KentOnline

Podcast: 37 weddings at Hadlow Manor Hotel in Tonbridge are cancelled as it announces it is closing this month

Almost 40 weddings due to take place at a hotel in Kent have been cancelled after bosses announced it is closing at the end of the month.

Hear from reporter Sean McPolin who has been speaking to devastated couples who were due to get married at Hadlow Manor Hotel in Tonbridge.

Also in today's podcast, figures Shelter show Dartford and Swale have some of the highest homelessness rates in the south east.

Across both areas, more than 1,600 people are living on the streets or in temporary accommodation.

Ambulance workers in Kent have been striking again today.

It's the second time members of the GMB Union have walked out in a dispute over pay and conditions.

A new report out today suggests one in six police officers in Kent are planning to resign in the next two years.

80% of staff who responded to a survey say they are unhappy with current pay, and the vast majority don't feel respected by the government. We have reaction from Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner.

An independent art school in Kent, that's described as being a major community asset, is just weeks away from having to close.

The Margate School is Thanet's largest creative art provider and has been told it needs to raise £50,000 by the end of the month. We've been speaking to their director.

Hear from a Kent farmer who's calling on the government to provide more clarity over new plans to encourage environmentally friendly projects.

And in sport, Gillingham have made their first January signing - and second under new owner Brad Galinson.

Find out who's joining the squad at Priestfield and what's being done to encourage more fans along.

Podcast: Children’s doctor arranged to meet teenage boy for sex in grounds of QEQM hospital in Margate in sting operation

A children's doctor has admitted arranging to meet a teenage boy in the grounds of a Kent hospital.
Salman Siddiqi - who's 44 and an intensive care paediatrician - was arrested at Margate's QEQM on Sunday following a sting by an amateur detective.

Also in today's podcast, a carer from Aylesford who stole more than £17,000 from elderly people, then spent it on hundreds of items on Amazon, has been jailed.
Hear from Paul Hooper who is our reporter at Maidstone Crown Court.
A Medway man who credits Prince Harry with saving his life through the military games he set up, has told the podcast he fears the prince is suffering from PTSD.
The Duke of Sussex's book, Spare, is out today and details his time while serving in Afghanistan. Hear from Darren Young who competed at the Invictus Games.
We've also been speaking to a Kent driving instructor who is calling for examiners to work seven days a week to try and clear the current backlog.
Thousands of students are still waiting to take a test after delays built up during the pandemic.
Experts are being brought in to help victims of stalking and hate crime in Kent.
It's part of a new four year deal which will see Victim Support given a million pounds a year. Kent's police and crime commissioner as been explaining more.
And, the landlords of a popular Kent pub have announced their selling up after 26 years of pulling pints.
Ray and Sandra Cottingham say they plan to spend more time with their family after handing over the keys to The Black Lion in Appledore near Ashford.

Podcast: Amazon delivery driver crashed van into ditch in Staplehurst while over the drink drive limit

An Amazon delivery driver has been banned from getting behind the wheel after crashing his van into a ditch while over the drink drive limit.

Radu Vulpe, 34 from Hawkhurst, had been heading home from his delivery rounds when he hit a road sign in Staplehurst last November.

Also in today's podcast, talks have been taking place today to try and resolve ongoing strike action that's been affecting services in Kent.

The walkouts in recent months may have prevented you from travelling by train or receiving post on time. Hear from a member of the RMT in Medway.

It's the first business Monday of the new year which usually means it's the day family lawyers get the most enquiries about couples splitting up.

"Divorce Day" sees those who have struggled over the festive period reach out for advice. We've been speaking to an expert from Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone.

A TikTok star who's gone viral for his scathing reviews of Kent towns has been chatting to the KentOnline Podcast.

Phil Carr has over 440,000 followers on the social media platform. We caught up with him during a trip to Margate.

It's also a big day for the town as Empire of Light is out in cinemas.

It was filmed in and around Dreamland. Hear from stars Olivia Colman, Colin Firth and Toby Jones and director Sam Mendes who was in Kent yesterday for a special screening.

And in football, we've been catching up with the Gillingham manager following their exit from the FA Cup.

Priestfield was sold out for the game against premier league side Leicester City.

Podcast: Teenage drug-driver from Herne Hill near Faversham locked up after leaving three passengers injured in a crash

A drug-driver from Faversham who left three people injured in a crash has been locked up and given a driving ban.

Jacob Luton repeatedly drove past his former partner while shouting abuse out of the window of the car in February last year.

The 19-year-old from Herne Hill lost control of the vehicle which hit a tree before flipping over.

Also in today's podcast, as a Russian ceasefire begins in Ukraine, we've been speaking to a Sittingbourne man who's delivering aid near the frontline.

