KentOnline

Plenty coming up in today’s podcast – and first, we find out how schools are coping a month after reopening following the summer break.
Are bubbles working and what’s the impact been on teachers and pupils? We speak to the chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers.
More than 100 apprentices across Kent have graduated today. The ceremony was due to take place at Rochester Cathedral but was done virtually instead.
Olly Murs has been chatting to Garry and Laura on kmfm Breakfast and had a very special announcement.
Plus we hear from the man who could very well be saving Christmas in Kent – the producer of the panto at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

A young man from Maidstone has bravely spoken about his experience of bullying as part of a new project to help more children.
Real Lives, Real Stories is being run by Kidscape.
Ben White, who’s now 24, was invited to take part and is also hoping to go into schools to urge those who might be going through the same thing, to speak out.
Also in today’s podcast – as Stoptober gets under way, we’re told more people have been quitting smoking during lockdown.
And the boss of a music venue in Thanet speaks about their first socially distanced gig, but warns it can’t become the new normal.

Streets in the centre of Canterbury have been cordoned off after armed police were called to a building.
Officers were seen with their weapons trained on a property this morning.
Hear from our reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks who was at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, KentOnline’s been told about a rise in calls about cyberstalking during lockdown. We hear from two experts.
The coronavirus infection rate in Kent has reached its highest level since June.
A Kent MP has spoken out about rail fares as more of us work from home – hear exactly what Greg Clark had to say in the commons.
And, Dr Ranj has helped record a new poem for children affected by the pandemic.

A council has been criticised for allowing a funfair to go ahead on a recreation ground in Faversham.Some people living in the town fear it could lead to an increase in coronavirus cases and think people will break the rule of six.Swale Borough Council are sticking by their decision – hear from one resident who isn’t happy.
Also in today’s podcast – the man leading the investigation into the baby death scandal at East Kent Hospitals says some NHS Trusts need to be better at admitting their mistakes.An independent review’s looking at whether failings in care led to the avoidable deaths of at least 15 newborns at the QEQM in Margate and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.Hear what Dr Bill Kirkup has said to the Health and Social Care CommitteeMore of us have apparently been turning to art in lockdown – now exhibitions are opening across the county.And, we reveal the dog who’s been named Britain’s most destructive pet.

Taxi drivers in parts of Kent have been reacting to news Uber has got its London licence back.
A judge has decided the company is ‘fit and proper’ to be running in the capital.
That also means they can operate in Medway, Dartford and Gravesend again – hear from one taxi driver who isn’t happy.
Also in today’s podcast – new rules come into force to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus, we’ve been speaking to a wedding planner who fears for the future of the industry.
The issue of people crossing the Channel in small boats has been raised in the commons again by a Kent MP.
And, Kent schools are getting involved in a big assembly to tackle bullying – hear from the Rochester woman who’s leading the project.

There are calls for the government to provide Eurostar with more support after the company revealed it doesn’t plan to stop in Kent again until 2022.
Passengers can’t get on or off the high speed service at Ebbsfleet or Ashford and it’s feared it could have a devastating impact on the county’s economy.
Hear from local democracy reporter Ciaran Duggan who’s been chatting to the head of HS1.
Also in today’s podcast, we hear from a bride who’s hastily rearranged her wedding to avoid having to cut the number of guests when new restrictions come into force on Monday.
A plaque has been unveiled at Chatham railway station to an equality pioneer.
And, we look ahead to Gillingham’s next game in league one – they welcome Blackpool this weekend.

We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of Brexit by now, but last night it was #Kexit that was trending on social media.Yes, the suggestion or an internal border in Kent and lorry drivers needing a special permit to get into the county after the transition period ends, almost broke the internet.Well of course we had to join in the fun by looking at what a republic of Kent would actually be like, hear from KentOnline editor and author of that feature, Ed McConnell.
Also in the podcast, as office staff are told to try and work from home again, we speak to a company boss from Broadstairs on how they’ve adapted over the past six months.A group of Kent MP have called for more support for the culture sector and sport during the pandemic.And, the Gillingham boss reacts to their defeat at Stoke City which has seen them go out of the Carabao Cup.

It’s exactly six months since the Prime Minister urged us to stay indoors to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Now, after lockdown was eased, we’re again facing tough restrictions following a rise in cases.
Hear from a uni professor who still fears a second national lockdown and a wedding planner who says her industry needs more help.
Also in the podcast, we look ahead to Gillingham’s trip to Stoke City in the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Prime Minister has announced a raft a new measures in a fresh bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.Boris Johnson made a statement in the Commons at lunchtime following a warning from experts yesterday that we could see almost 50-thousand cases a day by mid-October.Pub, bars and restaurants must now shut at 10pm, retail staff, waiters and taxi drivers should wear face masks and anyone caught breaking social distancing rules will face a £200 fine.
On today’s podcast, Nicola Everett hears what experts have to say and finds out if we left lockdown too early.Also in today’s episode, the UK’s biggest wine producer right here in Kent starts an early harvest and there’s a new signing for the Gills.

The government’s top scientific and medical advisors have issued a stark warning as cases of coronavirus rise again.Sir Patrick Vallance says we could see almost 50,000 cases a day by mid-October if nothing is done, that could, in turn, lead to more deaths.We speak to some of you and hear from a Kent doctor on whether we might be heading for another national lockdown.Also in the podcast, it’s a freshers week like no other as thousands of students start university in Kent.The future of rail services in Kent is set for a shake-up as plans are announced to scrap franchises.And, a ‘proud’ Gillingham boss speaks after his side’s league one victory at Wigan Athletic.