KentOnline

Podcast: Kent MPs stay quiet over ’Bring Your Own Booze’ lockdown-breaking Downing Street party claims

What were you doing on May 20, 2020?
According to a leaked email, around 100 Downing Street staff had been invited to a party in the garden of Number 10 - despite the fact strict Covid lockdown restrictions were still in place.

It's claimed the Prime Minister and his wife were among around 40 people who attended.
Hear from our political editor Paul Francis and a mum who went into early labour that day and couldn't have her husband with her.
Also in today's podcast - changes to Covid testing rules have come into force.
If you don't have any symptoms you no longer need a PCR test after getting a positive result on a lateral flow kit.
Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks explains why.
A record label boss has admitted firing blanks from handguns from an apartment in a tower block at Chatham Dockside.
Hear the moment Michael Alunomoh filmed himself firing the weapons from the balcony.
Kent residents living in buildings with potentially dangerous cladding have 'cautiously welcomed' news the construction industry will be made to fix it.
Yesterday, the housing secretary told MPs companies are being given the opportunity to 'do the right thing'.
In sport, there's a familiar face back at Gillingham.
Find out who's taking charge of the side for this weekend's game following the departure of Steve Evans at the weekend.

Podcast: Neighbour complains about ’rowdy drinkers’ at The Dolphin pub in Broadstairs as it applies to extend opening times

The neighbour of a Thanet pub has complained about 'rowdy' drinkers as the landlord applies to extend opening hours.

The owners of The Dolphin in Broadstairs want to stay open for one hour, to 2am from Sunday to Thursday, and to 2.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Oliver Kemp has more on the issues that have been raised ahead of a council meeting later this week.

Also in today's podcast, figures show there’s been a dramatic rise in the number of NHS staff off with Covid in Kent.

We have reaction from the Royal College of Nursing.

There are calls for France to lift its ban on tourists from the UK going there.

The restrictions were brought in just days before Christmas as cases of the Omicron variant started to surge on this side of the Channel.

Hear from Chris Parker from DFDS.

Pupils at a Kent school say their behaviour and work has improved thanks to the introduction of a therapy dog.

We've been along to Northfleet School for Girls.

An historic paddle steamer which helped rescue thousands of soliders during the second world war has returned to the towns its named after.

The Medway Queen was vital in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

And the search is on for a new manager at Gillingham.

Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Rayner have left the club following a poor run of results which has left them firmly in the league one relegation zone.

Podcast: Two people and dog stabbed after four men burst into house in Beecholme Drive, Ashford

Two people and a dog have been stabbed after four men burst into a house in Ashford.
It happened in the Kennington part of town last night - our reporter Alex Jee reports from the scene.
Tributes have been paid to a 21-year-old paramedic who died when an ambulance was involved in a crash with a cement lorry on the A21 Sevenoaks bypass.
Alice Clark had only joined South East Coast Ambulance Service in November.
New Covid travel rules have come into force today for anyone arriving in the UK.
Chris Parker from cross-Channel ferry firm DFDS, which travels from Dover, joins us to explain the changes.
We're also joined by Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner who's suggesting we pay more towards the police via our council tax.
Matthew Scott is suggesting an increase of around £10 a month - he's told the Podcast what that would pay for.
In sport, find out which Kent player has been called up to the England squad for the final Ashes Test in Australia.
And, we've been speaking to Gillingham manager Steve Evans ahead of their game against Ipswich Town this weekend after the original fixture on Boxing Day was postponed.

Podcast: Paramedic killed and three other people injured in crash on A21 Sevenoaks bypass involving ambulance and cement lorry

A paramedic has died and three other people are injured following a crash involving an ambulance and cement lorry on the A21 Sevenoaks bypass.
The collision happened on the southbound carriageway at about 8.20pm yesterday.

Hear a tribute from the head of operations at South East Coast Ambulance Service.
Also in today's podcast, hear from our reporter who was in court as two people appeared charged with murder following the death of a man after an attack in Folkestone.
A leading GP says planned changes to Covid testing will still be effective.
It's been confirmed that from next Tuesday you'll no longer need a PCR test after receiving a positive result on a lateral flow kit if you don't have any symptoms.
We've also been speaking to a Kent business expert who says it's time to live with the virus so more firms don't go bust.
The owner of a motorcycle training school has spoken about the vandalism they've suffered which has left their mobile classroom unfit for use.
Windows of the property in Thanet were smashed over New Year.

