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The top stories from the KentOnline news team

  1. Podcast: Firefighters battle blaze at derelict Swanton House in Elwick Road, Ashford

    8H AGO

    Podcast: Firefighters battle blaze at derelict Swanton House in Elwick Road, Ashford

    Firefighters have been tackling a blaze in a derelict building next to Ashford College. Huge plumes of smoke were seen coming from Swanton House in Elwick Road yesterday evening. Hear from our reporter Max Chesson who has been to the scene. Also in today's episode,  a document detailing where 23,000 homes could be built in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay will be debated by councillors for the first time tonight. It's known as a Local Plan and also sets out where things like roads will need to be constructed to support new developments and growing populations. Our local democracy reporter Dan Esson has more information. The MP for Ashford is warning that exposure to misinformation on social media is damaging children's mental health. It's as TikTok videos have emerged encouraging so called "school wars" across the county, with organised fighting between pupils. A number of schools have sent letters home to parents saying it's already impacting children. We've been speaking to Sojan Joseph. Vouchers will be handed out in schools across Kent as we celebrate World Book Day. It's as recent figures from the National Literacy Trust show daily reading levels for children have reached a 20-year low. Hear from award winning Kent author Annabel Steadman who wrote the Skandar series. And in sport, the Maidstone United manager's admitted he may need to add to his squad due to injury problems. Strike Muhammadu Faal was stretchered off on Tuesday night while goalkeeper Nathan Harness suffered concussion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  2. Podcast: Work to fix 'rollercoaster' A299 Thanet Way to start this summer

    1D AGO

    Podcast: Work to fix 'rollercoaster' A299 Thanet Way to start this summer

    It's been confirmed work to fix a stretch of the Thanet Way will start this summer. The A299 between the Dargate Services and Roman Galley pub has been reduced to 50 miles per hour since last September after bumps appeared in the surface. The county council say repairs will be carried out over six weeks from June 1st. Also in today's podcast, police have released footage of the moment they found a burglar hiding in the loft of a house in Ashford. Antony Allen, 47, who doesn't have a permanent address, had targeted a home in the town at Christmas while the owners were away. As the conflict in the Middle East continues, holidaymakers in Kent are being urged not to panic if they have got future flights booked to countries like Dubai. Thousands of Brits have been left stranded after the country was caught up in retaliatory strikes over the weekend. Hear from Chris Scoble who owns a travel agents in Tunbridge Wells. Meantime, we're told pupils at a school in Dubai that's partnered with one here in Kent are being offered support during the unrest. Explosions were reported in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and students at Kent College Dubai are currently doing remote learning to stay safe. A construction graduate from Canterbury says more needs to be done to help women and girls get into the building industry. 25 year-old Jessica Scanlon works on a site in Deal, after getting a degree in project management. She's calling for an end to gender stereotypes when career advice is given in schools. And in sport, Scott Wagstaff has been named as the new manager of the youth team at Gillingham. He takes over from Joe Dunne who left the club last month. The 35-year-old made 66 appearances for the Gills over two years, scoring four goals, and still plays for Tonbridge Angels. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
  3. Podcast: Tunbridge Wells dad living in Abu Dhabi speaks about seeing missiles intercepted as a conflict in the Middle East continues

    2D AGO

    Podcast: Tunbridge Wells dad living in Abu Dhabi speaks about seeing missiles intercepted as a conflict in the Middle East continues

