper Luke Sullivan to death during a cocaine and alcohol binge was cleared of murder. The 31-year-old’s parents vowed to continue fighting for answers over their son’s death.

And Sheerness held its first ever ‘green’ summer carnival, with a parade of walkers, wheelchairs and buggies replacing the usual lorries, cars and floats.

September

A disused nightclub which once attracted big showbiz names like Chas ‘n’ Dave and Jim Davidson had some visitors of a different kind - Kent Police.

A raid of the former Merlins complex in Leysdown found 3,000 cannabis plants growing there in four separate rooms. Five men were charged with cultivating the drug.

Also in the courts were three family members and an accomplice who attacked a man at an Eastchurch holiday park in front of terrified children, armed with knives and a baseball bat.

Jason Taylor Jnr and Snr, Oliver Taylor and Carl Allam were jailed for a combined total of nearly 10 years.

A metal detectorist was able to keep a 400-year-old silver hawking ring, worth around £18,000, discovered while hunting for treasure in Eastchurch.

But drivers weren’t so lucky. They faced gridlock at the pumps for several weeks after a delay in deliveries sparked a wave of panic buying that saw many forecourts run dry. The Army was eventually brought in to fill the shortage of tanker drivers.

October

One of Sheppey’s most established residential homes was ordered to stop taking people after watchdog the Care Quality Commission published a damning report into conditions there.

Whistleblowers lifted the lid on failings at The Little Oyster in Minster which cares for up to 64 people with learning and physical disabilities. Some residents’ call bells to request help were found to have been switched off and choking risks were identified.

The face of Sheerness town centre was altered beyond recognition as its iconic clock tower was taken away from its home of 120 years.

It was dismantled over several days before being driven to Derby for a £160,000 restoration. When it returns next spring it will be in its original green and gold colours. A crowd gathered to wave it off as it began its 187-mile journey.

Strangers came together to help mend an 11-year-old boy’s broken heart after the death of his beloved parrot. Postman Billy Freshwater found a note Alfie Springate had written to his pet, addressed to heaven, while on his round in Sheerness.

Following an appeal on Facebook, he managed to find a replacement bird complete with a new cage.

Alfie’s dad Clinton Whitehouse said: “There are some really kind people on this Island.”

November

The Only Way Was Essex... at least if you wanted your Covid booster jab.

Islanders trying to book on the NHS vaccine website were directed to Southend Civic Centre, billed as a mere 7.6 miles away. Those not wanting to make the trip via boat, however, would have found their ‘nearest centre’ was in fact a 128-mile round-trip away.

MP Gordon Henderson said he was pressing health bosses for more locations in Swale to be made available.

Also making an epic journey was Bam the Japanese Akita. Frightened by a firework on Guy Fawkes Night, the dog fled his home in Leysdown and was miraculously found five miles away, roaming the water’s edge at Seasalter the following day, having swum across the Swale.

And staying with animal news, rats managed to put Sheppey in the national spotlight. The rodents chewed through cables at Sheerness Tesco fuelling station, causing petrol prices to become stuck at 134.9p a litre - the cheapest in Britain.

December

Just as last year, Covid dominated the news agenda in the run up to Christmas, with the new Omicron variant sweeping the nation and throwing festive plans and events into doubt.

But those dutifully following government advice to get their boosters were met with disgraceful scenes. Elderly patients were forced to queue for more than three hours in sub-zero temperatures in a supermarket car park to get theirs. It was so cold at least one person collapsed while waiting.

But there was better news to end the year. The Island was on the up with the Sea Cadets unveiling plans for a stunning £6m training centre, the launch of a fine dining restaurant at the Prince of Waterloo pub in Minster, and Swale council unveiling a £20m regeneration vision for Sheerness seafront.

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