KentOnline

Podcast: Traveller families fear eviction as enforcement officers tear down site

Travellers fear they will end up with nowhere to go after enforcement officers began tearing down the site where they live. The officers sent by Medway Council arrived at the land off Lower Rainham Road in Rainham at 7am yesterday along with police.

The travellers bought the land in 2020 and say they applied for planning permission to live there, but the application wasn't accepted by Medway Council.

Also in today's podcast, we’ve got reaction to news all Covid restrictions are going to be scrapped later this week.

We get takes from GP Dr Julian Spinks and virologist Professor Martin Michaelis.

There’s also a warning from unions and charities that the change will cause “uncertainty, anxiety and hardship.” 

Food charities in Kent are warning that the cost of living crisis has reduced the number of donations they’re receiving - yet more and more people need their services. 

We hear from Paula Yodell who tells us it’s sometimes difficult to feed her family. 

And, in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager in the lead up to their must-win match up with AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield tonight.

Podcast: Storm Franklin hits Kent days after Storm Eunice caused chaos

Work is continuing to try and restore power to thousands of homes and businesses in Kent following Storm Eunice.
UK Power Networks teams have been out across the county after strong winds on Friday brought down power cables and fallen trees also damaged lines.
Hear from a Hextable resident who was left without power over the weekend, we've also been speaking to the energy minister who's been visiting the county.
A yellow weather warning for Storm Franklin has now been lifted but we're told it'll take some time for all of the damage to be repaired.
Also in today's podcast, a mum from Swanscombe says she fears for her autistic son's safety because of changes to his school transport.
The county council has carried out a shake-up of travel arrangements for more than 5,000 youngsters with special needs.
Hear what Emma Ben Moussa has had to say about it - and we've received a statement from the council.
Kent's been named as one of the most Instagrammable places in the UK.
Researchers have found our county's been mentioned in more than 4.4 million hashtags.
And, in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following a disappointing defeat at the weekend as their fight for survival continues.
They welcome AFC Wimbledon to Priestfield tomorrow.

Podcast: Storm Eunice causes chaos in Kent

On today's podcast, Storm Eunice has been causing chaos in Kent, with lorries blown over, public transport closures and trees toppling.

We speak to Southeastern Railway and EuroTunnel about how they're coping.

We also chat to the RNLI and Kent Fire and Rescue Service about the work that is going into keeping people safe.

 

Also today, an inquest has heard how a trainee pilot crashed a plane on purpose in Romney Marsh, after finding out he had terminal cancer. Our reporter, Alex Jee, has been at the hearing.

 

And, Gillingham will be hoping to get back to winning ways tomorrow, as they try to keep up their bid for League One survival. 

 

 

Podcast: Storm Eunice to hit hard as people told to stay home

On today's podcast, we look ahead as Storm Eunice makes it's way towards the county.

A Kent farmer has spoken out, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues within the industry.

A Kent teacher's warning the situation with coronavirus in schools is still extremely difficult and complicated.

A driver in Herne Bay claims she was abused by motorists, after rushing to help a woman who tripped over.

And... A Kent pub has been awarded its first Michelin star .

PODCAST: ‘I put off my smear test and now I’m infertile’

A Herne Bay mum is urging women to get their smear test, after cervical cancer left her unable to have any more children. We speak to her on today’s KentOnline podcast.

Also, a former Kent Police officer says the force is ‘in a crisis’ when it comes to public trust.

A former Kent Post Office manager has been giving evidence to a public inquiry looking into the wrongful convictions of hundreds of staff.

Gym users near Dartford have been hit with £100 fines after changes to the use of its car park.

And… a weather warning for strong winds in Kent has been upgraded.

 

 

Podcast: Shop owner ‘outraged’ after store targeted for fifth time

A Kent shop owner says she’s outraged after her store was targeted for a fifth time and police didn’t send anyone, despite staff being attacked.

We speak to Emma Pinfold about the string of robberies.

 

Also in today’s podcast, we speak to a Swanscombe mum as hundreds of children with special needs are left in the dark over how they’ll get to school next week.

 

Dozens of swans and geese have been left covered in oil after a serious spill on the River Medway.

 

There are calls for more conversations about mental wellbeing within Kent Police. New figures show around a third of hours lost to illness in the force are because of mental health reasons.

