KentOnline

Just Stop Oil protesters have caused a second day of disruption after blocking the M25 at several locations.
One of them was the Dartford Crossing, leading to huge tailbacks.
Hear from the protesters and what the Prime Minister has been saying at the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt.
Also in today’s podcast, an inquest’s heard the man suspected of firebombing an asylum centre in Dover died from asphyxiation.
The attack happened nine days ago.
The owner of a company in Dartford fears they’re just one heavy rainfall away from having to close, permanently.
Production at Dartford Composites had to be temporarily suspended last week when downpours left the factory surrounded by water, and some machinery flooded. Hear from the manager who’s been speaking to reporter Sean Delaney.
A Sittingbourne mum has shared her experience of catching Covid while pregnant – as a warning to others.
Claire was 25 weeks into her pregnancy when she was admitted into Medway Maritime hospital with covid pneumonia.
A Canterbury mum is demanding a refund for her daughter’s £450 bus pass – claiming she’s late for school almost every day.
Hear from reporter James Pallant who has been covering the story.
Craid David’s been telling our sister radio station kmfm it’s a privillege to still be releasing music after 22 years in the business.
He caught up with Rob on drivetime to talk about the release of his new album.
And, it’s premier league opposition for Gillingham in the Carabao Cup tonight.
They’re travelling to Brentford for their third round match.

Climate campaigners have been causing disruption on the M25 after climbing onto gantries over the motorway.
The action was staged by Just Stop Oil protesters just weeks after they forced the closure of the QE2 bridge at the Dartford crossing.
It comes as world leaders gather at the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt to discuss what can be done to tackle global warming.
Also in today’s podcast, another protest has been held outside an asylum processing centre in Maston.
Hundreds of people gathered at the site in Thanet yesterday afternoon, with many calling for it to be shut down.
The former Home Secretary has also admitted he was given legal advice about the way the centre was operating.
A woman is recovering from an unprovoked attack in a Folkestone alleyway that left her covered in blood.
Eliza Eastland was walking home just after half 7 at night when she felt someone was following her. She’s been speaking to our reporter Rhys Griffiths.
The sister of a Dartford woman who took her own life is calling for all domestic violence-linked suicides to be registered on a national database. Hear from a councillor who’s been supporting Gemma Robinson’s family.
Dozens of volunteers have been building beds to make sure children living in poverty in Thanet have somewhere to sleep.
An event’s taken place at the Discovery Park in Sandwich.
For the first time ever, if you live in Canterbury you’re going to have to pay to visit the cathedral.
Permits giving residents free access to the Precinct are going to be scrapped in the new year – but some have concerns.
And in sport, Gillingham are in the draw for the second round of the FA Cup – but they face a first round replay.
It finished 1-1 against non-league AFC Fylde at the weekend. Manager Neil Harris shared his thoughts after the game.

The Home Office insists steps are being taken to improve conditions at an overcrowded asylum processing centre in Thanet.
We’re told there is now extra bedding and better medical facilities at the site in Manston – and more than 1,000 people have been moved out.
But, it has been confirmed two groups of men were left stranded in London after leaving the site.
Hear from the policing minister and the leader of Kent County Council which has written an open letter to the home secretary saying the county is at breaking point.
Also in today’s podcast, a couple have been left living in a car after being evicted from their home.
The landlord issued a Section 21 notice which is also known as a no fault eviction. Friday Quick has been speaking to our reporter Alex Langridge.
A Maidstone man is calling on OFGEM to change their price cap in the face of skyrocketing energy prices.
Richard Winstone is the director of a financial advice website and has started a petition calling for the government regulator to change how bills are calculated.
A Kent MP says the UK’s space industry is missing out on reaching its full potential, because of an ‘uncertain and disjointed’ approach by the government.
Hear from Greg Clark who chairs the Commons Science and Technology Committee.
Our features writer Sam Lawrie has a guide to events going on this weekend.
In sport, Gillingham take a break from the league as they travel to take on AFC Fylde in the FA Cup.
Plus, we’ve been catching up with the chairman of Chatham Town after he secured the future of Gillingham women.
They will play Oxford United this weekend.

