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The top stories from the KentOnline news team
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
The KentOnline Podcast’s been told how the conversion of the old Newtown railway works in Ashford will be one of six major projects bringing investment to the town.
It's set to become studio space and has already been linked to Netflix, Amazon and HBO.
It's rumoured it could be open by July 2025 - hear from council leader Gerry Clarkson, who says it's "very exciting times" for the area.
Also today, Kent has been reacting to Rishi Sunak becoming the first British Asian Prime Minister.
It comes just days after Liz Truss said she couldn’t deliver the mandate on which she was elected by the Conservative Party.
Our Political Editor explains what we can expect from Mr Sunak, and we speak to the Kent Chamber of Commerce about what businesses need amid economic instability.
We've also been chatting with Gurvinder Sandher, the Chief Executive of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, about what his appointment means for under-represented communities.
And in football, Gillingham are away to table-toppers Leyton Orient in League Two later.
The Gills - who're 19th - have picked up in form lately, having gone seven games unbeaten in all competitions.
But manager Neil Harris has told the KentOnline Podcast that they'll have to play much better against tonight's opponents.
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
A marshal at a paintball centre in Longfield has been convicted after shooting a group of nine-year-olds during a party.
19-year-old Zach Ramage, from from Hartley Bottom Road, also verbally abused the group of children while he was supposed to be looking after them.
Our reporter gives us the full details.
Also in today's podcast, members of the LGBTQ+ community are calling on the media to help change the conversation - as hate crimes based on sexuality and gender identity are on the rise.
It follows new statistics that show there were 839 recorded cases in Kent last year - a five year high.
Hilary Cooke, CEO of the Medway Gender and Sexual Diversity Centre, has been chatting to one of our colleagues at KMTV.
The parents of a little boy from Faversham who was born without a digestive system say they're struggling to find somewhere suitable to live when he's finally allowed out of hospital.
Little Lenny is having to be fed through a tube into his chest which makes him vulnerable to germs.
Hear from his mum about how difficult life has started out for him.
Elsewhere, RNLI Lifeboat crews in Sheerness say they’re desperate for new volunteers.
The team say businesses leaving the Isle of Sheppey has led to few people being available to join their pager system.
Our reporter's been down the station, and has been chatting with Paul Jarvis – who’s Coxswain and mechanic.
Thousands of reflective keyrings are being given out to children across Kent as part of a road safety campaign.
Our sister station , kmfm's, teamed up with the county council for 'Be Bright Be Seen'.
Safer road user officer at KCC, David Williams, explains the key messages behind the campaign.
And in football, it’s now seven games unbeaten in all competitions for Gillingham.
They’ve continued their turn around in form, following a 1-1 draw at home to Barrow in League Two.
But, the Gills manager Neil Harris wasn't impressed by his side's performance - hear what he had to say after the result.
Friday Oct 21, 2022
Friday Oct 21, 2022
The family of a 12-year-old boy from Sandwich say they’re outraged, after he was knocked out by a man who’d punched him in the face and kicked him to the ground.
Owen had just been to the Co-op to buy sweets with his older brother and sister, when he was allegedly attacked near St Barts Road.
Our reporter talks us through the story.
It looks like Boris Johnson could try to return as Prime Minister following the resignation of Liz Truss.
A former advisor says he's cut short his Caribbean holiday and is 'taking soundings' about running for the top job again.
A fast-tracked leadership campaign is underway - hear from local Conservative politicians.
Also in today's podcast, around a dozen barber shops in Thanet and Canterbury have signed up to support customers struggling with their mental health.
Hair stylists will receive training from charity East Kent Mind, so they can identify signs of depression, be non-judgemental listeners and effective at signposting to where extra help is available.
We've been chatting to Matthew Adams from Malcolm’s Barbers in Broadstairs – he’s one of those getting involved.
A bison calf has been born into the UK's only wild herd near Canterbury.
You might remember, three adults were introduced to woodland in Blean over the summer to help manage the landscape - and it turns out one of them was pregnant.