Brian Grove has spent the last few days taking medical supplies and generators to villages that are being attacked.

A stretch of the M20 is going to be closed overnight so Operation Brock can be deactivated.

It was put in place over Christmas and New Year to reduce disruption if there were delays crossing the Channel.

It's feared more parents will book cheaper holidays during term time this year because of the cost of living crisis.

It's thought more than a quarter in the south east will be prepared to pay the fine for taking their child out of school - because it'll still work out less expensive. We've been speaking to Kent based company Holiday Extras.

Find out where in Kent has been named one of the best places in the UK for a romantic getaway.

And in sport, we look ahead to Gillingham's huge game in the FA Cup this weekend.

They welcome premier league side Leicester City to Priestfield tomorrow.

Podcast: Car crashes into house in Molash after coming off A252 between Ashford and Canterbury

People living in a village near Ashford are calling for the speed limit on a main road to be cut, claiming it's being used 'like a race circuit'.
The most recent crash saw a car plough into the front of a house after coming off the A252 in Molash. Hear from our reporter Rhys Griffiths.
Also in today's podcast, bosses at Kent's biggest hospital have apologised after an elderly man was left waiting in A and E for 15 hours.
Brian Hooker, 86, ended up discharging himself from Medway Maritime in Gillingham before being seen by a doctor - he then suffered a fall while trying to walk home.
Hear from an Ashford GP who has been updating us on the latest situation facing the health service.
Plans to carry out three years of major roadworks on Blue Bell Hill have been pushed back.
Almost £200 million is due to be spent on upgrading the dual carriageway linking Maidstone and Medway.
It's been confirmed today that 2022 was the hottest year on record in the UK.
The Met Office say last year's average temperature topped 10c for the first time. We've been getting reaction from Maidstone Green councillor Stuart Jeffery.
The podcast been hearing how a new film set in Margate helped boost the local economy by £4.8 million.
Olivia Coleman's been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in Empire of Light, which is directed by Sam Mendes.
It's out on Monday and we've been chatting to the woman in charge of the Kent Film Office.
And in sport, a familiar face is returning to Priestfield as Gillingham fight for survival in the football league.
Fine out who has been appointed ahead of this weekend's FA Cup clash against premier league side Leicester City.

Podcast: Kent’s most crime-ridden railway stations revealed in data released by British Transport Police

Data given to KentOnline has revealed the scale of crime at railway stations across Kent.
We submitted at Freedom of Information request to British Transport Police - find out which station saw the highest number of offences in the 12 months to September 2022.

Also in today's podcast, detectives investigating reports of a sex attack in the early hours of New Year's Day in Ashford have released an image of man they want to speak to.
It happened in an underpass between Station Approach and Torrington Road.
As pressures continue to build on the NHS, it's been revealed an elderly man with severe dementia was left in a corridor at Kent's biggest hospital for 24 hours.
Paul Coombs was taken to Medway Maritime in Gillingham with an infection and had to wait a day before being admitted to a ward.
We've also been getting an update on the situation facing hospitals at the moment from the Chief Medical Officer of NHS Kent and Medway.
The owner of a cafe in Medway says it's at breaking point as the business tries to grapple with the cost of living crisis.
Frasers in Gillingham is having to rely on volunteering from friends and family to stay afloat.
Elsewhere, it's hoped a cinema in Sittingbourne that's been forced to close could still be used as a community venue.
The New Century showed a film for final time last Thursday.
A former clothes shop in Whitstable is going to be converted into a cafe aimed at helping people with their mental health.
Revival has been without a permanent home for the past two years. Hear about their plans for the building on the High Street.
And in sport, the new owner of Gillingham has been revealing why he invested in the club.
Brad Galinson flew in from America to see their defeat at Stevenage on Monday.

Podcast: Homeless man says Maidstone has turned into a mini London and become unsafe with attacks and stabbings

A man who has slept rough in Maidstone for the past four years says the town has become unsafe.
Aaron has now been moved into temporary accommodation but has described having to sleep with one eye open while on the streets.
He has been speaking to reporter Cara Simmonds after receiving support from Maidstone Homeless Care.
Also in today's podcast, there's been a huge emergency response after "skeletal remains" were found in the River Medway.
Police and firefighters were called to the Riverside Country Park in Gillingham yesterday.
A Kent pensioner claims a 'do not resuscitate' order was signed by doctors at the QEQM hospital in Margate - without his permission.
Pat Burke had a seizure while visiting the hospital for a routine appointment.
He was taken to a ward to be monitored and his wife found the note the following day. Hear from Pat and the response from the hospital.
More than 30 people from Kent have been recognised in the King's first New year honours list.
Among them is Paula Hudgell who campaigned for tougher sentences for child abusers. And, Ish has been chatting to April Jane Homer from Snodland who got a British Empire Medal.
There are concerns ripping up the cobbles on Ashford's Lower High Street will lead to a drop in footfall and business.
A £600,000 programme will see the uneven pavements replaced with black tarmac. Hear from a trader and a local councillor.
And, a Rochester man says he plans to immediately retire after winning £500,000 on the national lottery.
We've been catching up with Len Parsons and his wife Hazel.
In sport, it's been a disappointing start to the new year for Gillingham.
They were beaten 1-0 by promotion chasing Stevenage - our sports reporter Luke Cawdell has been getting reaction from manager Neil Harris.

