KentOnline

A huge fire has ripped through one of Sheppey’s most historic buildings.
Firefighters were called to the Victorian water tower on Trinity Road in Sheerness last night.
Hear from our reporter who has been to the scene of the blaze.
Also in today’s podcast, Britain has a new Prime Minister and business in Kent are already urging them to take action on rising energy prices.
Hear from a guitar maker to the stars from Canterbury and a pub owner in west Kent who say their bills are set to rise astronomically in the next few months.
Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugenhat has also been sharing his thoughts on what needs to be done.
A legal challenge against the government policy to send asylum seekers – who cross the Channel to Kent – to Rwanda is continuing at the High Court.
An attempt to get it underway was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights.
A huge sculpture made from more than 100,000 seized blades is back in Kent to highlight what’s been described as the country’s knife crime epidemic.
The Knife Angel – which has previously been on display at Rochester cathedral – is going to be at the Lighthouse Church in Maidstone for the next month.
And, an award winning Kent hotel has hit back at a bad review left on TripAdvisor which described how one bed was propped up on bricks.

Liz Truss has been confirmed as the new leader of the Conservative Party and will become the next Prime Minister.
She beat Rishi Sunak in a leadership contest following the resignation of Boris Johnson and will travel to Scotland tomorrow to meet the Queen.
We’ve been finding out what the new PM’s challenges will be in Kent and what some of you want her priorities to be. Hear from our political editor, the chair of the National Care Association, the chief exec of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and shoppers in Sheerness.
Also in today’s podcast, we find out why so many strikes are happening at the moment.
This time it’s drivers at bus company Arriva who’ve walked out with industrial action happening in Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells.
It’s emerged children in Kent as young as 12 are being given drugs to deliver by their parents who’re struggling with the cost of living.
Refocus Project – which helps young people get away from gangs – says soaring inflation has led to a rise in county lines dealing.
Plans for a care home in Ashford, described as ‘monolothic’, have been thrown out.
The 75 bed facility could have been built along with houses on a former hospital site in the town.
And in sport, hear from the Gillingham boss following their goalless draw against Swindon Town at the weekend.

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.