KentOnline

Firefighters have spent hours tackling a huge blaze which has destroyed a floating restaurant in Maidstone town centre.Embankment went up in flames on the river at around 8 this morning, sending thick smoke into the air and causing disruption for hundreds of drivers.Also in today’s podcast: find out how mental health support could help tackle knife crime, and hear from a charity who are looking for volunteers to help run an Elmer art trail.
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Young children in Kent are no longer going to be able to head the ball during football training as part of new rules being introduced by the FA.It’s after a major study looked into the impact, in a bid to reduce the number of players developing brain conditions like dementia later in life.Also in today’s podcast: hear from a woman who’s had to sell her car and jewellery to pay for medical equipment which is available for free elsewhere in the UK, and why a boxing promoter wants to see Tyson Fury take on Anthony Joshua.
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Our top story is about a group of people in Dartford who claim lorries parking where they live are putting lives at risk.
Last Thursday night, a motorcyclist was taken to hospital after colliding with an HGV on London Road – back in December, a man died after crashing into a lorry in the same area.
They’ve now set up a petition.
Also in the podcast: why the owner of animal parks in Kent is criticising zoos and there could be good news for people wanting to get on the property ladder.

Campaigners say they’re considering appealing the High Court’s decision to uphold plans to close stroke units at three hospitals in Kent.
It means the emergency stroke treatment at the QEQM in Margate will end next spring – with services at Medway Maritime and Tunbridge Wells also set to shut.
Specialist centres are instead going to be opened in Ashford, Dartford and Maidstone.
Also in today’s podcast: A Canterbury mum’s calling for more training, so doctors can spot a rare neurological condition, and find out about Sir Richard Branson’s new cruise ship – that’s docked in Dover.
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The family of a baby who died after his traumatic birth at a Kent hospital are calling for better training of NHS maternity staff.It comes as new research by charity Baby Lifeline shows two-thirds of maternity trusts don’t make attending sessions, on caring and screening unwell new-borns, mandatory for all staff.Also in today’s podcast: a former EastEnders star speaks out about being threatened with a knife near Dartford, ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle is on a life-saving mission on the Isle of Sheppey, and find out about Kent’s connection to the new £20 note.#
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In our top story today you can hear from a mum and daughter whose home in Herne Bay has been destroyed by Storm Dennis.Gale-force winds ripped through part of the property at the weekend, causing major damage to the building.Also in today’s podcast: find out why LGBTQ+ films are being shown in Folkestone, and hear from the Gillingham manager who’s putting their latest win down to team spirit.
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Our top story today is about a youth jail in Kent which inspectors say is still not safe enough.
They found high levels of violence at Cookham Wood in Rochester when they visited last September – a report into that visit has just been published.
Also in today’s podcast: why spit kits have been given to bus drivers in part of Kent, how a removable barrier planned for Kent has been a success in New Zealand for decades and the Gills look to extend their unbeaten run.

This week, political editor Paul Francis and Oliver Kemp discuss the Cabinet reshuffle in Westminster, Kent County Council’s newfound commitment to social care and the return of Operation Brock.
They also try get their heads around the ‘Ebacc’ education point system, with middling results.

There’s a new idea to try and keep traffic flowing in Kent if there’s ever cross-channel disruption.
You might know that a system called Operation Stack has been used in the past which sees lorries queued on the M20 – then Brock came in ahead of Brexit which used a contraflow system instead.
Now, the government’s said it’s going to be using a moveable concrete barrier.
Also in today’s episode – flood alerts remain in place across Kent following Storm Dennis and the Gills make it lucky 13 as their unbeaten run in league one continues.

Batten down the hatches – Storm Dennis is on the way.Weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain are in place across the weekend – with what could be torrential downpours expected on Sunday.Also in today’s podcast – a trampoline park in Tonbridge could be forced to close, Louis Tomlinson chats about his debut album and Gillingham look to continue their unbeaten run.