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The top stories from the KentOnline news team

  1. Podcast: Concern for Kent care workers ahead of next heatwave, as UNISON criticises hot working conditions

    3d ago

    Podcast: Concern for Kent care workers ahead of next heatwave, as UNISON criticises hot working conditions

    Ahead of another heat health alert coming into force tomorrow, there is a warning not enough is being done to protect care workers in Kent during the hot weather. The UNISON union is concerned about staff who are trying to care for people in the scorching temperatures. Also in today's episode, an Ashford woman who grew up in Venezuela has told us the devastation in her country following a double earthquake is hard to comprehend. Tingy Simoes Lopez is collecting emergency kit to help rescuers as tens of thousands of people are still missing. Donations can be dropped off at the Free Shop in Ashford. Thousands of veterans in Kent are set to benefit from more support after a new centre opened in Aylesford. The facility at the Royal British Veterans Enterprises is part of a new programme designed to give ex-service people easier access to health, housing and employment. A Margate nightclub has had its licence suspended following complaints from neighbours about noise. A meeting has been told Fusion in Cliff Terrace has repeatedly violated terms which allowed it to stay open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Thousands of people are expected at the showground in Detling over the next few days as the Kent County Show takes place... This year's event is also coinciding with another heatwave. And in football, the Gillingham manager has told us he pleased with their summer signings so far. They club has been on a recruitment drive after 16 players left the squad at the end of their last campaign. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min
  2. Podcast: Owners of Kentish Lady boat trip service on River Medway in Maidstone call for action to tackle antisocial behaviour

    4d ago

    Podcast: Owners of Kentish Lady boat trip service on River Medway in Maidstone call for action to tackle antisocial behaviour

    The owners of a boat trip service in Maidstone have called for action to tackle anti-social behaviour after they were targeted with rocks and bottles. The couple, who run Kentish Lady Cruises, have also reported being abused while out on the river in the town. Hear from Reporter Davina Jethwa who has been covering this story. Also in today's podcast, another heat health alert has been issued for Kent ahead of what's expected to be a scorching weekend. Temperatures could hit 30 degrees and the yellow health warning will be in force from Saturday until next Wednesday. We've been speaking to Dr Carl Wright who is a climate expert from Canterbury. The chairman of a Kent football club is planning to get a tattoo as part of a fundraising campaign for a coach who has pancreatic cancer. Paul Squires is hoping to go to Portugal for live-saving treatment, but needs 55-thousand pounds to pay for it. He volunteers at Hempstead Valley FC - along with Steve Tye, who's agreed to get the club's badge inked on his leg. And, artwork and toy models found by the family of the Kent co-creator of Bagpuss are going up for auction. They've been discovered at Peter Fermin's home near Canterbury which is being cleared before it's sold. His daughter Katy Firmin has been speaking to reporter Gerry Warren. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    14 min
  3. Podcast: Herne Bay mum calls for “empathy, support and safe spaces” for the trans community following the death of her teenage daughter

    5d ago

    Podcast: Herne Bay mum calls for “empathy, support and safe spaces” for the trans community following the death of her teenage daughter

    A mum has called for “empathy, support and safe spaces” for the trans community following the death of her teenage daughter. Sigrid Taylor was born in Ashford and went to school in Canterbury before relocating to America with her family when she was 7. The 19 year-old had moved back to Herne Bay about a year before her death and a fundraiser's been set up to pay for a headstone. Also in today's podcast, dozens of pupils are having to find a different school to go to in September after a new one near Thanet failed to get approval in time. It was hoped Turner Schools Carbon 6 Pathway would be able to start teaching at Discovery Park in Sandwich at the beginning of the new academic year, but paperwork is still being looked over by the Department for Education. A new art installation has gone on show in Canterbury, featuring poems by schoolboys about wellbeing and masculinity. Year 8 pupils have been exploring themes of stereotypes, role models and belonging in sessions run by the Uni of Kent. An interactive artwork honouring Len Goodman is being unveiled in Dartford later. The former Strictly judge ran a dance school in the town before passing away in 2023. A series of footprints has now been put on the pavement outside - encouraging people to follow dance steps. And, Children in Kent who've missed out on seeing England play in the World Cup so far will finally get to watch them later. Today's match against DR Congo kicks off at the earlier time of 5pm. 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: National review finds maternity care at East Kent Hospitals remains 'fragmented' but staff morale has improved

    5d ago

    Podcast: National review finds maternity care at East Kent Hospitals remains 'fragmented' but staff morale has improved

    A major review into NHS maternity services has found the system is not fit to consistently deliver high-quality care and requires urgent reform. It's been led by Baroness Amos in a bid to drive urgent improvements. Families who'd received treatment at East Kent Hospitals were among those who contributed to the report. They reported that maternity care is still “fragmented” - but staff say morale has improved. Hear from a mum whose baby was stillborn at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. Also in today's podcast, a leading Kent politician has told us Andy Burnham is the right man to lead the country and reform how local government works. The former Manchester Mayor has been setting out his plans if he becomes Prime Minister - including transferring some power away from Whitehall. Hear from Vince Maple who is the Labour leader of Medway Council. Teachers and support staff at Kent's biggest school are beginning another three days of strike action. Members of the National Education Union have criticised restructuring plans at Homewood in Tenterden, which will lead to job losses and pay cuts. A Kent homelessness charity has welcomed news that rough sleeping is no longer a crime. The government has got rid of something known as the Vagrancy Act which was brought in more than 200 years ago to punish people for not having a home. Hear from Chris Thomas from Canterbury based Porchlight. And, you're being given the chance to nominate who you think should get a top sporting award in Medway. Previous winners including Olympic gold medallist Nathan Hayes, wheelchair rugby coach Tom Coyd and England rugby captain Rachael Burford. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
  5. Podcast: Police and paramedics part of huge emergency response on Lenham Road in Headcorn

