KentOnline

Podcast: Some schools in Kent decide to close as temperatures soar to record levels

Some schools in Kent have decided to close as Kent is set to experience record breaking temperatures.
A rare red warning for extreme heat is in force for the north of the county, while an amber alert covers everywhere else.
Hear from Kent's director of public health and the headteacher of Tiger Primary School in Maidstone.
We've also been speaking to Kent Fire and Rescue Service after fighters dealt with a number of grass and field fires over the weekend.
Also in today's podcast, we look ahead to the latest vote by MPs on who should be the next leader of the Conservative party.
There's analysis from our political editor on Tom Tugendhat's chances.
Plus Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson has revealed who he is supporting.
A report's found there's "no clear evidence" sending asylum seekers to Rwanda will stop them crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats.
More than 14,000 people have made the dangerous journey so far this year.
Bison have been released into the wild in Kent and it's hoped it could be a solution for tackling climate change.
European bison will roam in West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury, and experts say they'll restore life to the woodland through their natural behaviours.
And in sport, disappointment for Dina Asher-Smith at the World Athletics Championships in America.
Plus a narrow defeat for Gillingham in a pre-season friendly at the weekend.

Podcast: Red heat warning issued for parts of Kent as heatwave continues and temperatures soar

A rare red warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of Kent.
Forecasters say temperatures in the county could reach the mid to high 30s on Monday and Tuesday.
Hear what the red warning means, we've also been speaking to the RNLI about safety on the coast and from a trader who's looking forward to a welcome boost to business.
Also on today's podcast, as the battle for Number 10 continues, the final five Conservative MPs in the running for the leadership are gearing up for TV debates.
Tonbridge and Malling's Tom Tugendhat scraped through yesterday's vote but has come out fighting.
We have analysis and speak to some of those supporting him.
Find out why another of Kent's MPs is angry at the timing of another rail strike.
People looking after a park in Gillingham are so fed up with it being vandalised, they're putting on graffiti workshops to encourage creativity.
Hear from the councillor behind it.
And finally, we've got a fascinating interview with a former Mafia boss who's going to be in Kent this weekend.
Michael Franzese was once dubbed the Mafia Prince but managed to leave the Mob and now helps others avoid a life of crime.

Podcast: NHS workers refuse to pay parking fines issued while they cared for a dying Covid patient in Canterbury

Two NHS workers are refusing to pay parking fines they were given while caring for a dying Covid patient in Canterbury.

The pair say they are now being chased by bailiffs after leaving their cars in a parking bay near a flat on Stonebridge Road.

Hear from our reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks who's been covering the story.

Also in today's podcast, water is slowly returning to thousands of homes and businesses on the Isle of Sheppey following two days without supplies.

Bursts on the main pipe supplying the island have been the cause of the problem.

Hear from reporters John Nurden and Jamie Long who're both on the island, and a from a taxi firm that's been getting supplies to the most vulnerable.

The MP for Tonbridge and Malling has been trying to gather more support from colleagues after making it into the final six of the Conservative leadership contest.

Tom Tugendhat got 37 votes yesterday and also has the backing of the leader of the county council.

It's feared children's health could be at risk if they're out playing sport in the hot weather in Kent this weekend.

A football club in Medway has decided to cancel a tournament they had planned, after an amber warning for extreme heat was issued by the Met Office.

And, a statue of Christopher Marlowe planned for Canterbury has been described as looking more like a 'scary marine creature from Pirates of the Caribbean'.

Critics of the design are calling for the sculpture of the 16th century dramatist to better resemble his likeness - rather than a piece made of recycled steel.

Podcast: Boy put in isolation after wearing shorts to Westlands School in Sittingbourne during the heatwave

A boy has been put in isolation after turning up to school wearing shorts during the heatwave.

Harrison Utting was sent to a special room as punishment for breaking the uniform policy in place at Westlands School in Sittingbourne.

Hear the school's response and find out how you have been voting in a poll within the story.

Also in today's podcast, it's been a second day of no water for many living on the Isle of Sheppey.

