KentOnline

A woman’s been arrested after a man, woman and two children were hit by a car in Chatham.
It happened on Dock Road – hear from our reporter who’s been speaking to people who live nearby.
Also in today’s podcast, A level results are out today.
Hear from a students who’s off to Oxford University and an incredible 12-year-old who’s already got two A levels in maths.
But, if results didn’t go how you’d hoped, the clearing process is under way.
We’ve been speaking to the student union president at the University of Kent who got his place that way – plus a third year who’s helping to man the phones at the clearing centre.
Almost £1.5m is going to be spent on making Kent safer.
Hear from the county’s police and crime commissioner who successfully bid for the cash and will spend it in parts of Canterbury, Gravesham, Maidstone and Medway.
Victims and relatives of those affected by a contaminated blood scandal which happened in the 70s and 80s are finally going to get compensation.
We have reaction from Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks.
Rail services in Kent have been disrupted by further strike action – hear from Network Rail and the general secretary of the RMT Union.
And in sport, we have details on Emma Raducanu’s latest game at the Cincinnati Masters.

A Kent school that drafted in a headteacher described as ‘Britain’s strictest’ has been rated inadequate by inspectors.
Parents complained when Barry Smith was parachuted into Abbey School in Faversham for a number of days last September.
Ofsted have found that its strict rules are considered “oppressive” by pupils, many of whom are “unhappy and do not feel safe”.
We have reaction from an education advisor, we’ve also found out what some parents think and have a response from the school.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s an anxious wait for thousands of teenagers in Kent as A level results are out tomorrow.
Pupils sat exams for the first time since before the pandemic. We’ve been catching up with education specialist Graham Jones.
£17.5m has been spent on doing up a holiday park in Kent – creating more than 100 jobs.
It’s the biggest investment Haven have made in one of their parks this year and will see a number of new attractions open at the site in Allhallows.
Drivers who keep parking in a church carpark in Medway are being urged to go there for services – or move their vehicles.
There are several spaces behind St Matthew’s in Borstal near Rochester. Hear from the church warden.
In sport, Gillingham have suffered another defeat in the league. We have reaction from manager Neil Harris following their 2-0 loss to Harrogate.
But there was better news for tennis star Emma Raducanu who beat legend Serena Williams in America overnight.
 

A homeless man has suffered serious burns after reportedly being set on fire while he slept in a tent in Canterbury.
It happened on land behind a leisure centre.
Hear from our reporter Gerry Warren who’s been at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s feared Thanet will be one of the worst affected places in the country when energy prices rocket this autumn.
The most recent figures, seen by the KentOnline Podcast, show 1 in 8 households there is already in fuel poverty – the previous year it was 1 in 10.
Hear from councillor Rob Yates who represents Margate central ward.
A caravan’s been destroyed in an explosion at a holiday park on Sheppey.
Fire crews were called to the Shurland Dale site in Eastchurch last night.
A Maidstone mum’s trying to raise money to get her daughter an assistance dog so she can go to college.
16-year-old Ellie Bourner was diagnosed with Tourette’s a few years ago, and her family got a dog to help with therapy and alert her when a tic attack is coming on.
The famous Knife Angel sculpture is returning to Kent.
It’s made from over 100,000 blades seized by police and was previously on display at Rochester Cathedral in 2019.
Barbie’s launching a doll with hearing aids, following a campaign by Kent Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis.
The actress from Hythe became the first deaf contestant to win the dancing show last year.
And in sport, Gillingham welcome Harrogate to Priestfield for the first time tonight.