    Jun 29

    Podcast: Police and paramedics part of huge emergency response on Lenham Road in Headcorn

    Our top story today is developing news regarding a major emergency response in Headcorn. People living on Lenham Road have told us they heard lots of sirens at about 5pm yesterday. Police and ambulance crews had arrived at the scene and set up a cordon, with other motorists being turned away. Also in today's podcast, a man in his 30s has been seriously injured after a stabbing outside a pub in Maidstone. He was taken to a London hospital after a police were called to the the High Street near The Stag. It's hoped a new college campus in Margate with courses in animation and visual effects will help tackle the youth unemployment problem. A state-of-the-art digital campus has opened in the old M&S building on the High Street. Meantime, a play based on teenagers' real experiences with social media is being performed by students in Canterbury later. Generation FOMO uses direct quotes from interviews with young people about some of the issues they face online. Meantime - the podcast has been hearing about the importance of providing activities for teenagers in Kent when that social media ban comes into force. The government's planning to stop under-16s using apps like Instagram and Snapchat next year. And, Kent have bounced back from Friday's defeat with a victory over Hampshire in the T20 Blast. Daniel Bell-Drummond scored 54 runs and the Spitfires reached their victory target of 177 with eight balls to spare. Hear from Captain Sam Billings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  6. Podcast: Swanley mum fundraising to get life-saving treatment in Germany after being diagnosed with cervical cancer for a second time

    Jun 26

    Podcast: Swanley mum fundraising to get life-saving treatment in Germany after being diagnosed with cervical cancer for a second time

    A Kent woman fears her son could be left without either of his parents unless she's able to travel abroad for cancer treatment. Candice Powell from Swanley was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2019 following a smear test. After treatment, she was given the all clear the following year, but started to feel unwell in May 2025. The 39 year-old has been sharing her story. Also in today's podcast, the ambulance service covering Kent say they've seen a 20% increase in calls this week because of the hot weather. A red warning for extreme heat is in force across the county today, with temperatures set to hit the mid-30s again. Hear from Nakai Redman from SECAmb. We're also being urged to make sure dogs in Kent stay safe in the hot weather by keeping them out of the sun during the day. Owners have been told to avoid walking them unless it's very early in the morning or late evening. Footage has been released of the moment a van driver helped armed police chase a suspect in Thanet. Officers had been called to reports of a serious assault at a property in the High Street last week. A witness has come forward to support a claim from a Kent businessman that he was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. Simon Edgecombe is trying to clear his name, more than 40 years after serving a sentence over how finances were handled at a Post Office in Rainham. Thousands of people are expected at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham this weekend for Armed Forces Day. Serving military personnel will join cadets and veterans at the event. Hear from Medway Council leader Vince Maple. And in sport, Gillingham fans can start preparing for the new season because the fixtures are out. Their league two campaign will kick off on August 15, hear from our Gills reporter Luke Cawdell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
  7. Podcast: TikTok influencer Brooke George from Gravesend charged with murder following death of man, 26, in Dubai

    Jun 25

    Podcast: TikTok influencer Brooke George from Gravesend charged with murder following death of man, 26, in Dubai

    A young woman from Gravesend has been charged with murder after a man was found dead in Dubai. 23-year-old Brooke George, who's an influencer on TikTok, is being held in custody. She's accused of killing a 26 year-old but claims to have been acting in self-defence following a violent assault. Hear from senior reporter Joe Crossley who has been following the story. Also in today's podcast, firefighters in Kent say they can't rule out strike action, as they fight plans to close some on-call stations. Changes to the service are being discussed at a meeting in Maidstone today, and the Fire Brigades Union is holding a rally outside. Lucy has been chatting to Danny Barrett who is the Kent secretary for the Fire Brigades Union. As a red warning for 'extreme heat' remains in force, the hot, dry conditions have led to South East Water bringing in a hosepipe ban. Customer are being told not to use them for filling up swimming or paddling pools and watering gardens, as demand across the network has been 'exceptionally high'. We've got reaction from Jonathan Hawker who is from campaign group Dry Wells Action. Advice to only travel by train in Kent if it's absolutely necessary during the hot weather has also been extended. Southeastern is urging customers to try and avoid using the network until the end of Friday. And in sport, we'll find out today who Gillingham will be playing in their first game of the new season. The league two fixtures are out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  8. Podcast: Red warning for 'extreme heat' issued for part of Kent on what could be the hottest day of the year so far

    Jun 24

    Podcast: Red warning for 'extreme heat' issued for part of Kent on what could be the hottest day of the year so far

    A red warning for extreme heat has come into force in part of Kent on what could be the hottest day of the year so far. This is only the second time the most severe alert has been issued. Some schools in the county have decided to stay closed today, while others are shutting early as temperatures could reach around 35c. Hear from Kent's deputy director of public health. Meantime, dispersal orders have been put in place across Thanet to try and stop antisocial behaviour on the coast. Police have been given extra powers to break up groups of people in Ramsgate, Margate, Westgate and Broadstairs. It follows trouble when hundreds of young people gathered during last month's heatwave. Also on today's episode, students from every secondary school in Gravesham are getting together for a Youth Summit today. They'll be discussing topics including the upcoming social media ban and concerns about young people who are not in work education or training. We've been speaking to one of the organisers. And, a former bowling alley in Kent that's been empty since Covid has been transformed into a pool and darts club. Neptune Sports Lounge has opened on the former Tommy Holland’s amusements site at Beachfields in Sheerness. Reporter Joe Crossley has been along for a look and has spoken to owner Charlie Minter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 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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