Podcast: Man dies on M20 after serious crash between Aylesford and West Malling

A man in his 50s has died following a crash on the M20.

He was driving an Audi which collided with two other vehicles on the London bound stretch yesterday evening.

It meant the motorway had to be shut for more than 14 hours.

Also in today's podcast, it's been confirmed, nurses in Kent and Medway will be part of national strikes for the first time in the New Year.

The Royal College of Nursing says there'll be new walkouts at hospitals across much of England on the 18th and 19th January.

Hear from a former nurse at East Kent Hospitals Trust.

We're being warned to expect disruption on Kent's roads over the next couple of days, as millions of people travel for Christmas.

The AA's issued an amber traffic warning, with particular concern for motorways like the M25 and M20.

We speak to Toby Howe from the Kent Resilience Forum, which plans for events like this.

A man who almost died after contracting TB while living on the streets in Canterbury is going to feature in a new three-part documentary.

Nick Chamberlain's told us he kept going to A&E because he was feeling so unwell, but struggled to get treatment.

He was being filmed by Joe Spence who was doing a PhD at the University of Kent -  he covered Nick's story for five years and helped him get live-saving treatment.

Elsewhere, a homelessness charity has told the KentOnline Podcast, they fear more people will be out on the streets in the New Year because of the cost of living crisis.

Figures from Maidstone Homeless Care show the number of people in need of food parcels has reached more than 300 a month.

And, a Kent historian's been giving us her predictions for what will feature in the King's Speech this weekend.

It's the first time he'll deliver the special Christmas message since becoming monarch.

 

 

 

Podcast: A2070 roadworks ”living hell” for Finberry residents near Ashford

People living on a housing estate near Ashford say roadworks are making life a "living hell".

A major junction upgrade started on the A2070 in May, to give better access to the Finberry development.

Residents have been telling us that traffic's becoming a nightmare.

Elsewhere, work's continuing to restore water to thousands of homes and businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells, after more than a week of disruption.

The arctic blast and then sudden rise in temperatures caused a number of pipes to burst.

A pub owner's told the KentOnline Podcast they're losing money at what should be their busiest time of the year.

And, a Kent homelessness charity's criticised the county council for cutting their funding just as demand soars...

Porchlight will miss out on £2.5m, which could mean they have to scale back support for people at risk of ending up on the streets.

We've been speaking to Jo Dawes who's their head of fundraising.

 

Podcast: Kent hospitals ’like a war zone’ as patients sleep in corridors and on floors

It's been revealed someone walked into an accident and emergency department in Kent every 23 seconds in November.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to a ward has also risen.

In the three months from September, it was more than 4,000 patients - compared to just over 500 during the same period last year.

It comes as the government's urging us not to take unnecessary risks today, as thousands of ambulance staff go out on strike.

Paramedics and call handlers here in Kent are among those walking out in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The army's been drafted in to help out as NHS leaders warn they cannot guarantee the safety of patients.

We spoke to Murray Robinson from the GMB union - who was out on the picket line at Medway Ambulance Station.

Our other top stories, and investigations are underway following the death of a man in Sittingbourne.

The victim was found with stab wounds at a property off College Road in the early hours of this morning.

The future of one of Medway's oldest pubs is uncertain after the landlord announced he was calling time on New Year's Eve.

John Brice has run The King George 5th in Brompton for the past 20 years - he's been telling us why he's decided to shut.

The MP for Dartford's described an expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone to the border of Kent as 'the most unfair, undemocratic form of taxation this country has ever seen'.

From next August, motorists using older vehicles will have to pay a charge to drive into all 33 of the capital's boroughs.

It's part of efforts to cut air pollution.

But during a debate in Westminster Hall, Gareth Johnson said it would be financially damaging for residents and the economy, and accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of just trying to make money.

And, in football, Gillingham have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Premier League side Wolves in the fourth round.

Gills manager Neil Harris spoke to us after the match.