A dad has accused a school of ‘sweeping violence under the carpet’ after his son was attacked.
The Meopham School pupil was left with a black eye after it happened as he waited to be picked up at the end of term.
We have a response from the head teacher.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s being suggested schools in Kent are kept open in the evening and at weekends this winter so children have somewhere to go to keep warm.
A councillor has put forward the idea – hear reaction from Lorraine Schulze who helps to run the Medway foodbank.
After a heat alert last week, we’ve now got a warning for possible flooding in Kent as heavy rain is forecast.
Plus you can hear how wildlife experts say nature could be used to combat climate change in the county.
Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show £5.5m has been paid out in redundancy packages by the county council over the last five years.
It went to just over 200 employees whose roles were no longer required – our political editor has spoken to the council leader.
A Medway woman is sharing her experience with the menopause after being hospitalised six times.
Annie Cardone from Rainham suffered from insomnia and sleep psychosis, but doctors were slow to give her a proper diagnosis and treatment.
She’s now written a book in a bid to help others.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager following their defeat at Tranmere at the weekend.

A teenager has been taken to hospital following a stabbing in Gravesend.
It happened near a Tesco in the town centre. We have the latest as a 37-year-old man is arrested.
Also in today’s podcast, Kent is now officially in a drought.
It’s been the driest summer for 50 years – we get reaction from Maidstone Green councillor Stuart Jeffery.
A hosepipe ban for a large part of Kent has also come into force, but residents in part of Ashford say a water leak near their homes hasn’t been fixed for weeks
Hear what they had to say.
A vigil’s been held for a father and daughter who died in a suspected hit-and-run in Ramsgate.
78-year-old Yoram Hirshfeld and 40-year-old Noga Sella were knocked down by a car and killed in Leopold Street on Wednesday night.
Bosses at Canterbury’s only gar bar say they’ll fight to stay open as they face a licence review.
Police are urging the city council to examine the operating conditions at Limes Lounge in Rosemary Lane following dozens of call-outs over the last year.
We’ve spoken to the co-owner.
The KentOnline Podcast can reveal the most popular destinations for Kent holidaymakers this summer.
And in sport, hear from Gillingham’s new co-chairman.
Paul Fisher has been speaking about why he took on the job and his hopes for the future.

A man and woman have been killed while a child is being treated in hospital following a suspected hit and run in Ramsgate.
It happened on Leopold Street last night.
Hear from our reporter at the scene, a witness and the Mayor of Ramsgate.
Also in today’s podcast, an amber weather warning for extreme heat has come into force for most of Kent.
Forecasters say temperatures will reach the low to mid 30s by Sunday.
We’ve been speaking to Medway’s director of public health.
It’s also been revealed how the hot weather is impacting wildlife in Kent.
The owner of an unauthorised glamping site in Kent that’s been described as ‘worse than a detention centre’ – has defended her decision to try and open it permanently.
The facility in Westbere near Canterbury was set up in April using a temporary post-Covid licence.
While most of us might be sweltering in the heat – wine growers in Kent have been telling the KentOnline Podcast how they’re loving the hot summer.
Balfour Winery have had vineyards on the Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst near Maidstone for the past 20 years.
Hear from their head winemaker.
And in sport, find out who Gillingham will play in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

A man has died after a car crashed into a bus during a police chase in Margate.
An Audi TT failed to stop for officers on Shottendane Road yesterday morning.
The driver has been named as a 23-year-old – hear what tributes have been posted online.
Also in today’s podcast, two more people have caught monkeypox in Kent – and now there are concerns about a vaccine shortage.
The new cases are in Canterbury and Folkestone & Hythe.
The only secondary school on the Isle of Sheppey has been rated inadequate.
Inspectors made a surprise visit to Oasis Academy in June.
Their damning report out today reveals details of bullies using racist, homophobic and sexist language – a lack of permanent teachers and half of students not turning up to lessons.
Hear from the founder of Oasis, Steve Chalke.
Kent Fire and Rescue say they’re experiencing an exceptional level of demand because it’s just so dry at the moment.
Anything from a discarded cigarette to pieces of litter can start a blaze in these conditions.
We’re being urged not to have bonfires at this time of year, and to be extra careful with disposable barbecues.
A Gravesend woman who sells content on Only Fans has been speaking about some of the more bizarre requests she receives.
Miki-rose is 22 and been in the sex trade since she was 18.
Hear from her and we have safety advice from Zoe Cairns, a social media expert from Medway.
In sport, Gillingham are through to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
They beat AFC Wimbledon 2-0 away from home last night. Hear from goal scorer Jordan Green.

