KentOnline

An animal charity has started plotting a map to show where there have been reports of cats having their fur shaved as cases continue to rise.
Hear from Animals Lost and Found who say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the attacks which are leaving pets traumatised.
Also on today’s podcast, hundreds of people have gathered outside Parliament to protest against the government’s controversial new asylum policy.
Under the plans, anyone who arrives in Kent on a small boat would be banned from making a claim to stay here.
Junior doctors in Kent have been walking out for a second day.
Members of the British Medical Association are striking until tomorrow morning in a dispute over pay. We’ve been speaking to a junior doctors who joined the picket line outside Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham.
A couple who have taken over a pub in Dover say they’re going to make it somewhere street food traders can work out of season.
Joe and Laura Taylor already run an events company and hope the Lord Nelson will showcase some of the foodies they know. Joe has been speaking to our reporter Sam Lennon.
And, a dad from Larkfield who lost a leg due to a rare disease is now touring the UK and Europe playing snooker after joining a world disability league.
Martin Brunker was diagnosed with something called charcot foot three years ago – which leaves the bones in the foot fragile and able to break and dislocate.

The mum of a teenage boy who died after taking pills on a night out has spoken as the man who sold them to him is jailed.
17-year-old Will Horley took Tramadol while out with friends in Whitstable in 2018.
Hear from Kim Webster who also goes into schools to tell her son’s story.
Also in today’s podcast – as thousands of junior doctors start three days of strike action, we’ve been hearing why so many are leaving the profession.
It’s feared poor pay and working conditions are pushing them to quit or move abroad to earn money. Hear from Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks.
We’ve also been speaking to a Maidstone man who’s getting ready for an epic fundraising challenge.
Andy Purvis and his friend Stuart Hatcher are hoping to raise over £50,000 for three dementia charities by rowing across the Atlantic.
Hear about the former Kent schoolboy who has won an Oscar for his work on Netflix war epic All Quiet On The Western Front.
A lady who managed to correctly predict the gender, weight and arrival day of a stranger’s baby has spoken about her special gift.
And, the Gillingham boss has been chatting following their win at the weekend.
They beat Tranmere Rovers 2-0 at Priestfield.

A teenage boy is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed.
Police cordoned off part of Gillingham High Street after emergency crews were called yesterday evening.
Our reporter Chris Hunter has been to the scene and spoken to some people who witnessed the attack.
Also in today’s podcast, the Government has confirmed the building of the new Lower Thames Crossing will be delayed by two years – if the project is approved.
Construction work on the route from Gravesend to Tilbury in Essex was due to start next year and be completed by 2029.
We’ve been speaking to a campaigner who says they will continue to fight the plans.
A new clothes bank has opened in Kent to try and help with the cost of living crisis.
Shareware started in Nottingham back in 2014 and has now teamed up with domestic abuse charity Sateda to open at Fort Luton in Chatham.
Our features writer has a roundup of everything going on in Kent this weekend.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of this weekend’s game.
They welcome Tranmere Rovers to Priestfield.

Police are hunting a gang of teenagers who pushed a trolley down an escalator at an Asda store in Gravesend which left a pensioner injured.
The man was knocked backwards after it happened around a fortnight ago.
Hear a description of the suspects and an update on the man’s injuries.
Also in today’s podcast, an academy trust in Medway has been praised for the work it’s doing to make sure teachers have good mental health.
We’ve been speaking to bosses at Rivermead Inclusive Trust about a platinum award they’ve been given and what it means.
It might not be the weather for heading to the beach right now, but recruitment is under way to find lifeguards for Kent’s beaches this summer.
The RNLI are looking for people to patrol coastal spots in Swale and Thanet.
Rochester Cathedral is currently home to a 13 metre long table made from the wood of a 5,000-year-old fossilised black oak tree.
The wood was found preserved in peat in 2012, but the ‘Table for the Nation’ wasn’t completed until 2022 – and was dedicated to the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee.
Hear from Canon Sue Brewer from the Cathedral where it’ll be on display for the next year.
And, a couple who became friends after chatting on the phone during lockdown have met for the first time.
Sally Griffiths from Exeter and Jenny Hossack from Maidstone were put in touch with each other by Inspired Friendships.

A Ramsgate couple have spoken about being forced to live in one room for the past two years after a burst watermain destroyed the foundations of their home.
A sinkhole is thought to have led to the major leak under the pavement outside Marilyn and Michael Stapleton’s bungalow.
Hear from the pair – we’ve also got responses from the water company and insurers.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s advice for drivers if more snow falls in Kent this evening.
Lots of children have had a day off school after the north and west woke up to the white stuff this morning.
The home secretary’s insisting a new plan to deal with illegal immigration doesn’t break the law.
The proposals designed to try and stop small boats crossing the Channel to Kent was announced yesterday and has also been the subject of a clash in the commons at PMQs today.
It’s International Women’s Day and we’ve been speaking to some inspirational business women in Kent.
Hear from Becky Simms from Reflect Digital in Maidstone and Cheran Friedman who started her own bakery and now has three shops in Kent.
And in sport, it was a great point on the road for Gillingham last night.
Hear from manager Neil Harris after it finished 0-0 at promotion chasing Stockport County.

