KentOnline

Podcast: Canterbury woman who fell pregnant at 16 shares success story after graduating as a primary school teacher

A Canterbury woman who fell pregnant at just 16 has told the podcast how she was determined not to be just another teenage mum on benefits.

Louise Mansell has just qualified as a primary school teacher and has been sharing her success story with reporter Gerry Warren.

Also in today's episode, it's been a nightmare start to the Easter holidays for hundreds of holidaymakers after travel chaos at the Port of Dover.

Some people waiting in queues for up to 14 hours.

There are calls for a new pedestrian crossing at a busy junction near Ashford, amid concerns someone could end up seriously injured.

A dad's set up a petition for a button to control the traffic lights where the A28 meets Bybrook Road in Kennington.

Elsewhere, it's claimed "dangerous and unacceptable" parking near a school near Sittingbourne is putting children at risk.

Grove Park primary in Bobbing is close to a new housing development, and there are no yellow lines on one side of the road.

You have probably heard of breakfast clubs for children - now one has opened on Sheppey for parents who're skipping meals to ensure their children are fed.

New research shows more than half of adults here in the South East are having to go without as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

And in sport, it was a disappointing trip to Barrow for Gillingham at the weekend.

They conceded a last minute goal to lose 2-1 on the road. Hear from an unhappy manager, Neil Harris.

Podcast: Calls for speed camers on the A2, London Road in Teynham

There are calls for speed cameras to be installed on a stretch of the A2 where 10 people have lost their lives in crashes over the past two decades.
It's the stretch that runs through Teynham which has gained a reputation for being a real blackspot.

Also in today's podcast, bosses at a college with campuses in Medway and Maidstone say they're on target to only be using renewable energy in just two years time.
Work is under way to install ground source heat pumps and wind turbines at MidKent College.
Seven groups in Kent that were set up to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been awarded a share of £45,000.
The Kent Community Foundation set up the Ukrainian Support Fund last year and are now distributing the money to support the refugees.
Work is under way to clear an invasive plant that's threatening fish populations from waterways in Kent.
Floating Pennywort is actually native to north America but was found in this country in the 90s.
As the Easter holidays get under way, our features writer Sam Lawrie has a round-up of everything going on in the county.
And, in sport, Gillingham make the long trip north to Barrow in league two this weekend.
Neil Harris' side will be looking to make it three wins in a row and increase the gap with the relegation zone even further.

Podcast: Man, 79, waits 55 hours in a chair at QEQM Hospital in Margate

We start today's podcast with health news after it was revealed an elderly man was left waiting for more than two days in A&E at a Kent hospital - as pressure on the NHS continues.

79-year-old Geoffrey Knell spent 55 hours in a chair at the QEQM in Margate after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Elsewhere, an inquest has been told how a Dover man was let down by mental health services in the months before his death.

A coroner's ruled there were missed opportunities by professionals to contact 25 year-old Ben Hart before he took his own life in October last year.

Hear from Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks who has been discussing the result of a major survey that reveal just 29% of people in England, Scotland and Wales say they're happy with the way the health service runs.

Also in today's podcast, owners are being warned to keep a close eye on their pets as Kent is named a dog-theft hotspot.

More than 177 cases were reported across the country last year -  American Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and French Bulldogs were the most common breeds targeted.

A woman's been made commander of a Kent lifeboat for the first time in the station's 100 year history.

Heather Crittenden's been part of the RNLI for 11 years and is now at the helm of the Atlantic 85 at Littlestone on Romney Marsh.

And, Olly Murs has told our sister radio station, kmfm, he'd love Austin Butler to play him in a movie about his life.

Hear some of his chat with Garry and Chelsea on the breakfast show.

Podcast: Tributes paid to Kent’s Paul O’Grady following his death at the age of 67

Heartfelt tributes are being paid to Paul O'Grady following his shock death at the age of 67.

The TV and radio star, who lived near Ashford, passed away yesterday evening.

He was well known for his love of animals and was a passionate supporter of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, visiting their site in Brands Hatch with the Queen Consort last year.

In November, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Also in today's podcast, an investigation is under way following a suspected arson attack at a former pub near Sevenoaks.

