KentOnline

The operations manager at a Kent brewery has revealed thousands of litres of beer were destroyed in a blaze. 
The Good Things Brewing Co in Tunbridge Wells was struck by lightning, destroying the building.
 
Also in today’s podcast, there’s a warning thousands of households in Kent are at risk of homelessness if temporary government funding is stopped.
We speak to Chris Thomas from homeless charity Porchlight.
 
University students in Kent have been telling us what they think about the idea of having to have both coronavirus vaccines to attend lectures.
 
And people dressed as death, the devil and Elvis have applied to work on a ghost train on Sheppey.

A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a teenage girl was found stabbed in Sittingbourne.
It happened near Highstead Road between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Police say the pair were known to each other.
 
Also in today’s podcast, we’ve been hearing from a Sittingbourne woman who caught Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated.
Jenni Horn, who works at our sister newspaper The Medway Messenger, tested positive after noticing some symptoms.
 
We’ve been told all lorry drivers should be considered as essential workers – not just those delivering food. We hear from Kent’s area manager for the Road Haulage Association.
Elsewhere, the Government is being urged to create safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.
 
And scientists in Kent say their new variety of strawberry will help extend the fruit growing season.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after a teenage girl was found stabbed in Sittingbourne.
Police say the pair were known to each other and they’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area near Highstead Road between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Hear from KentOnline’s Lauren Abbott who lives near to where police are continuing to investigate.
Also in today’s podcast, staff in 16 essential industries won’t have to isolate if they get pinged by the NHS Covid app in a bid to reduce the number of sectors affected by the so-called ‘pingdemic’.
We’ve been finding out what you think.
Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for government to rethink a decision not to give officers and staff a pay rise.
Anne-Marie has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm.
And find out why there are claims some girls in Kent are effectively being banned from playing football.

The funeral of Kent PCSO Julia James has taken place at Canterbury Cathedral.
The 53-year-old died after being attacked while out walking her dog not far from her home in Snowdown.
This morning, people lined the streets in nearby Aylesham as the funeral procession passed by.
During the service her daughter Bethan read a poem while tributes were paid by her son, friends and colleagues.
Also in today’s podcast, the number of deaths in care homes in Kent linked to Covid has been revealed.
The chair of the Medway based National Care Association has spoken out, saying the sector was forgotten at the start of the pandemic.
A man has been arrested after a number of cars were torched in Canterbury.
Hear about a new system that’s been developed to help keep us safe at the coast.
And, almost 30 new pieces of art have gone on display in Folkestone as the Triennial gets underway, a year later than originally planned.
 

The number of asylum seekers making the dangerous journey across the Channel to Kent in small boats this year has already topped the figure for the whole of 2020.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised to take further action, and signed an agreement with France to increase the number of patrol boats along their coast.
Hear what’s been said in the Commons plus by an asylum group in the county.
Also in today’s podcast, a police officer has been praised for saving a man from a burning building near Folkestone.
PC Cattermole’s heroics were caught on his body cam.
There’s a warning that we’ll get more extreme weather in future after a heatwave this week led to damaging thunderstorms.
It’s been suggested that wolf-whistling is made a specific offence as part of plans to improve safety for women in children – we’ve been getting your views.
Smokers are being encouraged to light-up outside as part of a new campaign to reduce the number of smoking-related house fires in Kent.
And, Gravesend boxer Cheavon Clark has been speaking ahead of his first fight at the Tokyo Olympics.

A young woman has spoken of the moment she was attacked following the Euro2020 final – leading to a miscarriage.
Beth Newman, 18, was punched and kicked by a group of other women after leaving a pub in Margate.
She spent four days in hospital and suffered seizures.
Also in today’s podcast, nightclub bosses in Kent say they have been left in the dark about vaccine passports.
The Prime Minister is suggesting they’re introduced at the end of September for anyone wanting to go to a club.
You can also hear from our reporter who has been back to a club for the first time in 16 months.
There are calls for Operation Brock on the M20 to be removed as quickly as possible. The Ashford MP has been speaking about it in the Commons.
FareShare have been telling us about their new campaign to help feed children over the summer holidays.
And, bosses at Leeds Castle near Maidstone have been paying tribute to Pickles the swan who has died at the grand old age of 30.

All coronavirus restrictions in England have been lifted on so-called ‘Freedom Day’.
Social distancing and the wearing of face masks are no longer mandatory.
But as cases across the country continue to rise, we’ve been finding out what you think.
Hear from Carlie Pleasant from Sittingbourne who has Cystic Fibrosis and will continue to wear a face mask.
We’ve also been speaking to a wedding planner who is hoping more couples will now book their big day.
Operation Brock is back in place on the M20 as roads bosses think more people will want to head on holiday now restrictions have been lifted.
And the boss of Gillingham football club says he’s surprised restrictions have been lifted as their pre-season preparations are disrupted by Covid.
Also in today’s podcast, a cannabis farm has been found following a fire at a house in Canterbury.
A Kent athlete speaks as another Covid case is confirmed in the Olympic village ahead of the games in Tokyo.
And, the winner of The Open golf championship has lifted the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s in Sandwich.

A Green campaigner in Kent has warned that urgent action is needed as severe floods hit Europe.
Hear from Stuart Jeffery who says it’s a clear sign of the effects of climate change.
One of the towns in Germany that’s been affected is twinned with Ashford.
The council there has lowered its flag to half mast as we hear more than 100 people have lost their lives.
Also on the podcast, Operation Brock is going to be installed on the M20 this weekend ahead of ‘freedom day’ on Monday.
Roads bosses say it’s a precaution as more people could head across the Channel on holiday when Covid restrictions are lifted.
We’ve also been finding out what you think about the end of measures to restrict the spread of coronavirus.
And, a plaque has been unveiled in Medway in honour of a man who fought for democracy back in the 1800s.
William Cuffay, who was of English and African heritage, was born in the towns and got involved in the Chartist movement.
 

The owner of a popular Maidstone restaurant, bar and nightclub has released a statement after it was gutted by fire.Firefighters were called to Mu Mu on Week Street in the early hours of yesterday.Ciaran O’Quigley has described their devastation and called the blaze ‘atrocious’.Also in today’s podcast, a leading nutritionist from Whitstable has been reacting to new calls for a tax on sugary and salty foods.A government commissioned report has been published on how to try and tackle obesity and reduce the amount of junk food we eat.A year later than planned, The Open golf championship is under way at Royal St George’s in Sandwich.Hear from our sports editor who is there and a local firm who are hoping for a boost in business.And, cricketer Harry Finch has been speaking about his dream debut after being called into Kent’s first team for their championship game against Sussex following a Covid outbreak.

A popular bar, club and restaurant in the centre of Maidstone has been destroyed after a fire broke out.
Crews were called to Mu Mu on Week Street at around 2.30am.
Hear from our reporter who was one of the first on the scene – we’ve also got an update from firefighters and a resident who was woken by the blaze.
Also in today’s podcast, a former Gillingham footballer is calling for tough action to tackle racism in the game.
Goalkeeper Jason Brown has received abuse in the past and been speaking from his home in America.
And, on the eve of the Open golf championship we hear how the town of Sandwich is preparing to welcome thousands of fans.