KentOnline

Podcast: Child dies after being found near cliffs

In todays podcast, a child has died after being found near Cliffs close to Dover. 

Also today, an experienced Captain has spoken about the terrifying moment his boat went up in flames off the coast of Sheerness.

We hear from a lorry driver, who got stuck for hours in Operation Brock on the M20.

A Gravesend couple say the process of housing refugees from Ukraine needs to be urgently simplified.

And, a former car showroom in Medway has been converted into a wedding and events venue. We speak to the events manager.

Podcast: Man criticises BP over electric car charging points

Today we've been talking about electric cars, and the struggle one Medway man's had charging his.

Also in this episode, an investigation is underway following a fatal stabbing in Dartford, and we hear from Kent County Council's Senior Highways Manager about disruption on the roads cause by issues at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel in Folkestone.

There's a sad update on a search for a missing man from Sandwich, and a Dartford woman has been telling us about her experience with multiple sclerosis in the workplace.

Elsewhere a charity's launching bystander training workshops to tackle street harassment, and a Maidstone councillor's made a formal complaint after police with riot shields forced their way into her home by mistake.

Plus we 've spoken to the architect behind a brand new skate park in Folkestone, which has opened just in time for the Easter holidays.

And in football, the Gillingham manager has been giving us his honest reaction to Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

Podcast: £500 electric bike stolen from former domestic abuse victim in Gillingham

Household bills have risen for most of us today.

The amount companies can charged for gas and electricity has gone up 54% to almost £2,000.

It's led to fears more families could be pushed into poverty. Hear from Lauren Abbott the editor of My Kent Family and someone who works at the Swale Food and Fuel bank.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP's meeting with officials in Poland to look at the support being offered to the people of Ukraine.

Tonbridge and Malling's Tom Tugendhat has travelled to eastern Europe, and visited a volunteer camp on the border.

A former domestic abuse victim says she was left in tears, as a thief rode off on her electric bike.

Jennifer Salter from Gillingham said the bike had helped her regain her freedom - after enduring physical and mental abuse at the hands of her former partner.

We've been speaking to the new man in charge of public health in Kent as free Covid testing ends.

Anjan Ghosh says it is a concern but has advice on what we can all do to reduce the spread of the virus.

A Kent teenager who built a climbing wall in her back garden during lockdown has been chosen to represent Team GB.

Hear from 17-year-old Erin McNeice who could be heading to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

And, we've been catching up with Gillingham's Vadaine Oliver ahead of their trip to Sunderland this weekend.

Podcast: Family of 30-year-old Aimee Williams from Aylesford pay tribute following a fatal crash in Sussex

The family of an Aylesford woman say their grief is 'unbearable and unimaginable' after she died in a crash in Sussex.

Aimee Williams was one of two people killed when three vehicles collided on Monday.

Hear their tribute in full.

Also in today's podcast, the transport secretary says P&O Ferries will be forced to "rethink" its decision to sack 800 employees.

Grant Shapps wants ports, including Dover, to refuse access to ships carrying workers paid below the minimum wage.

Hear what he's had to say in the commons.

It's the final day to be able to get hold of free Covid tests in Kent.

From tomorrow, if you think you've got coronavirus and want to do a test, you'll have to pay for a lateral flow kit - we've been speaking to Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks.

Find out why people living in part of Canterbury are keeping their doors shut.

We have the latest on the crazy weather to hit Kent.

And, Oti Mabuse has been chatting about her show that's coming to the county this summer.

'I am here' is a direct translation of the former Strictly pro's name and pays tribute to where she grew up in South Africa.

Podcast: Licence of Casino Rooms in Rochester under review following incidents including alleged drink spiking

Police have once again put a Rochester nightclub's licence under review following a number of incidents including alleged drink spiking.
Back in 2016, Casino Rooms was said to be the source of more than 40% of violent crime in Medway.

Hear from the mum of a 19-year-old woman who was told to leave the club after being accused of being drunk.
The venue is a member of the Safer Medway Partnership and gained recognition from the National Policing Awards for safety in December last year.
They've issued a response to the review and say they're 'deeply saddened' by Kent Police’s decision.
Also in today's podcast, a man caught on camera flytipping household and garden waste near Gravesend has been jailed - a year after he spat at a parking warden and claimed to have Covid.
Hear the moment that confrontation took place.
A former midwife from Kent has spoken after a shocking report revealed more than 200 babies could have survived if they had received better care in hospitals.
An inquiry found staff at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals repeated mistakes and failed to learn lessons over a 20 year period.
Hear from Piroska Cavell from Whitstable.
There's more reaction today to news plans for a massive theme park in north Kent have been withdrawn.
We told you yesterday how the people behind the £2.5 billion London Resort project are blaming concerns over transport and wildlife on the Swanscombe Peninsula - we've heard from nearby businesses.
And, the man who plays Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders has been chatting about filming revenge thriller Bull in Dartford.
Neil Maskell grew up on the Kent / London border and plays a former enforcer who returns home after 10 years in a bid to find his missing son.

Podcast: Plans for London Resort theme park on Swanscombe peninsula in north Kent withdrawn

Plans for a massive theme park in north Kent have been withdrawn.

London Resort on the Swanscombe peninsula had been dubbed the UK's answer to Disneyland.