Bison ranger Tom Gibbs tells us about making the discovery after noticing one of the herd didn't turn up for their food as normal.
And in football, Gillingham will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the League Two this weekend, as they welcome Barrow.
Our sports reporter has been catching up with manager Neil Harris ahead of the match.
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
An investigation has found illegal vapes being sold on one of Kent's busiest high streets.
One of our reporters went undercover and discovered five retailers in Canterbury city centre selling the disposable vapes for between £15 and £20.
Even though they're banned in this country - some stores were openly displaying them in their windows.
After just 44 days in the job, Liz Truss has resigned as Prime Minister – making her premiership the shortest in British History.
A new leader of the Conservative Party is set to be decided within the next week, but Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP want a general election.
Our political editor talks us through how we got here and what’s set to happen next.
The head of East Kent Hospitals Trust has admitted more needs to be done to improve maternity care, after a damning report into baby deaths.
An inquiry’s found at least 45 newborns might have survived if they had been looked after better at the QEQM in Margate and Ashford's William Harvey.
Hear the government’s response to the findings of the Kirkup Review.
Also today, the KentOnline Podcast’s been told how a Maidstone man saved his dad’s life by performing CPR.
Colin Harley had collapsed in his garage, and was found by his wife who decided to ring their son Steve before 999.
He’s been chatting to our reporter about what happened.
And, we've got some more Tom Cruise news.
The Hollywood A-lister’s been back in Kent for a second day.
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
A harrowing report has revealed at least 45 babies died at two hospitals in Kent because of failures in care.
An independent inquiry's been looking into more than 200 cases involving maternity services at East Kent Hospitals Trust - dating back more than 10 years.
It was commissioned in 2020 following growing concerns over the quality of care at the QEQM in Margate and the William Harvey in Ashford.
Hear from Dr Bill Kirkup, who led the investigation, and from a few of the bereaved families.
Also in today's podcast, an RNLI crew member has been describing how he and colleagues have been abused and shunned by friends for saving asylum seekers in the Channel.
He's spoken out anonymously as the charity releases harrowing footage of a rescue of five people attempting to make the dangerous journey, including a 14 year-old girl.
Elsewhere, a self-made millionaire who left school at just 16 has opened Sheppey's first business hub.
Six acres of land near Queenborough will eventually be home to 30 units for national and local companies.
Our reporter's been chatting to Tom Allsworth who has spent £18m on it.
The KentOnline’s Podcast’s been given data showing which parts of Kent have the best and worst recycling rates.
At the top end of the scale, Ashford and Tonbridge residents recycle the most, whereas, people in Dartford are the lowest ranked in the county.
Helen Bird from campaign group Recycle Now talks us through the research.
And, Tom Cruise is thought to have flown into Kent to film his latest movie.
He apparently arrived in Chatham by helicopter yesterday afternoon, before being taken to the nearby historic Dockyard.
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
Tuesday Oct 18, 2022
It’s been a second day of major disruption at the Dartford Crossing as Just Stop Oil protesters are still on top of the QEII Bridge.
Two men have been up there since yesterday morning, and overnight, slept in hammocks dangling from the cables.
We've been hearing from the activists, and also spoke to a logistics company about how the closure of the crossing is impacting their business.
Also in today's podcast, an Ashford man who carried out a campaign of abusive and controlling behaviour against his ex-girlfriend has been jailed.
But, the victim says she fears intimate footage of her that he'd secretly recorded could re-emerge and is calling for tougher sentences for such a crime.
People living in a retirement village in Snodland say they're living in fear after it was targeted by a group of youngsters.
Residents of Rectory Close say the group have been pushing over fences and climbing on the roof - we've been chatting to someone who lives there.
How often do use the self-check outs when you do the shopping?
An Aldi in Dover is going to lose some of its manned tills, as the budget chain introduces a self-service option.
Our reporter Liane Castle has been speaking to regulars who say they're worried their shopping experience.