 

And, a wedding concierge service has been set up… for dogs!

Podcast: Thug beat man with clubs and stabbed him in face after golf joke

A man, who fractured his victims ribs in an attack with golf clubs, before stabbing him in the face, has been convicted. Hear all the details, from our reporter.

Also in today’s podcast, a volunteer police cadet has been praised for his quick thinking which helped save a young girl’s life in Medway.

Hear from a Kent charity, who say they can’t see ‘any positives’ in cutting homelessness funding.

Staff at 44 universities - including Kent - are beginning up to ten days of strike action, in a row over pension cuts.

And, young and deaf people in Kent are being encouraged to get involved in a theatre project looking at how they've been affected by the pandemic.

 

Podcast: Concern over catapult attacks in Ashford with Sainsbury’s driver and boy playing Xbox targeted

There are concerns about yet another spate of catapult attacks in Ashford.
This time, a Sainsbury's driver and a boy sat in his bedroom playing computers games have been targeted. Hear from our reporter Alex Jee.

Also in today's podcast, there's more reaction to news our council tax bills will be going up.
From April, the average band D home will be paying £1,461 a year - that's an increase of £43.
Hear from the man in charge of finance at the county council along with the council leader and Labour leader.
The partner of a Gravesend man killed by serial killer Stephen Port has spoken out following the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick as Met Police commissioner.
Find out what some of Kent's MPs have also posted on their socials.
A ship which rescued thousand of soldiers from Dunkirk during the Second World War is set to welcome visitors in Gillingham this weekend after a huge restoration.
The Medway Queen underwent a five-month revamp at the Royal Harbour in Ramsgate last year.
Historic buildings and parts of Rochester are going to be transformed over the next two nights, as part of a new festival.
Medway Light Nights is aiming to inspire hope and bring people together.
And in sport, Gillingham make the long journey north to take on Morecambe this weekend.
Neil Harris' side are still five points from safety in league one but have picked up two wins from their three games since he took over as manager.

Podcast: Damian Aspinall on the future of Howletts, Port Lympne and a herd of elephants he wants to return to Africa

The owner of two wild animal parks has been speaking to the KentOnline Podcast about their future.

Damian Aspinall would like nothing better than for all zoos to close and animals live in their natural habitat.

To try and achieve that, he's hoping to re-wild a herd of elephants currently living at Howletts near Canterbury.

That plan has been criticised though with some saying the animals wouldn't survive.

Hear what Mr Aspinall has to say in response.

Also in today's podcast, it's feared queues of lorries at the Port of Dover will only get worse.

It's all to do with post-Brexit lorry checks that need to take place - hear from a hauler and local councillor.

There's reaction to Boris Johnson's announcement all Covid restrictions could be lifted this month - four weeks earlier than planned.

It's feared more people could be tempted to turn to loan sharks as the cost of living continues to rise.

We've been speaking to the chief exec of the Kent Savers Credit Union.

It's also the day we'll find out how much more we'll have to pay in council tax.

And, we have the latest on how one of Kent's athletes is getting on at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Podcast: Teddy bears, candles and balloons banned from graves at Kent church

Grieving families have been told they can't put mementoes like teddy bears or items including candles and balloons on graves at a Kent church.

The decision has been made following a five year dispute involving St Peter's Church in Bredhurst.

While some think it's the right decision, not everyone is happy. Also find out the results of our poll.

In other news today, a man's been left with knee injuries after a thief drove into him while taking his Range Rover from outside his home in Cliffe.

Hear from the chair of the Public Accounts Committee that's warning delays at the Port of Dover could increase if issues with post-Brexit checks on goods and vehicles aren't solved.

The government's being urged to put more funding into cleaning up Kent's rivers.

It's feared visible litter, as well as pollutants we can't see, are becoming increasingly worse in our water ways. We've been getting reaction from a councillor and green campaigner.

An app designed to reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away is going to be trialled in Kent.

FoodLoop will match food producers with organisations and charities that give surplace stock to families that need it.

A Dartford schoolgirl who raised money for the NHS during lockdown - is now hoping to get enough cash together so she can head to America for a world championships.

Bonnielou Furzer has been selected to compete for England in Karate in Florida later this year.

And, hear from the Gillingham manager following their 1-0 win over Cambridge United at Priestfield.

It's a second win for Neil Harris after taking over as manager just over a week ago.