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KentOnline
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The top stories from the KentOnline news team

  1. Podcast: Social media expert reacts to news under 16s in the UK are going to be banned from having accounts on sites including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram

    31m ago

    Podcast: Social media expert reacts to news under 16s in the UK are going to be banned from having accounts on sites including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram

    It's been announced under-16s are going to be banned from using social media. Sites like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will be off limits, in a bid to protect young people from online harms. The Prime Minister says he's giving kids their childhood back - we've got reaction from Rochester-based social media consultant Zoe Cairns. Also on today's episode, the boss of a Canterbury bar that was forced to close following a huge fire next door hopes they could reopen before the end of the summer. Tokyo Tearooms had to close when a blaze broke out in the derelict Odeon cinema in St George's Place on Valentine's Day. Resident doctors in Kent won't be going on strike today as planned. Action has been called off and their union, the BMA, will be having discussions with government over pay instead. James Murray is now in charge of those negotiations after the previous health secretary resigned. Hear from Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks. An unpaid carer from Canterbury has been telling the KentOnline Podcast about the strain it can put on your finances, as new research is released. A survey's found 92% of people who look after a loved one have faced financial difficulties. A school in Herne Bay has been praised for the work it's done to get more children playing during break and lunchtime. Hampton Primary has been given the highest possible accreditation for the quality of its outdoor play provision, putting it in the top one percent in the country. And, Kent have stormed to victory in their county championship match against Lancashire. New signing Hasan Mahmud took six wickets in the second innings, with Kent winning by 140 runs - with a whole day to spare. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  2. Podcast: Meningitis vaccine to be offered to thousands of teenagers across England following deadly outbreak in Kent

    3d ago

    Podcast: Meningitis vaccine to be offered to thousands of teenagers across England following deadly outbreak in Kent

    After a deadly outbreak of meningitis in Kent earlier this year, a one-off vaccination programme's being offered to help protect Year 13 pupils across England. Two young people died after falling ill from the disease in March which was linked to a nightclub in Canterbury. Under 25s starting Uni for the first time are also being offered two doses of the MenB jab. Also in today's episode, a 91 year-old woman has been forced to leave her home of 20 years, just weeks after being targeted by thieves. Queenie Watts was a resident of the Cutbush and Corrall almshouse in Maidstone but was becoming unable to live independently - which is a condition of the accommodation. The KentOnline Podcast has been told five big office buildings in Kings Hill could be demolished to make way for new houses. Bosses say the sites are mostly empty because of a change in how we all work after Covid. And, ahead of a memorial being unveiled in Dartford, Craig Revel-Horwood's paid tribute to fellow Strictly judge Len Goodman. The TV star passed away in April 2023 just six month after announcing his retirement. An interactive artwork is going to be installed outside his dance school on Market Street next month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 min
  3. Podcast: Mum from Paddock Wood says it's 'ridiculous' she has been denied a Blue Badge despite her 2-year-old son being diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome

    4d ago

    Podcast: Mum from Paddock Wood says it's 'ridiculous' she has been denied a Blue Badge despite her 2-year-old son being diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome

    A Kent mum whose son has a rare genetic condition affecting his mobility says it's 'ridiculous' she's been denied a blue badge. Two year-old Ronnie, who lives in Paddock Wood, has been diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Mum Charlotte Jenner says it's dangerous trying to get him in and out of a vehicle if she can't park in a designated space. South East Water have agreed to double the amount of compensation for businesses in Tunbridge Wells affected by outages over the winter. Around 24,000 properties were impacted by a problem at the Pembury Treatment Works. Meantime, the water minister's told Kent MPs it's essential South East Water rebuilds trust ahead of an expected hot summer. Representatives from across the county have been speaking at a special session in parliament about supply disruptions. The most recent happened during the May half term which also saw record high temperatures. As we get ready for the start of the World Cup, a Kent pub boss says it'll be vital for the hospitality industry this summer. The tournament, which is being held in America, Mexico and Canada, gets underway tonight. England's first game is against Croatia next Wednesday in a 9pm kick off. Hear from Tony Palmer who owns the Lord Byron in Margate. A Kent man's who spent three years fostering dogs has been telling us how rewarding it is. Frank Atkinson has looked after a total of 30 since signing up with the Dogs Trust in Canterbury. And, Gillingham have announced another summer signing. Striker Will Goodwin is joining on a two-year deal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 min
  4. Podcast: Businessman Simon Edgecombe from Teynham claims he is the victim of a Post Office miscarriage of justice more than 40 years ago

