KentOnline

A man has made his first appearance in court accused of not wearing a face mask at Bluewater shopping centre.The 30 year-old is believed the first person in the country to be charged with the offence.Hear from our reporter who was at Medway Magistrates Court for the hearing.
Also today, we’ve been speaking to local democracy reporter Ciaran Duggan as reports show thousands of extra secondary school places need to be created in Kent.The chief executive of Produced in Kent tell of her fears at independent food producers in the county missing out on Christmas trade this year.And, Diwali celebrations are getting underway in the county despite lockdown. We’ve been chatting to Gurvinder Sandher from Cohesion Plus in Gravesend.

We’re constantly being reminded during the pandemic to wash our hands, but it’s feared homeless people in part of Thanet have been left without access to clean water.
We’ve been speaking to Julie who’s been living in a van for the past four years.
She says supplies at Westbrook seafront, that she used for cleaning, drinking and cooking, have been turned off.
Also in today’s podcast you can hear the story of a world war two pilot who’s been remembered 80 years after his plane came down in Medway.
Why more and more people are looking to leave London and buy a home in Kent.
Plus we’ll have reaction from the Gills who’ve made it through to the next round of the EFL Trophy.

A visually impaired woman from Margate has told the KentOnline Podcast how she’s been verbally abused for not socially distancing properly during the pandemic.Linda Johnson says she’s also been accused of queue jumping because her guide dog will automatically lead her to the door of a shop, and naturally avoid groups of people.Hear from Linda and David Clarke from the RNIB who has reacted to her story.
Also in today’s podcast, why trials at Maidstone Crown Court have had to be put on hold.Hear a Kent MP quizzing the head of the NHS Test and Trace system, plus there’s reaction from experts in the county to news of a potential Covid vaccine.

Kent’s top police officer has spoken out about a big increase in the number of attacks on his staff.Between March and October there were more than 1,900 cases in the county – a rise of 570 on the same period the year before.In just one week recently there were 24 assaults on police officers, including eight in a single day.Also in today’s episode, hear from a Kent company who say they’re ready for Brexit as trade negotiations continue ahead of the transition period ending.More questions have been asked in the Commons about what’s being done to try and stop people from getting to Kent by crossing the Channel in small boats.And, ahead of the draw for the second round of the FA Cup tonight, catch up with Gillingham’s assistant boss on their remarkable comeback at the weekend.

A Tunbridge Wells based foodbank have launched an appeal to feed more families at Christmas.
Nourish fear they will have to provide more meals than normal this year as the Covid crisis continues and people remain out of work.
We’ve been speaking to their operations manager.
Also in today’s podcast, hear from the two football managers hoping to progress in the FA Cup this weekend.
And, Davina McCall shares her delight as she’s reunited with her dog after it was found in Tunbridge Wells.

A Kings Hill barber who promised to stay trading despite a second national lockdown coming into force has stuck to his word.
Met Warwick opened his business as normal this morning – just a few hours later he received a visit from police and council officials.
Hear what he had to say to our reporter.
As the tougher coronavirus restrictions come into force we’ve also been speaking to Professor Richard Scase from the University of Kent – find out what he’s predicting.
Also in the episode, advice if you’re planning on a firework celebration at home this year, and what Hrvy will be dancing to on this week’s Strictly.

Independent traders across Kent are shutting up shop ahead of the second national lockdown to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
Non-essential shops, bars, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are among those who won’t be able to open from tomorrow until December 2nd.
Hear from the son of a bookshop owner in Tonbridge.
There’s also a call for homeless people in the county to be given shelter like they were during the first lockdown in March – we’ve been speaking to Canterbury based charity Porchlight.
Plus we have reaction from the Gillingham boss after they ended a run of five games without a win in league one.

There’s been another rise in cases of coronavirus in Kent as we prepare to go in to another National lockdown.
The tougher restrictions will come into effect on Thursday – but this time, schools won’t close.
Hear from a Kent GP and also the man who represents headteachers in the county.
Also on today’s podcast we hear about a project aiming to help people in Thanet this Christmas plus we look ahead to tonight’s Gillingham game as they hope to end a run of five games without a win.

With a second national lockdown in England just days away, a Kent barber says he’ll refuse to close his business.
Boris Johnson has been explaining to MPs what will be involved after making an announcement to the nation at the weekend.
He says it’s necessary to stop the spread of coronavirus, but some business owners fear for their futures.
Hear from Met who owns Kings Hill Barbers.
Also in the podcast – the Kent artist being celebrated for her work during the pandemic and the moment Ant and Dec surprised a fundraising super star from Kings Hill.

Kent’s emergency services are urging people to act responsibly, as more of us celebrate Bonfire Night and Diwali at home this year.
Also, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Kent has been giving his prediction on who will win the race to become America’s next President.
And, the Gillingham manager has been speaking ahead of hosting Sunderland at Priestfield in League One this weekend.You can find more news for Kent at www.kentonline.co.uk