KentOnline

Podcast: 9 in 10 people in Whitstable are worried about the impact of Airbnb and short-term holiday lets on the town

New research has found nine in 10 people in Whitstable are concerned about the impact short-term holiday lets, or Airbnb properties, are having on the town.

The result of an online survey of residents carried out by the Canterbury District Green Party have been published.

We've been speaking to a local councillor and heard what one Airbnb owner has to say about it.

Also in today's podcast, we've been hearing how small businesses in Folkestone town centre face tough choices this winter.

As the cost of living continues to bite, a number of firms in the High Street - including restaurants - have closed down.

But some have decided to launch, just as the government's pledged to discount wholesale energy costs for non-domestic users for six months from October. Hear from the owner of a new coffee shop.

There's more reaction in Kent after last week's mini-budget after it was confirmed the county could become an 'investment zone'. Find out what that would mean.

Journeys in part of Kent made by people using a wheelchair have been described as like 'dicing with death'.

Councillor Tim Prater is able-bodied but has been out in a wheelchair in Folkestone so see what it's like for those who need them to get around. Hear what he thought.

And in sport, Kent cricket fans have been celebrating the career or Darren Stevens.

He's been welcomed to the pitch at Canterbury on the second day of their final match of the season.

Podcast: Maidstone mum may consider having her daughter fostered if she can’t get into Sussex boarding school that can cope with her autism

The mum of a 10-year-old girl from Maidstone with autism says she may consider putting her into foster care if she's unable to go to a specialist boarding school in Sussex.
Liz Lindenbauer has told the podcast how she is struggling to cope with Eva's autism.
She is now desperate for something to be done and has been speaking to our reporter Megan Carr.
Also in today's podcast, a couple say they're disappointed after being told they couldn't pay with cash at a new cinema complex in Canterbury.
Carol and Richard Riley had been out for a walk and stopped off at the cafe in the Curzon. Hear their story and what some of you think.
There are calls for an eviction ban in England to be re-introduced amid the cost of living crisis.
It was first brought in during the pandemic and stops landlords from forcing people to move out, without a good reason.
We've been getting the thoughts of Canterbury based homelessness charity Porchlight.
You can also hear the inspiring story on a woman from Maidstone who is now helping others, after beating a four year battle with anorexia.
23-year-old Emily Hale was first diagnosed with an eating disorder when she was 18 and has decided to speak out.
Former Strictly dancer Ola Jordan has been chatting about not leaving it too late to have children.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following their goalless draw with Hartlepool at the weekend.
Plus we want to say thank you as the KentOnline Podcast reaches a major milestone.

Podcast: Dozens of jobs lost as 284-year-old Kent business goes into administration

Dozens of people have been made redundant after a 284-year-old Kent business went into administration.

Bosses at Chartham Paper Mill are blaming tough trading conditions on things like Covid and the rising cost of living.

Hear what administrators have said.

Also on today's podcast, we get reaction to the chancellor's not so mini budget as he announced the biggest tax cuts since 1972.

Plans to redevelop part of Sheppey have been criticised for focusing on building a new crazy golf course - instead of upgrading a swimming pool.

Bosses have applied for £20 million of funding through the government's levelling up scheme. But a local councillor isn't happy with how it could be spent.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told people are too scared to use a park in Medway because of worsening anti-social behaviour.

Residents say attacks on children, broken bottles, drug use and vandalism commonly happen at Rainham Rec - hear from the local community group.

Former Strictly pro-dancer and Kent resident Ola Jordan has been chatting ahead of the launch show of the new series tonight.

And in sport, we've been catching up with Gillingham defender Max Ehmer ahead of their long trip north to take on Hartlepool this weekend.

Podcast: ’We came here for a better life, but it’s a misery...’

In today’s podcast, a dad from Brazil has had his tyres slashed, and a car and two motorbikes stolen, in what he says is a vendetta because they're 'foreigners'.

Marcelo Gomes and his family came to the UK for a better life but regularly get abused – being told to leave the UK as they "do not belong" here.