    5d ago

    Podcast: Businessman Simon Edgecombe from Teynham claims he is the victim of a Post Office miscarriage of justice more than 40 years ago

    A Kent man who was sent to prison after being prosecuted by the Post Office is trying to clear his name after hearing about the Horizon scandal. Simon Edgecombe was convicted after selling a van to a staff member who took money from the till to cover the cost back in 1983. He says there was paperwork to prove it was a legitimate transaction, but he was found guilty by a jury and locked up for 12 months. The 71-year-old has been sharing his story in a bid find evidence that will quash the conviction. Also in today's episode, we've been told a major shake-up of the fire service in Kent is about making sure resources are in the right place and can respond to new risks. Bosses are looking at closing five standalone on-call stations, and removing similar sections from four other parts of the county. Money from the sale of any stations that do close, will be reinvested back into emergency training and kit. Hear from Ann Millington who is the chief executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service. A Rochester woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28 is urging people to listen to their bodies if they're dismissed by doctors. Selina Moss-Davies went to her GP after finding a lump but was only told to keep an eye on it. She's been sharing her story with Lucy. And, a woman who started a bookshare after moving to Margate is hoping similar ones will be set up across the country during the national Year of Reading. The campaign - which is led by the department for education and national literacy trust - is about reversing a decline in reading for pleasure. Bee's Bookshare was founded in 2012 and has already expanded across East Kent. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
  5. Podcast: Brother of professional footballer sent to prison for making threats against own family and breaking into West Malling home

    6d ago

    Podcast: Brother of professional footballer sent to prison for making threats against own family and breaking into West Malling home

    A West Malling man who threatened members of his own family and tried to attack one after smashing in to their home has been jailed. A court's been told how Dane May carried out a relentless campaign against his mum and two siblings, including League One footballer Alfie May. The 38-year-old from Edington Way has been locked up for more than seven years and will spend a further three on licence when he's released. Also in today's podcast, a warning has been issued about the World Cup leading to a rise in domestic abuse in Kent. Bosses in Medway have launched a campaign urging people to spot the signs and get help. As we approach the 10th anniversary of Brexit, one of Kent's MPs has told the podcast it was 'a big mistake'. The UK voted to leave the EU by 52 percent to 48 in June 2016 - after then Prime Minister David Cameron gave the go ahead for a referendum. Some campaigners are now calling for the country to re-join the European Union and recently walked from London, through Kent, to Brussels. We've been speaking to Folkestone and Hythe rep Tony Vaughan. A woman from Sevenoaks who was left paralysed after suffering a cardiac arrest says she's determined not to be a burden on her family. Nikki Owen spent 10 months in hospital after it happened in February last year. She's now living in an adapted bungalow in Otford, but has been fundraising to convert a shed into a purpose-built rehab space. Nikki has been speaking to reporter Charlotte Phillips. And, a Kent golf club has honoured its oldest player. Christopher Martin turned 100 earlier this year and still regularly plays the sport at Canterbury Golf Club and Driving Range. He's been a member since 1974 and is actually a year older than the club itself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min
  6. Podcast: Frustrated residents say new-build Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet near Ashford has turned into a 'nightmare'

    Jun 8

    Podcast: Frustrated residents say new-build Nightingale View estate in Hamstreet near Ashford has turned into a 'nightmare'

