KentOnline

Podcast: Weather warning for snow and ice in north and west Kent

Forecasters have issued a weather warning for snow and ice in parts of Kent.

It may be spring, but temperatures are going to struggle to get much above freezing and there's a chance we could see some of the white stuff falling.

We've been speaking to a homelessness charity who are trying to get as many people off the streets as possible.

Also in today's podcast, the government is due to unveil new plans to try and stop small boats of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.

Legislation due to be announced tomorrow is set to ban those who travel to the county that way from making a claim to stay here.

We've got reaction from an asylum charity in the county.

A family from Tunbridge Wells have spoken of their heartbreak after their 10-month-old son was diagnosed with Leukaemia.

Scott and Katie Bridges thought little Teddy was battling a chest infection but are now facing six-months in a London hospital as he undergoes chemotherapy.

A young girl from Northfleet is tipped to be the next opera superstar after mastering one of the most difficult pieces to sing.

Eliza Rajabalinia has had no formal training but can sing the Queen of the Night aria from the Magic Flute - in German.

And in sport, it was a point for Gillingham on the road at the weekend.

Hear from manager Neil Harris who spoke to us after the final whistle.

Podcast: Top floor of Park Mall car park in Ashford blocked off to stop anti-social behaviour

The top floor of an Ashford car park has been blocked off in a bid to stop anti-social behaviour.

Hear from traders in the town who have reported being targeted by young people throwing things from the roof of Park Mall.

Also in today's podcast, charity groups and campaigners have joined forces to try and prevent a hotel and surf resort from being built at a country park near Deal.

They say, if given the go ahead, the facilities at Betteshanger would damage wildlife and vital habitats. We've been speaking to the general manager of CPRE Kent.

The University of Kent's set up a new 'Right to Food' initiative to help staff and students struggling the cost of living crisis.

They're offering £3 meals in the dining hall, free hot breakfasts at the student union and a campus pantry for those who need additional support.

Hear from the businessman behind a new ferry service running between Sheppey and Southend.

He's bought a £185,000 super yacht to offer luxury trips.

Sam Lawrie has a roundup of everything going on in Kent you need to know about this weekend.

And in sport, Gillingham make the long trip north to take on Harrogate this weekend.

We've been catching up with goalkeeper Glenn Morris as they look to bounce back from Tuesday night's defeat to Bradford City.

Podcast: Schools in Kent close as teachers strike for a second time in a dispute over pay

Schools across Kent are closed as teacher go on strike again.

Members of the National Education Union have walked out in a dispute over pay.

Hear from one of their caseworkers in Kent as a march and rally is due to take place in Canterbury.

Also in today's podcast, a motorcycle training school in Thanet is facing a big repair bill after a group of kids started fires which damaged buildings and tarmac.

They've targeted the site on George Hill Road in Broadstairs several times over the past month - while smashing bottles and smoking cannabis.

A one-woman protest has been staged on Sheppey to try and stop a tree from being cut down.

Virginia Hanley sat under the 60 year-old willow on Kent Avenue in Minster after noticing tree surgeons had turned up. She's been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.

The MP for Canterbury is urging the government to do more to stop laughing gas being sold to children and teenagers.

An investigation has found a huge increase in the number of young people being taken to hospital with health problems caused by nitrous oxide.

And, there are calls for a community centre in part of Greenhithe to finally be made available to local residents - 13 years after it was built.

People living in the Ingress Park area fear they will never be able to use the facility.

Podcast: Anger at plan to build footbridge over A249 as part of £92m work at M2 junction

Plans to build a new road bridge over the A249 as part of the Stockbury roundabout improvements have been scrapped - and replaced with a footbridge instead.

People living in the village fear it'll be cut in half by the £92m project off junction 5 of the M2 and wanted a flyover for vehicles.

Our reporter talks us through this story.

Also in today's podcast, a picture of a drag queen performing at Canterbury Pride has been vandalised in what's feared could be a targeted attack.