Our reporter, Juliana, has the details.

 

Also today, the KentOnline Podcast has been told 15% of the adult population in Kent - or more than 1 in 10 - are binge drinking.

Over 300,000 are also said to be consuming dangerous levels of alcohol.

We speak to Penny Williams, Chief Exec of the Kenward Trust.

 

It's World Car Free Day. Schools, parents and teachers in Maidstone are being urged to join a project designed to improve air quality.

It's called Pollution Patrol and is aimed at primary aged pupils. They're taught where air pollution comes from, how it can affect our health and what can be done to reduce it.

We speak to Maidstone Green Councillor, Stuart Jeffery.

 

Plus, hear from the new co-chairman at Gillingham Football Club who says he's working with the club's owner to find an investor who can move the club forward.

Paul Fisher took over the day-to-day running of things at Priestfield last month when Paul Scally announced he was stepping back.

He’s been answering questions from fans.

Podcast: Gran dies in agony on floor of Deal care home after waiting almost six hours for an ambulance

A 91-year-old great-grandmother has died in agony after suffering a fall at a care home in Deal and waiting almost six hours for an ambulance.

Phyllis Hopley-Dodd suffered a broken hip after falling at St Winifreds.

Hear from our reporter Chantal Weller who's been speaking to Mrs Hopley-Dodd's granddaughter.

Also in today's podcast, Aylesford football club have paid tribute to one of their players who was found dead after being reported missing.

20 year-old Jay Carr was discovered yesterday after not being seen since Monday.

There's been some positive news today for businesses in Kent after it was confirmed they will get help with soaring energy bills.

The business secretary says there'll be a price cap on non-domestic electricity and gas prices.

We've got reaction from Jo James who is the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. But, there's also a warning from the owner of an Indian restaurant in Rainham - who says people could be left out of work if more support isn't given.

The man in charge of overseeing policing in Kent has told the podcast he's concerned about viral videos showing violence in town centres.

It's after footage emerged of girls allegedly causing trouble outside a McDonald's in Maidstone - and a fight involving several men near the fast-food restaurant in Ashford.

We've been speaking to police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott.

The family of a young man from Ashford who died exactly a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia say not enough people know the symptoms.

27 year-old OJ Brignall was found to have a very aggressive form of the disease.

His mum has spoken out to raise awareness.

And, it's been confirmed when Kent's first Wendy's will open.

We've got the all important details for you.

Podcast: Video of fight outside McDonald’s in Ashford goes viral

Video of a fight outside McDonald's in Ashford has gone viral.

Violence is thought to have broken out near the fast-food restaurant in the High Street last Friday.

It's since had millions of views and isn't the first time there's been trouble in the area in recent months.

Also in today's podcast, there are calls to save a former Debenham's in Folkestone from being demolished.

The three-storey Edwardian building on the corner of Sandgate Road and Bouverie Place is set to be pulled down and replaced with a 16 million pound health centre.

But a survey's found 85% of people would like it to remain - hear from the vice-chairman of the New Folkestone Society.

A man from Maidstone is encouraging other men to get checked, after surviving prostate cancer.

Alastair Deards was diagnosed three years ago, at the age of 58.

He's decided to speak about it following the death of TV's Bill Turnbull from the disease.

Fundraising's under way to try and prevent a project in Rainham designed to reduce plastic waste from closing down.

The Circle Refill Hub has been running for the past two years.

The original founder has decided to step away from running it from home and the new idea is to make it more mobile and run it from a milk float.

Hear from Kat Korff who's fundraising and taking it on.

 

Podcast: Thousands gather in London for the Queen’s State Funeral

Thousands of people have gathered in London for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen's coffin was transported on a gun carriage to Westminster Abbey where dignitaries from around the world had gathered along with members of the Royal Family.

Hear from the Archbishop of Canterbury who delivered the sermon and has also spoken about his final meeting with the Queen.

We've also been speaking to people from Kent who made the journey to the capital to see the huge military procession following the funeral service.

