KentOnline

In today’s podcast, a man has died after a crash on the A2 in Dover.
Police and paramedics were called to Jubilee Way in the early hours of this morning. Our reporter has the details.
 
A cafe owner from Hythe says she has ‘no idea’ what she’s going to do, as energy bills are becoming unaffordable.
Nicola Robinson owns The Nutmeg Cafe and says her renewal price is shocking. We chat to her on today’s podcast.
Meanwhile, there’s a warning schools in Kent might have to cut staff numbers to deal with soaring energy bills.
 
A Kent mum is on a mission to raise awareness of food allergies following the death of her 9-year-old daughter. 
Sadie Bristow went into anaphylactic shock about four years ago. We speak to Clare about the dangers of allergies and why it’s so important to raise awareness.
 
The Operation Brock contraflow system is being removed on the M20 this weekend.
We’ve been chatting to Toby Howe from the Kent Resilience Forum about why it was implemented over the summer and why it’s now being removed.
 
And, three-time olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty has been giving swimming masterclasses to youngsters in Kent.
His race clinic is touring the country, with the latest stop being at a sports centre in Strood. Hear from him in today’s podcast. 

In today’s podcast, it’s emerged a major blaze that destroyed a business on a Kent harbour had been caused by contractors working for Canterbury city council.
The Crab and Winkle Restaurant and Whitstable Fish Market were destroyed in May after the fire broke out in the neighbouring cockle shed. We speak to the co-owner of the restaurant and fish market.
 
Also today, it’s feared there could be a severe shortage of midwives in Kent as a training course has been suspended.
Dozens of people have suddenly been told they can’t study midwifery at Canterbury Christ Church University. The regulator’s stepped in following concerns about students being left unsupervised with patients.
 
A foodbank in Margate has been left considering whether to close, after being broken into for the third time in twelve months.
Shopkeepers at MiCommunity in Duke Street found someone had made off with £1,000 worth of stock on Tuesday.
 
And, the KentOnline Podcast has been told it’s more important than ever to protect the Swanscombe peninsula.
 
It’s after one of the UK’s rarest bumble bees was spotted at the site. We caught up with Jamie Robins from Conservation charity Bug Life.

In today’s podcast, police in Maidstone have been criticised over their failure to deal with off-road bikers.
One resident, from Longfield Place in the town, says the anti-social behaviour is making her life a misery. We’ve got the details from our reporter, Lucy.
 
Also today, a bakery in Herne Bay has been given a zero hygiene rating after ants and flies were seen crawling on food.
A report raised serious concerns about the cleanliness of Bayked in Richmond Street.
 
An agreement’s been reached to save a number of school bus services in Kent that were due to be cut.
Some companies previously announced that certain routes were unviable because of financial pressures and a drop in passenger numbers. We speak to the leader of Kent County Council.
 
Former Strictly contestant HRVY’s been on the Hit List with Numi on KMFM. The 23 year-old, who’s from Kent, finished as runner-up on the dancing show in 2020 – and is also a YouTuber and singer.
He’s been chatting all about his new single ‘I Wish I could Hate you’. We’ve got the highlights in todays podcast.
 
And, hear from our Sports reporter Luke Cawdell, ahead of Gillingham’s game against Charlton in the EFL Trophy tonight. 
The Gills will be hoping for a better performance, following another disappointing defeat in the League at Carlisle at the weekend.
 

In today’s podcast, the owner of an independent shop in Ashford town centre says they’re not going to move – despite plans for a huge hotel opposite.
A row of six shops is being knocked down to make way for the new building which will have 92 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant and spa.
Jim Symes, who runs Ashford Sewing Centre, says they’ve had a lot of confusion from customers.
Also in today’s episode, we take a look at some of the issues that have led to a shortage of doctors in Kent.
New data shows there are just 38 GPs for every 100,000 people, which is the worst figure in Britain.
Elsewhere, a Chatham woman who underwent transgender conversion therapy as a teenager says it’s ruined her life.
Shea Coffey is calling for the process, which aims to stop people from transitioning, to be made illegal.
Market traders in and around Canterbury, who are already feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis, have been told they’ll need to pay thousands in backdated rent.
Retailers say they’re spending sleepless nights worrying about their finances as they try to recover from the impact of Covid and deal with soaring energy bills.
Animal conservationists are hoping to protect more endangered lions by building larger enclosures.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden want to improve existing habitats and create new space for Asiatic lions.
And in football, Gillingham’s disappointing start to the League Two season has continued.
Hear from manager Neil Harris after their 1-0 defeat away to Carlisle at the weekend.

A man who runs a boot fair in Medway has put anti-tank defences outside the field, to stop travellers breaking in…
Mark Greenfield got worried after caravans were spotted in a nearby park.
He’s put big concrete blocks outside the gates in Upnor, and hired a security guard to sleep on the site in a tent.
Also in today’s episode, we’ve been getting reaction from charities and business leaders after the energy price cap announcement.
Average gas and electricity bills will go up to about £3,500 a year from October, and it’s feared it’ll push millions more families into poverty.
Our reporter has been out on the picket line as thousands of Royal Mail workers are out on strike.
They’re taking industrial action in a row over pay and changes to their conditions.
A Sheppey man has come under fire for dumping lorry-loads of soil over the cliffs near his home.
We’ve been finding out why residents are angry, and getting his side of the story.
Plus in football, it’s a long trip north for Gillingham this weekend, as they head to Carlisle United.
The Gills manager has been giving us his thoughts ahead of tomorrow’s match.
 