The home secretary has been visiting Dover as she faces increased pressure to get a grip of the asylum situation.
Suella Braverman’s also being urged to do something about conditions at a processing facility in Thanet.
It comes as it’s revealed a convicted murderer from Albania was among those sent to the overcrowded Manston site.
Also in today’s podcast, a man in prison for killing two women in Tunbridge Wells in the 80s has admitted further offences.
The parents of a man accused of killing a father and daughter when a car ploughed into a family in Ramsgate have been charged with hiding evidence.
The collision happened in Leopold Street in August.
A mum from Deal’s told the KentOnline Podcast that an attack on her 10 year-old son has left him not wanting to go out.
Jacquie says he was set upon by a group of older children, leaving him with injuries to his back, legs and hands.
There’s a risk of thunderstorms overnight along the Kent coast after torrential downpours earlier caused flooding across the county.
The boss of the National Fruit Show, which is underway at the Kent County Showground, is asking supermarkets to buy British instead of packing their shelves with imported products.
Hear from executive chair of the event, Sarah Culcutt.
And, we’ve been hearing how resettled refugees that have started a new in life Kent have graduated from a ceremony in London…
The cohort, mostly from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine, have taken part in programmes run by the International Rescue Committee.

A damning report has found police vetting standards are “not high enough” making it “too easy” for the wrong people to join and stay in forces. 
The watchdog’s carried out a review after Sarah Everard was murdered by Wayne Couzen – who was, at the time, a serving Met police officer from Deal.
Meantime, hear from Kent’s police and crime commissioner who’s written to the home secretary calling for changes to enable them to recruit more officers.
Also in today’s podcast, the government’s being urged to work more closely with councils to stop young refugees being put in hotels when they arrive in the UK.
We’ve also heard that hundreds of refugees have been moved out of a processing facility in Thanet that’s become dangerously overcrowded.
A Kent couple who started selling x-rated content online while struggling for cash during lockdown say they’ve had more negative comments about the money they’ve made – than the posts themselves.
Hear from Ben and Kirsty Stroud who met 13 years ago while working in prisons on the Isle of Sheppey.
We reveal which celebrity effigy will be burnt at this year’s famous fireworks display in Edenbridge.
And, find out which Royal has been visiting Kent today for the 89th national fruit show.

The home secretary has been criticised for describing asylum seekers arriving in Kent as an ‘invasion’.
Suella Braverman was speaking in the commons after being asked to respond to concerns of overcrowding at a processing centre in Manston.
It’s as a report also raises concerns about facilities there. Hear from the chief inspector of prisons.
Also in today’s podcast, figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show Medway is one of the worst areas in the country for pollution.
The analysis from Friends of the Earth shows air pollution in parts of Strood, Chatham and Gillingham are double the recommended health standards. We’ve been getting reaction from GP Dr Julian Spinks.
An historic building in Maidstone looks set to stay as a jewellers after being bought by a businessman from Gravesend.
We told you last week how Cornells on Gabriel’s Hill was going to close after all their stock was sold. Hear today’s update.
Tributes have been paid to the former landlady of a popular Medway pub.
Wendy Stenhouse ran The Greyhound in Rochester until 2002 and passed away in the summer. Former regulars have been sharing their memories with reporter Nicola Jordan.
And, Joel Corry says he’s looking forward to wrapping up his tour and taking off the whole of December so he can watch the World Cup.
He’s been chatting to Numi on the Hit List on our sister radio station kmfm about his new song ‘Lionheart’ with Tom Grennan.

A man has died after throwing home-made petrol bombs at an asylum centre in Dover.
The suspect is thought to have taken his own life in a car shortly after hurling explosives at the processing centre yesterday.
Hear from our reporter Sam Lennon who spent the day in Dover and also spoke to people who were in the area and heard the explosions.
It comes as more than 100 charities call on the Home Office to provide safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale has visited a processing site in Manston which has been criticised and described as inhumane.
Also in today’s podcast, as the cost of living continues to increase, there are concerns that nurseries and pre-schools in Kent are struggling to cope. Jamie Long has the details.
The owners of a bakery in Tonbridge say their staff are being put at risk because of expensive parking.
Prices have gone up at car parks in the town centre, forcing some people to leave their cars further away and walk through unlit alleyways to get to work. Hear from workers and the council leader.
A woman has defied the odds to become female champion of Ninja Warrior UK for 20-22…
Beth Lodge, who’s originally from Sevenoaks, suffered a shoulder injury while competing in a previous season and had to have two operations. She’s been speaking to our reporter Ben Austin.
And, the Gillingham boss has given his reaction to back-to-back defeats in the league.
They lost 1-0 at Doncaster on Saturday.