Two teenagers who filmed themselves punching a man and kicking him in the head in Dover have avoided being sent to prison…
19-year-olds Tyler Hart from Sidney Street in Folkestone and George McGee from Longfield Road in Dover carried out the late-night attack outside the Premiere store on Pencester Road in February last year.
Hear from our reporter Sean Axtell who was in court for the case.
Also in today’s podcast, a dad from Sittingbourne who shares custody of his son and has criticised what he claims is a ‘sexist policy’ when it comes to organising school travel.
11 year-old Milo lives equally with his parents but in different houses and needs to go to a specialist school in Cranbrook.
Hear from his dad and find out what the council have said.
An amber warning for extreme heat has been issued for Kent as our long hot summer continues.
It’ll be in force across most of the county from Thursday until Sunday.
In sport, we’ve been catching up with some of our Commonwealth athletes after the games came to a close last night.
Hear from hockey gold medalist Grace Balsdon and para table tennis star Ross Wilson who won bronze.
And in football, Gillingham are getting ready for their first game in the Carabao Cup.

It’s all change at Gillingham Football Club as chairman Paul Scally announced he’s taking an ‘extended break’.The 67-year-old has been in charge at Priestfield for the past 27 years.Hear the thoughts of our Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell.Also in today’s podcast, we have a special report on the issue of homelessness and how it’s affecting so many people in Kent.As the cost of living continues to rise, a charity’s warning of a crisis. Porchlight says there were over 2,400 households at risk of homelessness in the county in the first three months of this year.We’ve been speaking to them and also Gravesham Sanctuary who are hoping to convert a property to house those who end up on the streets.Kent’s expected to be as hot as Bermuda this week, as a another heatwave hits the county.Meantime, with a hosepipe ban on the way for some in Kent, thousands of homes in Dartford have been left without supplies.There are plans for a 20 mile-per-hour zone in Herne Bay to try and slow down so-called boy racers.Some people in the town say fast drivers are leaving them scared to leave their homes.More than a thousand people have signed a petition calling for food vouchers to be re-instated for parents in part of Kent during the holidays.Medway Council decided not to give them to low-income families whose children qualify for free school meals.Instead, they’re running summer schools which provide a meal – hear from the leader of the local Labour group.Bosses at Kent’s biggest shopping centre have told the podcast they’re planning even more adrenalin filled attractions.And in sport, Gillingham have picked up their first win of the season.Hear from manager Neil Harris following the victory over Rochdale at Priestfield.

A man has been arrested after a car smashed into houses in Maidstone.
The vehicle went through a garden wall, sending bricks flying through nearby windows in the early hours of this morning.
Also in today’s podcast, we could be forced to pay more to use sports centres in Kent as councils are hit with rising energy prices.
We’re just four months in to the financial year, but authorities say their budgets are already being squeezed.
Hear from the leader of Tonbridge and Malling borough council.
Traders in part of Ashford say they’ve noticed a drop in custom after the sudden closure of a town centre car park.
The site on Edinburgh Road has been shut for safety reasons after debris fell from a ceiling during last month’s heatwave.
Kent has recorded it’s first cases of Monkeypox – we reveal where.
We might be in the middle of a long, hot summer but one of the stars of panto in Kent this year has been chatting about being in the county for Christmas.
Carrie Hope Fletcher will be playing the villain in Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
And in sport, Kent race walker Tom Bosworth says he’s feeling emotional ahead of his event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He’ll be going in the 10km on Sunday ahead of retiring at the end of the season.