Reporter John Nurden explains why supplies have remain disrupted.

With temperatures set to reach record highs in Kent this week, an expert says it's time we take serious action on climate change.

A rare amber alert has been issued by forecasters from Sunday until the end of Tuesday because it's going to get so hot - hear from a Green councillor.

The race to be the new leader of the Conservative Party - and with that, Prime Minister - is continuing with Kent's Tom Tugendhat in the running.

MPs are voting for the first time to whittle down the list of eight contenders.

A Canterbury woman who struggles to make ends meet most months is urging whoever takes over at Number 10 to get a real grasp on the cost of living crisis.

We've been chatting to Karen ahead of the government's first cost of living payment arriving in the bank accounts of low income families.

A short film hoping to raise awareness of mental health has had its UK premier in Folkestone.

We've been speaking to the chief exec of South Kent Mind.

And, a non-league team from Gravesend has come runner up in the Diversity Football Festival.

Podcast: Isle of Sheppey left without water on one of the hottest days of the year

People living on the Isle of Sheppey have been left with low water pressure or no supplies at all on one of the hottest days of the year so far.
Water stations are being set up on the island so residents can get supplies.
Hear from Southern Water on what's causing the problem.
Also today, in his first interview with the KentOnline Podcast since announcing his bid to run for Tory leader, Tom Tugendhat has said he'll rebuild trust and grow the economy.
The Tonbridge and Malling rep was one of the first to put his name forward for the top job following the resignation of Boris Johnson last week.
Figures given to the KentOnline Podcast show 10 children in an average size class in one part of Kent are living in poverty.
Data from the End Child Poverty Coalition shows around a third of youngsters under the age of 16 in Thanet are in households that are struggling to make ends meet.
We've been speaking to the chair of the coalition and have some of your thoughts.
You can also hear about a schoolgirl who's having to do a four hour round trip to school.
Karina French and her family moved from Erith to Dartford but then couldn't find a class place for the 8-year-old.
We detail what her journey entails and have a response from the council.
And, find out what attraction is returning to Rochester Cathedral this summer,

Podcast: We try the Too Good To Go app designed to reduce food waste and help those struggling with the rising cost of living

Another MP from Kent is bidding to be the next Prime Minister.

Rainham and Gillingham's Rehman Chishti has joined the Conservative leadership race.

He joins Tonbridge and Malling's Tom Tugendhat and in today's podcast you can hear what both have had to say in their campaign videos.

Our political editor also looks ahead to how the election process will work.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent mum who's continuing to fight for her daughter to be prescribed cannabis on the NHS, says her current supply could be stopped at the end of the year.

Teagan Appleby, 12, used to suffer hundreds of seizures a day before managing to get oil which is shipped to the UK from Israel.

But safety concerns have been raised by the government. Hear from Emma and a response from officials.

The hot weather is set to continue in Kent.

Forecasters say it could reach 35c in the county this week - we've been speaking to a lawyer about the rules around work, Kent's director of public health and the Environment Agency who're warning about cooling off in rivers.

Find out why 50,000 bees have been brought to a prison in Kent.

Plus in sport, we have details on a new signing for Gillingham and details of their latest pre-season friendly.

Podcast: Callum Wheeler sentenced to life in prison for murdering PCSO Julia James in Snowdown

The man who murdered Kent PCSO Julia James has been jailed for life.
Callum Wheeler, 22, has been told he'll spend at least 37 year behind bars.
He attacked 53-year-old Julia as she walked her dog in woodland not far from her home in Snowdown in April last year.
Hear from our reporter who was in court for today's sentencing.
We've also got reaction from Julia's husband, daughter and son and from the detective who led the investigation.
Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP says he wants to be the next Prime Minister.
Tonbridge and Malling's Tom Tugendhat is going to run in the Tory leadership race following the resignation of Boris Johnson.
Hear from our political editor, find out which other Kent MP is supporting him and what people in his constituency think.
We've spent the day at the Kent County Show.
It's back for the first time since 2019 and reporter John Nurden has been enjoying the sights and sounds of one of the biggest events in the Kent calendar.
We've also been in Gravesend to say farewell to the Queen's Commonwealth baton.
It's been in the county ahead of the Games this summer - hear from two of the lucky batonbearers.
And we've been speaking to the remarkable 100-year-old who's still making his own wine.
Find out his secret to a long and healthy life.

