KentOnline

Bosses in Medway insist signs warning drivers about School Street restrictions are clear enough, despite a tribunal overturning a fine.Chris Lee was sent a penalty notice for driving along Richmond Road in Gillingham which is one of a number of roads in the Towns where vehicles are banned during school drop off and pick up times.Hear from Chris and find out what the council have said in response.Also in today's podcast, a group of residents in Paddock Wood have started a campaign to try and stop almost 800 homes from being built on fields in the town which are prone to flooding.The development would also include a primary school, three traveller pitches and a local centre - and would be on a 90 hectare site of agricultural land.A Kent woman whose husband died while scuba diving has joined forces with three other widows in a bid to help others who're dealing with grief at Christmas.Ben Moss disappeared after failing to resurface in March 2018 and his body has never been found.Rosie, who lives in West Malling, was 37 at the time with three young children.The Old Town Hall in Gravesend is going to be transformed into an event and wedding space.The Grade II listed building on the High Street was sold by the county council in September as the authority couldn't afford to continue maintaining the site.It's been taken over by Olaide Dagunduro who's been running events with her husband for ten years.In sport,  it was a game of two halves for Gillingham on Saturday.They ended up with draw against Barrow despite being 2-0 up at half time - hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth.And, Chatham Town's women are through to the next stage after beating Sutton United 3-0.The draw for the fourth round takes place tonight. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Deal man who murdered his pregnant wife more than 25-years ago has quizzed a coroner during an inquest into her death.Andrew Griggs reported 34-year-old Debbie missing from their home in Cross Road in 1999 - he was jailed for life in 2019.Our reporter Brad Harper was the only journalist at the inquest this week and is on the podcast.Also in today's episode, a Ramsgate woman has hit our at Wizz Air after a delay in compensation for being denied boarding a plane home from Bulgaria.The flight in September ran at a reduced capacity due to staff sickness.Vandalism at Swale's council offices has been condemned by the Sittingbourne MP.Toilets were flooded and a lift damaged after a debate on asylum seekers on Wednesday night. Hear from Kevin McKenna who spoke to us after raising the issue in the Commons.The trade minister has said he'll have talks with the Gravesham MP about the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry stopping - and the impact it's had on the Kent town.The service between Kent and Essex ceased running in April last year after the local authority in Essex withdrew funding.A 21 year-old man from Maidstone is about to set off on an epic challenge in a bid to reopen a youth group.Nathan Hinckley will be running 12 marathons in 12 consecutive days - with the last one on Christmas Eve.He's been telling us why he's raising money for Young Lives Foundation.Our sister radio station kmfm have revealed how many presents were bought as part of their Give a Gift campaign to support children in less fortunate circumstances this Christmas.Hear from one of the many charities to benefit from the toys.And in football, Gillingham will be hoping to make it six games without a defeat this weekend.Barrow are the visitors to Priestfield - just days after they sacked their head coach. Hear from the Gillingham 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.

Thousands of motorists have been told they must “face the consequences” after a campaign was launched to overturn speeding fines on one of Kent's busiest routes.Drivers have been ordered to pay £100 after police started enforcing a temporary 50mph limit on the Sheppey Crossing – almost two-and-a-half years after it was reduced from 70mph.Also in todays podcast, police have responded to “horrendous” scenes at a council HQ after a debate about making the borough a “district of sanctuary” for asylum seekers turned ugly.One of the men's toilets on the first floor of Swale council's offices was damaged and taps were left running, flooding the floor and causing water to leak through to the ground floor.The family of a mum who suffered a catastrophic stroke while living her dream life in France have been left heartbroken by her sudden death.They're now facing a bill running into the thousands to have her body returned to Kent. Next week's planned strike by resident doctors has been raised in the commons by a Kent MP.The medics are whether or not to walk out for five days from next Wednesday – Ashford's Sojan Joseph is concerned about the impact it'll have.And you can hear from Kent charity bosses as they react to new government plans to tackle homelessness. They've unveiled their stratgey with funding for support services and measures to stop people ending up on the streets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ricky Gervais has donated £200,000 to two animal sanctuaries in Kent.The money, which comes from his comedy tours, will be shared between The Retreat near Ashford and Flori's Friends in Canterbury.Hear from bosses who have described it as "monumental".Also in today's podcast, a man who attacked a Maidstone woman and threatened to throw acid over her face has been jailed.It was when Lee George headbutted his victim, leaving her with severe concussion, that she decided to report him to police.Elle Jenkins believes she would have been killed if she had stayed in the relationship and thinks he is a threat to other women.We're being urged to stay at home or wear a facemask if we feel unwell as rates of flu in Kent continue to rise.There's a warning the virus will be particularly bad this year following trends seen in Australia and New Zealand during their winter.Anyone who's eligible for a vaccine is still being urged to get one - hear from the Chief Medical Officer for NHS Kent and Medway.People living in social housing in Larkfield have been told they face "tenancy action" after installing their own parking bollards.Residents of Masefield Road say their 12-space car park has become a hub for anti-social behaviour and crime.And in sport,  Gillingham's league two game against MK Dons next month has been postponed.The sides were due to meet at Priestfield on January 10th - but the opposition are in FA Cup third round action. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Victims' families have spoken out about their relief after a jury found a special needs school teaching assistant guilty of child cruelty.The 46-year-old was found to have subjected four pupils to acts of physical abuse that included pinching, hitting and spitting at them.Also in today's podcast, a fresh appeal to find those responsible for the brutal murder of a pensioner more than four decades ago has been issued.Esme Hoad was found dead in her home in Tonbridge in1982, after concerned neighbours reported she had not been seen for several days – you can hear from Detective Inspector Lee Neiles. Angry residents near Dover have made their feelings clear as lorry park developers paid a visit - with banners warning they were “not welcome here”.Other blunt messages displayed in West Hougham included: “Truck off. Do we look like a village that will back down?”You can hear from a teenager who was hit by a car and dragged from the pavement onto a verge as she calls for safety measures at a “dangerous” roundabout.The 17-year-old had just stepped off a bus in Challock and was heading home from sixth form when she heard tyres screech.And, a Kent woman has shared her story of beating the odds two decades after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.Demie Lawson Wood was told she had neuroblastoma in 2004 when she was just six, but says the care she received while having treatment is what has inspired her to become a paediatric nurse.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NHS staff at two Kent Trusts have been invited to resign as part of plans to cut costs.Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Medway NHS Foundation Trust are offering severance payouts to try and address financial challenges.Also in today's podcast, people in Tunbridge Wells are still being told to boil their water before drinking it - more than a week after being hit with supply issues.24,000 properties have been impacted by a problem at the Pembury treatment works. Meantime, the town's MP is calling on government to provide Covid-style support to businesses affected by the supply issues.Mike Martin has written to the Water Minister calling for £18.5 million. He's been speaking to our reporter Charlotte Phillips.A woman in Sheerness is appealing for action to stop dog walkers leaving their pet's mess on a walkway leading to the beach.Anne Tiller says she has to constantly dodge mounds of poo on the path in Marine Parade during her daily walks.We've been invited to take a look inside the word's first mirco-pub which opened in Kent twenty years ago.The Butcher's Arms, in Herne, was founded by Martyn Hillier in 2005 who'd always fantasised about a pub without TVs, mobile phones, food queues and smoking. He's been chatting to reporter James Pallant.In sport, the boss of a Kent karting circuit says it was fantastic to see Lando Norris win the Formula One world title yesterday.The 26 year-old regularly competed at Buckmore Park in Chatham as a youngster.Football, and it was another point for Gillingham in league two at the weekend.They held Colchester United to a goalless draw away from home - 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.