The mural on the window of the former Debenhams store was ripped down and torn up.

We hear from Daniel Smith, who identifies as queer, about his experiences of the city, and the organiser of Kent's biggest Pride festival.

And, thousands of children across Kent will be finding out today what secondary school they'll be going to in September.

Parents were able to name up to four preferred choices.

Graham Jones is an education specialist at Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone and shares advice if you didn't get your first choice.

Podcast: Work starts on controversial 725-home housing estate in Kennington, Ashford

Work has finally started on a controversial new housing development in Ashford.

Diggers have moved onto land in Kennington that will eventually become Conningbrook Park.

Reporter Liane Castle explains why it is so controversial and how many homes could eventually be there.

Also in today's podcast, the new owner of a Whitstable coffee shop says she never imagined having sleepless nights over shortages of tomatoes and cucumbers.

Lidl has become the latest supermarket to bring in limits on how much fresh fruit and veg we can buy.

Hear from Sarah Osborne who owns The Kitchen @ Whitstable.

A Sevenoaks mum has praised NHS doctors and nurses for saving her baby's life minutes after being born.

Emma Innes had just given birth when it became clear her daughter Sophie wasn't breathing. She's now written a book about her experience.

You can also hear from a woman who she's doing her very own 'Escape to the Chateau' after getting so fed up with traffic in the county.

Heidi Muir had lived in Allington near Maidstone for 30 years but says local roads couldn't cope with increased house building.

And in sport, Gillingham are back in action as they look to make it five wins in a row at Priestfield.

They welcome Bradford City tonight after beating AFC Wimbledon at the weekend.

Podcast: Police called to Homewood School, Tenterden as TikTok trend sparks pupil protest

Police have been called to Kent's biggest secondary school after a protest by pupils, similar to ones that have been shared on TikTok.

It is understood students at Homewood School in Tenterden staged a rally over issues around toilets, access to changing rooms and uniform policy.

Also in education news, the headteacher of a secondary school in Herne Bay has told parents his staff will no longer intervene in disputes originating on social media.

We have been getting reaction from a social media consultant.

A young dad suffering from burns and vision problems following an explosion in East Malling has told the podcast he wants answers.

Curtis Bartley-Rae was visiting neighbours in Catlyn Close when a blast tore through their apartment. Hear what the housing association has had to say.

Ofgem's reduced the energy price cap - but bills are still expected to rise in April.

The regulator's knocked nearly £1,000 off the typical total suppliers are allowed to charge - but at the same time the government's cutting financial help.

We've been getting reaction from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce which represents businesses in the county.

Libertines frontman Carl Barat is going to perform at a benefit gig for to help save a Kent art school.

More than £50,000 was raised in January to stop The Margate School from closing -  but they need even more to secure their future.

And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following their 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon at the weekend.

Podcast: Real Housewives of Toronto star Ann Kaplan Mulholland buys Lympne Castle near Hythe

A Real Housewives star has been named as the new owner of a Kent castle.

Hear from our reporter on who Ann Kaplan Mulholland is and what her purchase means for weddings that were due to take place there.

Also in today's podcast, it's a year since the start of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

We've been speaking to one of the founders of Mission Ukraine, a charity providing aid, a volunteer from Sittingbourne who has visited the country several times over the past year and also a Canon from Rochester Cathedral which is holding a special service tonight.

Protesters have gathered outside the headquarters of Medway Council to demand a pay rise.

Bosses were inside the building in Chatham discussing a potential wage increase at the time.

The manager of a Sheppey care home has admitted she doesn't know how they'll cope with an energy pay rise...

Costs for Oakdene Rest Home are set to go up 150% from £2,000 a month to £4,500.

An event's launching in Thanet this weekend to help new parents cope with the rising cost of living.

The first Mummy to Mummy fair is being held in Broadstairs on Sunday. Hear from the founder.

And in sport, the Gillingham manager has been paying tribute to one of their players who has been forced to retire.