A couple from Deal have been sentenced for their part in a £2 million fraud which helped to fund their lavish lifestyle.
Hear from our court reporter Paul Hooper who covered the case at Maidstone Crown Court.
Also in today’s podcast, the home secretary has unveiled details of new laws to try and stop small boats crossing the Channel to Kent.
The government says anyone who arrives in the country via that route will be banned from claiming asylum.
We’ve got reaction from the Samphire project in Dover which aims to unite communities.
We’ve been getting reaction to news the fire service has accepted a new pay offer, averting strike action in Kent.
Yesterday afternoon firefighters accepted a 7% pay rise backdated to July 2022 plus an additional 5% from this summer.
A Kent pharmacist has described his position as ‘dire’ – with as many as 600 pharmacies across the country set to close this year.
800 have already closed since 2015 due to rising costs.
Mr Doodle has been at work on a massive piece of art in Ashford.
He’s been commissioned to decorate the side of a car park on Edinburgh Road as part of an art trail through the town.
And in football, Gillingham travel to take on promotion chasing Stockport County in league two tonight.
Hear from manager Neil Harris who has been speaking to our sports reporter Luke Cawdell.

Forecasters have issued a weather warning for snow and ice in parts of Kent.
It may be spring, but temperatures are going to struggle to get much above freezing and there’s a chance we could see some of the white stuff falling.
We’ve been speaking to a homelessness charity who are trying to get as many people off the streets as possible.
Also in today’s podcast, the government is due to unveil new plans to try and stop small boats of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.
Legislation due to be announced tomorrow is set to ban those who travel to the county that way from making a claim to stay here.
We’ve got reaction from an asylum charity in the county.
A family from Tunbridge Wells have spoken of their heartbreak after their 10-month-old son was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Scott and Katie Bridges thought little Teddy was battling a chest infection but are now facing six-months in a London hospital as he undergoes chemotherapy.
A young girl from Northfleet is tipped to be the next opera superstar after mastering one of the most difficult pieces to sing.
Eliza Rajabalinia has had no formal training but can sing the Queen of the Night aria from the Magic Flute – in German.
And in sport, it was a point for Gillingham on the road at the weekend.
Hear from manager Neil Harris who spoke to us after the final whistle.

The top floor of an Ashford car park has been blocked off in a bid to stop anti-social behaviour.
Hear from traders in the town who have reported being targeted by young people throwing things from the roof of Park Mall.
Also in today’s podcast, charity groups and campaigners have joined forces to try and prevent a hotel and surf resort from being built at a country park near Deal.
They say, if given the go ahead, the facilities at Betteshanger would damage wildlife and vital habitats. We’ve been speaking to the general manager of CPRE Kent.
The University of Kent’s set up a new ‘Right to Food’ initiative to help staff and students struggling the cost of living crisis.
They’re offering £3 meals in the dining hall, free hot breakfasts at the student union and a campus pantry for those who need additional support.
Hear from the businessman behind a new ferry service running between Sheppey and Southend.
He’s bought a £185,000 super yacht to offer luxury trips.
Sam Lawrie has a roundup of everything going on in Kent you need to know about this weekend.
And in sport, Gillingham make the long trip north to take on Harrogate this weekend.
We’ve been catching up with goalkeeper Glenn Morris as they look to bounce back from Tuesday night’s defeat to Bradford City.

Schools across Kent are closed as teacher go on strike again.
Members of the National Education Union have walked out in a dispute over pay.
Hear from one of their caseworkers in Kent as a march and rally is due to take place in Canterbury.
Also in today’s podcast, a motorcycle training school in Thanet is facing a big repair bill after a group of kids started fires which damaged buildings and tarmac.
They’ve targeted the site on George Hill Road in Broadstairs several times over the past month – while smashing bottles and smoking cannabis.
A one-woman protest has been staged on Sheppey to try and stop a tree from being cut down.
Virginia Hanley sat under the 60 year-old willow on Kent Avenue in Minster after noticing tree surgeons had turned up. She’s been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.
The MP for Canterbury is urging the government to do more to stop laughing gas being sold to children and teenagers.
An investigation has found a huge increase in the number of young people being taken to hospital with health problems caused by nitrous oxide.
And, there are calls for a community centre in part of Greenhithe to finally be made available to local residents – 13 years after it was built.
People living in the Ingress Park area fear they will never be able to use the facility.

Plans to build a new road bridge over the A249 as part of the Stockbury roundabout improvements have been scrapped – and replaced with a footbridge instead.
People living in the village fear it’ll be cut in half by the £92m project off junction 5 of the M2 and wanted a flyover for vehicles.
Our reporter talks us through this story.
Also in today’s podcast, a picture of a drag queen performing at Canterbury Pride has been vandalised in what’s feared could be a targeted attack.
The mural on the window of the former Debenhams store was ripped down and torn up.
We hear from Daniel Smith, who identifies as queer, about his experiences of the city, and the organiser of Kent’s biggest Pride festival.
And, thousands of children across Kent will be finding out today what secondary school they’ll be going to in September.
Parents were able to name up to four preferred choices.
Graham Jones is an education specialist at Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone and shares advice if you didn’t get your first choice.