At KentOnline you can see drone pictures showing the damage to the building on South Ash Road in Ash.

Asylum seekers who cross the Channel to Kent in small boats could be housed on barges and in former RAF bases under plans being drawn up by the government.

An announcement's expected later as ministers say they want to reduce the number of refugees in hotels.

A couple who live off grid in converted shipping containers on land they own near Folkestone have been ordered to demolish their home.

Reporter Rhys Griffiths has been speaking to Dan and Stacey Bond who have lived on the site at Swingfield Minins since April last year.

And, a former soldier from Kent is embarking on an epic mission to climb Everest - despite the fact he doesn't have either of his legs.

Hari Budha Magar from Canterbury was seriously injured in an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan in 2010.

Podcast: Couple say buying a new-build house in Herne Bay has turned into a disaster

A couple who used their life-savings for a deposit on a new-build house in Herne Bay say it's turning out to be a 'disaster'.

Alex and Dorina Marcu moved into the £350,000 property last summer but within a week, had documented dozens of problems. Hear from Alex and we have a statement from the developers.

Also in today's podcast, a couple have been charged with murder following the death of a child in Gravesend.

The two-year-old girl passed away in hospital in May 2020.

Orlando Bloom's praised the strength of the Ukrainian people during a visit to the war-torn country.

The Canterbury actor is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has met with President Zelensky.

The owner of a Medway company says he's no longer going to pitch for business in London, because of the cost of paying the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge.

Lee Murthwaite provides sound equipment for events but has to pay every time he drives into the capital because he has an older vehicle. He's been speaking to our colleagues from KMTV.

A Medway mum says she hopes to transform a pub into a community hub to tackle loneliness and isolation.

Jane Brownlow is transforming the Princes Park pub in Chatham after managing to raise enough money to buy the lease.

And, Tracey Emin has announced she wants to buy an old bathing house on Margate beach and turn it into a facility for swimmers and surfers.

Hear what she had to say to a crowd that had gathered for the official opening of her new studios in the town.

Podcast: Rochester Grammar School loses ’outstanding’ rating after being inspected by Ofsted for the first time in 15 years

A Kent grammar school has lost its 'outstanding' rating after being inspected by Ofsted for the first time in 15 years.

Rochester Grammar has been downgraded to 'good'.

It comes as the schools watchdog comes under pressure to put inspections on hold after a head teacher took her own life.

Also in today's podcast, the government's controversial new migration policy is being debated by MPs again.

It's aimed at stopping people crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats by banning them from claiming asylum.

A Gillingham teenager says her life is in limbo after she started suffering seizures.

Shanice Waterman has described what happens while her dad has criticised why it's taking so long to get a brain scan.

Meantime, a young woman from Canterbury who suffers from a rare disease which leaves her feeling like she's burning has spoken about how it's destroyed her life.

Millie Martin's been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome which is said to be one of the world's most painful incurable conditions.

It's the start of World Autism Acceptance week and an autistic woman from Maidstone is fighting to change the education system.

Hear from Megan Horan who suffered panic attacks, bouts of self harm and anxious meltdowns during her GCSEs.

As campaigning officially gets under way ahead of the local elections in Kent we've been speaking to our political editor Paul Francis.

We'll get to vote on May, 4 and the results will decide who's in charge of councils across the county.

And in sport, it was an incredibly win for Gillingham at the weekend.

They beat promotion chasing Carlisle United 1-0 at Priestfield. Hear from goal scorer Shaun Williams and manager Neil Harris. 

Podcast: Gravesend teenager threatened with knife near Northfleet Youth Centre

A Gravesend mum says her son has been mentally scarred after he was threatened with a knife near a youth centre.

18-year-old Oliver, who has additional needs, was going to Northfleet Youth Centre's accessibility club when a knife was put to his stomach by another teen.

Ella Saward-Hutton has told the podcast how her son feared for his life. We've also got a statement from Kent County Council.

Also in today's episode, a protest has been held outside council offices in Maidstone as a consultation over plan to close children's centres in Kent comes to an end.

Parents aren't happy with the proposals which the authority says will save millions of pounds.

