KentOnline

Podcast: Man jailed over West Malling crash and Chatham Town manager on how football helped him after the loss of his wife

A man has been sent to prison following a hit and run in West Malling.

Three women were knocked down on a zebra crossing in March - two of them were left with life-changing injuries.

Also in today's podcast, hear from local democracy reporter Ciaran Duggan as we're asked if we'd be prepared to pay more council tax next year.

The manager of Chatham Town has been speaking about how football has helped him following the death of his wife.

And, find out which Kent teams are out of the FA Cup.

Podcast: Coronavirus update from Kent's director of public health as county is placed in 'medium risk' category

The man in charge of public health in Kent says it's 'business as usual' a day after it was confirmed the county has been placed in the 'medium risk' category of the government's new three-tier lockdown system.
Hear from Andrew Scott-Clark on rates in the county and what we all need to be doing.
Also in today's podcast, tests get under way today to determine which children can apply for a place at a grammar school in Kent for next September.
More young people have been using lockdown to come out - hear from 19 year-old Craig from Medway who told his parents about his sexuality while spending more time with them.
And we have an update on the graduate, the damage sofa and the withheld law degree.

Podcast: Three-tier local lockdown system introduced to try and prevent spread of coronavirus

The Prime Minister has been setting out a new way of trying to prevent the spread of coronavirus and get it under control by Christmas.
The three-tier system will see parts of England labelled as either 'medium', 'high' or 'very high risk'.
Hear what Boris Johnson has had to say in the Commons.
Also in today's podcast, a Canterbury mum says her daughter's being let down by the education system - she's spoken out as she battles to get her a place at a specialist school.
Hear about cameras that are going to be installed in Kent and could improve safety on our roads.
And we've spoken to the Whitstable businessman who reckons wind turbines on lamp posts on motorways could help the country reach green energy targets.

Podcast: Sarah Wellgreen's mum speaks on second anniversary of daughter's disappearance

The mum of a Kent woman who disappeared two years ago has spoken for the first time about the anguish of not knowing what happened to her daughter.

46 year-old Sarah Wellgreen was last seen in New Ash Green - her former partner is serving life in prison for her murder but has never revealed what happened to her.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent hospital trust is to be criminally prosecuted over the death of a baby boy.

A Kent mum has bravely spoken out at the start of baby loss awareness week.

A former JLS star says more children need to know where their food comes from.

And, we look ahead to Gillingham's game this weekend.

 

Podcast: University of Kent withhold law degree over £17 bill disputed by graduate

A University of Kent graduate says his degree is being withheld because he's refusing to pay £17.
Joshua Ingle from Northfleet has been asked to contribute towards the cost of repairing a damaged sofa in his student accommodation.
He says he wasn't responsible and is refusing to pay up - hear from our reporter Will Payne who covered this story.
Also in the podcast, a music project in Thanet says it's had a huge increase in referrals of young people needing support with their mental health during the pandemic.
Pie Factory Music are now fundraising so they can provide counselling.
Hear from the mum or a young man from Cranbrook who's facing a long road to recovery after suffering spinal damage when he dived into a swimming pool.
And, Kentish apples are starting to appear in our supermarkets, we've been speaking to a grower in the county.

Podcast: Damning report reveals staff were not wearing PPE correctly on a Covid ward at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford

A damning report has revealed staff on a Covid ward at a Kent hospital were not wearing PPE correctly.

Other workers at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford were seen not using alcohol hand gel when entering and leaving wards where patients suspected of having coronavirus were being treated.

Hear from the watchdog that sent inspects to the hospital in August and from a widow who's convinced her husband died after contracting Covid-19 while being treated there for a broken leg.

Also in the podcast - Kent doesn't have a single 5* hotel - we've been speaking to a leading tourism boss.

And we've got reaction following Gillingham's defeat last night in the EFL Trophy.

Podcast: Archbishop of Canterbury apologises as report is published into child sexual abuse within the church

The Archbishop of Canterbury has written an open letter apologising for the 'shameful' actions of the church over child sexual abuse.

An independent report has been published today, and says the Church of England chose to put the reputation of clergy before protecting children and young people.

Also in today's podcast, more covid cases have been reported at schools in Kent.

We speak to an expert at the RSPCA as the charity launch their Adoptober campaign. They are concerned the number of people buying puppies in lockdown could lead to an animal welfare crisis.

And, the what do you think of a Kent marathon? It's being discussed as a potential way of boosting tourism after the pandemic.

Podcast: Cineworld announces temporary closures, calls for next summer's exams to be called off and the panto hoping to boost the theatre industry

There's more evidence today on how the pandemic is affecting the entertainment industry with news that Cineworld is going to temporarily close all its screens.

Nicola Everett is joined on the podcast by business editor Chris Britcher to talk about the impact here in Kent.

Also in today's episode, hear from a leading headteacher who thinks the government should make a decision now on next summer's exams.

A new mum from Kent who's calling for maternity leave to be extended because of the pandemic has the issue debated in parliament later.

And a panto producer is hoping his show at the Marlowe in Canterbury will help kick start the theatre industry.

Podcast: Are schools coping with covid? apprentices graduate, the man who's saving Christmas and Olly Murs is coming to Kent

Plenty coming up in today's podcast - and first, we find out how schools are coping a month after reopening following the summer break.

Are bubbles working and what's the impact been on teachers and pupils? We speak to the chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers.

More than 100 apprentices across Kent have graduated today. The ceremony was due to take place at Rochester Cathedral but was done virtually instead.

Olly Murs has been chatting to Garry and Laura on kmfm Breakfast and had a very special announcement.

Plus we hear from the man who could very well be saving Christmas in Kent - the producer of the panto at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

Podcast: Maidstone man speaks about his experience of bullying as part of Kidscape project: Real Lives, Real Stories

A young man from Maidstone has bravely spoken about his experience of bullying as part of a new project to help more children.

Real Lives, Real Stories is being run by Kidscape.

Ben White, who's now 24, was invited to take part and is also hoping to go into schools to urge those who might be going through the same thing, to speak out.

Also in today's podcast - as Stoptober gets under way, we're told more people have been quitting smoking during lockdown.

And the boss of a music venue in Thanet speaks about their first socially distanced gig, but warns it can't become the new normal.