    A Kent dad who lives in Abu Dhabi has told the podcast about the moment he was alerted to potential missile strikes. Justin Cooke received a message on his phone shortly before seeing puffs of smoke in the sky as the missiles were intercepted. The retaliatory strikes on Saturday followed an attack by America and Israel on Iran which killed the country's leader. Also in today's episode, the head of the Met Police says he's fiercely committed to restoring trust, five years on from the murder of Sarah Everard. The 33-year-old was abducted in Clapham by then serving officer Wayne Couzens from Deal, her body was later found in woodland near Ashford. We've been asking women in Rochester how safe they feel now. The Canterbury MP has raised concerns in the commons about funding for children with Special Educational Needs in Kent. It follows an announcement from the government that £4 billion will be invested to make mainstream schools more inclusive. A Kent football club say they've been left in limbo after developers dropped plans for two 3G pitches, as part of proposals for a new housing estate. Larkfield and New Hythe Football Club have been working with Obee Estates to deliver a community sports hub at the site of the former Oast Park Golf Course. However, a revised application includes 320 houses and a grass pitch only. And in sport, there's action in the quarter finals of the Kent Senior Cup tonight. Gillingham take on Tonbridge Angels at the Longmead Stadium. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  4. Podcast: Traders in Sheerness High Street say they are 'fighting a losing battle' after a number of small businesses closed

    3D AGO

    Podcast: Traders in Sheerness High Street say they are 'fighting a losing battle' after a number of small businesses closed

    Traders in Sheerness High Street say they're fighting a losing battle to keep their shopping promenade alive after the closure of several small businesses. Black Cat hardware closed on Valentine's Day with the owner telling customers it was no longer feasible to keep it open due to a drop in footfall. It follows other independents who have shut in recent months and our reporter has been getting reaction from Declan Forley who runs Sheerness Mobility Ltd with his dad. Also in today's podcast, the foreign secretary says they're working to bring home tens of thousands of British nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates following a weekend of airstrikes. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been targeted in revenge for the US and Israel carrying out an attack on Iran over the weekend which killed its supreme leader. Dr Yaniv Voller is a senior lecturer in Middle East politics at the University of Kent, he's been explaining why the UAE has been caught up in the dispute and what Britain's involvement is. A KentOnline investigation has found a car park company has made nearly £20,000 from drivers in Kent through what's known as 'major keying errors'. It happens if you enter a digit incorrectly when putting your number plate into a payment machine at various country parks. Hear from one man who was issued with a penalty notice. A Kent footballer's been telling us what it's like to train and play during Ramadan. Throughout the holy month many Muslims choose not to eat or drink during daylight hours. Muhammadu Faal plays for Maidstone United and has praised how supportive the club have been. And,  it was a dramatic last minute win for Gillingham at the weekend. They beat Barrow 1-0 away from home from pretty much the last kick of the match in the 103rd minute. We've got reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min
  5. Podcast: Family pays tribute to ‘inspiring’ restaurant manager at Fish at 55 in Rochester High Street taken 'far too young'

    6D AGO

    Podcast: Family pays tribute to ‘inspiring’ restaurant manager at Fish at 55 in Rochester High Street taken 'far too young'

    Friends and family have paid tribute to a popular restaurant manager – saying the “inspiring” young woman died “far too young”.  Charlotte Redsell was a much-loved and well respected boss at Fish 55 in Rochester but the community was rocked by her death last October at the age of just 26.  Also in today’s podcast, a killer captured on CCTV shouting "I've got a nice surprise for you" as he swung a machete-style blade at his victim before chasing him to his death has been jailed for 16 years. Chris Maclean could also be heard yelling "Game over" after the pursuit of Jay Gerrett in Sittingbourne tragically ended with him falling from a height of 13ft down an embankment and retaining wall into the path of a passing car on the road below. A window cleaner whose heart stopped nine times while he was working at a pub admits it is a “miracle” he is still alive. Joe Carver suffered a cardiac arrest while on a job in November 2025 – he spokes to us and says it was the wake up call he needed.  You can hear from a Kent teen who only last summer left school but is now running her own business. 18-year-old Daisy Webb has opened The Boat and Bean cafe bar in Wateringbury after deciding university was not for her.  And in football, after a disappointing 3-nil defeat last time out, Gillingham head to Barrow this weekend. They've dropped to 16th in the league two table and are 12 points off the play-offs – we’ve spoken to defender Robbie McKenzie ahead of the match.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
  6. Podcast: The Canterbury Tales attraction telling Chaucer’s much-loved stories has been revived using the latest technology

    FEB 26

    Podcast: The Canterbury Tales attraction telling Chaucer’s much-loved stories has been revived using the latest technology