Plans to re-open Kent's Manston Airport as a cargo hub are on hold again.

Our business editor Chris Britcher explains the latest delay to take-off.

A Sittingbourne Morrisons worker is hoping social media will help him to become a singing sensation.

Rhys Davies has only previously sung to colleagues and customers at the store.

And in sport, promotion hopefuls Carlisle United are the visitors to Priestfield this weekend.

Gillingham will be hoping to continue their good home form and we've been catching up with strikes Tom Nichols.

Podcast: Tributes to Thorley Taverns founder Frank Thorley following his death at the age of 87

Tributes are being paid to the founder of Kent pub chain Thorley Taverns following his death at the age of 87.

Frank Thorley started the business in London before moving to Thanet.

He has been described as a 'legend' and our business editor Chris Britcher says he will be greatly missed.

Also in today's podcast, a video showing a group of young people hurling racist abuse at two girls in the centre of Maidstone, has gone viral.

The sisters - who have Nepalese heritage - were targeted outside Primark on Week Street.

We've got reaction from some of Kent's MPs after Boris Johnson spent three hours defending his actions over lockdown parties in Downing Street.

A committee questioned the former Prime Minister over whether he lied to Parliament about knowing he broke the rules. 

A pop-up cafe and pantry in Tunbridge Wells that's trying to cut food waste and tackle the cost of living crisis has been given a grant to carry on the work they do.

Charlie's Angels Kitchens launched in 2021 after managing to raise money via a GoFundMe. The woman who set it up has been speaking to reporter Charlotte Phillips.

And in sport, we have details of Emma Raducanu's first round game at the Miami Open.

Podcast: Young boy injured after getting trapped beneath trolley on travelator at Asda, Sittingbourne

A four-year-old boy has been injured after getting trapped under a supermarket trolley.
It happened as he travelled up a travelator with his mum at an Asda store in Sittingbourne. Hear what bosses have had to say.

Also in today's podcast, A Kent mum is the latest to demand change at the Met Police after a damning report yesterday found the force to be institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic.
Mina Smallman lives in Ramsgate and has spoken out after her two daughters were murdered in London in 2020.
Pictures of Bibaa and Nicole's bodies were shared among officers on WhatsApp.
Building work has started on a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Medway.
The site of the former Splashes in Rainham was demolished last year in prepartion for the new £24 million facility.
A charity that works with children who have suffered abuse or trauma are having to open a third branch in the county because of an increase in demand.
Dandelion Time already has centres in West Farleigh and Ashford and 50 young people on its waiting list.
We've been speaking to their CEO.
Folkestone has been named the third most popular area in the UK for Londoners buying second homes.
Figures show 1 in 20 of the properties bought there in the last year was a second home.
And in sport, the Gillingham manager has been speaking following their win against Crewe Alexandra.
It finished 2-1 at Priestfield and saw the boss sent to the stands after a third goal for the Gills was disallowed.

Podcast: Pothole repair bill getting ’out of control’ according to report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance

The KentOnline Podcast has been told Kent needs millions more pounds to deal with the number of potholes on our roads.

Around 15,000 have been reported across the county since the start of December due to snow at the start of winter - and plenty of heavy rain.

The government announced extra funding in last week's budget with Kent getting around £6.5 million, but a report today says that is not enough.

We've been speaking to the authors of that report, the man in charge of highways at the county council and a Tunbridge Wells resident who says the roads are so bad, it's affected the value of her house.

Also in today's episode, a damning report out today into the Met Police has found it's institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic.

Baroness Louise Casey was asked to carry out a review following the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens from Deal - who, at the time, was a serving officer. We've got reaction from Kent's police and crime commissioner.

Bosses at a swimming school say they've been left homeless after the sudden closure of a leisure centre in west Kent.

We told you last week how the site in Edenbridge has shut after the company that runs it went into liquidation - with no plan for the future.

Hear from the chair of the Edenbridge Piranhas.

And in sport, Gillingham will be looking to bounce straight back from the weekend's defeat as they welcome Crewe Alexandra to Priestfield tonight.

The opposition are just two places and four points above the Gills in the league two table.