Green campaigners have reacted to the news as the people behind it say they are still 100% committed to the project.

Also in today's podcast, a P&O worker from Dover has been describing how he and his former colleagues are feeling 12 days after being sacked without notice.

Lee Davison had worked for the company for 30 years.

He's spoken out as a second P&O ship is detained after failing safety checks.

A Sittingbourne man who has just returned from an aid mission to Ukraine has told us about his experience.

Brian Grove headed to the country to help get people to safety in Poland.

While he was there he met Marta who has also been describing the very latest situation in her country.

We're being asked what we think about plans for a massive bike factory in Ashford.

Brompton want to open their European headquarters in the town.

And find out which Rainham pub has had a bit of a makeover as it tries to overcome its "unsavoury reputation".

Podcast: Residents’ anger over experimental closure of Wheatsheaf pub junction in Maidstone

It's now 11 days since P&O Ferries sailings between Dover and Calais were suspended after they sacked almost 800 staff.

Today, two of the company's rivals are having talks with minister amid concerns of chaos at ports over Easter.

Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on how legislation is being used in a bid to force the company to rehire their workers.

Also in today's podcast, a crunch meeting this week could decide if a project dubbed Kent's answer to Disneyland will ever be built.

It's 10 years since the idea of London Resort on the Swanscombe peninsula was first announced - we've been speaking to Dartford MP Gareth Johnson.

People living on an estate in Maidstone are angry about an experimental closure of a busy junction.

Cranborne Avenue on the Shepway estate, leads onto the A229 Loose Road but the route is being blocked to traffic - hear from residents.

A Kent woman has told the podcast she wishes new changes to divorce laws had happened earlier.

From next Wednesday, couples will be allowed to leave each other without forcing blame - meaning they can split more amicably.

'Shelley' says it would have made her divorce process a lot easier.

And, hear from the Gillingham boss and one of the weekend goalscorers following their 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

The result means the Gills are now four points clear of the league one relegation zone.

Podcast: Calls for P&O boss to quit, physio suspended and former Rocksalt chef returns to Folkestone

The transport secretary has called on the boss of P&O Ferries to step down immediately.

It's just over a week since sailings between Dover and Calais were suddenly suspended and 800 workers sacked without notice.

Hear what Grant Shapps has had to say.

Also in today's podcast, a Maidstone based physio has been suspended after having an affair with a patient.

A Canterbury nurse who's preparing to welcome two Ukrainian refugees to her home, says the process of helping them reach the UK could be made simpler.

The government set up a website earlier this month for anyone willing to offer accommodation to register their interest.

Hear from Heidi Whittaker who's making her spare room available.

Young people in Kent due to finish school this summer are being encouraged to look at careers in the digital industry.

Figures show over half of 16-24-year-old's think a job in the sector is complicated and young women in particular reckon that's the case.

We've spoken to the founder of Maidstone based Reflect Digital.

Celeb chef Mark Sargeant has revealed he's going to be opening a new restaurant in Folkestone.

And, we chat to the Gillingham goalkeeper ahead of their trip to Accrington Stanley this weekend.

Podcast: Sheerness man Tasered and punched by police who entered his home unlawfully

A man who was Tasered and punched by police who unlawfully entered his home has spoken about the ordeal.

Bob White was trying to stop his property from being repossessed but was arrested on suspicion of affray.

Hear the moment officers got into the house and how Mr White hopes he now gets a formal apology.

Also in today's podcast, a week after P&O ferries between Dover and Calais were suspended and nearly 800 workers sacked without notice - the boss of the company has told MPs he would do the same thing again.

Peter Hebblethwaite has been giving evidence to a committee - hear his responses to some of their questions.

£400,000 has been seized by police following raids on a number of homes in Kent.

It follows a lengthy investigation into complex fraud and drug supply.

It's a month since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and we've been getting an update from a Maidstone man who's been delivering aid.

And, we've been inside the world's first purpose built multi-storey skate park which is due to open in Folkestone next month.

Hear from the team behind it and the architect who came up with the design.

Podcast: Woman dies after falling from window in Ashford while smoking

A 5p cut in fuel duty has been announced by the Chancellor in his spring statement in a bid to help with the rising cost of living.
Rishi Sunak has announced a range of measures for households.
We have analysis from Dr Catherine Robinson from Kent Business School at the university of Kent, Howard Cox from Fair Fuel UK and My Kent Family editor Lauren Abbott.
Also in today's podcast, the Prime Minister's described the actions of P and O Ferries as callous - after it sacked nearly 800 workers in a pre-recorded video.
The company's sailings between Dover and Calais remain suspended.
Boris Johnson says if the firm has gone against the rules then it might have to pay millions of pounds.
It's two years since the first Covid national lockdown and we've returned to one Kent high street to see how things have changed.
Hear from a business owner who says the pandemic is no longer the problem.
A Medway man who fears going to sleep at night because of his epilepsy says people need to be more aware of the condition.
David Neale only suffers seizures when he's asleep and has been speaking frankly about it to Jenni Horn.
And you can hear from Olympic sprinter Dina Asher-Smith who has been made an honorary doctor by the University of Kent.
The 26-year-old from Orpington has been recognised for her 'exceptional and inspirational athletic career'.