Podcast: Kent reacts as Boris Johnson resigns as Conservative leader and will step down as Prime Minister

Following a series of scandals and increasing pressure, the Prime Minister has agreed to step down.

Boris Johnson made the announcement outside Number 10 earlier but will stay on until a new leader is appointed.

We have analysis from our political editor Paul Francis, you can also hear from political commentator Anna McGovern who used to chair the Medway Youth Parliament and we've been finding out what some of you think.

In other news today, the Queen's baton relay has arrived in Kent ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games.

We've been speaking to councillor who welcomed it to Tonbridge and the chief exec of Visit Kent.

Ebbsfleet United have announced plans to build a new 8,000 seater stadium.

The National League South side want to develop a brownfield site covering 50 acres close to the harbour in Northfleet.

Hear from their CEO.

A couple who said they tried to stop a shopping trolley from being vandalised - ended up with it in their front garden for seven weeks, as a supermaket failed to collect it.

Pat and Betty Burke found the abandoned Aldi trolley in an alleyway near their home in Deal and have told us whey they couldn't leave it dumped.

And in sport, Kent race walker Tom Bosworth has announced his retirement...

He'll be moving away from the sport after competing for England at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

Podcast: Cyclists find huge snake on country lane in Reculver near Herne Bay

We start today's podcast with the fall out from the health secretary and chancellor quitting their jobs.

Sajid Javid was the first to go last night saying in his letter to the Prime Minister that people expect 'integrity' from their government.

He was followed just minutes later by Rishi Sunak who told Boris Johnson in his resignation letter than he believes standards of competency are worth fighting for.

Hear from Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale and our political editor Paul Francis.

Also today, a huge operation to tackle the supply of small boats being used by asylum seekers to cross the Channel has resulted in around 40 arrests.

The National Crime Agency have spoken about it.

A children's charity is warning of a 'tsunami' of online child abuse, as grooming crimes in the South East have risen by nearly 90 percent in four years.

A mum from Canterbury's been telling the KentOnline Podcast how Tourettes isn't as simple as just swearing and shouting.

Megan Shirley's 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, has the condition which causes her to jump up and down and rock on her chair.

Megan's been chatting to reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks.

A huge python has been found on a country road near Herne Bay.

The 7-foot long snake was spotted by two cyclists and a van driver in Reculver - Joe Wright has the story.

And we've been speaking to a football boss as the women's Euros get under way tonight.

He's hoping it'll inspire more girls to take up the sport.

Podcast: Mum calls for ban of disposable barbecues on beaches after her son was seriously injured at Camber Sands

A Kent mum is calling for disposable barbecues to be banned from beaches after her son was badly injured.
Alex, 12, stood on one that had been buried in the sand during a school trip to Camber Sands.

The metal cut the back of his ankle, severing his Achilles tendon.
Hear what his mum Lucy Gottelier has said about it and what she wants to see done.
Also in today's podcast, if you moan about your children playing on their computers for too long - what do you think about them doing it at school?
We're asking be because a school near Dartford is giving students the chance to get a BTEC qualification in competitive video gaming.
Wilmington Academy is one of the first in the country to offer it - hear from a student and the principal.
A community hub in Gravesend, which helps people of all ages with inclusivity has been nominated for a national diversity award.
The Grand Healthy Living Centre helps tackle issues in society.
Highly toxic plants, which can cause serious skin burns, have been found near a public footpath in East Malling.
Giant Hogweed can grow to 15 feet tall and is also really dangerous for our pets.
And in sport, hear from the Maidstone men who're training to row the Atlantic - despite never having rowed before.
The pair are taking part in a challenge said to be the toughest in the world.