Thousands of 10-year-olds will be finding out today what secondary school they can apply to go to next year.
The results of the Kent Test determine which ones will be eligible for a grammar.
But some campaigners say the system should be scrapped because it's out of date - hear the thoughts of Joanne Bartley from campaign group Comprehensive Future.
Companies across Kent are being urged to make sure they're talking about the menopause and supporting women going through it.
Today is all about raising awareness and highlighting some of the symptoms.
Deborah Thomas is a wellbeing manager at Southeastern and told Nicola Everett that she started to go through it at 36.
Elsewhere, one of the most deprived schools in Kent has been recognised by Microsoft for the way it's using technology to help teach children.
Richmond Academy in Sheerness is one of just a few hundred around the world singled out by the tech giant.
Our reporter Megan Carr has been along to the school to find out more.
And, it’s understood part of a “big budget” movie is being filmed at a Kent Tourist attraction
A giant lighting ring has been craned into position at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham.
The same crews are thought to be behind the closure of the Kingsferry Bridge on Sheppey at the end of the month.
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Just Stop Oil protesters have warned of plans to keep the Dartford Crossing closed for 24 hours.
Images at KentOnline show two men from the environmental group straddling the suspension cables of the QEII Bridge.
Hear from one of them, as the group calls for an end to the use of fossil fuels.
Also in today's podcast, the remains of a woman from Deal who was murdered by her husband more than 20 years ago have been found buried in a garden in Dorset.
34 year-old Debbie Griggs disappeared in May 1999.
Her husband Andrew denied being involved but was found guilty and jailed for life in October 2019.
Elsewhere, a mum is calling on a Medway school to do more to tackle bullying, after her son was sent home covered in blood.
Staff apparently said he was fine, but he was later found to have a broken nose.
New data shows which schools in Kent have the highest suspension rates.
That includes children at Oasis Academy - which runs two sites on Sheppey - were sent home more than 700 times in the last academic year.
Hear from education expert and former Gravesend grammar head teacher Peter Read, who says he's worried about children's mental health.
The new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has scaled back support for energy bills and overturned almost all the tax cuts announced in the mini budget.
We've been getting reaction from Professor Catherine Robinson - the deputy dean of Kent Business School at the University of Kent.
A Kent woman - who's among 17 people - being evicted by developers near Dover claims they're making her "homeless".
Janice Shales is facing the exit in less than two weeks after the building was snapped up by a new developer to refurbish the site.
A mum's calling for road safety improvements - a year after the death of her daughter.
13 year-old Mya Lawrence was killed after being hit by a car at Whitfield Hill in Dover.
Mum Dawn Hopkins has told the KentOnline Podcast that she doesn't want this to happen to anyone else.
Letters and pictures about a man who served with the RAF during the war have been found hidden at a home in Ashford.
Darren Songhurst says the documents were discovered while renovations were being carried out at the property in Bromley Green.
And in football, Gillingham have managed to hold League Two table-toppers Stevenage to a 1-1 draw at Priestfield.
Hear from the Gills manager Neil Harris.
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Friday Oct 14, 2022
A Gravesend mum has compared a school to Belmarsh prison over what she’s called “unspeakable violence” towards her children.
Alexandra Mason claims her 13 year-old twins have been punched, verbally abused and threatened multiple times at Meopham Secondary.
The 50 year-old’s told the KentOnline Podcast she wants serious action to be taken against those responsible.
The school haven't responded to our requests for a comment.
Also in today's podcast, there are questions about the future of several businesses in Maidstone if an historic site gets turned into flats.
A developer wants to transform the Grade-II listed Powerhub, but firms based there say it’ll force them to close.
Wildlife bosses have warned against Kent becoming a so-called investment zone - saying it's an attack on nature.
It was one of the announcements from the controversial mini budget and would see planning rules made simpler so big developments could be pushed through quicker.
Kent Wildlife Trust say 17 wildlife sites in the county could lose protected status if the plans go ahead - hear from their Chief Executive, Evan Bowen-Jones.
