KentOnline

Podcast: Kent MP quizzes Dominic Cummings on government's response to Covid

The Tunbridge Wells MP has been questioning the Prime Minister's former chief adviser about the government's initial response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Greg Clark chairs the science and technology which called Dominic Cummings to give evidence - hear what he had to say plus we have analysis from our political editor.
Also in today's podcast, testing has been stepped up at the University of Kent following a rise in Covid cases, including of the Indian variant - hear from students who returned to campus earlier this month.
The government is being urged to step in and prevent a university campus in Medway from closing.
The new owners of Curious Brewery in Ashford tell us about their plans for the future.
And find out which Kent players have been included in the latest England cricket Test squad.

Podcast: Tony's Law could become reality as amendment to Policing Bill put forward by MP Tom Tugendhat

A law named after a little boy from Kent who needed both legs amputated after being abused by his birth parents is closer to becoming reality.

Tony Hudgell's adopted mum Paula has been campaigning for the past three years and is being backed by Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat who's put forward an amendment to the Policing Bill.

Also in today's podcast, it's a year since the murder of George Floyd in America - we find out if racial inequality is still a problem in Kent.

A rare black jaguar has been born at an animal park in Kent.

And there are calls for parkrun to return across Kent.

Podcast: Landlady of The Pub Ramsgate micropub says she only wants to employ women

The landlady of a new micropub in Thanet has been hitting the headlines after saying she only wants to employ women.
The Pub Ramsgate opened last week as part of the Bell & Beerling Pubs franchise - boss Max Bell has been chatting to the podcast.

Also today, walks and silences have taken place in memory of Kent PCSO Julia James. 
We were at an event in Aylesham not far from where she lived and was killed while out walking her dog.
Exhausted NHS staff at hospitals in parts of Kent are being given the chance to take a break in new sleep pods - hear from the man who came up with the idea.
And, Kent racing driver Michael Crees has apologised to fans after crashing in Monaco.

Podcast: We visit Shepway in Maidstone as Golding Homes unveil plans for a multi-million pound revamp of the estate

People living on a notorious estate in Maidstone are being asked what they think about multi-million pound plans to transform it.

Our reporter Liane Castle has been to Shepway to see for herself.

Also in today's podcast, Kent's police and crime commissioner is calling on the government to stop trials of e scooters, find out why.

Groups across the country are due to walk in memory of Kent PCSO Julia James this weekend.

We've been speaking to the organiser of the event.

A school in Gravesend has become the first in the country to install a reverse vending machine - we've been along to see it in action.

And, fans have been back at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury for the first time since before the pandemic.

It may not be cricket weather right now, but that hasn't put off the hardy Kent supporters.

Podcast: Rail shake-up and what it could mean for passengers in Kent

The government has announced plans for a big shake-up of the rail industry.

We find out what it could mean for you and speak to campaigners representing commuters.

Also in the podcast, a teenager has gone on trial accused of murdering a man whose body was found in a wheelie bin in Rochester.

Levels of child poverty in Kent have been revealed in a new report - hear from the End Child Poverty Coalition who researched the data.

And in football, a player from Kent has signed for Chelsea - find out who.

Podcast: Prime Minister attempts to clear-up confusion over foreign travel

The Prime Minister has attempted to clear-up any confusion over where we can travel abroad for a holiday following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
A traffic light system was introduced on Monday putting countries in categories of red, amber or green.
Hear what Boris Johnson had to say at Prime Minister's Questions today after the government was accused of giving mixed messages.
We've also been speaking to a Tunbridge Wells based travel agent and a mum and daughter from Canterbury and Folkestone who're currently in Gibraltar.
Also in today's podcast, Eurostar are being urged to be more specific on when they plan to resume services from Kent after a rescue package was agreed.
We tell you which rides will be reopening at Margate's Dreamland this summer.
And hear about the fascinating research that's been carried out in Kent and reveals for the first time what happened to Anne Boleyn's prayer book after her death. It's currently on display at her family home, Hever Castle.

Podcast: Cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus detected in Kent

Around 20 cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus have been detected in Kent.
Scientists testing Covid samples have found something known as the S gene. It's present in the Indian mutation of the virus but not the Kent variant which spread rapidly at Christmas time.
Hear from Kent's acting director of public health on what's being done to deal with it.
Also in today's podcast we hear from a leading lawyer and from Victim Support about the criminal justice system in Kent.
Some court cases are being delayed until 2023 - we find out why and the impact it is having on witnesses, victims and defendants.
Plus we have details on the latest unemployment figures in Kent.
And you can hear about the new Kent attraction giving you the chance to channel your inner Viking.

Podcast: Lockdown restrictions ease further across Kent

In today's podcast we take a whistle-stop tour around Kent to hear from companies that are able to re-open, some for the first time in many months.

Hear from the boss of a soft-play centre, a restaurant manager and head chef, the chief exec of a leading brewery, a hotel boss and karting circuit co-owner.

We've also been hearing from a wedding planner who says, despite the restrictions easing, it's going to take years for the industry to get back on track.

Also in the podcast, our sports reporter has a roundup of events fans are able to go and watch again.

Podcast: Amazon to create 1,300 jobs in Kent at huge warehouse in Dartford

Amazon has announced it will be creating more than 1,300 jobs in Kent.

The online retail giant is going to be opening a huge warehouse on the site of a former power station in Dartford.

Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on that and more good jobs news for the county.

Also in today's podcast, we've been speaking to a student who's planning a march in Canterbury to highlight the issue of domestic abuse.

We've got an update following complaints made about the noise from an animal sanctuary near Sittingbourne.

A Kent group that support parents of children with Down's syndrome have been chatting about the challenges of lockdown and looking forward to meeting again in person.

And, we've been finding out how million of pounds of lottery money is being spent on bringing one of Kent's most important buildings back into use.

Podcast: Four arrested after biker dies in crash

Four people have been arrested after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision in Swale.

Emergency services were called after the crash happened yesterday evening at around 9:45pm in Swale Way.

A 26-year-old man from Whitstable died at the scene after the two vehicles collided near the entrance to Milton Creek fishing lakes.

Also in today's podcast, We hear from a Snodland man who set up a men's mental health group after suffering during lockdown.

Tom Perry recognised the lack of support out there for men struggling with their mental health, after dealing with a mental breakdown at the end of last year.

And, final safety checks are being carried out on England's longest and fastest zipline at Bluewater.