KentOnline

Podcast: Fire breaks out at barracks in Folkestone being used to house asylum seekers

A fire has broken out at an army barracks in Folkestone being used to house asylum seekers.
Emergency crews were called to Napier Barracks and videos posted on social media show dozens of people gathered outside and alarms can be heard.
Also in today's podcast, there are concerns about elderly people having to queue outside Kent's first mass Covid vaccination centre.
It's though there could be staycation boom in Kent this summer with uncertainty remaining over when we'll be able to travel abroad again.
We hear from Rita Ora who stars in a new modern-day film version of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist.
And, Gillingham defender Ryan Jackson chat ahead of their trip to Sunderland this weekend.

Podcast: Covidiots caught on camera as police in Kent issue almost 800 fines so far this year

Police have released footage of some of the most blatant breaches of lockdown restrictions in Kent.

Officers have revealed they issued another 202 fines last weekend bringing the total for this year to almost 800.

In the podcast, hear the moment officers discover a card game going on in a disused shop in Chatham and a woman out driving, despite having coronavirus.

Also in today's episode, a Maidstone family say they are overwhelmed by the money that's been raised to pay for a cancer drug for their teenage daughter.

And could people living in Dartford soon have to pay £3.50 to drive into neighbouring Bexley? Hear what's been going on in the Commons.

Podcast: Kent schools won't reopen until at least March 8 says Boris Johnson

The Prime Minister has confirmed schools in Kent will not be welcoming back all pupils until at least March 8.

Boris Johnson has been giving an update in the Commons on how the government could start to ease the current national lockdown.

He said getting all children back to class remained their top priority.

We've been chatting to homeschooling mum and My Kent Family editor Lauren Abbott.

Also in today's podcast, we speak to the man in charge of Kent's first mass Covid vaccination centre.

An expert from Canterbury Cathedral reveals how an entire stained glass window will be transported to the British Museum.

And, Gillingham's assistant boss reacts to their 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra in league one.

Podcast: Unemployment in Kent rose 116% in 2020

Stats out today have revealed the number of people claiming jobless benefits in Kent rose 116% in 2020.

In December there were more than 68,800 people claiming in the county - up from just under 32,000 in January.

We get reaction from Jo James, the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, who says the furlough scheme needs to be extended.

Also in the podcast, fears schools could be left out of pocket with more children likely to qualify for free school meals when they return after lockdown.

Local democracy reporter Ciaran Duggan has an update on plans for a railway line from Kent to Cambridge.

And, we look ahead to Gillingham's game in league one tonight.

Podcast: Academy boss warns government not to send all children back to school too soon

The chief executive of an academy trust in Kent says the government needs to listen to scientists before deciding when all children should return to school.

There are calls for ministers to set out a route map of how and when children will go back to class.

Hear from David Whitehead who is the CEO of the Potential in Everyone Academy Trust.

Also in today's podcast, asylum seekers being held at a former army barracks in Kent are to be moved to hotels if they receive a negative Covid test.

We get reaction from the Kent Refugee Action Network.

There are calls for people from minority ethnic groups in Kent not to turn down the chance of having the Covid vaccine.

And, the organisers of the Black Deer Festival update us on their plans for the summer after it was confirmed Glastonbury has been cancelled.

Podcast: Owner of shop near Canterbury abused for refusing to serve customers who refuse to wear a face mask

The owner of a shop in a village near Canterbury has spoken out about the abuse he's suffered after refusing to serve customers who don't wear a face mask.

Ranjit Dhaliwal says he's been threatened and even had groceries thrown at him by people who wouldn't wear a face covering.

Hear from the shopkeeper and CCTV from the store which captured the moment a man demanded to be served despite not wearing a mask.

Also in today's podcast, an open letter from asylum seekers living in a former military barracks in Folkestone has been posted on social media.

Hear from Anne Marie who's been chatting to sister radio station kmfm.

And we catch up with Gillingham midfielder Ollie Lee ahead of their game against Rochdale this weekend.

Podcast - Men jailed for fake cash conspiracy after notes found scatted by Dartford railway line

Three men have been jailed for their part in a plot to produce fake £20 notes.

Some of the counterfeit cash was found by a dog walker with more scattered by a railway line in Dartford.

We've been speaking to an expert in forensic science from the University of Kent.

Some of Kent's MPs have been quizzing the health minister in the commons about the supply of the Covid vaccine - hear what they had to say and the response from Matt Hancock.

A young Maidstone boy has started a campaign to get us to dispose of face masks properly after seeing more and more littering local streets.

Isaac Reed is worried they'll harm wildlife.

And World Cup winning rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson has sent a video message to a Kent school.

Podcast: Concerns over Covid vaccine supply and the desk linking Kent to America on Inauguration Day 2021

A Kent MP has been in contact with the health secretary because he's so concerned about the supply of the Covid vaccine to Kent.

Hear from Thanet's Sir Roger Gale who also wants to know if a mass vaccination is going to be set up in the county.

We've also been speaking to the man in charge of Kent's biggest hospital, Medway Maritime in Gillingham, to find out how they're coping during the second wave of the pandemic.

Also in today's podcast, Storm Christoph has been battering Kent and there are concerns for homes on part of Sheppey where there was a massive landslip last year.

Find out about the desk that links Kent to America on Inauguration Day as Joe Biden is sworn in as the new president.

And plans have been put forward for a new water park in Kent - we've got the details.

Podcast: Woman escorted from Sainsbury's after refusing to wear a face mask

A woman has been escorted from a Sainsbury's store in Dartford after refusing to wear a face mask.

Hear what happened when she was confronted by police in the supermarket and comment on the story to let us know what you think.

The over 80s are being told not to panic if they haven't been invited for a Covid vaccine yet - we've been speaking to a leading Kent doctor.

Remember trading Pokemon cards back in the day? Well the phenomenon is still going strong and one trader in Canterbury has been telling us how some are worth hundreds.

Plus we'll be joined by editor Chris Britcher who's been reminiscing about some of Kent's former tourist attractions.

Podcast: Dr Ranj on sticking to Lockdown 3 rules and protecting our hospitals

Dr Ranj has been speaking to the KentOnline podcast about the importance of sticking to the Lockdown 3 rules and protecting our hospitals.

The TV medic, who grew up in Medway, is seeing firsthand the impact the virus is having on the NHS.

Also in today's podcast, there are calls for the government not to end the £20 per week increase to Universal Credit payments that came into effect at the start of the pandemic.

It's sugar awareness week and a Kent nutritionist is urging parents to be even more careful with what their children are eating while home schooling.

We hear from singer Rudie Edwards who's returned to Kent to film her new video.

And it was a good weekend for Gillingham as they got back to winnings ways - manager Steve Evans spoke after their 1-0 win at Accrington Stanley.