In today’s podcast, a man from Chatham has died in hospital after being attacked outside a pub in Maidstone town centre.
Andrew Looseley was fighting for his life at King’s College Hospital for five days after being assaulted outside the Hare and Hounds pub.
 
Also today, a Medway man who’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer has told the KentOnline Podcast he initially thought the tumour was an insect bite.
Andy Bird booked a doctors’ appointment last August – but it was delayed after he caught Covid.
 
Hundreds of children have been collecting their GCSE results across Kent.
Karen Bennett is Head Teacher of the Will Adams Academy in Medway and says she’s really proud of her students. We speak to her on today’s episode.
 
A shop owner says she has no choice but to leave Ashford town centre, as it’s become unsustainable.
Jane Watts, who runs Jane’s Boutique in the Park Mall, says just 5% of their business now comes from face-to-face customers.
 
And, hear about the Kent businesses which have won National Curry Awards.

In todays podcast, people have fled the water in Folkestone after a shark was reportedly spotted. We have the details.
Also today, Eurostar’s decision to not stop in Kent for another two years has been described as a huge blow to businesses. We speak to Jo James from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.
Elsewhere, EuroTunnel has apologised to passengers who were left trapped underground for almost five hours.
A protest has been held in Medway against the Government’s plans to shut down railway ticket offices.
A hosepipe ban has come into force for more of Kent residents today.
And, Gillingham fans have been celebrating after they got through to the third round of the Carabao Cup. Hear from manager Neil Harris.
 
 

A court’s heard how a dad-of-three used a shovel “like a baseball bat” in an attack in Herne Bay.
Reece Cannon went after his victim while children were watching in February.
Hear the full details from court, as the 30 year-old was jailed for eight years.
Also in today’s podcast, a record number of asylum seekers crossed the Channel to Kent yesterday as people continue to risk their lives making the dangerous journey.
Figures show nearly 1,300 men, women and children arrived in Dover after 27 smalls were intercepted.
It’s feared ongoing sewage leaks on the Kent coast are putting people off visiting.
No-swim warnings have been in force at several beaches in the county after waste water was released into the sea during heavy rain last week.
Hear from businesses who say it’s affecting trade.
Elsewhere, a former soldier from Canterbury who says he lost all of his confidence after losing his legs while serving in Afghanistan, is planning to climb the world’s tallest mountain.
We speak to Hari Budha Magar who was injured when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on patrol in 2010.
A crowdfunding campaign is under way as it’s going to cost £300,000.
And in sport, we look ahead to Gillingham’s second round tie with Exeter City in the Carabao Cup.

A Medway mum’s received an apology from Aldi after being branded a shoplifter.
She was approached by staff at the store in Gillingham and accused of stealing goods.
Hear what happened when she contacted the company’s chief executive.
Also in today’s podcast, tests on CBD products by scientists in Kent have found most contain illegal substances.
It’s taken by some people to manage pain or anxiety, but it’s feared people don’t always know what they’re consuming.
The head of the laboratory that carried out the research is on to tell us more.
A leading charity supporting former service personnel in Kent say an increasing number are struggling with the rising cost of living.
Help for Heroes has had to increase how much money is available for veterans so they can afford to pay energy and food bills.
Elsewhere, the boss of a Kent foodbank says he’s had to expand into providing school uniform as parents struggle to afford it because of the cost of living crisis.
It’s estimated families spend around £300 a year on uniforms including shoes and a bag.
Environmental campaigners are worried reopening Manston Airport will create more pollution for people living in Thanet.
This is an update on Friday’s news that the owners have been given permission to turn it into a cargo hub.
We’re told homes and businesses along a stretch of coastline in Kent could be allowed to flood in future.
Documents say part of the shoreline at Seasalter near Whitstable could be taken by the sea when maintenance of the current defences there ends in 2055.
And in sport, we’ve been getting reaction to Gillingham’s 0-0 draw with Walsall at the weekend.
It’s left them struggling towards the bottom of the league two table.

A man in his 20s has died after being stabbed in Tonbridge.
Police were called in the early hours of this morning and a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Hear from our reporter at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, Manston airport has been given the go ahead to re-open.
The site in Thanet has been closed for eight years but work to get it running again can get underway as early as next month after permission was granted by the government.
We’ve been speaking to our business editor Chris Britcher and have reaction from North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale.
Learner drivers in Kent are facing a six month wait to book their test because of a huge backlog.
The industry’s been struggling to keep up with demand since the pandemic. 
A pollution warning has been extended to nine Kent beaches after waste water was released into the sea.
Find out which sites are affected.
A 10-year-old girl from Sheppey is being praised for getting help after her aunt fell down stairs – leaving her with a broken arm and badly cut head.
It happened at flats on Russell Street in Sheerness. We’ve spoken to both of them.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager Neil Harris and midfielder Alex MacDonald ahead of this weekend’s game against Walsall.
The Gills will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s defeat to Harrogate.