    One of Kent’s most popular visitor attractions has been revived, with its new bosses promising a spectacular, immersive experience. It follows a million-pound makeover of The Canterbury Tales - which tells Geoffrey Chaucer's much-loved stories of a medieval cast of pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury Cathedral. Also in today’s podcast, we’ve spoken to a Kent homelessness charity as new figures show there's been a rise in the number of people sleeping rough on our streets. A government snapshot shows 174 were counted on a single night last autumn – that’s an increase of 17%.  You can also hear from the neice of a Rainham man who died from a rare cancer at just 55 who’s hoping to raise money so other people can be tested for it. Andy Bird initially thought a lump on his leg was an insect bite - but it turned out to be epithelioid sarcoma. A transport boss is ditching the Middle East to come back home and get back behind the pumps at an award-winning pub. New licensees have taken over the running of The Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough - which was previously named Kent pub of the year as well as one of the top 16 pubs in Britain. And you can hear from a Kent family who were left stunned as their dog gave birth to a record-breaking 17 puppies. The owner, who lives near Canterbury, has told us how the adorable Irish Doodles “just kept coming” after her pet went into a 13-hour labour. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  7. Podcast: Grandmother told by Ashford Borough Council she can't return to her home of 25 years after devastating fire

    FEB 25

    Podcast: Grandmother told by Ashford Borough Council she can't return to her home of 25 years after devastating fire

    A grandmother of 12 has been left heartbroken after a council confirmed she cannot return to her home of more than 25 years following a devastating fire. The blaze ripped through her three-bedroom house in South Ashford last month and she was initially told she would be able to return once repairs to the council-owned property had been completed. Also in today’s podcast, the KentOnline Podcast has been told the Port of Dover will be ready for the full rollout of new border checks for passengers heading to the EU. From the 10th of April, everyone travelling through to mainland Europe will have to provide a fingerprint and photo – you can hear from the Port CEO ahead of the changes.  You can hear from a mum-of-two was told she had multiple brain tumours after previously battling breast cancer twice. The 35-year-old underwent successful surgery in 2024 but just before Christmas last year, she started suffering from severe headaches and problems with her vision. Another Kent town has bid to become the first-ever UK Town of Culture.  The competition aims to celebrate the legacy and creativity of some of the country’s smaller places – Chatham’s bid is being led by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.  And the local authority in Maidstone say there's been an incredible community response to a campaign to save Swift colonies.  They're taking action to try to bolster declining populations but handing out free boxes for the birds to nest in.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min
  8. Podcast: Swimmers concerned about increase in sewage discharges at Hythe following heavy rainfall this winter

    FEB 24

    Podcast: Swimmers concerned about increase in sewage discharges at Hythe following heavy rainfall this winter

    Swimmers say they are anxious about going in the sea at Hythe because of the amount of sewage being discharged into the water. The group regularly travel from Ashford to swim at sunrise, but say they've seen an increasing number of floating objects. Hear from one of the group, and we've had a response from Southern Water. Also in today's podcast, a Kent campaigner's told us she has some concerns over the government's plans to reform the special educational needs system. Yesterday, they announced a £4 billion package and say more youngsters with SEN will be taught in mainstream schools by offering language therapists and specialist teacher training. Lisa Lloyd from Aylesford has some concerns. We've been hearing from the bosses of a Kent vineyard about how they've been impacted by the wet start to the year. Bosses at Nucleus Winery at Fort Borstal say heavy and persistent rainfall can wash nutrients away from the soil and hamper harvesting efforts. A dental practice has opened on a new-build estate in north Kent after hundreds of residents called for one. Smile Tech Dental's set up a branch at The Prep Rooms in Castle Hill which is part of Ebbsfleet Garden City and is designed to be a one-stop shop for people living there. And in sport, Gillingham's Marcus Wyllie has gone out on load for the rest of the season. The striker hasn't played a league game for the Gills in four months and has moved to National South side Ebbsfleet United. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 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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