In today’s podcast, an Ashford man says he’s lucky he wasn’t electrocuted after finding underground cables in his back garden.
Phil Lewis was digging to replace a fence panel on Church Road in Willesborough when he came across a warning sign.
 
Also today, we speak to a woman whose son was stabbed in Ramsgate town centre.
She says CCTV cameras haven’t made the area any safer, despite Thanet being the CCTV capital of Kent.
 
A former nurse from Sevenoaks, who has incurable cancer, is urging us to join a fundraising walk tomorrow.
Suzanne Jee is campaigning for assisted dying to be legalised in the UK, as an option for those who are terminally ill.
 
Warm banks are starting to open across Kent as thousands of people struggle to heat their homes.
The cost of living crisis is thought to have left more than 16 million people across the UK in fuel poverty.
We speak to The City Praise Centre Church in Gravsend, who are hoping to help.
 
In football, Gillingham travel to take on Doncaster tomorrow.
They’ll be hoping for a better result after a 2-0 loss to Leyton Orient on Tuesday. Hear from defender Elkan Baggott.
 
Plus, find out WhatsOn across Kent this spooky halloween weekend!
 
 

Kent Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan say they’ve found themselves “homeless” after meeting with a “very rude” landlord.
James posted on Instagram saying he’s searching for somewhere to live for six months before moving into a new home with his wife and two-year-old daughter.
Also today, a mum says she’d rather sleep in a car than in what she says is ‘mouldy’ temporary accommodation in Ashford.
Jade Connor and her four-month-old son are now homeless after rejecting the property.
Our reporter explains the story.
The man who oversees the running of Kent Police has admitted the 101 call system needs to improve.
It’s after we were told in some cases it was taking up to 40 minutes for a call to be answered, while other people who’d dialled simply gave up.
The number is meant to be used to report non-emergency matters like suspicious behaviour.
Hear from Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, and charity Victim Support.
People living on an estate in Dover say they’re ‘worried and unnerved’ after an asylum seeker walking into a woman’s house.
It happened in Aycliffe with the man demanding to use a phone and be driven to Manchester.
Carly Bishop lives in the area and spoke to our reporter.
Environmental campaigners in Kent are welcoming Rishi Sunak’s decision to re-introduce a ban on fracking.
The move is in line with the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto.
But, Tonbridge Green Councillor Mark Hood still has concerns.
Meanwhile, a man leading a delegation from Canterbury to Cop27 is urging the King to attend.
It’s being reported Charles has decided not to travel to Egypt for the climate conference next month.
Dr Carl Wright is chair of the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership told the KentOnline Podcast why he wants to see him there.
And, it’s hoped thousands of pounds will be raised for charity thanks to an incredibly spooky house in Medway.
The property has been decorated – with a giant spider on the outside – for Halloween.
Our reporter has been along to meet Kieron King who created it.
 

A businessman has won a seven year battle to close his scrapyard and open workshops on the Sheppey site instead.
He first applied to the council to end his car-breaking business at Monkey Farm in Sheerness back in 2015.
Our reporter explains why it’s taken so long.
Also in today’s podcast, the ambulance service covering Kent has been told it requires improvement.
Inspectors visited South East Coast Ambulance Trust in August – our reports talks us through the result of their findings.
It’s been revealed 96% of people who crossed the Channel in small boats in 2021 are still waiting to have their asylum claim processed.
Home Office staff have been giving evidence to a parliamentary committee – as figures show 38,000 men, women and children have made the dangerous journey to Kent so far this year.
Concerns have also been raised about the short-term holding facility in Thanet.
A Home Office official says they’re dealing with a “very difficult” situation at the site.
It comes as Rishi Sunak’s been defended re-appointing Suella Braverman as Home Secretary – as he faced the Commons for the first time as Prime Minister.
People in Dartford have been giving their verdict on his performance as PM, while the MP for Faversham thinks he’ll be able to unite the country and the party.
Elsewhere, the KentOnline Podcast’s been getting an update on work being done to secure water supplies to the Isle of Sheppey.
You might remember 40,000 residents and businesses were left without supplies on the hottest days of the summer when pipes to the island burst.
Three months on, an operation is underway to lay two new vital supply pipes.
Southern Water have been telling us more about it.
And in football, Gillingham have been beaten 2-0 by Leyton Orient in league two.
Boss Neil Harris spoke to us after the match.