The Bishop of Rochester has shared his thoughts on today's events and we've spoken to a historian from the University of Kent on the significance of a State Funeral.

Finally, you can hear from the chairman of one of the many organisations the Queen was patron of. The Sir John Hawkins Hospital in Chatham has spanned two Elizabethan eras.

Podcast: Margate man who stalked a woman including following her on TikTok has avoided prison

A woman's revealed how she's been forced to wear a body cam and fears leaving her own home after being followed by a stalker.

28-year-old Anthony Laslett from Addington Street in Margate has avoided being sent to prison.

Hear from our reporter who followed the case in court.

Also in today's podcast, there's concern noisy people could disturb residents in part of Canterbury as bars and restaurants moving into a new leisure complex apply to stay open into the early hours.

A Curzon cinema's already launched at the £115m Riverside development in Kingsmead, and a licence has been granted for a BrewDog craft beer bar.

It's been confirmed the Queen's Green Canopy initiative has been extended until March next year to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memory of Her Majesty.

The idea was originally created to mark The Platinum Jubilee, with plaques being made by veterans at the Royal British Legion Industries in Aylesford.

A children's author from Canterbury is hoping a story she wrote after her god daughter was diagnosed with cancer, will raise awareness but also encourage more funding for research.

12 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every day - but it's feared many parents don't know what signs to look out for.

In sport, it's a huge weekend for Kent as they play in the final of the One Day Cup.

Hear from interim head coach Simon Cook and all-rounder Darren Stevens.

And we look ahead to Gillingham's game against Mansfield Town in league two this weekend.

Podcast: Next to remain at County Square in Ashford following u-turn by bosses

Next bosses have done a u-turn and confirmed they are going to keep their store at County Square in Ashford.

We'd previously been told they were going to follow in the footsteps of Debenhams and H&M in leaving the centre.

It's now been confirmed they will remain open.

Also in today's podcast, we've got an update on yesterday's top story about trouble at a McDonald's in Maidstone.

Police have confirmed there has been a charge after trouble broke out on Week Street on Sunday night.

Hear from people from Kent who have been queueing to see the Queen's coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall in London.

Meantime, there's some frustration from patients that GP and other medical appointments have been cancelled on the day of Her Majesty's funeral.

Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks gives us his thoughts on the decision to close surgeries.

You can also hear from the Sheppey woman who hit the headlines when she met the new King and called him Char Char.

And TV's Steve Backshall has finally graduated at Canterbury Cathedral - three years after finishing a masters.

He's been telling us about his studies and how pleased he is that the ceremony has taken place.

Podcast: Girls throw drink over pregnant woman and ’assault’ staff at McDonald’s in Maidstone

Police have confirmed they are investigating after a pregnant woman had a drink thrown over her and staff were allegedly assault at a McDonalds in Maidstone.
Witnesses say trouble involving a group of girls broke out at the fast-food restaurant on Week Street.
Hear what was captured on video. We've also got a statement from the chain.
Also in today's podcast, a boy who broke his hip after falling off monkey bars on the first day of secondary school has been told he has a rare condition.
11-year-old James slipped from the equipment at Turner Free School in Folkestone during morning break.
Further tests revealed he has a condition which means the hip isn't in the right place and one day, he may need a replacement. His mum has explained more about what happened.
As preparations continue in London ahead of the Queen's funeral, Kent's rail provider is putting on extra trains to get people there.
Southeastern say they'll run services 24-hours a day between now until Monday which will be a bank holiday.
Thousands of people are waiting to see Her Majesty's coffin lying in state. Hear from our reporter who is there.
The KentOnline Podcast has been told how the cost of living crisis is affecting people trying to buy their first home.
A report out earlier this year revealed how 70% of potential home owners were delaying getting on the property ladder.
We've been speaking to an estate agent from Tunbridge Wells.
And in sport, it was a draw for Gillingham in league two last night.
It finished 1-1 at Grimsby, hear the thoughts of manager Neil Harris.