Olly Lee announced this week he was suffering from a form of arthritis.

Podcast: An East Malling family say they are lucky to be alive after an explosion at their flat on Catlyn Close

A mum, dad and neighbour have described the moment an explosion ripped through a house in East Malling.

They all suffered burns after it happened at the property on Catlyn Close on Sunday evening.

Hear from Megan and Lee Holland and Curtis Bartley-Rae.

Also in today's podcast, you may well have noticed empty shelves in the supermarkets due to issues with supplies of fruit and vegetables.

We've been speaking to a farmer near Canterbury and also the founder of a food bank in Gillingham who says his staff are being abused for not having enough produce.

A Maidstone man who's been in and out of prison after becoming addicted to heroin says having to say a final goodbye to his mum from behind bars spurred him on to turn his life around.

Dan Grossett was smoking cannabis by the age of just 12 and started stealing to fund his drug habit - he's been telling us his story.

And in sport, one of the biggest ever shake-ups in men's football in England is being published today, following a review by former sports minister and Chatham MP Tracey Crouch.

A new regulator will make sure clubs have a financially sound business model, and fans will get a bigger say on how things are run.

Podcast: ’Do not swim’ warning put in place at St Mary’s Bay, Romney Marsh for a year

People are being urged not to swim in the sea at a Kent beach because of concerns about the water quality.
Checks at St Mary's Bay have been carried out by the Environment Agency - our reporter Rhys Griffiths has the full details.

Also in today's podcast, a taxi driver from Chatham who helped smuggle Vietnamese people into the UK has avoided going to prison.
They were brought across the Channel in lorries and driven to the West Midlands.
A young Kent woman has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about the lasting impact having explicit pictures leaked on socials has had on her life.
Eleanor - which isn't her real name - was just 14 when her ex-boyfriend posted the images online without her consent. Hear her story.
The man in charge of the union representing rail workers in Kent has told our colleagues at KMTV they're no closer to a deal which would end strike action.
Services in Kent have been brought to a standstill over recent months by members of the RMT walking out. Hear from general secretary Mick Lynch.
People living in part of Rainham say they're furious as even more rubbish is being added to the mountains of fly tipping outside their homes.
Mattresses, microwaves and car parts are just some of the items dumped outside garages on Scott Avenue.
A lack of lifeguards at a Kent swimming pool has led to the diving boards, rapids, slides and teaching pools being regularly closed.
Visitors to Maidstone Leisure Centre at Mote Park say they're disappointed at still having to pay the same entry fee. We've got a statement from the company that runs the facility.
And in sport, Gillingham midfielder Olly Lee has announced he's retiring after struggling with arthritis.
The 31 year-old has thanked fans for their support, but say his body won't allow him to "perform to the levels" he's capable of.

Podcast: Hobbycraft bring in security at Maidstone store after young people terrorise staff and customers

Security has been brought in at a Hobbycraft store in Kent after staff and customers were targeted by a group of young people.

Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who has been speaking to staff at the shop in Maidstone.

Also in today's podcast, hear how virtual wards are helping to reduce bed blocking at Kent's biggest hospital.

Delays in discharging patients can often have a knock-on effect - meaning people who've been taken to A&E struggle to be admitted to a ward.

Now tech has been brought in to monitor patients at home, rather than keeping them at Medway Maritime. Reporter John Nurden has been speaking to a nurse there.

As another earthquake hits Turkey, we're told about fears for the tourism economy in the country.

A Maidstone firefighter has revealed how stopping to have a conversation saved another man's life...

Sam has spoken out as the Samaritans launch a campaign encouraging all of us to have a chat with someone if we're worried about them.

A restaurant run by a celebrity chef in Folkestone is closing after just six months, as the cost of living crisis continues to impact businesses.

Mark Sargeant set up The Brasserie MS last August, but says "tough trading conditions" mean they can no longer operate. Louis Walker has the details.

And find out which part of Kent has been named the dog waste capital of the county.