A steel manufacturer in Medway is consulting on redundancies for more than 80 employees.ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, based at Chatham Docks, began the process last week ahead of pulling out of the site on Pier Road.Also in today's podcast, a man's been locked up for nearly a decade after the stabbing death of another man in Canterbury.The 32-year-old attacked his victim last October in what a judge has described as "senseless and brutal" violence and the "final and tragic culmination" of ongoing animosity between two groups.A campaign run by our sister station kmfm has now raised more than £19,000 for children in Kent who are facing difficult situations this Christmas.The money raised through Give a Gift will be spent on toys which will be distributed across the county – you can hear from one one company in Kent who donated more than £1000.The leader of Medway Council says he's expecting tens of thousands of people at the Dickens Christmas Festival this weekend.The annual event is back for 2025 in Rochester High Street – there'll be costume parades, Dickens themed workshops and live performances.And in football, Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth has called for more of the same at Colchester after his side responded to a half-time scolding last weekend.They were two goals behind twice against Shrewsbury last weekend but recovered to draw - something Ainsworth has taken the positives from. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A huge development of 257 flats has been thrown into doubt after a construction firm went into administration, leaving huge blocks unfinished.The £62.3 million scheme was underway to build the homes close to Ashford town centre but work has now ground to a halt. Also in today's podcast, we'll bring you an update as the water crisis in Tunbridge Wells enters its sixth day. Thousand of homes and businesses are still without water and thousands more are being asked to boil water from their taps before drinking it – you can hear from the Head of Water Quality at South East Water. The dramatic moment police arrested a knifeman who had exposed himself in front of multiple people has been caught on camera. Officers pursued him on foot after he approached a group of strangers in Faversham and threw a bin at a man plus a glass at a teenager.Drivers are having to find CCTV to prove they have been incorrectly fined for overstaying in a shopping complex car park.Shoppers say they have been hit with £100 penalty notices at Neats Court in error after parking at the site for consecutive days. And a Kent man who was made redundant during Covid has launched his own even space in Chatham.When Scott Tulloch won a Kent and Medway Food and Drink award last year after starting Larry's Mobile Bar he told the judges he wanted to expand and that's just what he's done.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

South East Water customers in Tunbridge Wells are being told to boil water coming out of their taps, if they want to drink it.We're now into a fifth day of major supply issues in the town - affecting 24-thousand properties – we've been speaking to people as they queue to collect bottles of water. Also in today's podcast, a murder probe has been launched after a man was fatally stabbed in a residential street.Police and paramedics were called to Thorold Road in Chatham in the early hours of yesterday morning and have been working alongside forensic experts. You can hear from a dad who has received a £390,000 payout from an electrical firm following a long-running dispute over the cause of a devastating fire that tore through his family home.David Sercombe carried his daughter, Brontë, through thick black smoke when the blaze erupted at their seven-bed detached house near Hythe.Bodycam footage has captured the moment officers arrested a suspected thief - after a stolen van on cloned planes was stopped by police.Officers spotted the Volkswagen Transporter in Folkestone – the van had been reported in the Swindon area of Wiltshire around the same time, prompting officers to view the vehicle as “suspicious”. And holiday park bosses say a decision to refuse residents permission to stay there all year round will make 400 people homeless.The operators of Kent Parks on the Isle of Sheppey had requested permission for caravan owners to use the holiday accommodation as their permanent homes on a temporary basis, due to a “deeply challenging” situation emerging at the site. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Tunbridge Wells MP is calling on the boss of South East Water to resign after thousands of people in the town were left without water.Problems started over the weekend following an issue at a treatment plant in Pembury. It's also had an impact on businesses - hear from the landlady of a pub who was forced to cancel a Christmas event.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Maidstone council says he's not surprised more younger voters are turning to the Green Party.It's as there are suggestions support for the Green's from those aged 18 to 25 has doubled.There's been mixed reaction to plans to build almost 300 homes on a golf course in part of the Kent coast.Developers want to put houses and apartments on the land next to the Hythe Imperial hotel as they says it's 'under-utilised'.Donations that could potentially save the life of a homeless person are being collected by a Kent charity in the run-up to Christmas.Emmaus Dover are filling up so called Blessing Bags to hand out to people in need.And in sport, Kent's Zak Crawley's kept his place in the England team for the second Ashes Test.He'll open the batting against Australia - despite failing to score in both innings of the first game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drivers are still facing delays in a village near Maidstone more than a month after a wall collapsed.It borders a house in Leeds and is thought to have been hit by a lorry in October, leaving rubble over the carriageway of the B2163. We've been speaking to residents.There's a warning homelessness in Kent has reached some of the highest levels on record as we head into winter.Government figures show rough sleeping in the county has risen by 28 percent in just four months - with 248 people now living on the streets.A man's described how he was left screaming in pain after tripping over a drain cover in Folkestone.Colin Waldron suffered a broken arm and bruises to his ribs after it happened in the Old High Street.Schools across Kent have been recognised for the work they're doing to protect the environment.The Green School Awards celebrates projects from building bug boxes to installing solar panels.Football, and it was an epic fight back for Gillingham to claim a point in league two at the weekend...They came from 3-1 down away at Shrewsbury Town to draw 3-3. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The family of a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband believe police should have banned him from the tattoo parlour in Canterbury where they both worked while sex assault allegations were investigated.Ramona Stoia was stabbed by Catalin Micu at Gothink Studio in April 2022, just weeks after he'd been arrested.Also in today's episode, a Dartford man who stabbed his mother's friend to death in her sleep before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.The 21-year-old was found by police sitting on the pavement outside the property where it happened.The leader of Kent County Council has criticised Labour for lifting the two-child benefit cap in this week's Budget.Linden Kemkaran says people should use contraception to prevent them having children they cannot afford.The MP for Dover and Deal insists the government is taking control, as data shows the number of people being housed in asylum hotels has risen by 13% since June.The Home Office is said to be 'furious' at the official figures.A Tenterden man who gave up motorbike riding after the deaths of two close friends is aiming to teach young people about road safety.20-year-old Charlie Green said he struggled with the losses last year, and wanted to find a way to make a difference.A warning has been issued by Kent Fire and Rescue for anyone looking for a Black Friday deal.Crews are concerned that buying cheap appliances, chargers and devices could lead to fires breaking out.A 12-year-old entrepreneur has been telling us about a festive market she is involved in this weekend.Dozens of stalls will be set up in Margate to help young business owners sell their products.And in football, the Gillingham manager is expecting a frosty reception when he returns to his former club tomorrow.Gareth Ainsworth left Shrewsbury for Priestfield towards the end of last season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A bin man from Dover with terminal cancer has been escorted to his wedding by a procession of refuse trucks.Stephen Addley's been told he has just months to live and one of his final wishes was to marry his fiancée and make memories with their one-year-old daughter.Also in today's podcast, we've got reaction to yesterday's budget after the chancellor announced £26 billion of tax hikes.Rachel Reeves has insisted the financial plans she announced in the Commons were based on her priorities.She also says the measures will give working class children the chance to have a fulfilling life.Hear from Andrew Tate and Rachel Emmerson from Chatham based accountants Kreston Reeves, Chatham and Aylesford MP Tris Osborne and the CEO of Canterbury based homeless charity Porchlight.Two men involved in a violent axe attack near Canterbury have been jailed for a total of 48 years.Police were called to reports of an assault involving people in two cars on the A2 near Wincheap in December last year.A driver involved in a serious crash on the A21 has called for safety improvements to be made.Conor Hardy says his vehicle aquaplaned at 70-miles-per-hour on the Tonbridge bypass following heavy rain, due to poor drainage. He's been speaking to reporter Elli Hodgson.A Medway man with incurable prostate cancer is among those calling on the health secretary to bring in a national screening programme.More than 120 MPs have also written to Wes Streeting after former Prime Minister David Cameron revealed he was treated for the disease last year. Hear from Paul Dennington who has raised more than £155,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.And, Ashford Designer Outlet has reached full occupancy for the first time since its 90 million pound extension opened six years ago.Two new fashion brands have opened at the shopping centre. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An over-21s bar in Sittingbourne could have its licence suspended after complaints about “irresponsible bottomless brunches” and "excessive noise”.Lang's Bar & Cocktail Lounge, in the town centre, could also have its opening hours cut back and manager removed following a hearing this week.  Also in today's podcast, a Maidstone woman who has a sight condition has told us about the moment she was almost hit by an e scooter.She was walking through an underpass with her guide dog Mabel when it happened and is warning parents against buying them as a Christmas gift this year. A swimming ban at a popular beach is to be lifted following the release of new water quality results.Deal Castle Beach was rated ‘poor' by the Environment Agency in November 2024, prompting advice to stay out of the water - with some swimmers also reporting feeling unwell after taking a dip.New proposals for a Traveller site have been submitted after it was revealed a previous plan was approved for the wrong field.Permission was granted for one mobile home, touring caravan and day room on a plot in Sole Street by the Planning Inspectorate earlier this year.And a Kent mountaineer who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan is getting ready to complete his latest challenge. Hari Budha Magar, from Canterbury, has been scaling the highest peaks on each of the seven continents and it about to head to Antarctica to tackle the final one.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A town is mourning the death of a much-loved former pub landlord - described by many as a “true legend”.Father-of-four Archie Dryden died just one week after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Also in today's podcast, a Tunbridge Wells dad has spoken openly about his experience of psychosis following a collapse in his mental health.Jamie Walker says things spiralled after the loss of his business, breakdown of his marriage, a bereavement, ADHD diagnosis and battle with alcoholism.A Kent campaigner is urging us to call out mysogyny, sexist language and cat calling as 16 days of action gets underway to tackle violence against women and girls.It's White Ribbon Day and ambassador Martin Mathews is the focus of a national portrait series to raise awareness.Fed-up villagers say it's “appalling” that more than £100,000 has been spent on bridge repairs for damage they believe is entirely preventable through a reduced speed limit or traffic calming measures.You can hear from pub owner Jonathan Woodbridge who says he's lost £5,000 a week in trade. And we've spoken to a young girl from Kent who you can catch on the big screen in Wicked: For Good. 10-year-old Matilda Williams was chosen out of hundreds of children to appear in the blockbuster and she's told us all about it.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mum left with "scars to body and mind" after being repeatedly stabbed in front of her children has spoken of her feelings of injustice after the woman who attacked her walked from court.Makala O'Brien told KentOnline that Carrie-Ann Kilshaw, herself a mother of eight and someone she knew, should have been jailed for the unprovoked assault outside her home in New Romney two years ago.Also in today's podcast, a childcare worker on Sheppey has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast after seeing a jump in demand for places since the funding rules were changed.  Since September, parents have been able to access 30 hours a week of free care for children older than nine months – the boss of Teddy Bear Day Care says she's opening a second site as her waiting list gets longer. We've been told there's been a significant rise in the number of animals being abandoned in Kent - and charity bosses are concerned.More than 600 pets were dumped in the county in the first 10 months of this year - up almost 6 percent on the same time in 2024.Donations are continuing to pour in for our sister station kmfm's Give A Gift campaign.The appeal aims to deliver toys to thousands of children across the county who'll be spending Christmas in hospital, living in care or facing difficult circumstances – you can hear from one of the charities which will benefit. And in football, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has urged his side to become more ruthless after being held to a home draw by Barnet.The Gills picked up a point after Bradley Dack equalised at the end of the first half with a well-hit free-kick, but they were unable to make the most of their opportunities from open play, as the match finished 1-1. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Faversham couple have spoken about their decision to pull their children out of school and travel the world.James and Liberty Carew have decided to swap their traditional 9 to 5 jobs for real-world experiences across the globe.Also in today's podcast, the owner of a Kent animal sanctuary hit by bird flu, fears she may have to find 16-thousand pounds to have other animals there tested for the virus.More than 60 birds at Happy Pants Ranch in Newington near Sittingbourne had to be culled at the end of last month.Villagers in Hadlow say plans for hundreds of homes are going to 'take the soul' out of their community.An application for 116 homes and a community car park on agricultural land in Court Lane have been submitted, following another application for 100 properties on the edge of the village.Bosses at a Kent Christmas tree farm say the quality on offer this year is better than ever.It follows general warnings we could see "gappy" trees this years after growers battled low rainfall over summer and mild temperatures in autumn - hear from the owner of Hole Park Christmas Trees in Rolvenden.And in sport, the Gillingham squad have been playing Traitors as part of a bit of team bonding.They're doing challenges to win shields and trying to work out who's a faithful. Hear from defender Remeao Hutton and manager Gareth Ainsworth who's been chatting about tomorrow's game against Barnet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The parents of a Kent baby who died after choking on pasta at nursery have described a six-figure settlement as "the end of a long road".Nine-month old Oliver Steeper was fed chopped up penne bolognese by a member of staff at Jelly Beans in Ashford - despite not being weaned onto solid food. Oliver's dad Lewis has told us how the battle for accountability has been really tough.Also in today's podcast, a couple who run a pub in Northfleet say they're having to leave after 16 years because of rising costs and financial pressures.Val and Janine Buzatu took on Ye Olde Leather Bottle in 2009, and became official licensees in 2020.A Kent councillor has criticised a Reform UK MP after he said it was 'insane' for some pupils to wear ear defenders in class.Richard Tice was asked in a press conference what should be done to tackle what he describes as the 'colossal overdiagnosis of children with conditions like adhd'.Helen Whitehead is Deputy Leader of Thanet District Council and was diagnosed with autism in her 30s. Hear what she had to say in response.And, Sir Mick Jagger's been back to his former school in Kent to mark the 25th anniversary of a performing arts centre named after him.The Rolling Stones legend went to Dartford Grammar while living in nearby Denver Road.The Mick Jagger centre cost £2 million to build and opened in 2000 - Sir Mick has been speaking to reporter Alan Smith. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Kent mum has told us how her son has been suffering from anxiety after being lured to a railway station car park and attacked.13-year-old Kian was punched and kicked by an older teenager after travelling by train from Appledore to Rye. Layla Sullivan has described the impact it's had and what she thinks of the punishment.Also in today's podcast, a change.org petition has been set up as part of our campaign calling for reforms to the Blue Badge system.We want cancer patients and those with short-term but serious mobility issues to qualify for one. Kent's MPs are in favour as are Medway Council, but the leader of Kent County Council has said it won't be implemented.As the COP30 climate conference draws to a close in Brazil this week, we've had some worrying news about insect populations in Kent.New data suggests they're continuing to decline. Hear from Paul Hetherington from BugLife.A campaign group in an historic Kent village are trying to raise £5,000 to help fight development plans.Proposals have been put in for 100 homes in Lower Street in Eastry which members of Eastry Says No say it amounts to "over-development".In sport, London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey has been called up by England.The 20-year-old from the Aylesford based club is included in the squad for friendly games against China and Ghana. Hear from England manager Sarina Wiegman. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