Elsewhere, we speak to people living in a new development in Medway who say they're shocked it's within an area that has the highest burglary rate in the county.
There were 6,500 burglaries in Kent last year - with 127 of them in the River ward.
A foundation's being set up in memory of a little boy who passed away six years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
James O'Connor first had surgery when he was just two, after spells of being sick and feeling dizzy.
He passed away in February with his family by his side.
His dad Carl, who's from Sittingbourne, says it was important they did something in his name.
As we edge closer to Halloween, the boss of one of the biggest pumpkin picking farms in Kent believes the craze is only getting bigger.
Our reporter Cara has been chatting with Charles Eckley - he launched the 25-acre Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone in 2016, but because of its popularity, has since opened a few other sites in the county.
And, top of the table Stevenage - and former boss Steve Evans - are the visitors to Gillingham this weekend.
The Gills are down in 19th in league two but will be looking to continue their three game unbeaten run.
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
A so-called 'super estate' of more than 3,000 homes linking two villages in Kent has been included in a long term plan for Canterbury.
Bosses have released details of their local plan which suggests where homes should be built over the next twenty years.
We're being urged to report any cases of hate crime - no matter how small - in a further bid to tackle the problem.
More than 5,000 offences were recorded by Kent police in 2019 - up from 3,800 the previous year.
Hear from Ajaib Hussain, from the Kent Muslim Welfare Association, who says these incidents can only be eradicated "as a community".
The KentOnline Podcast’s been told £4m pounds has been spent on rebuilding a club in Maidstone that burnt to the ground just days before it was due to reopen after lockdown restrictions were lifted.
A devastating blaze broke out at Mu Mu's in Week Street in July last year.
Owner Ciaran O'Quigley has told us he considered quitting - but says he owed it to the night-time economy of Maidstone to get the venue back open.
A community farm on Sheppey says it's hoping to get more young people interested in farming.
Curly's Farm was started four years ago and now works with 36 schools, four colleges and two universities.
They've set up a Young Farmers' Group which is thought to be the first ever on the island.
Founder Kyle Ratcliffe has been speaking to our reporter.
Elsewhere, headteachers in part of Kent have admitted they'll have to make cuts elsewhere to make sure their classrooms stay warm this winter.
The leaders of The Spires, St Anselms and Reculver Primary have had to try and rework their budgets to accommodate rising energy prices.
it's thought plans to turn a derelict pub in Sittingbourne into flats will be refused - despite people living nearby supporting the idea...
The former Kemsley Arms has been closed for almost 10 years and branded an 'eyesore'.
And, Europe's busiest McDonald's drive-thru has reopened today after being closed for almost a month.
The outlet at Orbital Park in Ashford has been refurbished.
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
A radical plan to overhaul transport in Canterbury could see cars banned from travelling from one side of the city to the other.
Bosses have come up with a 20 year vision which would see the area divided into five separate zones.
Hear from council leader Ben Fitter-Harding.
Our other stories today, and a cyclist who was injured in a road rage attack in Thanet is hoping someone will recognise a description of the man responsible.
Keith Patrick was forced into a kerb when he was overtaken while riding in Birchington.
The car driver then stopped and grabbed his bike helmet - strangling him with the strap.
A couple who got rather romantic in a photo booth at a railway station in Kent have probably ended up with a bit more publicity than they bargained for..
A video of the pair canoodling behind the curtain of the machine at Faversham station was shared on TikTok.
The chief exec of the Port of Dover is warning we could see more travel chaos next summer - unless the government comes up with a solution to Brexit border checks.
Doug Bannister's been giving evidence to the transport committee in Parliament.
Elsewhere, an exhibition has opened in Maidstone to celebrate 75 years of Alcoholics Anonymous in Britain.
Matt, who’s a member in West Kent, has been telling us more about Darkness into Light.
And in sport, Gillingham have beaten Colchester United on penalties in their final EFL Trophy group game.
Hear reaction from the Gills boss Neil Harris.