Podcast: Sheppey dad-of-two dies of Covid five days after Christmas

Thousands of pounds has been raised in memory of a dad-of-two from Sheppey who died of Covid five days after Christmas.
Luke Sands had been in hospital for six weeks before passing away the day after his 27th birthday.
Also in today's podcast, find out how teachers are feeling as children head back to class after the Christmas break and Covid cases remain high.
There are concerns about staff shortages, hear how they're also affecting train and coach services in the county.
A campaign is under way to prevent houses from being built on an army barracks in Maidstone after it closes.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it intends to leave Invicta Park Barracks in 2029 and the council thinks it could be used for 1,300 homes.
Hear from the councillor who wants to have the site listed.
And, a Kent author's been announced as the winner of the Costa Children's Book Award for her story about an asylum seeker who's crossed the Channel to Dover.
Manjeet Mann was one of 20 writers shortlisted for the prestigious prize for 'The Crossing'.

Podcast: Murder investigation launched in Folkestone following death of man

A murder investigation is under way following the death of a man in Folkestone.
Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of an attack on Sunday and a man in his 60s died in hospital the following day.
Lucy has the latest information as two people are questioned.
Should more Covid restrictions be brought in? Hear some of your views and from a restaurant owner in Rochester as concerns over the Omicron variant continue.
We also have details of staff shortages at hospitals in the county as some have to isolate because of the virus.
The owner of a hair salon in Dartford has spoken about the impact of a ram raid on New Year's Day.
Hundreds of pounds worth of GHD products were taken from Mark Mardell's business.
The owner of a pub in Northfleet says it's lucky there wasn't an explosion following an arson attack just days before Christmas.
People who were in the Railway Tavern on Station Road at the time managed to escape unhurt. Tom Boylan has explained what happened.
As it's the first podcast since the New Year Honours were announced, we're taking the opportunity to hear from one of Kent's recipients.
And, find out which former Chelsea star turned up to watch Chatham Town take on Sheppey United yesterday.

Podcast: Ramsgate couple deny harassment campaign against former neighbour in east London

A couple, who now live in Ramsgate, have denied carrying out a campaign of harassment against a former neighbour.

The pair have been accused of over-watering plants to flood an alleyway and setting up props and dolls. We have the details of what's happened in court.

Also in today's podcast, we're being urged to get a Covid test before heading out to celebrate the new year in Kent tonight.

But it's thought more people will be seeing in 2022 at home - hear from the Night Time Industries Association who say it's been an incredibly tough time.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's urging us to think more about each other.

Justin Welby has a new year message for people in the county.

And, Gillingham are finally back in football action this weekend after their Christmas fixtures were postponed because of Covid outbreaks.

Hear from manager Steve Evans ahead of their trip to MD Dons.

Podcast: Anger over coppicing of trees by Croudace homes along path between Allington and Maidstone hospital

There's anger after around 150 trees along a footpath near Maidstone were cut down.
Developer Croudace Homes owns the land and put up a notice saying it was carrying out the coppicing work.
Some say it's what should be done to maintain the woodland and encourage fresh tree growth, but others claim it's damaged existing wildlife.
Also in today's podcast, a so-called 'surge hub' is being set up at a Kent hospital in case there's an increase in the number of people needing treatment for the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
It'll be at the William Harvey in Ashford and have room for around 100 patients.
We've also been speaking to a University of Kent professor who says it's a risk not to impose fresh Covid restrictions before New Year as cases remain high.
A woman who threatened to stab a man following a row on a public Facebook page has been jailed.
A review has been carried out into the explosives on board a ship which sank off the coast of Sheerness in 1944.
And, another Kent's pantomime has had to be cancelled after members of the casts tested positive for coronavirus.

Podcast: Plans for Sittingbourne town centre include Further Education college, 850 homes and tree-lined streets

Ambitious plans to transform Sittingbourne town centre have been revealed.
Bosses are looking at building more than 800 homes, a Further Education college and having tree-lined streets.
Find out if it could become a reality.
Also in today's podcast, the Prime Minister is under pressure to reduce the Covid isolation period from seven to five days.
It's already happening in the US and some experts say it'll help ease pressure on the NHS as it struggles with staff shortages.
Hear from a virologist from the University of Kent and what some of you think.
A teenage boy's in a serious condition in a London hospital after being hit by a car in Gillingham.
Money's been raised online to repatriate the body of a young woman from Medway after she died while working as a English teacher in Taiwan.
And, a trailer's been released ahead of the final series of Killing Eve which was partly filmed in Kent.

Podcast: Last Christmas for M&S in Maidstone Town Centre

In today’s podcast, businesses in Maidstone town centre are concerned fewer people will visit as M&S prepares to close.

Also today, the Archbishop of Canterbury has a special message for the people of Kent on Christmas Eve.

Foodbank volunteers have been busy making sure families don't go hungry over the festive period.

And, we've been looking at why so many TV shows and movies are filmed in Kent.