People living on a road in Sheerness say they are having sleepless nights and suffering 'horrendous noise' coming from a house being turned into an HMO.The podcast has been told work at the property on Alma Street has been going on for more than two months. Hear from a neighbour who claims it has also caused damage to her home.Also in today's episode, a Kent charity that supports young refugees has criticised the government's plans to overhaul the asylum system.Under proposals announced yesterday, most will have to wait 20 years to apply to settle here permanently.A Kent dad says children's lives are being put at risk due to a lack of pavement along a stretch of road in Sittingbourne.Daniel Thomas is calling for pavements to be installed on Highsted Road following a series of near misses. He's told our reporter there's been a lack of action since a nearby housing estate was finished in 2007.A Kent woman who became the legal guardian of 15 children at the age of 22 has been telling us how she's helping families in Tanzania.Letty McMaster travelled there on a gap year and ended up taking over an orphanage that would otherwise have closed down.And in sport, Gillingham's young players are in FA Youth Cup action tonight. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mum-of-four from Folkestone has described how she feared she was going to die after her jealous boyfriend put his hands around her throat and squeezed until she couldn't breathe.Gina Aiano has bravely described what happened after her attacker was jailed for 27 months.Also in today's podcast, a man from Faversham says there is a lack of dignity for patients receiving corridor care at a Kent hospital.Paul's mother is in her 80s and spent days on a trolley in a corridor behind the A&E department at the William Harvey in Ashford. Paul's been speaking to Kate about the conditions.Plastic pellets dumped in the sea by Southern Water have now washed up on the Kent coast.The biobeads are used in wastewater treatment and are believed to have come from a plant in Eastbourne. Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan has shared a video about it on his socials.As COP30 continues in Brazil, bosses at a Kent college have told us they're making great progress towards being carbon neutral by 2030.£15.6 million is being spent on MidKent College's campuses in Medway and Maidstone.With Christmas not far away, our sister radio station kmfm have launched their Give a Gift campaign for 2025.They'll be hoping to deliver toys to children and young people across Kent who'll be spending Christmas in hospital, living in care or facing difficult circumstances.In sport, it was a point for Gillingham in league two over the weekend.It finished 2-2 in front of the TV cameras against Crawley Town at Priestfield - hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth.And, it's hoped a major redevelopment at one of Kent's most prestigious golf courses could see it host the Ryder Cup.The multi-million-pound project at The London Golf Club in Sevenoaks will see a five-star hotel, spa, sports pavilion and luxury lodges built in the coming years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dozens of people have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a shed company in Lenham suddenly shut down.Some have staged a protest outside Sheds and Shelters Limited's headquarters on Ashford Road - demanding answers. Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who has been following the story.Also on today's podcast, there'll be disruption to NHS services in Kent today as resident doctors begin a five-day strike.They were previously known as junior doctors, and are involved in the day-to-day running of hospitals.Meantime, pregnant women in Kent are being urged to get a vaccination for RSV to help protect their newborn this winter.It's as stats show 6 in 10 babies will contract the respiratory virus before their first birthday.Kent's police and crime commissioner says his priorities until 2028 remain the same, despite being told his role is being scrapped.The government says getting rid of PCC's across England and Wales will save money which will be invested into neighbourhood policing.Legend from Gladiators is going to help bring part of an abandoned sports centre in Kent back to life.Matt Morsia, who lives in Hythe, has revealed plans to transform the gym at Folkestone Sports Centre.Ella Eyre has been telling our sister radio station kmfm how good it feels to be back with new music, ten years after her debut album."Everything, In Time" is a self-curated album that sees her step into soul, R&B and retro funk. And in sport, Gillingham welcome Crawley Town to Priestfield in league two this weekend.They'll be hoping to make in back-to-back wins after a 1-nil victory over Bristol Rovers last Saturday. Hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth.And, an event's being held in Maidstone this weekend aiming to provide more support for visually-impaired runners.Specially-trained guides will be available to help those who are blind or partially-sighted at the Park Run at Mote Park. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A hearing has been told how a 95-year-old man from Herne Bay stabbed his partner of 30 years while suffering from delirium, days after being discharged from hospital.Ernest Gray killed Margaret Day - who was 86 - at their home in Broomfield Road in November 2023.Also in today's podcast, we've been hearing from a Kent supermarket worker as a new survey shows more than 70% have suffered verbal abuse.Retail trade union Usdaw say nearly half of workers have been threatened and 9% have actually been assaulted. In the run up to Christmas, one worker has shared his experience.There are calls for urgent action from tech companies as figures show a rise in online grooming crimes in Kent.The NSPCC says cases have reached a record high - with 298 recorded in the county last year. We've been speaking to the charity.A Sittingbourne woman who was told she was too young to have breast cancer has created a bucket list after being told the disease is now terminal.Shanice Bennett from Sittingbourne was diagnosed when she was just 23, three years later, the cancer has spread to her bones, lungs and liver.A Maidstone dad says his street is like a "lorry formula one" - with HGVs constantly breaking the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit.Luke Knightly-Jones moved to a house in Heath Road in Boughton Monchelsea in August, he's been speaking to reporter Elli Hodgson.And, a former student at the University of Kent has been shortlisted for a prestigious TikTok award.Joy Anokwuru covers all things entertainment, celebrity news and trending topics in her viral videos shared with her 45,000 followers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A car dealer is still in limbo more than four months after a wall collapsed onto his forecourt, leaving him hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.Tom Bowles, who runs the business in Sittingbourne, said his “heart sank” when he arrived to find many of his vehicles had been crushed by the fallen rubble on July 2.Also in today's podcast, the mother of a 16-year-old girl killed in a car crash almost two years ago says she feels her daughter has been “forgotten about” as the long-running police investigation continues.Alisha Marie Ponter died after the car she was a passenger in overturned in Maidstone last February. Details of two garden settlements totalling 7,000 homes have been released for public consultation - despite campaigners calling for delays. They include one for a 5,000-home settlement at Lenham Heath to be known as Heathlands, and one for a 2,000-home settlement at Lidsing, on the border with the Medway Towns. In football, Gareth Ainsworth says Gillingham's exit from the EFL Trophy at the hands of big-spending Wycombe Wanderers was a learning experience for everyone.Wycombe won the game at Priestfield 3-0 to eliminate the Gills from the competition and take second spot in the group.And as we make our way through Movember, the KentOnline Podcast has been hearing about the ongoing impact of Covid on young people's mental health.Students at the Uni of Kent have launched a campaign to raise money and awareness by rowing 700 kilometres this month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More than 50 couples who had their dream weddings cancelled after a popular Kent venue went under with just 62p in the bank will not receive any of their money back.It's after the Blazing Donkey Country Hotel fell into administration in September owing more than £380,000 to those booked to be married there.Also in today's podcast, Reform UK council leader Linden Kemkaran has raised fears that an upcoming BBC documentary may “splice together” things she has said to “make her look bad”.The leader of Kent County Council posted told social media followers this morning she has a “genuine dilemma”.It's a busy time for Reform UK, after a union accused Kent County Council's leadership of creating a “threat to public safety” after councillor suspensions left the fire service's governing body in “disarray”.Five Reform representatives who were members of the Kent and Medway Fire Authority have been removed from their positions following a leaked video of a council meeting. A Kent chemotherapy nurse is hoping to secure a debate in parliament on lowering the age women are first called for a mammogram.At the moment it's between the age of 50 and 53 with routine screening every three years to 71 – you can hear from Gemma Reeves who's started a petition. And in football, Gillingham's progress in this season's EFL Trophy depends on the result of tonight's game against the manager's former club.Gareth Ainsworth's side need a result against