    Bosses in Ashford have launched an investigation into a new-build estate in the town following complaints from residents. People living in homes on Nightingale View in Hamstreet have reported cracked footpaths, dead trees and patchy, dying grass. The developer insists it's working on a plan to get the area up to scratch, while the council say they're looking at whether any planning breaches have occurred. Hear from reporter Louis Walker who has been covering the story. Also on today's episode, a driver who reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour in heavy rain before causing the deaths of two women on the M20 has been jailed. The victims had been standing on the hard shoulder of the coastbound carriageway in October 2022 after another vehicle aquaplaned. A new group's been set up to provide support for thousands of unpaid carers in Kent. The county council say they want to bring people from different backgrounds together, and give them a voice. Drop-in sessions are being held at libraries in Ashford and Dartford to provide advice. A new £15 million healthy living facility has officially opened within a shopping centre in Chatham. It brings GP practices and community health services together under one roof and is named in memory of Medway's late director of public health, James Williams, who died in 2024. Ollie Leader from the local democracy reporting service has been along to have a look. A Kent town has welcomed its first ever Pokémon shop. Country cards in Snodland has been launched by two electricians who bonded over their love of Pokémon cards and country music. Reporter Elli Hodgson has been chatting to Keith Blackman and Matt Gibbons. And in sport, Kent have been beaten by Sussex Sharks in the T20 Blast. They only managed a score of 133 after batting first at Hove. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    16 min
  7. Podcast: Sittingbourne's Marino Fish Bar celebrates its 30th birthday as the country marks National Fish and Chip Day

    Jun 5

    Podcast: Sittingbourne's Marino Fish Bar celebrates its 30th birthday as the country marks National Fish and Chip Day

    Kent Police have told the KentOnline Podcast how they'll be using targeted operations this summer to tackle antisocial behaviour. It's been a problem during the warm weather - particularly at the coast. Officers are now stepping up patrols and using dispersal orders to move on anyone causing trouble. Also in today's episode, a search is underway for a hit and run driver who left a pet dog with serious injuries near Dover. Sully, a 21-month-old Labrador, had to have a leg amputated after being struck by a van in the Whitfield part of town last month. Police say an investigation is ongoing and they're keen to hear from anyone with dash-cam footage. A skills hub has opened in Kent in a bid to get young people, veterans and former prisoners into work. It's after recent stats revealed more than a million 16 to 24 year-olds are out of work, training or education. The facility at Hermitage Quarry in Maidstone will support projects like the Lower Thames Crossing. As we mark National Fish & Chip Day, a shop in Sittingbourne has been telling us how they've adapted to stay in business. Marino Fish Bar on London Road is celebrating its 30th birthday, and has been nominated for three prizes in this year's English Fish and Chip Awards. Winners will be announced later this month. Thousands of people are expected in Canterbury tomorrow for Kent's biggest Pride event. It'll start with a parade through the city centre from 11 - before acts take to the stage in the Dane John Gardens. This year marks the event's 10th anniversary, and a return to its traditional home after major work there last summer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
  8. Podcast: Anger as solar park near Faversham used truckloads of water to wash panels as taps ran dry across Kent

    Jun 4

    Podcast: Anger as solar park near Faversham used truckloads of water to wash panels as taps ran dry across Kent

    Bosses at a Kent solar farm have apologised after using water from a roadside standpipe to clean panels, when taps in nearby homes were running dry. A bowser was seen arriving at Cleve Hill Park in Graveney near Faversham during the outages in the recent hot weather. Also in today's episode, a mother and daughter from Maidstone have been jailed after going on a shopping spree with a credit card stolen from a 91-year-old woman. It was taken from the victim's home and one of the women was found by police hiding in a cupboard. Two cars have been caught reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while racing on the M2. Officers recorded the vehicles as they headed coastbound between junctions 2 and 3 near Rochester in September last year. The family of a Canterbury woman who died after being dragged and kicked by a horse after it was spooked by dogs are calling for body protectors to be compulsory. Ewa Larsson had been leading the horse near Deal when it happened last August. A petition against plans to build 20,000 homes in Kent has been handed in to the Prime Minister. The Stop The Sprawl campaign argues large scale developments in Lenham, Lidsing, Sittingbourne and Faversham will damage the character of the area. And, Legend from Gladiators is going to be on the new series of Celebrity Googlebox. Matt Morsia from Hythe joins the line-up when it returns to Channel 4 tomorrow night. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    15 min
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About

The top stories from the KentOnline news team

Information

  • Creator
    KentOnline
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    KentOnline

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