Wycombe Wanderers at Priestfield when they take on the League 1 side in the third and final group stage fixture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two men who left another man with a “broken face” after it was claimed he had made inappropriate comments to children have been spared jail.A court was told the attackers repeatedly kicked and punched their victim in a Lydd street on learning he had supposedly remarked he "liked little boys" and made a lewd gesture. Also in today's podcast, an American-themed eatery loved by TV production companies has reopened following a major revamp.The Detling Diner closed almost 18 months ago following a devastating fire which started in its stockroom due to an electrical fault.People living in Folkestone will start to see interactive signs around the town raising awareness of the risk of flash flooding. It's a part of Kent that's been known to flood, particularly around the Pent Stream in heavy downpours. In a time where house-building targets are increasing, KentOnline is asking the question is enough being done to transform empty properties?Reporter Elli Hodgson spoke to property developer Barry Upton about how the planning system has gone “too far” and what changes are needed.And in sport, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth dedicated Saturday's win to the coaching staff who have held the fort in his absence.Ainsworth had missed the previous four league games while recovering from major heart surgery, but was back watching in the flesh on Saturday, as his team ended a seven-game winless run. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It looks like a derelict hotel on the A2 near Gravesend will be turned into a petrol station and M&S food store.Plans for a £10 million redevelopment of the Tollgate site have been recommended for approval.Also in today's podcast, a Kent turkey farmer has told us it's 'business as usual' despite restrictions coming in to try and stop the spread of bird flu.There has been at least one confirmed case in the county - with more than 60 birds having to be culled at the Happy Pants Ranch near Sittingbourne.Councils across Kent and Medway have released five different suggestions of what local council reform could look like.New maps show how the county could be split up into unitary authorities. The leader of Medway Council, Vince Maple, has been talking us through them.Work is underway to convert an old toilet block on Sheppey into a brand new event space.Plans were originally submitted by the boss of Elmley Nature Reserve back in 2017 - but it was delayed by Covid.And in sport,  the Gillingham manager has revealed more about his heart surgery, and why it couldn't wait.Gareth Ainsworth was found to have a murmur during a routine health check.You can also hear from striker Seb Palmer-Houlden who has been chatting ahead of the weekend's game at Bristol Rovers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A couple are getting a £1,200 refund for furniture that did not arrive after threatening to take The Range to court.It's after they ordered four electric recliner armchairs from the retailer in September – some parts arrived two days later but other pieces didn't show up at all. Also in today' podcast, a lorry driver who had more than 40 migrants in the back of his trailer is among several caught this year amid a spike in arrests in Kent.You can hear from the National Crime Agency who's warning hauliers are being targeted by ruthless gangs offering them thousands of pounds to smuggle people in and out of the country.A secondary school in Sevenoaks that has started locking its students' mobile phones away during the day says children are “talking” and “running around” again since its introduction.You can hear from bosses at the school and from students who've been telling us what impact the smartphone ban has had.Parents in Kent are being urged to learn basic first aid skills before taking their children to events this festive season. St John Ambulance says it's important to prepare now for any activities you might have planned over the next couple of months. And, the female bison who led the wild herd in woodland near Canterbury has died at the age of 21.Staff at the Wildwood Trust say she lived a long life after being move from a zoo and released into Blean Woods in 2022. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mum from Margate has died just three months after being diagnosed with cancer.53-year-old Michelle Bailey was told in July she had an incurable form of the disease after initially suffering what doctors thought was a stroke.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Kent County Council has hit back at the Chancellor, after she criticised the local authority during a speech at Downing Street.Rachel Reeves was speaking ahead of her Budget later this month. Hear what she had to say and the response from Reform UK's Linden Kemkaran. The boss of a Kent charity's admitted they got too big, too quickly.Gillingham Street Angels, which runs a number of shops and a food bank, announced at the start of the week it was going to close after supporting hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people since 2018.People living on Prince Andrew Road in Broadstairs have told the podcast the name is now embarrassing, and they want it changed.It's after Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his Royal title over his links to disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein. Andrew has always denied any wrong doing.A campaign is underway to organise a Christmas dinner for young care leavers in north Kent.Many of those who grow up in foster homes are left with nowhere to go on the big day after they turn 18.An event is already held every year in Folkestone, and now volunteers want to put on a meal in the north of the county.And in sport, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has returned to oversee training this week following heart surgery.He's been absent from the club for a month after having an operation in early October. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Developers who wanted to rebuild a cherished country pub which burnt down after being struck by lightning say they've had to “abandon the dream” after costs “ballooned”.Plans to restore The Green Man were approved in April, with the intention of renting it to someone who would create a nice community pub.Also in today's podcast, an XL bully owner agreed to have nine puppies put down when police warned him of the kennel costs he faced after they were seized.It's after he failed to register his adult dogs in time for a national deadline on the banned breed.The boss of a catapult shooting club is inviting teen tearaways to hand in their “homemade” weapons and instead learn to use the device responsibly.The West Kent Catapult Club opened last year to create a legitimate place for target shooting as a sport.Villagers are gearing up to fight plans for a huge lorry park near their homes - fearing it will bring round-the-clock noise and pollution to the countryside.The proposals for the 70-acre site, between West Hougham and Capel-le-Ferne, would accommodate up to 600 HGVs – a public meeting is being held today. And a village could go without its Christmas lights due to flags put up over the summer.Harrietsham has had the decorations every year along the A20 Ashford Road for as long as residents can remember but the parish council say that's now under threat.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in his 40s in Chatham.He was found with stab wounds at a home in Castle Road on Saturday morning. Hear from our reporter who has been at the scene today.Also in today's podcast, residents in part of Maidstone are calling for urgent action to fix unsafe cladding on their flats.Material on the roofs of the buildings at Kingfisher Meadow was deemed to be too flammable following a survey after the Grenfell disaster in 2017.The MP for Gillingham and Rainham says she's worried about where the debate over immigration is heading.Naushabah Khan says it's been allowed by mainstream politicians to seep into an argument about race and identity.Bosses at Ashford Designer Outlet say they're about to hit 100% occupancy for the first time in seven years.It's currently home to 111 units, following an expansion in 2019.Football, and all three Kent teams involved in FA Cup first round action at the weekend have been knocked out of the competition.Hear reaction from Gillingham and Chatham Town. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A grieving mum says she's being treated “like a criminal” after being fined £300 for placing her late husband's clothes by a donation bin which was full.She placed the two bin liners of clothes on the ground “neatly” beside lots of other bags but was approached by a warden who issued the fine for fly-tipping. Also in today's podcast, we've been hearing from people on the streets of Kent as we mark six months since Reform UK took over the leadership of Kent County Council. It follows a difficult few weeks for the party, with several members suspended following a leaked video of leader Linden Kemkaran shouting and swearing during a virtual meeting. The health minister's been in Kent to officially name a new multi-million pound surgical centre at Maidstone Hospital.The facility has three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 24 beds and has cared for three and a half thousand people since opening last year.A Kent author's revealed how a small village was saved from major development - thanks to its ghost stories.Pluckley's said to be the most haunted place in England - with tales including the White Lady, Highwayman and Watercress Woman.And in football, Chatham Town are facing an FA Cup first-round challenge for the first time in 97 years this weekend. They suffered a heavy defeat back in 1928, and whatever the outcome this weekend boss Kevin Hake says it's another step forward for the club. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A decision has been made by the rail regulator which could open the door for international trains stopping in Kent again.Eurostar services haven't called at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since the pandemic.Virgin Trains have now been given permission to use the Temple Mills depot in London - which is the first step in a process which would allow them to go through the Channel Tunnel.Hear reaction from Ashford MP Sojan Joseph, and Tudor Price who is the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.Also in today's podcast, a Dartford tax driver is calling for tougher regulation, after claiming almost three-quarters of people working in the town are from other areas.Roger Clarke works at Bridge Cars and says he's seen business plummet since the pandemic.As part of Halloween celebration at Dover Castle, visitors will have the chance to give their deep dive into history a life-saving twist.English Heritage has teamed up with the NHS to hand out testing kits so people can find out their own blood type.And, the Medway Hospital Charity are using their 30th anniversary celebrations to raise money for more wheelchairs.The Thirty at 30 campaign has a goal of £30,000 to buy 30 chairs to meet a rise in demand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A former nurse who groped a lone woman near a shopping centre whispered, “You're not like the other ones who usually scream.”He'd spotted the stranger before subjecting her to the terrifying ordeal near Ashford Designer Outlet in broad daylight. Also in today's podcast, the boss of an animal sanctuary says her “heart is numb” after revealing her birds are at the centre of an outbreak of avian flu - and will all have to be culled.Amey James, who runs Happy Pants Ranch in Newington says several ducks, turkeys and cockerels fell ill last week.Changes are on the way for the ambulance service that covers Kent as it merges with another to form a larger group. Union bosses says the merger between South East Coast Ambulance and South Central Service must protect jobs, pay and conditions. Fees at Kent's priciest public car parks are set to increase again in a move branded “diabolical” and “greedy” by residents.The most expensive sites in Canterbury and Whitstable are proposed to rise by 10p an hour, despite fears it will have a “huge knock-on effect” on small businesses.And one of Kent's biggest foodbanks is launching a campaign with the help of former boxer Barry McGuigan to get enough food to help families over winter.You can hear from bosses at Canterbury food bank who want us to get involved in their Reverse Advent Calendar. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Owners of a huge holiday park have unveiled plans to replace it with hundreds of new homes and oust “illegal” occupants.Hundreds of caravan users, many of which are said to be living all-year round in breach of the rules, off a site on Sheppey could be asked to leave.Also in today's podcast, a shocking case of illegal dumping first uncovered by KentOnline has been singled out as evidence of “multiple failings” by environmental authorities.A House of Lords committee has written to the environment secretary calling for an independent review into how agencies handled the “egregious events” at Hoad's Wood, near Ashford.A father-and-son team who have been brewing and selling beer for more than a decade have been forced to close their award-winning business.They've bid their final farewell to punters after 12 years at Loddington Farm near Maidstone.Rob and Numi from kmfm Breakfast have met a 13 year-old boy who's raising money so his mum can have cancer treatment.Oscar is running 100 miles in October and the team joined him for a jog around a track in Canterbury. And in sport, we're told Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been joining strategy meetings as he continues to recover from heart surgery.He's missed the last few games following the operation – you can hear from club chairman Brad Galinson who says he's making good progress.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An abandoned nightclub has been destroyed after a fire ripped through the building last night. The Grade II listed site of the former Portlands Factory club in Northfleet went up in flames just before midnight. Also in today's podcast, a couple say they have lost £18,000 worth of stock after after a blaze tore through an historic building on a regenerated quayside. In the early hours of yesterday, fire crews were called to Standard Quay to a fire that seemed to be coming from inside The Pottery Room.A Kent man who came to the UK as an asylum seeker says he's taking part in an immigration debate to speak up for those who don't have a voice.He was 17 when he arrived in the back of a lorry from Iraq in 1999 – he's urging people not to feel threatened by those who come here from a better life. A frustrated dad says he was put through “years of hell” after being hounded for child support arrears he did not owe – despite his ex-wife confirming he never missed a payment.He's now hit out at the Child Maintenance Service, claiming it gave him “sleepless nights” by wrongly chasing him for thousands of pounds and even taking money directly from his wages.And in football, you can hear from Gillingham's assistant manager following a disappointing defeat over the weekend. They Gills lost 2 – 1 to Salford City at Priestfield but Richard Dobson is urging fans to look at the stats.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A woman who won tens of thousands on Premium Bonds, sold her home and spent a year abroad before falsely claiming thousands in benefits on her return to Kent has avoided prison. Between 2021 and 2024, she received more than £23,000 after making false statements to the Department for Work and Pensions.Also in today's podcast, you can hear from the Ashford MP who's weighed in on the troubles being faced by Reform UK at County Hall. Sojan Joseph has been telling us why KCC leader Linden Kemkaran should lose her job. Residents say it's “total rubbish” their town is well served by pharmacies while their only closed branch “sits there like a ghost” - and prevents new ones from opening.Jhoots, in the Rainham Shopping Precinct, closed in August after months of troubles meaning 40,000 people in the town have been without direct easy access.A prototype of the game Medway Fighter, based on the classic arcade game Street Fighter will debut at Electric Medway Festival this weekend. You can hear from the creative director who says it's a new way for people to engage with Medway's heritage. And in football, Gillingham assistant boss Richard Dobson says he doesn't want his players to be affected by their winless run when they face Salford City this weekend. The Gills have gone four League 2 matches without a win after a blistering start to the season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Residents are calling for action to solve traffic “chaos” caused by lorries struggling to make it up a slippery hill.They say they are kept up at night by screeching tyres and reversing alarms as stranded HGVs retreat back down for another run-up, and fear there will be a serious accident.Also in today's podcast, Kent has been battered with strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Benjamin hits. It's caused travel disruption with trees down and local flooding reported across the county. Reform UK councillors have lodged official complaints about the leadership style of the top table at Kent County Council. You can hear from Simon Finlay from the Local Democracy Reporting Service as it's understood at least five members have sent grievances to the party's head office.Bosses at Kent Fire and Rescue say they'll have to make tough decisions if they don't get more funding.A survey's been launched to see if residents would be willing to pay 9p a week more in council tax contributions.And, a bitter funding dispute between school leaders and council bosses is threatening the future of a specialist school supporting vulnerable children and young people.Kent County Council and FAR Academy in Whitstable have so far failed to agree on how much the authority should pay the school per student. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An alleged abuser has been called a “coward” after he took his own life the day before he was due to stand trial.The 69-year-old was found at HMP Elmley earlier this month – the family of one of the accusers have shared their anger at not getting their day in court.Also in today's podcast, you can hear audio from the moment a prolific thief was arrested by police as he hid under a bed.Billy Bird carried out a two-week spree of thefts across Faversham and Ashford, targeting multiple stores and stealing hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol and food.The under-pressure Reform UK leader of Kent County Council has called on her 49 remaining members to back her.Cllr Linden Kemkaran, on advice from the party's headquarters, sent out a message calling on all fellow councillors to sign a statement of support.New figures show Swale Borough Council has received more complaints about wood burning than any other in England. Residents lodged more than 12-hundred complaints in the last 12 months - prompting campaigners to call for government to tighten regulations. And a Kent woman who went through menopause in her early 40s says there's still too much stigma around the issue.You can hear from Grace Lawson who started experiencing symptoms when she was just 42. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A court has heard a man “saw red” on the night his town centre bar was closing down and thrust a broken bottle into another man's head.Steven Harwood-Brown threw one of his employees to the floor at Folkestone venue Picklebacks, before stabbing the victim, who had intervened to stop the fight.Also in today's podcast, pressure is growing on the leader of Kent County Council after seven MPs demanded she quit and an eighth labelled her behaviour ‘unacceptable.'In a letter to Reform leader Nigel Farage, the Labour MPs said Cllr Linden Kemkaran was ‘clearly not up to the job. Two Kent women who survived domestic abuse are starting a community project to provide clothing and toiletries for other victims.The DV Closet, in Sevenoaks, is a safe space where those who've fled abuse can get the support they need.Long-harboured plans to build a new reservoir in the Kent countryside are finally moving forward as contractors carry out the first phase of ground investigation works.South East Water is planning to build a 200-acre facility on farmland near Canterbury - you can hear from the project manager. And a Kent farmer's told us he's pleased to be able to give apples he grows to charity - to avoid them going to waste.The crop at Hazel Street Farm is no longer financially viable, so the orchard has been handed over to a food project. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reform UK has suspended four county councillors after the leaking of a video showing a private Zoom meeting of senior party members.The four have had the whip removed “pending investigation, following evidence they brought the party into disrepute”.Also in today's podcast, fed-up residents say they're paying hundreds of pounds in service fees for a children's play park which, in reality, amounts to little more than a wooden log.Over the past four years, garden city residents have been paying property management agency, FirstPort, thousands of pounds to maintain play equipment that residents say doesn't exist.The MP for Canterbury has spoken in the commons about some of the challenges being faced by Canterbury Cathedral.Independent Rosie Duffield says the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the first female to hold the role should be seen as a new start for the church.One of Kent's poorest areas is set to receive £20 million to upgrade it to make it a “better place to live”.Ahead of a meeting on the Pride in Place funding, business owners and residents of the Sheppey East ward told the KentOnline Podcast what they think the money should be spent on.And in sport, Gillingham had two players sent off and conceded a debatable-looking penalty as they were beaten at Grimsby Town.The Gills have now gone four games without a win in League 2 after the 1-0 loss and visiting fans were left chanting “1-0 to the referee” after a series of controversial decisions against their team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A hugely respected taxi company boss has died just a week before giving his daughter away at a dream wedding in southern Spain attended by more than 160 guests.Lance Ridden suddenly passed away after suffering a suspected heart attack in the luxury resort of Marbella.Also in today's podcast, University of Kent bosses have reignited fury by pushing ahead with plans for a huge 2,000-home estate on nearby countryside – despite the land being ruled out of Canterbury's housing blueprint.The acting vice-chancellor has written to campaigners confirming the institution is pressing on with the controversial scheme on fields north of its city campus.Protestors are gathering in Kent today to demand an end to the use of Operation Brock on the M20. It's being led by Faversham MP Helen Whately – you can hear from her about why motorists are so fed up with the contraflow system. The winter season has officially started for Kent's gritters, with teams out for the annual parade today. It's an opportunity for teams across the county to familiarise themselves with the routes they'll be covering – we've spoken to highways bosses about how they're getting ready for the icy weather. And in football, it's an away game for Gillingham this weekend. They're travelling to take on Grimsby Town in a clash the assistant manager Richard Dobson says will be “good for the neutrals”.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The sister of a much-loved young man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning wants to warn others about the “silent killer”.“Popular and kind” Elliot Bourne fell asleep on a sofa in front of a coal fire in Hythe and was found unresponsive the next day.Also in today's podcast, a jury has heard a violent axe and cricket bat attack on two men as they drove along the A2 ​had its background in human trafficking.Those involved in what is alleged to have been a bid to kill the driver of a Seat Leon and seriously injure one of his passengers had all come to the UK from Afghanistan.The MP for Dartford has spoken in PMQs about the urgent funds needed to repair Galley Hill Road.The route through Swanscombe has been closed for two-and-a-half years after a major landslide – you can hear the Prime Minister's response. It's Restart a Heart Day and we've been speaking to a paramedic about a new smartphone app that could save a life. SECAmb say the GoodSAM app could make all the difference to a patient who's gone in cardiac arrest – listen in to see whether you can download it. And a Kent hockey club that was forced to leave its base is hoping to raise more than a million pounds to build a new permanent home.K Sports had been at Cobdown Sports Ground in Ditton but needed to move out when it was sold to London City Lionesses. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A former Dartford council worker who swindled her employer out of almost half a million pounds while in charge of housing benefit payments has been spared jail.A court's been told how the 44-year-old set up fake claims in the names of people she knew, and fraudulently received £493,000 over a nine-year period.Also in today's podcast, a man who stabbed a stranger in Chatham while on day release from a psychiatric hospital has been convicted of attempted murder.Ray Chirisa, 34, had been reported missing from the Trevor Gibbens Unit in Maidstone just 30 minutes before the attack happened on The Brook in October last year.The Chancellor's been at the Dartford Crossing to announce plans to limit the number of court challenges that can be brought against major infrastructure projects.Rachel Reeves also wants to speed up the time judicial reviews take by six months so builders can get spades in the ground more quickly.Rochester Cathedral will be lit up blue and pink tonight as baby loss awareness week comes to an end.A 'wave of light' event will be happening so bereaved parents and wider family can light candles. Hear from Keeley Lengthorn who is an ambassador for Kent baby loss charity Abigail's Footsteps.A community farm on Sheppey visited by children with special educational needs has been given permission to open as an independent school.Curly's Farm covers 10 acres of land in Leysdown and can now be an alternative provision for young people with an EHCP - we've been speaking to founder Kyle Ratcliffe.The Kent man who came up with Morph and designed the Blue Peter Badge would have been 100 today.Artist Tony Hart grew up in Maidstone and studied in the town before presenting children's TV programmes Take Hart and Hart Beat.Now an exhibition of his work has gone on show at the Creative Maidstone Community Arts Hub.And in sport, a rugby player from Kent has been telling us how she overcame illness and injury to help England's Women win the World Cup.West Malling's Rosie Galligan was part of the Red Roses squad that beat Canada 33-13 at Twickenham last month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The owner of a dog that seriously injured a young girl in Rainham has been ordered to pay compensation to the child.A cockapoo called Reggie bit the three-year-old's arm on Mierscourt Road in June.Also in today's podcast, residents of a street in Snodland are calling on the council to officially change the address to resolve mail delivery problems.People living in Rayfield Court say their road is independent from neighbouring Willowside, but when their postcode is put into most search engines it defaults to an address in Willowside. A Kent expert has told today's episode how the next few weeks and months will be crucial if peace is to remain in the Middle East.It's after US President Donald Trump was given a standing ovation in the Israeli parliament yesterday, as he talked of a "new dawn" in the region.A debate is being held in Parliament about the benefits of returning international rail services to Ashford.Eurostar trains haven't stopped in Kent since the pandemic, but there are now plans for other operators to use the route.The landlords of a village pub near Faversham fear their trade will be hit at the busiest time of the year because the road it's on is due to shut for gas works.Head Hill Road links Graveney and Goodnestone to Faversham and the Thanet Way and is expected to close later this month. Hear from Chris and Katrina Goater who run the Four Horseshoes.There's going to be a meeting in Medway tonight to discuss the flags being flown from lampposts right now.St George crosses and union flags have been displayed as part of the Raise the Colours campaign which started in the summer.And in sport, find out who three Kent clubs have been drawn against in the first round of the FA Cup.The games are due to be played at the start of November. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Gravesend tenant says he's living in constant fear of his council home falling down around him due to ongoing subsidence issues.Sunder Khutan moved in to the mid-terrace property off Windmill Street in 2019 - only a few months later he notices cracks in the walls and ceilings.Also on today's podcast, a person's died after being hit by a train in Medway.Police were called to Otterham Quay Lane in Rainham this morning forcing the road to be closed near to Leigh Academy secondary school. Hear from our reporter who was at the scene earlier.It's thought it'll cost hundreds of pounds to carry out repairs to a Labour party office in Medway following an alleged attack by vandals.A brick was repeatedly smashed against the window of the building on Maidstone Road in Rochester. We've got reaction from councillor Alex Paterson who represents Rochester West and Borstal.Another Medway councillor is calling for a change in the rules after one of his former colleagues defected to Reform UK.We told you last week how Robbie Lammas - who represents Princes Park ward in Chatham - had decided to leave the Conservative party.At the moment, a councillor switching parties doesn't trigger a bi-election but Cllr Habib Tejan thinks that should be altered.People using a public footpath in Maidstone say it's constantly flooded because of a blocked culvert, and no one is taking responsibility.It's affecting the walkway in Unicumes Lane in Fant, which is part of the Millennium River Park.Football, and it was a last gasp equaliser for Gillingham at Priestfield over the weekend.Despite having 30 attempts at goal with 10 in target - the Gills went 1-nil down to Cheltenham Town late on in the second half.Substitute Elliott Nevitt managed to salvage a point with the last kick of the game, hear from him and Gillingham's assistant manager Richard Dobson.And, a former Love Island star has been chatting about his plans to open a padel venue in Kent.Charlie Brake from Ashford appeared on the reality show in 2019.The 30-year-old is now converting a unit on the Wincheap Industrial Estate in Canterbury into courts, a café, pro shop and changing facilities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A grieving mum who lost her four-year-old son in a bus tragedy is hoping to raise money to buy her own home so she can bury him in the garden.Little Zaahir Jan Feizi was laid to rest after being knocked down outside the QEQM Hospital in Margate in August, but the cemetery is a long journey from his mum's home.Also in today's podcast, a woman who was sofa surfing with her young daughter and two bin bags of clothes has revealed how she turned her life around.Jodie had fled a relationship and suffered episodes of psychosis after smoking cannabis. She went clean four years ago after seeking help from Canterbury based homeless charity Porchlight and has been sharing her story to mark World Homeless Day.A ground-breaking new sixth form academy will be opening for STEM students in Kent next year.Carbon Six will be be based in Discovery Park in Sandwich and offer 60 places for A-level students of biology, physics, chemistry and maths.A brown bear from Kent who had to have pioneering brain surgery has been presented with a cake to mark one year since the operation.Boki, who lives at the Wildwood Trust near Canterbury, was suffering from seizures because of a build-up of fluid which has now been removed.In sport, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been discharged from hospital following heart surgery.Hear from assistant boss Richard Dobson who says the gaffer is making 'really good progress'. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The owner of an ice cream van says he has received death threats after being falsely linked to suspicious behaviour in Tonbridge.A young girl reported seeing three men running in her direction and was possibly grabbed on the arm while walking through the cemetery last month.Kent Police have been forced to confirm the Drifters Whippy van, which was parked nearby, is not linked in any way - despite rumours online.Also in today's podcast, one person's been arrested and the bomb disposal team called in after "suspicious items" were found in a flat in Margate.Officers were called to Rosedale Road at around 4pm yesterday - several surrounding roads were also evacuated and a cordon put in place. Hear from one resident and our reporter Brad Harper who was at the scene.A report out today is calling for urgent improvements to mental health services in Kent and Medway.An inspection was carried out by the Care Quality Commission on the NHS Social Care Partnership Trust in March.The boss of a café in Snodland has told the podcast how a nearby gas leak has affected them.The A228 bypass road has been closed since Sunday night and it's led to traffic diverting along the narrower Malling Road - causing long delays and congestion.And, the RSPCA have launched their Adoptober campaign, and are asking people in Kent to consider adopting larger breeds of dog.Huskies and Akitas are among the pets waiting to be rehomed at the Leybourne Animal Centre. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A woman who feared she would die at the hands of her controlling husband has told of her horror after he avoided prison despite years of abuse that left her with life-changing injuries.She says what began as “the most incredible love” turned into a suffocating and terrifying relationship in which she was constantly monitored, isolated and attacked inside her own home. Also in today's podcast, you can hear the moment a man was arrested after a drone was allegedly used to deliver drugs to inmates at a prison in Maidstone. Police called after the device had been found within the grounds alongside a package containing a large quantity of cannabis.We've spoken to a Medway councillor who has become one of the latest Conservatives to defect to Reform UK. Cllr Robbie Lammas has represented the Princes Park ward since August 2021 as a Tory but has now switched, saying his former party “is over”.In sport, Gillingham's stand-in boss Richard Dobson was disappointed to lose their EFL Trophy match but delighted with the lessons learned by many of their young players.The Gills lost 2 – 1 after sending a young team out to meet a seasoned Colchester United team away. And, a play about Gareth Southgate's time as England manager has arrived in Kent as part of its first UK tour.Dear England is based on a letter the former footballer wrote to fans during Covid ahead of Euro2020 – you can hear from the man who's stepping into the lead role.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Dover woman has been detained in a psychiatric unit after randomly attacking a stranger in the street with a kitchen knife.The victim was taken to a London hospital for treatment after she was stabbed in the back while walking down Biggin Street in January.The KentOnline Podcast has been told 90% of retailers in Tunbridge Wells have complied with new rules around single use vapes since they were introduced in June.That's 10% higher than in other parts of the county.The town was the first in Kent to take part in a 'Local Vape Action' scheme where experts work with shops.A man who drove from Dartford to Maidstone to meet a child he'd been sending explicit messages to on Snapchat has been jailed.The 47-year-old had arranged a meeting in February but was intercepted by police who spotted his van being repeatedly driven in and out of a car park.A Kent charity says Ellie Goldstein's appearance on Strictly is showing the world what people with disabilities can achieve.Before taking to the dancefloor this season, Ellie made history by becoming the first model with Down Syndrome to feature in British Vogue. Hear from We Are Beams which supports young people and their parents in north Kent.A mum from Walderslade says she was inspired to take up a career in funeral arranging, following the death of her baby.Delphine Craig went into early labour with her son and sadly lost him at around 21 weeks in 2006.Despite working for 13 years as a martial arts teacher - the 47-year-old is now working at the Co-op Funeral Care in Sittingbourne High Street.And in sport, Gillingham are in EFL Trophy action tonight as they travel to take on Colchester United.It follows back-to-back defeats in the league after a record breaking run of 21 games unbeaten. Hear from defender Logan Dobbs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An Asda employee has faced court after abusing a company taxi account to fund more than £6,000 worth of personal journeys – including a 115-mile round trip to visit his mum in London.He repeatedly booked cabs on the supermarket's tab despite having no right to use the system, exploiting it for weeks before being caught.Also in today' podcast, bosses in Medway say red routes will be repaired - after pictures revealed the painted lines in one town have already worn away.The double lines were controversially introduced on busy routes - including the A2 in Rainham - in May last year in a bid to tackle congestion.The KentOnline Podcast has been hearing how teachers, nurses and young families are among those struggling to afford hygiene products in Kent.You can hear from a local charity who provide products including toilet roll, washing powder and deodorant to those who can't afford it as we start a national awareness week. A mum says it is “irresponsible” that a shop window displayed an uncensored cushion with an expletive in view of children.She was walking past the Urban Outfitters in Tunbridge wells when she saw the embroidered pillow on display.And in sport, you can hear from Gillingham's weekend goalscorer Jonny Williams who's frustrated at the team's performance in the loss to MK Dons. It's back to back defats for the Gills who have now dropped to fourth in the table.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.